kinda a big 'dil'?

image from savvyhousekeeping.com

Daffodil that is.

I had a moment the other day. Sort of a panic of realization that just hit me. As I eagerly await the arrival of spring weather, I find myself anticipating daffodils. Because in my mind spring is synonymous with daffodils. Well, it dawned on me that I'm not even sure that there are any daffodils in my new yard. We moved into our house in September with fall already in swing as it starts earlier in the North evidently. I never even considered the possibility that daffodil bulbs weren't cozy in the ground around us waiting to pop up after a long winter. Then my mom mentions tonight that the daffodils are appearing around Oklahoma. I am little envious. I can picture these daffodils in their yard... such happy flowers they are. I know I will have to wait a little longer in PA for Spring to arrive (heck, we still have a pile of snow on the ground). I am prepared for that. I am not however prepared to do without daffodils in my yard. Why did I not think to plant bulbs when we arrived? Well to ease my sense of panic, I did pick up several bunches of cut daffodils at the grocery store today. They are spreading their yellow happiness in my entryway. I will be watching my yard carefully over the coming weeks for signs of my much needed happy flowers.

sharing some funny

I have entered the anger stage of my latest medical misadventure. I have experienced this often enough to diagnose myself without the assistance of a "medical professional". I prescribed myself, among other treatments, plenty of humor.

*some deep thoughts by comedian Steven Wright*

"Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time."
"I put instant coffee in a microwave oven and almost went back in time."
"If at first you don't succeed then skydiving definitely isn't for you."
"I'm writing an unauthorized autobiography."
"When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane."
"If a person with multiple personalities threatens suicide, is that considered a hostage situation?"
"If a man says something in the woods and there are no women there, is he still wrong?"
"Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm."
"I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize."
"I just got lost in thought. It was unfamiliar territory."
"Everyone has a photographic memory, some just don't have film."
"Did you sleep well?" "No, I made a couple of mistakes."
"Support bacteria - they're the only culture some people have."
"It does not matter what temperature a room is, it’s always room temperature."

tiny tidbits (is that at all redundant?)

I like it when my neighbor calls me kiddo. She is in her 70's so calling me kiddo isn't a big stretch, but still...

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I'm going to try being a redhead semi-permanently... starting in March.

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There is a tent in my den.

I am loving my 2 in 1 hitch skirt capri from Athleta.

I'm about to start another ATC swap with my California Linda.

Birds have returned. Surely that is a sign that Spring is near (please oh please).

My two guys are going to Monster Jam in the 'burgh on Saturday.

My son is addicted to Top Gear on BBC. He says he gets it more than me because he is part British. I expect his accent may cross the pond soon ; )

Someone needs to come up with a waterproof heart monitor.

Just Dance 2 on the Wii is a riot. I haven't laughed so much in ages. Viva Las Vegas takes the cake.

The area churches have finally replaced the Go Steelers! bible verses on their signs with the more standard biblical messages and scripture.

performance anxiety (Happy Wonky Heart Day?)

I am going to the hospital tomorrow for heart stuff. I always experience performance anxiety before and during these tests. I worry that my symptoms won't 'perform' on cue. So if I have a couple of 'good heart days', it could hamper getting my heart back on track. It sounds really odd, but please keep your fingers crossed that my heart will be plenty 'wonky' (as I call it) tomorrow.

Happy Wonky Heart Day to me!

Party Time!

a few pics from Evan's 8th birthday party today

8 is great!

Today is Evan's actually birthday, but tomorrow will be his birthday party. When the celebrating is split up like that we do a little something special on his birthday. He really wanted a pinata. Plus he got to pick dinner. He chose breakfast burritos. Kinda goes along with the pinata... in a way ; )

*stay tuned - more birthday related pics coming this weekend*

into this world

Evan with Clancy Bear - Summer 2003 - Fort Smith, AR

I'm so happy Evan still enjoys listening to his birth story. I know one year without warning he will decide that it is silly or embarrassing for me to sit beside his bed the night before his birthday and tell him about how he came into this world. Luckily the story of his birth is kinda exciting with several plot twists and turns so it holds his interest. It could be made up into a fairly dramatic Hallmark or Lifetime movie... I'm just sayin' ; )

This morning I told Evan he looked very 8 and asked if he felt 8 yet. He said "No. (pause) Well maybe a little. (pause) Ask me again later." I know 8 will be great for Evan... even if his name and age no longer rhyme. He says he still gets one more chance to rhyme, but not until he is 11. I'm sure in kid time 11 seems like an eternity from now, but I know it is really just around the corner.

staircase to Rosie?

Recently Rosie has discovered the fun of sending a bouncy ball down stairs. We have tried to capture this on video several times, but she gets distracted by the camera. But today I finally caught her in the act.

your tests today were brought to you by the letter V ; )

'and the beat goes on'

This is an art journal page that I have posted on my blog before, but it seemed appropriate for this my latest chapter in the world of cardiology Danica-style.

My heart has been way more symptomatic the past several weeks. I finally gave in and went to a cardiologist today. And thus continues the endless road of halter monitors, echo cardiograms and conditions which come with initials. Halters, echoes & PVCs, Oh My! The doctor picked up on Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs). Anything ventricular is an automatic 'go' for a round of further testing. If symptoms are deemed atrial (such as PACs) in nature, a patient often gets a pat on the shoulder with possibly a 'mild' prescription medication and a chat about taking it easy. Damn you letter V! Of course it doesn't look to be anything too serious, but I get to revisit several tests and procedures next week that I had hoped I had left (permanently) in the past.

antique store finds

After hitting the YMCA this morning, I decided to hit the local antique store. I was on the hunt for a display hutch (see previous blog post). I didn't find any. Or I should say, I didn't find any at my price point which would be in the garage sale range instead of the antique store range. I won't give up the search though. It just may need to be postponed until warmer weather arrives and people actually have garage sales around here (hopefully).

black table, little red tricycle & wire egg basket - all for under $50

black rotary phone

I couldn't pass this up. (A) because it was priced right and (B) because it has the name Copeland on it. My mom's mom was a Copeland.

I'm not sure the phone or tricycle have any real purpose other than fun and inspiration. The table and basket will be put to work storing crafty stuff.

the art of the attic

my latest house project - the attic

Planning for projects, for me, can be as fun and often more fun than completing them.

jars & small hanging buckets... yum neat. a hanging shoe organizer for holding supplies

more jars... and they are blue!

***

inspiration or unrealistic?
Dear Attic,
I have ignored you. I want to make up for that now. However I have to be honest and let you know that you may never look magazine perfect as the pics below. But you will be my special place for indulging my creative self : ) Love, Danica

(image Pottery Barn)

Pottery Barn perfection - maybe too perfect, but still so much to love including the paint color, light fixtures & work table with storage

(image Country Living)

loving the eclectic style - fun, funky, nothing too serious

bead board, cool work table with retro bar stools, creative storage - it speaks to me!

(image Martha Stewart)

see, attics can be functional work/craft areas

***

top of my wish list

*wire fruit basket*

since I enjoy repurposing items, I envision finding a tiered wire basket to hold my rubber stamps

*display hutch*
also on my wish list... a way to organize & store my crafty goodies in style
baskets, bins & jars galore!