Anyone Else Possibly Ridiculously Excited for This?

Because I am.

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Kelly Moore Bag Review

You may remember the awesome bag I got for my birthday this past summer- the Kelly Moore Libby bag. I used it as my school bag, and packed it up for my overnight bag when Kyle and I went to San Antonio, where it then was stolen from our car. Aside from my planner, I was most sad to lose the bag. But, ever the optimist (hah), I saw this as an opportunity to reevaluate and go on a quest for something new. The Libby was a great bag, but I thought this second time around I would look for one that would be more functional in every day use as well as for school, work or travel purposes. Enter this beauty, the Kelly Moore 2 Sues bag. So much more than a camera bag (which is good, considering I don't use it as one!) 

What I was Looking for:
- some outside pockets for cell phone, keys, and other easily accessible items. Easily accessible, but preferably with some closure for security.
- fits comfortably over my shoulder and at my side
- partially structured. The Libby was very structured and boxy, which was great for school purposes, but for a bag to also use for everyday I would want something that sits more comfortably at my side and has some movement to it.
- Big and functional enough to work as a bag for school, work, travel, and future baby times. I'm a big bag person. Yes I need my planner, several pens, lotion, medicine cabinet, and an assortment of other useful odds and ends with me at all times. That being said, there is such a thing as too big for everyday use.
- a brown/tan bag. Though I ended up with grey here instead of the walnut. I was super drawn to the pretty grey and decided to go for something different.
- From my first semester with my Libby bag, I learned that I don't need a bag that holds my laptop, because a) I don't bring it with me every day, and b) it makes the bag too rigid anyway, so I would just carry it separately even though it fit in the bag. Same thing with days I happen to bring big text books to class; it's better to carry them in a separate tote bag.
- It has to be pretty. Obviously.
- It took me a couple months to decide on a new bag, but once I found the 2 sues bag, I decided on it very quickly

Here's a look at how I've been using it daily:

- iphone

- post-its

- tissues

- medicine, lotion, band-aids, other needs
- chapstick and lipgloss

- lots of pens

- glasses and case

- kindle fire

- wallet
- Erin Condren planner

- keys
- receipts, gift cards, coupons

Additions for school/internship:
- notebooks
- folders
- the odd textbook
- internship ID and Baylor ID
- snack, 5 hour energy or beverage

And what I put in all the pockets:

I've been using the bag for about a month now. At first I liked it, but I wasn't sure I loved it. To be fair, I was also very sick and didn't like much of anything at the time, and didn't really get a chance to take it out until several days after it arrived. But once I got to using it, I found it to be quite perfect, and yes, I do love it! It is not too big that I can't take it both to class and to the store afterwards. I love all the different pockets and compartments- it keeps things organized and readily available, and it means I don't need to carry around extras such as a pencil case.
I was surprised to find that the bag came with the removable basket; it was not listed in the item description on the website, though I know for other colors of the bag it specifically said the bag featured the removable basket. I have actually only used mine without the basket, though I have tried with it in. The bottom is structured enough that the bag stays up without the basket, and it gives me more room and freedom for keeping notebooks and things for school, without turning the bag into a super structured and uncomfortable brick. Both the shoulder and messenger straps are perfect; I generally use the messenger strap over my shoulder when I have more in the bag and need more freedom in my movement.
The quality of the bag is great, though the short strap has shown some wear, cracking around the edges; not sure what that is about.

The material, both inside and out, is soft and nice. I will be traveling to Boston for spring break, and I think it will serve me well (I may use it with the basket in to keep my camera safe; we'll see). Overall I've been very happy with my two Kelly Moore bags! If you're interested in purchasing your own Kelly Moore bag, click the button on the right!

**UPDATE** I took my bag with me to Boston for Spring Break and carried it with me everyday. It was pretty much the perfect back for a sight-seer like myself. I'd usually leave in the morning and come back late at night, and this bag carried everything and was comfortable for days of walking around. I used it with the basket in and it kept my camera safe and my things organized. It's also not too big to take on the plane and stow under the seat. This is a great bag for travel.

- From the desk of Mrs. M

week in photos

morning in Waco for Project Homeless Connect/ Army all over/ February 1st!

water in a can?!/ close up/ closet napper/ berry smoothie

philosophy!/ Baylor campus at night/ another Woodchuck seasonal hit/ morning planning

D on her favorite door/ hand and paws/ hanging out with a wee lass (good thing I own some kiddo books)/ rolling in dirt

Huxley/ tea time/ Darwin/ venison for Superbowl Sunday

fluffy/ messy/ tasty/ jello

Huxley/ Darwin in the window/ Army kitty/ coral shoes eep

- From the desk of Mrs. M

My Job

via

My job is to listen to stories. Sometimes they are true and sometimes they are not. I have to figure out the difference and help others figure it out too. Sometimes they are true to someone, but not in reality. Sometimes the stories are sad, or violent, happy, unfortunate. Sometimes they cry, sometimes they laugh. I smile a lot and look people in the eye. I share in the story but always remember that the story is theirs, and they are the expert in each situation. One day I will help these people share their stories, so that our future children, low-income families, minority populations, stigmatized, oppressed, sick and uncared for will write their stories with happy endings.

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Saturday Cats

Because I haven't done this for a while...

Huxley- settling down to sleep

Darwin- napping up high in my closet

 Kyle and Darwin

- From the desk of Mrs. M

The Week in Photos

pink stripes silver dots/ brownies for classmates/ tasty pom tea/ January in Texas

spending a lot of time here this semester/ Social Work-y books/ spring rolls and mango

drooling cat/ crescent rolls/ Haiti/ Saturday night wine

JT/ Starbucks/ going to take over doing my homework/ reminder to be bright and bold this week

Outside with the kitties while Kyle makes them a new jungle gym

chopped tree/ jungle gym/ curried turkey/ vine

not super tasty but very pink/ Hux/ post-teeth-pulling food/ squirrel watching

Hux in the window/ clearance/ storm a brewin/ tasty smoothie

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Baby Teeth

I remember being told years ago that I still have two baby teeth, and no sign of permanent teeth under them. "Weird, but OK," I thought, and didn't think much of it since. Fast forward to the end of 2012, and my tooth randomly breaks. This was pretty surprising, because I am very good at taking care of my teeth. I floss at least once or twice a day, and brush whenever I can. So why and how does my tooth just break?! It started to feel sensitive to heat and cold so I finally went to the dentist a few weeks ago. To my relief I was told that it was my baby tooth that broke (I didn't even think of that until she told me), because I am all of 24 years old and baby teeth are not meant to last that long, no matter how well you brush. The same baby tooth on my left side had a cavity on the side of it, but all my permanent teeth were in perfect shape. Phew! I felt so much better.

I had the option of either having my two baby teeth extracted, or the dentist could perform a baby root canal of sorts, and put steel fillings/covers on them. The second option has no guarantee of saving them for an extended period of time, so I imagined I would likely have to get them out at some point, so I chose extraction. Of course, that would leave gaps in my face, but as they're right before my molars, they're only visible when I smile really big (which I don't do often anyway). I didn't care too much about the gaps, and the two teeth behind might shift up and gradually fill in the gaps anyway. I also thought it would be super cool to have my teeth to keep, because I am a huge dork and like bones and I can teach my kids about teeth and tell them my baby teeth story when the time comes for them to lose theirs. Turns out I wasn't allowed to keep my teeth, my own teeth that they wrenched out of my face. Sigh. The procedure was fine I guess. I was nervous so they put me on laughing gas, which was fun. I had four shots to various places in my gum, waited a while for it to set in (what is with Disney channel shows these days?!), and then they went to work on getting out my teeth. That was weird, let me tell you. I could hear it, and feel a lot of pressure but very little actual pain. My broken tooth further broke in the process, and hearing that happen was unsettling, you can imagine. It was very uncomfortable, but life is that way sometimes. Afterwards Kyle and I stocked up on jello, yogurt, and shakes for me for the next several days until I can eat normal food again (I can only eat room temperature or cold, soft foods).

I imagine you all are as disappointed as I that I can't share with you a photo of my freshly pulled and bloody teeth, huh. My mouth feels really weird with my line of teeth being interrupted with what feels like two really huge gaps, but it's probably not as bad as it feels.

Fun story (not that fun, but I'll tell it anyway): When I got my wisdom teeth out in summer of '07, Kyle came to visit me so we could talk and hang out, but I was out of it and my face was in pain, so it really wasn't the best time for that. But he was there anyways. :)

- From the desk of Mrs. M

This Weekend I...

I decided to pick health care in Haiti for the topic of my semester-long project for International Research and Strategic Planning. I am so excited; I've been reading a lot about Haiti all weekend, starting with the book Mountains Beyond Mountains (which I am reading for a book review for another class. work smart not and hard). As much as I am deeply concerned with issues our own nation is facing, I can't deny that my heart beats for this stuff and the struggles of others around the world. It satisfies the anthropologist in me to learn about other cultures, and the social worker in me to figure out how we can help.

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I made these fancy crescent rolls (adding peanut butter makes things fancy, right?).

I got a lot done this weekend! I majorly cleaned the bathroom, scrubbing down the whole shower/bath, which left my brain rattled in cleaning supply fumes (oops). But I got free Starbucks as a reward, and a super clean shower.

Kyle made a new jungle gym for the kitties and they got to play outside a lot.

I made a giant batch of curried turkey with rice, to have lots of leftovers for lunch through the week.

I also got a vine. Grew a vine? Planted a vine? I don't know why it's called vine, but I signed up. You can expect mostly videos of cats.

Not pictured: I did a bunch of homework, drank some wine, watched some TV, painted my nails, cut the kittens claws, texted with my sister a lot, watched a little Penguins hockey, enjoyed spending time with my husband, listened to this song and this song, and woke up around 4:30am both Saturday and Sunday (the cats have me trained). I have another busy week ahead, every week until maybe the second one in May will be busy, but that's how I like it. I'm having my baby teeth pulled this afternoon, volunteering at Project Homeless Connect Thursday, with lots of class, homework, internship and everything else around and in between. Have a good one!

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Crescent Rolls Revamped

We had a batch of crescent rolls in the fridge, so I thought I'd try a couple different versions of these chocolate and peanut butter filled rolls I have seen about Pinterest lately. Kyle is not a chocolate fan (unless it's in brownie form, or reeses, or york patties), so I made a few versions including: peanut butter, peanut butter with white chocolate chips, peanut butter with chocolate chips, chocolate almond honey butter, apricot jam, and a couple plain just in case. They all turned out delicious, though the jam ones made a big mess and stuck to the pan. They're really quick, easy and fun to be able to customize to people's tastes. I might like to try some savory versions next (fruit could also be good, and cinnamon sugar), or maybe something more ambitious off of this list.

peanut butter and chocolate chips

chocolate almond honey butter

peanut butter and white chocolate chips

- From the desk of Mrs. M