I Found It!

I took this picture with y phone on our trip to Utah. Looking through my photos on my phone the other day I remember why I took it--Where the Sidewalk Ends.

Most favorite poem by Shel Silverstein:

The Unicorn
from the book "Where the Sidewalk Ends" (1974)

A long time ago, when the earth was green
and there was more kinds of animals than you've ever seen,
and they run around free while the world was bein' born,
and the lovliest of all was the Unicorn.

There was green alligators and long-neck geese.
There was humpy bumpy camels and chimpanzees.
There was catsandratsandelephants, but sure as you're born
the lovliest of all was the Unicorn.

But the Lord seen some sinnin', and it caused him pain.
He says, "Stand back, I'm gonna make it rain."
He says, "Hey Brother Noah, I'll tell ya whatcha do.
Go and build me a floatin' zoo.

And you take two alligators and a couple of geese,
two humpy bumpy camels and two chimpanzees.
Take two catsandratsandelephants, but sure as you're born,
Noah, don't you forget my Unicorn."

Now Noah was there, he answered the callin'
and he finished up the ark just as the rain was fallin'.
He marched in the animals two by two,
and he called out as they went through,

"Hey Lord, I got your two alligators and your couple of geese,
your humpy bumpy camels and your chimpanzees.
Got your catsandratsandelephants - but Lord, I'm so forlorn
'cause I just don't see no Unicorn."

Ol' Noah looked out through the drivin' rain
but the Unicorns were hidin', playin' silly games.
They were kickin' and splashin' in the misty morn,
oh them silly Unicorn.

The the goat started goatin', and the snake started snakin',
the elephant started elephantin', and the boat started shaking'.
The mouse started squeakin', and the lion started roarin',
and everyone's abourd but the Unicorn.

I mean the green alligators and the long-neck geese,
the humpy bumpy camels and the chimpanzees.
Noah cried, "Close the door 'cause the rain is pourin' -
and we just can't wait for them Unicorn."

Then the ark started movin', and it drifted with the tide,
and the Unicorns looked up from the rock and cried.
And the water come up and sort of floated them away -
that's why you've never seen a Unicorn to this day.

You'll see a lot of alligators and a whole mess of geese.
You'll see humpy bumpy camels and lots of chimpanzees.
You'll see catsandratsandelephants, but sure as you're born
you're never gonna see no Unicorn. 

So sad! :)

Show & Tell

Have any of you come across the blog Show & Tell? Sometimes I feel super lost in the internet world because people have already seen/done things that I talk about on here.

Anyway, I found this lady's blog...and I love it! Because of this: she quit her job of ten years to do what she loves best: Re-doing furniture! Then she sells the pieces locally in her area on this site. I am most inspired by it all.

A couple of my favorites:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="443" caption="Cedar chest from Sweet Pickins (Show & Tell)"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="442" caption="Chippy round side table from Sweet Pickins"][/caption]

She gives a tutorial on her glazing technique here.

Go explore her blog and you'll be amazed at some of the before and after pictures. Love them!

 

My Plea to Emma Watson.

I've been seeing this picture posted all over my news feed on Facebook:

and I'm all like, "What is this about?" Basically, in an interview, she said this:

"I find this whole thing about being 18 and everyone expecting me to be this object..I find the whole concept of being 'sexy' embarrassing and confusing.

If I do a photo-shoot people desperately want to change me - dye my hair blonder, pluck my eyebrows, give me a fringe.

Personally, I don't actually think it's even that sexy. What's sexy about saying, 'I'm here with my boobs out and a short skirt...have a look at everything I've got'? My idea of sexy is that less is more. The less you reveal the more people can wonder."

I thought, "how neat; that such an icon for young girls (and a surprising amount of women) would say something like that! How wonderful for them to hear from someone so lovely that "sexy" is not only covering yourself up, but it's "embarrassing and confusing". (This is totally how I feel when I get hollered at in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Classy? Sexy? I think no!)

Then I kept reading the article...and I died a little bit. She goes on to say:

"I might be willing to take my clothes off for a Bertolucci film, if it was a part that really made sense as part of my character."

Wut? No!! I don't even know what or who a Bertolucci film is (I'm so kewl), but he/it can't be so phenomenal that you'd just, you know, take your clothes off because it "made sense as part of your character." Why?!

People like who you are now. Like you said in your interview, you're not just getting your "kit" off for anyone. Don't take it off for everyone.

So here is my simple plea in behalf of all those who look up to you as a role model: Stay classy, Ms. Watson, and keep your clothes on. Please!

Christmas Cards

Like I've said before, I've never made a family Christmas card...and I'm totally excited to do one this year! I know, we still have awhile to go until Christmas, but I can't help myself!! I found some cute ideas:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="I love, love, love the colors on this card. The design, layering...everything!"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="I like the look of this. i think I would use lace in the shape of a tree instead of embossing."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="Christmas card from stamps. I love stamps!"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="397" caption="Black and White."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Clicking on the image will take you to the blog--there are more! But it's totally not in English."][/caption]

You can put a picture in the card or print it right onto the card!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="399" caption="For newborns"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="298" caption="The guy looks like a really young Mitt Romney."][/caption]

 FUN!

 

Hear Me Roar!

This goes along with yesterday's post. A parent by definition is “a protector or guardian.” Let’s break it down even more; a protector is one who protects or defends. Think of a mother bear and her cubs in potential danger.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="You think you're going out dressed like that?! Think again, sista!"][/caption]

 Yikes.

A guardian is a person who preserves. To preserve something means to keep safe from harm or injury; to protect or spare. See below:



Notice how mama is all up in their business and looking around. These little cubs seem pretty alert, but not all cubs are. Like this little cub:



Totally taking a snoozer, but the mom is business. Come at her kid, see what happens.

So basically our job as parents is to keep our children safe from harm or injury, whether that injury is physical, emotional, or mental. We need to do everything within our own ability to set up boundaries for our children regardless of what other parents are doing. Values people!

'Tis the Season

'Tis the season! but actually not for another 3 months. I'm just getting ahead of myself. I see Christmas full of glittery things. I love glitter and shine. Obviously, Christmas isn't about shiny stuff, but it is probably my most favorite holiday to decorate. Even when I lived with college girls who did nothing but whine about their hair and latest non-boyfriend, who didn't give two cents about holiday decorating or even cleaning for that matter, I still decorated.

One year I bought a little, three foot Christmas tree with miniature blue, pink, and silver glitter ornaments. I loved it. Then one year I lived with some girls (who mostly did like to clean and decorate!) and we inherited a huge, old, fake Christmas tree from a co-worker who was going to trash it; complete with ornaments! but then my little, three foot Christmas tree had nowhere to live--so I gave it to a friend who I pretty much forced to celebrate Christmas with some decor. I don't think he minded. Maybe.

I am determined to make some little glitter Christmas trees this year. I don't think we are planning on getting a real-fake tree until we actually live in our real house. So I'm trying to think 'small decorating'.



[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="is it weird that I really just love that there is a single ornament hanging in a frame?"][/caption]



[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="These are just super adorable, unique ornaments"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Sheet music ornaments."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Chipboard ornaments. Cover in your favo paper and various stuffs. Yes, I think I might do this and make a little garland!"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Framed chalkboard--you can even use it outside of the Holidays!"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="I love that these "trees" are in little flower pots"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="495" caption="I absolutely adore these. You could probably easily make them. If you don't have a tree hang them on doorknobs! or even from your rearview mirror. Bring Christmas to the car--oh yeah!"][/caption]

Or if you're feeling really crafty you could try this out:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Ornaments...made from BUTTONS!!!"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Little button wreath. So cute!"][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Beaded snowflakes. These could also make a super simple/cheap gift."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Beaded letters! Love them. Could also make cute/cheap gift."][/caption]

So many ideas! Now. To think of which ones to do. Oh! and time to start thinking about Christmas cards! I've never done a Christmas card...my Baby Brain (aka pregnancy brain) is turning.

Bringing Classy Back

This has nothing to do with remodeling, redecorating, or designing anything. Kind of...I just had an epiphany that it sort of does: Remodeling our children. This post though is more specifically our girls.

Yeah, I'm not a parent yet, but I still have opinions on parenting. Maybe that isn't allowed. Regardless, I still have them. Today is one of those days where I'm all like, "Are you for real right now?" and yes. It's for real.

Let me begin:

How is it okay to let our daughters walk around like mini-hookers? So what if they are pretty—they look like strumpets in their frilly miniskirts and disco off the shoulder tops, with their glitter blue eye shadow and their fishnets and their boots. Even if she happens to be wearing tights with her black leather mini, neon leopard top and heels, guess what? You can see through tights. and she better not bend over or everything is going to come tumbling out.

If my daughter walked out of the house looking like some hungover rock-star chic (sorry Ke$ha) I would pray I was blind and deaf and that I had no accountability for what she wore. The thing is the majority of parents out there aren’t blind. Are you lazy? Scared? Do you honestly not care that I can pretty much see your daughter’s butt cheeks hanging out of her skirt as she walks away? You should be ashamed. I'm ashamed just looking in her general direction.

I’m a 23 year old Misses (Like, Mrs.). Saying woman makes me feel old, but my age clearly states that I can no longer claim the title of “girl.” I would say lady, but I feel I'm just a few notches short of classy to be called a lady. (I mean have you heard me speak?)  I must admit I wore a miniskirt once, and it only took those few hours to make me feel cheap, vulnerable, and gross. (If my parents are reading this, they probably just puked in their own mouths). That one time was after I had moved away from my parent’s house, and there was no way in this universe I would have ever left the house wearing a miniskirt. For good reason. No, I didn’t get hollered at, no one honked when I walked by, and no one tried to rape me. Instead, I got totally eye-groped. It was uncomfortable and I hated it. From that moment I never wore a miniskirt, or even short skirt again. My body is mine fool, back off. From that I gained a few ounces of self-respect.

Why on earth would we allow our daughters to dress in a fashion where they could potentially feel like a toy? Why would we, as parents, pay for the trash they are wearing? Why would we allow our sons to date girls who dressed like they were working the night shift on the corner?  We are parents, not best friends. We are mentors, not sidekicks. We are the bosses, not the interns.

It is possible to be pretty and appealing as opposed to pretty and sleazy. Let’s bring classy back people and teach our daughters (and ourselves) some self-respect.

Holla!

Put some clothes on.

Kitchen Storage

I heart BHG. and I love awesome storage/organizational solutions! Check some of these out:

Pull out storage:

[caption id="attachment_342" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="BHG.com"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_343" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="BHG.com"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_344" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="BHG.com"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_345" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="BHG.com"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_346" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="BHG.com"][/caption]

They all look so neat and so clean.

Hide-away storage:

[caption id="attachment_347" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="BHG.com"][/caption]

Way cool, because microwaves always end up looking nasty.

[caption id="attachment_348" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="BHG.com"][/caption]

Perfect. I hate when my trash is out in the open. Gross.

Knife storage:

[caption id="attachment_349" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="BHG.com"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_350" align="aligncenter" width="270" caption="BHG.com"][/caption]

The coolest pantry ever:

[caption id="attachment_351" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="BHG.com"][/caption]

It has multiple layers!! How cool is that?

You Know How?

You know how there's that whole part in Beauty and the Beast? Where Beauty is in the library (at the beginning of the movie) on the ladder, and she rolls down the wall of shelves right before she's about to break into song?

Yup.

I decided that I want a library ladder...in my kitchen.

I'm a little ahead of myself yet again, but I like to have an idea in my head of what I want! We have almost got everything cleared out enough at our house to start doing the electrical and plumbing. Yay!

If I Were Cinderella...

If I were Cinderella, I would have made my attic look like this:

...but she may not have had that much room. Actually, I can't even remember if Cinderella lived in the attic. Whatever.

This is a post about me dreaming again.

We have enough space in the attic (once we have walls again) to make a bedroom or a playroom. It just depends on what we want. The attic already has one of those pull down ladders, but I think it would be super neat to have a spiral stair case instead.

[caption id="attachment_331" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="This goes to a loft."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_332" align="aligncenter" width="199" caption="Something like this, but a nicer color."][/caption]

Then the attic could open up to a room:

[caption id="attachment_333" align="aligncenter" width="285" caption="google images"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_334" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="google images"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_335" align="aligncenter" width="215" caption="google images"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_336" align="aligncenter" width="234" caption="google images"][/caption]

They are all just so darling!

Then this is just stellar:

[caption id="attachment_337" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Hidden playroom-vententersearch.com"][/caption]

If you go to this site you can see the hidden playroom. So neat!