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feeling famous

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i am the room tour today on ohdeedoh!!!
i am feeling quite happy.
thank you for such a nice write up alex.

comidademama - Grazie mille Megan! Thanks a lot Megan!
i will write as soon as possible and will send a link.
Bravissima!

comidademama - Really amazing! I love the colors and the picture is beautifull! I’m an Italian blogger and I’d love to publish this picture in my blog writing about you and your talent to chanhe 4 walls in somethis really special.
Please, please,please,please,please,please,please,please,please,please,please,please allow me.
Ciao
Elena.comidademama

Robin Laws - awwww…you so deserve that! this is one wonderful room and you did it all by yourself too!
XO

carissa - you ARE famous… you rock… so glad they featured you!
let that sun shine on your face… wow! 🙂

Kelly - VERY nice! Kelly

Diana Cornielle - Congrats! Hard job always pays off somehow….!

princess lasertron - I like that room a lot, and that’s a really nice write-up. you’re a great inspiration to me, meg 🙂

sara's art house - I LOVE that room!!!!! Gorgeousness in red and white!!!

a thorn among roses - now that, is super fun! great job…congrats!

Jamie Sampson - Congrats! Whoo Hoo for you! I am just so proud I want to squeeze your cheeks and feed you chocolate chips cookies! 🙂

Rachel - I gotta say again I love this room!

MGF - Congrats. That’s awesome to feel famous.
Got any more projects working??? or always…..

alyssa - from the amount of comments you recieve on this blog, I’d say you are definitely famous. But I do love that room. I believe I will be making a trip to hobby lobby soon for some letters…

Taddie Tales - You go girl!
Congrats!

sandi - Hi Meg
I LOVE that playroom! Everything about it just so happy and cheerful. Did you use vintage fabric on the pillows?
I know it is hard to reply to all who comment on your blog but I would love for you to visit my blog and say Hi. I got inspired by your polka dot lamp and did something simular to a lampshade of mine but the dots are gold on a barn red color with white fringe on the bottom. Not exactly the same but you inspired me. I will be posting a pic very soon. Come visit me.. Sandi

callie grayson - fun, playful and cosy! love this room!!!!

Melanie - Congrats on the photos on that website. That room makes me so happy! I love all the colors and it looks just like you:)

Darby - You are famous and I love that ROOM!!

maribeth - i have been following your blog for almost a year now. i am in love with your house and the way you have chosen to decorate it. this room is no different. how cool! i hope you win! thank you for the inspiration in decorating and child rearing (we are expecting number 3 in about a month)!

Jenny - That is fantastic.
The room looks great – I love it.

Holly - So very proud of you!!!!!
All of the rooms in your home could win prizes. I admire the way you decorate with a great eye for colors….and lots of love. That guest/play room is spectacular. Your talent is inspiring.
Congrats, Meg. I was hoping you’d win…..your room was the most beautiful and clever!!!!! =-)

Staci - YAY! Does this mean you won?? I do hope so!! Coolest room around!

Michelle - Congratulations! Love your room, love your photos, love it all!

Amanda - Rock on Designer Momma! Obviously you are now not only feeling famous, but you ARE famous!
Now, if you could just let me come and liv in your kitchen, I would be happy.
God bless-
Amanda

diana g - Congrats Meg!!! The recognition is well deserved – love the room and your photos!
PS. You should have won the ohdeedoh contest!

Deb - Hello, I found you via ohdeedoh. I love your outlook (I am exactly the same re the Christmas tree) – chaos usually reigns here too as I have five. The playroom looks cool too!
I wanted to ask – how do you get your pics on typepad so big? Mine come out smaller than I’d like despite me fiddling with the custom settings.
Debx

chris - Your famous to me , always love everything you do , you are amazing , its nice to see you recognized .

kristin at prairie daze - oh! hooray for you!
it is wonderful, wonderful.

traci - congrats meg. very exciting!!

Aubrey - Seriously so fabulous. Hmm, duh aubrey moment, let your kids have input on how to decorate their rooms. So smart. Except, what do I do when I’m constantly switching my kids in between the two rooms we have to try and make them fit better (which they never do).

Ali - That is so cool!
I actually saw your entry into the color contest and I emailed it to my mom cause I just loved it so much.
And another cool thing, I’m in Kansas too! 🙂

kasey - wonderful write-up!

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tree trimming chaos

craig put the (artificial) tree up this weekend.

then the kids had begged for three days straight to decorate it.
i was finally ready (as i could be) to do it.

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it was (and always is) chaos.
this year they each had their special ornaments in their own box. 
it made a difference in the amount of fighting & grabbing ornaments from each other.

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i decided something this year….
the way the tree looks is not a big deal.
the ornaments can go wherever the kids want.  
they CAN hang them….by themselves….they don't need my help.
and they WANT to do it.
we did it together and i didn't un-do all the work they just did when they weren't looking.

maybe everyone reading this has already had this AHA! moment 
but i think so many mommies still want a perfect tree that is not for touching.
why?
why does it have to be matchy-matchy and perfectly decorated?
i have decided that ours will be just how the kids want it to be…however they decorate it.
and i can't wait to see what they come up with.

ahhhhh…..now i will get off my soapbox.

we finished and it was time for pie.

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i will admit that i was crabby during all this "family time" but i tried my best to control it.
the chaos gets to be a bit much sometimes…even for me.
but in the end they will remember the decorating and not my mood.
i hope.

and only 2 ornaments got broken….by ME!

want to play find-the-teenager-who-can't-stand-her-family again…..

Diana Cornielle - I can totally relate to you in so many ways! The-teenager-who-can’t-stand-her-family, the chaos during “family times”, the moodiness of a mom who just wants peace and quiet, the urge to fix things up after the kids decorate their own tree but most of all the fun and memories these times bring to us, as well!! Great photos!

Ashlie - First off, I love the new header pic! Have you decided on a name for your new business yet? Because you so need to offer your talent for sale!
And I completely agree with your thoughts about the tree, even though I don’t have kids yet. But I’m sure I’ll have to remind myself of it when I do have kids. Since I tend to be a little controlling when it comes to decorating and all. 😉
Thanks for sharing your family time with us!

Rachel - My hubby wants more kids…yes he wants to have another baby…because of times like these…Christmas and the laughter and chaos. You have a beautiful family…that pie looks yummy!

Tonya - “the way the tree looks is not a big deal.”
ummm…amen to that! My tree is so silly looking and we ended up with all ornaments on the top half due to Mia’s obsession with trowing them across the room! Love it though..such a blessing and reminder of the little ones that roam my home…
hope you have a very merry christmas!

meredith - Too funny. I just read this post and laughed with great empathy. I did a post yesterday which is so similar, even down to the three days to get the energy to trim the tree and the individual portions of decorations to alleviate arguments. I didn’t write it, but I was also thinking how I can be a fun vacuum at this time of year, wanting everything to be perfect and why do I do that? Thanks for the reminder.

krista - great pics as always…but now i’m in trouble because my youngest wants to know all about your furball dog in the pictures….we already have one!

carissa - loving the new festive banner…
AND…
okay…. i am raising my right hand… i promise to be BETTER about letting the ornaments “BE”… at the bottom of the tree where the girls put them! 🙂
you rock mmama!

Lisa - Good for you Meg! I’m sure no matter where the decorations hang, the tree will be filled with the beauty of your family and the wonderful pie you shared afterwords. Even -the-teenager-who-can’t-stand-her-family fills it with love 🙂
take care,
Lisa

Sandy - Is that her in the background of the last picture? I did notice her in her coat and shorts helping with the tree. She’s a doll…just like my 15 year old son that can’t be around the family without thinking we’re complete morons. 🙂
Love the new attitude, the tree, the pie and Waffle (what a great name!).

Brooke - Goodness…I am SO like that…the ladies put up an ornament…and the second they turn around I cruise over there and put it where I telepathically had told them to put it. Maybe this year will be my AHA moment and I will just enjoy it….but knowing me probably not…haha! At least I think my ladies are begining to realize how nuts their mother is…so they expect and accept it.
I totally love the individual boxes idea…I will definitely have to incorporate that into our way of storage next year!

Aubrey - Oh yeah–the ‘can i wipe my nose on your shirt?’ so so funny–that annie.

Aubrey - I try not to make our tree perfect because I can still remember my mom telling us where to put our ornaments and being so picky and I hated it.
We box our ornaments individually too, but in ugly shoeboxes. Did you find those boxes at Michaels? I like the car ornament, did you make it? My son would love it. My husband has an uglier-than-heck superhero ornament I alwys make him hid in the back, maybe I’ll let him show it this year.

Nina - the tree will be perfect!
and when they are all grown like mine, then you can do it your way……which is what I do now!
cute pics…….

Holly - I FOUND HER!!!! She is participating- all bundle up. I so understand the strong desire to rearrange and tweek yo tree. I also have given up. I don’t think I have had an AHA moment but I just ran out of steam and totally gave up. I used to put up a full size tree in our family room, dining room, sunroom, Master bedroom, and then the kids had a 4 ft tree in their rooms. I don’t have it in me anymore. That is part of adapting- allowing myself to let it go and not stress out over trying to do too much.

traci - I found Lauren but she looked like she was participating.
As for the tree being matchy, matchy and perfect. That is one thing I have FINALLY GOT!!! I also did the whole rearrange when they werent looking thing but decided to stop. I do give some tips on not too many same color bulbs all together, etc, but I let them…I think this yr. they did the whole thing (almost). Love your pictures and your dog is getting SOOOOO BIG and adorable.

Art Cant Hurt - Your new banner looks great!
Did you get a stocking for Waffle yet?

Amanda Rettke - Well…I will leave the aha moment to you… my kids are still too young to be able to decorate a tree… is what I keep telling myself! I LIKE matchy matchy and pretty! You are a good woman.
God bless-
Amanda

Jill - Looks great… the tree and the pie!! You’ve got an award over at my blog. 🙂

amy d - that waffle! such a helper. CUTENESS ALL AROUND!

Kelly - good for you! the pic of the car ornament and your sweet girl below is really good and I love that waffle’s in on the game. Kelly

Amy - muah!
I have the most imperfect tree ever! I love that we let them decorate it…it’s a good memory for them…we’ve all had those crabby moments! It’s alright! Hang in there…you are just like the rest of us!
by the way, I’m not ready for teenagers…I have a 7 year old who thinks he’s the boss…oh, I’m not ready!

Tami - I am joining you on that whole “let the kids do it and don’t fix it behind their backs” thing this year. Our tree has NO ornaments on the bottom foot, but I am thinking that may work to my advantage with our little “Abe-y Baby” anyway.
We only broke one ornament this year – Ashleigh’s new one!

danyele - pie after tree trimming…what a good idea. now, i want some pie!

Staci - Ahhh. So glad to hear that it’s chaotic at other people’s homes too! Yet another reason why I love to blog 🙂 Makes me feel…normal! Actually, I must admit, this year was not so bad 🙂 I had my AHA moment this year as well. I generally am an “all white light” kinda girl…this year, Brian and Connor wanted multicolored…and you know what…it’s really kinda pretty! Sometimes, it’s just not worth the fuss 🙂 AHAAAAA!!!!! (in the biggest vibrato voice I have!)

chris - Looks like fun for the kids , you earn a big gold star for that .
All I need at Christmas is a decorated tree , fake real , fancy or crazy doesn’t matter , its the spirit that counts, glowing lights .
Pumpkin pie is on my list now , asap.
Chris

chris - Yum yummy ,I need to make a pumpkin pie soon , seeing all the thanksgiving feasting across the boarder puts me in the mood too .
The tree is lovely , normally my girls are very involved but they didn’t seem to care this year , well my 7 yr old did help put up her ornaments as well .
Your tree looks perfect , I would have thought it was real if you hadn’t mentioned , they really look great in photos , well I have always had fake so they are very wonderful to me, a decorated tree is all I need decorated any way .
Bring on Christmas

cynthia - love your new banner too!

cynthia - yes…i’m guilty of that too! but the past two years have been different and as you with the same attitude! my little guy absolutely loved filling the tree with ornaments this year and so he did…wherever he found a place AND it wasn’t too bad after all. i haven’t even moved one single ornament!
it’s not like i don’t have several trees to choose from at our house…and mine is in the kitchen! now that one…stay away!
fun times!

callie grayson - the first thing I noticed was the white ipod cords as she is separating the ear buds. i giggled, i was exactly the same way. i am the oldest and didn’t want to be around my younger siblings much less my parents. but hey i got over it and i am very close with my family now and my sister is my best friend. give her a about 8 years and then she will be over the phase!
great photos! everyone looks like they are having a great time. great idea with each one having their own box of ornaments.
I would have to say my favorite photo is the one with your youngest looking up as her brother hanging the ornament. it is very sweet!!!

Trina - It’s too bad that has to be an Aha moment for everyone.. I am hoping that I can just take your advice before I need my own Aha moment about decorating the tree. My tree never looks perfect but I want it to look pretty but mostly that ruins the fun for everyone. So I am reading this at just the right time and hoping to just go with the flow. Thanks…..
xx trina
oh- and I love the individual box idea.. so clever!

Jamie Sampson - I love little moments like that, when you just realize something completely profound and your life is so much better because of it. I used to be a complete clean freak, I am not any more, I don’t have the time or the energy and does to really matter if I have multiple loads of laundry sittng in the laundry basket, nope! 🙂
Love the photos!

Kelly - I love it, your tree looks great! We actually have two trees – one is supposed to be a kid tree, and one my fancy looking tree. Well, guess who is too lazy to put up two trees (and we technically don’t have a good spot for the second). So the kid ornaments go on the one tree that is up, along with my pretty gold ones. And this year the three year old helped so all the ornaments are on the bottom 1/4 of the tree and multiple ornaments on each branch. What can you do though, you know? She is so proud of helping.
And I was that moody teenager just a few short (10) years ago and I’ve grown out of it for the most part. 😉 At least there is hope!

kasey - nice talk from the “soap box”. I love it.
I of course HAVE to have MY tree decorated and look pretty.
why, cuz i’m neurotic. luny. crazy.
I wish i had a house big enough to have 2 tree’s. the family one, and the pretty one.

sarah - I love that Waffles looks as though he’s trying to help.
and i completely understand,
I have the same ornament issue. I want each ornament to have even spacing and for the tree to look perfect. Luckily, McKenzie doesn’t care what way it’s done, yet. Once she starts to really help, I’ll have to let go of my need for perfectionism.

jennifer - Ah! So many things… where to begin?
I love the idea of the boxes for each kid. My kids also have their own special ornaments but they’re just packed away in the same box as all the others. Not this year!
I had that AHA! moment with the Christmas tree decorating last year and it was so incredibly freeing and made the whole thing much more enjoyable. What ended up being incredibly hilarious was sitting on the couch watching my husband micro-manage the kids the entire time, re-doing half of what they did. He was horrified that I was content to let it just be a “kid tree”. Who knew?!
Love the tell-tale white cords hanging from the puffy jacket pocket. And who’s that on the computer when everyone else is eating pie? 🙂 That was so me at that age. Except we didn’t have iPods in the olden days…
Ok, gotta go break up a fight and then figure out what’s for dinner.
Thanks for sharing your fun night!

Chelsea jones - I love your blog. It’s very real mom Martha Stewart.
We never decorated our tree. We would come home from school one day after Thanksgiving, and my mom would have the house all spiffy and the decorations in place. I would always love that element of surprise.

lee ann - Way to go Meg! I was crabby too. I think I always am. No matter how much I tell myself I’m not going to be. My 5 and 2 year olds decorated the tree….minus 4 ornaments I did taller than 3.5 feet. But….they were very happy, no arguing, so I let them do it. And that’s just the way it is! No perfect tree in our house. Just happy kids.

Tracy - Well, unfortunately, I seem to be one of “those” moms who prefer the matchy/color coordinated tree – *lol* My kids are 15 now but still don’t help out much. I think I ruined them when they were little and wouldn’t let them help so that nothing got broke and/or didn’t match – much to my husband’s disappointment. But, I can’t turn back time to let them have the freedom of the casual family tree – although, I honestly can’t say I would IF I could either – I guess I am a “mom tree snob” – lol – oh well. Thanks for sharing the pictures and the pie looks Delicious! :o)

amy j. - How many oraments has waffle eaten? So far only 1 by marley. That I know of. Half a gingerbread something. I couldn’t tell what was left. -Corey (not Amy)

PamperingBeki - Very cute! It’s killing me to not have access to my pictures right now. 🙁
I’m definitely one who likes a family/casual/kid decorated tree. Our’s looks like it’s wearing an ornament belt because they’re all in a cluster in the middle, but that’s fine. 🙂
I also got them each a little tree for their bedrooms this year and they are LOVING that!

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kristi

from a week ago….

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(sidenote:  it is so much easier photographing older kids than babies and toddlers!)

thanks kristi and eric for asking me to take your family pictures.  
i had a really good time….i promise.
sorry we didn't get more of abby.
and i thought tyler was fun.  he cracks me up.

hope your day is good today kristi….back to work.
i will be thinking about you.  

Amanda Jo - What a sweet looking family! They look like they’re having so much fun!

Aubrey - Good photos–as always. I love black and white.
I was wondering, since your family produces a lot of art work–what do you do with it all, after you’ve displayed it? How do you decide what to keep and treasure and then how to store it? I am OVERWHELMED with all the stuff my daughter brings home and feel bad throwing any of it away, but I can’t keep everything. I think I better start a good system before her siblings start doing artwork too!

kitchendoor - Hi! I just wanted to drop you a line and tell you how much I’m loving the new banner–and your blog in general. Your photos are lovely, and you’re such a hoot 🙂
Happy Holidays!

Liz - These are really good Meg.

Cori - I just wanted to tell you how much I love your blog. You are a bright spot in my day!
I love that you have posted recipes! I have tried 3 of them and my family loves them!
THANK YOU!

Rachel - Cute Family

carissa - sooooo great!

meaghan easterhaus - i can’t wait to see what happens over at your place this christmas!!!!

kasey - fun photo’s.
you are getting good:)

Amanda Rettke - That is one young looking mommy. And one happy family. Great shots. I especially like the guys posing in the doorway… is this your place or do you have locations that you use? Very neat-o.
God bless-
Amanda

traci - meg those are beautiful. they are going to love them. you can tell they are a lively, fun, loving family. your black and whites are really stunning. how do you edit those? i am struggling with that. any tips? great new blog header too.

Jamie Sampson - Oh… love the new blog header. super cute and super fun and super fabulous! 🙂

Jamie Sampson - you rocked it! Way to go! I love subjects that listen instead of just run away! 🙂 The 18 month to 2 year olds are always a challenge for me!

a thorn among roses - i love how happy they are…and kissing pics always make me blush, but in a good way.

traci - You truly do have a talent. The pictures are just fabulous…love the last one!!!!
And, like some others have said…LOVE your header!!!!

sarah - Beautiful photos! Love the one of the brother and sister together. His face is priceless.

Kelly - Your blog headers always BLOW ME AWAY!! Kelly

Shana - Perfect representation of that family! Tyler funny…Abby cute…Kristi & Eric – GET A ROOM! I’ve always loved the obvious connection between the two of them. Sweet!

Heather - Wow – gorgeous photos. Abby looks like Phoebe Cates — lucky girl!!

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black friday

so how was it?

did you shop before the sun came up?
did you get what you waited for?

we slept in.
then my sister and i shopped local.
at the thrift shop….everything was 50% off….wow!

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i got this chair for .50 cents.
my sister got an artificial christmas tree for $10.  

we went to the antique store and the fabric store.

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princess lasertron…you were discussed at the antique store.  :)

we did go out to the mall in the evening (when the the crazy shoppers were done)
talby got to go to build-a-bear with her cousin….finally!

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and now it's snowing.
we are going upstairs to craft in the craft room.
and listen christmas music.
and drink coffee.

Danielle - I recently started reading your blog, love it! I noticed the cups you had up top… when I was a little girl my grandpa would visit and stay at his families “old farm” a few weeks and weekends. Cups of all colors just like these were there 🙂 Every time I would visit I would go out to the pump and get myself a glass of fresh well water in one of these beauties! I have to get mine out of my hope chest. So many memories! Thanks for the reminder 🙂

deb meyers - Love your new header, looks like I Spy : )
deb meyers

eryn - OOOH, LOVE those fabrics. I just made myself an apron out of that cute blue fabric with pears and apples on it, LOVE it!
I did the late start shopping also. SO much nicer than the pushy crowds at Target at 5am!I would much rather be at a fabric store too…now, if only I could find the motivation to sew all those flannel jammies I aspire to finish by Christmas!

carissa - fifty cents… shut up!
we went thrifting too! way fun!

Jamie Sampson - love the photos!

Rebecca Kriner and Tom Burke - Meg- Thanks for asking! Tom Burke and I went to Wal-Mart at 4:20 a.m.!!!! Only the finest folks were there! We did get a great deal on a TV so it was worth it!!! Hey- Did the houses in your neighborhood sell?? Where are the pics? LOL!

Trina - Sounds perfect.. I love all your pictures of buttons, and boxes and fabric and things… ahhh! Stop by my site for a giveaway!
xx Trina

Jennifer P. - I only shopped online–but made out pretty well. I would have for SURE snatched up those metal tumblers at the thrift store! We use to have glasses like that when I was little and my Mom would make the best chocolate malt milkshakes to go in them!
I HAVE been reading all along, just not commenting as much. I’m sorry! It was so good to get a comment from you the other day! And I have LOVED seeing your photography skills being put to such good use taking pictures of others!
Happy December!

Kelle - Thank you for your lovely comment. I have loved your blog for a long time through my sister! Keep writing, photographing, loving, enjoying, creating and making life colorful!

Rachel - We stayed home and decorated the house and listened to Christmas music…it was great! I love your new header!

Amanda - I did not shop black Friday. I never have. I dont think I ever will. Bunch of crazy people desperate for stuff tehy dont need paying for it with money they dont have. (thats not cynical is it?)
But I do enjoy seeing what YOU got!
Many blessings-
Amanda

Kambria - What a lovely day…..

Jan - I just discovered your blog this morning via Bella Della’s Farm. Am enjoying! I hope it’s okay, but I linked to you from my blog because I wrote you a little thank you for just a little something you mentioned in a post.
I love your polka dot pj’s!!

McGee - What a fun day!
I had to work the morning of black Friday (I work part-time from home), but my workload was fairly light and I was done by mid-morning. We then went to Amazon.com and ordered a few things for Meredith. That was the extent of our shopping that day.
We spent the rest of the day putting up the (artificial) tree and decorating it. We made a massively long garland for it using some of my stash of scrapbooking paper. 🙂 And then we spent the rest of the day constantly telling Meredith, “DON’T TOUCH THE TREE” and “LEAVE THE ORNAMENTS ALONE!”

Joni - Meg. Can I just be related to you for ONE day so maybe you could share some of your inherent craftiness with me? You rock, and you inspire. Awesome.

michelle allen - This looks like my kind of Black Friday! I should have been there with you! : ) Those cups are FANTASTIC! So jealous! I think our thrift shops around here are shopped out, everytime I go all I can find is serious junk never treasures like these.
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Can’t wait to see your Christmas decorating posts. : )

traci - nope, no shopping for me. i think i am kind of a scrooge that way. i should go later in the day. maybe next year. looks like you had a good shopping day. good for you? i need to get going.

Darby - Absolutely DELIGHTFUL… all of it- the chair, the fabric, the glasses, the buttons… and I’m jealous of time in the craft room with carols & coffee! 🙂

princess lasertron - aww, you scored!! your button jar even included special sprinkles 😀
we went to marshall’s and target later in the day…like 7pm. I had planned to get up early but I forgot to factor in how lazy I am in my morning plans and ended up sleeping till like 3pm.
I hope you and your family had a wonderful and relaxing thanksgiving.

Mary Beth Hunt - I am totally Jealous of those metal cups.
Kool-Aid tastes SO GOOD in those.
I wonder if Grown-Up-Kool-Aid (just add vodka) would taste even BETTER!!!
Princess Lasertron’s Mom!

Tami Reed - I forgot to mention that I also took my family to the thrift store and I found a brand new BCBG jean trench coat.Wore it today and everyone was like woo wee where did you get that coat? lol I told them I paid five dollars for it at the thrift store they couldnt believe it lol!
I also found a black sequin skirt in mint condition which Im going to pair up with a white tuxedo shirt and black patent leather belt and heels and thats my new years outfit! I loove thrift stores!

Tami Reed - Like a fool I got up, (which I didnt mind because Im a morning person lol)and drove to target down the street and the line was wrapped around the bldg omg! I did sponge the line once they opened doors I was not the only one lol. Found my daughters nintendo ds game and got the heck outta dodge.
I then went to the mall but really didnt see any cool savings. Came back home and went back to bed. My family is still in town, so weve been having fun watching movies and chit chatting. This is fun!

Lorilee - Fabric and Thrift stores are much more fun than the busy retail stores!! Oh, and I SO envy your gorgeous craft room!!!!
Blessings,
Lorilee

sara's art house - We slept in too- but now that I hear there was 50% off at your thrift store I am kicking myself that I did not check out our thrift stores around here. Love your pictures, as always.

jerusalem - Sounds like the perfect day. Sisters and thrifting are always a good mix.

kasey - i think i’ll go shopping tonight.

Staci - I never get up that early for anything! Not even a great bargain. BUT, my dear husband does! It’s a “family tradition” of sorts…started back when Connor (6 now) was 3. They get up at 3:30 and go to JC Penney’s (opens at 4:00) to get their yearly snowglobe. While I sleep in after all the feasting and festivities from the day before! This year…little brother (Jake-3) got to get his first snowglobe! And whoa! How exciting it was for them! Me, I was snuggled in bed…until the newest addition (Mac–our 9 week old little Westie) needed to go do some business! I’m so glad you got to go shopping with your sister and that Talby got to Build-A-Bear! Don’t you wish you would’ve thought of that!??!! Can’t wait to see what you do with that fabulous fabric!

Lanny Stanard - What fabric store did you get all that cute fabric at? do tell… Looks like a fun day with family, hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, I sure did=)
LaNnY

PamperingBeki - I was one of the crazies at the mall eariler in the day. 🙂 LOVE it.
I wonder if the thrift store is still 50% off today? I’m headed back out in a little bit to do more shopping. I may have to pop in and see.
The snow couldn’t have come at a better time, huh? It just sets the perfect holiday mood! Shopping, music, crafting, coffee, chocolate… mmmmmmm. Happy Happy!

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charity: water

 

my friend amy told me about this organization called 
charity: water.

i think it's awesome.
the statistics will make you feel sick.
you will feel sad, selfish and disgusted.

but we can do something.  
we can't all go to africa or liberia.
but we probably can all give $20 for clean water for a whole village.

can you even BEGIN to imagine this?
we wouldn't let our kids touch that water…let alone use it.  
or DRINK IT?!!

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the founder is scott harrison.  
he is 33….like me.
he changed everything and went to serve the poor…totally UN-like me.

you can give through their site….badge in the sidebar.
you can give through jody's site   (i think….)

but just give.  
if you have any extra this christmas…

just give water.

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and if you have the time you can watch this.

Rachel - What a great cause. Thanks for sharing.

Art Cant Hurt - Wow – it makes me feel guilty that I showered today. Such a waste of good water.
Thanks for continuously putting your ‘public platform’ to good use! Your blog is truly tidbits of inspiration!
Take care Duerksen family!

pam - thanks for posting this Meg!! i can’t tell you how much I appreciate you getting the word out. I might just HUG you next time I see you. 🙂 (ha ha)

traci - thanks meg. something we all take for granted.

Aubrey - I feel so guilty–and so glad we have fresh, clean, running water all the time.

Robin Laws - you are a good soul megan. this is such a heartfelt post and full of compassion.
XOX you are dear to me. thanks for this and so much more.

The Rauths - it’s scary. i did a post that i think would interest you too.
http://therauths.blogspot.com/2008/11/advent-conspiracy.html

melissa @ the inspired room - Aw, this is amazing. Thanks for sharing the need. heart wrenching.
Thanksgiving blessings to you,
Melissa

Ann Marie - Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m going to look into it more…I have a September birthday, and so does my son, two brothers, my dad, and two sisters-in-law. We could raise a bunch of money!

Ashley - Great post…crazy how much we take for granted and how little it takes to make a life saving difference in someone’s life. Seriously, when are you coming to Okla. so we can grab a Starbucks and roam through a craft store together?

Sharla - Thanks Megan, this is a great cause. I’ve put the information on my blog (and linked to yours).

amy j. - Tears on my face, too… because I know how many people read Jody’s blog, and I know how many people read your blog, and now, all those people together, knowing about this… wow. Only $20. Or even $10. (Look for info on Jody’s blog about $10 Fridays) What a huge difference a few moms can make in the world. Thank you, thank you, for sharing this.

Amanda - I think its great you are so gung ho about this… your eagerness excitement is contagious…
I will definitely offer up some prayers for this nobel cause.
God bless-
Amanda

Shana - I have had dreams about this since I went on the website a few weeks ago. It is now “one of my favorite things”. I may not be Oprah, but I think everyone needs to know about this.

Lanny Stanard - Tears, are rolling down my face! Thank You Megan…
BiG hUgS! Lanny

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busy

i don't think that i am actually busy…but i feel a busy-ness in me.

feeling full of thoughts, lists, ideas and projects. 
and knowing so much needs to (and i want to) get done in the next few weeks.
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i have been getting crafty.
and it makes me so happy!  
what i dread is my poor planning that (may) turn into nasty angry crying crafting….
because i waited too long to get get too much done.
so i have lists going of what i need to do and by when.
i am checking things off little by little.
just trying to avoid my usual christmas eve meltdown.

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and now i am headed out to get some shopping done before black friday.
my husband is a genius!
seriously.
he is so smart.
he found what black friday things he wanted in the preview online.
he went to the store and bought it already.  
then he will go back on black friday with his receipt and get the money  back for the sale price.
the store (target….) told him they honor that…even on black friday.
GENIUS!
i never thought of that but why would i?
i like the thrill of the hunt.  I like to shop.
but i am not going into that wild mess this year.
my sister is coming and we are going to just hang out with the kiddos.
and make crafts.

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these crayons are the start of one project…but i can't share what.
but i will say it has me all smiles while i work on it.
color + art + crafting = happy megan

and one more thing…
annie wanted aunt shannon and uncle todd to see her in her fancy new birthday shirt.
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she loves it!

carissa - girl… WHAT you do with those crayons… i can only imagine… you’re the best!

Gini - only you can make a bunch of crayons look so beautiful, fun, inviting….can’t wait to see the project.

Robin Laws - happy thanksgiving you crafty happy girl you!!!
XOXOX

Tausha - so-what are you going to craft!!! I must know. I too have a lot of ideas spinning around in my head-making me feel more busy than I really am!! I think that it’s a holiday thing. I have great ideas of wanting to make christmas a homemade one–I am just not too sure where to start!! So, I want to see your ideas, you know so I can copy!!!

melissa @ the inspired room - I think I might have the same meltdown as we are saying we are moving out of our house (not all of our furniture, but some of the basics) on January 2 and putting our house up for sale. Yeah, great idea! But WHO is going to do all the work necessary to get to that point? I don’t know. Not me. I think they call that denial. And that is why I will have a meltdown.
Annie I love your new shirt! You look so festive and pretty!
And her pose is priceless!! LOL!
xo

Amanda - I love how the kiddies see you have the camera and start tugging on your shirt and saying ,”Mom, mom, mom take one of me! mom, mom, mom , mom…of me! of me!” So you finally change direction and get ready to take a shot of them and they get shy and look away and stand really still and act like they aren’t sure of what to do. Ha! Genius!
Shirt is lovely by the way. And crayons. Well. I like jsut looking at them.
God bless-
Amanda

Kelly - oohhhh! such fun! Have a good time! Kelly

traci - i think i know your very clever idea. but i can’t wait to see it. annie looks so cute in her christmas shirt.

Christy - My guess is big crayons too! Silly me, I never thought about melting them all the same color!
I like Craigs’s wau of thinking, I thought about that too. Haven’t actually executed it yet, but thought about it. 🙂

Becca - Hmmmm…What are you up too with all those crayons>????
Annie’s new shirt is cute, I love snowmen, aren’t they fun??

lee ann - My husband does the same thing Craig did. He already bought me a new washer and dryer for the new house. Last year he did it with a TV. Just make sure you go to the store during the hours the item is on sale!

Ashley - I think I know what you’re doing…. Looks like so much fun but I’ve never done it before. Annie is just cute as a button!

Julie K. - You cannot leave us hanging like that with those gorgeous crayons. I have the same tension of so many ideas so little time. I’m going back to the handmade christmas this year. Last year I got all my shopping done on black friday then felt like I missed out on the whole – ‘joy of making christmas’ feeling. But I’m overwhelmed with all my own ideas! Yikes! Best of luck on your list. Maybe you can post a ‘Christmas Craft Organization’ post and help the rest of us out! :o)

MGF - Sorting your crayons- wow that takes some serious time and some OCD, hahaha
Have fun with your sister.

Aubrey - I think I have a mental illness. It’s where I’m busy in my mind, but my body doesn’t respond, so I only THINK I’m getting so much done, when really things aren’t happening. Then I am so shocked when I discover all this stuff I have do and wonder why I didn’t do it before when it was on the list. I always forget all the little details too. Ironically, I always try to keep it simple, and I never do. Can’t wait to see your project–are you making big crayons like Emily (little momma) did with her boys?

a thorn among roses - i can’t wait! i love making big crayons…i hope to see them soon!

katie - can’t wait to see what you are up to. i decided it is going to be a homemade christmas. me sitting fireside, lit tree, stitching ornaments…hahahahahahahah…..NOT!! i feel your sense of impending busyness.

kristin at prairie daze - oooooo, i have a crayon melting project of my own going…hmmmm. i wonder how they’ll match up.
thanks for yesterday. good times.

Lorelei - I love these pictures of the crayons. Are you going to melt them down? That’s the first thing I thought of when I saw them paperless and naked, in a baking pan. or is it? lol

Rachel - How cute is she!
Happy Thanksgiving

Lorilee - Love the shirt, Annie! Meg, I can’t wait to see what the crayons are for! I know what you mean by Christmas Eve meltdown. Mine usually hits a bit sooner! So many ideas and plans, so little time!
Blessings,
Lorilee

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j-u-m-p

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we raked and raked today, clearing the flower beds and the lawn.  
there was (is) a mountain of leaves in our driveway…perfect for jumping in.

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i guess annie got too hot and stripped down to her tank top?
meanwhile the rest of us had on coats and gloves…
she's a big goofball.

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then it was time for some hot chocolate with whipped cream to warm us all up.
what a perfectly perfect fall day.

tracey - i am smitten by these photos! by your whole entire glorious blog actually! wow!

Liz - I wanna do this too.

Aubrey - Awesome photos Meg. Makes me wish I had $1000 just lying around for a new awesome, FASTER MOVING camera, and then knew how to use it. I take such lame pictures of my kids. Seriously. They’ll think all they did throughout their childhood was sleep in weird places or get into messes or have birthdays where there were cakes, but no proof they blew out the candles, and no proof anyone came to the party. I’ve got to go find a class…and get a job…

Jamie Sampson - these are my favorite. Can you wrap them up in a box and send them my way so I can always remember how happy they made me feel when I looked at them?
You rock!

Anna @ Boogers, Bibs, Books & Bubbles - Meg,
I just love all of your fun photos. I am in the market for a new camera and I was wondering if you could tell me a bit about yours or direct me to a post/site about it. I know that you have a Canon Rebel but that is all that I know. What lense(s) do you have (if any)? Thanks so much!
God bless,
Anna

Anna @ Boogers, Bibs, Books & Bubbles - Meg,
I just love all of your fun photos. I am in the market for a new camera and I was wondering if you could tell me a bit about yours or direct me to a post/site about it. I know that you have a Canon Rebel but that is all that I know. What lense(s) do you have (if any)? Thanks so much!
God bless,
Anna

chris - That looks so fun and crunchy , that must be so fun , my kids don’t feel the cold much either , my 10 yr old is outside shoelling snow with bare legs , what a nut

Lisa - What great family memories, love the pose from Annie a top the stair pillar, looks like she’s about to dive like the olympians 🙂
take care,
Lisa

Realmarce - Amazing photos! I love your blog.

Julie K. - We had the exact same day on Sunday afternoon, complete with hot chocolate … but we did marshmallows. :o)

kasey - darling.

Tracy - Looks like you guys had a great family day of fun! We have a lot of leaves like this in our yard too, but I can’t get my kids (teenagers – enough said) to come play in them with me. Funny, they won’t go sit on Santa’s lap for a family picture either – HA! Oh well… it was fun while it lasted – glad you still have little ones to enjoy all of these fun times with! Thanks for sharing the pictures!
Hugs, Trac~ :O)

Beth - GREAT GREAT FUN FUN photos….too cute !!!!

Rachel - What a great time that looks like…and hot chocolate??? Can I move in?

Aby - So cute and what fun!! I love the one of Waffle looking out the door. I love him!! (I almost called him Bisquit! He looks like that new interactive dog named Bisquit).

princess lasertron - I love fall so much. It’s just the best season (then again I always say whatever season it is is the best season). I think I like the transition periods.
We never rake. I think I will just to have a leaf pile. I miss playing outside now.

sarah - Makes me want to join in!!

traci - my first thought was, it’s that warm where you live? then i noticed talby in the background with her coat on. “Well I’m Hot Blooded” – annies theme song.

Art Cant Hurt - What?! No snow?!
My kids were doing the same thing YOUR kids are doing in these pics yesterday…only in the snow! That’s just depressing!
I’m not ready for snow – just threw out the jack-o-lanterns today because they were a frozen mess! Ackkk!
Enjoy it while you have it! Take care!

Fairly Odd Mother - So glad I found your blog via kirtsy. Your photographs are gorgeous. I love this series! My kids get hot too when playing outside—I’ll be shivering and they’re in t-shirts.

PamperingBeki - Haha! Her tank is even inside out. 😉

Sharla - Totally off topic, but I saw one of your comments on another blog about liking “St. Joe” and I assume you are talking about St. Joe, Florida (not Missouri 🙂 I’m already looking for vacation ideas and wanted to see if you knew of good places to stay there (so I could look online)? We went to Sanibel Island 2 years ago with our young boys and had a great time.

Rach - Ahhhhhhh… I miss Fall. And by that, I mean a TRUE Fall, not the weather that Southern California brings us which is more of a hiccup before the skies open and dump rain on us and Winter is here. Looks like you guys had a perfect day.

Lorilee - Looks like fun except for the raking part! We don’t have leaves in our yard–small trees and one is a live oak! The guys in my family are hot-blooded and don’t get cold very easily!
Blessings,
Lorilee

Amanda - talk about fun! I LOVED getting shots of my kids int he leaves this year… the colors of fall were jsut beautiful and of course, the kids smiles were priceless. The one with annie in her tank gets me though… you will never see that shot in good ole MN! Well. Never mind. You could. We are known as that state where you have to use your AC and heat in the same day.
ANYWHO… great shot. I wouldn’t have minded seeing a picture of hot coco with cream on top though! lol
God bless-
Amanda

Jill - Yes… the perfect fall day!! 🙂 ~Jill

Jill - Yes!! The perfect fall day!! Hot cocoa is the perfect ending… 🙂

Lanny Stanard - Okay, that looks like so much fun! is your youngest hot blooded? Have a great week-end…
Lanny 🙂

callie grayson - awesome day for you and your family!!

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