Before. Later. And Now.

On 4 January 2010 at 12:55 pm Yaya said, 

Lol!

Yes I have shopped LV. See, I’m so cool I can call it LV.

Never been to Spain.

And I have OCD so I clean the kids rooms that I nanny for about every day.
.-= Yaya´s last blog ..Monday’s Muse: A Fresh Start =-.

On 4 January 2010 at 2:16 pm Betsy Wuebker said, 

I’ll have you know I packed away the Lillian Vernon ‘crystal’ Christmas trees not 24 hours ago, Missy! Is she still in bidness??

Happy New Year! Change is good! Are we going to see all stages of the makeover I hope, I hope? It seems to me Miss K would be a sophisticate now, oui? Can’t wait!
.-= Betsy Wuebker´s last blog ..My Three Words for 2010 =-.

On 4 January 2010 at 2:25 pm Erin Prais-Hintz said, 

Chubby then? You mean people stop being chubby once they give birth? Well, I’ll be… I never did lose that baby fat. Just kept it like a jiggly souvenir…
And the kids rooms definitely look like the latter. Although we have moved and the new bedding doesn’t match the paint on the walls. Very odd color combos we’ve got goin’ on…like mint green and white with brand new Bucky Badger red.

Yes to the Lillian Vernon but it has been eons. I used to think that was the height of style too. Now I am more Pottery Barn obsessed.

Would love to go to Spain, or anywhere in Europe. Note to self…must get passport.

Enjoy the day!
Erin
.-= Erin Prais-Hintz´s last blog ..RAW::Someday… =-.

On 4 January 2010 at 3:06 pm Jeanne said, 

Jannie,

That is such a sweet picture of you when you were pregnant, Jannie! You look so peaceful. You obviously had Kelly’s room all ready to go by then. So sweet!

The teddy bear paper really is adorable! The peg-shelf (sounds like a good name for it to me) is so cute!

I am sorry to say that my daughter’s room is messier than that.

I gained 42 pounds. It looked like it all went to my belly. My feet got swollen but the rest of it, I swear, went straight to my belly. With a 9 lb baby, that actually wasn’t too bad of a weight gain.

In the last month of my pregnancy, a woman in the hospital elevator (where I was going for fetal monitoring weekly during the final month that I was on total bed rest) asked me if I was having quadruplets. (What an asinine question). More on her in a minute.

First some background. I was never one to be bothered in the slightest by the size of my belly when I was pregnant (like some people get). I was SO happy to be pregnant that it (my size) didn’t bother me one bit. (And Jannie, regarding your picture, I was probably about that size at 6 months along or so). Try to picture me at 9 months.

Seriously though, why would anyone ask a stranger, “are you having quadruplets?” Was my belly big? Yes. Did that mean I was having quadruplets? No. Even if I were pregnant with quads, don’t you think that is a bizarre question for someone to ask a stranger?

So I gave her the stink-eye and said (not because she deserved a response at all but because I felt like it), “no, I’m having ONE”. Then, everyone in the elevator gave her a “what’s your problem?” type look and she hushed up.

I have shopped LV. (Like Alicia, I’m so cool that I can call it that). I have not been to Spain. I did take Spanish, though (along with French and Italian). Just don’t expect me to me remember it. (As my high school French teacher said, “use it or lose it”. He was right).

Is there any music you don’t like, Jannie?

Jeanne
.-= Jeanne´s last blog ..Tori Amos On Her Miscarriages =-.

On 4 January 2010 at 3:08 pm jingle said, 

hello, Jannie:

A pregnant woman is the best and most beautiful woman in the world, you look fabulous with 8 months of pregnancy,
Kelly is cute, she is a happy baby, isn’t she?

what sweet memories you post would bring to the family,
love, laughter, and learning will fill your day to keep you beaming like a happy hoppy bunny.

thank you for sharing.
.-= jingle´s last blog ..Keep The Nature of WORDS Beautiful =-.

On 4 January 2010 at 3:52 pm Jannie said, 

…

Yaya! Hi sweet lady. It is funny the incarnations my shopping has gone through. I remember ordering from LV quite a lot when I first came here to Texas — she kept sending me catalogs, she loved me so much — even called me a “Valued Customer” I just HAD to keep taking that stuff of her hands, that sweet Lilian Vernon. Now ‘m more of a yardsale shopper. OCD, eh? I gots me some of that when it comes to hand washing, but that ain’t a totally bad thing.

Paige: You poor dear, I hope you were not sick throughout your pregnancies? I do remember not gaining much the last 2 months, maybe 1 lb a month – but boy-howdee did make up for it in trimester 2, Ummn, ummn, umm. Food NEVER tasted as good in my life. Funny, how our bodies do those weird things. Ah, another who has not seen the sunny Spanish shores. Or the rainy ones, for that matter. OCD — Excedrin Migraine when I just can’t cope. I used to just not be able to cope with out my soap, General Hospital. But those dark days are far, far behind me now.

Betsy!! Yo! Yes, I see LV’s site looks all open for bidniss indeed. Ah yes, packing away the Christmas stuff. I was thinking since it’s January 4th and all, my Halloween ones can soon find their way back to the closets. And I’m sure I’ll get the Christmas ones stored by Valentine’s day. And the Valentine’s by… Easter? 4th of July?? And yes, my dear — I shall attempt to show the make-over in stages. The next stage for me is pouring a glass of wine and mulling over the possibilities. So dont’ be a-holding your breath for the Grande Reveal!!

Shelia!! 78 is a nice little bundle to have on board. Let’s see, I was 110 lbs, not ovulating, put on 10 lbs, got pregnant and I think I topped out at 150, but I’d have to check my pregnancy book, might have been 160. But look at you NOW!! All slim, yoga-ed and even doing the downward dog with ease. With 3 spanking gorgeous kids and a garage spider the size of a Buick, or at least a Chev Cavalier. How IS that spidie? Seen him (her? ) lately?? But what were we saying?? Oh yeah, your kids rooms get a tad askew too, whew. I’m quite possibly normal!!

Erin!! Yeah, what’s up with the chubbiness that never quite goes away. The ohher day Kelly asked me why it was okay for me to call my own butt a bit chubby but I get upset when she says the same about it? Ah — more kids’ rooms that are not Martha Stewart perfect! I try not to mess too much with her space, but it was time for a complete de-cluttering — I now have about 12 bins and boxes in my front room, but that’s just how it’s gonna be for a while! Pottery Barn! Pottery Barn!! Umn, please don’t even say those words — I am so covetous. Well, I’ve seen pix of your new home’s exterior — gorgeous! And I’m sure just a matter of time until it is all to your satisfaction. We’ve got a lot of remodeling still going on here , but I am going to bravely start posting some “Now” shots, as I did above of the messy area. Brave Jannie.

Vered!! You made ME laugh. I will anxiously await that de-cluttering post. Personally, I find stuff needs to either be 1.)put straight, 2.)stored away for “some day,” 3.)given away or 4.)thrown in the trash! Will you be posting any “before ” shots?? I guess I’ll just have to wait and see, keep hitting the olde F5 button on your site. I’m sure your home is as lovely as your rose garden, you Little Miss Perfect, you.

JEANNE!! Something came over me the day my ultrasound showed a girl, about 20 weeks, and I went straight to Salvation Army and bought a dress — she didn’t fit into it until she was 5, but I was planning ahead! Then in month 6 I totally went into that nesting thing. YOUR DAUGHTER’S ROOM IS MESSIER THAN THAT!?!? Oh, I am so happy that I am not the only one with this!! You guys are so totally making my day here!!! Oh my goodness, quadruplets — I used to get the opposite, my belly was relatively small. Asinine — yep, I know about those comments. People think it’s just fine to say to strangers, boundaries get tossed, weirdly. Today I’d let it slide off my back, but then I did let it make me a bit sad. Any music I do not like? Yes, but I forget what it’s called “House” thrash death or something. I do like some Heavy Metal, mind you. And some rap makes me want to hurl. Not the biggest country fan, tho some country I do love. And you, my dear??

Happy Happy Nadia!! Well, darn — I struck out on my 3 questions with you But South America sounds too cool. Were yo living there, or visiting? Did you work there? Which countries? Jimmy Funster has been to Brazil. Rio. ‘Waaay Before Jannie. Well, maybe 10 years or so before. He lived in Australia too, in his 20s. All is semi-awesome, and will be SUPER awesome when I get my dishes done. Kelly’s at a gymnastics camp today, goes back to school tomorrow. Christmas Holidays are almost over, boo hoo!

Jingle!! Hi dear Jingle!! (is it okay if I use a capital J in your name? I do see you use the lowercase. I’m just so used to writing an uppercase J, I do it automatically — so Please let me know!, okay??) So sweet of you to pop in here again. you’re on my list to blog-hop, of course. Ahh, thanks — I was feeling great in my 8th month, a little tired I remember, and swollen at the end of the day, but no problems. Yes, Kelly was a very happy baby in my tummy. She danced a lot. Thank you so much for your sweet lovely words. Our blogs are a wonderful sort of family diary that can be viewed by all and in the future.

Talon!! My Dear Talon. I’m thinking now about the Mama Zen post of Elvis’ version of the song. You see it? (He had never been to heaven, but he had been to Oklahoma.) But I guess he is up there now in his Cadillac giving everybody rides. Yeah, Kelly’s happy about the do-over. I just hope I keep up my enthusiasm for it when she gets back in school — it was something for us to do over vacation, the de-cluttering and all. But — of course!! I’ll keep up my rip-roaring interest in it. meanwhile she’s on the play room futon, but she’s having fun there. We got a bunk bed off Craig’s List, so I’ll be putting that together for the room’s new look! Wow, you fast metabolism one, you! Is its still fast??… “Well they tell me I was born there
But I really don’t remember”

Dishes!! Gonna do them suckers in under 30 minutes, including cleaning out the old 10-gallon fish tank, as Jim got us a new 30-gallon one. Might even don my 20-gallon hat and crank the Tom Petty “Full Moon Fever!” to dance to as I clean!!

Yay-hoo!!!

On 4 January 2010 at 5:44 pm Lynn said, 

What a lovely photo of you with child. I can imagine that you feel a twinge at that decor going away. Your girl is growing up.

I somehow manage to gain weight and I haven’t ever been pregnant. What’s that about. Oh – the chocolate and the Mexican food.
.-= Lynn´s last blog ..Camping, legacy phrase and gleaming =-.

On 4 January 2010 at 5:55 pm Tammy said, 

By the way Blue Bunny’s vocal gifting keeps on amusing me. To be inanimate he sure gets around. He must be like Frosty the Snowman- except he never melts. Helps with housework too? Wow! If he is ever unemployed at least he is building a resume.
.-= Tammy´s last blog ..out of the closet………. =-.

On 4 January 2010 at 7:11 pm Jannie said, 

…

Lance!! Jannie alert. Jannie alert. Wait, it’s my own blog, I can be here, right? Now where was I? Blue Bunny, stop distracting me — he’s belting out tie an orange karrit around the old oak tree. Just a minute….

{has a word with bb…}

{Returns with smile}

Ahh, so yes, Lance, I think that was supremely noble of you to join Lora is increasing your belly — your wonderfulness never ceases to amaze and astound all of us in the bloggyshpere, you know? And really? Clutter? YOU?? I guess even the best of us are human. Did that make sense? Those bunnies, I cannot remember where those came from. I really can’t. Talk about “stuff” eh?

Lynn! I sat in there a while today and enjoyed all those colors I had chosen and applied those years ago. I will miss them, for sure. But life marches on. ANd oh my goodness!! Today she went to an all-day gymnastics camp with a field trip to Gattitown and she won a big penguin – well not that big — about 2′ tall, so it is a further sign to let her spread her wings. And qhite frankly when I was decorating her nursery I told my friends the teddy bear paper would probably ast her maybe 5 or 6 years, and they said I’d surely get longer out of it — and I did! Almost 4 years longer than I had anticipated. Weight – it comes, it goes. you exercise regularly and I’m sure you are a healthy, as well as beautiful sort.

Tammy!! Well, she is moving me into the change for her, but it’s time. I really had set last May at the end of school for a make-over. And it’s great for kids to be able to make their own choices and learn to trust their own judgement. Blue Bunny!! You do not know the half of his singing! Clear as bell. A bell, I tell ya! And tho maybe just a hint of Chipmunk in his tone, I’d say he sounds a lot like Barry Manilow on his lower notes, and like Don Henley in his upper range. He is pretty jazzed about Kelly’s room re-do, wants just a tiny corner to hang out in with his dried apricot collection.

Fireblossom!! I think we all deserve our very own space to dream in and mess up. Why a song comes to mind at your comment, “There’s a place where I can go and tell my troubles to…” Just as long as her decor never goes to all-black I’ll be a happy blogging Jannie. I hope you have a lovely room now, with lots of small kitchen appliances to write poems about??

Toodles! xo

On 4 January 2010 at 9:44 pm Natalia Burleson said, 

My son’s room looks so much worse than that! It really is a hazard to walk into….
.-= Natalia Burleson´s last blog ..Monday Goals..1st week =-.

On 5 January 2010 at 2:28 am J.D. Meier said, 

I haven’t been to Spain, but siestas sound like a great habit I could get into.

Chaos and entropy come with being a kid. I liked leaving my room a mess, since it would only get messed up again … but my Mom, got final say.

I thought that the space under the bed was the best place for everything, and when it was stuffed, no monsters could fit possibly under there.
.-= J.D. Meier´s last blog ..Your Job, Your Village, and Your Hut =-.

On 5 January 2010 at 8:57 am Glenn Buttkus said, 

All three of my daughters, and most kids, seem to love clutter. As we mature, the organizing of clutter becomes important. My wife convinced me to just never open the door to any of their rooms, and then I would not get so
upset; the old blind eye routine. My wife went to Spain, with our youngest daughter, and some other folks, a couple of summers ago. She loved it, though complained of the narrow streets and bizarre restaurants. The closest I’ve been to Spain is several spots in Mexico. If you go, stay out of Juarez these days. My practice wife and I did not have children. When Melva and I got married my three daughters were 7,8, and 12. So I just gained weight in honor of all their pregnancies, and now I just have to live with it. I agree that you looked radiant while preggers, and you still do with the child at large.
.-= Glenn Buttkus´s last blog ..The Private Lives of Words =-.

On 5 January 2010 at 11:19 am Ching Ya said, 

You look gorgeous, Jannie. I once heard a remark about how ‘pregnant ladies are extremely beautiful for the wonderful blessing they’re carrying’. They are glowing with pride and contentment! Your post reminded me to have plenty of pictures when the day comes (no idea when but God’s in control, Amen?:-) ). You did/are doing a great job with Kelly. She must be proud of her mom! I know we all are.

@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tracker
.-= Ching Ya´s last blog ..How to Brand Your Tweets with TweetBrand =-.

On 5 January 2010 at 1:32 pm Jannie said, 

…

Wow, what a great day. And here I am. Whoo-hoo.

Laura… Ooo, make up, that must be weird, but nice. I see some girls in 6th grade at Kelly’s school wearing a little of it — they look nice. I have no problem with a subtle hint of mascara and eyeliner starting at 12. I have to laugh tho, when I think back to my early 20s and the 3-toned eyeshadow days, yes even in purple!! Ahh, the 80s. Or was it just my youth? I dont’ always wear make-up, but today I’m sporting a fine layer of foundation, average mascara and just a teensy hint of light Silver City Pink on my lips. I’ve even brushed my hair! But I digress. It seems my bravery in posting that “chaos” photo above, is being well rewarded here, finding out from lots of commenters they are familiar with these room “messes” too. “Funky girl power posters” sounds interesting! Of movie stars, or other? Oh my goodness — Belin is 16! How wonderful! Is she your oldest? A happy belated to her. And I hear ya on the ’spodin’!!

Natalia… High-fivin’ ya, Girl! High fivin’ ya!! You just have the one child, right? He sure is cute –loved those tree climbing photos the other day.

Zorlone… Lovely words, thank you so much. And our daughter may have already broken a heart or two. I’m not sure — those 3rd graders have a little world all their own at school. And I will indeed post a photo of me in that corner,as I am now. SUPER-GREAT idea, thanks!! Look for it in the weeks to come. I like your name, by the way. Is it Spanish?

J.D… Ahh, another who has not stood on the hills above Barcelona! But you live in Washington, such a beautiful state I hear. I’ve been to British Columbia and to California. Entrophy, that’s a great word. I know I should know what it means, heard it a million times. So I’ll look it up, and thanks for the education! Kelly- she has never actually had a bed frame, poor kid. She went from our bed, (a stint or two ion her crib at various stages,) to a toddler mattress on her floor, to a single mattress on a single box-spring. This over-haul is planned to have her up off a floor with lots of space to stuff so the monsters don’t get under!

Snag! I here admit that was not even at its worst — I had already cleared a lot off the floor when I snapped the above. Oh, wait until you see the “Now” photos I’ve been taking around our very-unfinished house . You’ll laugh. Kelly has 5 of those little white shelf units all together, they were only $20 each at Target and seemed to fill the bell beautifully. The assembly was a bit of a pita, but I overcame. By the 5th one, I had it down pretty good! And Oooo, I would’ve LOVED to have Mom lock my in my bedroom — oh, to not be bothered for a whole weekend. Heaven! I did not get along a lot with my mom when I was a child and teen. But she turned out pretty darn good!! Lilian Vernon — Quite a success story, really. That must’ve been nice to see My Fair Lady in a play at such a young age, by the awesome high schoolers. Were the high school and junior high attached together?

Friends, lunch beckons!! See the rest of you sweeties later, if that’s not too rude of me? Thanks.

On 5 January 2010 at 3:13 pm Hilary said, 

Hi Jannie .. great transformation & I’m really looking forward to seeing the Pengwins up and swimming along – now she’s won a two foot Pengwin – water water everywhere I guess .. blue, blue, blue.

Will white bunny be given a make-over .. so blue bunny will have a playmate indoors? Blue bunny must be really impressed .. is he (or she!) having a spring clean too?

Hardwick has knuckled under here – it’s snowing & mighty cold .. and he doesn’t want to help with a re-hang of new decorations for his mistresses’ room, nor does her daughter much .. can I wait a few years, like Kelly?

I see Tammy has visited Hardwick’s blog” re her comments on Mr Frosty .. we’ve got plenty of those now and more to come …

Congratulations on your mammoth revamp of Kelly’s room .. it’ll be so interesting to see the “finished product”?!

Pregnant – never; LV – never; Spain – yes, a few times .. quick visits .. would love to tour around and see lots of it; and its music – too lovely.

From the winter wonderland of England ..
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Three Wise Men – Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh and Chalk =-.

On 5 January 2010 at 5:16 pm jan said, 

Wow! You have been busy. What a lucky little girl Kelly is to have a mom who creates such beauty (and fun) for her. The room is going to be awesome. I do believe kids like organized rooms when it comes right down to it. They may say they like mess but they really don’t…

Yes, I got very big. My (ex) and this is one of the reasons he is now the ex, once told me I looked like a beached whale when he peeked in and found me laying in the bathtub. I don;t think I ever forgave him for that. Pregnant women are beautiful, no whalish….Geez! You looked fab…

On 5 January 2010 at 9:09 pm Liara Covert said, 

This post triggers light-hearted laughter and reminiscing in some of your visitors and memories of tomorrow in others:)Peace, love and truth to you.
.-= Liara Covert´s last blog ..Understand vortex energy & ley lines =-.

On 6 January 2010 at 12:07 am Rose said, 

I’m still chubby or should I say a Thick Madame.

I put on 52 lbs with my first
54 lbs with my 2nd
56 with my 3rd.
.-= Rose´s last blog ..Twitter Etiquette =-.

On 6 January 2010 at 6:26 am Tess The Bold Life said, 

Jannie,
I did gain weight with my first born and lost weight with the second who weighed 9 lbs. 15oz. then with the twins I lost weight as well together they were just under 10lbs as well. I guess I was busy chasing the others and that’s how that happened. Why is it women like to talk about giving birth, etc? I was with a couple of women the other night in their 50’s and they described the entire thing like yesterday. Weird!

Love the room and all looks so sweet. I like the peg-shelf and think you need to paint that as well! Black and white oughta do it.
.-= Tess The Bold Life´s last blog ..Local Grocery Store’s Happiest Employee =-.

On 6 January 2010 at 11:06 am Jannie said, 

…

JAN!! Yes, over the Christmas holidays I had to find something to keep me out of trouble, potentially naughty folks like me need to stay busy. I too think the room is going to turn out great, I love having a blank slate of a room to work with. I remebber when she was four and I put down that fake parquet stuff (it’s just 12×12 tiles of peel-and-stick, but perfect for a kid’s room,) and I had reorganized her room, I’d just sit in there on her bed while she was in pre-school and read a book, enjoying the lovely ambience. I bet I’ll do the same when it gets fixed up this time. Sounds like you made a good move making that guy your ex!!

Jingle!! Winsome is as winsome does!!

Liara: Your visits here trigger light-hearted laughter in my soul and anticipation of meeting you in the flesh, as I am certain will happen in 2011, and all the sweet memories to unfold before us in Maritime Moments of Mirth and Mystical Magic.

Patricia!! I hope you found the link to Chris Edgar’s review?? I’m sure you did, as you are smarter than the average blogger! Dust – not a fan of dust at all either. And I so need a super-strength vacuum, my old one is giving up the ghost. And now I’ve got 3 buckets of fir tree needles to suck up. I hope I can get a new vacuum with the clear receptacle in the front, as my old one — I just love watching the dirt spinning around and around in there as I vacuum, makes me feel I am living a full life. Yes — MUCH hugs and fun ahead!! Whoo-hoo.

ROSE!! Well, weren’t you systematic with your weight gains! Bet your fourth child would’ve put you at 58 lbs, and the 5th at an even 60!! And are all your 3 kids the same in personality, or wildly different as I hear happens.

Snag!! I know what you meant. Yep, I agree — why should Mom have to clean the kid’s room? Even at a toddler age they can at least put toys away. 12 years of parochial school, I remember now you saying that. I still have to finish watching Fiddler On The Roof, I think I got to the part in the movie where the middle daughter moves — to Siberia? That was over 10 years ago, I supppose I might even watch it from the beginning again. Such wonderful songs! Which one was Yente? The mother? I forget. And I’ve never seen Oklahoma, pretty culture-starved, am I.

Tess! I had not thought of paining her peg-shelf! Great idea. Once we get the wall paper we can see which colors to bring out of it. The thing about Club Penguin, they are all bold colored penguins — none are actually b&w, so it will be a very cheery color explosion in there. I am so happy! Wow, big babies! My mom had all big babies too. Oh, there I go talking about the births!

Debbie!! Yes, I was one of the smallerly pregnant types, but I still felt HUGE, especially when trying to tie my shoes. My butt got wide fast, tho, like in month 2! That’s funny you were just thinking about LV last night, her site is up and running so maybe she is all on-line now.

xoxo

On 6 January 2010 at 1:28 pm Jannie said, 

…

But look at you now, Chris!! Abs of steel, buns of iron and all other muscles of titanium strength. Plus new straighter teeth on the way!! Whoo-hoo. GORGEOUS! Now who’s the super model??