oh my!

FINALLY I'm feeling inspired and creative!!

Only after finding such awesome blogs/web pages/techniques that hit me hard enough.

Violette is the author from Journal Bliss, who's book I NEED! Finally I'm inspired to work on an art journal, that I've already started, and I've been busily cutting words and images out of magazines, and painting some pages.



Teesha Moore and her blog.
I watched her videos on quilted pillows, and so far I've made 3! I love it! Today I picked up more thrifted fabric for some more sewing fun.


not my photo, just an example!

Otherwise life continues on as usual. Lots of hanging out with toddlers and assorted kiddo activities. I've taken over the dining room table with all the stuff I've been working on lately. Earlier tonight Sophie and I played dress up and I got her wearing her big tutu, wings, other frilly bits, her hair in cute little pigtails, and necklaces! The pretties little fairy princess I ever did see! Photos to post another time. <3

Oh, and its my birthday on tuesday.

Hello!

Its been a while, again, hasnt it?

Christmas went really well here. My folks came up, and helped me cook Christmas dinner, which we held here. Mark's family came over and everyone enjoyed everything, and went home happy, and I dont think I could have asked for anything more. Sophie enjoyed her presents though still isnt sure what Christmas is all about. We all got a nice haul. Hehe.

We held a small New Years party here, and had some friends come over. Mostly general schmoozing and a bit of karaoke. Mark even stayed upstairs and sang! I was completely impressed. I managed to thrift a cute little vintage looking dress a few days prior, so I dressed up for the party. Why bring in the New Year looking like a schmo? I felt pretty, and looked great! I may even dress up more often now.



This weekend we had a couple friends come up, who we havent seen in 6 months or so. We had a lot of fun, with karaoke, scrabble, and child minding. They being newly married and childless, admittedly use us as a buffer to help decide what age a child they're going to adopt later on. They were amazed at how I handle two toddlers and the trouble they get into. Yesterday morning before my #2 toddler showed up, we left Sophie at home with Mark, and went out for breakfast, and some wandering around downtown. Some much needed 'adult time' for myself which I *SO* very appreciated. It was wonderfully laid back and peaceful, we were able to take our time doing things and looking around. I managed to thrift a small SARK print, and a cute jean skirt that will go great with my cowboy boots in the spring. I also bought the last Harry Potter book, and got a tarot reading done which was very cool and insightful. I took notes!



I've also been reading through the Harry Potter books, and right now I've just started the Half Blood Prince. I love the books! All the little details that were never mentioned in the movies. Its great!

We've got birthdays coming up! I'm not sure what to do for any of them either.
It's been a fairly good time. I realize I need more 'adult' or 'me' time.

Its starting to look a lot like Christmas...

Tins full of homemade cookies.


My pretty garland.


Under the tree.

Ta-Daaaa... the tree.

So, I've been making Christmas.
I hauled out the tree, decorated it, made more decorations for it, made decorations with the toddlers (sorta). I've been baking, shopping and present wrapping, making other assorted decorations and such, and I've been enjoying almost every minute of it. Wrestling away scissors and glue from toddlers, putting back ornaments that they rip off the tree, trying to come up with stocking stuffer ideas besides a big wad of chocolate.
Some stuff I've bought, some I've made, which I'm happy with. I've enjoyed gathering gifts for people this year.
What else am I doing?
Trying not to be so angry, and disappointed. Or at the very least, trying to not let it get to me.

Whats new?

I've been doing a lot of reading lately, working my way through the Harry Potter series. I'm on the fourth book now, and already I'm enjoying them more than the movies. A few details better explained, and some other things that were never even touched on! I'm loving it.

And babysitting. Yep. I hang out with toddlers most days. Its a wonder my brain hasnt flat lined to a constant "WEEEEEEEEEEE!" yet.

Today I made myself three belly warmers. A scrappy layered tshirt one, a lined ribbed one, and a super nice purple fleece warmer than I'm wearing right now, and I'm so cuddly and warm! I love wearing layers, and this makes it even more fun. Also called Haramaki's, they're essentially just a tube top, worn around your middle, keeping your kidneys, liver, and other assorted bits nice and warm.

I've got three birds sewn up, and now I just need to attach them to one of the rings, and finish the mobile. At least that will be one finished! I've also been making a few other things here and there: hand warmers, and a tissue pouch. I'm still working on my tshirt rug. I feel a need to be creative, but sometimes I feel so stuck. My only source of inspiration these days are neat blogs that I come across.
Its an itch I cant always scratch.

I (and probably everyone else!) can really notice a difference when I dont take my 5htp or my daily vitamins. Like, WOW. Stay away from me before I bite your head off!

Yeah.

While I ponder life...

Recently I've been thinking about my life and the lack of spectacular things I've done. Reading other blogs and such, to my surprise I find out that I am older than someone, and they have either started their own store, line, company, career, something awesome, etc.

I'm 28 years old, 29 this coming February. What do I have to show for my life, my accomplishments? I asked my mother this last night and she replied, "Oh, besides GIVING BIRTH AND RAISING A CHILD?!" and naturally I said, "Yeah, besides that."

I've never had a goal I've wanted or bothered to work towards. Sure there have been plenty of times I've been jealous of someone for some reason and asking myself "Why cant I do or be this?" Of course I want what I want when I want it, right now. I fail to acknowledge that people have been working hard for the things they have and do, whereas me, I havent done much. I havent wanted to BE anything. I've never 'found' myself, I've never done any other schooling since graduating high school. Honestly, back then I never thought I would have made it much past twenty, nearly certain I was going to kill myself at some point.

I've been weird and awkward since junior high, not much has changed, and now I'm nearing close to 30, and my god! I'm an adult! Now what?!
I've been seeing goal lists, '28 things before 29' for example, which I think is a wonderful idea. But I dont think my list would be very big. Just over 2 months till my birthday, I dont think I could get much done anyways. (OH hello self-doubt. Whats up?)

Will being a mom be enough for now? Things can always change, one never knows what the future will bring.

Sick.

Being sick for the past week and a half really puts a kink in things. I havent done much at all besides mope around the house with kleenex in hand.
But today we're already fed, dressed, and nearly ready to leave the house. I dont get Kid #2 till this evening, so we have the day to actually do something, and it doesnt look too horrible outside! I'm thinking the consignment store, thrift store, bank, and starbucks, in no particular order. Hubby requested a few groceries.

Oh, and we have snow.

I think I need to start decorating for Christmas soon.


img from weheartit.

Wow.

So, this time I have a good excuse for not blogging much. HAHA!
I've taken on babysitting full time. Imehjen is another girl, 2 weeks older than Sophie, her mother and I were in the same prenatal classes and such. I thought it'd be nice to help her out since she was always stuck for a good babysitter, gives Sophie and Im a buddy to hang out with everyday, and keeps me busier, and I get some money too. Its win-win all around. Its been a few days now, and the girls are getting along great, and its so entertaining to watch them, especially when they're really into playing and being silly!

Its funny, because last week I was thinking about how much stuff Sophie has (thanks to me) and how spoiled she was getting, when now that there's another kid in the house, its perfect, now there are enough toys to go around and distract them. I may need another foam chair though.



I have to admit, I do have alot of fun with them too. Last night, I turned my entire living room into a fort, with a few entrances, and I had thrown all the couch cushions on the floor and tossed a quilt over top. So the girls were rolling and falling around and generally enjoying themselves. It was super cute.