iPhriday

My sister had a "car mishap" (completely not her fault ... for real) and ended up with a totaled car and a broken foot.  From pressing on the brake.  Which is what happens to a mom who is trying to stop her car when her kids are in it.  So, the broken foot has left her on the couch ... bored out of her head.  Which has been good for me because she answers  my texts very quickly.  All that to say that she has been bugging me about posting the iPhone pictures all week.  At some point she sent me a text saying "to please please please call it iPhone Phriday."  Which I almost did ... until Dean suggested "iPhriday".  So I give you Dean and Jen's first collaboration.  And if you knew the two of them in real life, you would know that that has given me so. much. joy.  So much.

Anyways, here is our week ... 

 We have two cats.  The littlest of which is Sophie.  She is skittish.  If you were to come and visit you would NEVER see her.  Her hiding skills are quite good.  She doesn't really care for most people ... Dean and Torrey included.  But, I am her favorite.  When she knows the dogs are in bed she comes downstairs to say hello.  So, for all you who doubted she exists, Sophie says, "Hello.  Now go away."

 Nikita is 10.  TEN!  Which is 70 is cat years.  He isn't so skittish ... he will say hello as long as it doesn't involve him speaking to the dogs.  It is a love-hate relationship ... he is the hater.  FYI ... Kita's fur is as soft as a bunny.  For real.

 Dean.  He isn't as in love with the iPhone as me ... mostly because of the picture taking.  Sorry.  Can't stop now.

 On Wednesday, Torrey and I had lunch with Mrs. Cherry.  She is the Lower School secretary and she takes good care of me Monday-Friday.  Most days I tease her about getting me a sub ... which only backfires on the days I really need a sub because I have to preface the asking by saying, "This is for real."  Love Love Love Mrs. Cherry.

 Starbucks.  And my girl.  Love that she loves Starbucks as much as me.  She is drinking a yummy chocolately/coconut drink.  Think Mounds bar in a Starbucks cup.

 Torrey said, "Take my picture." And I couldn't have loved her more!  Dean wanted to know if I bought her the hat ... um, no.  I have the pictures.

 I took a few pictures before I let her know that she had it on completely wrong.  I almost didn't ...

 Boy did we laugh when I told her she had it on wrong ... she was cute both ways.

 I got my hair cut and high-lighted on Thursday.  Definitely necessary.  For real.

 Finished product.  Only would have been better if I had shown you the before.  But, I try not to embarrass myself if I can help it!

 Made a quick stop at Jo-Ann's ... walked out with nada.  Can't believe it myself.  They didn't have what I was looking for and I didn't need anything else.

 Oh, Zoey.  She has taken over this part of the couch.  But only if someone is sitting with her.  And, most nights she looks just like this.  I took a few pictures of her (dern red eye) and she was watching me ... but did not move.  Ridiculous.

 I took this one for my sister who diagnosed my ringworm on the phone.  I was talking to her and out of the blue told her about this weird thing on my leg.  She informed me it was ringworm ... Dean agreed (I guess the iPhriday thing was their second collaboration)  Funny thing is Carly also has ringworm ... on her leg.  So, not only do I have a birthday buddy, but I also have a ringworm buddy.  Love.

We are heading out of town in the morning.  Which means the animals had to be boarded.  The dogs go to the pet lodge (more room to run outside).  The cats go to the vet.  Getting those two in that carrier is the most stressful part of the trip ... mostly because Sophie gets so scared and she is a little houdini.  I should have taken a picture of them at the vets ... Nikita was completely under the towel hiding.  

And, that was our week.  See you next Phriday!

Today is Wednesday

I know that seems like a funny title, but I kept forgetting all day what day it was.  I thought for awhile it was Friday.  And then I thought it was Thursday.  And then I was back to Friday again.  And all the while it was Wednesday.

Reason #1 why I need to work.  Because otherwise I have no idea what day of the week it is unless I do "calendar" first thing in the morning.  And while I like to think that "calendar" is at least somewhat entertaining for my Kinder-friends, I'm thinking Dean and Torrey would think I was two steps from the nut house if I started singing the days of the week.  Perhaps I should sing the song anyways regardless of what they think of me.  Or not.

I have been a bit under the weather ... but, still taking pictures with the iPhone.  Seriously love.  And, when Torrey told me to take her picture in Target ... best. day. ever.  For real.

(And, just so you know I almost typed something about my mom having knee surgery tomorrow.  No.  Not tomorrow.  FRIDAY.  Everyone, all together now, "Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday ..."  Good grief.)

So quickly, what are we up to ... well, I am trying to figure out my camera.  I took this class here.  Helped.  Somewhat.  Will keep practicing and experimenting and trying.  Not trying to go professional ... just want to be able to take a decent picture with something other than the iPhone.  (Have I mentioned how much I love?)

Dreaming of this.  Can't wait.  Soon.  Very very soon.

Finished my summer reading book.  And the summary that goes with it.  Was not my favorite book ... but, you can learn something from anything if you look hard enough.  I had to look very very very hard.

Going to give this a try.  No try.  Do.  Thank you Yoda that lives in my head.  Join with me ... you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Haircut tomorrow.  Can't wait.  For the love of the roots.  They are terrible.  Very very terrible.

Planning a project.  I may or may not have snitched it from my favorite place to visit when I am at my sister's.  I will admit I did not take the picture and send it to me so I would know how to make one for someone else in my family.  Yes, Jen, I am talking about you.

Still have to do a post about Canouan.  We just dropped off the underwater camera. Torrey said she took lots of pictures of turtles and fish.  Tried hard to not appear to be jealous.  Failed miserably.

Got a coffee from here today.  My new fave is cinnamon dolce latte.  Grande please.  Torrey tried some mocha coconut concoction that was sinfully delicious.  She did ask if it was good ... is it wrong that I suddenly had a flashback to the honey latte disaster of 2008?  Could I sue them for post traumatic stress disorder? It. Was. That. Bad.

We have lost the doo-hickeys that attach the roof carrier to the roof.  And one key.  Well, I say one because only one lock is locked.  Dean and I have looked everywhere.  Except where they are.  Grrr.  There is a plan b ... we will only look a little like the Beverly Hillbillies.  Only a little.

And, that in a here there and everywhere kind of way is what we are up to this week.

iPhone Friday

The last week of school, Dean and Torrey arrived at my classroom door with an iPhone in hand.  For me.  Cue angels singing.  Greatest.  Invention.  Ever.  I am getting very good at playing Angry Birds, I have a text conversation going with a 65-year old colleague and am taking pictures of everything.  And, I do mean everything.  

And, some of them are too good to not share.  So, here it is ... iPhone Friday.  I will try to blog my favorite pictures of the week.  This could become an every week thing ... or this could be it.  (No need to comment, Stephen!)

 Welcome home, little buddy.  You are loved.  Terribly, terribly loved.

 Hard to see in the blurry picture (they were my first ones I took), but sister has some eyelashes ... gorgeous.  Nothing like the love of a Grandma!

 My crepe myrtles are blooming.  So pretty.

 Frohberg's Farms.  Love visiting here.  Especially in the summer when the produce is so pretty.

 This DISGUSTING bug flew into my head one night when I was on the back porch with the dogs.  I had to take a picture of it to send to Jen.  She thought it was gross too.

 On our way to Linda's ... I sent this one to my dad.  He texted back "who's the Mexican?"  Cracked us all up.

 Resting in between swims at Linda's ... actually, we were waiting for food.

 Family picture ... I'm sure it won't be our last!

 Strawberry Shortcake for dessert on Memorial Day.  FYI ... it was delicious!

 The butler's pantry is clean.  I had to document ... who knows how long it will stay like this!

 Torrey took a bunch of pictures of Farrah Fawcett (aka Zoey) ... she is in desperate need of a haircut.  Or a clip to keep her hair out of her eyes!

And, one last one ... summer is here in Houston.  It was 99 degrees on my way home this afternoon.  Oh, summer heat, I did not miss you!

Happy iPhone Friday!

Sneak Peek

I intended to blog about Torrey's trip to Canouan today ... but, alas, she is not home and while I could throw up the pictures, I think I might have her guest post and share the fun she had.  But, for now I leave this picture with you.  Happy drooling!

"New" Living Room Furniture

We ordered new furniture on our anniversary last year.  It finally arrived in October. And I promised to share.  And I promised again to share.  And I promised ...  blah blah blah.  Anyways, here is our "new" furniture.  So happy with it ... it completely transformed the room and turned it into a spot that you want to sit down and spend some time in.

 My paisley chair and ottoman.  Love.  It is comfortable and the perfect spot for grading papers, reading, watching TV and talking to Dean.  Torrey loves it too.  And so does Zack (grrr).

 The two chairs by the window.  They are a goldish color and coordinate with the paisley chair and the couch.  The pillows are from Pottery Barn.  They have the same color as the chair in them along with a hint of blue.

 We all love the couch.  It is super comfy.  And very high off the ground.  The paisley pillows match the chair and the blue pillow and throw are from Pottery Barn.  The coffee table we have had since we lived in Orlando.  It matches the side table and the sofa table .... which you can't see because it is behind the couch.

 Side view.  The round tables are from Target.  Love them.  The lamps are from Target or Lowe's or Home Goods.  We got matching lampshades from Pottery Barn.

 I just love the way it turned a room that was awkward into a room we all love sitting in and spending time together.  It isn't uncommon for Torrey to come and sit with us at night while she does her homework.  Who knew that furniture could so change a room?

Here are my thoughts on the room.  First, we aren't done.  I'm not sure what to do with the wall behind my chair.  Board and batten?  A bunch of old picture frames (empty) painted the blue color of the pillow on the couch?  A series of canvasses (we have a photo shoot scheduled next week with Marla & Shane ... can't wait!)?  Secondly, the window treatments.  We have plantation shutters on the windows in the kitchen and regular blinds in here.  I'm thinking we should go with plantation shutters in the family room because then you can't put up curtains and I love the look of plantations shutters.  Decisions.  Decisions.  Decisions.  But, all in all I love how the room turned out.  We struggled with furniture placement because of where the TV and fireplace are located (clearly designed by a man!)  It has been neat to see the room turn into our favorite spot in the house.  Now ... on to our bedroom!

Movie Night

Tonight I had a movie night with several of my teacher friends.  It was loads of fun ... and there is only one picture of the night.  One.

And, I did not take it.  I totally swiped it off Christine's Facebook page.  I forgot to take a picture of the friends who came and ate and laughed and celebrated summer with me.  I forgot to take a picture of the too much food I made.  I totally and completely forgot.  Clearly I have summer brain.  

But, as you can see, there were movie snacks.  And they were delicious.

Memorial Day 2011

Happy Memorial Day!  And a great big thank you to those who fought and are fighting to preserve our freedom.  We do not forget and we do not take it for granted.  Some left home as mere boys and returned as men.  Some never returned.  We are grateful.  Forever grateful.

 We could not mention Memorial Day without giving a shout out to Dean's Dad who proudly served in WWII.  We are thankful for his service ... and thankful that he was one of the lucky ones who returned.  (Um, and can I just say, I love the "Love, Ray" up in the corner.  Love.  Love.  Love.)

 Where were we? Memorial Day.  Well, we headed up to Linda and Paul's ... only it was only Linda's because Paul was in Germany (boo to working for a German company that doesn't celebrate American holidays!)  Dean had to fill in for Paul.  We brought the food and when I told him I was bringing chicken Dean said we could do burgers ... but, remember how many times I have said no one crunches a bun like Paul?  Paul ... you were missed.  For more than your bun crunching abilities!

 There was corn on the cob ... that made us smile.  He makes me smile.  A lot.

 We swam in the pool.  And played catch over the bridge.  And talked.  And laughed.  And ate.  And were just generally happy that summer is finally here.

 And tried to keep Hattie from jumping on us in the pool.  For real.  She forgets her size.  She could drown one of us one of these days.  Good thing she is cute!

And, speaking of cute.  We were glad to have this girl home to celebrate with us.  She had a blast on her trip to Canouan ... more on that soon!  Hope your Memorial Day was fun and full of remembering those that made it possible!