Welcome To The Htothe3 Nursing Station….

 

Hello there!!!!!! Let me start off my summarizing the state of the Htothe3 household over the past two weeks. THEN you will understand where I have been.

1. Every, and I mean EVERY, box of tissues has been used to completion.
2. Empty ginger ale cans fill each of our garbage cans. 
3. Jell-O containers are piled and many already consumed in the fridge.
4. Gatorade bottles fill the pantry. Many sizes, one flavor (Mr. Man’s favorite)
5. White bread, the kind I miss from when I was a kid, sits next to the toaster.
6. The Rite Aide manager is now greeting me by name.
7. And, if you follow me on twitter you already know about the little message I posted on twitter  that went something like this:

htothe3 Lauren @oohamanda I am w/ u! Spent day in ER w/ Mr. Man RT:Son just threw up again. SRSLY? Oh, husband has a fever. You've GOT to be kidding me.

That being said, in the past two weeks I have been dealing with runny noses (haven’t we all) a throwing up/high fever husband (aka the second child), a coughing/snotty nose toddler, and to seal the deal I have a BAD sinus infection.

Any ways, I am back!!!!!!

On a more positive note, because of some bloggers like Jen from Tatertots & Jello, Alison from Oopsie Dasiy, Amy from the Idea Room, I have decided to tap into my creative side. Here are some projects I have been working on while I have been running a nursing station in our home:

 

Thank you guys for helping me through these two weeks. The escape was needed!!!!!! This did the trick.

Have a great week.

Stay Tuned…. Bean’s Room is Getting Something NEW!!!!

 

Pink & Brown & Ribbon

Oh My…..

Stay Tuned……

While Mr. Man and Bean spent some precious Daddy time, Lauren went to Michael’s

Enough Said

Stay tuned for the details & pictures. I had a FABULOUS time.

I Think I Can Do That……..Fingers Crossed

 

Here are four things you don’t know about me:

1. I wish I was more crafty and a DYIer (if that is a word).
2. I am jealous of people who have a crafty thumb.
3. I dabbled in scrapbooking to keep me busy while Mr. Man was in graduate school.
4. I have a LOVING  TOLERANT father who is willing to do projects with his daughter, no matter what she has in store for him to “help” her with. (Since I didn’t have all the tools I had to recruit a partner in crime.)

That being said, take a look at this:

It isn’t completely obvious from the picture, but this is a DYI magnetic chalkboard. When I took one look at this I was in TOTAL awe. To me, it was SIMPLY beautiful. If you haven’t already clicked on the picture, I highly suggest you visit her tutorial. Julie, of Less-Than-Perfect Life of Bliss did an amazing job figuring out why AND how to solve the problem, discussed in the blog world,  of combining chalkboard and magnetic paint. After reading her tutorial I was motivated to give it a tray.

Since I have been searching for something that would allow me to keep notes, for example a grocery list, and display Bean’s “artwork” this was the perfect solution. I also knew I had the prefect place:

I am planning on removing the two pictures and either move them  to another location or put them away for another use.

Supplies have been purchased. My Dad has been recruited. We are well on our way.

Stay tuned for the final product. I also have some other projects planned that I am excited about. These include a wreath for our front door, one for Bean’s room, and maybe another for our bedroom. I also saw a project that will make an appearance on Health, Happiness, Hamstrings. Here is a sneak peek:

My plan is the change based on the season. On that note, goodnight my blog readers!!!!!

~Lauren

Happy Valentine’s Day

 

From Our Family To Yours:

~ Mr. Man, Lauren & Bean

Said/Heard Mishaps Alka-Seltzer brand Contest on Facebook

 

 

Are there times when you have a conversation with your kids, husband, other family members, or friends and you say one thing, but they hear something totally different? I don’t know about you, but it tends to happen more than I would like to admit. Maybe it’s because my brain moves faster than my body, but it’s quite comical. Let’s blame it on balancing the demands of motherhood and being a support to Mr. Man. Either way, whoever thought this scenario could help someone win a trip to New York City AND $5,000.

Thanks to the Alka-Seltzer brand, which recently launched the Said/Heard Mishaps Contest on Facebook, by submitting humorous stories about these misunderstandings you enter to win:

• A trip to New York City to star in an Alka-Seltzer online video featuring the winning entry
• Whoever has the winning spot will premiere on the Alka-Seltzer Facebook page!
• AND $5,000 to spend toward whatever the winner wishes.

That being said, here is my said/heard mishap. While the story WASN’T funny, when it happened, we NOW find it humorous because of Mr. Man’s one track “hearing.” Mr. Man assisted in the narration of the story since he is the “reason” for the mishap.

 

So, have you seen “Meet the Fockers?” For those of you familiar with this movie, you’ll understand the reference. My family is a lot like the wife’s family – reserved and “refined.” Mr. Man’s family is a lot like the Fockers – outward displays of affection and not always attuned to my family’s quieter ways.

In my family, a person’s age isn’t discussed, especially when it comes to my mother. This rule was ironclad a couple of years ago when my mom was turning a “scary” round number. We weren’t even supposed to wish her a happy birthday. When I first met my husband, I told him about my mom’s little quirk and reminded him, AGAIN, before this particularly sensitive birthday. Her upcoming age WAS a family secret.

I guess my husband didn’t realize the seriousness of this because he subsequently told his parents. Lo and behold, my family and Mr. Man’s family were both invited to a black tie wedding in New York City a week or so before her birthday. Before the ceremony, as people were gathering for some champagne, Mr. Man’s mother said to my mom, “a little birdie told me that a really big birthday is coming up!”

World War III ensued. My normally quiet and VERY reserved mom started screaming at Mr. Man’s mom, and stormed off. The drama continued through the ceremony, I refused to sit with them and both families sat far apart. The drama continued through cocktail hour.

Eventually, there were apologies and explanations. Thankfully, it is all behind us now and in the end, it brought our families closer.

I guess that’s what happens when my husband has one track “hearing:” it causes said/heard mishaps.

 

Now it is your turn! What stories about misunderstanding do you have when what people hear is different than what was said. Please share these stories and enter the Alka-Seltzer Said/Heard Mishaps Contest. You can either comment below and share it on Health, Happiness, Hamstrings OR please visit the Alka-Seltzer Facebook page to submit your story as a contestant.

I can’t wait to hear your stories………

Abbreviated Contest Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 50 United States (D.C.), 18 years or older. Contest ends 2/25/11. To enter and for Official Rules, including prize description, visit http://www.facebook.com/AlkaSeltzerOriginal?v=app_7146470109&ref=sgm.  Void where prohibited.

 

Disclaimer: I was compensated by TheMotherhood and the Alka-Seltzer brand to write this post.

Making the Most of the Weather ~ Wordless Wednesday

 

The Simple Woman’s Daybook

 

Outside my window...for once I am so happy to say the sun is shining. While there is still snow on the ground and the roads are wet, they are still visible.

I am thinking... it has been such a crazy couple of weeks. I feel terrible that I haven’t written one of these is SO long. Simple Woman’s Daybook I’m back!

I am thankful for...a successful event last week for Mr. Man. I am one proud wife. Kudos to all involved.

From the kitchen...would have to become a Jetson and jet through the the sky. SO I couldn’t tell you.

I am wearing...jeans, t-shirt, sweater. No surprise.

I am creating...new opportunities. Something that I can call mine.

I am going...to pick up bean in a little while and we are off to dinner with Mr. Man.

I am reading...still the same book. Mansfield Park by Jane Austin, one of the Booking it in 2011 books.

I am hoping...you will join me for the live talk on theMotherhood sponsored by Dr. Oetker Ristorante. It is tomorrow at 1pm EST and this is  the link to participate. Make sure you create an account ahead of time.

I am hearing……a text being delivered to someone's phone.

One of my favorite things….a toddler’s laugh. It is SO wonderful.

A few plans for the rest of the week: More time with Jane Eyre. Will be participating in theMotherhood talk tomorrow. Again, you can participate by clicking here.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

 

Have a great rest of the day!

~Lauren

Valentine’s Day and Quality Time ~Dr. Oetker Pizza Ristorante Live Talk On theMotherhood

 

                                       

Good Morning!

February is traditionally viewed as the month of love. One where we express affection and gratitude to those we love. With Valentine’s Day only ONE week away, join me in jump starting the celebration and participate in a Valentine’s-themed discussion. This live chat, on theMotherhood and sponsored by Dr.Oetker Ristorante, will discuss how we spend quality time with loved one and managing your time to maintain strong relationships. He will even be giving away four FREE prize packs will goodies during the talk.

On Wednesday, February 9th, at 1pm EST, which is THIS Wednesday, we will be talking LIVE with Dr. Oetker founder of Dr. Oetker Ristorante Pizza. Click here for the link to the talk. You are REQUIRED to have a theMotherhood account to participate so click here to register. I would suggest doing this before Wednesday.

Looking forward to “seeing” you there.

~Lauren

joy of love day 02: how they look

 

Here is my day 02 submission; how they look

 

the joy of love ~ 01: what they do

 

If you caught one of my tweets earlier this week, I mentioned signing up for a free online photography class. The name of the class is the joy of love and it is run by Kelly Willette of willette photography & more.