If you don't love it, don't own it...

So, as I'm taking a small break from cleaning up the house (which mostly includes tidying & picking up with a fair amount of cheerleading for my children.  You guys remember that cheerleader in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, right?  That's me.  RIGHT?  AM I RIGHT?  I get shrill.  Sue me.)

Either way, reflection for 2012 invariably comes with hope for 2013.  While I will be the first to admit that 2012 was a banner year at Chez Hez, I will also admit that there are certain things I would like to improve upon and that one namely being my home and the role I play in it.  I have a small, lovely home that is sat on two city blocks with oodles of potential if you don't count that whole carpet in the kitchen thing. 

Oy vey.

Either way, it combines a lot of what I love already about having a home.  There are great bones with tall ceilings, imperfect hardwood and little built ins all around.  What's not to love?  Well, for starters there are things inside my house that I pass by on a daily basis where I'm going 'Remind me again why I have that here...." 

Dig on what I'm saying here?

The same goes for the outside.  But, as it's almost January in Iowa, I will worry about that during the spring/summer months.  I want a hedge of Lavender but again, that's left for another time. 

I think most of the time I don't know where to start, which I've admitted before is an issue for me.  I don't have a 'vision' because while it's a house it's also a home but again, on that same vein, it's my Haven from the world outside. 

I want it to feel like that. 

When I walk in that back door, I want to feel like 'Oh thank GOD, I'm home.'  Ya know?

Because if my laundry room looked like this, pretty sure I'd crap eggrolls: (this picture is courtesy of the website iheartorganizing - check it out for helpful hints!)

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Or when I walk into the kitchen, I'd love to see this cute space:

Or this for the bedroom:

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See?  Simple, right?

Okay, how do I incorporate children into this mix?  I love my children, god knows I do, but they seem to want to have need for their space and things but oy vey it's like all their stuffs voms all over the house.

I think I've complained about this several times before and if I stumble upon the end all be all cure all, I will deffo let you know.

But for now let me just say that this year's theme/motto is:  Don't own it if you don't love it. 

You don't realize how hard this might be for me as I love shoes, clothes, books and musics.  Wish me luck!

Also, Happy 2013 all around!

*SMISHES*

The Fingerprints on my Kitchen wall...

I've been trying to figure out how to talk about this rationally and I can't.

Because there is no rationale to this.  

There are children that lost their lives.

There are adults that stood in the way and bald-faced lied to a madman.

My heart aches.

It hurts.

I've read their names. 

I've cried along with a nation full of people who are trying to make sense out of the senseless.

I put up a Christmas tree today with my girls.  Bended branches this way and that, putting lights on, and candy canes.  My heart really wasn't it, but I cherished my times with my girls and my Jude's incessant babble and her bitty ways of being not a toddler but not a big kid. 

Tonight, there's a memorial service.  Our President addressed the family members who have lost loved ones. 

I walked out to the laundry room to swap out the loads of clothes and as I passed through the kitchen, I, once again, noticed the smudgy fingerprints that are all along where the table butts up against the wall. 

Fingerprints everywhere.

Smudges of peanut butter toast and of dirty fingers that have picked up gravel rocks on the way home from school because they're part of her 'collection'. 

I touched my hand to them and thought of the parents in Connecticut.  How they would stretch their own hands against their walls.  How they would relish that lingering every day memory of where their child had been. 

And the thing of it is, it's not fair.

None of this is one bit fair.

I'm angry and hurt for these men and women. 

One life lost causes a ripple effect.  You have no idea how many lives these children, these adults touched.  How many children they taught before.  How many have passed through those halls before.  How many lives are affected by one person....

....it's like throwing a boulder in a pond.  

And in the days to come I don't want the memories of these children and adults to become this trite bit of policy that will be bandied about.  Because once upon a time they were flesh and blood.  They weren't a news story. 

They were here.

They laughed.  They cried.  They scrapped their knees.  They got the chicken pox.  They got the flu at three a.m.  They got sent to their room.  They got stood in the corner.  They had birthday cakes.  They had wishes and dreams.   

They weren't doing anything but going along with their lives and doing what they were doing and they shouldn't have to had to die for it.


I'm mad as hell about that part. 

I'm trying to wrap my head around a way to make that part better. 

I pray. 

I think aloud with my husband and we both agree that it's just a sad, sad situation. 

And I just wonder what one person can do to make it better? 

When do we just settle on kindness as a way of life instead of it being a 'random act'? 

Do we have that all year around?  Is that naive?

I do realize that grief is a driving force for change.  It moves mountains. 

So does faith. 

So does hope. 

And today, yet, still....I have so much hope. 

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus....

Once up on a time eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun newspaper. 

Her letter looked like this:

DEAR EDITOR: 

I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.

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In response an unsigned editorial was published in response to Virginia: 

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

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This was printed on September 21st of 1897.  

This reply to Virginia is no less relevant over 100 years later.  

While I teach my children practical skills every day (cooking, cleaning, responsibility), I also hope that I teach them to dream and to look beyond what you cannot see.  

Just because someone carries a bible, doesn't mean they have Faith.  Faith is something you can't touch or put your hand on.  It just exists inside you.  

An act of kindness may get caught on tape and go viral on youtube, but it existed inside the heart of a man or woman who reached out to a fellow human being.  You can't touch or hold the feelings in another person's heart.  

Joy isn't touchable and yet you can see it on another person's face.  

Dreams can't be downloaded from our brain onto a USB to be saved for another day to be rewatched again and again like a Happy Days rerun.  They're a time-lapsed short that flashes behind our eyelids just moments before we awake.  And some of us chase those dreams - those flashes - a whole life long (or in turn run screaming from them).    

I hope that no matter how old my children get, that they start to or begin to appreciate all of the things you can't hold or touch.  

To me, they matter more.  

And....

...just because they can't see Santa Claus, doesn't mean he doesn't exist. 

Because, he does. 

Because, we believe.

Hi, I'm Heather....I'm a writer...

So.

Today I did something scary.

I know that a lot of you probably know this but I'll just put it out there for those of you that don't:  I didn't go to college.

I mean, obviously I didn't.  I can't place a comma any better than a kid learning to place shoes around the stake in horseshoes his first day out.  I have no freaking idea what a dangling participle is (other than it sounds slightly suggestive *waggles eyebrows*). 

And if we're being completely honest, it's always been a little bit intimidating to me.

Smart, educated people intimidate the living dogcrap outta me.

But that's my neuroses and not anything any one single person has said or done.  Or at least I don't think they have. 

Either way, I looked into take a continuing education class through the University today in Creative Writing.

It's online, thankfully. 

Why do I say thankfully you might ask...  Well, you know those cute kids in hipster pants that faff about the campus.  Well, yeah, they attend classes now and again and these little buggers have fresh minds and spirits.

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Not that my spirit is dampened in any way, shape, or form.

No, that's it.  While they may have their own demons and hells, not all of them have lived the life I have, not all of them have the chip on their shoulder that I do (I'm self-aware enough to know it's there, thank you very much), and they're young. 

They're tiny, they're lovely in their youth and their unencumbered view of life just yet.  They have yet to understand their potential.  They have yet to understand how their spirits can be crushed by life only to rise above their trials or finally succumb to their dread. 

Me?  I'm just the chick in the back who is worried that her eight-year-old might not grasp the idea of reading and processing her thoughts.  Or that her five-year-old might finally get her shizz together literally and get over that final hurdle with getting to the potty on time.  Or that her teenager is such a teen.  Or that her step-daughter is so lovely and she's so proud.  Or that her hubby is out trapping and that he should be careful.  And do we have enough for this and that.  Or do we take enough time with the short people in our lives. 

....that's a two minute span of my thought process.  Exhausting isn't it? 

And I'm scared to death of doing something really really good for myself.

Ridiculous, isn't it? 

I'm not meant to be selfish.  It's not who I am.  I don't operate that way.  I also get a ginormous panic attack when I think about doing something I've never ever done before.  I'm good at playing it off like it's no big deal.  Or if you really really know me....you already know what a big deal it really is. 

I'm not afraid of homework or hard work.  I'm not afraid of learning. 

I'm afraid of taking that step towards the beginnings of a dream of mine.

We all have 'em, don't we?  Whether they be small enough like learning how to make the best cinnamon rolls in the world (another goal of mine) to getting a degree or going to the Writer's Workshop at the University (one of the most highly touted in the States). 

I don't have to hand you a bill of sale of what it would be like for me to be surrounded by people who write.  I'm already there.  I work there.  I watch amazing people save lives and teach on a daily basis.  They inspire me to be a little bit more than I was than the day before. 

And my short folks.  They inspire me, too. 

And every person who has ever said, I love the way you write.  Or has said you should write a book.  Or that I have a gift. 

(For the record:  When you people say that, I get a little thrill.  Just for the record.)

So, I'm going to do this little class.  I'm going to give it a whirl and see where it takes me. 

It's a beginning. 

And after all, it's time. 

Find your own zen, baby

There are rare days when I cut myself some slack and do absolutely nothing.

Why?

Because I'm doing stuff all the time.  I'm always mom, or Heather, or Mrs. Fleming, or Ma'am, or can you help me find Elevator A because I'm wearing a badge that labels me as an employee of the U of I Hospital and I should at least know where elevator A is, right?

So, there's that you see.

And there's a mind full of things that I have going on every day.

IE:

1.  What should I wear?
2.  God, grab some yogurt and gummies for lunch from the fridge.
3.  Do the kids have clean underwear?
4.  Where the hell is Jude's left shoe?
5.  Did I get that submitted on time for this payment to go through at work for this or that project for Dr. So and So?
6.  Shit.  The kids need lunch money.  Double shit.  I forgot again.
7.  Cute shoes.  Although they don't really go with that....Who the hell am I fooling?  I'm 39 and definitely not Tim Gunn.  But, still, I like those shoes.
8.  This is my jam.
9.  This song blows.
10.  Coffee is always a good idea.
11.  So is Paris I've heard.
12.  Drinking more water = better skin, right?  When does this friggin rule kick in?  Adult acne is so not on.
13.  Do I have enough time to knit this, this and this before the hols without driving myself bugnuts?
14.  Was that a deer or a massive mailbox?
15.  Awwww, cute holiday decorations.
16.  Dude.  You're going bald.  Accept it.

Okay, these are things that go through my mind all before noon.

So, as you can see for yourself, my mind is a terribly busy place at any one given time during the day.  This, in a word, can be exhausting.

Today, I declared it a snow day (sans snow here in Iowa but I'm sure it's snowing somewhere, right?).  I've done nothing but drink coffee, listen to music, watch youtube vids, read, attempt to nap, snuggle with my girls for a wee bit, played Bubble Blitz on Facebook, and even a round or two of Song Pop.  And Gossiped on Twitter.  Stalking folks on Twitter is one of my fave pastimes.  Not a word of a lie.  I'm nosey by nature.  

I used to feel guilty for days like this but today I'm embracing it.  Why?  Because I need it.  And that's okay.  I'm not meant to be the queen mum of Pinterest.  I'm accepting that slowly too.  I will never be one of those gals with a perfect house.  I'd love to have it.  I'd love to think that my home could look like that but I just don't have the energy and I'm worn out before I even try.

But what I do have is a home.  I have a place to lie down and snuggle with girls.  Where we can laugh over silly dance videos.  Or I can prop my head under my pillow, wadding it up, so I can talk to The Boy before he heads off to work.  I have a dog warming my feet.  I have a guy who leans around our bedroom door to tell me the worst jokes in the world and I pretend to frown but laugh as he walks away.  I get a text message from the girl who cuts my hair and is my middle's fave person in the world and who let me play Mom for the first time ever.

And there are no marble hallways or stained glass sunbursts here in my home but there are plenty of blessings.

And tonight when I lay my head down on that pillow, I'm going to count those instead of sheep.  

A story to share, a story to tell...

A very good friend of mine linked me to this article this morning.  It's stories of unassuming items that are in our lives; potatoes, quilts, knives, a chair.  Behind those every day items are stories of love and memory. 

And I thought: I, too, have a story like this.

Although, to be honest, it's not my story per se, it's my husbands. 

But as I was there to witness a good portion of it, I will tell it the best way I know how (ie. in my own words). 

The Armoire

It's not even really about the armoire but more about what it carried for several years unknown to anyone except the original owner. 

Like anyone who has to divvy up an estate after a loved one passes, I can't even imagine what it was like for my husband and his brother as they went through their mother's things after Judy left this world.  In the years to come, I would get to know my mother-in-law through neighbors and friends, my husband, and his brother.  My children's grandmother cast a long shadow of love and laughter wherever she went, it would seem.  And in the town she had once lived in for many years, well, this place was no exception.

We moved to my hubby's hometown right around 2000 and settled into our rental home.  We had no jobs, a little money, and an almost two year old.  Looking back all I can think of was just how very insane it all was and that we must've had an angel looking out for us. 

Either way, we moved into that house and into our bedroom went the armoire.  Kenny had gotten it in a coin toss when he and his brother were dividing up their mother's belongings.  Simple yet effective, Kenny won the toss and proceeded to move this piece of furniture everywhere with him for several years.  I think we counted one time and it had been moved at least a dozen times if not more over the years. 

We moved again into the house we are now paying a mortgage on and moved that large piece of furniture up into our master bedroom.  And one day, I pulled out all of the drawers in the top portion to clean out the dust bunnies.  I might've been nesting at the time, but I'm not sure.  Either way, something made a clink-clink-clink and I peered into the back of the wardrobe.  There, sitting in a dark corner, was a ring.  Pulling it out, I slid it onto my index finger and got a good look at it.  It was a class ring proudly touting 'The Class of '84'. 

It was Kenny's class ring. 

Walking down the stairs, I rounded the corner into the living room.  I vaguely remember the conversation we had and he thought it was lost many years ago to an old girlfriend. 

Instead, some time in all of those years, his Mom must've gotten the ring somehow and tucked into the armoire. 

When I open up my jewelry box and see our class rings tucked in together in a tiny white jewelers box, I smile.  It's an amazingly simple story of a piece of furniture and a ring. 

And the woman who owned it once upon a time.
 

Dear Santa....

Tonight, while recovering from a nap and an overdose of sodium by eating Ramen noodles with the girls for the supper, Sadie props her chin on her hand and says to me (as only this innately curious Aquarian can do):  'Mom, if you were still a kid, what would you want for Christmas?'


Which got me thinking as only that Middle child of mine can do.  (I've often said she is the child of my heart and this is no exaggeration)  This year, I'm trying to follow this creed for the children's holiday:

That's right.  We're trying out four gifts this year: Want, need, wear, and read.  (and I'm thinking of putting together a 'Chirstmas Eve Emergency' bag which will include jammies, slippers, and a toothbrush)

So, in the spirit of keeping Christmas about the kids and being more childlike during the holidays because nostalgia reigns supreme during the holidays, here, without any ado, is what I want for Christmas:

Dear Santa,

I've been sorta good this year and all that bad stuff we can over look, yeah?  You're a forgiving sort so I'm hoping I can slide down into the Nice list if I promise to clean my plate and actually eat my peas instead of feeding them to the dog, right?  We're good then?  Cool.

Okay, here's what I'd love for Christmas this year (in no particular order):

1.  This necklace.  It's cute, right?

2.  Hello Kitty stickers.  I love 'em and everyone has some and I'm not sure I'll get any if I don't ask.

3.  Lisa Frank folders.  All the cool girls in study hall have 'em, okay?

4.  Red skinny jeans.  Oh wait, I have those.  Purple skinny jeans?

5.  New hot pads.  My old ones are getting old and while I'm thinking about the kitchen, I could use some new tea towels, too. 

6.  New earmuffs.  This new 'do of mine is leaving my eyes shockingly naked and chilled.

7.  A hardcopy of this book.  I can't say how it changed my life by reading it. 

8.  And last but certainly not least, these earrings.  I love 'em a lot. 

So, thanks for hanging around and reading my list.  Say Hi to Mrs. Claus and Rudolph for me!  And Donner, too.  He's super cool.  I'll leave out some cookies and milk for y'all and travel safe, big guy.

Love,

Hez

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

Morning, all! 

Just sitting here enjoying my first cup of coffee for the day and pondering the meaning of life (no, not really). 

But, I thought y'all might enjoy a status update on how the Project 333 is going. 

Well, here it is:  It's going WONDERFULLY.

Every morning this past week, we've gotten out of bed with minimal fuss and Jude has dressed herself every single morning (thanks to picking out and setting out clothes the night before) with a little coaxing from her momma. 

It's almost relaxing to get up in the morning and have everything put together already and just jump in and go essentially. 

I did splurge on a new pair of grey shoes for work yesterday and a pair of pants from H&M that I'm absolutely in love with but like they suggest, I've adopted the 'one in and one out' rule and purged my wardrobe of a couple of items. 

In other news:

1.  Jude's got a fever and a cough.  We were supposed to do family/kiddo photos today with a friend and I think that's going to be out.  Jude's little cheeks are bright, rosy red and she's feeling pretty icky.  Bless her heart.  Nothing worse than a sick kiddo.

2.  Knitting, knitting, knitting!  I've got one of Jude's slippers done and started a cowl/neck warmer thing with the yarn from Gnome Acres.  I've literally found the easiest knitting pattern - it's a honeycomb pattern and it's gorgeous!  Santa is a busy gal. ;)

3.  Who's ready for turkey day?  Yeah, me neither.  Thankfully (HA! See what I did there?) Kenny bought a turkey the other day and we've already got two boxes of Stove Top (what?  My family are stuffing purists - nothing but the finest box product for this lot) and I'm gonna snag the rest of the ingredients/makings tomorrow or yet today.

4.  Hit up Costco yesterday with my step-daughter and Mother-in-law.  WOW OVERWHELMING!  But I did stock up on some necessities pretty cheaply.  And got to sit down for a nice lunch with the Fleming gals, which is always an occasion.  We're a pretty bawdy lot.

5.  My guy has been getting up at the butt crack of dawn to go trapping and I think he's really enjoying his time off.  It always reminds me of Pa Ingalls.  Don't ask.  I married Pa.  LOL  Although, if he shot a bear, I'm pretty sure I'd crap eggrolls. 

6.  Thanks to the Project 333 my laundry sitch is so much better!!!!  Although, I think Imma wait to do any painting/more purging until after the holidays.  It always seems like it's a sprint to get things done (or at least all that I wanna do) and I'm trying to be super realistic about my time this year, but there are a few projects (besides knitting) that I wanna get done that include a set of tea towels and making brownies with apple pie schnapps gift baskets for friends and neighbors.  In addition to making single serving soups for my grandpa (which is an EXCELLENT idea for elderly relatives/neighbors/friends) and I thought I might include a few loaves of homemade bread this year, too.  The girls love helping with this stuff and I love the idea of showing them that making things for people we love is where it's at!  Who wouldn't love these gorgeous french tea towels ? (I might have to make myself a set, too.  LOL

7.  You'll be relieved to know that I did indeed buy One Direction's new album and have been loving on it for a few days.  I knew you guys were concerned about that.

8.  My fave tweet of the week:

Hey cute couple I saw on the way home, thanks for supporting Gryffindor & Dumbledore's Army.You made me smile liek whoa.Love, Hez
— Heather (@prplhez8) November 14, 2012

Represent, HP fans.  Love 'em.

Keep it safe and keep it real, pals. 

Currently...

I'm lovingly pilfering today's format from the adorable Sarah at anonymous was a woman.  Check out her blog.  It's a wonderful place.  It's almost like stepping into a sigh.  I know that doesn't make any sense but when you start reading it, you just breathe out all the tension you've had all day.  It's worth a looksee in my opinion. 

Okay, here we go:

Watching:  I'm still enthralled with Once Upon a Time on ABC.  There is nothing that I probably enjoy more as an adult than my favorite fairy tale characters come to life in front of my very own eyes.  Also, princesses kicking ass?  Yes, please.  Small fact:  Ginnifer Goodwin's Mary Margaret/Snow White is who inspired my new 'do. (Another fact?  The writers for this show were on another one of my all-time fave shows, Lost)

Movie-wise, I spent last weekend watching Masterpiece Classic's version of Emma and Persuasion.  I love love looooooooove period costume dramas and none more than anything Jane Austen.  And Johnny Lee Miller's version of Mr. Knightly is just swoon-worthy.

Eating:  Right now?  A oatmeal butterscotch chip cookie from the Java House downstairs.  I love love loooooooooooooooooooove these cookies.   Anyone who gives monster-sized cookies for the holidays?  You're brilliant.  And remember where I live, please.  :)

Reading:  I'm still working on You Can Buy Happiness but I also have my copy of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe in my purse.  There can never be too much magic in a girl's life, methinks.

Listening to:  Honestly?  Take Me Home by One Direction.  Like you guys were expecting something different?

Thinking About:  Culling out the things in my china hutch in the dining room and selling it.  We have an awesome built-in china hutch in our kitchen that I adore.  The one in the dining room is a hulking piece of furniture that doesn't really fit us per se and is really just giving us an excuse to keep more crap.  I dunno.  We'll see how it goes.  :)


Looking Forward to:  Two days off next week.  I'm going to love hanging out in my jammies with the kiddos and the hubby.  The boy already lobbied for me to make the Pioneer Woman's famous apple dumplings and a friend of mine on facebook posted a cranberry salad recipe that Sadie and I can't wait to whip up.  And on Friday there will be lounging and maybe a game of Uno or three.

Making Me Happy: 

Project 333 (or wherein I regain control of my home)....

...(or at least get a better grip on my sanity)

So, here's the deal:  Y'all have heard me complaining/lamenting/shaking my fists at the sky about all of the laundry that I'm usually snowed in under 24/7, right?  I do the laundry on the weekends or late in the evening as it's more cost-effective to do so, but I feel like I never make any headway. 

Alright.

Last night I purchased Tammy Strobel's book You Can Buy Happiness(and it's Cheap) book.  In instantly fell in love with Tammy's message and while I'm still reading (aka savoring) it, she also introduced her readers to the 333 Project.  The idea is that you pare down your wardrobe to 33 items.  This doesn't include pajamas/loungewear/workout gear.  I failed in the shoe department but have managed to pare down my clothing to 33 items so far.  It is a daunting task.  I'm not going to lie and say it's pretty, but it's an honest task.  I don't know how else to describe it.

I packed my summer items away at the top of our wardrobe (hello, Heather, this could've been done WEEKS ago) including sandals and summertime footwear and dug in.  While I should've taken before pictures so you could fully see the impact, I will say that I filled up one tote to 'put away' for now and then happily filled a big garbage bag for Goodwill. 

All of the photos are on my instagram feed here as instagram is being a booger and not letting me download them, etc.

In addition to doing this myself, I corralled the girls into it, too.  Not only did we go through their drawers, we went through next summer's clothes that I was getting ready to put back up into the attic in totes.  I'll be after their shoes this afternoon (I honestly think that children should have three pairs of shoes:  Dress shoes, tennies, and a pair of boots for winter).  I definitely failed in the shoe department.  I have a shoe fetish and it's horrible.  Jackets, too. 

But, I'll put my totes full of clothes away for three months and see where I'm at when it's all done.  It's hard to think about things like color schemes and also dressing for the holidays.  I was also surprised to note that I've literally got two pairs of jeans that actually fit me.  I kept four, to be honest about it because I just can't part with some but I usually only wear the one pair because I like how they look.

I couldn't give up my beloved Sperry's either. 

*headdesk*

This will get easier, I know, and to be honest about your clothing and to pick out what fits, what feels good, what makes ME feel good wearing it, is an experience in and of itself.

But I will keep you posted about how this truly goes and whether I can live with it or not. 

I'll be honest and say I'm a little nervous but I think I can do it.  :nods:

Onto toys next maybe.  I'd also love to do the kitchen as I've got 42 Corningware casserole dishes that I've used maybe once in ten years (this is a slight exaggeration...only slight, mind you). 

So, in celebration, I'm reading while the washer is swishing away and enjoying a day full of rainy day activities before it's back to the work week ahead.

Enjoy your week!

Saturday Nite Fever....

This week I've been settling back in and today was a much needed day weather-wise.  We topped out at over 70 degrees this afternoon and I cleaned out/cleaned up our little shed and put away sandbox toys and whatnot.  While there is a box in our shed that needs to go to the county dump (and more than forty dollars worth of cans and bottles - not wine, I know what you're thinking - in there, too), I'm quite sure it can/could wait until Spring.  Either way, it's one thing I've crossed off of my mental check list of 'Things to Do'. 

In other news:

- I stopped by Hobby Lobby on Friday nite and purchased some yarn and felt.  I'm starting to knit bubble slippers for my girls.  I got purple along with a purple that has some tinsel/sparkles in it.  They'll be super cute if I can get them done in time.

-  The felt you ask?  We made these this afternoon:

Yup.  Felt cupcakes.  The girls had a great time with them!  I had gotten a bunch of felt (at 4 sheets for a buck, I felt more'n comfy enough to splurge on some of the cuter, more expensive (two for a buck) sheets of felt, too) and this cute idea off of pinterest.  I'm thinking we'll be adding more stuffs to their felt 'bags' for projects.  Sadie kept turning hers around making houses and etc out of hers.  Definitely giving this momma idears. 

- In other fun news, I ordered some Polyjuice Potion and Fawkes the Phoenix yarn from Gnome Acres this week.  I'm so excited to get my greedy little hands on that yarn.  I swear, if I could buy every single bit of it, I would.  All of her 'Harry Potter' line of yarns is so gorgeous and aptly reminiscent of the characters they're named after.  It's like a bitty yarn shoppe after my own heart.  Seriously.

- Watched Masterpiece's Emma last night...again.  When in doubt, turn to Austen (Jane Austen, that is).  There is something wholly comforting about watching those shows for me.  I can't explain it other than, when I'm knitting and it's quiet and I've got my earbuds in listening to Romola Garai and Johnny Lee Miller talk - "If I loved you less, I could talk about it more" - it's magic to my ears/eyes.

- I'm afraid to take the damn leap.  :sigh: I know - sort of - what I want our bathroom to look like.  But my laundry room has reached overflowing proportions again and there's so much to do that's like way more up there instead of painting.  I really waaaaaaaaaant to do it though.  It's just one of those projects where I KNOW I'm going to have two really enthusiastic little helpers and it's a SMALL BATHROOM.  But if I wait until they go to bed, I'll never get it done.  And if I do it while they're awake, I'll end up screaming. AHHHHH Catch-22.  Any ideas, guys? HELP

- Also recommended read:  Diary of a Mad Fat Girl by Stephanie McAfee.  Okay, it doesn't strain your brain but it made me laugh my butt off and kept me awake until 11:45 on Thursday night.

What else?  I think that's all I got for tonight.

Are you guys stockpiling recipes for Thanksgiving yet?  We're at home this year (another thing to be thankful for - no running around - I can stay in my jammies alllllllllllll day) and am looking forward to maybe a breakfast recipe in the crock pot and then cooking all the side dishes (Kenny is always in charge of the turkey).

(Randomly:  I just did my Yogi Bear impression for Sadie.  I am now the funniest person she knows.  LOL)

So tell me about your week!  Gimme advice about my bathroom!  Tell me what you're reading!  Or tell me something I should know about you but don't.  

It's almost Friday YAYAYAYYAY

Sorry!

First and foremost let me say sorry for my inexcusable absence.  But in my defense, I had a root canal and a migraine and some wonky things going on with my head meds and.....yeah. 

So, today, I'm feeling a mite bit better (we shall call my condition:  Passable for human standards, shan't we?). 

Normally, per my schedule (I use the soft 'shhhhh' sound when I say this word in my head - it's like saying Ruhzuuuume for Resume - yes, I'm odd, but we already know this), today would be Thursday's Tunes.  So how 'bout it, kiddos?  Tunes?  Yes, have some. 

I've made up a playlist of sorts and lo and behold it is full of all sorts of 80's wonky musics that remind me of being 12, 13, etc. 

Who doesn't remember the Pet Shop Boys?  I just remember sitting by my tiny little red radio that my grandparents had gotten me for Christmas and tuning into whatever station was hip and cool back then (I think 102.9?  Maybe?  Correct me if I'm wrong), writing in my diary, and tapping my pen along to the beat. 

Sigh.  This one, too.  Howard Jones' No One is to Blame.  Freaking loved this song. 

Human by Human League.  I know you guys are going to think I have a thing for British Bands, etc, when in actuality, I DO.  It's been fully ingrained into my head that things in the UK must be infinitely cooler than in Iowa.  HAHHHAHA

Allow me my delusions will you please?

And lastly, but certainly not leastly:

Something About You by Level 42. 

Now, if these songs don't make you smile with nostalgia, I don't know what will.  Do y'all have songs that just make you think of being 14, angsty, lying on your bed and thinking about your crush and knowing if they only knew THE REAL YOU, that they'd love you just so very much and leave that gorgeous girlfriend of theirs for you?  No?  Rude.

Have a great Thursday, y'all. 

Tuesday.....

In lieu of my Video Blog this week (because, lets face it, me live and in your face every week is just a wee bit too much)(or I could be super honest and say today was not a very good hair day for Vlogging)(or I could be really honest and say my face is broke out, I'm tired, my hair is greazy, and you folks don't need to know me THAT WELL) I'm giving you this:

Source

Yuk it up, kiddos, this is my life.   I would love to say that the girls (my precious lovely angels) have never done this.  That would be an outright, bald-face lie.  So I won't say it.

I'll just be rocking in the corner with my bowl of green jell-o.  (who else sings along when they have to type out the word Jello?  Anyone?  No?  Just me?  Fine.  I see how you are)

If you need me I, like the true social butterfly that I am, will be playing Song Pop ... or Bubble Blitz ... or pinning everything in sight on Pinterest. 

Monday's Musings...

So, it's definitely Monday and in honor of the first day of the week, I shall do a listy list (trust me, it's better than me trying to convey what my day/weekend was like through interpretive dance):

1.  I broke down at bought this song off of itunes.  While I will admit that I am not a TSwift fan by any stretch of the imagination, I like it for some reason.  Who knows, right?

2.  I just got done going over History homework about Booker T. Washington with the boy.  I think while reading through excerpts from his book that I enjoyed his statement of 'Cast Down Your Bucket Where You Are...' [sic] is pretty damned profound and moving.  While I hate trying to interpret another author's words, I enjoy the simplicity and moving statements of being able to 'grow where you are planted' type of statements.  

3.  The weather today was something else.  Uh, Mother Nature let's not have it pissing down rain during my commute the rest of the week, kk?  That'd be amazeballs.  Thanks.  Luv, Hez

4.   This made me laugh (also, you're welcome):

Source

5.  I might try and break out the Little House on the Prairie books for Ms. Sadie again and see if we can give 'em a whirl.  They were some of my fave books as a kiddo and I'd love to be able to share them with ONE of my kids.  

6.  Had an amazing time at the winery yesterday with my step-daughter and some other gal pals and I'm reminded again that it's so fun/healthy to sit around and just laugh for the sake of laughing.  Also, cupcakes never hurt.  And neither does John Denver's Country Roads.  Just saying.  

Also, making new friends?  Lots of fun, too.  

7.  Is it Tuesday yet? No?  Guess I shouldn't ask about Friday neither then.  *sniff, sniff*

8.  Had a doctor's appointment this morning and got some things talked about that have been weighing on my mind and that, my friends, felt pretty good.  Will elaborate more about that at a later date. 

So, for right now, I'm gonna faff about on the 'Humor' tag on Pinterest and giggle at naughty humor ('cause I'm 12) and put the kiddos to bed and put this Monday in the record books.  

Hope y'all had a good one and here's to a Great Tuesday!  <3 br="br">

Week in Review....

Just a rundown of things at Chez Hez this week:

Monday brought my thoughts about Minimalism and how it might apply to our lives here in the Fleming household. 

Tuesday is all about Opinions ala Heather via my latest Vlog.  Hope you enjoy my crazy midwestern accent!

Wednesday (HUMP DAY YO) was about sharing things that I lurve at Chez Hez.  Linda Trent's jewelry on Etsy is full of the beautiful and whimsical.  Check her out.  You won't be sorry!

Featured on this week's Thursdays Tunes was the British Sensation Ed Sheeran.  Two words:  Love. Him.

Friday was all about Fashion inspiration's with names like Hepburn, Hepburn and Williams (although, after today I should add Kennedy-Onasis to it, too). 

Saturday's version of #instagramiowa was courtesy of Bunny Foo Foo in the Pediatrics department at work.

We're off and running for another week but tonight was a great evening filled with old friends and making some new ones at the local winery with my lovely step-daughter, Tara. 

Have a great week, my friends.  <3 br="br">

#instagramiowa

I was pretty horrible with the instagram this week in that I took ONE picture.  So, without further ado:

I had to run across the hospital yesterday and while waiting for an elevator, I spied this little guy.  I absolutely ADORE the artwork that is in the Children's/Pediatrics part of the hospital.  You can always tell when you're getting close as the artwork changes to the more whimsical and fanciful. 

When I used to work for Pediatrics, we were given the opportunity to tour the PICU and NICU.  I can still remember feeling very nervous about the whole thing.  Because as a Momma it's difficult to watch anyone's child going through what a lot of those kiddos were going through.  But, lemme tell you right now, that place rivals Disneyland in the happy department.  Their physicians and nurses are amazing and those kiddos are in a place that is ultimately for healing, but in addition to their health needs, there are so many other needs being met, too.  Fun being one of them. 

Some days I really really love my job and the place where I work. 

Fashion Friday....

Well, it's Friday, gang!!!

We've made it!! Hell to the yeah!!

Alright, I've been pouring through pinterest today to try and nail down some fashion icons that I absolutely adore.  I must admit that my icons - the people that I love and drool over - are from another time alltogether. 

And the three women I adore were from some of Hollywood's absolute golden days.  Their style all their own and uniquely them, I think it's their unapologetic nature that attracts me more than their simple and classic styles.  They were intelligent, athletic, beautiful and each one inspirational in their own right. 

First up:  Audrey Hepburn:

Audrey is the epitome of classic.  Everything highlighted her slim stature and regal stance.  She's the woman who coined the phrase "I believe in pink" and "the happiest girls are the prettiest girls".  Not only was she someone that I looked up to from a clothing standpoint, but also in life.  She was about simplicity. 

Next up:  Katharine Hepburn.

Oh, this lady, oh this lady!  With her tailored pants and button up shirts, she was wonderfully fashion forward to her time.  Wearing pants long before it was stylish to wear them, she eschewed skirts and conventional femininity for the sake of comfort. 

And please don't get me started on her attitude.  She's what I like to call a 'corker'. 

Lastly, Esther Williams:

I covet this woman's swimwear.  I had a framed photo of Esther in my room growing up and when AMC came along to our little town, I loved watching all of the old movies with Esther in them. 

So, there are just a few women who I think have wonderfully simple and classic style and taste.  The mavens of the 40's and 50's are where it's at for me evidently.

Who inspires you?

Thursday's Tunes....The Mister Ed Show

No, this isn't about a talking horse (or a mule.  If memory serves, there was a big stink about Ed being not a horse or summat).

Instead, I will be hopefully talking to you today about another British Import (Please see last Thursday's Tunes for Adele) that's become uber popular in the states:  Ed Sheeran.

If you've followed my personal facebook, you'll know what a big fan of his "Lego House" I am.

(The video features Harry Potter star Rupert Grint who plays a stalkerish fan that breaks into Ed's flat & tour bus only to be apprehended by the coppers at the end, passing by Ed)

Part of the reason why I enjoy listening to Ed, obviously, is his voice.  It's almost like really smooth whisky.  The other is his songwriting abilities.

Lego House includes lines like this:

I'm out of touch, I'm out of love
I'll pick you up when you get down
And out of all these things I've done I think I love you better now
I'm out of sight, I'm out of mind
I'll do it all for you in time
And out of all these things I've done I think I love you better now

Guh, right? Words that were meant to melt butter.  

I'm a big fan of imagery in writing as much as the next girl, but I can also appreciate a man putting words to music and keeping it so very honest and simple.  As Mr. John Keating says in Dead Poets Society that language, poetry, communication is meant to woo women. 

In this case, I'm not going to sit as a doubting Thomas.  Nor look a gift horse in the mouth.  

Another favorite of his is A-Team: 

This song is gut-wrenching but so wonderfully written. 

The worst things in life come free to us
And we're all under the upper hand
Go mad for a couple of grams
And we don't want to go outside tonight
And in a pipe we fly to the Motherland
Or sell love to another man
It's too cold outside
For angels to fly

Give Me Love probably stands as my favorite Ed song currently: 

Give a little time to me or burn this out,
We'll play hide and seek to turn this around,
All I want is the taste that your lips allow,
My, my, my, my, oh give me love,
Give a little time to me, or burn this out,
We'll play hide and seek to turn this around,
All I want is the taste that your lips allow,

Um, just all of the yes.  

If you're still not sold, here's Ed covering one of THE best love songs around, Chasing Cars (including Snow Patrol's singer (IRISH DUDE), Gary Lightbody): 

Or Oasis' Wonderwall (another personal fave): 

So, that's what going on in the world of Heather's Itunes (such as it is).  Who are you guys digging on right now? 

What I love Wednesday....

Okay friends and chickadees, we are back to What I love Wednesday....

This week I'm talking about Linda Trent Jewelry on Etsy.  I spied Linda's shop on Etsy earlier this year and absolutely fell in love with her jewelry/designs. 

For instance, I'm still coveting these cascading garnet berries earnings (which are on sale today, I just noticed!) along with lumens cascading glass earrings and don't even get me started on the purple rain cascading earrings.  Also, there is this amazing cascading seafoam necklace.  (does anyone sense a theme here?  No, me neither)

Her pieces all have a touch of whimsy and are enough to make any gal feel uber feminine. 

Give her a looksee today.  Do some window shopping or stock up now for that hard to get person on your Christmas list.  I might see if I can talk Kenny into springing for those garnet berry earrings.  They're gorgeous. 

And it's just occurred to me that some of you might not know what Etsy is.  Well, to put it plainly, it's an online shop where people can sell their homemade and handmade wares along with all things vintage.  It's not a glorified ebay by any stretch of the imagination (which makes me happy), but instead, folks who are honing the time honored traditions of knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, jewelry making, and etc. 

Cool, huh?

Go hit up that home page and stroll around and window shop for a bit while you're enjoying your morning break or evening tea.  They have some absolutely amazing things there.  Plus, you're supporting someone who is honing their craft and to me, that's priceless. 

Opinion Tuesday.....

My second vid blog!  Enjoy my take on Bernard Pebo, what I think of myself, the story of the mystery duck, and my fave curse word.  :)

Minimalist Monday....

I'm at home today with Ms. J who spent the night coughing and has her little sad sick face on.  So, we're on the couch today, snuggling, while she watches Nick Junior and I faff about on the internets. 

Normally, on a Monday, I'd share things that I love and today is no exception, but instead of disgruntled kittens or cute puppies, I'm going to share a blog that I've been following along and reading with: The Minimalist Mom. 

I think I've talked about her on here before but I thought with the holidays fast approaching, it's a great reminder for 'doing' instead of 'buying'. 

Plus, I've noticed lately that my weekends lately are being ate up with taking care of 'stuff' instead of the people that I love.  While laundry and keeping house are important, there is nothing more important than shaping the lives of those short folks in my life and recently I've been relegated to the Laundry Room with increasing frequency. 

In short:  I've been buying into the hype of MORE is BETTER.

When in reality, pals, MORE is just MORE. 

My daughter's rooms are taken over by clothes that they have no hope of ever being able to put away in some sort of order let alone their toyload. Holy buggering bajeezus. 

I'm setting those short folks up for failure before they even start. 

So, it's time to start reigning it in and reassessing what's important to them, to me. 

Who honestly needs 42 blankets for Baby Alive?  No one, that's who.

And I, as their mother, am probably the most guilty about adding to their load.  My nostalgia button gets pushed every single time when I see some adorable Strawberry Shortcake doll or Raggedy Ann and I add this to their load.  How am I supposed to teach them to take care of their things when their things are taking care of them instead? 

Their rooms are rarely played in because they're often too cluttered with a floor full of bits and bobs. 

It's too much. 

So, in short, I'm hoping to start slowly and pull back on the reigns and get this under to control.  We've recently swapped clothes for the season and both of my girls had laundry baskets overflowing with clothing for the next season when in reality they don't need that much.  Yes, the outfits are cute; yes, they all fit; but, do they NEED all of the above?  No.  No, they sure don't. 

Tonight will see me on the dining room floor surrounded by sweaters and jeans and sweatshirts, but we'll be going through these with a fine-tooth comb.  I'm going to wear my 'reality mom' hat and be unrelenting (well, not so much truthfully. I'd be a horrid ring-leader unless we were invading Starbucks). 

I'll keep you guys posted on my journey (little by little, yes?).  This didn't happen overnight and it'll take longer than that to get this under control but we've begun.  So, there's that.

Tell me what you think of the 'Minimalism' life.  Is it for you?  Do you feel overloaded with everything that's going on in your house?

P.S.  Later in the week, I'll post some links about a 'homemade holiday'.  Yes, it's all on our mind even if Halloween hasn't past yet.  But, there are some projects that we can all do together and still spend relatively little money and make memories in the process.  Look for this on Wednesday!

Sunday - The week in review....

So, here's what you missed at Chez Hez:

On Monday there was a picture of a disgruntled kitten, A boy band vid, a golden retriever puppy, and Red Forman's version of Dr. Suess.  It was epic, lemme tell ya.

Tuesday brought my very first Vlog!  It was a learning experience all around but I'm thinking it's going to be an ongoing thing.  'Cause obviously, people need to hear me being ridic live and in-person. 

Wednesday wasn't exactly about what I love as it was more of a State of the Union at Chez Hez (or how I'm going to go crazy sitting in the laundry room eating green jello while rocking back and forth hoping that it all ends soon enough)(or I get lucky and Dobby, the house-elf comes for a surprise visit). 

Thursday had me waxing lyrical (literally) about British Songstress, Adele. 

Friday was my version of Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy.  :chinhands:

My Aunt Helen's Dumpling recipe was the subject of Saturday's #instagramiowa.

And that very nicely rounds us out to Sunday.  Here we are, sports fans, at the end of another fun-filled week.

I'm still in the Laundry Room.  I doubt this will ever ever change but I'm getting used to my four walls now and they know me by name here.  Plus, they love my particular brand of crazy. 

So, I'm hoping you're having a great day and let's start this next week off with a bang (proverbial, not literal....don't want anyone to get their eyebrows singed.  We're nothing if not safe around here.  I hear you laughing. Shut it.)!!!

Saturday = #instagramiowa

Sorry so late in the evening for posting.   We had some surprise guests last nite in my nephew and my brother-in-law.  Had a lovely time by the fire with our full mason jars and laughed a lot.

It was a great time. 

So, in keeping with the 'family' theme, I'm going to post a picture of a recipe I found in a local centennial cookbook from my Aunt Helen. 

I love so much about these old books other than every woman in it over the age of twenty is listed as "Mrs. Such and So". 

I also come from a long line of good cooks.  Which reminds me, I should be off baking something or other. 

Review of the week is up tomorrow!  Until then, sweet dreams!!!

Friday.....

I'm hijacking Fashion Friday because I want to.  MWAAHHAAHA

Seriously, it's nothing too nefarious.  One of my work pals set this sheet of paper on my desk with a quote and I've been thinking on and wanted to share with all of you:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?  Actually who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."


I could break this down and suss it out and let you know what it means to me but honestly, I'm more curious about what this says to YOU.  Thoughts?

If nothing more, go out and think about this weekend and let your light shine on someone.  You never know how much they might desperately need it. 

Thursday's Tunes - The Adele Chronicles

I'm pretty sure you'd have to have been living under a rock to not have heard of Adele by this point, but for those of you who haven't heard, hold onto your seats.

Adele came rocking into the US with 'Rolling in the Deep' and everyone (and I do mean, everyone; yes, you, sir in the back row, I'm talking about you) loved it:

Her badass lyrics kind of took the nation by storm for not long after Someone Like You was released and hit the tops of the charts:

Her throwback style to some of Hollywood's classiest icons made us admire her not only for her gutsy hand-written lyrics but for her sheer and utter style.  She smokes, she drinks, she curses and she's unapologetically herself.

In other words, this chick is right up my stinkin alley. 

She covers songs like The Cure's Lovesong:

and Bob Dylan's (which was almost made new again by Country Legend Garth Brooks) Make You Feel My Love:

My favorite however is Turning Tables:

Every single time she gets to "So, I won't let you close enough to hurt me..." I get freaking goosebumps.  I don't know if it's the music build up or the emotion in her voice....but it gives me the good kind of chills every time. 

So, if for some reason you haven't been privy to this Brit import, give her a listen.  She's freaking awesome.