Darrel & Deanna's Excellent Adventure..... OR Ten on Tuesday.

1) So since we are a) on vacation and b) have like no sofa.... we decided vacation was the perfect time to spend a day furniture shopping.  My BFF told me about this place called Timberlake Furniture over in IL and judging from her description of fabulous prices and tons of selection.... well we had to go see for ourselves.  This would be a pic I snapped of the owner on one of the many times he passed thru on yes.... his bicycle.  Not only did he have a bicycle, it had a basket that was filled with stuff exactly like my Papaw would have had in it and trust me when I tell you my Papaw had definite hoarder tendencies.... WHY did he have a bicycle?  Well... because he was not a um... how shall we say "spring chicken" and this place had 6 showrooms...yes.. SIX...with each one the size of a football field.  I kid you not.  Here was just one of them....

This was just one of the many rooms full of sofas... and chairs...and tables... oh my. 

2) 3 HOURS, 1 sofa, 2 end tables, 1 coffee table, 1 recliner and 2 lamps later... we took our leave of Timberlake and yes, we were (and still are) quite the happy campers.  We found stuff we love.  We thought we got great prices... which we have since confirmed via some Internet browsing AND said furniture will be delivered this week!  Do you want to see?  Of course you do.....

3) This would be the couch and chair.  Did I mention they are POWER recline?  Power.  There is a little button you push that makes the recliner part come up and the chair leans back and you can stop it in several positions.  Both the chair and sofa do this.   Monogirl is oh so happy about the power recline because it solves her "I have short arms and legs and can't really reach the recliner lever and get out of the stinkin' chair when its reclined without looking like a turtle turned over on it's shell" syndrome. Oh so much easier.  We looked at some "mid century" looking sofas.  Some traditional sofa's.  Some smaller sofas... etc.  We liked the different styles, but none of those were like um comfy... like come, sit, relax and curl up and read your book and crochet your stitches and let me take care of you comfy.  Going with something leather that possibly reclined... depending on what we could afford... was our other thought and this couch?  Wonderful!  Love love love it and sooooo excited about getting new furniture.  I mean Monogirl is 47 years old and this is like the first time ever that she got to pick out a whole room full of furniture.  When she was young married she lived in a mobile home that came with the sofa, chair, tables, and lamps and you pretty much got what you got.  Several years into marriage we got to buy a couch and a love seat which we used for probably 15 years or better before finally getting to replace it now.  So yes... just a wee bit excited. 

4) We also got this cool coffee table that looks like um is it a crate, is it a trunk, oh look how cool, it opens up but it's really a coffee table kind of table.  Although apparently from the description it is called a "cocktail table" but since we are not cocktail drinkers or for that matter coffee drinkers perhaps we should call it a diet Pepsi table. 

5) This is the end table or "chairside table."  LOVE the dark old barn wood look to this table and LOVE that we decided not to go for the whole matchy matchy set of tables and got different ones than what "went with" the coffee table.  Plus did you notice the drawer pull?  It looks like from a card catalog.  Card catalog?  Library?  Monogirl? Are you seeing any connection here?

6) We also got 2 of these blue pottery style lamps.  LOVE them in the room. They go great with the blues in the rug.  We also did a little accessory shopping after dinner last night and found these cool pillows that also go great with the rug if I do say so my self!  So tickled and excited to see it all come together!  I think the dark brown sofa will look great since we have the one dark brown accent wall.  Then with browns and taupe's on the wall, floor and furniture I wanted to add the color with the lamps, drapes, pillows, throws, etc. and um so far?  Happy happy happy with that plan! Was just noticing they have the shaggy pillow in paprika on the web site... um they did not have that in the store and that is the one color I am missing.... Might need to wander back over to that web site and grab myself one of those!

7) Since all that shopping worked up an appetite we headed for the big city for dinner (and the accessory shopping) and had us a little taste of Chicago come to Southern IN and look what they have now.... an actual replica of the Chicago skyline!  How cool is that?  Darrel and I have been up in the Hancock and Sears (or whatever its called now) building sooo many times.  It was fun to see this little "taste" of home while we enjoyed our Italian Beef Combo sandwiches at like the ONLY place where you can get them in this area.  YUM.

 8) In Christmas gift news.... these are 2 mug cozies I crocheted for my Mom for Christmas.  Mom had spotted a mug cozy online somewheres and was wanting one so I thought I'd see if I could knit or crochet a few.  Since my crocheting skills far exceed my knitting skills.... and I found this very cute "star stitch" pattern I decided to give it a go crocheting wise.  I bought the pattern from here and then watched a youtube video on the star stitch and next thing I know... it's a mug cozy. That stitch is so pretty.  I think Darrel's mom used to make baby blankets with that stitch.  There are also lots of cool mug cozy (and other) patterns on craftsy.com.  Have you checked those out?  Got to try some cause like really all I need is another project and pattern.  But hey... .Monogirl made multiple button ornaments and crocheted mug cozies and managed to be ready for Christmas all in one month's time?  Be VERY impressed. 

9) And continuing in Christmas gift news.... this was the aftermath at our house.... and that was just for us 2 big kids that live here.  Yes.  We had fun.  I have some better pics but those are on the husband's camera and that just seems like way too much work to go get right now.  You understand.  My favorite gifts? Probably my Canon Selphy or Ugg boots from Darrel. How did I get to be this advanced age and only discover Uggs within the past few years?  Quite the tragedy.  Darrel also got me 2 willow trees, this one being my fav...He likes to get me the different willow trees couples figurines.  All together now... Awwwww He also gave me the Amish Year of Peace devotional I wanted and a Vera Choo Choo case.  So cute.   There was also lots of pink stuff in Monogirl's stocking.  Smart Husband. 

10) And now?  It's New Year's Eve and 16 minutes till midnight here in Southern IN.  Being the big exciting party people that we are... what are we doing?  We are home in our PJ's watching TV, putting away a little Christmas (to make way for the new furniture) and we made the family recipe of homemade cinnamon rolls.  Yum.  You are wishing you had scratch and sniff blogging right now aren't you?  I'll share some pics next time.  Anyway I wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year.  Thanks for sticking around in 2013.  I am looking forward to making 2014 a much better year and hope you'll be around to share it with me. 

Blessings!

What Day Is It?

This... is my view for the next 9-10 days or so.  Not a bad view if you ignore the unpedicured toes.... Trust me... they are in serious need of a traveling mani-pedi person... What a cool thing that would be.  Come to my house and I lay back in my trusty recliner and get pampered feet.  I could get on board with that idea..... Where were we?  Mention a fresh pedi and apparently Monogirl gets all distracted. 

Oh yep... the view.  Nice view right?  Freshly painted wall, new rug, TV and even our newly exposed fireplace chimney which is where we chose to hang our Christmas Cards received this year.  Loving how that turned out.  A long thick piece of ribbon, a fist full of small clothes pins and Viola!  Christmas card display.  Perhaps next year I'll be more adventurous and make one of those clothes pin wreaths.  Did you see those on Pinterest?  Of course when I just hopped over to Pinterest to get you that link than I got all distracted looking at the latest pins... apparently distracted is my theme for the day. 

We had a wonderful Christmas and actually I'd say we are still kind of in a Christmasy, enjoying the holiday mode.  Had to work right after Christmas, but Darrel was off and he came with me and I had like the CUTEST office assistant for the day.  What a good idea... I totally need to see about making that a permanent thing. 

See.... what a nice view.  He was awesome too and probably seriously cut about 2 hours from that work day which was a good thing because after that work day.... VACATION time together.  Yay!  Vacation with my husband.... high up there on the list of favorite things. 

So far for vacation....we have crashed.  We were tired from all the baking, wrapping, working, working on the house, running everywhere kind of month it has been.  So we have sat in our chairs and enjoyed the view.  We have delved into the candy from our stockings and OK a left over Christmas cookie or two.  We have played with Darrel's new Kindle HDX 8.9 inch and yes...He now has his own Kindle... even though it is Monogirl that is alllll about the Kindle experience as we all know.  We have read a book... or two... OK.  I did.  Finishing up the "Families of Honor" series by Shelley Shepard Gray.  Got thru The Caregiver, The Protector, and The Survivor was finished up yesterday.  Now I am finishing up the series with A Christmas for Katie.   Which if I can finish quickly will put me at 74 books for the year.  My original goal was 50 books so I blew past that (yay me) but was hoping to hit 75.  Hey... if I get to reading... I'm on vacation.  It could happen.  Currently trying to determine what kind of reading goal I plan to set for next year.  Am I actually toying with the idea of 100? 

We had a good date night that included pizza, popcorn/caramel corn and a movie called Prisoners... which was quite good, but intense.  For the rest of our time off, we hope it will include perhaps some shopping, especially furniture shopping, and maybe a day trip or two to Indy or Louisville or somewhere equally as fun.  Monogirl hopes to actually scrap something and try out her new Selphy printer which was a wonderful surprise from Darrel Santa.  Maybe she'll get started on that Decmeber Album she has been procrastinating contemplating.  There could also be some time for crocheting a scarf she has been working on like forever.... or perhaps that cross stitch ornament she started like um OK... last Christmas. 

But for now... The husband just returned with Mexican food carryout.... yay... so I must run.  Next time... let's discuss Christmas some more and share some pics and all the goodies that came Monogirl's way because as you also know... Monogirl loves presents... Look for me again on probably Tuesday?  In the meantime.... Happy New Year! 

 

Blessings!

Thankful Thursday

Well first of all Tanner would like to let you know that he is ready for Christmas.... AND he is thinking he deserves a nice gift since he had to put up with the cat all year.  Especially since she even likes to eat his food and drink his water.... He thinks no dog should have to put up with such trauma....

And as far as thankful Thursday.... Monogirl was oh so happy it was Thursday because she needed the ride that life has been here lately to stop for a moment so she could get off!  So what did she do?  Well first of all she got some extra sleep.  Sleep is important when you are Monogirl especially if the day before started at 7 AM and included Kids Hope and Work and Oh so much running around at work and a choir rehearsal and a praise team rehearsal and some Christmas to do items and I am sure there was more. 

BUT yesterday was also fun at Kids Hope because my friend and I made some more of the famous Button Ornaments which were a hit with my little friend.  Happy about that.  Here are the one's that she made.


She likes purple so her tree needed a purple star and her snowman had to have a purple scarf.  She also decided he needed a more complete face.  We made trees together first (since those are the easiest) and then I helped her put together a snowman because she wanted one of those too and we only had about 15 minutes left in our time together.  She wanted a Santa also   and yes since we didn't have time, I gave her the one I had made the other night.  I liked him too so I had to make myself another this evening... and since that meant I had all the stuff out why not whip up another snowman and tree or two for gifts?  Cause trust me.... when you have buttons all over the table... you'd rather not have to pick them back up any more times than absolutely necessary.  Do they make a thing for buttons like those glitter/embossing powder trays where it has the spout to put the excess back in the bottle?  Cause if they don't... I need to invent one.  Here are tonight's creations.

The scary thing?  That is at least 6 trees made now and my bag of green buttons does not even look like a dent has been made.... The white ones on the other hand?  I need to find some replacements!  Still haven't tried making a wreath, but maybe will do that over the weekend. 

And OK... I wrote everything above on Thursday for Thankful Thursday and then the Internet went down right in the middle of things which made Monogirl Oh so happy.... NOT.... Anyway, not having a lot of time to blog today but thought I'd go ahead and finish up this post quick and get it up..... I think I was right in the middle of telling you something else... but um who knows what that was at this point so lets just go with a Thankful list and call it good shall we? 

So thankful this week for....

• Christmas gifts.  The last three days at the office I received presents and you know I am allll about that.  One friend brought cookies.  Another a music DVD and CD and chex mix... yum.  Another brought me a pink mug that has shoes on it and a sparkly key chain.... then my BFF gave me the coolest cards and journal with my name on them... my whole name.. how cool is that and then also yesterday there was fresh caramel corn from the best place in town.  SO FUN not to mention yummy.  I have pics of several things which I hope to remember to share next time.  You'll remind me won't you? 
• Having the cards done and the shopping done and the house to a certain point right now.  Was a bit worried since we were a bit behind right off the bat.
• date night!  Very fun to have your date night pizza and movies in a new living room! 
• having furniture in the house again.  Furniture in the living room and dinning room.  What a concept. 
• my glasses.... cause Monogirl wouldn't be making a button ornament or much of anything else without them.
• heated seats!
• ugg boots!
• a new winter coat!  Love.... yes... Dennis Basso.  I think that makes 5 Dennis coats? It's starting to get up there with the shoe and scrapbook supplies and books obsession.
• Having one whole batch of cookies baked.  I am deciding to be happy one is done rather than stressed more are not done....
• Kids Hope
• The exposed brick on the old chimney
• favorite ornaments and snow globes from over the years
• Basking Robbins Chocolate Mousse Royale.  YUM.  It was date night dessert last week I think?  The days are all flowing into one giant day....
• the nativity set we bought on our honeymoon at Six Flags... yes. 
• Books... and the library.  Always
• Miss Sophie
• Tanner in his Christmas bandanna.  Maybe Sophie needs one.
• My husband who is amazing and has worked so hard on the house.
• My husband who goes and spends a day Christmas shopping for his wife all on his own.  He does a good job too.
• Baking together.
• Watching movies together.  
• the pretty new floors
• my danskos
• creating things like button ornaments
• a husband who doesn't mind wrapping gifts
• Bobe's pizza
• Turonis pizza.... we had one last week and one this week for date night
• the children's Christmas programs... SO cute. 
• That we live on a big hill cause it's been raining and raining and raining since yesterday and it is not done yet! 
• crocheting
• my BFF
• Mamaw's recipes

And yes... the list could go on and on.  God is so good to us.  Hope you have a great weekend.  I am going to TRY to pop in again before Tuesday... but we know how that can go.  Thanks for sticking around!  Merry Christmas & Blessings!

My Button Addiction

So I planned to show up for 10 on Tuesday and then I got in the middle of a button sorting project... or mountain... and well here we are at 11:32 and Monogirl is tired. 

But... I figured I could at least pop in for a quick post and show you the reason.... yes... Button Ornaments.  How cute is that tree?  I am in love and must hang it on my tree immediately... or well OK... tomorrow after work because it's going with me to Kids Hope. 

Tomorrow I do my Kids Hope mentoring and since it's the last time I'll see her before Christmas I thought it would be fun if we could do a Christmas crafty kind of thing during our time together.  She likes crafts too so score on that one! 

I saw these button trees last year on Pinterest.  Then this year I saw this post with trees, Santa and a snowman.  Well if you are going to sort one million and one buttons to find as many green and brown as you can, you might as well grab the red, white and black too?  Right.  Well Monogirl thought so until she was into hour 2 of button sorting.  I was really REALLY wishing I had sorted them by color long long long ago..... but since I do own one million and one... well that just sounds like way too much time and patience right there.... although it does appeal to Monogirl's need to be organized side.  Darrel says I have a button problem and am in need of a button support group.  I bought most of them in those little bags of scrapbooking buttons they used to sell.  LOVED those things and had to have every set and now?  I can't even remember who it was that made them nor do I know if they still do. ha!  Funny how our tastes can change.  Oh look!  Here they are... apparently discontinued.

The pinterest post didn't seem to have any directions so I did a bit of googling to see what I could come up with.  I found this blog post which was very helpful.  I followed that mostly except I used what I had on hand so instead of cord to string the buttons on, I used floral wire which actually worked great!  I also looked at the pics on that first Pinterest post I linked to like count approximately how many buttons were used.  Once you have your buttons sorted well then they are quick and easy and how stinkin' cute? 

One advantage to the googling for instructions was that I also found this post for ornaments with buttons and a Styrofoam ball.... MUST try that one.  SO pretty.  I need a pink one I think.  I also found this one with buttons wreaths and a button garland and then this one from Martha Stewart which also has button wreaths.  I think I must try a wreath next... you know... in my spare time.  Which is a hilarious thought if you must know because not 10 minutes ago I was having a small freak out about all the things needing to be done before Christmas..... and how we seem to be doing the 1 step forward 2 steps back dance at the moment.  But it could get better right? 

And with that happy thought... I must bid you goodnight.  Hope to come back tomorrow night for some late 10 on Tuesday catching up.  Until then... Blessings!

Catching Up

So what has happened since we visited last?  Um we got just a little bit of snow..... as in 10".  Then a few days later.... 2-3" more and tonight?  3-6" more is supposed to show up.  Did Indiana move to the North Pole when I wasn't looking?  I guess it would be appropriate for Christmas but I am beginning to feel like an Eskimo... or perhaps with my height or lack thereof... an elf.  But I am thinking elves are known for getting a lot done quickly so perhaps that would be a good thing. 

Wanting to blog a bit as I am alone at this portion of Date Night which yes... is a rarity.  However I am having a serious case of Monobrain the last day or two so you may want to fasten your thinking cap on tight.... cause Monogirl gets a wee bit confused when the Monobrain sets in.  As for why I am alone.... well the husband was here and we had date night first, but now he has left me to join the youth and others at an "almost overnighter" (which is code for we are staying till 3 AM and then going home to sleep....) at the church.  I am sure he is thinking of how much fun he had the last time with the other um.... adults... playing xbox as a team.  Apparently it was such a guy thing and right up his alley. 

As you might remember the plan had been to do MORE blogging in December and here I am after missing a whole week?  Why?  Well starting with the snow and moving forward there has been just a wee bit going on.  First? 












We got to move back into our living room and dinning room AND put our tree up!  Hallelujah and Praise the Lord for that one.  After the last coat of Poly we had to stay off of the floor for 72 hours..... otherwise known as THREE... count them... 3 days.  Oh. My. Goodness.... that was so not fun, especially since the day 2 and 3 were during the time that we were snowed in.  But then Monday... look.  A real living room again.  Well OK.. a living room that needs a ceiling, and trim, and pictures on the walls, and electric and lighting, etc. etc. etc... The to do list is still unending... But being this far feels wonderful.  Didn't the floor turn out pretty?  Love love love it.  Makes Monogirl Happy Happy Happy.

After the big snow came the need to shovel the big snow.  My poor husband and his trusty snow shovel handled the bulk of it but then.... our sweet niece volunteered her self for snow shoveling services and showed up to help.  How cool is that?  I told her she looked way to cute to be shoveling and that she is awesome!

Next on the Agenda?  Darrel's work Christmas Party.  This year it was at an Amish Restaurant nearby... now how appropriate is that for Monogirl?  Here is this year's official self portrait, appropriately in the new room!  We had a nice time, even though the roads still were not fabulous making the ride there a wee bit interesting. 

And.... there is much more to cover.... but Monogirl's brain has turned back to mush... so please tune in for the next episode sometime this weekend....

Blessings!

Thankful Thursday

See that doorway straight ahead?  The one on the other side of the newly stained floor that has the first coat of poly drying so you can't walk on it.... Well that is my scraproom and apparently all it took to get me back in the mood to scrap was to take my room and a working printer away from me.  The door you can see is the front door to the house.  The seldom ever used one.  So I guess I could have went outside .... in the cold and sleet and rain.... and gone in that way but that didn't seem like a good plan.  Then it occurs to me that just maybe it had been long enough that I could actually go ahead and walk on the floor.  Hmmm now to find the can of poly.  Turns out... yep!  Time was up and it was OK to give it a test run.  Thank the Lord it was dry just like it was supposed to be.  Yay! 

Once I made the long trek into the scrap room I remember  the mess.  The drywall dust.  The plaster dust.  The dust dust.  Ewww.  Not to mention that 1/2 my supplies were still in one bag from vacation.  Other supplies were in another bag from taking them to Kids Hope.  My table was covered with who knows what from construction issues causing everything to be in some other room except where it belongs.... and that was on the side that was accessible.  This.... is the opposite side.

Lamps... rugs... dust collector.. a mattress... tables... a chair... Christmas packages... and the all important dust... among other things.  Well I couldn't do a thing about that side right now so I put blinders on myself and just decided I would NOT look over there... while I at least dusted, cleaned and organized the usable side with the majority of my scrap stuff.  Did I actually get anything scrapped?  No.... the printer problem also seems to really be hanging me up.  BUT.  I did get it cleaned.  I did get my supplies all put back nice and neat where they go... which is highly important to Monogirl and I did manage to unpack my Christmas Album supplies. 

Just a few huh?  See now I have the Project Life Holiday kit and I have the OA Merry December Kit.  The OA stuff is soooooo cute.  There is an acrylic stamp that says "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!"  I looooove that from Elf and right away I thought of the men's choir my husband is supposed to sing in this Sunday (assuming we don't need Santa and his sleigh to get to church) and how perfect that would be to use with a photo of that.  So I am currently wavering on which kit I will use.... or if I will combine the two and make 2 albums that are a mixture of all the stuff?  Perhaps while we are waiting for the floor to dry or cure or whatever the heck it is that it has to do I will make it up there again to get started.  Assuming the new printer arrives... and on that note?  A Thankful list.

Soooo thankful for....

• A new printer on the way to us!  We loved loved our canon pixma so when the old one never recovered from a fatal error.... we ordered us a new one that will be here soon so Monogirl can print herself some pics!
• Vera Bradley's newest pattern. It totally has my name on it.  I mean have you seen Clementine?
• Shelter!  Especially with an approaching snow storm.  Currently it is spitting ice and sleet and by the time it's done tomorrow evening they are saying we could have 9-10 inches of snow!  Yikes. 
• Also thankful for my job and that Monogirl can work from home when need be... such as 10 inches of snow on the curvy hilly roads between Monogirl's house and the church!
• That the scrapping desire has apparently not left me forever. 
• Christmas shopping very close to done.  It's about the only Christmasy thing we've got going right now.
• My husband who has put in so much time, energy and hard work on the floor and whole remodeling project.  He's good too!
• Candy Crush friends.
• My Kindles
• the frozen chocolate chip cookies from the Schwan Man.  YUM.
• that my husband arrived home safe from work today.  The ice started in just as he was leaving a job meeting in Louisville... which is 2 hours from home.  Thankful for his safety and friends prayers!
• That the car the deer redecorated is at least running and functioning while we figure out what to do with it.
• Poly that dried like its supposed to!
• being approved for the ARC of Janette's new book!
• Date Night
• that even when remodeling is stressful... which trust me... it is! And when deers mangle the car.... and when we don't feel well.... Darrel and I can still be kind to each other and laugh and flirt with each other and get thru it all with some fun and peace.
• Saturday Pancakes
• the long thanksgiving weekend
• Procrastination.... because if my husband didn't procrastinate about getting rid of the mangled parts from the last time a deer hit the car, he wouldn't have still had a spare headlight piece and wouldn't have been able to literally bungee cord it into the car so the car is still driveable!
• that Darrel wasn't hurt in the deer accident.
• Sophie and Tanner
• that it was free movie channel preview during the long thanksgiving weekend.  Nice timing on that one.
• Cuties!  they are back!
• 2 Christmas cards received
• Our Christmas cards created, ordered and shipped
• Library books
• feeling a little bit better today
• that the floor is almost.... DONE. 

And on that note?  I bid you goodnight!  Tune back in this weekend! 

Blessings!

Ten On Tuesday

1) OK so going in reverse house remodeling order.... this is what is happening at the Koontz house today.  Stain on the floor.  Hallelujah and Praise the Lord because Monogirl is ready to be like stick a fork in her.... she is done.  And now.... a prayer... seriously... PLEASE God let this stuff dry in a timely fashion so we can stop living in just 1/2 of our house by Saturday.  PLEASE.  Monogirl would also very much like to get her Christmas tree put up.... and if there is any delay in the drying... she won't be able to do that till next week... a fact that is giving her serious stress.  Thank you and Amen. 

2) Christmas.  It so is not feeling like Christmas.  No pink tree in my office.  No tree or snow globes in my house.  No Christmas lights...not even a card yet.  Yes.  It is only December 3rd.... for a few more hours yet... but um Monogirl is usually all into the whole Christmas thing by the end of Thanksgiving weekend.  We worked our remodeling hiney's off... especially the husbands.. to try and get to a certain point of done by Thanksgiving but house remodeling tends to have a schedule all its own... so it is what it is.  Hopefully we are looking forward to getting the tree up on Sunday.... depending on things mentioned in point #1.

3) And since we are going in reverse remodeling order... here is what happened on Sunday.  We got the walls painted!  Yay.  It looks like a real home again and not some kind of ruins left over from the war.  Here you have my husband doing the cutting in painting on the darker brown wall. Since the lighter taupe was still drying I asked how he was going to keep from getting the dark paint on the light paint without using painters tape.  His answer?  Don't worry... I've got this.  He was right too.  If you want detail and precision..... he is the guy you want on the job.  Here is a shot of the painted walls.

In this picture he was busy taking up the kraft paper we had used to cover and protect the floor until we were ready for staining. 

4) You might remember me mentioning ordering the October Afternoon Very Merry December Kit... awhile ago.  And being a December kit... I was thinking they would know that one might like to have it to use in um..... December.... I mean I am thinking the OA people probably know how us scrapbookers are about having our supplies when we need them.  So just as I am about to contact them and ask them where on earth is my stuff.... we discover a package sitting out on our front steps.  Now you'd have to see and understand our little ol' country house but the front door is practically never used and the UPS guy and the post office person always always always leave packages on the back porch which is the natural place the driveway takes you right too.  But no.... when its my sought after OA cute Christmas stuff.... Mr UPS suddenly decides hey.... why don't we try the front stoop and see how long it takes her to discover it while it sits out in the weather.  GRRRRR  Judging from the date on the package its been out there a week of more.... Mr UPS should consider himself lucky my package wasn't waterlogged or snowlogged or anything else... because Monogirl is already tired and stressed and ruining her cute... expensive... scrapping supplies might not be the best plan...

5) Why would Monogirl be stressed?  Well trust me when I tell you home remodeling is not a picnic.  It can be quite overwhelming and stressful.. especially when you add in the chaos and mess and you are a Monogirl that yearns for peace, order and cleanliness.  Then you add being Monogirl and not feeling your best and having less than zero energy some days.  Then Christmas being close and feeling behind and then you add.... the car vs. deer episode yesterday... and yep.... You just might find yourself a wee bit stressed and stress when you are Monogirl.... well it wears a girl out even more and gives her a serious case of Monobrain.   See #6 for evidence of that...

 

6) Being floor staining and poly week we decided most dinners were going to have to be carry out or something frozen we could throw in the oven because we need every minute of the evenings to Get. This. Done.  So today Monogirl was supposed to bring home chicken from the town she works in.  She calls and places the order.. which was a whole other adventure and the texts her husband that she ordered chicken and has to wait for it to cook and will be home late and then..... she promptly sends that text message....... to her hair salon.  Now really I am thinking they could care less about Monogirls' chicken dinner plans... ya think? 

7) And speaking of the adventure of chicken ordering... I call and I ask if I can order some chicken.  OK.. fine.. I can do that... so then I ask do they have dinners.  Phone lady acts like this is an odd question and says no its by the piece and starts listing for Monogirl what the pieces are.  Really?  Does she think Monogirl does not know what pieces make up a chicken?  Then when Monogirl tells her she wants white meat breasts and wings, 4 of each,  the phone girl goes Oh... I don't know if they can do that.  "She" will have to bread it and fry it and it comes in 16 mixed pieces in a bag."  Now Monogirl is thinking um yeah... and I am guessing that would be because that is the number of pieces from 2 chickens which would include 4 breasts and 4 wings.  Am I right?   Then I ask if they have potato wedges and again am told oh, she would have to cut some and batter them and fry them... but she could make you some and those also come by the piece.  OK... why does she keep saying oh, she will have to prepare it and fry it.  Am I asking too much to think the kitchen person actually prepare and cook some food?  So then I ask her do people not call and order and come in and buy chicken for dinner and she tells me no..... hardly ever.  Apparently we are original in wanting fried chicken and wedges for dinner.  Who knew? 

8) As for the car... my husband hit a deer on his way to work on Monday morning.  He goes to work when its still dark out and he said a big deer walked across the road just before he got to the town he works in.  He missed her.... but then the one who was probably her baby came next and that one redecorated the car.  He told me the headlight was gone, etc. and I was thinking he probably picked up the parts to bring home.  I discover later things were smashed to smithereens and there was nothing to pick up and bring home.  The deer?  Did not survive the encounter and he had to move it out of the road before he could continue on to work.  OK... as I mentioned life has been stressful so this news yesterday was a bit much for Monogirl and her husband.  But as soon as I felt the temptation to be discouraged I could hear God whispering to be thankful.  Be thankful Darrel wasn't hurt.  Be thankful we have insurance.  Be thankful no one was behind him on the road and he didn't get him from behind too.  Be thankful for so many things and remember that God always provides for and takes care of us.  When he got home, it turns out he still head a headlight from the last time he fixed this same car from deer damage and he was able to bungee cord it in place so the car is driveable until the insurance adjuster comes and we find out our options..... Praying God will take care of that as well and guide us to the right decision.

9) Remember my excitement over the new Janette Oke book?  Well imagine my happiness when I get an email back from netgalley today telling me that I can download my free ARC now!  Yay!!  Book doesn't come out till Feb. and Monogirl gets to read it and tell you all about it now. SO happy about that.  Highlight of my day!

10) And now.... we look ahead to the remainder of the week and we are told that here in Southern IN the remainder of our week holds the possibility of 2 separate snow storms.  One on Friday.  The other on Sunday and Friday may included the dreaded ice first. Monogirl is just praying if it turns into a snowed and iced in weekend... that we can actually go into the living room and dinning room.... of course you are remembering that from #1 aren't you? 

Thanks for stopping in.  I am sooooo wanting to start on a December album that I dug my new supplies out of the chaos in my scrap room before I got stained and polyed out of it for a few days.  Perhaps I will figure out some way to put it to use in the tiny bit of house we are suriving in in the mean time?  ha.  If so I will be back with pics! 

Blessings!

The One Where The Painting Commenced!

So I am thinking a perfect end to Thanksgiving weekend is seeing actual color go up on our actual living room and dinning room walls.  Can I get an Amen on that one cause this has been a long time coming!  Look!  Paint.  Real taupe paint that we picked out and not something that was left over from the 70's.  SO excited to see this happening today.  And if that wasn't exciting enough.... the accent wall is about to be painted the darker color as we um... type.  Yay!! 

Our Thanksgiving weekend started by spending the day at my parents house for some family time and a  yummy turkey dinner.  Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and the all important gravy?  Good stuff.  I helped with the cooking and made the gravy, stuffing and my husband's favorite candied sweet potatoes.  Like his Mom used to make.  I told him You. Are. Welcome.  Cause I don't just cook sweet potatoes for any ol' body when there is only one person that is going to eat them.  But for the husband?  Anything of course.  And apparently I need to be put in scrapbookers time out or something because I did not manage to take one single Thanksgiving picture.  What is up with that? 

What else have I done with the weekend?  Well lots of really productive things like....

• Working on my Christmas list.  Good project right?  Especially when you find cool things like this PINK Instax camera.  How fun would that be for scrapping while traveling and on the go?  Take picture.. .it pops out of camera... Monogirl runs over to her mini album and scraps it. 
• Also found some interesting items like these easy change artwork frames and aqua notes.  Aqua notes.  Really?  Apparently my list making obsession is not quite as bad as I thought because it had not occurred to me that I might be in need of a pad and a pencil in the shower... Now the frames?  How cool would those be to switch out a child's artwork?  Or even scrapping layouts if you are doing smaller pages.
• I am also wondering about a Selphy printer.  Anyone have one of those?  I've seen good things written about them from other scrappers and am thinking the wireless and mobile phone printing, not to mention the printers size and portability would be a good thing. 
• A restock on my favorite perfume would also be a great gift.  Have loved Elizabeth Taylor's Passion for years!  Wear it practically every day.
• Other things I am thinking of adding to the list?  Kindle gift cards.... Bath & Body Works Moonlight Path stuff.... or just about anything Pink. 
• Had the itch to start on my December album for this year but alas.... the scrapping room is still kind of in chaos with construction clutter.  I was going to clean it but since we are about to throw some more stuff up there so we can stain and poly the floor I am thinking that job still needs to wait till that is over with.  I suppose I could work in the midst of the chaos... but um who am I kidding?  I may be physically incapable of doing that. 
• Besides the chaos our printer seems to be stuck in the midst of major error which so far it has been unable to recover from.  This is not conducive to printing December album pics....
• browsed other creative gift ideas from Creative Thinker gifts for women.  That was where I saw the pink instax.
• Had a relaxing date night at home after the painting was done.  We enjoyed a pizza.... yes again... and watched the movie Elysium which was good!
• sold a car.  Yep.  We did not have one officially for sale but we've had our old T-bird sitting in the drive for quite awhile and a guy pulled up our drive, asked if Darrel would sell it... and viola!  Sale. 
• explored the You Version Bible app a bit more than I had in the past and got myself signed up for some reading plans and especially Christmas Devotions.  What a cool idea and so user friendly.  LOVE it on the Kindle Fire. For Christmas I am going to do the "She reads truth: Emmanuel" reading plan.  Day 1 was great.  Loved this quote: "No sooner was the wound given than the remedy was provided and revealed" - Matthew Henry  It's about evidence of Christ even in the Garden of Eden.  Love the thoughts behind that. 
• played too much Candy Crush and probably made my friends sick of me as I begged for help to unlock the next episode.  I blame my BFF.... she told me about the game. 
• Contemplated giving myself a manicure... something I am in dire need of.  I am bare nailed here people.... a tragedy that seldom occurs!
• Read some of my current book which is An Amish Miracle.  Show of hands if you are surprised it's an Amish book....
• discussed and started dreading the coming week because it will be stain and poly the floor week.  The upside?  It's getting done and I can put down my area rugs and live more normally in the room once its done.... oh and put up the all important Christmas tree.  The downside?  We will have to stay out of fully 1/2 of our house for a minimum of 4.... count them FOUR days.  This will make life interesting to stay the least and will restrict access to the scrapping room unless one plans to run around the house outside and come in the front door.  I am sure we will survive... but will be glad to be beyond this point. 

And now.... as the Sunday hours count down reality begins to set in as we must return to work and life tomorrow.  Think I'll steal a few hours more of candy crush reading while I have the chance.  Blessings!