Some touch ups

During our break I finally got around to doing some things to sorta spruce the ol' place up...

Like hanging Hope's new bulletin board in her room that Neena and Papaw got her for Christmas, cute right? 

Also adding this new canvas, which I love.

I want to add something cute right there where the blue arrow is, like a sweet sign or something. But at the pace I get things put up she will want some sort of "teen" room by then. My teen room was Andre Agassi posters, and Bon Jovi posters hidden under my mattress because mom thought they were the devil. (Hi mom!) 

And Pierce now finally has his UofL bedroom he's been wanting for months.

It's a lot of RED

Maybe not what I would pick...

But it's not about me. He loves it, so I love it!

And I even finally got some things finished in our bedroom.

Three years is an average pace, right?

But I have done something that I think you all will be proud of. 

Remember not too long ago when I showed you this, and I mentioned my little African American buddy that greets me every morning? 

She was with me so long that I finally named her Sadie, and I grew attached to her.  But I did finally decide it was time for Sadie to go.

And now I roll over to this sweetie.

But I sorta miss that little Sadie.

Class of '93

In May of 1993, a group of big-haired, big-headed, life-lovin' kids walked down the isle to pomp and circumstance to leave behind all that they knew. It was time to spread our wings and leave behind the easiest days of our lives. 

And that was twenty years ago. 

WHA? Did I say TWEN-TY? 

Yes, I have been out of high school for twenty years, and THAT is just straight up ridiculous.

 Never one to miss a good time, I loaded myself up for a whirlwind trip home so I could go hang out with people who knew a very different Gretchen. 

I went to a very small private school, and when I say small, I mean small.

My graduating class was a grand whopping total of....28 kids! Which was actually a big class for GCHS, my sister graduated in class of 13, so 28 was massive.

So when you see this picture of a mere 10 people it might seem sort of sad, but to me it feels like home.

 I went to school with two of these girls all the way through K-12, and the rest of us all joined together by seventh grade.

These two I've known since kindergarten...

And Lyndsay and I go back to seventh grade.

And although we are all approaching forty, have careers, kids, and mortgages, get us together and suddenly we are back....

Pinterest? 'You are my sunshine'

When I heard about Pinterest, I initially of course, had no desire to do it. That's my usual m.o. I don't want to try the new thing. I finally caved, because all the cool kids were doing it, and I didn't want to be left out.  And I'm so glad that I did! It has given me soooo many ideas. It's like a kick in the brain, for the non creative souls of this world. 

Lots of party ideas....

 Hope would just DIE!

 Fun things to try with the kids..

 Ta-da!!

 New recipes, that I have ventured into trying...

 And when I made this nugget recipe, Paul said, "this is the best thing you've ever made." It only took 9 years to hear that!! :)

 But then, one day when I was perusing around, I saw THIS, and I knew that it was just what I wanted.  I had been wanting to do something different in the living room, but everything I saw, just didn't peak my interest. But this I loved.

So, as part of my Christmas from my parents, I ordered it, and it came just a few days ago! I was so excited.

 I had a whole idea of what I wanted to do, and Paul being the good husband he is, had to do the tedious job and put it together for me.

 If it were up to me to put it up, it would be a m-e-s-s.

 But he did it perfect!

 And I love it!

 It's just different enough for me

 And adds the pizazz I was looking for.

 And now I'm thinking I need some chevron pillows, and a throw. Back to pinterest I go..... ;-)

A reallllly laid back Saturday

This post will have drama, sword fights, tears, and a dramatic elimination. 

Okay, it will have none of that. I'm just trying to rope you all in. 

Wanna hear about our Saturday? Good.

I took the kids to Target to spend their gift cards. Pierce knew exactly what he wanted. He went right for the Pokemon! 

 Hope on the other hand, had a very hard time making a decision.

 And after much deliberation, she finally settled on ...

 Barbie stuff. Let me be honest about Barbie, I'm not a big fan, but she's drawn to it. I just try and limit the amount she has.

 Onto another thing I did on my Saturday. See this lamp here on Pierce's dresser? I think he got this when he was 2! so it was high time to make some changes. But let me show you what else I've done...

 I bought this sign, and ordered this canvas of Pierce.

 Then I updated his lamp, and now I'm thinking I should go buy another one for the other side.

 We also hung his new Pottery Barn hook.

 And while I was showing Pierce his updates, he added what he thinks is a perfect addition.

 A reshiram. It's Pokemon, and I don't understand that stuff at all! He thinks it's cool though. :)

 I plan on doing something similar in Hope's room, I want to order a canvas and get a sign, I just want it to look more feminine, so I'm keeping my eyes open.


Oh, and I made a pinterest recipe in the crock pot! (I'm fully aware that these riveting details in my life, are what keep my ten's of readers coming back for more)

 Yeah, it looks like something that shouldn't be eaten, but I swear it was good! Chicken, cream cheese, salsa, corn, and black beans. Cook for 7 hours on low, and serve with rice or on tortillas. Yum!!

 And I've decided to start taking my picture once a month, to watch the hair grow. Kinda like a baby, except not nearly as cute. So, here is month one. Exciting stuff, I know.

Happy weekend!!!

Home.

Today when I woke up, I was in for a rude awakening. No one brought me breakfast in bed, nor did anyone make my bed. I had to warm up my van before leaving for school, and this certainly was not my view..

No more cute animals made out of towels, along with my newspaper.
And long gone are the pool boys (which by the way his name was not Carlos, but I called him that anyways)
But despite all the changes I've had today, I am exactly where I want to be.

Home.