Total Clearance Score!

This:

was the ultimate Clearance Section score today.  I've been pining away for a leather topped bench with storage inside for a year or two now.  It's the perfect place to plop down and put on shoes while hiding laundry or random crap that is lying around my house before unexpected company appears toys.

The kids and I were winding up a trip to Bed, Bath and Beyond, aka "The Sheet Store" to Sesame, when I spotted a random clearance section.  And there it sat, calling forth with blissful angelic sounds, "the leather bench" (said with the SNL Sean Connery accent.*)

The bright yellow clearance tag read "retail price 149.99 clearance price 20.98"  I looked over my shoulder thinking I was on candid camera.  Nope.  No cameras.  Upon further inspection I found the purpose of the drastically reduced price.

A broken hinge.  No big deal.  Even I could fix that.

Two scuffs and a slight puncture.  

On the back.  

The part that faces the wall. 

The part that will not be seen by anyone.

I whipped out my cell phone, thankful A) I had it with me and B) it was charged for once.  Husband agreed this would be a wise purchase.  I mean, seriously, you can't even buy plastic storage tubs for 20.98!?

So.  There I am.  My cart is full with a 2.5 year old Shirley Temple look alike, a Care Bear and a floral print purse in the front; and, a large infant carrier, complete with 9 week old slumbering babe, in the back.  I already squeezed the 10 tray/organizers under the carseat in an effort to not carry them in my hand.  So.  Out of necessity, I scooted the brown leather bench across the entire front of the store, with my feet, whilst dragging a cart full of children behind me.  I wasn't about to leave the bench just sitting there.  Hello!?  Someone could snatch it up!

Also, watching my mild TV obsession, American Pickers, paid off.  I chose a line with a young male cashier and politely asked, "There are a few other damages that aren't mentioned on the sticker," points to the small puncture (on the back!) and scuff marks on the front, "Would you take 15 for it?"  And what does he do?!  GRANT MY REQUEST!!  AND I had a 20 % off coupon?!  Jigga what?!  Take that!  

Leather bench total cost: 16.00

Score.

Another project I've been working to conquer before we house family for a week:

Sesame's Big Big Girl Room.

Theme: Polka Dots.  :)  Love

Progress is slow but looks better everyday.

 

I'll keep you posted as I paint.  I saved a ton of money by purchasing paint samples in all the colors.  The circles don't take up too much space and thusly, saved money.  Sweet.  Money that I can buy more sweet, cheap leather benches with!?  Just kidding.

If you've made it this far in this post you deserve a cookie.  Thank you for putting up with my overflowing joy at saving a few dollars.  :)  Have a great day!


*If you get that reference then we can be friends.  If not, we need to talk more.  Note: This does not apply to family members.  I love you always and anyway.)

Home.

This was our house when we moved in:

It needed a bit of of love to say the least.  We had grand dreams as newlyweds moving in.  The dining room would be filled with fabulous new dining sets.  Sigh.  How I love dark wood.  It just makes me smile. While we had our hopes set high on un-mauve counter-tops, new sinks and brilliant paint colors, the re-modeling has slowed   stopped  halted  never really started.  We made it as far as repainting the master from this:

(Yes, your eyes are working correctly.  That's mauve, navy and pink sponge paint you see.  All made complete with a resplendent hunter green, navy and mauve column border.  Oh baby, oh baby.)

to this:

Which, I must say, is a vast improvement.  I suppose grand-master-painter-David did change the outside from this:

to this:

Which makes me happy every time I drive into my driveway!  : )  If I were a realtor (which I never could be..they sell things...which is not a skill of mine!) I would say "Now, this house has great curb appeal!"


Did that read as awkward as it typed?  Just curious.


Moving on.


Recently I have been inspired.  I have seriously been feeling convicted about A) the amount of "stuff" we have and B) the way our house doesn't even remotely reflect our taste/us as a family.  Aside from the talking toys.  Those definitely reflect Sesame.


So I have been psycho-purging lady lately.  Our closet has been cleaned out 3 times, I've started getting rid of, wait for it, books, and; there are currently paint samples painted on walls in three areas of our house. 


It's time people.  It's time for the dreams to become a reality.  : )  I can't wait!  :  )  While I may not have new counter tops or toilets by the end of this, there will be new curtains.  Yay.

Warning: This post contains the Word Tampon...

...But first the winner is...

Number 7 - Kendall!

YAY! Just let me know what size, if you want onesies or T-shirts and if you still want Star Wars - because I can so do it! : )

____________________________

Dear Sesame,

It has been some time since I wrote you a brief letter. I think it's good for your development to read. At least, that's what I hear. Anyway, Mommy thought it best to let you in on some secrets. When it's Mommy's shower time, and you're playing in the bathroom, so Mommy knows where you are, that does not mean you can pull Homer's tail. Nor does it invite you to eat the bathroom rug. Ew. Gross. It is also unacceptable behavior to open the box of tampons/maxi pads (you'll learn what they're for later in life, I promise!) and have a little "let's decorate Mommy's bathroom" party.

Did you hear me???

UN.

ACCEPTABLE.

While I am so very excited that your fine motor skills have reached heights that allow you to accomplish such feats, it is not okay to stick items of this nature ALL OVER THE CABINETS and DOORS!!! This is is why, after you so cutely knocked on the shower door, and Mommy opened said door, you saw a face that morphed from sheer joy to horror. Perhaps moments like these are where you get your face-making abilities.

Recent occurrences that are also unacceptable:

1. Throwing Homer's treats in the toilet.

2. Learning how to open children's safety locks. (Please, just pretend you don't know how!)

3. Eating dandelions.

4. Dumping Mommy's Diet Dr. Pepper all over the picnic blanket.

5. Screeching like a banshee at young children. (Sweetheart, it frightens them, it does not entice them to play with you.)

6. Licking fuzzy dandelions.

7. Trying to feed toilet paper to Homer.

8. Trying to feed your socks to Homer.

9. Leaping off furniture.

10. Drinking Mommy's coffee.

love,

aka Momma

Ikea.

So...we went to Ikea. :) A day trip with some lovely women - a day trip to blue and gold heaven on earth. [sigh] I found beds and lamps and frames and toys and rugs and fabric and toys and pillows and couches and kitchens and toys and storage and foot stools and toys. I mean, really, what can't you find at Ikea. They even have cinnamon rolls the size of your head. Not a sweet eater?? Just order a side of Swedish meatballs - good Swedish meatballs - the kind the Swedes don't want you to know they have in their country because everyone would flock there for their meatballs - not their super secret banks.

We made a pit stop at Starbucks on the way out because, hello, it was early and their holiday drinks had just returned from the coffee vault. Sadly, one bit the dust on entering the car. :( There were tears. There were no baby wipes to clean it up. There was, however, an awesome-tastic Starbucks barista who re-made the fabulous Venti drink - no charge. They do have faulty lids there. Very drippy. Moving on...

Then we saw the sign. It would disappear behind some signs and cars and then reappear out of nowhere. Like the bat signal shining in all it's Gotham glory, drawing us in. I could have sworn I hear the West Wing theme song announcing the sign. [sigh] I thought of you Katie!

We found AWESOME items (hello 1/2 yard of home decor fabric for FIFTY CENTS!). Tried to discern how some of the items worked (hence Mindy standing on the bed looking on top of the shelves...I PROMISE the lights were magically operated...wireless...and battery-less). Pined away for some items (Casey found a double lofted bed...for $299...and was totally jonesin' for one!). Played with some items (Suzy and Nancy are the BEST photo frame layout people EVER!). After all of the Ikea goodness, we even ate good food...not Swedish...but Asian at PF Changs. Could you ask for a better day!? I think not. :)

My Daughter Has A Problem

Note: This a guest post from Sesame's daddy, so please, keep in mind that nothing I say can be taken seriously.

So.....my daughter has a problem. A drinking problem. At first, I didn't want to admit it. It's hard to watch someone you love crave a drink every hour. She screams, she whines, she pouts until she finally gets that drink she's craving.

It's taken over her life. She drinks before noon. She drinks after noon. She drinks when she wakes up in the morning. A lot! She wakes up in the middle of the night craving a drink. It's gotten so bad lately, I think she's lost all bowel and bladder control. 

I thought about finding meetings to try and help her. They say that it's hard to get a meeting like this together, given that most people her age don't see her drinking as a problem. Also, it's hard to sit in a circle when none of them can sit up.

Someday, I'm told, she'll need it less and less. They say she'll stop pulling liquid lunches every day. They say she'll stop lashing out at people when she's fiending. And eventually, I pray, she'll just want water in the middle of the night. Until then....I just don't know what to do!

My little girl.....almost 3 months old.....addicted to mommy's milk.

Praise God!

-The Dad-

Politics.

Okay. I have a confession: I am not a fan of politics. I am not a fan of discussing politics. I am not a fan of practicing politics. I, in general, dislike politics.

Then, I was married on December 30, 2006 to a man who minored in political science. So I started to care - just a little. But not much. Clearly. :)

THEN, he strapped me down to a chair and made me watch this show:

The West Wing.

I must admit - it has been love ever since. Ladies and gentlemen I woke up last night around 2 am (due to repeated rib kickings) and what was the first thought in my brain??? A smashing chorus of the theme song for the show. Complete with visions of red and white stripes rippling triumphantly in the wind. -sigh- I. am. addicted.

What's worse is we are almost done with the entire series. Yes. It's sad but true. (I must also confess that there is a bit of bittersweet-ness to this - because now I get to start the series over and again - and I don't have to wait for Conrad to watch the episodes - so while I'm on "bed rest" I can actually fulfill my addictions and then have REAL TIME to spend with the husband when he comes home - as long as it doens't involve running a marathon or something - not that I would do that anyway - seriously - us - run - ha!)

So. Even if you are the person in the room who avoids politics at all costs, give the show a watch, you'll be hooked too. :)

_____

edit to add: I just traveled over to Lots of Scotts. You HAVE to see this video. She has been working with her 4 year old triplets to memorize scripture since the beginning of the school year. They've been using an ABC verse order to help the children - brilliant! One of her sons has A-H down. What a wonderful witness to world! These children already have the word of God planted in their hearts. :)

_____