12 X 12 Information

I mentioned last week that I was going to start a new 12 X 12 project. Basically on the 12th of each month, I will take 12 pictures that best capture my day. I am doing this to see the changes my life takes month to month. I so wish I had done this last February when I had an infant. My life is quite different now. Other people who have done this, have often done it in online scrapbooking form. But since I have had Photoshop for over a year, and it is still not installed, mine will just be some pictures with some text. I think I will post all of the pictures on Friday. Anyone that would like to join in, I would love to see what a typical day in your life is like.

SPT

This month our challenges focus on the love that exists in our marriages.

February 10th, 2009: I think it would be romantic to.......

I think it would be romantic to recreate our honeymoon. This year is our 10 year anniversary and I think it would be fun and oh so romantic to go back to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where we spent our honeymoon. The only problem is that I am no longer a big fan of cold weather, and I haven't snowboarded since our honeymoon. But I still think it would be romantic. If my husband is reading this I am also not opposed to a tropical vacation. I think that would be pretty romantic too.

Piano Renovation

I have been searching Craig's list for a piano for some time. I wanted an old, full upright piano. I didn't care much about the aesthetic condition, as long as it was in working order. I was planning on painting it, so looks and color were not too important to me. I was determined not to spend over $300. So when I found a listing for an upright piano in working order for $60 I called right away. I went to see it, and was disappointed by what I found. It was uglier than I thought it would be and was not a full upright that I had my heart set on. However, it was $60 so I knew I had to buy it. Even if I redid it and hated it, I wouldn't too feel bad since it was so cheap. I know I said I wasn't too concerned with the look of it, but I have to admit I was kind of embarrassed by it. Eric needed help picking it up and I would only let him call the Randall's and our neighbor for help since I was embarrassed by it's appearance. I realize I was being ridiculous, it is just my own neurosis.
Anyway, I redid it, and it turns out I do not regret my $60 purchase (plus about $20 for supplies). I am happy with the results. I am partial to black furniture so this works perfectly for me.

BEFORE


AFTER

I've Been Thinking

I've been thinking:


I should have applied make-up before taking this picture.

That I really need to find a new lipstick color that I like.

It should be possible to lose weight just by exercising. I don't want to change my eating habits (or drinking habits: Dr. Pepper).

I have been sleeping through the night for the first time in 4 1/2 years.

About dying my hair pink. Not my entire head, just maybe the ends.

About changing my fire place. It is going to be my next project. Eric can't quite yet see my vision, and I need him to help execute it, so it has been on hold for a few weeks.

About blogging about all of the projects I have completed.

That Sadie may be addicted to her bottle.

That I need to mop my floors. The kids have tracked in a lot of dirt.

About getting a new cell phone. Mine has been broken for months.

About cleaning out my linen closet, and pantry, and wiping out all of my drawers and cabinets. I just can't seem to get around to getting these projects done.

That I just remembered there is a load of laundry that I put in the washer yesterday that I forgot to move to the dryer.

That I need to start getting all of the stuff ready for our taxes.

If I really will ever watch all of the shows I have on my DVR. I currently have 15 episodes of Intervention and 28 episodes of House Hunters, that I don't think I will ever get to.

That one day I really want to travel the world.

That my husband and I need to spend more time together.

That the book I am reading is boring, but I can't make myself stop reading it.

How much I love the smell of the Japanese Cherry Blossom bubble bath from Bath & Body Works.

That I am probably too old to wear my hair in pig tails, but I don't care.

About how much I love my house. I am completely emotionally attached to it.

About how I have not been standing up for what I believe in. You know what they say about assumptions.

About doing the 12 X 12 photo project I saw on someone's blog. On the 12th of every month take 12 pictures that best represent your day. It will capture what your life is like at that particular time. I really wish I would have done this last year. My life was a lot different at this time last year than it is now. If anyone else wants to do it, I am starting Thursday February 12th.

SPT

This month our challenges focus on the love that exists in our marriages.

February 3rd: I Love It When You.....

This SPT is not very romantic but last night it came to mind. I love it when you: Put the kids to bed. For some reason bed time is quite a trying time for me. Probably because when bed time comes around I am ready for them to be in bed, and not ready for the process of putting them to bed (putting on p.j.'s, getting water, reading books, brushing teeth, whining, saying prayers, going back in because covers have mysteriously fallen off). Usually bed time is a collaborative effort between my husband and I, but occasionally one person takes it over. And when that one person is my husband, I do truly love it.

For more information on SPT, click here.

The Great Pancake

When Eric makes pancakes he takes shapes requests from the kids. Here are a few requests he has had lately.

Jackson tends to make crazy requests. Some of his most bazaar:

A spray bottle.

A man standing on his head.

Baby New Year. I have no idea what Baby New Year is, but apparently Jackson does and Eric did a pretty good job guessing, because Jackson was very happy with the final product.

Cars, of course.

Megan tends to ask for more traditional shapes like:

Mickey Mouse

Cats

Butterflies

Ice Cream Cones

Around Christmas we also had requests for:

Christmas Trees

Birds

Santa Claus

And lastly, I have no idea what this was supposed to be, but we all know what it looks like.

SPT

This week's challenge:

I resolve to take more self-portraits while trying new things.

I try to never, and I repeat never go to any type of park, amusement or otherwise, on a holiday. I suppose I enjoy a more relaxing experience, and with so many people I tend to get a little cranky. However yesterday we ventured out and took the kids to probably the most popular park in Las Vegas. I knew it would be busy, but I admit that when we pulled up and cars were lined up and down the street I did ask them if they wouldn't rather go to a different park. Of course the answer was no, so we went in. I also admit that going to the park was not my idea. Luckily I am married to a man that doesn't mind crowds and is always willing to go through a little inconvenience so the kids can have fun. And I admit that once we are there I also have fun.

Here are a number of pictures from our day.


One of Megan's best qualities is that she makes friends wherever she goes. Within minutes of arriving at a park she is in the middle of whatever game is being played.

However, Jackson is a bit more timid and sticks close to his Mama. Which I admit I do not mind a bit.

Sadie just tried to stay upright walking in her new shoes.

We also saw such a beautiful sunset that we definitely would not have seen if we had stayed home.

Family Ketchup

I have been away from blogging once again, so here is a quick Ketchup post. We will start with me because I have something to say about Ketchup.


I am not a fan of Ketchup, or is it spelled catsup? I don't particularly mind eating it, but nothing grosses me out more than to see it piled on a plate. For example, seeing a big mound of it waiting for someone to dip a french fry in, or even worse seeing it smeared over a plate makes me sick. In fact I need to stop talking about it right now or I may throw-up.
In other news I have been completely engrossed in the books I have been reading lately. It is unusual that I would enjoy so many in a row, but I am not complaining. In fact I have neglected all household and motherly duties all day today just to read.
I am also in a looks rut. In other words, I feel completely and totally out of sorts with the way I have been looking lately. You will notice I have turned this picture of me black and white, because my skin has seen better days. I could also go on and on about my hair, and other parts, but I won't. Whoa is me.

Now I will move onto Eric.


He is doing much of the same. Being a great husband and father and working a lot. However I did mention to him the other day that I was going to put on my Facebook account, "Sarah is wondering why her husband has so many female friends." If anyone is reading this that doesn't know me well, I was just teasing him. I would also like to note that Eric went to bed last night at 10 o'clock. This never happens, so I have to document it.

Now for Megan,


She has finally lost another tooth. It is her first one in over a year. The tooth fairy did come, but I am curious to how much she leaves your children. If you could let me know, that would be great. I will also say that Megan confounds me, and will leave it at that.

Now for my Sadie,

She is continuing to toddle around the house, which almost can bring me to tears from cuteness. Lately she has been shut out of many rooms by Megan and Jackson, which makes her very sad. She also stopped breastfeeding this past week. This part should really be in the section about me, because I think it was harder on me than on her. She just may be my very last baby and here she is growing up.

And lastly, little Jackson.

He finally told me why he does not want to go to pre-school anymore. Apparently there is a little boy there that has been mean to him. He hits, says mean things, and takes things away from Jackson and the other kids. It was so hard for Jackson to tell me this. I have to pry things out of him. Those of you with boys, is it the same with them?

Lastly, as Jackson said this morning:

Happy Martin loses his King day!

SPT

This weeks challenge:

I resolve to take more self-portraits with people I love.

What do you do when it is over 60 degrees in the middle of January? You spend as much time outside as you can. This past weekend we went and played and tennis.

My littlest one missed the first self-portrait, so here is her and I.

On the way home my husband mentioned that we didn't get any pictures of me playing. I said, "No kidding, that's what always happens to us moms." Thank goodness I have SPT's, or I might never be in a picture again.