I'll hold my breath when I take your hand....

As I write this blog I can hear my girls talking in the other room as they watch a few minutes of The Titanic before they go to bed. Rachel is telling Ellie and Nina that "The ship hasn't sunk yet, but it's on it's way."  Ellie wants to know why the people aren't trying to get off the ship. Rachel says, "They think they'll be fine...just wait though."  Ellie said, "Yeah, but some of them make it and they turn out just fine."  

The three of them are tough to parent sometimes. 

Other times they make my day.  

My three chicks a few years ago...Taking each others hands as they head to their gate for vacation. . :)

Today they were good to their little "cousins." (My friend Kori and I have been friends forever so we say they are cousins) Playing hide and seek and carrying them all over their house.  This was all after they fought like crazy over who sits where in the car and who touched who where....

I love these chicks and they are everything to me.  

They agree on one thing as of late. 

Music. They love #6 on a special mix cd I have in the car.  

I think it's our new theme song for this past year and into 2012....it has serious meaning to me considering my 12 year old actually holds my hand in the car when this song is on....

and they all belt out the lyrics.  Yeah, were going to make it work, and were going to make it last. ;)

Quiet Company is a band from Austin, TX.  A talented musician I know introduced them to me. 

The Reyes girls are their newest fans.  Like Ellie said about some of the Titanic survivors, we totally are going 

to make it...and we'll turn out just fine.

So listen in!

JR

Stop by tomorrow!

This is it, the heat is on. We're living up to our promise to knit 500 shelter scarves for Hope Center in Waukesha. We've already delivered 100, but we need more yarn. That's where you come in. By purchasing one of our 50% off coupons you are donating two skeins of yarn, enough to make one scarf. 

Here's how it works. 

 Stop by Nextdoor and purchase this coupon tomorrow, Sunday November, 27th and purchase a 50% off coupon for $10. You can purchase as many as you like and use them throughout the rest of November and December on any full priced merchandise, one item per coupon. You can even save one coupon for our new spring digs in 2012 when you purchase more than one coupon. We'll do the rest by knitting 500 scarves; 125,000 rows and 500 seams with 

3,000 ends to weave in.

-JR

Seeing Gray

 Someone told me I have trouble with gray.....not the color but the gray part of life. I see it as either black or white, yes or no, in or out.  I have to agree with this opinion and I am trying to overcome my black and white vision   

and be ok with things in the middle or being"gray".

Bringing this gray talk into reality or something tangible made me find some gray at Nextdoor today. 

  

Amanda and I were feeling sort of gray today....

On Amanda: Top, Torn by Ronny Hobo  Pants, Makers
On Me:  T Neck, Michael Stars, Sweater, Elan, denim Red Engine

 But we decided wearing grey didn't mean we had to act grey.

For real...this is how we normally act here.

Have a great weekend...I hear that the gray skies will be nowhere to be found around my city....hope it's 

the same for you.

-JR

An accessory or two...

Today I left for work and realized I forgot a bracelet or two... I actually turned the car around and ran back into my house and grabbed them off my dresser. 

ahhh, that feels much better. 

 

We always have a fun selection of easy to wear accessories here at Next Door.

 

Come get em'!!

The wall of necklaces...yep, a whole wall.

Get into the winter spirit with this Nordic Bag.

...the pom poms really make it!

 

 

If this bag had a "song"

it would be this....

 

really it is so festive....

nothing like a trendy Christmas song...

this is a very favorite of mine.

 

-JR

 

Have you seen me?

I'm at the coffee shop. I'm at the gym. I'm at Next Door.

 I might be watching one of my girls soccer games or
coaching my girls basketball teams.

Could be out to breakfast....having dinner with my friends.
Lending an ear or a hand to the people
I know and care about. Coming up with a plan, with an idea, with a technique.  Cooking family recipes. Teaching my kids to do cannon balls.  Making cotton candy or setting up the beer tent at our church festival.  Painting a wall a new color or sewing a girl scout patch onto a vest. Reading a book or typing a blog post. Talking on the phone with a girlfriend. Hugging my kids or making pancakes for breakfast.
Picking out next seasons fashions for the store.
Making a list of my goals for the future.
Being Me.

If your reading my blog you may know me.

Have you seen me? You should....

Today's theme song. Love me some Joss!

Just in case you didn't hear what Joss just said.

Ain’t I got you on my back foot

And you know I got you really good
Cause there’s something deep inside of me
I got to be
And if you find it hard to follow me
If I loose you in my jet stream
Than you only got to raise your eyes
And see me fly
Don’t tell me that I won’t
I can
Don’t tell me that I’m not
I am
Don’t tell me that my master plan
Ain’t coming through
Don’t tell me that I won’t
I will
Don’t tell me how to think
I feel
Don’t tell me cause I know what’s real
What I can do
Something that you don’t see every day
A little girl who found her way
In world that tries to take away
All of your dreams
I think there’s one thing I will say to you
That there is nothing that you can’t do
Cause it’s all about your attitude
Don’t let them get to you
Don’t tell me that I won’t
I can
Don’t tell me that I’m not
I am
Don’t tell me that my master plan
Ain’t coming through
Don’t tell me that I won’t
I will
Don’t tell me how to think
I feel
Don’t tell me cause I know what’s real
What I can do
And when we’re singing it out our voice
We can make that choice to be..to be free
And when we’re singing it out our voice
We can make that choice to be free
Music, hey, LOV I love it
Yeah, yes, I do
Music, now, now, now, what
I love it, yes, I do now
Don’t tell me that I won’t
I can
Don’t tell me that I’m not
I am
Don’t tell me that my master plan
Ain’t coming through
Don’t tell me that I won’t
I will
Don’t tell me how to think
I fell
Don’t tell me cause I know what’s real
What I can do

50% off your favorite denim...For real!

Don't miss this surprise sale!!

Shop all this weekend for your favorite fall looks. We have the best selection ever! Take 50% off a pair of jeans when you purchase one of our cute sweaters, jackets or outer wear coats at regular price.

Wrap it up at Nextdoor!

This weekend only!

Saturday, Nov 5   10 to 5pm
Sunday, Nov 6   12 to 4pm

Nextdoor

Sendik's Towne Centre

Brookfield Road and Capitol Drive

262 781 0737 http://www.shopatnextdoor.com/

Open Monday through Thursday 10 to 6, Friday and Saturday 10 to 5, Sunday 12 to 4pm

 

Take Cover at Nextdoor by shopatnextdoor featuring a faux suede jacket

Knit top
$70 - shopatnextdoor.com

Faux suede jacket
$88 - shopatnextdoor.com

BB Dakota Bostwick Jacket
$120 - shopatnextdoor.com

It's always 50/50....

Apparently I have a few readers out there. I always appreciate any feedback, good or bad, insightful or bullshit.

I like it regardless.

Two friends commented and it was 50/50.

(Coincidentally I have known both since high school days...is that weird?)

They both thought my ladder was worth talking about. I like that as well. They were completely opposite in their opinions.....I was intrigued by both views. Here they are.

A ladder is a representation of the soul's capacity to rise.....Not to mention the symbol of resolution.  (thanks jma)

***************************************

Whether you go up the ladder or down it, your position is shaky. When you stand with your two feet on the ground you will always keep your balance. - Tao Te Ching 13  (thanks fd)

I had the same reaction to both responses.

A feeling of hell yeah!

I am thankful for my friends and their thoughts,

keep em' coming.

Taking this second post of the day to send out a

Long Distance Dedication to my pal Doug...

even though he lives 2 minutes away.

Chemo sucks.....karaoke asap. Angel is the first duet we do! 

Feet on the ground or your soul's capacity to rise.....

either works for me.

-JR

No where to go but up.

Good things are abundant....
Sort of like when it rains it pours. It happens with the good and the bad....I'll take the good any day.  

Taking this "on the up and up" to heart,
I bought this necklace.



No where to go but up.



This rainbow came out on a crumby day.....

I knew all would be okay, I am glad I have faith like that.

This sounds wonderful on the guitar..... :)

On the more shallow side.....

Lynee at Follow That Girl let me know that my favorite denim found it's way to the top of the "fit list." Love these jeans....I think I have a few fans of these jeans as well. ;)

(Here they are in a better pic.)



Coffee/Hot Cocoa with Ginger Date Scones

at Alterra with my Ellie. :)

Actually, all 3 of my chicks are good any day.....

The Mainella Family cooking day was a highlight this month......we made delicious recipes from our Grandmother. It was a good day.

25 lbs of Italian Sausage for our meatballs...For real!!

Some of the necessary goods.

Grateful for Saturday morning. (and afternoon)

 Thoroughly enjoyed running by myself and seeing this....

all while running to this....

AND this as well...I know so opposite,

but it's my music, back off. ;)

No judgement....I grew up on the southside.

That's all for now...here's hoping for more good ahead.

-JR

Dark & Twisty

Last night my friends and I mixed our menus, had dinner, a bonfire and a night of trick-or-treating.

All of us have kids, jobs, and an overall hectic pace in life.  It took us all some time come down from the day.....feed our kids....have a beer.....and Relax.

(yes, I know I have trouble with that...I know which

one of you readers thinks that the most.) ;)

Super quick recap of the day/night.

Started with helping out in Nina's class....her best buddy Charlie was an old man...

This fire was perfect...although looking at the logs I took this shot before it was beefed up! (Thanks Heather and Bob!)

Have you ever tried this? S'mores with candy replacing the Hershey bar.....fanflippingtastic!

2 of my best pals...they will kill me for even putting these up so they will remain anonymous.....Dark & Twisty is on the left and Rach is on the right. (sorry chicks)

And of course a fun tune for the evening......
love this song, not very Halloweeny, but oh so very me!     
 - JR