Does the Statute of Limitations Apply to this Situation?!

Last night I emailed my big-little brother for some much needed advice.  When did that happen?  I didn’t need advice. 

I was the bossy one.  I was the one that knew everything.  I was the one that could scream at him, tell him what to do and when to do it.  While we waited for the bus each morning I seized the opportunity to pinch the beejesus out of him and force him to stand in a certain box formed by cracks in the pavement.  Why?  Well, I felt like he was misbehaving at the bus stop… we stood by ourselves at the end of our driveway. 

Sorry Mom.  Even sorrier big-little brother.

Ok.  I lied.  I’ve always needed advice…even if it came from my big-little brother.  I’m fairly certain that he suggested using something other than the leaves from a poison ivy plant as “traffic tickets” for my make believe bicycle-game of cops and speeders.  I was the cop.  He was the speeder.  I got the poison ivy.

I think he was really against eating my “soup” made from poke salad.  I got my way.  He got sick.  Can I go to jail for this?

He was always the best judge of character when it came to friends…and “not friends.”  I can say that now.  I definitely didn’t listen back then.

My big-little brother is incredibly philosophical.  He can tell you what he thinks in the most tactful way.  His speech is flavored with hilarity; you just have to be intelligent to get it.

All of this to say, that he has always been a trusted advisor.  I miss the days when he could dish out his advice over a couple of ice cold 40s and a bowl of scrambled eggs.

Framed!

The wall is now complete.

Special thanks to Jesse for not-so-patiently hanging the pictures.

…and many thanks to my mom for tracking down the barns and taking the pictures!  She is like a mythical creature that has never been captured on film.

Projects

I recently realized that since I NEVER have papers to grade, lessons to plan or ANY work to bring home that I should take advantage of the extra time that I now have for my "projects."  I really love having a project to work on.  It's incredibly fulfilling.

This was definitely my biggest project!  It almost took an entire year from start to finish--I'd like to say that is due to something other than procrastination, but that would be a lie. :)

I think the table and chairs turned out amazing.  The set fits perfectly in my kitchen.  It's neat to think about the history behind furniture...especially in today's throw-away-world.

The table runner was an awesome Target find--a gift from my dear friend Lindsay.  Unfortunately it's March and 80 degrees.  I needed something new to adorn the table top.

Cue the Pinterest Projects!

Tabletop décor using various bottles (we have plenty to choose from), hot glue and a roll of twine.  Unfortunately, I ran out of twine!  Needless to say,
this little project is on hold!

 

 

$10 picture from from Wal-Mart
+ 30 min looking at paper in Hobby Lobby
+ Dry erase marker
------------------------------------------------------------
Weekly calendar

Then I notice that I have this unsightly blank wall…

Percy doesn’t like it either. As I love all things old and rustic, I commissioned my momma to photograph barns in the area.

I sorted through tons of pictures, selecting my 7 favorites—it was tough work!  I ordered the prints in an 11 x 14 and can’t wait to get them framed and hung!  THIS will be a project for Jesse!  I’m incredibly excited to see the finished work!

I guess I should add that I rearranged the furniture to create this blank wall so that I could guilt my mom into helping me out with the artwork.

Bully thinks the bookshelf looks better over there anyway!

Toby and Dottie couldn’t be less concerned.

Looking Forward

It's only the second day of January, but I am already looking forward to warmer weather and spending time on the lake.  If I turn around in my swiveling office chair I have a bona fide lake view.  Unfortunately, I don't spend much time swiveling in the faux-leather chair... oh wait, it's a polyester blend.

Last summer (or fall?) we stayed at the Chalets on Table Rock Lake.  This is an amazing place; the chalets are much nice than that other place on Table Rock Lake.  To the amusement (or horror?) or my friends, I packed a whole long-weekend worth of fun into one night!!! As a result, I have a blur of random recollections and my poorly captured camera phone pictures to tide me over until the next trip--3 months to go!!! 

Stairs leading to the master suite

Aerial view of the amazing kitchen

Living room 

Incredible Kitchen

Dining room--we opted for the outdoor dining experience on the deck!

The media room is downstairs. It is equipped with a poker table
 and games, a home theater system, Playstation and games & movies

The screened porch on the lower level has a fire place--
good times.

Laundry room--you never have to leave

 To see better pictures, and the amenities that I forgot to document, do yourself a favor and visit this site: http://www.vrbo.com/307122

I am definitely looking forward to our spring stay-cation!!!


Because you made it all the way to the end of this post, here's a funny for you.

Today I was teaching Papaw to Skype.

Memaw walked in front of the computer and I said, "Hey, Memaw!"

She waved.

Papaw says, "Memaw is waving at you."

I reply, "I know.  I can see her."

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha.  I love technology.   

Lessons Learned

As much as I’ve learned in the last two years—

-being married isn’t easy.
-the trashcan won’t empty itself.
-two Coach purses are better than none.
-the laundry fairy doesn’t make a stop at this house.
-watching golf on TV and hiking in 100+ weather will never be fun.

I’ve learned so much more the last 41 days. 

For starters:

If your English Bulldog seems to be terrified of the fireworks on the 4th of July DO NOT force him to go outside.  This might result in a late night visit to the emergency vet.  That isn’t fun. 

Thanks to Dr. Dave, Bully was restored to his normal, smiling self.  Thanks to Dr. Frankie, we have a supply of meds to keep him calm, cool and collected!

 

Don’t attempt to start too many projects at once—especially when it is ridiculously hot outside.  What in the world was I thinking?!?!

If you do, your garage might begin to look like this:

At this rate, I’ll be lucky to have dining chairs for Thanksgiving.

 

If you cook like you’re part Mexican, you should use a large planter for Cilantro… otherwise you’ll still be buying it in the grocery store.  Who needs that much parsley anyway?!

 

It is IMPOSSIBLE to keep your floors clean when you have three shredding dogs… no matter how many different cleaning products you buy.  Aren’t they sweet?

 

Sitting at a desk for approximately 261 hours or 15,660 minutes over the last 29 work days I’ve had nothing but time to think about the other lessons I’ve learned.

So many of life’s lessons are learned the hard way—here lately they have left a trail of unwanted outcomes.  What can you do?     

Oh, lessons learned
And they sure run deep.
They don't go away
And they don't come cheap.
Oh, there's no way around it,
This world turns
On lessons learned.

Here Lately…

Summer kicked off with a blast (or with a crash?)!   

The 2nd Annual End of School Party did not disappoint.  I am glad to report that I will remember the details of this one.

  I already miss my friends MUCHO.

Then I started my new job…

I had to conquer my fear of this--
(my extension is 5006, btw)

I use a lot of these: 

This cooler-purse was one of my first
projects for a “mini-event”:

“Gift-baskets are... the essence of class and fanciness. They are the ultimate present that a person can receive.” 
–Angela
I <3  the Office.

And I’ve only cried once—that was day two.

I have to dress up every day.  I am a huge fan of:

(I have Stephanie Beaty to thank for that!)  The sales are incredible and they have loyalty programs and amazing savings passes.  If you know me (and you do…otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this) you know that I don’t like to pay full price—ever. 

The summer season was going well until…

CRASH! 
Thanks Jesse.
(TRUST ME—this is causing more of a headache than it appears)

I do laundry aaaaall the time. It is getting old.  Bully doesn’t even like it.  He would rather nap.

I sanded down the painters tray that I bought a few weeks ago.  Believe it or not, I even mounted the picture hanger and put it on the wall all by myself.  I have a few printers blocks on it and I am hunting for more (that aren’t ridiculously expensive)!  This is my “easy” weekend project.  I started sanding down my dining chairs yesterday … NOT fun!!! 

And those are the not-so-exciting events that have taken place over the last month! ¡hasta lugeo!

(Sure wish I were going to Mexico—or anywhere—this summer!)

Waiting… or perhaps Bargain Shopping?

We found a table in the attic when we moved into our house.  It wasn’t anything special. Jesse moved the table to the garage where it waited patiently for a new purpose in life.  In the meantime it became a resting place for  random items in the garage… and then I bought a sander.  In 10 minutes the random splotches of  pink nail polish and the pale white paint were gone.  All I needed was…

CRACKLE PAINT!!!  The “free table” suddenly became known as the $100 table.  I have been known to go overboard on these things. (On an unrelated note: don’t you love those wheels?)

I used Victorian Chinese for the base coat…

Then you wait…

and wait…. and wait…

The next day you add the antique crackle glaze and wait… but not more than four hours!

I used an ivory color for the top coat—but I don’t remember the name and I’m too lazy to go look. When you brush this layer of paint on, it begins to crack almost instantly. 

I was quite amused with the cracking.  In fact, I was so entertained by the process that I didn’t paint fast enough and made a few mistakes.  It didn’t look right. I had to let the table dry, sand those two areas and repeat the paint and wait process.

Here is the  finished product complete with accessories.  The pan is old.  Andrew and Papaw used it to clean fish.  I bought it at auction for $2.  True story. 
Clay pot $5 (TJ Maxx)
Lantern $5 (WalMart)

Here are some pictures of this weekend’s gardening endeavor:

Yes, that’s a Razorback bucket. We added orange gerbera daisies and a purple African daisy for more color this year.

 

 

I found this plant stand ($10) at a flea market last year and painted it with a trusty can of Rustoleum ($3).   It smelled delicious.
Don’t worry; I’m not finished with the front porch transformation project—yet! 

I just noticed that I haven’t posted any pictures of the children.

Bully loves his TJ Maxx bed ($20) unless it’s storming.  When it storms he sleeps in my room.  Jesse said the bed is too “girlie” for such a manly dog.

Lo que sea.

Also, I have waited long enough to announce this:  I am retiring from teaching effective June 2011.  Am I excited? Heck yes!