Birthday parties and Bird parties

Today is Hayden's Birthday. He is 7. Scott and I traveled from Jacksonville, Arkansas this morning all the way up to Decatur to see the Turks. It was a typical road trip... except this time we started reading a book called "American Gods" (more on this later). The drive was quick(for me anyway) but it was cold and gray outside. I realized I miss Texas. We tried to make it in time for Scott to pick Hayden up from school. However, we were delayed with "fast" food and traffic. We celebrated the day just the same as we got into town around 3:30 and spent a majority of the evening with Hayden Riley and Baylie Hannah. Yep, they grew.

They didn't have any prior engagements so we got to spend the whole evening with them. They opened their presents, Baylie and I played with her new playdough and we looked out the window and assessed the view (noting a bird party that apparently two sad birds were not invited to). Highlight of the evening: Scott got Hayden a remote control submarine that actually dives under water(at least 3 feet). We took it down to the pool....it was awesome. Hopefully tomorrow we'll have swimming suits and be able to get in with it. After that we went to Texas Roadhouse (it seems a little different now that we actually live in Texas). Hayden jumped on the sadle and it was made known to everyone that he had turned 7. The turks were injected with sugar and the effects began to show as we headed to Walmart to pick up a screwdriver kit to install batteries into a land rover/metal detector that didn't end up working properly(its a good thing a brand new Target opened just down the road). Then we headed back to the hotel to show 'em what Homestar runner's world is like. Bedtime came quick so Scott had to take them back :( We'll get to see em again tomorrow. It looked like Hayden had a good birthday, after he got some food in. He is so much like his dad. Grumpy hunger syndrome, dance moves, he's very handsome and gets so excited about how things work. *sigh* Its been a great day. I can't wait to see them tomorrow.

Papazon

It started as a papazon chair- I had saved up for, back when I was only 14. A few years and a couple states later, its evolving into a coffee table! After moving to Dallas, Scott and I decided there was no room for the chair-and it was outdated......but since I was attached to it I compromised and threw out only the bowl, keeping the cushion and the base. Having worked at Lowe's, I knew of pine wood rounds that are about 1 1/2 " thick and sanded down with rounded edges.....the idea of a much needed coffe table popped into my head. So picture the base of a papazon chair, with a 30" round on top and a 36" round above that, suspened by four 7" bolts(space for remotes, magazines, and favorite comic books). Tomorrow I will paint it.....black, a pale slate blue, using letter stencils that spell out- COFFEE TABLE-FOOT REST- etc....It will be a piece of art, a visual of teamwork, a nostalgic endeavor, very useful....It's not even finished and I'm proud. BTW-thanks Scott, for letting me keep it, being content with it in its "natural state" and finally doing all the dirty work. Its gonna be great!

Everywhere but here (Scott's office)

I used to hate my moms to-do list. I thought it was absurd that she spent so much time on so many piddly little things......almost 3 years out from her reign.....I am showing signs of emulation. Its a good thing. Over the past three days I have gone through eveything........keep, toss or Good Will. Laundry completion and going through clothes that are "out of season" (we will actually wear some day, i swear) have been my two biggest feats, as well as going to storage.....and rearranging the bedroom furniture. There was some painting involved and I have now officially let go of the memory of our adorable baby kittie (sorry Gwendy). After getting up "early" and staying up late -all for the sake of keeping my motivation alive- I am exhausted. But now, I can truly relax ,while at home, and not think of all the piddly little things I needed to do.

Hold up, wait a minute......My eye just fell on the area called "Scott's office" It has not yet been wielded by my gifts. I'm not "allowed" to touch the paper work, computer cables and whatnot without his supervision. I would like to. I'm still motivated. But its something we have to do together. I don't mind that so much. The idea of Scott and I pouring over paper work- sounds like a good time. I just hope I don't lose my motivation..