Halloween/Birthday Party

My little guy turned 4 over the weekend and he's not so little anymore. Boo hoo! I've been busy throwing a birthday/ halloween party for him.  He wanted a Captain America Party.  And then he wanted a shark party.  And then he wanted a spiderman party.  The kid can't make up his mind- so I did for him.  Captain America/ Halloween.  Goes perfectly together right?  First I had to get the house spookified:






Paper bats: easiest decoration ever.  We've had these for the last 2 years and have to add to them periodically.



Here's the party invite I ordered here:  She changed it with my info of course.

I bought some potion looking bottles at Hobby Lobby and filled them with halloween chocolate sixlets.  I opened about 100 tiny little bags to fill the jars.  And only ate about half.  go me!  I attached a tag that said "Witches Poo.  Eat if you dare"  Mmm.  Mmm.  Good!

The jar behind it is a slightly moldy cauliflower I was throwing out.  My husband carved it to make it look more brain like and added apple cider vinegar.  We lovingly named it A.B. Normal.  From the Young Frankenstein movie.

Here's a picture of our spread.  I decided yummy food was better than creepy looking nasty food.  I just named each thing a creepy name.  Like Road Kill Stew for Chili.  And Guacamoldy for the dip.  You get the idea.

Here's the happy birthday boy.  With his awesome red velvet cake made by my friend Megan.  He was thrilled and so were we!  She also made awesome halloween cupcakes as well that I sadly realized I didn't get a chance to take pictures of before they were devoured.  And they were devoured!  Chocolate chunk cupcakes do no sit around for long!  You get a glimpse of them in the picture above.  

My feet were so sore and I threw my back out, but it was all worth it.  The kids, the adults and I all had fun!

Turquoise dresser

If you haven't noticed Sisters with flair has been missing some sisters.  Little lonely over here, but Mandy-cakes came thru with a fab dresser makeover.  Minus the before pictures.... Sorry.  But the after shots will win over your paint-envy hearts!

 Here's the dresser/beauty she scored for $15.  Can you say jealous?  Trust me when I say, I lay awake at night wondering how I could drive 3000 miles and sneak it out of her house.  If I had to go to jail it would totally be worth it!  That pop of color?  The mod retro lines?  Adorbs!  It really brightens up the room!

And then of course she needed some fun pillows.  So this fabric was a perfect choice to tie in the credenza.  Not super matchy matchy.  Just complimentary.  Which equals perfection!

Here's the up close and fabulous shot.  She used Zinsser bonding primer and then regular latex paint.  And she swears by the Zinsser primer.  (Wish I had known about this before we painted and then sanded and repainted a dresser).  No sanding necessary with that stuff!  I'm in love with fun, bright colored furniture.  It just makes me happy!

Can I get paid for being a nosey know it not?

You may not know this about me, but along with my love of someday winning Publisher's, (I'm on a first name basis with them) and my love of Judge Judy, I also would love to be a Dear Abby writer.  (Of course it would have to be called Dear Annie)  Giving out advice that's ACTUALLY solicited?  And get paid?  Wow!  I've been doing it wrong all these years!  So I'm going to pretend that these letters addressed to the actual Dear Abby are really for me, and give it my spin. Maybe after I accomplish this goal, Publishers Clearing House will be waiting with a big fat check-y?

DEAR ABBY: (she obviously meant) Dear Annie:  I am a 31-year-old wife and mother. My husband, "Jake," works 40-plus hours a week, while I am a stay-at-home mom. My daughter, who is almost 3, keeps me on my toes.

In the evenings and on weekends, Jake does yard work or works in the garden. I hate it because I'm with our daughter all day, every day, and he expects me to watch her while he's outside working.

I dislike yard and garden work and don't like being outside unless I am completely comfortable. I also have health/physical issues that keep me from being as active as I would like. Every weekend I feel my resentment and anger growing over this issue.

Jake says it is necessary for us to have a garden, and I agree. But why must I have all the responsibility of caring for our daughter even on weekends? I'd like it if Jake would stay in with us and give up on some of the outside activities. This is something we argue about at least once a week. What do you suggest? -- SECOND TO A SHRUB IN OREGON

Dear Second to a Shrub,

You have written the right woman!  While some might think that this was a petty argument, I do not.  As I may or may not have had these arguments as well.  Except, I don't work in the yard or hang out in it due to ENORMOUS Texas spiders and fire ants.  And don't get me started on the 900 degree weather or my husband's 80 to 100 hours of work a week.....  (This letter was really about me right?)  Anyway, you're exhausted.  I get it.  Your vital role as a mother is a bit mundane.  You need to switch things up a bit.  Maybe come to an agreement on the hours he works on the yard.  During nap time maybe?  Earlier in the morning before the baby wakes up?  The fact is, he probably enjoys gardening and you do not.  You need a break.  Take one.  Ask for some time off.   And not just on the weekends.  After all, full time employees get an hour for lunch and a half hour in breaks a day.  Are you giving yourself that?  If you get a chance to go do something for yourself maybe you won't feel resentful.  

DEAR ABBY: Dear Annie:  I'm really bad when it comes to speaking. It's hard for me to squeak out the few words I can. I am shy and not very sociable, so when I'm with people, even my two friends, I feel like I come across as rude. I never have the right things to say. When I'm with my family, I don't usually have this problem.

In public, it seems like everyone else is so much more interesting than I am. Making conversation is a lot of trouble. I know this sounds silly, but do you know if there is anything that can be done about it? I heard you had a booklet about being more social. Is it still published? If so, how can I get one? -- VICTORIA IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Dear Soft Spoken Victoria,
Hmm, I gotta say I don't relate to this problem.  I kind of have the opposite problem.  I don't have a book published on this, but I'm so gonna get on it!  You are way over thinking this.  I'm telling ya, it's better to be oblivious.  Assume everyone loves you.  Assume that they're dying to hear what you have to say.  They are hanging on every word.  They showed up to the party just hoping that you'd be there.  The truth is, once you realize that not everyone is going to love ya, (because lets be honest, do you love everyone?) does it really matter?  No one is perfect.  If your current social group doesn't find you to be as hilarious as your family does, then find new friends.  Life is too short to waste it on trying to impress others.  And as far as feeling rude for not speaking, smile more!  No one will find you rude if you're smiling and listening!  In fact, that's my best crowd.

DEAR ABBY: Again, you meant Dear Annie:  I have this little boy I tutor. He is 7 and says he loves me. I'm 18. I try to tell him I'm way too old and he isn't my type, but all he says is, "Age ain't nothing but a number." Help! I need to know what to do. -- ALEX IN NEW JERSEY

Dear Alex in Jersey:  This kid sounds like he stepped right off of a "Jersey Shore" episode!  I'm imagining him wearing a velour sweat suit, lots of gold chains and overly tanned.  (I should probably meet some more New Jersey natives because I imagine them all to be a mix between a rapper in a music video, big hair with way too much product in it that they shouldn't get too close to open flames, overly accessorized and sleeping every night in a tanning bed.)  Anyway, chalk this up to a compliment and don't get so weirded out.  That's the sheer awesomeness of kids.  You're an immediate rock star in their eyes if you show any interest in their well being!  Since he's big on numbers- simply tell him when his I.D has a 1 and an 8 in the age section you'd be happy to discuss extra curriculum activities.....

You're welcome people.  You got all this advice from an obvious pro for free.  It's your lucky day.  Any other questions you got for Dear Annie and want them to be blogged- please send them to Andrea@annielane.net.  I expect my email box to be full by noon!  (insert sarcasm)

Here Comes Honey Boo Boo: Review

I would like to say "You are very welcome."  I know my weekly breakdown of TLC's new train wreck of a show is personally changing your life.  I do the unthinkable, watching this horrific family, and save you from killing your own brain cells.  You are welcome my blog friends.  I am saving you from upchucking your last meal or showering for the second time today.  Both things I have done after every episode of Honey Boo Boo.  My review is basically saving the world, this I know......

So here's this week's breakdown titled Sketti:

Opening scene:  (Make sure children are out of the room or they'll get an anatomy lesson you won't ever forget! P.S. Children should never watch this show)  With their pregnant sister's contractions and mama bears description of what's going on, the anatomy lesson ends with pregnant sister peeing on the couch and refusing to change clothes.  Apparently, she can magically pee on a couch and not get it on herself.  (At this time I get up and wash my hands because really, someone needs to!)

The convenience store workers find the family to be their sole source of entertainment with their daily trips. They're pretty sure the store would close without their business. They claim that Punkin rocks the "Bam Bam" look.  And in case you didn't know what that look was- it's the no shoes in public and un-combed hair.  And of course a filthy shirt.  I have yet to see her in a clean shirt.  Lets just say she likes to save some food for later and keeps it handy....

"Guess Who's Breath?" Game.  Doesn't your family wear blind folds and take turns smelling each others breath?  Really?  You don't?  That's so odd.  Because I've always wanted to determine who's breath smells like dead fish or who smells like they've never met a tooth brush?  I'm pretty sure that family doesn't believe in regular brushing.  And floss?  Never! (Punkin- who is becoming my favorite because she's just so dang honest, admits she only brushes her teeth for special occasions.  I wonder what a special occasion would be for this family?  Belly flops in the mud pit?  Dumpster Diving maybe?)  Doesn't this breathalyzer game sound like a family reunion tradition in the making or what?

Lemonade Stand Honey Boo Boo style:  2 quarts lemon juice.  5lbs sugar.  No kidding.  I'm pretty sure you chew the lemonade with all that sugar.  It's their own family's diabetic coma recipe.  Oh, and make sure you DON'T wash your hands.  Oh, and because you're serving this to the public, you've got to lick the pitcher and the mixing spoon and stick it back in.  Mmmm, mmm, good.  (As an open germaphobe, I have to shower just watching this show.  There are at least 25 cleanliness violations in this 30 min show)

Favorite quote:  "It's been awhile since I've had road kill in my belly."  -A sad bellied Honey Boo Boo

And I'm sure people will be pinning this Secret Sketti Recipe:

Ingredients:  -A whole carton of "I can't believe it's not butter"
                    -A little bit of ketchup
                    -Melt it in the microwave
                    -Cooked spaghetti "sketti" noodles

"Table manners aren't important cuz we don't even eat at the table"-Honey Boo Boo Child

She pretty much just summed up the whole show.....

And again, you're welcome.  I'm off to shower.

Honey Boo Boo Review

It's pretty funny that of all my blog posts, my Honey Boo Boo reviews double the amount of hits that a regular post gets.  Not that I'm counting....  Apparantly we can't help ourselves from watching and hearing about this hot mess of a train wreck.  Here's the highlights from this week's episode.

-"Sshhh.  It's a Wig."  That's the name of the wig store.  Now most people look at that name and think, couldn't you have come up with something catchier?  But have Honey Boo Boo say it 15 times in the first 5 minutes of the show and suddenly it's sounds clever.  Aw man, I think I'm getting dumber just watching this show!

-Sugar bear (that's the dad) thinks mama looks "smexy" in a wig.  And then proceeds to say something that immediately makes me run for a waste basket to puke in.  Mama in a wig.  Sugar bear in a wig.  The word smexy.  The combination makes my stomach turn....  And then sugar bear comes home with a full blown mullet wig.  There's no keeping down my dinner tonight.

-New nickname for Sugar Bear.  "Shugie."

-New favorite mama bear quote;  "Bein' voluptuous, heat and me don't mix with my body.  It don't mix with my digestive system very well. 'Cause that's why I don't eat."  (insert her hiccuping & add a burp)

-Sugar Bear/Shugie sets up an above ground pool while the girls all complain.  That sounds about right- I may or may not have some similarities in my own family.  Oh No!  We're similar?  The thought makes me shiver....

-Honey Boo Boo goes to a restaurant with the family and orders meat with a side of meat and then another side of meat.  She can't understand why her whole meal can't just be fried meat......

-Shugie corrects Honey Boo Boo and says "we're not fat.  We're pleasingly plump."  I think that's supposed to be Pleasantly Plump Sugar Bear.  Let's just say that table manners escaped them the rest of the night.

-My favorite part of the show is watching store & restaraunt workers stare at this family.  I realize, "oh good, they think they're crazy too.  Phew.  The world is still ok."

-I love Mama's interview on a sofa in the front yard.  Now you're just trying to be predictable Mama!

-The local department store is a dumpster.  Um, you read that right.  Dumpster.  Mama Bear adds,  "And you can always find a good deal.  Like one time we got a surround sound system and the only thing missing was the speaker."  Say what?

-"They should have a Dumpster Diva Pageant because I would win." -Honey Boo Boo (Can't wait for that new series!)

-Red neck air conditioning=  Wet towel on head.

This show never ceases to amaze, disgust, enlighten & offend me.  Well done TLC, well done.

 

baby got NO back....

I have wanted new bar stools for. ev. er!  We have had our current bar stools for 14 years now.  One of our first purchases when we got married.  The problem with these chairs is that they're light weight and when kids sit on them, they tend to fall.   The back of the stools actually make the chair off balance and I'm always afraid the kids are going to snap one of their legs in half when it falls.  I'm still shocked we've never had an e.r. trip with how many falls these chairs have taken.  And I've probably used over 7 bottles of super glue in the past few years just trying to keep these chairs together. (not to mention, duct tape and band aids)  I've been googling over some bar stools from World Market.  And this weekend they went on sale.  $10 off.  Not a steal by any means, but they're very well built and if they last another 14 years I'm pretty sure I'll get my money's worth.




Good bye old bar stools.  You've been in every apartment and home we've ever lived in.  (Am I seriously getting sentimental about bar stools right now?)


Hello my little industrial.  Heavy duty.  Adjustable.  Spin-able beauties.....






Don't ya just wanna buy them a drink?  (non- alcoholic of course)



We've already had our first fall on them.  But the chair stayed put.  Never left the ground.  Cause baby got (no) back.   That song is gonna be in your head now, huh?  You're welcome....

And on another note.  My baby just went to his first day of preschool.  I've never sent a child to formal preschool and certainly never for 5 hours!  But this kid wants it.  At least I think so.  Here is his expression when dropping him off.....
 
I won't show you my expression.  But just imagine a total stranger holding me as we both cried together.  Seriously.  Don't even know her name or if she even had a preschooler.  She just saw my expression and she started to cry which made me cry more which made her cry more and well, you get it.  Pathetic.

What I wish I had known then....

I became a mother a little over 10 years ago.  And I often look at new mother's who are agonizing over their babies grumpy sounds or loaded up with an overflowing humongous diaper bag that has enough treats and outfit changes for a month.  And I think how much easier my life is now with 3 children than it was with 1.  Now that may sound crazy to some of you because back then I had a husband who was home WAY more, I had a child who napped for 3-4 hours a day and slept a solid 12-13 hours without fail.  But life was way, way, WAY harder.  Why?  Because of my outlook.  I was completely overwhelmed.  But not now.  Now I have learned that denial (and chocolate) are a mom's best tools.  And I'm only being slightly sarcastic....    So here is my list of things I would change if I could do it all over again.

1)  Do not panic.  Do not freak out.  Do not get upset by 99% of the things that upset you.  The only things that should stress you out in life is your family's health and delivering the necessities to your children.  Love, food, clothing, shelter & more love.  That's it.  Nothing else is worth the heart burn or ulcers you're giving yourself.

2)  When your toddler is throwing a tantrum, instead of getting mad and throwing an adult tantrum, (as if I would ever do this?) tickle them.  Make them laugh.  Crack some jokes and the tantrum will cease much sooner.

3)  Put on music if your'e in a sour mood.  Put on music when working around the house, doing dishes or when you're running low on energy.  It can instantly boost the mood of everyone in the house.

4)  A dry cleaner is a girls best friend.  It's overwhelming to be awesome at everything, including ironing.  Sometimes it's nice to make the dry cleaner feel special too :)  Spend money on things that will make your life simpler not on more clutter & accessories.  I found for as it little as $13 a month I can save hours of time and my husband looks far better on Sundays. Win win!

5)  Date night.  Every single week.  Enough said....

6)  Make the beds in every room.  And always open the blinds and let in the sunshine.  Instant happy boost.

7)  Get dressed, do hair & make up every single day.  It's hard to feel happy when you look like you "fit in" at Walmart.....

8)  Pick your battles.  Is it really worth fighting over outfit choices?  Hair choices?  Food choices?  Be a better negotiator.  You can pick out todays outfit and I will pick out what you wear to church.  You can pick out your lunch if I pick out dinner.  You both feel like winners & you still have some control.

9)  Don't be so critical.  That goes for criticizing yourself as well as others.  It's not worth it and it doesn't make you more humble just because you're self deprecating.  That sounds harsh- but it's true people.

10)  Don't wish away the days.  Don't spend your life "waiting".  Waiting for when you buy a house, or a bigger house, or a new job or another baby or a dream guy.... whatever it is, enjoy today.  You might not have tomorrow.  I have definitely spent too many hours wishing for things to be different and it's funny because I didn't even realize what I really had in front of me.  I guess that's why there's so many quotes on "Seizing the day" and "enjoying the moment", it's in our nature to want more.  Goals are great, pity parties not so much....

There ya go.  If 23 old me could read this as a new young mom I would've have saved a lot of heart ache.  But that's why we keep having kids isn't it?  You mess up the first two and then by the 3rd you've got it down pat!  :)

Project Document Life: Fresh out of bed

I just had the best morning ever!  And it was all because I pulled out the camera.  Who knew that's all it takes?  My oldest daughter is NOT a morning person.  However, this morning's photo shoot changed all that.  The light was all artificial.  The 3 kids were extremely wiggly, which always leads to blurry photos with bad light, but they were happy!  And who wouldn't be when their mom says just this once they can jump on the bed?  Here's what I got.  Not fantastic, but I love them just the same.  Because it will always remind me of the #onesinglemomentintheirlife that they woke up happy to go to school!  It's Friday anyway.  And on Friday's we sing a special, crazy song that I made up and can only sing to children & would die if any adult ever heard me.  The hubster and I made up this song years ago when we were first married and lived for weekends.  It's just gotten better/crazier.....



I love these guys.  And dang, I wish I had this kind of energy!




Next week's challenge: In the kitchen.  And there should be lots of opportunities this weekend.  Because it's a 3 day weekend and I'm so happy right now.  I don't have a single thing on my agenda except fun.  Play dates, date night, bbq, shopping, movies.  Maybe I'll go jump on a bed too right now- it's gonna be a good weekend!

If you want to see where I got this awesome idea and a list of photo ideas go here!

1.5 hours with the bug guy

I've always said that the Pest Control Man is my best friend.  He is on my Christmas Card list even.  I live in Texas.  Next to big big hair and high heels with sweats, you need your bug guy to save you from GIANT spiders and fire-ant hills the size of an inner tube.  Kid you not!  Well I've never had a complaint about using this company until tonight.  I got a newbie.  And while I won't bore you with the actual 90 minutes of agonizing conversation, I'll sum it up briefly and you can take pity on me....

1)  Complete medical history for the last 5 years and a description of allergies and reactions.  (I immediately regretted offering the coke, I thought I was being polite.  Won't make that mistake again!)

2)  His experience with getting sucked into a  Time Share and he now has to hire a lawyer and pay an additional $3K to get out of it.  If you want the lawyers phone number, he gave it to me.  (ummm, thanks?)

3)  He was bugged because the cute little bunny in my yard escaped him and he really wanted it for dinner tonight.  I laughed of course, uncomfortably.  Um, yeah.  No joke.  He began to describe how to gut a rabbit.  (I became a vegetarian tonight)

4)  He kept telling me how the dinner I was making "sure smelled good" and he would "love some".  (Super awkward)

5)  He kept asking about photos, where we took them, who took them.  (Do I have a stalker now?)

6)  He told me 7 different times to remember his name and make sure to only request him from now on.  (Oh, I'll remember your name, but not for that reason)

7)  He added up the amount of computers in our house and then told me how he was really hoping to find someone to give him one for free.  The conversation lasted 10 minutes.  (Really dude?  I'm not giving you a computer)  I tell him we use them all, for work.  His response? "Yeah, that's what they all say."  (Oh, apparently you use this tactic on everyone.  Good to know I'm not special.)

8)  He asked who the radiologist was in the family?  (What?  How?  Why?  I don't understand.  I just want him to go away now)

9) He charges me an additional $55 for I don't know what.  I've never had this happen in 6 years with this company.  I'm too exhausted to ask what this is for & quite honestly I'd pay $100 more just to get him to leave.

10)  Still not leaving.  He begins to tell me about daily diet regimen.  (Imagine taking diet advice from Sugar Bear on TLC's Honey Boo Boo)

11)  He's in my entry way but still talking about my dinner and how good it smells and now looking again at my computer equipment in my office.  He begins to tell me how sad it is that he can't download anymore iTunes music on his computer because his computer won't work.  He currently has 800 songs on it.  (Am I supposed to feel sorry for him?  Because I just feel sorry for me right now.)

12)  His sob story works because I hand him $7 as a tip and literally shut the door on his face and wave and smile as I lock the door.  (I'm pretty sure he'll be back to rob me later.....maybe his name will come in handy for the police report.)

13)  I then look for some air spray cause it smells like a locker room after he leaves and my dinner is now burned.

14)  Maybe yesterday's post jinxed me.....  Not feeling so lucky anymore.

15)  I may have to make nice with some insects from now on.  Bug man, you're off my Christmas card list!

Winner winner chicken dinner!

I'm practically a four leaf clover today.  I won something!  I've been known to enter a few giveaways.  Aka: Publishers Clearing House, call me, I'm still waiting. But the only thing I've ever won was a Nickelodeon First Place runner up prize when I was 10 yrs old.  A year supply of Dinosaur Chef-Boy-R-Dee. I had one bite and vomited.  Even at 10yrs old I was a food connesuer and that wasn't palatable!  Out of 7 children in my family, not one of us would eat the stuff!  I'm pretty sure they've changed their recipe since then, but I still shudder at the thought of it.

Anyway, moving on to my lucky day.  I won the most cutest, most adorablest, most perfect birthday banner and I'm giddy!  I want it up all year round its so stinking cute!  And the fabric is double sided so it could even be hanging on a wall without the words showing all year round.  I think it would look great in my sons room or our play room.  It's fun and bright and just makes me down right happy!  One of my favorite blogs, 71 Toes, had the give away and it's like she knew how important I feel traditions are.  It couldn't have been more perfect for me.  I think the best memories are the simple ones like a banner hung on your big day.  After all, you rarely remember the actual gifts you opened but you do remember the tradition of the way you celebrated it!

I wish I could give every one who is reading this (aka: hi mom & dad) one of these beauties.  It's absolutely the perfect gift.  But sorry, I can't.  But you can go to Sparkle Power's etsy site and find it her here.

Here's it on my fireplace
                    
Or in my entry....


My photo's don't do it justice, but wherever you put it, it will look adorable!

Here's a better shot of it from her store.

She has lot's of great treasures this tooth fairy pillow?  I suddenly feel trashy with the ziploc baggie under my children's pillow all these years.  I must correct that situation with one of these cuties....

Scallop banner?  Yes please!

Thank you Sparkle Power and 71 Toes!  You both made my week!  And our family will love this new tradition!

I needed to laugh today....

It's been one of those days.  It feels like I've been going non-stop for 20 hours and I ran out of chocolate kind of day.  Then I came across a text my husband saved on his phone.  He received this rather eloquent text awhile ago and it's the best cure for a rotten day.   Insert my husband's best Snoop Doggy Dog imitation and this just makes me laugh til I cry.  This is the perfect example of why we need to double check who we text.  And where was spell check during this typing fiasco?  Oh, and also stay away from Chico.  He doesn't take hints.... (my husband's comments are in green)

And in case you're worried your  IQ dropped 10 points reading this, you can say you learned something new.  "Na-mi" means "Know what I mean".  Or maybe you already nude dat!

Project Happy, Week 3- Service

I started my own happiness project 2 weeks ago.  You can see the start here.  Week one goal was more energy.  Unsuccessful, but I'm still working on it.  Let me give you a recap of my 2nd week goal which was organizing.  I'm still un-organized.  Yep, that pretty much sums it up.  Just kidding.  Not on the un-organized part though, that's true.  But there's a lot more to this being happy than I thought.  Maybe that's why this book became an actual book and not a paragraph.  I like quick fixes.  And while I'm not unhappy, I'd like a quick fix to extreme happiness.  (That's where chocolate & orchids come in I guess) So my goal of organizing the office wasn't completely successful.  But it's got 4 less boxes in it, all unpacked and put away.  (I still have the boxes un-flattened sitting in the hallway.  But they're outside the office, so technically it's an improvement right?)  I did however get pictures hung in K's room, my bedroom and M's room.  And the tools and paint cans that have been strewn about my house are all put away.  So I was able to cross off some things on my To-Do list and that always makes me happier!  I guess happiness is really how you choose to look at things.  I prefer a little sarcasm, laughter & basically denial.  That's my secret.  There, someone pay me a million dollars for my fool proof happiness secret!

Ok- moving on to week 3.  Service.  Serving others always makes me happier.  I actually find it easier to serve friends more than my own family so I'm going to work on serving my family this week.  Here's some ideas I hope to incorporate this week:

1) Creative dates.  Not just the usual dinner and a movie.  Go here for great ideas!

2) Love notes:  Here's a darling lunch box love note idea found here.  

3) Better family dinners.  I dare you to tell me that this chicken pot pie doesn't say love!

                                       you can find my recipe here

4) And maybe getting the hubster's car detailed.  Does a clean car make you happy?  It makes me happy!

Those are my goals for this week.  And I will continue to work on more energy & organizing.  As far as my happiness scale this week, I'm at an 8.  But I think my surge in happiness has mostly come from my children's first day of school!  Hallelujah this summer of messes and chaos and laziness is over!  I should've made this weeks goal organizing, now that I have an actual shot at it!

Now go be happy!

Document life: Week 2, favorite book

Wow, 2 weeks in a row?   I actually followed thru 2 weeks in a row?  This week wasn't an amazing shot, but I did it.  It wasn't set up with cute pj's, a clean room & styled hair.  It was a typical night of the girls (unsuccessfully) getting K to sleep.  He never falls asleep.  He's allergic I think.  But I will always love this photo because it is forever ingrained in my mind as the book that all my children have loved.  It was my husband's book as a child.  Notice the loved binding on Green Eggs and Ham :)

So go on.  Document your own life and follow this girl for inspiration!  Next week's challenge is "just out of bed".  Good thing I will be the one taking the photo and not in this one.  I got some crazy morning bed head!

And on another note.  This may not be a new idea to you, but I think it's brilliant.  My friend is in the process of making a really fun video from this inspiration.  I think it's a great idea and can't wait to make my own!

K's Room

Well I gone and dun it!  I'm checking off some things on my to-do list and K's room is done! (for now)

This was BEFORE we moved in:

And here is now:


The green striped comforter cover is fabric from Ikea.  The orange pillow came from Ikea as well.  The grey patterned sheets and blue blanket are from Target.


This tool chest I found at an antique store for $40.  My friend just got the exact same one last weekend at a garage sale.  For $5.  Boo.  The sock monkey quilt was a gift from my sister when he was born.  I loved the vibrant colors and have always wanted to incorporate them into his room.


We bought this dresser when I was pregnant with my first.  We were sure it would be a boy.  8 yrs later we were right!


The K's I spent a year (plus!) collecting or making.  And the bed was free from a neighbor.  Score!


 Everything is pretty much the same since his room in our last house, except for these road signs.  They used to be above my fireplace.  They look much better in a little boys room I think.  I can't even imagine them above a fireplace now!

One room down.  5 to go!

Dining room Progress

Here's a look at my entry and dining BEFORE we moved in:

Nice.  Little too Tuscan and dark for me.

Here's the light fixture that was in the dining room.  Pretty.  And formal.  Not me.

                             

Here is the new light fixture:



My newly striped walls:



The photos of my parents when they were little, both on horses.  I love these photos.....


The light fixture was another overstock purchase and I loved the price!  You can find it here.  Total pain to install in my opinion.  Definitely need two people.  You have to shove the 3 wires through 40'' of metal rod.  Surely the worst part.  TIP:  Measure how long it will hang before you order this.  It was going to be about 7.5 feet high with my 12foot ceilings.  Lame for a dining room.  We fortunately had matching left over rods from our entry way light and were able to extend it  or we would've been in trouble.

Left to do in this room:
-Look into drapes. (Can you do drapes with shutters?)
-Recover chair seats in fun fabric. (What color should I do.  I need some POP!)
-Buy fun upholstered chairs for the end and head of table.
-Need a buffet.  (Fun color maybe?)
-Rug or no rug?
-A huge horse photo on opposite wall maybe?
-Centerpiece. (I stink at centerpieces)

I'm looking into some horse photographs for the opposite wall from my parents photos.  Here's some ideas.  Which one do you like?


Option 1)

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Option 2)

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Or Option 3)

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I don't know why, but horse art is on my mind.  I guess I'm living out the whole "I want a pony and I want it right now!" phase.  Whatever I do, I need to go big.  Huge art/photos are another obsession of mine.....  Which one do you like?  Or am I crazy?  You can tell me if I'm crazy.  I promise I won't be mad.  I probably won't change though, cause that's the thing about crazy people.  They can't change crazy!

Entry way progress

Let there be light!  We finally got around to installing the new light fixtures from overstock and I couldn't be happier!

This was the light fixture before:




And the entryway before the black paint....



And here is the updated look:



I am in love with my new light.  I found it here




I think the light looks perfect with the rug I found at TJ Maxx



And you already know how much I love my deer head from Z Gallerie and the frame is from Ikea, spray painted white.  The wall color is Black Suede from Behr in flat.  It makes me happy.  I missed my black office walls in my old house.  Now I have a little piece of them.  I have some more accessories to figure out and am thinking of a new table with a pop of color.  Hmm, what color though?  Stay tuned- tomorrow is stripes day and I'll be revealing my dining room light and walls!

Happiness ProjectvWeek 2: Organizing

So a follow up from last weeks challenge. Epic FAIL!   I chose MORE ENERGY as my first challenge.  Sleeping more, eating better, working out, drinking water, etc.  After 1 week of this goal I'm actually up 1 pound!  And no, it's not muscle or I wouldn't be wearing sweats today.  Working out is actually really miserable.  How do people enjoy it?  I don't get it?  It doesn't make me feel happy other than a huge relief when its finally over.  Last week, on a scale of 1 to 10,  I was around a 7.5 on the happy scale.  After last weeks challenge, I have to LOWER my happy scale to a 6.8.  Basically, week one stunk!  I need a new happy challenge.  Maybe a happiness project for the impatient & lazy?  Yeah, that sounds more up my alley.  I'm going to continue working out & eating right this week BUT, at all costs, avoid stepping on the scale.

Let's move on, (shake it off girlfriend) and focus on something else.  Ahem, ORGANIZING.  An organized home is a dream of mine.  I'd love to have closets that were well designed.  I love labels and baskets & clean counters.  After this last week of failed attempts at upping my happy dance, I think I can find happiness success at finishing up some pesky projects that are cluttering up my closets and counters.

Here are some of my goals for this week:
1.  Hang new entry way light
2.  Hang dining room light
3.  Hang pictures & art in master bedroom
4.  Attach letter K's to K's room
5.  Hang road signs in K's room
6.  Hang art in M's room
7.  Unpack boxes in the office

Obviously, my To Do list is basically finishing moving into my house.  I think it will make my brain more zen-like to not see stacks of photos and art leaning agains every wall in every room of the house.

Happiness Project Score Week One:  FAIL
The nice thing about week one being a complete disaster is there's no where to go but UP!  Like my Pollyanna attitude?  I prefer describing it as Pollyanna attitude rather than calling it what it is, DENIAL.....But anyway, back to happy stuff.  Here's some organizing genius that are inspiring me this week:

 via

                                                                                    via

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via Pottery Barn

Good luck finding your happy's people.  Hopefully you'll have better luck than me.....