Livin' the Dream...

This is what I am trying to recreate for my children, but using the 12 days before Christmas instead: A "Pottery Barn Kids" Exclusive about 2 years ago. Why only twelve days you ask? Let's be realistic here, I started this "creation" (in my head mind you) LAST CHRISTMAS and have since then somehow lost all the felt I bought for it and now in late June want to begin the process again. In time for THIS Christmas. I think I can do it. Remember...I don't have a sewing machine, so I am actually contemplating HAND SEWING this. My heart says "no prob, not that hard really" but my mind says "are your freaking hilarious or what?". Recall if you will my most recent post about enjoying the "creation" of said projects...not the production. I guess we will just have to see. I am making this blog hold me accountable. I did go buy me a brand new pair of scissors today (like I need another pair...I am a scrapbooker for great's sake)...

While I was working in Hotel World, I had my fair share of unpleasant encounters – who hasn’t?! Illness, blood, broken limbs, bleeding limbs, lost limbs, lost elderly persons, lost kids, loss of bodily functions, theft, armed robbery, armed personnel, death, and stroke. Just to name a few. Even with all the training in hotel world there is to be prepared for such things, it just never seems to be quite enough. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, you catch yourself saying “well, now that’s a first for me” and moving on. Why the dark cloud you ask. I stumbled upon a number of blog posts lately regarding one being ready (or as ready as one can be) in case of an emergency – or more specifically calling upon emergency for assistance. I thought it important to share the following with you: Four things a 911 operator will most likely ask when you suspect a stroke: Have your loved one smile (the smile should be even). Have them raise both arms above the shoulders (the arms should rais...

Actually, I love projects! I don’t like deadlines, per se but instead love the idea of a project. However, a little clarification on just what sort of project makes me wild with anticipation…it is not just any project that puts me into a creative frenzy: I enjoy the idea of spring cleaning a cupboard or closet or entire room but absolutely despise the act of doing so. The organizing of such “cleaning” is fun to me, detailing the game plan with pen and paper. But to actually perform the project is less than desirable. I love the idea of redecorating my home room by room. Creating with pen and paper all the plans and adding color swatches and cut out pictures from old magazines to a book that I can look at and just create and imagine. But mine and the Hubs style is very different, so instead of fighting my way through that entire transition, I leave it the way it is. Do you see the core of my creativity here – it requires PEN and PAPER, notsomuch physical labor of the sort. I love ...

This weekend I took on my evil twin’s exasperating trait of procrastination and let’s just say VICTORY was my new name! Hubs and the boys and I set out for the Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning to see what we could see. We stumbled upon a fabulous flat of strawberries - the sweet and succulent Hood River kind, a couple cucumber plants, some kettle corn and I was allowed a moment to drool over some fabulous Hosta plants that I was coveting pretty badly. Enough was enough though, I had big plans for my day and so with my change purse clenched firmly in my hand, we left the quaint little market for home where visions of making strawberry jam danced in my head. Hubs went to a car show and I and the boys clearly made haste in wasting our morning away. Drawing and playing cars mostly. Then off to a graduation party where energy was exhausted and social skills were practiced. We came home the boys napped, err-“rested” while I made some homemade BBQ sauce that promptly made its’ new hom...

Yes, I am still alive. And in my sickened stupor these things I have learned: 1. Measure liquids with a liquid measure and dry ingredients with a dry measure. WAIT! WHAT? I never knew it wasn’t okay to measure liquids in measuring cups. Did you know this? 2. Bake cookies and cakes with room temperature ingredients. It works best to have all ingredients room temperature when baking. Leave the butter and eggs for a bit before making the cookies. Proof to the Hubs that those two cups of butter that have been sitting on the counter for the last week and a half are sitting there for a true purpose...I. Will. Make. Cookies. 3. Adding a couple tablespoons of coffee (prepared or coffee granules) to chocolate recipes makes the chocolate taste richer. So now my chocolate chip cookies are a safe alternate for my morning caffeine intake...I always knew cookies were a good breakfast option! 4. Last but not least. After three almost four weeks of being sick...drumroll plese... MUCINEX DOES WORK! T...

All I can say is that I am still sick and the time I spent at the beach, while fun with my boys, abosolutely uninspiring. I was hoping a little time away woul dheal my body, mind, soul and artistic slump. Alas, it did not. I wish of all the wishes that are in my wish jar that I would. just. get. well. ugh.