December - The Race Is On

Dearest December,

     Why, oh why do you sneak up on my every year?  Why, oh why do you insist on catching me off-guard, pants down, under-prepared?  Why, oh why can't you give me a head's up, say in mid November, that you are coming?  Quickly?  Like really quickly?  Every year I promise to be more prepared.  Decorate, bake, shop, gift wrap, celebrate and enjoy the season.  Instead, I don't really decorate, I buy store bought cookies, Christmas shop in a mad, last minute frenzy, use tacky gift bags, and loose focus on what the season is all about.
     Well, guess what?  Not this year, I tell you!  December, I refuse to let you get the best of me this year.  I will make every effort to prepare, enjoy and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas in a lovely setting surrounded by delicious baked goods with beautifully wrapped presents under my awe-inspired tree.  December, you don't know who you're dealing with.  Look out December, game on.

I Think I'm in LOVE

I have had a secret crush for 2 years now.  I first spotted my secret love in the King Ranch catalog and then I think I may have seen them in the Sundance catalog. 

Anyway, total love at first sight.  I came to grips with the fact that I would just have to love from afar.  

Well...just when I had all but written off the idea of ever owning these beauties, my sweet, cute, loving, adorable husband shows up with a lovely surprise!  Did I mention how sweet my husband is???  

Anyway, I digress.  He actually found my secret (or not so secret, I guess)  love at a local boot shop, and actually knew my size, and actually bought them for me!   What a guy!

I'm not sure what I did to deserve them.  Aren't they super cool?  Am I cool enough to pull this look off?  Shhh, don't be insecure, of course you're cool enough.  I can't wait to have an occasion to wear them.  Maybe a rodeo, a trip to the Fort Worth Stock Yards, or maybe just a trip to the grocery store?  At any rate, you can bet I'll enjoy them.  Ahhhh, true love.

Summer List (aka Summerpalooza 2010)

Every May 20something the big kids and I sit down and write a "summer list."  This is a list of things we would like to do during our summer vacation.  My rule is that their list items must be "do-able" things.  

For example, "go to Hawaii" or "build a state of the art time machine" are not "do-able" for obvious reasons. 

"Go to Sonic for a happy-hour drink," very "do-able." 

Along those same lines, we also try to keep a reasonable budget in mind, (you're welcome, Chris).  

So, without further adieu, here's our list for summerpalooza, 2010!!!

KEY:  Cole    Sydney     Mom    Everyone

watergun fight       spa day       start a running program       go to dallas museum of art       block party       plant sunflowers        read bible everyday        research projects       take zeke to dirty dawgs       paint pottery       library day (storytime with GK)        white rock skate      learn latin       kids cooking night    farmers' market       read chapter book to big kids       putt-putt       read 6 chapter books by the end of summer        picnic at the park       repurpose "junk" furniture for my new classroom        try something new    baking       family nights       go to six flags       arboretum concert nights     new recipe once a week 

So, what do you think?  Sound like fun?  The first child to utter the words, "I'm borrrrred mom," gets a swift kick in the pants.  With a list like this, we have NO TIME for summer boredom.  

Wish us luck.  Here's to a fun and memorable summer!  

Introducing, Chef Georgia!

OK, remember when I told you that I was passing the torch (or the spatula) onto my children?  

GK has really taken my last post very seriously.

table-side guacamole, anyone??

(so glad that her smelly sneakers are inches away from the cutting board - nice.)

"This cooking stuff isn't so tough, Mom.  What are you always griping about?"

YUM!  Chocolate something or other for dessert!  I love a satisfied customer!

Mom, what's for dinner?

Is there any other question that invokes such anxiety on such an daily basis?  Not for me.  I am bombarded with the "what's for dinner" question everyday around 3:15 (right as I pick children up from school).  You would think, knowing it's coming, I would prep for it.  I have started to lie about my supper menu just to get them off my back.  That only creates disappointment when they find out the truth.  The truth being, I simply do not know what's for dinner.  

Why does it fall on me?  Why can't my lovely children share in this responsibility?  I guess the job was placed on my shoulders, just like laundry, dishes, taking out trash, replacing the trash can liner, refilling the empty toilet paper roll, feeding the pets, etc, etc, etc...

Well, my friends, I am turning over a brand new leaf.  I'm going to let my lovely children share in dinner responsibilities.  I'm over it.  Really over it.  There is no reason that my 3 intelligent, responsible, innovative children can't come up with the menu a couple times a week.  (I realize that my youngest is 2, but why not start grooming her domestic qualities now??).  If I give each child 2 days each week, (2 days X 3 kids = 6 days!!!) I am only left with one day to figure out.  And who's to say that we don't call that evening, "Take out Tuesday???"  LOVE IT!  

Whew, so glad to have dinner figured out for the week.  Just ask my kiddos, "Hey, what's for dinner?"  Let's see how that question makes them squirm for once! 

Good luck, suckahs!

What do 2 year olds do?

Georgia Kate has recently celebrated her 2nd birthday.  I can't get over how big she is getting, right before my very eyes.  Everyday she is doing, saying, eating, trying something new.  Let me show you a few things that she has been up to lately...

she plays dress up (love those clicky shoes)

she colors in her Barbie Princess coloring book (she actually spends most of her time dumping the 10 gazillion crayons on the floor, but she colors a little too)

why didn't I settle for the 8 pack?  really?  guess who picks these up 72 times a day?

she likes to sample the newest and hottest lipshades for spring (lovely, don't you think?)

this shade is called "are you kidding me?  why wasn't your mommy watching you?"

she swings in the big-girl swing (no more baby swing for me mommy, I'm 2 now!)

With that all said, happy birthday big girl.  Thank you for adding such laughter, spirit, spunk, chaos and craziness to our already zany home.  We are so glad that God gave us such a special gift 2 years ago.

Spare time (part dos)

I promised more pictures of my mediocre crafting attempts.  Here we go...

That about sums it up.  Took a sewing class the other evening with a few girlie friends and learned some great tips.  Was I ever doing so many things incorrectly.  Thanks City Craft of Dallas for setting me straight. 

Spare time...(part 1)

Greetings friends and fellow bloggers.  Thank you for always finding the time and motivation to inspire me with your creativity.  I find myself losing big chunks of time during my day sitting at my computer and looking at all of the lovely projects you have completed and found time to blog about.  

Latey, I have been bitten by the sewing bug.  I wish I could say that my sewing skills are improving, but I'd be a big fat liar.  My projects look really cute from far away.  DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT look closely at my hems, crooked stitches and sloppy craftsmanship.  Like I said, keep your distance and admire my handiwork.  Here are a few items I've done for Syd...

patchwork skirt (denim patches recycled from a shirt I've had since the 80's- time to let go) 

another patchwork skirt (lots of Ikea fabric - don't you just LOVE Ikea?)

this skirt was once mine - i cut it in half and now syd can enjoy it

another one of my skirts from the past - (cute one from anthropologie, i believe)

random picture of GK - has nothing to do with my post - just kinda cute

I'll be back with more projects.  I've been busy lately creating lots of mediocre crap.  See you soon!

Guilty Pleasures

As I was struggling with a new topic to blog about, cute Chris suggested that I write about my guilty pleasures.  Urban dictionary defines a guilty pleasure as:

1. Something that you shouldn't like but do anyway.  

            husband:  "Did you polish off that bottle of wine?"
            wife (me):  "Hmmm, me?  No, um, I think you did.  Oh, you haven't had any?  Oops, guilty."
   
      2.  Something that you love to do but hate to admit to.

            husband:  "I can't believe you are watching those Orange County housewives. Again."
           wife (me):  "I know, it's a total guilty pleasure!  Don't tell your mom I watch this trash."

Anyway, you get the picture.  Thought you might like a list of my guilty pleasures.  Hope it makes you feel better about your own vices.

• Warm chocolate chip cookies right outta the oven.  Hmmm, actually, any variety of warm cookie right outta the oven.  Can't resist and even find myself baking them and pretending they are "for the kids, honey."  
• Sleep.  Power naps, long luxurious naps, the rare morning that I can sleep in.  LOVE to sleep.  I can't remember a time when I didn't feel tired.  Can you???  
• I've said it before, and I'll say it again, love me a glass of red wine.  Love the taste, love holding that pretty stemware in my hand.  Love how it "takes the edge off a really long day."  Cute Chris thinks I might have a problem.  "It's because of the kids, honey."
• Me Time.  Selfish, I know, but aren't most guilty pleasures?  And really, how often do I get Me Time? (Running errands during nap time does not count.  That's called, "Beat the Clock.")   I love to steal away with no agenda and get lost for a while.  Sometimes I leave my phone in the car so I'm hard to reach. Don't tell my family that.
• Places I love to get lost:
• bookstores
• mani/pedi salon
• junk shops
• the aisles of Target

So, there you have it.  Just a few guilty pleasures.  Not too bad of a list.  Now go and have that glass of wine with your chocolate chip cookie.  I won't judge.


         

Snow Day - Texas Style

7 plus inches of fluffy white goodness...

Did I mention that we live in Texas?

We're really not sure what to do with all this stuff.  

Love myself a snow day though.

Words to live by...at least for this week

James 1:19 states, "My dear brothers [and sisters], take note of this:  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."   Hmmmmm, let me park here for a second if I may.  We hit upon this verse in my Bible study this week.  The homework was to really try and live our lives according to this verse.  Piece of cake, right?  UGH!  Try as I might, I am truly struggling with this (I blame hormones - easy place to point the finger).  Let's break this down...

Quick to listen:

• even when I'm attempting to multi-task the *@"# out of things?
• even when I've heard you tell your painfully confusing story of "she's mad at me, and I was like, and she was like, and I was like..." for the 18th time?
• even when I'm exhausted and my ears are bleeding from all the listening I've done at the very end of my day?

YES.

Slow to speak:

• even when I know the right answer and can save a whole lot of time sharing that answer with you, instead of waiting for you to figure it out?
• even when I feel that I have something more important to say? -(I am sooo guilty of trumping people with my one-upsmanship - forgive me)
• even when I blow a gasket and loose my ever-lovin' temper - again?

YES.

Slow to anger:

• even when I walk in from a long day only to find that my trusty golden doodle has rummaged through the overflowing trash and has drug most of it onto the white rug in the living room?
• even when adorable Georgia Kate dumps her entire bowl of mac and cheese on her freshly shampooed hair?
• even when the dishes are piled in the sink, the laundry has taken over the utility room, every puzzle piece we have can be found in every room in the house and I don't have a single thing in my closet of clothes that fits?  

YES.

I will try and remember this verse from the book of James, despite how tired, grumpy, aggravated, hormonal I happen to be.  I promise to try.  I promise. 

State of the Union - Arnett Style

Thought it was time to check the state of our union here on the home front. 

• Yes, I'm still getting up everyday (nearly everyday anyhow) and making breakfast for my very appreciative children.  Today's meal was Ebelskiver (pancake puffs for the laymen) and thick sliced bacon.  Yummy!

• Haven't made it to to gym.  Not once.  Not at all.  Not even kidding.
  
• I have to say that I've felt a bit happier lately.  Could be all the self-medicating I do in the evenings.  Thanks Target Box 'o Red!

• Starting a mother-daughter Bible study next week with Sydney (10 year old daughter).  Very excited about that.  
• Cole (9 year old son) won his school spelling bee and finished 5th in the district bee.  Sweet boy can spell but can't always find his was to the mailbox.  Love that child!
• Georgia Kate (22 month baby girl) has become quite the chatty Cathy lately.  Thankful that I can cancel the appointment with the speech pathologist - for now!  Just kidding about that speech pathologist remark, btw - I'm a bit neurotic.  Must be the teacher in me.
• My lovely husband has been quite the busy bee lately.  He has cleaned and organized the garage (notice the bikes hanging from the ceiling), climbed on the roof (TWICE) and repaired a pesky leak, fixed loose boards in our fence, installed a dishwasher (with the help of our plumber - good try honey) and has spent lots of time putting his culinary skills to work.  Way to go Chris!  

• Anything else???  Happy to be blogging about complete nonsense.  Thanks for indulging me and stopping by!  Later gator!
  

(Cole at school spelling bee - what a champ!)

Yum

What?  Don't you eat your chicken noodle soup like this?  Come on, be honest...

And do you mean to tell me that you don't eat your apples while you gaze lovingly at your reflection in your shiny trashcan? 

 

"I'm so pretty, oh so pretty, I'm so pretty and witty and ...oh my gosh is that apple good!"

I don't even know what to think about this one.  We may have food issues.

Ode to my Kitchen - A Love/Hate Relationship

Ahhh, a kitchen. The heart of any home. Where dear family members gather for food and fellowship. This room should be a no-brainer favorite for me, right? I mean I only spend 96.2% of my time there (exaggeration?). So why then, do I harbor such ugly feelings toward my kitchen?

Could it be the unending amount of clutter that seems to accumulate despite my best efforts to purge all non-essentials (when the kids aren't looking, of course)? Possibly. Could it be the 50 year old cabinets that are chipped, warped, dingy and just plain sad looking? Possibly. Could it be the beige (yuck) laminate counter tops that I am continually hot gluing back together (hot glue - one step above duct tape, in my opinion)? Possibly. Could it be the dated, non-matching appliances that frighten and confuse me to use? Possibly.

Alright, alright, I know that I sound so ungrateful. My kitchen can't be all that bad, right? I mean, it is the heart of my home where dear family members gather for food and fellowship - yada, yada. What's not to love? Let me look at my glass as half-full and list the things I actually love about my kitchen.

1. My PINK shabby chic table. LOVE IT! You can't imagine the sweet talkin' I had to do to convince my husband that a PINK kitchen table was a fabulous idea. Thanks Chris!
2. The size of my kitchen is very generous. Plenty of space for all kinds of clutter. Lucky me!
3. My new, shiny, matching appliances. Once again, thanks Chris!
4. The number of memories that have been generated and continue to be made in this space. I love family meals around my PINK table. Family harmony, a yummy meal, and did I mention my PINK table? Fabulous! Once again, what's not to love???

Happy New Year

Just like I do every year, I have made a list of resolutions that I hope to successfully stick to. I know, I know, why wait until Jan. 1st to make changes that will hopefully transform your life from mediocre to fab? I suppose there is something magical about Jan. 1st. New year, new goals, new me... anyway, here is my list. Wish me luck.

1. I resolve to get my butt outta bed and cook breakfast for my kiddos everyday. Don't they deserve to start their day with a warm and somewhat nutritious meal? Can I really expect them to have a successful day with a pop tart and juice box in the car on the way to school? Hardly.

2. READ, READ and READ some more. It's truly my favorite thing to do. So why haven't I finished a book in over a year. Wait, that has to be an exaggeration. Or is it??? Hopefully my brand new Kindle will inspire me. Thanks Santa!

3. Would you please utilize that gym membership already??? What are you waiting for - Jan 1st? Get movin'!

4. I am such a wannabe sewer, knitter and chef. My crafting and cooking attempts are very, and I mean VERY, basic. I would love to move from wannabe to a girl with mad skillz.

5. Finally, (5 resolutions is plenty, right?) I resolve to be a little happier this year. Sounds simple, but this is an area where I STRUGGLE! This resolution made the list when my 10 year old daughter asked me, "Mom, why don't you smile anymore?" Yikes, time to fix that, eh?

Well, I guess that is that. Happy 2010! May you reach your goals and make it a memorable year! Gotta run, that breakfast isn't going to fix itself.