Burlap American Flag Centerpiece
Let me tell you a little something. There’s only so much “settling in” a person can do in a new home before a break is needed. I’d normally take a break on a comfy couch with a cold drink in hand. Maybe kick my feet up on a cute ottoman. Alas, I don’t have a couch yet. Or a cute ottoman. I do have a cold drink though. Priorities! In lieu of time on the couch, I decided I’d recharge with a cold drink and a crafting session. I might not have a place to sit, but I do have paintbrushes. Go figure. I also have a random burlap bag…
Happy List: #76
Exciting news in my life this week. I got a haircut. To put this another way, I trusted a complete stranger to wield a pair of sharp scissors on the single most identifying part of my anatomy – my unruly hair. Finding a new hair stylist is easy. Trusting that person is hard! In other news, discussion on the Adirondack chair situation is in full swing. Handy Husband invites you all over to help with the build. Oh, and I received a bunch of direct messages about my potluck anxiety when I wrote about the Lemony Pasta Salad on Monday. You guys crack me up and encourage me! Bottom line…we aren’t alone…
Which Adirondack Chairs Should We Build?
Do you know what I’ve wondered more than once in my life? You’re dying to know, I can tell. Here it is. Why are Adirondack chairs so expensive? Does anyone know? It’s not like they are the most intricate chairs ever built, right? These chairs from L.L. Bean are all-weather Adirondack chairs that come in a variety of colors. They are $299. EACH! Although, they are made in the USA. These Acacia-wood Adirondack chairs from World Market are regularly priced at $129, but are on sale for $78. That’s much more affordable. The chairs come highly reviewed, but the product info says you should cover the chairs or bring them…
Would I Make It Again: Lemony Cucumber and Herb Pasta Salad
I’ve mentioned my potluck anxiety before, haven’t I? One bad experience with a mystery dish at a church potluck will do that to you. So now eating at a potluck is out. But I still get invited to potlucks! Sometimes I feel compelled to say, “Yes, I’d be delighted to attend because I haven’t flirted with food poisoning in awhile.” Then begins the second round of potluck anxiety. Yes, there’s a second level to this madness! What do I make that will travel well, can sit out and not make people sick, and be a crowd pleaser? I call this the potluck trifecta and it’s a difficult dish to find.…
Happy List: #75
Hello, hello and happy Friday! How the heck are you? Livin’ the dream, I hope! This week I shared a funny story about a couch. No, I still don’t have a couch, but I do have a funny follow-up to that story I should probably share with you. I also wrote about leaving Ireland and the factors that played into that decision. I hope it can someday help someone who might be in a similar situation. Now, onto the Happy List. Woohoo! AUSTRALIA Australia has always been on my Travel Bucket List, but this picture bumps it up to the top of the list! I don’t even care if this…
Living in Ireland: When to Move Back to the U.S.
This was a hard article to write. If you’ve been living in Ireland, how do you know when it’s time to move back home? In our case, home is the United States. If you are an American citizen who moved to Ireland for work, then you probably entered Ireland in one of two ways: on a contract or as a permanent hire. If you were on a contract with a set end-date, then you know when you’ll be leaving. If you entered Ireland as a permanent hire, then your end date (if there is one) is more ambiguous and something you’ll have to determine for yourself. My husband works for…
When Your Husband Takes Your Prank Seriously
Last week the kids and I headed to our nearest Habitat ReStore to see if they had any furniture gems on hand. I’m on the hunt for three dressers, outdoor furniture and a desk. We also really need a couch or some living room chairs, but I anticipate buying those new. This particular ReStore was huge and packed with treasures. I was distracted by this cabinet and thought it would look amazing painted. It wasn’t what I needed at the moment, but the hardware was incredible. Of course we tried out a rocking chair that was missing a seat. That’s what one does when you discover a seatless chair. This…
Happy List: #74
Hello, friends. This week’s blog articles were brought to you by the letter M for what a MESS it is around here moving! On Monday I wrote out my list of funny moving truths and on Wednesday I shared a sneak peek of our new home. Thank you for all your love here and on social media about our new digs. I also registered the kids for school (holy paperwork, Batman!) and got new library cards. Still haven’t switched my driver’s license though. By the way, our library offers a neat service where you can check out museum passes to 5 area museums. Isn’t that a good idea? Here’s the…
Sneak Peek of Our New Home
Our goal when we found out Handy Husband was transferring back to the U.S. was to buy a home right away. Do you know what the universe said in response to that notion? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! First, we had a little visa renewal issue, which meant we couldn’t leave Ireland to go look for a home. Well, we could leave, but we might not have been able to reenter Ireland. Then we realized it would be helpful with the mortgage process if Handy Husband was officially on the U.S. payroll, which he wasn’t and the transition date was all tied up with this visa issue. Details, details. If those practical matters weren’t…
7 Funny Truths About Moving
Every time I write about moving I have to do a mental count of how many places we’ve lived – just in case one sneaked by me! Starting with the first house we moved into as a married couple and ending with the current place we are living, we have moved 11 times! We’ve moved domestically and internationally. We’ve lived in an apartment, a townhome, a duplex, and several single family homes. And I know for certain we will move again. All that to say, I’m a self-declared expert on the subject of moving households. I’m also a self-declared expert on the subject of diagnosing medical symptoms with the help of…
