farm chicks giveaway

Ooooh, the Farm Chicks are having a SURPRISE giveaway!
(And, the fun photo is from them too.) Get on over there to enter...

who knew?

My kid busted out some Macarena-moves at the dance tonight!

here, there & everywhere

Things to Do this weekend...

-clean out car so mother can ride in it

-deliver cat pee (yes, you read that right) to the vet

-take Mom to hip doctor

-Sam's Club to buy cases of water

-WalMart to get birthday present and a few essentials

-work concessions at basketball tournament

-Youg Boy's make-up karate class

-Young Boy to birthday party

-Saturday night disco dance at Young Boy's middle school

-writing appreciation notes to teachers for Lutheran Schools Week

-church

-laundry

...when all I really want to do is play with these...

you can't judge a book by its cover

Or, in this case, you can't judge a Cracker Jack box by its...well, box. Monday, this little package landed on my stoop. Cracker Jack is so yummy, I thought I'd save it for a time when I could sneak away & really enjoy it.
Tuesday...a not-so-hot day. As soon as I hit the back door, I ran into the kitchen to nab the Cracker Jack (a little snack before dinner). I opened the box and instead of popcorn & peanuts, out came the sweetest bundles of PRIZES! Look at these packages...sewn up bits of sunshine...and, a lollipop!
Inside the first package was the tiniest, cutest little pink elephant. The next...vintage buttons! And the last package was the most awesome cupcake necklace...with PINK RHINESTONES! And, see that cupcake charm? It's a locket! Hand-soldered charms, a super-sweet collage, shiny, sparkly, it's so perfectly fun! I will treasure this wearable work of art!
The gal who sent this exquisite package? She has a heart of gold, a sassy sense of humor and one of the kindest hearts! I've met her just a few times (in person) but she's a soul that I feel connected to. We share a love of blogs, old stuff and most especially, Stampington & Somerset magazines. She is one of the most gifted writers and artists AND she's a shopkeeper. If you're ever in Topeka, KS...stop & say HI to my friend at her shop (which I'm quite sure is THE most clever, fun store in the U.S. of A.)

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Kris! YOU are a gift!

happy valentine's day!

a crush...it's really all too much

It seems that when you are an 11-yr. old, 5th grade boy, it is no longer appropriate to exchange little fold-in-half, stickered Valentines with your classmates.

"Mom, that's for LITTLE kids."

EXCEPT, last night as we're getting ready for bed, Young Boy announces that there is ONE Valentine that he'll be needing to prepare for his "girlfriend" and then produces a bottlecap that he's made especially for her (alone in his room when he was supposed to be sleeping this week.) Good heavens, the kid used GLITTER and PINK RHINESTONES all by himself (from an old Klutz kit that he had stashed in his closet.)

On one hand, I was devastated because how could the child even look at another girl, besides his lovely mama? On the other hand, I was beaming...because seriously, look at this handmade gift, straight from his heart...and he used glitter! That's my boy!

Oh, and even the mention of the word "girlfriend" was a big breakthrough. I suspected...but Young Boy would never before discuss such things with his mother. I guess this sweet holiday brings out the best in all of us.

project valentine box

A gal in our area at work suggested that we all make Valentine boxes to celebrate this fine week. At first, I was none too excited about this assignment...I don't have a lot of time to devote...no time for a run to the craft store. But last night, as I was digging through goodies that I already had, a little box was born (and quickly at that.) So, here's to spreading some love this week...and thanks to the gal at work for keeping the shoebox-Valentine-box-spirit alive for all of us big kids.

my messy, thrilling life

Want to read an awesome blog? Head on over to My Messy, Thrilling Life. Brin is such an eloquent writer and a lovely, big-hearted Christian soul. Thanks Brin, for the lovely Tuesday Treasure spot!

up with the good, down with the bad

My mom had her hip replaced on Thursday. (You're doing great, Mom!) Pretty amazing stuff. One of the "hip rules" that the physical therapist shared was "Up with the Good. Down with the Bad" with regards to going up & down steps at home.

After sitting with these words for a couple of days, I think they're pretty applicable to life, in general. UP with the GOOD, down with the bad.

(Photo is of a card that I made awhile ago, still love that patterned paper by Wild Asparagus.)