Christmas in July

You know how the first Christmas in a new house is so exciting- I'm in that zone right now. I have a great banister that will need lots of garland and lots of "stuff" stuck in it. Luckily, I bought *lots* of garland at Hobby Lobby last year- dirt cheap- AFTER Christmas. I love it when that happens!

It's the "stuff" I need ideas for. I know clear twinkle lights are a given. What else though? I don't want fancy or fru fru. I want fun and bright, bold colors. Have you seen our house? It is bright, bold colors. I was thinking a candy theme possibly...I've been searching online but I haven't found "it." The decorating will begin in roughly 4.2 months. I gotta get this together.

Here are a couple more views. Don't you love how Spicy thought that top picture was all about him?

The Office- Horner Style

Not sure that I've posted a picture of Brad's office before. Partly because I'm never happy with my pictures. The realtor for this house did such a great job showing the rooms. I can not. Imagine. French doors for the opening. 2 book cases on the left wall. 2 windows on the right with a chalkboard/memo holder in between. Pretty (in a manly way) stuff on the walls. My man sitting at his desk with the laptop, his phone, and a mound of paperwork. That's my view most afternoons. I love it. Home office. Fabulous concept.

How To: Disney

Sure. You could get a basic package, grab a guide map at the entrance, and wing it. You could do that. That's just not how I do it. When I do Disney- there is alot involved. The travel dates are strategically picked based on crowd records, weather trends, and current promotions. This September will be our 2nd trip not paying for any food. That is not a coincidence.

I price everything. I book everything. I settle on ADRs (advance dining reservations) as early as possible. (Disney dining can be booked 180 days out.) Meals are planned according to park happenings. You wouldn't want to be in EPCOT on the night Spectromagic is happening at Magic Kingdom :gasp:

I buy the best guide book ever. I write down all ADR confirmation numbers on the corresponding date page. I highlight the attractions of utmost importance. Then I put together daily touring plans based on variables such as EMHs (extra magic hours), park hours, parades, fireworks, and our family must do list.

All of this is done WEEKS in advance. Weeks. Has to be. Planning ahead makes the last few days before the trip open to just plain excitement.

Upon arrival, grab the daily itinerary and set yourself on autopilot. Does everyone not have a DisneyWorld autopilot button? I thought it was standard issue. If you don't have that button, you should travel with someone that does. That is the only way to see it all. Do it all. Experience it all.

When you pass under the train station...it is pure magic. Turn the corner. Wait for it...wait for it...ahhh...there it is- your first glimpse of The Castle. Be sure to have cameras ready if it is anyones first time to see the castle.

I promise you- this is the point where Tinkerbell sits on your shoulder and whispers, "Welcome home." What? You've never heard her? You better go back and listen again. She is a quiet little thing.

So. That's it. That's how I do Disney. Sure, it takes time and energy and work. Doesn't everything worth having take time, energy, and work? But at the end you will be rewarded with fabulous family time, a vacation to end all vacations, and memories to talk about for years.

The Business Woman

Maci and Moriah had a little lemonade stand the other day. They made some money and memories in the process. Just good ol fashioned summer time fun.

Whaaaaaat???

I almost had a panic attack seeing all the Back to School stuff at Target last night. What are they talking about- back to school?? Then it hit me. They don't mean "me." They are talking about those poor unfortunate souls that have year round school. They go back in less than 2 weeks. I am safe for another 6.

Whew. That was a close one.

So Thats How They Do It

Who knows exactly where this pumpkin might be found? The answer of "Disney World" is not specific!

Wondering

I was talking with a friend recently who was upset with herself for being annoyed about something that really shouldn't annoy her. Sadly I know all too well what she means. I've found myself angry or annoyed or even hurt by things that I really should have just let go of immediately. I do wonder why we are like that. Is it a girl thing? Guys don't seem to get annoyed nearly as often. Are they better at getting over things or are they simply better at pretending to?

Summer Television

Summer is the time I catch up on daytime television. I mostly stick to Discovery Health and TLC with a bit of The Travel Channel thrown in for good measure. I don't watch any of the wedding shows...Rock the Receptions, Say Yes to the Dress, and all that mess does not interest me. I do however watch every episode I can of Birth Day, A Baby Story, Deliver Me, and Adoption Stories. Will I ever "outgrow" this stage? I hope not.

Let me just say if you can watch an episode of Adoption Stories without crying- check your pulse. That one gets me every time.

Those docs on Deliver Me are way to intervention happy but I am still oh so jealous of them. Who wouldn't want to be an OB with two of your best friends?!

A Baby Story is better than it used to be. They are adding more baby and less story. I like that. For me, it's all about the birth. I don't care how you met or what your nursery is going to look like. Just tell me about the birth. (I am pretty good at predicting outcomes after the first 5 minutes of the show by the way.)

Next week Discovery Health is premiering NICU during their Baby Week. I soooo can't wait for this one.

Does it ever occur to anyone else that I am really in the wrong profession?

Every Home Needs One...or Two...

We have 2 utility sinks. One is in the laundry room and one in the garage. I love love love them both. In fact I just got finished rinsing out paint brushes and rollers in the laundry room sink. I have no idea why the previous owners wanted two...but I have been surprised at how often we use them both. At the risk of sounding like the Lowes man, I went ahead and priced them for ya. The one pictured above runs just over $100. Bargain I tell you!!! Still not convinced? Here are some of the uses I have found for mine.

*Clean the grill equipment without worry of scratching the pretty sink.

*Wash the dog- its nice and deep- (and not as yucky as using the kitchen sink)

*Scrub shoes in it.

*Work on laundry stains.

*Rinse out anything dusty, dirty, or just yucky.

*Wash hands/clean up after yard work before you go into the house.

*Rinse out paint brushes/rollers. Or set a paint brush here in a cup of water to use later- I do this ALOT and no one (Brad) even yells at me because it's in the utility sink!

There you have it. Totally random post- I know. But once you get one, you'll thank me!

Maci's 13th Birthday

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