an open letter to brad pitt

Dear Brad, or Mr. Pitt-y Pants, as I like to call you;

I had been anxiously awaiting the release of World War Z so that I could rent that bad boy, and bask in some post-apocalyptic, zombie infested, Brad Pitt sexiness. So last night, that's exactly what I did.

But, oh.

Did Angie talk you into a little too much Botox, Brad dear? Or are you just now processing the horrible decision that was leaving Jen, and that caused the deer-in-the-headlights, expressionless face you were giving me last night? At some point, Brad, you're going to have to stop relying on your looks (because hey, let's face it, those are fading) and start acting like a real actor!

If zombies are chasing you and your family, society generally dictates a change in expression. Maybe even a genuine yelp of terror. Instead, I got this for two straight hours:

Yikes.

Now, let's discuss the scarf. You know as well as anyone, my dear Brad, that I am a huge proponent for the scarf as an accessory. However, I gotta say it; if I were getting dressed for the occasion of oh, say, the end of the world... the scarf is probably the last thing I'd think to grab. But you sir! You made that scarf work. As a blindfold, a bandage, and a jaunty fashion statement- you had it going on. Honestly, I think your scarf deserves the Emmy this year, because it did a hell of a lot more for the movie than your face did.

The perfect jaunty loop, thrown casually over the shoulder... the zombies are shuddering in fear from the fashion smack-down.

But I will give you this much, for the over-the-top expensive, epic fail that was World War Z... SCARIEST EFFING ZOMBIES EVER! Which probably made your lackluster performance stand out all the more. If this is staring you down, I'm gonna need you to give me something. An eyebrow twitch, a lip snarl, maybe even a little piddle in your pants. But something, Brad darling. You look like you're at the supermarket, picking out which brand of denture cream is the most effective.

So in conclusion, Brad, I invite you to re-evaluate your life, and your priorities, because obviously, something isn't working. Possibly you're an overworked dad of 1700 children- you're also rich as all hell. Pay a nanny. Get some sleep. Or next time, audition for the part of Zombie Number 1, because you've got that performance in the bag.

And don't make me waste my $3.99 again. Or I will go straight up chipmunk-zombie on yo ass.

You've been warned, sir.

Love,

Me

a pumpkin flavored life

Well, it's finally happened.

The most exciting day of the year.

Fall officially arrived!! (I get excited, ok?)

Yesterday it was dark, dreary, rainy, and 55 degrees, max. I was ecstatic! I got to break out my boots for running errands, which made my little heart jump for joy. Then I realized my ENTIRE (extensive) scarf collection was in a box in the dark recesses of my storage unit, and I cried a little.

Then, when I tried to get D dressed, I realized all of his pants were 3 inches too short! Baby man-pris are a good look for no one, so a-shopping we did go!

I get a special kind of glee from shopping for baby clothes...tiny little cargo pants? I mean, really.

And, because it was just too damn cute to pass up, the teddy bear hat. I die.

Could I be any more excited for Fall? According to the locals, we will have snow by Halloween, so my Autumn season will be fast and furious. I've already researched all the local pumpkin patches and fall festivals, and can't wait for the cuteness overload of D in a pumpkin patch.

Break out your pumpkin flavored everything, girls, because it's officially Fall!!

Week in photos

Wow, it has been a hot minute since I posted! We've just been slowly adjusting to life here in Montana! Job applications, apartment hunting and exploring has been taking up most of our time. I've decided to go back to work, so researching childcare has been high on my list of priorities this week. If anyone has any tips on transitioning from stay at home mommy to working mommy,  I'd love to hear! I'm very nervous about this transition!

I'll leave you with our week in photos, which is far more entertaining than I can be on this Monday morning!

feeling contemplative

I'm sitting alone on my parent's back porch, with their cat in my lap. It's about 65 degrees, the sun just going down, looking out over the clouds hovering low on the mountains. I can see the city lights stretched out before me, but all around is just horses and hay bales.

I'm sort of pinching myself that we actually did this. We actually picked up and moved 2,000 miles away from everything we know, across the freaking COUNTRY. It's really rather terrifying, if you must know. Oh, it still feels like the right decision. I still feel like this is what we were supposed to do... but have you ever heard that old saying about how God only helps those who help themselves? Well, right about now, I feel like we need A LOT of help! I don't feel nearly as capable of handling this as I did a few days ago. I know that it mostly has to do with the fact that we had a long day today- we unloaded our moving truck of belongings into a teeny tiny storage unit, only taking with us what we'd absolutely need for the next few weeks, and moved into my parent's room above the garage (yeesh, talk about a step backwards!).

I feel unsettled, precarious, adrift in the wild Montana wind. However, with that panicked sense of fear, there comes a sense of clarity, as well. It's amazing how much we identify with our stuff. Take away the materialistic items, the feeling of a "home base", most people start to feel a little uncertain. I mean really, does eating off of my dishes instead of my mother's really have any effect on my day whatsoever? Does being surrounded by my things really bring me that much security, that I'm so off balanced when it's stripped away?

It's a question I never really thought to ask. We've been striving over the past few months to simplify our lives, to get rid of all the stuff. How funny is it then, when we've ultimately achieved our goal, that all I want is to see my pictures on the wall? The curtains that I picked out? To be surrounded by, not just the people who make up my home, but the things that do so as well? It's one of the many things I've been struggling with today, the feeling of packing up my life and starting a new one.

It's humbling to realize the lessons that are being learned by doing something so big, and so scary. Starting over is never easy for anyone, but really, should the best things in life be easy?

Somehow, I get the feeling that the big guy upstairs is answering that question for me, and the answer is a big, resounding, no.

Promptly followed by, "Get it together, small fry."

review : tear stained beaches

Recently, I was contacted by Courtney Giardina, the author of the new book Tear Stained Beaches. This is Courtney's first novel, and she asked me if I was interested in reviewing it! I said yes, of course, because I never turn down the opportunity to read!

Before I get started, there is one thing you should know about me. I am a girl who likes a happy ending. It drives my husband crazy, because when we watch a movie, I always hate it unless it ends the way I want it to. Personally, I think there is enough bad stuff in real life, in my fictional life I like things to turn out peachy, darn it! 

Which may have a lot to do with my response to this book. The main character, Haylie, suspects that her husband is cheating on her. She tries to ignore it at first, but her intuition keeps telling her something is wrong. She finally goes digging, and finds things she wishes she never saw. In an attempt to clear her head, she leaves home and heads for a small North Carolina beach town for some rest and relaxation. She never imagines that this sleepy little town will bring her face to face with her, and her husband's, demons. And, in an effort not to include spoilers, I will just let you know that I was not a fan of the ending.

While this book does bring up some extremely important points about marriage, fidelity, and self-reliance, I had a hard time getting invested in the story. I almost felt uncomfortable, like an acquaintance I didn't know quite well enough was unloading her marital woes on me. I did however find myself reading faster and faster, because I desperately wanted to know what the twist was going to be. I was definitely on the edge of my seat trying to figure it out! 

If you are interested in a quick, short read, and definitely not looking for a love story, then I would recommend you check out the debut novel from Courtney Giardina, Tear Stained Beaches! You can find it for purchase here!

The book Tear Stained Beaches was provided to me by the author in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own!

High Five for Friday!

Happy Friday!

1. My first, and most obvious high five this week is that we made it to Montana! It was a stressful journey, and I'm glad it's almost over! The guys should be arriving late tonight!

2. I'm loving the fall-ish weather! We left 95 degrees and 80 % humidity for 70 degrees and 10% humidity....and it's niiiice!

3. Dylan is having difficulty adjusting his sleep schedule, which means I'm up in time for these beautiful sunrises each morning.

4. Watching a storm roll in... he got so excited each time there was a gust of wind!

5. This gem. No explanation required,  my kid's got sass.

How was your week?

Linking up with Lauren.

We (finally) made it!

It seems like it was a long time coming, but D and I are finally in Montana! My husband, dad and brother are about halfway through their looong 5 day drive, but when they get here, it will be REAL! I can't wait for Mike to see it, I'm so excited to see if he likes it!

It's been an exhausting few days. We got back from vacation Sunday evening, and was able to relax for a few hours. Monday morning we were up, bright and early, to go pick up the moving truck. A full day of loading and packing, then Tuesday morning was cleaning time. They dropped us off at the airport at noon, and we arrived at about 11pm. Like I said, exhausting. But not nearly as bad for me as it is for the guys!!

Currently, I'm sitting on the back porch with D, sipping my chai latte while he tries to coax the cat to come just a liiittle closer. It's about 60 degrees, quiet except for the occassional horse whinny, rooster crow, or baby raspberry, and I'm feeling nothing but peace. That this was the right decision, everything is going to work out, and this truly is the best thing for our family.

If that isn't a good way to start the morning, I don't know what is.