The Maisy Report

I've Been A Busy Girl

2010-04-07T08:19:00.005-05:00

We just recently got back from Cozumel, Mexico.

This is one of the things you probably know about me...
I love tropical vacations.
I love laying on the beach and reading a book.
I love drinking froofy drinks.
I love an ice cold cerveca in the hot sun.
I loooove to sun bathe.
(i know it's not good for me but really do feel skinnier when i am tan)

On the way to the airport via Park & Fly.

Bradley loved being buried in the sand.
We just dug a deep, deep hole and dropped him in.
He's such a good sport.

Asher being proud of his master piece.

There is something about a little boy playing in the ocean.
This photo makes my heart melt.

Taking pictures of Asher taking pictures.
He used my good camera all week and I used the point and shoot.
I can't wait to get my hands on his photos!!

As you can tell there is a mutual love these two boys share.
They are the only ones who get it.

Silly, silly boy.
Sometimes he acts just like his mama.

There were these peacocks all over our resort.
LOVE THEM!!!
You should have seen me chasing these things all over....
PRICELESS~

Even iguanas need to get a room.
Just kidding... they were trying to get past each other and apparently the only way to do that was to climb over each other.
At least that's what they told us.
Frisky little iguanas.

This is what we all felt like at the end of our trip.
Totally relaxed.

I begged Bill to call the airlines to extend our stay.
He tried but their were no seats available.
What a guy!!
That's what happens when you travel over spring break.

I can't wait to go back.

Did any of you go away for spring break or did you have a staycation??

PS....i have made some big life changes....can't wait to share them with you!

Sisters

2010-03-15T12:13:00.003-05:00

Sisterly love runs so deep.

They are the people who drive you crazy but yet you love endlessly.

They are the ones who just "get" you.

They are the ones who don't let ya get away with anything.

This is the sister that drives me crazy(because she knows me so well) and yet makes me laugh harder than anyone else in the whole world.

This is my sister, Kelly.

She is the sister who:
used to pay me to do her laundry
took me to the beach
took me bowling
took me to the movies
I shared a queen size bed with while growing up
used to let me use her ID so I could get into bars before I was 21
(SSSSHHHH don't tell anyone)
when we get new wallets we do the "toll booth"
(that's when we act like we are paying a toll so we can show off our new wallet)
shared her son's halloweeen candy with me
(we actually ate it ALL while playing Mario Brother on Nintendo in one night)
eats whatever she wants and NEVER gains weight
(I know, I hate her too for that)

The list could go on and on..
I'm just lucky to have someone in my life that was there all those years growing up....
through the good the bad and the ugly.

I hope she reads this. She would kill me if she knew she was on my BLOG.
See, only sisters can do that.

Happy Monday!!!

Looky, Looky

2010-03-09T11:08:00.002-06:00

So imagine this....

I'm in my yard...

minding my own business....

and this little thing pops into my view.

Yep, that right...
it's a Crocus.

It has been a long, white, cold winter her in Chicago.

This is just what I needed to get me through until my upcoming beach vacation.

Happy Tuesday!!!!

Out With The Old....In With The New

2010-03-05T11:59:00.003-06:00

Have I mentioned lately that I LOOOVE me some daisy's?

Wait...I'm pretty sure I have.

Well look what I found at the Crate and Barrel Outlet store.

I filled my kitchen cupboards with these.
(I thought cupboards would sound better than cabinets...don't ya think it does??)

These glasses actually make me a bit giddy.
I have been drinking lots of water so I can use them.

Yep, that's how I roll.
Whenever I clean out and organize my pantry I always find myself more hungry.
That way I can go in and see how good it looks.

When I organize my basement I find myself going down there more.

When I clean out my closet in my bedroom I find I don't wear sweat pants as much.

Any-hoo...where was I??
Oh yeah...the new glasses.

I 'm so happy about them...
I better wrap this post up.
I'm feeling thirsty again.

Happy Weekend!!!

FREAKY

2010-03-04T08:09:00.003-06:00

I have this new little freaky obsession.

Hubby thinks I'm a bit cooky.

He just doesn't get it.

While I was on my "computer break" I discovered some new TV shows.

I call them my "Ghost Shows."

I like that these 2 guys and their team are out to give a logical explanation for what people are experiencing. They are not there to prove that there are ghosts. They are out to prove that what people are experiencing are NOT ghosts.

The reason why I love this show is that it allows me to see some really old castles.
I am an anthropologist at heart.
I love to see how people used to live.

I just like this show.

Hubby really does think I'm crazy. My kids think I'm funny.....I'm not sure in a good way though :)

Hubby gave me a gift certificate for a Chicago Ghost Tour.
He even told me he would go with me.
Can you believe it? Sheesh, he's a good guy~
Now....that is love.....true love!!!
He would ONLY do that for me.

That means I'm gonna have to do something for him now.
Huh....what should I do?
That is NOT a rhetorical question. Really....what should I do??

I want him to know how much it means to me that he would actually go on a ghost tour with me. I know in my heart it's the last thing he would want to do.

Do you have any interests that other people don't "get?"
I want to know I'm not alone in this.
Come on girlies...help me out here.

Maisy...Daisy

2010-02-27T17:26:00.002-06:00

Maisy love her some Daisy's

I really am a pretty simple girl.

I don't need much.

I know lots of girls love roses.

I am not a rose girl.
(don't tell my hubby...he just came home with a dozen for me the other night. i don't have the heart to tell him i'm not a big fan of roses.
hey, it's the thought that counts.....right??)

Any-hoo....
It was my mom that brought daisy's to my attention.
She always said that they last long...
They never look bad.
And they are just simple and pretty.
Have I mentioned lately how smart my mom was??

So, about 2 weeks after she died my sister and I went off to the tattoo parlor.

Yep, that's right....
MAISY HAS A TATTOO
(actually i have 2....thinking about another one)
I have a daisy tattoo.
(the 2nd one i have is a celtic shamrock...i'm an irish girl)

I have never had a regret since I got it 13 years ago.
It makes me feel so good knowing that I permanently have a piece of what my mom loved with me...well on me....at all times.

Do you have a tattoo?
If so I would love to hear what it is.

I think I know what my 3rd one will be.

Well...happy rest of the weekend.

PS... I got the second one in Mexico over spring break 3 years ago with all my children watching.
I know....I know....I never said I was mother of the year.

February 13, 2010

2010-02-16T13:57:00.003-06:00

PART I

On Saturday Jen and I held a bloggy get together.

Oh what fun it was...

There we are.
Two happy friends...
Happy to be meeting more friends.

Here is our welcome sign.

Well...that's it for now...
you will just have to wait to get the rest of the story and photos.

Sorry....
A girl only has so much time.
I have to still go through all 100 photos.

Until...next time...part II

xoxo

i'm back

2010-02-09T11:44:00.003-06:00

ok...so it's been awhile.

please excuse my absence.

it has been much needed.

i thought i would let you know what i have been up to.
are ya ready for this???
A BIG FAT NOTHING!!!
that's right....a whole lot of nothin'.

well...aside from laundry, cooking, cleaning, volunteering, get a daughter ready to study abroad, packing lunches, helping my boy with his homework, basketball, soccer, tutoring, traveling, spending some amazing time with the hubby, talking on the phone....etc.
that's right...i have gotten back into talking on the phone. i was maintaining some of my relationships via e-mail. i am so happy to hear voices again.

in my absence i have been doing some real, true soul-searching.

i would like to let you in on what i have learned about myself:

1) i need maisy time. not just a minute here and there but time to just veg out by myself. no phone, computer or any other electronic for that matter.....ok...maybe the TV~

2) i really only need a few friends.

3) i need to read every day.

4) i do not have to cook, clean and keep my house kept up to be happy. it's actually just the opposite. the less i do out of obligation the happier i am.

5) it's important to me to say what i mean and mean what i say. i also need that in return.

6) the problems that my husband and i have had in the past have only made out marriage richer, deeper and stronger.

7) i really do believe that i need my family more than they need me. i have always prided myself on not needing anyone. boy, was i way off base.

8) i need to not allow fear to rule my life. this is my 2010 resolution. wish me luck.

9) i am a homebody. there is no where else i want to be other than in my home.

10) this is the big one....things that have happened in my life no longer need to drive me. i have spent 40 years revisiting things that were not happy times in my life. i WILL not allow those experience to take any more time. i will not look into the future. i WILL only do what needs to be done NOW to make this very moment special.

thanks once again for allowing me to share.

i have missed all of you. it was time i truly needed to spend alone.

xoxo

New Year Sale

2010-01-03T17:23:00.003-06:00

I wanted to wish everyone a BIG FAT Happy New Year.

This has been a year of lots of joy. This has also been a year of tremendous sadness.

I have decided that I would like to stay focused on the joy.

I wanted to be sure to pass my joy onto you.

So.....I have decided to have a sale at my store.

For the next week for every $25.00 you spend I will give you a $5.00 credit back through PayPal once I receive payment. *Sorry, this does not include shipping*

Now I'm going to be honest here.....I have loads of stuff to get onto Maisy's Market and I'm just buying myself some more time.

The day this sale ends I will be landing at an airport in Mexico.
(it was a surprise from the hubby)
With that in mind....I am going to take a little vacation from the Market.
On Saturday, January 16th the store will be loaded up with all sorts of new items.
Below you will find a sample of some of the items that are in stock now!

French Gravy Boat

Vintage Flatware

Milk Glass Bowl

Vintage Aluminum Canister Set

Vintage Flash Cards from 1959

Vintage Green Metal Flower Frog

Vintage Post Cards.
They all date back from 1891-1915.

Vintage Gray Buttons in a Sweet Jar

Vintage Bowl with Lid

Set of Vintage Milk Glass Vases

I just want to end by saying THANK YOU to each and every one of you for being such amazing bloggy friends.
It has been a tough year and I can't imagine walking this path without all of you.

Happy, Happy, Happy New Year!

P.S. if you stop by my shop be sure to send me an e-mail to say hello! Would love to know that you are all thought about~

xoxoxoxoxo

UGH!!!!!

2009-12-16T16:35:00.003-06:00

So....here I sit...
in front of my computer....

and I can't come up with a darn thing to write about.

That has been my problem for a while.

So...I thought I would write a letter to my writer's block....
Here I go....Wish me luck~

Dear Writer's Block,
I'm not sure where you came from.
I'm not sure why you think you were invited.
I'm not sure why you have decided to target me.
Seriously, WB...I want you to go away.
I want to come up with cute, funny, inspiring, meaningful, heartfelt things to write about.
So...you need to go back to where you came from.
Goodbye....please don't come back...
You are no longer welcome!!!!
Have a great day....Happy Holidays....Happy New year, WB...!!!
Sincerely,
Maisy

Do tell....do you think it will listen?
Do you think it will go away?
Maybe the new year will turn my creative juices back on.

In the meantime....

I must really start Christmas shopping.
Maybe that will give me some funny stories to write about.
Like the lady who cut in front of everyone(like 15 people) because she refused to wait.
WAIT...WAIT...WAIT....I think I just came up with something to write about.

Wow...thanks everyone for giving me that idea.
That was really sweet of all of you :)

It really is a funny, in a not so funny way, story.

Well...now you know what my next post will be about.

Gift Giving

2009-12-11T08:25:00.002-06:00

I am a person that loves to find that special gift for people.
Something special...something I have put thought into.

Below you will find some items from my Etsy store that I would love to recieve.
I know...I know...You are all thinking...
"Maisy, then why are you selling those items?"

I can't keep everything, ya know!

This could be used for cheese or better yet....to display your favorite things.
The teak base could be painted any color.

Can a girl have too many cloches? I think not~

The perfect silver tray. It could be a jewelry tray or imagine chocolate covered strawberries on it. *sigh*

The most adorable little jar of buttons. Would look great on a shelf or table~

This silver bowl is GORGEOUS! Would look perfect on your holiday table.

Feel free to stop by and check out my "Market".

Happy Weekend to all and to all a good day~

All I Want For Christmas Is My........

2009-11-30T10:53:00.005-06:00

Over the last few months I have gotten myself back into reading.

This always happens to me.

I read allll the time.
I finish all my books and I'm just toooo lazy to go to a bookstore.

Then, I start to really miss reading.

It's the way I unwind before bed.
If the book is really good I always seem to find ways to read during the day.
Usually I tell myself that I'm really cold so I need to take a bath.

Then I sit in the for an hour or two and read away.
I ALWAYS come out looking like a raisin.
That's the price I'm willing to pay for a great book.
Aren't I a trooper?
I'm always willing to take one for the team~

I usually have a laundry list of things I wish for every year.
Nope, not this year.

All I want for Christmas is a Kindle.
The ONLY thing I want for Christmas this year is a Kindle.

Don't tell Bill but I know he already ordered it for me.

I asked for a screen protector and a cover for it from the kids.
Sure do hope they were listening.
I even told them what color I wanted.
Sure do hope they were listening.
I told them that I need a screen protector.
Sure do hope they were listening.

KIDS....IF YOU ARE READING THIS PLEASE GET ME A SCREEN PROTECTOR AND A CASE. I picked the case out and showed Jakob which one I wanted. Ask him about it.

What are you hoping for this Christmas??

PS. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

We had to cancel the holiday at our house.
The little guy got the chicken pox.
Don't worry...I still cooked the 22 lb. bird and all the fixin's.
That's a lot of turkey for 3 people~

Hubby went to the ER. He got poked in the eye by a branch.
It was gross....They had to scrape his eye on Friday...Something about cells...
He's feeling much better now. *PHEW* I was a bit worried.

Silly Things I am Thankful For

2009-11-25T07:40:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow is finally here....MY FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR!

I am most thankful for my family and friends.

Aren't we all though??
Usually, it is the little things that I just love.
I am thankful for things that help me get through the day.
Especially if it puts a smile on my face.

This video makes my day just a bit brighter.

I am also an animal LOVER!!!

If Bill would allow it I would have another dog,
some chickens...yes, I want me some chickens,
1 cow, 1 horse, 1 pig, a duck and let's not forget...
I would go over to my Dad's house and swipe one of his sweet alpacas.

Enjoy this special Holiday and....

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU!!!

Wow....was this a totally random post or what....

Winterizing Miss Maisy

2009-11-18T14:33:00.006-06:00

I love winter p.e.r.i.o.d! The thing that I just love about living in Chicago is that we experience 4 season.

I know lots of you live where you never get snow.
I can't imagine that.
I always pray for a white Christmas.
(OK, I mentioned Christmas. I know I just declared that I'm not skipping over Thanksgiving. However, this is a post about winter...cut a girl some slack.)

I love the silence that snow brings with it.
When I walk the dog(which by the way....my dog loves snow)after a heavy snow everything is so quiet.
I can only hear my footsteps and the occasional car driving by.
Oh, yeah, I can also hear Bradley's laughter.
He loves a good snowfall.
He smells sooo good after he's been outside in the snow for awhile.
It is different from the summer smell.
Man, was that a ramble....THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE~

There is also something about a fire in the fireplace.
I guess, opposed to a fire somewhere else.
Not sure why I needed to clarify that.
Man, am I struggling here to stay on topic :)
I love the light a fireplace gives off when all the other lights are turned off.
owever, that does not apply if it is during the day.
Daylight kinda ruins the whole fireplace glow thing.

OHHHHHHHHHH, and homemade hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows. PERFECTLY DELICIOUS!!!

I also adore accessories that keep me warm and toasty.
This year I have already bought a pair of fingerless gloves.
*warning....do not use these while playing in the snow....not very effective*

I just thought this photo was so damn funny that I had to put it up on the Maisy Report. I was looking for a cute hat and came across this.
I just couldn't help myself.
Have I mentioned that I have self control issues?
If not...well, now ya know.
Seriously, who the hell would wear that?
*disclaimer....if you own this hat or a hat similar I'm sorry for offending you* Now, I must get going.....I need to get some shopping done to winterize Maisy.

~Skipped Over~

2009-11-15T17:24:00.004-06:00

I get the feeling that Thanksgiving is getting skipped over this year.

I'm not sure why.

There is so much buzz about Christmas. Everyone is listening to Christmas music...people have already put up their Christmas lights. I know people who have already finished their Christmas shopping.
Not me....nope....haven't even given it an ounce of thought.

For goodness sakes......Target was setting up Christmas before Halloween was even here and gone.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year!

I grew up in a home that Thanksgiving dinner was a sit down, family style dinner.
There was NEVER a buffet set-up.
(Mom, if you can read my heart from heaven know that I cherish those memories)
We sat really, and I mean realllly close to each other.
My mom always set a formal dinner table.
We talked, laughed, argued, spilled and always laughed some more at the Thanksgiving table.
It always seemed to be the one holiday when my mom stood up and said a toast.
(if my bros. & sis's are reading this and I am wrong please let me know)

The other thing that I just love about Thanksgiving is that there is no giving....other than thanks.

All you have to do is show up....or if you are the host, cook.

There's no wrapping paper to throw out. There's no bows hiding under the couch.
There's no extra charges on the credit care. Your electric bill doesn't go up. There is no extra garbage for the garbage man.

To me it's a holiday about just being. It's a holiday about reflection.
It's a holiday that makes you want to say THANK YOU.

So...Christmas, you will just have to wait.

I'm just getting ready to enjoy Thanksgiving.

HaPpY MoNdAy!

Bedroom Dilema

2009-11-06T10:42:00.004-06:00

I grew up in a family of 7 kids.

The house I grew up in was a 3.5 bedroom/1 bathroom.

I loved it!!!!!!

I never thought it was small or that we were cramped.

That is what gives me comfort.

Small and cozy spaces.

How did this happen??

I have a big bedroom with 22' ceilings.

It's so hard to get that small and cozy feeling.

I really don't know how to bring the ceiling down.

Do you have any suggestions???

This is the reason I haven't taken on the project of the bedroom.
I need serious help.....I need YOUR help.

Do you have color suggestions, bedding suggestions, accessory suggestions or any other suggestion for that matter?

THANK YOU.....I can't wait to hear all your ideas. You are all so inspiring~

A Few Things I Would Love To Own

2009-11-03T12:14:00.003-06:00

I was going through the Potter Barn Catalog yesterday....

Yes, I'm back on Team Pottery Barn...

Below you will find just a few of the items that I fell in love with.....

This is from their new collection of Antique Silver Serving Pieces.
Man, I sure wish money was free.
I would buy this whole collection if I could.
I'm so in love with this entire set.

These pillows would be perrrrrfect in my red family room.
They could be used for the holidays....
If you loved them as much as I do...I would keep them out all year.

OOOOOHHHHH...and this throw blanket.
I can just imagine sitting by the fire with this blanket.
Although, if I'm sitting by the fire do I need a blanket?
I guess I will just have to wrap myself in this blanket and ponder that thought :)

This is just a few of my love items.

Man, how did PB wiggle back into my heart????

From the Dusty Corners

2009-10-23T09:07:00.003-05:00

I thought I would just show you some of the "little" things in my house.

It's these little things that make me feel warm.

It never seems to be big things that get me going.

This is a jar full of goodies from my sweet friend, Jen.
She gave this to me when her and her hubby came for dinner one night.
I really need to invite them over more often.
Now, when they invite us over how in the world am I even going to give them something comparable.
This is just soooooo cute.
( I didn't even show the darling pillow she also gave me. Sheesh....she's good)
Let's also not forget that she was just published in Country Living Magazine.
I told you she was good!

Just a shelf with a little corner of cute.

I just adore this little jar filled with vintage shredded paper.
It was suppose to go in my shop.
I just couldn't part with it.

Has anyone else noticed how cute the match boxed are these days.
I seem to pick them up everywhere.
I feel a new collection coming on.
How cute would they all be thrown into a BIG apothecary jar?

Well, there ya have it.

Happy Weekend!!!

Just Another Quirk

2009-10-22T10:38:00.003-05:00

Just another thing you are about to learn about our Maisy.

She loves to buy things that she thinks are really neat.

Sometimes before she even knows what the heck she is going to do with them.

When she was in New York in the spring she went to the Rachel Ashwell, Shabby Chic store.

She fell in LOOOOOVE with these baskets.

She proceeded to buy three of them.
(hey, she told me they were half off)

Now she has them and doesn't know what to do with them.

Do you think you could help her out and give her some suggestions?

Thanks for helping out our dear 'ol Maisy.

(I have no idea why I did this ENTIRE post in 3rd person. Just another quirk.)

Maisy Went Junkin'

2009-10-19T17:28:00.003-05:00

So this past weekend I went junkin'.

I had so much fun.

I have had my eye out for a vintage gumball machine.

With all the pieces intact.

This is the kind that is super, duper, mighty heavy.
It has grunge I can't even clean off.
Since growing up in a family that owned candy store....
This makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

A vintage seltzer bottle.
Now, if I could just figure out where to put it.

This is a stack of old post cards.
Some of them date back to 1881.
It's really hard to read some of the writing.
It's so squiggly, wiggly.

I LOVE THEM ALL!!!

What did you do this past weekend?

xoxo

Catching Up

2009-10-16T12:57:00.003-05:00

First, I would like to start off by saying HAPPY FRIDAY!

This has felt like a long week.

Maybe it's because I cooked dinner almost every night this week.

Who knows....who cares...just HAPPY WEEKEND!!!

I have been attempting to catch up on some of the things I have fallen behind on.

The big one is listing items at Maisy's Market.

Yesterday I got around to a few items.
I still have oodles and oodles more!

I'm sooooo hearting vintage flower frogs.
(sometime I would like to use them as weapons on family members who don't clean up after themselves......you know who you are...don't act shocked)

Oh wait...I like this one too much...I didn't list it.
I actually have 3 of these.

Forest Gump said "life is like a box of chocolates"....
I say "life is like a bowl of cherries"....sorry....that's all I could come up with on short notice.

Ain't she purrrrrdy,

I love her.

Ahhhh blue....I think I will paint the ceiling blue...
Just kidding...that was all I could come up with about blue.
:)

If I was keeping this I would want all my meals served to me on this.
I'm not even kidding.
The rest of the family would be eating off of paper plates and I would be eating off of this gorgeous piece.
(i'm not serious.........we NEVER use paper plates unless it's party time....)

Well...I hope everyone has a great weekend.
Get out there and enjoy the rain, snow, sunshine or wind....or you can just stay in and watch movies, knit, cook, talk on the phone, blog, laundry, shop....you get the point.
Whatever you do be sure to enjoy yourself....the weekends are so short~

PS....Jen from Sanctuary Arts got a full page spread in Country Living Magazine.
Be sure to stop over there and congratulate her.
JEN...YOU ROCK!!!!!!
I'm soooo happy we are friends.
My days/life would be boring without you.
I'm so proud of you....keep going...this is just the beginning.

PB

2009-10-13T15:05:00.004-05:00

As many of you know I am not a HUGE fan of Pottery Barn.

However, I think I'm on Team Pottery Barn again.

Just look below at the new pillows on my couch.

They just look so good on my red couch.

I had the pillow inserts. I just bought the cases.

I have been in love with Pottery Barn's last 2 catalogs.
I happen to be strolling past it yesterday while on my mission to get boots.
This nagging feeling came over me.
It was saying..."put your pride aside and just do it"
So I just did it.

I'm so happy I did.

Sometimes It Just Hits Me

2009-10-12T16:17:00.005-05:00

It's that time again....

You know the time.

The time when it's time to go through the drawers and put your summer clothes away.

Now don't let me fool you.

It's just the little man's clothes that I do with this.

As you will notice in this photo he is in a long sleeve shirt.
It's cold outside.

Notice the jeans.
It's cold outside.

I was going through his drawers and closet when all of a sudden.....out of nowhere...
like a punch to the stomach....
my chin started quivering.
My eyes started to fill up.
Then it just let loose.
I started to ugly cry.
(for some reason I don't really have an in between cry)
Right there as I was going through his clothes.

I just feel so sad.
It seems like every season that ends and a new one starts it's just more time I can't get back with Bradley.
As I type this I continue to cry.
I can't stop.

For some reason, I miss him.
I know, I know he is still little.
I have tons and tons of time left with him.
It's just that I know how quick time goes by.

I think about the fact that our oldest hasn't lived at home full time for over over 6 years.
Sometimes I miss him so much my heart hurts.
Not a miss that is selfish. I feel like all my kids have a life to live.
I am so very happy for them.
They are all doing so well....
It's just that I miss having them all under the same roof for more than a day or two.
To be honest I don't think I have had ALL of them under the same roof in almost a year.
He's my step-son....imagine how I will feel when it's Bradley.

Then I take this picture and laugh.
He's giving me the whole....
"hurry Mom, I have to get back to Club Penguin"
look.
When I took this he said....."Only one Mom, right???"
OMG I just love Bradley more than I thought my heart could love.

I just want you all to know that I am not fantasizing.
I was ready to to do some serious damage to him at Monkey Joe's for bugging the shit out of me for tokens to play games.

I just want to hold them all close.
Close enough so they can come back to the nest whenever they want.
Close enough for Sunday dinner.
Close enough to come over to watch a game on the couch and to not worry....they are home.
Close enough for them to sigh...to know it will all be OK because they KNOW they are loved endlessly.

Ok, I really have to end this post....I have to stop crying.
sniff**sniff**sniff.

Just as an FYI...I kept Bradley's big summer t-shirts out. That way I can just put a long sleeve shirt underneath it and feel like the season hasn't actually changed. Just a little trick I play on myself every fall.

Am I crazy???
Am I the only one that ugly cries about this??

XOXOXOXO

NO SCHOOL

2009-10-12T07:38:00.007-05:00

YAY!!!!!

No school today!

I think I get more excited than Bradley does.
(i am that mom that can't sleep if i think there is a chance for a snow day cause i'm just laying there hoping and hoping)

As promised....this is what we will be doing today!

I don't know if you have a Monkey's Joe where you live.

It's a huge place for kids to jump and play.

(I took this photo from google....i have no idea who that little boy is)

The one by my house is so new so it is SUPER clean.
After being at MJ's I can't go back to Chuckie Cheese. It's just so gross.

The best part is parents are free and it's only $8 per child.
A family could stay form 10 AM - 8PM.
(geez, that would make for a long day)
There is no way your kids can get out of the building without you.
They have leather recliners, big flat screen tv's and free wireless for the parents.

The only part that is disappointing is they don't let adults on the jumpy things unless you have a little one.
Maybe I should have a baby so I can go to Monkey Joe's and play.

Happy Monday!!!!
Enjoy your day!!

xoxo

Maisy Had to Make A Change

2009-10-11T15:54:00.002-05:00

I FINALLY went today to buy a new computer.

I originally thought the problem was the thing that hold the plug that is attached to the motherboard.

NOPE!!!! The motherboard was fried.

They think it was because the cord was tripped on tooooo many times.

That made me decide that when I get my new computer I will try to not stretch the cord.

That's tough for me.

I like to work at the kitchen table...the couch....the bed!

Goodbye table, couch and bed....it's time for Maisy to set up a "computer station"

Here it is.....

Table against a wall.....check.
Outlet close to the table.....check.

It's a pretty small table.
However, I was able to fill it with things that make me feel good....old books, old clock, some milk glass, and oh wait...is that a glass of wine??

I feel like a proud new mom....
Now I just need to name the new computer....I was thinking Lilly, Sally or maybe even Shiba (she is a Toshiba).

I will have to let you know what I decide. I need to spend a bit of time with her before I decide.

Sheesh, it sounds like I'm trying to name a new pet.

Man, I really need to get back to blogging.
I'm starting to get realllllly weird!

Thanks so much for being so patient...I feel like I have been out of the country on a remote island for a while. I need to get back into the swing of things.

2009-10-06T08:51:00.002-05:00

I find blogging to be interesting.
I find it fun.
I find it sometimes a bit confusing.
(ya know when someone leaves a comment and you are just stumped..then you e-mail them and realize that your brain is just slow)

The thing is that in our blogs we can create ourselves to be whatever we want.
It's actually a bit scary.

We can make it out like our marriages are complete bliss.
(i have been guilty of this myself, remember....I usually only post the good stuff....I tend to leave the hard stuff out. I do believe that when I am ready I will give you all the dirt.)

We can make it like our kids are perfect.
(this one I am not guilty of....I would be more than happy to tell you that my kids drive me bonkers sometimes)

We can talk about how much we love parenting when in reality the children are just tokens.

We can glamorize our lives.

We can transform it into something it just isn't.

I mention it because I have seen it time and time again.

I just want everyone to know that I am going to work realllly hard to just be me.
I am going to work hard at letting you see my heart (doesn't mean that it will always be pretty)
I find it hard to do anything other than that.

It kind of reminds me of middle school.
You wear a different hat with each different person you are with.
You so badly want the attention so you are willing to sell yourself out.
When I was in middle school I would have cut my right arm off to be popular.
I think back on that and I cringe.

I want to stand up as a woman and let the world know who I am.
I don't want to let the world dictate to me who I should be.

I'm just plain 'Ol Maisy.
Trying to make it through this thing called life.
Trying to make it without too many scratches and scars.

So, with all that being said....I'm just going to ask you tread lightly when making friends online.
Remember, the person on the other end of the friendship typically lives hundreds of miles away.
You can't possibly really know how they are.
They could just be what they want you to THINK they are!

Have a great Tuesday!
Hope the sun is shining and the air is crisp where you are.
Here, it is rainy and cold.
Sounds like a great book day to me~

I Need Your Help

2009-10-05T11:44:00.002-05:00

R.I.P little laptop
When I dropped my laptop off at the repair shop they told me it was the little thing that the plug plugs into that is attached to the motherboard.
That is a $300 repair. I took a big gulp and said they should just repair it.
Hey, it's way cheaper than buying a new laptop. Right??

Then they called me a week later and told me it is in tacked and that the mother board is fried.
That repair would cost $500 to repair.
I gagged for a quick moment and then pulled myself together.
I think a tear escaped my eye and rolled down my cheek.
I told them not to bother, I would pick up the computer.
I have to be honest, I am a little pissed about this.
It is 13 months old.....1 month out of the warranty.
UGH!!!!!

Now here is my dilemma...
Now I have to buy a new laptop.
Remember, I don't share well.
I need my own computer.

Do any of you have a laptop?
I need to know if any of you recommend one.
I am not a mac girl.
I can't justify spending $1300 on a computer.
I pretty much surf the web, blog, download photos and update my Etsy store.
I don't need anything too fancy.
My previous laptop was a Toshiba Satellite.

I haven't been blogging because I don't like our desktop computer.
For some reason it takes like 10 minutes to warm up.
Please, if you are going to ask me why I would like you to e-mail me.
I will give you my hubby's e-mail address.
GO ASK HIM!

Please, please, please let me know if you are happy with your laptop.
THANK YOU!!!
You are all the best bloggy friends a girl could ask for.

PS. I'm so happy....I did back up my computer just a few days before she fell ill :)

Something So Minor

2009-09-22T08:51:00.003-05:00

I am having this one teensy weensy problem with my computer.

Now I don't think you know this but Maisy refuses to share a computer.
Actually, when it comes to food and my electronics I'm not a very good sharer.

I snarl and tell the other people living in this house to step away before I turn my CRAZY on.

Well, now I have myself in a pickle.
I have loaded all my stuff onto my laptop.
It never even occurred to me to load all my software onto the desktop computer.
NOPE.....not me....I wanted to keep all my stuff to myself.

Well, now less than a year after sweet hubby bought me a brand new sparkling laptop it won't recognize that it is plugged into the charger.

That's right....I have a DEAD computer.

I am heartbroken.

I feel a bit lost.

I'm stuggling with the mouse I am now forced to use.

I have to send it alllll the way back to the manufacturer.

I think a tear just rolled down my cheek.

I hope she doesn't get homesick.

I hope she doesn't just sit there thinking he Mama left her and that she is never going home.

I will have to pack her a little lunch for her travels.
I was thinking maybe a memory card and I just may leave a disc in her so she doesn't get too sad.

This is a bad day at the Maisy house.
To top this all off I am seriously PMSing.

Hope you all have a better day than I am having.

I better go so I can figure out where to send her.
IT BETTER BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY.
They don't know who they are messin' with ~

Hi!

2009-09-20T08:10:00.001-05:00

HI everyone!!!!!

i haven't posted in a few day.

i have missed you!

i hope you are all enjoying your weekend.

please feel free to tell me what's going on in your life today.

i am on the MAD hunt for boots.

wish me luck.

Geez, i REALLLLY missed you!!!

Taking the Day Off!

2009-09-16T07:43:00.002-05:00

that's right...

i'm taking the day off.

my house is a mess.

i have laundry coming out of my ears.

i have banned my little man from t.v. and video games.
(i'm not even gonna get into that)
soooo.....
there are toys and pokemon cards all over my house.

there are marbles on the hardwood floors.

there are dishes in the sink.

the beds aren't made.

i have stuff to list on etsy all over the kitchen table.

there are shoes scattered on the floors.

the little fish tank needs to be cleaned.

there are empty cereal boxes on the counter.

there are blankets in the family room that need to be folded.

oh, and the pile of mail that i need to go through.

i have furniture to paint.

it will all just have to wait...
i'm taking the day off!!!!

PS....i guess i won't be posting tomorrow......
i will have waaaaay too much to do!

Trying to Chill

2009-09-15T07:44:00.003-05:00

I was born and raised in a house of complete chaos.
Not your everyday chaos.
I was not raised by parents that were always in and out of the car driving us around.
We were lucky if they even went to parent teacher conferences. We were lucky if they went to the holiday program.
You certainly did not expect them to show up at your game or tell you to do homework.
Every single member of my family lived for each day.
Every single member of my family lived in crisis mode.

I wonder why my parenting style is soooo different from my parent's style.

Don't they say that sometimes no matter how hard we try we just repeat what we know?

I wonder if the reason I struggle so much with my identity is because I'm trying to live my life just the opposite of my childhood.

One thing I can tell you is that I am damn lucky to have been raised in the totally messed up family I was raised in!!!!!!
We are all survivors.
I learned lessons that others will never learn.

In the end, my mom lived her last 5 years sober.
She was truly a changed woman.
I will love her until my last breath.
She showed me what it truly means to fight for your life.
She showed me strength that I had never personally experienced before or even have seen up until now.

My Dad, ahhhhh my Dad.
Damn, I love that man.
He has completely chilled out as he has gotten older.
He is a great listener.
He gives such sound advice.
He can make me laugh my ass of with just a few words.
He knows a little bit about everything.
I LOVE his curiosity.
He always seems to know when I need his tender heart the most.
(I didn't say always....just when I realllly seem to need it)

I hope that I learn to chill once all my kids are out of the house.
I just can't do it now.....
I have to spend all my time reversing everything I know.
See, that's how I do it.
I say....how did it happen when I was a kid?
Then I just do the complete opposite.

At the end of the day I know I cannot change a damn thing.
In the end I know I can only look forward.
In the end, all's I can do is look back on my childhood and laugh, cry and shake my head.
Through all the shit......I still think I wouldn't have changed a thing.
I like who I am....even if I am pretty wacky.

It's just on some days it's hard to always live my life sooooo consciously.
It's just plain tiring sometimes.

Thanks for letting me ramble.
Thanks for letting me share.
Thanks for letting me be me!

Oh......The Number Game

2009-09-14T12:23:00.004-05:00

Do any of you ever think about this??

I feel like everything in this blog world is about numbers.

How many followers you have?

How many comments you get for each post?

How many hits your blog gets a day?

I was going to do a post the other day about the fact that my school district was not going to allow Obama's speech to be played in the classrooms.

I had a whole post about it. I read it to my husband and he said....man, you are going to lose followers for that post!

That got me thinking.....who am I writing for?
Is it to make my readers happy?
Is it for me to express myself?

Does the number of followers really matter?

Does the number of comments really matter?

Does it matter that the reason I don't post as much as I used to is because I have a hard time coming up with cute and fluffy stuff?
( ya know...the light and airy stuff....the stuff I don't know how to embrace in my life)

Does it matter that I am really not a good small talk person?

Does it matter that I am a person who lives my life emotionally?
(I just don't know how to live it any other way...I am open to suggestions)

I just need to find my balance. I want to be able to do the "fun" posts but I also want to do posts about things that are really important to me.
I also want to do that without worrying about the numbers.

Do any of you worry about this?

Cool

2009-09-10T08:47:00.003-05:00

Now, I have to preface this with I am not a die hard American Idol Fan.

I watch the audition.
Not because I'm looking to find the next best talent.
I watch because some of them are HILARIOUS!
Now, I do realize that is mean.
But cooooome on.....do some of these people hear or see themselves.
I know we are suppose to love our family members.
I know we are suppose to support our family members.
Isn't support telling them not to go on national tv....they just may embarrass themselves.
Isn't it love to tell them to keep singing away....in the car or shower.
(yes, that's right.....there are times that I am just singing and dancing away while I drive)

So....when they announced that Paula Abdul would not be returning as a judge to American Idol I was not the one that was sad or even giving it a second thought.

I was the one saying..."IS THIS ACTUALLY NATIONAL NEWS?"

Now, when I saw on my Google homepage yesterday that Ellen Degeneres will be replacing Paula, yes I just use her first name...as if I know her personally, I was so excited.

I have got to be one of her top, straight #1 fans.
I love that she can find the funny in everyday situation.
I love that she NEVER swears or uses mean words.
(not sure if you know me but I have the mouth of a truck driver....i'm not exagerating)
I love that her humor is clean and that my kids can watch her.
I love that I can watch her DVD's over and over and over again and laugh as if I have never seen it before.
I love that the things she talks about are the exact same things that happen to me on a DAILY basis.
I love that through all of her pain she has come out the other end even better.
I love that she does what she has to do to heal her heart.
I love that she never gives up.

So with all that being said.....I bet I will now be an American Idol fan.
I sure hope she doesn't let me down.

I really want to be in the AI club.

Ying and Yang

2009-09-07T21:56:00.004-05:00

I have been asked by my favorite blogger to lift her heavy burden of providing exciting new content on her blog with regularity. As visitors to this site know, Maisy is all about what's new....what is beautiful ...and what is fun. That is why this guest entry will be so different. You see, I am not new, I'm used. I'm not especially beautiful. And people use a lot of words to describe me, but fun is not usually at the top of the list. So as Maisy's husband and guest blogger, today will be a counterbalance to the usual jumble of stream of consciousness seen in this space. I will tell you a bit about Maisy and me.

Maisy is the ying to my yang. She is the go to my stop. She is the feel to my think. She is the belly laugh to my chuckle. She is the get up and go to my got up and went. She is the fight to my negotiate. She is the let's try something new to my let's keep the status quo.

Now some of you may think this sounds like two polar opposite people...and you would be absolutely spot on. But over the years we have ebbed and flowed and kicked and scratched and somehow come to a place where these uniquely opposite people really came together to balance one another.

Maisy and Bill cheer each other on. They tell each other the way it is. They have each others back...and apparently, they both talk about themselves in the third person!

Now...for those of you who think they have gotten to know Maisy a bit by reading this blog, I will now share with you a secret that only a very few of her closest friends and family know. You will now be an insider. READY...........

MAISY'S TEETH TURN BLUE WHEN SHE DRINKS RED WINE!

Now you know. SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Don't tell her I told you.

Today

2009-09-03T20:43:00.004-05:00

I had a guest blogger set up for today.
I'm so excited. However, it will have to wait until Monday.
My family is going through some reallllly tough stuff right now.
Please say lots of prayers for my family.
We need it!

Have a great long weekend!!!

Bright Spots

2009-09-02T07:46:00.003-05:00

Ya know those days when you just feel off.
Everything feels kind of foggy.
You keep thinking it's because you haven't had your coffee or tea yet.
Then you realize you have had 2 cups already.
You can't really put your finger on it.

Then it becomes annoying because you just drove past the bank you were suppose to stop at.
You go to the grocery store and you forget the item that started the whole trip.
You forget to start the full dryer.
You walk up stairs to grab something. Then you get there and have no idea what brought you up there.
Then you just become totally annoyed and pissed.

The phone rings and you answer it with a big "WHAT?"
That poor person had no idea you were having an "off" day.

It's now 1:00 in the afternoon and you feel like it should be about 5:30.....time for a glass of wine.
You can't have a glass of wine because it's only 1:00.

It's now 4:30 and you realize you never took the meat out of the freezer to defrost for dinner.
UGH!!!!
Bed time just can't come fast enough....and no, not for the kids but for you!

My only advice is to find that bright spot in your home.
Take 10 deep breaths....OK may 50 deep breaths and regroup.
At least attempt to regroup.
Hey....if it doesn't work at least you saw something bright and cheerful.

It's ok...you can be pissed and bitchy for the rest of the night....we all have our moments...
Me...sometimes I have my moments, days and even sometimes a whole week.

Just remember, tomorrow is a whole new day with all new possibilities!

Have a great hump day!!

PS. I have a guest blogger for Friday.....stay tuned!

Going, going, GONE!

2009-08-31T08:11:00.004-05:00

Maisy, wants new furniture in the living room.

In order to do that I had to sell the existing pieces.

Well.....someone bought them yesterday.

YAY!!!

As you can see it is kinda modern.
That was Maisy's style in the old house.

The things I loved about this furniture was that is was very comfy and you could get ANY, and I mean, ANY stain out of it.

Now on to the dilemma....
I want slip covered furniture.

I know, I know everyone goes to Ikea and buys their slip covered furniture.
I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for.
Every time hubby and I go into that store we sit on the couch. It just feels like the boards are touching the back of my knees when I sit down.
I soooo badly want to like it. I mean for $500 you can get a couch.
I just can't do it.
I think Ikea is good for people just starting out.
I mean that is where we take our kids shopping for their college apartments.
It's also great for little things around the house.....such as storage items, wine glasses, candles or throw blankets. I think it would also be a great place to buy all the items needed to redo a kitchen or bath on a budget.

Ok....now that I got that off my chest.....
honestly, I didn't even know it was on my chest...

I'm off to check out Consumer Reports to see what they recommend.
Wouldn't it be HILARIOUS if they recommended Ikea's Ektorp couch(see I even know the name of the couch. That tells you how many times I have tried to convince myself to get it).

Hope you all had a great weekend!!

Holy Rosary

2009-08-27T08:53:00.003-05:00

Have you all noticed that rosaries are popping up all over.
Now, don't get me wrong...I love them.
It's just that I have a hard time wearing a big ol' cross around my neck.

I came across one in my drawer.
It belonged to my grandmother.

When my mom died it was transferred to my safe keeping.
Real safe.....I totally forgot about it.

I decided to use it in my home....
(I'm sure, Bill, my Jewish husband, loves having this around the house. When he starts decorating he can have a say.)
I love it on this vintage lantern~

It feels so old to me.
I love holding it in my hands.
It's like a stress relief ball for me....just MUCH older~

Or...maybe I don't like wearing it because I feel like Mary is watching me.

Or maybe that Jesus is saying....
"Maisy, look what I had to do for you...now shape up"

Either way....I'm definitely not going to be wearing one any time soon.

PS In case you are wondering....I was raised catholic.
Even went to an all girl's catholic high school.
(loved my polyester skirt...that's why I'm not a big skirt fan)
However, I don't practice Catholicism any more.
PSS Another funny thing along those lines....not sure it's actually funny buuuuut....my Brother-In-Law is a Catholic Priest.
Holidays are fun around here :)

Have I mentioned Lately.....

2009-08-26T08:00:00.002-05:00

how much I'm still just diggin' my Etsy shop, Maisy's Market??

The summer was a bit sloooooow for me....

BUT....

I'M BACK!!!

I just love all my new items...

For instance....

Vintage Etched Apothecary Jar.
It is just perfect~

Vintage Kitchen Scale...
Still has the original tags on it.
This is actually part of my personal collection.
Does anyone need a scale collection?!?
How come I didn't pick little things to collect...
like pennies or something??

Maybe you could help me out here....
what should I collect?

This is just the sweetest set.
Would make a perfect wedding present or even an engagement gift~
If I didn't have a set already I would not be parting with this.
Again, not something I think I should collect.

I just love these vintage flower frogs.
I have more coming in all different sizes and style...
stay tuned~

This serving piece is so much better in person.
I'm not even kidding.
It is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you have an Etsy store.
Let me know.
I just LOVE to support my fellow Etsier's and bloggers!

HaPpY wEdNeSdAy!!!

PS..today is my first full day alone....
believe me when I say.....I have a list a mile long.
I have so much energy today!
YAY for energy~

Saying Goodbye

2009-08-24T08:25:00.002-05:00

Today's post is going to be short and sweet....and without photos.
Today is my last full day of summer break with Bradley.
I just don't know where all the time went.
I am so going to miss my little man this year.
It was one thing for "B" to be gone all day to summer camp.
I knew that it would be for only 2 weeks at a time.
1st grade has such a different feeling for me.
Maisy, is feeling very sad today.
I am going to go and spend my last day of summer break with me and "B" alone.
No one else.
No friends, no other family members.
Just me and him.
I'm going to keep it a secret what we do...it's just about me and my boy today.
Today I am only a mommy.
So today I say goodbye for a day....I am not a friend today...I am only a mommy.
Happy Monday!~

Coincidence???

2009-08-21T08:40:00.003-05:00

The other night I was woken up by the smoke detector going off.
Well, it was actually morning...4:32 to be exact.

I layed there for a few minutes wondering if I had just dreamt that.
After a few minutes of foggy confusion I got out of bed.
I looked at the smoke detector and the lights were going crazy.
My eyes weren't focused yet so I had no idea what that meant.

One thing I did notice was that there wasn't any smoke.

Now, the smoke detector is right outside of Bradley's room.
So I thought I should just check on him.
When I stepped into his room.....

It smelled sooooo bad. It was so bad I could feel my throat burn a bit.
I ran to the fan and realized it was about to start on fire.
It was overheating.
I turned off the fan and woke Bill up.

He said that the battery in the smoke detector needed to be changed.
Can you believe it?????....we actually changed it right then in there....normally we would do rock paper scissors to see who had to change it.
Then we would agree that someone will change it in the morning.
HEY....it was 4:30 in the morning.
We grabbed our sweet Bradley and put him in bed with us.....safe and sound.
ahhhh..

My question to you is this....

Do you think the battery going out in the smoke detector at that exact moment was just a coincidence?
I really have a hard time believing that.
I think Bradley had his guardian angel with him.

I ended it with a saying out loud a BIG FAT THANK YOU to whatever was watching over him.

Well....that's my story..have a great weekend....go do something realllly fun. It's our last weekend of summer break :(
(I hate routine)

Gasp, Ugh, Yikes

2009-08-20T11:19:00.005-05:00

I got the new Anthrologie catalog the other day.

I GASPED!!!!

Now, let me give you a bit of history here....
I always go into Anthro with the intention of buying clothes.
However, I never buy anything.
Why you ask....because I just think it's not worth the money.
I mean $128 for a skirt.
YIKES!
$98 for a shirt....OUCH!!
I'm not a good clothes shopper....
I do much better buying stuff for the house~

I do have a few pieces from there but not many.
I just can't seem to bring myself to buy anything.

However what I ALWAYS walk out with are kitchen items.
Such as tea towels, aprons, measuring spoons and.....

LATTE BOWLS...

It's actually a bit of an addiction for me.

These are what's left of my latte bowls.
I just love the vibrant colors.
I find them cheerful.
They can even make freezer burned ice-cream taste yummy.
Wait....did I just let you know that my ice-cream has freezer burn.
UGH!!!!!

However, they changed them....

These are the new colors.
YIKES!!
They are just too dark for my liking.

I know, I know......lot's of you probably like them.

Is it inappropriate for me to throw a temper tantrum?
How about a fit?
OK, OK...I will just yell from my roof top.

Looks like everyone in my family better be extra careful while using these beauties.
Otherwise, Maisy may just have to throw a temper tantrum.

For some reason these just give me comfort.
Weird huh??

Facelift

2009-08-19T12:21:00.003-05:00

I'm really bad at before pictures.
I'm always so excited to start a project that I completely forget.

So this is how the story goes....
Haley needed an nightstand for her new apartment at school.

I had a dark wood table I had purchased off of Craigslist for $5.

I had painted it my favorite shade of white.

It just sat and sat and sat and sat and sat and sat.....well you get my point.....in the garage waiting for a home.

See that's what happens....I do projects and I never know what to do with the final product.

She said we needed to buy a nightstand.
THEN....dun, dun, dun, dun....I remembered that I had the white table.

I agreed to get a little creative.
I remember her loving my desk...seriously, who wouldn't...

So I did my version of it...

TA-DA!!!!
Here is the final product.

Now this was my first time working with Mod Podge.
I've had it forever...just never used it.

I just used it to get the 1893 music sheets to stick to the table.
Of course then did the top with it.
Put 2 coats of poly on it and POOF....it was done.
Sure hope she likes it.

PS...the apothecary jar filled with vintage spools is for sale on my Etsy sight~

Just a Bit of Change

2009-08-18T07:28:00.003-05:00

I have a bay window in my kitchen.
Before I painted it it held all my plants.
That was just ugly!

When I repainted it I knew I didn't want in to be my plant stand.
I wanted to use it for seating at our kitchen table and that didn't work.

I thought I could just turn it into a cozy nook.

BEFORE:

This photo was take late afternoon yesterday.
I just love all the light.
Although, I think I am making those fake lemons feel a bit self conscience.
Smack dab in the middle without a single friend.

AFTER:
(sorry for the bad picture)
This photo was taken really early this morning.
That is why the lighting is so different
All's I added was a candle chandelier and some throw pillows.
The dilemma here was that I didn't want to block the windows with big pillows.
This is all I could come up with.

This is a candle chandelier that I picked up along the way. I uncovered it in my closet.
I impulsively purchased this an didn't have a spot for it.
However, I loved it and couldn't get rid of it.
I knew that at some point I would find the perfect spot for it.
I think I did....what do you think?

This is just a sea of pillows.
Comfy, comfy, comfy.......

They are all down filled so when someone wants to sit and enjoy they will just be swallowed up by pillows.

Well, I'm off to grab my morning coffee and to sit and gaze out the window while laying on a "sea" of pillows~

Happy Tuesday!

P.S. Is anyone else sad that their kids are going back to school?
Am I the only one?

Cleaning Out My Closet

2009-08-17T06:22:00.004-05:00

A couple weeks back Haley & I cleaned out my closet.
She's the organized one...I'm the one who has no problem getting rid of things.
I would show you a before photo of the closet but I'm even embarrassed.
It takes a lot to embarrass me.
Now you know it must have been bad.
I didn't have a floor.
Shoes & purses everywhere.
My closet was not a pretty sight~

This is what came out of my closet.
Just one closet.
Ok....I lied...and a couple of my drawers.
But seriosly, I just moved a little over 2 years ago.
When I was packing I went through everything.
How did this happen?
UGH!!!!!!

This is the new and improved Maisy closet.
Look...can you believe it???......I actually have shelf space available for me to fill.
Yes, that is what I will do.....I will work very hard at filling that shelf space.
I don't want to have a sad shelf.
Always wondering why it's not good enough to hold clothes.
I just can't do that.
Don't worry shelf....I will take care of you~

We went and bought all new hangers.
While I was at Target I picked up a new shirt.
Yep....that's the way Maisy rolls.
For every piece out a new piece comes in.

I am so glad that my master bedroom has 2 master closets.
Bill never comes in my closet....he has no idea what I have in there.

HEY BILL....IF YOU ARE READING THIS DON'T LOOK IN MY CLOSET.

Today it's raining here in Chicago....
Sounds like the perfect day to go shopping!

~Happy Birthday to Me~

2009-08-12T07:44:00.003-05:00

Today is my 40th birthday.

Yay for Maisy.

I would say in the the last 5 years I have really become aware of how I tick.
The first 2 years I tried to changed everything.
The next 3 years I'm learning to really like myself.
As a matter of fact I think I'm hilarious!
(not sure the family would agree)

The first 40 years have been good....not great.
I will not settle for that for the next 40 years.
HECK NO!!!!
I have learned that if I want something I must get it.
I spent a big chunk of my life looking at others to make me happy.
That didn't work.
Today, tomorrow and all the days after that I get a "Do-Over".
I get to make myself happy!!!

YAY...for do-overs.
YAY....for happiness.
YAY....for me!

Hope you all have a great day....I know I will.

PS One of my gifts was an IPhone.
Help!!!!! I can't put it down!
Hi.....my name is Maisy and I am an IPhoneaholic~

Check These Out!

2009-08-10T17:04:00.003-05:00

Check out these storm clouds.

We were at my SIL & BIL's lake house for the day.
We were minding our own business doing a little bit of water fun and the police stopped us.
I did have a glass of wine in my hand so I thought that was the problem.
Nope, the problem was that they were warning everyone to get off the lake....."a couple storm cell's are heading our way".

Sooo...off the lake we went...
well...after we whipped my other SIL, Kathy, around a bit!

So, as some time went by it was time to go.

This is what we drove home in.

I did feel a bit like a storm chaser.
I think I should have my own TV show.

How fun would that be???

~You Asked For It~

2009-08-06T11:06:00.007-05:00

You all have been commenting and e-mailing that you want photos.

Well....the photo fairy showed up and granted your wish.

These are truly just misc. photos.

SSSSSSHHHHHHH....I didn't ask anyone if I could put them on The Maisy Report.
Heck, they are mostly family...they can take it up with me at Christmas.

Back of the house.
We were actually on a lake.
The ocean was a block away~

The living room...
AKA "the jig-saw puzzle" room.
We finished 3 1/3 puzzles...and they were hard ones.

The family room.
The boys watched a lot of those shows where they show people getting hurt doing stupid stunts.
Those are definitely not Maisy shows.

Thank goodness it was a big house and that I just adore the boys.

The kitchen.
Needs a little updating but my beer and wine didn't seem to mind.
Hey, if they're happy so am I.

Upstairs hallway.
Not sure why I threw that one in.
Are ya still with me?

Jakob....my Jakob.
He had to leave a couple days early but heck, we had him for 6 days.
I'll take what I can get.

The oldest and the youngest.
Jakob going in for some Bradley love.

This is my ever moving brother-in-law, Michael (Bill's bro)
He is so easy to be around.
We were always the first two up in the morning.
He exercised....I didn't.

My nephew, Cody, with a crab in the net.
I'm such a proud aunt.

My hilarious sister-in-law, Kathy.
I miss her energy now that I'm home.

She's so fun to talk to.

Bradley after catchin' a wave.
He loves to ocean...
Just like his mama~

Bradley felt the place needed a little sprucing up with balloons.
Only a kids would think of that.
Hey B....thanks for the party all week!!!

Michael and Kathy puzzlin' it out.

Kids playing Yahtzee.

We played so many games.
If we weren't on the beach we stayed inside.

Me and Haley.
This is the only photo of me.
I'm always the one with the camera.
I didn't even do my hair there....lots of humidity.

The boys doing a little fishing.
We kept seeing fish jumping...
I don't think they caught anything.

This is John (Cody's friend) and Cody.
They are such cool kids.
I loved spending time with them.

Bradley doing what Bradley loves....
Gotta love a DS.

This is Jakob and his friend, Sam.
Sam is really interesting.
He's in med school in Florida...only a 3 hour drive.
Maybe next year he can stay longer that one night.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.....there ya have it.
This is the final chapter to my vacation.
I really do need to snap out of it.

I'm just not ready for summer to end...
I don't want Bradley to go back to school.
I don't want to have to pack a lunch for him everyday.
I don't want to have to worry if B got his homework done.
I don't want to have to put him to bed early....I actually like being with him(most of the time).

However, with new seasons comes new memories, challenges and experiences.
I guess all I have to say to that is......
BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!

Spanish Moss

2009-08-05T12:30:00.002-05:00

Only in the south do you have this~

I love Spanish Moss!

I remember reading The Divine Secret's of the Ya Ya Sisterhood.
I remember how the author, Rebecca Wells, went to great length to describe Spanish Moss hanging from the trees.
I think it was because of that book that I fell in love with it.

Well, it was all over the island we stayed at.

I would sit on the deck and just stare at it hanging from the trees.
The above photo is what I was looking at.

I don't know what it is about it that I find so dreamy.

OK...I think it's because we don't have it in Illinois.
I am always the girl who wants what I can't have. UGH....why do I do that to myself??

Just another reason to not come back from vacation.

If any of you feel the need to ship some to me feel free to.

Not only did I forget to grab some of the moss...I also forgot to grab some sand.
I think I was in denial that I actually had to come home.

I guess I will have to wait to grab some of each when we go back next year.

Yep...that's right....Maisy's goin' back.

I'm back....

2009-08-03T11:11:00.004-05:00

Hey all....I'm back!
Not voluntarily.
I had to be forced back.
That's right...KICKING AND SCREAMING.
I even tried the cry tactic.
Nope...that didn't work.
I refused to get out of the car at the airport.
That didn't work either.
Sheesh....what does it take for my family to get the hint that I like them much more when we are on a beach.

I would load all kinds of photos if Blogger would let me.
For some reason it won't let me.
See...just another sign that I should be laying on the beach.....
Not holed up here in my house where I have housework to do.
UGH!!! I need a PERMANENT vacation.

I turn 40 in just a few days...do you think a permanent vacation is too much to ask for?
OK...OK...I will settle for 6 months.
FINE, how about another week??

Hope you all have been great.
Anything new and exciting happen?
Give me the scoop....I gotta know.

Happy Tuesday~

Maisy's Hitting the Beach

2009-07-24T08:41:00.005-05:00

It' Official....

Maisy is OUT OF HERE.

Sandy (that's what I named the beach), here I come.

Hot sun, here I come.

Books, here I come

Ice cold beer, here I come.

Cannon Balls, here I come.

Marco Polo, here I come.

Playing Scrabble on the beach, here I come

Walks on the beach, here I come.

Laughing and just loving life, here I come.

GEORGIA, HERE I COME!

This is truly a much needed vacation.

See ya in about 10 days.....with lots of photos.

AHHHH!!!

Messy, Messy, Messy

2009-07-22T08:33:00.005-05:00

I have been a bit busy lately.
On Saturday we leave to go on vacation.
I have the garage full of things that need to be painted...
tables, shelves, a buffet, some mirrors that I need to rehang.
Needless to say, Bill hasn't been able to park in the garage.

I think he would like to park in there because we will be gone for a week.

Guess what that means...MAISY HAS BEEN PAINTING!

When Maisy paints I get nothing else done.

Just look at what has happened...

(please feel free to click on the photos to enlarge...in case you can't read it)
I keep buying avocados with the intention to make some guacamole. The problem is I NEVER have the other ingredients.

I just put things down sometimes thinking that the big idea is going to come.
Problem with that is....sometimes it just doesn't come.

Why oh why???

What the hell....
It is all so random.

Someone once told me there is order in chaos.
I can't find it through all my crap~

Hi, Ho, Hi, Ho it's off to painting I go....
See ya on Friday...
I will be in full blown panic mode because I haven't done anything for this trip.
(order in chaos...order in chaos...order in chaos...)
Happy Wednesday~

Onsies

2009-07-20T11:16:00.004-05:00

I have these random things in my yard.
And just one of them.

One daisy. How does that happen?
It was a pleasant surprise when I realized what it was.
My Mom's favorite flowers were daises.
She said the were cheerful, inexpensive and they last a long time.
I think she was right.
SOOOOOO.......just a few days after she passed away I went straight to the tattoo parlor and got a daisy tattoo.
No, I won't show it to you...it's in a private place.
Sheesh.....don't I get any privacy around here??

Bradley begged and pleaded for this darn $2.59 ball at Target.
I was saying that he will play with it for 5 minutes and then never look at it again.
Well....guess what.....Bradley played with it for 5 minutes and never looked at it again.
It has been in the same spot for about a week now.
I want my $2.59 back!

One lonely sock. It seems to be just waiting and waiting for it's partner.

These are the kind of things that drive Maisy CRAZY.
I can't find the other sock.
Of course Bradley has no idea where it it.
He actually goes so far as saying that he didn't take his socks off outside.
OMG....what does he think?? It was the tooth fairy hanging out waiting for him to lose a tooth.
Oh no, that's right it was Santa Clause. Dropped a sock right out of the sky.
Better yet, he can blame Asher.....NO HE CAN'T...Asher is out of the country.

All these poor lonely ones.

I better go try to find that sock again...
Happy Monday!!!

I Just Lurve These

2009-07-17T08:00:00.004-05:00

Good Morning Ladies and the occasional Gent~

Does any one else just love Apothecary Jars?
Well I do.
You already know how I feel about cloches.

Well, I've been busy at the Market...
You know, Maisy's Market.

Check out some of the new things I have at the Market.

Can we all just take a moment and *sigh*
This is so neat.
Actually, I think they are PERFECT.
Lettered ceramic balls in an apothecary jar...seriously, Friends, I think I could be speechless.
HAHAHAHAHAHA, speechless, that was HILARIOUS!!!
That will NEVER happen~

These are vintage printing press stamps.
They are from my local newspaper.
Can I get another *Sigh*
I put them in a cloche and added the most darling plate.
So....what do ya think?
Yep, I'm still not speechless :)

~sold~
Vintage buttons in an Apothecary Jar.
These buttons are from the garment district.
The building was being torn down.
When some people went in ahead of time they found HUGE drums of buttons.
When I found this my brain said "YAHTZEE"

Woo-Hoo, YIPPEE, YAY....

Yep, still speaking away!

I always joke that if anyone put kitty little in an apothecary jar it would FABULOUS.

Pop over if you want...would love to have you drop in at the Market.

HAPPY WEEKEND.
Sheesh...I never thought it would get here. It's been quite the week.
Asher leaves for his big trip and now I must get the rest of the family ready for our beach vacation.
Again, HAPPY WEEKEND. See ya on Monday :)

All In 24 Hours

2009-07-15T10:55:00.002-05:00

So we went to Parent's Night at Bradley's camp lastnight.

There was a very serious game of Capture the Flag...
Ya know...
Kids vs. Parents

Needless to say, I ended up in "jail."

I look to find Bill and he is limping.

I gave him the look of "come on....shake it off...get back on the field, Grandpa."
Come on...he is 10 years older than me.

He finally made it to me and said "I really think I should go to Urgent Care...I heard something pop in my leg!"

I rolled my eyes and told him "go sit down, this game will be over in about 10 minutes."

Well this is what happened......

He tore his calf muscle. Not pulled....torn.

I sure wish I could remember the medical name for that muscle.
We will all just have to settle with "calf muscle."

They loaded him up with some meds.

Please notice the plate and glass.
Through all his pain he was able to manage to get and Eclaire and a glass of milk down.
Hey, I think you are suppose to take pain meds with food.
RIGHT??

Don't worry....he was still able to use his Crack-berry!!!!

Not sure what the story is with the chinese yo-yo.
See, he is just a little boy at heart!

How bad do you think I felt when I was irritated that he hurt himself.
I think I will get a plaque made up that says...

" #1 Wife"
or
"Wife of the Year"

The side note to all this is Asher came home and told us when he was jumping off of a diving board at his friends house he hit his friends head.
I gave him an ice pack and sent him to bed.

He woke up this morning with 2 black eyes and bent nose.

Guess where he is.....YEP.....URGENT CARE!

Happy Wednesday~

New Flooring

2009-07-14T11:42:00.005-05:00

This is the new flooring in our home.

We thought we would start with the kid's rooms.

This would be the son's new floors.
It has created all sorts of new storage in his room.

This is daughter's new floor.
The organization it has created is fabulous.

Just as an FYI....Asher has a huge closet and Haley has a walk in closet.
Most people would die for storage like that.

Nope not my kids.
They want to see everything all the time.

I just shut their doors so I don't have to look at it.
I have had the belief that it is THEIR space.
They can do with it what they wish.

The one thing that bugs me more than anything is when I do finally reach my breaking point and I tell Asher to clean his room (honestly, Haley's room is usually really picked up)I end up with all the clean clothes back in the dirty laundry.
Sheesh, you would think by now I would learn to have him do his own laundry.

I "try" to have one rule....NO FOOD IN THE BEDROOMS.
Hey, I think I see a pop can in Asher's room.
"Ohhh, Asher........"

Hey, I just had another idea.....Chalkboards in the bedroom.
It could read something like this...
"DO YOUR OWN LAUNDRY"
I think they would get the idea.

Please tell me my kid's are not the only ones that live in rooms like this.

Happy Tuesday!

ps. I have to defend Haley here.....she is a college student with a VERY busy life.
Since she has been home from school she has not been home for a single weekend.
AHHHH....to be young and carefree again!
*sigh*

Looky, Looky

2009-07-13T08:41:00.003-05:00

.......What Maisy got this week.
(Don't you love how I talk about myself in the third person?)

Through all the good and bad that took place this past week I was able to do a bit of shopping.
Hey, I had to get Haley's birthday present...Right??

This is one of the things I purchased.
I would show ya the other purchase but it's just a serving plate.
No biggy.

It's actually double sided but I will do that when I have a party.
For now, as it sits in my kitchen, it is single sided.
Have you ever noticed how I just live recklessly like that. I am a complete rebel.

After this week this is what I need to remind myself constantly.

Oh, oh, oh, oh how I just love this part of the chalkboard stand.
*sigh*

I call this photo "Back to Back"
To be honest with you....I didn't even think about naming this photo until I was sitting here doing my post.
My goodness I impress myself.
Shocking how that just came so easily to me..."Back to Back"

Now that I am ready to start a new week I am full of energy.
We made it through the sleepover and now I'm on to help my 17 year old son, Asher, get ready to go to Isreal for 3 weeks.

So, just another busy week.
Do any of you have anything happening this week?
If so...please share. Would love to hear all about it.

HAPPY MONDAY!!!!

Goodness....another post...

2009-07-10T16:11:00.002-05:00

Sad to say but Haley's friend, Nick, passed away this afternoon.
Please continue to keep his family in your prayers.

This is sooooo sad.
Not only does this hit waaay tooo close to my heart but Nick died on my Haley's birthday.

Thank you all for your prayers.
I know the family got them.

My Monday post will be cheerful.
I promise.
I promise.
I promise.

I am so happy that when I wake up tomorrow morning it is a whole new day.... a brand new day.
A day of new beginnings.
A fresh perspective.

On a kind of cute note....Bradley is having his very first sleep over tomorrow night.
I'm so happy for him.
This is such a big deal to him.
My little man is growing up so fast.
I'm having a ball sharing his cute life with him.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

My Girl's Birthday

2009-07-10T08:35:00.002-05:00

HALEY TURNS 20 TODAY!!!!

I just thought I would show you a few photos of my Miss Haley.

This photo is from a dance at her sorority.

Me and Haley on one of my visits to her college.

I don't know what I did in life to end up with this most amazing young woman as my daughter(well....step-daughter, but who's keeping track).

She is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.

She is so thoughtful, she is so sweet and tender with Bradley.
She is such an amazing sister, daughter, friends, girlfriend, niece.

My heart feels so full when I think about the blessing she is in my life.
It's truly who she is that amazes me.
She inspires me to be a better woman.
Who thought that our kids would be the ones teaching us.

I have to go now.
I have to give her a huge birthday hug.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET, DEAR HALEY!!!!!!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Timing.........

2009-07-09T22:41:00.003-05:00

This is another no photo Friday.

I have the feeling that this is going to be a rambling of thoughts.
completely informal.

please bare with me.
i thank you in advance.

this has been a challenging week.
those of you who read my blog know that last friday i wrote about my brother, david.
sad but true.

this week started with my 19 year old daughter telling me that her friend from high school was on life support from a drug overdose.
not just any friend, but a young man she spent a HUGE chunk of her weekends with during 3 years of high school.
part of her crowd.

now if you knew where i lived you would also be shocked.
the town where we live is billy graham"s college....wheaton college.
there is a verrrry strong under current of christianity in this community.
quite funny because my kids were raised jewish.
that is for a whole other post.....

it's a bit like mayberry. i am not from a town like this. i was raised in a very diversified community.
everyone was not white. there where people who practiced all different faiths.
it was actually a town of great acceptance of ALL people.
i miss that.

somewhere along the lines i changed.
i softened.
i was hoping that this couldn't happen.
especially after my brother, david's, death.
i wanted an escape.
i wanted anything other than THAT!

i wanted to raise my kids in mayberry.
it's sooo sad but drugs and alcohol even exist in mayberry.

this had brought back so, so many memories.
i feel like i have been in a constant state of prayer.
right before i did this post i actually tried to reason with God.
imagine that.
thank goodness He gets me.
that's all i have to say about that.

i just ask that you all pray, pray like you have never prayed for this young man, Nick Anderson.
pray for his mother, father, sister, friends, aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas, treatment friends and just all the people he has touched in his very short life.

i am not one to do a post like this.
i realize that.

this just hits SOOOO close to home for me.
i wish life was like in mayberry.
i now realize there is no mayberry.

let's all hold our kids extra close this weekend.
let's just be grateful for the blessing we have today.

thank you for letting my get this out.
i have been so very consumed with this heavy sadness.
i can't help but empathize with this sweet family.
i can't help but want to make sure people are thinking about them.

i want that families legacy to be soooo much more than their family member died from a disease called addiction.

i want Nick to be remember for living life to the fullest. no matter what that means.
there has to be more meaning in all this. i just know there is!!!

i thank you again for accepting me and loving me as the total package.
i am so blessed everyday because of you!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Just Another Sweet Find

2009-07-09T07:12:00.005-05:00

This is another Goodwill find for the Maisy homestead.

I couldn't pass it up.

Oh how I just love her.

Look at her detail.
All those swirlys and twirlys.

She said to me in the store...
"Take me home. Show me some love. Give me a real family."
So I did.

I'm not sure if you can read this.
It was hand made in 1979
Who would have thought that when I was 10 years old, well actually 9 years old...just days from my 10th birthday, that a perfect stranger would make a handmade item and that 30 years later it would end up in my WHITE...yes i'm still giddy, kitchen?

For some reason my brain sometimes like these sideways photos.
Shocker...huh??

So, now you ask, what was the price?

$2.99

That's right...that is not a typo.
You say "SHUT UP....did you really only pay $2.99 for that?"
I say "YEP."
Can you see me do my dance....... The I SPAVED dance??

Earth to Maisy, Earth to Maisy

2009-07-07T08:08:00.003-05:00

Since the day Bradley stopped eating "Momma's Gold" I have made him a hot breakfast everyday.
Either waffles, eggs or pancakes.

He associates cereal with a night time snack.

Well this morning this is all I could come up with.

This is my fall back hot breakfast.
I still want it to be last weekend.

This is the effect of round one.
I wish I hadn't looked at the package.
The fat grams and calories are off the charts.
You know they have to be completely out of control otherwise I would be munchin' away.
Self control in certainly not one of my strengths.

The little man wrapped up in the best blanket in the whole world....at least I think so~
Chompin' away on some good quick cinnamon rolls.
It's funny, he loves it when I'm just not into making him the whole hot breakfast thing.
He knows I just go into the fridge and grab the old trusty cinnamon rolls.

Am I the only one totally missing this past weekend???

For some reason I can't snap out of it (may have something to do with the fact that our son, Jakob and his sweet, sweet girlfriend, Liz came home for the weekend.)

Do you hear me stomping my feet?
Do you hear me whining?
Do you see the little tear on my cheek?
Ok, now that I'm warmed up I'm about to throw a full fledged temper tantrum.

I want the weekend back, I want the weekend back, I want the weekend back!

Oh well, life must go go....
I'm off to the dog park this morning.
I want to get home to watch the Michael Jackson memorial service on TV this morning.
Stop it....stop it.....don't you make fun of me...you know you will be watching too :)

Happy Tuesday!!!!

A Weekend to Ponder

2009-07-02T20:54:00.006-05:00

So, for many people this is a weekend to have fun.
As a matter of fact, I'm having a small get together on Saturday.

I wish I had photos to post here but I just don't.

Actually this year my heart is feeling rather heavy.
On July 5, 1982 my brother, David, committed suicide.
I was 12 years old and David was 17 years old.

I don't have very many memories of him.
One of the few sweet memories I have from over 27 years ago is him telling my other brother, Paul, to never hit a girl....especially a sister.

It's pretty sad but I really don't think about David very often.
I think that's a natural thing. This year marks 27 years since his death...
Damn, am I that old?? Sheesh.

However, a couple weeks ago I had a very vivid dream about him.
It was soooo weird. He was aged in the dream. He was heavier but still very handsome.

Ever since that dream my heart has been kinda achy.
I'm sad, pissed and also very happy I dreamt (dreamed...not sure which word it is)about him.
It was almost magical.

Because I was so young when he died I don't even have a photo of him.
Sad...right?

I think on Sunday I will go to the cemetery...bring some flowers and just sit down and talk to him.
Do ya think he will say anything back?
If he does you know damn well I won't tell you.
I'm afraid I will be committed to some psychiatric hospital.
I will just keep that one to myself.

I have to tell you...I think this is the HARDEST thing I have had to watch.
I saw, as a 12 yr old, what it did to my parents and my siblings.
I wish this upon NO ONE!!!

I just wish that I had known him better.
I wish I had more memories of him.
I wish I naturally thought of him more often.

So, David, this year I will honor you.
I will talk about you.
I will allow my heart to be heavy.
Why you ask?
Because you deserve to not be forgotten.
You deserve to be talked about.
You deserve to have a legacy.

I am the only person I know(aside from my family members) to have gone through this.
It used to be embarrassing. Now I am proud.
PROUD TO CALL DAVID MY BROTHER!!

I really hope you all have a great weekend.
I know I will!
Life it to be celebrated....now get out there and celebrate.

So, when you are having a drink...please think about having a Jack & Coke....it's sad but at 17 years old his drink of choice was Jack Daniels.
I thought originally I was going to have Mojitos this weekend.
Nope...Bartender (that's me), may I please have 2 Jack & Cokes....One for me and one for David!

Happy Red, White & Blue!!!!

Cloche Love

2009-07-01T08:47:00.004-05:00

I have mad cloche love.
I can't help myself.
I have 13 cloches in my home.

I would love to use them in the garden but I'm just not much of a gardener.
You see, I used to be.
Then one day I realized....even when you pull the weeds they come right back.
Geez, are those weeds rude.
Don't they get the hint...
GO AWAY!

However, I feel the same way about making my bed.
Why make it when I'm just gonna get it all messed up that very night.
I know I sound like a teenager but it really is true.
Think about it......

*photo by danicanhammer*

See, I would want these inside my house.
Just look at how many there are.
Different shapes, sizes and color.
*sigh*

*photo by katnx*

I think these are just perfect.
I can't help myself....I just do!!
Fine...I said it.

*photo by Jane Milliman*

That's it....I may just have to drop one over a few weeds.
That way they will look pretty.....
RIGHT??

*Photo by Jane Milliman*

See....this photo looks like there are weeds growing in the cloche.
They still look pretty.
I think I'm onto something here...huh!

*photo my elspethbrico*

Oh, the anticipation these cloches must feel.
I bet spring can't get here soon enough .

*Photo by elspethbrisco*

I bet they have ants in there pants.
You know..the same way our kids feel when they are waiting to leave for a birthday party!

*photo by seligketisding*

I would have never thought of this.
Genius!

*photo by xobscura*

I guess when push comes to shove you could do this.

So not Maisy style.
However, doesn't that look like basil?
Wow...fresh basil.
For some reason this is the first year in 10 years I didn't plant and herb garden.
I wonder why.
Huh??

What are your favorite garden things??

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!!
YAY for hump day!
(get your mind out of the gutter...I didn't mean that kind of hump day)

Ahhhhhh Linen

2009-06-29T07:26:00.006-05:00

I have a new love.
Shhhh...don't tell Bill.
Let's just keep this a secret.
Ya know...between me and you~
Some things in life are just not meant to be shared.
What he doesn't know won't hurt him.

RIGHT???

So are you ready for my new love to be announced?
Try to keep it on the down low OK?

Ok.....so here I go...

My new love is:

Linen aprons.

I was just poking around Etsy and this is just a few that I found.

Front

Back

This has to be the cutest skirt/apron I have ever seen in my entire life.
If you want it go here.
*sigh*

Doesn't this apron make you want to get your kitchen dirty with flour.
Just imagine all the yummies that could be made while wearing this amazing piece.
If you love it you can find it here.

Seriously, I just love the pink string with the cream lacey pocket.
Find this darling apron here.
As an added bonus...it's on sale. YAY!!!

Oh no...how do I get all three of them without Bill noticing a thing.

This is the convo I was having with myself.

Ok, Maisy, this is how it's going to roll...
You are going to have some self control.
You are going to step away from your computer.
You are going to go hide all your plastic.
You are going to breath.
Yes, Girl, in your nose out your mouth.
That's good.
Ok, Maisy, How do you feel???

I WANT AN APRON!!!

The BIG surprise will be what I end up ordering.
Breathe, breathe, breathe, breathe, breathe........

Happy Monday to all and to all a GREAT day!!!

Keep Out

2009-06-26T09:08:00.003-05:00

This is a post I have given great thought to.

My blog is very personal to me.
It exposes me.

It brings you into my HOME.
It brings you into my FAMILY.
It shows photos of my KIDS.

You probably don't know this but....... I am actually a recluse.
I like to stay home.
I LOVE privacy.
Have I ever mentioned that I am wired pretty funky??
However, the older I get the more I just enjoy being ME!
The more I'm willing to just accept who I am....not the person I have spent almost 40 years creating...but the actual person I was born to be....THE HAPPIER I AM!!!!

Now with all that being said....
I know there are people out there who read my blog that are no longer part of my life.
This blog was not meant for them to keep tabs on me.
It was meant for ME!!!....and of course all my new super duper blog land friends.
Some of you I actually just call my friend.
It was meant for me to have some sort of outlet as I continue to work through some of life's tough stuff.

So, to all the people out there...and you know who you are....who are not a part of my life, my kids lives or my families life, once and for all BUTT OUT!!!!

I was going to change my blog name but decided this is MY blog.
You are MY friends.
This is MY life.

I am so happy you are here with me.
I'm so happy that I have some incredible women in my life that we can all go on this roller coaster of life together.

Have a great weekend and THANK YOU for allowing me to continue to KEEP IT REAL!!!

I SAID...DON'T TOUCH!!!!!!

2009-06-25T08:30:00.003-05:00

Am I the only one??
Honestly, I have a hard time believing I am.
Well, since I did say honest in the last sentence I wouldn't be shocked if I was.

There are things in my house that are off limits.
That's a weird concept for the other member of my family.
They don't get it because we are a "no need to take your shoes off, kick your feet up on the furniture....even with shoes on and no need for a coaster on our tables" kind of family.

This took them by surprise...

I now have items that CANNOT be used for their purpose....
or any other purpose than to look nice.

For instance:

Don't even consider opening this french lemon water.
I had to lay the law down with my brother-in-law when he was in town from California a few weeks ago.

Test me on this family.
If these towels get used there is going to be some real hell to pay.
I know they are right outside the shower door.....
If you can't handle it try using YOUR bathroom for a change.
Sheesh

These are just the most darling sale & pepper shakers that I picked up at Target.
I actually place them in my kitchen like they are being used as s & p shakers.
This one actually has me wondering about myself.
(sorry about the dark photo...not sure what happened there)

NOOOOOOO these are not Bingo balls.
NOOOOOOOOO they are not marbles with letters on them.

They all really don't get it.
Thank God they love me and just look past all my little weird things.

What does your family look past??

I am going to do an entire post about this.
They really are a patient group of people.
To think...they actually like me.

Another Baby

2009-06-24T10:37:00.003-05:00

Ok, so I had my baby....the Kitchen.

Now Bill get's his baby.
A new patio.

I have to be honest.....
I'm also really excited about it.
Oh crap, I didn't want Bill to know that.
Sure hope he doesn't decide to have this be the day to stop in and read my blog.

I can't wait to see what it is going to look like finished.

We just want it to be done for the Fourth of July.
We want to have the christening of the patio on that day.
I can just imagine it now....
Lot's of people....lots of food and lots of drinks.
I think I have to use that jar.

My last thought on this though is....
My baby is about half the price of what Bill's baby is.
Does that mean I get to just make up the difference with more painting????
Let me know your thoughts.

My final, final thought is this...
when we moved into this house a little over two years ago Bill and I had a conversation that went like this:

Bill: If we move into this house is there anything that needs to be changed?
Maisy: Nope. How about you....do you think anything needs to be changed?
Bill: Nope. That's great. LET'S MOVE!!!!
Maisy: WOO-HOO...we're moving... !!!

Since we have moved we have finished the basement, gutted the master bathroom (it was leaking into our kitchen), bought new family room furniture, painted the entire back of the house, just finished a landscaping project and to top it off put in a new patio.

Phew......
When this patio business is done I'm gonna just put my feet up and relax....until next year I'm sure.
Bill and I love projects.
We say we don't but I really think we do.

DO YOU LOVE PROJECTS?????

Done....BUT....Not Quite Finished

2009-06-20T08:36:00.006-05:00

WELL............
It's finally frickin' done...
At least the painting part.

I'm ready to unveil the new Maisy Kitchen.
It's been a whole week since my last post....I know...I know..stop givin' me crap in your thoughts.

What I couldn't do while waiting for my space back:

1) cook dinner....shucks..
2) Enjoy my computer time with all you amazing people. That really did suck.
3) Relax in my family room. Didn't want the painter to think I lay around and watch TV all day.
Some of my secrets are meant to be kept for my girls only.

Speaking of the painter....
It's a bit Jerry Springer.....he is my husband's ex-wife's second ex-husband.
Did ya follow that???
He's a great guy. Wouldn't have had anyone else do this type of job. He's a perfectionist!

Sorry for the side story....
annnnnd I'm back.....

4) Have any private time for myself. I don't know about you but I need Maisy down time. BADLY!!!!

5) Cook dinner..,..shoot...how I hated that~
wait a minute....I said that one already.
6) Take a bath in the middle of the day just because.
7) I couldn't list anything at Maisy's Market. That was hard...Now I have to scramble to get all the amazing new things listed.
8) Finish the Twilight Series....Hang on...Hang on.. Hang on....I DID DO THAT!!! HAHAHA
(and I watched the movie 2X)

Anyway...you have all certainly waited long enough.....here I go.

BEFORE:
Bland and boring.

Very earth toney...( I just made up that last word. Pretty good huh??)

BOOOOOOORRRRRRING!!!!!!!

AFTER:

Bright and cheerful.
AHHHHHH!!!!

Perfect.

I'm going to line this bay window with pillows.
It will be so fun to sit here and watch all the storms that blow through Chicago.

This is what I see as I walk into my kitchen.
*sigh*

White, white, white....just the way I wanted it.
I still can't believe Bill agreed to this.
He's quite the guy.

I have never had a window above my sink.
In this house I do. With the sweetest of sweetest curtains it looks perfect.

I'm still lovin' this canister set.....

Now....onto the next project....
Photos coming soon.

This is the year to get things done...
Next year will be my time to sit and enjoy it all.

Until then, have a wonderful Monday.

Thanks for waiting for me for a whole week.
Did I mention how much I missed you?
If I didn't...this is a huge hug coming to you all the way from Winfield, Illinois!!

Sneak Peek

2009-06-15T08:14:00.004-05:00

Just a quick peek into the new and improved kitchen.
I would show you the whole thing but it's not done.
DARN IT!!!!

So....I thought I would just tease you a bit.

Did ya notice...I added another piece to my inspiration piece.
She was loney. She wanted a mate. She wanted someone to talk to when no one is looking.
She wants a partner to pour water with. She hates being soooo pretty all by herself. She doesn't like being the center of my attention (too much pressure.)

As you can tell the lighting is different in every square inch of my kitchen.

It's on the list, Baby. Just add it to the list. You see, I think if I have lists there is more meaning in my life....I will have to do a whole post about that. That is way tooo much for this sneak peek.

Seriously, I will take tons of photos on Thursday afternoon when my house has just been cleaned by the cleaning lady. I'm too busy with meaning in my life to clean my house.

Well.....happy Monday.

ps..as soon as I find out what my meaning in this life is you will be the second to know..
HEY....settle down...I want to know first!
*sheesh*

~It's The Other Way Around~

2009-06-12T13:41:00.004-05:00

You see, I thought it was the kids that drove us parents to the edge most of them time.

I think not.

This is how The Little Man feels about:

Eating his breakfast...

Cleaning up his toys....

and feeding the dog.

However, when I asked him how much he loves his mama...
he said......

THIS MUCH!!!

The moral to the story is this...
We drive them just as crazy as they drive us.
We want some slack....give them some slack.
We want them to be patient with us.....be patient with them.
We want them to feel sympathy for us....feel sympathy for them.
We don't want them to think we are perfect....don't expect them to be perfect.
We want lots of hugs....give them lots of hugs.
We want their love.....GIVE THEM DOUBLE LOVE!!!

That is not how this post was suppose to be.
It was suppose to be about how much I can drive Bradley crazy.
Then somewhere in the middle of it all that came out.

Oh well, sorry!!

Now I must go.
I have lots of slack, patience, sympathy, hugs and love to give.

HAPPY WEEKEND!!!!

~Heck Ya~

2009-06-11T07:48:00.005-05:00

I have been boo-hooing since about February that my sweet, darling, precious, ADHD son is going to all day summer camp for 7 weeks this summer.
Well, I am now on day 4 of......

This is what I have been doing......

Have I mentioned that this serious kicks some serious butt???
I completed one book yesterday and I am now a third of the way into the second book.
Wait...what was I suppose to do???
Laundry, pick up the house, call friends back, take the dog for a walk...
Heck no...these books trump everything!

Maybe, just maybe I will do some of this....considering this is exactly what I look like while laying hidden behind the bushes in my backyard.
I don't want the neighbors to be jealous. It would be awful...don't ya think??

I'm definitely doing some experimenting with these.
It's kind of my new passion.
Not only to find the worlds best cupcake
(just ask the girls that I went to the Farm Chicks show with....I had two while there)
but to bake the WORLDS BEST CUPCAKE!!!!!

I just don't think I can stay away from this store.
The last 2 days I have had to talk myself out of going.
Not sure how today is going to go.
I just can't seem to get enough of this place.
I always walk in not NEEDING anything...
I always walk out convincing myself I needed everything I bought.
I do that at Costco too.
Those darn big box stores.
They LOVE me~

I am also very committed to doing some gardening.
This type of gardening is right up my alley.
I don't have to worry about a single weed, rabbits or if it's getting enough sun.
Just pluck and eat.
Now that is complete perfection.

I will for sure do some of this...of course once the kitchen is done.
I actually think this photo is funny.
What the heck is she cooking....water with salt & pepper.
At least she has kept her families expectations low.
Now anything that she whips up they are happy with it.
Awesome strategy!!

and of course.....a few of these!! Nothing like ending a day of cooking, gardening and sunbathing with an ice cold, minty Mojito!

This is how I feel everyday.
It's a whole new beginning for me.
I have had my Little Man with me everyday for 6 years.
I get to start to reclaim my life back.

What would you do with your free time???
Please do tell....I need some ideas.
Can't ya tell???

Happy Thursday~

~A Peek Into Maisy's World~

2009-06-09T13:34:00.009-05:00

Since the kitchen is getting painted we had to take the doors off the cabinets.

One word for you......WOW!!!!!

I have so much crap that doesn't match.
It's in the wrong places.
Maisy needs to get organzized.....in a BIG WAY~

On a light note...I love the color yellow!

Does any one family with only 2 kids in the house REALLLLLLLLY need to have that many water bottles?? Sheesh. You would think we were active or something??
Almost as if we go on long bike rides together just to get to the local ice-cream parlor.

To think that we actually fondue every New Year's Eve.
That's right, cheese..meat and chocolate fondue!!!
Jeez....we are so old school.
Does anyone else do that?

I really need to simplify and just get all white serving pieces.
"No Bill, seriously, I'm just doing everyone a favor so I don't confuse the kids when they unload the dishwasher that one special time a year."

Nothing like a cabinet for cookbooks, crayons & coloring books. Now, let's throw in some energy bars, Chuck-E-Cheese tokens (yes, that is what I do to expose Bradley to every germ in the world possible) and phone books.
Oh wait...I forgot garbage sticker and the dogs flea and heartworm pills.
Wow...I can't believe I almost forgot to mention the gardening books for the pond and the manuals that came with the house when we bought it.
I like to think of this cabinet at the "One Stop Shop" cabinet.

Keep in mind that every time I cook I swear like a sailor because I can NEVER find the spices I'm looking for~

This is hilarious.....Just look at that.
Pie pans, colanders, protein powder, baggies, muffin tins and of course the water jug.
Seriously, why do we need a water jug if we only drink beer, wine, coffee and pop?

Apparently, it's a bit much for me to stack my pans in a neat and orderly fashion.

This cabinet actually makes it look like I clean.
Nope, I have a cleaning lady~

Thank your lucky stars that I didn't even show you what was inside the drawers.

This is my family room empty.

I better get going...there is a lot to do around here.

Happy Tuesday....

I'm so happy to be back with all of you again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~Sunday~

2009-06-08T10:47:00.003-05:00

As most of you know I flew to Spokane, Washington this past weekend to have a girls weekend and to go to the Farm Chicks Show.

One of the things that I really found out was that I need to be more REAL on my blog.

I have had such a hard time lately coming up with things to put on this little blog.
It's all because I need to be "Maisy."
I want you all to know the silly, fun, funny, gorgeous, off the charts smart, in really AWESOME shape and did I say perfect person that I am.

So here is my first HONEST MAISY post.

This is how I woke up Sunday Morning.....

HUNGOVER!!!!
Feeling like complete crap.

I had just a bit too much of the white wine.
I popped a couple Tylenol PM when I got back to the room. I hadn't slept very well the night before. I thought this was a good idea.
Keep in mind that I was just a wee bit tipsy.
Please don't make decisions like this.
Learn, learn, learn from my mistakes.

All day Sunday I had to have these cute little white pills.

I had tons and tons of this.
It just kept sloshing around in my tummy.
Yet, being the champ that I was, I knew that this must be done.

This is what my insides felt like.
It felt like i had Jello running through my veins.
Everything was wiggly and jiggly.
Not the fun cute wiggly, jiggly.
It was more like the "I feel like complete S**T" wiggly, jiggly.

The sad part is that I am just two months shy of my 40th birthday and I still do this to myself.
There you have it....my complete self acceptance part of me.....I'm not a fast learner.

So, now you know....I'm just gonna continue to keep it real.

PS. I had to travel all day to get home(and I mean ALLLLLL day.) I didn't walk in the door until almost 11:30 PM.
Then, yes that's right, there is a then, a huge storm blew through at about 4:00 AM and I have been up since.
Is it OK to be just a tinsy, winsy bitchy today??

SIGH

2009-06-03T20:02:00.004-05:00

*SIGH*So I got this piece off of Craigs List last night for $25.
Actually, I sent Mr. Bill and my son.
Mr Bill called once he had the car loaded.
I asked him "Soooo, is it really pretty?"
Mr Bill said very hesitantly..... "NO!"
I was crushed.
Then he got home....I looked at her and I immediately knew she was going to be GORGEOUS once I get a couple coats of paint on her.
She has had a good life. She is pretty banged up.
I will give her a very comfortable home.
I better have a spot for her..... I really don't want to sell her.
It's weird, I keep called it a her.
I really should give her a sweet name.
So, that's where you come in. What should I name her???
How about Sally, Jane, Diane, Sandy. Maybe Susan, Emma or Sally.
Wait, did I say Sally already? It must be because my original name was Sally.
That was until my dad decided to change it. All my hospital records have White Out on them.
That's a whole other post~

Now, my second item of excitement....

I'M OFF TO THE :

I will be back on Monday with lots and lots of pictures.

I can't wait to meet so many of my new bloggy friends.

On a little sad note. As of 11:45 this morning...my Bradley will no longer be a Kindergartner.
He will be a 1st grader.
I was weeping all night about it.

Do any of you have a hard time with things like this??

Summer, BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!

Happy Weekend...See ya on Monday~

HELP...HELP....HELP.....White OR Antique White Is The Question

2009-06-02T07:47:00.004-05:00

So,
I have a really hard time with decisions.
Now I'm really stuck.

Do I paint the kitchen........

White,

Another
White
Kitchen

OR.......

Antique White

Another version of an Antique White kitchen??????

I have to decide within the next day or two.

HELP!!!!!!!!!

What do you think??

Just a bit more info.... This is also in the plan~

1) putting beadboard(wainscotting...not sure about the spelling, sorry)around the island

2)Subway tile back splash

3) White farmer sink

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!!!!!!!!
PS. I need answers FAST.

Thanks so much.
Where would I be without all of you??

New Vintage Finds

2009-06-01T08:18:00.005-05:00

Since my house was a mess I decided to spend some time looking for treasures.

This is just a display of some of it.
I didn't have room for some of the other great things I found.
I couldn't find a good place in my home to take photos so I whipped this little corner shelf unit out.

Dominos from the 1970. A complete set of flash cards from 1959 in mint condition.
A blue bud vase and crystal cordial glasses. In my house...also know as vintage shot glasses. Just kidding~

A vintage tea towel, vintage napkin(soo cute) and of course a glass cloche.

A rose colored glass dish and a whole box of vintage cards.
The cards are actually really sweet. So different from our cards today.

A gold mirrored table tray. So pretty.
This is going up on my Etsy site.
Don't go over there yet.....It won't happen until my house is put back together so I can get some nice photos of it~

A gorgeous perfume bottle, a silver plated dish and of course my favorite....a red and white chippy old pan!

Did you have any fun finds this weekend??

If the weather clears up EVER I will post about the garden stuff I did this past weekend.
Can ya tell I don't like being in my house when it is all discombobulated.

I tip my cup of coffee to a new week!

Happy Monday~

~MaIsY's MeSs~

2009-05-28T16:53:00.004-05:00

Boy do I know how to create a mess.
A really, really BIG mess.
The sad part is I haven't even finished.

The painter is starting my house on Monday.
**YEAH**
I don't want to spend my weekend clearing everything out so I thought I would get a jump on it.
I started today.

When I decide to start something I kick some serious butt.
For instance, I had 5 weeks to pack up my old house.
Done in 3 1/2 weeks.

When we moved into this house it only took me three weeks to unpack every last thing.
It looked like we had been here forever. Even all the stuff was hung on the walls.
I'm like the Energizer bunny. I just keep going and going and going!

This is just the beginning.

All my favorite things just piled up looking like junk.

I wonder if it makes these things feel sad.

Don't worry favorite things. You will be back in your happy homes in no time.
I promise!

I get the same feeling I did when I was packing up my old house.
I don't even put our everyday things away. I just throw everything everywhere!

Bare walls.
I'm just happy to know that this will hopefully be done and my house will be back in order in no time.

I never knew what to do with this mantle.
I see a new beginning in it's future.

Nothing left but some shoes.

Maybe they are happy to be getting some some light.
They usually just hang out in the book cases.

This canister set was finally adopted.
Now it thinks it's in foster care.

Don't worry. I carved out just a bit of space.
The Maisy Report must go on!

I think it will completed when I'm at the Farm Chicks show.
My family will think I'm getting back for them...nope....I want to see the place finished.

Stained kitchen cabinets, you are going to love your new look. Just think..you are getting your facelift waaaaaaay before me.

On a happy note.....I haven't even started clearing out my kitchen cabinets.
Guess what Maisy will be doing tomorrow.

White & Glass and Silver OH MY

2009-05-27T16:04:00.008-05:00

FRESH!
I think that's the way I feel....
FRESH!!!

I love feminine things.
Do you??
(did I actually just admit that to all of you?)

As I get older my taste and style changes.
Does yours??

I learn all sorts of new things about myself everyday.
Do you??

I love to watch my very own person evolve.
Are you evolving??

It's funny....I've never really been drawn to soft things.
My old house looked like a Pottery Barn catalog.

Things are a changin' around the Maisy homestead.

That is why I have chosen the items I sell at Maisys Market.

It's what I am drawn to.

Hope ya like it.

I know I do~

I love these glasses.
They are in perfect shape.
Did anyone ever use them??

I love a good bottle of the bubbly.
Drop a strawberry in your glass and it's like eating fruit salad :)
At least that's what I tell myself.

Set of pink bowls made in France.
LOVE THEM!!

White metal bird cage with just a touch of rust.
*Sigh*

There ya have it...the new Maisy.

Tell me what you are drawn to.
All of you have such taste and style.

~More From New York~

2009-05-25T16:52:00.006-05:00

Life got away from me and I forgot to show you some "Maisy" photos from my trip to The Big Apple.

These are just misc. photos that I took.
Not of people. Just of things that I thought were awesome.

I promise....someday I will do a post of what I observed at Central Park.
I LOVE that place.

These photos are from Ellis Island.
I'm sure some of your relatives came through Ellis Island.
I know some of mine did.
I think that's what made this place so special to me.
I was actually pretty quiet in this place.
IMAGINE THAT!!!!!
Seriously, try~

This was some of the unclaimed luggage.

It's hard for me to imagine that this was all of the peoples belongings.
It makes me feel so indulged.

And to think that they lost everything they had.

Some of them are just gorgeous.

I would love to get my hands on some of these.
Just try to picture what we would find inside.

This photo was taken across the street from the World Trade Center, Ground Zero.
I'm not sure if you remember but there was a church with a cemetery right across the street. Nothing happened to this place. It was actually set up for the search and rescue teams.

When I saw how beautiful this place was it just took my breath away.

Just look at the details.
I wonder why this church was protected.
Huh?
Not an ash or ember hit this property.
Weird.

Ahhhh, this chandelier.
*sigh*
*sigh*
*sigh*

This lantern was across the street from Jakob's office.
The park was full of them.
They keep them lit with fire all day.

I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this building.
I wonder if the people who live there ever step out of their windows and just gaze below.
I know I would!
This was in the heart of So-Ho.

This was across the street from our hotel.
Imagine if those were your living room windows.

I really fell in love with this city.
I reallllly want to go back!!

~The HomeGoods~

2009-05-22T08:23:00.004-05:00

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh...................
*sigh*
*sigh*
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh..............

That is how I feel everytime I shop at HomeGoods.
I always feel like I'm getting such a deal that I feel like I'm........
SPAVING...........(spending+saving=spaving)

This is a HUGE birdhouse on a stand.
Retail Price at lease $100.00
I spaved and got it for $49.95

Retail from William Sonoma $188.00(yes, the tags were left on it)
Spaved $39.95

These I just had to have. They are sold individually.
Combined retail $53.00
Spaved $31.97
Sorry about the bad photo. The camera didn't like taking pics of these.
It threw a temper tantrum and just wouldn't give a clear photo.

Here it is close up!

I know lots of people have obsessions with shoes, bags, clothes, jewelry....the list goes on and on.
My obsession is canister sets.
I also bought this is a garbage can.
Didn't want to put a pic up of the bathroom....I'm waiting to do the before and after....painting.

~Happy Friday~

~Life~

2009-05-20T09:26:00.005-05:00

Things are growing around my yard.
Now I know that lot's of you love to show your flowers.
They are ALL BEAUTIFUL.
Things are a bit different around my yard.

For instance.....

We have 1000's of baby tadpoles in our pond.
Are there any other kind????
Not sure.
Ahhhh, summer love~

Then, Bradley just goes up and grabs this bad boy.
Oh heck, maybe it's a girl.....I have no idea.
Too be honest, I don't really care if it's a boy or girl.
I just don't want it in my house!!!

He actually asked if he could keep it.
Now, I have to say, I do think I'm a pretty cool mom.
I let all sorts of things happen. He could have most types of pets.
I love furry things......cats, dogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, rats.
Really anything for the most part.
There are two things that just can't come into this house.
SNAKES & birds.

Sorry Bradley.
Better luck next time!

~Inspiration~

2009-05-18T07:59:00.004-05:00

In just a couple of weeks these kitchen cabinets will be WHITE!!
All the trim will be painted white and the walls the most beautiful creamy yellow I have ever seen.

I think the cabinets are so pretty. That is not the issue.
The problem is all this wood makes my house sooooo dark.
Now, I don't know about you but I am verrrry light sensitive.
I didn't know this about myself until I moved into this house 2 years ago.

This is the piece that I'm using as my inpiration for the new kitchen.
I can hear it now "did Maisy actually just say she is designing her kitchen around a pitcher?"

Yes I am!

Just look at that handle with all the twistys and swirlys.

Oh and that top.
So pretty and feminine.

And that bottom..
*sigh*

I just love, love, love this peice.
I can't say I am designing the kitchen around this.
I just want it sweet, bright, fresh and really GIRLY PRETTY!!!
Yep, that's right....Maisy is going girly.
Who would have thought??

Maisy's Things

2009-05-15T08:11:00.004-05:00

Do ya all remember my Crate & Barrel post the other day???
Well, this a follow up.
The only difference is that I am the photographer and the set is my kitchen.
Yeah!!!

So, I went to C&B on Saturday to pick up a gift for myself for Mother's Day.
Well, to tell ya the truth....I brought it for Asher to give to me.
See, that's why I'm step-mom of the year....he doesn't even have to shop for me.
Although, he did buy be wine glasses on his own.
Is there meaning in that???? Wine glasses??
I will ponder that thought tonight while I sit by my pond enjoying a glass or two of wine~

This is my Costco version of the one I saw at Crate and Barrel.
I would have gotten it at Crate and Barrel but the lid wasn't air tight.
It just sat on there waiting to get bumped right off.
It was waiting for me to cry because I actually spent $40 on it.
So, I just decided there must be better out there.
AND...........there was at my favorite store....COSTCO.
Guess the price of it???
Have ya got a number in you head??
Ok...we will say it at the same time...
1, 2, 3..........
$25.00~

I think I will be having that party over the 4th of July weekend.

Happy Friday......

There's a Stranger In My Bed

2009-05-14T10:24:00.004-05:00

So....when I went to bed last night I had a 5 year old son.
However, when I woke up this morning he was missing.
Not only missing but was replaced with a 6 year old.

Bradley turns 6 years old today.
Man, have I ever mentioned how much I love that kid???
Will you remind me of that when I'm yellin' at him??
Will you whisper that in my ear when I think I just can't handle it anymore??
Ok...you can just give me a dainty SHOVE!!

This photo was taken right after I went shopping at the Shabby Chic store in New York.
See, he was even happy for me~

He's always on the run~

He is ALLLLLLLLL boy!!!

Here he is doing a time out at Ellis Island.
Wait....is he taking a nap???

The guy was like.....WHAT????
Bradley just jumped right over him...

Again, running.

Being exceptionally cute.
It's OK for me to say that right???
I am his mama!

On Your Mark, Get Set, GO!!!!

His BEST, BEST, BEST BUDDY....his brother, Asher!!

Happy birthday little man.
I love you!!!!!!!

~50~

2009-05-13T07:59:00.008-05:00

GuEsS WhAt....

IT'S
BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He was born 50 years ago.

(If you haven't figured it our yet.....Bill is 10 years older than me....
WAIT.........DID I JUST GIVE MY AGE AWAY??????)

He is a DIE hard University of Illinois fan.
Can ya guess where he graduated from???
I don't know if I can count that much to figure out what year he graduated.
*just kidding Honey*
Seriously, was it 1981??

He loves great deep dish pizza....

He thinks a wonderful bottle of wine is a perfect night~

He will do anything to get Bradley to stop asking to fly a kite.

He spends all his free time with his family.

He wishes he had more time in life to golf.
*Maybe this year, Honey*

Just a few things I know about my husband.....
He loves his family with all he's got.
He works sooooo hard so that I don't have to.
He even makes a few extra bucks for me to decorate the house over and over and over again!
He loves my cooking and baking.
He loves when I make the bed.
(he doesn't say it but I know he does)
He LOVES politics.
He loves to have a beautiful yard.
He loves our dog almost as much as our kids.
He support those he loves endlessly.
He has way more patience with me than I do with him.
He doesn't get mad when I don't cook dinner...sorry to admit but that's pretty often.
He LOVES politics.
He enjoys spending time with the occasional cigar.
He would much rather hear about you than talk about himself.
He LOVES politics.
He loves a nice strong cup of coffee.
He loves history.
Last but not least....he's a genuinely nice guy.

So, to you Bill...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY...
to another 50 Years.

Babies

2009-05-12T08:12:00.003-05:00

I don't really have much to say today.
Wow, did I just type that??
Let's just say I'm not one to be at a loss for words.....EVER!!!!
It's just that I'm trying to catch my breath right now.

With that in mind I thought I would show you something that brings peace to me.

My pond.

It only the middle of May and it looks so full.

Try to just imagine what July will look like.

These are my new babies.
Bill and I got our hands on some baby koi.
The problem with this is ......
I went out there this morning to take the above photos of the pond and I can't find the fish.

There are two possibilities....
1) They are hiding in the rocks.

2) They have become a midnight snack for an animal.

I'm holding out hope for #1.
All's I ask from you in to hold out hope for #1.
Poor little fish.

Well, have a great day.
I'm off to do some treasure hunting.
Hope I find some goodies!!!

Happy Tuesday!

~Girl Helping Girl~

2009-05-11T13:23:00.004-05:00

Sooooo, on Friday I helped Kasey, Lola B's Boutique, with her sale.
She opens up her home about four times a year to sell her wonderful items.
If you read her post she said she thinks I offered to help to basically get the best pickin's.
Well, she is sooooo WRONG!!!
I helped because..............
I really like Kasey.
She is so much better in person than on her blog.
I know you are thinking to yourself "how can that be?"
Just trust me on this one, she is.

Here Kasey is looking cute as a button~
and I mean a super-duper cute button.

I WANT THAT CHALK BOARD!!!
I typed that with the whiniest voice I have.

Yummy~

Seriously, who is clever enough to hang sheets of music from a ceiling................
KASEY, that's who!!!

She had so many beautiful pillows.

I love how that mirror looks with the lilacs.

That is my mirror for sale.
It didn't sell so it looks like it will go in my Etsy store.
It really is so divine~

This confit is soooo good.
I put this over cheese.
If you haven't ever tried it you need to try to get your hands on some.

I actually bought this desk.
hehe

Just another display of wonderful things
*sigh*

This is just another example of the really neat items she had.

Kasey, if you are reading this know that I think you are the bees knees.
Cute items or no cute items, sales or no sales, wine or no wine, being with your sweet kids or not being with your sweet kids I'm happy to call you my friend!

Happy Monday to all!!!!!!

Mother's Day In Retrospect

2009-05-09T21:08:00.005-05:00

*Courtesy of missnoma on flickr*

I chose this photo because it kind of reminds me of my mom.
She passed away 12 yrs ago.
Her favorite flower was a daisy.
She always said they were bright & fresh and lasted lots longer than roses~
Now, I'm not quite sure if this is a daisy but it reminded me of her.

The funny thing about Mother's Day was when she was alive I didn't really get it.
Every Mother's Day my mom's only request was for us(seven kids) to do yard work with her.
The only thing I remember about Mother's Day for years was going to her house around noon.
I was ALWAYS hung over and sitting and doing just the minimum to get by.
My mom was 58 when she died so I didn't really think about it.
I thought she was wonder woman.
I'm not even kidding.
I thought for sure she would out live me.

The other thing I remember was she always cooked dinner for us on Mother's Day.
OMG.....what were we thinking??
Poor woman didn't even get Mother's Day off.
SHEESH!!!!

So as I sit here today I really want to honor her tomorrow.
So, of course I went straight for the hang over thing.
I thought I would just get myself silly tonight and do what I always did for all those years.
Sit in a chair and do just enough to get by.

THENNNNNNNNNNN....
I thought.....why not do gardening.
So, I'm gonna wear the grimiest clothes I have....
crank my mom's favorite music.....
drink ice water(that was her favorite).....
and think about how amazing she was.
Think about all the hopes and dreams she had for me.
(hang on...I need a kleenex)
*sniff sniff*
I pledge to think about what I can do to live my life that is true to ME.
In the end that is what she wanted for me.
Not just me but all woman.

So, Mom, this mother's day is for you.
I will spend it in the yard, with my kids and laughing about how as I get older I get more and more like you!
**I will not cook dinner...I put my foot down there. I'm not budging**
(sure hope the family is reading this)

So, to all of my sweet, dear and wonderful friends.....
Take a bow, I tip my hat, pat you all on the back and finally go in for a big hug....
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

XOXOXOXOXOXO
ps..sorry if there are typos...I'm doing this between tears.

The Maisy Report

I've Been A Busy Girl

Sisters

Looky, Looky

Out With The Old....In With The New

FREAKY

Maisy...Daisy

February 13, 2010

i'm back

New Year Sale

UGH!!!!!

Gift Giving

All I Want For Christmas Is My........

Silly Things I am Thankful For

Winterizing Miss Maisy

~Skipped Over~

Bedroom Dilema

A Few Things I Would Love To Own

From the Dusty Corners

*Just Another Quirk*

Maisy Went Junkin'

Catching Up

PB

Sometimes It Just Hits Me

NO SCHOOL

Maisy Had to Make A Change

I Need Your Help

Something So Minor

Hi!

Taking the Day Off!

Trying to Chill

Oh......The Number Game

Cool

Ying and Yang

Today

Bright Spots

Going, going, GONE!

Holy Rosary

Have I mentioned Lately.....

Saying Goodbye

Coincidence???

Gasp, Ugh, Yikes

Facelift

Just a Bit of Change

Cleaning Out My Closet

~Happy Birthday to Me~

Check These Out!

~You Asked For It~

Spanish Moss

I'm back....

Maisy's Hitting the Beach

Messy, Messy, Messy

Onsies

I Just Lurve These

All In 24 Hours

New Flooring

Looky, Looky

Goodness....another post...

My Girl's Birthday

Timing.........

Just Another Sweet Find

Earth to Maisy, Earth to Maisy

A Weekend to Ponder

Cloche Love

Ahhhhhh Linen

Keep Out

I SAID...DON'T TOUCH!!!!!!

Another Baby

Done....BUT....Not Quite Finished

Sneak Peek

~It's The Other Way Around~

~Heck Ya~

~A Peek Into Maisy's World~

~Sunday~

*SIGH*

HELP...HELP....HELP.....White OR Antique White Is The Question

New Vintage Finds

~MaIsY's MeSs~

White & Glass and Silver OH MY

~More From New York~

Just Another Quirk

SIGH