Another Ordinary Life

BFFs

2012-02-19T12:40:00.001-08:00

I had a blast at our girls only sleepover last night. We had Mexican food, sang some karaoke, and saw The Vow. The movie was slightly disappointing as it wasn't as romantic as I thought it would be but it was so fun to be out. Having amazing girlfriends is really a "must" in life...

Ed Emberley Art Books

2012-02-18T11:28:00.001-08:00

Uncle brought Chase some Ed Emberley books. I used to love those books as a kiddo.

Warbreaker

2012-02-17T16:57:00.001-08:00

Book one of the year finished. Really fun read, knocked it out in a few days. The only disappointing thing is that it is a single book and not a series.

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T19:54:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day from this spoiled girl. Nothing like ending a night with chocolate strawberries and champagne.

Work in Progress

2012-02-13T20:46:00.001-08:00

I swear I have been sewing up a storm lately...I just haven't finished anything yet! Here is a sneak peek at a baby quilt commission I am working on. I don't typically do the vintage country thing but it worked out and I am happy with how this one is turning out.

More quilts coming soon...

Jailbreak

2012-02-13T18:22:00.001-08:00

I got a PoGo printer for my birthday and B found an updated Bluetooth print app!! I am in jailbroken iPhone heaven. Woohoo!!!

Terrafin

2012-02-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

Chase's Improved Coloring Skills

Pottery Art

2012-02-05T12:05:00.001-08:00

Angry Birds

Slam Bam Skylander

Tiger

Leopard

Another Angry Bird

I took Chase to a paint your own pottery store to make a birthday present for me and these are the tiles he made. So cute!

Sledding

2012-02-05T08:00:00.001-08:00

We took Chase sledding for the first time yesterday. He LOVED it and wasn't scared at all.

After about an hour of sledding Chase was starting to get a little crabby so we suggested we go to the playground and he insisted that he didn't want to go and he was going to stop being grumpy. So we stayed...for another hour...and uncle decided to up the game with a crazy jump...

Chase was so small that he got SERIOUS air every time!

And the rest of us couldn't resist taking a few turns as well...

The joys of giant snow storms...

Can't wait to go back!

An Amazing Night

2012-02-04T21:12:00.000-08:00

Last night, giant snow storm and all, we still had my 30th birthday party. I was amazed that almost everyone braved the weather and came out. We played Dance Central and Rock Band, ate the most amazing food ever, and laughed our asses off! I haven't had that much fun at a birthday party since my 18th birthday!

Here is pic of my two dearest friends (party hostesses).

The round of shots...(I am TERRIBLE at taking shots and it didn't exactly go down smoothly).

And of course there were Vodka infused gummy bears (yellow bear was a regular bear and orange bear was a soaked goodness bear). They were a big hit!

I hope the rest of my 30s are as wonderful as the first night was!

Thanks for everyone who helped organize, my parents for hosting my kiddo, and everyone who dragged themselves out on a cold Friday night to wish me well.

Mommy and Chase

2012-02-03T10:20:00.001-08:00

A Snowy 30th

2012-02-03T09:02:00.001-08:00

Happy Snow Day!

If only I were a school aged kid...this would have been the best birthday ever!

Amazingly a good number of people are planning on taking on mother nature and still coming out for my party! I feel loved!

The Big 3 0

2012-02-02T17:02:00.001-08:00

A woman over 30 knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 30 give a damn what you might think about her or what she's doing.
~Andy Rooney

Tomorrow I turn 30...wow!

ModCloth.com

2012-01-31T20:43:00.001-08:00

I don't buy clothes online because I worry they won't fit right but modcloth sure makes me want to break my rules!

Ha!

2012-01-31T19:11:00.001-08:00

I've always wondered what the difference was...

Odds

2012-01-30T16:15:00.001-08:00

One in one hundred and seventy five million...and yet on days like today I am so desperate to quit my job I still ponder buying a ticket...

Nanoblocks

2012-01-29T17:16:00.001-08:00

Okay all you adult Lego lovers out there - I found the perfect toys for you! Nanoblocks are teeny tiny Legos that allow you to build small objects with a ton of detail! Soooooo cute!!!

Presents from Uncle

2012-01-29T13:28:00.001-08:00

Mexican Wrestling Masks

Baby Quilt

2012-01-29T12:53:00.000-08:00

My latest baby quilt

Turtle Pincushion

2012-01-28T14:56:00.000-08:00

Next time I get a chance to start a new sewing project I am going to make this adorable pincushion set!!!

Poor Stark

2012-01-27T16:12:00.001-08:00

There is nothing sadder then a dog in a cone.

Pink

2012-01-25T19:52:00.001-08:00

Check out my fun new iPhone case!

Flat Iron Curls

2012-01-25T17:45:00.001-08:00

Trying something new - curling my hair the night before so that I don't have to get up as early tomorrow.

Note: I think I am finally figuring out this whole beach waves/curls with a flat iron technique. I found that alternating curl directions is important and I think the curls look better if you hold the iron horizontally instead of vertically.

Oooohhhh

2012-01-25T14:04:00.001-08:00

Ahhhh this little device is totally impractical unless you journal yet I want one so bad! I love the idea of journaling but that is essentially what a blog is right? Besides there are so many cool ways to electronically journal now...and yet I am totally enamoured with the tiny printer *sigh*

Check out Sometimes Crafter for more details.

Day 3

2012-01-24T20:15:00.000-08:00

I survived day 3. I did a lot of thinking about unhealthy food though. I got up early and knocked out a P90x cardio workout. I managed to resist eating crap food and finished the night with sushi with a girlfriend. Here's to avoiding the day 3 binge (130s in my 30s here I come).

Day 2

2012-01-23T16:08:00.001-08:00

Day 2: Another 2.5 miles under my belt

You know the problem with a new diet and exercise plan...day 3. The first day you are totally excited to get started. The second day you are determined to be good. By day 3 the junk food cravings hit and you start to feel like exercising takes too much time. So wish me luck tomorrow! (I would really like to bring in 30 in the <= 139 lb range instead of the 140 lb range - the 140s suck).

Running

2012-01-22T14:53:00.001-08:00

(Note: Thumbs up nod to 125)

I have been reading 125's blog lately and have been inspired once again by her running (and since I have been a queso eating slug lately I felt it was time to get back on track). Unfortunately I learned that running head on into gusty winds with an energetic 35 lb puppy pulling behind you trying to get at the dog you just passed is even worse then running in freezing temperatures. But even so it was worth it and I feel good about myself today.

2.5 miles done and done

Angry Bird

2012-01-22T11:01:00.001-08:00

Found this hoodie at Barnes and Noble of all places!

Stark-y Doodle

2012-01-17T16:09:00.001-08:00

Gotta love a puppy!

Worst Day Ever

2012-01-16T16:45:00.001-08:00

Kid Sewing Project

2012-01-15T15:43:00.001-08:00

At Chase's school they did the cutest craft the other day (handmade pillows) so we decided to do it at home! We put two pieces of flannel right sides together and you make dots with a pen around the edges (as a guide). Then kiddos can use embroidery thread and a yarn or embroidery needle to whip stitch or running stitch around the edges. Turn inside out, stuff, and have a parent sew the hole closed. Done! A perfect pillow (your kids will be proud)!

Glitter Power

2012-01-15T13:02:00.001-08:00

Nothing like a manicure with hot pink glitter polish to make a girl smile!

Pony Ride

2012-01-15T10:05:00.001-08:00

We took Chase to the stock show and he went on his first pony ride!

Life

2012-01-11T15:52:00.001-08:00

I swear I have been doing stuff...just not blogging.

Life has been busy - I am back to running, we had to evict our renters, I have been struggling my way through Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, we are training Stark, I knit a scarf that I wasn't happy with and now am knitting a cowl that I love, oh yah and I feel like work has been all consuming.

Hopefully blogging will re-enter the routine soon.

Photo Fun

2012-01-04T17:47:00.001-08:00

2012-01-02T11:31:00.001-08:00

B surprised me with these cheery little guys today. What a bright way to start a new year.

11 in 11

2012-01-01T18:46:00.000-08:00

I saw on Ben Does Life that he did a "list 11 things you were proud of in 11 post". So even though I would really like a do-over for last year I was still able to come up with a few things - here they are in no particular order.

1) Finished a 5k race

2) Made friends with some neighbors

3) Rocked my job (hell yah!)

4) Was a good wife, mother, friend, daughter

5) Ran barefoot

6) Free-motion quilted my first twin quilt

7) Blogged more

8) Tried ballet

9) Decorated a new house

10) Helped out a few new coworkers

11) Started biking

Tired Dogs are Good Dogs

2012-01-01T09:55:00.001-08:00

Stark post his first 2 mile new years run...

A Better 2012

2012-01-01T09:25:00.000-08:00

Last night instead of reflecting upon 2011 we brought in the new year playing Magic the Gathering (I have been getting in touch with my inner geek again lately). Now it is 2012 and 2011 was somewhat of a bummer of a year so I am not going to waste any more time reflecting upon it. Onward I say!

So goals for 2012...(I only accomplished about half of my 2011 goals but we'll try to do better this year).

- Rock 30

- Read at least 12 books (an average of 1 per month isn't particularly ambitious but hey with how busy life is I'll take it)

- Finish at least 6 quilts or other sewing projects

- Finish a sprint triathlon (I am relying on one of my friends to keep me on track with this one - let the training begin)

- Train Stark (for once in my life I want a spectacularly good dog)

- Be more spontaneous

- Laugh a lot more then I did in 2011 (Capricious - I am relying on you to bring on the silliness)

And off we go...

Art by Chase

2011-12-31T08:26:00.001-08:00

I'm so jealous of the amazing pictures Chase drew for his Papa, Baba, and great Baba.

Clock Changes

2011-12-31T07:00:00.000-08:00

I added black and white photobooth photos to the clock and only left a small yellow border. Better? I'm still not sure...

Hello Out There

2011-12-30T18:59:00.001-08:00

Gotta love the Photobooth App!

Clock

2011-12-30T15:40:00.001-08:00

I bought this clock (the yellow squares can be changed out) and now I am worried it is too country sunflower looking. Return it or keep it?

Puppy Update

2011-12-30T14:40:00.001-08:00

Stark had his first vet appointment today...he is so mellow he decided to take a quick snooze while he waited.

Sweet pup

He is so tolerant of Chase

Home Alone

2011-12-27T10:09:00.001-08:00

Stark's first time home alone.

Crafting Inspiration

2011-12-26T18:16:00.001-08:00

Quilts from Goddess in Progress...Quilts

Dressing Up A Dog's Collar

2011-12-26T14:24:00.001-08:00

My aunt gave me this great idea for updating a dog's collar on a regular basis. It is just a tube of fabric (with folded over finished ends) that is about twice as long as the collar (for the scrunchie look). I serged my seam to avoid fraying inside but that is optional. Just make sure that the tube is wide enough to cover the buckle (where the ends of the tube meet are where the tags hang out). Now you can have an updated look for every season.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T07:23:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Christmas morning around here. Chase said that Santa is a really nice guy! He got a bunch of legos, some superhero mashers, a Spiderman inflatable punching guy, and his big gift was a trampoline. Lots of excitement around here.

B got a Cotton Candy maker - so excited to try it!!! Santa brought me some awesome layer cakes and new scissors (those things could take a finger off)!

Here is a picture of Chase trying to explain to B that the coal B got in his stocking is really just candy.

Bugsy spent most of the morning showing his resentment about Stark's arrival by hiding from everyone. Jaxx spent the entire morning happily playing fetch.

Stark's favorite part of the morning was waking up Chase (he LOVES that boy - follows him everywhere - this AMs greeting was the most excited we have seen that pup)! He also did some gift opening of his own.

He opened B's gift uninvited...sneaky puppy.

Merry Christmas everyone! Family fun here we come!

Welcome Home Stark

2011-12-24T10:22:00.000-08:00

Last night Stark (named after Iron Man) arrived home. He is 12 weeks old, about 27 lbs (yes he is going to be one big dog), and he is the sweetest most patient puppy ever. Very mellow and snuggly. Chase has already taken to crawling on Stark and shooting little toys at him. Jaxx has adjusted well but Bugsy is one unhappy dog. I am having a wonderful Christmas with my new furry friend!

If you are interested in your own bundle of fur we got Stark from Aspen Ridge Goldendoodles in Montrose Colorado.

A Moment of Weakness

2011-12-22T17:11:00.001-08:00

We bought Jaxx at Christmas in 2004...meet Stark, Christmas puppy #2. He is a 12 week old Goldendoodle. My aunt is picking him up tomorrow night and then he will be coming home Christmas Eve day. Ahhh so excited!!! Please please please let this go smoothly.

Happy Chanukah!

2011-12-20T17:32:00.001-08:00

Thoughts About Puff Quilts

2011-12-20T13:59:00.000-08:00

I started a puff quilt for Chase and I realized how time / resource intensive these little things are. First you have to waste a ton of fabric for the back of the puffs (and even though I used cheap fabric it still felt wasteful since it will essentially be hidden inside the quilt). Also you have to cut everything twice (once for the top of the puff and once for the bottom of the puff). Then you have to pin (I hate pinning and each block takes 8 pins!!!) stitch and stuff the puffs before you can even start sewing your blocks together!!! Phew!

I did decide to go with bigger puffs (8 inches on top and 7 inches on bottom) and I know Chase will LOVE the superhero fabric that I am using but this quilt doesn't really fit my typical modern style so I am not as in love with it as I wish I were. I am debating whether I should type up a tutorial for this or not.

Here are some inspiring examples...

This is my favorite! I love the colors.

While I am not typically a button fan you could do something really cool with this idea.

Yet Another Reason Not To Go Back To Work

2011-12-19T14:49:00.001-08:00

I just saw this picture posted on Facebook (apparently taken in a mens bathroom where I work). The note says "please help yourself to a cookie". Wow.

Best Sugar Cookies Ever

2011-12-19T13:58:00.000-08:00

Our friend made us the best sugar cookies ever - I checked her Pinterest page and she either made these:

or these:

Seriously amazing!

Flapperdoodle BFFs

2011-12-18T18:17:00.001-08:00

I love these Flapperdoodle BFF pendants (they are on Etsy if you want a set). I bought a set for Capricious this year - so fun!

It was the perfect gift for a much loved BFF. I'm not sure what I would do without my weekly "Kate Date".

Art

2011-12-18T13:32:00.001-08:00

Chase's Skylander art

Central Park Quilt

2011-12-17T18:10:00.001-08:00

I made this quilt for my mom for Christmas out of Kate Spain's Central Park line. I love the fabric and it is the first twin quilt I have free motion quilted myself. I was extremely happy with how this one turned out.

Gentle Leader

2011-12-16T18:00:00.000-08:00

I recently bought gentle leader head collars and I HIGHLY recommend them. We took our dogs for a walk with them for the first time today and they were like different dogs! Chase was even able to walk them because they didn't tug at all. It was really amazing and was an immediate fix.

In other dog news we had a really sad experience with Daisy. It turns out we were 2nd on the wait list but they forgot to tell us / send us the typical letter about it and we didn't know. The family that was 1st on the list decided to take her. We are all so sad about it around here...

Sea Salt Nutella Fudge

2011-12-16T13:00:00.000-08:00

I made this fudge earlier today. I am a little worried about how the texture will turn out because I tried to make a double batch and it was so much that it didn't stir very well and didn't get very smooth or creamy. I will have to wait until it is finished cooling to try it I guess.

I was planning on giving it in tins with a bunch of cookies to neighbors so I really hope it turns out okay.

Butter, for greasing pan

1 (14 oz. ) can sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

8 oz. high-quality bittersweet (60% cacao) chocolate chips

1 cup Nutella, room temperature

3 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Sea salt, approximately 1/2 tsp

Grease the bottom and sides of an 8- by 8-inch baking pan with butter. Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overlap on the sides.

In a medium glass or stainless steel bowl, stir together sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, bittersweet chocolate chips, Nutella, and butter.
Form a double-boiler by setting the bowl on a medium pot of gently simmering water. The water level should be low enough that the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Stir until the chocolate chips are melted and the mixture is smooth, 5 to 7 minutes.Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan, spread the top smooth with a spatula, and sprinkle with sea salt. Refrigerate until the fudge is firm, at least 2 hours.
Run a knife under hot water, dry it off, and run it around the edges of the pan to loosen the fudge. Using the overhanging parchment paper, lift the fudge out. Peel off the parchment paper. Cut the fudge into 3/4-inch squares. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container or wrapped well in plastic wrap and foil.

Makes approximately 50 3/4-inch squares.

Handmade Stocking 11

2011-12-13T18:11:00.001-08:00

Ornament Tree

2011-12-12T15:57:00.001-08:00

An early Christmas gift card from a friend turned into this lovely thing!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-11T14:27:00.001-08:00

...phew the tree is finally up!

Daisy Day Count Down

2011-12-11T14:02:00.001-08:00

We are all ready for Daisy's arrival on Thursday. Chase picked out her name tag and Boris picked out the collar. We got a crate from my aunt and Chase and I bought a bunch of toys for the dogs, a new bowl for Daisy, and a bed. Hooray!

Puff Quilts

2011-12-10T11:00:00.000-08:00

I'm fancinated with the idea of a puff quilt...I may have to try making one.

Dog Rules

2011-12-09T17:20:00.001-08:00

I think Boris feels like this sometimes...

You know you drink too much Starbucks when...

2011-12-09T15:46:00.001-08:00

...the Barista gives you a Christmas card.

Seriously - They had the card for B when he got there this morning...

Clear Bubble Tent

2011-12-08T17:50:00.000-08:00

Check out this tent! What a fun idea - I want one (perfect for people like me who aren't huge fans of the great outdoors).

Granola Bar Recipe

2011-12-07T17:12:00.000-08:00

Chase made granola bars in his cooking class today (Mommy ate the entire thing).

3 cups quick cooking oats

1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

2 tablespoons melted butter

1 cu flaked coconut

1 cup sliced almonds

1 cup mini chocolate chips

1/2 cup dried cranberries (they skipped these)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9 x 13 pan.

Mix ingredients until well blended and press flat into pan.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until lightly brown around the edges. Cool for 5 minutes and cut into squares.

Handmade Stocking 10

2011-12-07T06:07:00.001-08:00

Handmade Stockings 7, 8, &9

2011-12-06T19:23:00.000-08:00

Pinterest Addict Here

2011-12-05T20:19:00.000-08:00

I am off work from Dec 15th - Jan 2nd and I already have the vacation itch! I can hardly focus anymore.

So here is some random Pinterest fun to match my vacation-y mood...

I want to make one of these with Chase! So funny.

Vodka soaked Gummi Bears?!?! Where were these when I was in college?! I am seriously going to have to try these sometime (30th birthday fun perhaps?)

Whoever named the twos the "terrible twos" was playing a mean joke on parents. The twos are fine (and then just when you think that you have successfully made it past the bad years) WHAM - here come the fours.

I haven't been taking very good care of myself lately (trying to will away my chronic illness) and I think it is starting to catch up with me. I side swiped another car today, and yesterday I left the water running in the sink for a good half an hour because I forgot to turn it off, yesterday I also started my laundry only to forget to set it to run. I've also been doing that awesome thing where you drive somewhere and realize you have no memory at all of the last half hour of your life. Perhaps it is time to start going to bed early again BLEGH.

My coworker and I had a random discussion today about which docs that we work with that we call "Dr. ___" vs. the ones we call by their first names. We made a quick assessment that both of us call all the female docs by their first names and most of the male docs "Dr. ___"... makes you think doesn't it...

And lastly - elf donuts to leave out with Santa's cookies (okay really decorated Cheerios). They are so cute! Chase and I may have to make some of these over vacation.

Handmade Stocking 6

2011-12-05T18:08:00.001-08:00

The little turtles and squirrels on this fabric are so cute! This may be my favorite so far.

Handmade Stocking 5

2011-12-04T17:14:00.001-08:00

I made this cute little stocking using part of a jelly roll.

Playdate

2011-12-04T11:25:00.001-08:00

Toothpick Marshmallow fun around here...

Handmade Stocking 4

2011-12-04T08:34:00.001-08:00

Here is B's Stocking and a picture of our three family stockings together. I'm very excited to use them this year!

Puppy Snuggles

2011-12-03T10:36:00.001-08:00

Chase has always been a little sad that our dogs are really more my dogs but recently Jaxx has adopted Chase. Nothing cuter then a boy and his dog.

Handmade Stocking 3

2011-12-03T09:34:00.001-08:00

Stocking #3

Chase's Stocking - You can't really tell in the picture but it has cute crosshatch quilting.

Handmade Stocking 2

2011-12-03T07:55:00.001-08:00

Stocking #2

Happy December 1st

2011-12-01T16:48:00.001-08:00

I was so excited to get Chase his first advent calendar. I have memories of opening the little calendar windows as a kid and being so excited about what shape chocolate would be inside. It's all about the little things in life - I hope Chase enjoys his little daily surprise as much as I used to.

Handmade Stockings

2011-12-01T16:26:00.001-08:00

Get ready for a bunch of stocking posts - finishing a stocking a day would be great. Here was my first attempt (I used the Sleigh Bells Stockings pattern).

Quilt Block

2011-11-30T20:33:00.001-08:00

I have way too many craft projects going on right now but as soon as I finish a few things I want to make this block.

Fancy Tiger Fabric

2011-11-29T16:42:00.001-08:00

I went to Fancy Tiger today and got a little carried away. I plan on making stockings! So excited!

All I Want For Christmas...

2011-11-29T08:00:00.000-08:00

I am on the wait list for these two sweet Colorado Prison Program Goldendoodles...I've been waiting for over a month and all I can think about lately is how we should hear soon and how a Christmas pup would be perfect!

Living Canvas

2011-11-28T16:16:00.001-08:00

Chase managed to color himself green from head to toe at school today. He even colored his feet and back. It's pretty impressive.

Pinterest Fun

2011-11-27T19:47:00.000-08:00

I was surfing pinterest tonight and I found the below picture with the comment "geez Ryan stop calling already!" LOL - while I am not a huge Ryan Gosling fan the idea of changing someone's name / pic to someone famous and taking a screen shot cracks me up for some reason. Changing your info to someone famous on a friend's phone would be a fun prank.

I also saw this series of shots from Horton Hears a Who... don't we all wish we lived in a world like that?

BTW anyone else freaking out about the fact that Christmas is right around the corner?!?

Accidents Happen

2011-11-26T11:09:00.001-08:00

Tragedy struck yesterday. The exciting news is that it resulted in the purchase of a 4S (yay for the better camera)!

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T17:58:00.000-08:00

This year was a somewhat tough year for us and yet at the end of it there is still plenty to be thankful for. How can you not feel thankful when you are surrounded by family and friends - the people in your life are really all that matter. So today I feel blessed and happy with everything I have, my life and heart are full.

Thanksgiving PJ Potluck

2011-11-23T07:29:00.000-08:00

Chase had his class Thanksgiving PJ Potluck this week. It was over the top - one of the moms even made a turkey!

Here is a picture of Chase sitting on top of a bookshelf during story time before the feast.

Here is a picture of Chase and one of his best buds Aiden.

I am ready for our own little family feast tomorrow! YAY!

Saved by a Dongle

2011-11-16T20:13:00.000-08:00

Tonight my life felt a little too much like a page out of a stereotypical nightmare...

I had a meeting that I had spent days preparing for - I was going to do a demo to about 30 Anesthesiologists of a new electronic billing form and the discussion was the main agenda item for the meeting.

Handouts - Check

Laptop - Check

Screen - Check

Projector - Check

WiFi - Check

Form in a test environment - Check

I get there to set up (mind you for a 6 - 8pm meeting which is a bummer in itself) and WHAAA?!?! My wireless card doesn't work on my work laptop!!! I spent half an hour trying to get it to work or trying to find another laptop. I was finally able to secure a Mac ProBook (woohoo) only to discover that Macs can't hook up to projectors without a dongle (BOOOOO). So I ran to the Mac store (literally on foot) and bought a dongle (except oh yah I had to buy two because apparently there are different types).

An hour later we finally got the Mac hooked up to the projector (again woohoo) only to have the projector repeatedly shut down from overheating - seriously we had to stop for like 10 minute breaks 4 times (BOOOOOO).

All I needed was to be in my underwear or to have a giant stain on my shirt or food in my teeth and the night would have been very nightmare-esk. I keep telling myself "at least you didn't cry, at least you didn't cry".

Oh and the best part - I have to do it all over again tomorrow for a different group of Anesthesiologists!

Seriously this is what my week has been like! Friday evening can't get here soon enough.

Random Updates

2011-11-14T19:52:00.000-08:00

I have been terrible about blogging lately. Honestly I think it is because there hasn't been much to report.

Here are a few things I have going on:

- I have been busy crafting but with the holidays right around the corner I can't post pictures! I promise I will post them after gifts have been given. I will give one hint about a project I did tonight though (mainly because it was really fun and everyone with kiddos should do it this year). I bought Shrinky Dink paper (yes flash back to your childhood) and I had Chase draw pictures on it and then I shrunk them down into ornaments! They are ADORABLE and I highly recommend trying it if you have young kiddos. Chase will be giving his ornaments as his gifts this year. So fun!

- Another "day one" on a diet around here...if only I had a nickel for every time I started a new weight loss attempt! My last attempt was derailed by a head cold which I still unfortunately have (but let's be honest all things are just excuses - just because my cold prevented me from exercising didn't really mean I had to start eating like crap too). Apparently I am not the only person with this problem as seen here...and here...so here's to getting back on track (I just feel lucky that I only gained about a pound back from my last attempt so I am still somewhat ahead of the game)!

- I am feeling overwhelmed by the activities at Chase's school! We missed the auction we were suppose to set up for, tomorrow and the Monday after Thanksgiving they are having Teddybear tea parties, then the days before Thanksgiving they are having PJ potlucks, etc, etc, etc (the demands on parents never end!) Maybe it would be easier if work wasn't also insane right now or if there wasn't a holiday party every weekend from now until Christmas.

- We are hosting Thanksgiving and I am so excited! Turkey, sides, dessert, big family get together, YES PLEASE! I love the holidays.

- I put my name on the waiting list for two Colorado Prison dogs. Hopefully the wait lists aren't too long and we will get one!

- I am thrilled that the new seasons of Bones started and I am eagerly awaiting the new Twilight movie! I also am excited about the Hunger Games movie!

And with that random post I leave you with this.

Art by Chase

2011-11-11T15:47:00.001-08:00

Chase's Marshmallow Toothpick art

YUM

2011-11-09T15:50:00.001-08:00

Some days need ice cream before dinner...

I Can Relate...

2011-11-08T19:00:00.000-08:00

2011-11-06T17:28:00.001-08:00

I've been on quite the knitting kick lately...I finished two more dish cloths and I made good progress on a pair of "two at a time socks" for Chase.

So True

2011-11-05T18:22:00.000-07:00

Chase Quote of the Week...

Daddy: Can I have a boy that listens?

Chase: No. You just have to live with me. I'm sorry, that's how it is.

Imagine when he is a teenager?!

Knit Rags

2011-11-04T18:51:00.000-07:00

One of my coworkers bought a knit dishrag recently and she said she LOVES it. She wants to learn to knit and is hosting a crafting day tomorrow so I made her a few cotton dishrags as a hostess gift. I've read online that these rags are great for scrubbing glass.

They are very quick little projects, I used the below pattern (I tried both a size 8 and 10 needle and was happy with both gauges).

Materials: Sugar and Cream yarn; Size 6 or 7 needles (US)
Instructions:
Cast on 4 stitches
Row 1: Knit 4
Row 2: Knit 2, yarn over, knit across the row.
Repeat Row 2 until you have 44 stitches on the needle.
Row 3: Knit 1, Knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to the end of the row.
Repeat Row 3 until you have 4 stitches on the needle.
You can now either bind off or do a round of single crochet and make a little loop of chain stitches in one corner so you can hang the cloth to dry when you are finished using it.

Spoiled

2011-11-04T14:39:00.001-07:00

Bones DVD, Christmas tree cakes, Starbucks cup, Soft Pretzel, Baby Sitting two days in a row, and a sewing day! I have been spoiled lately. Soooo nice!

2011-10-31T19:00:00.001-07:00

Happy Halloween!!!

Booed

2011-10-30T18:36:00.001-07:00

We were Booed tonight!!! So fun!

Poses

2011-10-29T11:08:00.001-07:00

I told Chase to pose like a rapper and he did a great pose...but then we realized he was posing as a "Wrapper"! Lol!