I'm making a list

I'm checking it twice.

Custom orders are so nice.

Who wants what and what goes where?

Polka dots head Down Under.The key fob to New York.

The birdie to the Midwest.

This, a mom awaiting the stork!

Oh, Lou better watch out!

Lou better not cry!

Lou better not pout, I'm telling you why!

Custom orders piling up fast!

(Good luck and dream on with the Lou part huh? Good thing I have a week to get them all done. Two done, two to go.)

Grandma sent

a pair of felted booties that she made. Absolutely darling! I put them on Lou and they fit perfectly. I decided to send Grandma a few pictures of her wearing them.

Do you have any idea how hard it is

to photographwiggly baby feet?

Will you please

hold still for

just one moment??!!

76 pictures later (seriously) I give up. Good enough. Here you go, Grandma.

I've mentioned my

local "Sewing Partner in Crime" before. Well now, I've twisted her arm enough so that she's finally opened up her own Etsy shop, amylisa

It seems like she can't keep things in stock. She's only just started listing items but keeps selling them. That's not a bad thing. Here's a sampling of what she does have... The baby is not included, although she's adorable. Okay, I'm biased. She's our godchild. But will you check out those eyelashes?! To die for!! Oh yea, the blanket is cute too.

She has decked out each of her girls in their own patchwork skirt. I think her mom was lucky enough to get one too, and a couple teachers at school, and...and...There is only one size 4 girls skirt listed. First come, first serve so get a move on it!

Make sure you check her shop daily (no pressure, Amy!) to see what else is new. She'll also do custom orders so keep that in mind.

I only had a few items that I wanted to accomplish today. See, I'm learning. One was to get started on these boxes of peaches taking up prime real estate in my kitchen.

After settling the Littles down for their afternoon naps, I rolled up my sleeves.

The jars, washed and ready to go.I blanched the peaches (so the skins would come off easily), pulled out my handy dandy food chopper and was on my way.

The first batch of cooked jam was taking it's bath when I started in on a batch of freezer jam. The timer beeped alerting me to the fact that bath time was over. I ambled over to the stove and started taking the hot jars out of the boiling water. All was well until...

I went to take the one quart jar out. It slipped, fell to the counter and shattered, sending a spray of peach jam all over! I stood there momentarily stunned as I surveyed the scene. Jam dripping off the counter, down the side of the stove, under the stove, under the toaster...Ugh, double ugh, googleplex ugh. (couldn't resist throwing that in there. It's my kids' fav number.)

I heard the second timer beep. The freezer jam was ready to mix up. Then I heard a wail from the baby monitor. Lou was ready to eat. Eeek! Now what do I do?! What "fire" should I put out first

I stuck my tongue out at the jam spread to the ends of the earth and back and went to get Lou. With her draped over my left arm, I got the freezer jam mixed up and put into containers.

When I finally made it back into the kitchen to clean up the jam, it had gelled. I briefly thought about having toast for dinner and having each kid scrape their own jam off the counter. ;)
The mess was much easier to clean up than I thought. Just a constant rinsing and wringing of the rag.

JB had just been teasing me about my lack of canning tongs when she was here. She's right, again. I'm not doing any more canning until I get a pair.

Now I can't get the stove back into it's slot. Whoever tiled the kitchen had to do a patch job under the stove so instead of sliding nicely back where it belongs, you have to lift it over the hump as you slide it. For the life of me, I can't get it. Looks like I'll be cooking dinner in the middle of the kitchen. Literally...

I have to learn how

relax when Lou goes down for her naps. It seems like these past few weeks, I've found myself dashing around this place like a headless chicken, trying to see how much I can get done while she sleeps. I'm feeling like I hardly have time to catch my breath.

I was telling a friend the other day that I need more selection in my shop amongst each section. Like 20 or more items for each category. I was saying that I can't keep my shop stocked. She kindly pointed out that it's because I keep selling items. Oh. Ummm, yeah. She's right. What am I complaining about? How about taking time to enjoy able mabel instead of feeling pressured to do more, more, more.

Enough is enough. Life is short. I might as well enjoy these days while they last. The housework can wait. (unfortunately it won't go away on it's own) The sewing doesn't all have to get done in one day.

It's time to go back to living life a day at a time and each day a moment at a time. Puttering away at my to do list slowly, but surely. Yeah, it won't get done all at once, but it'll get done....I'll enjoy it and like it. :)

It's been 7 weeks

since little LouLou joined our family. I'm still having a hard wrapping my brain around the fact that she runs the show. Although, not in a bad way. When she is sleeping, I sometimes forget that she's here. For example...

In the pre-Lou days when I would sew, I'd sew like crazy, making a huge mess, until about 4:00. Then I'd scurry to get my mess cleaned up before starting supper. Last week as I was a few hours into my sewing mess, I remembered I had a peacefully slumbering newborn nearby who would be making her presence known shortly. A quick glance at the clock warned me that I had very little time left to get cleaned up and dinner started before she'd wake up and need complete attention. Looks like my sewing routine has to change.

I took off to the grocery store this morning with Lou sleeping in her carseat. As soon as I put the first items into my cart (2- 20lb boxes of peaches and a case of canning jars.), she woke up hollering. Sigh. I knew and expected it, I had just hoped she's make it thru the produce section. I dragged my heavy cart around the store with her hanging over my arm. At least I was smart enough to leave the toddlers at a friend's house. Now about those peaches and canning jars...Let's hope she'll give me a few uninterrupted hours of peace and quiet sometime this week. I must be a glutton for punishment. ;)

On the way home from the store, I was mentally making a to do list for today; clean up from the weekend, organize my pantry, do a few loads of laundry, make a baby gift for Hubby's co- worker, pack up orders, exercise, vacuum out the 'Burb. Lou stirred from behind me and then I remembered she's the boss. I revised my to do list; hold Lou, feed Lou, change Lou, tend to the needs of the other kids. Anything else accomplished will be a bonus.

Such is life with a newborn. I'm not complaining one bit. It's just a matter of strategically planning what I should accomplish while Lou sleeps. The newborn stage passes so quickly that I have to remember to take the time to enjoy her fully.

Late Night Visitors

Last night, or technically this morning, at about 2 am, a car pulled up in front of our house and stopped. I peeked out our window and saw that the people had gotten out of their car and walked up to our door. All the doors of their car were wide open, lights on, including the back hatch.

I was baffled. There is nothing in our house that anyone could want that they'd be so obvious about coming to get. I racked my brain to think if we had left anything outside they could possible "use". I debated about waking up Hubby.

As a man walked down our front steps, I swallowed my fright and called out, "Can I help you?"

"Fed Ex delivered a package to our house for you. Some sort of little kids seat." he replied. His female co-hart added, "Whew, it was heavy!"

I sleepily thanked them, chuckling to myself. In the busyness of the weekend, I had forgotten that the fourth seat for our Suburban was suppose to be getting delivered sometime this week.

Sure enough, when we woke up this morning (late for school. Day 3 and we're already oversleeping) there it was on our front step. Why they felt the need to bring it to us at 2 am is beyond me, I'm just thankful they were kind enough to haul it over to our house. Someone is already dreaming of all the places this seat will take her.

Fed Ex showed up on my doorstep today with another package from the seat company. As I signed for it, the delivery guy commented that it was funny that package #1 didn't require a signature but package #2 did. His partner said, "It did. The housekeeper signed for it yesterday."

"Actually," I told him. "You delivered yesterday's package to the wrong house." They looked a bit sheepish, as well they should. It all turned out. Now to get this seat into the 'Burb...

In Limbo

When I checked my email yesterday morning, I saw that I had one from Etsy Transactions, letting me know I had a sale. Sweet! I love those kinds of emails! I did a double take and gasped when I read the actual email. 24 items, all to one customer?! Are you for real?!


My elation turned to dread and doubt as the minutes passed and still no email from PayPal telling me the customer had paid. I had a feeling it was too good to be true.


About 15 minutes later, she emailed saying she was having trouble paying. Being that she was international, I wasn't too surprised. Occasionally that'll happen, although most payments will go thru eventually.



Needless to say, we're still trying to get the payment to happen. It may take a while with the time difference.



In the meantime, I'm not sure what I should think. The thought of possibly having to relist all those items and cancel the transaction is overwhelming. Those items are essentially "on hold" for her until we figure this out and my shop is feeling rather bare. Yes, there are still 120 some items but within each sections, the selections are pretty limited.


I know she really wants the products so I'm trying to think positively. I'm having a hard time getting inspired to make more product though until I know for sure. It's such an odd feeling.

Granted, I haven't even had time to pull out anything able mabel related, so I'm not sure why I'm feeling this way. Maybe I just know that I should be getting my house in order instead of "playing". Maybe it's a post vacation funk. Maybe it's the fact that I'm still sleep deprived from the weekend (the lack of sleep was well worth it.).


Whatever it is, it needs to take a hike quickly. I think I'll clear my schedule for the next two days and try get back in the groove. As long as Lou cooperates... :) She's worth it. I promise I won't get fuzzed up if she needs to be held for the next two days. She's way more important.

I sometimes forget to take out my camera

when I'm having so much fun. Truth be told, my arms are usually full of Lou, so it makes it even more difficult to snap away.

This past weekend was a total blast!!! JB and one of Hubby's sisters made their way down from MN while two friends made their way up from AZ. My house was the perfect location for a slumber party! Right in the middle of both states.

Hubby took the boys off to camp and us girls stayed home and had a wonderful weekend of laughs, chats and good times.

Here are a few pictures I managed to take... Heading up the hill on a hike on Friday morning. JB is pleased she's making it up the first hill. It was my first time out hiking since Baby was born and my 3 yr old was walking, so JB and I didn't make it all the way to the top. We perched on the side of the trail with my little girls and visited while the others kept trucking up. We then headed to the beach for a dip in the cool water.

Saturday found us wandering around Glenwood Springs. We had a delicious lunch at the Daily Bread Cafe, followed by browsing in the shops. (although there aren't that many.) I forgot to take my camera along.

Sunday we headed to Rifle Falls with the kids. These next two pictures are courtesy of my oldest daughter.

While the other hiked around the falls, I stayed in the shade with my two youngest. Can you see me? It's like "Where's Waldo?".

Jessica and her girls. I'm counting on her to have taken some sweet pictures since she is magical with a camera.
In fact, I put her to "work" trying to get some pictures of Lou. It was quite a production as I held Lou and tried to keep the "backdrop" in a semi-normal position against the wind.

The good times ended with a bang as the kids headed out the door to school this morning looking pretty tired.

Someone is still able to smile even though she was pretty sleepy. I still can't believe I have a middle schooler! Crazy!!

So now life returns back to "normal". Hopefully we can get back on a schedule (slightly impossible with a newborn) and a routine.

And the winner is....

Jenna!!! (Thanks ClayClay for drawing the winner.)

Jenna said...
I'm desperately wanting a new espresso machine and this would be the perfect way to get me on my way!
August 12, 2010 3:02 PM

Congratulations Jenna! You've won a $50 gift certificate to CSN!! Send me your email address so CSN can email you the moola.

A few reminders

Today is the last day to enter the giveaway for a $50 gift certificate to CSN. The winner will be drawn tomorrow.


If anyone is still interested in ordering anything from Pampered Chef, you have until tomorrow. Orders will be shipped directly to you. Go to: www.pamperedchef.biz/chefsmith
1. Shop Online
2. Option #1 - order as part of a show
3. Enter Leann Jurmu as the host
4. Shop :)

I love that Pampered Chef has the option of order and hosting online. Super slick.

The process was a joke but...

I had the brilliant idea this morning to make a double batch of monster cookies. I haven't baked much since Lou was born.

I was off to a great start, until I pulled out the sugar tub. It was empty. So I filled it up, only to realize when I was done that part of the bag was out of the tub.

and my phone was buried under a neat little pile of sugar.

Never attempt to mix a double batch of cookies with a hand mixer. Not a pretty sight. Mission Impossible. Note the paper towel on the counter. That was an attempt to clean up an exploding egg. Ugh.

It wouldn't have been so bad had I not had to dodge a Little Blue Princess (I bent down to get a measuring cup and accidently elbowed her in the gut.),

a pajama clad, pacifier sucking toddler, (I only knocked her over twice as I backed up to get things out of the drawer. Where can I pick up one of those beeping noise thingamabobs that buses have when they back up?) and utensils strewn across the kitchen floor.

No adventure is complete without little Lou hanging over my arm, making life a little more interesting. (After feeding #1 of 1298 today, she douced my leg with a huge river of spit up. Now I smell like milk. Yum.)

The cookies did turn out decent and some were quickly devoured by all.
Delicious and messy! (Good thing I didn't wash my walls yesterday.)

Who are these creatures

and what are they doing on my front steps?

The "twins"

Two sweet girls. Born on the same day. Born a few hours apart. Mistaken for twins many a time. Not even related. Same toothy grin. Same bubbly personalities. Same love of life. Same rays of sunshine.

Best of friends. Chums. Pals. Giggling girls. I love these two. I'll claim the one on the left as my own.

On Friday they celebrated their 6th birthdays (for the second time. Round one was on Thursday at the park with their friends.). A golden birthday for two golden girls.

(J was staying at our house because her mom had just had a baby.)

They giggled, shrieked and plotted how to get out of getting birthday spankings when Hubby got home. They didn't put up a fight at all and squealed with delight as soon as he pulled in the driveway.

Right before having cake, they dunked their heads in the pool. Makes for some nice pictures. ;) They giggled and grinned as we sang to them.

As is tradition in our house, the birthday kid gets to cut their own piece of cake. Gulp. They did end up putting their bowls in the freezer to finish later. Birthday celebration complete, they dashed off saying, "We should be sisters. We should be twins." With a hug, a squeal and a skip they went out the door to play with their gifts.

It's Friday so how about a

giveaway from CSN?


CSN has over 200 online shops where you can find everything from dinnerware

to wall art,

housewares

to baby gear

and travel.

The generous folks at CSN have given me a $50 gift certificate to give to one of my lucky readers. Think you could find something to spend it on? Did I mention that shipping is free on most items? How sweet is that?

Putting your name into the hat is easy peasy. Just leave me a comment here on this post before next Friday. That's it. Simple.

You can get extra entries by blogging, tweeting or Facebooking the link for this post. You have to make sure you leave me a comment here with your link though so I know you actually did it. (Just trying to keep honest people honest.)

Now for the fine print:

• Only comments left on this post will be counted as an entry.
• CSN only ships to the US and Canada. I apologize for that. There's nothing I can do about it.
• Entries will be accepted until Thursday, August 12 at midnight MST.
• The winner will be drawn by one of my little cherubs.
• The gift certificate will be e-mailed to the winner.
• The gift certificate is for a one time use for any of CSN's shops.
• Selma, even though you won the gift certificate on Jessica's blog, you can still enter this one. If you win, you'll have to rethink your statement about never winning anything. ;)

Who needs a horse

when you have an older brother?

A little of this, a little of that

• Good intentions seem to fly out the window rather quickly nowadays.
• On Saturday I had good intentions of getting some cleaning done when a friend told me she was running to Glenwood. I couldn't resist hopping in her ride. I finally bought some decorations for my living room. I'll post pictures when I get them hung up.
• When JB and Mom (note I said "when" not "if") come visit, they'll be so impressed. I've hardly ever decorated my house. Sad, but true.
• My good intentions of getting organizing done yesterday took a hike when I found a mountain bike on craigslist for our son. It was in Aspen, which is about a hour from here. Instead of organizing, I spent all afternoon in the car.
• I did buy the bike. I told Hubby it was in very good condition. After his inspection, it turns out it needed a bit of work. What do I know? It still was a good deal, although I probably could have talked the guy down further had I known exactly what to look for.
• He is usually the one to go look at those things but he was working two hours in the opposite direction. I had to be his "fill-in". Pathetic as I am when it comes to that.
• I have good intentions of getting the house spotless today since Hubby is hosting a meeting here tonight. I have a sneaking suspicion that the floors and bathrooms will get done and that's about it.
• It's just a bunch of guys, they'll never notice. I think and hope. Hopefully they'll pause to admire the coloring all over the wall at 3 year old height. :)
• Just in case you missed out on the giveaway on Jessica's blog, I'll be doing it on here. Just working out the details. Stay tuned.
• Aunt Selma won Jessica's giveaway. I'm still waiting to see what she's going to buy me with her winnings.
• Lou has been waking up and staying up for two hours at some ungodly hour for the past two nights. Yawn! She sits there and grins at me. I almost hate to "encourage" her by grinning back. ;)
• Last night she had an outfit on that said "positively perfect". I couldn't help wondering if that was true at 4:00 am. It's true. She is perfect.
• I was so exhausted by the time Hubby left for work at 5:00 am this morning. Lou was showing no signs of going back to sleep so I laid her down, shut the door and let her cry herself to sleep. Bad Mom, I know but I really needed the sleep so I can deal with the riff raff today. I really don't think she cried for very long.
• Still, I have a hard time letting newborns cry. Even ask Hubby. He told me the other day that I fuss with her too much. That I can let her cry a little more. Hmmm...
• I wonder what my chances of sneaking a little sewing in today are. Sigh. I better just wait until tomorrow when nothing else is hanging over my head.