More Decorating Tid-Bits

Ok....here is another one of my great finds.  I found this great shelving unit at a second hand shop in my town.  I think it was $45.00 and I got the guy to deliver it for another $10.00.  Pretty cool, huh? And this one, I didn't even re-paint.  Just saying....you don't have to have a lot of moola to change things up.  The clock is from Target and most of the accessories are from Homegoods.  If you don't have a Homegoods, try TJ Maxx or Marshalls.  Both great resources.......

More of The Middle

Has anyone else out there discovered one of the best kept secrets on television called The Middle?  It is on Wednesday nights at 8:00 Pacific Time on ABC.  It is hilarious.  If you want to feel better about your parenting skills or your life, watch The Middle.  I try and stay away from shows that make me feel less than adequate such as Grey's Anatomy.  Come on!  Those women are brilliant and beautiful doctors.  I like The Middle.  It is about a really ordinary family.....and I mean ordinary.  They live in Indiana....in the middle of the country.  They are middle class.  Their house is a disaster area and their parenting skills leave much to be desired.  But, they are just like the rest of us out there, trying their best to make ends meet and keep their kids on the right track.  Their daughter, Sue, has tried out for every team imaginable at school and finally makes the track team, because it is a "no-cut" sport.  Somehow, I relate to Sue.  Remember the substitute cheerleader story? Not to mention that I also grew up in Indiana.  Anyway, it is very funny.  It stars Patricia Heaton from Everybody Loves Raymond and the dorkiest kids you will ever see on TV.  Watch it, you won't be disappointed and you will feel great about yourself, too.

Decorating

I am not a decorator.  The truth is that I am a frustrated decorator wannabe.  I guess I have a little bit of talent in this area.....so, I have been told.  So, maybe I will add to my blog a few decorating tips and ideas for some of you other regular people out there. I am not above shopping at garage sales and The Salvation Army.  In fact, some of my favorite pieces have come from those two places.  For instance, I once went into The Salvation Army and saw this really cool, old buffet.  It used to be mahogany but was all scratched and banged up.  I got it for $40.00.  So, I brought it home and painted it black.  Then, I sandpapered the edges to give it a little bit of a worn look.  It turned out pretty well.  Pottery Barn, beware!!  It is one of my favorite pieces in my house and it was $40 and a little sweat equity.  I will attach a picture. There it is, behind the printed chairs I snagged from my sister before she threw them away. The moral of the story is that you do not have to have a lot of money to change things up.  So, get creative and get out to some garage sales!!! Reduce, Re-use and Recyle!!

Airplane Trips

So does anyone else remember when taking an airplane trip was a real treat?  I took my first plane trip when I was 16 years old, and boy was it a big deal!!  We were flying across the country for the holidays, and we girls were so excited. We got dressed up....yes, dressed up. Skirts, sweaters, knee hi's. Cute little carry-ons in tow that actually fit under the seat in front of us. Oh my goodness, it was the best thing ever.  And, then the plane ride itself...what an adventure.  Those meals........the cute little tray with all of the little condiments. Highlight of the trip!!!  Warm, damp towels before landing for freshening up.  Boy, are those days gone!  I have actually seen people flying in pajama bottoms!!  Not kidding.  Since when is it ok to wear pajamas in public, let alone on an airplane? And then, the carry ons.  People pushing and shoving and knocking people in the head to stuff a bag the size of Texas in the overhead bins.  Meals, gone. Service, gone. Comfort, gone. Space, gone.  Any semblance of order or decorum, gone!!  Boy, do I miss the old days.  Just saying.........

Fish Sticks

Ok....I have a love, hate affair with food.  I love to eat it and hate to prepare it.  I hate to plan meals, shop for groceries, think about what to fix for dinner every night.  It is such drudgery.  Don't get me wrong, once in a while, I will get the urge to be creative and cook.  And, we always have tried to sit down at the table together as a family.  But, oh, trying to come up with new ideas for dinner.  So, I have decided to take the pressure off myself  by serving fish sticks once a week.  Yes, Fish Sticks.  I try to put a vegetable with it.....like ketchup. Just kidding!!  I do try and make it a little healthy with the sides.....like a salad or vegetable.  But, boy it does take some of the pressure off........and, they are actually quite good. You should try them.......I don't think it will kill us, do you?  Hope not.

Taster's Choice

My husband and I drink Taster's Choice Coffee.  I hate to admit this, as it is kind of embarrassing in a country where there is a Starbucks or Peet's Coffee on every corner.  We have become a nation of Coffee Snobs!!!  No coffee is too good, or too expensive!   But, me, I like to wake up to the sound of the tea kettle whistling in the morning, and the smell of those Taster's Choice crystals dissolving in the boiling water. It makes me want to bound out of bed.  I am not kidding...sometimes that is the only thing that will get me up.  Not to bust anyone, but my two sisters drink Taster's Choice, too.  Our Mom did, and we grew up on it....once we were old enough to drink coffee.  I guess it is comfort food to us.  Don't tell anyone, but once when I forgot to make real coffee for company, I put Tasters Choice in my coffee maker pot and served it.  Nobody noticed....I don't think!!

JJ the Labradoodle

You are going to think I am making this up.....but, remember, Truth is Stranger than Fiction!!  We have a labradoodle named JJ.  He was the cutest puppy ever!!  Anyway, this is totally true.  When he was a little puppy, he actually ate 5 pairs of underwear at the same time; make that 6.  I do have to qualify that by saying that the one's he ate were my daughter's itty bitty underwear.  He threw them all up, except for one.......we couldn't believe it.  He started making those noices that dogs make when you know they are going to toss their cookies....(in this case, toss their panties).  Then, one, two. No way!!  Three, four, not happening!! Then five pairs all together. Unbelievable. The 6th one came out the other end.  It was miraculous.  I do have to say that if he had eaten my big momma panties, he would be dead.  Thank goodness for small miracles.