Texas Tuesday-Small Town Museum with Big Time History

Remember the Texas Tuesday post several weeks ago...the small town fun one that was never on my blogging schedule?  Well, here's another one for you.  Another spot that was never meant to be blogged about.  If you are local, it's one to put on your list.  I have lived in the area all my life.  I can't tell you how many times I drove past this museum and never gave it a second look.

A few weeks ago, I took my son to the Audie Murphy American Cotton Museum in Greenville, Texas.  Big sis was gone for the afternoon.  I had gotten off work early.  He and I wanted to hangout somewhere simple, local yet new.  As I have said before, Chief is a major history buff and loves all types of museums.  I have found it interesting this summer that some of our favorite museums are either free or super cheap!  This one was no exception!  It was a whopping $2 for kids (6-18) and $6 for adults.  They also give a military discount!  So Chief and I explored a museum with cool AC for over an hour for a whole $8!

The main focus is largely on Audie Murphy, the most decorated solider in WWII.  He earned every medal a solider could earn before the age of 21!! The museum even had his Purple Heart on display.  Pretty amazing if you ask me.  There are also exhibits that take you through WWII, the weapons used during war as well as history of cotton farming in Hunt County.

This museum made for a nice little afternoon.  We checked out the museum and then hit up Sweet Frogs.  He enjoyed his "mom and me" date and I only spent $13 all afternoon!

Hugs y'all!
Melissa

 

Back to School Mom Monday

My kids, like most Texas kiddos, went back to school today. 
There's 3 types of "back to school" moms.  The first one has had a "back to school" countdown going since day 1 of summer break.  We've all seen her constantly posting on social media the question "When does school start back?!"  She's one that started buying school supplies in early July.  As she pulls through the carpool lane on the first day, she barely stops as the kids get out.  And you're pretty sure, you just saw her push the kid out of the car. 
The second mom is the one who will weep the entire first week of school.  She will be posting quite the opposite of mom #1.  Her posts will consist of "When is 3pm?"  and "I can't wait for Thanksgiving break.  I am so ready to have my kids home!"  She's clinging to her little angels in the carpool lane.  The teachers are physically pulling the kids out of the car. 
Then there's mom #3.  I like to think I am this mom.  She realizes a new school year means a lot to her kids.  It's another step in the process of getting them to be productive citizens in society.  Another year to grow into the people they are supposed to be.  There will be new choices and obstacles they face that will help mold them.  Mom #3 takes each day for what it is...another day she gets to watch her kids grow and mature.  This mom also realizes structure and schedules must be put back into place after a lazy summer.  With that comes homework which no parent is excited about.

Which brings us to the purpose of this post...a homework station.  I started this small homework station last school year.  It's perfect because my kids don't use their desks in their rooms for homework.  They prefer to use the kitchen table to do homework while they snack.  It has all the basics needed for homework...notebook paper, pencils, pens, crayons, map pencils, glue and a pencil sharpener.  I found this great wooden box with a chalkboard front at World Market.  To find it, click here.  It's on sale right now for less than $20.  It sits on the kitchen counter, out of the way until we need it.

Whether your child is attending their first day of kindergarten or their first day of their senior year, they will grow and change, becoming a different person by the end of the year.  They will be more mature and independent.  Happy thoughts and positive vibes are being sent to parents everywhere!!

Hugs y'all!
Melissa

 

Thirsty Thursday-Lemondae Galore!

If you've read my blog before, you know that I do love lemonade.  Nothing beats hot southern summer day better than an ice cold glass of lemonade. But I am not the only one in the house that enjoys a good cup of lemonade.  Red does too!  Since tomorrow is her birthday, I thought I would use tonight to write about different  lemonade variations I have found.  We are definitely going to give the watermelon lemonade a try this weekend!  If you are looking for a plain lemonade recipe, you can find it here.

 

Watermelon Lemonade

 

 

Raspberry Lemonade

 

Coconut Lavender Lemonade

 

Copycat Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade

 

This last one I can't wait to try!  I love Starbucks' Passion Tea Lemonade!!  I am hoping this one taste just like it.  It would definitely save me some trips to Starbucks.

 

Hugs y'all!

Melissa

 

 

Wonder Woman Wednesday- Book of the Month

July was a busy month and I just did not get a chance to pick a good read.  June was a great book about Willie Nelson.  For August, I wanted something a little different than what I usually read. Supergirls Speak Out is just that book!! Being a small business owner, I have the constant need to make my practice bigger.  Constantly wanting to achieve more.  Then you throw in the mom and wife roles...are my kids dressed cute enough?  Is dinner homemade (and EDIBLE)?  Do you I need to make back to school gifts for all my kids' teachers?  (I've written before about "Pinterest Pressure?")

This book is kind of perfect!  It follows that perfect girl that we wish to be so much like.  Women talk about the pros of being an overachiever.  But they also point out the cons...things like exhaustion, anxiety, eating disorders, etc.  I am really excited to read this book.  Hoping it will give me some peace when I feel like I am not living up unrealistic expectations.  I am recommending any business owner, mom, wife or woman read this book.

Look for the review of this book in early September.

Hugs y'all!
Melissa

Texas Tuesday-Mt. Vernon: Small Town Fun

To be honest, Mt. Vernon, Texas was never on my radar to write about.  Never even thought about it.  It was just another small town off of Interstate 30 that we pass on the way to Arkansas.  Just another small town that we drive to so that my daughter can play 2 or 3 basketball games and then come home.  But a couple of weeks ago, she had a 3 day tournament there.  Her team had 3 games spanning a 9 hour period one day.  So we really had no choice but to get out of the gym and explore the small town.  Man, it's pretty cute!  We had lunch as well as walked around the town square.  The square is adorable.  In the middle of downtown sits a square shaped park that is covered with trees.  At the time, the crepe myrtles were blooming big time!  (Blooming crepe myrtles means it's HOT in Texas!)

We ate lunch at a place across the street from the park called "Our Place."  It's only open for a few hours around lunchtime.  Service was incredibly nice and the food was awesome!  I had a chicken salad sandwich and it was delicious.  I don't usually order sandwiches for lunch but I was so glad I did.  They definitely weren't stingy with the chicken salad!

We came in the back door of the restaurant.  The back door faces the front of Franklin County Historical Association.  Of course that caught Chief's eye!!  He loves museums. 

 As we talked to our very friendly waitress, we found out the museum was closing at 2pm.  Upon hearing Chief's disappointment, the waitress worked her magic to get the museum to open for us.  We got our own personal tour of the museum which included a collection of Don Meredith memorabilia  as well as a rare bird egg collection...222 bird eggs to be exact.  3 of those eggs are from birds that have been extinct for over 100 years reportedly!  The entire room is climate controlled.  I didn't get a picture of the collection.  Mainly because I was so mesmerized by the shear number of eggs and information all in one small room!  Reportedly, a "big national museum from DC" wanted the collection.  But the little town fought back and the collection stayed right there. 

After exploring the small museum for over an hour, we walked around downtown.  

                                                        Franklin County Courthouse

So next time you're around the northeast Texas area, stop in Mt Vernon for some lunch and a little history!

Hugs y'all,

Melissa

Make Up Monday- Bath Time Fun!!

If you follow me on Instagram, you know this last weekend I was in Hot Springs, AR.  Home of the true gangster, thermal healing water, Bath House Row and family fun.  I wish I had be able to carve out some time to visit one of the two bath houses that are still operating in the city.  But we were busy bees.  The trip really inspired today's blog.  There were several bath shops in downtown.  I visited one that I fell in love with every product in there!!  I broke down and finally bought a bath bomb!!  It smells like coconut heaven!  I typically stick with my bath salts and Epsom salt mixtures.  I went to buy a new sugar scrub and came out with bath bombs for Red and me.  No sugar scrub!

I have several posts about detox baths, foot soaks, and sugar scrubs.  I have poured my heart out about how much I love a local lavender farm's sugar scrub that softens the skin and smells so yum!

So here are some of my current favorite bath products.  Of course, after an amazing bath, you will need a beautiful summer color on your nails.

The Magnolia scented lotion is made from goat milk.  It smells so clean and fresh you will want to lather your body in this after a good hot bath.  It is made by Bathhouse Soapery and Caldarium in downtown Hot Springs.  The shop actually sits across the street from Bathhouse Row.  Perfect spot!  The Bathhouse Soapery also made the bath bombs  and small bar soap in the picture.  The white bath bomb in coconut scented.  I cannot wait to use it!! Red chose the blue one and I can't remember what scent she wanted.  They have hand scrubs, bath salt mixes, bar soaps, deodorant, body butters, shaving tablets and pretty much anything else you could use in the bath!!  Tons of scents to choose from too.  I really loved the milk and honey scent as well as their magnolia.  Gardenia was another scent in the hand scrub that I might just have to order!  The bar soap in this picture is vanilla oatmeal. 

 

The sugar scrub in this picture is my favorite by far.  It is locally made and smells so relaxing.  I love to use it after I shave.  My legs feel so good, I don't have to use lotion.  The link is above to the review post.  You can click on it to read more of my review as well a link to shop for it!

 

The cute sign is from Kirkland's.  It's true..A nice hot bath does solve most anything.  Nail polish is from Essie and currently one of my favorite shades-"Happy Wife, Happy Life." 

 

So relax, you made it through Monday.  Reward yourself with a relaxing bath this week.  Treat yourself and order one of these awesome products.  Feeling crafty?  Click on one of the links above to make your own!

 

Hugs y'all!

Melissa

Mom Monday- Sports Mom First Aid Kit

With football, soccer, volleyball, and cheerleading starting up, I thought now was an appropriate time for this post.  Evens though, baseball and softball are still in full swing in most areas (pun intended),  it's still basketball season in our house.  Needless to say, sports moms are extremely busy right now.  We make sure we have on our cutest team shirt with matching hat and flip flops (and probably a custom team color necklace).  We usually check the snack bag inventory, the ice chest inventory and our purses to make sure we have everything.  Was it my week to bring snack?  Do I have enough Gatorade?  The kids' bags are loaded as well as all the other equipment needed.  But what about the first aid kit?  What if little Johnny jams a finger while making a game winning tackle?  What if the opposing team's point guard has (literally) nine inch nails that make Ally look like she hung out with Edward Scissorhands?  Minor accidents that could all be patched up with the small first aid kit you carry around in your purse.  I carry mine in my backpack along with my score book, pencils and a couple of magazines to read during down time. 

We have only been playing basketball but I did add sunscreen to this picture for any of you not sitting in an air conditioned gym this summer.  I added both types-the spray and the "chap stick" type that is good for the face.  The things missing from this kit are pre-wrap (for the athletic tape) and my GINORMOUS bottle of ibuprofen.  My kit includes Band-Aids of all sizes and non-stick pads.  Cuts, blisters and random scratches...they can all get covered.  I also have antiseptic spray and a Neosporin type ointment to make sure any cuts or scratches do not get infected.  There's also tape for any jammed fingers or to help secure a Band-Aid to weird spot like the back of the ankle. Tape can be difficult to cut so I also made sure to pack scissors.  One weekend, a girl had chapped lips so I made sure to get a couple of tubes of chap stick as well.  I will be adding some plastic sandwich bags so ice packs can be made if needed.  My daughter started dealing with shin splints so she needs to ice after each game.  Ponytail holders are also a great addition.  I have some but I don't keep them in the first aid kit.  They are in my game day backpack.  My daughter carries a few things in her bag like her contact solution and case as well as her glasses.
I am sure there are things that I am missing but this pack has worked for us all season.  There are weekends that I never have to open it and other weekends we do.  The good thing is that it is always with me so that I can help our girls stay healthy and ready to play.

Hugs y'all!
Melissa