Tole-tally Painted by Heather

Just an update on my most recent tole painted projects. Last night I finished a wooden brush box for my supplies:


I also finished a snowman cookie jar lid. Isn't he cute?:

Wreck This Journal

I recently purchased 'Wreck This Journal' by Keri Smith. It's a journal designed for destruction. Each page has unique instructions on how to destroy the journal. Today, I started by taking a 'before' picture of my journal to compare when it is complete, as well as numbering the pages, as instructed on page 1. I will continue to update you on my "Wreck It" progress in the weeks to come.

Last Week In Snapshots ....

Goober (See 'Out of The Mouths of Babes')

He asked to have his picture taken ...

TWICE! :O

"Upside down, Momma!"

I think you can see where this is going ...

Shutterbug's Latest Shoot

Also, for all of you who know me, you know I'm easier to recognize behind a camera because I LOVE to take pictures! Recently, I decided to take some of my boys since it's been a while. The ones posted here are a couple of my favorites.

Happy New Year!

Since I didn't take on this blog until last night, I figure I should update you on the 11 days before then. We rang in the new year quietly at home after a few hours at my brother-in-law's. In the following week, we celebrated my sister-in-law's birthday, Collin returned to Preschool and Ryan returned to work. Ryan has already had several interviews this year, including:

O.A.R., The Fray, Katy Perry, Angels and Airwaves, Breaking
Benjamin, 3 Doors Down, and Vertical Horizon.

You can listen to ALL of his work HERE.
On the 5th we had a 'Teacher Home Visit'. After a very successful, 1st attempt at Monkey Munch, we played alphabet card games. Collin is making great progress in learning his letters, both upper and lower case (knowing at least 1/2) and Oliver loved doing the 3 piece picture puzzles that also made up a word. Here is the recipe from recipezaar.com:

Monkey Munch

Ingredients

• 9 cups Chex cereal (any variety)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions

1. Put chex in a large bowl and put aside.

2. Place chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter into a quart-sized microwavable bowl.

3. Stir the ingredients together.

4. Microwave the mixture uncovered for a minute on "high." Stir the mix again and continue to zap in thirty second intervals until it mixes smoothly.

5. Add the vanilla and stir.

6. Put combination (cereal & chocolate peanut butter mixture) into a 2-gallon, Ziploc freezer bag.

7. Add powdered sugar, seal the bag and shake until distributed.

8. Spread Monkey Munch out on wax paper to cool and dry.

9. Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for storage.

*Also known as Puppy Chow and Reindeer Food.

As for me, I'm still painting, checking things off my Bucket List, practicing my photography, and recently started working through some anxiety. My latest painting projects are a brush box and a winter cookie jar lid. (Pictures to come!) I'm also getting ready to start a Mario tin bank for Collin.
My Bucket List: I try to cross off at least 2 things on my Bucket List a year. I know it doesn't sound like much, but they're not part of your everyday routine. First I'll be tackling #79. Give Something Up For An Entire Year. So, this year I've given up soda. It may not sound like a big sacrifice but soda isn't good for you, and it's do-able. Win, win.
In case you're unfamiliar with my Bucket List, here it is:

(In no particular order. The ones in Bold font are things I've already done.)

1. Carry Oliver as long as I can. (31 weeks, 5 days)
2. Get married. (November 3, 2004)
3. Have kids. (5/3/05, 9/13/07)
4. Get a tattoo. (Collin & Oliver ambigram)
5. Be proud of my body and have a photo that proves it.
6. Be healthy.
7. Run a 5k.
8. Learn Italian. (In progress.)
9. Go on a honeymoon.
10. Start a family tradition. (Bailey!)
11. Get published. (Wheatland's Record Times Newspaper Staff Writer)
12. Be an extra in a movie. (The Water Boy)
13. Paint a picture worth hanging. (Barn Landscape)
14. Share a kiss with my husband and lose myself.
15. Own a house. (Since 10/2004)
16. Write a book.
17. Do something that really scares me. (Where do I begin. I suppose Collin and Oliver's birth would be the most significant.
18. Attend at least one major sporting event (with my Dad).
19. Throw a huge party and invite everyone I know.
20. Go skinny dipping.
21. Watch the space shuttle launch from KSC.
22. Tell someone the story of my life.
23. Make love somewhere unexpected. (Shhh!)
24. Be in the audience of a TV show.
25. Be in a commercial. (Camp Sea World)
26. Send a message in a bottle.
27. Ride in an airplane, helicopter, hot air balloon. (First plane ride was when I was 2 from Germany to Indiana, helicopter was for my 18th birthday and hot air balloon was for my sweet 16.)
28. Write a fan letter. (Mom, Dad, Aunt Karen.)
29. Learn to dance the tango.
30. When it comes to food, try everything once.
31. Take a train ... anywhere.
32. Sit on a jury.
33. Be someone's mentor.
34. Shower in a waterfall.
35. Learn to play piano, properly.
36. Learn to play an instrument. (The clarinet was my first but I play many by ear!)
37. Witness a lunar eclipse/meteor shower.
38. Sing karaoke. (While visiting my Dad, Doug in TN.)
39. Spend New Year's in Times Square.
40. Write a will.
41. Ride the fastest, tallest roller coaster in the world.
42. Learn to juggle.
43. Grow a garden and keep it alive.
44. Get licensed to scuba dive.
45. Go to a concert (with Ryan). -3 Doors Down, Safety Suit, and Theory of a Deadman 2009
46. Gamble in Vegas.
47. Visit at least one of the seven wonders of the world.
48. Take the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
49. Create a family tree.
50. Learn to bartend.
51. See the Northern Lights.
52. Witness a miracle. (Collin, Oliver, 2 smallest baby to be born and of course, Graycen.)
53. Start a food fight.
54. Swim in the ocean. (LOVE the ocean!)
55. Milk a cow.
56. Win a trophy.
57. Go on a cruise.
58. Ride a motorcycle. (Rode with my Dad, Doug when I was 12.)
59. Ride a horse. (Can't remember the 1st time, but I have!)
60. Visit the Grand Canyon.
61. Parasail.
62. Sell something I've made. (Bracelets while in the hospital with Oliver.)
63. Ride in a blimp.
64. Renew my wedding vows.
65. Save a life.
66. Practice random acts of kindness for an entire day.
67. Celebrate a made up holiday.
68. Graduate High School. (Osceola High School, Class of 2003)
69. Volunteer. (Did in High School)
70. Fly first class.
71. Make a sock creature.
72. Fire a gun.
73. Own something worth $1 million dollars, if only for a minute.
74. Inspire someone. (Erica & Ashleigh were nice enough to say so. :P)
75. Go to college.
76. Be the best Mom I can be. (Can't believe that wasn't the first thing on my list.)

77. Go on a treasure hunt.

78. Learn Calligraphy.

79. Give something up for an entire year.

80. Go 10 days without eating. (The Master Cleanse)

81. Survive the loss of a loved one. (My Dad, Doug when I was 18)

82. Show everyone in my family how much I appreciate them.

83. Donate to a worthy cause. (March of Dimes!)

84. Have a career.

85. Become a certified scuba diver and DIVE!

86. See a Broadway show.

87. Change the world. (Ambitious, I know!)

88. Learn to fence.

89. Spend a full week on a boat.

90. Do something worthy of a standing ovation.

91. Win a ribbon. (Won several at the Platte County Fair 2009)
92. Have the bachelorette party I never had.
93. See a hypnotist and learn about my past lives.
94. Go an entire day without stretching the truth.
95. Send a letter via balloon.
96. Learn to use chopsticks.

Jonesy's Blog Debut

For all of you who know us, you're very well aware there is nary a dull moment in the Jones household. With two very busy little boys, Preschool, Ryan's interviews and concerts, my painting, Bucket List, and general attraction to Murphy's Law, we keep pretty busy. So, without further ado, I give you my blog debut: Just Jones'.