OK, Don't Mind The Dirt

Here are a before and after picture of my metal kitchen cabinets. I know how dirty the lavender cabinets look. One of the main reasons it got painted. When we painted them lavender, we mistakenly bought matte paint that doesn't clean well. The other reason is that my pansy kitchen is a thing of the past. We have now moved on to retro kitchen!!!

Here is a before picture. (UGH!!!) The yellow walls are staying (but are being cleaned)

Here is a picture of the new and improved cabinets! This color won't show the dirt as much and it's semi-gloss.

I have found an incredible border that is (hopefully) going up tomorrow.

And if you can believe it, I found some tin signs of pin ups!!!

I'm expecting the whole thing to be done in a few days, depending on Matt's work schedule or brown recluse spider bites.

Six Word Saturday!

Continuing with the EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER!

If you would like to join Six Word Saturday, go see Cate.

My Big "Little" Helper

This summer is all about new experiences. Because Emerson is still in school until June 10th, Vivi and I are working on the house.

Yesterday, I decided to go to the Laundromat so I could get a couple of loads done in a short amount of time. Vivi had never been to a Laundromat and she LOVED IT!!

I snapped a few pictures of her helping out.

It's nice to have an extra pair of hands, even if she did get stuck in the dryer when she was pulling out the clothes and then she waved my underwear all around the place.

As a Good Wifey Should

Now, being the quintessential housewife and stay-at-home mom (HA!) I was wondering how to do it. I don't want to make any social faux pas.

I had remembered an email I had received once and went searching the web for some guidance.

This is for purely entertainment value. Snope.com claims that it is not really from Housekeeping Monthly May 13, 1955. However, there are other publications that are similar out there.

So here are some rules and what really happens in our house.

1) Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal, on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed. "Well, there's poptarts if you want them, other than that, you're out of luck!"

Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so that you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift. "My hair is standing on end, there is food down my shirt, I probably smell. But, HEY! How was YOUR day?"

Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the home just before your husband arrives, gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too. "I've been stepping over it all day, you can too."

Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair, and if necessary change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part. "Girls, you have to put on clothes and wash the fingerpaint off your face because Daddy's coming home!"

Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer, dishwasher, or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and be glad he is home. "Girls, stop screaming and fighting!" "Turn down the TV!" "I don't care who started it!!" "Why can't you play your part??!!!"

Some don'ts: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he is late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day. Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind. "There's beer in the fridge, poptarts in the cabinet, move the laundry to sit, I'm going to bed!"

Listen to him. You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first. "Would you shut up all ready, nobody cares!"

Make the evening his. Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax. "I'm going out, see ya!"

The Goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit. "If you need to renew your body and spirit, take a Valium like a normal person!"

Wednesday Haiku to You!

Holiday's throw me

I forgot that it's Wednesday

So, here's a pin up!

Man, This Kid Can Be So Sweet When She Wants to Be!!

I am in full blown stay-at-home warrior mode! I got up at 4:15am this morning to drive Uncle Jim to work. Got some coffee, and came home. I got Matt up at 6:45 and then proceeded to MAKE SCRABBLED EGGS FOR EVERYONE! (remember this was a strictly cereal and milk on school days household) I made Emerson her lunch, (no lunch money for her this morning) got the girls dressed, (no hanging out in pjs) got the animals fed, and drove Emerson to school.

I decided with Emerson in school these next couple of weeks, I am going to focus on the house and get it tip top shape so we can enjoy the rest of the summer. I am taking a break from a complete redo of our kitchen. I am doing some rearranging, throwing out some things, cleaning cabinets and then painting them.

I just wanted to tell you a little conversation that Emerson and I had this weekend.

We were watching Keeping Up With the Kardashians (MOM OF THE YEAR!!) and this is how it went.

Emerson: "Did you find yourself yet, Mommy?"

Me: "No, it's going to take a while. I used to be somebody and now I'm not anybody."

Emerson: "But you're EVERYBODY!!!"

I grabbed her and gave her the biggest bear hug! That kid kills me sometimes!

Johnny Depp Monday!

Six Word Saturday!

Summer Adventures now to be had!

If you would like to join in, go see Cate at Show My Face

I Think It Might Be A Blessing? Yes, Definitely A Blessing!

As most of you know, I have had a tough time with work recently. If you're new, or you forgot, go here...and here...and also here.

But today at 3pm, I was taken by total surprise, I was fired.

They called my co-worker/friend Katie and myself in the office, gave us some sob story about sales being down and then abruptly let us both go. That leave only HER working in the office. She is the only one to answer the phones, do the data entry, all of the Office Manager duties (which I hadn't trained her on completely), and the monthly close. All I can say is that THEY ARE SCREWED!!!!!

I am not surprised that I got fired after 7 years, I'm surprised how I handled it. I felt nothing. Not upset, not angry, not sad, nothing. My ex-boss stood over me while I packed up 7 years of crap from my desk and then told me I could go around and say goodbye. I wasn't interested, I just left.

The really interesting part of all of this is that Matt and I were talking last night and I was telling him that I felt totally adrift. I hated my job since the demotion, but I was too scared to leave. I didn't want to stay, but I couldn't start over at a new administration position at another company. I thought about going back to school, but the only thing that was at all do-able with a full time job was to get a degree online. But when I looked into it, there was nothing that interested me. The one thing I definitely don't want to do is to get stuck in another "job". I don't want to get up and go somewhere just to go.

I want to have a career that I could at least develop a passion for. I definitely need to something creative. But what? I truly owe it to myself to explore my options.

Do you remember when I interviewed Emerson and Vivi and neither one of them could tell you what I did for a living? What kind of life is that?

It has been suggested by a few people that I write. But how do you parlay a small blog into a writing career?

I can tell you what I'm doing this summer. I will be spending the whole summer with my girls. I am going to unemployment tomorrow for the first time in my life and I got a small severance package. I am taking time to figure out where my niche is.

Do you think Johnny Depp needs a personal assistant?

Wednesday's Haiku For You...A Special Tribute!

Bogie and Bacall

Ralph and Alice

Paul and Joanne

Lucy and Desi

Scarlett and Rhett

George and Gracie

Hepburn and Tracy

Elizabeth and Richard

Roger and Jessica

Bonnie and Clyde

Matt and Becky

Fourteen Years of Bliss

Happy Anniversary

My MattyFlower!

Johnny Depp Monday!

Six Word Saturday!

What if you got 3 wishes?

If you would like to join 6 word Saturday, start out by seeing Cate

Question...

Can you call "What Not To Wear" on someone and request that they don't get the $5000 shopping spree?

I don't want them to teach HER anything either, not that SHE would retain any of the information anyway.

I would just like them to go and throw away all of HER clothes. (Most of you know who I'm taking about) And maybe a little public humiliation.

I'm just sayin'.

Is that bad of me?

Wednesday Haiku For You!

Samurai Raccoons!

Are you a little freaked too,

Or is it just me?

Johnny Depp Monday!

I have something special for all of you!!!




You are WELCOME!!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

I know this is old, but it's my favorite!

Six Word Saturday!

I Have An Award For You!!

I made this award for all of you to celebrate my 60th follower!



There is only one rule to this award...ENJOY IT!!! If you want to give it away, go ahead. If you don't want to give it away, then don't. I'm breezy.

If you want to join 6 Word Saturday, go see my friend Cate at Show My Face

It's Raining Awards!

I have just been showered with awards this week! You guys are so sweet! And BOY, did I need them!!! But more on that later. (It's not about work, I promise)


Some of them have rules, some don't. But all expect me to give the award to others, I don't think I have the strength. I had to be at work at 6am and I just walked in the door at 9pm. I'm a little tired. You want the award? Take it...PLEASE!!! I can't do the linky thing today, I just can't.


On to the Awards!!


This is from Tammy over at We're Only Hughman





Thank you so much Miss Tammy!!!!

My next award is from my good friend Tori and I also got it from my new friends Bitchin' Wives Club. and Fragrant Treasures Memories




You guys ROCK, thank you so much!!!!

My next 2 awards are from Becky from In The Trenches




I now have to list 7 things that make me awesome. ( I had to ask Matt and Emerson to help me, so they actually came up with all of them)


1) I can recite the whole opening monologue to the Odd Couple.


2) I can debate you on the Designated Hitter rule and the evils of Astra Turf, all while wearing 3" heels.

3) I have very a eclectic taste in music. On the Zune I can be listening to Britney Spears "Womanizer" then the next song could be "God Is Trying To Tell You Something" from The Color Purple.

4) My obsession with Pinup girls.

5) My ability to say to my children (and husband) "You better stop what you are doing right now or so help me GOD your father will weep when he sees what I've done to you" with just my eyes.

6) I can take anything out of the pantry and refrigerator and make a delicious meal without a recipe.

7) My fake Medical Degree. I can diagnose anything from the sheer knowledge that I received from show all the way back to Quincy up to House.

Just in time for Mother's Day, she also gave me this one.



The rules for the Mom of the Year award:


Admit one thing you feel awful about involving being a mom. Get it off your shoulders. Once you've written it down, you are no longer allowed to feel bad. It's over with, it's in the past. Remember, you're a good mom!


OK, it seems I have very little patience and a short fuse when I'm stressed. I yell when there is no need. I always feel bad that if I had a bad day, I tend to take it out on my family. I also feel incredibly guilty that I work outside the house.

Remind yourself you are a good mom, list seven things you love about your kids, or that your kids love about you.These are things to remind yourself everyday that you rock!

1) I love that my girls constantly want to hug me and they never let go first. Seriously, I would get nothing done if I didn't finally let go for a few minutes.


2) I love that both girls feel comfortable enough with me to ask me what something means that they may have heard on the playground. (But trust me, those were some questions, I didn't want to answer)


3) I love when they play house and when one is the mom and the other is the daughter, the mom is constantly calling the daughter "honey" or "sweetie" and is really nice to her kids. (They had to have learned it from someone, right?)


4) I (secretly) love that when they are faced with a confrontation with another child, they naturally assume that I would be the one to get into a physical fight with some kid's dad not their father. On more than one occasion, I have heard "Oh yeah? Well my mom can beat up your dad!"


5) I love that Emerson has a incredible interest in politics and history. She can't get enough!


6) I love that Vivi's favorite musical artists are Jack Johnson, and Jason Mraz. I swear she is going to be a beachcomber when she grows up.


7) I love that even though they have grandparents that will buy them anything they want, Matt and I have still been able to teach them the value of the dollar and how to appreciate the little things when money's tight.

Seriously, If you do not have any of these awards, please take them and enjoy.

I think that I will have something for you tomorrow as well, a little something that I want to give you guys from me. Stay Tuned!

Wednesday Haiku To You!

I dream about shoes

When I'm awake and asleep

Oh, and big belts too!

She Spent Way Too Much Time In Tennessee!!

There have been little clues showing up that lead me to believe that Matt's Hillbilly gene is a little more dominant in Vivi then previously thought. They have since come to surface after their trip down South to Matt's Grandmother's funeral.

1) She has always loved the movie Cars, but now she wants to watch NASCAR.

2) She now wants her hair "Bigger" each morning.

3) When ever we ask her what she wants for dinner, she replies "Butter beans and sweet tea."

4) Stacy (Vivi's imaginary friend, who seems to be a bit more redneck) is getting herself into some pretty weird "Jerry Springer" situations lately.

5) She has started saying "Y'all" a lot more.

6) Although she loves all the Golden Girls, she now says that Blanche is her favorite.

7) She won't wear shoes and socks anymore.

And finally,

She sat down at dinner yesterday and this is what she told us.

Vivi: "Me and Gage (her cousin) are going to get married."

Me: "Oh yeah?"

Vivi "Yep, He's going to wear a tie and I'm going to wear a dress and we are going to put a balloon in the sky."

Me: "OK?"

Vivi: "You have to come because Stacy is going to make the cake."

Me: "When is this blessed event going to happen?"

Vivi: "Tomorrow, but Stacy's mommy and daddy are in jail again, so she has to bake it at our house."

Me: "Why are they in jail?"

Vivi: "They hit Stacy and her little brother (you ready for this?) Gummy."

Me: "Then I guess they better stay with us."

Vivi: "Yeah"

I am never letting her out of the state again without me!!!!

Our little bride and groom! They're registered at Gymboree and Toy's R Us, in case you wanted to know.

Johnny Depp Monday!

SO.......????

Of course you aren't!!! I have done nothing but whine and complain like a 2 year old.

But that is all over! I have recognized, embraced and released. It's gone.

I promise I will try my hardest to be much more upbeat and entertaining. This is something that I am going to try throughout my entire life, not just blogging.

After all, if I'm more entertaining in the rest of my life, my stories are bound to be worth the price of admission, right?

We'll see.

Six Word Saturday!

Does This Spring Cleaning Ever End?

If you would like to join 6 word Saturday, start with Cate.

April's Wordle

I love these Wordles! Cate at Show my face does one once a month, and I'm following her lead.

I went to my Google Analytics and picked the post with the most viewings in April.

Friday April 10th, "I Have Come Out From Under The Covers"

http://www.wordle.net/