Saturday Cats

Their new favorite place (especially Huxley), since I changed the futon from bed back to couch and it is super slouchy and perfect for window watching.

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Valentine's Greetings

Aren't they the perfect pair?

- From the desk of Mrs. M

The Week in Photos

Darwin in the window/ frozen yogurt/ Huxley/ Hogg Foundation

 letter to the First Lady/ Chipotle/ soap/ husband started looking at hair styles for me...unsuccessful 

sushi for lunch! trying to try new things but I'm not a huge fan of mayo on sushi/ I want to go to there/ parking

sniffing out Kyle's new Afghanistan gear/ didn't really like Les Mis/ The Birds!/ yum

finished! a really good book/ live crayfish at HEB.../ kitty and his new toy/ all the flour

working on Bonnie/ Huxley/ beer bread/ Darwin on the futon

So excited for JT/ I've been sending my sister crayfish-pun texts with this same photo every time...we're weird/ pulled off a pretty tasty dinner on Monday for having a migraine! 

Puffins for breakfast/ I put my world tapestry over the futon and the kitties are loving it/ plumberry polish for heart week

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Scenes from the Weekend

...and then there was JT.

Kyle still surprises me with this sometimes like he did in Pittsburgh/ new toys for the kitties/ live crayfish party at HEB/ oil change for Bonnie/ we like dates/ Kyle's beer bread/ Grammy watching

- From the desk of Mrs. M

It's Friday!

This was a pretty good week.
(1) I took a short afternoon jaunt to Austin to visit the Hogg Foundation and learn a little about HIV.
(2) Target marketplace has these smoothie packets for under $2 and they are delicious. My favorite part of having a healing mouth.
(3) The Pens have been kicking butt, pretty much.
(4) Tuesday evening Kyle and I got froyo to celebrate! I received a really great research assistant/GA position with a great organization, and with some pretty amazing benefits, so I'm very excited! I'll share more later about that.
(5) I really want to go to this. I'm not sure about the word "mission," but I don't hardly care.
(6) We have Magic Mike on Netflix, so that plus ice cream is our Friday evening. :)

- From the desk of Mrs. M

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