The ultimate price

Before Anthony's game this afternoon I met up with Mom and Dad to see the traveling Vietnam wall in Clarksville.  I wasn't prepared for how powerful it would be.  Just driving up to park was a very somber experience to see the magnitude of how many names were listed.  So many that paid for my freedom but giving their lives.  I spent most of my time looking for anyone that had a hat on that said Veteran to tell them "Thank You".  I wanted to say "Thank you for providing the freedom that we all take for granted."  If you haven't or aren't in the practice next time you see a Veteran take the time to say thank you.

Game Day

Today was about the most perfect day that I can remember in quite some time. It started with me bouncing out of bed with the first thought being GAME DAY! I know that many are excited about football season but this new T-ball momma can't see past the adorable little man that has been chomping at the bit to get on the field in a real game. We met up with James who traveled through home on borrowed time to see his boy play. James played from T-ball all the way through high school and with Anthony being the only boy and only one "First Game" I was a bit emotional at the thought of getting to watch my husband watch our son on game day. It was a bit much for me to take. I am always relaying things via phone but to have him there was so amazing and made my weekend.

Check out my boy in his uniform!

                            Getting a little coaching from Daddy on the sidelines. 

 Warming up those muscles.  This was one of the few times that he threw the ball when get got it.  During the game Anthony was able to get the ball after it was hit and then carried it around the field listening to everyone yell "THROW IT! THROW IT!"  He then handed the ball to this coach.  James yelled out to him "You are going to make an awesome mailman."  He got quite a laugh from the crowd with that one.  He was having a ball out there and having a hard time paying attention to the game instead of watching to see if we were watching. 

 Anthony has been practicing his batting.  He had yet to hit one off of the pitching machine.  I was surprised that it didn't scare him as the balls looked like bullets heading toward his head.  This momma was concerned but all of the kids handled themselves very well.  Alright Anthony is up to bat.  First inning, first pitch and HE CONNECTS!!!  I almost peed my pants.  I was up and jumping of course with sunglasses on so that nobody could see my proud tears.  Look at this shot!  Mommy did a good job documenting it didn't I?

 After the game we had to take Daddy back to his truck.  This pic also makes me cry.  A bit weepy?  Yes I say so but this shot just melts my heart.

I was so proud of my men.  Anthony for the game and James for the effort to get there.  Our family was as it should be and of course I cried as I am trying not to at this point. 

On the way to the truck James tells me that he has to go to Office Depot to fax some papers.  I take him over there and while we were inside James purchased my Anniversary/Birthday present.  A Nexus 7.  I had no idea what crack I was about to partake in.  Have mercy I haven't been able to pull myself away from it and it has been two days. 

Mamaw takes Victoria and my mom takes Addison and it is just me and my little man for the night.  We head home and get ready for church.  His classroom was full so he was off to big Church with me.  He was doing great!  Very quiet and well behaved until it was time for communion.  He looked down the aisle at the plate coming towards us and says rather loudly "YES SAMPLES!"  I believe my mom is cut off from taking him to Sam's club to have lunch via samples.  We snuggled on the couch.  Me with my tablet and him with my phone playing games.  Perfection!

Plug house

Tonight we headed up to the kick off of Old Settlers Days in Salem on the square (pronounced Sqwar).  On the way I was explaining to Anthony that we were heading to the court house.  The conversation went a little something like this..

A-Where are we going?

M-We are going to Salem to the square.

A-What is the square?

M-It is where the court house is. That is the building that kind of looks like a castle. 

A-No mom, that is the Church on the hill (Bunker Hill for those familiar) .

M-No Honey, it is in the middle of the square.  Your cousin Tyler is going to be there. 

A-YES!  I can't wait to see him at the Plug house!

I have no clue where that came from but believe it will stick. 

We had a ball.  Let me tell ya you haven't lived until you have been to live Karaoke on the Salem Square.  The quality of sound and singer was up there with American Idol.   That is sarcasm folks!  Salem never disappoints.

Homemade laundry soap

I have seen several people on my FB feed talking about making their own laundry detergent.  I have been intrigued but not really investigated it.  I looked up the recipe and found that I could do 156 loads for about $10!  I am sold on that.  Not much investment if I don't like it right?  I will give it a shot this evening and see how it does. 

Here is the recipe that I will be using..

Ingredients:


1/3 bar Fels Naptha Soap ( Ivory and Zote will also work)

½ cup washing soda (found in the laundry section at most stores)

½ cup borax powder (the 20 Mule Team brand is a good choice)

2 gallons water



Grate the soap and put it in a sauce pan. Add 6 cups water and heat it until the soap melts. Add the washing soda (NOT baking soda) and the borax. Stir until it is dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups hot water into a 2-gallon bucket. Add soap mixture and stir. Add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of water and stir. Let the soap sit for about 24 hours until it gels. Use a ½ cup detergent per load of laundry

Weekend of the $133 bathroom makeover

Let's take a step back in time shall we?  This is how the bathroom looked right before we moved in.  First step was remove all wallpaper and we did that and then painted it the ugly poop brown right?

 Removed the towel rack on the side of the vanity.  Only purpose it served was an arm rest.  lol

 Check out the sexy wood and brass door handles.  This poor vanity needed some TLC stat!

A gallon of Myan Treasure from Porter Paint ($30) 

A gallon of Pumpernickle from Porter Paint ($30)

A $7 print from Walmart above the toilet ($7)

New hardware for vanity ($18 for drawer pulls and $10 for hinges)

New shower curtain ($26)

A quart of white paint for trim ($12)

And check it out folks!!!!

 I love this color.  It is bright enough to wake you up in the morning but muted just enough to not look like a caution light. The vanity doesn't even look like it is the same one.  The brown rug that was already in the bathroom really helped ground the room.  The shower curtain add a bit of texture with the circle ruffle in it too. The crisp white trim on the base boards and the folding door on the closet really makes the room look put together instead of a hodge podge.  I am in the market for a nice towel rack for the facing wall when you walk in.  Maybe with a shelf included for some photos?

 Another view of the vanity. This didn't photograph well.  I think I should have turned the flash off but you get the idea.  The plates I pulled from the kitchen decor.

This was a lot of work but so worth it.  I am ready to tackle another room or maybe even the hallway now.  Watch out momma has a paint brush!

 It wasn't all work though as we found time to celebrate the birthday week with a little cake.  Addison wanted Princesses and Anthony is on a snake kick.  He wanted a cobra on his cake.  Odd combo but Sweet Stuff pulled it off. 

Ok just for the sake of before and after again.