Taggie Blanket

So you all know I sing, right? But did you know I play the violin?

Yep.

I started when I was 10 years old. A few years later, I was in a full-blown war with a violinist in my 7th grade class in Helena, MT named Teresa. We couldn't stand each other! We were always competing for first chair, didn't like the other's playing style (she was a very technical player and I was more on the artistic side), she practiced all the time and I practiced as little as possible, and we were not very nice to each other. At one point, our teacher even separated us on each side of the room because she was tired of listening to us bicker!

During a summer orchestra program, we were in an orchestra filled with older and unfamiliar faces. That summer, we began to respect each other and work together. We played together all throughout High School and never fought again. She always played First Chair, 1st violin and I played First Chair, 2nd violins. It worked beautifully! Her technical ability suited more difficult portions in 1st violin and my deeper sound added richness to the 2nd violins.

I didn't intend to write a Kumbayah post here, but my friend Teresa (who coincidentally lives about an hour away) is having her first baby sometime around the end of August.

I wanted to do something special for her baby, but I'm low on time these days (hence the lack of posts in the last month). I decided a taggie blanket would be an easy handmade project that I could finish in one evening. I found a celery green flannel remnant at JoAnn's and decided to base the blanket around that. I found a brightly colored flannel that matched and some coordinating ribbon of different textures. I spent less than $10 and have enough materials to make three blankets!

I used these instructions, but didn't really find an exceptional tutorial (clear step by step pictures). I was in a hurry when I made this one, but if enough of you are looking for instructions, I do have more material and would be happy to make a tutorial. Just let me know in the comments if you are interested. I think it turned out great!

A Short Story

Midget's Godbrother, just sitting and minding his own business.









But then along comes Midget.
















"Hmmmm... He looks like he's missing something."







"Ta-daaa!!"












"Seriously??? This stinks."

Yesterday...

marked an important anniversary for me. February 5th, 2008 was the day I made the decision to quit my job and stay at home with the midget.

I loved my job! I made a handsome salary. I enjoyed dealing with customers (most of them, anyway). I had a handpicked team that did their jobs well. I was constantly challenged. I was an officer of one of the country's largest banks. I had made great friends at my company and was well respected by colleagues. I had made amazing connections with senior managers in a very large bank. And to toot my own horn, I was pretty damned good at my job.

But...

I was not the kind of mom I'd always wanted to be. Midget was spending 11 hours in daycare Monday-Friday. I could only sneak in one pumping session a day, if I was lucky, and I wouldn't be able to continue doing that much longer. When I was at work, all I could think about was how I was neglecting my daughter. When I was at home, all I could think about was how much stuff I had to do at work.

I remember how terrified I was when we first starting talking about me staying at home. Terrified I would go stir-crazy at home. Terrified I wouldn't have any friends. Terrified we were going to be broke. Terrified that I was going to be the one cleaning the house, not the cleaning lady. Terrified that my life was never going to be the same.

I look at my daughter every day and thank the Lord for blessing me with her presence; for allowing me to be her teacher; for bringing my husband and I together to create such a perfect little miracle; for giving us the wisdom to make the right decision about me working.

Here's one shot from each month that I would have missed.

March








April








May








June








July








August








September










October








November










December










January










February

Did I Mention....

that I am now a mother-in-law? At the ripe old age of 33 folks.















My Stepson came back after Christmas and was supposed to be bringing his fiance. Well, instead he showed up with his WIFE! I'm happy for the newlyweds and pray for their continued love, devotion, and understanding of each other.

But could you just wait to have kids until I'm at least old enough to actually have a grandchild? Like at least another 7 years. A 40-year old grandmother can be a hot grandma, but any younger and it's just "huh?"

I'm really not above begging.

Really.

Really, really...

The Tale of the $23 Lip Gloss

After making good money for eight or nine years, I am having just a wee bit of trouble adjusting to the whole "budget" thing. Case in point: The $23 lip gloss.

My sweet husband requested a picture of both the baby and me to put in his wallet for when he travels. I dressed the midget in a sweet strawberry outfit and got myself all gussied up. Things were going well (I was even going to be early for our appointment, which is extremely rare), but then tragedy struck... Where is my red lip gloss?? I MUST have my red lip gloss! I thought for sure it was in one of the 423 (slight exaggeration) purses in my closet that I never fully clean out when I switch to a new purse!! I dug through a million purses, looked through drawers, closets, and any nook or cranny I could think of, but no lip gloss.

Being the cool cucumber I am, I didn't fret--I had time to stop at CVS and grab a new tube of lip gloss. I grab the baby and head inside thinking how I didn't budget any money this month for personal items--especially since I have a hard time not going completely broke when I take the baby in for pictures. What?? Seven bucks for a new tube of lip gloss?? That is scandalous!! Well, what have we here??? $1.99 red lip gloss?? I'LL TAKE IT!

I strap the baby back in the car and head towards town. About halfway there, I take out the lip gloss and put some on. What the FRICK?? This isn't red and it barely even has a gloss!! I remember that there's a new Sephora right next to where we're getting our pictures taken, so no big dealio, right?

I walk into Sephora (we have five minutes until our appointment) and a lady asks if she can help. I normally don't accept help because I like to browse (and I have a bit of a "Superwoman" complex--I can do everything myself), but I don't really have time to kill. I tell the woman I need red lip gloss, I'm in a bit of a hurry, and I don't want to spend a fortune. She takes me over and grabs a tube of red goo, hands me a wand, and watches me slop on the gloss. It's perfect!! In fact, it couldn't be any more perfect, so I head up to the register. The midget is smiling, giggling, and flirting with everyone as we stand in line and we move fast.

We get up to the register. "Hi, how are you? Cute baby! blah blah" *beep* OH MY HOLY COW!! TWENTY-THREE DOLLARS FOR A TUBE OF LIP GLOSS?? How much is the lip gloss that does cost a fortune? I certainly wasn't going to put it back at this point, so I walked out of there feeling violated and dumb!

My lesson learned: spend a little bit more money to start with or you'll end up costing yourself a fortune later!

p.s. Everytime I put this lip gloss on I think, "Well, that was fifty cents worth of lip gloss right there." At least the picture turned out nice, but can you even tell I have red lip gloss on??

I Think...

it says something about your level of commitment to housecleaning when your midget screams because she's scared of the vaccuum. I guess I should pull it out more. hehe

Boredom...

I don't normally do a gazillion posts in a day, but the hubby left for work for a week today. Since I ABHOR cleaning of all kinds, I am busying myself writing new posts! heh heh heh *evil snicker*

The first day he's gone is always the toughest for me to get through. I find myself doing random things to get out of the house. "Oh darn, we're out of (insert anything...doggie breath freshener--whatever I can think of). I better go get some." I'll also make random visits to people I used to work with.

Today, I had to get out of the house and instead of taking a walk or doing something good for myself, I decided I needed to bake. So, baby girl and I headed to the grocery store to rustle up some inspiration. I know--BAD idea! I walked out of there spending $40! Granted, it was all on sale and stuff we will eat, but I did not need to spend that money today! I decided what I wanted to "bake" were Scotcheroo bars, so I got the ingredients I thought I needed. When I got home, I realized I forgot the dang butterscotch chips, so I couldn't make them anyway. Remind me again why they are called "Scotch"eroo bars? DUUUUUH!!

Ooooops!!

I knew I'd score much lower than Sonshine, but I didn't think I'd do quite this bad...

25 As a 1930s wife, I am Poor Take the test!

Thank goodness the hubbster is not quite this old-fashioned!