Good-Bye for Now

I've noticed some changes at home.  Changes that I realize need my attention.  The kids need me. It's not as though I have ignored them or have stopped parenting, but I think they need me just a little more then usual right now.  I also realize the amount of time I spend on my computer is not beneficial to anyone.  Not them and not me.  

I need to shut down, maybe entirely?  I need to be more attentive with the kids, my home, myself.  I need to stop looking for things to do on-line and start actually doing something like maybe finally taking down the wallpaper in my kitchen!  I think I spend half my day looking for projects and decorating ideas, pinning scrapbook pages, recipes, knitting patterns,  plants, etc.  However, I never make a scrapbook page, or knit a scarf, or even make it to a store to find that houseplant I really want.  And then the same thing happens again the next day and the next.  

I believe this has been a long time coming.  It was only  a few weeks ago when I deleted some of my boards on Pinterest and more then half the blogs I was reading everyday.  I need to clear my head before I can be a better mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend.  I need to be more mindful of whats right here in front of me and not "out there" in a "wish I could", "wish I had" world.   

Making the decision to be off-line, as much as I have, has not been easy.  I love looking for things that interest me and acquiring new knowledge.  It's so easy to do when it's right there at your finger tips!  I guess I'm going to have to use the library more, talk with people who have the same interests and just get out there and do whatever it is I want to do.  And most importantly, be more attentive to my family.

So I'm sure you may have guessed that means I will also be "shutting down" my blog for the time being.  I think if the blog still feels important to me in January I'll be back for the new year.  But for now I'm off to write down on paper, I know crazy talk right? A list of some fun things to do with the kids this month and set up their advent calendar so it's ready for December 1st.  I have plans for two more raised garden beds and I'm back to thinking about getting some chickens.  I want to learn to sew clothes.  I want to scrapbook more often like I used to.  All of which can be done without the help of the internet. 

That being said, I want to wish all of you a very special Holiday Season!!



P.S. I'll still be checking email (3x a day, morning, noon, and evening)  Although I'd like to give that up too, I can not because it's my main communication with The Husband when he is away on business trips or at work, my Girl Scout troop, and the kids school.  

image source 

Today was a wonderfully peaceful day, full of nothing but my little family.  We began the day by watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and then we watched a little of the The National Dog show ( I watched until I saw the toy group hoping to see the Chihuahuas. However neither the long hair or the smooth hair won that group. Poo!)

Then we leisurely got ready to go to my sister-in-laws house for Thanksgiving dinner.  Where again, we enjoyed the company of family and indulged in some very delicious food.  

Without the hustle and bustle of preparing a meal, cleaning the house, hosting, etc. I found the quiet of the day allowed me to really think about what I am thankful for right now.  As I watched my boys play football with their Uncle through the window, while A chitchatted with her Aunt, I thought about all I am thankful for and blessed with......

My children (I once only dreamed of), my husband (there is not enough I can say about him.  He is very special), my mom and poppy, my sisters, my niece, my home, food, transportation, my dearest and closest friends, a yard where my children can play, a yard where I can garden and grow food, books, water, tea, coffee, for the knowledge I have acquired these past four years or so about food, health, and mindfulness, for the time I have to volunteer, for dates (both with my hubby and friends), for knitting, the public library, blankets, warm socks and warm p.j.'s, bread and butter! 

Oh there is so much more, but it is late, and I am getting sleepy. 

Although it is not easy to always feel as grateful and thankful as I do right now, I will pray that I have the strength to remain so.

Cousins

Today my sweet little niece

 with her chubby little legs

came for a visit...

(I know my son looks like a ragamuffin.  He was having one of those days...)

A New Obsession

Houseplants!

I want to fill my house with plants.  Lots and lots of plants.  

It all began when A brought home a baby spider plant from her American Girl Camp this past summer.  Every time I look at it, I think how lovely it is.  If one little plant can bring such joy, why not a few more?  I've made a list of my favorites and now I need to find a good nursery to purchase them from.  Sadly, some of the best nurseries in my area have gone out of business.  Last week I went to one I had forgotten about, and found out they too are closing.  They didn't have one plant in the greenhouse! So sad...

All the images below are from here and are among the top of my wish list.

Creeping Pilea

(this one is by far my favorite)

Haworthias

Sansevieria Spear Plant

Also on my list:

• Rubber plant
• Neon Pathos
• ZZ Plant
• Nerve Plant
• Bamboo Palm
• Snake Plant
• Areca Palm
• Reed Palm
• Weeping Fig

And this???

Also on my wish list!

Oh yes.  I will have this.

Do you have houseplants?  

Which are among your favorites?  

Are there any I should avoid?

Any recommendations on the best way to care for them, beside sun and water?

I Mustache You A Question

are these kids cute or what?

One of Those Days

"Sigh"  Today was the most stressful I've  had in a long, long, time.  

It started out great! I met my sister at the mall, we shopped, and had coffee.  I like shopping with her because she's honest.  She'll tell me flat out if something looks bad (or good) before I buy it.  I love that!  I'd much rather hear "that does not look good" rather than walk around town looking horrible, especially in saggy ass jeans.  Why can't I find jeans that fit my butt?? 

I got to see and hold the most adorable baby in all the world.  I love her so. I can't help but kiss her and kiss her and kiss her...Oh sorry,  I was saying..

And then all hell broke loose.  It's such a long, drawn out and sucky story.   Let's just say it involves Girl Scouts and money and payments and deadlines.  But let me make it clear, it was not my fault.  

Next year I will be taking care of it myself.  I know that sometimes people may find me overbearing or annoying or whatever one wants to call a person who does not like to give jobs and responsibilities to others.  I often don't delegate because I know I will get it done and done right the first time.  There must be a name for such a person?  Anyway, I was so stressed I was actually shaking.  A friend (who has done this before) helped me get it done.  I'll be able to do it myself next year in a timely manner. 

I am now feeling so much better.  

Phew, some days just suck!

Time for a glass of wine....

Weekending

Friday Night::

We had a Girl Scout meeting at my house.  We made sit-upons for our upcoming Saturday night campfire chat and s'mores!

Saturday Night::

We went to one of the girls houses.  Her dad set up the fire pit and several moms donated the s'mores fixings.  We ate many, many, s'mores.....

After s'mores the girls sang songs and made up a story with each girl saying one sentence each. Let's just say the story included monsters and a very lazy police department.  They also played games such as flash light tag. 

Sunday::

Relaxing at home.  The rest of the family will watch football, I'll probably read and fold laundry, we'll prepare for the week, and then off to a much needed night of sleep.

Weekends are the best!!

Outside

this seasons first snow...

"I hope I don't get in trouble"

These were the words uttered from A as she came down the stairs while having a friend sleep over.

And this is what I saw when they turned the corner::

She did not get into trouble but boy did it take a lot of effort to remove this from their faces!  And thank goodness her friend's mom is laid-back and got a kick out of her daughter's red stained face when she picked her up!!

Halloween 2012

Halloween was postponed after Hurricane Sandy.  Just like last year, we trick or treated a week later and even though the kids love it, and don't feel much of a difference, it feels different to me. I feel as if we're going when we shouldn't.  Knocking on doors and asking for candy!  And for some reason there are not as many kids as when Halloween is on October 31st.  But it was all good and we all fun!  How could you not when you get to dress up and pretend to be someone or something else.  And candy, oh the yummy candy....

As you can see, my kids are caa-raazy!  

J was a werewolf, A was a Hollywood Starlet, and C was Thor.  And I wore a super cute Halloween headband my friend Jean made me.  Sorry no pictures.

This is my favorite of A. So funny!!

I love these crazy kids.

I've Been in the Dark On Every Level

We survived Sandy with no damage to our property, our home, or our ourselves.  Thank goodness!  We did lose power last Monday evening and were without till Saturday morning around 11:00.  It was a very, very, very, cold week.  I honestly was so upset we were in the dark again for so many days after only 14 months before when we were without power for 9 1/2 days.  I couldn't help but think why can't they do this faster!!  I was angry they got all the stores on Main street set up with lights and heat but families were freezing in their homes with no heat, no food, some without hot water, so no showers, some with wells, no water.  Maybe get the homes back up and then the stores?  I'm not talking about grocery stores and pharmacies but bakeries, pizza places, a store that sells fancy purses and Jewelry!  Spend a few days to get most of the families set then put the power on for the purse joint.  Maybe I'm being an idiot, I don't know.  All I know is if this becomes the norm for us, we're in big trouble and posts like this one scare the hell out of me. 

Please know I am not a bad person, I know this is not just about me and my cold feet.  This is how I felt before I knew what happened outside my little town.

Because we were in the dark, with no access to the Internet or television, I had no idea how bad it was for others.  It wasn't until Saturday that I saw the devastation.  I feel so lucky I was only very cold.  My home is still standing, my family and friends are still here with me.  I hope all those who have been affected by Sandy get the help they need and can find some peace during this terribly devastating time.

Sculptures by J

Book Sculpture:  

Magnetic Spider

Wire sculpted, covered with model magic, then painted:
A Man Looking at the Sun

Both pieces were done during art class at school.

  

I love them and have them displayed in our living room.  Every time I go in there they put a smile on my face!

Recent Drawings by C

One night C and I were sitting on the couch.  I was making some notes for the week, a to do list, etc. when C asked me if he could draw in the notebook I was using and could he also use my pen.  

Well of course little man!  He got to work while I did other things around the family room and kitchen.

When I came back into the room he asked me how to spell crusty.  I sat with him and saw he had drawn SpongeBob, Patrick, and was working on the "Krusty Krab".  He had already written "crusty"  I told him that the cartoon spells it with a K (and that it was not the correct way to spell it) but yes he wrote crusty and correctly!  He then began to sound out the word showing me how he figured out the spelling of crusty.  

Wow!

He has really been into the alphabet, writing the letters, and repeating their sounds since he started Kindergarten. (Much more so then when he was in preschool. Which is developmentally appropriate.  Which also makes me question why they teach letters and sounds in preschool?????)  I've also noticed he has been asking me to spell just about everything.  Sometimes he spells words and asked me if he is correct.  

C is my third child. 

I've worked with hundreds of kids.

And everyday of my live I am blown away by the workings of a child's mind. 

Children are amazing! 

One day:
They are born these helpless, tiny, little creatures and then::
they wake up and smile
then they laugh
then they crawl
walk
talk
run
build
draw
imagine
go to the bathroom on their own
ride a bike
spell words
read
and so on and so on.......

This is Timmy from Fairly Odd Parents.  I thought I'd include him because how could I not??  Do you see how he drew his buck teeth!?! His baseball hat?? 

Tomorrow some art from J

Spiced Knit Afghan or What Was I thinking?

One day while I was perusing the book store I saw this blanket draped across a chair and I fell in love.  In love.  It was big and thick and had these nice soothing colors.  As I was fondling it, the owner told me it was a class given by a local knitter and was I interested in signing up?  Well of course!  Can't you see how I love it so?  Sign me up now!

The first class was a color class.  Because the blanket has four colors instead of three, the teacher felt it would be good for all us to come in and work with some samples of the colors available.  She said it was much easier to match two or three colors, but when it comes to four it's a bit more difficult.  She was right.  It was very hard to find four colors that were complimentary.  I was surprised by how difficult.

I'm really into orange right now (and that may have been my downfall) so I started with orange and went from there.  I genuinely love the colors I chose, but together I'm not sure I positively like them in this blanket???

The pattern is free from Lion Brand.  You can find it here.  I used the yarn they suggest which is Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick.  The four colors are Fig, Apricot, Grass, and Raspberry.

What do you think?

Letterboxing Field Trip

Last Saturday I took my Junior Girl Scout Troop (I realized I said Brownie in my last post.  Oops!) Letterboxing at a local park.  If you have never heard of Letterboxing it's described here.  And here is where you can find trails near you.  

Basically, when you find a Letterbox you are supposed to stamp  your own "book" with the stamp you find in the box, and then stamp the book you find in the box with a personal stamp, either one you've made, or one you've purchased.  So pretty much its "I stamp your book, you (letterbox) stamp mine".

Originally we were going to make our own stamps but time got away from us and before we knew it, it was time to go Letterboxing.   I asked the girls to bring a stamp of their choice.  

This was the girls first time Letterboxing and sure I could have asked them to bring their own notebook too but I thought it would be a little more special if I made a book for them.  

I used Kraft paper, my woodland stamp set, and ink.  Then I sewed the stamped image to the front and the white Kraft paper to the inside making a book.

I think they are super cute and I think the girls liked them too!

P.S. We were unable to find any Letterboxes!  Can you believe that?!?  We plan to go in the Spring and try again (of course that will be after I go on my own and find all of them just in case!)

Getting Crafty

I'm overjoyed to have had some time to get down to my "Craft Corner" and create.  I'm  working on projects from spring and summer.   I'm behind as usual, but I'm OK with that.  A scrapers work is never done!  Nor is there a chance to catch up. (I've finally come to terms with that fact)

Anyhow, here is a Spring mini book kit created by Danielle.   It's not finished just yet, but it's full of lovely spring colors, quotes, ribbons, and flowers and I absolutely love it.  I will post pictures of each page once it's done.

And this is My Summer Manifesto.  This one I created during Your Summer Manifesto e-course given by Kelly at Perched to Fly. I participated in the e-course 3 weeks in June.  I did complete the journaling, a collage, and a few other things during the course but I'm still working on making the book a little more special.  There is also still many pages to fill so I've been thinking I'll keep this one as a summer journal/art book.  I'll use it each summer until it's full.  The cover was inspired from this pin I saw on Pinterest or should I say I pretty much copied it??  P.S this moleskin journal was a free gift The Husband received at a conference.  Score!

Pages I'm still working on 

I am also working on the kids school scrapbooks.  I've been filling in all the info, getting drawings, and interviewing the kids about last school year.  Thank goodness they're young and it's still pretty fresh in their memories!  I usually update the school scrapbooks during the first week school is out.  This year I started just before school started again.  But like I said, they still remember and help me get that information down.  The school pages are a kit created by Becky Higgins.  I have three sets of the page, stickers, etc. and two albums (from here) for each child.  My mom bought them for me (about 6 years ago) and I am so thankful!  Because otherwise there would not be any school albums (and probably no scrapbook pages about school either!!)  

Organizing pictures too.  

What a daunting task trying to remember every event and dates!

Here is all the non-scrapbooking things I want to keep, such as programs from recitals, certificates for each belt J received when he was taking karate, some art work, etc. I'm trying to find some way to organize and store the items for each of the kids.  I like the idea of these boxes but want to hold one in my hands to feel it's weight, sturdiness, etc.  If anyone has a storage solution for me, please share.

I'll be back tomorrow with a little project I did last week for my Brownie troop.  Can't wait to share it!

Oh My

Two boys tearing ken to pieces and one little girl who was none to happy.

Good times.

Yup.

This is my life.........

We've Been On Vacation

Can you guess where?

Do you see Mickey?  

You got it!

We spent last week at the Mouse House and had a Magical Time!

(I know C does not look so thrilled in this picture, but I promise he had a great time!)

Here He Is

You can't imagine how hard it was to take his picture.  He just would not cooperate.  Anyway, here's his cute little mouth with his missing tooth.

Love him!

First Tooth Lost

My baby lost his first tooth at school yesterday!   When he got off the bus he came running towards me, "I lost my tooth today." 

Around his neck was a cute little plastic tooth where the crown lifts and his tiny little tooth was inside.  

He looks so different and super cute of course.

The tooth fairy left him $5 for his first tooth (she doesn't leave more than a dollar for the rest!)  And he wondered why she took the little "tooth box" with her?  Oops!  The tooth fairy didn't know he wanted to keep it.... soo she placed it under a different pillow this morning once he went off to school. Tonight when I put him to bed I'll "find" it and say, "Oh look!  It looks like it must have moved over here while you where sleeping."  

Sneaky, sneaky tooth fairy.

Hey, as a mom you gotta do what you gotta do.  Right?

I'll be back later with a picture.  The kids love to see themselves on my blog so I won't be posting his picture to this post for fear his siblings may tell him my secrets!!!

On My Walk Today

Today I have grown taller from walking with the trees.

Karle Wilson Baker

Each time I walk in the woods I feel so alive, calm, spiritual, at peace.  Even when I walk with a friend, and we chit chat the entire time, I still feel a connection in these woods with every step.