Thanksgiving Art & A Mouse Feast

I am thankful for...my Dad loving me. (Porter age 4)

I am thankful for...

my birthday party, because it was bee-yoo-ti-ful, and all my friends were there.

(Brooklyn age 3)

Porter's preschool had a mouse-size Thanksgiving feast on Monday.

Here is Porter placing a mouse-size bite of clam on each plate.

The kids ate a mouse-size bite of each of the foods served at the first Thanksgiving.
His teachers have the greatest ideas.

A mouse-size turkey (Cornish hen)

Eel (Porter liked it)

He said his favorite was the clam,

but I think it's just because he brought it.

His sticker says "I ate eel"

Makes Mama Happy

I'm so thankful for these kids.

1. Totally gorging on Thanksgiving. I'm so excited, it's my favorite holiday.
2. Finishing my Christmas shopping last night. *sigh of relief*
3. Hand print turkeys, my favorite kid craft.
4. Finding Brooklyn's rehearsal dinner dress and (Aunt Audrey's) wedding day dress last night for 50% off clearance price. She looks adorable in them. Now what the heck am I going to wear?
5. The smell of the Christmas wreath on my front door. (This is the earliest I've ever put one up)
6. Turkey sandwiches on rolls with tons of mayo the day after Thanksgiving.
7. Writing "Christmas" and not "Xmas".

almost done advent calendar

I just had to show you now because I'm loving this.
So my inspiration came from Jen, of course, and yes there will be burlap incorporated, just you wait.


It's an advent calendar made from an old cookie sheet. I had big plans to make this and then sell it at the store, but my kids think it's so fun I'm going to keep it.

Nothing was purchased, I scrounged around my house for each piece. It's one of those projects that I just leave set up on the table and work on it between the times my kids are begging for food and yelling at me to restart Max & Ruby again.

So it began as a crusty old cookie sheet. I didn't paint it, because I love the junky charm of it.

This project involves lots of scrapbook paper, hot glue and ModPodge...fun stuff

I didn't plan anything out ahead of time, I just made it up as I went.

Each number is a magnet. The numbers that aren't being used yet just stick to the back-genius.

I'm headed to a Thanksgiving feast at preschool and then I'll come back and work on it some more. I'm excited to show you the finished project.

Baskets & Boxes

When you live in a barely over 1,000 square foot house, you tend to get creative about where you stash all of your stuff. I like to collect different baskets and boxes from garage sales and Goodwill. I especially love finding items that aren't technically "baskets" to gather my belongings. These are some photos I snapped around my house tonight.

a catch-all for paper towels, cookbooks, school papers and chickens

this may have been used in the past for bread (?) maybe, but now it contains doll blankies and pillows

a basket o' panties

repurposed garbage drawer used for Blanche's bows

my favorite old wooden crate with current reading material

shoes by the front door

Now, I really enjoy placing things in baskets that don't really need to be in baskets. I feel like it gives my vignettes depth. or something.
For instance my lamp, plate and scale in a basket,

or a pretend microwave in a little box (tray)

I sleep well knowing my canisters won't accidentally get separated.

The number one purpose for my baskets and boxes is storing the insane amount of toys that could easily take over this tiny house.

It's nice if there's a lid to sort of hide the toys.

little suitcase turned pony barn

and a three tier toy storage system...formerly photo boxes
That's what I've got for today. Where do you guys keep your crap?

I can't wait to show you my new closet-very soon.

All in a day

I've been struggling with this yucky, unsettled feeling, which means I haven't been motivated to do much.
Brooklyn had a tummy ache so she stayed home from school and cuddled with me. (Love that.)
Here's what I managed to get done.

This used to be vertical at the end of my hall and now it's horizontal in my living room.

One of my favorites!

This replaced it at the end of the hall. (A birthday gift from my girl, Melinda.)

Ate too much of this, and now I don't feel so well.

Ordered my Christmas cards.

Told him "no" like 5,000 times.

Tomorrow will be better.

Any tips?

I hate flying.
more than anything.
really.

I would rather do all of these things than fly.
I would rather do them all at the same time than fly.

1. Have an annual exam
2. Listen to hard core rap
3. Stub my pinkie toe
4. Drink Dr. Pepper
5. Watch cage fighting
6. Hear cats mating outside my bedroom window all night.

Nothing has worked in the past in easing my anxiety.
Dramamine
Xanax
Alcohol
Unisom
(Although I haven't tried taking them all at once...?)

I wish I could just read a book or watch a movie, but I can't focus on anything except the need for fresh air and the inability to get comfortable...and every noise the plane makes.

I would be completely content to never fly again. Staying at home is one of my favorite things to do. The problem is my sister-in-law is getting married in Pennsylvania and I'm not going to miss her wedding, plus I already have my ticket.

Please, please, please give me any and all ideas you might have for ways to conquer this fear. There has got to be something I haven't tried.
Ugh, I get sick just thinking about it and it's months away.

PS I need to be somewhat coherent because my kids are going also.

Recent Discoveries

1. My sister and I have 5 new recipes we are ready to debut for Thanksgiving.
2. Porter would rather have his toenails clipped than take his vitamin. (I have to lay on top of him to trim his nails so you can imagine how fun it is getting the vitamin down.)
3. Brooklyn wants to marry either Daddy or Porter.
4. I can't wait to start reading the book my sister got me for my birthday (Mitch Albom's "Have a Little Faith")
5. I take it really personally when a follower stops following me. I don't know why, I guess it's like blog rejection. I feel like they're breaking up with my blog.
6. My new favorite quality of my husband's is his closet organizer designing and building ability. I can't wait to show you the before and after. There's just some finishing details left to do.

Gobble, gobble, gobble

Brooklyn Says

"Ariel has boo-boos"

Brooklyn Says

"Dude, I'm serious."

For the love of school pictures (and burlap)

Here's a cute little project for you.
This started out with a mirror in it. My first idea was to spray the mirror with chalkboard paint and hang it in Brooklyn's room. But, in all reality, Brooklyn has way too much crap in her room. I was just thinking since it was pink and all...


I took it out to the garage and sprayed it down with Heirloom White.

I found this roll of cork that was purchased over the summer at a garage sale. It now had a purpose. I knew it eventually would.

First I traced around the back of the frame and cut a piece from the roll,

then I squirted some glue all over it,

then weighed it down. Yeah I was drinking Diet Pepsi and coffee simultaneously. What?

OOOOhhh, Ahhhhh, Burlap.

I hot glued around the back, being not so careful because it's the back after all.

then popped it back into place.

I'm already liking it, but it needs something else.

Numbers.

For sure.

These were just sitting in my disastrous laundry room craft room after being purchased for a mere $2 at Goodwill some time ago.

After spraying the 6 with Oil Rubbed Bronze, I used Liquid Nails (for the first time) to attach it.

Cute!

Seriously cute.

From all angles.

There is one thing it needs for a finishing touch.

Oh, yes, I know just what it is.

some Oil Rubbed Bronze sprayed push pins...and...

my little Blanche's school picture.

AWWWW.

Do you like it too?

Porter Says

"Look Mom, if you hold a banana like this it turns into a gun. Bam, bam, bam, bam!"

Brooklyn Says

Mommy: "Is Mac a boy or a girl?"
Brooklyn: "A boy."
Mommy: "How do you know?"
Brooklyn: "Because he is not a princess, he is a king."

When Kids Get The Camera

(All photos courtesy of Porter's Gallery)

Good vs. Evil

Ballerina Girl: "The magic is the POWER!"

Darth Vader: (loud breathing)

Detangling Goodwill Style

The other day I went crazy on my bedroom. I did a huge purge and cleaned it for hours, only stopping 8 times to check facebook. I'm not even embarrassed to leave my bedroom door open now. Anyway I discovered that I had earrings and necklaces stashed all over the place. I even found a couple of items that would have been perfect with my 80's outfit. I needed a place to keep them organized. Then I remembered this thing in my garage that I picked up at Goodwill awhile ago.

It already had the hooks so I just sprayed on a couple of layers of Krylon satin black and nailed it to the wall. Brooklyn loves admiring my "beautiful necklaces". Her favorite word these days is beee-yoo-ti-ful, she stretches it out like that. Next up is a lot of painting and other stuff, but I have to wait for Nate to go hunting first.

Just some thoughts and random info from me now that I'm 30

1. There are just too many "sexy" Halloween costumes. Seriously. "Sexy" Carebear? Gross. "Sexy" Alice in Wonderland? Ew. "Sexy" Strawberry Shortcake? I am not making these up. College girls might be able to pull them off, but Moms, please, no.

2. One time when I was two years old, my mom forgot me at a garage sale. I haven't decided yet if this has had any lasting effect on me.

3. The first time I brought my friend Nate over to my parents' house, they were remodeling and had a refrigerator in the living room. Nate was wearing a wife beater, basketball shorts and a greenish-silver cross necklace. He ate a string cheese really fast and made us laugh. After that my sister told me I should go out with him. So I did.

4. I actually prefer to use single-ply toilet paper over the triple thick stuff. Instead of using a little of the thick stuff, I like the feeling of a big wad of the thin stuff.

5. Talking on your cell phone in a restaurant is rude.

There I said it.

It makes me feel so uncomfortable to see people doing this-especially if I am eating with them. If the call is so darn important, take it outside or even in the bathroom. I also think it is extremely rude to talk on them in waiting rooms, schools and stores. Go to your car. Nobody needs/wants to hear your conversation-especially me. If you're not a doctor or a drug dealer, the call can probably wait until you get home.

PS If you know me in real life, you already know I don't own a cell phone.

Wow, it feels good to be 30.

6. The only detention I ever received in high school I got for saying "I have to go poop."

7. Whenever I hear the song "every breath you take" by the Police, it reminds me of playing with Barbies and making them kiss each other.

8. I had four crack cookies for breakfast this morning. So what? I'm 30.

Now, if I could get my hands on the new People magazine this will be the perfect day.

It's too short (a shower curtain dilemma)

Yep, I'm still recovering from my 30th birthday party. Getting older is quite painful. Thanks for all the birthday wishes, although I'm technically still 29 until Wednesday!

Anyway, I saw this done at one of Kimba's parties, but it was a curtain in a boy's room. It turned out so cute. I wish I remember the girl's name. She even made it without sewing! It had to be copied (by me).
Then I realized I had been living with this gap between the bottom of my shower curtain and the floor much too long. The easy fix would be just to lower the rod, but mine couldn't be lowered.
Plus I really love burlap!
Have you been over to Jen's? She burlaps everything. I mean seriously she is the burlap queen. I'm kind of trying to be like her a little bit.

So, I ripped down the curtain before I took a picture. (Of course.)
Here is an old picture that shows the problem.

Look, even the liner is longer than the curtain.

Here's whatcha do:

It looks good and you get clean. You really can't beat that.

3-Oh No!

You know what?
I am only having one 30th birthday party so I can post a million pictures. Besides I really, really love looking at them and humming "Jessie's Girl" in my head.
The party was totally awesome and turning 30 is pretty rad!

(Me) The 80's Prom Queen

My Prom Date

I heart DeAnn. 4-Ever.

30!

Kasey, the 80's Lady

Brandy & Cole

Sweatin' to the Oldies!

Lynsey & Steve

My Favorite Mommies!

Prom Dancing

This is how much Tyler loves me.

The 80's Dad & Mom

(Chris & Lindsey)

Jon & Ellen

Tennis anyone?

The one and only DeAnn (and Steve)

Brett Michaels & his Groupie

(Frank & Melinda)

Gary brought the coke. (It's flour, people.)

Magnum PI & Joan Jett

(Jason & Jodi)

Justin & Samantha

"Might as well face it you're addicted to love."

Seth & Jane Anne

The Ladies of Oral Surgery

"Let's get physical, physical"

Richard & Katie

Crockett & Joe Dirt

(Derek & Josh)

Dance Off

*

Thank you to all of my friends for totally getting into the theme

and making my night so much fun!

I have the BEST friends!

I love you guys!

Brooklyn Says,

(as she holds my cheeks with her hands)

"Mommy, I'm so, so sowwy."
Mommy: "Why?"
Brooklyn: "For yelling at you today."
Mommy: "You yelled at me today?"
Brooklyn: "I yelled at you to come and wipe me."