Who Have You Seen?

I was on Facebook the other day and I took this quiz - Name 5 Bands That You Have Seen In Concert. It took me a minute to think, "who have I seen in concert?" I definitely remember seeing Duran Duran considering I was 13 at the time and that was my very first concert. I said something to Kevin and we started talking and slowly but surely the wheels started turning. I swear it's "mommy brain." All you mom's know what I'm talking about. It's a condition where you basically forget everything. Here is my list. I know it's quite extensive and varied, but hey what can I say. Who have you seen?

Duran Duran* (quite a few times)
INXS*
Paul Young
The Power Station
Garbage*
Our Lady Peace
Lenny Kravitz*
Rod Stewart
Posion
Marilyn Manison
Kid Rock
Metallica
Depeche Mode
The Cure
No Doubt*
Madonna*
Britney Spears
Pussycat Dolls
Black Eyed Peas
NSYNC
Hole
Jesus Jones
Squeeze
Slipknot
Judas Preist
Willie Nelson
Tori Amos
Sarah McLachlan
Linkin Park
Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus
Cheetah Girls
Def Leppard
Counting Crows
Aimee Mann
Marvelous 3
Remy Zero
Puddle Of Mudd
(*one of my all time favorites)

I know there has to be more, but like I said it's hard for me to remember what I did yesterday.

Glutton For A Punishment

After dance tonight, we had a little time to kill before we met Kevin for our usually Tuesday night dinner at Chick-fil-A. I had the bright idea that I would go to DSW and see what they had. It's not like I needed a new pair of shoes or anything, but I'm always on the lookout for something. I've decided that taking the girls into a shoe store, bad idea. I always seem to forget how much they love going in shoe stores. I think just as much as me and maybe even more so. But I swear those girls tried on every pair of pink high heels they carried in that store. I thought I was gonna split my side laughing because everytime I turned around Lacey was telling Lela, "Hey Lela, look at my sassy pink shoes!" Then she would turn and try walking down the aisle in them. She would take two steps and fall flat on her bottom because the shoes were so high. I have a feeling that we may have three shoe fiends in the house....watch out, Daddy. I think somebody may be glutton for a punishment.

What Am I Doing?

Do you ever ask yourself that question? Right now I'm feeling like I have bitten off more than I can chew at the moment. The only person I have to blame is myself. I'm starting to stress about everything I've got on. I'm working on two quilts and trying to plan a kindergarten's end of the school year party which will be here in the next 23 days. Not to mention just the daily activities of teaching Jazzercise, taking kids to school, dance, choir and just everyday errands. URGH!!!

This quilt has become a bigger undertaking than I realized. If I think about everything that has to be done, well it's a lot. Then today when I checked my email I find out I have to do a video monitor for Jazzercise, which is due by June 1. That means I've got to video tape myself within the next few weeks. Basically what a video monitor is to make sure I'm doing my job right. It's not that big of a deal. It's just added stress on top of everything else I have going on in my life. I so want to get outside and enjoy the sunshine, but that definitely isn't a priority at the moment. I'm just trying to breath in and out and ignore that fact that my house looks like a bomb has gone off inside of it. These next few weeks will fly by I know and I just need to enjoy it. It's about the journey and not the destination, right?

A Change Of Plans

I was so hoping that we would be able to go to the Art Show, but considering Kevin and the girls didn't get back until close to 1:00 yesterday I made the decision to pass on us going. In place of going to the art show, we decided to go to the movies instead and...yes, Rita's Italian Ice. We ended up seeing earth by Disney. It was very interesting and the scenery in it was just amazing. The girls really liked seeing the baby birds learning to fly. I enjoyed the just the shear amazement of how our planet works with the change of seasons. It is truly amazing!!! I always enjoy watching documentary type stuff because I always wonder how in the world do they get the shots they get, some of them just blow my mind.

Rita's was a big hit as always. I swear Lacey thinks she can't live without it. There is one thing you can guarantee when we go Lacey always gets either cotton candy or coconut cream ice. Yuck! We have got to get her to pick something better out like...hum...maybe mango?

Working My Little Fingers To The Bone

Yes, that's what I've been doing. Between working in the yard and designing/sewing two quilts I'm a just a busy worker bee these days. I think in one of my earlier entries I talked about our yard, well the front pine island is slowly but surely coming to life, I had forgotten how much time it takes to plant. I made the conscious decision not to buy more than I was able to put in the ground. During this week, we have planted - 4 gardenia bushes, 3 azaleas and 12 dianthaus. In fact we are in need of a few more dianthaus, but I'm not ready to go there just yet. I'm cracking up because before I put all this stuff in the ground it was raining every few days or so. Well, it seems now that this stuff is in the ground and it is not raining. Murphy's Law, right? Just watch it probably won't rain again for weeks and weeks, since we have started this planting.

The quilts? They are coming together quite nicely. I have about 20 something days before they need to be done and ready to give to the teachers. I wish I had kept of a time log in regards to how long they are taking. It would probably blow my mind. They are turning out really cute, though. In fact I'm making them both alike which if I wasn't under such a time constraint I might have done a little different, but this way it makes things easiler and a whole lot less stressful.

Tomorrow is Saturday and I'm looking forward to being productive. There is an Recycled & Reclaimed Art Show in Historic Downtown Senoia, I would really like to go to it. I'm thinking it would be a nice little family outing.

The Dentist And Hot Dogs

The girls had there six month checkup at the dentist this morning. I hate going to the dentist, more than our girls will ever know. When we go I sit there holding my breath with butterflies fluttering in my stomach waiting to hear if they have any cavities. Luckily we made it through another six months all clear. Yeah! I was so excited! The dental hygienist kept ranting and raving about all the room in the Lacey's little mouth and how good everything looked. Yeah! I just wish her room looked as good as her mouth did. She is notorious for whatever she has in her hands at the moment to just drop it where ever she is - her shirt in the middle of the great room floor, a flip flop in the kitchen, another flip flop in the dining room, on and on and on. I don't understand, nor do I try. I gave up a long time ago and just know that if I walk through the house I will soon find it.

Sunday after church we asked the girls where they would like to go eat, Lacey piped up with "The Half Shell." Well, as luck would have it they are not open on Sunday. I made a deal with her that after the dentist I would take them there for lunch. So, just as I had promised we headed to "The Half Shell" for lunch. We really like it! I have to tell you it's the craziest concept in a restaurant but after reading on the menu the history I kind of "gotta it." All this place serves is hot dogs, BBQ and oysters. Yeah I know, it's a little strange. What I learned is that the owners are from LA (lower Alabama) and this kind of restuarant is actually pretty common in those parts, so they decided to open a restaurant here serving that kind of food. I must say I was laughing because I had to think this probably isn't the healthest place to eat, right?

She Has Driven Me Crazy And...

I'm giving in. For the past few months Lela has expressed an interest in gymnastics. Personally I was hoping it was something that we could avoid, but who was I kidding. After much thought and her beating me down, I've decided to sign her up for the summer session of gymnastics. She is so excited!!! She has and continues to do cartwheels just about everywhere she goes. (She taught herself.) This will be interesting to see what happens. I hope it lives up to her expectations and she is not disappointed. And just to show my support I even bought her a gymnastics leotard. Good Luck, Lela! We Love You!!!

Earth Day

"What do you do to help the environment?"

I saw this question asked yesterday on TV and it made me start thinking, what do we do in our house to help the environment? The first thing that jumped out at me is we recycle. In fact every Monday, when they come to get the recyclables we usually have about three bins worth of stuff. (OK, I know. We either use a lot of junk or we're really good about what goes in the trash can versus the recycle bin.) The girls even get into it by taking the cans, jars, cardboard to the bin for us. We definitely try and make this something that the whole family does. Another thing we try and do and I can honestly say we're not 100% at is using our own bags to get the groceries. I have quite a few "recycled grocery bags" in my car to take with me into the grocery store but 9 times out 10 I forget to get them out. I'm half way through grocery shopping when it dawns on me, "oh yeah, I left my bags in the car." So, then they have to give me the plastic bags and I end up with whole bunch of them which end up in the recycle bin outside. It's a cycle we are trying to break. Another thing that I have become interested in is composting. A number of years ago one of my bosses was talking to me about it and how it worked, etc. I became fascinated with it then but figured it was too much trouble. And then the other day on TV, I saw them talking to someone who did it and his garden and yard looked fantastic! In actuality it's no harder that taking care of a plant. I brought this idea up to Kevin the other day about us trying to start a composting bin. He liked the idea. I just figured it would be another way to help the environment as well as cut down on our garbage a little more. Hopefully after a little more research and thought, we can get this idea up and rolling.

Landscaping

Two summer's ago we had a landscaping plan drawn up. Then as luck would have it the drought started and the economy started going south. Well, the economy definitely hasn't improved but with all the rain I'm optimistic about the drought.

Last weekend I took the girls so we could get a few of the plants and bushes for the yard. In fact our front pine isle had nothing in it except for one tree. It was very sad looking if you asked me. So for the past few days we have planted bushes and flowers in hopes that the yard would take on a much nicer and more colorful apperance.

(I can definitely promise you if we do everything that has been recommended it will be a few years before we get it done. Why? Because there is only so much digging Kevin and I can and will do on a daily basis. It wears you out!!!)

Movie Night?

We have had a girls' weekend here at the house as we like to call it. Kevin has been out of town since Friday. We are expecting his return sometime early today and yes, we are all excited! Last night we had "movie" night. We all piled in my bed to watch a movie and eat popcorn. The girls informed that as we were preparing for the movie that they really weren't hungry and didn't want any popcorn. Ok? Works for me. So, then we brushed our teeth and put our "jammies" on and piled in my bed. I think five minutes into the movie Lela was asleep. Lacey was laying all over me trying to get comfortable as I fought not going to sleep. I honestly think we got probably 15 minutes into the movie when Lacey said to turn the TV off because she was sleepy. Oh well so much for "movie night." Maybe we'll try again sometime later.

(Quilt Update: I spent quite a bit time yesterday sewing buttons onto the quilt for the teachers. Still have a ways to go but I can promise you after this my family will be sewing their own buttons on their clothes.)

The Cap And Gown

I got probably one of the biggest surprises of my life yesterday. I wasn't prepared for it. Lela brought home her graduation cap and gown. Talk about reality check. Our sweet Lela is graduating. Yes, I know it's just kindergarten but kindergarten today, high school tomorrow? I can actually remember parts of my kindergarten graduation and that was how many years, ago? Uh...30 something?

It's so true when they say the older you get the quicker time flies. I honestly believe that. It just seems like yesterday when we moved to Newnan and Lela started 2year old preschool with Miss Kristen and Miss Donna. She is now 6 and getting ready to leave the school she has been at for the past 4 years. Don't get me wrong I'm excited for her, but I'm sad as well because our "baby" is really growing up.

Beginning Stages

In just a matter of weeks the girls will be through with school. That's hard to believe but it's fast approaching. I decided months ago that for Lela's class I would make small throw quilts for the teachers. This morning I spent the day painting hands and placing them on muslin that would make up the center of the quilts. I decided to do a bee theme with flowers because Miss Josie like bees. Here is my inital picture of the panels. I will definitely keep you posted on it.

Friday Food For Thought...

I saw this quote on a blog I discovered and it had such a profound impact on me that I thought I would share it with you. Here's some Friday food for thought...

Most of the shadow of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

New Dress

Lacey is our little "Miss Priss." She loves wearing dresses, which is so completely opposite of her sister who is a jeans and t-shirt type gal just like her mom. Several weeks ago I order some clothes for Lacey and Lela from a place called Jig Jog. What I like about it is you can pick out the fabric and mix and match to get the look you want. Well, Tuesday I got finally got the skirts and dresses that I had ordered for the girls. I ended up just laying the bag of clothes on the counter thinking I would hang everything up later. Then yesterday morning as I was getting ready to take the girls to school, Lacey comes walking in the bathroom with her new dress on smiling from ear to ear. She was so happy because she had dressed herself and even put on her socks and shoes. (With Lela you have tell her like 5 times to go get dressed and even then she doesn't put on her shoes and socks.) Lacey then asked me "Don't I look cute?" and then proceeded to tell me how she got the stool out so she get her dress down off the counter to wear. She was so happy and proud. I told her that she looked "beautiful" and asked if I could make her picture. Never one to turn down getting her picture made I took outside with her new dress on. "Cheese." (If you notice in the pictures she hasn't even had her hair brushed yet.)

Improving? Well I'm Trying

Even though you can't see it I've been trying to make little and hopefully big changes to the blog. My plan is that by the end of April/May it will be completely done. I've been surfing the blog world and I see all these great things that I want to do. But in order to do many of the things I'm having to learn how to rewrite code, which for a graphic designer is not something I like to do. In fact I hate it!I just like for things to look pretty and personally I don't care how it happens, but when you maintain your own things learning code is part of the process. I do have some experience in it; considering at one point in my life I did design and have to update Havertys website. It's just I'm having to use that part of my brain I haven't had to use in such a long time and trust me it's rusty and old.

The reason for the changes, well I've changed and considering I've had this outlet for a year now it is time for something new and fresh! I'm hoping that what I see in my head can actually be done without losing what is there already. Are you following me? So, just keep an eye out and I'm positive that within the next few weeks you will see a new "The Daniells" blog. (Keep your fingers crossed.)

A World Of Peace?

Yesterday I did a lot of thinking in regards to the world we live in. It dawned on me that our girls have never known a world without war in it. That makes me sad! The reason I was thinking about that was because yesterday here in Newnan our local National Guard, the 48th Infantry Brigade Bravo Company Second Battalion deployed for Afghanistan. The city had a big send off for the soliders and our girls along with the all the kids in their school participated in saying goodbye. I knew that the girls would be a part of this and it made very proud and happy. Lela and Lacey both came home telling me about how they waved flags as the soliders and police cars passed by. I asked them if they knew where the soliders were going and why they were leaving? Lela said they were going far away to "fight the bad guys" and Lacey told me about how those soliders were other kids' mommies and daddies and they had to go away. They both then told me we had to pray for the soliders, I told them I totally agreed! As I'm writing this the tears are filling my eyes because at the age of 6 and 3, my girls somewhat understand what war is in a conceptual sort of way - fighting bad guys, keeping us safe, etc. I have to say that honestly at that age of 6 I had no idea what any of that was. I can only pray that our children realize how lucky they are to have been born in the wonderful nation we live in. We truly live in a blessed and rich nation and our daughters along with all of us are some the luckiest people born in such a great country - The United States of America. A country where we are free to chose, where we are free to speak, where we are free to worship; basically where we are free to be whoever and whatever we want to be. How about them apples?

Happy Easter,

everyone. I hope you had a wonderful day like we did. I can tell you one thing I ate too much, but boy was it good. We went to Laura's house after church and had "Easter dinner." I made sweet potato souffle along with a key lime pie. Yum! The kids hunted eggs and played around. We're now home and I'm so ready for bed. In fact I can here it calling my name. The girls start back to school tomorrow, so back to the grind. The Easter bunny visited and brought the girls quite a bit of candy along with frisbees, movies and a cooking apron. I have so much to do before tomorrow, so I will leave you with some pictures from today. Enjoy!

Kevin and I outside at Laura's house.

Sam, Evan, Lela and Lacey in their Easter finest outside church in front of the "Living Cross."

Our sweet little "candy monster."

Let the hunting begin!

I found one!

Laura smiling for the camera.

Laura, Mom and me cutting up and having fun.

I'm All Alone, Today

I have had a really bad sinus infection all week. In fact it started Monday and as the week has progressed so has the severity of my symptoms. Everytime I would swallow my throat and ears would hurt. So, I finally went to the doctor's yesterday after much encouragement from Kevin. Have I ever told you that I hate going to the doctors? And something I even hate more than going to the doctors is taking medicine. I'm really funny about that sort of thing. Well, I went yesterday and they put me on an antibotic and a steriod for the next 10 days...lovely. When I woke up this morning I was coughing pretty bad and all stuffed up. Kevin had decided to take the girls to see his grandmother and visit with his mom today. I ended up staying home and resting. He took the little camera with him and made some really cute pictures of the girls. I think they had a really good day just the three of them out and about.

Lacey's Easter Egg Hunt

There are some days when Kevin and I have to tag team, especially when both of the girls have things going on at the same time. Last Friday was a prime example of this. They both had their class Easter Egg Hunts at two different places and times. I went to Lela's because I'm the room mom and had made food for it, while Kev went with Lacey's to hers. Would you believe that I didn't really make any pictures from Lela's? I know, I know. What kind of mom am I? But Kev being the awesome dad he is made quite a bit from Lacey's. Here are just a few from her Easter Egg Hunt. It looks like she had a really good time.

Birthday Present, anyone???

My new thing to sew these days is pillowcases. It's probably been one of the most fun things I've ever sewed, if that's possible. I love fabric!!! It's my thing!!! So when I get to pick out fabric and mix different patterns to created the pillowcases I get so much satisfaction from it. I was having so much fun sewing them that I decided Lela could take one as a birthday present to a friend of hers. Another idea that had to go along with it was a doll pillow. So today, I spent my time putting my idea to fruition. Everything seems to have turned out really cute and I'm really excited about it. All I have left is to design a little card to go along with the packaging that tells exactly what it is. Hopefully it will be well received, it's hard to tell with a six year old, but if Lela's reaction is any indication then I will be OK.

Here is a picture of the doll pillow with its matching pillowcase. They turned out pretty good, uh?

Here is the packaging I created for the pillowcases - cellophane, paper shreds and curling ribbon. Ah, just lovely....

IDEA: Easter Wreath

I always try and keep sometype of wreath on my front door. I love the way they make the front of the porch a little more inviting. For the past few weeks it's been screaming for sometype of Easter wreath. I had actually been looking for one, but couldn't find anything I liked. Well, the other day a friend of mine had made a wreath out of bright colored eggs and tulle. I absolutely fell in love with it! So, today I decided that I would do my version of her idea. I grabbed my hot glue gun and off to work I went. It was so cheap to make which makes it that more fun! I spent $5.00 for all the eggs (which was a total of 10 bags and I even had extra left over) plus the wreath form which was no more than around $3.00. So, for less than $10.00 I got this awesome one of a kind wreath.

The Winds Of Change Are A Blowing

This year has definitely been a year of change for me. When I look back at January until now I'm really surprised at all the stuff that I have had the opportunity to experience and try. It's really quite cool in fact to see where I've come from to where I am now. In fact it was one of my New Year's resolutions to step outside the box, but something I have noticed with stepping outside your box it changes you. For the better? For the worse? I think it all depends on how you view life. Something that didn't occur to me was that once you step outside your comfort zone you can never go back; all the boundaries you once knew have moved or they have completely disappeared. What that does is cause you to move forward and take another step further from "the old you." Some days moving forward is easier than others, but the one thing you can never do is stay still. Oh, trust me when I say there are many days when I think where in the world am I going? And it scares me to death. I try to think back to who I use to be before marriage, before children. There are still the insecurities I have of a graphic designer who never felt truly good enough. The one professor who felt the need to question every decision I made, which I swear still plays havoc on my psyche. But I also realize that you can only let that control you for so long. At some point you have to stop playing the victim. So, with all that said "the winds of change are a blowing!" I can either choose to go with them and enjoy the exciting adventure that awaits or I can choose to stand stagnate and fight the desires to let go and be free.

Our Little Stinker

Yesterday, I posted about Lela and how she is growing up. Today, I decided it was only fair for Lacey to have a post of her own. So, here is a little bit about our youngest.

Lacey is the little clown. Miss Personality. She is definitely the stinker of the household. Of the two girls, she is our free-sprited child who is extremely expressive. She is such a sweet child, who rarely shows her temper. She loves her baby doll and refuses to go to school without her. She gets her feelings hurt very easily and when she gets in trouble she will tell you, "I love you, Mommy" or "I love you, Daddy." She thinks she is as big as her sister and definitely keeps up with Lela and her friends really well. She has also been known to be put in time-out at school a time or two, which is something Lela would have never thought about doing. I laugh because two children couldn't be any different than our girls. She is the yin to Lela's yang and we wouldn't have it any other way...that's for sure.

Growing Up

It's so fun to me watching how our girls are growing and changing. Lela in particular has all of a sudden blossomed into quite the young lady. This is a term she is not to happy with but nevertheless its a term I love! I first noticed it a few months ago. All of a sudden as if overnight she started reading. Then she was writing the most beautiful letters I had ever seen on paper. And then she was spelling words for me? Wow! Despite the trying times we have with her it is so definitely worth it. She reminds me a lot of myself. Not only is she my carbon copy of how I looked as a child it's her spirit that I'm drawn to. In the past few months I've learned to let go and let her be...well, herself. She loves pink! Everything in her wardrobe she thinks has to be pink. From the top of her head all the way to her feet. When this first started I so tried to fight it, but then one morning I woke up and said "Oh, well it's easier to just let her be." I also realized that this couldn't go on forever (or could it?). In school, I was one of "those" kids who dressed in all black and I've turned out just fine. What's so funny is I really don't even own a lot black in my closet, now. Yesterday she talked me into buying her some pink Converse hightops. Boy, did that bring back memories of me trying to convince my mom that I need black ones. I love this child! She definitely knows what she likes and its hard to change her mind. She is such a sensitive and polite little girl who loves her friends and sister, dearly. She is also turning into quite the artist as well. My favorite thing she has started doing is pausing the TV and then proceeds to draw what she sees on the screen. I have seen her intrepretation of SpongeBob all the way to Mickey Mouse. I love it when she asks me if its OK that she makes somebody's hair purple. I always tell her she is the artist and she can do whatever she likes. I just pray that she will always have the confidence to be who she is...a beautiful and unique child of God!

Here They Are..

I promised you that I would upload a few of the many pictures I took yesterday. So, without any further a do here they are...

Lacey had just woken up from a nap and she really wasn't into the whole picture taking thing at this point.

Such a sweet smile, but with a devilish side to her personality. She can be challenging but I love her spirit!

I love Lela's eyes in this picture. I'm so excited because I totally captured what are called "catch lights" in the eyes. Her eyes are truly this blue.

This is a picture of Lacey's hands holding one of the rice krispie bird's nest I made for Lela's Easter egg hunt. I love the innocence that this picture evokes.

Product placement of a gift card and catalog...nothing to exciting, but I do love the background.

Sickness Abounds...

Despite the fact everyone in the house seems to be suffering for some sort of illness, I've remained healthy somehow. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this will continue and all of us will be functioning at 100% soon.

My photography class yesterday went GREAT!!! I'm so excited and pumped. After I got home I started "practicing" on the girls what I learned. Poor kids, they will probably be sick of me. My mind is spinning with ideas of things I want to try out on them. I'm really happy with my camera and I feel like such an idiot because it is so much easier to use than my old 35mm film camera and the quality is amazing, of course. I will post some pictures that I took yesterday of the girls and a couple of product placement(?). You must remember that I come from a graphic design background and I worked in advertising for almost five years, it's in my blood.

A big thank you to the Vintage Flea for hosting the class. I love this store! It's probably one of my favorite places to find unusual and funky gifts. Not to mention they are having some kind of class that I want to take. If you ever get chance go check it out!!! I can always seem to find something there to spend money on. And also thank you to Sara for teaching the class. You are amazing photographer and teacher.