5 ? Fiday!!!!!!!!!!

Once again a big thanks to Mama M. for letting us link up to the ever exciting 5 ? Friday ;)

1. Do you apologize to your kids if you're wrong?

   Absolutely.  My parents always apologized to us if they were wrong.  I think it's important for our children to know that we aren't perfect, but we are trying to do what is best.

 

2. Do you have a class ring, Letterman's jacket, or similar obscenely priced high school "must have"?

   Nope.  I'm cheap, cheap, cheap.  However, if one of my munches really wants one of these things I will do my best to get it for them, because these things do make great memories.

 

3. If you could be one age for the rest of your life, what age would you choose?

   I'm gonna pick 28 (my current age).  Because I have both of my beautiful children and I wouldn't change that at all!  Not to mention I really don't want them to grow up ;)

 

4. What is your favorite (unused) baby name?

   For a girl, Charlotte.  I LOVE that name, however, Hubs wouldn't let me use it for our Sweet Pea.  He didn't care for it.  For a boy, Garrett.  That was going to be Sweet Pea's name if she hadn't been a girl. 

 

5. If you could make your child like something what would it be?

   For Firecracker I would make him like dinner time.  For some reason it's a fight almost every night..... UGH!  For Sweet Pea it would be a bottle.  She doesn't love the bottle, which makes Mommy's life a bit difficult at times.  But I love nursing and wouldn't trade it.  So I'd have to say if she's going to shun something I'd rather it be the bottle. 


And for the Ms. L:

1. Do you apologize to your kids if you're wrong?
Most definitely.  I make plenty of mistakes, and I want them to know that I am not even close to perfect.  I try my best, and sometimes my best is saying "I'm sorry."

2. Do you have a class ring, Letterman's jacket, or similar obscenely priced high school "must have"?
I do.  I have a class ring and a Letterman's jacket.  I have no idea where either of them are right now, but I have them somewhere.  My mom still has her class ring, and it was important to her that we got one. 

3. If you could be one age for the rest of your life, what age would you choose?
Oh, goodness.  This caused for a lot of pondering.  I mean, will I stay the same age, but others keep aging?  Or is everyone stuck at the same age with me?  Because I like my current age, but don't think I want the kids to stay at this age forever, because they fight a lot.  I also wouldn't want the hubs to get older without me.  So I guess I would say 30, but it is most definitely a half-hearted statement.

4. What is your favorite (unused) baby name?
I think for a boy it would be Ethan.  (The hubs put the kabash on that one).  And for a girl it would be Piper.  Or maybe not.  Ugh, I am not a good decision maker.

5. If you could make your child like something what would it be?
Oooh, I know this one.  Quiet time.  Yep, that's it.  They would like to play quietly, at least every now and then. Mommy would have some sanity left if quiet time was a regular occurrence at my house.

A Lesson In Produce

Good morning, Ms. L here,

Apparently, there are contaminated cantaloupes that have been sold recently.  A lot of people have gotten sick, and several have died.  So, here is the gist of what the news says.  If you bought a cantaloupe between July 29th and September 10th, you could possibly have a contaminated melon.  These melons are contaminated with Listeria, a disease which presents with flu-like symptoms.

My first thought, "Hmm.... that's no good.  I mean, I did buy a cantaloupe 2 weeks ago, but none of us got sick, so I guess we are in the clear."   (Insert annoying buzzer sound here).  WRONG!  Apparently, this Listeria disease can lay dormant for anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of months!!!   So, here we are, headed into flu season, with a possible contaminate that you could have contracted up to 2 months ago that presents itself just like the flu. 

So, then I had my second thought, "Well, let me check the list and see if any were sold to the store that I bought said cantaloupe from."  WRONG again.... there is no such list.   What?  No such list?  So, we are just now being told about this, 18 days after the last contaminated melon was shipped to the stores.

Why were we not notified sooner?  Why isn't there a list of stores that could have purchased the bad fruit?  Are we, those who have eaten cantaloupes within the last 2 months, really expected to just sit and wait to see if we get sick?  I mean, is that really the best way to handle this situation?  Don't we have entire Administrations to monitor our food? 

Oh, well, there's nothing I can do about it now.  If our cantaloupe was one of the diseased, at least it was tasty!  

So, here's to hoping you haven't ingested any bad cantaloupes recently!

The "Crafts" Challenged

Hello, My name is Ms. T and I am "Crafts Challenged". 

(The group)- "Hi, Ms. T"

Me- I see things that are so super cute and I think to myself, "I bet I could make that no problem!  A little sewing/ hot gluing and bada bing it'll be fabulous.  Not to mention I'll save myself that 20.00.  Won't the Hubs be so proud of me?  He'll love that I saved money anyway. =)"

That, my friends, is almost always the thought process.  I spend a week or so studying whatever the project may be online psyching myself up and convincing myself I can do it.  Then I try my hand at making the project............ Let's just say 9 times out of 10 I end up FAILING. 

After the epic fail, I usually reassess how badly I want said item.  If it's badly enough I pinch my pennies until I can afford to go and buy it.  And then I remind myself that I'm challenged at arts and crafts and to leave that stuff to those who can actually pull them off. 

So to the rest of you "craft challenged" out there.  I feel your pain!  And to those of you who can do that stuff.  Good for you and I'm sure I'll be stopping by to give you my 20.00..... eventually.  =)

Why Not You?

Good Morning, Ms. L checking in today!  I came across a quote yesterday that really hit close to home and made me think.  In fact, I have had to ask myself this very question multiple times in the last 24 hours, "Why not you?". 



Isn't it at least a little sad that we, as women, so often think that for one reason or another, we can't have the things we so want in life?  Whether we think we are incapable, undeserving, unlovable, or any other excuse we can come up with, we tend to believe that our dreams are possible for others, but just not for ourselves.  I think if we were all honest, we would find at least one dream that we have denied ourselves of because we think we are undeserving.  

So my question today is, "Why Not You?". 

NEVER wake a sleeping baby.

I've always heard the rule "NEVER wake a sleeping baby".  I try and abide by this rule, because at least in my life it seems to be true that if you wake a sleeping munch they aren't happy and they let you know it. 

Well, apparently Firecracker has never learned this rule.  My Firecracker has decided that it is his mission in life to keep Sweet Pea from ever napping.  She falls asleep and he runs to her and starts saying, "HI! HI!" until she awakens.  When I tell him to leave her alone and let her sleep Firecracker just looks at me and says, "but Mom, I talk".  Meaning "but Mom, I'm just talking to her".  

Ahhh, the logic of my Firecracker is hard to argue with...... Gotta love the little buger ;)

Have a great day everyone,

Ms. T

A Guilty Pleasure

One of my favorite things to do is to take an item that has been forgotten, unloved, discarded and turn it into something new, useful and pretty.  It is  pretty addicting when you can take something bound for the junk yard and recreate it. 

Earlier this year, I was driving around after a morning of yard sales. (Ok, ok, I was lost after a morning of yard sales and was trying to find my way back into town.)  I happened upon a junk shop.  There was some furniture out front that probably shouldn't have been saved, but it caught my eye.  So, I did the only thing that I could do, of course.  I stopped the car, unloaded the kiddos, and lugged them over. 

Once inside, I found a gorgeous sideboard that was begging to make itself a permanent fixture in my living room.  But alas, it had just been sold for a mere $30.  Ouch!  My heart was devestated, for about 30 seconds.  And then I caught a glance of this pretty lady hiding in a corner under a load of, well, junk.

Isn't she lovely?  Ok, maybe most of you would think that this is a lost cause.  But I saw such potential in this girl.  Twenty dollars later and a call to the hubs to have help loading her, she was mine!

I fell in love with this color, and knew I wanted to keep the same feel once it was repainted.  I also knew I wanted this piece to function as a computer desk rather than a vanity, so the divided top wouldn't work either. 

Luckily, my father-in-law had this awesome slab of wood sitting in his garage, and he graciously offered to let me use it.  After a couple coats of stain and top coat of poly, it was exactly what I was looking for.

We stripped off the old paint, cleaned her up, and sanded her down.  Then it was time for paint.  She got a couple coats of a similar color, and some light distressing and antiquing.  I kept the original wooden drawer pulls, because they just felt right.   So, here is my new computer desk!

I am absolutely in love with this desk.  It couldn't have turned out any better.  It is probably my favorite piece of furniture in my house right now.  Part of that is because it is beautiful, and the other part is it was a cheap project!

Original cost of vanity: $20
Cost of Desktop: FREE
Cost of Paint: $16.97 (with a ton of paint left over)
All other supplies include: Stain, Polyeurethane, Sand Paper, Brushes, etc.  These were all things we had already.

Total cost of Computer Desk: $36.97

Hope this inspires you to create something beautiful of your own!

Ms. L

The Fam...

Ok, So I've hinted around about my family, but it's time to truly introduce them.... Well, at least the ones that live in my house.  If I tried to introduce my entire family siblings and all this post would be waaaaay too long. 

The Hubs- My hubby is fabulous!  He and I were friends for many, many, many years before we ever thought about dating eachother.  I love that we really knew eachother before we started dating, because it took the whole awkwardness out of dating.  Anyway, the Hubs is kind, thoughtful, caring, considerate and at times a bit too logical.  Which is perfect, because I lack logic... I wish at times I had more, but it eludes me. 

Next comes Firecracker-  I couldn't love the Firecracker more if he was dipped in chocolate and filled with peanut butter.  Which if you know me you know that is true love right there!  Firecracker is 2 1/2..... need I say more?  He is sweet and loving, but can be so sneaky!  He runs from the moment he wakes up til the moment he goes to bed.  Let's just say I don't need a gym membership. =)

Finally, we have Sweet Pea- Sweet Pea is my heart.  She is 4 months old and I swear when I look at her I'm convinced that if there were one more ounce of love in my heart for her my heart would burst open!  She is a chunker to be sure, but hey when you're little rolls are cute right? =)

This is my family.  I love them with my whole heart.  God has blessed me infinitely and I wouldn't change it one bit.... Ok, maybe I'd put a "slow motion" button on Firecracker somedays ;).

Ms. T

5 Question Friday =)

Ugh so last night my cell phone went through the washer.... A round of silence please for the loss of a friend =(.  The loss of it has had me thinking.  Remember when we were younger and we had all our friend's and family's phone numbers memorized?  Yep, no longer are those #s in my little brain.  And even if they were I'm sure they'd be someone elses by now.  =)
So now I bring you 5 ? Friday! A big thank you to Mama M. for allowing us to link up to 5 ? Friday.

 

1. Dream job...realistic and completely unrealistic.

Hmmm... Realistic I think I'm living it.  A stay at home Mommy of 2 amazing gifts from God. (I promise to tell you more about the family soon.)
Unrealistic I know it sounds cliche but I'm going with Queen.  I mean come on beautiful clothes, HUGE house, some one hired to CLEAN that huge house =).  Where can you go wrong?

2. Do you fart in front of your significant other?

Hahaha... yes.

 

3. What's the furthest you've ever traveled from home? How far and where was it?

I'd say it was when I went to Mexico on a missions trip when I was in my teens.  I'm not exactly a world traveler. Although someday I'd like to be!

4. How do you celebrate birthday for your kids? Family only or friends? ... Alternate for those without kiddos: How did you celebrate birthdays as a kid?

Since my oldest munch is only 2 1/2 we do not do not do anything big for birthdays yet.  Why spend the dough when they won't remember it?  We have some family in the area so we invite them over and have cake and presents.  When the munches are older we may throw parties.... the jury is still out on that one so check back in a few years ;)

 

5. Fave thing about fall?

Love love love the changing of the leaves.  Unfortunately, I live in Fl and the leaves don't change here.  But I'm not complaining, because I don't have to shovel snow in the winter so I'm good ;)

Now doesn't your life feel more full now that you know all of those things about me? =)

Ms. T

And from Ms. L:

1. Dream job...realistic and completely unrealistic.

Realistic - Hmmm... I think that would be Furniture Design/Antique Dealer.
Unrealistic - Well, I do not have quite as high fantasy expectations as Her Majesty, the Queen.  My unrealistic career would be a super creative DIY-er.  Similar to Martha Stewart, only way more trendy!

2. Do you fart in front of your significant other?

Well, see . . . I would normally not even acknowledge this question as I do not talk about bodily functions with anyone.  Ever.   But, seeing as I have been cornered and had my arm twisted to answer, I will.    "Very rarely." 
(There! I did it!  No more, please!)

 

3. What's the furthest you've ever traveled from home? How far and where was it?

Ahh. . . I was so blessed to be able to take my Senior Trip to Europe.  We were able to go to Germany, Austria, and France.  I absolutely loved it and want to go back desperately. 

4. How do you celebrate birthday for your kids? Family only or friends? ... Alternate for those without kiddos: How did you celebrate birthdays as a kid?

It varies.  We have bypassed the "not remembering" stage, so we try to do something memorable.  My family always made a HUGE deal out of birthdays, and I absolutely loved it. (Ok, I still do!)  We normally have a family dinner party and then just have cupcakes at school.  As far as gifts go, we try to make a huge memory as their present.  For the last few years, we allow them to choose what that memory will be.  Last year was an actual party.  The year before was a trip to Disney.  This year is a trip to Legoland.   Because I am incredibly cheap, we plan these days months in advance in order to snag any great deals we can. 

5. Fave thing about fall?

Boots!!!  Jeans!!!  Sweaters!!!  I absolutely love everything about fall fashion.  I have an entire inspiration board full of pictures of fall fashion.  I taught myself how to knit this year so I could have great legwarmers, scarves, and wristwarmers.  I know, I'm insane!


Anyway, that's all from me!  Hope you have at least as many brain cells as you did when you started! 

Ms. L

A Little Introduction

Hey Ya'll!  Ms. L here!
Well, Ms. T pretty much explained how we met in a earlier post, and her explanation was pretty much accurate.  The things she didn't tell you will all come out in the wash, I am sure.  We have spent more time laughing together and crying together (and sometimes crying because we were laughing) than anything else. 
So here's a little more about me.  I am 30 years old, wife to a great hubby, and mom to 2 pretty fabulous little kids. My son is 6 years old and in 1st grade, and the little miss is 3 years old and thinks she runs the show.  They keep me busy, crazy, and laughing most of the time.  I am always striving to learn more and constantly cooking up new schemes!  I look forward to sharing some of those schemes with all of you!

Ms.L

Grateful for the cranky and disobedient days....

I have 2 children.  One is two and a half and the other is 4 months old.  I love them so much, but there are days when they are so super cranky, or disobedient or both that I would sell them to the highest bidder.  Today was one of those days, UNTIL I got onto face book.  I was perusing the new set up and thinking about how my status update would be some kind of complaint about how I didn't like it or what not.  When I came across a status of one of my friends from high school.  She simply posted that her 5 month old baby had passed away the day before.  It rocked my world.  All the sudden my little life where all I wanted to do was complain about the new changes on face book and how my children were behaving was turned upside down.  All I could do was stare at my 4 month old and cry.  How dare I complain that she isn't feeling well and therefore a bit grumpy today.  At least I get to hold her and talk to her and enjoy her.  And then I had to readjust my attitude about my 2 and a half year old.  Even when he's running when he shouldn't be and throwing things in the house what does it matter?  I get to cuddle him and listen to him tell me he "lubs" me.  My heart aches for my friend.  She'll never get to hear her little boy say he "lubs" her.  Or anything else.  And so I encourage you too today.  Look at your children, look deep into their little eyes and remember this world would be a much less enjoyable place without their smiling faces.  Even on their cranky and disobedient days.

Ms. T

A Blog is Born

My name is Ms. T.  My best friend, Ms. L, and I were talking one day about how much fun blogging would be.  We discussed it for quite sometime and casually put it off as a "yeah, we should do that" thing.  The idea has grown on us both and so We're pleased to bring you our new blog!  Welcome!  Take off your shoes, grab yourself something to snack on and make yourself at home! 

While you're making yourself comfy allow me to tell you a little bit about Ms. L and I.  See it all started once upon a time (this is how you start all stories that have princesses in them just in case you were wondering ;) there were two enchanting young women.  These two young women met at college through Ms. T's older, funny, oddball brother (he's a whole post all by himself, but put short and sweet he's never met anyone he couldn't be best friends with...).  Ms. T and Ms. L became fast friends and soon had many hair brained schemes.  And our last semester at that college we even roomed together.  We have been cohorts in crime ever since!  Ms. L even married one of Ms. T's "brothers" (not blood, but with as often as he slept and ate at my house growing up he was considered part of the family. ).  Our lives have intertwined on many journeys and I'm so glad that our story isn't through.  I value Ms. L's friendship so dearly!  She is creative, strong-willed and full of spunk, just to name a few.  We have been best friends, curfew breakers, travel companions, sisters and more in the past and now to our list we get to add blog partners!  We're  excited to start on this adventure and thank you for joining us on our new journey. 

Ms. T