I Made It Through The Rain.

Sometimes, I worry that I come across like, well. . .this.

 

I guess I'm asking, 'cause a couple months back I talked about being super grateful 'n appreciating every day, 'n all that,

and then a little bit after that I had a pretty hard week.   And I felt ungrateful, but more importantly, like a lame-o phony.  

And no one likes a lame-o phony.

And on that note, I'd like to make my apologies for all the serious whining I did in reference to last week's hellacious nightmare that was the music room beam.  But I have good news!

After clocking in probably 8 more hours of work this weekend, I am soooo done caulking, spackling, and painting. 

Doesn't it look better?!?

Don't you say you can't tell the difference! 

Okay.  You can say you can't tell the difference.  Because I can't either, and so I didn't even bother to take a new picture.

So anyways, in light of the fact that I decided to stop the painting madness (it's really not "done".  I decided I was done. Done for good.), and because the rain stopped, the sun came out, my music room is paint tray and ladder free, and I'm on to smaller and better things, plus I got to plant some crap this weekend,

 

and above all, always above all, summer is coming. . .

I wanna talk about happy things.  Summery, flowery, nerdy things.  In a totally, non-lame-o phony kind of way.  Because I don't want to have a breakdown tomorrow.

Oh, wait!  We need to talk about this over the perfect music.


Man, I am such a sucker for a cheesy Ben Folds ballad.

So,
this is kind of like Oprah's Favorite Things.  Except you don't get a car.  And you don't get a car. 
But if I could, I would.

I have this thing I've done every summer since I was like, 13. 
I read this book.  Again.  It is so awesomely 70's teenager novel-y. 

Made Jeffro read it last week.  (real loud whisper:  I also made him read ALL the Twilight series, too!  Don't tell him I told you!)

So, yep-- I re-read this every summer, and I listen to the same album each time I read it:  Bread. Anthology. 

Wanna listen to my fave song from that album?  Course ya do.  What's a "Fave things" list without music? 

Well, unless you have no soul.

It's a goodie.

And since we're talking about music, which is like tied for my #2 favorite things with moulding-- I like to pick a theme song for summer. Get in the right mood.

This was last year's song:


Man I love this song-- actually, the entire album rocks my world. Go ahead; fall in love with Safetysuit.  You deserve it.

But anyway, this year, we're going the cheesy Lowe's commercial route for a theme song. I can't help myself.


I turn this up real loud in my kitchen in the evenings, sing at the top of my lungs, and watch all my kids' friends pretend like they're being tortured and run screaming like a bunch of girls outside.

It's times like these when I know why I became a mother.

Now--

go with me on this.  Hear me out.  I know what you're going to think.

You are/were like me, and you don't love Tom Cruise anymore since his couch hopping, "You're so glib" days.  I totally get it.

But I am telling you, this movie is calling your name.  I have seen it twice, and if I still had it, I would watch it again right.now. 

And not only that, but "Knight and Day" is a personal new favorite.

"I've been trained to dismantle a bomb in the pitch black with nothing but a safety pin and a Junior Mint. I think I can get you in and out of some clothes without... looking. I'm not saying that's what I did. "

And "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" was totally awesome, too.  And I've heard "Oblivion" is a good one, as well.

So he's totally won me over again.  As an actor only, of course.

And finally, because this is getting a tad long don'tchathink?,  I would list some of my favorite foods, but since I'll eat anything put in front of me, well, let's put it this way: food: it's good.

This Is a Labor of Hate.

There's a lot of projects I've taken on that I regretted simply because they were stupid.

 

But then there's only two things that were great ideas, but they sucked to execute. 

 

And I hated those projects, so, so much.

 

This project will forever be my number 1 mistake:

 

 

I mean, I like it 'n all, but I would never, ever do it again.  Unless my family wants to start visiting me at the state hospital, or the "stay-ho", as I like to call it.

 

I've never called it that.  I just felt like it should have a nickname.

 

Anyhow,

 

Beams.  Beams in my entryway.  Definitely forever my numero 2 of big, fat mistakes.

 

 

 

Suckiest bunch of sucky work that ever sucked.  I can't even explain why it sucked so bad--

 

it just did.  Hours of caulking, spackling,

 

 

I can't even discuss how much drywalling with the corner tool I've done this week without an eye twitching.

 

I mean, I still love the idea, but this was one of those things where it makes you wanna rock back and forth in a corner, and swear to never come up with an idea like this ever again, and you want to divorce yourself.

 

 

Let me put it another way--

 

Doing the other side's beam sounds as awesomely fun as going to the DMV, retaking the driver's test, then getting a commercial license, just because it's so fun, and bringing all my kids with me, plus their friends.  And no one's eaten for hours.

 

And we all know that's pretty darned fun.

 

If I could go way back in time and warn myself, and I only had like 10 seconds, then I'd yell as fast as I could something along the lines of:

 

"Do NOT go on that high school tour!  You'll regret it I promise!  Oh and also don't make your son a window bed AND don't even think about doing beams but other than that 2 thumbs up okay bye!"

  

 

I don't mean to be a downer today, but the thing is, I am still not done, here.  I just ran out of paint.

 

I wish it was done.  I want more than anything to move on and not caulk one more thing--

 

 

 

(Steam cleaned my carpet, just for you.  Thanks for noticing.)

 

 

So I promise to be more upbeat next time we talk.  Swear.  Just please, please for the love, tell me I don't have to do the other side.  Ever. 

 

If you say I do the friendship is over.

So Much Better Than Strawberries.

I wanna share about these strawberry flats today.

 

They are not what you think they are.  Let me 'splain.  No, there is too much.  Let me sum up:

a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away,

I set out to tame the beast that is the laundry room.
 

(Why do I keep showing this picture? What is wrong with me?)

It was a catch-all for crap.  It was always the dirty eyesore of the house.  The cesspool of shoes 'n stinky undies 'n tools and whatever else didn't have a home.

And so we did things to it.



Good things, like put in an extremely practical, but particularly not height of style, tile floor.   Function first.  We're rebels. 

And I'm happy to say, that even when the floor is mucked up, you can't really tell.  And if you can, you are looking waaaaay too hard so stop it right now for goodness sakes what is wrong with you.



And the work went on, like hanging cheap cabs. I still love my No Smoking sign. Because everyone needs a reminder.



And I poorly installed some left over glass tile. 'N I pronounced it my final tile project, because it was tile project #175, and that's enough for anyone. Or everyone.

And you know what?  I always wanted a neat little row of galoshes.  And I loved the idea of having a bench, like so.



'Mmm hmm.  I even had bench plans all picked out from Ana White, and my galoshes dweam could come true.

And then I came to my senses.

This is a small space.  I would love the bench I built for 10 seconds, and then it would make me feel claustrophobic.  Chaotic. 

And so I chose cleanliness and function.  Again.  (Borrrrrr-ing.)



Shoes hang on the back of the door, and they're out of sight, out of mind. Lucky us, but there's a row for each person, and it goes down by age. Clearly Jeff and I don't really keep shoes down here.

And then I also used my brain and realized that my kids should put away their own dang laundry!



Changed my life, this has. 'N it's not just because I don't have to put away 6 people's laundry anymore-- I also love that clean clothes can be found on the main floor in a hurry. If needed. It's kind of awesome.

And then I can just throw these baskets up top here and make them go away when they're empty!

 

And my washer and dryer are clean again.

So I was feeling pretty fat and sassy about the functionality of this laundry room/mud room area.

 

But.

I realized that I spend a lot of time in here.  Too much time in here.  And therefore, I should do something fun in here. 

I mean, I really like this wall 'n all. . .




And I love how the carbon monoxide detector compliments the un-moulded window just so. . .

but I wanted this as an accent wall.  And I've been thinking for months.  Pondering-- letting it percolate in the noggin. . .

My sister suggested this striped, one color accent awesomeness:

Source: etsy.com via Mandi on Pinterest

And I love the idea-- I was this close to busting out the painter's tape--

but I wanted something that would wow me.  So I thought 'n thought 'n thought some more.

Stripes?  Beadboard?  Planked wall!?

Getting warmer, but still. . . no.

And then it hit me.  Probably when I was about to drift off to sleep, or when I was in the shower, probably. 

I want. . .

you know, if I were cool, then I'd play this cool, and  I'd show you this ALL done and be like, "LOOK WHAT I DID IN HERE HELLO!"

But we all know I am not cool.  We are sooo past that. 

And plus I get excited and I want to tell people stuff.

So anyways, I wanted,

an accent brick wall.

Source: 26.media.tumblr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: ziprealty.com via ZipRealty on Pinterest

Source: urbangypsiesboutique.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

A good bloggy friend uncovered one in her kitchen re-no,

Source: froufrugal.blogspot.com via Mandi on Pinterest

and I felt nothing but cold, hard, jealousy.

I do not know what is wrong with me today, but I have word vomit. How long can Mandi talk today? A heckuvalot, apparently. You'd think I haven't seen a lot of adults lately or something.

Let me be as brief as possible:

I couldn't get over the brick idea. And I looked into it, a lot. Fake brick, those sheets of "brick" from Lowe's, thin brick, full brick. . .

I knew thin brick was the look I wanted-- but let's put it this way: I am so seriously pissed about the price of thin brick that I refuse to even give any company an ounce of advertising with a link because hello?? Over $8 per square foot for thin brick? When the cost is more than real brick? What are we playing at?

And so I've been disappointed. Downhearted.

Fast forward to last week.

The bro and I were working on a project at his house, and I was snooping around his garage because that's what I do. It's all I know.



These ain't strawberries.



But they are sooo much better than strawberries. And my totally awesome bro and sister in law let me have 'em.


I don't know why, but they did.



I kind of cried a little bit. It was a little awkward.

Expect the Tutorial On This In 20-Never.

You know,

 

I don't like to be a Deborah Downer.  I don't like to be negative.  I want you to feel happy! and uplifted!

 

I want you to feel like you came into my house, and you got to change your shoes, switch cardigans 'n zip it up halfway Mr. Rogers style, and then maybe you enjoyed some cookies and milk.

 

So in light of the way I want you to feel, today must simply be

 

Opposite Day.

 

There's just no way around it.

 

So! 

 

This week's the week to work on my whole entryway beam idea,

 

 

and I am happy, nay, overjoyed, to tell you that I jigsawed these babies out like a total pro.

 

 

I am so amazed with my skills I could just cry tears of joy. And it didn't need to be sanded a lot to be fixed.  No problems, whatsoever.  Not discouraging in the least.

 

Oh!  And finding the joists in the ceiling so I could add my supports?

 

 

Piece of cake.  Taking candy from a baby.  Loved every minute of it.  I'd do it again in a heartbeat.  And all the ceiling texture coming down?  Added body to my hair.  Win win.

 

And actually getting the beams up?  I wish every project went as smoothly as this one.  Plus, I love to have to ask other people for help when doing such fun projects that require two people.

 

 

And man, am I glad I wear this shirt all the time.  I should wear it more, because it totally hugs my body in all the right ways. 

 



 

I don't know why I didn't do this sooner!  Best choice I ever made!

 

 

I'm so glad I know this is all going to turn out perfectly.  I'm not worried at all.  No regrets whatsoever!  Not concerned.  Sleeping like a baby.

 

Kay.  Opposite Day's over.

 

Now I need to go find someone to kick in the groin.

Moms Who Eat Their Feelings, Part 3.

Let's talk food.

 

Man, oh man. . . I love talking about food. . .

 

you know what's better than just talking about food?  Eating something good while we talk about food.  Grasshopper cookies opened?  Great.  Let's do this.

 

So I have cooked a lot, lately.  Like, a lot a lot.  More than Lloyd likes Mary, a lot.  Please allow me to share the goods. 

 

 Oh!  But first, I really need to clarify:  my TRIED & TRUE Pinterest board is what you want to follow, as opposed to my "Reasons Why I Jiggle" board, because the latter contains the stuff I am going to try.  TRIED & TRUE is stuff I tried. . . and loved.  Not just liked, loved. 

 

I'm so glad we could have this talk. 

 

So I tried this Cheesy Potato Soup on a cold night recently, and I know it's kind of not soup weather anymore (who made up this rule??),

 

Source: healthycookingrecipes101.com via Mandi on Pinterest

but wow.  This is the best potato soup I've ever had.  It has so much flavor.  You throw in a dash of hot sauce (or two or three if you have a Jeffro in your house). . . wowie wow wow.  I cut down on the fat in it, and it was still good.

I was weary about this dish,
 

Source: chefmommy-brandao.blogspot.com via Mandi on Pinterest

 

 but I thought it was so deliciously spicy and hearty, and it was super duper easy, too. 

 

 

If I was just gonna cook for myself one evening, and cook something that I preferred, (pfft when is that gonna happen?),

Source: jamiecooksitup.net via Mandi on Pinterest

then I would cook this up for me, because I loved it. Totally hits the spot for me.  The hubs admitted that he doesn't care for it because apparently, he "doesn't really like teriyaki".

Wha?
I'm not sure I even know who you are anymore.

Also,
I made these chocolate mint brownies for Jace's baptism,

and they were a little extra work with the two layers of frosting, and making 'em all pretty like,

but two thumbs up, people.

Oh!  And since we're talking (and eating) dessert, (dusts off a row of grasshoppers),

I love these lemon cookies.  Because I love lemon.  (Note: leave out the oil in the icing.  No one needs oil in their icing.)

I would also like to take this opportunity to say that I probably won't ever post my own recipe to the blog, because some people scare me.  I totally TOTALLY get being frustrated when you tried someones "best ever!" recipe and then it sucked and you wasted time and money and ordered pizza or had cereal for dinner, and I actually really appreciate a review to warn people.  I get that, BUT

"Can you please alter this recipe to fit the nutritional needs for my lactose-intolerant cat before 5 pm EST?"

OR

"I tried this recipe, and it called for chicken but I didn't have any, so I substituted it with anchovies, and it called for heavy cream, but I didn't have any of that, so I substituted orange juice, and it came out SICK.  This recipe is awful, and I want your head on a platter!"

People!

?. 

Okay, enough of that.  But let's still talk about food.

I've mentioned before that I have this weird thing I do--

I feel the need to greet my children at the door when they come home from school.  I also feel the need to have an after school snack whipped up for them.  In my head, it makes them feel loved.  Comforted.  Welcomed.

Don't be annoyed with me-- I have to make up somehow for all the millions of other subpar parenting crap I pull.

So,

I've found that after school snacks are very similar to cooking dinner.  If you have a plan, you don't mind it.  If you can't figure out what to cook, then it's a really sucky chore.  I think this e-card sums up my feelings nicely.

Source: 24.media.tumblr.com via Mandi on Pinterest

Yep.  Hit the nail right on the head.

So allow me to give you my after school snack list!  Would you?

Just know, that Fridays are thee most awesome day of the week (Fridays rock my world), and so I believe the weekend should be rung in with a sweet treat.

Caramel apples, any kind of cookie, a malt, Italian cream sodas, tarts, jell-o, little individual cakes,

(there's always room for jell-o)

these were really fun (dipped pretzel rods-- hehehe she said 'rod') for the kids to come home to.

Sigh.  I love Fridays.  The first 5 days after the weekend are always the hardest.

But on those other hard days, I try to be all "healthy" mom. 

Hot dogs are healthy, aren't they?

Ooh, gah.  I have to say, I have always loved hot dogs, and you couldn't say anything bad about them to make me not love them. . .

but I had a bad one recently, and I am sitting here feeling the chunks rise. 
(oooh gosh ew.)

Oh!  And guess what I stole from the parental units' house?!?

The TATER TWISTER!  (Hey Mom and Dad I have your Tater Twister.  How old is this thing??).

This thing has been fun.

Boing.  ("Annie Herman, Boy-yoy-yoing."  name that movie.)


Allow me to give you our top 10:

1.  Cheese 'n crackers (how in the world can you go wrong with cheese 'n crackers?)
2.  yogurt parfaits (little granola sprinkled on top. . .)
3.  fruit salad
4.  Apples 'n this dip
5.  Peanut butter apple sandwiches

Source: babble.com via Mandi on Pinterest

6.  Tuna sandwiches with a pickle on the side
7.  muffins
8.  nachos (these are . . .um. . . healthy nachos)
9.  right-outta-the-oven rolls
10.  crepes (fruity crepes)


And finally,

I tried to make this once for my butt munches. 

Source: Uploaded by user via Mikayla on Pinterest

They guessed that my creation was "A parachute, right?!?". 

Nailed it.