Getting over my "painting" fears!

It was last fall when I bought this piece of furniture...I think it was $10.00! I have had full intentions of painting this for one of my girls. But, honestly I am scared....scared it will look bad or the paint will not adhere to the surface.

So instead it's been sitting in my garage....becoming a catch all for

tools......chlorine buckets...juice boxes even

leftover RED popsicle sticks

...I even used it as a gardening table when I was planting plants! Mr. Sandy Toes asked me this week what I am doing with it. I don't know!

So I am asking YOU? What should I do with this? I need some ideas please.....

In the quiet~

Our bedtime around here is getting later and later-

So sleeping in is too! I have enjoyed these more quiet early mornings to gather my thoughts-

to pray-

to read-

I make a little "morning" drink and go outside in my bare feet and sit around the pool-

The quietness is usually broken by my middle child yelling my name as though I am hiding or something. When she finds me...she goes back to being "all" sleepy to snuggle up and maybe try to dip her toes in the pool-

It's the same every morning but that is what makes it so good~

What is your favorite time of the day?

You know you have been married a little while...

Mr. Sandy Toes and I had reservations at a quaint restaurant in the old part of "town". However, plans were changed when we found out they were closed. Totally crazy-

After getting home...I chuckled to myself about the night...life has changed- WE have changed...especially me!

After dinner we went to the theater...there was nothing that interested us. Years ago, I would of been disappointed and would of wanted to see anything but I was content to go home (okay...and get comfy clothes on).

Before, going home...we stopped at the Dollar Tree to find "favors" for my daughters birthday party. Years ago I hated the dollar store NOW I am there on my anniversary...oh my!

I stopped at one drink...knowing well that morning would come and 3 pairs of eyes would be staring at me!

When we came home...I think my husband and I were glad to see the kids up(they had WAY more fun with the babysitter).We had a crazy day and I was glad to say "goodnight".

My daughters first question as I came to tuck her in...

"Did you kiss?"

Going on 14 years~

Dear Mr. Sandy Toes,

It's hard to believe another anniversary is here. I swear it was just yesterday standing on the steps of this bed & breakfast that morning when those peach roses arriving from you hours before our wedding with just "1920".

Or it had to be just this past weekend, when you and I stood there in that yard of that old stone home in the countryside of VA buying our first home our first year of marriage.

Going on 14 years...it's hard to believe...

Happy Anniversary! See you tonight...reservations at 6:30p.m.!

"1920"

"Stir and Season" Saturday

This is a simple dip...so SIMPLE...ready...I don't even think you have to write it down!

Mix one large tub of marshmallow creme

one container of Philadelphia Strawberry cream cheese

Mix well; Serve with strawberries or grahm sticks...Oh yum!!!

p.s. Who am I kidding? I could just eat the dip forget the fruit!!

All the kids were watching a "movie" before going up to bed. This little "guy" crawled up and snuggled close to my daughter....

Same curly,red hair makes them immediate "kindred spirits"!

When it Rains...

The past two days have been so rainy.... honestly, a blessing for a bit-

I have been completely organizing my 3 kids closets and dressers...it's ONE BIG

job~

Between organizing clothes for seasons....sIzEs and everything else that finds it's way into there!

Tomorrow, I will sell some of my clothes to the local consignment shop...it's always fun to see how much I can get-

It's a job that MUST be done {maybe only once a year} but sure feels good when it's done!

What is one job around the house you dread to do but FEEL great when it's done???

Health Care Reform

Today, I was surprised when I looked on my "blog" roll to see that No One posted about this health care bill being proposed....

A 1,000 plus page bill full of "who knows what"....even those writing it don't know all that's in it. {There are 5 different committees involved}

While this bill is being promoted as a way to reform health care and help Americans, it should be opposed because it would:

* Spend billions of dollars to allow the federal government to fund home visitation programs, where government officials would enter homes and monitor children and instruct parents in how to raise their children;

* Encourage states to pressure families to enroll their children in these home visitation programs;

* Put the federal government in the healthcare business, resulting in loss of competition, loss of patient choice, and loss of patient freedom;

* Require all health insurance plans, whether offered by a private company or the government, to include controversial “essential benefits,” which courts or the Secretary of Health and Human Services may determine to include medical procedures which businesses and taxpayers may oppose on philosophical and religious grounds; and

* Increase the size and power of the federal government.

PLUS...the people writing it....WHITE HOUSE and Congress have their own "special" health care. My question is if it's such a good bill...

{Will they drop their {special} health care and join Americans in this "new" one?} NO!!!

Call your senators today...it's time to speak out against Bill H.R. 3200!!!!

(some information for this post taken from HSLDA email)

Tell Me It Isn't "So"!

We had out of town guests last week...it was full of fun and kid "noise"!

This week is truly the first week since the beginning of June where my kids may come to me and say "I am bored!"...it's been so busy!

I have had some time to catch up on emails and start getting dates down...

In my despair...I realized that August is starting to get full of "back to school" things...practices...and a few more practices...camps....

Is it true??

Summer feels like it's coming to an end...quicker than I want....

Please tell me that in my mail pile on the kitchen island is NOT the Lands End Back to School catalogue...

Tell me it isn't "so"!

Itsy, Bitsy Feet-I "heart" faces

This week, I am submitting a photo with the

"I Heart Faces" blog.

What a fun topic...{FEET}! I took this picture of my daughter playing in Lake Huron in Michigan on a hot summer day. There is something sweet and "childlike" with feet jumping in the bubbly,watery sand!

A bit Funky~

My mom and I went to the neatest "antique/vintage" shop. Looking back I wish I would of bought a few other things but it was at the beginning of our trip.

I found these neat candle holders and a fun metal basket~ I thought it would be perfect out at my pool!

I have these striped wooden chairs and they needed some attention. So while my Mr. Sandy Toes was headed to Lowes. I had him pick up a can of "aqua" paint and had a little fun~

It's a bit bright...okay, maybe a little funky! But, it's perfect for our pool area!

Sand Between Our Toes

On our trip....there was a lot of sand (some in my bed)-

Trips to get ice cream (maybe a little too much)-

Watched fireworks, lit sparklers and went to 4th of July parade (bags full of candy)

Walking the beach(should of done it more)-

Meeting up with old friends (go here and see who I saw!!!)

Playing with beach toys(even ones made from their great-grandfather)

Floated in the cool lake and splashed the day away

Swinging on swings(with a couple of "boo boos" along the way)

Sharing special moments with those we love....

Summer, please, don't end!

p.s. My son and his "Papa" went fly fishing for 5 days...wish I had pictures!

An Easy Kid "Activity"

This week, I am going to share with you some "clips" of our trip. My parents have a wonderful cottage on Lake Huron (One of the Great Lakes) in Michigan. The kids love it there...it's the perfect place to sink your feet in the hot sand with the cool breeze coming off the water.

One thing my kids LOVE to do is "paint rocks" off the beach. It's so funny b/c you would think this is some BIG activity each year we go! My mom lays out a tablecloth with all kinds of paints and brushes. The kids search the beach for those perfect rocks to paint!

My mom takes one painted rock from all the kids to put in her landscape (big deal for the kids). It's so easy...you could do this at home. Of course, what is nice about painting at the cottage is when the kids are all done. Just tell them to run in the lake to wash off..now that is nice!