It was nice & sunny today.

Too bad it is only about 27degrees.

I'm so ready for Spring!

I know I'm jumping the gun a little, but my front door was ready for the springy flower basket. The entry looks a little bare, but I don't want to go overboard. It could still easily snow & the neighbors will think I'm a moron if I pull out the flower pots.I decided to change up a few things in the house today while Bubs napped & Husband was at work. I placed my new little green friend ($2.99 find at Michaels) on top of some good smelling potpourri in this milk glass dish. Looks a little springy, right? (I don't really do the Spring pastel colors...unless they are M&Ms. Pastels really aren't my style)
Earlier today Bubs & I stopped by my friend Amy's store & I used the gift certificate Husband had given me for Valentine's Day. I got the lovely candle holders & candles you see on my table. I added the table runner that I already had. Back in the corner you see the highchair (it is difficult because the sun was so bright....not giving off much warmth...but it was bright)--I did have a tall vase back there but I wanted the highchair out of the way, so I moved the vase & shoved the chair back into that corner.

The vase now resides on the commode (not the toilet kind) in my entryway. I also added the candle. That was our unity candle. I took a piece of scrapbook paper sprayed some glue on it & slapped it around the candle. I lit the candle today for probably the first time since our wedding.

Is it wrong to reuse that candle?

I think not.

It is a reminder of the love Husband & I have for each other, & I think it is better to use it than store it away in some box in the basement.

Awhile back I added the scrabble letters (we rarely play...Hubs & I both stink at spelling), the "b", "B", & "family" frames. Just a couple of old frames, a little bit of scrapbook paper and some glue to attach the letters & "family" magnet. (another Michaels purchase)

Very easy and inexpensive decor.

I also changed up the countertop in the kitchen. I added a nice little lamp that I stole from Husband's office. He wasn't using it (it was in his bathroom...which nobody sees but him....and he doesn't appreciate it) so I rescued it from the dingy bathroom and brought the under-appreciated lamp into our home. I think I got this at Dollar General when Hubs first opened his office (super inexpensive). I was trying to decorate his office and make it "homey". Husband could have cared less.

I did have a red basket on the counter holding all of our mail, but I switched it out for something that matched a little better and was collecting dust in the basement. It is amazing how many treasures you can find when you shop your own house!

(and amazing how much money you can save)

Speaking of saving money....Bubs has been trying to save some money to buy some new Elmo movies. He wants to earn the money (says he's tired of taking handouts from his parents) so he is offering to walk the neighborhood dogs for a small fee.He is really patient with animals. He will take really good care of your pet.

For a few dollars extra he is willing to teach the dog tricks, like fetch & roll over.

Uh oh, that doesn't look good. It looks like the little dog might be turning on Bubs. It appears the dog is attacking his leg.

Bubs NO!!! I think you are hurting the dog. Dogs don't like to be held by their tails.......

.....or thrown around by the leash......I don't care that he bit you, you can't treat animals like that!!

Ummm, maybe you don't want my son caring for your dog. He might be a little too young for such a big responsibility.

The tantrums have already started.

Bubs gets frustrated and then starts throwing his toys.

(case in point: dog)

Today he hit the vacuum cleaner because he stepped on the cord & that hurt his foot.

I know this is just the beginning.

He is 6 months away of from turning 2, but I think the "terrible" times are coming ahead of schedule.

Where did my sweet, mild-mannered child go?

If you see him, please tell him Mommy is looking for him.

Womanizer.....might be the only new song I know.....

I don't mean to brag....OK, I DO MEAN TO BRAG!!!

I'M GOING TO SEE MS. SPEARS IN CONCERT!

WHOO HOO!!!

I've compiled a little list of reasons why I'm so jacked to see Britney in concert:

1. She used to date him. So seeing her in concert brings me that much closer to knowing him.

(swoon)

Very yummy all grown up Mr Timberlake.

And he golfs. HOT.

2. I really want to see if she lip syncs in concert. How do you do those fantastic dance moves and sing at the same time? Pure talent baby--and Brit's got it.
3. I want to see what her body looks like in person. She looks fab in pictures. Everyone has always been obsessed with her weight, me included.


4. One of the best college parties I went to was a Britney Spears costume party where the hosts (two straight men) were dressed in the school girl outfits and did a perfect rendition of "(Hit Me) Baby One More Time". Dance & All. 5. Britney is the come-back queen. It is impressive how this (at one time) mentally unstable girl is working SO hard to get her act together. I greatly feared for the safety of her children for awhile there.....actually, she probably still needs supervised visits with her kids....just to be safe. 6. My BNF (Best Nebraska Friend) Michelle is going to be at the concert. I'm hoping we can have a pre-game cocktail together!
7. I get some quality time with my girly friend Amy. Did you know that Britney has a new song out about 'Amy'? If U Seek Amy. Even more reason to go. (actually read the lyrics online....don't quite understand the meaning.....)8. Husband is thoroughly annoyed I am going. He dislikes Britney. A LOT. (makes me smile a little) Hubs, don't be a hater.
9. Husband gets his golf trip after tax season, so Wifey gets Britney.
10. Brit's touring with The Pussycat Dolls. Duh, you know that "Buttons" song with Snoop Dog?? (had to google TPD to find out what they sing...oh yeah, now I remember who they are!) This concert is going to ROCK! Fashizzle.

OK, truth......I'm very immature & to many (Husband included), my taste in music might be suspect....BUT I DON'T CARE, I GET TO SEE BRITNEY!

p.s. concert isn't until like April, so I apologize in advance...i'll probably be blogging about it A LOT! please don't think any less of me.
p.s.s i know times are tough--people are losing jobs--money is tight, but my friend got a stellar deal on the tickets. we might be in the nose-bleed section, but who cares. we are living in confusing times---should you spend or save? if you don't spend, that hurts the economy....if you do spend & don't save for a rainy day and then that rainy day comes, like you or your spouse losing jobs, then you can't pay your mortgage, the bank forecloses, and then property value drops, and then it starts to hurt everyone else. what is the answer? until someone explains things to me in layman's terms, i'm going to spend (wisely) and keep supporting the performing arts. britney needs to feed her children too.

How my consultation with McNamara/Troy would go....

So, I won a free consultation with these guys......this is how it went down (the G-rated version)

Dr. Troy: Welcome to McNamara/Troy. Tell us what you don't like about yourself.

Me: Well, I'm really not sure why I'm here. I won this consult....and I really just wanted to see how hot you really are. But, since I'm here in your office, I do have these mutant thumbs you could take a look at. I just want to have smooth thumb nails like everybody else.

Dr. McNamara: Go on, tell us more.

Me: Well, I've had these funny looking thumbs ever since I was a little girl. I know I'm not going to be a hand model, but I have to do a lot with my hands around my patients. I catch them staring. It's embarrassing.

Dr. Troy: Are you kidding? This is lame. And yes, I am very hot.

Dr. McNamara: Be quiet Christian, let her finish. Please continue Ms.

Me: .....er....OK.....well, I wore band-aids for the first month I was dating my husband because I didn't want him to see or feel the grotesque bumpy nails.

Dr. Troy: Come on sugar, don't you need some implants or something???? We could really fix you up.

Dr. McNamara: Christian, knock it off.

Me: No, I'm good in that area. They could use a lift, but I'm not done having children. No sense in wasting the money right now. Plus, I am happy with my body. I can just get a better bra.

Dr. Troy: Are you kidding me???!! OK, then you could REALLY benefit from a nice tummy tuck.

Me: Again, no thanks. I'm planning on having more children. Plus, my husband likes my soft belly. He realizes I'm not a super model---he loves me the way I am.

Dr. Troy: Lady, you are really wasting our precious time. We could at least fix up your nose while you are here.

Me: No, I've seen that surgery before. Nasty. Plus, Husband likes my cute nose. You know what Dr. Troy, you might be sexy, but you sure are rude.

Dr. McNamara: What about some calf implants? You do have scrawny looking legs. We could stick some implants in there and beef them up a bit.
Me: See, and I think that is my best feature.
Dr. Troy: Look babe, we can fix those thumbs since you obviously won't let us fix anything else. We can squeeze you in this afternoon. The entire surgery is only going to cost you $20,000. Oh, and I don't think your insurance covers any of it.
Me: You know what Dr. Troy, you've actually made me realize I'm OK with what I have. I might have these funky thumbs, but that is what makes me, ME.



Dr. McNamara: Interesting concept. Liking you, for who YOU are. Hmmmm, I think this girl is on to something.
Dr. Troy: Maybe we should stop doing surgeries and start holding seminars for "Loving What You've Got."
Dr. McNamara & Dr. Troy: NAH!!! (laughing hysterically)

Well, I tried. These guys will never change.

My advice: Be yourself, cuz everyone else is taken!! Just be happy with YOU!

Oh, gotta go. Nip/Tuck is almost on....and Dr. Troy is still hot, even though he is an a$$!

I'Ve GoT a CaSe Of ThE MoNdAyS

So, I really don't have much to say about tonight's Bachelor episode.

The women told all.

Big deal.

I don't care what the has-beens have to say.

I just want to know who the man finally decides on & what has transpired from the end of taping The Bachelor until now. Word on the street is it is going to get VERY interesting. I certainly hope so, because it has been pretty dull thus far.

Here is a little Bachelor spoilage to tide all of you hungry Bachelor fans over until next week........click HERE for the goods!

I actually didn't see much of the show tonight. Bubs was a handful. He seemed to get into EVERYTHING--including a whole box of nicely separated nails. I had them on the counter and he reached up and yanked them onto the floor.

Nails EVERYWHERE.

By the time I finished picking up the mess it was time for Bubs to go to bed.

I was relieved.

Finally some time alone to clean up all of the other numerous messes he had created.

But as I took him into his room, he gave me a big hug and pointed to his rocker. I asked him if he wanted to rock, he shook his head yes.

My baby let me rock him to sleep. I held him tight and continued rocking.

My sour mood completely gone.

Thank you, my precious boy.

So, now that sweet Bubs is sleeping, Momma is trying to get organized.

I hate planning meals.

With a passion.

But, in order to be smarter in the grocery store and make it easier when I get home from work, meal planning is important.

We'll try this & see how it goes.

What I did:

I took some clipboards, some fun scrapbook paper, goodies from Homespun Threads, and some pretties from my friend Michaels.

With a little Mod Podge & scrapbook paper.....
the goodies from HomeSpun Threads....
Add some pretties from Michaels with my gently used glue gun (compliments of my mother-in-law).....
Nailed both clipboards to my laundry room wall....and now I have a nice little organized area that has our menu planner & To Do list. Hopefully I utilize these boards...if not, they are still a cute addition to my laundry area!!

I can't forget to give props to the Birthday Boy!

Tonight during bath time, Bubs got creative and spelled out a little message to Grandpa E.

"Happy Bday Gramps"

Not bad considering he's only 17mo old & he only had 1 of every letter to work with.

Happy Birthday Pops! We love you!!!

Oh, you missed out on the free pony rides yesterday..... Giddy UP Daddy!

(If the tax business tanks, Husband can go into the birthday party business as the creepy man pretending to be a pony--far less psychologically damaging than a clown)

3 Reasons to watch the Oscars tonight:

1) It will be interesting to see who accepts Heath's Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for The Dark Knight. We re-watched the movie Friday night---he's got my vote!

(I know, my vote doesn't mean JACK)

2) I look forward to seeing the UGLIEST dressed. I know some individuals don't have fashion sense, but come on people, HIRE someone that does!!
And the REAL reason I am going to watch.............

3) He's presenting.

I actually hope he presents early in the night so I don't have to watch the whole show. Big Love is on, and I can hear all about the winners & best/worst dressed tomorrow. I just don't want to miss an Edward sighting. (I know HIS real name is Rob, but I do not love Rob. I only love Edward.)

Crack Kills

I couldn't resist.

Window Shopping

Griffy, can Mommy have her computer back?

Come on Griffy, please give Mommy her computer back.

Pretty pleeeease??? With sugar on top??

I'll give you some M&Ms if you give me my computer back.
Ok, I'll give you the whole pack of M&Ms if you give me my computer back.

GIMME MY COMPUTER BACK!!!!! (on the floor, kicking & screaming)

I don't like to share my toys.

If I don't get a nightly blog posted, you all know why.....

Crap, Griffin is also addicted to blogging.

Not good.

Well, Husband is off playing volleyball & Griff is sleeping, so Mommy gets to do whatever she wants!!!
Go figure, the only night I get control over the remote & there is nothing good on TV.
I used to LOVE Thursday nights.
Grey's Anatomy followed by Private Practice.
Lately Thursday night TV has been sucking real bad.
I think Grey's is circling the drain.
The writers have been trying to revive this show for some time now. Their most recent (SUPER LAME) attempt was to do a crossover episode with Private Practice.
Great, now Private Practice (which actually hasn't been that bad lately) has been contaminated with the 'Sucky TV' virus. Now it's just a matter of time before Private Practice starts coding.

For goodness sakes, just make Grey's Anatomy DNR and let it go.

Unfortunately I have a feeling it is going to be a long drawn out VERY painful death.
So, since TV is rotten, I'll get crafting.

I love old windows.

See that cabinet below?

We found that window in our old house in Washington and my very talented father-in-law made the cabinet and used the window as a door for it.

Neato, eh?

I found the window that is hanging over our spare bed at a little antique store in Washington several years ago.

I think old windows can be used ANYWHERE for ANYTHING.

Just because old windows get replaced with shiny new ones, doesn't mean the old ones have no use. They have a lot of life left in them.

I found this big guy in South Amana a few weeks ago. It doesn't have glass, but I hope to one day hang it over a crib; so not having glass is OK with me. Plus it was significantly cheaper without the glass.

Tonight I took my trusty staple gun....

....12 sheets of pretty, pretty scrapbook paper.....

.......and stapled to my heart's content.

BEAUTIFUL!!!!

I know this would look fabulous with fabric too.

I can change it out quickly & inexpensively if I do decide to switch up the color scheme in the room.

Great, that only took about 20 minutes. Now what am I going to do?

Well, I didn't do any blog stalking last night, so I better catch up.