Life is Good

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!

 

I hope you all have a great holiday weekend and festivities as you celebrate our day of Independence.

The kids and I are going to go out enjoy a local parade and some patriotic crafts and then join back up with Marc this evening for a little bar-b-que, legal fireworks and watch the bigger display from our back porch.

Here is a Fourth of July project that I have been working on lately.  The metal picture holder (junk from a junk store as Marc would call it:)  I saw at an antique store, though clearly not an antique...I thought would be great for this very purpose.  The rest is some vintage finds from the same antique store combined with some 4th of July photos from years past and some from recent.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July!
xoxo

Estate Sale Love

I had to run out and take care of a few things early this morning, thought I might check out a yard sale or two on the way home and to my surprise I came across an estate sale that had just opened. [sigh]  Of course as a good junker I pulled the car over to take a look, just for a couple minutes mind you;)

An hour later I managed to score several things.  Most for repurpose projects and some for scrapbooking.  This sale was for a couple in their nineties that moved into an assisted living facility and are celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary.  There was some old, really cool stuff that they left behind and I can only imagine the amazing collections of things they kept or passed on to family.

Here is a shot of some of my finds:

 
One can never have to many frames (a wake up photo to come later).  The lamp shades are going to be stripped to the bones for a photo project.  I got a couple of the burlap bags which are from a local walnut company in Oregon that I am going to make either outdoor cushions or pillows out of.  Several old patterns, valentines, bingo cards and crochet trim for scrapbooking/multi-media projects.

 
 
 

This box I'm not quite sure the intended purpose for, maybe someone will know and comment.  I am going to use it for scrapbooking supplies and to hold ribbon.
 
 

Then there was this box...from a local business that is probably no longer.  The intended use appears to be for accounting purposes and it looks like the woman who had it used it for coupons.  I'm not sure what I am going to use it for but I thought it was kind of cool.
 
 

McKenzie has really started to take a big interest in photography.  So I got her these for her older camera collection.  Was going to hang on to them for her birthday but of course I couldn't wait.
 

I can't decide what color I'm going to paint this stool but I'm going to use it on the porch to display plants.  The insulators I am going to turn upside down, hang from wire from the covered porch and put votive candles in them.
 

This pin was to cute to pass up:
 

And this I have no idea if I'm going to use it or where I will put it but I thought it was too cool to pass up.  It, I believe is a light to probably clamp to a headboard?  It just needs wired up...funky cool!
 

And if that wasn't enough...I put a bid on an old junker narrow door and another stool (like I need another) we'll see if anyone gets those tomorrow or if they call me.

As if that haul wasn't enough I happened upon another yard sale on the way home.  I scored on this mirror for $20.  I had just bought a cheapo one from Wal-Mart that morning for $8 that is boring and wimpy.  Needless to say the Wal-Mart one is going back and I will paint this one for my bedroom.
 
and it comes complete with aged character...
 

and last but not least.  Again, as if I didn't have enough stools, I came across this cute red metal stool for $5.  How could I not take it home with me.  I thought it would look great on the porch, but Marcus seems to think it is the perfect size for him at the dining table.  We'll try it out a couple places and see where it fits in best.
 

I told you it was cute:)

I am grateful today that my husband rarely ever looks at my blog...hehe. But then again I think he would just be happy I didn't buy another table.

Have a great weekend!

Before and After

This post may be a little photo heavy.

So I have been taking several pictures of the before and after of our house since we moved in June of last year.  This month will mark one year that we have lived here so I thought it appropriate to show some of the accomplishments we have made so far.  Mind you, you won't be seeing photos of the unpacked boxes that remain or the chaos under the porch...but I thought a few photos throughout the remainer of the month would be fitting.
Our kitchen has been by far the biggest change.  Previously it had pink 4x4 tile counter tops, a pink sink.  A refrigerator location that seemed to be in the middle of the kitchen blocking counters.  A large island bar that was consumed by a stove and non-working hood that overhung the bar such that you had to bend over to see under it.  And very disgusting grout that surrounded old 12x12 ceramic tile floors. Needless to say that all changed thanks to the very hard work of Marc.

BEFORE:
 
AFTER:
 
So Marc put in the gorgeous Teak floor throughout the house which will appear in other photos.  All new cabinets which are two inches higher than normal which we love as we are a bit taller.  New appliances, and the stove now resides on the opposite side so I have an entire island for baking.  Marc also sunk the refrigerator into the wall which is backed by the laundry room (took a bit of that space but use the kitchen far more).  He put in a bit smaller window so we could fit in an extra cabinet.  Raised the upper cabinets so now I can fit my Kitchen Aid mixer underneath...its the little things.  New quartz counter tops...Yes, I am one happy camper.

We have yet to finish the subway tile backsplash and the stainless steel shelves that will go above the stove so I will have those photos to share someday down the road.

Here is another view:
 

Another B and A...
 
 

One of my favorite scores from Ruthie B's is our message board that once was the springs from an old crib.  I love changing it for the season.

 

The dining area same more minor changes...
 
We took out the hutch that was attached to the wall and changed the lighting...
 
 
The dining table was a major score from the Salvation Army...yes that's right Salvation Army.  We have a really good one in Eugene for furniture and I love to find a good deal.  This is a solid oak table that had a burn on the top, I bought it for $59 painted it black and couldn't love it more.  It is perfect for the space because it is a bit more narrow than your normal rectangle table so it fits better.  The chairs coutesy of TJ MAXX at another great deal, lighting as well as in the kitchen from Z Gallerie, Marc surprised me with those...pays to have a wish list located under favorites hehe.  And the deer head courtesy of yours truly.  Yes, for those of you faint of heart I shot it last fall.  And for those who might appreciate it, that baby has a 21 1/2" spread and I shot it at 636 yards.  No, it isn't going to remain there it just recently came back from the taxidermist and will soon reside with my husband's collection. Skip the next photo if you are one of the faint of hearts....

 

OK, no more of those photos...so I will leave you with these beauties that I saw on Delaney's blog some time ago and lucky for me, a 50% discount and store credit...Meera from Miss Meers ordered them in and now they are mine....sigh!

Yes, it's the little things.

Order in the Court

While Marcus was busy turning four, McKenzie had the opportunity to spend the day with a local Circuit Court Judge.  Marc had arranged this for her with Judge Carlson, who was most gracious to the idea.  I know both Judge Carlson and McKenzie were looking forward to the day.  McKenzie came home with exciting stories and seemed quite inspired.  Thankfully Sarah (Assistant District Attorney Sabri) was on hand to get me some photos!
 
 
Hmmm....maybe she'll finish what I started?

And here is a layout that I did with the April SC kit of the suprise snow fall in April.
 
 
and I have Friday off...looking forward to a little time for scrapbooking and playing at the park with Marcus.

I need a vacation!

One would have thought that when I had four days off around the holiday weekend, I would have had more forethought to schedule Marcus's birthday party at the beginning of those days rather than 6pm the last day before I go back to work.  Chuck-E-Cheese's at 6pm with a group of 4-8 years olds lasting until 9pm requires a drink and a day off...don't you think?  I thinks so too.

The day seemed to get off on the wrong foot a bit, followed up by picking up the cake at a local box store (thinking I wouldn't have time to make it) realizing the moment I looked at the cake it was the worst decorated cake I have ever seen and the simplicity level was suppose to be that of yellow frosting with two black stripes with simple script and the number 4.  Oh, let me tell you, apparently simplicity can't be a tall order.  The intent was to look like the Bumble Bee Transformer and the gift bags. Thanks goodness for a fantastic bakery at Market-of-Choice who was ready on the spot to help me out.  Nothing with the look or color scheme we wanted but let me tell you, it was one of the best tasting cakes ever!
 
and yes that would be Marcus's finger going in for the kill.

So for Mother's day I was blessed with this little gem...
 
The Slice by Making Memories.  A die cutting machine for those of you none scrapbookers.  What does it do you ask?  Well, since it just now came out of the box and I needed to make quick tags for the goody bags this in a quick pinch is what it does.
 
 
and here are the Bumble Bee looking gift bags with my little initial tags.
 
 
and here was the inspiration...
 
Not bad for some paper, electrical tape and a few minutes of time!

So on the way to the party we had to stop off for a few pictures of Marcus on his big day.  Didn't seem to get much cooperation from the high sun, flat balloons and a boy so excited to go play but I came out with a few good ones.
 
and that was the "Come on Mom are you done yet" look.  You scrapbookers out there know the one I'm talking about.

And here are a couple from the party.
 
don't you just love black and white to take care of the demonic red eyes?
 

and this one just makes me smile...
 
Its the little things.

"My Birthday is Here!"

He was so excited...he couldn't wait, he counted down the days and faithfully asked daily for the past several days if it was his birthday. The conversation would go something like

Marcus: Is it my birthday today... or the other variation...Is my birthday coming today?

Mommy: No Honey not today.

Marcus: No, I hear it, its coming.

And I couldn't argue with that and wish I would have wrote down on numerous occassion just exactly what he said but I was either too busy laughing or driving as these conversations seemed to always strike up in the car.

So this is how his morning started with a little surprise:
 
 

This was when he was opening his Bumble Bee Transformer costume from his sister, don't you just love their expressions!
 
 
Happy Birthday Big Bear, I can't believe you are already four!

Love you,
Mommy

Four days to 4

So we are counting down the days until Marcus turns four which I can't believe is four days away.  He is growing and changing so fast.  Everyday seems like something new, challenging and at times frustrating but in the end it's all good.

When Marcus turned one there was no question it would be Winnie the Pooh themed, it had become his namesake.  When Marcus was first born he had a pair of Pooh pajamas that had the words "Silly Pooh" on them and from the moment he first wore them he was thereafter referred to as Silly Pooh.  Of course over time that turned into Silly Bear, Pooh, Pooh Bear, Pooh-man-chu, Pooh-goo-guy-pan, Little Bear, Big Bear, Bear and so on and still to this day he is called Bear.

So to no surprise when his first birthday rolled around he would have a Pooh Birthday cake of some sort.  I have always made McKenzie's cakes so Marcus would be no different, only it wasn't quite what I visioned, but it seemed to go over fine.  However, Marcus didn't seem to care much for cake and only had one lick of frosting after puting his whole hand in it.
 
and in true scrapbooker fashion here is half of the layout I did for that occassion.
 

As the year passed Marcus discovered the world of "The Cars".  We, and I say we because we all seemed subjected to the movie multiple times a day, lived and breathed The Cars.  So of course it would only seem fitting that his second birthday cake reflected such.
 
 

And then there was his third birthday this past year and we graduated from The Cars onto Spider Man.  We definitely appreciated the change of pace for the movies and the fact that there were three of them to watch not to mention plenty of cartoons.  We spent the day at Chuck-E-Cheese's which is still about his favorite place to go.  And of course the cake was none other than Spider Man.
 
 
So as we countdown the final four days until he turns four I will be planning for his big day.  This past Halloween as I was pleased with myself to have shopped early for his costume and acquire a reversible padded Spider Man costume I was informed that he no longer wanted to be Spider Man he wanted Optimus Prime.  And ever since I had been trying to get up to speed with the world of Transformers. Ugh! I can only imagine what is in store for next year.

Happy Mother's Day!

 
While out and about today we got some cute photos...this is one of my favorites.  And here are a couple more...

 
 
Here are a couple with my mom...and no matter how hard she tries or how hard she will deny it she will always be shorter than I am...hehe
 
 
 
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Trooper of the Year

Yes, he has received yet another amazing honor of Trooper of the Year.  This one was awarded to him today by the Oregon State Police as their annual award.  He had no idea it was coming so he was incredibly surprised today when he received this award during the retirement party of his sergeant.  Of course I knew and was sure to be present as his sergeant called me yesterday and told me of their plans to honor him with this award.

 
 
We couldn't be more proud of him right now!!

Though less honorable, possibly embarrassing, this was Sequoia's day on Wednesday...
The BEFORE:
 
and the AFTER:
 
She looks a little skinny now, but I'm sure she feels soooo good!

So if you read the following posts you may notice things look a little wonky.  I have had major issues with typepad lately especially with photos, think I may have gotten this taken care of with the help of Sarah.  So hopefully the posts will be a little more frequent if all goes well.

Here are a couple layouts I did recently...still a little fuzzy maybe I'll be able to find a good location to take pictures this weekend with some sunshine.
 
 

Oh yes...and how about another photo from this past summer that I was never able to post.
McKenzie's first day of 7th grade...

Hope everyone has a great Mother's Day weekend, looks like some good weather and I have both days off!! I am so excited!!

Nosey Neighbors...

 

 
These seem to be our resident outdoor neighbors that we watch in the empty lot next to our house from the kitchen window.  On this particular day it was pretty funny watching them both work over our neighbors bird feeder.  The level of food took a drastic drop as they licked the bird seed right out of it.  Too funny.

Here are a couple layouts I came up with using April's Studio Calico kit.

Both are of our homemade pizza night.

And here are a couple photos from the state fair last summer that I was never able to get posted because of computer issues..

 

Seriously ready for some sunshine, anyone else??

Have a good week.