The Great Sink Debate.

Sometimes things don't go as you plan.

For instance, I knew I wanted a great looking apron front sink or vintage-look farm sink for our kitchen-to-be.

After about 30 minutes of on-line scouring, I came to the realization that they are both VERY pricey.  Even salvaged ones.  Particulary in white, which is what I wanted over stainless.  I would've done a stainless one, but white had my heart.

I decided to look on Craigslist, only to be terribly disappointed that the first couple were between $400-$700.

Wow!

I scrolled down to an entry that was added at the beginning of August.  It was a whopper.  One I never thought would be financially feasible, but much to my emmense happiness, it was half the price of every other salvage one I found.

I was very excited, but there were measurements to get and faucets to find.  It may need to be reglazed, blah, blah, blah.

Once we realized all of the measurements would mesh with the existing kitchen footprint and our biggest pots, we decided to throw the guy an offer.  He accepted.

We drove the 45 minutes out to Park Hills, MO and it was ours.  He had the faucet, as well {which we weren't even aware of}, but it's a bit rough.  Luckily, I found two new ones I really like, with one being $67 and the other $150.

So far, it's cleaned up pretty good, but if it needs to be reglazed, you can buy DIY kits for $47.50 online or have it done for about $80.

Long story short...Jake and I couldn't be happier.

My mom, well....that's another story.  She hates it!  Hates that we bought it, hates that it's old, hates that she'll have to look at it every time she comes over.  HATES.  IT.

Even at the ripe old age of 32, I feel as though her approval is needed.  But, in this particular case, I'm going to have to live with her being angry.  I feel strongly about the sink, and it was a waaaaaaay cheaper alternative  to my other options.  Even a conventional undermount sink.

The good news for all parties involved is this: if I end up hating it, we will take it out and drop in another sink.  My husband assures me it will be that easy.  Oh, and add some more $.23 subway tiles to the newly exposed backsplash.  Bonus: based on what I've seen, we can always sell it for twice or more what we payed.

So, I am sure the debate will continue between my mum and me.  To farm sink or not.  Tomato, tomahto.
There will never be a winner.

I guess I will learn all too soon that it is hard to let go.  Even when my littles are 32 or 52.  We're still somebody's children at any age.  

I suppose I needed to buy a sink to learn that.

Top 5.

I have recently started reading a new blog...wide open spaces. You can read it, too, right here.

One post in particular got me this morning. A friend of the blog's author got a chain e-mail (yick!) that asked her to ponder her five favorite things about being a mom (as posted here). It doesn't seem difficult, but come one, you have to pick the BEST 5 things. That takes a lot of editing. How do you edit motherhood? Well, I tried. Hope you likey!

1. Hugs and kisses...one of the best things about being a mom, hands down. It can turn your day around in an instant.

2. No matter how monotonous my days can seem...there is always something new to discover about my little people. A look, a dance move, a story I didn't know. They are such complex creatures. I think that we, as parents, forget that sometimes. We think kids are simple, that they don't have enough life experience yet to make them multi-dimensional. That's just not true. They are just little sponges that absorb everything...everything. even things we miss. Actually, it's usually always the things that we miss that they don't. They are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

3. I have always felt honored to be able to be a mother. Not just the being able to grow and deliver a new human, but the actual mothering. I don't really think it is the pregnancy that makes you a mother (I know people who have adopted that are better parents than most people).I am especially privileged to be the mother to a little girl that faces unique challenges. We knew Betsy would have developmental problems from the time she was 4 months old. It has changed my life, and as hard as it is some days, it is one of my favorite things about being a mom, being able to care for her and personally know an individual with special needs. It is especially profound seeing my other children accept her, as if nothing is different about her, and hearing them tell other kids why she doesn't talk or walk very well. They look out for her and each other. It's awesome.

4. Although, I don't love this at the time...I love when the boys slam the door to their room because they are mad at me or Jake. I love when they say they're running away, or that they want a new family, or that they are certain that we don't love them anymore. It makes me smile to think that they are experiencing all of the same things that I did as a kid, and one day, they will realize this and understand that I WAS once a kid, and I DO know what they're feeling, and at some point, I felt and did the same things.

5. The chaos. I am not sure I could function without it. I love to be organized and in control. There is nothing in this world that teaches you humility and acceptance like kids. Some things are out of our control. I learned this when I became a mom. sometimes things don't get picked up or scrubbed, sometimes you're late or miss an appointment altogether, sometimes they puke in the middle of your grandma's funeral luncheon. That's life. That's kids. And I love it!

Ta-ta!

better.

I came across this super fabo picture of my mom, so I thought that I would post it. Everyone can just pretend that this is the picture that I posted on her birthday. Isn't she purdy?!

Love you, momma!

mom.

It is my mom's birthday today. She is 55 years young. I think when you say 'years young' that means you are getting really old.

But, whatev.

My mom is the best. She is honest, strong, funny, loves her family, and is great for advice. She has never steered me wrong. Ever. She always has my best interests at heart. She has been a model for me in marriage, mothering, friendships (the REAL kind), and, this must be said, bargain hunting.

In the wake of an old friend's mother's passing, I have thought much about how my mom has touched my life. And, there are just too many ways to mention.

That's good though. Too many.

Here's the deal, so many people want to be their child's FRIEND. My mom wanted to be our MOTHER. Because that's what she was supposed to be.

I still look to her for mother stuff, not friend stuff. She will always be honest with me, and not just stroke my ego. She will always play devil's advocate. She will always want the best for me, and love my unconditionally, even if I don't do what she thinks I should. Friends don't always do that.

I have a best friend, I don't need another one. Least of all my mom. I want her to be my best mom.

And, good news, she is.

I love you, Mom. Happy Birthday!

Ta-Ta!