Movin' out.

Yes....you read that correctly.


Movin' out.

Little by little

during the day,

I've been preparing to move.

Organizing,

pitching,

stashing.

We're preparing to move our kitchen over this spring (more like summer),

And the first step is to clear out the pantry.

So, other than some xanthan gum, gluten free pasta, Carnation Instant Breakfast and straws,
we've moved out.

From here:

Into here:

My new walk-in pantry

Everything organized and within view!

I never knew someone so type B (me) could enjoy a little organization!

The post in which I am horribly pride-ful about my husband's talent. Please forgive me.

Yo...

I really don't mean to be so braggadocious...

...but I'm very proud of that man I married.

You see, five  years ago when we moved into the Love Shack, we lived in the nasty basement.

It was nasty, dirty, and I had a primed cinder block wall for a head board.

I shared a bedroom with a furnace, washer and dryer and my husbands archaic work computer

(that hummed louder than any snoring I've ever heard)

Before that?

We had a set of old windows. 

There was no room for a head board.

Growing up, I had a head board.

Always.

To me, beds without them look just so........ unfinished.

At least, in my house.

(However, a few of you have prooved me wrong with well placed pillows in your own homes)

So, we had a customer approach D. about making a head-board for her daughter and son-in-law.

I was more than happy to oblige this customer by showing her a building plan

I had my eye on for some time.

Fortuanely, she loved it...

...and while he was building one...

....I talked him into building two.

One for us!

Waalah:

And the large money shot!

The hope chest was inherited from my grandmother.

The afghan was knit by my aunt who passed away about 10 years ago.

My uncle found two when cleaning out her storage area and called me to see if I wanted one.

Wasn't that awesome?!?!?

I love it.

Big shot with full ensemble:

Yes, I know the cross is off-center.

We moved the bed over to accommodate the treadmill:

And that ultra cute picture in the corner?

That's our kindergarten pictures!

Sorry, I just couldn't resist putting up a shot of my cute Strawberry Shortcake dress...

...and absolutely adorable husband as a boy.

The imposter night stand revealed

This one...is the original.

This is part of a suite that my parents purchased for me as a graduation present.

That was a long long (really long) time ago.

So, by the time we had enough room in our bedroom to accommodate another night stand, well....this manufacturer is long gone.

So, my husband pulls out some (SCRAP!) wood, and starts to build. 

And he comes up with this:

Really, the stain matches better than in these pictures, they're just in two totally different lighted areas.

He decided to take an "easy way out."

Instead of drawers, like those shown here...

 

He went for a door.

Which was totally nice of him, becasue my big photo box doesn't fit anywhere else!

I love that man of mine!

i am...

...the meanest mom in the world.

...keeping the TV off until after dinner (reference previous statement)

...drinking cold coffee

...starting to feel better (knock on wood)

...lamenting that we couldn't go see my parents today because my mom was sick (feel better, mom!)

...sad that the boys have not have grand-parent time in over 2 weeks.

I am...

...cheating on my diet today (and yesterday...oops).

...planning on getting back on track tomorrow.  right now.

...enjoying that my jeans fit looser.

I am...

...missing my workouts.

...watching my boys try to fly their new dollar store kites.

...procrastinating work

...behind in my work

I am...

...realizing that my "procrastinating issue" is causing the "behind issue."

...feeling a little less overwhelmed with life

...feeling a little more overwhelmed with the small stuff

I am...

...doing well at my Lenten initiatives. 

...feeling freed by my lack of judgement for myself and others.

...realizing that some people don't necessarily appreciate when you establish some boundaries.

...wondering if I know where the wii fit disc went...

I am...

...dealing with a sick, grumpy (but still terribly sexy) husband.

...not enjoying the "grumpy" part.

...thawing chicken and broccoli for Chicken Divan tonight.

I am...

...blessed.

Random Friday List

Five question Friday is on hiatus this week.  My dear friend, Mama M. is in the hospital with a sick little lady.  Go give her some love, would ya?  Thanks.

And since I'm not sitting in a hospital room (knock on wood), Random Friday List plugs on...

1.  I'm 40 comments away from a comment goal on the other blog I work on.

2.  My Advanced Nutrition class drew to a close last night.

3.  I was the biggest looser in the class.

4.  So grateful. (that something is FINALLY working!)

5.  My secret goal has been put on "hold" for the week. (we have influenza)

6.  I'm not sure its much of a secret anymore.

7.  I'm working on obtaining plants for inside my house.

8.  So far, I have two that I've managed to keep alive for more than 3 weeks.

9.  The boys are off school today.

10.  Wish me luck for a productive day at work (psssh).

Encore....ugh.

It seems like everything is back for an encore performance.

I thought we were done with winter.

Encore:  One more round of ice storms (complete with thunder and lightning?!?!) and snow days/delays.

I thought we were done with sickness.

Encore:  The super mega cold ended up as influenza.  And has now spread to my husband.

I thought I was getting better from the influenza, and talked myself into a workout on Monday.

Encore:  Backslide.  I'm not very smart sometimes.

I thought we were all potty trained.

Encore:  Someone  *cough, cough, C. cough cough* peed on my new couch because he didn't want to miss his show on TV.

Sometimes the encore isn't worth clapping over.

Everyday when you're walking down the street, everybody that you meet has an original point of view...

I found out yesterday morning that a national children's author was in town...that day.

While I wasn't feeling the best (allergy attack turned super mega cold...ugh),

I knew the boys would really enjoy a trip to the big downtown library to see him.

Except, by afternoon, I had exhausted all my energy.

So, I gave myself an "escape plan."

I'd ask A. if he knew who this author was.

If he didn't...I was home free.

Me:  "A, do you know who Marc Brown is?"

A.:  "Yeah!  He's the author of Arthur!"

Ok...to the library we go!

And, I'm actually soooo glad we went.

It was a packed house by the time we go there, so we had to sit on the floor by the front door.

This is the 35th anniversary of Arthur, so he's stopping at 35 libraries in 35 days.

He drew the first image of Arthur from 35 years ago.

Then, he showed us how to draw the Arthur we know and love today.

There was a slide show of things to teach us about his life.

The slide below is the latest "fix and flip" that he did.

Apparently, he's really into that.

He also showed pictures of his wife's art, his "work zone", and the class composite of his 3rd grade class that many of the characters are based on.

Including Binky Barnes.

Seriously, that 3rd grader looked like the teacher!

Then, he read us the "Arthur goes green" story that hits the bookstores this week,

and "Zoosical" which he illustrated - which doesn't come out until fall.

Then...since we had to sit by the door, we were fortunate enough to get in line for the booksigning quickly.

Thank goodness!

My friend, who was toward the rear of the line got out 90 minutes AFTER we did!

(We were already home, had eaten dinner,

done homework and were popping popcorn for a bedtime snack)

He was very patient with all the children, and asked the boys a few questions before

I asked for a picture of him with the boys.

He gladly obliged.

A. was amazed the whole time.

He even stammered a bit at the book signing, and couldn't find his voice. 

Once the picture was taken, he wanted to sit down and chat it up with him.  :)

A. came home and started drawing a book.

I'm sooo glad we went.

Reserve energy well spent, I tell ya.  :)