Photos... short on time version

Dada's mini-me.

You know mom I really should get to do what I want....


First weekend on 4 wheelers. Day 1 learned to drive himself with Cousin Dean.




Crystal is a favorite person. Even with that funny hat on her head.

Day 2. Five hour ride is exhausting. He fell asleep while I was trying to catch up to the group. He loved the ride.
still sleeping for about another 20 minutes. His first word upon waking was "WATCH!"

Caught some sun in the mountains.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures.

A month as whirlwind

Nearly a month since my last posting requires some kind of explanation doesn't it?

Most recently was a surprise trip to Arizona to meet up with the Seesters. The youngest, Katie, turned 21 and her daughter is now 1. There was also a new sister to add to the mix. Stacie Ann was put up for adoption as a baby. She is now 25 and a part of our world. It was beyond words to meet her face to face. The whole weekend was amazing and more than I ever expected it to be.

The craziest thing I've ever done was that weekend too. Do you like my tattoo?

I made a couple of handbags using the Made by Rae Buttercup Bag pattern. I am using the magenta & teal bag. The red & black one was a gift for Katie.

Bubba got a his first haircut. He was a champ and didn't make a peep. After all was done he got a goldfish as a reward. The fish didn't last for more than a week. She let us know she was a girl because 3 days after we got her she laid eggs. That was interesting.

Are you bored yet? I commend you if you continued to read this post. I have much more to catch up on but my bed is calling my name. Have a great night.

It's been a while

I haven't been for a couple of reasons. First, I have been reading many other blogs and that uses up almost all of my computer time. Second, we have been busy. This week included a trip to the Denver Zoo, Mommies Night last Saturday and various other stuff keeping me away from the computer. Finally, I don't have much to say. Maybe some photo posts are a better way of sharing my days without boring anyone with the mundane. I'll see about getting one or two done tomorrow.

Valentine's Weekend in review

Hubs had a birthday last Friday. His last before the big 3-0. He took it in stride but didn't want to do anything. So I postponed the celebration until Sunday. That and Bubba was sick so we couldn't have anyone over until he was better.

Valentines Day was a mellow day with a sick little but when he was tucked into bed Hubs and I did have a good time getting DRUNK. (The first time in years for me.) It was kinda nice to do low key since years past has made V-day one that I want to celebrate but just end up being disappointed. This year with no expectation things turned out well. Hubs even made dinner while I was required to sit on the sofa. Cool.

The birthday party on Sunday was nice. Again low key since we only invited his mom, brother, and the McCormicks. I made a beautiful carrot cake. It was my first frosted cake all by myself. The best part was it tasted better than it looked.


I hope everyone had a fantastic Valentines Day.


By the way... Mom, thanks for the treats for the kids. I will be sure to get J & V theirs as soon as I see them.

At A Loss

I'm not sure how to feel for the last day or so. My paternal grandpa passed away yesterday night. I am unsure how to feel because he did a lot of really nasty things in his life as well as some amazingly good ones. I am choosing to live in the moment and accept whatever feeling I have at the time I have it.
This evening my aunt called me to let me know that there will be no funeral now because he is being cremated and they will be spreading his ashes this spring at Collyer Mountain. While I think cremation is the responsible choice these days I also feel like I have been let down without a funeral at which to say goodbye. Since I haven't really been shedding tears I assumed that my emotions would come at the funeral. Now I don't feel that I have that chance. I guess when I finally wrap my head around it I will grieve.

Blah, Blah this. Blah, blah that.

I feel bad for not posting anything of real substance in too long. Sorry bout that. I've been lazing about and missing my Col and waiting to see a therapist about some pretty pills and good advise. Today I got off my arse and did a few things around the house. Then I saw the therapist who gave me some good advise and a referral to see the other Dr about the pills. I got some retail therapy for SuperCheap (said best like Little Einsteins "Super Fast") at Joanns. Finally I got to see my most missed Col too. Oh yea and her hubs and little girl. All in all a good day. Want more detail? Keep reading.

The house has been a bit neglected while I have used fatigue and lack of interest as reasons for allowing it to be so. Today I made an effort. Laundry is 80% washed and dried with a 70% on put away. The kitchen (before dinner guests) made its way to useable again. I feel like I clean my kitchen at least 2-3 times a day. Does anyone else? Kitchen? Check. Hubs fixed the slow draining tub so I was able to clean it without sloshing around the dirt. Bathroom? Check. Vacuum floors? Check. Lots more do do tomorrow? Double check.

I did get a couple of financial issues resolved, at least for the month. Money makes me ill at times. Especially when we lack it come bill time. The winter is usually tight for us since Hubs cannot work in the cold but add in the current economic situation and we have an extraordinarliy hard time paying everything when due. To get those items checked off my list is heart lifting.

I think Dr M. is going to work out. He is older and wiser with lots of experience in the field. His advise until out next session is to start taking more Vitamin D, more than what is in my multi vitamin. He also recommended that I walk outside daily for at least 40 minutes. This kills 2 birds, need for sunlight & need for excersize, with one act. He also suggested that I attend a Women's group next Tuesday. I am certain I will be there. He also referred me to the med Dr. I'll be seeing Dr Swift at the end of the month.

I saved a boat load at Joanns today on Simplicity patterns and 4 fabrics that were half off, half off. That deserves it's own post with pictures.

And dinner with the Mc's was wonderful as always. I can't wait to do dinner at their house tomorrow night.

For now I am off to bed. Good night.

Words that speak to me

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
-- John Lennon

Yes. I am a serial planner. I like my lists. I like to know what my options are. I hate the feeling of mid morning and not knowing what I am going to do for the day. But these words must be pondered. Do I quit making my lists and stop my minor plans to let life happen? Am I not enjoying my life to the fullest because I am too busy making plans?

Snow has fallen

and I didn't think to take a picture. I am so not blogger material. I think about taking pics after the fact or days later when I am blogging about my day(s) past. So in order to challenge myself this week I am going to post pics of our day. (Of course this starts tomorrow since I left the camera behind today.)
I have 2 projects in the middle stages. I hope to have the christmas tree done tomorrow. The silhouettes are a little time consuming but Col is coming over tomorrow and we are going to work on them together. We are also going to create the ornaments for our tree too.
More on the giveaway in the morning when I can catch the prize in some pretty morning light. Hint? It is slim, colorful and if you are anything like me you will use it everyday.

Post of the Year

I have been reading Bloggedy, Blog, Blog for a little while now. Today she had the POST OF THE YEAR! If i had an award I would give it to her because it was funny, insightful with a perfect ending. What are you waiting for? Go check it out.

Working on it

I feel that this should be my new theme phrase. I am constantly telling myself and others that I am working on it. It has been a variety of things lately. Today IT included picking up a check from one of Hubs customers, talking to The Mama on the phone, visiting the library, chatting with Dad & Col. My favorite IT was working on the embroidered napkins for christmas. I have 2 & 1/2 done. The best one is the one I am working on right now. I found a little more inspiration at the library and love using french knots as a filler stitch. So cute. Time consuming. But cute. Pictures when I have all 4 done (tomorrow?)

Cant. Get. Back. To. NORMAL.

My real life has been on vacation for the last month (at least). Now I am having the hardest time getting it to within reason.
Hubs has been home and wants A and I to go with him almost everywhere he goes. Most of the time I would be happy to accompany him but I am desperate to get my house back under control and get cracking on my crafting projects. Oh Hubby, please let me stay home so I can get back to my regular routine.
Well tomorrow may not be the best day to get back in the saddle. We (A & I) are supposed to help MIL cook a turkey tomorrow. AND we have his 18 mo WBV. Did I mention that I need to get some crafting done? Oh yea, my desk is covered in randomness that is seriously throwing me out of balance. Plus I haven't gotten around to my filing in about 3 months.
Maybe MIL will take A tomorrow morning and I can take him to our Ped and be home to serve up a crock pot dinner. Continental Chicken. Sounds interesting.
I am done ranting about the last several days. There would be no point since they are over.
Positive thoughts for tomorrow... 1) I will get things done. 2) We will have a peaceful day. 3) I will take a little time for myself too.

Pretending

The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.
Socrates

I am a pretender. Well maybe not so much a pretender as much as hiding the warts & boils and only putting my best face forward. Is that pretending or only showing my good side?

I'd like to challenge myself to live with more honor by being more like the person I pretend to be. Thank you Socrates for such an inspiration.

Finally feeling better

Oh boy am I glad to finally be feeling better. All I have now is a bit of a cough and the need to blow my nose more than usual (but not nearly as much as when I was sick.
Since A and I are flying to AZ on Thursday I made myself buckle down yesterday and get lots of laundry done as well as scrubbing the tub and parts of the kitchen. Today will include more laundry (I'd like to have it all done so when I get home I only have to deal with travel & hunting laundry), cleaning the rest of the bathroom, changing sheets in both bedrooms and general dusting. For relaxation I should work on the Pleated Beauty Bag. FYI: only 11 weeks left until X-mas. That means my 100% handmade christmas might only be about 70%. Not too bad for a first year and a lesson to really start sooner for next year.
So I was going to tell all about our CA vacation but there is really not much to tell. We stayed in the middle of the desert with no real distractions. Grandma Shirley and I went shopping in town (32 miles away) one day and got the boy a really cute Raiders warm up suit. The rest of the time was spent soaking up as much sun as I could. I really hate how cold they keep their house. I was able to crochet a wool beanie for Hubs and start one for a woman. It is out of the softest bamboo yarn. The color scheme is pink camo. I like it so much I may have to keep it for myself. We shall see.
I am going to revise my handmade holiday post so you might want to check it out.

Busy Bees

The hubs is not at work today. His projects are all done with the exception of a couple. Those will be taken care of by T while we are in CA. Perfect. If everything wraps up well then we will be off on Friday night, returning next week on Friday or Saturday. I will then have about a week to get it together to go to AZ. We will certainly be busy bees for a while.
Today we got the camper registered, new glasses ordered for N, new lenses put in his sunglasses and some cute fall-esque clothes for A. We stopped at Old Navy and Lane Bryant looking for a cute fall coat for me but didn't find anything I really liked. I will be on a look out for something good.

Hello Baseball Fans!

Rain, Rain , Go Away!
This morning it is raining. Not a lot but enough for me to be concerned about the baseball game tonight. I am not sure that A will be able to go.
Yesterday instead of dropping A off at Granny's house I decided to stay for a while myself and get in a visit. When he went down for a nap I did got to Barnes & Noble in search of Teach Me To Do It Myself by Maja Pitamic and Montessori Play & Learn by Lesley Britton. Unfortunately my local B&N does not carry these or other montessori titles in the store. So I had to order them in because these titles aren't available from my library. I hope they call me soon to pick them up. The good thing is that I got a 10% off coupon in my email last night so I will be able to use that to purchase these books.
My library did have a couple of books that I checked out yesterday. (I currently have 19 books checked out. EEK!) The first is Teaching Montessori in the Home by Elizabeth Hainstock. I started this one last night but didn't get too far into it before it was time to go to bed. I can't wait for some reading time this afternoon. I also got Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten, The Homeschooling Handbook, Baby Read Aloud Basics, and The ABC's of Homeschooling. I am not sure how much of each of these books will help me on my quest for home preschooling but it couldn't hurt to give them a quick read.
I am absolutely loving these blogs! Chasing Cherios and Montessori Free Fall. These moms have great ideas and I will certainly be taking their advice and incorporating it into our world.

4th of July was a Lazy Weekend

What a lazy weekend. Friday we visited S & T. BBQ and fireworks. I forgot my camera but S has pictures that she took. A fell asleep half way through the show. He was a champ though. Traffic after the show was crazy. Rant: Why can't people remember the line at kindergarten? Everyone got a drink at the water fountain when everyone stood in line and waited their turn. I think that for the $10 that we paid to park should have come with a bit of traffic control.
Saturday was super lazy and so was Sunday with the exception of lots of dishes and meal preparation.

Randomness

inspired by Two Cups of Coffee

Reading: how to raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way by Tim Seldin

Listening to: Scream Free Parenting by Hal Edward Runkel
Craft Project: Simplicity 3760 view C top for me. I need to make something for myself with the new sewing machine.
Latest Recipe: Zucchini & Tomato Frittata from First Meals by Annabel Karmel. Yummy breakfast and the little one loved it too.
Project with the kid: Getting him to sleep when he is supposed to.
On my to do list: scrubbing the bathroom (among other things). I put new light bulbs in and holy dirty bathroom Batman.
Next Daring Feat: a commitment to walking and blogging daily in June. Dang, it's already June 2nd. Oops. No better day to start than today right?
Want: a Starbucks in my kitchen complete with Barista, a house elf that would do my dishes for me every night, and more time to sew, read, craft and maintain the household.
Need: the love of my men, and a roof over my head. It is bliss that my need is met daily.

How to fix dishpan hands

My name is Liz and I have dishpan hands. This comes from pre-washing my dishes in really hot water before putting them in the dishwasher. They are now to the point where I have a couple of cracked cuticles and the side of my thumb is cracked along my fingerprint.
After reading a few articles online I have made a plan of action. Experiment with me as I try to prevent this from happening further and repair the damage that has already been inflicted on my poor hands.

Since having baby we have has lots of Aquaphor in the house. I am going to move this next to the sink and my drying cloths. That way I will be reminded to re-moisturize everytime I dry my hands. If the aquaphor doesnt do the job I will try lanolin.
I am also going to start wearing cotton gloves to bed after moisturizing my hands. This is a recommendation for several other articles but this one here is really good.

Please comment with any tips or tricks for getting my hands back to soft.