Burnished Clay

The best we can hope for...

I'm going to keep this short. I decided I needed to paint my living room and dining area this weekend. Matt warned me he would not be helping, but that I could do whatever I wanted. I took his challenge. I did it, but I spent the entirety of the weekend climbing up and down a ladder or walking miles around the neighborhood. The only other news I have to share is that we had our first meal out (as in we got takeout) in FOUR MONTHS. I am not exaggerating. The last time we went out to eat was February 18th...I made Matt check credit card statements to verify this. Of course we had Katerina's! I don't even have good pictures to share. My hands hurt. Tomorrow begins my summer break!

Wanted to climb the ladder ever 5 minutes

Also got some fun mail

The flamingos are at the pool.

Weekend Nine

This weekend was completely dedicated to outside chores and deep cleaning the house. I finally figure out that Home Depot has curbside pickup last week...and that they will even load mulch in your car. You better believe I jumped on this opportunity. Saturday morning Matt went to pick up my order and we spent the morning weeding and mulching our yard - one of my yearly reminders that I do not need a bigger yard. We also put the borrowed power washer to work that afternoon. We got the driveway, sidewalk to our house, and half sidewalk along the street finished before we quit for dinner and movie night. Power washing is simultaneously the most satisfying and most annoying task. Quinn was about the best help we could have asked for - we basically gave her the hose, a sprinkler, sand toys, and buckets to keep her occupied and she lasted most of the time. She did demand to get her Glinda costume on and do apps for about the last half hour.

Today was much cooler and the goal was to finish the power washing escapade. Matt will get mad if I tell you the whole story here, but I will just say you can't choose your neighbors and some of you may remember a little feud from seven years ago involving cat litter...well today it was the same neighbor and a power washer. End result is power washing will be finished another day. After that was cut short, we deep cleaned the house and then went on a walk down to the creek. We also ate some leftover frozen cake this weekend after all our hard work. It feels like we have almost turned the corner into summer...minus the distance learning job I have found myself in these days. Someone told me this week that we have been out as long as we would normally be off for summer vacation. That is just so unbelievable to me...it seems like this time at home has gone so much faster than a summer off usually does. I hope summer comes with a little more freedom. Let's hope it doesn't rain all the live long day every day this week.

Water

I don't even know where today went. I know I got up early to get miles in before the heat. I know I sat on my porch for a few minutes when I got back. We took a ride to one of my friend's houses to borrow a power washer. We stood around talking for awhile. We came home and Quinn ran around in the sprinkler for a little bit before lunch.

After lunch we had Quinn's ballet and tap zoom. It was summer hot here today, almost 90 degrees, so she wanted to go back in the sprinkler. Mostly Quinn just filled buckets with water and dirt, but I was fine with it because I got to do some reading. I did finally kick her off the hose line so I could try the power washer. I can tell already I do not have the patience for power washing. I mean it's very satisfying to see all that dirt go, but why is the spray area so small? How has no one improved this yet? Wish me luck on all the household projects I wish to cross off my list this weekend.

Groundhog Day

Today was a typical pandemic day. Again. There was school work. There was more washing of ancient American Girl doll hair. We played farm. We ate periodically. We went to Patriot so Quinn could ride her bike and I could walk/run. Quinn rode around the parking lot in the front seat of my car. The most exciting part of the day was the continued bird removal from all the crevices of our house, and the least exciting part was paying for it. It was so much the same that I didn't even take a picture today. I think my goal tomorrow might be to do something out of the ordinary. I'm open to any suggestions to accomplish that goal.

Under Siege

If you know me well, you know I have a serious phobia pertaining to birds. I really can't handle them. I have some good stories in relation to this, including one when I pulled into the high school I will be working at to interview and there was a swarm of birds circling overhead. I questioned backing out. I thought it was a sign I wasn't supposed to be there. A quick google search revealed it's actually a sign of good luck. I still don't believe that, but I guess it worked out.

My house is also located in a bird haven. It's like the damn aviary up in here. I mean the amount of birds is insane. It's also terrible. Being home all day, you really get to know everything that's going on on your street. You also get to know everything that's wrong with your house. Currently, we are under siege. There are birds making nests all over the house. They aren't even paying rent. And now they are costing me money. I'm so mad. Today we did step one of the bird removal from the vent on the side of our house. Next we have to have gutters and downspouts cleared, and then have them removed from behind our windows and roof overhang. Bye economic stimulus. Just rude.

In other news, Quinn's a fighter in the Civil War. That's what she told me after my run today. This is what her uniform looks like. Also the Elsa dress is back and there's flamingos playing a game of soccer in the neighborhood.

100 Days of Summer, The Finale

In my book summer really ended when I went back to work. At least the summer I once knew. But here is the end of our 100 Days of Summer project. I'm already looking forward to next summer's 100 Days. Quinn will be so big. Next up...first birthdays and real blog posts. 

{Day 92:August 29}

First day of school and first day of daycare stripes!

{Day 93:August 30}

Soooo they made a new, and much nicer, road to Bennett. It actually fits two cars. I was super excited and it's still mind blowing, really. 

{Day 94:August 31}

New favorite activity.

{Day 95:September 1}

Quinn's first painting!!!

{Day 96:September 2}

Bugs on the morning walk at daycare

{Day 97:September 3}

Gameday!!!!

{Day 98:September 4}

Making stuffed peppers for the freezer!

{Day 99:September 5}

Fully gated.

{Day 100:September 6}

Quinn is a cat lady. This cat has been visiting our yard and she couldn't be happier about it. Don't worry, I'm still "allergic."

100 Days of Summer, Week 12

Today was my last official day of summer...so sad. Tomorrow starts teacher work week, and the rest of the craziness that comes with two people working full-time jobs (plus a part-time one), raising a busy baby, and managing the rest of life. It's been so fun to be home with Quinn this summer. She has changed so much in seven or eight weeks we have been together. I am definitely lucky to get these bonus weeks. We have lots of changes in store the next couple of weeks and a big 10 month birthday tomorrow. 

{Day 78:August 15}

I was attempting to teach Q to use this snack cup and it went so well I decided to take it out and about the next day...when she proceeded to dump and eat all her Cheerios off the Bennett library floor...at least she was quiet during my meeting

{Day 79:August 16}

Because sometimes you just need to dry your hair.

{Day 80:August 17}

Parachute at Toddlin Time

{Day 81:August 18}

Taking one of our last trips to the pool

{Day 82:August 19}

Wild Friday night trying to find a baby gate to fit this...theres a lot of problems here. 

{Day 83:August 20}

Katerina's for dinner to close out summer.

{Day 84:August 21}

First goldfish :)

One Hundred Days of Summer, Week Four

Our first official week of summer and it was a rough one. Quinn got her first cold turned ear infection and passed it along to me! We still had some good times, but  I am hoping next week will be much better!

{Day 22:June 20}

Baby's first mac&cheese...macaroni, cauliflower puree, sprinkle cheese, and a little butter

{Day 23:June 21}

The first book I've read in a LONG time! 

{Day 24:June 22}

Roof repairs...let's hope this is the last time for a long time.

{Day 25:June 23}

Bullfighting with dish towels and a walker. A favorite pastime.

{Day 26:June 24}

Quinn's new, cutest summer outfit from our neighbor! Ashleybug.com has the CUTEST, and better yet, well made and tasteful baby things!

{Day 27:June 25}

Ugh! I forgot!

{Day 28:June 26}

Q Ginger!

Baby K's Room!

We are excited to share before and after photos of Baby K's room today! Of all the funny comments I have heard during my pregnancy, comments regarding what the room will be like probably come in in the top 5. First, when you tell people you aren't going to find out the sex of the baby that's just mind blowing enough for them. They can't get over how you will ever prepare, then they want to know what color you will paint the room and how you will choose a theme if you don't know if it's a boy or girl. When you tell people the room has no theme, they just can't handle it. I don't get it. First of all, a baby is a baby. What do you have to have for a girl that a boy doesn't need, and vice versa. Second, does your bedroom have a theme? Third, and this is my problem, I do not like baby things. Cute little animals, pastels, they just are not for me. I'm still trying to figure out how to blend a chair that looks like a monkey into my house.

Before

Before

If I had to fit Baby K's room into a theme category, for those theme lovers out there, I'm calling it travel and leisure. We started with the canvas of the United States map, and then added the three pictures of Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, and Boston (where we live, where I grew up, and where Matt grew up). Matt and I also love books so we wanted those to be a main part of the room. The wall shelving is one of my favorite parts, but not one of Matt's. There was much debate over those shelves! I think it adds some color to the walls and kind of doubles as art. So the travel part...the map and places important to us. The leisure...reading and hopefully a lot of sleeping. 

Our crib is from Target. This was one of Matt's big jobs. He did a lot of research about safety and standards and other things I just could not get into reading about. The bookshelf is a Kallax unit from Ikea turned on its side so that the baby (eventually) can reach everything. The shelves affixed to the wall are also from Ikea. The Ribba wall shelves are supposed to display pictures or art, but obviously we are using them for books. 

The striped storage bins came from Land of Nod. We will use them to hide what I call 'clutter' aka toys and other random things. The ABC carpet was mine when I was little, and made by my Grandpa. My cousins will also appreciate the most coveted toy from my grandparents house - the Chatter Telephone - pictured above. No iPhone for Baby K! 

Our dresser and side table also came from Ikea. We went with adult sized things for more storage space and also so they will last longer. We found our Thomasville glider on Wayfair after searching high and low, and waiting very patiently for the right color to be in stock. The United States canvas was a Home Goods find and I ordered the three prints from an artist I found on Etsy called Loose Petals. 

While it might have taken awhile for everything to come together, Matt and I are happy with how it turned out. We hope the baby will love it too, but I'm pretty sure they will just care if we feed them and change their diapers!

Friday Love

{ONE}

No humidity. We have had a couple wonderful weather days this week! There was no humidity, the sun was out, and it was still warm. Please sign me up for a couple more of these. I will gladly take them.

{TWO} 

American Ninja Warrior. So I will admit I'm a little bit of a secret fan of this show. I watched it a lot more last summer, but this video did catch my eye. This girl is absolutely insane.

{THREE}

Peet's Coffee. Peet's recently took over all the Caribou Coffee's around here. I went to Peet's this morning with my mom and had coffee for the first time in over a week! I decided I would kick my out of control caffeine addiction last week. I was so happy to be drinking that DECAF coffee.

{FOUR}

My Crepe Myrtle Tree. It's blooming (and taking over my sidewalk)! I love this tree. I think it is just so pretty with it's bright pink flowers.

{FIVE}

Grilled Peach Splits. How great do these look. I want to try this recipe from Smitten Kitchen and report back ASAP.

A Growing Garden

I'm so excited! My garden is becoming giant...already so much better than last year. I'm pretty sure I planted my plants the last weekend in April, that makes about six weeks of growing. When I took these pictures, they had been planted about two weeks. I can't believe the difference! 

tomatos and herbs

My tomatoes already have a bunch of flowers and even the start of some tiny, green tomatoes. We have already been enjoying the basil and cilantro from the herb box. I think I might attempt to make some pesto this weekend to try and keep up.

tiny tomatoes

My experimental plants are doing well too. I discovered the first flower on one of my pepper plants this weekend. I'm still not sure how I will know if the brussel sprout plant is going to grow some brussel sprouts. 

brussel sprouts, peppers, zucchini

I was backing out of my garage this morning and noticed that my zucchini plant had a giant flower on it. I was in too much of a hurry to stop and take a picture, but I wish I would have because this is what it looked like when I got home. I did notice a bunch of smaller flowers when I took this picture, though. 

zucchini flower...wish I took the picture this morning.

I am so excited to continue watching to growing over the summer, and even more excited to start reaping some of the benefits of garden growing!

Friday Love

{ONE}

Spring Break. I can't believe it has finally arrived. In a school year that started out as the longest fall ever, followed by the longest Virginia winter ever, spring has surely sprung. I plan to spend my break relaxing, doing miles, and spending time with my mom.

{TWO}

Front Porch Sitting. I have been spending a lot of quality time on our front porch. In fact, I'm writing this post from the front porch. Sometimes there's good people watching. The only thing that is not good is the bird action. I can't handle the birds.

{THREE}

Cherry Blossoms. It's peak bloom this weekend for the blossoms. They are so pretty! It's really something everyone should see at least once. The only thing is the crowds. It's rough, but worth it as long as you go with the mentality that you are going nowhere fast.

{FOUR}

Caitlin. Apparently it was national sibling day yesterday. I never got to post a picture of my one and only sibling, so I am taking that opportunity today.

{FIVE}

Franklin Regional. Lots of love and prayers for my alma mater on this Friday. We are FR!