The Academy Awards

Alright, I wasn't going to bore you all with fashion opinions of all the award shows this season, BUT I can't let the Oscars go by without seeing what everyone thought!

Today's Topic: The Academy Awards

If you didn't get to watch last night, you can see a gallary of red carpet arrivals HERE. There really wasn't a clear trend this year and to be honest, I didn't feel like anyone missed the mark completely with their fashion choice.  Boring? Not necessarily. I guess everyone just upped their game for the big night, as they should!

My Picks:

I did not have one favorite from last night, as I normally do. There were several that I liked and a few that I loved. The looks that made my "Love List" are as follows:

I guess I enjoyed the bright colors last night. I thought Emma Stone looked amazing, even though the dress is a look I feel like we have seen before. She also was the most entertaining of the night in my opinion as she presented an award with Ben Stiller and was hilarious. I, of course, also loved Michelle Williams, as I always do and I felt like Viola Davis looked stunning in green last night. I wish she would have won her nomination as well, but at least she looked good losing.

Now on to the simple looks that I felt might have been slightly understated for the Oscars, but I still loved:

For some reason I loved Shailene Woodley's long sleeved gown. It was simple, it was classic, and it covered everything up, but I really, really liked it. Kristen Wiig was already getting some critisism last night for being too casual, but I am sorry, I think she looks great! I agree the Oscars are all about glamour and jewelry and updo's, but I cant help but love the simple look she has going on here.

And for the looks I wasn't crazy about:

While Stacey Kiebler and Jennifer Lopez have about the nicest bodies in Hollywood, and no doubt look incredible here, I wasn't a fan of their dress choices. I hate the gold of Stacey's dress and I feel like Jennifer Lopez looks like she was trying too hard (not to mention I am pretty sure she had a wardrobe malfunction while presenting last night). Again, I am not saying they don't look amazing, they just weren't my favorite.

So what are your picks? Leave your comments here on the blog or on the Letters To Lindsey FB page!

Thanks For Reading,
Lindsey

Date Night

This article on MSN.com caught my eye - "Not Your Average Date Ideas" And the article opener, "Are you tired of the same old dinner and a movie? Does every date seem like just another Saturday night? Maybe it's time to get creative..." had be laughing because I would LOVE just "an old dinner and movie" night!

Today's Topic: Date Night

The story features date ideas that are considered outside the box. You can read the article HERE, but below are the ideas in a nutshell.

1.) Hot Air Balloon Ride
2.) Skydiving or Bungee Jumping
3.) Join A Scavenger Hunt Or Organize One Of Your Own
4.) Take A Dance Class
5.) Swimming With Sharks
6.) Horseback Riding
7.) Skinny Dipping
8.) White Water Rafting
9.) VIP Passes To A Big Event
10.) Do Something Crazy
11.) Snorkeling
12.) Take A Road Trip
13.) Go Camping

Some of these seem slightly outrageous to me and more like something you would do on a vacation, not just on a regular ol' Saturday night. In fact, Skinny Dipping is more appealing to me than most of these, haha. But it is kind of nice to consider doing something you don't normally do to "spice things up." For my husband and I, it wouldn't take much considering our Saturday night are typically spent in the playroom.

So out of the suggestions above, what kind of a date would you like to go on? Is there something you'd like to do that is not on the list? Have you ever been on a date that has just blown you away?

Leave your comments here on the blog or on the Letters To Lindsey FB page.

Thanks For Reading,
Lindsey

Life or Death?

I saw an article this morning that grabbed my attention.

Today's Topic: Life or Death?

Christina Symanski was left paralyzed after diving into shallow water in 2005. She had lived as a quadriplegic for years, always questioning whether life was worth living. She took to her blog and wrote, ""I have come to a point in my own life where I’m struggling with the question, ‘Is this life worth living for ME, or am I just prolonging my own suffering?’"

After weighing her options and talking to friends, family and several professionals, Symanski ended her life by starving herself. You can read the full article HERE.

It's hard to have an opinion on this. My first reaction was shock at how casual the talk of death had become for Christina. It is easy for me to sit here in my healthy body and say that living with any disability is better than not living at all, but who am I kidding? We often say, "Well if it were me, I'd..." but that's just it, it isn't me. It's not my life, or anything close to it, so how can I judge?

Do I think she made the right choice? No, of course I don't. But are we in any position to answer that question for her?

Leave your comments here on the blog or the Letters To Lindsey FB page.

Thanks For Reading,
Lindsey

Public Display of Affection

Well it's Valentine's Day so I suppose I should write a post about love. Or how about public displays of it?

Today's Topic: PDA

Who doesn't like being in love? Whether you are now, have been in the past, or wish to be in the future, a relationship of love has surely affected you somehow. What I want to talk about today is PDA, aka Public Display of Affection. We have all seen it as we are out to the mall, the movies, or even sitting in the pew at church. Some couples are comfortable to just be in love while others prefer to show you they are in love.

So how much PDA is too much? From hand holding to groping to full on making out - what do you feel is crossing the line? Are there times and places where it is okay vs. not okay? Or do you feel it is never appropriate? Have you ever been accused of showing too much PDA yourself or have you been so uncomfortable that you have put a stop to someone else's PDA?

Lindsey's Response:

It is likely that most of are going to say we don't approve of PDA, and I am on that list. I don't care how good looking you are, I don't want to see you fondling each other. Not only do I feel uncomfortable for the people putting on the show, but I am uncomfortable myself.

Of course there are exceptions and standards to what I feel is okay and not okay. Hand holding, my husband's favorite past time (never in a million years, he hates it) is fine and I don't mind a small peck on the lips or a quick embrace, especially when saying hello or goodbye. But really anything that doesn't fall into those guidelines is a little too much for me.

Prude? Maybe I am, but I feel like the people who need to grope each other all over the mall or make out in front of the grocery store aren't really doing it because they are "so in love," but because they just want to prove to everyone else that they are. And I have a feeling that those who can't seem to wait until they get home will likely be broken up in a week. I guess, to me, it's just about being appropriate, especially in places where families are present.

Now, I will say you won't find me complaining when a soldier gets off a plane from being away from his wife for months at a time and the couple all but strips their clothes off right there in the terminal when they see each other. I have no doubt I'd be doing the same thing and rightfully so. So if you're an army wife, you have my permission to PDA all you want! =)

So how do you feel? Leave your comments here on the blog or the Letters To Lindsey FB page.

Thanks For Reading,
Lindsey

Broken Heart

Okay, I realize I already posted a topic for the day, but who says there can't be 2 topics? This was too cute of a story to pass up!

Today's 2nd Topic: Broken Heart

I read this story this morning (you can read by clicking HERE) and it just made my heart happy. Not because an older couple passed away of course, but because of how they passed away.

Marjorie Landis, age 87, died after suffering a long illness. Just 88 minutes later her 89 year old husband, James Landis, suffered a heart attack and died. The couple had been together for 65 years.

The couple's granddaugther, Erin Miller, said that her grandfather's last words to his wife were, "It's OK. I Love you. We had many good years together. I will see you real soon." And she believes he soon died of a "broken heart."

While it is incredibly sad that these two people passed away, I just think their story is about the cutest thing I have ever heard. It reminds me of the movie Titanic, when the older couple curled up on their bed, hand in hand, waiting to die together. True love is amazing and I just can't get enough of these heartfelt stories.

So what do you think? Could someone die of a broken heart?

Thanks For Reading,
Lindsey

Feedback

I started this blog 1 month ago today. I have enjoyed having another reason to write, but even more so I enjoy all of you reading and commenting on a regular basis.

Today's Topic: Feedback

Your response is the only way I know if this blog is even getting read. I do enjoy writing but I certainly don't want to write for no reason. I would love your feedback! Anyone who has read today's post, please leave a comment on the blog or on the Letters to Lindsey FB page. I would love if you could respond by giving me an idea for a future topic (sometimes it's a challenge to come up with an idea daily). If you don't have an idea, at least let me know you are reading by hitting "Like" on the FB post!

Thanks For Reading and Please Continue Reading,
Lindsey

Dinner

Sorry for the late post this morning but it's been a little crazy around here. Trying to make everyone happy while also preparing dinner for the crock pot is a tough task, but Supermom got it done! Which brings me to the topic of the day...

Today's Topic: Dinner

Every one's dinner situation is a little different. I am going to assume that in most households, the female does the cooking, but I will say I come across a lot more men taking over dinner duty, which I think is fantastic! Especially for those working women. How nice to have a partner in the kitchen so you don't have to come home and cook every single night. And of course there are some households that don't do any cooking at all. To be honest, with the price of groceries these days, it may be cheaper to eat out most nights rather than prepare a meal every day.

So what is everyone cooking tonight? Or what are your husbands/boyfriends making you? ORRRR what is your local pizza shop going to whip up for you to pick up on your way home? Everyone loves a good meal idea!

Lindsey's Response:

I am Queen of the Crock pot. I got a big one for my wedding and I didn't even take the thing out of the box until a couple years ago and now I couldn't live without it. I make at least 1 crock pot meal a week, and sometimes more. In fact, tonight's dinner is cooking in the crock pot as we speak!

I am also a big fan of casseroles and meals with few ingredients that take a short amount of time to prepare. With two little kids who don't always love for me to be out of the room for too long, it has to go quick or I will have crying as my background music the entire time.

Tonight we are having Slow Cooker Creamy Potato Soup. We are supposed to have rain and snow showers and the high is only in the low 40's so soup sounded good. It definitely isn't a quick meal to prepare since you have to saute your onions and bacon first and peel and cut potatoes, BUT the good news is that it's done and cooking itself for the rest of the day!

So what will be on your plate tonight? Leave your comments here on the blog or on the Letters To Lindsey FB page!

Thanks For Reading,
Lindsey

Tragedy

Some of you would probably expect me to write about the Superbowl this morning, or at least about the commercials and halftime show. Sorry to disappoint but I have no interest in the "Big Game," and wasn't even aware of the winning team until this morning, to which I have no idea if a Giants victory is a good thing or a bad thing? So, I am going to write about something more serious that really grabbed my attention this morning.

Today's Topic: Tragedy

Yesterday, in Washington, a father and his 2 sons died due to a horrible house fire which is said to have been caused by the father himself. To make matters worse, the father was Josh Powell, the husband of Susan Cox-Powell, who went missing in 2009 the night he claims to have taken his sons on a camping trip in freezing temperatures. Josh has been a "person of interest" since his wife went missing but there never has been enough evidence to charge him.

Since September 2011, Powell had been engaged in an ongoing custody battle with his wife's parents. Judith and Charles Cox were rightfully trying to gain custody of their grandchildren after Josh Powell's father, Steven Powell, was arrested in 2011 and charged with 14 counts of voyeurism and one count of possessing images of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Josh Powell and his 2 sons were living with Steven at the time.

In an effort to seek custody of the children, Powell said that he had proven himself as a "fit and loving father who provides a stable home even in the face of great adversity." Just days after this statement a social worker brought the 2 boys to Josh Powell's home for a supervised visit. The 2 young boys entered the home but Josh prevented the social worker from getting inside. Just minutes later, the house exploded in a ball of fire, killing Josh and his two sons.

Pierce County Sheriff's Department spokesman Ed Troyer told CNN that the explosion "was done intentionally," saying Josh Powell committed a "double homicide" in addition to killing himself. "This was all on him," Troyer said of Powell and the blast. "He set this up, he did it."

Unbelievable...

If you would like to read the full story you can click HERE for details.

I have no specific questions for today's topic. Just wanting feedback from the readers. I am a faithful watcher of the Today Show every morning and have kept up with the case of the missing Susan Cox-Powell for some time, so seeing this horrific story this morning really hit a cord with me. Those poor little boys... They had been through more tragedy in their 5 and 7 year old lives than most of us can even dream of and I can't believe their sad story had to end in such a horrible way. It is truely awful and as a Mother I have no problem saying that Josh Powell deserves every ounce of his afterlife in hell.

Thanks For Reading,
Lindsey

Baby Names

One of my favorite things besides talking about babies is learning what a new Mom and Dad are naming their baby. Maybe it's because my husband and I have had such an impossible time agreeing on something in the past, but I just always find it interesting to see what they pick, and even more interesting, why they picked it.

Today's Topic: Baby Names

I am the first to admit that naming your child, or even naming your dog, is one of the most stressful/fun privileges around. How cool is it that you get to pick the name your son or daughter will use for their entire life? And how stressful is it knowing your son and daughter will use this name for their entire life? You go through the questions: "Do we both like it? Is it something he/she can grow up with? Is it too trendy? Does it go with our other children's names? Does it fit our last name? Will he/she hate us later?" etc...

It is easy to have that name you just always loved growing up and were determined you would use, but then you realize you have another parent that is part of the equation and all it takes is one word to crush your dreams and send you nose deep into the baby name book.

In my experience, the first baby isn't as hard, but any child after that becomes more a challenge. Now you are trying to choose something that not only you both like, but that sounds good with the sibling's names, sounds good with your last name, and the ever popular question, will you continue with names that start with the same letter?

Stressful...

I read an article of some of the worst names of 2011. The list is as follows: Facebook, Like, Moroccan, Press, Armani, Cullen, Bear Blu, Lucifer, Trendy, and Dovahkiin. You can read the article HERE to find out the reason behind these choices.

So what about you? What names did you choose? And why? If you are pregnant now, do you already have a name picked out or are you waiting to see the baby first? Did you find choosing names to be stressful or were you a lucky one that had no trouble?

Lindsey's Response:

I have 2 girl's and I will say that the second name was much harder than the first, although the first wasn't a walk in the park either.


I have had a name that I loved since I was in my teens, to which my husband (who has dated me since we were teens) quickly told me no way, wasn't happening. So we did the usual and looked in baby books or online and we just weren't able to agree on anything. We initially thought we were having a boy so of course, we had that name decided on, which we still have not been able to use.


I liked boy  names for girls, he did not. He liked names that reminded him of his favorite things (movies, favorite bands, etc), I did not. We finally got a message from a friend who had dreamed that we named our daughter Atalie. It kind of rung a bell with me and when my husband came down the stairs and I told him, to which he responded, "We could call her Addy", and that was that. We KNEW that was her name, and it wasn't long before we decided Addalyn would be the perfect formal name. Her middle name was a quick response:


Me: "She needs a short middle name with one syllable"
Husband: "Paige"
Me: "Really?"
Husband: "Yeah I like it."


And there we had it, Addalyn Paige.


Baby #2's name wasn't decided until the morning of my C-Section as we were sitting in the prep room with nothing else to talk about besides WHAT ARE WE NAMING THIS CHILD!! If I thought we couldn't agree with Addalyn, I was wrong. We had a bunch of maybes and because he knew he was being extremely hard to deal with, he more or less told me I had the final say so. So, Olivia (a name I always liked) Ryan (my brother's name) was decided at 6:00AM and she was born at 7:43AM. Nothing like procrastination.


Our boy name is also an "A" name and so we were struggling with the idea to do all "A's" in case we do have a boy someday. But, after discovering how hard naming another girl was for us, I knew limiting myself to A's only in the future would not be a smart idea.


And I can't imagine my girl's having any other name than Addalyn Paige and Olivia Ryan. Perfect!

So what are your answers? Leave your comments here or on the Letters To Lindsey FB Page!

Thanks For Reading,
Lindsey

Getting Organized

In my opinion, organization is the key to everything. If you spent a little time every day keeping things organized, then your life tends to stay that way. Sure, road blocks get in the way that are out of your control, but getting back on track is never all that hard to do.

Today's Topic: Getting Organized

I read an article about little habits that you can do on a regular basis that will help in keeping your home as organized as possible. The suggestions seem easy enough, but I am sure most of us have one or two we could work on.

Below are the tips suggested to keep your house organized OR you can click HERE to read the article in it's entirety.

Closets: Each day, hang up everything and put away clean laundry. Put your shoes back in their places, straighten stacks, and have a regular habit of bringing empty hangers back to the laundry room. Remove clothing along the way as you decide to donate it, and put it in your "Donation Station," using a paper shopping bag or box to gather those items for Goodwill. Twice a year when you organize and change out seasonal clothing, these habits will keep everything more visible and manageable when you are ready to do a bigger project.

Garages: Break down cardboard boxes, manage your recycling and trash, sweep excess leaves and dirt to keep them from tracking into the house, and keep a path cleared between the car and the door. Return sports equipment, chairs, and bikes to their racks and shelves. And each time you fill up with gas, empty the trash from your car right there at the gas pump!

Pantries: Each time you return from the grocery store and put food away, stop and straighten up what's there. Move cans and boxes for greater visibility, throw away containers with only a few crumbs left, and check for moldy bread and stale chips. Reclose cereal cartons and cracker boxes that your family has left open, and remove excess packaging from large warehouse purchases like soft drinks, paper towels, and snack foods.

Entry and Exit Doors: Take shoes back to bedroom closets, put errand items in your car, and clear out mail and papers. Hang up coats, put dirty socks in the laundry room, and get the kids to handle their odds-and-ends of toys and school items once a week.

So how well do you score on the Organizational Meter? If there is one thing you could work on from the list above, what would it be? And if there is one thing you already do every day, what it is?

Lindsey's Response:

Organizing is much different than cleaning. Cleaning involves spray bottles, dusting rags, brooms and a lot of scrubbing whereas organizing simply involves picking things up and finding everything a "place" in your home. A word I like to use a lot is "Tidy." I feel as though my house is most always tidy, but not always clean. As mentioned in a previous post, I try to do the cleaning once a week but tidying at my house happens every day.

I feel like I lack in the closet department. Clothes and shoes always make it into my closet, but I can't say it is as organized as well as it should be. In fact, if anyone saw my closet I'd be embarrassed which has now motivated me to spend a couple hours of my weekend getting it back in organizational shape (You see, this blog is good for something).

The girl's closet stays pretty organized because if it didn't it would mean spending more time trying to get them dressed for the day - a task that needs to go as quickly and as smoothly as possible. And my pantry stays fairly organized, although I have no doubt there are cartons that are almost empty and probably a bag or two of stale chips that don't need to be taking up valuable space.

As far as the garage goes, well that's my husband's job. We're not the cleanest garage on the street but not the worst either. We can park in it, which is more than other people in my neighborhood can say.

So how organized are you? Leave your comments here on the blog or on the Letters To Lindsey FB page. Any ideas or questions you want to discuss can be sent to LettersToLindseyBlog@gmail.com!

Thanks For Reading,
Lindsey