Middle School Dance

It's been about ten years since I've been to a middle school dance. Well, today that's where I was during 7th hour study hall. Let me tell you, middle school dances today are just as awkward and funny as I remember. There were circles of girls, a few groups of girls and boys, and a couple random students attempting the worm. (Those would be my students.)

Today we also went trick-or-treating at the nursing home and out to lunch at Steak n Shake. The nursing home was super nice. I'm thinking PRN this summer?

Fun day.

Fried Hair with a Side of Mayo

Sad news for Vanilla Bean Counter on Friday. During a hair straightener malfunction, most of her hair was completely fried. Like, not just dry, like frizzles on the counter terribleness. So, of course, we ask Jon G what she would do. Our mom is very good in situations. She recommended mayo and egg on the hair, covered with plastic wrap for an hour. We followed instructions. I was the beautician, and Vanilla Bean Counter the sad client. I cut off a half inch of frizzle, then liberally applied the goo. After an hour, sadly, no change. Really, we didn't expect one. The hair is too far gone. Only time will fix this sadness, and maybe some Kentucky Fried Chicken Buffet. It's been years, and it sounds pretty darn delicious.

Kitchen

The kitchen has been finished for awhile. I'm not sure why it has taken me so long to get pictures up. Here's the before.

So here it is. Safari green paint, new hardware, a cute curtain at the window, and a new outlet on the small counter (thanks, Dad!). This room really didn't need much done to it. At some point in the next couple of years, I'm hoping for new appliances. The mismatched ones bother me for no real reason.

One of my favorites in the kitchen is this wooden tray. Grandma got it for me at an auction, and I think it's just the right amount of ugly to be fun. I love it.

Sewing Room

I've been waiting to post pictures of my sewing room. It's been painted and mostly done for awhile now, but I finally found two new chairs that were the finishing touch. Before it was a cluttered white room. Here it is finished, my very own sewing room and guest room. It's a great space, and I love it. The walls are light tan, just a little darker than the dining room and hallway. There's also space for other things that make it my own. I made the bulletin boards above the sewing tables. They're just frames with wire line stretched across. I spray-painted clothespins brown, and now it's the perfect place to hang cards and pictures. Another one of my room favorites is a photograph Double G took while traveling in the southwest. It features a donkey with a sign reading Burro Jim Motel. I can't help but smile when I see it above the bed. Another treasured possession in this room is an embroidered donkey. This was a Goodwill find, and I love it. Joshua can't stand it. (Although you may be seeing a pattern of donkeys, please do not think I am a collector of all things donkey. I do not want to start receiving a bunch of knick-knacks to put around my house. Thanks for the thought anyway.)

Millner Mandi

Today's project was redesigning Vanilla Bean Counter's winter hat. She was over the rose, so I fashioned a new felt band with button closure. A fun change, and finished none too soon, as it's 37 degrees here currently.

Welcome, Trick-or-Treaters

Our front light and doorbell have never worked. I'm not sure what's up with the doorbell, but the light I just figured needed a new bulb. Last week I decided it was about time to replace the bulb, so we can be ready to great trick-or-treaters in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately even with a new bulb, the light still didn't work. Well, Dad came through for me today. We now have a lovely new light and are ready for Halloween. Makes me want to replace the lampost in the front yard and get a matching light for the back of the house, too.

Pumpkin at Last!

I've been trying to find pumpkin for three weeks now. The search began with an ordinary trip to the grocery store for pumpkin pie supplies for Joshua's birthday. Unfortunatley, the birthday pie didn't happen. There was no pumpkin to be found in all of Peoria. Word on the street says that the cool, wet summer has delayed pumpkin season. Okay, so I've been looking since then for pumpkin. Finally, last night I found a few remaining cans at Cub Foods, and Vanilla Bean Counter found two big cans at Kroger. We cleaned them out. I'm not risking pumpkin pies again. Thanksgiving is just around the corner.