Catharsis

I have a confession to make. I hate Southern Alberta. I'm not kidding. I hate the wheat fields, the brown, the wind, the cold, the cows, the lack of culture, the lack of people, the lack of trees, tall buildings, anyway, you get the idea. This lack of love for my home leads me to have some pretty severe winter grumpies. I get moody and snap at those around me. (If you are one of those people I have snapped at lately, I apologize) I can't breathe properly and I have constant headaches because of it. I get very lathargic, have zero motivation and just want to stay in bed until its warm. So why, you ask, don't I move? Its simple. The people around me. I don't make friends very easily. I am quite shy and frequently mistaken for being snotty because of it. Also, I'm constantly worried about offending others. I'm just not comfortable around new people, so its rare that I make friends. The friends that I do have here are so great. I can't imagine leaaving them. And my family is here. If you know my family well, you know we get together all the time. And its not just that I'd miss the get together's, but its really great to have TJ be so close to everyone. Honestly, if it was just me, I'd be somewhere far far away. Probably the theater district in New York or in sunny Florida or in back in Utah.

Ok, so you are probably sitting there thinking why is she rambling on about this. What is the point behind this complaining? Its because after this winter down time, comes the spring catharsis. A catharsis is a purging of emotions. In every play, the hero has a cathartic moment, a moment when his outlook on his life changes and he realizes he can go on from there. This is what happens to me every spring. I have that moment when I realize that things are ok. I have had some great Cinderella moments in my life. What, you may ask, is a Cinderella moment? Its a time in your life when you get to live your life exactly the way you want to. When everything falls into place and you get to live out one of your wildest dreams. Some people only get one or two of these moments in their lifetime and I've already have a few of them. Yes, they only last until midnight, but they give you something to dream about the rest of your life. There are days when I would love to go back, but then I think about what I get to do now. (Some days, it takes a few days for that to make me feel better!!;) I may not be exactly who I want to be or where I want to be, but I am with the people I want to be with. My location does not get to determine who I am, only I can do that.

I love that I get to start each spring with a fresh outlook on life and a renewed sense of wonder. I love myself more each spring and am more greatful for those around me. I still don't like Southern Alberta and I don't know that I ever will, but it is where I call home these days and I don't forsee it changing anytime soon. And I'm ok with that!

Catch Up

I have been neglecting my blog lately. I apologize to all my faithful readers. (smirk, chortle, snort!!) I have been a very busy bee lately and it doesn't look like I'm going to get to slow down for a while. However, thats ok by me. Its amazing how much needs to be done to start a business. There are all these little things that you would never know need to be done until it is actually time to do them! I haven't been doing much sewing, just a lot of figuring out. Fortunately, I am almost done the figuring and am going to move on to the best parts, design and production!! Yipee!! Oh, and I'm very excited to say that, because of all the figuring I've been doing, we are now able to offer the bags at a lower price than they have been priced. (The new pricing will take effect when the next installment hits the shelves!)

So, other than business, the majority of my time this past month was spent planning and pulling off Manda's wedding. It went really well. I won't bore you with too many details and I'm sad to say my pics on my camera didn't turn out too well, so your going to have to wait for the pics from the photographer.

Tonight Tem and some of his friends made us traditional Nigerian food. It was REALLY good. I was really nervous because I'm not really an adventurous eater, but I was pleasantly suprised. Here are a couple pics of that.

Sorry, I know its not a great post, but it might be better than nothing. I am working on a much better one in my mind, but it still needs a little working out. Till then, be happy!!

Ok, I'm it

I need a break from watching the needle on my machine going up and down, TJ is actually sleeping, I don't feel like cleaning anything (even though I REALLY should) and I think this mommy tag Susie came up with is great, so I'm going to do it!

Typical Time of Wake Up

Well, TJ usually wakes up between 8:30 and 10:00. I however, get up by 7 so I can get things done, because once he is awake, I accomplish nothing!

On a Good Night When You/Kids go to sleep

TJ goes to sleep sometime between 10:30 and midnight. I usually follow within half an hour or so. However, James usually calls when he is done work around 1, so I kind of nap until he calls and then sleep after that.

How long have you been a momma

It will be 10 months on the 13th

How many times have you been a new mom

Just once so far, but even being able to say that is kind of a miracle for me. If that is all I get, thats ok!

How old were you when you became a mom

I was 26

Favorite Kids Show

TJ doesn`t really watch TV yet, but I love Fraggle Rock and the Muppets. I also like Veggie Tales.

Least Favorite Kids Show

There are oh so very many. I am not really a TV person.

Favorite Chore

Vacuuming with my Mom's Roomba!! LOL. Actually, I really enjoy organizing things.

Least Favorite Chore

I hate cleaning the bathroom. I make James do it. I especially hate dusting. I don't have little trinkets for that very reason. It really drives James crazy that I won't let him put out little things all over.

Meal you Cook Most Often

I try to keep it mixed up, but in general I prefer chicken and fish over beef. I know, how un-Albertan of me.

Kids Favorite Meal

TJ LOVE watermelon. He also really likes most any fruit or veggies. He does NOT like anything that is mushed up and fed to him in a spoon. Unless you are eating it too, then its ok.

Five Things That Make You Smile When You Are Being a Mom

1. When I get home from school and TJ sees me and his face lights up.
2. When TJ grabs the phone (even if its not ringing) and says "i dah" (Hi Dad)
3. The way TJ snuggles me when he gets sleepy
4. That I'm the only one who can comfort him when he wants Mommy
5. Watching TJ hit each milestone and learn so many new things each day.

Favorite Thing Your Husband Does With Your Kids

Its HILARIOUS to watch James change TJ. Really, if you need a good laugh, you should watch it.

Last Time You Went Out With No Kids

Last night I went to a scrapbooking thing. Thanks Grandpa!!

If You Could Take Your Kids Anywhere, Where Would it be

Paris, because I really want to go there. Ok, really, I want to go back to Disneyworld when TJ is old enough to remember it.

Favorite Pastime or Activity With Kids

TJ loves drumming on things, so we make music all the time. I also love his reaction when we do rhymes.

One Thing You Said You Would Never Do When You Were a Mom

Let my kids be the kid without manners who nobody wants to have over.

If You Had an Afternoon to Yourself, What Would You Do

Um, depends on what I've been doing in the few days before. I would probably organize my sewing room. I really need to do that. I should be doing that right now. If it was already done, I would probably work on TJ's quilt or do some scrapbooking.

One Thing Your Mom Did and Now You Do

Favorite Quality of Your own Mom

Her youthful spirit. Shes more like a kid than a lot of the kids I know. She always knows how to have fun, but also when its time to be serious.

Favorite Kids Book

I love Enchantress of Crumbledown. Its for teens. Its fantastic. As far as younger books, I'm a Dr. Seuss nut.

Best Advice For a New Mom

Um, I don't really thing I should give any. I'm pretty much the newest mom I know and I'm constantly asking for advice. Speaking of which, any advice on when to stop using the little bitty bathtub? I'm very nervous about bathing TJ in the big tub, but he's outgrowing the little one.

Scariest or Most Heartbreaking Moment as a Mom

Pretty much the whole delivery/after delivery. TJ's heart rate was way too fast and I wasn't doing very well either, so they said they were going to try using a vaccum and if that didn't work in 2 minutes, we were going to do an emergency c-section (the one thing that scares me spitless about having babies). Fortunately, the c-section wasn't necessary, but TJ wasn't breathing right when he came out and his heart was still beating WAY too fast, so they brought in someone for him. Seeing her come running (literally) into the room probably scared me the most.

Last Time your Child Told you They Loved You

When he flopped out of Jessica's arms onto my head so I would hold him at dinner tonight.

Last Time You Said I Love You to Your Kid(s)

When I put him down for his nap almost a whole hour ago (yee haw!)

Sorry, too tired to come up with a good title!

Is it sad that I look forward to reading the blogs as much as I do? Its like having friends when I don't get to leave the house. Oh well, if it is sad, so be it! Life has been so busy the past few weeks this may be a little of a long post. Sorry 'bout that!

My poor little TJ has cut 3 teeth in the past 2 weeks. He has not been a happy camper. He hates eating food from a spoon, so he usually eats what I am eating. Lots of fruits and veggies. (Sidenote: This is actually working well because I'm really watching what I eat knowing that he is going to eat it too.) However, when he is teething, he doesn't want to eat anything. He always loses some weight, which he doesn't really have to lose. To add to that, he has had a nasty little cold for a week or so now. I love him, but he is oh so very cranky. He was a little better today, but only a little. I'm hoping this new trend will continue and he will be back to his happy little self soon.

James was home last week, so that meant we were INSANELY busy. He had about a billion doctor apointments. He has had tonsilitis 4 times this past year, so he has to have his tonsils taken out. He already had a specialist appointment with an ear nose throat specialist when he comes home next time, so Dr. Smith just added a note to why he was seeing him. The original appointment was to see if he can get his deviated septum fixed. Then he had an appointment at the sleep apnea clinic. He has a loaner machine to use while he is at work this week to see if it helps. He was supposed to have a dentist appointment, but it didn't get approved in time. He also has to have lasik surgery before he can be a cop, so he was supposed to have an appointment at the eye dr. However, the dr. ended up having to be out of town for a few days, so that got postponed til next time too. I have a full time job just keeping up with all of his appointments!

I made a cake for a little girls first birthday. She really loves frogs, so they wanted a frog cake. That was pretty much the only direction they gave me, so this is what I came up with.

We have been busy little bees getting ready for the wedding. We had the invitations made within a couple of days and then mailed out, but they got sent back because the guy at the post office told us they weren't oversized and they were. Now, they are re-stamped and back in the mail. Other than that, we have done some guest book pages, bought the dress, veil ect., had a bridal shower/bachelorette, planned the decorations, meal and servers and a whole lot of other stuff. Next week I'm doing the bustle in her gown, making a jacket for it, and a dress for the afterparty. That is assuming that Amanda gets better. She has been really sick for the past 2 weeks.

Other than that, my time has been almost completely consumed with class, sewing and mommying. Class is going really well. Its been pretty easy so far, but it is early on. I have taken the first load of bags to Anna Banna. I'm super excited about them. I've got two more styles I'm finishing this week and then have one or two more to figure out. The ones I've done so far have all been based on patterns by Amy Butler. Of course, I couldn't use her patterns because they are copyrighted, so I looked at her bags online and made my own pattern based on that. I'm so excited about how they turned out. I'm going to make change pads, burp cloths, blankets and bibs to match. Everything but the bibs will have the fabric on one side and co-ordinating minky on the other. That should all be done within the next 4-5 weeks. I'm still waiting on my minky samples and then I'll have to place my order. Otherwise, it would be sooner. Its hard to believe my business has actually gotten up and running. Things are going well and seem to be falling in to place nicely. I'm going to have some pictures professionally done once I have everything finished, but here are a few I took in the mean time.

This is the "Manda" bag.

This one is the "Jesi"

Ok, this won't rotate no matter what I do, so here it is sideways. This is the "Kelly".

And I couldn't do one more post without a picture of my cute little guy. This is one of the few times he was happy this past week. I can't get this one to rotate either. Stupid new computer.

Well, thanks for reading! Hope it wasn't too boring for you!

Wedding Info

Ok, so in response to the several responses/questions I've gotten since my post, Manda's fiancee is very nice. We like him, although he is shy, so he doesn't fit in so well yet. He is from Nigeria. No, they are not getting married so he can stay in the country. His name is Tem, actually its Temitope. His dad is a recently retired CEO for Unicef and his mom is a nurse. He has siblings, but I don't remember how many. I think he has two sisters, both married, and at least one brother, who is a lawyer. I think. They me through her roomate, who is dating Tem's friend. We all wish they would wait longer, but they don't see the point. They love each other so why wait. Oh, and, to clarify, she is not prego;) (She gets asked that all the time!!) The wedding will be relatively small, so if your family/you do not get an invite, please don't be offended. We are working on a very limited budget and time schedule. Any other questions, I probably don't know the answers!!

I NEED a Break!!

Ok, so I can`t see straight because I`ve been staring at the sewing machine forever, so I`m taking a break. I found this on another blog, so I`m copying it! It quite funny! Enjoy! (I really like exclamation points today, hmmm.)

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Patches Equinox

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Strawberry Sugar

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) TGIL

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Magenta Bulldog

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Lynn Lethbridge

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
Gilti

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
The Red Shirley

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
Brian Eric

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)
Vanilla Toffee

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )
Eric (Ok, so I don`t think this one really would work for me. My mom has no middle name)

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
Wolsey Washington

12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
Summer Lily

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
Mango Socky

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Peanut Willow

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)
The Sewing Lightning Tour (ooh, sounds intimidating!)

Update

Ok, so I know I said I'd only post once in January, but we've had a big happening in our family that just couldn't wait. Amanda has gotten engaged and is getting married February 23rd! Ah! So now, I have even more craziness to deal with! Life is a complete gong show, but it keeps moving along, so I guess I have to move with it!! Oh, and did I mention that I`m taking a class at the college. Actually I`m taking two classes. One is a pattern drafting class and one is a living healthy class. I`m excited about both. I actually haven`t started the living healthy class yet. It starts this coming week, but I`ve been doing really well in the pattern drafting class. Its super exciting. Ok, so thats more than I actually have time to write, but there it is.