I was off to Austin this past weekend to throw a shower for Shannon and Jamie. "Party" is a more appropriate name for it though, and I really had to try hard to let it go that I wasn't going to be able to decorate in pink and with flowers and traditional finger foods. That just isn't "Shannon and Jamie" style, you know. But I had to draw the line somewhere and I decided that Jamie would be the one buying the keg, because if I didn't get sweet little flower arrangements then I wasn't buying a keg for sure. Ha. ;)


When I pulled up Friday night this is what greeted me. A mail box with a cute, totally Shannon-style note on it. Ironically, it was about birds. I am seriously starting to wonder if there is some higher calling for me - a bird vet perhaps? It seems to be surrounding me everywhere I go...



The fine, and HOT HOT HOT hostesses pictured here. It was a boiling 100+ degrees all weekend and it was NOT pleasurable. We hit an all time record for the number of bottles of water consumed at a party where beer is present.


This is Melissa (co-hostess) and her fiance Bryant. They'll be tying the knot in August and we can't wait to celebrate with them! They are super sweet and cool people.


Shannon was really pulling for fajitas, but heck if I was going to make fajitas for 40 so we called upon an Austin favorite to cater for us. It was a hit and they were great!! I learned a lot about feeding 40 people that I didn't know before. First of all, that we ordered too much food, which thankfully made for some great late night tacos. Second, that a huge Costco sized sour cream is too much. I swear we only ended using like two table spoons of the stuff. Third, that an even bigger Costco sized bag of cheese is too much. I swear we only ended up using like four tablespoons of the stuff. Fourth, that there is never enough guacamole. And it was the only homemade food there! Next, I learned that if you discourage your friend to buy a huge thing of jalapenos because it's "really not necessary" and she buys it anyway - it will be one of the few things that everyone actually uses. And lastly, of course, that you will forget to buy ice.


Here is the Couple of Honor! They are crazy about each other and will live perfectly happily ever after. The are such a great match. And frankly...it's about time!!


Shannon and Jamie won the gold star prize with supplying the tables and chairs. Jamie's parents had them and graciously let us use them. Unfortunately, since Melissa and I both live out of town, Jamie was in charge of hauling them in and setting them up in the sweltering heat. Luckily his parents also had a huge metal fan that we plugged in outside too.




Take note of the sandy backyard. Shannon had a landscaper come in to help clean up the back yard and he suggested a little sand to even out the ground. She thought it would be a light sprinkling...then come to find out she has a beach out her back door. There was a slight miscommunication. It was very festive!




Here are the proud mamas! Everyone was so happy and we can't wait for the wedding.




These are Jamie's cute as can be nephews. They ran in and out all night and it always adds to the ambiance with little kids running around your legs and hearing their laughter. It reminded me of home!





Sampson had to check out all the gifts. He was pretty weirded out by all the ruckus.


I was glad she decided to open presents there. She didn't want to at first, I think mostly because she didn't think a lot of people would bring gifts. This was my favorite though - Jamie's transformer figurine and Shannon's iron. If that doesn't say his and hers then I don't know what does.

Sunday we had lunch and made a drive out to see the venue. It is an old southern style mansion with a big beautiful lawn. Trees wrapped with twinkle lights, a gazebo, wrap-around porch, huge ferns hanging from the eaves...and lots of peacocks roaming around...the inside was so pretty also with lots of antique wood detailing. I can't wait!! It's going to be so special and just perfect.

Return of the Attack Bird

What is it with my house and birds? Are we somehow sending out "come hither" vibes to these little feathered creatures? The last one tried to get us when it flew down the chimney and now this?

I had just said goodnight and gave kisses to Baby Joe and shut his bedroom door - Josh was still in there to lay him down. It was dusk so there was still sunlight out and I decided to run out front to check out the flowers and grab the mail. By the way, I planted some pink amaryllis from Josh's dad when he was thinning out his landscaping, and they are so pretty! They barely even have any leaves but just days after I planted the bulbs they started to put off long tall blooms. What satisfaction when transplants thrive! So I went to the front door.....turned the lock....opened the door....and *BAM* I was bombarded by those crazy attack birds...AGAIN. They darted in and out of the porch pecking at my eyes and screeching in my face. Apparently they had been sitting on my new pretty moss wreath and when I swung open the door we kinda ran into each other.

You didn't really believe that they were pecking at my eyes, did you? Cause I figured that most of you know better than to believe that but then I thought I better let you know I was just kidding. I did almost get whacked in the head from a fly by, it was really close - I imagine they were pretty scared when that door swung open and knocked their wreath-perch around a bit. So at that point I didn't know what it was but I hit the deck, I kid you not. I don't need nuthing, bird or fly or gnat or whatever, swooshing by my head thankyouverymuch.

I examined the wreath for nests and there wasn't anything, so I guess they were just hanging around for a breather, OR MAYBE stealing some of my lovely soft moss for their nest somewhere. I went about my business tending to the garden, getting a breath of fresh air, and appreciating the beautiful day. I went on back inside and Josh was still in with Joseph so I was all alone. All alone for the next attack. I was so unassuming. So naive. I thought it was all over. WHY couldn't it have been all over?!

I heard fluttering coming from the dinning room. It was pretty darn loud and I knew something wasn't right. Almost crawling on the ground so as to not leave my eyes vulnerable...I slowly peeked around the corner and saw a damn bird in the dinning room. Apparently the fly-by head swipe was a ploy to get his little friend in for the goods. More moss, I assume. Yeah I got their number, the little punks.

I sighed and shook my head, not even in a hurry to figure out what the heck to do. I knew I couldn't make a ruckus since Joseph was almost asleep - so I clearly wouldn't be able to attempt anything that would make me scream and jump and do the "just stepped on a slug" dance, like grabbing the bird then freaking out and screaming and end up dropping it anyway. I did seriously consider trying to grab it after I saw how futile the situation was - but I just didn't think I had it in me. But why?! I've held my brother's old pet bird, Snow White. I've been to a petting zoo before. The ducks down at the pond are some of my most faithful fans....I'm no stranger to a feather or two. Come on! Why so scared, girl?!?

The bird flew to the window - thank god - obviously trying to get out. I made a break for it right then and there! I ran outside and tore off the screen, all the while the poor bird was slamming into the window over and over. I ran back inside and closed the blinds so he was trapped behind them and unlocked the window. By this time he was sitting on the window seal and it couldn't have been more perfect. I slide the window open only a few inches and he was FREE!

Josh comes out, bleary eyed and blinking from entering the bright light after being in Joseph's dark room and I was bursting with pride in my accomplishment. I got to tell the story, play by play, how I went from confusion to fear to victor! Josh was like "...just now...? That happened just now while I was down the hall?" I told him that "Pshhh, it was no biggie...I mean, you were busy and all so I just went ahead and took care of it." My heart was still beating a little faster than normal.

Of course, I got my eye on that wreath. It's still there and I have no intention to take it down yet, but I sure don't appreciate the thanks I get for giving my little feathered friends a roost to chill out on. For the next few days, I sure did open the door slowly and sometimes gave it an extra hard shake to make sure I didn't get it in the face again like before.

A few days later a neighbor came knocking. She had a bird in her hands and said she needed help. Of course. Of course the time would come that I'd have to touch one and face my fear. Now was the time apparently. This bird was found hanging from her patio with string caught around both feet, so I guess when he tried to land the string hooked right on and he couldn't fly off. On one foot it was really tangled and seemed to be pulling back his "thumb" pretty badly. I grabbed my scissors and while she held him tight I started snipping...only having to touch his feet occasionally. I got most of the job done just holding on to the string. It's not like I have a true, rational fear of these little guys...I can only say that I just don't have the experience to make me desensitized to the "wild nature" of it all. Haven't I done enough?! Why am I suddenly the bird whisperer?!

Oh and how about this....we're just now getting around to capping the chimney from when this happened last time, and the guy that came out to give us an estimate said that they are probably black-chimney-swallows (or something like that, I can't remember exactly) and that they are protected by law when they nest in your chimney!! Ha! Doesn't that figure?! You can cap it while they're out and about, you just can't trap or kill them. I guess all I'll have to do is open the back door and they'll fly in the house, then the workmen can hurry up and cap the chimney. Or better yet, I can go stand in the back yard with my arms wide open in an embrace with the sky and I'm sure they'll come in flocks to land on me.

Hopefully this will be the last bird story I get to tell for awhile. Hopefully. Wish me luck.

To blog or not to blog...that is the question. I have been so blase about blogging. I can't let it go now! Not after all these years! I think part of it is the heat of the summer making me crazy. It's SO HOT! I went to the pool today with Kristen and Ethan and it was the worst pool experience ever. I can honestly say the walk to the pool, in 100 degree heat mind you, was better than the "bath" they call a pool. It was just plain nasty in there and I was kinda worried about Joseph being in the heat...since the pool wasn't cooling anyone off. I think the other part of my blase-ness has to do with my 18 month old making me crazy. He is full on ninety miles an hour, either manic or screaming - no in between - and to say he is keeping me on my toes is saying it nicely. He is the biggest character and so full of life. There is definitely a lesson there to 'not sweat the small stuff' and enjoy life like an 18 month old. Such a sweet baby.


We've been watching our budding marigolds in the backyard. They are bright and beautiful and fast becoming some of my favorite flowers. I got these from my sister and always think of her when I look at them. Maybe too, they remind me of our childhood kitchen wallpaper that rocked the 60's like none other. I still have dreams about that orange, yellow and green wallpaper.


O'Neill came to visit one weekend. We got to sit and talk all about her upcoming wedding, but once the computer was busted out to look at the inspiration pictures she had filed away - Josh took immediate action. He thought I looked umcomfortable and needed a few pillows thrown my way. Notice how Shannon doesn't even miss a beat and seems to be pushing forward telling me about her gorgeous invitations. P.S. The venue where she is having her wedding has peacocks!!


Joseph got a new chair that he LOVES! He likes to push it around and sit in all different places around the kitchen and living room and backyard. To see his face pleased as punch with that little chair makes my day.


We also said goodbye to Josh's mom. She left for Georgia to start a new phase in her life. We hope she'll be back soon, but in the mean time her mom and sister will take good care of her! Josh got to help load up the moving truck in the heat of the summer and from her second floor apartment. Let me tell ya, it was loads of fun. ;) While daddy was helping move, Joseph found her hat and since the kitchen was all packed up he had a ball opening the cabinets and playing with the dishwasher.


With Edie moving away, we got to have her piano! Bittersweet, I know. I've always wanted one but we weren't sure about space. We couldn't pass up this opportunity though so we made it fit! I'd like to take lessons again, but I'm afraid I'm setting myself up for failure. I've never been good at reading music so now as an adult I know it will be even harder. Hopefully Joseph will be receptive to lessons someday. That would be so cool!


I'll leave you with Josh's rendering of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. AKA a big green smiley face with a red bandanna. I love that guy...getting out there with his baby and chalking in the summer. He is the best daddy I know. So good that for Father's Day I made him french toast and mowed the lawn for him so he could fulfill his wish to "do nothing!" I love him more than words but next year, Father's Day or not, HE'S mowing the lawn. That sucked. ;) We finished the day with a dip in the pool and steak on the grill.

I know it must be a busy Summer for you too because I see that everyone is slacking on the blogging! Hope you are doing great though, and stay cool friends!

I borrowed these pictures from Tammy's blog...thanks! We met them at the park today and had such a nice time. This was Heights Park in Richardson and it had been newly remodeled and was awesome! Definitely try it sometime! But don't tell your sister in law, whom you are meeting, directions to the wrong park. Because then you each drive back and forth from park to park trying to find each other...and cross paths but don't know...finally settling on this one because you've given up...even though it ends up being the same one your both at. Oh and don't forget your cell phone because that just really messes things up. Purely hypothetical, of course.

We even bumped into Superman while we were there! Cayden's cape caused a whole gathering of super heroes once the other kids saw it and I saw him and Spiderman shooting webs quite a bit. Now let me tell you, I have never seen a park like this. It had a super cool three story playground with massive twisting slides. Joseph loved those slides and consequently we rode them A LOT. But it was worth every minute of climbing up those ladders, over and over and over...cause I liked it A LOT too. ;)

Joseph loves hugging Cousin Connor nowadays. Connor told Tammy the other day "I wish Joseph was my brother." Now we adults all know better than that, but wasn't that sweet?!

Here he comes twisting down the slide! You should have seen him with his matching hat on, which he actually liked - but the wind kept blowing it off. It was cute!

I can't wait to go back to this park. This was the same one that we met some other friends at early this winter and it was a busted-up, crazy, whacked out park from the 60's. With...*UGH*...gravel. Now it's got trusty ol wood chips. I think I still have a couple pieces of gravel in my knees from 3rd grade. Thank goodness our children of this day and age don't have to deal with that. ;)

Lookie what we learned how to do all by ourselves! The bare feet help...but he is turning into such a climber! We have a fun Summer ahead of us!

Introducing the new handmade kitchen valance! And I didn't even have to use a glue gun! Ha.

This has been months in the making. I bought extra material when we had the fire place hearth cushion made so it would all match. The green material along the bottom is also supposed to be some throw pillows for the couches...but that is the next project. One at a time.

I had a great time making this. I really enjoy sewing! I went to a girls night scrap booking session and at the last minute decided to take my sewing machine and make this instead. A couple hours of uninterrupted sewing was all I knew it would be!

I went all out and sewed in cording too. It was quite the adventure with only minimal stitch ripping. Ha! It got pretty tricky at the edge though and although I didn't bust out the glue gun, I did make good use of some scotch tape. I had no idea how to attempt cording but that was part of the fun. It was like a little mini engineering project! (for someone who didn't know exactly what she was doing, that is)

So I wrapped the cord around the edge and sewed it in place but then...

...it wasn't quite long enough so it started to fray. That's where the tape comes into play. I certainly learned a thing or two. Like that you have to sew the hem along the sides first before the top and bottom...otherwise the rod pocket area can't be hemmed. Oops.

Overall I am happy with it. If I could change it I would have made it longer but the engineer in me didn't take the depth of the rod into account. But on the plus side, I have gotten a lot better at sewing a straight line. It's pretty fun bonding with my little machine. And it's even more fun to know I made it!