Photostory Friday and a little Fill-in

093, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

This morning the kids and I went to the park near our home. They don't have school on Fridays. So we have starting packing a picnic lunch and find a park to learn our way around our new town. So we packed up...food-check, water bottles-check, camera-check, kids-check, map-check.

We go to the park closest to us because there are some wonderful shade trees. We have to cross this huge bridge from the parking area to the park area. The kids love to pause on the bridge and look at the fish. We spread our little blanket in a shaded area and ate lunch. Just before the kids run off to become a sweaty mess, I take a few shots of Livi's new 'do.

So why did we cut her hair? (Especially since she is bent on having long flowing hair like the ones in her Princess Primer.)

a. I wanted to have even more of a Mini-Me

b. She sucks on hair when she doesn't have her bunny with her.

c. I wanted to see if she could look like Sally Field in Steel Magnolias.

If you said B....then you are right! She is a thumb sucker. We are desperately trying to get her to stop. So Bunny has to stay in her room. All she has done is replace one behavior with another....sucking on her hair instead of her thumb. How gross is that? I can't even fathom how that much feel!

I finally get exactly three shots then a big ol' flashing "Charge battery pack" flashes on the screen. So oh well.... this is all you get.

Friday fill in courtesy of the talented Janet

This week Michelle provided most of the questions; thank you, Michelle! And...here we go!

1. When I'm sick I'm just roll with it.....what else can you do?

2. When I take a walk, I think about making sure the kids are staying out of the street.

3. Money can't buy happiness but it can take you to faraway lands.

4. Cotton makes me think of my super soft sheets and leather makes me think of the seats in my car.

5. The strangest person/character I've had lewd thoughts about was my 7th grade math teacher.

6. My favorite color these days is Nacho Chip (wall paint color) because we have painted and decorated around it. It is such a warm buttery color. I instantly start to feel more at home, even in the house we have only been in a month!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to pinning the lining fabric to the polka dotted fabric , tomorrow my plans include sewing the layers together and hanging them and Sunday, I want to grill some salmon.

Happy weekend, y'all!

Getting my crafty on....

This was my inspiration. I love the color of these drapes. They are very similar to the Nacho Chip that I use in my main living area as well as our bedroom. The red/maroon in these are a tad darker than my Cornelian Red I use....but I still love it. The walls in the dining room area light neutral with one wall in the red (which really looks like wet terra cotta rather than a red). We ordered our dining room furniture last week. It should be here in 2-3 weeks....so I thought I better get around to putting up some window coverings. I went to the one and only fabric store and brought home some samples last week. Though the above Pottery Barn one is absolutely gorgeous, I knew I could make some for a fraction of the cost. Since Husband has a long weekend, I went by to get the fabric today.

Whew Hoo.....my favorite words were plastered all over the storefront: Sale 50-75% off decorator fabrics. I was kind of shocked my little Hancock Fabrics was hustling and bustling at one in the afternoon. But it was. I grabbed my mongo roll and lugged it to the cutting counter. By the time I got it and the lining fabric, it was the cost of half of one of my inspiration drapes!

I love the embroidered polka dots. It gives it some texture without having to add a fringe. It is so fun and whimisical. I am trying to incorporate a bit of fun and unexpected in this room. I can't wait to get started.

I did get this hardware in an antique bronze finish. I will hang some light sand colored sheers behind them since they are hanging along the edge of the window rather than cover the entire window.

So, for fabric, lining fabric, and hardware....it was the cost of ONE PANEL!

Paying It Forward

Today I had a package in the mail....not a regular envelope of some credit card offer. Not a piece of the previous occupants mail, not something I ordered for the house....But my very own package from Jenni of Four Feet More .

Last January, I was oh so brave enough to sign up for this......It is a little crafty exchange in the form of a (not so) random act of kindness. I found her blog from back in the day when I did Stuff Portrait Fridays. I was happy to join in and "pay it forward."

Here are the rules:

"I will send a handmade gift (of my choosing) to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange, and who make the same pledge on their own blog. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward."

Anyone interested? If so, drop me a comment! I'll most likely be making some paper craft either a mini scrapbook or seasonal cards. This is just what I need to get my creative juices flowing! So really, if you sign up to pay it forward, you'd be doing me a favor.

Jenni made a gorgeous green scarf. I can only wait for it to get cool enough to wear. But I might have to fight a Princess for it. ***Note the Princess dress up thing she has on, she changed into that as soon as she got home from preschool***

Livi: "Here, Mommy, let me take a picture of you with it."

Me: smiling and hamming it up as best as the Mother of a Princess should.

Livi: "No, no, no ....(what is she a director?) You need to do this....(throws her shoulder forwards and lowers her eyelids). ***I really wish this shot were in focus more, but it totally captures her personality.***

Me: "Is this better?" Trying to imitate her. I swear if she knew the words, she would have been telling me to 'work it, own it'.

Livi: "No, no no......forget it, let's take one together."

Livi: "Much better!"

So, are you up to it?

all things princess

all things princess, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

A little background: It is very dry here in KY. So dry that Livi and I have taken to using "body butter" on our legs. Livi has one flavored butter cream frosting. It does have a super sweet smell. This morning as we were getting ready for her Student of the Week at school, we slathered it on as usual. I can't like dry itchy legs!

So, the above self-declared Princess is student of the week: meaning she got to bring a few special things to school. I went to her class to read her favorite story: The Princess Primer

So today afterwards her teacher mentioned she got her "crayon pulled"<----a time out for something. Apparently self-declared Princess took a swing at Susie (name changed for the protection on others). Miss J asked her why.....she had no answer. But for someone who talks to a box of rocks, I am surprised she didn't tell her why, even if it was to say that the other girl hit her first.

As we were walking to Will's class, I asked her why she hit Susie.

Livi: "She was being mean."

Me: "How was she being mean?" <----very skeptical about her next responce.

Livi: "She wouldn't smell me."

Me: very confused...."Smell you?"

Livi: "My legs...my Butter Cream Frosting legs."

Me: "You hit her because she wouldn't smell your legs?"

Livi: "Yes, wasn't that mean of her?"

Me: "Girl, we need to talk!" It took everything I could do not to laugh. I don't think that little lesson was in The Princess Primer

Monday: Manic and muffins

Blueberry-yogurt muffins, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

If you could take more control of one aspect of your life, what would it be? To want to get up and exercise once the kids are off to school.

If you were to name the difference between the male soul and the female soul, what would it be? For me, I think it would be the details. While Husband is looking to protect, provide, and take care of us. I am trying to do the little things that make life more comfy and flow more easily.

If you had to admit the most selfish thing you do on a regular basis, what would you say it is? Sleep in on Sundays. Husband gets up with the kids and makes pancakes and sausage with them. He is so good about keeping the quiet or taking them to the playroom in the basement. I really do look forward to it!

Now for a little Muffin Monday. We made Blueberry-yogurt muffins with berries we picked in OH at my in-laws. We brought back at least a gallon sized baggie and froze them. So the neighbors should consider themselves very lucky to be getting a tiny share of our stash! This is the first time I have ever let Livi lick the bowl. I am paranoid that she will catch some dreaded disease. I have fond memories of fighting with my brother and sister over who would get one of the hand mixer attachments or the bowl!

Will doesn't like blueberries, so he got a sugar-free pudding cup...(a little habit we picked up in Oklahoma!)

2 c. all-purpose flour (we use half wheat flour, half all-purpose)

1 t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

1/4 t. salt

1/3 c. sugar

1 egg, slightly beaten

1/4 c. unsweetened orange juice

2T. vegetable oil

1t. vanilla extract

1 (8oz) carton low fat vanilla yogurt

1c. fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed

Cooking spray

1 T sugar

Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; make a well in the center of the mixture. Combine egg and next 4 ingredients; add to dry ingredients. Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. (This is a very dry batter....you almost want to add more liquid...but DON'T). Gently fold in the blueberries. (I didn't even thaw mine. They hold up better in the baking process and won't turn the batter blue either.)

Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. (We use a 24 cup mini muffin pan and still have enough leftover to make some in a heart shaped muffin pan that has six cups.) Sprinkle 1T sugar evenly over batter. (We forgot to do this....these are not a very sweet muffin, so I am sure this can only make them that much better!) Bake at 400 degrees for 18 minutes (ten minutes for mini) or until golden. Remove from pan immediately; cool on wire rack.

Plate and share with neighbors!

Weekend update

This weekend was very productive for the Tuesday Update home. We, as in Husband, hung the pictures that were in our bedroom. It is one wall of family and friend pics, all in black frames. It turned out very well!

We received the runner in the mail for the front hallway. I have to admit I was a bit scared of ordering from Overstock.com. But I am thoroughly impressed. It is a ten foot long 100% wool runner that was very reasonable priced. I will definitely be ordering from them again. It also got here in four days!

Plants are finally in the urns that flank the garage. The planters are hung on the porch. More flowers are in the rusty little cart in the front yard.

Finally, my big Martha moment:

Remember the window treatment at the spa I went to in OH.....I loved this simple window treatment. But those little balls, which I now know are called witches' balls, are about 15-25 a piece! So for one little window in the downstairs laundry/bathroom, that would be nearly $200 after window hardware. NOT....no way....so I got my creative juices flowing.

I saw some grapevine balls at Target. I do love my grapevine lights, so I thought I might be able to work with something like that. But Target only had a handful of small ones. When I was in the candle section, I noticed a mongo box of some scented potpourri with grapevine balls and all kinds of dried pods. True, it was sandalwood scented. But how long can that scent last? That stuff never lasts....so I went ahead and got a box. Heck, I'll get two, just in case I want to go a little crazy.

Whew hoo! My window has the same look at a fraction of the cost.

Want a closer look? The little balls are hung onto these little rings I found at Walmart of all places (in the jewelry section). I was looking for a ball of jute when I saw them. I originally wanted to use the little clips like they did. But I couldn't find any in the same finish as the rod. I have had this curtain rod since we lived in KS. With the Fragrant Clove color on the walls, I knew these would be perfect.

***edited to add: this bathroom is a very dark pumpkin orange color...for the life of me, I could not get it with the camera. There are those florescent energy saving light bulbs in there, so it really distorts the color on the camera. ***
We are in the final stages of finishing the house: the little things like flowers, candles, etc... The dining room furniture is ordered. It should be here in two-three weeks. Whew hoo!

Happy weekend, y'all!

Tag, You're it

I was tagged by Heather . So here goes...

1. Where is your cell phone? in the outside flap of my bag that I got in the spring.

2. Where is your significant other? in his office playing some game

3. Your hair color? the real color....almost black with peppered gray. I have had gray hair since I was 18!

4. Your mother? babysitting my sister's kids

5. Your father? who knows

6. Your favorite thing? a good night's sleep

7. Your dream last night? ha! Ask and I might tell you.

8. Your dream/goal? finish the Red Carpet Ready wearing a smaller size than now.

9. The room you're in? living room

10. Your hobby? It used to be scrapbooks, I think I have to say blogging now.

11. Your fear? Something will happen to Husband or the kids.

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? wherever the military takes us.

13. Where were you last night? my abode

14. What you're not? on top of the house

15. One of your wish-list items? Wishlist like I won the lottery?? Then a pink Tag.....for reals wish list: a macro lens

16. Where you grew up? podunk Oklahoma

17. The last thing you did? cooked an awesome white chicken chili dinner.....it was supposed to be chilly and rainy. It was NOT, it was hotter than Hades, but it was still good!

18. What are you wearing? Gap pants that I haven't worn in months..(I am on week 1 1/2 of RCR)

19. Your TV? HGTV....some show with Vern. I love Vern, he always seems to do something I love.

20. Your pet? smelly toots

21. Your computer? laptop

22. Your mood? better than last week

23. Missing someone? yes, my TX friends....my AK friends, my OK friends, my CA friends, my KS friends....and more OK friends.

24. Your car? XC70 Volvo wagon...yes, come next month I will be a ..Volvo driving soccer mom ( I totally have to have a disclaimer on that one....I was the good child growing up...but that song is hilarious!)

25. Something you're not wearing? shoes

26. Favorite store? for weekly shopping...Target. To lust after: Pottery Barn

27. Your summer? Crazy, wacky, weird

28. Love someone? Yes

29. Your favorite color? crimson

30. When is the last time you laughed? today

31. Last time you cried? last week during the full moon

32. Who do you want to tag? consider yourself tagged if you need some blog fodder

Friday Fill-In and My Friday night

My Friday night, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Friday fill in courtesy of the talented Janet

This week Amy provided the questions; thank you, Amy! And...here we go!

1. Dancing to the Adult Alternative Music channel while cleaning makes me get done that much quicker.

2. The last time I went grocery shopping I nearly had a heart attack......restocking all that stuff they didn't move was $$$$.

3. When I drive I am always Safety's friend.

4. I saw water standing in the divider between the sinks, I was ready to order a new sink.....You know I can't like it when I don't have a shiny sink.

5. Give me my new Domino magazine, give me a glass of wine, give me a quiet Friday evening.

6. Next week I am looking forward to finally getting in my groove.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to my wine and magazine, tomorrow my plans include hanging some pics and Sunday, I want to sleep in! Don't I say that every week?

Crazy full moon

002, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek



This full moon has thrown me into a funk. I have been all weepy about little things. Good things like seeing the kids asleep in their OWN beds. Crazy things like 'am I EVER going to finish getting this house together?"...Sappy things like 'Will I ever make new friends here?' Everyone seems like they already have all the friends they need. See...I am getting weepy just typing this.

So the other night, the kitchen was cleaned....the kids were in bed.....all was well in the Tuesday Update household. I stepped out onto the deck. There it was: the full moon....shining down on me in all its glory. I ran inside and grabbed my camera and tripod. I keep the camera out because you never know when that Kodak moment will come. Seeing that great big full moon put things in perspective.

I know eventually I will have this house turned into a home, clean and organized as always. The kids will eventually sleep in their own beds, even if they are teenagers by the time it finally happens! Finally, as one wise military wife told me (the one who introduced me to Husband), "You never know who will be your new best friend." I can honestly say that at every single post we have ever lived I have made at LEAST one lifelong friend. Sometimes I have made more than one. So, yes, I will make friends here as well..

I just need to let these full moon phases pass and soon it will all fall into place. Into its properly labeled place!

Do you see what I see?

Do you see what I see?, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

No, not my toesies in dire need of a pedi! But that "bounce" in the background.

In the age of Powerwheels and Leapster, it is nice to see the kids get some exercise out in the sunshine. Though around two in the afternoon it is almost too hot to be on! The net and the padded springs make me feel a bit better about the safety of it.

Will has wanted one of these since we lived in KS. Our neighbor had one. We called it a late birthday present. So happy birthday, baby boy! Have fun on the "bounce".

Manic and a little muffin monday

muffin monday, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Yes, we have already started Muffin Monday here. This week we made the old TX neighbor's favorite: Mexican surprise. These are a cornmeal based savory muffin with a taco dip on the side! Yummy!

Manic Monday brought to us by the talented Fleur-de-Lisa.



Is there something you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it? Not really, if I want to do something I usually do it. I would love to go to one of those long weekend cooking schools like at a cool bed and breakfast. Ventana Inn used to have one...but now they only have a photo safari that looks awesome as well!



If you could make any fictional character come to life, which one would it be? Maybe Cinderella (pre-marriage to the prince)...I would put that child to work on the laundry...and hauling the vacuum up and down the stairs!



If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be and how long would it take you to spend the $10,000? Easy peasy.....Crate and Barrel to get my dining room furniture. Then Pottery Barn to finish out the rugs and drapes.



Name three things you wanted as a child but never got. 1. Easy Bake Oven - my cousin had one and I was so jealous!

2. Fuzzy Pumper Barber shop- my kids have one a neighbor gave us ....now I know why I never had one as a child. That thing is messy!

3. Cabbage Patch Doll....my mom wasn't the fighting type...I remember seeing moms pulling hair over a doll once!

Photohunt: colorful

colorful shoes, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

This week, I introduced my neighbors to Freecycle....."It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills."

As I have unpacked, I have set aside stuff we have not used in the last house. My neighbor down the street, (no, not that neighbor ) but a nice one two houses up gave these shoes to Livi on Thursday. Since the kids didn't have school on Friday, we set up our very own Bedazzle station at the kitchen table.


She had so much fun sticking on the little colorful stones on the boa covered shoes. The girl was ready to work it. I was just hoping she didn't run upstairs to grab some After the Party .

Friday fill-in

Fricassee of Maine Lobster with Wild Mushroom &Herb Gnocchi, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Friday fill in courtesy of the talented Janet

1. The last meal I had at a restaurant was in Ohio (if takeout pizza doesn't count)....at The Short Story Brasserie....remember I Had A Dirty Little Secret

2. Brussle sprouts is something I intensely dislike.

3. The full moon is intensifying my cramps.

4. Just moved here, so I haven't picked one yet. But I do have to REALLY listen to people because of the twang. (and this is coming from one with a southern accent!!) is one of my favorite local expressions.

5. Sometimes it's best to just shut the hell up and not say a word.

6. Sex and the City is the best (and only) movie I've seen so far this year!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to putting together the "bounce" for the kids, tomorrow my plans include going to a fabric store to look for fabric for dining room curtains and Sunday, I want to sleep in!
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Happy weekend y'all

Am I living in a zoo house?

009, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

This summer has definitely been a hectic one.

• Went to the beach '08 for a week
• We have SOLD a house.
• Lived in Oklahoma for almost a month....most of it without Husband
• Lived in Ohio for three weeks
• Bought a house in KY and painted every square inch of it

So, when we were in OH and I saw this cool little bead toy of cousin S's....I knew I had to grab my camera and get down on his level. While my life can lend itself to being a "zoo house", I don't know that I would change it at all.

PS....can I have just one little whiny rant? Tonight the kids were playing outside after dinner. There is a four year old boy across the street. The dad was out there. The mom just had a baby a few weeks ago. He finally strikes up a conversation with Husband....all I heard was "moving as much as y'all do can't be good for the kids. Don't they need some stability?" Whether or not this is what he said, I shut down after a bit. I can only do the fake-smile-and nod for only so long. More times that not if we don't live on post, we live in a neighborhood with some military folk.....not the deal here. We are the lone ones on our street. Yes, you have been here your entire life. But I think my kids are fairly stable.....maybe even more so, because BOTH of them can make friends at the drop of a hat!

Okay, rant over.

"something about Mary"-ish hair

"something about Mary"-ish hair, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Last weekend I had to restock my shampoo and conditioner. Since I have yet to find a real hair-girl, I was drawn in to the sale at the Fantastic Sams or whatever that is in Walmart. The super-duper-I-am-neva-running-out-of-BedHead-shampoo/conditioner AGAIN.....or at least until Christmas. Of course was the added bonus of the little bottle of something called "after the party". I think it is like a hair cream to control flyaway hair. It has a little fruity smell, kind of nice. Just a tab smudged between your hands and glossed on the hair is PLENTY.

During quiet time all of a sudden it was WAY TOO QUIET. The quiet like it is never quiet around one certain three year old. I went to find Livi in the bathroom with her hair slicked back like she is going to star in the remake of "Something About Mary"!

NEVER at one moment did she ever think she looked like a freak. She was posing like she should be finalizing her walk for the Miss America pageant......wave.....touch your pearls......wave.....touch your pearls.

Happy Wednesday, y'all....

does the early bird really get the worm?

does the early bird really get the worm?, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Once again I am getting up at the a$$ crack of dawn to be ready before the kids get up. It is just so much easier to get up, stumble to the shower, makeup, the whole routine without having to stop and answer ten thousand questions. It is nice to come down have a little cup of caffeine with a bit of creamer. Okay, more than a bit....but enough to wake up.

This morning I was joined by one little boy who was too excited to sleep that his dreams just "whisked me up and put me in your bed, Momma"......So when my alarm went off at six, he was ready and rearing to go.

We stepped outside (a brisk 66 degrees outside at that!) to let Josie out. Will noticed that this early in the morning you can hear the momma birds waking up the baby birds. He also said, "Who knew the skies are pink in the morning? Do they start out being girls, then turn into boys in the afternoon?"

UUGGhh....no, I don't think so, baby. I guess we have some transgendered clouds here in KY in the morning!

It was very peaceful and quiet. I wish I were a morning person who really appreciated all that ooyey gooey morning stuff! But I am not.

Oh well....happy Tuesday!

First day of preschool

We started preschool today. Will is in the PreK program. Livi is in the 'fours' class. She is only three, but turns four in Oct. Since she has already had a year of preschool, they let her go. So now she will get to go three days instead of two.

They walked in like they owned the place. We had gone to an open house last week to do a meet and greet with their teachers.

Each kid did their evening routine: laying out clothes and backpack for the next day. Livi was so excited to wear 'the pretty dress with all the colors'. Will was excited to see if there would be a new Nicholas <----his little friend he misses so much in Texas. As we walked in, they immediately gave me kisses and reminded me to bring their milk.

Unlike last year I didn't have tears. I got back in my car (the freakin' rental car at that: mine is still being fixed where that woman rear-ended me). I don't even know where a Starbucks is, so I couldn't even go get a coffee! But I did go run some kid-free errands for a few hours.

Here is the token crazy silly face they love to do for their daddy. The silly faces started during the deployment, the continue just because who doesn't love to have their pic taken with a tongue hanging out?

I guess my babies are growing up!

Now for a little here's Manic Monday, hosted by Lisa

How would your friend describe you to someone who has never seen you? Pretty much like my "About me"....creative, organized, photographer

Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why? Trust is something I struggle with....but I do trust Husband. He has never let me down. I can count on him to be there....emotionally if not physically.

If you died or went missing, who would miss you? Husband, the kids....I mean who would get them dressed and drive them to school. My family. I would think a great many people would miss me!

2008 Olympics

2008 Olmpics, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Last night I was able to sit down and watch some of the opening ceremonies for the 08' Olympics. I love the Olympics just a tad less than I love the Miss America pageant. But I'll save that for another post.

I have fond memories of watching Nadia Comaneci. When I found out she lives in Norman, where I went to school at OU, I drove by her house once. She lives in the neighborhood where my aunt lives. Granted they bought two lots and threw up some MONGO fence. They, also, have a cool monogram on their fence.

I took several shots and played around with this one a bit. I have no clue who they said it was, but she reminds me of Sarah Jessica Parker. I swear I have seen a SATC with her in a hat like that!

Happy weekend.....turn on the Olympics if you get a chance. If you dare, get a milk crate, stand on it, and make a Gold Medal from the packaging of the flour your mom buys. Not that I did that or anything.....okay I did. I even perfected my wave to the crowds and admirers on that milk crate!

Photohunt ~ Dark

front yard flowers, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

This afternoon I had to step outside and take a few pictures. I saw my little cart and knew I would shoot a few shots. When we initially looked at this house in late June, I almost considered writing it into the contract. Heck, I had to leave my pot rack! I really need to let the anger over the pot rack go!

Anyhow.......I loved this DARK little cart. I imagined it overflowing with wild flowers, little trails of ivy hanging over the side. Well, the only thing it has in it now are the flowers that I want to hang from my porch. I didn't even take them out of the little white plastic pots they are in. But we have been just a wee bit busy getting unpacked!

Happy hunting, y'all.

Next week: colorful

Photo Story Friday and a little fill-in

let's line up, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

These shells were lined up along the bench in front of the beach'08 house we went to in May. Every day, the kids would get up at the a$$ crack of dawn. There were little more than bamboo shades on the windows....more to keep the sun out than the light. A good thing about getting up so early....great shots and shells. While Will loved to surf and play in the water, despite a jellyfish sting; Livi just wanted to collect shells. She would turn them over and over and make sure they were "pretty"....that didn't necessarily mean they were not broken. But they were perfect in her little world. We would walk up and down the beach until the little bucket was about half full. Then we would take them back to the little outdoor shower thingy. Do you think we washed off? Heck no, just the little shell-filled bucket. Once they were properly rinsed, Livi got to work. She lined up them up almost like they were some musical notes on a sheet of music. Once they were in the right order, she walked along the bench singing a little song.

We still have those little shells. They made the move! They are stored in a little cigar box. I just hope we got all that sand off of them!

Friday fill in courtesy of the talented Janet

1. You know you're old when your kids have to remind you that you have forgotten to put your teeth in (I swear my Grandmother always forgot where her were: tapping her temple....'I know I am borgettin' sumpin!' Me: "Grandma, your teeth" 'Oh yeah, dey are by da sink, will woo get dem?' Me: "UUGHH NO!"

2. My heart is divided between being elated the kids start school next week and missing them.

3. Ironing is what I need RIGHT NOW! I haven't ironed in weeks!

4. I have felt the fear of thinking he might never come home, I have known the depths of relief when he was back with us.

5. Gah, won't these people every shut their dogs up.

6. Start the day's load of laundry as soon as you can!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to getting the last bathroom painte, tomorrow my plans include finally getting that cut/color and Sunday, I want to enjoy it since Husband is leaving for a week!

ABC's of today

x marks the spot, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Just some ABC thoughts from today:

Age- still don't feel my age

Bulldog toots.....three word: DANG, they stink!

Cleaned off the art center.It was piled high with everything that didn't have a home.


Daughter- She knows how to push buttons already....at three!

Eight-twenty-when the kids were asleep tonight!

Finally getting my bumper fixed from when that woman rear-ended me the LAST day we were packing out in TX.

Good dinner- simple bean and rice burritos...Livi even ate it! Will aske, "What are the kids eating" I guess he didn't like the smell of it!

Happy dance......me when it took less than thirty minutes to get the kids to sleep!

I miss my TX friends.

Jelly ...PBJ <----I make daily for one kid or the other!

Kind of looking for a new gym/aerobics to join. But Curves and something called Energy fitness don't seem to move me!

lights are found.....they were in the sandbox out back. I guess the packers took them down and put them in it!


Muffin monday- We made Will's favorite, pumpkin chocolate chip, and shared with the neighbors. The kids have already started school, so we had to go to a few houses before we gave some away!

Not looking forward to the weeklong TDY next week.

Overdue for a cut/color. I was given the name of a stylist here in town a friend used to go to...but I haven't made the time to go do it! I guess I need to before Husband leaves next week.

Photos....I finally put all the pictures I have taken since May 25 on the external hard drive. There were 1500 of them. I have not even looked at them yet!

Quite sure I will delete at least 75% of them.

Ready to hang pictures.....this always signifies the end of packing for me.

So ready for preschool to start next week.

Toast with an egg was my breakfast! I even tried the hole in the middle one like Pioneer woman!

Unnerved by the amount of crap we have.

Veggies- loving some snap peas we had for dinner.

Will went to sleep alone with no back rubbing!

eXpect joy in the day to day things

You've got to be kidding me....I won't have my car until early to mid next week!!

Zoo-felt like a zoo around here today!

Just close those pretty blues and go to sleep!

peek a will, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Will has always been a cuddly snuggly boy. From the days as a tiny infant until now. During the deployment, I finally got over trying to keep him in his bed. No one got any sleep since we were both up all night. So more nights than not, he ended up in my bed.

Fast forward to Dec 07....Husband got home from a 15 month deployment.

May 08-sold house and remained homeless for two months

now- finally settled in our own home, own beds, own pillows...etc.

Preschool is starting next week. Husband also leaves on a TDY (temporarily away from home for work stuff) to GA. So I thought in all my genius thinking that I should start sleep training using the 1-2-3 Magic philosophy. I love its approach to discipline. So why not?

He had more reasons to try to get out of bed than I could count. I was sitting on a chair just outside his doorway, but he could still see me. I was working on a sudoku puzzle, so I started writing them down.

*He needed to read another book.

*Just one more book, please.

*I'm cold. (I did step in and get him a blanket because any one who knows me know I keep it like a freezer in my house!)

*I'm hot. (Of course he was, he just piled every pillow, sham, decorative pillow, blanket, quilt, and sheet he had ON him.)

*I have to go potty.

Aaawwwhh, it is finally quiet. I peek in, his eyes are closed. I start to get up......CREEAAKK....."Mom, where are you going?"

DANG....DANG.....DANG.......I act like I needed to go get a cough drop.

*I'm and having a hard time going to sleep. (Of course you are, just close your eyes!)

*I'm scared. (Oh man, he is pulling out all the tricks!)

*I'm lonely. (Dude, he is really working it.)

*Mom, I just need a small snuggle. (Alright now, at least an hour has passed. Livi has already gone to sleep even after going to potty no less than four time! I am starting to wear thin. But I still haven't said a word to him. I guide him back to his bed when he got up....said nothing when he has literally begged. My mommy-gut is telling me the 1-2-3 Magic is not magically working on him! Dang, I think I am going to cave.)

*Mom, can I just have a hand hug? (By now, I know he is exhausted. Heck, he had a meltdown during bath time over an hour ago. So I scooch the chair close enough to his bed. I rub his back and sing his "hush little baby" favorite night time nursery rhyme....

I kid you not, he was sleep in less than two minutes!

I am not thinking the magic happened tonight! Maybe tomorrow....

Manic Monday, almost seeing the light from behind the boxes

lights, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Manic Monday brought to us by the talented Fleur-de-Lisa.

Using no more than 10 nouns, and ONLY nouns, describe yourself. Sooner, photographer, neat freak, daughter, wife, mother, friend, creative (DANG, just re-read this and realized creative is not a noun!)...so, for your reading pleasure, I change it to: chef/cook sous chef....depends where I am on the line!

If you owned your own store, what would you sell? something like Williams-Sonoma, where we could do cooking/baking classes, then sell the products we used.

If you were to name the most comforting thing for you to hold in your hands, what would it be? Husband after a long day at work, kids after the bath, a glass of wine after a long day, .....okay that was more than one thing. Whatcha gonna do?

BTW, I had to post this pic of these lights. These lights used to be along the perimeter of our porch in TX. I haven't come across them yet, and we are about 90% done. Most of the boxes are unpacked. I am starting to place the pictures at the base of the wall where I want them hung. I actually did my Flylady House blessing today. I am starting to settle in nicely. I am so seeing the light at the end of the tunnel......now I just wish I could find these lights.

Happy Monday, y'all!

My favorites

My favorites, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

The concept:

1. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.

2. Using only the first page of results, and pick one image.

3. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Big Huge Lab’s Mosaic Maker to create a mosaic of the picture answers.

The questions:
1. What is your first name? Tommie

2. What is your favorite food? right now? cheese

3. What high school did you go to? Cache

4. What is your favorite color? crimson

5. Who is your celebrity crush? Matt Damon

6. What is your favorite drink? Do you even have to ask?

7. What is your dream vacation? Walt Disney World

8. What is your favorite dessert?creme brule

9. What do you want to be when you grow up? peaceful

10. What do you love most in life? husband

11. What is one word that describes you? organized

12. What is your flickr name? tommiea1

Happy Sunday, y'all!

Photohunt::clouds

goodbye Texas, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Since I can't post from my blog.....I am so glad I have these on my Flickr.

This was the last week we were in Texas. The kids' school had a picnic at the train park in a town close by....I was so ready to start the next leg of our little thing called life. BUT.....I was so sad to leave the women and friends who became such an importart part of my life during the 15 month deployment. I was ready to leave the heat, but bawled the whole way out of town.

Happy Saturday!

Photo Story Friday-cooling off

cooling off, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek so sorry Cecily and MamaGeek, I can't add the little header! Why do I have to have computer problems when Husband is sleep?

Back to the picture....this was taken last summer. Will had just gotten this cool water ball from his Aunt M for his birthday. We were on the eighth month of the fifteen month deployment. The weekends seemed to be hardest. The weekdays were filled with the day to day stuff of our routines. But the weekends seemed to drag. We have always gotten pizza on Fridays. We ended up sharing with the neighbors. More often than not, we dragged out Will and Livi's little blow up pool. Even the little seven year old next door would play with them in it. (His mom and dad were the ones that built that backyard nirvana I posted about several times!)

But I look back at this pic and realize that as hard as weekends were, we had fun. Even in the hot hot summer sun of Texas. This blow up pool provided many cooler summer evenings and lots of fun for the kids.