Good Morning, I am so behind in getting my things that I need to get done done!

Between a trip into Washington DC to see the museums...

mixing education with summer time fun,

{we had to see The Smithsonian before the chickadees see the move "The Night At the Museum The Battle of The Smithsonian"}

I'm having a very hard time getting anything accomplished at the moment.

Every time I get myself motivated to tackle the projects that are on my "to do list"

I hear my name "mom.... mom.... mom... Mom!

and then the words,

Really, what's a mom to do.?

But toss aside the project list

and join them poolside!

I've finally learned to make a check list before we head out, our else I am running up and down ten million times to get something...

Poolside Items:

Basket of magazines

Pitcher of water with lemons

Pool Tunes playing

Portable phone

freezer stocked with Popsicles

and then we are 95% ready to head outside...

cause it never fails, I still end up coming back in for "something" someone needs...

Today I made a special announcement,

Give me 3 hours of uninterrupted time to get caught up...

{emphasis on uninterrupted time}

&

then

let the splish splash fun begin!

So, today I'm wishing for a morning of cleaning,

grabbing a can of primer to get just 1 project partly underway,

toss in some laundry...

and

then hit the pool before the kids shrivel up from being "dry" to long!

Wishing you a day filled with all our "wishes".....

and if you feel the need to toss your project list aside,

you are welcome to join us! We can discuss our lists while sipping lemonade.

It's the kind of day to set aside the laundry basket and chores

and just enjoy the day...

slap on the sunscreen...

grab your hat

and juicy summer time novel

run through the grass

and hula hoop!

So today all the kiddos will get extra hugs from me...

I'll sit a little closer to them all...

I'll jump in the deep end of the pool with them...

we will hula hoop till we laugh ourselves silly...

we will get extra cheese on our pizza just because they love it!

And I will call my mom for comfort... a mother to a mother...

a mother to a daughter kind of talk to feel better...

Good Morning, let me take another sip of my latte so I can tell you all about my first auction...

Okay much better...


let me set the scene...

My husband went with me!

He returned home from Paris, yippee!! happy dance!! He took the day off so he could go with me. I didn't want to go alone. I needed him for this adventure and I was so right!! This way we could catch up while driving 114.13 miles.
We also ended up taking the 2 younger chickadees with us.
So I packed them up with us and hit the road at 6 AM...
let me say they were absolutely wonderful troopers...
once I get over the soreness my arms are feeling, I'll thank my son for my firmer toned arms... he decided the heat made him not want to walk so I carried him half of the time while hubby held our daughter's hand!


I had no idea what to expect. I saw some very cool things and some really scary things and some things you wonder why were ever in fashion, but I ended up watching the process and loving it just the same! The cast of characters who knew how to do this auction thing were so totally entertaining to watch and I wondered what were they going to do with the stuff they bought!

Oh my goodness. I was way to intimated to bid... nod the head, raise your finger thing they do... my husband laughed at me.. and the prices quickly reached my price limit! He had no problem jumping in... which made me so nervous I had to walk away. We won 1 bid on a pile of stuff, we only wanted the desk and chair but it came with other items. And once he paid the person we were swarmed with people wanting to pay us for the other items we didn't want... So after the winning bid of a whopping $10 we ended up only paying $3.50 for a desk and chair... which are still in the car cause we were way to tired to carry it in last night.... oh and when we loaded it in the car the desk top lifted up and there tucked inside was a bible!

I learned 2 things yesterday: We need a GPS { we saw 2 car accidents that held us up in traffic and were detoured once, yep I would not have wanted to go through that without him} and I could not go to an auction alone!

After 4 hours of wondering the fields and pining over a few things that went home with other people we called it a day and began our trek home...

And just a couple of miles into the drive home we spotted an outlet we saw from the road and darling husband looked at me... that look that says I'll stop if you want me to and I gave him the nod that said yes, cause I really didn't get my picking fix...

I may not have had luck at my first auction but I came home a happy star fish after I picked through the J.Crew outlet! That was definitely more my speed. I had no problem snagging some wonderful pieces... Not to mention I didn't have to nod my head or raise my finger... i didn't have to worry about someone outbidding me for my ruffled tank top or new shorts I got to replace my specked ones! Nope, I just had to place them in my hand and knew they were coming home with me!

We hit the half way mark and needed a pick me up.. .we both were feeling droopy while driving and listening to the Backyardigans for the 10Th time was not helping... so we stopped for a drink... which just happened to be right next to....

Anthropologie!

Amazing how that happens!!!

As we drove up to the store in beautiful bold letters it said S A L E

hubby didn't even need to find a parking spot... I just hopped out of the moving vehicle and he circled a couple of times..... okay a lot of times..... our little guy just fell asleep... and we were getting desperate we both wanted to turned off the move! Therefore, waking him up to go into Anthropology was not an option!

That was our whirlwind day... from the fields of an auction and ending at Anthropologie... to finally falling into bed last night with my husband whispering in my ear....

"Did you have a fun day!"

I did indeed have a fabulous day!

thank you for sharing this adventure with me....

Adventure awaits!!

The picnic lunches are packed.

The water bottles are chilling...

The alarm is set for an early morning departure.

The forecast calls for sunny skies, 88 degrees and low humidity...

Looking good for a day of picking for treasures at my very first auction!!!

I finished the "windows of inspiration" I have been working on!

The work I put into them was worth it!

All the sanding and cleaning I did paid off.

I took the window pane measurements to a glass company and had 16 mirrors cut to add to the windows.

And one evening I pushed 64 mirror clips into the old wood to hold the mirrors in place...

I'm still feeling the numbness in my thumbs!!!

{after the entire process was done hubby called from Paris. I told him what I had been doing and he tells me I could of used a flat head screw driver instead of my thumbs!

thanks honey, I'll remember that next time I use mirror clips!!!}

Sore thumbs and all, I'm thrilled with how it turned out!!!

Right now I'm calling them my "traveling windows"!

I can use them outside or inside.... but for the summer months they will be outside.

We have a couple gatherings planned this summer and I am going to use them the way I used them this weekend.

Outside!!!!

I want to capture the reflection of the sky, trees and candle light

and I love the unexpected touch of having windows with mirrors outside.

Help yourself to some strawberries...

and a glass of Pellegrino.
We are informal here, so calling ahead is not necessary.
Don't bother ringing the front door...
just head on back to the backyard that's where you'll find us.
Hope to see you soon,

Welcome Friday!!!

I'm looking forward to sitting outside and watching the summer evening roll in...

and enjoy....

the wine that has been selected,

the menu that is planned.

With no worries...

because

it's pizza night with a tossed salad on the side.

My kind of night after a busy week relaxing in the glow of the moonlight.

This week I have felt a little bit like a mad scientist!

The creative part of my brain has been plugged in...

fully charged..

ready to create.

I have taken full advantage of it.

Any moment of opportunity I had to paint I did....

so much so that one day I didn't change into grungy clothes and learned a lesson...

{see there you go again, another lesson I learned}

Picture black J.Crew Bermuda shorts with a ruffled tank top ...

the kids wanted in the pool before I could change.

In the pool they go and I thought what the heck I can prime the stool outside while they swim.

I used a spray can of white primer!

Can you guess what happened?

Here's a hint...

I didn't do a wind test to see what direction the wind was blowing!

I suggest you do this when painting in a pair of black J.Crew shorts!

You guessed it!

I was standing in the direction the wind was blowing and primed myself!

Sure I'm sad over my "new speckled" shorts.... maybe speckled shorts will be in fashion one day,

or maybe it'll just be my fashion look when I get inspired to create and turn into a mad scientist!

Which leads me to why I did this project in the first place.

I picked up this old school desk and wooden stool from an elderly gentleman a couple weeks ago when I needed to get my hands on some projects.

The school desk was hidden under a wood board he was using to hold trinkets he was selling and my heart leaped...

I love old school desks!

It has pencil carving of students names on it and a ton of

doodle marks ...

and I'm not changing it.

I'm keeping it, it's authentic self.

Why change the charm that I fell in love with!

When I saw the stool sitting over to the side I knew right then and there what I was going to do.

Two pieces I fell in love with have two different looks.

One that has seen many days and one that has been transformed....
And together I find beauty in the look.
I did this project for myself and for my kids.
It's now a spot for them
to color or write or doodle or think...
Indoors and outdoors
it doesn't matter where.

I just want them to create what they think is beautiful,

a place for dreams to be made

and dreams to be drawn...

I want them to know...
there are no boundaries, no rules, beauty is in the eye of the beholder just be true to yourself and create!

any number!!

I'm crazy for numbers!

They make me shout

They make me feel the need to do the

happy dance around the kitchen!

And they make me simply

giddy...

I'm so happy for the simple things!

So much so, that I've completely forgotten that I didn't get to go to Farm Chicks or Paris!

My philosophy is why dwell on the what didn't happen and embrace what I can make happen!!

My projects are getting done.

I'll take the finished pictures today, I was to tired last night.

So today I will thoroughly enjoy sipping my latte from the #5!

I will watch the chickadees in the pool with a notepad to write down all the other things I want to make happen!

And tonight as I send my two oldest daughters to a baseball game with friends,

I'll put the two younger ones to bed and tackle my new list!!

Have a wonderful day and enjoy embracing what you can make happen!

What's a girl to do when she finds herself with a moment...

a moment in time when the house is quiet...

when the sun has set...

the dog has been walked...

the children are fast a sleep from a day of swimming!

What's a girl to do when her thoughts are of her husband as he flies through the night headed to Paris for an Air Show?

This girl enjoys the moment,

relaxes in the quiet,

reflects on all the whirl wind of activity that has taken place in a mere 3 days of school getting out,

says a little prayer for safe travels and a speedy return...

and finds total comfort in a bowl of ice cream with an extra dollop of whipping cream!

I am so thank full for this moment in time.

I learned a very important lesson yesterday!

I need a mask when I use my new favorite power tool!

Sweet husband bought me an electric sander!

{I can't believe it took me this long to get one!}

And let me tell you, I went crazy with it.

Anything I could get my hands on I sanded!

I sanded for an hour...

&

then it hit me...

my nose felt weired,

my head felt strange

and then light bulb went off in my head.

I had just inhaled particle dust and who knows what else!

I called both of my 2 sisters to tell them I felt weird and what I did and that did not help!!!

They thought it would be hilarious to tell me what could happen to me if it was lead paint that I just spent an hour sanding off...

So my second lesson of the day was,

"Don't call my sisters when I am a little worried that I could have just poisoned myself!"

If that was not enough lessons learned in one day I have one more,

Remember to go to the grocery store "before" summer break begins!!!

So, off I go to restock the cupboards and refrigerator

and a quick stop at the hardware store for a mask!

Here's wishing for less lessons learned and a poison free day,

Bittersweet ending to another school year.

I adore my children's teachers.

My daughters gifts to them is succulent plants.

This year I decided on succulent plants because it says that,

That reminds me of my children.

How resilient they are.

I thank them for creating a caring environment that nourishes their desire to learn.

They are forever changed by another school year of education.

I can never thank them enough for all they do!

And the very bittersweet parting is from my dear carpool friend, first grade aide

{and our children are the closest of friends}

I can't begin to tell you how sad I was when she broke the news to me that she wasn't returning and her daughters are changing schools.

I complete understand the reasons behind their change and she is ready to stay home again.

Of course our families will forever be friends where ever life takes us.

Cookouts and swimming fun will be apart of our summer together!

But she was my emergency contact.

Every form you have to fill out for school I always put her name!

Our husbands both travel a lot and have very demanding schedules.

It was always okay because we had each other to fill that role.

She would give me phone calls throughout the day if one of my daughters was having a rough day or seemed a little under the weather.

She was my ears at school.

Inside information that kids sometimes don't like coming home and telling their parents.

Teachers and teacher aides hear everything!

If they needed anything they knew to go to her and she would call me.

My kids don't like going to the office for help.

And it's always been okay because she was there.

She was my life line to my children.

I still haven't come up with the right gift to give her.

Because what she gave me has been comfort knowing someone I know really well cares about my children while they are at school.

So, as she brings my daughters home today and tomorrow

I will hold back the tears.

I will have a latte to-go in my hand for her as my daily thank you for driving them home safe and sound...

And as she drives away, I will remind myself that she is just driving home not out of our lives.

From a weekend of junking!

Was just what I needed to shake the "feeling of exhaustion" I felt for the last 2 weeks.

I headed out early and I found unbelievable pieces that need a little extra care.

And that was just what I wanted.

I need to get my hands dirty.

I need to get a paint brush back in my hand and transform a complete castoff into a beautiful find.

I need to get back into my groove and let my creative mind work!

Now, I have "projects" all lined up in my shed to enjoy the physical task of creating....

Yesterday afternoon, as the kids swam with their Dad, I was able to begin one of my projects on the patio by the pool.

This way I could still be part of the family fun and laugh along with all the silliness.

The only thing I need to figure out is how to keep Lily, our dog, from shaking her wet fur all over my project!

Here is a peak of the set of window panes that I am working on.

I love windows as much as I love doors!

I can't wait till it's completed.

What a difference 2 days can make!

Family time, rest, junking and creating has completely rejuvenated me!

I am ready for what it has to offer!

There are days that I just love waking up to the sound of rain on the roof of our house!

And this is one of them.

The temperature is perfectly comfortable.

All my plants, grass and trees are absorbing the goodness of water... free water that is!!!

Breakfast was a breeze...

and enough milk for my latte...

{actually enough for you to have one too!!}

Lunches were packed...

Lily was walked...

Today is the last full day of school...

only 3 half days to go!

Let's not forget to mention it's Friday.

Therefore,

it is definitely a "day to enjoy"...

a good game of Tag!

I have been tagged by the very sweet Jen from city farmhouse to write 6 things about myself!

1. I do not do math in public! I don't know what happened when God was giving out Math skills but I obviously was sleeping that day! Which still horrifies my Dad to this day who is a whiz at math and an Engineer for that matter! Sorry Dad, but just remember that whenever you want to change the paint color of your room you know who to ask... I 'll just need you to calculate how much I need!

As far as my children inheriting my lack of math skills...

so far Dash 1 and Dash 2 are in Advanced Math thanks to their father!!!!

2. I have a little bit of an obsession with lip products! I have to have lip gloss, lipstick, and Burt's Bee chap stick on my lips all the time. Even when I sleep, I put Mentholatum on.

If I was stranded on an island and could only have 1 beauty product, hands down, it has to be something for my lips.

3. I consider tortilla chips and salsa to be a perfectly delicious lunch!

4. I LOVE the water. Beach's, lakes, pools I love them all. It is the one place where I can just sit, think and enjoy looking at water. I love to be in the water. I love to be in a sweatshirt sitting by the water. I love the sound of water.

5. I have a shy personality. It was horrible when I was in grade school.

6. I took my cat, Meggie, to college. I went to college out of state and did not want to leave her behind. I moved into an apartment that did not allow pets, but I snuck her in anyway. I taught her not to sit in the window so she would never be discovered by the management complex!

There you have it. Six random things about me!

I'm off to get teacher gifts and write "thank you notes" and make a second latte ...

Enjoying the sunshine and embracing the day!

Thank you for all the wonderful advice and comments...

I read them and reread them.... I let them all sink in....

my shoulders feel lighter and my feet feel steady for whatever happens....

and I promise I will tell you if I plan to fully unwrap this idea or if I will tuck it away....

no secrets here....

Taking the moment to enjoy the breeze and sunshine on my face!

Wishing you a sunshine filled day,

I had a fairy tale moment this weekend.

It happened to me on Friday, late afternoon as I was just about to leave to drive to school to begin the decorating process for Saturdays graduation.

I did not have a babysitter for my son and I needed to pick up my daughters and 2 other girls from school.

That meant I was to have all 6 kids with me while I decorate the school gym...

I opened the front door and there was my husband!!!

He had been on travel all week and I knew he was coming home on Friday but not sure what time.

He took the early flight home!

and came home... straight from the airport

{which is an hour and 20 minutes drive from our home}

to be my white knight....

to help me with the kids. To unload all the items that were loaded up in my car at school...

Jet lagged and hungry...

he was willingly put to work moving tables and chairs all under my direction...

he even had his laptop opened in the corner {he still had his own work to accomplish}

{at one point he was on a conference call and still managed read my mind and move a table a little to the left.... and let his dear son play on his blackberry to keep him occupied...

that is my kind of LOVE!!!!

and the entire time I was thinking...

I was in "my own fairy tale"

I'm fairly certain I heard our song playing in the background!!

I don't think I "blinked" this weekend....

I was too afraid of what I was going to miss!

And now as I look back at the pictures...

I realize my husband placed me under magical spell....

Because I can't believe the "items that I see in the pictures that I didn't buy!"

I mean really...

what happened to me...

I looked and looked and loved just about everything I saw...

I kept thinking I would go back to the items I saw but there was still so much I needed to see...

and in the end...

it wasn't the treasures to be had that were important...

it wasn't the finds that I had been searching for that I didn't buy..

I was just content being on an outing with the whole family...

{even when the kids were really done with the whole flea market thing....]

I mean really it's not a family adventure without a little whining...