Spring Has Sprung With Thirty-One!

Y'all.

I am all giddy and my heart is ah-flutter. 

The Spring/Summer 2017 Thirty-One catalog is live, today!

Ahhh, the hills are alive, with the sound of music, and the sight of colors!

Tiffany Blue taste with the Thirty-One price...yeppers! Isn't she a beaut?????!!!!

What's that? You aren't in to the whole Tiffany Blue scene (It's actually called Skies For You Pebble, something about copyright and all that legal stuff)? That's okay, we also have Turquoise, Navy, Blue Crosshatch, and Slate Blue. 

 And, pink, and red, and black and charcoal, and caramel, and....oh, you can just taste the rainbow!

For those who like the calm quiet and peace of the sea or even the lake....here are some tranquil fabrics and colors.

Need to tote something along with you on your busy day? No worries, we've got a bag for you!

Organization? Organization? Wherefore art though, oh, organization?

And the hits just keep on comin'! Here is what is going on in February! I am so ready to party it up with you gals!

Chicks and turtles and butterflies, oh my!

Want it all? Oh, I have a cure for that, consider investing in a kit and starting your own business.

I did seven years ago and I have loved every moment (and bag!) of it!

See more at www.mythirtyone.com/tinarandolph

{Purse}onally Yours,

Sneak In The Healthy Challenge

I have a confession to make. This is hard for me, so I am asking for grace. For a Pass Go, Do Not Go To Jail card.  This is a No Judgement Zone. Now that this is cleared up...I shall carry on.

I stink at nutrition. Total fail. I know what to do, how much, when, why, where and what accessory looks good with it. All of that. But I still stink.

My girl, well, she is a plethora of the What Not To Eat. Junk food, Mac & Cheese (not the healthier version, I am talking box city y'all.) chicken nuggets, fast food, breakfast bars, ice cream, chips...

My poor husband and I butt heads on this one. He is a "let's do it" kinda guy. Make a smoothie, put all of the goodness in side and serve it with a stern talking to and a straw.  I'm the wuss. I'm all "make her think she made the decision and she will love it." Which is really my way of avoiding the fits and crying and yukky faces and heaving.  Yeah, I stink.

So, over time, we have battled on the way to serve it up to her. He does it her way, she hides and cries. I do it my way, she refuses, then I hide and cry.

I know, I hear ya. Just proclaim your authority and do it, she will get over it. True. But getting over it may require years of therapy and we are already facing braces y'all. There's just not enough dollars for all of it.

So, I have decided to sneak. Lie. Correction, omit truth. Yes, that is much nicer to hear. The omission of truth. 

This is where my Sneak In The Healthy project was born. In a bed of lies, err, omission of truth.

I decided to serve up a Chocolate Milk Shake.  That's what I am calling it.  And it worked.  Kinda.

I was so excited at the progress of it that I posted it all over social media.  Hung my Mom Laundry out to dry and bloooooow in the wind.



What's the opposite of #momfail? Ummmm...this "Breakfast Chocolate Milkshake" with Carnation Instant Breakfast Powder, Banana, Spinach, Coconut Oil, Vanilla Yogurt, and Ice.

Note to self: Don't say the words smoothie, spinach, non-kid yogurt, or MCT oil.

Another note to self: slowly change out the Carnation Instant for organic, raw cacao powder, plain yogurt and some seeds/nuts...and increase spinach.

Must approach project with stealth ninja-like moves. Said target can sniff out healthy from miles away. Note to reader: yes, it is being served in a Yazoo Brewery glass...I was working quickly and this is
 what I grabbed. #nojudgementzone #MomLife


Today, I was on a mission to hide the banana even further, and still add more goodness. Here's today's social media soap opera:

Day 2 of SneakInHealthy Challenge: unbeknownst to subject, I increased spinach and added flax seed, chia seed and raw organic cacao. Subject claims to taste a warm banana. 

She may be on to me. 

Although, the banana was frozen...this puzzled me. I strategically placed a bottle of chocolate syrup on the counter well within the vision of subject. It seems to have thrown her off a bit. After faking the addition of toxins and chemicals and fake food...subject exclaimed "perfecto!". Stealth taste buds are strong in this one. 


Must continue on no matter the risk of life or limb.  

#MomLife  

#SheWillBecomeHealthyEvenIfItKillsMe

Stay tuned, more experiments to be performed. 

No animals were injured in this experiment.

No humans were either, although I secretly fear for my life as we progress....this subject is a potential temper tantrum in the works.

Intentional In Life Blog Series

Y'all!

I am so excited to be participating in a blog series with some pretty amazing women. It was created by Jessica Anderson over at Intentional In Life. Jessica invited some blogging heavyweights to write about being intentional in different areas.

I am new to the blogging world, but these other women are pros and they have been an encouragement to me from the moment I "met" them through the phenomenal HomeschoolScopes.tv (https://www.facebook.com/groups/homeschoolscopes) as well as through Periscope.

I initially started Periscope to learn from some of my fabulous Upper Level Leaders of Thirty-One for my business. Then I found out through my dear friend, Shanna, that it was huge resource for homeschoolers. With this group I have found a confidence and a camaraderie in my role as a homeschooling mom, and also as a business woman, a child of God, as a creative, and as a newbie blogger.  

The series, Intentional Life Series - Purposeful Living, Loving & Growing Moms will take place every Monday from January 23 through May 8 (and possibly longer!). 

You simply must check out Jessica's blog!  Once you arrive there, you will be able to see a list of the contributors and the subject that they will be blogging about.  This FREE resource will be filled with knowledge, wisdom, experience, and grace. I have been greatly blessed with what these women have written about and shared and I know you will too!

Being extremely new to blogging, I stepped out in faith to sign up for this series. I don't really have a theme or area of expertise, or even have years of experience, but if there is one thing I have learned from these women, it is that everyone has something to share and someone could benefit from your story.

I will be writing about one of my favorite things, attending conferences!

Intentional Application of “all of that information you receive” at a Homeschool Conference 

I have attended a multitude of conferences for my home based businesses as well as for my spiritual needs. Three years ago I attended the Teach Them Diligently Homeschool Conference in Nashville and have attended every year since. The workshops are filled with a huge amount of information, tips, how-to's, what-not-to-do's and more. By the end of the conference I find myself on my office floor surrounded by goody bags, pamphlets, curriculum catalogs, handouts and notes.

Lots.   Of.   Notes.

After my very first conference I attended in 2002, I found myself there on my office floor with my head spinning. I had to straighten out one leg to avoid fainting or getting ill!  I was so anxious that I packed everything up in the largest goody bag and stashed it in my closet. Forever. Seriously.

It can be unbelievably overwhelming. 

I am excited to be able to share what I have learned to do with all of that information and how I store it, retain it, implement it, or trash it (Some college information isn't really what I need for my 5th grader right now, ya know?).

Join us every Monday starting on the 23rd over at Intentional In Life and gleam from the amazing topics being covered such as planning your homeschool day, studying God's Word, having fun with your child, being grace-filled and even a lesson in what happens when you are not being intentional.

{Purse}onally Yours,

Vintage vs. Modern Strawberry Shortcake

Yesterday I introduced my daughter to Strawberry Shortcake, the original sweet gal. The 1980s version.

She wasn't exactly impressed.

(Before you leave any negative comments about her sneer, said sneer was coaxed, as her original facial expression simply could not be reenacted.) 
 



When she started watching Strawberry Shortcake as a younger child, I wasn't too impressed myself.


She changed, a lot. Like a whole lot. She got taller, and skinnier. And her dress was very short. Regardless of the crazy leggings, the skirt is micro mini!







The original was cute, and plump, and chubby. And she smelled good too.


Her friends were cute and plump, and chubby. And they smelled good too. And their hair wasn't super-model-esque.

They were kids, normal kids, well, except for the fact that they lived in a place with no parents.

They weren't freeze-frame posing all the time either.  Now, they live in fruit-shaped houses and have their own businesses.  The are smoothy making, dress designing, beauticians.  

I have to say though, they still teach some sweet lessons and there isn't a whole lot of sassiness or adult-bashing.

Don't even get me started on the Disney Channel!

And at least there is a "vintage" option available. And at least she is in the Retro Toys section.  I'de much rather be vintage or better yet, retro, than re-marketed as newer and better and skinnier...

Hurry Up And Wait

Ironic choice of coffee mug for this morning...since I can't go anywhere!

 

Out of nowhere, a blanket of snow has magically appeared in Middle Tennessee. And because of this gorgeous powder, all of Middle Tennessee has shut down!  As you can see from my front window, there isn't a whole lot. But the state of Tennessee doesn't have a whole lot of salt, salt trucks, or other snow-related supplies. Therefore, when it snows here, the Kroger alert goes off signalling normally sane people to lose their plumb-pickin' minds and drive like crazy to the nearest Kroger, or Publix, or other grocery store to stock up on milk, bread, toilet paper, and wine, as well as other necessities. 




It just so happens that today is my day to grocery shop. Today, when the news is warning us to stay home.  To stay off of the roads. To not venture out unless it is an extreme emergency.

My husband and I had a major finance meeting a few weeks ago and realized that in addition to eating out a whole lot, we hit the stores 2-3 (and sometimes more!) times per week for the items we failed to pick up during the normal grocery shopping. Which is very draining on the budget, ya know?

We made a decision to plan as much as possible for the coming week and only make one trip to the store...regardless of the fact that I forgot to pick up sour cream which I need for two recipes.

Two days ago, Wednesday, I realized I needed more sour cream, as well as some fish tank supplies for Goldie (I posted about her new fish tank earlier), and a few other miscellaneous items. My husband reminded me of our decision (darned it!) and we had the "is it a true emergency?" talk. Sour Cream is rarely an emergency and Goldie is swimming like she is practicing for the Olympics. 

I have been noting the items I forgot last week and adding them to my upcoming trip which was scheduled for today.

Today.

The day that Tennessee closed.

It's not gonna happen.

This is teaching me how to plan for my grocery shopping trips better. 

To slow down, pay attention, look at the whole picture.

We have very little toilet paper but lots of tissues, and wine, I have plenty of that. Priorities, people.

P R I O R I T I E S.

{Purse}onally Yours,

Goldie Has Survived (So Far...)

Well folks, the fish story is going well. I changed out her tank yesterday, you can read all it about it here.

I was quite nervous with the whole thing. Fish can go in to distress very easily, especially with the changing of the tank. 

Goldie was already having a hard time with being a big fish in a little house. She moved from a 5 gallon garage makeover to a 30 gallon gated community. She's rollin' high style y'all!

But I am keeping the old tank close by in case she starts to show signs of hating the wallpaper. Look at her kissing herself in the mirror. For all I know she could be threatening her reflection to take a hike, but I choose to think she is singing to herself:

I feel pretty,
Oh, so pretty,
I feel pretty and witty and bright!
And I pity
Any girl who isn't me tonight.

I feel charming,
Oh, so charming
It's alarming how charming I feel!
And so pretty
That I hardly can believe I'm real.

See the pretty girl in that mirror there:
Who can that attractive girl be?
Such a pretty face,
Such a pretty dress,
Such a pretty smile,
Such a pretty me!

 

She seems to be doing well so far. I let the tank run a full cycle for 24 hours after treating the water and making sure the temperature is around 74 degrees. She is no longer hanging out at the bottom of the tank and laboring to breathe. She is swimming around like a kid running around in it's first big home looking for which bedroom to claim as hers.

I am swooning with happiness for her.

I'm smiling and wincing all at the same time.

Because I am in dire pain.


I pulled something or irritated something in my neck from lugging the Fishy Condo intp the house and setting it up, so now I am laid up with an ice pack, and have tried essential oils and over the counter packs.

But it's what you do for the Fish-Who-Lived, ya know?

{Purse}onally Yours,

Marshmallows, Banana Peppers & Trailmix, Oh My!

Some days I feel like I can not do anything right.

You know those days, don't you?

Dinner is gross, even though you followed the recipe.

You drop the water pitcher trying to get it back into the refrigerator...not just any water pitcher, but the Brita, that costs like $100 (well, about $30 but hey, when you are feeling kicked while you are down, go ahead and blow the dollar amount up a little).

You forgot to pay the electricity bill, which, besides your mortgage, is your largest bill each month. How on earth could you forget that? And...overlook the email and voicemail messages from the electric company reminding you that you need to pay your bill. Yeah, that has never happened to me. Just kidding, it has happened!

Nothing you say works for the child or hubby, you seem to tick off everyone around you. 
(Just a little tip, it's not them, it's YOU, but that's another post for another time!)


Then, there are those days, when you are rockin' and rollin' and totally hitting Super Mom status.

Your cape is flying out behind you.  There is a halo of light surrounding you.  The Quiche Lorraine turned out beyond your expectations and you didn't use a cookbook or measuring spoons.And, your picky family actually eats it. (I am dreaming here, mine wouldn't eat cooked spinach if their life mostly depended on it, but a girl can dream, right?)

And in between those "Mom of the Year" (total sarcastic voice here) and the Super Mom days, you find yourself doing little things that might annoy you on a different day. Things that other moms would tell you are ridiculous for you to do and they would never...but you do it today because you love them. And you are in a pretty good mood.  Aaannnd, you love them.

Today has been one of those in between days.

I  found myself draining the banana peppers for my husband's salad for work because, once, a long time ago, he casually mentioned that his salad was a bit tart. And I knew why, those darned juicy peppers! It can be such a pain to drain them, and press into them with a fork in the strainer to remove every last drop because they are like sponges! And left undrained, they can wreak tart havoc on a salad that will not be eaten for another five hours.



Then, I made hot cocoa for my girl. She is not fond of marshmallows in her cocoa. She'll eat them otherwise, but not in her liquid chocolate. She will painstakingly remove each and every dehydrated pillow of fluff from the package when "Mom of the Year" did the grocery shopping and got the wrong box of cocoa mix!  Today, I thought I would remove them for her. Quietly, and thoroughly.  Super Mom showed up, cape and all!  Every slotted spoon in the house was dirty from my batch cooking of four meals in one day, so, I worked the fork y'all. And it was a great success....because of the cape, I'm sure. As a matter of fact, I don't think that even the gold lasso belt could have slayed those fake food pieces better. (Note: you can see one of the slotted spoons hanging out in the dirty dish side of my sink!)

Finally, you know when your child does something that makes zero sense, and it is something that you know you will need to deal with, and you just don't "have any time for that"? Today, she made trail mix for her daddy. Not just any trail mix...but something quite, err, umm, special. Yeah, that's it.
"Special".  She was doing very well for a while there: almonds, chocolate pieces and cashews.  But then, she went cray cray and added cinnamon graham crackers as well as Smarties. Yep. Sweet sugary crackers and tart candies. The Mom Voice entered my head, "that is a waste of money, tell her how that does not go together, Daddy can't eat that..." But I shooed the Mom Voice away.  I smiled and said that daddy would totally love it. And bless him, he did. He actually ate some. That my friends, is a real man. A Daddy with a capital D!

We all wanna be super mom, or at least wear a cape once in a while. But I quite enjoy the in between days where I perform little quiet acts of service and keep my mom voice in check.  I think my family does too!

{Purse}onally Yours,