Lysol Duty

Stomach flu has infiltrated my domestic bliss. 

Please tell me... why does stomach flu always strike my children
in the wee hours of the morning?

I feel like a ticking time bomb.

Can we please talk about something else? 

 Let's think happy thoughts.  

The kids had a break from school last week, so we made plans for some fun.

We were in dire need of some fun. Dire!

So here's what we did.

We packed our bags and ran away to the city.

You wouldn't believe how much luggage was in our trunk for one night away.

Ridiculous. 

You also wouldn't believe how hard it is to find a hotel that will allow six people in one room.

"Hello, we would like a room for six, a pool (of course), and complimentary breakfast, please.
 And it has to be cheap.  But not gross. Thankyouverymuch." 

Mission accomplished.

In fact, we managed to find something for everyone.

The big mall for the big kids.

The slightly disappointing little pool for the little kids.

And the children's museum was a hit for everyone.

Now this adventure weekend was all about the kids,

 but my man made a spontaneous game-changing move.
All I said was "There's that antique place I've been wanting to see!"
and BAM we were there.
Yes, he is that awesome.

The little peeps in the back seat were less than thrilled.

I believe my response was something like this...

"Isn't this a nice surprise for Mommy?  You get to do something you enjoy and now I do too!"

They were not impressed.

Welcome to Lost and Found Antiques.

Do you see anything you like?

Josie had her eye on that little red number.

(for Joy?)

Pretty amazing, huh?

I'd really like to find a big V someday.

 (red S for Shannan?)

Thought long and hard about these crates.

Can never have too many globes.

Can you have too many blog pictures?

Sorry about that.

I just can't help myself.

Remember, I'm trying to escape from my less than pleasant Lysol reality.

I kinda' sorta' need these too.  Maybe next time...

 (for Rebecca?)

Are you drooling yet?

Trays anyone?

I do like fun glasses.

"Hello, is this U-haul?  I'm going to need your largest trailer."

As we walked back to the car Hanna says,
"I think I'm starting to understand why you go to those places.
That was really cool!"  

Of course that may have something to do with the early birthday present she scored.

I scored a present too. I love me a man with an orange 70's desk lamp.

This beauty had to come home with us too. It was love at first sight.

So what would come home with YOU???

Tell me. I'd love to know.


And what did Awesome Dad get?

The city's best burgers.  

Good times, good times.

~Sigh~

Now back to the barf.

Hey Hanna!Thanks for some pics!

To be a Daughter

On my dresser sits this card.

Todd sees it and asks,

"Did my parents send you a card?"

I smile, but it hurts a little.

Of course he would think it's from them.

Who else would it be?

"No honey, it's from my Mom and Dad...an old one."

~ ~ ~

Sometimes I need a reminder.

A visible, tangible reminder that yes,

I am someone's daughter.

For almost 19 years

I had a mother and a father.

They loved me.

They thought about me.

They prayed about me.

They worried about me.

They cared about me.

They encouraged me.

They supported me.

They were proud of me.

They gave me Valentines.

 

~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~

I am so grateful to be a

wife, mother, sister, aunt, friend, and much more.

But sometimes...

I just want to be loved as a daughter again.

And The Winner Is...

I think I know why you're here.

But I'm not ready to tell you the winner yet.

There's something I need to say first.

Thanks a bunch!

You got me all choked up, I tell ya.

28 blessings, that's what you are.

I wish I could make something for each of you.

Jane asked if I would be game to make a journal with her Grandma's things.

I think she's on to something.

Custom Journals? Genius! I want one!

Jane, I am SO game.

So this is what we did.

All your names went in a hat--a vintage hat, of course.

Then my most trustworthy boy choose the winner.

(Sorry, Shelly. He was not swayed by your briberous attempts to woo him with chocolate and money.)

You know what he said to me this morning when I walked out of the bathroom?

"You look different.  You look like an artist.  You look younger too."

Awwwwwww!!!

Go ahead Jacob, ask me for anything and it's yours.

Sorry I'm getting off track here, but it's not everyday your boy notices your hair.

Back to the big reveal....

You can see it for yourself!

The winner is...

Yay!  I hope this blesses YOU today!

Thanks everyone for participating in my first give-away ever.

That was so fun, I just might do it again.

Hum.......

Valentine's Day Give Away!

 "pretty in pink"

Comments are reeeeeeeally nice,

 and yet not necessary for most posts that I write.

But a give away?  

Well, I'm gonna need some comments.

"painterly pansies"

Do you feel like you are being bribed?

It's not a bribe. It's a gift!! A sweet little valentine gift for you made by me.

"puppy love"

I had so much fun putting these journals together.
Thank you Jeanne Oliver for the inspirational class.
I have lots to say about that class and that amazing lady, but that's a for another day.

"graceful grays"

The  journal covers are made from old book covers, vintage papers, lace, old trinkets, and trims.

Inside is a variety of beautiful papers for you to fill with your thoughts and dreams.

Each journal has a personality of it's own.

I do hope you see one that you like, or maybe one you'll pass on to a friend.

"climbing rose"

All you have to do is leave your name and a comment,
telling me which journal you would like to win.  

Then I'll have Jacob randomly pick one commenter's name out of a hat.  

(Believe me, Jacob values fairness at all costs and will be most trustworthy with this assignment.)  

The winner will be announced here on Friday.  

I guess that means you'll have to come back and see if you are the winner. Isn't this fun?

"English garden"

So why am I so n-n-n-n-nervous?

Because if there are no comments it can only mean two things:

1. There are no readers, which is rather discouraging in and of itself, right?

2. The reader doesn't want the prize. Break my heart why don't you!

(a peek at the inside)

Maybe you are just too shy about this commenting thing.  Don't be shy!  Do you have any idea how fun it is to meet you?  I've met some really great people through blogs, and I'd love to meet you.  If we already know each other, please say hello and tell me you're there.  Somebody please tell me I'm not crazy for doing this.  Do I sound like I'm begging?  Bribing and begging?

(another peek)

I hate to sound desperate. I'm really not. 

I'm just excited to share a little something that has brought me so much joy.

Maybe it will bring you some joy too!

(detail)

Okay?

Here we go.  Drum roll please......

Are you so excited?

I can't wait to see which one you like.

Mostly, I can't wait to "see" YOU!

Sunday Slide: Celebrity Look Alike

Is it Jack?

Or is it Joel?

You decide.

Feeling the Love

I clearly remember sitting on a yellow vinyl chair at our white formica dining room table making fancy paper valentines for the valentine exchange at school.  Always the Elmers glue, the paper doilies, and the carefully traced construction paper heart.  Maybe even a candy conversation heart glued to the middle. A classic!


I loved everything about Valentine's Day.  I certainly did not want my kids to miss out on the Valentine's festivities during our home school years, so we made our own kind of fun.

Heart Shaped Pizzas

Heart-shaped Pancakes--yes, that is a heart shape. You'll just have to take my word for it.

Wearing pink and red, of course... and sometimes balloons.

Sorry, I have no pictures of the heart shaped meatloaf. No, I'm not kidding.

But the greatest thrill of all?
Valentine MAIL BOXES

A week or so before the 14th, each person makes a "mailbox" to hang on their bedroom door.

We set up a table somewhere with all the supplies needed to make little valentines.
Each day you "secretly" make and deliver a little note to each person's mailbox.

 Josie's enthusiasm for this has been building for weeks. 

She always makes her cards first thing in the morning, still in her pj's.  

Maybe for the kids it's all about the stash of chocolate.
Nothing like a little sugar to motivate acts of kindness.
But I hope it's more than that.  I hope it's making sweet memories.

You know I'll be keeping these little scribbled love notes forever.

See! They really do love each other-- I've got it in writing!