create the life you love

Team Captain

So proud of VGC .. choosen as a JV Lacrosse Captain.

The season is under way .. first 2 games this past weekend, both big wins!

#10 ..'stick man'

starting line up

 

LOTS more photos to come

Mother - Son Weekend!

I just returned home from spending a long weekend in Oxford with C Cal, just the 2 of us ..

well, many of his guy friends too and a few girls.

So much fun!!

We ate at our favorite restaurants .. Lorena's, Big Bad Breakfast, Snack Bar, Boure, The City Grocery.

Also visited a few bars .. Burgandy Room, Proud Larrys, The Library (doesn't every college town have a 'library' bar??)

Ah .. college life!

And .. although it looks like all we did was hang out at bars, not so! Just good photo opportunities!

 

Saturday morning breakfast at BBB 

Saturday afternoon happy hour at the Burgandy Room on the Square .. bloody mary bar

 

Terrible photo .. but wanted to include it. With my good friend's daughter who is a student at Ole Miss also.

The next time I see Connor will be in May .. at his graduation!

Hotty Toddy!!

 

** more Ole Miss posts here, here, here and here!

February Book Club

The 'babes' met at Flemmings this month for our book club ..

Our book was The Thorn Birds. I read this way back during a summer in college and enjoyed reading it once again.

60th!

I'm a bit behind in posting, so trying to catch up!

~

My friend Lisa celebrated her 60th birthday a few weeks ago. Another friend and I gave her a little party. It was held at Lisa's beautiful home .. a small group of gals. So much fun!

Birthday Girl!

Coconut Cake

Pink Swap Gifts

My fabulous pink gifts from my sweet partner, Hopsy!

So many lovely pink gifts ..Gaspari napkins and tissues, littel pink note book, 'Quality, Taste, Style' book by Tim Gunn, pasley playing cards, mini lint roller, note pad with clip board, pink & green candies, pink peppermint mallow bits, glass case, and a beuatiful Lilly scarf. Love them all .. thank you Hopsey! and thank you also for hosting the swap!

Pink Ellie

Just a little pinterest craft I made (actually made 2, one for my Pink Swap partner) .. via Martha Stewart

 

I added a few more coats of glitter after taking this picture .. probalby 6-8 coats in all!

I think I needed to use a deeper shade of pink so it covered the dark gray elephant with less coats. This ended taking a few days to finished due to the drying time inbetween.

Pink Swap!

Once again this year, I participated in Hopsy's Pink Swap ..

and, my partner this year is none other than Hopsy! 

A sneek peek of my gifts to her ..

 

Bar Star

A bit embassed, but quite honored ..

I LOVE The Bar Method 

 

 

Meet our Bar Star for January...Melissa. You have truly become a part of our Bar Method Family and you look amazing! Here is her story: " I have been an exercise enthusiast throughout my adult years as well as an athlete in my youth. I tried my first Bar Method class almost 6 months ago, and I have been hooked ever since, attending 4 to 6 classes per week. The Bar Method has been the best full body workout for me- toning, elongating and sculpting my entire body. The results have been amazing! The studio is a beautiful studio facility and the instructors are excellent!!! All are highly motivating, positive and helpful (friendly and super sweet too!). I thank you all and look forward to continuing on at The Bar Method!"

Metabolism Boosting Drink

 

Dr. Oz’s Tangerine Weight-Orade Recipe…It contains: green tea, shown to boost metabolism 12% by drinking just one cup; tangerine, with a chemical composition that increases sensitivity to insulin and stimulates genes that help to burn fat; and mint, a calorie-free flavor enhancer.

In a large pitcher, combine: 8 cups of brewed green tea / 1 tangerine, sliced / A handful of mint leaves / Stir this delicious concoction up at night so all the flavors fuse together. Drink 1 pitcher daily for maximum metabolism-boosting results.

 

Made this tonight and trying tomorrow!

Wrap it up

engagement gift

Soccer!

Griff played on the JV team .. the season just ended, but I wanted to record a few pictures .. actually, the only TWO photos I took and bad ones at that!

#11

 

 

He has moved right on to his #1 sport, lacrosse, with training all this week and tryouts next .. although he has been playing club lax (weekend tournaments) year round.

And btw, my 'baby' boy is now 6'1"! 

Oh .. Shift!

The lastest Lilly gift with purchase ..

cute, shift pillow. Perfect for my pink chair in my office.

 

And a travel bag .. love this

Go 'Noles

Just catching up here.

We had a little FSU party for my Seminole family memebers (son #1, brother, SIL, neice, nephew & friends), and also my sister who was down from Illinois - a Notre Dame fan. All were going to the bowl game (FSU vs Notre Dame) the following day.

the girls .. and Bax & Murp

some of the guys

 

 

ETA ... a friend sent me this photo of me that was taken by mistake with her iphone ;)

To answer a few questions.. yes, the LV bag was a Christmas gift. The little cross bracelet (elastic) is from a new store here in WP, not sure of the make, but it was $12! The link bracelet is from Henri Bendel. My blouse is J Crew and cardigan, Tory Burch.

Pinsomnia ..

 

Ha ... SO TRUE!! I am obsessed with Pinterest!!

Oh Lilly ... New Year's Cheer Sale

 

Love when these on line sales come around, such fabulous prices ..

but this time I messed up while checking out.  During my ordering frenzy (items sell out quickly so it's a race!) something went wrong and I ended up with only 2 items total - one being a men's tie, so I didn't score well at all :(. Honestly, I can not even remember what all I wanted .. obviously, I did not need it that badly!

I was able to order from another via shop with great prices ..

Naomi Dress

Jeanette Dress

LOVE the expossed zipper

***

Santa has also good to me!

Ricci Shift

Jessie Sweater

Adriana Dress

Callahans

 

And on my wish list ...

Since Tangerine tango is the color of the year (love it!), I'd like a few items in this color

Taytay Dress

Jules Dress

Sea Coral Necklace

Party Boy

 

Wishing you all much happiness, health and blessings in the New Year!!

Christmas Day

We had a late start to our Christmas morning .. the parents were up bright and early, as always, but the boys later. A nice little perk as your children get older! With this being the first year with our oldest living on his own (although just 10 minutes away) as well as late sleepers .. we planned a brunch with gift opening and dinner to follow in the evening.

 

Mimosas!! .. with a breakfast casserole, cinnamon buns and of course bacon (bacon-lovin' boys)

Dinner was our traditional Christmas meal : beef tenderloin with bernaise sauce, cheesy, smashed potatoes, roasted broccoli, sweet potato casserole, spinach salad, rolls, red velvet cake and other dessert treats.

Our tree ... complete with NO lights! Just a few days before Christmas, ALL the lights went out. A bit of hysterics from me. Since none of my guys are handy men (to say the least), we had problems with fixing it. No luck what so ever and no white lights to be found in the 4 stores that I looked.

 

My 'holy' tree in the living room .. nicely lit!

Radko Tree

 

Lilly tree in my office

 

I didn't do a good job of picture taking during gift opening  .. photos throughout my home

 

 

 

Two of my crazy boys with their cracker 'treasures' ..

you see how much they LOVE posing for me??!

 

 

Christmas Eve

 

After church we had our annual Christmas Eve dinner at Enzos.

Dan & I have been dining there since we were dating .. for over 30 years now!

My handsome men

And since they are so handsome ;), another picture ..

another family (good friends of ours) also at Enzos ..

Santa was here ..

My Goddaughter

A little Christmas gift giving with my darling goddaughter ...

 The 'boys' love Bridget and joined in with opening the gifts

And little Lilly :) ..

And the back of our card ..

 

Since this is Connor's last year at Ole Miss (and the fact that this was the only photo I had of the entire family), we used our pictures from The Grove.

Merry Christmas!

A child is born to us! A son is given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

 

Parties!

So many parties this Christmas season .. I have had something every night for over a week straight.

Many of the parties have been girls 'only' get togethers, including a small soiree I had with some good friends.

Completely forgot to take pictures, except for a few before the girls arrived.

 

This is my book club Christmas party .. the guys were invited too and no book discussion, just partying!

Connor is home! Dinner out on Park Ave.

And, I may add .. every night has been a party for him since home.

Catching up with old friends!

Bear boy and friends.

They all came over prior to a party on our street (another family of 3 boys).

Big Murph and myself in this picture

 

Mother - Daughter Champagne Party!

My sweet friend, Sharon invites me even though I am daughter-less.

All college girls and their mothers.

So much fun and the girls are sooo sweet to me!!

 

With Leigh, having a little bubbly! ..

Really just posing for the picture ;)

 

We attended a few other parties, but I didn't take pictures, and ...

tonight we are off to another party - a pig roast!

Wrapping it up!

Long time, no posting! I have been crazy busy with Preppy Paper Design orders, as well as gift wrapping for others. I love to wrap, so this has been a pleasure! Now I need to start on my own gifts .. on the schedule for today (along with so much more to do)!!

My photos are all so terrible .. the settings were all off.

For my goddaughter ..

LuLu!

I mentioned a month or so ago about my new exercise of choice .. The Bar Method. I have been going 4-6 days a week now since the first of August and am still loving it. Along with my obsession with 'the bar' is my big obsession with Lululemon. Hands down, the best quality and most comfortable exercise wear, in my opinion. I was a former Nike lover/wearer, but have completely converted to Lulu. 

Some of my favorite pieces -

The Wunder Under Crop .. I have a few pairs of these and have even worn the plain black as leggings with boots and long sweater. 

(love the little ruffles)

 

(again, love the ruffles around the shoulders - I am wearing this right now, never mind that is is 8pm and I've been in my exercise clothes since 6:30am)

The only thing that was missing at Lululemom was the color PINK ... but much to my delight, they recently added quite a few pink pieces .. so I just had to buy myself a few Christmas presents.

I even love Lululemon's Groovy Thong ;)

'Tis the Season!

This was LAST Sunday .. and the tree is yet to be decorated. Griff was a big help .. he helped with getting the tree in and then bringing in all the many, big rubbermade boxes (while DCal 'directed'!) But .. that is just about all that has been done with our Christmas decorating. We did manage to get the outside finished (thank goodness for our yard men who do my trees every year). I am just so busy with my business and struggling to keep up. Not complaining - it's all good and I appreciate all my many wonderful customers. I have also been working for a friend of mine, who has a shop here in WP .. she is keeping my busy too! Going to try to rally and get this tree done tonight.

My little pink, Lilly tree is up in my office where I am spending most of my time lately ..

 

And, just catching up here on my blog ..

A photo (not very good - darn Nikon coolpix, I am not at all happy with) of Bear's birthday dinner at the CC .. minus the birthday boy who dashed before the picture taking. Griff was wishing he did also ;)

My goddaughter and her Advent calendar from me ..

 

The cutest reindeer topiary!

Happy Birthday DBC

Twenty-five years ago my dreams & prayers came true with the birth of DBC .. 

Happy Birthday, Bear!

 

All You Need To Know About OLE MISS!

This is precious!! 


'This is from one of our PDS Pre-K Bible classes...They started talking about Ole Miss and our Bible teacher had to record it :) Click the link below and enjoy!! 

This started today with me telling the boys we are praying for Morocco this
week. Will T. asked "when are we going to pray for Oxford? It is the home
of the Rebs." I replied, "I agree. They need LOTS of prayers!" Then Will
and Trey started telling me all about Ole Miss. I had to pick up my camera!
 Enjoy!!!'

 

HOTTY TODDY!!

Such a wonderful four days spent in Oxford, MS with our entire family! 

Bear flew in on Friday afternoon, a day after us, due to work, but he had such a great time .. his first visit to Ole Miss.

We rented the same house as last year and had a tent and food all ready for us in The Grove for game day. Of course, the game was - dare I say - pitiful! But, as the saying goes, Ole Miss never loses a party. SO much fun in The Grove!

Thursday lunch at Ajax Diner and shopping on The Square

Griff's lunch .. fried catfish (their specialty), fries, mac & cheese and corn bread 

Connor's house .. so nice, just a block behind The Square and actually neat & clean!!

Love the dining room 'table'

And, um .. the next day after a party. The house not so neat and clean

We walked to the cemetery, for a little field trip to see Faulkner's grave where there is always a bottle of Jack Daniel's or two

Also took Griff to see Rowen Oak (Faulkner's Home). I have been on a previous trip, but since Griff was playing 'hooky' from school, another field trip was in order.

He was thrilled ;)

Dinner at The City Grocery .. Our Anniversary (27 years!) Cheers!

Griff and 2 of Connor's friends that joined us for dinner

On to Friday ... breakfast at Big Bad Breakfast. SO good - Oxford has the best restaurants.

One of Connor's roommates joined us.

A cool morning .. Connor in his ear warmers!

 

Dinner at The Ravine Friday evening.

May just be one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at. So good and another fun evening!

With ALL my boys ...

Our friends from Nashville. Katie goes to Ole Miss and her dad went to UF with Dan

Katie, her boyfriend Michael, friend Allie and parents

Two of a kind!

At Boure on The Square after dinner

A new store opened on the Square, Pink & Proper .. a Lilly Store!

Connor was excited about it (well, not exaclty, but knew that I would be!)

And .. Christie Leigh Mueller was there on Saturday morning signing her new book, Gridiron Saturdays!

My lucky day .. I was planning on purchasing this book and how fabulous that I was able to meet the author - she is darling! - and get a signed copy. 

I had to include all our teams

On to THE GROVE!

LSU fans .. all were so nice and quite 'colorful'!

 

Look who I found .. Col Reb is alive and well!

Griff with LSU fans .. such handsome, nice boys!

NO Bear sightings at all in The Grove .. The Colonel has risen again!

 

Dan & B with a former player, Marcus Allen, I think?

Someone else took this picture with Dan's phone - too bad it is so blurry

And we actually went to the game and had great seats , about 10 rows up on the 50 yard line. Of course the game was painful to watch .. we only stayed for the first half.

Palm Beach Girl's Weekend!

Such a fabulous weekend trip down to Palm Beach with my friend's Kerry and Lisa (3 other gals meet us there too).

Lisa was so gracious to invite us to stay at her beautiful Palm Beach home .. complete with bedrooms decorated in Lilly style! I just wanted to move in for good (not having any daughter's, I have no girly- girl bedrooms).

Love the monogram head board ..

Gorgeous hand painted dresser and lamps ..

 

We started our weekend with lunch at Cucina ..

And a little shopping ..

Bracelets galore!

All set for Friday evening happy hour before heading out to dinner and dancing (to Motown!!) at The Polo Club at The Colony Hotel ..

 

Desserts for later ..

 

My party 'favors' ..

Dinner at The Colony Polo Club ..

Dancing to Motown music ... love this picture of Lisa and Carol. We had SO much fun!! 

My new boy friend .. and can he ever do the 'bump'!! He about knocked me off my feet. Ha .. thank goodness no pictures of that!

Saturday, we were off to the 80th Birthday Brunch at the Museum of Lifestyle and Fashion History  for Miss Lillian Pulitzer Rousseau!!

I am honored to have already met Lilly (just this past January) and have photos taken, so I did not get a picture with her this time. (I graciously allowed others to talk and have photo ops with her) ;). She is just as lovely as ever and looked so pretty and stylish in her pink sweater, murfee scarf and beautiful earrings.

My sweet friend Natalie and Lilly. Natalie use to work at the WP Lilly, but moved down to Palm Beach to work at the new Lilly store about to open in The Breakers Hotel! Miss her lots, but am so happy and excited for her!!

With Kerry .. it was so hard to get a good picture since I had to work my way through the crowd of Lilly-clad ladies waiting to meet Lilly!

Of course, I changed my mind (about 10 times over) as to what to wear, and ended up wearing a solid, navy lace Lilly (which I love), but now wish I would have worn a print. Kerry and I have many of the same designs, so there was lots of talk prior as to what to wear.

 

DCal needs this outfit for the golf links! ...

I donated a gift certificate to the silent auction ..

The Museum and event is in the Boynton Mall and right next to Sears! Ha, ..

 

On to Saturday night dinner at Echo. Another fun evening, but no dancing included .. we were all a bit danced out (although, I can not wait to return to PB and my Motown men)!

Beautiful Lisa (our Palm Beach hostess)!

And her sweet pup, Cory. Stylin' in Lilly ..

 

More Wedding ..

 I forgot to post the family pictures at my niece's wedding.

Fun times for sure!

 

My handsome men  .. missing Connor :(

 

My little brother, Marc - Dcal - nephew Jordan - Barret & Griff

SIL Terri, Pat & Doris (my mother's dear friends), sister Deb, me and niece Alli

fun with the photo booth props

Allie

 

Cousins

 

Behind the scenes at The Pink Palace ...

http://www.thefeast.com/philadelphia/shopping/FEAST-SHOP-PHI-Behind-the-Scenes-Video-With-Lilly-Pulitzer-King-of-Prussia-Headquarters-Resort-2011-Fall-133002293.html

Halloween Past ..

My little 'punkins'

Barret - Connor - Griff

 

Bear Boy ..

Connor ..

B & C ..

arrr .. some mean pirates (and a sweet little penguin) ..

and the next year .. Connor wears the 'fro' (this was a favorite of all 3 for many years)

Griff ..

 

Hotty Toddy!

Game day decorations for The Grove!

Ole Miss may have trouble winning this season .. but they never loss a party!

 

 

Beautiful Bride

My niece was married this past weekend.

A few sneak peek photos from her fabulous photographer ..

This one takes my breath away ..

 

To be continues with my photos of the FUN reception!

Catching Up

I bit behind here .. just not sure how I can be so busy with just one son at home these days, but busy I am!

Pumpkin Shootout Lacrosse Tournament a few weekends ago ..

 

 

 

 

One more fall, club lacrosse tournament and then HS soccer season - Griff is playing on the JV team!

Fall Favorites

Even though it is still 'summer' here in Fl, we have had a bit of change in weather. Cooler mornings and evening (as well as 2 days straight now of non-stop rain).

While I still wear plenty of Lilly during the fall and winter months, I do add in some of my other favorite designs .. namely Tory Burch, J.Crew.

Growing up in the north, I LOVE winter clothes .. sweaters, boots, jackets, jeans, tights! So ... as soon as the temps drop under, oh say 85 degrees I get out my winter wear!

A few new buys ..

 

Tory Burch Selma Boots

I took advantage of the TB 'friends & family' sale this past weekend. Can not wait to wear these .. but most likely another month or so

 

Tory Burch black snake skin belt

Pin It

TB Waverly blouse 

Pin It

TB Simone Cardigan in RED! I never wear red (I'm a pink girl) .. this will be the first piece of red clothing in many years. Griff's school colors are red & black, so instead of always wearing black, I am going all out this year for his games, wearing red. A good investment .. to wear during the next 4 years of high school lax games.

Pin It

J Crew navy plaid wool pants

 

Pin It
J Crew school boy navy blazer

Pin It
J Crew matchstick jeans

 

Of course .. I must include a bit of Lilly!

 

Pin It

Elsa Tops .. love these silk tops. A staple in my closet.

Pin It

Resort Wedges .. love these wedges (also a staple). 

Lilly bracelets

Pin It

 

Giorgio Armani Silk Foundation ... I recently switched from Laura Mercier to this. It really does feel like liquid silk. Along with the loose powder .. they give my skin a luminous finish.

UF/LSU Game

Ole Miss had a bye this past Saturday which worked out perfect for Connor. He traveled to New Orleans for the weekend .. meeting up with lots of friends. I begged (always have to text him asking pleeease!) to take and send me some pictures .. sweet boy delivered!

Connor and Ben

(not sure about those wacky glasses?)

Ben, Connor, Kurt .. and I'm not sure who the last boy is

Fall Lax

The first of 4 or 5 weekend club lacrosse tournaments. 

This was just a 1 day tournament played in Wellington, FL and Griff's team (Braveheart) won 3 out of 4 games.

 

Giveaway Winner!

 

 

So sorry .. I completely forgot to post this. Random org was used to chose the winner, #6 .. who is Kaitlyn McNally! Please contact me to let me know your team .. although I am pretty sure it will be the GATORS!

A Little Project

Last spring, these moss covered letters (larger size) were being sold in the Pottery Barn catalog for almost $80! I have wanted to make my own version ever since seeing them in the catalog, bought the supplies way back then .. and finally got around to making my own.

This 'G' was a gift to my friend Ginny to put in her shop, Ginny's Orchids ..

I also plan on doing the word 'Joy' for Christmas!

It's time for a giveaway ... game day!

In honor of the football season, how about a giveaway??

 A set of football themed cupcake toppers ..

The following are samples I have done for clients (and my family .. Go Gators, Go 'Noles, Go Rebels!!), but I am happy to design toppers for other teams. These are great for game day parties/tailgating and are not limited to just cupcakes. You can place them in other dishes, flower arrangements, or even in a pocket for team wear!

Just comment here .. and visit my etsy shop please

 

ETA: I will draw the winner on Wed, September 28

 

 and just throwing in a picture of my sweet college boy ..

 

 
 

Lilly Love ...

From the new Lilly Pulitzer Home Collection

 

Game Day!

A year Ago ...

I was in Ireland!

 

Not so fortunate this year .. although my husband is currently in Scotland on another golf trip - the wives were not invited this time around!

 

And .. remembering that  this happened last year while I was away :( 

Monogram Love

~ Lilly Caroline Cable Cardigans ~

Egg Muffins

 

Very easy and delish ... I LOVE these

Spray a muffin pan with non-stick spray

Mix eggs in a bowl - I use all eggs whites (liquid) with just 1 egg yoke, but using all regular eggs is just fine too. I just happen to love egg whites. You can also add in a bit of milk or half & half, but I omit this. 

(Basically, you are mixing as you do to make omelets)

I add some Krazy Jane's Mix Up Salt , then poor into the muffin tin.

Add diced green, red, yellow peppers, broccoli, onions or whatever veggies you like.

Bake at 350 dregrees until done (about 15 min).

Save the extras in a zip lock bag and re-heat in microwave.

So good, high protein, low fat, low carb

 

Another version here and here .. these are the 'not so' low fat versions, with meat & cheese. I make these for Griff.

 

~

 

Also .. thank you all for the kind remarks regarding my scrapbooking. Much appreciated and I hope I can find some time to get back to it soon.  

Once Upon a Time I was a Scrap Booker ..

It's been years now that I have done a single scrapbook page and I miss it so. For many years  - I started this hobby when my youngest, Griff was one year old - I scrapped almost every day.  My little hobby turned into being published in a few different scrap booking magazines,  being a 'Garden Girl' at Two Peas in a Bucket for many years, becoming a Creating Keepsakes Hall of Famer, participating on a few design teams, and even traveling to various shows/conventions/crops. (Please know that I am not bragging here .. seriously, it is no big deal.. it's only scrap booking!)

 

Then .. I added card making to my scrap booking and somehow this turned into a little business. This 'little' business has kept me very busy over the past few years and now, instead of scrapping every day, I work almost every day. Don't get me wrong .. I really do love it and it is a way to still be creative and make a little money to help support my Lilly addiction  ;) .

I do miss my scrap booking days though and hope to some day (I keep telling myself this), be able to find the time to get back to it again. I still have a closet filled with supplies and still like to buy them. Maybe if I just set a goal of 1 layout per week .. although, I am the slowest scrapper on earth.  

I spent well over an hour this morning going through a big, rubbermaid bin full of completed layouts, all in page protectors but not yet in albums (need to do this, I even have the albums). Shed a few tears too .. just looking back a few years to the different stages of my boy's lives. Time passes way tooo fast.

A few of my oldest son, Bear ..

 

This just cracks me up. He was in the 8th grade play, Wizard of Oz and played one of those weird monkeys! One of my very favorite memories, being that this was such a departure from my usual life of boy sports and I loved seeing a different side of him. Bear did confess that he only tried out for the play so that he could miss classes ;)

 

He is just a little older than Griff here ... my first to drive and her I am all these years later doing it again.

Again .. Griff's age!

On the weight lifting team too! He played 3 sports his freshman year.

 

~ This post reminiscing about days past has encouraged me .. I just re-subscribed to Creating Keepsakes Magazine ~ :)

May We Never Forget

 

"Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a Power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me.

This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

Thank you. Good night. And God bless America."

George W. Bush

9.11 Address to the Nation

 

My thoughts and prayers go out to all who lost loved ones on 9.11.01 and to all those who are fighting to protect this great nation.

~ May We Never Forget ~