Summer's Almost Over...A Long Post About Slacking

Maybe when fall gets here, I can get into blogging regularly. 

Maybe...


Home Sweet Home, Where the Blog Action Happens

We've done some really fun stuff this summer, but you all wouldn't know that, because I neglected to get any of it put up on the blog in a timely manner.  Maybe I'll just do a summer recap post, and put it all in there.

Some days I wonder why you guys stick around, I do really good for a week or so, and then I just fall off the blogging bandwagon.  It's not really a fall though, it's more like I get drug off.  You know how it is, dang responsibilities. 

Lately, my excuses are...
We're still potty training.
I started the "30 Day Shred."
I revamped our whole menu for the month for healthy eating.
Jason has been working a lot of hours.
I'm refinishing 3 bookcases.
Oh, and did I mention potty training?
I still have pictures on my computer from June that need to be edited.
I'm making Halloween decorations.
I started Christmas shopping.
And then the usual suspects, laundry, cooking, cleaning bathrooms that never stay clean, groceries, going to the playground, blah, blah, etc., etc.
And potty training.

It never seems like there is enough time to fit everything in.  Brennan's naps are super short nowadays, so I really only get enough time to "shred" and then he's up and running again.  When Jason gets home, we eat, clean up, do the bathtime routine, Brennan goes to bed, and then we only have just over an hour or so before we go to bed, and the whole cycle starts all over again.

Enough complaining though, right?  Nobody wants to read about that.

I assume most of you stay around to see pictures of this guy...

Shady Character

Like I said before, we're still potty training.  He's doing pretty good.  We did go on a roadtrip over the weekend and had a big wet mess, but when our days are relatively normal, he does well.  I am hoping all the rest will just fall into place on down the line.

I'm still in the long process of redecorating our house.  I wish I could get one room completely done and ready to share with you, but it just doesn't seem to come together for me that way.  For example, I really wanted to just focus on the kitchen until it was done, but then I found new bedding for Jason's and my bed (which the big brown truck should be dropping off today, yeah!), and then I was told the bookcases I mentioned before need attention.  They're for Brennan's room, and Jason said they are not sitting in his garage for another winter.  I agree, so I've been sanding them down to get them ready for painting.


New Kitchen Curtains.  Made by me with my mad sewing machine skills.  (Don't look too close.)

As far as the "30 Day Shred" goes, I wasn't going to mention it until I did it 30 times, but I already blew it, so I will give you a progress report.  I am still on level one (I did level two once, but I decided to go back to level one for awhile.  It was tough!)  So far it's been about two weeks and I've lost 5 lbs.  I did take measurements to see how many inches go away, but I won't check them again for a couple more weeks.

I just hope I can buy a size smaller jeans for this fall.  At this point, that is my only goal.

Anyway, I better run.  I took a day off from working out to type this post, and I can now hear Brennan yelling "Mommy" from upstairs.  I also heard him say uh-oh, so I definitely have to go check that out.

I hope it was just a little, non-messy, nothing broken uh-oh.  Wish me luck.

Blue Dragonfly

The Dirt Shirt

The other day Jason told me he had been shopping on the internet.  At first this was a little alarming, since one, Jason rarely gets on the computer at home, and two, when he does decide to go shopping online, what he buys is never anything that I expect. 

So I ask, a little tenatively, "What did you buy?" 

His reply, "A Dirt Shirt."

Blank stare from me.  Then he explained what a Dirt Shirt was, and all was well.

Anyone curious yet?

OK well, Jason is a big fan of Mike Rowe; the Dirty Jobs, Ford Spokesperson, voice of Deadliest Catch guy.  Mike Rowe has a website, called Mike Rowe Works; it's kind of a PR site for hard working Americans, a discussion board for making things better here in the US.  (One motto is "Work is Not the Enemy," and another is "Brown before Green," as in if we are going to live a greener life, we're going to have to get dirty.)  Anyway, while Jason was on the site, he bought a Dirt Shirt.

The story behind the Dirt Shirt is pretty cool.  Here's the tag off the shirt.  After you read the story, make sure you read the washing instructions.  Also, let me tell you, when the shirt came in the mail the plastic bag it was in was coated with dirt on the inside.  Yeah, that was one dirty shirt!


Mike Rowe's Dirt Shirt.  Wash twice, ha ha, yeah right.


Dirt Shirt, Wash One.  Oh, my poor washer.


Dirt Shirt, Wash Two.  That's still one dirty shirt!


Dirt Shirt, Wash Three.  Oh dear.


Dirt Shirt, Wash Four.  Enough is enough already!!


And finally Jason modeling his new Dirt Shirt. 

All I can say is please pray that shirt never gets in with my lights or whites. : )

Patiently Waiting at the Gate

Everyday when Brennan wakes up from his nap, he usually stands at the gate and either rattles it or calls for me to come and get him.  Yesterday, he must have been in stealth mode when he got up, because when I went to the top of the stairs I found this.


Hi Mom!, Yeah, look how cool I am, I'm wearing Daddy's boots!


Okkkkk, you're supposed to be letting me downstairs now.  You know, open the door like this!


Why are you just standing there taking pictures of me?  I guess I'll just have to climb the gate.  See?

He never got close.  I think the other boot weighed him down. :)

On My Wish List...

As you may have noticed from a few previous posts, in between being a stay at home mommy, taking pictures, making a quilt, and all the other stuff that everyday life throws at me, I am trying to revamp our whole house on a shoestring budget.  I don't know if it's even as big as a shoestring, really it more like the plastic piece on the end of the shoestring.  You know, the flugalbinder?  Ha ha, you all want to watch Cocktail now, don't you?

So on my flugalbinder budget, I have done pretty good, though it is taking a REALLY long time.  I don't mind though.  I've gotten pretty crafty with spray paint, thrift store finds, super clearance deals, and the sewing machine is trying to become my friend.  Well, not friend, but at least it's not my mortal enemy (today anyway).

I constantly keep my eyes open for things I can use, with my main focus right now being on the kitchen.  I am trying to lighten and brighten everything, and make everything more cottage-y.  In the kitchen I am going with aqua blue and white.  The aqua blue being inspired from my small collection of vintage blue mason jars, and white, just because my newest obsession is painting everything white.  This weekend I scored big time at Target.  I found some new cute towels in the perfect color, AND if that wasn't enough, some new turquoise measuring spoons and measuring cups...in the dollar section.

I should have stopped there with my thrifty finds, but I messed up.  I thought if I could find measuring cups and spoons in aqua, what else is out there?  So I made the mistake of logging onto the internet, and I found the new item on my longing for list.

  A Kitchenaid mixer in ICE BLUE.  Isn't it just beautiful?  Yep, it's also beautifully priced at $300.  My birthday is coming up in a few months.  Anybody?

Well, maybe someday.  In the meantime don't be surprised if I write a post about "How to Take Apart and Spray Paint Your Little, Old, White Mixer."  Just Kidding. Maybe.

Why is it...

When I am on the Internet trying to find new HEALTHY recipes to make for supper, I find an irresistible Peanut Butter Fudge recipe that I just happen to have all the ingredients on hand to make?

I did make it with skim milk.  That makes it healthy, right?

Here's the link to the recipe if anyone wants to try it.

Happy Anniversary to Us!!

Happy Anniversary, Honey!  It's been a wonderful 9 years!  Time definitely flies when you're having fun.  And thank you all for the annivesary cards we've already received!  I love mail! (Of the none bill variety, that is!) ; )   

We don't have any big plans for the day, being that it's a Tuesday.  I can't help but think that last year we were hanging out at the West Baden Springs Resort.
 
Here we are then.  We had to get a picture of ourselves with the hotel in the background.  Back in the day, it was the in vogue thing to do.

Ready?

Brennan LOVES to go anywhere in Daddy's truck.  We went for a drive Saturday afternoon.  Here he is all ready and waiting for us to get going.

Summer Fun

We're Still Here!

I know, I've been scarce for the last month.  We're still here, we've just been really busy!  We've done lots of travelling, and we've spent lots of time with Nana and Papaw.  They left for the Grand Canyon yesterday, so I should have time to get everyone caught up on our adventures during the past month. 

In addition to spending most of most computer on editing the tons of pictures we have been taking, my computer time has been limited even more in the last several days.  Brennan has decided that it's now cool to get up earlier than Mommy.  The hour that I used to have in the morning before he got up is now out the window. 

Now at just after 6:00 every morning, he gets up, slams his door, and is by the side of my bed telling me he's pee'd and demanding to go downstairs and get some juice.  It's a pretty rude awakening.

I think it's time for Brennan's room to get some room darkening shades.

And just because I hate to post anything without a picture.  He's one of the little man and one of the things he's been up to in the past few weeks.

 

Brennan Bal, Toddler Genius

So yesterday, we were driving down the interstate and all of the sudden Brennan is adamantly saying something that sounds like "Walmahht, Walmahht, Walmahht."  I look over to ask him "What?", and I see a truck like this out his window...

Genius.

That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.

Friday Favorites - Down on the Farm

Last weekend we went to Salt Lake City to check out the Wheeler Historic Farm.  We had a great time, and I have tons of pictures to share.  I definitely recommend going there.  While we were walking around, Brennan decided to climb up on a bench up against the side of the barn.  I was able to get a great picture of him, and I even got eye contact!  That rarely ever happens anymore.  I am going to get some of these processed for sure.  They should make up for not getting a good two year picture.

Have a great weekend everyone!  Nana and Papaw will be here tomorrow.  Yay! 

I hope the weather gets better for them.  It's only 53 degrees and rainy today.  But on the bright side, it will be warmer than where they're at today.  I talked to them last night from Jackson's Hole, WY, and the weather report said temperatures in the 30s and snow!  Gotta love the mountains! 

Strawberry Love

Brennan loves strawberries.  And not just a little.  If we would let him, he would eat a whole gallon.  It was strawberry season when we were in Indiana, and he could snoop out the strawberries everywhere we went.  While we were there, Grandma Brenda made a couple of batches of shortcake strawberries.

Brennan was in heaven.  And as always, he was a big helper.


He pulled his chair right up so he could get a good look at how mixing up strawberries works.


"You keep mixing Grandma, I'll just have one."


"OK, maybe just one more."


That one must have been sour!


"That one looks just right!"


"I better get one more!"


"Who me?  I wasn't eating all the strawberries out of the bowl!"

Oh My.  I don't think the Utah growing season will be enough to supply this kid.  I wonder if I can grow strawberry plants in my laundry room.

Indiana Daisies

Some flowers I found down by the pond.

It's Potty Time!

Yesterday was Brennan's first day with his "big boy" undies on.  We had to go all out and get the Thomas the Train undies, of course.  The first part of the day went about how I expected.  We have 14 pairs of underwear, and we went through all but one pair before naptime.  During the morning hours, inevitably, we had a poop explosion.  I never realized that poop that normally just smells stinky in a diaper, smells absolutely atrocious when it's trailed through the kitchen, hallway, and all over the bathroom floor.  But after cleaning and sanitizing all of that mess, Brennan's nap (and a couple of loads of laundry set on HOT), Brennan kept clean and dry for the rest of the day.  We both definitely got our workouts in.  Poor Brennan asked to take a nap way before it was time.  All the running to the potty wore him out!

Shanny's Graduation

Some pictures from Shanntel's graduation. 


And it begins.  Here they are walking into the gym.


During the Ceremony


Receiving her diploma, of course that one had to turn out blurry.


After the ceremony, Shanny and one of her friends.


The Smiling Graduate


Shanny with Nana and Papaw


Shanny with me, Jason and Brennan


Shanny with Gary and Michelle


Shanny with Grandma Brenda


Shanny and Karen


Shanny and Andrew


Shanny with Harry and Grandma Brenda


Shanny with me and Jason


And, of course, one with the proud Dad.

The ceremony was nice, though where we were sitting we didn't get to see a whole lot.  Brennan behaved through the whole thing.  He liked to clap for everyone, so that helped keep him occupied.  Afterwards, Jason and I and Shanny met up with a couple of her friends at O'Charley's and we all had dinner together.  It was nice to hang out with Shan, and since Grandma Brenda took Brennan back to the house with her, it was kind of like a date for me and Jason. : )

Congratulations Shanntel!!  We're proud of you!

Tiger Lily Closeup

One of Shanny's graduation flowers.

Ready For Takeoff

Brennan did really well for his first time on an airplane.  That might have had something to do with him being allowed to eat more candy than he has in his entire life, but we made it, whatever bribes it took.

He was quite a responsible flyer, too.  Here he is going over all the safety instructions before the plane took off.

Getting Back Into the Swing of Things

Well, here we are, back in Utah.  We had a great trip, though of course, it went by way too fast.  Shanny's graduation party and graduation ceremony went well, and she loved her graduation present.  Our home improvement projects at Grandma Brenda's turned out great, even though they took a lot longer to complete than we guesstimated. 

We spent a lot of time at The Home Depot. 

I have lots of pictures to go through and share, but that will have to wait until later.  I have lots of catching up to do around here, going through the pile of mail, unpacking, menu planning. 

Plus, Brennan has a priority in mind as well.

We are out of cookies!!

I better get baking! :)