January 9th is the anniversary of my blog. It's been so much fun and I love having this creative outlet. I'm still not sure where I want to go with the blog. I struggle between wanting to increase the number of people reading/commenting or just being happy with whoever stumbles upon me. I also struggle with narrowing the focus of my blog, changing the name, etc. But I'm really happy with it as-is. I've made some great bloggy friends all over the country, which is cool for the girl who always wanted to have lots of pen pals growing up... but only had two that ever wrote back!
I am planning a give-away... but don't have time to post it right now. Please tune in this weekend for the give-away announcement!
Thanks to those of you who take the time to read my random thoughts. I hope you enjoy them!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Back to the Grind
After a day spent trying to convince my 3 year old that you need to rest when you are sick, I'm back to work. He seemed to bounce back pretty well... after resting on the couch for most of the afternoon, he nibbled on some lunch (though not the chicken soup, much to my dismay), took at 2 hour nap, then rested some more while watching some of his favorite Disney Channel shows.
By evening he was ready to play, though I encouraged him to take it easy. We did a couple of puzzles and read a few books before bed. (Sidenote - the kid is becoming a whiz at puzzles! He put together two different 24 piece puzzles in less than 10 minutes. I guess we just need to keep looking for more challenging puzzles!)
It was great getting to spend the day with him and just be a mom. It's the job I love the most!
By evening he was ready to play, though I encouraged him to take it easy. We did a couple of puzzles and read a few books before bed. (Sidenote - the kid is becoming a whiz at puzzles! He put together two different 24 piece puzzles in less than 10 minutes. I guess we just need to keep looking for more challenging puzzles!)
It was great getting to spend the day with him and just be a mom. It's the job I love the most!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Home With a Sick Boy
Alex threw up at school today, so I had to go pick him up, giving me a random day off in the middle of the week. So in between slinging saltines, 7-Up and Chicken Noodle soup, I figured I'd peruse the blogs I rarely get to catch up on. (Less you think I'm neglecting the patient, he's resting comfortably watching some Disney movies, snacking on Saltines. No fever and no more throwing up, so far.)
I came across this AMAZING giveaway and feel like I have to blog about it.
It's the Cold Feet Giveaway at Simple Finds. They are giving away a great pair of Keen boots. I finally broke down after two blizzards last year and a total of 110 inches of snow last winter, I figured this would be a great chance to get a really good pair of boots. Go check it out!
I came across this AMAZING giveaway and feel like I have to blog about it.
It's the Cold Feet Giveaway at Simple Finds. They are giving away a great pair of Keen boots. I finally broke down after two blizzards last year and a total of 110 inches of snow last winter, I figured this would be a great chance to get a really good pair of boots. Go check it out!
A Very Crafty Post
I've been feeling crafty lately. I got some great new toys for Christmas... two sets of Knifty Knitter Knitting looms! I made my first scarf in about 3 days time and I'm absolutely obsessed!
My latest project involves pink fur. Gotta love it! This is a present for a baby shower. Can you guess what it will be??? I'll post a picture of this one, once it's finished!
Here's the project in progess, along with the end result. I'm very proud of it.
Before Christmas, I crocheted this hat for my sister. It was not easy, as the instructions mistakenly said it would be. I had to rip it out and start over about 4 different times (though one of those times it was because I attempted to work on it after going out to dinner with my book club in Chicago, drinking more than a little sangria, all the night before we went to "Wicked." Didn't follow my own advice about drinking and yarning.) It matches her winter coat perfectly. So she'll get a scarf to match it before long, too.
Chances are, if you're related to me or a friend of mine, you'll be getting a scarf, a hat, or possibly both at some point in the future! I've got a list of projects and a big plastic tub full of yarn ready to go. (Darn it if Michaels and JoAnns didn't have massive yarn sales last week! WOO HOO!)
My latest project involves pink fur. Gotta love it! This is a present for a baby shower. Can you guess what it will be??? I'll post a picture of this one, once it's finished!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Hilarious Quotes - Holiday Edition
It's been awhile since I've posted about the hilarious things Alex says... so here's a cavalcade of comedy from the Christmas season.
"Santa lives at the Northwest with his snow deer."
"I want to go to one of my place."
"Where are your places?"
"McDonalds and Sesame Street."
"When I grow up I want to be like Daddy. And I'll eat candy with him too."
"I want to get Daddy a dinosaur for Christmas. And it has to make noise."
"You have to watch out for the mutant penguins."
"Is this my right hand?"
"Yes."
"But I don't want it to be the right hand! I want it to be the left hand!" (tears ensue)
"I want to go the long way home."
"No, we're going the short way home."
"I don't want to go the short way. The short way hurts my feelings. I'm not short, I'm big."
"Look at me. I'm Batman!" Said while wearing Batman slippers and Batman underpants.
"Santa lives at the Northwest with his snow deer."
"I want to go to one of my place."
"Where are your places?"
"McDonalds and Sesame Street."
"When I grow up I want to be like Daddy. And I'll eat candy with him too."
"I want to get Daddy a dinosaur for Christmas. And it has to make noise."
"You have to watch out for the mutant penguins."
"Is this my right hand?"
"Yes."
"But I don't want it to be the right hand! I want it to be the left hand!" (tears ensue)
"I want to go the long way home."
"No, we're going the short way home."
"I don't want to go the short way. The short way hurts my feelings. I'm not short, I'm big."
"Look at me. I'm Batman!" Said while wearing Batman slippers and Batman underpants.
Monday, January 5, 2009
My Little Panhandler
Alex has discovered a love of coins. He loves to jingle coins in his pocket... dimes, nickles, or even better... quarters. He's also developed a habit that will be cute while he's small, but has the potential to be problematic as he gets bigger.
He has no fear of going up to people and asking them for coins. He started this at my grandma's funeral... working his way from about 11 cents to $1.85 in two days' time. Now, that's a better return rate than most investments in this dicey economy, but still I'm not sure I want to encourage this. Especially at funerals!
He upped the ante at Craig's grandma's funeral... getting several dollars in change over the course of two days. There's a fine line between charity and begging... and my little panhandler is walking the tightrope right now. At 3, it's cute. But someday when he's a teenager looking to bum quarters off his friends and relatives... it won't be so cute! But I want to encourage him to respect money and know that it has value, so we're making him put it all in his piggy bank!
He has no fear of going up to people and asking them for coins. He started this at my grandma's funeral... working his way from about 11 cents to $1.85 in two days' time. Now, that's a better return rate than most investments in this dicey economy, but still I'm not sure I want to encourage this. Especially at funerals!
He upped the ante at Craig's grandma's funeral... getting several dollars in change over the course of two days. There's a fine line between charity and begging... and my little panhandler is walking the tightrope right now. At 3, it's cute. But someday when he's a teenager looking to bum quarters off his friends and relatives... it won't be so cute! But I want to encourage him to respect money and know that it has value, so we're making him put it all in his piggy bank!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Hoping for a better 2009
Let's face it, 2009 has to be better than 2008.
Hopefully the economy will get back on track. But on a more personal level, I'm hoping for happier things in 2009.
For starters, I'm hoping death won't play such a prominent role this year.
Last year we lost my cousin and grandmother, Craig's grandma and a great-uncle, two of our current neighbors died, two formers neighbors died, my high-school French teacher died, close friends lost siblings and parents. And not to equate pets with people (though in my family, they are generally in the same category), but my sister's beloved dog (and my first puppy niece) Bailey died. TOO MUCH!
So I'm proposing lots of love, babies, weddings, and happy things for 2009!
There were some high points of 2008.
- Alex got potty trained.
- Alex moved into a big boy bed.
- Alex gave up his pacifier.
- I got a new job, much to my own surprise.
- I started a blog.
- I discovered a love of knitting and crocheting, something one of my grandma's tried to teach me years ago.
- I rekindled my love of reading (I read 39 books last year).
- I took a trip to D.C. to visit one of my best friends.
- I enjoyed a girl's only trip to Chicago to see "Wicked"
- I ran 3 5Ks, improving my time each time (and overcoming my hatred for running)
- Craig remodeled the bathroom.
I'm not really one for resolutions, so I plan to post a few goals instead.
1. Continue blogging.
2. Continue running.
3. Continue learning new stitches and creating new projects with yarn.
4. Read 50 books this year.
5. Be a better friend (this means picking up the phone and actually calling people, instead of just emailing)
6. Be a good wife and mom.
7. Be more patient with everyone - known or unknown.
Hopefully the economy will get back on track. But on a more personal level, I'm hoping for happier things in 2009.
For starters, I'm hoping death won't play such a prominent role this year.
Last year we lost my cousin and grandmother, Craig's grandma and a great-uncle, two of our current neighbors died, two formers neighbors died, my high-school French teacher died, close friends lost siblings and parents. And not to equate pets with people (though in my family, they are generally in the same category), but my sister's beloved dog (and my first puppy niece) Bailey died. TOO MUCH!
So I'm proposing lots of love, babies, weddings, and happy things for 2009!
There were some high points of 2008.
- Alex got potty trained.
- Alex moved into a big boy bed.
- Alex gave up his pacifier.
- I got a new job, much to my own surprise.
- I started a blog.
- I discovered a love of knitting and crocheting, something one of my grandma's tried to teach me years ago.
- I rekindled my love of reading (I read 39 books last year).
- I took a trip to D.C. to visit one of my best friends.
- I enjoyed a girl's only trip to Chicago to see "Wicked"
- I ran 3 5Ks, improving my time each time (and overcoming my hatred for running)
- Craig remodeled the bathroom.
I'm not really one for resolutions, so I plan to post a few goals instead.
1. Continue blogging.
2. Continue running.
3. Continue learning new stitches and creating new projects with yarn.
4. Read 50 books this year.
5. Be a better friend (this means picking up the phone and actually calling people, instead of just emailing)
6. Be a good wife and mom.
7. Be more patient with everyone - known or unknown.