How I see it

I was in bed sick today. I spent all day watching movies and blowing my nose. Since I am sure you don't want to read about the latter, I will chat about a movie I watched.

Have you ever seen the movie Waiting to Exhale? Of course you have.
It's not my all-time favorite movie, but I do love it just the same.

When I think of Arizona, I picture twinkle lights, palm trees, and silhouettes of red rock buttes against an orange and pink fiery sky. I hear that deep voice - a radio deejay - introducing one jazz song after another.

Arizona is romantic. The cinematographers of Ms. Houston's movie certainly got it right.

There are days I wish we lived out east - the grass is always greener, right?
But then there are days that I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the world.
Today was one of those days.

Around us...

Ever since we 'moo'ved, the conversations in our car have changed - drastically.

Not a car ride goes by without mention of our noisy neighbors to the west, south, and north of us.

Of course, it's kind of an educational topic, so I can't really complain.

There are always new babies to "ooh" and "aahh" over.

RANDOM | MODNAR

Remember this mirror?
It was supposed to go in my bedroom. I hauled it up there. Left it up there. Wasn't feeling it.
So, Alex, my boy-wonder who is home sick today, got to haul it back downstairs for me.

[Admit it, a random post about mirrors... Clever title, huh?!]

I like it in my entryway mucho better.

Here is the view, when you walk in the front door, to the right:

And to the left:

It's not perfect... in fact, it's not even permanent. I want a black bench to go there - I am on the lookout for one. It's kinda crazy that I saw the EXACT bench I want at my Aunt Anita's house. They made it out of a full size head and foot board. From scratch. I asked for it. But I left without it. Meanies.

 Did I ever show you a pic of the formal living room with the new IKEA mirror? [another random mirror pic. weird]  Excuse the lighting - I cannot, for the life of me, get it right. But the room is coming along.

Here is my striped hallway - leading to the pantry and the garage. It got a make-over. Instead of painting over the stripes, I changed the decor. I love this soooo much better!

Close-up:

Not a close-up:



I've shown you this spot before... but not since I repainted the little table and added a few more photos. I love hanging photos!!

And finally... one more final random picture.

Rut Roh. We are getting neighbors! All the way from Michigan.
I adore people of all ages.

But why do we have so many older couples living so close to the park and pool?

I don't want them getting upset about the noise that kids make - but I can already see hints of it happening with several peeps down the street.
Oh well.

C'est la vie.

Random PhotoShoot

I saw a random boat

behind my house.

I grabbed my kids

and my camera.

my heart is filled with love.

Dulce Doce

Happy Birthday to my sweet, funny and cleverly charming daughter! It's hard to believe that my girl is 12!!

One of my very own

I've wanted a photo wall for as long as I've wanted to own my own house. The only problem with open concept houses are that there aren't very many walls. So, I had to choose my photo wall very carefully - so that I would have plenty of space to put up quite a few photos. I have a ton of pictures that I would love to display - but I'd need a McMansion to display them all.

After careful consideration [and input from the momma and the husband], we decide to use the staircase wall in the entry way. We need to get a buffet table of sorts for the wall... but I didn't want to wait  - so I improvised.

You see the table - it might be a little shorter once we actually make the purchase, but that's okay. I added a lamp [for drama!] and then that 12x16 rectangle is a lovely frame - that just needs an equally lovely piece of mirror.

It took a few hours and several dozens of photos - but Isa and I finally settled on the few that would be showcased.  Isa helped to arrange them so that there was a balance  - no two types of frames would be right next to each other. Two of our frames (from IKEA) were large - and we didn't have any mats to go in. So - improvising again - I cut up some black and white striped scrapbook paper and added two pictures to it - then enclosed it in the frame. I think it looks like we did it on purpose. (:

Isa and I cut out papers in the size of the frames and taped them to wall to get a good idea of where we wanted to hang everything. I don't know much about decor, but I do know I don't like Swiss cheese.

We literally cheered after each picture was hung. Hanged? Never got that one.
Here is the final result. Well, semi-final.

We plan to add little things as we get them, like a pair of skeleton keys. A letter "A" (as depicted above). And I'd like to get a few more frames, maybe smaller... But it's a start.

Remember that frame that I mentioned - the one that needs a mirror? - well, here is the frame. The plan was to hang it just a little bit lower. Just after this picture was taken, I messed up and the frame fell - and shattered. Just my luck. lol...  Isa looked at me and said "At least we get a picture of it before it broke!"

So, I am now in the market for a new mirror to fit that space!! (:

Checked a few things off of my To Do list

I made myself a To Do list for yesterday. My husband also made me a To Do list. Can you guess which one was my priority?
The kids and I travelled out to Phoenix yesterday (a whole 30 minute drive)... and made a visit to IKEA. I ♥ IKEA.

We only had an hour as we were meeting up with my parents for some pizza at noon.
I wanted to buy everything. [I am sorry IKEA peeps if your go-back carts are filled to the brim because of my indecisiveness and lack of monetary funds.] I bought a few things.

First... I bought a MIRROR! A big one. As in the kind that hangs above my dining room table [no, not like that, you pervs.] It was $79 and I lurrrve it. I can't wait for the husband to hang it for me. [Note to self: I should prolly get on that To Do list of his.]

I also got Isa a mirror. We got some stuff done in her room this weekend, including putting up a fan and some valances. She needed a mirror for a big blank space above her dresser. [another thing for Marcos to hang.]

I also picked up so picture frames - I so need to start my wall-o-pictures.

After IKEA and a fantastic lunch with the 'rents, we came home to get our To Do lists done. The kids had a date with their chore list and I a spray can.

I found the below mirror at Goodwill. It was $9.99 - but we happened to be there on 50% off day! So I scored it for less than $5.



I thought I would hang it in my bedroom... the flower detail is very similar to one that's on our bed. It's a very narrow mirror, but I have two spots picked out. We will see which one it looks better in.




While I was at it - I also primed and painted our little table that sits in the hallway and a shelf I had lying around.


I was going for an antique cream color - but I think they still look pretty light.
See the difference?



While at IKEA, I picked up this fake fern looking thing. The pot can be written on with chalk. Love it.



Finally, I had a little craft time this weekend - and came up with something for my formal living room and dining room. I think it's going to sit on the radio cabinet when all is said and done.



I wrapped the twine around the base of the vase and then taped the outside of the leftover glass. I sprayed the inside of the glass with textured spray paint and then used a clear spray over the twine to help keep it in place.

Look at how nice it looks next to the curtains...






So... that's pretty much it, other than the fact that I am still cleaning spray paint off of my hands.

I really need to get to work on Marcos' To Do list; bake him a pineapple upside down cake.

Slave driver.

[p.s. i just spent the last 30 minutes trying to figure out what's wrong with blogger - my formatting is way messed up. at first it ignored all of my hard returns, and now there is too much space. grrr.]