Quick Coast trip

After the auction we headed for Lincoln City as the girls had a swim meet today. Not wanting to spend big bucks on a motel (as we would only be inhabiting the dive for a few hours) I chose an inexpensive motel, a little nervous about what would await us. We were impressed and highly recommend this motel - Inn at Wecoma. It was extremely clean, the beds were comfortable, complimentary breakfast was provided and there is a pool. Our room was 77.00, but a suite that sleeps 8 was only 104.00!

Show us how it's done, Milah!

Happily smothered by the girlies

I guess Maren's hoping she'll grow into her swim cap

We even enjoyed a rare sunny day on the Oregon Coast.

Go Mare Go!!

Sold! To the highest bidder . . .

Scott volunteered his services as "auctioneer" for a benefit auction at the girl's school. How he has the nerve to do this, I do not comprehend - but he did an awesome job! You'll have to get rid of the music if you want to hear the professional at work

Sten and Zane share the same birthday - 13 years apart.

Repainted Rust Bucket

Before the big show, we decided the old horse trailer needed an overhaul. Milah has been on Craigslist drooling over horse trailers - but for now, this is it!

We employed child labor to get the job done . . .

Ta Da! Needs a pinstripe and a saying - then we're good for another 20 years. I saw a fitting saying to place on the back - "Every horse, at least once it's life, deserves to be loved by a little girl"

Feeling Hors - ey

Milah participated in Pre Fair this weekend and after combatting a serious case of nerves, survived to earn a few ribbons - one of them BLUE (in showmanship)! Poor Milah is at a disadvantage because her parents are not "horse" people and do not know the scene. We're getting "broke in" quickly tho . . .

Meanwhile . . . Maren (the Fair Rat) had a bang-up time. Within minutes of disembarking, she was running with a hoard of kids - climbing dirt piles - chasing around on her scooter and talking other children out of their bikes and cupcakes. Never one to know a stranger - she LOVED pre-fair!

Take a seat . . .

Ok, I was completely blown away by this chair transformation I spyed here. And Wowie Wow Wow (to borrow a term from Junie B Jones) - I found 8 similarly styled chairs on Craigslist this weekend. They were from a local Masonic Hall and I payed 40$ for 8 of them - SCORE!!

Here's one of my beauties in it's original state - great lines and hopefully a simply redo (since my reupholstering skills are nill)

This is the stripped down model. I have been saving these awesome burlap feed sacks for a special project - think I've found it! Stay tuned for the finished product. I'm now kicking myself that I didn't spring for all 16 chairs - dagnabit!

Inspiration

Are you ever itch'n for a change in decor - but aren't sure just what you need? Enter this little wooden step ladder - not expensive, but rustic - just my style. It has found a cozy home on our island and as my family (ahem) is REALLY enjoying Tuscany at this very moment (for reals) - I am celebrating their travels . . . Bon Voyage to Heidi and Crew and the poor grandparents who had to tag along.

I love using these breadsticks for display - the longer ones are parmesan garlic and are quite tasty. Might have to refill those . . .

Vintage Treat . . .

1967 Mercedes 200D Fintail Wagon

As I was chauffering the family towards home tonight - Scott hollered for me to flip a u-turn as he wanted to check on these sweet ride. Apparently this car was "discovered" by a local garbageman (he spotted it in a garage) and it has been stored for the last 27 years. The lucky garbageman paid 900$ for it and it is worth over 30K as is. It still has the original plastic protecting the interior in some places. Scott has dreams of it as our next family SUV - putt putt putt - I think I'll need a big floppy hat for this one.

Saved from the flames

We performed a rescue mission yesterday - saving this incredible piece from its torched doom. Some might say that is precisely where it belonged, but I see great things for this table. Bonus is that a rustic old bench was also on the burn pile - so we grabbed that too. Last week, my heart plummeted as I noticed that the pile had been lit and my table would no doubt be ashes by morning. Imagine my glee when I noticed that the fire had only partially burned - leaving my table untouched! The girls were not too pleased as the dwelling was right across from their school. We were headed to the back yard as the school buses rolled by - Milah was most humiliated and wished that she belonged to a different mother at that point . . .

Turn, Turn Turn

One of my favorite aisles at the Goodwill is the wood stuff. I scored this lazy susan for 3.99 recently and knew exactly what it's "next" life would be . . .

After some paint - more paint - a little sanding and a little more paint - it's done! I'm throwing a price tag on it and it's going to market . . .

My inspiration was from the Ballard Design Catalog (a personal fave) - a MUST for house junkies.

I'll Take Cream with that . . .

Take a close look at this bag - made from coffee bags! I'm gonna be hitting up every coffee drinking character I know for their empty bags. All that's used is a zig zag stitch - first you sew the sides, then the bottom, and finally - the ends. Add trim at the top and handles.

You could use other plastic coated bags as well - candy, chips, capri sun . . .

Stop the car - I hafta grab my camera

Makes me want to move to the boonies, sell baby chicks, salt licks, and dog food Unique Fence - this homeowner offered 5$ for old doors and was inundated with calls - LOVE it!

Itch, Scratch, Burn

Somewhere I came in contact with poison oak and am being shunned in my own home. After being gone for 5 days, all I want to do is hug the kids and cozy all together, but I can't touch them. Scott banished me to the couch where I attempted to sleep next to the crazy hamster who exercised all night - apparently his membership is to 24 Hour Fitness. The girls were fighting this morning (grrrr) about who would get to hug me first when I was healed (ahhhh).

Slip Sliding Away

So, I was strolling thru the Salt Lake City airport, searching for the departure gate - when I felt an odd sensation. It was as if my half slip was slipping. Sure enough, I looked down at my feet and my white slip was hanging well below my black skirt. I quickly assessed my options - Hmmm, I could either go in from the top and tug upward or reach in from the bottom and pull it towards the floor. I was too far from the restrooms (to take care of the private matter, privately), so after positioning myself behind a large shrub, I chose the latter method. I half expected some snorts of laughter to break out around me as the offending article puddled at my feet and was stuffed in my purse. Why couldn't this happen at home while I was making dinner? Why must it happen in a crowded airport terminal where the main recreation is people watching? Wish I could say that a recent significant weight loss was the culprit - apparently just a lesson in humility.

Virtual Home Show

I love driving through subdivisions at night and glancing in the windows of the houses that are lit up (ew, creepy). I love touring model homes even tho I have no intention of buying (what a louse) and I love home tours on blogs . . . Check out this one, and score some great ideas. Every day this week, there will be 4 houses featured. No peeking in windows or fibbing to realtors - just check out these creative digs . . . Click here for the tour