Busy July

It's the end of the month and boy, was it a busy one. It began with a surprise (for me) trip to Chicago for our 16th anniversary on the 3rd. [on a side note, my hubby gets bonus points for putting up with me around our anniversary bc at least 2 of the last 3 yrs I've nearly ruined his surprise to me. and just by being myself - not trying to find out anything!!] We had an interesting dining experience at Tru, enjoyed walking and shopping on Michigan in the fab weather, and of course got a Diorganos pizza. I thought about all the neat things another friend, and blogger, "Pink" had done on her recent trip to the same area and wished we had attempted some of those things. But instead, we slept late, ate alot, and enjoyed the respite from parenthood.

We returned home in time to celebrate the 4th at our church cookout and fireworks display on the 5th. Our friend does an excellent job setting up the fireworks to music - he could change professions from minister to pyromaniac. This was also the bday of a good friend (and I hoped I remembered to wish her well that evening).

The next day was VayVay's 3rd bday.

I did think ahead enough to order 6 little Critter Cakes from the local bakery which is excellent for me bc I otherwise would have just planned to get them during my surprise annv trip. :-0

Then 10 days later was Emma's 11th bday. We celebrated with my sister (whose bday was the day before) and her 4 kids. We took all 8 children to the amusment park. Yes, insanity runs in the family.

The next week we celebrated above mentioned pyromanic friend's 40th. His big surprise party had been the last weekend of June, so this evening was much lower keyed.

And here are all the people whose special days we missed in June and July: Robbye's bday, Daddy and Judi's anniversary, Matt and Debbie's anniversary, Spencer, Brian Bur., Midge, JR, Aunt Carol, and Debbie's bdays.

recommendation

OK, this post is a blatant "advertisement" for a company that has just saved me a ton of heartache and a little money to boot. I ordered this wallpaper in April this year and have been waiting patiently for it through this my 4th backorder. I have been fortunate enough today to speak with a few people that care about my plight of "needing" this wallpaper for the couples party/shower/thing we are having here in 3 weeks. The manufacturer is having issues with their current downsizing, a plight I care about for them as well, so the lady helping me with a timeline today was kind enough to tell me about 3 places in the country that ordered several rolls within the last few months in hopes that one may have what I needed. I love my Southern roots and today they did me proud. I called the first store in NC to sadly find out that they did not have any rolls left. Then the second call to SC...I spoke with Pam Smith, owner of Wallpaper Additions in Columbia. She had the 10 rolls I needed, but with different dye lots, and a roll unmarked. She took so much time with me in comparing the different dye lots in different light to tell me if she thought they were at least somewhat close (like you wouldn't necessarily notice a difference on opposite walls especially once curtains and pictures are hung). I bought her unopened rolls (and she threw in the opened double roll) and they were $5 less per roll saving me over $50. So, if you are looking for wallpaper and can find your pattern online, call Pam in SC for a deal. She was very nice.

For the life of me I can't remember

It seems to me that there is certainly something to post about, but for the life of me I can't remember what it is. We've been having some fun with the kids. They love being home and have had such fun playing outside and with their friends. There have been camps and a few more to come. There have been amusement park days, swimming days, and hanging out with friends days.
We've been working hard to complete most projects prior to the Aug 15 party date (did I include in a previous post that we're hosting a big couples shower/party for our previous babysitter who happens to be the daughter of one of my best friends here?) So, the pressure is on to get most of it done. I know I won't get curtains (the ones that need to be made) and we may or may not have shutters, but I think lots of the decorating and painting/wallpapering will get done.
Recently I made those pillows for my bed (from the picture where I cheated and just draped the fabric over a pillow) and the valances for the laundry room, hung the wallpaper int he service hall, painted the guest room, unboxed tons of pictures for hanging. The landscape has been completed as well as the front walk. Now we have one month for ChemLawn to give us a lush, weed free yard!