Bug in the Morning

Daddy says to Bugsy, "Make a Bulldog Face" and you get the following....

 Separated at birth?  That's Cousin Olive there on the right.

And then, of course, there is the "bantam rooster" look:

day 1. your facebook profile photo

Photo Challenge: The Rules

Heather posted a blogger photo challenge.  Elle played along.  I thought I'd pick and do a few....
day 1. your facebook profile photo

day 2. a photo of yourself a year ago

day 3. a photo that makes you happy

day 4. a photo of the last place you went on vacation

day 5. a recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself.

day 6. a photo that makes you laugh

day 7. a photo of someone you love

day 8. a picture of something you dislike.

day 9. a photo of your family

day 10. a photo of you as a baby

day 11. a picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you.

day 12. a picture from your day.

day 13. a photo of your best friend(s)

day 14. a photo of one of your favorite family members

day 15. a photo of you and someone you love

day 16. a photo of you at the last party you went to

day 17. a picture of something you cannot live without.

day 18. a photo of one of your classes

day 19. a picture of your room & don’t cheat by cleaning it.

day 20. a photo of something you enjoy doing

day 21. a photo of you standing up

day 22. a photo of your town

day 23. a photo of your friend as a baby

day 24. a photo of you that your hair looks nice in

day 25. a photo of a night you loved

day 26. a photo of your favorite weekend

day 27. a photo of last summer

day 28. a photo of what you ate today

day 29. a photo of someone you find attractive

day 30. a photo of you when you were happy.

My favorite Christmas Gift.

I'm going to talk about something hideous and unsavory in our house.... the carpet.  Here's a (slightly dark) shot of the PEACH carpet upstairs.  Oh, how I hate this carpet.  This photo, in all it's awfulness, doesn't even do it justice.  Cheap, faded in spots, peach.  IS there anything worse?  There are lovely hardwoods underneath but do you think my husband will let me rip it up?  No.  So a random mystery stain was discovered.... cue evil background music:

To the rescue.... SPOTBOT. 

It cleans those spots right up.  I think that particular spot was apple-juice-attracting-dirt or maybe something worse.... I'm not going to lie... it could be something worse.

The only challenge is "feathering" it so there isn't one clean spot in a sea of dirty carpet.  Seriously.  I've cleaned a thousand messes.  

Flower's Party

Getting Stylish

Wednesday I had to pull out the stops and be cute for work. 

Ugh.

I opted for my very professional Tribal black sheath dress and jacket.  I love that jacket so much it is the only dry-clean only piece of clothing that survived the great closet clean out of 2008.

I also went with the classic heeled penny-loafer style mules and true stockings.  I couldn't find anything thigh high (in the depths of my closet in the dark) so I went with regular hose.  Ugh.  Which required a Spanx garment to prevent bulges at the waistband.  This was getting complicated.  It was so much easier to dress when I was skinny. 

Full makeup, hair up in a clippy (seriously... the effort to style it would have put me over the edge) and cute black briefcase bag.  Simple silver hoops, plain silver cuff bracelet and long 3-strand silver chain. 

I don't know how professionals do it dressed like that all day.  I was ok at my desk but very uncomfortable sitting in meetings with my above-the-knee dress creeping up.  Then I snagged my hose on my cute black briefcase bag.  And I almost launched down a set of marble steps in my cute heels.  Then a woman came around the corner off kilter (behind me as I was sitting) and whacked me in the head... knocking out my cute black clippy.  Then I had to pee.  In Spanx. 

I got myself home and peeled out of my clothes and into my jammies in record time.  My feet were cramping that night... I'm not kidding.

I was thinking it was time to take my style level up a notch but now I'm not so sure.  I was thinking leggings and boots (or capri leggings and ballet flats) with tunics/dresses.  And the perfect knit-but-dressy black pants.  But now I'm not so sure.

Different Expectations

Is it wrong that I send my 6-year-old out to start the car?

Are you horrified?  Speed-dialing Child Services?

A bit ago I realized Hot was sending him out and I figured out what was going on.... so now he's starting my car as well if it is parked in the yard and not the garage.  He does a great job... never grinds the starter. 

He will also be spending significant time at the farm this summer (he will be 7) learing how to harvest and haul bales.  How old were you when you first drove a bale truck?  Is it scary that he may be driving the same truck I drove when I was his age??

I Do love a good schedule.

I just realized our week day evening schedule.

It goes like this.

Monday:  Watch Chuck on tv.  Chase around the house like spies.  Sweet sometimes plays Transformers.  The "spy gear" comes out of the dining room drawer.  Spy gear is.... mini note pads, pedometers, mini flashlights and tape measures, badge clips, flashing lights that clip on things and anything mama may have gotten as a freebie at a conference.

Tuesday:  Watch that obstacle course tv show.  Seriously.  I think I'm in early menopause.  I can't remember the name.  I can't even think of enough about it to google it.  The kids love it.  And then we... you guessed it... act it out.

Wednesday:  Gymnastics.  Daddy makes dinner.

Thursday:  Reading.  We read. 

Friday:  Movie Night.

That's it.  We are simple people.

We've got a new category here....

I think I will call it "Celebrating the Sticky" for now.

I'm trying to take the small, inconsequential and sometimes frustrating moments and LIVE them in all their sticky, juicy, messy glory.

Join me.

Monday Monday

Ugh.  It is that odd changing-of-the-month time again.

The good news?  We survived February, yall!!!  Yes.  I think it is always a good sign to survive February intact.

Also... new month... check the air pressure in your tires.

I don't process any sort of budget stuff until mid-month so that's all good as well.

March goals: 

1.  Buy a safe file storage box. 

2.  Buy a carbon monoxide detector. 

3.  Change out the curtains in the kid bedroom. 

4.  Take spare bedding and aluminum cans to the Humane Society.

5.  Decide paint color for bathroom (currently Martha Stewart "Mushroom" is in the lead.)

6.  Paint window trim in kitchen and door window trim in dining room.

So that's easy, right?  6 things in 4 weeks? 

Yesterday kicked off with me dropping one kid at school, two kids at daycare and heading to the doctor.  Flu test was negative but she suggested mucinex because I'm rattly.  The big complaint is aches and pains in muscles and joints and a deep, hacking cough.  Like.... it hurts to hold the steering wheel. 

I had to go to work for a few hours and I survived.  Left a little after 1 because I was just zoning out.  Made it into my comfy giant purple sweats and a sweatshirt before collapsing on the couch.  Hot promised to pick up Sweet from school at 3.  At 3:30 he called asking me to call the school to tell them he was on the way.  WTF?  Thanks... that's relaxing.... knowing the school is well within their rights to sell my child because my husband is late for pickup.  (Also note:  The sickness of last week prevented pickup of cookie dough fundraiser for delivery.... tried to do that Tuesday am and OUR ORDER ISN'T THERE... shit.... why is nothing easy???)

Hot and the kids decided to hit Pizza Hut so I could rest in peace.  Little did they know when no one is home the cats chase each other around the house... loudly.  I was entertained.  I drank a lot of tea and ate a slice of pizza (mmmmm.... mushroom) and some wheat thins.  We played a couple rousing rounds of Sequence and read a few "VS" books.  Sweet did homework.  We played some itunes clips trying to find some good new music to download.  Bugsy showed us her bad-ass breakdancing moves.  We watched Chuck.  Bugsy got clotheslined by the footrest on the recliner.  Flattened her.  She didn't even cry. 

The kids went to bed and I realized the details of the day don't do themselves.  I emptied lunch boxes and loaded/ran the dishwasher.  Washed some water bottles and coffee cups.  Drank more tea.  Folded a little laundry.  Put out money for Sweet's field trip, thought about stuff to donate for the "pets" theme basket for the silent auction, checked homework. 

Did all those stupid-ass things that have to be done every day and went to BED.

Mission Organization: Space Making

Making some space.... see the empty shelf?  That's where all the random toys get stashed until someone has time to find their real home.  The rest of the (former tv and stereo cabinet) is dedicated to games, library books and a basket of fridge magnet toys.

Guess what we are having for breakfast?????

Organizing Challenge: Nail Pretties

So this fine Saturday morning (temperature MINUS TEN without wind chill) the girls and I decided to do mani/pedi work.  We got out the polka dot box.  Then we decided we better clean it.  So we emptied the box, wiped out the random clippings (ew) and ook from the bottom, then looked at our collection. 

 You know what?  When I was single I had one pair of nail nippers.  One.  Now we have about 6 sets.  Stashed everywhere.  Sigh.  Just another tiny oddity about getting married and having kids.  My hubby is fairly obsessed with having clippers available... he keeps them in the side table by his chair.  Ew.

See the adorable tiny toe in the background?  Painted Miami Dolphins teal ("Marine Scene" by Sally).  Ah... the memories in this box.  The dark and dramatic purple ("Adrenaline" by Creative) that was my wedding pedicure.  The strawberry icing pink ("Strawberry Icing" by Sally) I bought when Tuff was a baby so we could have matching delicate petal pink toes....  The classic ("Wreathed in Red" by OPI) red for summer toes.  Bright Coral ("Bright" by Sally) for the summer after Bugsy was born to celebrate being able to reach my toes again.  All the crazy kid colors.  And, yes, even a hideous Steelers yellow (LA Colors from the Dollar Store). 

I love OPI polish... so it strikes me as odd that I only have one polish that is OPI.  For my fingernails I really like the Neutrogena stuff that was discontinued.  Neutrogena Nail Enhancer in Pearl.  I got some other stuff that I have at work but it isn't as great.

I need a new basecoat.... any recommendations?  Why do I have so much topcoat and no basecoat??  And has anyone used a glass nail file?  Are they great or not?  And do you have a favorite foot file?  I bought one of those ones that looks like a cheese grater... it works ok.  And I have a pumice thing in the shower.  And the handy-dandy dry file from Body Shop.... I think that is my favorite.... but I never use it in winter.... filing your feet just seems like an outside project, doesn't it?  Ew. 

And the final product.... not much is changed... I wiped the gunk off the top of some bottles but mostly it is all the same.... just tidier and minus the nail filing dust.

In response

A post in response to Elle's post.....

1.  I also have no photos of myself.  I once confessed to Hot that it was one of my biggest regrets.... not having photos of myself with the kids.  He promised to take some candids.  He failed.

2.  I think your kids have exquisite fashion sense.

3.  I consider myself a documentarian.  I also take and keep a lot of pics.

4.  OMG.  Love.  My.  Flip.  Latest video:  Sweet's tooth getting pulled.  It involved a family heirloom..... the branding iron..... need I say more??

5.  My sister says leggings, boots and a sweater dress are the perfect outfit.  She would know.

And now, interesting facts about me.  I'm an over-achiever, so there are 30, not 15.  All you've ever wanted to know.
1.  I would like a cigarette.  Right now.  I haven't had one in, oh..... about 10 years.  I'm a little shocked you are Team Edward.... this may require more discussion at a later date.  My favorite smells are grapefruit, wet rocks and amber.  I am also currently obsessed with Olive Leaf Cologne.

2.  I remember cheer.  Post photos.

3.  I like doing my own stunts.

4.  I like electric toothbrushes and easy glide floss.  I dislike kid-flavors of toothpaste (not to be confused with kid-flavored.... I've tasted kids.... not my thing either....)

5.  Start up business.... that has been on the cover of magazines.

6.  Or, possibly, your true calling as a professional organizer and gardener.

7.  Have you considered stealing some from Walmart?  That's the real reason I don't shop there.... I'm just sure some of them are cute under the crust.

8.  I'm not sure how I feel about dogs.  But I love my true first-born.  G-man.

9.  OMG.  Office Depot had See Jane Work products.  Also... The container store is having an office supply sale this month.  Great stuff.  But I hate rubber bands.  There are none in my home or office.  (Except the hair kind.)

10.  Boy did you ever.  Tell the McDonald's syrup story.

11.  I had to go count...  I have more.  1.  tinted moisturizer, 2. eyebrow pencil, 3. eyelash curler, 4. eyebrow brush, 5. sharpener, 6. mascara, 7.  mascara brush, 8. eyeshadow brush, 9. blush brush, 10. tweezers, 11. lip balm, 12.  2 eyeliners (green and grey), 13. blush, 14. eyeshadow, 15. foundation kit (for special occasions.  I need some concealer and a new mascara.

12.  I grew up 70 miles from the nearest Dairy Queen.

13.  Yes, you are.

14.  Yes, you do.

15.  You wouldn't survive at my house with the rabbit ears and the 4 channels on tv.  Hulu.

16.  You can borrow mine.... she's really good.

17.  Heavy sigh.

18.  I helped him.

19.  I wish I was.....

20.  My kids got my musical inclinations... that being... none.

21.  And you live it... you really do.

22.  Also admirable traits.

23.  I love that Soliel stuff.... and also the rose salve from Bath and Body Works.

24.  Oh yes.  I believe wearing my grandma's (and great-g's) costume jewelry gives me power.

25.  Oh me too.

26.  What about poor little femi, the drunkometer?  Doesn't he count?  Also.... you have a foot tat.. my sister has a foot tat, my sil has a foot tat..... did I miss the bus?

27.  I like to cook and bake... I hate to plan meals.

28.  Me too.  But I also like wine.

29.  I'm a closet reader.

30.  Oh... good list.  I wish I had a good list like that.

I'm home with a sick boy today.  Generally not a big deal but he's had a headache since Saturday and isn't eating much.  And so tired.  The doc thinks maybe strep.... no sore throat but I guess that isn't a requirement.  His class of 20 was down 5 kids yesterday.  I'm watching him like a hawk for any signs of HSP after our adventure LAST February.  Once you've had it, chances are higher you will get it again.

Friday we celebrated his last bp/ua to check his kidneys from the HSP.  Yes, it has been a year.  Tuesday we were back at the doc's office.  Sigh. 

So we are home.  The girls decided to stick around and watch dvd's all day. 

Here's my list. 

1.  clean cat box
2.  clean spot on carpet
3.  figure out couch brand and research new slipcover
4.  clean paint/bag cupboard
5.  spray labels
6.  make buns
7.  make cinnamon rolls
8.  create meal plan
9.  check work email
10.  design evaluation form
11.  cancel dial up
12.  mail letters
13.  scan docs
14.  do two loads laundry

How awesome am I??  Cinnamon roll dough is in the breadmaker.  Buns just came out of the oven.... I will cancel dial up and check out the couch when kids go down for naps. 

Next up is meal planning.  We did South Beach Diet pretty hard-core for 30 days.  Now we are off it and kind of adrift.  So some planning is in order

Peaches

I can't stop saying "honk your peaches" now.

thanks elle.

Project Harry Potter Room: Complete

Yeah!  Project done!  This is the view looking up from the bed.

And up towards the left.....

The little darlings love it now....

Fear not.... there is a toy box just out of range of the photo that serves as a step.... she's not bailing out.

Should I paint the trim on the outside?  I did the inside of the shelves next to it and have plans to do the walls.... but it is a big job... they are wall paper over some sort of composite board....and the trim was installed OVER the wallpaper....  so I thinkpil-based primer and then regular water-based latex paint is the appropriate solution... but that oil-based primer is so NASTY.  So I'm putting it off.

Project: Paint the Cave

First... a confession.  My son sleeps in a closet.  A true Harry Potter style story.  Except his is OVER the stairs and not under the stairs. 

So, for fun, I asked him what we should do about it.  He got some cool planet decals for Christmas but he wasn't digging the peach paint.  So we went after it.  First step:  Removal of mattress, eleventy-million pillows and blankets and stuffed animals and toys.

Mmmm.... peach.

Mmmmm.... pretty light...

Busy painter boy putting on the primer.  Can I pause a moment and tell you what a PITA this painting project was?  You can see how small the space is.....  I was flat on my belly painting the "point" where the ceiling meets the floor.  Then the awkward squat-dance to do the highest point.  Ugh.  I actually managed to bend over at one point and put my rear right on a painted part of the wall.  Tuff looked at it and said, "Mama, it looks like you have a snowman on your bottom."  Great.  And I got paint in my hair.... fortunately it was white paint so it blended with the grey hair. 

This boy loves to paint.  I love that paint brush.  (Thanks Elle) 

Ok, here it is with the ceiling done.... you'll have to wait to see the final project....  the card is in my camera in the other room.

Modern Rustic

Any time I see something that says "modern rustic" I get all excited.  I'm pretty sure that is my style... modern rustic. 

Now, can someone please tell me what, exactly, that MEANS???

G-Doggy

Gunnar just heard the news.... there is a mountain lion roaming the neighborhood.  Between that and the predicted eleventy-million inches of snowfall he has decided to stay on the couch.

PS.  Anyone else noticing how GREY his face is these days??

So pretty.

First... let's just get past the fact that I have a microwave on my counter.  Yes, there is a built in.  No, it doesn't work.  No, it hasn't worked in over a year.  Yes, we have tried to fix it.  Yes, we have considered taking it out and sliding this one in the slot.  No, it won't work.  Yes, I am currently storing paperwork in the microwave.  Yes, the controls for the oven are on the microwave.  No, I can't use my self-cleaning option on my oven. 

Baby steps people.

The dishwasher ain't been right in years.  Due to some unfortunate remodeling issues in 2004 (when we lived in town) our OLD dishwasher went to dishwasher heaven and we got a new one.  We swapped it when we moved.  It was a noisy buggar and, really, didn't wash the dishes well at all.  But it was great for baking food particles on really solidly so you had to soak the dishes in the sink and hand wash them before you could put them away. 

So last year when we were in the fits of planning to remodel it finally gave up the ghost.  Since tear-apart was scheduled for the second week in June I figured I could handle a few months of hand washing and just put in a new one when things were settled. 

Then we came to our senses and realized we could not afford to remodel.  All of our friends apparently have much better jobs than we do and/or are much smarter than we are but that's another topic.  So we shopped for dishwashers.  I picked a lovely one.  The delivery guy came.  It wouldn't work with our existing water setup.  (Notice the washer is not right next to the sink... that's part of the problem.)  So back that washer went. 

Fast-forward several months and dishpan hands later.  Hot got me a washer for Christmas.  Romantic,no?  I was quite thrilled.  Of  course, the fact that there was no free installation promo this time was a concern.  But he did the install and, with a little motivation from his dad, actually ripped out part of the counter behind the washer (on the dining room side) so we could make sure it was installed correctly.  That was an adventure.  Sorry, no photos were allowed and, honestly, it was the verbal portion that was the most colorful.  And, unfortunately, he didn't even ruin the hideous fake wood paneling that covers under the counter in the dining room... better luck next time.

Friday Fun

The girls and I are home for a sick day today.  Fortunately, because of my fabulous internet service, I have already managed to log several hours of "real" work.  Love it.

Now I'm playing. 

One of my fav organizing blogs is A Bowl Full of Lemons and last month she did a 21-day organizing challenge.  Now, you know what a slacker I am about checking blogs so I missed the whole fargin' thing. 

But I'm on it now.  Days 1 & 2 were the junk drawer and the top of the desk at the computer station so I'm doing that today.

As soon as the modge podge dries I'll take some "after"pics.

We have two other little projects going on.....  painting the pirate cave and managing the school paperwork.

I can't really explain the pirate cave painting except to say Sweet came home yesterday and said he wanted to paint his "bedroom" so we did.  Yes, my son sleeps in a Harry Potter room.... except his space is OVER the stairs instead of under them.  We have a lot of bodies packed into a small square footage.

I've had a vague idea about how I want to manage kid paperwork for a while now but I couldn't quite get it together to actually DO it until I was cruising back topics on another fav organization blog IHeartOrganizing.  I still need a trip to the office supply store to get some cute hanging file folders (all I have are industrial office green ones) and I'll be ready to present my take of her inspiration for kids paperwork.  I totally get her thoughts about making three matching sets even though they aren't all in school yet.  I get it.  I even used her labels even though they are a little more colorful than my usual style.  I added a pre-k and records section and I'm planning to change the orientation of the one-page document with the school photo on it.  And I think I will use hard plastic containers since these will ultimately be stored in the shed.  And, of course, being who I am and what I do, I already have a large-sized portfolio of larger works of art. 

Off I go to spent 30 minutes on paperwork and then to painting.

I still think it will be hard to narrow the hoards of paperwork down to just one file.

I love wireless

I freakin' pink puffy heart wireless internet IN MY HOUSE.  Yes. 

It was and is a redneck situation.  Picture 125 feet of data cord running across my lawn and down my fence with a radar gun looking thing perched on a fence post.  Yes.

I don't care.  It goes well with the rabbit ears shoved out the living room window.

Hell Froze Over.... Here's your invitation to the skating party...

Glad to see the rest of the country is having the same frigid temps we are....  although today is a balmy 24 degrees.

I've been wearing Sweet's fleece hat to work.... it is black and has skulls on it.  Paired with my sleek black sunglasses.... I look cool.... in my mini van. 

Financially Fried

I'm feeling that kind of financial pressure that has me needing to breath into a paper bag for a minute.  You know what I'm talking about?

I'm sure it isn't anything I can't handle.

Breathe.  Breathe.  Breathe.

December's credit card bill was, um, big.  So was January's.  And for a chunk of time in there Hot was not bringing in a full paycheck. 

Part of that was my excellent new dishwasher.... and I've been without for almost all of 2010 so I'm not complaining about that at all.

The Subie had some issues and cost almost $300 (and two hours of my life) to fix.

The kids started gymnastics... there's another $300.

Hot has had 3 major-ish health issues in 2010... nothing life threatening but all adding up in doc visits and meds and such. 

The pellet stove went on the fritz and cost us almost $300 in part and labor.  The awesome guy that fixes it for us came back a few days later to fix a jam in the auger for free so I can't complain.  I should take him a batch of cinnamon rolls for that.

We had some restoration work done on some antique family furniture.... we got a great deal on it but it was still almost $300 total.

Then January brings the house payment and registration for two of our vehicles. 

And I toasted my brake pads AND roters.....  another cool $300.

I got the breakout for 2010 daycare costs.... I'm not even going to tell you.

This weekend the high speed internet dude is coming to our house and that's going to cost... you guessed it... another $300.

Sweet is doing yet another fund raiser... cookie dough and pasta kits this time. 

Next up is taxes and property tax payment.

The pressure pump is dying.  The built in microwave is dead and I really want to remodel the kitchen.  We are doing the next tiny phase of our remodel plan this spring by replacing the septic system so it is upgraded for a house with more bedrooms. 

Ok... time to focus on SOMETHING ELSE for a while......

Conference Call Thankful

I'm mostly recovered from the holidays. 

We spent a solid chunk of time at the farm with my family and when I get home I had withdrawals and had to talk to my mom every day.  Not that I had anything new to tell her but we had talked SO MUCH that I couldn't go cold turkey.

Then my sister figured out how to conference call us on her fabulous phone.  Who-hoo.  Now we just need to figure out how to do it with 4 people so we can get my brother's wife on the call and it will be perfect. 

It strikes me as odd that I like these people so much.  I didn't get to pick them.  I got lucky.

So for those of you who are wondering what the family is doing.... My mom just finished up Jillian's 30 day shred.  She actually enjoyed it... or that's what she says.  She also chaperoned the Miss Rodeo Montana pageant this month.  We all met up for the finals on Sunday afternoon and then went to dinner at The Prospector.  We got a hotel (Monday was a holiday) and the kids swam.  My brother & sis-in-law & nephew came over to swim so we got our money's worth.  My sister wasn't there... she was in DC for work and this week she leaves for Hawaii to visit her brother-in-law and get some sun.  Dad has been having a heck of a time hauling wheat on the ice.  It's like an episode of Ice Road Truckers gone bad.  But the pictures are funny.  He's in Bozeman this weekend to renew his vet stuff... I'm sure he's attending some fabulous conference about parasites in cats or something.  Mom will be shopping the clearance sales while he goes to meetings and they will both be enjoying the hotel's exercise facilities.... which is hilarious because my dad hasn't bought any new "exercise clothing" in 20 years or so.... 

I sure do like these people.

Ideal Dreams

I love:
1.  Sephora hair bands
2.  ELF lipgloss
3.  Dansko shoes
4.  Smith sunglasses
5.  Thymes Olive Leaf
6.  My stubby handled 2" angled paint brush
7.  Victoria Secret hipsters
8.  My new travel coffee mug
9.  Gift cards for the coffee shack by my house

Things I'm searching for:
1.  good mascara
2.  solid base coat
3.  a cardigan as perfectly cut as my beloved but shabby black Carolyn Taylor one
4.  really great couch pillows
5.  curtains for the bedrooms
6.  new swimwear
7.  a paint color for the bedrooms
8.  perfect organization in the laundry room
9.  classic sandals for this summer

Fudge

Goal One

Here we are at the end of the first week of January and no posted goals.  Hmmm.

Ok.  Well.  Here's one for you.

I put all of the pictures for 2010 in a folder.  And all of them are broken down into folders within 2010.  Then I did a quicky change name thing so each picture has a decent label. 

Then I made a folder called Album 2010 and picked the best 200 (well 199 actually) pictures of 2010 and put a copy in there.  Then uploaded to Costco.com and ready to print... after I find the perfect 200 photo album to put them in.... or maybe I'll wait for a good deal at snapfish and just print a 2010 album direct.

Here's the thing.....

Here's the thing about my husband.

He overshops.

He insists on a list and then buys everything on it.

I got a new dishwasher.  A mother's ring (which I lost but then found... but that is another story.... seriously.... why does he buy me rings?).  A spotbot.  Jeans.  A henley shirt.  Socks.  Bread pans.  Metal bbq skewers.  Dark chocolate. 

Christmas Decor: The Bathroom

Oh the sad, sad bathroom.  So in need of love.  But paralyzed by decisions.... black or silver fixtures?  Rearrange it or just replace things?  What to put on the walls.  Oh my.  So it only has a tiny bit of decor... the snowmen... the snowmen have broken noses.... I keep meaning to fix those but it involves finding a good tree twig, whittling it, tinting it orange, drilling a tiny hole in it, and gluing it on those tiny wire prosthetic implants the snowmen currently have....

 Oh... the copper canister?  That's for the toilet paper.  The cats love toilet paper as much as paper towels.

Christmas Decor: The Kitchen

My lovely kitchen window.  Yes, it needs painting.  Yes, it needs cleaning.  Yes, it needs replacing.  But cute, right?

 Oh look.... the dead built-in microwave.  On the other side is the gaping hole (covered by a baby gate) that was the dishwasher.  The power is unhooked to it which also took out several outlets in the kitchen... in case you were wondering if we are rednecks.... just in case.

Does anyone else use their teapot as Christmas decor?  It is under the cabinet the rest of the year.  Also funny... paper towel holder... empty... because the cats shred the towels when we are away.

My dream is to re-do these cabinets.... maybe strip and stain a shade darker and add knobs of some sort.  Re-do the counter tops and re-configure the layout.  Get rid of the built-in stuff and get a free-standing oven/stove. 

 My lovely fridge.  I know.... stainless is in... but I like mine.

 Oops... there's the side of it that I cleaned the counter onto.... that's cleaned up now... I swear.

Christmas Decor: The Dining Room

My husband shared a thought with me recently.... you don't have to put out every single decoration you own every single year.

It was a revelation to me.

So this year we went for simpler.


Our dining room.... the tiny dining room. I'm so pleased with the wall paint. Yes, I do wish the ceiling was done but patience....
In case you were worried things were getting too organized.... the chaos that is the "launch pad" at our house.... yes, all of those clothes and boots have been worn in the last 24 hours....

Oops... flash failure?  Ok, yes, the shelves are a bit cluttered.  But cute, right?

 The table.  Notice the simple centerpiece that allows us to still eat together as a family.... gone are the giant bowls of ornaments and beads.... maybe next year. 

 Forgive me the boot dryer and giant bag of flour... realities when you live in a snowy place and are the daughter of a wheat farmer, right?  And, yes, that is a countertop microwave.  The built-in one died some time ago.... taking with it the ability to auto-clean the oven.  Sigh. 

All together now.... SMILE!!!

The Nerd Herd 2010

Love that camera with the spotting scope tripod..... also love my husband for insisting we do this.

Santa 2010

Commission a Study....

Please commission a study... I want to know how many accidents happen on the Monday after the time change due to people trying to adjust the digital clock in their car while they are driving.....

The process of reflection and reinvention.

The process of reflection and reinvention.

I realized reinvention does not occur without reflection.

And so we will take a moment to reflect.

Blink.

And now to proceed.

I need to talk about Costco.  It isn't that I WANT to talk about it, no, I need.

This is about our budget.  For October's reinvention I made a simple plan.

Costco.  Every two weeks.  $200 or less.  One hour or less. 

That's it.  That's the budget for money and time.  With an additional $25/week for "non Costco" grocery items... in our house that's mostly dressing mix packets, vanilla yogurt (Mountain High Low-Fat), wonton wrappers, canned soup in cartoon characters & sour cream. 

So.... 4 weeks in... let's reflect on how it is working out. 

1.  The actual budget:  Weeks 1-2 I was at $206 for Costco and $23 for the grocery store.  Weeks 3-4 saw $218 at Costco and $5 at the grocery store.  There was also an outlay at Target for post-holiday candy that I plan to absorb into future weeks.

2.  I'm amazed at how many non-grocery things I sneak into that $200 or less list..... expensive prilosec, batteries, coffee cups (travel ones... with coupon), dog treats, dish soap, antibacterial wipes.  I don't know what my initial plan really was going to include... I just had to start somewhere and see how it played out.

3.  I confess that Weeks 3-4 included a bottle of wine for $9.  Mmmm.  But Hot has a separate "wicked" fund that includes his alcohol and, ahem tabacco products.  I just sneak my booze into the grocery budget.  I'm ok with eating Kirkland brand mac-n-cheese a few nights so Mama can have a bottle of creme de menthe (sp?) for the holidays.  Also.... there were several splurge items in weeks 1-2.  Oops.

4.  I thought about taking whatever was leftover from the $450/month and using that for eating out the next month.... but what I'm finding is it is more fun to see what things I can sneak in that I am not spending elsewhere....  like Hot's daily prilosec. 

5.  I'm keeping us well stocked.... possibly over-stocked on some items.  Hot is back to packing a field-style lunch most days.  This means more sandwiches and less leftovers.  So I have LOTS of bread in the freezer.... way more than we can eat in the next two weeks.  But I figure as long as I rotate the stock that is ok.  I also keep an extra bag of chicken nuggets, butter, chocolate chips, flour and a bag of coffee in the garage freezer at all times.  Essentials. 

6.  We don't drink as much milk as I thought.  Only about a gallon a week.

7.  We will see how I maintain as baking season gears up.  And gift buying.  Can I sneak some gifts into my grocery budget?  Hmmmm. 

Next up will will discuss how I hope to convert this time savings in the grocery shopping category into physical activity.

Wink

Reinvent

I've decided to reinvent myself once a month.  That seems about right. 

Jimmy Buffett sings about spending a few days trying to recall the whole year ('round here we call that writing the Christmas form letter).  I change toothbrushes quarterly and update menus seasonally.  Clothes seem to follow a seasonal update schedule and then, of course, there is the summer-school breakdown of time. 

I come up with a plan, live with it a few weeks, tweak it until it works and then..... something changes.  So I've decided the only way to cope is to reinvent every month. 

Remember when I was so excited to be on schedule in October?  The morning schedule was really working.... and then Hot got a different job.  And now I am in charge of get up-get ready-make lunches-school and daycare drop off and things are ok but not great.... that's an example of what I'm talking about.

So.... what are you going to reinvent this month?

Cat Nap

Chili loves babies.

A rug has been selected.

Version 3.27 of the spare bedroom.  In this scene we notice an area rug has been purchased.  I went with Elle's suggestion and got the 8x10 cream rug from Home Depot.  $147.  Done.

Next up will be, possibly, photos of the room with the rug rolled out.  It looks quite good but I haven't photographed it yet.

Holy Cow it is Wednesday

It is Wednesday.  We are STILL on a good morning schedule.

Put THAT in your record books.

The Perfect Morning

Do you ever have one of those mornings?  No, not THOSE ones... the ones where things are perfect and smooth? 

Let me tell you about my Monday.

Hot's alarm rings at 5.  I think,"Is it hunting season?"  Hot doesn't get up.  My radio goes on at 6.  Hot gets up.  I nurse Bugsy.  Apparently Hot WAS planning to get up at 5 and go walk.... so that explains the alarm.  At about 6:30 I roll out of bed (late.... I need to be up by 6:15) and wander around for a while with a sleepy baby grinning on my hip.  Hot already has his lunch made and Sweet's lunch made.  Coffee is brewing.  He's showered and ready to go.  I stumble into my clothes and drink some coffee and am thankful I showered and put out clothes the night before.  Hot gets the big kids up about 6:45.  They stumble downstairs (they ARE my kids) and dress in the living room while I dress Bugsy.  Sweet eats breakfast and brushes.  Tuff brushes and I do her hair.  Shoes and jackets.  Tuff, Bugsy & Hot head out the door at 7:12.  (Must leave by 7:15 or get stuck behind buses and be late.)  They are off to daycare where the girls will eat breakfast and have a great day.  Hot will be to work plenty early and have time for a quick read of the paper and one more cup of coffee.

Sweet and I look at each other and realize we are totally and completely ready to go at 7:15.  The house is still clean and the beds are made and a load of laundry is on the timer in the washer to be finished when we get home.  So we play cards for 30 minutes.  For the record:  He beat me 3 times... once at King's Corner and twice at Speed.  We head out the door about 7:50 and I drop him at school a few minutes after 8 and I arrive at work at about 8:15. 

Amazing grace.

This is how mornings are SUPPOSED TO WORK.  I got to work all calm and ready for the day.  It was incredible.

Now talk to me about how things go on Tuesday.

The weekend was gorgeous... again.  This weather is so damn fine.

We did NOT paint the porch posts.  Hot ended up working most of the day Sunday.  Friday I left work at 3 to get Sweet and realized I was already over 40 for the week.... so we didn't go back.  Got the girls and hit Target so Sweet could FINALLY spend his birthday gift card.  Then to the library for movies and books.  Home to hang out.  Saturday Hot & I focused on the INSIDE of the house for most of the morning.  The tidying.  The tidying.  The tidying.  What a mess.  Bugsy and I spent some time pulling grass out of the edge of the rocks and playing "kick ball" on the lawn.  Lots of laundry on the line.  Made rolls.  Made calzones for dinner..... 3 cheese for the kids and cheddar and potato for Hot.... I looked at him cross-eyed when he requested cheddar and potato but they were quite lovely.  A giant bubble bath (after showers to wash the ook off) for all three kids... wish we had a bigger tub.  Then books and bed.

Our first politician stopped by.  He came to the road-side door so Hot talked to him.  He was very far right so I'm sure he thought it appropriate Hot was in the recliner watching football while I was outside (barefoot) hanging clothes on the line.

Sunday we debated painting porch posts but the weather report said rain on Sunday night so we bagged it.  Of course, no rain.  But we had plenty to do.  Hot made a fabulous breakfast with the remaining potatoes from the cheddar/potato calzones.  Fried potatoes, toast and fried eggs.  Mmmm.  The kids and I cleaned off the porch.... all toys in the garage, sweeping, washing table cloths, that kind of stuff.....  Cleared the water toys out of the trunk and readied it for pellets.  We tried on snowpants and washed them.  I got out all the hats/mittens and dumped them in the storage stool.  Maybe we will sort them next weekend.  Got out Tuff's box labeled "Fall 2010 Sizes 5-6" and sorted.  The six stuff is still big but 5's seem to be the ticket.  Now to clear space in her closets for all of it... that is such an unending process and one of my least favorite things... the clothing sorts.  Made Sweet sort out too-small jeans so he's in pretty good shape.  Trimmed everyone's nails and Tuff's bangs and ends.  Then we did pedicures on the porch.  I read an old Everyday with Rachael Ray magazine while lounging and pushing the girls on the swing.  They love that swing.  The neighbor boys came over to play.  We made some cinnamon rolls so I sent a plate home with them.... returning the plate I've had since they gave me chocolate-dipped pretzels AT CHRISTMAS TIME.  I'm a terrible neighbor.  I snuck in my final catch-up episode of Ax Men.  I made beans-n-rice for dinner and nailed it.... I tempered it with lots of rice in the pot so it wasn't very spicy for ulcer-man.  Sweet was in heaven... it is his favorite dinner.  Bugsy ate TWO bowls.  Even Tuff choked hers down.... something about cooked kidney beans ooks her out. 

The house is about as clean as it can get right now.  I mean, the windows are still filthy but everything looks ok anyway.  Hot accused me of being.... something.  He said I'm not happy unless I'm busy and I don't know how to relax.  Not true.  I know if I don't get things done our lives won't function smoothly and we won't be happy.  It is one of our biggest ongoing arguments.