Why I've Been Missing...

Good morning to you all!

I've been a bit MIA in the blogging world recently and I just wanted to drop in quickly and share a bit of what I've been up to.   Boy it is HARD to come up with time and ideas for everyday posts - I have a TON of respect and admiration for you ladies that do!

We've had alot going on here as usual.  Has not left me with any time to be creative or crafty or decorative or really in any way interesting!  But it's been fun.   Halloween, Birthday Parties and Operation Closet Cleanout.

Halloween day started with a little pumkin carving.....  With a semi-tutorial.  

First, survey your pumpkin carefully....

Not sure what these two were waiting for the pumpkin to DO, but they did spend quite a few minutes simply staring at it.

Next, have the resident Artiste work on building a template for cutting....

Not bad!

Now, hand the carving knife to somebody above the age of 6.   Hubby will have to do..

This part always gets a big "EEEWWWW...

Almost done!

They look pretty proud of themselves, no?    It was a fun way to spend Halloween afternoon.  And yes, that is still the same cabinet that I blogged about HERE.   Still outside on Halloween, waiting patiently for her turn. 

Then all the prep work it takes to turn an adorable six year old into....

Ummm,   a child bride?!  

It was a tiny bit creepy somehow seeing my daughter as a bride, but she LOVED this custome and looked beautiful!  

We all had a really fun night Trick or Treating.   The dog stayed home this year and the weather could not have been more beautiful!   We even had a big old creepy moon.

Next came a family birthday party and another kids birthday party the following day.    If anybody is looking for a quiet, relaxing loud, obnoxious and smoky start to their Sunday morning, why don't you try taking 15 kids out for Cosmic Bowling at 10 AM??  

They did have a really good time and the party went well.   I couldn't get many good pics due to the darkness, strobe lights and fog, but who doesn't like a little darkness, strobe lights and fog to really get their morning going?   ;)

Here is the cake that Miss Princess Six Year Old Child Bride chose..

I cannot even blame the color on bad lighting.  It really was this green.  

I did work on a couple of projects, nothing just seems to be quite finished yet!

I'll have a post up soon about the little side table I refinished and as soon as Operation Closet Cleanout is underway, I've got some BIG plans for our dining room!

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles and Hugs,
Joyce

Coming Soon...........

What's In Store..............  

A Real Live Link to my Real Live Etsy Store - Stocked with goodies for holiday shopping and for your own home...............

Guest Blogger..................

A Giveaway......................

Instructions on how I made my Window Mistreatments

 

Other Ideas for Mistreatments

Fall Decorating

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Changing Your Kitchen in One Day

Repurposing Cardboard Boxes

Scrapbook Corner

Kids Crafts

How to make your own Holiday Decorations and Gifts!

 

Best of the Blogs

Make sure to leave a comment if there is something you would like to see featured!!!!

Best Wishes for a Happy Weekend.

.......Scrawled out by the Cheap Gal

Home Was Not Built in a Day

Okay, yes for anybody paying attention - I did steal the title of this post!  LOL   But it is so true!  Rome wasn't built in a day, and I'll bet neither was your home. 

Everywhere I look in this place today, I feel like it needs a makeover.  A Cheap Frill, if you will.  

Another glimpse into my crazy chaotic world LOL!  .......   I think the important thing to remember is all the potential.  And SOMEDAY, when I have the time, it will all get sorted out......

Here's what I like to call an Identity Crisis.  It happens every so often.  Usually to this poor, unassuming mantle.  I get an itch to redecorate, that will extend to wanting new curtains, and at that point the paint samples make an appearance!  Right now, we have a couple of different options for fall decorations (notice the Ugly Pumpkin from a previous post?), flowers and/or plants for the vases, and some fabric thrown across the windows for future "mistreating" purposes.   I guarantee that I will move all this around a few more times (probably NEXT week, it's sure to stay a mess for another few days) Give up and then just put it all back how it was in the first place.     Stay tuned - I'll update with an "After" shot at some point!

Another spot in my living room which is a source of constant issue is my daughter's little toy "Storage" spot.   I love the cabinets and the cubbies - but we STILL manage to make a mess!  She has an entire playroom to herself, but somehow everything winds up in here anyways.   I think this piece actually DOES have quite a bit of potential.  For a Cheap Frill - I went to Michael's and purchased the cabinets (they are 2 layered ontop fo each other) and painted them up.   The bins were sold separately, also at Michael's and, strangely, were only a couple of bucks each.   They are yet to be painted - yet another thing on my never ending "to do" list!   I want to have them blend in a bit better with the rest of the room and get rid of some of this excess "stuff". 

Remember the playroom I mentioned earlier?  Yes another area that needs some well deserved attention.   It's cutesy and colorful, but needs a makeover as well.   Especially since my little girl is a BIG almost six year old now, alot of this stuff no longer even applies - I'm hoping to get a slip cover for the loveseat, and somehow address this great cabinet with some coordinating toy BINS

Okay, now onto my office.  Clearly I've got my work cut out for me, dontcha think?   :)   THIS room should be an absolute BLAST to organize and decorate.   A special little spot in the world just for me.   My ideal space would have a craft area, well organized desk, and a large walk in closet.    Got all of those things, mind you - now just have to get motivated to UTILIZE them!

Yup, pretty much a big ol' mess........

If any of you have some thoughts or ideas on how or even WHERE I should get started, I'd love to hear it!  A *bulldozer* perhaps?

.......Scrawled out by the Cheap Gal

My Other Honey

I present you with........

Princess Allalicialina of Quite-A-Lot (as she is sometimes called).    Otherwise known as Nicole.   Sometimes Colie, sometimes Colesy, sometimes just Cole.  Just DON'T call her Nikki.   She's been telling me that since she was about 1.

.......Scrawled out by the Cheap Gal

My Honey

Mr. Cheap Gal himself....................

 I literally have about 9,000 photos of my 5 year old.  I have about 9 of this guy.  

.......Scrawled out by the Cheap Gal

Back to School!!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Having a 5 year old who is just starting Kindergarten this year, I can really relate to why this is the most wonderful time of the year!

I have mixed feelings about the whole thing to be honest. I'm so proud of her and she's more than ready and going to do great. But at the same time, I feel like I am losing my baby by sending her out into the Big Bad World!

We had an Open House last night. Got to see the classroom and meet her teacher and all that. Which made me feel ALOT better. Looks like she's going to have a great year and I just love her teacher already!