I would drop things, find them under the lip of the plunger, say words I shouldn't...

It had to stop. 

So I took a frame I had...

Painted it and stapled some trim to the back.

And now I have very functional earring storage.

I needed it to work real bad. 

It seems that lately every crafty project I take on turns to crap. 

But this, I like. 

And the necklace storage solution you see here was a success also, 

though it didn't come without some trial (cursing).

The moose antler is one we found in the wilds of Alaska. 

This whole picture wall grouping was born because of that 

little thermostat you see there above the gold shelf.

Someone brilliant set it right in the middle of that wall. 

I swear. 

And don't even get me started on upside down electrical outlets. 

COME ON. 

Anyways, my little bitty stupid face bathroom is to the left of the mirror, 

so it makes sense to have the jewelry area close by. 

I know. I have this attitude problem.

Me and that bathroom with the orange water....we are not cool.  

Though, I am really grateful I have a bathroom. 

I am. I am. I am. (This is me knowing better and trying act right.) 

Some people don't have bathrooms. 

I mean my own husband only had an outhouse less than a year ago. 

So, I am going to suck it up, be grateful, 

and keep working on that bathroom as time and money will allow.

I will also stop saying "I hate you bathroom" under my breath while I am scrubbing the toilet.  

Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and the wisdom to know the difference. 

And thanks God, that a bathroom is one of the biggest things on my plate right now. 

A couple of weeks ago, Charley was out of school for spring break. 

I took some time off from work, (ya'll didn't even know I was a employed did ya?) so we had 5 solid days of nothing but fun. Well on the third day we rested....and on day 4 Charley went to daycare while I worked, and on day 5 she came to work with me, so actually it was 2....2 days of solid fun. 

I'm not a fun robot ok? 

On day 1 we explored Gloucester Point Beach.

We had a picnic, wallered around in the sun,

got really irritated at our careless beach neighbors who kept letting their trash blow into the bay!!!! 

I mean don't liter the OCEAN people...it's kind of a thing these days...not littering.

Heard of it?

Get on board, beach neighbors.

Gloucester Point Beach is about a 30 minute drive from the house. 

The water was seriously cold that day, but that never stops Charley.

We took a kite too. 

The Easter bunny brought a really small one that Charley 

can handle without going into angry convulsions. 

I recommend them. 

These ducks kept swimming to Charley despite the fact that she had no food to offer. 

I think they were attracted to her kind spirit. 

You know, she did save a duck once, from My Friend's jaws of death. 

My Friend is the dog.

That sentence wouldn't flow so well if you didn't know.

She seriously took the bird from the dog's mouth. 

She held it for a while then took it down to the river and set it free.

The duck circled a few times as if to say thanks, and left. 

Who knows, maybe he flew to Virginia for a visit.

On Tuesday, Charley and I went to BUSCH GARDENS!

It was totally fun.

We literally skipped our way to the entrance gate and were dragging our limp bodies on the way out.

It was an all day affair. 

Charley surprised me by saying that she was ready for REAL roller coaster. 

First thing we did was get in line for the LOCH NESS.

Source

Did I mention she's SIX and a GIRL 

and has a reputation for SCARING EASILY and she's really TALL? 

This means that her body is qualified to ride certain things that her brain is not yet ready to handle.

As soon as we topped the first hill, I thought, "Oh no. I have made a mistake." 

I thought those words exactly.

Source

During the first loop I looked over at her and her little head was practically in her lap. 

It was a combination of fear and force that put it there. 

She looked so young, so weak.

It was a pitiful sight. 

I felt compelled to help her get her head upright after each loop.

Awwww. She's JUST a baby. 

Which is why it surprised me to hear she was ready for THIS....

Charley TOTALLY rode that sucker. 

I could NOT believe it. 

(The scary stuff is on the inside.)

Source

She's always had a love/hate thing for volcanoes. 

Afterward, she said she wouldn't go back.

Not until she was 18.

Then she bumped it up to 19 to be safe. 

What did ya'll do on spring break? 

I found a good deal on azalea's ($2.50 each) and wrapped them all the way around the house. 

THIRTY TWO of them. 

I dug so many holes that I actually got BETTER at digging holes. 

Practice, practice. 

I can hardly wait until they fill out!

Patience, patience

We've found the best way to be outdoors, as a family, is around a campfire. 

We cook out and feed the fire. 

Stay up late and pretend Pocahontas. 

What is your family's favorite way to have fun outdoors?

Have you ever wanted to jump on a mower and just set off in a random pattern?  

I have.  

Only, this time, I wanted to mow a fairy-like winding, path.

But before I could just jump the old pony, I hit a roadblock named Chuck.

You see, Chuck likes to mow. 

He likes for things to look neat. 

(the above statement is only applicable to outdoors) 

I am still getting to know this grownup version of Chuck.  

Lemme tell you, he's come a long way since our days in the Mill Village when he swore the rain would take care of whatever waste our 2 dogs produced in a 600 square foot of space. 

(The rain did NOT take care of it.)  

Anyway, all I asked is that he leave the strip of land beside our house alone. 

No mowing that spot.  

He gave me a real hard time, but I won the battle. 

Ya'll knew I would didn't ya?

The woman always wins these types of battles.  

Then boy, I set off. I meandered through that tall grass ever' which way. 

I had a real good time too. 

Our path is long.....

And Charley LOVES it. 

She spends a lot of time wondering up and down the path.

It's like she sees the land in a whole new way.

Sure, we may need to hire a bush hogger before the Summer is done, 

but I say,

totally worth it. 

(The above statement is contingent on the price of the bush hogging.)

He is the best dog ever

He is a well trained

I love My Friend

My Friend is a good dog

Love for My Friend

XOXOXOX for My Friend