Friday, August 28, 2009

August 27, 2009

I gathered these supplies together, because my crafting withdrawl is driving me batty, and I couldn't find my cardstock right now to save my rump!




While I waited for the paint to dry on the embroidery hoop, I put the first coat of brown on desk number one. Cowboy boot brown . . .




and then I did my very first crafting project in my new space . . . a cute little embroidery hoop corkboard to hang on my wall for little bits of this and that.


This was very simple and very quick and if you'd like to do one of these yourself, just visit my "real blog" for the instructions. I *heart* the internet.

August 26, 2009 ~ Keeping it Real Folks

As organized and obsessive as I am, I still deal with this . . .



For over a year, this space has been my office/temporary scrapbooking space. Work and play just don't seem to mesh very well in this location. Slowly but surely, things are starting to change, though. That back desk with all the *schtuff* on it . . . well, we moved it upstairs today, so I could prep it for painting.




I couldn't BELIEVE how much stuff that thing held! HAVE MERCY! I've already purged a bunch and still have a ways to go.




Dust anyone? Obviously dusting isn't my strong point . . .




but I FINALLY have my "Family" wall back. I'll be wiping it down and getting my family photos hung back up for everyone to enjoy, a little later this week.




As for the behemoth . . . I wiped it all down, took out the drawers and doors . . .



and put the first coat of primer on.



I can't wait to see how this all turns out. This is my first attempt at doing anything even remotely like this. Painting furniture may just become a new addiction of mine. But first we'll see how this turns out.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

August 25, 2009

Bayleigh woke up an hour early this morning, not feeling well. Since Dave and I had dentist appointments at 9:30, we called in to the pediatrician's office and got her scheduled at 10:30. After picking up anti-biotics for an upper respiratory problem/and a possible UTI, we headed south to run some errands.

We spontaneously picked a new restaurant for lunch. Fuji's Japanese Steakhouse.



The kids enjoyed trying out a new drink (Japanese Sprite), and our chef, JOSE was very entertaining.



Nothing like a little cultural diversity, eh? While Bayleigh entertained herself in the bathroom . . .



I did a little of the same, by taking random photos while I was waiting for her to finish taking a bath in the sink.



We finally rounded off the trip home with a beautiful sunset.



I picked up a few gallons of paint at Lowe's and can't wait to see how things come together in my new space.

August 24, 2009

Another manic Monday. Me and "E" took a little time away from the house cleaning this morning to play "Jesus Loves Me". He played the Jerry Lee Lewis variety . . .



and after Bayleigh got off the bus, the kids and I took a little nature walk. The old paths were grown up so badly that we almost didn't make it to the creek. But after we got across the creek, we came upon a huge field of clover. Bayleigh found her first four leaf clover and she had to take a picture of it for posterity.


I love seeing the kids get so excited over something so simple.

Monday, August 24, 2009

August 23, 2009

After church I had big plans on getting a nap in. I did get to lay down with Eli for a few brief moments, but was awoken by the sound of paper rustling and scotch tape being yanked off the dispenser at a high rate of speed . . .



Bayleigh had sat down at my desk and made me a "house" out of paper. Even though I was irritated by all the waste, I couldn't help but be impressed by her creativity.




I ended up doing a quick vacuuming upstairs, to pick up all the hairballs that the shampooer (Is that a word?) left behind.



Even though the carpet is an atrocious color, against my new walls, I'm going to make it work . . . SOMEHOW. At least they smell good now!




My sister-in-law Stacey, hooked the little kid carrier on the back of the bike and gave all the kids a short ride to my mom's house and back, BEFORE we took our 5 mile bike ride. All I can say is I'm glad it was her and not me!

It was a "messy" day (what with the cat peeing on the dining room rug, and Bayleigh dumping her pizza and chocolate pudding all over the floor), but I survived!

August 22, 2009

Dave got up early for some reason this morning. He ended up sitting with Bayleigh on the couch and looking over the schoolwork that she'd brought home yesterday. She's learning so quickly and I'm so glad that she enjoys the whole process . . .



Meet Mr. Space Chameleon (and don't even ask . . . I have NO idea). Eli built this little critter early this morning and just had to show him off to me.




Kids have amazing minds.

August 21, 2009

I was totally unmotivated today, but I made myself get off of the computer and do some laundry and dishes.


Playing with the little guy just seems to wear me out! Tinker Toys can get pretty complicated you know.

After I finally got functioning, I ended up working on my retreat upstairs. I tore out a closet, plucked the plastic off of the floor and pulled staples out of the wall. As soon as I finished up there, my sister-in-law came over to ride bikes. Another 5 miles to tack on to the odometer.

At least it wasn't a totally wasted day!

Friday, August 21, 2009

August 20, 2009

What do you think of Asparagus green?



It took me a little over 3 hours to paint the whole room. Dave's only comment was, "My that's bright!" And so it is! I really love this color and it will look so cool with the oranges and browns I have picked out as accent colors.




Okay . . . I'll quit blathering about my "retreat" now, and focus a little on my children. Bayleigh loves her little "Fuzz Face". This poor kitten is probably glad she's gone back to school. Every moment she's home, she's wooling it around, roughing it up, or squeezing the breath out of it.




We took a little hike in the woods this evening and the scenery was gorgeous! The sunlight filtering through the trees . . .




and highlighting a plethora of little plants that would otherwise never be noticed . . .



The down side of this little hiking trip . . . TICKS! Big ticks, little ticks, minuscule ticks. Arghh! I really detest those little buggers.

August 19, 2009

All this rainy weather has caused the mushrooms and toadstools to go wild . . .


I'm glad the paint has dried upstairs. I'm hoping to paint tomorrow, if Dave can watch Eli for a few hours. I just thought I'd get another "before" shot for posterity.




I finished up some of the laundry and dishes, in preparation for painting tomorrow. Hoping I can get myself psyched up for the big job.

August 18, 2009

Another stormy day . . .



When I cleaned all the stuff out of our old bedroom last week, I ended up moving it across the landing to the spare bedroom. This is the stuff that nightmares are made of . . .




So I'll just close the door on this and concentrate on my new, soon to be scrapbooking room . . .




My hubby was a sweetheart and primed the walls for me, with his paint sprayer, but I know the hard part is yet to come. I'm hoping to let things dry for a few days and then roll on the Asparagus green via mommy power. I can't wait to get moved in!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

August 17, 2009

There was a nice layer of dew covering everything this morning . . .



While Bayleigh was waiting to get on the bus this morning, she was complaining about it being cold . . . COLD in AUGUST?! What's wrong with this child?!




While I was outside with my camera, I ended up snapping a few flower photos. (I just can't seem to pass up a flower!)




After Bayleigh got home from school, my hubby, my sister-in-law and I rode our bikes. We made another 7 mile trek today. While we were gone . . .




my mom let the kids get just a touch dirty. They both had to head straight to the shower when they finished playing outside.




We've been getting more than enough rain recently, and I think the kids are both enjoying it as much as I have been. Gotta love the cooler weather!

August 16, 2009

With all the rain and cloudy skies lately, this little shaft of early morning sunlight was encouraging . . .

Dave picked some veggies out of the garden to take with him to work today, and came in with this MONSTER Zucchino Rampicante. Eli had to show me how big his muscles were . . .



He's such a ham.

My friend Nancy came over after church for a nice long visit. It was so good catching up with an old friend. I wish I'd have thought to take a picture! Go figure! Maybe next time.

Eli FINALLY took a nap around 6:00 p.m.


I don't really like him taking a nap so late in the day . . .

but I'll take anything I can get!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

August 15, 2009

Today I made a quick trip to the post office to mail a package of scrapbooking goodies to Canada. Nothing like a little simplifying . . . one box at a time.


As much as I'd like to say that Bayleigh was stringing Cheerios here, alas, she was making beaded jewelry. The Cheerios were just a small portion of the mess Eli made a few days ago.



And he added to the mess this morning by dragging the cushions off of the couch, and grabbing his John Deere equipment to see how well it loaded and dumped. I'd say it more than past the test. I can sympathize with the little John Deere dude . . . so much to do and so little time to do it in . . .


And just so you know . . . I DID manage to clean up all the Cheerios from the various locations around the house this morning. I get tired of crunching them into the carpet with my bare feet . . .

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

August 14, 2009

The second day of school. Thank goodness they break us in easy and then give us a weekend to recouperate. I miss my little girl when she's gone . . .



but I'm glad she enjoys school so much. If she had the slightest hesitation, I'm afraid I'd have to drag her out and homeschool her!

August 13, 2009

Today was my baby girl's first day of school. As much as my kids fight and bicker, I know that deep down (way down deep) they really do love each other.


We drove Bayleigh to school for her first day, and on the way there Eli decided to cover his ears and yell at the top of his lungs, "I can't hear you mommy! Speak up!" I hope this isn't a pre-cursor to the coming year.



Bayleigh has been so excited to go to school, and doubly so, since her little buddy Ella is in her class this year. I'm so glad they'll be together this year.


As soon as Bayleigh got off the bus this afternoon, Eli was running in to give her a hug. He really did miss her today, but it looks like school completely zapped her. She was so tired . . . but not too tired to start a game of Monopoly with me.


And what did I do all day, while my baby girl was gone . . . I CLEANED! I'm getting the old upstairs bedroom cleaned out in preparation for painting. This is going to be my little "retreat".


Since we never finished the remodel on the schoolhouse before we moved in, I thought, what better time than the present! Wish me luck!