Angry Birds

Neil snapped these pictures. We had a nest growing on a front porch and the babies are finally here. So cute, right?

And it was all down hill from there.
Neil has been attacked by birds all day. The big birds were dive bombing at his head. He said there about 6 big birds! That is nightmarish! I have not tried to step foot out there.

You are Here

After a long recovery, I am back to creating.

This idea came from being in Colorado where everything is defined in terms of altitude.

We don't have things like that in Texas so I decided to go with our Latitude and Longitude points.

Finding your latitude and longitude may not be easy. It took me a while.

First I went on a hunt in our shed for some good wood. and I found it.
I cut out the numbers from my famous contact paper stash and stuck them on.

Next, comes the fun part. Paint ALL over it.

I chose a pastel yellow to set off the background but a blue or pink would have been cute too...ooohhhh, maybe for a baby's birth date?

Ok, ok ...where was I?

Next, peel off the stickers to reveal the finished product,

Just a fun, personalized DIY art piece to ward off the blues (or flu's)

I hope it works

"I hope it works"
That is the headline of my heart right now.

There is some crazy stuff going on around this house right now. Working during the summer when all by boys are at home is bad enough but worrying about them all day is the worst!

Calgel - I hope it works!

Yes, Neil got Poison Oak again. If it seems like this happens often... that's because it does!

I am not complaining. I feel horrible for him. He was working hard outside to help make life a bit easier. By now, we know the routine and we have washed sheets, scrubbed, and been to the clinic.
I hope it works.

Funny, but I HOPE IT WORKS!

Rexx gets really bad allergies this time of year and tends to chew off his hair until it is raw (TMI?) and bloody. It looks ugly but more than that, it is affecting our sleep. He wakes up all night crying, barking, and scratching. We took him to the vet and they put this thing on him and medicine and shots. He might look silly but he is still my sexy rexy!

He does not like it!

Playing Decorator

Today I am playing decorator for my mom's house.

We all have "that spot" that we never know what to do with.
As a background, this is the first room you see when you come in the door. It sees into the kichen, dining room, and TV room. There is also a fireplace in the corner. Because of all this, it has been hard to work with. We have tried sofas, a piano, and chairs in the past. But it never seems right.

This time I thought about what the room is used for. Usually it ends up being a conversation room and usually those conversations are with women. With that in mind, I decided to play decorator. I do this often. Sometimes for rooms that don't exist. So thanks for "lending" me a real room, mom.

I tried to focus some on incorporating circular elements since EVERYTHING in the room is square now. I also played with mixing texture which always adds dimension. And of course function was the priority. Nice, comfy seating for all the chisme (gossip in spanish), a pouf for a foot stool, a small table for the drinks, and a coat rack which we have never had but I've decided we need :)

I was less worried about color because that can be changed for any room but I do happen to like it for the room.

So, there you have it.

PTI

If you are an ESPN fan or the wife of an ESPN addict, you catch my drift.
Pardon the Interruption

It seems like forever since I have actively participated in my own blog. That would be due to a few factors: Being of vacation, vacationing from vacay, and filling orders for Scrabble tiles! They are flying off the shelves! I have gotten some cool requests:

HELLO, BOSTON, last name for a game room, and tons of gifts!
I am not complaining. Simply explaining myself .... in case you missed me :)

So I believe we are back in business and you can expect some good things soon...including your first VOTE!

Thanks for hanging in there.

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

I love you.

Here's to another year!

Two down, countless to go!

While we were on vacation, we celebrated our 2nd year anniversary.

I can't decide if it has gone fast or slow but I do know that I enjoy my everydays.

To feel supported in all I do - work, health, crafts - is a blessing that I don't want to take for granted. We remind each other everyday that we are loved.

We have made a pledge to always "Love not by words or tongue but by action and in truth" and our anniversary was no different.We spent some time climbing and taking in God's work around us.

COLORADO SPRINGS pictures

We just got back from B-E-A-UTIFUL Colorado Springs.
And we did EVERYTHING there was to do. We stayed in a rental home right in the Garden of the Gods where we stepped out on hiking trails every morning where we illegally climbed ...

We rode on horseback through the Garden of the Gods.

Visited the super close up zoo.

We got an "enthusiastic" tour of Cave of the Winds.

We visited the Air Force Academy Chapel. Pretty.
AWESOME. This is the inside looking straight up.
On the last day, we took a train up to the top of Pike's Peak, a Fourteener.

It was so much fun and we were so happy to be in awesome 70 & 80 degree weather. We are back in 101 today :(

Colorado Springs Here we Come!

I am headed on vacation to Colorado Springs tonight!

Needless to say, there will be a small blogging break until I get back on the 15th. But I am sure I will have lots of pictures to show when I get back.

We get to visit our sister and my Iowa parents and that does not happen too often so we are excited. Neither of us has ever been to Colorado but I know it is beautiful. It will be nice to get out of the 100 degree weather for a bit and enjoy some true adventures.

Until next time.....

Pet Peeve

I hate when this happens:

Really. I know, its not a big deal but I feel like I am forever picking it up off the floor.
And it doesn't look good either.

I found a quick fix and put it to the test.

It looks good....

and it works!

All it requires is velcro and a two lines on the sewing machine!

MUCH BETTER!

Little Lewie

You met our new puppy Lewie here.
Some of you have asked how its going. Funny you should ask!

As far as everyday life, let's just say he keeps us on our toes. He has tons of energy and lots of love to give. So much so, that our "Big" dog Rexx does not like it. They get in each others way but Lewie sleeps in a kennel, he eats out of his own bowl, he knows "sit", and he is potty trained so as far as dogs go, I'd call that a success.

However, we know which of our sons is the "problem child".
Saturday morning...like early...7ish, Neil was watering the trees and Lewie was out with him as usual. Then something happened. We are still not sure what, but we are guessing he got hit by a car - or bit by a snake.

Neil called for the car and off we went...at 7 in the morning ... to the emergency hospital. He was all bloody and way to calm. He was drifting off into sleep and there was blood in his eyes. It was not ok.

He stayed overnight in the hospital to be treated for head trauma, pressure on the brain, and shock.

He is back with us with a list of medication and he is slowly getting back to normal.
We are all happy to have him back! (even Rexx)

Hanger Humor

I ran across these vintage wooden hangers a few weeks ago so I took them home.
I decided to play with them a little and this is what I came up with.

Just a quick fun way to spice up your closet and remind yourself about those dresses you turn down so often :)