Oh Yes He Did

So Brad called me at 7 the other morning, just a few seconds after he left for work.

Seems that my thrifty and shameless ways have rubbed off on him.

Waiting for the garbage truck, on the curb in our neighborhood, sat a rejected armoire that had been beaten silly and scratched with what I can only imagine were actual lightsabers.

But my sweet husband loaded that treasure up and brought her safely into the fold that is my garage.

You'll just have to wait and see the transformation she undergoes when I have my way with the paint and sander.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Trash Master, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

"Politically Incorrect" Would Be an Understatement

Last weekend, my tailbone remembered what it's like to sit on wooden gym bleachers for an extended time.

Ah yes, 'tis the season for high school graduation.

There were only 19 graduates, so the ceremony was very sentimental and personal (but longer than the ceremony for my graduating class of over 500.)

Despite the slideshows set to my favorite music, a fantastic valedictorian's speech, and the promise of a wonderland of barbeque beef afterwards, I could barely concentrate because of the artwork on the gym wall to my right.

I was unprepared for

a) a two-story American Indian

b) wearing a full headdress

c) with eyeliner

d) sporting a chiseled six pack

e) and a suede mini-skirt

f) in booties

g) dunking a basketball

h) in front of wooden boxes needing to be moved outside

Mr. Redskin (yes, the school nickname hasn't been changed to the savvier "Redhawks" or "Golden Retrievers") has made me laugh on so many levels.

I'll just leave it at that.

Her Post-Graduation Plans Include Kindergarten

For those of you who've been following all 7 times I've blogged this past year, you know that Lilly is wrapping up her senior year of preschool.

Since I am a firm believer that preschool is for the parents, she's been enrolled since she was so young that she used to suck her thumb.

Oh, wait.

She still does.

Anywho, last night at Kindergarten Round-Up we were assured she wouldn't be flying solo when we saw lots of other thumb-suckers in the crowd. (Not including the infant siblings of future Golden Retrievers.)

{Yes. The neighborhood elementary mascot is the Golden Retriever.}

{They let the children decide.}

{Obviously.}

{Don't even get me started.}

Anyway, the saddest part of the graduation was that Charlie's Angels had their last hurrah together before parting ways for kindergarten.

Luckily, their mothers are good friends and they will still probably see each other all the time anyway.

Plus, we've planned to get together and make milkshakes for ourselves the girls SOON.

For Lilly's graduation gift (oh yes, we go all the way), I pulled out a Target giftcard she'd received for her birthday six months ago and told her that it was my deepest privilege to take her shopping.

Elated, we headed for the toy aisle where Lilly selected a commemorative set of Barbie walkie-talkies.

Then I ordered a gold "Graduation 2009" plate that we'll adhere to the walkie-talkies so that when Lilly lacks confidence one day, she can look back at her accomplishments and press on.

Or at least she can radio Skipper to come over and devour a bowl of cookie dough with her.

 

Or maybe she'll radio her mom, because eating cookie dough everyday is pretty much my gig anyway.

If My Goals Were any Loftier, I'd Need a Ladder

'Tis the season for garage sales!

My neighbors are all completely endeared to me because I shamelessly wander from house to house and buy their junk. 

Except, of course, that it isn't junk--it is awesome stuff and they are suckers for throwing it away right into my receptive hands.

Someday I'll get out the camera and photograph the fantasticness of last year's bounty, but I am already focused on the future.

I am hoping to find all of these things in a three mile radius:

*cute bistro/cafe chair and table set for the deck

(because we had a large avalanche that shattered our table when it snowed three feet in April )

*spray paintable frames

*adorable vintage books

*lamps and lampshades of the non-brass variety begging to be embellished with fringe

*a mint condish overstuffed chair from Pottery Barn for the master bedroom

*a lemon juicer 

*a gorgeous rug for my entry way

*heavy glass pitchers in shades of blue and green

*a buffet 

*margarita machine

*panini maker

*world peace

The good news is that the Garage Sale Season is off to a fast start.

After coming in from an early run last week, I stumbled upon a door in my neighbor's trash. Spying a treasure, I "sprinted" home (a whopping 4 houses) and made Brad retrieve the loot in full business attire.

(Because that was definitely less-assuming than I would've been in sweaty workout clothes.)

I'll show you some pictures of the door...but just know that it is painted and permanently perched in the dining room.

(Until I move it in a week.)

Y'all, I Could Not Script This Stuff

Alternate Title: Um, Hi. It's Been Awhile.

Alternate Title II: We did not rehearse this. 

Alternate Title III: My Dainty Princess