The Pain in my arse....also known as the "blue project"

Yes...the blue project has come to a completion.

Thank goodness!

It all started when A. threw a football in the living room, and dumped my Pier 1 berry wreath on the floor.

When I picked it up, I realized that the bright red berries were somewhat clashing in our new living room.

We hung it up during the Christmas season, and it looked fine at the time...

...but without the Christmas tree...well, now the red stuck out like a sore thumb.

Which led me to thinking (insanely) that I should change the red berries for blue ones.

Upon further review of the berries, I realized that they were nothing more than fancy painted Styrofoam on sticks.

So, if little Chinamen can put fancy paint on a bunch of Styrofoam balls,

then so can this Norwegian/German mama.

So, I picked through the wreath and plucked the red ones out...

All 124 of them.

And proceeded to paint them.

And I painted, and I painted and I painted.

All 124 of them.

Then, I realized that they were too bright, and needed to be "antiqued" a bit.

So, I found some brown and gold paint and made a wash with water...

...that seemed to do the trick.

So, then I had to glue them all back on.

All 124 of them.

But, I have to say...it goes so much better with our decor.

Random Friday List (and some 5QF!)

1.  I'm still working on my blue project.

2.  You'll have to wait for the reveal.

3.  But I promise it won't take a year to finish it.

4.  I showered then braided my hair last night.

5.  Today, I look like a "like totally 80's throwback."

6.  Do you remember where you were when you heard about the space shuttle Challenger?

7.  I have a new flavor of coffee to enjoy today.

8.  It's called White Heather.

9.  But, really, the flavor is butter toffee.

10.  I'm in java heaven.






1. If you had $1,000 to donate to a charity, which would you choose?

Ohhh....probably a scholarship program for financially strapped individuals.

2. Snow days: Do you welcome them happily or are they a pain in your butt?

Um....both?  At first, I think "yes! sleeping in!" 


Then the boys are still up at 6 am.


And I think, "UGH!!!  Really?!?!"


Then, I put on my big girl pants and my super-mommy hat and make up a schedule to get us through the day with the most fun/ least amount of angst.

3. What talent did you wish you had and why?

Ohhh...talent....how about the talent of being completely physically fit with very little effort. 

How's that for a talent?!?!?

4. Are you a news, politics or celebrity gossip junkie?

YES!  All of the above!  Especially the first two.  I'd love to say that I am totally beyond the celebrity gossip...but, I do get roped into watching those celebrity shows (i.e. TMZ).


But, I'm very astute at listening, watching, and reading just about anything I can get my hands on regarding politics, current events and the like.  The more and more I read, the more I'm amazed at how skewed basic news channels are.  I wish more people would take more of an interest...


5. What is your favorite "cocktail"? (Are you a beer person, a kiddie cocktail junkie, or perhaps your more the "Cosmo" kind?! Anything flies...doesn't hafta be alcoholic!)

Right now, it's White Heather coffee!!!  Yum!

Guess what....blue edition

Can you guess...                                                                             

.....what C and I are working on today?

 It involves blue....um.....berries(?)

and

blue hair and fingers.

HELP! I bought an 'old lady' shirt!

After my awesome run at JC Penney the other day, I decided to head back there for a second glance...

...sans kids.

So, I found a few shirts for myself this time...

...and a few more things for my growing boys.

So...I get to the register, and the cashier and upon folding up my shirt says,

"I LOVE this shirt!"

I smile...and she continues,

"I just got this for my MOM last month!"

I unsmile.

Well, crap.

I've just purchased an old-lady shirt.

Unless, of course, this cashier's mother had her when she was the tender age of 10 (tragic, I know...),

and since she had such a hard life being a single mother during her teenage years,

her mom never really grew up - or never fully matured in her fashion sense.

And this cashier really only LOOKED 30...but in reality, she's only 14...

...and was given a minor pass to work at JC Penney's....

...so, really, that cashier's mother was only 24....

...well, then it's ok.

But, just in case the road of hard knocks didn't hit this sweet little cashier....

...I went to the next Customer Service Stand and returned the "old lady shirt."

I'm a MONEY saving FREAKAZOID!!!

Ok, I have to tell all my friends about this!!!

If you haven't looked into ebates.com before, you are really missing out!

Basically, it works VERY simply!

You sign on, create an account (takes 4 minutes), and use their home page as a navation tool to get to other websites.

I clicked on Kohls.com, and was taken to the Kohls website.  It probably took an extra 10 seconds for ebates to open my "ticket."    I used ebates for my Christmas shopping, and after a few weeks, I received a CHECK IN THE MAIL!

I did the same thing for a few purchases from Barnes & Noble.  Another $2.18 coming back...

Then, I purchased some new danskos on 6pm.com (at a HUGE discount), and since I went through ebates, I have $3.18 coming back to me in check.

THEN, just today, I realized that they have Restraunts.com on their site.  I went on there, and saw that there's still some left for my MOST favorite restaurant EVER.  I signed up to get a $25 gift cert. for $20.  Then, ebates gave me a coupon code to get an additional 70% off the total bill.  So, essentially, I just paid $6.00 for a $25 gift certificate.  AND, since I went through ebates, I will get an additional 15% back in check!

You can even use it for groupon.com purchaes!

The only bad thing about ebates is that they don't have amazon.com on their register.  Otherwise, I've been able to find each of my favorite web sites (that are hosting TONS of clearance events).

So, I encourage you to check out ebates today!  Just click here to go check it out.

Random Friday List (and some 5QF!)

1.  I got 2 "atta-girls" this week.

2.  One from my boss.

3.  The other from my nutrutionist.

4.  It's been a great week!

5.  D. and I are getting anxious to get the next phase of the house underway.

6.  Money falls short every time we try to make it happen with the budget.

7.  It's freezing here in Michigan.

8.  I'm (im)patiently waiting for our Flat Stanley's to come back.

9.  We made two just in case people are lagging in getting back to us.

10.  They're both lagging.  (sigh)

OK!!! FIVE QUESTION FRIDAY!!!




1. Where did you meet your spouse and did you instantly know it was love?


I first saw him at a wedding.  He was a groomsman, and I was an attendee with some friends of a guy I was seeing at the time.    There were ten groomsmen in that wedding, only TWO were hot.  One was wearing a wedding ring.  D. was the other one.  :)  He tells me that he noticed me that night too, but we never talked.

We met officially four months later at a country bar.  I knew he was special, but didn't realize just how special until a month later when the "L-Word" started popping out between the two of us.  :)
2. What is your favorite room in your house?
My new living room.  I love the colors.  I love how cozy it feels.  I love that (other than window treatments), its completely done.
3. Can you wiggle your ears?

Nope.  But I can flare my nostrils with the best of them.  :)

4. What is your evening ritual?

The boys are in bed by 7:30.  After that, D and I usually go to our separate corners of the house to finish up on work.  Then, we'll meet back up for a couch date to watch TV for the last 30-60 minutes of the night before turning in.

5. How many hours of sleep do you need to function?

Minimum of 6.  Any more than 9, and I have a wierd sleep-hangover thing the next day.

Have a great weekend!!!

Stop what you doing....go shopping NOW.

I hit up the Old Navy post season sale on Monday. 

All clearance prices were an additional 40% off.

I purchased a few things for the boys for thier next size up.

Then....

I went to JC Penney on Tuesday to look for a fancy shirt,

wound up staying for 90 minutes.

You see,

They had JUST marked everything down to the lowest clearance price.

And since this had just happened,

(literally, like 1 hour before I arrived, Just happened!)

The pickings were still good.

Oh, the pickings were GREAT!

Check out my receipt:

Just in case you can't see this, I spent a total of $48.28.

I saved $474.38.

Oh yeah, baby!

Everything is on clearance everywhere.

Stop whatever you're doing,

and go shopping NOW.

Yes, you're welcome.

I love you too.

You wanna see how much my mind jumps around in the period of 45 seconds?

Go!

I went to Old Navy this morning.  All clearance prices are an EXTRA 40% off.  Sale ends today.

I got a Michigan shirt for A.

He's gonna love it.

He needs to hone his basketball skills.  And he wants to play baseball.

Anyone have any suggestions for a league who takes kids that have never played before?

I'm still not working out.

More detox.

This week is more mental than physical.

I'm praying a lot.

I found a great daily devotional about fitness.

I'm eating a lot of protein.

I'm working on a trip for the family this summer.

Hopefully 2
or 3.

I need to buy more eggs and milk.

D. purchased some for us yesterday, and bought enough to feed us for 2 days.

I had a great conversation with a special lady this morning, and she gave me something so dear.

God is so awesome.

I'm looking at a possible kitchen cabinet deal....or not.  Perhaps its too good to be true.

My mother in law is recovering from her surgery nicely.

Please pray for my dad and a good (and healing) appointment tomorrow.

the end.

Random Friday List (and some 5QF!)

1.  I haven't blogged since Monday.

2.  I'm blaming it on my detox program.

3.  Which, by the way, was extremely successful last week!

4.  And I'm feeling great!

5.  But I've been told not to work out for at least two weeks.

6.  I'm so sad to oblige.

7.  Insert sarcasm on #6.

8.  My husband is totally awesome.

9.  I'm officially a wii-fit-aholic.

10.  I wonder if there's a group for that?


Ok!  5QF!!!  Oh, how I've missed my friends at Five Question Friday.




1. What movie could you watch over and over again and not get tired of?


Sixteen Candles.  Best John Hughes film ever.  D and I frequently quote it throughout the day.

"Donger need FOOD!"                         "Married?   MARRIED!  JEEZ!"
"You beat-ah my face!"                         "I have to sleep under a China-man named after a ducks-dork."
"No, he's not retarded..."        
 "Yes, in deedy, he helps with the dishes and does the laundry, YOU BETCHA!"
"It's called a quiche.................How do you spell?...............  Well, you don't spell it, SON, you eat it!"
Oh, I could go on and on.  People come to our house and think D and I are speaking in tongues.  Between 80's flicks and Napoleon Dynamite....yeah, it's a different language.


2. What's your biggest pet peeve right now?

The whole stuffitis thing really boils my last nerve.  (Let me preface this by saying I can occasionally fall prey to it as well).  But, the whole having to have the best of the best of everything is just plain ridiculous.  The lack of contentment in this society is at quite the narcissistic level....

If we'd only spend a fraction of that money, time and energy on helping someone else or giving to someone else - (or even stop spending so you can get out of debt!) - then the world would be a better place.  And perhaps the government would be able to stop passing legislation that demands everyone's money to help those that need it if we're voluntarily giving at a level we feel comfortable with.

Ok, stepping down off my soap box now....

sorry 'bout that

3. If you had to describe your best friend in five words or less, what would you say?

I have two, and I won't pick one over the other, so I'll define them both:
Gina:
1.  Tried and true
2.  fun
3.  humble
4.  loyal
5.  honest

Melody:
1.  honest
2.  fun
3.  loyal
4.  humble
5.  generous

Wow...seems like I know how to pick them!    Actually, they picked me!  Actually, God picked them for me.   And I'm so thankful.


4. If you did not have to worry about money or go to school what would you do for a living?

I would just be a mom. 

I work from home, and its such a challenge to balance it all.

And its an extra worry all the time (am I doing enough ?, am I on time ?, are they happy with my performance?, when will I get more work?)

Second, I'd be a photographer.  It's just something I love love love.  It's been a passion since I was in high school and hasn't let up since.  But there's a time and a place for everything...and I'm willing to wait for that season to come.

5. What is your one "splurge" item, that you will always buy, no matter the cost?

Hmmmm.  I really don't know!  There's always a cost cut off for me. So, I guess I don't have one!

No spring chicken

I'm not posting this to show off my new pair of glasses.

They're quite old, actually.

I still like them alot.

I just don't wear them regularly.

I'm posting this to remind myself

that I'm no spring chicken.

And I need to start paying attention to my vision.

And start wearing my glasses (or contacts).

especially when I drive.

After all, I'm hauling some precious cargo.

Random Friday List

1.  Last week the high temp. was 54, and all the snow had melted.

2.  Today the high temp is 22, and it's snowing like a freakazoid.

3.  Gotta love weather in Michigan.

4.  A. used to pronounce Michigan like "Migga-shin."

5.  It made me laugh EVERY time he said it.

6.  I'm detoxing my body from the holiday crap I ingested.

7.  ****Ugh.*****

8.  I've started steps to accomplish my "Secret Goal" (scroll down, right side...)

9.  I've expanded my "support system," and think I've told too many people.

10.  No backing out now....time to put my money where my mouth is.

Cause I know you've been on the edge of your seat since LAST January...

Do you remember the blog post in which I hinted to a project with some really funky fabric?

Well, I'm sorry to those of you who have not been sleeping well...

...just waiting to find out what I did with this fabric.

I should have warned you in my post (last Janurary) that I'm quite the procrastinator.

And have difficulty finishing what I start.

But...I finished!

Here she is:

I can say that I have successfully completed my first re-upholstery project!!!

I had originally intended on doing a fun little accent chair for our new basement, but

this couch (with never-used hide-a-bed) was given to us for free, and was hardly ever sat on.

It's small size fit perfectly in our narrow little basement, so we used that instead.

Only, it meant that I would run out of fabric.

So, we went with red cushions.

After all, red is the accent color in the basement.

It's the color of the canvas prints I ordered from the silhouette pictures I took of the boys against D's van:

I also added some red touches to the opposite wall with some words (cut with my Cricut),

a fun little ottoman, and some bins found at the dollar spot at Target.

Other than a picture wall over the couch, I can consider the addition basement decorations

DONE!

A season of "firsts"

This season was full of "firsts."

Not like "baby's first Christmas" or anything...

But some things that I wanted to highlight so I can look back and remember how much I appreciated all these things.

1.  First time I saw many of my decorations in over 5 years!  I totally LOVE my Williraye collection, and haven't taken them out of the rafters since we moved to the Love Shack.  The same goes for my nativity.  I was so happy to pull them out in November.  They were also the last decorations I packed away.






2.  First nativity scene for C.  He was a shepherd.  He lost his staff right away because he beamed his friend on the nose with it during the dress rehersal.  But, as they were all looking at the baby Jesus in the manger, he leaned in and gave the baby a kiss. 

Right before the wisemen realized that they couldn't get to the baby Jesus (shepherds were in the way) and decided to throw their gifts at him.  :)

 3.  First time we celebrated Christmas in my parent's basement.  On that note, first time we had a homecare nurse visit on Christmas day.

Oh, the firsts on this one go far and deep...but I'll leave that for another post.

4.  First time we hosted Christmas in our house!

It was great that almost all of D's siblings could make it.  It was fun to be hospitable in our new house.

Here's a pic of D's parents with all their grandchildren.  Aren't they all cute?!?!

(I am not biased or anything...not at all)

You can dress them up AND take them out

 So, it just so happened that both boys fit into their suits this year. 

So, I had to take a picture of this extreme cuteness.

These were taken the night of A's school Christmas program.

I'm proud to say that they were well behaved while dressed up so nicely.

This debunks the myth that you can dress them up, but can't take them out.

Apparently, you can

With enough bribery, of course. 

And the four of us on Christmas Day in my parent's living room.

Don't you just love C's red socks?