The Lemon Cottage

The Birds Are Back!

2010-03-28T10:32:00.000-07:00

Spray paint!
Oh, how I've missed you!
The weather has turned a corner, and I've been a spray painting fool!
Here is a super quick project that I got accomplished this week.

I spray painted some chipped (damaged) birds that I got at GW a bright, cheery shade of aqua.
...spray painted a nasty GOLD (ugh) candlestick that I got at GW

What to use as a nest???
You all know I'm a curb picker... a few years ago, I grabbed two hanging baskets off the curb. I removed the chains, added white twinkle lights and threw them out in my garden.

I thought these would be perfect, so
I removed the lights, layered one with leftover burlap.
Added Spanish moss.
The birds flew in.
Closed the two baskets with garbage ties.
...yes, garbage ties.

It is sitting next to our back entry.
Love the pop of color!

A quick easy project.
...okay, really I just wanted to show you that I was FINALLY able to spray paint again!
Happy Spring!

Excuse the mess on the porch. It hasn't been warm enough to power wash yet!
...just wait--- the word from my secret source (the weatherman) indicates we might reach 70 degrees this week.
Oh, happy day!

Thanks to all of you that have joined my Facebook site for my event planning company!
Pink Cricket Events! As soon as I hit 100 fans, I'm going to have a giveaway over there on the FB site!

Linking up with Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for SNS!
and with Susan at BNOTP for Met Monday!
Also at Cindy at Cottage Instincts for her fabulous Make It For Monday party!
And with Kimba at A Soft Place To Land for DIY Day!
~Amy

Hello Again!

2010-03-19T10:09:00.000-07:00

It's so nice to be back in the blog world!
I've cut my tax season short because my mom had a knee replacement surgery.
All is well, and she is up and walking around.

I've been trying to keep up with you all.
Your blogs kept me going through a rough tax season!

I don't have a whole lot to report since I've last posted...
but here's a recap...

The snow has melted!
I handed my Hubs and son over to the golf course.
No, really.
I drove them out there, walked them in...
I told the owners... "Here they are, I don't want them back for a few months."
You would've done the same if you had boys swinging golf clubs IN THE HOUSE for the past few months.
The owner of the golf course is also a City Council member in our town.
She and I laughed over what a great headline it would be...
"Local woman turns over husband and son to the golf course".....
I know!
... its not a bad idea.

Monkey (yes, he a lefty) teeing off at the driving range yesterday.

I POURED over the new Flea Market Style magazine.
WOW!

I did a little thrifting.
(Thanks to Goodwill for being open late!)

Monkey started reading.
Hooray, but sniffles.
Will he still want to sit on my lap to read a book?

AND--- this is a big one....
... my hair is long enough for a ponytail again.
SWEET!!!

Okay- and one more little, tiny, thing....
After many years of throwing parties and planning events for myself and others--- my friends and family finally convinced me that it was time to turn it into an actual business.
I'm S.C.A.R.E.D!
Anyhoo... I started a website (read: blog).
I made a page for it on facebook... if you are into facebook, would you be a 'fan'?
Geesh, I can't believe I'm asking... its just that... well- I haven't asked any of my 'real life' friends yet...
and wouldn't it be lovely if I already had some fans to start with before they saw it? My friends would say, "Wow, who are all these people?". And I would say, "They're my blog friends, silly."............

Go HERE to check out the facebook page.
Okay... I'm going to hit 'publish' now.
Holding breath....

~Amy

I Do Taxes. AUGH!

2010-02-02T23:09:00.000-08:00

Hello!

Sorry I haven't been out there stalking you...

I do taxes for a living.

STOP!

No reason to be jealous.

A pic from the garden last summer.

Anyhoo...

a few of you have sent me messages

asking if I'm still out here.

I am.

Well, I'm not here.

I'm stuck behind a desk.

I've been saying this is my last year to do taxes.

...for the past 3 years.

I have nothing to share...

I've accomplished nothing in my house...

unless you can count one load of laundry and...

nope, thats it.

Nothing else has been done by me.

Thank goodness for Hubs.

He fed me and put me in bed tonight.

For real.

Told me I looked tired.

Polite way of telling me I look like pooh.

Hmm...

It was nice to be tucked in.

I'll leave you with

the most important tax advice I can give you...

ALWAYS sit down and talk to your tax specialist.

You would be amazed at all the deductions/credits, etc. people are missing

out on. Shame on all the tax preparers that sit behind a closed door.

They are doing a huge disservice to their clients.

I'll be back in blogland soon.

Miss you,

~Amy

Supermarket Chic!

2010-01-23T19:52:00.000-08:00

Hubs used to buy me flowers in the beginning of our relationship.
...then we went almost 2 years without flowers.
Hmmm...

He overheard me telling a girlfriend that I don't waste money on flowers...
because I cut them out of my gardens.
...IN THE SUMMER!
Hubs got it, and now comes home frequently with little bouquets from the supermarket.

Now, I have nothing against big, formal arrangements.
I love them.
I do.
However, I love to have fresh flowers all over my house.
Most spaces in my very informal house would look a little strange with elaborate arrangements.

When I got home from the tax office today...
there were two, sweet little supermarket bouquets waiting for me!
Thanks Hubs.

I love to arrange them in glass vessels...
but sometimes...
I like to use things out of the ordinary.

In my pretend life, when I'm not being a RockStar...
I own a flower shop.
... I wish!

What was the grocery store selling today?
Mini- carnations.
Oh STOP!
Quit being a flower snob!
Carnations last forever, and smell lovely.
So, knock it off.
Quit giving them a bad rap!

I cut them, divided them...
...and I present...
Supermarket Chic (or cheesy)

Start with two $4.00 bouquets...

Add them to a glass dish with shells.
(This will go in the Master bedroom.)

I use baby food jars ALL the time!

A closer view of the flowers.

Sitting in Monkey's first pair of Chuck's.

...on top of the dryer.

Adds a smile to my face when doing such a dastardly chore!

(again in a baby food jar)

Found an old flour sifter at a garage sale.

Free box!

It normally sits outside and holds flowers in the summer.

Line the sifter with a zip-lock, add water and flowers!

This is now sitting in the bathroom.

Love the crusty, rusty against the silver and white!

Two little baskets that hang on a side of a cabinet in the kitchen.

25 cents for both baskets... oh, how they need spray paint!

Line the basket with a zip-lock bag, and add water and flowers!

Look what was harvested at the farm today!
This will go up to Monkey's room.
Will he give a hoot if there are flowers in his room?
No.
But, I'll enjoy them!

And there you have it!

Do you ever buy flowers from the supermarket???

~Amy

Linking up with Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special.
Get your fannies over there and join in her 1000 Followers Extravaganza!

Also with Susan at Between Naps on The Porch for Met Monday.
Fabulous projects over there!

And with Cheri at Its So Very Cheri for Its so very creative party!

And Kimba at A Soft Place To Land for DIY Day!

Tree Hugger

2010-01-21T12:33:00.000-08:00

I'm not a tree hugger.
But I do hug trees.
I love them.
I could ramble on and on about all the benefits from trees...
but you already know all of those things.

Why do I get so attached to trees?

Its the strangest thing.
My parents say it started when I was little.

I begged my dad to plant apple trees...
which he did, because he is a gardner and lover of trees and plants.
I also got a cherry tree. She was a beauty.
Unfortunately, she had a date with a lightning bolt.

My two apple trees.

This fall I'll share with you all of the wonderful items we bake!

Monkey with his Grandpa.

Standing in front of the tree that was planted when he was born.

We take a picture every year...

Can't wait to see how big Monkey and the tree are this summer!

I have two trees on my property that I am seriously attached too.

One, is an evergreen that sits outside of our large dining room window.

Two cardinals live in the tree all year round.

When Monkey was a baby, we sat his bassinet in front of the window...

I am telling you-- the cardinals would sit in the tree and look in on him.

Really.

The second tree I'm attached to lives in our backyard.

She is huge.

And a great beauty.

I find comfort and peace when I look at her.

She provides shade for our whole yard...

...but she doesn't shade the garden.

How does she know that I don't want shade in the garden?

I have been watching this tree for the past 9 years...

...she has doubled in size....reaching way into the sky.

She is a home for bats (don't be afraid), several birds, and several squirrel families.

I need to stop going on about her...

I will take pictures of these two trees when the weather is nicer...

...and properly introduce you to the two ladies.

See how she doesn't shade the garden?

I've said good-bye to my fair share of trees, and I am always upset about having to do so.
We lost a tree on our property a year and a half ago when a little tornado ripped down our street.
All houses were spared. Only trees were lost. Isn't that amazing?
I was thankful for the houses being spared, but of course, sad about the trees.

My parents lost a tree yesterday in the ice storm.
A beautiful tree in their front yard.
A tree that was planted 13 years ago to replace another tree that didn't survive a storm.
(yes, we have real weather in Iowa)

Their tree split right down the middle and them peeled off in 4 parts.
Monkey found out, and he cried.
He was bound and determined that he, Daddy and his Grandpa could save it.
He got the glue and tape and his hammer out.

Sweet boy.
I was so pleased...
... not that he was upset. (Don't send me any hate mail)
But that he felt a deep connection with a tree and nature.

~Amy

PS - It is a day about trees. On the children's tv show, "Big, Big World" they discussed the importance of trees.
And the beautiful and hilarious, Annie at The House That Jade Built, discussed her new found love of trees today. Go check it out!

Also, one of my dearest friends, Shannon, (since we were babies) is saving trees in Charlotte, NC. If you're in the area, check this out.
Wonder if our love of trees is from all the hours we spent climbing trees when we were little???

Please... I'm Craving Cute Shoes!

2010-01-20T12:40:00.000-08:00

We are getting hit.
Everything is covered...

in ICE!
Clearly, Mother Nature is still ticked off.
Sigh...

I won't complain...

I won't.

But I just would like to send a message along to Mother Nature...

plead to her...Woman to Woman.

I WANT TO WEAR CUTE SHOES AGAIN!

NO, not these...

Yes, they have kept my toes warm...

They were stylish a few months ago...

they were.

Now they are beaten down.

They are tired.

They want to take a rest.

I have these cute little things...

just sitting in the closet...

Chocolate and Turquoise peep-toe....
Actually, it's only fair to tell you that we are in a fight.
Last time we went on a date...
I slipped them off my feet, reached into my purse...
and pulled out turquoise beaded flip flops...

These little babies took great offense.

I tried to explain that while, yes... they are super cute-
I was standing... for hours...at a party...on concrete...at a slight slant...
KILLER
(Not to mention it was my 15th Year Class Reunion)
UGH

Anyway...
You see, Mother Nature, I need to make up with my little pretties.
Even if it is a quick run to the grocery store...
I NEED to wear these shoes.
And all the other little pretties sitting in the closet...
missing their momma.

Please get over your tantrum quickly.

~Amy

I'm joining Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday!

A Frugal Laundry Tip!

2010-01-18T12:05:00.000-08:00

A quick laundry tip...
At one of my 'Mommy Groups'...
We learned how to make homemade cleaning products.
Truth be told, I only enjoyed one of them.

Homemade dryer sheets.

You need:
water
liquid fabric softner
sponge
container

You take 1 part fabric softner to 2 parts water
I make batches of:
1 Cup of fabric softner
2 Cups of water

Pour mixture into container.
Shake to mix.
Cut up a new, clean sponge and drop them in.

I use a Vintage Tupperware Pic-a-deli to store it.

Take the sponge out of the liquid and throw into the dryer!
Sqeeze excess out.

This is how the sponge will look when it comes out of the dryer.

The mixture lasted about 4 months for our family. (7-10 loads a week)

And for larger loads, I throw 2 sponges in the dryer.

So, this is super thrifty!

I will not go back to dryer sheets!

For more wonderful household tips, visit The Thrifty Decor Chick for her

So clean and so fresh party!

Update-
Several of you have sent messages with questions:
YES I use this for whites. NO I've never had any problems with the fabric softner staining the clothing.
My dryer is about 6 years old.
I squeeze the sponge a quick squeeze until it is no longer dripping.

~Amy

A Junk Bar From The Curb!

2010-01-17T20:10:00.000-08:00

So- in the popular home catalogs they always show swanky home bars.

Hubs and I don't really have the need for one...

and we definitely don't have the space...

Or do we?

This is the area over by that stupid window that I now love...

It is off of the dining room, at the bottom of our stairs.

It isn't a room, it doesn't belong to a room...

it's just there.

I normally just have a bunch of pictures there...

(someone needs to paint that wall!)

Hubs had a few buddies over for a drink before they attended an event.

I decided to turn the area into a little bar for them.

I grabbed a few things out of the garage and basement...

Mugs, matches in an apothecary jar, liquor (of course)

Golf balls...

Some old jugs that I've thrifted over the years...

The gold/rusted stand is from the curb.

It normally holds plants during the summer.

The galvanized box is from the curb.

The big picture is of my Hubs, his best friend, and my Dad...

...golfing in their tuxes...

The day of our wedding reception.

I love our photographer!

Hubs thought it was pretty cool.

I loved it because it kept the idiots out of my kitchen!

I am thinking about a girls night...

... change this and SASS it up!

Cheers!

~Amy

Linking up to:

Susan at Between Naps On The Porch for her wonderful Met Monday!

Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special!

Cindy at Cottage Instincts for Make It For Monday!

Cheri at It's So Very Cheri for It's So Very Creative!

Barb at Grits and Glamour for Tabletop Tuesday!

Kimm at Reinvented for Trash to Treasure Tuesday!

Let Them Eat Cake???

2010-01-14T13:37:00.000-08:00

Have you ever encountered those moments where you stop and think-
Holy Cow! I'm a parent.
???
I remember the first time we took Monkey out to Trick-or-Treat.
I felt like I was out of my body looking down on us...
It really hit me that I was 'the mom' now.
Yikes.

Over the past 4 years, there have been other 'I'm the mom now' moments...
and I just encountered one of them.

Monkey had his very first birthday party that included his little friends.
Until now, its just been family.
Oh...
we were so excited.
He debated over his cake...
Batman? Spiderman?
Decisions, decisions.
Here is what he ended up with...

Didn't I do a good job?
...ordering the cake from our local bakery, that is.
I was a little concerned about the gray/silver icing.
It reminded me of the 'Steel Magnolia's'...
the armadillo groom's cake...
Anyway-

So the party was in full force.
Kids were running around, having a grand time.
Presents were opened.
It was time for the cake.
Took the picture of Monkey with his cake, lit the candle, sang the song...

Time to cut the cake.
No big deal.
Cut the cake.
Put a piece of cake on the plate.
Put some ice cream on the plate.
Put a spoon on the plate.
Give to kiddo.

Right. Not so easy.
Turns out, I have no clue how to cut a cake.
Um... my mom has always done it.
And Monkey has had cupcakes at his previous birthday parties...
But here I was...
it was my show now.

Oh, how I failed.
Some pieces were big, some were small...
What a mess.
Another mistake---
I gave the kids choices....
chocolate or white cake?
strawberry, chocolate, or vanilla ice cream?
STUPID.
From now on, its white cake/vanilla ice cream.

Oh the pressure.
The kids were crowding around me, tugging on my shirt
there were other moms there (probably laughing at me)
My mom and dad were there... NOT helping
Poor Hubs was scooping the ice cream, and trying to keep me calm.

Fortunately, the kids loved the cake
everyone survived...

Party number two was rolling around... the one for family.
This time, we just got a simple little cake from the bakery.

Several family members ended up sick, party postponed.

Now what to do with the cake???
I sat and looked at this stupid cake.
I probably even swore at it.
Know what I did???
I cut it up.
Yes I did.
I cut it up.

Even without the pressure, I still couldn't get the pieces to end up in equal sizes...

AUGH!

Oh well, we ate it anyway.

We finally got to have the family birthday party last weekend...

what to know how the cake turned out?

Forget it, we went to the local pizza parlor!

On a sidenote--- I was so frazzled after the cake incident at the friends party,

that I forgot to hand out the goody bags.

Real nice.

Note to self-

Cupcakes for Monkey's Birthday party next year.

~Amy

Just a test post

2010-01-12T18:32:00.000-08:00

Test post. And a picture of a bee going in on one of my dahlias.

Vanilla With Red Sprinkles!

2010-01-10T18:44:00.000-08:00

So you know that Hubs painted for me...
a nice, lovely shade of...
vanilla!

I know!
I know...
But here is the thing-
I've been doing some decorative soul searching
I checked books out of the library
I poured through magazines
I stalked your blogs

It finally dawned on me.
I LOVE color.
I do.
I am easily seduced by it
HOWEVER-
and this is a big one---
I get bored easily.

I like to change things...
OFTEN
So, when I'm seduced by a color and paint it on a wall...
I get stuck.
I will love it
...for awhile
then, when I get bored and want to change things around...
I can't
It won't flow with my wall color.

I was so proud of myself for coming to this conclusion
until
my mom spelled it out for me...
As I was getting ready to tell HER...
SHE told me
"Amy, you should paint your walls a light neutral. You have all your pretty things that you like to put out and change all the time."
Um....

Of course Mother knows best...
Gosh Mom...
Why didn't you tell me this before?
(how about 4 wall colors ago)

Wonder when she's going to tell me what I should be when I grow up?

So, the last time I painted,
I went with a light blue...
loved the whole blue/brown look...

Today, I'm feeling RED
Perhaps in honor of Valentines Day.
Give me a month, and I'll be bored again...
But for now-
I'm going with this---

Do you see Hub's Vintage golf clubs?

Homemade apothecary jar with buttons.

The whole vignette.

Forgive the magnetic letters.

Monkey is learning how to spell and when he discovered

this metal box was magnetic, he took it over!

Oh look, I made something!

The blue was lovely for the first two months...

Same spot- I brought out my crusty window.

I forgot how much I love this window!

My little red and white chippy chair from when I was younger.

And the picture hanging is Monkey

when he was about 5 weeks old.

So... there it is.

My new, vanilla walls with red sprinkles.

This girl couldn't be happier!

I'm linking up to Funky Junk Donna's Saturday Nite Special over at Funky Junk Interiors!

And to Susan at Between Naps on The Porch for Met Monday!

Also, to Cindy at Cottage Instincts for Make It Monday!

And to Barb at Grits and Glamour for her first Tabletop Tuesday!

Also to Kimba at A Soft Place To Land for DIY Day!

~Amy

She Must Be Stopped

2010-01-06T19:43:00.000-08:00

Oh, she is a beauty.
Mother Nature, that is...

(Taken in my backyard tonight)

But, she sure is wicked.

Somebody (probably a man) has really ticked her off.

I sure hope he apologizes soon...

~Amy

We Interrupt This Blog

2010-01-05T08:15:00.000-08:00

I am a football fan.
HUGE football fan.
I even understand the game.
I do.
I could give a tutorial on football...
Important things all women should know about football.
Don't worry, I won't.
Oh, but wait-
You should know this...
The cute guy on the team is usually the quarterback.
No, really.
It's like a pre-requisite or something.
Must. Be. Cute. To. Be. The. Quarterback.

Elway, Marino, Brady, Farve, Montana
See---
Told you so.

Anyway, love football.
And REALLY love Iowa Hawkeye Football.
So tonight my dear bloggy friends I will be away.
My Hawkeyes are playing in the Orange Bowl.
Can I get a, "Go Hawkeyes"???

Monkey in Aug. '09

Patiently waiting for football season!

Really, don't be sad that I'm gone tonight.
You wouldn't want to be around me.
I yell.
I kick.
I have been known to throw stuff.
Our poor doggies hide when we watch the games at home.
They do.
They run upstairs and hide in the closets.

I think Monkey's first words might have had something to do with the Hawkeyes...
I won't repeat them.
They aren't nice.
And would definitely get us a phone call from his teacher if he ever said them at Preschool!
It's not his fault.

Monkey 8 Months Old

So you see, you don't want me around tonight.
Unless, you are an Iowa Hawkeye fan...
In that case---

See you tomorrow.
Wish my Iowa Hawkeyes luck.
Unless you are a Georgia Tech fan...
in that case, YOU are the enemy today.

~Amy

Hubby's Gift

2010-01-04T20:41:00.000-08:00

It worked!

Pictures soon!

~Amy

I Gave Hubby A Gift

2010-01-03T10:49:00.000-08:00

I gave my hunky, hubbalish a present.

Hope he likes it!

~Amy

This Window Makes Me Crazy

2010-01-01T23:17:00.000-08:00

We have a window in our house.
It makes me crazy.
I stopped looking at it years ago.
Do you do that?
Walk past things in your house so many times, that you stop seeing them?

I'm going to stop doing that.
Because---
I noticed the window the other day.
The one that makes me crazy.

I know.

I'm disgusted too.

Those are the same curtains and blinds that were there 9 years ago when we bought the house.

See the odd location of this window?

That is the door that leads to the upstairs.

...and the door is usually open.

I have the Hubby and Monkey under STRICT orders to leave the door shut.

And the dogs.

Yes, they can open the door.

They think they own the ~~upstairs~~ whole house.

And the other side of the window is a wall that makes this an odd little corner.

It isn't a room, it's not associated with a room, its just there.

Anyway, when I stopped to look at the window---

I ripped the curtains down.

They were filthy.

Which made me think...

when was the last time I washed these?

And then I thought...

if I washed these, did I really hang them back up?

Hmm...

Anyway.

There is a post by Donna at Funky Junk Interiors.

(whom I currently have a blog crush on)

Her ten minute hanger curtain post...

Did you see it?

Go Here to see it.

She takes a Hotel hanger and drapes a white sheet over it and hangs it in her window...

Its simple, elegant.

Perfect.

I have a white sheet.

I have a Hotel hanger.

Mine did not turn out simple and elegant.

Stupid window.

It didn't work because---

1. The stupid window is too wide

2. The hanger and the trim around the stupid window are the same color

Fine.

I collect scarves.

Told you I was an accessory junkie.

I didn't want to give up on this hanger/stupid window idea

So I went to my scarves, where they are ~~neatly folded~~ smashed into a couple of drawers.

And went back to the window.

I came up with this.

And this version with a different scarf...

Then I started playing around with different scarves.

...This is a vintage Vera scarf.

I love it.

It's Mod.
I would never decorate my house in this style.
I appreciate it.
But a whole room would be just too much for me.
I like it here.
Small dose.
A touch of Mod in a Modless house?

And then...
I put on my fancy pants and went to my jewelry box.
...and somewhere in that transition,
I lost the abillity to take a picture that wasn't blurry.
(my apologies)

Update from this afternoon!

I took a few more pictures:

I am thinking the possibilities are endless with this ~~stupid~~ cute little window.

Thanks Donna for the inspiration.

Speaking of Donna... I'm linking up with her for her fabulous Saturday Night Special Go see what everyone else is doing!

Also linking to Susan at Between Naps on The Porch for Met Monday

And to Thrifty Decor Chick for her Before and After party!

~Amy

Education in Decorating

2009-12-31T19:07:00.000-08:00

Yesterday while ~~studying my tax books~~ browsing Blogland...
I came across this amazing post by Cindy at Cottage Instincts.
Did you see it?

It was a fabulous post about finding your style... why you are drawn to certain things, etc.
She showed how she went through decorating books and made her fabulous notes...

Anyway- I was so inspired by her post that when I woke up this morning...
I ~~ran right out~~ piddled around for awhile and when it finally warmed up...

I headed out.
Off to the library I went.
In search of all the decorating books I could carry... (or find in our little library)

Isn't she pretty?

So, I found some decorating books...

and my warm blanket...

And because of this fabulous post by Donna at Funky Junk Interiors...

I got these too...

Oops... how did that little bottle get in there?

...probably to help me get through these ~~wonderful~~ easy to read,helpful books.

Seriously, if you missed her post about blogging... go read it! I learned a LOT

...and made some new friends in the process!

Don't judge.

I haven't read it yet...

...and I LOVE 90210

And... apperantly, she dishes on some of the cast.

So, yes... blanket, book and glass of wine for me tonight!

Okay...

Go check out those two blogs I mentioned.

And...

...a New Year's Resolution...

I need to STOP putting salt on my French Fries from Wendy's....

Why do I do that?

They put those little salt packets in the bag.

...then I just can't help myself.

UGH!

~Amy

Sock it to me...

2009-12-29T10:17:00.001-08:00

I'm an accessory girl.

...which means, I'm a sock junkie.

I love them, all of them...

okay, most of them.

and...

Because I said...

"This is ridiculous. Out of all the new socks I got last year, I only have one pair that is still mated. What happened?".

Santa Baby brought me 14 pairs of socks.

Love that Santa Baby!

I am going to see to it, that in a year from now, all 14 pairs are still together.

Oh sure, nothing wrong with wearing socks that don't match...

...if you are wearing tall boots.

But I'm the girl that would do that and then find myself in a situation in which tall boots would have to be removed.

There I would be...

...standing there with my red and purple argyle sock on the left foot and a pink and yellow polka dot sock on the right foot.

Exposed.

Yep, that is the kind of luck I have.

So I'm on a mission.

I know what you are all thinking to yourselves...

...we all have the same problem.

We all have that bag full of socks with no mates.

It's a part of life.

Forget it...

Those days are over.

I have photographed, cataloged, indexed... and put secret transmitters in every sock.

Okay, that's a lie.

The transmitter part, that is.

I couldn't figure out how to do that.

I was all set to post this...

and wouldn't you know...

...a sock has already gone missing.

It's true.

I wore my new pink fuzzy socks to bed last night.

...no, I don't normally wear socks to bed.

But is was 5 degrees below zero last night.

Do you know how cold that is?

It's cold enough to make you want to wear pink fuzzy socks to bed.

I woke up this morning...

...awww--- nice and warm toes....

...wait.

Why is my right foot freezing?

NO Sock.

Okay, fine.

It's just lost in the blankets...

...I searched, I ripped the bed apart.

I looked under the bed, under the pillows... IN the pillowcases.

Are you kidding me?

It's gone.

I have no other choice but to acknowledge that there is a Sock Snatching Fairy out there.

It's true.

All these years, we've been blaming the washer and dryer.

Unfairly.

So... a word to that Sock Snatching Fairy....

I'm on to you.

This is war.

My little Monkey lost his mittens...

2009-12-27T19:04:00.000-08:00

Has everyone recovered from the Holidays?
I am ... happy??? to report that Monkey's Transformer count is at 6... I'll let you know the final tally at the end of the week, after all of his birthday extavaganzas.
In that quest for knowledge, I have taken it upon myself to learn all about the whole Transformer 'deal'... the good guys, the bad guys, etc. I won't bore you with it, but at least I can say that I've expanded my brain... (with useful information, when dealing with a little Monkey)

So... I'm the bad Mom.
Yep, it's true.
Have you seen the kids sitting on the bench during recess...not allowed to play because they don't have on all their snow gear?
Poor little Monkey had to sit on the bench one day because we forgot his mittens.
I know.
I felt terrible.
At least he had company... apperantly, I'm not the only bad Mom out there. (Thank goodness)
It's just that... well, in the rush of getting off to Preschool...sometimes things are forgotten.
And can I just say... what is with all the lost hats and mittens at school???
Where are they running off too?
I even had another Mom tell me that her son's coat went missing at school.
Um... how?
Anyway- I made a little ... thing... to help out.
I took a scrap of ribbon left over from Christmas.
Hot glued some clothes pins to it.
Tacked it up over his little shelf that holds his snowpants, coat and backpack.
This is temporary, but I think I'll make it a little more permanent for next year.
Paint the clothes pins, and put them on a piece of wood. Make it a little more... substantial.
But for now, this will get us through until the glorious days of Spring arrive.

There is supposed to be another pair of mittens hanging there... but they are... um... in transition. Yes, that is where they are.
Ahem... okay, fine. They are currently ... missing.

The little black shelf is a garage sale find. I painted it this fall (right before school started)
It is hung at his level... as he is responsible for hanging up his coat, backpack, and snow pants.
The little shelf normally holds his show and tell bag.

Can you believe that I had green and red tacks?
I know... how random.
(See... this is why I don't ever get rid of anything)
...which makes Hubby crazy, by the way.
Giggle.

I am linking up to Susan's Met Monday and Kimba at A Soft Place to Land

Hopefully, there will be no more "Monkey sitting on the bench".

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T18:30:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas!
Monkey is snuggled in bed.
Sleeping?
Not yet.
Too excited for what tomorrow holds.
We've checked the Santa tracker...
...won't be long!

Wishing you and your families a blessed Christmas.
~Amy

FZXDY3TCA67E

I love it...what is it?

2009-12-23T12:21:00.000-08:00

We have officially entered, "Christmas Break".
Monkey had his last day of Preschool for the year... and when I picked him up, I was handed a package from his teacher.
I knew immediately what it was.
Yep, I was right.
Inside contained one of those little ... Christmas creations that we all made as children. It doesn't matter the project, we just know its one of those... things that our kids make that we will treasure forever.
This is our first Christmas creation.
It hit me.... no matter how many times I change my Holiday decorations, this one thing will always be set out.
You all know what I'm talking about... you walk into a house and see how gorgeous their home is decorated... then you look closer...and you see these odd little, mangled .... well, you're not sure what it is... but, its... something. We then assume one of their kids made it.
Yep, I finally have my very own.
It happens to be a pinecone stuck into some sort of hard substance... painted.. and then some gold ribbon glued to it.
Lovely.
And then.... I pull out this item...

A cookbook!
Hooray for Teacher... how did she know that I collect cookbooks?
This cute little book is now my very favorite, to be treasured always, cookbook.
It is full of recipes from 3 year olds!

I'm swooning.... and giggling.

Can you read that recipe?

Mac & Cheese

You'll Need:

3 or something eggs

Directions:

We burn it and stuff. It gets hot and stuff.

~Jacob (age 3)

Here's another one...

Hamburgers With Dad

You'll Need:

this many ketchup

this much mustard

hamburger

buns

Directions:

Grab the buns. Grab the hamburger. Grab the mustard and ketchup. Grab the buns and put it on top of them.

~Boston (age 4)

To help with your Holiday baking...

Chocolate Cookies

You'll need:

sugar

what my grandma has, it was tasty

Directions:

Cook 'em when they ding.

~Will (age 3)

See ladies... I don't know why you get so stressed over your Holiday baking. It's very easy. Just get what Grandma has. It's very tasty!

Here is my son's contribution.

Pizza

You'll need:

2 pepperoni

1 sausage

2 cheese

3 crust

Directions:

Cook it 10 minutes. Put it out of the oven. Cook another pizza.

~Monkey (age 3)

He got it sort of right... we always make two homemade pizzas.... one sausage and one pepperoni...

Isn't this the cutest little project?

I hope the other Moms enjoyed it as much as I did.

Now get your fanny back in the kitchen!

~Amy

Where IS that table?

2009-12-20T22:11:00.000-08:00

Hubby and I did some soul searching this weekend. It sort of happened by accident...but, it happened. We are going to 'take back our house'.
Yep.
Before we had Monkey, our house was always decorated, projects were completed... there was no clutter. I LOVE... and I mean, LOVE to decorate. However, if you asked me today what style I decorate in... I would have to say--- Hotwheels, trains, dinosaurs and books.
Yep.
We let Monkey take over the house.
Not just a few rooms.
The. Whole. Entire. House.
Sigh.
Anyway- just wanted to let you know that we are going to share our truth... even when it's ugly.
And of course, we can't totally blame Monkey for everything... like for instance what I am about to show you.
It's my fault.
All mine.
I take the blame.
Okay- I know we can't be the only house in America where this has happened...
See this?

Yes, its our table... oh, you don't see it?
Right... because it is under several loads of laundry.
Hey- score a point for me=== the laundry is done.
But, with all the running around we've been doing, the laundry has landed here.
I haven't seen the table for about a week.
It's true.
Oh, what's that? Yes... my missing bottle of Modge Podge. Guess that means I can finish up some of those 'projects' now!

There we go... much better.
I'll decorate the table for Christmas... oh, probably Christmas Eve!

Since I found my Modge Podge... I should start cracking on the gift for my MIL
... if only I could find my glass of wine.

~Amy

I am hooking up with Susan for Met Monday!

My Scientific Experiment...

2009-12-16T21:30:00.000-08:00

I really wanted to post something about the Holidays…
So here is a picture of one of my little tables.
The big pictures are of my Mom and Dad… their Senior Pictures. The smaller is of one of my Grandmothers. I love these three pictures, and waited a long time to have them in my possession.
Okay, moving forward…

What did I do today…
Not a whole lot. Monkey’s gymnastics class was cancelled. (Yea! We didn’t have to go out in the freezing cold this morning)!
Hubby took Monkey to Preschool this afternoon (and is picking him up!) That’s another, “Hooray!”.
I did a few things around the house. Laundry, dishwasher…. Ya know, the usual.
Guess what else I did?
I hopped in bed for two hours while Monkey was at school and I cut up a shirt.
No! Not to wear… I’m a little old for the trendy, ‘cut and destroy your $70 tee shirt’ look.
Which, by the way… What is with the $70 tee shirts? I mean, seriously!
Anyway, I cut up a shirt… but, I’ll tell you about that later… like when I finish the project.
Yes, I know… must be nice to lie in bed!
Yes, it was.
Thank you. I was in bed because it hurt to walk… why????

Because I thought I should start working out.
That Jillian from “The Biggest Loser” tried to kill me last night.
I made it through… only because I swore at her. That DVD went on FOREVER.
Like… 20 minutes … how OUTRAGEOUS!
The nerve.

Anyway- to my anonymous friends out there that read this… I know you’re thinking…
Why is Amy working out? So not her style!
Clearly its not my style because nothing fits any longer.
For the past several years, I’ve blamed it on the shrinking effect.
Know what I’m talking about?
That … scientific thing that happens when you place your clothes in the plastic storage bins.
Ya know? You pack up your sweaters and put them away for the summer… then when you open up the bin a few months later, they are too small….
Clearly, something is happening in those bins. Something… scientific!
Okay- so not really. The clothes aren’t shrinking… I’m just getting bigger.
Fine.
There it is.

I do have a another reason for working out… my mom has lost another 8 pounds!!! And, she has once again, been able to back off some of her diabetic meds. A few months ago, she was on the brink of going on insulin shots… and now today, she has turned it around! And for the first time in years, her blood pressure is GOOD!
I’m so proud of my Mom!
Anyway- gotta run.
Jillian is screaming her head off.
Who started that darn DVD again?
UGH!

Snow Day!

2009-12-12T23:25:00.000-08:00

I had written this a few days ago… and just realized I didn’t post it!

We are having a blizzard in Iowa. I don’t mean it’s snowing, I mean- a real, old fashioned blizzard. There is ice, snow, and serious wind.
And I couldn’t be happier.
Do I like the cold, and driving in the snow? Of course not.
However, there is something magical about a ‘snow day’.
So many of my friends are doing the same thing today… cooking hearty food, a load or two of laundry, perhaps an organizing project that hasn’t been tackled… and spending time with their children and husbands.
Why does that always happen with snow days?
I’m not a psychologist, but I have my ideas about it…
A snow day is a free day.
There are no rules. There are no schedules. No deadlines, nowhere to be, and nobody to answer to.
A snow day is a free day.
We stayed in bed a little longer today.
Instead of breakfast, we had brunch.
There have been movies, games, laundry, cooking and many laughs.
There were a few tears… that is inevitable when living with a 3 year old.
The tears were quickly wiped away when the promise of cookie decorating was put in front of him.
Christmas cookies? Absolutely not. Christmas cookies are a tradition he has with Grandma. And a tradition I have with some of my girlfriends.
And this is a snow day… no rules. We made dinosaurs, dog bones, skulls, and okay--- we threw in a Christmas tree. (We had green frosting, what’s a mom to do?)
There is a pot of soup on the stove.
My house feels warm and cozy… and safe.
It’s gorgeous outside, but you can see the cold.
Iowa is pretty again.
Everyone knows that I love Iowa… but I will admit, there are a few weeks in the year when Iowa isn’t at her prettiest. Those would be the weeks leading to snow… and the weeks following the snow.
Have you ever been to Iowa while she is under her winter blanket? It’s breathtaking.
A red barn in a sea of white. Quaint little shops with the old fashioned sign that have real evergreen garland swags with a dusting of snow hanging from their awnings. Groups of children sledding down a rolling hill. Simply beautiful.
Tree branches covered in ice that glitter in the sun. The scarlet red of a cardinal against the beautiful green of an evergreen and the crisp white snow. Nature at her finest.
Seeing smoke coming out of a chimney will make you feel warm and cozy.
I could go on and on.
Or I could tell you about the harsh winter and why it is bad….
But that is not for today.
Today is a snow day, and that makes it wonderful and magical.
Today, my friends… Iowa is closed for business.

And then the magical snow day turned into two more snow days… by day three, Monkey declared, “I’m going to Grandma’s.”
Agreed.
I shipped him off to Grandma’s.
There, he enjoyed another magical snow day. The kind you have at Grandma’s house!

The streets are now plowed, the stores are open, and we’re getting back to the daily routine.

…there seems to be quite a few “Mom’s Night Out” events going on this weekend….
Must have been those three crazy snow days that have made us crave margaritas!

Please Read... this is serious.

2009-09-05T00:16:00.000-07:00

To my blogging friends and family...
I haven't posted in awhile because I am freaked out about what is happening in our community...
There have been a couple of attempted child abductions in surrounding towns, and it has happened in our town tonight.
I have decided to remove some posts and pics on my blog.
There are warnings out there about what we are publishing on the internet, and frankly---- I'm a little freaked out.
The attempted abductions haven't been linked to blogs, or anything (yet) but more of random children outside alone.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep a close eye on your children. Have the 'Stranger Danger' talk with them.
For awhile, I'm going to keep this blog to my junking finds, creations, etc.
Family--- I'll possibly start another personal blog that will be locked.
~Amy

Have you done this?

2009-08-18T20:41:00.000-07:00

Hello!!!
I’m back.

I’ve been sooooo busy.
Projects?
No.
Vacation?
No.

I’ve been busy with…
a box of Kleenex
a bottle of cough syrup
lots of water…
and my bed.

I had a nifty little summer cold that knocked me down for several days…
…but I’m back!

Today for Outdoor Wednesday I am going to show a few pics of gladiolas in my garden.
I think they are so beautiful, especially when bunched together.

The colors are always so bright.
Now, only if I could find all the glads in my gardens…
Oh, here’s a few...

...and I LOVE this pink one.
Where are all of my glads? I plant hundreds of them...
I space them out, and plant them every two weeks...
for constant blooms.

Where are they???????

WHAT is that growing out of the Pepsi crate?

Over there, under the bench...

do you see it?

It can't be...

It is...

Here are my glads...

don't they look lovely?

How in the heck did I NOT plant all of my glads?

How did I NOT notice they weren't growing in the gardens?

Please tell me I'm not the only one that has done this!?!?!

For more Outdoor Wednesday, head over to Susan's

blog, A Southern Daydreamer.

What is wrong with him???

2009-08-08T19:07:00.000-07:00

It is so hot and humid today. Heat index of 110 degrees…
…who on Earth would be out playing softball in this heat?

Oh, that’s right…
…Hubby And The Morons

They say its for a charity.
…which it is.
I say, just give money.
…clearly, I don’t understand the ‘rules’.

Apparently, Hubby has forgotten about the surgeon saying, “No more softball.”.
…but I remember.

I remember clearly.

…sitting in the waiting room during his surgery, a nervous wreck…
sitting with him in recovery…
and the doctor going over the pictures of the surgery,
and saying, “No more softball”…

Hubby can claim that he was medicated,.
…but I have witnesses.

So, while Hubby played softball…
… I did this.

It is ‘tax free’ shopping this weekend in Iowa… I mean, what’s a girl to do?

I’m sure Hubby will be treating himself to ice packs and heating pads when he gets home.
…so I treated myself to these.

I know what you're thinking.

...Amy, you don't run.

True.

...but maybe I would consider it with these hot little kicks.

One of my dearest friends, Emily, is visiting from Texas.

...she was my partner in crime today.

And so was her little girl...

The Fabulous Miss K

...don't you love her jewels?

She spotted the bling in every store...

...girl after my own heart.

Emily and I did pretty good...

...we didn't even go into the Coach store.

I know!

Hubby is home.

...I guess he survived.

And now there is talk.

...about the 'old gang' getting a team back together for the fall league.

...looks like I'll be hitting up the Coach store, afterall.

Hooked on Heirlooms

2009-07-30T18:55:00.000-07:00

It's an Heirloom Party!

Many of us have beautiful treasures passed down by family and friends...

Our house is full of wonderful items given to us by my family

and Hubby's family...

I think as I continue this wonderful blog journey,

you will be introduced to many of the heirlooms around my house...

...so, instead of showing those today,

I thought I would show you a few that are still at my parents house.

None of them hold any real monetary value,

but they hold priceless memories...

These are two bowls that my Mom uses every Sunday evening for Family Dinner.

They belonged to her Mom... who used them in the same way...

...some day I will use them when I take over Sunday Night Family Dinner.

This is a pie plate that belonged to my Great Grandmother.

It is in my Mom's kitchen, carefully guarded!

It's so strange, on my Mom's side, several of the women collect floral dishes...

not a specific type, or a particular dish...

...just pretty plates with a rose, or a darling bowl with pansies...

This next item is the one that holds the most childhood memories for me...

...it is a big book of nursery rhymes, and fairytales that belongs to my Dad.

He has had it since he was a boy...

when I was growing up, he spent many hours reading

to me from this book.

As I learned to read, I then spent many hours reading from it...

...you can tell that it has been read over and over again...

My Dad now reads to my son from this wonderful book...

...some things never go out of fashion!

The last item to show you is a small vase that belonged to my Grandma.

It was given to her by my Dad...

...when he was a small boy, he found this at....

are you ready---- a garage sale!

I KNOW!

(it's in my blood!)

I love the top of this...

...it has its own flower frog!

I hope you enjoyed my heirlooms...
...if you noticed, I didn't even take them inside my house to photograph.
...my Mom threatened (with love) that if anything happened to them...
...so I unpacked them, photographed them, wrapped them back up...
and Hubby placed back in the car, ready to be returned to the MOM
tomorrow morning!

To see more heirlooms go visit Marie at
Emma Calls Me Mama

http://emmacallsmemama.com/2009/07/heirloom-party-2/

and to see what else people are 'hooked on' - visit

http://hookedonhouses.net/

~Amy

Thrifty Treasures...Seeing RED

2009-07-21T11:27:00.000-07:00

A few thrifty treasures... Head over to Kimm's at http://reinventedkb.com/ to veiw other great posts for Thrifty Treasures!

And forgive me for not having any 'after' photos... its raining... laundry is piling up...

but, next week.... I promise... I will have some made over trash...

I had a great garage sale day on Friday... the weather was perfect, there were several sales... so Monkey and I got our change and headed out.

This first picture is of a cute RED headboard we got for $1.00

...this won't be its final resting place... but I stuck it here for now.

Then we came across this RED beauty... again for $1.00

...Monkey test drove it, deemed it to be a winner... and here it sits... stop looking at the weeds in the flower bed.... you know I've been on vacation... it just can't be helped.

Found this little pair of metal wall candle holders for .25

Super cute!

And I LOVE this little pot... complete with faux moss... 25 cents!

We came across another sale that had jeans for $1/pair... found 3 pairs of Levis for Hubby to wear to work. That man will get a rip or hole in his work jeans within the first 2 hours of wearing them..... ugh! I would show you a picture of the jeans, but they are hanging on the line... in the rain. Yes, in the rain.... oh, I didn't tell you that the dryer.... my beloved Harvest Gold Maytag dryer from '73, stopped working? I loved that dryer... and now I'm sure his partner (the washer) will be sad and decide to leave me too... I tell ya, all my friends have new fancy washers and dryers... and laundry centers....

not me..... I NEVER talked bad about my Harvest Gold babies... I never cheated on them and daydreamed of the new fancier versions. R.I.P to my Harvest Gold baby... yes, you are going to be replaced w/ a fancy... shiny... new... updated... computerized model.... but you won't be forgotton. And remember- you went on your terms. I stayed loyal to you.

Have you ever had one of these?

2009-07-19T18:34:00.000-07:00

I finally tackled a few little projects that needed to get done! And I'm thrilled to be participating in my very first Monday Metamorphosis!

My first little project is for my darling niece, Jenna. She is having her very important 10th birthday next weekend....

I picked this little message center up at a garage sale.... ever had one of these?

Yep, very 80's posh! I transformed it for Miss Jenna... complete with chalkboard paint.... as if!

Of course... you aren't seeing the whole gift.... this will be adorned with lots of new jewelry for her big birthday! (and maybe a gift card pinned to it too!) Hope she likes it!!

My 2nd quickie project was this little bread pan I plucked out of a 'free box' from a garage sale.

Little rusty... I'm not baking any banana bread in it anytime soon...

instead, I thought it needed a little paint...

Do you like? Just a fair warning now--- I have a 'black and white thing'.... it goes WAAAY back to when I was a little girl. I heart all things black and white! Remember the perfume, Exclamation! In the glorious black and white bottle ??? Well... I sprayed and sprayed that stuff... just so I could get a new bottle.... 6th grade was a very big year for me... 3 bottles alone... (and a cute little boyfriend!)

This bread pan is now going to hold...... well, I'm not sure, but something.... I'm working on a new 'wall' display at the bottom of my stairs... you can bet this will be worked into the new display!

My third quick project for the day is this lovely lady... I found her at a garage sale for $1.00... and while she is a beauty... I really brought her home for the frame...

BECAUSE.... while in Portland last week, Hubby and I were walking in the Nob Hill District when this glorious Black and White VELVET paper jumped out and PULLED us into the store..... I used restraint and only bought one sheet... and here it is in its new frame....

(I warned you about my love of b&w)

NOW you see the inspiration for the new b&w wall..... I could look at it allllllll day!

Hope you all have a wonderful Monday!

~Amy

Watering the garden with a football

2009-07-19T11:45:00.000-07:00

I WILL get something accomplished today…
The weather is so beautiful here. Not at all like the regular July hot and humid weather we normally have in Iowa. Because it is a mild 73 degrees today, I have NO excuse to not weed the garden! The Hubby and Monkey are outside watering everything…. which somehow includes tossing a football around… hmmm???
I better get out there!

Floral Arrangement from the Kitchen

2009-07-13T14:08:00.000-07:00

I got this trio of cheese graters at a garage sale. (25 cents) They are super cute holding flowers. The flowers are actually in baby food jars! (I use baby food jars all of the time for different things!)
At night, I put battery operated tea lights in the base and the light shows through the little holes!

Flowers from my Dad's garden!
I just love JUNK!

I've linked this up to Becky at Beyond The Picket Fence for her first party!

The Joy Of A Clean Fridge

2009-07-13T12:38:00.000-07:00

Sooooo….. Been back from the trip since early Saturday morning… and the suitcases are still sitting in the middle of the dining room- unpacked. Taunting me every time I walk by… they are really ticking me off! The suitcases must not be harassing anyone else, because the Hubby and little Monkey seem to have NO problem walking past them over and over… Augh!!! What is it about traveling that gives you such a hangover? I cannot seem to get motivated. I loaded the dishwasher, but just couldn’t bring myself to unpack those darn things. When packing one of the big suitcases, Hubby discovered my shiny silver flats that I had been looking for FOREVER! They were still in there from a weekend trip we took in November. After the discovery, I had to change of a few of the outfits I was taking so that I could wear my beloved shoes…Hubby made a few remarks about if I loved the shoes so much, why had I left them in the suitcase to begin with… Of course, I am now realizing that I have a suitcase unpacking disorder. There is no other explanation for it. Wouldn’t you agree? Surely, I am not alone in this???
On a positive note- Monkey’s suitcase came home w/ all clean clothes, thanks to my parents! That was such wonderful news when we went to pick Monkey up from G & G’s…. “by the way- we did a load of laundry last night, and all of his clothes are clean”………… Thanks Mom and Dad!
And------- our dog sitter cleaned out our fridge. I don’t mean, she threw expired stuff away- I mean CLEANED it out…. Took everything out, scrubbed it… wiped everything down. Amazing. When we got home very early Saturday morning, she told us, and I’m telling you---- there might have been tears in my eyes! I was so tired from traveling, and possibly delirious…. and when I looked in that fridge, I was beside myself! That is a job that I despise…. and one that I had been putting off! Thanks so much to Aunt Penny for not only taking such good care of our fur babies, but for scrubbing down the fridge, I couldn’t have asked for anything better!

Menu Planning Monday!

2009-07-13T06:49:00.000-07:00

7-13-2009

I'm participating in my first MPM!!!

Breakfasts will consist of: cereals, fruits, and most likely a donut here and there for Monkey!

Lunches will be- soups, mac & cheese, BLTs and grilled hotdogs.

I'm also going to try to throw in: a batch of homemade veggie dip, and a Peach Cobbler! (We'll see!)

Monday- Breakfast for dinner! Biscuits & Sausage Gravy

Tuesday- Homemade Pizza (Monkey loves to make his own mini-pizza now)

Wednesday- Cheeseburger Potato Soup and homemade bread

Thursday- Leftovers!

Friday- Grilled Chicken Breasts (marinated in Italian Dressing) and Potatoes on the grill w/ Sweetcorn!

Saturday- Mexican Food! Tacos, nachos & burritos.

Sunday- Dinner w/ parents

Hopefully, we will stick with the menu this week!

Wishing you all a wonderful, stress-free week in the kitchen!

~Amy

Panicking all the way to Portland!

2009-07-04T18:58:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July!

Old rusted motel chair that I spruced up a few years ago!

And our faithful lab that greats us at our gate when we come home!

Well, the sun is down, and our skies are lighting up! And we are once again missing all the fun, as we are traveling this holiday- for the 2nd year in a row! UGH! Not only do I have serious travel anxiety, but we are missing the great holiday of the summer! Monkey is already at G&G's for the week... and hubby is now walking around the house, lost w/o him! The dogs are going nuts because of the fireworks... and I'm hiding in here... typing away!

I'm trying to calm down and relax before heading to the airport. Flying is not the problem... the problem is being away from my home, my son... my comfort! I don't mind a few days... but anymore than 3 days away, I start to get a little panicky! It's not the pillow, or my bed... but the sounds, the feeling... the familiar faces that I miss when I'm away. Don't get me wrong- I love to go and do and see and explore.... just not for more than 3 days! LOL

Okay- hubby found me.... he is now giving me that look.... the look that means, we still have a few things to do... why are you blogging! ha ha.... I need to go find a few 'jobs' to keep him occupied for awhile!

Enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend... I'll be panicking all the way to Portland!

~Amy

Christmas Jackpot and wounded pride!

2009-07-03T15:40:00.000-07:00

Friday …. at last!
It’s been a day of mishaps, that is for sure! In order to get my main girl, G, to go junking with me, I had to promise to bring our fave junking food, PUFFS. The bakery at our local grocery store makes them… and we are ADDICTED! My darling hubby went to the store bright and early for me…. And NO PUFFS! AUGH!
In spite of that, we rallied and headed out. There weren’t a lot of choices today due to the holiday… I found some brand new clear ornaments (that will be painted or filled with treasures), a very rusted muffin pan and a cute little corkboard that will be darling with some new paint… spent $1.50. Hit another sale, nothing… and then- we stumbled upon a sale at one of our old elementary schools. The whole gym was full! They were wanting to unload it all… $3 per/bag! JACKPOT! I hauled 4 bags out of there. One bag was full of nothing but books… 57 books + 2 Wiggles DVD’s to be exact. That made each book/movie 5 cents a piece! I got books for my little monkey, my niece and a couple of vintage books to use for projects! Get this, 17 of the books were… American Girl! Score!!! I also hauled out a ton of Christmas items… many of them, brand new!
Soon after getting home, the hubby got called out for work. (poor guy got called out at midnight last night too). There go the plans to ‘get stuff done’ before vacation! I decided to forge on without him and went out to gather up all the pots of flowers. I thought I should put them in one location to make watering easier for our house/dog sitter…. All was going smooth, then- BAM! In my classic ‘ballerina fashion‘, I tripped over my own shoe and down I went. Picture- dirt flying.. my poor flowers wilting before my eyes… my dogs running over to me, trying to ‘help‘ me by licking my face….. sigh! I’m now sitting here feeling sorry for myself… no hubby to baby me… can’t even call my mom and whine to her because she’s out of town. Sniffle… I know- put on my big girl panties, and deal with it!
It has just started to rain. I’m not even going to lie- I’m secretly okay with it. The rain will force me to stay inside tonight and ‘get stuff done’! The hubby, informed me this morning that he has packed all of his stuff. Riiight! I got out my LIST and of course, he had missed several crucial items. (I’m now threatening to put the LIST on the bathroom door again!) I won’t give him too much grief though, because while I was out junking with G, he did laundry! I hope this vacation goes better than the preparation for it has gone! I’m told the shopping and food in Portland is wonderful… I’m sure hoping! I’ll be on my own all day while the hubby is in meetings!
I’m going to go and nurse my wounds from the fall… which really just consist of a scraped knee and some wounded pride!

I LOVE Shiny Brite ornaments!

And PINK... my signature color!

With all the goodies I crammed into my bags, I calculated each item

cost approx. 7 whole cents! 7 cents for a box of Shiny Brite... I'm in heaven!

Zippers, ribbon and an unopened bag of pink string beads...

I feel many projects coming on!

More treasures... hatboxes, snow picks, glittery snow...
what a bargain!

A brand new pillow to hang over a doorknob...
and a super cute dogbone basket!
Each item ... 7 cents!

Butterfly nets and my friend Georgia

2009-07-02T19:47:00.000-07:00

I've had a day of 'nets'. Nets to catch frogs... and a stroll down memory lane- thinking about 5th grade when my class made butterfly nets and did a chapter on butterflies.

Man, was I into it! I even ordered a book about them from the local bookstore.

As much as I loved the chapter on butterflies... it didn't compare to the love my friend, Georgia, had for them.

And to this day....many years later- she still loves them, and has passed her love for them on to her daughter.

Georgia and the kids came over for an afternoon swim today and it was only fitting that these two little butterflies joined us!

Pretty!

Butterflies LOVE coneflowers.
I have them planted right outside of the office window...
I can sit and watch them all day!

Blog Blog .... Blog? Here we go...

2009-07-01T12:43:00.000-07:00

Okay friends-
Here we go, the first official post on the new blog...yikes!

So here I sit... wasting time at the computer!
Along with the usual BORING daily 'chores'... I need to get my butt in gear and PACK already. Okay, I don't need to actually put the clothes in the suitcase... but I should at least be putting them in piles, and checking them off of the list. (YES- I am a self-admitted LIST MAKER)
And who knows how many of the items 'on the list' are actually sitting in laundry baskets... clean? Doubtful- guess I really need to do some serious laundry.

I am blogging at the suggestion of friends and family... I have been 'journaling' for the past couple of years... the following is taken from a journal before our trip last year. Written by me on July 3, 2008-- hope you enjoy!

Dear Friends and Family-
Oh, the family vacation! Jackson is driving cross country to California with my parents this week. (because they are crazy!) And Jase and I are flying out at the end of the week. We have known about this trip for about three years, and yet it still snuck up on me. I have made lists, piles, more lists and still don't feel ready! I think the real kicker on this one, is that my STUFF, along with Jase's stuff is also leaving with my parents. We are flying out with ONLY ourselves...and, oh yeah, a bag full of goodies from Jaarsma's Bakery. While it will be nice having no luggage in an airport, it proved to be somewhat of a challenge for me. When I got down to the business of the actual packing, I did what any good mom would do...I cleared off the dining room table and taped the lists to the bathroom door. I thought the bathroom door idea was pretty clever...ya know, a spot that my husband was sure to see the lists. I taped it right at his eye level....can't open the bathroom without seeing THE LISTS! (or so I thought) I'm sure you know where this is heading. At some point into the packing (a few days later, that is) my dear husband finally noticed the list. It occurred to him that, by golly, we were going on a trip, and he needed to round some stuff up! I need to interject at this point that, normally, my husband is very helpful around the house. His mom raised him right! However, he started questioning the list..........can you imagine? Why do we need to take this? Why do we need to take that?....oh the nerve... sweet boy. Had I let him make the lists, we would have ended up several states away from home with just a pair of skivvies, some gatorade, and maybe a tent. And no, we would have NO use for a tent, as we are staying at hotels. Anyway- I charged ahead with the packing. I got Jack packed. His big bag of clothes, plus his 'hotel bag' that he will use while on the road....I packed his beach toys, his nebulizer, toy bin, books, crayons.....lawn chair. You name it, I packed it! I even had his pair of jammies ready to go that he is wearing tonight and the first several hours of his road trip tomorrow morning! Then I moved on to packing myself....here is where I reach the dilemma...I have to pack all my things and not see them again for 4 whole days. I'm sure you women understand this...what if I need my turquoise shirt with the scoop neck...or my white linen pants in these 4 days???....of course, we all know I won't need them...but what if I do??? Sigh. Oh well, I'll just wear a tee shirt around the house, my wedding ring, layer on the deodorant and call it good for 3 days, then on day 4, I'll put on my 'plane outfit' and be off. I know, I know....I have more clothes and a backup deodorant, but it's like a weird personal standoff with my 'stuff'....like I'm a victim...nothing to wear, all my 'stuff' is on a road trip across the country.
Can I also just tell you that I am doing a two week trip with only 4 pairs of shoes?!?!?!? Thank you! I know!!!!! It was very strategic outfit coordinating on my part........now, the 4 purses, well, that just couldn't be helped! I will not sacrifice the right handbag in the name of travel!
Here is what is weird when packing for a vacation.......I started 'needing' things that I don't normally need. For instance, I packed a white headband...just in case. Just in case what? I don't wear headbands...sort of like, I packed all sorts of crazy make up that I won't use. Like all of a sudden I might need mint green shimmer eyeshadow...perhaps when I go to the beach??? Anyway, I packed myself, it's over.
On to my husband's crap. It's like this- shorts, skivvies, undershirts, polo shirts, flip flops, grooming junk- and we're good..........but no. We are going on this trip because we are going to the Elks National Convention...so now I have to factor in, everything 'dress' for him. Shirts, ties, jackets, pants...etc. Okay fine. So I got him packed. And guess what happens...........my dear sweet husband notices the lists.........now suddenly, he is coming up with all sorts of stuff that he might need while away from home. Things like, a book. ??? Um, what? And then comes the golf socks. Hmmm...I'm pondering this. Why does one need their golf socks while going to a bunch of meetings and perhaps the beach? OH.............this idiot thinks he's gonna 'sneak' his golf clubs into the car. >>>>this is where you laugh<<<<>
Here, is when we reach another 'crossroads' of the packing process. See, it is our car that is making this voyage. Therefore, my husband will be packing our stuff.............but then....the car goes to my parents house, where now my dad will be adding their stuff. Yep, a manoff....a male standoff..........My dad versus my husband. Holy........okay, it didn't get too bad, why? Because my husband respects my dad and realized he was the one actually driving the car, so therefore, let him do it his way. Whew.
But then....we get to the actual 'staging' of all things Jackson inside the car. I have it figured in my head. I want him to sit here, his toys are there, the cooler is here, my mom is there..........not so. My mom has her own ideas. So, here we go again! Of course, I'm not as cooperative as my husband, so my mom and I have a well...uh, do I dare say, a disagreement. :) Of course, I know she will change it all around, as she should! After all, she is the one making the three day journey on the road with my child. She'll just let me think its being done my way. She's the best!
Well, I guess we're all packed. My baby and parents are leaving very early in the morning. What will I do for 4 days? Of course I'll worry a lot, miss them a lot. I do have a plan...it includes cleaning, sleeping in, a pedicure....doing things that are hard to do with a two year old running around....will that happen? Who knows. I'm just glad that damn packing process is over! I'm not going to think about it again....well, until it is time to come home!
I say all of this with love, I am thrilled to be going on this trip. I am excited to attend the convention with my husband. I am giddy to go to Disneyland and Sea World and view all things great through the eyes of my child....I thank all of you parents that hauled us around when we were kids! I'm on the other end, and now realize what it takes to go on that 'great family vacation'. I wish you all a fun and safe 4th of July holiday. I will be sure to tell Mickey and Shamu 'hi'.........
Until next time,
Amy
PS- do you really think I won't have a carry on bag for the plane? I bet I end up realizing that I might need to take more shoes, a different perfume, and those stupid golf socks after all!

So- blogging... why? It's not like I'm going to share any 'Breaking News'... I'm not an 'expert' on anything... why am I blogging? Beats me! Do I need to 'share' helpful hints or something???
Kind of like a reward for reading my blog? Ha Ha... hmmm.....
Thanks for reading my first post!!!
~Amy