Summer So Far

Hope you're having a great summer, so far.  Last week, our girl worked at a Summer XP club (half-days) with other teens from our church, so I had a busy week of getting her there & back each day.  Let me tell you... that made the week FLY by!

This week, she is on a high school church youth group discipleship trip to Estes Park, Colorado.  I don't mind telling you that I'm a little jealous.  The pictures that everyone is sharing are incredible.  I'm so excited for the relationships that they will be building, first and foremost with the LORD!

Back here at home, things are moving a little slower, and I'm trying to catch up, and get some things in order. Nothing major -- just stuff that get overlooked, and piles up or gets backlogged!

I recently read (and have heard before) that though this is the most photographed generation, people don't print photos as much as they used to.  Kind of makes me want to go on tour to promote Project Life - LOL. Speaking of which... I am caught up on my scrapbooks through Memorial Day weekend of this year.  So, one of the things that I need to work on is PRINTING photos that bring me up to date, and getting them in the scrapbook.

The other day, I purchased the Project Life "Fine & Dandy" core kit.  On the way home, I happened to think that there was some kind of contest related to this kit.  Later, I looked through the kit to see if I could find any indication, and was happy to see a golden ticket smiling up at me.  It entitles me to a limited edition value kit. What a nice surprise!

As I write this, it's raining.  Again.  Did I mention that it rained the entire week of the first Summer XP?  They worked around it, but still.  At this point, I'm getting kind of anxious for vacation.  I'd like to experience rain in another state, at the very least.  Ha!  How's that for positive thinking?  Seriously though, we always say that even if the weather doesn't cooperate for vacation, we are just happy to have a change of scenery and be in a place that we love.  Storms are always more interesting at the beach anyway!

Well, that's all for now.  Back to work!

Hope it's sunny wherever you are.

Not Too Seriously

For the most part, we don't take ourselves too seriously around here.  For the most part, we are all pretty good at laughing at ourselves.  Here's a perfect example.

Last night, I remembered a dream from the previous night, and I shared it with my daughter.  The dream was a little odd in that I had a mustache.  Yep.  I looked in the mirror and there it was.  In the dream, it wasn't at all strange to me that I had a mustache... only that it was quite raggedy and uneven.  I was in a quandary about how to best even it up.  Do you trim it to match up with the top or the bottom of your lip, I wondered.

At this point in my explanation to my daughter, she held up her hand and amid hysterical laughter said, "Wait, wait!  Mom, you didn't think maybe you should just SHAVE?"

LAUGHING OUT LOUD, LOUDLY.

Nope.  That idea never crossed my mind.

See what I mean?

Not too seriously.

Friday Farrago ~ 1.16.15

Have you ever found yourself at a loss for words? -- specifically BLOGGING words?

I am SO THERE right now.  I am at a blogging low.  I long to post something... anything... to be present here, but people: I got nothin'.

In case you're wondering what I've been up to instead of blogging, I've been:
* drinking hot tea
* wishing the winter away
* rubbing my hands together to keep warm
* circling scarves infinitively around my neck, indoors and out
* trying to keep up with the laundry
* NOT taking pictures
* watching my hubby can applesauce
* wishing for sunshine
* working on Project Life scrapbooks for a friend
* waiting for the sun to come out, so I can take some indoor pictures
* staying home because things have been cancelled
* wishing the winter away again [and again]
* drinking more hot tea
* NOT being creative & wondering where those creative juices have gone this year?
* still drinking out of Christmas mugs
* watching my hubby can MORE applesauce
* finally putting the Christmas mugs & all of the other Christmas stragglers away
* having a friend over for lunch
* baking bread in the bread machine -- though I want to try THIS METHOD!

and last but not least:

* thinking about making a Valentine wreath for my front porch, but haven't gotten to the store for those specific supplies yet

What's new with YOU this Friday?
TGIF ~ and have a great weekend!

Friday Farrago ~ 11.7.14

Well, this might be the most mish-mashed Friday Farrago ever.  Of course, it IS only my second "farrago" post, so I guess that's not saying much, but...

LIFE has been so busy lately.  Monday through Wednesday FLY by with lots of baby-rocking.  Before I know it, it's Thursday again, and I have to buckle down at home and get things done, or else the following week spirals out of control.  How do I know?  Oh... don't ask.

At any rate, if you follow along here, I'm sure you're well aware that I haven't been posting as often as usual. Not for lack of wanting, I assure you -- but the time just gets away from me.  For a while now, I have had little snippets of posts ready -- but nothing big.  So, I thought I would take a bunch of "nothing bigs" and combine them for the second in a series called  "Friday Farrago."

Ready?  Hold on tight.

A Coke and a Smile

One night a couple of summers ago, my hubby and I found ourselves home alone.  On a whim, hubby said, "Let's go for ice cream!"  We took a long and winding ride down country roads to get to one of his favorite ice cream places.

Admittedly, ice cream isn't really my thing.  Let's just say... it's not usually my friend.  On this particular night, I chose the smallest cone, which... wasn't small enough, apparently.  Before the evening was over, I was very sick. Like, sick enough to make me think about whether or not I ever needed to eat ice cream again.

The culprit was so obvious.

Days later, as we looked back on the situation, I said to my hubby, "Next time, ask me out for a Coke."

I like to say I was raised on Coke -- but the truth is, we didn't drink pop at home except for special occasions.  It was my GRAM'S treat to us when we visited her.  We could always count on white peppermint Canada Mints and CocaCola at her house, and though we had a few other "favorite" snacks, she'd often out-do herself, trying to find a treat that we'd never had before -- or the latest and greatest new thing on the market!

[The end.  Yeah.  Obviously this post has no good transition or ending... just some memories that came to mind, one sort of leading to the next.  What can I say?  They made me smile.  I thought I'd share.  That is all. By the way, the people at Coca-Cola don't know me at all, but I still love their product to this day!]

Grandma's Vase

Not long ago, I invited a friend over for lunch.  I told you about it HERE.  It was a gorgeous day, and I found myself with my act all together [woo hoo] and a few minutes before my friend arrived, I actually got to go out in the yard and cut a few pretty blooms that I had spotted earlier that morning. [They were already slightly faded by the time I snapped these pics.]  It was just a few short stemmed beauties, so I brought them in and put them in this sweet little vase made by my Gram.  When we were kids, my sister and I used to use this vase on our bedroom dressers with pretty little blooms in it.  It's always such a sweet reminder of my Gram... really -- her fingerprints are all over this post today, aren't they?

Table Talk

We started our marriage with a hand-me-down kitchen table that came from who-knows-where.  [My hubby probably knows, but this is my story... LOL.]  The table wasn't pretty.  It swelled out in the middle, and tapered a little at the ends.  Built that way, but awkwardly un-natural - and very laminated as I recall.  Nothing wrong with either of those things I guess -- but it wasn't us.  It hadn't been chosen.  Merely settled for.

Our choice was a round oak tabletop on a pedestal -- with a leaf.  Pricey for a young couple with no spare change.  One thing about my hubby.  When he wants something, he finds a way.  And so, he found our table in the classified section of the newspaper one day.

Together, we went to see it in the cramped and disheveled apartment of a smoker.  I was going to say in the apartment of a smoking man, but then you might have thought he was smoking hot, when really, he was just ummmm... smoking.  We looked at the table, negotiated on the price, and then said [cough, cough, sneeze, sneeze] "We'll take it!" -- and loaded it into our truck.

We took it home, where it landed in our gravel driveway, and got a good washing down before it was allowed into the house.  [AaaaaaCHOO!]  Pretty sure I washed it down TWICE.  Yeah.  We don't really get along well with smoky stuff around here.

As I recall, it had a few pretty worn spots on top, and my hubby put a couple coats of polyurethane on it.

Fast forward to family life.

[My intention was to include lots of other pictures of our table, set up for various occasions.  Alas, I never got around to looking for said pictures, so... imagine if you will...]

The table has become our HUB.  Since it is the only place for seated eating in our home, it sees breakfasts, lunches, AND dinners.

And sometimes this:

You can get to my Instagram account by clicking on the photo above.

Forgive the poor iPod photo... but really, this may be one of my favorite uses of the table.  My son asks if he can have his buddies over to play a game, and tries to plan a place that is out of the way so they don't disturb us... (there aren't many places to go in our house). When I offer the kitchen table, he accepts my suggestion, and I smile.  This table... it is really the heart of our home!

Here ends my "trains of thought" ragbag.  Hope you're having a Fabulous Friday.  TGIF!

Hibiscus, a Bunny, a Skunk -- and This Summer!

...and not necessarily in that order

Hmmm... Hibiscus is ever a surprise.  When we purchased this plant last year, it was already blooming, and we enjoyed it's beautiful pink blooms.  Then came the harsh winter, and when spring came... NOTHING.  We thought it was a goner.  But, sure enough and better late than never -- it came back.  It grew tall fast as if we were living in the tropics, though there's been nothing tropical about this summer in NEOhio.  Finally, in July, I took a picture of this somewhat complex thing that I thought was the beginning of a blossom.

photo taken 7/16/14

In fact, it seems as if that was the beginning of many blossoms!  That centralized burst of green has turned into lots and lots of these:

photos taken 8/8/14

At least, I think that's what has happened.  All I know is... I'm pretty excited about this bud (below).  I'm actually seeing a little pink there!  Could be any day now, I suppose.  Although, if it's anything like our tomatoes that don't want to turn red...  I hear they like a little heat.  Hmmmm - at this point, all bets are off for more heat THIS summer.  And that's not a complaint.  It's been a lovely fallish-summer.  I just might have to wait to see my Hibiscus bloom and to eat ripe home-grown tomatoes until next year.

Ironically, as I do my blog-reading, other bloggers are saying that it's been a hot, hot summer.  I suppose they are knee-deep in Hibiscus blooms and homegrown tomatoes too.

Around here, we turn the air off at night [that is, if it's been on at all] and fling the windows wide open.  Lately though, there has been a cry of "skunk" during the night, and all of the windows get slammed shut.  It seems that those of us who are innocently wrapped in blankets in the house -- and far out of the skunk's way -- shouldn't have to deal with his stench smack in the middle of our dreams.

Thank goodness I've never met the skunk at the door when taking the trash out at night!  I don't even want to think about that!!  Though we have much evidence of creature comings and goings around here, this guy [below] is usually the one that jumps out to surprise us... or just lays flat-out on it's belly under tall-growing flowers.  Either way, I'll take Mr. Cottontail ANYtime.

How's that for a lot of random thoughts?  Yep.  All rolled up into one post.

P.S.  Don't worry.  I'll let you know if and when the Hibiscus blooms!  *wink

Memories of... THE Dress

September 26, 1992

It was a very good day.  Our wedding day.  I cannot believe we're approaching the 22-year mark!  It seems like forever in all of the very best ways.  That's not to say that every day has been perfect.  But, it has been a perfectly beautiful life in the sense that I am right where I belong.

Our wedding was simple and relatively small by some of today's standards -- but it was perfectly US.

My parents paid for the wedding.  Tradition.  What may not be so traditional is that they gave us a budget for the entire thing and said, "Beyond that, it's up to you!"

Recently, my mom revealed a wonderful tip on how they came up with the funds for my wedding.  You see, I attended college locally, living at home until I married.  But it wasn't a free ride.  From the time I got my first job, my parents asked that I pay a certain percentage of my paycheck to them as "room and board."  They, in turn, set aside that money, letting it accumulate until it was time to plan my wedding.  Then, they knew exactly what they could afford, and what would be up to me(us) to pay.  As I recall, I stuck pretty close to that budget, realizing what a gift it was!  We had a beautiful wedding -- but I was pretty practical, and didn't have much of the excess that weddings seem to have these days.

But this post was supposed to be about the dress.

I tried on a few dresses at dress shops, but it wasn't really my style to have someone fussing over me like that. So, I took what some would say was the easy way out.  But, I never looked back... never had one regret.  I ordered the dress on the cover of the JCPenney catalog, which I had fallen in love with.  These days, the on-line selection at Penneys is rather limited, showing only statuesque styles that are rather plain.  But, 22 years ago, they had a real bride's catalog!

"Cascades of lustrous simulated pearls accent the V back of this shimmery satin gown.  Lace-over-satin princess bodice has sequins and simulated pearls on front and back.  Extended padded shoulders fringed with simulated pearls over sheer lace sleeves."

Since I am being sentimental about the DRESS itself, the picture I've shared is the original catalog page, which showcases all of the beautiful features of the dress perfectly.  The lighting of this photo shows the details of the dress better than my wedding pictures.  I recently pulled the catalog page out of my wedding file box to attach to the dress for purposes of selling it.  Yes.  Selling.

Until very recently, the dress had been hermetically sealed in our attic and/or basement for the past 22 years. I decided it was time to open it up, and offer it to someone who will be able to put it to good use.  Although plenty of people commented on it at the garage sale [a gentleman even said he thought it was the prettiest wedding dress he had ever seen], nobody showed any real interest in it.  We'll be trying to sell a handful of our unsold garage sale items on Craig's List, and I just have to try to sell it there before I donate it. We'll see how that goes.  I have a friend who just raves about Craig's List -- but it will be a new experience for me, so I'll try and remember to keep you posted.  *wink

If any of you sell on Craigs List, I would love to hear about your experiences!

Weekend Review, and the Best Phone Call EVer!

The garage sale is over.  What was I thinking?  It was a lot of work... the most stress the first day when we just didn't know what to expect.  Easier the second day -- but then a whole lot of work cleaning up.  With the exception of a handful of things that we still think we can get some money for, we loaded up two vans and drove straight to Goodwill.  BIG PURGE!!  Oh, that was absolutely the right thing to do -- while our momentum was in full swing!  If we had waited, there's no telling when it would've gotten there.

My sweet hubby and daughter located all of the garage sale signs and removed them, and we took them to the recycle place in our township -- along with our tub of paper recyclables that was full to overflowing from all of the garage sale activity!  Boom.  Killed two birds with one road trip -- so to speak.

We didn't make lots of money -- but I have a little more than I did last Thursday.

We managed to have everything that was for sale out in the driveway so that it was more visible from the street.  As we sat in the garage visiting [and waiting for more shoppers] -- other items would pop into my head, and I would run to find and price them.

Such was the case with my kids' baby bassinet.  There it sat on the top shelf in the garage... wrapped in double layers of large, strong, black trash bags and [practically] hermetically sealed with duct tape!  I pulled it down and ripped through the bags to find a 20-year-old, like-new baby bassinet!  Perfect.  Not yellowed, and only a little dust that flew in when I opened the packaging.  I cleaned that up, and put a price sticker on it -- and wouldn't you know?  Somebody snapped it up for their step-daughter who was having a baby soon!  I'm so glad it will be put to good use!!  Makes me happier than having it sit on the shelf wrapped up, that's for sure!

It also makes me happy to have my basement cleaned out, my garage back, my van cleaned out, and to be getting things back in order around the house.  I think that thoughts of this garage sale will haunt me for a very long time.  Not the garage sale itself, mind you.  It was fun to hang out with my family for two days.  But... it was [after all] the culmination of too much saving and holding onto stuff -- and I want to avoid that like the plague!

Speaking of happy...  I put some pictures of the stuff we were selling up on Facebook for local friends to see. So, from time to time over the weekend, I checked Facebook to see if there were any comments.  Yes, one friend asked me to hold something for her!  Anyway, as I scrolled through my newsfeed, I spotted this post from a friend.  It made us all laugh so hard, and I asked her if I could share it with you.  Thanks SUSAN! You're the best!

____________________

So, every time I am on the phone...my parrot mimics my entire conversation. So today, I received a unlisted number with a sales call...and decided to let the parrot talk with them.

Ring...ring...ring

Hawkeye: Hello...
Salesperson: Hello, m'am, I am calling today about the....
Hawkeye: Hello?
Salesperson: Hello, m'am, I am calling today about the....
Hawkeye: ok...ok...ok...you'll be fine...
Salesperson: umm....what was that?
Hawkeye: uh huh...ok...who are you?
Salesperson: this is Sam from the....
Hawkeye: ok...ok...uh huh...do you want a coffee?
Salesperson: ummm...what ?
Hawkeye: Hawkeye want a cookie? Hawkeye want a coffee?
Salesperson: hey guys, I think I am talking to a parrot...I'm putting it on speaker phone...
Hawkeye: Who are you? I know who I am. Do you want a coffee? Do you want some? Is that good? 
Salesperson: oh my gosh...a talking parrot...this is great (much laughter from other sales people on the speaker phone)
Hawkeye: ok...uh huh...hurry up, Allayna...let's go. Tommy, laundry !!! Hey dad....mom...mom...mom...hey mom. Bye Bye...you'll be fine. 
Salesperson: (laughter, laughter, laughter, laughter) Hey thanks man, this was the best phone call ever !!!!!

100 Happy Days!

A few days ago, my daughter told me about the #100happydays Challenge.  I haven't heard about it anywhere else, or from anyone else -- so maybe it's just a YOUTH thing that I've plopped myself down in the middle of. But I'm okay with that -- because it's making me think about being happy every day.  Granted, we may not be "happy" all the time, but there are a million happy moments that show up during each day, and this is teaching me to look for them, recognize them, welcome them, and celebrate them.

You can FOLLOW ALONG WITH ME for 100 days.

UPDATE :: Well, I'll just be honest. This project was a fail. I missed a BUNCH of days of posting on Facebook, and I thought I would catch up, but I just don't see that happening. That said, please know that I have NOT stopped being HAPPY.   I'm just too busy living it to post it. Also, I probably chose the wrong platform... I should have used my blog rather than FB. If you'd like to keep up with some happy thoughts HERE AT THE BLOG, you're welcome to follow along!

Here are my first few days:

Day One :: HAPPY to be filling up a baby shower gift basket for my niece.  It's a girl!

#100happydays #HappySally

Day Two :: HAPPY to see the poppies open today!  #100happydays #HappySally #childhoodmemories

I should warn you... I am a flower lover, so they may show up many days in this challenge,

but I will never share the same one.

Day Three :: HAPPY to meet my Sweetie for Chinese food for lunch.

Rubber Ducks baseball & fireworks tonight w/ the family... and sunshine!

#100happydays #HappySally

If you'd like to participate, go HERE.  You can post your pictures via many different platforms.  Check it out!

Do you have time... to be happy?

A Recent Frustration...

... is that I leave a comment on a blog, and soon after, I receive an email saying "Delivery Status Notification (Failure)."  Huh?  I confirmed with one blog friend that... even though I was seeing my comment on her blog, SHE could not see it.

I admit, I am STUMPED on this one, and need to do some research to find out what on earth is going on.

Have any of you experienced this?

Along the same lines (and perhaps related?) is the issue that during my Rafflecopter giveaway, I could not see most comments to my blog -- which was frustrating.  Is this typical with Rafflecopter -- or perhaps related to my other issue???

All helpful comments are welcome as I work to debug the system on this end.

Thanks.
TGIF!  Have a great weekend!
~Sally

Bubbles!!! (Subtitled: Squirrel!!!)

If you saw the movie "Up" you will totally get this post.  Maybe.  A little.

You see, it's spring-time and, up until a few days ago... it hasn't been very spring-like.  A better description of the yard might be "swamp-like," --  and not very welcoming.  I could put on my wellies and tromp around out there, but really?  I don't want to leave deep footprints in the muck, so... I stay on solid ground for now.  From a distance, I can see a little green here and there, but no photo-proof just yet.

I'm going a little stir-crazy when it comes to picture-taking.  And really, have we had enough of the hyphenated words?  What is with me today?  [Squirrel.]

Anywho... recently I was washing out an empty soap bottle to recycle, and here's what came next.  This is what happens when Spring doesn't come quickly enough.  Distracted, I am forced to take pictures of the ridiculous - even if it is kind of pretty.  Am I a blogger desperately looking for some fun pics, or what?

Is it Spring yet in your neck of the woods?  Have you spotted lots of green shoots around the yard  -- maybe even buds opening, or are you still dealing with melting snow?  As for me, I just...

[Squirrel!]

Friday Farrago

Gahhhhh!  Is it over?  Just tell me it's over already.  I am so OVER bats and spiders.  NOT a fan.  There I said it.  Just call me a party-pooper.  Go ahead.  But, I can tell that some of you are ready to move on too --> there's been lots of action on some of my Christmas posts!

Moving right along.  And WOW, is life moving along lately.  I don't know where the time has gone.  I recently started watching babies at church on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings for moms who have mothers club or bible studies -- also for international moms who have English classes.  I cannot even explain to you how much I love holding babies on my lap and singing or reading -- or laying on the floor with them and teaching them to play with a new toy.  Or telling them things, and seeing them respond to me.  Oh my, how I love the wee ones.  What a privilege to love on them.

And here's a fun little side-story... When I showed up to watch the babies, in walks a little guy who I totally recognized.  My girlfriend's grandson.  Quite a coincidence, actually, since the family does not attend our church.  The fun part?  I used to babysit his daddy.  (I know, I'm old.)  The thing is, this little guy is too young to understand the connection -- but oh, how I love him -- and how how he reminds me of his daddy!  You can see... I love my mornings with the babies.

HowEVer... two scheduled mornings in the middle of a week make the week FLY by.  Can I just say?  I don't know where my days and weeks are going lately.

Added to that... my sweet hubby was out of town for three days this week, and will be going out of town again soon.  Then, it's my turn, and I'm off on an adventure.  (I'll tell you about that another time.)  In between, I'm trying to keep up on the laundry so that my hubby doesn't have to think about keeping up with it while I'm gone.  I'm kind of funny about anyone else doing the laundry -- mostly because I put some things in the dryer, and other things not-so-much, and I'm really the only one who knows that CODE.  Am I the only one who does this?

In other news, almost daily, I delete an e-mail from Etsy with the word "success" in the subject line.  Etsy has not been a success for me.  It would be funny if you left a comment saying, "perhaps you should read the e-mail" -- but (haha) don't.  The other day, my mom presented an Etsy idea to me -- and I hope to be able to share that with you sometime soon.  In the meantime, I'll leave you on the edge of your seat.

In the last month or so, my allergies have been worse than they were in the summertime.  Anyone else? I've been downing allergy meds like they're going out of style.  My body?  Is tired of both allergies and (sadly) allergy meds.  Put a fork in me.  I'm done.

Yesterday, I bought a 2014 calendar.  Not the kind you hang on the wall -- but, a spiral-bound book.  That's what I like to keep on my desk.  My daughter and I had a great conversation about how much she likes books. Real, hold-in-your-hand books.  Not e-books.  She loves the feel of the pages, and the smell of the paper. That's me and book-style calendars.  My mom suggested a computer-program that I might like for calendaring.  (I just made up that term.  Like it?)  I was like, ummm, no thank you.  Not interested.  I like a physical thing to hold in my hands and WRITE in.  That's just me.  I'm not saying I've never entered an event in my phone calendar. However, that's usually only as a note until I can get home and write it on my hard-copy calendar. Technologically backwards, right?

Related to this backwardness: not long ago, I posted this on Facebook:  "So, I went to a meeting at church today.  People around me were on their laptops and smartphones.  I don't think anyone but me had paper and pen."  I included these hashtags:

#nolaptop
#ilovemydesktopbutitisnotportable
#nosmartphone
#ilovemyflipphonebutitisnotsmart

As I write this post, ladybugs (or asian beetles, you choose) are buzzing around the kitchen light.  They've been coming in our windows and doors the last two days.  I've gotten tired of chasing them around, so when the sound of them hitting the lights starts to get to me... I turn off the lights and go to bed.  LOL

And that, my friends, is real life at my house.  Crazy with a capital "C" -- with lots of random thrown in for good measure.

How did I end up with FARRAGO in my title?  Simple.  I looked up "miscellany" in the on-line thesaurus, and found a word beginning with "F" to go with FRIDAY.  Boom.  I learned a new word today.

Were you formerly familiar with the word "farrago?"
(Do you love the alliteration?)

'13 Gratefulness

* grateful for time spent with mom yesterday

* grateful for "Grandpa time" for my daughter tonight.  They are off to the last football game of the season!

* grateful for a new ministry to be a part of

* grateful for leaf colors that defy description -- oh the beauty!

* grateful for a ride from a friend while we've been playing "musical cars" [not chairs] at our house

* grateful for cancellation of an additional surgery for a friend -- not needed, afterall

Feel free to chime in with a comment!  What are you grateful for today?

Tidbits of Life

I've kind of been running on EMPTY where blogging is concerned lately.  I think of little things to share, but nothing that seems worthy of a post, so I wait....

Today, I'll combine a few things, and we'll call it a post - mmmkay?

A few weeks ago, JILL and I went to our local flea market.  At the top of my list?  A bench to put at the foot of our bed.  I know - that's pretty specific.  But, believe it or not, we had only been to a handful of booths when I spotted it... a bench... with a heart cut-out, that would match the heart cut-out on the quilt rack in our bedroom (not that that was a must).  I asked the lady how much she wanted for it -- fully expecting it to be much more than I wanted to spend.  But her answer was $5.  How could I resist?  I can play around with it, and totally mess it up, and for $5?  Who cares.  So, the plan is to sand and paint it.  I want it to be a more neutral creamy color so that it sort of disappears into our carpet, rather than making the room seem more crowded.  More details later -- much later.  I don't think I'm going to be tackling any big painting projects any time soon.

*****

On Saturday, my hubby and daughter and I went to the same flea market, and I grabbed up a tole-painted tray for $2.  [I totally talked her down from $3!]  I've seen them on Etsy for anywhere from $15-$25.  My inspiration was this idea from Serena -- a magnetic note center.  I'm still trying to figure out the best way to camouflage some of those scratches -- or if I even should.  If you follow me on Facebook, I started a chat the other night to get people's opinions.  Jill suggested black shoe polish, so I'll hunt around here today.  I'm pretty sure we have some black shoe polish somewhere.  Many suggested sealing it to protect the painted area -- and that's a great idea, but I want to think about handling those scratches first.  Another project.  Stay tuned.

*****

My new favorite line is:

"Falling under the heading of..."
I know.  It's random.  And yet -- it's been applying to so many things in life lately.

Like this:
Falling under the heading of "I NEVER should have tried this..."

Pepperidge Farms pumpkin spice bread!  What a delightful seasonal surprise.  PF didn't ask me to tell you about it.  I just like sharing favorite things.

You might remember the whole goldfish bread incident.  A sad story for sure.  I finally contacted PF via their webpage, asking about the goldfish bread.  Zero response.  But then, I happened to spot their Facebook page, and wrote them a note there.  Alas, a response.  (Turns out they are social-media conscious at PF!)  Anyways, the nice person that responded said that they were NOT thinking of baking more goldfish bread anytime soon, and reminded me about their swirl breads.  Yes, yes, I had tried them, and they weren't the same -- but I decided to give 'em another go.  And... either they reformulated their recipe, or... my brain got
reformulated and was ready to accept the deliciousness.  Before the pumpkin spice variety arrived on shelves, I was enjoying the cinnamon -- lightly toasted, no toppings.  Delicious.  And only $1.19 at my local thrift grocery store.  Cha-ching.

*****

Also regarding my new phrase "falling under the heading of..."  -- I have a new Pinterest board called "Falling Under the Heading of BRILLIANT."  I only have one project (two pictures) there so far... but check it out.  It's a great entry-way project from Carmel @ Our Fifth House, using some really resourceful ideas.  (HINT: There's more than one way to use an entry closet!)  You will be inspired.  I was!  I even started a Pinterest board because of it!

Okay, that's all I've got.  Do you just love the randomness?

Did you have a great weekend?

Do anything great?

Any autumn adventures?

Any random tidbits?  Do tell.

'13 Gratefulness

* grateful for a good Homecoming weekend (even though they lost the game)

* grateful for a quick flea market adventure in the rain

* grateful for friendships that come in all shapes and sizes

* grateful for hot soup on a chilly evening

* grateful for this song, which I'm still humming since church yesterday

Feel free to chime in with a comment!  What are you grateful for today?

Welcome to My World 5.7

Here's something I've learned:  If you or someone you love has an allergy to sulpha drugs (as in prescription eye-drops for pink eye), know that variations of the sulpha-category of drug can be found in eye-drops that are on the store shelf as well.  Choose carefully -- or ask your friendly neighborhood pharmacist!

On the weekends, we're trying to make more of a conscious effort to plan our bigger meals around our son's work schedule, so that we can enjoy the family time around the table when he is here.  On Sunday, we enjoyed pork chops with fajita rub.  My hubby grilled the chops along with asparagus, and I made Creamy Scalloped Potatoes with this lovely potato:

Last night for dinner, I made Stuffed Peppers.  You'll find the recipe HERE.  I used brown Minute Rice this time, and liked the result!

Wondering what happened to THESE GUYS?  Me too!  The day after I posted these pictures, I went out to check the nest, and... nothing!  Absolute quiet.  No mama on the defensive.  I'm guessing these little fellas were older than I thought, and flew the coop sooner than I'd imagined they would.  Or perhaps mama told them to "hush up" when she wasn't at home?  I don't want to consider the other alternatives.  Hopefully "no news is GOOD news" --right?

We're enjoying the Lilacs.  My hubby and I were outside on Sunday evening weeding, and I could smell the fragrance of the Lilacs on the breeze.  Amazing.  I feel like they're open a little early.  They're  usually opening closer to my sister's birthday on the 24th.  On the other hand, the poppies are usually open by Memorial Day Weekend, and they still seem kind of small... leaves only, no buds.

I heard a song outside my kitchen window, and looked out to see this little guy.  Oh how I love Goldfinches!  In years past, I had a finch-feeder back in the garden with the Black-eyed Susans, and the Goldfinches seemed to love that.  They were always a bit camouflaged among those particular flowers!

That's all for me.  What's new in your world?

No Returns ~ A Simple Solution

Recently, I needed to send cookies to a meeting that I was unable to attend in a friend's home.  I tried to think of a nice way to send the treats (other than using paper or plastic) without troubling anyone to return a plate or container to me.  I decided to check out my local thrift store.  I found a pretty plate, and paid all of forty-three cents for it!

Then, I wrote a little note on the bottom with a marker:

I've been gifted with a plate of treats in a similar way, and it really is nice (often, at the end of a busy day) not to have to hunt down somebody to return their dishes!

[Oh, and don't worry about the price sticker and wax pencil marks from the thrift store.  I washed them all off before I sent the plate on it's way!]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just a reminder:
Today is the last day to use the 20% off coupon
"MOMSDAY3" in my Etsy Shop.
This coupon code is now expired.

A Coupon You Might Need

This coupon entitles bearer to one free hug.

A hug has...

No moving parts, no batteries, no monthly payments, and no fees.

It's inflation-proof and non-taxable.

In fact, it is quite relaxable.

It can't be stolen, won't pollute, one size fits all, will not dilute.

It uses little energy, but yields results enormously.

Relieves your tension and your stress, invigorates your happiness;

Combats depression, makes you beam,

and elevates your self-esteem!

Your circulation it corrects, without unpleasant side-effects.

It is the perfect drug.

There is nothing like a simple hug!

{And of course, it is fully returnable!}

[redeemable from any participating human being]
{expires day after eternity}

*My mom shared this with me.

She found it in AMERICA'S FAVORITE COUPON BOOK.
I thought it was worth sharing.  Hug someone today!

Allergy Season

I am STUCK.  Immovable.  A "wedged bear in a great tightness" so to speak (one of my favorite Winnie the Pooh quotes.)

But seriously (as if being a wedged bear isn't serious enough), after having posts lined up for weeks with all kinds of things I wanted to chit-chat about... all of a sudden: nothing.


Except... I really have been wanting to tell you about a great tool.  Perhaps now is the time.

If anyone in your household
deals with allergies,

do you know about: Pollen.com?

If you go there, click on your state within the map, and zero in on your city, it will show you a 4-day forecast of when allergens are likely to be high in your area.  It will also show you "today's predominant pollens" -- which is  particularly helpful if you know you are bothered by a specific pollen, and goes a long way in explaining the way you may feel on any given day.

Under "tools and downloads" you can also sign up to receive allergy alert e-mails.  I've signed up, and get a notification almost every day.  Last week it reminded me that BIRCH POLLEN was in the air - something we need to take note of at our house.

Do you have any other good allergy resources?  Feel free to share in the comments!

Pollen.com did not ask me to say nice things about them.

I just thought I'd share a tool that is helpful at our house.

And in other news,
you can join Amanda's Birthday Giveaway here:

5 Thursday Things on a Friday

I haven't done a randomness post for a long while.

Here are a few of the things going on around here lately:

Yesterday

I took my daughter to the doctor for a bad earache.  She's been toughing it out for over a week, and it was finally time.  It's not easy having a girl with a high pain threshold.  Sometimes, she's really hurting, and we totally forget about it because she is just "living with it."  (She gets this from her father, not ME -- that's for sure!)  Anyway, I finally made the call for the appointment.  We pay at the beginning of our appointments. However, yesterday when we checked in, the receptionist told us that we had a $25 credit on our account, and so we owed nothing.  Then, the doctor gave us a prescription script and offered us not one, but TWO samples that we could use before turning in the script at the pharmacy. Potentially, we won't even need to FILL the prescription!  Our entire visit?  FREE.  Oh, and the account credit?  Well, actually this has happened no less than THREE times to us in the past THREE months.  Really, I'm not that bad of an accountant!!  I'm calling it a "God Thing."

And about that diagnosis...  Eustachian Tube Dysfunction (discomfort and possible damage in the ear due to pressure differences between the inside and outside of the eardrum).  This was a new one to us.  Our daughter likes to keep us guessing.  I kidded her that she is the trailblazer in the family -- going places that none of us have gone.  Or, in this case, receiving a diagnosis that none of us has received (or heard of).  Ya learn something new every day, right?

A beautiful counted cross-stitch at our Dr's office.

Yesterday

I made an old favorite of mine for lunch.  Rarely do the "planets align" (just kidding, I don't believe in that kind of stuff) so that I have all three ingredients in the house at the same time.  Yesterday... was that day.  I had a half-brick of softened cream cheese.  I added some chopped green olives, and a couple teaspoons of olive "juice" from the jar, mixed it together and oh my - delicious.  Served on rye bread, of course.

Yesterday

I threw away the poinsettia that I received from friends on Thanksgiving Day.  It was finally time.  There was more "bare stem" than foliage.  But, it was a great plant, and was beautiful (if not full) right up to the end.

This is a picture from a better day...

Yesterday

it was cold and felt like winter again.  But, I looked at the photos in my camera, and found this photo from the day before when it was sunny and 60+ degrees. ...when the black stormy and white fluffy clouds were so dramatic against a blue sky  ...when we came home at 9:00 in the evening, and weren't chilly without jackets.  It will be that warm (and stay that warm) again someday, right?

Yesterday

I drove by that sign again... The one at the church around the corner.

It says, "God isn't in a hurry."

I wonder why God causes me to look at that every single time I drive by there.

Perhaps he's trying to tell me something.  (Ya think?)

Well, what's new at your house?

Is there anything God is trying

to tell you lately?

On Being Proactive...

Did you ever just have "a day?"

That's what my friend, Rhonda, likes to say.  "I'm having a day!" -- and we know to stay clear.

Well, today - I'm having a day!

ONE.  It started with dropping my son off at school for his second day of semester exams.  He texted me about an hour later and said that we blew it, and he had been one period late for his first exam.  (All exams are allotted TWO periods.)  Instantly my blood pressure went up, and oh, it really got to me... because we READ all of the instructions (remember, we're new at this!) to make SURE that we did things right on these two exam days!

TWO.  I decided to order Project Life for my 2010 Disney Cruise/Trip pictures.  A binder, cardstock to match, and some page protectors.  However, I realized that the core kit and the other style page protectors that I need are not available.  Rats.  I was really motivated to get started on this project, too!

THREE.  I decided to get ahead of the game, and order my 300+ Disney prints from Walgreens, because they have a ten-cent deal this week.  However, for some reason, my computer will not process my order.

Today, is just a comedy of errors.

Here's what I did well today.  I prayed rather than get too frustrated.  I walked away when the computer started making me nuts.  And... I did a little "reaching out."

FIRST.  I sent an e-mail to the school principal.  I told her that I am not typically a "complainer", and so I hoped she would read my e-mail with that in mind.  I then proceeded to share with her our confusion over the exam schedule, and mentioned (kindly) that I thought perhaps that could be explained more clearly in the future.

I also prepared an attendance excuse for "To Whom It May Concern" in the attendance office.  It explained my son's late arrival today, and ask that he be excused.

SECOND.  I left sweet Becky Higgins a tweet, asking her if she could give me a clue about waiting for the turquoise core kit.  I'm wondering if I need to shift my design plan into another binder and kit.  I'm hoping she can tell me if the items I'm interested in will ever be restocked....

THIRD.  When my on-line ordering with Walgreens wasn't working, I called my local store to make sure they weren't already printing out a bazillion sets of my Disney prints because I had gotten over-exhuberant on the computer.  (You know, ENTER.  ENTER. ENTER.  Why isn't this WORKing?)  A sweet photo desk employee recommended that I restart my computer, and assured me that she was not printing a bazillion sets of pictures with my name on them. Well, that's a relief. 

You know,

Mama always said,

"you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar!"

UPDATE: As I am still preparing this post, Becky Higgins (I TOLD you she was sweet!) has already responded to me on Twitter to say this: "Yep, we are making more Turquoise Editions. ETA unknown just yet."  Awesome.

UPDATE: It is now 7:45 Thursday evening, and I just got off the phone with the high school principal.  She was concerned that families (like us) did not get the correct information about exam scheduling, and she wanted to know about the document that we received.  After some discussion, and comparing it to information on the website, we realized that a table had been omitted from the document that was sent home.  I didn't read the on-line version.  She apologized for the mistake, and then asked about my son, and if he was able to complete his exam.  In fact, he was not.  She told me that she will make allowances for him to complete it when school resumes on Tuesday.

UPDATE: I know - you want an update on Walgreens too, right?  Sorry.  Still -- I'm still working on that one.