New Beginnings and Olden Tymes

Hello! Just thought I would share a picture of my gorgeous birthday flowers from my darling husband! A boquet of my favorite flowers, Gerbera daisies, which was also our wedding flower. Orange is my favorite color, by the way!

I hope you all had a great weekend! I know I did. Saturday flew by and I don't remember specifics, but Sunday was the greatest! First off, I want to tell you about Little A's new beginning..

She's been threatening to jump the crib rail for awhile now, and Friday I put her in her crib for a time out and this is what she did. I decided I didn't want a trip to the ER had she figured out how to get all the way out and not land it. It's so sad to see littles in casts for broken bones, and I didn't want Little A to be one of those kids. So while E was running errands, I began the transition. Halfway through though, I got hungry, so we took a break. It worked out that way though because I needed E's power tools to help us out, plus the extra set of toddler wrangling hands helped too. It didn't take all that long and Little A loved it immediately! Each night has progressively gotten better, and she hasn't gotten out of bed at night the last two nights after being put to bed! Woo-hoo! Go big girl! I'm proud! I think she likes it because she can get out of bed as soon as she's ready and doesn't have to wait on one of us. Not to mention my back feels so much better from not having to hoist her over the railing!

Isn't it cute? Well, it's not all that cute when she scares you because she sneaks up on you when you think she's asleep and you're fixing a snack in the kitchen. I think my heart has flipped a times this week. By the way...

This is Daisy Bear. Or Dai Dai as Little A calls her. She's actually named Daisy because of the Gerbera daisy. This is the beloved bear that cannot be missing come bedtime, naptime, cranky time, sick time. She is Little A's staple. And God forbid if mommy washes her before bedtime and doesn't have her dry before lights out. Ugh! What a night that was! I thought I would introduce her to you because I've been telling you about her for awhile. Can you tell? She's happy to meet you! I think it's adorable that her favorite cuddle friend should be a polar bear, because my favorite cuddle friend as a kid was a polar bear with a red cowboy hat. His name, Mr. Teddy Bear. Why not though, right? I still have him too.

And here is my new beginning! I love hair cut days! My last hair cut/style was November '10. Minus the trim my friend gave me, I haven't had anything done to my hair since then. It was ponytail styling all day, everyday! My hair is naturally curly (which after much prayer turned out to be passed to Little A too) and my hair lady, and very good friend of mine, temporarially straigthened it for me. E loves it straightened but I think it makes me look like a different person. Maybe that's the whole point!

It's a little wind blown today, but I love it! (And I look tired here, sorry!)

Anyway, on to Sunday! E took the day off from work so he could take Little A and I to the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. It's exactly what the name suggests, a little village dedicated to the Renaissance era. They have food, games, rides such as a dragon boat on ropes and the little riding swings all operated by the poor knaves who get suckered into it, and shops everywhere! Selling mostly handmade and always unique treasures. One guy was selling magic wands and zombie wands ("Made from real zombies," as he said). Once we come closer to Halloween, I'll tell you exactly why that is so funny and ironic for me. Pinky swear!

But this! Was the thing I will remember forever. Little A loves elephants, the real ones, no stuffed animals. I thought she would be scared because she's scared of those little motorized Barbie cars, but she loved it. The elephant was probably the sweetest one in history too! Little A reached out and wanted to touch her and I took her hand and gently rubbed her head with our hands. If you can see it in the picture, the elephant lifted her trunk and put it on her head, almost touching us, as if to say hi back! It brings a tear to my eye thinking back on it.

Little A didn't laugh or squeal, but she did enjoy it. I know I did! After we got off, I asked if we could pet her ear and the guy said we could. As we pet her ear she looked back at us and leaned in for some more lovin'! If we go back next year I'm certain she'll remember us if she's still there.

I have an affection toward elephants too. Just the real ones. When I was younger, my parents took me to a circus and having arrived early we got to see the elephants practicing their performance. I fed one of the elephants an apple slice before they went backstage. During the show, as the elephants were performing, the one I fed the apple to came over to me! He wouldn't leave either, they had to end the elephants' performance because of it. Aw, sorry, I just made you walk down memory lane with me twice this post!

Well, anyway, on the crafty home front, I haven't stopped the hexie train, but it has slowed down considerably. And the things I HAD to get done? Hahaha, still need to get them done! The most important thing has to get done before Saturday though, it's a birthday gift. Well, anyway, I've babbled enough for one day. I've been thinking though, I'm gong to do a special post later this week featuring all the projects I have in progress so I can show you just have craft ADHD I really am! I hope you all have a beautiful day!

Until next time!


Edited to Add: Jennifer, from the blog "It's Just Jennifer," is working two projects from a book called, "50 Sensational Crochet Afghans and Throws," and I've fallen in love with her projects and her variations of them! I began to grow jealous and wanted a copy of the book for myself! It was 60$ on amazon! And Barnes and Noble didn't have it either. I finally found it on a little known website, brand new, for no where near 60$. I'm very happy with the purchase! Now, I just wish it would get here already! Thanks for the inspiration, Jennifer!

Coming Back

(Mabel asleep on her bed for once!)
Good morning! I know it's been awhile, I've just been so worn out lately and can't explain why exactly, but I'm back! I'll try not to make this too much of a downer post but I have something weighing on me.
The other day, Little A and I went to wal-mart after nap and lunch time, just bobbing to the radio and kissing our baby doll named Baby. It wasn't an unusual drive until we got to the stoplight in Basehor (Ks).
A few blocks ahead of us there were flashing lights and an arrow pointed us into the right lane. Traffic slowed and we all looked to our lefts to see the terrible accident. An SUV had been in an awful accident (I'd rather not go into details). I crossed myself, being Catholic it comforts me, and we drove on.
I prayed for those people, whoever they are, and then thought of all the people I knew who might had a car like that. Fortunately for me, no one I knew did, but people I know knew the people. I was in a daze, it rocked me so hard and I didn't even see it happen. Not until almost three miles later when Little A shouted "mama!" at me did I come back. Even then it took me awhile to fully come around.
Seeing something like that or being in your own accident (I've had my unfair share) it makes you realize what really matters to you. To tell you the truth, it's not as much as you might think.
The rest of the day I wasn't thinking of the house, my dogs, dinner, anything that worries my mind daily, I was thinking of Little A, of my husband and how much they mean to me and exactly how much I love them. They're the only things that keep me "coming back." If the world fell down tomorrow it would be ok with me, as long as I had them by my side.
Phew, now I have that off my chest...

(Little A on her new tricycle!)
On a WAY lighter note! I hope everyone had a safe 4th! I know it's a little late. Little A had a great time! Her cousin was scared of the fireworks and wouldn't even come out of the house, but Little A needed a pair of legs to hold on to until the noise was over. She let me hold her while the big stuff at dark was going off, but then she got excited a wanted down. She would arch her back and point out at the lights, "talking" about them with little exclaimations of "neat!" and "cool!" She enjoyed herself for sure!

This morning we found her treasure chest! The vent. She stuffed some crochet stars and her little brown bunny in there and she got pretty pissed off that we took it all out. She loves to take the vent covers off! Lord only knows why!

I've also been very busy craftwise! I made this hat for my friend for her cousin's baby shower.

It didn't take long to make! I plan on making booties and mittens out of the gray and putting white toe nails on them to match the hat, so it'll be a whole little elephant costume! I can't wait to finish it all! I'll take pictures for you all!

This is the granny stripe I've been working on for our anniversary. It is what I call "the man blanket." it's colors are all man. As I've said before, I wish the colors were brighter. My birthday is coming up soon and hopefully I'll be getting some means to buy woman colors for a new blanket.

This is the quilt my friend Megan and I have been working on for the last two or so weeks. Not every day, but we hit it hard when we worked in it.

The floral fabric is stunning, it's so modern and girly.

The back isn't eye catching quilt pattern-wise, but the floral makes up for it.

Lately, at night after Little A goes to sleep, I've been working on this. All the pieces are finally finished so...

A pink praying mantis! Love it!

It's so cute! I don't like real praying manti, because they are so mysterious and creepy! Buy beautiful at the same time! I can't wait to give it to Little A tomorrow! What do you think we should name the mantis?

Well anyway, that's enough crafty goodness. It has been SOO hot out lately! We've been spending a lot of time in the basement where it's nice and cool. Little A actually sat down with daddy in his chair for a good twenty minutes. It's very unusual for her to sit still longer than a minute or two. Needless to say, daddy was quite happy! I was watching the weather an it doesn't look like we're going to get much relief from the heat anytime soon. Looks like we're gonna hit the pool!
I just wanted to tell you all, I recieved some big news Friday, but I can't tell you what it is yet, but it'll be soon! I hope you all have a great week!

Until next time!

P.s. I promise to always post on Wednesdays and this is my way of keeping accountable... Hopefully. :-)

Chit Chat

Good morning! I apologize for my absence, there have been a lot of things happening around my little castle and when it came time to write to my bloglanders I just didn't have the energy. As always, instead of half-hearting it I didn't want to disappoint with a disappointing post. Please do forgive me, I'll be better, I promise!

My E has been very busy around the house with much mowing of yards and landscaping. We have three bushes or dwarf trees in our back yard that are just sort of floating in the grass, so E decided to make them pretty! We picked out the stone and he made them level and put down that black felt fabric to keep the weeds away and put rock in the base. I think it looks fabulous! It really brings an elegance to the yard. This project is a little time consuming so he's doing one bush thing at a time.

He also built this little box and put the fabric and rock in to keep the weeds away around the AC too. The hardest part about this is keeping Little A from scattering the rocks in the yard. So far she's done pretty well with it.

Little A has been climbing and hiding anywhere she can fit into! She's figured out how to climb up onto our bed too. Luckily, she has not figured out how to get out of her crib, she does get her knee stuck at least once a day in the slats though. So sweet!

A few weekends ago we went to Ag Hall for their Barnyard Babies exhibit. It was a blast! Little A kept running back to the rabbits and I kept telling her we have some at home she can look at, but I think it was the only animal she was fimilar. The had a little train that circled the grounds and Little A and I went for a ride.

She wasn't all that excited about it when we sat down. I don't really blame her, the seats were all metal and it kept digging into my back.

But after we got going and she knew I was holding tight to her, she relaxed a little and even sung a little too. She probably would have been perfect with one go around but it went twice, and under a tunnel. Maybe if they have it again next year she'll like it more. All in all, I believe feeding the goats and trying to run to the water was her favorite part.

While putting Toy Story 3 into the DVD player for Little A I caught a bit of the '70s tv show "Fun With Dick and Jane," and Jane, played by Jane Fonda, was wearing this amazing burnt orange crochet hat! Two of my favorite things, orange and crochet, right from the past! Oh, it was wonderful to see and it excited me so much I vowed to make one, or many. I watched long enough to get the pattern, see I have this ability (I'm not bragging just stating ;-) to see crochet things and make them without a pattern, well mostly. And good thing too, because that was the only clear picture I could find via Google. But this hat is in my mind so clearly and at the top of my list... Once I get some others marked off my list.

Well, hopefully I'll be able to get my craftys done during naps or cool downs. The weather has decided it's summer finally, after having the heater on until last week. But it looks like it's going to stay hot for awhile, which is great! I'm hoping it'll warm up the pool so Little A and I can go swimming soon!

I should be having some reveals soon enough and if you, my readers, tell me what you'd like to learn to crochet next I'll work on a new tutorial! Well, anyway, I must be off to get Little A started for the day! Have a sunny week!

Until next time!