Long Lasting Forever Friends

It is 3:48am....and while this is not really unusual for me, as I pretty much have insomnia, I was actually asleep tonight. But I left the door open to my bedroom door, and leaving the door open is a bad thing, cause that means that the dogs have free roam without supervision....so at 3 this morning, they go slightly nutz....and then I here the pathetic "MEOW"....."Meow"....oh yes....I have cats too. Now Said cats and said dogs do not get along....they have generally been separate since we got dog #2, about 2 years ago. Now the cats have free range of my DH's shop....and come out at night. "MY" cat Aura takes more of a gamble and tries to get out while being chased back in quite often, but man he tries...he is such a people cat, that I feel extremely guilty. But the sweet purring machine has been with me for just about 17 years now...and giving him up is not an option. He is now getting so small, and not as quick that it is dangerous for him to get out. Not that the dogs would do anything, they just like to chase and sniff...but still a little upsetting for the real "King" of the house. So I have made a bed for him on my sewing table in the back with a cat bed and everything, so he can at least be in a human's presence. He is just sitting there purring.....:) We have been through 10 moves together, boyfriends (well mine, not his), marriage, more cats, kids, tears, long night talks, more kids...lol....and now dogs....17 years is a long time to be together....and he gets me...maybe even more than my DH....shhhhh......

So today is(was) one of my favorite days of all the year....today was the day that I decorated the lovely Ms. Birks home...for her Christmas decorations. Now I think one of the very first blogs was about my love for decorating her home. It is just so amazingly eclectic. I mean, no one decorates like her and has a flair of the odd, and unsually fantastic. No, no kidding.....really....I want to be her...no not me...I want to be her....cause it is just amazing....sigh....






and really...these pictures are just the supreme tip of the iceberg....it is just amazing to walk in her home...it is a feast for the eyes....that mosiac pc....is 9ft high, and it is in her bedroom...really...it rocks....oh....her her dog, is named Sushi...not a coincidence at all....I named mine after hers :)


oh one last thing before I go (okay actually two...ooops) The girls from the POP!kids ebay groups and the Not So Plain Jaynes are having there annual "Nifty Gifty for Under Fifty" launch....lots of fun gifties to give under the tree...or to yourself...check it out here







okay....another thing that you must know about me....is....ummm.....well............okay, sigh....


I am anti Christmas music....completely...hate it, and if I start hearing it before December...I gag....stagger out from whatever store I was in...refuse to step in until the song is over....you have a blog that has "THAT" music on it...I hit the back button....I won't go back till December....promise (sorry Kandy)....commercials....yup, flip em...I just can not do it...can not not not. So this is a surprise to me right here, right now....I bought (yes me), I bought an X-mas album.....via Mr. Itunes.....thank you very much. I was skeptical of course, but I subscribe to one of my favorite musicians MySpace page Kate Havnevik, and she let us followers know that she has something new out...a la collaboration in this (UGH) Holiday Album....and well since I am pretty desperate for any of her music, I went to take a listen and low and behold....it is not bad at all....much of my favorite female artists KT Tunstall, Fionna Apple, Kate Perry (YA, I know, how odd), Sara Bareilles, Colbie Caillat...and Kate Havnevik....if you do not know her...find her!!!


Okay...I have blabbed enough....this year is definately a handmade holiday....so I must get cracking....

oh and sorry Stef, I really had to buy that album....ya know...to get into the "spirit" of things....ya ya...that's it....lol....

My Day so far....I don't like November...

I almost dislike November as much as I dispise February....though not completely as much. The days get darker and colder instantly...that darned clock thing throws me all off my schedule (well it I had one that is) the dogs don't want to go out, and man they smell when they get back in...ugh...nope there is nothing pretty about November, the leaves have basically already fallen, the stunning October colour is gone....all the joy from doing that first batch of raking the leaves has gone, now that you have done it umpteen times. Even the waves on the lake are ugly...and ferocious in the cold wind, that whips by my ankles at 7 in the morning while I am waiting for the bus to pick up my kids. Which is another thing I dislike....my kids leaving in the mornings...I actually like spending time with them in the mornings. We seem to have gotten a great routine in the morning going and it is complete non-stress....even when we get up late....which happens often :) Hot chocolate in the morning with banana bread....yum yum....I am going to have to invest in tiny marshmallows for the boys...not a fan of them, but they dress up the mug so well. Searching for Christmas ornaments is always fun....they are never packed in the same place year after year...and I always end up finding a new treasure from years before....lol...in some odd spot that I would never have thought I would have put it. New craft ideas are spurning around in my head...aprons, quilts, stuffies, POTHOLDERS!! things I have never thought to do before....November makes you reach really hard to find the best in it...it is there...I know it is....dig deep and behind the dark and dreary days....you will find....hot chocolate :)



As much as I hate spreading the word about these things....cause this means more interest and less chances for me to win....I must blog about the 12 days of Christmas giveaway it is such a nice idea, and great to help out for your holiday pocketbook....click the link and get in on the action....

Also MY favorite giveaway ever....please please please....do not click the link....no no really.....don't click it. I am sure you can find something else to do...just don't click this link Don't you have laundry to fold or something? Who needs a gorgeously fabulous fantastic newly aged to perfection quilt....I mean it....DON'T CLICK....Don't click the link....walk back outta the room like you never saw this......but be warned if you do click....you will never feel the same about a quilt.....sigh.....drool....

Gavyn came home today....early....he left the house feeling fine, but at 11am I got a call from the school that he wasn't feeling well. I was like "Really? because he was fine when he left this morning, is it his tummy? or a cold??" The gal on the other end of the phone did not know as she is "just" the secretary and was calling home because his aid asked her too. So.....I struggled with this....not knowing if I should send a taxi for him, or go myself...find out what is really wrong with him. I mean he is not the type to play sick...but he is the type to whine with every bump and knock...so a sniffle to him could be like death...you could say he has a flair for the dramatic. So while really thinking about it, and knowing how I felt this morning about missing him :) I gave a phone call to Grandma to see if she was available to pic him up...I live in the middle of no where, and do not drive.....and she was happy to go and get him. They arrived about 40 mins later....and when they walked in...he of course, looked....fine.....so I asked him, what was wrong??? Apparently his NOSE hurts....no sniffles, runny nose, or bruising .....it just hurts???!!!! WTH.......Gavyn think that his aid may have mistook nose for ears....or maybe he did....but really.... I am aggravated that they sent him home so quickly, without any real kind of sickness, and that I had to ask Grandma to go and get him...grrrr....

But hey, I will take extra snuggle time any way I can :)

I made the front page....hhehee....of Etsy :)

I know, I know....some of you just won't get it at all....and to be quite honest, I did not think I was going to think it was going to be a big deal...but oh my....hehehe....was I happy girl when I got to see this...



Mine of course is the little dress at the bottom....but OH how happy was I to see this...the front page rotates about every hour or so, so to actually catch see in it is pretty good....I actually STILL have it open on one of my windows...lol....and it was early yesterday morning that is was up...yup...I am a little bit odd...hehehe...but I like me that way. Now the only reason that I actually caught this little bit of gold so early in the morning is because I am still going through my bouts of insomnia....sigh....and even worse it is not a productive insomnia. I spent most of the night up in chat, from FaceBook to Twitter....nicely got caught up with old friends and my sister...but nothing could get me into a tired enough state to get me into bed.....the reason why...it is empty. Yes it is full of 3 very furry dogs....but it is empty enough to not want to get into it. I miss my husband tremendously that I am losing sleep over it. He calls me daily....sometimes umpteen times...but I need to hold him. We are a very touchy feely couple...after almost 15 years together and we are still like that....he is my air, my story, the reason why I love my life so much. He gave me my life 3 times over...and I need him by my side....not to feel complete....but just to feel in general. Sad state we are...lol...

Can someone please just buy this house...so we can be together again, and I can stop feeling so tragic.


Back to the sewing machine, and hopes that dreamland comes to me tonight....

Lookie what I am doing... :)

I have been attempting....and attempting is the right word here....to make a quilt. I have gotten the general concept down. I just do not quite understand how I can actually do a project that is longer than 3 hrs....I like quick things...it helps the ADD in my life...I need to move from project to project....even if it is the same one over and over again, I need to keep moving....but this quilt thing has me stumped....I have the pc's cut, and most put together....this is all the quick part for me...but then I was told that I have to hand sew (GASP) the binding and the quilt together....can that be right??? how did those ladies do it way back when...beyond me. So it is a slowly/quickly thing this quilt of mine...I will enjoy seeing it when it is all done...and if all goes well I may try again. It reminds me of Spring, which maybe what I am missing right now...even though my favorite season is Fall....I love the Emo-ish of it....but I adore the colours of Spring (though maybe not the dingy smell)

Tristen (son number 2) is going through a ton right now...feelings of not being accepted, of self blame, and that the world is generally against him. While I feel horrible for him...he has to learn that he can not get everything in life by crying...sigh...drama for the day....he wants an e-mail account...one of his own. And while I understand why he wants one, I just think that he is still to young and immature to handle the responsibilities of having one. He likes signing up for online games...which I am generally okay with him and his brothers playing...as long as they are not asking for money and downloading a bunch of crapola onto their puters. But in the past he has shown that he is not mature enough to handle it so it will be up for rediscussion maybe in a few months...but not right yet...he wants Facebook, and MySpace, and all those things that I really think that an 11 year old is to young to have, and hearing how some kids interact on those forms I do not want to subject him to that, especially since he is a very eager to please kind of boy, and takes things very sensitively. He doesn't need to extra drama in his life right now...but sometimes I wonder if I am being to over-protective....and if I should let him spread his wings little and get to know the wide world of ours....but for now...at this moment...I think I it would be better if I was in full control....let's hope he will forgive me soon for this...while I like giving him the world...I want to keep him in it for as long as possible...and who knows what can happen out there....


Okay, getting off my Mommie Soap Box there now...

here is a little bit of a sneak peek again of my stuff that I am doing...this is the starting of the darned quilt...this will give you an idea of what I am up to with this at least and why I think Spring so much....



and I have a couple of new listings up on ebay that I am having fun with...I am loving the ease of the A-line dresses and the fact that they are completely wearable for anyday dress....this is a new one for me...



Thanks for taking a peek...and I still think I haven't figured out how to put a link in properly...grrrr....

There is a certain sadness about leaving......

It's a New Day....

Started out as one of those "I'm gonna do everything" days....and slowly turned into mush....lol...

I have been having trouble sleeping since Stefan (the hubby) left....I basically always have when it is for long periods of time. But he usually comes back from a business trip and stays home for awhile inbetween before my schedule gets outta whack again. See going to bed at 3am and waking at 6am does not make for a productive Mommy at all....while I do try....along comes noon and I am out like a light for about 2 hrs. Which is thankfully while to kiddos are still at school...but man that is prime "doing stuff" hours. I did manage to walk the dogs, take out the recycling/garbage, and get the dishes done. I also had the task of catching up on all things internet worthy...but then I took a bath....I know....who takes a bath in the middle of the day?? Not I usually, but dumbly I did....and then laid down right after....and then that was it....

I woke up cursing myself....I swear (well not really) that I will not do this everyday to get myself back on track. But with DH being pretty much gone permanently until we sell the house and join him it does not look like I will be getting any beauty sleep for a long time coming....and boy am I needing it.

We had a great Halloween weekend though...the boys all had fun, and took home 24 pounds of candy...it really is so very very wrong. I am going to have to ditch some of it before it completely rots their teeth, and makes me gain that 24 pounds...lol.....thankfully good ole brat dog Sawyer is helping us out with that....who said that chocolate was deadly to dogs did not tell this pooch... He ate at least half of Tristen's bag-o-candy....even though it was in the cupboard and up high, the stinking sneaky dog still managed to get it....never fails....everytime we go out, he always finds something to destroy. I think he just likes to outsmart us...grrr..... We did the annual pilgrimage to Zellars to pick up all the boys snow stuff....hats,mitts, snowsuits (Kyle is now to cool for snowpants). Gavyn is now wearing a sz 18.....the boy is 8.....I am scared....while not in length, the boy is all torso, he is definately in the waist...and I get to do a lot of tailoring...hemming snowpants is not one of my labours of love, but I will for him...:)

Last but not least...I have been sewing up a storm these days, and I hope to fill a up a new etsy store...why? I don't know...cause I am silly that way...hehehe...I recently listed a couple of things with ebay for the NieNie Recovery launch...if you would like to see what is listed, please go to ebay and search NieRecovery...I have some sweet Silhouette dresses up....here is a sneak peek...




please if you have a moment and check out all the listings for her...I have a link in my sidebar that will take you to the story of NieNie and her amazing strength...I am in awe...

Coming up later on this month the POP!kids ebay group (the one I am in) and The Jaynes will be having their annual dual launch called Nifty Fifty....where you can find great Gifties for under Fifty.....all with BIN's....great time to pick up some great deals...like stocking stuffers and OOAK unique treats....more of that to come soon....and I will get some sneakies out for that too.....hope everyone had a great Halloween weekend...

A Day Raking Leaves

While I did not get much done inside the house today (maybe tomorrow) I did get a ton of raking outside....and I introduced my two older boys to the idea of outdoor chores ;) While I raked, they bagged....actually Tristen got bag duty and Kyle got poop duty....I know it is a dirty job but someone has to do it, and though we have a HUGE yard, for some reason the dogs favorite place to do their business is right on the only part of real back lawn we have....thanks....

We are completely surrounded by a Conservation area just about....and while it is pretty (VERY) and colourful and all that...the leaves this time of year is non stop, so while this is my first go around with the leaf picking up, there will be plenty more in the next month. Since we are trying to sell our house, it pretty much will be a constant. Hopefully tonight I will have time to do some laundry and baking....I need my weekly fix of banana bread thank you very much.



















These are my Puppies....Sushi, Sawyer, and Lucy....I love my dogs....well except for Lucy, who hasn't quite figured out that the dining room is not the poop place....grrrr....

Sushi MY Chow Chow :)

Sawyer the Crazy Ball loving dog



and Lucy....the trouble maker....




and here is my favorite shot of the day...a boy and his dog :)

Snip Snip Snip....

oh man....man, oh man, oh man......

Now I feel the pain of all mothers of little girls that get there hands on scissors and give themselves a haircut....cause while Gavyn is definately all boy....he sure gave himself a doozy....and while he completely needed to get chopped, he didn't need it this way....not at all....right in front, right to the scalp almost....and for some reason, right at the top of his head too....I really didn't know what to say to him except...."Don't EVER touch scissors AGAIN!!" Not only is it dangerous like that....but you gave yourself a dorky haircut :(

I really should get a picture....but I am still in cringe worthy mode, so I can't look at it without him feeling bad..

oh, and guess what....lol.....tomorrow......is picture day :) Of course it is....

Tons of stuff

Okay I gotta lotta stuff to do today....usually I try to post about things that are done...lol...now it is about things to be done. Let's hope and cross our fingers that I stay on track today. But somehow I doubt that. The house is clean....no really the house is completely clean...odd...lol...but it is. So I do not have to worry about that. I have about 4 *Scrappy Dress*s to finish today...which in reality I will probably finish two. Sucks to only get that far, but I get computer distracted easily. I also want to make a couple of chocolate chip banana breads today as the boys are digging into the school lunch snack reserves...lol...so that must be rectified somehow. I still want to start up the scrap quilt pillow that has been swirling around in my head for about a week now. I want to make a few of these as x-mas gifts, and if they turn out nice enough, I might enleash them onto the esty/ebay world :) so we shall see...


Geeesh....even my studio is clean.....I definately *MUST* do something about that....


Tally-ho...

Time to create...

Well I have been busy today...crazy yelling busy :) I was fine till I realized I really needed to clean. Tomorrow we have an Agents Caravan coming through the house...now being in a home with 3 boys, 3 dogs, and 3 cats....it tends to get a little unfluffy...lol...quickly...and even after vaccuuming 3 times today (oh yes it is all about 3's for me) it still looks like a mud zone. But I am trying to be positive and hope that no one else notices my pig pen...lol...

One of Gavyn's favorite things to do is bake...well, actually it is to bring home cook books from the school library so I can bake :) He of course has a list of things that I *MUST* make....one of those things (in the midst of all my cleaning) that I made was these amazing fudge squares....and really they taste nothing like your typical fudge...and is oh so yummy I went back for more :)...twice....

***Easy Turtle Fudge***

1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)
2 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
(note: I used dark chocolate, and used 4 ounces)
1 cup of sweetened condensed milk
1/4 tsp salt
30 caramel candies, unwrapped :)
1 tbsp water
40 pecans

1. Grease 11x7 inch pan; set aside.

2. melt chips in medium heavy saucepan over very low heat, stirring constantly. Remove
from heat. Stir is bittersweet chocolate until melted. Stir in condensed milk and salt until smooth

3. Spread in prepared pan; cover with foil. Refrigerate until firm (about 2hrs)

4. Cut fudge into squares. Transfer to baking sheet lined with wax paper.

5. Place caramels and water in small heavy saucepan. Heat over low heat until melted, stirring frequently. Drizzle or top fudge pieces with caramel mixture. Top each pc with one pecan half.

6. Store in air tight container in freezer. Bring to room temperature before serving...

Makes 40 (well 20 in our case as I did not have the right sized pan, but they were thicker)

I'll insert a pic when I get it uploaded....but bye bye diet....yet again :)

***************


My lovely group of ebay girls also have a launch today. In ebayland a lot of childrens designers are in "groups" basically we spin ideas off each other, collaborate, whine, and Gab :) Heather Bailey is a fabulous and amazing fabric designer and since our group is named POP!kids we thought it was kinda symbolic to do a launch around Mrs. Bailey's POP Garden new fabric line....this is my fav set that took me a little bit to get around in my head (okay, really not that much because her fabrics are such inspiration)



We each have made something either with or inspired by Heather's fabrics....if you have a moment (selfish plug) please check out our auctions...

http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=boutique+POP!kids&_in_kw=1&_ex_kw=&_sacat=See-All-Categories&_okw=boutique+POP!kids&_oexkw=&_udlo=&_udhi=&_sabdlo=&_sabdhi=&_samilow=&_samihi=&_ftrt=901&_ftrv=1&_sadis=200&_fpos=&LH_SALE_CURRENCY=0

I have yet to figure out how to link a link....lol....so please be patient with me...I am going to so if I can construct a pillow using the remenants of the last pc's of POP Garden....just to see what I come up with....

It isn't Pretty...nope not at all

This has been a pretty busy week for me. Getting customs done, the kids put together, physically going to work, trying to keep the house clean (that btw is not working). It was my sister's 23rd birthday on Wednesday...the kids are still alive and I have not lost any dogs yet (dang)...so when it came to last night, I really wanted to veg in front of the tube with the kids and watch the premiere of Survivor:Gabon ...and selfishly after that Grey's....while that show was on I got a long distance phone call...ran up to see who it was on the call display...and saw it was my mother...had a slight "grrrrr" moment...she always calls late at night and usually during a show I am wanting to watch. I know pretty much no time is a good time to call, because I basically hate the phone...I do not even own a cell....because I hate it that much. I looked at the phone ringing and thought..."I'll call her tomorrow sometime" which pretty much means...I will forget and she will call again. WHich.....yup I did today. Completely forgot that she called.....until about an hour ago....when I was fiddling on this computer and I get a facebook message from my sister...

"Did you hear from Mom??" "She tried calling me and left me a message, apparently she had a mild heart attack and is in the hospital"

I rushed from this computer so fast....ran to the phone and listened to that message...

"Hi Jenn, it's your Mom....I just wanted to tell you, that I am okay...but I had a mild heart attack, but I think I am okay now...just wanted to let you know, love you"

Shit Shit Shit Shit.....sorry....but I do not swear usually...but I am so so so angry at myself for being selfish about my TV time...like really....TV!!!!! I tried calling her back but there is no answer...no need to panic if she is calling people I think. But I am still worried....

My Mom works 3 jobs....she barely sleeps, is a chain smoker, and like to drink the occasional beer....so she is pretty much prime candidate for a heart attack....not to mention the stress that she has in her life. I guess I am angry right now at her as well. Take better care of yourself lady....grrrr....you have 6 kids hanging around here and there....not to mention the grandkids that need to see you.

We have to many more stories to laugh about, and visit's to catch up on...you have a book to write, and a career that you have always wanted just starting....


please please be okay....

Lovely Little Cookies

Okay let's face...I bribe my children. I do, but it is all to benefit them in the end. Like on all Monday's I bake....I do not know how I got into that habit, but I usually try to do that at least twice a week (which explains why I am getting rounder)....last night I made about 9 dzn chocolate chip and coconut cookies...yummm...hhehheee....I try to substitute the baked goods for afternoon snacks when they get home off the bus. Most kids like 2 cookies....but mine munchkins for some reason AlWAYS try for 3....why not...they try....sometimes it is a yes (depending on how many I have...and sometimes it is a no). This morning Gavyn really did not want to get on the bus...it is a French week at school, and he is completely against the French language. He complained his stomache hurt, his ear was aching...even that he damaged his big toe...I was not falling for it. But I did not want to make a big scene at the bus stop. So the deal was for all my boys, that if they had a good day....today....for snack....they could have *5* cookies....there eyes nearly popped outta there heads.... I told Gavyn that he had to actually try on his Spelling test today, and not give up and write nothing. I wanted to see words written on that page. They didn't have to be right, I just wanted to see words. Plus the new indoor shoes must be worn (he hates new shoes and I do not blame him) today.

So I go about my day knowing that at the very least I got them on the bus...somedays are easier than others and I get that...and somedays they need a little cookie incentive. I managed to clean up the backyrd and the porch...it actually looks useable now, and I may want to spend some time there :) I know the dogs are enjoying the new space...heck there are new smells uncovered....they must investigate....lol...I cleaned the stairway, prepping it to be painted tonight while little ones are sleeping.

They all run in from school with the dogs barking their arrival....and all I hear is "I GET 5 COOKIES!!! I HAD A GREAT DAY!!!!!".....Gavyn comes running down with his test with a huge grin on his face....he hands me the test. I looked down at his work and just smiled....

"Gavyn, this is excellent work, just awesome, high five" I am big on high fives :)

"But, Mom, I didn't get anything right, your not mad at me?? Can I still have the 5 cookies???"

I can see completely where his mind is focused....:)

"Did you have a good day?"

"Yup, I tried my hardest on the test, and I wrote every word, I just couldn't get them"

"Then that is all I can ask for, that you tried..."


Gavyn goes running back upstairs to the kitchen to grab his cookies....sometimes I am happy that it is just cookies that can make his day and turn it completely around. Cause I know as he gets older it is only going to be harder with him....


"MOM......can I have 10 instead??? I was really really good today!!!!"


LOL....

getting *caught* up

Is like running around like a chicken with her head cut off....seriously.....I mean who ever actually ever gets caught up in life? There are so many things to do, it is completely constant. I would like to think I am at this moment, which is why I have been sitting here at my computer for the last 2 hrs (I mean where does the time go) I have to applaud my children...cause they are just amazing. They are pretty self sufficient at most things and leave me to my craziness in my studio....I am hoping that the new place we move to has my studio on the main floor so then I am with them more, instead of in my dungeon.

I was taking pictures yesterday of the house, to put up on MLS....doing a room by room sweep, trying to make it as neat as possible....no stray socks showing...that sorta thing...when I walked in to Dear Son #2's room....this is what I see....lol.....

There is of course another pic of him trying to get down as quick as possible....but not before he flashed his tried and true "peace" sign...

Trying to get the house in order has been interesting...I have had to paint all my lovely lime walls a toned down soft "lello" and while it was not intentionally something that I was going to like, it is growing on me for sure...I like the soft colour, and it is a lot brighter. I ended up painting my hall, the dining room, and part of th kitchen that way....and even though everything is basically neutral now (GAG) I have been able to add some *Jenn* into the house still....I used some of Tula Pinks new birds fabric as my curtains in the dining room, and added a cute tablecloth in the kitchen...I also found this amazing butterfly mobile on Etsy that still gives me my whimsy....that I NEED....so all in all, if we are stuck here for the next year because the house does not sell I will be...okay....with it....

I hope....

Life in the not so Fast Lane

Well it has been one whole month without coffee....woo hoo....so far kicking my only bad habit (leaving clothes on the floor is not a bad habit, I like it that way...so thhhhupt!) has not been that hard at all. Well, only because the coffeemaker broke the day after I decided I was going to quit....gotta love karma...but I have not been tempted at all for a cup of good ole Joe since I left Simcoe....actually since leaving my mini vacation I have turned a lot of things around. I have started exercising more, eating a ton better....trying to keep the dust bunnies in check....I even signed up to get my drivers (knowledge) test done....what next sky diving??...ummm no....but it is a good step all around for me....

I am considering all my new "life" changes to being a part of nesting...or pre-nesting before we move. Trying to possibly get my life in check before I start on my new adventure to New Jersey....or either that I am bored :) I dyed my hair red, so that is definately an "I am bored" moment...but more with myself, than with what is going on in my life...

I am anxiously awaiting some new fabric to come in, as I have some curtain projects to finish....and a table runner I would like to create...I am in LOVE with the new fabrics by Heather Bailey (POP Garden) and Tulia Pink (Nest) and you will be seeing both in my home and in some of my new creations...More *Scrappy Dress*s will be on there way for sure....Halloween has also been churning in my studio....A little late for most of the masses, but I know there are a few stragglers that procrastinate like me :)

Planning on baking a bit today for the boys...well maybe a bit more.....so far this week it has been a chocolate chip cookie and banana bread week (without the nuts thank you very much, Gavyn would have a fit...besides we have enough nutz in this house) I hope the try a recipe from Paint in My Hair that I hope will appeal to my boys, and use up the last of the fruit in my fridge that is just about to go on me....though it would be so much better with ice cream.....grrrrr I am off ice cream...damn....


Maybe skydiving would be better....

I'm all outta time...

Well it is happening...and I can not stop it. Sometimes I just wish I would say things a little quicker....I guess I thought it would never happen. That the stars would not a line, that someone would not dots the i's and cross the t's. But they did...and they did. What am I talking about....well moving. And not just moving to another part of the same city...moving to a different country. I am petrified....

I didn't think that I would be. I think that is the problem. I have no real ties here to the city. Once my father passed away it really has not been the same. I have been in a cloud of "I don't care" since then. So moving seemed like a perfect thing to do when my DH was offered the job. Great money, job security (well as much as anyone can offer these days)...possibilities for him are endless...which I am happy for. He deserves this, he's worked hard for all of us to get where he is....many midnight backaches, and stress headaches tell me so.

While all seems to be mapped out for him and his future...things feel like again, they are in limbo for me, and well the kids. I feel like it is a lot of hurry up and waiting...then stalling and stagnating....I am getting tired of trying to find myself and what I need to do. Because I do not feel like I am finding my path....heck maybe this is it and I do not know it. That this is where I need to go to start fresh again.

Hopefully this is what they have planned for me...and that it will all fall into place soon....

Lots of Yelling

I will never claim to be a perfect mother...I would never dare to try...especially after days like these....lots and lots of yelling and trying to keep the peace. We are renovating a few rooms in the house before we try to put it up for sale...a fresh coat of paint here, a couple of repairs in the walls....you know all the stuff that you say you will get to later, and then BAM later is RIGHT NOW!!! It also means trying to clear some of are crap out...making the rooms look bigger...you know all the stuff the home improvement shows tell us about buying and selling a home. So to make new room out of old room we are changing our cluttered computer corner and just making it an open space and having the boys puters in their rooms for now. But that means taking it all down...which means they do not have their computers...which means they are at each others throats...oh, and did I also mention there is only one TV now as well....I know, my poor deprived children :) But it is what they are used to, so now they are trying to find ways to occupy themselves which does not include torture. So I thought I was being smart by scheduling their TV/puter time (there is ONE left...don't ask how many are in the house, you would laugh I am sure)...well what happens when one gives up their time, and allots it to another....does that person that gave it up get there time back? does that one that got extra still get to play extra, or only from the time they started....it is all very confusing, especially when I thought my rules were pretty good.....lol....little did I know that one would give up their precious time. Soooo that is were the yelling comes in...lots of "He said" "NO HE SAID" stuff.....ahhhh I need ear plugs......or to send them to their rooms.....might not solve the problem....but it would definatly help my headache :)

Quilts, Creations, and Moving

Well the craziness of my life continues....believe it or not the thrill of a quilt got me back here to my blog posting. Hopefully it will pick up, but with the boys yelling and asking for my attention in the background really makes me feel like the posting thing will fade into the distance again. I will try to keep this up though, possibly for sanity sake....

It does look like we are going to be moving soon, well that is if our house sells :) So the creating will start to slow down soon. I already have about 30 *Scrappy Dress*s made to get up and list...I might have a draw for one, I just haven't figured out to do it yet...but all and all that means that I am going to have to pack....and not only that I am going to HAVE to keep a clean house....lol....3 boys, 3 dogs, 3 cats.....and a husband that will be gone out of town....a LOT....keeping a clean house will be nearly impossible....hey...maybe the house won't sell ;)

Here's a look at my *Scrappy Dress*s as I was going through my studio I realized I had a ton of scrap bins (don't we all have those, just some scraps are different than others) odds and ends of fabric...ruffles that I made to much of but didn't have the heart to throw out because I still pull all my ruffles by hand. So instead of chucking them....well I made these instead :)


Hopefully they will do well on the big E.....and I can support my vacation back home that is happening in a couple of weeks....I wanted to have one more trip home before I took off to the US....

I will let you all know how that goes....so crossing my fingers on the auctions... :)