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.
Louise
What a lovely post – as ever! I’m about to inherit my husband’s old iPhone and can’t wait! Like the video about being careful about what you say on the internet – so true. I don’t bother to read comments on newspaper articles anymore because everyone ends up attacking each other. Sad. That’s why I love your blog! So uplifting!
So COOLabout Kev’s song! Congratulations!
Carol
30 years or so ago, my husband and I were passing through a town I had lived in during my childhood. I wanted to show him, and our kids, where I had lived. Long story short – the people who lived there are the ones who bought the house from my parents. Turns out he was the architect for Chuck E Cheese. Went to dinner with him and his family at one of the stores. Have to tell you, our boys had a wonderful time!Thanks for the memory.
And, why yes, thank you, I would enjoy playing with new stencils 🙂
Lori Allberry
Hi Layla!
Oh. Em. Gee. Another person to share my iPhone excitement with! I can not even begin to tell you how much I love my iPhone! I am seriously addicted to it! I may need an intervention. And Instagram? Oh my Heavens to Betsy! Like, ummm, addiction does not even come close to explaining it! I mean, it is like Facebook for photographs! I am in luuuurve with it! Would you be willing to share your username on Instagram? I would love to follow your photos!
I am a list maker, definitely. I use my notes app just as much as I use my reminder app, check out the reminder app! I also love Sticky Notes!
I have not kicked any words to the curb lately.
I have not seen Hunger Games.
I do not collect milk glass.
And I wonder how long that 300 ticket Fun Dip has been in that case? Scary! ;o)
Take Care Layla! I love your blog! Thank You for sharing so much with us!
Lori
Debbie
Hi Layla, what a good post. I love the list making thing and often I will keep the pad next to the bed, seems as we linger off to sleep we remember everything RIGHT THEN THAT WE SHOULD BE DOING! hahaha…
I have kicked to the curb this one thing…when my hubby asks me to do something for him (married 32 years) I just say yes…no tone of voice..no attitude…just yes. Because I appreciate that when he does that for me.
And love Fun Dip…
Have a Happy Easter!
Debbie
Kim in MD
I love this post! Answers to questions-
1. I am such a list maker!
2. I tossed curse words to the curb when my children were born (at least the ones I say out-loud!), and am trying not to over-use the word amazing.
3. I haven’t seen The Hunger Games yet, but I hope to see it when the crowd dies down after Spring Break.
4. I don’t collect milk glass, but I collect drinking glasses like most women collect shoes!
5. Yikes- is that Fun Dip laced with gold? 🙂
Ok- and that song is so good! Kevin should be and needs to get paid for his music! He is so talented! That said, you and Kevin are both so “amazingly” talented! Ha ha…I said I am trying to kick that word to the curb! 🙂
Gina
I had no idea Kevin’s band was one of my favorites in high school. Watching that trailer made me pull out the cd and listen to it today!
Tara
I’m an obsessive list-maker! I discovered Wunderlist a few months ago and have never looked back! You should try it! 🙂
I’m also on Instagram (@taralb)…would love to follow along with you!
Layla
Hi Tara!
My Instagram name is @letteredcottage. See you over there! 😀
jane davila
What a fun post! And yes-to-the-heck-yes on the lists. I couldn’t function without them and having the notes app on my iPhone means that I too can make lists as I’m trying to fall asleep and reduce some anxiety about forgetting things. Smart phones are really life-changing, in a good way.
Hunger Games was fab, we really enjoyed it.
How neat to hear your husband’s music in a trailer! My husband is an artist and every now and then we’ll be in a movie theater or watching tv at home and will see one of his prints or sculptures in the background of a scene. We never know ahead of time either and it’s SUCH a cool surprise. We had to go see “Dressed to Kill” twice because one wall in Michael Caine’s office in the film had a number of my husband’s prints and we were so distracted that we kept loosing track of the plot! LOL
Kelli
Hi Layla,
Haven’t thrown any words to the curb, but would love to throw the word “stupid.” There’s nothing positive or kind about that word. It’s just plain…stupid!!
Marie @ Boutique de la Mer
Wow – I’d love to win some $ for stencils :O)
In regards to some of your questions today…
I use to make daily lists, but was constantly disappointed so don’t anymore.
I do love milk glass – wishing I had kept some of my mom’s old stuff, but sold it at a yard sale years ago. Oh well. ;o)
So exciting to hear Kevin’s music! My daughter is an actress and did a CenturyLink commercial last year and I was so loud & giggly everytime it was on! I don’t know how you didn’t scream with glee when you heard Kev’s song for the trailer.
Hope you have a fabulous week!
xoxo
Layla
Marie, you know I’m going to have to change that d-word in your comment to “delighted” right? 😉
And how fun about your daughter in the CenturyLink commercial!! Love that!! 😀
Marie @ Boutique de la Mer
lol! you’re so right! I don’t write daily lists and now I”m constantly DELIGHTED :O)
Carol Ann
Hard to believe that a phone could make such a difference in my daily life, but the iPhone does just that. It makes my life simpler. And it’s way smarter than I will ever be. You guys are going to wonder how you ever lived without one.
Jane H
Thank you to Kevin for that video – I shared it on fb!
Also, GREAT song in the Aquaman trailer! I had never heard his band’s music before – they are really great! You are always such a ray of sunshine; no matter how busy my day may be, I never miss reading your posts!
Miss M!
I have only been inside of a Chuck E Cheese once in my life – my husband threw me a surprise 30th birthday party there because he thought it was weird that I had never been! I had Hello Kitty decorations too. I’m sure they thought we were nuts.
I have collected milk glass for a couple of years now and I love it. It’s so pretty yet sturdy and since it’s neutral in color it will always match my decor. I think I have some in just about every room in my house. I even replaced my plain glass mixing bowls and custard cups with vintage Fire King pieces! I just scored my eighth bubble bowl at Goodwill yesterday for $2.99. Gotta love an affordable collectible!
Here are some posts with a few (HA!) photos of mine: http://splendidmissm.blogspot.com/search?q=milk+glass
Erin
I love getting reading your blog. Thanks for all your great tips and sharing your ideas. They are so great and always inspiring!! 🙂
Twila
Love your blog and I look forward to it everyday! Can’t tell ya how many things I have experimented with!!!
Amy
I’m so excited to hear Kevin’s song! I feel like I know you guys–I guess I do through your blog but you know what I mean 🙂
Miss Mustard Seed
I loved that video. I think there comes a point for every blogger when you receive one of those e-mails that make you cry.
Cheryl B.
I felt the same way at Chuck-E-Cheese when we went there last year.
You have such a wonderful blog
Trude
Congrats on making the iPhone switch! I love using the TeuxDeux app for list making, especially because you can put an item on any date (now or future), and you can go back in time to see what you crossed off on any given day. It also syncs with it’s free web browser version. I know I sound like an ad but it’s really awesome! Just simple and straightforward. And congrats to Kev for another song on the big screen! So exciting. 🙂
Jewel
I am a big time list maker. I have even been known to add a task to my list that I just completed just so I can cross it off the list! My biggest problem is that I have several lists – on my phone, in the kitchen, in the office, etc. I really need to combine my lists but when I think of something I have to do, if I don’t write it down that minute, it will escape my brain forever. Sucks getting old.
Vicki
What a great video and a great reminder to keep it sweet. I hope you enjoyed your fruit smoothie Sunday night!
Jenna at Homeslice
I did see the hunger games, it was great, you’ll love it!
Kara L
Totally recognized Kevin’s song right away, though it’s been years since I last heard it. Tell him congrats!
kelly
Hi! I read your blog often, but don’t think I have ever commented (though I loooove everything)….but SO awesome about your movie trailer experience! I can only imagine sitting there when the music came on! 🙂 That really is awesome. Good for ya’ll!
Layla
Thanks, Kelly! 😀
kelly in georgia
an i-phone!…(banging head on computer keyboard) i can’t take another new piece of technology to learn right now! between wordpress and the camera I am going cross-eyed…okay enough. new blog should be up by friday. (fingers crossed!)
1. yes, i am a list maker to the max..and my lists right now are forever long.
2. haven’t kicked any words to the curb…(just some folks’ opinions that i have decided are not worth my time worrying about.)
3. i would have stood up and cheered – not just clapped if i had heard the song in the theater. daughter loved the book and the movie of the hunger games…i’ve not read or seen either.
4. i have inherited over a hundred pieces of milk glass, but they just don’t fit in my “style” right now…maybe one day.
5. ah chuckie cheese’s…such fun old memories. do you guys have stevie b’s for pizza where you can win the nice extravagant prizes too?
love your blog…just remember there is no way to please everyone in this little world…love you both.
kelly
Jessica
We have kicked the word “sucks” to the curb. You don’t realize until your seven year old says it constantly what a horrible sounding word it is!!
Liz VanKirk
Love the notes app. I use it everyday for the “to-do” items and also for groceries. I delete as I finish each item. Also it’s great for when someone mentions something or I hear something I don’t want to forget later I can jot in in my notes and come back to it later. Done that many times….
One app I think you will love is called Shazam (it’s free). It lets you tap it when a song is playing on the radio that you want to know who is singing it and what the name of the song is. I LOVE it…..
Saw the Hunger Games the 1st day at a matinee. Disappointed in watching kids killing kids but my 15 year old daughter LOVED it. She read all the books. I didn’t read any of them. Thought the overall rating of it was good though. I’d pay $$ all over again to see it.
Layla
Thank you for your comments, Liz! I saw the d-word in there, but totally understand where you’re coming from. 😉
Cheri
Hunger Games was great….book was better. Definitely worth seeing,..esp. if you read the book!
Rachel@Worn Cotton
Layla-
I really enjoyed this post! I think the words we choose to use are extremely important! My husband and I don’t allow our 4 yr old daughter to describe people or things as “stupid” or “loser” nor can she tell others to “shut up”. It shocks me how many kids her age call each other such hurtful things. By teaching her something as simple as respect towards others through the words she uses, she has become very aware of the impact she has on others feelings.
There are a few words I have tried to kick out of my vocab as well. “CAN”T” is the dirtiest one of all. 😉 I always try to remind myself I CAN. Sounds cheesy, but by thinking that way, I have accomplished a lot of things I never thought I was capable of. Thanks for lookin’ on the bright side! Your post was a delightful treat today!!
Alicia
I love the stencil. Go for it!
Layla
Hey Alicia! I just wanted to make sure you knew that to be entered in the stencil giveaway, you need to leave a comment on that post. Here’s a link to it:
https://theletteredcottage.net/wall-stencil/
Good luck and may the stencil force be with you! 😀
Wendy J
1) I soooooo make lists. 2) We kicked ‘can’t’ to the curb 3)Nope on Hunger Games 4) Love the milk glass! Don’t have a ton, but I pick up a few pieces every now and then at the thrift store 5) Fun Dip—there’s a pack in the cabinet I hijacked from one of my unsuspecting children…:)
Happy week to you! Love your blog.
Meghan
I’ve been reading your blog off/on for the last six months..I rarely comment on blogs but just had to let you know that I love your style and what you’ve done to your home. And really loved the video today about choosing words wisely – couldn’t the world learn a lot from that! You and your husband truly seem to live a purposeful life, just love that. Thanks for sharing and inspiring me!
Michelle
Hi Layla,
I don’t have an i-phone, yet. I don’t make lists, but perhaps I should (I might get more things done that way!). I have never been to Chuck E. Cheese and I collect glass, but not milk glass. We saw Hunger Games this weekend — it was o.k. (my husband has read all the books and was looking forward to it, but he didn’t like it). I wouldn’t see it again, but I am going to read the books.
Laura
I like Errands (free, I think) and PW’s recommendation, TeuxDeux, which was a big splurge for me at $2.99. It crosses things off when you touch them, and it moves them to the next day if you didn’t cross them off. I think we could do away with “blowout”! If you have ever been around a baby in a diaper, you know what I mean! No Hunger Games here. No milk glass either. The giant rodent wandering around his pizza parlor makes my almost 7 year old shriek and hide, so we don’t spend a lot of time (or money!) there. But they do have the most expensive Tootsie Roll Midgees on the planet! Cool movie preview and song. My menfolk think they have heard the song before?
Katy
Hi Guys,
1. I am a list maker for sure! I keep a running one in one of those black and white composition books. They don’t take up much space and are easy to store, I’ll keep them once they’re used up for about 6 months, give it one more whirl, then toss it.
2. I’ve kicked some words to the curb in fact just recently – last Sunday the Pastor said the Bible says you should { n e v e r } speak ill of your self – because God doesn’t make any junk.
3. I would have been hollering and dancing around when the band came on!! How cool is that 🙂 Yay Kev!
4. Milk Glass – – one thing I don’t have any of, I’m gonna start looking at the thrift stores – see what I’ve been missing.
5. Fun Dip is sheer awesomeness! I’m gonna have to go find that tmrw too!
Love you guys! Katy 🙂
Fairfield House
Layla,
1, I suffer from insomnia and have learned instead of laying there thinking about what I didn’t get done, I get up and do them until I wear myself out. Mind you sometimes that’s not until the next day at 3PM, : / We are Mac people. Thomas is a tech geek and converted me long ago. We’ve had iphones since 2007, when they first came out. You will love all the applications available. We are both list makers. Have to see what needs doing and what progress has been made.
2. Mother Teresa said it best: “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” I haven’t kicked any one word to the curb but I try to find something good in everyone I meet.
3. Congrats to your Music Man! That is fantastic news. I haven’t seen the Hunger Games and know absolutely nothing about it except the title because everyone is talking about it!
4.Flea Market finds are always eye candy and good for a junker’s soul and purse. Milk glass? Ha! What don’t I collect?!
5.You are a brave soul to venture into the land of Chucky Cheese! (Personally, I think they should serve alcohol. hehehe) It’s a joke people, don’t be haters. Ava was just launching the skee ball the way every other tiny tot in that joint does!
Hope you got everything checked off your to do list and crashed into some sweet dreams tonight! 🙂
Your Friend,
Deborah
Mandi
Just kind of loving this post today, Layla. 🙂
#2: kicked to the curb the word “fail”. It is now replaced with “prototype”.
KO
would love to win!
Rhonda
Your blog is my very favorite! I always start with yours first and only then click around and look at some others. I love your style, refreshing and honest.
Keep em coming you’re doing great 🙂
Elsabeth Maka
Love to win a stencil. They look really cool 🙂
Geri
Hi Layla.
Love the video.
So powerful and creative in only a few minutes.
Love the iPad, iPhone, i anything.
Love lists when I can find them.
Love throwing the “D” word to the curb.
As a mon and a preschool teacher and now a grammy
I use to think and still do that it was worse than the “F” word
along with the word stupid.
I feel possessed the older I get when I wake up thru the night obsessing about things I didn’t get done or need to do. I now just go with the flow and go with the whole new me. hehe
I love The lettered Cottage and u both for all you share and who you are. I guess that wasn’t a question.
Hugs, Geri.
Reagan
I put all of my New Year’s Resolutions on my notepad and it sends them to me every Friday at 5 p.m. to remind me of my goals for the year. So far, I have three of the ten (yes, I am one of those people) checked off. I like to think it’s because I keep reminding myself of what I am reaching for.
Kim
AWESOME tune Kev!!!
Angela
I am totally a list maker but even a bigger-list-crosser-off-er. Sometimes I add to the list just to cross off!
LOVE your milk glass-I have a collection of it that I just love-especially the hob nail milk glass!
Bethany Berger
I have to say that the horrible aquaman tralier was worth watching once i heard kev’s song. it totally put a smile on my face. I had a total flashback. i love that song. I had no idea he was the lead for trust company . . . i think im going to watch the trailer again:) thanks and congrats!
monique
I’m getting an iphone tomorrow or Friday. I’m excited but literally for one thing – because it has more memory that my evo. I hate to switch but I have to!
Lisa
We have seen The Hunger Games twice with plans to see it more! Love it!
Allyson
Layla,
The Aquaman trailer you saw was for a TV series pilot that came out in 2007. My husband and I watched it and he has it in his iTunes library. I loved the song. His music is right up my alley! I haven’t seen The Hunger Games yet but my 11 yo son is going to make sure he and I see it before spring break is over!
Layla
That’s what I thought! I guess they’re playing it in theaters right now for some reason…weird! 😀
debbie r
i can’t believe i am saying this..and i am wearing my reading glasses..but that picture of that broken armed drummer kinda looks x rated. I KNOW it isn’t but take a look at it and u will see what i mean. And, no, i don’t have a dirty mind. If anyone else noticed this before me on the comments sorry, but there were too many for me to read right now. Love ur blog Layla, they always delight me. 🙂
Julie Moon of www.NeatAndPretty.com
You should check out http://www.wunderlist.com as a list making app…you can access it from your phone or your desktop. I love it!