Imagination.

I'm not a Mama.

But when I am, I am going to be cheap and make my kids use their imaginations.

And why would you not want to use your imagination with these precious before and after on Design Sponge?


This reminds me of playing kitchen at Auntie J's house. She had the best little nook in her basement with a wooden kitchen set.

Surely Daddy has one of these in a rental house somewhere.
Maybe he does but don't call me Shirley.

Makeover love and all of mine!

Friday I'm In Love

Friday I'm in Love.

I read NieNie everyday. She and Mr. Nielson are remarkable. Their love is infectious and their kids, well they are just adorable.

Love this video, you should check it out.

NieNie love and all of mine!

Santa Baby

This morning was cold.

Somewhere inside of me started crying because that means winter is coming.

Lola is scared too. She doesn't like winter either. One year she was just minding her own business and then got crushed like a snowball by a giant snow plow.

Poor girl. Oh yeah, Lo is my car. Lola, the Corolla.

Anyway, Santa Baby, I need a new coat this year. I'm window shopping. I'll get back with you. My only request: don't make me look like a part of a group of Asians on a College campus.

Christmas music love and all of mine!

Bermuda, Bahama, Come on Pretty Mama

It's been a busy week. Busy, and stressful: right Mama?

Just think, we will be cruising in March and I can't wait!

Of course, I wouldn't turn down a tropical getaway anytime sooner though!

HayBee talks of tropical vows although no time soon... so I play Wedding while she is far, far away. Unlucky for me, our tastes are ... well ... polar opposites. Oh well. If I were planning tropical nuptials (or re-nuptials) it would look something like this: bright, fun and oh-so laid back.


Love and Surf. Via Snippet and Ink.


Thank you J.Crew.

This would be a pretty simple gown for HayBee but it's so classic and elegant & she could dress that gown up with some gorg accessories from Etsy.
Maids in green, moms in blue, and red hot toes.
Put those boys in green ties and throw on some yellow leis for the night. Love it.

How adorable are these Save the Dates? They're luggage tags for cryin' out loud!

... ooh baby why don't we go down to Cocomo?

Is it just me or have you been hearing a lot about Fall weather this year, like more so than other years?

Maybe I am more aware of it because I am not dreading walking campus in sub-zero weather for months upon months. Now I am dreading driving snowy, icy country roads for months upon months. But enough negativity, Nancy.

What I am trying to say is that I am really enjoying this Fall weather. Granted, I do miss rocking hoodies and sweats to class each day -- it was State school what do you expect from me? But, I enjoy how nicely it warms up in the afternoon and cools down in the evening.

Our Fur-baby Jasmine is enjoying the cool weather too. Enjoying the weather... in her new dog pen! This has been months in waiting for me and finally, after I chased the dog deep into the timber, BAREFOOTED, Saturday afternoon, Gardener Guy realized we needed a pen. And a pen he built. J-Baby has spent a lot of time outdoors exploring her new casa. After a few whiny barks in objection, she seems to like it.

How do you take time to savor this beautiful Fall weather before Winter moves in?

Outdoor love and all of mine!

Count Down.

Ever get a $20 bill and "nickle and dime it away" until it's all gone? And then wonder, where did my money go?

Ever have a free Saturday and decide to take a long nap, then wake up at dusk? And then wonder, where did my day go?

I feel like most days. I'm wishing my days away until May. I will regret it, but right now counting down is the only thing getting me through the year.

Baby Steps

Gardener Guy and I are baby-stepping with Dave Ramsey.

Baby Step #1: Set up Emergency Fund. Check.

We are on Step #2. Paying off debt.
We both have a bit of credit card debt, as well as Student Loan debt.

(enter lump in the pit of my stomach)

I gotta say, in college, Gardener Guy was better with managing money than I was. I took a 4 year hiatus from balancing my checkbook and had overdrafts to prove it. So now, I am kinda anal-retentive about balancing it because, well, it just makes cents. You laughed out loud didn't you?

In moments of stress we were quoted on more than one account of saying, "It will be better when we graduate and have jobs." And, it has. But now, it's time to pay off some debt and save some moolah.

I had a small credit card debt, so we transferred my balance to a 0% interest card with 12 months until interest begins to build. (These are my words you see, I have ABSOLUTELY NO business or financial background).

I have paid off all of my "Store Credit Cards". For crying out loud, cut those suckers up into tiny pieces, Chic Chick! Mama is right, the feeling of not dreading a credit card bill in the mail is so much more satisfying than buying stuff. Go me.

We are trying to pay off the rest of the balance transfer and GG's credit debt asap and building momentum and motivation as we go. Soon, our Student Loan bills will be rolling in and we will be ready to take those on too.

Baby Step #3: We will be working to put 3 to 6 months worth of expenses in savings. I'm thinking this might come in handy when Chic Kiddos come around.

See more of Dave here.

Goal for October: use Envelope System.

Baby stepping love and all of mine!

What do you you do when...?

... you come to the end of a To-Do list pad? Stop making lists?

This is my conundrum on my 1st DAY OFF OF WORK! Get in or get out I got a horse to saddle!

I took my 1st sick day for an eye appointment today and my eyes are dilated so forgive me for any spelling faux pauxs. (Guarantee that is one right there.)

Here is my to-do list.
1. eye appointment -- check dilated eyes -- check
2. blog -- check
3. dishes
4. laundry
5. vacuum --- I HATE to vacuum but this is the only way I can torture our dog because she hates it more than I do.
6. Get stuff: paint, painter's tape, ply wood
7. Paint accent wall
8. Pick up BC. No Chic kids yet.
9. Cook -- we may be camping tonight so that might entail putting hot dogs and buns in the cooler. Go me.
10. Get Mama's present

Tomorrow is Mama's 40th - ish birthday! :)

Last year, "she was learning to scuba dive" and I was "playing Mama to HayBee with a very broken finger".

This year we're going to do it up big -- Kansas style. Prayers for Mama because this will be one of very few years up until now that her parents will not be around to help celebrate. Gramma is in Texas "on vacation" at a different Bed & Breakfast, Lake House, Bank Trip, Condo each night -- you name it, she is "vacationing" there.

I am reminded this morning how THANKFUL I am to have Mama and Daddy around whenever I need them for support, especially with the struggles I am having at work. They are such an encouragement and blessing to both Gardener Guy and Chic Chick.



So, "Happy Happy Birthday from your blog friends to you -- we wish it was our birthday so we could party too, hey!"

Mama love and all of mine!

PS. Today is Gardener Guy's last day at his job! Hooray! He will be gradually taking over Boss Daddy D's business. He'll be Window Guy after tonight --- eh, I still love my Gardener Guy!

A Few Favorite Photos

We finally received our photo discs!
I have been creating a photo-book on Snapfish and can't wait to see how it turns out!

Here are a few of my favorites of the day:

I may or may not have cried and laughed throughout the entire ceremony.



We did it!



Colorado-esque.



Backyard Chic moved indoors.



He's got a little King in him.





Get it MJ.



Gardener Guy totally surprised by our surprise dance.


Photo love and all of mine!

*All photos by Nichols & Co. Photography.

Baby Blessings

Baby D is here and SHE is a doll baby. :)

Baby Nora was born on the morning of August 26th to a very big family.
She is petite bundle of sugar and spice and everything nice.



Mama D had a few complications with low blood pressure (never my problem -- eh Gardener Guy?) but now Mama, Daddy and Big Brother Stratty are doing well with their bundle of joy!

Soon after her birth, she was tested and received results that Baby Nora has Down Syndrome. Baby Nora is blessed to have a big loving family who has been learning all about how to do the very best for her.

Please keep Baby Nora and her Mama and Daddy in your prayers to be strengthened and encouraged in the next few weeks.

Baby Nora,
Your Uncle Gardener Guy and Aunt Chic Chick love you very much and can't wait to see you grow up into a beautiful big girl!

Baby love and all of mine!