Carrying on just fine without you...

While visiting at a birthday get together tonight, I met someone who thought that maybe one of his siblings might have graduated from high school around the same time I did. “I’ll have to look that up in my yearbook sometime.” I told him.

That sometime came quicker than I thought it would when, while dressing for bed in my closet, I saw my yearbooks on a shelf and decided to go ahead and give them a looksie.

What I found was that:

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1) the only person in my yearbook with the same last name as my new acquaintance was a guy that I used to exchange googly eyed glances with during world history (no relation), and

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2) my subconscious mind doesn’t like to revisit high school (I learned about the power of the subconscious mind during the fabulous writer’s conference I attended this weekend. More about that later) my subconscious mind said, “I don’t think I care much for that there senior year of high school.” And left me with feelings of wanting to vomit.

No wonder my yearbooks never come down off of that shelf.

The wood stove is a poppin’ and a cracklin’ in the next room. How fun do you think it would be to watch those yearbooks burn? I’m thinking pretty dang fun indeed.

Tempting.

It's happy dance time...

It's Frugal Friday over at The Shabby Nest. Love Frugal Friday. If you love to create and decorate (especially on the cheap) go check it out. Seriously you must. It's guaranteed to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I decided to join in today with my own, "why I think yard sales are the greatest invention ever" edition.

I L-O-V-E yard sales! So much so that my dear husband took me to some on our anniversary weekend away together. The man loves me. I told you in my previous post that I have an old suitcase and trunk fetish (I really do) and this first lucky find did not disappoint.


I came across these old trunks at the yard sale of an elderly war veteran. I was afraid to ask how much he wanted at first because I didn't want to spend a lot of money so when he said five dollars each it took all of my restraint not to do a major happy dance right there on his driveway. And when he told me that the green trunk was issued to him during the Korean war, a great gush of giddiness danced up my spine. I L-O-V-E owning a piece of history as much as I L-O-V-E yard sales. And because I feel such gratitude and respect for all those who so selflessly serve our country, I must tell you that a tear inducing lump of patriotism rises in my throat every time I look at it. FABULOUS.

This next find is not quite as amazing as the first, but because it gets these old quilts (one, the first quilt that my husband's grandma ever made and another, his favorite baby blanket also made by grandma) out of the closet to be displayed and enjoyed, I L-O-V-E it too.

I guess this third, awesome doll house, find doesn't really have much to do with frugal decorating unless you consider that the interior is quite outdated and in need of a makeover of its own.

Of course the funk-o-licious retro prints and carpet colors are the very thing that made me fall in love with it in the first place. They instantly took me back to my childhood and I HAD TO HAVE IT!

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Is there anything better than a yard sale?

I think not.

Yeah, I'm goofy...

WRITER'S WORKSHOP PROMPT:
“What images inspire you immediately? Open a magazine and create a piece of writing (poem, story, essay) about the first image that captures your imagination.”

*****************************
I'm bass ackwards. Where most people would find it necessary to clean, organize and somewhat perfect a space before diving into a craft and or decorating project, doing something jazzy to a room is the very thing that gets me in the cleaning, organizing and somewhat perfecting mood. I create and then I clean. Bass ackwards.

The bigger and bolder the project, the more warm and fuzzy about life (the cleaning, organizing, and somewhat perfecting included) I feel. The room pictured above was quite disheveled while I worked on this brick wall for Waylon's Huck Finn themed bedroom. DISHEVELED. But I couldn't be bothered with that because I was busy creating. FABULOUS (the room ended up being Jamie and Easton's but the brick wall blends in great with their shabby chic decor so it's all good).

Because I'm bass ackwards I start out many of my days by flipping through decorating magazines or by skimming the pictures at my favorite site, countryliving.com, to get a fire burning under my...um... bass. I love it. Especially when I come across delicious pictures like this one...

Ahh, the textures, the colors, the simple lines and the old suitcase (I have an old suitcase/trunk fetish). Talk about warm and fuzzy! This room feels me with giddy, gooey, goodness! And if Waylon's new room is ever done (seriously when is it going to be done? I'm so happy that our formerly unemployed friend got his job back. Very happy. But now he doesn't have time to work on the room that he started for us. Frustrating.) this is the look I want for it. L-O-V-E!

I know, I know... I cheated on this assignment. I was supposed to write a poem, story or essay about this image that inspires me so, but I didn't. I feel bad about this so I'll write a quick one now...

Once upon a time a young boy's new room got finished really, really quickly--like within this week, quickly-- and his mom decorated it in delicious vintage fabrics, luggage and toys because the boy was too young to stop her (actually, Waylon is the most opinionated of all of my children so this might not pan out, but since it's my story...). The boy loved his new vintage, scrumptiously shabby, themed room so much that, even though he was only five, he neatly made his perfectly vintage fabric clad bed every morning and kept his new space spiffy clean at all times. Spiffy, spiffy, clean.

How's that for a fairy tale?

Lucky me...

To celebrate our 20 years together, Rick and I spent the weekend in the Valley of the Sun. Only it wasn't the valley of the sun it was the valley of the rain and wind and cold and I didn't like it (the weather that is) Rick however loved it. The man's nuts. I need sunshine. Sunshine I tell you, SUNSHINE.

But the rest of the trip was fabulous. We really are still crazy, crazy in love and what could be better for two crazy in love people than a weekend alone together? Nothing I tell you, NOTHING.

I would sum up the highlights, but I think it's good enough just to reiterate that we were ALONE together, which made everything we did-- AWESOME.

We did briefly meet with a good friend and former co-worker of ours and after catching up (I hadn't seen him in quite a long time) He told me that he was glad I was doing well and said, "Of course you will always be doing well because you're married to such a great guy."

I've since thought a lot about how true his words really are. I am married to a great guy and my life will always be rich because of it. I'm so proud of the man he is and proud that so many others love and respect him as much as I do (well almost as much as I do). He seriously knows someone (or many someones) EVERYWHERE WE GO. I tease him that he has a future in politics (which he hates) because he seriously knows EVERYBODY. I'm proud I tell you, PROUD.

But even better than all of that is that he loves me, I mean REALLY loves me.

It's bliss I tell you, BLISS.

Confessions of a Drama Dork...

Me: Talk about drama dork, do you hate to have repairmen come over as much as I do?

Larisa: Yes!

Larisa: What broke?

Me: Our broiler water heater is broken so the guys who installed it came out & said we need a 5000. dollar new one so now Rick is sending (friend repairman—name withheld) over to get a 2nd opinion. 2 in 1 day yikes.

Larisa: Ewwww yucky

Me: Yes. So I started laughing when he says (friend repairman) is coming because I just got over the trauma of the other guys & he suspiciously asks what’s wrong with me & I think oh great now he might think I have the hots for him when really I’m freaking out because I don’t like repair people coming over. Drama dork.

Larisa: Haha too funny! I know because you have to worry about what they think of this mess or that and you have to talk to them & or go around doing what you do like they’re not there but they are! It sucks!

Me: Pressure, stress, drama what’s a girl to do? Why do things have to break?

Larisa: To cause us all that crap!

Me: Maybe if we weren’t in happy relationships we’d like repairmen to come. Maybe then we’d take a hammer to things & say come on over big boy & fix this for me. But I have my own big boy so I guess I’ll never know

Larisa: Haha there was this one carpet guy we called him (name withheld) the carpet man. He was yummy to watch! After he put carpet down for me (friend) had him repair hers then (other friend) had him doing all kinds of things at her house lol

Me: Awesome! Desperate housewives, the Tucson chapter. I need my carpets cleaned think he’ll come up here? (sooo kidding! I already gots myself a man)

Larisa: If I only knew what ever happened to him :(

Me: Oh well I’ve got my big weekend coming up so it’s all good

Larisa: I know how fun! Finally you guys are doing something for yourselves! Think you deserve it! 6 kids and never gone away without them! Can you say crazy! I’m selfish I guess cuz I’ve never had a problem leaving the kids for alone time.

Me: Not selfish, smart! We did go away last anniversary & for Rick’s birthday & a couple of day trips & now we’ve caught the bug. Love it!

Larisa: See all this time! Coulda shoulda woulda

Me: Coulda, shoulda, woulda indeed! & (name withheld—repair friend) came by and it was painless because of course he was very nice & helpful & it really is good to have friends in high places because in my opinion if you can fix things you’re at the top of the food chain!

Larisa: I agree! Just had (a repair friend) help me out too

Me: Gotta love that!

Larisa: Yep :)


Thus ends the first installment of "Confessions of a Drama Dork" can't say if there will be more. Guess that depends on whether or not I have more drama and whether or not I decide to text about it.

So how 'bout you, do you hate having repairmen come or do you break things to get them there?

Do tell!!!

Now that's entertainment (sorta)...

WRITER'S WORKSHOP PROMPT:
Relay an entertaining conversation or string of emails you recently had with someone.

Texting my sister...

Me: Maybe I'll post our conversation about having a conversation. But is it entertaining? Hmm


Larisa: Well probably I'd like to think we are always entertaining at least I can say I'm a drama dork for sure! Feel free if you'd like.

Me: I'm a drama dork in my mind. Just rarely say it out loud. Maybe I'll start. Could be therapeutic.

Larisa: Haha yes it could!

Me: And maybe entertaining too. maybe.

Larisa: Yes try it

And I think I shall, but not today. So for now, here is the texting conversation-- about having a conversation-- that I had with my sister...

Me: We need to have an entertaining conversation so I can blog about it for tomorrow’s writing prompt. Problem is I don’t text about Valentine BJs (a reference to a blog we both read)

Larisa: Hahaha that’s funny!

Larisa: Umm we have had a lot of entertaining conversations in our lives. You have a good memory pick one and I’ll help start it up again to make it interesting.

LONG PAUSE...

Me: Sorry I was driving & I don’t text and drive, that’s a public service announcement. Yes we have had some entertaining conversations but do we want to share them?

ANOTHER LONG PAUSE...

Larisa: Haha I texted you back before getting into my car to get Linds and was thinking, dummy your going to be driving and can’t text back! @ bus stop waiting. Umm some maybe, not some probably.

Me: Today’s my anniversary so I guess I could talk about the entertaining things I’ll be doing to celebrate, but there again I don’t text like that.

Larisa: Yes but you could do something fun with that without being crude. K going to drive again so be back to you in a bit.

Me: True. Crude is not cute, that’s another PSA. Although I was laughing at the Kardashians last night when they were talking about putting mayo on certain body parts to make them shine. Only sisters or bffs can talk that way but those girls can be a little extreme. But then again (another family member whose name I will protect) might talk about mayo.

Larisa: That was soooo funny! Love those guys!

Me: Me too. It’s a guilty pleasure. We should go on a sister trip. Not that we have any money but we can start saving our pennies, talking about mayo is optional.

Larisa: Haha yes we should!

Larisa: Anything is better than my conversations with 2 year olds. (she runs a daycare)

Me: Very true. Maybe we could kick the men out and have a sleepover at one of our houses since we’re all poor.

Larisa: Yes! Kids need to be kicked out too! Please!

Me: Of course.

Larisa: Cool!

Larisa: Sorry I couldn’t give you anything good to talk about. Think that’s why I like Kardashians and OC Housewives, fun to hear some craziness

Me: So true! Now I’m watching High School Reunion how’s that for some craziness. I didn’t even go to my reunions.

Larisa: I hate reunions they’re dumb! Same crap just older people lol

Me: Like I said, craziness!

Larisa: You need to give me an idea for something to write about on my blog

Me: You need to go to mamakatslosinit.com every week she posts 5 prompts to choose from then you can link up on Thursday if you want

Larisa: I'll check it out thanks

And there you have it. A typical conversation with the sis. Entertaining? Well, that's highly debatable. But stay tuned, I think our conversations are going to get much more entertaining now that I've decided to be open and free with my drama dorkiness (seriously, wouldn't it be fabulous if we could all be open and free with our drama dorkiness? Just think of the blog fodder we'd gain).
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P.S. If you're curious about what the mayo's for you'll have to look elsewhere. This is a G rated blog. Well maybe G minus, but still, no details on the mayo.

My Heart's Still a Flutter...

20 years ago I fell for you. Fell hard, fast and forever.

So we decided to begin our happily ever after.



And even though you didn't know that a "Suzie Homemaker" I was NOT,


And I didn't know that sometimes you would speak in a rainbow of colors,


We did know that we shared common goals, that we served the same master,


And that every kiss sent us over the moon (and still does).


But neither one of us could have ever guessed how amazing

20 years of happily ever after could really be.

Seriously, who knew?

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY my love,

20 years of marital bliss, WOW!

S-no thanks...

WRITER'S WORKSHOP PROMPT:

Describe your worst winter weather story.

A letter to Dad from my college aged self--stuck in very cold Idaho:

Dear Dad—

This... that... the other...

....blah, blah, blah yakkedy, shmackkedy…

…but as far as marriage goes—I don’t think it is going to happen here. I have a very strong felling that I need to come home and see what happens. I can’t say it’s because of Rick—I do enjoy being with him and I’d like to see him again—but I don’t know if that is why I feel this way. I just think that Arizona is where I need to be again. Maybe I’m wrong, but I won’t worry myself about it. But I do know that I could never endure living my life in the cold country. It would cause marital strife. It would—I have never been so miserable! I love this school but I hate the weather and it causes unhappiness in my life. I’d much rather live where it gets to be 110 plus. I like that, it’s in my blood.

My counselor asked me if I was coming back next year and I said No Way!!! He said that I shouldn’t choose a school based on the fact that I don’t like the weather. Ask me if I wanted to hit him! It is not a matter of disliking it a bit—I have never been so uncomfortable! Now why would I make myself suffer like this again on purpose?

...If I have my way I’ll never live near the snow again.

Fast forward 20 years...

I live near the snow again!

Though I can happily say that it is not causing marital strife, I still HATE it. It still causes me to feel uncomfortable, unhappy and very miserable and I'd still rather be living in 110 plus temperatures right now.

So you see, every winter weather story is my WORST winter weather story because

I HATE WINTER!

But at least I still have my Arizona boy to help keep me warm. Now that's something.

Love it...

I recently picked this book up at a thrift store for fifty cents and I love it. It's a collection of short stories written by Richard Bausch and, other than some bad language, I think it's brilliant. In fact I have little note cards floating around my room with tidbits of his brilliance written all over them. So far every story has been filled with alcoholism, divorce, death, despair or dysfunction of some sort or another, but what can I say, it speaks to me.

I am so inspired by the talents of others, and authors like Richard Bausch make me want to PUSH myself to be the best that I can be.

He also makes me want to write more short stories. I love short stories.

Maybe I'll start doing a short story day on this here blog.

Then again,

Maybe not.

Have you pushed yourself today?

Live long and prosper...

My husband likes Star Trek. He watched it growing up.
We watched The Next Generation during our early years of marriage (good times, good memories).
We've seen all of the movies.
And we occasionally watch Star Trek related programming with our children now.

Saturday night we watched the new Star Trek movie--you know the one with the young, eye candy, Captain Kirk--and really liked it.


After the movie we all made the "Live long and prosper" sign. Well all of us but my dear (more treky than the rest of us) husband. It turns out he can't do this sign and never could.

When Marlee and I tried to tutor him on how to do it he said, "No. Really. You don't think I tried that for hours as a kid? I can't do it." If only I could have captured that moment on tape because it was hilarious. Marlee and I rolled (literally) with laughter, tears streaming down our faces, at the image of this poor boy trying so hard to be a Volcan only to fail time and again (especially the way he tells the story--FUNNY). Sorry, I'm sure this is one of those "You had to be there moments" but because I was there I wanted to write it down so I'd never forget. Good, good times.

Can you do the Volcan sign?
Am I even spelling Volcan right?
Have you had a really, really good laugh lately?
You should it's fun.

Try it, try it and you may. Try it and you may I say...

Knowing that I had to teach Joy School was not bringing me joy yesterday. In fact the entire morning--trying to get the kids to school on time, preparing myself to teach and thinking about my crazy writing deadline--left me feeling a whole lot of OVERWHELMED! So a half an hour before the kiddos were to show up I decided to crank some music to forget my troubles and get jazzed up for the day.

I pushed the play button on the disc player and prepared to rock. Only the disc player didn't rock it hummed. It hummed the gentle instrumental sounds of church hymns, "O My Father" to be exact. "No, this isn't what I want. I want to rock." I told myself as I quickly walked over to change the disc, but before I could, I realized that even though I didn't want that music it was exactly what I needed. I left it on and, by the time the kids showed up, felt soothed and ready to conquer the world once again.

In going through some old notes from a writing conference I had attended I read:

"Put the things of eternity first. The Lord will magnify your talents."

I realized that I haven't been doing this. I have been so concerned about my deadline that I have not taken time to study, ponder and pray about the things of eternity. So today I changed that. Today I decided to put the Lord first, knowing that he would give me the strength to conquer the obstacles that might come up throughout the rest of my day.

And as always, I found words of comfort when I read in 1 Peter:

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God...
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

These verses spoke to me because I know that I need to remain sober and vigilant, not getting too far ahead of myself or giving into feelings of inadequacy--feelings that my adversary the devil will always seek to impose upon me--and that I need to, AND CAN, cast my care upon the Lord because he does care for me. Never forgetting that it's in the TRYING that the greatest joy can be found.

Like when the kids and I threw little cookies into the air yesterday and tried to catch them in our mouths. Believe it or not, this was the first time in my whole forty years that I had played this game. And guess what, I learned that I was good at it. I could catch little cookies in my mouth! Such joy! Such rapture!

Isn't life amazing? Just when I thought I knew everything there was to know about myself, I caught a cookie!

What will you learn about yourself today?

Whatever it is do it with joy,
remembering that missed cookies really do sweep up easily.

Well, I didn't see that coming...

This is a tale of two doors and how they made a crazy girl with an even crazier deadline very, very, um...
crazy(er/est).


Now the door on the right is the entrance to this crazy lady's home, the door on the left is her bedroom. And I must tell you that a crazy lady's bedroom should never, never be in such close proximity to her front door. It is a very faulty design indeed.

For as is typically so with crazy people, every so often this crazy lady gets a wild hair (big projects and the like) that must dictate her life if only for a small season. At which time she says to her husband, who is only crazy by association, that she must put everything else on hold until she is done with her project and or deadline.

Her husband, having lived with her for many years, knows that the best he can say at moments such as these is, "I know you can do it Hun. And I support you 100%."
Which is exactly what he said to her on this her latest project--a bold, nearly (but not completely) impossible writing deadline that both terrifies and delights her on a level that cannot be describe (really, I can't describe it).

So great is her joy that she didn't even loose heart when she remembered that it was her turn to teach Joy School this week. "I can do this." She said. "Yes, I can do anything." Higher than high, gladder than glad... she didn't think anything would ever get her down again.
Until...

...she walked out of her kitchen to greet the other joy school mommies and saw this...

...the left door had been opened! Revealing the side effects of a crazy person's devotion to her crazy projects and or deadlines. Yes, this is my room in all of its Scarlett O'Hara-esque "I can't think about that today, I'll think about it tomorrow" glory (minus the view of the close to knee-high clean laundry pile at the foot of the bed. I spared you--and or me--that).

And so as is also typical with crazy people, I have spent this day laughing and laughing over this very unfortunate mishap (some crazies laugh, others cry. I am of the laughing variety) and have now decided to post the contents of the left door for all to see because when life tries to tell me to be ashamed of my spilled milk, I shake a defiant fist and say, "Ashamed? Ha! Watch, I'll dump the whole gallon."

I know good is coming, it's always coming,
but sometimes we have to take a detour onto the road less traveled to meet it.