I interrupt blog cheeriness to bring you a rant!

Y'all, I just have to rant. Seriously... someone needs to tell the people at JUSTICE JUST FOR GIRLS to give it a rest!

Today, I made an exchange at Justice. One color tank for a different color tank. It was the same price, same style, etc. All I wanted was a different color. While I was there, I needed to buy a gift card for an upcoming birthday party.

This is the conversation that followed:

Salesgirl: "Your phone number?"

Me: "xxx-xxx-xxxx" (I knew it was coming and I usually don't give it out, but this time, I relented and gave her my phone number.)

Salesgirl: she's clicking away on her register and then, "Your email address?"

Me: "We're on your e-mail list. You can skip that part."

Salesgirl: "The girls' date of birth? It's for special promotions."

Me: "Y'all have it already. You don't need it again."

Salesgirl: Getting defensive she says, "It's not me, it's the system."

Me: "Well, skip that portion."

Then, she has the nerve to ask me...

Salesgirl: "Your home address?"

Me: "Why in the world do you need my home address?"

Salesgirl: "For the exchange. It's our store policy in case something is wrong with the item."

At this point, I darn near take the tank back and tell her to stick her store policy where the sun don't shine, but my girls were standing there melting into the background. So, I gave her my home address.

And then I say...

Me: "Next y'all will want a blood draw and social security number. This is ridiculous."

Salesgirl: Quickly sends me on my way

I realize she is not making the rules here. What I can't understand is why JUSTICE JUST FOR GIRLS asks for my:

1. Phone number
2. Email
3. Birthdates of my children
4. Home address

ALL FOR ONE TRANSACTION!

I'm "this close" to writing a complaint. No, scratch that... I think I will. That's way over the top and just not reasonable.

So, I'm curious, anyone else experience the same run-around at this store?

RRCA Talent Show Performance

I'm so proud of Elisan.
She performed in the school talent show on the last day of school!

9 months later...

Drawing Winner!

Congrats to Tamrah

who won the Non-Slip Headband!
Tamrah, I sent you an email with some particulars!

Y'all have a great Friday!

What else? A blog brain dump!

It's another installment of blog brain dump. (I know, classy right?) But really, there's so much going on in my head... you're just gonna have to bear with me.

So, I got my hair highlighted last week and let me say... I LOVE IT. And, I love my new hairdresser. She's talented, amazing, beautiful and loves the Lord with her entire heart! Her hair salon is called "Happy Hair Beauty Parlor" and let me be the first to say (here)... my hair is happy again! She works by customer referrals, so consider this your personal invitation to try Alison at Happy Hair Beauty Parlor. You can get her contact info on her website. Oh, and please tell her that ERICA sent you! (She has summer specials running right now, so be sure to check it out!)

Yesterday was Awards day at school. Both girls did ah-mazing and I'm so proud of each of them. I wish I could brag to the fullest extent about their awards, but I fear that I would be "braggin" not "bloggin". I will say that I'm extremely impressed and continually counting my blessing for such awesome little girls.

Also in school news, I'm happy to report that Elisan was selected to be on the 5th grade praise and worship team at school. Their team is called "Rock the Flock". She auditioned last week and after a long weekend of waiting on pins and needles, she finally learned yesterday that she made the team. I haven't seen her so giddy in a long time! (If that's even possible. She's always giddy!)

As promised, I have a fun giveaway for big or little girls! As you know, I've been making non-slip headbands for the girls and me. We love them and they really work. I recently made several using sequins and they are so adorable!

Leave a comment on this blog entry to enter.

I'll draw a winner on Friday! If you are selected, you can choose between hot pink, turquoise or silver.

And if you think these are only for little girls... think again! I've made two for a fellow mom and one for myself! Bring a little bling to your workout!

I made the switch!

For nearly a year, Randy has been begging/bribing me to make the switch from my beloved Sprint cell phone service and move to Boost $50 unlimited (text, internet/data, minutes) service plan.

Okay, I'll admit... it's not really my "beloved" Sprint service...it's more like my beloved phone number I've had forever.

I'll be honest here, I loathe getting emails from people that say, "please update my contact information with this new phone number" because truth be told, I rarely do. Unless, it's like my mom or someone as equally as important. And I didn't want my new phone number to to fall prey to laziness. (Tell me I'm not alone here!)

For the last several weeks, Randy has been hitting me up pretty hard about making the switch to Boost, since my Sprint contract would expire in May. But I kept telling him I didn't want to change phone numbers.

So, he did a bit of research and because Sprint owns Boost (and Boost operates on Sprint's network) there really was no need to change numbers. People, this is contrary to what EVERY Sprint representative has ever told us. I can't tell you how many times Randy and I went into a Sprint store looking for someone to tell us that, yes, in fact, I would be able to keep my phone number after all. But, no such luck! Maybe something about Sprint not wanting to lose business/income to it's "no-contract-step-sister" called Boost.

In effort to keep the peace in my family (and increase my calling plan) I finally agreed to make the switch to Boost... AND, with that, I agreed to get a new number if I had to.

Well, to make a long story short... After staying on the phone for nearly 30 minutes, Randy was able to get my new Galaxy Prevail Android (Boost) phone activated with my current phone number!

Y'all my husband ROCKS! This totally made my day!

And, if you are wondering... I love my new phone.

One of the coolest features on my phone is the voice activated typing. So neat! I can send emails without typing a thing! Same goes for using Facebook, etc. And because it's a Android phone, I have most (if not all) of the same apps I'm used to using on my iPod.

All of this for $50.00 a month (with the purchase of the phone, of course.) I'm totally sold on Boost!

Full Throttle

Y'all, it's that time of the year when our little life is at full throttle.

Trust me, I'm loathing the fact that I haven't updated my little piece of real estate I call a blog in over a week. Truth is... I can't spare a square.

Or rather, I can't spare a reasonable block of time to think, write, edit (oh, who am I kidding... I don't edit) a blog entry.

I will tell you I've got a few things that I'm excited about, including some new summer-style digi kits! I'll need a coupla more weeks to finish them up, but I think they will be great for summer!

I'm also planning a summertime girly girl giveaway (for little girls) before school is out. So, hang in there peeps.

And finally, I leave you with this... if you are a Coach purse fan, Coach Outlet now has a website. I got a "secret" email today about a sale offering an additional 30% of already reduced outlet prices. There are some great deals there... sigh, too bad I can't justify owning another purse.

So much for secrets. Let that be a lesson learned.

(No, not really. I can keep secrets... just not about secret sales!)

In Texas, we only have Hummer Limos

I'm not sure where in cyber-space this post ended up, but I'm "reposting for posterity"! (Say that 5 times fast!)

As promised... because I KNOW you have been waiting anxiously for...

The Limo Re-Cap

I chaperoned a group of 10 - 1st and 2nd graders.
Here they are saying "Limo Ride!"

And.... we're off!

A fun-filled lunch of pizza and games!

Our driver, who by the way was kind of creepy.

Here's Elisan's group of 4th and 5th graders.
Apparently telling the kids to say "Limo Ride" as I was snapping a picture
was "SO NOT COOL MOM", as I was told later that day.

Here's Elisan waving goodbye (already, woman!)

Blog Brain Dump

This is going to be quick and I'm going to admit, I'll probably not proofread this entry... which really isn't anything new, but I thought I'd throw that disclaimer out there. Just for grins.

So, this weekend was Mother's Day. And let me say, I'm truly blessed beyond measure. And not just because they gave me bling for Mother's day, but because my two little girls and awesome husband are just th' bomb. No seriously, they are.

And speaking of bling... Randy took the girls to Hannah D's so they could each pick out a thing or two for Mother's day. And when I say bling, I mean... bling. Kyla picked out a necklace set for me that can only be descibed as the "crown jewels" but in turquoise. Um, yeah. Honestly, I want to love it, I really do, but something tells me I won't be going to prom anytime soon.

I gently told her that although I LOVE what she picked out for me, my wardrobe doesn't have anything that would qualify for such blingity bling and that maybe we should go back and pick something out that mommy would indeed be able to wear. She happily agreed because she's a girl and loves the opportunity to shop.

Speaking of shopping (how about that for a segue...) I've found something "new" to me that I love. Y'all, I'm not very adventurous when it comes to milk (or milk type products). I like 1% milk and I've always been happy with it. Until HEB had their Almond Milk on sale the other day for $1.00 off. I bought a 1/2 gallon of the unsweetened vanilla flavored Almond Milk and OH.MY.GOODNESS! It's like dessert in a glass. And for 40 calories per 8oz... I'm hooked. Apparently Almond Milk has similar nutrients as regular milk, but with less calories. It also has less protein than cow's milk, but I don't lack in the protein department. I definitely recommend trying it. It took a time or two for me to embrace the flavor, but now, I really love it! (photo credit: www.savingwithshellie.com)

Tomorrow, the girls' are going on a Hummer Limo ride to Gattiland as a prize for raising a certain amount of money for the school's fundraiser. Yep, a Hummer Limo. Fancy, right? So, I got a call last week asking if I wanted to chaperone a group of kids who were also going on the limo ride and my answer, "HECK YEAH!" So, tomorrow, I too will be riding in a Hummer Limo. I'll definitely get pictures and post them later this week.

Maybe my prom necklace will come in handy afterall?

So, I'm curious...A follow up

Thank you to everyone who replied to the "So, I'm curious..." post a couple of weeks ago. If you're not familiar with this post about friendship, then by all means, please catch up.

We'll wait.

Heidi (Minnesota Mom) suggested a follow up blog entry to "So, I'm curious..." and I agree. The topic of friendship... close, endearing, long lasting friendships seemed to be on all of our hearts.

Each of you had great insight and comments.

Melissa wrote: "I am always watching for other women because I crave friendships."

I crave friendships too, but like Pam, who wrote: "...when I get to know the person, if it's not a good fit, I try to set good boundaries." So true.

I think Pam brings up an important point. Sometimes, we're just not a good fit for another. It's almost like dating. When you were dating your husband, you didn't know beforehand that he might be "THE ONE". It might have taken weeks or months to realize that, 'hey, this guy is great and I want to hang on to him.'

Of course, you could have an situation like Kendi, who wrote: "And yet (for) some people it is instant as if you were both looking for each other all your life... when everything lines up just so, it is such a gift."

Have you ever seen a woman at church, the gym, your kids' school and thought, "I could definitely be friends with her." Yep, me too. But, sadly, I rarely act upon it. Why is that?

Heather brings up a point I know I've thought before. "(I have) one very close friend, but is she my best friend? Maybe? Am I her best friend? I don't know. Hmmm. " I've been there too. You get emotionally invested, but is she?

Heidi also echos this same thought, "I have one "friend with potential" but she's the type who has a million friends, so I don't know that I'd ever be her best friend even if she was mine."

Kendi mentioned, "I think it scares women when you get real with them. And suddenly you are vulnerable and they are backing up."

I think we all agree that our husbands are our number one "best" friends. I consider my husband to be my best friend, but does he really care when we blather on and on about something so insignificant (to him!) that, let's be honest girls... can sometimes EAT OUR LUNCH! I know of a particular event that happened several weeks ago that I wanted to discuss AT LENGTH with Randy and he would have nothing to do with it. ACK! I needed him to listen to me vent, but he could care less because he asked me straight up, "Do you want me to solve this problem for you?" And I said no! And he said, "Well, I can't help you then!" MEN! (Sigh...)

I mentioned being intimidated by other women in my first post and Shanna agreed that she can be intimidated by other women too. But, Shanna also mentioned, "I think that I am not approached often because I put off a snobby vibe, although it is not intentional and probably my own insecurities shining through." I know I do this too. Honestly, I'm NOT a snob, but definitely carry that vibe around. I think it's shyness mistaken for aloofness. Perhaps?

Heidi also mentioned, "I became an introvert somewhere over the last decade, and I tend to keep to myself unless I'm drawn out." Me too... (sigh)

Or, you can be like Amanda, who said, "I crave solitude more than social interaction, so I tend to neglect my friendships." (I've known Amanda for 30 years... tsk, tsk Amanda!)

Stephanie brought up an excellent point about social media outlets that probably deserves it's own post. Stephanie said, "social media these days really gives a false sense of intimacy. You see pictures and updates and think you know what's going on in peoples' lives, but it's not the same as a face-to-face relationship!" AMEN Sister!

We have the potential to become so disconnected because of social media outlets like Facebook (and even email) because we rely on that outlet to communicate for us. Even passive communication like status updates and birthday shout-outs. When is the last time you sent an actual birthday card in the mail? (I'm just as guilty! I'm not pointing any fingers!)

I love what Marcie wrote: "I've had bad luck with friends. I prayed that God would take the desire out of my heart to have friends. God spoke to me one time during a service that it was time for me to start reaching out. It was clear that it was time for me to start being a friend to others so that I could start having friends. I wasn't ready to start making friends because I wasn't ready to get hurt. However, I showed myself friendly." She was obedient to God's voice and mentioned she is "showered with a great group of ladies now. It has been a true blessing."

I also love what Pam wrote: "I have found with my friends they stretch me to become who God has called me to be!" Isn't that something we all struggle with? Becoming what God has called us to be? I definitely know it's something that is constantly on my mind.

This has been such an eye opening topic for me. I thought I privately struggled with (finding, making, keeping) friendships. I'm glad to know I'm not alone, but also sad to know that I am indeed not alone. But, at least that gives me some hope, knowing that perhaps the next time I reach out to someone, they will be receptive to me.

So, the next time you see a woman and think, "I could be friends with her..." maybe, just maybe, you can be. And, maybe just maybe, she's looking out for you too.

(Certainly advice I need to follow as well!)