So Good To Be Home

Have you ever heard The Everybodyfield's song Good To Be Home? It's one of my favorite songs to listen to when I'm homesick. It's not even about Virginia but the message is the same. There's nothing like being home.
I came home Saturday after an epic trip with Kate. It only took 9 hours so I was home early enough to have dinner with my parents. I just saw them when they came down for a visit a few weeks ago but it's different seeing them at home. Home is where we can be comfortable. There are memories here. Mom and I were talking that we're lucky we don't just have a house...we have a home.
That being said, my lovely parents left Monday to go to Austin, TX to visit my brother. Nice, right? I drive all the way here to spend a week at home and they leave. Solid, guys. Real cool. Just kidding.
It's been nice catching up with my sister and Harper. Monday, Erica, Harper, and I went to Tyson's to go shopping and buy Harper her Christmas dress. She has pictures in a few weeks. She is personality plus and I know the photographer is going to have a blast with her.
Harper has turned into such a little human. She's losing what made her such a baby. I know she'll be two in a few months but it's still really sad. Last night, she curled up in my lap and almost fell asleep. It would have been so nice to get those baby snuggles again.
She woke me up this morning by coming into my room and yelling "Where Emma?". Really? It was cute...but not at 8:30 when I didn't have to be up for another few hours. She crawled in bed with me and snuggled on my "peeow" and went "ni night" with me. I think if Erica hadn't needed to get her dressed, she would have fallen back to sleep.
This break came at the best time. I needed to get away from things. Not only to snuggle Harp and see Erica, but I just needed to take time for me. Dr. Tighe told us we had to take a day for ourselves over break. I think I've abused that a little but it's my life and I can do whatever I want.
Yesterday was the most perfect day. After laying in bed and laughing/talking/being with a friend, (yes, just a friend) I spent the afternoon around Old Town Warrenton, going in and out of local shops and soaking in what's left of "small town life" in Warrenton. I found so many neat things just wandering in and out of places others overlook. Makes me miss Warrenton even more-and I haven't even left yet.
Last night, Erica and I celebrated my birthday since I won't be home for it in a few weeks. It's socially and totally acceptable to celebrate for the entire month of your birthday so we didn't feel weird. She made me cake pops and we had a glass of wine, ate taco salad, watched The Lorax, and I opened my beautiful new Kate Spade Bow Bracelet Harper picked out for me.
Right now, it's almost 11:30 and I'm still in bed. I think I might make chili for lunch and stay at home and clean. I want to be selfish today too. Plus, it's not often I get the whole house to myself.
It's so good to be home.

New Year, New Me

I've reached a point in my life that I don't ever wish to go back to. It's hard for me to talk about it so I'm kinda going to leave it at that but I'm making some serious changes to myself and I'm going to be happy, dammit!

First step is this personal trainer I have. I've been with him twice and I can already tell he's going to be a tough one-and not just at the gym. Right now, I'm eating my dinner, which consists of a spinach, cranberry, cherry, and blueberry salad with almonds. There's a few little pieces of chicken on there but that's it. This is exactly what he told me to eat. And I'm doing it. Sigh.

This isn't what you all think. I very  happy with myself...it's the others around me I'm not happy with. I don't know, maybe it's just a phase but whatever is going on, Jay's going to make me sweat it out. At the end of my 30 min cardio warm up and 30 min weight session, he stuck me in a sauna for 30 minutes and then in a tanning bed for 15. Did you know sitting in a sauna for 30 minutes is the same as swimming for 60 minutes, burning calories wise? Neither did I but I sure as hell believe it now.

My arms feel like jello. I have a headache from no caffeine today. All I've had is water...and it SUCKS. I'm drinking coffee tomorrow. Try and stop me.

Mary Kay Back to School Special!

Going back to school can be expensive! Why not save a little on looking fabulous with your new Mary Kay?

ALL PENCILS: Buy two, get one free! (lip, eye, and brow liners)

ALL ERASERS: 20% off (foundation, concealers, and TimeWise)

ALL PAINTS: Buy One, get one 50% off (cheek and eye color)

ALL CRAYONS: Buy one, get one 50% off (lipsticks and lip glosses)

AFTER GYM CLASS: 20% off (fragrances, firming lotions, body products)

BACKPACKS: 30% off (compacts and travel bags)

Share with a friend and receive a $10 Gift Certificate when they place an order!

Shop Online and receive fast, free shipping with orders over $40.

To contact Erica Dudas:

540-229-6204 (call or text)
www.marykay.com/edudas (shop 24/7!)
edudas@marykay.com (email orders, ask questions, or book a facial!)

If I could only have 5 Mary Kay products for the rest of my life (gasp!) I'd chose:
1) Ultimate Mascara in Black
2) Acne Gel
3) Microdermabrasion Set
4) Foundation Primer (that now has an SPF 15 in it!)
5) Day Solution with SPF 35

And...(okay, I'm cheating but...) I could NOT live without my travel bag or my make up brushes. I can guarantee if you are not happy with your products, Erica will replace them. Why not give my top five (okay, seven) things a try! I promise you will not be sorry!

If you'd like to try my top five before you order, give me a shout and I'll prove that you can't live without them!

Is this really happening?

I can't believe it. Saturday, my best friends will be graduating from college and I a) won't be there and b) won't be graduating either.

I'm more than okay with staying another year. Trust me. It gives me more time to figure out what I'm doing with my life. I don't have to rush into just some random job or sit around waiting to hear back from someone who really doesn't want to hire someone right out of college. I'm okay with this.

But

I won't be there to see James, Chase, Brad (finally!), Karrye, Josh, and so many others walk across the stage and get their diplomas. All because I'm taking stupid Spanish this summer at home instead of in Wise like I had planned.

I hate this. I am a horrible friend.

Bitter much?

Bitter about someone who recently put their engagement pictures online? This will make you laugh.

Spring Into Healthy Skin!

My sister, Erica, is just the cutest thing ever. She's having a great Mary Kay sale that I'd looove to share with some of my favorite people. Here we go:

Buy one Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen ($14) or After Sun Replenishing Gel ($12), get a SPF 15 Lip Protector Free! ($7.50 value)

Spend $40 in Time Wise products, receive the Time Wise Moisture Renewing Gel Mask FREE! ($20 value-Erica's Favorite product!)

Try the new Botanical Skin Care Line! Any Botanical Skin Care product is %15 off! ($14-$16 retail, now $11.90-$13.60)

All Lip Gloss ($14)and Eye Liners ($12) are buy one, get one 50% off!

Limited Edition Mint Blossom Pedicure set for $20! (Retail $24)

Fill a compact, get it 15% off!

Love Mary Kay but don't see what you need on the sale ad? Don't worry. The rest of the catalog is 25% off! Spend over $40 and get free shipping right to your door!

This sale is incredible and a great way to buy something for Mother's Day, upcoming graduates, or a sweet little present to calm your nerves before finals!

Go to www.marykay.com/edudas to view the catalog. This sale is only available through Erica Dudas until May. Contact Erica with questions at 540/229.6204 or ericadudas@marykay.com

Total Eclipse of the Heart

Turnaround, every now and then I get a
little bit lonely and you're never coming around
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit tired of listening to the sound of my tears
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit nervous that the best of all the years have gone by
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit terrified and then I see the look in your eyes
Turnaround bright eyes, Every now and
then I fall apart
Turnaround bright eyes, Every now and
then I fall apart
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit restless and I dream of something wild
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit helpless and I'm lying like a child in your arms
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit angry and I know I've got to get out and cry
Turnaround, Every now and then I get a
little bit terrified but then I see the look in your eyes
Turnaround bright eyes, Every now and
then I fall apart
Turnaround bright eyes, Every now and
then I fall apart
And I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ever
And if you'll only hold me tight
We'll be holding on forever
And we'll only be making it right
Cause we'll never be wrong together
We can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time
I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I'm only falling apart
There's nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart
Once upon a time there was light in my life
But now there's only love in the dark
Nothing I can say
A total eclipse of the heart
Turnaround bright eyes
Turnaround bright eyes
Turnaround, every now and then I know
you'll never be the boy you always you wanted to be
Turnaround, every now and then I know
you'll always be the only boy who wanted me the way that I am
Turnaround, every now and then I know
there's no one in the universe as magical and wonderous as you
Turnaround, every now and then I know
there's nothing any better and there's nothing I just wouldn't do
Turnaround bright eyes, Every now and
then I fall apart
Turnaround bright eyes, Every now and
then I fall apart
And I need you now tonight
And I need you more than ever
And if you'll only hold me tight
We'll be holding on forever
And we'll only be making it right
Cause we'll never be wrong together
We can take it to the end of the line
Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time
I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark
We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks
I really need you tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Forever's gonna start tonight
Once upon a time I was falling in love
But now I'm only falling apart
There's nothing I can do
A total eclipse of the heart
Once upon a time there was light in my life
But now there's only love in the dark
Nothing I can say
A total eclipse of the heart

Imagine

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Harper is Walking!

Holy cow! Can you stand it? This time last year, I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of sweet Baby Dudas and now, Harper Jade is taking the world (or at least The Baxter House) by storm! Those little feet just won't stop!
Her life is now caged (boo mommy!) but she's still as cute as ever. Go over to my Facebook and look at the video Erica put up of her walking. Of course, Tom Petty's Here Comes My Girl is playing.
Enjoy! I'm sure you'll squeal!

Such Great Heights

I am thinking it's a sign
That the freckles in our eyes
Are mirror images and when we kiss
They're perfectly aligned

And I have to speculate
That God himself did make us
Into corresponding shapes
Like puzzle pieces from the clay

And true it may seem like a stretch
But it's thoughts like this that catch
My troubled head when you're away
When I am missing you to death

When you are out there on the road
For several weeks of shows
And when you scan the radio
I hope this song will guide you home

They will see us waving from such great heights
Come down now, they'll say
But everything looks perfect from far away
Come down now but we'll stay

I've tried my best to leave
This all on your machine
But the persistent beat
It sounded thin upon listening

And that frankly will not fly
You'll hear the shrillest highs
And lowest lows with the windows down
When this is guiding you home

They will see us waving from such great heights
Come down now, they'll say
But everything looks perfect from far away
Come down now but we'll stay

Each Coming Night

Will you say when I'm gone away
"My lover came to me and we'd lay
In rooms unfamiliar but until now"

Will you say to them when I'm gone
"I loved your son for his sturdy arms
We both learned to cradle then live without"

Will you say when I'm gone away
'Your father's body was judgement day
We both dove and rose to the riverside"

Will you say to me when I'm gone
"Your face has faded but lingers on
Because light strikes a deal with each coming night"

please pardon yourself

As I turn my head to your side of the bed
While you weight what's on your mind
To this awful news try not to hold on
The day will come, the sun will rise, and we'll be fine

As long as I feel as strong as I feel
I will carry you as long as I can
As hard on yourself, please pardon yourself
Do the best you can and that won't go unseen

How do I know when it's time to stop?
Runnin' from the things I do, being things I'm not
Oh I have tried, but I just changed my mind
Every night befalls every morning light

How do I know that you will never stop?
Knowin' me, and trustin' me, and lovin' me a lot
Oh I have tried, but I just changed my mind
Every night befalls every morning light

Well there's only so many ways
You can give your loving to me
I'd give my soul for just for one of them now
I'd give up the drinking, just tell me how

And there's only so many years
I'm going to give my love to you
And I spent the last one hidden away
Screaming my lungs out with nothing to say

As I turn my head to your side of the bed
While you weight what's on your mind
To this awful news try not to hold on
The day will come, the sun will rise, and we'll be fine

aeroplane

time will forget your name

and float away in a poker game

the best you can hope for

is to go in your sleep

can you take me to the stairs

give me just a little one

I will be quiet all the way

falling like an aeroplane

life has the sweetest refrain

and if it calls for you, go



I had a dream where I went to your room

and I cut off my hand

and I let go of the blood

what were you thinking

and were are you just tired

I was holding your hand while

you pushed the wheel forward all the way

falling like an aeroplane

life has the sweetest refrain

and if it calls for you, go



you do what you want to do

I will be right here waiting

what holds me up

is going to burn me in the turnaround

downtown I’ll see you downtown

you do what you want to do

I will be right here waiting

what holds me up

is going to burn me in the turnaround

downtown I’ll see you downtown