Star+Flower

boohoohoo

It was supposed to be finished yesterday but someone measured wrong. Halfway through the last bedroom, they ran out of flooring.

Allan is at Minneapolis 'til tomorrow night and he calls today to tell me that he'll be picking up the boxes on Saturday and the floor guys won't able to come and finish until Monday.

We've been living with Grandpa and Grandma G. since last Wednesday. Without them around and without Grandma being able to take care of Mia, I don't know how we would've been able to get through this.

So there's still half a bedroom and three stair steps to finish.

Then the baseboards.

Then we have to find someone to paint Aidan's bedroom and do some touch-ups all around the house.

Then there's the kitchen countertops to be done.

Not to mention putting all our furniture and things back where they belong.

But we have to dust everything off because there's dust all over the place.

There's also like a hundred flies buzzing about from the doors being left open.

I'm being a baby, wanting my house back to normal already. I need to get my desk and computer and scrap supplies back because I have projects that need to be done by the middle of this month. I'll probably be staying up late to finish what I need to do.

I had to say no to something I wanted to say yes to.

I'm trying to look at the brighter side of things but I can't help feeling bummed right now.

lots of stuff to do!

Here's my winning layout! But if you want to see the site which has my giant head-shot and bio here's the link: Poppy Ink. I got my prize yesterday and it's so cool. Lots of fun stuff to do more pages about Aidan.

Lee and Marie's wedding was beautiful! Not only that, I was really excited seeing Aidan and Mia all dressed up. Aidan did such a great job pushing Mia in her stroller down the aisle and Mia was so good through it all. Everyone wanted to hold her. It ended up being a late-nighter for them (10 p.m. is late) and Aidan was super-tired. We didn't get home until almost midnight. Mia was really distracted with all the noise and people so she didn't eat much or take her naps. She didn't wake up until 11 a.m. the next day! Yup, last weekend was alot of fun but it took us two days to recover.

Since it's Aidan's last week of Kindergarten they have a bunch of stuff going on in his class. Yesterday was their awards day and he got two! One for excellence in academics and one for being a good speller. After their awards were handed out the kids got to play t-ball but I missed seeing the game. Later Allan was told by one of Aidan's classmates that Aidan had hit the ball really far. I wish I had been there!!! I was and am still sad that I had to miss everything yesterday. When Aidan came home from school he had this really sad look on his face and he told me he was tired out. After their t-ball game they also did relay races, dodge ball, and played with water balloons. He didn't argue with me when I told him to take a nap. We even gave him Motrin. Poor kid! All tired out from having too much fun! Today they had to take with them a bucket and sponge so they could clean up the classroom.

I have so much stuff to put away. I was suppose to have a cleaning lady come over today but I cancelled because I need to straighten up first! You would think that that sounds stupid...to clean up before actually cleaning up, but no. So no time for scrapbooking just yet!

Just some stuff about Mia before I forget...

When we make her stand she loves to bounce up and down. She's developing separation anxiety and she wants to be with me more than anyone. Grandma is just as good though. One of her bottom front teeth is coming out. She loves to talk while riding in the car. She's always saying, "Babaaaa! Baba! Babaaa!"

finally!

We've been cut off from the internet and cable since last Friday. When Allan told me we wouldn't have it back 'til today I almost started hyperventilating. It was so weird and quiet in the house. We resorted to watching movies (The Constant Gardener and Aeon Flux) and playing video games. I went shopping for my dress on Sunday and I hate it that Robinson's-May is closed. I also hate it that I gained weight and nothing fits me now...nothing that looks good anyway. I bought something but I'm hoping I'll find something better.

Well, since we've been without the 'net, I'm finding that it took so much of my time that perhaps it would be better without it. I know we can't go completely without but we're thinking of starting mandatory "no internet" days for Allan and me.

There's so much coming up! Aidan's graduation, Marie's bridal shower, the wedding, Aidan's birthday, our fabulous Hawaii trip...exciting times ahead!

single mom

I'm just saying that because I've been alone for the past few days. Allan's at SF and I've been taking care of the kiddies on my own. It's not too bad except that I've had to carry Mia around without getting my usual breaks from Allan and my back is hurtin'! I'm so happy Allan comes back today! I've missed you, boo hoo hoo!!!!

I've been stuck on reality shows. Last night there was four:

American Idol  - Ace Young is it for the guys. I loved what he did last night.

America's Next Top Model - The Asian girl - I think she said she was Korean - was so ditzy. She was really embarrasing.

Black White - on the F/X channel. It looked so interesting but I only watched the first part of it because I had to catch the finale of...

Project Runway - I don't know why I watch this. I'm not even into fashion. I think it's because these people are really going for their dreams. You win based on your talents and I think that's what I like best. And, Yay, for Chloe winning, although I liked Santino's collection best.

And I can't post anything without pics.

Lola just found out she could open cabinets. Does she look chubby? Her middle's kinda big.

When she reached 4 months, Allan and I went out and bought Mia an exersaucer. We had one with Aidan that he played in all the time and it was great to use while we were eating. Mia likes hers! She can play in it for over ten minutes and, surprisingly, she's already able to spin herself around. It's unintentional though. Her little feet just never stop moving.

just another saturday

Weekends have been all about cleaning for me. I can't get anything done during the week when I'm on perpetual baby duty so Saturday morning has become "clean-up time." I miss just being able to go somewhere without having to think about baby stuff, but time seems to be going quickly. Mia's almost four months old. Geez! Really though, I'm not bothered much about the hindrances that come with taking care of a baby because I'm so in love with her. I'm in love with both Aidan and Mia so much it's crazy. I look at Aidan and I can see how handsome he's going to be when he gets older. And Mia...well, look at her! She's like a chubby-cheeked, little porcelain doll with cute feet.

And then there's Lola who's cute even when she's making trouble. Not only must she try out the basket, but she has to taste it too. It's funny when I catch her doing something I don't like and I'll say to her, "Low-laaaaa!" She'll meow back at me as if to say, "What? I wasn't doing anything." I never knew cats had so much personality, but they do!

Corners

I saw a Flickr group called Corners of My Home and I thought it was such a neat idea.

The pictures that I take usually focus on people and, yes, I have taken pictures of my house for posterity but I never thought about what it actually means to me. What do I like about my house? How does it meet my vision of what a home should be? What is my vision? Unlike others who work outside the home, I spend most of my hours within this space and, now that I think about it, I want to make it the most comfortable place for Allan and the bubbies.

So my theme today is "I fought the clutter and the clutter won." It just never goes away no matter how much effort I put in. Sure, the house may be clean for a few days but the mess just never fails to pop up again. Here's Aidan's desk where he does his homework and crafts. As small as it is, it's piled with crayons, markers, colored pencils, glitter paint, and paper. He has a trash basket but his trash mainly ends up on the floor. The stacks of albums are my fault. I got them from my Mom and I have no shelf space for them.

Here is what I've come to realize as my favorite corner of the house - my desk. It's got my awesome computer, my awesome printer, my reliable scanner, my bill files, my pens, my paintbrushes, my papers, my canvases, my craft stuff...everything that I could want. If only I could get it cleaned up! But I guess having it clean doesn't really matter that much. I love my desk, clean or not.