Wordless Wednesday: An Hour at the Beach

Wordless Wednesday Link Roundup

Currently Reading: Moonglass

I am currently reading Moonglass by Jessi Kirby.

"I read once that water is a symbol for emotions. And for a while now, I've thought maybe my mother drowned in both.

Anna's life is upended when her father accepts a job transfer the summer before her junior year. It's bad enough that she has to leave her friends and her life behind, but her dad is moving them to the beach where her parents first met and fell in love--a place awash in memories that Anna would just as soon leave under the surface.

While life on the beach is pretty great, with ocean views and one adorable lifeguard in particular, there are also family secrets that were buried along the shore years ago. And the ebb and flow of the ocean's tide means that nothing--not the sea glass that she collects on the sand and not the truths behind Anna's mother's death--stays buried forever."

I decided to read this book because it was advertised in the back of the book that I just read, Second Chance Summer. I am reading it on my kindle so I'm not sure if it is the digitized version of to book or if the actual book looks like this... The dialog is written in paragraphs. I get so confused who is speaking. In the written English language, you break lines between each person's dialog. This is driving me bonkers! Other 'grammar' mistakes are definitely the work of the digital format. I can get over that.

The story, so far, is well written. I can get behind the character and I am already sucked deeply in the world of beach life. I had no idea this would be a summer-to-end-of-summer novel. Imagine my surprise because my summer is starting to wind down. There is also a theme of beach glass showing up in the story. The main character is a collector, her mom was a collector, a recently introduced character is a collector, and I am a collector. 

A true review forthcoming.

Two Things Tuesday 8/6

1. I got my hair cut today. I wish my hair was thick so that I can wear it long. But that isn't the case. My hair is thin and i realize it should be kept shorter. Out of necessity, I keep it just short enough to still be able to pull it up into a ponytail. Last year, I had the same person cut my hair the exact same way. I was able to wear it very wavy. It was totally cute.

Before and after. 

2. Yesterday we took Ivy to the Downtown Aquarium in Houston. She had a lot of fun, even though it was pretty steamy outside. 

She really was in a great mood here - just hot and tired. 

A Stupid Story About a Dang Brush

We are on vacation visiting family again for the next two weeks. Hopefully there will be nothing to extend our vacation another week. We will be returning to the world of work. Yikes. I am so not ready for that! I just got myself depressed. In lieu of a menu plan because we don't really plan on cooking, I'm giving you a ridiculous story. Hey, at least I mention food?

I was probably seven - I know this because we were living in the "white house" (appropriately named because the house was *I shudder* white) across from my elementary school. I was given a blue or purple or dark magenta Dollar Store basket and there was a brush and comb in it.

That is my first memory of The Brush. It was one of those awesome items that you earned from the cereal boxes in the 80s. You know, you bought so many boxes of said cereal, sent in UPC codes, and the order form and you got awesome stuff in the mail! This was a set from Rice Crispies. Snap, Crackle, and Pop were on the handles of both the comb and The Brush.

 Those crazy characters were always up to no good, making sure my cereal made noises and spoke to me. Oh the horror!

The 80s was when it was happening! You could get a lot of awesome things in the mail because you ate cereal religiously. Bowls, toys, cups, spoons, brushes. And the prizes in the boxes themselves were pretty cool too! Christmas ornaments, miniature dolls, plastic spoons, just to name a few that I remember .

I also had an equally awesome Dig'em The Frog cereal spoon. I wish I still had that spoon. Just sayin'.

Through the years, the screen printed characters wore off of the set and the comb was lost. I held on to The Brush though. It is the perfect shape. The black bristles stand at the perfect angle and the perfect curve for my scalp and are not too sharp nor are they too dull. When I brush my hair, the bristles massage and scratch my head to the point of pleasurable chills. It smooths my fine, and oddly wiry, straight hair to the perfect sheen. Oh yes, The Brush also helps my hair to shine. The white grip is a simple pinch for your index finger and thumb and weighs as it should. It is not a heavy brush, nor is it one of those airy brushes with holes between the bristles. There is no ergonomic, rubber grip handle. It is simply the perfect, sturdy, brush.

Horribly, I know the date so well. The date I last used it, and the date it went missing. June 6th, I used The Brush in the morning, as per my usual routine. I set it aside, not packing it for our upcoming vacation to visit family the following day. I planned to use it the next morning because you don't want to mess with a girl and her routine.

The morning of June 7th, we were finishing packing and getting ready to go. I went to start my routine and noticed an absence of white. I tore a lot of things apart trying to find The Brush. I looked in the bags, I looked on my dresser and vanity. I looked in the closet and living room. I looked in Ivy's room and relentlessly questioned her. I knew she picked it up and played with it and put it somewhere, which is a normal thing for her but she denied knowing where The Brush was and that she hadn't played with it.

After being scolded for worrying "over a brush", we finished packing and left for our vacation. I spent every day just throwing my hair into haphazard ponytails, topknots and buns. I looked frazzled. I just could not smooth my hair perfectly. I am a tragic blend of type-a personality with a twist of subtle OCD and a healthy dose of perfectionism.

Three weeks of vacation without The Brush was aggravating! I have tried several times to substitute The Brush so I could have a spare for just in case, but nothing has ever replicated it. New brushes with similar black plastic bristles are too stiff and are pointed at odd angles and don't curve against my head. The bristles are also too new and sharp and hurt my scalp. Expensive, natural, boar bristle brushes are too soft to penetrate my thin hair to drag so hypnotically across my scalp - they are just too soft! Paddle brushes and round brushes are great of detangling my hair, however are not suitable for finishing and smoothing my hair as they tend to separate my hair into clusters and cannot "grab" my hair to pull it into the slick, smooth finish that I agonize over on a somewhat daily basis. I have only lost The Brush once before. I went to visit family for an event and ended up leaving it behind. My mother-in-law promptly shipped The Brush back to me.

Once we returned home from our vacation, it was time to start packing everything for the move into our house. One room at a time, one box, one bag at a time and The Brush never showed up. One day, I was packing up our bedroom closet. All the clothes that were hanging had been brought to the house and we were working on the items on the closet floor. I moved our fire safe box and there it was! The Brush was wedged between the wall and the fire safe. I just wonder how it got there, IVY.

Don't ever come between a girl and her oldest, most trusted beauty tool.

________________

For some actual Menu Plan Monday menus, head on over to OrgJunkie.com!

Week in Review

I never can get it straight. What days am I including in my WIR posts? For some reason, I know to write it on Friday. But is it Thursday through Friday? Or what? I don't know. I guess this is something I need to make an effort to solidify.

This week was a work related conference. I am really disappointed this year. There were very few relevant topics for me. It mostly focuses on the high school level. And there were only two sessions I felt pulled to attend because they were technology related. Apparently, I am more advanced than I thought because I learned nothing new. I even taught some of the other attendees a few things. I found myself bored and leaving earlier than I had intended. 

(37stories up)

This whole week without Ivy around did not make us more productive. I was at the conference. We planned on staying home until Saturday, but Ryan decided he wanted to leave today. No complaints here! We are currently on our second family visit vacation of the summer. 

It was amazing surprising her! She didn't know to expect us and when she saw us, she ran and jumped into our arms. I sure have missed her! 

Conference Post

I am currently in a session learning about blogging. I think I know more here than anyone else. A rerun of yesterday.

I am really not feeling this conference this year. I am still really tired. There just aren't very many sessions that I am interested in. That is all for today. 

Wordless Wednesday

Two Things Tuesday: Summer Conference

1. I am attending a conference in downtown Dallas for work this week. It is specific to my subject area. I feel like a 12 year old next to everyone. The few people that are closer to my age are (usually) dolled up. The older ladies tend to go with what they've been doing "all these years". I cannot find it in myself to really care what I look like. Although I should put a little effort in. This is professional development. Key word 'professional'. 

2. Ivy is spending this week with family. I already miss her. She has been super snuggly lately and those sweet hugs, kisses and little pats on the arm/back/leg are amazing. I am also not fooling myself. It's nice to have a little break from the whining, tantrums, and her not minding us. We will join back up in a week.

Menu Plan Monday week of July 28

I  am attending a conference this week. This MPM is "meh". Not only are we not really following it, we totally aren't following it! I'm sure we will be moving things around to fit it into our moods this week. Since I have the conference and our baby is out of town, we are chill this week. But at the very least there is a plan.

Find more (and probably better) menus at OrgJunkie!

Book Review: Second Chance Summer by M. Matson

When I picked up this book, the book fair at the school was having a half-price everything sale. I saw the word 'summer' and thought it would be a obvious choice for a, duh, summer read.

Basics: Main character runs from situations that scare her - her childhood fling, dealing with family members, a falling out with her best friend. She has to build her relationships back up and manage her feelings about her father's terminal illness. 

Didn't like: The middle chapters were flashbacks every other chapter. This is enough to drive me bonkers. I understand why authors do this. At least the flashbacks were labeled. But still, it can get confusing and frustrating. Something else... I don't know it it was intentional, but some of the grammar seemed off to me, like it didn't roll comfortably. I kept wondering if the editor missed some errors.

However, the story was very well thought out. The book itself gave a nod to Dickens, it was the best, it was the worst. It was a bittersweet story. I could believe this story as real. I highly recommend this book if you like summer themes and tear-jerkers. 

House Vlog

I guess I neglected to post my house tour 'vlog'. Uh, oops. I'll take a mulligan on that.
I've filmed the yard tours. I just need to edit them a bit.

House Tour 1

Enjoy!

Week In Review: July 20-26

I cannot recall all that has happened this past week.

Groceries, weeding, pruning/trimming, swimming, and painting.

We put some furniture together: the two bookshelves and the dining table, although the table needs to be fixed. I might refinish that piece.

While we were in the middle of putting the bookshelves up, we got our very first "welcome to the neighborhood" visit! I already blogged about that though.

I started refinishing furniture, which I posted about yesterday. We planned on putting new pulls on the nightstands and dresser but we couldn't find any new pulls that would fit the existing holes in the drawers. So we just painted them - which is what I originally wanted to do anyway. I think it turned out very nice.

I am in the middle of refinishing the dresser. All the drawers are ready. The pulls are painted and drying. The actual dresser will have o wait until later. A big metal tape measure was dropped on my foot by accident and I am nursing this new injury. 

We have also been taking care of the yard. I have been pulling weeds (which are really a different type of grass) and Ryan has been cutting the crepe myrtles and shrubs into a cleaner look. Sadly, one of the garden hoses has a hole or two in it. At least it wasn't the new one! Also, one of the sprayer/nozzle heads shot off of the hose while I was cleaning up. It was cheap!

 We have spent a lot of time indoors because of the heat. We have watched so many Disney/Pixar movies, I am starting to memorize them. Ivy and Dad have been fingerprinting while I was working on the bedroom furniture. And that is pretty much it. I hope you have had a fulfilling week!

Throwback Thursday DIY

Because Pinterest is so addictive. And I don't have a TCOY topic ready. 

We inherit furniture. Old furniture. Solid furniture. Perfectly useable furniture. Free furniture. Furniture with potential. 

The following is the DIY process of two nightstands out of a bedroom set that we recently inherited from Ryan's maternal grandmother. 

Cleaned and primed. 

I used the Bulls Eye primer by Zinsser. I also picked up the Rustolwum spray paint trigger. While I liked that I didn't have to use just my index finger to spray, the trigger did not offer as strong a spray as without. Think: spraying with about half the strength. At least my hand isn't killing me so that is the bonus, I suppose. 

The color is called Granite Falls by Olympic ONE. Paint and primer in one. Probably didn't need the first primer but I think it helped. All we need now are drawer pulls. And to do the dresser. 

Wordless Wednesday

Two Things Tuesday

I'm "stealing" this idea from Joy! I hope you don't mind! I realized I don't look at or find very many websites. If I do, I'll make a post. For now, this seems easier!

1. I have chores on the dockett today. I just spent a good hour-and-a-half pulling weeds out of our lawn. There are still more to do. It will probably take a couple more mornings to get them all. I have more plans to unpack boxes and bins, mop and vacuum, and do the windows, mirrors and glass. A full day planned. Oh and I think we will be doing some minor shopping. 

2. I am tired. That is all. 

Menu Plan Monday July 21-27

I hate to say it, but I am not feeling great. My wrist and arm are still hurting.

S. steak is Salisbury steak. We haven't decided how we want the shrimp yet.

More menus at OrgJunkie!

These People Still Exist?!

One of the sweetest things happened yesterday!

We had just finished eating supper and were relaxing quietly. I was contemplating taking Ivy swimming. All of a sudden, these was a knock at the door. It was the family across the street and they had a plate of cookies and a homemade card! Oh my gosh, our first, real, "welcome to the neighborhood" visit!

I quickly welcomed them in. Our little girls played and ran around while we all talked. I was a bit embarrassed because we were in the middle of putting our furniture up. Tools and cleaning supplies everywhere! They understood though.

I had been wondering if anyone still did that. It seems so Stepford or 1950s. It was just so sweet! Don't get me wrong, we've met three other people on our block but this was out first official welcome visit.

Week in Review: July 12-19

It has been a fairly busy week! Last week, Ryan's dad and brother helped us move our large furniture. 

Friday we all ran errands. We bought chlorine and shock for the pool. Then we went to get a lawn mower and other house needs. 

Saturday we did a few more small errands before we said goodbye to PawPaw and Uncle. Ryan mowed the lawn for the first time at the house. Later in the afternoon, a former student came to babysit while I ran personal errands (to exchange a bathing suit) and clean the kitchen. I finally was able to swin in the pool. 

Sunday and Monday were spent cleaning. I finally put the livingroom furniture where I want it. It has been raining off and on all week. It sure was a nice 30 degree change in the weather!

On Tuesday, Ryan had a work meeting. When he was done, we took Ivy to Chuck E Cheese. 

Wednesday we finally got all of our things from the apartment. We basically put everything in the garage as a transition until we can find homes for our belongings.  

Thursday Ryan had another training meeting. Ivy and I ran errands and took care of things at home like cleaning dirty spots in the house and putting things away. 

Today is Friday. We are keeping it low key. We all went swimming and then did some yard work yesterday afternoon. I keep finding things to clean. I just don't understand how people can spill or splash something and leave it. Or leave their dirty, grimey fingerprints everywhere. The entire house needs scrubbing. 

This morning, Ivy and I took a morning walk to a couple of garage sales around our neighborhood. 

I was able to pick up some collector Star Wars glasses for Ryan, which he loved. I was also able to procure a shop-vac - an item on Ryan's home wishlist. 

All-in-all, a pretty productive week!

TCOY: Moving Pains

The Move is over.

Everything - with the exception of 3 items - are still at the apartment. Ivy's measurement chart, bin lids, and cleaning supplies. I will pick those up when I clean out the apartment. Which, by the way has busted my vacuum cleaner. It was old anyway.

The Move has caused a problem in my wrist. I don't think I've been specific about it. One day it was fine. Then on a Saturday, we were moving some heavy things and I was feeling fine. That evening, however, my wrist started hurting. This was 10 days ago. It still hurts. 

TCOY, right? I have been trying to take it easy on myself. I kept the heavy lifting to a minimum. I took breaks. I bought a brace. I've been putting an anti-inflammatory gel on it. My wrist feels only marginally better. Now that The Move is over, I can do smaller, less pain inducing things and hope it resolves on its own. If it gets worse, i will visit the doctor. In the mean time, I'm taking it easy.

Wordless Wednesday: Taking a Break