Friday's Many Random Thoughts

What is that a picture of?

Izzy's 2 minute snow sculpture while waiting for the bell to ring...

Come on, look closely.

What is it?

It's ok, I didn't know what it was either.

"MOM, it's the Great Wall of China!"

Yes, yes it is.

Last week she had her annual check-up at the eye doctor.

While waiting, she had a revelation.

"MOM! Feel my nose, I don't have a bridge there. Where did it go? How will I be able to wear glasses if I need them?"

Phew,

all is good,

yes, she does know she's Chinese,

and no glasses are needed. :)

What a week!
I've said that every Friday since November...But really...I just want a little bit of normal.

Thank you for the sweet comments yesterday!
Made my blah day, seriously!
Those tulips on the counter were the best $3 I've spent in a long time,
and what many thought was a chalkboard is actually my latest painting.
I wanted it to look like a chalkboard...
silly, as there is a chalkboard in nearly every room of this house. :)

My shadow, Sofi, was home sick for two days.
She had to be in the same room the entire two days.
She is not one to sit still and rest.
It was a LONG two days for both of us.
She's fine...just sniffles, and did have a fever.

She went back to school today.
Guess where I went for the morning?
To school...to make up my volunteering.

I love being there.
Love the kids.
Love the teachers.
Love the whole deal...
except for one thing...
the copier.
I swear it knows when I enter the room.
Today I helped kids, and then faced the dreaded pile...
Two and a half hours later,
I was ready to stick my head in the nearest snowbank.

The house that was clean,
is now a pit again.
Every room needs a wee bit of my attention...
and here I sit with my back to the disasters.

Lucky I have an amazing salad right here with me.

Three ingredients....

Romaine, sesame sticks, and the dressing, thanks to the sample lady's suggestion.

Amazing...and you can add chicken, or tofu, or more veggies like broccoli slaw.

I've been eating it all week.

I have one hour to blog, clean, and plan my weekend.

What would you do if all of your children were gone for 26 hours?
They are headed to Disney on Ice and a sleepover with Grandma and Grandpa.
I'd like to head to somewhere warm.
Looks like the farthest I'll get will be the steam room and sauna at the gym.

I have a billion ideas of what I'd like to do...
paint my bathroom,
reorganize the pantry and the "out the door drawer,"
paint for fun,
sit at Borders or Barnes and Noble,

take a few classes at the gym,

move into Anthropologie,
clean my closet,

dinner with Mark,

clean the art room,
the list is a mile long.

Time to come up with a plan.
What would you do if it happened to you?
-julie, aka Dr. Seuss....

One Year of Blogging

Started this blog on a whim last January.

I had no idea what I was doing.

I still have no idea what I'm doing.

It was a cold, dark Winter day.

Today it's a cold, dark Winter day.

It's been a place to share my thoughts,

be spontaneous,

be bold,

be thankful

be original,

and just be myself.

Kids had been home sick, and the walls were closing in.

Today Sofi's home day two...and we're going a little stir crazy.

This blogging thing has made a difference in my day.

I didn't think anyone would read it.

I really didn't care.

I just wanted a place to think,

and to share pics and thoughts,

like I did when I used to scrapbook.

I've met people around the world.

I've felt part of a community.

I''ve felt encouraged as a wife, mom, artist, and junk loving decorator.

A year ago, I never dreamed I could call myself an artist.

I never dreamed I'd have my work in a gallery or even a store.

(Little Luxuries, Naperville, IL...more coming on that another day)

This blogging thing has helped me dream,

and remember that anything is possible.

I'm hoping to make some changes in my blog design in 2011.

What would you like to see more of?

Why do you stop by and read?

I'd love any feedback...please!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

-julie

The Pioneer Woman Won

Hands down.

Best. Cinnamon. Rolls. EVER.

58 rolls.

Gave away 2.

Generous huh?

56 rolls.

6 people.

4 days.

Gone.

I'm hitting the gym this week.

Every day.

No excuses.

Running extra laps to knock these babies off.

It was worth it.

Give them a try.

-julie

Branching Out

My family tree...

a little lopsided,

some branches are dying,

others removed,

but this branch is blooming....

I worked on this piece throughout the Fall,

Layered,

Tattered,

Antiqued,

Rough,

and painted deep from the heart.

Found a spot for it, here in this nook

Where I blog,

pay bills,

edit the crazy calendar,

and think...

...all closed up....

Just thought I'd share a little bit of my home that makes me happy...

Enjoy the day!

-julie

Happy Birthday Izzy

Last Sunday we celebrated your 7 years!

Your brother even sat by you!

Mommy has been taking a walk down memory lane.

Here's the first glimpse we had of you,

delivered via fed ex truck....

Home from China and bonding with your sister....

best of buddies,

dancing,

playing at a campsite,

hugging a little bit too hard,

celebrating,

sharing secrets,

playing staring games,

and just being,

together....

Here is to you Izzy.

I love you and the person you are becoming,

each and every day.

I love your style,

your laugh,

your ability to light up a room,

the way you care for others,

and that you are my daughter.

Love,

Your Mom

Please Don't Stop By

If you did,

There would be no way to hide your gaze from this disaster....

My word for 2011 is "Clean."

I'm doing it.

It's not pretty.

See that cute purse on top?

I'd like to take it and run,

anywhere.

Now.

Today's tackle was my desk area

and the big black beast,

also known as "the black cabinet."

Mark stays away from this beast,

and truth be told,

never wanted it here in the kitchen.

One child's bin was overflowing.

Most was recycling.

I'm going to stay here in Blogland for a few minutes more,

and only look at this picture...

It's my kitchen,

right now,

with the mess cropped out of view.

Looks perfect doesn't it?

Back at it,

-julie

Ding Dong

The Wicked Witch is Still Alive....

or so my son says anyway....

He asked where my ruby slippers were...

and why I was still standing....

I'm still here,

plodding along,

Cleaning,

Sorting,

Cleaning,

Reading,

Cleaning,

Purging,

Cleaning,

Creating,

and Trying to do anything to make January tolerable,

and Fun!

-julie

Too Quiet Today

The whirr of the dishwasher and washing machine,

pale in comparison to the noise we had this weekend...

Izzy's band made a few performances,

and my 4 kids played hard with their 3 cousins in from CA for Grandpa's funeral.

Missing the laughter,

and their energy today.

Missing my big brother,

and remembering with some humor the events of Saturday post funeral.

A 40 something man,

wearing a suit and overcoat,

returning with me from the burial,

making a quick decision,

remembering Grandpa's farm,

reliving the fun of his youth,

checking out silos....in 10 degree weather,

exiting the woods,

surrounded by 8 policeman...

and a very freaked out sister (me) inside of his car,

after being interrogated by three men in uniform....

I think I am breathing again,

and the quiet feels pretty good again.

-julie

And the Winner is...

Megan! Send me your mailing info. to mjcljohnson@yahoo.com!

Thanks for all of the great cleaning tips!

Turning off the computer is a great one.

I've hauled off 6 bags to Goodwill,

another bag to a teacher friend,

and am feeling good about my word of the year....clean.

Now that I've purged some things around the house,

I need to purge sugar out of my diet AGAIN.

Tips?

Anyone want to join me?

-julie

My Word of the Year

...Came to me on Sunday,

after I cleaned the kitchen so I could ichat with my sister.

Yes,

I cleaned so I could ichat.

Yes,

I cleaned only the area directly behind the computer,

so she would have the appearance of a clean kitchen.

Yes,

I moved it all to the counter outside of her viewing area.

Perfect right?

Nope, pathetic.

Yes,

my word of the year is....

Clean.

A few definitions from the web...

• free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits; "children with clean shining faces"; "clean white shirts"; "clean dishes"; "a spotlessly clean house"; "cats are clean animals"
• free of restrictions or qualifications; "a clean bill of health"; "a clear winner"
• (of sound or color) free from anything that dulls or dims; "efforts to obtain a clean bass in orchestral recordings"; "clear laughter like a waterfall"; "clear reds and blues"; "a light lilting voice like a silver bell"
• (of a record) having no marks of discredit or offense; "a clean voting record"; "a clean driver's license"
• ritually clean or pure
• not spreading pollution or contamination; especially radioactive contamination; "a clean fuel"; "cleaner and more efficient engines"; "the tactical bomb is reasonably clean"
• (of behavior or especially language) free from objectionable elements; fit for all observers; "good clean fun"; "a clean joke"
• make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from; "Clean the stove!"; "The dentist cleaned my teeth"
• uninfected: free from sepsis or infection; "a clean (or uninfected) wound"
• morally pure; "led a clean life"
• houseclean: clean and tidy up the house; "She housecleans every week"
• (of a manuscript) having few alterations or corrections; "fair copy"; "a clean manuscript"
• cleanse: clean one's body or parts thereof, as by washing; "clean up before you see your grandparents"; "clean your fingernails before dinner"
• blank: (of a surface) not written or printed on; "blank pages"; "fill in the blank spaces"; "a clean page"; "wide white margins"
• be cleanable; "This stove cleans easily"

It's perfect for my family of six with two dogs.

...And I may be the only one to have chosen it!

In honor of this word, I have a fabulous giveaway...

Your very own copy of....

Leave me a comment with your best cleaning tip.

I'll pick a winner on Friday morning.

-julie

Note to My New Years Self

Head to the gym early the Monday after New Years.

Every parking spot will be gone.

You'll park a mile away.

Do not try the piyoxing (pilates+yoga+kickboxing=weird).

Not worth it.

There will be newbies.

Smile.

Encourage.

Don't give the huh look when they ask if they can trade showers...

even while in your towel,

and they ask if you need a shower.

Your younger two children will be trainwrecks.

They will want to stay home and play all day.

They will be trainwrecks after school too.

Smile.

Encourage.

Be patient some more.

You will not like the feel of your clothes today.

The wine,

the chocolate,

the cookies,

the extra food will all catch up post New Years.

Keep parking a mile away.

Keep heading to the gym.

Do not make cookies.

Do not make brownies.

Do not make coffee cakes....

especially when there is nobody home to eat it!

Don't grumble about the cold.

Wear your snuggy 24/7 if necessary.

Wear tight fitting clothes under it so as to discourage weight gain.

Wear your cute warm boots, in the house if necessary.

Spring will come.

In about 120 days.

Wah!

Make lists.

Get that tree down.

Buy some paint.

Buy some fun new cleaning supplies.

Tackle each room a day at a time....

not all rooms in one day.

It will only be a bigger mess.

It took 31 days to make the mess of December.

Allow yourself at least half that time to undo it.

Phew.

Feel better now.

-julie

-julie

Sweet Dreams

I don't think so.

Especially when you find your youngest,

holding this,

dressed in this,

doing this,

to her siblings,

when they should all be nestled in their beds.

"I was just helping them out mom."

Thank you Dentist Izzy.

Not sure how thankful I am yet for this gift...

Thank you to Linnea for photographing these moments before I entered....

Sweet dreams,

-julie

In A Blink

It's all over.

Happy New Year to Everyone!

Linnea took this pic on Christmas Day with her new ipod touch.

Thanks for following me on this blogging journey.

I started this on a dark Winter day in 2010,

and have found it to be a huge blessing.

I had no idea I'd meet so many new friends in cyberspace.

Thank you to those of you who leave comments and endure my ramblings.

I treasure each of you!

Anyone else get melancholy on the first of the year?

The decorations all look a little silly,

clutter is at an ultimate high,

kids are sugared out,

kids are way off schedule,

rooms are messy,

and we all need a little space...

I'm ready to get back into a routine,

and not eager to have 3-4 more months of Winter...

I found these boots to help me through...

perfect for trudging through the slop back and forth to school,

warm,

comfortable,

a tad ridiculous looking,

but they put a smile on my face.

Did a little shopping with Christmas money,

and bought this little dress I've had my eye on....

Ok,

I'll be honest,

it's not a dress.

It's labelled loungewear.

The hemline is a little goofy.

Linnea even said so.

I don't care.

I'm wearing it with striped leggings,

boots,

and when cold,

a sweater.

Comfortable,

cute,

and puts a smile on my face.

It's the little things....

-julie