Monday, March 31, 2008

Back to Routine

After a Way Too Short spring break, we're back to our normal routines around here. That sounds funny to say, because there is very little normal or routine around this house, but you know what I mean. Back to our usual controlled (more or less) mania!

We are smack in the middle of baseball practices, but unfortunately, we're also smack in the middle of RAINY WEATHER!! Coach called last night and gave us practice times and locations, along with rain dates! Gotta love Arkansas weather...something for everyone, usually every day!

We had a very quiet ending to spring break around here. Of course, the fact that it rained most of the weekend helped. The boys and I went to the library last week so we had plenty of reading material for the rainy Saturday and Sunday afternoons. We kicked off our weekend with pizza from Larry's pizza... man, was it good! We had a pepperoni and a cheeseburger pizza. It was totally worth the trip to pick it up. Add to the fact that it's way cheaper than the Hut and you've got yourself a winner!

Saturday I went to the grocery store and Lynn watched movies and relaxed all day. I am not saying this as a bad thing-this is a very GOOD thing. The man works like a maniac so that I don't have to! He deserved a day of watching movies and reading "Hank the Cowdog" stories. Jonah chose one of the Hank books at the library and Lynn and I both ended up reading it. Very cute book for little boys who love cowboys and dogs!

Sunday was a washout as far as the weather is concerned. It poured buckets. I had a Park Lane meeting, so I had to drive to Little Rock, but it was ok. The meeting was good and I got recharged. You can read more about this on Blingy Chick if you choose to! Good stuff!

What did you do with your spring break and/or weekend? Let me know!

Later!
Cathy

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Spring Break

I have no idea why the link to Tracey's blog isn't working...it worked when i checked it! Sorry..here it is the old fashioned way...you really need to check out her work-she is so good! www.acottageindustry.typepad.com It's great!

The boys are on spring break this week. I can't believe that it's Thursday already. We have had several lazy mornings and really enjoyed our laid back days. The weather today has been glorious-we cleared and cleaned the back porch, hosed it off and freshened it up. I think it's still a little early to put out ferns and flowering plants, I'm just a little afraid of a late freeze. However, I may do that next weekend.

I am going to have to buy new cushions for the wrought iron yard sale bargains I bought last year...a couch and two arm chairs. I'm thinking I may paint the furniture an antique white and put red cushions on them. I'll have to see what I can find that I like and can afford at the same time....hmmm....

I'm off to continue enjoying these last few days of spring break! Catch you later!
Cathy

Monday, March 24, 2008

Easter Notes and Beyond!

We had a small but mighty crowd for Easter lunch! We had about 14-I had planned on 30, so we have lots of barbeque left! It was pretty tasty, and just right for a cool but sunny day...the kids hid and rehid eggs all afternoon!

We had a good visit with our guests and then just chilled the rest of the afternoon. Our chilling out included watching a baseball game on tv-the first of the pre-season for us! Since TBS has decided that Atlanta Brave baseball is not going to be part of their summer programming, we haven't settled on a regular team to watch. We watched Kansas City and the Chicago White Soxs yesterday...KC won. It just wasn't the same with no Chipper or Andruw to watch. Sigh.

I am ready for spring, and have many projects I want to complete before the boys are out of school for the summer. They are on spring break this week, so I'm sure most of my cleaning projects will take a back seat to having fun this week! Lynn left instructions this morning for the back porch to be cleared and cleaned, and I have a mountain of laundry to do, as usual for Monday morning! Yet, I'm on the computer telling you what I need to be doing! Much more fun than actually doing it!!

I am planning a Bridal Brunch for my nephew's fiancee, Melissa. Details will be forth-coming, but my plan is to go all out and make it as fabulous as my limited abilities will allow! I LOVE THIS STUFF!! I have gotten much, much inspiration from Tracey on her blog, so you should check it out. She just finished planning a wedding for her third child in one year! That's a lot of nuptuials! The most recent was black and white, which is what our bride and groom have chosen as their colors! I think it will be so elegant and pretty! I am loving this-a spring wedding is hard to beat!

Keep checking in for party plans here and menu plans over at Dinner

But for now...laundry awaits!!

See ya!
Cathy

Friday, March 21, 2008

Easter Egg Hunt Challenge

Ginger has challenged her friends to an Easter egg hunt challenge. Here's mine...I think it's really pretty, and it's from this website.




I just had to show you that! I'm entering the prettiest egg catagory...I think that's a real thing.

You should check out Ginger's blogs...this woman must never sleep!

Spring Bling!

Yes, you are in the right place! Just a little sprucing up for the new season! How do you like it?

Spring is in the air!

Yesterday was the official first day of spring, and it was truly a spring like day! The sun was shining and it was a glorious day! Thank you, Lord for such a sweet introduction to the new season!

I had a show last night, so I didn't get to go to baseball practice. We are having a lot of fun with this already...can't wait for the first game!

I am planning on getting my house work done today for Easter guests on Sunday, so this will be a short post. I also have two shows to close out and lunch out planned with the kids, Lynn and Melissa and Cameron! Then Jacob is going home with Cameron for one of their marathon video game sessions. They are such good friends, and they love to spend time together.

This is a short post, but I'm including a picture of the china cabinet re-do to perk it up a bit! I'm really loving it, but I do plan to put black and white gingham in the top doors to hide all the extra dishes I've recently obtained. It wouldn't mind them showing, but it looks messy because there are so many of them that I have to stack them up. I'll get to that today or tomorrow, then more pictures!!





Have a happy and blessed Easter, and I'll see you next week!

Monday, March 17, 2008

Weekend stuff

We attended the magnificient presentation by Geyer Springs First Baptist Church of the birth, life, death and burial and resurrection of Jesus last night. It was very well done. I've been to several of these presented by others over the years, of course, including the Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, Arkansas (which I highly recommend, by the way!). They are all so good-the story line is pretty awesome, so it would be hard to mess it up if you stick to the original script! This one was no exception-very Biblical, very professional looking. My neighbor and friend, Lynne, was in it and even had a solo. She did a great job as "Yenta", one of the few comedic parts in the whole performance. The woman is part ham, I do believe! She did a very good job, and the boys were all so excited to see "Ms. Lynne" on stage singing! Good job, Lynne, and thanks for inviting us! We enjoyed it!

Our youth group is having a chili supper tomorrow night to raise money for a mission trip to Pennsylvania this summer. Jacob is planning on going. He has sold one ticket to the chili supper to date. And it's tomorrow. He had the perfect opportunity this past weekend--everyone was here for breakfast. He could have cleaned up, but unfortunatley, neither one of us remembered that! The trip is called "City Reach" and our youth pastor takes a group of 9th-12th graders every summer for a week of community service. Love it!

My kids only go to school three days this week, Monday-Wednesday. Thursday is parent-teacher conference and Friday they are off for Good Friday, but we all know it's just an early beginning to spring break to them! Spring break is next week-please pray for me!

I think we may try to slip over to Memphis during spring break to go to the zoo and perhaps attend the Passion Play over there. At least that's the plan right now...could change any minute now!

Easter lunch will be here next Sunday. I am using this week (well, this 3 days) to get things ready so that when the kids are home I won't be a screaming mimi trying to get stuff done. I'm heading to Lowe's in a few minutes to get some spring plants for my centerpieces, and I've got the menu planned, just need to fine tune it. We are definately going pot luck barbeque this year, a little break from the traditional ham and potatoes! Details of the menu will be coming up on Dinner.

I have new clothes purchased for the boys-all 4 of them, but I'm still searching for my stuff. I think I've about decided and will be heading out this afternoon to pick it up-black and white! It will serve a dual purpose...Easter and I can wear it to do shows in...oh, yeah, triple purpose-I can wear it for Josh and Melissa's wedding!!

That's right! My nephew, Josh, and his beloved, Melissa have set a date for their nuptuals! It's May 17 and the wedding is black and white! How elegant is that? Can't wait!! Congratulations, kids! Both of you have chosen well!

More wedding details will be upcoming, no doubt!

Here's a little sneak peek at the "chicken coop" that I've redecorated! More of that to come, too!







Later!
Cathy

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Finally!!

I was finally able to get some pictures downloaded, so now I can show you the tops of my cabinets after the "re-do"!

I like the cleaner, less cluttered look of them....but I'm still not competely used to no ivy up there!

Here's the results!










I'll post some more pictures next time. I still have the shelves over the windows, the china cabinet and the "chicken coop" to show you!

Til next time!
Cathy

Friday, March 7, 2008

Lots to show you...

I have so many things to show you, but my CAMERA IS NOT WORKING AGAIN!! I took it off the charger to take pictures of the kitchen projects, but the stupid thing is dead. I'll recharge it (again) and post the photos. Things have turned out really well. I've been very pleased with the cleaner, less cluttered look. I also re-did the china cabinet displays, the tops of the window shelves and the "chicken coop"!

I also have pictures of Melissa and Donna's Big Girl Birthday Party...will post those over on Dinner along with the yummiest chicken salad recipe I've ever tasted. We had so much fun, just a small casual get together!

And, here's the big news here-it's SNOWING!! IN ARKANSAS!! FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A WEEK!! IN MARCH!!

Ok, enough of the capital letters...but this is really big here. Our kids had to go to school Tuesday when it snowed a couple of inches of big, fluffy, perfect to play in flakes. Today they are out, and it's mostly sleet, freezing rain and ice pellets mixed in with the tiny little flakes! According to Melinda the Weather Lady, it should snow all day, with accumulations of up to 4" for us. We'll see, Melinda. If it doesn't, I'm sending my kids to YOUR house and let YOU explain it to them. I'm serious.

In other news...I've started another blog! I know, I know, I can't even keep up the two I have, but this one is special! It's a blog for my Park Lane business...I'll be posting specials and sales and fun promotions...and I can call it "work" so it's ok to be on the internet all morning if you are "working"...right? Right!! Check it out here.

If the camera charges and there is any to show, I'll show you some snow pictures later on!!



Here's one from last year...the munchkins have grown so much since then!

Have fun today, and be safe!

Later!
Cathy

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Quick note!

Just a quick post to let you know that I'm working on the kitchen today...I've got the tops of the cabinets, the corner china cabinet, the "chicken coop" and the shelves over the windows cleared of winter and Valentine's stuff, cleaned (ugh. Amazing how much dust can accumulate in two months) and redecorated. I'm mostly pleased with the way it looks, but I'm still tweaking some things. Plus, my kitchen table is covered with snow people and little village pieces. I've got to go dig out their boxes and get them stored away, then I'll take some pictures. I've got the windows open-it's 75 degrees today and beautiful-and it's airing out nicely. I just put a pot of coffee on because Lynn called and said he's on his way home, the Razorbacks are playing basketball on tv and I'm taking a short break.

This is actually my second break, I took the munchkins to Arby's for lunch and ran into my niece, Sarah and her sweet baby boy Braylen, along with her beau, Red. I had to play with Bray-Bray for a minute and I think he wanted to come home with me, but I knew I had this mess to deal with. The boys and I went to Wal-Mart and the library, and now they are helping Nanny (my mom) rake leaves or something!

Stay tuned to see pictures of the new look!!