additions

new year
some new additions
to my colorful (if its not bright...don't bring it here)
happy
home Thank you Crystal

we all LOVE our Chloe dollie

Sa-Weeeeeeet !!

the cuckoo clock ..... remember her

finally got a spot on the wall

I attempted to get it fixed.....but after much tinkering

no luck

working or not....this is one of my favorite pretties

tempts me to nibble on it every time I walk by.....looks like candy

the rocks look just like the everlasting gobstoppers from the original

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie

let me get a show of hands

how many of you LOVE

to find old

perfectly beat-up and worn down furniture

(I know YOU do)

at the thrift store

for under $20

this functional and so so aqua piece is by the front door and

GREAT for dog leashes....sweaters

umbrellas....tote bags.....because storage is one thing I cant' get enough of

Chloe....can ya help mama out....I need me some new magnets

color some space pictures

stick them on a magnetic sheet

cut them out

adorable robot magnet

made by my one and only.....love these

my favorite new way to mat a photo or print

scrapbook paper

truly....
try it

have a happy day

yep

This morning the hubs and I were discussing
the mess that is our country
as the news was reporting on the upcoming
State of the Union Address
and how it just seems there is nothing that
can be done.....when in pops Chloe
" the president can't fix this world.....only God can fix this world"
true
that is the TRUTH
thank goodness we have our children to remind us......out of the mouths of babes.

have a happy day

I get it now........

I can recall
when I was small
over-hearing people say
"she never shuts-up"
"talk talk talk"
" oh my gosh.....is she ever quiet?"
It echoes in my ears as I LISTEN to Chloe
talk talk TALK talk
all the time
blah blah blah
about ....... anything......everything
I get it now
I love for Chloe to come sit with me
scrooch up close
nuzzle in my neck
sweet
THEN
she needs to get up
she needs a book ..... a littlest pet shop critter
a snack
and UGH......AGHHH....there is it
the elbow
right in my side
why?
why must she push off in my ribcage?
I know why.....because I did.....I remember hearing
"April....watch your elbows"
When she is on my lap
oh the bony little butt
Yes....yes.....heard that too
"you have the boniest butt"
I remember thinking.....how can you say that
a butt is....well you know....cushy
but
I get it now
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
think back.....what do you get now ?

how bout' this......I'll pick the most endearing one....the one I like the most....no random
eyes closed picking here.......just the one that makes me say....oh yea.....that too. I get that now too.
The winner gets THIS just in time for Valentine's day.
I will pick a winner soon.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
and if you have been keeping up....He's HOME !!!!!!!


have a happy day

y says i

The days of the alphabet are gone
no longer are they just letters
the letters now make words
they are building blocks
Chloe is reading....and reading well.
I read her a book at night
and then she reads me a book
Its fun....its sweet....and let's be honest at times
its frustrating
You do not really notice how crazy the
English language is until you have
a little reader....a lot of it makes no sense at all
silent letters..."y" says "i" ....so on and so on.....
and it's often hard to explain

In honor of the simpler ABC days gone by
Some of my favorite Alphabet prints.
source

source

source

source

source

alrighty....bye

pronounced "bi"...sometimes "y" says "i"

have a happy day

the light and the heavy

something light
hulu
do you know hulu?
I'm wondering because I shared hulu with a certain Lemony bloggy etsy besty computer buddy of mine
and she knew nothing of it
well if you are in the same boat as Miss Shelly of Lemon Tree
hulu rocks

When you go there you can
watch
The Facts of Life
oh my gosh...I heart me some Facts of Life

and

and

and

you can watch One Day at a Time

I love the old clothes

and the vintage decor

and it has such a catchy tune with a really good message

This is it.

This is it.

This is life, the one you get

So go and have a ball.

This is it.

This is it

Straight ahead and rest assured

You can't be sure at all.

So while you're here enjoy the view

Keep on doing what you do

So hold on tight we'll muddle through

One day at a time,

One day at a time.

So up on your feet.

Up on your feet

Somewhere there's music playing.

Don't you worry none

We'll just take it like it comes.

One day at a time, one day at a time. One day at a time, one day at a time. One day at a time, one day at a time. One day at a time, one day at a time.

get yourself on over to hulu and have some fun

watch some old shows

that take you back and give you that cozy comfy feeling....

back when perhaps life was simpler and easier

something heavy

Haiti

The LOVELY and compassionate Amy of Stinky Toes is auctioning off

this skeleton key necklace for Heartline Ministries in Haiti

You can check that out HERE

continue to pray......that is something anyone can do.

have a happy day

anything

hi.....Haiti still on my mind and heart here...especially the precious children.

READ THIS NOW

if there is anything you can do......thank you !!

have a happy day

Haiti

Pioneer Woman....doing something wonderful

go HERE now.....comment !!!!!

have a happy day

can you text ??

Yes ???
you can ???

Excellent !!

it is that easy to send a small donation to the Red Cross for relief in Haiti.

You can read all about it here

get your fingers moving and remember to pray for Haiti.

have a happy day

Hubert's Hair-Raising Adventure

........ an adventure indeed.
This book was so fun to read......a whopping 38 pages some (including you) may feel its too long for kids especially for a bed-time story.
Well...I personally....feel no book is too long...READING is one of the best things we
can do for...with...and in front of our kiddos.
Ignore the 38 pages of Hubert's Hair-Raising Adventure......and just read....it's so rhythmic....it flows and is so cute and
funny....it will be over before you know it....and you may just wish it wasn't
Such a GREAT lil' story.

Chloe LOVED this book.....as did I.

have a happy day

anger

alright....talk to me Moms
I am working on family rules....family must dos
We have reached a point where I think this is necessary
Chloe is growing up fast and the attitude and the mouth are growing right along with her
What are some of your rules....the good ones...not do your chores....be kind...yea yea yea....I know all of that...what CREATIVE rules do you have ?
and ANGER
how do you urge your kids to handle Anger Chloe has started having ourbursts.....yelling...name-calling...saying things she shouldn't say
I don't want her to keep it in...but I want her to let it out correctly...if there is a correctly.
So especially tell me....how do you handle anger.
I know modeling has a lot to do with it....and Yep...Chloe has seen more than one outburst from me and the hubs...but that's water under the bridge.....what to do now?

alright.....ready ..... set....GO !!
Talk.

have a happy day

Did someone say cute ?

I'm hooked
on these adorable
vintage banks
so much that I am making an excuse to
hopefully
own most of them
Chloe is going to become a vintage bank collector
that's right
I'm making that decision for her
it completely justifies buying all these cuties
doncha think?
now don't ya'll go getting attached found here....but don't go buy her

found here....but don't go buy him either

the cow...the cow...I LOVE the cow

found here

and yea....don't go buy that one either

cross my heart I love you too

found here

answer is still no ya'll

I'm not lyin'...I love this guy too

found here

not that you care....right ?

cause you don't want him...right ?

stop it with this adorable school house

found here

you don't need it....trust me

found here

Mr. Rooster says its time to save

and I say its time for you to forget I ever showed you these

they are completely dreadful and you would never want to own one

I will do all I can to see that they all find a good home

you need not worry (wink)

have a happy day

trash

Do you think you are Earth aware ?
Do you do all you can......some stuff.....a few things to make a difference?
I rarely think about what I'm doing to the Earth.....I find myself suddenly becoming aware and before I turn around I'm thinking about what I want for dinner or rubbing my neck cursing myself for standing at the studio table tooooo long last night.....or thinking about what book Chloe and I will read at bedtime.
Truth is.....I don't work taking care of the Earth into my day...my week...my life.
While I don't blantantly ABUSE the Earth....I don't feel I do all I can.

I stumbled upon TerraCycle
perhaps your child's school does this
It's simple
You collect trash.....certain trash
juice pouches
candy wrappers
chip bags
scotch tape dispensers
corks
empty ink pens and markers
and there are many more
you request the FREE SHIPPING labels
and send these goodies to TerraCycle
and they make ...........

Trash Can
Pencils

Bags

Clipboards

Gift Bows (my fave )

another cute bag

You join one or more brigades ( a group that collects one certain item)

You can make a team (church, neighborhood, friends) or just do it alone

After you send in your trash a check is mailed to the charity of your choice....so its double good !!!

Go check TerraCycle out

it just may be the one thing you can do.

have a happy day

a want

I don't have many wants
I don't really need anything
I am fortunate and lucky
but if the little girl in me could speak for just a moment
if the "I want" in me could just peek out of it's dark cave for one second
I really want a Blythe doll
I'm not completely sure why
I know....seems crazy to want to spend hundreds on a doll
that I don't even know why I want
They are just so very beautiful
and fun
and those eyes
and did you know...you move their eyes with pull stings....ha....how cool.
I just need one
to play with
to dress up
to pose and photograph
and I would not have to worry about Chloe snatching her
Chloe.....well...she dislikes dolls. Eve Prom Queen from Gnome Hut's flickr
Don't you just want her.....serious.

My Blythe Family on fuchsia's flickr

The boots......the tights......how cute ?

Blythe Rainbow on Katina's flickr

I don't' even have a word for this......amazing.

My Blythe will probably need this wig from Shopoholican

and certainly this polka dot dress from Jolie Doll Shop

and PEACE....what is life without a little Peace, even for a Blythe ?

so cute from Pistachio Libby

Are you a Blythe girl?

Do you know a place to purchase them where I can get a phenomenal deal?

Now this is just between me and you.....hubs would FREAK if he thought I would spend hundreds on a doll...being that I am over the age of 12.

If he does spot her on my shelf....I can tell him I found her thrifting....so Shhhhhhhh.....haha!

have a happy day

mmmmk....fabric, chicken and teeth....this will be so random

If you LOVE fabric....and even if you don't
go HERE for an over the moon fabric giveaway from
this sweetie !!!

Calling all cooks....have you ever cooked with ground chicken ??
How's that....do tell.
I'm lookin' at this recipe

Moms.....did you or do you keep your kids baby teeth?

told you this would be random

have a happy day

some things I know today

* a weenie dog LOVES some laundry fresh out of the dryer

* it's too darn cold here.......can't take it......perhaps why the weenie dog is extra lovin' some HOT laundry....hmmmmmmmm.

* it's impossible to clean a 5 year olds hands after devouring hot wings with just 2 of those tiny restaurant handi-wipes

* if I purchase even one more vintage sheet the dogs will have to start living in the garage....out of room.....got 3 more today....YUM !

* Pete & Pickles is one of the sweetest books I have read in a long time.....go get it.

have a happy day

January

Welcome to January
January is crazy and tiresome for lil ole me
why ?
Well here is what I do to myself in January
It begins on Christmas day
when I and the 2 other members of my family
bring home STUFF !!!!!!
I do NOT like clutter
I do not KEEP anything (except for MY crafty stuff)
I know that is what you were thinking Summer and Shelly so I said it for you
anywho
I FREAK out in January
I make numerous trips to Goodwill
I re-arrange furniture
I give things to friends and family
I make lists for
hardware stores
paint shops
home decor shops
I set out to re-do EVERY room in the house...hallways included.
Why do I not tackle one room at a time?
Its the stuff that does it........we have too much stuff........we get too much stuff......we even asked for less stuff this year...for ourselves and Chloe....and we still got oodles of stuff.
I feel so wasteful....tossing out perfectly good items
cause they get under my skin
cause I get tired of finding places to stick stuff.
Oh geeez...Im exhausting myself just telling it to you........

So at least try help me with a little mind clutter

the photo on the left is a fabric I snagged at IKEA
LOVE LOVE....gonna be something fun for the shop...when I can focus.
the photo on the right is stickers....the balloon in the center is probably
2 foot high....I thought about matting them on some pretty fabric or paper and framing them
for Chloe's room.....what do ya think ??

ugh...now this

I fell in LOVE with these cute lil lights at IKEA

sweet lil flowers about.....18 inches wide

the idea of cords running down my wall though...really tries the neat freak in me

do you like them?

are they cute or gawdy?

and ideas for making the cords....well....cuter?

I'm in need some sleep now....as soon as I move this nightstand......night night

have a happy day