*photo by mom

Just one for now.  This was taken at my mothers, after we found the 'Puppy Chow' gift from my Aunt Syrl.  Oh yes, YUM.  I figure since its made with Corn Chex, it has nutritional value so therefore Max and I can eat as much as we want!  (kidding!)  Though Max is a lover of it.  So much so, that tin found its way into my bag and is now sitting high up in the pantry for only I to ration out daily.  We need to make it last! 

How was your Christmas? 

Inspiration.

Just what I needed to read tonight, after two long days of dealing with typical toddler/two-year-old behavior. 

I realized tonight as I rocked Max to sleep, I hated the day.  I hated the way it wasted away because I was in a bad mood.  I hated who I was becoming. 

Ali Edwards posts quotes from time to time, and I always find them to be applicable to life.  When I read this one tonight, this is exactly what I want to say to the day tomorrow when I wake, what I want to say everyday. 

What quote do you find inspiring?

So, I made an attempt.  What do you think?  I dont think its as glamorous as Martha's, but I kind of like it better, almost.  I think I am liking the greens. 

Here's how I did it:

-Two sets of feathered birds from Hobby Lobby.
-Elmer's spray glue.
-Martha's chunky glitter.
-greens from backyard shrub (that I hate and want to tear out in the Spring).
-existing hurricane centerpiece.

I sprayed the birds with the Elmer's glue, and then sprinkled the glitter over them.  I could have given them a bath in it, but I still wanted to see the feathers and the red. 

I put the cut branches in the hurricane (obviously), then attached the birds. 

I said 'Ouch!' a couple of times because there are thorns on the branches. 

And I have glitter glued to my hands and nails that'll probably take a half bottle of nail polish remover. 

Though in the end, I have a lovely, christmas centerpiece for my Christmas Eve meals tomorrow.

*the untouched version.

As much as I have been posting about Me lately, let me reassure you there has been plenty of Max going around here.  I just get behind in the stories and then get overwhelmed in what I want to say.  So I am scrapping any sort of story and just sharing the following montage of photos since mid-November.

And there's still more to come!  Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season!

I wanted to share this with you as it is easy (though it may not appear to be that way), cheap and tasty, if I do say so myself. 

I've been cutting back on the Christmas gifts, but I still like to give a little something to some people I work with.  Plus this is my second year for teacher gifts. 

This year, I have been utilizing what I have in the house for gifts and decorations.  Outside of the chocolate, whipping cream and gelatin all other items I had on hand either in the cabinet or in my 'candy making stash'.  I think the Santa bags are a couple of years old from Target.  I purchased them when I was going through a 'whimsical christmas' phase. 

I found the recipes here and here.  And dont forget the instructions printable. 

Enjoy!

I know, I know, I said I would post more about Max.  However, today I spent my lunch hour looking for inspiration for table decorations for the Chrismtas Eve dinner I will be hosting. 

Lately I've been fascinated by the whole mid-century glittered christmas trinkets.  Martha has a couple of ideas.  Plus a few others that I think would be super easy to make.  (and if you have scrapbooking supplies on hand, super cheap!)

(all photos from Martha)

*heres the one that could be made with scrapbooking supplies

*i always see these cloches at the goodwill.

*this is one I think I might do for the table.  However, I might not glitter the branch.

*I love these dishes. 

Say What?

Yes, that is exactly what Max had done today.  Ear tubes. 

Since he was three months old he's been plagued with ear infections and upper respiratory infections practically each month.  This past August the whole thing peaked and since then (i've counted) he's been on 5 different antibiotics, plus one repeat to treat this nonsense.

The pediatrician ever so slightly dropped this procedure in our conversation during the 18 month check-up.  He kind of phrased it like this, so casually, 'its something we might need to consider, but not for a while.  However, lets just get the ENT's opinion and we can discuss afterwards.'   (Six points to the pediatrician for knowing how to 'guide' me in the right direction!)

I was a bit alarmed, but my frustration with Max's illnesses allowed me to be open to other ideas.  So I scheduled the appointment for the 'consultation' with the ENT.  Five or so minutes into the appointment it was agreed Max needed this procedure.  Procedure was scheduled that day for today, six o'clock this morning. 

Whoa.

*he was definitely getting hungry here.  So were Grandma, Ginga and myself!

He did great.  He was back to his ol'self after a good nap.  I wont go into the details of the post-op / recovery.  It was very disturbing (he was so disoriented he didnt recognize me and I kept saying, 'Mommy's here'.) and caused a lot of tears from both he and I. 

Im glad its over.  Tomorrow we are back to our routine - school, work - and then its the weekend.  Thank heavens!

(This is the last 'me' post before we get back to regular scheduled programming where its all Max, all the time!) 

I love having my nails painted.  I love the way they look.  I feel pretty when both my finger and toes are painted.  (and any mother knows there are times when you just need to feel pretty and not someone's nose/hands/ass cleaner.)

Though with typing all day and handling a toddler who is into everything, it doesnt make for a good environment to spend the money on regular manicures. 

That was until I found these.  Let. Me. Tell. You.  They are absolutely the bomb! 

I usually chip or scratch or smudge something no sooner the manicurist finishes my nails, and with these I've done just about everything - with the exception of building a house - and there is minimal wear.  I am talking bathing a toddler, chasing down a toddler with food all over him, dishes, laudry, sleeping, bathing myself, getting dressed for the day, tumbling class....and the list can go on! 

You cant really see the color since its a Chamgane-like (Raise A Glass), but you will notice the nails look finished....and pretty.  (mind the fat fingers!)

They are about $8 on sale, which is about half the cost of a manicure.  They take about 10 to 15 minutes to put on, which is about half the time of a manicurist.  And there is NO dry time.  Loving It! 

What do you do to make yourself feel pretty?

Thought I would share my favorites this time of year, kind of like how Oprah has her 'Favorites'.  Mine are on a much much simpler scale!

#1. I only eat these during the Holiday Season.

#2. Believe it or not, Eggnog.  Yes, I do enjoy a cup or two over the days.  I like mine heated up just a bit. 

#3. I've always been a fan of scented lipglosses.  Especially ones that smell like toasted marshmallows! 

#4. A new pair of slippers is always welcomed!  I do my research every year on slippers, and I found these to be perfect for me.

#5. Because I am big supporter of small/local businesses. A girl can always use a new purse.

What are you favorites this year?

As you all well know, its one of my favorite times of year, the holiday season.  When I was younger, I would find myself invited to a couple of holiday parties each year, and always happy to go.  This year, not too many parties.  In fact, only one so far.  (Honestly quite, well more than quite okay with it!)

However, what I do miss about the parties is getting dressed up.  And not just work-dressed up.  Im talking about fancy make-up, jewelry and sweater or top. 

I saw something similar to this in Target the other day, and it just screams 'HOLIDAY PARTY!' or 'NEW YEARS EVE!'.  How fabulous would it be to wear some bling on your eyes? 

Say hello to myface Cosmetics and their blingtones.  This color above is Black Ice.  But they also have Silver Screen and Morococo, just to name a few more of my favorites.  I just might order some, just to have, maybe just to wear to my one party this year. 

Can you just envision having such fabulous holiday eyes??? 

A shot from today's attempt to capture a Christmas card. 

December is right around the corner, and this is usually when Ali Edwards completes her December Daily project.  Its a scrapbook to capture the holiday season.  It forces one to be in the moment, enjoy the magic of the season. 

I've tried to do it previously, but I get way too caught up in the details. 

Today, as I was surfing, I found this journal.  The simplicity of this journal is what attracted me to it.  Its made me think I can actually capture the season. 

In keeping with my 'recycle' program in the house (you know the one where I use what I have), I will not purchase new, but create this journal from the mounds of scrapbooking supplies I already own. 

Im kind of excited to do this.  I think I will take the Project Life approach and just capture what we do each day - whether its drive by decorated houses, check out the lighting parade, seeing Santa, or just going for Peppermint Hot Chocolates at Starbucks. 

I have decided to dedicate an area of the house I am in the most for the construction site.  This area of the kitchen counter is normally covered in items that need to be put away or find a home.  (well i did that for those that were there prior to this picture!) I think since this is usually where I put the mail and any receipts, this will force me to just quickly document the events and insert any items. 

This is what started it all.

This is what basically took me out at the knees, crippling me from feeling human for the last three months.

This plus a toddler made me crave long winter naps. 

This came as a surprise.  I mean I knew what I was doing, but I didnt think it would happen so quickly.  I even told the nurse when she called that she had the wrong patient. 

This is taking a while to get excited about.  I am feeling lots of 'Max is more than enough, what am I doing bringing another into the world?'

However, today, I actually felt good about This. 

This was reviewed by the 'old mama' doctor today.  I was supposed to have an invasive genetic test done, and after his review and confidence that everything looks normal, I opted out. 

God has blessed me with This, a second miracle.  And whatever it is - boy, girl, genetic problems or not - I was meant to be its mama. 

When I left the doctor's office today, I felt scared that I opted out of the test, but also relieved. 

This explains my absence from the world. 

I am starting to feel human again.  This week I've only had a couple of occasions where I wanted to puke until my head pops off (as opposed to everyday, all day). 

I will not lie and say 'This is great! I cant wait!' in regards to being a mama to two kids.  I am excited, though more scared than anything.  But if I recall correctly, I believe I was this scared when I was pregnant with Max. 

Life will be just right with my two kids.  My heart is full. 

I'm still feeling pretty yucky, yet am starting see more good days than bad.  I was told when I was in my mid thirties that the body starts taking longer to heal.  I didnt believe it.  Well, here I am at *that* number (you know the number after 3-9), and now convinced of it. 

Here's basically what happened in October and so far, November.

1. Halloween Parade at school. 

2.  Halloween Party with twinkies and their 'multiples' group.

3.  Halloween. 

4.  Trip to Denver to visit Aunt Sharon, Uncle Geno, cousins Nicholas, Erika + Zachary.

So that is basically whats been happening in between us just hanging out at home, watching the movie Robots over and over again and living off toast, crackers and applesauce (because I have no desire or energy to cook!).  Please dont report me to the Bad Parent Police! 

What have you been up to?