PUPPIES!

One of these pretty little babies will be ours!! 

Wow! I need a break.

     I feel completely overwhelmed.

     Justin and Tyler are both playing tennis. But since one is at the high school  and one is at the middle school, they are never in the same place.(I shouldn't complain, tennis season isn't very long.) Add to the mix Joshua whose baseball season just started and a husband who works a rotating schedule and you have a real mess!

      Today, Tyler did not have practice (thank heavens). But Justin had a game (not a home game) and when he called to have me pick him up he asked why I didn't come watch him play. Thanks, son, feeling lousy here - but I had a dilemma that needed my attention. I wound up telling him he'd have to wait until I left for Joshua's ball game to be picked up. I had him waiting on the side of the road as I pulled up so he could hop in quick, like a hitch-hiker. Feeling lousy yet some more! Unfortunately, I couldn't take him home after a very long and tiring day until the ball game was over. We didn't make it home before 9 pm.

     My dilemma earlier today? Well, in the past weeks Tyler has been on a downward spiral and picking up speed. Previously, I've been working with Tyler trying to re-work tests, complete missing assignments, and work on some projects. And I finally broke when, after trying for 4 hours on Mothers Day to figure out how cellular respiration works, I had a hissy fit because I, myself, couldn't understand it. I emailed the teacher that I cannot help my kid if I can't understand the material. Perhaps we need to devise a plan to help Tyler before the final weeks of school conclude. So today I met with all the teachers and ultimately - Tyler needs to up his meds. It was very clear that our attempt to wean him from the Adderall was in vain.  But, make no mistake - I know Tyler's problem isn't solely medication-related.  No, he's got a lazy streak and has developed some manipulative behaviors.  I definitely have my hands full with him.  None-the-less, we have to complete assignments and bring up our grade. Wait. His grade. Not mine. Although, I should be graded - if only for my efforts. I've been a good mom.

     But, all this running around and not being able to divide my time and energy equally among my kids (and them letting me know it) has left me feeling a little detached.

     Pathetic as it may sound I am looking forward to Friday. Why? Well, here's the pathetic part. I have chosen this day to go to the elementary school to clean out the PTO closet. LOL! Crazy, huh? Well, the way I see it I will be in the closet - alone - and with my mind focused on organizing. A specific task not related to my kids, home, friends or family. No one to tell me how to do it and no watching of the clock. No deadlines and no one to critique my work. No one to complain (and should they - I won't care).  I can't quite describe, the way I want to, why such a menial, yet tedious task, should be something I look forward to.  (My kids tell me I'm weird.  Then, again - so do most of my friends!)  :) It will be an odd - but very welcome break from the last few weeks I've had!

My Front Porch

     I was fortunate enough to find a ton of pallets for free - and a cable wheel. But I had no idea what to do with them. I love many of the ideas I've found on Pinterest but my husband wouldn't let me hang any (too heavy), the bike rack I attempted to copy - just didn't work, and the other projects required more pallets, and in nicer condition than the ones I had (not all pallets are created equal). So, after having them sit for months on my front porch I decided I'd just get 'S' hooks and hang some tins of herbs (though I've yet to get those herbs!). Recently I was walking in Shopko and a light bulb went off! And this is the result:

     I used self stick pictures you usually see on interior walls. I think it turned out great. I may have to use some sealer to prevent it from unsticking but so far I've not encountered a problem with it peeling off.  For the tree on the little pallet I used some really sharp scissors to cut the parts between the slats of wood.  I like the effect a lot. 

     I found a really pretty strand of garland to put on the windowsill, & a clock and candles for the table. And, knowing I needed to dress my porch up some more I immediately thought of - burlap.  So I bought some utility burlap (the kind used for wrapping trees) and made a table cloth. I cut the shape, frayed two sides, knotted the loose fringe 3 strands at a time to prevent further, unwanted fraying. Then, using my Cricut I cut out an image I liked, sprayed it with Craft Bond, placed it on the material (as a template) and painted. It turned out really cute!

     Then, I chose to make a very simple tabbed valance. I don't sew so fabric glue is one of my best friends.  I simply took the remainder of burlap and cut it into a rectangle, and folded it in two.  I applied a seam of fabric glue about 4 inches down from the fold (so you have to kind of unfold it - apply the glue and fold it back down).   Then, I made a template for cutting the tabs (so they'd all be equal in size and shape).  I put the same image on the valance as I used on the table cloth, only smaller, and tied the tabs with a complimentary colored ribbon. I used a tension rod to hang the valance.  It's not perfect - a little uneven.  But, it's burlap.  I like the natural look of it and for that reason - I never intended it to be perfect.

     The pillows in the chair are a nice touch, too. I would still like to add my herbs and a nice rug. But for now - this is my front porch. And I love it!  Imagine it on a sunny day - I was too eager to wait for a sunny day to take the pic's below.  I have a red door and the house is a blue/gray, trimmed in white.  Can't wait for the garden to come to life - it'll look even lovelier then.  :)