Not Much to Report

My days have looked a little bit like this lately:

Get up for work (after hitting snooze at least three times)
45 minute commute to work
9 hours of work
45 minute commute home
errands
dinner
homework
bath time
head to bed and start it all over again.

I am completely worn out by the time Saturday gets here. This Saturday is going to be AWESOME - we don't have a single commitment ALL DAY!!! Don't tell anyone but I just might stay in my pjs all day:)

I'm getting really excited for the upcoming holidays and I'm trying to switch my crafting into high gear. I'm going to make several of these cute little hats for gifts. They can be completed in the time it takes to watch two episodes of CSI:)

Here's a little tutorial -
I used a medium-ish yarn and an I size hook. Chain 50 (or less or more depending on the size of the head that will wear this hat - I think my head is about average:)) Double crochet 12 or 13 rows. You'll end up with essentially a rectangle. Sew together the short ends, and run a gathering stitch along the top, pull it tight and knot it off. VOILA! You're done:) I've also made them in single crochet and topped it with a pompom. For a child size hat I would start out with a Chain 30 or 35.



Nothing fancy, but it's quick and easy and nice and warm:) OOOHH wouldn't it look cute with a crocheted flower tacked to the side?? I'll have to try that on the next one. PS i got my eyebrows waxed last week - don't they look pretty?

Our Weekend

Miss S and I started our Halloween festivities this weekend. Hubby had study groups on Saturday and Sunday so we hardly saw him at all this weekend.

First up was the Trunk or Treat at church - it was a lot of fun and Miss S came home with a huge bag of candy. She's a veterinarian this year and I'm a pink lady:)

Another sweet little girl was dressed as a car hop so we had to get a picture togeter. Isn't she precious!!!! And wow - I think I can really pull off that 50s look:)


After church today Miss S and I carved her pumpkin. OOWW slimy pumpkin guts.





Our little ghost.

The dogs could have cared less about all the commotion in the kitchen while we were carving:)

Why, hello!!

I just uncovered a black widow crawling up my screen door. YIKES!!! Good thing my brother Chadwick wasn't here as he is deathly afraid of spiders. I actually quite like spiders and usually don't kill them, but I made an exception for this little one. Under no circumstances do I want a black widow in my house:)

PS I stole this picture from online somewhere - it was too dark to take an actual picture of my black widow:)

Happy Snacks

Work kicked my butt this week. We are short two paralegals so that means an extra heavy load for me and the other paralegal. Friday was especially crazy. I barely had time to leave my desk to pee. My coworker brought me snacks throughout the day. ... I love this little pretzel she brought me with it's cheesy little grin. I'm seriously thinking about participating in national blog posting month for November. Want to join in with me??? I've never posted every day for a month but I think it might just be what I need.

Puzzlemania

One of Miss S's favorite hobbies is puzzles....which is totally awesome because I love to do puzzles too. It's pretty common to see at least 3 or 4 puzzles in progress on our living room floor (another benefit to having wood floors). This is the most recent puzzle she finished - a 500 piece one that she finished in 3 days - all by herself. We are always on the lookout for new puzzles at garage sales and thrift shops. Every summer when we've gone to Durango we always buy a new one there and spend time putting it together in our little KOA cabin. It's been really fun to see her progress from the little 24 piece ones to wanting to tackle 500 and even 1000 piece puzzles.

Crafting

Yes, I have been crafting....just a little. Actually I've been doing quite a bit but most of it is for Christmas presents and upcoming birthday presents so I don't want to post photos quite yet:) I made this fabulous banner using a kit I ordered from the ultra fabulous Kerry Lynn and her new Kenner Road collection of goodies. Isn't it fabulous? Someone please get me a thesaurus so I can learn a new word besides "fabulous"!

Go Cougars!!!

We had one of our best friends over for dinner a couple nights ago. Frank is a BYU fanatic....he had just gotten home from spending a few days in Provo to go to the BYU vs. UNM game and he came bearing goodies for me and Miss S - a nice little Y sticker for my car and a blue and white pom pom for Miss S. when I was younger I never had the desire to go to BYU...I've never been one to do the "typical" mormon things but now I kind of wish I had gone to school there. Frank spent one year at BYU and has spent the last several years trying to get back there to finish school and he's not even LDS. My parents both went to school at BYU and that's where I was born so I guess the connection to the Y is just in my blood:) For now Frank and I will just have to be content to wear our Cougar blues to BYU vs UNM games:)

Notice a Pattern?

Two random purchases....months apart....but surprisingly similar:)

My First Mobile Post!

I'm still learning all that my new phone can do so this is my first attempt at posting from my phone. At least it's nice and sunny today. Miss s is #9.

Scripture Sunday

As I sat in Sacrament meeting today, this scripture kept coming to my mind...

Matthew Chapter 6: Verses 14 & 15

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

pretty appropriate don't you think after the brouhaha at work on Friday?

It's so hard to forgive someone who really could care less what I think of her, nor will she ever ask for my forgiveness, but for my own well being I have forgiven her.

Just a Funny

Another fun picture from Balloon Fiesta last weekend....we made a quick trip to Texas half way through the morning:)

My Lovely Workplace

Just when I thought my week could not get any worse....Friday I had a disagreement with our office manager and she told me literally...
"let me get the envelope out of the trash so I can slam it in your f***in face".

Isn't that just peachy?

I turned around and walked away lest I turn into this


then proceeded to cry in my office for the rest of the afternoon.

PS Click here http://www.framefree.com/hulk_app/hulkify.php?m=HcdRZ1Ka1dVk to see me really turn into the hulk...TOTALLY cool!!!!

The Wisdom of Hot Chocolate

A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were
talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old
university professor, now retired. During their visit, the
conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives.

Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the
kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an
assortment of cups - porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain
looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to
help themselves to the hot chocolate.

When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the
professor said: "Notice that all the nice looking, expensive
cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones.
While it is normal for you to want only the best for
yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.
The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the
quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more
expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.
What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the
cup; but you consciously went for the best cups. And then
you began eyeing each other's cups.

"Now consider this:

Life is the hot chocolate;
Your job, money and position in society are the cups.
They are just tools to hold and contain life.

The cup you have does not define,
nor change the quality of life you have.
Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup,
we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us.

God makes the hot chocolate,
Man chooses the cups.
The happiest people don't have the best of everything.
They just make the best of everything that they have.

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.
And enjoy your hot chocolate!!

Brotherly Love

My mom called about a week ago and said she was sending me a package. Well it arrived Friday morning at work and was personally delivered by my brother, Chad!!! I was so surprised to see him that I started bawling at work. Everyone kept asking me if I was okay....I just kept saying "happy tears, happy tears, happy tears". Chad came for the balloon fiesta this weekend which was rained out last night and this morning. BUMMER!! He's going to stay an extra day so we can try to go in the morning and I don't have to be in to work until after lunch.

We did go the to balloon fiesta field yesterday afternoon to just walk around and see all the exhibits and other stuff.....it was fun and totally not crowded which was nice.

One of the coolest exhibits was a huge display put on by NASA. I love me some astronauts.

Got Junk?

I've got tons of junk...and not all of it is the good kind of junk:)
I am so tired of junk mail.....I just found this great article.
Reduce Your Junk Mail
I'm especially excited about the e-mail opt out option:)

War Sucks

It appears my brother will be deployed to Iraq again very soon. What more can I say other than this SUCKS BIG time?

Where I've Been

My postings and commenting have been few and far between because I've been busy playing with my new TOY!!! Yes, Hubby and I are now both proud owners of the Iphone 3G and HOLY CRAP!! These phones are amazing.


I already have this case on order:) Isn't it darling and so totally me?



And cause I'm so happy with my new toy I thought I'd spread some love and have a giveaway! Look at this giant bunch of vintage ribbon I got at a garage sale several weeks ago. I bought a BIG cardboard box of old sewing notions and this was just one of many cool items in that box. I think I paid $5.00 for the whole box.

SO I'm giving away ten one-yard cuts of this ribbon:) Leave a comment if you'd like a chance to win and I'll draw ten winners in about a week or so:) Good luck!!

More Swappy Love

I'm participating in a year long 4 Seasons swap with the lovely Mrs. G, Vallen and Mary Ann. The mail last week brought me a beautiful package from Mrs. G for the Fall installment of our swap....just look at all these lovely goodies.


This apron is G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S.!!! In fact, I think I'll wear it tonight while I make dinner. Thanks Mrs. G!!


I also had the pleasure of winning one of Mary Ann's giveaways - just look at all this loveliness that arrived!! Beautiful cards, magnets and two awesome aprons. I love getting packages from Mary Ann and she even included goodies for Miss S. Thank you my sweet Mary Ann!

A Little Swappy Love

I recently joined a mini quilt swap group on Flickr - well actually I joined several months ago but September was the first month I actually participated. The theme for September was Owls or Mushrooms. My partner was the UBER talented Kristy. Just look at this gorgeous owl quilt she made for me.



And here's the quilt I made for Kristy. The mushrooms turned out a little more subtle that I had hoped, but I still really like it. I hope Kristy likes it too:)

Dork is My Middle Name

Yes, the neighbor's ladder is still up in their backyard. And who knows why Bree thinks it's best to show her booty to the camera. Goofy dog. But she matches me posing in my new yellow dress:) And look at me totally oblivious of anything that is going on around me and focusing on smiling pretty for the camera. Good grief I'm a dork!

Family Night

Our good friend Paul called and invited us to do the Maize Maze with him and his daughter last night. We had so much fun!!! Paul bought glow sticks for all the kiddos. Good thing cause there was no other way we could have keep track of them in the dark maze.



There were random sunflowers growing in the corn field - some were ginormous but too far away to take a good pic of in the dark.



Miss S and Paul's, daughter, another Miss S. Aren't they darling and holy cow, doesn't my Miss S look SO grown up?? When did that happen?

Work

I'm posting from work so no pics today:) Work has been crazy busy and I can barely manage to get everything done at the office, much less at home.

Thank you all so much for the wonderful virtual and the real hugs that came my way after my "Grumpy" post...I'm still in a little bit of a funk and I think it's just cause I'm so overwhelmed right now. I have had hardly no time to craft or sew or do the other things that really help to ground me in stressful times. This weekend will hopefully allow me to do some of those things.

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet THIS sweet lady for dinner this week. She is absolutely adorable, charming and uber cool....I just wanted to give her hugs all night. Thanks Lauren for taking time out during your drive to have dinner with me and Miss S:):) She brought me some goodies too that I can't wait to show you:)

Anyway....my lunch house is over so back to the grindstone for me:)

Cure for the Grumps

My sure fire cure for the grumps? A little bit of retail therapy at the rubber stamp store and a new haircut:)
and spending most of the weekend with my handsome brother Shay.,..he's moving in the morning:(

Grumpy

First of all, I ended up working late tonight and just got home at about 7:10 pm.
Second, I came home to a note from Miss S's teacher that she did not do her math homework that was sent home this week. Only thing is the math info sent home this week was just a parent info letter - there were NO homework sheets. So I've sent her teacher a little email basically stating "what the hell"???
Third, tomorrow is so busy that I'll barely be able to see straight.
Fourth, Sunday morning my brother, Shay, moves back to California.
Grumpy, grumpy, grumpy, grumpy.
Fifth - I really, really, really need a hug.

In Rememberance

Remember me when I am gone away,

Gone far away into the silent land;

When you can no more hold me by the hand,

Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay.

Remember me when no more day by day

You tell me of our future that you plann'd:

Only remember me; you understand

It will be late to counsel then or pray.

Yet if you should forget me for a while

And afterwards remember, do not grieve:

For if the darkness and corruption leave

A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,

Better by far you should forget and smile

Than that you should remember and be sad.

Christina Rosetti. London: Macmillan 1879.

Fragile

I found the tiniest baby lizard today just outside the garage. His little head was about the size of a split pea and he was only about an inch and a half long. Sadly, he was not alive - I couldn't see any visible signs of trauma on him so I'm not sure what happened to him - his body was still soft so I'm sure he had not been dead for long. Miss S wanted to bury him in the backyard with our bird so that he could be resurrected:) Aaahhh...the faith of a child.



Isn't he darling? I wanted to carry him around all night....but that made me feel a little bit like Lennie from Of Mice and Men:)

Gifties

I love nothing more than a surprise gift arriving in my mail box:) Sweet Stephanie sent me these awesome tea towels and coasters last week.....I'm touched that she thought of me in the midst of moving and getting ready for an exotic vacation in Bali:) Thank you so much Stephanie!!!
PS I borrowed the picture from your blog - I hope you don't mind:)

Birthday Time

Please join me in wishing THIS beautiful friend, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

In other news - I listed some goodies for sale in my shop - check em out:)

Sassy

No - the skirt's not crooked, it's just the way I'm standing. This is my 4th skirt for the Mini Wardrobe Challenge. I used the pattern from the Built by U book again - only this time I moved the zipper to the side instead of the back. And I can't believe I got up the nerve to use my Amy Butler fabric that I bought in Vegas last year - but it was screaming to be made into a skirt.

PS I love how the neighbor's trash can is featured in the background:) Isn't that a nice touch!!! It took me about 8 tries to get a decent pic so I wasn't about to try again:).

NEW!!!

I'm posting from my brand new computer!! Can you believe my last computer was almost 8 years old? It was a valiant little workhouse, but it was time for it to be retired. I'm excited to learn all the bells and whistles on my new toy:)

But for tonight I thought I'd talk about these three little animals that inhabit our home who rarely get any air time on my little blog:

Bree - the jokester and troublemaker of the three puppies. She's 9 years old. Last night she ate two brand new packages of tortillas and Hubby's apple fritter off the kitchen counter. She hid in the backyard most of yesterday cause she knew she was in big trouble. She is a little stinker! She is very much a momma's girl and loves to follow me through the house.

Gammy - the old lady. This little pug is almost 14 years old and still kind of going strong. Her poor little body is starting to fail her and she is almost completely blind and going deaf. Guess what brings her back to life? French fries. She can smell them from a mile away. I couldn't get her to look at me while I was trying to take a picture. She knew it was dinner time so she was not budging from the spot where she eats.

Yuki - our special needs baby. You look at her wrong and she gets sick. She's 11 years old and was the runt of her little. She likes to poop in the kitchen, which is why she doesn't get to roam the rest of the house and is resigned to spend her days in the kitchen on her comfy dog bed. She's a crazy little puppy. She's thinks she's the alpha dog so you should see her stand up to Bree. She loves to squish down right between Gammy and Bree when they are all on the bed. We call that a "Yuki sandwich".

I love....

25 Things I Love

I love the sound of Miss S’s laughter
I love jigsaw puzzles
I love my family
I love making things with my hands
I love organizing
I love the smell of fresh cut grass
I love flickr
I love puppies of all shapes and sizes
I love mice and lizards
I love The Beatles
I love talking on the phone with my friends
I love reading magazines
I love flying in airplanes
I love going to the movies
I love the colors green and purple
I love Dr. Pepper
I love sleeping in late
I love snuggling with my hubby
I love Jimmy Buffett
I love vintage linens
I love snow
I love my car
I love my i-pod
I love making lists
I love scrapbooking

Puttering Around

My weekend went a little like this...sewed and puttered around, crafted and puttered around, cleaned house and puttered around, watched seriously 7 episodes of CSI and puttered around, sliced the top of my thumb with an exacto knife and puttered around, took a break from crafting after the exacto knife incident and puttered around, did laundry and puttered around, went to Goodwill and McDonald's and puttered around.....ho hum. Not a very exciting weekend. I've been in a really mellow mood all weekend and it's been nice to just lounge around the house and do what I wanted to do. I finished a quilt for a friend's baby who is now 9 months old! I'd say that's a little overdue. I have a lovely picture to show you but my computer is not cooperating in loading photos right now.

Miss S has been sick so I stayed home with her on Friday too. Oh I forgot - we went on Saturday to see Kung Fu Panda and it was a darling movie! I want to go see Ironman today but it depends on what time Hubby gets home from work.

Paralegal's Day

So August 26th was the first ever Paralegal’s Day in the State of New Mexico. Governor Richardson signed a proclamation making August 26, 2008 Paralegal’s Day. I don’t know it is a one time thing or every year on August 26 will be Paralegal’s Day. Guess what the awesome attorneys I work for did for me and the other three paralegals? JACK SQUAT! According to them we were already recognized for our efforts on Administrative Professionals Day in April and they did not feel the need to recognize us again. Isn’t that just lovely. It’s so typical of my working environment. I told one of the other attorneys that it’s not about “doing stuff” for us, it’s a matter of letting us know we are appreciated and valued as employees.

So I did a little something for each paralegal - little certificates for each of them, proclaiming them each "Paralegal of the Year" and a packet of seeds for the gardener paralegal, chipboard shapes for the card making paralegal, and sunflower seeds for the sunflower loving paralegal. It cost me about 15 minutes of time and less than $2.00 but it made their day SO much brighter! Which, really, that was the whole point:) And it made my day brighter knowing that I made their day brighter.

I challenge you to do a little something for someone this week to make their day a little brighter:)