A quiz...

A new baby and out of town company is wreaking havoc on my "normal" daily routine. I'm not complaining...just saying...Plus this one handed typing business makes for some slow going. (I'm nursing babes as I sit here)

Here's a quick quiz for you.

These coasters were shipped to Georgia on Saturday, December 13th via USPS Priority Mail.

This magnet was shipped to Germany on Monday, December 15th via USPS First Class Mail.

Which one got there first and by how many days?

I've got the itch again...

It's time for me to get off the couch and work back into the swing of life. I had some horrible cabin fever yesterday. Hubby looked at me and said "It's only been a week in a half!" Yeah, well watching him take off with the kids two days in a row to go sledding, having to cancel a dinner invite because he got called into work, etc. will do that do a lady.

Don't worry, I'll slowly ease into it again. We have company coming starting Thursday night thru next weekend. It'll be fun but first my house sure needs a good cleaning.

I'm also getting the itch to create something. I don't have a lot of time during the day anymore so maybe I'll start with some light switch covers. First I have to organize my craft corner so I'll actually have space to work....Details, details...

I'm eating my words...

Earlier this year, JB and I did up a bunch of quote magnets for a sale that we did. It was one of those sales that flopped. Anyway, she was telling me that I should list them in our Etsy shop. I wasn't thrilled about the idea because it seemed almost like a waste of time. I mean, who would want to buy them off Etsy anyway?!? Well I've been proven wrong! They're selling almost as fast as I list them. Everytime one sells, I have to eat my words! They are fun to do and it inspires me to make some more.

The days of stretched out shirt hems is upon us!

Last Wednesday our family was blessed with the birth of our beautiful healthy baby girl. The whole family just adores her!

This is the shirt she is wearing today since our night last night wasn't that great. My fault really. She loves to sleep in our bed and I'm ready for her to be in her own crib. Eventually she got her way and came back into our bed. At least we were able to get a few hours of shut eye.

Instead of spending my afternoons "playing" in my very humble workspace, I am now spending them horizontal between the sheets, happily snoozing with my baby. Hopefully in a few weeks, we'll be back on our feet trying to find time to "play".

Feature!

It's been a long time since I've done a feature on an Etsy artist! I was in chat the other day, doing some "lazy man's marketing" when I came across this seller. Her shop name is Nature Autumn. Talk about a cool shop! This is the necklace that first caught my eye...

I love the look of the nest, the pearl eggs along with the leaf! Stunning!

Here are some other products she carries...

Darling Elephant Gift Tags

and Owl Themed Pin Back Buttons.

Isn't he just the sweetest thing?

I spent a few hours today at my friend's house using her baby as my model. He's almost 4 months old and was as good as gold. Posing like a champ! My kids are getting too old to model for baby blankets, so he's The One, at least until I have my baby.

You gotta love the yawn! Sweetness!

I realized the other day that our Etsy Anniversary is fast approaching...it's on Monday, in fact. So in celebration of a fun year, I'm offering anyone who purchases from able mabel on Monday, December 8th, 20% off their entire order. All you have to do is put "Anniversary" in the note to seller box. I'll then send you a revised invoice (or refund the 20% via PayPal if you choose not to wait for the revised invoice) for the new amount. Just make sure you put "Anniversary" in the notes to receive the 20% discount.

Due Date has come and gone...

and I'm not the least bit anxious to have this baby. Okay, so maybe I'm ready to be able to breathe freely, sleep comfortable and all the jazz but I have so much I still need (fine, want) to get done before the precious bundle arrives. I think my doctor thought I was nuts for not wanting to be induced yet. I told her that we can wait until next week.

I did get some coasters listed, but shockingly enough, I cringe at the pictures when I see the listing. This morning after all the kids are up and at em (three up, one to go) I'm heading to Walmart (it's the only place within 30 minutes of us. I dread going there but what do you do?!?!) to get some lights for my light tent. Don't ask me why I've been putting up with it for so long. Guess it's just one of my "charms". After Walmart and grocery shopping, it's back home to do a mad scramble housecleaning. My husband is taking a half day (it was his suggestion, one that I agreed to right away), we're getting a babysitter and going Christmas Shopping. I'm excited! We haven't gone on a date since we moved here.

Maybe if I clean fast enough (have to at least make the place presentable), I'll have time to sneak in my workroom and start on a project. If not, I won't be too disappointed. Hubby has started playing hockey with the guys on Friday nights. They play later in the evening (usually 9 pm), so after I get the kids to bed and shoo him out the door, the rest of the time is all mine! This might be my last Friday night "all alone" so I'm going to make the most out of it!

Oops! Where have I been?!

I didn't realize it had been so many days since I last updated! My apologies!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at our house. We ended up having a few of my husband's nieces and nephews and their families over.

The rest of the weekend we spent dealing with strep! Such fun! (I'm kidding) Social calender comes to a grinding halt when that happens. Some of our friends from out of town were suppose to come visit, but couldn't when the strep test came back positive. Such a disappointment, but such is life.

I've been working on getting these coasters ready to list. I attempted to take some pictures today but got frustrated at my lack of sunlight and windy conditions, so I gave up. I (finally) got a brilliant idea to use hubby's spot light to light my lightbox but it wouldn't work. Burnt out lightbulb. There went that idea...until he got home from work and fixed it for me. Aren't husbands the best thing since sliced bread?!?

Here is one attempt I made. Better, but not quite there yet. I only had one light coming in from the right (as you can see the glare) and I think I'll need a second one. It was about 7pm when I took this picture so I'll try again in the morning and see if I get different results. I think I'll pick up another light tomorrow as I'm running errands (can you believe we don't have a single lamp in this house?!)

I played kindergartener today

and did some cutting and pasting. I woke up this morning in the mood to make something, yet knowing that I shouldn't because we're hosting Thanksgiving tomorrow. I spent the morning de-cluttering (no point in trying to clean until the kids are in bed tonight, especially when I have extra kids here today) and after lunch decided to scratch my itch for a bit. I figured once I did a little bit, I would be good to go for a few days. We'll see if that happens or not...I pulled out a few sets of coasters to work on. The hour or so that I worked was enough to un-muddle my brain. It's amazing how therapeutic it can be!

Last night I was able to fix Mr Peacock so now he actually looks like a peacock and not a dinosaur. I'm still staring at it because something still isn't quite right with him. Maybe I'll just pull out the "artistic license" card and call it good. We'll see.

Back to my "getting ready for Thanksgiving" I go...

Hmmm..didn't quite turn out

Lately I have wanted to create something with a peacock on it. So last night I started in on the tail feathers. What a good time! The kids wouldn't let me work so I put it aside and picked it up again this afternoon during naptime.

The head of this poor peacock came out looking like the Loch Ness Monster instead of a peacock! Oh dear! No matter how much I monkeyed with it, I still couldn't get it right. Once again, I set it aside. I had looked online last night to see if I could find a picture of one that would work to follow for the sketch but I couldn't find one that was "just right". This evening as I was cooking dinner, I finally found what I was looking for! Exciting! Hopefully tonight after the kids go to bed I'll be able to follow this picture. (at least for the head so the peacock actually looks like a peacock!) It's always a plus when something actually looks like what you're trying to make!

12 days of giveaways

I found a blog that is doing 12 days of giveaways. Fun stuff like Hot Wheels and Polly Pockets. Who doesn't love free stuff?!?! Head on over and check it out!

We had a beautiful

weekend! Saturday we took our kids on a hike to Hanging Lake. It's about 30 minutes from where we live.

It was stunning! Pictures can't do it justice! Since moving down here, we've decided to take our kids out and about as much as we can. I mean as far as outdoors stuff goes. You should see the looks we get! Our sweet "little" procession heading up the hills. Yes, it would be easier to leave the toddlers at home but I think the fresh mountain air gives us all a new "view" (pardon the pun) on life.

This afternoon I'm going to get my house back in order after the busy weekend. That way I can devote tomorrow to able mabel. I have some ideas floating around in my head that I'd like to try. I know I won't have time later in the week. It's looking kind of busy...getting ready for Thanksgiving, hopefully going shopping on Friday (I must be nuts!), friends coming over on Saturday...Whew! Sounds fun but a little tiring!

Hmmm...

can't think of a great title today. Sorry.

We had some friends from MN move here this week! Yeah!!! (Sorry Debbie!) This morning they dropped off two of their boys to play with our oldest son. He does every other day kindergarten and today was his day off. While they headed out to the backyard, I got the house all cleaned up and scrubbed because our friends were coming back for the afternoon. Shouldn't have bothered because the boys kept coming in and out, tracking dust all over the place. I'm not complaining because they stayed busy all day long! It just didn't look like I had done anything by the time our friends got here. Such is life.

While I was waiting for them to arrive, I dug out all the Christmas items able mabel has worked on and started photographing them. Good times! I started with Mr Penguin. I love this picture! (I can say that because JB made him!)

I'm going to try get all the Holiday items listed over the next week or so.

No Sudokus for me tonight. I got my desktop organizer in the mail today so as Hubby is studying I'm going to organize! I love it when everything has it's place and it all looks neat and tidy! I'll have to take pictures when it's all done and show you all about it!

I'm still trying to find a sealer for these coasters. I had ordered some resin, not realizing it was toxic (respirator recommended, not good). I returned it as soon as I realized it. I just don't want to hassle with the toxic stuff. I did find a waterproof spray that I'm going to try next. I'm thinking that with an acrylic (if it's non toxic) coat followed by a waterproof spray should work. They won't be dishwasher safe but at least it'll be okay if something spills on them.

Off to do the wonderful supper scene! Wish me luck!

If I do one more Sudoku

I just might puke! Lately as hubby has been studying I've been pulling out the Sudoku puzzle book for lack of something better to do. He's been in "my" workspace using the computer so if I want to work, I have to drag my stuff out to the kitchen table or down onto the floor. I've just been too lazy to do it most nights. I need a good book to read. Any suggestions?

Today I finally got on the ball and started organizing my work area so I can actually work along side of him as he's studying (one more week of this, hopefully!). I found a home for most of my stuff and brought in a card table so if he's on the computer, I can spread out onto there.

Every morning as I drink my morning cup of coffee, I read a few blogs. Thru one of those blogs, I found this one. Moxie Fab World. I think it's going to have to be added to my daily readings. It was so inspiring! I love the purple and orange color combo! I just may have to try it out!

I've had a bee in my bonnet these last few days to make some new Christmas ornaments for my house. I'm thinking along the lines of glittery snowflakes, birds, bulbs, etc. Since Walmart (and an exceptionally awful one at that) is my only choice of craft stores within an hour of me, I'll have to decide how I want to do it (chipboard, wood, cardstock, etc) and order up the supplies online. I'm hoping I'll get a clearer picture of what I want to do by tomorrow and get the stuff ordered. I still think the Basic Grey Figgy Pudding line is my favorite Christmas line! D Day (due date) is now two weeks away (I figure I have at least three since I always go late) so I better get it done before Baby if I want to do it at all. I read somewhere that the hot color combo for the season is purple, red and gold. Sounds rich and lovely! I think I'm going to have to try it out!

Nothing of importance

Last night as my husband was studying at the computer, I shut the door to our bedroom and started working on some coasters. In truth, I was trying to escape from my very needy baby. She has hit the "lovely" stage of always wanting Mom but nothing I do for her will stop her screeching. If she doesn't see me, she's just fine. The older girls entertained the other kids (including babes) while I worked in peace. I had to chuckle because whenever anyone opened the door to my room, Baby Doll was right there, ready to come in! I figured it was good babysitting practice for our oldest two girls, although they're still a few years away from babysitting.

This morning I was able to get outside and take some pictures. Or at least until my camera battery ran out. (There's always something!!) During naptime, I started in on some Advent Calenders. I got one done and the other started. Maybe tonight after the kids go to bed I'll finish it up.

I did some experimenting

this afternoon with settings on my camera. The sunlight was fading fast so I only had time to get a few shots in. I feel like I may be getting somewhere with photos and learning which setting to use when. Watch, now I'll try it again and get frustrated because I can't get the same results. Tomorrow (sun willing) I'll go out in the morning and see what I can come up with. I'm still trying to come up with a creative option for photographing headbands. Also I'd like to try something different (and hopefully stunning) with our jewelry. Tomorrow I'll have to devote some time to browsing for ideas in those areas.

Maybe tomorrow should just be an able mabel day. I really, really would like to get some items listed for sale directly from our blog. This, of course, all takes time. It would probably be mostly small items like magnets and light switch covers (you should see our stash of ones that are waiting to be listed!).

Last night, while Hubby was studying (for an Inspector's License he needs for his new job), I went onto Link Referral and did some evaluating of some shops. Link Referral is basically a site where you can review other sites, hopefully driving traffic to your site. I hadn't done it for about two months. Anything it takes to drive shoppers to able mabel! I know we've gotten a few sales from Link Referral so it's worth the five minutes of my times it takes to do it.

Sigh...the peace and quiet of my afternoon has been interrupted by the kids coming home from school and babies waking up from naps...All good things must come to an end!

It's amazing what a nap can do for a person!

I woke up this morning feeling cruddier than all get out. I soon found out that if I stayed still and didn't move around it was managable. Good thing I have this stack of projects to work on for the craft sale this weekend. After a nap this afternoon, I feel almost human again! Wonderful!

Yesterday I had a glorious afternoon of total silence and was able to get a lot of "playing" done. You should see my house now. I have stuff scattered everywhere! I just ordered some desktop paper organizers so that should help with the mess. Right now all my paper, rubons, stickers, etc are just sitting in a priority shipping box. What a hassle to have to dig thru!

I think I got all the paper crafts done so tomorrow I can start in on the jewelry. I think there are just a few items I need to do. The kids are off school tomorrow so this should be interesting. Maybe I can lock myself in the office and work...

Opps!

Honesty, I meant to update on both Monday and Tuesday and forgot both days! I didn't remember until I was just about falling asleep. Oh well.

I've been working this week on some items for our church craft sale which is this Saturday. I have a nice big stack to wade thru. It's been fun! We'll see if any of it turns out...

I'm off for another post office run. The mail boxes in this neighborhood are under lock and key and there is only a tiny slot for outgoing mail. Therefore, if I have to mail something that isn't going Priority (say a light switch cover) I have to run to the post office. I probably could just put it in a drop box but I don't have enough stamps to do that today. I'm not complaining, just saying...

I've having a hard time resisting

the urge to finish these up today. (picture taken against the very drab background of my card table! Very uninspiring!)

I'm taking off for the weekend with some other ladies from the area. Before I go, I have to get my baking done, laundry washed and folded, cleaning done...you know...all the boring stuff. I got the kids down for naps, so now I can fly and maybe I'll have time to dig into these!

Now that I've got the creative juices flowing again, it's hard to stop and do the everyday things around the house. I'd rather just "play"!

Equal Opportunity Photographer

Today I pulled the shrink wrap off my backdrop and set up "shop" out on the back patio. I decided that I wasn't in the mood to do housework and we needed some fresh product on able mabel. I tried to get a little of everything photographed. Well...not any baby items or jewelry...

This sign is the only thing I have listed to far. I have to pace my self...;)

We have a bunch of small magnets (this one is business card size) that I think I'm going to list for sale right from our blog. It doesn't make sense to pay the .20 listing fee to sell something for $1.50 or so. I'm hoping I can get it all figured out next week.

I did up two headbands on Monday night. It's a good "put your feet up" project. I got some fun new fabric scraps.

Speaking of fabric...I've been itching to dig into this piece. Slight problem...I don't have a sewing machine. Solution...Coasters! I went to Lowe's today to get some tile (I remembered to get able mabel stuff but forget about getting the church craft sale stuff. Gasp!). While I was uploading the pictures I took today, I dug into this fabric. I'll show them to you when they're totally done (they're waiting for another coat of sealer). I tried to use the fabric "wisely" since I'd like to use it on other things.

Some days things just don't happen

how you'd like them to. Or better yet, you don't get as much done as you would have liked.

I think my first problem was a list that was miles long....second was the fact that my energy level is next to none. Definately feeling like a Large Marge! (4 weeks and counting...5 if you add the fact that I always go at least a week late!) I was really hoping to do some able mabel stuff today but unfortunately the house stuff had to come first as we are having company over tonight.

Our oldest son turns 6 today and we're having a little birthday party for him tonight. I managed to screw up his cake so I'm hoping hubby will swing by the store on his way home to bail me out. I got the high altitude part down but forgot that our oven cooks unevenly. Will I ever win? Wild rice soup and biscuits were the supper of choice tonight, picked by the birthday boy. I wasn't sure what I needed to do to the biscuits being there wasn't any eggs in them. I ended up cutting the soda and powder in half and they came out as good as ever. Whew! I think I would have given up on the baking if it hadn't worked. My poor brain almost can't handle this!

Just Thrilled!

I got a package of Christmas paper in the mail today! They are soooo inspiring! I raided the clearance stash of Christmas paper at Generations Crafting (I'm a tight Finn, what can I say?). Don't worry, I didn't clean them out. I can't wait to dig into them!! First though, I need my paper cutter to come. (I left the one we had in MN for JB.) The closest scrapbooking store is an hour away so online will be my "best friend"!

In other "news" around this place...I'm trying to get used to this high altitude cooking business. Thankfully my husband's niece is here to help bail me out. I'm trying my second attempt at muffins. She told me just to add an extra egg. (sounds like, when in doubt, add an egg) We'll see how that works. The first time I tried them down here, they all looked like innie bellybuttons. They tasted fine, just looked really funny! There is an interesting combo of smells going on in here...lemon poppy seed muffins in the oven, spaghetti and meatballs simmering on the stove...yumm!

I also got my first UPS package today. I do a ton of clothes shopping online. (When you have a husband who wears talls and kids who do slims, the choices of local shops is pretty limited.) When we moved from our last house, the UPS guy acted like he was going to miss delivering to our house. I'm sure we just gave him is daily dose of "head shaking". He never knew what he was going to see going on at our house. Kids half dressed, bikes all over the place, extra kids running around, two year old telling "stories", etc. I almost warned the UPS guy today but figured he'll realize it soon enough! (poor guy!)

There goes the timer! Off to check the muffins! (fingers crossed)

I know something was up

as soon as I heard our computer printer make noise and the ceiling fan become quiet. Sure enough...6:30 am the power went out this morning. It came back on long enough for my husband to take a shower and the coffee pot to start perking. Then it was off again for most of the morning. It seemed to affect the whole town except for hubby's work (darn anyway!).

So this is how I spent my morning...

making coasters for the church sale. Last night I dragged myself to craft night (I was so lazy about going. I, of all people, should know that that is a poor excuse...last year we burned the midnight oil many nights trying to get ready for the sale, only to hear people's "interesting" excuses why they couldn't help out). I was glad I went because it gave me the jump start I needed to pull my stuff back out.

Now I have to wait for the sealer to dry so I better get my tennis shoes on and get this place cleaned up before the school kids get home!

I was going to update last night...

after we got home from a couples evening. Then my husband muttered something about me being an Internet Junkie. I got the hint and went to bed instead.

Craft night on Tuesday turned out to be a little bit of a joke. First I went to the wrong house...part of the "growning pains" of moving to a new place...sometimes people forget to tell you the change in plans. Oh well. When I showed up at the house were everyone else was at, it turned out to be a meeting about the details of the sale itself. I shouldn't have gone...I ended up getting roped into the sale more than I want to. It's not that I'm scared of the work, I'm more worried about stepping on toes. I've been here a whole two weeks and I'm not super comfortable with making suggestions about how they should do things for the sale. Just because I've done it before in MN doesn't mean it's the right way, the only way, the best way or that it'll work down here. Whatever...guess I'll just have to go with the flow!

Sister K finally got her Etsy store up and running! I've been telling her forever to get something going. She currently only has one item listed. I was thrilled when she called me and told me she sold it after having it listed for only a day or two!

I bought her 2008 wall calendar last year and absolutely loved it! I hung all the months in a line on my office wall so I could see the whole year at a glance. She'll also do it in a bound planner style if you so choose...

I heard rumblings that my in-laws may be coming over sometime today so I better get rolling on my cleaning!!! You all have a great day!

Ahhh! We're back on track!

Life is returning to "normal" around here. Or at least once we figure out what normal is. We finally got our internet working last night. I won't tell you how late I stayed up "catching up" on things. Let's just say that our company (my in-laws from MN, my huband's neice and nephew came over) didn't leave until about 11pm, so I didn't get started until after that...(yawn!)

Here is the gorgeous view I get to wake up to every morning. I took this standing on our back patio at about 8:30 am. Every morning I open the blinds and admire the view. Quite different from the lonesome prairie view we had in our MN house. The kids are in their glory playing on the hill. They can't wait until the snow flies and the sleds come out.



Tomorrow I'm hoping to work on some able mabel stuff. I have the itch to start creating again! As a matter of fact, I'm heading out the door in an hour to go to craft night. It didn't take long for me to get roped into that end of things at our church down here! At least I can just show up and work and not have to worry about the nitty gritty details of project night and the sale itself! I'm looking forward to going, it's a great way to get to know the ladies down here. I think I'll swing thru Starbucks on my way there. (much to the relief of my husband, there aren't any Caribou Coffee joints here...oh well, Starbucks will have to do!) Just a little treat to myself. (like I really need it!)

I have not fallen off

The face of the earth. We made it to beautiful colorado safe and sound.
I'll update more once we get our internet hooked up. I'm using my husbands blackberry (he's moving up in this world! Actually it was "strongly recommended" by his boss that he get one) right now and it's very tedious...

She's swooped in

just in time to save me from a major meltdown!

This morning I sent my little kids over to JB's for the day so I could get some cleaning done. The clock is ticking! I had assumed I could get the upstairs done this morning and then focus on the main level this afternoon. I got the first bedroom done and was on my second when I started feeling very overwhelmed! It was awful! It didn't help that the night before we hadn't gotten any sleep (stayed out too late). I just couldn't stop thinking about all I still had to get done. My husband came in to talk to me and I broke down in tears. It lasted about 2.5 seconds and then I went back to work...just a short pity party!

It was about 5 minutes later that the front door opened and in walked....MOM! I didn't know she was going to come! All of a sudden my day looked so much brighter! She had her cleaning gloves and lunch for all of us in tow. She took over my floor scrubbing and sent me off to do something else. I was telling my husband how grateful I was for her showing up and he said "After I left that bedroom and saw your mom pull up, I knew it was all going to be okay."

Whew! Saved by the mother!

Honestly, we could not be doing this major of a move in such a short amount of time if it wasn't for family and friends! My in-laws have been over here working like dogs, others have watched the kids and helped out in other ways. I will be forever grateful!

He's singing a different tune

and I kinda like it!

My husband and I have has this ongoing "conversation" over the years. It all started when we needed to buy a bed for our oldest daughter.

She says: Buy a new mattress (the thought of sleeping on a used mattress is nasty!), and look for a used headboard to fix up.

He says: Why spend the money on new when used will do just fine. We did it growning up and lived to tell about it.

Around and around we'd go until I'd finally give in and we'd get a used mattress. My solution was to immediately run to the store and buy one of those zip-up mattress covers. It made me feel a little bit better. This has happened three times now. To me, it's not a major battle worth fighting and I figured that some day he'd come around to my way of thinking. I just have to be patient until he decides it's his idea to buy new.

A few months ago as we were tucking the kids into bed, he commented on how the girls' room had a funny smell and has since shortly after we moved in. It wasn't a month later (when we got our son a bed) that he said the boys' room smelled the same way. Ding, ding!!...He finally realized it was the used beds! Most likely the headboards since we hadn't gotten around to painting them.

Now that we're moving, he's getting rid of the old beds (gotta love craigslist!) and we'll get new ones once we get into our new house. I'm sure the neighbors were wondering about us yesterday when the third story window opened and a headboard came flying out, heading for the burn pile!! I secretly smirked at the change of heart but resisted the urge to say "I told you so" because I've learned over the years that that doesn't get my anywhere.

This train of thought has gone beyond more than just the beds...We have (well, had) an old computer desk, a rocker recliner, a broken wood cabinet (small entertainment type thing), an end table...(you get the picture) that we were hanging onto "because someday we may need them and if we got rid of them we'd have to go out and spend money on new ones". Never mind the fact that they were just sitting there and not being used. Just taking up space. Now as we're moving into a smaller house with no basement and a smaller garage, things are getting pitched left and right! He's deciding he's tired of this "junk laying around"! Once again, I silently rejoiced at the new tune he's singing!

It's a beehive of activity

around here. We are started our moving sale today and will continue tomorrow. After that, the rest of this stuff is going to Goodwill.

My father-in-law and sister-in-law were over here for most of the day today helping out. It's awesome to have such willing help but sometimes it's hard for me to let others do the work that I "should be doing". (washing windows, etc) Yet, at this stage of the game (week 32 in my pregnancy), I can't physically do everything without killing myself.

The moving truck is now parked in our driveway. We have until Monday to fill it up. As I sit here, roosting on my rump, my husband and his brother are filling it with the heavy items. We actually don't have much "big stuff". Good thing JB has some spare furniture we can borrow until our house sells since our couch and one of our chairs are now in the truck. I was teasing my husband that he should quit being so efficient or else he's going to have to help me with "my work" (cleaning out cupboards and washing walls).

This afternoon a lady (I'm guessing she was in her 60's) stopped by the sale and bought, much to my amazement, a box of nails and a bat of insulation (lesson to self: Never judge a book by it's cover!). As she was paying for her items, we had the following conversation...

• Lady Jane: "You have a nice house here."
• Preggo Mamma: "Thanks!"
• Lady Jane: "You're moving."
• Preggo Mamma: "Yep." (woman of many words today)
• Lady Jane: "Guess you can't afford to live here anymore?"
• Preggo Mamma: (very much taken aback) "Actually it's a job transfer."
• Lady Jane: "You're expecting."
• Preggo Mamma: "That's right."
• Lady Jane: "Is this your first?"
• Preggo Mamma: "Nope." (Sometimes I have a really hard time "fessing up" to what number this is for us, especially when I'm not sure if their reaction is going to be positive or negative. Today was one of those days.)

At that point we got interrupted by something else and that was the end of it.

Initally, I was so suprised at the fact she assumed our house was being foreclosed. Then when I think about it, I should be. Here we are; a young family, living in a nice house, in a development with nice houses, all you hear about nowadays are people getting in over their heads with their huge mortgages and foreclosing...I can see why she would think that. If we were being foreclosed, there would be no way we'd be dumping all this time, money and energy into this place to get everything done before we leave! But there was no way for her to know that...

(There goes another chair past the window.)

I got to dig thru the able mabel boxes again today! Fun! Go figure though, it always happens that the item(s) I'm looking for are in the very last box I look in. I have to write myself a big note to tell my husband to pack those boxes last! There will be about a week, maybe a week and a half, where any orders won't be able to be shipped out. Just one of the not-so-pleasant facts of moving.

Now that I've filled this post with run on sentences and ramblings...I'm going to waddle out to the living room and check on the progress.

Everyday I think about

updating this blog but for some reason I never get around to it. Life has been crazy busy, to say the least!

Last week one day I went over to JB's house to drop something off and caught a glimpse of the items they've been working on for the church craft sale. Awesome, awesome, awesome! It made me so "lonesome" for what was our humble studio in my basement. I have had zero time to work on anything and besides it's pretty much all packed up. JB and I still have to go thru our jewelry supplies and make an attempt at sorting those out.

I can't even tell you when the last time I pulled out the camera was! I know I should be snapping pictures left and right of our last days in MN but I don't think about it until it's too late!

Times awasting this morning! I'll try to update tomorrow!

Joyful Voices Clearly Ringing

at my house this morning! I'm kidding, it was the exact opposite! Whew what a way to start the day!!

• My oldest two girls were fighting before 7:00 am, because one of the combed the other's hair too much and caused the "curl" from her french braid to disappear (it's picture day today, you know). I'm not sure why they were up so early but in the midst of it all they woke up the baby. Great.
• Our four year old decided to dig her heels in about almost everything, resulting in her being put back to bed for a re-start.
• Baby Doll keeps screeching at everyone because she wants a book read to her. That's great except we were all still eating breakfast.
• At least the boys woke up happy! The older one got the younger one his breakfast and now they're both plowing thru a huge stack of pancakes. I've lost count as to how many they've eaten. Have at 'em boys!

Now that I've locked myself in the office with a cup a coffee, trying to regroup, the house is quiet and no one "needs" Mom at this given moment. Things are looking up!

I've been working on packing up our basement. The moving truck leaves in 13 days. It seems as though everytime I get the able mabel stuff packed neatly away in a box, something else sells and I have to dig thru it all to ship out the sold item. Not complaining, just saying! I had to dig thru it on Saturday and didn't put it back. Maybe I should go down, pack it all back up and test my theory...

It's a bit hard having to put my "creative juices on hold" while we get packed up and moved. It'll be at least a few more weeks until I can start digging in again. Our stuff will be getting shipped out about a week ahead of us so maybe I can sneak over to JB's house at that point and work on something!

I'm in renewing mode

Instead of listing new items, I've been renewing what we already have listed twice a day. Our life has gotten so busy, I'm not really finding the time to take pictures and list. Hopefully once the packing is all done, I'll get to it. If not, then for sure after the big move!

At the top of my list today is a good workout! I've been slacking a bit lately (my left hip has been giving me issues this time around, but I got it adjusted yesterday). I could use a good sweat session!! Exercise is one of the best things for me when I'm pregnant! I'm less irritable, sore, cranky, you name it. As soon as I get pipsqueaks down for her nap...

I now have a red door.

As the mad scramble to get the house ready to put on the market continues, it's fun to watch the "visual" progress! Last night my husband decided to pull out the paint and attack the doors. He started with the door going from the house into the garage.

When we first built our house, I had picked out a color scheme for the outside. Not too long ago, I threw away those paint chips figuring that when it came time to paint, I'd just go to the paint store and pick the door color out then. I hadn't realized this whole moving bit would be happening and happening very quickly! My husband ended up stopped on his way home from work and picking out the color. The original one I had picked out was more of a plum color. I'm not complaining because the color he picked out is a very nice color and this house won't be ours for much longer anyway.

Pardon the horrible picture. You see, to take any pictures of him I have to do it on the sly! This is the best I could do under those "conditions".

I'm off to package up our able mabel sale from yesterday! Yippee!!

Here I sit

I act like I have nothing I should be doing today. My to-do list is miles long and here I sit. I've reached the stage in my pregnancy where some days it's hard to get motivated to do anything.

Yesterday I bustled from the moment I woke up until the moment my kids went to bed at night. I suppose that means today is my "recovery" day.

This morning I sat in the chair and read my kids books. They were in their glory! Then we went outside and puttered around the yard for a bit. This afternoon, after mowing the lawn, I've just been sitting around enjoying the peace and quiet. (As I type, I can hear my youngest calling for me from her bed.) I'm telling myself that after supper I'll start the overwhelming task of going thru stuff in the basement.

I think I'm going to pack the able mabel stuff last. I'd like to still have access to it to take pictures and list items. I should probably organize it according to what is already listed vs what needs to be listed. That way when something sells, I'll know exactly where it is.

So in the meantime...Here I sit!

I'm here, I'm here!

Wonder where I've been lately?

We've been considering a possible move to another state and life has been full of decisions, spur-of-the-moment trips, more decisions, whirling thoughts, etc. We should have our answers shortly and if we decide to move, it'll be an intense few weeks of getting the house ready to put on the market, packing and settling into our new place.

I'll try to keep this blog updated as much as possible, but just in case I don't, you'll know why!

You know school is back in session when

the kids come home with colds and pass them onto you! My head and sinuses are throbbing! I'm ready to crawl into the sheets!

Today I needed something "brainless" to do so I took the kids down to the basement and worked on a necklace. It required very little thinking. Just count to three and make sure it's the right color. I wasn't convinced it would even look semi-decent. I tried it on after I was done and I kind of like how it turned out. Granted it's mostly plastic beads, not exactly my favorite, but for this style, it worked.

Now I need the energy to face the bedtime choas. At least my husband is home to help. He's also willing to go grocery shopping since our cupboards look like Old Mother Hubbards! What a guy!

There isn't a whole lot

happening on the able mabel front today. Just trying to get re-organized after a busy weekend.

I thought I'd be able to sneak downstairs for a bit while my kids were napping but it's already pretty late into the afternoon. Maybe I should lounge on the chair with a bead catalog I got in the mail. I saw someone at church yesterday with a really neat necklace on. I'd like to see if I can make something similar to it.

I almost forgot! I have a bag that I haven't listed yet. It's been wait to be photographed since late spring! I finally got to it last week and now I need to list it. I guess I'll work on that...

We now have so many other fun patterns for different styles of purses, this will probably be the last one we make in this style for a while. (unless of course, someone wants one ;)!)

Coming to you this morning from an oatmeal splattered kitchen!

It's been one of those mornings...15 month old screaming for breakfast, 2 year old needing a "re-start" on the day, three school kids in slow-mo needing help with their lunches. The solution? Give the baby her oatmeal so she can feed herself (I know better than to do this with oatmeal but what choice did I have?), throw the 2 year old back in bed (this kid is the most stubborned kid around, love him to death though!) and help get the school kids out the door (narrowly avoiding a meltdown by the kindergartner).


Now I'm paying for it...the self-feeding-oatmeal-flinging-machine made a huge mess. (this is exactly why oatmeal is not my most favorite breakfast to give the kids) Oh well! The joys of motherhood! Take the messy with the good!


I think I'm sunk....Take for example this wedding I went to last night. Someone was sitting a few benches up and had this very colorful dress on. My first thought? That would make an awesome apron! Sick, huh? You see, JB just bought a very delicious apron book with some very cool ideas in there. I can't help it!!


Next I was talking to my mom and noticed her necklace. She "cheated" and bought it instead of making it. (I'm kidding mom!) As I was laying last night I was trying to decide if I had the right "ingredients" to make a similar one today. Took me forever to fall asleep! I sometimes wonder why I bother making jewelry because it's so over-saturated on Etsy. Yet it's so much fun and I'm really learning a lot, so it's hard to stop. I guess I just have to find another outlet to sell the jewelry. Or else try to make ours so unique, they're hard to pass up!


After I get this bag listed, I'm going to gather these ducklings and head downstairs to see if I can get some able mabel work done today. I have a few light switch covers waiting to be finished and then maybe dive into the beads!

I'm feeling a little bit chatty

but am getting a taste of my own medicine...hubby has his nose buried in a book (he's at the end, very riveting!) and doesn't want to listen to me. Hate when that happens (the taste of my own medicine, that is).

I took our 4 year old to a wedding tonight. She was full of questions...

• Why does that guy (the usher) have to help those people in (to the church)? Will they cry if he doesn't help them?
• Now who's going to sing?
• Why is that lady walking so fast? Because her baby is crying?
• Why does he (the usher again) have to help us out? Can't we help ourselves?
• Are we going to get to eat cake now?
• Do I have to give that lady (the bride) a hug?

and on and on. I felt like I was shushing her the whole time. Overall she did good and it was fun to have her there with me.

On the able mabel front...

JB and I worked on getting a smaller version of this bag done today. Someone had requested it over the weekend and today was the first day we had time to work on it. I'll have to get it photographed and listed tomorrow.

While she was finishing up the purse, I started on a pouch. I got part of it sewed but not all. The time to wrap things up came all too soon. "Real life" obligations, you know. It'll probably be next week before I can get back over there and do some more sewing. Really, I have to get my own machine. Someday, someday...

Just heard the book clunk to the floor (that's my sign to wrap things up here. Short and sweet, I guess). Good night! See you in the morning!

Creative thinking required

on my part when it comes to photographing mirrors. We've had these mirrors that we did a while back. I've had a hard time trying to figure out how to photograph them because, obviously, something will always be reflected in the mirror. The same goes for the artwork that is protected by glass. Finally today, I think I was able to get a "good enough" picture of them.

For the mirrors, I laid them down on the ground and shot from above, at just enough of an angle so my camera wasn't reflected in the mirror. I then got down on my knees and shot from the side, basically trying to get the detail on the mirror. I may try this again with a different colored background, now that I know it's going to work.

For the glass framed artwork, I hung a see thru sheet across the dining room window, sat slightly off to the side of the sign and snapped from that angle. They're not perfect, but they just might have to do for now.

There was much rejoicing

this morning on this household! Today is the first day of school! I'm still not sure who was more excited...me or the kids! My oldest two girls chattered excitedly all morning long, watching the clock. As they shut the door with a bang, I breathed a sigh of relief. I'll definitely miss their help during the day, but realized this summer how much they/we need the routine, challenge and structure of school. Our son will start kindergarten tomorrow. He's still upstairs sawing logs, so he missed out on all the excitement.

I can't really sit back and enjoy my morning though. I have to get two packages ready to go (able mabel had an excellent sales day on Saturday, so I'm not complaining about getting the packages ready) and then race off to the oral surgeon. Our son has an extra tooth bud on the roof of his mouth that needs to be removed. Crazy!

I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of the school year. Getting on somewhat of a schedule! It almost feels like a new beginning!

A sneak peek into the everyday lives of able mabel

This was the scene unfolding in my front yard last night. Keep in mind it's about 7:30 pm and probably only about 70 degrees, max. Pretty chilly!

This one is a classic! Little brother, crack showing, assumes position to "attack" his older sister with the hose. You can kind of see them on the hill, unaware of their brother's intentions.

No, she's is not in jail. The toddlers and I were sitting safely on the front porch watching the water fight. Dad stopped working on the sidewalk and came over to join in the fun. His job? Herding the older girls towards the younger kids with the hoses, getting them close enough to get wet. There was much shrieking and laughter echoing thru our yard last night! Good times had by all!

O Happy Day!

or at least as far as yesterday's mail went.

Late last week I had ordered a necklace display from Fire Mountain Gems. Fed-Ex delivered it to my door yesterday, mid morning. I hardly wasted anytime before trying it out.

Being that we have such a variety of items in our shop, I'd like to "unify" each section. Stage all the jewelry the same, light switch covers the same, etc. I think it will help our shop look less cluttered.

When the "real" mail came, I got another pack of fabric scraps from Starlitnest. I've been using them for headbands, but am also thinking of other things...if I told you I'd have to...well you know...

The colors and patterns in this new batch were so awesome! Very inspiring! I was going to take pictures of them today, but it's so windy outside it wouldn't work. I was gone all morning so the lighting inside the house just wasn't right.

Dreaming

of new accent pillow designs! The last few nights I have had some ideas flowing in my head at odd times of the night. Crazy! My goal is to get a sewing machine sooner than later. I've found a few on Craigslist that I'd like to go look at. Now if I could just talk JB into coming with me to look at them....



Last night I hauled the red bench outside and tried to take pictures of some quilts sister JH had made. My baby cooperated for about 5 minutes. Better than expected! She's such a bundle of energy (as I sit here typing she's hanging onto my arm trying to get onto my lap. No chance, baby doll! Not until I'm done anyway!), I can't really expect her to sit still. I love having a "live" model in house, even though our sessions are short and sweet! (Okay, she got her way and is now perched on my lap. We'll see how long it is before she starts having at the keyboard!)

Duplos as props wasn't exactly what I had in mind...

Here's my cue that this session has now come to a close!

We made it!!!

Etsy just sponsered a Handmade Kid's Contest, I had blogged about it before. Today I noticed the finals were posted. Each category was narrowed down and now G.Q.Public can go in and vote on them.

We made it into this round in the furniture category! Part of me wonders if it's only because a few people entered...but hey! we still made it this far! Here's our entry!

Now you all get over there and vote!!

Madness around here

I'm not sure who is more ready for school to start, me or the kids. I feel as though I'm hanging on to my sanity by a thread. Here's a vote for more vacation during the school year and a two month summer break!

Today we broke up the monotony of life and took a trip to grandma and grandpa's to swim in their pool. It was the first time this whole summer! Sad but true! It was awesome to get out of the house, still be able to put the babies for their naps, and enjoy the afternoon. It's always fun to go there...you never quite know who will pop in there at any given time!

Last night we ate a semi-early supper and then I sent the kids outside while I pulled out the beads. I worked on jewelry until almost midnight. (give or take when you factor in the bedtime scene and the interruptions of the kids) I was able to get 8 necklaces done. Two still need clasps and I didn't have the right color for them. I'll have to shop around on Etsy tonight and see what I can find. Hubby has the camera with him (he's out of town) so I can't take pictures of them. An enjoyable evening...just me and my beads!

What should I do tonight?!?!?

Spent a little time

using the Pounce feature on Etsy this afternoon. Pounce has two different options...one for sold items and one for undiscovered (new) shops. When you sell something from your shop, it'll show up in Pounce. It shows the item you sold plus 6 other items from your shop.


We sold the Charcoal Sally Bag today, so I wanted to see what other items from our shop showed up in Pounce. I must have been in there too late because I never saw our shop pop up in there.

Oops...that pictures didn't link very well. Oh well, you get the idea!

I found some other cool shops though! Marked a few more favorites!

Sometimes Kids Rule the Roost

I had plans today to go with my mom and JB to the delightful town of Northfield, MN. We had helped mom get ready for her last doll show and this was our "payment", her treat to us.

My husband stayed home from work today, sick (it's making it's way thru the family), so I left everyone but the youngest home. He's pretty much horizontal so I felt bad leaving him with the baby. I figured the rest of the kids could fend for themselves, for the most part.

I was almost to my mom and dad's when babes started gagging. I quickly pulled over and managed to get her blanket under her chin as she started throwing up. Yuck! Back home I went. So much for my outing for today.

I was disappointed but it's life. Not much you can do about it. I've learned to expect things like this, it comes with the territory. I was thankful I had already been to Northfield. It makes it easier to stay home.

Since all I accomplished yesterday was racking up cell phone minutes, today I'm determined to get something done...well...as soon as my baby goes down for a nap!

Lazy Day

so far today. I'm using the fact that I was sick yesterday as my excuse to slack off today. I couldn't keep anything in my system (information overload?) yesterday, so today I'm "recuperating". Granted the washer and dryer are humming but other than that I'm just hanging out.

I'm going to use today for able mabel stuff. Take some pictures, work on our international shipping rates, that sort of thing.

It's contest time

over at Etsy. They are having a Handmade Kid's Contest with about 7 different categories you can enter items into. I just got our entry (the deadline is tomorrow) done for the furniture category. Sister JH had made a cradle/step stool. I had forgotten, kind of, about it! Shame on me!

I don't expect any of our entries to win but I figured it would be good exposure for our shop. A new challenge is always fun!

A little R & R

My husband and I just returned yesterday from a week long trip to Glacier National Park in Northern Montana. We celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary on the 8th, so we used that as our "excuse" to sneak away.

It was sheer bliss! A much needed break! We were both in our element as we hiked for two and half days, logging about 25 miles in all. My husband spent most of the time behind the camera and took a ton of pictures (about 400 in all). Gotta admit, he's pretty good!

One night as I lay in the green luscious grass at our cabin, exhausted from hiking, smelling the salmon my husband was grilling for dinner, I thought to myself "Life doesn't get much better than this!" (that is, if you're going to take a trip without kids!)

This is one of the longer, more difficult and probably the most breath-taking hikes we took. Approximately 13 miles total (Highline Trail with the Glacier Overlook). It was comical to see the expressions on people's faces when they realized I was pregnant, especially when we passed them! It was almost as if they expected me to drop in a heap in the middle of the trail. They all assumed it was our first baby and we never did "fess up" to anyone how many kids we already had! As we hiked, we both agreed that this was definately not a trail to take kids on. For part of the trail, there was a sheer drop off to one side. As we got to the Glacier Overlook trail (it climbed 1000 feet over the course of .6 miles) there was loose rock covered in sand. Slightly un-nerving but well worth it!

On almost all the trails, we hiked with the mountain goats. For the most part they left us alone, except for this guy. (this encounter was down by Hidden Lake) I was in front as we came around the corner to find him walking toward us on the trail. We stepped off into the weeds a few steps to let him pass. He walked right up to where we were, stopped, looked at us and headed right for us! We scattered off to the side and he again paused by where we were standing, probably thinking "stupid tourists" and continued on his way. He was a little too close for comfort!

We also saw other animals...big horn sheep, bears, etc. It is just so amazing to be out with nature. It made me realize how insignificant humans are. Awesome!

Paybacks from the kids started as soon as we walked in the door last night. Our youngest wouldn't let me put her down all evening and is also feeling needy this morning. I'm not at all suprised, in fact, I expected it. It's one of the "side effects" of leaving them home. It's worth it though!

Now off to weed thru my 255 e-mails waiting for me! Yuck!

Kid Quip

I had my daughter in for pre-school screening today. She's turning 4 tomorrow. In one part of the screening she was given different objects and then asked to describe them.

She was given a big blue button and asked the question "What do you do with this?" She sweetly answered, "Make necklaces out of it." I had to stifle my urge to laugh! The screener looked at me quizzically as she agreed that you can make necklaces out of it, but what else is it for...

My daughter never did get the question right but ya think able mabel is rubbing off on her?

Quick post

Last night JB came over and we made some jewelry. It wasn't a super productive evening, or at least it felt like it. Our husbands were both gone so our kids swirled at our feet. Usually when we've done jewelry, our kids are sleeping and the house it quiet. I guess if I tally up the numbers, we came out alright.

Here's two pictures (I have more but I won't bore you)...looks like blue was the theme of the night!

Today I started working on light switch covers. I watched a few of my nieces and nephews this afternoon so I didn't have high hopes of getting much done. I dragged my stuff up from the basement so I could work at the kitchen table. Watch kids and work at the same time...multi-tasking at it's best!

I ended up getting a total of 12 started. They just need to be sealed, which I'll try to do tonight.

As I was assembling them, I set them to dry on a ledge we have between our kitchen and dining room. I had just finished when my daughter dropped a whole bottle (baby bottle) of milk on the stove. Milk splattered all over the place!! Got that mess cleaned up and then went to put all my stuff away. While picking up the light switch covers off the ledge, I accidentally knocked one into the soapy water in the sink. So when it's all said and done...I really only got 11 done.

Now it's time to make supper and deal with this little lovie who got woken up from her nap! Sounds like a winning combination!

Just call me a First Class Slacker

in the blogging world, that is. I've been neglecting our blog. Everytime I start to update, I get interrupted by something else.

Also Mother has needed the services of able mabel lately. She has a doll show coming up in DC and wanted us to work on some items for her show.

Here's a sample...

This was just the trial one to see if it would even work. I'll post more pictures later!

Shopping at Target

can be a dangerous outing. Dangerous to the pocketbook that is. For some reason almost everytime I go in there, I find way more than what's on my list. Occasionally my willpower wins and I only get what's on my list. This usually happens when I'm pressed for time.

Saturday afternoon I "ran" to Target. On my list was the usually boring household items...dishwasher soap, toilet paper, etc. A list like this should only take me about 15 minutes max. Well 45 minutes later, I was still in there.

The problem was that I realized all the shoes/sandals were all less than $4 a pair. I had to stop and think who needed what and then search thru all the shoes until I found the right size. Took forever. That got me thinking about bargains, back to school, August birthdays...

A browse thru the jewelry aisle netted able mabel a bunch of items for our jewelry supply stash.

I found some super cheap earrings that would make perfect pendants and some necklaces that can be cut apart and the beads used for other necklaces. I didn't know that JB had been watching those items, waiting for them to get cheap enough to buy.

It pays to check the clearance rack!

Today I went to Joann and found coordinating beads for the "pendants" I bought. My three youngest are now in bed and the beading supplies are out. I'm going to get the "able mabel hunch" going for a few hours before I hit the sheets!

I'll post pictures of the finished products later on this week!

Getting Our Eggs

out of one basket. A few months back I had blogged out opening a store in the site icraft. I listed four things and kind of forgot about it. You know, no instant results...My biggest thing was deciding what do put on Etsy and what to put on icraft. Esty is bigger and it seemed like things had a better chance of selling on there.

Yesterday I got a wild hair and opened a store on DaWanda, a European site. I decided that I'm just going to start listing the same things in each of the stores. It's a risk I'm going to take. It can't hurt. I can't image all the same people would shop at every site. When something sells on one site, I'll just take it off the other two.

I have about 6 things listed on DaWanda and will continue to list throughout the day. I'm also working on adding more into our icraft shop. The more exposure the better, I'd think!

I've also let our flickr account get stale. I'll start uploading a picture or two a day to that site also. We've been selling some stuff off Etsy to friends and family. I'd like to start using our Flickr to keep a photographic record of those items. That way someone can go check it out to see what else we are capable of doing!

I totally forgot to

update this blog yesterday. I had a post all ready to go in my head and everything. Oh well. Can't win everyday, just some days.

Last night my husband had a meeting. I took the kids to the library and then when they were eating their bedtime snack, I went into the chat rooms on Etsy. I wasn't there very long before I came across a shop that had some awesome photography. I picked the brain of the seller for a bit. I decided to try what I had learned...

This is a picture of a necklace "normally" (how I usually take them)...

Using her ideas...this was taken just on my kitchen counter at about 9:30 pm (or there abouts. I took pictures for about a hour and a half last night. Trying different things out, uploading, editing, etc). As you can see the coloring is off, no matter how much I tried to fix it.

Now the ones I took this morning at my kitchen table...

I'll tell you a little secret if you promise not to tell anyone...know what my background is? JB's cake stand, that she left here after the birthday party last weekend, turned on it's side. It just happened to match perfectly! The white is just a white piece of cardstock set on a (gasp!!) Kleenex box.

I don't think I'll use these ideas for everything we sell. The reason it worked for this necklace is because the necklace is so simple in it's color scheme and it's structure.

I did try it using another necklase last night but there was already so much going on in the necklace that it just distracted from it too much.

I heard rumblings this morning about one of our friends maybe having her baby last night. I better get scooting so I can maybe go visit her this afternoon!