Not the Best Way to Start the New Year

Butch is sick. He did not get it from me. He has the flu. I had a bronchial "thing." He's already been down for 5 days, Hopefully he's on the upswing.

I thought I would share a few fun photos.

 We always play plenty of games when the family is together. This was a new one. I loved the little gnome playing piece that became my "go to" piece. Trivial Pursuit is always hard, but we modify the rules so the game only takes 2 hours instead of 4!

 Elizabeth showing off her giant Tootsie Pop while Mindy shows off her giant Lindt Truffle. I did notice that neither of them shared!

 Hangin' out during games.

 One of my favorite presents. It's meant to hold 4x6 photos, but I'm using it for something else. My friend, Karolyn had the idea and I'm copying it.

 You know when you are scrapbooking and you have all kinds of little odds and ends left? These containers are the perfect thing to keep the bits sorted by color. Plus it's easy to grab and go.

I got this darling little pink tricycle from Elizabeth. I keep this white tree decorated in my scrapbook room all year round.

And then, of course, Christmas would not be complete without the "job list" posted on the refrigerator. Everyone knows what they need to do. Works great!

I finished my book club book---The Light Between Oceans. It was really good, but I didn't like the ending. One of the things I love about my Kindle is the ability to keep track of how many books I read each year. This year I read 42 books!!!

I'm looking forward to New Year's Day. I'm planning on spending it in my scrapbook room! It's been awhile!!

A Quick Post

Been busy working around here. I hired Jordan and Morgan to help with the clean out of every cabinet and closet. I always have a need to purge at this time of year. I'm happy to have young help for all the hauling up and down.

I've also had the chance to see several movies this past week. Wild with Reese Whitherspoon was just okay---none of us loved it.

Most of the family saw Exodus last week. I really like those epic type movies. It was really good---we all liked it.

Unbroken---besides being in my top 5 favorite books---was a GREAT movie!! Steph, Nicky, Mindy, and even Butch---went the day after Christmas. Butch hasn't been to the movies in about 5 or 6 years. It's just not his thing. But he like Unbroken too. It followed the book pretty closely. Truly a "must see."

Today was "Movie Monday" so we saw  Into the Woods. Another one we thoroughly enjoyed. Lots of stars. Merrill Streep was fabulous and so was Johnny Depp (he never disappoints)! We like the music too. The costumes and scenery were great. Connie and I liked the movie better than the stage performance. Sometimes they can do so much more with a movie. I felt the same way about Mama Mia---loved it on stage, but loved the movie more! Hmmm---Merrill Streep again---maybe that's why.

I'll be going again on Friday with my friends. We're not sure what we're going to see yet. There are so many good ones out right now. I'll keep you posted...

The Big Reveal

Although is was touch and go at the beginning---we survived the remodeling! We're so thankful that the rooms were ready by the time the family arrived. 3 weeks and done! The only things left are some paint touch-ups and the installation of the plantation shutters. 

Before:

 After:

I took these pictures off the wall upstairs. Butch questioned the top one as he said, "they aren't even our girls." Well, technically they aren't. I found out last night that he didn't realize the pictures were of Jordan and Morgan!! He thought they were pictures of some random girls. Yeah, like I have other people's kids on my wall!!

Before:

 After:

 I kept the same art---just re-framed it. They are our St. Louis pictures---skyline, Charles Lindbergh's "Spirit of St. Louis" and a Fausino---all of the St. Louis skyline in 3-d.

The only thing I'm not happy with is the light over the vanity. You can't really tell in this picture. I found a light that I had my heart set on, only to find out it wouldn't work. I was under the gun to pick something and I knew I was "settling." Butch likes it, so I guess it'll stay. I'm just the type who knows exactly what she wants. I'm decisive and rarely regret my decisions.

Before:

After:

Before

 After:

I selected the carpeting and the fabric first. After that, I had a vision of what the room would be.

We moved our kitchen set up and got something new for the kitchen.

Butch's new office.

Details: Old Coca Cola cooler from the 1950's---I bought that for Butch about 15 years ago. The guitar belonged to Ronnie Dunn and is signed by Brooks and Dunn. We bought that at a silent auction years ago at a fund raiser.

 Butch had his doubts about the fabric right away. Now he likes it just fine. Picture white plantation shutters on the windows.

 I love adding the details! Bought this little lamp from Penney's.

That just about wraps it up for this project. It's a huge mess while you are in the middle of it---and we still have several closets to clean out---but it's worth it. I'm hiring the girls to come over and help me. They need the money and I need the help! By January 1st, everything will be back in order and totally clean!! Can't wait!

Merry Christmas to everyone! I hope santa brings you everything you ask for!!

A Few Things

This is my car---yet not MY car! I've been complaining for 4 years about how people block me in. Apparently, this person has decided to handle it by taking two spaces. That's just wrong and inconsiderate. As mad as it makes me to get blocked, I could never presume that I "deserve" two parking spots.

Teeny little Morgan received her security guard certification. I wonder how she's going to throw any weight around when she doesn't have any!! Basically she said that she would be checking id's at concerts. Besides earning a little extra money, she gets to hear concerts for free.

Now-a-days, when you go to the grocery store, there are more and more reserved parking for special people. I'm totally fine for veterans to have a close parking space. After all, it's the least we can do for what they've done for us.

 Now, add parkers with children---which I would venture to say would be at least 75% of shoppers. Add to that the handicaps,  expecting mothers and employees of the month---by the time all these spots are accounted for, us regular people might as well park in the lot across the street and shuttle over! There's no such thing anymore as making a quick dash to the grocery store. You spend half your time finding a place to park. Do I sound like I have parking issues? YES I DO!!! I was spoiled by having a husband in the parking industry who provided me with a parking pass that allowed me to park any where---and close. He's been retired about 6 or 7 years now. I miss that valet parking at the airport most of all. Some times I wish he'd go back to work just for free parking!!

 I really would have liked to ask these guys what they were doing. I've never seen anyone schlepping their desk chairs down the streets of Nashville. They probably couldn't find a close parking place.

 This is my own personal life hack. I have very few recipes that call for the flour to be sifted. I haven't owned a sifter in years. A colander works just  fine!

 Another piece of "happy mail" from the UK. My friend, Sian, from High in the Sky sent me a beautiful hand made card. I sort of feel bad to receive these lovely cards from my internet friends since I don't do cards any more. Maybe I should make a better effort next year!

 I love Kate Spade---my favorite designer. Nobody does displays like she does! Even the floor at Macy's surrounding the gifts is decorated. That would make a really nice border in our "new" rec room!

 Mindy is becoming quite the little cook. She made these antipasti skewers for our mother/daughter ornament exchange. Turning 30 has her settling in to domesticity!

And, Mindy loves to get her "craft" on! She made these candy jars for her "team mates." She was on a temporary assignment for the year.

I'll be working today. What gets done, gets done. Tomorrow the family moves in for the week and our holidays begin. Jordan's birthday dinner kicks it off.

Anyway, next up will be "the big reveal!"

Just About All Better!

I'm finally getting some sleep and feeling like myself again. The coughing is annoying---I'm fine until I start talking. NOT talking is not an option! Anyway, I'm feeling good and ready to get this house back in order. The remodeling is just about done. Facing a lot of cleaning before I can start decorating. But in the meantime, here are a couple of sneaks:

Until we opened up the cabinet, I had no idea the tv was so little!!! The big one arrives tomorrow along with the theater seating. I'm so excited. This is what I call FUN work!! We'll have the rooms looking good just in time for Christmas with the whole family here. But it will be January before I get all the crap cleaned out of every room and closet upstairs---where we had to stash 30 years worth of all the stuff that accumulated in the rec room. There are a lot of cabinets and closets---all of which need cleaning out---again! I've promised Butch that I won't obsess. It will be hard, but I'm going to try to relax and just do a little at a time. I have a tendency to work long and hard---and drive my family crazy---working until I'm ready to drop. But actually, since I'm still recuperating for nearly 2 weeks of being sick, I really can't work that hard.

All is good! Oh, and by the way, Butch and I survived it!! He quit having opinions pretty early on!!

Where I'm At Right Now...

One more prescription to come. I now have thrush to add the list.

At least I am starting to feel better.

This is exactly why I plan ahead. I always think: "What if I get sick?" All gifts bought, wrapped and under the tree. Cookies made and in the freezer. I'm ready.

Here We Go Again

Let's start this post again. Last weekend was Mindy's 30th birthday. A couple of her friends fro New Orleans came in to surprise her. 

 Justin arranged for a nice dinner at Bob's Steak House---they even personalized the menu for Mindy.
 Mindy like any type of head-wear! A tiara with "30" on it is just the thing.

 Our tree is decorated and lined with presents. It's almost Christmas

There is nothing more exciting than seeing a foreign stamp in your mailbox! I got a cute card from my friend, Miriam all the way from England! Thanks, Miriam!!

 Mindy wearing her new pearls we gave her for her birthday.

 On Tuesday, Stephanie, Morgan, Mindy and I went to our first gingerbread decorating workshop. We had a fun time. It was held at a tea room---Crumb de la Crumb. They provided apple cider and an assortment of appetizers. 

When we were finished, the girls texted pictures to Butch and Nicky to decide whose was best. Everything is a competition!!

This was the winner----mine and Mindy's.

This was Stephanie and Morgan's. I love how they used the mini wheats on the roof and made the pretzel shutters stand open.

After the gingerbread event, I was sick the rest of the week. I'm still not 100 per cent, but I'll get there. I have a busy week ahead of me. The work on the house is schedule to finish this week. So far everything looks good. 

I hope your holiday festivities are well under way. It won't be long now...