A Day Of Respect And Remembrance.

Quiet.

Image via Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/pin/265993921711178767/

Like  everyone else, I am feeling overwhelmed and saddened by everything that happened yesterday in Connecticut. I have cried and prayed and turned off the TV and shut down my phone and computer after being overwhelmed with sadness. I have no children right now, but I will someday. I do have many nieces and nephews and was just at Emerson's school on Wednesday to pick him up.  The horror that the families, children and loved ones are enduring right now is beyond comprehension.  On my worst days on this planet and the longer I live on it, I just find that I don't "get" a lot of what humans do. Senseless violence. Needless suffering. The more I know, the less I know.  I never had to worry about being safe at elementary school when I was a kid. My biggest stress was being moved from the Mickey Mouse Reading Club to the middle Donald Duck Club. Mickey's was advanced and it was stressing me out in first grade. Beyond that, it was beautiful. I loved school, my teachers and everything about it.

Hoping for Healing and Calm.

xo

T

How Do YOU Feel About Meggings?

You know..man leggings? I recall seeing the fabulous Monsieur O'Brien sporting these awhile back. Laugh OUT LOUD!! But seriously...NO. I'm just saying for the record..NO.

Image via http://www.lynne-hayes.com/archives/864


NO.

Image via http://theemeralddandy.blogspot.com/2010/05/meggings-meant-to-be.html


Eye Candy for all of you today!

You're Welcome & Much Love!!

xo

T

I Shovel Snow. A lot Of It.

I have been shoveling for two days.

At first it's pretty "Oh! A winter wonderland!"

And then it turns into "Seriously? I've cleared the driveway two times now! And it looks like I'll be able to go for a third! Where's the salt?"

Then it turns into "Why can't the damn guy who plows the sidewalk sprinkle a little salt or sand on it?"

Then "My arms and back are killing me. This is why old people have heart attacks!"

I'd like to point out that we got around 16".  We woke up to our kind neighbors shoveling us out. Midday I headed out to clear the driveway myself. They came over AGAIN to help while I said "Seriously guys..thank you so much but you don't have to keep doing this."  They generously said "That's what neighbors are for.." and I felt grateful. Later that night, another neighbor came over with his new snowblower and plowed us out. The next day  I headed out to shovel again. As I was shoveling our mailboxes out, I thought of putting a note on the door of the least helpful neighbor saying "If you want your mail this season, maybe ONCE or twice you could help by clearing out the mailbox area too." My lower self? Perhaps.  Did I write the note? No. Will I? If pushed, maybe. Gotcha! It's just interesting to see in a block radius who is helpful, who isn't and who never helps with anything. It's also irritating. I can't be objective when I'm irritated...another story entirely.

The dogs are SUPER cute in the snow. Curtis is super short and low to the ground so he hops around like a rabbit. They both look soo happy, it's kind of heartwarming. Curtis caught a mouse in 16" of snow IN THE DARK last night after dinner. WTF?  How is that possible? I've said it before...in war times I believe that puppy could feed all of us!  His hunting instinct is amazing. Do I ever want to eat mouse? NO. Have I ever been starving? No. I've had lean times where I ate a lot of Lucky Charms in my 20's..but I've never really gone without food. If I had to, I believe Curtis could be my savior.

I'm picking up Emerson from school tomorrow and am seriously considering buying a sled on the way. As I was walking the dogs tonight I saw a hill and envisioned myself sledding down it. I haven't gone sledding since...2002 in Flagstaff, Arizona?! I think it's been that long! Unrelated: They yellow door looks a bit garish up close in December weather and light. What was pretty in October looks kind of gross at 1pm in December. Different light, different view altogether!





In other news..my latest vintage find! This pretty necklace that I scored for very little money!

And some holiday greenery in my bathroom! I decided to spread christmas all around the house this year!

I'm off to have a glass of wine and watch Dexter with Brad. Has anyone noticed that it's gotten better with each season? We are now on Season Six and although he's a serial killer, I want Dexter to find love! Lumen has just left as her "dark passenger" had left her...and Rita's gone..Harrison turned one and Dexter is alone. Also..John Lithgow is really creepy! I had a nightmare about him the other night. Ugh.

Have a beautiful evening!

Holla!

xo

T

DIY Delight!

Via Pinterest, of course!

I think I've actually attempted and completed a FEW Pinterest projects, but for the most part...I find that pinning leaves me feeling inspired and then like.."Why am I so lazy that I can't start and complete one of these?" I know others feel that way as well. So..without further adieu, what is both inspiring to me today and also makes me feel like "Yep, that's not going to happen anytime soon. Maybe you should focus on some bunny art for around Easter time? Gives you a wide berth and timeframe!"

I talk to myself. Mostly in silent form. To music. Yep. (** Silent form meaning..I talk to music in my head but rarely do I utter anything aloud.**)


This could very well be one of the smartest ideas ever!

I say "could" due to the fact that I haven't tried to make these myself, but I want to! Making your own baskets out of cardboard? And having them look like this? So smart. Here's the link if you DARE:

http://www.hometalk.com/545222/make-baskets-out-of-cardboard-boxes/photo/105222





Next up..have some inexpensive Ikea mirrors lying around? I do as I move things around the house constantly. This i can actually see myself finishing!

How to is here:
http://thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/07/up-cycling-mirror-pt-2.html





This next idea is ADORABLE.

Instructions: Just print off any picture, spray paint a piece of wood black, cut the picture to match the size of the wood. Coat the wood with Mod Podge and lay the picture on top. Once it has dried thoroughly, use sandpaper to rough up the edges, then seal the photo with another layer of Mod Podge. Screw-in and paint eye hooks and hang with a pretty ribbon. Voila!





Need a new wine chandy?! Look no further than your own empty winebottles waiting for the recycling truck! Couldn't find actual instructions on this one.

This next idea is Genius!

.

Instructions AND good news: This can't be done here until spring or later so I could actually practice..but I'm sure I won't!
http://home-solutions.hsn.com/pathmate-do-it-yourself-belgian-style-stone-mold-2-pack_p-5864886_xp.aspx?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fhome-solutions.hsn.com%2Fpathmate-do-it-yourself-belgian-style-stone-mold-2-pack_p-5864886_xp.aspx&sourceid=3872207-10699362-skim1847X546955X7c996288ed7fe0a2de9bec41679d7894&cm_mmc=cj*other*3872207-10699362*skim1847X546955X7c996288ed7fe0a2de9bec41679d7894-NA



Need an amazing entry table that is slim?

Instructions:http://downtoearthstyle.blogspot.com/


I'm off to shovel a bit. It's snowing kind of heavily here. We woke up to our fabulous neighbors SHOVELING our driveway and walkway for us! I needed a nice neighbor, God sent me one this past April! We've lived here for almost five years and last year after Brad's first hip surgery..no help from anyone. I didn't expect help, but as I shoveled all winter, it would have been nice. Enter the new neighbors. So kind, helpful and sweet. As usual, I felt like I was going to cry when I opened the door! They've made a nice pathway for us, I need to remove more snow now. That was my best moment of this day so far!

Happy Sunday, Peeps!

xo

T

Cutest Mantel Idea and Christmas Ideas.

Found this on Pinterest today and it kind of warms my heart. Who needs an Elf on the Shelf when you can just go ahead and hang Santa's britches and undergarments on your mantel instead? Why didn't I think of this? It's BRILLIANT.

This would also be perfect for you KIM! My best friend and her Polly Pocket Tendencies! Her love of all things small and miniscule! It always bugged me as a child. As adults, when we look for holiday gifts for nieces and nephews, she is forever drawn to the tiny. So much so that I now sigh and say "Yes. So small. Almost not even there. Polly P Style!"




Also from Pinterest..why not have your littles make the aunts, uncles and grandparents some cute, "handy" homemade art?

Speaking of grandparents: When my BFF'S nephew was little and she still lived at home, he used to call and ask "Can I talk to Grandma please?" and if Kim put her mom on the phone Cole would get upset and yell "No! The BOY Grandma!" Laugh OUT Loud!



Great holiday gift idea! You could maybe even go on the EXTREME cheap here and buy say..a bottle of $3 Boones Farm Wine and do this! Strawberry Hill flavor anyone? That was my fave drink as a young person.

Image via Pinterest.



Also from Pinterest..this is just pretty and looks to me like that old fashioned holiday candy!

I'm off to do God knows what. I know I have **things** to do but I just feel kind of lazy. In a bit I will force Brad to view my nude drawings from my years as an art student! I used to force them upon my BFF in places like Starbucks where she'd get embarrassed and yell "What? Why here?"  Me "Because of THIS reaction!" They always made her uncomfy. Hey, I was just drawing what I saw. I guess I've never shown them to Brad. How did THAT happen? We're gonna round out 2012 with a viewing for him soon.

Have a beautiful day my sweet friends.

xo

T

Adjusting To Wearing Color And Some Photos.

As some of you know, I have a slight aversion to color in my garments. I wear a lot of neutrals. Black is a fave as is gray and oatmeal colored items. I've been stepping out of my comfort zone in the past year. Here is the craziest thing I've done in YEARS.

Periwinkle winter coat from LL Bean! CRAZY! I thought it was going to be more blue, like a sky blue but it turns out that this is the color. I bought it because I need something WARM to walk the dogs in. I need to believe that it's not blustery and awful as I'm walking..and this coat does just that!  This was taken by my best friend at Pier 1. I have to say: They do an amazing job with tree displays AND have fantastic ornaments! I took a photo of her too, but she didn't like it. I don't want anyone to think I don't LOVE posting and having photos of her, because I DO! I think the color kind of washes me out, but she assures me it's not the case. She did also tell me "Hey, I think my mom had a coat like that!" to which I replied "Awesome! I was definitely not trying to enter the realm of the above 70 year old set..but I guess I've done it!"

I've also been wearing..wait for it...PINK scarves (gasp!) and blue and even..YELLOW! It's crazy!


Now on to my before and after that I tried to share the other day. Blogger was giving me attitude about the storage of photos. 'Twas very irritating!



The cabinet door that my BFF made me buy:

After!

It's now got periwinkle coat hanging off of it and many scarves. It looks cuter than in this photo. My camera doesn't always do things and people justice, but you get the idea. Corkboard below has been switched out with holiday framed photo of reindeer!



In other news..my best friend brought balls for the dogs the last time she came over to visit. It worked as it kept Curtis busy and OFF of her for a good hour, but this is how the ball ended up looking a day later:

Yep. Was once a nice orange ball! He chews everything (toys. He's generally not bugging regular items anymore but we'll see what happens with the tree this year.) so I only buy inexpensive dollar store toys. He loves anything though, so lately he's been chewing on the same used Fed Ex box for a good three weeks. "He knows what he likes!"

Emerson slept over the other night. This is from a few weeks ago. He spent the day in his pajammies and why he looks so stern, I do not know. He's a happy kid. Here he looks more like a brooding tween...he did say these bear pj's are "tickleproof". So cute!



My niece Madison surprised me by making this for me! It's so well done! Made out of clay. The rabbit is holding a carrot and if you flip the rabbit head over once, it turns into a pig's face and nose. So clever!

I cried when Brad sent me a pic of it while he was at my sister's on Thanksgiving day and I was home with some weird hive outbreak and illness. I missed my family. This little claymation made me feel..appreciated I must say. Love the kids. They're all so thoughtful and sweet.

My nieces Madison on the left and Ava on right.



I guess I also missed the yearly Nerf gun fight! I usually try to make it fun for me by yelling things like "Alcohol, tobacco and firearms kids! Hands up!" it's only funny to me and my nephew Nick (oldest in pic here)

Emerson, Madison, Nick and Andrew.


I am headed to my BFF'S Holiday Choir Concert in a few hours..should be fun! What's more Holiday-ish than Christmas music? I haven't been to a concert in years. I keep teasing her "Are you going to do a solo and come out in clown makeup?"

Have a beautiful and relaxing Sunday!

Nerd Alert (Points at self!): Homeland is ON tonight!

xo

T