Painting & Pointless Trips to the Mall....

What a title!!! LOL I couldn't think of anything else to call my assortment of stories. This morning after I dropped Noah off, I went to Different Strokes to meet some of the neighborhood gals. They have a coffee get together every Friday morning and one of them had suggested we paint coffee mugs. I got there late which as a newbie, I should have known better. It is always best to arrive on time when you don't know everyone. It was kind of awkward when I walked in and they were already all painting and chatting. Let me clarify that they are all extremely NICE, it is just me who feels like the outsider. I have to kind of sense my way around the group and know exactly when to talk and when to just shut up and listen. Does anyone understand that awkward feeling of being the new kid on the block??? Somehow, I managed to paint a decent mug. I chose to do some sort of glaze thing that is very simple. I hope it turns out ok. There were a couple of times where I said things and then wondered if people thought I was an idiot!!! I HATE THAT FEELING!!! I just don't know them well enough yet! To make matters worse, the one I am closest to did not show up. Oh well, I survived and I should have a cute mug to show for it!!!

After the painting party, I ran to the mall. I have been out of my hairspray for almost two weeks and the only reason I went to the mall was so I could go to Trade Secret. Well wouldn't you know it, their debit card system was down and of course I DIDN'T have my checkbook. I tried to go get cash out at the ATM machine nearby, but they were down as well. I left without my hair products and trying not to throw a mini temper-tantrum!!! Somedays are good, somedays are great, and some like today you just shrug your shoulders and thank the Lord for a house you can retreat to! ;)

Did someone declare it "whiney day"?

Seriously!!! All 3 of my children woke up with a bad case of it! The twins were incredibly hard to pull out of bed...yes I said PULL!!! Then they complained about what we had to eat, complained and whined about their clothes, whined about how tired they were, etc. Noah whined because I couldn't "hold" him. He did this while I was driving and I tried to explain to him that mommy can't hold him and drive at the same time!!! Then he whined because he said his shoes didn't match his outfit. I don't know whether I should be more upset about the whining or that he was worried about color combinations!!!!! Good grief! No one was happier then I after dropping all of them at their respective schools! I got myself a LARGE at Seattle Drip and ran to the grocery for a few things. Since it is "whiney day", then I will not buck the trend. My whine is this: why are organic and "healthy" foods so darn expensive??? why does Brookshires *insist* on taking your groceries (even if you only have 3 things) to the car for you???, and why do big large vans always seem to park next to me and make it incredibly hard to pull out??? OK, done.....now back to regular Wednesday. I declare "whiney day" officially over! ;)

My House: The Keeping Room

Here in the South, all of the new houses have what is called a "keeping room". It is basically a room connected to the kitchen with a fireplace and a space for your tv and sitting area. It is one of those "all purpose" rooms where you do alot of "living". I had a keeping room at my home in LA, but we didn't use it very much as there was no tv and it was a different layout. In my new home, this is one of the things that I love the most. We really do spend alot of time in the kitchen and the kids are eating their snack at the table, etc. They can see the tv and if I am cooking, we are all together! It is so nice to have this space. I just got my bamboo blinds installed last week. I get them in every house it seems and I just LOVE them. This room is basically finished. I would like to eventually get a rug and a really cool painting of the kids to put on one of the bare walls. Of course, I can't do that right now, so this will have to do!!! Click on the pic to see it larger! NOTE: ** I think the small boy seated at the table adds a decorative touch...don't you agree?

Thursday already?

Where did my week go? Seriously, it has been so busy around here that I feel out of control. I can't stand that feeling. I never intend to be super busy, but I have a hard time saying no to things. We are gradually getting back into the school groove, but it has been difficult. Noah goes to school everyday and while I LOVE the 3 hrs every morning, I feel like I live in my car. I have some *potential* plans to start teaching dance again but I will post about that when all the details are worked out. I took a few pictures of a room in my house that is near completion ( every other room has something left that needs to be hung or is lacking decor,furniture, etc). I will try to post today! HAVE A BLESSED THURSDAY!

Weekend Fun...

I am alone in my house so I thought I would blog! This week just flew by! It seems like I say that alot now! It is shaping up to be a nice weekend, but a busy one. Last night was an evening my girls have been looking forward to. Can you guess what it was? They have been counting the days until the debut of 'High School Musical 2'. We were invited across the street to a HSM party! Apparently, the whole neighborhood decided to come too. I was quite impressed that my new friend S had this at her home. It was packed with kids running everywhere, popcorn all over the floor, and lots of great food! We had a really fun time and I am starting to feel like I know more of my neighbors now. This morning the twins had their first soccer practice of the season. Dad took them so I will be anxious to hear about it when they return. This afternoon, they are headed to a pool party at one of their friends homes. I am going to take them to that and it will be fun to visit with some of the other moms. Tonight, we have a sitter coming and are going to meet some friends for dinner. Tomorrow will be church and hopefully some REST! Greg is headed out on Monday for a week to go to a meeting in CA! It would happen to be a week when I have school functions on two of those nights! Oh well, we will manage. I hope all my friends and family enjoy a nice and relaxing weekend! :)

Look who is in Pre-school.......

Today, my little boy started pre-school. He is going to go 5 days a week in the mornings and then starting in September he will go until 2 on Wednesdays. He had a wonderful first day and is now exhausted! Noah was the teachers helper today and he also sustained a small *injury* to his hand that required a bandaid ( by that I mean a small scrape). Apparently, he and his new buddy Jake were ramming their trucks too hard. All in all, a great first day. What did Mommy do with 3 hrs to herself? Well she went to Walmart alone and then enjoyed some quiet time at home. Can't wait for tomorrow! ;)


THEN...


NOW....

*** If you want a laugh, remember this post....

http://andrea-livingalegacy.blogspot.com/2007/02/i-said-i-wouldnt-do-it-but.html

Pass the Ibuprofen please...

Shopping with two almost 10 year olds is not fun. I don't know why I told myself that it would be. Saturday afternoon, we left the house on a mission....or so I thought. I told the girls that we were looking for long shorts, not toys! HA HA! I was the one in the crowded store doing a juggling act with all of the outfits. The twins were the ones casually browsing through all of the *cool* accessories, "high school musical" stuff, and Webkins! I tried to keep my calm, but I just don't do well in crowds. I think I blogged about that once!!! It took an act of congress to get them to try things on and we had major disagreements on what was cute and what wasn't. They certainly did not like most of the tops that I thought were cute! To say that they are picky would be an understatement. FINALLY, we made our selections and then stood in line to check out. After they picked me up off of the floor ( that would be due to the total, that I still don't understand), we left the store. How can four little outfits cost that much money??? They said "thanks mom" and I told them that I think I will stick to shopping for them on my own. I honestly don't mind having to return things 5 times, IF it means I get to shop in peace!!! REALLY!!!!!! ;)