A Remodel Revealed

What have I been doing over Spring Break you ask? Why, sitting around eating bon bons and watching HGTV while strange men parade in and out of my house putting in new counters and tiling. That's all. When did becoming a lazy butt become so tiring? Seriously, watching them do all that work was exhausting.

So, drum roll please....

Here is my before kitchen. 

And now the after!

Before Master Bath

 After

People keep asking us if we are going to move. Why is it if you do home improvements you must be thinking of moving? I'll admit, it is a good idea to stay competitive in this crazy housing market, but the remodel was for me to enjoy. NOT FOR SOMEONE ELSE. I repeat. WE ARE NOT MOVING!

WOW

Photo Source:  Miguel

Subject:  Ladybug aka Belita in her Spanish class

The Mechanics of Cars

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 I HATE mechanics. Nothing personal, really, but they've just never rubbed me the right way. Ya know? First of all, the thought of a car breaking down sends me into fits of panic.  Recently, those thoughts haven't plagued me quite too badly, (thank you Celexa).  But, the fact remains....A true and utter dislike.  Seriously!  Does anyone ever actually like to take their car into get fixed?  Come on be honest...I have had several experiences that solidified my conclusion.

First Happened here

And then here

So, to try to rectify my issues, I purchase extended warranties.  I have a testimony of warranties you see.  No more shocking, through the roof, quotes.  No more delving into my precious savings for a car on its way down.

I hate mechanics.  

Funny thing is, 

the smell of auto grease
on KT's hands

is a real turn on. 

Go figure.

A ReDo and a Trip to Graples

Do you like decorating as much as I do? Hmmm? I know you do. Sometimes my bank account precludes me from doing all that I'd like to do, but baby steps, ya know? So, if you live in Southwest Idaho you may have heard of Graples. It's only opened once a week and gets in all this great home deco stuff. A trip with mom, cha ching and three groupings later...

I had to get this little owl.  Oh my gosh!  He was winking at me. 

I have a fetish for red barn stars.  This is number three

This one makes my view out my kitchen window while doing dishes a little cheerier. 

Lovin' my daisies.  They are such happy flowers.

Now this piano grouping doesn't quite do it for me yet. 

 I think it needs a little more color.

WOW

Good Mail and a Phone Call

On Saturday I received some GOOD mail.  I received a letter from my church letting me know that while at boot camp, TJ, the Military Man, has attended services.  They said he is an asset and they are pleased to have him.  The letter continued with saying that the Church is proud of its Young men and Young Women and their courage and patriotism in serving our country.  Proud Mama here!  Call me dense or blonde or what have you, but I never knew there was a Military Division to my church.  I am so pleased he is not to be forgotten.

Then, Sunday night, KT's cell phone started ringing and Ladybug screamed "It's TJ, It's TJ!".  We put him on speaker phone and enjoyed 25 minutes with our son, who despite feeling homesick, has excelled and been made a unit leader.  He mentioned being ugly bald, but says he rocks the camo.  We love you TJ!

Conundrum

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I'm just wondering...Do you like that word as much as I do? CONUNDRUM. It sounds fancy. It sounds smart.Do I have you snowed?

1. Ever wonder about those people who spend $2.00 apiece on those little bottles of Evian water? Try spelling Evian backwards: NAIVE

2. Isn't making a smoking section in a restaurant like making a peeing section in a swimming pool?

3. OK..... So if the Jacksonville Jaguars are known as the 'Jags' and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are known as the 'Bucs,' what does that make the Tennessee Titans?

4. If 4 out of 5 people SUFFER from diarrhea does that mean that one enjoys it?

5. If people from Poland are called Poles, why aren't people from Holland called Holes?

6. If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?

7. Why do croutons come in airtight packages? Aren't they just stale bread to begin with?

8. Why is a person who plays the piano called a pianist but a person who drives a race car is not called a racist?

9. Why isn't the number 11 pronounced onety one?

10. If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?

11. If Fed Ex and UPS were to merge, would they call it Fed UP?

12. Do Lipton Tea employees take coffee breaks?

13. What hair color do they put on the driver's licenses of bald men?

14. I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older; then it dawned on me ... they're cramming for their final exam.

15. I thought about how mothers feed their babies with tiny little spoons and forks, so I wondered what do Chinese mothers use? Toothpicks?

16. Why do they put pictures of criminals up in the Post Office? What are we supposed to do, write to them? Why don't they just put their pictures on the postage stamps so the mailmen can look for them while they deliver the mail?

17. If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?

18. You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive!

19. If a cow laughed, would she spew milk out of her nose?

20. At income tax time, did you ever notice: When you put the two words 'The' and 'IRS' together it spells ... 'THEIRS'?

WOW

 

Photo Source:  Miguel
Star Bridge 

Daylight Savings

Daylight savings makes me want to claim this spot of sunshine 

And curl up on the floor like a cat.

Blogs of Note

Do you ever check out the "Blogs of Note"? What is it about blogs that catch the screeners eye? What jumps out at them and screams, "This is the one!" "We love this blog!" What do they consider a GOOD blog? It's not that it is something I aspire, to...I'm just curious.  Being recognized as the blog of note, is akin to winning the Pulitzer or other prestigious recognition, in my humble opinion. 

I've been following the Blogs of Note for some time. I have even begun to follow some of those blogs. Blogs, that without that recognition, I would never have stumbled across. Some of the "Blogs of Note" are really quite incredible with fabulous photography, or beautifully written essays. Others are what I consider lame or mediocre, I mean who wants to follow a whole blog on the knitting of hats and scarves. Maybe my grandma?

I mean no offense, really, especially if you are a knitter, but what is their criteria?

Wit? Creativity? Blog design? Photography? Inspirational? All of the above?

I don't mean to rant on and on, but I'm just sayin'...

Sunday Wisdom

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Ninety and Nine

by Michael McLean

I am one of the ninety and nine

I'm not perfect but basically I'm doing fine

I have not lost my way

I have not gone astray

I'm just one of the ninety and nine

I am here in the heart of the fold

I'm not mindless but I try to do as I'm told

I'm not tempted to run

And become the lost one

I am here in the heart of the fold

So why is my Shepherd coming this way toward me?

He's holding his arms out

And He's calling my name

Yes, He's calling my name

But how, how can this be?

I'm just one of the ninety and nine

I have stumbled and fallen but I've kept in line

I'm not one He must seek

I'm not all that unique

I'm just one of the ninety and nine

So why is my Shepherd treating me like a lost lam?

He's searching to find me

And He's holding me now

Yes, He's holding me now

And teaching me who I am

So why am I feeling like I'm the only one here?

It's like I'm His favorite

And He takes me aside

And He sweetly confides

These remarkable words in my ear:

"You are one of the ninety and nine

Have you any idea how brightly you shine?

You are safe in this fold

And it's time you were told

That I know where you've been 

So I know where you'll be

Because all of your life you've been following me

You are more than just one of the sands of the sea

Or just one of the ninety and nine

You are mine!"

I am one of the ninety and nine.

Living with regret...

I used to be a good mom.  I was the kind of mom who took her kids on bike rides.  I got down on the floor and played match box cars and legos for endless hours.  We read mountains of story books and snuggled and watched Disney movies.  We made sugar cookies carefully cutting them out and frosting them for each and every significant holiday.  We would build snowmen together when the weather permitted.  I would clean and scrub only during nap time.

But, there came a time where I selfishly thought I was losing myself.  I began to craft more, read and surf the net.  The television became the perfect babysitter as I put aside that precious time with my babies.  I was mistaken when I thought they would always want to play with me.  I misjudged that they wouldn't grow, mature and change.

Today I am plagued with sadness.  I could have done more, I could have been better.  On Tuesday,  TJ, or Military man,  left for the Air Force.  If I were to turn back the clock, I would put myself aside for just a little bit longer, realizing that they won't always be there.  Children don't keep.  As I look back, I sadly do so with regret.

WOW

Nineteen

Nineteen years ago today I brought you home from the hospital.

In two days I send you off to basic training.

Where did the nineteen years go?

Nineteen

The average age of military service members in Viet Nam was

Nineteen

The age that LDS missionaries leave home and go into the world is

Nineteen

What is it about Nineteen

19

1+9=10

10

1+0=1

You are my number one son,

my first child.

My heart is breaking.

Is this totally abstract?

I think so, too.

Repurposing

I love when I can give new life to an older item.  Here is my latest redo. 

Bench $0, thanks mom.

Fabric $3.00 Hobby Lobby

Batting $0 already had some leftovers

A staple gun is my friend...

More Repurposing here

WOW

Photo Source:  Miguel