Monthly Archives: November 2008

Nov 8

A Start and Almost Finished

Today the weather is cold cold cold, and we are stuck indoors. I thought it would be a great opportunity to get out my sewing machine and start working on the Tree Skirt for our Christmas tree. I got a pretty good start, but I think I’m going to need a little bit more fabric.

I also ran out of thread… bummer, I guess I will have to get to the fabric shop fast! Maybe if it gets a little warmer.

I’ll have to wait a bit on the tree skirt, but I found another project to finish.

I started on this bag a long time ago. I wanted a big bag that I could carry just about everything in, and I used small Hounds-tooth fabric. Once the bag was all sewn, I realized that the hounds-tooth fabric was a bit much, so I cut out stars in coordinating fabrics, and I sewed them on by hand. It took forever, I’m not too speedy at the hand sewing.

Today I got the handles on, and I thought I was finished… I think I might sew in a few pockets to hold all of my necessities. I guess I’ll be working on this bag for a little bit more…

Nov 8

The Holiday Blues

Dylan and I were picking up a few things at Dollar General, when this cute little lady came up to me, and said hi. She asked how old the baby was, and commented on all of the Christmas decorations already in the store. She then said, “I love to see all of the Christmas decorations, but that time of year always makes me so sad.”  I had to admit it, and I told her “me too…”

I love Halloween, and all of the fun that Thanksgiving brings, but the very next day my happy mood turns to sour stresses. It has been this way ever since I can remember, I just don’t do well with the stress of the holiday season. I love the meaning of Christmas and spending time with my loved ones, but I don’t love the endless shopping, the blatant commercialism, and the never ending stress of gotta have more. I constantly question every purchase that I have made, and stress over every little mundane detail of the big day, and I just wonder how can I get through the holidays without suffering from an ulcer…

I am determined to change, and do my best to get through the holiday season with my sanity intact. This year I’m doing things differently, and we’ll see if it helps any.

  • I love to bake, and baking homemade goodies really makes me happy. I’ll be baking more cookies, and giving them as gifts.  The kids and I will also be taking cookies to our Church, hospital, and to many of our friends and family.
  • I will keep the Christmas decorating simple. I will be putting up less and therefore there will be less to take down when the holidays are over.
  • I will be making my own Christmas cards. I love to make paper crafts along with jewelry, and spending a little more time creating these crafts might take away a little stress.
  • I will be skipping the “Package Christmas Pictures”! The kids hate to go, and it is never an enjoyable experience for any of us, not to mention those pictures cost way too much! I’ll be taking pictures when the kiddos are in happy moods, and printing them locally. Eliminating the “Package Christmas Pictures” will also save a lot of  time and gas. Before I would have to drive 30 minutes with the kiddos to take the pictures, and then drive 30 minutes home, then it is another 30 minute trip (usually in bad weather) with the kiddos to pick the pictures up, and pay way too much, and then 30 minutes home. Yeah, I’m so done with that.
  • I’m also skipping the big holiday meal. This one might scare the family. I’m going to cook a smaller meal, and take a little time out of the kitchen, so I can spend a little more time being the full-time hostess.
  • Last year we instituted that the Christmas festivities would be starting in the afternoon. This really helped a lot. We could spend plenty of time with the kids on Christmas day, and the kids were a little calmer too. I know this was tough on the Grandmas, but it was really great for our family. We spent the morning together hanging out stress free in our jammies!

Do you have any tips or traditions that keep you calm during the holidays?

Nov 7

Let’s Go Bowling!

Many many years ago my brother and I spotted this super cool bowling alley, and one day we hoped to get to go and bowl there. Today James and I decided to surprise Thade and take him Bowling! We also thought it would be fun to visit the bowling alley that my brother and I have always wanted to bowl at… I still hope to take Rob there one day.

We got to the bowling alley a little early, so we had a little time to waste… I figured it was a good opportunity to get some pics of my guys.

We have been bowling before, but this was Thade’s very first time to get to bowl. There was even little bitty cute shoes for Thade to wear too.

Thade had a fun time, and he did pretty good too!

I spotted a pretty pink bowling ball! Oh how I wish that bowling ball could be mine forever.

We all had so much fun, but there could only be one winner!

Yep James was the big winner of both games!!! Maybe one day I’ll finally beat him…

Nov 6

Late Quirkiness Tag

My Blog Buddies Marva and Mimi tagged me for this one awhile ago, and here is how to play…

  • Link to the person who tagged you
  • Post the Rules on your Blog
  • List six unspectacular quirks you have
  • Tag 6 bloggers by linking to them
  • Leave a comment on the taggee’s blog to let them know that they have been tagged

The Quirkiness of Nico:

1. I will never return an empty dish or plate. That is right if you happen to bring me over cookies you’ll be getting a tasty surprise from my kitchen to yours too.

2. I love office supplies!!!

3. My husband says I make emoticon faces. I’m often scrunching up my eyebrows, and wrinkling my nose at him, Dylan does it too.

4. I totally have OCD, but it comes in handy when I go shopping.

5. Sorting and pairing tiny socks is my very favorite part of doing laundry.

6. I love to take pictures of architecture, and sometimes I wish that I loved in a big city, so I would never run out of photos to take. I also love to take pictures of clouds and trees, so when you look through my camera, it looks like my ADD kicked in and I’m no longer paying attention to my surroundings.

I’m going to leave this tag open to anyone who wants to play!

Nov 6

An Award from Mimi

My dear friend Mimi over at Palm Trees and Blue Skies, has given me an award. Thank you so much Mimi, I really appreciate it! I also love the name of your new blog, we could all use a little Palm Trees and Blue Skies in our lives.

I’m also supposed to list six things that make me happy, so here we go…

  • My Husband
  • My 2 darling Boys
  • Shoe Shopping with my Mom
  • My dear Friends
  • Pretty Autumn Days with Crunchy Leaves
  • A BIG cup of Coffee, just the way that I like it

I am giving the award to Marva at Blessed Frugalness Times Two With Twins, Susan at Being Kylie’s Mom, and Maggie at The Erratic Homemaker. Big hugs to all and thanks again Mimi!