Today’s a bit of a smorgasbord post. A little bit of everything…even Chuck E. Cheese pizza.
(PS- There are 5 questions for you throughout this bad boy, too. If you feel like responding to any of them, I’d love to hear from you!)
My android phone bit the dust a couple of weeks ago, so Kev and I decided to bite the bullet and get iPhones. I’m loving Instagram, and I am officially addicted to the Notebook app.
Over the past few months, (before Notebook) I had really been having trouble relaxing when I got into bed at night. I’d just lay there and think about all the things I didn’t get done that day. (Which totally stunk because I’m a huge fan of collapsing onto, and snuggling into, my bed at night!) It was like I was doing a little bit of everything, but never actually finished anything. Ya know what I mean?
Now, thanks to my Notebook app, I just make sure my “To Do Today” list is cleared out before I go to bed, and there’s no more feelin’ bad at bedtime. I guess it’s just something about seeing tasks typed out in front of me, and being able to check things off throughout the day that has really made a positive difference.
(1) Are you a daily list-maker/checker-off-er?
I’ve decided to kick the words “disappointed” and “disappointing” to the curb. They’re never fun to read, write, or say out loud to people, so I’m giving them the boot from my vocabulary. I’m serious. I’ve already trained my eyes and ears to change them to the words, “delighted” and “delightful” if and when they ever pop up.
And speaking of the power of words, Kev sent me a link to this video about the importance of being extra-ultra-over-the-top careful with our written words here on the ol’ inter-web. It’s only 3 minutes long, and it’s definitely worth watching…
“At the end of every computer is a real person a lot like you.” What a great reminder to slow down and really think about how we could potentially affect the person on the other side of the screen. Huge fan of that mindset, too.
(2) Have you kicked any words to the curb lately?
Speaking of Mr. Kev, every once in a while he’ll find out that one of his songs is in a movie or on a video game. It’s usually a complete surprise, (long story short, bands don’t get paid for these kinds of things until their record label is paid back first, so we never know when these “gigs” are going to pop up) and I’ll never forget the time we were sitting in a movie theater here in Prattville, and one of his songs started playing in one of the previews. I wanted to jump up and clap at the end so bad- LOL! Of course, Kev could sense that I was about to bubble over with excitement, and immediately held my hands down and whispered, “shhh”.
Anywho, rumor has it there’s an Aquaman trailer in theaters right now that has one of his songs it. We checked it out on YouTube, and sure enough, Kev starts singing and playing guitar (and his ShootFLYShoot partner, Josh, starts playing bass!) at the 1:26 mark in the video below…
The guys are still hard at work, putting together their Photoshop Elements e-class, so we haven’t had time to go to the theater and hear it yet. That being said, we’re really looking forward to seeing The Hunger Games once the fellas have launched Elements…which hopefully will be sometime next week!
(3) Have you seen The Hunger Games yet?
I found the new “Flea Market Finds” book-a-zine by Matthew Mead in my mailbox the other day…
It’s 160 pages of flea market style goodness, and I had so much fun dreaming up ways to decorate with milk glass for an article that starts on page 46…
Flea Market Finds is available for purchase at Amazon.com and Amazon.ca, and we’ll be giving away a copy of it here on our blog later this week, too- stay tuned!
(4) Do you collect milk glass?
Last but not least, Kev and I joined our friend Shaunna‘s family for supper at Chuck E. Cheese the other night. I haven’t been there since I was a little girl, but man did that place bring back memories!
Fun, game-playin’ memories…
Although, I gotta say, I think that duck puncher machine is totally rigged- ha!
Scary memories…
In addition to the slowest/one-after-the-other-style eye blinks ever, drummer boys right arm was broken, and completely stationary that night- which made the whole Munch’s Make Believe Band experience even creepier.
Prize-picking memories…
300 tickets for a pack of Fun Dip.
(5) 300 tickets for a pack of Fun Dip?
My favorite moment of the night, however, was when Shaunna’s daughter, Ava, decided she wanted to play skee ball…
And when I say “decided”, I mean- that sucker literally went down just like this:
1. Ava grabs a (very hard) skee ball at lightning speed.
2. Shaunna flies into action to try to stop a potentially destructive overhand throw.
3. Ava launches skee ball through the air before Shaunna can persuade her to throw it underhand.
4. Skee ball miraculously safely lands in the lowest loop, but Shaunna is clearly unable to exhale until the ball is completely in the hole.
Good times.
I just went to Chuck E Cheese for the first time in January for a birthday party, it was very . . . loud. My poor autistic boy had his hands on his ears the whole time 😀 But then there was pizza and he was ok.
Jealous of the iPhones, I think are the only household here in Silicon Valley that does not have one.
You are right about that Claudia…I couldn’t get over how loud it was either! Kev kept saying, “it’s like Vegas for kids in here!” 😀
I love this post – and so bad at leaving comments usually, but I had to. Yes, to the list making! My android died so I ordered a new cover from shutterfly {one where you can put your own pics on it} to ease my pain in switching. I can’t wait to try that app – totally love seeing things checked off. And to the word disappointing – brilliant. And also to the reminder that there is always a real person on the other side of technology. I saw comments on pins this weekend {not mine} that I thought “wow, that just isn’t kind”. Congrats to Kev! Have a great week, Bev
MOMINIZER! 😀 Thanks so much for swingin’ by today- and for the tip about shutterfly! I hope you have a great week, too! 😀
There is a Reminder app on the iPhone (I think it comes as a default app) as well that is great for making notes/reminders for yourself.
Awesome! Thanks for the tip, Jay! 😀
Layla! I just love your posts. Every time I see you’ve posted a new one, I click on it right away. 2 awesome videos you posted. Loved the little cartoon, it’s so true. I really hope out paths cross at Haven, I look forward to meeting you.
Congrats on the new i phone 😉
How exciting about the song in the movie! so thrilling. We were just at C.E.C too. Fun times! ;}
Layla! I just love your posts. Every time I see you’ve posted a new one, I click on it right away. 2 awesome videos you posted. Loved the little cartoon, it’s so true. I really hope out paths cross at Haven, I look forward to meeting you.
oh by the way, if you are in the Atlanta area April 28-29 I would like to invite you to stop by The Little Red Barn Sale I’m going to be a part of. It’s in downtown Norcross. http://thelittleredbarnnorcross.blogspot.com/
Congrats on the new i phone 😉
Why doesn’t Kevin know when his music is being used commercially? Surely he’s being paid for his talents, right? Tell me he is.
Nah. Not til Geffen Records is paid back for the deal they gave them in 2002. 🙁 I think they’re getting close, though! 😀
OK. I love questions to answer. Here goes….
1. Daily lists are too much for me…I am more of a deadline checker-offer. Getting better at not doing this at the VERY last minute!
2. Guilty is the word that I am getting rid of….not gonna do that anymore. Kinda goes with your disappointed…
3. Have not seen the Hunger Games, but have read and reread the books so I am ready, but waiting for a day when I can go for a private showing at the 1:00 matinee in my little town!
4. Nope, no milk glass, but it might look good with my Fiesta collection.
5. That Fun Dip should have miracle healing properties for that price! Chuckie’s band is very scary!
What a fun post this was. Now, I want to see Aquaman and Kevin won’t be there to keep me from shouting out, “Hey, I sort of know that guy, you know, through bloggy connections.”
* I’m a list-maker extraordinaire.
* My hubby and I have seen Hunger Games twice aleady.
* I’m a skee-ball addict!!
Love this post! I’m so with ya on avoiding the word “disappointed”. I’m trying to get the word “guilt” out of my vocabulary…but I feel guilty about doing it. LOL! The only lists I make these days are grocery lists and somehow I still mange to leave the store missing some of the items on it. How does that happen? 🙂 And I truly do appreciate what you shared about the impact of our words on the web. We had our first not-so-nice comment on a project recently and while I didn’t dwell on it, it still kinda stung a bit. I appreciate you helping to promote thoughtfulness!
So fun to stop by here today,
Vanessa
Hey Vanessa!
– “Guilt”…that’s another good one to get rid of!
– I’m totally with you on ALWAYS forgetting something when I make a trip to the grocery store. What’s up with that!? 😀
– I’m sorry you had to find a not-so-nice comment on your blog. They sting because our blogs are so personal and important to us. I hope you don’t ever have to read one like that again!
😀
I’ve heard really great things about this app (first seen on Pioneer Woman!):
http://teuxdeux.com/iphone
It is $2.99 through the app store but it automatically moves items that don’t get done to the next day w/o having to reenter them .. .and much more!
Layla,
LOVE YOUR BLOG! And you hit the nail on the head with your list-making and sleepless nights! Those are both of my middle names! There is something about writing it all down and getting things crossed off that is so exciting, but it can bite ya too, when those things don’t get crossed off in as little time as expected. Same conversation my husband and I had yesterday. We have toooo much on our “List” right now!
Glad you found time for Chuck E. Cheese, I haven’t been there in awhile, looks exactly the same though 🙂
Kim
Thank you, Kim! 😀
High five to my fellow lister maker/checker-off-er!
😀
that video is so very true, and that has been on my mind a lot lately, too.
thanks for sharing it!
oh, and i just spent the better part of the day reminiscing at chuck e cheese, too.
my daughter played and played and played and got just what you said….a package of $25.00 FUN DIP! yikes!
xoxo
🙂
Wow! I did not know that you were in the new Matthew Mead book-a-zine…that’s great. I don’t collect real milk glass but I found out last year that you can spray stuff with white appliance paint and make it LOOK like milk glass (to an untrained eye) so I am always on the lookout for stuff to spray paint to add to my faux collection. .
Layla to answer the 5 questions:(1) YES!!! I am such a “TO DO” Lister but the old fashion way….calenders and list on fridge…(comes from having three children) if you don’t fridge it you will forget it! (2) I have to go with words of anger….kill them with kindness works better. ( Lets get this clear don’t really kill them ha ha ha) (3)no but I am looking forward to seeing it, (5) ya know….we learned after a while you can just buy it from there much cheaper !!!
I’m only a list maker once I get overwhelmed which kind of defeats the purpose because making a list ahead of time could make it so I DON’T get overwhelmed. DER! 😉
LOVE the video and I am going to share that!
I’m not commenting on the Hunger Games lest I make myself sound 1) tragically unhip and/or 2) an 80 year old curmudgeon.
I would collect milk glass if I had a place to put it. The Mr is probably relieved we don’t.
Isn’t that like a $20 Fun Dip by the time all is said and done? HA! Oh yeah, skee ball rocks.
oops forgot (4)no at least not yet…..
Oh my word, I know you and Kev are so proud of his music! Great job, Kev 🙂
1. nope, not a list maker. if something is THAT important, i’ll remember to do it. other than that, i don’t stress.
2. i have not kicked words to the curb, but do make an effort to be as positive as possible. personally, i feel that words aren’t dangerous or bad, but the way one wields them is.
3. how cool that one of kev’s songs showed up by surprise in a movie trailer!!?!?!! i would have clapped as well! yes, i saw the hunger games (and i am glad i did before i read the book.)
4. i don’t collect milk glass, although i do have a lovely little lamp that belonged to my grandmother. i love it. but those plates on the wall in the photo could certainly convince a girl to start collecting! gorgeous!
5. a few years ago a friend was in town and we had a lunch business meeting planned. he was driving as he had picked me up, but didn’t know the area so he simply followed my directions as they came up. we were on our way to the fancy restaurant, wearing our best professional suits, when i hollered, “turn right here! right turn!” that unexpected turn took us into a chuck e. cheese where we got on our knees to play air hockey and whacked more moles than i can count. average pizza lunch, but great fun. terrific meeting, too.
Hi!
I totally agree about the “one who wields them” bit, but until I can figure out how to read, write or say the word “disappointed” in a positive way, I’m kickin’ it out of my vocab- ha! 😀
SO funny about your Chuck E. Cheese experience- what a happy accident! 😀
Great post Layla (as usual!!) My cell phone is an antique (as per my daughters!) But I do have a book on the bedside table that I write down anything on my mind at bedtime, that way I don’t have to deal with thinking (aka: worrying) about it then. It will be there in the morning and if it still important I will deal with it!
I would like to know the name of Kevin’s band. That is some music I would love to download! Is his music on itunes?
Ooh I love that app too! I put things I need to do daily in the Reminder app. My long term goals go in the Notes app. It wasn’t that long ago I was trying to stick posty notes to the back of my blackberry! Haa ha ha! Also love my Shutterfly and Pinterest Apps as well.
That has to be so exciting for Kevin and Josh!
I am not a fan of the chuckie cheese near us. I actually find it disturbing. I see many parents come with their children and then go out to the car without them. They use it like a babysitter while they go talk on their phones in their car. Meanwhile, their kiddos are following us around begging for coins and tickets. I avoid that place like the plague!
Hi Layla and Kevin –
How exciting to hear your song in the Aquaman trailer. That is just so cool! Congrats to you and Josh – you guys are so talented.
I got an iphone a few months ago and do use the notes app a lot. I also love Voice Memos for when I am too lazy to write anything in the Notes app
Enjoy your day 🙂
My best- Diane
I refuse to use the word “hate” even if I’m only talking about calamari! I like your idea of getting rid of “disappointed” as well.
OMG I have boxes full of milk glass in my basement! I inherited them from my grandmother and mother. I don’t really have a place for them hence boxes in the basement. I’ve always wanted to do something with them but what?? Hopefully you will help with some ideas. But now you got me thinking…..
Layla- being creative is a curse sometimes-all that crazy stuff rolling around in ones head!! Sure makes it hard to sleep sometimes! So glad you and Kevin have this outlet (as well as others) to channel it all. Makes life easier when you can just pour it all out. It’s even better when someone else can connect to it all. I hear ya!! Thanks for talking about the trailer- I LOVE THAT SONG!!! It is my kind of music-gets you goin’!! I hope all of this attention really puts Kevin and the guys out there. I know I will keep listening and watching you both-Have a great day!
(Standing up) – My name is Amy and I admit, I am a post-it’aholic! 😉 I have em everywhere! When I’m done, I throw it away! Ta da!
Hey Layla, I love your blog! (don’t make me choose which post I’ve enjoyed most… I can’t!) Yes, I’m a list maker, and LOVE that I can make lists on my iphone in the middle of the night (if needed!). Haven’t seen Aqua Man yet, nor have I read/seen HG… those are on a list. (haha!)
Thanks for all the thought & work you put into your posts. Blessings on you & your man.
Love this whole post, but you really struck a chord with me when you spoke about kicking the big D word to the curb. Amen to that, sister. Every now and again that word comes across the screen, and it’s such a day-breaker. I much prefer your alternative: DELIGHTED. Now that’s a day- maker!
oxox
Jennifer
I think my new name will be “one random winner” at 9am, Wednesday, April 4. teehee! Winning a stencil would be awesome. I absolutely love the vanity in that bathroom. To save expense I think you could do a beadboard backsplash and wood shelf and get a similar feeling. The chrome framed mirror and accessories really make it sing!
1. need to get that app!
2. great video reminder about the person on the other side of the computer
3. been too long since I was at a ChuckE Cheese… (didn’t think I’d EVER say that 🙂
I love that little cartoon video- thanks for sharing it 🙂
Layla, your blog is so delightful!
It must be exciting to hear Kev’s songs in places like this! You both are so talented! I am delighted in your replacement of the d word! 😉
I also have the Notebook app on my iPhone. But there is another one – TeuxDeux (also free) which carries over from day to day any task you don’t mark off. I love it! Also love your blog!
My favorite email of each day is the one from The Lettered Cottage. It adds extra sunshine to my day to read and see all our your ideas – it’s a dose of Inspiration everyday. If only time was on our side to complete all of our projects.
Layla-I see several Notebook apps in the app store. Which one do you use?
Hmmm…it was just there on the front screen of my phone when I bought it. ? Let me look into it and I’ll get back to you as soon as I know! 😀
Okay…looks like it’s just called “Notes”. 🙂
I don’t officially collect milk glass, but I do have a few pieces and am open to adding on to them!
We’re kicking a few words out of our vocab around here too. I have four kids between 5-16 and, although my husband and I rarely curse, there are lots of words our kiddos say all the time that we wish they wouldn’t. Crap and suck (as in, that sucks) are not too cute coming from a 5 year old little girl.
Also, can I just point out the connection between the words you choose to think/say and the words you put out into the world via the internet. How different would our world be if we deliberately only put positive-ness out there?
Have a really lovely day!
Meredith
Layla, you’ve got to check out Teux Deux. It’s a great app that is perfect for lists. It even moves items over from one day to the next. I love it!
http://thenestinggame.com/2012/03/30/friday-five-teux-deux-list/
I kicked the word “problem” to the curb a long time ago! I work at a furniture/home decor consignment store and when one of my co-workers says, “We have a problem” I reply, “No, we have an opportunity!” That usually brings a smile and some laughte–and it always brings a whole new way to look at the situation. Then I usually wrap up the whole thing with, “It’s just furniture, folks!” 😉
I do collect and LOVE milk glass!
Congrats on the song. I watched the trailer just to hear it. 🙂
Ahhhh skee ball! It’s been ages….
I”m a terrible list-maker. I blame it on my “type B” personality. I certainly think my life would be easier if I would take the time to list out my to-dos, and more importantly, follow the list!
You’ve inspired me to think of some words I should kick to the curb. I need to be more positive!
PS: Love the stencils! I can think of so many fun things to do with them!
I have a ridiculous number of “notes” on my iphone. Must go through and delete the old ones.
Chuck E. Cheese! I haven’t been there since I was a kid either. I have to take my kids one of these days.
Wow,you just made my day, week, year! I have just started claiming our house as our own and have been scouring the Internet for a zinnia wallpaper that I had seen a picture of somewhere. Couldn’t find it anywhere. Just clicked over to the link for Cutting Edge Stencils and low and behold the zinnia wallpaper wasn’t wallpaper at all. My hubby will be so pleased. I think he’d consider killing me if I actually put wallpaper up anyway. Will order the zinnia stencils in a few days and be reclaiming my office by mid April.
yippee, can’t wait.
Thank you!!!
Yay, Maggie! I do want to make sure you are entered in the giveaway though, so if you could enter a comment over on this post:
https://theletteredcottage.net/wall-stencil/
…you’ll be entered in the giveaway! 🙂
(1) I’m a definite list-maker! I make list after list knowing that I will probably never get to cross the majority of the items off! (i.e. house lists, dream wardrobe lists, etc etc)
2) I haven’t kicked any words to the curb just yet, but I like the concept.
3) We saw The Hunger Games on Saturday, and to tell you the truth, I was a tad disappointed. I LOVED the book, and as is usually the case, it was way better than the movie, but my unhappiness with the movie stemmed from their choice of casting. I thought Peeta was ALL WRONG, and Woody Harrelson as Haymitch? Give me a break! The kid they chose as Peeta was too… frail. I don’t know… he was too short and not muscular enough, and I thought his chemistry with Katniss was off. While reading the book, I pictured Haymitch sort of like Mad Eye Moody from Harry Potter, just without the crazy eye. He needed to be fatter and more disheveled. Okay, enough of Negative Nancy here, it was still very good and definitely worth seeing!
(4) I LOVE milk glass and have quite a few pieces, but I’m always on the lookout for more!
(5) My hubs always wants to go to Chuck E. Cheese’s. We don’t have any kids yet, and I’m a nanny so I spend all day with kids, so the thought of going to a place filled to the brim with loud screaming kids when I don’t absolutely have to just gives me hives.
Have a great day!
Hi Jenna! My eyes turned the D-word to “delighted” in your comment about The Hunger Games…so I think we’ll still go see it. 😀
Hi Layla,
I did see the spread in Flea Market Finds about you an it looked great.
One thing I find so endearing about you is that you don’t try to give the impression that your blog corner of the world is always perfect. Life is messy and daunting, at least my is :), and you share so much of yours…..the joy and the frustration. I always enjoy reading about you and Kevin. I posted on my blog about a part of life that ways heavy on me and just thought you and your readers would enjoy it…it’s called Silencing the Guilt Monster. Thank you for sharing your life with us!
Lisa
http://www.trinity-house.com
Thank you, Lisa. I appreciate your kind comment and am off to read your blog right now! 🙂
Words matter! Love that you’re being so careful with yours. As for milk glass, I’ve become a spray-painting fool lately and am having fun faking it with plain old glass.
*I’m a list-maker when I have tons to do and need to make sure it all, without a doubt, gets done. Hubby, though, is a list-maker extraordinaire! Drives his firefighters nuts! We’re due for an upgrade, and after receiving an iPad for Christmas, may have to take the plunge….so I can be all “synced” of course. Next…MacBook Pro…hahaha! Not anytime soon since I didn’t win the lottery the other ight!
*Love the video.
*love the inspiration pic for the stenciling! If we didn’t want to sell our house so badly, I’d do so many things! The realtors insist on keeping it basic and not al all personal. No red accent wall in the bedroom, master bath, and kitchen I guess. Soon, I hope, we’ll be in our forever house. At least forever until we retire in 20 years. 😉
*Maybe we’ll see the Hunger Games on Hubby’s next off-shift.
*Love your blog…it’s really the only one I follow regularly. Thanks for making it interesting!
*I plan to take the Photoshop class in the near future. Looking forward to it!
Milk glass? Of course. It’s always a sure find in any resale shop. No matter what the age it is always bright white which doesnt usually appeal to this patina, crackled, well loved lover. Or maybe it’s that the bumpy dotted kind I favor reminds me of candy dots on paper!
BTW Cutting Edge stencils are awesome. Great quality.
Be well,
Lynn
Took my 2 1/2 year old grandson to Chuck E. Cheese recently and he went wild! I went wild trying to chase him through the maze of flashing, beeping, rocking rides! He never quite finished one before he was onto the next. So fun! But I really wanted to say, “Wow!” on Kevin’s band! They are so good! Congrats on that and maybe you can post some more of his songs as backdrop for your amazing makeovers… :p) Congrats on the Aquaman trailer!
My mom has collected milk glass for years. It really is pretty and works well with all kinds of place settings. My favorite is carnival glass. I love all the different colors in it!