Halloween fun.

I love Halloween, but since moving to Arizona, I have a hard time dragging out all of my things.

It's because the temperature is still pushing 100* and it feels like summer, not fall.

But, they're finally out and I got a little excited. ;)

I remembered that I sold a lot of my decorations at a yard sale this past spring so a bit of crafting was in order to fill in some empty spaces.

This is a little thrifted frame that I covered in wiggly eyes. So cute and FAST to make!

 And, yes.....I saw a version of this on Pinterest.

Don't judge me.

 The picture of the owls is from some scrapbook paper that my precious son, Mark gave me.

He works in a plant that manufactures scrapbook paper.....

he gets $50 worth of free stuff a year! Hello freebies!

.

 This is another quick decoration idea.

Another thrifted frame, spray painted and distressed, with a jack 'o lantern sticker on the glass. I put a piece of scrapbook paper behind it.  

This is not a decoration but a new addition to our family.....

 Meet Cody.

(Named by Ragan)

He is a tarantula that lives outside our front door.

He's a big'un.

We were wondering what kind of a critter was making holes and burrowing in the dirt.

Now we know.

He can stay as long as he takes care of all the other bugs that lurk around the front door. 

But he can't come inside.

Ever.

A new lamp....for under $10!

I spotted this cool looking lamp at the GW store a few months ago.

I was dying to get at the make over, but we have been so busy wrapping up

 the end of the school year that I just barely was able to do it.

Now be patient with me as I explain what I did......

I seem to have lost all the pics that went along with the explanation.

I unscrewed the top where the bulb goes. It just unscrews. No tools needed. Once that was done, everything just kind of slides apart....but I left it all connected since I knew I probably couldn't re-connect all the wires if I wanted it in all separate pieces. (make sense??)

I masked off the plug, bulb holder and cord.

Then I painted it with spray paint. It is a Krylon color called Watermelon.

I got a little bit of over spray on the glass, but it came right off with a little W-D 40.

(Sprayed it on a rag then wiped the paint off.)

After it was dry, I slid it all back together and screwed the top back on.

Easy, Peasy, Lemon Squeezy.

 I bought a new shade with a 40% off coupon.

While the cellophane covering was still on the shade,

I traced around the inside of the small part where the fabric is now.

I carefully took the cellophane off the shade and taped it down on a piece of paper to give it more stability. Then I cut it out. I pinned it on some fabric, and cut 4 pieces.

Then, I used clear craft glue to adhere it to the shade.

Using a tooth pick, I smoothed the edges down,

 making sure to clip any threads that may have come loose.

Finally, I glued some fancy ric-rac around the top and bottom.

I love how it turned out.

It's going in our guest room.

The guest room that we will put together after we're done painting our whole downstairs....

which is taking far longer than I want it to.

Right now, it just looks like we turned our house upside down and shook it real good.

Clutter and mess.

The very two things that make me really cranky.

Oh. And it's getting hot.

Make that the THREE things that make me really cranky! ;)

What do you do in the summertime?

There is a song that I learned as a child that began with the question,

"What do you do in the summertime, when all the world is green?"

Well, I don't believe the person who composed that song ever came to Arizona in the summer. Ha ha! There sure isn't anything green once summer hits here.

We have been enjoying cooler temps these last few weeks, though. It's technically spring all over the rest of the United States, but it seems Arizona skips right over spring and jumps right into summer.

We just finished up with preschool so my summer has officially started. I sure am going to miss all of these cute little people coming to my my house 3 times a week!

We always take a silly face picture when we have our class pictures. It seems to get all those funny faces "out of the way" before we take our serious one.

With the warmer weather approaching, the bugs start appearing.

A huge grasshopper came to visit recently.

Rusty had some fun with it before I set it free.

I also managed a finish last week.

I found a small shelf at a thrift store right about 3 years ago. It looked like it had been out in a garage or something because it was dirty and stained. But that was a bonus for me as it was only $5!

I painted it tan and stuck it in our master bathroom toilet room, affectionately referred to as "The Library".

Since there isn't a place to store TP in there and to avoid one having to fetch some from another place causing one to potentially be caught with their pants down (literally), this shelf served its purpose well.

But, it wasn't that attractive. Soooo, I had the mister cut a top for it and I gave it a little face lift.

Now that's much better to look at while one is......er....."brainstorming". ;)

Oh....I almost forgot.

I have a little secret.......

I found another chair!  

Isn't it awesome?!?! I can't wait to get started on the make over!

i can't find the off switch.

For my tired old brain that is.

Craig and I have been in quite a bit of turmoil about the recent job offer he's been given.

We haven't stopped talking about the possiblity of this job for about 9 months.

This job opportunity has been something that we have been hoping for and praying for.

We have been wanting to get back to Utah since we moved to Arizona 5 years ago.

Now that the choice was ours to make......

......we felt it was finanlly going to happen.

At least that's what we thought.

We wanted this.

We prayed for this.

Seriously, I felt like I might die if I couldn't get back to Utah.

I missed our kids.

And for reasons beyond our control, the new job  just.wouldn't.fit.

And, suddenly, Craig's present job seemed to fit perfectly.

Now, although I will continue to miss our families, especially our grown children,

I feel a peace that I know, comes from my Heavenly Father.

I feel he is letting me know that he is aware of our feelings.

He knows me.

He knows my family.

And more importantly,

He knows what we need.

All of us.....

What you need.

What I need.

 What everyone needs.

For that perfect knowledge, I am exceptionally thankful.

So, we begin our journey anew here is sunny (and decidedly hotter than I prefer)

Tucson, Arizona.

With all of this decision making, I haven't felt much like creating.

There isn't anything that sucks the creativity out of me more than a stressful situation.

It seems like I've had my hands in several different projects but haven't completed hardly any of them.

Sooooooo, I decided I would show some of the things I am almost done with! :)

Here are two quilt tops waiting for me to finished up.

I sure hope they don't have to wait too long!

 I joined a pinkeep swap over at Ravenwood Whimsies.
My swap partner is Patti from Raspberry Lane Primitives. This is a little sneak peek for her.
I am sending this off to you tomorrow Patti.
I hope you like it! :):):)

 And here is a finish that I just got done today.

This is my "sewing chair" It is also the "hair cut chair" and the "extra guest at dinner" chair.

A long time ago, I started painting it red, but I didn't like it so I cleaned it all off.

 But, it seemed that it was meant to be red, because this is how the old gal looks now.

I believe she's much too pretty to have her "after" picture taken in the garage,

 but, due to her smelly stain smell, that's where she'll stay for a little while longer. 

I have big plans for all of these chairs I have been making over.

Now that I know we are staying put, I have to get busy filling up these empty bedrooms.

I'm thinking a guest room........and a sewing room........and a master bedroom re-do..........and a whole house paint job........and a......................

What a weekend!

This past weekend was the indoor conference championship for the track and field athletes that Craig coaches. One of his athletes, on both the men's and woman's team won the shot put event. That means that he can add 2 more conference championships to his resume. Julie Labonte, the female shot put champ, is from Canada. In the course of winning the shot put event and being a conference champ, she also broke the Canadian national record. And, if that wasn't enough, she broke the school record as well. That record stood for 28 years!

Craig left Seattle after that meet was over and instead of coming home, he headed over to Albuquerque New Mexico where Jill Camarena-Williams was competing in her indoor championship meet. She was going for her SEVENTH championship. Which she accomplished and in the process BROKE THE AMERICAN SHOT PUT RECORD!!! She is ranked #1 in the United States and currently ranked #2 in the WORLD!

Here is the video with her winning/record breaking throw. (the first guy she hugs is her husband, Dustin...the second guy is Craig) :):):)

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.runnerspace.com%2Fvideo.php%3Fdo%3Dview%26video_id%3D37658&h=40611

Here is another article about Jill if you would like to read it.
We are all about as proud as can be! :)

Baby, it's cold outside!

Just as it has been all over the world lately, Arizona has experienced unusual weather.
It hasn't been this cold in Tucson in something like 56 years.
There have been several days of freezing temps.
The verbiage the weather people use here is "we are experiencing a hard freeze".

Tucson has basically shut down because of the cold. There are whole subdivisions that are without water and gas. The gas company has literally "run out" of gas. Water mains have cracked and broken leaving hundreds and thousands of people without water. Schools are closed.

I've just been a little peeved that it seems like those in charge are unprepared to deal with it. It's like people don't know what to do with any other weather besides hot or hotter.

I was in Walmart today and I heard someone talking on the phone.
 "No sir, I am sorry....we are all out of space heaters. We also don't have anymore electric blankets or mattress warmers. There aren't any in our warehouse, either."
I also noticed that all of the gloves, scarves and coats were just about all gone.

I had a rush of gratitude for the fact that we had water and heat. (Ours is electric heat)
I was also so grateful for the council we are given by our religious leaders to "Prepare every needful thing."

We just never know what tomorrow is going to bring for us.

 But, I am warning all you native Arizonans....If you think this is cold, I wouldn't even stick so much as your big toe anywhere in the vicinity of Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, or ANYWHERE back east. Just sayin'.... ;)

let me explain.

I have had a few people ask me the reason behind my last post. I thought maybe I should explain, lest there be any confusion.

(Mind you, this explanation will be void of any specific details, as to not further the drama. )

My daughter, Ragan has been the recipient of attention from said mean girls.

It has been difficult, to say the least, for me to not go up to these mean girls

and give them a piece of my mind.

Not that that would do any good.

Even I've had more than a few "looks" (let's just call it stink-eye)from these girls....

Looks that I would like to smack right off their mean little faces, 

but again,

probably wouldn't do a bit of good.

The moms of these girls are in on it too.

They give Ragan stink-eye.

Classy, right?

I suppose you're wondering what Ragan did to inflict this upon herself.

I'll be glad to share......

Hope you can follow this.

Ragan spoke to a boy at lunch one day.

Friend#1 confronted Ragan about the conversation.

Ragan was told that (friend#2) likes boy and has been

"trying to get with him" (yep-that's AZ ghetto talk) since the 8th grade.

Ragan acknowledged that fact and assured friend#1 that she and the boy were "just friends".

Friends #1 and #2 find out that friend #3 likes aforementioned boy

and is currently in negotiations for a relationship.

Ragan is best friends with friend #3, thereby incriminating herself.

I know.

I didn't get it either.

And I am not even going to get started about the girl who took pictures of herself and put them on her myspace, got caught and then blamed that all on Ragan.

It was a "Ragan made me do it" kind of thing.

That mom, will not even look my direction.

(Kind of a blessing, though, because then I don't get the "stink-eye".)

In both cases, the other "players" will not talk to Ragan--or me, for that matter.

My first reaction was to vindicate my daughter and proclaim her innocence.

Now, don't get me wrong...if Ragan was culpable in any of this, I would admit it, accept it, and then deal with it appropriately. I am NOT one of those mothers who believe her children can do no wrong. However, in both of these cases, we believe Ragan didn't do anything to provoke the treatment she's had.

Which makes me even more mad.

But since I can't fix it, I make fun of it.

Yep--that's how we roll around here.

But, I have to tell you, as hurt as Ragan was about all of this, she really helped me regain my focus on the things that really matter.

She said,

 Mom....I know who I am.

What they think about me doesn't matter.

Bless her sweet little heart.

So, I say this in closing....

I'm rubber, You're glue!

Whatever you say,
 Bounces off me,

And sticks to you!!
So there.

Just wanted to share..........

Did you know that September is National Sewing Month?!?

Ya! It really is!!

For a gal whose BFF is her sewing machine, that's a great excuse to do some sewing.

So, do you want to know what I have been doing?

BAKING!

I bet you thought I was going to say sewing....

Sadly, I haven't been doing nearly as much sewing as I would like......

Crazy, isn't it?

You would think that I would have been cranking out the projects on account of there being a whole month dedicated to sewing!

Well, I had a hankering for some of my favorite muffins, so baking was in order.

(Even though it is still over 100* here!)

These are called Cranberry Oatmeal Muffins.

They are so delish that I am quite certain they will become a favorite of yours, too!

 

They are easy and healthy to make. They freeze really well so go ahead and make a double batch!

CRANBERRY OATMEAL MUFFINS

1 C. Oats (I use old fashioned oats)

1 C. Sour Cream or Yogurt (any flavor)

(I prefer yogurt...it makes the muffins lighter & fluffier)

1 C. Flour

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Baking Powder

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 C. Applesauce

1/2 C. Honey

1/2 C. Brown Sugar

(For the "ultra healthy" version, I cut the honey & sugar in half)

1 Egg

2 tsp. of grated Orange Peel

3/4 C. Dried Cranberries

Preheat oven to 400*.

 Soak oats in yogurt for a few minutes.

Sift dry ingredients and add to oat mixture.

In a separate bowl, combine egg, applesauce, honey and sugar.

Beat until well blended. 

Fold into dry ingredients.

Add orange peel and cranberries.

Stir gently to combine.

Cook 20 min. in a greased muffin tin.

So, there you have it!

I promise you will love these....even if you aren't a big cranberry fan.

They would be yummy warmed up with a little hot cocoa.

Especially all of you who are enjoying some cooler weather now that fall has hit just about everywhere but Arizona.

(yes. I am still whining about the heat- and, said whining, will more than likely continue until December.)

I shared this recipe with my friend Sharla. She blogged about these muffins and their yummyness but added a frosting to them!..........Go check it out!

Something strange.

I decided at the last minute to go with Craig to a track meet in Flagstaff, AZ. I was reluctant to go for many reasons, (track meets are boring if you are a spectator NOT watching an athlete, I don't really get to see Craig as he is coaching the whole time, and I would be with about 50 college students that can get a little annoying after a while, especially while on a 5 hour bus ride.) but decided to go anyway. Can you tell I just need to get out of my house?! :) Well, Flagstaff is at a much higher elevation than Tucson and they actually get some snow here. Not much, but it covers the ground and stays around for a little bit. Now, I haven't seen snow in about 3 years and haven't missed it. Nope. Not even one little bit. But here's the thing. Something strange has occurred. I feel cold. I didn't think it would ever be possible again. But it's true. I am freezing. And it feels gooooooood. I have been sweating my "you know what" off for far too long. I am purposely leaving my jacket off just so I can keep experiencing this strange phenomenon. Maybe, just maybe, I'll even get goosebumps.

Sending some sunshine....

Given the fact that the rest of the United States has been held in Mother Natures cold and snowy grip these last few weeks, I thought I would share a little of the Arizona sunshine with you. We made these yesterday in preschool as we were discussing the color yellow. Isn't it interesting that just a little preschool art project can brighten up a space?? Keep warm my blogging friends. And just know that even though we are enjoying the temperatures in the high 60's, most of us (me, especially) are truly miserable in the summer! ;)

Mother Nature is messin' with me!

The funny thing about living in Arizona is that the months change but the weather really doesn't. It's just hot. Hot all the time. And as many of you have read before, I get pretty grumpy when I am hot. I sweat like a guy and it's just, well, gross. I have my A/C turned down so it is going all the time...I don't even care when that $300 electric bill comes. (okay-I do because it cuts into my thrift shop perusing fund) But, I am willing to sacrifice in order to stay cool. I hear about parts of the country that are cooling down and I am completely jealous. I read about you pulling out your Fall decorations. But, Mother Nature keeps telling me to wait...that it's just not time yet. To me, Fall means cooler days and nights, sweaters, long pants, leaves turning colors, hunting for just the right pumpkin, football games with a blanket, shoes AND socks. Right now, Fall just means it's still hot and the kids get to wear their Halloween costumes without a coat when they go trick-or-treating. A blanket at the football games (or in my case, the volleyball games) is there only for the purposes of fending of my chronic case of bleacher butt. I won't be wearing long pants until way after Christmas (if at all!) and palm trees don't ever change color. I am totally out of whack here. I just finished up a few little projects so I think I will get out my fall fabrics. Maybe if I run my hands over the fall colors, it will help...It won't hurt anyway!

I Will Be Staying INSIDE Until Further Notice!

I am beginning to think that I live on the surface of the sun. It is HOT here. And I mean HOT! Today at 7AM it was already 91*F. The high for today is expected to be 107*F. I want to go and hug my AC unit and beg it to hang in there for me....but it's outside....and I just can't bring myself to venture out. I remember practically worshipping the sun when we lived in Utah. Especially after a long, cold and dreary winter. But, not anymore. It is the source of torture for me. All I do is sweat, sweat, sweat. However, I do remember to be very thankful when I get to look outside at night and see this......

Have a blessed day, everyone.