visit her website [here]

Yes. I allow my children to eat at McDonald’s.  There.  It’s out there.

OmG!  This one is perfect.  Floors that can get wet and muddy, storage for all that ‘stuff’ that comes along with a busy family, and a work station for a modern housewife.  And look, a built-in for the printer and cabinets to conceal all that must be hidden. 

2.  a cavernous laundry room

I feel serene just looking at these shots.  I picture myself standing at that table folding my family’s laundry and smiling.  How could you not smile?  One might actually look forward to throwing in a load of towels.  [ok. that might be stretching it a bit.]

3.  a welcoming entry way. 

My entry/mudroom?  Can’t be the mudroom because we don’t enter through the front door.  Yes, we have a place to hang our ‘stuff’, but all I see is old, dated wood.  An entire wall of brick and back packs that never actually make it onto the hooks. 

So, I will keep dreaming, planning and picking up back packs. 

The wait has been painful.  March 25, our wait will come to an end.  Need a fix to hold you over?

New commercial from Target. {makes me happy, happy}
Add color somewhere!  Happy Monday.

For the first time in 7.5 years I had a night off AT HOME. I have plenty of nights out, but I have never-since the birth of my oldest son-had a night off and got to stay home.  My husband openly admits he enters a full “lock down” when I am gone.  No one comes in, no one goes out.  The boys are getting older and he is beginning to lift his self-inflicted isolation.  Even venturing out with both of them when I am home (gasp!).  Another perk to my boys learning to ski…..night skiing with dad on Thursday night!   “Party rock is in the house tonight!’

What did I do with my time, you ask?  I couldn’t help myself.

First stop, manicure/pedicure.  I totally splurged and treated myself!  Usually I just have them shape and buff my finger nails.  Not tonight.  Check it!

Spring has sprung.  At least on my nails!  Color me happy.

 

And finally I got to watch Season 1: Episode 1 of Downtown Abbey.  Reminds me of a Jane Austen novel. (Love.) Totally indulgent and worth the chatter.  Can’t wait to watch the next episode.

Can you appreciate my enthusiasm?  If I am granted another night, it most likely will be filled with dishes, laundry, and tidying the house.  Since nothing in life is guaranteed (including nights off), I lived this one to the fullest!
~denise

The CHAOS got the best of me this last week!  I am totally behind and so I will not give a new task for the week.  (Oh, it is secretly great when you control the homework assignments.  But that is entirely a different blog post!)

A few odds and ins:

1.  I Loved with a capital L …… Smash last night.  Did you see it?  I can’t wait until next week.  This was my favorite scene. 

2.  Love that App:  Where’s my Water?

I recently downloaded this app and played it Saturday morning with my youngest for 2 hours.  We were in the ski lodge with time to kill.  We both think is was pretty super!  Produced by Disney, it is thoughtful in its design.  My kids adore the graphics and all the levels to unlock.  I appreciate that it is a physics based game with tons of reasoning skills needed to complete each level.  Cause and effect is taught through the introduction of toxic ooze, algae, traps and triggers.  Bottom line though, it is just plain fun.  (Plus, I love the price at $.99!)

3.  Vitamin D is good for the soul (and spirit and mental well-being)!