9.30.2009

pumkin.

how adorable is it that still to this day my mom calls me "pumkin." i asked her why and she said "i dont know..i just always have." kinda like i have no idea why i call liv half of the things i do.."munch, livvylou, stink, gangsta, crazy, boog, chipmunk, missy elliott, boogieboo, bear, tootz." here's a couple shots from the fruit & veggie stand down the street of our "pumkin." happy humpday!

9.28.2009

refridgerator rehab.

once again, im real pleased with my latest etsy purchase.
so long ugly plastic alphabet letter magnets...hello cutie patootie fabric ones.

before:



after:


9.20.2009

giddy up


we are so doing the petting zoo and pony ride thing for b-day #2. too much fun!
happy birthday lyla! thanks for inviting us.





9.14.2009

monday.

9.13.2009

my pop.

this day, september 13th is the first september 13th in my life i haven't been able to call my pop and sing him happy birthday. as many of you know, he passed away last october. a day does not pass when i dont think of him. i had the honor of speaking at his funeral and since i plan to make this blog into a book one day, i wanted to share my "tribute" to him. i have been contemplating putting this on here for a long time. i guess when you miss someone so much your heart aches.. it takes a while to realize its ok to just sit down and have a good cry.

the first time i met my dear pop i was just a few days old... and while some may think this story is wildly inappropriate, it must be told. pop reached out with loving arms to cradle his first granddaughter. i was sitting in his lap and apparently my diaper had a "malfunction." i filled his entire pocket in his brand new wool pants full of "mess". after a good long clean up of both of us and tears of laughter, from that day forward pop called me "stink." Twenty-seven years later and just about 6 months ago, pop's first GREAT granddaughter, LIV (short for little irene vicars) was born. once again, he held liv in his arms and we all held our breath a bit wondering if it ran in the genes... thankfully, my daughter has a little better manners than i did at her age. Pop looked at her with his adoring blue eyes and said, "you're gonna be a stink, just like your momma."

I know this isn't any news flash, but Richard Vicars was without a doubt one of the kindest, loving, sweetest man of intergrity most of us know. If you don't agree, you didn't know my pop. One of my favorite things about pop is how much he loved our mana. soon after i got married, i taught my new husband how to do the "pop & mana kiss." It goes like this..."peck, blow your lips together, peck." In my mind it was one of those secrets to a happy lasting marriage. He loved his "sugarbabe" with all his heart and and he loved his grandkids like "hogs love sour slop." It wasn't until a trip to the farm how much i realized that my pop really really loved me! hogs go NUTS over sour slop...

I also blame Pop for my love for accessories. I vividly remember him coming home from work everyday with his stainless steel thermos and wearing the most fabulous green and white polka dot hat...between all those suspenders and that hat...he was quite the "accessorizer."

I have to admit Mana did most of the talking, but pop could finish her sentences and when he did talk, people listened. Mostly because when Pop spoke, his words were quite profound. Our family has come up with a list of "POP-ISMS":


some other favorite comments: "

"are you working hard or hardly working?"

"you go to the devil for lying same as you do for stealing"

"you're pretty two ways. you're pretty ugly and pretty apt to stay that way."

to show appreciation: "you're a gentleman and a scholar."

referring to his grandsons: "you'll be lucky to keep him outta the pin."

when a toe was stumped:"if you had your shoes on that wouldn't have happened"
when he was full: "im plum foundered"

when asked if he wanted seconds "im satisfactorially satisfied"
when he's saw you putting on make-up "you gotta have something to work with to start..."
when you told him you were thinking about something: "There you go again working without tools."

to the waitress: "Don't let these clothes fool ya, I got money."
to all his grandkids: "you gotta hard head and a stinkin rump."
everytime he'd leave somewhere: "Glad you got to see me."
when you lost something: when you find it, you'll find it all at once and it will be in the last place you looked."
when it was time for bed: "well im gonna go take out all my body parts."


In the last few months of his life, my brother Eric, went late one night to visit him at the hospital. Pop was unable to speak but could write to communicate. Pop grabbed the whiteboard and wrote one word to Eric. He wrote the word, "STRONG." That word symbolizes so much in Pop's life. He was a strong man. He had strong morals. He had a strong walk with the lord. He had a strong relationship with his loved ones. He fought strong these last 5 months. He wants us all to be strong during this time of mourning.

I always try to lead a good life knowing that God is watching me...but there's just something about the fact that now i know Pop is up there looking down on me, i'm going to be extra good. I will strive to be a better person because i would never want to disappoint him and always make him proud.

We miss him with all our hearts but am so glad he's finally at peace. I know he's up in heaven sipping on peach milkshakes with Jesus. and I know when he got to the pearly gates, God said "good to see you Pop." and he replied, "good to be seen." We love you so much Pop. More than a hog loves sour slop.

9.12.2009

etsy intervention.

i need one. i cant stop shopping on etsy.
i really just ordered one of these.
a super hero cape.
and i think every kid out there needs one.
you get it custom-made.
choose your color & intial.
i cant even handle it.



music to my ears.

one thing i have to say i love about indianapolis is the tradition here and tons of fun artsy fartsy festivals. there is always so many things to do here if you just make the time & effort to actually do it. penrod is a huge art festival held at the musuem of art. we have never been so we made a day of it.. well 2 hours anyway. it was a gooorgeous day & the kettle corn was to die for. there was a "kiddo area" & this crazy fun guy had made all kinds of instruments for the kids to play. too dang cute. i got a little clip. and liv got a crown. thats all for now.




9.09.2009

someone in texas..please help.

which one of my dear texas ladies will turn my day around? one of favorite smells that honestly warms my soul is slowly drawing to an end. my "bird of paradise" circle E candle ONLY FOUND IN TEXAS is almost out! please help. i can't find a place that i can order them online & i am in major need of a replacement. of course i will mail you a check & love you forever. will someone help me? xoxo.


9.07.2009