It all started because I purchased a few Cropper Hopper paper storage containers. Then I couldn't find the "right place" for them. Then I started dreaming about converting my "scrapbook room/office" closet from a clothing closet with a single rod to one with shelves. But then I felt too guilty because the loft/playroom closet desperately needed the shelves for games and puzzles. So that project took place last weekend. My husband and son did such a fine job that I announced, very kindly by the way, that they would be completing the same project in my scrapbook room next. They completed it this past weekend. I am beyond excited. I know, it's just a closet and the doors will be put back on, but I finally have a place for everything. I'm not quite finished, but I'm getting there. If you give a moose a muffin . . . . You'd have to be familiar with the children's book to get that phrase but that's exactly what happened with me. Now I'm dreaming of having bookshelves built in for the rest of the room like these.

Saturday was a fun, fun day. We started off at Cole's soccer game where he scored THREE goals. It was so exciting. Then Taylor and I left and spent most of the afternoon at the Phoenix Miniatures Show. My admission fee was a minimal $5, but hers was only $2 and it included this children's project. She got to put together this cute little room. Check out the lamp. The shade is a toothpaste cap. Now notice the green basket and its contents. This was the most exciting part. Each vendor had to contribute items for the "children's table". There were signs up saying "NO ADULT SHOPPING AT THIS TABLE, CHILDREN ONLY". Each item, most of them new, was for sale for $.05 - $.25. She must have bought about 25 items for $3.25. We can hardly wait to put them into our dollhouse. There were probably about 100 prize-winning dollhouses on display. This shabby chic house won 1st prize. I love it! The Mary Englebreit looking house won 2nd prize. You couldn't help but smile when gazing at the 25 or so "Small World Travel Trailer" entrees. This one was my favorite.

Today my friend, Angie, brought me to this lovely little bakery/home decor boutique to show me their harlequin painted walls. I attempted to paint a wall in my daughter's room with pink harlequins and miserably failed. I used a lazer level, yard stick, you name it. After my husband attemped to repair the damage, he discovered that the walls in our new home are crooked. Angie had previously spoken to the owner of this shop and she said that they just constructed a stencil from poster board and traced the designs and completed the project in one day. I'm getting anxious to attempt her wall again. I'll keep you posted.

More storage space. I couldn't be more excited. I've been gently nudging my husband to put these shelves in our game room/loft for a few weeks now. He wasn't too excited about it, so Saturday afternoon, I announced that I was going to Home Depot. I spoke to a building expert, purchased the materials, had them loaded into my vehicle and shocked everyone at home with my purchases. 24 hours later, the shelves were completed. Don't hold your breath, but my plans are to put these same shelves in my scrapbook room. The kiddos are home today for President's Day. Yeah! I love having them home. We are off to fill up these shelves with toys and games.

Good Friends and Good Times. But there's never enough time. A few weeks ago I traveled to Tucson to attend the gem show. Today, the wonderful Pam, invited several of us to her home for a day of beading and treated us to a wonderful lunch. I don't think any of us completed as many projects as we had planned to, but we had a fun, inspirational day. I always feel guilty that I don't take the time to visit more of my dear friends when I'm there, but I'm always racing back to Phoenix to be home for my kids.

The sweetest day of all of the year is here. Happy Valentine's Day to all. We started with heart-shaped pancakes this morning. Actually the kids pounced on us this morning to wake us up and wish us Happy Valentine's Day. It couldn't get any better than that. I've been leaving my husband one conversation heart on the console of his car every morning. This morning my daughter snuck out and left a smiley faced one as well. He kissed me goodbye and came back in and said "It's a two-heart day". I told him that the second one was from his daughter. That brought a smile to his face.
I bought these beautifully covered chocolate bars from Hallmark. My family will each receive one of these as well as a few other treats.
My friend found this wonderful bakery. We each ordered these cookies for our children's Valentine parties today. I wish I could share one with you!

Cupid Struck! Rosemary so generously offered to share some of her decedent Belgian chocolates that her husband just brought home from his travels. Well . . . don't be jealous, but I won. She didn't just send the chocolate cocoa either, but the fun Valentine paper treats as well. I can't wait to go through my cookbooks and find some delish dessert to whip up. I'll let you know what I come up with.

Can you read this???? Yesterday I substitute taught an all-day Kindergarten class. One of their assignments was to write in their journals 1-3 sentences about what they are going to do for their favorite Valentine. I love, love reading early writing. If you haven't decoded this yet, it says "I'm going to make her a Valentine." Sweet huh? I can't even tell you how tired I was last night. Gotta go, I'm off to teach 4th grade today.

MVP. Yep, that's what his teammates named him after this week's game. We were so proud of him, I had tears in my eyes. What a sap I am. He made the most goals this week, as well as several goal assists. You see, he has been stuck in the goal box, which is where he prefers to be, for the last three seasons. He is an awesome goalie, but does not get the opportunity to play forward and score some goals. His new coach insists that everyone be rotated and play every position, so he has had the opportunity to SCORE. It did wonders for his self esteem. What a great weekend for him.

Girl Power! Lowes and Home Depot each offer a Kid's Club once a month at no cost, giving children an opportunity to build a project from a kit. My daughter has come such a long way since we first started attending these clubs 5 or 6 years ago. Mommy has come a long way too. I've learned to carry along a pair of my jewelry pliers enabling me to hold the nail while she hammers. Pretty clever of me, don't you think??? This month's project was a Valentine mailbox.

Her name is Winged Victory. She stands on top of the copper dome of Arizona's State Capital. Isn't she beautiful?? She turns in the wind and is name after a Greek Statute. I chaparoned a field trip today. We had to find a list of monuments in the adjoining park and then tour the capital. We don't have many beautiful, old buildings in Arizona and it is such a joy to see them. Look at that blue sky. It was such a beautiful day.

I'm sending out my Valentine packages today. I finally put the finishing touches on my Valentine exchanges and cards. I packaged up my sister's gift and addressed my family's cards and am shipping them off in a larger envelope to Loveland, CO for their Valentine post mark and cancellation. Last year I sent them off to Valentine, NE. I can't wait to see all of the different post marks.

About two weeks ago, my daughter took it upon herself without telling anyone to start leaving these water bottles for her Daddy every morning. Boy does that make his day! Is that sweet or what?

The International Festival is an event sponsered by the Girl Scouts of America. Every year, each troop chooses a country to represent at the event. This year, my daughter's troop chose Japan. They study the country, make costumes, craft a few native items to sell and march in a parade at the festival. These girls learn so much from this event. They each memorize one fact about the country and share it with the audience. One of the wonderful pieces of information that I learned today was that Japan has a 0% illiteracy rate. Our troop leaders not only sewed the kimonos, but made each girl a pair of these shoes by hand. Aren't they amazing?

Charm School. That's where I was yesterday. I had the most wonderful day. Jam packed, but wonderful. After dropping the kids at school, I jumped on the freeway and headed down to my old stomping grounds in Tucson, Arizona. I met my darling friends, Tina and Carmen and spent five hours looking at thousands, and I mean thousands, of beads, charms, silver, watches and jewelry. My friends discovered this artist last year "after" the gem show. We were so excited to get to her booth. Tina and Carmen went the day before, on opening day, and warned me that I was going to be in big trouble when I got there. They were right. I spent my entire gem show budget at her booth. So, of course, I went a "little" over my budget shopping the rest of the day. In case you are as captivated by her charms as I am, I'm providing you with her website. Check out www.wynwoods.com. The detail in her work is amazing. I also bought four strands of beads, a few watches, some wonderful vintage pieces, silk ribbon to use in place of chains and a few other fun items. By the way, the silk ribbon was everywhere. I'm leaving you with some eye candy. I can't even explain to you how large the Tucson gem show is. It is the second largest in the world. If you ever get a chance to go, I highly recommend it.