Move Over Martha

September 26, 2009

I was little miss crafty today along with my always-crafty sister-in-law, Kathy (aka Aunt Kackery).  We went to my new favorite store, Domestic Bliss, in Mesa.  Not only do they have the cutest stuff, they have craft classes!  How fabulous is that?!  Check out the website here.  The store itself is a billion times cuter. 
http://domesticbliss-domesticbliss.blogspot.com/ 

We made a House of Wax.  You can't really tell from the pictures, but the house has melted wax on it and looks totally spooky and cute at the same time if you can envision that. 

I was the impatient crafter and had mine fininshed about half an hour before Kathy's.  But I just HAD to shop.  I think we may try to do this in a modified version with Grace & Emmie.

Here's Kathy & her creation:

Here's mine.  Notice the fake candle inside.  Very creepy when it's dark.

Here's a close up to show you some of fine detailed handiwork.  Ha.

And I picked up this beautiful ring for myself and a second as a birthday gift for a friend. Sorry it's a little blurry.  You try taking a picture of your own hand with an iphone,

Trust me, the store is worth the trip to Mesa. 

Karen

Happy Birthday Poppy!

September 25, 2009

Today is Poppy's  (aka Big T, Big Tom, Pops, Santa's helper) 72nd birthday.  It's easy to remember how old he is because all three Tom Halters are exactly 30 years apart; they were born in 1937, 1967, and 1997.  So there you go.  Easy-peasy. 

Happy birthday to a wonderful Poppy and Santa's right-hand man.
Hope he's hungry for those frog legs tonight!

Look at how little all the kiddos are in these pictures.

I couldn't find more recent photos on my desktop. 

I know they are there, I just can't figure out how to get them from the blogspot search function.  Help!

Karen

Black is in...at my house anyway.

September 23, 2009

I got a new family room rug!  I love it.  It's very squishy on your feet.

I have had to redecorate around this guy.  Ollie (aka Ollie Boo, Oliver Boliver, Handsome, Oliver Willie (that one is Grace's nickname for him)).  Isn't he adorable?

His black hair is very noticeable.  And he sheds.  A lot! 

It is easier to hide it than to clean it constantly.  That's why the kitchen table went from white to black. 

But we love our puppy.  And I love my new rug.

Check out the rescue group we got Ollie from here: dlrrphoenix.org

Karen

A Surprise in the Mailbox.

September 22, 2009


I usually look forward to getting the mail.  I like the magazines, catalogs, and coupons.  Occasionally, if I am really lucky, there is a nice little snail mail letter or note (usually from one of my favorite people in the world, Jenny).  Today I got a fun flier from my neighbor inviting to join her team for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer walk next month.  The flier actually came before the mailman delivered the "official" mail.  When I went back to check, I got this little goody:

Yes, you read right.  My very own AARP card.  How depressing is that?!  I am only 41 (41 and 3/4 to be exact).  Far too young to qualify for this particular organization if you ask me. 
Anyone else my age getting these lovelies in the mail?  On the bright side, maybe this means it is now time for me to retire. 

Karen

A Place for Everything.

September 20, 2009
 
 I've been on a cleaning and organizing binge lately.  I've gone through everyone's clothes and most of the closets in my house.  Last night I found some really old coins and paper money that Tom's Grandma gave him.  Old as in pre-civil war.  We'll have to check into the value of it, maybe now he can retire early!  Ha.
I also found a professional photo of myself when I was about 4 years old. The crazy thing about the picture is that, although  I was posing nicely, it was rather obvious that I was crying through the whole thing.  Red eyes, tears and snotty nose.  I'll try to scan it and upload it.  (Too comfy to do it right now).

I am a little obsessive about this organizational stuff.  For example, I divided the colored pencils into three jars by color palate.  It looks cute, now I just have to find a place to display my handiwork.  I tackled the bin of markers last night (after throwing out more than half of them that were dried out).  Crayons are next.  I need to find some other cute containers first.

If my own closets weren't enough fun for me (they aren't), today Kathy (aka Kackery) and I helped Poppy (aka Big T, Big Tom) organize some of his closets and hung lots of pictures.  Call me crazy, but it was my idea of a fun afternoon! 

I saw a commerical for these little guys.  I will be looking for those at my next Target run.

As soon as the weather cools down, I am hitting the garage.  I am running out of places to clean out and organize inside my house.  This is not normal, is it?

Karen

Good Bye Teeth

September 18, 2009

Today Grace had two baby teeth pulled.  I took her out of school early for a special lunch at ACC and then desert.  She is enjoying a banana popsicle before the big event.  The tooth right behind HER left second tooth and another one behind that one came out.

Here they are...  How much do you think the tooth fairy gives for surgically removed teeth?

And here is the patient resting on the couch after the surgery.

Feel better Goose (aka Grace, Gigi, Dean).

Love,

Mommy (aka Karen)

Chef Grace

September 15, 2009

Grace made dinner for the family tonight. While wearing her patch no less.

She's very proud of her new grilled cheese making skills. 

The menu:

Grace's Grilled Cheese Sandwiches,

french fries (regular and sweet potato),

asparagus and grapes. 

Notice how nicely she lined up the fries.

See Ollie eyeing (nosing actually) the cheese in Grace's hand.

Tommy declared it was a delicious dinner (see the 2 thumbs up) and asked for seconds. 

Yum!

Karen

Happy Birthday Diane!

September 14, 2009

Today is my friend Diane Riley's birthday. She is also my neighbor, fellow book lover, dog AND cat person, tennis player, and an awesome surfer. Cheers Diane!

Surf Divas in Action!

September 14, 2009
The action photos FINALLY arrived. Here we are...

Practicing the "pop ups" on land. . .

Now for real. . .

A "party wave" with (from left to right) Jeanette, Cathy, Karen T., Diane, Julie. . .

That's me on the far left of the party wave. . .

Aloha!

September 11th

September 11, 2009

Today I went to a "flag retirement" ceremony. It is a ceremony at which torn or old American flags are burned. It was a fitting way to remember the anniversary of September 11th, 2001. Although it was a very informal event put on by a local scouting group, I was glad to have participated. I am not usually the patriotic type, but this was nice reminder of what others do so that I can enjoy my freedom.

Here's the short version of the ceremony: pledge, patriotic song, prayer. recognition of the firefighters from our neighborhood house, (Engine 13 by the way). Then a fireman lit the flags and we watched them burn. The End.

God Bless America and the whole planet.

Karen

My New Toy!

September 10, 2009

I got an iphone last week! It is so much fun. It's really easy to us. One of the "apps" I have on it even allows me to download and read books. On my phone. Seriously!

My other favorite feature is my custom ringtone. It's Sting singing "One World." You know, the old reggae song he did way back. It makes me happy every time I get a call. So call me. . . often!

Karen

Happy Birthday Melissa & Jennifer!

September 4 & 6, 2009

We have two special sisters to wish Happy Birthday this week.

Aunt Fissa (aka Melissa) had a birthday on Friday!

(sorry Mel, this was the only picture I have on my laptop)

Aunt Jennifer (who, like me, has no funny nickname : ( ) turned 35 today!

Happy Birthday and we miss you guys.

Love, Karen & family

My Husband

September 5, 2009

Tom said my blog doesn't have much to say about him. Well, that is because I thought (a) he would not read it, and (b) wouldn't want me to or care whether or not I said anything about him.

I have lots to say about Tom, so here are just a few of the many reasons why he is my favorite guy. . .

He loves his family. Not just me and the kids, but his parents, sisters, nieces & nephews, in-laws, and all other "family" related or not, you know who you are and you are important to my husband.

He is a great, loyal,and fun friend to have. I know this because I was friends with him in law school for a while before I tricked him into asking me out. Ask Page my co-conspirator about that story. He is my best friend, and I know how much fun he is, especially at a ping pong party, any sporting event (live or televised), and on vacation.

Isn't he handsome in those shades?

Exhibit A of us having fun on vacation.
He is very patient and loving. This comes in handy every month when the Visa bill arrives. Grace does give him a run for his money in the patience department though.

He takes very good care of us. He sends us on fabulous vacations, even though sometimes he doesn't get to join us. He can grill up a delicious meal, does loads of dishes, and on occasion will do a load of laundry even though it is really my job. When there is a fix-it job, he has the number of a good handy-man (seriously, if you want the number, he's great!).

Tom is the smartest person I know. That is lucky for Tommy because I can't do middle school math. That is Tom's job. He can tell where just about any place is on the globe. On our honeymoon, we played name the state capitol driving from Seattle to Vancouver. I got killed.

He is really good at any kind of game. He can beat anyone in a card game, plays a mean game of ping pong, knows lots of trivia, and sometimes wins when he golfs. I have yet to beat him at any competition. Maybe I should challenge him to a surfing contest now that I am a "Surf Diva."

Tom loves dogs. He is such a good dog parent, that he gave up his own lab, Dave, when we first had Tommy and Dave and my own dog, Norman, didn't get along. He thought Norman and Madison (my other dog) should stay together. How nice is he?

Those are just a few of the reasons Tom is the best husband in the world. Aren't I lucky?

Karen

Surf Divas!

August 28-31, 2009

We did it! We are officially Surf Divas! All seven of us actually got up and caught some waves. It was all so much fun.

I never in a million years would have gone surfing on my own, so thanks to my fabulous girlfriends for getting me out there.

We were having WAY to much fun surfing to get out and take pictures of each other, so you'll have to wait until I get the photo CD from the official Surf Diva photographer to see us actually surfing. Until then, here are some highlights from the trip.

We are on our way... a toast! Yes, mimosas at 9:45 am.

The amazing ocean view from our hotel room in La Jolla. . .

We watched some beautiful sunsets. . .

A little sunset picnic on the beach . . .

The pajama party begins . . .

The BIG day... surf camp day 1

We were exhausted and starving after day 1, but it was so fun. . .

The divas with our favorite instructor, Shayna. . .

We got in a little shopping. . .

and a lot of eating!

Cheers to my fellow Surf Divas!
Thanks girlfriends (and Tom) for an unforgettable weekend.

Karen