Metal Meredith

Vivienne is going through some major transition problems which we think stem from both losing a tooth and turning 5, getting ready for Kindergarten as well as an uncertain daily summer schedule. It is a lot for a tiny 5 year old brain to process, I suppose.

These problems are manifesting in a unusual need to be no less than 4 feet from me at all times. Add to that the inability to fall asleep and stay asleep and you have two unhappy parents to deal with an increasingly weepy child. It hasn’t been so much fun around here.

My big plan was to get Vivienne to my mom’s house for a good part of one week and then re-do her room. I wanted to rid her of the toddler things that have been in her room since we moved here in June 2005. After all, she was still in the crib then. I have been planning for this for about 6 months, collecting linens on sale, scoping paint samples and planning around things we already have as to not spend too much. I had everything ready to go when Vivienne decided that she wasn’t able to let me out of her sight without having a little kid panic attack. She only made it one night (and two fun filled days) at Camp Grandma before demanding to come home.

So we rushed to get her room done. It was well worth it and I spent a lot of time in there this week just ‘visiting’ the room and sitting on the floor and enjoying the uncluttered, non-baby design of it all. It feels good to pat myself on the back when I am able. I am taking that opportunity now, and bragging on my own abilities.

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Vivienne does love the room. She thanked me many, many times and is excited that her room is pink now. Truth be known, I didn’t do it for her, but don’t tell her that.

I made these 3 years ago (!!) when we first moved in and put up the new counter.

In our kitchen, there is an overhang where the chairs are pushed under the counter/bar. It created 2 big, sharp and hard corners. Poor Vivienne smacked her head into these more times that I can recall. I am sure this has something to do with Vivienne’s 45 second attention span and selectively impaired hearing.

They are now to protect Henry from the same fate. I bet now he will NEVER ignore me, right?

It might not be designer worthy just yet. But if you were to come to my house, you would have a place to sleep. That in itself is a bit of a surprise to me.

When we moved in, we went from a 900 sq ft house with a 800 sq ft attic, to a 1700 sq ft house with a 200 sq ft attic. We didn’t have the space to store all those things that I needed but didn’t need. Or really all that crap from my days at the record company that I was going to sell on eBay to pay bills. I already did that and now I am down to crap that I just don’t feel like going through.

However, from June 2005 to March 2008, it has changed quite a bit.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

We are not big on the “Christmas threw up in my yard” look. We have a demure and simple strand of muliti-color (LED) lights draped across our roof line. We have a wreath on the front door with a bow. That’s about it.

*Not in our yard*

Phil likes to remind me that sticking a plastic bag on your front lawn and plugging a fan into it, no matter what its shape once inflated, isn’t a talent. I have requested a few other simple things like one lighted tree in the yard or one snowflake hanging on the house. We always say we will pick something up after the holidays when it goes on sale, but we never do. Who wants to shop for all of that crap when you just want to put it away for 11 months?

I came across this site today which made me laugh out loud a few times. They give citations to houses that over decorate or decorate with little or no thought beforehand. My favorite is “Intermingling” where people add Santa into their twinkling Nativity Scene or a “Multiple Clauses Violation” when they have placed 5 Santas of different sizes and shapes on the lawn.

We always enjoy going to see the lights, driving by while Vivienne screams loudly about what she sees and Phil and I sit in awe over all of the crap these people pull out each year. Good for them! We won’t be on the Tacky Lights Tour for years and years to come.