tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34673967463211233942024-03-14T05:23:18.307-05:00Our Happy Little HomeTriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.comBlogger203125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-52396320888699624512022-11-01T13:19:00.000-05:002022-11-01T13:19:26.691-05:00falling back.<p>Here we are, a million years later, and so much has happened but not much has changed. I'm 50, soon to be 51. I am still having a hard time wrapping my mind around that one. We live in Arkansas now. It's been 5 years now and it's been a mix of good and bad. My baby is a junior in high school now. He's a great kid. So smart and inherently good. Also really anxious and struggling to find his people after covid and online school for his freshman year of high school. Talk about bad timing. It's nice to be able to look back and see snippets of life from years past. I want to hang on to this space, like an old tattered photo album that no one cares to look at but me.</p>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-89967659484424141872016-06-10T12:30:00.001-05:002016-06-10T12:30:33.295-05:00linking with Bloglovin<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5665049/?claim=xjjcu5dsrb8">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-83157670750827405482014-08-18T21:48:00.002-05:002014-08-18T21:48:56.190-05:00Monday.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How is that for a creative title? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It really says it all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It wasn't a bad day. Just long. So long that at 3:00, I could no longer quite remember what day it was. Must be Wednesday, right? Because Monday started so long ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But no. Still Monday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My classes started today. I always seem to have one student who seems a bit difficult. A bit different. I'm trying to be patient. But really? Do we have to be so difficult / different on Day One? Couldn't we wait until at least Day Two?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Connor has decided that, rather than a hedge hog, he thinks he would just like to have a dog. Just.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, I put a second coat of paint on one side of our guest room. And painted the baseboards. Tomorrow, I plan to move all of the furniture over to the finished side so that I can paint what remains. Because that's just the way I get things done. You know. The way that takes the longest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Slow progress is still progress. Right?</span>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-75002356375807650312014-08-16T21:51:00.002-05:002014-08-16T21:51:43.591-05:00Here we go again.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here we are. Three days into a new school year. Connor is now a third grader and he is super excited about learning to multiply and writing in cursive. Ha! He's excited, but mostly about seeing old friends and getting to know the hedge hog and hamster living in his classroom. I'll take it. Anything that helps me to get him out of bed in the morning is good with me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jason and I are back to work. There aren't enough hedge hogs or hamsters in the world to get me excited about getting up at 5:30 every morning. But, I'm trying to stay positive. Find the silver lining. Choose joy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoying every weekend moment. : )</span>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-24288595455679984832014-06-27T12:12:00.000-05:002014-06-27T12:12:30.793-05:00Dental Guilt.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Someday, when Connor is grown, I hope that he remembers that we always required him to brush his teeth twice a day. Every day. {Even though his grandparents sometimes failed to follow this particular directive}</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that we sometimes brushed his teeth for him when they were looking particularly fuzzy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we purchased fresh toothbrushes {cool ones, even} as needed. We lovingly replenished his toothpaste supply even though 75% of it was wasted when he wiped it off his toothbrush into the sink. And left it there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope that he'll know that we cared deeply about his oral hygiene.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, most of all, I hope that he'll understand that the reason we dragged him {kicking and/or screaming} to the dentist every 12 months was because we loved him. And only wanted the best for him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I sincerely pray that the fact that I, his mother, fail to make the appropriate number of dental appointments each and every year AND lovingly refuse to floss his teeth for him, will not result in any long-term dental distress. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I.feel.so.guilty. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good news, though: No cavities at today's visit! Maybe there is hope for us yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-73656195628245226522014-06-26T20:51:00.001-05:002014-06-26T20:51:39.943-05:00A Reintroduction of Sorts.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, hello.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't been HERE in a while. I'm off work {from one job, at least} for the summer and I've had a lot more time to read and enjoy blogs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kind of makes me want to start one of my own. Oh wait. I already did. Years ago. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just abandoned it when life got crazy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sorry, little blog. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm thinking of giving it another go. Writing in this little space sounds like a lot more fun than the list of things I have to do today: Mow the back yard before it gets too hot or rains; go to the dreaded Walmart; lose {again} to Connor on his newly created Zelda board game; and/or deep clean the house so that it's not gross for our visitors on Saturday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or shower.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or laundry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or grade 74 assignments.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So let's see...where to start?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My name is Tricia.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm 42.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm married to Jason and w</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">e have a son named Connor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He's turning 9 on Saturday. It's so hard to believe that this will be his last year in single digits!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm a school psychologist for a small school district in Missouri.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also teach online Child Psychology classes for a local community college.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I dream of waking up one day with some crazy {amazing} artistic talent that would allow me to make a living off of my creations while also raising a wonderful kid, keeping up on the housework, and learning to cook.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or, you know, winning the lottery would also be okay.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the meantime, I just try to make it through the day without losing my temper, cursing in front of Connor, and / or pulling out my hair. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome to Our Happy Little Home. Again. </span>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-74357387014262085902013-04-04T20:34:00.001-05:002013-04-04T20:34:16.498-05:00Have a Sweet Night.<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some nights it feels like bedtime will never arrive.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some nights it feels like I can't stand one.more.minute. of noise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some nights I dread all of the work I have to do once Connor finally (finally = 8pm) goes to bed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Every night, I have to smile just a little bit when I hear Jason say what he always says to Connor at bedtime:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Have a sweet night." Not a <i>good </i>night. Not sweet <i>dreams.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Have a sweet night. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of my favorite things. Truly.</span>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-71367879843081654172013-04-01T19:11:00.003-05:002013-04-01T19:11:41.088-05:00Back to SchoolToday was our first day back from spring break.<br />
I could not be more tired.<br />
<br />
On the up side...Connor enjoyed the first grade jokes that accompany April Fool's Day.<br />
Did you know that your shoe is untied???<br />
<br />Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-50597083979600707262013-03-31T20:02:00.001-05:002013-03-31T20:05:37.387-05:00Easter Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVgpEygllyNFIqA8Ajn0-GA2b4XbQBTymYi7HhT32N_pvo2Y159m5LlgB3DYh7nHS695WBvCLjMuGXMeJ8lZfNojK3msHzkcks9OPHOYISE5vjn2lo-Tlm28ECTrNsN9GCV3snewWzw/s1600/easterbunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVgpEygllyNFIqA8Ajn0-GA2b4XbQBTymYi7HhT32N_pvo2Y159m5LlgB3DYh7nHS695WBvCLjMuGXMeJ8lZfNojK3msHzkcks9OPHOYISE5vjn2lo-Tlm28ECTrNsN9GCV3snewWzw/s640/easterbunny.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Connor left a very nice picture for the Easter Bunny. : )</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Parents were awakened too early.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rain turned to sunshine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Roast beast (Ham) was eaten with Grammie and Grampie.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Connor enjoyed scooter and soccer and strawberry "moose." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A very good day indeed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">P.S. We have enough candy to last us until Halloween. How will I ever stay out of it?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-49595566716563573232013-03-30T13:41:00.000-05:002013-03-30T13:41:27.807-05:00March 2013<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It has been a long time since I've posted anything here, but I'm feeling inspired to get started again. If nothing else, I would like to document a bit of what is happening for Connor's sake.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Last week was spring break for Connor and me. <strike> We</strike> Grampie Jack did a couple of projects around our house. He put two hanging rods in Connor's closet, making it much easier to reach things. So much easier that even Connor can find his clothes! It's a miracle!!! Another project was replacing wire shelves with wooden shelves in our master bathroom. Huge difference! Too bad I didn't get the rest of the room painted over the break, but it will happen soon. I swear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Connor spent the night with both sets of grandparents over the break. Jason and I had very romantic date nights (e.g., going to the laundry mat to wash dog blankets, visiting our local Walmart, and falling asleep at 7:30 pm). Pretty pathetic, but our little town doesn't offer many date night options.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The rest of spring break was spent puttering. I read a book and did some stitching. Connor played Mine Craft and Mario games. We enjoyed sleeping in until 7am and I'll admit, there were a couple of "pajama days" during the week. Good times had by all. Except Jason. Because he was working. His spring break was two weeks ago and he got to spend it all by himself!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tomorrow is Easter and rumor has it that the bunny has already visited Grandma Jo and Grandpa Jack's house. We're going there this afternoon to see what is up. It's gloomy and wet so I'm hoping that the bunny hid his eggs inside. Does that make me a wimp? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At least it's not snowing!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-24293963561462208412012-08-25T07:56:00.001-05:002012-08-26T09:51:27.145-05:00Working 9 to 5...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Actually, it's more like 8:30 to 4:30, but I'm doing it. Oh yes I am.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been sitting here, catching up on my blog reading and I was suddenly bitten by the the "why don't you write a post of your own, you lazy woman?" bug.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In April, I <em>finally</em> received my certification as a school psychologist. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In May, I interviewed and accepted a job as a school psychologist.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">June and July were spent preparing myself and family for the upcoming changes to our lives (and occasionally freaking out).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And August 1st, I started my new job.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did you catch that? Trying to sum up how I feel about the job, the schedule, the incessant fatigue--that's hard. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can say this: </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've had one paycheck so far and I don't hate it. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fatigue is cumulative. I start out feeling pretty good on Monday, but by Friday I'm driven to tears by the fact that I have to wash my face and brush my teeth before falling into bed at nine.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's really irritating when you send an email to someone and they never respond. Do you send another? Will that be interpreted as pestering? What if you really need a response? Should you contact someone else? How will that be construed? It really drives me crazy. And the worst part is, I'm sure I'm guilty of the same thing because we all get busy and forget sometimes, don't we?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My crockpot is my friend, but I still found myself at Walmart at 5:30 last night buying things to go along with what was cooking in my crockpot. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been doing my grocery shopping on Sunday, but we keep running out of food by Thursday. Yesterday Jason had to take one boiled egg, a yogurt, and a package of Goldfish crackers for lunch. I bought Subway for myself. Connor, luckily, has been buying his lunch at school for the last week and a half, but yesterday he brought home the lunch calendar for September and I see several days when I'll have to send lunch for him.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Making lunches might just be my least favorite part of this process. It's not a new thing. I had to send lunches for Jason and Connor last year, too, but the idea that it's <em>one more thing</em> that I have to manage every morning is a bit much.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our dogs bark all the time. We've been leaving them outside and I'm fairly convinced that they spend their entire day barking and barking and driving out neighbors insane. Would anyone like two new {old} dogs???</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Connor has been going to an after-school program and he really seems to like it. This is a huge relief to me!!!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Connor came home last night in a super grumpy mood--you know the kind they have right before they come down with a cold or flu? This is a huge stressor for me!!!</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I hear the sounds of DS-playing coming down the hall so I'm off to check the health status of my little one. Here's hoping that he's slept off any sick bugs!!! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-20917286872596372602012-05-21T09:17:00.003-05:002012-09-01T08:49:19.637-05:00Crafting Report.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been a long time since I've checked in to this little space. I thought that I would share pictures of some crafty things I have done lately...</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUuSu13nr9zK3tY23TFLlpxz8hyphenhyphenEbV00mBymNSPKshEnXICoaQQUhJ5HoCfPvMdRiicNi-NAIzOYJvwmYD9Fe4EbIl79vhfxc7ZIbZH6wVK36ogv1AzQUQXCYxZEU7DxSRhc_YLN6zg/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="149" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUuSu13nr9zK3tY23TFLlpxz8hyphenhyphenEbV00mBymNSPKshEnXICoaQQUhJ5HoCfPvMdRiicNi-NAIzOYJvwmYD9Fe4EbIl79vhfxc7ZIbZH6wVK36ogv1AzQUQXCYxZEU7DxSRhc_YLN6zg/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Butterflies for Teacher Appreciation & a friend's birthday...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also made gifts for my niece's 20th (!) birthday and my mom, but I forgot to take pictures of them before they were gifted. I'm organized like that.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In other news, Connor has finished kindergarten! So, so hard to believe that the school year is over. We have a couple of weeks at home together before he goes to summer school in June. It's also time to start planning his birthday party because he'll soon be turning 7. Seven. VII. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How did this happen???</span>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-1306210298263590632012-04-19T08:48:00.000-05:002012-04-19T08:48:11.765-05:00This and That.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here it is Thursday already. I can't believe how quickly this week is going...</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cleaning Day(s) has resulted in a fairly presentable home and--for once in my life--I feel like I am on top of my housekeeping duties. Here's hoping that I can commit to doing a little each day in order to maintain it!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the last two nights I have made an effort to go to bed early. Am I feeling the positive results? Not so much. I think I woke up 47 times last night because I just could not get comfortable. Hate that.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is full of things that I just don't really want to do. I'm itching to do something creative, but I just can't decide what on a project...</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Connor has been stuffed up and coughing all week. He thinks that he might be feeling a little better today. I'm really hoping that we can avoid the sinus infection and bronchitis that so many people are enduring right now. Why is it that beautiful trees and plants can make us all so miserable?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Connor has soccer practice tonight. I'm hoping that it will be warmer than the last two practices. There is nothing better than being outside in the beautiful spring weather, watching kids play soccer. There is nothing worse than being outside in the miserable, cold and rainy weather, watching kids play soccer. You just never know which one you'll get in April.</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time to get started on my work. Nothing to it, but to do it. :-(</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-64496738879917651612012-04-16T07:54:00.002-05:002012-04-16T15:05:55.461-05:00Cleaning Day.<span style="font-family: Arial;">I hereby declare today to be <em>Cleaning Day.</em> Woot Woot. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">(Imagine me dancing like a pre-teen Disney star). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm about as excited about it as I would be for a root canal, but the dust bunnies are holding a convention under our kitchen table, there are cobwebs hanging in every corner of every room, and there is mud (!) on more than one wall. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The health department would surely cite me for several critical violations and an entire book of less severe, non-critical, violations, though I'm sure that they would approve of the nicely organized spice cabinet that I worked on for several hours on Friday. You have to have priorities, right?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It's time to get busy. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">I just hope that the bunnies don't gang up on me. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Okay. No more procrastination. I have to get the kid to school, return some overdue library materials, and mail off our tax payment (What <em>will </em>the state of Missouri do with our $4.00?)before the cleaning fun can begin. Perhaps, if I'm lucky, I can figure out a way to work in a trip to Walmart.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It's going to be a great day... (she said, sarcastically!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Update: It's 10:22 and I've cleaned one room. The good news? I found our missing phone wedged between the mattress and foot board. The bad news? While vacuuming our bedroom, I sucked up the cord to Jason's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Company-PS2-SoftSpeaker-Pillow-Speaker/dp/B000AL6NVO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334589707&sr=8-1">pillow speaker</a>. That's $21.20 worth of damage so far. Yay me.</span>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-70253883832052246222012-04-15T10:04:00.000-05:002012-04-15T10:04:52.469-05:00Sunday Gratitude.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, I am grateful for...</span><br />
<ol><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mild, springtime weather--even if it ushers in a big storm.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a boy who still enjoys playing with stuffed animals.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a funny husband.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bell peppers (finally) growing in my little pots.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">good movies. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">time to work on my classes. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">my coffee pot.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">our cozy little home.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">sleeping until eight this morning.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">crafty daydreams.</span></li>
</ol>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-41089233376092831352012-04-14T19:20:00.000-05:002012-04-14T19:20:15.957-05:00Our Saturday.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today began early {because 7AM always feels earlier on Saturday mornings} with the usual Saturday-in-Springtime question: Has Connor's soccer game already been cancelled or will we have to wait another hour to get the call?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">We had to wait. We had to shower, get dressed, force C to eat breakfast, force C to get dressed, gather up the snacks (it was our turn), drive to the field (through the rain & thunder), park in the crazy lot, and <em>then</em> find out that the game had been cancelled. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Good times.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">We decided to take a drive to Lebanon. There's not much to do with a six-year-old in Lebanon, but we managed to hit one pawn shop {I waited in the car and read the newspaper}, one game store {I waited in the car and read a magazine}, ate a cheap lunch, and stopped at three antique stores / flea markets. Sadly, I didn't find any treasures today.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The sun came out on the way home and we decided to take the scenic route. Jason likes to take me on curvy, hilly roads because he thinks it's fun to watch my face turn green and to make me yell while going over hills too fast. He's mean.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">We nearly ran over a small turtle so...we decided to "rescue" it. In a sand bucket. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Did you know that turtles can climb out of sand buckets? Our very persistent turtle friend did not stop trying to get out of his container for one second of the 14 mile drive home. I think that he was ticked off because Jason was driving too fast on the curvy, hilly roads. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">After looking around our front yard for a bit, Turtle is now sleeping under a bush in our flower bed. I feel a little guilty about our turtle-napping, but I think it will be pretty happy once it figures out that there is a pond down the road. Sure beats getting run down by a pickup truck on a curvy, hilly road...</span>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-57961620593728248262012-04-12T10:02:00.000-05:002012-04-12T10:02:42.970-05:00Thorns.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashley Judd. Why is it that her face gets puffy and folks think she's had plastic surgery, but my face gets puffy and people think that I've been hitting the glazed donuts a little too often? Am I the only person who finds her annoying? I may agree with some of the things she says, but she is way too intent on letting all of us know that she is brilliant. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wonder why there are still roads within the "metro" Springfield area that are labeled things like "Farm Road 138" and "Highway J." Every time the "traffic watchers" on morning radio tell us that there is an accident on one of these roads, I picture two tractors that have collided on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere when in reality it's probably two minivans intertwined in front of a Starbucks near south Campbell. It's very important to me, for some reason, to name these roads. How about Smith Road and Jones Drive? How about Bugs Avenue and Bunny Street? Maybe Ashley Blvd and Judd Expressway?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Why is there <em>salsa</em> on my computer screen?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Is it wrong that I'm praying that Connor's soccer practice gets rained out tonight? I'm not a great sports mom, but I'll never let Connor know that. I pray for a weather incident in private while enthusiastically helping him dress in shin guards.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I wish that I could wear fun sunglasses instead of my one and only prescription pair. I daydream of lasik.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">How is <em>Rock Center</em> different? Isn't it just another version of <em>Dateline</em>? Did we need another primetime news show? I guess I didn't realize that there were people out there still needing more news about all of the tragic things happening in the world. Tell me more about the potential risk of my child being kidnapped. More details, please, about that horrible accident that happened last week. What <em>does</em> Ashley Judd think about the objectification of women? Thank you, <em>Rock Center</em>, for addressing these important issues.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I am crabby with a capital C. Perhaps I'll take a nap and try my hand at being human again later. </span>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-53733725810563775402012-04-10T11:22:00.000-05:002012-04-10T11:22:52.298-05:00Pinned It and Did It {Again}!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have a room in our house that has served many purposes. It has been a guest room. It has been an office. It has been a craft room. More than anything, though, it has been a storage warehouse for all of the stuff that has no other home. This, of course, means that it is always, always, always a giant mess. I've cleaned it and organized it many times over the 8 years we have lived here, but it always degenerates back to chaos, but...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">{wait for it}</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...this time is different. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Why?" you ask. "How?" you snicker.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Because</em></strong> I have found the secret of the universe and I'm here to share it with all of you:</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Pinned Image" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cache7.pinterest.com/upload/86342517826129491_FJU00y0E_c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Source: Pinterest via</span><a href="http://pinterest.com/heatherblack7/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Heather Black</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was late one night. I should have been in bed, but I just wasn't ready to say good-night to my old friend "Pin." I sat on the couch, repeatedly scrolling down, enjoying the pictures of tiny Yorkie dogs and deviled eggs designed to look like baby chicks and suddenly, I saw it and I was overcome by a sudden feeling of clarity and happiness! I knew right then that:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><strong>Hangy Shoe Organizer Thingies </strong></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><strong>are the key to organizational success / ruling the universe! </strong></em></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who knew??? I found mine at Walmart for $5.97 each and I have purchased four of them so far this week. That's right. Our store is now out of them and knowing our Walmart as I do, they will never {ever} restock. That spot on the shelf--it will still be there months from now, but they.will.never.ever.restock. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Can you tell that our Walmart makes me sad?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ready for the tour of my newly {re}organized {again} Guest room (without a bed)/Craft room/Office? Here goes...</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgRudqJK9QGWc_m3VlYw9k551t3UKpNpa9dziX5I2eBDq6mfJALMqTthq0flbhSde2oOaL0e_KU6C1c7IxIu0ctFGrq-mk6DJzDvJWNDOuVZxosPI6tN2tSNig1NCVuAHUPelQW2VEw/s1600/closetorganizer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgRudqJK9QGWc_m3VlYw9k551t3UKpNpa9dziX5I2eBDq6mfJALMqTthq0flbhSde2oOaL0e_KU6C1c7IxIu0ctFGrq-mk6DJzDvJWNDOuVZxosPI6tN2tSNig1NCVuAHUPelQW2VEw/s400/closetorganizer.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bad picture, I know, but the joy is in the fact that I can see everything I have without having to hunt and hunt and hunt, then go to Walmart to buy whatever it is I can't find only to find that the spot on the shelf where my item <em>should</em> be is {you guessed it} empty!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9QSatFQKOH1gvKoJzT1_8hkdMttLnD7BVhBkH1Ppsr3e56u-HYDXR4zEUpV8-GILgx37V8ljdzz7ArHv1TDdNNmz_MnU2q-YYu0qT6rcacvEg4gUfncxnmLyWGJ31RnYPHksoJkN1g/s1600/doororganizer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9QSatFQKOH1gvKoJzT1_8hkdMttLnD7BVhBkH1Ppsr3e56u-HYDXR4zEUpV8-GILgx37V8ljdzz7ArHv1TDdNNmz_MnU2q-YYu0qT6rcacvEg4gUfncxnmLyWGJ31RnYPHksoJkN1g/s400/doororganizer.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A real-life conversation at our house this past weekend:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jason: Where the {bleep} is the {bleeping} scotch tape?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: It's hanging on the guest room closet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jason: O...kay.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: Did you find it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jason: Yes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ahhh. Did you feel that? The winds of change are blowing my friends. My husband found something without my assistance. This is nothing short of life-changing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Admittedly, there are some things that can't hang in shoe organizers <em>and</em> I'm at risk of running out of closet/door space so here are some other ways I'm trying to tame my clutter...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gaWyTDdi2ROUTFAb1dZHOoKAn6AgmoIcNDFpFnBgtKdPJNX0k1Q5dTtdR-pheahA2f2cSe1MOQ3JfVbnFc788qw5P5yuxoSSGhJqgkLxYd2xBw1NPsmRtPvhEXA2-pmVfp7qxZzpMA/s1600/fabric.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gaWyTDdi2ROUTFAb1dZHOoKAn6AgmoIcNDFpFnBgtKdPJNX0k1Q5dTtdR-pheahA2f2cSe1MOQ3JfVbnFc788qw5P5yuxoSSGhJqgkLxYd2xBw1NPsmRtPvhEXA2-pmVfp7qxZzpMA/s400/fabric.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fabric is now stored (by color) in a dresser.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWYJHJCUJG22hxEzbsQq3WomTsN57k-3k5g6A54ZNh0zwmVWle58ukd_oywsZ5oZ7KGK2Sw-ZV-7sX9lelif4LXCIPV7q0X5ALxx-sEHMv_46fhungl-9Jmb0JqsJAcBpvUH-KXMJKQ/s1600/sewing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWYJHJCUJG22hxEzbsQq3WomTsN57k-3k5g6A54ZNh0zwmVWle58ukd_oywsZ5oZ7KGK2Sw-ZV-7sX9lelif4LXCIPV7q0X5ALxx-sEHMv_46fhungl-9Jmb0JqsJAcBpvUH-KXMJKQ/s320/sewing.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sewing and embroidery supplies are stashed away in this little cart.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfJdLeGnL3NQJ6DG1iFX2ejFbCoWi7DnO1lPTlfJq9knjAilbAcBD66ojEBkc73n1uUptd1feHTmua0FFWRc92INL4OSXa_XwmSlSaEc1f3FLhRF6WoKVir4xiIoAOKpQyJF5gYpuCw/s1600/paint.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfJdLeGnL3NQJ6DG1iFX2ejFbCoWi7DnO1lPTlfJq9knjAilbAcBD66ojEBkc73n1uUptd1feHTmua0FFWRc92INL4OSXa_XwmSlSaEc1f3FLhRF6WoKVir4xiIoAOKpQyJF5gYpuCw/s320/paint.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My little paint collection is organized by color.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehKcokM2XH3PG2bLOx9H2TZrnemYqVAd9VYD9qpjQnWYoC1Bu_sh5Ygit_Y9kWqk3OPncDNLAC4JJbMZqBNh87QQi_N7BsFWEMUGWsKxVnyYL1DoyT_ooZaZ4YgBnpH3Jv0a7IyJvCA/s1600/paintchips.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehKcokM2XH3PG2bLOx9H2TZrnemYqVAd9VYD9qpjQnWYoC1Bu_sh5Ygit_Y9kWqk3OPncDNLAC4JJbMZqBNh87QQi_N7BsFWEMUGWsKxVnyYL1DoyT_ooZaZ4YgBnpH3Jv0a7IyJvCA/s400/paintchips.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My paint "chips" are sorted by color, too. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtxkZADZrRt38zICLHupVEvFCP0v5IYEl7gEOEIRzY8mAzwTBWmxtCkpsmxyKxtXj_X5icWTxaCK9aa9W69bnekP4gT04Qd1PabdFTgvFE09VFBzf7AMGO_bGWLTmsNjnTBDRAusTRw/s1600/craftstuff.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtxkZADZrRt38zICLHupVEvFCP0v5IYEl7gEOEIRzY8mAzwTBWmxtCkpsmxyKxtXj_X5icWTxaCK9aa9W69bnekP4gT04Qd1PabdFTgvFE09VFBzf7AMGO_bGWLTmsNjnTBDRAusTRw/s400/craftstuff.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a small shelf full of miscellaneous craft stuff and magazine storage and though I need to find a way to pretty it up, it has potential.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqoecQYSy-WBempep4yZmxQI-gTHFoYjchetBQ9AiEvCzdzt6L6uNOR0WlHv-L7kXkOAuOiOBkyY4-5lvWs30KgihPzRh95F2Kol9qlAKcjRGM1ZQ18FQ4GNDJWLsGTKGOSi4AYJkhg/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqoecQYSy-WBempep4yZmxQI-gTHFoYjchetBQ9AiEvCzdzt6L6uNOR0WlHv-L7kXkOAuOiOBkyY4-5lvWs30KgihPzRh95F2Kol9qlAKcjRGM1ZQ18FQ4GNDJWLsGTKGOSi4AYJkhg/s400/025.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And finally, this chest has two drawers devoted to scrapbook paper, one drawer for buttons, and one for zippers and lace. Yes, zippers and lace. I seriously need to stay away from craft stores for the next couple of years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So. There you have it. Pinterest has improved my life (again) and I'm in control of my guest room/craft room/office (again) so all is well in my world (again). At least for now...</span>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-63045686947401675742012-03-28T12:04:00.000-05:002012-03-28T12:04:33.570-05:00Pinned It and Did It!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll admit it: I wasn't a huge fan of Pinterest when I first found it. It seemed difficult to use and I just couldn't understand what all of the fuss was about. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But then I tried it again and I found it to be much more user-friendly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now? Well, now I'm a Pinterest junkie. I love looking at all of the creative ideas that exist in the world and it inspires me to try new things. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found this cute little birdie one day and thought that it looked like just the kind of quick and easy project I like:</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Pinned Image" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cache9.pinterest.com/upload/264868021804614500_4psZiPyW_c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Source: Pinterest via </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/yuzofujii/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yuzo Fujii</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">; Original Source: </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/misseskwittys/2559286308/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Misseskwitty's Flickr Photostream</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So...I made one. Oh, yeah. I finally made something that I had pinned!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's my version:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS96zU5cp73h8onKFcQVKQE0dZA1CiY7s_eBsrHvnGLqqQJR13qJsLpLmBmU2DzBTLiqWgFzvudExDGqmQUFlDGiYm4-aYgMDviqEm9Gd9sVRfa3s-Bekp9bsRGH92HYxANRZ6ZV-V8Q/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS96zU5cp73h8onKFcQVKQE0dZA1CiY7s_eBsrHvnGLqqQJR13qJsLpLmBmU2DzBTLiqWgFzvudExDGqmQUFlDGiYm4-aYgMDviqEm9Gd9sVRfa3s-Bekp9bsRGH92HYxANRZ6ZV-V8Q/s640/020.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My little bird now lives on top of our TV cabinet:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBb2z8c9gDwfh0vn2c_P6wVcuc__GXrVQSOOh6XfwNScp6p8E1yhVM5gU5jr3IcW6OcFmK7stVmLnqQ7L7c4PZEec-FxJrZvIwMoT3luciODRPIfFvkijZ9DIuhJYfUQ_DCCoSzpLEPw/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBb2z8c9gDwfh0vn2c_P6wVcuc__GXrVQSOOh6XfwNScp6p8E1yhVM5gU5jr3IcW6OcFmK7stVmLnqQ7L7c4PZEec-FxJrZvIwMoT3luciODRPIfFvkijZ9DIuhJYfUQ_DCCoSzpLEPw/s640/017.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm having fun adding little accents around our home. Even better? Using stuff that I already have. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It makes me feel better about my borderline-hoarding of craft supplies. : )</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-2550076387349735622012-03-27T11:51:00.001-05:002012-03-28T11:46:28.929-05:00Getting Hammered.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been a little stressed out lately. Trust me when I say that:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thoughtless people + The need for confrontation = One miserable Me</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ordinarily I would address this situation (or at least avoid it) with the assistance of Chocolate, but Chocolate and I aren't speaking right now, what with the big Lent thing and all. I tried turning to Chester Cheetah and his yummy Day-Glo orange Cheetos, but I ran out of those sometime on Thursday so I needed a different fix. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's a girl to do when there are no more snacks in the house? </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Grab a hammer, that's what. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">I spent an entire afternoon hanging empty picture frames in one corner of my living room and I could not be happier with the result. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I can't decide whether to call this <em>"Free Therapy"</em> or <em>"Quick! Get this girl some Xanax!" </em></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEH6fHCAblsBKn9Dht4jn58zocV6RErMvLMLDDiVRKpXof0w9h1cuFqXpTfIX2_38CYdMC9L6c1nIU-lzN6E9ShNIdfrkc09WksJvM3sKIs8bXrtoeDjAaXAxodxnQPVB-5Vix6iEf1A/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEH6fHCAblsBKn9Dht4jn58zocV6RErMvLMLDDiVRKpXof0w9h1cuFqXpTfIX2_38CYdMC9L6c1nIU-lzN6E9ShNIdfrkc09WksJvM3sKIs8bXrtoeDjAaXAxodxnQPVB-5Vix6iEf1A/s640/016.JPG" width="363" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I feel much better now...except for one thing: Jason</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> has hidden my hammer.</span>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-5722000043762735292012-03-26T08:41:00.000-05:002012-03-26T08:41:31.458-05:00Hello Monday.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I'm saying...</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello Monday!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello first Monday alone in three weeks (Connor was home two weeks ago for his Spring Break; Jason was home last week for his).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello BEAUTIFUL weather! Seriously makes me want to break out in song, but that might compete with the beauty (and not in a good way).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello (and good-bye) to a giant spider who was found checking out my <em>Betty Crocker Cookbook</em>. Charlotte has been relocated per our Spider-catch-and-release-Program. Perhaps I'll let her back in if she's willing to cook dinner.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello 49-item To-Do list. May I find the energy and motivation to tackle many items this week!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello to a book I'm reading called <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Simplicity-Parenting-Extraordinary-Calmer-Happier/dp/0345507983/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332768937&sr=1-1">Simplicity Parenting</a></em>. I love that it describes children as being from "Planet Slow." That is certainly true of my little one.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello to making an effort to slow down with my child instead of <em>constantly</em> rushing him.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hello to time spent blowing bubbles, drawing Rainbow Villages with sidewalk chalk, and playing catch outside every day this week!</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Monday!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...linking up with </span><a href="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lisa Leonard Designs</span></a>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-55731302328555540332012-03-07T08:59:00.000-06:002012-03-07T08:59:03.184-06:00Connor Cat.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't usually share pictures of Connor on my blog, but I couldn't resist sharing this:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5LeCLNlILTFsP5uSNDvU5a6sgnloB6V6FoTOIOTugmJLgRBmZgD5iv8w98edaFTEC_6jx4aOe-IWwpdT6fOwogiX_FrSWr2UQRbJgUp9MYkAsNiRt2vYUIIA-TUC8SwzzmTI7hSQXg/s1600/001+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5LeCLNlILTFsP5uSNDvU5a6sgnloB6V6FoTOIOTugmJLgRBmZgD5iv8w98edaFTEC_6jx4aOe-IWwpdT6fOwogiX_FrSWr2UQRbJgUp9MYkAsNiRt2vYUIIA-TUC8SwzzmTI7hSQXg/s640/001+%25282%2529.JPG" width="480" yda="true" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Connor went to a birthday party last Saturday and face painting was a major attraction for C and his friends. They all looked so good! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is my first day at home in a long while and the chores are stacked against me. First on my list is a lot of work-work. Lot's of grading and emails to send. Midterm grades are due on Monday (already!) so it's time to get my gradebook in order.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Laundry is in progress, unloading the dishwasher is next. Exciting stuff. Hopefully I'll have a little time to work on my "Make it in March" challenge. Who knew that March was going to usher in such a crazy busy schedule for this work at home mom? Perhaps I should have made my declaration of craftiness in February. I don't remember it being quite so busy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I have managed to complete one little art project. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">I've always been pretty traditional in terms of art, but lately I've seen a lot of contemporary pieces on Pinterest that have really appealed to me. I've been thinking about trying to make two large "pictures" for my living room, but I wanted to try my idea on a much smaller scale first. So here goes...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD5vxmj7BNQCH3LsZ8bUfMvtvKv8QXcq4iuGcmDLkDWXySskQ_2RobxdK8Qu8yjgWYzA_vdHLhzxfiE-b8NMCcc6sjdvmT1049SfLuX_TMF2QXpiUTP5DXNPGDPtoRS-B_ozi0w3MBQ/s1600/blockscollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD5vxmj7BNQCH3LsZ8bUfMvtvKv8QXcq4iuGcmDLkDWXySskQ_2RobxdK8Qu8yjgWYzA_vdHLhzxfiE-b8NMCcc6sjdvmT1049SfLuX_TMF2QXpiUTP5DXNPGDPtoRS-B_ozi0w3MBQ/s400/blockscollage.jpg" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Definitely imperfect and the jury is still out, but it felt really good to just <em>do</em> something. </span>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-80530390777472327502012-03-02T21:13:00.000-06:002012-03-02T21:13:54.099-06:00March 2 much to do.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay. Here's the scoop. I started a craft yesterday and it failed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Big time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I started another craft today and there is an 80% chance that this one is going to fail as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time will tell.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All is not lost, however, because today I made significant progress with organizing the pile of Connor's school work that has haunted me for far too long. I have a really, really hard time tossing anything that he has done. </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Worksheets? I've kept them. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Artwork? I've kept it. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Random scraps of construction paper stapled together? I'm got them! </span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seriously out of control.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sorting has started and now I'm looking for a great way of storing the items that we are going to keep. Perhaps I'll find some ideas on Pinterest? : )</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">In other news, I went to Connor's class today to read <em>The Cat in the Hat Comes Back </em>in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday. It was a lot of fun and t reminded me of how much I used to enjoy doing social skills groups with elementary kiddos back in the day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Tonight, Connor attended his first school carnival. His favorite activity was the bounce house. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Tomorrow is a classmate's birthday party and a visit to Grammie and Grampy's new house. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Busy days!</span>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-81318289629837441072012-03-01T13:06:00.000-06:002012-03-01T13:06:00.257-06:00Make it in March.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my efforts to avoid (A) working and (B) cleaning, I have spent the morning (and part of the afternoon) trolling Pinterest (again) and I've just had a great idea:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WHY DON'T I STOP LOOKING AND ACTUALLY MAKE SOMETHING or DECORATE SOMETHING or ORGANIZE SOMETHING???</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why don't I?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because I'm lazy, that's why.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But what if I wasn't lazy?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What if I challenged myself to make, decorate, or organize something EVERY SINGLE DAY THIS MONTH?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What would I accomplish?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess I'll find out because I'm doing it! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And guess what else?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm going to do it using only what I have in my house right this very minute.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first project is actually in progress and will be ready to post tomorrow...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm excited to...</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Pinned Image" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/168673948513810710_Wzo7XOzK_c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Source: Pinterest via </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/shinrai/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eliza De La Portilla</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">; Original source: </span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.bp.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3467396746321123394.post-73978762663008770312012-02-28T12:34:00.000-06:002012-02-28T12:34:14.655-06:00Color.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I finally got up the nerve to hang some of my favorite art in our hallway, but it's really hard to photograph it because the lighting is hit or miss.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWc2zEjkmiuhQpMX3qsAuZCrg0n7qzM5rnOVTWejQ5onRJ4OlWkHTrn3Gvf6a0FjeYZBqdY2s6PQnoOPVcGmNcqYlXEY1W8KqRafERdjF-el4zu4WcrSs-avCxdeijAYUJauNEsDvXWQ/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWc2zEjkmiuhQpMX3qsAuZCrg0n7qzM5rnOVTWejQ5onRJ4OlWkHTrn3Gvf6a0FjeYZBqdY2s6PQnoOPVcGmNcqYlXEY1W8KqRafERdjF-el4zu4WcrSs-avCxdeijAYUJauNEsDvXWQ/s400/011.JPG" uda="true" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTwJtIfqRxsvUwBxYSh54IMbypBJuR9FhZpKjusCqeT0-DbWakBQqivsVQ3I45neJ6WCE-YvCoU8igGu2VB3Fz-cLNF41hK2MjzRH77QxRNRnwr136MUcEmx6TLx7Xr9JlDCqPh9n_A/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTwJtIfqRxsvUwBxYSh54IMbypBJuR9FhZpKjusCqeT0-DbWakBQqivsVQ3I45neJ6WCE-YvCoU8igGu2VB3Fz-cLNF41hK2MjzRH77QxRNRnwr136MUcEmx6TLx7Xr9JlDCqPh9n_A/s400/015.JPG" uda="true" width="400" /></span></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LDVjfNSGwlxJ494H34dJ7gwvQPy-YAeuIM2A3ULV6jVR0oYqQVV2A3x6VNgauVJu0GlqSntjIR120GJZuOWtuxsEblHqIVA_kAvuP6dBSQ9p27jn0OtcIynBmJa9G4nr6xOQdFtEqw/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LDVjfNSGwlxJ494H34dJ7gwvQPy-YAeuIM2A3ULV6jVR0oYqQVV2A3x6VNgauVJu0GlqSntjIR120GJZuOWtuxsEblHqIVA_kAvuP6dBSQ9p27jn0OtcIynBmJa9G4nr6xOQdFtEqw/s400/014.JPG" uda="true" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite...painted by "Marilyn" and found at a flea market for $4.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihB3J3Sfmek0WhIt4vPnMYUkK3KtEMVGkPFCe8HPjsd1u2PZqbgLQS-5GO4bx5Dt_fWNDY6pdqe68AUKxd8L-I-vFfvgpLL132mRbiUrR-IU4TUDFya3BIoaD1ABJLMeob_Rfsr6bolA/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihB3J3Sfmek0WhIt4vPnMYUkK3KtEMVGkPFCe8HPjsd1u2PZqbgLQS-5GO4bx5Dt_fWNDY6pdqe68AUKxd8L-I-vFfvgpLL132mRbiUrR-IU4TUDFya3BIoaD1ABJLMeob_Rfsr6bolA/s640/018.JPG" uda="true" width="344" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The colorful books have been returned to their rightful places. Oh, rainbow-colored Trixie Beldons, how I love you so!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm off to make some colorful throw pillows...</span>Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11901394398827631468noreply@blogger.com1