Two weeks in rewind

With all of the changes going on right now, it is only natural to want to change my surroundings....

Here is my inspiration room:

I went with a darker gray on the walls, but its still a stark difference from my previous battleship blue.

(we'll obviously be jumping around a lot in this weeks blog!)

but how cute is this little pumpkin, and look ma, I reused your packing paper!

And along with the change on my bedroom walls, I finally tackled the dresser my mom handed down to Miss Megan.

Clearly, we are in need of Anthropologie glass pulls next!
Hopefully I did the ole girl proud!

And the liner? Super fabulous is it not?

Five Bucks at the habitat..

Ralph Lauren...it was such a score!

Last weekend was the school palooza to present the new gym.

I don't know what cracks me up more, the fact my two kids are inseparable or Meg's throwback 80's glasses!

And the view from my front porch...the leaves have exploded to miraculous colors.

And then we go to the last tennis match. The grins express it all.

Ah to be young again!

It was a really great season.

"HEY JAKE, can you take the dog for a walk?"

And outside my bedroom window this is what I see...

Clearly these two are more in "nap" mode than "walk" mode.

And this used to be my child who was terrified of dogs.

Little Riley has been such a blessing.

40oooooh....

30's are now a thing of the past

so I could only celebrate via "the great wall of chocolate" courtesy of PF Changs...
I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends and family I want to see. - John Burroughs

Break out the bins

It takes a colossal act of congress to get my husband to bring down the holiday bins.

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And with two kids and a husband finally getting over the flu (I am an antibacterial nut and it worked in my favor here!).... (anyway I digress)... he finally got them down this week.

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I love to see the kids faces when they come in to see the house decorated and the table full of candy (ok there are apples too!)

I had the WORST TIME finding candlesticks for these candles.

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Thankfully, Habitat had them one day in a busted up 1940's box...gotta love the habitat!

The Harvest Moon

This evening, we celebrate the arrival of our friend: The Harvest Moon

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She is the full Moon in October, the moon of harvesting crops and it marks the end of the growing season. The Celtic people usually have a festival thanking the gods for the harvest.

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Although my harvest and attempt at my first garden was less than hearty; I am still thankful for my miniature underdeveloped carrots.

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But there is just something special about this moon.

It has magic powers. I'm convinced.

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It beckons the cold weather, the burnt umber leaves, and prepares us for our new season.

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Welcome old friend.

Knock Knock...Who's There...Its Me Mercury!

This is my reaction when I hear that Mercury is in retrograde.

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What is Mercury Retrograde?: This happens three to four times per year, when the planet Mercury slows down, and appears to stop (station) and move backward (retrograde). It's an optical illusion, since there is forward movement, like speeding by a slow-moving train -- as it recedes, it appears to go backward.
What are the Mercury Retrograde dates for 2009?: The dates are January 11-31; May 6th to 30th; September 6th to 29th; December 26th to January 15th, 2010.

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I always know when this time is upon me (my son got a stage II concussion playing football, I have a $2,500 transmission bill, and this morning, all four of us get in the car (because we are carpooling until the truck is done) and the ole' Durango won't start....go to work...to be laid off...

At this point I want to crawl back into bed and start all over again.

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Damned Mercury.

So as life falls on my head.

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I try to remember that all change is for a reason; the good, and the bad.

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This path is just going to go in a different direction.

So I am going to find a nice spot, under my willow tree.

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And give thanks

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For every good thing I can think of.

Because I'm a firm believer that although sometimes the world seems to cave in from all angles.

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Every situation has a purpose, and I don't want to miss an opportunity to grow.

Sunday Shopping and the end of Summer

There are many things I love about living in the south.

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One of them however is NOT the summer humidity.

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To combat the heat, most of us stay in our air conditioned cars, homes, and favorite shopping centers.

This is my all time favorite.

So Sunday, I drive to my local "hangout"...

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In the south, most people at local establishments get to know you by name,

It's so bad I am afraid they will start calling me "Norm!" (from Cheers!)

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Regardless of what they call me, my favorite garden lady was telling me she just put a bunch of "planter pots" on clearance. She knows I have been in the market for exactly "15" plants to bring better purification to my home. I know it sounds wacky, but I read an article in The New York Times, so it has to be true, right?

(anyway, I digress)

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Knowing that you all have plants as well, you know those planter pots can be quite pricey. Like this little gem. Shoved WAY in the back. Original price you ask? 25.00 - the price my garden friend just posted? yep, that would be $6.29!!!

SOLD! I said....

Isn't she a beaut! (you know I bought the last two!)

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Perfectly Shabby'd and crackled as if Rachel Ashwell herself brought them in and gave her approval with a fine English nod.

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Boy there is nothing like a good deal!

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Why is it that the heat never affects kids the way it does adults?

(maybe I'm just old)

Here is my little man taking up a new sport (since football proved to be not an option with a concussion this year!)

(Plus I am rather thrilled to encourage a sport that does not require physical contact!) Squeezing the last bits out of summer.

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There is nothing like best friend memories to end the chapter for the summer.
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Here's to Anna and Tommy for keeping my kids occupied!
CHEERS!!!!
(my daughter is going to die that I posted this without her having "makeup!"

Thats exactly what she said!

Let me set the scene:

Michelle and Suzy (the two daughters of the antiquing diva's), in the Acura, at a Starbucks Drive-thru

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Me, on speakerphone 3,000 miles away

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I hear "Michelle what do you want?" (says Suzy)

Michelle in her sweet patient voice says "I will order Suzy, its a little complicated!"

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at this point I am intrigued.

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In the background I hear those glorious words:

"welcome to Starbuck's how can I help you?"

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and Michelle says....

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"I would like a venti,

quad shot,

pumpkin spice,

nonfat,

no whip,

1 splenda,

decaf,

(at this point I was busting a gut)

"water from the alps,

heated to 150 and a half degree's...

spoon ladled with sterling (not plated) silver,

okay really I can go on and on..

In a world full of: meet your deadlines, dress codes, and obey the rules and regulations lifestyle we all live by...

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Michelle reminded me

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that there is always something we can have "our way!"

(and Happy Birthday Michelle!)