What I decided on

...for sunglasses. One is slightly large and Old-Lady-ish. (Read, stylish) the other is pretty typical me!

The "me" ones

The "stylish" ones - a little Minnie Perl since the tags are still on. hehe

And of course, here is Lauren reading a book, while Annika is goofing around.

What was the book about? Greek Myths, of course. She picked it up out of curiosity and could not put it down until she finished it - about 20 mins of walking around kinda talking and kinda reading. It is a compullsion for her!

Sunglasses

I went to Target today to purchase a new pair of sunglasses; my previous pair fell off the counter onto our kitchen floor and BROKE! Shees, cheep plastic!

So off I toddle down the street to the Target, all happy and giddy at the thought of buying a new pair of sunglasses, and getting something kinda fun. Apparently I was in the mood to be semi-trendy or somethin'.

Yea, didn't last long. What is up with this nasty 70's influence sunglasses? They are HUGE, tacky, old-lady looking things! I think my grandma still wears a white pair that looks like 90% of what was for sale. I just couldn't do it. But I couldn't look like three years ago fashion either .... sigh.

So, folks, it is official. I am old and oh so very out of touch! My poor kids are not even old enough yet, nor in touch with current trends, so they cannot help steer me in any direction. I am just going to be a white sock and sandal wearing fool from now on. Not that I have ever been *much* of a slave to fashion, but I've been more aware than lately, apparently.

Well, I purchased two pairs. We'll see which ugly style I feel less conspicuous wearing. sheeesh

My most amazing friend

I have some pretty wonderful and amazing friends in my life; I am truly blessed! But my friend Trish is just very amazing and inspiring. Right now she is in Cincinnati, OH with her daughter Elizabeth. Elizabeth (one of Trish's 15yr old triplets) just underwent her 63rd (I think) airway surgery. They rebuild Elizabeth's airway by taking a piece of her rib out and then cutting open her neck and inserting the bone into the airway. Yea, quite a major surgery. Trish, who happens to be the only bread winner in their family due to her husband's fragile medical condition, has to take 4-8 weeks off of work to stay with her daughter during the recovery. She did the same surgery when Elizabeth was 3yrs old; she watched her daughter virtually die before her eyes three times. Then, when Elizabeth was around 11 there was another major surgery too. And here we are again. I cannot imagine doing this. Trish sounds stressed and worried - who wouldn't be?!? Elizabeth is in pain.

I have known Trish since we were 3yrs old. Our lives have taken many different paths and adventures, both together and apart, but we have remained good friends. I think that is the sign of a true friend, one who is meant to be a part of your life for ever. It hurts to see someone you love struggle like this. But, she faces all these many struggles (and there have been more struggles in her life than seems possible!) with such grace, it just amazes me and inspires me. If that is her life's purpose than she is doing what she was destined to do! I just wish it was not so often and so extreme.

Think good thoughts for my friend Trish, Elizabeth, and their family. They need it!

Painting - Stage 3

Well, we put the 1st coat of the tan on the top of the wall. The color combination reminds me of *something* but for the life of me I cannot figure out what! Anyway, I like it, but still think the white and teal color looked fresher and crisper. Some day I just may repaint the top half white. But for now I still like the tan so much more than the previous wallpaper!!!!!!!

Stage 2 of Painting

So, we painted the bottom half of the dinning/toy room today. We picked out an awesome teal-y blue; I LOVE it more than I thought I would!

We picked out a tan color for the top half, but I am not sure I want to paint it. I really like the white color a lot. It is so fresh and crisp and really opens up the room. It is, however, very different from all the other rooms in our house. Well, I have the paint, I'll see how it looks I guess.

Ugly Flower Wallpaper is Gone!

When we bought our house - 4 years ago! - we intended on removing all the wallpaper. The wallpaper in the dinning room/toy room was just horrible, we thought. I had since come to accept it, and did not cringe every time I walked into view. However, I really did want to update it to our style. So ....

We purchased a steamer and began working Sat. evening. I worked for less than 2 hours and removed about 1/3 of the paper. Sunday afternoon I started again, and in less than 3 hours had removed it all! I cannot believe how easy and quickly this paper removal went!

In the planning stages...

So my friend inspired me to do one of two things very soon here. (I need to get to the beer store to do this, and well, that is not the everyday trip, especially with gas costing over 4.25/gallon now and me driving a huge gas guzzler!)

So, i am going to plan a beer bento lunch. Not for the kids, obviously : ) but for us adults! I have been toying with the idea of having it as a little party for some close friends. But here is the gist of the idea: Pair together a beer with a food that really seems to compliment the beer. So, have three or four beers and a food for each one. Nut Brown and a good brat or sausage, Corona (or some other good "light, summer " beer) and lime with guacamole and chips ... you get the idea. So the beer and the food would make a whole package for the party/bento :)

For those of you that live too far away (like China!) I'll have to make sure you get the "recipe" and can re-create it for yourself!