Window Boxes..

It's been bugging me for over a year now, and I knew it had to be done, but was putting it off...

The window boxes over my livingroom windows were drab...just a plain ol' brown and I knew they needed a little extra something, so this weekend I grabbed momma and we went to Winter Wheat. It's a inspirational little spot nestled in a forest...a folk decorators dream come true.

Here are some pics....

Well it was a beautiful day, and I was wonderfully inspired ...so here's a before and after for you. My goal was to create a warm and cozy look that I can enjoy year round...and particularly in the evenings once the children have gone to bed...

(I do still have to fix the cord and fiddle with it a bit .... but you get the idea) ah...one more thing to cross off my list...slowly but surely this is really becoming my dream home. I am thankful for everything we have, and as a woman I enjoy making this space something I can be proud of..it makes it easier to for me to follow through with what I know is expected of me as a stay at home mom. When my house is put together properly and prettily, I feel good about having people over and I feel that I'm providing my family with a nice space to enjoy.

Anyway...hope you're all enjoying your spaces too... Have a wonderful day!

Placentas and pastries...

Today I had my doctors appointment following my 20 week ultrasound, and it looks as though I'll be having to go for another ultrasound as I have a low-lying placenta. It's approximately 1 cm from the cervix opening and will pose a bit of a problem come delivery. BUT the good news is that it should move up just enough before the big birthday arrives, the doctor seemed pretty confident that everything would work itself out by then.

The other good news is that I now have a better chance of finding out the gender of the baby. At the other ultrasound the baby had its legs tight together and was being quite modest (which makes me think girl!!) and enough so that the tech couldn't decipher the gender. So we'll keep our fingers crossed that the legs WONT be crossed at this next ultrasound which will take place in one months time.

After gaining 5 whole friggin' pounds at this app't (since my last app't one month ago) I've decided to swear off pop for the remainder of the pregnancy ... (that was, after I went to the local bakery and purchased a fresh supply of pastries...ahem.)

So I may be slightly less caffeinated next time I post to you, and a lot less sugary...so the posts may become slightly brazen, and candid.

Consider that a fair warning... ;-)

Sugar...

Little Sugar. He's been having a rough go with a respiratory infection, and his litter mates are far too spunky for him...so as luck would have it, he found my front porch just in time for me to take him in and we're currently working together to make him feel better. He holds his little mouth open, and I pour in the drops of medicine... he curls up on me, and I keep him warm.

Hopefully, before long he'll be bouncing around and annoying the heck out of us, but for now, he's a sad little soul needing some real loving.

Please Don't Judge...

WEllllllll you asked for it. So...you can't complain about how nasty it looks in the photo... I posted this just to give you an idea of how short I cut it, not to show you how I style it.

Officially this is one of thee worst pics I will ever post of hair, but I have to guarantee you that it actually looks quite fabulous when I've freshly washed it and I'm not 2 minutes from going to bed after a long day of trying to pull my hair out from the daily frustrations of trying to raise two little ones .... please folks...I emplore you to have some compassion.

I may re-think this and remove it shortly...so yay to those of you that have seen it.

EDIT - sorry. I couldn't take it any longer. Particularly when I blew the picture up and noticed the skin condition amplified by 3000. It was just not good for my self esteem. I'll try to post a worthy pic in the next few days.

the Attic...

Here's what we've been up to as of late, which has been the reason for the lack of blogging.... We've been renovating the attic....well two of them actually. They were both chalk full of things from past and present. The Hubs Grandparents had stored many a box away in these attics and it was fun to go through and see their past. Once all the boxes and clutter had been sorted and donated, or stored...we had two large rooms that were ready for whatever we could throw at them....or in them. The upstairs attic (for the record, neither of these rooms are officially 'THE' attic, but rather large triangular rooms that have been used as attics would be) has a lower ceiling and allows for standing only in the center of the room....so we chose to use this room as a storage room...or a very large closet.

The second 'attic' room had much higher ceilings and is now officially going to be our bedroom.....or 'love nest' as I like to refer to it as. Here it is pictured above in it's previous state...

Here it is all cleared out....ready for some TLC...

Here it is as the Hubs was working on it....

And here it is in it's current condition...waiting for it's new window, a fireplace insert (on the wall ) some paint, carpeting and furniture!

Can't wait to post pics of the completed project :)

Amy Wilhoite

Please pray for him. And thank the Lord for saving her.

http://wilhoite.blogspot.com/

Hairless..

The Farming wife's 20 minute makeover

The kids were glued to the television and I saw my golden opportunity arrive. It was now or never. I briskly walked to the shower and undressed in a flash.

Lathered, rinsed....no time to repeat.

After running a brush through my sad hair-do, I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands. Renovating an attic is no small expense, and hair styling is the first "unnecessary cost" to go, as voted by the Hubs....just wait 'til he sees what I can do with a pair of scissors....Hair styling may promptly return to the top of the necessary list.

Once I had the shiny pair of scissors in my hot little hand...there was no looking back....there were clumps folks. Clumps and piles.

Anyone with curly hair knows there isn't much damage you can do .... until you finally get around to straightening your hair...and then ...well... I haven't got that much time on my hands so, I kept cutting.

The entire bottom layer came off so easily, I decided to tackle some layers of my own...I would have to say the back of the head is certainly most difficult....but heck ...I can't see back there anyway.

I threw some gel into the mop and I'd have to say it turned out fantastically....it's still wet mind you, and there is a good chance I'll be kicking myself once it dries and curls up like a poodle on a humid summers day....but so far.. things are looking good.

Next, came the removal of raccoon eyes from last nights mascara...it never comes off in the shower....so I treated myself to a cold cream application...and even styled those shaggy eyebrows.

I ran upstairs to find some clothing to cover the ever growing belly...the choices are few and far between these days...and while I was going through the drawers, I stumbled upon an old nail polish bottle and decided to sit on the bed and give myself a pedicure...it had to be quick as I shook the polish hoping it would congeal into something usable.....I could hear running water on the floor below, and knew that the TV was no longer babysitting the hooligans.

Beside the nail polish was a rusty hair clip and a blingy watch (with several stones missing) ....so I threw them on, and by golly...I was starting to look dy-no-mite!

I came downstairs and realized I had forgotten to shave the armpits....they needed a haircut worse than my head hair .... so off I went to find the razor. There was no soap left in the pump...so I stole the little bit that was residing on the dispenser, and Ta-daa there was just enough for a lather.

Within 20 minutes I had unveiled a whole new me....it was fabulous. It was a good thing I had done all this dolling up as I had a hot date with the rice box that had been dragged into the living room and been dumped.

Bliss I tell you...

Check it out: http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/heather_bailey/2007/02/the_studio.html

I'm coveting. And she posted this in February, so you can see how long it's been brewing...This truly is the most creative and glorious working space I have ever seen. we're in the midst of some home renos ...again...this time we're creating our 'love nest' in a secluded attic above the play room. It's about 20' x 12'...so it has ample space, it's just the figuring and the placing of things.

Today we have the lovely project of completing the baseboard trim in our office...and all I could think of was the above link....and it's got me all hot and bothered about making it look like a pretty and inviting work space. It's currently the dumping grounds for my stampin' Up gear, the scrapbooking debris, and all the office and computer supplies that one requires in an office.

And I got to thinking ... what if I went to the local Salvation Army and found a used beat up dresser or armoire with a mutil sectioned/shelved top that could neatly display all of my project stuff. I could paint it up and make it all purdy, and paint my current book shelf to match....

Can you tell I'm nesting?

The Man.

The boats the Man saved.

The shoes the Man wore.

The keys the Man tapped.

My sweet peas.

Giants and Pixies...

It's not usual that my brother ,the Giant, can be fooled. Rare in fact....but we had him going...he may well deny it, but we'll always have the photos.

It was a beautiful night, mid-week through our cottage stay... Brother giant was building a roaring fire, Oma was making hot chocolate, and Aliesha (Giant's wife) and I were discussing pregnancy...as was the norm for us during our stay, as we're both expecting in January.

Just as we got settled in our chairs for our lakeside fire, Oma decided to play a little trick on the Giant. She placed 2 fire colour packets into the flames while he wasn't looking. We were all aware of what had happened..and waited for the beautiful coloured flames to appear.

First he thought it was the pressure treated wood .... it must be that....the chemicals are burning and making the beautiful display. So...he threw in another piece....

The colours stayed but didn't get any brighter....so he began speculating that perhaps the sand was providing some kind of reaction as it hit the flames.... like ...ahem...pixie dust.

And here it is folks...the 'pixie dust' being ever so gently flung on the flames by the giant. (there ain't no denying it now...)

It's okay Giant. We knew you didn't actually buy into the whole pixie dust theory.......

pixies aren't real.

....It was those fairies.....

The best way to travel

How the 'Hick Family' loads up for a trip to the ice cream shop while cottaging.

The Ostrich.

Here is my profile. My name is Osama The Ostrich. I weigh in at approximately 120 pounds, have a long neck and can run at top speeds. My favourite past time is scaring little children at the African Lion Safari, as I really have nothing better to do. My favourite snacks include cheesies and stale bread.

Ahhh, Here we are ...an unsuspecting group of four, 2 children, a driver and a lady with a camera. Perrrfect...lemme get a good look without them suspecting me. If I just raise my chin a little and just get a little closer here....

Hee hee...it's perfect ... already they're hooked, look at them stopped with their noses pushed against the windows trying to get as close as possible, before I peck those little eyes out!

AAAACCCKKK!!! peck, peck, snap, snap....come a little closer my pretty!!

And for the final phase of my plan, the STARE DOWN. Keep looking little one, keep looking. I will win, I tell you....

Ha-ha! Success....let the tears flow...they are but medals 'round my long neck, my pretty.

Off to find my next victim....sweet dreams ... I expect to see you again around midnight as I awake you in a cold sweat!! peck...peck...

The passing...

We're back..and some of you didn't even know we were gone...except, perhaps for the lack of posting on the blawg. We went a'cottaging last week, sort of a last hoorah for summer, as now that we've returned, the weather is mighty fall-like and I am loving it.



I sit here sipping an ice cold glass of grape juice, pondering whether I should begin downloading the photos of the cottage, OR ...share with you a mighty fine story that unfurled in true Garrett fashion. I believe the latter will win ..for today.



It was in the evening hours, the dusk was giving way to the darkness, and I sat alone in our white mini van. I had come prepared to this parking lot, awaiting the return of the Hubs, my book in hand. As I sat totally engrossed in my new read, the tears began to flow, it was 'Chicken Soup for the New Mom's Soul'.... and dang, it had me all up in my emotions..lucky for me there was a full box of kleenex still in the van from our trip.



I began telling myself to calm down, I slammed the book shut, upset that it had gotten me in this state with it's,

'...And the mother knew from this moment on, her life was changed, she would give her all and everything and devote her life to this new child..she could feel her heart growing, and saving her child's life was now her main priority as he fought for every breath...'.

My main priority at that given moment was to wipe every tear from my weeping eyes and plaster a good clown sized grin on my face to try to chase away the impending hiccups that come from a good cry. I was worried that as the Hubs was in the chiropractors office, he would unwittingly invite the chiropractors wife to come out to the van as I would surely love to see her. Surely.

I turned the key on the van to get the air moving, and pushed the grill on the blowing vent to point directly at my face...I blasted it onto cold and let the unrelenting tears dry up. Just as I was faced the other way peering at the neighbouring houses' garden..(telling myself I was as HAPPY! as the BIG! PINK! FLOWERS!...The Hubs made his entrance.

He plunked down on his seat with a bright red face and a sheepish look saying 'Well....THAT was embarrassing.' I couldn't wait to hear what could possibly embarrass the man that could find humour in just about anything.

He went on to tell the story.


He was talking to the Chiropractor (Dr. S) and as they were going over pleasantries and discussing the weather, The Hubs mentioned how he's been wanting to drop a few pounds and he has been struggling to do so. The Dr. had a simple solution....eat less.
As they further discussed weight loss and the sluggish effects of extra weight, Dr. S had the Hubs lay down and began his magic. He was pushing and cracking, heaving and ho-ing..then he asked Dwight to sit up.

This is when the Hubs magic began.

As he strained to sit up ...it happened....he had no control. He passed gas in such a way that it (and I quote) "fired out of me".

At this point my tears had changed from sadness to disbelief, I couldn't believe what he was telling me and I made him tell me again and again in more detail. I made him mimic the noise and the Dr's face. The exact sound was crucial to the story...I needed to hear the fleck, the intonnation, the cadence and the rhythm of the toot...Was it explosive? Was it undeniably a ripper? Was it unquestionably a stinker? .... Fortunatley for me, it was all of these and more. The tears flowed, my ribs hurt, and there certainly were deposits of saliva on the interior of the front windshield as he replayed the sound over and over with his mouth.

He said "it was awkward." "I said 'OOPS!' after it let loose, and the Dr. being the ever professional dismissed it and continued talking...." (I'm sure they were no longer discussing 'pleasantries')

I asked why he didn't just hold it in and he replied ' I just couldn't, I didn't even know it was there, then whoops....Boom!... it was so loud it nearly fired through the wall behind me. Oh hun, I need to lose weight, that's just awful....I couldn't even feel it coming....'

I couldn't stop laughing. It was truly just desserts for the man that typically takes pride in his gas and it's passing.

My heart in black and white.

Timeless...

Old Friends...

The moment I stepped out of my door onto the stoop, I dropped all my motherly ways behind me. Last night was a Girls Night.

Veggie tray in hand I made my way to the party and enjoyed every last minute of womanly ways. We ate, we hugged, we laughed and we ate some more. It was true bliss for a girl that had only been out once since the conception of the latest bun in the oven.

It's been 9 years since we used to see each other daily, walking the halls of high school. Last night sitting in the living room, I had a moment ....

It was impossible to me that sitting there together, we were discussing labour stories and husbands, careers and life changes.

We somehow grew up.

Things have changed, some have moved far, far away, and others are right around the corner...but it never fails that when we meet up on these special evenings...it feels as though time has paused and allowed us the favour of our youth.

As friends get older and life gets more real, I more and more appreciate the girls that knew my carefree days, those days of finding ourselves and finding each other....and darn, I'm so glad we did.

Thanks for the giggles girls, let's do it again real soon.

Crocs aren't cutting it...

After a recent family visit to the foot doctor, we found out that the little man has been blessed with two flat feet.... Yippee. His Pa (The Hubs) has one very flat, very pain-filled foot that has a slightly rolled ankle. He's usually limping come evening, if he's had a long day on the farm. Thus he has orthotics...very pricey orthotics. He also has exceptionally large feet...size 12 or size 13 depending on the shoe.

I feel for him, I really do. The thing is .... I have a bit of a foot repulsion. Not with my feet, or the kids feet.....or come to think of it.. anyone else's feet...ahem.

Just his. He has a longer second toe. It's as long as my pinky finger. It kinda reminds me of a tiny alien. But I love him to death, and I'd do whatever it takes...I think. (picturing rubbing said long toe, and gagging softly under breath)

Anywho, I now know we're in for a life long battle with flat feet (darn those genetics)...and when the Dr. saw Ashlyn's feet, he thought there may be a hint of flatness there as well. So, we're off to find some 'good' shoes (ie- shoes that cost an astronomical amount for such a tiny bit of leather, that'll be too small in months...ya know...'good' shoes.)

He's also diagnosed Gabe with a 'shuffle gait'...which essentially means 'he shuffles'. It's partly due to the flat feet, and partly due to his Ocular Motor Apraxia. (for those who don't know, as I don't think I've posted much on it before, OMA is an eye condition that prevents Gabe from moving his eyes in a smooth manner from left to right or right to left. He occasionally jerks his head to re-adjust his vision, and we think there may be difficulties in the future with reading...but are so very happy with his progress thus far. There are many kids that are so much worse off with this disorder, and Gabe just seems to have adapted very well.)

So on his next birthday, not only will he be getting some toys and clothes, he'll also be fitted for some orthotics and a pair of 'good' shoes....lucky kid.

Cow hide...

And on top of all the baby drama, we've been re-decorating. ..Something I wouldn't attempt again during the first trimester of a pregnancy while enduring vicious morning sickness.

We re-painted the living room (fireplace and all) and went from blazing red to a soft calm neutral, in the beige family.

We also purchased some new furniture... we really thought this one over as it was a bit of an expense. Our older furniture was lovingly handed down to us from my Aunt and Uncle and it was still in great shape, but the wear and tear was beginning to show. I know we shouldn't care what others think ... but there were comments on the state of our couches and we knew it was about time to think about a new set.

So in true 'Garrett' fashion, we set out for all or nothing and decided to purchase this set ..in hopes that it will last through our children and their teenage years.

Here's the thing about leather.

It stinks.

When we first brought it home I thought oh, the smell will dissipate in a few days and my stomach will stop churning from the very scent of them, verrry soon.

Wellll, not so. It took months, and even now I can still smell them...that cow hide has a way of seeping into my nostrils as I sit and watch TV or read.

There's nothing like sitting in your own living room wanting to vomit from the smell of the very couch your sitting on. It's quite lovely.

The moment....

I've been waiting to spill it.

I've been wanting to spill it.

And here's the moment.... I'm going to spill it.

The bean that is :)

'The Bean' and I are now in our 15th week together. We surpassed the first trimester ...barely...we've squeaked by with the use of a medication called Diclectin, and for those of you that have used this pill, you'll know of it's wondrous qualities.

The morning sickness (misnomer - should be 'All-day' sickness) has been overwhelming. The worst of my three pregnancies...

I'm just starting to show now, and we've just told all of the family...we played a little game to see how long we could keep 'the bean' a secret, and well....the secret began to take on a life of it's own. (more details on that to follow...)

For now I'm relishing in my moment, ...(and trying to keep lunch down while fixing dinner..ahem.)

'Praise God from whom all Blessings flow...'

Dentist Day...

He did so well. I think it helped that we had prepared by watching 'Caillou Goes to the Dentist" (over and over I might add). He enjoyed the moving chair and the tickley cleaning brush...the best part was when the hygienist was spraying his mouth after the cleaning, and he was giggling. She asked what he was laughing at and Gabe replied 'you sprayed my uvula!'. (You may remember him learning that word from this previous post)

Both the dentist and hygienist looked at me and said 'Did he just say what we think he said?'

Yes indeedy folks.

My 3 year old says uvula.

Wedding Bells...

It was a beautiful day...for most.

I woke up the morning of the event feeling like things just weren't sitting right in my stomach. Within an hour things were no longer sitting, but rather climbing, and expelling.... I had the flu.

I wasn't able to attend the wedding, and had to rely on my loving mother to fill my role as 'flower girl and ring bearer guide'.

Once the reception time of the day rolled around I was able to get outside for a few pictures and sit at our table for the dinner (not participating...but still enjoying the view...Gravol works wonders).

Here are a few pics of Yvonne and Tim's special day on the farm.

The Tents.

The show stealers.

The beauties....(and Gabe)

Miss Muffett

The Wedding Party

The Happy Couple

Dilly Dilemma...

The peaches turned out wonderfully.

I've discovered a favourite new sound. The pinging of lids being vacuum sealed, 'tis blissful. I also discovered that boiled peaches have a velvety soft feel once their peels have been plucked off...It was really a nice quiet time making these jars filled with peaches and love.

The pickles on the other hand...

Were much more arduous ...the garlic had to be peeled, the vinegar boiled, the dill chopped, and the jars stuffed in such a way that the most cucumbers could be fitted. I didn't have enough jars, so down I went into the bowels of 'The Basement' (this is an old house...with what seems like an even older basement..a wood room, a coal room, and a cistern ... I shudder at the thought of the creepy crawlies that have been breeding for generations in the rafters....ugg.) and I grabbed a few of The Hubs', Grandmothers jars.

I should've gone with my first instincts and p-shawed the idea once I saw them. Rubber gasket seals and all....but noooooo...I had to try to make it work.

So there I was with three over sized 'crown' canning jars that you would see on a variety store counter filled with dills, or pickled eggs, and I was trying to boil them without the water covering the lids. They were far too big for my canner, and the Bernardine lids didn't stay on quite right so I mickey-moused with them until I got them tight enough with the old screw rings.

Surprise, surprise, they didn't 'ping'...even with me watching them for hours and hoping with all my might. So now I have 3 large jars of pickles that will be on my bottom shelf...pickling themselves just in time for me to have to consume them all in one day for fear of spoiling.

If I come near reeking of garlic and dill and am green at the gills....you'll know my fridge jars were ready to go.

Pickles anyone??

barefoot and canning...

Wow. This blog looks foreign to even me.

I've been feeling the heat to jump back in...thanks for all the encouragment :)

Today I'm canning, so it won't be a long post...but mannn I can't wait to show y'all the pictures I've got stored in that camera of mine. Especially the pictures of my dear pickles and peaches. This is a first for me, and it certainly won't be a last. It's enjoyable...(that is without my darling children pulling at my jammie pants, whilst a vat of boiling water and vinegar bubbles at the stove top....thank you mama for sensing the need and 'just happening' to call at the perfect time this morning to pick them up :))

Timer is a' beeping, so I'll be back....with pics !!

Hello All,

yes, it has been a while.

Things have been .... well.... a farm in the summer....busy as heck.

We're all healthy and happy, enjoying the mild weather and the swing set. Gabriels cousin Jada is here from North Carolina for the summer, and that's reason enough for my fingers to not be clacking away on the keyboard. From the minute he wakes up he's anxious to see her next door at Grandmas house.

Soon the pool will be ready...we're a little delayed this year as the upcoming wedding of Dwights sister is soon pending. She'll be married to her love, here on the farm. Pictures and reception will take place on the long stretch of lawn between our house and Grandmas. The tents will be put up, and the gardens are looking beautiful.

I'll be remaining on hiatus for a short while longer...and once things slow down, I promise for some fan-tabulous writing material...ooooo it'll be good. So please don't take me off your bloglines....I'll be back.....and better than ever.

Take Care and enjoy these dog-days of summer....afterall, they're what memories are made of.

Leanne

The three ...big...pigs.