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my kids are off of school….

October 14, 2010

and mama is going a little crazy.
just as i was getting used to the alone time…here they are again.
till monday.
so crazy.

i tried really hard to be calm, nice and not crabby.

i will try harder today.

while i let them watch 3 hours of morning tv….i took a bath.
and dreamt of all the things i would get from the pottery barn catalog if they
called me up and said i could have whatever i wanted for free.
here are my top four:

of course the furniture is beautiful but i am not ready to dream about that right now.

i spray painted.

annie made herself a pb&j.
she asked for my help but i was taking the picture.
i said "i know you can do it….show me"

she didn't like hearing that.

sean made mac-n-cheese for himself and talby and annie.

take one. take two. (not sure what that big knot at the top is…)

waffle is so stinky.
i thought my pumpkin was rotten….but it was the dog too close to me.
i think he needs a bath today.

i paid my kids to pick up the walnuts in the yard.
that's what those are….they are like big golf balls all over the yard.
"broken ankle any minute" is what i always think.
and they are messy and gross.
they got a whole trash can full.
hundreds.

i paid them in ice cream.
🙂
they were thrilled.

mmmm…..mcflurries.

then we ate them at the park.
which meant that dinner was not made.
but fresh air was so good for my mood.
what a difference!

what a bunch of goofballs i have around here.

i WILL be more patient today.
i WILL leave the computer closed.
i WILL look them in the eyes.
i WILL read, play and interact.
i WILL hug and laugh and engage.
i WILL.

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keylogger Mac - Walnuts are crazy!!! I would never have know what was in those weird green blobs. How in the world do you even get them out.

new balance - We cannot always build the future for our youth , but we can build our youth for the future .

natalie k - loved your post. there was lots i loved, but the tippy top of my list is how real you are. thanks for being genuine and admitting the funky stuff. you’re the tops, meg!

karen - i have those walnuts too!! and hundreds of squirrels to go with them! Love the chandelier!

Dana@Strawberrytart! - I love this post. Love the things from Pottery Barn, but I am so loving your purse! Love love love!

Prettynicelife.wordpress.com - You’re my hero — but I think you live in a time vortex where the days are longer! 🙂 I wish I had the energy or initiative to take on all your projects (not to mention manage to photograph my days!).
Now I’ll go play with my daughter without the TV — she’d thank you if she could.

amy tibbs - Your final words spoke to me today…home with a sick little one and it is really easy to sit on the computer and let her watch the tube, but I am going to engage and involve. In 20 minutes, I swear.
Also, FINALLY found the ruffle cardigans at my Target. Con: Couldn’t find them the past two weeks because I have been with the kids and unable to look at clothes. Pro: took so long to find it that it was on clearance. Whoo!

Julie - Walnuts are crazy!!! I would never have know what was in those weird green blobs. How in the world do you even get them out.
God’s creativity is amazing and funny sometimes.

valerie @ chateau a la mode - I am amazed at how good you look when you spray paint. I must change my clothes, not because I want to, but because I’m a mess. Last time I got my haircut…my hairstylist asked what I’d been painting because I had paint all down the side of my hair and I didn’t even know it…heehee.
Fun post!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - oh girl i just love ya. you are so real and honest. i mantra those things to myself all the time. love that you paid them in ice cream. love that you took a bath while they watched tv and you dreamed of pottery barn. that chandie was gorgeous. at the end of next week i’ll have my girls all day again too. funny how you get sooo used to all the me time and it takes a bit to switch back.

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - 1st of all, I see a Dunder Mifflin coffee cup ~ rock on!
2ndly, your makeup looks awesome!
Thank you for the encouragement… me too.

amy jupin - i hear ya about engaging with the kiddos…john is away all week and i feel like i’m in survival mode. cook, clean up, wash, clean up, etc. i am definitely not engaging much. and we are all suffering! i must change that!
i am drooling over the same things from pb. they slay me with all that gorgeous mercury glass and those new chandys!!
you look beautiful by the way. love the yellow polkadots headband and your new comfy boots!!

Nichole - I’ve been wondering: What kind of spray paint do you use?

Georgia - Mc Flurries are Yummmmmmmy!!!
My grandparents have Walnut tree’s in there garden in France! – i always tell them they should bag them up as Xmas gifts for people, in a nice bag/box with some ribbon tied round, would be really nuice touch i think 🙂
Also, why are you spray painting in your new clothes?! i would be so worried i would ruin them, you look like a very stylish mama i think! 🙂
xxx

kristy - This made me laugh. I think we’re leading parallel lives. And thoughts.
THIS POST improved my mood. Thank you.

sharron - makes me smile…
blessings~

Courtney Walsh - And I will too…

Kacey - I love your “life as Meg” posts. It’s so fun to sit here and take a peek into your colorful life.

Krista - You are so brave to spray paint with such nice clothes and boots on! I am so messy when I do projects! I just got that PB catalog yesterday, drool-worthy for sure! I can’t believe your kids are off school already. Good Luck!

Natalia Simmons - OH man, can I relate! I only have two and I feel it. I love the blog!!

Dana Banana - Our kids are off here tomorrow and I am already thinking to myself…”What am I going to do with them?” Hope your LONG weekend goes by quickly and quietly!

virginia - nice skinny jeans! and i love your headband. too cute

Christa - haha that’s funny! Our parents used to pay us to pick up walnuts, too! Although we only got 50 cents per 5-gallon bucket. I think I would have LOVED ice cream a lot more. 🙂

tara pollard pakosta - and take lots of pictures of your days, that always makes it go by happier!!!! love this post!
tara

Juli - Ack! You are spray painting in GOOD clothes!
Waffles feet…oh.my.word. I don’t care how smelly…seriously adorable.
Walnuts cleared up, see? There ARE perks to having the kids home!

Lisa - I LOVE YOU
HUGS FROM MAINE

Laura Phelps - It is all so hard, isn’t it?
if I help you around the house, will you pay me in margaritas?

Melanie - You look adorable and I love the pictures:)

Leslie Blair - do you ever come to kansas city to do family photo shoots or maybe even Lawrence?

Janine - All I could think was – she was spray painting in her good clothes and new boots! I put on the rattiest pajamas and socks to spray paint and paint in. I don’t care what the neighbors think! Great pictures!

shauna - super good picture of you!
don’t you just wonder how you did it all summer?
i mean by next summer you will probably be ready again, but now?
in OCtober?
I LOVE being with my kids. really. but all of them all day?
it’s headspinning.
and i only have three 🙂
i think mine may be too coughy for school today.
i WILL use your list.

Heather R. - Oh…And Donna’s comment is RIGHT…You need a book published!!! Lots of pics. 🙂

Heather R. - I need to pep talk myself. Your makeup is looking fab lately…FYI. Happy Fall!

Rebekah - We have two walnut trees in our yard and I know EXACTLY what you mean about the broken ankle. When my daughter was smaller she couldn’t even walk around the yard in the fall without tripping continually over walnuts. Do you ever use them? I feel dumb buying nuts at the store at $3/lb when my backyard is paved with them, but it’s such a pain to actually get to the nut. I keep thinking that if I were more industrious I would be using them instead of just feeding all the squirrels in a 2-block radius.

Suzanne - Meg, you even look adorable spray painting. Are those your new boots? They are so cute!

tasha roe - I am all about bribing my kids too! A little positive reinforcement. 😉
A bath sounds dreamy right now.
Whatcha’ spray painting? I am addicted to it. If someone stopped by unexpected they would probably think I’m huffing in my basement. lol

Suzette - love this Meg! Especially the list at the end~

Anna Marie - Sometimes the Conservation Department wants those walnuts (not sure what for). One year they paid my younger siblings for them. Not a ton of money but to the kids it was. You might want to check them out.

donna - I am telling you – you need to write a book ~ just about daily stuff! We are ALL so taken with your blog and your everyday ordinary stuff. You have a way with words and you help motivate me! Get on that book! Oh – lots of pictures in the book please.

katie - love that i’m not the only one who spray paints in whatever clothes i have on (instead of changing into paint clothes). i loved this post.

Gemma - You look so cute!
Enjoy your time with them : )
Gemma x

amy nicholl - I need to know where you got your red handbag!!! I love it!

jennifer - My kids are off all next week. And we’re moving in the middle of the week. Good times!
I love your sweater and can’t wait to see the finished pictures of whatever that is that you are painting. You will definitely need to share what color it is. And your Dunder Mifflin mug made me laugh!

`Kelly - My kids have today & tomorrow off too. This time it’s for P/T conferences.(we do year-round school so it’s already time for these!) Last week they had Thursday & Friday off for a state-wide inservice thing. Last week I let them just be. No plans, no real structure. It was fun but made me crazy. Today there’s a plan. Enjoy the time with your kids!

Dana@Bungalow'56 - All I kept thinking while reading the post was… wow she sure wears nice clothes to spray paint. I tried to shake it but it just kept niggling at me. If you’ve got the grumpies because of the monthly’s my sister who gets them bad just called me yesterday and swears by a new concoction she’s on. 1600 mg of calcium in 400 mg increments (thats all your body can absorb at a time) and an extract, which I forget the name of. I’ll add it on later today. If its not because of this, then I guess the McFlurry would be a good place to start. How can you not be in a good mood with one of those in your hands?
Dana

Julia - About the kids being off from school-as my husband says -what now?
About your Pottery Barn shopping… It sounds like your doing my kind of shopping – your not looking at the furniture because you’re being “realistic”. Go crazy! Play pretend with the furniture!

carols - oops, meant to say lamp shades from Target and it was a cheap way for a fresh look.

carols - Well since your computer is closed you won’t see this till Friday, but…fun picures, and that is either a really good angle of you or you have lost weight! Maybe both. Funny, if that is a lazy day at your house, you should see it around here. I just got new drum shades in a sort of light textured beige fabric (don’t know what it is) for existing lamps this week and it feels fresher. Enjoy having the kids and the gorgeous fall weather, you’re an amazing mom.

Sara @ It's Good to be Queen - love your pottery barn pics, i’d pick those too. i especially love that mercury glass lamp paired with the burlap shade. so so pretty. hope you have a great day with your kids today!

Kirsten P - Our local school got new playground equipment after a year long renovation. It looks exactly like the equipment at your park – except ours is royal blue and bright yellow. Do you also have shredded tires on the ground? (In case anyone is interested the equipment is called Evos Playsystem by landscape structures.)

Amy Lynne - Good luck! I hope you all have a good day.

Julie - Fresh air ~ always a good thing!

MichelleLKent - We all have days like that….At the end of the day they know that Mum loves them..here’s hoping to abetter day tomorrow…

Susan - You have boots on while spray painting.I wish Vegas was cold enough for boots but i am still in shorts.I check your blog every night before i go to bed.Night Night !!

Nikki - Why are they off of school?
I love your top 4 from pottery barn… just beautiful.

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random nothing

September 23, 2010

it was red day at kindergarten.

i can't believe those long legs are annie's.
she needs to quit growing up!

sean asked me at walmart "do you think this weighs as much as a human head?"

in the car on the way to school the kids were talking about putting the cat in the file cabinet.
and how the cat didn't like it. (really? shocking!)

scott said "i would go crazy if i got stuck in a drawer….i am so claustrophobic!"

and sean yells "YOU AREN'T ALLERGIC TO MILK!"

waffle had to go to the vet.
boring.
annie drew murals on the marker board.

this was one of my four pictures in cali.
another one is just like it.
that's amy in the background taking pictures of something else.
i wish i could make a whole mosaic wall somewhere….for real.

AND that's all i got.

i am so tired.
can't quite kick it yet….the cold and catching up from staying up all night the day we flew home.
and the laundry that awaited my arrival.
and the empty refridgerator.
and the GRAY skies today.

i am going back to bed…for a little while.
this is me.

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Kelly - Oh that first photo makes me miss color days in kindergarten from when I was teaching. I’d try to find out the color & dress in it too and then find songs for each color that we could do in music class.
Sean’s watermelon question cracks me up.
I hope you get good rest and feel so much better. I can relate. I have *not* been able to fall asleep this week. I just lay there and lay there, ugghh . . . then I’m a tired mess the next morning. blech . . . God answered prayers for a better night sleep last night. Praise Him!
Oh and the mosaic. You *could*! It would be wonderful. Dare you . . . 🙂 Kelly

Mindy Harris - hope you feel better once and for all, darlin’.
i would love to mosaic our fireplace but i have NO idea where to start. i love the mirror in your half bath–with the birds.

Dianne Avery - I was really into mosaic furniture in the 80’s. Don’t start, it’s addicting!!

Heather R. - When is daylight savings time?! I need an hour somewhere. I love the clip and Annie’s mural. 🙂

kathy b - It’s so nice of you to post photos for our enjoyment even though you don’t feel that great!
Kathy b

Christina - Love, love the kids’ comments. 🙂
I think that one day you will, indeed, do an entire mosaic wall. Please show us when you’re done, okay?

amber - hahahahahaha 🙂 that always makes me giggle.

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Feel better soon. That video was hilarious!

Julianne Brimner - Okay the claustrophobic cracked me up because it reminds me of another story. One of my friends owns a vacation cabin in the woods where there are lots of places to explore, including caves. Her son told his aunt, “Mom, can’t go in the caves because she’s lactose intolerant”. Thought you’d enjoy the flip side.

meaghan - oh my gosh! hahahahaha! love tommy boy hahahahaha!

Janie Fox - Love the claustrophobic… you are not allergic to milk. I truly laughed out loud. I miss the days when my kids were driving me crazy… well sometimes! haha!!

Jennifer - Look on the bright side, an empty fridge might be a good time to wipe it down with a hot, soapy washcloth. Oh no. I sound like my mother. 🙂 I hope you feel better soon. You are too cool to be sick!

Kori - during your stay in cali i was moving away from cali! i was born and raised in orange county (huntington beach), but needed a change…so here we are in spokane, wa. so far so good…loving the weather. anyway, i read amy’s blog and got a little sad at the pics she had of all ‘my’ places. i had to laugh when shopping at the spectrum was mentioned-went there a lot as right before our move we lived in irvine. did you hit up fashion island? south coast plaza? the antique shops in capistrano? i hope so. ok, take it easy and get some much needed rest….zzzzzzzzzzzz
😉

Charlene@Adventures-In-Mommy-Land - I love that you take pictures in Walmart LOL! Who does that ?? I should start whipping out my camera in Walmart too, people would probably duck and cover thinking they were about to be posted on those “people of walmart” sites hehehe!
Feel Better!!

Kristy - I wish my Charlie could meet that Annie. He’s also in Kindergarten and loves his chuck taylors with patterned socks pulled way up….or his cowboy boots with shorts depending on his mood 🙂 He’s just yummy! One more song for your ipod when you are back to running – “Freedom” by George Michael. Great for cleaning house too. Feel better mama! 🙂

Valerie@chateaualamode - I love that you can make a post on your blog like an episode of Seinfield…it’s really about nothing, but you make it into something fun! Hope you feel better soon!

mandy friend - I love your blog and your randomness. And I love that your house always sounds as chaotic as mine!

pam - I’ve got a grand wall on my front porch where you can do your mosaic. :o)

kristin - I freaking love your video clips!

Lisa - That is one of my favorite scenes from Tommy Boy! Too funny!!!

julia - The best thing for you is sleep – don’t feel guilty about it.
That mosaic wall is great. Maybe Annie could come over and go through my closet for me – I need some pizzaz!

shelly - Ok–I’m going to have to break out the Tommy Boy now! Kids crack me up–and yes they grow to fast :/
Love mosaics—I have a mirror just waiting for some tiley goodness!
Get rested up–hope you feel better soon 🙂

purejoy - making the mosaic i’m afraid would not be nearly as much fun as the smashing part…
i seriously love the way your kids think. a watermelon head and then debating why the cat didn’t like being in the file cabinet. and having the freedom to make wall art on a dry erase board.
i wish you’d adopt me.
think of how colorful my life would be!

Sugar Mama - I love the red converse. I want to get a pair… haven’t decided on the color. Have you seen all of the cool new autumn colored converse?!
and i love your dog. i pulled up your blog the other night to show Sugar Daddy and my kids a pic of your dog, because i want one just like him. could you please clone your dog for me? ;o)
enjoy your sleep. and the gray sky.

jennifer - Love that clip! Really needed that laugh this morning.
Go back to sleep and get well soon!

Michelle Whitlow - I have to tell you, that’s one of my favorite lines out of that movie!!! Whenever my kids are in their rooms with the door shut I’ll knock on the door and say ‘housekeeping!!’ hehe

amy jupin - i’m with ya meg. me need sleepy. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!

angie - Thanks for the laugh, heavy heart today…no housekeeping!

heidi @ wonder woman wannabe - That mosaic is so pretty! That would be fun!
Have you seen the movie “How to Make an American Quilt”?
One of the characters was creating a whole mosaic wall made out of ceramics that she’d smashed over the years –
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_Make_an_American_Quilt

Gemma @ Musings of a gem - It’s the worst when your jet lagged and ill..hope you’re better soon!!
Gemma x

visart-dali.com - Red day! Awesome idea, why we don’t have that?

Kimberlee J. - Me sleepy, too. No housekeeping today. 🙂

Trish - love tommy boy. thanks for the laugh. i felt the same way today, blah. how come when we have to go somewhere the kids are super hard to get out of bed, but when we nothing to do… they are out of bed earlier then they need to be? i will never understand that!

Amanda - Hilarious! go back to sleep… all the kids are in school! Yay!! (lucky)

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random.

August 24, 2010

so i was feeling way tired this morning.
it was pouring and hard to get out of bed.

i dropped annie at school.
ran to the store.
went for a walk/run. (wow…i was breathing like i was near death)

i started to clean out my cabinet of cookbooks.
in my cookbooks i found my jr. high year book.
and this:

i am megan ranney.
if only we had that poster.
i am sure it was amazing…..because i knew so much about matches and hay barns.
i was 9.

the other treasure tucked into in my yearbook….

i am not sure who the one on the left is….rob roy jr?
but the one one the right…
Kiefer Sutherland.
for real.
the year of the Lost Boys.
and Stand by Me.
it was big time.
my dad's friend worked on a movie with them.
coooool.

then i found all these random pics today that made me stop and smile.

my favorite pictures of my kids ever.

i had posted this drawing here.

how do they change so quick?!

did you know that tomorrow is the 71st anniversary of the Wizard of Oz?
well….it IS.
i am having a little celebration here.
because it's ….it's….Dorothy!

we had a dog named Toto.

the end.

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eds - Audrey Hett was a counselor of mine at some camp! (can’t remember if it was church camp or Tabor camp)

Heather - I loved your picture of the Kansas Safety Poster Contest winners. Believe it or not, I won the Kansas Statewide Safety Poster Contest when I was 11! I think it was 1986. I shook hands with the governor and Bob Dole was the Senator. He gave me part of the tour of the State Capitol in Topeka. Wish I’d kept my poster, too. I remember the title was “Make ’em Click”, talking about seatbelts. Fun memories for a little small town Kansas girl!

Christina - I don’t know what it was exactly, so many things, but I LOVE this post. And the picture of you and Craig is awesome.
Annie with the cat? I laughed out loud.
And your Wizard of Oz celebration?! I wish I were half the mom you are. 🙂

Kristin S - Look what you made me do!
http://kristinwithani.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/safety-first/

pve - I just hate it when I neglect to visit. You tug at my heart, all these emotions, flashbacks and photos.
Wowie woman, you are awesome.
pve

Laura - the picture of you and craig…the black and white..it made me cry
I dont know why
oh that is a lie
yes I know why
LOVE
I can see it so clearly
then
and now
I am such a crier

Holly - how cool is that postcard?! And the poster contest cracked me up….dont light matches around haybarns!

cindy - What a walk down memory lane you had today. We all need those every now and then,
This is my first time to your blog, I enjoy it. Will be back.
Cindy

Gemma @ Musings of a gem - Love the photos!! Especially the one of you and Craig – Lovely!
Gemma x

Mindy Harris - I’m pretty much convinced you are the cutest family in Kansas! I have been thinking the same thing about my wee ones, who are 2 years old, and 3 months. My baby girl, Story, already looks so different from her newborn self. She’s got some mad buddha rolls now! Hehe.

Karen Lehmann - DUDE(ette) – SERIOUSLY – I don’t know which is funnier, the giant Margarita picture or the kitten strangling one – I’m still laughing…
xoxo your retarded photography friend in VA – K

traci in virginia - I’m with everyone above! I think it’s Iron Man!!! Haha! How cool!

Kelly - The piglet your husband is holding is SMILING!!!!!!
And then comes the strangled kitty…

jessica kiehn - holy cow that yearbook picture of you is TOTALLY Talby! it looks just like her!

the domestic fringe - My kids are watching The Wizard of Oz right now! Amazing pictures. You have a beautiful family.
-FringeGirl

Jennifer - OMG your son looks so incredibly pissed in the family photo! It’s still a good one, and yes, the one when they were all so little. Wow. I love pictures.

deborah - ahhh…and my dear sweet grandma–was a dorothy. i’m livin’ random. it’s either that or the self-diagnoses adult-onset ADHD. Oh look…a strangled kitty. poor sweet kitty. lovin’ your photography.

jaz - oh my gosh, the kittie getting strangled – perfect! priceless! gorgeous!

Michelle Rotner - margarita picture=awesome. you rock.

Eileen - I think it’s Robert Downey Jr. Makes sense as he was friends with Keifer Sutherland…

amy jupin - i’m giggling at these. especially annie choking the kitten and you and that margarita. let’s just say, i can relate to every single one. in a weird, almost eerie, way. thanks for the laugh today!

Jodi - LOVE the picture of you and Craig! Simply gorgeous!

beth - Oh I love that picture of all the kids too! Boy do they grow up so fast….you were a cutie also.
Thanks for always sharing a part of your family…I look forward to reading it everyday…

Sandy - Belated Congratulations on the poster contest! Not surprising since you are still such a talented and creative artist. I still say Talby looks like you (as a child) more than any of your other kids. They are all adorable though. Amazing how much Annie now looks like Talby in the old family photo.
You and Craig are so blessed. Thank you for sharing your life with us.

tara pollard pakosta - cute pictures!!!
look what a few years did to your kids, grew them all up way too fast!!!! Esp. your youngest and oldest, wow!!!! LOVE the one of them on the beach!
tara

emily - oh, meg, your posts are the best. thanks for sharing.

Heather - Loved these random photos. Annie and the kitten is so great. The expression on both their faces!!

Michele - I think it’s Robert Downey, jr’s autography with Keifer’s. They were in the movie “1969” and it came out around that time. How could you forget RDJ?? lol
I remember the summer of 1989…my cousin and I snuck in the movies to see “Lost Boys”. *sigh* I still love that movie!

Taryn - So my oldest daughter, Tyah is pretty artistic……do you know how many times i have thought of you when i look at her drawings!?!?!? I was always so amazed at your artistic abilities and always remember you winning the poster contests!!!! I DO NOT remember being a part of this little contest and have always wondered where Tyah gets her artistic gifts. There are many days that i think shipping her to your house for a couple of weeks would do her creative spirit a WORLD of good! It seems like we could use a few boys around this house of girls….wanna swap a few for awhile!?!?!:) Love ya!:)
ps — the parted bangs are killing me!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - I feel the same. Sometimes I just want time to stop…so I can stay in my perfect little bubble forever. Looks like you had fun going down memory lane.

Dawn Eshnaur - I know what you mean about them growing up so fast. I just finished bawling my eyes out after taking my son back to college. Where did the time go???? It’s a sad day for this mama 🙁

Rebekah Brummel - THIS IS THE TRUTH my brother burned down our neighbors horse barn because he was playing with matches in the hay with their daughter. BARELY ESCAPED ALIVE (no horses died either) . To bad we didn’t have a copy of that prize winning poster!

Jessie - Annie + Cat = hi·lar·i·ous!!!

Shannon - Oh toto! Sweet little 3 legged doggie. Good night I look like a total cheeseball!!!!

Tiffany - Robert Downey Jr!!! Sweet!

Kimberlee J. - You and Taryn made the paper…poster girls. 🙂

Michele - Great photos! The last photo in the background–your daughter has great shooting form!

Jaime - Death Grip on Kitty…
that’s what I would have titled this post.
I abt pee’d my pants when I saw that pic! Annie is sooo precious!
Love the randomness…

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - The black and white one of you and Craig… so stunning. Have a great day!

Dawn - I bet they were filming 1969 together – it came out in 1988 and parts were filmed in Savannah. That’s cool. I love RDJr. Seriously love.

Julie Weaver - I’m a HUGE Wizard of Oz fan, so I must correct you. The anniversary was August 12…eeek. I’m sorry to be such a know it all. I’ll celebrate again tomorrow so you are not alone.

Kristy - Megan–I remember that autograph hanging in your room! And that’s hilarious if that’s Robert Downey Jr and you had no idea–Nice surprise!!!

Elizabeth - I have 3 sons and 1 daughter and I think this is the year that I can talk them into the Wizard of Oz for Halloween!

Krista - Love the B&W one of you & Craig. Also love the one of your kids at the beach. Scott has a mohawk and Annie is so tiny! Awesome pics!

a pocket full of posies - Lovin’ your random…we think alike! 🙂 and the Wizard of Oz…one of our all-time favorites!!! (even more so after we lived in Kansas!)
Blessings!
Jill

susan - you are the best Meg:)
ps…love your hair short:)

Amanda - The margarita pic and the kitty pic had me grinning. Boy, that would be cool if it were Robt Downey Jr, huh?

Kendra - Haha, don’t light matches near chicken coops either! My dad who grew up in SW Kansas burned down the chicken coop (population 5,000…survivors = 2) when he was a kid because he was burning weeds nearby, and a spark blew and ignited that fine dust in the air and burnt the place to a crisp REALLY quickly.

Marie Tere - Robert Downey Jr. That’s my guess.
As you know, Talby looks just like you, so evident in your old school picture. And obviously, whether you are making posters about hay or sewing, you have always been gifted artistically. It makes me smile thinking how your kids will have that too.
Annie and Sean look most alike, there was a pic a while back, I think she was pulling off her shirt during a craft project, I thought it was him!

Rebecca - Robert Downey Jr.!!!!!!!!

Amber - that baby pig is so cute! and lauren always looks so composed! 😉

Lori - That’s Robert Downey Jr.’s autograph!!!

Ali - Oh, the cat killer one just slays me!!

Melissa - why is it that kids always hold kittens by the throat?
Cute pic’s.

melissa @ the inspired room - So much cuteness. 🙂

Jennifer - I LOVE the photo of you and Craig. LOVE it. Love, LOve, LOVE IT!!!

Staci - Do you miss your long hair???? Just wondering…was tempted to cut mine off today….but I can’t part with my ponytail 🙁

Staci - Oh man 😉 I LOVE LOVE LOVE WIZARD OF OZ!!!!!! SO much so, that I named my Aga, Ruby, after the ruby slippers 😉 I can’t wait to see how you are celebrating!!!!!!! We had rain today too…and it was soooo nice after these 107 temps ;( Oh yea, and my Dad got a Tom Cruise autograph when he was filming some movie here in OK….my friends all thought it was super cool….I however, was weird, and have never been a huge Tom Cruise fan 🙂 Have nooooooo idea where that thing is now;) Loved looking at your old pics though 🙂

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that was fun……(said sarcastically)

August 6, 2010

our washer broke on monday (again).
so after four days…and the weekend before of being behind on laundry….
we decided to go to the laundromat.

it's been YEARS.
like….lauren was a baby the last time i was in a laundromat.
i remember having the debate about leaving her in the carseat in the car while i took in the laundry
or taking her carseat in and leaving her alone while i got the laundry.
and all that waiting….
pre cell phones, iPods, laptops…nothing but sit and wait.

the little girls thought it was very neat.
they had no idea what a laundromat was or how it worked.

i have never had so much help.
it was really nice.

laundry has gotten so expensive since the olden days.

after the clothes were all in the washer craig came by and picked up the girls.
then the other man who was washing his clothes left also.
so it was me and tom petty washing and drying together….all alone.

i edited photos while they dried.

i sang.
because….you can……when you are alone in a laundromat.
i channeled my inner jerry maguire and sang "free fallin" quite loudly.

and i took pictures of myself.
because….i am majorly dorky.

four big baskets of laundry…washed, dried and folded in 2 hours.
nice.

i betcha i have to go back before my washer is fixed.
i hope i get to be alone again.

****GREAT ideas on the no tv post.
i knew you would be able to help me!
they were so much better today already….day 4 and it is working.
i suggested at 10:00 "how about you go play office or hotel or hospital or school"
i literally didn't see the younger three for 3 HOURS!!
thanks for the encouragement and 100+ ideas to throw at them.
they didn't even think about asking for tv today. yay!!!

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megduerksen.typepad.com - That was fun.. Nifty 🙂

Tara Schaubert - glad you have clean clothes…or had.
you’re most likely needing to go again by now!
one time, i was on a mission trip in england and our team went to the “laun-dri”.
i was embarrassed to wash my underwear in front of the boys.
(we mixed loads, but girls with girls and vice versa.)
also, it took FOREVER to dry our clothes, so we left for lunch (with a few wet loads) and then a few of us went back to finish.
we were waiting and waiting for someone to come get their jeans out of one of the dryers so that we could use ALL of them. then, i noticed that a pair or two looked familiar…
WE LEFT THE ENTIRE LOAD OF JEANS THERE THE WHOLE DAY!
i’m so glad we went back to the same place.
we were only allowed to bring one pair each, so that would have been pretty bad.
that’s the end of my favourite laundromat story. =]

Melanie - Sorry about having to go to the laundry mat. I haven’t been in over 23 years. At least you got some work done.

Sugar Mama - I always get a kick out of my kids thinking something as mundane as going to a laundromat is fun. But, it’s really about doing things that are different.
Looks like you had all kinds of fun! And at least the pics you take of yourself aren’t just you smiling at the camera, you put a creative spin on it! ;o)

kristine - OH and i love the self-portraits! you look adorable and they’re really great pics!!

kristine - at least you make the best of it! what a great experience for the girls to see that AND get a pinch of help. AND THEN get some alone time!! today i laid out on our rooftop (not the roof! ha ha!) and my friend texted me saying, “how are you out there? it’s SOOOO HOT!” and i was like, “i will do anything for a little peace and quiet.” i couldn’t even read my book b/c i couldn’t keep my eyes open. i napped and it was lovely. and fortunately i’m not FRIED! ha ha AND when i came back downstairs, sweet natalie had fallen asleep. so hubby is watching tv and i get to check email/blogs! WOO HOO!!!

Dana D@BoysMyJoys - I hit the laundromat at the campgrounds at the beach where we were vacationing- here: http://boysmyjoys.blogspot.com/2010/07/day-199.html
and here: http://boysmyjoys.blogspot.com/2010/07/day-201-day-in-life-beach-edition.html
People looked at me like I was crazy for snapping pictures while I was doing laundry, but it seemed normal to the blogger in me. 🙂
Besides, when we came home, the only dirty clothes I had were the ones on our bodies! Loved that!!!

Rach - Some of my best afternoons or dateless Friday nights were spent in Laundromats. Happily we have a washer and dryer in the house now, but I still remember those days back when it was just me and my bag of clothes and a good book. Sometimes it’s nice to revisit the old days. 🙂

j - I had to go to the laundromat after our last hurricane. I couldn’t believe how expensive it was. The good thing about going is you can have a bunch of machines going at once and get out of there quicker.

Kim - this post is so great. i remember a friend laughing about that exact same dilemna – at the laundromat years ago – whether to leave the baby alone in the car or alone inside. it actually sounds pretty nice to have 4 loads completely done in 2 hours, whilest editing photos and singing at the top of your lungs (what mom gets to do that anymore!? and it’s soooo fun!) maybe this broken washer thing is a blessing in disguise. 😉

Amy - Love it! I’m majorly dorky too and would take pics all day at the laundromat too. 🙂 Thanks for making me smile today!

Laurie, from Maryland - Your entry today reminded me of this quote from St. Elmo’s Fire: “Fluff and fold, buddy. Soon as I make it really big, I’m going fluff and fold.” It’s funny the things that pop into my head sometimes. But there are so many good quotes from that movie. Enjoyed the pics!

Liz - Add this to the next time you answer questions:
What do you feed everybody, and how do you figure out how to do that? I feel as though once that 5 year old check up is done, no one is giving moms any nutrition advice. I have a 2 HS aged boys who are both athletes, a young women who lives with us….and a 9 month old.
After a crazy summer of ball games, work schedules, college visits, etc I want to bring back dinner time….but I can never decide what to fix. How do you do it with 5 kids??
H E L P.

Amanda Fuentes - Only you could make the laundromat CUTE! lol We always went w/ my mom as kids and I remember it always being fun. I went a few times when my husband and I were first married and it was sweet to go together, now I think I’d just buy a new washer or dryer before attempting to take my kids!

bobbie - our dryer started fritzing out yesterday. Is that a word? fritzing? But it took four cycles to get one load dry. I might be visiting a laundromat this weekend, or just let the dogs wear our clothes around the yard since we don’t have a clothesline. I hope laundromats still smell the same

tara pollard pakosta - LOVE that you took pix of this!
love that they helped!!!
love that you are enforcing no t.v.!!!
YAY for yoU! and please share pix of all they are doing!
it will inspire!
thank YOU for your blog! highlight of my day!
for REAL>!
tara

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - That is great news, Meg!
Please keep us in prayer as we start our no tv journey on Monday!

Ryanne - Same thing has happened to me this summer. Three times the washer leaked out onto the floor, before we said enough. Bought a used one on craigslist that I love even more than my original washer. Plus my trips to the laundromat with the 4 and 2 year old were not quite as fun, but we did go to the DQ for ice cream and play hide and seek in the laundromat. Good luck with your washer repairs and/or new washer hunt.

www.Kellyloves.wordpress.com - so happy about the list!!!
i’ve never been the laundry mat either, Lee Ann.
http://www.kellyloves.wordpress.com

Lee Ann - At least it’s done! I’ve never done the laundry mat thing……yet. 🙂 As for no t.v. I find music is good when they’re bored. Turn it up and dance, or if they are palying I’ll put on some softer Hymns. Just seems to make things more peaceful.

Beth - somebody most likely said this already, but it does get easier for them to find things to do the more used to no-TV they get. It’s like a drug, the more they watch, the more they want it, and it takes some “rehab” time to get the last of it through their veins so they don’t crave it anymore.

Charity - We spent 3 weeks camping in July, and on my birthday, my big treat was to take the laundry to the laundromat and have a whole hour or so of peace, all to myself. :o) Sounds silly, but it was lovely!

Lorilee - I have never been to a laundromat in my life! I have had my washer break, overflow etc! Oh, washer just sang its END song. Time to head out to the clothesline!
Blessings,
Lorilee

Krista - Love the pics of the girls helping load the machines! Does this mean you’ll be getting a fancy new washer? UGH, can’t imagine how much laundry you had to bring with you, but at least you had some peace and quiet to dry & fold with Tom!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - I’m dorky like that too. Almost every post I do has a picture of me in it;) I like going to blogs where I see who is writing to me. Makes it more real…so snap away:)
I had to go to the laundry mat not that long ago and it was interesting. I took a friend to help me and it was a good thing. We ended picking off lint from all my rugs. I thought it would be a great idea to wash them all together. Now I know why I never wash my rugs!
So glad the kids have some new ideas and are giving you a break.

Juli - With all of the quarters you used on washing 7 peoples worth of clothing, couldn’t you just buy a new washing machine?! Haha, just kiddin’!

jenni@talkinghairdryer - I get jealous of those families on Extreme Home Makeover that get 2 sets of washers and driers in their laundry room.

Beth - This post humors me because I had to use a laundromat last years to wash our (apparently ginormous – because it wouldn’t fit in any washing machine) bedspread. I didn’t really like it and the clientel waiting around was questionable. It made me really appreciate my washer and dryer being at home!

Staci - You make even going to a laundromat fun 🙂 Especially the last pictures, when you are alll alone 🙂 I reeeeally need some time alone if I am jealous of you getting to go to the laundromat 🙂 heeeeheeee!!!! Glad your kiddoes didn’t miss the tv!!! You are way more courageous than I !!!!! Today, we are off to White Water Bay…..uggggh 🙁 Nothin like a big hole of chlorine pee for the kids to swim in 🙂 Can you tell how much I love it?!!! BUT, I do love my kids, so therefore, I will go 🙂 So that’s at least today they won’t be on the Wii 🙂

Karen Lehmann - this winter, while our new tile was being installed in our kitchen and laundry room, I too, found myself without a washer and dryer. for 2 weeks! ack… we trekked to our local laundromat as well and my kids loved it too.
i totally gotcha with the what do i take in and what do i do with the little ones scenario – although my kids arent tiny babies anymore it was hard to get them all inside or out to the car again in the snow with all of the laundry (we had alot) it was a ton o fun though…

Debra - Mama Sue~I am from TX as well & grew up doing our laundry at the washateria. Now we live in Japan & it is called a laundry mat on base.

Debra - Even though we have a washer & dryer that are free, I much prefer doing laundry at the laundry mat. I actually just got home from doing 12 loads. But all of our laundry for the week is done in 2 hours & I am free for a bit. I love that!
Now my husband, he hates me spending the $20 (or less) when again, we have ones at home that are free to use.

Deputy's Wife - Somedays I wish I could walk into my basement and see a bank of washer and dryers. Yes, I do think of that. How wonderful it would be to have all the laundry done in two hours, right in your own home!

Mama Sue - I have a king sized PB quilt on our bed that I wash at the laundromat…in TX they are often called washateria…really! The one nearest my home is gross so I don’t like to take my daughter. It sure is nice to get it done quickly though. I remember going with my mom when I was a kid sometimes if it was too cold or wet to hang our clothes outside!

Kimberlee J. - You and Mr. Hodge could do a wonderful duet. I’ve seen him break out a Free Fallin like no other. Ask him!

AshleyAnn - I have never been to a laundromat, but your pictures make it look nice…not nicest enough to try out, but maybe nice enough for me not have a breakdown at the thought if my washer breaks.

Kylah Marro - I have a confession to make! I LOVE the laundromat…EVEN BETTER when I am there alone! I have a washer and dryer at my house but like you when my dryer broke in the middle of the winter I would go there to dry. I would go alone and have my BF stay with the boyZ..AHHH PEACE just me and the fresh smelling laundry….all laundry done in a matter of hours felt so rewarding!!! I would usually go on a Sunday night at 8pm…..WONDERFUL! I know I am weird! FUN POST!

Rachel - This is great. I had to go to the laudramat the other day too…in Paris. Check out my post on the Laverie Libre Service :).
http://plainjane21.blogspot.com/2010/08/jour-de-la-lessive.html

Jessica - I secretly fantasize about going to the laundromat…the thought of getting all my laundry done in just a couple hours is almost unbearable 😉

Tara - we use to go to the laundromat when I was little..not all the time, but occasionally, for some reason.
glad the “no tv” is working out better…

Micah - I’ve never had to go to a laundromat, but I’ve always imagined it would take half or less the time that it takes at home! Huge washers and dryers that fit like 2 loads worth, plus you can do as many loads as you need to at once! Not to mention folding in an uninterrupted envioronment ;).

Holly - we had to go to the laundromat about a year ago when our washing machine was broken. Brian really liked getting the laundry done in 2 hours, but we had to get up early on saturday morning to do it. I didn’t like that part so much!

Gemma - You know when you love someones blog when you WANT to carry on reading about them doing laundry lol!
Great post as per usual Meg!!
Happy Friday : )
Gemma x

Lisa - How is it that you make laundry look like fun? Some great pics taken too. Glad to hear the children are getting used to the no computer/tv thing. Just last week i did a 7 day challenge to be tech free. i thought i would die, but infact it was really good. I felt significantly less wound up. Hope you kids do too.

mkpoggie - I remember going to the laundry mat as a kid and thinking it was the coolest!! They had a bubble gum machine and a pool table and cartoons on the wall mounted TV.
It must have been some kind of super amazing mat…
…Because, when I was in college and HAD to go to one, I remember thinking, “Well this is significantly less exciting.” I didn’t have a laptop. Or Tom Petty.
Glad you found some laundry zen time!!

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tuesday

June 26, 2010

it was a good day.

thank you for the donations yesterday to Word Made Flesh.
thank you.

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Ashley Stinson - What a GREAT post!!! These types of pictures will be so great for your kids to look through someday. They remind of me of little mental pics/memories I have of growing up. 🙂 Love your blog.

Courtney - I love your posts like this!

jennibell - What a neat way to document your day. Will have to try that sometime 🙂

Alison Williams - I love this post. A day in pictures. Thanks, I may *need* to copy this one!

Dana D@BoysMyJoys - oooh-la-la!
🙂
LOVE the chandelier and your pretty necklace!

Lora - A typical mommy day….

Tonya - I am inspired every time I visit your blog – which is nearly every day! Your family has an energy, zest for life and love of creativity that I just adore. I wish we could move in with you.

Christy - Love the random shots.. Dying to here more about the chandy! Is that for the dining room ?

tara pollard pakosta - I just adore your everyday pix!
so much fun! these are the type of photos
that I love to take! tara

Tara Carmichael - love your Tuesday..
love that pic of Annie on the steps…
and Talby in the pool…
love them ALL.
thanks for your sweet comment…made my DAY!
~Tara

Kimberlee J. - I making it my 4th of July mission to figure out how to make those Sangria Swirls. I’ll let you know when I’ve got the recipe perfected.
Great pictures from your day in the life—as ALWAYS!

Elise - Hobby Lobby is my favorite place in the world. It’s my de-stress place. I just go to walk up and down the aisles and feel inspired.
What a fun day. 🙂

Gemma - Lovely day!!
Gemma X

Meredith - Gorgeous day, Meg. Happy, happy children….especially lovely photo of Scott (?) unpacking dishwasher – surely such an act of obedience and generosity is worthy of framing? These photos just cry out to me that the little things are life really are the most precious. Meredy xo.

Abby - OMG we have that huge strbucks mug!! So gorgeous. I loved this post!

Vera - Fun day! My day was awesome today, because I made a rainbow cake using your tutorial for one of my good friends – it’s her birthday, but she’s going through a divorce and doesn’t have one of her daughters with her, and she’s really depressed. I kidnapped her other daughter for the day and we made the cake for her – I iced it white and the kids and I didn’t tell her it was a rainbow cake. When she cut into it, she was SO happy – she said it was the best cake she’s ever gotten, even better than the Helly Kitty cake she got in 2nd grade. So THANK YOU for helping me make someone’s day! 🙂

Tez - Looks like the perfect day ~ though you were quite busy 🙂

Melanie Y. - The photography is BEAUTIFUL. you are able to capture the magic in every moment.

julia - so basically, you didn’t do anything???
hahahahah.

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - It WAS a good day. Amazing how yours resemble mine!

Melanie - You did all of that in one day? I’m tired:)

Angela - First of all, I’m so jealous that you have a Hobby Lobby close by.
Secondly – I have the same question as one of the previous posters – the one about getting used to taking your camera everywhere. How did you get into that habit – or have you just always been that way? I really love the everyday photos – but find myself always without the camera when out and about.

Michelle - LOVE your necklace Meg!

Sarah @ Dream in Domestic - How do you get used to taking photos everywhere (the gas station, Hobby Lobby, etc.). I am so shy about it with my big camera! If you could write about it, I’d really like that!

Lanny Stanard - once again you’ve made my smile… love your pic’s ! love me some waffle ;)…

Lisa - Wow what a full day! Loving these photos. Esp the coloured fingernails. So Meg do you have a ‘swagger wagon’? ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql-N3F1FhW4 )LOL

Talysa - I’m so jealous of your clay store! I did this in school and want my Maggie to experience it but no place in the whole Nashville area! Can you believe that!?! Only places to paint “already made” pieces.
Love your pics…especially love your kitchen!

rhonda - Looks like a wonderful day! Love this post.

sandy toe - it looks like a full day but fun-
sandy toe

Laura - I love how you highlite what some may view as the ordinary. You demonstrate how each moment is a gift. Love that.

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Woah – that was a Day.

laura - i love that picture of annie on the desk….inspired to capture the simple, candid moments….

candace - i spy….star wars sheets, patriotic fingernails, a chore I need to get done, and a margarita sangria swirl. and a smart dog laying on the cold tile to beat the heat. 🙂 it certianly does look like a good day!

dianereeves - I love “day in the life” photo series, I feel a little bit more motivated to go start my laundry.
Have a good weekend.

DreamGirlLisa - Wow, looks like a good and busy day! I have that same chandelier, and I painted mine white too…now it’s been “crystalized” and hanging in my bathroom.

Dina - That is one busy day! Is Clayworks in Newton? What an awesome place!

april - FYI….My son LOVED the peanut butter pie recipe I made last week….I am now making it again!! Hes a picky eater..so its practically a miracle that he thinks im awesome now for making it..lols…love the pics..my son has the same star wars bed set…gotta love pottery barn….even though I may go broke…lols!!!

Jocelyn Stott - Looks like an AMAZING day! Beautiful photos. Beautiful cause.

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rambling….and craft thursday #4

June 21, 2010

we went to sugar sisters last week.

i had the strawberry babycake.
it was the best cupcake i have had there yet.
yum yum yum.

two of my children went to camp yesterday.
i keep thinking i forgot someone…or i need to pick someone up.
this week should be a breeze having only three to keep tabs on.

—————————————————————————————-

at the Y last week i was jogging on the track.
my iPod was on (with my rap music) at the highest volume….just the way i like it.
two ladies were walking and talking together on the track ahead of me.
i thought “i wish i was talking with my friends” as i came up on them.
they turned to me as i was passing them and smiled and said “we love your blog”
at least that is what i think they said because my headphones were blasting.
ha!

ladies….you made my day.
🙂
the rest of my run was like i floating.
thanks.

—————————————————————————————-

this is the house i grew up in.
it was a lighter yellow back then…not quite so bright.
there used to be a porch swing on the right side of the porch.
craig and i sat out there for hours.
talking.

yeah…that’s it….talking.

—————————————————————————————-
craft thursday…done on a friday…posted on a monday.

we made tissue paper dragons.
it was difficult to change the mindset to having a perfect dragon to a free form dragon.
i kept saying “just tear and then find a way to make that shape work somewhere.”
and the mantra of “it doesn’t have to be perfect…it’s ART”

sean disagreed.
he would have preferred to use scissors.
but talby and annie could “see” the dragon in the shapes.

i used watered down glue and our watercolor paint brushes.
our projects are almost always done on mediumweight Sketch Pad paper…found at walmart.

when we were done i outlined them in sharpie and cut them out to hang up.

talby

sean

annie

mine

another successful craft thursday.
yay!

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crystal - Those Dragons rock! I love your Blog too!!!!

Robyn - i love this craft! so cute. i may try something similar but maybe with fish or birds.
i hope your friends baby i ok. my godson has been in and out of the nicu for a long time and its SO scary. life changing. and prayers have helped him come a long way. he has a long road still but the prayers have helped him come out of the woods!
so im adding your friends baby girl to my prayer list!

Rachel / cREaTe - soooooooooo CUTE! LOVE that project!!!!! 🙂 and love that sean always crafts with goggles around his neck. ha!

Heather @ Cookie Mondays - Chloe got the swimsuit! And lives in it.
Financial trouble?! How can that be?! Poor Sugar Sisters 🙁

Lisa - I use PhotoShop all the time both at work and home. I always purchase my software from AcademicSuperstore.com Great prices for teachers and students! Hope this helps.

Gina - You can get the student version of photoshop because you have a student. You’ll need her to go with you and have her ID. It’s the same thing but WAY cheaper. We have it on our computer and it works fine. Not that I’d know because I have no clue how to use it…but my husband says it’s great…
If I could drive there Thursday night from Chicago, I’d take that appointment in a heartbeat. I’ll keep dreaming…

Emily B. - That was my friend Jodi and I at the Y! And we DID say that we love your blog! We were both so excited to see you. We realized that you might not have heard us and that it might have just looked like we were smiling and clapping at you as you went by! It made us laugh so hard that I let out a really loud and spastic laugh that echoed in the gym… what a goof. 🙂
I’m so glad it made your day! It made ours to see you!

kristine - sweet art!
will pray for kyler and fam. xo

Rachel - Definitely check out http://www.academicsuperstore.com/. The prices are significantly better and it’s totally legit. I use both LR and PS for editing. The workflow in LR is amazing and it’s really easy to bulk edit a bunch of pictures. Scott Kelby’s Lightroom 2 book really helped me to figure it out how to use it to it’s full potential. You can do way more with PS in terms of editing (ie. layers, masks, more brushes, tools etc). I find myself using PS more when I’m editing for clients or when I want to print something larger for myself. It’s still over my head though so I’m planning to take a PS course for photographers in the fall so I can get the most out of it.

Laura - What a lovely post. God is always in control! Isn’t it great!? I will be praying.

Courtney Walsh - I love those dragons!! How adorable! 🙂
…and I’ve always dreamed of a butter yellow house. Maybe someday…:) I’ll make sure if I have a porch swing talking is the ONLY thing done on it! hahahaha.

se7en - Those dragons are darling!!!

Laura - I bought Adobe Photoshop Elements from Amazon.com for $80-something. Adobe was having a $20 rebate (which happens occasionally). So, I got it for $60-something. I have worked on both and find Elements does exactly what I need – at a fraction of the price. I was thrilled to get such a great deal!
Good luck with your shopping!
Laura

shelly @familyblt - Great post today. I want photoshop too! I couldn’t justlfy it yet though. I want a cupcake now too. yum

tinycandi - I used the free trial of PS…but I wasn’t impressed enough to switch over from Paint Shop Pro. I have PSP Photo XI and absolutely love it. There are so many things I can do with just a click of a mouse. It’s so much more user friendly than PS. I am hoping to upgrade soon now that X3 is out. It’s so much cheaper than PS.

teresa - tell the kids i give their dragons two thumbs up! very nice!

tasha roe - bought mine with my student discount through journeyed.com huge savings!

Michelle - NOOOOO! Sugar Sister’s can’t close. That would make me so sad. I need to get there this week!

Shannon - Lots of memories in that big yellow house! I loved that house

Marie Tere - I just got the PS — $89 with $20 off, $69 wasn’t so bad.
Prayers to baby Kyler.

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Praying for baby Kyler… please keep us updated. Thanks!

Georgia - Meg, the house you grew up in is like a dolls house!!!
Thats my dream house!!! lol
UK houses are not so picturesque as the usa. damn its unfair lol
Happy Monday!!!

jennifer - Love the photos of the cupcake shop. It looks adorable! And those dragons looks like a fun project too!
We’ve got an unused copy of PS Elements that I’d gladly barter, or just give you. 🙂 Let me just make sure I can find it! Let me know if you’re interested…

Lisa Currie-Gurney - IF WE LIVED IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD, WE’D BE SUCH GOOD FRIENDS. YOU KNOW, THE KIND THAT WALKS IN WITHOUT KNOCKING. GRABS COFFEE FROM THE POT WITHOUT NEEDING TO BE OFFERED. TAKES THE KIDS SWIMMING FOR THE AFTERNOON.
YEAH… THAT WOULD BE US.
HUGS FROM MAINE

KK - Those are adorable dragons! I love each of them. It is amazing how, even though people work on the same project, they all come up with their own interpretation.
I will pray for Kyler and your friend! 🙂
Have a good day!

Patty - The dragons are wonderful. Again, I impressed with how you organize your days…not easy wrangling kids to do an art project on a hot, summer day. Tell Sean that I thought his dragon was very precise, despite the fact that no scissors were used!

Nicole Q. - Love all your random thoughts . . . I think I’ll have to do the dragon craft with my boys. Looks like a fun one! Have a good with a few less kiddos.

Vera - That dragon craft is AWESOME! We are so going to do that. Will pray for your friend’s baby!

patti - what a great craft! I’m going to look at that site now to get some ideas for my kids too. i know i’ve said it before, but i’m sure it’s nice to hear: thanks so much for sharing these everyday looks into your life. i really appreciate it!
cheers to a great week!

www.Kellyloves.wordpress.com - I love the dragons. Super cute. Will def pray for Kyle!
http://www.kellyloves.wordpress.com

Kirsten - Megan, you continue to inspire and amaze, even with photos of cupcakes! Prayers and hugs for your friends and sweet new little Kyler.
And I’m jealous that your kids get to wear swimsuits – we had a softball tournament get rained out this weekend…

Amber - i don’t see where anyone has mentioned this yet…but have you ever looked at http://www.academicsuperstore.com ? i believe ps is about half price there. i haven’t actually purchased from them…but if i were to make THE splurge…i would probably go w/ them. you are supposed to meet the qualifications…but i’m sure you could order via your children’s student i.d.

susie whyte - love the dragons, love the house, love everything. 🙂
sugar sisters was broken into. my husband had to interview one of the owners after the incident. they got a little over $240. if they’re in financial crisis, it’s cause they charge $2.50 a cupcake!! 🙂 haha. if they have to close, i will be so sad. maybe they’ll have to sell their plates. i want their plates so bad. the ones with the metal rims. and the blue melmac flower plates. haha!!

tara pollard pakosta - gorgeous dragons!
we are going to have to make those!
super CUTE!
praying for the sweet baby kyler–
God will hear us all….
bless your sweet blog, it’s amazing.
tara

Amber Zimmerman - Love the craft thursdays (and fridays) posts. 🙂 I’m glad you mentioned the paper you use too. As for photoshop – I have a student version which is much cheaper. It is the same thing, just cheaper for students. I’m not sure if you could ask a student to purchase for you at a local college (someone you know?) or if that is frowned upon? Worth a check at least! 🙂
Prayers for baby Kyler!

AshleyAnn - Those are gorgeous! I am looking forward to the days my kids can do projects like that…one down 3 to go…

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Great craft. Those kids are GOOD.
I had someone recognize me at the gym the other day too. It was really surreal. I felt famous…so I get it. I think I had a goofy grin on my face the rest of the day:)
That house you grew up in was just adorable. I was just thinking the other night how I missed the days when Honey and I would just “talk” for what seemed like hours. Oh to be a youngin’ again.

Juli - Kyler and his family will be on my prayer list.
I adore those dragons and I love your childhood home. Why in the world would anyone take down a porch swing? My hubby’s HS/College yrs were in 1930’s bungalow with a front porch swing. He & I sat and “talked” plenty there. I would swing my niece, while singing her “Edelweiss” as a tiny infant on that swing, when I came home from college. That tiny “baby” got engaged this weekend!

Julie K. - Hey Megan! I LOVE your dragons. So cute.
I use Lightroom for 95% of my work and then Photoshop Elements for any detail work on occasion. It’s so much easier to navigate. The combo of the two are just perfect. But I really really LOVE Lightroom. Just my two cents.
xo ~julie

Tam - The cupcakes look devine! I would like one for breakfast! I also want to purchase PS, i’m thinking Elements is more my speed though. The dragons are wicked cool.

mom - I use PS Elements too at work. I went to a PS workshop and the elements are easier to understand. But you are the professional! It might be good to enroll in a class after you purchase it – it really did help.

Bec - I use full blown photoshop to edit my pictures and honestly, it took me almost 3 years to really come to terms with it and truly start using it to it’s potential. I still have a whole lot to learn, but I’m getting there. I would highly suggest, if you are only going to use it for photo editing, getting photoshop elements. The same controls as photoshop but not overwhelming. I wish I would have gone that route to start with.

Melanie - The cupcakes look delish. I sure whis I had one:)

Patty - Thank you for the mention of the paper you use for Craft Thursdays. Prayers for baby Kyler. Happy day to you.

Christy - Awesome dragons! The house where you grew up is so cute!

katie - i made those cupcakes too…. HEAVEN!!!

Jill - LOVE those dragons! Great work, kids! (and Meg!)

A pocket full of posies... - Covering baby Kyler with many, many prayers!!! (and new mommy and daddy too!)
Many Blessings!
Jill

Amy Cygan - I have lightroom. Really easy learning curve and can export to photoshop if more editing needs to be done. It does a lot. It’s inbetween elements and photoshop as far as what it can do.
I got mine through acedemic superstore. If have to fax/email student report card/ proof of student, and you’ll get a great price. I’ve ordered several times from there. Think about Adobe lightroom. e-mail me if you got questions really. Amy paris626@earthlink.net
I have a dslr and been using lightroom since it’s first version. I do have CS3 but hardly use it.

kat - said a prayer for your friend 🙂
the dragons are cute !

Michelle - The dragons are awesome! Those cupcakes are on my list to make… I just need an occasion.

the road less traveled - two words for your photoshop question…
e bay.
🙂
love the tissue dragons.
and your childhood home~ lovely.

Kimberlee J. - We hit sugar sisters this weekend too. They made Ella’s birthday cupcakes. 🙂

Jodi - Yes, the best way to purchase PS for a MAC is to buy the student version at the Apple Store. Take in your high school daughter, have her show her student ID, and voila, it’s yours for a fraction of the cost. Whoops…hope I don’t get in trouble for telling you that. Mine is a bootleg from a friend of a friend. I LOVE it.
The dragon tissue project is perfect!

Sally Mangham - In regards to photoshop! Have you considered Photoshop Elements? I have been asking a dear friend of mine who runs a tech/imagining business and he suggested that I look at Photoshop Elments because he said if you haven’t ever learned Photoshop it’s a great start with the same editing advantage. Also, I recently discovered an online wk shop — http://everydayelementsonline.com/ . I purchased mine at Fry’s Electronics.
If you decided that you have enough experience and are ready to purchase Photoshop here is a great link http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/80-best-photoshop-text-effects-tutorials-part-iii/
Good luck! Sally M.

Gemma - Hi Meg,
Those cupcakes look yummy! Might have to give them a try. Loved your craft Thrusday/Friday.
Gemma X
http://musings-of-a-gem.blogspot.com/

Kevyn - I made those same cupcakes from Julie’s blog- for my husband for part of his father’s day. HE LOVED THEM. He is not a cupcake person but thought these were awesome. Love your blog! 🙂

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random

June 10, 2010

"CANNING BALL!" that is what she always shouts as she jumps in.

i took my kids shopping for patio furniture.
it was not fun.
but the escalators always are.

my new favorite magazine is Canadian House and Home….i wish the subscription wasn't $57!!!

i got stuck in a storm the other day while driving.
i had to pull over.
there were 6 other cars pulled over too….
i was talking to myself saying "don't cry. it is ok. there will not be a tornado…you won't have to find cover for you and all your children alone….you won't."
repeat.

and thankfully i was fine.

new shirt.
i let her pick some clothes out for herself and she said "i never knew shopping could be so fun?!"

my cousin Sam, uncle Roy and my grandmother came over on tuesday.
sam and roy live in australia.
we don't see them often.
craig took the men to golf and 8 holes in they were caught in a downpour of rain.
soaking wet.
and so we all dinner together instead.
in dry clothes.
yay.

grocery shopping.

lauren bought my old camera from me.
she loves photography.
🙂

annie said "i was pretending my foot was bleeding"

my mini-me.

he is a thirsty dog.

and that is the end of my randomness.
have a nice thursday evening.
it's 4:00….still time for a craft.

show hide 43 comments

add a comment

Lisa Murphy - So glad that you love Canadian House & Home magazine! (Love that rainbow cake, too!) Thanks for the shout out. Not sure if you’ve tried the digital edition for $25? Here’s the web address, subscribe on left. http://www.houseandhome-digital.com/houseandhome/201007sample#pg1
Many thanks, Lisa Murphy

Tanya H - So, I pulled up your blog to show my kids the castle paintings so they could try something like it. My daughter that is Annie’s age in school (if not for real) saw Annie doing her cannon ball… “Do I know that girl?” No, she lives far away from us. “Well I should know her. I think I like her.” 🙂

alison - What an amazing cake and I love the picture of the dog drinking from the birdbath!

Jen H. - You’re probably better off just buying each issue of Canadian House & Home as you see them on the newsstand?? Not sure what the price-per-issue is in the US though.
I agree it is an awesome magazine. I am biased though, as I used to work there. I now write for them, though not as often as I used to. If you see articles written by Jennifer*Hughes, that is me. 🙂 You’ll find me much more in older issues though.
Love your blog! 🙂

crystal - I can’t remember how I discovered your blog, but your rainbow cake was how I got here in the first place. I wrote a note to myself about it to remember to make it for my daughters birthday (which I did). I didn’t add as much color to mine (I was afraid it would affect the taste), so it was much lighter, but there were so many oooh’s and ahhh’s when the cake was cut. I had a LOT of fun making it (It was also a barbie dress cake, so it was extra fun!). I think I want to make rainbow cakes all the time now, they’re so beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration. I’ve been keeping up with your blog, and love your photographs and all your color!!!!!

Amy - Yours yells “canning ball”…..my 4 year old little boy yells “candy bar”!!! It’s funny how they interpret things!! 😉

RLG - Canadian H&H is my favorite, too! It’s soo good. Very expensive indeed. xoxo

Jane - love the insight into random events in your week. but even more I love that you have australian relatives – I’m an aussie too!!
It’s been lovely to see your family enjoying the summer as we shiver through a cold winter…

tara pollard pakosta - love love LOVE your reaL everyday LIfe photos!
so love them!
tara

www.Kellyloves.wordpress.com - cannon ball!!!!
love it!
http://www.kellyloves.wordpress.com

tasha roe - get out! that’s my favorite magazine too!! my sister lives outside of toronto so when we visited her at christmas i scoured for old issues. only found one though. it was awesome. my mom is heading up there today and will be getting one for me. i’ll have her grab one for you too!

Adrienne S - Where were you looking at patio furniture? I am looking for a small table like the one your kids were sitting at.

Barb - Ditto the comments about the camera…and the patio furniture. Share!

Julie - I so want to make that rainbow cake but one of the kiddos is allergic to food dye. Wondering if there is a special food coloring you use to make this?
Great randomness!

Sophie - Such wonderful pictures (:
I love the every day shots the most.
It’s great to see Lauren around, especailly with a camera. (:
And Talby looks SO much like you, I never realised!
Such a sweet girl!

Kat - Love the random shots.
Talby does look very much like you!
Where abouts in Australia do your cousin and uncle live?
We are in Tasmania, Australia.

Denissa - I love random! The rainbow cake was DELISH!!! Except I’m a dork and layered it wrong, which my ever so kind 8yo said “Duh, mom the purple goes on the bottom.”
Whatever still was pretty and yummy! 🙂

Deputy's Wife - I am making that cake this summer!!!

Katie F - WOW! I have never noticed how much Talby looks like you til those side by side pics. Precious! You should print those for her. One day she will absolutely treasure photos of her with her mom. 🙂

Rach - $57??? Are you kidding me? It’s a magazine!!! WOW!
I can’t wait to take pics of me and my daughter like the ones you have on this post. So sweet and so precious!

aimee - you have a darling mini-me! and i think you’ve sold me on that bistro table – i’m going to look for one tomorrow!

Tara - you don’t take yourself too seriously. I think that’s the thing I like about you the most. not sure why this is my comment…but it’s what came to my mind when I read this post.

Sharla - I too, love the randomness. Will have to check out that mag, haven’t heard of it.. . . .

Nicole Q. - I love the randomness.

Leigh - Sam is CUTE!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - You and your mini-me sooo cute. I have one of those too:) And every time I see that cake I vow to make one…someday:) Love the random posts Meg.

Amy D. - SO cute! I love all the family shots. 🙂 My daughter always yells “Tannenbaum” when she jumps in.

Lori - Adorable! I looovvveeee the pup pic. But then again, I loved the foot pictured, laughed at the possible tornado picture, and smiled at the mom/daughter pictures. 🙂

Leslie P. - I just got teary looking at your photos of you and your mini-me being so beautiful! The tears welling up also had to do with the fact that I’m listening to the song “In These Arms” by the Swell Season at the same time. Try it. Look at those pictures of you two and listen to this at the same time(open in a different window). You’ll weep, I have a feeling, because you’re a mom and I am too. 😉
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UnwvI5Atwk

Heather - my son saw the last photo and said…see our dog’s not the only one that drinks where he’s not supposed to! (ours drinks out of the pool only. we can’t get him to drink out of a bowl to save his life!)

Alda - I subscribe to Canadian House and Home and would love to pass it along to you when done from my home in Canada. If you can think of the most economical way to do it, I would be happy to do it. I love the idea of recycling and sharing.

Heather - where were you shopping for patio furniture? that’s a good deal!!! 🙂
love the pics!!!

Lori - Thanks for sharing your summer Meg! My kids are still. in. school! Til the 18th. Except for the senior, she graduates the 15th. We can’t wait to get started!

Keri - I think summer is all about randomness.
Especially fun randomness. 🙂

Penny - Yes, you do have a mini-me (you). Ha! I love the randomness of the pictures. {{Waffle!}} I wish he could come and have a play date with our Goldendoodle. They would have so much fun!

Chris - So funny – I have a dog that looks like a gray version of Waffle. He’s always drinking out of the birdbath!

Krista - Love your random pictures. I think my favorite is the one with the kids sitting at the patio table in the store acting like they owned the place!
Also, I have been using your rainbow cake recipe but adapted it for cupcakes. For my daughter’s birthday at school, she took rainbow/tie dye cupcake cones– they were a big hit!

Lisa - Love those freckled faces! 🙂

kelli - waffle! lol. thanks for sharing. all smiles here 🙂

Anna Marie - I agree about the camera. Do tell. 😉

ckiser@chem-castltd.com - whoa…your ‘mini-me’ is right about Talby. I’ve seen many pictures of each of you throughout your blog, but don’t remember seeing you side by side. the resemblence is remarkable.

Cami - The famous rainbow cake 🙂 It was a hit with my family!!!

Dana D@BoysMyJoys - If you have a new camera, don’t you know you ‘have’ to share with all of us about it???

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