Cheap Update

These poor framed flowers have been hanging in my bathrooms for over 11 years. They originated from my Nana who probably hung them in a more important place than above the commode (as she called it). These poor things have been through a lot - really. When I first acquired them it took me a while to get around to hanging them. They had been on the wall above the toilet for maybe a week when we had some "technical difficulties" with the commode. As the toilet was being repaired, water (clean, I might add) spurt from the toilet, knocked the pictures off the wall, which landed into the toilet tank! I was more upset that what took me forever to get around to hanging had just been un-hung than anything. Needless to say, these little gems sustained a bit of water damage. I dried them off, rematted them, and hung them again. And, there they have been, over a toilet for 11 years. Until now..... I decided that we needed a bit of updating. My friend and I hit a Robert's 90% off sale and I found these frames for $.59. I decided that they could be painted and no one would ever know that they were once pink and purple animal print. A bit of spray paint and some fun, bold fabric.......

And, now this is what hangs above my toilet. I hope they don't end up in the tank like the last ones did. In all, this project cost me less than $3 and very minimal effort. My kind of update.

This post was inspired by I Heart Organizing - a blog that I love to visit so I can oogle and ahh at others' creativity and talent.

A First for Me and Landon

So, you would think with Landon being the youngest of my 4 kids, that I'd have been on a few fieldtrips in my time. Nope. This was my first fieldtrip as a parent and Landon's first fieldtrip EVER. He literally counted down the days until October 5th.
The Kindergarten went to Hee Haw Farms, which had A LOT of stuff for them to do in the 2 hours they were there.
When I heard they had a Corn Maze, my mommy sense started tingling - you just don't take 20 Kindergarteners through a Corn Maze and expect to all come out together. But, they did. In hindsight, I think we should have skipped the corn maze since it took the bulk of our time. If it weren't for litte Ada we would probably still be wandering around in there. We came to a fork in the path with a sign "Think Again." Now, that's never encouraging in a corn maze. Us adults were discussing our options - I thought we should turn back and take another path - when Ada just shoots down one way. The teacher was compelled to go after her and we all had to follow. It was just around the next corner that we saw the 'Exit' sign. I have never been more relieved to see those words. Ada was SO proud.

The Hay Ride was one of the best parts for us adults - a whole lot less coralling of kids, just keeping all arms and legs inside the ride was enough.

The giant slide was a bit spooky for these little kids, but they powered through - can't be a whimp in front of the whole class now, can you?

Ah, much better - more Landon's speed.

These kids were SO excited to ride on a real school bus - the energy in that vehicle was incredible. I'm just glad I wasn't the one driving.

All in all, this fieldtrip was just what I had expected - noisy, dirty, chaotic, and physically draining. I really don't know how teachers do it. But, Landon and his class had a great time, so it was all worth it. Since Landon is my youngest and I can no longer use preschoolers at home as an excuse, I'm sure this is just the first of many fieldtrips for me.

Got 15 Minutes?

After being introduced to this fun and inspiring blog, I decided to actually DO one of her challenges. Seriously, I did NOT edit the area on or around my nightstand at ALL - even though I was very tempted to move the shoes and the highligher.

Nightstand BEFORE:

Nightstand Drawer BEFORE: Nightstand Drawer AFTER:
Nightstand AFTER:
The whole thing really only took me 15 minutes, even though I had not dusted that nightstand in a long time. I was even inspired to make my bed, which I haven't been real regular about lately. Under the nightstand were about 3 books and a magazine that I had already finished reading AND my son's jr. high yearbook (what?). It was actually kind of comical the things I found in my drawer - a marbles instruction booklet, 2 Krispie Kreme coupons, a Sharpee marker, a nuts and bolts kit to something, a piece of elastic, an arm from a nutcracker Christmas ornament, an eraser, and 4 bottles of various lotions. Now tell me when any of THAT stuff would come in handy in the middle of the night? Well, maybe the marbles games - never know when insomnia might hit.

Bridal Veil Falls

Okay, I know, I know - another hike (we heard that from some of the kids, too). Well, hikes are cheap and good exercise, so... On Labor Day we decided to join the rest of the crowd and to visit Bridal Veil Falls. We did the usual, short walk up the paved bike/walking path only to be crowded out by a whole lot of people. We were kind of on the hunt for a geocache and went a short ways up the path. Standing there wondering what to do, we saw a couple on a small trail emerge from the bushes. Leon asked them where the trail led, and they said it went up to the cliff by the falls. So, that's where we went - up the side of the hill to the waterfall itself. There were still a fair number of people there given the small space, but not nearly as crowded as down below - a bit cold, though.
The hike down was a little spooky with a small rock slide that nearly took us out. Even a rock the size of a grapefruit can do some serious damage flying down the hill. But, we all made it back down, safe and sound.

Super Ewww!

What's big, round, and green all over?

Yup or nope (depending on your answer)...

It's our pool!

Super, uber gross!

Good thing we're draining it, huh?

Cascade Springs

Cascade Springs is one of those places that we try to get to each summer. It's an easy, educational walk - not really considered a hike 'cause it's all paved, takes less than an hour, and very easy.

There are several signs to read about the springs, fish, birds, and plants. When you have as many boys as I do, you have to take every opportunity to pass off Scout requirements.
Any guesses what would cause such awful faces?
This innocent-looking plant, called Oregon Grape Ivy, does NOT taste good. The sign said it was "edible" which meant we just HAD to try it. The berries are super sour, which the sign even mentioned, but we all agreed that if we were starving in the mountains we'd suffer through the awful taste. Sampling these nasty-tasting berries was aparently the most memorable part of the outing.

The First Day of My Last

So, it's official - my last kid just started school and I'm home ALONE for 3 hours. (Sniff) Landon has been counting down the days for school to start and keeps reassuring me that he won't be gone forever and that he'll come home (not that he's being guilt-tripped, or anything).When we stopped at the school, he was out of the van so quickly that I wasn't able to get a picture of him until he was at the playground - already behind the confines of school.
Here he is holding the door for the entire class - what a gentleman. Ha!

He was so happy to be able to sit by someone he knew. When I went in to take his picture, he was chatting with her a mile an hour. I told him that once the teacher starts talking, he cannot talk with friends. He kinda rolled his eyes and said, "I know, Mom. Now, I want to talk to Katie," and he totally brushed me off. (Sniff, again)

He had a great time and had a lot to tell me when he got home. Being his first day of Kindergarten I decided that I could spring for the $5 and buy him his OWN, new backpack - not a hand-me-down one. He is SO proud of it, he wanted to take a picture of it.

(Picture taken by Landon)