The past few months

I've been a little lazy about posting pictures, so with while I have a moment, I thought I would share some pictures from the past few months.

This is Chloe, dead asleep after coming home from our 10 hour drive from TN.

Clint knows how to make any day better! These really are the best cupcakes.

Visiting the National Zoo

No denying they are family!

Six Flags with our sweet Ryann

Finally, a visit with my cousins: Ali and Molly

Clint with my 3rd cousin Molly

Clint and Brian (Ali's new fiance, they shared the news that day.)

D.C.'s National Harbor

Couldn't resist

My sweet grandparents celebrating their 56th anniversary

Total proof that marriage can last a lifetime!

Toasting to the years

My sister's goldendoodle, Lesiel

Sweetest dog ever (besides Chloe Belle)

And, Clint and I celebrated our 4th anniversary in May. We enjoyed a couples massage and dinner in downtown Annapolis. It was very relaxing and low key. I didn't feel like lugging the camera around that night. We usually take a trip to celebrated but decided to save our vacation time for later in the year. I simply cannot believe it has already been 4 years. So blessed to have this man by my side in life!

Goodbye Sun, Hello Tan

I thought I would share one of my newest favorite things. In the past few years, I have become more conscious about protecting my skin. i.e. Wearing hats, mixing sunscreen in my facial moisturizer and hand cream, etc. Yes, I realize this should have been an issue years before, but let's face it, you are stupid when you are in your teens and early twenties. I was ignorant enough to think that I could burn my way to a tan. Well, I finally realized that wasn't going to happen and in the process, I have more than likely already caused myself some major skin damage. Too bad your wake up call has to come in the form of a sun spot on your face when you are twenty. But, better late than never, I suppose.

And lets not get me started on tanning beds. Yes, I've used them in the past, but remember, I was stupid then. I'm not trying to take the holier than thou attitude, but come on, with all the studies on protecting your skin and the dangers of tanning beds, it's amazing to me how many people use them.

Anyway, back to my current favorite product. Even though I don't like "sunning" or visiting the cancer beds, I still think I look the best with a little color, especially in the summer. So, the only other way to achieve the sun look is with self-tanner. Bless the inventors of the self-tanner. Last year, I made it my personal mission to find the best tanner for me. Everyone is different, but for me, I wanted one that would give me the most natural color with the less odor. After all, if you walk around with orange spots all over and smell like medication, what's the point? I want introduce you to my best friend: Lancome Flash Bronzer Tinted Self-Tanning Gel

Love, love, love it! Yes, it's pricey, $34.50 for a tube. But, you knew the good stuff would be. And, it will last me a whole summer, using it 2-3 times a week. It says it's leg gel, but I use the stuff all over, except the face. It has very little odor and gives me a bronze look. I can finally stop sporting the vampire look in the summer months. If you are a translucent pale, this might give you more color than you want. But for me, it gives me the color that I could naturally achieve, but only after a whole summer of laying out in the sun.

Tips if you decide to use it: Make sure to rub it in a circular motion like it says on the box. I have Clint apply it on my back (I told you I use it all over). I take a bath at night and exfoliate, then apply the lotion giving it time to absorb and dry before bed. That way in the morning, I can take a shower and not have any wash off.

More Changes

Yes, what would it be like in the Davis world if there were not constant change? Last week, I worked my last day with the State. I start my new job next week. I have to say, this was the shortest employment I have ever had. I think I was bragging a bit too much about how short of a commute I had. Well, looks like the great governor of Maryland decided to prove me wrong. In the fall, my former company will be moving to Baltimore. And this girl couldn't handle even the thought of an hour and a half commute, one way. I am certain my nerves would have been a big ball of mess by the time I made it home. Not to mention parking would have run me a cool $200 a month. No thanks! I'm so thankful that the job market is so much better here because I was able to find a new job pretty quickly. Even though I will still be working in close proximity to home, it will still probably take me, at the most, 30 minutes. But, I'm a-okay with that, especially since I will return to a college campus.

In the mean time, I have been checking things off my major "to-do" list that has been adding up since I had not had time because of work. I feel so productive. So much so that I have been trying to convince Clint that Chloe needs a stay at home mom! Yeah right, we all know that I would go nuts, especially since all she does most of the day is sleep. But, I am enjoying my time before I start my new job. And can I just say, I think I have started more new jobs than anyone else I know...hey, there might be a book idea in there somewhere.

Privacy Please

After almost 4 years of blogging, I have decided to set our blog to Private. No major reason for this change other than I want to control who reads about our lives. I love the fact that our family and friends are able to keep up with us by reading this, but why would the person across the country really want to read about our boring happenings. I know nothing is really ever "private" on the web, but whenever we decide to start having kids, I'm sure I will want the feeling of more privacy. And what better time than now to start being more private! (And no, we aren't trying for kids just yet.)

So, at the beginning of August, I will enter the emails of everyone who wants to continue to read our blog on the access list. If you would like to be added to this list, just email me at missybond at gmail dot com.

Goodwill

This is our new favorite store here in Annapolis. I have never been one of those girls who was ever ashamed of wearing 2nd hand clothes. After all, it was always new to me. Same philosophy for pretty much everything else, cars, furniture, etc. Occasionally, Clint and I would be able to find good deals in the local Goodwills in and around Kingsport. However, I have never, and I mean ever, been to a Goodwill with such a large selection of 1) my size and usually petite, 2) name brand--I'm not talking about Old Navy either, 4) current styles, and 3) great prices.

Working right next door to our amazing mall, and I do mean a sidewalk away, I was finding myself browsing through Nordstrom, Lord and Taylor, J.Crew, Ann Taylor, ect. I was having a hard time even considering the sale prices. You know, being so practical and all. So, once we stumbled upon our local Goodwill, the lunch break mall trips were put to an end.

When I needed a few more interview outfits for my 2nd and 3rd call backs, I didn't go to the mall. No, I went straight to Goodwill. And I not only found one outfit, my size, no tailoring necessary. But, I found 2 and shoes to match. All Ann Taylor and all for $35. And I found out today, they keep the "good" stuff in the glass check out counter, Prada purses, Dolce and Gabbana shoes...

I realize some people are not okay with the thought of wearing other people's shoes. I am more picky when it comes to footwear and whether or not I will be wearing hose or socks. And know that I give all my second hand clothes and shoes a thorough cleaning.

I knew that Annapolis had a lot of residents with mega moola. But, what I didn't realize, is how many simply give away their top dollar clothes. I don't understand why you would, for instance, spend $150 on a Lilly Pultizer skirt and then give it to Goodwill the next year? It's a win for the gal who scores the same skirt for $8, but I guess I am too frugial to ever understand. I imagine for people who do this, it's much easier to drop off their donations rather than having a yard sale or dealing with a consignment store. Besides, they are probably on their way to the mall to re-stock their closets. But, I am grateful for these people. They have already saved my family a great deal. And for that, I say thank you to all the wealthy (or in debt) Annapolian housewives!

(P.S. Clint has benefited as well. He has bought some really nice Polo and J.Crew shirts, most still with the dry cleaning tags on them!)