Got Wood?

In our quest to replace the flooring thru-out the house, we have now completed our second room. Hooray! We do one room at a time. We have 18 months to pay it off interest free. Then, we start on the next room. I have tabulated that it will take 9 years to complete our home. But, who cares. It's only time. And it helps build patience. And character. :)

Anyhow, the lucky recipient of room makeover #2 was Ol' Blue Eyes. I didn't get before shots. (Of course.) But here are shots of the freshly laid floor:
Here is a sample of the dust that accumulated on the ceiling and walls (as they did all the sawing of the pieces in the room instead of outside. Oy-Vey!) :

I cannot tell you how LONG it took to get all the dust up. I had to vacuum the walls people! Yet, it was worth it I must admit. But, don't take my word for it. Have a gander for yourself:

Viola! I'm so pleased and thankful. And Blue Eyes is over the moon excited by his room. Poor Baby said nothing of having to wait 3 summers with dark gray paint splattered on his old carpet from his Mom's "oopsie mishaps" while painting his ceiling. But, I digress. I'm amazed at how much better his allergies are as well now. No carpet to trap dander, dust, etc.

Anyhow, that's our latest renovation project. Check back in anther 18 months for the next room make-over. :)

*Oops, forgot my daily 3* So here goes:

1. I am grateful to spend everyday with my children.

2. That I get to hear the most beautiful sound in the world daily- their laughter.

3. That my children still think it's cool when I dance with them instead of humiliating. :)

What does this Symbol Mean???

I saw this on the computer yesterday. It asked "Do you know what this symbol means?" So I thought about it. I came up with several possibilities. Do you know what it means? I'll give you a minute to guess....................................................................................................................................................

It is on all 2008 or newer vehicles and it is SUPPOSED to mean low tire pressure. Who knew? (Guess those amongst us who drive a new vehicle. LOL!) Now, we all know. Please share: What were your guesses? In the spirit of full disclosure, here's mine:


My 1st thought was: "Hmmmm, it reminds me of the stomach of the guy off the Operation Game." Cause it looks like a stomach with an exclamation mark in the middle. Don't you concur? (Or perhaps that's just what I saw on MY ink blotter...;)

My second thought was "It could mean I'm sooo full it hurts!" (Cause it definitely looks bloated. Don't you think?...again, maybe it's just MY interpretation, as I often feel like this) Then, I laughed and thought: ..."Warning: Gas Ahead!" Or maybe it is a public service announcement of some sort....Let's see: A symbol for bloating, exclamation mark....I've got it: "PMS AHEAD!!! THE NEXT WEEK WILL BE HAZARDOUS TO EVERYONE AROUND YOU!"

By this point the real answer didn't even matter anymore. I was just totally enjoying the possibilities. I'm just like that. Easily amused. Or a dork. pOtAtO/ pa-tah-to . But at any rate, I'm now thinking: can you IMAGINE the possibilities I could conceive at a therapists office with their ink blots?! (Soooo couldn't take that seriously.) A shrink's dream/nightmare (given their sense of humor or lack there of. I'm guessing the latter.) I can just hear it now as they lead me away in my nice, crisp, white jacket: "Stac, I now pronounce you, certifiable. Imaginative. Humorous. Yet, nuts just the same!" ;)

Today's Daily 3:

1. I'm grateful for the ability to find humor in things that other's don't, wouldn't or shouldn't find funny.

2. Puffy white clouds on a clear day. Beautiful!

3. To have known the love of several excellent dogs in my lifetime.

Things I Enjoyed this Summer...And the Beginning of the Daily 3

As the summer comes to an end, I thought I would share how I spent some of my "off-time."

I started this book in April:

I finished it at the end of May. I must admit, at the time I was struggling to focus and finish it. But, I'm glad I did. Truly a life changing book. If you read it and apply some of the changes she suggests, you will be amazed at the difference in yourself. Honest. I feel so much better. Better than I have in a long time. All because I can relax again. Whew! It feels great!

And because I am soooooo relaxed, I could enjoy a few other fun reads this summer like:

I'm a nerd. If I like a book, I'll read it over and over. I read this one last summer as well. I pulled it out again this summer...and it STILL had me laughing out loud. If you are looking for a fun read-give this one a whirl!

Another book I found so intriguing:

One Thousand White Women. It is based on "what if." What if the government had traded 1000 White Women to the Indians in exchange for 1000 horses and a peace agreement back in the day. It is written in diary form. I really enjoyed it. Very thought provoking. And the characters will stay with you long after you close the book.

Speaking of books in Diary form:

Excellent! A woman who has been abducted for a year and is trying to get her life back. She narrates thru sessions with her therapist. Not a lighthearted read; but a good one. Makes you realize how strong the human spirit and the fight for survival is.

And if the thought of being abducted doesn't scare the crap out of you enough...

READ THIS ONE!!! Holy crappers! I'm forever nervous about being "in the system" now. You won't EVER look at donating blood the same way again. Promise! :)

Now this has nothing to do with any of the above, except I like them and wanted to share with you.

I don't like gummie candy. At all. But THESE are really the bomb! I actually look forward to taking them every morning. And secretly wish I could have more than two. :)

And for some more not so guilty pleasure:

I buy these at our local health food store. They are a nice alternative to chocolate cake, brownies, and muffins. So when you want to indulge a little, you can. Not like the real thing mind you; but, not bad. Not bad at all.

So there you have it. A short list of things that I spent my summer indulging in. Just thought I'd share.

And for a final note:

I'm going to make a change on this and all future posts. In keeping with my de-stressing way of life and for appreciating all that I have in my life- I will begin listing 3 things that I am grateful for that day at the end of every post. Big things or small. Just my way of reflecting on, and acknowledging all I have to be grateful for. So here goes...

3 Things I am Grateful for Today:

1. That my family and myself are all healthy, happy and together.

2. The absolute, complete feeling of a relaxing sanctuary that my bedroom brings me every day.

3. The hummingbirds that come to my yard thru-out the day. Truly beautiful, graceful, fun creatures to watch and enjoy! Well Done Big Guy-Well Done!

RICARDO...MBA,CCE...etc.

Ricardo can now add 3 more letters behind his name, CCE. He got the results back on his exam today. All those months of studying paid off. He passed. Hooray! Now he joins the elite crowd of fellow business pros who have this certification. (I think it is less than 10% of credit professionals who have this certification-But don't quote me on the exact number...cause numbers are Ricardo's biz not mine. :)

Anyhow, "The Board of Examiners" sent his test results to his office. They also sent him a plaque to acknowledge his achievement. As well as e-mailing his boss to let him know what Ricardo accomplished . (Although, I'm sure his boss will once again not give kudos where kudos are deserved. But I digress.)

So here's to you Ricardo to celebrate all your hard work and success! "Well Done! Woof! Woof!" Your family thinks your great with or without all those letters behind your name. Salute!

Like Bruce Says: Baby, We Were Born to Run

Reality can be a harsh mistress. We've all been adjusting this week from Kansas time back to Texas time. Time is racing by with all that we have to accomplish before school starts next week. Some of us are feeling the time constraints. Others, are feeling constraints on their freedom from city life. Take Brown Eyes for instance:



Brown Eyes: "Mom, I really miss Kansas."



Me: "Ahhh! You do Baby?"



Brown Eyes: "Yeah. 'Cause in Kansas, you have room to run!"



Apparently, Bruce Springsteen isn't the only one who was born to do it. ;)

It's a Crockpot Life for Us...

I've often said if we were wealthy, I'd hire a cook; so, I wouldn't have to. EVER. (She says sighing wistfully...) I can cook. But I don't enjoy it. At all. It's a chore. An endless chore. We just returned from our summer pilgrimage to Kansas. Wonderful Kansas. Where family and friends are plentiful and the cooking is done for you. After absolutely feasting on the delicacy's made by others, reality is hitting especially hard this week. Since reality is kicking my buttooski, I thought I'd share a little Orphan Annie ditty that I composed while cooking dinner today. Here goes:





It's a crockpot life for us.


It's a crockpot life for us.


No more fancy cuisine.


From the pages of a magazine.


It's a crockpot life!





It's a crockpot life for us.


It's a crockpot life for us.


No gourmet grub-or bakery.


Just chicken,... simmering.


It's a crockpot life..





It's a crockpot life for us.


It's a crockpot life for us.


Please take me back- to Kansas.


And cul-in-ary bliss.


It's a crockpot life!

A Conversation with Brown Eyes

My youngest has entered the "question phase." Endless questions. One right after another. All day long. He never seems to get tired of asking them. Although, I must admit, I do get a wee bit weary of answering them after about the 1 millionth one. :) But, then I remember that there once was a time where he couldn't communicate with us at all. Would just have a melt down because he couldn't express how he was feeling or what he wanted. So, that makes all these questions seem like a beautiful thing indeed.

Today while we were swimming, we had another Q&A session. It went a little something like this.

Brown Eyes: Caesar and Disney are in Heaven right Mom?

Me: Yes they are.

Brown Eyes: But I'm going to live a long time right Mom?

Me: Yes you are!

Brown Eyes: Do they have pools in Heaven Mom?

Me: No they don't.

Brown Eyes: So, we'll just have to build one right?

Me: Yes, we will.

Brown Eyes: Both people and dogs will like that won't they Mom?

Me: (extremely choked up)...Yes son they will.

Maybe it's just the sun...and the son....But, I think that is one of the most beautiful thoughts I've ever heard.

New Tongue Twister

I found myself wondering today how tongue twisters came about. Who writes them? What was their inspiration? I know that you do indeed see sea shells, sea shells by the sea shore. But, was there really a guy named Peter? Did he indeed pick a peck of pickled peppers? And exactly how many of these tricky tongue twisters are there circulating out there anyways?



Well.... today, there is one more. The author's name escapes me at the moment. I will say however, that this particular person is a female. I know that for a fact. And if I recall correctly, she is a less than graceful, (some might say "klutzy person") who may or may not have been in a hurry while shaving her legs. Perhaps before doning a swimsuit and going out to the pool. But I don't remember exactly. Or maybe I've mentally blocked that out. Anyhow, here is the latest tongue twister that is making people stutter... and wince:



Nerd Nicks Nipple Now Needs Neosporin.....



Try saying that 3 times quickly. Maybe while applying a BandAid. Let's just leave it at that shall we?

Family Fun Day with the Griswalds...

We had a fun family Saturday this weekend. We went to our local Bass Pro Shops store. For those of you who have one nearby and have never been-go! It's oh so much fun. A true feast for the eyes . We went this particular Saturday to have pictures taken. They are offering photos this month (every Saturday and Sunday) with your child on the cover of a magazine. I'd explain more, but they are going to be Christmas presents. So, I don't want to give the surprise away. But perhaps I've already said too much. ;) Ours has also recently added children's workshops. This is what greeted us as we arrived on Saturday: The shot doesn't do it justice, but trust me, it was wall to wall children and parents. What could have this many people mingling about in such cramped quarters you ask?







Why...

Free birdhouses of course! We had to assemble them ourselves-luckily no hammer and nails required. Simply put Slot A into Tab B. So simple even the directionally challenged mom can do it. :) (Notice the lake in the background- sooooo peaceful to gaze out upon. Made the claustrophobic conditions tolerable. For those who are claustrophobic.)

Then came the fun part: The painting. Ohhhhh how all the kids (big and small) were crazy about the painting. Many a shirt, shorts, and shoes were splattered by the end of this workshop. I love this shot of Ol' Blue Eyes. He is talking with one of the other parents there, very mature and mannerly. Yet, this pic of his expression reminds me of how he looked at age 3 and 4. Hard to explain, but all you mom's know what I mean. Made him seem little again. So sweet and nostalgic. It was all I could do to restrain myself from hugging him right then and there.

Besides the workshops, they have HUGE acquariums chuck full of fish. MONSTER fish:

Darling monster fish that make you smile as they swim by.

And all thru-out the store are these wildlife scenes:

So realistic looking. I apoligize for the next shot. It really did look cool. But, I was too intimidated by my fear of heights to lean over and get a good shot. Nothing good could have come from it. All I could foresee was me leaning out too far and dropping my camera. Or leaning too far with my graceful self and plunging to the lower level. Humiliating. It's not the freak accident I mind so much as the thought of losing my beloved camera. There's plenty of dorks out there to replace me; however, a nice camera is hard to come by ya know?! But I digress. Anyhow, here's the pic:

Ugh! I'm getting lightheaded and nauseous again just looking at it. Sweet Baby J.

Also, they have the most realistic looking mannequins I have ever seen. Don't you concur?

I can only imagine the parties they have after hours. (You know, like in the movie Mannequin. Anyone remember that flick? Anyone? Buehler?....Buehler?)

Besides the workshops, photo opps and feast for the eyes with all the wildlife scenes, they also have a restaurant. We partook of some seafood while sitting at a table with an awesome view of the lake. Very relaxing. They also offered children's tackle boxes at aforementioned restaurant for 2.99. Just little plastic ones; but, cute momento for the kiddos none the less.

We spent the better part of the day there. It was really a fun family day that cost next to nothing; yet, will be remembered fondly for a long time to come.