The niche...finally!

Ever since I got my new laptop last fall, it has been residing on the dining room table and all my papers and planner and junk has been sitting around it driving me crazy. I would scoop it all up and put it away any time people came over. (No way could I let people think I had anything but a spotless house! snicker.) I wanted to make room somewhere for me, myself, and I that didn't have baby toys, food, or electronics already in it. Well, really, I found this adorable desk set for $1! at Ross (its a brand new dayayay!) and had to create my space around it. Since the hubs works in our home office alot, there is no space for me there, and I can't really hang in there while he is working. I don't know why. For some reason, he doesn't enjoy proof reading blogs and answering a million questions while trying to work. Weird. About 3 weeks ago, I woke up in the middle of the night with a bright idea of how to re-arrange the living room furniture. Mostly that involved finally moving the glider from the living room and into the nursery. That created the perfect spot for my niche. It was just big enough for a small desk and chair. I had the image perfect in my mind...now to find it.


There is a store here that only opens one weekend a month that is filled with the best shabby chic, vintage stuff you have ever seen. I saw one of their ads on craigslist and there it was.


Sitting there buried under all sorts of nick knacks, it screamed my name. Really. Computers have speakers...I'm not crazy. The store is about half an hour from me and it was opening in 1 hour. The hubs was passing this store on the way home from work that day and what do you know? Right at opening time. I gave him the directions and the rest of the conversation should be shared.

Me:(6:20pm) Are you there? They open at 6:30 and I don't want someone to get it before you!

Hubs: Yes. Holy crap, there is a line to get in already!

Me: Really! Why aren't you in it?? (Literally jumping up and down with excitement, wishing I was in line)

Hubs: It is all old ladies. I am the only guy here!

Me: I don't care! That desk is mine, now please, go get it!

Hubs: Ok, doors are opening. I will look for it and call you.

Hubs: There is so much crap in this place, I can't find anything. Good thing I came. You would be in here for days. Oh, I found it. It looks like crap and it is child size. (The hubs is 6'3" - everything is miniature to him.) Lets go to Ashley Furniture.

Me: What? I don't want something new! I want to redo it! Give me the measurements. They wouldn't call it a desk if you can't sit at it. (measurements were perfect!!)

Hubs: It is ugly, feels like it is about to fall over and it is $42.

Me: What? (again) For a falling apart desk that I am going to redo? This does not fit in the thrifty niche budget. Don't get it.

Hubs: Are you serious? (In a yelling whisper) I just went through this for nothing?

Me: No, I love it. I need it. Ohhh. No, you don't like it. Don't get it.

Hubs: What do you want me to do? Everyone is looking at me and these old ladies keep asking if I need help!

Me: I don't know. Whatever you think. (This is normal indecisive me.)

Hubs: It is not for me. You are the one who is freaking out about this thing. I think it is ugly.

Me: Silence.

Hubs: Whatever, I am getting it.

After that apparently, every old lady was saying what a sweetheart he is going there and picking it up for me. Everyone all together: Ohhhh. He is awesome. He has learned to deal with my indecisiveness very well, and I think I am actually improving thanks to him. (Don't let this story fool you.) I am blessed!

Anyhoo, the desk is absolutely perfect in my little niche. We put it there to try it out and the hubs has actually been caught there a few times. Ha! I just got sand paper so the demo begins tomorrow. I have a 1 week goal, so we will see if I can get what is in my head to actually appear. Keep an eye out for the completed pictures!

Your Assignment...should you choose to accept.

Today I choose to accept Mama Kat's Writing Workshop assignment.

Directions: For you newbies it's never to late to jump in!! Here is what you must do. Choose a prompt that inspires you most. Write. Come back Thursday and paste your blog URL into the Mister Linky that will be up...this way anyone can click on your name and head over to your place to see what you wrote.Feel free to write on more than one prompt if you so desire. I do it all the time, but it's my game...and I don't know how to shut-up...so it should be expected. And remember the more comment love you give, the more comment love you get so comment comment away. The Prompts:
1.) For your birthday a sibling has decided to have the first six months of your blog printed and bound. Write a forward for the book.
2.) Write a 26-line poem using all the letters of the alphabet, where the first line starts with the letter "A," the second "B," the third "C," etc., culminating with the final line starting with "Z."(writersdigest.com)
3.) Start your story with, "In retrospect, I wouldn't say it was my best idea." And end it with, "And that's how I attempted to make this world a better place.(writersdigest.com)
4.) What would the truth have done? Write about a time when honesty was NOT the best policy.(writingfix.com)
5.) What made your childhood bearable? Write about it.(writingfix.com)

I choose #2. No time like the present...here it goes.
All about me
Boring, maybe
Calling myself a mom.
Dear heavens no
Each day is a show
Freaking out more than being calm.
Got a sweet baby
He sometimes makes me crazy
I wonder if I'll remain sane.
Just wait and see
Keep checking on me!
Lets go shopping, there I'll find my brain.
Molly really loves deals
Never buys if its no steal.
Only clearance tags in my game.
People might think I'm cheap
Quite frugal, I think
Recessionistas my middle name.
Stilettos with diapers
That is my blog; its delightful
Unique, my stay-cation.
Vent I will
When I get someones ear
X-treme caution must always be taken.

Yay! Thats a wrap, me in a poem...Oh wait,
Zesty is probably my favorite word spoken.

The Valentine's Day Wrap-up

I love Valentines Day and absolutely everything that goes with it. This year was my first as a mommy and it was a blast! The attire for babies is quite feminine, though...we just ended up with a baby's first Valentines Day bib to avoid sexual confusion at a young age. The day before, Cooper and I made yummy treats to share with the 'hood.

We are not big V-day gift givers, just little fun stuff usually. Billy thinks it is quite odd how into the holiday my whole family is, but he is embracing it. He didn't complain when we got a package of goodies from the south either. I woke up early (is there any other time when you have kids?) on the big day to make some breakfast and create this table scape. It is just like Sandra Lee only without a .08 breathalyzer.

For you curious minds, yes, that is Michael Scott on the table.

We debated about dinner. We had 3 choices.
1) Get all dressed up while a 9 month old clobbers at your ankles, then go to a nice restaurant where your night will include alot of "shhh!", "here, please just eat some more cheerios" and "oh, sorry waitress, watch where you step" as she crushes crackers into the floor. Yeah, not so much fun.

2) In-and-Out. Not a bad choice in my opinion.

3) Put Cooper to bed and have a late dinner. Winner.

I went to Crate and Barrel (now that's what love is all about) and got an adorable fondue pot and started scouring the internet for recipes. The idea of fondue is disgustingly romantic, right?

Well, we spent the whole time talking about how gross it is that people do this as a group, dipping in the same pot over and over. (I have seen food detectives...double dipping gets you just as many germs as being a whore.) We both made cheesy drippings across the table and on our chins. Do not try this for a first date. Bad idea. Next course was chocolate. Now, that is what I was really looking forward to.

(I did rip the entire label off the champagne. I'm classy and experienced)

So the chocolate round was in the living room, and needless to say, I need Sera's Tide to Go pen. (How's that for telling you I need it, Sera? Sneaky, sneaky) Billy was wearing a cream sweater. Oops. The night ended there because we both fell asleep on the couch, I think by 10pm. I am such a mother!
The day had its kinks, but I have to say, greatest Valentines Day so far. Oh, and I can't forget Billy's funny gift for me. It is awesome. Sorry, Ashley.

The snuggie

Hello...is my body there?

You read that right. Not anybody, my body. Yeah, my body that used to respond to deprivation of all things tasty and ridiculous exercise. No more, I tell you! How can I be running absurd distances, eating pretty darn healthy (valentines exception), constantly be chasing after a very fast crawler, but still not be improving? I am at my pre-pregnancy weight, and my clothes fit, so I guess I shouldn't complain, but there is no way I am wearing a bathing suit this year. I have thought, maybe if I get tan enough, it will be better. I ran the idea past my mom to pierce my belly button just as a distraction...I could see her keel over through the phone. Haha. That's my Mom. I don't want to tell God how to do His job or anything, but seriously, this area could have used some improving. There should be some intense post-baby tightening hormones that work much like a face lift, just further south. I had a feeling this would happen, and that is why while my Dr. was doing the c-section to deliver my massive child, I was begging him to do a little nip/tuck. It makes perfect sense. Shoot, I might have even snuck him a few $20s on his way out. Now I find myself judging the plastic Californian women a little bit less. I have always liked watching Dr. 90210. Maybe I should pay him a little visit. Hmmm. I guess that is something my husband would find out about, huh? All the men are probably so grossed out right now. Wait, do men read this? At least you moms are agreeing with me...well, I think you are. Crap, am I the only one in this boat? Oh, and you poor girls that dream of being mommies; you might be doing some serious reconsideration. So sorry! Oh, well. I know my body will never be perfect, but I do know one thing is for sure . When I lay down with Cooper to put him to bed, he throws his little arm around my neck and squishes his face against mine. While I am waiting for him to fall asleep, I know that I would do anything, give up anything, change anything to be right there. To be his mom.

The Blue Monster

The mom I am nannying for got me a new double jogging stroller so that I can keep to my training schedule on the days I keep Gavin. How sweet. It is good too because it can get even the most stubborn sleep fighter to give it up. Ahem...Cooper. Here is a picture right before our first run. It really is a beast.

They really are adorable in there, huh?

The thing seriously does take up the entire width of the sidewalk. I was getting slightly annoyed when people think their Paris Hilton dogs should have the right of way. Do they honestly think I can give this a quick steer to the side? I could just keep going and roll them over. Maybe I should have. I think I eventually perfected the scowl look that said "move it or else". Ugg. Now I am a stroller Nazi. You know, those people at Disney that rent those massive strollers and think they can just ram you in the ankles? Like they are going to get through that thick sea of people leaving the parade any faster than you. We are at the happiest place on earth for crying out loud, and my ankles have been brutally beaten. I have not been to Disney with a stroller yet, so I might be talking totally out of ignorance. It might be freakin awesome to use your stroller as a weapon. Hum. I will most definitely give it a shot. I will let you know when I am going so you won't. Hehe.

Fabulous Finds

It has been a while since I last blogged, but don't fret, you haven't missed anything. Life is just, well, life. It goes too fast and is too busy.
Anyhoo, I did find time in my suddenly busy schedule to do some Target browsing. Ahhh. Now that is true satisfaction. People, you HAVE to go check out the Umbra Loft collection. It is a good thing I carry a diaper bag these days, because that adorable monogrammed burp cloth...it was wiping my drool. Oh yeah, it is that good. Here are some of my favs. Alot of the line is on clearance, too! Does it get any better?

Umbra Loft Photo Tray. This would look dreamy on my coffee table...

Somehow, I think my house would be Wisteria Laneish with this.

These Damask tumblers are absolutely necessary if I have a pool party this summer, right?

Cooper has decided to start crawling (eek!) this week. It is oh sooo adorable, but has left my house with all the cute decorations crammed in the guest closet. I think that is making me crave new decorations even more. I need them. Right now I am sporting bare floors and walls. Oh wait, I do have those classy safety first outlet covers everywhere. Do you think I could cover them in baroque fabric? I think I feel a trip to Joanns coming on...