You know, that patriotic THING!!!

Have you ever wanted to order something on the internet, but you didn't know the name of what you needed?  This happens to me a lot because either a) I look for weird stuff to order online or b) my very limited vocabulary, especially when it comes to home improvement, is a major impairment.

For example, I googled "Plexiglass thing to cover my florescent light" when I needed a plexiglass thing to cover my florescent light.

I am called a "Light Diffuser Panel" and am not available in your size online.

And most recently, I wanted one of those semi-circle flag things to hang out front.  You know, the patriotic kind.

So I Googled "4th of July decor" and received these results:

Images from Coolglow.com

No, that's not what I am looking for!  It is a flag thing... So I googled "Flag Decor"

(source)

No!  That's not it!  If I wanted a pink-flamingo-wearing-a-Santa-hat-with-a-present-in-its-mouth flag, I would've Googled "pink-flamingo-wearing-a-Santa-hat-with-a-present-in-its-mouth flag."  Come on technology, work with me here.

Then I tried "Patriotic Flag"

And I am not even kidding, this was the first result. (source)

Really, people, that is just WEIRD! 

Finally, I used all the words I could muster and Googled "Patriotic flag drape decoration"

May I introduce you to B-U-N-T-I-N-G?  (source)

I thought bunting was "hitting a short distance at bat," but actually, I learned a new word!  Or I guess I really just learned a new definition of an old word.

Bunting home at last!

Cascarones =Confetti Egg Fun!

You sneak up behind an unknowing friend, 

ammunition in hand,

then to their suprise,

the CRACK! of an eggshell on their head,

and a rainshower of confetti.

What could be more fun?

For several years, I have made cascarones, or confetti filled eggs, for different celebrations. 
They are really easy to make.

Hollow out one end of an egg (easier than you would think).

Just think of the small children you can attack.

Wash out the egg and let it dry.

See how quickly the kids catch on?

 Dye and Decorate the egg.

Or paint a MJ image on it.  You know, do your thing.

Consider being an overachiever like Gracie's Eggies (source)

Fill it with confetti.  Or birdseed.  Or money.  It would be nice to be showered with money.

Look at his joy!  And our thrilled kids!  Attacking Mom is fun!

Cut a small piece of tissue paper and glue it over the hole.

Then sneak up behind someone and SMASH it on their head!

Or just buy some at the store.  My sis found them for $0.10 a dozen after Easter last year!

Goldilocks

I feel like Goldilocks.  Only not as cute.  

 

I want a yellow chair for my bedroom and I cannot seem to find one that meets the parameters set forth by my imagination.

This is the color I am looking for, but this is too "Outdoorsy"

Not even close.

Love the style...but too gold.

Love the color, but looks uncomfortable.

Looks comfortable, but too "buttery."

Soo close, but too green pea-ish.

Kind of boxy and too "Mustardy."

Victim of the scroll down.  Looks great...until you scroll down.  Please explain the feet.

Too country.  And again, funky front feet.

 I cannot seem to find a "just right." 

Thank you Edgar.

This guy right here is helping me feel better about life.

Not just because he makes me feel pretty.

I have been complaining to my husband, 

(because they never tire of that)

"When will this feel like home?  

I feel like I'm living in someone else's house."  

Then, straight from the attic,

along came Edgar.

What's happening, hot stuff?

He reminds me of Halloweens past.  

In other homes.  

In fact, Edgar has been scaring our children in our last 4 homes.  

They have grown to love him, too.  

You know, as they have matured enough to understand 

that he won't sneak into your room at night and bite you.

Carly last year:  Pucker up, Edgar.  It's time for some lovin'.

So thank you, Edgar.

Not only for making me feel better about my physical flaws,

but for helping us feel a little more at home.

Edgar, you rock!

Good News!

If you haven't heard, we are moving and have sold our house!  And we have a contract on a beautiful disaster in Graham, TX.  You can count on lots of blog entries as we work to:

De-Purple

Disinfect

And try to find our home behind all the chaos.

"A house is made of bricks and stone...

...but a home is made from love alone."

This phrase was on my mind today as I looked around my home at my many home accessories.  I often wonder if the little trinkets and gifts that I have collected along the way are the very things that make my house a home, or if it is o.k. to trash them now and then and start over. 

Each year, we have Pizza and Pajamas at Christmas.

If these are the memories my children have, the "love" that makes our home, then can I unload some of my accessories such as this:

See the spiral candle holder in the background.  Am I wrong in thinking that it was on an episode of Friends about 10 (15, 20) years ago? And I HAD to have one, so I stalked Pottery Barn until I found one on sale.  I am so sick of that thing.  Can I get rid of it?  Or is it going to be something that my grand kids think is really cool one day.  That Gramma's house has the hippest old stuff.  My grandparents really do have the coolest stuff.

This reflective owl has greeted us as we arrived at the Poling Ranch for as long as I can remember.  The home behind it, where my mom grew up, has since burned, but the owl has held his own.  It would not be the same without the owl.

Here's the difference:  I purchased a massed-produced item that you can now find at any Target or discount store.  My grandparents bought unique items at craft shows or from crafty friends, or they made things themselves. 

So I'm thinking that I really am a part of the "throw away generation."  But I can't help it.  The spiral, the horrible-mass-produced-so-over-it-candle-holder-that-you-can't-light-the-candles-without-ruining-the-wall spiral,  has put me into its last trance.  Free to a loving home (or I'll bring it to the family reunion Crap Swap.)