New House Mystery

Something mysterious happens when you move to a new place and it doesn’t matter if the new place is a rental or your very own, whether it's old or new, whether it is a bigger place or a smaller place or whether it is an apartment, condo, townhouse, home, barn, tent etc. 

There is nothing that is exempt from this phenomenon.

So what is this wonder I’m speaking of? Oh sure you can’t find your favorite…whatever it is, but that is really just collateral damage. 

What I’m talking about is the fact that…

no matter how great you are at Tetris and making things fit,

no matter how frugal you think you are,

no matter how resourceful you can be…

There is always a piece of furniture 

that no longer works in your new abode.

OR

There is an empty space that needs 

“something” you simply do not have.

OR

The plain and simple desire to “upgrade” or “update” is pulling at your heart and creativity like a…like a what? Oh, I don’t know, you just want new stuff really a lot!

The worst part about this little problem is that just when you’ve decided to live without whatever it is that will make your place  

absolutely perfect!

The Pottery Barn Catalog comes in the mail (because that too mysteriously happens when you move to a new place) and because you have nothing better to do (the hundreds of unpacked boxes aren’t going anywhere) you begin flipping through the pages--you know--just to see” and “get some ideas”. Not too long after you reached the end of the catalog you realize that you are way worse off than you were before because in Pottary Barn, you WILL find exactly what it is you were dreaming of and at a million times the cost you were ever hoping to spend.

**  sigh **

That is where I was this afternoon. While my kids played “pretend” in their rooms, I played “pretend” in my head. Eventually it became too much for me. I just couldn’t take it. I wanted these things so much! What could I DO?!

That is when google came to my rescue. The original search was so long ago I don’t even remember what it was I typed in. All that matters is what I found.

Now we all know, my serious blogging days are over - as is evident by how infrequently I post. Well, when I made this realization I decided it was time to clean my "google reader" house & free up some time so I dumped a lot of the blogs I was following. What remained were, of course, all my dear friends and family and an infant size handful of strangers that I considered to be really, REALLY special bloggers. A new blog was added to that tiny handful today.

Go ahead- take a look

www.ana-white.com

I can’t wait to clean out my garage….and get the baby out of my belly…so that Boy and I can set up the tools and work bench and get started on…

the desktop letter hutch,

(I'll have to modify the bridge)

bridge, & bookcases 

(with glass inserts?)

that I have desired to fill my “empty space” in our new place and also so that I won’t have to hope over Pottery Barn ever again. But before I start those, I may upgrade my queen to this king size bed-it looks a little easier.

Ever since I met my “non-blogging friends”, Lisa & Karen, (and by non-blogging friends I simply mean that I cannot hyperlink you to their awesomeness) I’ve wanted to build things but I’ve been afraid and I haven’t known where to go to find the plans. Both Karen and Lisa have said that building is just like sewing (see I knew I'd be able to connect this post to the overall theme of my blog)  - all you need is a pattern. Today I found my patterns and oh goodness….

THEY ARE FREE!

Anybody want to build with me?

Gwenevere

What is this feeling?

I haven't had a desire to pull out my sewing machine or go to the fabric store since...Easter. Remember the Easter Dresses? Yeah - still unfinished and now, inevitably, cut too small for my growing girls.

Sew….

…what is this strange feeling I have to run to the fabric store and use my coupons to purchase the cutest fabric I've ever seen to make one (or three) of these:

  

& something matching for my little girls?

I'm a little afraid, because I don't want another unfinished project sitting in a box. But someone posted on facebook that Christmas is only 100 days away. My girls would love these for Christmas, especially if they saw their mom 'advertising' it before they got their own. 

What's in a name?

For those of you who may not know, a new little baby (gender unknown) will be joining our family in November. We are a bit stumped on names suitable for a girl so we've begun our search. Today, my search took me to some of my favorite books. This method provided me with a few more options to think about -- and left me wishing I have read more. :) 

So...of all the books you have ever read, what was the name of your favorite character and why?

(And if it so happens that your favorite character was male, that's ok, 

I still want to hear about it)

Dodged a Bullet!

Tonight, I almost posted something of significance …

What was I thinking?!

OH! That’s it!

I was THINKING!

WHEW!

I dodged that bullet.

(That is what rereading a post before you publish will do for you.)

J

No need to sound the alarm quite yet…

 but I think you should all know that…

My mojo is on the loose.

Sometimes, it can be very tricky to catch…

But this time when I do

I’m sure we’ll all say,

 how much we miss these mojo-less days. 

Office View

Sometimes I miss the view of the mountains

and the city...

from my office in downtown Salt Lake.

Sometimes I miss the hustle of the city 

and walking around feeling important because I had somewhere I needed to be.

Sometimes I miss waiting for the bus or the train 

or eating lunch in a manicured garden or city park….

Today, however, I’m really enjoying the fingerprint-smudged windows 

that provide the view from my current office. 

I’m especially grateful that although it is a beautiful spring day, 
I get to enjoy the view without the pollen. 
Really though I think it’s time to invest in some Windex. 

Backyard Beach....Oregon Coast Style

We stayed home during spring break this year. 

There is no shame in that. 

None.

We did venture out to the zoo on one HOT day only to find the zoo to be incredibly crowded. When we were done standing in all the lines to look at the animals the kids wanted to play at the splash park. Did I tell you it was HOT. Rather than sit in the heat watching our kids run in and out of all the water features, my sister and I (the one featured in this photo here) decided to head home and set up a backyard beach.

A pool we have not, but a full size sand volleyball court to stand in as the “beach” we do!

We set up multiple watering stations with the handy use of hoses and sprinkers to copensate for the missing ocean. The kids had a blast. Too bad I didn’t pull out my camera until everyone left. When I asked Roo to smile for his picture in the “hot tub” he looked at me like I was a crazy person. (It’s an expression I am quite familiar with.) He then asked, “What are you talking about?”

“That water you are sitting in.” I clarified. “It’s a hot tub.”

He looked around, quite bewildered, and then with his fingers pointing to the water he was playing in he exclaimed, “This isn’t a hot tub! This water if FREEZING!”

Big Plans - Nixed

Today was our first day back to homeschool after about 
a 2 ½-week spring break.

The break was nice…real nice!

I had big plans for getting back to our schedule and routine but….

…the sun is shining….

…the kids are playing...

I have some things on my mind…

and so….

school has been a slow work in progress today.

It’s fair to allow a light day on your first day back from break right?

Worm on a Hook

Last night, Boy told me not to post any more comments on goodreads directed to Pablo but darn it I must really like the taste of worms because I posted anyway.

I am giving Pablo the opportunity to hook me once again. I keep telling myself it's because I want to be understood but why would I value being understood by someone who has no interest in understanding me?   It reminds me of a horror film. You are all screaming, "Don't open the door" and like a dolt I do it every time. Oh well, here's what I told Pablo.

Pablo,

I’m sorry, did you have something else to disagree with me on? 

While you think up of some new way to twist my words so that you can cram me into the pigeonhole you think I belong in, I’d like to share this poem by Shel Silverstein with you, Titled, The Meehoo with an Exactlywatt. It reminds me our dialogue and our inability to communicative effectively with one another.  

The Meehoo with an Exactlywatt

by Shel Silverstein

Knock knock!

Who's there?

Me!

Me who?

That's right!

What's right?

Meehoo!

That's what I want to know!

What's what you want to know?

Me, WHO?

Yes, exactly!

Exactly what?

Yes, I have an Exactlywatt on a chain!

Exactly what on a chain?

Yes!

Yes what?

No, Exactlywatt!

That's what I want to know!

I told you - Exactlywatt!

Exactly WHAT?

Yes!

Yes what?

Yes, it's with me!

What's with you?

Exactlywatt - that's what's with me.

Me who?

Yes!

GO AWAY!

Knock knock...

Pet Peeve #2

This is a special pet peeve because it falls under the category of things I dislike about myself. Let’s begin….

Discuss \di-ˈskəs\ - verb

·      Talk about (something) with another person or group of people

·      Talk or write about a topic in detail, taking into account different ideas and opinions

Argue \ˈär-(ˌ)gyü\ - verb

·      to persuade, drive, etc., by reasoning:

·      to show; prove; imply; indicate

In most cases, I would prefer to engage in a discussion over an argument any day. When I do break out the argument boxing gloves, I like to do it when I know my opposition and I know that they know, I love them.

So what is pet peeve #2?

I really don’t like it when I’m swimming in a discussion and suddenly realize that my opponent is wading in an argument.  I hate it because, well… 1)- I’ve lost the upper hand and security of stable ground and 2) where I thought we were working together to solve an issue my opponent is only trying to drown me.

I fall for it hook, line and sinker almost every time!

And hey, if your curiosity will not be stayed…you can read the details of my latest folly, here. The discussion turns to an argument when one "Pablo" enters the scene. 

My Easter Weekend

I hope you enjoyed your Easter Weekend. Although I didn’t especially enjoy mine or the breakdown that accompanied it, I did enjoy the freeing effect of dropping off some unnecessary baggage I’ve been carrying around with me.  Now if only I can get rid of the rest of it…and refrain from running back to take a peek at what I left behind...I should be good.

Oh and don’t forget to take a look at the Unfinished Projects List. If I can laugh at the fact that The Easter Dresses made it onto the list then so should you. 

Mind Clearing

Remember this post from way long ago last week? Apparently, I left something out, does that make me a liar, maybe a hypocrite….can you be a hypocrite if you didn’t know you were being one? Anyway…

I don’t always read to learn,

sometimes I read

to clear my head.

I’m in need of some good mind clearing at the moment. I need a book that I can read quickly and not think about so much…maybe it’s time to read the second book in the Twilight Series. Which one is that, Eclipse? New Moon? Does anyone have a copy that I can borrow or a suggestion of some other book that will provide the results I’m looking for? 

Another April Fools Post

April Fools day lost its luster sometime around the 4^th grade when just about every kid in class came to school with their arm in a sling. I mean really…

Where is the originality?

Where is the creativity?

How many blog and facebook posts will you read today that state…

I’m pregnant

Or

I’m engaged

Again….Creativity? Originality? Anyone…anyone?

Lets face it, the best April Fools jokes are really just pranks played at random times throughout the year when the element of surprise can really be harnessed.

I know you know what I’m talking about….at least I know my sister Nicole does. She has a bag of tricks I’d love to share here but since, this isn’t her blog, I haven’t asked permission and most were illegal, I’ll refrain.

But for the rest of you, come on, fess up….What prank were you most pleased to be apart of? If you need help remembering your best work, think back to college. I’m confident that some of the best pranks were pulled there and why not? Creative juices are at their peak flow and a sense of responsibility and mortality are at their lowest….

it’s a dangerous combination. 

Spring Cleaning

In lieu of all the spring-cleaning going on out there, I’d like to share what I am trying to sort through this season. The following is a snapshot of... 

my storage unit.

Before you proceed to pass too harsh a judgment, I have a few things to say in my defense.

ONE – I’m planning on having a garage sale

TWO – Yes, I know how bad it looks and

THREE – I really do know where everything is.

OK, now you can judge.

When you’re done, please continue reading.

(We’ll get to the judgments later—in the comments perhaps)

What I’d like to address in this post is the issue that I have with this picture which is that just because I know where something is, it doesn’t mean that I can get to it without having to filter through some unnecessary JUNK and by so doing, I run the risk of it all crashing down and SQUASHING me…and thus bringing me to my untimely death (if there really is such a thing as an untimely death).

With that said, I’d like to now show you something else I’m trying to sort through this spring, The following is a snapshot of... 

my life.

As you can see, the two are freakishly similar. There are some differences too, but for now I’d like to compare the similarities. 

In my life, despite the disarray, I know where just about everything is kept. I know where my joy is along with my anger, stress, happiness, guilt, pride, talent, sorrow etc. The problem is that in order to access, lets say… happiness, I have to sift through sorrow or find a new place to put anger. It’s a delicate balance where with one false movement or misstep the entire structure could tumble down.

There must be a better way to access 
the good stuff.

You know…put in on top or upfront rather than have it intermixed with all the crap. Ultimately, I’d really like to just get rid of all the JUNK but I’m reminded of a time when [I though] I had done that and wouldn’t you know it, just when I went for a box of peace, I found fear and doubt instead.

How did that get in there!?

If you have any tips (or judgments) to share, now would be the time.

(Oh! I almost forgot…IF you are INDY local AND the community in which you live is hosting a yard sale weekend AND you would be willing to lend me a small part of your yard, please let me know, I would love to participate.)

The Cake

Before I show you pictures of the cake. I feel that I must first express my apologies….I think I may have mislead you into thinking this cake was going to be something special…

like a REAL ACE OF CAKES Cake.

(like this maybe)

If you were under that impression….Please take a moment to drop your expectation

down,

down,

down….

lower than that….

lower….

think bottom rung of the limbo stick and maybe, just maybe, your expectations will be low enough.

OK, with expectations in their proper place, I’ll show you the cake.

It started with 2 chocolate cake mixes. Sorry Annie's Eats I just didn’t have time to test the “from scratch” recipes you hooked me up with. I swear I will practice before the next birthday.

Next came the strawberry filling. 

This time I followed Annie's recommendation....yummy!

Then the free-handing

Then the pastry bag….Boy even helped.

Almost done….

...I'm trying to psych myself into finishing “the gang” in the van window.  

(it was 12:45 in the morning)

I guess I’m a sucker for birthday smiles, 

because I knew how important "the gang" was to this cake dream 

so I did it with a toothpick!

One happy birthday boy, made it worth it.

Divorce from Sin

I began reading The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis 

for the second time, last night. 

I’m not even past the first chapter and already my mind is swimming in thought. The one that has been the most resonate is this:

What [worldly possession or success] am I so afraid to lose that I would sacrifice my eternal happiness to keep it?

This thought then directs me to one of my favorite scriptures from a story in the Book of Mormon.

 Alma 22:18

“…and I will give away all my sins to know thee…”

Depending on where I am in life, sometimes this scripture leaves me filled with joy and hope and others abashed by my worldliness. Today, it manages to do both.

Do my actions show how much I really want to know God?

Mystery Machine

I'm pretending again....

This time I am going to pretend that

I AM

ACE OF CAKES

I have until 1:00 p.m. tomorrow to turn this picture

into a cake.

I’ll let you know how it goes.