I kicked off my weekend the right way with a homemade McGriddle.  That's right, ham/egg sandwiched between two pancakes.  If you aren't drooling over that kind of breakfast I'm not sure you deserve to have one.  

  Then I starting feeling like the gray/overcast day was just going to rain on my parade, so I invited over Jessi and her girlies for a play date.

   We got to drink a little coffee and talk about grown-up things, the girls dressed up and didn't make each other cry TOO often, and we all ate lunch and took naps.  Well my kids did, I didn't.  (What's a nap?)  It's been a good day so far. 

Speaking of grown-up things, don't look now but I think I'm growing up.

   I know, I know, I was shocked too, but I think it's true!  After all, I read a not-so-nice comment the other day from an (of course) anonymous commenter, and I laughed.  That's right, a honest-to-goodness 100% genuine throaty chuckle emitted from my open mouth.  That my friends, is a breakthrough.  That my friends, is progress.  That my friends, is the sweet taste of victory.

   Because not so very long ago at all, that would have had me down.  It would have had me furrowing my brow, wondering whom it might have been, why exactly they don't think very highly of me, and what exactly I could go about doing that might change that.  Not anymore.  I have come to realize in my very grown-up state of maturity *cough* that nothing you could ever do will make everyone like you.  There will always be someone, somewhere, somehow that disagrees with you.  Dislikes you.  Disapproves.  Disdains.  Dis-something.  That is just the way it always has been and always will be.  So accept that, pick yourself up off the floor, and move on. 

   For those of you that missed it, it was on my last post.  I had written this line (which I thought was just a teensy bit clever, if I say so myself) :
   "It happens every year about this time.....everyone around me is canning up a storm like a reincarnated Mrs. Ingalls Wilder, and I'm sitting on the sidelines wondering if I'll be subject to a public lynching if I go to the store and buy a can of pie filling."

And someone commented:   "Actually you're sitting on the sidelines blogging."

    O.k.  let's just be honest here, that's pretty funny.  And I don't know if they were even trying to be funny, or trying to be snide, but I think it's funny.  Because it's true.  And I could launch into a defense of why I blog, and how I think it's truly important (because I do) but I won't.  Because that's not really the point.  I know that some people will never in 17 lifetimes understand why a person would blog.  Why a person would ever write at all, for that matter.  And that's o.k. I don't understand why anyone would ever want to drive Nascar.  Or be a sumo wrestler.  Or train scuba divers.  But that's just me.  We all have different interests and passions and I'm so stinkin' glad we do, because that's kind of what makes this world go 'round in the first place.  But I digress.

    The point is not about whether or not you should be blogging, and whether or not it's a valuable use of time.  The point is that if you have something negative to say, you shouldn't say it in the first place, but I guess if you feel like you have to, you should have the courage to sign your name to it.  That's just sort of common sense.  I honestly, truly promise to try and take a look at it from your point of view, and respectfully consider your opinion if you own up to what you say.  But if you choose to anonymously, spot a vulnerability in someone and use that as a weapon, I guess I will just laugh.

   So with that said, I was happen to find out that I can at least laugh at things like that now.  We've been through a lot together, me and this dusty ol' blog, and I guess we've survived and made it this far, so maybe that means we'll stick around for a while longer. I so hope that I can use this blog as a platform for inspiration and encouragement, and in the spirit of that, I am going to link some things around the inter-webs that has been doing the same for me lately.  Enjoy.

Maybe the best post I have ever read. EVER.
Making your own utility vest. I adore this mama's style.
I'm in need of a really good blazer.
The funniest Pinterest board you will ever follow.
I'd love to buy like 10 different booties for fall, but I'd settle for these.
I want this dress so bad. But it's too expensive and also sold out. Aside from those things, I still want it so bad. (I'd wear it over jeans)


What are you all up to this weekend? I'd love to hear.

    Honestly, I read each and every comment, even though I am officially The World's Worst Replier.  Is replier a word?  Anyways.....happy Friday everyone!!