Hello! Wow, where has this month gone? Where has my determination to blog gone? It's just been crazy busy here. I'm actually not working today. The men are here to put my gas line in:) Yay! Halfway there after this! I also have a guy coming at 1 to give me an estimate on a double front gate and a single back gate and some panels that need replacing. At 330 I have to go hand out our NW travel league's soccer pictures to the team moms. Matthew has practice at 530. I have a French test tomorrow. Right now, I'm torn between finding the floor in Sarah's room or studying for my test. I need to track down my transcripts from NLU, LSU-E and LSU. For some reason they haven't sent them to my current university/college. I received a letter in the mail saying if they didn't get them soon, I'm out of luck:( As usual, if it's not one thing it's 50 others.

I though the plumbers were going to be here at 830 this morning. But they turned up at 730. Urgh. Talk about panic. I had clothes still out on the line. Some animal had gotten into the trash and strew it all over the patio. I was in my night shirt. Matthew was sitting here at the table in his underwear doing homework he SHOULD have done yesterday. Jamie had to be at school earlier than usual because he was 'on patrol' and Sarah wasn't even up yet! It was a madhouse. Oh and when I did throw clothes on and make it out back once I saw 2 men wandering around back there .... I found out they needed in our crawl space, WHICH JUST HAPPENS to be in our closet:( *sigh* While I'm in a mad dash around the house trying to get it together (kids to school, etc) A man from the town comes and knocks on the door asking me to move my car so they can get to the manhole where we park. DOES ANYBODY ELSE NEED ANYTHING!?!?!
Anywhoo.. So I get the kids to school, and race back here to throw everything out of my closet onto the bed because the way he made it sound, it needed to be done yesterday. So out come the boxes, the board games, the clothes, the boxes of shoes, the Halloween costumes, the suits and ties and dresses and a couple of lamps and a ceiling fan that at some point we need to put up and and and and... *collapse*. Then I rush outside to sweep up the trash that had been strewn by (most likely) our neighborhood opossum, grab my clothes off the line (unmentionables and such). I race back in, quickly clean the bathroom and run a vacuum down the hall. All within an hour because they were anxious to get into the crawl space. WELLLLL..... here it is almost 12pm and they have yet to set foot into the house. I really feel like I can't do anything while they are here because I need to be handy if for some reason they need me. We have this enormous trench in the yard now. I can't wash clothes because I can't hang them out while they are here. If I go to Sarah's room, then I might not hear them if they call me. I need to vacuum the family room but again, they may need me. So I should just sit here and study. That would be the sensible thing to do. I just ran Sarah some lunch up to the school. The one day that both of the boys (especially Jamie) will eat at school because it's pizza... SARAH decides she'll be picky today and want tomato soup. My kids are far to spoiled. Yes, I know, I did it. Nobody to blame but myself. I had to take Jamie's meds up there and his folder and assignment book up there anyway though. He left them at home in a rush to get out of the door with Paul so he could get to school early. I'm so proud of him this year:) He's on Student Council, the recorder group, patrol and is 'thinking' about choir:) He's never been this interested in what was going on in school:) HE'S HAPPY!:) Finally, he's happy:)

Ok, well the plumbing guys finally made it inside and now they are drilling holes in my wall. I didn't realize they'd put the gas thing INSIDE. That makes it even more exciting:) We better not decide to change where we want it to be:)

I'd better be off:) Yall have a great day and hope to be back here soon:)

Good morning:) Can yall believe it's mid-September!?!? Where has this year gone? Paul and I were actually discussing Christmas last night. How crazy is that? We went into a store this last weekend and were shocked to find Christmas items there right along with the Halloween and autumn things. It was Cracker Barrel! That's where it was. Yep, snowmen and witches side by side. They really rush things. I wish they'd just let one get over with before the next appears. There is a radio station that will begin playing Christmas music on November 1st. Christmas music 24/7 until New Years Day. I refuse to listen to any holiday music until the day after Thanksgiving (which this year is my *ahem*birthday*ahem*cry*sigh*). Probably will actually put one of our favorite Christmas CD's in as soon as we get in the car from Aunt Kathy's tbh:) Paul has his Cliff Richards one. I'm sorry, but I'm not real crazy about Sir Cliff. We both love Charlotte Church and I'm a huuuuuge fan of Il Divo and their Christmas cd:) Doh! Here I am talking about ppl rushing things and I'm just as bad rambling on and on and on about it....

I don't remember if I posted that I had won an auction on Ebay a couple of weeks ago. It was for pink depression glass desert plates. The description read:

7 PINK DEPRESSION PLATES

EACH PLATE MEASURES 7 1/2 ACROSS

PLATE DESIGN LINES RADIATE OUT

VINTAGE CONDITION

MAYBE ANCHOR HOCKING

Well, apparently "vintage condition" means horribly scratched. I'm so mad. I opened them up all excited and ... tbh, my aunt and I aren't even sure they are even real depression glass. They look really cheap. As for 'anchor hocking' hmmm... not. This seller had a 100% positive rating too. She never replied to my emails either. Needless to say, I left her a bad review. Not that that will do any good. I've had pretty good luck in the past on Ebay, not that I do it much at all. I do like looking for things every once in a blue moon though.

I'd better be off. I have clothes on the line from like day before yesterday. I've been on the go non-stop again. Yesterday I had to take Aunt Kathy into Chicago to have her knees looked at (she had them both replaced in July. I haven't seen her walking this great and without grimacing in pain in years!:)

Yall have a great day!!:)

Still here

Still here! Just crazy with school, substituting, soccer, ballet, kids, husband, etc etc etc..
Hope all is well with everyone. I'm about to run back out the door to French. Hope everyone has a great day;)
Here are some pictures I meant to post from this weekend:)

You can feel the rain coming this morning. It's very warm (not hot) outside and the wind is just really heavy. I'm hoping the storms that are on the radar diminish before they get here. Jamie has a hard time with bad weather. He just gets completely freaked out over them. I think it all comes from the tornado sirens and me having them here and putting them in the bathroom when he was young. Then, last year when we had the floods, that just exacerbated the fear even more. We had bad storms a few weeks ago here and our power went out and there was a micro burst. He was just inconsolable. Matthew and Sarah see it and start to panic. We just keep reassuring him and hopefully he'll grow out of it.

Boys it's been a hectic week. I'm so glad it's almost over. Tomorrow we are going clothes shopping for the kids and Sunday, Matthew has a game. It's here at home:) Yay!:) Jamie is off this week so double "yay!":) He still has practice today though. I'm really happy I'll be seeing Matthew's game this weekend. I missed his first travel game and from what everyone has told me, he did soooooo good. He and one other little boy carried the team. It sounds like, though, that the team couldn't find their groove. It was the first game of the season and they've been off all summer. They've played together as a team for 4 seasons plus some of them together for winter indoor soccer. Matthew has really become aggressive and it's surprised everyone:) He used to get out there and be in his own little "Matthew World". Now he's becoming one of the better ones on the team and that's saying something because we have a great little team. And they all get along really well. That always makes it nice:) I can't say enough about the parents of these kids either. We have all gotten to be really good friends and we sit and visit at practice. I know that I can count on them to do for me if I need. Even outside of soccer. So that's really nice:) Jamie's team is a little different. I do like the parents, but we (or *I*) don't seem to click with them like I do with Matthew's team. His coach is lovely. She really hangs in there with Jamie and I can ask her to go to games or bring home from practice if need be. They also have a really good team. They were not used to losing until they were put into the gold division. There were a lot of kids that play for area premier teams--kinda of a rude awakening but it's good to experience game losses:) Builds character!!:)

Well, I better get moving. The wind has just picked up and my recycling is sailing down the block so I guess I better go chase it all down. I see a few people outside doing the same:)
Yall have a great day:)

Wednesday morning rant...

Good morning:) I'm sitting here having my coffee and toast. I dropped the kids off at school and just finished up my French homework that is due in about an hour. There is something that has really been bothering me this year. Well, it started somewhere in last school year, but this school year it's blaring. Where are children's manners these days?? I would have never have rolled my eyes at a grown up or just ignore when spoken to by an adult. I was recess lady for lunch recess yesterday and the 5th and 6th graders are just flat out RUDE. They look at you like you're from another planet or that you are the stupidest person in the world and you have no right to speak to them. This morning, when I dropped my kids off, I spoke to a child (5th grade) that just looked at me and rolled his eyes!! I am so appalled. Seriously. I mean who do these kids think they are? If mine ever EVER do that to an adult (or anyone--I don't want my kids to be rude or disrespectful to anyone) I want to know! Oh my gosh. Had I ever done that when I was young, Momma and Daddy would have known immediately and when I got home, I'd be in some major trouble. People laugh at me up here when I correct the kids when they say "yeah" or "yes" to an adult. I always say "yes m'am" and they correct themselves. I realize I'm not in the south but it's not just about where we live, it's about showing a little respect to their elders. Paul's mum found it hard to get used to but she understands now... I think:) I still say it to my elders. I always will. A little respect goes a long way and people remember you when you have good manners. It makes me feel like I've done something right when people tell me that my children are so polite. It's worth all the corrections and the ribbing I get:)

Ok I'll get off my soap box but that just rubbed me the wrong way. Now, I must get going and get ready for school. Today is very busy. I have class at 9:30. When I'm done there, I have to come back here to be recess lady for lunch. I'll be done with that by 1pm. Then I have to rush over to Aunt Kathy's and vacuum her family room. Run back, get the kids at school for 2:35pm. Back home, get Sarah ready for ballet -- hair back in a tight little bun. Make a mad dash to her ballet class for 4pm. Should be home somewhere around 5:30pm. Supper, baths, kids in bed. I'm sure there will be several things to be done before I collapse in bed. It's going to be a loooooooooong day.

Hope yall have a good one:) Take care!!

Goodbye Summer

Yesterday officially marked the end of summer for us here in the US. We didn't have anything planned but a friend of mine called and mentioned Michigan -- so I was like, MICHIGAN! We haven't been there all summer, why not go... so we did;) We jumped in the car and drove up to New Buffalo and had lunch at the Stray Dog. It was really good. Jamie was soooo hungry. He seemed really miserable. When his pizza arrived he perked right up and said it was worth the wait:) Bless his heart. Jamie is my more serious child.


He thinks everything out. He's a complete opposite than my Matthew. Matthew is more like me I think. Kinda carefree. A fly by the seat of his pants kid:)


He finds fun in just about anything:) I also believe he may be half labrador. This child loves the water more than anyone I know. It's very hard to get him out once he's in. Jamie loves swimming but hates to be cold. When we go to the beach, Jamie is more a beach comber. He loves looking for rocks, shells, anything shiny or abandoned:)

Then there is Sarah. Oh boy... We've got our time cut out for us that's for sure. She's very girly but not afraid to get dirty:



She's very independent. Much different than the boys. She is 5 going on 21. I am amazed at the difference in boys and girls. Even though I have 2 brothers, I never knew how big the difference was. She has her daddy so wrapped around her little finger (in a nice little bow:). But I wouldn't have it any other way:)

We had a really nice day out. After we ate lunch, we headed up to St Joseph and walked around, had ice cream then went back to Warren Dunes and let the kids play until the sun began to set.



They were worn out:) We came home, sprayed them down with the hose outside before we brought them in:) They showered, I made cheeseburgers and french fries for supper and everyone collapsed in their beds:) It was a very nice way to end the summer:)

Rise and Shine!:)

Good morning:) Well, I've been up almost an hour (since a little after 6am*grumble*) but I've gotten a bit accomplished. A couple loads of clothes washed and on my 'Solar Dryer'. Solar dryer?? It's a washing line people! That made me laugh when I saw it online as a "Solar Dryer":) Anywhoooo.. I went and bought one yesterday morning to use while I'm finding someone to come look at my dryer. It's really cool out this morning and the birds are chirping and singing. I love to hear the Morning Dove. I got up, put my coffee on and turned on my laptop at the table. I'm listening to Daisy Cottage's music. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" just played and now we are onto Floyd Cramer:) Momma would love this:) I often listen to Sophie Honeysuckle's blogger as well. I love the music. It's easy morning music where you can just puruse blogs and have your coffee and toast. Very nice job on the music:) Moooon Riiiiiverrrrrr.....

Sarah, Jamie and I went garage sale shopping yesterday morning. Paul took Matthew to the mountain bike trails and Jamie wanted to play with a friend that I'm not really thrilled with him playing with. So, I told him "Lets go look for garage sales" and that's like telling him he's won the lottery:) That child (he's 10) loves a garage sale better than any adult I know. Needless to say he was much happier. They brought home all sorts of junk. Yes, junk. I think Sarah came home with plastic chicken nuggets and some sort of wooden hearts on a ribbon, a sleeping bag and assorted other odds and ends that a lady let her have. Jamie scored a few freebies as well but he also learned that a bargain isn't always the bargain you think it is. He was most upset that he spent 50 cents on something for his daddy only to find out the back was all nasty and falling apart when he took it out of the box. I felt so bad for him. He was devastated. I mean 50 cents is like 10 dollars to him. So I reimbursed him and he felt much better but now he knows the 'dark side' of bargain shopping (not to mention I have to go vaccum my car out now. The stuff is all over my backseat-yuck!) I came home with a gorgeous creamy white damask tablecloth. It's hard to find tablecloths for my table because it's wider than a standard table. So I found this and grabbed it. Then I found a silver tray and I'm going to copy from "My Romantic Home". Clink on the 'silver tray' link and you'll see. Mine is round though with beading around the edges. I thought it was such a cute idea though. I hope my turns out even an nth as good as her's did:)

Sarah woke up about 30 minutes ago and I'm already looking for the off switch to her mouth. This child does not stop talking from the time she gets up til she clothes her eyes at night. Even then, she talks in her sleep. She really does. She's doing really well in all day kindergarten. She has not, however, come home with 5 stamps on her behavior strip. There always seems to be that one day (usually Wednesdays) that has "Would not stop talking" or "Non-stop motor mouth". Just Wednesdays. Thankfully her teacher has known her since she was born almost and so she knew what she was getting into with her:) That always makes it nice. I would love to have an older house with character, but in order to do that, we have to move out of our town and school district and I just can't see us taking the kids away. Even if it's only to the next town (our towns all run into each other here. You never know when you're in the next one). So we are pretty much here. The houses are newer in our school district but they really don't have a lot of character and the rooms are so small! We would love to have a 4 bedroom house but I'm not sure that even exists over here, much less a 5 bedroom. 5 would be wonderful everyone would have their own room plus a spare for company. That would be ideal. But again, I'm not sure that exists.

Well the natives are all waking up and getting restless. So my day really starts. We may take them to see "Mr Bean's Holiday":) They've been looking forward to that--so have Paul and I tbh:) Have a lovely day!

Yard sale finds:)

Happy Friday! Happy Labor Day Weekend Friday!!:) Oh I'm so ready for a long weekend:) I've had several busy days in a row. I was so exhausted last night that I went to bed and was asleep by 9:30pm. No computer, no tv, sleeeeeepy. I woke up this morning and had to get the kids to school by 8am (however, Jamie budge from bed until 8am---getting to school at 8 after 8). Then I had to rush Arthur to the vet by 8:30am. On the way home, I paid bills and ran across some garage sales. *gasps* Paul hates me to go to garage sales: "We don't need other ppl's junk. We have enough of our own!". Well, I think I found a few cute things. I was really looking for linens and quilts. This is what I found...


These came from a lady who was having a garage sale of her 94 yr old mother's things. The top one is an apron. The lady who owned this must have had about an 18 inch waist. It's so tiny! I have no clue what to do with it but I love it. The next as you can see is a crocheted throw and then the bottom is a very old, very thin (but very lovely) chenille bedspread for a double bed. I can just see it on an iron bed in a room with hardwood floors and on the bedside table my sweet little milk glass lamp I found as well:


I also found this milk glass vase. I love milk glass and I have kind of a big collection. I don't have anything to do with them yet, but I am looking forward to being able to use it all one day. I'm not really sure if the vase is really milk glass. It feels a little different than my others... so I have my doubts, but for $1 you really can't go wrong:) I also picked up a couple of Corningware "Cornflower" casserole dishes. I'm a sucker for those. I guess they remind me of growing up. Momma had them and I just really love them. It seems like they are always at any garage sale so it's not like it's a hard find--just love them:) I had fun looking:) Afterwards I had a room-mom meeting and various other little things I had to do at school. It's been non-stop but my little shopping spree was fun:)

Also, I was tagged by Sophie Honeysuckle:) This is the first time I've been tagged I hope I'm doing this right:) This is how Sophie explains how the game works:

"This is a new tagging and I think it's great ....It's called the name game, and here are the rules for those that choose to follow them: Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name game facts. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog."

So here goes:)

A - Absolutely awful at keeping my house organized. I try. I try. I try. *sigh* One thing gets done then the rest of the house falls down around. Everyone says, "Oh it's having 3 kids". Well, my momma had 3 of us and Paul's mum had 4 and they seemed to do everything with the greatest of ease. I keep saying "One day". One day never seems to come.

N- Nice. I think sometimes I'm nice to a fault. Like this school year I'm finding that I'm having a very hard time of saying no. I don't want to make anyone mad. Also, if you're nice it's easier to get people to help out when you're in a jam. Well, most of the time. I'm now a room mom for Matthew (2nd grade), helper for Jamie (4th grade)'s room mom. I will be doing popcorn on the last Friday of the month because the lady who was doing it, took the 'recess lady' job that was offered to me, but I wanted to go to school. I am also team mom for Matthew's team and now our whole Traveling organization's head Team Parent. A friend of mine also asked me to help her out at the concession stands on some Saturdays during this season. Soooooo... yeah, sometimes i d not know how to say no.

N - Nerdy:) This one comes from my husband. Yes, my name is Kathryn and I *AM* a nerd:) I would probably say geek.. but nerd is good too:) I love Doctor Who with a passion. And as for Star Trek, Yes, I watch Star Trek. I know what a Ferengi is. I know that the Bajorans and the Cardasians are huge enemies because the Cardasians took over Bajor. The Klingons are great warriors. B'Elanna Torres is half human (father) and half Klingon (mother). I broke out in a sweat when Paul told me there was a convention with 4 of the captains (Picard, Janeway, Kirk, and Sisko). I'm also looking forward to visiting Vegas because there is a "Quarks" in the Hilton. I'm just hoping they use real latinum!
Ok there I've said it. I'm letting my NERD flag fly high! *sighs*:)

Now I'm supposed to tag 3 ppl who start with the letters in my name. Oh dear. I may have to think on that one:) I'm new to blogging and I don't know a whole lot of ppl. SOoooooo.... Could I maybe just go with my friend Melia (M is close to N right?) and my cousin Dana (A is close-ish to D:) Maybe further down the road I'll be able to pick more;) But this was fun! Thanks Sophie:)

Ok, my bbq supper is waiting for me to get it to the table:) Yall have a great evening:)

Je m'appelle Kathryn:)

Bonjour! Comment vas tu? Je vais bien. :)

Ok, and that's about the extent of my french so far:) Unless yall would like me to count to 59... and then I can only make it to about 16. Un, deaux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf, dix, onze, douze, treize, quatrorze, quinze, seize *curtsies*:)
I'm really enjoying the class but I felt like I was in way over my head today. Urgh. And, not to mention, I'm the oldest in the class (Je suis trente-sept.) I guess I'll get it. I'm so glad Paul knows French. Well he's had many years of it but also many years since he's used it:) So he'll be relearning it and able to help me a bit.

Today is busy busy so I shouldn't be sitting here. My dryer is snagging and ripping clothes and leaving brown slashes on them as well. So I need to find someone to fix it. In the meanwhile, I need to go wash clothes, get them hung up (my house has been looking like a department store with clothes hanging everywhere). I just don't have the time to go to the laundromat to dry them. We have ballet this afternoon and then soccer pictures. So I'm off:)

A' Bientot!
Salut:)

And the kittens new names areeee.......

Ford and Arthur
(think HGTG)

It's the little things

I'm so excited this morning! It's the little things that thrill me:) Crocs has some new shoes out and I'm dying to order them:) I know the kids will be excited. Sarah and I are getting these for the winter. I shall be ordering them soon! Don't they look so warm and cozy? We are a Crocs family. Paul isn't but the kids and I are. The problem is though, with the boys, they wear their's out so fast. It's usually the toes that go because instead of using their normal bicycle breaks, they feel dragging their toes is a much better way to do it:( Boys *sighs*. There are several other new ones there as well that look really cool and will be looking more into like these and these. Another one of my finds this week that I'm pleased with (again it's the little things), is a new Tide scent. They have come out with a line called Tide Pure Essentials and the one I got was with Baking Soda. It smells so nice and fresh. The one with lemon smells really nice too.

Well don't I sound like a big old advertisement this morning?? Moving on... it stormed all yesterday afternoon and last night. It was the oddest looking thing when the storm around 7pm moved in. It looked like black smoke coming across the sky. If ever I was worried about what was coming THAT right there scared me. It was coming from the east it looked like and Momma always says, "Storms from the east; not fit for man nor beast". *shudder* Paul had to drive in it. He said he could only go about 10 mph and he saw a lightning strike hit somewhere in town and all of the sudden all the lights went out. Our's just flickered thankfully but there are lots and lots of ppl without power again this weekend. More storms on the way today it looks like as well:(

On a happier note:) Paul and I decided maybe it was a GOOD thing that we haven't found our perfect living room sofas and chair:) These kittens (especially the baby) are just all over the place (and the curtains!) Paul went and bought them a tower with scratching posts and they love it, but they also seem to really love my couch. Last night, I started looking for slipcovers. Ideally, I'd love to have a pink one. Not loud pink but you know... nice pretty pink and then be able to put pretty pillows on. Just something til we get out of the "let me scratch everything up" stage. If anyone knows where I can find one, please let me know:)

I found these pics of Sarah on Aunt Kathy's camera so I thought I'd post them:) I'm off to put some laundry on with my new detergent:) Clean smelling products make me happy:) Have a great day!!:)

Our new babies;)

We now have 2 new members in our family:) Little furry ones:) Paul's birthday is on Monday so Jamie and I have been thinking for a while that we should get Daddy a kitten. I told Jamie that we should probably get 2 kittens for company (plus hopefully saving "Cat" our 9 yr old from the abuse:) So, day before yesterday, Jamie and I went out to the shelter and picked out 2 kittens tentatively named "Flip" and "Falco" (very "Rock Me Amadeus"). They are adorable! We put the application in and they said they'd contact us within 3-4 business days to let us know. Yesterday morning around 9, they called to tell us that we could pick them up:) Jamie and I hadn't told Matthew and Sarah because we knew for sure that Sarah would probably let it slip. Matthew is a pretty good secret keeper but Sarah... not so great:) At 10:20am (recess) I went up to the school to let Jamie know that they called and we'd be picking them up after school. Afterwards, I went to Tuesday Morning to find a big pretty box to put them in and then Target for a couple of essentials (litter box and food dish) and then finally to the grocery store to get a chicken and potatoes for roast chicken and potatoes for supper:) It was so exciting. Paul arrived home at 7pm to find this on the front door step:)


And inside were the kittens:) Here is a picture I took of them last night at bedtime. Flip is the grey and white (8wks) and Falco is the buff/yellow and he is 4 months.


They have the best time together:) Even though there is a couple of months between them (the Humane Society told me that Falco was 11 wks..not 16wks that I found out this morning--which is another whole story. Anyway, it's like big brother/little brother:) They love each other. They romp and cut up. So cute:) Paul was very pleased:)

This is "Cat" our 9 yr old.


She is not amused by the new additions in the least. The kittens don't even have to be in the same room as her when we walk by or even look at her, she growls at us. She took a swipe at the babies last night. Paul was trying to introduce them. Needless to say, it didn't work quite the way he had hoped. She'll adjust... hopefully:)

As for names, Paul has thrown some around. Some of them are: Noddy and Big Ears:); Rom and Quark (we're Star Trek geeks can you tell?); Merry and Pippen (LOTR) and Flip and Flop. I'm kinda liking the Noddy and Big Ears the best... but I like the others as well. Paul's mum suggested Bill and Ben :) I think Paul was leaning more towards Quark and Rom this morning. Stay tuned:)

*Yay!*:)

Hi hi!:)

Good news! Our floors are do-able and not for an arm, leg or kidney:) Paul and I were so surprised by the price the guy gave us. I HONESTLY thought we were looking around $4000 or more. The guy kinda looked at me funny when he told me what it was and I gushed, "OMG THAT'S AWESOME!":) He also gave us a price for the kitchen, however, I think we are going to hold off on that until we do a kitchen re-do. Probably not a great idea to put so much money into it and then later on have to rework it as well. I think we'll just go and put something cheaper down (get that carpet out--no, we didn't put carpet in the kitchen. Someone who didn't have children must have done that) until we do the re-do:) *dances*dances*dances* The man said they'd take it down to the boards then stain it whatever color we choose and then put 2 coats of polyurethane on it. Plus they are going to put new baseboards down for us. He said he has some really nice "colonial" baseboards in his shop. What we have now are basic ranch and they look yucky to me. Paul and I had been talking about it anyway so he said he would put those down and the 'base shoe' (little finishing off piece at the bottom). So Paul and I were like, "coooool":) We have to give the man 5 wks notice though because he has so much going on. Another thing the flooring man brought up was that he does custom inlays and such. He looked so excited telling me about how he loves to get out in his shop and work with different woods and create things. I told him he sounded like my younger brother:) Justin does wood work and he is always talking about wood. He's my 'go-to' guy when I need to know something about that:) Anyway, I found a pattern that he did in another house called 'basket weave'. It is lovely. I told Paul that I'd love to maybe do something like that in the kitchen once we start on it. I'm so excited:) Now the decision is for the color. That's going to be a tough one. I just hope it doesn't take us as long to pick that out as it has to find or settle on a living room set.

Paul got home from California last night *yay!*:) He said he has to go back out in 3 wks. I don't mind him going out there (really wouldn't matter if I did seeing as it's for work) but I just don't like the fact he has to fly. I hate flying. So it's really the coming and going that I have a problem with. Hopefully it won't be for much longer. I told him this morning that if he speaks to me very nice today, I'll make him roast chicken, roast potatoes and gravy for supper. I haven't made that in a few weeks. In the winter, it seems to be a staple with us. Sometimes a couple times a week. He loves it. It's harder to make it in the fall and spring because the boys are always having soccer practices or games every day but Wednesdays. So seeing as it's Wednesday, I think I could probably do that for him:) The only thing we really have going today is Sarah has ballet for a couple of hours but I can drop her off and run back home. Nutcracker auditions are on Sunday. Someone told her she'd probably be either a toy soldier, snow baby or bonbon. If I remember right, toy soldiers didn't dance. I don't send her to ballet and to extra classes so she gets a non-dancing part. I could be wrong about not dancing... I guess as long as she's happy that should be all that matters.

I feel like baking today. I don't do a lot of baking normally but I there is a recipe on my recipe site that I came across and it sounds so good. Maybe I'll make that and take it out to Matthew's soccer practice tomorrow for the grown-ups. It's a Bundt Coffee Cake. Maybe take that and some coffee-- providing it's not raining. We'll see how far I get:)

Well yall have a great day today. We are supposed to be getting 48 hours more of rain. I cacn't image we can have much more rain before we all float away.

*Kat heads off to find her pirogue and umberellas*

Well it's yet another dreary morning here in the midwest. I'm waiting on a man to come and look at our hardwood floors to tell us if they can be redone/restored. I'm guessing at one time, the floor boards creeked so they put these large silver nails into each of them. That along with all the staple holes and such that come with carpeting. It really gets cold in the winter and hardwood may not be the most sensible thing, but I think when it comes to selling our house in the future, that hopefully, it will add more value. I think it'll look beautiful if we can do it. We still would put carpet in the bedrooms but the dining, hall and living room would be hardwood. I also asked him if he would give me an estimate on what it would take to do the kitchen as well. I heard that you can put wood floors in and then when they refinish the other floors, they will just do that at the same time and it'll all blend and look like it goes together. Cross your fingers it wont cost an arm, leg and kidney.
I still have not found that perfect living room set for the living room. I've found several things I like for the family room, but atm, we are on a mission for the Living Room. Next month, I'm hoping we'll get the gas line run for our new fireplace:) I say it's new, but we've had it sitting here in our living room since January. I wanted to find out what we were going to do with the floors before we had the line run and got the insert. It's going to be so soooo pretty once we get it all done. Here... let me go take a picture of my fireplace;) ... brb:)

Ok here it is. We have picked out a firebox for it and logs. We'll get those once the gas line is run from outside.


The top is black marble. Here is a closer look at the scrolling at the top.



And while I was taking pictures, wanted to show you what I meant by the nails in the floor. Of course I've pulled the carpet back -- so please excuse the mess:)


I'm really hoping for good news because I really think a hardwood floor with our fireplace would be so perfect. If not... well I guess we'll have to start looking at carpeting:(

Ok, well I'm off. I need to go fold some laundry and wait for this man to get here. Yall take care;)

I love toast, soccer and vacations:)

I do. I love love love toast. It's simple. It's quick and it's one of my very favorite things in the whole world. Toast and coffee. It's what I have every single morning. I don't even have to have jelly/jam on it. Just a little butter (the real deal not fake) and I'm as happy as a pig in mud. And my coffee. I'm almost at the end of my enormous can of Maxwell House. In a couple more mornings, I'll be able to open up a wonderful fresh pack of Community:) Ahhhhh. I love Community Coffee. If you don't know what Community Coffee is, you probably aren't from Louisiana. You can't find it up here in Chicagoland... or at least I haven't. I have to stock up on it when I go to Momma's. That and Bama Jelly. Plum jelly. Mmmmm..There are other odds and ends I have to pick up at Momma's as well like Oak Grove Jambalaya Mix. I am ashamed to say, I can not make a good jambalaya and so I use a mix. But it's a very good mix. I'm not a fan of Zataran's. To me, it takes like wet leather smells. Yuck.
It's been raining for 3 days now and it's not supposed to stop until tomorrow or Wednesday. Jamie had his first game yesterday (soccer/football)and it was miserable. It wasn't cold but it was cooler (upper 60's) and he was soaked to the bone by the end of the game. It seemed like the longer they played, the harder it rained. It did stop for a few moments right before they started the game but then as soon as they started, here it came again and harder. Then at half time, it stopped but as soon as they started the second half... yep, more rain. One mom on our team is new and she was horrified that the kids play in the rain. She said her husband was most upset that they were playing in such nasty conditions. I'm sure it's like any other sport, unless it's a flood or thunder and lightning it's 'play on'. Jamie is so cold natured. So as soon as the game was over we rushed home and got him dried off. He ended up in warm-ups. He played hard yesterday though. I was really proud of him:) He seems happier this year so far. Fingers crossed it stays this way:)
Pictures. Here are some of my favorites I've taken on vacations:) I love vacations:) Hope you enjoy them:)

I was looking through my pictures from last summer and came across this one. I took it at Mackinaw Island. We had such a fun vacation:) I'd love to go back there:) There were so many beautiful houses on the island.


This is another shot I took. I can't remember the name of the spot, but it was in their forest preserve. They said that this probably wouldn't be there in another 50 years due to erosion. That's sad to know.

This is my favorite of the kids from our vacation at Mackinaw. Paul drove us out (on the St Ignus side) to an empty beach. It was just the kids and us for hours:) It was lovely:) Here, you can see the sun is going down:) It was perfect!

I'm sure I've rambled enough:) I'll post pictures from our trip to Destin, Florida another day. It was so beautiful there as well:) I think the sun is trying to peak out of the clouds but I can still hear the rain. I'm off to do something constructive---maybe:)

Autumn in August:)

Good morning! It's pretty overcast, but I'm loving these temps:) I went out to get Matthew from his soccer sleepover and I thought about going back in and getting my sweater! Such a great break from all of this horrible heat and humidity we've had lately. Paul has gone off for a bike ride(mountain biking). I told him he'd better do it before it rains this afternoon. He leaves for California tomorrow. Jamie has his first game tomorrow afternoon. I'm so glad Matthew doesn't have his first game for another week. That would be a nightmare if his was this weekend. Next Sunday though, Sarah has Nutcracker auditions and then the boys both have games. I think they are both at home though. Sarah received a letter in the mail from another dance company that listed the auditions they have coming up and one of them (in the spring) is Cinderella. I know she'd love to do try out for that one but that is also around the same time that Peter Pan will be (the same company she did it with this spring and that Nutcracker will be with).
I'm trying to figure out how to take those really pretty pictures that you see on blogs like Sophie Honeysuckle and FreckledFarm (among others). I think I read on one of them something about the macro setting. So I'm going to be practicing on that. Speaking of Sophie Honeysuckle, I got a comment from her on here:) Made me very happy. My first comment:)
Let's seeeeee... what else.... Yeah, I walk around the house thinking of things that I can put here and then I sit down at the computer and it's like *pppbbtt!* it's all gone. I will probably sit here at my computer today and try to figure out how to make my blog all purdy. And then after several hours of sitting here in this very hard kitchen chair, I will resign myself to the fact that this is one of the reasons I married Paul. For his coding skills. I mean, there are other reasons I married him too.. he likes to vaccum. I can secretly, and safely, enjoy watching Star Trek under the cover that it's HIM that wants to watch it.. I'm just in the room;) He is a great travel planner. He can throw a vacation (that I've been planning for months) together with lots of fun things in under 3 hours. What else... oh he's still got his cute British accent, most of the time:) And, he's a master packer. He can make anything fit into any space. No matter how small that space is. A great example is our SUV at Christmas time going down to Momma's. Somehow, he makes it allllll fit with us still having some space to sit and see out of the windows:) Oh and on occasion he has been known to bake bread:) What a guy huh?:) Yeah, I guess we'll keep him around for a little while longer:)
Boy, this has sure turned into a rambling post hasn't it? My Matthew is sitting here having his bag of popcorn and milk. He's telling me all about raccoons:) So I'm off to help him look up more about them:) Yall have a great day:)

Hello:)

I'm sitting here at my dining room table having coffee. It's so quiet. Our 3 children are now in all day school and I have to say, it's just odd. I don't know what to do with myself. It's so quiet and still. I feel like I'm doing something wrong by not having them at home... well at least Sarah. We made the decision to put her in all day kindergarten and I'm not sure that was the right thing to do... for me at least. That sounds so selfish I'm sure. She is loving it. She's not loving getting up early in the morning but she's loving it all - going to school for breakfast; taking her lunch and everything else that goes with it. I'm glad she's not one of the kids that is all clingy and has separation anxiety. I can imagine that has to be rough on any parent. Trying to leave and having your child beg and plead you to stay and don't leave them.
So now it's just me. Not knowing what to do with all this time or where to start. I mean there is PLENTY for me to do around the house but there are other things that seem like it'd be nice to figure out while I have all this time on my hands. One thing I am going to do starting week after next is take a French class. I've always wanted to know how to speak French and in the last couple of years, Italian. I have never learned to speak any foreign language so I thought, now, was as a good of time as any:) Everyone says, "oh you should really learn Spanish first". Yes, I think at some point I should but I want to give French a go first. I always think, it would be so cool to be multi-lingual but then I panic and worry what if I can't even learn 1 other language. That's my current worry - that I am to old to learn something complicated. I want to finish my degree. I've been working on it off and on for 19 yrs now and have yet to obtain one. I'm wondering if it's to late now though. I'm also looking into ASL (American Sign Language) classes. That's another thing I've always wanted to learn since I was really young. There was a girl at church camp one year that was deaf and from then on, I've wanted to learn. Then there is embroidery:) I want to learn the old fashioned stitches of embroidery. I would love to show Sarah how to do it one day and have her make a sampler:) I knoooow that sounds way to old fashioned but maybe that's me:)
On top of all of these 'I want/would like to's' Paul and I have slowly (very slowly) but surely been trying to buy some new things for the house. Which brings me to trying to find my style. I'm pretty sure I've found it somewhere between the English Country and Pottery Barn:) I'm from the south and of course I love anything southern. Big old magnolias. Jasmine bushes. Gardenias. Unfortunately, as far as flowers, trees and bushes go, those are not to be found up here.
So welcome to my blog. Hopefully this will be where I can figure out what I am other than a mommy and a wife (which btw, I ADORE being) It's just that I'd like to be able to put something underneath "hobbies" or "interests" when I am asked. Of course my interests are my husband and 3 gorgeous kids but there has to be more to me .... right?