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!