One Foot in Front of the Other

Hello Friends.
Thanks for your encouragement! I have a doctor's appt tomorrow and hopefully she can help me figure out how to deal with what is going on. In the meantime, I'm hanging in there. I would like to try and rest this weekend and maybe even do a little crafting. I would love to finally make one of Teresa McFayden's Cookie Sheet Advent Calendars. (see tutorial in my sidebar) Also, Beth Holcombe just posted a tutorial on how to make a holiday corsage here. Doesn't that look like fun?

I hope you are all preparing for a lovely Thanksgiving. I know I have lots to be thankful for. Especially blogging friends like you!

Yes We Can (and Did!)

Wow. What a day! I was literally on the edge of my seat all day long. I am so proud of our country. And not for voting for Obama (which DOES make me happy) but for getting out and voting in record numbers. People stood in long lines and faced many obstacles in order to make sure that their votes were counted. Amazing!!! I am so proud to be an American right now.

In other news, Joli Paquet has begun and they have GREAT tutorials already. I can't wait to try this one:



Isn't that great?! I am borrowing the photo so you can see the kind of great things they are doing over there. My mom is moving into a new home this weekend and she will have an office/crafting room. I'm hoping she'll let me use it as well so I can spread out and get some fun holiday crafty things done. Whoopee!!!

The Holidays are Coming!!!!

The holidays are right around the corner and I've been looking for some safe toys for Aidan. We have a toy store in town that only stocks toys made in the USA and Europe. It's sad to think that we have to worry about lead in our toys and contaminants in our candy but that's how things are these days. Anyway, one of my favorite Mommy sites, Cool Mom Picks, has a new safe toy guide. I'll leave it in my sidebar through the holidays. Enjoy!!!

Five Months Old!

Sorry I have been negligent about posting. I've been keeping busy with work and this little guy. Isn't he wonderful? ;)

Fun Thingie

I found a fun tool online that allows you to generate your very own realistic-looking newspaper front page. Find this nifty tool here:

LINK

Holiday Meltdown Already?!!!

The holiday season is approaching and I couldn't be more excited. But I have to admit I am in a decorating rut. For baby's baptism two weeks ago, we decorated in a fall/harvest theme. After all that work, I didn't feel like taking down all that stuff just to put Halloween up and then taking THAT down in a few weeks to put the harvest stuff back up. SO...I just put a few Halloween things.

When I got married in 2006, we didn't have a guest book. Instead, we stuck some curly willow branches in a pot and had people write on purple paper grapes that we tied on green ribbon onto the branches to make a "grapevine." Our curly willow "tree" lives on top of our entertainment center throughout the year until the holiday season when it becomes a centerpiece. For Halloween, I hang little beaded bats on it. Then, for Thanksgiving, I hang up glittered fall leaves. For Christmas, I hang glittered snowflakes on it. It is fun to change the whole look of this simple piece with a few ornaments. It's so easy yet effective.

I finished baby's teddy bear. I'm not going to show it to you yet until I get the face on. My friend Monique is going to show me how to needle felt the nose and eyes onto it. So far, it's looking pretty good. Also, I am almost finished with my Christmas shopping!!!!! I'm so proud of myself! Now, if I can just get the decorating in gear...

Meme

Here's a meme from my friend Vieve:

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

That would have been the fall of 1998. I was in the middle of graduate school for my master's degree in anthropology. I was dating a guy in the air force who was eight years older and ended up being one of the worst mistakes of my life.

2. What are 5 things on my to-do list today?

1. Publish the latest Junior League newsletter. (done)
2. Pump at least four more times.
3. Post the video of baby's baptism.
4. Upload the photos of baby's baptism and edit them.
5. Finish my current library book (GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO)

3. What snacks do I enjoy?

I am a cookie monster so if there is a chocolate chip cookie available I definitely go for that! Most of the time, i have a granola bar.

4. Where are some places I've lived?

Dallas, San Antonio, Denver, Sonoma County

5. What things would I do if I were a billionaire?

Pay off my debt and student loans. Buy a house. Donate to all my favorite charities. Buy my mom a house. Create a college fund for Aidan. I want a home of my own so badly. If I could win a lottery for just a couple hundred thousand I would be a happy happy woman. Real estate is so ridiculous in California that I doubt we will EVER be able to afford a house.

Joli Paquet Returns!!!

Well, I finished knitting the bear!!! He is felted and is currently drying. Once I get his little face put on, I will post a photograph. I think it's looking pretty cute so far!

I am so excited to find out that some of my favorite bloggers will be having a special holiday blog full of tutorials, decorating ideas and more! Last year, they offered kits to appease those of us who weren't able to make it to Silver Bella. It looks like it is going to be great!!! Find this wonderful holiday blog here.

Bellaween and Knitting

I signed up for the latest MY MINUTIA e-zine called Bellaween and so far it has some great projects. I haven't done any yet because I need to go out and get some materials but I can't wait to try the projects.
Tonight, my buddy Monique is coming over and we'll be knitting up a storm. Maybe I'll finish the teddy bear tonight! I'll post photos when I do. I just need to finish knitting half of the back of the bear and sew it all together. Then, I'm going to felt it. I've never tried felting before so this should be interesting.

Christmas Present Idea

Cooking is really big in my family. Everything seems to revolved around food. So, when I found TASTEBOOK, I got really excited. It is a website where you can upload your own personal recipes and photos and make a personal cookbook. Prices start at just $19.95. I've already starting loading some recipes and I plan to contact family members and have them e-mail their favorite/signature recipes. I'm going to compile a family cookbook and give one to each family for Christmas. Sounds like fun, huh?