Random Adorableness....

Oh my it has been raining for a long time over here.  And not fun-summer-maybe-play-outside for a little bit rain.  It is cold, damp, muddy, miserable weather.  So I am trying to find the bright spot and posting some pics of Jude to lighten the mood.  We installed our chalkboard in the kitchen and started our Summer 2011 list.  Paddle boats is number one....suggested by Elizabeth.  I don't even think I have ever been on a paddle boat.  My shutter project is under the eaves and on hold until the rain lets up.  I have been running this week.  Today I was so spun in the woods, I ended up on someone's front lawn and standing next to their big No Trespassing sign, Private Drive.  Oops!  My Special Needs class ended last night and now I officially have nothing to do.  It's weird.  Elizabeth has requested I home school her this summer.  Today was the first day and we completed the first couple of pages in her workbook.  She is a smart cookie but in such a rush. She is so worried about everyone else, she loses focus on her own work.  She also over strokes all her letters...multiple times she goes over and over them.  I was coaching her a bit on relaxing her grip and letting it go a bit.  Geesh! All I can say is come on sun before I lose it!

Shutters

Old Shutters everywhere!  At last count I have 22 shutters.  Some I pulled off the side of the road.  The others all acquired on freecycle.  Love it!  On Sunday I had a poor soul digging through all the mistake paint at ACE hardware.  We must have looked through 30 cans of paint to get the right color palette for the project.  I removed all the hardware and managed not to strip a screw.  The hubby's back is out so he couldn't help get some of the really tough ones out.  That I will do later.  I hosed them all off but no scrubbing.  I want there to be a bit of dirt to add to the vintage look.  Today I set a table up out side and Jude and I went to work.  A 3 and 1/2 year old actually has the perfect painting technique to achieve a 'shabby chic' kinda look.  Once I have finished painting them I will go over the edges with sandpaper just to give it a bit of a worn look.  Then we will install.  I have not visualized this process.  Except I do envision me standing back and my husband doing a lot of shuffling with shutters against the wall.  I am having so much fun!  This entire project will only cost me the cost of the paint which was only $5 per can. Grand total $25 bucks!

Clifford

Clifford is our latest spectacular addition.  I see tons of dogs posted everyday who need homes.  For some reason this guy spoke to me.  I quickly found the amazing woman responsible for pulling him from a kill shelter in Georgia and let her know we wanted to foster him.  My husband made the journey to meet the transport.  Their journey home was not ideal.  Clifford had an upset belly. (the smell is still lingering in my jeep.)  When I met him I instantly knew he was my dog.  Like he was hand picked for me.  He is about 20lbs under weight and has worms but is on the mend and loving life.  He is my snuggle buddy after the kids go to bed.  He is so laid back and just wants love.  I am super smitten with him.  He is not a foster, he is home.  Now our little Memphis is with his forever home.  Such an amazing pup.  He will be with our cousins so we can see him anytime.  The kiddos did an amazing job saying good bye to him.
After 11 years, I have decided to leave teaching for a bit.  My husband has his dream job.  This means more hours and more $$$ paying a babysitter.  Quality of life is my most important goal.  As soon as it begins to suffer, I reevaluate.  Will I go crazy? Yes!  Will I be cursing myself at the end of summer for quitting my job? Absolutely!  I am keeping my feet wet and visiting a preschool that actually sounds like a perfect fit for me.  My last Special Needs class is this Thursday.  I really feel like I have a calling there.  I would love the opportunity to make a great impact on my community by helping out these kiddos.  But for now, I am home.  Pressing shirts, cooking, craft projects, beachin' it, freecycling, and remodeling the master bedroom.  The last one is funny since there is anything master about our bedroom.  My first project is creating an old shutter collage as a headboard.  I collected about 20 shutters on freecycle and bought other peoples mistake paint at ace hardware.  Let the fun begin.  I suppose it would make a couple of cool blog posts.....

This is our new guy Memphis.  He is 13 weeks old and 30lbs.  He is already as big as Penny.  His spirit is awesome.  He is super laid back.  He just goes with the flow.  Penny is able to displace some of his energy with this guy.  Memphis has no idea how big he is and insists on being a lap dog.  He will just cuddle up in your arms and fall asleep.  We love him so much.  We are fostering him and originally thought we would keep him.  He is such an incredible dog that we feel like he belongs with an equally incredible family.  We just took in another dog, Clifford.  And yes, like the big red dog.  He is 75lbs and has spent the last 6 months being shuffled from one animal rescue to another after being pulled from a kill shelter the day he was supposed to die back in January.  Another awesome guy.  It's like having a small dog in the house.  And he'll stay with us.  Not sure he would be very adoptable.  But we love him!
I am hoping this will be the beginning of many blog entries to come.  With a heavy heart, I left my teaching job.  The hubby has a new job and it's quite the commute.  And as soon as my nanny starts making more than I do, I quit!  So, I will be a stay at home mom --crinch-- for a stint.  I am in search of an old school chalkboard and plan to fill it with ideas.  It will be a visual for me to keep busy with activities and ideas!  See you soon!  And if you are interested in Memphis, send me a comment!