props to the moms, yo

Back when I was taking my prenatal yoga class, there was a core group of about 5 of us that were always there, others would come and go, but we were all due right around the same time. Well, now that we've all had our babies we still get together and hang out. 

It's been fun watching the other babies grow and listening to everyone's ideas and concerns. I'm much more of a listener in those kinds of situations and that's probably ok because most of the time I feel like I think about things that most other people don't.

But if there ever was a moment for me to speak up and be heard I would want to tell everyone that I think we are all doing a wonderful job.

So many of the moms are worried about this and afraid to do that and I just sit back and think "Well, I'd never really thought to be concerned about that" I think I walk away each week feeling even better about the choices I make and the way we are 'raising' this little man. Life's too short to be worried about what your doctor said versus what her doctor said.

Maybe I'm too lax. But I'd rather be accused of being too laid back than being too uptight any day. Anyway, my point is that no matter how we are all raising our babies, we are all raising our babies and that is good enough.

xo

paring down and zooming in

Super Duper Sale at Junk Envy

I'm clearing out everything. Junk Envy will remain until the junk is all gone and then it will be no more. I have much more fun finding really really really cool stuff and keeping it rather than finding really cool stuff and trying to sell it. I hope you can understand.

There's going to be more woobie joobie swip swappery but not yet. 

I'll keep you posted!

xo 

*grumble*

I'm a little grouchy today.

No particular reason just a general sense of blah.

I think I'll go bake something.

xo

one hell of a morning

timeline:

wake up

ray giggles for the second time (so cute)

hands still burning from cutting jalapenos last night

baby poops on bed

change diaper

put baby in play yard

sweep up all the dirt on the floor from the rain + dogs last night

momma realizes she hasn't had a shower in weeks

dogs run outside and bring wet dirt back into the house

feed dogs

kick dogs out

daddy leaves for fire academy class

momma thinks hmm.. shower with baby! we'll both be clean

wash the little armpits, wash the little bum

feed baby in shower

wrap baby in big fluffy towel

lay baby on bathroom floor with favorite toy

momma relaxes in the hot, hot water

smoke detectors go off

momma turns off the water, jumps out of shower with soap in her hair, runs across the house and flips the breaker (but smoke alarms are too smart for that - must remove batteries as well)

jump up on living room chair pop out battery #1

momma can barely reach alarm number 2 

jump up swat at battery compartment

battery flies out and hits me squarely in the middle of the forehead (ouch)

jump back in the shower

baby still happy

finish shower

dress baby

dress momma

put baby in swing

momma makes coffee and french toast

feed baby

momma eats breakfast

check email

post to blog

stare blankly at computer trying to think of what to write next

decide to end post and go buy more fabric dye

feed baby

xo

Jesus and I

I am absolutely in love with today's story:

"Loose guidelines for living: Part I

#3 Just think to yourself: "what would Jesus do?" & if you don't like the answer, try again with a slight variation: "what would Jesus do if he were in your shoes & had all those bills & he was used to all the perks of being an American, too? Would he do it any different?" & usually the answer is No. (magic religious 8 ball)

xo

depth of field

I think about making money a lot. 

More than I'd like to admit.

I find myself either spending time doing things or not doing things based on whether or not there's any profit involved. Sometimes I wonder if I wouldn't be more successful if I followed my heart and did what I felt like doing regardless.

If only I could make money for all of the time I spend thinking about money.

The changing of the seasons always seems to bring about reflection and reevaluation. I like to take a personal inventory and do a little priority check. My big question lately is what am I meant to do? Other people just seem to know. 

Lately, I have no idea. 

I feel like I'm always going in a million directions, pulling and pushing this way and that. Giving up on this to accomplish that. I'm running four different etsy stores, selling things locally and somedays I wake up and I don't want to do any of it. I know why I do so many different things, so that I don't get bored, but maybe if I focused on just one or two things I might grow and evolve in whatever medium that might be. Then I could just let the others fade into the background. 

I guess the only thing I know right now is that I love being a mom. I look forward to going to bed just because it means that I get to wake up the next morning, see that little boy's killer smile and do it all over again. 

xo

small notes before sleep

I'd like to forever remember how good it feels when ray looks at me and smiles.

I'd like to try to be a little more positive when interacting with the general public.

I think I would like to finish reading a book.

I will try to pick up after myself in hopes of keeping a semi-clean house (I mean 5 dogs. come on, how clean can it really be?)

Lets all try to be a little more understanding and patient with one another. 

Most importantly, I vow to make dessert at least once a week.

xo

shadows and light

xo

maturity is overrated

There are a few places that for me are completely saturated in personal history. I can't comfortably visit these towns without feeling somewhat oppressed by the memories. 

I found myself in one of these towns yesterday. Baby Ray needed to change his stinky pants and momma needed a cupppa joe for the road. I debated stopping because there was (always is) a good chance that I could run into some people I don't necessarily want to see. But I was feeling particularly mature so I decided to stop. (I even imagined the pride I might feel introducing them to my son). Anyway, diaper changed, coffee bought and no chance encounter. 

I felt for lack of a better word, proud. 

I faced my fear and felt like I had finally made peace with this town.

Then I saw the police sirens flashing in my rearview mirror.

You no-good, piece of junk of a town. 

Four points and $80 later I left feeling a little gypped.

xo

the early bird

My clock seems to be changing. I find myself getting sleepy before 10 pm. I actually don't mind going to sleep earlier. Sometimes I get so tired of watching tv that I would rather just go to bed. And a good thing about going to bed earlier means I naturally wake up earlier and then I don't feel like I'm wasting a chunk of my day sleeping. Ray bear just about slept through the night a few days ago. I fed him at about 11, when we went to bed and then I didn't feed him again until 5 am! Great for the beauty rest, not so great for the booby rest... (ha ha) But he didn't nap at all that day, so I think that had something to do with it.

Maybe I'm feeling more sleepy because I feel like I am carrying around some 'extra weight' these days. 

Not literally. 

Let me see if I can explain this.

Do you ever eat too much sugar or drink too much coffee and get all sorts of energy but then never do anything to burn it? And then you find yourself feeling more exhausted than if you had spent that energy actually doing something? Well I feel that way lately, only not so much with physical energy (although some yoga wouldn't hurt) but with mental energy. I haven't been doing enough mentally lately and it wears me out. Specifically, I haven't been doing enough creatively and I'm getting a little cranky... I'm hoping I can set up my new (borrowed) sewing machine tomorrow and make some stuff. I have so many new ideas. I'm looking forward to the fashion denver show (october 18th) I'm going to bring all sorts of clothes, bags, slips and jewelry. This will be the first time I try to sell my sewing stuff so wish me luck. So far I've had awesome luck online and I'm hoping that when people can see and feel the stuff in person it'll be even better. I'll try to post some pictures when I get some new stuff made.

I'll leave you with a small list of a few of my new favorite sites:

threadbanger

whip up

Burda Style

purl bee

xo

the apple of my eye

Our little Ray bear is getting so big.  

Today was the first day of Fall-like weather and I realized it was the perfect opportunity for him to wear the sweater I knitted him while I was pregnant. The only problem is that he's grown so big that it barely fits! The arms are still ok but the body of it is very short, sort of like a baby belly shirt. It is still pretty darn cute though. 

Speaking of crafting, I found this new awesome website called ThreadBanger. They run web episodes, sort of like an online tv channel. Well, they were running a contest to win a new Janome sewing machine. The rules were that you had to submit a video plea for why you needed a new machine. They said the videos would be judged on creativity and originality and on your passion for sewing. So I made a video and submitted it just in the nick of time (due date was midnight and I got mine in at 11:57) They said that the winner would be announced today so I have been patiently waiting all week and THEY DID NOT ANNOUNCE IT!! I've been checking the site all day and nothing! Not even any mention of the contest. I'm sorta bummed. I feel like I put all of this time and thought into my entry and I have no idea who won. 

And the reason I wanted to enter in the first place is because my piece of crap machine broke again and I'm in the middle of a huge sewing inspiration moment. Ugh.

Luckily my momma is letting me borrow her machine but man, it would be so nice to have a new, powerhouse of a machine, all my own. I've always gotten hand-me-down, sorta working machines. The type you spend more time fixing than sewing with.

Anyway, now I'm just ranting.

xo

choo choo

Little Johnny is upstairs in his bedroom playing with his trains. His mom is downstairs making lunch. She yells up to Johnny to come eat lunch but he doesn't hear her so she walks upstairs towards his room but she stops short when she hears him saying: 

"choo choo, the train pulls into the station" then she hears him say "All you sons of bitches who want to deboard the train get off and all you sons of bitches who want to board the train get on!" 

His mom rushes into the room and says: 

"Johnny! We do not speak like that in this house. You're going to have a time out!" 

She tells him to sit in the corner for one hour. She goes back downstairs and about one hour later she comes back and says: 

"Now Johnny did you learn your lesson?" 

He says "yes ma'am" 

"Ok" She says "You can come out of the corner"

Then little Johnny says "Can I play with my trains?" 

"Yes, you may play with your trains" She says

So she leaves the room but waits outside the door to listen..

She hears him say "Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen, if you would like to board the train please do so now and if you would like to deboard the train you may do that now and if you'd like to complain about the one hour delay talk to the bitch in the kitchen!"

(joke courtesy of my momma)

xo