This will be a quick post. We're heading out to a friend's birthday celebration at Buca tonight. I haven't been there in forever, so I'm thinking of a dinner made of mashed potatoes and chianti. Yum.

Here's our little tree this year. I love it. I can smell it when I walk in the door. We have so many sweet decorations for it that friends and family have given us, and it just makes me smile.

Here's a project that I started a little while back. Willy Nelson was awfully important throughout my Nebraska youth. This is my linoleum tribute to him, and one of my first tries at printing with oil-based inks.

When the time changed this fall, and everything got so dark so fast, the only thing I've wanted to do is curl up on the couch and watch a movie with my sweetie pie. I'll watch anything, even if it's not that interesting... Which has been making me feel very not-that-interesting. So, we're turning it off throughout the week for a month, and maybe catching up on a Netflix on the weekends. Who knows if this will extend past this month, but I think it'll be interesting to see how we fill up our time. Today was day 1 of the experiment and I made 2 draft snakes for the kitchen and a gnome hat. I also have surfed the web, talked with my hubbie, made a real dinner, done some reading, and now I'm off to take a bath. It feels like the weekend when I have time for all the stuff I love to do AND it's only a Monday.


PS: I love Jan Von Holleben's photos.

I got a new haircut last weekend, and life was a little more simple when I could just slap my dirty hair back into a ponytail. Now: day 1 hair looks ok, but not quite right, day 2 hair is the perfect amount of dirty and clean so it looks good, and day 3 tries to ride out the same look but it feels a little bit over-polluted with pomade.

Here's my newest and most favorite thrifty find. Someone spent a lot of time latching this rug and I'm going to enjoy it in the kitchen every time I wash the dishes.

Wow, all of you computer nerds out there will be officially not impressed, but really I'm excited to play around with this Vector Magic site (via Boing Boing). I didn't take the time (obviously) to play around with the colors, but changing this picture of our niece took all of about 2 minutes to do.

Smile

Staff pictures are going to be taken at 7 AM tomorrow, and I'm thinking about how I usually look like a crazy woman when I'm posing. Right this second, I'm searching for tips on looking more natural in photos. This is a really interesting test by the BBC on interpreting fake vs genuine smiles.

It's buy one get one free at John Golden's Etsy shop and I'm having a really hard time picking just two.

Have you seen Amy Sedaris' Manhattan house over at Design Sponge? It makes me drool a happy smile.

Now, for a few side-notes:



1. We made it out to the Frida show on Friday night. It was wonderful. I'm almost done with her biography and I think that made the show especially the best thing I've ever seen in my whole entire life.

2. In my early 20's I was at my Grandma's house and I said something about how baseball hats never fit my head because it's too big. At that point I saw my Mom and Grandma exchange knowing looks. This obviously convinced me that they knew about a head swelling disease that I had but they refused to tell me about because they knew I'd freak out. Now that I'm in my 30's, I have the internet to tell me what disease I might have, and the head swelling one is not looking very likely. Nevertheless, I do have a very large head, and I'm working on sewing a hat for it. I've got it all cut out and ready to go but I'm dragging my feet because I doubt it'll fit. Yes, I measured and it says that it'll fit, but those pesky measurements on the pattern backs are more often bullshit than not. I'm using an old wool skirt for the outer fabric and a cotton printed with mallards for the lining.

Happy Halloween!

I don't normally smile with my jaw unhinged, but we were saying "Raaa" for the camera.

Joey's favorite question by far is, "Where'd the kitty go?"

We had such a fun time with family in town! And we just loved getting to know Campbell. I think she might be the cutest ladybug of all time.

Happy Birthday to my Sweetie!

Happy, happy (and just a day late) birthday to the sweetest man I never even knew could be out there. You make me smile every single day.

This website is "funny".

I am Blue (and Barb)

Your dominant hue is blue, making you a good friend who people love and trust. You're good in social situations and want to fit in. Just be careful not to compromise who you are to make them happy.

Your saturation level is very high - you are all about getting things done. The world may think you work too hard but you have a lot to show for it, and it keeps you going. You shouldn't be afraid to lead people, because if you're doing it, it'll be done right. Your outlook on life is very bright. You are sunny and optimistic about life and others find it very encouraging, but remember to tone it down if you sense irritation.
spacefem.com/quizzes/colors
(well thank you internet, this is certainly very flattering, if not-so very accurate)
Are you a Big Love fan? If you're not, I'm thinking you haven't watched it yet. I think it is television at its absolute finest. Apparently I'd be Barb if I were a sister-wife.

I'm NEVER going to donate anything to Savers ever again...

There's a woman at the Columbia Heights Savers that has always been cranky. I think she aims to steal my thrifting bliss by either shouting at someone about something, or at the very least shouting about how stupid the whole wide world is because they take more than three garments into the fitting room at a time. I try and make her happy by following the three garment rule even when there's no one else around who wants to try anything on. In the middle of my trying to make her happy, she has pounded on the door wanting to know exactly how many items I've got and if it is my stupid cart that is so purposefully blocking her from doing the work that she doesn't get paid enough to do. I usually take it in stride. Today I pulled up wanting to donate. I think that would make her happy because I want to give them stuff to sell... Almost no strings attached, except that whomever I unload my crap to should at the very least be mildly courteous. No dice. She was rude. She did everything except spell out and perform an interpretive dance on exactly how stupid she thinks I am because I have never donated items at the back door. Only idiots drive up and want to give away their free stuff at the front door. Duh. So, I drove to Arc Value Village, which is was just a little bit out of my way, and I donated there. I bit my lip at Savers because I didn't want to be mean, which I regret. I basically missed my
chance to tell her how much she sucks. Here's my letter to her.


Dear Savers Lady,

I wish I would have told you that I think you're a pain in the ass, and that because of you I have left your store several times without buying anything because I can't stand listening to all of your bitterness.
I wish I would have told you that even though you were wearing bunny ears and whiskers to work today that you are not the teeniest bit cute or cuddly. The opposite in fact. I bet your grandchildren don't even like you.
I wish I would have told you that Savers has been over-pricing their jeans for about the last year or so. And it's probably all your fault. Just because something has a JJill tag on it, does not mean that it should automatically cost $9.99.
I wish I would have told you that you have bad breath.
I wish I would have told you that are not the boss of me.
I wish I would have told you to take your secret back door donation spot and stuff it down your ankle length tapered jeans.

THE END (of our relationship)

Sincerely,

Julie

Here was my stab at one of the Built by Wendy dresses. I LOVE the fabric, but HATE how I look in this shift-like dress. Maybe it'll work if I take in the sleeve at the elbow. But maybe, shapeless dresses just won't look good on my almost 5'2 and somewhat curvy frame. SHITBALLS. This cool Polaroid montage is done using the Hockneyizer.

Geez, just call me blog-slacker. I don't even have something in mind that I want to write about tonight, I just wanted to get something written, and then hopefully I'll feel more inspired to write throughout the week. I had Thursday and Friday off for MEA weekend, and it just flew by. I spent some quality time at the fabric store. I want to make some bibs and I need velcro for the closure. I made this one out of an old orange towel for the back and then the front panel off of a denim skirt that I don't wear any more. I've only made one and it's big enough for me to wear, but cute. I wish this bib-making was my secret code for a very quick adoption about to occur. I think it's going to take a while, so our babe might just have about a thousand bibs when the time comes. On Thursday night we took my mom and step-dad over to see the Soapfactory's Haunted Basement. I might just be a big fat baby, but I thought it was super freaking scary. Go. I dare you. In other news, I rode my little scooter over to Open Book to show support for who I affectionately call the freaks that like to stay up all night and draw comics. They amaze me. I just couldn't do it. I would have a melt down in front of all those people because I need and love sleep. On the way home I stopped into Surdyk's for a couple of bottles of wine, and had to fight my way through the crowd. I forgot they were having a sale, so I was a little bummed to spend that much time and only be able to take what I could hold on the scooter. I wonder if the sale is over now? The last little tidbit I've got is about microwave popcorn. Recognize us?

My pilates teacher just called to say that class is canceled this morning. As much as I LOVE the class, specifically her class, it just means more coffee for me this morning. And not even in a travel mug. Mmmmm. Zander is going to be busy with fall con for the whole weekend, which is kind of a bummer, but mostly lots of fun for him. You see, I don't really know how to talk about comic books. Me: "So is it funny to you, because I don't really think it's all that funny?" Me: "Cool, I like how the colors look, but why are all the boobs so ginormous?" Anyway, no class and Zander working means lots of putzing time for me. I thrive on putzing. It recharges me. Putzing today makes me want to party tonight. So, I might bake some cookies. (Ginger spice with chocolate chips) I might trade out my dresser for the dresser in the baby room. (And then paint it and add new pulls) I might sew up some cats. (Pictures to come) I might take the necklace that I wear almost every day and have it cleaned properly. (The years of tarnish leaves soot on my neck/shirts) I might throw away my dead outdoor plants. (Super dead) I might-probably-for-sure go to Value Village. (Looking for vest lining or corduroy) I am going to get my hair cut and colored. (3 inches shorter and minus the gray stripe down the middle of my head)

By the way, October is apparently choose to re-use month. Here are some great deals found on Girl Friday.

Happy Birthday Laurie!

This tough guy is having a birthday today. When people think of Laurie, it's so easy to get stuck on all the sweet things about him. He's a good listener, he's calm, he's so good at making sure everyone feels included, and when we visit them, he always makes really good coffee for me. Yeah, yeah, yeah, he's sweet alright, but let's not forget this guy wreaks havoc with a chainsaw, has a not-so-slight pyromaniac streak, shreds the slopes, and has flown through the Grand Canyon in a fighter plane. Happy Birthday--we love you!

I Can be an Art Teacher Barbie Doll

Look what a nice gift came across my desk today! I wish I could find a picture of the packaging, which all by itself is priceless. School is going well, and I'm getting into the swing of things. I'd like to point out that it's 4:56 on Friday afternoon and I have not had even one cocktail yet. Although, I'm meeting Zander over at Psycho Suzie's in a few minutes, so I need to hurry up and change my shoes and start walking. Notice I'm not scootering over there. Boo! We need to get a stupid motorcycle license to drive it, so I'll be studying up this weekend. Have a great weekend everyone!

Giant Origami

Oh man, I want to see these guys in person! Via Extreme Craft.

First camping trip

This little red scooter is what called us out of town in a hurry on Friday afternoon. I'd been scouring Craigslist trying to find a cheap, used one that I can ride to school occasionally and that we could double up on every once in a while. Our seller was only available on Friday night, and I was afraid that he'd sell it to someone else unless we got there ASAP, so we burned rubber out to Lacrosse, Wisconsin. It was far enough away that it really would have been a waste to buy the scooter and return home the same night, so we found a campground and pitched a borrowed tent. (Thanks LA) Unfortunately, we didn't get to the site until well after dark, so setting everything up was a bit of a challenge.

Wow, looking through our photos, we took a ba-jillion pictures of the fire. It was mesmerizing.

It was also much colder out than we thought it'd be, so the fire felt especially nice.


I'm hooked! This whole camping thing is so much fun, and even though it was kinda taxing to get it all organized so quickly, it was extremely relaxing. We were both able to finally forget about work, which (sadly) is no small feat lately. I'd love to go again when the leaves are changing.

1. The Y offers beginning swimming classes for $20. My first class was tonight. It was AWESOME. Zander taught me the basics a couple of years ago, but this will be a great refresher AND a good way to learn some strokes, instead of my doggie paddle (which was called "inefficient" by my teacher tonight).
2. I'm not quite in the swing of things at school yet. The kids are great. It's fun, and challenging, but seriously, working is for chumps.
3. Nothing is happening in the crafty department around here because I'm completely wrapped up in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. I normally don't want to see movies or read books, or even looks at pictures about 9/11, but this is my one exception.
4. Our front door now has two coats of what looks like Kraft Mac and Cheese painted on it. It needs another coat (or two), but I think I like it.
5. I NEED someone to knit this for me.
6. The Eric Lappegard tribute was great. Lots of work was done by lots of people and it was very cool. Really, way to go guys.
7. A very mini-camping trip is in our very near future. S'mores, here we come!
Yes, this is a really boring post!

It's 3:48 on Friday afternoon, and by golly, the art teacher has already had a cocktail. It was a lovely first week on the job, and it is even more lovely to have the whole weekend ahead of me. I'm planning on not making too many plans, and just enjoying.

Spell your own name here. Via how about orange.

Back to School

Tomorrow is the day, and I'm pretty excited. While I hate to lose all of this lovely freedom, back-to-school is pretty fun too. To celebrate the last day of summer, we headed to the beach and parked ourselves on a blanket in the shade and just took it all in. I waded a little bit while Zander swam, we both did some reading, and then put together a kite we got at the thrift store this morning. The freaking thing didn't come with any kite string so we didn't get to fly it, but maybe we'll try it out next weekend. Anyway, a day at the beach reminded me how some of the sweetest things in life are absolutely free. We saw lots of families splashing around, my favorite of which was a dad and his two little girls. The littler of the two had her swim suit on backwards. Tomorrow night I'd like to get over to the Walker and check out the Picasso exhibit before it goes away. Has anyone used the free museum tickets from the library yet? What a deal.

State Fair Snapshots

Here are just of few highlights from The Great Minnesota Get-Together. 1) Seed art is a must-see. 2) Maybe right after eating a mound of cheese curds is not a good time to get on the bus. 3) Monkey business 4) Way to go Rita! 5) This is how I looked after 7 hours at the fair. Dirty and smiling.

gizmo trick outs

I have to admit, when it comes to doing things that I don't l-o-v-e to do, I usually opt out. I almost always opt out until I trick myself back on the wagon.

Exercise. It's good for me, but not really that fun... Until I buy a new pair of running shoes and write the date I bought them on the tongue. Now, every time I put on my running shoes, I know that I'll need to buy a new pair a year from that date. It makes me feel smart and oh-so organized, and that's a very nice motivator. Oh yeah, and my little ipod shuffle also gets me, especially when it is loaded up with a bunch of new music, or at least the most recent episode of This American Life.

Flossing. I hate to do it. Most people go to the dentist and the fresh start of just cleaned teeth motivates them to floss more often. Not me. I have overactive saliva glands that give me plaque no matter what I do. My dental hygienist does not believe me when I tell her that I floss. Instead she wipes my plaque on my dental bib and keeps shaking her head and making me answer her questions when her whole entire hand is in my mouth. For two whole years I stopped flossing until Zander's parents put one of those Reach Flossers in my Christmas stocking. I'm hooked.

I also don't like taking vitamins. That is, I don't like taking vitamins unless THEY ARE REALLY JUST LIKE TOOTSIE ROLLS.

Laundry, you ask? I got this Downy fabric softener, and while I still don't love doing laundry, I do enjoy the smell of this stuff, and that makes me a little bit less likely to let the dirty pile get as enormous as it has been known get. And, I prefer folding this sweet smelling laundry before the sweet smell goes away, so I tend to fold it sooner than I used to. Nice, eh?

And the thing that I have always hated to do, but do pretty much everyday now, without fail... Shaving my legs. I have scars on my knees from the horrible cuts that shaving with soap and water have given me. I all but stopped shaving around my Achilles tendon because that spot bleeds like crazy if I knick it. Well, on a whim, I tried shaving cream this summer and now I shave my legs pretty often. I don't cut myself anymore = motivation to shave. No more wearing boots in the summer unless I want to!

Anyone have any gadgets or gizmos that trick you into doing things that you don't like to do?

For Like Ever

The Covington was a lovely place to spend our anniversary. We found out that we can fill it with 11 of our closest friends for less than everyone would normally spend at a hotel. It might have a lot to do with the oftentimes weird things that I think are completely awesome, but this place really kicked ass. As for the anniversary, I know that to some of you old pros we're like babies, but we've known each other for more than 7 sweet years now. With the happy and the sad and the adventures and the non-adventures and the laughing and all the rest that do not even carry words, I am eternally grateful.
This crabby goose welcomed us to the inn.

Yeah, I just colored my hair and it is horrid. Yeah, we just woke up. Yeah, Zander's face is red because I'm sitting on his lap and squishing his guts.
I jumped on the popular band wagon and got us this print for the occasion.

If I don't get around to the jam today, I'll definitely put on some trashy TV and get this easy dress cut out. If you've ever sewn from a pattern, you appreciate that this is made out of 4 pieces. I'm making the blue dress, but taking it in a bit on the sides, so it'll be easy to wear with a belt. I scored a vintage tweedy looking piece 'o polyester from value village that I'm hoping will be easy to sew. If you haven't picked up Adorn Magazine yet, pick it up, it's so great. They've got this same pattern all made up and altered with some cutsie little ruffles and buttons.

Also to be found in the lovely Adorn is this great idea for reupholstering an ottoman. I think it's adorable.

So yeah, this is essentially my last week of freedom before school starts again! Part of me is bummed, but I also feel pretty lucky to truly enjoy teaching, AND to have the summers off. Today I'm searching for easy strawberry jam recipes. Preferably something that doesn't have a ton of sugar and most certainly something that I can freeze. Any suggestions?

My aunt Ailene and uncle Ed have been sweethearts in Plattsmouth, Nebraska for lots and lots of years now. Their family is etched into my childhood memories. They ran the town movie theater for a while and that's where I saw Every Which Way but Loose. They raised chickens in their back yard and that has since made me wonder about my future as an urban chicken farmer. In my mind I can hear how Ailene's voice sounded when she called her kids to dinner. I call hear exactly how she called me Joolie Doolie. She died this Saturday. It was so, so unexpected. Here's her simple recipe for the best cucumbers ever.
4 cucumbers sliced thin
1 onion (that I hate, so I don't use them)
1 cup of Miracle Whip
1/2 cup of sugar
4 T of vinegar
Mix. Cover. Refrigerate. Let them sit for at least 1 hour before serving.

Happy Birthday Betsy!

To my funny, smart, happy, strong, full of love and kisses mother-in-law: Happy, happy birthday!

forgotten cars

My first car was part Ford Escort EXP, and part something else that I can't remember. My uncle Frank bought it for me from my uncle Ray (who welded the two cars together), and my cousin Russ taught me how to drive its stick shift in downtown Plattsmouth, Nebraska. I learned lots of car care and often life lessons with that car. 1. If you write stuff with your finger on frosted windows, you'll be able to read it everytime your windows frost up again. So write nice things, and keep your pictures PG. 2. If you have a bad alternator/battery/starter, that's really OK because all you really need to know is how to always park facing down a hill, and also how to pop the clutch. And really, if you are worrying about these things, you have no business being in the Dayton's or Marshall Field's or Macy's parking garages. 3. If your radiator is not working, it'll cool the engine fastest if you drive with the heat on full blast. I'm thinking that facial sweat probably has some huge medicinal benefit that I'm too lazy to google right now. 4. If it's second semester already and tuition and books are due, along side your license tabs, don't worry about buying your tabs. If they are due in the winter time, a little strategic snow packing works wonders. ***If they are due in the summer time and you are 35 1/2 years old, and you've got the $40 in your pocket, pay for them early, or if you must, just barely on time. It will make you feel like an incompetent jerk to have advanced degrees and good credit and nice manners and and a sweet husband, while you are skiddishly avoiding the police to prevent that inevitable ticket. Ugh. I just need to make it until Monday... Does anyone have one of those "I heart cops" stickers lying around?

Money Rant

I have two beautiful paint by numbers of roses done by my sister's mother-in-law. I thought that was the perfect size for a mini-collection until I saw this autumn scene for $2.99 at the Goodwill. I love it and think I might be hooked on paint by number. No, I don't want to paint any, but if you see any finished ones lying around, let me know, and I'll take them off your hands. I think they're so sweet.

Speaking of sweet, my sneezeweed is now taller than I am. I love how old fashioned it looks. I have a couple things that I'm ripping right out of the garden for next year, but these guys are staying.
Now, onto the crabiness... Let me preface my money rant by saying that I love our house. I love that it's cozy and has character, and mostly I love that it ours and that it even looks like Zander and Julie live here. That being said, it is really pissing me off. Our shower upstairs is so clogged that 2 bottles of DRAINO did nothing but make our bathroom smell toxic. I really started to notice the problem last week when Zander's cousins joked about "breaking" our shower. Upon investigation, I realized that not only was water not draining, but gunk was floating up and out of the drain. UGH. They drove across the country to see us and were given the opportunity to shower in our filth. So I called the plumber and he came over today to fix the drain and also to turn off the gas on our stove so I can pull out the sub floor and linoleum underneath. After spending about 45 minutes with our very nice plumber, he told me that he wouldn't touch our stove unless we agreed to let him bring the connection up to code. Yep, that's right, our gas stove was basically attached to the source with gum and duct tape. And maybe a wing and a prayer. And instead of using an anti-tip part to keep the stove from tipping forward, the previous owners stacked up pieces of plywood and hoped for the best. With the stove pulled out we saw where they started the counter top on fire before they fashioned their very own anti-tip device. I'm thinking that maybe our inspector should have noticed a bit more before we purchased this house. The longer we live here, the more we find that's not up to code. So $900 dollars later on the drain and the gas, I'm a bit frustrated. My mom thinks we could have prevented a tragedy by taking up the linoleum and discovering the faulty hook up, so as least that makes me feel a little bit better. I did call Centerpoint energy to see if our service plan ($14.95 per month on all major appliances including the stove) would cover sending someone out to turn off the gas for 15 minutes. I was shocked to find out that it's not covered and they'd charge an arm and a leg for the first 30 minutes, and just a hand for each additional 30 minutes. I've used the service once in almost 3 years when we had a bird stuck in the furnace. I'm wondering if it's worth it to keep paying them each month when we don't really get much out of it?

Night Out

Well it's an hour and eight minutes before National Night Out starts and I'm procrastinating. I should be stirring stuff together, or at least taking a shower, but I'm having a hard time getting moving today. Oh summer laziness, how I love you so. Anyway, these tomatoes are the tastiest of our three different kinds from this year. I try to not get the same kinds from year to year, so I should probably start writing it down. Speaking of summer foods... I found a recipe for Key Lime Bars in Cooks Illustrated last summer, and I've made them at least fifteen times since then. I don't subscribe to the magazine, but I love browsing at the library, and then I sometimes end up buying the really good issues.

filling:
2 ounces of cream cheese (room temp)
1 T lime zest
1 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
1 large egg yolk
1/2 C of lime juice (don't use the bottled kind--it tastes bad in this recipe)

crust:
5 oz animal crackers (I don't have a food scale so I just look at the total oz on the bag and then eyeball it)
Pinch of salt
4 T of melted and slightly cooled butter

(I use my food processor for the crust)

For about 20 minutes, bake the crust at 325 in a 8 x 8 pan that has foil in the bottom (but hanging over the edge) and has been sprayed with Pam. While that's cooling, make the filling.

Spread the filling in the semi-cooled crust and then bake it for 20 minutes. Let it cool and then cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours before serving.
**Fat Free sweetened condensed milk tasted too sweet, instead of tart--I even added more lime juice and that didn't really help. I think it's worth the fat to use the real deal.**

The Proverbial Elephant in the Room

Lately I'm thinking about babies. And other people having babies. And how much pain we felt with the miscarriages. ***And how far we've come since then.*** And how it's difficult to casually mention in some friendships how much healing has already come to us... That I'm not fragile. I'm more than OK... Even happy. And in an effort to be considerate and sensitive, so many kind people downplay their new pregnancy or pretend that babies are no big deal. ***They are a big deal.*** I don't want anyone to feel like they should suppress their happiness around me! When I see my friends and family and co-workers having babies and getting pregnant, it doesn't make me sad. It makes me happy for you! It lets me live vicariously through your life while we wait for our little one to come to us. I want to be involved! I want to sew little bibs and blankies for you. But I can't do that if you keep me at a safe distance, in order to protect my feelings. Just like you, I want to be sensitive and considerate and I don't want you to feel weird, so I dance around and try really hard to let you know that I'm OK, and I end up exhausted and looking very much like crazy. I can think of about 10 or so people that are going to think that I'm pointing directly at them with this entry. I'm not. But I am ready to move forward from this fragile, bruised, and sad role that sometimes people assume I must be feeling. I'm happy. I'm not afraid to talk about you, your baby, your pregnancy or your happiness. I love it!

I've heard it said that journaling can be like therapy for the soul. I hope blogging counts. I could use a little therapy today. Zander is at the San Diego Comic Con, and that means it's my time to rip something up around the house. Last year the rip-something-up-tradition began when the cheesy pergo floor in the kitchen needed to come out. Underneath it was a semi-ugly linoleum that I considered an upgrade. Well, I've lived with that linoleum for a year now, and it's days are done. I ripped most of it out to expose the hard wood floor underneath. Writing it down makes it sound so easy. It wasn't. I'm sore all over. And I've got splinters. And bruises from whacking myself in the shin with a crowbar that I was trying to pry nails out with. This project has helped me see that I could do more construction like things around the house, it's not that hard, but I need to have more tools than a crowbar, a screwdriver and a hammer that's head keeps flying off. Now that I've got the linoleum and the subfloor removed, I've still got to get the screws whose heads have popped off out of the floor somehow. And, I've got to clean the papery glue off the wood. Then there are the gaping holes that are going to require a more substantial molding to cover them up. I'm frazzled. I don't want to spend a dime on this project and I want to have it all done and prettied up by midnight on Monday when Zander gets home. Bleh.

In other news, I'll write more about our trip to Provence one of these days! I've got loads of great pictures, but I need lots of time to just sit down and do it.

Bonjour!

Wow, long time no post. You'll be happy to know that I'm having SO MUCH FUN. Provence is lovely. We've seen lots of little towns, loads of beautiful churches, adorable doorways, the best flowers I've seen, and loads more... So happy seeing new things, but thinking about you loved ones at home and excited to tell you all the details!

Here are a few of the Proex shots being sent off to the orphanage in Colombia. I don't think the top one is too awfully bad, but the other two are the worst! Full body shots... Not since my senior pictures in high school.