Hazel Turns 3

Hazel turned 3 and if Melissa thought the terrible two's was bad, just wait until this upcoming year.

The theme for the birthday party, of course, was Minnie Mouse. Hazel loves everything Minnie.

My new thing for this year (instead of that stupid sombrero) is to get everyone blowing out their birthday candle. Hazel doesn't always cooperate when you really want a picture so this was the best we could get. 

She may be ornery but she's still the cutest 3 year old I know. Happy Birthday Hazel!

Sunday Showcase - Pantry

I've never had an actual Pantry. I've had a cabinet designed for canned goods and such but, oh my gosh, never an actual room.

Notice the Pantry sign hanging on the wall. Jamie wouldn't let me put it on the door so I slipped it in where he couldn't find it. Now I don't have to get a ladder to reach the top cabinet shelves above the refrigerator to find my crock pot and other small appliances. Nor will I forget which small appliances I have. Will I use them more? Probably not but at least I have a Pantry!

40 Years Later

42 years ago when I married Michael and Melissa's dad, my best friend was my maid of honor.

It wasn't a traditional wedding but something simple and small. Through the years life happened and we lost touch. Recently through the magic of Facebook, we reconnected.

She's now living in Bella Vista, Arkansas and teaching sociology at the community college....just about ready to retire. I went down to visit her. Oh the memories we shared and the experiences to catch up on. We vowed not to let another 40 years go by before seeing each other again. 

Sunday Showcase - Mudroom

I've never had a mudroom but it sure adds style to my new home.

My favorite part is the sign I found at Hobby Lobby in the top white section that says "Mudroom". I also found a Pantry sign and a Laundry Room sign. Jamie says he's going to buy me an "Exit" sign for Christmas. I must have been in a sign mood while shopping.

My OCD shows every where in my house. I got new organizers for the mudroom drawer. I don't see how people can just throw things in a drawer. Everything has a place and everything is in its place (even if I can't always remember where I put things). One of the hazards of living in a new home!

Violet's Birthday

This will be the last year of Violet being in the single digits. She turned 9.

I can remember the very moment Melissa called and said they were going to the hospital. Violet was my first grand child after waiting a very long time. This may be 9......

But this is really 9! She may be big but never too big for her Uncle Michael. Happy Birthday Violet. BTW, she got some very sad news that her group didn't make the variety show. That school doesn't know talent when they see it. Biased....maybe! 

Hazel's First Haircut

After almost 3 years, Hazel got her first haircut. I pity the hairdressers who have to deal with small children. First they don't want their hair cut and second, they don't want some stranger touching them.

Hazel fussed and fought for a bit but finally gave in, put her head in Melissa's chest and the girl whacked away. Afterwords Hazel fell asleep so the girl tried to even it up a bit. Hazel's hair is so curly you'd never know if it was uneven.

Variety Show Tryouts

Mason's grade school variety show is fast approaching and today was tryout day.

Violet got 3 of her girlfriends together and put together a dance routine. I can't believe Violet actually went through with it. Before she went in for her audition, she had to sit down because her legs were shaking she was so nervous. I tried looking through the gym door window but I couldn't see anything. But a teacher was standing by the door giving us the thumbs up saying Violet was doing great. Now we sit back and wait to see if they get picked to perform at the variety show. 

St Patrick's Day Leprechaun

I think Lincoln's going to be such the fashion guy when he gets older just like his Uncle Michael.

This is Lincoln's version of celebrating St Patrick's Day at school. Quite the dapper man I'd say! May the Luck of the Irish be with you!

Sunday Showcase - Staircase Art

Several years ago I was looking for an abstract painting for my living room. I came across this metal piece with black, gold and white circles from Pier 1.

I really wanted something with red in it so Michele suggested I buy some paint and put my own red circles on it. With Michael's help that was achieved.

I loved the painting so much that I wanted to incorporate it into my new home. My new house has more blues in it so off to the art store to buy a teal colored paint. This time Violet took the lead and added the teal color. Most of the houses in the neighborhood have large mirrors hanging over their staircases to the basement. I like my ever changing abstract art!

New Dinner Theater

KCP&L's retirement group tries to plan different outings throughout the year to let everyone stay in touch.

This month's activity was the New Dinner Theater featuring Morgan Fairchild in Don't Dress for Dinner.

The food was good, the play was fast paced and the company was fantastic. It's always great to get together with people I used to work with.

Taco Tuesday

Last minute plans sent us all to El Paisa Mexican Restaurant in Lone Jack.

Not bad for a little hole in the wall place in a town with a population of only 1,370 people. Anyway, it was close to Melissa and Jamie's and Michael and I were starving.

Is it really a "Taco Tuesday" if you order chicken fingers? Violet and Lincoln had had tacos at school but Lincoln was a die-hard and got the tacos while Violet and Hazel opted for chicken fingers.

Not sure if this was Goldie's first Taco Tuesday but I can guarantee it won't be her last. 

Workout AND Mile Challenge

Today not only did I workout at the gym, I did my 1 mile weekly hike to our community pool (this week's theme). I wasn't sure how far away the pool was from my house and since I'd already worked out for an hour, I decided to walk to the pool, take my picture and walk home even if it was less than a mile.

Ta-Da!!! It's a little more than a mile walk round trip. I wanted to get this walk in because Missouri seems to be playing the lottery with our weather. Whatever ball pops out is the temperature for the day. You never know if it's going to be 80 degrees, raining or snowing. Today was cooler than I like but at least the sun was shining.

Sunday Showcase - New Living Room Chair

After searching the furniture store for months trying to pick out the perfect chair for my living room, I actually hated it once all the furniture was in place. I was never so glad to see a damaged delivery. The chair had a large snag in the fabric on the arm so I requested a replacement. The replacement chair had a 3 month lead time. The longer I looked at that chair in my living room, the more I hated it. So I called and asked Nebraska Furniture if I could pick out a different chair...preferably one in stock.

While it did take a bit longer than the 2 weeks the store promised, the new chair was delivered and that monstrosity of the original chair was hauled away. This chair swivels so you can either watch TV or visit with your guests. I think the fabric blends better with my other furniture and it's definitely more comfortable. Probably no more furniture shopping for awhile. I mean what else could possibly be replaced? 

Retaining Wall

After several weeks of complaining to the builder, they finally finished the retaining wall behind my house.

I could understand all the reasons why completing the wall kept getting pushed back - weather, ground too hard, ground too muddy. But I felt as though I was living in the ghetto with the unfinished retaining wall, sloping concrete enclosure for the cable company and the falling down fence.

Although everything isn't complete...I'm still waiting for my water system and sod and the fence to be repaired, I have to admit there has been progress made. But with all progress there always seems to be a setback. The guys were working so fast with their bobcat, they cut the turn too sharp and ran over my patio leaving a 3' crack. I wonder how long that will take to get fixed. Just one more joy of buying a brand new home!