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November 5, 2012

If Only There Were Thanksgiving Carols…

This morning, I looked over at Topher and nonchalantly said, “I’m ready to put my tree up.” He replied, “Christmas tree?” And I said, “Yep.”

I know I haven’t packed away my Halloween decorations yet, but as soon as I do I want a Christmas wonderland. Thanksgiving decorations are kind of lame, so I just want to fast forward to my favorite holiday.

Topher disagrees. He thinks it’s too soon. I usually but my tree up on the day after Thanksgiving (which he thinks is too early), but I think this year he might get overruled.

Here’s the thing, I put a lot of effort into my Christmas decor, and I want to enjoy it. The people out there that wait til the week of Christmas to get their trees baffle me (if you are one of these people I’m sure you have your reasons). Why go through the effort just to take it down again in a few days.

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November 2, 2012

What a Doll

I have this memory, from way back in my childhood, of sitting in the passenger seat of my grandma’s giant Buick, watching her scan the small town’s side streets with her eagle eyes, my small hands ready to pry open the huge car door and chase her up the next driveway, pursuing another treasure hunt.

After my grandpa passed away, she had to find a way to support herself and my cousin, whom she was raising. She started going to garage sales and buying antique dolls. She would buy dolls for super cheap, a lot of the time in sad condition, and then she would spend hours putting their hair in rollers, scrubbing their bodies, and sewing little dresses for them. It was a ton of work, but a way for her to stay home with my cousin and work from there.

Every couple of months she would have a doll sale. She supported herself by doing what she loved. She sold tons of dolls but kept the best ones for herself. She had 3 rooms in her home completely filled with antique dolls — some of them worth thousands. For a little housewife from a farm an hour outside Wichita, she became a pretty shrewd business woman. People came from all over to buy from her and sometimes work trades.

As a little girl, going into those rooms was magical for me. When I brought friends over to her home, they were awestruck.

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October 31, 2012

I Wanna Be a Star

I was watching Dancing with the Stars last night, and I decided I am going to be on that show. I am currently weighing the pros and cons.

Cons:

Bloody, painful feet. They show the stars with their feet covered in blisters and band-aids when they take off their pretty dancing shoes.
It takes me a while to learn things (can you say kickboxing?) especially the older I get. You have very little time to learn these complex routines, and I wouldn’t want Maksim screaming at me like he does the stars on the show and making me cry. I don’t cry like soap stars where there face looks normal and there is just a single tear running down their face. When I cry, I have the ugly cry, with red splotches on my face, my nose runs and my face gets puffy. I wouldn’t want the fans at home to have to see that. …
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October 26, 2012

Charming Charlie

So far, I have told you Gracie‘s story and LuLu‘s story. Well, we have one little white dog left: Charlie.

After having Gracie and Lulu, I thought we were done — as far as dogs go. My daughter and I (before Topher got involved also) volunteer at the humane society. One day when we were working, we passed a kennel with the tiniest, snow white, 5 month old, fluff ball inside, jumping insanely and barking unbelievably loud for a dog that size.

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October 25, 2012

Kickboxing Queen (And the Wallpaper Lined Bookshelf)

I need to go to the gym. It’s been months since I have been there, and my body is looking sad. I think I would enjoy a class but the last time I did, terrible, bad things happened.

Once upon a time, I decided to take a kickboxing class. I had a Tae Bo video, and I frequently did that 20 minute video like a golden gloves champ, so how different could an organized class be? For starters … this 60 minute class more than doubled my workout time.

So, I walk into the class, and I notice everyone in there looks abnormally fit (red flag #1). In walks our perky, blonde, buff instructor: Debbie. Debbie yells out in her bubbly voice “Let’s go!” (making that circle around motion like a sergeant in the movies), and without a word, everyone bolts from the room (red flag #2).

I’m intrigued. Where the heck are the going? Maybe it’s over? Best.Class.Ever.

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October 22, 2012

Feeling Blue (My Turquoise Chandelier )

Remember the turquoise chandelier redo that I did a few weeks ago? It sat around here for weeks and my hubby kept asking when I was going to list it for sale. I just couldn’t decide what I wanted for it and I really just didn’t want to let it go. So I didn’t.

It is now hanging in my kitchen!

It was horrible for poor Topher to get that heavy thing up the ladder and hang it that high, but he was a trooper and did a great job.

I love it.

For everyone who has asked I the color I used was Rustoleum’s Seaside.

Now I just need him to paint my cabinets white and put in a new backsplash that has a little blue in it to tie it all together. He will be so excited to do that! (not). Anyway here are the new pics.