Creating In this Crazy Place Called Life

I am moving...

2010-01-23T07:38:00.001-08:00

I am moving....

I am going to start things up over here

http://mydailydoseofcrazy.blogspot.com/

Want to have a moving party??? lol....see you there

2010-01-22T14:10:00.000-08:00

January and June are months of superior blessings for me...those are the months that all four of my children were born in.

Today I give you the second birthday post of the week....

Jacob had a very low key birthday yesterday. We had his favorite dinner of homemade tacos, a delicious chocolate cake made by his brother and even accepted an "I.O.U" instead of any actual presents. (NO, I am not a horrible forgetful mother...the Lego store was out of the specific Lego set he wanted so we are waiting for it to come in...we're on the list OK..)

Last year I posted about how blessed I was to be given this little angel of a child and this year he showed his halo and all his little guardian angels were right there with him....don't believe me? Check out this picture....

I have a very good girlfriend who believes that the little specks of light that show up in your pictures are little spirits or orbs... I have to say that in moments like this, how can you deny that theory?? As you can see, my beloved boy is wearing his halo and all his little guardian angels are right there with him.

Happy Birthday Jacob....mommy loves you!

Beyond Blessed

2010-01-20T11:45:00.001-08:00

Lily-Anna Grace January 18, 2006
Meeting her siblings for the first time....

I am on day three of a Birthday Hangover...it is what I have decided is happening to me from my youngest turning 4. The emotions are a little much...I don't get worked up about myself aging, but my babies I have a hard time with.

Four years ago I was blessed with the liveliest of creatures. Sweet and gentile, but funny and sassy....she commands your attention and has a brilliance about her that makes people stop and take notice. I have been blessed many times over the past 13 years with my children but the past 4 have been amazing.

I love all my children equally, but have said it a million times over, this little girl completed our Circle of Love. She makes us all complete. She is the finale...our curtain call of children... Circle of Love 2006

2007, First Birthday

2008....

2009.....

To be her mother is an rewarding job, I love her so much! Happy Birthday Lily...

Chomp, Chomp....

2010-01-13T20:30:00.000-08:00

Oh, hey there!

What's that you say?? ....Don't talk with your mouth full??? Oh, Sorry.....that is what happens when you have bitten off WAY more than you can chew!!

I don't know what is wrong with me, but I am trying to do it all again!
what happened to my "slothing into 2010..."???? I have a very full schedule this week and yet I have two VERY special birthdays next week, one of which requires (only by my requirement) that I craft like a crazy person...

Before Monday I am trying to make a custom outfit, a Birthday banner, party hats, table decorations and the most perfect invitations for the most adorable "already" 4 yr old. Luckily she only wants two little girls to come over but still...

She really isn't "already" four but one day about 3 weeks ago while i was getting ready for work she came into the bathroom and told me that she was "...tired of being 3 1/2" and wanted to be "this many...(holding up 4 fingers)"

I explained that she was going to be four in just a few short weeks, but she said she wanted to be four now. I said OK and wished her a Happy Birthday. From that moment forward she has been telling everyone that she is already four!

I have asked her several times since what type of party she would like to have for her birthday and she keeps telling me that she doesn't need a party, she is ..."already four...remember we had a bathroom birthday!" and then gives me the look like GEEZ MOM....

Another one for the books....

And, the other birthday is for the most amazing 11 yr old - soon to be 12 yr old who said he only wants to have 3 friends over, eat pizza and watch movies. He also said I could give him an IOU because he knows that the gift he wants is a little out of price range this week. Great Kid....like no other! THANK YOU! Love you Jacob!!
PS: I am thinking of changing my blog name because it is a little difficult to find me if you are not exact with your typing....and that is just not fun!

No power cords....

2010-01-11T21:31:00.000-08:00

Tonight we said our prayers....

Our father who art in Heaven, Hallow be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, forgive us of our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

For thine is the Power and The Glory Forever, Amen....

Lily: Mommy!?!...there are now Power Cords in prayers....daddy says it better.....

Me:...little stumped at first...replaying the last minute in my head...then I had to chuckle...

That is one I don't want to forget.... I love you Lil-Lil....

Sparkly but Frigid

2010-01-09T07:26:00.001-08:00

Thursday we went to the Dr's for Jacob...he has been having a continuous asthma attack since Tuesday. NO fun! In the words of the Dr....this "Frigid" air and the dry heat of the houses and stores (or the gym in his case) has brought it on. I am hoping that he starts to feel and look a little better soon.

It has been so Frigid all week that my car battery has decided that it doesn't want to work anymore...thanks!

But....we got the most beautiful Sparkly Snowfall on Thursday night. It was beautiful on Friday morning!! The trees were covered with just the right amount of snow that when the sun hit them the glistened. That is the vision of winter that I want remember!

Almost made the car not starting for the 5th time this week OK...not quite, but almost!

I have gotten quite a bit done on a sweater that I have decided to make for Lily. I think she will be able to wear it before the end of the winter....as long as it stays Frigid!

2010

2010-01-06T08:00:00.001-08:00

I have been Slothing through 2010 so far. I am enjoying it..just not fired up crazy trying to reorganize life like so many people I talk to are...I probably should be because I have piles of laundry and closets to clean!

We brought in the New Year with our traditional fancy table and silly food...only this year we didn't get all dressed up in our fancy shmancy clothes....we chose pj's. It was just as much fun!! Who needs Times Square???

The Ladies and their drinks...

We had some good laughs. Like when Lily asked my mom when she got her "middle boob"...that was a classic!! I laughed so hard I almost didn't make it into the New Year. She was referring to the bump you get when your sweatshirt is zipped up all the way. It was really funny and very out of the blue. I still am laughing thinking about it.

We danced in 2010 with some fun music, but I realized that I didn't even see the ball drop, I was taking all the pictures? OH Well...

The Worm...

And she is down.....

But only for a minute....

A small toe boo-boo that required a picture be taken...

And then we rang in the New Year with some sparkling Cider and lots of love....hope the rest of the year is just as much fun!

Lazy Days...and Bubbles

2009-12-30T21:34:00.000-08:00

I have SO enjoyed the past few days since Christmas...and am SO happy that these are the days we have just before sending off 2009. We have slept in late (to a whopping 8:30AM), spent quality time with family members, crafted, created and eaten! I have even taken the time to start a book I wanted to read...It has been NICE.... I even got asked to sit down and play baby-dolls. That might have been the greatest moment of 2009 for me...

Comfort foods have added to our bliss this week...I made the BEST Mac-N-Cheese last night and we devoured it....it was delicious - and simple...My husband made a delicious Roasted chicken tonight and that was devoured too....No pictures because we all ate it so fast we didn't have anything to take a picture of! These are not unusual meals for us, but for some reason they just tasted so much better with the relaxed energy of our house.

I stood and watched in awe and contentment as my youngest jumped up and down for what seemed like an eternity over bubbles....lots and lots of bubbles. Each and every one that came out of the little machine made her more excited than the last. I just stood there cooking dinner, smiling from ear to ear. It was one of those moments when the little voice inside tells you to slow down and pay attention. .....it also told me to grab my camera so I could remember it when my memory fails me.....

Tomorrow we close out 2009...I can't believe we are wrapping up another year!?!

The Calm after the storm

2009-12-28T21:33:00.000-08:00

...or Holiday whatever you want to call it.

The days prior to Christmas seem to have happened in a blur and the days since seem to be in a nice lazy haze.

Our area was blanketed in snow just before Christmas from the Blizzard of 09'...the first white Christmas in 20 years. I can't believe it was that long!!! Slightly detrimental to our business, but made for lots of fun!!

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We spent the Eve very casually with my mom, brother and stepfather..it was great. A few really good laughs and then off they went to their homes and off our children went to bed. A very special princess got her Orange Princess dress and Blue Witch hat...please note the enthusiasm when she opened them....(handmade by my mother)

Santa was VERY relaxed this year. He didn't go EXTREME with gift piles or wrapping...all very simple..

Christmas Day was wonderful! Presents, Breakfast ~ quick family visit with my grandfather and then home to spend the evening with friends.

Everyone got exactly what they wanted....

Xbox360 - and an asthma attack...not on the Christmas wish list, but we made it through...

A new phone....

A Nintendo DSlite

A Christmas Tree...
A cup, and candles for her marshmallows???....(plastic, battery operated)

We laughed so hard during dinner that I think I forgot to eat...however I remember laughing so hard that I choked so I must have had at least one bite. Then we played games into the WEEEEE hours of the morning.

It WAS FANTASTIC! One more look under the tree proved that we had all gotten exactly what we asked for! A terrific Christmas Holiday!

Crunch Time

2009-12-22T06:44:00.000-08:00

3 Days until Christmas and it is crunch time around here! I am dedicating this whole day to "making stuff"...

Procrastination is my nemesis

I will be crafting until my fingers bleed which really wont be hard because they are so dry...lol.

I have knit 4 hats so far, and put lots of thought into the other gifts I will be giving.

I have also decided that if it can't be purchased at the local hardware store, liquor store or my store...your not getting it for Christmas at this point!

I braved the mall twice this year...that is two times more than I went in the past year and a half! I will NOT be going anywhere near that place again!

I will go to the bookstore...but none of those other place again! I went to Target last night...it was literally swarming with people who had a complete look of desperation in their eyes. It was crazy!!

OK..off to the craft room! I will take some pictures when I am done....hopefully.

Lets RE-Decorate!

2009-12-16T06:46:00.000-08:00

9 Days before Christmas and our BIGGEST Christmas gift EVER is on its way!

HOWEVER!...this particular gift is causing us (me) to have to rearrange our entire living room and move our fully decorated Christmas tree....

What was I thinking?????

I was thinking that after YEARS of working hard my husband deserved a BIG treat!! And since I can't get him drafted to the major leagues, I settled with the next best gift.... A HUGE TELEVISION!

65".....GINORMOUS TELEVISION.....

I hope that he loves it forever.

I must love him forever because I want to get rid of every television in our house and then I go and buy him the biggest mama jama I could.

OK...I must go back to redecorating. I have even gone a little crazy and decided that I would go ahead and put up another tree....I love glitter and sparkle!! I am trying to keep it simple, but seriously how can you keep it simple when it comes to glitter and sparkle??????

PS: Watching QVC at the end of a VERY long day can cause you to make decisions like the one I made....but loving your husband and being grateful for his return from work every day can also lead to such decisions...hahaaa

10 Days and Counting!!

2009-12-15T18:52:00.000-08:00

Tonight was Jacobs Winter Concert. It was so sweet seeing the kids up there singing their little hearts out... I was only able to get one very distant picture and I blinded the man in front of me in the process so I wasn't about to continue trying for a better one! I asked him to wait 20 minutes before driving....

Jacob sang three songs - no solos thank goodness - and the evening was over!

Lily wanted to know why there was so much singing and no popcorn?? They had seats like the movie theater but no popcorn! Her world was shattered....

I have started wrapping gifts and feel good about getting that done. I love to wrap! I get a little carried away with making sure everything coordinates...it is one of my favorite parts!!

I have to say though...I would love to receive these little goodies in the mail as an early Christmas present! 4 Kennedys and a Dog is doing a lovely little giveaway and I sure would like to win!!

Under way...

2009-12-09T05:26:00.000-08:00

Christmas shopping, decorating and activities are well under way!
I love to see my house decorated for Christmas...soft white lights, greens and sparkly lovely things to look at!

We decorated our tree on Sunday night and had delicious Chinese food...I think a new tradition has been formed...and I was so excited about getting our tree done that I couldn't stop! I told my husband that I "NEEDED" to put up two more of our trees!! He gladly obliged and went to the garage to start the process....I am a theme girl. I love having different trees in different rooms. We have 5 at our shop and I was really feeling festive...I blame it on the MSG.

....by morning I had changed my mind and decided that ONE tree was just perfect this year!

Simple is ALWAYS nice!

I hope that your holidays are shaping up to be exactly what you want them to be!!

Speaking of "shaping up"! I have completed 3 hats so far! Not quite getting as much done as I had hoped for my handmade holiday, but I can still buy handmade!!!

Buying Handmade...

2009-12-03T18:43:00.000-08:00

I have been searching Etsy for the past several days-nights-wee hours of the morning...I love Etsy..but there is so much to chose from that I am having a hard time making decisions.

So far; Artwork, yarn, pottery are all in my sights. I just NEED to make some decisions!

Hope your Handmade Holidays are off to a great start!

Blessings

2009-12-02T19:08:00.000-08:00

...Tuesday was Lily's first day back to school after she quit. Yes, she quit...a month-and-a-half of Preschool was just too much for her.

We tried lots of things........to name a few..

Upon being told that she should go to school to meet friends, she told her father..."I don't need any friends Big Guy.." She declared one of our 60+ year old customers her best friend and his dog too....

After being encouraged to go to school so she could attend her field trip to the Pumpkin Patch, she responded...."I have pumpkins in my backyard, and b'sides...I got one from the Hardware store!"

I met with the teacher and the director of school and they suggested all sorts of things...one included somebody with the preface of "Specialist", being told that her father and grandmother were not allowed to drop her off anymore because they both had tearful-puppy eyed goodbyes...not a confidence booster for the child...Bottom line is that I have a very intelligent, almost 4 year old who has a pretty strong case of separation anxiety and spends a better part of her life and day in her very own coffee shop with lots of gifts and fun things and customers who come in just to see what she is up to that day!

We took the month of November off and decided that "with no other option" we would return to school on the first Tuesday of December.

There were LOTS of tears....back packs were thrown into the trash can....refusal to eat and clothes being taken off.... but in the end....

We made it! It was a BEAUTIFUL day! The Sun was shining and in the end I walked out of preschool with a HAPPY, skipping little girl who tried to scale the fence when she saw my car coming around the turn.

Thank you to God and all the powers of the Universe! One more blessing to add to my list..

Being real...

2009-11-30T18:06:00.000-08:00

My Life is Crazzy, it is chaotic, it is overwhelming...it is difficult, it is disappointing at times, it is a million other things that seem to pull on me... right now I feel like it is taking me down.

WARNING: The following post could be considered a RANT...but I needed a bit of soul cleansing and what better place to do it than here...

My life is not adventurous the way I would like it to be, it isn't FUN like I thought it would be. We work hard and don't get to play hard... When I was a little girl all I wanted to do was have children that I could bake cupcakes for, make crafts with, read stories to. That was my fairy tale...in reality, raising kids is hard, marriage is really hard, there is a lot more yelling than I ever thought there would be...I even told myself that I wouldn't yell at my kids or argue with my husband.... that seems all but impossible now. No matter what you do, there is a lot more month than $$, a lot more homework and talking from 4 kids than my brain can handle on most days at 4pm, a lot more heated discussions and sibling arguments than I know what to do with.

It is very full, it is very busy and i guess in it's own way it is very beautiful. But it is not beautiful every day the way I want it to be or thought it would be..in my fairy tale world. My blessings are abundant and don't get me wrong, there are few people that I would want to trade places with but I read blogs and see people around me, some that make me laugh, some that make me cry, some that make me feel inadequate as a mother at times and others that make me wonder what am i doing wrong , why isn't my life "that" peaceful and accomplished???

My life is a contradiction in terms....this month has been hard - really hard in so many ways and in so many other ways it has been fulfilling. Maybe this is the same for everyone and they don't share that??? I don't know...but I decided that no more of that crazy living that makes store clerks look at me and say things like....."oh, you look tired..." or "rough day???" and my all time favorite..."You look like you have a full plate..." NONE of these are good for a girls ego! I need to find the right balance...the right mix.

I am going to make a VERY conscious effort to make my life the most beautiful that it can be for myself, my kids and my husband. To do the things that I really love doing and not feel like I am struggling to do it.... I hate when cooking and crafting feel like work when really they are some of my most favorite things to do.

I have no time to give up, and I am too tired to feel defeated....besides that is not me. My life isn't horrible, it is by most standards a pretty good one. I just feel so overwhelmed, overworked, underpaid and out of control! Seems like I am missing the magic potion that all these other women have that keeps them smiling and beautiful all the time. One of my girlfriends says it has something to do with Prozac and alcohol.....I don't know, but I know that I am not willing to go that route. I know that I am blessed - I just need to look at it a little differently sometimes. I need to start a journey of daily gratitude and remind myself that in the midst of the chaos there really is peace. I just need to find it tucked in there (probably in the fetal position like I would like to be when it gets really chaotic in my life, but nonetheless it is there). I ending the month with a list of the blessings that I have been given and being thankful for them. Some hidden that needed to be uncovered and dusted off a bit but there there. Then I am going to rewrite it and carry it with me so when I am feeling like my head is going to explode from stress I can either read it or force myself to add to it......

1. Child 1 a genuine, beautiful, spirited child with a tremendous work ethic.

2. Child 2...blessed by his brains, his curiosity, his gentle heart

3. Child 3...blessed by his strength and courage and his stubbornness. Reminding me that giving up is not an option.

4. Child 4...my insanity and sanity rolled into one. The little sunshine at the end of our tunnel.

5. A husband that comes home to me every day

6. Working with my mother every day...even on those days where I think that I could pull my hair out

7. A roof over my head

8. A husband with a job

9. Healthy (for the most part) Kids

10. A husband that loves me.

11. Kids that have good manners and respect adults

12. Electricity and food

13. Making it through childhood

14. Customers that come to see us every day

15. a big beautiful back yard

16. creative genetics

17. having good role models when i was a child

18. living close enough to the water that I can see the sun rise or set over it any day I want

19. Being able to make decisions for myself

20. Health care options for my children

21. my blue eyes

22. child 3 is still with us after last February

23. A father that gave me nothing - ever - but made me a survivor

24. A mother that did what she could

25. God for giving me all that he has given me

26. the challenges that have been blessings in disguise

27. a beautiful turkey on Thanksgiving....(I know that was a stretch)

28.A strong southern woman for a grandmother

29. The friends that I have had and lost along the way.

30. the ability to make changes when I need to

Handmade Holidays 2009!

2009-11-02T19:01:00.000-08:00

I am doing it again.....handmade for all. Last year went really well! A few "Elf" made gifts made their way under our tree, but for the most part it was handmade and up-cycled whenever possible.

I am pushing myself one step further this year. I am going to "attempt" to use what I already have on hand to make these gifts. I honestly have WAY too much in my craft room and am 90% certain that I can accomplish my gift making/giving without having to buy anything new.

Wish me luck!

There are approximately 60 days until Christmas so I figure 5 days on each gift can earn me 12 really nice gifts! I will also be visiting Etsy and some of my favorite blogger's shops. There is so much to chose from!! The kids really got into making wish lists from Etsy. And in effort to be completely honest...I am buying each of the kids a "Snuggie" because I think they are hysterical and make a great gag gift. Gag in more ways than one.....

But they will be purchased from our local hardware store (family owned)- they carry a bit of everything - so I feel good about buying this mass produced product from one of our local stores.

Again....wish me luck!

I will keep you posted on how it is going.

Flying By...

2009-11-02T18:31:00.000-08:00

The last part of October flew by....so much happened in such a short few days I can't even believe it is over!

I have so many things to share, and not enough hours in the day to show them all to you...

2009 Oyster Festival

Final Harvest of our Summer Garden

Mid-day Pumpkin Pie....courtesy of Chef Hayden

Pumpkin Carving....with two of the kids

What happens when you take away the Princess's Pumpkin Seeds

No Cute pictures of the kids on Halloween....Completely forgot my camera every time we were in costume. Bad Mommy.....

An Apple Today

2009-10-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

Is Applesauce, Apple Tart, Apple Pie, Apple Butter.......tomorrow.

I grew up on a farm and there are so many memories associated with the seasons and one of my favorites (I say that alot...) was always Fall. The colors of the leaves, the way the horses started to settle and the change in crops...empty fields from summer crops and acres of dry cornstalks...Homecoming Dinner and applesauce....pounds and pounds of applesauce! I have been dying to take the kids to pick apples and can some homemade goodness!

Sunday was our day. We woke up to the most beautiful day after the terrible rain the day before! We hit the road and headed to a pick your own farm... It was about an hour drive for us and we got to see the most beautiful fall foliage. The trees were just alive with color!

Lily of course donned her Princess Dress and 1" heeled dress up shoes...what else do you wear to the fields?...

And after we purchased the biggest bag of popcorn I had ever seen we headed out to the orchards.

There were rows and rows of apples....Red, Yellow, Green and every color in between. We made our way home with over 70lbs of apples and I can't wait to eat every bit of them!

The Princess tired of walking and rode for a bit.

Bree is so proud of this apple - it was HUGE!My kids were like speed pickers! My husband and I joked that if our kids were around when my uncle was farming our land he would never have had to stop!

And for a little more nostalgia.....

My first job at the ripe old age of 13 was at my uncles produce stand just like this. I get a little sad when I see them empty at the end of the season because as much as I love Fall, an empty stand means all those delicious summer vegetables are gone!

Bewitching

2009-10-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

Our Bewitching Hour came on Saturday night, and along with it came some HORRIBLE rain!! I have always professed my love for Mother Nature but on Saturday I decided that she really isn't my friend and is a "Mean Girl".....

Normally our party is outside under the moonlight but this year the rain drove us inside!! None the less we had a really great time. This year we went with a Diva Divine Witch theme...more Sparkle than Scare!

My girlfriends always look fabulous and my mom pulled out all the creative stops with the hat designs this year. She sold them at our shop and they literally flew out the door as fast as she brought them in.

Over the past four years I have made a collection of silverware, plates to go with our theme. This coming year I think I am going to make goblets for the evening. This year I stayed up until 2:30 in the morning working on my dress....I had a last minute inspiration and worked furiously to get it done. Old bridesmaid dresses come in handy after all! I discovered some really great tips along the way for working with lace and 13 yr old models....they don't go together well! I need to invest in a "real" dress form!

One step further..

2009-10-20T15:48:00.000-07:00

...than usual! I have already professed my love for Halloween and showed you some of my prep for the upcoming Witch Dinner party...but last night, last night I went one step further!

I died my hair Midnight Black to go with my party theme! I had been thinking about dying it darker as I normally do in the Fall. Black Cherry was the suggestion of my stylist, they didn't have Black Cherry, but what they did have was....Midnight Black, with a tint of blue undertone.

I went for it! Out with the Red and in with the Midnight Black. I know you might think I am crazy...but it is only hair and quite frankly...I realllllly enjoy my Witch Dinner Party! It is a new look for me - for sure - I kind of dig it! I have had many a discussion today over my hair...so funny how attached people are to their own look and yours... lol.

Tonight I was reading one of my favorite blogs and she was talking about her hair and I busted out laughing. Hair was a popular topic today!

Spooktacular...

2009-10-16T11:43:00.000-07:00

Halloween is by far one of my favorites! I have boxes and boxes of decorations!! Not scary Halloween, just fun and fanciful pumpkins, witches, ghosts and a spider thrown in here and there!

Every year right before Halloween I hold a dinner party for some of my girlfriends...the theme being....a night among the moonlight as Witches. Now we are not "witches"...but we sure do love to dress up in fancy hats and long eyelashes...

The invitations are just the start for me! I went with a little "fancier" because I wanted to be fancy witches...if there is such a thing!?!? I chose glitter, roses...and skulls. Skulls are not my first choice normally but, for the invitation, I bent the rules! Skulls are a bit scary in my book....

I thought I'd share with you....

(My flash realllllly stinks....)

I bought paper skulls from Michael's, painted them with black spray paint, then hand painted them with a glossy black acrylic paint and sprinkled fine black glitter all over.

I bought a few bouquets of black roses and glittered them up....

The leaves were not safe...they were glittered too.....I am not a big fan of the glue that I used...I am sure you can tell from the color which "name brand" it is. It is WAY too clumpy!

I put a few gems around the eyes and used a sparkly spider on the head...almost like a bow on a few. I hand wrote the invitations on this really cool paper....it had great fibers through it and was really wispy. Loved it!

I rolled the invitations up and put them in the mouth with the rose. Then I packaged them in a brown paper bag with ribbon and sparkly leaves. I was behind the eight ball this year with getting the invitations out so I sent out a save the date ahead of time. I rolled down the tops and ran ribbons and string through the top so I could hang them on the door handles. Getting your invitation is like getting "ghosted"..... only when you open the door you get a fancy surprise!

2009-10-07T21:07:00.000-07:00

I completed a BIG project the other night....

TOO BIG! I made my first attempt at a hat and it went fairly well...until I tried it on...then I realized that I needed a very large pile of dreads on my head to fill it out or a GINORMOUS HEAD. I can't even see the camera. The darn thing comes down like 4 inches over my face! Quite a silly look and not effective if I actually need to see something.

It was just madness....and now it is just another ball of yarn in my bag! I had to make like a frog and "rip it...rip it..."

2009-10-04T19:03:00.001-07:00

On the first day of October they announced on the morning news that it was "the coldest day of the season so far...".

Then my favorite little 3 1/2 year old waltzed down from her room in a red-white-blue bikini and announced that the sun was shining and she was going swimming so could I please fill up her pool.

My answer was "NO"...I am such a mean mommy....She settled for swinging...flapping her arms like a little bird.

Watching her swing so happily was beautiful....and it warmed me from the inside out.

Holy Matrimony

2009-10-01T18:28:00.000-07:00

14 years ago This guy and I got married....it has been an adventure, not always a joyride but certainly a ride..one that we have committed to finishing together.

No fancy dinner, no fancy dresses or suits, no sparkling beverage...we spent the day doing the same thing we have been doing for 13 of 14 years..taking a kid to the doctors for a hospital followup and running in different directions. The past 14 years have been treacherous and challenging but we have been in it together.....Happy Anniversary Honey!!

Yesterday was our anniversary but today is the day that we had 5 minutes with each other. I was snapping some pictures outside and he was laying in the hammock watching the puppies run and our girls swing. It was one of those rare moments of chaotic serenity....

I got in the hammock with him and we snapped a few pictures of "us" just like we did in one of those boardwalk booths on our honeymoon. I have to say...we don't look like we did 14 years ago, and I don't have a lick of makeup on today so it isn't my best run of pictures but here we are...all married and exhausted....but still in love and young at heart!

This is our serious face....

And a silly face....which made us laugh pretty hard and after which my lovely proceeded to tell me that if the hammock snapped we would kill the puppies and break our backs! Right...love you too honey!!! I think he was trying to imply that he might be a little bigger than when we got married...only him though.....lol.

POST EDIT: I came back and read this post and realized how me being so tired when I wrote it made our anniversary and my appreciation of our marriage seem a little lack-luster. That makes me a bit sad.... I am going to try again...after I get some rest....

Oh' Honey...

2009-09-15T18:31:00.000-07:00

I am OBSESSED with honey right now. Not just any honey, but a jar of local honey that I bought from a gentleman. He brings this fabulous treat to our shop for us to sell....honey, honey, honey!!!!

It is so good...I can't stop eating it.....

Today alone I have had....

Several slices of toast with honey

Oatmeal with Cinnamon and honey

Green tea with honey

spoon with honey....

Butternut squash roasted with a drizzle of honey

I am obsessed! Yet another reason why I love the fall....Mr. Hazen brings me his honey!

Beautiful Stretch

2009-09-06T19:02:00.000-07:00

We are having the most beautiful stretch of weather this past week. On top of the beautiful weather, we have had the most beautiful full moon all week! Yes, I said all week....it has gone on for days...It has been UNBELIEVABLE!! So bright and beautiful!

This is by far one of my favorite times of year...you are going to hear me say this every day for the next 3 months. If not every day, at least every other day!!!

We have enjoyed evening walks, outdoor movies and even an outdoor nap yesterday!! There was just enough chill in the evening air to put on a light sweatshirt!

I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!!

I feel the need to harvest. Too bad we are all our vegetables this summer and didn't save any for canning. There is always the farmers market on Thursday evening, I can score some harvesting veggies there. Replenish my depleted pantry.

Walking under the moonlight

2009-09-01T19:55:00.000-07:00

Today or should I say tonight I took my walk under a full moon, and it was beautiful! So beautiful and peaceful.... I had been asking for a little peace in my life and luckily I am finding it seeping in here and there.

Tonight was a beautiful crisp evening, and the way that the moon reflected off the Bay brought peace and serenity to my day. I was able to remember and reflect on some of the things the kids said today. Hayden reminded me that today was the first day of September and asked if we could get apples from the "Apple Guy" and make homemade applesauce.. Lily told me not to talk to her with a "Sassy Mouth..."...my boys asked me to turn up a Chris Tomlin song on the way to Hayden's first soccer game....that was a good feeling, I like that they enjoy Christian music as much if not more than main stream rock & pop.

It was nice, and peaceful and I enjoyed it....

Hope your 1st day of September was as peaceful....

Time with my girls

2009-08-31T18:46:00.000-07:00

Weekends are not what they used to be around here, not quite as slow paced anymore. This past Sunday I made a break in our hectic times and just sat on the back porch with the girls going through bags and boxes of buttons that I have collected along the way. I had pulled out a few of my fancier buttons last week for a girlfriends birthday present and had been itching to dig into them since then.

When I was a little girl my grandmother would let me go through her buttons while she sewed. She had the most beautiful buttons! Her favorite Uncle was a tailor and had the most amazing collection of buttons. He passed it on to her and she passed her love of buttons on to me!

I never thought when I was a little girl that I would be able to pass along my love of buttons to my little girls and yet I think that I have without even planning on it. The same way my grandmother passed it on to me.

I also discovered that this separated dish made a great organizing box for my buttons! We were working on filling it up when I took the pictures....there are three large bags under the table we are working on.

Fried Chicken and Chocolate Cake

2009-08-26T20:43:00.000-07:00

I started my day out making Fried Chicken and Chocolate cake for my grandfather at 6:30 AM today. I have to say that was a first....never had my house filled with those two smells so early in the morning. It was all for a great man and I was happy to do it, I hope that he enjoyed it.

It was one of those meals that is made with heart and soul, and makes you feel good cooking for someone else. I am sitting here reading the blogs of some of my favorite ladies and thinking how much I would like to have dinner with them and eat food prepared from our heart and souls. Reading blogs can give you a peak into the lives of so many - and the ones that I favor really do share their souls with you, sometimes without realizing it....I feel so connected to them without even knowing them. I end my day with these women almost 7 days a week!

I decided that I want to sit around my table filled with candles and the beautiful faces of my blog favorites and share Fried Chicken and Chocolate Cake with them. I assume that these women are all beautiful because they have such amazing, beautiful spirits. I want to hear laughter and wisdom filling the air around us and soak up every minute of it!

Anyone who knows me also knows that half the fun of this would be planning the entire evening. The menu, the table scape, the invitation, everything! Obviously it is time for me to get some sleep because I am dreaming with my eyes wide open here, this dinner party can only happen in my dreams.

Good night all I have got a party to plan!

Mopey Dopey...

2009-08-19T20:34:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have a day where you could cry if you gave yourself five minutes to stop and take in your surroundings?

That kind of day when nothing in particular goes wrong, but your just a bit sad?

I don't like being mopey and I certainly don't do it "in public", and yet here I am telling the world that I am sad...for no reason other than I am.

I love my kids, I love my husband, I love my job....I think I am just a tiny bit overwhelmed.

OK...now I am going to go pull myself together.

Another round..

2009-08-12T20:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I made another go-around and turned a year older. Last year I had the most WONDERFUL birthday EVER! Literally, it was simple and sweet and exactly what I wanted. I thought it was the best....my husband even had a fancy custom cake made for me that replicated a coffee cup with our shop's logo on it. It was so cute!

August 2008 Birthday

This year was very similar. Not quite as peaceful, but just as simple....My husband surprised me with all sorts of little things that I had mentioned along the way - because I never officially "ask" for any. I don't like that!!... So all my little statements like..."if anyone ever really wants to buy me something, buy me some new dishtowels......" or ..."I really need to buy a blender so I can make smoothies before I go to the shop..." ... and "I really like this magazine, I would love a subscription some time..."

So my presents consisted of a subscription to Clean Eating magazine! YEAH!!! New dishtowels, a new blender and one of the best......a new wedding ring! Not an official wedding ring, not a flashy big Cha-Cha ring....but a beautiful hammered sterling silver band with the word Love engraved on the front. You can see it here....it is called the "Love Triumphant" ring. The little card that comes with the ring made me a little teary eyed....

My daughter and brother made me this very lovely cake...isn't it beautiful?!?! It was barely edible....heaven help me if she ever reads this...Honey, it was a lovely thought, and very pretty...mommy just needed a bigger glass of water...or maybe some milk!.... but honestly it was one of those moments when we ONLY stomach it because one of our children made it!

But, the BEST of the BEST....I was given the gift of four beautiful children and a husband who truly loves me. I have made many a wish for frivolous things in my younger days, but now when I make my wish and blow out the candles - I wish for the REALLY BIG Things, like......

That this man makes it home to me every night....

That they only know the best of Life...and all their dreams come true...

And, that he NEVER has to feel another day of discomfort or pain again. He has been through enough for all of us.....

Happy Birthday all you August babies!! Enjoy it however it comes to you!

Full...

2009-08-06T18:45:00.000-07:00

This past week I spent 5 days with my oldest and best friend. She lives 3000 miles away and even though we didn't meet until we were 17 and 18 I feel like I have spent every day since childhood with her. We live so far away that we aren't able to be a part of each others every day life, but I always feel like we just spent yesterday together, even when 8 long years have past.

So much has taken place since we last lived near one another....we have gotten married, had babies, had drama and trauma and still I feel as connected to her as I did when I lived right down the street from her.

I moved to California when I was 17 years old, 3000 miles away from everything that I had ever known and loved, moved in with a bunch of strangers that were supposed to be family and met some of the most wonderful people I have ever known.

We don't even remember the actual moment that we met...we just know that we connected and became fast friends. It was the beginning of a great friendship. Her family was my surrogate when I needed one, her shoulder was there when I needed to shed a tear, and believe me there were quite a few shed.

Not only do I love her, but I absolutely love her family ....probably more than my own (pre husband and kids)....I sucked in her family like they were my oxygen. Her mother and father whether they realized it or not, were like parents to me when I felt I had none. Her older sisters, who were building their families when we were in high school, were always accepting and loving. Her younger sister was an adorable reminder of my younger brother , and her younger brother is hysterical! He always makes me laugh and smile! I love them all!

She is the Godmother of my oldest daughter and if God were to take me tomorrow and she needed to step up and take my daughter, I know that she could raise her to be a strong, independent, smart beautiful woman that I would be proud of. I have never once thought twice about it....

So the last 5 days filled me with a TON of memories, both new and old.....and Carne Asada...I am pretty sure that I gained 10 pounds. My heart is overflowing with my love for her, my gratitude of friendship from her. Filled with renewed love for her family, and new love for her beautiful little boys that I finally had the pleasure of meeting. Filled FULL of experience with her friends that get to spend daily life with her, and new memories from our time together this visit. I left California with a FULL heart and a full belly.....the best combination! My soul was completely nourished!!!

I will never be able to fully express my feelings of love and gratitude to my best friend....and I almost believe that I don't need to because she already knows....

I love you....and you know it.....just don't forget me......

Complete Indulgence

2009-07-27T15:42:00.000-07:00

I am not a selfish person...

Sometimes I just need to take a break in the midst of the chaos I call my life....

This evening was one of those times...

No full dinner for the family....a frozen starter and fruit slices for the kids.....

And for me....

A slice of Brie with walnuts and dried yummies, a few crackers and a new found favorite French white table wine.

Served to myself on the back deck, on a cute little antique plate, a beautiful piece of pewter cookware received as a wedding gift and my ultimate favorite....a footed antique jelly glass filled with that wonderful white wine.

OK....back to the reality of life.....

July in a Flash...

2009-07-17T20:15:00.001-07:00

July....your passing me by so quickly, I don't know if I have had time to absorb you!! Can we please slow down?? Life is moving so quickly, I can't really remember what was so important about yesterday??

4th of July.... watched a few fireworks with friends. So low key that this day almost blended into the next!

A day trip of adventure and culture..... this was a great day..... a day sent to me from a loving God who knew I needed a break.

My boys with their Great-Grandfather. He is a piece of living history....his (my) family lived here on this waterfront property for over 100 years...seriously! When I was a little girl he used to fill my swimming pool with Minos and soft shell crabs....one of my most vivid childhood memories. I love this man.....

An AWESOME concert....in the words of my 13 year old...

Where will this month take us next???

Flopsy, Mopsy and Peter...you need a new home!!

2009-07-16T20:09:00.000-07:00

Let's talk about the garden again....Not only has the garden taken on a life of it's own, it has even taken on NEW LIFE!!! We have found a little family of bunnies in there buried among the squash and zucchini! The first time my husband found the mother...it was really funny, she scared him. He's a city boy...

Then...I found the babies!! Four of them to be exact. I was picking some beans and saw two little eyes looking at me. At first, I thought SNAKE but then I saw the fur..

And yes, they are adorable...but they are EATING MY VEGETABLES!!!! I mean, I don't want to be greedy....but grow your own!! They have made a serious dent in my Butternut squash...and my tomatoes are never going to ripen if those little buggers don't stop eating them off the vine!!

Bree seriously thought that I couldn't pull one of the zucchini's out because the bunny was hanging on....I am supposed to let this girl date in a few years????

So what happens when you express your concerns about Vegetation Depletion by such cute little bunnies?????

Well, first your HUGE - OLD (this is how Lily has started to refer to her daddy) husband decides that he is going to take on the bunnies....

Then, your youngest daughter has a conniption and starts talking in a different language about what is going on....older sister tries to calm the situation...

While also trying to point out the location of hiding bunnies....

Three year olds take on the situation....not good, pretty sure she said some naughty things about her daddy!

Lacrosse sticks, Crab nets and other crazy paraphernalia came into this equation, but never fear...those bunnies showed that big guy who was boss!!

Then today, I found this....I think I understand why they have taken to my garden....

That baby is 14" long and 13" round!!! And I am not talking about the cute little Princess with the garden gloves on!!

Piles of Work

2009-07-13T12:40:00.000-07:00

The Piles of work and stuff that crop up in my life seem to take on a life of their own. At times there are the Laundry piles, to be Filed piles, put this in so-and-so's room pile, call this person pile, and the list goes on and on....and on......but lately I have been growing piles of things I love...CREATIONS!!!

This lovely little pile contains a shawl that is almost complete. It just needs the edge finished on it, and the lovely orange there...that is a tube top in the making. A fun little project that involved re-purposing old tshirts, love it!

Some of my projects don't get completed before I move forward to another...I always come back to them, but sometimes I need a change of scenery. I work well this way..or so I tell myself!

And this pile...this pile makes me sooooo excited because that means that my garden is GROWING and feeding my family. It also means that I have some canning and freezing to do...

Nature's Bounty

2009-07-07T20:43:00.000-07:00

In a matter of a few short months our garden has gone from a blank plot of dirt and seeds to a Bountiful treasure chest. I have ton's of lettuce, beautiful purple beans that turn green when cooked, squash, zucchini and even potatoes!

Before....

After....

The tomatoes are growing fat and juicy but just haven't turned red yet! Notice the zucchini are starting to come out into the lawn.

And for some reason no matter what other flowers bloom, these are my favorite...every year. They have changed shades a few times, I think I love that surprise just as much.

Now, off to find more recipes for my squash. Time to break out the canning equipment.

Summer love

2009-06-29T17:51:00.000-07:00

Some of my Many Loves of Summer....

Fresh Vegetables from our Garden...

"Fresh" Smelling Linens....

Picture Perfect Burgers from the Grill...

Fresh Flowers on the table from MY bushes and Gardens...

Fresh Fruit turned into a Yummy dessert!MMMMMM.....goood!

If Life could just slow down a bit so we could enjoy the long days of summer even more.

Time Warp

2009-06-18T09:12:00.000-07:00

I am living in a time warp...and not the cool fun kind where you get to dress in fun period clothing! The kind where Life and everything else takes place~ moves so fast you wonder when did that happen??? ~ The kind where your "baby" turns 13 and you have no idea where the time went????

My beautiful daughter turned 13! I can't believe it!! 13....how does that happen???? Where did that time go??? This was the hardest birthday for me, I didn't get all weird about my 25th, 30th, or 35th birthday! But, my baby turning 13...that did it for me! It also reminded me not to take time for granted.....easier said than done! I could go on and on about the reflective thoughts that I have had since this particular birthday but I won't do that to you!

Among other things she is becoming a beautiful Young Lady...so many things to be proud of. She became a member of the National Junior Honor Society. Finished up her school year as an Honor Roll student - all four quarters, and made us SO Proud!

She Played another AWESOME season of softball. Her athletic talent, combined with her work ethic I am hoping will pay off in the form of an athletic scholarship.

Simple things make her very happy, little cake, a few presents, her family and she is a happy girl!

Hopefully it will be a little while before she becomes a total teenager...we are dealing a little with the attitude, but so far that is the only thing surfacing. No Boy craziness, no Fashion craziness...just a little attitude. Or BIG attitude depending on the day. I will take it over any of those other options.

I love you baby!

FULL....

2009-06-01T18:47:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that I haven't posted in a MONTH!! A whole MONTH!! I love my blog and the blog world and yet I have sorely neglected both! Life has been so FULL over the past couple of weeks that there has been barely enough time to breathe much less create and or post about it!!

In fact I have just returned home from our second appointment in Philadelphia in 2 weeks. You can catch up on that progress over here. However, I warn you it won't be updated until tomorrow...what can I say, I am trying but I feel my time here is going to be cut short!
I hear the kids all rustling around in the next room, they are supposed to be sleeping...but you know "liter mates" just want to roll all over, cuddle and annoy each other. I have come to decide that my kids are like a liter of puppies...

I can happily say and will say, that after this week our weeks and weekends will no longer be packed FULL of baseball games...YIPPEEE!!!!

My camera is FULL of pictures to post to my blog....my blog has been on my mind you see!!

My garden is FULL of growing vegetables...and except for a few patches of bush beans that the Princess decided to wreak havoc on.

My Staff is FULL at the store leaving me with some free time to be home with my family...as soon as I get them all trained and feel like I can let "go" for a few minutes.

Life is a little stressful when it is FULL, but without a FULL life where would we be? BORED!

I can't wait to be bored....

Crazy...busy...and lots of dirt

2009-04-19T20:39:00.000-07:00

I missed my little blog...life has been a little crazy, a little busy but overall just good ole LIFE!! The weather finally broke and we had a great weekend, that was awesome. I love being able to get out and "do stuff"! We had our first night of outdoor movies. So fun, we love them...big huge sky full of stars, warm cozy fire and of course hearing our kids crack-up at whatever we are watching!

My arch Nemesis of life when Spring springs....DIRT! I love that things grow from the dirt that will then feed us all year long...but I REALLY hate dirt being in my car, my house and my washing machine! ughhhh.... and with all the rain we have had lately we have lots of MUD which is just clumpy dirt. Being a compulsive sweeper, the dirt keeps me busy!

Saturday was an all day Baseball Bonanza, 4 baseball games, 3 of our kids playing, and only 2 parents to make this happen?? We ended up only having 2 kids able to play, so we made the best of it....I was able to make it to Bree's first game...they ROCKed! They ended up losing, which was not so great but they played really well. She pitched all but two innings and it was in those two innings that the four runs were scored that flipped the score book.

This girl can play some ball. She amazes me, so strong and beautiful at the same time! Her daddy taught her well and I am pretty sure that his genetics make her all that more athletic! The last inning she pitched, she had 3 up and 3 down. I acted very excited when she told me, and then when I figured out what she was talking about...I was very excited for her! And then she came home all dusty and dirty....lol.

She competed today in a Pitch, Hit and Run and is moving on to the Sectionals. I didn't see any other girls there and nobody would answer me about whether there were other girls competing...which usually means, NO. I have this weird thing about her competing with all the boys, because nobody likes to be beat by a Girl....and because I don't want her to be THAT girl that plays the boys sports...you know what I mean???? But in her defense she played boys baseball long before she was forced to play girls softball.

OK, bragging done...for now! Just kidding...

I missed the next game which was Jacobs game, I had to go to work...we were pretty busy at the shop - I HATE missing their games!

And today I was out and playing in the dirt myself! I got to plant 3/4 of my garden and moved some plants around in the backyard. I switch my plants around like I switch my wardrobes around....this frustrates my husband to no end! But I LOVE it.... The robins were following me around like I was their new BFF....I kept bringing all the big fat worms to the surface...sorry worms!

We played in the "poopy dirt" as Lily called it. She helped, hopefully they grow...hopefully there are still seeds in there...

See my handy little grid there....that is so my husband doesn't get all crazy with the tomatoes again this year!

Allowance

2009-04-06T20:30:00.000-07:00

Remember when you were younger and if you did all your chores and kept yourself in line all week you got a little spending cash at the end of the week??? Mine was also known as a "paycheck"...I have worked ever since I can remember!! Well, at least since I was 14 or 15?? I never really had an allowance growing up- and I am pretty sure that this is why.....

Because I really, REALLY want to blow my allowance this week on this beauty right here!!!

Now as a grown woman with four kids who works very hard every day...I have an allowance! We aren't taking paychecks right now - and "with the economy these days" (the most loathed and frequently used words in my vocabulary right now!) I have put myself on a little, very little allowance! And, I am not too proud to admit it! lol....

I am becoming a firm believer in this "allowance"...it makes you think very carefully about what you need....or maybe you just want it??

And right now, I think that I NEED that fancy little shrug to serve the fanciest coffee in all of Deale!!

I have given the kids a $5 weekly allotment/allowance to use either on the school store, to buy lunch, or a little trinket that they want. Well...today is Monday - they got their allowance last night and my oldest promptly bought herself the BIGGEST, most GI-NORMOUS candy bar that the grocery store had. Seriously.....where does she get such decision making skills??? Allowance - Blown!

Shrug and an entire collection of ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS - GORGEOUS - ROMANTIC lovelies are available from Bonzie on Etsy!! I really, really want about 6 different pieces that she has!!!

Busy little Knitter

2009-03-23T07:46:00.000-07:00

I have added to my Craft Craziness with a new habit. I have been learning to knit for the past couple of months with a knitting 101 class that we have been doing at the shop. It is really fun! More than just knitting - it is great girl time! It is really the only opportunity to hang out with any girlfriends that I get and I love it!

As with all new crafting there are accessories! I was getting frustrated with the needles falling out all the time so I started looking for something cute to put them in. I found some online and in a knitting store....not paying that much $$ for something I can make in no time....and without having to buy anything to make them. So I made everyone one! They were well received and I am glad that everyone liked them. I of course gave mine to my daughter so I need to make myself another......what is that saying about the cobblers child with no shoes??

I made them in a roll-up style. Super simple!!

This picture with no needles doesn't really "showcase" the case....but it is effective!

And this pretty little baby sat with me the entire time....I forgot how fun it was to sew with a small child on my lap. She has been sick again with the snotty crud so I made a little corner in our office - that connects to the craft room hoping that she would sit and read books, color, etc. I was dreaming.....

I am not sure why all the babies have to be naked, but they do....

They're Stalking me...

2009-03-19T09:10:00.000-07:00

I have a weird fear - ridiculously -nonsensical (yes that is a word to me) - serious fear - of Squirrels. I know plenty of people who think they are just soooo cute...but not me. Sometimes I think, OK, maybe they are a little cute....and then I see them gnawing on a nut and I revert back to the fear thing.

How? or Why? You might be asking....simple..my mother did it...she made me terrified of them! She used to tell me that if I went to the edge of our yard, which was close to the corner of the main road in our neighborhood the squirrels would get me. They would bite me....there you have it...fear implanted in my young little brain!!

Yes, I know that I should be able to not be scared of a furry little creature, but lets face it. They can be frightening. We have all seen Chevy Chase's Christmas movie...that squirrel came flying out of that tree with vengeance! And what about those flying squirrels?? I have seen documentary film on them...they are flippen scary! What about how they run towards the road and then head back to the side and then back into the road...taunting you...are you going to swerve or are you going to hit me and if you hit me won't you feel horrible for the rest of the day!! And if you could see them running about in my back yard, up and down the trees...I promise you I actually saw one throw another off a tree! Promise you....

So why this rambling rant about squirrels??? Well this morning when I opened the blinds...there one was sitting right in front of me! Scared me to death!! Then one of the first Etsy shops I went to this morning...more squirrels...and another...squirrels!!!

I have to admit...I do think these little squirrels are pretty cute. I don't think I want to eat my eggs out of them, but they are very cute.

And these might appear to be harmless....but look closely, they look a little mischievous...

I hope that BROOKLNYrehab doesn't mind me showing you her cute little squirrels....maybe I need a little rehab over this squirrel thing!

And check this guy out...he is quite fetching, but I think you'll understand why he frightens me a bit! I mean, he is after all the King of Squirrels!!!

Technilogical Breakdown

2009-03-13T09:22:00.000-07:00

I am on the verge of panic....not only do I not have use of my laptop....but now my keyboard on my harddrive has DIED!!! I am now secluded to using the shops computer and really I am supposed to be working...lots of coffee needing to be served!!!

I am now off to find the necessary equipment to get myself back on-line!

Wish me luck....four kids, husband and trying to buy computer equipment!

Off my Access

2009-03-10T19:54:00.000-07:00

...I am totally like a fish out of water without my laptop!!! The power cord on my laptop died last week and I have been completely in the dark without it! We still have our "big" computer upstairs but I feel out of touch on it...all my "favorites" are stored on my laptop...how can I be expected to surf the web for hours when I should be sleeping without all my favorite blogs to read and sites to shop??? That laptop has important shop information I need and more than I thought I did..and most important...new patterns for knitting...my new found hobby.... I am going through withdraws here!!!

Right now I am using my darling daughters laptop but the keyboard is the size of a note card so it is impossible to type on without wiping everything out at least 3 times....I have already done it twice, so wish me luck on the rest of this post!

Oh by the way...do like the new "skinny" blog??? Megan is awesome over at Knuckleheaders, I highly recommend you use her. As soon as I can get more than one tab open at a time I will put a little button over there on the side.

Have a great night...I am going to pout all the way to bed about my power cord.....

A Meatless Menu

2009-02-25T19:06:00.000-08:00

We have been cutting way back on meat...and I must say that it has been pretty easy. Don't get me wrong, I still love a really nice steak and I crave a juicy cheeseburger some days...but I really don't need it that often.

I have been looking around for tasty recipes and found this Vegetarian Reuben sandwich on Lizzy Writes. IT IS AWESOME!! SO GOOD AND SO FILLING!!! For the most part everyone ate them, The Brain is the pickiest eater! The Princess is still suffering with the stomach flu so she didn't get close to any food today.

It was such a fast recipe, seriously less than 30 minutes even. I served ours with homemade coleslaw because I don't like sauerkraut and with Sweet Potato fries.

The rest of the week's menu consists of Vegetable Lasagna, Whole Wheat Pizza's, Rice and Beans and this weekend a nice pot of soup.

Have any yummy meatless recipes you want to share?? Let me know!

Where does it all come from????

2009-02-24T17:32:00.000-08:00

How can so much YUCK come out of such a little body???

The Princess has come down with the stomach flu again and I am just AMAZED at how much stuff can come out of such a little person??? She is the tiniest little thing, where is it all coming from.....geez!

I hope this passes fast, I can take another 7 days like Christmas...that was horrible! I don't remember what I ran out of first laundry detergent or clothes!

Wish me luck....

SCORE!!!

2009-02-23T20:15:00.000-08:00

On Saturday I took a very - very quick trip to a little antique store up the road and boy am I glad I did!! I found so many new treasures! I brought home some of my favorites - and the ones that I could justify buying - and left behind treasures that I am sure I will long for.....for days.....maybe weeks! But look at these treasures...and other than the box, all treasures qualify for Fab Finds under $5.00

This is the sweetest little apron, very flirty....Jerry wasn't sure it was supposed to be worn in the kitchen! I assured him it was since it had little veggies on it.

Look at those goodies...the lace and little thread spools were super cheap...like $1.50 and not nearly as exciting as finding the longer ones which are old thread bobbins. I almost did a happy dance in the store...I had been wanting these for ribbon and embellishment storage in my craft room. I think they are beautiful! Speaking of beautiful...look at that box!

I also bought this piece of lace, I really don't think I am going to use it for anything...maybe display at the shop, but It is really sweet - had to have it. And look at the detail on that box...

"The box" is actually an old candy tin! I think it is so pretty, it is either going to store trinkets in the craft room or I am going to put it on my dresser for my growing collection of vintage jewelry and pins. Either way, I had to have it...it was the most expensive think I bought all day. Even cost me more than a 5' mirror!

OK, this is where I get really excited....
Check these babies out!! I found these patterns tucked away....I really can't tell you how much they excite me! They are all 1950-1960's time frame, and the one in the back there is several (18 to be exact) applique patterns!!! All of them uncut...!! They say they are size 14, however...it seems to me that is about an 8 or 10 these days!

I plan on making this dress - the full skirt version - in about a MILLION different fabrics!!!! I am going to wear it every day....all summer....did I mention every day?? ..... I fully admit something is wrong with me!!!

These two pieces I really thought were cool. The coil thing is a bracelet...very retro, it was only a $1 and I thought it would look cool with that dress it is hanging out with. The pin is really beautiful in person. The flower petals are two different greens and it is in excellent condition!!

These little critters and four of their friends came home with me...these are temporarily on the waiting list. My kids love these little Wade animals and their price was just right so I bought all of them and let the kids pick one each for completing their chores on Sunday. There is a mad dash going on to earn another one. First come first serve.....the little chimp back there seems to be last on the wish list.

Hope you had a great weekend and a grand start to your week!

If I am Lucky

2009-02-21T18:01:00.000-08:00

This picture is from my birthday this year, which by far was the best birthday EVER!

I am 35 years old and if I am lucky, I have lived half my life so far. I feel like this half way marker is a great place to be. I have four incredible, beautiful, vivacious children. Each one unique in their own sense, each passionate about their own adventures and each still so in love with their mama that it fills my heart to just where it needs to be each day. I have a husband who adores me and loves me in his very own way. Don't get me wrong... we argue, we bicker, we disagree...we are human but in the end we still love each other.

If I am at my "mid life" portion of my life than I am very privileged! I feel like I finally have allowed myself to be who I really am, and the strength to be who I want to be and not who people think I should be. But also continuing to evolve into myself, and show my children that it is OK to evolve and become what they are meant and want to be. This year (birth year, not calender year) I have found myself content with so much more in life and yet requiring so much less "stuff" in life. I have had the most wonderful - simple holiday celebrations with just my husband and children, and even though I LOVE social settings and friends I have become more introspective and I really like that too!

I think I am having mid-life greatness and not a mid-life crisis. I think people freak out when they get to that halfway portion of life because they realize that they haven't been totally honest to themselves about what they wanted for themselves and for the people they love.

Last night I was knitting, laughing and having some really great girl talk with some friends and we all agreed that even with full plates, being overwhelmed sometimes by the "real" parts of life. You know..the laundry, the "mom, mom, mom......", the homework, dinner and etc. that we are all very lucky to have those things to overwhelm us. While we can't be perfect we can certainly work to be the best for ourselves, just ourselves! Not for someone else's opinion but in our own opinion.

The friends I have, the friends I have lost, the great accomplishments and the big mistakes have brought me here to who I am today and, I would do it all again to be right where I am today.

I like being half way there...means there is a lot more to go!

I don't know how...

2009-02-19T09:21:00.000-08:00

I don't know how it happened that my post from last night ended up down there....down there below my post-Valentines post....?????

It is there if you want to read it!

I will be back later...bye for now!

A little post valentines post

2009-02-17T19:28:00.000-08:00

I am a few days late posting my Valentines craftiness...Not super special, but super cute cupid heiny's! Everyone was fluttering around "making" special cards for each other...one of my favorite parts of being a mom....

The kids loved them and I made them all "hangable" (I am not really sure that is a word...but you know what I mean by it, right?) so next year I can use them in a banner of some sorts.

I found the cupids online at a free clip-art site, attached them to a few layers of cardstock and embellished away. I added a little extra sparkle to their wings with some cheapy glitter glue from Joanne's - love that stuff!! I used a vintage postcard for Jerry's, I didn't get a picture of that one....

Books and a little chocolate heart were being passed out for the Love-y holiday! Truth is, those books were purchased before Christmas for Christmas and I hid them so well I didn't find them until January! OOPS!

And these cute little bum's could not be resisted! I just loved them...I did cover one, but couldn't do it for the second! These were for the girls, the boys were done in black and red.

EDIT...I forgot to show you another little creation...I made both of these, the cute girl and the cute shirt...well only the button and felt heart on the shirt.

In my heart

2009-02-17T09:36:00.001-08:00

Valentines day may be over, but I am totally realizing what a romantic I really am! I don't come across in my daily life as one, but in my heart I am totally a romantic! I was laying in bed last night- not falling asleep but refusing to get out of bed because that would break my routine of going to bed early!!! But there I was thinking of all the "dreams" I had when I was a little girl, even some that I had tucked pretty far back in the memory bank because somebody told me "that" wasn't realistic, and some that I still have as an adult. I realized that I am at heart a romantic!

I dreamt of a man sweeping me off my feet, living in a romantic-fairytale marriage, raising beautiful healthy children, staying home with them and baking cupcakes and cookies for them and my big strong husband. Literally I would cook, clean and bake for my family in a lovely swinging 40-50's style dress if that is all that life required of me. I am pretty sure that I would love every minute of it!!!

It started out pretty good...met and married my husband within six months, started a family right away, and then......

Life got in the way...so frustrating!!

Most people might not recognize this Romantic side in me...but they probably don't really "know" me like you do...kidding. If you came into our shop you might see it in my surroundings, but in my every day life of dropping off kids, working/running the shop, trying to get all the homework done, feed the family, blah-blah-blah you would not see it. I am pretty straight forward...I don't get lost in the romance of "taking care of my family" - I get caught up in process of "getting it all done"!! I guess I just get a little lost.....

I still dream of a fairytale marriage (don't get me wrong, I love my husband..but this is no fairytale...boys don't smell or grow hair in funny places in your dreams), I dream of moving somewhere "romantic" like a ranch in Utah or Montana or Northern California...or Southern California by the beach, wearing flowy dresses and educating my children using non-traditional methods, the list goes on and on! I pray that I am raising happy children...the healthy comes and goes...but happy and mentally healthy is good enough most days.

I realized all this laying there trying to sleep...I also realized that there is a reason I don't go to be too early, I end up laying there thinking too much and it takes me too long to fall asleep!!

I am going to buy myself something romantic and girly today....maybe something like these which can be found on Etsy from liliswan

Or maybe this...which I love! I even think her description of this piece slightly describes me...check it out here

And I think I need this pretty little pink tablecloth to feed my family on! Which is also found on Etsy from divinedebrisvintage.

OK...now I am good and tired, I think I can go to bed and fall asleep.

Routine Failure....

2009-02-17T08:48:00.000-08:00

I have become a routine failure!! I am not routinely a failure, but for the better part of 2008 I had started to fail in my routine of Healthy Eating, Routine Exercise and Routine sleep!! In my own defense, I am pretty sure that opening our own coffee shop and boutique has something to do with it...but NO EXCUSES!!

For 2009 I vowed to change this failure of routine!! Thus far it hadn't happened! I was feeling way to dumpy about the whole situation so Saturday I made the switch!

Shewwww....so glad that is over!!! I feel better already!

No more Failure of Routine here!

I also vowed to create more Routinely....that part is happening, Yeah me!!

A lovely little Break

2009-02-12T07:18:00.000-08:00

I have had a case of the blah's for the past week. Nothing in the Kingdom was aligning as we say when The Princess is having a bad day. I know that some of my problem was an anniversary of sorts that came to pass yesterday. But on top of that nothing else seemed to be coming together for me...not much luck on the Thrifting, and what I did find didn't do the trick to snap me out of the blahs....

I have not been able to complete any projects that I am working on and business has been slow at the shop.

I have determined that my camera flash is a piece of junk and it is making me a very unhappy mama, and my three year old has decided that she will sleep in any ones bed but her own.

The worst.....the kids are still passing the Chicken Pox around the house! Causing a BLAH atmosphere in general!

The COLD dreary weather was not helping to make any of these little annoyances easier! But - TODAY it is beautiful and sunny out! Not really warm, but beautiful to look at. I love seeing the sun streaming through the windows. And even though the back yard still has that pre-Spring funk going on - the sun coming through the tree's is beautiful and refreshing. Right now the sun is shining in on my shoulders and it feels like a warm hug...it feels heavenly!

A new day, a Day for ANEW....I am saying a little Thank You to God today for a break in the blahs....

Now..I am off to complete a project with half naked itchy kids...wish me luck. Bound to be a laugh in there somewhere!

A Day late, But Not a $1 Short!!!

2009-02-01T21:03:00.000-08:00

Who says you can't buy anything cute or pretty for a $1?? Thrifting is so fun and I am in LOVE with this one little thrift store that I have stumbled on. I get SO EXCITED when I go in there! I always find something and last weeks trip didn't let me down! I haven't had a chance to show them off to you! Everything I bought that day was either $1.00 or .25!! I got this entire pile for $7 and some change!!

This Bean pot, was $1.00!! I found two of them but I was feeling very generous and passed along my knowledge of the pots whereabouts to a young couple who I could see were after similar finds. It is in great condition! It does have a small chip in the lid, but other than that...perfect! It is made in the USA by Hall China. That is a find for $1.00!!! I am making beans in it tomorrow night!

That cute little white pitcher, the white plate which will be serving pastries at the shop and those little vintage coffee cups and plates which will also be serving our lovely customers at the shop cost me only .25 each!!! Can you stand it?!?!?! I love them! They are super cute and I love them...did I say that? Oh, and the plate & pitcher - made in the USA!

The glass canisters in the back have already made their way up to my craft studio and filled with pretty little things!

Lily even had a ball in a box of notions that I found. That's my girl.... See all those packages of bias tape? They were only .05 each! She picked one out for everyone...everyone we know I think! She even tried to tell me that she needed one for one of our customers at the shop..it was too cute!

That cute little soup mug was also only a quarter and I couldn't pass it up!! I have ended my mission to find vintage soup mugs after getting my set of handmade soup mugs from our shop. They aren't vintage, but they sure are beautiful and they can hold more soup than you can actually eat!! Aren't they pretty....they were NOT $1.00 but they were worth every penny!

I hope to find more FAB finds tomorrow!

Snow Day!

2009-01-27T13:23:00.000-08:00

Today was our first "real" snowfall of the year. They are saying it is "record snowfall"... it was only 2 inches!! We already had the day off of school for Teachers in service so it took some of the excitement out of the morning.

The bay and the sky were so gray it was hard to tell the difference between the two. These photos are taken by my 8 year old, he really loves to get his hands on the camera. Actually, all the photos taken today were taken by my kids, we love to have "Candid" camera days.

Those White Lumps in the water are Swans. He wanted to capture the two with black necks mixed in with all the plain white ones.

It was of course a day at the shop for the Kids and I, but they did find time to make the Littlest Snowman....It was really cute!

We stayed cozy with White Mocha's and some leftover Chocolate Cupcakes! YUMMY!!

And, I practice my knitting....as you can tell I was in deep - deep concentration!!

Some of my favorites moments today. My favorite chair, My favorite little people and one of my favorite little spots....our cozy little coffee shop!

Sweet Deal!

2009-01-26T21:20:00.000-08:00

I love a bargain. I'd like to say I am a bargain hunter, but I am not good at rooting through racks and racks of things to find good deals at clothing stores. It just doesn't work for me. I have to be in the right mood, and I think it has something to do with the four little "deal breakers" that are usually in tow! And, I will never buy something just because it is a "good deal".

I really hate the word Frugal, but I think that I am sometimes...HOWEVER, I LOVE it when I find a super sweet deal on something that makes me Giddy!!! You know when you see it and you quickly glance around to see if you are in jeopardy of "sharing" your sweet deal?? THAT is exactly how I felt last week at Anthropology.

Of course I was in sensory overload the moment I walked into the door....and in love with SO MANY things I could barely contain myself!!

I came home with a few "pretties" but my biggest purchase was also one of my favorites! Look at this deal....

$328.00 Regular price.....Marked down to $79.95!!!! Hello!!! It was just what I was looking for, Classic enough to last more than one year but slightly vintage in style, car length, wool & totally lined! I am in love with it!!

I am a complete sucker for dishes/glassware/Cake plates/dish towels and most other kitchen related pretties so there was no way I would be able to resist a set of Latte bowls in adorable vintage colors. And my MOST favorite purchase of the day.....a footed coffee mug with my initial and two little sparrows sitting on the arm of the H. It has a delicate feel to it, and is so lady like!

LOVE IT!! I have used it EVERY DAY since I brought it home! Completely giddy over it ever time I pick it up!

In total, I came home with a FABULOUS winter coat, 3 lovely mugs, 5 latte bowls, a set of s/p shakers, pretty shell inlaid knob, candle and a decorative table flower for $130 +/-. That is what I call a sweet deal!

Plus, each one of those items makes me smile, that is even more sweet!

You got what for your birthday?!?!?!?

2009-01-24T06:53:00.000-08:00

You know when your going in a dozen different directions and all the kids are talking to you at the same time...your half listening....and the common response is "uh huh....wow....., that's ________" Fill in the blank with either terrible, awful, cool, wonderful, etc. Most of the time we pick up on the important parts, right??

This was one of those moments....the conversation went something like this....

Part 1 (I think it was Monday....)

Jake: Mom blah blah blah from my class blah blah blah, chicken pox....

Me: Really, that's terrible

Part 2 (Wednesday, also being his birthday)

Jake: Mom, I have something itching me all over my back!

Mom: After spying red dots, slightly "bite" looking...Jake, when was the last time you changed your sheets???

Jake: I dunno??

Mom: Jacob, change the sheets today when you come home from school.

Part 3 (Thursday)

Jacob: Mom, these spots are REALLY itching me....I think I have more??

Mom: Come here, pull your shirt up. Holy Cow!!!

Right about now my memory card kicked in and I started recalling the first conversation!

Mom: Jacob, did you say somebody had the chicken pox in your class???

Jacob: Yes, I told you that on Monday!

Mom: I am calling the school?!?

Mom: Hi, this is Heather...I was wondering if you have had any reported cases of THE CHICKEN POX?!?!?

Health Room Asst: Yes, two cases in the fifth grade.

Mom: Can you briefly describe what they look like? Uh, huh......ok...well can you add ONE MORE TO YOUR LIST!!!

Jacob: What??? Am I going to be OK???? now in a total panic! He freaks a little bit....

Mom: Your going to be fine....just don't itch yourself!

Jacob: But they itch!!!!

That would be the worst birthday present I think this year! Almost as bad as when my mother in law brought Pink Eye to Lily's first birthday! That was great!!!

Look, you can even see one in this birthday picture!!

I would just like to add that I really do listen to my kids when they are talking to me...especially when we are spending time together one on one and when we talk at the end of the night.

Eleven years in the making

2009-01-21T19:55:00.000-08:00

Eleven years ago last night, I was blessed with one of the most wonderful blessings I will ever be given. I gave birth to a little boy who came to me wrapped in the wings of an Angel. A little boy who's entrance into the world was very surreal and terrifying. A little boy who we were told might not make it through the night and if he did there was "no guarantee what his future would hold..."

What we have 11 years later is the smartest, sweetest, most genuine young man that I have ever known. More proof that Doctors are only human and not in control of Gods plan and another reminder for me that God does have a plan for us from day one. A beautiful boy who's blue eyes show a wise man destined for greatness inside of a sweet little boy.

So sweet and sincere, he will make a wonderful husband and will without a doubt put his wife on a thrown and LOVE her genuinely and sincerely.

I honestly could go on and on about this young man, I gush about him frequently. His genuine interest in learning, his love of reading and respect of nature are admirable. His compassion for people and desire to help those in need is breathtaking. His brain all filled with facts is mesmerizing! His dry sense of humor, hysterical!

Most days I can't believe that I helped to create and gave birth to this little man, but every day I am reminded how thankful I am to God for this little angel.

Happy Birthday Jacob, Your momma loves you!

My husband is a Superstar!

2009-01-20T18:41:00.001-08:00

In the opinion of our children, their dad is a SUPERSTAR right now. They always knew he had a special job, but today they have decided that he is a superstar, and I have to agree. I allowed the kids to stay home from school to watch the full coverage of the day, this was after all a monumental day in history! Even though we could have stowed away in my husbands car and actually been at the Capital today, we opted to stay home and watch everything on TV. Much warmer and much safer. Their Daddy was right there in the thick of EVERYTHING!!

My husband not only spoke with 4 - yes 4 different Presidents today, but he was right up there with our new President, Mr. Obama!!!!! He was once again a part of history, just as he was for 9/11, President Ronald Regan, Rosa Parks, and President Ford.

He has had the opportunity to meet and talk with Leaders of the World, the Leaders of our Country, the Famous and all the while he is a humble man who is "just doing his job" like all the other men and women on Capital Hill. Most of the time he somehow slips baseball into the conversation...his real love! In fact he had a lengthy conversation today with President Bush about baseball and college life in Southern Texas. I love you babe, you never cease to surprise me!

He puts his life on the line ever day for the leaders of our country, both big and small. He is instrumental in the training of other officers and represents his department very handsomely in for their special occasions.....and I am very honored to be his wife and so happy that he comes home to me and our children every day.

This is an unbelievable day, I couldn't be more hopeful for our country and more blessed to live here.

I have been so blessed

2009-01-19T19:38:00.000-08:00

It is after 9PM and my day has just begun. There is still laundry to be done, dishes to be washed and lunches to be packed. All left undone last night for the sake of a party, a family day and the celebration of a Princess.

Three years ago yesterday God blessed me with the final piece of my circle of love, a lovely little creature that would fill each and every day with adventure. Her destiny is sure to be GRAND! There is no question about it! Those big blue eyes filled with curiosity, that beautiful little smile that melts the hearts of all you meet. Thank you for the joy you bring to my life every day!!

When your a Princess your day begins around you while you sleep in the lap of luxury in your mommas bed....

When you wake you put on on your custom made Princess Crown...and love it!!!

You always have a spare....this one comes from a lovely french place...I believe the name is "Targ-et"???

Who can resist that beautiful smile! This is the smile and the crown you wear all day while you work at your Mommas shop.

When you come home there is a YUMMY Banana-Walnut Cake with Cream Cheese frosting! And, even a Princess loves to help bake.

At times, the Kingdom is not in full alignment, and you have to break out the Pout!

We all try NOT to laugh as you spout your demands from the cutest little pursed lips! We love you Princess....you are our one and only!

Love your Momma.....

My My Nie Nie...

2009-01-16T16:56:00.000-08:00

This print is from this shop on Etsy!

I COULD NOT wait to get through my daily chores to get home and read THIS blog today! I was soooooo anxious to read the tidbit that would be waiting for me (us)! My expectations were reasonable, I was only expecting a blurb.....one word would have made me happy. A simple Hello would have done it for me, and she didn't disappoint.

I am in LOVE with this woman, her family and her children. She doesn't know me, doesn't even know I exist but, I love her.

I feel blessed to have found her story.

Up and Coming Indie Designer

2009-01-15T09:13:00.000-08:00

You know the stage where our children decide that they are going to dress themselves???....I think we are there!!!

With my first born, a girl, I had "Perfectly" chosen outfits, all beautiful and girly.....I changed her frequently and always made sure that she was adorable, hair combed, clean face and most importantly....no residue on any clothing when we left the house. Not one piece of clothing was a "hand-me-down" or purchased at a consignment shop....boy how times have changed! I have to add that she has turned out to be the least fashion conscious 12 1/2 year old I have ever met!!!!!

Then there were the boys...one particularly anal, wore a tie to Kindergarten because he was "a professional now...", would not get in the car to go to my aunt's funeral because he shirt was not ironed, at the age of four!! Then one who is wild and all boy....could care less if anything matches...will wear anything if it "looks" clean...even if it is not his!

I think somewhere in the midst I caved under pressure....or grew up as a parent and decided that they are only clothes. I still get a little anxious about spills on clothes though...Every other parent in the world knows what "stage" you are in when your child chooses to leave the house like this.....

The pout came about when Breeanna (the oldest) put her foot down and said..."that is it, I draw the line at her wearing the life jacket!". I mentioned that miss Bree is not that fashion conscious, so for her to draw the line it must have been bad!

You should have seen the outfit put together for the next day....now, she is either just an adorably stubborn soon-to-be three year old or she is the next rising star in the Indie design world. I can't decide, but I can dream......

Shopping was Sew fun!

2009-01-13T19:35:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I showed you the fabric I picked up, well today I stumbled on a super sweet sale on patterns at Joannes! I have wanted to make my own pattern for skirts, but decided things might get done faster if I start with an actual pattern.

I also picked up a very - very - sweet deal on apparel fabric that will work great for the dress I mentioned yesterday! If I start now I might be able to wear it for Christmas next year!

And...I promised myself to start my skirt project TOMORROW night! The kids and hubby are going to a very special basketball game, so The Princess and I are home alone!!

Do you ever have those shopping days when the kids are cooperative,you get great bargains, and you come home with stuffed bags and you haven't spent a ton of money? I LOVE that!! That is a great feeling!

Lookie...Lookie...

2009-01-12T19:48:00.000-08:00

Today I went with a girlfriend - and The Princess - to a great little quilt shop in West Annapolis. It is such a small shop that it is literally JAM packed with fabric goodness!! They have this one little hallway that is filled with all different shades of pink...I love it in there. I am instantly "happy" when I walk in there.

I resisted most of my temptations but did come home with a few lovelies! I can't begin to tell you how many bolts of fabric I walked away from. I have made a serious vow to not buy anything that I am not going to use right away....or at least in the very near future this year! I struggle with this because I do love fabric....and scrapbook paper....and embellishments....and pretty much anything crafty! OK..sorry...focusing!

These few little select pieces HAD to come home with me! I have a plan for all of them. I am going to make a skirt(s) for myself out of the brown with large floral, and either a shirt/tunic or skirt out of the blue/green print. The small bird print which I love is going to be a shirt or dress for Lily. And it just so happens that the pink cupcake print I have a matching fabric for. I had bought it earlier in the year.

Hayden (The Brawn) feels that this looks like a tablecloth...but I love it!

I am truly thinking of trying the dress from Sew Hip's latest edition. It is really cute! I think that a cute shirting would be nice...too bad I can't find a darn picture!

Because I work better on a deadline...I have made myself a little "To Do" chart to get my "Want to do" projects done. I am hoping that it will work...I am posting it on the closet in my Craft Studio, however since I don't go in there every day I think I need to post it in several places! I will share with you tomorrow!

I would also accomplish much more if I would institute my "Self dicipline" for the New Year and go to bed earlier, get up earlier and only spend time on the computer in the morning......

So much work, so little time.....

It's Official...my childhood, whack...

2009-01-07T19:25:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend we had an extension of the holiday when my uncle - my FAVORITE uncle, and his daughter, my cousin came to visit. Along with him, two of his oldest childhood friends and their wives...who were new to the grouping came for dinner. After their visit, and all the great stories from the past that left us in stitches....my sides hurt from laughing so hard! It made me realize a few things...besides the fact that my childhood was pretty great, it was totally whack and not normal!!! All the while though, I thought it was....

Between my mother being a single mom before it was "the norm", spending weekends with my two sets of grandparents (both VERY different...one would take me to the theater and one would fill my swimming pool with minnos and soft crabs...), and my uncle (who had a bright red Afro...I loved it) and his friends being ever present in my youth, I am surprised I made it out alive! My mother always says "you survived!!!....." I remind her that it is survival of the fittest out here!

I am not kidding you! The stories that I have under my belt are all true and all a little crazy!! We joke about this at the shop, when situations arise we always say "there is a story behind that...and there always is..." I was reminded of this tonight when I was reading this hysterical blog post....which reminded me of a story....a personal one...I am sure you will get a chuckle, so I will share....when I was younger we had horses, and we also had large boxwood bushes which sparrows apparently like to make a nest in....not a scientific statement just an observation! So, one night on the way back from the barn we were walking past one of the larger boxwood bushes when a small sparrow flew out and flew RIGHT INTO MY MOTHERS HAIR!!! I am not lying...right into her hair! My mother went ballistic...she was freaking out!! Between the screaming, laughing and all the in between I am pretty sure I peed my pants! I also am pretty sure that I was scarred for life, SCARRED!! I am NOT a fan of those fine feathered friends. I also like the bird decor...but not the real thing.

Here are just a few that top the list...I will expand on them some day.

1. Fell out of a moving car...mother kept driving. Swears she was in shock!
2. My mother tried to bring one of our horses INSIDE THE HOUSE because she felt it was too cold outside!
3. Had a Praying Mantis pod/nest hatch on the radiator in my room, woke up COVERED in them!
4. My childhood home kitchen being totally decorated with Crayon drawings by my mothers friends.
5. Read some previous post's on the Christmas tree experiences.
6. Of course the bird in the hair...
There are so many more....

Now, I don't know about you...but I notice that some of the funniest memories are the result of personal injury, trauma or drama (mental or physical). Either mine or somebody else's.... I am not sure that is normal???? I also feel that this has led to my slightly sarcastic sense of humor...

Reflection brings Knowledge

2009-01-01T19:46:00.000-08:00

Yesterday and today were wonderful days of Nothing-ness and Family togetherness. I welcomed a New Year today and realized that this past year even with all of it's struggles and challenges was still one of the best years yet.

This past year I turned 35, and if I am lucky I have lived only half my life. My birthday celebration was the best of simplicity and I think the best that I can remember. I have four beautiful children and even with the bad days I am luckier than some. They all drive me crazy and make me laugh hysterically in the same day. I learned to redefine my meaning of friendship, and I learned that there are many different definitions of perfect. I also learned to be who I am, not who other people and life want me to be. That is sometimes a hard thing to remember when you live in a small town.

My last lesson in 2008....which is one that I forgot somewhere in my adult life. But Thank You to The Princess for reminding me....

It isn't a Party without a Party Hat!!!

We spent the day yesterday hanging out, making different little craft projects, and deciding on our resolutions! We worked on our journals, and we made party hats for our New Year's Celebration. As promised here are some pictures of the finished product.....

Our party hats were on clearance at Michael's for .50 and I think were meant to be Elf hats during Christmas, but they served us well as Party Hats! A little glue, glitter, ribbon and pom-poms...Party Hats all around! The Princess asked everyone who called both yesterday and today if they had a party hat, and encouraged them to come over and see ours!

I also set the table Nice and FANCY, dressed up in our finest....and ate a Silly Non-Fancy dinner. This years choice....take-out Chinese!

I set the table with some Blue and Silver decorations, for some reason in my minds eye Blue, Silver and Black are New Years colors. I used a pair of beautiful blue candlesticks that I bought at an antique store...I love them! A huge hurricane filled with ornaments, and transferred all foods into pretty glass dishes. Food always tastes better when it is served on a pretty table and on pretty dishes!

The kids had a great time dancing around the living room, the ball dropped and New Years kisses all around!!

My resolutions for this year are pretty simple. No major changes...

1. Be more disciplined...menu's, life choices, housework...

2. Create one project per week....relieves stress for me

3. Scrapbook at least one page per week

4. Remember what is important to me

Ohhhh...I also learned that I should never make this face again!! I was told that I looked like a "Crazy" Whoo!!

A Project in Reflection

2008-12-30T21:02:00.001-08:00

As we close out 2008 we are going to take some time together as a family to reflect on our year.... The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. We have had quite a bit of all three. We are going to start a few new traditions this year, one of which will be to make a list of our Top 10. Each person is going to write down their personal Top 10 and then we are going to put them in a family time capsule...basically our 2008 scrapbook...and then next year we can look back on it!

Mine are pretty simple:
The Good: Opening the Shop
The Bad: The Brawn's simple procedure that turned into a medical mistake
The Unbelievable: The boys and I all breaking a bone and being in casts one week apart!

And what holiday is complete around here without a project?? So, in an attempt to have my children remember their lives, I am going to have everyone write in a journal for 10-15 minutes before reading and going to bed at night. I don't care if they write a story, a poem, the weather forecast or really pour their hearts out. The Princess will draw a picture every night. She really loves to draw and color.

I took basic composition books, covered them in Kraft paper and am going to let the kids each personalize them tomorrow.

I will show you pictures of everyone when they are done.

I also picked up some foam hats the other day at Michael's that were left over from their Christmas stuff, I think they were supposed to be Elf hats but we are going to make them our New Years hats. We are a little late on decorating them...hopefully they will be dry!

Then we will pick out our outfits for our traditional New Year's Eve dinner. We stay in on N.Y.E and get dressed our finest threads, set the table super fancy and then eat a totally fun, non fancy dinner. Something like Tacos or Pizza....I am thinking Chinese this year. I have some awesome Chinese decorations I have been hanging on to. The kids and I will stay up and watch the ball drop while the hubby sleeps! He normally has to work on New Year's Eve and Day so he doesn't hang long with us. As with all our family dinners, I am sure that there will be many photo ops!

Wishing your family a Wonderful, SAFE and Healthy New Year!!

Love, Heather

Post Holiday Post..kinda long....

2008-12-26T20:21:00.000-08:00

I am so happy to report a Wonderful holiday was had by all in our house!! There was a brief scare on Christmas Eve that the Princess and I would be spending Christmas in the hospital. Ironic that it is usually The Brawn and I in there together, I was soooo worried about him getting the darn stomach bug before Christmas, and who ended up getting it....The Princess!! My poor little Princess lost 4lbs, had two trips to the ER, then two trips to the Doctors, all during her 7 day bought with the stomach bug. After two hours in the Doctors on Christmas Eve, I was literally praying for one p-pee diaper and no throw up before 8 o'clock PM! The stress got to me a little and I had a meltdown that only George Bailey would be proud of and freaked out on my kids a bit.....I regretted it!! They understood.... The day was saved around 6:30 PM. Thank you! See, a Christmas Miracle comes in all forms...lol. After that we could all breath a little easier...she wasn't 100% but we knew we would be coming out of the woods very soon!

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner....Cream of Crab Soup, Perogies (homemade...YUM! not by me, but by some cute little Ukrainian women who know what they are doing!) and Salad! All Delicious!

After dinner we had Cocoa, Popcorn and watched Fred Claus before bed.

Santa came....it was Grand....

As part of my "Handmade/Homemade Holiday"...I refused to buy any new wrapping paper, ribbon or tags. I used only things on hand...either new, recycled or re purposed. I was slightly shocked and scared at how much I had on hand! The kids also did the same for all of their wrapping.

Some of my supplies included:

For Inside the boxes: Newspaper, wax paper, paper bags, scrapbooking papers all shredded with my paper shredder. Shredded fabric also a great option...didn't use this one this year...maybe next!

Wrapping & Packaging:

* Lots of the same

* Chinese take-out boxes.

* Comics

* Toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls

Decorating:

* Ribbon

* Yarn Pom-Poms

* Raffia & Twine

* Old Lace...this was especially pretty with a sparkly chipboard letter and some vintage buttons strung on a piece of sheer ribbon. I didn't get a chance to take a picture of it before giving it to my mom!

Wrapping is one of my favorite parts anyway so I could go on and on....! I even used a really pretty white milk glass dish that I had picked up at an antique store for Cookies to give to a friend.

This was one of my favorites...they were a set of Basketball tickets for my husband. He was completely surprised...it is a sold out game and he had no idea that I was trying to get them for him. I used the sports section, shredded some with my paper shredder, stuffed them underneath and wrapped them up inside the Sunday Sports section! The tissue paper underneath in this picture and the box I wrapped in....new, but unused as of yet. Apparently I like to save, not use.....

They exchanged their handmade gifts with each other at Christmas Dinner. That was a really special moment, to see them each give to one another truly from their heart. The Brain wrote poems for his brother and sisters, The Beauty made blankets, scarves and ditty bags for each of them, The Brawn made beaded bracelets and necklaces. We also allowed them to buy one thing for each sibling...it was sweet to see them pick something out for one another. I took them each shopping individually for those, so they even got some one on one time with Mom!!

Christmas dinner was excellent! Roast Beef, (or Beast as The Brain called it all day) Steamed Shrimp, Salad, Scalloped potatoes, Green Beans...

And for Dessert....Red Velvet cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Coconut...YUM!!!

Now...I said it was an uneventful Christmas day, HOWEVER....see that lovely wreath with my yummy cake??? Well, it caught ON FIRE!!!! Yes, FLAMES....FLAMES SHOOTING UP FROM THE WREATH!!! I am not kidding. The only thing that saved us from the Fire Dept. was that The Brawn saw it as we were clearing the table. CRAZY!!!! All was fine after we put it out....my vintage table cloth....not so fine!

I woke up today after having a full nights sleep - I qualify a full nights sleep as being over four hours - and had so many ideas and thoughts going through my head that I didn't even need a cup of coffee to get me going today! I can't wait to share with you some of my upcoming projects!! I hope that you had a Wonderful Holiday ~ and that your New Year's is AWESOME!!!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T23:57:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and receives their very own Christmas Miracle, whatever it may be.

God Bless!

Love, Heather

Try not to Cry...

2008-12-24T23:53:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Stressss Buster!!

2008-12-23T18:24:00.001-08:00

With the hours slipping by before Jolly Ole' St. Nick makes his arrival my daily agenda is MAXXED out! Tonight's agenda includes more Crafting, Baking, more wrapping. Hopefully it doesn't include any more trips to the ER, The Princess has had the stomach flu for over 5 days now. We have made two trips to the ER, one to the Dr. and done a LOT of laundry! It has been awful...it has also put a slight damper in my nighttime crafting time! My poor little Princess!! She is so cute!!

This video should relieve you of any stress...it made us laugh so hard that we were all crying!! Please enjoy!!!

Edit....my video didn't show up....how sad because it is so hysterical you'll cry!!! I am going to try again!

Hi Alert People....High Alert!!

2008-12-19T11:06:00.000-08:00

We are under siege right now with the Stomach Flu. The Princess spent the entire night puking every 20 minutes...it was horrible!!! The hubby and The Beauty have already had it this week and seem to have some lingering stomach cramps from it. Of course we need to have this happening 6 days before Christmas!!! I knew it was coming yesterday because at the shop she kept having these weird little burps and saying her tummy hurt. Every time I picked her up I was thinking...Please don't throw up on me...I don't want to be thrown up on....
Last night I was bent on getting my mantle done and my Nativity scene up....I got it done and then within the last second of placing the last sheep in the manger....Thar she blows.......

DISGUSTING.....

Man, I was thankful and regretting my wood floors at the same time! My poor husband walked in from basketball practice with the Brawn and I was standing in my panties and a tank top. He was a little confused!!

If The Brawn gets it we are all doomed. We all know the plan, but it is so frustrating to know that we could potentially be in the hospital for Christmas!! I have my papers for the ER and I pulled my tiny little bag of staples from the closet....it is like having your bags packed for having a baby!! Only not as much fun! And, honestly...I am freaking out right now about the whole situation!!!!

So, If I don't get this wrapping done - like RIGHT NOW - I am doomed!!! Even doing a simple Christmas I LOVE to do special touches on all the packages. It is another one of my favorite parts of Christmas. Some people have fond memories of baking cookies, not me...lots of cursing included in my "baking" memories. I do however love wrapping! I will give you a flashback moment....

When I was little, my grandmother who was the original Martha Stewart, wrapped EVERY present in beautiful paper with real ribbon bows and beautiful name tags! Each and every one was a present in itself. None of this gift bag stuff!! I always had the job of "put your finger right there..." I am surprised that I even have a finger left...lol.

So today I spent some part of the day making little pom-poms for some presents. It wasn't quite as successful as I thought! Who knew that pom-poms could be so difficult!!! Maybe it was the four little helpers I had?? I had this cute little idea of Kraft paper with red yarn pom-poms hanging from it....

Tree Flashback

2008-12-16T19:18:00.000-08:00

As promised here is another story about a Tree. I know that you have been waiting so patiently...lol.

First I want to show off a set of adorable Vintage brush trees that I picked up for The Princess's dollhouse. They are adorable if you ask me, but then again I bought them! They were even more adorable with there $2 price tag!! I plan to put them in the living room of her dollhouse. I must admit that I haven't even begun painting her dollhouse!! It might end up being a birthday present at the rate I am going now! I am almost done with the little house we are making for my cousin's son, but not so much for The Princess!

OK, Tree story.....This story is only funny if you think about that Christmas song where the people are all losing their cool. One guy is complaining about a hangover, another guy is losing it over tangled lights, etc. It is very tongue and cheek with plenty of Holiday frustration...I always laugh when I hear it or even think about it!

My parents divorced when I was VERY little so my mom was always trying to make it on her own. She tried really hard! How we ended up with particular tree I couldn't begin to tell you?!? To be honest with you I don't remember even having trees at our house, house, when I was really little because we always went out and got the one at my Grandparents house! So truly, I don't even know why we ended up in this situation?? But anyway...one year we had this tree...I don't know even know where the darn thing came from...? It was a pretty little tree. She had spent way too much money on these really beautiful ornaments and she was really working hard on the whole deal, know what I mean?

Everything started out really cute...a Mommy & Daughter moment if you will...but things quickly went downhill when she tried to get the tree to stand "straight" in that dag-on little tree stand. You know the ones...little red bowl with three green legs. They always seem ridiculously small compared to the overall size of the tree! It just wouldn't stay "straight"....she would get it in there and it would be fine for a few minutes and then when we turned our backs to get the ornaments ready....it would start leaning again. She would get it back in place and then...leaning again...

This went on for a few go-arounds....I could see that my poor mom was on the brink. I thought she might lose it! When everything seemed to be "straight", we set out again to decorate! Thank goodness...we needed a break in the tension that was taking over our little tree moment!

We finished that without the tree leaning to the left or right during the entire decorating process!! Success!!! It was quite beautiful. We had a moment....

Then, in the blink of an eye.....TIMBER!!!!

The entire tree came down with one big Crash!! The crash was followed by a scream, a few choice words, and a few tears! Maybe more than a few tears!!

My poor mother officially lost her cookies.... Now, you might think this isn't such a funny story, but it really is....because at this point my mother disappeared from the living room, glass ornaments crunchy beneath her feet, and set out to find "tools"!! I don't even know how long it took her to find the tools of her choice but before I knew it the tree had been NAILED to the wall. Yep, NAILED to the wall!! It happened so fast I couldn't believe it! I was stunned....I just remember thinking...."Uh-O..."

I remember sitting on our couch watching TV and only looking at the tree out of the corner of my eye, like I was afraid to make "eye contact" with the darn thing! Poor pathetic little tree with its random surviving ornaments....nailed to the wall!

At the time it wasn't so funny, but now....many years later we Laugh and Laugh about it. The most ironic part of it was the only "pretty" ornament that truly survived was a Clown, and we both hate clowns! I don't know why she bought those darn things!! She jinxed the tree....lol!

Nice try Mom....you definitely gave us a memory to last a lifetime!!

T.S.O...you ROCK!!

2008-12-14T17:46:00.000-08:00

All I can say is WOW!! We just returned from an amazing concert, it was NOT at all what I expected, but it was really cool. An awesome customer gave us 6 tickets to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra show tonight. I didn't take the time to fully "read" all about them before we went this afternoon - and let me just tell you - it was very cool!!! VERY LOUD...but very cool!!! The Princess hates, HATES loud noises so it was a bit challenging with her, but hubby found earplugs for her and all was well.....briefly!!

You should look them up, and if they are ever in your area you should definitely go. Especially if you like hard rock. I have to say it isn't my first choice but this was awesome! My brother-in-law would have LOVED it. The orchestra pieces mixed with the lights and these awesome narrative passages - very cool!!! The narrative pieces/passages were really beautiful. There was one singing solo that was so long it was comical....that moment was a little like a bad movie where the "lead singer" wanna-be takes over the stage....but again - very awesome!

Lots of LONG Hair being thrown about!! In fact I thought a gentleman off to the left was going to bust a gut he was so excited during the drum solo!!

I even got a little teary eyed during one of the sets watching how mesmerized my kids were by the entire show. Since The Brawn is playing the violin now, it is really fun to show him how many different ways instruments can be used.

OK, off to bed...I am so stuffed from dinner that I feel a little queasy...but it was SOOO good I will take it....no pain - no gain! LOL!!!

Welcome to Whinerville

2008-12-12T09:26:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Whinerville, where the residents all know you by name and frequently shout it out at you throughout the day. It is really lovely here, you can tell by the lack of room at the Inn. Always a warm meal to be had and plenty of activities to be done.

The Mayor of Whinerville has been on a true rampage today!! Please abide by all her two and three-quarter demands! The punishment for not following her directions is rather severe!

The Mayor posed momentarily for a picture before inspecting some fruit that was about to be recalled.

The Center for Disgusting Control has really been cracking down. Reports of Strep and The Stomach Bug abound! We say Bah-Humbug to them...please stay away!!

The towns maintenance crew is falling behind on the Holiday decorating! So much to be done before the Jolly Man's arrival, a bit overwhelming for the skeletal crew!

SEE....NO PICTURE!!!....

The Sassy Suds girl is rather overwhelmed...who needs clean panties to wear??

Amidst all the mess, the construction has not stopped. New Homes are still being built for the Happy Holiday around the corner!

Telecast is over, quick trip to the Tea Pot for an energy boost and a Nighty-Night Nap for The Mayor. We hope that you enjoyed your visit to Whinerville, please stop by for a visit anytime!

Tree Card

2008-12-11T20:38:00.000-08:00

As promised, here is a card that I made a few years back and decided to try again. This wasn't an original idea, I picked it up at a card exchange. This makes a really nice touch to a gift. I do not recommend making these for your entire Christmas mailing list...unless of course you have loads of free time on your hands! This picture doesn't really do the card justice.

Simple materials, you probably already have them on hand..

1. Card Stock -You'll need a color for your card base, printed card stock for the front and white for inside the card and plenty of paper or scraps for your leaves.

2. Leaf hole punch. I have two different ones, either works great.

3. Rhinestones

4. Basic crafting tools!

*Cut your card bases.

*Punch your little leaves out until your hand hurts, and then punch a few more!!

*I found it easiest to adhere the printed cardstock to the card base before building my tree. *Then you start from the bottom and glue the leaves in a line. Then build another layer on top of that...all the way to the top.

* When you are done with all the leaves, apply a few rhinestones to the tree and the topper of your choice.

I am going to make a few of these in white and put little birds on the tree. I think that would be pretty cute!

I also purchased the Basic Grey's Wassil Christmas Card kit a couple weeks back. It was so simple! I love not thinking....here is a little peak at one of the cards. Plus a few little trees that I have picked up this Holiday season. I will tell you more about them tomorrow!

And this is just a Miscellaneous mess of other projects I am working on!!

A True Tree Story....

2008-12-11T07:23:00.000-08:00

This is one of those stories that has become a family legend....it is really funny...so if you can make it through the sap (no pun intended) in the beginning I promise that you will get a chuckle!

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I am going to share some of my favorite Tree stories. Plus, later I am going to post a really cute Tree Christmas card that you can make. It takes a little bit of work but it is really cute!!

Tree story - legend - started in 1980, it was the first Christmas after my Grandfather died. He was the nucleus of our family....literally the glue that kept everyone together. He died in September, very suddenly and my Grandmother did not handle it well at all....who does??....So that Christmas it was even more important to my Mom and Uncles to continue with the family tradition of going out into the woods to cut it down the right tree as a family and bring it back to my Grandmother. Christmas was a spectacular time of year in our family....it was always the greatest!! Beautiful decorations everywhere...wreath making parties with our extended family, Christmas parties...it was just wonderful!

We bundled up, it was snowing, we all got on the trailer and my Uncle Breen drove the tractor into the far corner of one of the front fields where we always found the most "beautiful" trees. It was truly a BEAUTIFUL moment....at least in my little 7 year old mind....

We found a tree, a tree that was literally a tree within a tree. The part of the tree that we wanted was at the top of this one particular tree...does that make any sense?? I loved it, it looked like it was the "perfect" tree. A BIG, FULL bushy Christmas Tree!

Here is where the fun begins....

My uncles set out at this point to cut down the top portion of the tree without cutting down the entire tree. Why they did it this way I don't know??? Maybe they didn't want to be wasteful??? I just don't know, but it sure was funny.....There was a lot of cursing, a teeny bit of name calling (I never said we were the Waltons), but in the end a lot of laughing!

They get the tree down, get it on the trailer and then we head back to the house. It was really one of those picture perfect moments....bringing the tree back to The Big House for my Grandmothers approval....what we were to do with it if she didn't approve? I don't know? But anyway...it was picturesque!

Now, I am not sure if this has ever happened to you, but those darn trees never seem to look so big out there in the fields! (Mistake #1)

I was only 7 at the time so I was doing a lot of "over seeing" of the following events. Soaking it all in....
Once we got the tree off the trailer my Uncles thought it was too tall, so they cut a chunk off the bottom (Mistake #2).... Up to the house we go only to realize that it wouldn't fit through the door. Now, we didn't have "small" doors, we had big huge 200 year old plantation doors....that tree wouldn't fit for anything! So, they decided to cut off some of the branches...from the inside of the tree of course! (Mistake #3). A few branches come off....back for a second attempt through the door....no luck....a few more branches, more cursing....some whispering, etc. Do you see where I am going with this??? (These become the mistakes where I start to lose count....) It just got worse from there....

Once the tree is finally in the house, they put it in the stand which sat in between the double doors of the living room and dining room, only to realize that the tree is "too short"!! So, out of the stand it comes and my Uncles NAIL a piece of the chunk back onto the bottom of the tree!!!

We now switch from mistakes to secrets - secrets that I am supposed to keep FOR-EV-ER at the risk of upsetting my Grandmother! LOL!

The tree goes back into the stand and of course it doesn't stand straight, how can it? We have to tie the tree between the doors to stabilize it. This just about puts my Grandmother right on her ear...if she only knew what else was going on while she was in the kitchen! After the tree is up and stabilized, some rather bare spots in the tree become very apparent.

The stress of said bare spots became very intense....never fear...there are still plenty of branches laying on the ground outside!!! So, you guessed it....my Uncles, who are literally like Frick and Frack at this point, retrieved the branches and started putting that tree back together like a puzzle. You know, a puzzle that requires hammer and nails! More whispering, more cursing...I can remember thinking...this is not good, this is not good at all!!! They mightaswell have just busted out the duct tape!

After the tree was all nailed back together and the lights were on and I was SWORN to secrecy, the decorating process started. That was always so much fun, beautiful BIG ornaments and tinsel! I was (so were my Uncles and Mother) sweating bullets the entire time worrying that my Grandmother would notice the branches that were NAILED back into the tree! Luckily the tree was such a puff ball that decorating went off without a hitch...shhheeew! I am sure that my eyes were as big as saucers through this whole thing. I have NO POKER FACE!!!

As the Christmas season progressed, that poor tree tried to stay green, but as you can imagine some "parts" of the tree just didn't seem to drink as much water as others! There were dead branches in the middle and top of the tree mixed in with the beautiful green ones that were drinking water to their little hearts contentment!! It was a rough site by the time New Years came. It was a site, truly a site...just not quite as picturesque!!!

Every time I would see my Grandmother coming in with a pitcher of water for the tree I had to leave the room. I was worried that I would crack under pressure....I think the most commonly used and heard phrase that year was "....that damn tree......" I wish we had video of the event, that would have been worth some money. We all kept the "secret" for YEARS....and I mean YEARS!!! It wasn't until I was an adult that we finally told my Grandmother what had happened to that tree. She was a little angry at first...I think because of the amount of effort she put into the "watering process"...but then she laughed right along with the rest of us.

That was the most memorable Tree story of my entire childhood. Now there are other memories in there....but that one is to never be topped!

Tree's, Tree's more Tree's

2008-12-10T12:34:00.000-08:00

"You call that a Christmas Tree??? "

A few days ago I was looking through old pictures..still working on the "handmade" Christmas gifts....I was trying to be creative with old photos. I came across quite a few pictures that had our trees in them....and I always thought the trees we had growing up were quite "perfect". However....looking back on them they were a little bit less than perfect. In fact, in the words of The Brain..."why would anyone cut that down...that looks like a bush, not a tree!! What were you guys thinking? Where do you find a tree like that??" But, I loved them. The Bigger the better....it is one of the best parts of my childhood. Going out and getting a tree. HUGE memories associated with that!! Last night I read this post over at C jane and I started laughing so hard thinking about all of our tree stories, that I had tears running down my face!

The Christmas tree has so many memories associated with it. There is ALWAYS a "tree story" in the recall list of holiday moments/memories. I know we have had our fair share!! Growing up, we lived on a big huge farm that was COVERED in trees so we never needed a "tree lot". We would all load ourselves onto the back of my Uncles tractor flat bed and go out into the woods to look for the "perfect" Christmas tree. I have wonderful Norman Rockwell memories of such events. I am not going to lie...there were some "moments" between my uncles over what was really the perfect tree and how was "that" going to be cut down...that wouldn't make it into a Hallmark Movie! Lots of cursing ...anyway...as you can see from the following pictures my idea of "perfect" might have been askew! We always wanted a very Full tree....I believe full is just the cover word for bush! Because truly, does that look like a Christmas tree to you?? A few examples of our "perfect tree".... and you know they always look smaller out there in the woods than in the house.

My mother in front of one of said "trees", she is in red

My grandfather being swallowed by the tree while he decorates...

My mother looking a little "tired" on Christmas morning. I think she is pregnant with me in this picture.

The Beauties first Christmas. Base housing....yuck!

UPDATE: As I am writing this The Brain just walked in and said "are you really going to post that picture?? That is a shrub, not a tree...that is a shrub from the wild!!"...He is mortified!

I loved those BIG FULL Trees!! That post last night coupled with the pictures of long ago reminded me of just how much. I am going to post some of my favorite Tree memories this week. Some of them are hysterical...stay tuned! I am off to look for the picture of our "first" tree as a married couple. I will never forget that one!! My poor husband had NO idea what he was really in store for all those years ago!

Just a thought...

2008-12-07T19:27:00.000-08:00

In this world of "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle..." I am AMAZED by the amount of catalogs that come in the mail! Thursday my husband thought the Library had been delivered right to our mailbox....it was ridiculous. One of the catalogs was the infamous Victoria's Secret catalog. I started flipping through it to see if there was anything cute....after a few minutes it became EXTREMELY clear that this catalog is designed and shot by Men!! One picture in particular stands out to me.....the model with her long flowing hair is standing there with her chest thrust out, shirt unbuttoned down to her navel looking super sultry. Now...REALLY???

I am sure that there are oodles of women without children who buy VS clothes and pretties - and even though I have four kids I still like pretty panties. But....as a woman with four children all I can think is that maybe they should have some pictures that are a little more Mom Friendly. ...realistic if you will.....

For instance...if they want me to buy that shirt, the woman should have at least one kid hanging off of her hip while trying to balance one of those trendy new bags on the other side. Hair slightly disheveled, maybe even with some smudge in her hair - and if her shirt is going to be unbuttoned it should at least have a small child's hand inside of it, we all know that that is really what it looks like when our shirt is unbuttoned - if we even realize that it is unbuttoned! They should actually be trying to promote how well the shirt will STAY buttoned!! And all bra's should be tested by woman bending over - from the waist - to make sure that your boobies are NOT going to pop out! Because that is just the worst..you bend over to tie a shoe and your bust has busted out of the bra!!! You stand up and things are facing the wrong direction and all askew! They should all be road tested.....I'd buy those!

OK, I just made my own self chuckle....Stupid catalog....

I had to throw it away before my husband got any crazy ideas!

Merry Christmas!

Spell check is NOT working right now, so if there is anything spelled incorrectly....ooops!

You...are a Silly Girl!

2008-11-29T21:03:00.000-08:00

Sometimes my kids do things that make me laugh so hard that I have to wonder where they came from!!

Seriously...what do you do with a child like this???

Turkey Day & Such

2008-11-29T20:39:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a GREAT Turkey Day, we had a full house and a full weekend. Just a few pic's to recap!

The Turkey....isn't it pretty!
The Kids table, I somehow forgot that there were going to be 6 kids?? This table was great for four, a little tight with five....forget the sixth!

One of my favorite views of Downtown Annapolis...

The first of many failed attempts to get all 6 kids to look at the camera, smile and look normal all at the same time!!

I would love to have a PINK house! The hubby and I..

One of my favorites....

Potty....

2008-11-21T20:07:00.000-08:00

MOUTH!!! It's official, Mommy has a Potty Mouth!! I admit it....

Even on my best day I don't claim to be a perfect Mom. I do try to be the best mom I can, but...sometimes the "S" word comes out....OK, maybe more than sometimes!

I know this because twice in the past week my darling has used the "S" word - very clearly - and very much in the right context!

The child won't use the potty...but she sure does know when to use the potty word!

Today on our way to Philadelphia there were Cops EVERYWHERE and as we passed one that had pulled someone over she exclaimed:

"SH*T....Some-pin Happn'd"

As I sat there in shock, the silence was broken by the rest of the kids BUSTING out laughing. I tried NOT to giggle....I KNOW that it isn't funny...but really it was....sorry....So I giggled, I did....

From now on I will be much more conscious about using the "S" word!

I am definitely going to work on this.....

But really, it was funny.....

It wasn't a proud Mommy moment, but it was a little funny....

What they see...

2008-11-19T21:04:00.000-08:00

I have NO Poker face - at all. I wear my emotions, both good and bad on my face. I have been accused of the "evil eye", the "death glare", and many more - more than one time... My eyes get REALLY BIG when someone says something that I am either shocked by, or don't agree with, when I am excited, etc.

And sometimes when I am downright TIRED, it shows....This is what I would call One Tired Mama!!

My kids LOVE the camera, they all want to take pictures all the time. In fact The Princess had gotten hold of the camera the other day and was right there snapping away when I got out of the shower!! Can you say....DELETE - DELETE - DELETE!!!!!! These are the pictures that The Brawn captured the other night on the way home from the shop. It is sometimes shocking to see what the camera really captures. I hate that my kids see that exhaustion in my face. But lets face it...life is exhausting!

Notice The Princess in the backseat who thinks this is all HYSTERICAL!!!! And why, when your two the more tired you are, the more energy you have???? Why doesn't that happen to the rest of us?? And The Brains, he is just so sweet.

And my Photographer....

And his feet...

OK...now I am off to delete these not-so-glamorous photos of myself! And dear God if those pictures that The Princess took pop back up when I plug my memory card into the printer at the Photo Shop I might just....just....well I don't know what I would do, but I am pretty sure that my eyes would pop right out of my head!!!

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO "BUY A HAND" FROM McDonalds!! Really, you don't know what that dollar, your dollar, will mean to someone!

Eat a Cheeseburger, Please!

2008-11-18T20:16:00.000-08:00

I would personally like to encourage EVERYONE to go out and buy a hand for World Children's Day. November 10-20th - $1.00. I will be buying several...

We have used the services of The Ronald McDonald House in Camden, NJ. during one of our trips to C.H.O.P. (Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia). They were wonderful to my husband and kids while The Brawn and I were in the hospital. We have never been able to use the actual Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia - they are ALWAYS over-booked. We can never get a room at this location. Literally, for the past 2 1/2 years they have never had room availability!!

That tells you how much this house is being used!

The Ronald McDonald House is an amazing resource for families who have children in the hospital. The services that they provide, for the price that they charge the family is again, amazing.

Please support this charity - even if you don't want to eat a "chee-buger" as The Princess would say. Give a hand. It is only a $1.

You can read more about this program and find out exactly where your money is going....here

Construction has begun...

2008-11-18T19:18:00.000-08:00

On The Princesses doll house. We have been gathering our supplies, and have even gathered some supplies for the Boy House for her little cousin. I even bought him a set adorable little "boys" to go with it from this little shop.

All these little pieces that I found here are going to be turned into furniture and other household accessories.

I had done plenty of shopping around before I decided to paint and make our own furniture. Everything was "imported" and I just didn't want to deal with all of the issues that have come along with imported items recently. So I (and the crazy little voice in my head that tells me all of these ideas are fantastic!!) decided to do this. I did find this unfinished furniture at the little doll house shop in Annapolis, I snapped it up, it was the only set!!

We are trying to make (or buy handmade) as many of our gifts as possible. I have found SO MANY great things on Etsy that it is almost too easy. I would show you some of my other finds, but you never know who is reading!!!

I will show you more as I make progress....think, Pink....Green and Girly!! Would it be wrong to add sparkles to it??

We share everything...

2008-11-12T19:37:00.000-08:00

...including our GERMS!! But not our toys! Being an only child for my entire childhood....my brother wasn't born until I was 13....I don't get the concept of drinking out of someone Else's glass, eating someone elses food, and the nastiest offence....using somebody Else's toothbrush...YUCK!!!

Since the ick seems to be spreading, The Brain is home with tonsils the size of ping-pong balls and The Brawn is doing his best to fend off the germs - he made it without getting the stomach ick that the Princess became possessed with on Monday - I took a moment to soak our toothbrushes. Seems that everyones is fair game?? I actually hide my toothbrush in the cabinet!You'll notice that there are like 9 toothbrushes in there...there are only 6 of us? What's up with that?? Door knobs, walls, car seats and any other flat surfaces got a good scrub on Monday.

This week seemed to be taking on the feeling of a perpetual Monday. I was feeling the tension building from ongoing events of the week, when I heard a song from a one of my favorite people...and decided to change it with my own two hands..... there are so many things that we can't control, but we can control our emotions and reactions to situations. Being pro-active not reactive!

So....

I wrote a letter to someone who is no longer a friend....let her know that I was thinking of her

Wrote a letter to my husband...let him know that I love him even though we don't get 5 minutes together

Let go....can't hold onto situations that I can't control

Said a prayer for a stranger that I have grown to love and admire...

Got a haircut

Did a little window (catalog and Internet) shopping..

....this would sure make my days a little brighter...and I really need these! Pretty Please!!! Every girl needs a pair of silver shoes!!

And then I felt better!!!

And then....Homework and Dinner reared their ugly head!

Mommy MacGyver

2008-11-11T18:28:00.000-08:00

Just call me Mommy MacGyver.....
........we have all had those moments where we suddenly need to create something out of nothing! That would be dinner last night!!! Remember I was on my way out for errands when the Princess lost her cookies in the back seat! I didn't realize until moments before the hubby came home that I had nothing, I repeat nothing for dinner in the house. I scanned, slash that - searched the cabinets for some form of food.... Here is what I came up with....

Vegetable broth
canned of diced tomatoes
can of white beans
1/4 bag of little ring pasta
some onions

and I found some frozen vegetables in the freezer - bonus!

So, what did we come up with???

Hearty Minestrone Soup!! Yeah Mommy MacGyver! And it was Delicious!!!! I even found some croutons...dropped them on top for an added little treat. (We don't normally have them - they are empty carbs so I am thinking that hubby bought them and hid them in the cabinet. He acts the most deprived about our carb controlled environment!)

I will be working on my menu planning tomorrow morning. ....

Monday just makes you want to Barf...

2008-11-11T18:14:00.000-08:00

Or at least it makes the Princess want to....!!! Yep..isn't that pleasant?!?! Was headed out to do a few errands...when I heard a strange little sound from the backseat, turned around to witness complete nastiness!! I could really go on and on with the details, but who needs that!

Needless to say, I headed home and spent the next 12 hours trying to accomplish the ittiest bittiest tasks!

I LOVE MONDAYS!!!

BUT.....on a completely different note! I started this today.....

You have no fortune.....

2008-11-04T19:02:00.000-08:00

A little bedtime story for you....

Remember my mentioning of a broken foot and other cast members (lol...that sounds funny) in my family? And by cast members, I mean cast wearing members! Well here is the funny - somewhat unbelievable story. The kind that makes you say.....SERIOUSLY????? I actually Challenge your bad luck!!

In late August, on a dreary mid-week day, a Customer came in and asked if I would be interested in making Turkish coffee with him/for him? I agreed....it seemed like fun. Plus, I love to learn and try new things. He offered to read my fortune after we had finished our coffee....another part of the Turkish coffee experience. Again, I agreed...seemed pretty exciting to me!

He started with his, he showed me his "fortune" in the coffee grounds....it is a little like reading the clouds....I saw it. It was pretty exciting, I was ready to see what mine had to say.

Then he flipped my cup over, looked at it, looked at it a little more....showed me the lines of coffee grinds and explained that they are roads traveled and to be traveled....and then he very matter-o-factly said..."You have no fortune!".

I laughed a little and told him he didn't know just how true that was! Little did I know what I was in for...

Fast forward a few hours....

An UNBELIEVABLE storm came out of nowhere...literally hail so big that it blanketed the ground...Lightning, wind, and RAIN!! It was CRAZY with all cap's.

We were of course still at the shop and everyone (the entire family) was there, when a huge bolt of lightning struck in the distance. My hubby jokingly said "that just hit our house!...hahahaa". Within 5 minutes his cell phone was ringing. It was our neighbor telling us that the big tree out by our garden just got struck by lightning and had split like a banana. Some cursing followed and a tidbit of panic.....Storm passed and everything was back to normal...or maybe not.

OK, that was Tuesday/Wed......Sunday, same week, The Brawn comes to me, again at the shop, and says "my wrist really hurts..." I take one look at it and realize that it is broken. Yep, it was that obvious. We won't get into the husbands theory that "it didn't look that bad". I leave work, take him up to the Dr.'s....the first Dr. says it is fine...second Dr. confirms the broken wrist.

Remember this is Sunday....

week goes by and there is a birthday party on Saturday...the kids attend and guess what happens? In the words of The Brain...."...well, I fell about 5o times and at some point, this happened...." at which point he shows his swollen deformed wrist off. Yep...you guessed it....broken! Broken wrist, same hand as his brother....same EXACT break!!!

I jokingly say to the Dr....."just cast us all and get it over with. But, not my hands..we own a coffee shop..hahaha" Secretly I am fearing they think I'm abusing my children!

Ok, that was Saturday....

Thursday, get everyone home from school...Princess is sleeping while I am carrying her in from the car. Does anyone hold the door for mom?? NO! Mom holds the door for everyone else and then when I turn to go in and let go of the door...well, I failed to get in before the storm door slammed shut on my Achilles!! This resulted in my foot getting caught between the bottom of the door and the kick plate of the house, causing me to fall forward. I never for one moment thought I broke my foot, but I did know that something was seriously wrong with it. My toes retracted back like the witches feet in The Wizard of Oz!

I went straight to the Dr.'s. The staff at this point looked at me when I walked in like they were having dejavue! And guess what??? I BROKE MY FOOT!!!

So at this point I am sure you are thinking that this just can't get any worse? Never wonder that....Never....

A week later....The Brawn falls down the stairs and guess what....sprains his foot so badly that he needs to be in a cast for 6 weeks!! Yes....6 weeks!!!

I am not going to lie - I started looking for the vehicles to be parked outside my house with the words Social Services on them.

There were many kooky situations in those few weeks....true nutty-ness! We were going to take a group picture of us all, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I am still trying to forget it. I felt like there was a little hex over us. I am hoping that it has worn off by now, know what I mean!

The moral of the story....well....hopefully you will have had a giggle at my expense, but if/when someone tells you that "you have a long road to travel and you have no future"....run...run for the hills!! No, don't do that...you could trip and break something!! Just quietly walk away.....And as for my "fortune"...whatever little fortune I might have had before this incident has since been spent on co-pays and orthopedic bills.

...The same gentleman came in over the weekend and asked if I wanted to make Turkish coffee with him again...Uhhhh....NO!!!

I am still trying to rebuild my fortune!

With Love....

How does a Pumpkin turn into a Carrot?? A Halloween Word Problem..

2008-11-03T20:30:00.000-08:00

The Beauty made Pumpkin Cupcakes for us!!! Aren't they cute!

I am thinking this was done because we didn't ever get around to carving pumpkins...

How does a Pumpkin turn into a Carrot??? It's a word problem so try your best...I was always terrible at these in school!! Remember to read carefully!

What do you get when you add 1 Green squiggly bow as the stem + 1 pair Orange leggings + one orange shirt + Orange fluffy tutu + Brown boots for the dirt??

Give up??

A Cute Little Pumpkin!!!

Now...when you subtract- the Orange Fluffy Tutu but + a little extra dirt on the shirt and leggings....what do you get????

A Scraggly little Carrot!!!!!

After her daddy thought he had won this battle...she escaped and ripped the tutu off! Turning herself into a Carrot!!!

Halloween was so laid back this year....I LOVED IT!!!! I was originally feeling really bad about my lack of Halloween decoration and prep work...but at the end of the night - not so much.....

Our version of Halloween included a day together....no school for anyone (mom's choice....we were originally supposed to head to Philadelphia for a Dr. appt.)....then we went to the Park for a Costume Parade - where we had a Winner among us!!! "The Brains" took Judges Choice!!! Look below and you will see why!!

The Brains was dressed as a girl and was hysterical.....took Judges Choice!! Whoo-hoo!! You go babe!!

The Beauty = Penny from "Hairspray"

The Brawn = a Giant with his Fairy Friend

I had to share this picture of The Brawn's girl friend - that is "girl" "friend"...two words.... not "girlfriend" in case anyone was confused....I was asked to make that very clear.....she was a fish tank! LOVED IT!! Too Cute....and HOME MADE! She is a cutey to begin with!

Because we no longer Trick-or-Treat and the kids all "made" their costumes out of previous year costume pieces and things we had on hand, we promised them a special TREAT! A Family Date if you will.... We went to dinner at the Japanese Steak house where we all had a great time....except The Princess who COMPLETELY FREAKED OUT after the guy set the grill on fire at the beginning of our meal!

At that moment she requested in her quietest two year old voice ...that "we go home RIGHT NOW!!!!" It was a little funny....it was even funnier when the guy put food on her plate and she told him...."I eat none-a-dis" as she waved her hands over it like she was making a potion!

Look at the smiles and BIG eyes!!!

Fun was had by all....except maybe The Princess....

Check out her face....I'm thinkin' she's thinkin'.... "Seriously?????"

Much of the evening was spent like this....standing up holding The Princess.....AWAY from the table!! But it was still a very good time!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!!!

I write like I talk....fast!

2008-10-30T22:39:00.000-07:00

I just re-read a few of my recent posts and realized that I write just like I talk....FAST!!! I sound like I am on speed!! Which I am not....just a little Espresso.....or maybe a LOT of espresso! Heehee! I was getting worn out just reading them! I promise to slooooow dooooowwwwn a bit!!!

I always get in trouble when I read at Church because they say nobody can keep up with me! I think I get it!

Check in tomorrow for some Fabulous Finds under $5!!!

Good Night!!

MMMMMM Chalk-yette

2008-10-30T21:44:00.000-07:00

Do you like "Chalk-yette"????? I bet you do!!! I know a little Princess who LOVES it!!! Loves it with CAPITAL letters!!! I have my very own little sugar baby!! As much limitation as we put on sugar in my house, this Princess finds a way to make the most of it!

We made cupcakes recently and I made this homemade chocolate icing to go with them. At first glance the Princess snubbed her nose at it, .....she actually said..."ewww"...then as if she realized what she had just said, she looked at me and said. "Chalk-yette??? I yike Chalk-yette!!!"

It was all I could do at that point to finish mixing it and put a blob on the cupcakes!!! Clean-up process was a breeze!! She looks like she is in a Chocolate coma!!!

ALL GONE!!!

Who Loves Ya Baby??

2008-10-28T20:36:00.000-07:00

Alright...I am going to try and not post something too sappy tonight....the last post was a little sappy....sorry, was having a Mom moment! I thought I would show you what a good little wife I had been lately!!

Now, I confess that there is still a PILE of laundry threatening to take over our house - a BARE minimum of Halloween decorations throughout our house (one of my husbands favorite holidays) - and the biggest confession.....neither one of the two previous confessions are keeping me up at night! Sorry honey, but I do love you!!

BUT....what I have done is.....be very "supportive" of my husband who works like dog for our family.....has recently QUIT "dipping" aka, snuff (you know that disgusting stuff they put in their mouth and then spit out the nasty spit...) AND...my biggest act of Love....

Eating this..... look at that lovely bowl! Even though it resembles a doggie bowl, it isn't...so close though!!

He really enjoys making bread, an obsession of his I haven't yet figured out.....this one was a complete failure, but I (and those poor little children of ours) choked it down...literally. He blamed the failure on the new organic yeast I bought for him. I don't buy it!

I love ya baby, but please don't make us eat those bread sticks again!!!

I am raising a bunch of Warriors!!!

2008-10-22T19:17:00.000-07:00

(yes, that is a little clip hiding over there in his hair....we had been joking around about how much he looked like me with a clip in his hair right before I took this picture....lol)

Maybe that is not such a bad thing? Keep reading and you'll understand what I am saying... It took me a couple of days to see this myself.....

Over the past couple of days there have been quite a few ups and downs...you know the ones that make you think that this "Mom Gig is not quite as fun as I thought it would be".... My idea of being a Mommy was a little more along the lines of June Cleaver, not that of a NHL referee.

Some days I feel like all I am doing is breaking up fights and or dealing with a stubborn two year old...O YEAH...that's because I am!!

Yesterday I was thinking to myself..."I am raising a bunch of warriors! What is going on??!?! All they do is fight with each other...I didn't raise them this way" I even made them write 100 times that they would treat each other with respect!

Included in these past couple of days have been a few moments where The Brawn has been "hurt", not in the physical but in the emotional/spiritual sense. Sadly enough I must say, by adults....two examples for you; A customer refused to take a spoon from him because of his feeding tube, and then tonight which started off on a bad foot because, me - the "not" mom of the year forgot that it was Trick or Treat night at the Cub scouts meeting - SO...no costumes and I didn't make prior arrangements for there to be NON CANDY items available for him at each of the stations, which I would have if I had remembered....But I didn't so lets move on....FOCUS......An ADULT says to him at one of the stations..."Hey, what's that? Is it part of your costume??" As he kinda picks at it on his face. Uhhh, no idiot, it's not! But thanks for bringing some more attention to the tube running up his nose, we almost forgot it was there!! Ok...I didn't say that, but I did think it....and that is not nice on my part, but it hurts to see your little people hurt!!! I am better now...sorry.

Where is this going you ask???

My little warriors Rallied around their brother - silently - delicately - lovingly - they made their brother feel better about who he is and stood up strong for him when he wasn't feeling his inner strength. They didn't make a big deal out of the situations, they just did it....a hand on the shoulder, a simple conversation on the way home, just simple love for each other.

And Then.....There it was.....

I didn't see it at first, I didn't hear the voice telling me - there it is....look at them....they are fighting for "EACH OTHER". Thank you God, Thank you for my little warriors. I love them, each of them individually, all of them together....Thank you God.

I am not sure, but I think that I might have Created a few Loving, Compassionate little Warriors to live in this Crazy Place we Call Life!

Fun Finds and Thrift Store Love

2008-10-21T06:09:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting - very impatiently - to show you some of the Fun Finds that my husband and I found last week. I thought I would share them with you on this Talk about Tuesday! I have wanted to participate in this for a while, but by the time I get myself together it is like Thursday! Anyhoooo.... We were on a "date" of sorts....we had the Princess with us but she was being REALLLY good....It was a very nice day!! We had lunch at one of my favorites, and then we went to about a half dozen Antique, Consignment, and Thrift Stores. And surprisingly, he seemed to enjoy it as much as I did!! He said it was the company....isn't he sweet....I think he was just trying to get lucky if you know what I mean! Some of my fabulous finds are going to the shop, and some have come home with me to live in chaos like the rest of us!

OK, enough talk...let me show you what I found!! It makes me excited just remembering what I found...I am pathetic I tell ya!!! This is not everything....I don't want to overwhelm you!

First were these Lovely Linens!!! One of the many things that gets me really excited is finding Vintage Linens!!! I got all three of these for less than $20!! I have no intentions of parting with these!!! One has a little hole and one has a pretty interesting stain on it but I am sure I can get it out. The bottom one is in really good condition - just a little faded. I personally don't care what they look like at this point because I LOVE THEM!!!

Next up...this lovely little collection of mugs! I really liked the brown ones for my house, even the hubby was eyeing them up, but we parted with them already and they reside nicely above the Espresso Machine! They are a nice size - pretty vintage - and in PERFECT condition. Notice that there are only 5 of them? That is because I DROPPED one and broke it on the way to the register!!! The lady tells me that she has more and will bring one down to the shop for me. Then those sweet little tea cups next to the brown ones, well they are just sweet and I really liked them!! The blue willow mugs in the bag are great for Cappuccino's. They also are in really good condition!!! In fact I served to Cap's in them yesterday! They were all such a great price that it made them even prettier!!

NOW...Seriously.....do you see these SWEET little tea cups!!! I saw these and almost jumped out of my skin! This is only one of them, it is a set of four and man are they beautiful. One of them has a pretty significant crack in the plate but the rest are really nice! They are all hand painted with this little Asian scene, the insides are this beautiful iridescent white and all in all they are just beautiful!!! Have I mentioned that they are beautiful?? These, much to my chagrin are being sold at the shop. I can't keep everything.....I have to keep telling myself that!

I had picked up these three little pins a little while back and not gotten around to post them, but I really like them too!! The little pansies are made from ceramic and the black one is hand painted on wood. Very pretty!! The white one is just fun! I thought it would make a cool ring. OK, that is it for this trip. But....I have more from this past weekend!! You have to wait a bit longer for those!! They might just include a lovely white pitcher, a mint condition vintage jewelry box....and some really, really fun jewelry finds!!

Seriously....

2008-10-17T20:29:00.000-07:00

Do you think anyone at the Board of Education actually has children? And on top of that, do you think that they have ever tried to work with their children?? Like actually "work" with them - by their side - you know take them to work??? OK, in case you haven't guessed, the kids were out of school today and it was a rough day of "work" with the kids! The concept that people come to the shop to relax and enjoy their coffee while they browse was CLEARLY missed by my children today!!! I actually called my husband and told him it was a matter of "National Security" for him to leave work! Apparently the people he works for don't get it either because they didn't let him off early to go rescue his wife from the kids at the Coffee Shop...or was it the other way around...rescue the kids from his wife?!?! OK, rant over..... But really, it was a tough day!! However, looking on the bright side....everyone is healthy and no injuries took place!

And then....because all Mama's need a night out, we had Knitting 101 at the Shop tonight. That was a lot of fun...NOOOO I didn't come home with a sweater, or a scarf, or even 10 complete stitches...wait are they called stitches?? Whatever - I will be starting over tomorrow, or maybe the next day! It was fun. I really enjoyed the company, there was some potty talk - but none of it really had to do with the potty! We will definitely be having Knitting 101 again. Nobody is really ready to advance to 102 yet!!

Dig Deep

2008-10-15T20:23:00.000-07:00

Can we dig deep for a minute?? ....... I have been totally entranced with this story - every bit of the story!! I am in LOVE with her - in fact I want to whisper Happy Bird-day in her ear - every day for the rest of her life. I have been praying for her family, her, her kids, her husband....every day...do you think that God has passed along my whispers to them?

This story has made me think, it has made me cry and it has made me look at moments in my life and wonder....what if? It has also made me want to "BE" better in my every day life!

If something happened to me or my husband, who would take care of my children. Not just put a roof over their head or food in their bellies, but who would fill their souls with the love and nurturing that they need?

I have no sisters, only a brother - and we don't seem to be able to spend too much time together without there being a difference of opinions, plus he is 13 years younger than me and doesn't have his life together enough to take on 4 little peoples lives! I want a sister like her....I have actually always wanted a sister like her! I would even take a neighbor like her! I want friends like these. When this sleeping beauty wakes up she is going to be blown away by the amount of people who seriously LOVE for her and her family! I wonder if she will be able to take it all in?

If something happened to me, who would be there to take care of my husband and kids. Not just physically, but emotionally? Would anyone rally for them and help with the school, life and medical bills?? I really don't have that many "girlfriends", would anyone step in and coordinate this. Last year our son went through a pretty serious medical ordeal and we were out of state for 11 days and no one even made a single dinner for my husband! Our church is pretty small and quite frankly - there are not that many young families there!

How exceptional it is to read of her love for her husband, her strength and pride. I love that she is so open about her love of her husband. I wish I could be more like that. I wish that tomorrow we could start our marriage over again and not let every day "life" jade us of our love for one another. Because lets face it, most of us let the bills, the laundry and the sleep deprivation take over and tarnish the sparkle that used to be in our eye when we looked at our loved one - dare I say our Lover!

There are so many ways that this story has effected me, it has made me remember how precious every day is. Even on days where being a Mom really STINKS! We all have them - even when we pretend that life is perfect - those moments where the baby won't get in the car seat, the dog is in heat, the older kids miss the bus and give YOU an attitude about it, the husband wants dinner and you forgot to take plan something!! You know, one of those days.....just remember how lucky we are to have beautiful, strong willed children and a husband who cares enough to come home to us!

To remember to love deeply, and love honestly. Even ourselves....I love that she was so candid about taking pictures of herself (no pun intended). I love that her children can still see her beautiful face looking back at them even though she isn't there with them. This story has made me put myself back into "the" story of my kids life - how many pictures do you have of yourself or of you and your kids together - right now??

Most importantly, I think about how important it is to be honest to ourselves. If we want to be a something that is different that what other people "think" we should be - remember to be honest to ourselves. Be the parent we want to be, the wife we want to be, and the person that we want to be. Be open about our religion, our beliefs - whatever it is - just be honest to ourselves!

I have never met this beautiful creature, but I will hold a piece of her in my heart everyday, even when the hype is over and everyone is going back to their every day lives. I will remember her.