Box wine

Derek is in Austin again tonight and I am going to make conversation with you. Here are my thoughts. box wine gets a bad rap. I formerly turned my nose up at it, but as I sit here and swirl my red, I can tell you that it compares. AND, you get 4 bottles... in a box that last as long as you desire...or don't last as long as you desire. And you can blow up the bag at the end of the party and use it for a pillow.

Give me Props

I sit here with sore feet and a sore body after a week of working away from home. And, my mind even aches a little from trying to maintain the balance of the two jobs - mom and stylist. I was called to prop out and do wardrobe for a large Price Chopper commercial spot. I started last Thursday and finished yesterday except for all of the returns I have to make. It was the most exhausting fun I have had in a while! You know when you know you are doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing and it feels really good and exhilarating? That was me.

We started our shoot days early, with a 6 am call time. I was up and out the door before Jack and, Greta woke when I did and was so confused that I was leaving in the middle of the night before the sun was up. I remember from my craft service days how much I love this early morning quiet time before the traffic starts on the roads and the sky is so still before day. When I left, shutting the door softly behind me, the quiet was there and I felt a rush of memory and comfort. On the highway to our first location I could see the sunrise just starting behind me in my rear view mirror. It was blazing red, which means rain. Ahead of me, lightning started flashing through the sky. I left my rain gear at home and didn't even care. Let me get wet, I am so excited to do this job.

This was my first call to do props and I wasn't quite sure how I would handle the extreme pressure. I had to dress 30 extras in MU, KU and KSU fan clothes, and deck them out with fan props - pennants, foam fingers, hats, pom poms, megaphones, crazy necklaces, face paint and so on. I had a car full, all separated by team. I had a mountain of clothes and a rack. I had 5 paintings to place perfectly on the wall we made in our fake office. I had all the things needed to prop out a full kitchen and refrigerator. I had all the things needed to decorate 30 cars for a traffic jam scene and parking lot scene. It would be a lot to take on, but I decided the night before that I can't stress. I would just do my best.

It came naturally. I loved every minute. Even my blistered and swollen feet at the end of our long days...Even the swift changes in schedule due to the rain. I loved it. I hope this is the beginning of more calls!

Mt. Cushion

This is what happens when I get on the phone with my sis. And, they do it very quietly.

Lazy

They cuddle a lot. I think it is so sweet.

Summer Home...and Summer Not

This summer has been so hot! I do recall this happening every summer, but for us and our pitiful crunchy yard, this year it is worth writing about. I have the best memories of summer time naps taken in a cool dim room as the sun blazes bright outside. I love the sound of nothing but the air conditioner blowing me to sleep. That is what we have been doing a lot of this summer. Our routine gets us out of the house early and back in time for lunch and that cool nap, so cozy underneath down comforters. Jack sleeps with his bottom in the air and wakes up with wild hair. Greta sleeps with every doll in her bed that she can fit. She plays with them until her eyes shut and begins again the second she wakes.

We have been loving the cool playroom in our basement. It is the perfect heat retreat. We also have been making movie parties with our favorites and big bowls of kettle corn, ice water and apple juice. Netflix has been super handy. Greta and Jack watched Land Before Time yesterday.

We have perfected the art of cake pops and just finished a batch of purple and blue. They save the day when not much else can bring excitement. We have also scooted the furniture to make way for the trike, Fropper and Thomas the Train road race that takes place in our dining room, kitchen and family room. I don't mind the wear and tear on the floor. I like the memories.

Jack has taken to wearing a pair of Cars slippers instead of shoes. Everywhere. I choose my battles. He looks pretty cute with red race car feet. Vroom. Vroom. He even wears them to sleep. If you try to get them off of him he says, "You ruin my day."

Greta was recently described as a kitten....Absolutely adorable and perfectly sweet with angelic eyes and a sweet little mew, until she turns on you and digs her claws into your arm. It is worth it, though. I love her sweetness. I mean, it is serious stuff. And when she is in a mood, I feel like a miniature teen is standing in front of me with a hip stuck out and arms crossed and she tells me how it is. But, I can usually get her to laugh and turn back into a fluffy kitten. She knows which way is better and which way is more fun...when stuck inside hiding from the heat. She's cool like that.