My best bargin yet!!

A few weeks ago, I got to make another trip to Sledgers with some friends. I found a couple more bread bowls ... but nothing was grabbing my attention. I saw a cute bed and thought, that would be nice for Shelby's room - too bad it's a double. More wandering around the store... There's that bed again ... too bad it doesn't have side rails - that would be a pain. We are starting to wrap up and put our stuff together to pay ... I show the bed to one of my friends and lament how it's too bad it doesn't have the side rails - but, they're right here! AND .. the BEST part ... only 50 euro!! That's like $70!! Now, tell me, where could you get a solid wood, carved, antique bed for $70?? The top picture is the top of the head board. The foot board has cute rose carving too. In between spring decorating and playing with my vinyl cutter, I washed and waxed the bed. Then set it up in Shelby's room ... Now we just have to get the box spring and mattress to go with it!

Another creation ...

I spent most of last week subbing at the school, so, not getting much done at home- especially with Devin's soccer, Shelby's physical therapy, and Spencer's scouts and after school clubs ... I've had NO calls so far this week (a nice little break - even though I love the extra $$). So, Monday was spent working on a "book" for my vinyl lettering stuff, making a calendar for a friend, making a sample craft for Primary, and just trying to get organized. Now, mind you, last week was BEAUTIFUL ... LOTS of SUN! (still cold, but SUN!) ... Too bad I spent much of the time substituting... Well ... yesterday starting getting blustery ... and today - Yep, back to normal gloomy Germany weather! Complete with dark clouds, cold wind, and a mix of rain and snow!! I need spring!! But, since I can't have that ... I spend the day putting up Spring/Easter decorations, and playing with my vinyl cutter. I made the sign below - it is on the wall in my living room. It was a bigger pain than expected since I layered brown on gold (I know it looks black, but it's brown) - don't think I'll layer again ... overlay - sure. Layer- don't think so!

New Toy for me!! Look what I made!!

I have a good friend here who has a machine to cut vinyl lettering (she is the one who helped me make the B&B sign for my birthday)... Well, unfortunately, she is moving to Japan this summer ... so... I decided that I needed to get my own machine. I LOVE all the things she has made for her house and there are tons of ideas on the internet. Well, with the help from my loving hubby, I bought me a cutter and some vinyl ... This is my very first project!! I love the way it turned out. I've had the idea (and therefore the corresponding frames) since I lived in Las Vegas... I'm so excited! I hardly know where to begin ... so many ideas running around in my head!!

My friend has been in a lot of demand over here in Germany. It's not as easy to get vinyl lettering here. By "researching" on the web, it seems that there are TONS of individual people and other companies that sell in the states. I don't really want to start a business ... But, I want to be fair in what I charge for the material and my time... I was DEFINITELY surprised how much time it took me to design it all on the computer and get it all ready to cut (I had to use a specific program that came with the machine, and I am not at all used to it.)... I decided to make a little book that has a price list and maybe the font samples and some quote/saying ideas. We'll see ... I already have a "job" substituting at the middle school. Right now, I'm excited to make cute things! I'm sure I'll be posting stuff!

Day off from work? ... Antiquing in Belgium!

Darren had a Friday off from work. A rare treat not to have to take a day of leave, and an extra bonus of the kids still having school that day ... so... What to do on a day off with no kids? Antique shop of course! We met some friends at a shop in Belgium that we had not been to before (Darren's parent had arrived on Thursday morning, so they got to come with us and experience European antique shopping.) ... This lady had 3 "warehouses" (more like large garages) with all sorts of treasures ... Darren picked this bookcase for his office. It is quite pretty - just have to put the rest of the shelves in... He has almost as good taste as his wife! I was impressed ...

Congratulations Shelby!!

Each year the Middle School participates in the NHD ("National History Day") Competition. 6th graders through 8th can participate. Last year, Shelby one 1st in her catagory for the school competition, then 1st in the district, and went on to Europeans. Winners from Europeans are then invited to go to National in Washington D.C. Last year she did not place 1st or 2nd (which qualifies you for Nationals) at the European competition - but she had fun being with all her friends...

This year's theme was "The Individual in History - Legacy and Actions". Shelby chose to do a group documentry with her friend Caitlin. They did their documentry on Gail Halversen, the Berlin "Candy Bomber", who dropped candy to the children of Berlin during the airlift.

Shelby and Caitlin got FIRST at the school level, and FIRST at the district level!! They really do have an impressive documentry ... They will compete in the European competition in April ... we'll let you know how they do! I'm hoping to be able to upload their documentry on the blog so you can all see it!! (It's only about 8 minutes) ... I'll let you know if it works ...

Congratulations, Shelby & Caitlin!!

The Fun Never Ends ...

Well, Devin started the week with a black eye ... So, not to be out done ... I get a call from the elementary school at lunch time saying that Spencer had broken off his tooth and needed to go to the Dentist, Now! Apparently, he was playing "Fish in the Pond" (whatever that game is), and ran into a metal bar on the playground...

At least he must have been having fun and smiling, because he didn't bump his lip or cut it...

So, we have a fun little smile until he goes to the dentist again in a couple of weeks to have it "restored" ... Good thing our Bishop works at the dental clinic! Darren was able to pick Spencer up from school and walk him into the dental clinic. He had it sealed so that it wouldn't be sensitive to air while waiting for the restoration.

WOW! What a shiner!!

So... how did it happen? Was it a fight? Kicked by a cow in the village? Slapped by a girl? Crazy playing on the Wii? Car accident?

Or ... could it be an out of control cupboard door?

Devin went to open a cupboard door, and it feel off the hinges and hit him in the eye ... When he went to seminary the next morning and told them how it happened ... the teacher said, "You've gotta come up with a better story than that!" So, that's what he did... All day long whenever someone asked him what happened, he had a different story to tell.