It's been a crazy, busy but very fun time for us =)
Here is a slide show of some of our holiday pictures:
=)
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Belated Christmas Wishes!
I hope everyone had a great Christmas this year. We had a great one that kept us quite busy. In fact, we still have one more party to go to tomorrow.
It's been a crazy, busy but very fun time for us =)
Here is a slide show of some of our holiday pictures:
=)
It's been a crazy, busy but very fun time for us =)
Here is a slide show of some of our holiday pictures:
=)
Friday, December 19, 2008
... A New Beginning
So the other day I told you about my big epiphany and how I was going to use it to set high goals for myself for 2009!
So I sat down one day and thought - really thought - about the goals I want to set for myself.
My first step was to write down what I wanted my ideal day to look like - if I could snap my fingers right now and change my day, what would I change it to. And I wrote, from details such as to how to schedule things to how I wanted to feel and how my surroundings would look. I also kept in the back of my head "if I had one year to live, how would I want that year to look" and wrote and wrote. Which was good in so many ways and really gave me a TON of direction. Now I have a picture - in words - of what I am working to. I'll liken it to people who cut out a picture of a house and carry around in their wallet so that when they shop, they have a reminder of what they are saving for to help them spend money wisely. I now have that for myself and it was VERY helpful.
I read over all of all that and then wrote what is going on today that is disconnect with how I want a day to look. Which, might have been the hardest part because when you do that you have to admit your flaws and shortcomings. Which isn't always oh so fun. But I did it.
After that I made of list of changes - both big and small - that I could make in order to bridge that gap. That was actually the fun part (although I haven't finished it entirely). It also helps fill you with hope because you think, okay, if I can manage to do this one thing, I'll be one step closer to where I want to be.
Then I added goal dates to those items. Because, let's face it, I need all the motivation I can get ROFL!! This was hard because I had to keep them realistic without giving myself too much time to procrastinate and also, I had to decide where to start, where to end, what goes in the middle. Which also means I had to prioritize my goals!
The main focus of 2009 for me will be getting organized. Because I am not organized right now and after I thought about it, I realized that is probably what is keeping me from finishing other tasks I want to accomplish. You can't stay on top of things very well if you can't find things you need, can't find an empty spot on the counter to work, can't keep appointments and other places to be straight and can't sit to relax because the piles around you are too distracting. I also decided to completely eliminate my 101 in 1001 list. Because it just makes sense for me to do that right now.
Anyway, you'll have to read about this all year long, because I'll be sharing my goals and progress! I know, you are SOOO excited to hear that =) I'm calling it "2009: My Time To Shine" (yes, cheesy, I know, but I like it LOL!) and have also started a group over at the Motherhood so come join us!! =)
So I sat down one day and thought - really thought - about the goals I want to set for myself.
My first step was to write down what I wanted my ideal day to look like - if I could snap my fingers right now and change my day, what would I change it to. And I wrote, from details such as to how to schedule things to how I wanted to feel and how my surroundings would look. I also kept in the back of my head "if I had one year to live, how would I want that year to look" and wrote and wrote. Which was good in so many ways and really gave me a TON of direction. Now I have a picture - in words - of what I am working to. I'll liken it to people who cut out a picture of a house and carry around in their wallet so that when they shop, they have a reminder of what they are saving for to help them spend money wisely. I now have that for myself and it was VERY helpful.
I read over all of all that and then wrote what is going on today that is disconnect with how I want a day to look. Which, might have been the hardest part because when you do that you have to admit your flaws and shortcomings. Which isn't always oh so fun. But I did it.
After that I made of list of changes - both big and small - that I could make in order to bridge that gap. That was actually the fun part (although I haven't finished it entirely). It also helps fill you with hope because you think, okay, if I can manage to do this one thing, I'll be one step closer to where I want to be.
Then I added goal dates to those items. Because, let's face it, I need all the motivation I can get ROFL!! This was hard because I had to keep them realistic without giving myself too much time to procrastinate and also, I had to decide where to start, where to end, what goes in the middle. Which also means I had to prioritize my goals!
The main focus of 2009 for me will be getting organized. Because I am not organized right now and after I thought about it, I realized that is probably what is keeping me from finishing other tasks I want to accomplish. You can't stay on top of things very well if you can't find things you need, can't find an empty spot on the counter to work, can't keep appointments and other places to be straight and can't sit to relax because the piles around you are too distracting. I also decided to completely eliminate my 101 in 1001 list. Because it just makes sense for me to do that right now.
Anyway, you'll have to read about this all year long, because I'll be sharing my goals and progress! I know, you are SOOO excited to hear that =) I'm calling it "2009: My Time To Shine" (yes, cheesy, I know, but I like it LOL!) and have also started a group over at the Motherhood so come join us!! =)
Dryer Balls
Just about 2 years ago, I decided we needed to stop using dryer sheets - it was for a variety of reasons, but I was trying to figure out easy ways to give up single use items in our house (we also stopped buying water bottles too at the same time!)
And so, I went to the store and bought some of those blue dryer balls that were so heavily advertised - As seen on TV! - and began to use them. We have the same set still today - although I'm pretty sure they have a much shorter life span, despite what the commercial says. Actually, they didn't even shorten drying time, only helped removed static cling from certain fabrics and did not make things come out fluffier at all. And lately, things are coming out stiff and yucky. And I know they've needed to be replaced - but I was unsure of what to do. Because it occurred to me that although they are reusable - clearly they do not last for years and well, plastic isn't all that awesome for the environment in general and so it left me wondering: what to do?
And then I found The Bashful Sheep through another blog who was doing a give-away of them! So I ordered a set:
I have used them a few times and I can say I completely recommend them! My clothes are really coming out soft and wonderful. Now, it has cut my drying time, but not by much. However, my dryer stinks and it usually takes about 1 1/2-2 cycles to dry things. I've been able to cut it down to 1 to 1 1/2 dryer cycles to dry things. Which is awesome! (but I dream of getting a new dryer that can dry things in less than 90 minutes!!). It has cut down on static - but not eliminated it. And can I add, that she shipped them right away which I was impressed with as well =)
And they are cute and I love them LOL!! I can honestly recommend these to you. And I'm so glad I managed to stumble across them!
And so, I went to the store and bought some of those blue dryer balls that were so heavily advertised - As seen on TV! - and began to use them. We have the same set still today - although I'm pretty sure they have a much shorter life span, despite what the commercial says. Actually, they didn't even shorten drying time, only helped removed static cling from certain fabrics and did not make things come out fluffier at all. And lately, things are coming out stiff and yucky. And I know they've needed to be replaced - but I was unsure of what to do. Because it occurred to me that although they are reusable - clearly they do not last for years and well, plastic isn't all that awesome for the environment in general and so it left me wondering: what to do?
And then I found The Bashful Sheep through another blog who was doing a give-away of them! So I ordered a set:
I have used them a few times and I can say I completely recommend them! My clothes are really coming out soft and wonderful. Now, it has cut my drying time, but not by much. However, my dryer stinks and it usually takes about 1 1/2-2 cycles to dry things. I've been able to cut it down to 1 to 1 1/2 dryer cycles to dry things. Which is awesome! (but I dream of getting a new dryer that can dry things in less than 90 minutes!!). It has cut down on static - but not eliminated it. And can I add, that she shipped them right away which I was impressed with as well =)
And they are cute and I love them LOL!! I can honestly recommend these to you. And I'm so glad I managed to stumble across them!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
A new year ...
is going to start soon! And with the year comes a chance to turn over a new leaf, set goals and resolutions, change our lives and make the upcoming year be the BEST ONE EVER.
Right, well, isn't that what all the chatter is starting December 26th usually? And Oprah does shows about how this is your year. And so do about one million other television stations.
But, well, I SO want 2009 and to really and truly be my year! For a while now - since summer, I have known things around my house needed to change. And oh how I said things were going to change. Look over to the right and you can see my operation purge. We started out with a bang, but we've stopped. We didn't reach our goal. It hasn't been for lack of desire. In fact, 2 weeks ago I actually called a few personal organizers to get quotes for having them come help me get things in order (they are all out of my budget). So last week I checked out a huge book about how to organize pretty much everything.
And I immediately did what I always do and made the same old list: get rid of clutter, don't stay up so late, stop drinking so much pop. Which so far has gotten me nowhere. And then it hit me. I'm approaching this all wrong.
I need to stop thinking about what I don't want and focus on what I do want.
Because if I know what I want, then I have a direction and a goal and a clear picture in my head. Let's take the clutter example. I don't want clutter. But, in truth, clutter is subjective. But if I say, for instance, I only want enough fabric that will fit on that shelf, well, then I know how much to get rid of - everything that won't fit!
Now this felt like a major epiphany for me. Changing the goals from what I don't want to what I do want feels really good already. I just hope I can keep this feeling to accomplish all the goals I have set for myself for 2009!
Right, well, isn't that what all the chatter is starting December 26th usually? And Oprah does shows about how this is your year. And so do about one million other television stations.
But, well, I SO want 2009 and to really and truly be my year! For a while now - since summer, I have known things around my house needed to change. And oh how I said things were going to change. Look over to the right and you can see my operation purge. We started out with a bang, but we've stopped. We didn't reach our goal. It hasn't been for lack of desire. In fact, 2 weeks ago I actually called a few personal organizers to get quotes for having them come help me get things in order (they are all out of my budget). So last week I checked out a huge book about how to organize pretty much everything.
And I immediately did what I always do and made the same old list: get rid of clutter, don't stay up so late, stop drinking so much pop. Which so far has gotten me nowhere. And then it hit me. I'm approaching this all wrong.
I need to stop thinking about what I don't want and focus on what I do want.
Because if I know what I want, then I have a direction and a goal and a clear picture in my head. Let's take the clutter example. I don't want clutter. But, in truth, clutter is subjective. But if I say, for instance, I only want enough fabric that will fit on that shelf, well, then I know how much to get rid of - everything that won't fit!
Now this felt like a major epiphany for me. Changing the goals from what I don't want to what I do want feels really good already. I just hope I can keep this feeling to accomplish all the goals I have set for myself for 2009!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Holiday Dresses are done!
I finished my girls' Christmas dresses tonight! So happy they are finished. So happy they turned out. So happy that tomorrow we can go visit Santa and drop off their letters to him at Macy's!
I used these dresses to break in the new serger! It really does make me want to sew more because I just feel that much more confident about seams and what-not. Up next on the serger, some holiday napkins for us to use as we get nearer to Christmas.
And also, tomorrow, I'm going to show you the fun new item I just got that I think you should probably have too LOL! =)
Monday, December 15, 2008
Stuff
Stuff going on:
Picked up Christmas tree today. Plan to decorate Tuesday. House smells lovely!
Made a big shopping trip today and am almost done with holiday shopping
Still loving the serger. I have used it a lot.
Tomorrow night I have my first of two classes to learn even more about it!
Sewing Christmas dresses for the girls. Have realized i am a slow sewer!
I need to pick up the pace because I still need to sew Christmas PJ's and also a few gifts.
Also have a stack of other things I need to knit/sew/make/craft/etc
Have not done any wrapping yet!!
But, with that said, I'm actually feeling really good and relaxed and not too worried about stuff. However, if I wait this long next year to get Christmas stuff done, someone come kick my butt! LOL
Picked up Christmas tree today. Plan to decorate Tuesday. House smells lovely!
Made a big shopping trip today and am almost done with holiday shopping
Still loving the serger. I have used it a lot.
Tomorrow night I have my first of two classes to learn even more about it!
Sewing Christmas dresses for the girls. Have realized i am a slow sewer!
I need to pick up the pace because I still need to sew Christmas PJ's and also a few gifts.
Also have a stack of other things I need to knit/sew/make/craft/etc
Have not done any wrapping yet!!
But, with that said, I'm actually feeling really good and relaxed and not too worried about stuff. However, if I wait this long next year to get Christmas stuff done, someone come kick my butt! LOL
Friday, December 12, 2008
PS
I opened bloglines for the first time in over 3 weeks. I read as much as I could, but marked a bit. I looked through comments and e-mailed back when I could and tried to visit everyone's blog.
I apologize for being a bad blogger, but finally have tons and tons of blogging ideas in my head to share with everyone. And I believe once the holidays pass, I will be a better blogger - both with writing and reading =)
I apologize for being a bad blogger, but finally have tons and tons of blogging ideas in my head to share with everyone. And I believe once the holidays pass, I will be a better blogger - both with writing and reading =)
Something to show off!
I finally did some crafting tonight! I whipped up these little ornaments:
I think they are adorable! Dh is taking them to work tomorrow to an ornament exchange and I hope his coworkers think they are cute too LOL! The best part was that I had most of the materials on hand so they cost next to nothing to make.
I will say this, making them was fun! I need more projects like this that I can sit down and finish in one night. And also, I need to make more things that can use it items I already own! Because I have way too many things and my craft room is exploding!!
The directions came from Better Homes and Garden here: http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/ornaments/make-a-felt-mitten-and-ice-skate-ornament/ Also, they have lots of ornament ideas there (some are much better than others in my opinion ROFL!) so check it out if you need to make anything. And who knows, maybe next year I will declare it the year of ornaments and make some for everyone! =)
I think they are adorable! Dh is taking them to work tomorrow to an ornament exchange and I hope his coworkers think they are cute too LOL! The best part was that I had most of the materials on hand so they cost next to nothing to make.
I will say this, making them was fun! I need more projects like this that I can sit down and finish in one night. And also, I need to make more things that can use it items I already own! Because I have way too many things and my craft room is exploding!!
The directions came from Better Homes and Garden here: http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/ornaments/make-a-felt-mitten-and-ice-skate-ornament/ Also, they have lots of ornament ideas there (some are much better than others in my opinion ROFL!) so check it out if you need to make anything. And who knows, maybe next year I will declare it the year of ornaments and make some for everyone! =)
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Happy Birthday!
3 years ago today my little boy came quickly into this world (any faster and he might have been born on the highway!)
He has hardly stopped moving since them is always fast and moving and bouncy and jumping and laughing. He also is an extremely bright child. I know because he is always thinking of new ways to get into trouble around here! But I love him and I wouldn't trade him because he brings so much more laughter into this house than we had before him!
So happy 3rd birthday mister man! love momma =)
He has hardly stopped moving since them is always fast and moving and bouncy and jumping and laughing. He also is an extremely bright child. I know because he is always thinking of new ways to get into trouble around here! But I love him and I wouldn't trade him because he brings so much more laughter into this house than we had before him!
So happy 3rd birthday mister man! love momma =)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Method!
You haven't hear me talk of Method for a bit around here.
I'm still using all their awesome products and I'm still loving them! [and also, my 9 year old LOVES to clean toilets and she totally can with their toilet bowl cleaner for which I'm loving LOL!]
But, I actually went out and bought some more Method stuffs to use in my home!
Oh yeah. Winter berry. I am IN LOVE with it. I am really considering going back and buying more so I can smell it all year long. I love it that much. It rocks. Seriously, I wish I could make a scratch and sniff post for you all. It rocks.
And also, a bamboo room deodorizer. And it's not made of plastic. And it looks really cute. And it smells so nice - although I can't remember for the life of me which scent we got. We had to invest in it because my cat, well, his poop stinks. And he doesn't cover it so well. And I needed something in that bathroom that didn't need to be plugged in, lit up, and that I would think looked good. This met the requirements. We've had that for a month now and I still love it. It still smells awesome. I have no idea how long the little scent tray is supposed to last, but so far the scent has not faded on us!
Anyway, I know I've pimped out Method here before, but I wanted you to know that I really do love it and didn't recommend it to y'all because they gave me free stuff and let me throw a super awesome party! I really and truly do love it =)
There are other things I've fallen in love with lately (and things I bought hoping to fall in love with) that I want to share with you as well. Were I smarter, I would have done this a month ago when you were beginning to Christmas shop, but better late than never!!
I'm still using all their awesome products and I'm still loving them! [and also, my 9 year old LOVES to clean toilets and she totally can with their toilet bowl cleaner for which I'm loving LOL!]
But, I actually went out and bought some more Method stuffs to use in my home!
Oh yeah. Winter berry. I am IN LOVE with it. I am really considering going back and buying more so I can smell it all year long. I love it that much. It rocks. Seriously, I wish I could make a scratch and sniff post for you all. It rocks.
And also, a bamboo room deodorizer. And it's not made of plastic. And it looks really cute. And it smells so nice - although I can't remember for the life of me which scent we got. We had to invest in it because my cat, well, his poop stinks. And he doesn't cover it so well. And I needed something in that bathroom that didn't need to be plugged in, lit up, and that I would think looked good. This met the requirements. We've had that for a month now and I still love it. It still smells awesome. I have no idea how long the little scent tray is supposed to last, but so far the scent has not faded on us!
Anyway, I know I've pimped out Method here before, but I wanted you to know that I really do love it and didn't recommend it to y'all because they gave me free stuff and let me throw a super awesome party! I really and truly do love it =)
There are other things I've fallen in love with lately (and things I bought hoping to fall in love with) that I want to share with you as well. Were I smarter, I would have done this a month ago when you were beginning to Christmas shop, but better late than never!!
My confession
There will be no homemade Christmas this year. Oh, I might make a few items to give out here or there. And the more I think about it, the more I think about adding.
But, it's December 10. I have almost nothing done. My sewing room: a mess. Time: non existent. Patience: gone.
All of that means no homemade Christmas.
But you know what? I'm okay with that! I've done some shopping this year through lots of great little stores - on etsy, e-bay, on-line, etc, that I otherwise wouldn't have reason to shop from. I'm trying to get as much as possible from small places and also trying to buy other people's handmade items LOL! Don't get me wrong, some things will come from amazon or target or other such places - but I'm buying what I can from small businesses, and well, that sort of feels good to me!
I tried to have an etsy store. I know how awesome it is to get an order. And I've had good luck finding things I want to buy that are in my price range this year. And that feels so good!!
However, if you are still doing a handmade Christmas, give me an update! And also go visit my handmade Christmas group where there are ideas and pictures and links and lots of other good stuff!!
And well, I'm thinking next year I'll do better. Mostly because I just bought a new sewing machine that I am mostly loving (still trying to get to know her and we fought for a bit at first!)
Anyway, I hope everyone else is having a wonderful holiday season! We finally decorated the house today (that's how far behind I am = I usually do it after thanksgiving!) And tomorrow my darling son turns 3!! Yikes! Time sure is flying =)
But, it's December 10. I have almost nothing done. My sewing room: a mess. Time: non existent. Patience: gone.
All of that means no homemade Christmas.
But you know what? I'm okay with that! I've done some shopping this year through lots of great little stores - on etsy, e-bay, on-line, etc, that I otherwise wouldn't have reason to shop from. I'm trying to get as much as possible from small places and also trying to buy other people's handmade items LOL! Don't get me wrong, some things will come from amazon or target or other such places - but I'm buying what I can from small businesses, and well, that sort of feels good to me!
I tried to have an etsy store. I know how awesome it is to get an order. And I've had good luck finding things I want to buy that are in my price range this year. And that feels so good!!
However, if you are still doing a handmade Christmas, give me an update! And also go visit my handmade Christmas group where there are ideas and pictures and links and lots of other good stuff!!
And well, I'm thinking next year I'll do better. Mostly because I just bought a new sewing machine that I am mostly loving (still trying to get to know her and we fought for a bit at first!)
Anyway, I hope everyone else is having a wonderful holiday season! We finally decorated the house today (that's how far behind I am = I usually do it after thanksgiving!) And tomorrow my darling son turns 3!! Yikes! Time sure is flying =)
Friday, December 05, 2008
Sometimes patterns and I don't get along.
I painstakingly searched for the most perfect shawl ever to make for my cousin's wedding. I looked through thousands of patterns, literally.
And then decided which one to knit up. I order the yarn and the pattern and began to knit.
It just was not going to happen. I reknit every row 2 or 3 times at least before getting them right. I struggled through. I knit, unknit, reknit, over and over and over.
Last night I was at my knitting group, screwing up again. Unknitting and then reknitting to see that it was still screwed up. And then I said (in my head) f@#k it and took all that I had (about 40 rows. and as much as I knit, I should have been on row 150!) pulled it off the needles and threw the pattern away. Don't worry - it was just a copy. I still have the original pattern.
And you know what, I feel GREAT! It was so freeing to do that. I have had to do that one other time before. I don't know why I didn't quit earlier. The pattern and I just did not get along. We were not meant to be paired. I'm a pretty decent knitter and I'm sure the pattern was fine (well, at least no one on ravelry complained about it).
So today, I will be searching for a new pattern to start knitting. And hopefully I can find one that I can get along with! =)
And then decided which one to knit up. I order the yarn and the pattern and began to knit.
It just was not going to happen. I reknit every row 2 or 3 times at least before getting them right. I struggled through. I knit, unknit, reknit, over and over and over.
Last night I was at my knitting group, screwing up again. Unknitting and then reknitting to see that it was still screwed up. And then I said (in my head) f@#k it and took all that I had (about 40 rows. and as much as I knit, I should have been on row 150!) pulled it off the needles and threw the pattern away. Don't worry - it was just a copy. I still have the original pattern.
And you know what, I feel GREAT! It was so freeing to do that. I have had to do that one other time before. I don't know why I didn't quit earlier. The pattern and I just did not get along. We were not meant to be paired. I'm a pretty decent knitter and I'm sure the pattern was fine (well, at least no one on ravelry complained about it).
So today, I will be searching for a new pattern to start knitting. And hopefully I can find one that I can get along with! =)
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Target Moms
So on twitter (my newest favorite addiction ever) there was a movement to get target to start targetmoms, much like the walmart 11 (of which I know very little about because I automatically shy away from anything walmart).
So I joined in the fun and sent them the suggestion. Their repsonse:
I thought it was a pretty good response. However, look what they sent another mom here! What a different response. I wonder why ... some auto form that goes out and I was lucky enough to get this one and she was unlucky enough to get that one? You gotta wonder!
So I joined in the fun and sent them the suggestion. Their repsonse:
We’re always excited to hear about an ideas or concepts that would appeal to our guests. We appreciate your support of Target and your interest in working with us.
Your comments really help us to know some of the ways you feel we can to make Target even better. That’s why I've shared your comments with the appropriate team for review.
We look forward to showing you what's new at Target.
Sincerely,
Terry
Target Guest Relations
(800) 440-0680
www.target.com
I thought it was a pretty good response. However, look what they sent another mom here! What a different response. I wonder why ... some auto form that goes out and I was lucky enough to get this one and she was unlucky enough to get that one? You gotta wonder!
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Give aways!
I've been entering a few giveaways today. My plan to save money on Christmas shopping - win free stuff LOL!!
There are about 400 million giveaways going on right now ... but I've refrained and I have only signed up for the ones I really want to win!
Anyway, over here there are quite a few giveaways and just because I'm telling you about the page, I'm entered into all of them! Nice! So go visit - and enter =)
There are about 400 million giveaways going on right now ... but I've refrained and I have only signed up for the ones I really want to win!
Anyway, over here there are quite a few giveaways and just because I'm telling you about the page, I'm entered into all of them! Nice! So go visit - and enter =)
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