It's a BIRTHDAY Post!

Can you read between the lines?

It isn't Jonah's birthday...yet. 

(that is just our stock birthday photo...used for many many happy wishes)

So, who is having a birthday?

This guy:

It's a BIG birthday. He's entering a new decade today!! 

He is celebrating in a BIG way... in Hawaii (with my mom and sister)!! 

(someone was kind enough to snap this photo of him talking to me when I called to wish him a Happy Birthday...isn't that sweet?!)

We sure do love him! He is the BEST daddy a girl  could ever hope for! 

And the best grandpa too!

The Slug

What is it about that word? Slug. Bleh. It makes me shudder. They are just gross. 

Well, tonight I had to deal with one. I contemplated trapping it under something until Jonathan came home, so he could be the one to deal with it. But, then, I decided that was rather silly and that I should hitch up my big-girl pants and do it myself. 

yes, that is in my living/dining room. it was nearly the length of a dollar bill 

The problem is how to do it. Yuck. Why do slugs have to be so gross?

My Google search on the topic only made matters worse. Did you know they lay eggs in your house??? Eeew. Google also revealed that slugs often drown in beer. Neither of those bits of information were helpful to me in the least.

I could sprinkle salt all over it until it was gone, but then I assume I'd be left with a nasty mess. I could figure out a way to coax it back outside, but then it would only come in again. 

My stomach is still turning at the thought of dealing with that silly thing, and it's already done! 

I brainstormed. A light bulb came on. I could wedge a piece of paper under it and then salt it like crazy. Whatever mess resulted would be on the paper and could go straight to the trash. So, that's what I did. 

Then, I went over to the doorway where I knew it came in (we've been seeing trails sometimes...I forgot to leave a salt barrier after the last vacuum).

I was about to create another salt barrier when I saw the tentacles (is that the proper term?) of ANOTHER one trying to wiggle it's way in. That sent me over the edge. I shook salt at it like crazy and ran away! Yep, I'm a wimp when it comes to creepy crawlies. I dealt with the slug, so Jonathan can deal with the gap in the doorway, right?! RIGHT!

Friday Already?

It's Friday again? Didn't I just write a Friday post??? Well, I don't have a fancy list today. I don't have a plain list either.  Today, for your Friday viewing pleasure I have a picture. A. Singular. Just one.  But, that's ok, it's a good one!

Yep, we have a new favorite thing in our house!

He still loves to play with a ball the very most. But, he is taking an interest in characters these days. 

New Shelf

Jonathan has been wanting to add a shelf to our bathroom for a few weeks. (relieve the coutertop of clutter....bet you've never had that problem, have you?...well, sadly, WE do. Or, more correctly, I do.) He had some manly, boring ideas, but I just wasn't sure how to describe what I was envisioning. So, I got on Pinterest and searched for shelf ideas. I found THIS and loved it right away:

it's cute, it's funcional, it's not too complicated!

perfect.

This is our replication:

 we put a back on ours 

...and ours is more "functional" than "decorative"

I like ours even better than the inspiration! 

see how pretty the "frame" is!

(jonathan cut molding and I painted it) 

added bonus...we attached ($0.13 on clearance!!) knobs 

to the side so I can hang my necklaces. 

another Pinterest idea...put screen material in a frame for earrings. 

Visiting the Varnells

A while back (ummm...July) we were down in Arkansas visiting my parents. I took some photos and just realized I never posted them. So, here I am, fresh from a visit with the Atkins family (where I failed to even snap a single photo), posting some two-month-old pics instead!

Licking the beaters with Grammy Pammy...yummy!

 Getting a ride from Auntie Em! Pure happiness.

 And checking out Grandpa's new ride! 

(a Suzuki Samuari, which we have nicknamed "sam-i-am")

If that isn't cute, I don't know what is!

Two for Friday

It's Friday Friday. 

(I'm not going to continue that song. If you know the one I mean, I'm sorry)

We are headed out to spend some time with the Atkins family. Jonathan and I are also gonna go witness a weddin'. One of his life-long friends is getting married up near K.C. I'm looking forward to our trip.

I usually do Five for Friday. But, today I've really only got two. I could try to force more, but I think two will be fine. 

Here is my very short list ...of music videos.

I just watched this video over on my friend MarytheKay's blog. I really like it.

Even though life isn't always pretty and sometimes there are epic failures, there is always a hallelujah. The music is beautiful.

And I have really liked this song for a long time. My favorite line in it is "feel the rain on your skin, no one else can feel it for you."

I think teens often get caught up in the lives of others. This is a great way to communicate to them you have to live YOUR life. It's also a great reminder that anything is possible...tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it!

Oh, and if TODAY is where my book begins, how do I want it to be written?

How do YOU want your book to be written?

Whole Hog

A couple of months ago Jonah had a neat opportunity. I've been meaning to share this with everyone for a while, but I only got a copy of it this morning. 

My sister works in sales. Through her job she has stumbled upon a connection to a local television station...and a guy who likes to use her in his marketing. He called one day to see if she would be interested in shooting a commercial...and if she knew any cute kids. So, of course, she called to see if she could borrow the cutest kid on the planet!

It went well. I was there...they even shot a scene with me, but it didn't make the cut (the lighting was off).

*note: watch closely right after they put "rib meat" on the sandwich.

there you have our two seconds (literally) of fame!

I anticipate producers knocking on the door any day. I hope I can manage him well and get him the appropriate pay/publicity/privacy needed!
(and, yes, that is dripping with sarcasm)