Choo Choo Tracks

I now have someone in the house who shares a little bit of my pain. My little Emma got braces last week. Just the upper four front teeth. She is certainly not having as much discomfort as I did. My old almost 40 year old mouth must not be as flexible/pliable (whatever the word is) than my young kids. I hurt for weeks and weeks and weeks. Emma doesn't seem to be bothered too much. She chose to have pink and green bands this month. She got a t-shirt from the ortho AND she gets to earn points for cool gift certificates etc. What about me? What about the old folks who choose to put themselves through the pain of getting straight teeth for the same price as the kids? Actually, mine are more expensive since they are the clear kind. I've been jipped! I guess I get to buy my own prize at the end. Maybe if I make and wear my own Howell Orthodontics t-shirt at my next appointment, they will give ME points towards an iTunes card. I might just try it.... just kidding. I'm a big girl.

A.R. Goes to Austria

Captain von Trapp: Now, Fraulein. I want a truthful answer from you.
Maria: Yes, Captain?
Captain von Trapp: Is it possible - or could I have just imagined it - have my children by any chance been climbing trees today?
Maria: Yes, Captain.
Captain von Trapp: I see. And where, may I ask, did they get these... ummm...
Maria: Play clothes.
Captain von Trapp: Oh, is that what you call them?
Maria: I made them. From the drapes that used to hang in my bedroom.
Captain von Trapp: Drapes?
Maria: They still have plenty of wear left. The children have been everywhere in them.
Captain von Trapp: Do you mean to tell me that my children have been roaming about Salzburg dressed up in nothing but some old drapes?
Maria: Mmm-hmmm. And having a marvelous time!

I love this part of The Sound of Music!

The Amazing Race headed to Salzburg, Austria this past Sunday. Yet another place that I dream of visiting.... but in the summertime.

The pitstop for this leg of the race was at the real von Trapp family home. Gorgeous. Here's a picture:



In 2008 it became a hotel. Wouldn't it be so fun to stay in one of the 14 original rooms?

Seeing the Details

Matt got glasses yesterday. Doesn't he look handsome?



Now I'm not the only nerd in the house!



Matt is amazed at the details he can now see. He didn't even know he was missing out on so much.

I think I'll have him clean the shower now with his glasses on!

Volunteering

Since I don't get paid squat (monetarily) for anything I do, I guess you could say that whatever I'm doing is volunteer work. Right? Here's what I've been up to lately when it comes to volunteering at the elementary school. I am Mr. Patterson's classroom representative. In other words... I'm the mom who is in charge of finding the volunteers for various activities... or I'm the mom who winds up doing a lot all by herself.



This basket is for the annual school carnival in May. We had to get it put all together a month early. I've been collecting money and items from parents in Emma's class since the end of February. I think I did a pretty good job at getting enough people to pitch in. Our class theme is "Summertime Fun". That covers a wide array of items.



I love helping... most of the time. I'm glad that I've been involved in the kids' schools. I haven't helped at the high school yet... not really sure how to do that. But I've certainly spent a lot of time at the elementary and middle school over the past six years. Someday, this will all be done and over with... and I might just miss it. So, I'll keep enjoying it and being positive about volunteering my time and energy.

It's all for the love of my kids.

The Mystery Mess

Sunday night, Matt went out to fire up the old, rusty grill for the first time this year. He lifted up the lid and found some grass and leaves. He came in and basically blamed Josh for putting that crap in there. He asked all of us who did it, but nobody fessed up. On Monday afternoon, I went out back to fire up the grill for my avocado chicken pitas I was going to make for dinner. I found a few leaves and grass spread around the grill. Oh, funny Josh! Even if he wasn't the culprit the day before, now he is playing a trick on Dad just to push his buttons. I threw the pieces on the ground and grilled my chicken. Nothing was said about it. Now Tuesday morning comes. Emma tells Matt and I that there is a bird outside that sounds like Sundance whinning. A bird whinning? Whatever, little Emma! Then she tells me later that she saw the bird go inside the grill. Ah Ha! The bird is trying to make a nest inside of our dirty, old grill. Silly bird! Don't you know that your little eggs will get fried to a crisp? So I went outside and lifted the lid. Sure enough! More bits of greenery laid out on the rack. Not a smart bird.

Here is the mess:



Can you see real culprit sitting on the left side of the grill?

A Love Story

I'm in love with Macy's. Some of you know that already.
I love Macy's even more when I find unexpected, incredible deals like I did yesterday and then today.
Let me share.

Yesterday, I went to the mall. Haven't done that in a while. I tell ya, using the Dave Ramsey cash system has done wonders to keep me from spending money I shouldn't. But I had done so good lately. My clothing envelope had built up to a nice amount, so I had to go take a peak at what is out there in the stores right now. I thought that if I found one thing that I really loved, I'd buy it.

I roamed around Macy's admiring all of the cute spring outfits. I loved the colors I was seeing. Especially in the INC department. I found a super cute scarf for a 3/4 sleeve sweater that I have. I've been looking for just the perfect one since I bought it last spring. I knew it would be perfect cause I had the sweater on. After buying it, later that day, I got a compliment on the scarf. Yessssss.



I made my way to the petite department where I can usually find great bargains. I found a few tops for me and a dress for Chelsea. Nothing was more than $10! The dress I bought for Chels was an $80 INC dress. Size P. That is an extra small petite. I usually don't buy her clothes when she's not around due to having to take too many things back to the store. But I took the chance since it was such a good price. But unfortunately, she didn't like the pattern of the fabric.

So this morning, I made my way back to Macys. My car automatically knows the way. I just help it out a bit:) I was also returning a top that I had bought for myself that I decided against keeping. I walked straight to the petite department, and on a large rack that someone had just rolled in ready to be put on the floor racks, I spied a red pea coat. In the petite department! You don't know the happiness that this can bring me. Miss Shorty Arms here! During the cold months of winter, petite coats are few and far between. After buying too many ill-fitting coats and jackets, I won't buy one anymore unless it is petite size.

So, back to this red coat... I checked the size. Petite Size Small. It even has a cute hood on it. The excitement continued. I check the price tag. Certainly it is on clearance since this is now April. Sure enough, the markdown is from $129. to $34. I'm sold. Then, a thought. I can use my $10 off a $30 purchase if I use my Macy's card. It will only be $24! I try it on just to make sure it fits. Yep. I give it to the lady. I pull out my discount card and she tells me, after ringing it up, that I can't use it. It rang up as only $16!! SWEET! I could have used the 20% off card that I had. But I'd rather pay cash and not worry about getting another $2 off. I could have gotten it for $14, people.

It is much cuter on me than in this picture.



There you have it. My latest escapade with Macy's. My love deepens.