Oops, I did it again…

Addiction hath reared its ugly head again. This time in wreath form. I’m pretty confident that if it weren’t for my beliefs, I’d be an alcoholic stripping gambler.

My friend Lindsey tipped me off to a cute wreath on Etsy and when I found an argyle one in the same shop I knew I had to make it in green. I love all things argyle: socks, sweaters, blankets, etc. In fact, just the other day I came across a seemingly easy argyle baby quilt. Now that’s added to the endless list of things I want to make.

I love how it turned out. And now after making two wreaths out of felt, I’m sort of falling in love with it. It doesn’t fray, it’s soft, it’s versatile, it comes in lots of colors. What’s not to love? This, I can say, can be made in one evening. The longest part was wrapping the wreath form in yarn. You wouldn’t think it’s very tedious, but you have to take the whole skein and wind it in and out, in and out. I’m not ashamed to say (or maybe I am?) that my shoulders were totally hurting by the end from the repetitive movements. No wonder that chick sells them for $40!

I think this will wrap up my wreath fetish for awhile. At least until I find an Easter one I want to make….

Wreath Love

Apparently I’ve been on a wreath making kick lately. I like wreaths. We have a double front door so I feel like they need something all the time. The problem is that our screen is so close to the door that wreaths don’t usually fit without getting squished. So I put a wooden door hanger on it. Anyway.

I finally made the birthday wreath I blogged about a couple of weeks ago. I love how it turned out. Not sure if my wreath form is bigger than the tutorial’s, but I needed 3 bags of balloons. More like 2.75. Now we just have to wait until August for another birthday around this joint!

Then I made a felt rosette wreath that I saw on Our Best Bites. I wish I could tell you that you can whip one of these up in an afternoon. It took me a good 3 or 4 nights of cutting and rolling felt. And now I’m pretty sure I have carpal tunnel. BUT….love it. It probably took me about 7 sheets of each color, with 6 rosettes per sheet. Good thing felt is cheap. And I scored both of these wreath forms at Goodwill for a buck. I have another heart one too and was thinking I would make two. Um….no. I shall find another way to decorate it!! Now I just have to wait a mere 11 months before I can use this one!

One of my most favorite things to do is to go shopping for holiday decorations the day after the holiday. Usually it’s 50% off, but sometimes it drops right to 75%. But if you want to get the good stuff, you better be there early the next morning. (Which is why I HATE when holidays fall on Saturdays!! No shopping on Sunday!!) Anyway, I scored some awesome V-day stuff for next year. Bonus: I put it all away in the respective holiday bin and when I open it the next year, it’s like Christmas! I have totally forgotten what I bought the year before. Happiness in so many ways when shopping for clearance holiday decor!

I’ve been trying to find cute St. Patrick’s day decorations. That is practically impossible. I’m pretty good at copying what’s out there, but there’s not much. This holiday may make me stretch myself and come up with something original!!

And speaking of holiday decor, I can’t wait for Easter. I love my Easter decorations, and even more, I love what Hobby Lobby has right now for Easter!

Yay for decorating!

I’ve Got the Fever…

…BIEBER FEVER!

Apparently openly admitting to this and NOT being a middle schooler brings shame upon you! Well, I don’t care.

It’s not like I wanna get with this kid, folks. I’m not a pedophile! Anyway, he’ll be 17 in 13 days. That’s practically legal.

I don’t see what’s wrong with liking a young person who is wholesome and (relatively) clean cut. Sure, his hair is usually more styled than mine is, but how many times has this kid gotten in trouble and been in the news? None that I know of! His music is bubbly and freaking catchy, and it makes me want to be a better person. I mean dance. If my teenage daughter was in love with him I would have no problem with it.

Now, my admiration for the Bieb has caused others to criticize my taste in music. Some are claiming I need professional help. I say they are crazy. I just have a more extensive and well rounded repertoire of music appreciation! Let’s just take a random sampling of other artists that start with “B” from my iTunes:

• Bad English
• Band of Horses
• Bangles
• Barry Manilow
• Barry White
• The Beach Boys
• The ENTIRE Beatles library
• Beck
• Beethoven
• Ben Folds
• Beyonce’
• Blink-182
• Bob Marley
• Bread
• The Bravery
• Britney Spears (of course)
• Brooks and Dunn
• Busta Rhymes
• and let’s round out the list with a little Butthole Surfers

I’d say that’s a pretty diverse list, and that’s just a fraction of the “B’s”! So don’t tell ME I have poor taste in music! I’d be willing to bet most people who pooh-pooh JB haven’t even really listened to his music. Because if you listen to “Baby” and have zero desire to dance or tap your foot, you must not have a pulse.

Plus, he’s adorable!!!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I love Valentine’s Day. Probably because I love all things pink and red and girly. And chocolate. And flowers. And jewelry. This Valentine’s Day was filled with all of those things! I’m a lucky girl!

We actually celebrated last night since Derrick was leaving for Orlando this morning for a business conference. He spent the afternoon at Epcot Center. Um…can I go to a business conference, too??? We always make fondue for dinner (cheaper than going out…and no babysitter required!) and watch a movie while we eat. Last night we watched the Grammy’s instead. Can I just say Justin Bieber got robbed!!! Anyway…dinner was delicious, the chocolate fondue was delicious, and I finally got the necklace I’ve been wanting! You know, one of those stamped metal ones with my kids’ names and birthstones. Totally awesome. Love it. Derrick loved his neon BYU sign for the bar. The man is the easiest to buy for, love it.

Since all of our friends have either just had a baby, are going to have a baby, or have family in town, my cooking/crafting partner in crime Linda invited us (or did we invite ourselves???) over for a little cookie decoration action. She has all the pictures, but let me assure you they are stinking adorable. Summer had a great time “painting” her two little cookies with frosting, and then was even more excited to find out she could EAT them! She loved the frosting, and had it all over her face like a beard. It was awesome.

We stayed for dinner and then I put the girls to bed there. Then Linda and I had our own romantic little date and had chocolate fondue and watched a movie. I was thisclose to just spending the night when I decided to just go home instead. I’m so glad I did because my favorite green box from ProFlowers was waiting on my doorstep!! 2 dozen gorgeous roses from Derrick. What a stud.

This is why February is my most favorite month!!

I hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day! I don’t care if it is a Hallmark holiday…there’s never anything wrong with dedicating an entire day to telling the people you love how much they mean to you! So to all of my friends and family…I LOVE YOU! 

6 months!

Thursday Hannah hit the half a year mark! Honestly, I have no idea where these last 6 months went. Time is just zipping on by with reckless abandon.

Here are her stats:

Weight: 12 lb. 8 oz; 3%

Length: 24.5”, 13%

It turns out Miss Hannah gained ZERO weight since her 4 month appointment. This is not good, folks. I had a feeling my milk supply was dropping as a result of my birth control so I quit taking it a few weeks ago. I think it’s coming back and I really just think she did drop a little from that and is now on her way back up. We started solids a few weeks ago since she was starting to act a little fussy and hungry and that seemed to do the trick. She loves cereal but hates veggies. The mere taste of them on her tongue instantly sends her into gagging fits, often resulting in a little throw up action. What a drama queen. Anyway…she has a follow-up appointment in 2 weeks for a weight check, and I’m sure she’ll have gained some by then. I’m not worrying about anything until there’s something to worry about. She’s still a roly poly kid and sleeping well at night, so I don’t think she’s starving.

She is a very happy, laid back kid. She loves to squeal and babble and especially loves it when serenaded by her sister. Summer is a great big sister, and always wants to make sure Hannah’s having a good time and has enough toys to play with. I often find her buried in toys, like this:

She doesn’t roll, and she can’t quite sit up on her own yet. But she does take 2 naps, sometimes 3, and still loves to be swaddled when she sleeps. She goes to bed around 6:15-6:30 pm and wakes up to eat between 3 and 4, although last night she lasted until 5! She is more of an early riser than I would like her to be. But then, I have a hard time with anything before 8 am.

She loves bath time, and still tries to drink the water.

Sometimes after I nurse her and burp her she will turn her head and start to suck on whatever’s closest. Usually it’s my cheek or my chin. It always makes me laugh.

     

She is such a sweet girl and we just love to snuggle her. She is the perfect shopping buddy and is always good for a smile for her mama.

 

Happy half birthday, Hannah Boo!

The Dirty Thirty

Yes, it’s official, I’m now 30. Yesterday was the big day. No, I didn’t do any of my goals. Not a one. Oh well, it’s the thought that counts. Oh, it doesn’t? Hmmm…well perhaps I shall give myself an extension through the end of the month.

The festivities started Friday night with an 80’s prom. Snomageddon delayed shipment on my disco ball and slap bracelets. Luckily the disco ball made it in time for the party, but the slap bracelets just arrived yesterday. Send them back or keep them? Decisions, decisions. Either way, I’m stoked to have a disco ball now. I’ll be honest, it’s pretty sweet.

Everyone came decked out in their 80’s best. It was awesome. These pictures are truly horrible, but they have to be posted for memories’ sake. Please excuse my huge arms.

Please note the side pony and crimped hair.

Debbie and Richard were voted Prom king and queen. With big hair like that, how could she have lost?? Please notice the purple glitter curtain.

And what’s an 80’s party without Pacman? Derrick baked me a cake and I decorated it. I love Pacman!

And my girlfriends….well, they are just the best. 6 of my closest girlfriends all chipped in on a gift for me. I was totally surprised, and kind of still in shock! Of course, I love it! Next item of business: get Wii Fit and banish these flabby arms. THANK YOU Linda, Jess, Whitney, Tamara, Ashley and Martha! I love you girls!

I got lots of other awesome gifts too, like 80’s hair supplies, recipe software, jewelry and a Sonic gift card! Do my friends know me or what??

Saturday Derrick took me to dinner downtown which was delicious. Then we stopped by a fundraiser/benefit party for one of his coworkers for a bit. Always fun to see drunk people.

Sunday was of course the Super Bowl, where the Packers pulled out a win for me!! We went to the Chaplin’s and had lots of delicious food, as usual.

Yesterday we didn’t do much. The girls and I ran some errands and hit up Sonic. Nothing like a Cherry Limeade to help ease a girl into her thirties! Derrick surprised me with 30 gorgeous tulips delivered in the morning. They are just what I need to look at when it’s –11 and everything is covered in snow!

He also got me these adorable rain/snow boots. They are super comfy. I’ve been wanting something like these for awhile, so my regular shoes don’t get all wet and cold when I’m out running errands. They’re perfect!

I opened the rest of my gifts from family….cash, a scraper beater from my ‘rents that I’ve been wanting for my Kitchenaid, some kitchen stuff from my MIL, and Cricut markers from my bestie Sara in Omaha! Sweet!

Derrick was up at 4 am to go help sort boxes of championship t-shirts so he was pretty tired by the time he got home. We went and grabbed a quick bite to eat and then we both pretty much crashed on the couch and watched TV. It was a great weekend!

But wait, that’s not all! This morning I find out that I have a babysitter all lined up for the girls (since Derrick has class) and that Sarah is taking me out! Sweet! I still don’t know what we’re doing or where. I love surprises! How fun!

Thanks to everyone for the emails, texts, phone calls, and FB posts. I felt super loved yesterday, and totally spoiled overall. I have the best friends and family.

Snowmageddon

All week we’ve been hearing about this monster storm that was headed out way. They’ve been calling it Snowmageddon, Snowpocolypse, and Snowlapalooza. It’s been super intense! Things were closing before the snow even hit!

Well, last night it finally came. ‘Twas a blizzard, indeed. The wind howled all night and the snow swirled around. And when we woke up this morning, well, there was a ton of snow!

There were super high drifts on the other side of the street. You can definitely tell which way the wind was blowing, and luckily for us it wasn’t to our side!

This is what we saw when we opened the garage:

And this is what we saw when we opened the front door:

It’s 15” from the top of the snow to the walkway below (with a step in between). That’s a lot of snow!!!

Thank goodness for our snow blower! Having a small Christmas was totally lame this year (because we bought a snow blower instead) but knowing I never have to shovel our driveway again makes it all worth it! Plus, I totally dig how it makes those super straight walls.

Here’s our walkway:

I hate snow, you all know that. But as I was clearing off our front stoop and piling the snow up on the lawn, for a second I kind of wanted to make a little snow fort/cave and play in it. And then I snapped out of it, punished myself for thinking such crazy thoughts, and then went inside to warm up.