Hey, look at me! I got up early again today. Sure, I'm skipping Boot Camp (now imagine me making a guilty expression) but I missed every single one this summer (due to legitimate reasons like being out of town) and now the thought of Boot Camp makes me want to die. Or, rather, makes me think about how hard it will be to get back into and how hot and humid it is outside and how I will be lying in a pool of sweat feeling like death.
So I'm opting for coffee and quiet time this morning. I hear the peaceful sounds of coffee brewing and people sleeping and cats slinking. Yes, this is the right choice for today.
As of yesterday I have a newfound love: dumpster diving. Well, technically not diving because I'm pretty sure that getting in a dumpster is illegal... but... that's neither here nor there. On Sunday I noticed a big broken shelf in a trash pile and grabbed it out. After some repair (free, simple, and highly entertaining to Nils) and some paint (leftover in our garage) and some sandpaper distressing... I SOLD IT.
Um, can I tell you how fun that was?! I saved real wood from certain doom of the dump. I had a lot of fun making something very cool. I made money! Yes, this will be addicting. I already have a few other projects going now. The shelf was actually the second thing I've rehabbed for free and sold lately. Hooked. I'm hooked.
Friday, August 26, 2016
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Early Mornings, Coffee, School Buses, Vintage Hats, Did I Mention Coffee?
I'm trying to get back into an early-to-rise routine around here, so I guess that means revisiting my blog as well.
Starting to blog again after such a long hiatus feels awkward and forced. Umm... hi?
Currently...
Reading: Avenue of Mysteries by John Irving. His writing is so fabulous. Why are his characters always so loveable?
Drinking: Coffee. Coffee. More coffee. I told you I'm trying to get back into my routine of early mornings. Plus, I don't really drink alcohol so coffee seems like a just fine vice to me.
Eating: Oh Lordy, the eating around here. Yesterday afternoon I wondered why my stomach hurt until I remembered I had Target popcorn, two Diet Cokes, and a pack of Rolos for lunch. At the end of the day I congratulated myself on such a good day of eating... and then I remembered lunch. *oops*
C started real school this week and is thriving. She has left and come home in a great mood everyday. She is clearly tired but so wired from all of the excitement that thus far all has been well. There is nothing cuter in this world than seeing her bound onto the school bus and wave from the front seat. Nils snuggles in my arms and we wave back and blow kisses. Oh my goodness. C can barely see out the window and we just see her eyes and arm waving. You can't imagine how adorable the whole scene is. And, oh my gosh, don't get me started on how amazing the school bus is. A bus comes and picks my kid up and brings her to school and then takes her home? For free? And I don't have to be ready to leave and stuff Nils into a carseat twice a day?! AAAMAZING. Also, we lucked out and live across the street from the bus stop. We can see/hear the bus coming from our house. Oh yeah!
Nils and I are having fun having some rarely-before-seen time alone together. Yesterday after our fancy Target lunch I asked him if he was ready to go home and he replied, "No! Goodwill!" Atta boy. We're going to get along juuussst fine. I found a fabulous vintage hat at Goodwill and Nils bought it for me. THIS hat - but in RED! It was a total of 86 cents. A fabulous red vintage hat? Sounds perfect for Pentecost! Vintage hats are my weakness.
While Nils and I are thrilled to be together and are having some adventures of our own, we definitely both miss Carolena. Nils will frequently call me "Lena" or "best friend" when he's talking (they call each other "best friend") and then get a surprised embarrassed look on his face and correct himself to "Mommy." Poor guy.
I really miss C too. I love having some special time to be with Nils but it has been harder than I expected to see so little of Carolena lately. I really and truly like being with her and miss her. She gets home from school at 4 and goes to bed at 7 so time with her is at a premium. I'm trying to have time with her, let Nils have some time alone with her to play, and we have dinner and bedtime routines. So far C has wanted to pile in my bed with books everyday when she gets home from school. Sounds great to me!
I really slacked off on waking up early this summer. I am planning to get back into my early morning groove now that school is in session, but I'm honestly having a hard time remembering how much I loved it. Here's hoping.
Starting to blog again after such a long hiatus feels awkward and forced. Umm... hi?
Currently...
Reading: Avenue of Mysteries by John Irving. His writing is so fabulous. Why are his characters always so loveable?
Drinking: Coffee. Coffee. More coffee. I told you I'm trying to get back into my routine of early mornings. Plus, I don't really drink alcohol so coffee seems like a just fine vice to me.
Eating: Oh Lordy, the eating around here. Yesterday afternoon I wondered why my stomach hurt until I remembered I had Target popcorn, two Diet Cokes, and a pack of Rolos for lunch. At the end of the day I congratulated myself on such a good day of eating... and then I remembered lunch. *oops*
C started real school this week and is thriving. She has left and come home in a great mood everyday. She is clearly tired but so wired from all of the excitement that thus far all has been well. There is nothing cuter in this world than seeing her bound onto the school bus and wave from the front seat. Nils snuggles in my arms and we wave back and blow kisses. Oh my goodness. C can barely see out the window and we just see her eyes and arm waving. You can't imagine how adorable the whole scene is. And, oh my gosh, don't get me started on how amazing the school bus is. A bus comes and picks my kid up and brings her to school and then takes her home? For free? And I don't have to be ready to leave and stuff Nils into a carseat twice a day?! AAAMAZING. Also, we lucked out and live across the street from the bus stop. We can see/hear the bus coming from our house. Oh yeah!
Nils and I are having fun having some rarely-before-seen time alone together. Yesterday after our fancy Target lunch I asked him if he was ready to go home and he replied, "No! Goodwill!" Atta boy. We're going to get along juuussst fine. I found a fabulous vintage hat at Goodwill and Nils bought it for me. THIS hat - but in RED! It was a total of 86 cents. A fabulous red vintage hat? Sounds perfect for Pentecost! Vintage hats are my weakness.
While Nils and I are thrilled to be together and are having some adventures of our own, we definitely both miss Carolena. Nils will frequently call me "Lena" or "best friend" when he's talking (they call each other "best friend") and then get a surprised embarrassed look on his face and correct himself to "Mommy." Poor guy.
I really miss C too. I love having some special time to be with Nils but it has been harder than I expected to see so little of Carolena lately. I really and truly like being with her and miss her. She gets home from school at 4 and goes to bed at 7 so time with her is at a premium. I'm trying to have time with her, let Nils have some time alone with her to play, and we have dinner and bedtime routines. So far C has wanted to pile in my bed with books everyday when she gets home from school. Sounds great to me!
I really slacked off on waking up early this summer. I am planning to get back into my early morning groove now that school is in session, but I'm honestly having a hard time remembering how much I loved it. Here's hoping.
Friday, July 29, 2016
Friday Morning Ramblings
It will come as a surprise to no one that I've been cleaning out our house. As per the usual. Where does all of this stuff come from?!
The good news is that I want to only have interesting things (as opposed to boring old Target crap) so when I arrived home with a stack of beautiful hand-sewn linens from my grandmother I put the old Target set I never use (because I've never liked it much) straight into my Goodwill pile.
The kids and I spent the afternoon yesterday cleaning out Carolena's room (again). That kid. Geeze, Louise. Suffice to say her bookshelf is now in her closet (she's been begging me to move it there) so that she can snuggle up next to it in a pile of big stuffed animals. She calls it her reading nook. I think if it lasts she'll need a light in there to actually read by, but I'm hoping to make her a much better reading nook in the future. We also made all of the stuffed animals go on the other side of the closet. The plan she and I came up with is that the two messiest things (books and stuffed animals) can just be shoved in there and the doors closed. Here's hoping.
We also went through her costumes and *gasp* she picked out a bunch for her younger cousin. What?! So, watch out Hols - we've got some fun coming your way. Glitz and tulle. It's right up your alley. Kelly should go through it first and tuck some fancy leotards away for Christmas gifts.
On the Nils' homefront he and I have been talking about diapers and underwear and all that jazz. It dawned on me that when Nils is out of diapers I'll be... done done done! Done with diapers. So, yeah. He doesn't seem ready yet but I remembered that there are things he'll need to work on now like pulling up and down his own pants. All this is to say, now I keep finding a naked little guy in the house who says to me, "Me need new diaper." Hm. A step in the right direction nonetheless?
Yesterday I kept thinking about how strange it is that my grandmother and her family lived during the Great Depression and had next to nothing. Her mother filled a rocking chair with worn out clothes. Here I am with a constant box going of things to get rid of because "too much stuff!" cluttering our house is the bane of my existence.
Laura Ingalls had a corn husk that she played with as a baby doll. We purge toys before birthdays and Christmas knowing that more are going to come into our home. I can't get over the weirdness (and wrongness?) of that.
Some best friends are coming to visit this morning. We see them about twice a year so the occasion called for a loaf of brioche. I need to pull the dough from the fridge and let it rest so I can bake it. What's better than brioche?! Well, caramel rolls made from brioche but as I didn't go to boot camp this morning I think its probably best I not add more butter to brioche.
Our next door neighbors moved yesterday and in the next few weeks we're watching for "a family of three with a kid around Nils' age" to move in. We're pretty anxious and excited to see what they're like. Carolena (on her own accord) told me she thinks when they move in we should bring them "something like a cake or muffins or something like that." I agree.
Futureman, call me every five minutes. You know who you are.
The good news is that I want to only have interesting things (as opposed to boring old Target crap) so when I arrived home with a stack of beautiful hand-sewn linens from my grandmother I put the old Target set I never use (because I've never liked it much) straight into my Goodwill pile.
The kids and I spent the afternoon yesterday cleaning out Carolena's room (again). That kid. Geeze, Louise. Suffice to say her bookshelf is now in her closet (she's been begging me to move it there) so that she can snuggle up next to it in a pile of big stuffed animals. She calls it her reading nook. I think if it lasts she'll need a light in there to actually read by, but I'm hoping to make her a much better reading nook in the future. We also made all of the stuffed animals go on the other side of the closet. The plan she and I came up with is that the two messiest things (books and stuffed animals) can just be shoved in there and the doors closed. Here's hoping.
We also went through her costumes and *gasp* she picked out a bunch for her younger cousin. What?! So, watch out Hols - we've got some fun coming your way. Glitz and tulle. It's right up your alley. Kelly should go through it first and tuck some fancy leotards away for Christmas gifts.
On the Nils' homefront he and I have been talking about diapers and underwear and all that jazz. It dawned on me that when Nils is out of diapers I'll be... done done done! Done with diapers. So, yeah. He doesn't seem ready yet but I remembered that there are things he'll need to work on now like pulling up and down his own pants. All this is to say, now I keep finding a naked little guy in the house who says to me, "Me need new diaper." Hm. A step in the right direction nonetheless?
Yesterday I kept thinking about how strange it is that my grandmother and her family lived during the Great Depression and had next to nothing. Her mother filled a rocking chair with worn out clothes. Here I am with a constant box going of things to get rid of because "too much stuff!" cluttering our house is the bane of my existence.
Laura Ingalls had a corn husk that she played with as a baby doll. We purge toys before birthdays and Christmas knowing that more are going to come into our home. I can't get over the weirdness (and wrongness?) of that.
Some best friends are coming to visit this morning. We see them about twice a year so the occasion called for a loaf of brioche. I need to pull the dough from the fridge and let it rest so I can bake it. What's better than brioche?! Well, caramel rolls made from brioche but as I didn't go to boot camp this morning I think its probably best I not add more butter to brioche.
Our next door neighbors moved yesterday and in the next few weeks we're watching for "a family of three with a kid around Nils' age" to move in. We're pretty anxious and excited to see what they're like. Carolena (on her own accord) told me she thinks when they move in we should bring them "something like a cake or muffins or something like that." I agree.
Futureman, call me every five minutes. You know who you are.
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Time Capsule
I'm actually in town this morning so I figured I would turn on a computer.
Where have I been? Unplugged, for one thing.
It's really one of the many wonderful perks of having a "dumb phone" that I am not connected all of the time. Yes, that is a perk. If you don't think it is you need to put your phone down.
The kids and I have been foot loose and fancy free this summer. We went back to the beach and then straight to my parents' house. I could bore you with a summary blog post, but why? It was fun. The beach was perfect. Both kids got to go in the kayak. We did a lot of swimming in the gulf. And I gained 8 pounds due to trading work outs for eating ice cream. Worth it. I'll get back in the grind when school starts.
My parents are working to get their house on the market so we spent time in Beaumont trying to help sort through more than thirty years of accumulated things. I'll be honest, it's mainly books. They should jump into the Dewey Decimal System and start a beach library when they move. They could run it out of their house and probably make a fortune on late fees. Or charge membership. They really have that many books.
We went through old photographs, and attic boxes (oh the never ending Coke collection!), and Gran's linens (yes, please!), and Rush family jewelry. Actually we didn't go through the jewelry I just took it home to look through with Kelly. I think when I see her next I should be wearing every single piece, including all five of Pop's police badges.
Wait, didn't I just promise I wasn't going to summarize? Ah!
All of that is to get to this: I brought home Carolena's old rocking chair. No, not Carolena number three. Carolena number ONE. It's old. And fabulous. And the best little rocking chair that ever was.
How old is that wonderful thing? Like 100?
When I picked it up to bring it downstairs the seat cushion fell off and revealed a torn bottom. Upon closer inspection my mother and I realized it was filled with straw and fabric. *Note to self for reconstruction purposes: straw and fabric are incredibly comfortable rocking chair fillers*
"What if there's money tucked away in there?" my Treasure House mother said.
I gave her a skeptical look.
She shot me a mother look that I know very well from both her face and now my own and replied, "That's what people did. I'm serious. When you take this apart be careful and look for hidden money or family jewels."
"Mom, I don't think we're that kind of family" I replied.
A few hours later I was home and all of my new/old belongings were lovingly put away and on display. I decided to tackle the chair bottom and see what mystery was really inside.
Jewels? Money? Valuable family heirlooms?
No, a time warp to the Great Depression. Or perhaps the start of WWII?
Clearly a woman leading a life so different from my own (and yet so similar?) needed to add stuffing to the caving seat of the rocking chair and looked to her own home. I pulled out about eight pairs of antique undergarments, a small blouse jacket, and an entire dress. All of these things were torn. The tears didn't look like the tears of wear (expect for a few places on the dress), but looked to me like tears from being washed during a time with no "gentle cycle" to do all of the work.
It was astonishing. At first I started to laugh. Who stuffs a chair with old underwear?!
And then I realized who does that: people who had nothing else to stuff in there.
And I was humbled. And stood in the middle of our modern day opulence holding the torn dress turned chair stuffing of my namesake great-grandmother.
Generations of babies have now been rocked on that chair. I think it is safe to assume that my dad snuggled up on a lap in that rocking chair a time or two. I'm sure I did. I am positive that my own children have snuggled and rocked on top of the original Carolena's old clothes.
I don't know what I'll use to reconstruct the seat of the rocking chair. Whatever modern convenience I use I'm sure it be it will somehow be less comfortable than Carolena's old clothes. I plan to wash a piece of it and put it back in. I like the thought of generations to come continuing to soothe their babies on the tangible memories of our family.
Where have I been? Unplugged, for one thing.
It's really one of the many wonderful perks of having a "dumb phone" that I am not connected all of the time. Yes, that is a perk. If you don't think it is you need to put your phone down.
The kids and I have been foot loose and fancy free this summer. We went back to the beach and then straight to my parents' house. I could bore you with a summary blog post, but why? It was fun. The beach was perfect. Both kids got to go in the kayak. We did a lot of swimming in the gulf. And I gained 8 pounds due to trading work outs for eating ice cream. Worth it. I'll get back in the grind when school starts.
My parents are working to get their house on the market so we spent time in Beaumont trying to help sort through more than thirty years of accumulated things. I'll be honest, it's mainly books. They should jump into the Dewey Decimal System and start a beach library when they move. They could run it out of their house and probably make a fortune on late fees. Or charge membership. They really have that many books.
We went through old photographs, and attic boxes (oh the never ending Coke collection!), and Gran's linens (yes, please!), and Rush family jewelry. Actually we didn't go through the jewelry I just took it home to look through with Kelly. I think when I see her next I should be wearing every single piece, including all five of Pop's police badges.
Wait, didn't I just promise I wasn't going to summarize? Ah!
All of that is to get to this: I brought home Carolena's old rocking chair. No, not Carolena number three. Carolena number ONE. It's old. And fabulous. And the best little rocking chair that ever was.
How old is that wonderful thing? Like 100?
When I picked it up to bring it downstairs the seat cushion fell off and revealed a torn bottom. Upon closer inspection my mother and I realized it was filled with straw and fabric. *Note to self for reconstruction purposes: straw and fabric are incredibly comfortable rocking chair fillers*
"What if there's money tucked away in there?" my Treasure House mother said.
I gave her a skeptical look.
She shot me a mother look that I know very well from both her face and now my own and replied, "That's what people did. I'm serious. When you take this apart be careful and look for hidden money or family jewels."
"Mom, I don't think we're that kind of family" I replied.
A few hours later I was home and all of my new/old belongings were lovingly put away and on display. I decided to tackle the chair bottom and see what mystery was really inside.
Jewels? Money? Valuable family heirlooms?
No, a time warp to the Great Depression. Or perhaps the start of WWII?
Clearly a woman leading a life so different from my own (and yet so similar?) needed to add stuffing to the caving seat of the rocking chair and looked to her own home. I pulled out about eight pairs of antique undergarments, a small blouse jacket, and an entire dress. All of these things were torn. The tears didn't look like the tears of wear (expect for a few places on the dress), but looked to me like tears from being washed during a time with no "gentle cycle" to do all of the work.
It was astonishing. At first I started to laugh. Who stuffs a chair with old underwear?!
And then I realized who does that: people who had nothing else to stuff in there.
And I was humbled. And stood in the middle of our modern day opulence holding the torn dress turned chair stuffing of my namesake great-grandmother.
Generations of babies have now been rocked on that chair. I think it is safe to assume that my dad snuggled up on a lap in that rocking chair a time or two. I'm sure I did. I am positive that my own children have snuggled and rocked on top of the original Carolena's old clothes.
I don't know what I'll use to reconstruct the seat of the rocking chair. Whatever modern convenience I use I'm sure it be it will somehow be less comfortable than Carolena's old clothes. I plan to wash a piece of it and put it back in. I like the thought of generations to come continuing to soothe their babies on the tangible memories of our family.
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Moi?
Oh, what? You think I'm supposed to be blogging?
I was under the impression I was supposed to be outside.
That's where I've been.
Outside.
All of the time.
So, if you need me... that's where I'll be... out.
My cell phone will be inside - let's face it, probably on silent, God only knows where. I'll be sweaty (hello humidity!) and happy and having fun with my munchkins or completely ignoring them while I search for fossilized sharks' teeth on the beach. I found 47 on our last trip. Yes, 47.
Pardon me, I have to go. The beach beckons.
I was under the impression I was supposed to be outside.
That's where I've been.
Outside.
All of the time.
So, if you need me... that's where I'll be... out.
My cell phone will be inside - let's face it, probably on silent, God only knows where. I'll be sweaty (hello humidity!) and happy and having fun with my munchkins or completely ignoring them while I search for fossilized sharks' teeth on the beach. I found 47 on our last trip. Yes, 47.
Pardon me, I have to go. The beach beckons.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Feeling Hot Hot Hot!
Man, we are good at summer around here. Other states might be good at winter with all of their snow and fires crackling in the fireplaces and whatnot, but man, when it comes to summer: we win.
The kids and I wore ourselves out at the pool yesterday. We spent the morning getting lunch packed and suits on and getting out the door. C went to swim lessons (and had a blast) and I was "that mom" who pretended to be sixteen and took off my coverup and lounged in the sunshine reading my book. It was glorious. Other moms sweltered in the heat and humidity chasing their kids and trying to find shade and all that jazz. I decided to embrace it and it was pretty heavenly. A book, a bathing suit, a ton of sun screen, a drink. I got half an hour all to myself to just lounge by the pool. Hmmm... maybe C needs more swim lessons...
After lessons we picked up N and headed back out to the pool. One of my bff's (Megan) and her kiddos met us there and we picnicked and played for hours. Hours!
When we got home Nils walked straight into his room, closed his door, and went to sleep (that guy) while C and I snuggled into my bed to chat and giggle. An hour later I woke up to find C and I had dozed off as well. Heaven.
We ate popsicles for snack. Homemade chicken nuggets for dinner while we watched The Parent Trap (Lindsey Lohan version - love it). Then we had to all spend time pretending a lizard had climbed in our mouths (Nils' idea). Bedtime and books.
Today, let's do it again. And we need to go to the grocery store... because tomorrow we're going to visit our friends who (wait for it...) run summer camp! Woo!
Yeah, we know how to do summer.
The kids and I wore ourselves out at the pool yesterday. We spent the morning getting lunch packed and suits on and getting out the door. C went to swim lessons (and had a blast) and I was "that mom" who pretended to be sixteen and took off my coverup and lounged in the sunshine reading my book. It was glorious. Other moms sweltered in the heat and humidity chasing their kids and trying to find shade and all that jazz. I decided to embrace it and it was pretty heavenly. A book, a bathing suit, a ton of sun screen, a drink. I got half an hour all to myself to just lounge by the pool. Hmmm... maybe C needs more swim lessons...
After lessons we picked up N and headed back out to the pool. One of my bff's (Megan) and her kiddos met us there and we picnicked and played for hours. Hours!
When we got home Nils walked straight into his room, closed his door, and went to sleep (that guy) while C and I snuggled into my bed to chat and giggle. An hour later I woke up to find C and I had dozed off as well. Heaven.
We ate popsicles for snack. Homemade chicken nuggets for dinner while we watched The Parent Trap (Lindsey Lohan version - love it). Then we had to all spend time pretending a lizard had climbed in our mouths (Nils' idea). Bedtime and books.
Today, let's do it again. And we need to go to the grocery store... because tomorrow we're going to visit our friends who (wait for it...) run summer camp! Woo!
Yeah, we know how to do summer.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Summery Summary
I can tell you with one hundred percent certainty that there is nothing in this world cuter than a happy little Nils wet from a pool, wearing a puppy hooded towel, and eating a zebra cake.
Nothing. Nadda.
You'll have to take my word for it because our pool doesn't allow people to take photos.
We've been spending our mornings at the pool as C is in the midst of swim lessons. It's been a joy this year. It took three years of misery, but finally this year has been great. Evidently 1015 is a perfect start time for us. We can have a leisurely morning and get there with enough time to check a protesting Nils into the kid's club. C swims. I chat with other moms or lounge around reading. Then we pick Nils back up, change him into his suit, and head back out to the pool for some more fun. A picnic lunch in the shade and we're ready to head home for naps.
Like how easy that all just sounds? I left out the part where dropping off Nils takes a lifetime because we have to crowbar him off of my leg. And the part where it takes an eternity to get everyone and all of our stuff into the car and then out of the car and then into the car and so on. And changing diapers in the midst of everything. And sunscreen. And stopping for various things like reading signs and checking out bugs and getting stamps from the front door at the pool. Oh, and neither kid can swim. It's a circus. A wonderful crazy circus. Swim lessons are thirty minutes long. Getting ready, getting there, swim lessons, a short swim, lunch... it takes our whole day.
*
Carolena wanted to introduce two of her girlfriends (one of whom has two sisters) so we hosted a luau this weekend. It was a genius idea as the parents totally would be friends as well (duh, why didn't I think to introduce them?). As per the usual party planning was put into motion and C and I enjoyed making decorations and hitting up the dollar store.
We had a house full of little girls and they all had a blast... that is... until 830 when they all simultaneously started melting down and we realized the party was over.
*
Luau decorations are staying up as they just scream summertime. Plus, they will fit right in with where were going with Carolena's birthday theme. C is getting giddy as we made invitations yesterday. I won't ruin the surprise, but excitement around here is at an all-time high.
Nothing. Nadda.
You'll have to take my word for it because our pool doesn't allow people to take photos.
We've been spending our mornings at the pool as C is in the midst of swim lessons. It's been a joy this year. It took three years of misery, but finally this year has been great. Evidently 1015 is a perfect start time for us. We can have a leisurely morning and get there with enough time to check a protesting Nils into the kid's club. C swims. I chat with other moms or lounge around reading. Then we pick Nils back up, change him into his suit, and head back out to the pool for some more fun. A picnic lunch in the shade and we're ready to head home for naps.
Like how easy that all just sounds? I left out the part where dropping off Nils takes a lifetime because we have to crowbar him off of my leg. And the part where it takes an eternity to get everyone and all of our stuff into the car and then out of the car and then into the car and so on. And changing diapers in the midst of everything. And sunscreen. And stopping for various things like reading signs and checking out bugs and getting stamps from the front door at the pool. Oh, and neither kid can swim. It's a circus. A wonderful crazy circus. Swim lessons are thirty minutes long. Getting ready, getting there, swim lessons, a short swim, lunch... it takes our whole day.
*
Carolena wanted to introduce two of her girlfriends (one of whom has two sisters) so we hosted a luau this weekend. It was a genius idea as the parents totally would be friends as well (duh, why didn't I think to introduce them?). As per the usual party planning was put into motion and C and I enjoyed making decorations and hitting up the dollar store.
*
Luau decorations are staying up as they just scream summertime. Plus, they will fit right in with where were going with Carolena's birthday theme. C is getting giddy as we made invitations yesterday. I won't ruin the surprise, but excitement around here is at an all-time high.
Monday, June 6, 2016
Happenings of Late
What have we been up to? Oh, besides going to the beach, and whittling, and crafting, and playing, and general running amok merriment?
Well, C has actually been enjoying her new dress
And we've spent time at our library getting books and playing and picnicking and feeding ducklings. In the words of Nils "baby ducks soooo cute! Me want to pet them!!"
Yes, Nils. Exactly.
Recently we introduced Carolena to the game 20 Questions. It went swimmingly. She and Chris had narrowed my item down to a movie character (it was Buzz Lightyear) when C asked, "Iiisss it someone who turns into a bad guy when you get him wet? {pause} Cause I'm talkin' bout GREMLINS!"
That kid so belongs to me and Chris.
We've also spent some time enjoying tea parties. Nothing like a tea pot full of sparkling coconut flavored water with some cut apple and a zebra cake to really hit the spot
Uh oh, I've just been alerted that "the bad guys" have "captured" C & N and "chained them up and the hot lava is coming!" Looks like it's time for She-Ra to go save them.
Well, C has actually been enjoying her new dress
Yes, Nils. Exactly.
Recently we introduced Carolena to the game 20 Questions. It went swimmingly. She and Chris had narrowed my item down to a movie character (it was Buzz Lightyear) when C asked, "Iiisss it someone who turns into a bad guy when you get him wet? {pause} Cause I'm talkin' bout GREMLINS!"
That kid so belongs to me and Chris.
We've also spent some time enjoying tea parties. Nothing like a tea pot full of sparkling coconut flavored water with some cut apple and a zebra cake to really hit the spot
Uh oh, I've just been alerted that "the bad guys" have "captured" C & N and "chained them up and the hot lava is coming!" Looks like it's time for She-Ra to go save them.
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Becoming Clyde
So it turns out I like to whittle.
That Tiki was a birthday gift for my father (and as seen on the right above) now resides in my parents' beach house. A weekend at the beach means I came home with more driftwood. To whittle of course.
The possibilities seem endless...
The possibilities seem endless...
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Beer Boxes, Gorgeous Models, and Jake the Pirate
Conversation overheard yesterday:
Carolena examines a full case of beer on our kitchen table and exclaims, "Whaatt?! Nils, this rocket ship space helmet is full of coke bottles!" to which Nils stares in disbelief and replies, "whaaattt?!"
Does that mean our children have never seen a full beer box before?
huh?
wwwhhhhaaattt??
****
In other news... remember how Carolena has spent her entire life referring to me as
such glamorous people as Ursula and Miss Hannigan? As in... pretty much since as soon as she could talk. Her roles for me are pretty consistent and when she calls out, "Mommy! There's you!" I know not to get my hopes up. I am fully aware of how she sees me.
This morning Nils and I were sitting at the kitchen table together reading a magazine while I drank coffee and he had breakfast. We were discussing things like the Golden Gate Bridge and Colorado (both places that he wants to go) and I flipped a page. Nils cried out "That YOU!" and pointed to this photo:
Oh Nils, sweet Nils. What do you want? A pony? I will get you a pony. A real firetruck? Yours. A trip to the Golden Gate Bridge? Colorado? The moon? All yours. I have spent the last years with a small child yelling "that you!" at the most hideous of photos. Nils, you have no idea how much this means to me. Name what you want. It's yours my Nils.
Hey, guess what else! When we went to Joanns last week Carolena actually requested that I sew her a dress and picked out the fabric. This was amazing in that she has never been very keen on any dress I have made for her. She has always been very appreciative and very gracious but then calmly not worn the dresses. So, when we walked around Joanns and she carefully selected Jake and the Neverland Pirates fabric and pink flamingos I was totally on board.
We came home and looked at my patterns and she chose a cute one with little cap sleeves, we talked through what the finished product might look like, and I got to work. This dress was Carolena's design and I was merely the (semi-skilled) laborer. I am sure that she will refer to it as her "Jake dress" and in my mind I will continue to call it what I dubbed it during construction "Murphy's dress" as in "anything that can go wrong..."
After more than my fair share of seam ripping, and a total overhaul of the back of the dress when it didn't fit, and more ripping when I accidentally sewed the pocket to part of the back of the dress (silent cussing ensued at that point)... I finally arrived at this:
That is pre-last ironing because, well, because that's when I took the photos. As you can see, the solution to "ah! the top is too tight!" was to reconstruct the back to be an open back with a ribbon tie on top. I actually prefer this new back to the original pattern. It seems much more summer-y to go with the style of the flamingo/Jake/summertime dress. Carolena and I make a really good team. As we looked at the almost-finished product and did a little brainstorming we together arrived at the idea of cutting out some small Captain Hooks and Jakes from the left over fabric and made small pillow-like guys to put in the pocket. C did all of the stuffing while I did the stitching and now the dress is complete with two of each so that C and N can play with them in church. Yes, really, that's the plan.
I love this dress. It is sooo Carolena. A little funky. A little girly. Very happy and colorful. Something trendy (Jake) but the trendy thing isn't girly. Oh, it's just so C. A big blue jean pocket from an old pair of jeans (I've had that in my sewing box for like 15+ years). Rickrack, piping, flamingos, pirates, mismatched sleeves. Here's hoping she actually wears this one!
Carolena examines a full case of beer on our kitchen table and exclaims, "Whaatt?! Nils, this rocket ship space helmet is full of coke bottles!" to which Nils stares in disbelief and replies, "whaaattt?!"
Does that mean our children have never seen a full beer box before?
huh?
wwwhhhhaaattt??
****
In other news... remember how Carolena has spent her entire life referring to me as
such glamorous people as Ursula and Miss Hannigan? As in... pretty much since as soon as she could talk. Her roles for me are pretty consistent and when she calls out, "Mommy! There's you!" I know not to get my hopes up. I am fully aware of how she sees me.
This morning Nils and I were sitting at the kitchen table together reading a magazine while I drank coffee and he had breakfast. We were discussing things like the Golden Gate Bridge and Colorado (both places that he wants to go) and I flipped a page. Nils cried out "That YOU!" and pointed to this photo:
Oh Nils, sweet Nils. What do you want? A pony? I will get you a pony. A real firetruck? Yours. A trip to the Golden Gate Bridge? Colorado? The moon? All yours. I have spent the last years with a small child yelling "that you!" at the most hideous of photos. Nils, you have no idea how much this means to me. Name what you want. It's yours my Nils.
Hey, guess what else! When we went to Joanns last week Carolena actually requested that I sew her a dress and picked out the fabric. This was amazing in that she has never been very keen on any dress I have made for her. She has always been very appreciative and very gracious but then calmly not worn the dresses. So, when we walked around Joanns and she carefully selected Jake and the Neverland Pirates fabric and pink flamingos I was totally on board.
We came home and looked at my patterns and she chose a cute one with little cap sleeves, we talked through what the finished product might look like, and I got to work. This dress was Carolena's design and I was merely the (semi-skilled) laborer. I am sure that she will refer to it as her "Jake dress" and in my mind I will continue to call it what I dubbed it during construction "Murphy's dress" as in "anything that can go wrong..."
After more than my fair share of seam ripping, and a total overhaul of the back of the dress when it didn't fit, and more ripping when I accidentally sewed the pocket to part of the back of the dress (silent cussing ensued at that point)... I finally arrived at this:
That is pre-last ironing because, well, because that's when I took the photos. As you can see, the solution to "ah! the top is too tight!" was to reconstruct the back to be an open back with a ribbon tie on top. I actually prefer this new back to the original pattern. It seems much more summer-y to go with the style of the flamingo/Jake/summertime dress. Carolena and I make a really good team. As we looked at the almost-finished product and did a little brainstorming we together arrived at the idea of cutting out some small Captain Hooks and Jakes from the left over fabric and made small pillow-like guys to put in the pocket. C did all of the stuffing while I did the stitching and now the dress is complete with two of each so that C and N can play with them in church. Yes, really, that's the plan.
I love this dress. It is sooo Carolena. A little funky. A little girly. Very happy and colorful. Something trendy (Jake) but the trendy thing isn't girly. Oh, it's just so C. A big blue jean pocket from an old pair of jeans (I've had that in my sewing box for like 15+ years). Rickrack, piping, flamingos, pirates, mismatched sleeves. Here's hoping she actually wears this one!
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Scenes of Summer
It feels like it's been summer around here for quite some time. Is it
not the middle of July? Huh... weird. I could have sworn it was. I'm
thrilled that it isn't as we are having a great time. Going to Disney
World and then the beach twice really threw us into summer mode around
here, and things are going swimmingly. It seems everywhere I turn there
are things that make me smile. Sure, the house is a mess (which I'm
swimming upstream trying to clean it), but at least
the mess is largely due to people having fun and using their creativity.
We've watched little to no tv as we have all been have been too busy reading and
playing and painting and creating and imagining. Ah, bliss.
I love when the tv is off. I'm convinced my children are far better behaved when they are getting out energy and creativity rather than zoning out in front of a screen. So, behavior around here has been pretty great lately too.I can't remember the last time we ate dinner in the kitchen. Why would we when we can eat outside on our deck? A tablecloth, a "summer time" meal, dessert most nights, and candles that get promptly blown out by the wind, yes, we love eating on the deck. The lizards scamper around and we dream about what our deck dweller rabbit might be up to. And then we walk back inside carrying all of our plates and utensils, toss them into the sink, and clean up is nearly finished!
Bathing suits have been constantly drying in showers and laundry room. Watermelon is staining our clothing. A pile of "to be tie-dyed" has started in the kitchen.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
How to Win Friends and Influence People: The Wacky Wednesday Edition
Because every day is wacky around here.
I watched a friend's kid this morning so that the friend could go to a doctor's appt sans child. Said friend brought me magazines and brownies. She's awesome.
Does it go without saying that the kids and I ate the entire plate of brownies?
*smile*
When my friend came back I handed her the empty plate and she told me to keep it to which I replied, "Oh no! Do it again!" by which I meant for someone else. So... now she's planning on bringing me brownies again.
Hey, I'll take it.
She is a person cool enough to bring me interesting magazines and brownies. I fed her child lemonade and a ton of brownies and then told her to bring me more. I also told her I think I should start whittling. Whittling tiki gods in fact.
Why is this person friends with me?!
In other news C brought home some drift wood to paint as tiki totem poles. She painted them all pink and then (lost interest? got overwhelmed? who knows?) asked me to finish them. So I did... what fun! Backyard tiki totems galore!
And speaking of turning into my mother (painting driftwood) yesterday I yelled to Carolena, "Kelly!!! Pick up your shoes!!!"
Wow.
Just... wow.
I watched a friend's kid this morning so that the friend could go to a doctor's appt sans child. Said friend brought me magazines and brownies. She's awesome.
Does it go without saying that the kids and I ate the entire plate of brownies?
*smile*
When my friend came back I handed her the empty plate and she told me to keep it to which I replied, "Oh no! Do it again!" by which I meant for someone else. So... now she's planning on bringing me brownies again.
Hey, I'll take it.
She is a person cool enough to bring me interesting magazines and brownies. I fed her child lemonade and a ton of brownies and then told her to bring me more. I also told her I think I should start whittling. Whittling tiki gods in fact.
Why is this person friends with me?!
In other news C brought home some drift wood to paint as tiki totem poles. She painted them all pink and then (lost interest? got overwhelmed? who knows?) asked me to finish them. So I did... what fun! Backyard tiki totems galore!
And speaking of turning into my mother (painting driftwood) yesterday I yelled to Carolena, "Kelly!!! Pick up your shoes!!!"
Wow.
Just... wow.
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Crafty Like Ice is Cold
You would think a blogger showing a recent craft would take an artsy photo.
Or at least get some good lighting going.
I mean really, just some decent lighting and a clean kitchen floor would be nice.
I think we all know I'm not that kind of blogger.
So. Hey, guess what! I got this gem for $10 at Goodwill:
In case you can't tell from that very well taken photograph, it's a piano bench.
Yesterday the kids and I ran amok at Joanns and came home with a bag full of paint, some projects for the kids, fabric C picked for a yet to be made dress (ooohh now the suspense is killing you! what did she pick? what did she pick?! to be continued...), AND new fabric for my piano bench. I was lucky enough to find a nice sturdy thick piece of fabric in the remnant bin. With some staple gunning (can I make that a verb?) and paint found in our garage... voila!
A cute hinged lidded bench? Yes, please! I wonder if my ukulele would fit in there...
Or at least get some good lighting going.
I mean really, just some decent lighting and a clean kitchen floor would be nice.
I think we all know I'm not that kind of blogger.
So. Hey, guess what! I got this gem for $10 at Goodwill:
Yesterday the kids and I ran amok at Joanns and came home with a bag full of paint, some projects for the kids, fabric C picked for a yet to be made dress (ooohh now the suspense is killing you! what did she pick? what did she pick?! to be continued...), AND new fabric for my piano bench. I was lucky enough to find a nice sturdy thick piece of fabric in the remnant bin. With some staple gunning (can I make that a verb?) and paint found in our garage... voila!
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Fun Things
One of the fun things about seldom checking my email means when I do in fact check it I find interesting things like urgent reminders to renew my cars inspection tag (or whatever it is) right now!!! and to get my (unfortunately still over goal) rear end back into Weight Watchers before my online access expires and they start charging me again! Oh the horror! Why aren't the urgent emails waiting in my inbox things like Free latte right now!!? If THAT were the case I'd probably be better about paying attention to my email.
Chris rolls his eyes at me in open annoyance that I never know what's going on at church. "It was IN the EMAIL!" he says in exasperation. Yep. I'm sure that it was. But, as I like to remind him, I am taking the clergy family perks where they come. If I have to put up with him working smack dab in the middle of long weekends then I think it is my prerogative to ignore the email and instead roll over in bed and say, "hey, is there Sunday school tomorrow?" unless of course I'm teaching it...
We went to the beach again this weekend. It's the start to a great summer when we spend the first three days of it at the beach. I found three shark teeth, we saw a bazillion dolphin jumping out of the water, and we fed the seagulls from the ferry. We went to the strand and had lunch at Fisherman's Wharf aka the restaurant where Chris and I went on our first date. We had ice cream at La King's. I told the kids they could each have five dollars to pick out something on the Strand. C looked at necklaces and mermaids and all kinds of things and then settled on a squeaking rubber shark toy. Nils followed suit. Other highlights of the trip include (but are not limited to): Nils' constant quoting of the Country Bears "As soon as I find a ladder I'll be riiight up! mmm hmmm!," ukulele playing, C staying up late to play Ticket to Ride, and this gem...
As C and I went into separate stalls in a somewhat crowded bathroom at the Fisherman's Wharf she called out to me in a loud voice, "wow! I am SO going to clog this toilet!" What?! Of course the entire bathroom starting cracking up. I replied "TMI!" which got more laughter. Geeze.
Chris rolls his eyes at me in open annoyance that I never know what's going on at church. "It was IN the EMAIL!" he says in exasperation. Yep. I'm sure that it was. But, as I like to remind him, I am taking the clergy family perks where they come. If I have to put up with him working smack dab in the middle of long weekends then I think it is my prerogative to ignore the email and instead roll over in bed and say, "hey, is there Sunday school tomorrow?" unless of course I'm teaching it...
We went to the beach again this weekend. It's the start to a great summer when we spend the first three days of it at the beach. I found three shark teeth, we saw a bazillion dolphin jumping out of the water, and we fed the seagulls from the ferry. We went to the strand and had lunch at Fisherman's Wharf aka the restaurant where Chris and I went on our first date. We had ice cream at La King's. I told the kids they could each have five dollars to pick out something on the Strand. C looked at necklaces and mermaids and all kinds of things and then settled on a squeaking rubber shark toy. Nils followed suit. Other highlights of the trip include (but are not limited to): Nils' constant quoting of the Country Bears "As soon as I find a ladder I'll be riiight up! mmm hmmm!," ukulele playing, C staying up late to play Ticket to Ride, and this gem...
As C and I went into separate stalls in a somewhat crowded bathroom at the Fisherman's Wharf she called out to me in a loud voice, "wow! I am SO going to clog this toilet!" What?! Of course the entire bathroom starting cracking up. I replied "TMI!" which got more laughter. Geeze.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
A Letter to My Future Whiney Self
Dear Future Casey,
Someday in the next few months you will once again whine about the side-effects of your new/old migraine preventative medication. Future Casey, shut your whiney mouth.
Love,
Casey
I took a break from my preventative medicine the last few months to chart my headaches. It has resulted in the re-revelation that I feel crummy everyday. Yesterday I told Carolena I was going to the "neurologist, the doctor who helps me with my headaches" and her response was "wow - you probably need to see him everyday!"
So, I'm going back on the preventative daily meds. The side-effects are a bummer (it leaches potassium making my skin insanely sensitive) and I have to once again stop drinking alcohol.
Yes, I see some whining in my future.
And yet, here, on this side of things... I can say that I have lived with those side-effects and I've lived with daily headaches, and I'm going to choose the side-effects. I would rather feel good and be back to drinking Gatorade. I am a very healthy person. I eat well. I exercise. I get as much sleep as can be expected with two small kiddos. I want to be someone who doesn't take any meds at all. That isn't the hand I've been dealt so I'm going to do the best I can with what I've got: migraines. Which in my particular case means daily meds. Suck it up Future Casey. It's better on that end of things.
Yesterday my neurologist was pushing on two points of my head (forehead and base of my skull where my pain originates and resides daily) and I almost fell asleep it felt so great. He was checking to see if there was any tenderness and had to laugh at me when I was like "wait! keep doing that!" Ha. I love that guy. If you need a recommendation for a good neurologist in Katy/West Houston I've got your guy.
So, as of last night, I'm back on track to start feeling great again... so don't offer me any juleps, I'll have to decline.
Someday in the next few months you will once again whine about the side-effects of your new/old migraine preventative medication. Future Casey, shut your whiney mouth.
Love,
Casey
I took a break from my preventative medicine the last few months to chart my headaches. It has resulted in the re-revelation that I feel crummy everyday. Yesterday I told Carolena I was going to the "neurologist, the doctor who helps me with my headaches" and her response was "wow - you probably need to see him everyday!"
So, I'm going back on the preventative daily meds. The side-effects are a bummer (it leaches potassium making my skin insanely sensitive) and I have to once again stop drinking alcohol.
Yes, I see some whining in my future.
And yet, here, on this side of things... I can say that I have lived with those side-effects and I've lived with daily headaches, and I'm going to choose the side-effects. I would rather feel good and be back to drinking Gatorade. I am a very healthy person. I eat well. I exercise. I get as much sleep as can be expected with two small kiddos. I want to be someone who doesn't take any meds at all. That isn't the hand I've been dealt so I'm going to do the best I can with what I've got: migraines. Which in my particular case means daily meds. Suck it up Future Casey. It's better on that end of things.
Yesterday my neurologist was pushing on two points of my head (forehead and base of my skull where my pain originates and resides daily) and I almost fell asleep it felt so great. He was checking to see if there was any tenderness and had to laugh at me when I was like "wait! keep doing that!" Ha. I love that guy. If you need a recommendation for a good neurologist in Katy/West Houston I've got your guy.
So, as of last night, I'm back on track to start feeling great again... so don't offer me any juleps, I'll have to decline.
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Bees Will Buzz, Kids Will Blow Dandelion Fuzz
Yesterday was Carolena's first day of preschool.
Oh. Wait. That can't be right.
Yesterday was Nils' first day.
Errr... wasn't that yesterday?
Wait. Today was the last day.
Wow... so just like that C is done with preschool. What a gal. Those kids are so awesome. I'm so happy that they are growing and thriving and moving onward and upward.
SUMMMERRR!
 |
| September 2013 |
Yesterday was Nils' first day.
 |
| September 2015 |
 |
| September 2015 |
 |
| September 2015 |
Wait. Today was the last day.
Wow... so just like that C is done with preschool. What a gal. Those kids are so awesome. I'm so happy that they are growing and thriving and moving onward and upward.
 |
| May 2016 |
 |
| May 2016 |
 |
| May 2016 |
 |
| May 2016 |
 |
| May 2016 |
 |
| May 2016 |
 |
| First Day in the Fish Class, Last Day in the Fish Class |
 |
| First Day Panda Class, First Day Puppy, First Day Ladybug, Last Day of Preschool |
SUMMMERRR!
Monday, May 16, 2016
Home Again Home Again Jiggity Jig
Well, I guess we're home. For now.
After a whirlwind ten day trip to Disney we had only a few days home until Chris smiled mid-bite at the dinner table and announced, "Let's go to the beach! Right now!" And then we did.
So the laundry pile, coffee drinking, and tiredness are great. And by great, I mean large not "Great!"
In other news we discovered that the creature making various holes around our backyard to access the mysterious land that lies under the deck is not in fact a rat. It's a cute bunny! A little magical looking rabbit who steals fruit rinds from the compost and eats them under the play house. I might name it Kelly... as in... "guys, Kelly pooped under the playhouse again!" Bwah ha ha ha! Middle children of the world: unite!
One child awoke sickly Saturday night and thus we missed the great church Pentecost celebration. It was a bummer as we missed Easter this year too (weird!) and the Pentecost celebration sounded awesome. *sigh* Too bad Chris couldn't stay home with the sick nugget.
I've been playing my uke everyday. Yeah. I love it. So long blog, I have a ukulele now. See ya in St. Louey suckers.
Back to the neurologist on Wednesday. The migraine sagas continue.
And... what else... uh... kids' last day of school is Wednesday. Watch out summer vacation, here we come!
After a whirlwind ten day trip to Disney we had only a few days home until Chris smiled mid-bite at the dinner table and announced, "Let's go to the beach! Right now!" And then we did.
So the laundry pile, coffee drinking, and tiredness are great. And by great, I mean large not "Great!"
In other news we discovered that the creature making various holes around our backyard to access the mysterious land that lies under the deck is not in fact a rat. It's a cute bunny! A little magical looking rabbit who steals fruit rinds from the compost and eats them under the play house. I might name it Kelly... as in... "guys, Kelly pooped under the playhouse again!" Bwah ha ha ha! Middle children of the world: unite!
One child awoke sickly Saturday night and thus we missed the great church Pentecost celebration. It was a bummer as we missed Easter this year too (weird!) and the Pentecost celebration sounded awesome. *sigh* Too bad Chris couldn't stay home with the sick nugget.
I've been playing my uke everyday. Yeah. I love it. So long blog, I have a ukulele now. See ya in St. Louey suckers.
Back to the neurologist on Wednesday. The migraine sagas continue.
And... what else... uh... kids' last day of school is Wednesday. Watch out summer vacation, here we come!
Monday, May 9, 2016
I Lava You
Yeah, we went to Disney World last week.
Yeah, it was awesome.
I'll tell you about it sometime.
But for now... well, you see... I received a ukulele for Mother's Day... sooo...
Back off. I'm busy.
Maybe I'll play you a little ditty this summer and tell you about our trip.
For now, I've got to practice!
Yeah, it was awesome.
I'll tell you about it sometime.
But for now... well, you see... I received a ukulele for Mother's Day... sooo...
Back off. I'm busy.
Maybe I'll play you a little ditty this summer and tell you about our trip.
For now, I've got to practice!
Thursday, April 28, 2016
It's Coming
Summer has been the last thing on my mind... until a few days ago. It hit me like a ton of bricks (or a random hot humid day) that summer vacation is nearly here. So I'm making our summer plans. Here they are: have fun.
That's it. Fun.
I'm not signing up for a bunch of events and classes and camps. I signed C up for swim lessons. That's it. We'll visit Chris when he's at camp. We'll go to the beach. We'll play at the splashpad and meet up with friends from our neighborhood. I'm hoping to have friends over frequently to play and eat. I want a summer of kids in the pool and adults on the deck with a cold drink. I want an icebox cake in the fridge, watermelon running down people's chins, and Chris standing at the grill. That sounds like summer.
I want long days at the beach. Kids in the surf and on the slip n slide. More watermelon. More cook outs. Crab boils and croquet. Boat rides. Yes, summer days at the beach sound just fine.
I'm squirreling away new craft supplies and projects. We'll go to the library. Maybe we'll take a roadtrip.
Summer days are coming. I can't wait!
That's it. Fun.
I'm not signing up for a bunch of events and classes and camps. I signed C up for swim lessons. That's it. We'll visit Chris when he's at camp. We'll go to the beach. We'll play at the splashpad and meet up with friends from our neighborhood. I'm hoping to have friends over frequently to play and eat. I want a summer of kids in the pool and adults on the deck with a cold drink. I want an icebox cake in the fridge, watermelon running down people's chins, and Chris standing at the grill. That sounds like summer.
I want long days at the beach. Kids in the surf and on the slip n slide. More watermelon. More cook outs. Crab boils and croquet. Boat rides. Yes, summer days at the beach sound just fine.
I'm squirreling away new craft supplies and projects. We'll go to the library. Maybe we'll take a roadtrip.
Summer days are coming. I can't wait!
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Egg-cellent
Yesterday I held an egg in my hand that was still warm from the chicken. That sounds kind of gross, but it wasn't. It was amazing and miraculous.
A couple who owns a farm (well, we call it a farm - it's not, it's a pecan orchard) invited us over yesterday so that Carolena could ride one of their horses. It was awesome. Carolena had a blast riding Duke and afterward politely asked if she could go again another day. We had fun with Duke, and Nils discovered that horses do not in fact say "neigh" but rather make a big huffing noise which he now duplicates if asked what a horse says. Adorable is an understatement.
We went to the chicken coop to check for eggs and found that in addition to the three eggs Carolena carefully tucked into her shirt to carry, there was a hen in the coop in the process of laying an egg! As Nils would say, "Whaaattt?!" The hen was in the coop making soft cooing kind of noises - but not in a way that made one think she was comfortable. In fact, quite the opposite. C gathered the eggs from the other boxes, and we all went back out of the coop. A minute or so later that hen came strutting out squawking and singing loudly. She was clearly very very proud of herself. So we commended her good work and went back into the coop - and that's when I got to hold the freshest egg ever. I was amazed.
We came home with fresh broccoli and tomatoes and a day that C and N will continue to talk about for the days to come.
A couple who owns a farm (well, we call it a farm - it's not, it's a pecan orchard) invited us over yesterday so that Carolena could ride one of their horses. It was awesome. Carolena had a blast riding Duke and afterward politely asked if she could go again another day. We had fun with Duke, and Nils discovered that horses do not in fact say "neigh" but rather make a big huffing noise which he now duplicates if asked what a horse says. Adorable is an understatement.
We went to the chicken coop to check for eggs and found that in addition to the three eggs Carolena carefully tucked into her shirt to carry, there was a hen in the coop in the process of laying an egg! As Nils would say, "Whaaattt?!" The hen was in the coop making soft cooing kind of noises - but not in a way that made one think she was comfortable. In fact, quite the opposite. C gathered the eggs from the other boxes, and we all went back out of the coop. A minute or so later that hen came strutting out squawking and singing loudly. She was clearly very very proud of herself. So we commended her good work and went back into the coop - and that's when I got to hold the freshest egg ever. I was amazed.
We came home with fresh broccoli and tomatoes and a day that C and N will continue to talk about for the days to come.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Rainy Days and Sleep Deprivation
Oh you know, just drinking coffee and watching youtube videos on how to braid. Normal stuff going on around here.
Yes, I know how to braid. No, I don't know how to do fancy crazy Elsa fish tail wombat divine braids for my daughter whose hair hasn't been cut in a year (at her insistence. somethings aren't worth fighting). If it were up to her she would have her hair scraggly and unbrushed and "just down!" all of the time. Up to me? Fancy and well kept. I don't have long hair - I have to have fun with hers.
The kids just ran through the room screaming "Go Injas!" (aka ninjas). C is wearing a coonskin cap and Nils is carrying a stuffed animal beaver we named Tobias.
Last night I went to check on kids and dole out some kisses before heading off to bed. Carolena was snug in her bed sound asleep. When I went into Nils' room he was... nowhere to be found. This has happened before. I creep in quietly and walk up to his pillow expecting to kiss a sleeping little angel... only to find the bed completely empty. It is terrifying. Luckily, last night I stayed relatively calm as I searched the room for Nils. Not finding him, I went back to look around his bed again. That's when my foot stumbled upon a soft little head snoozing UNDER the bed. I carefully got him back into his bed and then had to crawl under it to find all of his lovies that he'd brought with him.
Later both kids got into our bed at separate times during the night. Chris ended up sleeping on the floor of Nils' room just to score some sleep for the rest of the house. My elders who tell me to "keep them young forever!" when they see us in the grocery store don't remember how little sleep parents actually get.
Yes, I know how to braid. No, I don't know how to do fancy crazy Elsa fish tail wombat divine braids for my daughter whose hair hasn't been cut in a year (at her insistence. somethings aren't worth fighting). If it were up to her she would have her hair scraggly and unbrushed and "just down!" all of the time. Up to me? Fancy and well kept. I don't have long hair - I have to have fun with hers.
The kids just ran through the room screaming "Go Injas!" (aka ninjas). C is wearing a coonskin cap and Nils is carrying a stuffed animal beaver we named Tobias.
Last night I went to check on kids and dole out some kisses before heading off to bed. Carolena was snug in her bed sound asleep. When I went into Nils' room he was... nowhere to be found. This has happened before. I creep in quietly and walk up to his pillow expecting to kiss a sleeping little angel... only to find the bed completely empty. It is terrifying. Luckily, last night I stayed relatively calm as I searched the room for Nils. Not finding him, I went back to look around his bed again. That's when my foot stumbled upon a soft little head snoozing UNDER the bed. I carefully got him back into his bed and then had to crawl under it to find all of his lovies that he'd brought with him.
Later both kids got into our bed at separate times during the night. Chris ended up sleeping on the floor of Nils' room just to score some sleep for the rest of the house. My elders who tell me to "keep them young forever!" when they see us in the grocery store don't remember how little sleep parents actually get.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
This Post Brought to You by Mr. Clean
I should get paid for posting this, but I'm not. Bummer.
However... you should know... HOLY MACKEREL...
Years and years and years ago (like 25 years ago) one of my mother's friends gave me this for my Coke collection:
Yes, gave that to me... to encourage me in my Coke collecting. How awesome is that?
Wait, you don't know about my childhood Coca Cola collection? *gasp*
When I was a kid I went crazy collecting Coke stuff. And it was awesome. This wasn't like a kid's rock collection when they just shove handfuls of playground pebbles into their pockets before heading home. This was a legitimate collection. Adults were always encouraging me in it and bringing me interesting finds to add to the huge shelf in my room. In 8th grade I entered my collection into the hobby contest at the South Texas Fair in Beaumont (not a kids' contest)... and took home first place.
Over the years I've cleaned out much of the collection. The main things I've kept are things of value because of awesomeness and a few things Carolena liked and put in her room. Every so often if we have had a large enough party Chris and I have used the big Coke cooler but for the most part it has sat in the garage.
My dream is to one day have a huge butcher block made to fit on top of it and use it as a kitchen island or a table in our house. We could just remove the top and fill it with ice and drinks as needed.
But... there is that big spray painted line. Who would do that?!
Due to rust and the black line we really need to get this thing refurbished. But, as of yet, that hasn't happened. The rust looks kind of cool - it lets you know this thing is legit and not some fakey recently made "collectors" item.
Ugh, but that spray painted line. Grrrr
Yesterday on a whim I grabbed a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I keep them on hand because they are insanely awesome at getting weird things out. It's a when you need one you need one kind of item. It suddenly occurred to me that perhaps a Magic Eraser would get the spray paint off without removing the original red... so I tried it... annnnddd...
IT WORKED.
Miraculously... errr magically? the Magic Eraser removed the black spray paint without taking off any red or scratching the cooler. What? HOW?!
Crazy, right? I'm pretty giddy about it. As soon as I realized it was actually going to work I took some before pics.
So, now I just need a big butcher block on top and I'm going to make it a table in the dining room. Ohhh yeahhh.
However... you should know... HOLY MACKEREL...
Years and years and years ago (like 25 years ago) one of my mother's friends gave me this for my Coke collection:
Yes, gave that to me... to encourage me in my Coke collecting. How awesome is that?
Wait, you don't know about my childhood Coca Cola collection? *gasp*
When I was a kid I went crazy collecting Coke stuff. And it was awesome. This wasn't like a kid's rock collection when they just shove handfuls of playground pebbles into their pockets before heading home. This was a legitimate collection. Adults were always encouraging me in it and bringing me interesting finds to add to the huge shelf in my room. In 8th grade I entered my collection into the hobby contest at the South Texas Fair in Beaumont (not a kids' contest)... and took home first place.
Over the years I've cleaned out much of the collection. The main things I've kept are things of value because of awesomeness and a few things Carolena liked and put in her room. Every so often if we have had a large enough party Chris and I have used the big Coke cooler but for the most part it has sat in the garage.
My dream is to one day have a huge butcher block made to fit on top of it and use it as a kitchen island or a table in our house. We could just remove the top and fill it with ice and drinks as needed.
But... there is that big spray painted line. Who would do that?!
Due to rust and the black line we really need to get this thing refurbished. But, as of yet, that hasn't happened. The rust looks kind of cool - it lets you know this thing is legit and not some fakey recently made "collectors" item.
Ugh, but that spray painted line. Grrrr
Yesterday on a whim I grabbed a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I keep them on hand because they are insanely awesome at getting weird things out. It's a when you need one you need one kind of item. It suddenly occurred to me that perhaps a Magic Eraser would get the spray paint off without removing the original red... so I tried it... annnnddd...
IT WORKED.
Miraculously... errr magically? the Magic Eraser removed the black spray paint without taking off any red or scratching the cooler. What? HOW?!
Crazy, right? I'm pretty giddy about it. As soon as I realized it was actually going to work I took some before pics.
So, now I just need a big butcher block on top and I'm going to make it a table in the dining room. Ohhh yeahhh.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Nuggets from Nils
Life sure is fun isn't it? If something strikes you as hilarious laugh out loud. Laugh, shake your head back and forth, and call out "so bunny! so bunny, Mommy, so bunny!"
Make ample use of the phrase "me too!" Refuse to be left out of anything. Ever. Another handy phrase is to call out "that me!" when watching tv or reading a book. Always cry out "that me!" when pointing to thefunniest bunniest character of all.
There is nothing more exciting to look forward to about Disney World than riding that big train. Every once in a while cry out "ride train Disney World!" and cheer.
You know what matters very very much? What you're wearing. Refuse to wear pants as often as someone tries to make you wear them. Shirt options include and are limited to: fire truck, Kermit, "stripey stripe club" (a striped shirt), and shark. Pants when worn must be plaid or madras to resemble "choo choo tracks." Whenever possible wear Night-Night as a cape or over your entire head and make ghost noises.
Make ample use of the phrase "me too!" Refuse to be left out of anything. Ever. Another handy phrase is to call out "that me!" when watching tv or reading a book. Always cry out "that me!" when pointing to the
There is nothing more exciting to look forward to about Disney World than riding that big train. Every once in a while cry out "ride train Disney World!" and cheer.
You know what matters very very much? What you're wearing. Refuse to wear pants as often as someone tries to make you wear them. Shirt options include and are limited to: fire truck, Kermit, "stripey stripe club" (a striped shirt), and shark. Pants when worn must be plaid or madras to resemble "choo choo tracks." Whenever possible wear Night-Night as a cape or over your entire head and make ghost noises.
Monday, April 11, 2016
Even Tough Girls Have Tough Days
I'm still trying to clean out the nightmare basket in the kitchen, and this morning I found this scratched in Sharpie across a torn piece of notebook paper (from December 2015):
Yes, even tough girls can sometimes have tough days. Yesterday was a tough afternoon for mainly reasons of my own bad mood funk. I got home from church and fed kids lunch and settled them into beds for naps/rests and then I looked around our house as if seeing for the first time all of the things staring back at me... laundry piled for washing, floor crying out for a mop, crap everywhere piling up ready to be sorted for Goodwill... and I promptly put on pajamas and sank onto the couch with some popcorn. It was just that kind of day.
Luckily, we had already accepted an invitation to a parishioner's farm for dinner. The fun of being out in the country and watching C&N pet the horses and startle the chickens and generally run amok got me right out of my funk. Turns out that was all I needed.
I awoke to a better day! Somehow I got a ton of stuff done today including but not limited to purchasing a new (to me) shirt from Goodwill for 5 bucks and coming home to google it and finding out it is on sale right now for $60. Score! And also... who spends $60 on a sleeveless shirt?!
I worked out, ran some errands, did a ton of laundry, got everything in order to register C for Kindergarten, and even managed all of it on one less cup of coffee than yesterday. I call that an all-round win. I've realized giving myself really small increments of time in which to do something is a sure way to get something done. So, for instance, today I put a bag of edamame in the micro, hit 5 minutes, and told myself I couldn't have any until I was showered and the phone call on the to-do list was made. Somehow I did it. Short hair for the win!
Sometimes even tough girls have tough days. Today the tough girl won out. Here's hoping tomorrow is just as great.
C: "*sigh* Sometimes even tough girls can have tough days."
Me: "That is so true. Who says that?"
C: "Me."
Yes, even tough girls can sometimes have tough days. Yesterday was a tough afternoon for mainly reasons of my own bad mood funk. I got home from church and fed kids lunch and settled them into beds for naps/rests and then I looked around our house as if seeing for the first time all of the things staring back at me... laundry piled for washing, floor crying out for a mop, crap everywhere piling up ready to be sorted for Goodwill... and I promptly put on pajamas and sank onto the couch with some popcorn. It was just that kind of day.
Luckily, we had already accepted an invitation to a parishioner's farm for dinner. The fun of being out in the country and watching C&N pet the horses and startle the chickens and generally run amok got me right out of my funk. Turns out that was all I needed.
I awoke to a better day! Somehow I got a ton of stuff done today including but not limited to purchasing a new (to me) shirt from Goodwill for 5 bucks and coming home to google it and finding out it is on sale right now for $60. Score! And also... who spends $60 on a sleeveless shirt?!
I worked out, ran some errands, did a ton of laundry, got everything in order to register C for Kindergarten, and even managed all of it on one less cup of coffee than yesterday. I call that an all-round win. I've realized giving myself really small increments of time in which to do something is a sure way to get something done. So, for instance, today I put a bag of edamame in the micro, hit 5 minutes, and told myself I couldn't have any until I was showered and the phone call on the to-do list was made. Somehow I did it. Short hair for the win!
Sometimes even tough girls have tough days. Today the tough girl won out. Here's hoping tomorrow is just as great.
Saturday, April 9, 2016
Go Away Bird!
Did you ever stop to think that maybe I'm not drinking too much coffee... maybe you're not drinking enough?!
Well, unless you're Kelly. If you're Kelly, well done on the coffee intake. Well done.
Speaking of my sis, we met her and two of her kiddos at the zoo yesterday. Now you are probably imagining all of us smiling as we stare at the majesty of the giraffes, laughing as we watch the flamingos, cheering "Go-Away Bird!" as we look upon Nils' favorite zoo animal. You would be wrong. Except for that last thing - Nils always has to cheer for his bird.
Instead, we ignored the elephants behind us (how?!) and scarfed down our lunches at 1030am. We then moved to an area outside of the bathrooms and sat on the ground eating pretzels. After that we sat in a stroller parking area and chatted some more. It was a weird and wonderful morning. We did manage to visit the current Washed Ashore exhibit. Mom, Dad, you guys should make some huge jellyfish out of beach trash for under your beach house. You would be so inspired by the exhibit. Do it! Do it!
My bro is currently planning a trip to Norway. Yes, really. Lucky. So I am living vicariously through him and researching places I would go. First stop: FRAM!
Well, unless you're Kelly. If you're Kelly, well done on the coffee intake. Well done.
Speaking of my sis, we met her and two of her kiddos at the zoo yesterday. Now you are probably imagining all of us smiling as we stare at the majesty of the giraffes, laughing as we watch the flamingos, cheering "Go-Away Bird!" as we look upon Nils' favorite zoo animal. You would be wrong. Except for that last thing - Nils always has to cheer for his bird.
Instead, we ignored the elephants behind us (how?!) and scarfed down our lunches at 1030am. We then moved to an area outside of the bathrooms and sat on the ground eating pretzels. After that we sat in a stroller parking area and chatted some more. It was a weird and wonderful morning. We did manage to visit the current Washed Ashore exhibit. Mom, Dad, you guys should make some huge jellyfish out of beach trash for under your beach house. You would be so inspired by the exhibit. Do it! Do it!
My bro is currently planning a trip to Norway. Yes, really. Lucky. So I am living vicariously through him and researching places I would go. First stop: FRAM!
Thursday, April 7, 2016
I Don't Make Monkeys, I Just Train Em!
I found something great in a big basket full of junk on our countertop. You know the basket, one of those "we'll deal with this later" kind of spots. Yesterday I was looking for something and found a piece of pink construction paper with this conversation sprawled across it in Sharpie:
Carolena (who was wearing a sparkly pink hat): "This is a singing hat AND a dancing hat. You can wear it when you dance and toss it off when you see someone handsome."
Me: "What does that mean?"
C: "A boy."
Me: "What makes him handsome?"
C: "Wearing a nice shirt... a jacket... handsome pants... you know, handsome."
It's 6:15 am and Nils is being introduced to Pee-Wee's Playhouse (thank you, Netflix!). Nils got up at 5 and soon thereafter told me he wants to go hang out with one of his teachers today. Uh, sorry kid. You're stuck with me again.
Speaking of being stuck with me, yesterday (I am ashamed to admit) I laughed at Carolena. I feel really bad about it... but... you can be the judge (don't tell me your verdict of my level of guilt). I was getting ready in the master bathroom and C&N were hanging out in my bedroom. I heard C say to N, "I'm drinking hot chocolate!" in a bragging voice. I thought perhaps Chris was making that in the kitchen and hoped he was making enough for both kids. Seconds later C came screaming into the bathroom with her tongue hanging out. She kept screaming (she's very dramatic) and pawing at her tongue. I gave her a cup of water and had her rinse and spit it out. She kept pawing and screaming. She finally told me what happened, "I was pretending to drink hot chocolate out of this cup... and when I took a pretend sip... it was full of cat hair!" And then I lost it laughing. oops.
Terrible mom moment: guilty as charged.
Carolena (who was wearing a sparkly pink hat): "This is a singing hat AND a dancing hat. You can wear it when you dance and toss it off when you see someone handsome."
Me: "What does that mean?"
C: "A boy."
Me: "What makes him handsome?"
C: "Wearing a nice shirt... a jacket... handsome pants... you know, handsome."
It's 6:15 am and Nils is being introduced to Pee-Wee's Playhouse (thank you, Netflix!). Nils got up at 5 and soon thereafter told me he wants to go hang out with one of his teachers today. Uh, sorry kid. You're stuck with me again.
Speaking of being stuck with me, yesterday (I am ashamed to admit) I laughed at Carolena. I feel really bad about it... but... you can be the judge (don't tell me your verdict of my level of guilt). I was getting ready in the master bathroom and C&N were hanging out in my bedroom. I heard C say to N, "I'm drinking hot chocolate!" in a bragging voice. I thought perhaps Chris was making that in the kitchen and hoped he was making enough for both kids. Seconds later C came screaming into the bathroom with her tongue hanging out. She kept screaming (she's very dramatic) and pawing at her tongue. I gave her a cup of water and had her rinse and spit it out. She kept pawing and screaming. She finally told me what happened, "I was pretending to drink hot chocolate out of this cup... and when I took a pretend sip... it was full of cat hair!" And then I lost it laughing. oops.
Terrible mom moment: guilty as charged.
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Procrastination Station
I don't understand procrastination. I mean... I'm going to have to do it eventually, so why not get the monkey off of my back?
And yet...
Someday I will have to actually wean back this caffeine as my sleeping, or lack thereof, has reached a terrible place.
Someday I will have to actually call our doctors and dentists and get check-ups on the calendar. I've been procrastinating on that since January. Why haven't I done it yet?
Someday I will have to go back to ww and weigh in... and by someday I mean by the end of the month... and I really really don't want to pay. So why haven't I buckled down and gotten back to goal yet? Or even within the not-paying range?!
Someday I will have to clean the blinds in our kitchen. They are gross as that is where Nils sits. But in my defense - they are huge. And cleaning them sounds miserable.
I have a lot of things Future Casey will have to deal with. Today I'll concentrate on eating well and drinking slightly less caffeine. And maybe getting some of those making appointment phone call monkeys off of my back. Ah! And the kids need raincoats.
But first: coffee. And a shower. Because at least I worked out this morning.
And yet...
Someday I will have to actually wean back this caffeine as my sleeping, or lack thereof, has reached a terrible place.
Someday I will have to actually call our doctors and dentists and get check-ups on the calendar. I've been procrastinating on that since January. Why haven't I done it yet?
Someday I will have to go back to ww and weigh in... and by someday I mean by the end of the month... and I really really don't want to pay. So why haven't I buckled down and gotten back to goal yet? Or even within the not-paying range?!
Someday I will have to clean the blinds in our kitchen. They are gross as that is where Nils sits. But in my defense - they are huge. And cleaning them sounds miserable.
I have a lot of things Future Casey will have to deal with. Today I'll concentrate on eating well and drinking slightly less caffeine. And maybe getting some of those making appointment phone call monkeys off of my back. Ah! And the kids need raincoats.
But first: coffee. And a shower. Because at least I worked out this morning.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Cabin Fever
Given the number of days I've spent at home the last few weeks I have nothing of interest to blog about... as you already know.
C has had a fever that's been coming and going and then coming and then going so we've stayed home a ridiculous number of days since spring break. After a long morning of running tests yesterday the doctor's best guess is an otherwise asymptomatic sinus infection. So, here's hoping the new meds do the trick!
But that means were home today. Again.
The kids are watching Brave. I'm doing laundry and washing dishes and contemplating the fact that I should really clean our master bedroom.
It's a beautiful day outside. Maybe we'll head out to the backyard.
In a few months I will feel bad for Chris when the kids and I are at the splash pad with Sonic drinks and he is at work. When that time comes I hope he remembers this spring when I was stuck indoors for days on end with cabin fever and he was the one feeling bad for me. When that time comes, Chris, I'll bring you a Sonic drink and a free smile.
C has had a fever that's been coming and going and then coming and then going so we've stayed home a ridiculous number of days since spring break. After a long morning of running tests yesterday the doctor's best guess is an otherwise asymptomatic sinus infection. So, here's hoping the new meds do the trick!
But that means were home today. Again.
The kids are watching Brave. I'm doing laundry and washing dishes and contemplating the fact that I should really clean our master bedroom.
It's a beautiful day outside. Maybe we'll head out to the backyard.
In a few months I will feel bad for Chris when the kids and I are at the splash pad with Sonic drinks and he is at work. When that time comes I hope he remembers this spring when I was stuck indoors for days on end with cabin fever and he was the one feeling bad for me. When that time comes, Chris, I'll bring you a Sonic drink and a free smile.
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Sunday
Don't ask me how much coffee I've had this morning and I won't ask you how much you've had.
Hint: it's at least less than Voltaire.
I'm right in the middle of GWTW. Which of course means don't talk to me or expect me to do anything other than read. Holy mackerel that book is fabulous.
I'm thinking about ordering my bookshelves by putting the books that I reread all of the time together, books that I love but don't tend to reread together, and books that I haven't read yet together. That could be interesting and save time when searching for the next book to read.
I finally got control of myself and have lost a few of the pounds I needed to shed before ww weigh in. I'm not back to goal yet but hopefully will be before the end of April. How does one get control if they are Casey you ask? I filled the fridge and fruit bowl with fruit that I really like. I wrote "not for Casey" across the top of the peanut butter jar (my weakness), and hard boiled 50,000 eggs. And filled the freezer with edamame. That's about it. Voila, lost weight. I'm eating more than fruit, edamame, and eggs, but those are just good go-to things for me when I'm feeling snacky. Oh, and greek yogurt. Now I just need to maintain this control.
Disney countdown is in full swing and I'm busy squirreling away entertainment for the two day drive. I'm really looking forward to the car trip. Our last car trip was a blast. We're not a techy family and didn't watch movies on the drive or bring ipads or whatnot. I'm stocking up on conversation ideas, books, and car friendly games. I plan on getting a good audio book or two from the library as well. I can't wait!!
Hint: it's at least less than Voltaire.
I'm right in the middle of GWTW. Which of course means don't talk to me or expect me to do anything other than read. Holy mackerel that book is fabulous.
I'm thinking about ordering my bookshelves by putting the books that I reread all of the time together, books that I love but don't tend to reread together, and books that I haven't read yet together. That could be interesting and save time when searching for the next book to read.
I finally got control of myself and have lost a few of the pounds I needed to shed before ww weigh in. I'm not back to goal yet but hopefully will be before the end of April. How does one get control if they are Casey you ask? I filled the fridge and fruit bowl with fruit that I really like. I wrote "not for Casey" across the top of the peanut butter jar (my weakness), and hard boiled 50,000 eggs. And filled the freezer with edamame. That's about it. Voila, lost weight. I'm eating more than fruit, edamame, and eggs, but those are just good go-to things for me when I'm feeling snacky. Oh, and greek yogurt. Now I just need to maintain this control.
Disney countdown is in full swing and I'm busy squirreling away entertainment for the two day drive. I'm really looking forward to the car trip. Our last car trip was a blast. We're not a techy family and didn't watch movies on the drive or bring ipads or whatnot. I'm stocking up on conversation ideas, books, and car friendly games. I plan on getting a good audio book or two from the library as well. I can't wait!!
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Thursday Check-In
It's 1:30 in the afternoon and I'm still in pajamas.
How did that happen?!
I spent last night on the floor in c's room. She had a highish fever again (why?!). So we spent today at home. Again.
We all have some cabin fever around here. We've been home a lot of days. A lot. Including Easter Sunday.
Today we've made the most of it though with plenty of Disney centered conversation, some audio books, and the creation of a giant countdown to vacation banner which I need to finish assembling.
I've had countless cups of coffee and a Diet Coke. You know... because I'm still in my pjs, so why not?
Kids are both napping. I've consumed an entire bag of edamame. I want another Diet Coke. Disney countdown assembly is awaiting. I've changed like 80 diapers today.
I feel crazy.
Thank God the clergy spouse retreat starts tomorrow. I plan to leave our house early and get a much-need haircut. And maybe have dinner with Scarlett and Rhett before heading out there (no, I haven't completely lost it - that's the book I'm reading).
Friday, where are you?
How did that happen?!
I spent last night on the floor in c's room. She had a highish fever again (why?!). So we spent today at home. Again.
We all have some cabin fever around here. We've been home a lot of days. A lot. Including Easter Sunday.
Today we've made the most of it though with plenty of Disney centered conversation, some audio books, and the creation of a giant countdown to vacation banner which I need to finish assembling.
I've had countless cups of coffee and a Diet Coke. You know... because I'm still in my pjs, so why not?
Kids are both napping. I've consumed an entire bag of edamame. I want another Diet Coke. Disney countdown assembly is awaiting. I've changed like 80 diapers today.
I feel crazy.
Thank God the clergy spouse retreat starts tomorrow. I plan to leave our house early and get a much-need haircut. And maybe have dinner with Scarlett and Rhett before heading out there (no, I haven't completely lost it - that's the book I'm reading).
Friday, where are you?
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Oh Swell
Every once in a while I look around and see that I am the source of the problem. Everyone's new cubbies look like a mess?! Oh wait... it's just that mine has exploded with stuff. Our dresser is constantly covered in crap?! Oh... my bad. Tripping over shoes in the living room? Hmm... anyone else around here wear size 9 blue suede loafers? Rats. Me again.
Last night Chris came home to chaos. Total chaos. And this time it definitely wasn't me.
Had Chris come home to bathed and pajamed little angels it would have been because I'd lost my shit and forced the kids to take a bath while I drank a mint julep and read my book. Had Chris come home to a fresh mint julep it would have been because I was drinking one and pretended like I made it for him when he opened the door. Had Chris come home to a calm quiet dinner for two it would have been because the aforementioned children had peanut butter sandwiches while contained in the bathtub.
But he didn't.
He came home to people who were hungry and tired and melting down. He came home to a wife who was drinking water and trying to finish dinner so that we could enjoy a nice peaceful meal. He came home to kids who threw tantrums at the table (one of whom literally threw his veggies in protest).
I would have made a great 1950s housewife.
Last night Chris came home to chaos. Total chaos. And this time it definitely wasn't me.
Had Chris come home to bathed and pajamed little angels it would have been because I'd lost my shit and forced the kids to take a bath while I drank a mint julep and read my book. Had Chris come home to a fresh mint julep it would have been because I was drinking one and pretended like I made it for him when he opened the door. Had Chris come home to a calm quiet dinner for two it would have been because the aforementioned children had peanut butter sandwiches while contained in the bathtub.
But he didn't.
He came home to people who were hungry and tired and melting down. He came home to a wife who was drinking water and trying to finish dinner so that we could enjoy a nice peaceful meal. He came home to kids who threw tantrums at the table (one of whom literally threw his veggies in protest).
I would have made a great 1950s housewife.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Monday Monday
Yesterday Chris had the day off of work (Monday after holy week the office is closed) and as the kids were at school we had a date day. It was the best day ever. The weather was perfect and we had lunch on the patio at Dish Society, a local farm to table restaurant. It's a very hipster restaurant in La Centerra (I love La Centerra. It makes me feel like I live in Aspen) and thus, much to my dismay, didn't have Diet Coke. I am one of those people who falls in between Gen X and the Millennials. I am much more like Ms than the Xers (almost M to a T) but have some definite X traits like being annoyed that a hipster restaurant didn't carry my poison drink of choice. Stupid hipsters carrying Maine Root drinks instead of Coca Cola.
I actually love that restaurant. Farm to table? Awesome. Outdoor seating? Yes please. Normal sized salads instead of entire bag of lettuce in a bowl? Yes. I might leave and come home and eat a bag of chips (oops) but I love restaurants that don't overdo portions (unless its Mexican food and then bring on the chip baskets!).
We also volunteered at school for C's class' library time. It was so fast with two people and way more fun with Chris (as most things are). And we managed to get our announcement together for telling the kids where we are going on vacation this year and had time to veg on the couch. It was pretty much heaven. If we'd gone to Goodwill and bought a ton of books I would have exploded with happiness.
When the kids came home from school we had a big chest in the doorway with a note on it about how we'll be going on vacation soon. When they opened the trunk Mickey and Minnie balloons floated out and I dumped a bunch of small Disney balloons over their heads while we yelled, "We're going to Disney World!"
They were mostly excited about the balloons.
Yeah.
Now we can finally start obsessing about our upcoming trip and make a big countdown chart for the kids. I'd tell you when we're going but I don't want you to come rob my house, Kelly. Perhaps I should count the pineapple iced tea spoons before we leave.
The day ended with homemade pizza and mint juleps and dinner on our deck. Kids went to bed easily and we watched more It's Always Sunny. So, hmm, yesterday was pretty much an ideal day. What now Tuesday?!
In other news: I'm off the wagon on pretty much everything. I'm out of control on caffeine. I'm eating whatever the hell I want and thus over my ww goal (oh crap). I'm drinking mint juleps (duh, it's spring and we have a deck. Plus I'm rereading GWTW and that doesn't help). The only thing that I haven't gone off the rails on is working out. I've even been sleeping in til 6am. *SIGH* I wish I could get motivated to get a grip but I can't seem to find a "why" for any of those things. I know my neurologist would have something to say about my caffeine but I'm doing well with migraines soooo... bring on the coffee...? I know the mint juleps are adding to the ww weight problem but... it's spring. And they're good. I know I'm going to have to weigh in for April and I'll have to pay (I've been at goal for like 18 months. I really don't want to pay) but I just can't seem to get a grip. The problem is this: I've gained five pounds and I don't see why it matters. I don't want five to turn into ten and that's why I need to get a grip... but the five didn't really make a difference in my life other than having more fun. I know that five pounds less is about as small as I get. Five pounds heavier and my clothes still fit (not as well). Chris thinks I'm beautiful no matter what (God bless him). I'm still exercising. Losing the five gained will require the loss of my mint juleps and not eating enormous amounts of pizza. I need to find my motivation. Perhaps for now I will concentrate on losing weight so I don't have to pay for April. I'll let Future Casey deal with the caffeine. For now, another cup of coffee.
Friday, March 25, 2016
Magazine Life
Somehow, miraculously, yesterday's peace and potential resulted in this:
Now would be the time when Nils pops up out of nowhere chanting, "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!"
Yes, he does that all of the time. It's awesome and amazing and does in fact boost one's energy. I told you, we're raising an 80s villain. He also likes to sing "Go Mommy! Go Mommy!" for me... and himself which is the best "Go Nils! Go Nils!"
Seriously though, Casey! Casey! Casey!
You know how magazines are always acting like people can turn nothing into something just by digging around their house? For once, that worked for me. A few months ago my mom snagged some awesome Kindergarten cubbies from my old school and saved them for us. They were awesome, real wood, and huge. So we cut them in half and turned them into this:
They are so useful. I could have cleaned them up for their blog debut and made them look like a magazine. I could have lined up our shoes adorably across the bottom. I could have put my llbean tote in there just so. I could have a picture that is centered and includes the cool picture hanging above them and flowers on top. But that isn't real life. This is what those cubbies really look like everyday. Hm... perhaps I will paint and distress those too...
Yesterday I contemplated the leftover cubbies (from cutting them in half). I ended up popping the side off of one of them and attaching it to the back of the other to make it stable. Then, I found some leftover paint from my laundry room and got to work (yes, my laundry room is that happy color). What fun! Some sandpaper completed the look and then the kids helped me move kitchen stuff onto it. I love it!
Again, I could have gone with magazine quality... but that's what our island actually looks like this morning.
For years now I've had a picture on our fridge of a kitchen I tore out of a magazine. It is an island with a beautiful shelf built in underneath. Finally! Finally!
Chris has been lovingly teasing me about our house lately. Something about the spring makes me nest. I can't stop daydreaming and working and changing and rearranging. Hm... speaking of which... I have a shelf to go hang in the bathroom...
Now would be the time when Nils pops up out of nowhere chanting, "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!"
Yes, he does that all of the time. It's awesome and amazing and does in fact boost one's energy. I told you, we're raising an 80s villain. He also likes to sing "Go Mommy! Go Mommy!" for me... and himself which is the best "Go Nils! Go Nils!"
Seriously though, Casey! Casey! Casey!
You know how magazines are always acting like people can turn nothing into something just by digging around their house? For once, that worked for me. A few months ago my mom snagged some awesome Kindergarten cubbies from my old school and saved them for us. They were awesome, real wood, and huge. So we cut them in half and turned them into this:
They are so useful. I could have cleaned them up for their blog debut and made them look like a magazine. I could have lined up our shoes adorably across the bottom. I could have put my llbean tote in there just so. I could have a picture that is centered and includes the cool picture hanging above them and flowers on top. But that isn't real life. This is what those cubbies really look like everyday. Hm... perhaps I will paint and distress those too...
Yesterday I contemplated the leftover cubbies (from cutting them in half). I ended up popping the side off of one of them and attaching it to the back of the other to make it stable. Then, I found some leftover paint from my laundry room and got to work (yes, my laundry room is that happy color). What fun! Some sandpaper completed the look and then the kids helped me move kitchen stuff onto it. I love it!
Again, I could have gone with magazine quality... but that's what our island actually looks like this morning.
For years now I've had a picture on our fridge of a kitchen I tore out of a magazine. It is an island with a beautiful shelf built in underneath. Finally! Finally!
Chris has been lovingly teasing me about our house lately. Something about the spring makes me nest. I can't stop daydreaming and working and changing and rearranging. Hm... speaking of which... I have a shelf to go hang in the bathroom...
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