Can you imagine living in your dreamhouse? My very favorite Faux Twin Sister recently moved into her dreamhouse. I drool over the pictures and fantasize about stealing the house and driving it down the 101. 
And this is me after 90 minutes of hair & makeup along with an insane amount of photoshop.
How horrifyingly awesome is that? FEATHERS!! Please promise me that if I die, this is NOT the picture that is blown up and placed next to my coffin. This is not how I want to be remembered, it doesn't even look like me, they photoshopped out my collarbones! I love these pictures for one solitary reason... they make me laugh hysterically.
Last week, Mr. Boy's teacher mentioned that the report cards were finished and awaiting mailing. Big mistake to this summer lovin mama. The next morning as I hiked with the dogs I realized if I moved Mr. Boy appointments at Children's Hospital up by a few hours we could squeeze in a trip to the beach. It would mean leaving school early, but who cares! As we pulled away from the school, I rolled down the window and yelled, "See you later Suckers" to the poor kids on the playground, much to my childrens' delight. 
We made sand angels in the warm sand and saw dolphins playing in the water. 
AK was so proud of her sand "gloves & slippers" just like cinderella! 
This guy endured some awful and painful procedures with flying colors just a few hours before. He is so brave. We are so lucky to have a stellar docs working with us and Mr. Boy is so lucky to have gotten treatment when he did. Cellulitis is nasty stufff. 
AK proved fearless and tried to body surf a few times. Mr. Boy screamed, "Mom, go get her, she is going to kill herself with her foolishness!" 
We played until the sun went down... 
And I did not feel even just a little bit of guilt for missing school that day. 
The living room/family room/dining room/breakfast nook is very plain jane and currently houses all the random pieces of furniture waiting a new space. I love these big old windows, it kills me that they are going to be torn out. 
Check out the piano which came to us via my pal Laura via the Clean House Garage Sale. It's a Wurlitzer Player Piano, and every day it serenades us. I LOVE it, and love Laura for bringing it to my house. I am forever indebted to her. That piano is hiding a terrible secret, the world's most boring fireplace. Psst.. also check out the lovely hardwood floors... which are not that lovely once you see them in person, that will be fixed in the summer. 
When I first met the chalet, it was filled with all this amazing mid-century furniture. We actually asked for some of the furniture to stay, and they happily agreed. Behind the couch is an old record cabinet which makes for fantastic toy storage. I fell in love with this table from the moment I laid eyes on it and Mr. Man & Mr. Boy saw the China Cabinet as the perfect Lego Cabinet. There's my old revamped armoire, which looks very out of place in this room now. 
This table is ridiculously awesome, and in amazing condition. It has these hidden leaves which pull out to transform it into a table for 10 or 12. I've never actually pulled them all the way out. I foresee lots of big meals here with family and friends. 
This room is the center of activity right now, it's the main gathering space. In a few weeks, this room will be the more formal area and literally in the center of the house. I'm gonna miss those bright and sunny windows.
As I walked with the dogs, I couldn't help but feel disappointed with the rain, construction would be halted for a day or two. Then I watched 18 deer make their way to a patch of trees, their favorite spot to camp out in the rain. I easily spotted Rupert, my favorite baby deer, and I couldn't help but smile. He broke away from the herd to come and see if I left any food out for him. I absolutely have fallen in love with Rupert those big brown eyes and eyelashes just melt my heart and his spunky spirit makes me laugh.
I've deemed Rupert the new Prozac, instant mood lifter. 
Thankfully, Mr. Man has had a change of heart and we are currently bidding out the pool and a sports court. *Knock on wood*light a candle*cross your fingers* or whatever you believe in, that it actually happens this year. One of the pool contractors I was referred to sent me a lovely polite email asking for an idea of what I envisioned for the project. He asked if I had a picture from a magazine or website that was serving as my inspiration. I decided to whip out my mad photoshop skillz and show him what I had imagined in my head. These are the pictures I sent. 
I also copied Mr. Man on the email.... who showed his whole project team.
My favorite is the guy shooting the basketball... it cracks me up. Hopefully the pool guy has a sense of humor....
There is a mountain of dirt to climb....
and a pile of dirt & debris to explore. 
There is also cool stuff to watch all day long as things get destroyed. 
Did I mention the dirt? Oh, the dirt is everywhere, but dirt =progress, so I don't mind. 
*Can you believe they left that Bobcat there all weekend long WITHOUT the key? I was so mad, all I wanted to do was take that thing out for a spin. It just sat there all weekend taunting me. 
At 75, he's plays a mean game of basketball. 
He still dives under the house when his darling daughter wishes for an electrical outlet for the mudroom. Even after I insisted that I didn't want him to do that. 
The Dogs adore him, and he spoils them. Sandy knows she can get away with anything when he is around. 
My dad is super patriotic, he flies the flag each and every day on his very own flagpole. During the holidays, Mr. Boy's school had a holiday gift shop. Mr. Boy bounded home and pronounced that he needed an exorbitant amount of money for "this awesome eagle for Grandpa." The next day I went with Mr. Boy to the Holiday gift shop, and when I saw it, I knew Mr. Boy was right, it was perfect for my dad. 
I'm not one to toot my own horn, but I think it was the world's best Christmas gift.