tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14329575971125327482016-04-05T21:11:24.993-05:00ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.comBlogger275125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-70163223820334356652015-04-27T19:59:00.004-05:002015-04-27T19:59:30.666-05:00

How did a year go by without a blog post?  Oh yah.  Full-time job, two-year old, kindergartner, new house, chickens, life.  But things are settling down, my to-do list isn't quite as long, and I want to find time to write again. Can't believe it's been a year since we moved into this modest 1950's rambler dream.  Some girls aspire to live in a McMansion, or a stately farmhouse, or a (nice) log

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-31305157144198554492014-04-13T17:49:00.000-05:002014-04-13T17:49:19.724-05:00

Yep, we're moving.  This 3.5 year adventure is coming to an end - kind of.  We're closing (fingers crossed) on a house 73 years younger at the end of this month. We are still keeping our 1884 house for the time being with the intent to rent or sell it... someday.  We're in no hurry, and we'll only be 8 blocks-or-so away. And now that we've crossed 'fix up an old house' off the bucket list, I am

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-41916862905594948732014-03-08T15:27:00.004-06:002014-03-08T15:27:29.924-06:00

Why buy teeshirts that EVERYONE ELSE ON THE PLANET has when you can wear something unique? Something special. Something from someone that you know and love. Or don't know and stalk. Either way, check out my latest endeaver - a tee-shirt for Camp Honeybelle. But the deal is 24 people need to order them in order to kick the printing into gear. If I can't get that many takers, the deal is off! So

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-20947972360259945332014-02-27T07:18:00.000-06:002014-02-27T07:22:33.351-06:00

It hasn't been an ordinary morning. I'm home (not usual for a Thursday), Jack's preschool was cancelled (too cold outside), and we slept in a little late. I went into Jack's room to greet him with 'Good Morning' and was overcome with a smell so distinct that my greeting was replaced with 'Aww, Jack - you pooped in your pants. Get out of bed right now and go straight to the bathroom, we need to

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-82751335955076017522013-10-21T09:52:00.002-05:002013-10-21T09:59:26.510-05:00

Looks like I am long overdue for a blog entry. Guess I've been waiting for something newsworthy. I went back to work at the end of August. Everything was going fine. The kids were adjusting well to their new schedule, pre-school started, the leaves began to turn. My only complaint during this time was a personal one - and many of my local friends and close family heard about it. For months I

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-62060888015432993832013-08-18T07:51:00.001-05:002013-08-18T07:51:45.020-05:00

I'm turning in my apron.  Throwing in the dish-towel.  Turning off the oven. AND GOING BACK TO WORK.  FULL TIME. Plus a commute. Am I crazy? Possibly. Probably. Is this right for my family? My kids? Me? ARGHHHH!  The position I left when we moved out here opened up. They called me. After a little negotiating and I decided to sign on, again. I'm excited and a little fearful. Excited

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-6718595246299452062013-08-13T20:05:00.003-05:002013-08-13T20:05:57.810-05:00

Tom and Jack are ready for the baby chicks!

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-29934540724481678822013-08-10T16:13:00.001-05:002013-08-10T16:13:41.526-05:00

Thirty five.  I have my feet planted firmly in middle age now. And along with it, maybe some sort of mini mid-life crisis? Since Tom's accident I have been plagued with thoughts about my current lifestyle choices; living far from family, not working to my full potential, how in the heck will we ever be able to save for retirement, kid's college, a house with two bathrooms.... I just want to be

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-64767684874521200032013-08-01T18:17:00.003-05:002013-08-01T18:17:40.127-05:00

Don't worry, it's not what you're thinking. Ever watch an online auction and bid just because it's so incredibly cheap? And before you know it, you're in the lead for 15 boxes of used coffee mugs in every shape and size? It's not like you need all those mugs, or like any of them in particular, but you'd love to go through all that junk in hopes of finding a treasure. hiding behind the table

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-23907588767278855442013-07-26T12:16:00.001-05:002013-07-26T12:16:31.810-05:00

Ahh, the wonderful age of four and a half. The world around you inspires utter delight or absolute tragedy.  I much prefer the moments of utter delight and I hope he grows outgrows his current penchant for drama. This mama can only handle so many tantrums. Like today, when I wouldn't buy the umbrella at the grocery store. Through the cereal and bread, past the coffee and into the frozen food

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-2738694599894329012013-07-19T10:35:00.000-05:002013-07-19T10:35:24.959-05:00

We took advantage of a few days off and head up to my parents cabin for a night. Jack is at the perfect age for fishing. He is excited, can cast and reel the line back in and is finally old enough to sit on the little fishing boat bench on his own without giving me a heart attack. Tom says 'Jack just LOOKS at the water and a fish jumps onto his hook'. I think he was actually a little envious of

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-5412136663278233922013-07-16T17:58:00.000-05:002013-07-16T17:59:24.641-05:00

As my 35th birthday circles my blubbery and aging self, waiting to go in for the kill like a hungry black buzzard on August 8th, I catch myself reaching for something. Youth? My twenties? My sanity? All of the above? I'm sick of my hair. My normal week goes like this: straight hair, pony tail, straight hair, pony tail, straight hair, pony tail, maybe braids or another pony tail. And it's been

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-9540574038122748672013-07-07T19:19:00.004-05:002013-07-07T19:20:10.247-05:00

Summer Days...boy do they ever go fast. Tom is in the midst of his busy season at work. I see him for about a half hour in the mornings at 5:30, then for an hour or so after he gets home, before crashing into bed. He was working on the 4th of July and all weekend so the kids and I kept busy however we could. We BBQ'd at my parents. Watched fireworks at Normandale Lake. Enjoyed Lake Minnetonka.

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-54018618605863489022013-06-30T17:44:00.000-05:002013-06-30T17:59:21.058-05:00

Freshly painted porch Ready for some weekend rambling? Yes? Great! Monday through Thursday, work, work, work and work. Tom started his 12-hour days and MAN has he been sore. Thursday night he moaned in his sleep every time he tried to roll over. It was actually kind of funny. Well, if you're not the one hurtin' that is :)  I had to help get his socks and boots on the next morning because he

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-38433927434773726672013-06-23T18:19:00.000-05:002013-06-30T17:45:34.423-05:00

I had never heard of a chicken tractor until a few months ago. I had no idea that we could have chickens in our backyard. I had no idea that we WANTED chickens in our backyard (and for the record, I'm still not sure I do, but Tom is cuckoo for those cluckers). The Lower Run: The chickens will have access to the grass to eat bugs and all that good stuff. The tractor will have wheels

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-11637905881325751012013-05-29T21:30:00.000-05:002013-05-29T21:44:20.567-05:00

There is one room in This Old House that remained completely untouched... until 2 weekends ago. I've written about it before. It's the room that the front door opens into. I think it's supposed to be a dining room.  Neighbors say the previous owner used it as a living room. At one time I had entertained the idea of a craft room. No matter what it is or was supposed to be, it has been a complete

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-7277027383108054752013-05-27T08:59:00.000-05:002013-05-27T08:59:35.857-05:00

I was in percolator heaven for a few short days using my nifty cornflower blue mid-sixties percolator. I found it just in time; my Keurig was on the fritz again. I delighted in the cute little percolator noises it would make as it warmed on the stove. I made egg coffee. I was in love. photo from Etsy: theretroredhead And then I found out about a recall.  Apparently a massive recall was

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-8975492239367918372013-05-16T16:42:00.003-05:002013-05-16T16:45:36.966-05:00

I think I have developed an obsession for aluminum lawn chairs.  Last year I found a chaise lounge (need to make a new cushion still) and just today I stumbled across a perfect pair of wood and aluminum folding lawn chairs. $3 for the pair.  THREE DOLLARS!!! I'm going to bust out my teak oil and see if I can spruce the wood up. I think it's redwood.  Or cedar. Or some kind of wood that can sit

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-35638608485419831802013-05-11T08:54:00.003-05:002013-05-11T08:54:44.552-05:00

My mother saved a few prime pieces of late 1970's goodness.  Baby Leisure Suits. That I wore. 100% polyester that apparently lasts forever, or at least 33 years. I dressed up my little June in one of them today. I have to admit, it is awfully cute. And it's Mother's Day Weekend. Little June slept all night through for the first time, ever. Nine and a half glorious uninterrupted

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-62329408216228551802013-03-30T17:22:00.001-05:002013-03-30T17:24:06.311-05:00

Long time no post! Life is very busy lately as I sail through days of working, getting the husband to Dr. appointments and physical therapy, and of course raise a curious, energetic four year old and a pretty little 9 month old. Tom's rehab is coming along slowly but surely. His therapy intensiveness has been turned up a notch and he deals with pretty much constant muscle pain as he works

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-15066564137785247312013-02-03T17:45:00.002-06:002013-02-03T17:49:38.634-06:00

Me 'n the kidlets. HotWheels! Typical family photo with everyone looking goofy June's first pickle. She went back for more! Grandma Julie and Grandpa Dean with their hands full. So excited! Fun with Grandma Maudry My pretty Mama and June bug Mel & Maudry Looking good Tom He walked all the way to the party room!

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-81023457840077311582013-01-08T21:24:00.004-06:002013-01-08T21:30:37.735-06:00

It's a cliche. You hear it all the time, think it some of the time, but you don't really get it until something happens to you and yours. Life as you know it can change in an instant. Hug your kids, your husband, your mom, your dad, your neighbor, your friend.  You never, ever know what that next moment might bring.   I'll be spending my writing time at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-25205716020818815712012-12-30T11:34:00.002-06:002012-12-30T11:34:50.599-06:00

Auntie Noelle bought Jack a mini hockey set for Christmas.  After about twenty minutes of net assembling Hell, the living room has been transformed into an arena.  Notice in the first shot that our hockey star is airborne! And he is also playing with a Christmas ornament in addition to the little foam ball.  Fun Fun.  I've decided that I really need a basement for dedicated hockey playing,

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-52767422528226966002012-12-23T17:06:00.001-06:002012-12-23T18:54:09.073-06:00

It's the eve of Christmas Eve.  We haven't left the house all day, nor have we changed out of our pajamas.  Jack is working his way from room to room making messes (but playing so well by himself that I don't care) and June has been a happy girl, alternating between chewing on toys and taking naps.  Tom has been busy redesigning WeathMoney.org and I've been just enjoying the peaceful,  don't

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1432957597112532748.post-63472266115142315222012-12-16T08:47:00.002-06:002012-12-23T18:22:54.362-06:00

I read this reader comment on a CNN news article about Friday's tragedy.  It rang true for me so I thought I'd post it here: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/16/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html Steven Bannister  Sunil • 17 minutes ago − Question for Sunil: There were just as many guns in American households during the 1920s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. And there were plenty of schools and

ArtsyNinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17486088267364693085noreply@blogger.com0