Monday, August 20, 2012

Those moments...

You know, the ones where your heart melts just a little bit.

Those moments, more often than not, tend to revolve around my boys.

Last night, it was Tink who did it for me.

I was reminded of how young and sweet and innocent he is.

And I thought of all of that even though he wasn't doing anything besides sleeping.

It was how my sweet baby fell asleep that made me want to crawl into 
bed next to him just to get some snuggle time.

However, there may not have been room because 
he was already snuggling with someone...

His monkey. :)

And, bless his little heart, he still had dirt from the day's play all over his face.

Someday he will be big.

And someday he won't want to snuggle with his monkey...

... or his mama.

But, until then, I'm going to keep loving the moments like this, 
the ones where he is still my precious little boy.

Sweet dreams, friends.



Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Marley's Reminder

I have a friend who is going through some things.

You know, those kind of life "things" that remind you that your time here is not always going to be easy.

The kind of things that can make your heart hurt, 
or test your faith, 
or leave you asking questions like, 
"Why me?!" 
and 
"When will it get better?!"

I can't answer those questions.

I can't answer them for her,
I can't answer them for myself when I deal with "things", 
and I can't answer them for anyone else.

I don't know that I can make a heart hurt less or have any bearing on the strength of someone's faith.

But I can certainly try.

That was what I decided to do last night, really late, as I was thinking of my friend.

I was saying a prayer for her, asking for peace in her heart and mind.

It was mid-prayer that I had a sudden burst of inspiration and knew I needed to make for her what I'd just envisioned in my head.

So, I hopped out of the shower (yes, I was in the shower much past the point I should have been in bed asleep. And, yes, that was where I was saying my prayers.  Whatever...) and ran downstairs.  

I wanted to paint something.

I think it is important for me to note that I have never, and I mean never, painted a picture in my entire life.

I've never had any urge to paint.
Never had any desire.
I didn't even know if I could rummage up the tools with which to paint a picture.

Rather than attempt it last night, I decided it may be better to get down on paper (using sharpies and pencils) what I wanted and come back to it in the morning.

And that was what I did.

I got up this morning, got the boys ready and off to school, and went to yoga.

Through all of that, I kept thinking about my need to paint this thing for my friend.

After yoga, I hustled home and rounded up the stuff I needed.
Or I thought I needed.
Have I mentioned that I've never painted anything before?

Here is what I was working with:

My quick drawing from last night so I wouldn't forget what I wanted.


My rubber stamps.


The boys' paint.


My brushes.


Yes, those are stenciling brushes.
Don't judge.
I told you I don't paint.

I am pretty sure that anyone who can actually refer to themselves an "artist" would die if they saw my painting tools...


Now, before I go any further, let me tell you this:

I painted.
I am not Picasso.
Or Monet.
And I am pretty sure Goose has come home from school with some more intricate stuff than what I managed.

But, I am hoping that it will serve its purpose.

I hope it will lift my friend's heart and let her know that "every little 'ting gonna be all right."


Here is a closer view of the words and my happy little birds.


I told you.
I almost shouldn't even call it a painting.

Regardless of the amount of paint used or whether it can even be considered a respectable piece of art on any level, it makes me happy.

Happy enough that I may make myself one in colors that work for my living room. 
Ahem.

Anyway, I hope it makes her happy, too.

I think it is good for remembering that "this, too, shall pass" and we 
should always take each day for what it is: 

A Blessing.

Thanks for the reminder, Mr. Marley.


Monday, August 13, 2012

It's A Miracle!

There was a miracle performed in my home today.
It was a miracle of grand proportions.

Do you remember when I performed magic in my kitchen?
If not, here is a refresher.

Anyway, in order to explain my miracle, I must start 
by telling you about my carpet.

Oh, my carpet.

My sad...

beige...

apartment-grade...

 don't-look-at-it-for-too-long-or-a-stain-will-appear...

not-meant-to-be-polka-dotted-but-it-is...

carpet.

I hate, loathe, despise, am not a huge fan of my carpet.

There are dark spots and stains all over, most 
of which are from unidentifiable sources.

I've used what feels like every carpet cleaner on the market with no luck.

I would give just about anything for new flooring and 
no longer have to call myself the owner of this sad, sad carpet.

But, alas, it is my carpet, new floors are not in 
the budget and I am stuck with it.

I am just going to have to live with it.

That said, I decided today that I refuse, 
and I mean refuse,
to live with it in this condition any longer.

So how do I fix it?

Well, duh.

PINTEREST!

I have a cleaning & organizing board with all kinds of things pinned to it.

I consulted that board and found a pin for cleaning carpet. 

You can find it here.

This blogger's carpets are obviously worse than mine.
I think I may suffer from Carpet Dysmorphic Disorder.
I know they don't look as bad as the ones below, but I feel like they do.


Ingredients were simple:

1) White Vinegar
2) Dish soap
3) Warm Water


Really.  That was it.

Oh, and elbow grease.  
I guess that would be #4.
But you only need a pinch. ;)

I gathered my stuff and set out for the living room floor.  

Note, too, that I used a white cloth.
I don't know if the dye from a colored cloth would transfer, but
the instructions said to use a white cloth & I wasn't about to ignore
that part.  The last thing I wanted was to make my carpet look even worse 
by leaving big, dark, colored splotches all over it.

I was determined, but realistic.  

I thought it may taking a LOT of scrubbing.
Or maybe even some soaking.

But, no.

The stains came right out.

I am talking in seconds.

It was AMAZING.

I am more apt to stay on task if I quickly see the fruits of my labor.

In this instance, my harvest was bountiful!

(That is all you are getting in the way of a fruit metaphor. Especially since I think some of the orange spots on my cruddy carpet were the result of peaches...)

Here are some pictures so you can see the difference.

Before:


Close-Up:

(See what I mean?! Eww!)

After:


Before:


After:


Before:

(Here is the evidence of the peaches.  Gives my carpet "character" huh?)

After:



Seriously, does that not make your heart sing?!?!

I am so flippin' happy about how my carpet looks now.
Like, "happy" is not an accurate word.

Thrilled, maybe.
Or ecstatic.
Elated, 
jubilant, 
delirious...

All of the above.

Bottom line is this: 

If I can't have new carpet, clean carpet is the next best thing.

I can't tell you it will always look like this.

I can't even guarantee it will look like this until the end of the week...

What I can guarantee is that I will definitely use this homemade cleaner the next time I end up with leopard-esque spots on my floor.

Happy, gloriously spot-free Monday to you all!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

The Promised Video



I told you the other day that, if I could get a better video of Tink 
performing at VBS, I would post it.

Well, thanks to Auntie B, we've got the video.

Here he is, on the far left, in all of his glory.

I laughed just as hard the second time around.

Enjoy. 



Where Are Your Pants?


I walked into the boys' bedroom this morning, still groggy from a 
lack of sleep last night, thinking that I needed 
Diet Coke or strong black coffee. 

STAT.

I look at Goose and he yells, "NAKEY BABY!"

It was at that point that I realize he has no pants on.

And no diaper.


Aaaaaaand, now I am awake.



Goose tried his best to look embarrassed when 
I asked why I could see his junk.



But, then the little stinker started laughing and I was totally sure 
he was not actually embarrassed, but, rather, thought 
being pantsless was really funny.


You just can't be mad at this face!


Note the shirt: He'd obviously tried to remove it, too.
Guess he only managed to get himself twisted up in it, though.



What kind of mom would I be if I didn't stop to take pictures...
before untwisting his clothes...
and before putting a diaper on his bare, not-potty-trained butt?


Nope, gotta get pictures first. :)


Mind you, finding this kid sans pants is not a rare occurrence.


Exhibit A (taken after nap):




Exhibit B (with Tink as an accomplice):


Exhibit C (he was caught mid-removal):


Exhibit D (more early morning nudity):


And it is SO funny.
At least, it is funny for Goose.
Mommy only finds the humor if he is pantsless WITHOUT a mess...



Happy Pants-Free Wednesday to you all!