To Paint or Not?

Spring has been late to arrive this year, and it is only this past weekend that I have even begun to think about what to do with the front porch and back deck.   I know I want it to be clean and simple this year, so I'm trying to stick with that.  We ended up Not having the yardsale this past Saturday. It just wasn't feasible... to much to do before Cameron and his new bride arrive on the 10th.  So we will just shut the garage doors and not let them in there ;)  

As for my front porch... a friend talked me into keeping and using at least one of the wicker sofas.  I moved the outdoor wicker set to the back deck and put the indoor wicker loveseat on the front porch.  I will have to cover the cushions when it rains, but I think it should be OK, since there is a pretty wide overhange to protect it.   My question for you all is, should I paint it?  And if so, what color? Black or white?(I don't want a pop of color, other than from flowers).

I got my ferns this weekend too, I hope they do as well as the one did last year. These are just baby ones, so I hope they grow fast.

What do you think? To paint or not?  The porch is looking a bit naked right now, but I'm working on it.

Have a great day,

Tiff

Playing Catch Up....

It's the end of April already, and it's still chilly out, the warm weather can't get here soon enough.  I know I've been a lazy blogger this year, but I just don't feel like I have anything to say, or maybe just not blog worthy or appropriate.  I've been busy, very busy, but not really with stuff that I have been wanting to do, just obligations and "have to" things.  I do have some house things to get done, just need to find the time.

Cameron and his new bride are coming home on May 10th, so we have been busy cleaning the house and getting ready for them.  I'm still working on things but we got a lot done during April break(thanks to hubby and the kids).

So here are some pics to catch you up a little on life here.... they were all taken with my phone(my only camera at this point, I gave my 13yr old my real camera to use to make a film for school(and the camera drove me nuts anyway so I don't miss it) so sorry for the poor quality.

Just some random shots of the house...(the gate is to keep Jenny contained, she likes to eat the cat food in the kitchen)

New wall arrangement in the family room, I'm not is love with it, but I don't have the time, desire, or decorating mojo to deal with it right now.

Went to a Seadogs game over break, it was fun but really cold.

Ate an order of french fries for the first time in almost a year, along with way too much hot chocolate:)

And this is my garage right now! The thought of it makes me cringe.  This was our main project over break, cleaning out the basement... and the basement is awesome now.   All this will be going at the yardsale this Saturday.... If you are local, email me and I'll let you know the details.  There are two gorgeous indoor wicker sofas under all that too.

Here is April's bulletin board....

And here was March's....

And Jenny is growing, growing, growing.  Now if we could just master this potty training thing.(yes, we are using a crate)

Have a lovely day,

Tiff

Monday Musings...

This little furball has taken over my life...in a good way for the most part(though those middle of the night potty breaks are tiring).

Jenny loves my yarn and I decided that it was worth giving up a little of it to keep her entertained for awhile.

 
She doesn't really destroy it, but she loves to take 4 or 5 skeins out at a time and run them all over the family room.

But who can be upset with this face?!?!

I'm also in the process of a mini family room rearrange, but my decorating mojo has left the building at the moment.  What I really need is a total house cleanout, top to bottom.  It's time for a major yard sale.

Have a furry day,

Tiff

New Life with Spring...

It's been two weeks since I last posted and I thought I should give you all an update.  I'm doing Ok. Mentally, I'm good, I've processed things and I'm not dwelling on the negative... life goes on and so must I.  Physically, this was a very hard week. Nature finally happened and it was very painful, but I'm on the mend.  Thank you all for your kind words and prayers, you all really do mean so very much to me whether you know it or not.

I'm still not sure about trying again, but I won't make any permanent decisions at this time.

Spring arrived yesterday with a fresh blanket of snow for us, but the temperatures are warming and the sun is shining now, so it won't be long before we can break out the sandals and capris(I'm tired of jeans and boots).

Ok, on to the main topic of this post... and yes, I probably am crazy, but luckily I have the most wonderful hubby in the world and he goes along with my whims and desires.    

We got a new baby girl!  I'm  happy and proud to introduce you to little Miss Jenny :)

(the little boys with her on the way home)

Mason adores her, and the feeling is mutual...

Though after only 6 days at home with us, she knows who her mama is :)

Look at that face... even hubby is whipped by her cuteness(and she knows how to work it)

Ya, she does a lot of sleeping. But when she is awake she is so fast it is hard not to get a blurry picture of her.

She is a Sealyham Terrier.

And I am going to groom her into our spritely little hiking and walking companion.

She is doing very well with potty training and is sharp as a tack.

 
She weighs about 3.5 lbs right now, but she should get to around 10lbs(according to the calculator online) but her breed is around 16-18 lbs. She is a sturdy little dog and is very social.

Sweet, right?

It is definitely like having a newborn in the house, constant attention is needed, but it's worth it.  I have some projects in the works, so hopefully in a few weeks I can get them done and share them with you. But for now, I'm enjoying a soft little furball curled up and sleeping on my lap.

Happy Spring,

Tiff

4 Times...

Well, I hoped to make a post in a few weeks with some joyous news, but yesterday that all got shattered.  I went in for an ultrasound, I should have been 7 weeks 3 days.  There was a sac measuring a week behind and no heartbeat.  Once again, for the 4th time in 13 months... another miscarriage.  This time though, I get socked in the gut with a missed miscarriage. My body is still acting pregnant, still symptoms, and no signs of it ending soon.

I keep asking myself "why?". Why does this keep happening?  Why do I keep getting teased with being pregnant, only to have it ripped away from me? Why do I have such a strong desire for just one more baby?

I feel like I'm being emotionally tortured.

Yes, I do have seven beautiful children, but a loss is a loss, and it doesn't hurt any less because of blessings I already have.

I don't know if we will try again. I don't know if I can take getting my hopes up again. I don't know if I can handle another loss.  I just don't know anything right now.

I wonder if I'm being tested. And honestly I don't know if I will pass.  I won't say my faith is broken, but it certainly is hurt at the moment.

Today I have to put on my game face, a happy face... for my children(who do not know), for school tonight where I have to help out with art night,  for people at the bus stop(who don't know), for the world.  I feel like this past year has been a lot of me giving to others, doing things to please others, being and doing things that aren't me, and not being true to myself or what I want.  Maybe that sounds selfish and I guess it is,  but I'm worn out.  I'm tired of being insecure, which is really what this past year has been about.  I know I'm rambling and it probably doesn't make sense.  And you really don't want to read a sad and depressing post.  But this is where I am right now. I'm not pretending all is OK, because I'm not OK.

Tiff

Working On...

The craziness of school volunteering projects is almost over, I just have to get through art night this Friday, then I have a break for awhile.  Today I am cleaning some of my house, I won't get it all done, so I am just taking it one room at a time.  I am really in the mood for some Spring cleaning and having a massive yard sale, but that will have to wait until the snow is gone.

I've slowly been working on this Home Sweet Home sampler that I picked up at Goodwill ages ago. It's starting to come along nicely and I really like the two toned look of it.

Back to cleaning.
Have a great day,

Tiff

I'm Still Alive...

I could tell you lots of excuses, but basically I've just been busy and life has taken priority to blogging.  

February is dragging on and I am really tired of winter, never thought I would say that, but I'm done with the snow and I need some warm weather and green grass.

So here is what has happened in the last month and half... LOTS... with one Big surprise!

Hubby and I celebrated our 21st Anniversary on January 16th.  He took me to a fancy restaurant in Portland....

 Me and my love...

 
Cameron and Kellsea ELOPED!!! on January 19th!!!  I have a 20yr old MARRIED Marine for a son!! And I'm now a mother-in-law, wow!!  Needless to say, we will not be going out to California in April now, but we will be flying them both home to Maine in May for a honeymoon.

Mason and I have been going to story time at the library on Tuesday mornings... he loves it!

I cut layers in my hair... all by myself  :)

Made Valentines for Sarah's Valentine swap...

Had lots and lots of this....

We have had 4 or 5 snowdays from school.

Made the February bulletin board for school....

Mason turned 4 on February 8th!!! Holy smokes, my baby is a preschooler!!!

Becca went to the high school's winter formal. She asked a boy and he said YES!!  Unfortunately my camera flaked out and lost the pics of them together and this one of her is not the best quality.  She had a fantastic time.

 Made a Valentine box for my 2nd grader....

Trekked up to the local park and sledded....

 Ya, that is me...

Samantha turned 19 on February 18th!!  All my babies are getting so big.

And we woke up to such beauty this morning....

Didn't like shoveling is last night, but it sure is nice to look at now...

And look at that sky!

So that is it in a nutshell.  Some other things going on too, but I will save those for later.

Have a wonderful day,

Tiff