An extra end table never hurt anybody

Guest post written by Sarah Long

I'm completely convinced that you're never finished decorating a room. There's always a lamp shade or a footstool that you can switch out for another that fits in with the decor just a little better. I think that many people would agree with me in that regard. I'm sure it also helps that I browse online shopping sites all the time too and find things that would be perfect for my home.

A few nights ago I found this amazing end table when I was online browsing for different home goods. I also found the website Sears Home Improvement and after looking through it some, talked myself into some new kitchen cabinets. They're something that are actually practical and not just a little extra something that I want to add to a room because I like it. We really could use some nicer looking kitchen cabinets.

I was so glad once the end table finally got shipped to my home and it fit in exactly how I imagined it would in my living room. Next are the kitchen cabinets.

Almost Time

Well, it's just about that time again.  For me, anyway.  It's usually about the time that the tulips start peeking out from the flower bed floor that I start to think about gardening.  Those first hints of green that seem to just happen overnight get my wheels turning and I think the same thing for the last few years now...

"Wow, last year was really horrible... but I really would like to try again."

And that's how it happens every year since the first year. 
This year I am living with my mother and that should prove to be advantageous for my gardening.  She is a great support when it comes to growing things of all kinds (including plants and children).  Not only will she be available to offer good advise, but she can also keep an eye on my veggies while I am at work and maybe even do a little weeding for me!
Caleb has decided to plant come cucumbers this year because he enjoyed eating them straight from the garden last year.  I would like to try growing some beans again - I failed miserably last year.  And to think the package even said "Absolutely Guaranteed To Grow!" Just like seamonkeys.  If something is absolutely guaranteed to grow... well, I guess it grew a little, but it was nothing near flourishing. 
My boyfriend, Travis, insists that he loves gardening.  So, I guess we are about to find out. He wants to plant the beans so he can pickle them... I should point out that neither of us know how to pick anything except for eggs!  My sister has a friend who is great at pickling things, so we may be paying her a visit this Summer.
Over all, I think this growing season is going to be a good one.

I Want a Pool, Too...

Last September I went to visit my family in Mississippi. I make the 2,500 mile trip at least once a year, but the most recent trip was especially important to me.  This was the first time that my little son was old enough to fly with me.  I was so excited to bring him, even more so after he commented that the sun was "broken" here in the Pacific Northwest.  He was excited to go because my uncle, who we were staying with, had planned a huge pool party to celebrate our arrival!

The pool party was the day after our arrival since we got in to town late in the afternoon.  Party or no party, there was no keeping Caleb out of that pool!  He's been taking swimming lessons in an indoor pool around our home town, so he was feeling pretty confident.  It was so warm out, but there had been a rain recently that cooled down the water in the pool.  That meant that jumping in was cool and refreshing!

The next day was the pool party and we had a blast!  There were kids and dogs and family and friends all over the place!  My uncle had a smoker and 3 BBQs going at once!  There were a ton of pool accessories and toys to mess around with. The coolest one was a huge inflatable slide that you put on the deck edge of the pool! I was able to have peace of mind about all of the kids in the yard because my uncle had just gotten a nice fence from his pool supply company to keep the kids and the dogs out if no one was there to watch them around the water.  We were in and out of the pool all day until well after the sun went down and the kids went to bed!

Reminiscing about all of that makes me want a pool so bad!  Caleb has been asking for one as well.  He had never seen someone with a pool at their house before.  Now that he knows such a thing exists he definitely has it on his wish list.