Global Reform.

Around Christmas time, we were given a globe.  I was excited because, like a lot of people, I like the idea of decorating with them.  This globe is nice and big, but the base leaves a little to be desired:

Have you ever seen a plastic globe before? 
Me neither. 

So you know what I did, right?  Yes, that's right.  I painted it.

Source:  http://www.sherwin-williams.com/

Okay, not quite like that...

It's still a little too "modern" for my taste and I'm thinking that perhaps an "oil rubbed bronze" look might be better, but that will require a trip to Walmart and since I've already been once today, it's not happening right now.

Maybe tomorrow.  Global reform takes a lot of time, thoughtful introspection, and patience, don't you know...

Patch Madness.

Lately, I've been having fun making these:

It seems that I am addicted to patchy goodness...

I've linked up with Carrie at Dittle Dattle.  There are some great links over there so be sure to take a look!

Slam that Door.

I would like to announce to the world that my son has inherited my extraordinary door-slamming talent.  He has the gift!

Yesterday afternoon, he was frustrated that he couldn't play a video game so he stomped out of the living room, stormed down the hall, and yelled "Fine!  Then I'm going to my room until dinner!"

...and SLAMMED HIS DOOR!

Exactly three seconds later (not kidding, we counted) he opened the door, came out, and said, "Okay.  Not really, but I'm still mad!"

I laughed so hard I nearly fell off the couch!  I know that you shouldn't laugh at your child and I hid behind a large pillow so he wouldn't notice, but bless his heart!  He is just so darn funny sometimes.  What five-year-old slams his door?  Mine, of course!

I need to go check his baby book to see if there is a special spot for documenting this particular milestone...

Little Lamp Makeover.

A couple of years ago, J and C found this lamp for me at a "frou-frou" shop (their label for the type of stores I favor):

It wasn't quite as dusty back then and I thought it was really cute, but I had a really hard time finding a place for it within our house.  I was busy trying to convince myself that I wanted our home to be more traditional than country and I was frantically trying to switch our decor to a cooler color palate, rather than the warm reds, yellows, and greens that I've always favored.

But there was a problem.  I kept getting stuck.  Every time I would try to morph my house into a beautiful space like The Nester's or the lovely spaces at Young House Love, I found myself frustrated and uncomfortable.  I lost all decorating confidence and this was evident in the fact that it took me two years to pick out a paint color for our living room.  Not good.

I think that there were really two problems.  First, we don't currently have a lot of money for re-decorating.  I know just the look I would pick for our home if I had an unlimited budget and could start from scratch, but trying to completely change our style while working within my limits was like swimming against the tide.  It wore me out.  The second issue is this:  I feel best when I'm surrounded by warm colors, pattern, and texture.  After months years of trying to figure out which direction to take, everything changed with one question from J.  He just asked "What do you want?" and I immediately thought "warm." 

I want our home to be warm and cozy. 

Which brings me back to my little red lamp.  I have closets full of great things that are just waiting for imaginative (and free or cheap) updates so that they can be re-introduced to our new decor.  So, please join me in welcoming our first updated friend: 

With a few strips of fabric and a hot glue gun, I found a (free) way to freshen up my little friend and I could not be happier.  New paint, new lamp, and new artwork (did you notice my latest love???).  I think I'm on a roll!

I am not Sophisticated.



Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Lauren Bacall, Elizabeth Taylor

Yesterday, I heard Elizabeth Taylor described as "sophisticated" and it struck me that no one would ever describe me in that way.  I am not sophisticated--unless the meaning of "sophisticated" has suddenly been changed to mean "goofy."

Then I thought about other words that have never been used to describe me:  Graceful. Neat. Elegant.  Brilliant. Put-together. Glamorous. Decisive. Quiet.

And I'm okay with that.

But there are other words that I wish could be used.  Words like:  Patient. Generous. Optimistic. Grateful. Brave. Daring. Creative. Well-read. Content. Energetic.

I would also settle for:
Thin.
Beautiful.
Rich.                : )

It's not an altogether pleasant thing to stop and think about how I might be perceived by others. 
Or how I perceive myself. 

But it is good to know that I can work on myself.  I can take positive steps to improve myself.  We all can.

See?  That's me being optimistic. 


P.S.  You'll find a lot of "interesting" things if you do a google search for "sophistication."  This is my favorite:

Source:  http://www.akacrasher.com/stuff/FAIL/

Painting, Painting, & more Painting.

I haven't had much to report from our happy little home this week.
C has been going to preschool.
J has been "enjoying" his spring break.  (Though he did report that he is bored out of his gourd.  Okay, he didn't really say "out of his gourd," but I know he wanted to.)

And me?

I've been painting and painting and painting and I'm still only about 1/3 of the way finished. 
My legs are sore.  My arms are sore.  Even my jaw is sore--probably because I tend to scowl as I paint.

I signed up for Weight Watchers Online the other day (again) and when I entered four hours (a very conservative estimate) of painting in for Activity points, it gave me 17.  Seems a bit unlikely, but you know what?  I'm counting them! 

(Maybe it is accurate because I just typed in 60 minutes of vigorous aerobics and that scored 15 points.  And no, I didn't actually engage in 60 minutes of vigorous aerobics because that would just be silly.)

At any rate, I'm busy painting myself thin.  Tee Hee!
And the fact that I can't actually chew should help too.

Just think, if it works, I can market it as the first ever TMJ / Interior Paint Diet.  I'll have to come up with a snappier name, though, because I wouldn't want people to think that they are actually supposed to eat interior paint.

On a side note, should I be concerned that my mascara smells just like the paint I'm using on our walls?

Are you beginning to think that the fumes are getting to me?

Could be........................or it could just be that this is how I always think.

Do you feel sorry for me yet?  : )

What Else is New?

Happy Monday.  I would say that it's a bit more like a whine-filled, mucas-y Monday around here, but I'm trying to stay positive.  I have two sick boys (one big, one small) and I feel like I need toothpicks to hold my blood-shot eyes open this morning. 

My little boy has had a very runny nose for 9 days now.  No other problems (unless you count whine).  He's probably going to the doctor this week.

My big boy thinks he has strep, but I think he has really bad allergies.  He's on the mend and has decided to go to work today--on this--the first day of spring break.  Raise your hand if you think he is secretly going to a movie instead.  Actually, I'm afraid his coughing would get him kicked out of a movie theater right now.

I'm sure that you are all wondering whether or not I have my midterm grades completed and turned in.........and the answer is.........yes.  Couldn't resist the drama.  Sorry!  So, although last week was technically my spring break, this week will probably look a bit springier to me, what with the absence of snowdrifts of work and all.

And so, I hope to make additional progress on my living room painting project.  Wish me luck!  I'm moving on to gallon three and wishing that I could wiggle my nose and call it done.

Painting.

My little helper and I have been busy painting.  C has his first official "paint clothes," his own brush, and a very classy Cool Whip container to hold his paint.  He painted steadily for about 30 minutes and then decided that it was time for a snack break. 

He never returned.

Later, I found him on the couch eating fruit chews and watching TV.

I still have a lot more to paint.  A lot.  Like 6 gallons worth.
But it is good to be making some progress on this task. 
So good!

Happy Friday!

Call the Doctor?

Can you see what is happening?

(No, I'm not talking about the fact that my child is still wearing pajamas at 1:00 PM--it's spring break and we are getting into it!)

Last night while C was sleeping, a leprechaun bit him on the toe and this morning he awoke with invisible green spots. 

I thought to myself, "It's okay.  They're invisible.  We can deal with this." 

But now!  Now, they are starting to show up!!! 

What will we do if he turns completely green?  How will the other children treat him? 

Should I call a doctor???

Maybe it will be okay.
Maybe he'll start finding gold coins in his pointy little ears.

I guess we'll just wait and see...

I'm a Terrible Mother.

I just sent my son to school with a slightly runny nose! 
I've never done this before, but I was desperate.

He didn't go yesterday because he no longer goes on Mondays (long story) and he won't be going any other day this week because his preschool is closing for spring break...

And we just need a break from each other, some time apart to allow us to remember and miss all of the little things we love about one another.  : )

So, I sent him.
But, at least I pointed out the tissue box and trash can before I darted out the preschool door so that's good, right?

He is, actually, doing okay today with only minor sniffles.  No cough.  No fever.  No other signs of illness so I think that he is suffering from allergies--perhaps induced by the dog hair clinging to every single surface of our house no matter how much I vacuum or lint roller (yes, I used it as a verb).  I think it's time for Max-the-Dog to visit the beauty shop!

So, now I need to decide how to spend my two glorious hours of freedom.  Do I (a) continue with the painting project that I have already tired of; (b) go to Walmart--again--for more paint and other household items; (c) work on my classes--really, really need to do this; or (d) snuggle up on the couch with a novel and a cup of coffee?

We'll have to see...

Monday Miscellany.

I haven't posted in a bit.  Things around here have been less than exciting, but here is a recap for those of you playing at home: (teehee)

• We took C to an Ice Cream Social for incoming Kindergarten students.  He loved the elementary school and asked "Do I really get to go to school here?"  J and I were slightly freaked out.  It finally hit home that he'll be going to school soon.
• We got signed up for spring soccer and C proclaimed that--this year--he will not spend all of his time playing in the dirt and picking flowers.  He's going to "help my team win the game."  We'll see.
• I made a mental note to buy new running shoes for C and another one to dig out the lawn chair and blankets for me.  Spring soccer = lots of running (or flower picking) for the kids, but lots of sitting in the cold for the parents.
• I went shopping on Saturday and discovered that the only things I really liked were purses and necklaces.  What I really needed to find were shirts and shoes.  Now what?
• I started painting the living room/dining room/kitchen/halls last night and I'm a bit worried that the color is too dark.  I was hoping that seeing it in the daylight would help me to make up my mind, but it's so cloudy today that I still have no idea what it really looks like.
• I gave up sweets for Lent and I'm currently feeling about 24% homicidal.  It's early yet.
• C has a cold (AGAIN) and is beyond crabby.
• I am officially on spring break this week, though in reality I have to prep the second half of the semester, compute midterm grades, and return countless emails. 

And because I don't want to leave this on a work-related sour note, I'm going to think of 10 things that make me happy:

1. Coffee
2. Daffodils
3. Sunshine
4. Fabric
5. Reading for fun
6. Blogs
7. Hardy house plants
8. Taking a nap on a rainy Sunday afternoon (Oh, yes I did!)
9. Being cozy at home when it's cold and rainy outside
10. My sweet, sick, crazy, crabby boy

C is currently racing around the house on the dog food container. 
A container with wheels + a boy = Impending doom.
Happy Monday!

P.S. C just gave me a ticket for being a "mean" mom and not letting him go to school on Mondays and Wednesdays anymore (long story).  It will cost me "one penny, eight quarters, and one dollar" to pay for it.  Good times!

P.P.S. He just told me that "one penny, eight quarters, and one dollar" means I owe him "three dollars and one cent."  Holy cow!  Is it just me or is this five-year-old a counting prodigy?

What to Do?

Here it is, Monday again, and I don't know what to do.  I'm not bored.  I have a to-do list that borders on ridiculous.  I have a project sitting across the table from me, calling "Finish me!" as I type.

It's just that, after all of the stress and worry of last week, I find myself waiting for "the other shoe to drop."  I'm filled with a sense of dread.  Sounds dramatic, doesn't it?

Maybe I'm just letting the gloomy skies get to me.
Maybe I'm just lazy.

Okay.  Enough.
I'm busting out of my bad mood.  I'm off to do some laundry and house tidying.

But maybe I'll take a peek at the bird, first...

Friday!

Well.  We've almost made it through the week and I am so, so glad that it's Friday.

Yesterday was a better day at school.  C only got kicked off the "quiet quilt" once during circle time so I'll count that as a success.   J complimented C on his good day and C said, "Thank you.  I'm just glad we don't have to have another one of those meetings."  Ah, parenting is a delight.

In other news, we have a new sheet metal building going up in town and I'm anxious to hear what it's going to be.  We already have three auto part stores, four pawn shops, and 27 convenience stores so I'm pretty sure that it's going to be something great like...Ikea?  Perhaps a Pottery Barn?  At the very least, a Target???  I'll keep you posted.  This is riveting stuff, I know.

Finally... The other night I heard the sad news that Melissa Gilbert and Bruce Boxleitner are divorcing.  It's always sad to see a long marriage end.  Seriously sad.   But I have to admit that if I was a single gal, I'd be giving Bruce a call right about now.  Because when I was 18, my college friends and I would tune in every afternoon to watch reruns of Scarecrow and Mrs. King (after all of our homework was completed, of course) and we all had a huge crush on "Lee Stetson."  In my mind he still looks like this...

...and I'm still 18.  In reality, he's looking a lot like Bill Clinton and I'm looking a lot like the Pillsbury Dough Boy.  Oh well!  Have a great weekend!

Today.

Yesterday was rough.
Today, I pray, will be better.

We had our first official family meeting last night and it lasted a long time ("like more than two minutes" according to C).

We are expecting friends over after preschool today (a good idea a week ago, now not so much) and I still need to clean the toilet, buy food for lunch, clean out the microwave, and dust the living room.

I also need to pay bills, grade assignments, and write two midterm exams.  Later.
Last night I went to bed at nine.  Productive, I was not.

Today, I am going to channel the peace and calm shared by the mother and child in the Monet painting above.  Today, I will not dream about tropical beaches and margaritas before noon. 

Today will be better!

Talking.

C is a talker.
He wakes up talking.
He goes to sleep talking.

Which is funny if you think about it because he was actually pretty quiet for the first three years of his life.
Maybe he's still practicing the skills he learned from his speech therapist two years ago.
Maybe he's making up for lost time.

For the most part, I enjoy C's conversation.  He's often really funny.

Other times, I'm just tolerant.  I find myself saying "uh huh" or "oh, really?" when he's telling me about Star Wars super battle droids because I'm honestly incapable of anything more sophisticated when it comes to the topic of Star Wars, Return of the Jedi, Empire Strikes Back, and/or Clone Wars.

And sometimes, I need for him to just stop talking.  Quiet down.  Hold his tongue.  Keep mum.  Zip it.

Usually when I'm on the phone.
Frequently when I'm trying to respond to a student's email.
Occasionally when I'm deeply engrossed in a magazine article.

And, I'll admit:  Sometimes I yell.  I lose my temper and I'm not proud of it.  I wish that I was one of those parents who can say that parenting has made them more patient.  I'm not.  I struggle with patience every single day of my life, usually on an hourly basis.

Which is why preschool has been so good for us.  Good for C.  Good for me.  Two and a half hours a day of goodness that allows me to be alone in a mostly silent environment so that I can prep myself for the chatter-filled afternoon ahead.

But yesterday, C came home from school and talked about how his teacher had "physically redirected" him because he was talking (too much and at the wrong times at school). 

And that made this Mom feel like a little mad...