I haven't really written because I haven't been sure where to start.  I guess I'll just jump back into it and not think too much.  Decor is as good a place to start as any! So here are our Halloween decorations so far. 

Pumpkins:

 A little chalkboard art:

 Garbage bag spider webs:

And a few knick knacks here and there:

Happy Halloween!

Goodbye

I have been a nurse for 12 years, I guess that is why I am fine with being blunt.  

Sometimes things just are, no point in mincing words. 

A few weeks ago my Dad died.

No one was surprised, many people explained how it was for the best as he was so ill and not himself for several years.

I guess they are right, but he is still gone. 

We had a good funeral service and this is what I said:

Psalm 30 tells us sorrow may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. Our night of sorrow has lasted many years but there will still be a morning of joy. 

I saw an older man the other day at the gas station carefully lifting the hose to drain every last drop of gas that he had paid for into his tank.  I realized then that my dad will be with me in so many different circumstances, in big and small ways every day, and that is my joy.

When someone can’t read my handwriting…

he is with me. 

When I can’t read my handwriting…

            he is with me.

When I hear country music…

he is with me. 

When I see a water colour painting…

he is with me.

When I watch my kids running around with red cheeks, kicking a soccer ball…

he is with me. 

When I see R’s love of reading…

he is with me. 

When K’s sweaty hair curl out from under  a baseball cap…

he is with me. 

When L runs up to her dad after her bath with her wet hair and a brush…

he is with me. 

When I fill out a crossword puzzle in block letters with the words mostly misspelled…

he is with me. 

When I hear a volkswagen bug with no muffler…

he is with me. 

When I drive the long way through all the back roads and call it a short cut…

he is with me. 

When I have a fascinating conversation with a preschooler…

he is with me. 

When I quietly hope the underdog will win..

he is with me. 

And almost every day, he will be with me when someone says to me or my children

“Are your eyes really that blue?”

And I will answer “Yep, they are just like my dad’s.”

Pinspiration- Succulents

 A while ago I saw some cute succulents on pinterest.  It reminded me of something they did on the blog YoungHouseLove as well.  L and I had a bit of an adventure at Value Village one day and came home with three white containers.  I tried to buy the succulents at IKEA, as they did on YoungHouseLove, but there were only a few left by that time and they were sad, sad specimens.  Instead we dropped in Home Depot and bought them there.

the summer mantel

Hopefully these are plants I can't kill.  But they are looking a bit sad... I hear that fake succulents are nice too...

New Old Buffet

This buffet has been in my parents house as long as I can remember.  My mom also acquired another beautiful wooden buffet with carved handles, it is so lovely.  Anyway, this buffet had to go to make room for a new skinny and tall buffet with a hutch.  And we all know what happens to nice wooden furniture when my mom is done with it... it comes to live with me.  See my living room bench and coffee table for previous examples.

Buffet in its previous home,  my mom's dining room

But this is so beautiful I couldn't paint it like the antique coffee table.  Although if you are wondering I stand by that decision 100%.  No, I kinda wanted this to stay wood but I needed to give it a twist.  

A. and I agreed that painting the inside turquoise would be an acceptable compromise.  Turns out we still couldn't get over painting even the inside (wusses) so A. cut some particle board he had lying around (a great use for old destroyed IKEA drawers) and I painted that.  No one could object to painted particleboard, I mean no one.

I used a bunch of other inherited things to fill and decorate the top and inside of my newly revived buffet.  Finally, a place for my clock collection!

 And here it is!

 It needs something on the wall like a mirror or picture and the lamps aren't great, I know but I am thinking that over.  Maybe pinterest will have an idea for my on that front.

But for now, thanks to my mom for the silver, some of the clocks and of course the buffet. Thanks to A's grandparents for the chairs and his other grandma that left us the clocks and crystal.  And thanks to our wedding guests from 12 years ago for giving us everything blue you see in there!

Growing Up

My babe is so big now.  His handsome, clever, serious self turns 8 today.

Seems like only yesterday he was being born. On the floor. In our apartment.  

Yes, this is my moments-old son wrapped in a beach towel and me on a stretcher in my living room.    This really is his first picture.  Ahh, good times.

For the full details of the Tintin party, go here.

Pinspiration- 'Milk Bottles'

I feel like I don't really have any creative thoughts lately that aren't pinterest inspired.

Here are some bottles that are like 'vintage milk bottles' and I got the idea from you know where.

Basically, I bought a whole flat of bottled SB frappuccinos from Costco.  I drank some of them, wow they are strong!  I poured some out into containers and froze them thinking they would be good as smoothies (diluted with milk? fruit?) if it ever gets hot here.  The label is a sticker, it came off pretty easily with hot water.  I might have scrubbed a bit with oil to get the last of the stickies off, can't quite remember.

 Then, I painted a few of the lids with left over craft paint.  Cute, huh?

Bangs!

Yep.  Finally got bangs.  

This first picture is the closest to my actual hair colour.  

Didn't realize how different instagram makes it look but it didn't change.  Still brown.

Wow, do I look different.  And I kinda love it.