You Can't Rush PL

You just can't rush project life. I'm sure it's a sin. But these last two months I have. I've been twitching to stay on schedule. With fall approaching, staying inside will be hard so I guess I felt the need to push ahead. 

I order a mess of photos and sat down to cut corners. With all my corners cut, I started to pieces my pages together. I know, I should plan them out before I order my prints but I really need to see them first. They just don't come out as beautiful as they were on the screen.  (Has anyone else noticed the slight cropping some places do??-annoying)

So I'm happily sorting and stuffing until I realize I'm out of pages, well the pages I need. So I stuffed in a few cards and called it a night, disappointed in myself. However the next day super husband came to the rescue with a new pack! Sweet nothing's like this help me overlook shenanigans like this: 

So with my craziness behind me, I sat down yesterday morning to pick/edit/collage my September photos. I waited sweet forever for them to upload and last night I ordered them before bed. I slept soundly feeling right on track. 

Today while snapping photos of crazy ladies 

I paused for review and found September photos that were never uploaded from my camera! Gah!

I'm desperate to find what has me so scatter brained. But until then, I'll continue enjoying the tastes of fall!

Mommy Day Rescued (In Pictures)

It had the makings for a wonderful Mommy day! Just my ladies and I, out for a play date and lunch. I mulled my choices and ultimate let them decide. My pork shoulder had mysteriously spoiled so with dinner shot, I was hoping to turn the day around. I checked the website for hours and we were on our way.

We parked at the top of the garage so we could glance out over the city. I purposely chose NOT to bring my camera because it would just get in the way at a kids museum, and I would be too busy playing. So we trucked it through the garage, taking turns hitting buttons on the elevator. We hauled it around the block and up the path. We even took the obligatory look we're having fun picture to send to Daddy.

Look at the ridiculousness! Do you see it? 

There in the background. On the orange door, that little paper taped to the door, that ruined my day. The little piece of paper informs you that the museum is CLOSED Monday thru Thursday in September. This was Wednesday, September 25th, and I was pulling on a locked door. 

FML

Thankfully I wasn't alone in my failure, as the woman behind me thought me a moron and tried the door herself. So as her son cried I was thankful that my ladies, although disappointed, were eager to move in another direction. When you don't have a plan B it's nice to live in a city on the water! 

We walked a block to the harbor. 

Amazing photo ops, all day! As much as I love my phone, it just isn't the same. However, if I make the effort to schlep the camera around next time I will undoubtedly take no pictures. 

Marcia foot picture!

We crossed every bridge, twice, pier hopping all morning. At each pier they were just as excited to still see the water and the ships. As we walked by and examined them all, I started discussing Pearl Harbor and decided that I should really sensor myself a little better sometimes. Some 'why' questions are hard to answer with this pair. 

So in poking around the harbor, we fell into the bookstore. I strongly feel that the snack bar, periodicals, and kids section should be adjacent to each other. I would love to grab a drink and magazine while the ladies toodle away on the train table.

Before I knew it,  we were smack in the middle of lunch time and I had no plans. I also had no desire to fight my way into a restaurant. Grapes and granola anyone? Thank you Whol.e Foods!

Although they wanted sandwiches, I am realllllly trying to get off the PB&J train. Picnics helps. Impromptu picnics, at the park, feet from the water and near the water taxi stop was my golden ticket. Of course this was my second choice in parks, because I gave up on parking at the first. Which meant we also forwent the local toy store. Not that we need any toys, but looking is fun and these two ladies most definitely saw BOTH of their Christmas presents yesterday. Mother of the year!

A few other shots before we packed up to get Daddy and head out for dinner!

Mommy, how do the cars drive under that bridge and on the water?

Flower for Daddy.

Glamourous, and soooo serious. 

Sometimes, you just need to follow the day. 

Tea Time

The ladies were invited to tea! Of course there had to be gowns and Mrs. Donna spared no expense. She pulled out the china and fancy glasses. You could see the ladies excitement and slight reservation about all the fanciness that surrounded them. 

I especially loved when they all jumped every time they clinked dishes together or scraped the cup on their saucer. 

Mrs. Donna even brought out sparkling cider, but someone wasn't impressed. 

You can always rely on HAM to at least try anything. She was so sweet with her tea cup. 

She even tried it double fisted and had two bowlfuls. Someone loves strawberry soup. 

There were also apple sandwiches on raisin bread, grilled cheese, and Mrs. Donna made delicious tomato tarts for us. YUM! 

I felt like a beggar gobbling up her yummy food. 

I think she was just happy to have a house full of children.

She even encouraged the craziness. 

It was a long day in the car, but I was treated to a nice moon rise that evening.

That night, and all the following day, the ladies damn near demanded to use their new tea cups from Mrs. Donna. 

I'm usually not one for all the fuss and frill, but oh how I love a tea!

Castle Update: Wall Paper

So do you remember this piece of wonderful? The self-serving Christmas gift and has me drooling??

The gift I'm making for myself but passing off as a heirloom gift to my chitterlings???

I started!

And it's not December, I rock!

I grabbed a book of paper I had stashed away. I'm a sucker for books, and this was on clearance two years ago. I've used three pages. I savor things like this, some call it hoarding but I prefer to think of it was waiting for the proper moment. 

Choosing wall paper is hard!

Almost as hard a wallpapering mini rooms! Can you imagine me sitting at the table debating with myself over what a peg doll would like in their family room? Serious stuff!

And for the record, I was going for a fun, modern-ish house. No dreary castle walls, or worse- BARBIE PINK!

I had way more fun than a grown woman should. 

This was just one nap time session!

Look at it! 

I am thinking hard wood floors, and yes I am torn between wood grain paper or actually staining the wood. All the ceilings will be white, maybe a runner down the stairs. And how do you feel about wainscoting in the dining room? 

Do you think knocking out one of the stair cases would be worth the work so I could have a bath and kitchen? 

Yes. I know I'm totally over thinking this but look at how fun! 

Nightstand

How fantastic it is to be back online! Fully online! And with a Saturday all to myself. Having a Saturday off, with nothing planned, is such a luxury. It makes me want to walk in tomorrow and quit, if only I would follow through!

So back in July I had a mommy day, and I started a project! I found this gem at the goodw.ill and decided that for $20 it was worth the gamble. I've seen so many hideous things restored and I had high hopes for this little number. 

She was more than a little rough around the edges. And that isn't painted yellow, it's just yellowed. So I worked.

And worked.

Ketchup is great for brass, who knew!

Gray always helps!

Sadly, the handles were only brass plated. So all my scrubbing and ketchup-ing wore them down. Spray paint to the rescue.

                                   

I think she turned out amazing, despite what the picture quality may be suggesting. I only just put the rest of her pull on today. I love the color, and the contrast of the pulls and plates. Who doesn't need more space to store their treasures? The subtle texture of the brush marks makes me love it even more. Now if only I could decide of a new room color that doesn't scream Punk Rock, and maybe a nice lamp or some wall sconces? 

Baby steps on my way to learning to love this house!

No Internet

This is happening. I'm desperate for Internet! I'm living super classy over here with my phone plugged in to stay connected. Hello hotspot!

Apparently my modem, along with my service plan, is antique. Jaya at the phone company referred to it as from the dinosaurs and had a new one mailed to me and waived the fees. My modem is so old they can't fix it, they can't communicate with it. This is just another way in which I feel old. My modem is only 7 years old! It's a modem! How much can they change?? 

I'm not against change, or improvement. But my tiny black puck brought me Internet faithfully for 7 years, and for 7 years it's faithfully worked along side my router who will be given the pink slip tomorrow afternoon when my new wireless modem shows up. Two hunks of plastic, heading off to a landfill somewhere. :(  Seems so wasteful, especially since I haven't upgraded my service- which is now referred to economy rate! So behind the times!!

Fingers crossed the Internet is back tomorrow and I can share the tea party pictures!!

Lost & Found

The rules of lost and found: if no one claims it, it's yours. Am I right? This is a universally understood rule, correct?

So operating under this principle, I believe I should have been allowed to keep the child I found. Seems fair enough. And as boastful as this will sound, I certainly could have provided better. 

The sheer carelessness and lack of genuine concern and compassion some people have towards their children, their children!, enrages me!! Instead of asking how a three year old wandered off, because I know exactly how, I'm instead asking why no one noticed. If two parents are with their children, how can you not notice one missing?? I guess it's safe to say that since you didn't notice her missing, you also didn't notice the page for her parents. I shouldn't have been surprised when mommy dearest came strolling up, shouting at the child. But I was. 

How can a person be so careless? 

I'm full of judgement, I openly admit that. I judge people for not handling their children, for the choices they make in public, and for wearing pajamas to the grocery store. Maybe this person couldn't come running to her baby girl's rescue because she had other children to mind. But you would think she wouldn't blame a scared toddler! Of course I also thought she would be relieved and thankful to be reunited. Maybe this is why I hate people, I just expect too much. 

So this children, is the story of lost as found. The day I sat at work with an underprivileged child, worried she'd been abandoned. The day my boss jokingly told me "finders keepers" and I wished for that little girl it could have been true. 

War

Incase anyone is wondering what my Saturday night sounds like...

If anyone decides to invade Baltimore you'll hear it here first! I'll be reporting, LIVE, about the sound pollution in my living room. 

Grumble, grumble. 

The Castle

I shot this gem this morning. :)

I enjoy simplicity, and Christmas is no different. Simple and few is how I like Christmas. Reconnect and spend time with the fam. With Christmas approaching, and my desire to stay on top of these few things (stop laughing), I really need to get started on The Castle. 

Isn't she a beauty?! 

I would be lying if I were to stay I don't care much about it; this is a self serving gift. I ran out one night in a frenzy, driving to two Mi.chaels to pick it up with my coupon LOL! I think it will be fun to make and I secretly hope they cherish it F.O.R.E.V.E.R. Not because their amazing mama made it, but because I want it to truly be awesome. I can't take credit for this, I've seen it around the nets. I love that it folds up and will house all our peg dolls. 

I want to own it though. I want it to be a magical place for our peg people. I want it to bring two sisters together in play. But I need something to go on. I know I don't want it to be dis.ney vomit full of pastels and happily ever after. I need inspiration!

Ideas anyone?

I found a few photos, and it hasn't been much help. I think for the insides I'll do some of the rooms with scrapbook wallpaper. Maybe some fabric scraps for rugs? Or to upholster the furniture? I'm not 100% sold on this furniture. I'm searching for a tiny chandelier to suspend in the vestibule [Perhaps I'm in too far]. I'm also toying with the idea of a stone facade on the outside. I also need more doll inspiration. I think I may make some soldiers, since the ladies refer to the peg dolls in generals as soldiers. 

So another set of magna tiles and a castle. I think Christmas is set for the ladies, now on to friends, the nieces and nephew, the grandparents, and that man I love. 

In The Basket

For the first time in their four short years my ladies are prepared for the coming fall! 

First. Time. Ever. 

It is even washed and sorted, ready to be switched over. Miracle!!

So yes I most certainly am giving myself a pat on the back. This was a major feat. Not because I was shopping for two, or with two, or even because of cost because this mama refuses to pay full price. Clothes shopping literally gives me anxiety. I'm terrible at matching clothes together and I get caught up with buying complementary and not completely matching clothing. There are unspoken rules in my head about only buying in pairs, I have to be fair! Now that the ladies are a bit older they have developed tiny styles of their own and this only adds to my anxiety. Claire loves skirts and dresses, but what can I buy Em to compliment? 

This year I took a different approach and encouraged their involvement-scary stuff! Four year olds picking their own clothes! It was great for me because I either approved and found a mate for it to comply with my pair rule, or flat out refused. I didn't have to choose. And thanks to the ladies understanding of numbers and Tarjay's freshly marked summer clearance, we were able to score an entire summer play wardrobe for next summer!

Ignore my unmade bed. 

However it also left me horribly anxious! I am face to face with the GIRLS DEPARTMENT. Oh. Em. Gee.

Tell me I'm not alone!!

Hopefully this year clothing becomes drastically less mature and suggestive. There has to be something on the clearance racks for me next year. But just incase I have a case of burlap sacks sitting next to my sewing machine. ;)

No really, I do!

Saturday Morning Sitter

Revisiting bath crayons around here. 

Who knew they were such a great baby sitter?! I love the story they told of a great castle with towers and elaborate gardens. There were even bunnies!!

Things Never To Say To Your Daughter

I'm sure you've seen various pages floating around the interwebs about things to say and not say to your children. Many are sweet and fun, some serious, and overall they carry a purpose: don't fuck your kids up. 

Someone should send one to my mother.

While I may be grown with children of me own, and I don't highly value her opinion, I still expect a level of motherly understand. Clearly this isn't her forte, not that it ever has been. Still... there are things you should never say to your daughter.

In going through winter clothes and the like, I found that I have lost a good deal of weight. Less bulk and more hip shrinkage (Seriously, 4 years?!) which equates to a new wardrobe, HOLLA! So as I'm dropping off a bag of clothing that she could use, yes I'm judging her for her outdated clothes, we chat. I mention I've shrunk and she says something to the effect of not that much. Har, har, har, but it's true. We chat further and I reveal I've gone from an 8/10 down to... 

BAM! Who in a 0 jean?! This girl right here! Size 2 pants please! I couldn't tell you my weight, but I'm short and slight and was certainly a bit heavier than I should have been. 

Isn't this where girls come together and do little squeals and the like? Maybe comments about improved health or something?

Instead I get another gem: They must be making pants bigger. Then proceeded to speak of the chosen one. Gah!

Well a big eff you and your child favoring, shoulder pad toting, 1980's wearing, white rain using self! 

Lesson learned. I will tell my daughters nothing of the sort and do my best to not let my fashion sense be a burden on their formative fashion years!

September Goals

I've had my summer break and it's time to get back on track.

Ahhhh

September Goals

Family

• Date with Hubs
• Make appointment for 4 year check up (mother of the year!)
• Apple picking!
• Shoe shopping

Home

• Finish nightstand plates
• Measure for new dresser, buy?
• Measure for new bookcases
• Buy shoe rack for all the new shoes

Personal

• August PL, finish July cards
• New budget write up
• Two Christmas presents bought/made

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On The Weather

With Labor Day here, I feel like summer is most definitely on it's way out. Boo! First the first time ever in my life, I'm worried about the approaching weather. You know you're old when you worry about weather. But hear me out! This was the most mild summer I can ever remember. I fear this winter will come hard, fast, and white! 

This sense of impending doom is making me nervous. I feel like I should be stockpiling. I FEEL LIKE MY MOTHER! This is BAD! 

Am I alone here?