What Ana Does

My update is this: I'm home this summer and working with a few clients on a few part-time writing/researching projects, so that's pretty cool. A good start. I'm also selling cabi clothing and that's been fun and challenging, and gives me a community to be a member of, which I like. Here are the other things I'm liking right now ... Mina and Karen On My TV HGTV continues to be my go-to for TV programming. I'm not sure how I'd unwind without the good folks bringing me more home fixer-upper shows than I have time to watch. Recently, I binged the entire first season of Good Bones on demand. The new season also just started, so I've got some new episodes waiting for me to enjoy. I love how capable Mina and Karen are, they're mixed up family and their positivity. And they're brilliant designers and builders. I would immediately buy one of their houses if I lived in Indianapolis. Also, have you seen Home Town ? There's only a few episod...

For a long time, I've been resistant about bringing my daughters to the gym with me. And it was an effective excuse for years. It just felt so selfish. I as putting myself before my babies. They were so little and I was a full-time working mom, wasn't it better to spend time with them and not on myself? But, geez, this is totally dumb logic. There are plenty of reasons adults need to be active and exercise. And taking care of yourself is NOT selfish. You can't pour from an empty cup. So all parents need to take time for themselves. Duh. We teach our kids about nutrition and making good choices about what to eat, so the gym is just an extension of that. It's a habit they will need to learn, too. Pay your grocer today or your doctor tomorrow is the adage for eating right, and it works the same if you replace grocer with gym. So ... this advice presupposes YOU love the gym, and you might not. But it's never too late to find an activity you can get passionate ab...

There's nothing worse than scurrying around the house trying to pull all the necessary items together for a simple trip to the park or pool. So each summer I try to create some pre-packed totes that sit on a hook and are ready for walking out the door. This summer we're going to need a Pool Tote , a Tennis Tote and a Park Tote . Plus, a slightly-more jam-packed Mom Bag . Let's start with the Pool ... My Pool Tote - Minus the Towels Town Pool Tote This tote is the MOST important because we love the town pool. And, because we have a membership, we can wander in and stay however long we want. There's no pre-planning or spending "at least 4 hours to make it worth it." Here's the list of Pool Tote items, in priority: Goggles - two, of course Pool diving toys  Several large pool towels Spray sunscreen and a sunscreen stick for faces  A baseball hat to keep the sun off little faces   Magazine, this week it's Magnolia Journal Water bottle t...

I've been completely procrastinating on this front porch project, but I made some progress. First, I finished recovering the cushions on the outdoor sofa. Isn't it cute? It just occurred to me that the pattern almost looks wicker. Also, I washed the floor and rearranged the furniture slightly. That table makes more sense in the corner. But really what I learned is that I need to replace that green floral outdoor rug. It's simply ruining EVERYTHING. I think what I dislike about it most is the background is the same color as the concrete. Blah. Also, how easy is it to install a hanging porch light? Like this ? There's a can light in there now, I can just swap that out, right? Related Posts: Front Porch BEFORE pictures Painted concrete?  All Front Porch posts

When I talk to friends about traveling with their small kids, I hear the same reason other parents don't do it ... why spend the money when they are not going to remember it. I just don't understand this line of reasoning. You'll remember it. Besides, you take them to family get-togethers and maybe to Florida to see Mickey or the beach and they're not going to remember that. With that logic, why even leave the house? (Maybe it's a money thing and the "they're not going to remember it" is just a way not to say it's financial impossible. I realize we're super lucky to get the travel opportunities we do. And it's really none of my business if they can't afford it.) Anyway ... I thought of these conversations I've had with other parents because I came across these pictures: They're from 2010 when we took these two to Germany for a few months after Dave got a work assignment there. Leah was 4-years-old and Alice was...

This week was the "gap week" -- the week in-between school ending and day camps starting. And with my "flexible" schedule, they were able to be home with me. (A good and bad thing.) I will say they did a pretty good job keeping themselves occupied so I could work -- with only a few whining episodes to go to Toys R Us or the goofy skatepark. Yes, my expectations were low.  A new slip n' slide was purchased and used. And our membership to the town pool got a lot of use since it was warm and sunny. Joy!   Caption 1: Pin Heads! Caption 2: Alley Champion! Town Pool  Now I'm just waiting for the farmer's market to open up and summer will officially be rolling! Related Posts:  Summer Planning From This Winter Summer Transitions 100 Things To Do This Summer - 2013

Wrapping up this project and feeling pretty good about it. To recap, here's the BEFORE ... with that hideous square tile and brass fireplace insert. BLAH. And here is the AFTER photo ... all updated and pretty ... Overall, I give this project a Moderate on the difficulty scale. It was my first time grouting and demoing tile  -- a messy and sweaty endeavor. But, otherwise, most of the tasks used skills and tools I had from other improvements. And my conversation with  an "expert" before I got underway was crucial, I think, in keeping the overall scope manageable. As far as budget, I spent about $360, with a majority going to tile materials and the stone. Not a hefty price tag for a thing we look at every single day. And I love the end result. The room has more texture and an updated feel. And our huge brownish sofa looks better somehow, too. The next questions ... should I paint the white trim of the fireplace? And does it need a larger mantel? ...

They were both saying ... yes yes yes take my picture. Than the bus would pull up and they'd look at me like I embarrassing them. Parent paparazzi with my iPhone. Oh Mom! Last Day of 5th Grade ... Middle School Next Year! Yikes!  Last Day of 2nd Grade -- Big Difference From All the Sobbing On the First Day  This is the card Alice made for her teacher ... super creative, don't you think?! That Middle Ring Spins!  Excited for the summer ahead! Related Posts: First Day of School Pics