A Bright Idea

Mark and I have decided to finally, and I do mean finally, finish the basement. A project that we have started too many times than I can count. I am wanting a really fun light fixture for the "kids area" and I think I found it. Cute right? Love the colors, love the concept!

Hating the price. Not sure - okay definitely know, I will not be dropping $300 for this sassy chandelier. Curse you, Pottery Barn! So does anybody know if I could buy the wiring mechanism to whip up something like this? I am pretty crafty and could manage the details; I just don't know where to get the hardware.

The Super Hero Inside Mark?

Mark's superpower would be (is!) super speed.

You're quick witted and fast to act. You're mind works at warp speed. From your perspective, everyone else is living in slow motion. You get so much done, people have accused you of not sleeping. Definitely not a couch potato, you feel a bit crazy if you're not busy doing something. Why you would be a good superhero? You would be the first on the scene, and likely to finish the job before anyone else shows up. Your biggest problem as a superhero is being bored by everyone else, including other superheroes!

The Super Hero Inside Me?

My superpower would be manipulating fire.

You are intense, internally driven, and passionate. Your emotions are unpredictable - and they often get the better of you. Both radiant and terrifying, people are drawn to you. At your most powerful, you feel like the world belongs to you. Why you would be a good superhero: You are obsessive enough to give it your all. Your biggest problem as a superhero: Your moodiness would make it difficult to control your powers.

What Should Your Superpower Be?

Really! It could not be any more true!

Our Family Date Night

WaterFire Columbus is becoming one of the most exciting art exhibits in Central Ohio. I know that may sound like a stretch, but I have always been mesmerized by fire. The magnificent array of bonfires was first established on the three rivers of downtown Providence, Rhode Island in 1997. In downtown Columbus, the flames reflect on the waters of the Scioto (sigh-oh-tuh) River. This was the last fire for the season and was held simultaneously with the Riverfront Arts Festival (kind of like Mayfest for all you Okies.) We had a great time walking through the different tents of vendors, had a few laughs with the artists, and contemplated buying several things only for Mark to say, "why buy it, when you can do that?" A few of our favorites: Chuck Wimmer, his art candidly illustrates the literary playfulness of words. Click on his name to check out his work. You will not be the same afterwards. Susan Kline, she uses children's playing cards with her personal info stickered to the back as business cards. Mark randomly chose a card with a chef on it from the stack. Her pop art is modern whimsy, something I would love in our home. Jennifer Li, whose story was so inspirational, not to mention, her hand made glass beads left Jillian spellbound. And last but certainly not least, Kimberly Erb. Her impressionism is unremarkable--beautiful, poetic romanticism in paint. Tina if you are reading this...she does custom work. I told her about Cricket and she said that she would give you the 30% show price if you would like a portrait - just mention the Riverfront Arts Festival in Columbus.

Our Family

Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com

Ghoul's Night

SO...Tuesday night Megan, Becky, Kelly, and I decided that we need, need, NEED (okay, its a want) a mandatory, monthly girls night. Since September is halfway over, how cool would this be for October. I am loving the black lipstick, the spray painted skulls, and the silver-sparkly everything. The website even offers an "evite" template. Check it out and get more ideas here.

Got any missing money?

Who couldn't use a stumble upon a big pile of money they never knew they had. Well, take a trip on over to Missing Money and see if any of it could be yours. PS - I charge a 10% finders fee.

Locks of Love

Jillian received a thank you card today from Locks of Love for her hair donation. Just look at those long curls. Oh, how I miss them. As we were reminiscing about her temporarily absent locks, she reminded me that there was a little girl somewhere that needed her hair more than she did, "and besides, Mom, it will grow back."

How did I spend my Saturday?

Want to find out.

Click here.

Gotta Love a Deal

So as a last minute hurrah before school starts, Mark and I decided to finally take the kids on that Cincinnati trip we have been talking about ALL summer. We are hoping to squeeze in as much as we can in a very little window of time on a very, very tight budget. So, I had been searching all day for a good rate at a decent hotel that was close to where we wanted to be. No luck. Later, Mark called his mom to see if she knew of any steals, and she recommended priceline.com. They now offer a "name your own price" on hotels. So, if you are familiar with priceline for airline tickets you know that you name the price and once your bid is accepted they tell you the name of the airline you will be flying on and the time of your flight. With the hotel option, you pick your star rating and name your price. Once your bid is accepted, they tell you the name of your hotel. I figured with a little strategy, we could get a nice room at a great price, and hopefully we wouldn't be stuck with one that we would have to sleep with our clothes on or wear our shoes in the shower. So we picked out a 3 star hotel and bid $50 - hey there is no harm in aiming low. Surprising, they came back and said "increase your bid by $14 to win." Thank you priceline - $64 a night for a heavenly room at the Kingsgate Marriott. I will definitely be using priceline again for every hotel stay.

80s Housewife

You Belong in 1980

Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day.

What Year Do You Belong In?

Who looks like who?

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Vintage photographs - Family history

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Family name history - Free family tree software

Wordle

Have you ever seen the ad campaign where the continents of the Earth are created using words and wished you could make a "word cloud" of your own. Well now you can...click here.

Ebates

I wanted to tell you about Ebates, a shopping site that gives you up to 25% Cash Back every time you shop online. You can shop at over 900 stores including Barnes & Noble.com, Gap, Target, Buy.com and Expedia. Plus you get additional savings with exclusive coupons, free shipping offers, and limited-time sales! Sign up with Ebates today and we'll each get a $5 bonus when you make your first purchase! Click here to sign up -- Happy Shopping!

Define Us

Mark --

[noun]: A person who is constantly high

'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Jennifer --

[adjective]: Extremely extreme!

'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Brendan --

[adjective]: Similar to butter in texture and appearance

'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Jillian --

[adjective]: Like in nature to a banana peel

'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Karigan --

[adjective]: Smells like teen spirit

'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Oh to be 13 again...

I don't know how this got started, but a few days ago I was telling the kids about a silly little game I used to play in school called, MASH. You know, Mansion, Apartment, Shack, or House. My BFF and I spent hours predicting our futures using this oh-so-hilarious (if not scientific!) game. I couldn't remember exactly how to play, it has been a few years after all. So I googled it and check this out...You can play it online these days! Oh yeah, baby! Check it out here. Man, that takes me back...

www.shabbyapple.com

I stumbled onto this website and have fallen, absolutely fallen, in love. The absolute cutest dresses and accessories for all sizes. Stuff for me, stuff for the girls. A return to what dresses were always meant to be — a one-piece outfit. No need to add anything...no tank tops, no cardigans, nothing (except accessories, of course!). Now if only I can muster the courage to buy clothing online - or maybe I will have a trunk show. The Sabrina dress, which is on sale, is going on my wish list.