Random Stuff Friday

1) It feels like it's been a while since I've done one of these, doesn't it? It does to me. I suppose that's what happens when I'm frantically planning for our family vacation, then off ON our family vacation, so it's about time right? And in case you were thinking that Idaho is only good for potatoes . . . ummm, nope. We had a super-fun vacation staying in a lakeside cabin and hanging out with some great friends. The kids didn't want to come back! 6yo was crying in the car as we drove away. Pics to share are soon to come!!

2) Is anyone else STILL dealing with allergies? Usually, my seasonal allergies are a springish thing and by the beginning of June, I'm all right. It's going to be August in just a few days time and I'm still sneezing up a storm! Ugh.

3) While we were on vacation, my little brother came over and watered our plants for us. He did a really good job, since we had a few that were still in pots that we didn't have time to plant before we left, and most of them are still alive! ;) ... Then he gave me crap for the weeds in our backyard, but after a rough negotiation, and the fact that he's 18 and unemployed, he's going to weed our patio for $20. I think I just got a pretty kick-A deal.

4) I have most of the furniture for my new office nook! Woohoo! (Thank you, IKEA!) You see, I did have a home office, and our kidlets shared a room, but 6yo decided as part of her whole "turning 6" thing, she wanted her own room, which was fine. But it also involved dismantling my office and that furniture was not going to fit into anything nookish. So now, in 3 boxes on our living room floor - to be assembled by Husband today!! - is my new desk and chair! I'm so excited. All that's left now is the shelves that are going on the wall above it to house my gazillions of books. There's some shelving weight limits I apparently have to go figure out ...

5) With the end of the summer came one huge success for us: 6yo is officially off training wheels on her bike! And she is trekking along so fast! It only took her about 4 hours to figure out most of the basics of balancing and by the next day, she was ready to ride by herself, no one helping to give her a push start! We're so proud of her and she's so excited to be able to go on bike rides with the bigger kids in the family now!

All right everyone, have a nice weekend. Cling to the last few weekends of summer and enjoy your sunshine!

Never Know Unless You Try

And Try.


And Try.


And Try.


We're going to Idaho today. We just decided. I'm frantically trying to make lists of a few things in my head and have to remember to text my sister to swing by and check on the dog if she's not busy and bring extra clothes for the kids. It may be a sort of "trip on a whim" but that doesn't mean I can do it without planning. Especially when we have a 2yo and 5yo to entertain. Plus, I need to make sure and take the camera so I can scout some locations /settings that could be really good for the current wip.


As I tweeted late last night - #mystressisselfinflicted!!


What's in Idaho, you ask? Amongst all the wonderful qualities I'm sure it has, not least of which is a dear friend who lives in the grand potato state, is the Powerball Lottery. I am determined to beat the "no one west of the Rockies ever wins" odds. And guess what? You can't win if you don't play.


And you really can't win if you only play one ticket, lose, let the negativity and odds against you lead you to giving up.


Oh, hey, doesn't that sound like, hmm, I don't know, maybe the querying process? Just saying.


We've got an uber-busy weekend between Idaho and lottery tickets, carnivals (for fun & wip research), fireworks, family bbq, more fireworks, and who knows what else will arise! What have you got planned for the weekend?


Hope everyone (in the US at least) has a safe and fantastic holiday!