Stuff for the Studios Part I

I have a confession...

 there's a new guy in my life.

Meet Seamus O'Bitey!

I popped by the farmer's market to get herb plants

and came home with a Lab/Irish Setter/Pittbull rescue

that's making me crazy, sucking all my time, eating my shoes,

and making me laugh constantly.

I'm surprised I got in a project for Thom's apartment!

As you may remember, my sons, Samwow and Thom,

now have bare-bones studio cribs.

The boys have vastly different styles;

Samwow's preference is a palette of khaki, black and white

with a very masculine tone,

while Thom wants to go with a beachy theme.

We're decorating on a shoe string, but the boys are kind of used to that with 

a Momma like me.

My wallet is shut so tight it squeaks.

 Now we all know my proclivity for candle projects.

I make the strangest stuff.

I'll make a light feature out of anything.

So when Thom wanted candlelight for dinner, which is

what he grew up on, I thought of something flameless (campus policy)

that would fit the bill.

His existing centerpiece is seagrass in a square vase, so...

 ...I hit Dollar Tree for something that would work!

 All you need is 2 votive holders...

 ...2 square, tall vases...

 ...filler of your choice to match your decor...

 ...some flickering battery tealights...

 ...and Goop!

I'm a huge fan of this waterproof, silicone sealant adhesive.

This is the best stuff for glass on glass projects.

 Okay, this is a quick one.

Put your desired filler in the vases.

 Run a bead of Goop around the top.

Center the votive holder on top.

Allow this to dry for at least 4 hours.

 I then nestled the tealights in some marbles I had left 

from a previous project.

 At almost 15 inches tall, these have a presence!

 With Thom's burgeoning tropical style, these will 

make a statement.

I think they'd also be perfect for a DIY wedding,

and at $5 a pair, they'll fit any budget.

And now, for your giggle-snort of the day...

Thanks to my good buddy Jane at The Borrowed Abode.

She and her new hubby Ryan are fellow pet junkies,

although not on the crazy-cat-lady-starter-kit level I am.

Take a Peek at Bleak

Okay, Besties...

...you're all familiar with The Minions...

 ...who are now FIU Panthers!

Yep, there's my three caballeros at the college in a clump.

Savannah scored a private room in a dorm suite...

 ...but the boys have their own studio apartments!

They're feeling pretty boss about it.

They're also keeping things orderly and clean, which is freaking me out.

I'm heading back this weekend to nab them with a few small surprises

to diminish the Spartan appearances of the spaces.
The boys are trying to define themselves,
so we're going to need some cheap tricks to take this from dull
to Home Sweet Home.

Something We're Thankful For

Sometimes, life teaches you lessons you don't expect.

 "Man plans. God laughs."

 Like being told at 50 that you're not leaving the hospital.

Then being told 2 months later that you're disabled.

Then hearing a few weeks ago that you've beaten the odds and can go out and play.

The Redhead has been cleared medically.

You're looking at a woman who is now in a suit and heels again

as an Account Executive for a major global corporation in the sales division.

Why didn't I listen to my original diagnosis and give up?

 I had a couple of good teachers.

These two guys have autism, and their prognoses were bleak.

 Thom would never speak, bond with me completely, or be potty trained.

 Neither of them would have sufficient social skills.

 Samwow would have difficulty making friends.

We didn't buy a minute of it.

 I never gave up on them, but more importantly, they never gave up on themselves.

And we had a very special evening Tuesday that proves their efforts.

 That blur on center stage is Thom.

He's rushing across stage to light his candle...

 ...to be inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the college honors fraternity.

The boy has a 3.78 GPA.

And I clearly heard him say his pledge.

Disabilities only limit or define you if you allow it.

Happy Birthday, Savannah!

Guess who's 19 today?!?!

 One Savannah Pritchard-Torres, the Littlest Minion!

We went from this tiny dumpling to an amazing young woman.

Born at home, she was 9 pounds and 14 ounces of feisty

little girl who made sure I didn't forget she was in the house,

no matter how distracting her active toddler brothers were.

From the beginning, she and her brothers were inseparable.

They did everything together, slept in a heap, and looked out for each other

with a ferocity that still surprises me.

 The baby grew into a beautiful princess...

 ...we're just trying to figure out what planet she's from.

No, it's not a costume.

When you have me as a mother, childhood can be...unusual.

 [Real tiger and monkey]

 As can family portraits.

(You have your Christmas elves, I have mine.)

 But there were the normal milestones...

...plus some beyond normal accomplishments...

...like having your Associates Degree at 18...

 ...moving into your own place...

...decorating your space in classic style...

...and growing into a stunning woman.

I love you, Kitten, and I'm endlessly proud.