I've Got Wood!

My Big Squid is pretty handy when it comes to wood working. To our right you will see a picture of the play house he built last spring over a weekend. He used no plans and only bought the swing, rock wall, and slide pre-fab. I am not saying that was the best way to go, but man it turned out good!!! To the left, is the wand he made me when the final Harry Potter came out. It is awesome!

Recently, Messy Mermaid's mommy asked him if he would build her a bookshelf. Boy I jumped on that band wagon! We had plans in mind, Grace's Bookshelves, which you will find at Ana-White.com, and put him to work.  It took him about 4 days total over like 2 weeks, and they were a little more work than he thought, but after about $130.00 we have 2 amazing bookshelves that would retail for about $200.00 each! Here is MMM's all sanded and ready to go, and ours painted and then all set up, complete with lego Hogwart's Express I got for Christmas! They are amazing and I am pretty sure there are a couple more in my future.

Sunday, Fun Day.

First let me say happy Monday and Hello to all my new followers, it's lovely to have you all here. I hope that everyone had a good weekend. 

So, I love bookstores, Borders more than any other, mostly because I used to work there. I met The Big Squid while we both were working there, but that is another story. One of my favorite things ever is just going and hanging out in Borders with my family and a good latte. Sunday, after a while of not going, I visited my local Borders, and with a delightful latte in my hand I roamed by myself for a good 2 hours. It was awesome, and I loved every minute of it. I returned home to a lovely laughter filled, dirty diaper filled, dirty faces filled home, not to mention an amazing foot rub after my squidlets went to bed. Good weekend.
Self kindness: Check!

MilSpouse Friday Fill-in #28

It's Friday again folks, you know what that means. Your friendly neighborhood Wifey over at http://wifeofasailor.com/ has once again provided us with an opportunity to get to know other MilSpouses. Here are this weeks questions and answers. Have a Great weekend guys!

If you were a famous movie star, what types of movies would you star in?............I would star in any movie with Seth Rogan, Jason Segel, basically anyone that was involved with “Freaks and Geeks” or “Undeclared”. Comic genius! I might not be able to stop laughing though.

What is a vacation you would like to take if money were no object?........................I would without a doubt, take a boat to Europe and then ride a train all over. I have never been and I would so love to go. I would like to go to Asia too, and if money were no object I’d probably follow up my European tour with a tour of Asia.lol.

Did you have pets growing up?.............yep, we had at one time or another, birds, dogs, and cats. I have to say, I am not really a pet person. I have kids, that is more than enough poop detail for me at this moment. Maybe when they are older and can to it for me.

What do you do for exercise?...............I chase after a newly walking 1yr old and a soon to be 3 yr old. On top of that I try to get some walking in when time/energy permits.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received as a MilSpouse?...........My mom is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to being a MilSpouse, and she is the first person I call when I am in need. The best piece of advice I have gotten from her was

“Kate, Breath.”

It is so simple, but in the midst of what seems like a massive deployment gremlin infestation, that is the place to start

My flower fairy.

One of many C.M. Barker Flower Fairies.

 I was looking for a way to give the little girls of our group a favor for an upcoming baby shower recently. I of course wanted something cute, unique and inexpensive, which was proving difficult.  This is not going to be a "new" fairy party that consists of neon wings, tutus, and Tinkerbell pasted on everything (not that there is anything wrong with those parties cause there isn't), but this is more of a vintage flower fairy kind of party. I was racking my brain and came up with this felt hat. It is a take on one of the petal hats from C.M. Barker's Flower Fairies, which is the inspiration of this party, and I think at a whopping .90 each they are pretty great. I have a couple more to make and when I do I'll post a tutorial! 

Weigh-in Wednesday.

Courtesy of Factory 20

The time for action is now. It's never too late to do something.

-Carl Sandburg

Today's Weigh-in: +- 0 lbs.
Better than gaining. Here's hoping better results for next week.


Dress Update: Well, I haven't really decided on a dress yet, but until I do The Big Squid secretly got on Roxy and ordered this little gem for me. It's super cute, and I was really excited that he is trying so hard and doing so much to support me.

East Coast Swing: A Bucket List.

Last week, The Big Squid and I sat down for our weekly catch-up talk and we realized that while he has two possible career moves available to him, both of them have us leaving our current state before years end. That got me thinking of all the things I'd like to do before we leave this area. Either direction we choose, we will be living far from this neck of the woods so I feel like I need to make sure I do the fun stuff while I still can. The list below is a list of all the things I want to do and things we have already done that are amazing. I may tweak and edit this list, but I think it's pretty good. Did I miss anything? Do you have a bucket list for where you are? If so, what is on it?

East Coast Swing Bucket List

• Visit New York City-Done!
• National Aquarium- Done!
• Visit Philly and have an authentic Philly cheese steak- Done and Done!
• Visit the ocean-
• Visit at least one of the Smithsonian Museums-Done and had Fun!
• Breakfast at the Blue Moon Cafe-
• Have a Sitting at Atomic Cheesecake Studios!-
• 32nd Street Farmers Market-
• Find some amazing local eats- Done! Sofi's Crepes, Joss's sushi, The Dutch Country Market!
• Picnic at Fort McHenry-
• Visit some old and beautiful Cemetery's all over Baltimore- Done and so pretty!
• Visit the Naval Academy and maybe take a tour-
• Get a picture outside of Charm City Cakes-
• BandO Railroad Museum- 
• Have a really great Crab Cake- Done and YUM!

Go Ahead, Grab it!

 Last night, after much longer than I'd like to admit, I finally figured out how to make a button for my blog. I am so excited, I feel like a real blogger! Well, pretty much. Woohoo!

Alone With My Cart.

It amazes me what some people take for granted. I don't blame them, it's so easy to take little everyday things for granted. For instance, I swim in the loveliness of shopping alone. Being able to walk into a store without picking up, waking up, cleaning up, calming down, or strapping in anyone, is bliss! This weekend my wonderful Big Squid let go me to the store alone 90% of the time. The pure freedom of meandering down aisles with out a child made me think about the times he is gone and so grateful for the times he is home. I may have danced more than meandered. Selfkindess continued!

Military Spouse Blogger.

Last week I spent way to much time on Friday surfing the milspouse blogging community and found Ann Marie over at  http://www.household6diva.com/ . She has created this GIGANTIC community of military spouse bloggers. I was overwhelmed at the number of bloggers out there. When I started this blog I was sure there were other milspouse bloggers out there, but Friday I basked in the glory of the number and diversity of those doing it. I am glad I get to be a part of it.

MilSpouse Friday Fill-in #27

 Happy Friday Everyone! Thanks again to Wifey at http://wifeofasailor.com/ for hosting MilSpouse Friday Fill-in. I really enjoy doing these, it's fun to see everyone's answers. Have a great weekend guys!

What do you usually want to know about someone when meeting them for the first time?
If they have kids. If people aren’t around kids, sometimes they are much less tolerant of mine.

Would you rather know everything about your spouse, or be regularly surprised?
I know everything. Well, most everything, he does surprise me occasionally. After being married for a time, I think it's kind of cool to learn something new.

If you could live in one city for the rest of your life, where would you live?
I honestly dread the day I have to pick, I love moving around.I think we will end up in San Antonio though.

When you go out of town, what one material thing do you ALWAYS take?
My laptop.

Using no more than 10 nouns, and ONLY nouns, describe yourself.
Lover
Accomplice
Creator
Foodie
Home Overlord
Fighter
Teacher
Protector
Referee

Bookworm

Package Paper Roll-up.

This might be right up there with the cd holder out of paint color samplers, but I'm a-ok with that. Our household received many, many, MANY packages over the holidays due to the generosity of all our friends and family. After all was said and done we had a lot of the packaging paper just hanging around our house, so like everything else I decided to put it to work. Because it's perforated I already use it in my fat quarter covered pumpkins for the fall, but it that is only once a year. I gathered all the paper up and spent a fair bit amount of time de-wrinkling it and rolling it on to an empty wrapping paper tube. When ever its time to color, I tear off a little piece and it gets one more use before we recycle it. We save money, and the squidlets have a blast. 

 

Weigh-in Wednesday

Courtesy of Factory 20

You must begin to think of yourself as becoming the person you want to be.

-David Viscott 

Today's Weigh-in: -3 lbs.
 WOOOHOO!!
No dress yet, but I'm still looking!

Car Seat Musical Chairs.

The original car seat.

When we were pregnant with our first little bundle of love, we registered as all good first time parents should, and thankfully received everything! We weren't planning on having another baby for a while, so I bought the cutest little girl stuff I could find. Cut to 2 years later, we are pregnant, broke, and looking for ideas. As per our luck, we were having a boy and had all girl things. Our biggest concern wasn't clothes, or bedding, we had The Airman's Attic to turn to, but the big ticket items like car seat, and stroller were decidedly girl and totally inappropriate for a boy. The idea struck me as I was browsing through my fabric boxes and was abscent-mindedly loving the snuggli-ness of a flannel Wall-E fabric, make a cover! The next time there was a pattern sale the first thing I found was Simplicity 4636. The pattern was super easy to use and I would recommend using it to anyone. I spent $1.00 on the pattern, and the fabric was a clearance piece I got 2yards for 2.50 a yard, so in total I spent $6.00 and made a cover for our infant car seat. I was thrilled! It looked great and was super cheap. AWESOME! After buying a sit and stand stroller at Wee-Cycle for $40.00 we were pretty well set for the newbie!

comfy Wall-e fabric.

New boy car seat!

The Year of Self kindness.

Over at twig and toadstool, 2011 has become about self kindness. I am so totally for this! Particularly because moms all over, put themselves last in line and often not at all when it comes to needs. I am really good at making things for other people and I love that, but when was the last time I made something for myself? For that matter, when was the last time I did something just for me? I used to do my TGIFridays and have wonderful food and a movie on Fridays when The Big Squid was gone, but in all honesty I just haven't made the time to do it, and the last thing I made just for myself was a tea cozy. This is just one more blaring neon sign that I need to do maybe make sometime for myself. I'm not going to insist on the same thing every week, all I can do is catch as catch can.
Friday, I made a great catch. The Big Squid and the boy stayed home while me and my girlie went to lunch with our friends. THEN, later near bed time, me and my girlie had a lovely home made peppermint foot soak. It was great and I felt lovely afterwards. What a fantastic way to start my weekend!!

Peppermint Tea Foot Soak

2 cups Epsom Salts

2 cups Baking soda

1 box of peppermint tea bags cut and emptied into the bowl

(this makes A LOT!)

In a large bowl add all ingredients and mix. Divide into jars or put into one big jar. I use about 3 or 4 tbs per tub of water. I know, I'm oh, so specific, sorry. 

I love this stuff. Cheap, easy, smells great and it makes my feet feel amazing. I loaded a bunch of this into old baby food jars and gave them out as favors at the last baby shower I hosted. If you happen to be alone adding marbles to the bottom of the tub to rub your feet on feels pretty good too.

MilSpouse Friday Fill-in #26

 It's been awhile since I have participated in the MilSpouse FF, but then again, during the holidays things got crazy. At any rate, I am doing it today so thanks once again to Wifey over at http://wifeofasailor.com/ for hosting. Head on over and check it out.

1. What are you looking forward to most in 2011? (Jessica Lynn Writes).................. I am really looking forward to the next step in our Navy career. I’m not sure exactly what it is going to be just yet, but whatever it is I’m sure it will be exciting.
   2. What is something random you do on a boring night when your significant other is away? (Lovin’ Ma Soldier)................I haven’t done it yet since my kids aren’t old enough, but many times during our last deployment I really wanted to go bowling...randomly.
   3. What has been your greatest adventure as a MilSpouse? (Misadventures of An Army Momma)............So far we’ve only moved technically once, so I’ve only really had one adventure, but I’m sure there will be many more.
   4. What is the ugliest fashion trend you ever bought into (I’d like to make fun of you, so can you please provide a picture as well)? (More Than An Army Wife)....................Regretfully, I was a big fan of the mc hammer pant back in my day. I thankfully don’t have any pictures of it, however I like the way you think and feel free to make fun anyway. 
   5. What was the high point of last month?..................Christmas and our anniversary was awesome. Plus, we had my in-laws come up to visit for the first time since we moved and that was really great too.

Bye Bye Boob-Juice.

It has been over a week since my little nugget of joy felt the need to nurse, I am assuming that means he is done. I am much more emotional about it than I thought I'd be. I weaned our first on purpose, so it was more a feeling of relief than anything else. This time, as silly as it sounds, I feel a little like he is taking the first step in a long line of steps that leads out our door. I know, that sounds a little dramatic, but I miss the late night cuddling, and quiet bonding so much more than I thought I would. Maybe a full night sleep is over-rated? Wait, what am I saying!?!?! Maybe all this sleep is making me delusional. Oh well, this is just one more reason I'm so glad I chose to nurse.

Weigh-in Wednesday.

courtesy of Factory 20

The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places.
-Unknown

Today's Weigh-in: -0 lbs.

So, no change in the last week, but I guess it's better than gaining. Time to step it up.

Industrial Love.

I spend entirely to much time in craft stores, this much I am sure of. Despite that, I always seem to find new and exciting things to catch my eye. Right after Christmas, Webby McDuck and I went to Joanns looking for supplies, and during our search she decided to pick up an old hobby from before her duckling was born in order to have a gift to her grandmother-in-law. Plus, she really enjoyed it! There we were in the beads department, and it was as if I had never seen a bead before! Beautiful beads, and pendants called out to me begging to find their way into my basket, but I was strong and left with only one pendant that was on sale for 1.00. Now, every time I go into a craft store I need to stop in the beads dept and see what is new and if anything might need purchasing. This wasn't an issue until yesterday afternoon when I walked into Michael's. They have a new line of jewelry making stuff called Industrial Chic. It's a found object line of charms and such. Some of the little charms  I know I can make myself and some I can't, but there is loads of inspiration there and it looks so easy and fun. I stood in front of the display for no less than 45 minutes, I couldn't stop the ideas from bombarding my brain! I was like the finale of the 4th of July fireworks display complete with orchestra. If you get a chance go visit the site or even better a store. Go, and let the fireworks start in your head!

http://www.michaels.com/Industrial-Chic/Industrial-Chic,default,pg.html

Forget Models on the Fridge!

In a somewhat desperate attempt to pump myself up for this year of wishful weightloss, I am going to try a new approach. I am a HUGE fan of Zooey Deschanel. I mean, seriously, could she be any cuter? I love her entire look, it speaks to me and from the first time I saw her in a magazine I have coveted her wardrobe! So, what I have decided to do is find a dress, just one dress that I love, love, love and buy it in the size I want to be. I'm going to hang it in my kitchen and lovingly stare at it until that fateful day I can wear it. So, no supermodel pictures on the fridge for me. I am going tangible this year! These are some of the dresses I have been eyeing. Any thoughts??

Madison Ave Houndstooth from ShabbyApple
 I mean come one! This makes me go into a fashion tizzy!

Luxury Craft Dress from ModCloth
I have a deep need for this dress!

Anything But Ordinary Dress from ModCloth
I might not ever take this one off!

In Yo'Lace Dress from ModCloth
I will be honest, I don't know why I love this one so much, but I really do!

Those are the front runners, now to pick one and go for it!

Well, Hello 2011. Be good to me, 2010 was pretty awesome.

Here we are in the New Year, and I'm ready! I have tons of projects, crafts and other goodies to tackle and some daunting resolutions to keep as well. Its going to be a great year! My resolutions this year are sadly, the same as probably every one else. They are,
1. Lose Weight. (not fun, or original.)
2. Save $4000.00 by the end of the year. (again, not fun or original.)
3. Don't buy many of presents for people this year,(except for books, which I love to give) hand make all gifts, wrapping, and tags whenever possible (interesting and fun!)
We'll see how well it works out.
On your mark, get set, GO!