chemistry.

This camera's taken. Not mine. But don't we look good together?

4th picture 4th folder. And lulu carter.

Clare in Australia, from Lulu Carter, tagged me too!

I get excited to meet cool people and find fun new blogs. And I love hers. She takes fantastic pictures, makes bright & beautiful crafty things, and like I said, lives in Australia. 'nuf said. Cool.




So here's the 4th picture in my 4th folder.


Ripley's Aquarium in the Smokies. We went last summer.

Conan and I want our kids to do stuff. Not sit at home just because there's 5 of them. By myself, not so much. But when Conan has a chance, we'll go. Somewhere. We stay smart about it though. Like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade...probably won't try it. ever.

I always expect a kid to wander off, that way I'm obsessingly paying attention. Because let's face it, there really aren't any peepers on the back of my head. Contrary to popular belief.

And we're full believers in restraints. We prefer backpacks and strollers. "Hands on the cart" every two minutes or so.





And I tag Corrie, Sharstin, Cassy, and a bitty witt.

6th picture 6th folder.

Wonder Woman from the Amayzings tagged me. She's very sweet and she likes Smallville with me. Check out her blog; she's spunky. Her husband trains dogs. Just thought that may be a point of interest.

So here's the 6th picture in my 6th folder.

I didn't take this photo, my brother in law Seth did. With his fancy camera I covet. I did play with the pic in picnik, though. I can't resist.

I'm glad it's this picture, because Andy is so darn cute I can't stand it. He is totally ignoring his devoted coach, Dad, because he's all about the attention in the stands. Andy is the smallest kid on his team, and can hardly throw the ball above his head; but he grins like this the whole time he's playing. Just happy to be on court. The same way he approaches the rest of his cute little life.

Man, I just accidentally learned something. Andy doesn't care about how many shots, blocks, or rebounds he gets. He just plays, and loves it. So here's what's creeping in my brain right now...stop looking at the statistics, Cally. Watch your adorable kid, and forget about the scoreboard. Leave it messy, eat leftovers, let 'em yell. Don't make the whining personal. Grin; just happy to be on court.

Hmm. That deserves a magnet.

Thanks, Andy.
And Wonder Woman.

And Seth, for such great pictures of my boys.

save handmade.

Simply put, the Consumer Product Safety Inspection Act (CPSIA) says that all products made for children 12 and under must be put through extensive and expensive testing...making it impossible for most, if not all, small businesses and crafters to sell anything.

So if I wanted to sell you a doll, or a dress, I couldn't. Because I couldn't afford it.

If you wanted to buy a vintage storybook, you couldn't. Because the antique shop can't afford to test it.

If you like giving unique kid gifts, too bad. You couldn't afford them even if you found one.


The best thing you can do if this bugs you is to learn about it and then spread the word.

Sarah Jane Studios has the most informative post, in simple language, I've read. She has all the links you need to educate yourself on this, and she explains exactly what you can do.

Download the Etsy Action Kit.
Email your Senator.



Geesh.
Craziness.

a finished quilt is good for the soul.

so, I quilted.

I've had this quilt top in my closet for almost 3 years now.

Total Intimidation. It would smirk at me in a very condescending arrogance every time I stared at its possibilities. Like, I'm better than you. I could've just tied it up and stuck it in a dark corner, but that wouldn't have stopped it from yelling at me. It needed some real live quilting skills. I had decided on trading something of much value with a Quilted Sister to finish it for me.

However, I was inspired. And determined.

So I jumped in and accepted the consequences, which I love. I put a ruffle and an old button from my Grandma's stash on it (thanks mom), because the more I worked, the more personal it became. I love it.

I learned a couple valuable lessons:

don't make a plan.

there's always a pucker.

buy a walking foot. I'm not sure why exactly.

and a good quilt feels...good.

I'm proud of myself.

check out Poppytalk Handmade.

coasters. handmade julz.

i wheelie like you. chewing the cud.

celebrate love. creative thursday.

tin heart. little black rabbit.

be mine.

I'd like to buy the world a Fit...

'nuf said.

i love these....

recycled tees by Little Overcoat.

welcome to my destiny.

Anna Maria Horner. Good Folks. Soon to be all over my wall.

terry.

want.

watching history.

I invited (without options) the kids to watch the Inauguration with me today.


Joey kept asking where Hulk was.

Andy gave me a token comment, "Yeah mom. The guy's got a good job." Then he disappeared.

Dani braided my hair.

Jake stood on his head. Most of the time.

Kacie slept.

And now we have a new Mr. President.



I watched my kids watch.
And thought about how Dani may be 18 when we watch this again.
And thought about change.
And thought about Abraham Lincoln's bible, and Joey's new underwear, and Jake's excitement when he saw Oprah.
And thought about Sasha having sleepovers.


And about how tomorrow, today will be history.

So I better watch.

this is what Dani wants for her birthday.

Not a video game.
Not an animal.
Not pokemon.

A typewriter.


I love this girl.


(found this one on ebay...it's perfect...Dani loves yellow...ends Sunday...7 bids...i'm nervous...wish me luck...a typewriter.)


I lost the bid by $1 in the last 2 seconds. hmph.

potty confessions.

Joey's potty training this week, and I'm so happy. Not only because buying 1/2 the amount of diapers each month means more money left over for fancy peanut butter, but because my mom's here. So...so happy.

Oh, you say, so sweet. She loves her mom so much. And I do...oh I do...and I love baking bread and talking shop with my mom...but my jubilation is utterly selfish. Completely.

Because.

My mom is the ultimate Potty Trainer. And I have taken advantage.

Confession: I have only trained one of my 5 children. Dani. Jake did it himself, for the most part. My mom trained Andy 3 years ago. I had nothing to do with it. And now, while she's been emptying the portable plastic potty for the last 2 days for my 4th born, I've been...uh...I hesitate to say...shopping.

I know. Brat.

Here is where I lose all credibility and no longer relate to my loyal and loving blog readers because now I have admitted my spoiled rotten-ness. Yes, indeed, I spent a complete 3 hours ALONE at Marshalls and Old Navy finding deal upon deal and resisting impulse buys, while my sweet and so generous mother whom I love so much was at home teaching my child how to pee in a pot.

It's kinda like when Kate + her 8 gets the free trip to the penguin farm and you're like "uh, this isn't real life. Whatever." Or when you love a blog because the author is so much like you and then she talks about her appearance on Martha. But you still love her, you just know there's no longer a chance she'll be your bff someday. Or when the lady at church says she's so tired because she only got 8 hours of sleep last night and your sleep-deprived self is like "I hate you."

Don't worry guys. I don't sleep much. I still work hard and suffer with you in all other areas of yuckiness. I wipe the noses, the dirty bums, the unidentified stickiness.

But yet, it's true. I did shop.

A little guilt. I got a pair of Levis for $15.

Thanks mom. You're the best. I love you.

perfect Valentine for your lovey.

The Man Pit.


it's all about your level of committment.

goose grease.

I love these guys. I want...I mean...I would very much enjoy a custom Cruze family to sit on my mantel. I'm not sure how Michelle and Kelly would get Joey's finger up his nose, though, if we're going for details here.

They're pretty talented. I'm sure they could figure it out.

Each picture is linked to their Etsy site. Check 'em out.

better than Christmas.

I cleaned so hard I moved the couches. Do you guys do that every time? Me, not so much.

Little did I know the festival of new discoveries this would unleash or I would've done it long ago.

Not only did the repositioned stinky sectional suddenly gain a whole new respect in its new temporary placement, but we're talking City of Lost Toys people! Better than Christmas, says Andy. And indeed it was. They jumped and squealed and cheered with every new inch of exposed carpet. It was like revealing a goody bag of sweet memories; over and over.

Andy found MarioPinball, his "motht favwitetht lotht thing...evoh!!", and a random green stretchy bracelet that suddenly had special meaning.

Joey found books, cars, the red connect four piece that has been haunting his empty space on the grid, darts, pokemons, and nasty half eaten snack bags galore. They're not allowed to have food in the bonus room; and there it was in its sneaky glory.

I am happy to have found 4 lost hair accessories. A good bleaching of these ouchless babies and I'm back to ponytails. Woohoo!

And finally, the one we're all real thrilled about....
The BurpMaster 2000.

Take it away Kacie.



Fabulous.

isabelle.

I used to sneak into the basement and steal fabric from the big box to make bags for my bears and girlie trinkets. Now it's electronics. Isabelle gets a cozy little home for her new Nintendo DS and portable DVD player. With pockets just the right size to hold Nintendogs. So fun.

I love straight A's.

And my hard working kids.

Friday was report card day. I love report card day.

My kids are not only hard workers, but they're smarter than me. And I'm so grateful. Because Krispy Kreme awards straight A students with half dozen hot doughtnuts if they bring in their report cards.

HOw cool is that?

Very cool.

So after our "you deserve something cool" reward trip to Target (walking in with a whole lot of indesicion, and leaving with Pokemon cards and a Tiny Pet Shop trinket, and covergirl pressed powder) we ventured into the beloved building of joy and happiness, picked up some hats, some free doughnuts, and I kissed my kids. Again.

And then we ate doughnuts.

Good job, Dani & Jake. You're awesome.

Melissa's Mexican Fiesta Biscuit Bake

For Caryn.

Go beyond chicken and potatoes.

Spicy dinner making powers, activate.

1 (1 lb. 1.3 oz) can Pillsbury Grand Biscuits

1 (16.oz) jar thick and chunky salsa

12 oz Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 Tbsp chopped cilantro

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

4 chicken breasts, cooked and diced

sour cream for topping

Cut your biscuits into quarters and put them in a big bowl. Add salsa, cheese, green pepper, onion, cilantro, garlic, and chicken. Stir it up.

Place mixture in a greased casserole pan. Bake uncovered 35-40 minutes.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream.

Melissa made this for all of us last week. It was so so so good, so I tried it right away at my own table. Every single one of my kids loved it. I even got the "this is the best dinner in the world" award last night.

But even better, the "you should be on Food Network Star" trophy came out a couple times, too.

Those words make me happy.

Thanks Melissa.

My hair is deeply moisturized.

Beauty products kill brain cells.

I did a few wild and crazy things in my old age and wrinkly face, I'm willing to admit...I bought products last month...and I started a face washing regimen. I've never really washed my face before. I'd rinse it, maybe use a cotton ball, do the Noxema splash, but that's it. Never with hair pulled back and the washcloth and the soapy eyes mummy walk to find the towel. So, I liked the new Dove commercials and chose to browse the beauty aisle. As a result, I've become bedtime buddies with the gentle exfoliating Dove soap bar, a washcloth, astringent, the lotion, and the mummy walk. The whole shebangbang. And I pluck. Which has nothing to do with my story.

So here's where it gets good, bad, and ugly...

As we were packing for Alabama I grabbed my face lotion and threw it in the toiletries bag with my tweezers. Then, for the first time in like a month I took a second look at my hair de-frizzer to decide if I really needed to take it with me.


And I was like...



Because. And this is why...

The bottle on the left is my face lotion. The bottle on the right is my hair cream.

*** the crickets chirp here.

Uh...NO it's NOT!!

Big humongo DUMB!!

So there it is, my beauty product buying friends and forever family who will choose not to make fun of me. The reason I don't call. My brain is dumb. And my rebellious hair is apparently untamed. But it is UVA Protected.

Here are my excuses for the mix up...


um.


In my defense, they are both 4 oz. Very similar.


Dear 2009,
I promise, with all fibers of my being, to pay more attention when applying anything creamy onto my body, or any soft surface, and to leave the beauty deals for the smart people. I will not allow genius marketing skills to target my 30 something vulnerability. And I will write a letter to the Dove top dogs explaining the miraculous results I've had using their hair cream. On my face!

The end.

Dumb.


I'm making Mexican Fiesta Biscuit Bake tonight. in case someone needs ideas. And still believes in me.

drinking chocolate.

Dump all this in a big pot

and heat until the chips melt

and the heavens open.

1 cup chocolate chips

1 1/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder

2/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

4 cups water

You can adjust the chocolate and water

if it's too rich for you. Wimp.

i've learned this lesson before.

don't leave popcorn unattended.

ever.

and...don't leave bonnie or clyde unattended.

ever.

both life lessons are important to remember. again.

Alabama Vacation Photoshare.

Stone Mountain Georgia & Taladega State Park.