The Simple Wife

Don't feed the wildlife

So if my sad little Indian isn't enough, we have some otters living in the backyard. Otters? In the desert? (Oops--typed "dessert" the first time. Must be hungry!)

These little guys play on the fountain on the patio. Which we have not filled--and probably won't until October. Because I'm sure the water would evaporate as it left the hose.

These last two are over in the corner of the yard under a cactus, wishing they could spash in the make-believe water too. But at least they have some abalone to munch on...

Something tells me these five little rascals will need names too...but they may have to wait until it's actually cool enough to hang out back there and get to know them. For now, we're staying inside where it's cool!

A horse with no name

This is our front door and it totally makes me laugh every time I walk up to it because IT IS SO NOT ME. But he's growing on me in a funny sort of way.

This poor little Indian is so sad and dejected looking. Probably because it's hot here in the desert and a cactus doesn't offer much shade. I think he needs a name. And his pony too. Any suggestions?

Here's a peek at our new home

While we are all unpacked and settled, there are a few projects I'd still like to get done around the house--pillows for the couch, a few curtain panels to hide some things on the shelves, and such. And I am wishing that I brought more of my treasures to scatter around.

Here's the living room:

For a sneak peek at the pictures coming from my sister, look here.

And here's the view from the other direction:

Those are our new IKEA couches, which will fit in our Denver family room when we get back. I'd usually go for a floral print, but I'm loving the black and white stripe. And bought some great fabric at IKEA (I know! They sell fabric too. Could IKEA be any greater?) for throw pillows.

And here's Audrey's room:

And Emma's room, its mirror image:

I did bring some absolute decorating necessities. The kitchen chalkboard for menu plans:

(Look, Meredith! A white fridge/giant dry erase board to mark chores and to-do lists. Thanks for the awesome tip!)

My favorite clippy thing-y. The ability to hang lots of stuff with only two nails:

And since I'm short on decorating stuff, I decided to hang my costume jewelry as art, rather than hiding it away in the closet. So it's decorating a bathroom wall:

No pictures of my bedroom yet, other than a quick peek at my new IKEA dresser. I love red furniture! I do have an idea for above our bed, and will post it if works. I did bring all my old suitcases by packing them full of my clothes and making them work for their ride here:

Couches, dishes, and meatballs

After we arrived on Thursday afternoon, we got up on Friday morning and headed to IKEA. We wandered through the store, filled a cart FULL in the market place, checked out, and loaded the back of the car.

Then we headed back inside for some meatballs and chocolate cake to gear up for round two.

Three flat carts loaded with two couches, four chairs, three dressers, and one coffee table.

See?

As we were waiting in line, the boy in front of me whispered to his mom, "How are they going to fit all that in their car?"

Here's how. We came ready to shop.

(There is a U-Haul place right next door too. Bet they get a lot of last-minute business from IKEA customers whose eyes are bigger than their cars.)

While we waited for Toben to pull the truck and trailer around, the girls and I had a mini photo shoot.

Then we went home and spent the rest of the day putting furniture together. Pictures of that stuff and the rest of the house coming soon...

P.S. Of course we realized all we'd forgotten and went back again on Sunday afternoon. No meatballs on Sunday, though, we did 50 cent hot dogs instead. :)

Keeping cool when it's hot

It's been a little toasty around here. Like 107. But we've been keeping cool. Here's how:

1. Popsicles from Trader Joe's. I'd show you a picture, but we ate them all. Note to self: Go to TJ's and buy more. Today.

2. I love air conditioning! And ceiling fans.

3. Slushies. I bought one of these on super clearance at WalMart the other day. Lime is my favorite. Or crushed ice with lemonade.

4. I love lemonade. Preferably pink.

5. We have the biggest, best library just around the corner. We went yesterday and got our library cards and a basket full of books. When it cools down some, we'll be riding our bikes.

6. We're hanging out at the beach. Yep, here in Gilbert. Our neighborhood clubhouse has a beach pool in addition to the regular swimming pool (and tennis courts and racquet ball and gym and so on).

See?

Well, hello there

I've been without internet since my last post a week ago. The Qwest internet box thing-y (my term, not theirs) finally came last night after seven o'clock and Toben got it set up. When I saw how many email were in my inbox, I promptly shut the lid to my laptop and decided to wait until this morning. 

Besides I was almost at the end of the second Traveling Pants book and I wanted to finish it. (I read The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares while we were at the lake and I was totally surprised and loved it. So I was excited to get the second book in the series at the library yesterday morning.)

So if you've sent me an email or commented on my phone updates on Twitter or Facebook, I'll take a peek at them just as soon as I finish saying good morning here.

I have lots to tell you, posts swirling around in my head, but don't want to overwhelm you (or myself!). 

So for now I'll just tell you that we arrived safely on Thursday afternoon, cleaned the house (can't put my stuff away until I wipe down cupboards and clean bathrooms), had everything unpacked and put away by Saturday morning, and are feeling all settled.

More in a little while,

Joanne

P.S. I missed you!

It's here. Today's the day.

We're up and gathering our things from Mom and Dad's and will head over to the house in a bit to get the animals packed up and the last few things in the car. I'll load the cooler and then we'll hit the road.

Now that it's here, I'm not feeling so excited anymore. I know I'll feel differently once we get on the road, but I hate saying goodbye to my family.

I told Mom this morning that we're going to think of it like going on a long vacation, so we really don't need to cry. But I'm not sure that's going to work.

Next stop...Albuquerque.

Photo shoot

I may have mentioned it a time or a hundred, by my little sis is an amazing photographer. You can check out her work here.

I'd asked and she'd already planned to do a shoot for us while she's here in Denver. So last night, we all got dressed in black and white and headed to downtown Littleton to find great alleys full of cool backgrounds to take pictures.

She won't let me see them yet, but she told me that she downloaded them and wanted to cry. So I'm guessing they're good!

I know I could've stood behind her and pushed my button at the same time, but they wouldn't have turned out nearly the same. So I just stood back and took pictures of the action.

It was a perfect opportunity for Audrey to let her drama fly and for Emma to prove that she can hold a pose for ever! I'll be sure to share pictures as soon as I get to see them!

Mani/pedi

I gave the girls (and myself!) mani/pedis in Mom's kitchen sink yesterday afternoon.

I'd found this recipe online the other night, and Mom whipped up a batch yesterday morning. 

I'd been saying how dry and rough my hands have been lately and how I'd like to keep a jar by the kitchen sink to use morning and night after cleaning up the kitchen.

And it made my hands feel so nice, we decided it would be great for feet and toes too!

So I tried it out and the girls and they agreed!

(Audrey chose Mocha Ice and Emma went for Big Apple Red!)

Hanging in there

I'm sitting on the couch at my Mom and Dad's house, the kids (my two, plus their cousins) are all watching Clifford on PBS, Toben's at our house doing some touch up painting and feeding the cats, Kristen just left to take Wade to work, Dad's at work, Mom's starting the Monday laundry.

There, I think that's everyone all accounted for.

We moved over here to my parents' house on Friday, after a day of packing and making piles of stuff in the garage. It was NOT a good day. Moving + packing + PMS = one GIANT pity party. It was not pretty. Got to the point where I knew if anyone was nice to me, I'd fall apart in a big, huge, ugly ball of bawling.

So I did my best to be generally mean and nasty to everyone to keep from crying like a baby. It didn't work too well.

On Saturday, Mom and Kristen came to our house and helped me clean. They are super rockstars and their help meant we got the house pretty well cleaned in a day. Windows, baseboards, doorframes, drawers, cupboards, blinds--you name it, it's clean.

I appreciate them both so much.

We work together really well and decided that as the reigning Queen (Mom) and Crown Princesses (Kristen and me) of Clean, we need to make this a regular thing once we're all back in Denver together. To take a week to spring and fall clean each other's houses.

There are still some last-minute things to be done tomorrow while Toben packs up the trailer, but the house is clean and sparkly and ready for my friend who's moving in. Everything's on schedule for us to roll out of here on Wednesday morning sometime.

(Now in my head I'm hearing that voice saying "Stay on target, stay on target" from Star Wars when they're trying to blow up the Death Star.)

We got to rest and hang out at the pool yesterday, and I'm guessing there may be more of that on the calendar for today.

So many of you have sent me messages and comments and email to let me know you're praying for my family. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I don't take your prayers lightly and appreciate them so much.

Keep 'em coming!