It is not my birthday.

[Office?]

I have to say, today I am struggling for a post. Struggling. It has not been a great morning in our house, let me tell you. And if I hadn't pre-shamed myself into refraining from complaints on this blog, ya'll would get an ear/eyeful.

This blog is, after all, about Birthday Things and not Things I Hate.

But just because I can't snark doesn't mean other people can't, right? And that doesn't mean I can't snarf a little at it, right? Because I haven't had a lot to laugh about this morning, but I did chuckle at this.

It was worth the wait!

After we waited on pins and needles for the newest edition of Garden & Gun, hoping against hope that they weren't folding like so many good magazines these days, it finally landed with a splat through the mail slot today.

And wow, G&G. Wow. I'm not sure there is a magazine closer to my own heart. Stories on Chapel Hill and Pat Conroy? You've outdone yourselves.

Now, if you have heard my recent rumblings about Pat Conroy's latest, South of Broad, you might be a little confused here. But the review of the book actually says [much more eloquently] everything I was thinking, good and bad. Someone at Garden & Gun just gets me, I think.

Now I'm going to have to hide it in my secret place until I'm done reading. Unfortunately, there are two G&G fans in this house.

Because sometimes I need a little reminding

I can always count on Etsy to show me a world of things I didn't know I needed, but really, really, somehow, do.








[I will own this pillow soon. Perfectly Pithy in every way! I just first need to convince Lee that it's a $69 investment in our marriage. Wish me luck!]
[That was a Mary Poppins reference, 'case you missed it. A Birthday Thing for another post.]

We're Back!

Both exhausted, but a great trip. The girl only took one nap on our 5 hour drive home, so she was pooped this afternoon when we got home. But you know how sometimes when babies are really REALLY tired, they don't sleep as well?

Anyway, MB woke up crying about an hour after I put her down. In general we employ a very humane version of cry-it-out in our household, but tonight I could not help myself. So I went in, picked her up, and rocked her. I wish that there was language to explain how much I love this: little red cheeks, wet eyelashes, tiny nostrils breathing rhythmically on my cheek. I don't really wish that she woke up crying like that every night, but sort of.

Happy Thursday from Naples!

Not really. It's really Tuesday, and MB and I haven't even left yet, but in internetz land, such things do not matter. And MB and I are going to the beach!

Just some pictures today.
So jaded.

Betta.

Ode to the Scissor Set

I am the owner of a very large Scissor Set. [I mean, large for a non-craftytype.] Momthecraftygenius bought them for me several birthdays ago, along with some other very complicated looking scrapbooking supplies. I had good intentions of finishing our wedding scrapbook, really I did. But then I didn't. And the scissor set sort of mocked me.

And then Lee people started laughing at me for even owning such a Scissor Set. So, the Scissor Set went into hiding in the closet, along with my crafty intentions. Until yesterday when I needed some pinking shears.






You were right all along, Scissor Set. You were right, and Lee was wrong. I'll never hide your light under a bushel again.

Can youtube clean my house, too?

I learn something new every day! Unfortunately, I forget something new every day, also. So, when our housekeeper taught me how to fold a fitted sheet several months ago, I was elated! No more messy linen closet! But then when she left, I forgot how. I suppose I could have asked her again, but I'm pretty sure she already thinks I'm an idiot, and I am in no rush to prove her correct.

Enter youtube--How To Fold a Fitted Sheet. Did you know you could learn to do such things on the internetz? WOW.

The girl talks super fast, but after about 4 viewings, I got the gist. And look! Look at my sheets!


Still not perfect, but a vast improvement. That's the fitted sheet on the bottom.

It's a good thing I'm very simply amused.