baby, it's cold outside

so stay warm on this c-o-l-d-e-s-t of January nights; put on the fuzzy pajamas...

and take some goofy photos. You'll be amazed how it will amuse you.

an afternoon in the life

You may have seen that Chronicle on WCVB was asking for photos of everything the viewers did on Monday, January 25th. You can submit your photos and they may use them in a future show. So here are some of the things we did yesterday afternoon and evening. Pretty boring, but real life, no? 2:40 pm - Just back from school pick-up here's Mr. Brady who has forgotten how to smile at his mother, unhappy to be posing in the rain. What?

2:50 pm - Carter eating his pb&j and drinking his lemonade in the car on the way to below....

3:10 pm - ah, the follow up dermatologist appointment. "They don't wash enough" I said. "Some boys don't care about acne" she said.

4:30 pm - In the pouring down rain, Rich tries to get the dog out.

8:30 pm Lots of Dunkin' Donuts cups and candy at our Band Parents Organization meeting. Wonder why I can never get to sleep before midnight, hmmm?

8:50 pm - Meanwhile, in the room next door, Brady (far left) is at Winter Percussion Practice.
9:00 Home.
Martha ate 6 Vienna Finger cookies and had some tea.
Brady scarfed roast beef and then a whole box of Mac & Cheese.
But you could say we ate together ; )

Ronan has found Harry

Reading didn't come easy to him. Or maybe he didn't like it. Frankly I was worried. The whole world opens up if you are a good reader. We weren't sure how the relationship between the written word and the kid would work out, but by 3rd grade the commitment to nightly reading has paid off!! He jumped from easy readers to Mr. Potter and has not put the series down in months.

It is a joy to see this dog eared copy making it's way through another boy in this house.

Off to a good home...

Ah, the jewelry of my youth. I love jewelry, the good stuff, costume, vintage pins, all of it. But it's time for our annual Band Indoor Yard Sale and so I am cleaning out and dusting off what I will never wear again. Of course, you can't help tripping down memory lane. I remember wearing that necklace with the kid's names when there were only 2 of them! (I can't give that away, actually.) The giant silver and turq earrings bought in Portland Maine around 1984. The silver beaded ankle bracelet in Newburyport. The pink pearl bracelet at a Gem Show - too small now.

All of these odds and ends that I hope will make someone happy.

Off goes the sweet Limoges ring tray that I got at my bridal shower. I know, I know! But you know what? I use the sweeter little clay pot that Ronan painted to hold my rings.

But I'm keeping the velvet-lined Tiffany jewel box...I'm not an idiot.

Slow Day

just a little snow, all day long, enough to make me slow down and check out the sights.

those bossy blues in the backyard.

you could almost get me out there with a cocktail.

Key Master

We are getting things done in the New Year!

This old upright was in the basement of a home my brother bought years ago. Since then it's gone from there to my mother's house, over to his new home and when his kids' grew tired of lessons, I had it brought to my house. It was a little out of tune.

"hmm...this is interesting...what's he doing? biscuit? do I see a biscuit in there?...he plays nicer than that loud boy..."

This charming piano tuner told me his career began when he didn't want to pay the "highway robbery" prices that were being charged when he needed his own piano tuned and so took classes and became certified. It took him two hours to tune this one and we didn't feel robbed at all!

putting down a "flor"

That boring old rug was not quite big enough for this room and too light for all of the foot traffic...needed something with a little zest...geez, how many bones does that dog need?? Better move that foot, kid.

Have you heard of the company "Flor" that makes carpet tiles? They come in every imaginable color and on their website allow you to graph and chart your own floor inserting the tiles you like to let you see the end result.

A lot of these (maybe all?) are made with recycled goods, so it makes you feel like you are doing something good while you are changing your floor covering. They say that the tiles are easy care (the dog already barfed, the clean up was easy) and if you need to replace, you just unstick and put another one down. For houses with lots of kids and pets it's a no-brainer.

The only problem you'll encounter is deciding what to order. We played around and played around and finally committed to these colors. The design changed 3 times before Brady stepped in and we all agreed his design was best! www.flor.com