Changing the subject...

There's going to be a little of that going on because I haven't posted in a few days...

First off I hate to report that we still have pesky viruses attacking my kids. It's been bang-bang-bang this year. Runny noses and coughs barely phase me these days. Overall we are all doing pretty well.

On to American football. I'm minutely pleased that the team I was pulling for won the Super Bowl. Frankly I don't have much interest in the sport. For the life of me I cannot understand the game. Even with the fancy yellow lines they stick in electronically these days. I've lived in a family of sports lovers my whole life. It just isn't in me. I aced (ok maybe a B) Trigonometry, Calculus and Statistics in my high school days, but the rules and game play of American football are completely beyond me. I do enjoy the Super Bowl for one reason: snacks. It's like the Thanksgiving of snacks. And I like it when a newcomer wins. I needed no further info than the Colts have been to the Super Bowl before and won (I think) and the Saints had never been to know that I was pulling for the Saints.

On to Kate Spade.

Dear Kate, I wish I could afford to adorn myself in your label. I trust other labels in my price range will have similar items in their Spring offering. I know it's not quite the same but it will have to do. I do find it quite interesting that your handbag prices are not, in my opinion, crazy expensive. Though I'm sad to report I don't own a single one.

P.S. I'd love to know where I might find your Outlet.

I mean seriously - I love this outfit. I don't need to be fancy.

{via Kate Spade.com}

And how lovely is this? Living on an island and all - it's so nice it's not cliche´.

{via Kate Spade.com}

I really should stop stalking her website. It's just a wicked thing to do to myself.

Subject change #3.

I'm getting excited about my job. I think I can totally handle the hours and I know it'll be fun. I am admittedly worried about the whole "getting vacation time approved" again. My dreams of summers in Europe have been tossed out the window. And let's not even talk about the subject of December holidays in the retail world. But heck, I'm going to give it a shot. And I couldn't have picked a nicer boss. For now I'm working a few hours here and there till the shop is ready to open which should be in late March. Then I'll be a regular. I let you know how it goes.

Well I guess I better get back to the laundry. Before I have to turn the dryer on another 5x to get the wrinkles out.

I'm going out for Sushi tonight - yum. What have you been up to??

Elle :)

I'm back, I think...

My goodness. We have had an absolutely horrid stomach virus visitor in our house for about a week and a half. Somehow I've managed to escape infection. Not sure if that's a mother's immunity or the grace of God. First and foremost I am beyond thrilled that my babies are well again. And who are we kidding, putting it into perspective this was a relatively mild virus. But I've gotta tell you - I'm WORN OUT. Caring for a sick and needy family for the better part of 2 weeks has taken a little toll on me too. I couldn't use the toilet without my offspring hanging on to my legs. So I'm going to take a little break. Yes, I'm only dreaming but what the heck... Come along.

I'd never heard of Sanya - had you? So many places to see in this world.

If you need me, I'll be here (alone, just like her).

Or here.

Getting ready to relax on one of these and have the most fabulous massage ever.

Hope you are having a grand day!

Elle :)

Dear friends

Please excuse my absence. First a cold went through our house and now it's a stomach virus. I will spare you the details. I miss you but will be back very soon.

Elle :)

It's important to pay attention.

Just making a quick check in. The babies are snoozing, the husband is out for at least another hour and I'm snuggled in my new bed* ready to dive back in to my book: The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I'm about a third of the way through it and I'm really enjoying it. I'm having a little trouble keeping up with the characters. Not that there are many, but for some reason I'm having a bit of trouble keeping track of who's who. Problem is probably me and nothing to do with the book...

The weekend is looking up. There's a Sunday family gathering that is brewing and may be the perfect excuse to retract my RSVP to the expensive baby shower. I received an apology email from the g-o-h. Her request was for a low-key, inexpensive & no-gifts policy shower. Something got lost in translation.... I could make it a big blow-out and not only attend the baby shower but tack on a few hours at the Ritz spa afterward. That would surely send my dear husband into cardiac arrest. Well at least when next months AmEx bill is due.

He nearly spit (I'm using my manners) a brick when I sent him this month's total. Here are some snippets from our convo. Please note that the AmEx total is always sent sugar coated via email....

*****

Laying on new bed in bedroom:

Elle: Hey, I found that $100 you asked me about the other day. Guess where it was?

N: I hope you put it towards the AmEx bill.

Elle: It was STILL in my wallet! And no, I didn't put it towards the AmEx bill, I paid for the bouncy castle for S's party (our daughter).

N: I don't know how you think I'm going to pay that bill.

Elle: Well $X was on AmEx and the rest ($Y) was on the MasterCard so we don't have to pay that one in full.

N: What exactly Made up the $X+$Y?

Elle: Well $1000 of it was the tires and coffee you ordered.

N: $1000 on coffee and tires?!?!?

Elle: Yes. And some was food and the rest was Christmas oh, and a little that I spent on myself while we were in Atlanta.

N: What part of Christmas?

Elle: The Pottery Barn Kids stuff and Land of Nod stuff.

N: Pottery Barn Kids?

Elle: Yes remember you went in the store with me and we came out with a very large bag of stuff for the kids?

N: Oh, yeah. Land of Nod?

Elle: Yes, that's where the train table came from.

N: How much was that?

Elle: $400.

N: For a train table?!?!? I could've made that for $50!

Elle: Well it was actually $395 plus I got that smock and splat mat. And I showed you the train table on-line and you agreed that we should get it.

N: Well I wasn't paying attention.....

Elle: [(thinks to herself... "imagine that"]

****

Have a super fab weekend!!

Elle :)

P.S. * though not sparkly, a wonderful gift indeed!!

2010 & Random Ramblings

Well here we are in 2010. Hope it's a great year. Any resolutions? I'm not a big resolution kind of girl. Every year I would like to be a little more organized. This year I'm hoping to work on my scanning photos project and I'd like to learn how to use my new fancy schmancy camera well. These are only plans though, not resolutions.

On to some very important subject matter.... So I was invited to a baby shower. The guest of honor is a lovely gal and a friend. I don't know many of her other friends, we generally get together with our husbands. Well I got an evite with a save the date and details to follow. Checked my calendar, no plans, so I confirmed my ability to attend. Last night the details arrived: tapas and drinks outdoors at the Ritz. Oh and guests pay a fee of US$62.50. Plus a request to donate ~$40ish US$ to a gift. Say what? Tell me ladies is this a new trend I am unaware of? Asking guests to pay to go to a baby shower? I often think I need to be paid to attend some of these events. Especially when they want you to smell baby diapers and drink bottles in front of strangers. I'm a little perplexed. Frankly, I'd rather spend the money on a gift of my own choice. I likely won't spend much quality time with the g-o-h at the shower. And while the idea of over priced sparkling water and a handful of nibbles on a lovely January day at a luxury Caribbean resort sounds dreamy, it's just not sitting well with me. In my opinion you either host and foot the bill or come up with a more reasonably priced venue, like say your house. So tell me what you think. Please, I really want to know!

Well the kiddies are up now so I'd better get going. Oh, guess what? Our shower door spontaneously shattered into complete smithereens. Yes, the one that we JUST finished. There's something about that bathroom....

Until next time-

Elle :)

It has taken 2 long years....

well almost. Next month will be two years. We've been working on this bathroom reno for a loooonnnng time. It was the first project we wanted to tackle after we bought our house. Instead, we did a bunch of other stuff and lived in another bedroom then moved into the master bedroom without use of the adjoining bath. Then we had a toilet, then sinks, then a tub and now finally a shower. Only we have to seal the floor before we use it and the shops don't reopen till Tuesday. So there is a chance that I might, just might have a shower in my bathroom before 2010. I think it's a major improvement though, don't you think? We gutted the room and reconfigured. The window is the same to give you an idea of positioning. I have to take some after shots of the sink area. My plan is to do one big before and after post with all the things we did in the house. One day when the house is all tidy and I can take some nice after shots! Here goes:

Before - don't you love the dark green?

it really bothered my husband that he could sit on the toilet and touch both elbows to the walls. I wonder - who thought this use of space was a good idea....

And ahhhh, after. Much better, huh?

Elle :)

I wonder...

how long it takes for a bow (you know the holiday pressie type) to biodegrade. I'm wondering because I have been unable to find any suitable ones for my paper this year and I'm thinking of forgoing the whole bow thing. Well except for a few that are on the presents I deliver.... After all, it's okay if they don't "match" the tree, right? (I told you I obsess!!)

Anyways lovelies, this is going to be short and sweet. The days ahead will be very busy. What with my sister in town, 2 kids to control and all sorts of prep before the big day on Friday. Wanted to wish you all the happiest of holidays. I probably won't be back until 2010 unless of course I just have to share something amazing with you before then. Like maybe the most sparkly of presents I find for myself under the tree... maybe?!?!?

Best-

Elle :)