cleaning and crafting and rambling, oh my!

I wrote the following post last Friday.  FOUR DAYS AGO.  Which I think just provides additional evidence for the point I'm trying to make below.  That is, if I can keep your attention long enough to read the short novel I wrote.  If you want to just look at the pics, I'll summarize for you:  

I can't do it all.

And also, Mia has entered a new phase of "busy-ness" that prevents me from completing anything.  At this exact moment, she is asleep, which is, I believe, the best place for her to be right now.


At 9:00 this morning, I decided I needed to clean my whole house right then. This is how I usually do things. I procrastinate, and put off, and make excuses for things I don't want to do (like clean), until I can't take it any longer. Then I feel like I must do ALL THE THINGS. And I sincerely want to do all the things like pick up the toys and mop the floor and clean the toilets. Except doing ALL THE THINGS can take a while and I never have a "while" to do anything because my kids need me and like to be underfoot. So, I did the best I could.

I gave Laci a baby wipe and she willingly wiped windowsills and furniture for half an hour. Mia was more like the Tasmanian devil making messes in the specific areas I had already picked up. Two hours later, I was a sweaty mess from vacuuming but the house looked quite a bit better and I think I got most of the Maverick hair cleaned up. Tell me, am I the only one who gets totally overheated while vacuuming? Please tell me I'm not.

After our cleaning frenzy, we ate some snacks and Mia went down for a nap. I set Laci up with my iPhone and PBS and took a quick (and much needed shower). I was hoping for a few minutes of relaxation while Mia napped, but the mail lady honked her horn in my driveway to tell me she left something by the front door, which made the dogs bark like crazy, which woke Mia up, who presumed that since she had napped for thirty minutes, she was well rested. Wasn't that nice of the mail lady to blare her horn obnoxiously twenty feet from my front door? I have wanted to thank her for her kindness in the past, as this is certainly not the first time she has done this, but I'm afraid I won't ever see any mail again if I share my true feelings with her.

And all this brings me to now, where my non-sleeping children and I are sitting on the back porch in the sun on what is turning out to be a beautiful day. Breeze, warm sun, birds chirping. It is as wonderful as it sounds. Laci is sitting with Spider kitty, Mia is eating chalk (not as terrible as it may sound), and my house isn't getting wrecked. Yet.

I was talking with my dear Aunty Jenny recently about how sometimes this blog might make it seem like I have it all together because I talk about the crafty things I've made or a really good recipe I've tried. And I don't share a ton of pictures of my messy house. Let me just come out and say it: I do not have it all together. I don't even think I have it partly together. And some days, I just don't even try. I figure bedtime will come soon enough and I'll have another shot at it tomorrow.

It is true, I have been on a crafting binge lately, which partially explains my erratic blogging. Please be assured that I cannot, and do not, accomplish any of these things without a lot of help from my mom and Ryan who play child wrangler while I make messes with glue and yarn. And when I'm done with any given project, my house is always in shambles. Because if I'm working on a craft project, it means I'm not attending to any of the other things in my house. My children raid processed, sugar filled snacks from the cupboard, smash them into the carpet, bring out every single toy they own, and generally make as many messes as humanly possible. This is also why I suddenly go on cleaning rampages on random Friday mornings. It sometimes takes an entire day to recover from a project.

Even blogging has been challenging lately. I can't sit at my computer to upload pictures without Mia sitting on my lap, banging the keyboard and commandeering the mouse. If I do get a rare moment to myself, I stare at the computer for a few minutes, my mind as blank as the screen in front of me, and I either give up trying to write something, or worse, get sucked into the world's two largest consumers of time: Facebook and Pinterest. I need to quit them both. For real. And even now, I'm typing on my phone at this exact moment. It is not the most efficient way to type, although I'm getting pretty good at it. I've already taken several breaks to assist Laci with cat wrangling, to remove chalk from Mia's mouth, and to fill cups with Cheerios so my kids can feed the animals. Apparently, dogs and cats like whole grain, too. Should you be reading this post at this moment, know that it took several days to get this out. Time spent writing, organizing pictures, uploading, and finally publishing. This may also explain why I end up with spelling and grammar problems, because even though I really hate misspelling and incorrect grammar, and I know enough to identify both, I just don't have time to proofread thoroughly.

I say all this not to complain (I need to quit that, too). I say this because I want it to be clear that I do not, and cannot, do all the things, even though I really like to believe that I can. Sometimes, I really believe that I can cook from scratch, craft my home into something from a magazine, while my children play quietly in their perfectly clean, adorable clothes. In reality, it is always a choice between a clean home and a happy heart. My kids are often in their pajamas all day and sometimes we eat hot pockets for dinner. It all evens out, and I suppose balance in all things is what keeps us content.

So, now that I've written the longest disclaimer in history, I'm going to go ahead and share some pictures of what I've been up to the last few weeks.

A wreath for my front door, although it isn't really the best place for it. Also, this was a really easy project even if it doesn't look like it. For a tutorial on how to make your own, start here and then go here.

I finished Mia's Halloween costume. She refuses to wear the hat. Laci loves it. So, we might end up with one headless cow, and a butterfly with spotted ears.  For the record, I did not make the cow spotted baby legs.

I made a bunting for Kristina's baby shower, and for the baby's room. I don't know if she's ready to reveal the name yet, so I'll just give a sneak peek at the first letter. Any guesses?

And now it appears I have run out of both words and pictures, which is appropriate since I'm also out of time.

haphazard post

Maverick is staying with us for a few days while my parents are out of town. Just imagine this wrestling match in the middle of my living room.

That pretty much sums up life with a dog in the house. And since it has decided to become very cold and rainy suddenly, we are all going to be IN the house for a while.

I went grocery shopping Saturday and thank goodness because the last thing I want to do in this terrible weather is go grocery shopping. What I like to do in this weather is wear my pajamas until the afternoon and eat comfort food. So, that's exactly what I did today. I had a roast in the crock pot by 8:30 this morning and made the best gravy ever and ate waaaay too much of it. And I finally changed out of my pajamas at 2:30. Why 2:30 you ask? Because that's what time Ryan is off work and well, I think every 1950's magazine tells you that you need to freshen up and make yourself look nice before your husband gets home. And in this house, jeans and a sweatshirt and pony tail count as looking "nice."

Well, I think that's about all I have time for this evening. I believe I have tried to write at least a dozen posts in the last week and haven't had the opportunity to finish a single one. So, if this appears haphazard, shallow, and/or lacking any genuine thought or feeling, that's probably because it is. If all goes well, I'll be back tomorrow with more random life observations, or maybe something more meaningful like why being an adult is so stinking hard sometimes. But, I think we both know better than to hold our breath for another post in such a short time period.

life

I don't have a lot to say about life lately.  We've been enjoying the quieter, simple things, like eating dinner on the patio and feeding the fish.  It feels like the calm before the holiday storm hits.  Halloween at the end of the month, followed by a baby shower for my sister, followed by Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then a new niece!  

The weather cooled down for a little bit.  We wore sweaters and I made potato soup.  Now it's hot again (hopefully only for a short time).  We are wearing tank tops and I'm thinking salad for dinner.

 

Mia is still snotty, and I was beginning to get worried, until I stuck my finger in her mouth yesterday.  She has decided to cut all four molars at the same time.  Three teeth are through and a fourth is red and swollen. I had no idea.  You may present my mother of the year award now.

Laci told me this morning that I'm her "favorite mommom."  Isn't that nice?  Except I don't think I have much competition.  Still nice, though.

I got my mini pumpkins last weekend.  And some bigger ones.  I set them down on the hearth and within minutes they were toted away by a slobbering pumpkin thief.  Then I tried to get a picture of Laci and the pumpkins, except she refused and stole one of the pumpkins. I think I will decorate my house in a few years when pumpkin thieves are no longer a threat.

I have changed four poopy diapers so far today.  I usually take them directly to the outside garbage can, but today is garbage day so the can is still at the end of the driveway, and I don't feel like going to get it, so I've been stacking the diapers by the back door in the garage.  The smell in the garage will knock you over at this point.  I feel like it's important to share all the awesomeness of being a stay at home mom.

And well, I guess that about sums up life for the past week.  I feel like I can't top that diaper story, so I'll just stop here.

PS:  This is really what Mia's hair looks like in the mornings when she wakes up.  And I LOVE it!  Please disregard the bruise on her cheek.  Her sister pushed her and she clipped the window sill on the way down.  Yes, I was watching.  No, I did not stop it from happening.  I'll accept my repeat mother of the year award now.  Thank you.

the book pumpkin

I finished my book pumpkin. Isn't it great? Honestly, it didn't turn out how I had imagined in my head, but that's the case with pretty much every project I've ever done. And even though I'm sure there are tutorials all over Pinterest with informative pictures and instructions, I'm going to tell you how I made this one.

The concise version goes something like this:
1. Get an old book and remove the cover.
2. Cut the pages.
3. Glue the binding around a stick to make a circle.
4. Paint and embellish.

But no one ever accused me of being concise. Here is the long version of creating my pumpkin:

1. Get a hardbound book to use, preferably old, I think it just looks better. I got mine for $1.50 at the thrift store. It's an encyclopedia of sorts, which really doesn't matter, except that I like all the words and I liked that the edges of the pages were already a rust color.

2. Take off the covers.

3. Decide where you want to cut the pages. You could get all technical and find a circle template, but I just free-handed a round edge at the top and the bottom of the page.

4. Take a very sharp razor blade and start cutting the pages. I emphasize very sharp because I used a dull blade for the first few cuts and ended up with shredded paper everywhere.

5. Change a diaper. Fill a sippy with milk. Put on Dora.

6. Cut some more.

7. Change another diaper. Figure out why little people are crying. Supply little people with food. Lots of food.

8. Finish cutting pages.

9. Get a stick, or something to use a stem. I used an apple tree branch. Don't be like me. Find a stick or something that is straight and you'll save yourself some headache.

10. Glue the stick into the backside of the book binding and fold the binding around so you make a circle with the pages. You can also glue the first and last pages together to help form the circle. As you can see in the picture, I glued my stick in upside down. Don't be like me. Since I thought it would be better to use A LOT of hot glue, I then had to cut out A LOT of hot glue to remove the stick and glue it back in the proper direction. In hindsight, I could have left the stick in upside down and no one would have ever known, but that's the problem with hindsight. It happens after you need it.

11. Now here's the part where I lost interest in this project. You have to just start bending and pressing pages around until they fan out like you want them to. I used a book that has thin-ish pages and they didn't fan out the way I wanted. Don't be like me. Buy a book with thicker pages.

12. Turn your back for a minute and have your book stolen by your child. Find your book flopped over on the floor with half the pages bent and stuck together. Start the fanning process all over again. This step is optional.

13. Let your book sit around for a week or two or more before you finish it. This step is also optional.

14. Spray paint your pumpkin. I was pretty lazy at this step, especially since my pages were already colored on the edges. But it did add some strength to pages.

15. Embellish as desired with various items that can be found at the Dollar Store, but can also be found at stores not coated with mystery stains and foul smells, such as Michaels or JoAnn's or even Walmart (ugh).

16. Find a place to display your cute new pumpkin. Decide it looks best on the hearth. Leave it unattended and your toddler will start to eat the berries. Remove it from the hearth and look for a much safer, and higher, location for the pumpkin to reside.

I'm still working on that last step. Now go make a pumpkin of your own, because if I can do it, certainly you can too. Oh, and tell me about it because I like sharing.

tuesday status updates

The girls woke up entirely too early this morning. Which I should have expected considering how early they went to bed last night. I hope this means naps will also happen early, because right now, nothing sounds better than a quiet house of sleeping children.

I never did get to finishing that book pumpkin, or buying my mini pumpkins, or sorting Mia's clothes last week. But I DID clean the shower, which was a pretty big undertaking, and I'm only good for one big project a week so I think it all evens out.

The closest thing to Fall decoration in my house right now is a pumpkin candle I bought this weekend and a jar of candy corn. Baby steps for me. I already ate too much candy corn the past few days, so my teeth hurt, and I have been battling my willpower all morning because 7:00 is just too early for candy. Is 8:00 still too early?

The weather has been much cooler.  I haven't turned on the A/C since Friday.
Dear Fall Weather,
I'm sorry for being so impatient. Thank you for showing up.
Sincerely, Me

Mia is still snotty. Sooo. Much. Snot. I am so over it.
Just FYI, that is food on her face, not chunky snot.

Aunty Jenny and Cousin Bubs and Baby Justin (and yes, we really call them by these names) came for a visit last weekend. Baby Justin had his fair share of snot. I'm sure Mia's extra snot has absolutely nothing to do with her obsessive pacifier sharing. Oh well, sick or not, we love to see our family.

The morning light has been absolutely gorgeous that last couple of weeks. I love to sit, drinking my coffee, and just watch the golden light spill onto the open fields around our house. Sounds pretty poetic, right? That's because I left out the part where I'm drinking my coffee while standing at the counter fixing rainbow pancakes for a three year old that is impossible to please, while my one year old is throwing herself on the floor screaming because I won't let her empty the snack cupboard for the millionth time, and I'm wondering where that smell is coming from. Not so poetic now, or at least poetic in a much different way.

Seriously though, the morning light is beautiful. I wish I had a picture to show you, but I haven't taken one yet.  Tomorrow morning for sure.  Maybe.  I hope.  Golden hour isn't just at sunset. If you're thinking of getting family pictures taken this fall, consider doing it at sunrise. You will not regret it. Want more proof? Check out these senior pictures taken (not by me) at sunrise.

I am off now to do something really important, like switch the laundry or open a package of goldfish crackers or wipe a snotty nose.

{ sisterly love at its best }

shopping with the girls

These two girls are so different. And I'm not just talking physical appearance, it's their personalities, their likes and dislikes, the way they move.  They may have the same parents, but they are not from the same mold.

Case in point, I took them shopping at the craft store the other day. Laci could probably shop for hours. She walked next to the cart and examined everything on the shelves. She ooohs and aaahhhs and touches things (gently) and was soooo happy when I let her get a big ball of fuzzy rainbow colored yarn.

"I love this yarn mommom."

"What are you going to do with it?"

"I take it home and play with it. I loooooooove it," as she hugged it and rubbed it against her cheek.

I can't argue with that.

For the record, she "loooooooves" a lot of things these days. Horses, pink, dogs, her pink shorts, me, crayons, and pancakes, just to name a few.

Mia, on the other hand, has absolutely no interest in shopping. Or in any other activity that prevents her from running free. She must be strapped in the cart, securely, and not even food keeps her quiet for long. She chews on packaging, removes labels, yells, and generally behaves as any wild monkey might behave if forced to ride around in a cart for any period of time longer than five minutes. We were recently in a store where the carts did not have belts to hold her in. She did her best to climb onto the moving belt at the checkout, and might have succeeded if Grammy had not been there to contain her while I paid for our stuff.

I can only assume the experience I gain from learning to parent Laci will in no way help me parent Mia. But, it sure keeps things interesting.

PS:  Clearly these pictures have nothing to do with our shopping trip, but I think they are just too stinkin' cute.  And they really showcase their personalities, especially Mia's duck lips.  That kid is just too much sometimes.