Valarie with an "A"

Maybe it’s just me, but does anyone else (esp. with kids) run into an overwhelming amount of stuff that comes into the house. Kids have clothes and school projects and random little toys. We have various cages and toys and filters from random pets (cat, fish, rats). I throw so much of it into the attic, but then at some point, I have to say enough is enough. Time for a YARD SALE!

But oh my, the headache that causes too. But yet again, here I am, two years after the last, planning another one. Two weeks out, we’ve color coded the kids closets.

Austin was running into the problem of his kids hangers being too small for the neck holes in his shirts, but adult hangers were too big. after measuring and looking several places online for a happy medium, we settled on these from Ikea.

Since they come in 4 colors, each kid picked two (one for long sleeve, one for short sleeve) and even though I bought several packs, they both had more clothes than would fit. That means purge time. We’re still working on this part, but it will simplify things for sure. The goal is to put into place the rule of one item in, one item out. However, that is easier said than done. I’ll be following up with some yard sale organization tips, so wish me luck!

It’s amazing what going from stay-at-home mom to working full time can do to artistic motivation.

I can’t say that. I know it’s my fault.

Anyway, here I am. Back at it… for my own enjoyment. I’ve always had an artistic outlet, and have really put it on the back burner for a while. Instead of trying to hold separate projects, photography vs. various other crafts, I’ve decided to pull everything together under one name, which my URL captures perfectly. Valarie with an “A”. That’s me, I’ll blame my individuality on my momma, starting with my less-than-common name spelling.

There will be some digital construction at first, so watch for that. And if you notice an absence, please call me out on it.

I hope to incorporate work from the kids as well, since they have developed awesome personalities and area really dying to be youtube stars. Trying to figure out how to make the name “Austin and Allie” work without getting sued by Disney. Is there any way they can owe us royalties since both of my kids are older than the show of the same name?

If you are still around and actually paying any attention to what I’ve got going on, THANK YOU!

This landing ship is normally docked in Evansville, IN, but made it’s way up the Ohio River this summer. The ship was part of the D-day landing at Omaha Beach. Mary and I decided to go down to the port on Friday night to check it out (plus I’m a sucker for those bridges), and then I took the kids back to go through it on Saturday. I was disappointed in my photos, but I got a couple that are ok.

Went out with Mary on a rainy, foggy night back in January and never blogged the photos. We need to do this again!