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Spring

Where does the time go? It's seriously just flying by-here we are in the last quarter of the school year already. Not that I'm sad to see winter go-heck no! I've actually been in an awesome mood today despite the grey dreariness outside because from the upstairs window this morning I caught a glimpse of leaf buds on the trees! And oour Magnolia trees are in full bloom. My most favorite thing ever-watching it all slowly start to turn green outside again...ahhh.

The winter blahs I think cause my quiet time here at the old bloggeroo. My grandmother passed away a couple of weeks ago and the week before I was fortunate enough to visit and tell her goodbye. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that she's no longer here even though I know compared to the state she's been in for years she is in a much better place. I just miss her and hate how time changes things...

This might sound a little strange-but while in Missouri for the funeral I walked past the workout room in the hotel we were staying in and found myself dying to get on it. So while the kids swam with Travis I went in and walked-then jogged and broke into a huge sweat. I think it was a bit theraputic-the time to reflect about Granny but also think on what the next day will hold for her funeral. I really needed that time alone and to really work out some of my grief. You need to know though that I am not an avid exercizer...so it was kind of a big deal to me lol.


{A horse greeted us at Granny's farm when we drove by...}


A few days later talking with my chiropractor I was telling him about everything and he mentioned a race he and his wife are doing and suggested that I sign up. It's not the world's most serious race-it's called the "Fat Ass 5K" if that tell you anything. lol. They serve you donuts and beer while you run?! hehe. I'll wait til afterwards thanks anyway...

So really-it's got me focused on a goal-which is what I need. It's been a good distraction. I've changed my eating habits, been structured about starting back with the couch to 5K plan with fast treadmill walking on my off days for 30 minutes. I've lost 2 lbs and my stamina is only getting better!

I haven't made any jewelry lately-but I've been busy sketching up some new thoughts rolling around in my head. I've applied for 2 large art fairs that I've never done before...nothing like 2 huge motivators to get me moving here soon (I hope! I'll find out in a couple weeks if I've been accepted...) The crazy thing thing is they're one week after another in Sept so i will be going CRAZY if it happens. But a good crazy. lol. So just like the race-I guess I have to sign up to get my butt in gear. :)

*So excited for the break in the weather this week! It was 74 today and I ended up with my first mosquito bite of the yr :(. There is talk of awful snow and ice next week (judging by people who read the farmer's almanac)-I hope it's wrong!

*Still pouring over images and the news in Japan. Heartbreaking. Counting my many blessings at this time.

*We broke down and finally bought the king mattresses I've been dreaming of for so long......only to have them not fit up our stairs! BOO! But...like I said in that last sentence-I am counting my blessings...no matter how broken down our current bed is : we have a bed-and of that I am thankful.

*Chloe knocked one of her front permanent teeth back a little last week when she fell at recess. I hope the tooth doesn't die.

*I think the change in weather is starting to awaken my creative side again. I go dormant and hibernate during the dreary winter...

*We have been tuckpointing and painting our basement. It's a mess.

*Planning our vacation to Charleston, South Carolina! I can't wait to visit where I grew up and hopefully meet up with old friends!!

*Wishing I was on my way to Ohio to visit a certain 1 yr old for his big bash

*Yesterday was a very hard day for me. My grandmother won't be with us for much longer and I went to say goodbye. I know this next week will be a difficult one.

Awesome project!

I love this

Anticipating

These are from our last big snow over Christmas.

I wish I'd gotten a decent one of Gabe the day we played out there-all of his shots show snailtrails...oh well.

Starting today through Wednesday we are supposed to get 12-20 inches of snow. I've been watching the sleet start and stop over the last few hours.

I'm just glad I'd gone to the grocery store and had gotten gas this past weekend before they announced this storm moving in. Chloe's really jazzed about having that much snow to play in-i just groan. All I want is spring....

Someone said on facebook today that spring is 49 days away...the countdown has begun.

WIWW-New tops

~Once again, Linking up with the Pleated Poppy for WIWW~

Last weekend I made a trip to Goodwill to see if I could run across any treasures. I don't usually have time to go through the clothing but this time I did and am glad I took the extra time.

I have also been noticing in my closet {& on WIWW posts) that I tend to lean towards alot of grey and black. Not sure what that says about me but my closet it slowly getting overrun with darkness...

So when I ran across this sweater and saw it in my size I was so excited! It's still a neutral. Our lighting is a little yellowy in the foyer where I take the pics. It's actually more of a beigey-cream. I love the cut! I have been gravitating towards this style of top yet most tend to look a bit maternity. This one made me feel fairly thin :)

Cami-Kohl's

Sweater-Ann Taylor Loft (goodwill)

Jeans-Old navy

Boots-Old Navy

Necklace-made by me

Closeup of necklace



Chloe wanted in on the action this week. I wish i could fit in that outfit-love that top and her boots...

On the same Goodwill trip I found this brand new V neck sweater. It's so soft...I have no clue what brand it is-the tag just has big hibiscus flowers on it.
Jeans and boots: same.



I found this Liz Claiborne grey stretchy top while I was there also. It's so comfy and since we're not heading out on any errands today I decided to track down some old yoga pants from eons ago and have a cozy day :)

A new place to apply lipstick

Ok, i know this isn't a real exciting post but it's little things like this that make me happy :)

For months I'd told Travis I wanted new plates and glasses and to spiff up the glass front cabinets in our kitchen.

Once I figured out what it would take I started stalking our local freecycle for mirrors-BIG mirrors.

I LOOOVE freecycle!

So here's our cabinet for glasses.

Not sure why I was into cobalt blue when we got married. Lots of mismatched sets with odd ones broken over the years. So many of these we didn't even use. Those boxes to take to Goodwill were HEAVY. lol.

Out with the blue!

Here we are with nice new clear bubble glasses that should never go out of style.

And the plates...blue. Loads of obvious chips on the edges.

Plastic mismatched kiddie plates.

Hmm. ick. Remember-glass front cabinets?

Ahhhhhhh. MUCH better!

For Christmas my mother in law bought me the plates and bowls I've been eyeballing for a year.

So much more restful to the eye.

Peek a boo!

Did you forget I mentioned mirrors? Yay!

I was lucky enough to find a couple people renovating and getting rid of those big old plain frameless mirrors on freecycle...just a little trim here and there on them w/ a glasscutter and they slid right behind the shelving.

Love them!

D+M

Oh, that Chloe. What a goof. She was laughing and carrying on in the shower the other night and says hey mom? come here-and bring your camera-lol.

So I'm like hmmmm?? ook?

She was making all sorts of goofy things with their spiderman foamy spray soap stuff and had written this on the wall.

D+M=Heart

I said can you translate that for me please?

*sighhhhhh* (she's 9 but acts 13)

It says Dad plus Mom equals LOVE-get it?

awwwwww

So yes, I did need my camera afterall.

WIWW

It's been awhile since i"ve participated in the WIWW that Lindsey has going on over on her blog...I only remembered a couple times this past week (and mainly so I could show my friend Kim the shirt she sent and a new sweater-lol)

Shirt-gift (Target)

Cami-Target

Bootcut jeans-H&M (consignment shop)

snowboots-Target

Grey wrap cardigan-JCP

grey cami-Old Navy (goodwill)

Skinny jeans-Old Navy

Black boots-Old Navy

I really don't shop that much at Old Navy-lol.

Anyhow, not real exciting...but we've had like 6 inches of snow all week and nowhere to go.

(honestly-I wish we didn't still have to get out to go to school but they never close our schools due to snow) so beyond the coming and going for school I'm sitting here working on taxes all week. Why am I not in sweats? lol

He's the coolest

So this is the latest fashion statement in our house for the past week.

I wish I knew what was up with him squeezing his eyes closed and shifting his jaw lately with pictures. It's hilarious.

And here is how he usually pulls off the look.

Pretty snazzy, eh? ;)

Chloe's dream come true

Chloe has begged me for years to have her ears pierced. I've been saying that she can when I feel she was responsible enough to take care of them herself and be diligent about cleaning,etc without me staying on her about it.

(But if I have to admit it: part of me wouldn't let her do it younger than I did-weird? Maybe...but I can live with that)

waiting......

After the first one.....


I love the continuous shutter on my camera
Click*click*click

She did SO much better than I expected. Only made a couple funny faces and that was it.

No tears-yea!

Some pretty little cz chips to show for her bravery. And at Target today she beelined it for the earring section and found a cute Christmas set for next year-her first danglies. Teeny little jingle bells and snowflakes. (and on clearance now dontchaknow) ;)

Merry Christmas

From our home to yours

image from here

Floridians in the cold

I mentioned before that Trav's aunt and uncle came to visit for the week leading up to Thanksgiving. Well, the week or 2 leading up to their visit not only did the 24 hour flu hit our house but headcolds did as well. Which to an asthmatic mom and 4 yr old it hit us the hardest and ended badly for moi seeing as I had an adverse reaction to an antibiotic I'd never been on before.

* That makes Thanksgiving F.U.N. when you can hardly eat or stand up straight d/t the pain...

Anyyyhow...I am finally feeling pretty darn good and will end up having to backtrack a bit to get all caught up.

They got lucky the day we chose to hit Abe Lincoln's home and walk around downtown it was a record high of over 70 that day. Not too shabby for Illinois at Thanksgiving.

{we're paying for it now!}

No, I don't let my kids run the streets...the neighborhood is blockaded.

Chloe and Bernie outside of Lincoln's home.

Lincoln's home. I don't think I'd been there since a 5th grade field trip.

I had to take a picture of the kitchen inside the house. Amazing how different things are now.

The fence outside. Had to get a few shots of the kids out there.



It was really so pretty out! if only the sun would have peeked out for a bit.

Too bad our last name isn't Robinson!

This was Lincoln's neighbor I guess.

Reflection on the walk downtown. I regret not getting the whole group in it now :(

{Maybe I couldn't think because I was lugging 40 extra lbs on my hip at the time...}

Down by the old state capital there are these bronze statues of Lincoln and his family. The kids are forever posing and wanting photos each time we go by there so they can see themselves growing against the statues...

The plan was to hit the Feed Store for lunch but sadly, they were closed :(

Bummer-love that place!

We ended up at Cafe' Moxo-a first time for me.

Note to self: don't go to a downtown cafe' on a Saturday right before they close-they'll be out of everything you try to order-lol.

Those were the best chocolate chip cookies though!

More photos tomorrow...

Scenes from an open house

This past Friday I held my (1st annual?) jewelry open house.

I was surprised at how many people came and found multiple Christmas gifts!

I decided to try an "island" formation to walk around. I'm not sure if I'm sold on that idea now... It felt like I had much less than when I'm set up how I am at art fairs...But it worked. I may tweak that in the future though.

A few different views...

All of my rooms got the switcharoo. The dining table moved to the emptied playroom. Photo taken before all of the wine came out ;)


Can you see a little hand resting on the corner of the table just waiting to snatch another cookie?

I decided to try something a little different and "group" like things together.
I usually just use the earrings stands as filler in gap areas but was told at the last show people didn't notice them as much. I grouped these and just as I suspected: they look like little gravestones all lined up-LOL.
(at least to me they do)



A few necklaces....

I worked alot this fall with heat treated copper and loved the results. I made quite a few copper pieces and they flew out of here. This was all I had left at the end of the evening. With silver prices at a crazy high right now I think working more with mixed metals is in my immediate future.

I want to thank each of you who came that night. You made the evening a success and made me happy to see so many friendly faces in our home :)

Thank you *Thank you *Thank you!