$3.48

I have a long list of household projects I'd like to do. Did you catch that? ...I'd LIKE to do. Some I just don't have the funds for (like new kitchen counter tops & sink), for others I need a stretch of time (painting the hallway and bathrooms). Then there are all the little things that drive me crazy, that aren't terribly costly or time-consuming, but between practices, games, birthday parties and life, I just don't don't get around to (getting rid of all brass wall plate covers).

This weekend, however, I was surprised with 5 hours of uninterrupted alone time. All by myself. At home. I conquered one small project that has plagued me since we moved in: Rusted brassy outdoor lanterns on our front porch (lots of brass around here - lots).

I really would like to purchase big, beautiful new ones, but since they're not in the budget, I summoned some ingenuity and made them over. Buh-bye rusty brass, Hello hammered bronze!

Before:

 Eww.

With the top and glass removed. Seriously bad.

After:

Ahh. Much Better.

All it took was a can of spray paint for the low, low price of $3.48.

Funny how something so small makes me so happy!

promise & possibilities

I am a Promise, I am a Possibility, I am a Promise... With a Capital 'P'! I am a great big bundle of - Potentiality!!

As I wrote the title of this post the above song popped into my head. I believe I learned it in children's church as a wee one. Some things just stick with you...

As I was saying - Promise. February is on it's way out and I can feel it. The Promise of Spring.

“It's spring fever.... You don't quite know what it is you DO want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” - Mark Twain

Is that not so true? As the temperatures rise and I paint my toenails in order to sport last year's sandals, I am excited about what lies ahead. New growth in our garden, in our lawn, in me. Of course, I need to get to work. Pulling weeds, pruning back and getting rid of all the dead and wilted that this especially hard winter left behind. Everything is grey and brown. The pool is a little green. It has not been tended to. I'm certain that if we had prepared our pool, our yard and our lawn properly in the fall, we wouldn't have so much work to do. Same goes for me. I could do with a bit of pruning. I have some old weeds that need to be yanked up - out of my heart and my mind.

No one imagines spring and thinks of dull, life-less color. No, we imagine bright yellow, blues and greens. Not the pale pastels or florescent hues of plastic Easter Eggs. No, I'm talking about colors like this:

 

Those are the colors of my spring. Of my Promise. I am full of Potentiality!!!

thank you, mr. president!

It's a Monday, and I've slept in, vacummed and mopped the entire house, shopped for new softball cleats and fed lunch and it's only 1pm. That means only one thing... It's President's Day!

We've gone from frrrreezing to perfect weather in just a week or so, and we are soaking it in! Lots of bike riding, tree climbing and just. sitting. in. the. sun. ahhhhhh.

Thank you, gentleman!!

b-b-b-b-baseball

It's that time again, folks! Baseball season! Kelly is gone this evening to his first scrimmage of the season against Converse High School. We've actually had a break from the chilly winter temps of late and can feel the hope that only the promise of spring can bring.

Life moves by fast, and I feel like I've blinked just a little too long, because it's already the middle of February (a fav month of mine, if you remember). We've enjoyed an easy, slow winter. Most evenings have been spent at home, with everyone here with the exception of an hour here and there for basketball practice. We haven't felt this stress-free in quite a while. I'm trying to store this feeling up, since it's about to change here soon.

Claire has been practicing weekly with her school quiz bowl team since she make the team in January. Their first meet is next week. Nerdy competition! Right up her alley! And of course, you've heard my baseball/softball/baseball lament before, so I'll spare you the details (for now).

Instead, I'm pouring myself some mint hot cocoa, tucking the kids into bed and snuggling under a blanket until my Valentine gets home. Hey, it's still winter.

can't leave well enough alone

...the blog, that is. If you've been around for awhile, you've seen the blog a billion different ways. not sure i love this one either. we'll see.

snow day?

Today feels like a lazy Saturday. But guess what? It's Friday! School let out early yesterday at 1pm and was canceled today. Technically it's a snow day, and we have a scant amount of snow here and there. Ice Day is more like it.

No matter what you call it, Claire & I prepared a mexican fiesta for lunch and ate it in our... pajamas! No complaints here...