tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18004388725540358082024-03-19T02:20:53.539-07:00Death by CutenessGwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-32584641498940511802011-02-08T17:51:00.001-08:002011-02-08T18:14:43.946-08:00All things new...<span class="Apple-style-span" >I had the priviledge of welcome into life the newborn daughter of one of my best friends. She is adorable and mommy was a stud. I have to say though, for my first delivery, (other than my own two), WOW. Very cool experience.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Onto life.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Sunday, my son (Cowboy Bob), my daugher (Princess of Buttons) and I decided to take a quick shopping trip to Joannes to restock Mommy's clip making supplies. (More on his later.) After spending a good ten minutes going over every single button CB found amazing, we discovered the remnants bin. I think the skys opened, and angles sang; my son found a roll of flannel bearing the likeness of Lightning McQueen and Mater. We decided to pick it up, thinking a small throw or travel pillow could be made. After paying for our purchases, we headed off to a friends house for the Super Bowl. I had completely forgotten about the purchase until my son, looking through the bags, looks directly at me and asks: "Mommy, where my pillow?".......</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >If anyone tells you a two year old cannot understand what adults say, THEY LIE. This kid remembers EVERYTHING. He heard me say in passing I could make a pillow from the fabric, so, three hours later, he looks for the remnant and wanted to know where his pillow was. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Lucky kid, turns out, the "remnant" ended up being the exact length and width to make a full size pillow case. He is just a LITTLE excited.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I love the little booger. He is such a kick. Sure, he can drive me crazy, but he can be so unbelievably, stinking cute. The hardest is when he gets you right in the heart. Last September we visited Disneyland as a family. He remembers. A lot. If he sees Buzz, he remembers shooting "the Buzz guns" with daddy. He remembers seeing Nemo. But what he can't seem to understand is how far away DL is from us.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >A few weeks ago, he came up to me and asks:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >"Mommy, we go to Dineyland?" </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >"No honey, it's too far away." </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >"But we go get car and dwive crazy! (Because I once said people drive crazy, he now thinks driving IS driving crazy.)" </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >"No son, it's too expensive. We don't have the money."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >"But Daddy go work an get money!"</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >"Yes, love, but it's still too expensive. We have to wait till next year." </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >*prolonged sigh* Ooooookaaaay."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Kid, if I had the money, we would go back. Just for you.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Speaking of money, my grand plan is along it's merry little way. Soon I will be willing to open my Etsy shop. Which, btw, is the reason for the new blog name. It's also the name of my shop. Inspired by my weird sense of humor and my quirky children. I plan to post occasional updates regarding new and exciting things I will be working on. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">My current projects are pacifier clips. All born from needing one for my daughter and absolutely refusing to buy one pre-made, followed by making the mistake of looking them up online and seeing all the cute and crazy things you could make, especially if you add felt. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">Felt. My new favorite material. How have I never, before this, actually made stuff with it?!?!? You can do all kinds of things!!! So the result has been a few new clips for PB, which has melded into hair clips, pins, etc. All my own design. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">My first felt design by hand? An owl. Second? A sea turtle. I love sea turtles. :o)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">We will see how this goes. And where this goes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></div>Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-27819604955209805362011-01-26T00:15:00.000-08:002011-01-26T00:34:08.366-08:00Changing of the name.....Not to be confused with 'changing of the guard', however, similar idea.<div><br /></div><div>I changed the blog name.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, for starters, there is a darn good reason that I am choosing to withhold right now. Because I feel like it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ok, maybe not but I have a good reason which will be shared at a later date. </div><div><br /></div><div>And the other reason?</div><div><br /></div><div>Because no one actually reads this and I felt like it. :-P</div><div><br /></div><div>In other news:</div><div><br /></div><div>A lot has happened since my last post. A... LOT...</div><div><br /></div><div>I have a second child. A girl. She will be 3 months on the 28th. She's a lot of fun. One of the most happy babies I have EVER met. Anyone can make her smile.</div><div><br /></div><div>However...</div><div><br /></div><div>She is a CHAMPION vomiter. Seriously. Kid could win gold medals in distance and volume. Thankfully the episodes have lessened over the last three months (Lord knows it needed to happen, even just for the sake of mommy's sanity), but they do appear on totally random occasions. All I can say is, THANK HEAVENS for all the "previously loved" and new burp rags, cloth diapers and receiving blankets we received as gifts. They have, most definitely, been put to good use.</div><div><br /></div><div>But she is a doll. Ok, yes, I have mommy goggles, but seriously, she is! What is more cute than a 3 month old learning to laugh at mommy's antics or one who loves to just sit in your lap and grab onto your fingers to play with while cuddling? Not a whole lot in my book.</div><div><br /></div><div>More on Princess of Buttons later...</div><div><br /></div><div>Crafting, crafting, crafting. It's funny. I had months of really not a whole lot going on but now that I suddenly have another child and a whole new dimension to my personal insanity, I am crafting more than ever. Will pictures be posted? Eventually. Hopefully. Maybe Not. We'll see.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-66150609257617954332010-07-08T07:06:00.000-07:002010-07-08T07:19:39.780-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">True to form, a lot of things have changed in the past few months. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And it would be easiest to describe it as confusing, frustrating, relief, anticipation and yet, a little fear.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Most of the people afore mentioned were able to keep their jobs. **Yeah**</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Only because the Board of Supervisors decided to re-instate the mandatory furlough, but this time, it has to be done between July and October of THIS YEAR, meaning the hubs will loose over 8 hours per paycheck. **sigh**<br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">All of this because the union rep that represents both my mother's department (Ag) and my husbands (Probation).......(please, explain to me how THAT makes sense)....... decided to, strategically (HA!!), not GO to the BoS meeting (supposedly as a bargaining tool), thus screwing over EVERYONE in that bargaining unit. **growl** So goodbye over $200 out of every paycheck.</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">BUT</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On a brighter note.......</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My pregnancy is coming along nicely. At least, as to be expected. I mean, honestly, if I am going to be completely truthful, my daughter is kicking my butt. I have been sick all 5 1/2 months thus far, my heartburn is a constant, every day battle, and I am carrying her MUCH lower than I did Ethan, so I can't wear over half of my maternity pants or shorts because the seam below the belly band is cutting into my stomach. Nate keeps reminding me I wanted another child but I keep reminding HIM that I wanted another CHILD, NOT another PREGNANCY. I don't understand women who enjoy this whole experience. Seriously. If there were not a small, precious child at the end of this battle, this whole ordeal would be called a DISEASE. At the very least, the term "parasite" does apply. In this particular case, if I don't eat every two hours, I feel faint and sick and will likely throw up. BUT..... I am not hungry, which makes trying to eat an interesting experience. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">God, if you love me, PLEASE, can I have all boys from now on???</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">**smile**</span></div>Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-56793324518045903072010-05-27T09:31:00.000-07:002010-05-27T09:50:15.706-07:00UpdateWill I ever become consistant at this? Probably not.<br /><br />Today has just been one of those days.<br /><br />You would think that the awesome power of God's provision and His proving his love and care for the past two years would prevent a near panic attack, but it is amazing how a single circumstance can cause one to fall and fail.<br /><br />Today we found out that many of my husband's co-workers lost their jobs yesterday and they are being told today. What makes this all the more difficult to bear is that quite a few of these people are friends of the Hubs and I have met them personally. They are good people.<br /><br />It is hard not to be cynical and see the world in a dark light when you look at the circumstances. They were told, just last week, that the hall where they work is loosing one of their large contracts that provides bed rentals from outside the county = big bucks lost. So they were warned that layoffs would be inevitable should they be unable to replace these rentals with another contract. Less than one week later, we get a call informing us that there were layoffs despite the promises and despite the probability of another contract. To make matters worse, these were all good staff, full time people who have been at this job a long time. Yet the place of employment will continue to hire and staff part-time employees who are under-trained and lack experience.<br /><br />Why do jobs like this convince themselves that somehow it is cheaper to staff with people who have no experience and are under-trained?<br /><br />To make matters worse, depsite the years that the Hubs has been employed, there is a very small pool of people under him to prevent himself from loosing his job. They have mostly staffed with part time people since hey could not afford to hire more full time staff. With this lay-off, that small pool of people is completely gone. In other words, should there be any more lay-offs, the Hubs will definately loose his job.<br /><br />For the past two years, God has provided in amazing and sometimes, totally unexpected ways, helping us to get out from under a HUGE pile of debt, despite lack of funds and creditors that were unwilling to work with us. So you would think that it would be easy to sit back and wait all of this out, knowing that God would provide even if the worst happened.<br /><br />But it's not easy. True, we are commanded not to worry, but sometimes it is very hard. I can't help but think of how hard it would be for Hubs to find another job, especially in this economy. Even the CHP, who has had open applications for years, has shut their doors due to the overwhelming number of applications due to so many law enforcement officers and staff loosing their jobs. So how would he find another job? Even scarier is the thought that I would have to find employment. I am four months pregnant. Who would want to hire me?<br /><br />As difficult as it may be, all I can do is keep the nose to the grindstone, continue to work hard at getting out of the remaining debt we are in and pray that jobs stay secure, despite the circumstances. Please, Dear Heavenly Father, take care of those who lost their jobs and please, please, if it be in Your will, keep the jobs of those at the hall safe and secure.<br /><br />*sigh*<br /><br />It's going to be an interesting summer.Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-18791533799329101702009-08-15T01:38:00.001-07:002009-08-15T01:38:49.402-07:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6jKczkBUyDS8TdxEp8TNNcDSpmyKAoaS3cE3VNvSA10OyOAAGlNhhLbqt7Ks9I1B2q1tP_Z3bfen89nAXXI26Z7LPb_K86HtdUyGdPA3Uz6HzBilqeZsCyZyyPm7a3l2bnF4O-FSGmRg/s1600-h/0815090137-729403.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6jKczkBUyDS8TdxEp8TNNcDSpmyKAoaS3cE3VNvSA10OyOAAGlNhhLbqt7Ks9I1B2q1tP_Z3bfen89nAXXI26Z7LPb_K86HtdUyGdPA3Uz6HzBilqeZsCyZyyPm7a3l2bnF4O-FSGmRg/s320/0815090137-729403.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370107260382331314" /></a></p>My fourth attempt at a diaper cake.Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-77847653654832900962009-06-27T03:30:00.001-07:002009-08-14T16:01:59.790-07:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXXF3ZkkoTj4yrfWImoLO3IwyOR_OX13L1v9NHQulRW4Vkf9rpFjjCkBRSrSNNofu_jITPQMOCxqM0ncooHEoPhenm_AtNUibsGzSuLnkzionxf_RL4FPqBMLWmMQ1DcnuhTlZH0MLEJM/s1600-h/0622092013a-707021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351952766242822018" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXXF3ZkkoTj4yrfWImoLO3IwyOR_OX13L1v9NHQulRW4Vkf9rpFjjCkBRSrSNNofu_jITPQMOCxqM0ncooHEoPhenm_AtNUibsGzSuLnkzionxf_RL4FPqBMLWmMQ1DcnuhTlZH0MLEJM/s320/0622092013a-707021.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Just testing to make sure my phone can blog again.Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-56965117119251206562009-06-27T01:26:00.002-07:002009-06-27T02:19:29.054-07:00Procrastination.....A name in which I could blame my complete lack of any contribution to this measely little blog, but, alas, not even this describes my lack of any craftiness whatsoever over the past two years.<br /><br />August 2007 I discovered I was pregnant with my son. I attempted to complete a few cigar box purses, only to discover that I cannot use my normal adhesives. Something about finding a warning in capitol letters about 'NOT FOR USE IF PREGNANT OR CONSIDERING BECOMING PREGNANT' or something to that affect. Ok, now that I am completely terrified to use any household product in my home, so much for getting those done.<br /><br />Crochet? Complete lack of patience. Don't ask me why, I have no clue.<br /><br />Knitting? Well, I think my lack of enthusiasm just MIGHT have something to do with the fact that my knitting attempts still look like that of a First Grader. Ok, no, that is not entirely fair; I have no doubt there are gradeschool children with better knitting cababilities than myself.<br /><br />Beading? No interest. Nadda. Zip.<br /><br />Sewing? Alas. My poor machine. I knew him well. Last year, my sewing machine died. Just died. And with a total lack of funds to purchase a new one, all sewing attempt, except those attempted by hand, have been put waaaaaayyyyyyyy out on the back burner. *sigh*<br /><br />So that pretty much leaves me with photography. A little trip here and there, but most of my photos for the past year have been of my son. Maybe eventually I will get around to posting some, but nothing spectacular, I promise.<br /><br />So for the past year and a half, I have done nothing. Oh wait, not entirely nothing, I did make my son a hat. With a loom. Which saddens me a little but not enough not to use it while I still cannot knit.<br /><br />In other words, its time, again, to get off my lazy rear and start doing things. For real. I mean it. Seriously.<br /><br />Time will tell.Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-53100870651284852032007-10-07T11:43:00.000-07:002009-06-27T01:56:55.980-07:00Sometimes I wonder...<div><font size="2">...why I keep writing here. Even if it is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sporadic</span>. </font></div>Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-64055568608566626582007-09-20T09:43:00.000-07:002009-06-27T01:47:42.751-07:00Entertaining Jellybeans....<span style="color:#3366ff;">Its been crazy around here. Not that our life normally isn't, just more so than normal.<br /><br />Now for the updates:<br /><br />Nate is officially starting his first day at his new job today. For those of you who don't know, he is now employed by the Yolo County Juvenille Department and is a Detention Officer Trainee, Extra Help. For now. The pay is ok, but as soon as he makes up the hours and goes full time, he will actually make enough money that we can ALMOST barely afford to live on one income and he will get full benefits and everything.<br /><br />On that note however, will him leaving Schillings, we are out of insurance at the end of this month. Since my job doesnt include said insurance, we now have to find a way to pay out of pocket. But, being the little ex-insurance processor that I am, I think I found decent coverage for myself that isnt TOO expensive and does include maternity care, so it will be a little tight for a few months, but things will get better.<br /><br />With that said, for those of you who havn't heard (or figured things out by the few changes to my page and numerous comments from friends)...I am pregnant. And yes, for those of you whom I KNOW are saying this, or already did, its about time. :o) Actually, considering what your body goes through for this, I would be happy if we would skip the whole pregnancy thing and just have the child but this is how God wanted it to happen. Here's to spending the next 9 months trying not to barf, fart in public, complain (too much) about the back pains/headaches/frequent bladder trips/constant nausea and/or alienating my friends by turning into a she-devil high on all the progesterone and estrogen pumping through my system. If I turn into a rampaging lunatic, you have my permission to slap some sense into me. Really.<br /><br />Funny stuff and sarcasm aside, I am actually very happy. Most of you know how badly I have wanted to have children, so I am BEYOND ecstatic that we are finally moving that direction. Of course now I am panicking about having to get out of debt that much faster and having to save up for some rather expensive items, but its all worth the little brat/bundle of joy that will be with us in 8 months. And since most of you have been asking me, I do now know how far along I am. According to the Dr and yesterdays ultrasound, I am 8 weeks, 2 days along, (my ticker on my page is off) and my due date is April 28th. I got to see the baby (which looks like and is the size of a jellybean) and we got to hear its heartbeat. We, meaning Nate and I. He HATES going to the Dr., so it is a really big deal to me that he actually went with me. Everything is healthy and A OK so far and we even got to see that the baby is developing is spine and a leg. And no, (and yes, I was worried about this), I didnt pull a Jennifer Aniston, I could see the baby and I actually pointed out to the doctor where I thought the spine was (after she told me it was developing) and actually got it right! Ok, its stupid, but it made me happy.</span><span style="color:#3366ff;"><br /><br />In other events, I took a job at a local jewelers a few weeks back and I have to say, I love the family I work for but I actually had to make the decision, for the very first time in my life, that the job just wasnt for me and I had to decided to leave. Its not the family, its just that I realized I am NOT cut out for sales (for multiple reasons that would take WAY to long to explain). However, I may not be actually leaving. An offer of part-time employment doing a different job was offered to me, so I have a big decision ahead of me. We will see...<br /><br />Regarding the other member of our family, Beaker the bird is still here and chiriping. Actually, she talks now. Only "Pretty Bird" but its really funny to hear her say it. She also has finally developed, what I used to refer to as (my moms bird Buddy used to do this), the Chicken Neck Bob, which is basically her running up and down her perch, bobbing her head up and down really fast, making this weird noise. It really is hysterical to watch. And lately, she has developed this habit of cramming her head into the acrylic cover of her treat cup and talking really loudly so that she can hear the echo of herself inside the cup. She was pissed at me the first few weeks after I started my new job (she was used to me being home all the time) but now she just likes having me home. She has learned how to fly and she LOVE circling the living room before landing on her jungle-gym I now have set up on the cage. She is, at the very least, entertaining.<br /><br />And on a side note: I AM SO FREAKING HAPPY FALL IS ALMOST HERE!!!!!!<br /><br />Its started raining yesterday and its actually cold today!!!!!!! October, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, HERE WE COME!!!!!<br /><br />Time to start decorating my house.</span>Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-22890113209335392572007-08-17T12:41:00.000-07:002009-06-27T02:18:35.407-07:00Whats in a name?<span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Not that I really believe anyone is actually reading this site, but for my own personal gratification, I decided to change the name of my blog to something that fit me and my hobbies. Hence the new title, in homage to my three favorite wastes of time in the world, photography, needlework (any kind) and sunflowers. Ok, fine. I know sunflowers are not actually a hobby but I love them and figured they should have at least an honerable mention. Some day I will get around to actually posting some of my pictures. And I WILL make myself a real page.<br /><br />I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.....<br /><br />We will see....<br /></span></span>Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-17482690666775926362007-08-15T23:09:00.000-07:002009-06-27T01:55:22.587-07:00If I asked where all the time went.....<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Would it sound redundant?</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I am really starting to feel like all I do is wonder where all my lost time went. Actually, I know exactly where it went, maybe I just have a hard time reconsiling myself to the time wasted. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">"Life. Don't talk to me about life."</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Updates:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Cigar box purses: What purses? Really. The one I intended to finish is still sitting in its box, waiting for fittings I just really have not gotten around to ordering. I really do think I need a fire under my a$$ as finish things sometimes. BUT, I may have one, ready to order, tailor made. My church is hosting a banquet for our Biblical Archiology Musuem in order to pay of the remaining balance on the pieces we purchase. I am technically in charge of wait staff, (i.e. I get to rally together a large group of teenagers, convince them to work for an evening for free and then spend an entire night ordering them around. *evil grin*), however, we (the Museum Committee) have been given the task of finding items for a silent auction. DING! Suddenly I have a reason to buy the fittings. My friends are always telling me I need to sell my purses but I have never been able to gut myself up to trying to sell anything I make. So this just might be the perfect opportunity. Obviously not one to gauge how much I should charge for items, but it could give me an indication if people are willing to actually buy things I make. SO, with that said, I will probably be buying additional boxes, materials and fittings in the near future and this time I will TRY to be better about actually posting my work. (So says the person who hasn't written anything for 5 months.)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Crochet prodjects: I have completed a few and, big surprise, I forgot to take pictures. I finished an iPOD case for my sister and started a new one for myself. Then I decided to try working with plastic canvas, something I have not done since my mom taught me how to use the stuff in '85. I did complete one, and yet again, forgot to take pictures. The yarn I used was very cute and soft but WAY to easy to stain, so attempt # 2, here we come. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Knitting: Still can't. Nuff said. Not for a lack of trying though, I might add. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Sewing: Nothing really. But that will probably chance since play season is back with the start of school. Costume Central, this is my home. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Beading: Not much of anything lately. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Photography: Actually, I have done a lot of this but nothing of real consiquence. But if anyone actually reads this and cares to see what I have been up to, check out my flickr account. Warning: I am replacing some stuff I had there, so if its blank, check back later. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I think really, on the whole, I have not done a whole lot this year in regards to crafting. A lot of half-a$$ attempts but nothing really finalized. I am hoping I break that label soon. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Right now I am experimenting with a Seamless Single Crochet tecnique I found on <a href="http://www.futuregirl.com/craft_blog/2006/10/tutorial-seamless-single-crochet.html">futuregirl's site.<a/><br /></span></a><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.futuregirl.com/craft_blog/2006/10/tutorial-seamless-single-crochet.html"></a>Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-63809606548680178752007-07-01T01:07:00.000-07:002009-06-27T02:18:19.070-07:00Oh....<span style="font-family:arial;color:#ffff00;">And, on a side note, I am thinking about entering one of my recent photos into the local fair. Just to see what would happen.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ffff00;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ffff00;">My photos can be found here: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlemaleficent/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlemaleficent/</a></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ffff00;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#ffff00;">Or at least they will be. I am still working on getting them downloaded onto the site. </span>Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-37112718774972350892007-07-01T00:50:00.000-07:002009-06-27T02:17:58.327-07:00Ah, the life we lead...<span style="color:#ffcccc;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">I should be sleeping right now. Really, I should. But I can't. Big surprise. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;">Then I realized I could waste a decent amount of time informing the general public (the vast majority of whom probably don't even know I exsist, much less read this) what has happened in my life recently. So without delay (and fully understanding the complete pointlessness of this endevour), our life. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;">1. No job. **stunned silence** Comments? Anyone? Actually, I did try, REALLY hard. Then I got REALLY discouraged. Every job I applied for was passed over for someone with a degree and all the others were WAY below what I could accept. And no, I am not holding myself on some lofty ideal that I should be paid a large amount of money, its just $9 an hour for only 20 hours a week just doesn't cut it. Sorry. Then we had a lot of stuff come up that made it ideal for me to be at home. Now that most of that has passed, I am back to where I started. Still looking. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;">2. Nate has a job though. Provisionally. More details to follow.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;">3. Beaker. He/she is fun/complete pain in the butt/adorable/noisy. No human words yet but he/she is already making the noises that are a precurser to the actual mimicking of human words. The he/she problem is that his/her cere has changed color again and the ability to obtain the gender specifics is not completely diffinitive. So, for now, we are sticking with her. My luck, it will end up being a boy and we will have a gender confused bird. :o/</span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;">4. Doctor Collins was in town for a visit and to speak to the area churches about the Sodom dig. This trip also included his lovely wife. Nate, myself and the Days were able to take them out for lunch and then Nate and I had a 3 hour conversation with them at Starbucks. I already liked Dr. Collins but his wife is a kick. And they are a sensational couple. Him being here and being so willing to talk to Nate about biblical archeology and school as rekindled Nate's flame for learning and now he is considering going back to school to get a degree. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;">5.In the meantime, it looks like both of us will be starting a Hebrew course next month. This should be interesting. My only other experience with another language was 11th grade, when my mother got the bright idea of signing me up for a course in Spanish through the city. The course was canceled three days into due to lack of funding and participation. I really dont have luck when it comes to classes. Hopefully this will be a fun and enlightening experience. Even if I am a little freaked out. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;">A lot more stuff has happened but not stuff that most people would find interesting and its been too long to try to explain. Hopefully I will be better hereafter, at actually maintaining this site. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Courier New;">I can at least try...... </span></span>Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-2477611753446755752007-05-22T13:02:00.000-07:002009-06-27T02:17:34.924-07:00The newest family member...<span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#33ffff;"></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v0avjM2s-LM/RlNM8mCAzhI/AAAAAAAAAFE/8IgI1EaSELA/s1600-h/IMG_2581.JPG"></a><div><div><span style="color:#33ffff;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Beaker the Budgie<br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color:#33ffff;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></div></span></span><br /><div><br /><span style="color:#33ffff;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A few notes:<br /><br /></span></span><span style="color:#33ffff;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><span style="color:#33ffff;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1. Yes, the name is a play on the bird, but the name actually is from the Muppet character. I tried a couple of names, including Spaz (because of the frequent spaz attacks throughout the day) but when I tried to tell my sister that I was "cleaning out Spaz's cage", I scratched the name. Beaker is the final decision.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="color:#33ffff;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><span style="color:#33ffff;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2. No, we dont know exactly what "its" sex is. The only way to tell is the color of the cere (the fleshy part of the nose above the beak) but sometimes this is not exact when determining the sex of the bird. I am starting to lean towards female, since the color is settling on pink more than blue. Which bumms me just a little because males are more prone to learning how to talk, HOWEVER, this also is not exact and I am keeping up hope. They also say that females more loners and they bite more, but so far Beaker is fairly social (considering the fact that I have only had "her" for 3 weeks) and she tries to find me when I leave the room or calls for me when I have been gone for a while. And she is extremely patient with me when trying to teach her. She has never bitten, up until today, but that was because I had to move her treat dish and it pissed her off. :o) I told her NO, very firmly and her response was this tiny little cheap, almost like she was saying sorry and she didnt do it again. Even better, she is already letting me nuzzle her with the tip of my finger or my nose and she seems to like it. Sometimes I think she is more patient than I am. :o) </span></span><span style="color:#33ffff;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></div></div></span></span><div></div>Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-59801512503793920402007-04-27T16:50:00.000-07:002009-06-27T02:17:09.111-07:00Why I love Crocs...<span style="color:#ffffcc;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">(And no, I don't need to be reminded that I am a dork for doing this...)</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">I just spend the last 7 hours working on my lawn. Most specifically, trying to hedge a sidewalk with a half-moon hedger ,(I am buying a motorized one as soon as I can afford it cause doing it with the hand one is a pain in the $%&.) which I had to temporarily pause till tomorrow (after already being at it for 3 hours *groan*... ) because about half way through, I upset an ant hill and had them crawling all over me and half the lawn..., I pruned our bushes (which, if you dont know, are huge and a pain and I had to skip one because we have a wasp nest and I dont have anything at home to take care of them with, so its off to OSH,... again...), I treated the driveway and sidewalks with weed and grass killer, washed down the driveway, washed the Neon so that I can possibly sell her, and then, and I am not kidding, I pushed that freakin car, (which is dead, btw, with two flat tires) up the driveway and into the garage and had to back it out and do it again twice to get it where I could get past it to the back door. All...by....my.....self. It took an hour and a half to do it, but, I dont care what anyone else thinks, I am a freaking stud!!!!! Oh, and I replaced the bulbs in the tail lights of my Explorer and raked the entire yard. </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Needless to say, I am exhausted and a little sore. And I think badly sunburned but its too early to tell. </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Anyway, so I went in the house to take a shower, proceeded to take off my Crocs, which I was wearing this whole time, and suddenly my feet HURT. OMG do they hurt. But as soon as I put my Crocs back on, they stopped hurting. </span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">So the moral of this story? CROCS ARE THE MOST WONDERFUL, AWESOME, COMFORTABLE SHOES ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET!!!!!!!!</span></span>Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-9610857652387628332007-03-19T17:10:00.000-07:002009-06-27T02:16:45.541-07:00Aarggg.....No, I am not a pirate, that was the sound of intense frustration. Yet again, another job opportunity has fallen through the cracks. Not only is it disheartening to read the phrase "the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">position</span> was filled by a more qualified applicant" but imagine having your application not even submitted to the hiring <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">committee</span>, along with 24 out of 50, with no explanation as to why you were not good enough to send through for evaluation. Obviously I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">wasn't</span> meant to have that job but I have to admit, I really wanted it. :o(<br /><br />The sad conclusion of this affair is Jen having to resort to re-activating her account with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ADECCO</span> Staffing to see if maybe THEY can find something. Ironically, I called today to set up my appointment and the very nice lady at the office informed me that one of their clients is current seeking someone with medical billing/insurance qualifications for a billing position. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Hmm</span>.......<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ok</span>, so I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">didn't</span> exactly WANT to stay within the medical billing field, but its a steady paycheck.<br /><br />Other than that depressing news, not much has happened.<br /><br />With the exception that I am back to working with the Youth at church (I do <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">actually</span> enjoy it) and I was asked to be a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">chaperon</span> on the missions trip to Mexico. It all depends on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">whether</span> or not I have a job. Amazing how that works.<br /><br />Oh, and we attending a married couples dinner at our church for Saint <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Patrick's</span> Day. That was a LOT of fun. The Creamers introduced a new game to all of us, Apples to Apples, very entertaining. Not to mention the comfort of Christian fellowship. It was a good evening.<br /><br />With all of that exciting information, I must sign off. My clothes dryer decided to blow off its hose and has sprayed the entire wall in the garage with dryer lint. Very attractive. Off I go to clean. :o)Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-61226568260179337972007-03-15T14:35:00.000-07:002009-06-27T02:16:31.832-07:00Ironic...Considering my previous comment regarding my lack of memorization skills, I thought this was interesting....<br /><br /><br /><div style="BORDER-RIGHT: gray 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 6px; BORDER-TOP: gray 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 6px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 6px; FONT: 12px arial, verdana, sans-serif; BORDER-LEFT: gray 1px solid; WIDTH: 320px; COLOR: black; PADDING-TOP: 6px; BORDER-BOTTOM: gray 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: white"><b style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 8px; FONT: bold 20px 'Times New Roman', serif; COLOR: black"><span style="font-size:100%;">You know the Bible 98%!</span></b><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><div style="BORDER-RIGHT: black 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: black 1px solid; BACKGROUND: white; BORDER-LEFT: black 1px solid; WIDTH: 200px; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><div style="FONT-SIZE: 8px; BACKGROUND: red; WIDTH: 98%; LINE-HEIGHT: 8px"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></div></div><p style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 10px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; COLOR: black; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none"><span style="font-size:100%;">Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic!<br /><br /></span><b><a style="COLOR: blue" href="http://www.gotoquiz.com/ultimate_bible_quiz"><span style="font-size:100%;">Ultimate Bible Quiz</span></a><br /><a style="COLOR: blue" href="http://www.gotoquiz.com/"><span style="font-size:100%;">Create MySpace Quizzes</span></a></b></p></div><br /><br /><br />I knew I had issues with memorizing whole sentences (doesn't matter if its the Bible, a book or movie quotes...) but I am rather good at remembering people, places and certain events in history. Apparently this also goes for my knowledge of the Bible. Now if I could just work on remembering where things are in the Bible instead of focusing so much on memorizing the entire verse, maybe I would be better off.....<br /><br />Hmm....<br /><br />On a side note, this, btw, is the reason I have so much useless trivia in my head. When I learn about something new, I tend to research the subject to death (literally) until I am sick of learning about it. And what I read, I remember. Which is why I have so many random facts about Disneyland. I started reading up on the history of the park, how it was created, why things were done a certain way, etc. and now its all stuck in my head. This also goes for knowledge of random crap like the fact that the decorations you can buy for Crocs are called Jibitz, why the company was named as it was, and the fact that the family who created it sold the company for 20 million to the Crocs company. All because I wanted to buy a pair of Crocs but wouldn't spend the money until I read more about them to make sure they were worth it....<br /><br />*sigh* Sometimes I really do think I need to get a life......Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-2654382836000906382007-03-14T23:52:00.000-07:002009-06-27T02:16:08.955-07:00"I think I just had an apostrophe..."<span style="color:#ffffcc;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Being at home, alone, for a month, makes you think of all kinds of weird things. And it goes to show how creative one can be at finding ways to get OUT of the house.</span><br /><br />Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying making my house a home, but this home is making me feel like I am a hostage. I honestly never thought I would actually look forward, this badly, to having a steady, nine to five, five days (or more) a week, job. For just a little bit, before my ending days at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BSC</span>, I was looking forward to being home for a couple of weeks. Now I can't wait to get out. Sad, isn't it?<br /><br />But back to my "apostrophe"... (unless you have watch 'Hook', you won't understand...) I think I have come to the realization that this extended joblessness has been God's way of teaching me to be happy with what I have. Its AMAZING how dwindling funds can further ones appreciation of a steady paycheck. Maybe I have not been able to find a job because I have not learned completely to hand over the state of my finances or my confidence, or my sanity (as it where..) up to God......<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hmm</span>.......<br /><br />(This would probably be where some enlightened Christian with a better knowledge of scripture than I, would insert some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">insightful</span> and completely appropriate verse, enlightening those who may happen to read the above, upon the awesomeness that is relying completely on God. BUT, since I was never good at memorization and cannot, for the life of me, ever seem to remember WHERE the appropriate verses are, I will stick with my simple but steady faith and the belief that something will come along, eventually.....)<br /><br />The above does raise a question in my mind: How is it that some people are so gifted with the art of memorization but others are not? And why do some Christians base other people's "level" of Christian faith on the amount of Scripture that one can cram into one's brain? Am I the only one who finds this rather annoying?<br /><br />And speaking of annoying.....why do people, who cut across two lanes of traffic coming out of a convenience store parking lot, in an illegal maneuver that nearly causes you to hit the back of their truck, flip you the bird when you have to honk your horn to warn them you nearly smashed into the back of their vehicle because they, after jutting across two lanes of traffic, suddenly decided to slam on their brakes, while sitting parallel in two lanes, the cab of their vehicle in one and their truck bed in the other, thus blocking those two lanes of traffic, when there was no red light or any other reason for them to just STOP in the middle of the road?!?!?<br /><br />*sigh* Probably for the same reason that people think it is necessary to drive 25 in a 40 mph zone, or 30 in a 55 on a county highway and then merge onto the freeway doing 40.<br /><br />On a lighter note, I got to spend the afternoon with my nieces and nephew at the park. I was called, personally, by my three year old niece and invited along. I spent two minutes on the phone with her and all I heard out of the continuous babble was "I know you were sick.....hope you feel better....going to park.....going along.....leaving in half hour, at least that's what mommy says........Giselle playing on swings.......you going?" When I informed her that I would love to go but that I needed to talk to Mommy, she informed me:<br /><br />"But <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Jenniner</span>, I want to hang up the phone.."<br />"<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ok</span> Nina, but I need to talk to Mommy.."<br />"But I REALLY want to hang up the phone!!"<br /><br />An interesting two minutes, but my niece managed to make a rather crappy day a whole lot better. Add to that the smile on her and her sisters face when they got to my house and informed me that I was going with them to the park and I think I am set for the rest of the week. :o)<br /><br />P.S. Nate is snoring again. I would be irritated that its going to keep me up half the night, but, he also tends to talk when he starts snoring and THAT can be rather entertaining. Plus, he is too cute to stay upset at long. :)</span>Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-64929275396364336152007-03-04T19:39:00.000-08:002009-06-27T02:15:07.436-07:00This is pathetic...<span style="font-family:georgia;">Still no current projects. </span><br /><br />My house has taken over my life and that is all I am working on right now.<br /><br />BUT...<br /><br />My kitchen is done, as is my room and I have new, beautiful furniture.<br /><br />I am so happy.<br /><br />:o)Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-89068686729724310842007-03-03T13:49:00.000-08:002009-06-27T02:14:57.112-07:00Catching up....<span style="font-family:arial;">It has been, I must say, an interesting past couple of weeks.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Since my final day at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BSC</span>, I have been tearing apart my home. Its a constructive tear down, but necessary. Its amazing how much crap two people can accumulate after only 5 years of marriage and a complete cleansing of home and possessions is overdue. The only completed rooms as of yet are the bedroom and most of the kitchen. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">* In the kitchen, I cleaned every dish we owned (we don't have a dishwasher, so washing all those dishes by hand was a lengthy task, I must admit), re-arranged all of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">cupboards</span>, cleaned out the oven (literally, I actually took the entire thing apart to get to the drip pan underneath the burners) and hand-scrubbed the floor. It <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">doesn't</span> sound like much but there was a lot to do, and it took me almost three days. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">* Our room was an interesting task. We ended up getting a new bed this last week due to the fact that sleeping on a full size bed was no longer an option with Nate and his cast. Nate is not a big man, but he does have very wide shoulders and trying to sleep next to him the last five years has already been a task on its own. I was forced to convert from a tummy sleeper to a side sleeper just to avoid having my ribs bruised during the night. BUT, when you include the cast, it became near impossible to sleep. So we finally caved and bought a new bed. And, to my intense <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">relief</span>, Nate finally let me buy a new dresser. Our old set was a hand-me-down from his grandmother and was in need of replacement. I do not wish to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">criticize</span> a gift from family but it is over 20 years old and smells like bad moth balls. I stopped putting my clothes in it a year ago because it kept leaving wood shavings on everything, on top of making them smell....well......rather nasty. So we also have a new dresser. I spent most of Tuesday and Wednesday removing all clothing and "stuff" from our room, I moved the two old dressers and the old bed fame into the office and set up the new dresser and frame. For the first time since we moved into this old house three years ago, I actually feel like my bedroom is a haven and I enjoy being in it. I found an adorable bedding set from L.L. Bean that I am now saving up for, My old quilt is coming apart, the poor thing. It has been with me for 8 years and I am surprised it has lasted this long. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">The next task is cleaning out the second bedroom and turning it into an office/sewing room. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Right now I am doing a massive amount of laundry. Having a dresser to put everything away in helps. :o)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">In the job arena, I am still looking. I put out four applications over the last two weeks, two of which have since been filled by "more qualified applicants" and one is still open. Its closing date is not until March 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span>. We will just have to see how it goes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Cleaning my house has been a wonderful experience and I am honestly proud of how much I have been able to do, but I have to admit, not having a job and being at home all day has been hard. I have had a full time job since I was 17 and I keep feeling as though I am being a slacker. Its hard to transition from full time job to full time <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">house cleaner</span>. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Having Nate home for the first two weeks was fun but also a test of both of our patience. With my lack of income and his diminishing income due to his injury, I was constantly stressed about finances and trying to get stuff done, while he was stressing about the work NOT getting done at his job and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">worrying</span> about not being my protector and provider.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">But God has provided, as always. My <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">severance</span> check came a week early and was quite a bit more than we expected. Nate's employer has worked out a deal with us and their insurance company that provides us with compensation for any time Nate did not work in a full 8 hour day. And since he returned full time to work on Wednesday, Nate has not only been working his full hours, but quite a few hours of overtime. He is also working today, a Saturday. I have to say that I love him more for his dedication to his job and for his concern for me and our welfare. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">All in all, its been an interesting month, but I am no longer worried. I will keep up with making my house a home and when it is the right time, God will provide me with employment. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">I have to say though, I am looking forward to working again and being able to get back to my random crafting <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">projects</span>. Its been a while and my fingers are itching to start something new. :o)</span>Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-6345697950657209042007-02-14T22:57:00.000-08:002009-06-27T02:14:41.051-07:00Its Valentine's Day......<p>.....<span style="font-family:arial;">and I have to admit that, even though I realize it is a totally commericalized holiday, I dont like being left out. My hubby isnt exactly the romantic type and sometimes its a bit of a bummer.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">BUT.....</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">.<br />He does surprise me. Here he is, stuck at home with a broken arm, he can barely work, cant do a lot of "stuff" on his own, but he managed to stop at the grocery store and bought me flowers and candy. </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Ok, so its pathetic, but it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">I love my gimpy hubby. He is so sexy in his cast. :o)</span></p>Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-82447548652503807762007-02-08T11:11:00.000-08:002009-06-27T02:14:20.193-07:00Another update<span style="font-family:arial;">No cast yet. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">We went to Nate's appointment with the Orthopedic P.A., T. Coats, who, as it turns out, is not only very funny but he is also the dad to one of <em>my</em> dad's students at the Christian High School. Small world. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Apparently Nate's arm is still too swollen to put on the full cast, so they partially casted him and gave him a MUCH better sling that not only holds his arm better, but it also <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">relieves</span> a lot of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">neck aches</span> he was getting from the old one. And the straps are comfy. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">So the official update is that he will be re x-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">rayed</span> on Tuesday and if all is well, they will fit him for his full cast. Whether or not Nate will let anyone sign it is another matter. :o)</span><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/7484/4365/1600/z/853026/02-08-07_1006-723884.jpg"></a><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/7484/4365/1600/z/853026/02-08-07_1006-723884.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p></p><span style="font-family:arial;">Isn't he a cute gimpy?</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Regarding HIS job: We were informed that he might be able to go back to light duty on Monday, AND, we were told that the company will pay him for lost work during the week and the workman's comp. insurance will pay for Saturday and Sunday. Thank God. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Regarding MY job: 24 hours and counting. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">disassembled</span> my desk and packed up the last of stuff to take home. Its weird, this place really does look like a graveyard now. Its rather sad and pathetic. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span>Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-17705408196825216582007-02-08T08:50:00.000-08:002009-06-27T02:14:05.764-07:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/7484/4365/1600/z/259101/02-06-07_1719-734919.jpg"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/7484/4365/320/z/810542/02-06-07_1719-734919.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This was taken from the parking lot of the hospital the day of Nate's accident. It just goes to show that even on a bad day, the world is still beautiful.</span>Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-41706311579969496402007-02-07T15:28:00.000-08:002009-06-27T02:13:38.905-07:00Further Developments...<span style="font-family:arial;">I just got a call from the Orthopedic surgeon. Barring anything further damages to his arm, Nate should get his cast tomorrow morning and we will find out then how long he has to have the cast and how long he has to be away from work. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Fingers crossed.</span> </span>Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1800438872554035808.post-43407400388338673022007-02-07T15:08:00.002-08:002009-06-27T02:12:54.623-07:00<span style="color:#ffffcc;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">So much for actually completing anything. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">Not that thats a shock. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">I had to sideline the handbag due to my insane schedule and I completely forgot about the cigar box purse, which had been left inside my large sewing box and hidden behind the couch during the holiday season. I recently brought it back out, but I am stuck because I need the final hardware for the handle, hinges, latch and corner pieces, but it will be a while before I can afford to order them.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">But all is not lost. I started re-organizing my entire kitchen and so far, its 60% complete. Nate let me set aside money for some furniture pieces for organization and other such stuff, so that helps. I am hoping to have it completed by the end of the weekend, or, by end of Monday, since I will have all day to work, now that I will be completely jobless. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;">I am hoping it will look nice and much easier to keep clean when I am done. One can only hope. </span></span>Gwenhwyvarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06024200603287072509noreply@blogger.com0