I must be magic.

I turn my back for one minute...

... and apparently time turns back, too.

A-Visiting We Go!

So, a few months ago, my Grandma had a few health scares. When I realized that I hadn't been back to Illinois to see her since 1997 (I am not a terrible granddaughter... I have seen her on several occasions since then, I just haven't been back east since then. I'm only almost terrible.) I booked a flight and Mason and I, in the company of my sisters and brother, were off on Grandmapalooza Tour, 2009!

Here are the highlights:

Sami and Brandon, modeling Grandma's latest garage sale finds.

She's always super generous!

Does anyone remember that scene in Willy Wonka with the lickable wallpaper?

Seriously, actually, licked this when I was seven.

Mason, waiting for our plane in St. Louis. I do think that he was as confused as he looks...

Other accomplishments:

-Eating 1 pint + 1 quart (I can't add those two measurements. Stupid metric system.) of Krekels Lemon Custard in 36 hours.

-Sniffing the air inside ALDI. Weird? I just may be.

-Nursing Mason for 3+ hours on a plane. Quite literally. (Did I use it right, Jana?)

Yeah. So, 2 full days in Illinois, and these are all the pictures that I got. Hmm. I just might be a terrible granddaughter after all. At least I've got my memories...

And the winner is...?

So, I am entirely stumped. I have been meaning to post a winner, but I have some issues. Namely these:

1. Most people that commented did not post this on their blog or let me know that they e-mailed friends. Hmm. Did you mean to enter??

2. I only got one funny response! I confess myself disappointed. This funny response I received via e-mail and my first issue applies.

So, I have narrowed the winner's circle to these and if y'all will help me pick a winner...

1. Melissa: Indicated a design dilemma and a need for free vinyl.

2. Maggie: The sole individual to post on her blog. If we're being fair, she won by a landslide.

3. Morgan: THE funny response. Morgan says:

"Here's an even better entry.....I like all the sayings and stuff and I've seen it in people's homes. We're finally in a position to look for a new home of our very own! (yes, I know, exciting) and I will finally be able to put a sign on my door that says "take your freak'n shoes off and don't get sh** all over my carpet" (in one way or another of course.) and maybe even put something pretty with our wedding and family pictures on our wall. :) So thanks for hosting the contest. :)"

Crass? Yes. Did it make me giggle for the rest of the day? Yes.

Please leave a comment and vote for your favorite.

Giveaway!

Just when you think you're done decorating your house, your sister has a KILLER deal on vinyl, and you just can't stop yourself:

My front door, if you can't see it, it says:

"You are Welcome... but your shoes are not."

The Boys' room. The map goes over the entire wall. Both the map and compass were custom order.

Isn't it AWESOME?!

The plane has nothing to do with the vinyl. Got that at Home Goods. Ignore the dust.

Their room has a "transportation" theme, and the map really completes the look.

The boys bathroom. I have 15 custom "bubbles" all around the room on the walls...

... and mirror.

I also have, on the boys' bathroom mirror, a custom vinyl in an "etching" color. It's awesome. I would post it, but I don't know if I am allowed to post a poem due to copyright laws... Hmm.

Perfectly spaced was awesome to use. Their products applied easily, shipping was FAST (Seriously. Fast.), and customer service was great. As you can see, I got several custom items. They designed quickly, and with each revision, I got an e-mail and was able to make changes as needed. I know it's my sister, but seriously. If my childhood is any indication, favoritism had nothing to do with my service. (Sorry, Sami... had to say it.) Also, pricing was VERY competitive.

So, why should you care about my great deal??

This is also good for you, my loyal readers. In an effort to get more traffic to their site, Perfectly Spaced has authorized me to do a GIVEAWAY!!! The rules:

Send an e-mail to 3 of your friends/family (who may be in the market for vinyl...) and get them to go to the site. Or post about this post on your blog.

Post a comment here, on this post, telling me why you deserve $15.00 in vinyl product, and who you sent information to. (Funny entries are good... I am not above emotional bribery.)

Get to it! As soon as I have enough entries, I will let y'all know who the lucky winner is.

www.perfectlyspaced.com

P.S. Everyone is a winner when you get a great product for a low price, even if you don't win... I'm just sayin'.

My new favorite quote:

"We don't have a dog right now. We have a Mason."

-Sloan

Dinner Party

If I could live in one era of my choosing, I would definately pick the 1950's. I think that I missed that portal. I love the idea of fancy dinner parties, wearing ironed dresses all day long, T.V. shows with built-in commercials, soda shops, and Rock n' Roll before it was just Rock. Ah. The simplicity of it all. Or perhaps I have been mislead by popular culture and Hollywood.

Nah.

I decided that it would be fun to time-warp for an evening, and enjoy a nice, quiet, elegant night with friends, complete with "The Newlywed Game".

Boy was I right. This is the life:

I started with hand-made invitations, (which I would share with you, except I managed to blow up yet another computer. (I really don't know what I do to them...)) Erasing the photographic evidence that I had made them. mailed out per ettiquette, 4-5 weeks in advance. Dinner was Italian-themed and four courses.

All-in-all, even with my car dying on me as I was trying to take my baby to the sitter, it was a good night. I don't know that I'll do them frequently, but I do think that I'd like to do another party sometime.

Thanks again to all who came! It was awesome.

Little Fish in a Big Pond

Just dropped my BABY off at KINDERGARTEN! Unreal. I didn't cry, and I am proud to say the neither did he, though I do think that a tear or two would have been a nice gesture...

Here's how it went down:

Stoically entering the gates of education.

Mingling with fellow students. (Doesn't he look the gentleman, hands all in his pockets??)

Trying desperately to keep a brave face.

Trying to let Mom down easy.

Failing to let Mom down easy.

Resolutely walking toward the unknown.

Saying his tearful goodbyes.

Entering the institution of Education.

Good Luck, Ethan! We're so proud of you!

Love, Mom & Dad

Oh, and while I'm at it...

Mason Smiles!

What a stud!