HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LUCY!

I won't be at my computer tomorrow, so I wanted to wish my darling niece, Miss Lucy Cooke, a great-big-full-of-love-and-smooches "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" She has grown SO much, and I really miss being a part of her life in the same way I used to be. She's a gorgeous little lady, and she is as charming as could be. I've been madly in love with her since the staff meeting when Andrew announced she was coming. From her fiery curls down to her marker-painted toes, I just love her to bits! So enjoy the Big Two, LuGoose. Aunt Suz loves you!

My Masterpiece is Finished!

It didn't turn out exactly how I wanted (I should have gone with the duller green color), but the more I look at it, the more I like it! It's definitely unique, and I like that I painted it myself. I've posted closeups of the hands below; some are definitely better than others. I guess if I start to hate it, I can always spend another $3 on paint and make it brand new once again!

Happy Birthday, Boys!

On April 27, two of my ADORABLE nephews had their birthdays. My little buddy, Chase Michael, turned 10, and the too-freaking-cute-for-words Anthony James turned 1. I dedicated my Facebook status and photo to the little darlings all day, and I thought I'd share the picture with you. They're just too precious for words!

LOVE YOU BOYS!

Creative Stroke of Genius of Laura Cooke Proportions!

I have been staring at my sad, beat up, $4 garage sale coffee table all winter long. I've been waiting for the weather to get a bit warmer so I can make this interestingly-shaped coffee table look fresh and fun. All of my staring finally paid off this morning! I have decided how to make it fabulous once more.

I'm going to paint it a deep, chocolate brown (to match my TV stand [also $5 at a garage sale. Holla.]). I will then paint my hands a nice spring green (the color of my laptop, bedspread, oh goodness, I LOVE that color!) and put a handprint in each corner of the table. After letting that dry, I'm going to...get this, people...paint on henna designs. WHOAAAA. I know, I'll give you a minute to handle my greatness.

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**** still admiring? Ok, I'll give you a moment more.

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Ok, so it may not be everyone's cup of tea to have bright green painted hands on their coffee tables, but it is SO mine! Plus, it gives me an opportunity to paint very tiny things, which always centers me and makes me happy to be in the world. And in case you're not sure what henna is, I've included a photo below:

I'm super pumped! When i finally get around to buying the paint (because you KNOW I don't like to pay full price for anything [which drives Ivan and my mother nuts...but they secretly LOVE it]), I'll post a picture of the grand "new" table.

On a furniture note, if anyone would like to visit good ol' Btown on August 1 and surprise me with a comfy couch (ugly is ok, thrift store sheets make great slipcovers) or a couple of kitchen chairs, I'd be eternally thankful!

CONGRATS, IVANI!

Ivan just got his email that he has been accepted into medical school! He's going to the American University of Antigua (it's in the Caribbean--hello, 2010 vacation spot!). He'll study the academic part there, then do his rotations, residency, etc. in the States. I am freaking PUMPED! We've been friends, etc. for quite a long time, and becoming a doctor has always been his top priority. He hit a few bumps along the way, but we all knew he would get into med school. I'm SO proud of him!


Here's the site: http://www.auamed.org/
The picture above is Antigua. Doesn't it look like a dream? I'd much rather be there than Indiana, that's for sure.

Louise and I are SICK!

I was so sick yesterday! I was really considering going to the ER. I was throwing up about every 40 minutes from 1am to 2pm. Yuck. I'm much better today, but I tried to get up this morning and fell right back down on the couch. Dehydration sucks. I was so weak, but I'm on glass #12 today of water, and I can really feel a difference.



Perhaps more importantly, my Louise is ill. I read online that the lifespan of a hyacinth is pretty short, but she's just looking terrible. She grew SO quickly (perhaps 8" since I bought her?), but she's starting to thin out. Her delicious, sweet smell is starting to turn into something quite gross--I'm not sure why that's happening, but she's about to have her flowers trimmed off!

On a completely unrelated note, I think I'm going to start adding pictures to my blog. Laura is the blogging QUEEN, and I am just trying to steal all of her good ideas and improve my own blog. Celebrating Haikusday is tempting, but that is just too dang clever to steal. Sigh. One day I will reclaim my blogging glory.

Assistance Needed!

I woke up this morning and greeted my dear, sweet, Louise. Unfortunately, she is looking very droopy. Does anyone know how to keep the stalks strong and straight on a hyacinth? The poor lil thing is looking very sad. I think I'll leave some Mozart playing while I'm gone today. I remember someone's plant project for the 8th grade science fair that showed that classical music promotes significant plant growth. It should be noted that my 8th grade science fair project was pouring various cough syrups into plants and seeing which ones died faster--I was no scientist.

Leave your advice in my comments, please! By the way, I already did a brief internet search, and I didn't find much.

Thanks!