Only happy things?

I've seen it a lot lately.

Statements from facebook friends and twitter friends. About how the world is to divisive. And too much negative things. So from now on, they are only going to post happy, uplifting, fun things.

I get it. Oh boy, do I get it.

There is a lot of heartbreak and sadness in this world.

But sometimes, not all the times, but sometimes, don't we need to talk about that bad parts of this world?

Don't we need to speak up about things that might seem unspeakable in order to affect change?

Talking about sex trafficking certainly isn't happy or uplifting or fun. But shouldn't we talk about it in order to stop it?

Discussing how a victim is being blamed for whatever happened to him/her is not happy or uplifting or fun. But shouldn't we discuss it so we can change the way crimes are reported? So that victims won't be blamed? So that we can learn how to better bring justice to those victims?

Poverty.
Illness.
Death.
Social injustice.
Genocide.
Children being shot for nothing.
Pain.
Suffering.
Hunger.

It's not fun. It's not cute. It's not uplifting. It's not funny stories. Or cute comics. Or kittens doing cute things. Or children dancing to songs. Or the stories of people doing good. Or changing the world. Or giving.

But don't we need to see both sides of life on social media?

I don't want to be surrounded by negativity or controversy all the time. Just as in face-to-face interactions, I don't want every conversation to be a political one. Or about crime. Or about controversial things.

But I also don't want to bury my head and pretend like everything is all good everywhere.

Because it's not.

These can be tough things to talk about. People are divided on what is the most pressing problem. Or how to solve it. Or what to share with kids. Or what is our role in these things.

But don't we need to talk about it anyway? Don't we need to have these tough conversations?

I'm not talking arguments. I'm not talking name-calling. I'm not saying the loudest voice should drown out the rest, no matter how ludicrous that voice may sound.

I'm talking about honest and open conversations. Where hard topics are not avoided. Where recent news stories are not tip-toed around.

Societies, I think, must change. Must evolve. Must fix past wrongs. Must try to avoid future pitfalls. Must try to make sure that every person in that society feels safe. And loved. And cared for.

Am I a Pollyanna here?

I hope not.

In the meantime, I'll continue to watch kitten videos, and cute babies, and like funny memes.

But I'll also bring up the hard things. The ugly things. The heart-breaking things. The things I think need to be discussed, changed, reviewed, dealt with.

Popping in quickly ....

Just a quick note - and you are going to want to read until the end my friends.

So I kept getting sick and landed myself in the ER Monday morning. They checked me in and held me overnight and I came home yesterday afternoon.

While I was in the ER, the oncologist came to visit me and I asked him if he could give me the bone scan results I had last week. He pulled them up and let me know they were "inconclusive" and we'd need to check the spot that was on both the original and this scan. I can not tell you how much this news frustrated me. But since I was already in the hospital he ordered an x-ray of the leg and told me if that didn't show what was going on, we'd do more exploration of the area. I felt crushed.

Anyway, I had an appointment with him today and kept it. And today he let me know, the spot on my leg that was popping up on the bone scan? It was benign! Nothing to be worried about! So, it's official, I AM ALL CLEAR!!!! There is at this point and time no detectable cancer in my body anywhere. I still can't believe it. I'm so relieved, so happy, so just completely over-joyed.

And now I'm going to go because I feel like I need to celebrate and also? Still rest as I'm still not all clear of the bronchitis that sent me to the hospital. But? At the same time I'm feeling absolutely fabulous and just so grateful to get such wonderful news today! =)

Big night.

So this past Saturday was quite the night for me. I'm not sure why I haven't blogged about this sooner other than, well, life!

So a few weeks ago I was invited to a gathering to celebrate Kristen Chase's new book The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex: A No-Surrender Advice Book for Naughty Moms at Kenmore Live downtown. At first I thought I wouldn't be able to make it - husband had plans for the night too and it can be hard to find a sitter. But my mom saved the day and said she would watch the kids.

So at 4:45 I boarded a train and headed downtown. I was wearing jeans, nice top, and my athletic shoes (to keep the feet happy). I walked by Kenmore Live studio and saw Kim wearing a gorgeous dress. At this point I seriously considered turning around and taking the next train back home. I thought I would die - and was also internally yelling at myself for not asking about attire. I always wear jeans. It doesn't dawn on me sometimes that the rest of the world does not. But I sucked it up and went in anyway (thank goodness I did - that's coming later).

I really wanted to hide in a corner as more people came in dressed nicely - much much nicer than I. Yes, this is all I could think about for the first 45 minutes. But I got to meet some new people and see my new friends from the Galena trip and that made me feel better!

Then it was time to watch Charles Joly and Chef Nick Lacasse from The Drawing Room make drinks and food for us!

Charles making us some really yummy - and more powerful than I am used to drinks

Nick made us some very yummy scallops. I'm sorry, I was much too hungry to take a picture of them - but trust me - they were so tasty. And with some asparagus. Now, 5 years ago I wouldn't touch that but these days - I LOVE asparagus! I wish it were fresh all year round!

Then some comedy troop did some comedy. I giggled a lot which I blame on the drinks we were given ;-) And then Kristen talked to us! She's such a sweetheart - it was so nice getting to meet her (even if when we were first introduced all I could think about was what an idiot I was for not dressing nicer LOL!)

Then it was time for the give-aways. 3 lucky moms went home with new hedge trimmers. No for real, hedge trimmers. Which probably would have excited my husband a lot more than it did me LOL! But after that - they raffled off a brand new kenmore elite appliance. You will never guess who won ....

Yes - for real. Do you see my look of complete surprise (even though I had been praying and wishing because I need a new washer and dryer so badly dh and I have been talking about it since oh, this time last year?) And how Kris was able to snap this picture - wow, I'll never know, but I love it and thank her! And also, I completely look so much like my mom it's the first thing I thought when I first saw it!

So then I'm pretty sure I floated down by Kristen and I'm not quite sure what all happened - I think I hugged her a couple of times. I was kind of shocked. Eventually I remembered to, you know, call my husband and tell him! And yes, I teared up while telling him.

I think I'm still slightly shocked. For real. I can't believe it. So soon this

but in red (I think) will be coming to my house. Seriously! Oh my! I just can't even believe it! So so so excited!!!

So I floated for the rest of the party. I think I laughed a lot. And said wow! a lot and probably said I can't believe it a lot. It's all just a slight blur. The Kenmore people interviewed me. I'm told video might be coming soon. Maybe I'll share it here - maybe if I preview it and think I look completely ridiculous I won't LOL!

So after all of that - right before we left I remembered I never did get a picture with Kristen but I finally got one (after all, it as her I had come to see!)


As we left, we were all given copies of her book (signed! Yay! I love nothing more than getting signed books!!). We were also given an induction cooker (so neat - but I haven't cooked on it yet - this weekend hubs and I are going to play around with it but we did boil water just to see how fast it would go. 4 min 40 secs!!)


And when I got home I realized we were also gifted an American Girl Doll package from Chicago Embassy Suites! How amazing (and perfect) is that? My mom is also a huge American Girl Doll fan, so considering I got all of this because she watched the kids, I've already promised she can come with us! =)

Holy mackerel. So yeah, Saturday was a pretty big night for me! I'm so grateful and so thankful and still a little shocked! LOL!

Breaking news ....

At 11:54 am (CST), my darling husband was able to resurrect the previously mentioned computer. After discovering the computer was no longer under warranty, he bravely disassembled the computer and allowed all the pieces to dry fully. After painstakingly putting all the pieces back in place, the computer turned on without any trouble.

The entire family welcomed "Dell" back with many happy smiles. The two girls were probably just happy to get their computer back, but that's okay.

I am happy once again having a faster, lighter, quieter computer back home.

Well ...

It's a Saturday night, dare I post and prove to you just how little of a social life I lead? Eh, well, a risk I shall have to take. Although, earlier we were at a party - granted it was a graduation party for a relative, but it was fun and I had a great time.

January is coming to a quick close and February is going to be here so soon! I still don't know what my projects each day for Thing-A-Day will be! I don't even have themes picked out for each week. And really, that is probably the hardest part - finding a theme, then finding something to make that that theme work. And I understand why the theme is there - to make projects seem connected somehow - but darn it, it is throwing a wrench into things LOL! I have started a list though so at least that's a start?

Coming up soon I should have quite a few photos to show you - the peapod sweater (and hat!) are done, the bunny hat, I made some (very) simple leg warmers for my sister and will be starting on a sweater for myself.

I also finished one great read, almost finished another great read and want to talk about both here.

However, Wednesday morning I will be at the Oprah Show! Woo-hoo! =) I'm actually hoping I'll be visible because at one point I will be on the stage, but it will be with 100 other people and so I can see how I might get lost in the crowd. And no, I have no idea what I will wear yet. But if you do watch her show, well then, you can look for me LOL!

Woo-hoo!

I just got an e-mail letting me know I won the Green Baby DVD! I won it courtesy of The Boutique Cafe!
I can not wait to get this movie and watch it because it just looks so very very neat and the description looks wonderful:

The DVD features babies playing in nature while interacting with fun and colourful animation from birds, butterflies and flowers to giraffes, elephants and penguins.

The soundtrack is composed of original music with toddlers speaking words of wisdom such as: "Trees Provide us with Oxygen", "The Joy from the Sunflower", and "Please Protect the Ocean".

Children are attracted to other babies faces and Green Baby brings an instant play group into your home. Have fun bonding with your children as they point and talk to the other babies, animals and animation.

I will let you all know what we think of it once it arrives =)

Overwhelmed ...

I just might have to go and buy some lottery tickets ... apparently I am VERY lucky.
Over the weekend I was informed that I was the winner of:
Lots of great Scrapbooking goodies From A Bright Future
A copy of The Tightwad Gazette from Sense to Save (which by the way is an awesome blog and I'm a new reader after finding it through the Fall Y'all Giveaway! I might also add that I've been hoping to by this book for a few months now and I am beyond thrilled to win!)
A sling from MomLady (which is cool because a week or so ago I mentioned I would be looking for a new one! Yeah!)

I ALSO won:
A Mom-me blanket from Mommy Hobby
and last but not least 8 gyniphr-n-stefuni flower pens in flower pot from Gyniphr-n-Stefuni

I am beyond overwhelmed and feel so incredibly lucky. That said, I can not in good conscience take 5 gifts! I just can't do it - even though they are all absolutely lovely and I would use and love all of them. So, and let me tell you, it is hard for me to do this. I debated with my husband about this (he, was of the opinion that I keep them all ROFL!) but I have decided to pass on the Mom-me blanket and the pens. Because, it just feels wrong to take 5 prizes frankly. I am so grateful to have been chosen (and seriously I'm feeling lucky LOL!). And rest assured, I am not passing because I wouldn't love the item (because frankly, I only signed up for the giveaways that I really did want to win!). But as I said, I want to spread the luck around to a few other souls! =) So I will pass and ask Jennifer and Tricia to pick someone else! =)
But I thank EVERYONE who played, who gave, who had fun during the last week =)

Sleep ...

People! I have managed to get some sleep finally! You can not even begin to understand how happy this makes me. It was very needed and oh so loved.
Granted, I needed a bit of help getting it (and I found it in a pill packed with melatonin and passionflower, but at this point, I almost don't care how I got sleep, just that I got it.

And I needed sleep ... because Monday starts the
Fall Y'all Giveaway and I am getting ready to give a few things away here, help set up give aways at EtsyMom blog AND of course, enter give aways to my little hearts delight LOL! =)

So, you'll see why getting sleep now will be oh so important in the near future.

Also, I need some advice for anyone who knows about Babywearing a child who is a toddler and not a baby ... what is the best way to do it? He'll be 2 in December and I want to be comfortable and I want him to be comfortable. I'm thinking something on the back is the way to go, but I don't know. I used a sling for my oldest until she was a year (and then she was over 30 pounds and we couldn't find anything that could hold her weight) and I do occasionally sling him as well - we have a nojo sling, but it's either stretched out or just not working for him because it's too loose and he flops around and it doesn't feel safe, so we don't do it often.
Thanks in advance! =)

Big Announcement, wrapped in a long story ...

Yes, it's long. Yes, it's wordy. It's how I write. I'm sorry!

If you've read this blog over the course of the last few months, you might have noticed how I'm posting about money issues more and more. And how we've been on a bumpy ride. And how dh and I had to wake up to the fact that we were spending more than we earn and how scary all of it can feel at times to me. I've also talked a lot about FPU (which again I must point out that I won from Lu and because this woman has changed our lives in so many ways I will never be able to repay her fully so I simply say thanks to her in a lot of posts here ROFL!)

One thing that hit dh and I in a very big way was that we needed to cut back on expenses and try to increase our income. The cutting expenses has actually been surprisingly easy. It's that upping the income part that has been hard. My husband already works two jobs. It is hard for me to get work out of the house because I'd have to pay someone to watch my 3 children. Truly, I don't think there is much I can do today that would even pay me enough for that expense alone! And the etsy shop isn't going as well as I had hoped it would.

And so, without any answers and feeling nervous, I did the only thing I could think of to do: pray. I prayed lots and lots. I prayed about selling the house, moving out of the area, dh getting a different job (okay, most of those items I still pray about truthfully).

Now around the time all of this was going on, I stumbled upon a fabulous site called The Motherhood - which isn't about finances, but about being a mom. I said this earlier to someone else tonight, the thing that drew me to The Motherhood was that it was a place that not only assumed I was a mother, but they also assumed I had a brain and I liked to think! Now, the sad truth is that for me, it often feels that most people assume since I am a mother, my biggest thought during the day is what color is my child's poop. Okay, that's an exaggeration, but yet not that much of one. Or people assume I must only want to discuss my children - to share every single little tiny detail of their lives with them. And yes, I interact with moms who do tend to do that - and I'm okay with them doing it, but I long for more! I do care about politics - both national and world. I care about the environment. I also care tremendously about my kids, but that is not the only thing I care about! So I jumped in feet first and started interacting - sharing links, starting groups, talking, just being there and loving it.

And then one day one of the women who started it sent me an e-mail! And I admit, I felt really special about it! And she actually encouraged me to start a Homemade Christmas Group on The Motherhood (which I posted about here!). And then she said both of the women (Emily and Cooper are their names) would like to call and talk to me.

I do not exaggerate when I tell you, when my husband came home that night I rushed him at the door and said "Oh my gosh! You are not going to believe this! But Cooper and Emily, no you don't know them but they are pretty smart people, want to call me and I'm so nervous and what should I say and what will they talk to me about? And what if the kids are loud and I can't hear them and I can't believe they want to call ME!" And then I had to back up and explain all about it to him. People, you would have thought I was 14 and Sally told me that Jenny told her that my crush was going to call me ROFL!

So they called. And yes, I was nervous. And yes, I paced around my bedroom while the children played mostly quietly downstairs. And we talked and it was all fabulous. They are so sweet that I felt very relaxed (and I am pretty sure I managed to say nothing too dumb to them because I tend to spit out really stupid things when I get nervous!). And then they asked me to be a moderator on The Motherhood. And I so wanted to jump up and down and scream. They told me I could think it over (umm, hello, no thinking involved, yes! yes! yes I'll do it). And then they spit out "Now we can't pay you much" and that's about the time I think I almost had a heart attack ... because it didn't occur to me that someone would pay me to spend time on the computer doing what I liked. I am pretty sure I blurted out that they wouldn't even have to pay me but it all got foggy after that.

Now, understand this call came at a time when dh and I knew we would be in a struggle to get our finances together. That we were struggling with how to balance what came in the house and how much money went out of the house. That I had been praying to God for some guidance on this issue and all that jazz. Seriously, at that moment, Emily and Cooper became an answer to prayer. And they are helping dh and I get one step closer to where we would like to be! And I get to do something that I love! Truly, really, I am so excited about this opportunity they have given me.

So, there it is ... folks. I've been dying to tell everyone about this truly wonderful chance I've been given. (of course hesitant to share before now in case I would jinx it!) I just hope I can live up to their expectations!

So anyway, please, come over and visit me at The Motherhood! (My name over there is Brandie) Look around, check it out. Trust me when I say I love visiting over there and I really recommend this site to everyone! =)

AAARRGGGHHHH!!!!

That, my dear readers, is the sound of me screaming!
I really have something to tell you all, but I'm not telling it yet! Monday, on Monday my friends, come back and check in with me. Because hopefully then I'll have something so fun and exciting to tell you. And I swear I am not trying to be mean and doing the whole "I know something you don't know" routine. I'm just about to burst and this is helping me feel less like exploding ...

and just in case - allow me to tell you, I am NOT pregnant. Because if I were, my husband would be pretty upset since, well, we paid a doctor to keep him from getting me pregnant ROFL!

In the mean time, I started something else. And no I shouldn't have started another project with everything I have half-started, but oh well! Here's a picture to tide you over ...



I'm not sure about it yet .... but I'm going to keep plugging along on it! It will be one of my Homemade Christmas gifts so hopefully I can get another gift made quickly! LOL!

Some more yummy things I made this week:
One bag of these:



One helper (and I can't tell you if he is putting the apple pieces in the pan or sneaking one piece to eat because he did his fair share of both! ROFL!)


We filled the pot!


I don't have the end pictures, but 6 big jars of applesauce are in my freezer and one huge jar is in my fridge! Yummy ... there is nothing like homemade applesauce! =)

And oh - the best part ... the bag of apples was 3 bucks! They were all "seconds." Admittedly, there were 4 that just went straight to the trash. A couple had small spots - the rest, I can not for the life of me figure out how they made it to a seconds bag - they were perfect! We did cut up a couple just to eat them! Really, I can't imagine - all that applesauce for 3 dollars! If I'm lucky dh will bring me home another bag just like it tomorrow to make more applesauce with!
=) Yes, we are blessed!

Big Congrats ...

going out to the Cubs tonight .... They clinched the division and are in the play-offs!

Now, I make it no secret that I am a Sox fan at heart. But unlike some people ::cough Blagojevich cough:: the Cubs are a Chicago team and I am VERY excited that they have accomplished this. And I will be rooting for them during the play-offs!

Go Cubs Go! =)

Blessed once again ..

As if the freebies I won from the Dog Days of Summer give away recently weren't enough, I have been blessed once again!
Lu from over at Hyperactive Lu gave away a Financial Peace University Member Kit. I won. I can't even believe it! I WON! Woo-hoo!
I really did jump for joy (in case you can't tell I am not one to hold my emotions back very well! LOL!) Dh is pretty excited about it as well.
This could not come at a better time. Really. We are spending more money than we make each month. I know, stop spending right? But we've (tried to) tracked our spending. We aren't sure where to cut back and how to cut back. I read at least one book on the topic and it was sort of helpful but not that helpful.
I really think dh and I are eager and ready to get into this course, learn all we can, and then apply it - because we all know the application part will truly be the hardest part of all.
Anyway, I am so excited. A HUGE thank you to Lu for her generosity in giving this away to begin with.
Once we get into a class (we still need to figure out which one to go to or I joked with dh that we needed to convince our church to host one LOL!) then I promise to keep you updated with how it is all going and the changes we decide to make!

Thank you again Lu! I can not wait to get this! Thank you! Thank you! =)

BIG announcement

I mentioned earlier that I was busy house hunting. Well soon I will be busy packing!
We are under contract for a house. We should close January 31 barring any complications.

I can't even begin to explain just how excited I am right now! Beyond excited!!!! =)