A New Reality

Is there anybody out there that finds the HGTV channel as wonderful as I? I love love love it. I'm not sure what the addiction fascination is about looking inside other folk's homes and watching how other people live. I'm sure it has something to do with the lack of Carrie design skills.... I just know I've got the bug.

Imagine my excitement when the concept of room and furniture renovations spilled over into the world of blogosphering. Actually spilled over doesn't really do it justice. More like taken by fire. There are sooooo many cute DIY (Do it yourself) blogs out there with umpteen fabulous project re-do's that quite frankly you could spend hours and hours a lot of time getting lost and inspired and then not understand why there wasn't any time left in your day to clean the house.

I was filled with all kinds of butterflies when I discovered a new twist on reality TV. It's called a Reality Blogivision and it involves all of the elements that I love. Competition. Projects. And inspiring results galore! It's called, So You Think You Can Decorate and the inaugural Season 1 begins, Sunday Feb. 28th. In my obsessed humble opinion, it's worth checking out.

Brilliant Stephanie... truly brilliant!

Calebism

Overheard by Mom.

Caleb: "Porter, do you want a graham cracker?"

Porter: "Yes!"

30 second delay...

Porter: "Heyyyyyyy, I want two."

Caleb: "Porter, you get one. I have two because my mouth is bigger."

Brudderly love.

Note To Self

When am I going to realize that the time to look for festive holiday ideas is really the month before the holiday...

I was searching for some FHE ideas and came across a fantastic Valentine tradition. I think I'll hang onto this lotsa-love fest idea and introduce it to our family in 2011. Why? Because I think my youngest will get more out of it and (the real reason) because we've already missed a week of the fun!

In a nutshell: Everyone in the family creates a Losta-Love envelope for them self. They are hung on the fridge and within reach of all the children. A stash of pre-made note templates and crayons or markers are kept close by and for two weeks the family spreads love by writing or drawing secret love messages for one another.... and who doesn't love getting mail?

I'd be willing to bet that the overall level of raised voices and fighting may very well decrease in a household over that two week period. I may even just chart that progress next year. And heck, if that's the case I just might institute Holmes Losta-Love Fest all year 'round... :)

I thought I'd pass along my find. If you're interested in doing something similar, you can find the templates here.

Happy Love Month!

Endurance

This month marks the beginning of my marathon training. 16 weeks and counting... 16 weeks doesn't feel like nearly enough time to train and running 26.2 miles sounds uh a... slightly excessive (sarcasm).

I hope this preparatory period will go as fast as a turtle speed-o-meter.

No pain, no gain-

Easy As Black and White

I love all things black. And black and white. Why? I'm not sure. But, I'm truly drawn to them. It's the first thing that I reach for on a clothing rack, the first pair of shoes I peruse through at the store, it's the first car I notice on the road and it's the first home accessory that catches my eye. I'm a creature of habit and I absolutely have tunnel vision for it.

Unless you've been in my house, it might surprise you to know that although I have a fetish for black I don't have any black decor in my home.... This is really unfortunate and frankly quite a bummer. :)

When Damon and I first married we chose to go with the cherry (matchy matchy) look. I've been tempted over the years to purchase a distressed black furniture piece but chickened out due to fear... fear because it would stick out like a sore thumb against the rest of our furniture. And as a realist I also know that it would take awhile before our home would be furnished to fit a new "style".

I have several friends that have LOADS of talent in interior design, they can find a piece of furniture, see a vision for it, refurbish it and put it together with the rest of their house. I love their eclectic style. Along with a good singing voice, this would have been a talent that I would have LOVED to have stood in line for.

Just looking at these things makes me smile...-

Gorgeous Pillow:


I love this vinyl clock pattern:



Cheeky Ottoman:



Collage of Black and White Photos:



Cozy Black Chandelier:



Large Wall Clock:



Magnetic Weekly Planner:



Fabulous Black & White Apron:



Step Stool:



Circular Rug:


Serving Platter:



Table Linens:



I really like this chair:



Newsprint Baskets:



Yummy Barstools:



File Folders:



Black & White Frames:

My wheels are turning...

-Chillax'n

Damon and I took the boys to Mt. Rainier. We went sledding, built snow forts and threw snow balls. And had an absolutely fabulous time!

Snowflakes are one of life's most fragile things, but look what they can do when they stick together...

A Toss in the Bucket

Have you ever wondered why some people have all the luck? You know...

The people that win a raffle prize with only one ticket dropped into the box. These are the same people that stay on number 22 during a cake walk and they call number 22.

...Who are the same people that happen to be caller number 9 during a radio station concert ticket contest give-a-way.

...Who are the same people that can catch an autographed pro fly ball after it's bounced off of a chair then off of the back of someone else's glove and then off of another's someone glove.

You know who I'm talking about. "Them."

Is this just a perception phenomenon or are the words "golden" and "favored" somehow intergalactic-ly tied to their zodiac sign? I don't have an answer people. If you are a "them" by all means please share your secrets... we, the "others" would love to know. (However, don't be surprised if "They" don't even know. Their usually lucky and it's effortless.)

It's disgusting.

I started my post talking about luck because my husband is one of those people... only he's a half-breed "them". A half-breed is one of those people that are lucky only half of the time... A fifty-fiftier. I am neither a full breed or a half breed (although perhaps being married to half-breed might qualify me as an eighth "them")... but that's for another discussion.

Whether people share it or not, almost everyone has a bucket list. You know a list of things that they want to accomplish or experience before they die. Mine is half organized and kept mentally in my brain. I love lists. Grocery lists, Daily To Do lists.. they are gotta haves for me. But what I love more than the lists themselves is the ability to cross things off... it makes me feel so productive even on the smallest of days, wouldn't you agree?

Clean out junk drawer
Change baby's diaper
Laundry
Mow Lawn
Clean bathrooms
Vacuum
Pay Bills
Empty Dishwasher
Shower

Uh, bucket. There are a few things on my bucket list that are beyond my control. They are the things that no matter what I do, I still wouldn't be able to accomplish them unless divine intervention or luck swung my way.

But last week luck arrived in my mailbox!











Now, I realize that jury duty is not for everyone. I realize that in the cosmo of stars not everyone is wishing to waste their days in a large crowded room filled with unexcited potential jurors who may or may not be selected to participate in a case. But, I can hardly contain my excitement. For I am about to be paid $10.00 a day to belong to Juror Group #6 in a Superior Court for which I would undoubtly in a heart beat do for FREE. Think I'm being sarcastic? Wrongo!

Being crossed off my bucket list...

Get Selected for Jury Duty

Wishing everyone a very lucky week!

Love,

Defined As A Naturally Recurring State of Relatively Suspended Sensory and Motor Activity

-Soap Box Adjectives

Millions Shmillions.
Spending Schmending.
Mula Schmula.

Is anybody else tired of watching our money do the hotfoot dash?

I don't care what political party you belong to. It doesn't matter. It shouldn't matter. As a human being who pays taxes, you should be (... thinking of the right descriptor.)

The sad reality is this.. If it doesn't belong to you, it takes more effort to cherish it and respect it like it was your own. The "it" here being soaked in green, silver and gold.

The sad reality is this... That this is just one little needle story in a haystack of several hundred others. However, this little needle was only sung to the tune of 1.1 million dollars. Only.

(This little needle story can be found, here.)

Perhaps if spouses were denied the opportunity to travel on this business trip we could have shaved a few grand off of this number? After all.. surely the spouses weren't expected to demonstrate any influence in the Copenhagen Climate Conference, right? But grand schmand, what's that?... only a few tiny zeros.

Perhaps if our government elected officials who represent us, The People (and our tax schmax dollars) would have stopped for one moment and said, you know what?... our country is in financial crises and in debt beyond our eyeballs. Let's reduce our attendee list down to only those Senate and House Representatives that "need" to go we might have used that money for another constructive cause or better yet... not have spent it at all.

Excessive.
Wasteful.
Feckless.

If only they weren't allowed to come back... now THAT may have been money well spent.

-Hospitality

My mother flew home from Dallas last week with more then just her suitcase. She also brought with her a bad case of pneumonia. If I had a normal mom with two normal lungs this wouldn't be a problem. But, I've been blessed with an extraordinary mom who actually only has 3/4 of one working lung. Yeah, you read that right. She does what you and I do (with the exception of running) with less then one lung and without an oxygen tank.. oh... and without complaining. Isn't she fabulous? I think so.

So we took the boys to the hospital for a visit to provide some comedy and cheer. Before we could enter the room we were required to put on the mandatory "gear". Then, the boys serenaded Grandma with the cutest rendition of "You Are My Sunshine" (mask style). We are glad to report that Mom is now finishing up the rest of her horse pills from the comfort of her own home and is feeling much better.

There are so many amazing people in the world that have physical struggles and yet manage to stay so positive and not just live, but really make the most out of their lives. They make a choice that their challenges will not limit their goals, their dreams, or their potential. And in lots of cases they defy odds, surpass their goals and dreams and do more in their lifetime with their body then we would ever choose to do with our own healthy ones.

Number One Complainer here needs to kick it in high gear.... I walked away from this weekend hoping to be more appreciative of the things that I have. I hope that I will live more consciously... making the most out of what I've been given. I'm grateful that we are surrounded by people that lift us up and make us better.

Mom, you are one of those people and I love you...

"Mom... What's for dinner?"

I stood in my kitchen last night barefoot and glassy eyed as I pondered how many times cumulatively that I would be asked this question within my lifetime. I think it would an interesting random fact to know. (Btw- I also wonder how many diapers I'll change as well... I know, Nerd.)

Dinner. Such a loaded question. Why? Because either:

A.) I don't know yet.
Which often times opens the door to a smiley and excited, full of life five year old willing to offer suggestions on what we should have. Which is usually prefaced with the sentence, ..."You know what we haven't had for a REALLY LONG time... and ends with a long list containing only processed and frozen foods. Or by golly yay!... he actually suggests something relatively healthy from the five food groups but darn, wouldn't you know it- I'm out of one or two ingredients and lack the time to run to the store to make his wish come true.

OR

B.) I tell you, but I'm pretty sure that there's a high probability that either:

1. You'll say that you don't like it.
2. You've never had it before, but before you even try it you already have it set in your mind that it's disgusting.
3. You think you're offered this EVERY night for dinner.

4. You like it but you're not hungry for it tonight.

And if it's any of the sub categories within option B it's a guaranteed ongoing conversation during the duration of my dinner prep and cooking which btw I usually start early...

Why? Because my children become banshees come the hour of 4:00. Not because they are really hungry but because they are bored and because when you can't have something... you apparently hurt, starve and die without it.

Why? Because Mom started a somewhat new rule at our home.

Snack all you want between the time school is over and 4:00. Fill your bellies with nutritional goodies (okay, it's not always nutritional... I'm not that rigid) but come 4:00, kitchen is closed.

Why? Because I got tired of cooking to the tune of I'm starving, when is dinner going to be ready, can we eat yet and then sitting down only to hear I'm full. No thanks. That's it. No more. The snack train stops here.

This dinnermony however does ends on a positive note. I came across a news story of a gal that lives in Texas who plans her dinner meals out a year in advance. Yes, I know! A year? Are you kidding me? No. She does. Really.

A smart and organized women named Laura. Who btw also swears that she's cut her food budget in half by doing so. (I'm inclined to believe her. Because choosing option A to appease a 5 year old son and my tummy with what sounds good and a quick run to the store often leads to impulse purchases.) Her annual dinner calendar also eliminates the question, Mom... What's for dinner?

To all of you organized mothers out there that may do this.. even on a smaller level, I applaud you. I am encouraged by your example and... I think I might even give it a try.

To those of you that fly by the seat of your dinner pants and need a quick dinner suggestion, you can catch Laura's story and her year long dinner plan ideas below.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/mom-plans-meals-entire-year/story?id=9618348

But however we do it, may we all whistle while we work!

-Uh-Huh

It's well over due. It's time for a make-over. An overhaul. A face lift. And yes, I'm in need of one too... and a touch up color!.. But it's this space of me that I'm referring to.. and that will get it first.

My list of "want to's" always seem to be longer then my list of "done it's". And it's time to make a cross over. A revolution. A.... okay, it's time to quit thinking about the wants and actually take some action... I need to move some of those suckers onto the other side. The side where I breathe deep knowing that it's been checked off and that I don't have to waste anymore space thinking about it. That my friends and family is the theme of 2010 for me.

So this is one of them. This... the documenting, the journaling, the recording which counteracts all forgetfulness and protects the absence of memory cells which I've been extremely blessed to have (sarcasm). This in a nutshell will always help me to remember the good, the bad, the challenging and the fun so long as blogspot never goes under...

Which brings me to item number two on my "want to's".. I've always created scrapbook pages for other people but have never started them for my own children. It's time to do something with the hundreds of photos that I've taken and the memorabilia that I've hung on to and the stories and experiences that my children have put me through (not sarcastic). I decided several years ago that I would make a digital scrapbook for each of my children every year. An Encyclopedia volume if you will that will grace my tall white built ins one day. I'm almost six years in the hole w/ Caleb and 3 w/ Porter. Enough is enough.... This is the year to play catch up.

So a warning and a favor to anyone who reads this post.

First. I have absolutely nothing recorded on blogspot for 2009. Beware. I'll need that year in review to help me accomplish my digital scrapbooks so... just so you know...I'm not trying to bore you or make you run for the high hills. It's selfish. It's for me. And you can totally ignore that post when you come to it. Geezs.. feel free to ignore any of my posts for that matter. :)

Secondly. The favor. If anyone has created and published a digital scrapbook with a company or process that they enjoyed, would you pass that info onto me? I'd love to look into.

Love,