carpet/cleaning/gross/tips

Magic Carpet, Indeed

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 2 Comments

We have a mystery spot on the carpet in our bedroom. I don’t really know where it came from, but what I do know is that when I shampooed the carpet, the spot grew. It must gather nutrients from the shampoo and keep movin’ along.

A while back, I saw this pin on Pinterest for some magic stain potion.

Surely this was the answer to our carpet prayers.

Rug

Not!
(Yes, I took it at a different angle so it didn’t look like I just used the same photo twice since the color didn’t change.)

Since I had a little of my science experiment left over, I tried the concoction on a couple of other stains–just to see what would happen. No life-altering results anywhere. I don’t think I’ll be going that route again. 

What I did learn, though, is that a silicone basting brush is great for scrubbing. I used it on the carpet, a pillow, and a few tile spots; it was perfect for all of them.

Basting Brush

When done, just toss it in the dishwasher, and it’s good as new!

2013/Baby Gray/bike/duathlon/finish/goals/Mr. Gray/running/swimming/triathlon

Reason #83758367429384 and One

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 2 Comments

Remember that time I thought my husband was awesome because he brought ice cream home? Well, he’s gone and done it again!

See, I had this crazy idea that I should load up my hand-me-down bike (yes, the one I claimed I wouldn’t use for a race again) and my swim gear that makes me look like I know what I’m doing (dog paddle, anyone?) and head to College Station for a tiny triathlon.

We got my packet and headed to the College Station house for Baby Gray to nap.

Packet Pick Up

We all had a restful afternoon; it was dark before we (by we, I most definitely mean Mr. Gray) checked my bike tires or started getting the final touches on my gear for Sunday. I was reading to Baby Gray, and I realized it was taking Mr. Gray an awfully long time to check the air in the tires. A few minutes later, he came up to let me know that the valve was broken and the tube in my repair kit didn’t match my tires. Off he went, to brave WalMart to get me ready for the race.

Tire
He worked in the dark to get the tire situated and safe; then the brake broke. Needless to say, we’ll be getting a new bike soon. Have I mentioned how much I love that man? 
Best Husband EVER

Storms blew through the night, and there was concern with the race being delayed or postponed. Fortunately, everything blew through and it was a great day.

I got all tatted up (they were rushing me to 29) and made my transition area look like I knew what I was doing (thanks, YouTube). 

Body Mark

Once in the natatorium, I quickly learned I had been training for half the distance we were supposed to race–oops!

Ready

I had fun and was pleased with my times! No stopping, no walking, no drowning! Works for me!

Bike Swim Run

In a huge contrast to the duathlon last year, I had the most fun on the bike (even with only one brake). Someone else might have liked the bike a little, too.

Little Triathlete
Finisher
As usual, we didn’t get a family photo, but Mr. Gray certainly saved the day! I sure love that man.

dessert/ice cream/Mr. Gray/panhandle/travel

Reason #83758367429384

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While out and about during last weekend’s panhandle adventure, we ate lots of good food and had no shortage of desserts. We were introduced to Blue Bell’s Homemade in the Shade, and I was in love. So delicious.

Homemade in the Shade

Now, I’m not one for much “stuff” in my ice cream, I’ll have chocolate or vanilla with chocolate syrup or cookie dough, but that’s about as wild as I get. That’s what makes this perfect–it’s vanilla with some amazing chocolate (more fudgy than syrupy) in it!

Monday, we spent the day resting and recuperating after getting home at 6:00 am. Mr. Gray had a test, so he napped and headed to class. Imagine my surprise when he walked in at almost 9:00 pm, super tired, with a grocery bag containing ice cream! This man definitely knows the way to my heart! It’s just reason number 83758367429384 (and then some) why I have the best husband ever!

2013/Aggies/Baby Gray/Mr. Gray/Muster/Olio/tradition

Here.

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

Aggie Muster.

I can’t think of another tradition that evokes more feelings. I have written about it before, but each year it brings it all back. I am so proud to be part of this university and the network of people it brings with it.

This year, Muster was a little different for us. Mr. Gray had the honor of being asked to be a Muster speaker. (It was also Baby Gray’s first Aggie Muster, but that’s another story for another day.)

Muster

In a small Aggie Club in the panhandle, with a couple of his AGR brothers, Mr. Gray got to speak of family legacies and people who have shaped his life. He was able to share our copy of the Olio and tell some stories of his own as well. We met other Aggies that know Pops–in fact, one had been on a business trip with him just last week–small world!

It is always interesting to attend the different Muster ceremonies and see how they’re alike and how they’re different. I’m so proud of Mr. Gray for being the kind of man who leads his family, works hard, loves God, and displays all of that for others to see and call upon his experiences.

Baby Gray/home/Mr. Gray/road trip/tips

The Point of Return

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 1 Comment

When gone for a long weekend, there are a few tell-tale ways to know we’re home–especially if it’s been a road trip.

1. Gear at the door. I start it in a central location and move it as soon as possible.

Home3

2. Snack dishes washing and soaking. Traveling with a toddler requires lots of food!

Home2

3. Snacks waiting to be unpacked. Better to have too many than not enough, right?

Home1

4. Suitcases being emptied into the washer. We put all our dirty clothes into one bag to head home.

Home4

5. Bags by closets, ready to be emptied. Gotta put those clean clothes somewhere, too! 

Home5

2013/Baby Gray/dress up/Fashion Friday/independent/pretend/toddler

Oh, Friday

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Oh, Friday, you make me smile as I go through the week’s photos. Quite the hodge-podge this week.

This might be my favorite photo of the two of them. Ever.

Made in the Shade

Baby Gray: Mom, can I see that silver headband?
Me: Sure. (Hands headband to the back seat; glances in review mirror.)
Baby Gray: I’m pretending to be a girl.
Me: (laughs; snaps photo)

Pretend

This photo probably had ten or more outtakes. I really wanted a cute one of him with the crown on backwards–that’s how he wore it most of the time.

Crown

Gotta love donut dates!

Donut Head

2013/Baby Gray/faith/family/gratitude/loss/love/Mr. Gray

Today I am Grateful

Posted on by Mrs Gray / 1 Comment

I have a children’s book by Jamie Lee Curtis that I absolutely love. It’s called Today I Feel Silly, and I used to use it in my classroom to address feelings. It goes through silly, mad, angry, joyful, and others.

Source: amazon.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

It’s got a bouncy, fun rhythm and a face you can change the emotions on at the end of the book. I love it. My students always loved it. Baby Gray loves it, too.

As I watched news of the explosion in West flood my Twitter feed last night, all I could think of was how grateful I am. It kept coming in waves of the book’s pages, although my brain wasn’t pulling it into rhymes.

Today I am grateful. I have a Father who loves me. I have a Savior who saved me. My family is all safe, sound, and accounted for. Our home is secure and comfortable. As I sat and prayed prayers of gratitude, tears welled in my eyes and gently rolled down my cheeks. We have all we could ever need and more–but just like that, it could be gone. Today I am not fearful or fretful. I am not sad or angry. God never promises tomorrow, but today, I am grateful. 

“This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” –Psalm 118:24