Clown Backup

I always listen to the radio on my way home from work, and a couple of weeks ago an ad came on for Carbonite.com.  Apparently Carbonite is some kind of internet computer backup company, but at the time I was listening, tired from a hard day's work, brain off kilter, I misheard their ad, which stated something like "Everyone needs automatic cloud backup."  I, though, heard this:  "Everyone needs automatic CLOWN backup."  I thought, How true!!  Wouldn't it be wonderful that if every time you were frustrated or stressed, something would happen to make you laugh?

I had automatic clown backup when our son Matt was young.  Most kids know what will push their parents' buttons.  Matt knew how to push my funny bone.  He understood that if he could make me laugh, I couldn't be angry with him.  Born with comedic talents anyway, Matt honed his skills so that he would be able to manage any maternal irritation.

He could assume one of his "characters" in an instant - Paw, the old, old man who spoke as if he had no teeth, who was married to The Old Hag and had a girlfriend named Trixie, was his standby.  However, Matt didn't even need to assume one of his personas to make me laugh.  It was always the horse that did it.

The horse involved total body/voice coordination.  His foot would paw the ground while he whinnied and snorted.  It was hilarious and just immediately made me crack up.  It never got dated; it never got monotonous.  It didn't matter how mad I was or where we were - the horse would make me laugh until tears came pouring out of my eyes.   Sister Rachel was never pleased, as she had no similar strategy to fall back on in order to get out of trouble.

Of course, my life ambition now is to teach his son Joshua to find his own special way of making his parents laugh. He has to find out what funny bone stimulant will work on his own parents.  The horse did it for me, but it might take a whole 'nuther approach for Joshua to use when he senses parental doom.

I know what you are thinking.  After all these years, does Matt still do the horse for me?  Aye, if I plead with him!  Do I ever get tired of it?  Neigh, my friends. Neigh.

Ikea Shopping Trip!

Ikea is one of my favorite places to shop. Not only is there lots of eye candy, but their prices are some of the best you can find! When I was invited to join my sister and two friends in PA for a trip to Ikea and the Cheesecake Factory, I was all in!!! Since we don't have one of these fabulous stores locally, I jump at any chance I get to go! Add to that, a day with my girls: it was a win-win!

:: my beautiful sister & i ::

In all the excitement of getting left, I forgot to bring my camera along, so I decided to take some cell phone pictures of my favorite things to share with you!

 

There were some industrial-looking galvanized bins, in fun colors, and lots of capped glass bottles for a favorite drink.

 

 

They have oodles of flower pots, and these scalloped lace beauties caught my eye! Yup, one of them came home with me :)

 

 

This terrarium would be perfect in my living room!

 

 

Aren't these free-standing chalkboards adorable? I hope to get one when Hadassah is old enough to enjoy it.

I didn't take any pictures of the room settings, although they're delightful to browse through at leisure. There's so much inspiration there; a kind of Pinterest-overload!

I didn't mention how difficult it is to decide what to bring home, did I?

Here are some pictures of my purchases; I couldn't wait to show you!

I found this sweet little wicker chair, perfect for our little lady and knew I had to get it.

 

 

When I brought it home and set it up, I asked her if she liked her chair, and she sweetly replied "Yes!"

 

It's perfect for reading her favorite books....

 

....or snuggling with her dolls! It's her own little hang-out spot, and she looks all grown up when she sits there! I have visions of a cute pillow and throw to add to it...

 

These woven placemats had my name all over them! I have a mild obsession with textures, and these have mad texture, let me tell you!!

 

Don't they look pretty with my tableware? Now I'm in the mood for a party!

 

My dining room window was in serious need of some updating in the curtain department, and when I saw these patterned red ones, I thought they were cute!

My sister agreed that they would look great, but I still wasn't convinced I wanted to buy them.
So, into the shopping cart they went, while I tried to picture them in my house.

After walking away without buying them, I decided I really DID want them after all!

Ahh, indecision...you are my bane.

I purchased them, and hung them up almost as soon as I arrived home!

But I'm still getting used to them.

I'm not 100% sold yet.

What do you think?  

 

And who wants to join me in my next Ikea trip?!