If You'll Just Follow Me...

My sister is doing a giveaway on her little-known blog. Want to enter?

What are Little Boys Made of? Pee Breaks

Last week when I picked up the neighbor boy, Att, on my way to taking Asher to kindergarten, Att began relating to me their latest escapades as they scootered home from school.
“When we ride home from school we have to take so many pee breaks,” he announced proudly. “Yesterday we had to stop and have two pee breaks.”
We live less than a mile from the school and the boys can make it home within fifteen minutes of when the school bell rings.
These pee breaks consist of one boy yelling to the others, “Ah! I gotta stop for a pee break!” Then they all stop while one or more does his business on the side of the road. Only after they’ve relieved themselves can they continue their journey.
We live in the suburbs, which means there are houses all around, city streets and paved sidewalks.
As Att audaciously related this tale without reservation, I looked into my rearview mirror to see Asher with a look of utter bewilderment on his face. He had these huge eyes and was looking around the van, like he needed somewhere to hide.
Att had no qualms about relating this tale, but I swear I could see Asher’s thoughts, “What is Att doing?!? I can’t believe he’s telling this to my mom!” I had to try so hard to control myself.
I wanted to burst out laughing, but I calmly explained that:
1. It’s illegal to pee on someone else’s property. If a cop saw them he could give them a ticket.
And 2. If they peed on someone’s lawn the owner of the house might come out and yell at them.
To this, Att replied, “Well, we wouldn’t get yelled at because we peed at a house that was my friends’.”
My final word on the matter was something like, “I don’t want you to pee anywhere but in the bathrooms or at your own house.”
This isn’t the first time I’ve had to deal with my boys peeing outside, and strangely, I KNOW it won’t be the last.

Here It Is:

The next Pay-it-Forward Giveaway.

There are three prizes up for grabs, but only comment if you've got the chops to do a similar giveaway, either through your own blog or through some other means. (This means that you'll pay it forward to THREE people. Spread the love! Spread the love.)

Only the first three commenters will walk away with a prize, so if you're the fourth commenter, don't come to me expecting a handout, man! They've already been claimed by people with more nimble fingers than you could ever dream to have!

So, in your comments (which can gush over my creativity and generosity all you want) say which prize you have eyes for. If you're the first commenter, you get first pick. If you're the second commenter, don't complicate things by saying you want what #1 picked, or that 'oh!' you just can't decide. First decide, then comment. Also, if I don't have your email, give it to me in whatever way you feel comfortable with (i.e. sexybeast at hotmail dot com, etc. - and whoever really opens an email address with that name will receive a dozen cupcakes from me! The race is on!)

Now, on to the amazing prizes which could be yours:

Prize #1: An earring and pendant set made from sterling silver balls and green shell. The findings are SS as well, but the pin is only silver plated. The pendant is cute, too, huh? But it doesn't come with a chain. :(

Prize #2: (this one's my favorite) two pair of simply elegant earrings made from natural stones (I don't know what kind. Ask Aunt Sue. She's the one who gave them to me). The pins which the earrings are strung on is silver plated.

Prize #3: A mystery prize. I'll see who wants it and then either come up with something I think they'll appreciate (a cake, a free night of babysitting, jewelry, pennant, purse, or whatever my genius mind comes up with!!!).

The contest starts.......NOW!

A Free for All

My friend, Elicia, lives in a little split-level one street over from me. She just recently finished part of her basement, and I saw the finished result.
There were two tiny bedrooms with new paint, closets and carpet. She now also has a downstairs bathroom, with a huge, gorgeous circle mirror.
I'm so happy for her to have those new spaces for their soon-to-be expanding family. But I have not stopped coveting her bedroom since I saw it. Why? Because instead of a closet door she covered her closet opening with a beautiful drape/shower curtain (it looks classy, really), complete with the cutest shower curtain rings. And her bed had a funky, colorful duvet cover complete with bright, IKEA pillows.
It made me want the same kind of beauty in my own bedroom, which has become the catch-all for my unfinished projects and unneeded furniture.

So, in an effort to take the first baby steps to finding a more a more serene sleeping space I'm offering the following items for interested parties:

Item #1:
My treadmill, which is a hand-me-down from my sister Trina. I used it mostly when I was pregnant and not feeling well enough to go outside for a run, but still wanted a bit of exercise.
It was a generous gift from a loving sister and I'm hoping it can be a welcome addition to your home.
It works well, but I HATE running on a treadmill and I always have. It is not a top model, by any stretch. I think it's from Shopko (brand: Sportcraft) and originally probably cost less than $300. When I got it I had to buy treadmill lubricant off eBay ($7) in order for it to work in top condition and I've never had any problems with it.

Item #2: I bought these 2 cute chairs from a garage sale last summer with the intention of recovering them in beautiful chocolate and cream damask cotton. But it was like adding one more thing to my already overflowing plate, and I'm finally (sadly) letting go of the dream. My sister, Heather, has basically given me everything that's cute in my house, adheres to the mantra 'What Goes Around Comes Around'. I think she's on to something big in the way she lives this through her service and love everyday. The chairs are sturdy and have a bit of sentimental value to me. You see, as I started taking off the old fabric, I found a sale ticket stapled underneath the seat which indicated that these were originally ordered for the Provo Park Hotel (now the Provo Marriott) in 1997. Joel and I fell in love (really) at the Senior Dinner Dance at the Provo Park Hotel in April of 1997. They are in great condition and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the lines and size of these puppies. I even have the fabric to recover them with, which I found at an upholstery fabric shop for a steal at $3.5o per yard.

Are you interested in any of these items?

A Giveaway I Didn't Deserve

Remember my awesome giveaway? Just after I posted it, I looked on Megan's blog and saw one of her friends was hosting a similar giveaway. I clicked over to it and found the giveaway was available to the first three commenters. Two people had already commented, so I slid in at third. But I felt really guilty about it. I didn't know this person and felt guilty taking her luxurious generosity for granted.

Today I received the giveaway, and I was BLOWN AWAY! Anybody who knows me (Tia) knows I find no pleasure in making my own cards, but they sure are useful when I need a card to give away. So, Willeyes, THANK YOU so much. I had just used my last nice-looking cards for Joel's birthday (tomorrow). I even got out my cardmaking supplies today, thinking how I needed to make more. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. I loathe it, really. I don't have it in me. But my! Willeyes does!!! Look at 'em! I'm speechless and so grateful, and per the agreement of accepting said prize I will be hosting another giveaway on my blog soon, so stay tuned. However, be vigilent, people, as the rules of this pay-it-forward giveaway dictate that only the FIRST 3 COMMENTERS score the goods.

A Link to a Video

I urge you to head over to my friends Joe & Corinne's post, if you dare. They're friends of the Rebel forces and have served their cause well. Obviously, the force is strong with them.
(Yoda voice:) A funny time you will have.
It was just an enjoyable video, okay.
Plus, be sure to wish Marilyn a happy birthday today. She's like, 40, or something.

Word of the day:
HORK
Use it in a sentence, please.

Want to see what I sent Heather?