Canton or bust!

I've always heard great things about First Monday Trade Days in Canton.  As soon as she saw my "30 by 30" list my cousin Chassati expressed interest in going with me!  We actually made plans to go a few times over the past six months or so but something always came up.  I realized that this weekend would be my last opportunity to go childless before my birthday (football is here to stay for awhile).  Luckily my mom & Aunt Donna decided to get in on the fun and to go too :)  We had a fun girls road trip!  Thanks to my wonderful husband for keeping the kiddos and to my in laws for treating them to a movie!! 

We shopped and sweated until we dropped!!  It.was.HOT. I tried my best not to whine (much!) because I knew my 7.5 month preggo cousin Chassati had to have been miserable!! 

There were all SORTS of goodies.  We spent seven hours roaming through the booths and tables and still didn't see it all!  There were blingy clothes/ jewelry galore, antiques, purses, gadgets, holiday ornaments and decor, cute wrapping paper, iron work, miscellaneous junk, puppies, quilts and more.  Sooo much to look at. 

On the way home we stopped for some fresh fruit!  I got a juicy seedless watermelon, plums and peaches (thanks mom)!

Thankfully I had set aside some spending money from Mother's Day and I stuck to my budget, give or take a few dollar bills :)  Some of my favorite purchases include this giant two foot 'S', a sign to put in the dining room and a personalized glittery football for our front door. 

We decided that we should go back in January......right between football and track seasons ;)

Decoupage Project

Decoupage - the art of decorating an object by gluing colored paper cutouts onto it in combination with special paint effects

I have been meaning to try a big decoupage project for awhile now but just never got around to it.  (This list has ceratinly helped me do that with lots of things.)  I used mod podge to decorate clothes pins for Owen's 1st birthday party, but nothing fancy. 

Over Spring break I spied a cute aqua table at a road side sale.  I knew it would be a perfect subject for this project!  I decided to transform it into a bed side table for Owen once he transitions to a toddler bed.

Step 1:  Scuff the entire piece. 

Step 2:  Spraypaint all over.  Allow it to dry for several hours or overnight. 

Materials needed: 

Mod Podge (easily found at any craft store) 

Paint brush

Scrapbook paper (or fabric) of your choice

Step 3:  Apply Mod Podge to the area you plan to cover with paper. 

Allow to dry for approx 3-4 minutes...

Step 4:  Carefully put paper in place and immediately smooth all edges and middle.  (Note: the tricky part is working out the bubbles and edges that stick up.  Continuously smooth out the paper very gently.)  Lastly, apply Mod Podge on top.  It is best to end with all brush strokes going in the same direction.  Don't worry, the white/cloudy goop (as shown below) will dry clear ;) 

Step 5:  Allow it to dry for approx half an hour.  Enjoy your new piece of furniture! 

The decoupage possibilities are endless!  As a fair warning, after you create one thing you will be hooked :). 

Riverwalk Rendezvous

For the first time in approximately three years Jarrod and I got away for a day and a half.  I cannot believe it had been quite that long, but life gets busy!!  On the way to San Antonio we stopped in Gruene for some shopping and lunch at Gristmill. 

We stayed at the Drury Plaza on the river walk and enjoyed a late dinner at Saltgrass. 

We ventured over to the Alamo....

Here are some snap shots from the lobby of our hotel.  It used to be a bank.  What a beautiful place!

We enjoyed our time together!!  On the way back we did lots of outlet mall shopping.  On Tuesday evening we were so glad to see the kiddos.

Girls Day Out

After our hair appointments on Friday afternoon Emma and I headed to my favorite spa in Temple, Fountain of Beauty.  My mom introduced me to this place approx 22 years ago.  It is where I got regular trims, perms during the 80's and highlights during high school and college.  I even had my hair done for many formals as well as our wedding. 

Although this was our official girls day out, we agreed to let the boys chauffeur us around town.  I had saved up gift cards so our visit was "free"!  I enjoyed an express manicure and a deluxe pedicure while Emma only requested hot pink polish with sparkles :)   

Emma loved getting pampered but can only sit still for so long....which isn't very long at all ;)

"A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future."  ~Author Unknown

Blonde Again!

One of the things on my list was to do something different with my hair.  I thought about a shocking fancy short do, but since it takes FORever and ever to grow my hair out I played it safe.  

Most of our "extra" expenses were done away with when I decided to stay home and we started living on one full income....and that luxury was included.  It had been approximately five years since I had regular highlights.  Once I let it return to its  natural shade just looking in the mirror was a huge change.  In fact, I was almost brunette (gasp!) 

I admit that it's easy to become a "frumpy housewife".  On the days we don't leave the house I stay in my pjs til noon and I don't bother with hair or makeup.  Jarrod reminds me that I should do nice things for myself more often but it's really hard for me to justify doing so.  I always joked that I would immediately run to the salon the second I discovered my first gray hair.  Anyway, Jarrod encouraged me to start highlighting again so I did it before he changed his mind :) ( I also had the layers cleaned up and a created a bang.)

BEFORE:

AFTER:

A little dirt won't hurt!

Today I learned how to change my own oil.  Of all the things listed on the "to do" list this one I received the most (doubtful) feedback on!  I figured I would get it out of the way (and my car was waaay over due).  This was my first experience underneath a vehicle and I must say it was a little strange.  There's a lot to look at down there!

This was a dirty job.  Absolutely filthy!  I got grease on my forehead and oil all over my hands.   It was definitely an old T shirt and no makeup kind of project!

For those of you not familiar with the process, it is not extremely challenging.  

Step 1:  Place a large/shallow/disposable reservoir under the car.  Carefully position your body under there (note: if you are claustrophobic this job is not for you!). 

Step 2: Loosen the oil plug.  Unless you are Superman/woman a ratchet is absolutely necessary.  This will immediately release an astonishing amount of warm, gooey, dark golden liquid. 

Step 3: Tighten the oil plug back on and crawl back up to find fresh air.

Step 4: Open hood.  Briefly examine all visible bits and pieces to make sure all is well.  Top off antifreeze, etc. if needed.  Loosen oil cap & replace with new oil (note: this can also be done with a baby on your hip!)

Here is my handsome lead mechanic and his cute assistant checking out something interesting under the hood :)

Evidently the Trailblazer requires waaay more oil than most models (7 quarts to be exact).  This was something outside my realm of expertise but now I know how if I needed to do it again.

And the Procrastination award goes to.....

.....ME!!!!

Hi friends!  Are any of you still following my journey?  Sorry there hasn't been much action here but I promise to pick up the pace very soon.  Afterall, I have less than 5 months left (147 days to be exact)...yikes! 

Procrastinate - to put off until another day or time; to defer or delay

All my life I have been a major procrastinator.  Especially with packing, cleaning, studying and leaving the house on time.  I always get the task done....but I just wait until the last minute to start!  I have a feeling that the completion of this list will be the same way.  I will finish it....even if I don't start some of the tasks until the first week of October (wink!)