something old...

Not long ago I went out looking at model homes with a friend (yes, I still seem to have this problem). All I remember about the actual houses we saw is that they were big, beautiful and way out of our price range (that’s WHY I love looking). I do, however, remember a little piece of furniture inside one of them – how could I forget, after all, it was LOVE at first sight. In one of the rooms there was the cutest little turquoise dresser ever. Such a pretty color and just the right amount of shabbiness. As corny as it sounds, this dresser spoke to me (said "loook at me, looove me"). I knew I would never get over this object of my desire until I had one of my own. Well, I am happy to say – now I do. The project I mentioned a month ago, is complete (thanks to a little inspiration from this gal).


Isn’t it LOVELY? I can't tell you how much I love OLD furniture. Give me your ugly, your old, Your battered dressers yearning to breathe free. I can’t wait to refinish some more. Actually, we did do more – 3 other pieces in fact (& they're just as funky :)). I’ll share pictures soon.

And, one more little bit of loveliness. Our baby is now 5 months old! Can’t believe how fast she is growing or how much we all just love her to pieces (even her brothers). Where’s the pause button!?!

My Nemesis (the kids love it)

There is a place I dread going to more than anywhere else, except maybe the dentist (no offense, Kevin & Stephen :)). I am sure most of you know it well, even if you pretend you don’t. I’ll give you a few hints: outrageously crowded parking lots, door greeters, and obnoxious yellow smiley faces everywhere. You guessed it…WalMart. Uggh.

Going there always seems like such a chore. Perhaps it is because the toothpaste is strategically located about a mile away from the milk. It is never an in-and-out job - I always end up doing the full lap. It is especially dreadful when I have little helpers with me, which is about 90% of the time. The kids, however, think it is a wonderland - m&m's, Littlest Petshop’s, basketballs and just about anything else their active brains can think of, all under one roof. I merely mention the place and their anxious little eyes light up. When I was unpacking my groceries after the last run I came across a few unfamiliar items. My first thought was that some little hands had been helping me fill the cart. Then I realized I had a full bag of someone else’s groceries. I remembered the young mom in line in front of me wrangling her restless toddler. It was her baby food, salad dressing and Raisinets staring me in the face. I have been in her shoes before, you know the one who gets home and realizes that the package of diapers I just paid for didn’t make it home with me, and the baby is wearing the very last one. So frustrating.

Today, this little bag of groceries that has been sitting on the countertop in my laundry room for the past week, made its way back to WalMart. It wasn’t a big chore to return what wasn’t ours to begin with. In fact it provided material for a discussion on honesty with the kids. However, despite doing the right thing in the end, I have to admit I was more than a little tempted by those Raisinets all week long (chocolate has been a little scarce around our house). A good deed should never go unrewarded. Wouldn’t you agree?

A box of donuts, even the good ones with chocolate and sprinkles, for only $2.00. Guess that’s why we keep on going back.

Cherries, Please

Just felt like sharing a little snippet of summertime. I love the food of summer - especially if you can grow it or grill it. My current delight - fresh cherries. Tres delicious, not to mention completely irresistible. Nobody at our house has been able to pass by this bowl without snagging a handful, and we've got the purple stained fingertips (and a few chins) to prove it.

Pounding the pavement = Pounding head

Earlier this week I was going to do this big bragadocious post about my new early morning running ritual. I’m so glad I didn’t, because I would be eating those words right now if I had. My friend (who also just had a baby 4+ months ago) has initiated a neighborhood running group with big ½ marathon plans for August. Seemed like a good idea, I’ve got some postpartum belly chub I wouldn’t be loathing to part with (it seems, with each subsequent pregnancy the Metabolic Gods are a little less generous). The plan was 6:00 a.m. Mon. Weds. and Fri. with long runs on Saturday. As far as actual running went, things were going well. I was able to run a lot farther than I thought and I wasn’t getting side aches like I did when I was younger. We were doing 3 miles a day, with some minimal walking. They said for a beginner I was doing great and I was feeling like pretty hot running shtuff, that is until the vertigo set in. After the run on Monday I pretty much felt like crap all day long (tired and dizzy), and thought it was due to sleep deprivation. Still felt the same on Tuesday (a non running day with a night of good sleep). On Wednesday, being the big idiot that I am, I ran again (almost 3 miles). All day long, the world around me seemed to be spinning. By that afternoon I was experiencing visual disturbances like a migraine aura and there was a dull ache in my head. Thursday was the same, even without running. This morning I stayed in bed and slept in, and tomorrow I’ll be doing the same. Have to admit, I am feeling a little bit better (only slightly dizzy).

The verdict: I am hanging up those running shoes. I’d rather be sporting around a few extra inches around my waist, than constantly feeling like I just took a ride on a roller coaster. I think deep down I've always known I am not the athletic type - gardening is more my thing. :)

FYI: Even though running seems to be the obvious culprit, I have scheduled a Dr. appt. to help silence the hypochondriac within.

Father's Day

The sign pretty much says it all. The world's GREATEST dad lives at our house. He is everything I could possibly want the father of my children to be, and so much more. We all LOVE him so much! Happy Father's Day!!!

all in favor of child labor...

Our oldest, being the big, ultra buff boy that he is, has been mowing the lawn for us since last summer (and you thought the machine looked bigger than him now). He is seriously the best little lawn crew boy around - he never leaves long patches! When I went outside tonight to see how it was coming along, I noticed he had a shadow. His little sidekick remained within 3 feet of him the ENTIRE time - front and back yard. So CUTE!! We like to train 'em young!

The ultra-fun dad in the house was so appreciative of the help he agreed to a backyard campout (sucker :)). I guess that's why they love him so much. Here are my three little backyard orphans having a gob of fun in their new digs...

Sweet dreams little family of mine. Lil' sis and I will see you in the morning.

something new...

Well, I’ve made some changes. The first you’ve probably already noticed, or at least your ears have (and they thank me). My hubby's “Headbanger’s Ball” has been bumped. However, if you’re a Hair Band die-hard, craving that constant ringing sensation in your head, it’s still available down below. I have supplied a few tunes of my own. So now the choice is yours. Mom…this means you can turn your speaker volume back on. The second change…

I bit the bullet and got that long overdue haircut. This is the shortest my hair has been in 8 years. I feel so much lighter, just not quite like myself, yet. My 6 year old daughter loves it and wants a new 'do', too.

Rock & Roll

So I found a way to get my hubby interested in the whole blogging thing. I gave him an assignment: Create Playlist. And boy oh boy, did he ever. For once, he was the one sitting at the computer all hunched over until 1:00 am. His creation is a monstrous beast (50 songs!?!), capable of making dogs all over the neighborhood howl in auditory misery, affectionately named Headbangers Ball. He even found an appropriate zinger of an opening song to be the theme for the entire blog - "Diary of a Madman" by none other than Ozzy Ozbourne. Tell me what you really think of my little blog, honey. :) Fortunately I was able to talk him into something a little jivier for the big opener. So, until I have a chance to make a few amendments, ROCK ON!

As for the roll...

On Thursday I laid this little gal down on her back, only to notice a few moments later she was on her belly. Thought it was just a fluke. But the next day ... OOPS, she did it again. This time I took a picture.

Bandanarama

This little gal had her end of the year dance recital on Friday night. She LOVES being on stage (unlike her gun-shy parents) and was absolutely giddy. To be honest, we were kind of dreading the whole thing - there were 30 different dance numbers so we worried about the baby lasting through it all (and she didn't - we took turns with her out in the hall, just like church). But she danced so well and with such enthusiasm, we actually enjoyed it, especially her part (real shocker). These pictures are of her in one of her dance outfits before we left...

And here is our downstairs bathroom shower curtain. I think they're related. Maybe the person who made the costumes has the same shower curtain. :)