Kicked that goals butt...or did it kick mine.

In March, Jeff and I set out to redo the backyard after Joe commented that it looked like "a crime scene from a scary movie." We set the goal of completing it before Memorial Day and we did. To add even more fuel to the fire, I planned Tara's going away party for this weekend to ensure I'd have it done. I have spent every minute the last 9 days planning and working on this party so although it was fun I am glad to see it pass. We were able to spend time with family...Chris and Katy are in town. Mark and Stephanie were also here with their kiddos for four nights and it was a blast to have them.

The party was full of candlelight, yummy desserts, fresh flowers, mason jars, and laughing. There were a lot more teenage kiddos there than I thought there would be so the truth was it could have been hosted at CiCi's Pizza and it wouldn't have mattered to them. But, it was a great practice run for all of the summer fun we plan to have the next few months.

I have been chilling out this afternoon and have a plan for 100 days of summer organizing. Jeff just caught me making the list and it is further confirmation that I am nuts. More to come soon...in the meantime, enjoy the party pics.

The only person who likes change is...

The only person who like change is a wet baby. And me apparently.

I haven't blogged in a while and even though I am really not in the mood, I thought a few quick thoughts were in order...please excuse the randomness.

-Nick just lost his second tooth...his first one was last weekend and the tooth fairy had no change so he got $20. The big kids were outraged.

-Backyard is done'ish...wicked tired, my whole body hurts still, but it was worth it. Met Skip from Willing Workers who spent the day with us last week in the yard. He was a great help and seemed like a good guy who just needs to get going in the right direction.

-Work is work. Still good, but little things are bothering me and they didn't use to. Cynicism setting in? Leading cause of government employees turning into crap employees. Can't let that happen.

- Living room done. I love it. Bad timing. "I think I'm losing my mind this time, this time I'm losing my mind." Beautful.Color. Grandma'ish. Birds. Blue. Brown. Old.

-Company for the next 4 days...

-Tired of questions. Wish the "shift" key on my laptop wasn't broken....ugh.

-Tara leaving in two weeks. I'm sad and can't think about it without tearing up...oh no, It's happening now.

-Confused. Tired. Need to learn to rest. It is a joke in my house that I can't sit still...not funny anymore. Except for in my tub...my happy place.

-Have a idea. I love it! learning about something new. Passionate. Probably not a great idea, but I still love it.

-Craving different. Change. Different. Need to just be...all is well, really.

I think I may actually feel a little better. That was worth it.

Note to self...literally

If I ever discover a time machine here is the letter I would bring to "past me..."

Dear Self,

On Tuesday you will come up with a great idea to repaint your perfectly fine living room. You will convince Jeff to start this project...but know this...he will abandon you in the process. Starting Wednesday night you will spend every spare minute in this painting hell. In two to three hour increments you will complete not one, not two, but three coats of paint over a FIVE day period. But it doesn't stop there. All of the trim will look like ka-ka so you will then have to repaint all of the trim...twice. But you will discover that the joker who painted the trim before you used an oil based paint, so your enamel paint will chip...ah!!!

You will start out thinking that you will just start this living room redo with the paint and then leisurely finish it throughout the summer. What you failed to remember is that you are crazy...and you do nothing at a leisurely pace. Therefore, you will hurriedly start sewing curtains. repainting furniture, ordering new fabric, making pillows, and feverishly rearrange furniture...really? Is any of this necessary? No. Future self is here to tell you don't do it! Finish the other 4 projects you have started, wash some laundry, and take a freaking nap instead...dummy!

You've been warned,
C

Stress=Mess

I am thankful for my job. I love the work, the Air Force, the people (most of them), and overall if you have to go somewhere everyday, it is a good place to go. This week however has not been fun. I made a mistake...opps...that is causing some stress in my work world. I have to remind myself that it is just work and move on while trying not to become grumpy or cynical.

So last night I convinced Jeff to paint my living room for me today...or at least start. This is no fun project with the five window, molding, fireplace, and doorway...a trip to the dentist would be more fun. But, he agreed after a little negotiating. I get home from work today and as I start to get settled in I realize EVERY room in my house is a wreck!! I don't mean a little untidy...I also don't mean an episode of "Hoarders" bad. But, bad enough that if someone dropped by I wouldn't let them in the door. WHY...Why did I insist I start this living room now? I've lost my senses and all though I have not said it out loud...Jeff was right. There was nothing at all wrong with this room. So, I have a mess. But, here is the crazy part. This mess is making me smile. Instead of going to church (I know, I know) I changed into the world's greatest painting pants (which were cut off to painting shorts about a year ago) and grabbed a roller. In a few hours I was able to get a good first coat done on most of the room and prep the windows. I then started sewing the curtains that I have had sitting in the office for over a month, A quick clean up of the kitchen and a load of laundry and I am wired!! I honestly just considered hauling furniture out into the yard to paint...then I remembered my Wagner is busted...darn it. But, I feel better, I really do. I think maybe the anticipation of change is exciting. I can picture it in my mind. Yippee!

Above is the picture of my wreck of a living room. Sorry about the crappy picture, my real camera is broken. The furniture in the middle...the walls half painted...Caroline's Zebra chair in the room from the weekend. Oh my...I think I need a day off.

For the first time this year we grilled out and have started enjoying our new backyard. Thanks to a "new to us" grill from my dad (he feels the need to replace his every third year...we feel the need to take the slightly older, still in great shape hand me downs) we had delicious cheeseburgers. The kids played kickball in the new grass (thank you Jesus) and I hung out on my gigantic bench while Jeff grilled.

Nick announced that he won two first place ribbons in field day today and Jeremy retold the story of how a few years ago he fell during the hula hoop race and lost it for the whole class. We laughed.

Porkchop spent dinner under the table hoping someone would drop something and Jeff and I did some math on how much sod would be needed to fill in the "I refuse to grow grass" holes that are in the yard.

During kickball after dinner the kids took turns "accidentally" falling in the pool they were not to go it...aw shucks. Speaking off accidents, it looks like Jeff's new watch "accidently" got in one of the pictures.

I wish I could spend the rest of the night chilling out and reading my new "People Style," but Jay has a trombone lesson in 11 minutes. I know music practice at 7:30 p.m...yuck!

Hmmm...a little randomness

Caroline bought a bird on Sunday and she named him "Lime." She has been attending puppy training every Sunday afternoon with Jayne and Dudley. Each week she calls from the pet shop crying and begging for a hamster. A hamster! Whatever. Here are the reasons we will never have a furry little hamster friend...

1) Hamsters are rodents in my book and it is not happening.

2) They get out and roam your house for day...ugh!

3) Porkchop would eat it. I really think so.

So instead, I agreed on a bird. So far, so good. In fact, I don't think Porkchop has even realized there is something alive in the cage.

A bird...how random is that? Here are a few other random words to describe this week...

stress

recitals

concerts

piano

laundry

yard work
sore back

chalk

teal dress

Girls Night Out

Glee

chocolate please

new watch

rental taxes

dentist

new idea

the list goes on and on...but, I don't. I need a bubble bath. Did I mention we think Lime is lonely? Care is going to get him a friend tomorrow. She decided the new bird needs to blue and she is going to name in Sky.

Yellow=happy?

I have been told before that I wear a lot of "color." Okay...I'm not sure if that was meant to be nice or not. But, I have made a new discovery this spring. I think it may be possible that yellow has super powers. I have a new love for all things yellow...especially when paired with navy blue...love it! A week ago I wore a hand me down yellow dress (thanks Tara) on Friday to work. I must have had10 people make comments on this simple yellow sun dress that most likely cost $12 and came from Ross. But, I felt like throughout the day I had an extra little bounce in my step and for that I am crediting the yellow.

A couple months ago I bought some yellow shoes, mostly because the were peep toe, sling back wedges that also had...wait for it...ruffles. Ruffles being my other new fascination right now. Well after I bought them I got my new tattoo and was not sure that the brightly colored shoes and the brightly colored art were a match. So they have sat in my closet, tags still on, taunting me each morning. When I was getting dressed this Wednesday morning a buttoning my yellow and white cardigan I decided I would give these new shoes a try. I was out and about for work a lot that day (and squeezed in some thrift store furniture shopping on my way home) and every where I went someone commented on the yellow shoes. Proving again that yellow has the power to make people smile. If you too are interested in these shoes you can find them at payless.com...click here and I think it will bring you there. By the way, they are doing BOGO now and were not when I bought mine...so I would recommend also picking them up in brown.