Canvas

When we moved one and a half years ago, I decided to update the master bedroom's decor. Previously, I had gone trendy and used darker colors and animal print accents. Don't judge me...it was very "in" ten years ago.

I went with color. My life was missing color. I chose a beautiful quilt with vibrant blocks of color, overlaid with floral prints. I have been blissfully happy with it, but have had trouble finding a large enough piece of art to hang over the king-sized bed - one that would match the color and vibe of the room. One without animal print.

Finally, I found the perfect canvas. The colors looked hand-picked for the room, matching wonderfully with the quilt. The size was made-to-order. What luck!

As it happens, the artist is local. And I LOVE her work. Not only that, she has the cutest little boys...they remind me so much of my own.

Look how well this matches:


I love how the artist "grunged" it up a bit:


I wonder if I should have gone with overlapping squares instead of stripes? I could always paint over it. What do you think?

Parenting a PreTeen

First of all, if you came here for advice or some insight into successfully parenting a preteen, run away. I know nothing.

I take that back. I know one thing. It's hard. With no instant gratification. Which means if you are into instant gratification, you're a bit out of luck in this situation.

One of my Rowdy Boys is 12 and 1/2. It's the 1/2 that's important here, because that is where all the male hormones start raging. Trust me on this - if you think 12 is bad, just wait 'til that 1/2 rolls around.

He is moody. We argue.

He refuses to talk. I pry.

He picks on his baby brother. I mediate. A lot.

He is getting a mustache. I sigh.

Sometimes we laugh. Sometimes we yell.

And sometimes.......

we dance!

Favs

First of all, I don't watch that much TV.

I like saying that. It makes me sound so.....so busy. But, it's not entirely true. Not anymore.

These are my favorite TV shows, in no particular order. Well actually, if you look closely enough they are in a particular order. (See notation next to MONK below.) And no judging me.

American Idol. I watch this every week. I'm just not sure it's cool to admit it.

Burn Notice. Does no one in Miami notice that there is stuff blowing up around this guy every week?

Cold Case. I love the idea that justice can be found, even years after the fact. And I love Lilly's name. And her hair.

CSI:NY. I just started watching the reruns of this show on Spike and love, love, love it. It has totally bumped Law and Order off the radar. Sorry, Lenny.

Home Design Shows in general. Ahhh, HGTV. It takes up most of my morning. Don't tell anyone, okay?

Monk. What can I say? I'm OCD, but at least I can find the humor in it.

Psych. This is outrageously good TV, folks!

Survivor. I've watched every single episode. And because I have long-term memory issues, I can't remember who has won any of them. Except for Richard Hatch. Who can forget an overweight, obnoxious gay man on a desert island? That's what I would like to know.

The Closer. I love me a good Southern accent.

The Mentalist. Patrick Jane. Oh my. If I wasn't already married and he wasn't a fictional TV character.....

Without a Trace. "Gone missing." Two words that trouble me greatly. And who knew there were so many people sleeping with their coworkers?

That's it. Just a little peek into what entertains me. Explains a lot, doesn't it?

An Appropriate Greeting

xoxo from the Martens 5 + a dog