Blogger is freaking me out, it doesn't take much though.  The whole blogging thing has had me overwhelmed from the start.   All the changes..............WTH!?  I have had so many things I wanted to blog about but actually posting is a bit too much for me.  Why is it so hard for me to figure out?  Even when I worked hard on my posts they didn't always turn out the way I wanted.  So at this point I'm going to do it for me.  If the layout isn't right it's ok, if the pictures aren't perfect, too bad.  This is my blog, I started it for me and I will continue all future posts for me.  If anyone enjoys them then I am SO happy about that but if anyone thinks it's a amateur production that's ok too because it is.  I don't expect to make it to the big time or to have thousands of followers, but I do want to write and post what I want. It's not about making money for me, my husband does that, this about my enjoyment and my little simple life.

My Country 'Tis of Thee

Sweet Land of Liberty

Happy 4th!!!!!!!

A few of my Summer essentials

I have a few absolute essentials that I have to have every summer, just to survive. (dramatic much?) I am a pretty low maintenance chick so none of these are hard to get or expensive.

Here we go!

Slush puppie pops, it's hot and the kids need some thing cool, mom needs something cheap!

It's a late evening, we've went swimming, we've had supper and snacks, the natives are restless, these are a dollar and provide endless, harmless fun.


A stack of good books, either favorites that I've read before or new ones, they help me survive all those hours by the pool.

Sunscreen, with kids it a given..........duh but really I like a little color and yes I know it's not good for me so I get the strong stuff for the kiddos and I get spf 4 for me so I can get a little tan.


I live in the south so of course bug spray is a must.


Big floppy hat and huge sunglasses, that way when you get surprised by the meter man you can hide the ugly.

Cute cover ups, I have tons, some are just dresses that I use as cover ups for the same reason as above.

TONS of flip flops. I love these things and they're cheap. I have so many it's crazy but they go with everything and if they get wet big deal.

Large body of water. We live down the street from our awesome city pool but I can't take it so we put up our own. Our youngest would live in this thing if we let him. I get up early and get my chores down and spend the rest of the day out here with him.


Pool toys for the kids and me. I love laying on a float in the pool just chilling which is about 2 seconds and then someone splashes me.


Smart phone. My hubby had to make me get mine and I LOVE it. I love that I can sit outside or anywhere and check Facebook, my blog, email or anything, love it!!


I love Summer, I love being outside all day and these are a few of my gotta haves. Soon I'll post another Summer essentials post.

Mirror Makeover

We've been working on a makeover for the living room for a while now. I'm trying to acquire specific pieces of furniture and use what I have to fit the room that I envision. The mirror that was over the mantle was gold, I knew I wanted to change it or replace it but I couldn't find anything that I loved for an acceptable price so it got painted. I used some white wall paint from another project that I watered down for a sort of aged look. I love it and think it looks much better.


Before

After

Yard Sale Favorites

The Nester is having a linky party on yard sale finds, I don't usually join linky parties but this one I just couldn't miss.

There is a lot but honestly I didn't include a bunch of stuff that I really, really love. You may get bored half way through.

This year I found my ALL time favorite and best yard sale find ever!! Greg, myself and my Mom stopped by a yard sale that I honestly thought was a waste of time until I saw these sitting on the deck floor and almost killed myself to get to them. They weren't priced so I asked the guy how much they were and I thought I was going to die when he told me $5 for both!! They are total chippy, crusty perfection! I was inspecting them and noticed on the bottom they were marked $30 each. I have wanted some of these forever but even on ebay they are way too expensive for me.

100 yr old corbels, $5 for both

An vintage ironstone vegetable dish, that I paid $2 for and love.

10 ironstone saucers, 10 cents each!

Small apothecary jar, 50 cents.

Planter from the worlds longest yard sale, $5.

Wall shelf, $2.

Two ceramic wall shelves, $3 each.


Nine transfer ware saucers, a nickel each.


Two vintage twin bedspreads, $5 each.

A metal tray that I adore, $5.

Metal planter holder $4 and terra cotta bunny 75 cents.

I love yard sales and I love getting a good deal but I get a little shy when it comes to asking for a better price, lucky for me Greg is a pro! It really does pay to bargain. The longest yard sale is in August, we are already making plans to attend!!!

Please be sure to check out the Nesters linky party!

http://www.thenester.com/2011/06/best-yard-sale-finds-ever

Lunch Time Obsession

How did I reach 41 yrs old and not know about pasta salad? OH-MY-GOSH, I love it!! I had it at my sons soccer banquet a few weeks ago, I really wanted to stand up and shout "this is awesome" but my kid would have killed me so I restrained myself. Ever since I've been obsessed with finding recipes but then one of my friends told me about the box pasta salads you can buy so I rushed out and bought like 4 different boxes. I seriously loved them except the ones you mix with mayo kind of gagged me, just because I'm not a huge mayo fan. So now while I'm outside for 6 hours a day in 95 degree heat, watching my youngest in the pool, I have these yummy things for lunch. The only downside is my oldest loves them too and I have to share.

Summer so far

We live outside in the summer, regardless of the heat. The patio is our hang out. We build fires, play board games, eat lunch and supper, swim, shoot fireworks, and we just spend a lot of time together as a family. This Friday the music in the park starts, we can hear it from our patio so we look forward to Friday nights for the next 2 months.




We always have a stash of fireworks left over from New Years that we shoot in the Summer, I'm sure my neighbors are less than thrilled about it.

Brownies and ice cream, YUM!

Smores!

Grilling is a favorite now.

We bought a pool for our family for $149.00 and it was money well spent especially with every day in the 90s.

We are eating supper outside a lot.

Memorial day at my Moms was awesome as always and a great kick off of Summer!

I hope everyone is enjoying Summer!!!