Frustrated Farmgirl

Hiatus

2008-09-22T11:02:00.002-05:00

In 5 months, I will turn 40. *gasp* I remember when my mom turned the Big 4-0 twenty-one years ago and I thought it was OLD.
I had me some thinking time this weekend as the boys and The Mr. weren't around much and I purposely limited my time online severely compared to the amount I normally spend on time. I thought about what things I really want out of life and where I want my focus to be as I approach the next decade of my life. And then I thought about how much time I spend reading about other peoples' lives instead of living my own. And I got a little depressed.
I thought about two of my good friends and how one of them doesn't even have email (okay, I could never do that!) and the other one who if I need to contact, I have to call because even though she has email, she just doesn't go online that much to check it. :) And I thought about how these two friends are two friends that I look up to and rather envy because they're always enjoying life and doing things. And I also thought about the reasons The Mr. and I decided that I would stay home with the boys, and how they are seriously getting the shaft with all the time I devote to this blasted thing.

So with all that said, I'm doing a little experiment; I am going to seriously cut back the time I spend online. Because of organizations I belong to that require me to check my email daily, as well as banking, bill paying, etc. I do have to get online every day, but I don't need to check email obsessively just to see if there's a message that says if I don't forward it to 10 people in the next 7 min. I will have 7 years of bad luck. Nor do I need to see (and really don't care all that much) what Pioneer Woman is doing down on the ranch.
You see, for me the internet has become a bad habit. A habit I need to get in check.

I'll be around.....just not as much. ;) FF

Bird

2008-09-03T19:30:00.003-05:00

I have a new buddy. The Mr. and I were sitting on the front porch the other night when he says, "look at that bird" and here's this crazy bird walking around our flower bed. Right away I knew it was a pigeon, but he's much prettier than the typical pigeon you see on top of grain elevators and underpasses. He's even got some purple in the feathers around his neck. I noticed he was tagged, so we figured he must belong to somebody. He was letting us get so close to him.
But now, after a couple days, he's getting a bit too friendly.
You ever feel like you're being watched?

The cat isn't real big on our newest "pet" either. I did call Animal Control today and they said it sounds like a homing pigeon. They said it should leave on it's own accord in a few days or so. Guess I'd better tell the boys to quit feeding him.

Farm House

2008-09-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

So, we're just driving along I-29 near St. Joseph MO when I see this billboard:

Oh yeah, I'm so going there. If it wouldn't have been for being on the way home from a long weekend I might have insisted we stopped. But, we were all tired. The kids were asleep. And The Mr....while he will say that going to these kinds of stores doesn't bore him to tears, he will stand around and make sighing noises loudly so I end up spending only 10 minutes in a place like this as opposed to 3 hours. Ya know? I mean, this is the same man who calls potpourri and scented candles "man repellent" after all.

So, I'll just wait and hit this place the same time I hit this this one....Nell Hills And it will be so, so sweet........Ahhhhhh

Cars

2008-09-01T18:16:00.005-05:00

Last big car show of the year. We'll still hit one more local show, but this was the second and last Goodguys Show we go to of the year. This one was in Kansas City, KS at the Speedway: The Mr. and I have a little game we play after every car show. What was our favorite car? His was this one:

And this one. He likes the Camaros:
This was mine. I like Camaros too, but I saw this Hemi Cuda and the Camaros went out the window:
And the boys, being carnuts as well, decided that Twizzlers make good roads:

And you have to get "tatoos":

Fall is my favorite time of year, but I'm always sad to say good-bye to Summer and car shows. One more local show, then the '68 will be in the garage and The Mr. will be going over it with a fine-tooth comb and getting it ready for next year.

Mamma Mia!

2008-08-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

Look what I bought:After seeing Mamma Mia a couple weeks ago I ran out to buy their Greatest Hits. My mom bought the soundtrack, but she is nuts 'cause who wants to hear Pierce Brosnan sing Abba in the car? Not me.
Great movie and even better music.

I heart the Goodwill

2008-08-27T09:30:00.003-05:00

I took a deep breath, pushed my twitchiness to the back of my mind and I went in. It stinks, you have to really dig through stuff and you will feel like you need a shower when you walk out.
But all this for just under $25? I can deal.
Score:
(1) Leather handbag, brand new, it even still had the tissue inside it.
(3) Sweaters, one black, one cream, one white. All popular name brands
(1) Pretty and simple white blouse I can wear with anything.
(1) Very nice sweater for The Mr.

Too bad I don't have girls because you wouldn't believe the nice, nice clothes there. Not so much for boys. This time anyway.

And lastly, can I just say? I cannot believe the stuff people take to the Goodwill with price tags still on. Nice stuff. Namebrand stuff. Why? I guess at least they're passing it along rather than throwing it away. I just can't believe the wastefulness, and that's why I've started shopping consignment, garage sales and thrift stores. I feel like it's one more environmentally friendly thing I can do to help out. Not to mention the money saved. Amazing!

Sunday Hymn

2008-08-24T06:00:00.003-05:00

For this is what the LORD says: "I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees.
Isaiah 66:12 NIV

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
- Words by Horatio G. Spafford, 1873- Music by Philip P. Bliss, 1876

I think it's important to include the story behind this beautiful, haunting song:
The words to this hymn was written after two major traumas in Spafford's life. The first was the Great Chicago Fire of October 1871, which ruined him financially. Shortly after, while crossing the Atlantic, all four of Spafford's daughters died in a collision with another ship. Spafford's wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram: "SAVED ALONE." Several weeks later, as Spafford's own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, he was inspired to write these words.
Bliss originally named the tune "Ville de Havre" after the ship on which Spafford's four girls perished, the SS Ville de Havre. Ironically, Bliss himself died in a tragic train wreck shortly after writing this music.

And if you really want to get out the box of Kleenex, then check out this beautiful version as performed by Amy Grant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EieDEB1ddMU
It gives me chills.

Mums the Word

2008-08-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

Look what I picked up at the grocery store the other day. That can only mean one thing; my favorte season, Fall, is almost upon us.

Crisp nights, cool misty mornings, warm days.

Orange, rust, brown, red, yellow.

And this......Go Huskers!

Routine

2008-08-21T08:52:00.001-05:00

After having a fairly laid-back summer, no routine, no structure, it is time to get back to reality. And can I just say....I love it! I love routine. I love structure. I love knowing that at this time on this day we will be doing this, or that. It's comforting.
My oldest boy is exactly like me in this regard, so the past couple weeks he had been getting very antsy. And very difficult to deal with. I had a suspicion that once school started back up he'd be back to his old self. I was right.

1st Day, 1st Grade

2008-08-20T09:41:00.003-05:00

And we're off! So nice to be able to walk to school this year. Waiting to head off to the classroom.
He was up at 6:00 with butterflies and there was some last minute nervous tummy, but once we got there it was all good.
And I did fine....'til we were walking out and I saw all the Kindergartners walking in together and I they looked so small to me. It's hard to believe I have a first-grader. That's the big time!
And my baby starts preschool tomorrow. And The Mr. turned 40 today. Ay-yi-yi!

Mistreating My Window

2008-08-18T07:36:00.003-05:00

Nester is having a little Window Mistreatment thingy over at her site today and I cannot believe I'm actually going to post these pics of my own mistreatment, but here goes:

And you know, for my first attempt, they look pretty good. The fabric is really, really pretty and these photos don't do it justice. I'm just not convinced I'm in love with the swaggy, drapey look and might take it down and make more of a straight, pleated look? Then again, that sounds like a lot of work.

I will say that anyone who comes over always comments how much they like it, so it can't be too bad.

Thanks for looking! FF

Sunday Hymn

2008-08-17T06:00:00.002-05:00

Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob!”And he said, “Here I am.”
Genesis 46:2 KJV

"Here I am Lord"
Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

Words and Music by Daniel L Schutte© 1981

Long Day

2008-08-16T06:00:00.001-05:00

The Mr. was moving to a new job site the other day and he asked if I'd follow him while he took some equipment and a work truck out and pick him up and haul him back to the old job site so he could get his other truck and then follow him out again with a different piece of equipment. It made for quite a long day with just a quick break while my oldest had his piano lessons.
First a drive West on the Interstate. The Mr. is just ahead with the Bobcat. We got to see lots and lots and lots of corn fields. Of course, you know I don't mind that! :) I tried to snap a pic of a spray plane spraying that field, but he was too quick for me and I missed him. The boys thought the plane was cool, then they thought I was cool since I went to school with the guy that was flying the spray plane.
Almost there; we're on gravel now. A tornado went through here earlier this summer. Check out this poor person's home. Yikes!
And here we are. Our customer had a little wind damage himself, which is why The Mr. is needed here.
Later in the day, almost sunset in fact. This time I'm following The Mr. driving the crane. I'm driving his truck this time.
Finally made it back home around 10:30 that night. Long day, but an enjoyable one.

PSA

2008-08-15T12:49:00.003-05:00

Just a little Public Service Announcement and apology to the six people that read my blog for the changing of the templates this past week. The first was boring me, the second was way too busy-looking and this one, I think, is a keeper. I like simple. :)

All talk...

2008-08-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

I want to go here: http://www.nellhills.com/ It's in Atchinson, Kansas. Only a 2, maybe 2-1/2 hour drive from where I live. My mom and I have been talking about going here for several years now, but that's all it is, talk. We are going this Fall. We will.

In the meantime I bought this book on Ebay:

Now if it would just hurry up and get here already. I need something to tide me over.

Old House

2008-08-14T06:00:00.002-05:00

My love affair with big, old homes began as a child. I was friends with a girl who lived in a huge house built in the early 1900s. It was a Four-Square, which is probably why that is one of my favorite home styles. It sat on a hill with several other homes that were equally huge. Getting an invitation to a sleepover at her house was a frequent treat. I can still see it clearly in my mind; it had a huge front door.

I remember that when you rang the doorbell, the deep, rich sound of the bell sounded as though it was coming from somewhere deep within the house.

I remember the foyer was huge and rich with lots of oak woodwork. There was a floor to ceiling beveled glass mirror off to the right and an elaborate built-in hall tree with a bench just next to the mirror.

I remember that there was this cute little powder room under the stairs right off the portico. It had a portico!

I remember it had this huge open staircase with a landing. Giant, oak balustrauds. We used to pretend we were princesses gliding down those magnificent stairs.

I remember a laundry chute in one of the upstairs bathrooms. That fascinated me to no end. That you could drop laundry down a chute and it would end up in the basement two floors away was mind boggling to me.

I remember it had a back stairway. A servants stairway just off the kitchen.

I remember the big old attic and the creaky old stairs leading up to it. We spent lots of time hiding up there and scaring each other silly.

I remember it had something like 14 rooms. 14 rooms! Can you imagine? It was just a mansion to me.

Several years ago I collected historic postcards of my hometown. And I couldn't believe my luck when I stumbled upon this: That's the house. As it originally looked. When my friend lived in it it was painted a light yellow color and a screened-in porch had been added to the one side. I came across this the other day when I was sorting through stuff. And I framed it. Kinda weird maybe, but so many great memories of playing with my friend in this house. And it's what started me on my life-long love affair with these old homes.
The home isn't in her family anymore. They sold it when all their kids were grown and they downsized. Her mom owns the cutest store ever in my hometown. It's full of all kinds of cute shit, just like their home was. I need to get back and visit that store.
Anyway, the people who bought it from my friend's family did some painting and restoration on some of the woodwork. Then they put it up for sale about 6 or 7 years ago. I walked through it at an open house. I was afraid it wouldn't look as big as I remembered it, but I needn't have worried. It was as glorious, if not more so, as I remembered it being. Happy times! FF

Countdown

2008-08-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

7 more days! And it can't get here soon enough. ;)

Cute Haircut Tuesday

2008-08-12T06:00:00.001-05:00

I'm digging this haircut big time. The color too. But this woman's eyes are freakin' me out. I can't look at them. I'll just look at the hairstyle.

Runner

2008-08-11T06:00:00.001-05:00

Running was something I always loathed. From K through 6th grade I went to a small, Lutheran school. So small, that you had to be on every team. Every team; basketball, volleyball, and, ugh...track. Running was okay if it was something you were doing because you were outside playing. But running a race? Against other girls? Forget it. I'm not a fast runner, and I'm not competitive.
So I loved it in 7th grade when I went to a public junior high and I didn't have to do any sports if I didn't want to. heh heh.
Fast forward to this past December. I've always tried to maintain some semblance of an exercise program. I've been doing Pilates 3 times a week for about 6 years, give or take. And I've walked off and on. And last December I started walking on the treadmill. Fast. Walking very fast. I started going a mile, than a mile and a quarter, and so on. One day, I dared myself to run. And I did. And I haven't looked back. I now run 2.5 miles 3 times a week, sometimes 4. That's anywhere from 7.5 to 10 miles a week! Pretty good for someone who used to hate to run. Now I'm addicted. If I miss a few days, I go through withdrawals.
I'm sure people who run marathons wouldn't consider me to be a runner. I'm small potatoes to them. I don't care. I'm running, aren't I?
So there!
FF

Sunday Hymn

2008-08-10T06:00:00.005-05:00

"Great Is Thy Faithfulness"
It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV

*I've been noticing that on several of the blogs I frequent that many of the authors post a Bible verse or inspirational quote as their Sunday post. I think that is so cool. I've decided to do something similiar on Sundays. I love hymns, and I especially love hymns that were inspired by a Bible verse. So that's what I'm going to start posting on Sundays. I started with one of my favorite hymns.
I hope you'll find them as inspirational and comforting as I do. FF

Score!

2008-08-09T06:00:00.001-05:00

So I found some serious cute shit today, y'all! Just so you know, I used to be all about the cute shit and decorating, blah, blah, blah. We used to live in a log home and believe you me, I was all about decorating it. Then we had one kid, then we moved, then we had another kid.....and well, at least for me, the last thing I wanted with babies and toddlers around was cute shit. Now I start reading all these cute blogs, and slowly get back into visiting antique stores, consignments shops, flea markets, and well, ya know....
So, back to my finds. I loaded up my two little guys and we went to a garage sale yesterday. Now let me just say, I don't love garage sales. I'm not really a competitve person, and I loathe crowds, so a garage sale just doesn't go with that mix. But they had a nice big ad in the paper and it was nearby in a fancy-schmancy neighborhood....and the kicker? Lots of home decor. So off we went. It was to start at 9:00 and we got there at 8:55. The garage doors were closed, but people were already lining up, and she had some cute shit sitting in the driveway. Looked promising. Finally....finally! she opened up the garage doors at around 9:05 and the vultures descended. I ordered my boys to wait outside and look at toys and I was going in.
So, here's what I came away with for $8 even. And that doesn't include the Discovery Binoculars/Viewmaster I bought the boys. Sorry about the blurriness! And here's where it ended up. I had to put that placemat down otherwise the accessories just kind of blurred into it. The tray: (The plate is laying next to it. I just need to pick up a plate stand so it will set upright)
And another look at the tray. You can't really tell, but it's huge!
And here's one of the birdhouses. It made it's way onto the deck where I have my other ones. The cute little white one with the green roof shown in the first picture? I don't know what to do with that yet, so I put it away for now. Along with my cute little witch who will hang on my front door in October.
So, yeah, I guess it was worth the sweating and twitching to get all that loot for $8. However, that was the ONLY garage sale we hit yesterday. One was enough! :)
FF

Busy-ness

2008-08-08T06:24:00.005-05:00

Sorry to be away from the Blog for a couple days. Busy, busy, busy around here and I'm doing good to get online much at all, let alone blog.

Since The Mr. needs to "make hay while the sun shines" ;) the yardwork, which is usually his area, has fallen on me. I really don't mind though. I actually love to mow. It's a mindless activity where I can have some thinking time and the kids aren't demanding my attention. For some reason, they tend to leave me be when I'm mowing.

I also get the task of running parts out to The Mr so he doesn't have to be away from the job site. I like getting that call because that means I get to go for a drive in the country. The boys enjoy going to see Daddy work as well.

We've been school shopping, dentist appointments, packing in last minute summer fun activities. Got my 6yo signed up for piano lessons.

In the midst of all this crazy busyness, I'm also planning a project; painting the kitchen, the dining room and hallway back to the master bedroom. Here's the hallway:

I'm going to take that picture down and move it elsewhere and I'm thinking of doing something like this:
And here's part of the living room. I'm trying to decide what to do with those niches. I don't know if I should pain them a different color or the same?
So that's what I've been busy doing. Painting will wait 'til after school starts as I don't need any little helpers for that, if you know what I mean. :)

Have a good one! FF

My vice

2008-08-05T06:00:00.001-05:00

I have a confession to make. I have a little vice that unfortunately doesn't get as much time devoted to it as I'd like; Consignment Stores. And I'm picky too, it must be a nice consignment store, as in clean, neat and orderly. Because frankly, I don't want to sift through someone else's dirty junk. I know some people like that thrill of the hunt where they have to really work for their bargains, but I just don't. It makes me get all weird and twitchy. And then I feel the need to go home and take a shower.

Anyway, back on the subject of consignment stores: I have three that I frequent; one is devoted entirely to clothes and accessories, the second has a mixture of clothes, accessories, and home decor, and the third is all about the home; furniture, home decor and the like.
My love of consignment stores started years and years ago as a way to find bargains. Now it's more about the fact that I feel good buying something and reusing it rather than it getting tossed out. And in the case of buying used clothing; I like that the chances of me running into someone wearing the same thing are pretty slim compared to if I went over to Target and bought a shirt, ya know?

And you won't find me giving out the names of said stores either. In fact, I'm afraid I've already given out too much info as it is. I like to keep them a secret, though I will take my mom with me sometimes, but she wears a different size than I do. And besides, she doesn't tell anyone about these stores either. I have a friend who wears the exact same size as me and she is always saying, "that's a cute top. Where'd you get it." I have to be very careful how I answer this, because I'm not a good liar, but I don't want to give up my information, so I will say something like, "Oh, it's Banana Republic", because technically, that's not a lie. It is Banana Republic, I just didn't buy it there. ;)

Another reason I'm anxious for school to start; I can start shopping again. Shopping with two boys does not work. First of all, you cannot take them into a store with breakables because I don't want to end up buying a ton of broken crap. And secondly, in the clothing store, before I know it, there's a pile of clothes laying on the floor off their hangers and I'm getting dirty looks from the saleslady. Not fun!
17 more days, 17 more days, 17 more days....*sigh*

FF

Redneck

2008-08-04T06:00:00.004-05:00

I remember hearing somewhere that everyone has a little redneck in them. Okay, actually I think it was Denise Richards on her reality show and she said something about everyone having a little white trash in them. I think that's what she said. Don't quote me.
I don't know about that, but I do know that I have a little bit of redneck in me, and I'm not afraid to admit it. I say a little bit because I have all my teeth and even though we do own a '68 Camaro, it aint up on blocks, thank you very much.
I grew up with a dad that hunted and shot blue rock and I thought nothing of it. I knew how to shoot a gun and had my own Red Ryder BB gun (think Ralphie) by the time I was eight.
I was driving tractors and pickup trucks pulling the pipe trailer to lay irrigation pipe before I could even reach the pedals. I would just sit on the edge of the seat and jump off and stand on the brake when Grandpa said "whoa".
I helped butcher and clean chickens. My job was to clean out the gizzards. Yeah, I don't much like eating them, but they sure were fun to clean out. You'd be amazed at what chickens eat.
I almost drowned in the pig lagoon when I was three. I vaguely remember it, but my mom and dad still tell the story, always saying it was a good thing Grandpa was nearby and heard my screaming or I'd be a goner.
I know the joys of driving out to the field on a sultry late summer afternoon to pick sweetcorn until the box on the back of the 4-wheeler was full then bringing it back home to shuck it.
Growing up, my playground was the pasture, the "crick" (we call creeks "cricks" around here), and the grain bins. My mom never worried about where my sister and I were because there were no strangers around and Dad and Grandpa were always nearby.
My Mr. grew up almost exactly the same as I did. Farm living. Nothing better.
We live in the "big city" now, and it makes me more than a little bit sad that our boys are growing up so differently than we did. They're city boys, born and bred. They will never know the joy of going fishing in your own pond for Bullheads, of jumping in the back of a grain truck loaded with corn or milo, or climbing a mountain of haybales.
Although The Mr. and I enjoy going to fancy-schmancy restaurants (when we have a sitter, that is), we still always have the most fun when we're with our "redneck" friends doing "redneck" things. You know: drinkin' beer, going bowling, parking in the country (oops, did I just say that? and we don't do that with friends either, just to clarify.)
Call it redneck, hick, white trash, hayseed. I just call it normal.

Happy Monday! FF

Never Had One Lesson.....

2008-08-03T17:55:00.003-05:00

We found my Grandpa's old harmonica the other day when I was going through stuff, organizing. Here's my oldest. Pretty good for just picking it up if I do say so myself.

Wild Things

2008-08-02T06:00:00.002-05:00

Yesterday we ventured to the zoo. It's hard to believe the last time we were there was just after the last day of school and here we are and it's almost time for school to start again.

First stop, milking the (fake) cow with the (fake) um....udders?

Um....oh my......that looks like a problem. I have to say thank God I never had that happen while I was nursing:

Got some food?

Are you sure they won't bite?

Well, okay then......

Is this my child?! Because I don't think any child of mine is going to be holding some bug, let alone a hissing cockroach. Ewwww.....

There's one of my little hatchlings:

Ahhhh....thank goodness. Lunch time! Yum! PB&Js!

And string cheese!

Now that they're all fueled up, it's time to dig for dinosaur bones:

And I have to tell you; this sweet young gal, my youngest asked her I don't know how many times where this bone came from and she patiently explained it to him every single time. I would've been like, "little boy....where's your mom?" But then, I'm not a member of the "zoo crew" either....for good reason. :)

The seal pool:

There's the seal:

Outside the butterfly pavillion:

Inside the butterfly pavillion:

And you can't go to the zoo without a pony ride:

And a train ride:

Until next time!

FF

Critters

2008-08-01T08:30:00.000-05:00

If you have children in your life between the ages of oh, say, 4 and 10, then you know what these are: Webkinz. A blessing, but yet a nuisance. A blessing when the young-uns say "I'm bored" because then I can say, "You wanna play Webkinz?" A nuisance when your two boys are fighting over whose turn it is to play Webkinz on the computer. My computer, I might add, which is no longer my own, it seems.
Even my mom has gotten in on the whole thing. The boys think it's very cool that Nana has her own Webkinz. They even send "Kinzmail" back and forth.

I do feel like these little critters are slowly taking over our house and a couple of Webkinz ago I finally said if they wanted anymore they were going to have to buy them with their own money. Sadly, that didn't seem to slow them down much.

Ah well, only 20 more days 'til school starts and then I won't have to get up at ungodly hours or stay up past my bedtime to use my computer. I won't have to feel like the referee at a WWF match either. And the house will be very, very quiet.
Kind of looking forward to it and kind of dreading it.

TGIF! FF

Farmhouse

2008-07-31T06:44:00.005-05:00

I love houses; mansions and cottages, historic homes and new homes, Tudors and Ranches. I am always looking whether it's online or out driving around. I especially love to look at older homes, those built before the 1940s, because of the architectual detail and charm that seemed to be standard on homes built back in the day. Of course, heaven on earth to me would be a farmhouse. I'm not sure I even care what style of home it is, just that it's out in the country. This one is for sale, but it's about an hour away from where we presently live. I love this big old stone house: I think this one is cute. I love the front porch with all the rocking chairs:
Another old stone farmhouse. It has a windmill on one side (you can kind of see it peeking out). A windmill would be icing on the cake!
Of course, I have a particular fondness for the American Four Square:

And the holy grail of farmhouses to me is this one; Francesca's house from Bridges of Madison County. Love it!

I'll probably never get my farmhouse. The Mr. likes newer homes and the convenience of living in town. He's a farmboy too, but I guess in his case, you could take the farm out of the boy.

Oh well, I can always look!

:) FF

My Fix

2008-07-30T06:00:00.002-05:00

So we go out to eat tonight at our favorite local grill/bar/dive and on the way home we're on the ridge about a half mile from our home (subdivision) and the view is amazing. I mean, it is pastoral/could-be-a -painting lovely. That's because our subdivision is on the edge of town bordering farmland. So I say to The Mr. "let's drive out in the country and look at the corn". He says no. "But please, I want to look at the corn", I'm pleading now. In fact, I'm starting to sound like my grandma who always wanted to look at "her corn" about her rented farmland after she moved to town. He says, "I looked at corn all day. I don't want to look at it again". He builds grain handling systems, so I understand this logic. Still..... I want to look at some gosh dang corn. He tells me, "You'll have to wait for your fix. I'm tired."
No cornfields for me tonight. I should've married a farmer.

Cute Haircut Tuesday

2008-07-28T15:50:00.005-05:00

I decided to post a little bit longer-style cute haircut today, since I'm trying to grow my hair out. For gosh sakes, how long does it take? I'm taking multi-vitamins, calcium and fish oil and have been forever and the only hair growing fast is the hair on my big toes. Sorry if that's TMI, but, what gives?

Anyway, back to the haircut......I think this would be a cute in-between-stage style. Love the bangs!
I recently went almost this blonde, thanks to a box of Feria. My hairdresser is going to love me next time I go in. ;)

Have a good Tuesday! FF

Manic Monday

2008-07-28T09:16:00.002-05:00

It's Monday, and at our house this is what happens on Mondays: Laundry, and lots of it. And despite the fact that tonsilitis and pink eye is making the rounds at our house, the show must go on. And yes, even I have the dreaded pink eye. My 6yo told me, "Mommy, your face looks sick." Niiiice.
Actually, out of all the household chores, laundry is my favorite. People think I'm nuts, but I love sorting, washing and most of all folding. To me, it is cathartic, and that's why I do it on Monday. It beats scrubbing toilets. I do that on Wednesdays. :)

Hope your Monday is great (and healthy!) FF

Voyeur

2008-07-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

One time on Oprah she said something to the effect that people like to see how other people live. I guess that's true, otherwise I probably wouldn't feel the need to watch Real Housewives of Orange County. Really though, I like to see what other people's homes look like.

Ever since I was a kid, I've loved to go for drives in the car right at that time of the evening where it's starting to get dark outside, and their lights are on in the house, but they haven't shut their blinds yet. And I have to run on my treadmill because when I run outside I find myself slowing down to check out people's landscaping, therefore not getting a good workout.

Of course, in this day and age, it's easy to be a voyeur. There's real estate listings online and blogs. I have an extensive file on my computer that is full of photos I've gotten (stolen?) from online of rooms I love. I may not necessarily want to decorate my home that way, but it still serves for inspiration.

Here's a few rooms I found that I love. I hope I'm not violating some copyright law by posting them, but it's just because I admire their beauty:

What an adorable laundry room, and it appears to be lint-free. How does she do that?

I love this Santa Fe-style home. That's my problem though; I love too many different decorating styles. That's a whole 'nother post.
I had been pondering what color to paint my kitchen, then I found this picture and she has the same finish on her cabinets as I do. I love this color! I think I'm going to use it!

This one's been on my computer for quite some time. I just think it's cool-looking. Another laundry room. Someday I'll have a grown-up laundry room just like this.
So you see, I'm not some crazy peeping Tom person. And let me tell you why: Years ago I saw a butt in a window as we were driving by, and not a cute one either. Ewwwwwww.

Mmmmmm...wine....

2008-07-25T17:40:00.004-05:00

I like wine. And I'm not one of those swirl it around in the glass, sniff it a couple times, then put it in your mouth and swish it around like you're going gargle kind of gals. And I'm fine with drinking cheap wine (except Boone's, sorry!). I don't care if it's Cabarnet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot or Riesling. All that matters is that it tastes good to me. But here is my very, very favorite. Oh, how I love it: Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling. And it was on sale this week at the grocery store. It doesn't get much better than that. :)
FF

Cup & Saucer

2008-07-25T06:00:00.001-05:00

My grandma was not a pack-rat, therefore she didn't have much cute shit sitting around her home. My mom says it's because she didn't save anything, but really I don't think she had much to save in the first place. She came from very humble beginnings and then lived through the Depression, so I suppose she just didn't spend money on "stuff", or cute shit.

She did collect bone china cups and saucers though. She had a china hutch that was filled with these on every shelf. Most of them were given to her as gifts.

My grandma passed way eleven years ago. My aunt got the china hutch, and I'm sure most of the collection. My mom got a few of the pieces as well.

Recently my mom, sister and I had a garage sale and my mom put this up for sale. What?!?! How could she?!?! So I, of course, latched right on to it beings as how I didn't have one from Grandma and I took it home and put it in my antique secretary desk with glass doors.

Here's a picture of it looking all vintage-y: But here's what it really looks like. Isn't it pretty? Yellow is my favorite color:
FF

Outhouse

2008-07-24T06:00:00.004-05:00

I want an outhouse sooooo bad. And no, it's not because I would just love to have a spot to pee or poop where someone, i.e. a little person, didn't wander in every. single. time. Actually, I want one to use as a teeny-tiny potting shed. :) And not only do I have The Mister on board with this idea; he agreed to build me one. Yee-haw!
I found this one online and it's kinda cute:
Ooooh, I'm liking this one too. Would ya look at the weather vane?! I just noticed the sign. Smokey's Lounge. Does his wife make him go out here to smoke?! HA!!!!!!

Here's the spot where it's going to go. Yes, the swingset/fort/play area is leaving. I am positive there will be lots of crying and carryin' on when it does, but they don't even play on it. They play on the neighbor kids' because their's has a tunnel.
We're planning on some raised beds on either side for a small garden; some radishes, lettuce, asparagus, tomatoes. Also some zinnias and some marigolds, to honor The Mister's grandpa who recently passed and who happened to be an avid gardener who grew the most gorgeous zinnias every year. They were his favorite.

It's going to be my own little mini-farm and I can't wait. Now if I could just have chickens......

Keep out!

2008-07-23T06:45:00.000-05:00

He just forgot one small detail; his brother doesn't read yet: FF

Cute Haircut Tuesday

2008-07-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

I want this haircut. It's supposedly Hilary Swank with her new short 'do for her role potraying Amelia Earhart in an upcoming movie. I'm not sure it's her. Doesn't really look like her profile, but anyway...cute hair! Unfortunately, I've committed to growing out my hair and the mister would freak if I went and cut it off. Someday though!

Crafty

2008-07-21T06:12:00.004-05:00

I always say the crafty gene skipped me. My mom has it; she creates beautiful jewelry, knits beautiful scarves, has painted in the past. My dad has it; he can build just about anything out of metal or wood. My sister even has the craft gene; she makes notecards, is a great photographer, and can also make just about whatever.
I, on the other hand, have a lot of great ideas, just not the wherewithall to get them accomplished.
I also happened to marry a guy who is very creative and can build just about anything, fix anything, you name it. His line of work allows him more free time in the winter months in which he disappears into his workshop and creates all kinds of wonderful things out of beautiful pieces of wood.
A candleholder:
A free-form box with little drawers:
He uses this as his "jewelry box". He doesn't have much in it. He's not a goldchain/pinkie ring sorta guy:
This is one of my jewelry boxes. It has lots of things in it. I am a jewelry wearing gal, but not goldchains or pinky rings:
Another box with lots of cute little drawers:

This is one of my favorite pieces he has made; a nautilus shell box. I claimed this one before he even had it finished:

Another box. He was on a box-making kick this past winter:

He also makes bigger things out of wood. He made the bar in our basement, a gorgeous mission-style bookshelf that weighs a ton and a half, a shelf to hold his stereo-equipment, and numerous things he's given away or sold.

I'm a lucky girl!
FF

Roastin' Ears

2008-07-19T07:00:00.001-05:00

And don't you dare call them Corn on the Cob. Any self-respecting person who has roots in the corn belt knows that these here are called "roastin' ears". I always think of a farm wife, not unlike my grandmas or the mister's grandma, loading a big roaster with ears of corn for the hired men, hungry from a morning's work from the field and ready to eat dinner, not lunch. Farmers don't eat lunch at noon or dinner in the evening. No, no, no. The noon meal is always dinner and the evening meal is supper.
Anyway, you can take the girl away from the farm, but....well, you know the rest:

Just Wondering......

2008-07-18T13:00:00.001-05:00

You know how J-Lo made it okay to have a big butt? Why can't some celebrity make it okay to have a muffin top?

Black Hills

2008-07-17T07:46:00.003-05:00

The Mister and I were married for some time before we settled down and had our two little dudes. And we took advantage of it too. We were lucky enough to be able to travel to many different places in this beautiful country, but there is one place that holds a special place in our hearts. We've been there so many times that we can't say how many times we've been there. We went there as our first vacation together before we were married. We went back for our honeymoon. We were there when I was pregnant with our youngest. And countless times in between. The journey there is almost as beautiful as the destination; the desolate but lovely Sandhills, the craggy and ominous-looking Badlands, then finally off in the distance the dark silhouette of The Black Hills:

If you can be "homesick" for a vacation destination, then I am definitely suffering from it right now.
Have a great day! FF

Front Yard

2008-07-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

You've seen a bit of my backyard. Would you like to see some of the front of our home now?
Greetings! When you come up to our front porch, you're greeted on one half by a hanging basket of lobelia. I love their color! I also have some pink and white impatiens and a little stone frog sitting next to them. Last year you never knew where that frog was going to show up because my youngest lil' dude loved to move him around. He seems to have gotten past that in favor of real ones now. We also have a couple of wicker chairs on the front porch. We used to sit in them a lot, but decided that it's a lot quieter to sit on the back deck in the evenings than the front porch where the 26 or so rugrats (including our own) are running all up and down the cul-de-sac.
We bought this great cauldron at a flea market near Springfield, Missouri several years ago. I decided to plant purple and white petunias in it this year. We get those big moths that look like hummingbirds out there in the evenings.
Clematis:
Impatiens:
Oh, I love these! Black-eyed Susans. They're in my front flowerbed and they were planted by the builder. I'm so glad he chose these!
These were also planted by the builder. They are the most lovely scarlet color:
Some more impatiens I planted in the front beds. They only look good in the evenings, I'm afraid, when the sun has moved around. I need to rethink what I plant here for annuals next year.

So that's a little glimpse of the front of our home. It's always changing, season by season. That's what I love about it!

Junk Jaunt

2008-07-15T07:01:00.001-05:00

Last Fall I went on a girls-only vacation with my mom, my sister, my aunt and my cousin. We went on the Junk Jaunt. It's a loop up and around on a scenic highway through many small towns where they have flea markets, antique stores and garage sales for a whole weekend. And we had a blast!
Early Friday morning we all met up and we were rearin' to go. We were enthusiastic and stopped at every sale we saw. By mid-afternoon that day though, we were getting a bit choosier and my aunt thought it was time to hit a bar for a cold one before we moved on.
Saturday we got up early and walked across the street from our historic hotel to a cute little coffee and gift shop where we ate scones, got filled up on coffee and did a bit of shopping for some cute shit that wasn't junk.
By Sunday we were saying we didn't care if we ever saw another antique store or garage sale again. We were exhausted.
Here's just a few pictures from our trip. From l to r: my sister, my cousin, me, my aunt (my mom was behind the camera): Here's my mom and my aunt doing their best "Vanna" impersonations:
Me, my sis and my mom. Look how tall my sister is, and she's the baby. Not fair! And isn't my mom pretty? She was a MILF back in the day. Oh, and I scored a great cookbook from here too!
My sis and I back at the hotel. We were both reading our cookbooks and apparently it made for some really hilarious reading. I get more flack for my green Nebraska shirt, beings as our colors are Husker Red. Who cares? I like green. After seeing this picture I'm also rethinking my decision to grow my hair out, and I think I need to get back in for some highlights.
If you've never done a girls' vacation with family, you should try it. This is our second one in 6 years and we kept saying "why did we wait 6 years to do this again?!

Cookbooks

2008-07-14T07:00:00.001-05:00

I used to be a collector. When I first got married 20 years ago (and I got married young, by the way. I'm not that old!) I went through a cow phase. Then I achieved more sophisticated taste and I moved on to vintage glass swizzle sticks. I still have hundreds of them all packed up in shoe boxes. Then it was depression glass. I sold most of my pieces, save for the family pieces and ones I really loved. This was all BK (before kids). Once we started our family, I decided that I no longer had the time or inclination to acquire, and then dust, collectibles. And while I love "cute shit" as much as the next person, and I love looking at it when it's in other peoples' homes, I don't want it in mine to worry about getting broken, or cleaning it, or whatever. There is one thing I still collect though. I don't have to worry about keeping them clean, or whether the kids can break them or not. Cookbooks! Oh, do I love cookbooks. I can sit down and read a cookbook like it's a bodice-ripping novel.
Here's my collection on the middle shelf: It's right above my work station. This it where it happens; I pay bills here, surf the internet, browse my cookbooks. That's Pioneer Women's Calendar hanging on the wall to the left. That's where I track how many miles I ran on a certain day, swim lessons, MOPs stuff, etc.
Here's a close-up view. You can see I love Gooseberry Patch cookbooks. I also have a Giada DeLaurentiis and a Barefoot Contessa one in there, not to mention a few Rachael Ray:
This is my favorite cookbook. My cousin Kristen gave it to me for a bridal shower gift back in 1988. It's one of those blank ones that you add your own recipes to. She added a few of her favorites and over the years I've added my own. While I love to cook, but loathe baking, you'd better believe the Main Dishes and Vegetables sections are chalk full of recipes and the desserts and cookies sections are kinda bare:
It has to be a tried and true recipe that I make in my regular rotation in order to make it to this cookbook. For example, my friend Denise's recipe for Penne in Vodka Sauce. Love it!

I've got not one, but two, of what I call "Holy Grail" cookbooks. The first one is my Little House Cookbook. I bought it at Wall Drug Store in South Dakota. I've never made anything from it, but I love all things Laura Ingalls Wilder and let me tell you, it makes for some good reading:My most very favorite cookbooks in the whole entire world are those fund-raiser cookbooks, most particularly church cookbooks. I mean, where else are you going to find such great recipes with great sounding names like "Better than Robert Redford Dessert" or "Maid-Rites" (did you know that's what Iowans call Sloppy Joes?! Neither did I!). So when I found this little number, I knew I'd struck gold:
Yes, this is definitely the kind of collecting The Mister can get behind. I'll always believe the old adage that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. It's true.

Hot Rods

2008-07-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

We are a family of hot-rodders. We own a muscle car and we love taking it to car shows every summer. Our favorite one is the Goodguys Heartland Nationals in Des Moines. It's always held on or near Independence Day and this has become our new 4th of July tradition.

Here's a shot I took from the aerial tram looking down on one of the streets. It is street rods as far as you can see, it seems. We heard there were nearly 3500 cars attending this year! There's always cool stuff to see, like this. This was one of the picks for the Winners' Circle.
Check out this cool tricked-out bus. That's a surfboard on the top. That's one of my little dudes in the picture.
A custom-built truck. It even has a DVD player in the dash. Sweet!
Here's my other little dude. He thinks attending car shows is exhausting. That's what we're actually doing today. Attending a car show. This one isn't so far away, only about 45 minutes or so.

Peace. FF

TGIF!

2008-07-11T16:50:00.005-05:00

It's Friday and there's nothing I like better when it's 95 degrees out, and humidity to match, than to pop open a nice cold Corona Light. Okay, it doesn't have to be that hot out for me to drink one, but it just happens to be, OK?
But first, can we have just a small lime-cutting lesson? Because one of my pet peeves is ordering a Corona at a bar & grill and you get this big hunk of lime with it that won't fit into your bottle. Shame on you bar staff! To be a bartender or server, you must know how to cut a lime. I have been known to tell bar staff the proper way to cut limes, and I've never even worked in a bar.
First, cut the lime in half lengthwise. This is the most important part of all. You must cut it lengthwise. Then cut across the lime in slices. I guarantee you if you cut your lime this way it will go into the Corona bottle.
It's 5 o'clock somewhere, and it most definitely is here. Amen to that Jimmy Buffett.
Cheers! FF

New Window Treatment

2008-07-11T13:47:00.006-05:00

Or rather, window mistreatments as they're called by Nester, which is where I got my inspiration. There are few things that I really despise, but one thing that I loathe behond loathe is hanging curtains, treatments, curtain rods, blinds, you get the idea. Now don't get me wrong, after doing this project, I still don't like hanging this stuff, but the bright note is, it's fairly inexpensive. The fabric was on clearance at Hobby Lobby for $4.00/yd, and the curtain hooks were on sale 50% off at Shopko. Upholstery pins were super cheap.

So here is the before. I had swing-arms from Restoration Hardware that the Mister hung for me and these cheap panels that I think came from Shopko. I was so over them. Not really sure why I was into them in the first place other than I liked the green. Excuse the dark picture, I didn't have some settings right and I was so anxious to hang my new treatment that I couldn't be bothered:

After much sweating, and I'm not kidding, my hair was drenched in the back, I got these hung. Don't even ask me any specifics because I'd never be able to explain. Let's just say that it involved a yardstick and math is my enemy. In high school I was in what we used to call a not so PC name that starts with an "R" and I don't mean remedial, though it basically means the same thing. The official name on the roster was Business Math. Scary! Anyway, I got it done and I think it looks pretty nice actually. The fabric is really nice and of heavier weight. And the best part? No sewing! That's something else I despise. Oh, how I wished I liked to sew, but 4-H and Home Ec ruined me forever on that one.

Here's the close-up because they look darker in the next picture. They actually look kinda dark here as well, but they're really a nice chocolate brown.

And last, but not least, I found all kinds of good bargains at Hobby Lobby. That pillow you see there in the middle? $6.99 on clearance! Gotta love Hobby Lobby!

Actually, there is one more thing. A disclaimer; if your husband is anything like mine, it's best to tackle this project when they're not home. My husband is a math whiz, unlike me, and he cringes when he sees me with a tape measure, hammer, nails. And holes in the walls? Forget it! Now, he is fine once he sees the end result (usually). He just doesn't want to be around while it's in progress. It's bad enough I had to endure comments from my 6yo the entire time saying things like, "Mom, that looks kind of sloppy" or "can I take a picture of you hanging those to show Daddy what a mess you made?" Heavens no, Child!! Sheesh!

Thanks for looking! FF

Backyard Flowers

2008-07-10T10:35:00.001-05:00

Would you like to see my backyard and deck? My flowers are doing wonderfully this year and I'd love to show them off. Shall we begin?

Well, hello there little fellow!
I wish I could remember what these are called. They come back every year and they keep spreading. They're so adorable; teeny-tiny lavendar flowers with a yellow center:
Looks like I need to fill the birdbath. That looks like something one of the kids could do. ;)

I can't remember the name of. :) Here's a hanging basket with just a mismash of flowers; some pink begonias, some vinca vine, some purple flowers

I love these fuschia colored begonias:
A little birdhouse, but it appears it's housing a spider and not birds.
It's 5:00 somewhere! The back deck is our favorite place to enjoy an evening cocktail.
My dad gave me this planter years ago. A nod to my farmgirl background. ;)

Can you spot the top of the little pagoda lantern? I never did use it as a lantern, so now it's a garden ornament.

Thanks for joining me in my backyard! Next time I'll show you the front porch and walk.

Frustrated Farmgirl

Hiatus

Bird

Farm House

Cars

Mamma Mia!

I *heart* the Goodwill

Sunday Hymn

Mums the Word

Routine

1st Day, 1st Grade

Mistreating My Window

Sunday Hymn

Long Day

PSA

All talk...

Old House

Countdown

Cute Haircut Tuesday

Runner

Sunday Hymn

Score!

Busy-ness

My vice

Redneck

Never Had One Lesson.....

Wild Things

Critters

Farmhouse

My Fix

Cute Haircut Tuesday

Manic Monday

Voyeur

Mmmmmm...wine....

Cup & Saucer

Outhouse

Keep out!

Cute Haircut Tuesday

Crafty

Roastin' Ears

Just Wondering......

Black Hills

Front Yard

Junk Jaunt

Cookbooks

Hot Rods

TGIF!

New Window Treatment

Backyard Flowers

I heart the Goodwill