It's getting chilly

As the temperatures begin to drop, our daily habits start to change here in the Midwest. We find our winter coat deep in the closet. We go buy a new pair of gloves. We find that ice scraper deep in the trunk of our cars. We eat more soup. We get out the crockpot. And we start drinking more hot cocoa.

When I was a kid my mom would make a huge batch of hot cocoa at the beginning of the year, and we would have it for the entire season. All we had to do was warm up some water on the stove (or now in the microwave!) and we had instant comfort. Now I do the same for my kids. You know you want the recipe! So here it is. :)

• 10 cups dry instant milk

• 4 3/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

• 1 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 3/4 cups powdered non-dairy creamer
In a large mixing bowl, combine milk powder, confectioner's sugar, cocoa powder, and creamer. Makes about 15 cups mix, or enough for about 45 servings. Make sure to store in a sealed container.

I usually add about ½ cup to a cup of hot/boiling water. You can add more or less depending on how strong you’d like it to be. Don’t forget to add the marshmallows!

Suddenly

Suddenly, I have a middle schooler. Suddenly... I'm having conversations that I really don't want to have.  Are you ready for this? If you're not sitting? You should. ;)

The other day Haley and I were hanging out in the living room. Hanna Montana was on, though neither one of us were really watching it.  And Haley asked "Mom, do you remember how HM's mom died?" And I said, "I'm not sure, I think she was sick. Cancer maybe?" And she said something to the affect of  "Was it that disease if you have sex too early, or if you mix your blood?"  I was in awe. And trying desperately to figure out what she was asking me. 

Upon questions, I figured out that she was talking about AIDS/HIV.  But wait, did she say having sex too EARLY?  Wow... is that how the school explained it in the sex ed class?  Hmmm... that's what she took away from it.  And so... I got to explain to this precious, innocent face....

about STD's.  And why it's best to only have one partner in your lifetime because if you have sex with a  person that has had sex with five others.. it's like you've had sex with those five other people if they have contracted anything. I think at one point I used the word sex 5 different times in one sentence. (Gasp!) I was totally cool. Totally together.  And they she left the room and I thought... Did that really just happen?  ;)

Can I just say... that I love my daughter? I love her for asking... I love her for having the courage to ask any question.  And I love her for listening to the answer, and really wanting the TRUTH.  She is pretty amazing, that girl.  I just don't know that I'm ready for her to be a woman. ;)

I love me some Davis

My son is hilarious. I'm sure not everyone thinks so.... but for me?  He can make me laugh when I'm grumpy, angry, sad, or already smiling.  In the car last night, he had me rolling.  Let me share. ;)

My car recently had some work done on it, and I've been borrowing a car.  Davis made a comment that it sure was nice to have windows that roll down in the back seat. (Our mini van has the pop out style).  I told him that I was sorry... we were about to go get the van. He said "Well that sucks." And I looked at him and said, "Hmmm... I'm not so sure you should be allowed to say that." He replied, "That sucks? Why not?"  I said, "Well did you know that is Grandma Cathy's LEAST favorite word of all time?" and he said "Well that SUCKS!" And gave me a wink. I was cracking up.  I wasn't even able to explain why he couldn't say it anymore. I had to call my sister to tell her.  (To explain... my mom always  made us say "That sucks popcicles" because she didn't want it to be implied that we could mean something else. We still joke about this... since the idea of it meaning something else hadn't occurred to us!  lol).

While I was telling my sister the story, Davis was trying to get my attention. When I got off of the phone I asked him what he had needed. He said "I don't know, something about.. CHEESE!".  I know it's hard to give the effect in writing... but he is just a nut. He couldn't remember so he said that instead. Well, I giggled and said, no was it about Aunt Susan's car? (My sister was in a car accident last week, and I had asked her if she had gotten everything taken care of when we were on the phone).  He said, "Oh yeah!" And I said, well everything's okay but someone hit Aunt Susan's car with their car. And he said "Wow, that person must be REALLY STRONG!" And I about peed my pants laughing!  He is just so quick.. and so dead pan when he needs to be.  The perfect comedian. :D  Hope you at least giggled a little. ;)

Still Breathing...

Recently Kelly O. posted and asked if I was okay. :)  (Thanks sweetie!!)  It made me realize that I haven't posted in months. I guess I knew... I've just been too busy to do anything about it.

Life is good. My neighbors have settled in and realized we aren't awful people... and we found an amazing family down the street that the kids love. Five children... all homeschooled. There is more than enough fun to go around. ;)

In  my personal life, I've gone through an interesting several months.  Well, two years really.  If you read my blog you know that Ross moved to New York almost 2 years ago.  He has been living with his female friend since he moved there.  He came to visit here in June, and brought here with after I requested he not. After a year and half of waiting and patience, I decided that enough was enough. I filed for divorce a few weeks later.  I've been a single mom for 2 years... but juggling it all got harder this summer, since I now have a part time job AND the markets and craft shows that I participate in.  Keeping up the blog was just too much. I do hope to start again... as this really is something that I enjoy. I have met some amazing people along the way. My daughter enjoys reading my thoughts, and I love that for years to come she will be able to look back on this blog and smile. :)

I thought I'd post a few pictures from the last few months so that you can see that we really are doing well... and hopefully you'll get some more updates soon. ;)

I'd say from that look that they are doing okay. It's been a tough few months for them... and for me.  There are many things I'd love to say... but for their sake I will just say that I know things will be okay. And that I'm ready for what is to come. Life is good. ;)

Want to help?

So here's the deal... this is going to be a long post. Prepare yourself. :)  We all know I'm wordy... but this may be a little extreme.  So I'm just giving you a head's up. :)

As you all know, we recently moved to a duplex a few minutes away from our old home. I love the setting... gorgeous back yard, in our price range, great neighbors on the other side of the duplex.  It's fantastic. Except that there are some really crappy neighbors.  The first night we were there (just bringing some stuff over) a girl pushed Haley down the hill.  The next day a boy told his dog to "get them" and gestured towards my children.  The next day a mom came over to tell me that it is a rough crowd, and that she heard her boys using words she didn't approve of with my kids.  This is the only house that has parents who pay attention. No, I'm really not joking.  There are kids everywhere, but no parents save this one mother trying to raise her children to not do what every other kid in the neighborhood is doing.  Sigh.

So to get to the point..  on Saturday my sister (she rocks!) was helping me finally get my stuff from the old house.  We left our three children at my home while we ran there to load up the car. While we were there I got a phone call from Haley saying that there were some kids harassing them in our yard, and she had asked them to leave. They refused.  So when I got home, I went back and told the kids that they needed to leave.  None of them moved very quickly... instantly the husband of the mom mentioned before was there to retrieve his kids.  The two girls were not moving.  I told them that they were welcome to come and play in my yard when if they asked permission, or were playing with my kids, otherwise they needed to leave. Still not moving.  I went to the front of the house to finish unpacking the car, and the girls took a few minutes to come out and leave.  On their way out I told them that if they continued to be there without permission I would call the police.  Okay... let me just say that I know that's extreme...but I had had 3 separate people (including my landlord) tell me that that was what I needed to do... since I had already told the children to not be in my back yard. 

Yesterday the girls' father came over.  He told me that I was rude for threatening his children... and that that was not the way to "make friends" in this neighborhood.  I said, well, I asked them to leave and they did not, and this is my yard. He proceeded to tell me that they were not on my "side" of the yard.  (Which is funny, because the ladies on the other side of the duplex have been very clear that the entire yard is for both sides).  I had talked to the neighbor on Friday and she had expressed that she has told the neighborhood kids that they are NOT to be in our yard.  I told him as much.  He replied "Then she's lying to one of us, because she gave my kids permission to be there."  He proceeded to tell me that if I was going to threaten his children, he would call the police every time I "speed down this street". I replied that I don't go about 25, and that I was yelled at one day while going 20 after I had just let 2 girls cross the street in front of me.  He told me if I got yelled at that it was for good reason... "What if a kid darted out into the street?" So... he just told me that he would call the police if he felt I was going too fast... even if it was under the speed limit.  He proceeded to tell me that my kids aren't allowed in their yards or anyone else's. 

At this point I'm not sure what to do. I told the kids that they are to play in our yard... and if they would like to invite kids over to our yard anyone is welcome after an invitation or if they ask permission. But I don't feel comfortable with them in other people's yards anymore. I literally felt a little weird going to bed last night... and went and double checked our locks.  He was agitated, loud and just plain not nice. :(  So what is your advice?  Do you let kids in your yard at all hours? I feel like my children should be able to ask someone to leave their own yard.  I also feel like I have not done anything wrong by driving 20 down the road while stopping for kids when I see them. Be honest folks... I need it.  Oh, and if you're still reading... you rock. :)

The Reveal...

You thought I forgot didn't you?  The truth is...I thought that posting a sneak peek would help me finish the project earlier.  But alas, time does not  yield to my needs.  :(  And it took me a while to finish it.

This project is called "House Rules"... and proudly displays our rules on the wall.  I saw this idea a good  year ago and loved the thought.  I saw SO MANY of them that I loved that I couldn't narrow down what I wanted to do.  I put it in my vault of ideas... and recently decided it needed to happen. :)

I started by searching for "Family Rules Canvas".  If you end up wanting to make one, I suggest you do the same.  I swear, there are some amazing completed projects out there!  I needed help deciding on which rules I wanted to post.  Here are the ones I chose...

Be respectful, thankful, and grateful.
Dream big, smile often, forgive always
Always tell the truth
Encourage others, share in their joy
Use your manners... Yes please, No thank you
Work Cheerfully
Clean up after yourself
Be Yourself
Sing silly, dance crazy, hug often, snuggle often, say I love you
Share everything... except bad ideas
Be Creative
Have fun, Be kind, Ask first, No fussing, No whining
Keep your promises

There were some other cute options... funny options, serious options, silly options. But these were all things I felt were important for my kids right now.  Davis said "I do that stuff... well, I struggle with "clean up after yourself" huh?"  I'd say he's still doing pretty good. ;)

Plus who doesn't love a little bit of pom poms and ric rak?  *Swoon*

Really?

For years the Jenison Public Schools have been ranked as one of the best schools in the country. And I have to admit... I feel fortunate to be in this district. When Haley was in 2nd grade however...we decided to do school of choice and went to an elementary school in the same district.... yet not the one in our neighborhood. There were many things that contributed...the largest factor being the principal and her lack of discipline regarding bullying.  I never regretted my decision, as I love the kids' school and teachers.

Today I drove by Haley's old school. And I didn't know whether to laugh... or be angry.  Here is what I saw...

Hmmmm.... pretty sure that isn't correct grammar. Let me be clear... I do NOT claim to have perfect grammar.  I also don't work at a school.  Is this really what we are teaching our children?  I wonder if they are trying to be "cool" and relate to the kids?  Can we not relate without teaching them it's okay to be too lazy to spell out the words?  This sign makes me sad.  And I'm REALLY glad we switched schools. Maybe you think I'm over-reacting... I see it as the first of what is to come.  :(

School Fun

Last night we went to the kids' school for an art and drama night.  It was fantastic.  Art is not Davis' favorite subject.. but Haley is more like me, and loves every aspect of artistic things.  She is in Drama Class at school and has been excited about this night for a while. I was so proud of  her. :)

We started out looking at some art pieces the kids made.  Be forewarned, I have misplaces my battery charger for my camera in the move (Insert gaspy cry here) and so I had to take pics with my phone.  I am trying to come to terms with it, lol.

Anyway... we started with our little Picasso...

Then we went to Haley's self portrait...

Can you see it above her?  I think she did an awesome job. :)

Then Davis and I went and waited for the drama club to get ready (and Haley went to practice).

We can't just sit and wait... we have to occupy ourselves by taking silly self portraits, lol.

Then came Haley's big moment. She has been trying to find her 'niche' for years, and I think we just stumbled upon it.  Most of the things that the drama club did was improv.... something that would absolutley panic me to my core.  Not Haley... she got up there and did her thing... and loved every second of it! 

Here she is doing the "Three Headed Wizard".  The audience asks a question... and the Wizard answers the question... but each "head" can only say one word at a time.  I cannot explain to you the wackiness that ensues at this point. :)  I was so proud of her.. she thought before she spoke... but not so long that it was awkward. She was witty... she was a star. :)  And I loved every second of it. :)

Sneak Peek...

Earlier this week I was in kind of a 'funk'... and needed to do something for me!  So I got crafty... only it's not quite done. So here's a sneak peek...

Are you intrigued?   You should be... I mean, with all that aqua and red it has to be gorgeous, right? lol I'm putting some finishing touches on and hope to be finishing it up tonight. :)

Flashback Friday

My bloggy/twitter friend Tia does this thing called Flashback Friday and I just love it. She chooses a picture from back in the day, and just talks about it. It is so fun to see older pics of her and her hubby... so I've decided to join in.  If you want to see hers, just click on the Christopher and Tia widget on the left side.  :)

This is me and my best friends at my graduation party. Joie is on the left, I'm in the middle, and her boyfriend (now husband) is on the right.  Number one, can I just say that I was so cute back then, and had no idea?  Does anyone else look back and think about how you thought of yourself, and realize now that you were so cute and just didn't know it? lol

Anyway, on to why I really chose this picture. ;)  Joie is that kind of friend that changes your life forever. I met her when I was in middle school... desperate for attention and having no clue who I was. Her family became my second family.  I camped for the first time with them.  I swam in their pool.  We convinced a girl in 8th grade that we were really twins, but that our parents were divorced, and we lived with separate parents. lol  I introduced her to Kurt, (on the left) and they are married now, with an absolutely adorable perfect little girl. I could count on Kurt and Joie to do pretty much anything for me back then... they were my glue. I'd date some weirdo guy and they still loved me. I broke up with Kurt's best friend, and he still loved me.  (Though I have to admit, Kurt and I loved to butt heads, lol).

When I married Ross I lost contact with alot of my friends.  I was in a different place... married, having kids, and they were all still in school.  Then Kurt and Joie got married, they moved off to California, as Kurt was going to an amazing school out here for acting. (He is amazing).  I lost contact with them for a few years, and it broke my heart.  But every time I would talk to Joie, it seemed like no time had passed. She knows me better than anyone else.  So... thank God for Facebook. :)  And blogs. Because now I can talk to her any time I want... and I get to read her blog. ;)  Some friends really are forever. :)

Thanks :)

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the wonderful birthday wishes yesterday!  (And to whoever anonymously 'sang' me happy birthday in the comments, THANK YOU!) 

It was a great day.  When I got home, Haley had written me a poem. :)  On pink paper.... which just  made it that much better!  I have such awesome kids. ;)

I went in to work for a couple of hours in the afternoon, and then we went to Sonic.  Woot!  Who doesn't love a good ol thing of Sonic Tater Tots? ;) 

Hope everyone is having a fantastic day! It's raining here. :(  But that's okay, because  my in laws surprised me the other day with the fact that they are coming home 3 days early... so it's time to go pack up the last of the stuff at the old house!!  Wish me luck!

Happy Birthday to ME!

My birthday is today!  And so far, at about 11 am, it has ROCKED!  :)

Last night, Davis said he just couldn't wait until today, and gave me 4 squishies. (See the Easter post if you don't know what I'm talking about!)  They were some of the best from his 'stash'.  How sweet is THAT?  Haley told me she'll have something for me tonight.  :)  

Then a co-worker Andrea gave me a card yesterday because she wasn't working today. How sweet was that?

This morning when I got to work, two of my co-workers sang Happy Birthday, and it was just awesome! Being a stay at home mom for so long... I was usually not with adults on my birthday during the day... so this was a treat.  Then my boss walked in and knew it was my birthday and greeted me with best wishes. WOW!  Then he admitted it was facebook that reminded him on the way here, lol.  Whatever!  It doesn't matter how he knew, lol.

Then Nicole (co-worker) came in and gave me a little bag of goodies!  Look at that cupcake card!  I mean, does that not just make you smile?  That thing is getting hung in my house for sure! :)  Along with the card and a Diet Coke (my drink of choice!) was a little Garden Knome named Norm. :)  He wards off unwanted guests for the new house. :)

Admit it, he's adorable.  Love it.

And just now, as I was writing this post, ANOTHER co-worker brought me a gorgeous Gerber Daisy, and a $5 gift card to Panera!  Hello wonderful lunch on my special day! 

Can it get any better?  AND Facebook keeps emailing my phone to let me know that people are wishing me Happy Birthday!  So I say you should celebrate today too!  Go get yourself something yummy, and say Happy Birthday to Karin! ;)

Easter

This Easter was our first holiday in the new house.. and it was a good one!  Ross was supposed to meet us half way, since he worked the night before and had to open the store the next day.  But after talking to the kids, they both agreed they would rather just see him later in the week (and have an Easter celebration then) and not have to be in the car for basically 6 hours on Easter.  So we stayed home, and talked to Ross on the phone.  Which meant we got to do our Egg Hunt here at the new house.  :)

But first things first... the kids had to open their baskets!

So the yearly dilemna at our house is that Davis likes to wake up with the sun, and Haley likes to sleep in.  This makes things tough when the Easter Bunny brings Easter Baskets and you are supposed to open them together.  So Davis came into my room and waited patiently until about 8 am and then we woke up Haley.

Then he hid under the pillows so he wouldn't sneak a peek while we waited for Haley to get some clothes on.

Then Haley helped him over to the baskets while he closed his eyes.  He likes surprises. :)

Then on to opening. :)  Ever see a picture of your child and are in awe their beauty?  That's where I'm at with Haley.

Then, of course, Davis started acting silly. "It's WHOPPERS!" said like Jarod the Infomercial Guy.

  Then it was outside to hunt for eggs!

Don't tell the postman... but yes I totally hid one in the mailbox. ;)

Davis just figured out what's in the eggs. :)  They love these things called "squishies". They come in a little quarter machine, and they trade them with kids at school (they are really pencil toppers).  I stood at that quarter machine for forever. I'm sure other parents thought I was nuts, lol. But the kids were ecstatic!

Overall it was a great Easter.  I was going to make a big meal, and then the kids both wanted weird stuff, like nachos. So I made EASY simple stuff for each of us that we really wanted. :)  No sense in making a big ol' ham if Davis really just wanted Chips and Cheese! lol

Filling it with things I love...

The one thing about this new house that has been interesting is trying to make it "mine" without it actually being mine! lol  We are renting at the moment, and that makes things interesting. I love me some color.  You all know that.  I mean, color is what makes me smile every day.  And though my landlord did a great job picking out colors (seriously, it's actually a really pretty color!) they aren't really MY colors.  Because my colors are a little out there. I know it. I love sunshine yellow, and apple green, and any and every shade of aqua.  What to do, what to do.  Well... go shopping of course!

This is the first piece I bought.  I splurged. I spent way more than I should have. But I was in love... and it would fit so perfectly on that little landing on the stairs.  Otherwise that's just WASTED space, right? I thought it would a great spot to stick our shoes, as our front door is just to the right.  I bought it at a little shop in Holland (Michigan) called Found.  All painted and wonderful and READY.  :)

Then I went on Craigslist.  I found some pieces that I painted.  (One was the table next to the couch in the last post).  Then I found an AMAZING deal on an entertainment center.  It was orginally a $1300 unit, and in perfect condition.  They had asked like $400 for a few weeks and gotten no response.  They lowered it to $100 and I was the first to respond.  Woot!  It took FOUR men to get into the house.  I tried to warn my brother in law... I still don't think he was mentally prepared when he came to help, lol.  But I love that I can close the doors and you don't see the TV.  Do you see the little magazine rack to the left?  Aqua goodness... just $5.  Do you want to hear the story?  Of course you do. :)

I was driving to Target, and saw a "Barn Sale" on the side of the road.  My heart started to flutter.  There were butterflies in my stomach.  They were still pulling things out. I called two friends to share the news. No, I'm not joking. This was a freaking AWESOME sale. :)  And first I found that cute little magazine rack.  *Happy!*

Then I saw this dresser... for $30.  Don't hate.  It is sunshine yellow. It is in my bedroom, and every morning it makes me smile.  My husband hasn't seen it yet.  When he comes into town (or reads this, lol) he is going to laugh.  I'd never get away with this if he had any say, lol.

The edges are all roughed up and vintagey.  It's perfect.

I ran up and asked her to hold it.  Then I found a cute little pink chair for $15 for Haley's desk in her bedroom.  She LOVED it. No pic today.. but I'm sure you'll see it soon.

Then I saw a little green shelving unit in the corner.  $15.  My sister called it "hideous"... which in sister speak means, I wouldn't be caught DEAD with that anywhere near my home, but it is so you it hurts, lol.  Apple Green Wonderful.  Rickety, with some of the wood showing from the paint wearing off.  LOVE it next to the brown dresser I painted for me room. 

I loaded all four pieces up in my van and went off to Target.  While there I kept wishing I had bought this little piece. (Sorry... will post a pic another day.. I'm at work and forgot to photograph this one) and so I stopped by again on the way home.  I asked for a price and it was a dollar. Hell to the yeah. Don't laugh... but it was a little rocking horse from probably the 60's.  It was aqua with a red seat. It has no purpose but to make me smile.  I didn't show it to my sister... she'd probably run screaming. lol.  Anyway, while I was there, yes, the second time, I called a friend to ask her to unload the stuff at the new house... and told her to meet me at the sale. Yes, I am an enabler.  She is so much better than me... she didn't buy a thing. But I saw a table and chairs that I was in love with.  I wasn't sure if it would go in the new house... but I needed a set small enough to fit in the eat-in kitchen.  I had decided to wait... until I saw this set.  I had the friend come and look at the house and advise me. I thought if I waited a bit... it wasn't an impulse buy.  And if I went back and it was gone... it wasn't meant to be.  The friend told me to go for it.  She's an enabler too.  ;)

I went back for the third time that day. Yes, the ladies giggled when I got out of my car. " I had to make room, you know!"  I said as I approached. The table was no where to be seen. When they saw my disapointment they asked which piece I was looking for.  "Oh, that's just inside.... we moved some stuff around!"  Can you say $65 for a table and chairs?  The cheapest thing I had found (ugly) on Craigslist was $150.  Jackpot!

Now I'm just deciding which direction I like it facing.  It may move around a bit before I'm happy. :)  But the kids love the bench and I love the color. Yes, my house now has every color of the rainbow, lol. And I LOVE it.  :)

Our First Night at the New House

So I'll admit, it happened last week sometime, and I'm just getting around to posting about it... but here are some pics from our first night at the new house. :)

When the kids got home from school a week ago last Thursday, I looked at them and said, "Okay, we're going to do it.  Help me get your mattresses!" and we loaded them into the van.  Earlier in the day I had bought Ross and I a new queen mattress and box spring and put it in our room (yes, by myself, because I am SO AWESOME!) so we were all set.  I had decided I would use the box springs from the old king size that Ross and I had used for 12 years.  They don't need new right? (They both used to be in lofts, so had mattresses but no box springs).  I had even mentioned it to a mattress guy and no one said anything.  Great plan RIGHT??? Um, nope, lol.  King beds are like 4 inches longer.  Which means when I got the mattresses and box springs over there (again, by myself because I couldn't fit the kids AND the beds in the van), and UP THE STAIRS, I realized what I bad plan I had devised, lol.  It wouldn't fit in the headboard/footboard.  I started cracking up, and took off the footboard.  In Davis' room I just didn't bring the box spring upstairs...

And with Haley's... well, I just dropped the rails on the floor and excepted defeat, lol. 

Those pics were of them going to sleep that night. I don't think they cared too  much, lol.  Davis said he slept REALLY well, which is great.  Haley and I woke up a few times but still slept well.  Weird noises in new houses!  By the way... for those of you with a well... does it make a knocking noise?  I've never had a well... and frankly, can't figure out some of these noises, lol. 

A few days later an AWESOME, AMAZING, WONDERFUL friend helped me moved our couch. It's a beast I tell ya.  It is a sectional... with a queen sleeper.  Um, yeah.  Men who I had told about it cringed at the thought. So us ROCKIN' women did it ourselves, thank you very much!  :)

I was SOOOOOOOOO happy to have a couch to sit on.  (please note, I was waiting to clean it until we moved,  hence the stains, lol).  I thought the kids would take their usual places...

But the both chose the floor. CRAZIES! But that left a big ol' comfy couch for  me, so I'm not complaining :)

Wait, what?

So... I came to my blog to let you know the progress on my move.  And then I looked at the date.  How the heck did THAT happen?  Has it really been a month???  I mean... I knew I hadn't been around, with moving, working and mom-ing (yes, that is totally a word, lol) but honestly had no idea it had been a month!  Eek!

So here's the update!  We made it!  We are sleeping at the new house... but half our um... 'stuff', is still at the old house. Eek!  Just a short couple of weeks and it will all be out.  I have A LOT to for a garage sale.  But I love that I am getting rid of things that we don't need. :) 

I'd love to post some pictures for you.. but I forgot some of the essentials at the other house... and can't get pictures from my camera to my computer, lol. :)  But hey, I came and said hello. ;)

Hope you all are doing well... I promise I'll post something worth while soon. :)

Amazed But Not Surprised

My daughter has mad skills.  I have always known that Haley is smart... brilliant really.  She has always been a 'thinker'... taking in EVERYTHING that she hears.  She lives inside her head mostly, which can be wonderful and bad at the same time. ;)  I love it when she opens up and shows us what she's thinking.

Yesterday I didn't quite get home by the time the kids were off the bus, so I called to let them know that I would be home shortly.  She immediately read me a poem that she had written.  I was shocked.  It was really good.  And not just like, oh, what a cute poem kind of good... but like, wow, she should send that into a contest or something. :)  (When you read it, if you disagree, spare me, I'm having a Proud Mama moment here!)

What?  You want to read it?  Okay!

Ocean blue, reflecting sky,
eagle wings up so high,
as land and wind dance in time
as magic shivers down our spine
salty sea, frothy foam
it's time to bring lost objects home
with teh help of three friends
this hero shall make all amends
water, logic, love and sky,
all emotions running high
now it's time to catch the theif
until the victims find relief!

When I asked her what inspired it, she said that it is about a game that she and some friends play at recess.  To me that just made it more neat.  It wasn't just sort of a fairy tale poem... it had context!!  I am really proud of her.. I think I'm going to go buy her a little book to write her poems in.  When I was in Middle School I used to love to write poetry... even won a contest at my school for one I'd written.  I haven't written a poem since 8th grade.  It's so fun to see that she is enjoying something I did when I was her age. :)

I need to play the lotto

Yesterday was a good day. I mean, a really good day!  I worked in the morning, then went to go weigh in for the Biggest Loser Challenge at work.  I was worried... it wasn't a good week, lol.  I had ice cream. Twice.  So I wasn't hopeful. I had missed weighing in last week and thought, well, if I maintained, I'm happy. I lost three pounds!  Woot! 

From there I went to a few thrift stores looking for some things for our new duplex.  Haley and Davis are both sleeping in lofts right now and both have wanted to switch to normal beds for a while now... it seemed like the perfect opportunity to make the switch.  (If you're local and you're interested in buying a blue Ikea loft, let me know, lol!)  Anyway, I've been looking on Craigslist, and did mind one twin headboard/frame but needed to find another.  Enter the reason I need to play the lotto (the title).  I had a GREAT thrift find day.  I bought...

A lamp for $3.  This was my first purchase. I was so excited I thought to myself that I should probably not even go anywhere else. I mean, who finds multiple good finds in one day, right?

You might be wondering why this lamp is so great... but that color?  It's my favorite. color. ever.  Love it.

Then I found a headboard for $6.  (Sorry, no pic).  I will probably paint it.  But it was $6. 

A frame for $3. No, a BED frame for $3.  Seriously????  Even if the headboard doesn't turn out... I have the frame!  Woot!

I felt like dancing around the store. Then I found this chair...

I know... it has seen better days...

But it was... wait for it... $10.  I will paint it, (then rough up a few of the edges, lol) replace the padding and fabric, and this will be Cee-ute!

And then, you'd think I was done right? I mean, I've spent $25 and gotten a lamp, a bed, and a chair.  I should be done. But then I saw this...

Now some of you are wondering why I would spend even $5 on this little trunk.  But I. Love. It. It makes me smile.  It is just vintage enough... just worn enough... without just being an old piece of crap, lol.  I love me some vintage.  And this is just so darn pefect!  (My sister is shaking her head right now, guaranteed, lol).  But I love to surround myself with things that make me smile... and this does it. 

So there it is, my $30 Thrift Day that practically furnished a room in my house. ;)