Walmart online grocery shopping!

I have heard about doing your grocery shopping online with Walmart!  I've questioned people, looked at it online, and Monday made my first online order!
Let me just say, THIS.IS.AMAZING!  It is so easy to use and so worth your time!
On Monday, I made my grocery list, minus organizing my list by aisles in the store.  I then went online at walmart.com/grocery and typed in my list. The only thing I could not find online was tissue paper for wrapping, but other than that I could find everything on my list.  I then had to select a day and time available to pick up my order.  There is some pre-planning involved.  You cannot shop and pick up on the same day.  Before checking out, you can select items that you are okay with substituting if the item is not available.  Then you pay with a card online and you are set.  I placed my order on Monday and selected to pick up on Wednesday.  You are sent a confirmation to your email and it will allow you a certain amount of time to edit your order if needed (I edited my order about 4 times!)  Then on Wednesday I received a call about 15 minutes before my 10-12pm time slot telling me my order was ready for pick up.  I told them I could be there within 10 minutes and was asked to call them once I was in a parking spot.  At my Walmart, they have signs posted showing you where to park for online grocery orders.

 I did have to make a couple of loops around before one of the 4 designated parking spots opened up.  I then called them back and gave them my letter I was parked in.  An employee was out at my car within a minute with my order.  She showed me a print out of my order and shared with me if I had an substitutions, which I did not.

 I then signed and she told me I could get back into my car.  She loaded all my groceries and at the end handed me my eggs to keep up front with me and I was on my way home.

 10-15 minutes tops from leaving my house to leaving the store!  I came home and double checked everything just to make sure!  It was all there.  The only negative I would say is ordering produce.  I am picky about bananas and I would have picked different ones than they picked and my red onion was giant and I would have chosen a smaller one, but other than that-PERFECT!
I would definitely recommend this service to anyone!  Such a time saver!
Here's a link to place your very own online order:  http://refer.walmart.com/v2/share/6231876450326225012

Fix #2

The day finally arrived...Fix #2.  That was the longest 2 months!  I requested that this month they style me for our upcoming family trip to Disney World.  I wanted comfy clothes appropriate for Florida! 
The box arrived on Wednesday and I could not get home fast enough to check the front porch!  I was a little apprehensive to tear that puppy open in the event it was decked out with Mickey ears or character shirts!!  We are still keeping this trip a secret from Lucas!!!!!!
Poor guy, he had an abnormally early bedtime, so I could hide in the closet and rip that box open!
I was pleasantly surprised with all 5 of the items sent this month! No ears or character clothes! The box was filled with a cross body bag, a lightweight dress, a pair of shorts, a sleeveless top, and a pair of capri jeans.
The best part of the fix was the sweet note from my stylist this month.  She wished us well on our vacation and sympathized with my petite frame and the trouble finding clothes that fit right!  What a nice person!
Ok, down to the clothes...
After trying everything on and getting the reviews from Lucas and Mike I ended up keeping the Papermoon Lexis Knit Top and the Florence Colorblocked Dress!  They are both perfect for work and weekends!  I don't think they will be going along with me to Disney-that's reserved for Mom shorts and Disney tees!!!!!!!!
I tried everything on and Lucas took the pictures this time.  I seriously need to learn how to take selfies-that kid can always find my very worst angle!
Here is what my Fix #2 included!

Loved this colorblocked dress!  KEEPER!

The top was a KEEPER!  The capri jeans-RETURN!  Weird stitching in the front!

  

 

 

 

 

 

The shorts were really cute despite this picture, but a little too tight on the booty! RETURN

Cool cross body bag, but I already have a similar bag! RETURN

I have heard from several people that the longer you do Stitch Fix the better it gets.  I can now say I agree!  This only being my second box and I loved everything, even though I am returning more than I am keeping!  Can't wait for June to get here for Fix #3!

Are you interested in trying Stitch Fix?  If so, use this link and schedule your Fix today:  https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/4641847

Fix #1

 I have heard a lot about Stitch Fix and read many reviews from customers.  Me not being a big shopper for myself and loving to get any kind of mail I was all in.  To begin you have to fill out a style profile.  This was by far the hardest part of the process.  I don't really know what my "style" is??? Teacher chic, lady of luxury, bargain babe-oy vey!  I also am not really sure what my body type is:  small chest-yes, big booty-yes, normal shoulders-yes, average hips-yes, boyish figure-no way, apple shaped, pear shaped,banana shaped-who knows-I try not to spend that long looking at myself really.  So you can also upload your Pinterest boards to show what kinda styles you most like.  In addition to all the body image loathing you can simply just type your Do's and Dont's for everything from patterns, sizes, trouble areas, and a big one for me your price zones!  You set your fix to come as frequent or infrequent as you like and you are set!   Each fix you are charged a $20 styling fee,but if you buy anything from your fix that $20 is credited to your purchase!

So all set for February 11th!  I followed that tracking number like a vulture follows his next kill!  Came home to this fabulous box on the front porch!

 Inside the box you receive 5 items, not all will be clothing if you opt to have jewelry sent as well.  My box included 2 shirts, 1 pair of pants, a jean jacket, and a necklace.  I had the hubs photo me in every outfit and consulted my stylist, Lucas from the shower to rate each outfit.  Please do excuse the wore out look and wild hair.  We are on the T25 bandwagon and this was taken after a 25 minute butt kickin' from Shaun T!

The Mel Woven Top:  $48.00.  Loved it, got great reviews from Lucas, but for me the length was a little too short.  It showed some belly action if I raised my arms!  This one was a send back:(

The Ivy Petal Print Blouse:  $58.00.  Thought I would hate the print-tried it on and loved it, Lucas loved it and Sophie obviously loved it also!  Keeper!

Anita Skinny Pant:  $78.00.  I knew these would not be a keeper before trying on.  First the price is a little steep and no skinny pants allowed at work.  Plus can you say muffin top-gag!  They did feel so comfy-but got a round of NO's.

Callie Denim Jacket:  $74.00.  Who doesn't love a soft denim jacket.  Unfortunately this one fit a little too snug for me and my armpits.  I also already have a jean jacket that I love, so this was a send back also.

Missie Hammered Bar Necklace:  $28.00.  I loved this.  Lucas and Mike said I looked "gangster"!  I took it as a compliment but it was not intended to be one!  I don't wear many shirts that would show it off so it was a send back too!

Included is a picture guide as to what you can coordinate your pieces with-very cool!

An itemized receipt and you get a 25% discount if you keep all 5 items!

My only keeper-so happy to have gotten at least one thing.  This is something I would have never even tried on in a store due to the print.

The items that are not keepers go back into a pre-paid envelope and you mail it off within 3 days.  You share your thoughts and complete a return survey.  You rate your items, confirm payment for your keepers, and tell them what you are sending back.  You also can schedule your next fix.  I scheduled my next one to arrive on April 8th!   My overall impression was I really liked it and it was fun to see what someone else picks for you.  They say over time your boxes will get better as your stylist learns what you like and don't like. 
If you would like to try your very own Stitch Fix you can use this code to begin your adventure!
https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/4641847

Love and Loss

Well, I really am still alive and do creep on others people's blogs just not on my own. MUST.DO.BETTER.IN.2014!!

This year has gone by in a whirlwind and I am vowing to keep records of 2014 much more!
I have struggled to write this blog for awhile, but I know for healing and my forgetfulness I need to do it, so here goes...

In October, Mike and I took our annual trip to Austin for ACL fest.  This year we were lucky enough to be joined by lots of our friends!!  The highlight for me this year was the band lineup.  I mean who can not get excited about Lionel Richie as a headliner!
Now usually on these trips my OCD, nervous Nellie, personality is in overdrive.  For some reason this year it wasn't.  Mike and I had a blast like a couple of teenagers!

Fast forward to the next weekend, where this lady slept for maybe like 23 hours out of everyday for an entire weekend.  I chalked it up to a SUPER great vacation!
The following week all was back to normal, rested and ready to rock the week.  Several weeks passed and I was beginning to wonder where was Aunt Flow and her monthly visit.  Not real unusual, the older I get the more unpredictable she can be!

Ok, so 10 days after my missed period on a Monday evening I mentioned it to Mike over making dinner.  He went into superhero mode and basically flew to Kroger.  He came back and I swore I would take it the following morning.  HA!  Like either one of us could wait that long, so I rush to the bathroom while the boys were watching TV.

TMI ALERT...

Not kidding....I could not even finish my tinkle before that plastic stick screamed POSITIVE!  

WTF..WTF...WTF...

If you know me, you know it takes a little science and planning to conceive, not a weekend of Lionel Richie indulgence, people!

Well there it was, PREGNANT!  Holding my vomit in I called Mike to the bathroom and began to weep uncontrollably.  Mike basically did what any normal husband would do and asked if I wanted to phone a friend as he backed his body into a corner in a defensive stance!  We have been trying, but not really trying for over 2 years.  We had both decided that it wasn't in the cards and we would be content as a family of 3!

OK, so 2 phone calls to friends to cry, laugh, and freak out...  oh and 1 to my pharmacist friend to check on allergy meds I was taking...

Life went on.  I was sick, beyond tired, and scared.  

Went in for my first appointment which they deemed me not quite pregnant according to the sonogram, but preggo according to my urine.  3 weeks later, 2 extra blood draws,  and my increased HcG levels showed that NOW I was "pregnant". Sent home with anti-nausea pills and some high powered pre-natals. Best part was:  due July 1st, a teachers worst nightmare!

We did get some cool sono pics of the baby blob so we rushed to show my sister and later that weekend to share with our parents.  Shared the news with Lucas at a fancy Taco Casa dinner.  He was beyond jazzed to be a BIG BRO! 

For 11 weeks Mike Woods was my night in shining armour.  He did everything while I pretended to not be pregnant and not vomit on anyone!  Laundry, cooking, baths, school work, guitar lessons were all on his plate.  What a man!

The night of Justin Timberlake my bestie Amanda took our family photo for our Christmas cards this year.  We could not wait to break the news this way to all our friends and family.

Then ICE-A-PALOOZA 2013 happened.  That week I started feeling better, like a million times better.  More energy, desire to eat, even did some sledding down the driveway!!!

I had an appointment on Tuesday, December 10th.  Mike was at work, so Luke and I would just meet him there.  Routine appointment.  First time for Luke to go with us and hear the heartbeat.  As luck would have it, Mike was stuck in traffic, so I told him no worries about coming with us.  Should be a quick and easy appt.  

Famous last words...

We settled into a room and the nurse asked the normal questions, told her I was feeling great, over the "hump" I felt like.

She grabbed the doppler and showed Luke how to voice record for Dad to hear.  She could not find the heartbeat.  No biggie, another nurse tried, she could not find the heartbeat.

The doc tried and again no heartbeat.  He assured me that the baby was still very small, so we would just do a sono to get a better look!

I was still not worried, more excited to see the baby again:)

We waited for the room to be prepped and for some reason, as the lady in front of me came out of the sono room crying, I knew something wasn't right.  I'm not really into reading energy but the room felt heavy.  I just wanted to fan the bad air out before I went in, too late...

Luke had a front row shot of the screen.   Having 2 sonos already I knew the heartbeat was always the first thing you see. 

I did not see it, only black.  Like, the worst black color you could imagine.  I quietly started to cry as the doc played with angles.  He then quickly asked a nurse to take brother out.  I then loudly wept.  He saw a baby that never grew beyond 8 weeks, with a head, arm and leg buds developed, but no heartbeat.  I never looked at the screen again.  The rest of the appointment was a haze.  They scheduled a D and C for the next day.  He did not want this miscarriage to proceed on its own. 

I knew I had to get it together for my big boy in the next room.  I sat next to Luke and asked if he knew what had happened.  He said the baby didn't have a heartbeat but it would grow one, right?  God, how I wished it were that simple.

I told him in the best terms I could, heck I didn't even know what was happening and that sweet boy looked at me and said its ok mom, you just have a dead baby in your belly.  Well, yep that about summed it up.  Weirdly, those words have comforted me.  They have helped me not long for something that was no longer mine.

On the way home we both cried a little in the car.  He and I both longing for something we would not get.  He told Mike and me he was sad to not be a big brother.  We cried for that too.

The next day went much better than I ever expected.  The peeps at Baylor All Saints are rock stars. Every person I encountered was so apologetic and assuring, even briefly sharing their stories of loss.  I strangely felt a sense of sisterhood.  

I took the rest of the week off and then finished up the last week before Christmas break. The week back at work was the best medicine anyone could have prescribed.  My school family and team rocked and held my hand and loved me anyway I needed.
  My post op appointment on Christmas Eve went great!  The hardest part was sitting back in the same waiting room with LOTS of pregnant ladies.  My thoughts wanted to turn to anger, but I keep fighting that urge.  We left, thankful for promising news and a sense of hope!

I told Mike that anytime you are faced with tragedy you should take away a lesson.  This taught me about humility and love.  I take pregnancy and having babies way too carelessly.  I take my husband for granted.  I take my precious boy I already have for granted.  This has showed me to love more and laugh more, and enjoy life more.  My love for my husband, son, family, and friends has filled my heart during a dark time.  Knowing they have my back and are praying for me, even when I don't ask gives me comfort beyond measure.
Thank you for listening.

Playing Hookie!

I planned a little surprise hookie day for Luke.  The night before we went to the Ranger game and I knew we would be getting home late, so I planned for the 3 of us to have a hookie day on Friday! 

 

Luke had no idea where we were taking him...

 

The Sea Life Aquarium

This is the aquarium inside Grapevine Mills Mall.  Earlier in the year we went on a first grade field trip and the kids loved it!  I knew the aquarium would be a ghost town if we could go during the week and  I knew they had scheduled feeding throughout the day so we planned to be there for those!  It was a seahorse feeding day and you should have seen all the baby seahorses eating.  Some were no bigger than the food.  We also bought back stage passes.  This was the best money spent by far!

We got a personal tour of all the aquarium tanks and we were able to see the sea animals from a whole new perspective.  They shared some interesting stories about the animals.  We got to see where they feed them and make their food daily.  The coolest part was getting to see the 2 sea turtles they had recently rescued and learning their amazing story.  I'm bummed I don't have pictures of those 2 guys, but I was really busy crying over their sad stories and asking a million questions to the marine biologist!  Mike and I were in nerd heaven, Luke was a little bored and probably a tad bit embarrassed!

Never a dull moment!

Luke is not the only one who loves a good photo opportunity!  Here is what shenanigans I have been up to...

 Having a little Longhorn moment at Kindergarten registration!

 

 

 

Channeling my inner Praying Mantis at recess!

No big deal-it's just a CYST!

I always struggle at the beginning of Spring with my face.  It always has a freak out on me!  I usually blame it on the end of the school year stress, some poor eating, and my increased sweat glands when it gets this humid.  Well, just like in years past, my face began to freak out at the beginning of May.  I knew this meant a trip to the Dermatologist, but still hesitated...

One Sunday we took Luke to a birthday party at a trampoline park and while I was jumping my brains out I felt my right eye start to hurt  on the brow bone.  It continued to hurt that day and the next morning my eye was swollen shut.  I immediately called the Dermatologist and set an appointment for later in the week.  Obviously a swollen eye is not an big deal in the dermatologist community!  My eye kept getting more swollen and I kept blaming it on my Rosacia.  Everntually some of the kids in class started to get worried that something was wrong with my eye and asked if I was okay!  There was many a remedy and concoction applied throughout the week.

I expected going in to the doctor to get a new topical cream and a new script for some oral meds.  Umm, wrong!

It was a giant cyst that needed to be lanced open!  What the What!!!!

I mean I love all things that can be extracted but this was not what I was expecting!  After several shots to my face and some intricate slicing and squeezing this is what I came home looking like...

 My face is NOT this wide-silly camera!

 

 

Don't worry!  I rocked that band aid all day!  Took Luke to soccer practice, ate Rosa's and grocery shopped!  I think the cashier felt sorry for me and honored my expired coupon!

Oh, and Justin sent me this amazing get well!!