Mistreatments

I have been wanting to do SOMETHING to cover up the ugly tops of my windows since... well, before we ever moved in. I have dreaded the expense and time to make something and just tried not to look for over a year now. Especially because there are 6 of the same windows all in the same view (2 rooms). Well, last week I saw something by the Nester (see here) that inspired me to just get this job done. And it was SO much easier than anything I would have come up with on my own. I didn't sew a stitch. Everything is put up with upholstery tacks and just folded over and bunched. It took me a total of about 2 hours, start to finish all 6 windows. Her motto is "it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful." I'm so happy with my new imperfect "mistreatments" (as she calls them). PLUS, I got to go fabric shopping with my mom, which is a super treat. Thanks mom! I have more fabric that I am going to do next in my bedroom. I'll post something soon to show my new paint color (finally done) and will include my window treatments.

Surprise!

Turn your back for 5 minutes to move a desk and oila, a surprise party is born. Before I could begin chastising for the crazy mess I was greeting with a very joyous, "Surpise! Happy New Year!" How you can you be mad after that? We all worked on cleaning it up together.

Happy New Year.

Cindi's Way

As I was hanging up clothes today (instead of painting the last few square feet of my room - which is what I REALLY want to be doing - but I'm not strong enough to move the tv), I was reminded that I stole this method of organization from one of my first college roommates. We laughed that she liked to hang her clothes in "rainbow" order, but the more I thought about it, the more I loved it, and I've done it ever since. I don't have a huge rainbow of clothes since I tend toward blacks and browns (in fact my husband said that he couldn't find me in Sunday School once because he wasn't looking at anyone in bright colors). My yellow spot is non-existent - haven't even considered anything in yellow since jr. high. I have been trying to branch out into more colors, but that is another topic altogether. Anyway, I always know right where to look if I have something in mind. Unfortunately some of those clothes might have been in my closet way back when Cindi and I were roommates. I hope not.

This had me thinking about Cindi and what else I still do Cindi's way. I still make her version of enchiladas, potatoes, and tater tot casserole sometimes. But the big would have to be child naming. She gave me the idea of naming kids after presidents. I thought it was the craziest thing when she first told me that it is what she wanted to do. I remember telling my parents about it and it got me started on the whole idea. Hmm. My maiden name is a president's name. My number one favorite boy's name is a president's name and a family name. Having a small list to choose from - and a theme - makes it so much easier for me. Having the entire possibility of names is too overwhelming. I lost track of Cindi for a time, but thanks to Facebook we are back in touch and I had to laugh when I found out she named her kids Russell, James, Lucy and Amy - she has one more on the way so we'll see if she has a Kennedy after all. Thanks Cindi for all of the tricks you've taught me.

Anyone have an announcement?

It has become a tradition in our family home evening to have "announcements" for the week. Dad asked if anyone had announcements months ago and everyone wanted to be a part of it right away. The kids love having input. Usually it goes something like this:

Dad: Does anyone have any announcements?

Lincoln: No kicking or biting.

Jackson: Yeah, and no doing THIS (followed by some crazy dance moves)

We've had some pretty good rules added to the list. Some of our favorites are:
No picking your nose.
No touching your wee.
No doing "THIS" (which was Jackson licking his finger and then putting it in his dad's ear) The missionaries were here and agreed that no wet willies during FHE was a good rule.

Sweet Conversation

This morning Lincoln came into the room where Jackson was asleep. He slowly woke and said, "Lincoln?"

"What?"

"Me love ya."

"Oh, wanna go play?"

"Yeah, thanks!"

I love it when they are buddies, which they are most of the time. I don't think I've ever heard one tell the other that they loved them. Too sweet.