Life Lately

Jar had testing...Cam and I got Starbucks to drink, because we were sitting in the truck for 3 1/2 hours.

Here is Jar right before testing...

Cam reading while we waited for Jar to finish

Testing out in the country

Here is my bag full of stuff to do while we waited...

It is a tradition that we stop at the Farmer's Market stand on the way home...

They also make really great shakes. The boys waiting...

Lily tucked in for bed...ha ha ha

Jar and I were at Lowe's getting ideas for our kitchen...

We had dinner at Outback Steakhouse to celebrate Michael getting a job...

We then went to Lowe's to show Michael and Cam what Jar and I had picked out for the kitchen...Cam decided to "test" the products.

We have been doing some major yard work...pulling out bushes and such. We are building a fire pit area, and we also had to remove some bushes to make room for air conditioning.

The flowers look good this year...

Pulling more bushes out...

Michael got his ingrown toenail cut out...

Trying to stay cool in our house...

Yummo!!

While we are renovating the kitchen, I am using the dining room table to fix food.

Lily loves to curl up and sleep on the pillows.

I organized and thoroughly cleaned the boys room.

The boys cleaned Mom's car inside and out.

Things I'm Not Good At

These are the main things that I am not good at:

1. Public Speaking
2. Anything Science related
3. Cleaning (especially dusting)
4. Drawing (I am even bad at stick figures)
5. Being spontaneous

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"At Home With Madam Chic"

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I love this book. It is a very easy read. Here are some things I learned from the book:

1. Keep a tidy, clutter-free home. Clean happily...use music to lift your spirits and make it more enjoyable. or...Listen to audio books. Make homemaking enjoyable.
2. Fall in love with your house. Don't be in a constant complaining attitude. Love what you have, not what other people have. Be grateful for what you have and where you live. (Some people only have a one room place for 8-10 people or a grass hut with dirt floors)
3. Don't allow clutter in your home. Keep it all under control. We don't "NEED" half of what we have. We don't need to hang on to things "just in case I need it one day". Have a place for everything.
4. How you wake up every morning affects the rest of your day. Do some stretches and deep breathing first thing. Get some fresh air right away. Spray some lemon oil spray and breathe the scent. Wash your face and brush your teeth.
5. Wear nice clothes every day. Get dressed up, not dressed down. You will feel better about yourself. Put light makeup on daily. Outfit ideas include:   1) skinny jeans, t-shirt, blazer, ballet flats, and scarf or necklace   2) skinny jeans, nautical tee, and sandals, loafers, or riding boots   3) wrap dress and wedges (can add blazer or cardigan)
6. Do meal prep at the beginning of every week. Grocery shop twice a week.
7. Have fancy breakfasts or dinners. Use fancy dishes and plate the food beautifully. Decorate the table beautifully, and use your fancy glasses with non-alcoholic drinks.
8. Set the timer for fifteen minutes and tackle a project, quickly and with all of your might.

The one I have the most trouble with is getting dressed up every day. I love yoga pants and tank tops or t-shirts. I have to work on this one.

But, I really love all of these ideas, and I plan to work on all of them.

Things I Love

I love all things vintage...clothes, cars, trucks, suitcases, typewriters, cameras, photos, appliances, bikes, etc. Here are just five of my favorite things.

1)  2)  3)  4)  5)

1) Vintage cameras and photographs

I love cameras to begin with...any kind. But I really love the look of a vintage camera. I also love the look of a vintage photograph. I used to love looking through both of my grandmother's photos. Those photos tell such a story.

2) Vintage typewriters

I have always wanted to own one of these. If I had a larger house, I would have a space for things like vintage typewriters and cameras. I just love them. Because I love to write/journal so much, I love all things typewriter. I especially love the sound of a typewriter.

3)  Vintage cars

I don't think modern cars will ever come to look as cool as vintage cars. They are just so cool looking. I love almost all vintage cars better than today's cars. The only car of today that I really love is the Chrysler 300M. I think they look almost vintage.

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4) Vintage luggage

There is nothing cooler to decorate with than vintage luggage. I have seen some amazing things done with vintage luggage. Again, if I had a larger house, I would pile some up as a side table to the bed.

5) Vintage trucks

I love vintage trucks as well. It reminds me of the truck we had when I was growing up...even though it wasn't really vintage (probably 1970's truck). I think vintage trucks are the coolest.

Top 3 things I don't like to do

I have three things that I really do not like to do at all. I literally have to force myself...talk myself into...to get them done.

Top 3 things I don't like to do:

1. Grocery shopping
2. Cooking
3. Cleaning

I despise each one of these things. I don't mind the laundry (you will never see my laundry room overflowing with dirty clothes); I don't despise doing the dishes (it certainly isn't one of my favorites though); I enjoy organizing the house, and I enjoy keeping it picked up.

But, I will put off grocery shopping as long as I can. I have 3 men in the house, so I have to cook. I make it as easy on myself as I can though. I keep the house clean and picked up, but I hate to dust the house. It just is not something I like to do.

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Summer Bucket List

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Summer Bucket List:

• make s'mores at a campfire
• go to the coast
• go on a vacation somewhere new
• visit new cafes on vacation
• see fireworks over the water
• grill out a lot
• eat a lot of fruit
• make some homemade baby-back ribs
• make strawberry shortcake
• go hiking on vacation
• play croquet
• play bean bag toss
• go go-carting
• play four-square
• take lots of photos
• play board games together
• get air-conditioning in our house
• build a fire pit...spend a lot of time there
• remodel the kitchen
• read lots of books
• hike Silver Falls...all of them
• do short hikes near our house
• go camping
• go fishing
• eat at a nice restaurant once a month
• go on country drives
• do some Portland activities
• paint the house outside
• paint the dining room

Seasonal Prompts

Seasonal Prompts:

• Book:  Living Life to the Full
• TV Show:  Alaska Bush People
• Color:  grey
• Drink:  water
• Indulgence: burgers
• Excitement:  job possibilities
• Exercise:  interval training
• Place to Shop:  Trader Joe's
• Seasonal Activity:  weekend at the coast, hiking
• Wish List Item:  job for Michael local
• Favorite Product:  chia seeds
• Dislikes:  sleeping issues
• Movies:  Bound and Babysitting
• Song:  "Give me Jesus" by Fernando Ortega
• Music:  Newsboys
• Trend to wear:  exercise shorts and tank top
• Must-have item:  BB cream
• Color combination:  dark grey and light grey
• Food:  applesauce and chia seeds
• Blessings:  Michael has two really promising interviews this week
• Outfits:  capris and t-shirt
• Mood:  staying pretty positive, despite the circumstances
• Activities:  orthodontist, eye doctor, testing, grocery shopping
• Obsession:  writing a to-do list
• Flavor:  chocolate

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