Where have I been?

Except for the entry I posted on Saturday, it's been quiet from me in the blogging world.
As soon as July hits in Las Vegas, it got H-O-T.
When it gets hot here, I have very little time to do what I need to do before the sun has robbed me of all energy and I collapse for the day.
I have much more energy in the winter, but the summer is a whole different story.

For 3 weeks in July, Eric was gone to Minnesota for training, the kids were in school, and I got to go thrifting every day...it was bliss! Vegas has some great thrift stores, but, it was HOT...but i went out anyway. I even went out and shopped without a sun shade to put in the windshield. I used to have one until Chase ripped it up in a fit of crazy laughter and naughtiness. All Allie and I could do was laugh and watch his grinning face...sounds weird I know, but i figure it was better than it happening in a fit of autistic rage. Hey, I'll take what I can get! In Chase's defense, the sun shade was already ripped, sort of, so he was just helping it along on the road it was already on.

Any...way....besides the blog entry I posted a couple of days ago, I have been busy and exhausted all at the same time. Hard combo!! Anyone who lives in the desert can agree with me that the summer sun zaps your energy as soon as it can get ahold of it, which is the second you walk out the front door away from your air conditioned house.

But here are a few things I accomplished while he was gone:

(Got this for 10 dollars at Salvation Army)

(I'm really kinda into blue right now)

(I need to move it down and add rosettes to the bottom of the mirror, but I think it really adds charm to my front entry way)

(This sweet 1960's credenza came home with me from Savers for 20 buckaroos. )

It was love at first sight, especially the retro-ness of it. We painted it black and kept the knobs, they just don't make em like that anymore.




We'd been using my hope chest for a TV stand ever since we moved in, so this took the place of that, thankfully! We even found some medical papers in the drawers dated back to the late 60's.

(Found this beaut on Craig's List for next to nothing, and it magically matched my persian rug like perfection I tell you what!)

Allie and Chaser's last day of school was August 5th. Oh year-round school...how I will miss thee!! All schools in Vegas are converting to 9 month, which I think really stinks. We enjoyed year round alot! We had all 3 of our track breaks in the "cooler" months of Las Vegas and were able to enjoy ourselves outside alot. It was great having her in school for the hottest part of summer, it gave them something fun to do and they got to still see their school friends all summer! They have about 3 weeks off before going back to school.


Eric was able to go to IKEA while he was in Minnesota lucky duck! Although, if i were to go there, I had better have just won Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstakes because I'd buy out the whole store. So...maybe it's better he had to go alone.
He brought home cool stuff!

This hanging chair thing for Allie's room is so cool.

(Eric put it up the first night he was home, the kids lurve it!)
Check out Eric's go-tee. All active duty military men love it when they get the chance to grow facial hair, even if just for a short time. It was gone tho as soon as he came home to me)

(Allie loves it!)

(Hangin out)

The next cool thing he got at IKEA was this:
When it's 116 degrees outside but your kids want to swing...what do ya do?
Buy a swing at IKEA and put it in your house!

(It's in between the great room and the dining room, and it's a-w-e-s-o-m-e)
(It even holds the grown-ups)



(Chase can't get enough)

It's been a great teaching tool for Chase and also a 'reward' during his therapy sessions. He earns the right to swing when he "uses his words" a.k.a...talks! It's so great hearing Chase talk and ask for things.

Thank you IKEA!
Now, please come and build one in Las Vegas...purty please?! I'll shop at you, i promise, even when i don't think i have money, i'll still shop...will that get you to come be with me in the desert?
Oh happy day if IKEA would come to Vegas... :)