Tuesday, February 28, 2012

An attempt at something 'crafty' and I must say I didn't do too bad...

I am the most un-crafty person I know.  I can get an idea in my head but can never can get my hands to do what my brain is imagining.  I can make a cookie with the best of 'em, but crafts?glue?cutting? Completely out of my league!

When Rhianna brought me this magazine:


I wasn't sure if I should even try.

She wanted me to make the tent.  I hated to tell her that I was incapable of doing something this simple.   

I read the instructions and it looked like something that even I could pull off.

I bought a fun colored table cloth at a cheap discount store while she was at school in hopes I could somehow manage this.

We made it home and decided to start our project.

First we found a sturdy piece of cardboard:
And cut it to the desired size.

We then added tacky glue:
Or I added tacky glue (there is no way I'm letting a little girlie get a hold of this stuff:o)
(Make sure you use plastic gloves.  This stuff is nasty sticky....perfect for my project.)

We placed the table cloth (print side up) over the glue covered cardboard.


I flipped the board over and cut the excess cloth:


I drizzled more glue around the edges and glued down the extra cloth for a finished look.

To keep the 'tent' upright, the magazine suggested a wooden stick of sorts.  I searched around the house and had nothing similar.

I brainstormed a bit and got creative. (This is where I usually go wrong and screw up the whole thing:o)

I had some fishing line and thought tying a string tightly through each side would make it secure.  Obviously this is a high tripping risk.  I warned Rhianna to not let her dolls trip on it. 



IT WORKED! 

Believe it or not, but my string trick worked.  It also allows for it to collapse for easy storage. 

Even Kirsten agrees it is a great tent!


There is a ton of extra cloth.  Rhianna is requesting sleeping bags.  I just might try and make some sleeping bags out of the extra cloth.  Could be fun!







Wednesday, February 22, 2012

My Favorite Things: I think I'm telling myself something

It's been awhile since I have done a 'my favorite things' post.

A few weeks ago, a few things popped in my head that were my FAVORITE things.

Notice a theme?

Heated mattress pad.  Need I say more?

My silk pillowcase.  I work hard during the day.  At night I want to sleep on silk like a princess :o)

My favorite blanket. Ever.  My mother in law made this for me years ago.  Small tears are finding their way in the seams from years of use.  I cannot sleep without my special blanket; so soft and comforting.

And finally coffee.  Chocolate swirl with chocolate caramel creamer.  This is a favorite thing because I rarely get to enjoy the previous three items :o)





Saturday, February 18, 2012

Uncertainty

I was recently told, from a very wise man, that uncertainty is the worst of all stresses.

Uncertainty is the theme of the past year of my life.

I hadn't realized how the uncertainty of the move was affecting me physically and mentally.

Until this afternoon.

I laid down for a quick nap this afternoon.

When I awoke a bit later, I was confused. 

My mind was running overtime.

I hardly recognized the room I was in.

And wasn't sure where I was.

I could not decipher where I was or what place in time.

I started to panic.

Was I in my house in Ohio?

Was I in my new home in Connecticut?

If I wasn't in my new home, what was taking so long and why wasn't I there?

And if I was in my new home, how did I get there?

After a moment, I woke completely.

Then the comment of uncertainty came flooding back.

And I realized that it was affecting me more than I realized.

Bottom line...

Something has got to give.  And soon. 

'Cause I'm starting to lose my mind.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Thirty-Two

Today I am Thirty-Two.

I was dreading this day. 

I always thought by the time I was Thirty-Two I would have my life together...all figured out.

Instead, I am a single mom of three children, going to school, working, trying to move out of state, etc.

My life is the exact opposite of 'together' and 'all-figured out'.

I had been really struggling with this.

Then I spoke with a friend who is a bit older and a lot wiser.

Her comments were "A woman in her thirties is having an inner battle.  She knows she has her responsibilities, but also still knows there is a girl inside of her who reminds her of her youth that is now past."

That comment made such sense to me.  It summed up the feelings I was having.

I know I have responsibilities.  I juggle work, school, kids, selling a house, looking for a job, a cookie shop, etc. etc. and so forth. 

I know responsibilities.

But what I couldn't shake off was the feeling of still wanting to be a girl.  To be carefree, fun loving and imaginative.  I have so many regrets from my twenties. And this only makes growing older harder.

I can only weep when I think of the consequences I now have from my choices.

But I decided that I wasn't going to let the girl inside of me die.  The stress of my life very well could destroy her. 

But I'm not going to let that happen.

  • I like to sit on my roof and stare at the moon.  Sometimes I'll treat myself to a hot drink. And just sit and stare.  Often I pray.  Or I talk out loud to no one in particular.  It's so peaceful and serene. 

One thing I appreciate about being in my thirties is that I quit caring what others think of me.  As long as I am at peace with God, I am no longer concerned what others think.  It is so freeing.  I wish I had that in my twenties. I am who I am, oddities and all.

  • I do a cartwheel every week.  Just to make sure I still can.
Growing up, I knew a lady (who I thought at the time was old...she was probably late twenties) who could still do a cartwheel.  At a young age I was determined to be able to do when when I was old.  And I still can. Thankyouverymuch.

  • I sing and dance with my kids.  Wooden spoons make great microphones.
There is nothing better than to bust out in song, slide across the wood floor, and dance with little kids.

  • I have silly, giggly, secrets with my best girl.
We laugh without caring and until our stomachs hurt.  We have secrets and can read each others minds.  We poke fun and tease.  I can call her day or night.  For anything. 

  • I want to take tap dance lessons.
But I probably won't get too. 

I was dreading this weekend.  I was dreading turning one year closer to mid-thirties and then onto my forties. 

I realize now the fear was unreasonable. 

I'm thankful to be alive.  I get to be a mom.  I get more chances to laugh.  I get more chances to help others. 

Instead of worrying about the girl in me dying away; I'm just going to nurture her and make sure she always stays alive.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

JulseyMarie: Birthday Giveaway

In honor of my birthday this month I am doing a giveaway from my cookie shop JulseyMarie on Etsy. 

Actually, its not for honor.  Its to help me get through it.

This is the first year that I am dreading my birthday. 

I do not want to be 3_.   

To help me survive turning one year older I want to make someone else smile by giving them some cookies!



To enter simply tell me what your favorite cookie/item is from my shop (or give me suggestions for new products) in the comment section of this blog. 


Name will be drawn on February 7th and shipped on the 9th. 


Enjoy!