Nick's visit

My son came home for a visit for his birthday.  Today is his last day.  These past nine days have been such a blur.  As I was folding his clothes, I realized he was leaving, to go back to Ft. Hood, tomorrow.  I thank GOD that he is not been deployed over seas and is not scheduled to go as well.  I am grateful for the time I did get to spend with him in between the girls gymnastics, swim lesson, and girl scouts over the past week.  I took him to lunch on his birthday, as my husband was out of town on business and I worked that night.  We enjoyed our time chatting about the Army and how it has changed since I was in.  On the day after his birthday my husband and the littlest one took him to Billy Joe's Ribworks on the water front.  What an interesting evening: I found a great parking spot not far from the front door.  Had a great dinner outside right next to the river.  Walked to my parking spot to find ourselves block in by a truck and a golf cart.  It took some time maneuvering but I was able to get out along with my son and husband as "ground guides" as they call them in the Army!  Yesterday my husband took him and two of his friends to the Army VS Northern Illinois football game at West Point.  He had a blast even though Army lost by one point...what made is day; every time Army scored, all the Army Cheerleaders did 40 pushups with the rest of the cadets!!!  Last night he started a fire in our fire pit and invited a few of his friends to just hang out.  Today he and I went out for a while in the back yard and cut some wood for the fire pit.  I think he is going to miss being home as much as I miss him being here.  Can't wait for him to come home again.  Hopefully sooner than later. 

Being positive in Rock Tavern,
Laurie

Tiki Torch solution

How many of you have ever tried to put a tiki torch in the ground? Around our area there are so many rocks in the ground, that every time I think I have it going in,  I hit a rock and can not go any further into the ground. I have 6 torches to try to place, not happening.

So frustrating!

Supplies I used

As my husband and I were discussing pouring cement into tires for our volleyball set poles (which he got several years ago from my parents and have yet to use) and a tether ball set (kids got from grandparents last year) it occurred to me that I could fill some large coffee cans with cement and have portable tiki torches. So I shared my thought with him and he suggested I use ceramic planting pots. I liked the idea, however ceramic pots are a little on the pricey side, so I asked if he thought plastic ones would work. Off to the home supply store to look for pots. Brought them home to see how they would look. I then mentioned the idea to my mom, who then told my dad, he added his thoughts as well; put pvc pipe in the cement so you can remove the torches for easy moving and storage.

I measured the diameter of the largest torch pole to see how big the inside of the pipe would need to be and I measured the pots to see how tall the pipe would need to be inside the pot. Back to the home supply store I went in search of cement and pvc pipe.

I needed to cut the ends off the tiki torches, cause they are at an angle for pushing into the ground (which we all now know is virtually impossible unless you live at the beach), then cut the PVC pipe to match the height of the pots. Then I decided to super glue the pipe into the bottom of the pots so they would stay centered while I poured the cement into them. I used my wheel barrel and hula hoe to mixed the cement with the amount of water according to directions, it did not seem that moist, but what do I know? I had to use my potting spade to scoop up the cement and put it into the pots (the super glue did not hold up to expectation). Got 3 pots filled, 3 more to go, ran out of cement; who knew 40 pounds of cement was not going to be enough. Another trip to home supply store for more cement. The look of cement is not pretty when you can not smooth it out really good, well not really pretty when you can, so off to a crafting store to get some moss to cover the cement. Finally after 3 days I am finished!

 So what do you think?







Being positive in Rock Tavern,
Laurie

Let the planting begin

Passion Flower(w/edible fruits)

Passion Flower Vine

Can't remember!

I have spent most of this weekend planting. I love being outside and am finally able to do so. It started out that I went to the nursery just for some marigolds (I saw them at a customers house earlier in the week) and some tomato plants. Left the nursery with 5 - 1gallon plants, a butterfly bush, 3 tomato plants, 1 pepper and the flat of marigolds. Let me go back about a month...I started in a little starter kit I got at Lowes, I planted a bunch of tomatoes, pepper, green beans, squash and apples all from seeds. They all started to sprout and looked great, only I waited too long to plant, or should I say the weather was not what it should have been for me to plant. I did plant them last weekend with the hopes that they would perk up, well they still look pathetic; hence is why I was going to buy vegetable plants at the local nursery. 5 - 1gallon plants and a butterfly bush sounded like a lot of plants, however, I need to fill in a very large area with plants. I thought I was doing good until I finished planting; it still looks like I planted close to nothing. I also weeded once again(actually for the third time in the last month) the front yard, by the way where did all the mushrooms come from? Yikes! Relocated 3 bulbs, OH! I also planted 18 bulbs in the garden by the guest suite along with scattering some butterfly attracting wild flower seeds, that I got for my Samantha(as she loves butterflies). Can't wait to see those come up. I planted 10 Hosta bulbs and 2 more Iris's. It is a shame I will probably have to wait till next spring to see them come up. I also turn the grass that crept up around my husbands cherry trees; I got him those for his birthday last year, so the mowers don't get too close. What is left....I still need to prune my every so beautifully blooming roses out front, cause they are starting to over take the front walk and I am afraid someone will get lost. And I have about 50 bulbs that I still need to find a home for in the yard.

Butterfly Bush

Vegetables

 Totally and thoroughly exhausted in Rock Tavern,
Laurie

Couldn't hold out forever

In the fall of last year my youngest daughter (6 years old) stated she wanted her ears pierced. So I looked around at different places to take her with a reasonable price. While we were in Washingtonville at dance for my oldest daughter (8 years old), while walking down the street, I noticed a sign in the window of the barbers...ear piercings. So I asked the youngest if she wanted to go check it out. So we went in and asked how much it would be to pierce both ears. $25, now that is reasonable. He~Allen~the barber, he showed us the earrings and she picked out what she would like, then he asked if she was ready to do it now? She shook her head..."No, maybe next week, we will come back next week!" So we went back the next week and she bravely sat down on the chair. Asked if it was gonna hurt?! Just a little pinch. She looked up at me, I assured her that it would be just a little pinch. So to distract her, he asked her some questions about what she liked to do, what her favorite things were? First earring in, she looks at me and said that did hurt and almost jumped out of the chair. I looked at her and carefully and lovingly said, "You need to get the other one done too, or you will be lopsided!" She said okay. By now the first ear started to calm down, she was ready! Second one in...that one did not hurt as much. Yeah! All done! She smiled and got up from the chair put her head in my stomach trying not to cry. I think she was a little more scared than hurt.

Afterwards we showed her older sister. I asked her if she wanted to get her ears pierced, "no, no thank you" she replies. I would ask her on occasion if she wanted her ears pierce, we even went to visit the barber to check it out, but the answer was always the same: "No, no thank you." Every now and again the youngest and I go visit the barber while waiting for her sister at dance class. He remembers her and asks her if she still likes her ears? He told us that one of the guys that works for him was so impressed how well she did while getting her ears done, he got his done too...I think secretly he was not to be outdone by a 6 year old! :-)

Two weeks ago, after dance class my oldest declared she wanted her ears pierced while her sister was at her dance class. So while sister was at dance we walked into the barbers and asked if he had time to pierce her ears. He seemed pleased she finally wanted to bling her ears! She sat down in the chair, picked out her earrings and grabbed onto my arm, she was ready! He asked her questions trying to distract her...First ear done..."That hurt a little but, not so bad." Ready for the second. Done. Yeah!

I guess she could not be outdone by her little sister any longer!

:-)

Being positive in Rock Tavern,
Laurie

What happened, where have you been?

Some of you have probably been wondering: what is going on with the stampinbeautylady? Well, as you may remember, when I posted my first few blogs, I decided I wanted to talk about positive things. I still want to do so, however, I have been finding it hard lately to find some positives, so I have chosen to post nothing at all...and it has been eating away at me. Why? Why am I not finding something positive to post? Really quick: I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed over the past few months. I have not been very motivated to delve into much of anything, except what is necessary to get through the day.

A friend of mine had mentioned to me that, while facebook is a great place to reconnect with lost friends and families, it seemed most people post how wonderful and perfect their lives are; how great things are with their families! I know I am guilty as well...wanting to post only the positive things happening in my life in my blog. Most, (I say most lightly, as some do post more info then I'd like to know, LOL) people do want to share the all the wonderful things in their lives. Is that such a bad thing?

Maybe?!  I know that life has it's ups and it's downs, it is difficult to forget about the negatives; not sure why that is, but it seems the negatives like to stay with us for a while. When we read and see our friends with these great lives, doing all the great things, having a wonderful life, we are left wondering: what am I doing wrong, what is wrong with me? You know what? Nothing! Nothing is wrong with you! You are doing nothing wrong! Let's see if we can think of it this way...our friends and families are sharing their happy moments with us because they are having down moments and need to write about the good to turn the negative around! Got it?! This may or may not really be the case, but this way of thinking may just be what we need to help us feel better about us!

With that said...I think that there are times when we need to share our downs. Let our friends know that our lives are not as perfect as we may sometimes portrait. And that everyday is not as grand as we would hope it to be!

Trying to be positive without being negative!

In Rock Tavern,
Laurie

Pancakes for Breakfast

Whole Wheat Oat and Honey

I  make pancakes for breakfast at least 2 to 3 times a week. Years ago my in laws introduced me to Kodiak Cakes/Baker Mills "Whole Wheat Oat and Honey Flapjack and Waffle" mix. Really like the idea of whole grains AND I love pancakes and waffles. When a recipe calls for water I substitute milk. I have done this for years, I find it makes whatever I am baking just a little bit moister and flavorful. Valentine's Day rolled around and I thought "how do I make a heart shaped pancake"? Then I remember several and I mean several years ago I purchased wood handled nonstick black metal hearts just for this purpose. I had forgotten all about them. I also have round ones for eggs. So, this year on Valentine's Day I made heart shaped pancakes for the girls for breakfast before school. One girl likes blueberries in hers and the other does not. I did not realize how easy it was to do. Now, when I make the girls pancakes for breakfast, they are heart shaped!

Being positive from Rock Tavern,
Laurie

Getting my son's car ready for deployment!

My son Nick came home for Christmas. He was scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan shortly after he got back to Texas. He needed (mostly wanted) to store a few items here, one of which was his car. He packed it so full, the only room left was for the driver! He proceeded to drive his car from Texas, with a short stop in Atlanta to visit Aunt Cinda & Uncle Ben. He then headed north, with another stop in Virginia to visit with his Uncle Larry & Aunt Susie. Before he left the DC area he was instructed he must meet with my Cousin, who was recently approved and promoted to Brigadier General. GO ARMY! Her and her husband took him to lunch at the officers club. What a great treat that was! He had a great visit! Next stop would be home.
I was so glad to see him. I had not seen him for over a year. The next day he unpacked his car into the basement. I could not believe his car had that much room for all the things I saw. He was able to visit with most of his friends, play WOW and other various LAN games with them till all hours of the night, in the basement, where they could come and go with ease. He had a great time! The month went by and it was time for him to fly back to Texas leaving his belongings and car here.
After a few days of being back, he was told he and a few others were not deploying after all. Now, his car, computer and other various things were here in New York. That is a problem! He really wanted his computer...how to get him his computer, without totally breaking the bank. Then there is the issue with his car, he now has to catch a ride or walk everywhere, the travesty. My father voluntarily has agreed to fly here and drive his car to him in Texas! Problem solved. 
I thought it would be good to get the car checked out with our mechanic to make sure it was travel worthy. I opened the door and OMG, what a mess! I could not let my father drive Nick's car in this condition. I could not even sit in it without feeling like I was getting dirty. Yikes! After several hours of vacuuming and wiping down, it is now sitable. Couple of  things I would still like to do is spot clean the carpets and defog the headlights. And of course the inspection!

Being positive in Rock Tavern,
Laurie

Best Host City for the Super Bowl!

Best Host City for the Super Bowl

When I arrived at the airport, while walking to ground transportation, I was greeted by approximately 15 - 20 people/volunteers saying “Welcome to Indianapolis, have a super day!” As I looked around, the entire airport was filled volunteers with Super Bowl XLVI signs welcoming everyone that pasted them. What an amazing first impression while walking through the airport, having total strangers enthusiastically welcoming you to their city. Driving from the airport to the hotel I noticed billboards with Super Bowl XLVI logos everywhere. A section of downtown was closed to traffic, for the Super Bowl Village. There were signs for different routes for the traffic named “The Super Route” and “The Bowl Route”.  Every business I saw on my way to the hotel had signage supporting Super Bowl XLVI. (Later in my trip I was told that even the museum got in on the Super Bowl action and placed hat and scarfs with all the different NFL teams on the dinosaurs and animals!) After checking into the hotel, I took a walk around downtown. Every building had some kind of Super Bowl XLVI sign. Even the step risers had the signs and logos for the super bowl.  The streets were filled with volunteers saying “Have a Super Day!” I was able to walk to the SB Village, it was only two blocks from my hotel. 

There was a Zip Line right down the middle of the street, with a small football field under it.The Convention Center had the Super Bowl Experience. There were several food tents and outdoor bars. There was an ice sculpting table, a tent with Indy Cars supporting Giants, Patriots and Super Bowl XLVI. There were two stages with scheduled concerts from performers like LMFAO. Luckily the weather was very comfortable, however if you did happen to get cold there were warming seats and heaters placed in different areas of the SB Village to keep you warm. One of the hotels near the SB Village even changed their name to “Bud Light Hotel”. The city  had amended the street names to represent all the NFL Teams. There was so much to do in the SB Village. Downtown Indianapolis has these covered walkways over the street between buildings connecting a very large 3 story indoor shopping mall. I could walk from my hotel to the mall and eat lunch in a restaurant a block away without ever going outside. On game day, I was able to walk to "Lucus Oil Stadium", it was about 5 blocks from the hotel. Every thing you needed and wanted to do was all located in walking distance. This is my second Super Bowl, but my experience in Indianapolis will always be remembered as the "Best Host City Ever".

Being positive in Rock Tavern,

Laurie

P.S. It was even that much sweeter that the Giants won!

It is snowing!

Winter as been very mild here as far as snow goes. So this week when we were being told we would have snow, I was a little skeptical. Tuesday when we were called (5:15am) by the school district to notify us of a two hour delay, I thought, wow, we have snow. When the sun came up I noticed that we had about a dusting to an inch on the ground (I guess the schools needed time to clear sidewalks and parking lots to be sure no ice was built up). We were again warned Thursday that we would be getting more snow. So on my way home from gymnastics, it was snowing, our street had at least an inch...The thought of another call from the school district at 5am in the morning ran through my head. The girls get to sleep in a little and I will get a little extra time in the morning before having to get them ready for school. I woke up about 4-4:30am. I moved the phone closer to me so it would be easier to answer when it rang. I waited and waited and waited some more. The phone never rang! Once the sun came up I realized that the snow had melted from the roads, driveways and sidewalk overnight. No delay! Schedule was as usual. The reports came in that we would yet again have snow starting very early Saturday morning and going into the afternoon. I anticipated a light coating would be awaiting us once the sun came up. When I looked out this morning, Wow, we had about 2 inches of snow on the entire ground! I know when the girls woke up by the excited squeals heard from the upstairs! It has been snowing lightly since.

Three times is a charm, or is it three strikes and your out!?

Being Positive in Rock Tavern,
Three times is a charm!
Laurie

All the guest have gone home

Well, it is Friday and my last guest has left and gone home. It was great having 5 extra family members visit for the Christmas vacation. The first to arrive was my mother, she flew in from Florida. My in-laws arrived a few days later on a train from California via Ohio. My son drove from Ft. Hood a few days before my father flew in from Florida. I am glad we were able to comfortably accommodate all. The weather remained mild for December. Santa came on time, although it was touch and go if that was to be the case. And the New Year came without a hitch.

Now that the house has no more guests, I will be packing away the decorations that I was able to put up this year myself (all except the lights on the house, hubby did that), getting caught up on laundry, dusting, and other various household chores I put off so I could visit.

My goal for this year is that I will attempt to blog more about what has happened here in the House of Walden.

Being Positive in Rock Tavern,
Laurie

My First Quilt Project

Somewhere around about six or seven years ago, I started a small quilt project. I had received a mixer

for my kitchen and thought it would look better if it was covered. I took measurements, picked out fabric and designed my project. Knowing little about quilting, I had NO IDEA what I was getting myself into. I pieced together the pattern I decided on,

Pinwheel

 then sewed those pieces together to make the pattern fit the measurements needed to cover the mixer. I then put the batting in between the front and backing I picked out and pinned them together. I ended up with five rectangles.

one of these for the top

four of these for the sides

Several years passed because I was uncertain as to how I was to "quilt" them together. I had somewhat of an idea as to how I wanted to connect the five pieces, but still was not sure. While my mom was visiting I asked for her assistance. She was glad to help, but had no idea how we were going to connect all the pieces together either. Needless to say with her suggestions and coaching I am pleased to say it is finally finished! I want to stress that I am a complete novice when it comes to sewing. I do understand the concepts as I am a paper crafter and I do a little scrap-booking. I think what I am trying to say is I am very pleased that it turned out as well as it did. I now have a cover for my mixer!

Positively pleased in Rock Tavern,

Laurie