Tackle-It Tuesdays!!! #10

Yes- Inspiration Day is here!

Again, this is actually a day I look forward to so I can try and top what I did last week!
(Silly, yes I know)


This week I tackled the Roll-Top Desk...
She is a beauty, given to me by my brother and sister-in-law...and I just adore her.
The greatest thing about her is she has the ability to hide a HUMONGOUS clutter mess! You simply roll the top down. You can even lock your mess up inside, so looky-loo's wont be tempted to peek!

Let's call her Rachel....

Here Rachel is completely open and showing you my huge messy clutter that I keep secretly hidden. I can safely walk past Rachel and not even flinch, knowing my secret is safe inside.
In fact, even the burglars didn't open up Rachel and I didn't have it locked! Maybe it was all the dust all over her...looked like it hadn't be opened in years! (giggle)
Now what is a laundry basket filled with toys doing under Rachel? Well, when we "tackled" the toy/craft room, we made a basket of toys to donate...and there they patiently sit...how long has it been?...a month of two? Yikes!
Rachel holds our old cassette tapes (that we just cant throw out), wrapping paper, party bags, drink coaster collection, matchbook collection, misc. papers from who knows what...and our stereo, that I got when I turned 21~ Yikes!
That means it is officially 20 years old as of last Wednesday! OUCH!!!





Up close and personal











All our CD's and our dust collection



















Whew! Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning up the mess...
















This is the famous birthday ribbon drawer. My daughter is fascinated by the big spools of colored ribbon.

















Yes, I thought it was time to clean Rachel up...















Ahhh....Looking good!.....















Rachel all clean and organized!

















Bonus: I LOVE LOVE LOVE magazines, and I found these in Rachel's last drawer. When I was all done, I treated myself to an ice tea, and sat down and poured back over these magazines!
(Then I recycled them)

Taaaahhhhh Dahhhhhhh!

Menu Plan Monday Sept. 29th

A little late, but better than never....








I hab ben sick sins Friday....a bad hed code an a fevr....so my wurds mite nut come out rite....
I will twi to make it through dis week... stay wid me...... I will git in a bedder mood sune....


(And it is my week to cook....grumble grumble...)

I have a goal....Christmas time....to be able to fit into a swim suit and look descent. My family will be going to Florida again, and we swim all week long in the warm sands of West palm Beach!
So....this weeks recipes come from The "YOU on a DIET"...by Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz.

Monday: Asian Salmon and Brown Rice Pilaf (it was OH SO YUMMY!) p. 285

Tuesday: Spicy Chili p.286

Wednesday: Stuffed Whole Wheat Pizza p.287

Thursday: Mediterranean Chicken with Tomato, Olives and Herbed White Beans p. 289

Friday: Royal Pasta Primavera Provencale p. 290

Saturday: Turkey Tortilla Wraps with Red Baked Potato p. 292

All extremely easy, quick and yummy. No weird ingredients so far! LOL Includes snacks, fruit, milk, oj, and desserts...I cant go wrong with that! It is more about listening to your body, than portions... try it- you might like it!


Check it out here, if you would like....



and since I cant see to clearly...and stuffy, it has taken me over 10 minutes to look for the recipes....HERE....check them all out for yourself! There are hundreds!!!!! :)

Vintage Thingies Thursdays #9

Thanks to Lisa, over at Confessions of an Apron Queen...we have another awesome show of great items! Go check out her blog, and read all the cool stuff people have showcased for this awesome day!

I wanted to show you my Grandmother's jewelry box...



Cute light pink box with a simple beige edging around it. Pink velvet lined inside.
I don't have a key to it, but you click the lever over and up pops the latch.











Ahhhhh....the treasures inside...
Some are mine, some are from my Grandma, some are from Jeff's Grandma....











Take these beauties....from Jeff's Grandma Julia...LOVE these chunky pink wrap-around bracelets and matching earrings! Two styles of bracelets, if you look closely, and same goes for the earrings. Are these from the 50's?














Top shelf and pouch...close-up.
See the locket necklace? That was my Grandma's, ...I wanted her at my wedding, even though I knew she was watching from above, so I crafted the chain for it just in time! Made matching earrings too-see bottom right corner.
I remember her wearing it and she kept two very special people in it...I will show you in a moment...








See the hot air balloon necklace? That is my Aunt Bette's; my favorite Aunt (and Uncle) who gave us their balloon, so we could become pilots!
They are the ones that live in Indiana and I showcased their house for VTT.













Close-up of bottom drawer...odds and ends, and lots of funky, happy jewelry my best friends' sister-in-law made...I snatch it up whenever I can!









Here is the locket open...
The top picture is my cousin Thee, who passed from cancer not too long ago. He was an accomplished artist and drew the picture of fruit that hangs so prominently in my front foyer.
The bottom picture is me! I was her favorite. (But don't tell my sister or brother)

And there you have it! Luckily none of this was taken- not worth much, but oh so sentimental!

Weird Stuff Wednesday!

Have you ever tried to be like a supermodel and flip your hair just so...so it looks sexy?

Well- attempt #1 Jeff taking pics while I try

Attempt #2....

Attempt #3

Attempt #4

Ahhh...attempt #5 Successful.
However, it is not quite the glam look I was going for....

I TRIPLE, DOUBLE-DOG DARE you to try this and blog it!

Tackle-It Tuesdays!!! #9

Ahhhhhh...one of my favorite days because it inspires me...You know, I actually think to myself, "Now what can I do to really give the gals watching the WOW factor?" Silly, I know. But hey- if it gets me motivated and going, why not? Right? :)
5Minutesformom.org has this great idea every Tuesday to help inspire you to do greatness, no matter how big or small, whether it is in your home, at work, or in your car... show us what you did and link up to the gals, so everyone can see what a great job you did!

My never-ending tackle this week is laundry...since our break-in last Friday, and they dumped clothes, sheets, socks, underwear...(you get the idea) all over the floors, I'm washing everything.
For some reason, I get a load washed, then it sits in the washing machine for a day until I remember it is there and have to rewash it. I kid you not I re-did one load 4 times yesterday.
I think it is all mental- like I want to forget about what happened so I forget about the laundry...whatever the reason. I have a TON of it to do.
See?
At least four loads, one is in the washer now...and I washed one yesterday. (4 times)


Goal is: I collect and wash, transfer to dryer.
Jeff folds and puts away.
Usually done on Thursday night, so we have fresh clothes for the weekend.







Besides just buying our water and beer supply, the counters are clean! We did it!
Washed, dried, folded, and put away! Whew!

Feels good though!

Menu Plan Monday Sept. 22

Well! Another week of cooking, which I LOVE!
However, as in my last bulletin, I stated I would be doing this every two weeks instead, since my hubby takes a week of cooking. (Simple meals but hey- I love it!)

So with the burglary in our home last Friday, this past week was a total wash. Jeff was supposed to cook, but I think we ate fast food every night. We didn't want to be away from home for a long time, so we just didn't grocery shop. It was an easy fix and made us feel better...and now that we have a safe week behind us, Jeff will re-do this week..so I don't have to cook! :)

I'm sure it will look like this:

Monday: Taco Bell or chicken and corn

Tuesday: McDonalds or steak and corn

Wednesday: Dominoes or Pork Chops and peas

Thursday: Burger King or Chicken and peas

Friday: Nachos, snacks and waters...(The twins have a "movie night" tonight where they will be selling the aforementioned items...)

Go right now to check out Orgjunkie.com!

Hope this week goes fast...(haha) and Ill be back on Monday, Sept 29th with my recipes!
See you then!

Vintage Thingies Thursdays #8

It's my favorite day of the week, Vintage Thingies Thursday!
This fun day is hosted by none other than our own Lisa over at Confessions of an Apron Queen!
Go check her out and all the gals who display their favorite vintage items! Quite often I'm blown away by what these gals come up with!

I'm continuing my last week's episode of lamps....after I did last week, I realized I had yet another lamp to showcase...isn't it weird how people can have alot of a certain thing? I just love lamps, and coffee tables....but never thought of myself as a collector of them.
I suppose in a way, I am though!


This is an old brass lamp, dating back to either my Grandma (the soft, romantic glass lamp my children broke) or my Great Aunt Betty Welton (crackled glass and amber hued lamp)
It is extremely heavy, and has aged to a nice patina. There are some pretty details on it, and we currently use it in our bedroom, where it gives off a nice glow.

















If you enlarge this, please don't notice the dust levels on that lip...I think they come from the Mesozoic Era.

















The details on this are quite nice, again with the pineapple which is a sign of welcome.
















And this rotunda table has been a favorite of mine since I was little. It has the best smell inside, just like fresh wood, as if it was made a week ago. You can smell the stain they put on it. Of course I remember this since I was little, but I don't think my Aunt ever opened it up much. I know she used to keep her knitting in there!
When they shipped it from Indiana a few years back, the lip that goes around it cracked. We think at one time it had a glass top that fit snug in that lip. Someday I would like to have that fixed.












Okay- VOTE TIME....

I got the nerve up and bought a lamp shade at Target (I know! It only took me two years!)...what do you think?
Too small? Not right color? (standard beige with a neat light pattern on the four corners) I left the plastic on in case I had to take it back.
Tell me honestly....

Happy Birthday to me....

(Giggles)

Well- I'm 41. It's official.

Hummm..not what I thought it would feel like, I suppose.

Not sure what I expected, but thought at least I'd have time with my family to celebrate...worked all day, picked up kids, crammed in homework time and snack, re-showered and got kids ready for my Back To School Night, since Jeff is working in Blythe...ugh.

So much for my birthday.

Gone is the goose-pimply excitement of anticipation of your special day. No more chocolate pop-tarts delivered to you in bed before school. No more getting kidnapped by your high-school friends and driven to school in your p.j.'s, no more cake and presents after dinner...well- okay, I guess I still have that.

Birthdays aren't a bummer, just....well...different now.

I guess it is my turn to bring that kind of excitement to special days like my mom and dad did. Have little surprises planted all throughout their day to help them celebrate. Choose something exciting that will blow their socks off and say, "WOW Mom and Dad- that was the best birthday EVER!"
Last year for my 40th, Mom and Dad, awesome sister and Hubby really surprised me with a HUGE surprise party! I will blog about it for sure- it was a hoot! I felt like that old show, "This is YOUR Life"...

So here's to everyone who has a birthday this year- (hint, hint) Find people you want to be with and just plain 'ole go have fun! Do something different! Try something new! Go for Chinese food!

Happy Birthday to you...cha cha cha...

Tackle-It Tuesdays!!! #8

Here comes another week of fun from 5MinutesforMom.Org....we inspired each other by blogging about our "tackles' we have accomplished! It really has inspired me to clean out those cobwebs and feel good again in my own house!

Now, with our recent break-in (see Sunday) , we are in the process of still cleaning up and going through all the drawers they emptied everywhere.

I decided not to post more pics, as it is still very fresh in our minds, so I'll just post once I finish an area... you can go back to (Sunday's post) to see the "before" pics.

Living Room after we picked up

Looking into our bedroom after we picked up


Other side of bedroom after we picked up

Looking into our closet after we picked up

There is still quite a bit to do, but thanks to my BFF's, we got 90% of it done that very night!

Looking on the bright side of this, I can say:

*I found an old friend as her phone number was on a scrap thrown on the floor. Never would have found it if the drawer hadn't of been emptied.
*Forced me to look at where our stuff is and how we can protect ourselves better
*Realize how incredibly lucky I am to have my hubby and children
*Found out who my true, true best friends are
*It has brought my marriage to another level
*I am more observant of what is going on around me
*How strong Jeff and I are, and how we cradle each other when we crack
and finally* I have done the BIGGEST TACKLE-IT-TUESDAY EVER! :)

Tag- you're it! Want to play?

I’ve been tagged by Ria, over at Continental Fairy and she’s asked me to list 8 random things about me. It’s a great way to introduce myself and to let you all know a little bit about my weird life. (Giggle) So:

1. I am deathly afraid of sharks and people drowning. I can't even watch drowning scenes on TV! This is why I got my scuba diver's license, so I could conquer this fear!

2. I was adopted...and have a special place in my heart for all adoptee's...and my awesome parents!

3. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, Chinese food. I could eat it everyday! Panda Express and Pick Up Sticks are my two favorite places!! Kung Pao Chiken, Bejing Beef, Orange Chicken, White rice, and Cream Cheese Won Tons...oh baby! Look Out!

4. I am afraid of heights, and get all dizzy while my stomach drops out my &(#^$. I am getting my hot air ballooning license to conquer this fear too. I still get queezy when I go up....

5. I am terribly romantic at heart. I am the poster child for all things romantic. Why can't life be romantic all the time? Because of this, I get mad at my hubby a lot.

6. My first love is the sea. (even though it scares me-see #1) If I hadn't of gone into teaching, I would have become a Marine Biologist. My original goal was to become a Marine Biologist and be a cook on Jacques Cousteau's ship. He would teach me French, and I'd learn everything from him.

7. I am a world traveler. If I could quit my job and travel full time-I'd do it in a heartbeat. Forget money and retirement! I love seeing new places and drooling over beautiful houses.
Sometime when the twins are older, I want to backpack though Europe together!

8. I have a vivid imagination...and get mad when things don't go like I 'imagined' it. It's always so simple in my mind!

9. (an extra) My birthday is coming up, and each year, I expect the world to stop, the party to begin and everyone I meet hand me a present...you know- the works. Usually it never happens, except last year. Thanks Mom, Dad, Erin and Jeff! Ill have to blog about it!

Okay- so I have to tag 8 random people now! It can be quick and easy, or long paragraphs... depends how you feel!

*Linda- at Lime in the Coconut She has an easy-breesy way of writing that makes you feel like snuggling into a gently swaying pillow-covered hammock and listening to her tell stories.

*Lisa- at Confessions of an Apron Queen She is my ultimate preppy homemaker that has incredible energy like June Cleaver and Carol Brady...and is an apron fanatic! Go check out what she sells in her store!

*Ronda- at Ronda's Rants Her picture relaxing on the deck of a cruise ship, all relaxed and smiles...got me. I love finding out what is new with her and she so promotes good will with others!

*Plant Buddy- at Water Once a Week She has wonderful tips for all things green! She has inspired me to actually buy a plant and water it every few days. She has very useful tips too, if you have pests that like your plants/flowers. Great site!

*Rachael- at The Rose Room This gal not only is INCREDIBLY TALENTED in making all things romantic, but she sends care packages to others quite often. She also receives the most incredible gifts from fans and friends! She also has a great sense of humor!

*Erin- at Woman In A Window I cannot describe how she manages to describe her world, but she does so leaving you wanting more. Her life looks like she lives in those fancy old country romantic magazines...truly special!

*Lylah- at The Lylah Blog Lylah has helped me learn that change needs to sometime come from within, not necessarily from my hubby. Thank you Lylah! (Things are going great!) She has tips on how to become a purposeful wife and her pictures are wonderful!

*Deanne- at Blog, Blog, Blog This is my old, very old friend from high school! She works for an airline so her friends just travel on their days off! One of her goals is to sit in a ballgame in all the major ball parks in the US! How cool is that? I live vicariously though her! Go check her out and tell her Beth Ann said hi!

Rules:
1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Have fun gals! I hope to read some interesting tips about you! :)

Someone pulled our rug out from under us....

I was really glad it was Friday and I was looking forward to some "chick" time with my fellow girlfriends...we went to go see "The Women".

(great movie by the way- you gotta go see it)

I called home to let hubby know movie was over and that I'd pick up the kids and come home. He asked me to come straight home first, and then he said, "We've been broken into."

"WHAT?!?!?!?!" I said.

I flew home and indeed, our house and lives have now been changed forever.

Turned out that the 'people' had been watching us from down the street. (very creepy)
They pulled in the front driveway and parked. They broke our front door down and shattered the door frame. None of our neighbors heard a thing.

Jeff came home from work and saw a strange car parked in our driveway. He pulled in right behind it and decided to go in the front door instead of the garage door. He got to the front door and saw it already was opened. He peeked around inside and saw the living room sliding glass door blinds shutting. He had scared whoever was there, away. Then he noticed the house.


Poor thing tried calling me right away. (I turned my phone off because I was in a movie)
He saw the kids' backpacks thrown on the floor, (We always have them put lunch boxes away and hang up backpacks) and then really panicked about us. He hadn't seen the note on the garage door or checked the phone message I had left yet.
(After school I had picked up the kids, took them home and got them ready to be picked up for a play date. My best friend offered to watch them while I went to see a movie, knowing I hardly get time to do things like that. [I love you for that Cathy] We came home, she had just pulled up so I told kids, "Quick, run inside, throw your backpacks on the floor, grab your bathing suits and a towel and meet me back outside." Within 15.2 seconds, they were back outside and we loaded them up into her car. Off they went and then I grabbed my purse and headed out myself because the movie was starting in 10 minutes!)


Jeff and I stared in disbelief at our home. The burglars had piled things into specific groups and had torn up the house in looking for things. Almost every room had been touched by these strangers. They even left us a present in the bidet.

They had even messed up our bedding in tearing the bed apart looking underneath the mattresses. I stared in utter horror and just paced around the house.

Jeff had called the police immediately and they had already taken fingerprints and pictures, so by the time I got home, it was just the two of us. We hugged and kissed and all I could think of was, "What if...." We cried some more and held hands.

I called my girlfriend and asked if she would mind watching them longer...no problem she said. "Do you want me to come?" she said. I think I cried out a "Yes, please..."
Within 30 minutes she was there going through the house with us, listening to our stories and hugging me. She single-handedly started the clean-up process... and helped us to focus, as we were struggling to believe all this. Little did I know, but this God-sent-from Heaven girlfriend had called in for reinforcements... she called all the girls I went to the movies with. They came right over with cold libations in hand and helped with the cleanup process. Lots of hugs later...they all went home exhausted and Cathy had the kids stay overnight.
We didn't want them to know what had happened. It would have devastated them.

So, here we are now...emotionally and physically exhausted from our weekend. Thinking constantly of what happened, what could have happened, trying to believe, trying to remember to not say anything in front of the kids....I am just not ready to go to work tomorrow and leave this house, our HOME, alone. It has really been an eye opener as to what just lays around the house, where important information is, and how easy it is for anyone to come and steal your safety away from you.

I debated as to even talk about it, but my feeling is....why not? I have nothing to hide, and these people do not have permission to steal my life from me or my family.
So here I am, pouring my heart out to all of you...please look around your house carefully...what can you do to protect yourselves? Objects are just that- objects... but family is your life and blood. I am so incredibly lucky to have my family safe.

So hug and love your family like there is no tomorrow!

Jeff, Cathy and Mike, Pammie and Suzannie and Steph- I Love You!

Happy Birthday to you.......

Dear sweet sister, Erin Marie "Wilameana" Provost.....

Here are your chocolate pop-tarts in bed, specially made for you on your birthday!!!
I love you and wish I could be there in person!
I'm sending hugs from down south!

Vintage Thingies Thursdays #7

Here we go again!!!

Lisa, over at Confessions of an Apron Queen, has created a fun way to show off your antiques! Come join her every Thursday for a great way to see what people collect and the stories that go with it!
Join in the fun and link on over to her (ask me if you don't know how) and have fun reading about everyone's treasures!




My treasure this week will be my Great Aunt Betty Welton's lamp. Lamps usually aren't very exciting to me, but this one is so intriguing. I really don't know anything about it, and don't know how to find out... I see no markings on it at all.
It is made of swirled glass I believe, and that glass has the crackly finish to it. Colors of amber, green, browns and reds blend together to create this wonderful lamp.

How she sits now... poor thing!

Closer look at colors...

Extreme close up at colors and crackle finish

The cap and base add to its weight, so the whole lamp is quite heavy!

Base and old cord...still works great! (just needs a lamp shade!)
Anyone know the ins and outs of lampshades? How do you tell if shade is too big/small, etc.?

Why don't I have a lampshade on it? Well, when it was shipped to me from Indiana, it cracked in half...and I'm scared to death to buy a new one for fear it won't look good, fit well, be the wrong color, etc...I keep waiting for my mom or sister to get back into town to help me pick one out. Poor thing has been without a shade for 2 years.

I had another beautiful sheer etched glass lamp from my grandmother (the one who gave me the hutch, table and chairs) but unfortunately the kids ran behind the sofa and tripped on the cord when they were 3 years old. Down it came crashing... I was heartbroken about it, but could hear my grandma saying, "Oh Beth Ann, it is only an old lamp"...and hugging me....
Isn't it wonderful when a simple object can recall such loved memories?

See lamp in background?? It was so beautifully soft and romantic.