March Madness - Jacque Lou Wilson Version

This is the season of March Madness for all the basketball faithful and seasonal fans....since I last posted in early March I have had my own version of March Madness

Besides consulting on two jobs and my other major craziness.... just like the famous March Madness; full of excitement, tears, screams, laughter and pride.


March 12 - taxes, taxes and more taxes...it never ends
March 13 - Boys sleep over, neighborhood party; Steve intensely negotiating consulting
March 14 - Both boys have ball games; Dylan has excellent pitching outing; Brody phenom at bat.  A very special birthday party for a friend.
March 15 - Fly to Ft. Lauderdale - great evening on the water, find out mom in hospital
March 16 - Board Celebrity Equinox @ 11 a.m.; sail away at 4
March 17 - Day at Sea - Watercolor class; St. Patrick's Day party....competed in flip cup
March 18 - Grand Cayman
March 19 - Day at Sea - Watercolor class; Dance contest
March 20 - Cartagena, Columbia - mom released from hospital
March 21 - Our 28th anniversary in Panama
March 22 - Costa Rica Snorkeling
March 23 - Day at Sea - Watercolor class; Game Show Contest - Dylan is 9!
March 24 - Beautiful Belize - snorkeling and clear kayaking
March 25 - Cozumel - snorkeling
March 26 - Day at Sea, Watercolor Class, Group Party - I lose a special friend
March 27 - Ft. Lauderdale to San Diego; boys stay over so we can soak them up
March 28 - Boys each have games; both play well and get game balls - Brody is 7; boys stay over so mommy can prepare for Ireland
March 29 - Birthday Dinners at Fuji
March 30 - Kristen, Brian and Boys leave for Ireland; Steve's retirement party
March 31 - Steve's last morning at work; first afternoon as a consultant...still working on those taxes!

I want to elaborate on our cruise but downloading pictures is # 144 on my to do list I need to complete to get caught up....if I ever feel caught up.  Just wanted to add these few pictures to give myself a mental vacation while returning to Normalcy...whatever that is.

I can be spontaneous - if I plan for it......

Old patterns die hard....I have always been structured and controlling...I felt I had to be that way to get everything done and maximize my time and efforts!  The kids still tease me about vacation itineraries and schedules...but we saw and did it all.  Spontaneity is hard for someone who plans the works and works the plan...but as I ease up on things I am starting to be a little more spontaneous....baby steps people! 

 

 My friend and I were heading to a little town near us called Ramona to check out some thrift shops and look for some plastic fencing I have a project for....she remember years ago a egg farm in the area and when we saw this sign I drove off the main road down some dirt roads to try and find it....I love how the chick is pointing the way....subtle....

 

 It was miles off the beaten track and so refreshing to see chickens actually walking about and not in laying huts....

 Are you looking at me? 

 It is a teeny tiny operation that has been there 40 years....they still pick eggs every a.m. and this guy holds them up to the light to make sure they are good....(candling)

 These two guys pack the eggs....

 This is a one day 'crop'....

 We each bought a dozen and they were so fresh and good....it was just so fun to see their operation....I can't remember when I bought eggs anywhere other than a grocery store!  Years ago in the early 1960's we went to my Aunt and Uncles Farm in Illinois.  My cousin Connie was the egg gatherer....she took me with her one day and it was the most amazing thing...those chickens would cackle, scream and fight her for those eggs but Connie  was kind but firm and focused and went about her task gathering them all up....for a little city girl it was quite the scene! 

 I am so glad we went on our little adventure.....look look look what I found.  It was not an easy decision but I am so glad I got it.  It is the most beautiful crochet piece - not a blemish or stain, perfectly made and hard to see but lots of ruffles around the bottom....be.still.my.heart

 I also found this little upside down top hat for 4th of July décor....1.99

 These random things; love the glass pumpkin, the clock a project for the clock project, not sure what to do with mug tree and a hand painted easter egg...beautiful....total $9.90

 Another stop I found this great clock, 2 green homeco bowls for St. Patrick's Day and these two glass hand-blown blue birds....8.34

 Oh and it doesn't stop there....I was on a roll....found this St. Pat's decoration....4.00

 These glass accent pieces....4.80

 This incredible mirror....it had rope glued on the front of it....

 and when I turned it over....I could tell it was really old....3.99 with 10 percent off...

 I can't wait to clean it up....it has a beveled edge and is in great shape!!!!

 My china cabinet was looking too blah with all clear glass, silver and a few collectibles...

 I added the new colored glass and it gives it a little lift....

 The best thing about my new found spontaneity....getting a call at the last minute to join these guys for lunch....

I may plan for more spontaneity in the future!