So Funny

The theme this week for iheartfaces is Photojournalism. Submit a picture or collage of pictures to tell a story. To me, when telling a story through pictures you have to draw the observer in. Make them want to know what is going on, what is being said, what are they looking at and make them want to know what is the rest of the story.

So, back in May we were outside at a local restaurant celebrating my birthday. My sweet husband told little Cupcake a joke/riddle and she thought is was so funny. She wanted to hear it over and over. It was just as funny each time. And now for the joke:

When is a boogie not a boogie?
When it’s not!
















Every time I look at these pictures, I want to know what she is laughing at. And the best part is…..I know what she is laughing at!
Visit iheartfaces for more great submissions of photojournalism!

The John Brown Doll

Back in October of 2009, we took a trip to Washington D.C. We also took a side trip to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. For some background on Harpers Ferry, I pulled this from the website:

Harpers Ferry witnessed the first successful application of interchangeable manufacture, the arrival of the first successful American railroad, John Brown's attack on slavery, the largest surrender of Federal troops during the Civil War, and the education of former slaves in one of the earliest integrated schools in the United States.

While browsing a gift shop/bookstore, we found a John Brown Doll and we both loved it. We just knew that little Cupcake Girl would love it as well. So John Brown Doll went to a new home in Tennessee. Since little Cupcake Girl loved him so much, he was able to take several road trips with her. So without further ado, here are a few snapshots of John Brown’s Adventures!

John Brown loves looking out the window. Especially at the fall foliage!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He loves sneaking some drinks from his Cupcake Girl!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes he tries to exercise or hang out around the frig!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Brown learned how work the TV remote and color a picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whenever he travels he always rides in a card seat because he is so small and he sits very still if he doesn’t have a seatbelt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Brown took a boat trip on the Tennessee River and was so happy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He took a few trips to see some waterfalls in Tennessee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Brown’s BIG ADVENTURE was attending a Vanderbilt Commodore’s football game. While he was there he met Mr. Commodore a.k.a. Tom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He did get a little jealous when Cupcake Girl wrapped up Mr. Commodore in her little jacket, but didn’t let him in there too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay tuned for more adventures of John Brown and his friend, Tom!

And just because she is so darn cute…….

Randomness

The following two items were purchased at the Highway 127-World’s Longest Yard Sale. This is a once a year event that spans 654 miles and several states from Ohio to Alabama.

First this farm table that dates back to the early 1900’s. It’s about 72 inches long and 45 inches wide. It is beautiful and I love the drawers on the side. This will become our new dining room table (need to purchase chairs now).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second, I found this great old kitchen storage cabinet. It dates back to the late 1800’s. I’m not really sure what it’s called, but it is rugged and so shabby chic. Well, at least I think it is shabby chic! This will become a member of the new kitchen over then next month.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love purses. These are my two new favorites. This first one I found on Kauai at a little shop called Hanalei Strings. Very cool little shop! The purse was knitted, felted then assembled. It is delightful! The second purse was purchased in Boulder City, Nevada. Amy Arnaz had one of these little beauties when we had lunch, so I went right out and bought one. I just love it! Give me some blue jeans and thanks Amy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love, love, love cooking on gas! Yep, my stove is a little dirty, but you will see why in the next picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like to listen to the Food Network, especially on Sundays, and I happen to catch an episode of Barefoot Contessa cooking some Sausage and Shrimp Jambalaya. It looked yummilicious and I fixed it last night. So, yes, my stove got dirty and it made enough to feed a small army!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of our local furniture stores is “going out of business” or so they say, but they did have some great reduced prices. Here’s a peek at some of the new pieces I purchased to join the kitchen/den renovation (plaid couch, red rocker/recliner and olive/sage green chair).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, as I usually end some of my posts……My Little Cupcake Eeyore! This was taken at her birthday party. I just couldn’t resist this photo opportunity! I just love her! Happy Birthday my little Cupcake!

A Week of Camp Mady

We’ve been back for 3 weeks now. Seems longer. I look around and the house is dusty and a mess, laundry is piled up, dishes are not washed, no food in the pantry or frig, one suitcase of goodies still not unpacked, and the list could go on.

Doesn’t matter though, because the past week was heaven! It was Camp Mady Week. We played with bubbles, colored, painted, sang and danced our hearts out, watched our her favorite TV shows, sat in a tiny pool and had lunch (well one of us sat – the adult one), went out to dinner twice, dined at the Sweet Gipsy Cafe, played a new Fancy Nancy game, bought some new Calico Critters, went to 2 toy stores, bought more bubbles, strolled around Walmart, went swimming at the YMCA, cooked her favorite macaroni and cheese and read a zillion books (Fancy Nancy, Funnybunny, Wild Animal Baby Magazines, Dr. Seuss’s If I Ran the Zoo, to name a few). Five days and four nights of just us - Cupcake Girl, Lulu and GrandBob.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


She’s not literally foaming at the mouth, it’s foam toothpaste.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Fancy Nancy doll and books. I love Fancy Nancy!

Cupcake Girl was recovering from a slight cold and mild croup, so she wasn’t her usual goofy self. She would have spurts of energy, crash and cycle all over again. By week’s end, she was her usual talkative, goofy self and was exuberant to see her mom and dad Friday evening.

Usually she is full of clever conversations, but not-so-much while having the sicklies. Yet, on Friday evening, while we were strolling through Walmart, again, but this time accompanied by her mom, I was relaying the good news of Mady napping on two occasions without a pull-up. Her mom was so excited that she scooped her up, slathered her with kisses and told her how proud she was of her big girl. At this point, that cute little Cupcake remarked with a slight giggle to her mom, “I’m so proud of you too for sleeping in panties!”  Yes, she is feeling up to par now!

As we turn the corner to the start of another week, the house will probably continue in its disheveled state, some of the laundry HAS to be done, dishes may get washed and the suitcase of goodies may get unpacked or just moved to a new location, but I won’t count the chickens just yet. The coming week brings another time of celebration! Cupcake’s 3rd birthday! Preparations have begun, but there is much to do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This painting reminds me of my disheveled house!

There are new finds have to be cleaned and prepared. These finds were purchased from the Highway 127-World’s Longest Yard Sale. This is a once a year event that spans 654 miles and several states from Ohio to Alabama, where folks gather together to sell their unwanted items along Highway 127.  It is known as the longest yard sale in the world and it runs right though our little town. I ventured out today and in the course of 2 hours found some outstanding treasures (pictures will follow later in the week of some of the finds). Part of the treasure trove is a baby cradle and baby highchair for Cupcake Girl. She. Will. Be. Thrilled. Other treasures included some vintage linens to make a new cradle mattress and pillows. Yes, it will be a busy week. Cupcake’s birthday party is Saturday, so I best get a move on!

I end this post with my adorable Abby dog. She found a comfy spot between Jerry Garcia and Dolly Porpoise while I was blogging. She has good taste!

Oswald

Oswald is little Cupcake’s octopus.

He is super-soft and orange. He has 8 legs tentacles. He is an impressive pacy transporter/protector. Just put said pacy on said tentacle or even 8 pacies on all 8 tentacles and voilà, they don’t fall off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

His namesake is the cartoon Oswald, created by Dan Yaccarino, with the awesome voice of Fred Savage. It is my her our favorite cartoon. Take 30 minutes out of your day sometime and watch it. It will make you smile. I promise (thank you Dan and Fred).

Cupcake’s Oswald has a fraternal twin named Oscar. He is not-as-soft, orange, 8 tentacles, but a bigger smile. Sometimes he lives at our house and sometime he visits his twin, Oswald. There is also Baby. Baby is, of course, a baby Oswald. Identical. Smaller.

Due to the ever-growing attachment between Oswald and Cupcake, Oscar and Baby were purchased from the same retailer birthplace. In case Oswald inadvertently didn’t make it to our house, well, there would be Oscar. And of course Baby would be great for the car. Currently Baby resides at our house and Oscar, well he sort of comes and goes. But Oswald, he gets top billing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oswald loves to sleep on Cupcake’s head, belly, back, or legs. He may not start out in those locations, but he ends up there. Oswald is loved for the octopus that he is, but he also has a hidden treasure. A tag. Yes, a tag. Currently a tattered, shriveled tag, but none-the-less, a tag.

A tag that the fingers of an almost 3-year old love. The soft, silky feeling of that tattered tag between the pinky and ring finger. Comfort. Coziness. Peace and order in her universe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And IF that tag someday disintegrates? Well, that’s were Baby and Oscar step up to the plate. All three octopuses have identical tags. Surgery will be performed on Baby first, then, if needed at a later time, Oscar. This was part of their calling in life. To give of their heart, soul and finally, their tag. In return they will be hugged and kissed unceasingly or at least until Oswald recovers.

In his short life, Oswald has only ventured between houses. Cupcake’s house, Lulu’s house and Nana’s house. There have been some short rides to the mall, Target or the grocery store. But he usually remains on guard in the car.

He actually did manage to tag along (no pun intended) on a walking adventure of the Chattanooga Nature Center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was short, quick and he got a little winded (or maybe it was the grandparents who got winded from toting his 8 plump tentacles around). Anyway, it was decided that he should remain in the car next time.

Recently though, Oswald had his first BIG adventure. He rode the TRAIN! Cupcake showed him all the train things.

The engine,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the cars (there were not-so-rusted ones attached to the engine),

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the seats,
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the windows and all the world passing by as they looked out the window.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was glorious. He was held, loved, talked to and squished to pieces. And while Cupcake and her GrandBob ventured outside to see the engine turn around, Oswald decided to seek out his own adventure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isn’t he just grand?!