Quite Contrary

I like these girls

2012-01-27T16:59:00.000-08:00

Kitty still finds it impossible to take a normal picture.

Lizzy got an American Idol video game for Christmas and the kids have been playing it every chance they get. So, Kitty has learned a few new songs lately... Sort of. She gets the lyrics wrong, which makes us laugh frequently.

For instance, she sings the chorus of Living on a Prayer like so, "Ohhhhhhhhhhh, we're halfway dead!"
And Staying Alive goes like this, " Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Saying ah! Saying ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Saying ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
Gotta love a 3 year old.

As for Lydia, this week she became mobile. She drags herself all over the place. Nothing is safe.

But, oh, that face!

It is a very nice face.

Window Shopping at Pottery Barn

2012-01-26T20:22:00.001-08:00

I love Pottery Barn. Don't you love Pottery Barn? I get their catalogs and sit dreaming about having my house look like a Pottery Barn outlet. That would not suck.

Strangely, I don't think I've ever actually purchased anything at a PB store. I'm too cheap. I have bought a few PB items off ebay on super reduced prices, though. Remember when ebay was a thing? Man, those were the days.

Anyway, I have a good imagination, so I decided to go to Pottery Barn's website and pretend that I had an unlimited budget. I'm not sure how that would happen, but like I said, I have an excellent imagination. Doesn't have to make sense.

Whenever I am PB window shopping, I always go ogle the farmhouse canopy bed I have been coveting for years. Mostly to make sure they are still selling it and I haven't missed my opportunity to buy it. Because, I would seriously go into mourning.

Dream Bed

That bed is a very, very, very fine bed. I am hopelessly devoted. No other bed will do.

Then I wandered into their Entryway storage department and fell in love with this:

Mudroom bench
My maiden name was Brady, and this is called the Brady 5-Piece Entryway System. Coincidence? Oh, I don't think so. Thank you, God, for leading me to thy holy Celestial mudroom bench. Amen.

Someday I will tear out my pink tile master bathroom, and when I do, this is exactly the thing I need to replace our current pedestal sink.

double sink

It fits the character of our house, provides more storage than the pedestal does (for instance, I can never find a good place for my GIANT jar of Q-tips. It's the worst!), but is still open and doesn't visually close in the small room. Come to Mama.

This bedding would look lovely in my bedroom, especially with my new fantasy bed.

Amelia silk bedding

And this chandelier is killing me softly.
prettyprettypretty
I want one in my dressing room, in my master bath, in my hallways, in my closets, and at least two in my kitchen. Maybe that would be overkill? Nah.

And when I grow up, I want to be this light fixture.

Could you just die?
I need four... one for each daughter. And four for me. I'm not sure where I will hang my four since I've already hung that Clarissa chandelier all over the house, but let's not worry about that right now.

Of course, I will also need silk curtains for every room, and new couches, and some comfy side chairs, and throw pillows. And don't even get me started at Pottery Barn Kids.

Don't worry, this isn't a paid advertisement for Pottery Barn. They want nothing to do with me. I am like Pottery Barn's crazy stalker that peeks through their windows and breathes heavily into their phones.

I love you, Pottery Barn. You are my soul mate. We are meant for each other. Why don't you return my calls? If you would lift your restraining order, I will be the one to hold you down, kiss you so hard I'll take your breath away.

Okay, that got a little weird. Anyway, where you would go on a fantasy shopping spree?

Let's get together, yeah yeah yeah

2012-01-24T19:36:00.000-08:00

Are any of you watching Downton Abbey? Are you enjoying it? I am, even if I find some of the plot lines a teeny bit far-fetched. The one involving soap, if you know what I mean. Still, it has totally put me in the mood for more period dramas. I have been searching Netflix for other options.

Speaking of period dramas, my sister emailed me about a Jane Austen fundraising ball taking place in Salt Lake City next month. Jane Austen Ball of Awesomeness. I am completely geeking out. I had no idea that people even held these sorts of things, and I am so glad to discover the nerdiness running rampant in the world. I must go. Not this year, but darn-diddly-dang it, I will get to a Jane Austen ball sometime in the future.

Would you go? I would LOVE that. I can't dance to save my life, but even I could do those Regency style dances where you step forward, step back, turn, raise your arm, say something snarky to Mr. Darcy that you will probably regret later, step back, turn, etc.

I just need to find someone to sew me a dress like this:

Oh my goodness, I must go. The only problem I can see with this plan, well besides trying to convince Mr. Darcy to go with me, is that I would look like a chubby boy wearing a Regency gown for some reason. The pixie cut doesn't exactly scream Jane Austen, you know? Maybe a bonnet would do the trick?

That's it, I have decided. Next year... I must attend this Nerd Ball in SLC. Who is with me? (And yes, Mr. D, you are coming, don't try to weasel out of it. You know you have always wanted to wear knickers.). I wonder if I should take my whole family in Regency garb and introduce us all by our blog names? Ha! They would probably have us committed. Still, it would be worth it.

So, who's with me? February 2013, Salt Lake City? Don't ask your husbands, it is probably best to surprise him. Tell him it is a monster truck rally or something. "Yes, honey, everyone wears knickers to monster truck rallies. Shut up and get in the barouche.".

Pretty Drapes

2012-01-23T16:38:00.000-08:00

I've got drapes on my mind these days. I decided to finally undertake dying my old living room drapes. I have two more to go. I'm not exactly sure how things are going. I've never dyed anything in my life... besides my hair and that usually goes badly, too. Aha moment! I need to stay away from dye.

So, while my splotchy, badly-dyed drapes are drying, I will fantasize about lovely drapes like these...

source

source

source

source

After I uploaded these I realized that they were all blue or striped. Or my personal favorite, blue striped. I burn for blue stripes. I really really really wanna zig-a-zig-ha. I don't know what that means.

ANYWAY, those drapes all have something else in common. They are way out of my budget. What a shame.

Have you bought any drapes lately? Have you dyed any drapes lately? Badly? So that they are streaky and kind of awful, but you are hoping that when they are hung nobody will notice? Wow, small world! Me, too!

Crazy?

2012-01-22T16:10:00.000-08:00

I told them to make crazy faces. So, can anyone explain why Bennet's crazy face looks more normal than most of his normal faces?

Motherhood

2012-01-20T20:12:00.000-08:00

Lydia is sick with her second fever in a week, and miserable. After her bottle, she fell asleep curled into my chest like she used to as a newborn, so many months ago. Maybe for the last time?

So, I am trying to fix the memory in my mind.

Her small, fuzzy head lightly covered with white blonde hair.

Her hot little body, rising and falling with each breath.

Her flushed cheeks.

Her sweet breath on my skin.

Her little fist gripping the neck of my shirt, wanting to keep me close.

She will never be this small again. I will never have another child. This chapter is closing much too quickly. After 12 years and 5 children, my baby days are dwindling.

I won't have many more of these moments, but I know that the new moments will be just as sweet. Each child was a gift. Each baby was loved with a breathless ferocity that I never wanted to forget, didn't believe I could forget, and didn't realize I had until I felt it again with the next child and remembered, "Yes, I have felt this before." I have loved each life so much that my soul ached.

And I hope I never forget.

It is a truth universally acknowledged

2012-01-20T15:33:00.000-08:00

That:

Children love applesauce.

Little girls don't like to have their hair brushed.

Every baby looks at their mother with the same expression of horror/pain/betrayal when getting their vaccinations.

Baths are fun as long as no washing is involved.

Babies like to hang upside down.

Cleaning up toys is the worst.

It is never too cold for ice cream.

Crayons are useless once they are broken.

Being asked to take a nap is cruel, unless you are an adult.

Not so snowy day

2012-01-18T16:30:00.000-08:00

We got our first real snow today. It was a huge disappointment for me... not because I hate snow (which, really, I sort of do), but because they said we would get 15 inches and we got, like... four.

I've never experienced a real snow storm that shuts everything down for days, and honestly, I was looking forward to it. No school, just snow forts and snowmen and sleeping in. Heavy on the sleeping in, please. The western side of the state that rarely gets snow was getting slammed by this storm. Some places got 11 inches! I was so excited. I kept looking out the window last night as each snow-less hour passed.

My two little girls conspired against me, see? Neither one of them was feeling well. Kitty would cry, I would go calm her down, peek out the window, lay back in bed, then hear Lydia. Calm her down, check for snow, lay down, Jane appears to tell me Kitty was crying again. And again, and again. I didn't get Kitty settled until 2 a.m. Then Lydia wanted to eat, and then started coughing, then, I don't know? Lonely? She wasn't resting peacefully until 4 this morning.

They say we might get 8 more inches, but I know they are just messing with me. I had a college professor (Mormon) who thought that LDS weather men shouldn't be allowed temple recommends. He was kidding, of course (I think?).

But, I'm pretty sure tomorrow morning I will wake up and find maybe one more inch of snow and have to get all the kids off to school, same as every other day. More's the pity.

How is your weather? Do you want a Snowpocalypse?

Holy Hannah Montana!

2012-01-17T11:14:00.000-08:00

Mr. Darcy was watching something on his iPad and giggling like crazy, so I made him show me what was so funny. This is some good Shiz right here.

Shiz Mormons Say

Mr. Darcy said I didn't need to see it since I say most of them already. However, I have now added the following to my regular rotation of Mormon swear words:

DAMAGE!!
FRENCH TOAST!
What the swear word?
Some of it itches!
MOTHERFATHER!

How about you? Did you get any new material?

P.S.
(It might only be funny if you are a Mormon.)

5 Darcys

2012-01-16T12:40:00.001-08:00

A conversation with Kitty

2012-01-12T16:45:00.000-08:00

What is your favorite color?
Red

What happened to Spencer? (Her imaginary friend that lived on her cheek. She never talks about him anymore.)
I don't want to tell you.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a Santa.

What is your favorite food?
Grapefruit and strawberries.

What do you hate?
Bread.

Why do you hate bread?
Because. It tastes like barf.

What is your favorite show on TV?
Yo Gabba Gabba

What is your favorite movie?
MegaMind

Who do you like better, George Washington or Bigfoot?
Bigfoot.

Who do you like better, Me or Daddy?
I like Santa the most.

Fold-out tables for cramped spaces

2012-01-11T14:48:00.000-08:00

I saw these tables in This Old House Magazine and fell in love. So, I put the magazine aside to make sure I shared them with you. And I finally remembered to do it, aren't you impressed?

This is a wall cabinet that folds out into a little desk/homework/computer table.

That is fantastic. And it has a corkboard inside the cabinet, even! You can never have too much corkboard when you have children. I keep trying to figure out where I can put one of these, because I would chew my foot off to have a little desk/homework/computer area in my kitchen. Alas, there is no room.

Buy it here. That was just a suggestion. Not a demand or anything. Just so you know.

And I am so smitten with this little sofa table.

That folds out into seating for six.

Smack my face and call me Sally, I love that so much. I'm sure the fact that it is aqua has nothing to do with my infatuation. But, really... Isn't that excellent? I need one of these as well.

How about you? They come in 11 colors. But, you won't find it in a color that is better than aqua, so why waste your time? Check them out here.

What do you think about those tables? Do you have any furniture that moonlights as another piece of furniture? Do you like tables that fold out? Do you like aqua? Do you like when bloggers post a bunch of questions at the end of their posts?

Do tell.

Things that make me smile today

2012-01-10T13:23:00.000-08:00

#1
I saw this on the fridge, and I snorted.

Vader gets all the ladies.

#2
Kitty came down for breakfast like this:

And I can't tell you how proud I am to be raising a house full of Star Wars nerds.

#3
We just found out we can refinance Pemberley from a 30 year loan to a 20 year without raising our monthly payment. So, in just 20 short years Pemberley will be mine! All mine!!! Hot dog!

How is your day going?

Lydia at 8 months

2012-01-09T13:02:00.000-08:00

Lydia turned 8 months on Saturday.

She has 7 teeth, but another one is about to break through any minute.
She weighs 15 pounds 10 oz and is only in the 13% for weight.
She has started to chatter and likes to say, "DADADADADADADADAAAAA.".
I think Mr. Darcy might be her favorite now. When he was out of town, he called using that FaceTime thingy on the new Iphones... Did I get that name right? Where you can see each others faces? And she went B-A-N-A-N-A-S. She started squealing and kicking her legs, then lunging for the phone over and over. She was reeeeeeeeeally excited to see her dad.
It was freakin' cute.
I know she still looks completely bald, but what you can't see is that she has a thin covering of translucent hair on the top of her head. It's just so blonde that you can't see it. If it was darker her head wouldn't look so shiny. She has hair, I swear. Oh, fine... I admit. She's still completely bald. Women still ask me if she is a boy or girl when I'm with her at the store while she is wearing a hot pink sweater and hot pink socks.
Next time I will say, "She's a girl, but man, I'm really regretting shaving her head. I don't know what I was thinking!"
She also might have larger-than-average ears. That's not such a bad thing, of course. And someday she will have hair that hides those giant things. I hope. (Clarification: I'm hoping she gets hair... I don't care about her adorably huge ears.)
She sleeps through the night, but strangely, NOT if Mr. Darcy is out of town.

So, she's pretty much the best thing ever. Best thing that happened to us in the last year, anyway. I can't say she is the best child ever and totally my favorite because my older kids will see that and get butthurt. They're nice, too and all. In their own ways.

But, they're no Lydia. No offense, kids. And get off my blog.

P.S.

FAVORITE!!!

P.P.S.

Just kiddin'. I love you all the same.

I'm so glad when Daddy comes home.

2012-01-08T19:05:00.000-08:00

Mr. Darcy came back from a business trip tonight. He was gone for five days which is why I couldn't find any spare time for blogging last week. My hat is off to you single moms and military wives. I'm exhausted.

Everyone was anxious for his return, but Lydia especially was happy to see him. That little one is sure smitten with her daddy.

About the Lyme

2012-01-06T12:58:00.000-08:00

To follow up on my last post, I need to say thank you for all the thoughts, prayers, emails, and experiences you have shared with me. I appreciate them more than I can say.

Lyme is a serious disease. It is hard to cure, it is miserable to treat, and I believe it is much more common than what medical professionals claim. It is across the entire nation. Most people have no memory of being bitten by a tick. Most people don't notice the bullseye rash.

My midwife was the one to suggest I might have Lyme disease, and I didn't really think too much about it, initially. She told me the lyme test (ELISA) that I had been given is very inaccurate and suggested I should have the Western blot test done. I decided that I would rule out Lyme before starting the interferon injections my neurologist prescribed for me.

I have never noticed a tick on me, and I never had a bullseye rash. I didn't think Lyme was likely, but figured it was best to rule it out.

My neurologist really encouraged me to start on interferon because I had "two very significant relapses". He told me it was safe to use while breastfeeding, but I never felt comfortable with that. Every time I would see the literature for my prescription, I would feel sick to my stomach. Almost a feeling of doom. Maybe doom is too strong a word? But the thought that always accompanied that feeling was "Do not take that stuff". So, I kept putting it off.

Finally, at six months postpartum I decided I needed to start treating my MS, but decided I would get the Western blot test done first. I made an appointment with a naturopath that my midwife works with. Before my appointment, I decided to research Lyme. Because I was still pretty sure I didn't have it. Specifically, I wanted to know if Lyme can cause lesions on the brain. It does. Next, I checked to see if my list of neurological symptoms matched Lyme's (numbness, tingling, dizziness, weakness, etc.). And they did.

Then I started praying. I needed to know if this was the right path to go down. And as I continued to research, I started to remember little problems and symptoms I have been having for years and never paid attention to. Things that have bothered me for a long time, but I have never sought medical attention for. Pain in my wrist that I first noticed after having Kitty, aching in my knee that had been going on for years... And started in Pennsylvania. A funny rash I got on my face while pregnant with Jane... And all the pieces started to come together like a puzzle.

A couple months after arriving in Pennsylvania, a group of us went mountain biking. And some time after that, I noticed a raised, red oval rash on my forehead near my temple. It lasted over a week. I thought my skin was going crazy from the change in humidity from Utah to PA. Within about six months, I started having arthritis in my knee. My sensitivity to chemicals, drugs (like how getting nitrous at the dentist office makes me completely stoned for an hour after the gas has been turned off), lights, sounds, my constantly runny nose, stuff that I thought was just how my weird body worked . Or didn't work, as the case may be.

By the time I met the doctor for the blood test, I was already convinced we had found the answer. Something inside me is almost screaming out, "YOU HAVE LYME DISEASE!!". I have felt, since my diagnosis with MS, small, quiet nudgings. Soft little messages saying that I would be healed. And I wanted them to be true, but always questioned the thoughts. Because there is no cure for MS. And while I wanted to believe I could be healed, and I did believe... I do believe. -- I know God is bigger than MS or ALS or anything else I could have been diagnosed with... I wanted to believe those feelings, but I was afraid to at the same time.

I believe them now. The road to healing is going to suck, but I am going to get better. I know some people in my life are worried that I am getting my hopes up without a proper diagnosis. There really is no doubt in my mind, at this point. I don't get the results of the Western blot back until the first week of February. I don't know if they will be positive for Lyme, but I know that I am positive for Lyme.

I know somehow this will all resolve. It is one of the most powerful emotions I have ever had. I just know. I KNOW. It is like every cell in my body is crying out, "YES, you have Lyme disease! Now can you get these little freakers out of here already? They are screwing everything up!".

I will of course keep you updated about this. Probably more than you want to be. I have a one track mind these days... It is all Lyme all the time. Hopefully, I will soon be able to focus on other things, too.

Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers.
Mary

2012 Resolutions

2012-01-03T12:23:00.000-08:00

I finally achieved my previous years resolutions. Remember those? When I was pregnant and cranky and not too interested in self improvement?

Here they are:

1. I will gain 20 pounds this year.
2. I will have a baby in the Spring.
3. I will attempt to lose 30+ pounds and probably quit about ten pounds from my goal.
4. I will begin an exercise program.
5. I will try to accept that my life might not be perfect now, but it is still really damn good.
6. I will not try to stop swearing.

Yup, I did them all. I exercised great for about two months and then it got cold and I quit. But, my resolution said I would start an exercise program, not that I would continue to exercise. And I tried to lose 30 pounds, and then quit 30 pounds from my goal. See? I totally nailed it.

So, this year I am setting some actual goals. This is what I've come up with so far:
1. Read scriptures and pray as a family EVERY NIGHT. Because we are awful at this.
2. Lose weight... I'm not picking a number like I normally do, because this year is going to sort of turn my life on its head and I don't know how I will be feeling. But, lose as much weight as I can, exercise as often as I feel able, and stop eating sugar. For the tenth time.
3. If I feel capable, run in some sort of a race. It can be a 5K, even. Eventually, I would like to run a half marathon, but I don't know if I will get that far this year.
4. Have Lizzy and Bennet start doing their own laundry.
5. Say "You're welcome." instead of "No problem!". I've learned that "no problem" bugs people, and I do it without even thinking. So, this is my attempt to be less annoying, I guess.
6. Practice the piano 30 minutes a day (if possible) and learn to play at least 100 hymns in the hymnal.
7. Be cured.*

*More on this later. This would be the Life Changer. I believe (and am waiting to confirm the diagnosis with blood tests. Should have the results within a month.) that I was misdiagnosed with MS. I am almost positive that I have late stage Lyme Disease, which can be hard to cure, and the treatment can be excruciating. But, it is curable. Sometimes it takes years, though, so I guess we'll see how it goes.

Still, there is a cure. And if any of you have MS or any autoimmune disease, I would strongly encourage you to find a doctor that is well-versed in Lyme disease. Almost everyone with Lyme gets misdiagnosed with something else first. Rheumatoid arthritis, ALS, MS, Parkinson's, lupus, Alzheimers, etc. etc. etc.

Or go here. That site says that a clinical diagnosis for Lyme can be made if the patient has more than 20 of those symptoms. I have 43. Go check it out. Pleeeeease check it out. My neurologists blew off the possibility of Lyme. "There is no Lyme disease in Washington state." First of all, yeah there is. And even after they learned I lived in Pennsylvania 16 years ago, they still told me it wasn't Lyme.

EVEN if you have had a negative blood test, you might still have Lyme. There is no accurate blood test for it yet. Patients that have been bitten by a tick and then got a bullseye rash have still tested negative for Lyme. (And in case you don't know, if you get a bullseye rash, you have Lyme disease... end of story.)

Anyway, sorry for the Lyme disease rant. I have been reading about it nonstop and it is freakin' me completely out. People are dying from this disease because doctors have diagnosed them with other neurological disorders. Most doctors don't know enough about Lyme. Nobody should have to die from this. Watch "Under Our Skin" on Netflix to learn more.

Okay, okay... I will shut up now. If you have any questions, leave a comment or email me at maryspemberley at gmail.com.

Here's to the New Year!

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T16:23:00.001-08:00

2011 Year in Review

2011-12-31T09:14:00.001-08:00

I didn't really think that I had accomplished that much this year, house-wise. I thought with being pregnant the first half of the year, and then holding a baby for the last half that not much actually got done. So, I looked through this year's posts and was surprised... I actually did something this year, yo. (Besides whining about being pregnant. I did a whole lot of that this year. And I'm so sorry.)

In January, I finally completed the girls shared bedroom:

Then I didn't do a single thing but complain until May, when the best project of the year finally debuted:

All together now, "Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!".

Then in July, I decided it was time to tackle the deck and give Kitty a fenced in play area.

I know a couple of you were afraid that she would try to scale the baby gate or climb over the railing. Let me calm your fears... She doesn't want anything to do with her deck play area and refuses to go out there. Ha! Figures.

I also started rearranging my rooms in July, and transformed the rarely used dining room into a fabulous, long-awaited family room.

I love this room so much. It never looks this good and is usually an explosion of crumbs, toys, and laundry. Isn't that fantastic?!

Then I took the doors off my upper cabinets in the kitchen, and replaced the old pulls with some bin pulls.

And my kitchen love was renewed.

And the worst project of the year was also completed in July...

The terrible landing photo wall. Oh well. You can't win them all.

In August, my sister and I transformed my breakfast nook into a lovely, beachy eating area.

Which was a project I had been putting off for over a year.

Then in September, we needed to start shuffling rooms around to accommodate our sweet little Lydia. So, I completed Bennett's Star Wars room for the second time.

That reminds me... I still need to finish his closet/bench project.

Then my friend sewed me up a bunch of cafe curtains for the kitchen windows.

And they are delightful.

In October, Lydia's nursery was finally completed.

And guess who sleeps through the night now? What a honey! She slept from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. last night. So, having her sleep in our closet is working out just fine, I believe.

In November, I painted and switched the fabric on these pretty little chairs.

Which was a lot of fun. You should try it.

Then I painted some stripes and a chalkboard wall in Lizzy's room.

I still need to hang some art and complete a few things in there, too.

Then I finally turned my attention to our living room, and paid for my favorite human, Angel the painter, to knock out the painting for me. And just in time for Christmas.

It seems appropriate his name is Angel, doesn't it?

And finally, I hung some wallpaper samples in frames and made a lovely-if-not-slightly-crooked photo wall.

So, that is 2011 in review. I didn't do too bad, huh? We also tackled a few other projects like new rain gutters, water heater, and windows for Pemberley. So, we are slowly creeping along, fixing up this lovely house one project at a time.

Maybe I need to make a list of house goals for 2012 as well as my own personal resolutions? I will start brainstorming and share that with you next week.

What was your favorite project? I feel the need to take one more look at mine:

Love her love her love her.

And finally, today marks my 3 year anniversary as a blogger. Three years, and 679 posts later, I am more addicted than ever. Thanks for reading!

Happy New Year!

Two days till the New Year

2011-12-30T14:53:00.000-08:00

Poor Mr. Darcy. Every year he gets stuck assembling whatever toys the kids got for Christmas. This year, I believe he found the job especially frustrating. Sorry, handsome. I promise I won't ever buy a play dome again.

New Years Eve is tomorrow. What are your plans? We always do a party with my sisters at Pemberley, since we have young kids/babies that need to go to bed before midnight.

I guess need to start working on my resolutions. Do you set resolutions? I never achieve them, but it's always good to try.

So, this is Christmas

2011-12-28T15:19:00.000-08:00

Our stuffed stockings. Our stockings are stuffed with really unexciting things each year like socks, underwear, and some fruit. Still, the kids always act excited about it. Yay! A new toothbrush! And a pomegranate! Although, pomegranates are quite wonderful. If only they didn't take fifteen minutes to peel.

Do you remember that cheese commercial where the little red headed girl shows her parents their living room on Christmas morning and it was packed full of presents, doll houses, toy trains, and new car? And her dad says, "Whoa! Those must have been some cookies you left Santa!". And she replies, "I didn't leave him cookies. I left him cheese.".

I love that commercial. I showed it to my kids this year, mostly because I was craving cheese and wanted something different to snack on while stuffing stockings besides the normal cookies and milk thing. So, we bought a bunch of delicious, fancy cheeses and left them out for Santa instead. Christmas morning, Jane busted into our room and yelled, "THE CHEESE WORKED!!! SANTA LEFT US A TETHER BALL COURT!!! AND A DOME PLAYGROUND THINGY!!!". It was pretty cute.

Now she wants to leave cheese out every year.

Lydia's new book.

Kitty had asked every Santa she saw this year for some zhu zhu pets. So, after she had opened a few gifts and still not received one, she hollered out, "WHERE ARE MY ZHU ZHU PETS?!?!!". It's a good thing we found some under the tree because I hate to think what kind of punishment we would have received.

Just look at that most excellent mess.

Kitty was very excited about her electric toothbrush, but I almost threw it away after catching her scrubbing the floor, chairs, and kitchen cabinets with it.

Gross.

The kids declared it the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER. It was quite delightful, but maybe that is just the cheese talking. Ahhh, the power of cheese.

Post Christmas Glow

2011-12-27T20:41:00.000-08:00

I'll show you our Christmas pictures tomorrow, but I wanted to throw a few pictures on here really quickly since it's been a big day for me... very busy and very potentially life changing. That's right, it was a Life Changer. I'll tell you all about it, eventually.

Here are the kids on Christmas day after church.

I love these kids.

Lydia looked like an angel in her all white outfit. Like an angel, I tell you. I couldn't get enough of her. And she loves the giant teddy bear that Santa brought her.

Is there anything better than Christmas with a new baby? I don't know how I got so lucky. I love this child. I love Christmas. I love my family and Baby Jesus and you, probably.

Come here. Let me give you a hug. --And that's a big deal because I don't like touching people. Consider it your Christmas present from me.

December 26th

2011-12-26T10:37:00.001-08:00

I peeked in the family room this morning while Mr. Darcy was in the kitchen making donuts in our new donut maker. And what I saw summed up the day after Christmas so perfectly that I had to preserve it with a picture.

Merry Christmas to all

2011-12-24T20:47:00.000-08:00

And to all a good night.

Christmas wishes from little Liddy

2011-12-23T13:56:00.000-08:00

This is our first Christmas with this little sparkler.

She has added so much brightness to our home.

It has been a great year for the Darcys.

We hope it has been for you as well. Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

Winter break Day 3

2011-12-21T19:01:00.000-08:00

Do you schedule your kids' winter break? I always try to have one small activity a day planned to keep the kids entertained. Today they decorated these little Christmas masks. Monday we made gingerbread houses... Yesterday we wrapped presents for their cousins... We still need to go carol at a nursing home and see a movie before Saturday.

This, by the way, was the easiest picture of my kids I have ever taken. --Don't you love Kitty's mask?

So, if we go to a movie tomorrow should we see Hugo or Arthur Christmas?

Prepping for Christmas

2011-12-20T20:17:00.000-08:00

Every year the vision impaired in the family (me, Lizzy & Bennet) like to take off our glasses/contact lenses and gaze at the Christmas trees. They look like this:

It really is much prettier that way. If you are similarly blind, you should try it out. It's like walking through a winter bokeh-land.

Do you like Elf? The movie, not those creepy shelf dwellers that scare the poop out of me. Elf is a family favorite. Now, as a result of that movie when the kids see a Santa with a fake beard at a store or Christmas party, we call him a Beef and Cheese Santa.

Like, "Hey, Jane... do you think that Santa is the REAL Santa?"
Jane: "No, he's a Beef and Cheese Santa."

Because, we are pretty sure he probably smells like beef and cheese, not the way the real Santa smells. And I always tell Jane that she should yank his beard off and yell, "HE'S A FAKE!!!!!! HE'S A FAKE!!!!!!!" Mostly just to tease her because she is extremely shy and would never dream of doing that. (She won't even look Santa in the eye when paying him a visit.) However, the idea of such Santa shenanigans makes her turn red and giggle.

This year's Christmas was made possible by Amazon.com, the letter $, and viewers like you.

Seriously, I would say 90% of our gifts this year came from amazon. I'm pretty sure that they have free two day shipping in the Celestial Kingdom.

I decided since Christmas is five days away, I'd better get off my pompies and wrap some presents. So, that's the single solitary thing I accomplished today.

And I didn't even wrap most of them... Just the gifts for our extended family. Maybe once the kids are in bed, I will be able to tackle some more... if I don't fall into a candy induced coma first.

Kitty wanted to help me show off our wrapping progress. This is her "TA-DA!!" pose. You will notice that I wrap in the Old School boring way I was taught as a youth. Paper + cheapie stick-on bow = DONE. My wrapping sucks, but I'm usually so stressed out about getting things done that I can't make myself care very much.

Are your presents wrapped? Are you a fancy present wrapper? Present wrapping is one of the only parts of Christmas I don't enjoy (along with that Oh, Tannenbaum song. I don't really know why I hate that song so much, but it makes me want to beat the radio with a baseball bat. I don't believe I even need to mention that horrible Chipmunk song because if I think about it, it will take up permanent residence in my brain. ---Does listening to the chipmunks make anyone else feel like they have asthma? Just me?).

Nativity

2011-12-19T11:58:00.000-08:00

Do you like our Einstein/Dumbledore Joseph?

Why I can never show my face at preschool again

2011-12-16T17:01:00.000-08:00

Last night was Kitty's preschool program. I was scared. I'll tell you why.

Lizzy, my oldest child, loves to perform. She has wanted to be in every talent show she has ever heard of, starting at a very young age. In her school choir, she tries out for every solo available. She is devastated when she is not picked. She takes performing seriously.

Bennet is generally not as interested in being the center of attention. But, his older sister's influence is strong enough that he has performed in a few talent shows. But, he doesn't seek the limelight like Lizzy.

Jane hates it. During performances, she will do her part, but she doesn't want to draw any attention to herself.

Then there's Kitty. Kitty is the class clown. She wants to make people laugh. If she can get her siblings laughing at something she did or said, she is in heaven. She eats it up. She doesn't just want to be looked at, she wants to be laughed at. Future comedian?

So, back to her preschool program... the practices hadn't been very promising. She didn't get a lollipop (the reward for good behavior) after the first one. Because her teacher is kind, she didn't want to come right out and say, "She didn't get a lollipop because she is horrible." Instead she said, "Kitty and another boy had a hard time listening."

I talked to her about how she was supposed to act, and that she needed to behave to get a lollipop. She needed to stand and sing the songs and listen to her teachers. She promised she would be good.

And so last night, as the cute little 3 and 4 year olds filed into the chapel, I was nervous. The church was packed... I couldn't see her because we were stuffed into the chapel like sardines. But, occasionally I would see her red arms flying around above the heads of the parents in front of me. This was while all the other children were standing quietly waiting for the program to start, of course. She was in the very front row for everyone to see. I started to sweat.

Then they started things off with a song involving jingle bells. The children were supposed to just stand and shake their bells adorably. Kitty and the boy next to her decided to chuck their bells down on the ground, lean over, pick them back up, then chuck them once again.

And it got worse from there. She was galloping back and forth, laughing and shouting. Her teachers kept having to send her back to her spot. I heard, although I couldn't see, that towards the end she and the boy next to her kept diving down onto the stage over and over. She was that unruly kid at the program that I've always tsk tsked in my head, wondering what was wrong with that kid's parents. "Can't they control their child?!" Judging them for the bad parenting choices I was sure they were making.

That is one thing Kitty has taught me... not to be so judgey. I always wondered what kind of parents let their kids climb on the counters, start fires in their microwaves, or behave like a wild monkey during the Christmas program. Now I know.

We were trapped inside a row, out of her line of sight, powerless to stop her or even give her the "I'm Not Kidding, Stop That At Once" Evil Glare. Mr. Darcy and I kept hiding our faces in shame, and then bursting out in embarrassed laughing fits, and then occasionally calling out, "Whose kid IS that?!" to try and throw people off.

I took this video when she was supposed to be getting ready for bed. This is pretty much how she performed during the program. Hang in there for the ending. It is the best part.

The Pinterest Non-Challenge

2011-12-15T13:20:00.000-08:00

In the months leading up to December, I pinned several little projects that I intended to do. And they were going to be cute and I was going to brag about them here. I didn't accomplish a single one.

Let me tell you all about it.

We were hosting the work Christmas party this year and I thought it would be so lovely to decorate the dining chairs this way.

source
So simple and elegant. Then I remembered I don't have chairs like this. And then I remembered that even if I did have these chairs, I wouldn't have 22 of them, which is how many people were going to be at the party. But, maybe someday I will have these chairs and I will decorate them thusly.

But, probably I'll forget by then.

I love this DIY wreath so much.

source
I was going to do it. I was totally going to do it. It was all planned out in my head. I was going to buy the ornaments and use a pool noodle for the base and it was going to be so adorable and then I bought a very similar one at Target instead. And didn't have to lift a finger.

However, "Look at what I bought at Target because I'm too lazy to DIY stuff" posts are usually not that compelling.

I found this idea for decorating our "grounds" and loved it because it is super cheap and extremely easy. And the cheaper and easier a project is, the more likely I am to accomplish it. All you have to do it wrap Christmas lights around a tomato cage. Seriously, a child could do this.

source
Still, I didn't. It occurred to me once or twice to ask Mr. Darcy where our tomato cages were, but never when we were in the same room. That is as far as this project went.

And this was what I was going to make as Christmas thank yous for the kids' teachers.

source
I was going to include little hot cocoa packets. Wouldn't that be cute? Tomorrow is the last day of school before their break and while technically I could probably scramble and get it done after Kitty's preschool Christmas concert tonight, realistically I know I am going to drive to Starbucks and buy some gift certificates instead. So very lazy.

Here's an idea I still might have time to pull off...

Gift tags made out of paint chips? I love it. I am a big fan of these new paint chip craft projects that keep popping up. So, I'll keep you posted on whether or not that actually happens.

By the time I finally finish wrapping everything, I'm usually out of tape, I have had to patchwork a bunch of non-matching papers together on the last few presents, and I just scribble the recipient's name on with a Sharpie. I really, really hate wrapping presents. The odds are not in my favor.

So, today I challenge all you bloggers to go forth and accomplish nothing. And then link your nothing back here to show it off. This will bring you zero hits and absolutely no new readers. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Pink trees and paper chains

2011-12-13T22:32:00.000-08:00

December is always so crazy. Work parties, church parties, choir programs, preschool programs, last minute shopping, decorating, and another December tradition that I have each year... quickly trying to squeeze in every last doctor's appointment I can think of before the year starts over and we have to meet another deductible.

Yesterday I spent the entire day cleaning and decorating my house for our work Christmas party. Today I spent the day at doctor's appointments and medical labs. Tomorrow I take Lizzy to get new glasses. Bennet needs new glasses, too. We got one of those "Your child totally failed the hearing/vision screening" letters in the mail yesterday. Kid is blind. And ever so slightly deaf.

Anyway, here are some of our foyer decorations.

The white tree turns pink when the lights are on.

I believe the men in this house are not thrilled with that fact.

And a couple days ago we made a paper chain to hang on the banister. The kids were totally into it... until we were about halfway done. Then I really had to crack the whip to keep them going. I ended up finishing it once they were all in bed.

I love that the elegant, classic banister becomes playful with the paper chain added. *Because this house is a beautiful, elegant home with classic architecture. But, it is also a home that is full of children, and the rooms should reflect both facts.

*I always feel a little uncomfortable referring to my house as beautiful. Obviously, I believe that, but it feels conceited or braggy to say it. I don't mean it to. Everyone knows Pemberley is too good for me. Pemberley was a beautiful house when she was built, she has been a beautiful house for over 70 years, and I just feel lucky that I get to live here now and partake in her warm glowing warming glow.

So, let's discuss this topic. Is it bragging for me to say my house is beautiful? (Not that this comes up in actual conversation, but here on The Blog.) Before I bought her, I always talked about how lovely she was. Then once I moved in, I felt like it wasn't appropriate anymore. Is it or isn't it? What do you think?

Five

2011-12-11T20:18:00.000-08:00

Two weeks until Christmas. It's usually around this time that I start freaking out because I still have half my list to shop for. This year is no different.

Any other procrastinators out there?

Living room art wall

2011-12-09T13:39:00.000-08:00

Want to see my latest project?

I've been working on making an art wall in the living room. I've been planning this out for months. I wanted to have it all very symmetrical and flowery and aqua-y. And it is a big wall, so I wanted to fill it up with frames. But, I also wanted to do it as cheaply as possible.

So, I ordered a bunch of wallpaper samples that I planned on framing. The first two samples were free, and the rest were about $1 a piece. Cheap! Yay!

Then I started scouring the frame aisles of my favorite stores for the last six months trying to find twelve 11 x 14 frames, with mats included. I didn't want to spend more than $10 a frame, because that is already $120, and that's a lot of money.

Then I found that floating outlet in our wall, and realized twelve frames wouldn't work. To have everything symmetrical and hide the outlet at the same time, I needed an odd number of rows.

Doesn't it look like there is some heavy, evil presence hanging over my Liddy? Run, baby! Run!!!!!

So, after searching and striking out over and over (If you have an IKEA closer to you than I do, this won't be such a pain in the butt), I finally found these frames this week.

And they had exactly nine, like I needed. And they were even a dollar cheaper, so I got 2 for $15. Nice. Only problem... they didn't come with mats and I didn't want to pay extra to buy some.

So, I took that paper insert that says 2 for $16, cut out the rectangle with a razor blade, and made my own cheapie mats.

Then I laid them out on the floor to find a pleasing arrangement.

Traced out the spacing of the frames on some big papers I taped together.

Marked where the nails should go.

Taped it on the wall... Badda bing, badda bang:

I like it.

Although, I must confess, I wanted more of the wall filled with frames and wallpaper prints. But, I'm hoping that once I dye and hang the curtains, that the extra wall space will be filled up and won't look so empty.

After I had been working on this project for hours, Mr. Darcy came into the room and I said, "Look what I did!" in a very self-satisfied tone.

And he replied, as monotonously as possible: "You put wallpaper into frames."

He's not so impressed. I even tried to tell him how much money I saved him, but I still really don't think he cares that much.

But, you're impressed, right? I did that whole wall for eighty-something dollars. I thought it was going to cost a lot more when I first schemed it up.

I like it. Let's look at it one more time, shall we?

Ah, yes. I like it a lot.

Lydia turns 7 months

2011-12-07T15:06:00.000-08:00

I wanted to take a million fantastic pictures of this baby girl today and post them all. And I did take a million pictures, but this was the only good one.

The main problem with taking pictures of her lately is that I can't take pictures and hold her at the same time. And if I am not holding her, she is mad about it.

If I put her down = mad.
If I give her to someone else to be held = mad.
If I give her to someone else and walk out of the room = nuclear meltdown

So, aside from separation anxiety and a general clingyness, what else can I tell you about my Lydia at this age?

-She has 6 teeth.
-She is so skinny. Like, I was worried she was starving skinny. She is tall, but just bony. I've never had a dainty baby like this. It makes me nervous in a way that I find embarrassing since I have had 4 babies before her and should probably not be this neurotic.
-She hates being on her tummy. She barely spends any time on her tummy because she screams if I put her down. So, she will probably not walk until she is 2 years old, and honestly... I'm cool with that.
-Still not sleeping through the night since she thinks sleeping is the perfect opportunity to poop her pants.
-She has started to "sing" along to the music in the car or when I play the piano. Mostly it sounds like that scene in Dumb and Dumber when what's-his-face makes the "most annoying sound in the world" You know, find one note and hold it forever? Still, it's cute when she does it.

I guess there isn't really much to tell. We wake up in the morning... I hold her. We drive the kids to school. I hold her. Nap. Back in the carseat to pick up Kitty from preschool. Hold. Nap. Carseat to get the big kids. Hold. Hold. Nap. Hold. Hold. Bed.

Anyway, she's a sweetheart and we sure love having her in our family.

Christmas card contenders

2011-12-06T21:58:00.000-08:00

Okay, any of these work for a Christmas card?

This one is almost perfect, if not for a few things:

Bennet wasn't looking at me and Lizzy is doing something wacky with her left foot. It looks like a fake leg somehow, and now it is all I can look at when I see this picture.

#2... I like everything going on in the right half of this picture. Even Kitty is smiling! Hot diggity! And look at how Lydia is so excited about the tree! Sweet.

Then on the left side, Bennet's arm is blocking his face and Jane is so obviously filled with Christmas spirit that she looks like she wants to stab me.

So, there are those options... Or these pictures I took yesterday of Kitty sitting in time out really tickle my funny bone, for some reason.

I could make the caption something about being found on the Naughty List.

Or should I try for a family shot? Or scrap the cards altogether? (Which sounds soooo deliciously tempting.)

Christmas rambling

2011-12-05T20:18:00.000-08:00

I think NaBloPoMo broke my mojo. I made it this year... Posted every day in November, even if some of the posts were fairly worthless. But then my computer stopped loading my pictures and phone pictures don't excite me. We have been decorating for Christmas and are close to done. I wanted to show you, but... Phone pictures= poop. I still need to figure out our Christmas cards... Are we sending them out this year? Last year's card was so fantastic, I don't know how to follow it. Plus, if I take pictures for our card, I still have the problem with not being able to load them on the computer. Gah!

And then there is the issue of me being chubby and not wanting to have a family picture taken and sent out to everyone we know. The idea doesn't exactly appeal. Are you sending cards this year? Do you do it every year, or only on your thinner/more attractive years? I confess that my vanity usually wins out and I don't bother when I am fluffy.

In other Christmas related news, I'm about 50% done with Christmas shopping... For my immediate family, anyway. Less if I include all the in-laws, siblings, teachers, co-workers and all those hard people. I know what my kids want. I know what I want my kids to have. I am terrible at all the rest of the people we buy gifts for. If I am supposed to give you a gift this year, go ahead and email me exactly what you want. This will fill me with peace and happiness, and glad tidings of great joy. I'm serious.

In other-other Christmas news, I am milking the "You'd better be good or Santa won't bring you presents" threat for all it is worth. I know everyone agrees that parents that do that are pretty much the crappiest parents alive, but I don't care. Kitty has never behaved better. The Santa threat shuts down her tantrums in record speed. She hasn't set anything on fire in days!!

Although, she is getting a little paranoid and will occasionally complain, "I DON'T WANT SANTA TO WATCH ME!!" when she is scheming up some naughtiness. That makes me laugh very hard. Go ahead and judge me. I know I should feel shame, but I don't. Face it, sitting in time out isn't as devastating a coincidence as losing Christmas, and that is why I know that Santa threats are true.

Anyway, I will try to get my computer worked out so that my will to blog is renewed. Who knew I could lose the will to blog?

Giveaway winner and drape dilemma

2011-12-01T19:29:00.000-08:00

Michelle, you are the winner of my second Favorite Things Giveaway! Email me at maryspemberley at gmail.com and I will get your package off to you!

Now, back to business... Once again, forgive the phone pictures. We need to replace the USB something-or-other on the computer so that it will load images from my camera.

Okay, so help me with these two decisions.

First, I had intended on painting those little grey rectangles under the window (formerly little mint green rectangles) white when repainting the living room. I thought all the trim/woodwork/moulding should be white. Well, my painter either misunderstood what I said or forgot, because he painted them gray.

But, now I am not sure if they should be white after all. I kind of like them gray. What do you think?

Second, here is a very, very old (Pre-Darcy) picture to show you the drapes that were in the living room.

They were the same minty green color as the walls used to be. Initially I had hoped that they would work with the gray walls because replacing that many long drapes is crazy expensive. Then I thought maybe I should make my own drapes, but... also crazy expensive.

Now I am considering dying them either a turquoisey blue (to match the turquoise accents that will be in the room) or black. What do you think? Dye them? Or ditch them and start over? Gray drapes would look nice as well, but I'm guessing matching the gray of the walls would be very tricky.

I'd love your feedback on both ideas.

Thirty days of Thankfulness

2011-11-30T13:46:00.000-08:00

So, I was really bad at remembering to post my daily gratitudes. I also have short term memory loss (as well as long term memory loss. Let's just say my brain has seen better days.), so I couldn't remember what I had already been thankful for. To remedy this situation, I went back and copied down the days I did remember to post, and then filled in the rest today.

My list of Gratitudes:

1. The internet. Did you just snort? I really am grateful for it, though. Do you remember back in the mid 90s how you actually had to write letters with your hands, find a stamp, and walk to a mailbox to communicate with people? Or dial a phone?! Sheesh, that was THE WORST!!!
2. That I get to stay at home with my kids.
3. Books. I love to read.
4. Lemon bars. Specifically, on the day I wrote that one, I was thankful for breakfast lemon bars, which aren't actually a thing for people who have more self control than I do.
5. Lazy Saturdays at home with my family. If I don't accomplish a single thing on a Saturday, it feels like a success.
6. My five kids.
7. The last six months I've shared with my baby girl.
8. My brothers and sisters. All twelve of them.
9. My husband and how hard he works.
10. We have a large yard for my kids to play and explore.
11. Our country and freedom.
12. I have so many family members close by.
13. My faith. I'm a Mormon, yes I am!
14. My bed. You know how after a long day you climb into bed and it is amazing? Or after you get up for the third time with your baby, when you lay back down in bed, you can't remember a time when you have been more comfortable? Mmmm... bed. ("It's cold outside, but it's warm in bed!" Shout out to my college buddies.)
15. My kids do well in school.
16. The beauty of the earth. For the beauty of the skies...
17. Music. Good music, not country.
18. My home.
19. You guys. If you're reading this, I'm thankful for you, you fabulous blog readers, you.
20. My friends.
21. My car broke down right next to a mechanic.
22. My massive piles of laundry every week.
23. The food we have to eat.
24. Bedtime. (It had been a really, really long day. And Kitty hadn't taken a nap. That is never a good thing.)
25. The scriptures.
26. Photography.
27. God, and that he is loving and patient with me.
28. Modern medicine.
29. The Christmas season. The lights, the songs, the smells, the food, Baby Jesus, all of it. (Except for Christmas Shoes because that song is truly terrible.)
30. MS. Because it isn't ALS, it isn't a brainstem glioma, it isn't Parkinson's, or ovarian cancer, or breast cancer or ANY cancer. It isn't a disease in the ones I love the most. It might slow me down, but it probably won't kill me. Because scars on my brain mean I am still alive. Buzzing legs and electric shocks, dizziness, cold feet and dragging legs mean I am still here, raising my family, even though I am no more deserving than moms that are dying right now. And because it will help me turn to God and become acquainted with him in a way I might not have otherwise.

Today is the last day to enter the Faux-Prah's Favorite Things Giveaway! Enter today here and on Qwendy's blog. Come on. Do it. Everyone else is. One time won't hurt. You can quit any time.

Living room = painted and decorated

2011-11-29T21:36:00.000-08:00

My living room is gray! I am in love.

I know the snowflake on top of the tree is crooked. We'll fix it... eventually.

I have a drape dilemma that I will mention later. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe Thursday.

Isn't that wonderful?! Look how the darker color makes all the architectural details pop. I am so smitten by my living room tonight. As soon as the painting was done, we scrambled to get the Christmas decorations up before the kids had to get in bed.

I am glad I didn't go with the PAINT NAME GRAY. I think it would have been too dark. This is perfect... Exactly what I imagined in my head. And it is a true gray and not a blue gray like I pick out so often on accident.

What do you think?

Quirkiness at Pemberley

2011-11-28T17:05:00.000-08:00

I am getting my living room ready for paint tomorrow. I made a deal with Mr. D in the summer. I said, "If I paint Bennet's, Lydia's, and Lizzy's rooms, can I hire the living room out?" And he said yes. Happy day!

So, the painters are coming tomorrow. Do you know how much I love to have a room painted without being the one with the backache at the end of the day? Or the dirty paint brushes? Magical.

As I was removing the clock from the wall, I found a quirky little thing I had completely forgotten about.

Yes, that is an outlet floating up in the middle of my wall, for some reason.

Why in the world would they have put an outlet there? Any ideas? So odd.

Here is the paint color I selected.

What do you think? I can't wait to see it! At the last second, I almost changed my mind and went with the darker color, very creatively named "GRAY." Just gray. "What's that paint color on your walls, Mary?". "Gray, duh!"

Anyway, I chickened out and went with the steel wool, instead. Was I right or wrong? I guess I will find out tomorrow.

(Oh, and my computer's USB port still claims it doesn't recognize my memory card, so these are more terrible phone pictures for today. Sorry.)

Phoning it in

2011-11-27T19:08:00.000-08:00

I took a better picture than this, but I can't get them to load onto the computer for some reason. So, I had to whip out my phone camera for a last minute kid picture.

Lizzy's 12 year photoshoot

2011-11-26T19:14:00.000-08:00

I am over a month late on this since her birthday was in the middle of October, but we finally got out and took Lizzy's 12 year old pictures.

She is so grown up. She fits my clothes! (Better than I do, I might add.) One more year before I have a teenage girl on my hands. Hold me.

But, this year I have a twelve year old, and she is lovely. So helpful. So responsible. Tries her hardest in school, helps around the house. I love how this little lady is turning out. And that face! I love that face. Love my girl.

Call me the Quail Whisperer

2011-11-25T20:15:00.001-08:00

picture found here

Do you have quail where you live? We have a large flock of quail that call the grounds of Pemberley their home. (I love to refer to my yard as "the grounds" because it is so Jane Austeny. Really, it's just two acres of weeds plus a driveway.)

I enjoy quail. They are cute, running around with that feather on the top of their heads. A mama quail with her babies running along behind her is one of my favorite sights. Baby quail are absolutely adorable. I feel bad for them, though, because they are going to grow up to become the dumbest animals alive.

This experience happens weekly here at Pemberley...

I will pull onto our dirt road to find about 40 quail pecking around for food in front of me. As they see my car approach, they startle.

Quail: A CAR!!!!!! A CARRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!
Quail: What do we do??? WHAT DO WE DOOOOOOOOOOOOOO???!
Quail: We are going to dieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
Slightly less stupid Quail: Run! We should run!!!
Quail: Yes! Run in front of the car!!! Run in front of the car!

And so the entire flock of quail runs in front of my car. I slow way down. They start to zigzag frantically.

Slightly less stupid Quail: This feels wrong! I think this might be wrong.
Quail: The car is coming towards us!!!Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
Quail: We're going to dieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!
Slightly less stupid Quail: Wait! I've got it... We should run AWAY from the car! Yes, AWAY!!!
Quail: RUN AWAYYYYYYYY! RUN AWAYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!

When my car is just feet away from them, the entire flock swerves to the right.

Quail: It's too close! It's still too close!
Quail: We're going to dieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
Slightly less stupid Quail: Seems like we're forgetting something.
Quail: The wheels are going to crush me!!!!!
Slightly less stupid Quail: No, really... I'm sure we aren't thinking of something.
Quail: My entire stupid life is flashing before my eyes!!!
Slightly less stupid Quail: Wait! We are birds. We should fly!
QUAIL: YESSSSS!!!! FLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!
QUAIL: FLYYYYYYYYYYY! FLYYYYYYYYYY!!!

And at the last possible second, they fly away. And I breathe a sigh of relief that I didn't just crush the tiny, tiny brains of forty idiotic quail.

But, they sure are cute.

***********************************************************************************
I decided with the holiday weekend that I will extend this week's giveaway until the end of the month. It will close Wednesday, November 30th at 11:59 p.m.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T20:11:00.000-08:00

Kitty is not actually drunk, although she appears to be in this freeze frame.

Here is a goofy video of Kitty and I. Hope you had a great holiday. We ate, we ate, we ate, now we are watching Star Wars, and as soon as I post this, I am going back for more food.

(My brother Peter and his family are here, and today is also his birthday. Hence, the "Happy Peter" from Kitty.)

Right now, I'm grateful that all my kids are in bed. Schwoooooo... today wore me out.

Nice Normal

2011-11-23T11:34:00.000-08:00

Here are my five kids this week.

Lydia was being so cute while taking pictures. I mean, check this out:

I had to crop the rest of the kids out of this picture because Jane was doing her deranged Easter bunny face.

I guess it isn't fair to dangle that carrot in front of you and not actually deliver.

Nice, normal family indeed.

God bless the laundry

2011-11-22T17:43:00.000-08:00

It is laundry day here at Pemberley. My friends made me aware that I was doing laundry all wrong. I was trying to do a load a day, which translated to having a constant covering of laundry across my family room. Every day there were piles of laundry stacked up on the ottoman, socks strewn across the floor missing their spouses, dryer sheets stuck down in the cushions.

My friends told me to do it all in one day. One day of non-stop laundry, then everything is put away again for another week. No more laundry shrapnel flying around the house on a regular basis. And I decided to give it a try. So far today I have done sixty thousand loads of laundry, and I just have eleventy million loads remaining.

Plus the folding. And the putting away. I would say that is the worst part, but I have had a change of heart. I have been born again as a laundress. I now have a personal relationship with my laundry.

I can't make myself complain about what used to be my most dreaded household task ever since following a link on Kayla Aimee's blog. Do you want to forever change your attitude about your mounds of dirty clothing? Go read this post on the An inch of gray blog. For some background, Anna lost her 12 year old son, Jack, suddenly in a flash flood in September. And this is the excerpt that shut my laundry whining butt right up.

"Isn't it ironic...

…that a little over 2 months ago if you had asked me what I wanted, I would have said: “1)lose weight 2) less laundry 3) less running around”

And how I got all three of these things? But they suck. They really, really suck."

And so tonight as I fold my Everest-sized pile of laundry, I will thank God for each article of clothing that exists because someone I love was in it a few days ago. I will say prayers of gratitude over the 6 stacks of laundry corresponding to the six people I can't do without.

"Thank you, God, for Mr. Darcy."
"Thank you, God, for my Lizzy."
"Thank you for Bennet, my sweet only boy."
"Thank you, God, for that funny, goofy Jane."
"Thank you for Kitty. That crazy Kitty."
"Thank you so much for my tiny little Lydia."

"Please, please... keep them all safe."

Final Week of Faux-Prah's Favorite Things! And last week's winner!

2011-11-21T12:49:00.000-08:00

Aimee from Faster than Red. You won last week's Giveaway! Send me an email at maryspemberley at gmail.com to claim your prizes.

Okay, so here are this week's items.

I thought I'd cut to the chase and mention the paint right off the bat. Yes, more paint. But, not just regular paint... the chalkboard paint I have been so fixated on lately.

Here is a can for you! I think you need a chalkboard wall in your kitchen. (At least, I keep telling myself that *I* need one, anyway.)

Number next is the December/January edition of House Beautiful.

I love House Beautiful. I love decorating magazines. This is probably not a surprise to anyone, I'm guessing. It is full of big ideas for decorating in 2012. Doesn't that sound intriguing?! I wanted to peek, but I didn't. This is for you, not me.

It has been snowing here for the last week, which reminded me of my favorite winter treat.

Steven's Chocolate Mint Truffle Hot Cocoa. Be still my beating heart. I seriously, seriously love this stuff. It is the only thing that gets me through January and February. (You want to know what is also delicious? Add a chunk of peppermint bark to regular hot cocoa if you can't get your hands on Steven's mint truffle. You are welcome.)

And since I recently expanded our brood to include the cutest little bald honeybun on the planet, I thought long and hard about what baby item I really appreciated this time around. And here it is:

I never used a swaddling blanket like this for my other 4 babies. I always just tried to wrap them up tightly in a receiving blanket. But, I'll tell you what... these swaddlers are fantastic. Little baby straight jackets is what I affectionately call them. The velcro keeps it from coming untucked, so your little newborn is snuggled nice and tight the way they like it. I chose a gender neutral green, and if you don't have a baby to use this on, regift it to someone you know and love. I won't tell.

And here is my little Vanna showing off this week's haul of goodies.

Don't get any ideas. She is not included in this Giveaway.

Okay, if you want to win these four items for your very own, leave a comment. Tell me how cute my little girl is. I won't say it will make you more likely to win, but it sure won't disqualify you, either! You get an extra chance to win if you share this on Facebook, just leave a comment telling me you shared it.

Once again, the giveaway is open until Friday the 25th and 11:59. I will announce the winner next Monday and you'll have 48 hours to get in touch with me.

And Qwendy will be posting her giveaways for this week as well, so go check out her blog, too!

I was not compensated in any way for this giveaway. Just wanting to share the love with my readers.

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Today I am grateful that when my car broke down this morning, I was literally right next to a mechanic shop. And I am further grateful for my friend who rescued Lydia and I so that we didn't have to walk home in the snow. I am also grateful that I was wearing a bra this morning when I went to drop off the kids. Tender mercies, indeed!

Plan B

2011-11-20T19:45:00.000-08:00

Sundays the month leading up to Christmas are so busy. Sundays with a baby are sort of exhausting to begin with. Church is three hours long, so Lydia has at least one interrupted nap. And for some reason, Kitty was clingy and emotional today, too.

I came home from church, put the kids in quiet time, Lydia down for a nap, and then I crashed in bed and didn't wake up until 5 when the sun was down. Then we had to rush around to get dinner and to choir and additional meetings.

So, I snapped a quick picture of my three littlest girls and myself before I put the babies in bed.

I'll get a picture of the five kids later this week.

How was your Sunday?

Five things my kids don't like about me

2011-11-19T18:01:00.000-08:00

Lizzy- when she makes me take care of kitty

Bennet- makes me eat vegis

Jane- doesn't let me play on dsi for more then one hour.

Kitty- takes away daddy's iPad

Lydia- when she puts me in bed

Okay, I admit, I chose the littlest girls.

Gratitudes from the last 2 days: My home. And my blog readers. Love you guys!

Flashback Friday

2011-11-18T17:33:00.000-08:00

I'm stealing Flashback Friday from a friend's blog. Well, I don't know if I can call her a friend because she is much, much younger than I am. And cuter and more stylish, and did I mention YOUNGER? However, our baby girls are about the same age, so when I know women with kids the same age as mine, I always assume we are the same age, too.

And they are usually much younger.

You want to know what totally trips me out? Meeting women with kids older than Lizzy who I find out are also five years younger than me. I had Lizzy when I was 25. She just turned 12. And I am so glad that none of you can do basic math, because yes, that makes me 29!

Now that I know you are all terrible at math I can tell you how much I weighed when I got pregnant followed by how much I gained. Followed by how much I have lost. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! No.

Anyway, Kitty always wants to see pictures of herself as a baby. Anytime she sees me on the computer, she climbs on my lap and demands, "I wanna see pictures when I was a tiny baby!!" Because of that, I just found this picture recently. This was Kitty when she was Lydia's age right now. Six months old.

And they look absolutely nothing alike. Kitty was soft and squishy and creased, which I thought was just perfect. And Lydia is long and skinny and dainty, which I also think is perfect. The only similarities are the baldness and the blue eyes.

Let's go further back in time to Jane around that same age.

And you will notice that while my photo skills have improved slightly, my ability to get a good picture of all my kids has not changed much. Oh my gosh, Bennet's expression makes me laugh. He has always hated having his picture taken.

Jane was another blue eyed baldy that doesn't look much like the younger blue eyed baldies. But, is anybody else getting a slight similarity between Lizzy and Kitty in this shot?

And now, just a little further back to when Bennet was 2.

I just died. Why can't all my kids just stay 2 years old??!!! The adorableness is killing me. (I know, I know, five two year olds in the house would make me run away from home, probably. Still!)

I am typing this while Little Liddy is sitting in my lap, looking up at me, and then I give her a big smooch and she laughs and laughs. I don't know how I am going to stop this... this Baby in The House thing. How will I survive when there is no more baby in the house? I'm not sure I can do it. Is there a 12 step program for women addicted to their babies?

Are teenagers the cure?

Lizzy's Room: Progress Report

2011-11-17T19:49:00.001-08:00

Forgive these awful pictures. We didn't get the room ready for pictures (meaning, the giant piles of laundry put away) until late afternoon, so the lighting was terrible. Too dark, but too bright at the same time, with the setting sun blaring through the windows.

But, it is NaBloPoMo and I needed a post for today. I had no Plan B.

Anyway, here is where Lizzy's room is at so far.

I had to give her a chalkboard wall, of course. To say she is excited about it would be an understatement.

It looks better in real life, but I guess you'll just have to take my word for it.

So, the major projects are done... now I just have the finishing touches to do.

I want to build her a desk against the chalkboard wall.

Yes, that is supposed to look like a desk up there.

And I sort of have a plan for some artwork over her bed. It still needs some fleshing out, but I'm currently stumped on that other wall. I always struggle with accessorizing; My house and myself. Not my forte, to be sure.

Lizzy really loves how it has turned out, and I am glad. It isn't hot pink and zebra striped, but I won her over with the stripes and the chalkboard wall. And the fact that she doesn't have to share with anybody for the next little while. (We'll probably put Lydia back in here when she gets a little older.)

Any brilliant ideas on how to finish this space of? What do you think of the progress so far?

Gratitudes for the last two days: I am grateful for the beauty in the world around us. And I'm grateful for music.

Kids Room Inspiration Round Ten

2011-11-16T19:53:00.000-08:00

As I am wrapping up decorating my last child's room this week, I felt the need to clean out my Kids Rooms Inspiration folder. Here are some ideas I had floating around in the back of my brain that never came to fruition. But, maybe they will for you.

I wanted to stick butterflies all over a wall in the shared girls room. Lizzy hated the idea, so I didn't, but I think it is awfully sweet.

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I keep wracking my brain trying to figure out where I can build a loft bed like this. Isn't that fun? (As long as you aren't the one changing the sheets?) And a good use of space, too, if you are the sort of person that likes to pretend that walk-in closets are proper bedrooms. But, I don't know anybody like that.

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We considered stealing this idea for Lizzy's bedroom to make it playful but kind of tweeny at the same time. Decided against it in the end, but one of you should definitely do it. Who doesn't love polka dots?!

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Totally wishing I could go back in time and make a Star Wars nursery for Bennet.

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And don't say it. We are done. DONE!!!! I am shaking my fist at the heavens right now!!

Okay, scrapbookers. I know you have stockpiled massive amounts of patterned paper in your craft rooms. I also know that you probably haven't scrapbooked in years. Am I right??? AND, I further know that even though you no longer scrapbook, you might occasionally still buy supplies for that magical day when you start up again.

Right??! So, give up on the scrapbooking and go make yourself an awesome wall like this instead. Do it now.

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Doesn't have to be a kids room, either. Do it in your dining room. The right paper would look so amazing!!! I can't do it because I purged all my supplies years ago. But, one of you can. I can see into your souls. Your paper hoarding needs not to have been fruitless. Do it for all of humanity. (But, mostly for me.)

And then post a link here because I want to see it. Chop chop!!

So, which room was your favorite? Should I still use any of these ideas? And most importantly, should I get the vinyl Star Wars quote and hang it over my bed?

Kitty wants to show you something

2011-11-15T15:24:00.000-08:00

Here are the stripes in Lizzy's room. I am really close to done painting in here.

In other happenings this week:
-It is conference week and my kids are all doing very well in school.
-Kitty tried to burn down our house yesterday but managed to only destroy our microwave instead.
-I'm hosting Thanksgiving next week and so we are busy cleaning the house and doing laundry today.
-Hopefully I will have the completed pictures of Lizzy's room in the next day or two.

Daily Gratitude for yesterday and today: I'm thankful for the chance I have to stay at home with my kids.

And I'm grateful that Kitty wasn't actually able to burn my house down. Tender mercies. Just kiddin'. My real gratitude is that my children do well in school and their teachers enjoy having them in class.

Favorite Things Giveaway, Week 2!

2011-11-14T14:30:00.000-08:00

Okay, chicas! Hold onto your pants! Qwendy and I are teaming up this month to bring you Faux-Prah's Favorite Things, and I get to play host this week! WOOOT! WOOOOOT!

If I could give you all raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, I would.

Instead, I'm giving you four of my truly truest favorite things. Low budget favorite things, yes... Still, they have changed my life. These four things are a brief look into this demented brain of mine.

First, you should know (if you don't already) that I love to read. I don't think that I pulled my nose out of a book for more than 5 minutes my entire childhood. So, I thought long and hard about what book to give away. And I settled on this one:

This is called a "novel", but from what I've read, Betty Smith wrote a memoir and was told by her publishers to make it into a novel. At any rate, Betty's life and Francie Nolan's life are almost identical. My favorite types of books seem to be memoirs from writers who grew up in less than ideal circumstances and were able to rise above their experiences (Other faves: Angela's Ashes, and The Glass Castle). Those themes really resonate with me, but I think even those who didn't have a challenging childhood will enjoy this book. It is moving, poignant, and heartbreaking at times. The characters are real and honest. I love this book. I want you to love it, too.

Okay, we all knew this was coming:

SPRAY PAINT!!! I do love it so. One can of Rustoleum spray paint (because Krylon is craptastic according to my non-scientific tests) in my favorite color, Aqua. It doesn't seem like much, but with that one can you can do something super exciting like this:

And that is fantastic.

Moving on... I read, I paint... And I don't eat sugar (at the moment, anyway). I'm trying to un-swell my post-baby swollen body. So, my ultimate favorite sugar free snack is this delicious White Cheddar popcorn.

It is so tasty. The problem is that my whole family is bananas about it, too. So, I have to hide it and then stuff my face while I'm crouching in a closet. But, you know how kids are... they can hear the crinkling of a wrapper from across the country. They have dog ears when it comes to things like this. So, they always catch me and then whine and beg until I give them some. And then I yell at them to "GO EAT YOUR HALLOWEEN CANDY THAT I AM NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE AND LEAVE ME ALONE WITH MY POPCORN, FOR THE LOVE!!!!!" (Not good at sharing while on a diet, clearly.)

Aaaaanyway... So, I read, I paint, I eat popcorn, I'm a crappy mom, AND I love coconut oil.

I have already born my testimony about coconut oil here. But, you should know that I have found even more uses since that last post. Lizzy scrubbed and scrubbed at her Halloween face paint and couldn't get it to budge. I told her to use some coconut oil and it was gone in no time. It also helped clear up Lydia's cradle cap. One jar lasts forever and you can use it for everything. Cheapest and best beauty/skin care/delicious popcorn making product on the market!!! Coconut oil is how I keep myself looking like a fifteen year old unwed mother of five children!*

To enter the contest, leave a comment. One of you will take home all of these fabulous prizes!! To receive an additional entry, you can share this giveaway on Facebook, just leave me a comment below that says you shared it on Facebook.

You have until Friday, November 18, 2011 at 11:59pm. Winner will be picked via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond. Winner will be announced Monday, November 21st, 2011.

(Nobody is compensating me in any way for this giveaway, nor have I received any donations for it.)

Did you see if you are last week's winner? Go find out on Qwendy's blog!

*I don't actually look 15 years old in real life.

My five cuties

2011-11-13T17:11:00.000-08:00

Kitty came in to wake me up Saturday morning. I sat up in bed and she exclaimed, "I WIKE your hair!!"

Yes, short hair does make for some impressive bed head.

It reminds me of this:

"I'm too much!" Da da da daaaaa... TOO MUCH!

Without her pacifier, Lydia was an angry elf. But, with it, we didn't do too badly.

Today I am thankful for my faith. I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And I am grateful for my ward (congregation) and the support and love they give my family.

Ten things you might not know about me

2011-11-12T20:56:00.000-08:00

This might be a hard list to write since I over share here on a regular basis. Is there anything I haven't already mentioned?? Any stories I haven't told already? Like, three times? I'm not sure.

1. I believe in Bigfoot. No, really. I seriously do. I love watching those Finding Bigfoot shows because some of the people on it are straight up trippers, but I believe in Bigfoot all the same.
2. I majored in Art in college. Then I switched to Biology. Probably should have stuck with Art.
3. One of my favorite things is going to see a movie in the theatre. And not just because I love movie popcorn so much. We almost never go to the theatre, since, well... you know. Five kids and all.
4. I pronounce theatre "th-ee-ATE-er". My friend makes fun of me for it.
5. I really really dislike country music. I've had probably two dozen people claim that they could get me to like it, but they have all failed. Mr. Darcy hates it, too, which is one of the reasons we are soul mates. Bennett told me he was listening to country music in his room one day and I grounded him.
6. If I could have it my way, I would go to a performance of Handel's Messiah and The Nutcracker every Christmas. Especially The Messiah. It reminds me of Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
7. I served a mission for the LDS Church in Harrisburg Pennsylvania about... Wowzers... Fifteen years ago? And I loved it. Best six months of my life. Just kiddin'. That was an old college joke. I actually served for 18 months. The night before I went home, I sat on the floor of the mission home and sobbed. I really wanted to stay.
8. I really hate driving on the freeway. I get super anxious when I do, especially if it is a freeway I'm not familiar with. I've always kind of hated it, and then ten years ago we got into an accident on a freeway and that definitely didn't help.
9. Did you know that when an airbag hits you, you feel like you are on fire? Now you do. Or maybe it was just me?
10. My best friend's husband and I are twins... Or long lost siblings, or clones or something. We like all the same things. We hate all the same things. Anytime I complain about something she says, "Ha! Ha! Eric hates that, too.". It is a little spooky, honestly.

Daily Gratitude: I am thankful to have so many family members nearby.

Manic Pixie

2011-11-11T15:33:00.000-08:00

Soooooo, today I was supposed to be painting. I was going to finish painting the stripes in Lizzy's room. And then... I started really hating my hair. And wanting to get rid of all the washed out brown dye. I love my hair brown, but it only lasts a few weeks before it washes out and turns brassy.

Like so. Although, I think the lighting in this shot makes it look oranger than it does in real life.

And my hair felt like straw. And I was just sick of it.

And I was feeling kind of impulsive.

And I sort of cut it all off.

Just sort of.

But, I don't miss the orange straw hair one bit.

In other news, nothing got painted today.

Daily Thankfulness: I'm so grateful for this country and all that have fought for our freedom.

Five things I want in my yard

2011-11-10T15:08:00.000-08:00

I'm not ready for winter. Every year I dread winter more. There must be a way to make Washington less dreary and cold from November-March. My money is on global warming.

ANYWAY, so, as a final farewell to warm weather and outdoor fun, I will offer this outdoor inspiration today. I want all of this in my yard.

Wouldn't a lap pool be excellent? To be honest, I would settle for any type of an in ground pool.

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And I would love to be in a climate where palm trees existed. Not gonna happen.

I have tried to talk Mr. Darcy into a sunken trampoline several times. Anytime we visit someone with a trampoline, my kids will not come in the house. They practically live on that thing. Even Bennet, who seems to be part-Sloth and has a goal to move his body as little as physically possible. He will get off the trampoline drenched in sweat.

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But, part of me knows it will be like everything else we've purchased... They will play with it for a week and then never look at it again. Like the playset, the teeter totter, the bikes/scooters/whatever.

Do you have a trampoline? Do your kids jump on it? Is it too stereotypical for us, being Mormon, to put a trampoline in our yard?

I want this landscaping with every fiber of my Mormon being.

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That house is frickin' adorable.

I want paved pathways and lush green landscaping. And ivy! What's not to love about ivy?! (Wink.)

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Jane saw this picture and fell in love.

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Purple makes her heart pitter patter, but isn't that a cool... structure? What is it? It's not a tree house. A purple fort? A star gazing tower? A Rameumptom? Very cool, whatever it is.

Anyway, talk to me about a trampoline. Too dangerous? Waste of money? I already know that I can't get anywhere near one (Pauly, stop laughing). Let me just remind you, I had 5 big babies. And a destroyed pelvic floor. I don't want to talk about it. But, Christmas is coming up and I'm wondering if it would be a good combined gift???

ETA: I am thankful that we have a large yard for our kids to play in.

Colin Firth and Carrot Goo

2011-11-09T16:43:00.000-08:00

I was going to post inspiration pictures today, but Pinterest isn't working for me. So, maybe tomorrow. Instead, today you can enjoy a bunch of random bits of junk that I have cluttering up my brain.

First of all, I had a dream about Colin Firth last night. We met while traveling on a train (for some reason. Never actually traveled by train, but I want to someday. Anyway, my dream was very North by Northwest in that way.) So, I'm chilling in the food car... which, whatever. I don't think they have such things on trains, but there was a big buffet table set up with potluck like items. And I'm there, picking out some food, and Colin Firth walks up and I completely geek out.

And then I ask if I can hire him to come to Pemberley dressed up in period garb to recite his lines from Pride & Prejudice and/or The Importance of Being Earnest. ("How you can sit there eating muffins when we're in this terrible trouble, I can't make out! It seems to me to be perfectly heartless...")

Wouldn't that be fantastic at dinner parties? I could provide a bunch of muffins and cucumber sandwiches for everyone! And everyone can try to eat muffins in an agitated manner!! I love this idea. I am convinced that my unconscious self is a genius. Anyway, he didn't seem interested. Pity.

Moving on... Here is a picture I was going to include in Lydia's half birthday post, but then things got a little sappy and it didn't seem appropriate. But a few of you mentioned the carrots up her nose, so here you go:

I was actually trying to get a picture of her upper teeth so that I can always remember that at 6 months she had four teeth in her cute little mouth. And then I noticed the nose full of carrot goo.

And that's about all I've got. Did you enter the giveaway drawing on Qwendy's blog? If you haven't, go do it! You have until Friday.

And lastly, who hates daylight savings as much as I do? The blackness of winter sucks the joy out of me like a dementor. My gosh, I am a nerd.

ETA: I did it again... Forgot what I am thank for. Good gravy, this brain of mine...

Anyway, I am thankful for my real life Mr. Darcy. He works so hard and loves this family of ours.

Because I have been given much, I too must GIVEAWAY!

2011-11-08T15:14:00.000-08:00

I am very happy to announce my participation in FAUX-PRAH'S FAVORITE THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINGS!!!! this month. My fake sister QWendy and I... we're tight. Like you would expect fake sisters to be, I suppose. So, we decided to team up and give you our VERY! MOST!! FAVORITE!!! cheap-ish items. Because, we do not have Oprah's budget. Alas.

So, go check out what Qwendy is giving away this month. It seems unethical for me to enter the drawing, but I really want to. I wonder if I can have my kids each comment on her blog to increase my chances of winning that Amazon giftcard. I mean... THEIR chances of winning it. Cough. Because I love Amazon.com like Justin Bieber loves his hair products.

That reminds me of how my kids got me to win 3rd place in our church's chili cook off last week. They each voted for me, and since nobody else voted at all, it was enough for my barfy chili to get bronze.

I will be hosting the giveaway next week and I am gleefully thinking up all my favorite (cheap) items to give to you! YAY!!! And this time I won't give away my ugly old light fixtures... These will be things I really actually like.

Go enter! And check back next week for another chance to win.

ETA: I always forget to add what I'm thankful for! D'oh! I am thankful for my brothers and sisters, and that they occasionally are able to talk some sense into me.

Lydia's Half Birthday

2011-11-07T13:36:00.001-08:00

Lydia is 6 months old today. Can you believe it? I can't believe it. Seriously, didn't I just have her?

I love this age. I don't want her to get older. I love year olds and 18 month olds, too. In fact, those are probably my favorite stages because they start walking and talking and are painfully cute. But, I am really loving her at 6 months. She is small enough to cart around easily. She can play independently for a few minutes here and there. She takes great naps. Night time sleeping is still broken up every three hours with a feeding, but she did sleep through the night once. That was exciting.

And she loves me. When someone else is holding her and I walk past, she reaches out for me. When I get her out of bed, she wraps her arms around my neck as tightly as she can, holding on for dear life.

When she was smaller, I often felt like I was just a pair of boobs to her. You know? She wanted me because I was the milk wagon and she really likes milk. But now, she wants me because she wants me. Just to sit on my lap and snuggle. I am her everything and she is my everything, and neither of us can survive without the other. I just love this girl so much.

What makes it harder is that I know she is my last baby. I don't want her to be, but she is. If I were younger... if my health was different... if our financial situation hadn't just taken a hit... maybe she wouldn't be, but I'm older and my health is questionable, so we are done. As much as I complained about it, it breaks my heart that the child bearing stage of my life is over.

I love her. I love her so much. She is what I needed. She was my peace offering from God. He said, "I will give you MS, but I'll also give you this beautiful little soul. And she will heal your heart and your body (for a time)." And it was good.

My little Lydia. Born in the wilderness of my affliction. I needed you. I'm so thankful for these last six months we've had together.

I need a Kitty wrangler

2011-11-06T15:29:00.000-08:00

So close. I almost got all five looking at me. No surprise it was the 3 year old that wouldn't cooperate, right? She is always so wild after church.

I got this sweet picture while we were getting ready. My brown-eyed dark complexion girl holding her fair blue-eyed baby sister. They don't look a bit alike. But, by golly, neither one could be any cuter.

Genetics are a funny thing. I mean, I know that genetically speaking, I could have a million kids that look completely different. But, isn't it interesting how some families all resemble each other so strongly, and then I have four girls up there that I don't think look anything alike? Fascinating.

Today I am grateful for my five kids. I lucked out big time with these sweeties. Even Kitty. Har.

Saturday

2011-11-05T17:55:00.000-07:00

Today was so nice. Guess why? The soccer season ended last week and so I didn't have to sit and watch soccer all day out in the cold/rain. We hardly accomplished a single thing today and it was AWESOME. The kids played outside (girls), or played on the Wii (Bennet), ate a bunch of Halloween candy, and just hung out around the house.

Mr. Darcy likes to bond with his babies doing activities such as this. It always makes me a bit nervous, but he's never dropped one yet, I guess.

I made Lydia the maddest I have ever seen her by feeding her mashed peas. She was furious. She refused to swallow and kept shrieking at me until I got a paper towel and wiped it all out of her mouth. Message received, kiddo. No to the peas.

Then Mr. D and I finished taping off the stripes in Lizzy's room. And he even hung a chandelier in there for me.

So, Project Lizzy's Room will be back in full force next week. I start painting the stripes on Monday.

ETA: I forgot to add what I'm grateful for today. Lazy Saturdays at home with my family.

Question of the day: Do any babies like peas? Why bother selling them?

Going Gray

2011-11-04T14:46:00.000-07:00

Now that I finally finished painting my dressing room/closet/nursery, I have almost painted every room in my portion of the house (meaning, I'm not including the basement apartment because I haven't painted a single thing down there yet.). The only rooms left to paint are the living room, the mudroom/laundry room, and one of the bathrooms. (I actually haven't painted the upstairs bathrooms, either, but don't plan to, anyway.)

So, I know I said I might paint the living room dark chocolatey brown, but I changed my mind. What a surprise! I've only changed my mind what to paint that room about 50 times so far. It's gone like this: Navy blue! No, light blue! No, turquoise! No, black and white toile wallpaper! No!!! Light blue! No, chocolate brown!

And now I have settled on... Gray. No surprise, I'm sure because I've actually painted more rooms gray than blue in this place. Gray is the new blue. And blue was the new pink, since I think the previous owner had a bigger crush on pink than I have on blue... if that is even possible. Rooms that used to be pink in this house: Master bedroom, both the His and Hers closets, the pink tile bathroom used to be painted pink as well (which, dude... that's a lot of pink to take in), the DINING ROOM also used to be pink, or at least the ceiling was at one time. Which is bananas. And finally, the green tile bathroom also used to be painted pink. Yikes.

That was an enormous tangent that doesn't have anything to do with today's post. I've got to rein in my ADHD. Focus, Mary. Focus.

Okay. GRAY. That's what I'm going with in my living room. But, not the light grays that I've used in the past. I want something like this:

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Pretty, right? The living room has huge windows on all three exterior walls, high ceilings, and a lot of white mouldings and trim to break up the dark color. It is going to look fan-diddly-tastic.

If I can get my other old projects done this month (need to paint a dresser and a vanity that have been sitting in my garage for almost a year), then I will start painting the living room in December. Maybe. Anyway, in the next few months, I should be able to make that happen. Huzzah!

What do you think?

And I'm going to write one thing I'm grateful for each day for the rest of the month starting today:
Today I am grateful for lemon bars for breakfast. Mmmm... And in about a half hour I will be grateful for Pumpkin Pie Blizzards for an after school snack. (I'm taking a day off of my sugar-free diet today. Ahem. Obviously.)

Nerdery for the Star Wars Nerds

2011-11-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

A few days before Halloween, Bennet reminded me of my favorite Halloween moment ever. He was 4 and dressed as Luke Skywalker. So cute, this little chubby cheeked Luke walking around the neighborhood carrying his lightsaber.

Then, we saw a full grown man dressed up as Darth Vader approaching us down the sidewalk. And when Vader saw our little Luke, he pulled out his red lightsaber (one of those fancy ones. You nerds know the kind I mean.), turned it on, and they started dueling. Seriously, I geeked out in the biggest way. I got chills.

Star Wars is the truest kind of true. So, here is a post celebrating the Gospel of Star Wars.

If you've never seen the real Darth Kitty, this is what we were going for with Jane's costume.

Didn't quite work out as well, but our budget was only $4.

I'm not really a pet person, but want this dog so much.

Seriously.

If you are a Star Wars fan and you have ever sat through an episode of Dora, you must watch this.

My entire family has this song memorized. We are the nerdiest nerds ever. But, hearing Kitty sing, "Det in dere you big fuwwwwwwwwwy ooooooooooooaf!" is pretty dang cute.

No words for how much I love this:

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Probably everyone has already seen this, but it is always worth watching again. If I am ever in a beauty pageant, I'm going to steal this idea for my talent. I mean, I don't play the trumpet, but I'm pretty sure even I could do as well as she did.

So?? Have you seen all of those before? Which ones of those amazing videos is your favorite? Hee!

Quick Chair Makeover

2011-11-02T10:45:00.001-07:00

Do you remember these chairs I got off craigslist a few months ago?

I decided they would make a quick, fun little project for the week:

I got the fabric about a month ago when it was 50%. I think I spent $7 on it. The fabric looks a little off-white in some of these pictures, but it is a white white in real life.

First, I went to my shelves of stockpiled spray paint and covered the wood with a nice, crisp white.

These are dainty little things and didn't take long to paint.

And, let me say... These were listed as "antique chairs" on craigslist, which always makes me pause for a moment before I paint. Because, I can just see myself on Antique Roadshow being told they are worth fifty cents, but would have been worth eighty trillion dollars if they just had their original finish. However, these chairs didn't have their original finish, and had been stained sloppily (and recently) with a shiny cherry finish that I did not dig.

So, that eighty trillion dollars was long gone before I ever got to them.

Now to address those really fetchin' ugly cross-stitched seat cushions.

Bah! The only good thing about them is that they make for a more dramatic BEFORE and AFTER. Ug-mo.

Here I am pretending to staple the new fabric on with my left hand. I'm not left handed, though.

But, I had to take a picture just in case you don't know what it looks like to staple fabric onto a seat cushion. Just imagine it with my right hand.

That is much better.

Aren't they lovely? I like them so much better now.

This room is going to be painted a really dark, deep color, so I wanted them to pop against the dark walls.

And I'm planning to replace the rest of the dining chairs, too. I need something a bit fancy schmancier, don't you agree?

So, this little makeover only cost about $30 for all four chairs. I have to mention that so that Mr. Darcy doesn't take away my spray painting privileges.

What do you think of them??

Keeping it real during NaBloPoMo

2011-11-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

November is National Blog Posting Month, which I always participate in. Which means that I will be posting every day during the month. In general, I try to post 4-5 times a week anyway, so it is only a couple times more than usual. But, for some reason, it seems harder. Because I have to post, I guess?

So, November is when I bring out some of my best (read: worst) posts of the year in desperation. Goodie!!! To start things off, I read another blogger who said that women tend to paint super Utopian and unrealistic pictures of their lives on their blogs. And so there was a discussion about whether or not that was true and why they do it. Anyway, it made me wonder if I am guilty of the same thing.

(I know for a fact that I present a dishonest representation of the cleanliness of my house. But, that is not going to change. Besides, if I have to post a picture of my kitchen, I might actually clean things up that day... And that is a positive thing, right?)

But, in other aspects, do I make things appear too perfect? Too easy? Too full of sunshine and rainbows? I don't know... I feel like I'm pretty snarky and make fun of my family more often than not. But, maybe I do? My friends husband told her that he thinks I stage the terrible pictures that I take of my kids each week, which made me laugh really hard. No. Really, No. It would never occur to me to tell Kitty to flap her arms like a chicken at the same moment that Bennet has fallen asleep. Those are 100% authentic.

So, to present an accurate depiction of my daily life, here is what I wore to drop the kids off at school this morning:

The painting clothes are because I plan on doing some projects later today. The hair is inexcusable, I admit. But, in my imagination, people can't see through my glass windshield. I think my mom had this same misconception, because she would drop us off wearing curlers in her hair, and refused to acknowledge that people could see them.

Let's zoom out a little:

Yeah, that's hot. And notice that Lydia is still wearing her Princess Leia costume from last night. I asked Kitty if I could take a picture of her because she was wearing a flowery nightgown and some leather boots, but she refused. Even she has more dignity than I do. Who would have thought?

I figured just dropping off the kids, most people wouldn't be able to get a good look at me. (Because my windshield is opaque, remember.) But, then I realized halfway to school that our gas gauge was on E, so I had to stop and get gas looking like this. That, I will admit, was a blow. While filling up the tank, a helpful employee approached to ask if he could clean my windshield and I screamed, "DON'T LOOK AT ME!!!!!!! I'M HIDEOUS!!!!!".

Okay, that didn't really happen. It would have been cool, though.

There you have it, my glamorous morning with my perfect children in our sparkling clean abode.

Tune in daily for more groundbreaking posts such as this!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T17:48:00.000-07:00

We are on our way out for some Trick or Treating. Here are my little Darcys.

Here we have Darth Kitty.

I told Jane that nobody would know what she was supposed to be. And she managed to lose half of her costume between Saturday night's party and today. So, we had to throw together some of it.

Kitty is Rapunzel. Or as she calls it, "Tangled". Or "Punzled".

And I just noticed her boots are on backwards. She saw me putting the clown make-up on Lizzy and insisted that I put some on her, too. She wanted a full clown face, but I thought that would be a little confusing. Rapunzel Clown? She settled for a little blue eyeshadow.

Lizzy is a clown, Lydia is Baby Leia. And ignore her expression; she is thrilled about it.

Bennet is Einstein. And I love that he wanted to be Einstein.

So, that's it... We're off!
How was your Halloween?

Bad pictures and a Halloween Question

2011-10-30T16:18:00.000-07:00

Today's photo shoot started out like this:

And ended like this:

And I took 70 pictures, without anything more promising in between. Here, I'll show you. I will randomly click on one of the other 68 pictures and post it here.

Okay, see, #44:

I wasn't kidding. So much terrible.

But, anyway... Let's talk.

Tomorrow is Halloween. So, you know what that means! Time to start hiding razor blades in your apples! Just kiddin'. Nobody actually does that.

Back to business, Pemberley is in a rural area, as you might know. Our street is roughly a mile long, and there are only about 5 other houses on it. No street lights, no sidewalks, so... you know where this is going. We don't Trick or Treat here.

We are one of those Destination Trick or Treaters that everyone hates. We are that family that opens up the van door and it becomes a clown car where the kids keep pouring out. Into your neighborhood. That we clearly don't live in.

So, I feel guilty a bit, every Halloween. Because I hear all the grumbling from friends that live in one of those Destination Neighborhoods. We don't want to obnoxious, but we do want our kids to have a chance to Trick or Treat.

Counsel me... How can we do this as inoffensively as possible. Bring candy to donate to a house? Pick a less popular street? Stay home in our own dumb neighborhood because it isn't your fault that we chose to live here? What are your suggestions?

We are already pretty hard core about our kids saying "Trick or Treat" and "Thank You". Still, I know we are outsiders and always feel a bit guilty about picking a neighborhood that isn't ours to beg for candy in. As politely as possible, of course.

So, what do you say? Tell me how we can annoy you as little as possible.
Thanks!

Guest post by Lydia

2011-10-28T12:55:00.000-07:00

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Quick Chalkboard Project

2011-10-27T11:21:00.001-07:00

I found these framed menu boards at Goodwill last month for $7.

I loved the wood frames, so I bought them. I decided I needed a couple chalkboards, because you know I have had chalkboards on the brain lately.

Only problem with them was this little wood piece that I didn't want, but I figured it would be pretty easy to pry off.

I was right. And I was wrong. One came off without a problem.

The other was glued on and the frame cracked while I was working on it.

Still not sure what I'm going to do with that one.

But, I slapped some chalkboard paint right on the foam board of the other.

And I got me a chalkboard.

My printing looks like it was written by a monkey on crack, but don't judge, Judgey-pants.

So, one chalkboard down... eleventy to go.

Any ideas on what I can do with that other frame? Besides firewood?

More blue rooms

2011-10-26T14:19:00.000-07:00

This is another post to share all the pretty rooms that I pin solely because they are blue. It is like a knee jerk reaction for me. Blue room? PIN!!! Blue kitchen? PIN!!!!

To challenge myself, I will find one additional thing I like about each room. Let's see if I can do it.

Awwww... blue. And I love the pitched ceilings in this room. I think that slanted ceilings are so charming. Mr. Darcy does not agree, because he is tall and not a hobbit like myself.

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Blue. Glass. Subway. Tile. Four of the loveliest words in the English language. But, I actually like just about everything in this picture. The built ins, the white cabinetry, the sconces. That was easy!

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I hate laundry so much. But, this laundry room is so pretty that maybe I would want to do laundry if it was mine? All that natural light! And the long counter top for folding. Beauty. And the open door for easy escape in case you encounter some sort of laundry catastrophe. Like socks with no matches.

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White cabinets, dark wood floors, and I have such a crush on kitchen chalkboards at the moment. Not that I actually need one. It seems silly to take the time to write, "TODAY'S MENU: TACO BELL DRIVE-THRU."

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Although, part of me thinks that would be awesome. You know, a perfectly staged, newly-renovated kitchen that says, "TODAY'S MENU: Boxed Mac 'n Cheese". Somebody should do that.

Do you like these rooms as much as I do?

Bennet's Mad Science Party

2011-10-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

I know Bennet's birthday was a month ago, but we only just had his party on Saturday. It was worth the wait, though. My kids get a birthday party with friends on their even years (you know, 2, 4, 6, 8) because I have a tendency to... go a little... crazy. I like to go BIG for birthdays.

He wanted a Mad Science party, so as always, I turned to my favorite friend, The Internet, to hook me up with a good time.

This woman threw a science party for her son, and had printable invitations to use. I bow to her. The invitations were cute and FUH-REE. Fantastic.

Then I ordered a few supplies from Steve Spangler's site, which were a big hit, not to mention affordable.

As soon as the boys arrived, they were given a lab coat to wear (and take home).

They made molecules out of toothpicks and marshmallows while waiting for everyone to arrive.

Then we got started on our experiments. They added vinegar to baking soda, and then made Ooobleck.

Then because they are boys, they wanted to mix the vinegar/baking soda solution to the Oobleck. Just to see what would happen. (Nothing.)

Our next station had Instant Snow. And this stuff is so cool. They were blown away by it.

It's a powder that expands when you add water. Very fun and cheap, too. I bought way more than I needed.

Then, because they are boys, they had to mix everything they had previously played with into the Instant Snow.

Then we took them into the yard to play with some wind bags. Luckily, it was pretty windy on Saturday, so their bags filled up very easily.

They whacked each other with the bags for quite awhile. Then we decided to bring out the big guns:

A 50 foot solar tube that floats in the air.

I mean, just look at this thing!

So, they continued to beat each other and the solar tube with their wind bags, while the wind blew the giant black tube all over the yard.

They dodged it, ran underneath it... Seriously, it was mayhem of the best kind. They could have happily played for another half hour, but we had to get in the Grand Finale before the parents arrived:

Diet Coke and Mentos, of course.

Things I forgot to take pictures of: The take-home Diet Coke and Mentos "goodie bags" (I made them promise not to try it inside their houses) and the cupcakes covered in Pop Rocks. Oh well.

I thought the best thing about this party was that the whole thing took place in my garage/yard. Bennet pretty much loved every minute of it. Of course, boys love things that explode, so the Diet Coke and Mentos was a big crowd pleaser.

It was a pretty easy party, too. Not a huge amount of set up required. And your science loving boy will think you are the coolest mom ever.

Sunday Picture

2011-10-23T15:19:00.000-07:00

Cheese.

Completed Nursery

2011-10-21T14:48:00.000-07:00

Okay, it is finally done. Well, like all my projects, it is 99% done, anyway. Here is what my closet looked like before:

It was all pink, pink wallpaper, pink doors, pink drapes, pink closets. Maybe a bit too much pink?
Click here for more pictures of the dressing room.

And now it is finally completed.

It is a good thing that Lydia needed this room to sleep in or else it probably would have sat in its unfinished state for another year. Once I got the wallpaper off, I got stuck and never completed the dressing room.

It is a tiny space, just big enough for her crib. So, aside from hanging a mobile and some drapes, there wasn't much to do.

On the subject of the mobile, the first night I hung it up, Lydia kept waking up. I would go into her room and she would be screaming at the pom poms in terror. I think she likes it now, though.

And when she gets bigger, I bet she is going to like smiling at the pretty Mirror Baby.

I left the doors pink. Partly because I wanted to be done painting, and partly because pink doors in a baby girl's room are kind of sweet. Don't you think?

I decided to hide that weird piece of trim over the window with the drapes. You can kind of see it peeking out, but it is much less noticeable.

That is about it. At some point I would like to either switch out the light fixture or spray paint the brass one so that the finishes match. And I'm toying with the idea of glass knobs on the closets. But for now, we are done.

Now if I could just get her to sleep through the night...

What do you think?

Staircase Inspiration

2011-10-19T16:55:00.000-07:00

I was looking through the most recent Elegant Homes magazine today and noticed something. I have a crush on staircases. I knew I loved a good staircase before today. In fact, I would honestly say that I fell in love with Pemberley from the stairs alone.

I walked into the foyer, looked at the stairs and said, "Yup, that's all I need to see. Where do I sign?" I was smitten.

So, let's look at lovely staircases today, shall we?

This staircase has a reading nook. Yes, you heard me... a reading nook. Which combines two of my favorite things... stairs and reading. And if I were a kid in this house, you wouldn't have been able to get me out of that nook.

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Of course, the light blue paint doesn't hurt, either.

Don't you love the dark stain on the banister and treads in this house?

And check out all the detail in the mouldings and trim in this foyer:

I'm pretty sure the crown moulding is taller than Lydia!

Another window seat staircase that I am pining for:

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So fantastic.

This picture didn't have a source listed on Pinterest, but I would bet my left leg that Sarah Richardson did this. I think I remember this from HGTV. And, trust me, I watch a lot of HGTV. Besides, doesn't this space just have that Sarah look to it?

I think I'm right.

So, I was immediately drawn to this staircase because of the blue (no surprise there). But... is it just me, or does the striped wallpaper almost make this room look fake? Like it has been photoshopped or something?

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My eyes are trippin'. The shadows look off to me. Pretty space, though. I love the curving banister.

That is the end of my dissertation on "Why Staircases are True". Which stairs did you like best?

Tinkering

2011-10-18T17:00:00.000-07:00

I've been adding a few things to my blog today. I am still working on it, but since it took all day and I didn't have time to do a proper blog post, I will tell you all about it.

First I added a link to my projects up on my header. Go check that out. It is super fascinating. I'll wait here.

Cough. Yeah, so... I'm still working on that link. But, stay tuned.

Secondly (and this is what I've been doing all afternoon), I combed through the last three years of blog posts and compiled a list of my favorites. So, if you are extremely bored someday, feel free to browse what I consider some of this blog's highlights.

Did I forget any posts you liked? Let me know... I'll add them.

(And I know the Quite Contrary text bothers some of you on my new header. I see your point. And I wish I had the skills to fix it. So, I am not ignoring you, I am trying to figure out if that is something I can do with my own severely lacking Photoshop skills.)

Five fun facts about Lydia

2011-10-17T15:21:00.000-07:00

Do you remember those scrapbook pages, scrappers? Ha! I made my share of those a million years ago.

1. Lydia has discovered her feet. The great thing about this is that I can never accidentally forget her feet at home like I do her pacifier and toys.

2. Lydia is cute.

3. Lydia just cut her THIRD tooth today. She is five months and ten days old. I file this fact in my NOT FAIR!!! category. Houston, we have top teeth. Top teeth and bottom teeth equal crazy devastation on my defenseless parts.

4. Lydia is getting close to sitting up.

5. Lydia has pectus excavatum. Did I spell that right? Her ribs are misshapen and protrude more than usual. But, she is also extremely cute.

On another note, if I use Liddy as her fake nickname, does that make things too confusing since I would have a Lizzy, a Kitty, and a Liddy?! I think it might. Weigh in on this important topic now!

Girl girl girl girl boy

2011-10-16T16:05:00.000-07:00

Like duck duck goose, only girlier.

Progress report

2011-10-15T13:22:00.000-07:00

I've been MIA a bit this week, did you notice? Although, this is my fourth post for the week, which seems rather pathetic if only posting four times a week makes me feel neglectful. How many times did you blog this week? Probably not four, right? coughcoughcoughsomebodyisaddictedtobloggingcoughcough.

I've been very busy trying to fulfill all those promises I made on Monday. Remember them? I would post my fall decorations, finish the nursery, and tape off some stripes in Lizzy's room? That was the goal.

So, I finished painting the nursery, but now I need to hang the drapes and a few other last minutes details. No pictures yet.

And I am making progress on decorating, but I'm still not 100% done.

Need to finish up a few more projects before that will be complete.

Then, yesterday after finally putting the final bits of paint on the nursery, my friends came over to help me tape stripes. None of us had done it before, and in our minds using a laser level made it seem like a piece of cake. It was not. I do not recommend a laser level for painting stripes.

So, after some trial and error, (heavy on the error), we decided to bag the level and go Old School with just a pencil and measuring tape. This was much faster, however I wouldn't describe it as fast. It took a long time. By the end of the night we had this much finished:

Does the different colored tape make your eyes cross? Sorry.

It is mostly done. However, in the total time spent taping the stripes, we could have painted the room like, fifteen times. So, it wasn't a time saver (which I expected from some of your comments), but it should look pretty cool when all is said and done.

If you think some of the stripes appear to be wobbly, I will kindly ask you to mind your own business. Or maybe blame it on an optical illusion. Or tell you the truth that I figured the furniture would block some of our mistakes. Hahahaha. I'm lazy. So, if you notice problem areas... just, shush. No talky. I will plug my ears and sing that Voices Carry song (He said, "SHUT UP!". He said, "SHUT UP!".). Really. I know. And hush hush. Keep it down now.

Oh, and my friend helped me make a new header yesterday, too. What do you think? Good? Bad? Let me know.

Better than I deserve

2011-10-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

Every night around 7:00, I go upstairs to put the baby in bed. I feed and rock her in the darkness while she reaches up to stroke my face, my hair, my clothes. And I am full. How is it possible to love something so much?

And once she is in bed, I take Kitty to her room. She is hyper and dances and twirls while getting into her jammies. She has to be asked to do things three times before she does them. She giggles and cartwheels and says hilarious things that either don't make any sense, or make too much sense. She asks me to wrap her up like a tiny baby and sing her the Muppet version of Bohemian Rhapsody. (Mostly she just likes the part where Animal keeps yelling, "Mamaaaaaaaa!!!) Such a silly, funny, clever girl. And I am full. I couldn't love that crazy girl more.

And downstairs I can hear my older three laughing and goofing off. Their volume goes way up at 7 p.m. I'm not sure what causes that, but it happens every night. They are acting silly and teasing each other while doing their after dinner chores. Probably telling jokes that end in "Armpit!".

That exuberant, distractable Jane. She skips everywhere she goes. She loves Lydia so much she can't remember what she is supposed to be doing, whether it is buckling her seatbelt, doing her homework, making her lunch... She is drawn to Lydia like a moth to a flame. I couldn't live without that Jane.

And Bennet is there giggling and tormenting Jane... his favorite past time. Or spouting off facts that he learned that day at school. He is Mr. Upright. Mr. Total Obedience. So much like his father. He is a tender boy and I would move mountains for him if I could. Even if I can't, I will try.

And Lizzy is the ringleader of them all. Turning 12 next week, she is more young lady than child. She is wonderful. She will randomly put her arms around me and say, "I love you, Mom." She is reading The Glass Castle and can't fathom parents behaving the way they do in that book. I'm so glad. I'm so glad my girl lives in a bubble and is sheltered from that kind of life. I will do anything and everything to keep her from knowing neglect and abuse on a personal level.

And I am full.

Halloween Inspiration

2011-10-11T15:06:00.000-07:00

I'm trying not to be such a terrible holiday decorator this year, so I found some pictures that I think I can copy.

Making lit up pumpkins like these is on my To Do list this Halloween. Have you made these? I love them!

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Very pleasing fall vignette.

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Adding white pumpkins to my must haves for this year:

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Aside from the fantastic pumpkin topiaries, this is simple and easy decorating. That is right up my alley.

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I bet my kids would love to help make some hanging bats.

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And the genius behind these is not only the ease in putting them together, but that candy corn are disgusting and so I would have no trouble passing them up.

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Do you like any of those? Have any fall decor ideas I can steal from you? Post a link!

Pictures from Jackson Hole

2011-10-10T13:13:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Jackson on Thursday afternoon. The pilot on the flight into Jackson said, "We will take off, but we might need to turn around due to weather." We made it in, but it was cold and snowy.

I asked one of the hotel employees what there was to do there on a cold, snowy October day. And... apparently there is nothing. Nothing at all to do. Not enough snow to ski. Too much snow to go for nature walks. The tram wasn't open. Nothin'.

So, Lydia and I did this:

While Mr. Darcy was in classes.

On Saturday for about 30 minutes the sun came out. I was on a bus tour of the Grand Teton National Park with my baby doll.

And I took a phone picture of a famous barn. Famous because it is photographed so often by photographers using better equipment than phone cameras.

We were supposed to see a lot of wildlife on the bus tour, but even the animals knew there was nothing to do in Jackson last weekend. They didn't bother to show up. We saw a few bison that were little black polka dots way off in the distance. Oh well. I was hoping to see a moose because they are the awkwardest looking animals. Long legs and knobby knees... they remind me of teenage boys that grow too fast. No moose.

Lydia and I with the Tetons in the background. You can't see them, but they're back there.

People could not get over Liddy's hat. People could not get over Liddy. We had this conversation several times:

Person: She is just adorable.
Me: Thank you. We really like her, too.
Person: Is she your first baby?
Me: No, actually. She's our fifth.
Person: FIFTH!!!???!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have five kids?! FIVE KIDS!? FIVE??? FIVE???? SWEET FANCY MOSES!!! FIVE?!

It is shocking, apparently, those five children of mine. I guess people in my town don't care that much. I've hardly heard a word about it around here. So, I was caught off guard by their reactions, and didn't really know how to reply. "Uh, yes... I collect them. It's kind of an expensive hobby, but they make a lot at auctions if they're not real ugly." I could have told them that I am the 8th of 13, but didn't want anyone to pass out or something. What would you have said?

Okay, so let me make some promises for this week... I will post the completed pictures of Lydia's new nursery. First I have to complete it. Ha.

Then, I promise that I will post pictures of our fall decorations. I am terrible at this, though... Holiday decorating. So, prepare yourselves to be underwhelmed.

Thirdly, I want to start taping off (and maybe even completing) the stripes in Lizzy's bedroom.

So, that means I need to get my pompies off the computer. Done and done.

P.S.
Is five kids that weird in your area? Maybe I'm clueless, but the people I've bumped into around town don't seem that shocked. (If you are in Utah, you need not reply. Hee!)

Home

2011-10-09T18:37:00.000-07:00

I think all of these kids missed each other. They were pretty happy to be reunited.

Friday, Friday...

2011-10-07T10:11:00.000-07:00

There are a trillion typos in this post but I'm on my crackly iPhone and can't fix them. Sorry!

1. Lydia is five months old today. The fastest five months ever. She has two teeth, she can roll over, and most of her reddish hair is gone, replaced by a few little white hairs on the lovely bald head. We will most likely get to enjoy that beautiful baldness fir another two years if she follows in my other kids' footsteps. She does not sleep through the night and isn't terribly fond of plane travel.

2. We are in Jackson Hole. Mr. Darcy has a business trip here, so Lydia and I got to tag along. Miss Lydia is the most popular girl in Jackson Hole this weekend. People who I am certain could not tell you my name if their lives depended on it will ask, "How is Lydia this morning!?". And then proceed with the baby talk while she grins bashfully. They want to know where she got her hat, her coat, how she slept, and if they can please hold her while I eat my meal.

3. Jackson Hole is beautiful in the Fall. Or so I hear. We got here just in time for their first snowstorm of the year. We won't be taking many crisp autumn walks to enjoy the changing colors, I'm afraid. However, I am tempted to get Fake Lost in the mountains with Lydia to see if Harrison Ford will rescue us. And when he lands his helicopter to save us, I will say, "You came in that thing?! You're braver than I thought!". And then he will probably leave me on the mountain. But, he'll take Lydia because she is so charming in the winter coat and hat.

4. My sister was looking around on a Family Search site and guess what she discovered?! You will never guess. It is too fantastic. Our ancestors are Darcys from England. For reals! I am ridiculously excited about this, especially since I am aware that Fitzwilliam Darcy was a fictional character and that Pemberley also did not actually exist in real life. I asked Mr. Darcy if we could legally change our last name to Darcy and he said no. Drats!

5. We have a fireplace in our hotel room. I don't think I've ever had a fireplace in a room before. Our room is very nice, which almost makes up for the fact that Lydia woke up to eat 8 times last night.

6. Training her to sleep in her crib right before our trip was not my finest parenting moment. Now she will ONLY sleep in her bed. Not great when you are stuck on a plane with a very, very tired baby.

7. Have I mentioned how dainty Lydia is? She is actually our smallest 5 month old ever. All of the other kids were longer and weighed more than her by this age. (She is just barely 15 pounds, which i know isnt tiny for a normal kid.) She's even on the thin side, kind of long and skinny. Not what I expected from her when she was born a ten pounder.

Well, it is time for lunch and then our afternoon nap. And then dinner and bed. With the weather so cold outside and the hotel so nice inside, I feel a little lost. Like, isn't there some wallpaper somewhere that needs to be stripped? Oh well. I guess I will just lounge by the fireplace and snuggle with my baby.

Have you ever been to Jackson Hole? Did Harrison Ford rescue you? Or leave you on a mountain because you couldn't squash your inner Star Wars nerd?

8.

Chalkboards

2011-10-05T15:13:00.000-07:00

I've been obsessed with chalkboards lately. I would be very surprised if Pemberley didn't end up with some chalkboard paint in a room (or two) in the near future.

Maybe in the kitchen?

source

Somebody slap me because this is so fantastic.

source
Oh, to be so organized! My pantry looks like... I live here.

This photo wall is completely charming.

source

And whoever did this is a genius. All the chalk dust is left outside! Smarty pants.

source

Do you have a chalkboard somewhere in your house? How do you like it? I think I need one. Or eight.

Changes in the Home Office

2011-10-04T14:24:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since you have seen my office. Not a lot has changed, really. However, today I switched out the drapes, so I thought it would be a good time to show the changes that have gone on in the last year.

This was what it looked like after I finished painting and painting and painting all of the ugly orange paneling and got rid of the unfortunate 80's tile.

Here is what it looks like today:

I love the new drapes, but the theater seating is only in here because we don't have anywhere else for it to go. I bought it over the summer (off craigslist, natch) to put in the basement in Mr. Darcy's someday media room. But, then we decided to let my sister's family stay down there for awhile longer, so the theater seating needed a different home.

I still want to put one of these IKEA trundle daybeds in this spot so that I have more room for guests, because as we discussed earlier, I am a bed hoarder.

But, my bed hoarding will have to wait until Mr. Darcy gets his media room.

I was so excited that these drapes matched my office so perfectly.

And they were only $11 on amazon. And no, I didn't iron them. Just getting them hung was an ordeal, so ironing was out of the question. I'll steam them one of these days.

See, Lydia recently learned to roll from her back to her tummy. So, I put her under her baby gym to play while I crawled over the theater seats, and then climbed up on a chair to switch the drapes. And within a few minutes she would roll over and then grunt and whine because she actually hates to be on her belly. She would be looking at me with an expression that said, "ACK! I'm on my tummy!! I hate my tummy! Ugh. Ack! I'm stuck!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! GET ME OFF MY TUMMY!!! I can't hold my head up any longer!!! Why aren't you helping meeeeeeeeeeeee???!"

So, I would get down off the chair, squeeze myself out from behind the theater seats, flip her onto her back, and then climb back over everything and within minutes she is yelling again, "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! I'M ON MY TUMMY!!! What the heck!!! Why does this keep happening??!"

Seriously, this happened about five times. Then I put her in her Bumbo seat to see if that would make her happy, but she started throwing her head backwards and arching her back to try to get out of it. She hates that seat. ANYWAYS... I didn't have time to steam the drapes.

Here is where the magic happens.

And I mean blogging, by the way. Maybe "magic" is a bit generous.

I tried to organize the shelves a bit more than they were. Believe it or not, this is a huge improvement. While going through these books today, I found Lizzy's Social Studies book from last year that she couldn't find and so I had to pay a $25 fine, and a petrified orange peel. Yummy.

I didn't bother grouping like-colored books together like they used to be because I know that Kitty is just going to dump them all on the ground in 20 minutes.

Then I moved my pitcher and jar collections in here to make room for my growing milk glass collection in the kitchen.

And here is another change that has taken place over the last year:

Kitty found a screwdriver and took out her frustrations on the door. There are nicks all over it and I need to touch it up one of these days. Although, I'm waiting for her to turn... thirty-seven. Or some age where she is no longer inclined to hit tools against walls, whatever that may be.

Anyway, I think the BEFORE is actually better than the AFTER, just because the theater seating is just sort of overwhelming in here. But, what do you think about the drapes? I liked the others, but was planning on moving them up to Lizzy's room.

Need feedback on the nursery project

2011-10-03T16:44:00.000-07:00

I need some fresh eyes. One minute I like this, and the next I want to start all over.

I decided to do this as cheaply as possible. So, I looked at the OOPS paint, and found this color which just happens to match her bedding perfectly. And the paint was on sale, so it only cost $7.99.

And I decided because the room is so small, just to paint the closet doors and walls the same color. I started to paint that trim the same color, but then I hated it and wiped it all off.

But, it's kind of weird, right? That trim coming from the window and going around the doors?

So, I don't know what makes the most sense?

Paint it all the same color including the trim?
Leave the walls this creamy antique white and paint the doors a crisp white to match the trim?
Paint everything a crisp white?

And because I was told I owe some extra cuteness because of yesterday's Razzle Dazzle:

Thanks!

Crazy Hat Day

2011-10-02T17:02:00.000-07:00

Kitty said, "I doing glitter hands!". It's just not the same without the gold spandex fringed unitard. Those are four words that should never have been combined.

Don't know glitter hands? Click here! And I'm sorry.

Now, to try to get that image out of our heads, here's a close up of The Cuteness.

Am I forgiven?

Stuff I bought on Craigslist

2011-09-29T16:59:00.000-07:00

I saw a listing for some milk glass the other day. I have always loved the look of milk glass collections. Like this one:

farmhousemusings
I mean, shiiiooooooooot. Isn't that lovely? So, I emailed the lady and she asked me which lot of milk glass I wanted, and I said, "I didn't know you had two lots, but I'll take both for $40." And she said, "Okay, but don't tell my mom." (It was her grandma's milk glass, you see.)

So, if you see that lady's mom, don't tell her, 'kay? So, I got it all for about a dollar a piece.

It was mostly cups and saucers, but now I can have a mad milk glass tea party with fourteen of my closest friends.

Do you want to come to a Pemberley Milk Glass Tea Party? Let me know.

I think the white will look so lovely when I ever get around to putting beadboard wallpaper in the back of these cabinets. Especially if I paint the beadboard a pretty green or buttery yellow. Don't you think?

Someday I'd love to have both sides of these cabinets filled up with milk glass. Won't that be nice? So, if you have some family heirloom milk glass that you want to get rid of, hook me up!

Do you like milk glass? What do you collect?

Bunk bed inspiration

2011-09-28T14:50:00.000-07:00

I'm a bed hoarder. Rather, I want to be a bed hoarder. I want beds in every available space in my house. I don't want a guest room... I want guest rooms. I think it is because I have such a big family, that when I can talk my siblings families into a visit, I usually have about 6 people that need a place to sleep. A queen bed isn't going to cut it.

Is that weird? I'm not a hoarder in any other way. I'm actually constantly annoying Mr. Darcy by throwing things out. He will ask, "Where is that really important thing that I need right now?" and I will say, "Oh, that thing. Yeah, I gave that to Goodwill. Sorry."

You know how I said I wasn't having anymore kids after we had Bennet? Yeah, I gave away all our baby stuff after him. And then again after Jane. And again after Kitty... One of these times I will be right, mark my words.

Because I want to hoard beds, I save every picture I find of rooms with a buttload of beds in them.

Like this adorable room:

gather.tumblr.com

The right side of my brain loves this room. And the left side reminds me that swinging beds in front of windows is a recipe for disaster. But, such a pretty disaster!

blogs.babble.com

This is such a clever use of space, and affordable, too! I'm going to start hoarding rope and 2 x 4s soon.

decorpad.com

Four cute beds in a row:

littlelovely

Wouldn't you have loved something like this when you were a kid visiting your grandma's house? Or your Crazy Aunt Mary's house? (I am pretty sure everyone in the U.S. has a Crazy Aunt Mary. I am glad to fill that role for my nieces and nephews.)

centsational girl

And there are only two beds in this room, but how fantastic are these two beds?! Sooo fun!

houzz.com

Anybody else have this same compulsion? To build beds all over their house for potential visitors? Mr. Darcy thinks it is so strange. It probably is strange, I admit. What do you think? Do I need one of those Hoarding shows to come give me therapy?

Demo-ing my Dressing Room

2011-09-27T11:01:00.000-07:00

You are going to either laugh or roll your eyes at me. We are moving Lydia out of her room. I finally got her sleeping in her own bed, however I can't get her to sleep longer than three hour chunks at night. Believe me, I've tried. So, I still get up and feed her every three hours at night which isn't great, but it is a huge improvement from where we used to be.

ANYWAY, while we were having Lydia cry it out, Lizzy was sleeping on our hide-a-bed sofa. I had her move back into her room two nights ago since Lydia was sleeping much better. That was a giant flop. Lydia cried every half hour with Lizzy in there. Apparently, she is anti-room sharing. And that was with Lizzy being as quiet as possible. Then I remembered that Lizzy is our child that doesn't just talk, but yells in her sleep, and realized this combination of girls was not going to fly.

So, we thought through every possible scenario on where to move one of these girls. We considered every room, every nook, every possibility for creating one more sleeping space. We finally settled on moving Lydia into our actual closet-closet, not the bedroom/closet that Bennet is in. It is the HERS closet/dressing room.

So, I have to get it ready for a crib. This is another room that I stripped wallpaper and then stalled out a long time ago. So, I need to wash all the walls and then paint.

Would you like a tour of the space?

This is the entrance from our master bedroom. You can see the wallpaper chunks on the walls and old curtain rods that needed to be removed.

And this is a view from the other side of the room, taken from the master bath doorway.

We pulled up the carpet months ago and so the floors need to be refinished. I'm not sure they are going to get done before Lydia is put in here, though. We'll probably just throw down a small area rug and ignore the floors a bit longer.

And here was what I needed to tackle today. The dressing table. I decided awhile ago that I wanted to remove this mostly because I disliked that scalloped drawer so much. I just don't do scallops. --Unless you are talking about the seafood, in which case... Yes, please. And now I'm hungry, again. Shoot.

Speaking of hungry, there are altogether too many mirrors in this closet and I could not find a single angle where I wouldn't have to have my chubby reflection in the shot. So, here you are... Enjoy my big hips and chubby thighs.

I decided I was going to find a way to get this dressing table out by myself. See, I am usually the lightweight when it comes to renovations. I do the wallpaper scraping and the painting, but I make Mr. Darcy do the hard stuff. My floppy noodle arms have no actual muscle. I told Mr. D I was going to do pull this out myself and I think he was doubtful, mixed with a healthy dose of fear about what the room would look like when he got home. Ha!

Anyway, I was worried about removing the mirrors without breaking them, but the mirror on the table wasn't glued down. It just lifted right up. The mirrors on the walls weren't glued in, either. They had one little screw holding them in place. Easy peasy!

That was a relief. I got them down without shattering glass or slashing any arteries. Success!

Then I got a crowbar and yanked the top of the desk off. I took this picture while breastfeeding the baby, which is why it is so crooked.

I decided that we could use the drawers somewhere else since you can never have too much storage, so I wanted to get them out without destroying them. And this is the part of the demo that was really tough, on account of my muscle-free noodle arms. I was yanking and pulling and grunting my little heart out, while occasionally yelling out some Mormon swear words like, "GOSH DARN IT!" and "FIDDLESTICKS!".

But, I finally got it out. And uncovered a hole in the wall. We didn't anticipate that, but I think it should be pretty easy to fix. Just stick a piece of wood in from behind, trim it out with quarter round, and nobody should be able to tell.

Hi, Bob. Bennet's been looking for you. (And I really wanted to sweep up the dust that had accumulated on the floor over the last 70 years before taking this picture, but left it for all of you "Show us your mess" commenters. You're welcome.)

I sort of mangled the walls when removing the other side. But, we can patch that up without too much trouble.

All that was left was too pry off the baseboard.

And demo is finished. All by myself! Now that the dressing table is out, Lydia's crib will fit against this wall. (The crib will block two of the closet doors, but we'll have to live with it for the time being.)

I am hoping to get the walls prepped for paint in the next day or two, so that I can paint this weekend and get Lizzy off the couch and back into her own room. Which she is very excited about, let me tell you.

So, there you have this week's project. And what do you think about this final sleeping arrangement? (Boy, I hope this one works out because I'm sick of moving furniture.)

Bennet's Birthday

2011-09-26T10:46:00.000-07:00

(Not too sacrilegious, I hope. I just thought it was funny this was on the wall when taking pictures of my only son.)

I've had a decade with my boy. Love this kid. He is smart, helpful, obedient, and silly. Happy Birthday, Bennet!

Mi Familia

2011-09-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

Today kind of got away from me. It was that afternoon nap, I believe. Mmmm... afternoon nap.

Completed Cafe Curtains. Pauly, avert your eyes.

2011-09-23T12:57:00.000-07:00

Remember that fabric that I wanted to use on my craigslist chairs, but everyone agreed didn't work in that room? Well, the fabric only cost me two bucks or something, but I still wanted to use it somewhere. So, yesterday my sewing friend showed me how to sew a basic rectangle on her machine. Wasn't that nice?

Aren't these just the sweetest things... I've ever made on a sewing machine?! (See what I did there? Now you all have to agree with me because I've never sewn anything in my entire life. Even you, Paula. Tell me these are the best things I've ever sewn. DO IT NOW.)

I just love them. It is like my windows are wearing cheery little skirts.

Such a happy kitchen.

What do you think? Does the fabric work better in here? Aren't these the best cafe curtains that I've ever made? (To be honest, my friend did most of the sewing while I did the cutting and ironing... but I did sew one! One tiny panel all by myself. Go me.)

Lizzy vs. Mary... aka Bedroom Inspiration

2011-09-21T14:19:00.000-07:00

Remember my girls room that I completed last year?

Lizzy hated that room. She hated the drapes, hated the wall color, thought it was all way too baby girl.

Now we have moved her to the other room that looked like this last time you saw it:

It doesn't look quite like that at the moment. The drapes are gone, Star Wars art has been moved out, and Kitty's toddler bed has been replaced with Lizzy's twin. Oh, and George Washington moved into the other room with Kitty. She just loves that George Washington.

Now, if I had it my way, I would decorate the old Star Wars room thusly:

White walls, white furniture, white white white... with small pops of vibrant color from bedding and stuff. I find those two rooms so soothing and bright and glorious. Aren't they nice?

Well, I have encountered two problems. The first is that while I was painting Bennet's room, I remembered how much I hate painting. I don't want to paint the whole room over again. Whine whine whine grumble grumble.

The second problem is that Lizzy hates the white-with-pops-of-color scheme. She wants a hot pink room with zebra stripes. She wants bright color and strong patterns and can't be talked into the lovely soothing white nursery.

So, as an attempt to compromise, and to prevent me from having to repaint the entire room, I showed Lizzy these rooms:

Because painting stripes wouldn't take that long... would it? I've never done it, but it seems that if you strategically place the stripes, you could avoid all the time consuming cutting in which is really my biggest gripe with painting. (Besides cleaning up. I HATE cleaning out all the rollers and brushes. Fiery flaming hate!)

Lizzy likes these better than the all white option. So, I think I might go for it.

Chevrons are the new stripe... did you know? I'm not painting them, though. That wouldn't be saving me any time, and I'm all about sitting on the couch as much as possible.

What do you think? Do you like a gray horizontal stripe as much as I do?

Accessorizing your bald baby girl

2011-09-20T10:58:00.000-07:00

Alternate Title:

Five pictures of Lydia with the same goofy expression

When you have a bald baby girl, everyone assumes that she is a boy because of the hair deficiency. Even if she is wearing a pink flowery dress, strangers will approach to congratulate you on your darling little guy.

Start with one adorable, but hair-challenged girl.

Add a headband.

Or a hat to provide extra coverage.

An updo is appropriate for formal occasions.

But choose a more relaxed look for rock concerts or hanging out at the mall.

Any questions?

Snugglers

2011-09-18T18:29:00.000-07:00

Do you remember this photo from two years ago?

I tried to reproduce it today.

It isn't perfect. I prefer the composition of the first picture, but like the lighting and colors from today. I might try again sometime.

Plan Z

2011-09-16T13:57:00.000-07:00

My house is a disaster. Why? Because I've been rearranging rooms again. Kitty and Lydia sharing a room wasn't working out. Nobody was sleeping with that arrangement. That Kitty is too much a three year old, and three year olds are too much impossible. Not impossible, per se, but there is no reasoning with them. If I was trying to get Lydia to cry herself to sleep at night, Kitty couldn't grasp the "Stay out of your room while Lydia tries to fall asleep" concept. She would bust in and yell, "MOM!!! THE BABY'S CRYING!!!!" Which would make Lydia cry harder and make me cry the hardest.

So, yesterday I moved Lizzy's bed and dresser into Lydia's room, and moved Kitty's bed out. Lizzy's old room is a mess because I had no idea how much crap my kids hide under their beds before yesterday. A lot of crap. And we didn't have time to clean it up because as soon as the furniture was moved we had to rush off to soccer practice, and then more soccer practice, and then dinner and bed and at any rate, the second floor is torn up.

After a good cleaning, my most pressing goal is to teach Lydia how to sleep in her own bed. This can be a controversial topic, I know. Every mother is sure that she is doing it the right way. And because we are women, we feel like if someone chooses a different way, they are criticizing our way. I'm not. You're not. The other ways don't work for me, so I am letting Lydia cry it out. I have sadly never been blessed with one of those mythical babies that sleep through the night three weeks after they are born.

So, at four months my babies cry it out. We follow the advice of The Honorable Dr. Weissbluth who taught me how to get Lizzy to sleep when she was a six month old and waking up every hour of the night to eat. I know Lydia and I are both going to really hate the next several days, but then we will all be happier and better rested once it is done.

(As an example, last night she fell asleep in her Moses basket at 9ish. At 11, I fed her and put both of us in bed for the night. She fussed and I fed her. Went back to sleep. Fussed, fed, back to sleep. Fussed, fed... I looked at the clock assuming it was getting close to 6 a.m. It was 3. I can't function with that much interrupted sleep. And if you could see my house right now, you would know I speak the truth.)

Anyway, both my babies are quiet right now, sleeping in their own beds. (Is Kitty too old to be referred to as a baby? I hope not.) I should use this time to clean or to fold laundry or something, but most likely I will use it to eat ice cream. I start my diet next week. Although, I have been saying that for 7 weeks. Cough.

So, when did your baby learn to sleep through the night. (If you say "Two weeks", I will probably hate you a little. Okay, a lot.)

When did you go on your postpartum diet, or at least stop eating everything in sight? Apparently, I cannot diet if I am not sleeping well. Being sleep deprived makes me want to eat everything in the house.

I saw the sign, and it opened up my eyes.

2011-09-15T12:18:00.000-07:00

On our first date, I asked Mr. Darcy what music he liked and he said Ace of Base. And there almost wasn't a second date because of it. Then my roommates talked me down and I decided him liking Ace of Base wasn't as unforgivable as I thought. As an aside, Ace of Base sings that "I saw the sign" song and not Pearl Jam like some people think. (Also, love you, Mr. D.)

So, what was I saying? Oh, right. Signs. The entire time we have lived here, I have never hung up any artwork or pictures on the kitchen wall.

It was blank. I couldn't decide what I wanted there. Then after I painted the table and chairs it hit me. I wanted a big, old antique sign there. Something large, with a graphic design, and in warmer colors to balance all the cool tones in the kitchen. So, I went on ebay, and you are thinking... "Ebay still exists?" Yes, it does. And, I KNOW! I hadn't been there in a very long time, either.

But, I started looking up old signs to get an idea what they would cost me. And let me tell you... they don't come cheap. Another problem is a good portion of signs for sale are either tobacco or liquor related, and that might send my Mormon kids a mixed message. "Kids, don't drink or smoke. But, if you do... buy VIRGINIA SLIMS! We've come a long way, my babies!!" I started to wonder if I was too Mormon to make this sign thing work.

So, I was about to give up hope and then I saw this:

And I think I cackled for about fifteen minutes.

I am pretty sure it was a sign. I heard that groan. Shut up!

You get it, right??

My sign is like an enormous scoop of awesomesauce. It is exactly what I was looking for without even knowing it.

Do you agree?