The One In Which I Set Fire To The Oven

Disclaimer:  this is NOT my oven.  My fire was not nearly so dramatic.  It makes my story seem more exciting though, doesn't it?

I am really good at holding track records.

Not actual track records, as in, you know, running.  Ha.

But I am quite good at upholding good records.

For example, as a kid, I never got sent to the principal's office.  Perfect student record, check.

As a teen, I never had a cavity.  Perfect dental hygiene record, check.

As an adult, I never have gotten a speeding ticket.  Perfect driving record, check.

And until today, I never set fire to my kitchen.

I guess at least one perfect record had to come to an end.

So, for future reference, if you're broiling fish in a foil covered pan for your family and then later need to broil another filet for your hubs who came home late from work, do NOT use the same foil covered pan you used for the first batch of fish.

The lovely parmesan cheese topping that covered the first batch of fish and melted onto the foil will run a great risk of igniting into flame upon a second trip into the oven.

I'm just sayin.  You know, in case you want to keep your perfect kitchen record in tact.

And if you accidentally find yourself with flames ablaze in your oven, I hope you have a hubs nearby who by some randomness knows to grab the container of salt to douse the flames.  How did he know to do that?  I must have missed that episode of The Cosby Show or something.

Trying New Things

It's 10pm and I've decided to try some new things.  Yes I should be in bed.  Unfortunately my body hasn't figured out that going to bed earlier would make it easier to deal with my early bird in the morning.  Now that it's summer my kiddos are staying up later which mean that "me" time gets pushed later too.

Anywho, back to the new things.

So.  I've been struggling with my hair for awhile.  You might remember when I tried out the awesome updo by the lovely Jhen at From Here To Eternity.  It didn't go over so well with my peanut gallery.  I still do it some, but am always worried that I'm somehow crossing over that line the dangles between "messy chic" and "hot mess".

I'm kind of in love with the long waves that Taylor Swift made so popular.  Yes, I know.  She's half my age.  Still.   Me likey.  But I have no clue how to get my mane to look like that.

Until.

AHHHHHHH!  (Insert Hallelujah Chorus here)



Ah Pinterest.  How I love thee.

I immersed myself deeply in hair tutorials and stumbled upon this brilliance:



OK seriously?  How cute is this girl?  I was so not this cute when I was in highschool.

ANYWAY.  So, I'm trying this.  I'm taking hair advice from a girl closer in age to Princess #1 than to me.  I'm ok with that.  I'm armed with my bendy curler thingys (that's the official term) and my slightly damp hair.  I shall let you know how things go in the morning.  I'm not promising pictures.

Meanwhile, I'm also stuffing my face with this tonight:

Oh yes.  You know you want some.  This is more Pinterest brilliance.  You can find the original recipe here.

Now go and try something new.  And tell me about it!

I'm A Cheating Fool

I'm sorry dear bloggy friends.  I've been cheating on you.  Yes, you didn't think it was possible did you?  You could totally break out into Shania Twain right now because I deserve it.

But I'm not the least bit sorry.

You see, I've found a new love.  And you know what it's like with new loves.  They consume you.  They're all you think about.  You just can't get enough.  Day, night, it doesn't matter.

And so, it's not you.  It's me.  I'm in the throes of infatuation and it's taking me away from my blogging duties.  Maybe it's not right, but I can't help it.

You'd understand, if you also had recently just discovered the coolest website on the planet.  One that lets you organize all your scattered thoughts and ideas in one place.  One that lets you mooch brilliance off of perfect strangers out there in the interwebs.  One that allows you to redecorate your entire house, redo your entire wardrobe, cook better than Paula Deen and throw parties that would put Martha Stewart to shame - all without spending a dime.  Oh yes my friends, that is the awesomeness that is Pinterest.com

My bedroom is beautiful:

My wardrobe rocks:

My tummy is happy:

There is more, but I'll spare you lest you think I live in total virtual lala land now.  I do actually still do laundry and dishes and all that mundane stuff.  But it's alot more fun when I am thinking about my inspiration boards.  And it's also alot more fun with friends.  Are you on Pinterest?  If you are, tell me where to find you!  If you aren't, you know you want to be, so let me know and I'll shoot ya an invite.  But don't go hogging all the bandwidth ok?  Way too many "server is busy" messages today!

See, now don't you forgive me for cheating?

PS.  Oh look, you can follow me on Pinterest by clicking here!  Easy peasy!  

It's SUMMER!!!!!

My title belies the sheer horror I feel.

Summer.

24 hours a day.

7 days a week.

for 13 looooooooooong weeks.

I need HELP!

All you super mamas out there help a girl out ok?  I need ideas!  Cheap ideas.  Things to keep the kiddos busy.  I've got the standard wading pool in the backyard.  Of course there's always a movie or two.  But what else?  I need a plan, a specific day by day lay out of what we're going to do.

Or mama's gonna go CRAZY.

Anyone run across some great blogs about this?  I seriously need it all spelled out for me.  Craft projects, reading projects, outdoor projects.

Anything to keep me from hearing, "I'm boooooooored" for the thousandth time.

Please, please, please, please!

Please!

And Update and How You Can Help

With this horrific spring releasing Mother Nature's almighty fury on thousands of people, the needs are understandably great.  I don't know about you, but every time news of more tragedy reaches me, the pull and ache to just do something increases exponentially.

I wanted to let you know about one such opportunity that is near and dear to my heart.  I posted a few days ago about the tragic story of the Hamil family, who lost their 15 month old son Cole in the monster tornado that tore through Piedmont, OK on Tuesday evening.  At the time, their 5 year old daughter Kathleen and pregnant mother Catherine were hospitalized with serious injuries and their 3 year old son Ryan was missing.

On Thursday morning, Ryan's body was discovered in the lake that bordered the remains of the family's home.

I cannot even put into words how I feel.  Though I bear no connection to this family, my heart aches in a way only a mother's could I think.  Their loss is great.

I am not alone in those feelings.  And someone is doing something about it.

Catherine Hamil is due with her baby, a girl, in October.  Of course the family has lost everything and will be needing tremendous amount of time to just grieve the losses of their sons, let alone begin to think about rebuilding and preparing for a new child.

In an effort to ease the burden, a woman by the name of Toni Keltner has begun organizing a donation for the Hamil family called Shower of Hope - Oklahoma.   For the next 3-4 weeks, Shower of Hope - Oklahoma will be collecting baby items as well as items for the 5 year old Kathleen.  Already many well known companies have offered donations - Stokke, Baby Legs, Bobby, The First Years, and Born Free, just to name a few, as well as private donations.

If you would like to participate in this shower, please send your donations to the following address:

ERA John Hausam Realtors
c/o BJ - Shower Of Hope Oklahoma
2625 S. Elm Place
Broken Arrow, OK  74012

You can find out more specific information by going to Shower of Hope Oklahoma Facebook.