Hair today...

This is my hair as of last week. It was the longest it's been since high school.

This is what I am used to. And it's so much better. A-line bobs speak to my soul.

Excuse the oh-so classy bra straps and lack of make-up.

My hair and I are much happier.

Jeff for hire

You know my kick-ass custom table (and the other bagillion projects) that Jeff made with the reclaimed wood? 

My custom table with chevron pattern. 

Better view of said table.

Pallet wall

An art canvas (art from me).

A trellis!

After much cajoling (and actually composing the ad for him), I convinced him to advertise his expertise on Craigslist. Jeff is ridiculously humble about his skills--which reach far beyond my bizarre fascination with reclaimed pallet wood--so it was a big step for him to advertise himself. He often builds/repairs for family and close friends, but opening himself up to strangers is a new avenue for him.

If you know anyone hankering for a unique custom piece, let me know and I will pass along the request!

B is 5

This kid is officially five.

I didn't do a birthday post for him because we have been insanely busy. Work exploded when I was named a department chair. Jeff is going to be working a new position at his company. We've been trying to help B get ready for kindergarten and Cash over the hump of a speech delay.

Deep down inside I am not ready to have a five year old. I am not ready for him to go to school. Something about marking time by school years makes everything move at warp speed. I remember when he turned two and I went back to work that night so I could escape the reality of not having a baby. It's not that dramatic this time, but it's equally surreal.

Bradley is our sweet gentleman. He is thoughtful, imaginative, and kind. He has maintained the easy disposition he's had since he was an infant. He always wants to cuddle, he always wants to play a superhero (Ironman most days), and he always wants to be helpful. His patience is either two centimeters short or a mile long--always the latter when it comes to his brother. His teachers adore him, his friends look up to him, and strangers are charmed by him. He is our Bug.

Happy birthday sweet B! I hope 5 is everything you imagined and hoped for!

Mother's Day 2012 pre-game

Dear Jeff,

I think we know the drill by now. Here is my Mother's Day list. I feel better that you requested it this year as opposed to my very subtle hinting in years past.

Btw, these are all pinned on my Pinterest board, "Gifts I Have Lived Without...but would rather not".

This book, or...

this shirt, or...

this Lancome eyeshadow set (Jade Fever), or...

(if you find billz) Clarisonic Cleaning System.

Or just keep letting me sleep in and boss you around on making coffee and give me a back rub. 

Love,

The Loud One

These boys

These boys continue to defy me and get bigger.

Cash is...
...in his big boy bed.
...constantly mocking his brother. (It's adorable for right now.)
...all boy. If he is outside and/or dirty he is happy.
...still having issues with his speech. We just started the process on speech therapy.
...obsessed with his dad.
...obsessed with cars.
...obsessed with balls.
...obsessed with eating.
...apparently a 45 year-old man in a 2 year-old body if you take into account the last three points.

Bradley is...
...always pretending to be a Power Ranger.
...going to be five in only a matter of days.
...still wanting to marry me. (Love.)
...officially off the thumb and only using his blanket in bed.
...at that stage where he is excited by his chores.
...requesting summer vacations in San Diego. I doubt we can make this happen with Disneyland in October.

I've had a love/hate backyard. Mostly hate. It's unevenly shaded so grass grows in weird patterns; subdivision grading means one side of the yard gets more water than the other; and a massive, uninspiring gray brick wall spans the back.

In the spirit of change we recently redid the brick pavers and moved the rock, making room for more grass. We didn't want to pay for sod, so we've been waiting for it to pop up for free on Craigslist. By "recently" I mean like 4 months ago. We've had big mud patches since we moved the rock. So that's been fun with dogs.

In one corner I put a mini-garden (tomatoes, watermelon, and zucchini). I'm not incredibly optimistic, as I am notorious for killing live plants. Dogs that walk through said garden don't help my mood. I created an "Eff-you-dogs" wall with amazing Iceplant succulents. I picked those because the guy at Lowe's said they were hard to kill.

My favorites, though, are the vines I planted on the back walls. Two Bowers and a Snail Vine. The latter has these amazing blooms.

The previous post is brought to you by my impending middle age. Button-up shirts and Orthotic sandals to follow.

Bestie Update

Despite her successful surgery, no evidence of cancer in her lymph nodes, and the optimism of all docs involved, the doctors want to be aggressive and do another round of treatment to be extra sure they killed it all. This means 4 months of chemo.

Unfortunately, this is the chemo that will make her lose her hair. And because girls will be girls, there's been lots of discussions about how she is going to approach this. Progressive cuts or shave it off? Wigs or scarves?

I'm behind her in whatever she chooses, but I have requested that I get to be present for the buzzing. I want to be her Seth Rogen.

Lost soul

I know I've bitched a lot about my missing camera. I am not a fan of photo-less posts. It must be the teacher in me, appealing to different modes of processing. Or (and this is the most likely reason) I am a drama queen.

The phone pics will persist.

Finished products!

Holy balls, guys! Check out this shit.

My perfect table is done, courtesy of my perfect man. I still have some finishing touches to finish up, but the main attraction is done.

The side act was freshening up the ottoman.

I am not sure how I feel about the orange. I like how it pops with other items in the room, but not with the rug. Which means we might be in the market for a new area rug. Or more likely, I will wait until my eyes adjust and it doesn't bother me.

I love this fabric. 

Yeah for home projects!

A new old friend

I found her at the Lutheran Thrift Shop (definitely my favorite thrift store).

The tag said, "Vintage Mercury Bike". She was $75, but I had a 20% coupon!

If the old-timers at the LTS say it's vintage, well you know that bitch is vintage. And she is. And she is lovely. I love her just the way she is.

While I was checking out one of the ladies (everyone who works there is at least 70) told me about a bike she had "just like it" and rambled on about it. I love when there are stories that go along with my thrifting finds--even if it isn't my bike's story.