Kid President

Have you seen this kid yet?  Love his spirit, his innocence and those big brown eyes. 

Get to know him, Here or Here or Here.  Most popular one, right here.

The weekend with 50+ degrees in early March

When we went to Florida back in January, the online travel agency (Orbitz, I think) offered priced matching.  And wouldn’t you know,  our flights went on sale (after our purchase) so we had a generous hotel credit.  Since we were nervous they’d take it all back any day, we drove up to visit New York City to blow the wad.

I have one word for NYC – diverse.  And that’s a good thing, in my opinion.  Because the kids in our family run in ages from 6 to 17 (gulp) we fit right in. 

We tried to do something for all, we ended up doing a lil’ Brooklyn Basketball and a lil’ bit Night at the Museum (Museum of Natural history) and a teeny bit Central Park.

Yours truly figured out the subway system, thank.you.very.much, eyes rolling, head shaking, and two snaps up, let’s hear it for the girls!  The whole train ledge thing completely freaked Kya out though, except for the lady who brought along her lap dog on the train, she liked that part.

I was being lazy again and refused to look “touristy” with the DSLR, so all I have are iphone pics to share. 

I’m pretty sure this is a phone system with direct access to police and fire.  Doesn’t it have an old school charm about it?  Can you see the grainy texture from years of touching up paint?  HOMAGE graffiti sticker, so NYC, yes?  Well, I’d never seen one before so I quick snapped this pic before we skedaddled on home.  I still love it.  I didn’t have the nerve to test it so we’ll just have to assume that it works just fine.

We got home early enough for me to fill the car and purge, purge & mo’ purge.  

And that’s my weekend in a nutshell.  How was yours?

P.S.  In my purge against all things excess, I quit reading blogs at work so I could focus on…work.  I’m waaaay behind in my reader but I’m all caught up at work, imagine that!

What a weekend!

 

Nephew, Sister, Son

My oldest son turns 17 today, siiiiiiigh, it’s bittersweet. (I wrote this yesterday and had to keep change the wording today/tomorrow.  I felt that if I pushed publish before his bday, it might not happen.  Is it humility? Superstition? or am I just a goofball.)

For our bunch February/March is Birthday Season, between me and my sisters, our family has 5 birthdays in two weeks.  We finally got wise and made it a one weekend deal.  I even suggested going out for FroYo tonight instead of having more cake.  

I am having a hard time with this birthday, I am so proud, humbled and thankful.  And yet I am still anxious, worried and concerned.  My own Dad was very eager for my 40th birthday last year, I think I understand now.  As a parent the concern never turns off, like ever.

So yes, I’m a little unsettled today, but I wouldn’t change a thing.  In fact, I think I deserve this little button found on etsy, I actually think it’d be even cuter if the Hubbs was wearing it.

 

 

 

 

Say ‘ello to my Swedish friend

You have to say that in your best Tony Montana voice.  You know, Tony Montana from Scarface. 

Anyway, after our last snafu with the IKEA cabinets, we went back and snagged this Besta model.

I love that it is practically dust-free and holds the blankets. Oh yea. 

I am very happy with it thus far.  Ours is missing the feet, the expensive feet.   Ikea recommends 5 pair for this model, 5x10 = $50.  Ugh, I bought them, I just can’t bring myself to add them, not until I am certain I can’t find something better (and less expensive). 

The purpose of the trip was to grab the smaller cabs to fit in here, the bonus room/study/den/craftroom.  I am still working on getting it clean and ready to use.  Don’t you love a great before and after, I sure hope I’ll have one for you.  This poor room hasn’t looked good for 7 years, ever.  It’s always been the dumping grounds for stuff.

But for now I have been purging old crap.  Purging crap is cleansing for the soul.  Your brain and body both agree that some stuff is just stuff and it’s ok to let it go… feels so good to let it go and free up your mind for something else more worthy.

Ok before I go, did you know, there are only a few days left for a seasonal favorite…… Girl Scout Cookies! I bought some today (again) - Thank you’s (cause they’re the perfect thank you/thinking of you gift), Lemonades & Thin mints.  Mmmmmmm.  I’m hearing they freeze well, I just may have to test that theory. 

Tell me what’s your favorite flavor?  Mine is Thin Mints, hands down.  But if they ever bring back the chocolate chip, I’d go chippy all they way.  Alright, gotta go, my age is showing, because really who else remembers the chocolate chip Girl Scout Cookie?

P.S.  Have you seen this little guy, adorbs.  I could kiss ‘em, LIKE A BOSS!

Clean Counters Club

Have you heard the saying that clutter attracts clutter.  It’s true (at least it is for me).  For the time being, I’ve set up a little sorting station in my bedroom of all places.  But I do have a master plan in mind. 

I bought that cheapie blue organizer from Target for $3, now I just have to narrow down my filing categories.  You know what doesn’t help, the fact that I save ev-ery-thing;  birthday cards, holiday cards, kids art, kids report cards, tickets to parks, tickets to shows, maps from parks, hotel keys, hotel maps, I’m a hoarding mess.  I am working on it.

And then there is the office/bonus room/study/den.

We specifically requested that alcove, wall cubby thingy.  The husband was to build a shelf.  6 years later….no shelf.  In his defense, we went to IKEA last weekend and bought some AKURUM pieces that fit perfect, on paper.  We put it together this weekend and it was 1/4in-1/2in too big.  I could have cried. 

After the mock tears, we decided to try it in the family room.  (I’m just noticing this room gets great light even at night)

Lengthwise it is perfect, nicely centered.  And I also like that there is only one area to dust – the top.  I even picked out some living room appropriate drawer pulls over at Anthropologie. 

The only caveat is the depth, it’s great for holding blankets, baskets, etc.  but it takes up a lot of space coming away from the wall :/   It’s deep.

I spent some time today researching different cabinets combos while trying to use the most of what we already have.

36 (already have) + 15+18 = 71 (3 inches breathing room)

36 (already have) + 21+12 = 71 (3 inches breathing room)

I haven’t done the $$$ total yet though on the different options.  But the hardest part will be convincing The Man of the House.  Because if I remember correctly last night he said, ‘this thing cannot be moved, so don’t even think about it’…He knows me too well. 

What have you been up to, any unofficial resolutions for clearing clutter?

Punxsutawney Phil

Friendly game of Limbo, Khari was the best – by far. 

It’s Groundhog Day 2013 here in Pennsylvania.  A big deal is made about whether or not Punxsutawney Phil, a famous local groundhog will see his shadow. 

If he sees his shadow: 6 more weeks of Winter

If he does not see his shadow: an early Spring

I have heard about this my whole life but never paid it much attention, never occurred to me that this wasn’t an every where kinda thing until last night.  Kya has been all over it – there was no shadow today and I sure hope an early Spring is on the way cause it is freezing and snowing out right now.  Double whammy.

All the spots I dinged up on the wall hanging frames.  Silly now how I let fear paralyze me from trying something so small.

Still want to add just one more frame under the white frame, rules of 3s, power of 3s, something like that.  I will probably spray paint the black frame white and take down the picture over on the right.  Just feels like one watercolor too many. 

Neon Goodwill stickers and all, this is home.

I’m no loser

I just don’t lose things – not cool.  I can’t find the charger for my camera battery.  Now I’m annoyed.

I’ve got nothing special, but 100 little things.

I bought two of these lamps at Kohls.  (I know of all places!)  Kohls’ associates are really good about sharing coupons, luv that, saved me an additional $12 each.

I am trying out a new natural deodorant this week, and it has not been going in my favor :/ I have been a tad tart.  Ordered this one today, crossing fingers.

There were so many new variables (soap, enviroment, bedding, etc) while I was in Orlando, I can’t pinpoint any one instance to blame, but I have had to nurse my face and neck back from desert dryness. Not sexy.

My middle son is 13 and everything about that age is AWKWARD.  He is about 2 inches overgrown for kids clothes and 2 inches shy of Mens’.  Long story short, he picked out a thin hoodie thingy yesterday (by himself) and my oldest just saw him it and complimented him on it,  “Let me get that, it’s got swag!” Oh he smiled so big.

I changed around some prints in the powder room tonite and realized that “fear” of making unnecessary holes (and having to repair said holes) paralyzed me.  Fear is a liar.

Superbowl Sunday – bring on the wings and pizza!  mmmmm.

Tomorrow is February - Black History month.  Didja see Jackie Robinson on google.com today? Yea baby!  God intended for us all to work together to succeed.  It is the only way.

I am not an advocate for TV, especially not reality shows, but CATFISH, WOW!  The show really shocked me, TWICE.

Did you know that time is the one thing we all have equally, 24 hours a  day.  And YOU get to determine how to spend it, choose well.

Talk soon friends and hopefully with pictures.  Lose anything lately?