Big Girls Don't Cry

Well, today has started off as one of sadness. It's gloomy and overcast with no sign of the sun. I went to get the mail this morning and my June Coloriffic Swaporama package had arrived from portugal and I was super excited, until the postmaster told me that the package had arrived empty on both ends. When I opened it up, EVERYTHING but two items was gone. I was so so saddened. The picture of what was originally included in the package is below....

It just made me feel sick because the only things that got through were the magazine and the smiley stress ball. She had worked so hard to make the baby bib and included all the goodies that I couldn't wait to see, and then they are all "gone" and no one can offer any explanation whatsoever as to what happened. I feel sad.

Evan got me the Dirty Dancing 20th Anniversary Soundtrack, that has way more than the original soundtrack, and so this morning I popped that in for the first time today and the first song made me cry like a baby (damn hormones) which was fitting because the song was "Be my baby" and then the next song was even more fitting and stopped my crocodile tears "Big Girls Don't Cry." How Ironic, eh? So I am thrilled with the CD already.

So that's all for the icky morning. Besides that I seem to be okay. Still have an icky stomach, which I have had for like DAYS but I think it's just because all of my insides are squished.

June in Bloom....

Well, today seemed good. Yesterday was good too, but work left me exhausted. Mentally. And Physically. I was so glad to leave! Evan took me to supper at Subway before his band practice, and then i went home and tore into the box that arrived from Bead Retreat. I sorted all my orders and delivered some to mom's house.... saw the bucket calf tied to the tree in the backyard, and watched some good TV like Cash Cab. LOL.

Got home after 10:30 last night and watered all my container plantings and hanging baskets. It was soooo nice and cool last night! I loved it. I slept like a rock, and really did NOT want to get up today. I slept an hour and a half longer than usual and STILL didn't want to get up.

I will post some pictures of the container plantings that I have going right now, As long as I remember to water them we are golden.... No weeds to pull! That is not the truth of the flower beds but oh well. A pregnant chick can only do so much! But even the wildflowers in the ditch are starting (just barely) to bloom. I anticipate pictures of those in the next week or so.

This weekend we have prenatal classes. Tonight and tomorrow I think I will concentrate on laundry. This weekend I would like to pack a hospital bag also.... but it's something I may or may not get to. My goal was to have one packed by 32 weeks, and Evan seems to think it's a good idea to "pack NOW!" Which I am sure comes from his once emergency trip to the hospital when I was in so much pain that he couldn't get me to put on clothes instead of my pajamas, or even a bra. I did put on underwear though. LOL. He's thinking he can get me there much more comfortably and won't have to worry if I have packed ahead of time. He's probably right. But it's hard for me to let me favorite pair of lounge pants and a tank top and a nursing bra and some of my much needed maternity underwear sit in a suitcase by the door. Not to mention my maternity/nursing pajamas, of which I only have two pair.

Unfortunately, this afternoon got so busy at work that I didn't get to deliver any beads to co-workers. Bummer!

I am late in mailing my coloriffic swap. It has been ready to mail on the dining room table all week, and I feel terrible about it. I need to get the customs forms filled out and take it to the post office tomorrow morning. Another nighttime goal for me.

I already sent out my "letter for you #14" swap and I just got my partner for the "US Only bottle fill" on swap bot. Now to find the bottle that I can fill and start!

I am also working on some cute letters for the baby room, and I have yet to take any pictures besides this one, which isn't anywhere near indicative of where I am at right now in the time line of craftiness. And I washed my first load of baby stuff.... which I think I already blogged about but here's a lil picture of the freshly folded fabulousness.

I am so so glad that tomorrow is Friday. I think if it were up to me, I would not work, but would stay home in my pajamas all day long, cleaning, organizing, and doing laundry and dishes. I might even give the stinky dogs baths and pull some weeds here and there. But I'll be damned if I don't have to work like the rest of the freaking people in the country. Did I mention that I look forward to maternity leave more and more each day? I love my job but I was MADE to be a housewife.

I love it when people go "Oh, so you think it will be like a vacation from work? Ha haha." I love it when they act like I have never taken care of or bathed a baby before. But they don't know that I started babysitting when I was 10 and by the time I was 16 I was taking care of a family of 5 kids under 5, all day, and sometimes staying the night also. If I can handle two kids in diapers, one on bottled breast milk or formula, and 3 others that are toddling around under the age of 5.... all by myself at the age of 16, I think I can handle my own child while on maternity leave. If I can cook meals for 5 kids, give baths to 5 kids, read stories to 5 kids, and take 5 kids to a parade or carnival or any other event, at the age of 16, I think I can handle my own child. Sure it will be work, but people act like since this is my first child, that I will be terrified to bathe or diaper the baby. I guess they assume that since I haven't had my own child, that I have never had experience with kids. Or babies for that matter. Fact is, I have babysat over 17 kids on a regular basis, and taken care of all their needs, and learned all about them from babies to teenagers. I think that at 28.5 years old I can handle my own baby.

I am not saying that it will be a breeze, but it's not like I don't know what I signed up for.

Busy Bee

Well, the weekend has been exciting so far! Friday night my JC Penney order came and I got to try on all my shirts and wear a new one to Ava's Birthday Party. It was a great time. The food was great, and we really enjoyed watching her eat her own little winnie the pooh cake and open presents. She LOVED the bubble generator and the sand and water set was also a big hit. Anya liked the dress and everyone said "awww" when it was opened. We stayed as late as I could stay awake, which was pretty good for me. You can see all the photos from Ava's Party HERE.

Friday night when we got home after 11, I started a load of laundry and submitted all of Ava's birthday photos and many of my baby belly photos so far to the Wal-Mart photo center online so that I could pick them up in the morning. Then I gathered and packed all the scrapbooking supplies that I would need in the morning and collapsed into bed sometime after midnight, which was WAYYY Late as far as I am accustomed to (since being pregnant!)

Saturday morning I got up and got showered and ready, and loaded my things in the car. I had to run to Wal-Mart to pick up photos and toilet paper.... and then on to Lake Thunderbird for a scrapbook day. It was a nice day. It's hard for me to sit that long, and I only went from 11 till 5, with a break for a quick lunch and an afternoon snack of brownie and vanilla ice cream. At the scrapbook day I got the cover for the baby album done, and 5 pages, which included all my belly photos and all the ultrasound photos we have gathered so far. I also started on Ava's Birthday and got the first page done. I bought a new set of pastel pens (good for journaling on baby pages!) and two sets of letters in pistachio green and some green and blue combo letters... and a "eraser" of sorts that removes adhesive and pencil lines from pages and photos. When I left I had such a headache I couldn't wait to get home to my Tylenol. You can see the pages I made today HERE.

Tonight I thought I would probably lay down I was sooo tired. But instead I cleaned the scrapbook table and put away all my supplies. Then I uploaded some photos to Wal-Mart to make some wallets for my new portfolio in pink that keeps wallet photos in my purse. (got that at the scrapbook party too!) Then I picked up a small veggie pizza which I DEVOURED by myself and then I made three handmade Items for the April Coloriffic Swaporama and then packaged all of the things up along with the other Lavendar and Cream and Black things that I had to send. I addressed the package, took photos, and uploaded those to Flickr along with all the scrapbook pages that I made today. See the April Swap Package HERE.

So I have accomplished more this weekend than I expected to ever get done. And now, I don't know what else to do. Surprisingly, I am not quite ready for bed. I could probably sleep.... but maybe I need to make a cup of tea. Chamomille Tea. Yes!

Well, everyone have a nice weekend!

Good Things Come in Small Packages!

Today has actually been a fairly productive sick day. This morning when I woke up, I let the dogs out, fed them, gave them their medicine, and then lay down to read. I am currently reading Frank McCourt's "Teacher Man." I love his books. He writes so realistically. I also read a new memory makers magazine and then felt bad about the state of my scrapbook table and my lack of recent projects, including my wedding album and the start of a baby album. I can feel myself slipping behind!!

When I finally got motivated I took a bath and got dressed. I ate peanut butter toast and a banana at the recommendation of my OB (since I have been feeling sick) and then I took the dogs for a little walk around town, which is something to walk both of them by myself, but it can be done, especially when they are used to walks now since we have been walking every day since the weekend. I wanted to get a walk in before I got too tired and before it started to rain, since it is already looking overcast this afternoon.

When I got home I rested. I watched a little Tivo, checked my email, and checked the status of the weavette loom... I bought one from a wonderful company on ebay, along with the weavette pattern book, and the loom appears to be manufacturer defective... missing a peg. I emailed pics to the seller this morning to get his take on it. I tried on 6 nursing bras, a maternity swimsuit, 2 pair of nursing/maternity pajamas and a robe, 2 nursing sports bras, and 3 nursing tank tops. I left auction feedback for the various items I tried on, and then I started to feel sleepy.

I ran the dishwasher, picked up the kitchen dishes and garbage, let the dogs outside, cooked a chicken pot pie for lunch, and called 3 daycare facilities to request packets of information so that we can make a decision for this December and get on a waiting list.

I started to feel like a nap, so I went to the post office and grabbed the mail, which included a package- My Coloriffic swap-o-rama package for March- themed in Green and Blue. There were lots of goodies inside, including a hand knit sweater for the baby that is a kimono style that ties on the side. It is so freaking adorable I just want to show it to EVERYONE. Evan loved it when he saw it. He had to untie and re-tie it. It was made and sent by Katie in New Hampshire and I just can't thank her enough!!

So now it's 3:30 and I am wondering what the rest of the day brings. I am pleased that I got some things accomplished that weren't tiring or stressful, and was this productive when I was sick. :)

February Pink and Yellow Swap

On Saturday, I was fairly productive. Okay, not really. But I did start and finish the February Pink and Yellow Swap this weekend. After a $207 trip to Wal-Mart (groceries, diapers, toiletries, swap stuff) I unloaded groceries and then watched my usual Nick and Nite Roseanne Marathon. I was in bed by 10:30, per my usual preggo schedule.

Saturday I slept till about 9, then forced myself to lay in bed and continue my dream until I drifted in and out of sleep- up until around 11am. Then Evan had a visitation/funeral to go to, so I ran around in my underwear and pajamas and altered this target mailbox and gathered and packaged my pink and yellow goodness for the Color-iffic Swap-o-rama pink and yellow swap. It all looks so small, but I have to tell you that little crap adds up fast :) Hopefully my partner will love and adore it, as well as appreciate that god things come in small packages. I was able to put most of the goodies inside the mailbox and the rest all fit alongside the mailbox in a small priority mail cube. It's all ready to go! My partner's name starts with an "m" so it made it simple for me, since I have so much "m" stuff myself!

Saturday night I got all dolled up because Evan was going to take my to LOS RANCHERITOS, the new mexican restraunt in Princeton on Route 6/Peru Street. Apparently most of the county was also going there. It was standing people and totally crammed. People were waiting in line to place orders, there was no seating, so Evan, my brilliant husband, said "get a menu and we'll order from the car." So I stepped through all the peeps waiting and grabbed a paper menu and we hi-tailed it to the car where I called and placed our order via cell phone. It was kinda funny because all the peeps waiting in line had to wait while the guy taking their orders answered the phone and took ours.

The food was great, we took it home and rented the 3rd X-men movie in On Demand (cable.) Our food was a little cool. Their chips were awesome. Evan had Enchiladas and I had my fave- Chicken Fajitas. I think that Mi Margarita's in Peru is better, but it's hard to tell unless you are eating your food fresh instead of taking it home. But overall we are super excited that they are there, and I recommend to anyone- grab a menu and call in your order. It's a constant evening madhouse there. I hope their business goes so well that they can move to a new location in town or build on so they have more dining space. Evan said that the people working there, especially the woman who appeared to be part owner, were very polite to him. That makes me smile.

Today I am supposed to be cleaning since the cleaning people come tomorrow, but so far I have sorted through the basket of bills, all the piles of mail, and balanced the checkbook (a huge undertaking that usually takes an hour-three hours.) I also packaged up my swap and addressed the box, and cleared off the coffee table and started a load of whites. Wow. Only a whole house left to go! Ugh.

Today is My Friday!

Wearing: Old Navy Army Green Khakis, Camoflauge Chuck Taylor's, Eddie Bauer Fitted Brown Shirt with Eyelet Embroidery.
Link Of The Day: Cat Bowling Game

I am a grown up now. I own a coffee maker! I don't drink coffee, but last night husband and I bought a little coffee maker and some fresh ground Pumpkin Coffee. He really enjoyed it. My mom bitched that it was too bitter, so I told her to throw hers out, but Evan loved it. She looked at me like just because I don't DRINK coffee that I don't know how to make it... Pshaw. Whatever. I have been a SERIOUS Coffee bitch at two of my jobs. You don't just work at a grain elevator and not make 15 pots of coffee per day. I got so that I could even make the coffee based on who was hauling corn in and out for the day. I never let the coffee pot go dry. Those guys loved me. Whatever mom. Men Love my coffee. Husband loves my coffee. I am a hot coffee bitch.

I am soooo full. Don't you hate that? I almost never do that anymore, but today, I did. I am happy because today is my "friday" this week... although I am coming into work on Saturday for a little bit.

I am looking forward to this weekend, I will be enjoying some good quiet time in which I get to be very productive, working on crafts (ATC's and the "Sew My Name" Swap, and perhaps start the dollhouse) and also working on READING. If it were up to me, I could spend 5 hours a day reading and wouldn't even think twice about it. I plan on drinking lots of Tastefully Simple Chai Latte's, taking lots of bubble baths where I don't get out for HOURS, and perhaps I will even go sit in the hot tub every now and then. And I can watch porn. And I can run around in my pajamas. And I can do laundry and dishes and just plain ACCOMPLISH but RELAX at the same time. I got a new Yoga DVD and I plan on doing that too. I have lots of plans for the weekend, but none of them require me to go anywhere.

Today I signed up for the Flickr Colororiffic Swap-o-rama November Swap, the colors are apple creen, cotton candy pink, and burgundy. Ohhh yeah! I can't wait for that one! I also signed up for the "letter for me #7 swap" as I have participated in swaps #2-5.... but missed 6. AND I signed up for the Hometown Photography Swap. Now I am done. Signing up. I promise. I have to keep up with the three that I am late for! This Saturday I do plan on sending my fall swap (a little early, YEAH!) to Germany.

Swap-Riffic

Wearing: Black pants with white pinstripes, teal button down shirt, black loafers, socks with dogs and fall leaves.
Listening: Silence. Ahhhh.
Link of the Day: http://www.cabbagepatchkids.com It's the coolest, tour Babyland General Hospital, see the Cabbage Patch Timeline, and special edition as well as original all-fabric cabbage patch kids.

Me Pirate gear arrived today. A feathery lacey hat with a plume feather fit for a pirate queen, 2 pair of stripey socks, and the book Pirattitude by Cap'n Slappy and Ol' Chumbucket. Oh and I also got my adorable gifty gift from the "sew my name" swap, which I haven't even STARTED yet... and I need to do this weekend along with wrapping up my "fall swap" and finishing ATC's for 3 swaps that I am behind on. (bad bad swapper!) Also arriving today were the converse that perfectly match my own, only smaller. They are so freaking adorable!

I got to start my day with a pap exam, which is fabulous of course. Then I ate a turkey wrap, an apple Evan picked at his parents' farm, and a bottle of water. All is right in the world.

So this Saturday I have a Stampin Up Workshop to attend, and a surprise party with a live band for a certain someone who will remain un-named. I can't WAIT! Then Sunday I got invited to do some fun things but I really really can't because I have to do laundry and I have to finish the ATC's, the Sew my name swap, and Apparently with the acquired large box of apples I might be making apple crisp. It also occurred to me that I need to clean the office as I have been putting it off for exactly 6 weeks and I can't put it off anymore and expect to have room to start me "All About Him" scrapbook Album that arrived last Friday (QVC Auto-shipment) and finish the ATC's. It also occurred to me that I have all the paint and glue and the kit for my new dollhouse but I haven't even started. So really I would be happy with a weekend at home. The month of September has been extremely busy. I can't wait for October. It will be great to have nothing planned, even if for one full weekend I can just do whatever I want instead of running from place to place.

And you know... my pirate COSTUME itself hasn't arrived yet. I am worried it won't fit and I will have to buy another one. Ugh. HURRY UP COSTUME PEEPS! Send it!

Spooks!

Listening:
Coheed and Cambria- Wake Up and Mother May I
Jack Johnson- Flake and Bubble Toes
Wearing: Black see-thru Shirt with white stripes and turned back cuffs, black knee length jumper, black tights, heeled Mary Janes.


Last night I did get Halloween Decorations up. Not all of them, but 99% of them.

Still missing the ground breaking skeleton and the scarecrow with his corn shock... but the rest is all ready. I also got side one of my metal ghosts painted. My good friend Josh, welder by trade, used a torch and took a spook that I had bought, and creatively created three more spooks for my tree out front. Last night we painted one side of them white, and tonight, we paint side two. I should take photos. Maybe once they are dried. Josh refused to take money as agreed upon, and therefore I now owe Josh a big bottle of Crown. Thanks Love!

Today I made a few graphics for the october coloriffic swap-o-rama swap. I forgot to sign up because I was in Utah over Labor Day Weekend when the swap deadline was, so I just made graphics instead. I also have made graphics for the past two swaps in that group, it's a fun time!

I love love love love fall. Last night we had some super tasty Ham and Potato Soup with Wheat Beer Bread. Yum!

Have a great night yourself! Kiss someone you love!

Is that your sword... or are you just happy to see me?

So I ordered my Halloween Costume (from eBay). In light of the last post, I assume that you aren't surprised to see that I will be a pirate. So give up the Rum and Booty. My biggest problem? If the costume doesn't fit or look okay I will have to sell it and pick out another one. BUT I hope that it fits. My sister and I usually costume up each year and hand out halloween candy. Although this costume might be a little risque. Last time we did that together was two years ago, I was a gypsy and she was a dirt bike racer. Before that, she was a french maid and I was a witch. The good thing is that she is the size (or a little smaller) than I used to be, so she can wear all my old costumes.

So I have been trying to find a good Tri-Hat. I have a few in mind, and the REALLY cool ones are like $75.00! So unless I intend to be a pirate several times a year, I would have to get a cheaper, probably felt or "leather look" tri-hat. But first, I must see if the costume fits. I am most excited to wear the eye patch. And have the dagger. Hopefully the Dawg House (bar in Wyanet) has a costume party, this Saturday they are having 80's night. I don't know if I can go, but if I do, I need some serious help because I didn't keep any 80's stuff. No banana clips, no leg warmers, no acid wash jeans, no jelly sandals, no geometric print button down shirts or long necklaces tied in knots. Mom said that she threw out banana clips AND two or our crimping irons last week. Bummer! LOL.

So another goal of the weekend is to finish some ATC's that I am behind on. I have 3 "Something Sparkly" and 3 "Woman Theme" and then the "Back to the Future" themed ones to complete. I mailed my Halloween Stamped Images swap. I just started a swap with a woman from Germany, I am very excited about. We have decided to do ours with a fall theme, kind of earthy and rustic colors. Our self-set deadline is October 15th.. and I can't wait to start looking for swap items! Yeah! I am at my best when I am swapping!

Well, you all have a great weekend. Relax and enjoy the weather!