Happy six months baby Harry!
Shhhhh.. Don't tell the others, but I think you are the best baby, Ever. And I should know, I've had a lot, of babies.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
Fantastic Bathtastic
I fell in love with our house the first time we set foot in it. It was way too dark, full of stained wood paneling, dark walls, and smelled faintly of dog, covered up by a smothering floral potpourri. Attractive, yes? But it was all about my favorite word.. potential. I could see it, I could envision it, and I wanted to be the one to bring this 1985 classic into the modern world.
The master bath had potential oozing from every corner. It even had an extra, "catch all" room connected to it, which some day I was convinced Candice Olsen would come and turn into a fantastic walk in closet, after she added a jetted tub and 10 faucet shower. That was until I realized that she only deals with jobs containing a six figure budget, and found out we would be having a baby.. instead of a bathtub. Turns out you do have to throw out one in order to keep the other.
So the catch all room actually caught Harry and his crib, and my bathtastic plans were scaled down to some paint, a new sink, and some DIY wainscoting.
Much to Kevin's scowling eyebrows, I learned how to master the Table Saw, the Chop Saw, and the Jig saw, all during nap time. I put on my safety goggles, prayed that I would keep all my limbs, and went to work. I have realized that I am bent towards more creative work than mathematical measurements, and the lesson of measure twice, cut once, probably should be listed to.
Kev came in on the tail end and rescued me from my hatred of geometry, as he cut and mounted the final top trim. But all in all I have to say that I was surprisingly proud of my basic carpentry skills, although I'm not going to buy my own saws, just yet.
Here are the after photos. I forgot to take any before shots. The coloring is a bit off.. as I am realizing that a key factor to many designers work must be a good camera to show it off. This is the best I could do with the lighting that ours would capture.
The master bath had potential oozing from every corner. It even had an extra, "catch all" room connected to it, which some day I was convinced Candice Olsen would come and turn into a fantastic walk in closet, after she added a jetted tub and 10 faucet shower. That was until I realized that she only deals with jobs containing a six figure budget, and found out we would be having a baby.. instead of a bathtub. Turns out you do have to throw out one in order to keep the other.
So the catch all room actually caught Harry and his crib, and my bathtastic plans were scaled down to some paint, a new sink, and some DIY wainscoting.
Much to Kevin's scowling eyebrows, I learned how to master the Table Saw, the Chop Saw, and the Jig saw, all during nap time. I put on my safety goggles, prayed that I would keep all my limbs, and went to work. I have realized that I am bent towards more creative work than mathematical measurements, and the lesson of measure twice, cut once, probably should be listed to.
Kev came in on the tail end and rescued me from my hatred of geometry, as he cut and mounted the final top trim. But all in all I have to say that I was surprisingly proud of my basic carpentry skills, although I'm not going to buy my own saws, just yet.
Here are the after photos. I forgot to take any before shots. The coloring is a bit off.. as I am realizing that a key factor to many designers work must be a good camera to show it off. This is the best I could do with the lighting that ours would capture.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Oh, Snap.
I'm feeling a bit snappy.. (if you know me, you know how I love to yell out a good, OH SNAP! when something great happens). Not saved the world great, or Rick Santorum won the primary, great.. but great as in I just figured out how to get the Pottery Barn look for way less money in my bathroom, Great. Any woman who likes design will understand. (Or at least my sisters will).
In my search to revamp my bathroom, I fell in love with a way too expensive, supposedly "reclaimed" wood ladder/ towel rack. Sold at Pottery Barn for around $270 big ones. And because my towels, and my bathroom, for that matter, do not in any way call for such lavish accommodations, I thought my luck had run out, and the dream had died.
But with a renewed determination that I could, in fact, create a rustic ladder of my own, I picked up the phone, called every antique store within a 10 mile radius (it's a small town.. that about covers it).. and found my treasure. When it passed the, My Grandpa would call me crazy for paying them for this piece of junk, test... I knew it was perfect, and it was coming home with me.
And after stuffing it in the car with four car seats, some questions on whether or not Mommy was going to climb it, and a bit of sanding and staining; this $38, genuine, reclaimed ladder is a spitting image, yet far cry from the over priced Pottery Barn one that we all know was manufactured in a warehouse and scuffed up by some minimum wage factory dude.
So here's the comparison pictures. I don't have the gorgeous stand alone tub like the magazine.. but now we do at least have the same old wood to hang our towels on. And mine leaves me extra money to buy soap. Oh, Snap.
In my search to revamp my bathroom, I fell in love with a way too expensive, supposedly "reclaimed" wood ladder/ towel rack. Sold at Pottery Barn for around $270 big ones. And because my towels, and my bathroom, for that matter, do not in any way call for such lavish accommodations, I thought my luck had run out, and the dream had died.
But with a renewed determination that I could, in fact, create a rustic ladder of my own, I picked up the phone, called every antique store within a 10 mile radius (it's a small town.. that about covers it).. and found my treasure. When it passed the, My Grandpa would call me crazy for paying them for this piece of junk, test... I knew it was perfect, and it was coming home with me.
And after stuffing it in the car with four car seats, some questions on whether or not Mommy was going to climb it, and a bit of sanding and staining; this $38, genuine, reclaimed ladder is a spitting image, yet far cry from the over priced Pottery Barn one that we all know was manufactured in a warehouse and scuffed up by some minimum wage factory dude.
So here's the comparison pictures. I don't have the gorgeous stand alone tub like the magazine.. but now we do at least have the same old wood to hang our towels on. And mine leaves me extra money to buy soap. Oh, Snap.
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Pottery Barn  |
Monday, January 30, 2012
Locks of Love
Finding a good hairstylist is almost like finding a good husband. Yes, Dad, I realize that they aren't exactly on the same level of importance. But for all of the ladies out there that do have a good stylist, and have had a bad one, they know exactly what I am writing about.
Like a good husband, they can make you feel pretty, they can make you smile, they can make you jump with joy for sheer delight over the color of your hair. Who else is guaranteed to be with your on your wedding day? Your husband, and most likely your hair girl. Who is with you through births, deaths, different jobs, and new Jennifer Aniston cuts? Yes, your hairstylist. They are vital. VITAL. And when I couldn't find one where we live... well if I was talking about husbands, the world of E-Harmony could solve that problem. But I can't pick up the laptop and have my hair look spectacular. Rather, through a series of trial and errors with bad color, horrendous cuts, and some weird looks by friends, I have learned who around town is talented, and who shouldn't have graduated beauty school.
Confused by my rant? Well you should see my hair. Then the confusion would clear and you would know that I had recently trial and errored... and landed in an error. A big, short, oddly yellowed blonde colored, error. And I had to go to preschool pick up today. It was awful, and I don't look good in hats.
So tomorrow after she fixes what she started, we are going to break up. And I will once again drive the three hour trek to my hometown to have my hair colored, cut, and styled by the best hairstylist I have ever met this side of celebrity cuts. She's good folks. And if you live there, you should go there. If we were talking in terms of husbands, she would be a keeper for life. But luckily I already have one of those, and he's supportive of my gas guzzling treks just to keep up with some simple highlights.
So I have learned my lesson once and for all. If you've got a good husband, you're a lucky lady. And if you have a good husband and a great hairstylist, well then who needs the lottery. If your hair looks great tonight, give your girl a hug. And load up the tips. There are towns across America tonight that aren't as lucky as yours. And our hair speaks for itself.
PS. - Her name is Carrie Frazier. Salon Lofts. Columbus, Ohio. Book her.
Like a good husband, they can make you feel pretty, they can make you smile, they can make you jump with joy for sheer delight over the color of your hair. Who else is guaranteed to be with your on your wedding day? Your husband, and most likely your hair girl. Who is with you through births, deaths, different jobs, and new Jennifer Aniston cuts? Yes, your hairstylist. They are vital. VITAL. And when I couldn't find one where we live... well if I was talking about husbands, the world of E-Harmony could solve that problem. But I can't pick up the laptop and have my hair look spectacular. Rather, through a series of trial and errors with bad color, horrendous cuts, and some weird looks by friends, I have learned who around town is talented, and who shouldn't have graduated beauty school.
Confused by my rant? Well you should see my hair. Then the confusion would clear and you would know that I had recently trial and errored... and landed in an error. A big, short, oddly yellowed blonde colored, error. And I had to go to preschool pick up today. It was awful, and I don't look good in hats.
So tomorrow after she fixes what she started, we are going to break up. And I will once again drive the three hour trek to my hometown to have my hair colored, cut, and styled by the best hairstylist I have ever met this side of celebrity cuts. She's good folks. And if you live there, you should go there. If we were talking in terms of husbands, she would be a keeper for life. But luckily I already have one of those, and he's supportive of my gas guzzling treks just to keep up with some simple highlights.
So I have learned my lesson once and for all. If you've got a good husband, you're a lucky lady. And if you have a good husband and a great hairstylist, well then who needs the lottery. If your hair looks great tonight, give your girl a hug. And load up the tips. There are towns across America tonight that aren't as lucky as yours. And our hair speaks for itself.
PS. - Her name is Carrie Frazier. Salon Lofts. Columbus, Ohio. Book her.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Bath-Tastic
We are trying to finish up a small, albeit, lengthy master bathroom remodel. It takes a while when a huge belly has to be worked over, and then it takes even more time when that belly turns into a baby that I would rather love on during the day rather than paint. Shocking, yes. I have actually turned down paint to stare at a baby. He is really cute. And he hardly cries. I am enjoying this one to the fullest.
Anyway, back to the bathroom. I will be back with completed pictures (hopefully) soon. Kevin is planning on installing our new sink this weekend. And then I get to add on the bathroom jewels, AKA, the faucets. After painstakingly stalking EBay for multiple months, I finally settled on a pair that I think will make me smile every time I brush my teeth.
And although most of our renovation at this point was purely cosmetic... (we didn't do any major demo or jetted tub adding (maybe someday) - I think it has come a long way from the hair sprayed goo covered walls, with movie star globe lights of the previous owners. I still might have to travel to my parents hot tub for some jet action... but I can accept that if I no longer have to wonder just how many cans of hairspray were once used in the room. Seriously, enviornmentalists would have passed out looking at those walls.
Good thing my husband is a pro at installing such things like sinks and faucets, or at least he knows how to look up a YouTube video in a pinch. Now if he could just get his back up helpers to actually help... we might be on target to finish before Summer!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Pros and Cons
I like the names that I named my kids. Obviously. When I was pregnant with the boys, we were sold on Jackson from day one. Charlie (Charles) took some convincing with Kevin, but once my large and uncomfortable self told him that I really felt as if there was a Charlie in there, I won. Again, Obviously. He tends to give in since I tend to carry the babies. It's only fair.
The one drawback of Charlie, is the hideous (in my opinion) nickname that it coincides with. I dreaded the day when I would get a call from a high pitched, puberty stricken, teenage boy, asking me if "Chuck" was there. "NO, NO Chuck here," will be my answer. Call back when you want my son. Thank you very much.
However lately, as I am a big fan of the TV, and all that come through it, I have noticed that I might be speaking too soon. There are, in fact, a couple of men who not only make the nickname cool, they make it desirable. Making mothers everywhere with sons named Charlie a bit more hopeful for the future.
So here is our Pro and Con list. The cool kids in one column, and the spoilers in the other.
THE PROS:
Chuck Bass.
As dedicated Gossip Girl watchers, both Kevin and I can't get enough of this combed-over, slicked back, dark haired, eyebrow arching, too cool for school, Chuck. His love-to-hate-him character makes us want to start using the name NOW.
Chuck Norris
What other 60+ year old can you find that can still kick some serious butt with those guns? Not to mention dominating every American's Saturday mornings with his infomercials on how you too can have a body like his.
Charles Schwab
Along with the handsome suit wearing actor Chris Diamanttopoulos (I didn't know his name either before google), Charles Schwab makes investing sound so cool and breezy by simply "Talking to Chuck," that I almost want to call and invest five bucks. If this Chuck can help me save for retirement while also teaching men everywhere how to wear a skinny tie the right way, well then I'm all in.
Chuck E. Cheese
This was a close call for this famous little mouse. He inched his way off of the "Con" list, because when you get down to it, is there anything better than Pizza and tokens? Yes, if you add creepy dancing, life-sized animals that sing every few minutes, you have a home run for a name that can bring fond memories for generations. Their awesomely bad pizza has transcended time, and Chuck and his Cheese are going strong, even through the worst recession since the Great Depression.
THE CONS:
Chuck Roast
Some day he will long to be called a piece of meat by the ladies. But no mother ever wants her son to be referred to by the same name as What's for Dinner. No matter how hunky he may be.
Chuck Schumer
I just don't like your politics, Sir. And I will do anything I can to prevent a google search of my son to include your articles as well. Simple as that.
Chuck Todd
Yes, we all need to "Lean Forward," but maybe I want to do so with unbiased views and make my mind up for myself. So I'm sorry Chuck, you annoy me every Sunday on Meet the Press. And even if I liked you, you are on the "Con" list simply because of that beard. It's not right. Can you imagine this Chuck eating a Chuck Roast? Oh the visual!
And there you have it. Our list. Feel free to send more suggestions our way. We still love our little Charlie, just as he is. There's a lot in a name, and a lot that we don't want in a name. But I can tell you this, Chuck or Charlie, he is the best one on this list. Just don't call asking for one, because I will have no idea who you are talking about.
The one drawback of Charlie, is the hideous (in my opinion) nickname that it coincides with. I dreaded the day when I would get a call from a high pitched, puberty stricken, teenage boy, asking me if "Chuck" was there. "NO, NO Chuck here," will be my answer. Call back when you want my son. Thank you very much.
However lately, as I am a big fan of the TV, and all that come through it, I have noticed that I might be speaking too soon. There are, in fact, a couple of men who not only make the nickname cool, they make it desirable. Making mothers everywhere with sons named Charlie a bit more hopeful for the future.
So here is our Pro and Con list. The cool kids in one column, and the spoilers in the other.
THE PROS:
Chuck Bass.
As dedicated Gossip Girl watchers, both Kevin and I can't get enough of this combed-over, slicked back, dark haired, eyebrow arching, too cool for school, Chuck. His love-to-hate-him character makes us want to start using the name NOW.
What other 60+ year old can you find that can still kick some serious butt with those guns? Not to mention dominating every American's Saturday mornings with his infomercials on how you too can have a body like his.
Along with the handsome suit wearing actor Chris Diamanttopoulos (I didn't know his name either before google), Charles Schwab makes investing sound so cool and breezy by simply "Talking to Chuck," that I almost want to call and invest five bucks. If this Chuck can help me save for retirement while also teaching men everywhere how to wear a skinny tie the right way, well then I'm all in.
Chuck E. Cheese
THE CONS:
Some day he will long to be called a piece of meat by the ladies. But no mother ever wants her son to be referred to by the same name as What's for Dinner. No matter how hunky he may be.
I just don't like your politics, Sir. And I will do anything I can to prevent a google search of my son to include your articles as well. Simple as that.
Yes, we all need to "Lean Forward," but maybe I want to do so with unbiased views and make my mind up for myself. So I'm sorry Chuck, you annoy me every Sunday on Meet the Press. And even if I liked you, you are on the "Con" list simply because of that beard. It's not right. Can you imagine this Chuck eating a Chuck Roast? Oh the visual!
And there you have it. Our list. Feel free to send more suggestions our way. We still love our little Charlie, just as he is. There's a lot in a name, and a lot that we don't want in a name. But I can tell you this, Chuck or Charlie, he is the best one on this list. Just don't call asking for one, because I will have no idea who you are talking about.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
These Ain't Your Mama's Words... Or Maybe They Are
Top 11 Phrases of 2011: Mitchell Style
1. Will someone come wipe me?
2. Do you have to go to the bathroom?
3. Say you're sorry
4. If your going to cry, go to bed!
5. Jack just hit me (While crying)
6. Charlie just hit me (While crying)
7. Callie just took that (While crying)
8. I want my baby/ blankey (While crying)
9. Thank you Mommy/ Thank you Daddy
10. Are you a dog? (to Jack or Charlie, after they just ate a toy)
11. I love you (Said all the time, even after the above phrases)
I need a vacation. Can you tell?
1. Will someone come wipe me?
2. Do you have to go to the bathroom?
3. Say you're sorry
4. If your going to cry, go to bed!
5. Jack just hit me (While crying)
6. Charlie just hit me (While crying)
7. Callie just took that (While crying)
8. I want my baby/ blankey (While crying)
9. Thank you Mommy/ Thank you Daddy
10. Are you a dog? (to Jack or Charlie, after they just ate a toy)
11. I love you (Said all the time, even after the above phrases)
I need a vacation. Can you tell?
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