The Little Red Caboose Birdhouse

My sister Sharmyn is a creative soul. Recently, she and her husband traveled to Utah for Education Week and to spend time with her in-laws. We didn't get enough time with her. "We" meaning me. I briefly got her to myself on Monday night, where she showered us with gifts. Shouldn't it be the other way around? From her crowded luggage bag, she produced a Strawberry Shortcake book (I still very much love the original Strawberry Shortcake), a sweet little vase to match my decor, a handmade bag from India, few other little trinkets and fun things and this sweet little bird house that she made for Sam. I love this little birdhouse! It's made from an old book and just matches the boys room just so. I am looking for the perfect place to put it.




Thanks Sharm! I love it! Really I do! Wish that I could of had you all to myself because I am selfish like that. I am dying to come visit you at your home to see your stomping grounds.

First Day of School

I can't believe that it is already time for school to start. Where did the summer go?? The poor kids and I are still on a very relaxed summer schedule, so waking up this morning was a bit of a chore. Once awake, Jake was bubbling with energy preparing for the day. While I was getting ready myself, I heard Jake in talking to Mia about school. "You get to go to school today! When you go to school you will get smarter and smarter and then you will be in 2nd grade and have my teacher from last year too. You will love her! We'll walk together too!" It was too cute to have him in her room getting her excited too.


Finally, seven minutes later than I planned, we were rushing to school. I wasn't sure what line Jake needed to be in for his class. We walked around looking for his line with the neighbor boy looking for their lines. No luck. Poor Jake had tears well up in his eyes feeling stressed that he was messing up the first day. Finally, we just ducked inside to find his class already seated. It took a few minutes for Jake to compose himself but at least he wasn't the last one in. Coming home, he was thrilled to tell me about his day. Disappointed that he hadn't made any new friends yet, happy to see old friends from last year and proud of his pencil top eraser he won playing Name Bingo in class.


Kindergarten doesn't actually start this week, we had a 1/2 hour orientation this morning. It was good for us to see how long it takes for Mia to get ready in the morning. She choose one of her two new outfits, got her hair done and insisted on lip gloss. I am thankful for this week to get her used to waking up earlier and getting out the door. She's never had to do this before and I can see that I need an extra 10-15 minute for her.


Mia's teacher is adorable! I am thrilled for Mia. Mia was shy and unsure of her new surroundings. All of her neighborhood friends are in the other class. She was happy to see a familiar face from church. She followed the rules, enjoyed a story and drew a picture of herself. It was especially fun for her when she got to choose a balloon for finishing her picture. Walking home with her hand in hand, she told me that she thought that her teacher was funny and was excited to be there. Kindergartner's are so adorable.




I am looking forward to helping in their classes this year. I hope that I can swing over there a few times while Ryan is home. I really enjoy seeing them in their environment, seeing how they learn and interact.


So even though this school year has taken me by surprise, I am so excited for them to start. I love school and I hope that they love it too.

Just call me Joy...

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Sorry, posted wrong link on Nester's 10 minute change.

Go here!

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While talking on the phone today, I somehow decided that it was the perfect time to spray paint my fabulous finial find from the D.I. about a month ago. I was too busy chatting to take a before pic plus, I wasn't sure how good it would turn out. Just imagine forest green...

When Joys of Home posted this post about some finials that she made into beautifully aged garden finials, I knew that's what I wanted to do with mine. So, just like Joy, I spray painted it with gray primer. Then, just like Joy, I dry brushed some white acrylic paint over it. And to my surprise, it worked! It wasn't hard at all. I like it very, very much and have been busy auditioning it in different places in my home.

Today, Joys of Home is having a spray-painting party. I had a post about my lamps that I recently finished on her list already but I can't help myself for quickly throwing this un-planned project on the list too.

Thanks for the inspiration Joy!!

Lamps Revamped

Isn't that an original and creative title? Wowza! I sure amaze myself.

Remember my spray painting project gone wrong? Well, I fixed it. It's not perfect, but it's good enough! I sanded some of the grit off and sprayed with another brand of paint. That paint worked much, much better. If I would of taken more time to sand, it probably would have looked even better.

I am super pleased with how these lamps turned out. They were such a bargain! The lamps were $5 each from the DI, new lamp harps on clearance for $3.48 each, the brand new lamp shades were a score from a yard sale for $1 each, $3 for spray primer, $3 for gritty spray paint, then $3 more for another try. Cheap, cheap, cheap and I think they look pretty good! Today, I added a dollars worth of ribbon to see how I like it. What do you think? With or without?

I was surprised at how sadden I was to hear the news of Stephanie and Christian Nielsen last Monday. She and her husband were involved in a fiery airplane crash last Saturday. They are both in critical condition.

I have been reading her blog, NieNie Dialogues for a while now since Sharmyn introduced her to me. I really enjoyed the uplifting feeling that her blog brought. As her sister said, she had a way to romanticize the mundane and I truly fell that she felt that way in real life.

As they fight for their life, their recovery will be long, hard and costly - anticipated cost well into the millions. They have four young children and a household to keep up with no parents. We have been keeping them in our prayers and a donation fund has been set up. If would like to read the updates on them or donate a little to their cause, go to her sisters blog http://blog.cjanerun.com/ .

A new addition to the family

Meet Elizabeth.

We welcomed a little kitty into our family yesterday. Our neighbor's cat had kittens and they were trying to find home for them. We met her last week alongside her brothers William and Jack (name the movie) but Ryan and I were unsure about the added responsibility. That all changed abruptly yesterday when the neighbor announced that she didn't have a home and she was going to take her to the pound this week unless we wanted her. Of course, we took her in. And the kids couldn't be happier!

This little one better be a patient kitty. She has lots of love coming at her all day long. Mia and her friends carry her like a baby. I imagine she'll be dressed up sooner than later.

Jake and his friends have been rough housing with her. Sam is mesmerized following her around trying to play with her. For some reason, she doesn't like to play ball with him. Might be that he knocked her off the sofa table throwing the ball at her.

So far, she seems pretty well tempered. She'll come looking for us with her soft meow and purring and snuggling in for a quick pet before she's off to explore some more. The kids are happy and that makes me happy.

It's a PAR-TAY!

A window mistreatment party that is...

I first discovered the Nester through Nicole. She's all about the Nester and all that home-blogging stuff. It's so very addictive. Anywho, the Nester makes you feel like it's A-OK to have less than perfect window treatments up. She puts her treatments up with upholstery tacks, drapery ring clips and hot glue and she's proud of it!

Here's my first accidental mistreatment. I tend to test out theories before I "commit" to them. Here, I was testing out hanging tea towels to give us some more privacy. I didn't want to commit to drilling holes in the wall so I used a spring rod, drapery clips and the towels. I guess I like it, because it's still up! I even bought a rod to make the commitment, but have yet to actually put it up. Commitment issues or laziness? You decide.

Then, my second mistreament. This is more of a mistreatment in progress without making the actual progress. I obviously don't hate it, otherwise it wouldn't still be hanging. Mia's room is a tiny little room with a big window. I pinned a sheet set (that I just tore the elastic off and didn't iron) and a pink panel sideways with some left over ribbon and pinned on some cute pom-pom fringe and voila! My own little mistreatment!

It's so hard to get a decent picture! I think that it looks good and then I take the picture and think twice. Oh well... hope the idea comes across!

Go here to get inspired by other mistreaters. It's kind of fun!

Birthday Cards

For Grandma Mary's birthday, I tried to think of a present that she could use and wouldn't clutter up her life. She is always so good about sending cards for our birthdays so I hoped a set of handmade cards and a book of stamps would be something she could use. I loved the way these cards turned out!

The simple card was inspired from a card at work and I love the way the colors work on it. I wish that I could of gotten a better picture before sending them off! I used Scenic Route paper for the polka dots and the flower and the flower background paper I think was from a Bo-Bunny line. The dogwood flower punch is something I have had my eye on for a while and I am glad that I splurged on it. I am planning on using it again soon!

Little Sailor Boy's Big Adventure

I couldn't resist trying this little sailor suit on Sammy. It was Ryan's when he was about Sam's age. Sharon, my mother-in-law, obviously worked hard making it. The details of the suit are too cute from the sailor buttons to the ribbons and stars sewed on the back of the collar. She even took time to make snaps on the legs for easy diaper changes. Of course I had to take lots of pictures of him!

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Little Sailor Boy's Big Adventure


Little Sailor Boy had been walking for a long time. At first, it felt great being back on dry land. The sun was shining and the grass felt good under his feet. All things that he didn't take for granted anymore being away at sea for so long. Walking along the road, he spots a beautiful maiden riding down the road. Her smile was wide and her golden hair was flowing as the wind rushed through it while riding her purple and pink Princess big wheel. Aw, love at first sight.

"Hey good lookin'! Goin' my way??"

The fair maiden rode quickly by, laughing all of the way. Her laugh and smile was infectious. She wouldn't look at that little sailor boy waving her down. Oh how the little sailor boy wanted to ride with that lovely maiden.

"Wait a sec...is she not stopping? Why is she not stopping?!?"

Little Sailor boy heart was ripped to shreds. He couldn't believe that he was left behind.

"Say it isn't so!! Oh my broken heart!"

But being on the high seas made little Sailor Boy tougher than he thought. He shoved the heartbreaking memory of the fair maiden who snubbed him far back in his mind and set on his way.

"Guess I'm walkin' from here."

Not far down the lane, he beheld another sweet maiden. "Here little sailor man. You have been walking long and far and had big adventures on the sea. I am sure that you want to get home. Take my car little Sailor Boy." she said as she helped him into her big orange car.

He thanked that sweet maiden and though he was thankful for her generosity, he couldn't help but feel the tug in his heart over his first true love, the fair maiden on her Princess Big Wheel. As he went to drive away, he couldn't stop himself from looking over his shoulder hopeful to once again see that fair maiden. The maiden whose golden hair flowed in the wind with her infectious giggle and smile, the one who broke his heart.

And that's the story of little sailor boy's and his big adventure

Butterfly

Happy to be outside, she spotted a butterfly. She danced quickly over to it making the vain attempt to catch it. Excited each time she came close running quickly to tell me the news then as quick as she ran to me, she ran away dancing and jumping and watching her butterfly. Quietly she came to me again walking carefully, her eyes sparkled and her smile wide. "I caught my butterfly!" she said proudly careful to show me without letting it go. "Can I keep it?". She had caught it simply when it landed and closed it wings. We found a jar and she put in some grass and proudly showed her baby brother sweetly telling him about it. "A real, beautiful butterfly Sammy!" she exclaimed. She posed with her butterfly for a quick picture and then was off to show her friends.

Two days, she carried it around with her. On that third day, she came to me with tears in her eyes to tell me that she let it go because it was sad and needed to be with its friends. Soft and sweet, her lip quivered and a few tears fell. She had let the butterfly go because she loved it even though it hurt her to see it leave. Hugged and kissed feeling much better, my little girl, growing up much to quickly.

soldiers in action

These are all my soldiers. I think 150 green men! Some of them were for a science projects and um, I am not gonna make them for the science project because then that would be a waste of 35 soldiers - six are french. My most favorite guy is the one controlling the cannon. And....my most strongest soldier is a bazooka trooper with a triangle on the back of it's bazooka. the guy! with the hat is general. There's not much to talk about!!!!

I like to play with them outside, upstairs, in my bedroom, in my bed and my dresser. I like to set them up and have my Mom take pictures of my battles. Most of the guys are from my Dad's collection from Grandma's house.

I love to play with my soldiers!!

Spray painting - gone wrong

What lovely lamps. Just need a coat of spray paint to perk them up. Looks like this paint will do the trick. Exceptionally smooth, brilliant silver, metallic finish.


Or maybe I mis-read that it should be exceptionally gritty, spray painted glitter.



Sanding and trying something different...

Apparently they are growing up too fast

How is time flying by so fast?? Where's July?? I don't remember what happened in June. School is just around the corner (literally and figuratively) and I will have two kids in school. One part time Kindergartner and one in 3rd grade! Is he really old enough to learn cursive and times tables?? Third grade is what my mother-in-law teaches. Way back when Jake was in Kindergarten at her school, I couldn't even imagine what it would be like for him to be in her class. The kids seemed so big and now, apparently, now Jake is too.

Apparently, Mia is old enough to start school. Oh my, the time has flown by! Kindergarten is part time here. Jake went to all-day Kindergarten so this part-time stuff will be new to me. I am thinking that it will be like everyday preschool, just long enough to get started on something to have to stop and go and pick her up. There are quite a few kids around here starting Kindergarten. All of them are in the other a.m. class making Mia all alone in hers. I hope that it will be good for her to branch out and make new friends. She is not excited about school either. She would rather stay home and play and help make breakfast/lunch/dinner/snacks. She's actually a really good help in the kitchen. Sunday, she helped make the salad and enjoyed cutting the carrots herself.

Apparently, Jake is big enough to mow the lawn. He always wants money. He has lists of things that he wants to buy. Ryan suggested that he write a list of things that he could do to make money. His list included things like sell drawings, have a fruit stand and sell pencils (which he has), but it also included mow the lawn. So, Ryan feeling that the skinny little guy was big enough to push the mower, taught him the basics of it last night. Jake was determined and worked hard at it. Ryan hovered around telling him where to go and how to watch the lines so he doesn't miss parts. At the end with a nice cool drink in hand, we showered him with praise at his accomplishment. When asked if he was planning on doing it again, he thinks no. Too bad that he doesn't realize that it will be his job to do no matter what in just a few short years.

And apparently, I apparently like the word "apparently" today.

I know you're so jealous.

I am going to show you something today that you will be so jealous of. You won't be able to get it out of your mind and will wonder how you can get it into your own home so your jealousy can be contained and you will once again be able to sleep at night.

Behold, I present unto you...



Our kitchen floors.

Dark blue, industrial carpet. I know! You can hardly contain yourself!!

Here, Sammy demonstrates the (almost) daily vacuuming that it requires.
If you are looking for flooring for your kitchen and your criteria is never to have to mop and never having a clean floor, this little gem is for you. Once, shortly after moving in, a dropped a new jar of peanut butter that shattered and spread it contents across this carpeted mess. It was a joy to clean. Everyone should have carpet in their kitchen. Especially if they have kids or tend to drop jars like I do.

As devastating as it is, we are planning on replacing it. We have been planning on it since the day we moved in. Shocking, I know! What to do? It changes on a daily basis. First I thought tile, but I don't want to clean grout. Then laminate tiles. Then laminate. Then dream land of installing hardwood to match the vintage hardwood currently covered in almost white carpet. Then vinyl. Then checkerboard vinyl tiles.


I think I have to come to the decision that I don't want to think about it anymore and just get it done preferably by a professional. I don't want anything to do with it. No DIY here. I tend to have too many projects unfinished to take on this one.

Suggestions?? Comments?? Encouragement?? All welcomed here.

The "oh-so-pink" room

No one can accuse Mia of not being girly enough. She loves anything and everything girly so when it came time to paint her room, nothing but pink would do. I blindly choose this color pink not knowing much of what her bedroom would look like other than the bedding that I already had. I am so happy with this color. It's very warm and not icy or too bold - it's just right.

I had all this great girly furniture handed down to my from my sister. I painted it all crisp white (okay - not the all of the desk yet - yeah -it's been a looooong time). Her room isn't very big so arranging the furniture took a while. I like the layout. Gives her plenty of room to play with her toys and friends.

I ended up using the flip side of the striped comforter Mia already had and I knew I needed some sort of color other pink and white in her oh-so-pink room when I scored the Pottery Barn duvet at Down East Home for $20. It added just enough punch that I wanted out of the room.

What girly room would be complete without a chandelier? I searched the thrift stores for over a year looking for one and never could find one. When I found this brass fixture, I figured it was as close as I was going to get at the thrift store and if it didn't work, it was only $3. Spray paint, silk flowers, beading and some new (old) shades dressed it up pretty good. I love the ceiling medallion and really want to add some of the orange fabric to cover up the chain. Jessica's husband was wonderful to come and hang this for me.

A few weeks ago, I finally decided to break open the sheet set (found on Ebay) and see if they would make good curtains. I spray painted a rod that I had on hand and stuck it up there just to see if it would look good. I pinned the sheets up and the pink curtain is a panel pinned on length wise with white pom-pom trim. I used just a random piece of ribbon to tie it up. I told myself that I just wanted to see how it looks and it has stayed that way ever since. I guess you could say that I did my own mistreatment but it needs some tweaking. I want the rod higher and it could use another coat of paint, hang the orange curtains from ring clips (which I do have), iron the fabric and find a better ribbon. It's funny how many unfinished projects I have going on in my house.

My sister had the cute idea to hang the mirror that went with the desk low so she could use it for her dress up mirror. It's a favorite for her and her little friends. I hung the little boxes with the intent of her putting her cute dress up jewelry on it. It's more of a catch all for her little treasures. I think it's cute to see the new displays that she puts there. One of her favorite figurines that Grandma gave her, a set of earrings for when she grows up and gets her ears pierced, a kitty and a smelly candle all up today, but will change tomorrow.

Over the unpainted desk there are more shelves for her latest treasures. These rocks are very special and all displayed nicely. The sweet picture above is from Jason McGrew Photography. I love it dearly! It needs to be in a better, not white frame to set it off better. That little rickety old frame doesn't do it justice.

After Mia and I cleaned up her room this morning, she and her friends had a lovely time playing and set up another desk so they could both work in their office. I loved playing office when when I was young. I thought it was too cute how they left the desk decorated when they were done.

So, there is Mia's oh-so-pink room. The room closest to be done but seems so far away still but she loves it and that is good enough for me.