I'm Dreamin' of a White Christmas

We did some more Christmas shopping today, and as I am able to buy gifts I feel better about the holiday. Money has been tight this year as I'm sure it is for many people, and I always panic this time of year because I want to be able to make the holiday fantastic for everyone around me. I always know it isn't about the presents it is about giving and sharing and spending time together, but I still feel guilty. Anyone else struggle with this?

I have been working on my stocking project some more today. I got one more sewn together last night, and the other three cut out today. I am hoping to start sewing them together tonight once both of my little ones are in bed. I have another project to start this week also. When the older daughter was little hubs painted her a Tonka truck in pink and purple. So I decided I am going to make them for the little ones too. I am so excited for this project, though going to have to do it at me mom's this week sometime, maybe even have dad help me with the spray paint, since I will probably make a mess without it!

I can't believe I only have a week to finish everything that I want to get done! I have to buy presents still for the little ones and hubs. I also have to take care of all the things that Santa is going to deliver, plus paper for those presents. I should make myself a list or I am never going to remember everything!

I'm so not ready for Christmas!

The Stockings were Hung by the Chimney with Care!

So I finished number two of my Christmas stocking project, and this time I remembered to take some pictures.

I cut my pattern out of a paper bag and I bought 5 sweaters at Goodwill along with three pairs of clip-on earrings to use as embellishments. I also used ribbon scraps that I have laying around (from my scrapbook!) I spent an hour and a half on this one, even though I already know the process; and I didn't even stitch on any pretties yet! These things are complicated for a beginning sewer like myself apparently. And if anyone has any tips to make my life simpler with this project TELL ME!

Here are the steps I used
Step 1: Cut out pattern pieces

Step 2: Pin pattern pieces to sweater and cut out

Step 3: Sew pieces of each side (front and back) together

Step 4: Pin and sew wrong sides of front and back together
(because I am a beginner I flip the stocking right-side-out afterward to check my seems, I had a big hole by the "toe" OOPS!)

Step 5: Sew in ribbon for loop

Step 6: Embellish
(which I have not done yet, so sad!)

Step 7: Hang and Enjoy!

*and I just realized that I take crooked pictures apparently, and I am too lazy to edit them!!

Crafty Busy

I have been feeling crafty lately and I have been wanting to make my own Christmas stockings for some time now. (like going on 3 years maybe!) So I did, or I started at least. I found online some made out of old sweaters, and I loved them to pieces! I have successfully made one, it needs some tweaking and some finishing touches, but it is made, and I love it! I just need to find the time before Christmas to make the other five and do all the embroidery on them all. I am hoping for some time at the end of this week, and I cant wait to share pictures of the process and finished work.

I had a busy week. Starting a week ago Thursday, I was only home one day for any length of time. I went with my mom and worked at a craft show selling her syrup. We got home on Sunday fairly late due to the blizzard we drove home in for 3 plus hours. Monday I was home, that was my one day! Tuesday through Friday I worked at the school and yesterday I went on my grandpas annual hay ride with my extended family. I am home for the most part today, though I did get up and take the daughter to Sunday school and to my parents to go sledding. And then I work again  for the next two days, and possibly more if I can find more to schedule.

We have been having a massive storm for the past week. When I left home for the craft show there was a trace amount of snow on the ground I came home to 18ish inches. It has not really stopped snowing all week, leading to the hubs having 2 delays for school. We are hoping for a cancellation for tomorrow, because of a nasty storm that started last night and is supposed to go through tomorrow afternoon; maybe that way I can get my projects done and I can start getting my house ready for Christmas, and for the boy to come home for Christmas break at the end of the week. And I need to do my Christmas shopping, have bought a couple of things, but not much.

I guess this is getting quite long and I have no pictures to share so I will scoot. Have a happy week :)

For Cryin' Out Loud!

I wish I could have a good scream and cry right now. I am so frustrated! I have been searching for 4 days for a babysitter for my kiddos so I can work tomorrow, and it isn't happening! It would be so much better if I was on a more regular schedule. I love my regular sitters to death but they cant plan around me maybe working. I have thought about doing daycare in my home if I cant find enough work, I would need to have 2-3 full time kids to make it feasible though.
I found a sitter, a former student who is still in the area. It was going to be a long night otherwise, not going to be free or even cheap, but it will be well worth it I think. I never knew that having kids was going to be so complicated!

{my little loves}

In the Christmas Mood

We have slowly been putting up our Christmas decorations. My tree is up and mostly decorated. I let the kids put up all the ornaments so I need to adjust them when no one is looking, shhhhhh please don't tell! And I have to add another string of lights I have lights up elsewhere also and half of the kids count-down trees. My mother-in-law made each of the kids a tree with 25 pockets to put candy in to count down to Christmas. The big kids still get excited about the little treats the get. I will have to take a picture of them when I get them all back and hung. MIL still has to make one for the baby so she borrowed one for a pattern. All in all I have a lot more to decorate, but I wanted to share pictures of my tree!

Dang I just realized that I have lots left to do! and I didn't get a picture of my tree with the angel. Oh well, I'm just glad it is starting to feel like Christmas at my house.

{the girls}

{the boy and the baby, staying back}

{Ally this year}

{Ally 2008}

~Em

Meet Snowmany

Ally Builds a Snowman from Emily DeYoung on Vimeo.

Frosty the (Squat) Snowman

We had our first decent snow last night so the kiddo wanted to go outside and play. I got her all bundled up, and sent her out! She made paths through the front yard, snow angels and the funniest snow man I have ever seen. Pictures and hopefully video to follow! Then I sat her down for some hot chocolate, with pink marshmallows, and a straw... With out further ado: (who even says that anymore????)

{snow angel}

{shoveling}

{watching}

{snowman}

{hot chocolate}

*EDIT: Photo credit to the husband for the first three pics

Thanksgiving

The boy has been home for the long holiday weekend. It has been nice having him around, but he is resistant to taking care of himself while he is here, like the THREE loads of laundry he brought home. His dad started it and then he watched me fold it. Well I folded two loads and made him finish the last load...It is piled in his hamper unfolded. I was sick yesterday though. Most of us caught some 24 hour bug (or some bad food) and were unable to enjoy our turkey day feast with the husbands parents. We did enjoy the meal with my parents the night before, that was before we got sick (why I say bad food!) We had a great meal with my parents and I avoided conflict at all costs with an unnamed family member. Blah!

Overall we thought the food was great, we shared the cooking responsibilities, my mom, youngest sister and myself. My other sister brought a dish, my grandma brought pies and my other grandma brought a salad and rolls. My dad always gets the turkey cutting chore, no complaints there! I'm off to find some more left overs I'm starving!

These Boots are made for Walking...

So I have this pair of boots that I am passionate about. I fell head over heals for these boots when I saw them in the store. I typically fall head over heals for any boots as long as they are available in my size. (Size 11 for good since I had kids) However, I get depressed every time I pull my beloved boots out of my closet and try them on. I got my legs from my dad's side of the family. Before I discovered Boots (when I was in High School and still athletic) they were my pride and joy, I had great legs, and they were strong too; I spent a lot of time in the weight room and could out press (on the leg press obviously) all of the other girls. I had the highest vertical jump and everything, and that was great when my athleticism was the most important thing in my life. But no that I am a grown up, I use the term loosely because I use that to differentiate myself from my children, I crave the ability to wear tall boots with a pair of jeans tucked into them. I can't my beloved boots can only be worn underneath pants because I cannot zip them up all the way. I wish I knew a way to stretch them out, if that is even possible. Any one know anything about this, or have a suggestion on tall boots made with room for ladies with big calves?

Resting Up

I have been incredibly sick since I last posted. I don't know what this bug is but I want it to go away. I haven't been able to eat much either....I think I've lost weight, not complaining about the weight loss mind you, I need it! The lack of food is making it difficult for me to keep up with my kids. I just want to spend all day in bed hiding from the world. I think I am ready to take myself to the walk-in clinic tonight because I do not want to miss trick or treat with my kids. My little ghouls have the cutest costumes. One will be Super Girl and the other will be a monkey. They have tried them on already and they are too freakin' cute! I will post pics after, maybe even with loot included :)

I shot the most hilarious video of my kids the other day too. The bigger one was throwing a ball at the baby sitting in her walker.(I'm a sadist, I know!) The baby was laughing hysterically, especially if the ball hit her in the head?!?! My kids are totally screwed up, and I love every minute of it. I'll have to add that video when I master this blog business. Anyone out there have any advice on the matter? I think I have to upload it somewhere and then add the code to the blog, so I guess I need a good video hosting site. YouTube is out because of ISP issues.

In Hiding

No, I really wasn't in hiding. I have been reading a commenting and all that jazz but the borrowed computer I was using broke back in August. Well I finally got mine fixed, maybe three weeks ago, but I have been super busy. My two little munchkins keep me hopping, and my husband and big kids are back to school. And I have been working some as well. I am a substitute teacher for the time being and I have fun doing it, but the last few weeks it has kept me busy. I am also quite cranky because my once (almost) clean house has fallen into a constant state of chaos. I went away for a weekend to an awesome ladies retreat after subbing every day that week and came home to a messier house than I left. As my baby's favorite song says "Obladi, Oblada, life goes on." (Yes we are Beatles fans in my house.) It will get better, and I will get motivated to fix it. I have been working on picking clothes out of my closet that I don't wear. I have even been trying to put everything on to see how things look/fit. I successfully sold some at a garage sale and taken the rest to Goodwill. Sometimes I wish I could bring them some things in on trade and get new stuff, I wouldn't even mind unequal trades, like bring in a bag of stuff and pick out one thing, but then how would they make any money right?

I have also been working for my parents at the family business lately for extra money. I do anything they let me do. Today consisted of putting the labels on 45 cases of glass bottles. Tomorrow I have bookwork, the bonus, I actually get paid. Last week I covered the cost of my daycare from the days I worked at the school. So I basically got to pocket and pay bills my whole paycheck, as they say in the gaming community, "WOOT, WOOT!"

I guess that is all for now. I will try for tomorrow to put together a post of the step daughters Senior Pictures. Her mom took them and I get to edit them. She doesn't appreciate my work, but I'm sure whatever readers I can scrounge up will like them.

"Mommy, PANCAKES!"

Well I mailed my job application. The hubs said if I get the job I can buy some boots! I have been drooling over all the booties that I am seeing. I have trouble with tall boots because my calves are usually too big, they always have been, I guess it is just how I'm built. I thank my dad for that, sigh.

Tomorrow is the hubs birthday. He has surpassed the age where you stop publicly telling people your age, so I will spare him. We shall just say he is old and since he doesn't read this I can have a little laugh at his expense. My 3 yr old and I baked him a cake today and he requested beer brats for dinner. He even said I don't have to get him a present because he bought himself a truck, how fun, this may be the most expensive birthday present he has ever gotten.

I wish I had something witty to share, but sadly I do not. But I can leave you with a kidism from the 3 yr old. Last week she came running out of the bedroom and our conversation proceeded as follows:

"Mommy, PANCAKES!"
"What about pancakes?"
"Make Some!"
"Who wants pancakes?"
"Father" (she will not call hubs daddy, she calls him father, she corrects me when I refer to him as daddy. We think she is special"
"What if I don't know how to make pancakes?"
"You can mommy, you're a good cooker!"

It was so funny I laughed til I cried, then I asked the hubs why he was sending in the kids to do his dirty work. He had told her to ask for an omelet!

Mrs. Clean

Wow does my house look different today. I cleaned and cleaned and clean some more. Though I still have a long list of things to do. It is very hot and humid here today, I thought we had gotten past that part of the summer, I guess not! I am pretty proud of my accomplishments today, I got a lot more done than I typically do, though I skimped on the chores I usually do every day, like the dishes, I decided that it is too hot to do another load of dishes til a little later. I found today that if I achieved tasks in small piles it was less overwhelming. I also think I deserve some pie:)

I found a job to apply for also. I just need to print up my resume and a nice little professional letter to go with it and I should have it ready to mail in the morning. This job seems like a good fit for what I am currently looking for. I don't know how good the pay is, but it should be a good experience if I can even get an interview.

Mrs. Fix-it

I spent an hour last night underneath my house in the muddy crawl space. I had to turn our water main off and then back on. I realized that once I was in there that I was not getting out till the water was back on, because I was not crawling back in. So the hubs changed the element in the hot water heater with one hand. I was supposed to but again, no way was I getting back into the crawl space. I almost needed help to get out, and my three yr old was the only one available for that! I feel bad because hubs hurt himself a little while he was working alone. In hindsight we should have waited until the boy was home to fool around with that business, but what's done is done. Besides, we are going to send him under today to turn the water off and on again. We are having a water pressure issue. I think we will be calling the landlord to get a professional over here tomorrow.

Since the hubs surgery I have been fixing a whole bunch of things, I put ATF in the car, I changed a tire, and messed with the hot water heater, all while tackling my kitchen. I scrubbed out my microwave and my oven and cleaned out my fridge. Plus scrubbed counter tops and any surface where my toddler sits to eat, she is MESSY. I was hoping to get dressed up for church, but I over slept so I settled for a T-shirt and khaki shorts. The kiddo is hovering and and waiting for me to take her for a bike ride. So off I go. Let's exercise!

Driving, Crafting and Dinner

The hubs and I went for a drive yesterday. He was set on trading his old car in for a newer one. We ended up coming home with an Avalanche. I didn't want to spend the money, but I figure he is the one with the job and he can spend what he wants. I should go take a picture of it, it is rather nice looking. I just feel bad that I can't get excited about a new car. I cant wait to get back to work now. I am going to try to put all I have learned about fashion this summer to good use. I'm going to be the best looking substitute teacher there!

I have been working on this darn post off and on all day. I am trying to commit to blogging more often. I would like to double last months posts this month, we shall see how that goes. I have been busy today, lots of laundry and cleaning. Plus I have some sewing ideas swimming around in my head. We are in the process of looking for a new place to live and on my wish list is a room to let my creativity flow. I have an untouched scrapbook and lots of dollars spent in supplies that are going unused because I cannot leave my things out to work on them when I have 5 free minutes. I also haven't used my sewing machine in nearly a year because it take longer to get everything out than I have time to work. There is also the jewelry dream. I discussed previously about making my own jewelry. I would love to attempt to make a few pieces for myself and friends. My wheels are also spinning trying to come up with a feasible laptop bag. I have a 17" laptop and bags for that size is very uncommon and very expensive. I have lots of fabric laying around and I want to get busy!

I've now got dinner prepping for the grill, steaks and corn on the cob. Plus a seafood salad from the fridge, all very easy, just time consuming. And yes I started this post before 10 this morning. I am hoping all the writing I am doing will help me when I approach getting my teaching masters in the next few years, this sounds like oodles of fun. I guess I better go grab some pictures and get this thing posted!

Out and About

The hubs and I spent the day "in town" with the babies. By in town I mean The Soo or Sault Ste. Marie, MI (Boo to Soo, Ontario! The folks that invade our little town from there cannot drive like normal people!). We actually live in town of the township we live in, but it isn't really town, we have one flashing red light! We are merely a hiccup on the highway. So most of the locals within 30ish miles of the Soo call that town, that is where most people buy the bulk of their groceries, gas and everything else. The hubs got his staples pulled out today, ewwww! After that we had to wait around because we had to bring the older daughter places in town, So we spent the 4 hours we had to waste doing all of the fun tourist stuff by the Locks. We walked through the locks park and watched boat go through, the 3 year old LOVES the boats. I wish I had remembered to grab the camera out of the car and take some pictures, she was absolutely adorable today. We also took her for an ice cream cone, she had black cherry, pink ice cream all over everything!

On a side note I wish the hubs would stop watching the same UFC fights and pre=fight stuff over and over again...BLAH!

I'm very distracted tonight, I need some focus, I need to be browsing for a new place to live, I need to find a new bed for the 3yr old so I can have the crib mattress for the baby, who is getting way too big for her bassinet, I also need to do some hardcore cleaning, my house is a big mess, I need clean dishes and clean clothes. I have a lot of needs, don't you think? Anyone want to help? I pay in hugs and candies.

In Hiding

I haven't really been in hiding, but it kind of feels like it. I have been slightly busier since the hubs had surgery. It is almost like having an extra child as he can't do much for himself. But I don't want to talk about that today. I've been window shopping all evening for drool worthy work items. I found the cutest vintage dress on etsy that I wish I had money for. I need to find a job so I can buy all the pretty things that I crave. I found some really cute booties on clearance at DSW. See:
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/sm+jan+cuff+bootie?prodId=dsw12prod2350013&productRef=CLEARANCE%20SEARCH (I wanted to post a picture, but I can't figure out how to get it from the website!)
I love these, but I have no clue what to wear them with, any suggestions? Update, hubs hates them! BOOOO! I also am on the lookout for a belt (or multiple belts) to dress up my wardrobe. And bags. I love bags and purses and would fill my closet with them if funds allowed. I found the cutest clutch ever on smashion. Oh to find a job so I can support my shopping addiction!

Date Night

I've been dreaming of a date night with the hubs for a while, and though I know it will be a long time coming I spent some time tonight making myself a cute date night outfit. I need to do things to take my focus off my husbands surgery, he requires as much attention as my little ones and it is taxing on me. I spend more time frustrated with him than I like. I know it cant be helped and this isn't the first surgery I have nursed him through, and he is lucky I love him because anyone else I would have left to fend for themselves. Back to my date night outfit, it is much dressier than I have picked in the past, but I think my style is evolving from the tees and jeans of college to dressing like an adult. I need to increase my quantity of blouses, trousers, and skirts. I love the necklace I included here and I actually think I would buy it, when I get the opportunity.

Date night by edeyoung on Polyvore.com

Frankly, I Don't Give a Dress
$85 - modcloth.com
More dresses »

Tuilleries Heel-Mod Retro Indie Clothing & Vintage Clothes
$48 - modcloth.com
More pumps »

Conversation Hearts Purse in Black
$27 - modcloth.com
More handbags »

Rue Montagne de la Cour Earrings-Mod Retro Indie Clothing & Vintage...
$14 - modcloth.com
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Heart-Shaped Necklace
$13 - modcloth.com
More necklaces »

Mod Retro Indie Clothing & Vintage Clothes
$72 - modcloth.com
More rings »

Primrose and Proper Hair Clip
$13 - modcloth.com
More hair accessories »

Fun Times

So I was just introduced to my new favorite pastime, Polyvore. I can see myself spending hours and hours playing with this. I just put together an outfit for a contest and I seriously wasted 2 hours that I should have been sleeping. I think this would be a great way to include my sense of style in my blog. See:

http://www.polyvore.com/fun/set?id=21256074

I also laughed till I cried at Kendi's post from today. It was seriously hilarious. It was so funny that my husband thought I was off my rocker. I could not even read it to hubs without laughing hysterically.

Bad News Bears

This week has been horrible. I wont divulge every single detail, but I will let you know that it has concluded with my husband's surgery today. It was very stressful for me all week and now we are home (outpatient surgery) and I am worn out completely. I want to escape somewhere all alone and just cry for a while till I feel better. Poor hubs is in a lot of pain and there is nothing I can do for him other than push fluids and his meds on him. Let me tell you we had to jump through hoops to even have the surgery. And then the repair he needed was worse than anticipated.

On a lighter note one of my best friends is getting married tomorrow, and I am super excited. I have no idea what I am going to wear though, I guess I will have to pull a miracle out of my closet, and maybe I can get a pic so you can see my sense of style, after all I want this to eventually become a style blog. You know, when I have the money and time to stop dressing like a college student!

Newness

I finally got a header on here that I like, sort of. Photoshop wasn't completely cooperating, so I compromised. This is my real clothesline though! I eventually want to get a picture of my Grandma's clothesline for my header. Her's is fantastically old and I think it is much cuter! I want it in sepia instead of black and white also. Someday I'm sure, I just need to bring a load or two of laundry to her house along with my camera and snap away. While I had the camera out though I got some pictures of my kids swinging, they were having a blast and it was so cute!





Notice my husband and the lawn mower in the background.... Mommy gets out of all the hard jobs when the kids want to play!

*fixed my picture, btu i still want to get a picture of grandmas clothesline!

Mixed Bag

I have been feeling a little off this week. Have you ever had one of those weeks? Where everything is just a little wrong? That has been this week, and it has been so for lots of reasons. The biggest issue for me this week is my husbands impending surgery. We met with the nurse today to do a pre-surgery appointment and I realized that this surgery is going to be bigger than I thought it was going to be, and I am very nervous about it. I am borderline panicking to tell the truth. I want to just tell him to avoid it at all costs even though I know that it will help him in the long run by alleviating much of his pain. I'm just SCARED. I have sat through him having major surgery twice before and I don't like it one little bit. (different surgery than this one, though I won't tell exactly what they all are because it is his issue not mine)

To top this off today is my 5th anniversary. Granted we never make a big deal about our anniversary, but this one is like a milestone almost! Instead of spending a totally fun day together and with the kids we spent the morning between the Dr.'s office and the hospital doing surgery prep, you know labs and tests, how fun, BLAH! We were able to go out for lunch though, took a walk through a local tourist attraction, and had ice cream cones. Now however instead of something romantic like snuggling he is playing a computer game with his son and the sons friend. I would totally play too but my computer is broke and the borrowed one I am using has nothing cool installed. I miss my computer!

I'm sorry I'm being a Gloomy Gus tonight, I just needed to get it out, you know? Maybe this way my week will be a little less off.

Pretties

I haven't had much to write about lately, just doing the same old stuff. Laundry and Dishes, story of my life! I did browse a few new sites this week though, and fell in love with eShakti and Shabby Apple. I found some very adorable clothes, especially dresses. And I really like the customization option on eShakti. I have a lot of trouble finding clothes that actually fit me, my shoulders are too narrow for my arms and sleeves never fit me right. I also have a high waist. I find it weird and off the rack clothes never fit properly. I guess I should learn to tailor my own clothes, or order EVERYTHING from eShakti!

I also have been toying with the idea of making my own jewelry. Just for myself, I don't plan on selling it at this point, but hey, you never know. I also found in my dusty jewelry box an adorable handmade bracelet I bought from a friend, ages ago, and wore it the other day to church. (I'll post a picture later!) I find that since I started this blog and added more blogs to my regular reading I have been more conscious of how I dress and what I accessories I use. I have found that my quantity of accessories is minuscule, so to improve my wardrobe I am going to start by increasing my pretties. By the way, thanks Indiana of Adored Austin for being my very first follower! I hope there are more someday, until then I will entertain you and myself!

Hard Work

I went to a craft fair today and worked my tush off. My parents make maple syrup and for as long as I can remember they have sold their crop at craft shows. (shameless plug... www.rmgmaple.com ) I have loved these craft shows for as long as I can remember also. I love to look at all the handmade items. Today I had the misfortune of being directly across from a jewelry booth and a lady that made items from neck/bow-ties and silk scarves, I want to clean both of them out, but sadly I didn't have any money to spend. There was also a booth with adorable baby clothes and crocheted baby toys, sob! I did have fun looking again though, i could never get bored with looking!!!

A Woman's Work is Never Done

WOW! I am on my 7th load of laundry for today. We had a rainy spell and some really humid weather so my clothesline was useless, needless to say I put off my laundry till i could use it again. I finally got it finished this week also; I couldn't put up half of my rope because of a missing hook! I also actually managed to get my 3 year old to help me clean up some today. Everything she put away was HERS. She takes over the house and is horrible about picking things up. Minus moving all the baby equipment I should be able to vacuum my living room tonight, and finish my dishes, or at least get another load in the dishwasher. I never knew that 6 people could create so much work, I really feel sorry for my mom now, because she worked a full time job, worked at our family business, followed me to almost all of my high school activities (mostly sports) and managed to keep a nicer house than I can. Granted the circumstances were a bit different, and I'm sure we all helped with our share, but it is amazing how poorly I keep house compared to my mom. I can come up with a thousand excuses not to do household chores, and believe me I take advantage of said excuses often! Here is a pictuer of my mom from camping last weekend, she is amazing :)

Busy Busy Bee!

So I have been away for a bit, but I went camping for the weekend, so I have an excuse! I had a fantastic holiday with my family. The hubs and I went to a nearby state park with my parents along with my two little munchkins and my nephew. We did a lot of bike riding and reading. I was able to read John Grisham's A Time to Kill from cover to cover. I rediscovered my love for John Grishom as an author last week when I took my daughter to story time at the local public library. I hadn't read one of his books in years (close to 10!) I had been stuck in a rut reading and rereading some of my new favorites. I also read Dear John by Nicholas Sparks, and I HAVE to watch the movie now ASAP. I will probably read more of his books too. Today is library day again, no story time this week, but the munchkin and I are going anyway! To return our books and checkout new ones, maybe the library will even have Dear John on DVD so I can borrow that too!!

I also have been enjoying Hot Fudge Sundaes in my new sundae bowls, they make me happy!

Mine is the one on the left, without the bananas!

As soon as I bring the camera inside and get the pictures off of it I will share some biking and beach pictures!




~Both of my babies at the beach~

Thrifting

Yesterday I managed to go to our local goodwill, ALL BY MYSELF! I found some fantastic goodies! I found myself some pants I can wear for work, and a pretty little wall sign. For my preschooler I found a jacket to grow into, a pair of shorts (Gymboree), a belt, and a purse. I also spent $4.00 on a COACH purse! I don't know if it authentic, it appears to be though I need to do a little more research, but I found similar purses for sale and some of them were selling for as much as $50! Pictures to follow soon!

On a Mission

I'm on a mission. I am searching for a shirt or tank with a crochet collar area. I can't seem to find exactly what I'm looking for anywhere, in the right size. I really like the look of crochet trim on a plain shirt, and if I knew how to crochet I might actually try to make one myself, but I am inept at yarn type creations. I'm hoping that I will pick up a reader at some point who may or may not have a suggestion.

On another note, it has been raining on and off here so my "mountain" of laundry has been pushed aside. I thought I managed to get one load outside during a sunny break in the rain, but sadly a downpour snuck up on me, so I raced to bring in the clothes. I got soaked, but I didn't mind. It was unbelievably hot and humid here. I can't wait for a break in this weather.

The Bear Went Over the Mountain of Laundry

My wonderful (using the term loosely today!) step-son decided to clean his room yesterday, for the first time in 18 years. Which is wonderful, I can't say that I could complain about that, he even took care of his own garbage, and sorted out 3 large garbage bags to go to Goodwill. Then he invaded my very small laundry room with every article of clothing he decided to keep, he couldn't remember what was clean and what was dirty. So that is where my mountain came from today. I did 5 or more loads of laundry, and none of it belonged to the hubs, the babies or myself. My clothesline worked very hard today. The poor girl was hanging to the ground by load number 3.

All of this laundry gave me some time to peruse some clothing sites I hadn't visited since I was in school. And I remembered why I quit shopping on those sites, I grew up! So I took myself back to ModCloth and Old Navy and spent hours drooling, I loved it, much more than my mountain.

I'm just thankful that I wont have a mountain like that ever again. When the boy brings me home laundry from college, I'm going to load it back into the car for him DIRTY.......he is lucky I'm gonna miss him when he goes, because I might have put all that laundry back into his room. We shall see how it goes tomorrow!

A NIght on the Town

I had a busy day yesterday. In the morning I attended a bridal shower for my best friend from High School. She had a great turnout and made off with a bunch of goodies. I was a bit apprehensive at first, I walked in and the only people I really knew were her family and one or two other people from school. I did have fun though, and my big "mommy" purse paid off, we played a purse game in groups and my purse tagged quite a few points!

I had a small break and then we attended a graduation open house for one of my husbands students. It was a nice party, and the food was great:)
After the grad party I packed my daughter up to spend the night with my parents. She loves to spend the night with grandma and papa because she is spoiled beyond belief and my nephew is often there to play with.

From there I left for a bachelorette party for the shower friend from the morning. I had a blast. I had never been out bar hopping before last night. I didn't drink a drop and I had so much fun. However I spent the whole night wishing I had something fabulous to wear, I got over it fast when the party goers starting slurring their words, but it still made me wish for unlimited money for clothes!

Oh to be Stylish.....

I found my new favorite shopping website today! ModCloth and I found a dress to pine for. My husband even said I can buy it as soon as I get a job. Sigh, how I wish jobs were easier to come by in my area. This beauty is not something I would have typically bought before. In fact until this spring I had not bought a dress for myself in about 12 years. (I'm referring to wear everyday dresses, not my wedding dress, or bridesmaid dresses or even prom dresses) The last dress I got that was not for a special event was in the 7th grade. I do have a couple of tropical print dresses that I wore during my honeymoon to Aruba, but I don't count those either, they were worn for a week and then sadly tucked to the back of my closet, but I digress. Back to my new love:
http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModCloth/Womens/Beach+Picnic+Dress+in+Afternoon

Again, still working on the picture business and not sure on how copyright works, so I will share a link

I am discovering that I LOVE vintage or vintage inspired clothing (almost as much as shoes and purses) and that given the choice I will be purchasing items in that category. I also am going to commit to buying from ModCloth the next piece that I need for work.

I did some drooling this afternoon. I have a weakness for shoes and purses, so I went online window shopping at one of my favorite but too expensive stores. I have been pining for a new pair of wear to work or other function shoes/sandals where my plain flip-flops are inappropriate. I found the pair I want, but I guess I will drool over them till I find a real job. I love staying home with my babies, but I need to support my shopping habit! So if I had a full time job I would buy these lovelies :)

http://www.dsw.com/shoe/jones+new+york+gondola+sandal?prodId=203962&category=dsw12cat750002
(when I figure out how to post pictures I'll post one, but a link works too right? Right!)

I know they probably look a little boring with all those exciting shoes from this store, but I am realistic. I look for flats or low heals for a few reasons:

1. I CANNOT walk in heals over 2 inches
   
2. My husband is about 5 inches shorter than me
3. Heals are not practical with babies and toddlers, especially when said toddler is on the petite side.

I also found an awesome "going out" purse as I would call it. You know the kind you take when you wear a really fancy expensive dress. I can't come up with a practical reason not to drool over this one so maybe someday!

http://www.dsw.com/shoe/jones+new+york+gondola+sandal?prodId=203962&category=dsw12cat750002

And it is relatively cheap! I would definitely buy this if I had the aforementioned job.

*no one is paying me anything, I'm just sharing my faves!

Hi!

I don't know if anyone will actually read this, but that isn't important to me right now. And for anyone who does happen across my little spot in the universe, bear with me I'm rather new at this whole blog business.

What interested me in blogging in the first place was a fashion blog that I found some time last fall. I have been randomly following it and really enjoy it. I recently have added quite a few fashion blogs into my regular reading, and truly wanted to blog about fashion and show the world how fantastic my wardrobe is, but sadly my wardrobe is pretty lame. So the daily outfit type blog isn't going to work for me as of yet, but I can still share my online window shopping adventures, when I get bored! And once in a while when I am proud of my fashion sense I can share that too!

Today it hit me like a ton of bricks, I had an epiphany. I do laundry almost everyday; I can write while I do laundry. Now 6 people create a lot of laundry, I am currently on load number 3 today, plus I have a whole "laundry list" of chores that I need to do. I know, I'm starting to ramble.

But again, for anyone who miraculously finds this, bear with me while I learn about this blog business and maybe a little about myself.