Picture Perfect Memories

My mom brought this picture over for me on Saturday when she came to play with Jack. It's my grandpa and I in 1975. I had set it on the kitchen counter and when we were eating dinner I was struck by how similar it was to a photo I always keep on the fridge:
A picture of my grandpa and Jack in April 2005.

I think I will frame them both in the same frame.

It's been more than 3 months since we moved into my grandparent's house. Lately I have been thinking of them often. Of how upset they would be over all the family drama that is still going on. And of how many incredible gifts they have given to me.

I sit out in the yard with Jack in the afternoons and think about learning to walk here, learning to ride a bike here, learning to drive here, learning to make a Thanksgiving turkey here.

I think about being out there painting furniture for my now grown up house and remember how I painted a whole apartment full of furniture in the garage when I was 18 and about to move into my first apartment.

It really is an interesting (and becoming weirdly wonderful) experience. I wish I had realized when he was alive what a gift this would be instead of feeling so damn conflicted about it all then.

In other news...
I know a few of you were curious about the boxes that Martha Stewart box gadget makes. These are pretty simple, but they are easy and effective. I think it's worth the $10 (use a coupon!). (And of course, Martha makes super cute boxes with hers using patterned cardstock and ribbons, etc.)
A few of you also wanted to see the front door. Here she is in all her glory. Complete with our post it note house number (I NEED a vintage marquee number for a house number, but they are hard to find!), my Halloween door mat (ahem), and Jack's no shoes allowed sign. Just keeping it real here, lol.

Clearly I need a new mat and I think a plant to the left of the door would be swell.
We met Dave for lunch today which meant an actual trip to the mall. I always visit Pottery Barn Kids so I can dream big (a.k.a. WAY beyond my pocketbook). Imagine my delight when I snatched up a Liberty of London duvet cover for $30. It was supposed to be 60% off and twin sized, but when I got it home I discovered it was actually a queen, making it more like 80% off.

Goodness the cotton on this thing is DELICIOUS.

You can see that Whinger gives it his seal of approval. LOL

Ok, I have to get my wild child back out into the yard. Back soon with some of those painting projects. Pinky swear.