Theatre Weekend

 

 

This weekend I got to spend the majority of it enjoy community theatre. First, I took my Mom to an early mother's day present "Gypsy". Bloomington Theatre put on an amazing version of one of my Mom and I's favorite. Seriously it was so great the main lady Rose was one of the best and the actress who played Louise would have given Natalie Wood a run for her money.

Then Sunday Mouse and I visited a local church performance of "Cinderella". It was put on by the youth group to raise money for their summer mission trip. It was so cute, with all new music. And what a great cause to support. Mouse loved seeing kids just a few years older than her getting to act.

With years of community theatre in my blood, it is such a privilege to be able to continue to share it with my Mom and now with Mouse.

 

~ Cassi

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Three Lessons of Date Night

 

After almost 14 years of marriage Steve and I still make time for date night. It wasn't something we planned for when we first started out in marriage. But after everything that went down a few years ago we now make time. And I think we've learned a bit about how to make date night work.

 

First: Start off excited. I know this sounds kind of silly, but its true. Whether the date is just a trip with out kids to the grocery store or a five star restaurant, either way get exited.

 

Second: be willing to compromise. As in I am not a sushi fan at all, but Steve is so I am willing to suck it up once in a while for him. Because I know he will do the same for me, Indian food, YUM!

 

Third: Sometimes its just about giving in. It may have taken Steve 14 years to quit buying white tennis shoes,  but he finally got hint. I have white tennis shoes, so he bought new grey ones, just to make me happy.

 

Yep, I think we have started to figure out this date night thing.

 

~ Cassi

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New job

I started a new job in Oct, working at an Eating Disorder clinic. So far I have overall loved it. Working in the mental health field is so different than any other job I have had. You truly feel like your co-workers care about you and your family.

So last week when it was announced that due to decline in clients we could drop some hours to help out, I at first freaked out. Because, I am use to "you are just a number" type company, but after long talks with my boss, I am at peace with it.

And truly enjoying an afternoon off, especially when this one is home on spring break.  

Then today, she accompanied me to work. Yes, they are ok with that too. It seriously is a great place. Her and I have a dinner date and night at the Children's Theatre.

 

So thankful for a job that understands the importance of family.

~Cassi

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Unmasked Gala

It has been a few years (like 8) since I worked for a company with a mission that I can truly believe in. Working at the Emily Program is clinic that works with clients who struggle with eating disorders. This weekend we celebrated our first Gala fundraiser, UnMasked.

Unmasking the stigma of Eating Disorders, was the theme of our masquerade ball. It was an amazing turn out, the staff in charge of the event did a great job it was beautiful.

And the amount of support we received from this will help us bring education and awareness to so many more people.

~ Cassi

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Leanring Calligraphy

I am so excited to get started learning a new skill. My Mom learned this skill when I was young and I always loved her work. Then while taking the Hand-Letting class on Skillshare, I started to really think about her work and how much I loved it. So I decided to give it a try.

Can I say how blessed I am for having an artist as a father!

He came with to the art store when I went to pick out my product. Which he didn't know that I was there to pick out calligraphy supplies, but I was glad he was there. Myself and the sales lady had decided on what I should buy when I turned to my Dad and asked his opinion. He steered me in a totally different direction and for good reasons. I thought I should buy the pre-inked pens, but he said unless I was going to practice with them daily the pens have a tendency to dry out. He also made a good point on if I want to learn the quill method it makes sense to just jump in there.

So I bought a starter pack.

Then he called me later that night and said he went through his old art supplies and found a set of nibs and a box of ink! Now I have a ton ink colors and nibs, so excited and thankful for a generous parent.

Now I just need to figure out how to make pretty letters like my Mom.

~ Cassi

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My rings

Since getting my new wedding ring I have been on the look out for a new Mother's ring that will look good with it. I finally found it. It's not really a Mother's ring and really it barely has my kid's birthstone in the ring at all. But I love it. I feel like it brings the stones in my other ring together.

See the wedding ring is my husbands birthstone on the sides (Sapphire) and Mouse's birthstone in the center (Aquamarine). I completely adore this ring and all that it stands for. That fact that it is not a traditional wedding ring makes it even more perfect for us.

So why should my Mother's ring be any more traditional right?!? While at Helzberg last week I saw that they had a new stone out called London Topaz, she stated it is a darker version of my birthstone (Blue Topaz). London and dark teal/blue it was the perfect stone for me. Then I spotted this ring. The base is a mix of both topaz's and Aquamarine with a swirl of diamonds over the top. The swirl and the edges of my wedding ring are identical.

My favorite part is now we are all represented through my rings, I just have to look down and see Steve, Mouse and me. To see the bond and love we all share. It makes my heart so happy to see.

~ Cassi


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Our Small Group

“The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.”
― C.S. Lewis

I love this picture. No it's not perfect in its composition or in technical aspects. But  it shows our small group from church in what a small group should be like.

We are here, true Minnesotans in our lawn chairs and relaxed summer wardrobe. We gather not in our Sunday bests but in our comfortable clothes. Because we have moved past the stages of need to impress one another.

I love this picture because we are not all together in conversation or in teaching. We are here, scattered and connecting. The important talks come at times like these, the words of encouragement and hope to one another.

What this picture doesn't show is the mass of kids running around the grounds. But in the not showing it is good. We trust. We trust our own and those around them. We trust the adults to help in the raising. This is our village.

We've cried, rejoiced and screamed with these people and yet they are still here. Some are new and some we've known for years. But we all still gather for the same purpose. To do this thing we call life together.

We are blessed.

 

~ Cassi

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Fighting Lonely

Fridays I fluctuate between Five Minute Fridays and InstaFriday. But we are all community here, right? They can be combined into one post.

So I write for Five minute, no edits, no re dos and at the end I will see if there are pictures from this week that match the words of this week.

Topic: Lonely 
"No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you" ~  Joshua 1:5

 I read this and believe this, but my mind says otherwise.

Statue at the Imaging Center at the U

 My mind says I am alone in our struggles.

Lonely

Longing for a Savior

But I am I no better than the my ancestors believing in a Messiah but not seeing he has come.

My heart has faith in "the One".

The mind plays tricks

Lonely it says

Alone

Sunrise, morning promises

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." ~John 1:1

Never alone

When I let my heart win the battle

My mind knows that I am not alone.

There is no loneliness, no struggles with out a Savior.

 

~ Cassi

Not quite broken

It's Five Minute Fridays

So I write for Five minute, no edits, no re dos and at the end I will see if there are pictures from this week that match the words of this week.

Topic: Broken

As adults we struggle to find ourselves and our purpose in life. We feel broken, useless, a failure when things don't turn out exactly like we planned. I know I struggle with those emotions, I am sure Steve is too. It's amazing how much our job defines us. And whether we have no job or a bad job we see it as a reflection on our own abilities.
Broken in what the world calls complete

"LORD, you are our father. We are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the product of your labor." ~Isaiah 64:8~

No they are not clay just vases I was painting this weekend

We are God's labor (job) and yet I see no brokenness in God for my failures. So why do I put the same thoughts and emotions to my own job. With the job I have no control over what is happening.
I need to give myself more grace
The job, the world does not define me
I am not broken

~ Cassi

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What I Wore Wednesday ~ I love my new dress!

It is hard to see in this picture but this dress is the perfect shade of cream and made with the perfect amount of chiffon. OK, really it's not perfect, perfect but it is pretty darn close and when you factor in I got it for $4 at the thrift shop it makes it even closer.

Yes, I am wearing tights and boots here, but it rained a lot this past month so I had to pull the boots back out. I truly love how this outfit worked out. I got to wear my jean jacket which I still love after all these years. I also wore my birdie headband another favorite. You know what I think I need to wear this outfit again!

 

I have been on the hunt for a nautical scarf this past month and I finally found one. By pure accident, we were walking past a clothing shop I never go into and decided to at the last minute and there it was! I paired it with my navy blue striped blazer and my favorite red shoes.

Of course Mouse wanted to get back in the pictures since she was dressed up. Did I mention the cold rain making it seem like fall at times. Mouse says she is posing like the girl on the t-shirt, but you can't see it in this pictures. The girl is walking a dog on roller skates and Mouse is pretending she is walking the cat.

What are you wearing? Find out what the rest of blogland is wearing by linking up with the Pleated Poppy (What I Wore Wednesday), One little Momma (What Kids Wore Wednesday) and Plane Pretty (Sunday Style)

~ Cassi



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We are in between

Fridays I fluctuate between Five Minute Fridays and InstaFriday. But we are all community here, right? They can be combined into one post.
So I write for Five minute, no edits, no re dos and at the end I will see if there are pictures from this week that match the words of this week.

Topic: In Between


Enjoying the sun

 In betwen seems to describe the state of life for us right now. In fact I could not pick more accurate words.
Steve is now inbetween jobs. Its not easy for any of us but especially him. He liked his company and what he did. But outsourcing has taken over. So he is in between.. And all those decissions that are made in that state can be overwhelming.

Mouse off at her 2nd summer camp

We are in between, along with my brother's family. As they moved in with us this week while they sit in a state between houses. Their house is getting built and their house sold quickly. Now we are in between with them as we make room and adjust projects to accomidate them. It will be fun to share in meals and family time but its still a change.

Mouse and her friend on a hike

Mouse, she is between childhood and teen. Tween has a new meaning to us here. All those changes, emotions and innocences rolled into one small woman child. Helping, guiding and letting go seem to be where we are at right now.

We are all stuck in the "in between".

~ Cassi


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What I Wore Wednesday ~ Stitch Fix 3

I soo love Stitch Fix. And my third box was no disappointment. I loved it. Each time I get a box they get closer to the perfect style for me. The first dress I saw was something I would never have looked at in the store. But Steve loved it right away so I tried it on. And then I was bummed it was too tight in the armholes. Otherwise this one would have been a keeper. I love how it looks and the colors area great. 

The second dress I tried on is one I saw on instagram and loved it. I still do love almost everything about this dress. The dress is soo comfortable, it has to be one of the softest things I have ever tried on. I would have kept this dress even though it's not the most figure flattering, but what I didn't like was that you could see the orange stripes through the dress when it was reversed.  

The first top I tried on I was not really keen on to start with. I am not a fan of purple and red together but I do like cherry patterns. The shirt was much better on then in the box.  

 I came really close to keeping this bracelet. I have been looking for one like it for a while now but the price tag was a bit high for me. I also wasn't sure how much I liked H's on it.

So what did I keep? I kept this color block tank. I love the black polka-dots and blue edging, in fact I love everything about this top. 

I thought I would really go outside of my comfort zone and paired the top with a my green leggings. And again going out of my comfort zone paid off. I really liked the look.

Interested in Stitch Fix? Check them out here.

What are you wearing? Find out what the rest of blogland is wearing by linking up with the Pleated Poppy (What I Wore Wednesday) and Plane Pretty (Sunday Style)

~ Cassi

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I am a MN Blogger

Go check it out I am introduced over at Minnesota Blogger!
So excited to get to know the woman over there. And I can't wait for the next blogger outing.

~Cassi




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Final cold weather pictures for WIWW

This week is finally starting the warm up process in Minnesota. It took forever this year. Which means I still have some cold weather outfits to show you all. So as the rest of the WIWW link up girls are posting shorts and sundresses we are still tights and sweater bound here. One good thing we are just in sweaters or jackets we normally don't need both.

Mouse here in her thrifted finest. I do love the long duster sweater on her. I also love that she has no problem with thrifted finds.

I also brought out my favorite thrifted find. I am just loving this owl printed dress. It paired nicely with my maroon tights and boots.

Hopefully this was the last of tights and sweaters here in the tundra. Today it is 80 or so the weatherman says. We'll see...

What are you wearing? Find out what the rest of blogland is wearing by linking up with the Pleated Poppy (What I Wore Wednesday) & One little Momma (What Kids Wore Wednesday)

~Cassi 

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Falling

Fridays I fluctuate between Five Minute Fridays and InstaFriday. But we are all community here, right? They can be combined into one post.
So I write for Five minute, no edits, no re dos and at the end I will see if there are pictures from this week that match the words of this week.

Topic: Fall
This week we were hit with bad news. The kind that hooks you by the knees like an old vaudeville act, dropping you the floor. Steve's job has been out-sourced. What does this mean? He is needing to find a new job.

My first reaction was a mix of anger and sadness. All of our plans...falling through. You see when I was looking to change careers I specifically applied to the University so we could work together and car pool. Well I got that job last Oct. and now....
As my Dad said the saying goes "Best laid plans of mice and men.."

That's when it hit me. It was our plan. It was the plans of mere men. Now we are falling to our knees. In prayer we seek God's wisdom for this change. We wait and watch for the new window to open as this door closes. Because we sometimes need to learn the hard way that there is a God infinitely more wiser than mice and men.

~ Cassi
The pictures are just ones I took this week that are all better than the news from this week.


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What I Wore Wednesday

I think I can say that I own a lot of blue. But I keep buy it and I probably will keep going, like this striped skirt. It is so soft. I am still looking for just the right tops to wear with it though. 

So I paired it with just some simple items, white tee and navy blue sweater. The shoes I don't think quite worked, but oh well.
Another blue I have been loving is these bright ankle pants. Also if someone would have said I would wear blue pants with a pink scarf together I would have laughed a year ago, but thanks to WIWW I found no problem with it.

I also probably won't have bought this bright orange- red top.  Which I love the feel of, perfect for summer. 

What are you wearing? Find out what the rest of blogland is wearing by linking up with the Pleated Poppy (What I Wore Wednesday)

~ Cassi

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the Princess Cruise!

Last Weekend Mouse and I were asked to come aboard the Padelford Packet Boat Co. to review their Princess Cruise.

Well Mouse thought she may be a little old for the cruise so she wanted to bring along her neighbor friend, who is 4. Which was a great thought because Miss S is a princess fanatic! And I love spending time with Jess, her Mom.

So us girls got all dolled up for a ride down the Mississippi with the princesses.

The cruise states it's for ages 3-12. But I think 12 is pushing it. The cruise is pretty simplistic in nature. You have the princess's in not authentic costumes and no decoration. All things 12 (or 10) year olds will point out. But the 3 -6 year olds on the trip thought they were great! Miss S loved waving to the princesses then getting right up next to them.

The cruise lacked a bit in decor and snacks. I thought with a princess theme the boat would be decked out in pink crepe and balloons but a disco ball was the only addition. Again the little one didn't mind at all but the older one and us adults were wondering at it. The boat it's self is cool and historic, which my history lover Mouse thought was great.

Miss S had a blast at the dance party, I think if it was warmer that day Mouse would have liked it too. Mouse also loved looking at the scenery as we paddled down the river. Miss S also enjoyed the story time the princess's provided. This again showed it was much more set up for the younger ages.

But in all it was a fun trip with the girls and they each got something out of the trip.

I just want to say thank you to Capt. Tracy Shimek for giving us the opportunity to review the river boat cruises and the Princess Cruise.

~ Cassi Please see my disclosure page

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Letting imaginations roam

Fridays I fluctuate between Five Minute Fridays and InstaFriday. But we are all community here, right? They can be combined into one post.
So I write for Five minute, no edits, no re dos and at the end I will see if there are pictures from this week that match the words of this week.

Topic: Imagine
I have realized this past week that imagination is needed for me. I flourish, heal and grow through it. I also realized that I am surrounded by people that support that and encourage it.

This past weekend Steve and I participated in a Mystery Dinner with our neighbors. Everyone got into their characters and got in costume. It was a wonderful night for laughter. So much needed with the heavy of life, this night of frivolity.

But it's not just games of fancy that feed my soul. I need to create what I imagine in my head. Whether it's drawing, painting, crafts or doodles on a napkin. It is there that my imagination can be set free.

Drawing by me

"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."
Albert Einstein

It's with that quote I hope to bring up a knowledgeable daughter. Knowledgeable in know that there is so much more out there then what we see before us. That great art and a great life start with imagination.

 ~ Cassi

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What I Wore ~ Stitch Fix 2

My second box arrived right after we got back from vacation. What a fun thing to come home to!What is Stitch Fix?

Stitch Fix is a personal stylist that sends a box of fun right to your house.

This box was loaded with goodies. Like this tank top.

I loved every things about this top. The colors don't come across as nice in the picture but the stripes are so great. I truly wish this would have fit.

The second item was this tab sleeve dress. I love stripes and nautical looking clothes and this fit right in my style. It was also very soft.

I trieded it on for date night and work,  but for some reason I just couldn't pull the trigger on this one.

 

I asked for more dresses in this box, so I got two to choose from this time. And again I loved this dress. I was so glad they sent it because I have been looking at this style but didn't think it would look good and I am happy to be able to look for more like this now.

The only draw back I had with this one was the price tag it was a little high and Steve wasn't thrilled with the patern.

The final clothing piece was this twisted tee. I just wasn't sold on this piece. The top looked better on then I thought it would but the cross front style just isn't for me.

So what did I keep? The box comes with an accessory each time and I fell in love with it.

I don't own a lot of gold but this piece won me over with the two tone strands.

Interested in Stitch Fix? Check them out here .

What are you wearing? Find out what the rest of blogland is wearing by linking up with the Pleated Poppy (What I Wore Wednesday)

~ Cassi

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