Today I decided to get more dressed up than usual, put on some makeup, cute jewelry . . .

and then a bird pooped on me when I was dropping Leah off at preschool.

Catching Up

Cut to the chase: February generally sucks for me. I look back in all of my years (30) and for as many as I can remember, I always get pretty sick in February, and I feel pretty gloomy, too. Christmas joy has definitely worn off, but spring has definitely not sprung (to my liking, at least), and I start to feel the unease that I somehow always muster in February.

This February has been no different to this point. Bear with me as I explain: I threw my back out (what does that phrase mean, anyway?) while at the mall---of all places---while digging through clearance kids clothing, got over that, but immediately got strep throat, condemned a bathroom to mold, got our car broken into [this is the 3rd incident since August---and get this: the thug stole just the face plate to our cd player, our collection of mostly-burned cds---a few great mixes amongst them, including the Primary cd (ha! I'm sure they'll love that one!)], had kids with double ear infections, strep throat, hacking coughs, etc . . . . and best of all, I've been the poster child for good mothering. Gross overexaggeration duly noted.

So after a good cry, I felt pretty rejuvenated and ready to do something different. I took a deep breath and remembered that I won't always be a phenomenal mother . . . . that there will be little glimpses of phenomenal mixed with regular, mixed with okay, mixed with crappy. But that's just life. I had a picnic dinner with my girls on the floor last night. They loved it. That was a great moment.

As another diversion from glum, I decided to unpack the trusty sewing machine and dust off some projects that have been neglected since I became a "business woman." It was such therapy! Making the heart garland was a joy! Please make one for your home. This is random, but sometimes I wish everything in my life was just pretty. There's a certain amount of ugly that has to be tolerated, i.e. certain toys that I don't like, but my kids do. (Or do we just not allow those toys?) But I wish everything could be useful and pretty. Case in point: my orange colander. I love it. I don't love my white one, but I love my orange one. Pretty and useful. But I want to banish the excess, the clutter, the cheap from my life. I'm turning over a new leaf.

I'm resolved to finish the month out with good things and happy thoughts----and reality thrown in there, too.

Why am I showing this picture?

Because I'm proud of my one stained glass window that has withstood the test of time. A measly homage to Mondrian, but it still makes me happy. (I'm also enamored with the amazing stained glass orbs that Tropical Velvet and Moiety make in their spare time.)

Anyone want a house?

We might be moving. Details TBD at a much later date.

R.I.P., glass mosaic tile

Remember our cool bathroom?

Well, I noticed mold on the wall about a month ago. And disinfected. And it came back. So Jon did a little probing, and well, now we're in to the tune of a whole new bathroom. Fortunately our homeowner's insurance will pay for most of it. Unfortunately, we spent so much freakin' time on this tile. The hole in the wall is where the toilet used to be (it is wall-hung). The mold actually leads into the laundry room, so we get a new one of those, too. Any ideas on cool things to do? I don't think I can handle the expense/headache of this stuff again, as much as I did love it. And no worries, we're not dying of toxic black mold inhalation. I guess the whole mold thing is blown way out of proportion. As our insurance agent told us in the most serious tone, "Don't fear mold. Respect it." Aye, aye, mold!

I'm kind of loving this little spot right now

I couldn't bear to put away my pink vintage glass ornaments. So I left them out and called it Valentine's Day decor. Easter's coming soon, too.

Just wanted to show you my vintage velvety chair that I got for $4.95 at a thrift store. In mint condition. Perfectly matched the orange leather pillows I bought last year at Target that were just waiting for such a use. I told Jon the day would come!

A fun/easy project

I made skirts for my girls out of dishtowels last night. I'd had them for a few years, with all of my good intentions that they'd be made within a week of purchase. Yeah right! So here's L modeling hers. E has one, too, but it has pink rickrack on the bottom. Such the easiest project in the world! And you can always find cute, affordable dishtowels. Did I mention how easy it was?

My funky vintage headband from Darlybird's Likely collection

Check them out. Rockin' it right now.

Heart Garland Demystified

OK . . . so you cut lots of hearts of varying sizes out of cute paper. I made about 25-30? You'll need some wax paper and a sewing machine. Cut the wax paper in half lengthwise (into strips) and lay a heart on top of it. Sew through the middle of the heart and through the wax paper. Leave approx 2" space between each heart. Keep going until you've used all of your hearts. Carefully remove the wax paper from the garland by peeling it away from the stitching (kind of like you would when you're trying to rip something that's perforated). Oozes cuteness. I want to make 20 more!

Love is in the air

I made this in about 20 minutes this afternoon. I'll post instructions. I saw it on some crafty blog last night, but I can't remember where it was. So all apologies to the originator. But I'm definitely feeling the love.

I love this mirror!

This is one of my favorite things in my home. Orange spray paint has served me very well.

Kind of a cool couple shot . . .

This afternoon . . . not at all staged. Just wanted to take a picture of my new earrings because I'm digging them. I dig Jonnie, too. (Hopefully this accidental portrait isn't too indicative of my pants-wearing tendencies.)

Darlybird Command and Control

Just in case you were wondering . . . this is just part of it! All the color makes me spazzy (in a good sort of spazzy way).