End of Summer Chaos!

I don't know where to begin.  This summer has flown by, as it usually does every year, but this year has been busier than ever.  I haven't had as much time at my Happy Place :(  So that is my major bummer, I crave the peace and serenity.... The kids have actual schedules now.  Seriously, my oldest had babysitting jobs to get to, Cheerleading practice throughout the summer, Dentist appointments, what on earth???  Mom's taxi was busy this summer, and not in the way I wanted, geez!  The dentist appointments were my mistake, and I won't schedule such things during future summer vacation time, but having my iphone alert go off that something is scheduled on a day, just is not my idea of summer vacation.  I am a teeny, tiny bit eager for the kids to return to school now.  My son is very excited to return, the girls, well.... a little quieter in the excitement department...

I look forward to my creative juices being allowed to flow and craft ahead.  My 'studio' area is a complete disaster.  I have been stashing things in there throughout the summer, with anticipation that I will return and do something with it all.  That time is soon upon me, and I can't wait.  I have so many ideas in my head, and I have made many notes and sketches.  Pinterest is quite an addiction for me now, I started off slowly and now I waste  so much time dream about so many many things.  One thing I pinned many months ago was a rock collecting piece, that you make into feet.  Ok, I explained that poorly so let me show you what I/we, as in my family, collected and created;

The rocks were collected from Lake Superior on a couple of our boating excursions, so they are, for the most part smooth, the wood board is from an old pallet that was behind our shed.  It's one of the good ones with heavy oak boards.  Perfect for such a craft.  I sanded the board down, and with construction grade adhesive, glued the stones to the board.  One foot for each of us.  Just a cute memory from this summer.  I still haven't made or created very much this summer.  We have had some good times at camp, the lake is cooling off, but with our sauna fired up it makes it bearable, our pet chipmunk at camp is becoming even more friendly and not shy at all, he follows me around, hoping for a hand out of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds or peanuts.  Apple slices or dog food will do as well.  T-Bone was having a snooze when the chipper lounged out in his food dish.  Poor T just wants to play and chipper wants nothing to do with him, lol, I know one day he will be on my heels as I go into the sauna too....And, summer just wouldn't be complete without an injured child in my house.  Honestly, my oldest just has some bad luck.  She is very active and I guess that's the problem.  When she tries something new she repeats it and repeats it until she gets it.  She can now do a back walk over, but, not for a little while, as her right arm is in a cast due to a broken wrist.  (opposite hand in which she broke her thumb 3 times) She is already planning, once healed of course, that she wants to learn to do back hand springs.  Geez, heal first child, before planning your next injury, please..... Good times, good times.

Family arrived from out West so we have this week to do some catching up, dinners, laughs, and reminising.  We all gathered today to lay to rest, the ashes of my hubby's 2 brothers that passed away last fall and this spring.  Seven siblings became five in such a short period of time, truly sad, but they are not forgotten, memories last a long time. 

I tested my baking skills this evening and surprise, I still remember how, muffins are made and the cookie jar is full.  Ok, yes, I have baked this summer, actually made some pretty yummy treats, but the cookie and muffin thing is a must during the school year, so it was a warm up of how the school year must continue.  The dreaded lunch making starts next week, my kids start school on the 5th, so I have those three days to ease myself back into things.  The real chaos actually begins the following week.  Sports will start, practices, birthday parties, homework, sign here, sign this, I need this, we forgot to buy me that, fundraisers, alarm clocks, running to the bus on time...blaaahh!  Fun times, fun times.  I will return soon with an update on the chaos of my family and hopefully some progress in the my craft, DIY, baking, sewing, painting obsessions.  Only three more appointments this week, two dinners, and camp day with our good friends.  Happy end of August to everyone, hope the fall starts off well for you all.

 

Happy Earth Day

I haven' t been on here in a few days, not much to report as far as myself is concerned.  I had my whirl wind trip to Minnesota, put on quite a few miles, and don't wish to sit in a vehicle for any length of time any time soon, yeesh, my tushy was getting sore, lol.  Now the main purpose of our trip was to buy a boat for hubby, and that is what we did.  I did get my hopes up that I would be able to stop and browse a few shops, possibly purchase a few rusty, interesting, vintage pieces for my "collection", but alas I was brought down to reality as my husband past exits that lead to such wonderful places. He was on a mission and my ideas were far from his mind.  I tried to remind him of the old, but true saying, "happy wife, happy life", but.....ya, he had me on ignore :)  All he had on his mind was boat, boat accessories, and more boat.  You see, he used to have a boat, a truly wonderful boat, blah, blah, blah.....he just wants another boat, not a fancy boat, but something to keep him afloat and enable him to catch fish, a motor to get him off a lake quick enough so as not to flood such a boat in a very quick onsetting down pour of a storm (not that I've ever experienced that in our present day tiny boat with tiny motor, ha ha)  He is not looking to race others to the "hot fishing spot" or anything, so really I should be pleased that he was not looking to spend millions of dollars on a boat, and to find just the right deal, but one stop, one tiny stop at an antiquey, vintage, goodwillish type of place is all I was asking............. OK enough whimpering from me *sigh*
It was nice just to get away and restock the homestead on items we cannot purchase here at home.  On our return I had laundry to catch up on, cooking to do, baking, oh and more laundry of course, followed by assisting in cleaning up the newly purchased boat.  Yes, I did help him clean up the dang boat.  He knows that my OCD side will take over, and it will look brand new in no time, he knows how to suck me in to helping him out, heehee, I do like to clean (yes crazy I know)
Now I should mention that I  did find a totally cool item, or I should say items at TJMaxx.  Tins that look vintage, they came in a 3 pack and I HAD to have them.  If it was my one and only "old" or made to look old item, then so be it.  Whew, I made a purchase just for me.....finally. 
Oh, on the highway on our way home I may have mentioned once or twice or 13 times that I never got to stop at any "shops" that I wanted on the whole trip, oops, did I do that??  So as we approached a place along the highway that always has some treasures out for purchase, my wonderful hubby pulled over and handed me some cash, so I did not hesitate, I grabbed the dough and ran.  Now this little place is also located next to a boat/snowmobile/quad/ rental sales business, but whatever, I got to wander around without rushing and make a few purchases to satisfy me :)  I didn't go over board, as she didn't have all her inventory out as usual due to our unpredictable weather we have up here in the north, but she had a few blue Ball jars with zinc lids, that I've been wanting more of, *giggle giggle*

I only took a pic of one of the tins, as I already have the others elsewhere in my house.  I thought about including a pic of the boat, but...............bah so not necessary.  I am putting a load of laundry on the clothes line and going to round up my youngins to pick up garbage around our yard and on our road for Earth Day, televisions are turned off and I will be shutting down my laptop as well, be well mother earth, we really do love you even if we don't always show it :)

OK I had to include this totally cute picture I found on a friend's facebook page, my family and I will be making this at our Happy Place this summer, we already have a bucket of smooth rocks, courtesy of our fabulous Lake Superior, just waiting to be placed on a weathered wood board :)