La la la laaaahhhh!

I was browsing through the FREE section on craigslist... this CRACKED. ME. UP!

36" instrument of passive-aggressive revenge (looks like a tv) (Land of Kirk)
Date: 2010-01-29, 1:24AM PSTReply to: sale-xmgtc-1575956049@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
For the sake of discussion, assume that your wife has a flaky friend named Erica, and Erica needs your help with something. Erica has a KEEN NOSE FOR DEALS and she has found, right here on Craigslist, a FREE THIRTY-SIX INCH TELEVISION, just COME AND GET IT, and she needs YOUR help to go pick it up because her car isn't big enough.
Oh, the TV doesn't work, and you will have to store the colossal piece of junk in your garage until Erica can find the time to get down to Portland, where her boyfriend's cousin works as a TV repairman, because Erica's own garage is already full to the rafters with broken junk.
If this was happening to you, you might warn your wife that Erica is a colossal flake who can barely plan a trip to Wal-Mart, much less a jaunt across state lines. You might worry that that this huge, broken television will remain in your garage until the HEAT DEATH OF THE UNIVERSE. Erica is never going to make it down to Portland to see her boyfriend's cousin. For God's sake, Erica and her boyfriend will probably break up next week, and isn't there enough suffering in the world without taking a broken television from a stranger?
Any man knows how this story ends. It ends with a giant, broken television gathering dust in your garage, and your wife not wanting to talk about it, and then eventually it's probably your fault, too. Also, Erica borrowed your camcorder and never gave it back AND she has a STUPID FACE, but that is another story.
Fast forward a few years. Erica and the boyfriend are broken up, and you are divorced, but the damn TV is still in your garage, mocking you. But there is a happy ending!
The 36" TV can be YOURS. Don't think of it as a mere television. Because it isn't. It's garbage, technically hazardous waste because the picture tube is full of lead. But it's also an instrument of elegant, passive-aggressive revenge.
Are you someone's Erica? Would you like to be? Got a bridge to burn? Because I have the gasoline, baby.
Get a "friend" to help you out this weekend. Come get the TV from me. Your "friend" will store it for you, temporarily, until you can get it down to Portland where someone will fix it for you. Hah! Then, you disappear, leaving the poor sucker with the TV. The wheel turns. The cycle continues.
It's a beautiful thing.
There may be drinking, later. Who's to say?
Drop me a line. I have your TV. You just need a friend to help you move it...

I'm making a quilt. For my baby that is on his way in a month. Like the fabrics? I think it's just perfect for my wee Indian baby! :)

Here is the easy pattern ***SimpleStrips which I found at Stitchin Post*** I'm going to sort of follow the pattern with some modifications. Such as using the above posted fabric and not quite so many different strips. Simply because I've only got 3 fabrics to use and this quilt looks like it has way more variety than that. I'll post pictures as I go along...


Btw - Here are a few fabric shops I like to look at online... and drool on my keyboard over.

The Fabric Bar


Fresh Squeezed Fabrics


Whipstitch



Here we go!!!

Btw - blogger is being stupid with editing again. PAH!

The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined..enough fame and fortune; we need more faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness; enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.

Margaret Nadauld, YW Gen Pres Nov 2000

Well! THAT was a fun Sunday afternoon! It started with kids having breakfast late. As in 10am. Not a good thing with church being at 12:30pm nowadays. NOT a good thing at ALL. Y'see, I like to have the kids fed no later than 8:30am so we can give them a quick lunch about 11:45am. That way, their blood sugars are on an even keel and we don't have to deal with (so much) the crabbies as we sit through church. They didn't get lunch. They got a quick bite of pizza and I think one of them also had a cheese stick? In any case, not a good thing at all.

Then we're sitting on a pew in the chapel. I have a kid on both sides of me and I'm getting more and more irritated with their shoes that have velcro straps. They both keep kicking my legs and causing snags in my nylons which I hardly ever wear. (I will either go bare-legged or wear my industrial tights. Seriously - they're industrial because they've lasted over 10 years. Crazy.)

Along with this, my daughter is in a phase where she has to drape herself on me. I'm usually fine with that, but I've discovered that when I'm pregnant? NOT so much. I already feel crowded as it is but when somebody drapes themselves on me, it's all I can do to stop myself from grouching, "STOP TOUCHING ME!" (Btw - you should totally see Bill Crosby's bit on his kids saying that - hilarious!) Anyway, being a MOM, I bear it. No - I don't grin. That's just pushing things a little too far. She then starts getting offended because I don't want to color, play hangman, or any other games. I just want to LISTEN for once in church.

Through all this, my husband keeps looking (but I took it as staring) at me every time I would shush the kids or stop their feet from kicking. It just added to the fire and I whispered to him, "STOP LOOKING AT ME!" The look on his face was a stunned one... and I can laugh about it now although I don't think he can... yet?

After the meeting is over, he just takes off and I've got both of the kids to get to their Sunday School classes (Primary). Once they're in class, I finally felt like I could breathe a sigh of relief and feel like I have my own space. It's nice.

My husband told me he had a killer of a headache and so I offered to drive us home. My daughter starts griping in the car about how long he's taking and can't we just go home and he can walk home? (Nevermind it's pouring.) Over and over and over and over. "STOP TALKING TO ME!" is what came out of my mouth. 10 seconds later, she starts up again. She only stops when he gets in the van and we start heading home.

The point of this whole story? There isn't one really. More of a vent of how frustrated I was yesterday. Of how, I really need to remember the advice that I always dole out to my kids. "Step back. Take a deep breath and count to 10." I failed miserably at that. So, here it is - MONDAY! I'm going to keep repeating that mantra over and over to myself. Hopefully it'll make a difference. Because the next thing I'll be saying is, "STOP BREATHING ON ME!"

Do this on your own blog and let me know too!

Making... lists. For hospital, kids, things to do, things to sell, etc., etc.
Cooking... nothing at the moment. Just going to reheat some enchiladas for dinner and then figure out what to bake for dessert.
Reading... Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen. While I love this book, I'm only reading it because all of my other books are packed away. Why not go to the library, you say? It is IMPOSSIBLE to do so with kids running all over.
Wanting... new fabrics. Not that I'd make anything with them at the moment but I just love it. Which is why I am NOT going to host a fabric-swap on my blog. I would be tempted to tell everyone to send them to me and just keep them instead of sending them on to other swapees. Just keeping it real. Btw... I'm really into aqua/turquoise, pinks & oranges.
Looking... at my calendar and wondering if I can schedule some more playdates.
Playing... with the idea of setting up an etsy shop. What would I sell? I dunno. I think just having a shop on etsy would just be fun!
Wasting... time. Ugh. My challenge is that I am so TIRED that I don't want to do anything. Nor care about anything.
Sewing... nothing. I do have some really cute fabrics to make a boy quilt. I'd like to make it for this unborn child of mine but again... so tired.
Wishing... that people still wrote letters. There is nothing like discovering a letter or a note from a friend in the mailbox. A little bit of sunshine right there!
Enjoying... the sounds of kids actually getting along and playing together.
Waiting... for my husband to come home. He centers me and helps me not feel so frazzled.
Liking... bananas, chocolate ice-cream & caramel together. It's my new craving that I don't mind having! Bananas for the potassium, chocolate for the endorphins & caramel just for sweetness... lol!!!
Wondering... if I can keep on with this list. My creativity is being sapped away...
Loving... being a pregnant momma.
Hoping... that this baby doesn't negatively impact the relationships I have with our adopted children.
Marvelling... at how mature my daughter can be and yet, at the same time how much she still needs her momma.
Needing... a massage, a girls' night out where she can DRESS UP and have dangly earrings on. Heck, I'd even take a DATE night with my Hero! (Love you Hero! haha!)
Smelling... the enchiladas warming up in the oven. Yum.
Wearing... frumpy clothes. Meh.
Following... too many blogs. A lot of them because they were just "pretty" with all the crafty stuff they're doing. Now, I'm cleaning out my google-reader and choosing ones to follow that have crafts that I will actually DO. (i.e. SIMPLE tutorials) and also the ones that are inspirational.
Noticing... that if I can get fresh air, I'm in much better spirits and can be a better parent/wife.
Knowing... that about me, I really need to make sure I DO that. Get OUT.
Thinking... that I should start planning activities again with my family. I need to make sure I don't keep using my tiredness as an excuse all the time.
Bookmarking... quilting blogs & mormon mom based blogs.... oh and cooking ones too. Rather silly seeing how I just deleted a bunch. Ah well.
Opening... the fridge to see if there's anything good to munch on tonight while Hero is at basketball tonight.
Giggling... at the thought of actually getting out of the house tomorrow! WOOHOO!
Feeling... content. When all is said & done, I am truly blessed.

Dear Son,
Yes, you. The soon-to-be middle child of mine. I love you. In fact, I love you more than my luggage! What I do not love is the fact that you think the stairs is a playground. More specifically, a multi-level parking lot for your little trains, blocks, cars, and other small, hard toys. It makes for precarious footing for this pregnant momma of yours and I live in constant fear that someday I'm going to trip on one and break my leg when falling down the stairs. Incidentally, I never had this fear before until I heard the story of your father leaving something on the stairs and his OWN MOTHER, YOUR GRANDMOTHER, tripped on it and broke her leg when she was 8 months pregnant. My handsome Tiger, my Little Man.... please pick up your toys.

With all my love,
Mommy

~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Daughter,
Ah yes, my lovely princess! With your gorgeous eyes, hair & beautiful smile. I don't think you fully realize how much your joy in life brings sunshine to my heart. Yet, when you're feeling badly because of poorly made choices, it's like the sunshine was suddenly turned off. Please know, a lot of that comes from knowingly making bad choices. I KNOW that you can do better. How do I know? One - because I've SEEN you make better choices. And two - because I know that you know when you're making bad choices, it never ends up well. My dearest Boo, I love you no matter what. It's hard to believe but it's true. One of the best things we can do is to make better choices. I know it's not always easy, especially if friends aren't being the best examples. BUT, be your OWN example. Kids will remember their friend who always stood up for what's right. Trust me on this. Finally, remember what I always say? "You're always the perfect size for my arms to give a hug." That will never, ever, EVER change. No matter what. I love you. I love you. I love you.

Yours Truly,
Momma

~~~~~~~~~

Dear Husband,
You do lovely things for me. Rubbing my feet, back, shoulders... a lot of it during the night when I'm struggling with insomnia. You also shop for groceries, plan dinners, do the dishes and play with the kids. All while I'm sitting on the couch (or lying down) due to this pregnancy exhausting me. I hope that I'm able to express how much I appreciate all that you've been doing for me and our family. It's hard I know, when you're also putting in a full day's work too plus preparing lessons to teach at church. I don't know when things will get back to "normal." But I do know that I love you. And... ***REST OF LETTER OMITTED DUE TO PERSONAL NATURE***

Yours in this life and the next,
Wife

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Unborn Son,
You have certainly put this house in an uproar with your presence. It's been an adventure for me and the whole family to see the progress of your growing body. A miracle too. We're all excited to meet you. Yes, I'm excited too. Don't know about the HOW you're coming part, but I do know that every time I see a little wee babe, it makes my heart pound with anticipation of someday soon, holding & loving you. I love you already! Keep growing healthy and strong, my little one.

Your grateful -
Mommy

~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear cats,
You know I love you. Your warmth, cuddliness, softness and even your snootiness. HOWEVER, what I do NOT love is you using the patch of dirt right outside my front door as your personal litter box. Seriously. Of all the patches of dirt right here in this neighborhood, why mine? It's where I park the kids' bikes and where Hero puts his garden tools. (Bit of irony, no?) It's really grossing me out. Please go somewhere else. Literally. Otherwise, we'll be putting sharp things there so as to make it no-cats-land. Just sayin'.

Sincerely,
Human

This is seriously how I feel on the inside. I have about 6-7 weeks to go on this pregnancy deal and here are the thoughts/feelings that have been running through my mind. Indulge me please - I know some of them are irrational but right now, they are very palpable to me and therefore, real.

Delivery. I've been doing a little reading on this subject to help prepare. And doing a little cringing, dreading and even scoffing. I still do not feel prepared and I shouldn't be surprised because at the end of one article, it stated that (not a direct quote) "While every birth is pretty much the same, the mechanics of it, it is still unique to every woman who experiences it." It went on to say how it can be mentally crippling to the point they swear never to have sex or results (babies), it can be mentally powerful, physically easy or difficult, and some even claim to have orgasmic births. (That's where I scoffed. Seriously - pushing a baby out just canNOT be... anyway.) So - I'm wondering, am I going to be a screamer? If I am, are people going to laugh at me? (Not that I'd care at that point really.) Or am I going to be a curser? Cursing the doctors who told me I would never get pregnant. Hence - the lack of birth control. Or cursing my husband for unexpectedly putting me in this position. Or am I going to be a crier? Crying and whining and saying, "I don't wanna! I don't wanna! Knock me out - I don't wanna do this anymore?" Is this going to be a horrible 48-hour delivery? Or is it going to be "Oh look at me! I only pushed once!" (Not knocking those that it actually happens to. It just really makes me jealous and others too.) I'm also concerned that in the middle of delivery, my mind is going to go *click* and I'll become mentally insane. For reals. I don't deal with pain very well anymore and watching my mother go through a horrible, painful dying process - it really intensified my fear of pain. I can't explain it but there you go. (And yes, I'm afraid that I'll die during childbirth too.)

Breastfeeding. I read an article (I'm sounding like my mother there except she would always say, "I read an article the other day...") and it made me wonder. Would any of my friends or sisters be unembarrassed enough for me to pop my girls out and help me figure out how to do it right? I really, really thought it was an instinctual thing (not just on the baby's part) that you would know how to do it. But all these technical terms are creeping into it. Latching, aerolas, compression, mastitis, etc. Yikes!

Newborn. I have two kids. They were both placed with us within 2 days of birth so I do know how to take care of newborns. However, with now planning on nursing - this is just going to be way different. Long gone are the bottles. Long gone are the midnight feedings my husband would do so I could sleep. (Although, I will have him up with me just so he doesn't miss out on that time. hehe) It's not just the nursing part, it's just... I'm a bit apprehensive about caring for a newborn again. I'll be fine of course but still... this baby will be 4 years apart from my youngest (soon to be middle child). And I'll be 40. (Yep!) I just don't have the energy that I used to have.

Anyway - I'm sure I have other fears in relations to the upcoming birth but for now, these are the ones that occupy my thoughts. I'm working at distracting myself, talking/breathing through different scenarios, talking with supportive friends & family who don't tell me scary horror stories. I also pray. A LOT.

Please don't be patronizing and pat me on the head and say, "There, there." Or tell me I'm just being irrational (which I suspect I am anyhow). I just needed to get these things out there so I can work on overcoming these things. Thanks.

I can't help but laugh when I look at this picture. At the same time, I get a little frustrated too. I'm pretty sure this is what was running through his head at the moment...

"Life is so HARD! I have to go take a potty-break? Doesn't mom know that I took one 5 hours ago? I've got things to DO! I've got places to go! People to see! I have no time for this potty business! I wanna see what Boo is doing. She's playing, why doesn't she have to take a potty-break? Why is mom always on me for it? I don't WANNA GO POTTY!"

He got mad at me for snapping his picture but hey, that's what a parent & a camera are for!