Home sweet Home

Today I am waiting around for 'the bug guy'... again. Let me rewind...

Everything in the house is going great, we have all the boxes unpacked, we are making what little additions or changes that need to be fixed. I believe I was opening the dishwasher when there.. crawling on the inside. .

Is a roach. Gross.

I might see one here, and then another on the next day.. so nothing horribly bad. But to think of them crawling around at night, touching the counter tops.. .I should stop before I give everyone nightmares.

Of course I am freaking out, Mr. being cool as he always is, tries to address the situation logically. We start out by buying the traps and gel, the package says it will take care of the problem within 24 hours. Nope. So instead of me being in hysterics all the time, we opt for professional pest control. So I can say goodbye to eating out at all for a year, but can hopefully cook peacefully in my kitchen.


They sprayed, and we saw things die, we never knew were crawling around. Then two nights ago I saw a baby roach crawling around. No way, so with the 'no bugs guarantee' they are coming back to spray again.


I guess it is just one more thing to worry about with new home ownership. Thankfully I turned my utter fear and disgust into pure happiness in revenge everytime I sweep up dead bugs from around the house and almost get giddy about seeing them.


I got off my lazy bum and actually took some pictures of the place.

The living room.

The dining room

Our small little kitchen, thats it.. all thats right there..


our large back yard and covered patio. Mr. actually built that table the other day!



My creative work space.. a disaster as always, its how I work

There is one other bedroom being used as a 'Man Cave' plus the master bedroom with on suite bath, plus a guest bathroom. It fits us perfectly for now, I promised not to paint for a while...

Miss Becca Turns 87

It feels strange, this familiar screen, talking to myself. It has been way too long, and it feels foreign again. Once you skip a post, you tell yourself you'll get back to it. Slowly it just becomes habit not to. It feels like a cop out to say life got busy, isn't everyone around this time of year?

The last time I posted, and took my long hiatus, we (Mr. and I) were on a mission to find a place to live. We found a house, went through escrow and now we are comfortably settled into our new place. A cozy 1200 sq ft place, finally to call our own. It has its charms, its spacious covered patio and yard, and has its downs. Like any homeowner knows, your list of to-dos never end. From replacing the pumps in the toilet to pest maintenance. We are tackling the challenges together, cutting back on random unnecessary things, knowing our money is in a better investment now.

Just a week or so after we finished moving in, I had my 22nd birthday. Nothing to really throw a grandeur party over. The morning of, at school, I got to wear a pink tiara and had all the kids sing happy birthday to me.

We let the kids guess how old they thought I was turning. The first guess was 10, so I told them a little higher. So all together the kids knew... 87, they shouted and all agreed, that was the right age. Even when their parents picked them up, the kids were so excited to tell their parents that today was my 87th birthday, which then brought on many 'it doesn't show' and 'you hide it well' jokes.

Mr. asked me if I feel old now. At first I said that I did not feel any older, for a couple years now I have felt the same after every birthday. The more I think about it, the more I really do. I am finally breaking free of that 'young' age group, we have a house. And as Mr. likes to point out, we now have a Costco card, thus we are officially middle class. Not quite yet though, when we finally have a mini van sitting in the drive way, that's when we know we made it.

Driving around aimlessly

After work today, I stopped by Mom's place. Hung out for a little bit, and then was on my way. Way to where, I do not know.

I thought I knew, but I was wrong. I got in the car and was driving. I don't think I've ever driven, without purpose. I must of been in some kind of clouded funk. I thought maybe I will go here... As I pass it I think maybe not. I don't really want to get out of the car and park.

Then I think maybe I will go to target, pass by and think 'I don't really want to spend money right now' so I keep driving. Soon I am just driving, really going 3-4 miles out of my way just because I am too stubborn to go home.

Mr. is not due home for another 4 hours. I do not want to start packing, I am not motivated to do housework. So instead I am driving around, and when I see the indicator get closer to E, I am so unmotivated to get out of the car, I am forced to just drive home without getting gas.

It was the strangest feeling. I really wanted to go do something, yet did not want to spend a dime. Did not want to drive around but did not want to be home. Maybe it's the state of home limbo I am in. Calling this place I am in now home, and soon calling another.

All that aside I did come home and finally had to do something with all my nervous energy. So I plopped down at the computer and did something I have not done in way too long.

Art. And thus a finished painting. I really want the weather to cool back down so me and mom can go on walks, else I see many more pointless drives in my near future.

Chores In High Heels

This weekend I have a cocktail party and wedding to go to. Although I don't really ever dress up, I have a few dresses in my closet. The only problem, I don't really have any good heels!

So yesterday I spent 3 hours at the mall on my search for the holy grail, the perfect heel. Perfect for me at least. Because I do not wear heels often.. maybe never ,they need to be comfortable. When I do wear heels I love pointy toe, rounded toe makes my feet look even more small and squatty. Then I would love it to have a strap, so when I am walking around my feet don't slip and POP right out, which happens a lot.

My search did not go well, I dislike the mall already and now I just spent 3 hours too long there. I stop by Mom's and I ask her, " Have you ever seen.. a pointy toe heel with a strap?"

"what color?"
What do you know, she has a pair and only worn once. A life saver!!
So now to break them in and practice.. so I don't look a girl clomping around in mama's shoes


I am doing my chores in heels, which is not easy when you have slippery tile in the whole house. Sweeping, mopping and laundry. So lets hope by tonight I am a pro and my feet don't hate me!

Huge News!!

Okay I feel like am about to burst. The past couple weeks have been very rough on me physically (dealing with a cold) and emotionally.. and that's a big long story, So most of this has happened in just a weekend! So skim to the good part at the end or get comfortable.

So we knew that eventually the time would come for our little gang to break up, for the roommates to move out on their own into the world. I just didn't think it was going to be any time soon. So when one of the room mates says that they are wanting to move out, my world starts into a tailspin. Currently we can not cover what the rent is on our own or with only one roommate.

This leads us to start looking for a place to go. So first we are considering condo's. We look at some, really love some and then we find out about the HOA's per month. Nearly 250$ just in HOA thats not even covering anything else. Even so we still really like them, but we find out that the banks are not financing them.

So plan B. Friday I am set out to look for apartments. Me and mom drive around to all the apartments in the area, getting pricing, scoping out areas and layouts. All apartments are saying we are looking too early for the timeline (the end of November is when the roomie leaves) And all places are 99-100% full. Great!!

All along Mr's Dad really wanted us to look for a house. Both of us though that it would not be possible within our price range. Or that all of them would be old and gross and need too much work!! But to entertain the idea...

Saturday we start out early in the morning looking at places. The first one is a bust, WAY too much work to be done. I really feel like we wont find anything special. Our timeline does not really allow for short sales homes (as they can take forever to close on them). The second house we looked at was promising from the outside. The yard was nice, where most we looked at had dried up lawns. The paint on the outside was fresh, new and clean.

It was an investor who bought the house to flip it. New tile floors, freshly painted walls and new carpet. A lovely back yard with a covered patio, beautiful lawn and mature grown trees, adding shade and privacy. It was really nice. We went to look at several other places but none of them even came close.

Sunday we go in to make an offer...

And Today Monday, They accept it!

Me and Mr. Are buying our very own, First house!!

How exciting and scary all at once. So much to do and get done. Packing, moving, changing our address, cleaning. All while working and right before the holidays!! I've been made to keep it a secret for a couple weeks now, so that's why I have been MIA from the computer and the blogosphere, too much going on to handle. I have had emotional breakdowns, and ups And its only the beginning!

Yikes!

I just completely disappeared from the blogosphere. I really don't have an excuse for myself, as to why I am not posting. Not like it matters one way or the other, but I mostly made a promise to myself to keep at it. Then I slip into missing a day, then it becomes easy to not post anything, easy to not even get on the computer.

I have been so wrapped up in my daily life this past week or so, that I completely even forget to check my email. This is pretty normal for me, time to time. I lose interest in being social and keeping up 'appearances' online. I just say the things I need to say to people in person, or don't feel the need to say anything at all. Then all of a sudden ,I will be on the computer all the time, addicted.

We finally have some semblance of fall weather now, breezy and cool. Even being over cast puts me in a better mood..usually. Right now (and I can't say what.. sworn to secrecy) I am super stressed and thinking about "stuff". Super vague I know, but when the time is right I will find solace in the Internet. I think even that, has been putting a damper on my blogging mind, If I can't say what major things are happening in my life, what do I have to talk about? So I just give up on saying anything at all.

Hopefully this will all be over soon and I can return to normal. Instead I will tell you this from class.

At our pre-school site, which is located on a school grounds/ campus, our bathroom is a walk from our building. So it is usually my job to take our kids on bathroom runs. This time my teacher went with us, all the kids needed to go, yeah that crazy! One little girl did not have to go, so stayed next to my teacher and told her "Why do we have to be out here? I just want to go back to your house!" The little girl thought the classroom was our house, well why not? It had a play kitchen! She then continued "Why don't you have a bathroom in your house? Why do you have to walk to get to it?" Kids really are too funny, and amazingly perceptive.

I am a Genius!

Yes I am going to slouch and sink into obscurity, I am beating myself up in my own mind. I did something today which earns me this lovely dunce cap.

Shopping day, again, it always seems to be shopping day. There is just me and Mr. to buy for, but that boy sure can eat. So I am set on the task of making the dreaded menu and list. Why is it when I am put on the spot I can not think of anything?! So It takes me an hour to make a small list for two people.

My first stop is Trader Joes, they have some really yummy frozen meals. I do love an easy dinner, especially when I am feeling below the weather..(is that a real term? I don't even know anymore). Then it is off to the worst of it all, the mother of all places I despise the most... *insert scary music here*

Walmart. It is actually not as bad as I try to make it seem. I always hype it up to myself, and I always make it through rather painlessly.. other than the bottom of my feet from those long lines. We really do save a lot from shopping there.

We usually don't get soda very often, I consider it a treat when we do. So I decided I was going to treat myself to something I don't allow myself often. I make it through the line, and when it gets checked out last, there is no room in the top of my cart for it to fit. So I stick it on the bottom..

Biggest Mistake! (I bet you see where this is going)I make it out to the car, load everything up. Drive the 10 minutes home, unload everything ...sit down to relax and...

I forgot the soda on the bottom of the cart. So I better get some good karma in return for giving someone a free pack of soda. I guess someone was trying to tell me I didn't need it in the first place.

Lesson learned, never go shopping when you feel like you need a nap, feeling ill and never ever place anything on the bottom of the cart, if you do not normally do so.

So there, my lovely dunce cap earned.

Hangin' in there!

Yesterday I thought I had cleared the worst of it. Instead I was only in the eye of the storm. Oh yes, yesterday I was feeling good, I did not miss whoopie Sunday because of illness, but of having a good day.

Mr. and I went on a little bike ride together to a park down the street. Stopped off at the store to get some picnic goodies. Salami, cheese, crackers and brownie bites. Found a lovely shady spot under a tree and laid out on a blanket. It was wonderful, and perfect and now...

I am feeling worse than before. I did not let that stop me today from making my whoopies. Although feeling a bit lazy ,did not get a picture. Tomorrow I suppose I will stage a lovely shot of my creation.

Work is going smoothly, for being only the second week, the kids are rather well adjusted. Although we did have a girl cry because there was no toilet paper in the stall. I don't blame her, that is a rather frustrating occurrence, and at 4 yrs old rather traumatic.

Tomorrow morning I have 36 alligators to cut out of construction paper, welcoming the week with the letter A!

Don't you just love being sick?

It's those first few days, where you can feel it creeping up on you that I hate the most. Where it is just on the cusp of being too late, and there is nothing you can do about it. This in-between limbo. Just bring it on already and get it over with! I always love to hear

"I have a sore throat" from a kid who just put their hands on me, and two days later I have one too, Thanks!

Whenever I get sick, I GET SICK. There is no 'sleeping it off for me', it turns into a two week long dragged out ordeal, sometimes longer. And of course I can never make it through the year without contracting some sort of viral plague in which to spread to the rest of my family, Your Welcome. SO now I am popping C like its candy and drinking tea till I float, and two hour naps on the couch help too. So I am hoping I will be better by Sunday so I can complete another whoopie creation.

None of this helped today when I went to work. Today the teacher (bless her heart) had to stay home with her son. So I was left with a class of 20 4 yr olds within the first week of school. Luckily I got someone to come help me, a dear older lady who does most of the preschool subbing. Being older though, limited her abilities and being a sub limited her range of help. So I took it upon myself to make sure class ran as smoothly as possible.

For the first time I ran the class, basically on my own, and did circle time and all our activities and made sure we began and ended everything on schedule. No one got lost on the bathroom run, and no one peed their pants, over all successful! I survived, and it was really rewarding knowing that I could keep the class in line on my own.

Even so, I really hope she returns back to me on Monday. I so much more enjoy being the aide and not stressing as much, with 20 little judging eyes on you.

Planning a Vacation

Usually we try to take a vacation during the summer. Mr. works really hard during the school year, so he treats himself to a nice vacation and I get to tag along. This summer we went to Yosemite, although nice was not 'super luxury vacation'.

So now he has set me on the task to plan our next vacation.. for next summer. Of course he does not want to par-take in any of the hard work (I guess that's how I earn my vacation) and leaves me to do all the research and planning. All he knows is that he wants to go somewhere he has not been before. Real definitive huh.

We had discussed once before our joint interest in seeing Puerto Rico. So that's where I started. Hotels, how to get around, points of interest. I just hate planning all the little details. So I decided to look at cruises. We had really enjoyed our Alaskan Cruise, so thinking on that same game plan, all new research. With some more hard work and many site price comparisons, I found that if we fly straight to San Juan and leave on a cruise there, we can get more bang for our buck than if we flew to Florida and took a cruise from there. Who'd da thunk it.

So now my mission is to find all the information I can on every port of call for that cruise, some of which include Dominica, Barbados and even the Netherlands Antilles. Of course I am really excited, which makes research easier and waiting even harder. I still have to work through the whole school year to get to summer! I think tomorrow I am going to hit up the book store and google and find out everything there is to know about Puerto Rico!

Weekend Whoopie!

Whoopie Pie time!

Peanut Butter Whoopie with a home made Dulce de Leche filling. YUM!

The batter this time was really thin, and thus a thin whoopie!

Yikes! Tomorrow is the first day of Preschool. I am excited to start the new year at work, new kids to meet and projects to do. It also means kids crying non-stop and lets hope for no pee'd pants eww. * Fingers crossed!*

nananana BATMAN!

I didn't do a whole lot today. Was glued to my DS today, I really needed to try and beat Super Mario, almost there!. But I put that on hold, so that I could work on a very important piece of art. Right before my sister moved into her new place, she asked me if I would do a piece for their new space. The only rules to go by were it has to match their decor (reasonably) and it was to be "nerdy". In a good way of course, being a nerd myself I was really excited to do something fun and different. Little one likes 'Batman', so this is for you!...

Yikes blurry pictures!

Dimensions (18"x24")
Close up:

I loved the way it turned out, I personally am not a fan of Batman, but I could be now.. (or just a fan of myself ) I just love seeing my stuff framed and up on walls (not like I'm vain or anything).

Sunday Whoopies will have to be put off till Monday, Tomorrow we are going to a local brewery (Sierra Nevada one of my favorites) With Mr.'s friends and the roomies.

Back to Mario now I have level 8 to beat!

Too Competitive?

Ever since I was little, I have been super competitive at whatever it is I do. Unless I chose to not care, and chose not to be (but that's different). I'm mostly talking about games.

I love playing games, board or card, I love it. The problem is there is no one to play with. Why? You ask, because I went and dug myself a game playing grave. Instead of playing games for the fun, I love to play... To win! What is the point of a game, if not to win?

Well sure you can play to 'have fun', 'together-ness'
whatever.

At least growing up that was my mind set. I would try to win every game I played. I would be as cut throat as I needed to be, of course I never cheated, I just knew how to win. If I was not winning, that was a problem. I don't even want to go into our seldom Monopoly games that did not end in 'happy family time together'.

Soon enough, no one would want to play with me. Although I am not the only one (which makes me being the winner more difficult) I know some others- not naming names dad- who are as well, which just fuels the fire.

Now that I am older, I can appreciate playing a game and NOT having to win.. *cough lie * Well mostly just with kids, I can turn it off and not win.

So now when I want to play a game with Mr. he does not want to play, or blames me of being too competitive. So I am trying to learn to not be, in a way. Although he is just as I am, in some ways. I remember the first time we played battleship together, HE CHEATED. Yes I am calling him out, and still do to this day. Not to mention he will lose on purpose, just so I win. Where is the fun in that?

So the moral to my ramble, I need to cool it, and I am working on it! really... until the next game of Uno then its all out the door.

I'm getting lazy!

How could I miss my sunday post about whoopies? Easy.. I was too busy eating them!

This week I made Lemon Whoopie Cake with Lemon Mascarpone filling and Lemon Cake with Dark Berry Jam.

This has been my favorite one as of yet. The savory/sweet filling and tang of the mascarpone cheese. The soft subtle lemon flavor and fluffy sponge of the cake. SO GOOD! It was mom's idea to pair the lemon with a dark berry jam. My favorite part, blackberry, raspberry and blueberry, the perfect treat with tea. I have eaten way more of these, than any of the previous whoopies. Now it will be hard to find something that can even compete!

Another reason for my belated post is that I got my DS back from little one. So of course I went to get some new games. and OF COURSE I have been addicted to playing them, spending every spare second with my fingers glued to the DS. Which then means the dishes don't get done, laundry isn't folded. Dinner does not get cooked till late, and then I am too lazy to 'really' cook. A passing phase, I hope.

Meet the teacher for preschool is on Thursday, I was told to "dress nice". 'Like I already don't?' well.. its not the dressing nice part, its the looking presentable (i.e my crazy morning hair) and remembering when I get ready in the morning. Hopefully it all goes smoothly (as smoothly as 36 3 - 4 yr olds can go).

I've blabbered enough! Time to go make myself a proper lunch and not just live off of whoopies!

Things I should never do

Where do I even begin?

1. Move large furniture by myself:

I am way more ambitious than I ought to be. I look at things and tell myself "I can do that"

Well, it turns out I can.. I just shouldn't. Even when I was younger, I would take it upon myself to re-arrange my bedroom. Scooting large dressers across the floor, using the wall as a push board for leverage. To this day the same applies. You would think by now I could learn to ask for help.

Mr. went out shooting this morning, leaving me to my own devices. When the cat is gone the mice will play.. or just re-arrange the house. So I needed to move a large wing back chair from the office to the bedroom. My dad had helped get it into the house in the first place, so I had not moved this monster of a thing since. Not only is this thing wider and taller than I am, our door ways are put in obscure places with little spaces to get through.

So I make an ocular assessment of the doorway and chair, Dad got it through there, couldn't I? So I begin shoving the chair across the room, twisting and turning the chair, trying to make this thing fit. 20 minutes and several explicits later and its crossed the threshold of the first door way. If it made it out of one doorway, logically it could fit through another right?? Wrong, I am angling this thing, flipping it over (by myself) in a tiny hallway, and shoving it each direction through the doorway. Nothing. Finally I get half of the chair and and...

ITS STUCK! I push and pull and its not budging. As I try to move it, its going to scrape the door frame. Great, what do I do now? Sit and wait for Mr. to come home and show him my embarrassing mess I created for myself? Of course not, I am going to try and fix this problem on my own.. which leads to..

2. Never remove or touch or deal with anything with the house fixtures.

In a moment of brilliance I decide it is in my best interest to remove the door from the hinges, just to give me that extra inch I need to make this thing fit perfectly. Never having removed a door before, I tackle this thing from the only way I can think how. Just remove the hinges. WRONG with a capital W. I should of turned to good ol google or Mom for help, but I was determined to get this done. I get the door off, get the chair into the room. That was much easier than expected, until I have to put the door back on.

At this point its been about an hour of an ordeal, I hadn't bathed in two days, I was in my pajamas and I didn't even eat breakfast (thanks to sour milk). So I looked like a crazed maniac trying to put this thing up. Shoving wood pieces and towels under the door to prop it up. When my room mate comes home, walks by and just stares at me.

I don't even want to know what it must of looked like, a crazy mess for sure. He helps me prop it up, and screw it back in. In the end he tells me of a super easy way to remove the door pin and put it back on. Great, why didn't I think of that ( and mom made me feel it all over again when I told her) Thankfully my room mate knows I do crazy things, and it comes to be expected with me in the house.

From now on I am just going to make the men do all the heavy "man work" no more for me.

They grow up so fast

This evening I helped my little sister move out, into her own new space.

This is hard for me, We use to be super close, now she is just a passing shadow.

She has her own friends now, a job, a life, and soon I feel I will not be a part of it.

So of course I took time to help her, hang her clothes, organize her belongings.

My baby sister, all grown up, a woman ready to set out and make things work.

I am so proud of her, and so worried. I can't imagine how mom feels.

Good luck little one!

In lighter (or heavy) news I am pretty sure I ripped off starbucks today. Lately I've been brewing my own, and I am not fond of the prices or taste of (S). For some reason today I had a hankerin' for a Tea Latte, something I would not make at home.

So I go in, I never know "the language" "the lingo" The how to of ordering. So they ask while in line "what can I get started for you" I ask for my latte.

Then, when I get up to the register, I have a yogurt and tell them I got the earl grey...

She rings it up, I pay with a GC and everythings all good. Till I walk away to wait for my drink and think...

Wait a sec, a yogurt and a VENTI latte for THAT price. I totally didn't even think about it when she rang me up.

I sheepishly (and nervously) wait for my drink, and walk out feeling like a criminal. Should I of mentioned she only charged me for a 'normal tea' and not a 'latte tea'. I am too honest of a person to walk away.

and sadly I DID! If someone gives me the wrong change, I will tell them and give it back.

But a couple dollars can't hurt right?? Will I hear about this in the end, reading from the book of my sins...

To Cut or not to Cut...

Why do I feel like I am breaking some kind of rule right now, sneaking around at night to write a blog.

Okay, so its only 9:40 currently, not late at all right? Well Mr. already went to bed, made it so I went too. "You need to start going to bed earlier" he tells me. So I try to sleep, but it just not gonna happen. So I start browsing through old pictures on my phone.

For a while now I've been trying to grow my hair out. I look at old photos of when my hair was really long and beautiful. This process is just killing me though, I hate this yucky in between stage. I can't really do anything with it, I just wear it up. This heat isn't helping either. So looking at the photos, I see really cute pictures when my hair was shorter. A cute A-line cut, or a cute bob. I really liked how easy it was to take care of, manage and style.

So now, I am thinking about chopping my hair off. It would be about a good 5-6 inches chop, shocker! I have never cried when I've gotten a cut done, at least that I can remember. Little one is like that, she always likes a cut, gets home and hates it. Usually I care less about what happens with my hair. Lately I've just felt so frumpy. It could just be the heat, but I don't know if I can wait it out till it cools down. I figure I could just write about it, help me take my mind off it, else I will never get to sleep!

So back to sneaking around. I slip out of bed, tip toe to the office and here I am in the dark. Maybe what I need is a hot cup of tea. If I didn't already brush my teeth, I think I would be stuffing my face with Whoopie pies. I am just too much of a night owl to be crawling into bed before the sun goes down (exaggeration of course).

Time to bust out the reading light, a good book and slip into another world for an hour. I'm sure with the dim light I will grow sleepy... or just blind.

Waiting for Fall.

I am counting down the days.

I will celebrate it like a holiday.

The first day of Fall.

I can't wait for the leaves to start turning.

I want cool breezes, and crisp blue skies.

I want sweaters and boots.

I want perfectly mild temperatures.

Not the 106 , sweltering heat we are having right now.

Wish I had more to say today, instead I am just dreaming of fresh picked apples. Crunching leaves beneath your feet as you walk, and cold weather...even rain!

Preparing for Preschool

Only a few more days till I am back on a regular (non-summer) schedule. I am so excited to start a new year of preschool. The site that I am at, just moved into a brand new building. So today I had to organize and put away all of our stuff. Makes me kind of wish when we had packed up, we had done a better job of organizing it in the first place, oh well.

36 new little snot noses, and I say that endearingly. A popular name this time around is Isabella, with 3. It seems people are either choosing the same names for their kids or really strange ones. Always looking for ways for their kids to stand out, replacing common spellings with strange letters.

It will be so nice to be able to have a set schedule again. Off work by 12:30, the rest of my day to get things done. I will once again be able to go on walks with Mom, no more lazy bum. I have to be able to burn off all those whoopie pies...

which leads me to...

Red Velvet Whoopie Pie with Cream Cheese Frosting/filling. SO good! Too sweet for me to eat a bunch of (I am crazy, I know) so I am packing them up and ready to spread the joy.

I am really happy with how they turned out this time. Much more Whoopie shape, things are improving! well that's all for me. I have a hot cup of tea to enjoy, laundry to fold and tv to watch!

How could I ignore you?

One night missed, daily adventures not recorded.
Second night missed, now becoming easier to ignore the computer.

I really did mean to write, and I do have some good excuses!

So this weekend I have been a very busy little bee. I finally finished painting this for Mom...

A lovely shade, It turned out really nicely. Even Mr. Complimented how it looked. (and remember he thinks 'colors' are tacky) so I was surprised. +1 for me.

On top of that, I got the chair stripped all the way down to it's birthday suit.
(censored for all the kiddies out there.)

I was now ready to try, and reupholster this bad boy. My first attempt ever at this sort of thing. I had everything I needed, except a staple gun. I was going to buy one, but Dad offered to let me use his, awesome. Save some money where ever I can. This thing is like a gun, "KaBlammy!" (thats the technical sound)

I will spare you the boring part, putting it all back together. It is not perfect, and I had some troubles along the way (ie. the arms breaking ) all in all I am very happy with the way it turned out. Its squishy too!

I added some details to the back, maybe the shiny will distract people away from my craftsmanship.

Now I don't have an excuse not to blog.

Wish I had time to get to Whoopie Pies, Maybe later this week.

Hope everyone had a productive weekend. I did so much, I am tuckered out, SO not ready for the work week!

Should have worn my depends!

I walk into work at lunch time. Usually we eat outside at a set of picnic tables. With the beginning of school approaching, the tables are being cleaned, so lunch is indoors. All the kids greet me, and I find an open chair. I begin to eat my lunch, chatting with the kids when suddenly I feel a cold wetness on my lap...

I look down and the kid next to me has spilt his entire water bottle, right into my lap.

I love my job.

Too Good To Be True

It's late, and I am exhausted. But.. I am not going to let that stop me from making my post!

Everything seemed all good and dandy today. Went to work, things went great, off to go help Mr.'s Mom with her classroom set up (A family of teachers! ), but then on my drive there...

Okay, so not really that bad. In my world it is, my car had a warning check engine malfunction death scare things are going weird, light come on. Soon after the car was running funny, I could hardly accelerate. Of course, knowing nothing about cars, not wanting to be stranded, I start to freak out. It was 'too good to be true' that my old hoopty of a car was still running, and treating me well. This was bound to happen, it was just a matter of when.

I call Dad, He asks me to start out by popping open the hood, yeah like I do that all the time. Look for things like belts and spark plugs, It is like he is speaking in another language. No help, tells me to tow it if it wont run. Thankfully I was really close to the school, where I then could be followed home by Mr's Mom. I felt so thankful for my back up, At least I would not be on the side of the road alone!

Long story short... Oh and it could be longer. They (as in manly men who know things about things that run, as in Mr.) replace the 'Spark plugs' and other wires and "thing-a-ma bobs". And now after hours of sweating it out, biting my nails, worry warting over it, it runs. It runs better than before, I about had a heart attack of happiness.

I am just so glad someone is looking over my shoulder.

Sore Fingers!

Work today was a little rough, the kids were naggin' on each other, she did this, he did that. I was about to pull my hair out.


Thankfully I got out at an early time today, so I decided to go out, and shop around town. My first stop was Ye' Ol' Good Will. With little one moving out, I promised her that I would keep an eye out for anything good, or worth refinishing. Of course I always have an eye out for myself as well. Giving cryptic messages to Mr. when he calls and asks what I am doing. He does not approve of any more items, none the less fixer upers, coming into the house.

I am doing my usual route, giving the 'once over' to isles. There are a couple items that might interest little one, so I send her a text. Then I see a desk chair, needing work, of course. It is mostly fine, but has seen its days and shows its age. Someone is already looking at it, sitting in it, contemplating. I hover around, pretending to be interested in other items. Aha, they are not getting it. Just curious, I look at the price.. 2.99! Okay.. I can justify this ONE purchase, I have been mentioning to Mr. for a few months now about getting a new desk chair. I always sweet talk my way out, I just have to do it one more time.

It is a rather good size, rolly wheels, large padded seat and back. Will this fit in my old corolla? I make an ocular assessment, deem it plausible and check out. Surprisingly, it fit just fine across the back seats. Although I must of looked a mess trying to get it back there.

The next destination, was going to be the mall, but now it was the fabric store. Conveniently right across the street. I always get lost in this place, rows upon rows of crafty things, shiny things. Of course I am suuuuper indecisive, I can't decide what I like or want. Then there is another issue, what will Mr. say or like? Seems silly to make that part of my process, but we always have this conversation back and forth. I like bright colors, he thinks they are tacky! We share the office together, so I had to take in mind what he would be okay with looking at everyday. I would love a bold bright print, that is fun and cheery. He would prefer plain and boring, Yuck!

An hour later, I have some supplies and a nice dark grey color. It is super soft, and should be much more comfortable than my current chair. Mr. will like it, and then we will both be happy. Now the big thing is going to be to reupholster it *dramatic music here* which I have never attempted before. Yikes!

So to get to the point of why I have sore fingers (gosh finally right...) I have spent the past 3 hours plucking staples from the underneath of the chair, and they are not always so willing to be pulled out. Slaving over the over zealous stapling, which I deem very unnecessary, trying to break this thing into pieces. So Alas here is my chair... before deconstruction. Wish me luck, and wish my poor fingers a good nights rest..

planning to paint the wood.. I am thinking teal... or some bright yellow. HA stickn' it to the man.

Mini Me Monday

Today was a pretty uneventful day. So because Mondays are just awful, ripping you away from weekend bliss, I need an easy post. So I will post a picture of me from when I was a wee lil tot.

Nothings really changed, not even really my height. Funny, I still pose just like this for most pictures. I am incapable of taking serious pictures. I will always throw up some bunny ears, or make a goofy face. My mom always gets so frustrated whenever we take group pictures. Sorry mom.

Little One is moving out of Mom's place and picking up a spare couch I have here. I guess this is forcing me to fold my laundry, that currently resides on top. She is also looking for some art to be done for her space. I really need to start brain storming, I have not even started on the "Sketch Book Project" eek! I need some serious inspiration! Work is just sucking some life out of me right now, when I get home all I want to do is watch tv.( Bad, I know!)

Thats Just Beachy

After almost a month of saying "oh hey, we should go to the beach" and then plans changing, things coming up, we finally went. We wake up early in the morning, prep our items to take and I check the weather. 57 as a high on the beach, 93 here locally. I feel insane packing a sweater and long pants. In retrospect I should of brought a parka and a heavy blanket. 57 on the beach maybe during the peak. We ended up getting there still early in the morning and it was frigid! So this is on our drive to the bay. Passing through the heart of San Francisco.

Foggy and grey. Which I love, I wish it was cold year round. I can't stand it when it is so hot. My motto is "you can always put more on, but you can only take so much off"

There is the famous Alcatraz Prison!

We finally reach the beach, cold, but beautiful. I love the smell of the sea water in the breeze, the soft sand between the toes. I can even stand the sound of the sea gulls, unless they are trying to steal your food! We bundle up, walk out to a good spot to set up camp. Ahh, time to kick the shoes off (if we were wearing any) and just relax.

Just two of us, with our picnic, snuggled up for warmth, watching the waves crash on the shore.

Soon more people are gathering on the beach. Even people flying kites. I have always wanted to fly kites on the beach, but never got around to it. I will have to keep it in mind for the next time.

The sun has come out! We pass a frisbee back and forth (I'll have you know, I am not very good at it). Each time, I almost hit the party right behind us, so we put it away and decide to walk around.

Of course no trip is complete with out the "lets try to take a pic of us together" Shot.

With our wind blown hair, no beach shot in the background and reflections of our arms, This is a keeper.

As the beach gets more crowded, as the sun burns away the fog, its time to leave. So we are on our way to the car when.. *SPLAT* right on my arm. Of course, I got tagged by a passing sea gull. To make it even better, I discovered I had a hole in my 'new' favorite pair of jeans, in an inappropriate place to wear in public, spot. I just got over the trauma of my 5 year old jeans being worn into ruins. With so much trouble finding jeans just a week ago, I have to do it all over again!

I can not let that damper my day, over all it was really nice. Great before the start of another work week.

Simple Saturday

It seems that I enjoy sleeping in, more than I enjoy sitting on the beach. Once again, we did not go! Not that I don't crave the cool breeze, crashing waves and soft sand between my toes. I do not want to sit in a car for 2 hours to get there. Tomorrow, I am making a promise to myself, we are going! I will wake up at a decent hour, pack my beach belongings and head out on the road.

Instead, today I quickly jumped on the opportunity to start my "Whoopie Adventure." Yes, I have named it now, and baking for me IS an adventure. I made a list of ALL the things I would need to get started. With the only baking going on in the house, is of pre packaged cookie dough, there was lots to get. Even just the essentials were missing, sugar, baking soda, vanilla extract.

With my list in hand I found 'thee' isle to retrieve all my items from . ' confectioners sugar'... hmm where have I heard that before. My mother would be ashamed, she is an avid baker with little one as well. I should know this! I am pretty sure it is powdered sugar, but that little seed of doubt grabs the regular sugar as well. Of course my instinct was right, but at least I have more basics to start other recipes with.

I lay out all of my ingredients, Whoopie book close by, I am ready to go. I remember one time as a child, I really wanted to bake something for my family. I was going to make brownies. Everything went smoothly, mixed them myself, baked them. They looked delicious! That was until they went to eat them, everyone took one bite and spit it out! I had mixed my sugar for salt, and only a horse with a salt lick would enjoy my brownies. Since then, with grief from the family, I have never really been a baker. So we will see how this unfolds...

I decided to start out with a Mocha Whoopie, with Chocolate Buttercream Filling.

Carefully following every direction, reading over the simple instructions twice.

My batter is finished. It looks delicious. Using a spoon, I tried to scoop out equal sizes of batter into the whoopie pan. First test pan, into the oven.. 8 minutes later Lets see what they look like.

All my Whoopies came out bumpy on the top and at least twice as tall and fluffy than the pictures in the book. Hmmm.. So I decided to use a TB scoop and a spoon to round out the scoops. In the future I think I will use a melon baller, as the book suggests. Second and third batch come out just as fluffy! They were really tasty, but just really tall!


I assembled them with the buttercream filling.. And here is my finished Whoopie Pies!




They turned out well, but next time there will be some changes to make. Hopefully with more practice runs, I can perfect the 'look of them' but the taste is wonderful! The taste is slightly bitter chocolate and coffee, matched with the sweet and slightly salty buttercream filling. I have been munching on them all day long! Perfect with a hot cup of coffee or tea!

Overall successful. They were not burnt, I did not burn the house down, although I did have one casualty through the whole thing. My hand mixer would not mix the batter, and began to start smoking! Just add that to another thing to do differently next time!

TGIF

Today was the last day of summer camp, with all three sites pulled together. I will really miss a lot of the kids from the other schools, that I never get to see. I left when the kids were distracted so that it would not be a 20 minute process to leave. On any other normal day, it usually takes about 10. Prying little hands off me, bodies wrapped around my legs and dragging two behind around the waist. It's better this way, I will see them again.

After work, I went to Mr.'s Classroom to help him set up for the year. Hung posters, sat around, and rearranged his bookshelves. Being an 8th grade algebra teacher, there is not much else in his room. He is proud of it anyway, and as of the 16th he will be a tenured teacher at only 25.

It is Friday, and it hardly feels like one. I can not tell if this is a good thing or not. Tomorrow we are planning to go to the beach. I will take pictures of course.. well only if I remember ( I am so bad at that). I will have time to catch up on some R&R that has been missing for a few weeks. Only to return to chaotically trying to fit too much into my day. Projects to be finished, things I want to start. Before I know it, it will be Monday and back to work again.

I did work on a bit of knitting last night. I do not know how some can knit so quickly. I worked my little fingers numb, and still I did not get much done.


Off to make dinner, duty calls, and then delving nose first into my Woopie pie book to search out my first recipe for this weekend!

OH almost forgot a little funny bit. I colored my hair last night, just looking for a small change. Just a few shades darker. Mr. did not notice and I had to mention something, and even then he still could not see the difference. Today at school, several kids noticed right away something about my hair was changed. Oh men... even kids are more perceptive.

Makin' Whoopie...Pies.

Today was a good day, it seems my bad luck is gone. At work today we went Roller Skating, WOOHOO! Who else gets to go to work, hang out with a bunch of cool kids and go skating for free.. (well except everyone else who does just that..) Besides the point. It was so much fun, and I did not fall. Unlike when I went ice skating, there will be no walking weird or achy bum.





Afterwards I went to Mom's where I picked up this awesome over night bag, in blue. She got a great deal on it through ULTA, and a special they were running. I had been looking for a new over night bag for a long time (ever since little one "stole" my old one and never returned it). I was super excited to have it, its the simple things in life that matter.


We then went out just the two of us, lunch at CPK, a personal favorite. Sipped ice teas and just talked. Walked around the local outdoor shopping center 'The Fountains'. It was such a beautiful mild day. Seeing all to be seen there, we decided to hop across the street to the mall. Crate & Barrel was calling my name. I love that store, and everything in it. I just walk around with my jaw dropped, cooing over plates and napkins (weird I know, remember.. simple things). As I was walking by I spotted this baking pan that was like a muffin pan, but really shallow. WOOPIE PAN!? I must know more. Just the name was calling out to me, not to mention the delicious looking treat that was on the wrapping.

Placed next to the pan and mix was this adorable book.

By Sarah Billingsley and Amy Treadwell

This was an O.M.G. moment. Just browsing through the book I knew I had to take it home and make it my'n. Red Velvet, Gingerbread, Pistachio.. I think the needed to mop below me after I was done salivating! That was just the cake, even the fillings sound SO good. Maple bacon, malted butter cream, Tiramisu creme and of course classic marshmallow. Are you hungry yet?

Somehow I had managed to save some money on a C&B gift card all the way from Christmas (that's a whole 'nother story) Pan and book I payed 8.00 (with the help of the gift card of course). There are no words to express how excited I am about busting out the cooking gear and getting started. There are so many endless combinations! So.. knowing that I think I am going to start 'Makin Woopie(s)' at least once every two weeks, maybe more if time allows. I am SO sorry to those around me, who will be forced to consume all the products from the experiments.

Of course I will update and track my adventure . Unfortunately they have not invented a way for me to share the delicious smells over the Internet, so you will just have to take my word for it.

OH.. almost forgot. We spotted these adorable knitted headbands in Anthropologie.

It is my new goal ( how many more can I add to my list?) to master this skill as well. I seriously need to level up my knitting skills by winter. Lets hope I can do it!..

Superstitions

I have never been one for superstitions. Black cats, walking under ladders, even breaking mirrors, I have never taken credit in silly notions of superstitions. Today though, may have changed my mind.

I needed to stop by the store before work. On my way in I spotted a penny, I have a habit of collecting them where ever I am and see them, every penny adds up and most people go about their business just ignoring them. Usually without a second thought, I will pick them up and stick them in my pocket. This time, I took notice of the fact that it was not face side up. Maybe I thought to much about this fact and the 'superstitions' surrounding face down pennies. BAD LUCK... although its never seemed to be bad before. I enter the store, grab a water bottle, and check out.

Right on my way out through the sliding doors, I see a man on a bike approaching fast. To be honest, his appearance was quite unruly, his shirt was off and he was biking FAST. I thought he was going to stop on the sidewalk (since clearly bikes would not be allowed into a store) so I continue in my same path through the door. As I approach the door and it is slightly opening, the man on the bike is hauling straight towards me. Right as he breached the doorway at a crazy speed, through the center of the doorway, my brain reacts and I just barely step out of the way. The man on the bike blows past me into the store, without any regard for me and the fact that I was on my way out.

BAD PENNY! I blame you. Of course the story continues. I am just so furious as to what just happened. I storm out to my car, put the key into the door. As I see the man on the bike, speed across the parking lot. I look down at my car.. wait this is Not my car. Flustered and embarrassed I walk to the next car, yes this is my own. On my way out of the shopping center, I nearly get hit by two different cars, pulling out of parking spaces. What is happening?

okay, all of this could of happened, if I picked up that penny or not. And true, nothing really bad did happen, I managed to move in time to prevent anything bad. It did get me thinking about superstitions, bad luck and how people might perceive the things that happen to them. Do you think that things happen for a reason, a higher power in play?Or that random occurrences happen and you are just there when it does?

At least with the misfortune a bad penny might bring, it will bring good fortunes to me when I spend it, and all is well and balanced in the world.

Easy Magic

Missed a monday post, but it was for sure a monday!
So yesterday at school, we sat all the kids down and put in a DVD of "Magic for Kids:Easy Magic Tricks" The 'teachers' of the video were exactly what you'd expect from a cheap magician and his partner. Classic shiny blue dress shirt, really not captivating at all, even the way they showed the tricks were so lack luster! Even so, the kids seemed interested, which only lasted about 10 minutes at the most. Knowing the kids were not going to fully comprehend the tricks, I paid close attention to most of the video, trying to absorb the steps as best I could. Secretly I just wanted some tricks for my own arsenal, to use for my own benefit, teaching the kids would just be extra on the side. And now I will pass them onto you, so that you may impress your friends and children.


"First Rule: Never tell anyone your secrets" (well too bad.. Im sharing right now oops)

"Second Rule: Never repeat your trick.." (well I guess if you scroll back up and read again that goes out the window!)

So the first one we learned how to do was How to "Magically" Attach two paper clips together without either of them touching.

What you will need:

1 Dollar Bill

2 Paper Clips.


First step: Take a dollar bill, and fold it into 'thirds' accordian style. *see video below for example*
Second Step: Attach one paper clip onto the top including one side of the bill and the center.
Third: Attach the second paper clip onto the top on the other end/side of the bill and the center.
Fourth and final: Slowly tug on either open end of the bill until its pulled all the way open. In completion the two paper clips will fall off and be attached.




The Second 'Magic' Trick is A String Trick. It was hard to take pictures of find a video of this one, so just read through and maybe with some help later I can get a video of it... or not.
What you will need:

1 piece of yarn or string.

Step One: Make sure your string or yarn of choice is made up of mulitple strings twisted/wound together.

Step Two: Prep to be done before you show or perform the trick for someone. Grab the string at the center. Split the string in half about 2-3 inches .

Step Three:Re twist your split sections to look like full pieces of string.

Step Four: The trick. You are now holding what looks like two pieces of string in your hand.
Ask them to hold out their hand for you. Place the string on their open palm and ask them to hold/grip it tightly in a fist.

Step five: with their fist upwards, show the two strings are at the top, and two strings at the bottom.

Step six: Grab the two ends at the bottom and lightly pull on them, dragging them back down through the fist. When you reach the end, tug harder till the string pops out as one string.

The kids really enjoyed the string trick, and even many times over, knowing how it worked they still seemed enthralled by it. Pass it on, show it off, I don't care what the "rules" are. I think it is more fun to show people how you did a trick, and have them learn to pass it on.

Daddy Long Legs, Bugs and stuff.

What are your thoughts on spiders? Scary, creepy, usually I just leave them alone unless they are in the house. I always feel bad when I take the life of a spider. Usually just minding their own business. Trying to survive in this harsh world, just like we are. Even with these feelings, there comes a time where I am just too creeped out to let them live.

A while back we had an ant infestation, a yucky problem that kept coming back. We battled it out, as they attacked food sources, our closets and even our bathroom. When there are ants, undoubtedly there will be spiders to eat them. Soon there were daddy long legs hanging out in the corners of the bathroom. Daddies have never really bothered me, with no harm to me and really they don't skitter around or jump around. They were eating the ants, and the ants bothered me way more, so I let it live. I greeted it whenever I went into the bathroom, thanked it for its services as Ant Killer. Although soon enough it grew and grew and was HUGE! Okay too creepy. I had to ask Mr. to 'remove it'. I felt as if I was murdering a pet or a friend.

From then on, I've had a no spider tolerance. Of course the creepy furry ones must go, and the small ones that scurry around Must go, and my poor daddy long legs must go. I will respect their right to live and thrive as long as they don't come within the house. Just the other day there was one hiding in a mixing bowl in the cabinet. I about lost it when It tried to scramble up the slippery slides as I grabbed the bowl. Mr. had to 'remove' that one too.

There are things I don't feel bad about, ants being a big one, pincher bugs are my least favorite of all and moths! I really don't like movies that are made to make us feel bad about removing them from our homes. Or give them personalities and lives, so that we are killing little people. It really does not help, especially if they are invading your home. Are you suppose to let them live?


Thankfully after taking good care to spray the house several times over my battle with such creatures is low to none.

How do you react to bugs and little creatures. Do you kill them cold blooded, feel remorse or freak out and force someone else to do 'the duty'?