Waiting.....

So it's just about 7:00. There aren't too many hours left in the day. And my phone has been within arm's reach all day long.

What's that saying about how a watched pot never boils?

Well, that watched pot didn't boil today. I'll admit that I'm disappointed. But on a positive note, I am looking forward to see what bathrooms are finalists.

And now that this opportunity has come to a close, maybe Oprah or HGTV will still come to my rescue.........

Or I'll spend my very last Career Ladder check on it.

Ugly Bathroom Contest

Tomorrow is D-Day.

The day I find out if I'm a finalist (or not) in the Ugly Bathroom Contest.

I'm optimistic.

Cautiously optimistic though. I feel great about my 500 character essay. And I feel like my bathroom is ugly enough. But it's out of my control. And who knows how many horrific bathrooms are floating around out there in 417 land???

I submitted my entry about two weeks ago. I wrote my poem (exactly 500 characters ~ easier said than done) and had been sitting on it for days. I was absolutely downright nervous about actually hitting the "submit" button. I had uploaded my pictures a time or two before and hadn't been able to go through with it. Then finally one night, I just did it. My heart pounding all the while.

The submission required a 500 character essay and two photos. Limiting myself to 500 characters was the biggest challenge of them all. I decided to write a poem (thank you to Whit for this idea). My first poem was about 700 characters. I whittled and whittled and finally got it down to this:

Please fix my bathroom oh the reasons why
If you saw it it'd make you cry

The floor has a hole patched by plastic and nail
Tile is coming up so your foot you may impale

Walls are adorned in vintage wallpaper
Its velvety texture must undergo a scraper

Sliding shower doors are a haven for mold
The stained tub floor leaves me feeling cold

An outdated light fixture and countertop too
This 1967 time capsule makes me very blue

Come to my rescue 417 Magazine
Begging you please overhaul this latrine

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then I uploaded this:


And this:


And now it's in the hands of the 417 Magazine staff, I suppose. No matter what happens, I'm happy with my attempt. And I'll never regret trying! It was worth a shot!

Urban Outfitters

I have decided that I love Urban Outfitters. I heart, heart, HEART their "furnishings" and "decorating" items! Here are just a few things on my wish list.......

This mini cake stand is just precious. And since I have a collection of regular cake stands, this mini one is calling my name! I like clear glass jars and containers too, which is just another reason why I covet this. Forget pine cones! Imagine a cupcake or stack of cookies in there! You want one now too, don't you?


Next, this Wonder Woman mug is a necessity for my morning cup of coffee. Why? As a child, I was incredibly attached to my Wonder Woman Underoos and doll. I wore the underoos all the time and still have my doll. (Remember? Sentimental packrat!) I had a Wonder Woman hand mirror too! OH AND MY WONDER WOMAN LUNCHBOX! How could I have forgotten? Of course, I have it! Collector's item people!


Last but not least, I found this amazingly cute wall hook! Now what does that color remind you of??? Can you say "Rushing Stream" by Valspar? I can just picture this in my future bathroom with a robe or towel hanging from it! It has that vintage look that I love too! Maybe two of them even! Side-by-side. Or one would even look cute in a bedroom! With a fun vintage hat or purse hanging from it!


What a random group of stuff, huh? It's not all that surprising coming from me, I'm sure. Check the site out, and you can make a random wish list of your own! But you have to promise to tell me what you find! Have fun browsing.....

Intervention

It's getting serious.

My Starbucks addiction, that is.

I am in desperate need of an intervention, as nothing has worked thus far. Tallying up the money I spend SHOULD be all I need to kick this habit. But a body and mind wants what it wants. And unfortunately, the money thing hasn't cured me yet.

Speaking of body and mind.......which is it? Is this a physiological or psychological addiction? All I know is that I crave them way too often. I'm not sure whether to blame my head, who thinks it needs one every morning. Or my body that can't function without it. It's tasty and comforting. So I guess I blame both.

But wait! Could it be the cute cup it comes in too? This heart cup made my heart happy. So much so that I took a picture of it!

To cure this problem, I think I might attempt making a Cinnamon Dolce Latte at home. I did find a recipe. I haven't yet committed to making a batch, but I have very good intentions. The main problem with this? This would require me to buy a coffeepot. And I hate having appliances on the counter (other than my microwave). Maybe I can just borrow a coffeepot for testing out the recipe, and if it's tasty, then I'll buy one (and keep it in the pantry between uses.........I know, just something else to add to your "she's a weirdo list").

We'll see....

Exhibit C: The Walls

Here's what I have:


The problem here is twofold: the wallpaper and the tile. Now don't get me wrong, I know the white tile isn't awful. My previous house had Pepto pink tile, so I realize it could be much, MUCH worse.
But still...........

Okay, I'll just be honest. The tile problem is this: I just don't like it. There are a few cracked pieces, and the grout is a little discolored here and there from age, but overall, it's livable.

What's NOT livable?

Do I even need to ask?

Yep, that wallpaper must go. That is textured, tone-on-tone, circa 1967 wallpaper in yellow and green. Faded yellow and green. And no longer velvety. More like bristly.

Here's what I want:


Check out the lower area of the wall. That is wainscoting. Glorious wainscoting. Also called beadboard. I want that instead of tile. And I want it painted white.

Then above the wainscoting, I simply want paint. The Mr. said, "No more red and absolutely NO wallpaper." So I'm thinking "Rushing Stream" by Valspar is nice.


Also, years ago, I purchased an antique dish in this color family, and my friend Ashley further inspired me by doing a room in her house in a similar shade. My intentions for this dish have always been bathroom related. Think jewelry spot. Or perfume bottles.


Anyway, my vision for this bathroom is clear. What is NOT clear is the when and cost element.

But wait! All hope is not lost!

No, Oprah didn't call. Nor did HGTV shoot me an email begging to redo my bathroom. Instead, my darling friend Nancy alerted me of a local magazine's "Ugly Bathroom Contest." And you can bet your sweet bippy that I'm entering!

Wish me luck!

The best part of my day.....

Actually, there were lots of good parts to my day, but this one was my favorite.....

Finding a boy in my class using THIS:


To sharpen his pencils, of course.

You can't say he's not resourceful.

80's Day

It's that time of year again.

Where teachers across our state do everything we can to motivate our kiddos for the yearly state achievement test.

So what do we do to motivate at our school, you ask?

We have spirit days. The best being "80's Day."

Obviously.

Today was a free pass to play dress-up. I love free passes. Like I said before, there aren't too many occupations where you can pull off the most ridiculous of outfits and still be considered the coolest ever. In our world, the possibilities are endless. How bout those jelly shoes, side ponytails, and tapered jeans? What about neon, ripped up, or off-the-shoulder shirts? Well, today you saw it all. From leg warmers to popped collars............


I love free passes. Free passes are good.

So is recycling your last Halloween costume that you spent way too much money on.............