Being "Grown Up"

Today on FB, I am whining about having to be a grown up...because I just don't wanna.  It is no fun being responsible and having people (your children and husband) rely on you to make their world go around.  In fact, it is also quite exhausting and a job that never ever ever ends.  Which makes it even more of a drag.

Today, I have to go grocery shopping.  I really and truly hate to grocery shop.  Even more than I hate to cook/clean my kitchen.  My idea of grocery shopping is this kind of list:  Milk, bread, lunchmeat, cereal.  That's it.  If I have those things, my family can eat SOMETHING that I don't have to put too much effort in.  But that is not a "Grown Up" grocery list--at all. 

My "Grown Up" grocery list looks more like this:
Milk (Fat Free and Whole)
Bread (Sara Lee 45 Cal per Slice)
Juice (Apple)
Eggs (1 1/2 doz)
Cereal (Frosted Cheerios)
Lunchmeat (Turkey)
Peanut Butter (the kind w/ the oil--because it is lower carbs and tastes better!)
Jelly (Whatever Jon picks)
Fruit (Apples, Bananas and Oranges, maybe Grapes if they are not too overpriced)
Veggies (Canned: Green Beans, Carrots  Frozen: Broccoli)
Pasta (Spaghetti, Bowties--because Jon likes them)
Ground Turkey
Turkey Bacon
Frozen Skinless Chicken Breasts or Tenderloins

That's it.  That's about as exciting as the list gets for me.  But still...I feel like I don't have "real food" in my house.

So, I joined Paul Deen online.  She emails me (not her, her representative that takes care of her site) and sent me this very helpful list:  Stocking Your Pantry.  I looked over her list.  I could only cross off 3 items from her list that I either have in my pantry or have on my list.  Basically, according to her list, my pantry is barren.  :(  No wonder coming up with something interesting to cook for dinner is so hard.  I don't have any supplies!!!

Tonight, Jon, Ella and I are going grocery shopping and I am going to "stock" my pantry a little.  I won't buy everything on her list because some of that stuff we do not eat (couscous???  who really eats that and how on earth do you prepare it?) but the recognizable stuff and the stuff we eat...I will buy that.  And maybe, just MAYBE cook more than one meal a week at my house-- and once again place myself in running for "Mom of the Year".

Pay it Forward 2011--Blog Style!

A fellow blogger MoMoMod, has posted a Pay it Forward challenge!  I did something very similar on Facebook and had so much fun!  I created 2 Scarflettes, a Scarf, and two Flower Pins to give to the five people that commented first on my post. 

Here's the challenge (for those with a blog, only)

Pay it Forward 2011:  I promise to send something handmade to the first three people who leave a comment here. To be eligible, you must also post this on your blog, offering the same thing to three other people. The rules are that it must be handmade by you and it must be sent to your three people sometime in 2011.  If you like, you may also send favorite colors and likes/dislikes. 

Can't wait to get started!  So leave you comment below (along with your blog address!!!) and let's see who the first three "winners" will be!

An idea floating around in my cavernous head

I have been trying to think of what I really want this blog to become.  I love fashion/style blogs...but eh, I can't commit to being fashionable (and photographable) every day and besides...it is so overdone.  Bleh.  I will just enjoy all the talent floating out there and take style cues and a few tips from them...but I don't think I really belong in their club.

However, I do have one aspect of my life that is probably different than most everyone I know.  I live in a travel trailer.  A 45' long 5th wheel with 5 slide outs.  This isn't your regular "camper", and it isn't quite a Prevost bus either...somewhere snug in the middle of all that. 

There are 2 thoughts that come to my mind when I tell people I live in a travel trailer:  1.  Wow.  I hope they don't think that me living in a travel trailer means I am trailer trash and I live like a hillbilly...  2.  If they do think that--they are right!  :|   Okay, not really...

Trailer life is not for the weak or faint of heart.  It takes a special kind of person to be able to live in a little narrow box that has wheels stuck to the bottom of it. 

And I suppose God knew exactly what he was doing (go figure!!!) and that is how I ended up being a gal that will spend the better part of her life living "The Trailer Life".  

You see, my daddy got into the Mobile Home (Manufactured Housing) business when I was younger and I spent almost every summer moving back and forth from this trailer to that trailer.  I am very skilled about moving.  Dad would get a good deal on a trailer, we'd move in, he'd find someone who was willing to buy it and we'd move right back out.  Once, we moved back and forth from one lot to the next lot and then back again. 

So, as a result, I am not very sentimental.  When I look at an object or knick-knack or scrap of paper, I calculate how many times I may have to move it and that is the deciding factor as to whether I keep something or not.  Digital photography has saved the preservation of my children's sweet little mugs.  Thank you, Lord for technology!!!

I also have learned how to make the tiniest of spaces work for me.  And I don't mind purging my things (clothes, stuff, paper, etc). many times a year.  I do not have a large closet.  Although, my closet now is like a mansion compared to my last closet.  I believe my last closet measured roughly 15 in wide.  Go ahead.  Get out a ruler.  Yes.  My closet was that narrow.  I had a short closet (next to my bed) that Ella inherited--I gladly relinquished it over to her upon her arrival...and therefore forfeited the other 18 in of  my closet space.  :(

But it's not all about clothes (and shoes--even though sometimes I forget this), it's about SPACE.  Room to move, sit, walk around, lay, crawl, play, etc.  And now...I HAVE IT!  I feel as though my husband and I are living like high class MILLIONAIRES!!!!!  And, to be honest.  We are. 

So, I will think of some interesting aspects of trailer life that most people probably never know about and share them with you.

If there is something in particular you are curious about, post a comment or contact me via email.

Fuzzy Butterfly Napkin Rings

Last weekend, I co-hosted my BFF's baby shower. Her sister and I began planning this event in October and it turned into THE Baby Shower of the Year! So much fun! The other sister and an aunt created the most delightful and fun treats for the guests and totally MADE the shower rock!! You can see a sample below--check out that fabulous spread!!



Our theme: Mad Hatter Tea Party!!



Partners in Crime! Mary and I made fingerless gloves and added buttons and ribbons to them for the guests as party favors. You can see ours here. I made my own tutu also!!

Here are the sisters together! Anne dressed as the Cheshire Cat! Awesome!!



We also thought it would be fun to have the guests create their own top hats...and my BFF, Kay-Kay is a craft junkie, so instead of games, we decorated hats!



Group shot of the entire party with our newly decorated hats!


My contribution to the decor was napkin rings! I even enlisted the help of Trent for this!!

How to make your own Fuzzy Butterfly Napkin Rings:

I think these would be darling for a little girl tea party also!!

1. Take two different color fuzzy pipe cleaners and twist together. I loved these bright colors!!



2. Fold the twisted pipe cleaners in half and leave a tiny loop at one end--this makes it easier to secure the ring together and also serves as a "platform" to attach the butterfly to.



3. Put the two ends together creating your ring and secure by twisting the straight end through the loop.



4. Attach the butterfly (these are scrapbooking 3D butterflies) to the ring on top of the closed loop. I attached mine with hot glue.



Viola!! A easy (cheap) and colorful addition to the table setting!!

I made 30 of these and the whole project start to finish took less than 45 min. If you are making fewer than 30, I'm sure you can beat my time!

My outfit details:
Jacket: Mossimo, thrifted
Shirt: Vintage 70's, thrifted
Skirt: Namebrand??, Marshall's
Tutu: DIY!!
Tights: Claire's
Shoes: Marc Fisher, Macy's
Bowtie Hairpins: Black Cat Mima (etsy)

Happiness wrapped in a little belt

I love shopping. All kinds of shopping. Except groceries. I loathe grocery shopping. But it's not so bad if you can do it online and have them deliver it--for free.

Well thanks to the blog world, my shopping has gone to the next level. I no longer rely on brick and mortar stores and retail websites alone--Nay!!! Bloggers blog about delightful things. Things that some people would never be aware of--unless they stumbled on a blog.

I'd give a shout out to the blog I found this belt on, but I forgot. I stumbled across a link to Anthropologie's store for a sweet little brown turtle belt. I fell head over heels in love immediately. Do I believe in love at first sight? Uhm yeah!!! Ask my Pookie!! And my belt.






So I try to buy the belt online, but alas, they are sold out. So I cross my fingers and go to the closest Anthro store and say a tiny prayer and boo...they don't have it. However, they get me in touch with the Portland store and they did!!! Take my debit card number--please!!

I didn't even ask the price. :| I knew it was on sale-- and that's all that mattered. Well. It was on sale alright, with an extra 25% off!! Joy joy joy!!!!





So I wait. And wait. And wait. No belt. Aaahhhh!! What is taking my precious little belt so long to get here?!

It got stuck at the UPS store in San Jose because the gal tried to ship it to my PO box. :-/

So, after a quick trip downtown, I rescued my sweetheart little belt and couldn't wait to try it on. And it is everything I had hoped for. And it was worth the wait. And I will try to wear it every single day, I am sure.

The boots that almost got the boot today

Today has been a very trying day for me.  Normally, I am not much of a whiner (anymore, MOM!), but today, I have been having one royal pity party.

I had to go to Appeals Court today to plead my case with EDD regarding my Paid Family Leave.  They say I was paid twice.  I realize (now) that I must have been, but still don't see how it is my fault that the State paid me AFTER my employer paid me...and I really don't understand WHY my employer paid me because I was out of PTO (Vacation) time anyway.  But, I'd rather not rehash all that...I am just now starting to feel a bit better about the whole situation.

So, the boots...  I wore them today (see above) knowing that their magical powers would come in handy. 

And while the obviously need a desperate tune-up (sheesh, $836 is no laughing matter), I still love them.  They really do make me feel fabulous.  I get compliments (and stares) quite often.  And well, I should just tell you that even though I am normally very introverted and quiet--I really like it when people fuss over me.  There.  I said it.  *whew*  That felt good to let out.

I have always been a little out there when it comes to clothes (shoes, etc).  I kinda like NOT fitting in.  I don't dress like all crazy or anything, but I am not afraid of wearing a weird (even ugly) color.  Yeah...ugly.  I once bought this BRIGHT ORANGE bag because I just knew no one would dare copy it.  And what do you know...it became the trend like a few months later (when I was so over that bag) and everyone had a bright colored bag.  Oh well.  I was first.  HA!

So, I will continue to rock on with my "Magical Red Boots" and will wear odd or ugly colors (on occasion) just to mix things up. 

My fashion sense?  Well...there isn't much to it.  In fact, I don't think I have fashion sense.  I just wear what feels good.  And that is something that needs some change.

I'm working on some ideas for this blog regarding fashion...and some personal challenges for me.  Of course, you are welcome to follow along--or join me!  First thing I *MUST* change is the use of black.  Seriously, I abuse this color every single day.  It's shameful.  But so easy (and lazy!).

This is a typical oufit for me. 

Black Lacey Zip Up Hoodie from Evy's Tree, Black/White Striped Scarf from Gap (years old!), Black Beauty Headband from Dainty Button.

Anyway...that is just one thing I know I need to change in order to make my wardrobe more "me".  Even though,  I honestly love how I look in black.  HAHA!

Stay tuned for my "Back Away from the Black" Challenge!

*GASP* I have followers?!?! I am so humbled right now...

And EXCITED!  And a bit nervous. 

First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR!  WOOO HOOO!!!  2011 is going to be THE YEAR!  I don't know what it will be the year of, but I am happy we all have a fresh clean start! 

We were able to be in service with Bro. Troy Fair of Calvary Evangelism Center in Sacramento for New Year's Eve.  Service started at 9 pm and we had some CHURCH and rang in the new year with a little "dancing".  My kids (who are truly preacher's kids!) were wide awake through the whole service and Ella danced and clapped and had such a fun time with some of the young ladies at the end of our row.  She had them all wrapped around her little finger and was playing with their purses, their chapsticks, their lotions and even manged to snag an ATM card and put it in her own purse (temporarily).  That is DEFINITELY *MY* girl.  HA!  Since Ella, was busy socializing (and periodically worshipping), Jon and I were able to hang out together that night--just like "old times".  It was nice.

That night was a celebration for me for another reason as well.  On December 7, 2010, I joined Weight Watchers again for like the 4th or 5th time.  I forget.  I am a lifetime member that has backslid (over and over!) and now I'm ready to BE THIN(ner) again!  :)  Well, that day, I had weighed in (very nervously) and had lost another 5.2 lbs!  WOO!  That is a total of 10.4 lbs since 12/7!  YAY ME!!!  To celebrate (with a NON-FOOD item), I wore heels to church.  Now, I realize that this does not seem like much of a celebration, but for me...it is HUGE.  Ever since having Ella, I have been very leary of wearing heels.  Mainly because my balance was thrown out of whack while carrying her and for about 6 months after she was born and also because when I am that much overweight, I just cannot tolerate heels (enter the "Magic Red Boots"). 
,,
So, here is a pic of me...at some time past 2 am wearing an outfit inspired my friend Chandra from MoMoMod.  You can check out her blog here.

I am super proud of this little ensemble (which I may tweak a bit before I wear again).  The headband and brooch are courtesy of The Mrs Darcy.  The jacket and skirt (used to cover my knees!) were thrifted and the dress was a steal of a deal from Macy's (I only paid $21 for this!).  My kiddos drove me up the wall ALL NIGHT LONG running their hands up and down my leg making the sequins rattle.  HA!!  The tights are old...I think I bought them on sale at Victoria's Secret about 2 years ago.  My shoes are Nine West.  I paid full price for these almost a year ago.  I needed some fancy shmancy heels to wear to my Aunt Sandra's 25th Wedding Anniversay. 

For the future of this blog...I will try my very best to not duplicate things here that I post on Facebook.  I want this blog to be "fresh".  :)  But I had to share my New Year's Outfit with you all! 

So, here's to a New Year filled with Promise and Hope and, of course, Shopping, Coffee and Chocolate.