Wordless Wednesday

An Anonymous Reminder

Somewhere near the town that I live in is a little boy named Jacob. I don't know him, but I'm guessing that he is around Brayden's age. Today, Jacob made me smile.

A few days ago my sweet husband and the boys went on a nature walk behind my house, exploring some of our new property and spying for fallen leaves that have already changed color. When they came home though, in addition to a heap of beautiful red, brown, and orange foliage was a deflated blue balloon that had been purposely set free to roam the skies until its message was able to be delivered.

Thank you Jacob for the reminder.

Changing Hands

Sometimes right in the middle of change, it seems like the new things will never feel normal. Until one day, you barely remember what life was like before. The day we brought Brayden home from the hospital life changed. Would it ever feel normal to be the mom?

Now here we are, almost seven years later, with a month of first grade behind us.

The days of impromptu adventures outside and lazy cartoon filled mornings have already become fuzzy remember-whens. I’m desperate to know the new details, but I’m learning that asking how his day went generally gets me nowhere. Instead, I have to simply be, exist alongside, and listen. In their midst, little bits spill out and take shape and I catch myself trying to fit them together to make a complete day-story. I can never quite fill in all the gaps though.

I’m also learning to stand up in the room of this new normal, where during the day only one child is at my side seeking guidance, and find my place in it.

10 Things

The goal is to list 10 things that you are thankful for. The first 10 things that you can think of at that moment, plucked straight from the top of your head.

1. Eating breakfast for lunch

2. Lazy Saturdays
3. Late night reading with a great book
4. Making a huge mess in the kitchen for the most delicioius meal ever
5. Crunching leaves that have fallen on the ground
6. Sweaters
7. The moments when Brayden and Gage acctually get along

8. Snapfish pictures in my mailbox
9. Hearing the wind whistle through the trees
10. Pumpkin anything

Dear Microsoft Word

Dear Microsoft Word,

You were first introduced in 1983 so that makes you 26 years old now, the same age as me. At 26, I would expect you to by now be cutting edge, what with all of the updates and makeovers your had through the years . So don’t you think it’s high time that your spell check recognizes the word blogging? Seriously.

When I type the word blogging, I do not in fact mean bogging or logging. I also don’t mean flogging, clogging or slogging. Though I do appreciate your generous suggestions. Also, when I write ‘blog’, I am not actually trying to say bog, bloc, blot, blob. Or blow.

Also, those red squiggly underlines bring out the ugly in this recovering white-out-user. They are little false alarms all over the page. They are nothing but eye sores on my document, screaming for correction when they’re ALREADY CORRECT.

I'm a lifelong windows user (who with every fiber of my being wants a Mac but can't afford one!)and I do appreciate all the work you’ve done for me over the years: the centering, the italicizing, and the print previewing. Not to mention all those other words you spell just right for me. But please, for the love of all things current, include blogging in your next spell check upgrade.

Thank you and do have a lovely day.

Sincerely,

Amanda, a Blogger (not to be confused with a Bolger, Logger, Flogger, or Bolgier)

Wordless Wednesday

A Boy and His Trains

Slowing Down

Mike and I have been participating in a small group at our church called "40 Days of Love". Basically we all gather together and watch a video and break off into smaller groups (ours is a couples group) and have a discussion. Its amazing. We're learning about Love obviously, hence the title, but we're also learning about patience, kindness, thankfulness and compassion. All things I thought I had a hold one, but turns out I can improve upon immensely.

Several times over the past few weeks, the idea of being thankful has weaved its way into conversations and readings and other things. I’m beginning to become suspicious that maybe there is a conspiracy of thankfulness going on around me. I want to actively embrace it rather than ignore it.

What better way to grow a thankful heart than to notice on purpose the small and the sacred? Here a few of my small moments of celebrating a beautiful almost fall day that I've managed to capture, rather then continue to let them get lost in the daily comings and goings of my life. All because I took the time to slow down and see them.

10 Things

The goal is to list 10 things that you are thankful for. The first 10 things that you can think of at that moment, plucked straight from the top of your head.

1. Days spent with no agenda, just with family
2. Ice Cream Birthday Cake
3. Fabric shopping
4. Seeing firsthand Brayden's mind grow as he excels in school
5. Open sunroof, cool breeze, the perfect song
6. Late night movies that make you laugh and cry
7. Gage telling all of the cashiers "Thank You" when we are in the checkout
8. Photo albums full of memories
9. Quad rides through the woods
10. Falling asleep in the arms of someone who truly loves me

Autumn in a Cup

I have this sort of Friday night ritual. Every evening when the sun is setting and the sky is growing dark Mike, a few friends, and I make our way over to one of my favorite places on earth. A place where I can always grab a little piece of caffeinated heaven. Starbucks.

Time for my summer favorites to be retired until the warm sunshine returns. No more Non-Fat Iced Caramel Macchiatos, or Shaken Black Chi Iced Teas. Its autumn now, and my dear sweet friend, my love is back!

Hello my sweet cinnamon pal, my autumn companion, my cup of hot, frothy October. Your presence is a promise of fall, your steam whispers sweaters, crunching leaves, and crisp cool air. You are 16 ounces of liquid pie. And even though you are small, you bring so much joy and happiness to all who meet you.

I am sorry I tried to replace you with the powdered coffee creamer impostor. True, he is more financially savvy than you. And he is willing to live in the midst of harsh conditions on the door of my fridge: the constant opening and closing; the blinking lights; the leftovers inches away. Although he is always available to me, standing tall between the ketchup and the Italian dressing…he is not you.

I love you, Pumpkin Spice Latte. Welcome back.

Becoming a Blissful Blogger ♥

I'm having a bit of an identity crisis when it comes to my blog. It should reflect the essence of me .... unfortunately I have no idea what that is.

For a bit of a personal boost and a journey into bettering my meager little blog here, I recently bought the amazing book Blogging For Bliss from Tara Frey (oh Amazon, how I love thee!)

So if you see a bit of a layout change here in the next few days, its just me experiment to find a personal style to reflect what I love.

Oh, and if you're a blogger too, you really should check out this book! Its fabulous, full of amazing tips and tricks, and features some seriously amazing blogs ♥

Its A Party

Happy Birthday to me ♥

I am officially in my late 20's now. But today I feel no guilt and will indulge in lots and lots of sweets!

Cute Strawberry Cupcakes 8 x 12 Photo by honey & jam photography

Better Than Ever ♥

Well on the heels of a pretty intense sickness and a bit of time off of work because of it, I have finally decided that here, at home, is where my presence is the most needed. That's right, I won't be returning to my job. There are a lot of circumstances involved in my decision, and a lot of wonderful advice from some amazing and helpful friends, but what it came down to was that I wasn't happy. After a long discussion with my husband, we both agreed that we would rather be happy penny pinchers than miserable people with extra money. And let me tell you, the kids are happier, the house is cleaner, and after lots and lots of prayers about which direction I should go, I'm at peace with my decision.

So the return of my presence at home of course means the return of my much neglected etsy shop! Oh Mandie is open again and in the next few days I'll be adding lots and lots of new bits and baubles and introducing some brand new items as well!

I'm excited to be doing what I love again and feeding my creative soul! Here's a sneak peek of some of my new, soon to be listed items.

Oh sweet crafting, how I've missed you!!

10 Things

The goal is to list 10 things that you are thankful for. The first 10 things that you can think of at that moment, plucked straight from the top of your head.

1. Being able to spend more time with my children

2. Small Group at Church Sunday evenings

3. Tomato Soup to cure a sore throat

4. Seeing Brayden excell at school
5. The return of the the Autumn
6. Hot Tea
7. Getting a good nights sleep
8. Setting up my craft room
9. Gage playing in the living room bay window

10. Good night hugs and kisses

Wish List 2009

Husband, this post is for you.

As you well know (You'd better know Mister!), my birthday is on Wednesday. I think I've been a pretty awesome wife this past year, cooking you lots of yummy meals, washing your stinky work clothes, and just being my totally fabulous self that you love so much.

So really... you should reward me for all of that with some amazing birthday purchases. Really, you should!

Here's a few lovlies that I've been eyeing up that you simply must buy for me ... but no pressure.

All of which can by found in my etsy favorites.

Cottage Decor Ribbon Rose Wreath - by Frippelous


Teacup series No.4 by Kari Herer Photography

Reproduction Aqua Cameo Rose Fabric from Confections Fabric

Interview With a 2.5 Year Old

Kids are funny!

I read somewhere, in Real Simple magazing I think, that children laugh on average 300 times a day, while adults only laugh on average 5 times a day.

I stole this idea from Marisa. Its cute, insightful, and will, I'm sure, promote more laughter for both the adults and children involved.

Gage's language and speech has changed a lot recently and he speaks more conversationally and will actually answer questions on occasion, which is a real step in a child’s language development. He’s also saying some of his letters better, although v's and still coming out as b's, which I find totally adorable each and every night when Gage tells me he "lubs" me. Sometimes I engage silly conversations with him, much like this one here, just because I love to hear him talk.

I asked Gage some questions this morning. Here’s what he had to say about his life and preferences:

Q. How old are you?

A. I’m 2.

Q. What’s your favorite thing to eat?

A. Fruit Loops

Q. Who loves you?

A. Momma

Q. What happens when you don’t listen?

A. Mum Mum says no pooping in you diapie, Gagey has to go on the potty.

Q. What’s your favorite song?

A. Gone Fishin'

Q. What’s your favorite book?

A. Thomas Books (Thomas the Tank Engine)

Q. What’s Momma’s name?

A. Mom. And I'm Gage

Q. What is your favorite color?

A. Green

Q. Who are your friends?

A. Dora, Boots, and Brayden

And then the small attention that Gage had given me vanished and off to push his wooden trains around he went.

Kids are funny creatures!

Feed Your Soul

In case you live under a rock (much like myself), I thought I'd share an amazing gem I found while perusing the Internet.

I have officially Fed My Soul.

Feed Your Soul is an amazing free project, thought up by Jen Wallace of IndieFixx, geared for art loving people who need a bit of beauty to feed their soul and bring inspiration to their lives in the middle of the economic crisis, when they might not otherwise spend money on things that are not everyday essentials.

There is tons and tons of beautiful artwork by some of my favorite and uber-talented people, and its all available for free download! Just print it at home, frame it, hang it up, and fall in love

Seriously, go there now.

Wordless Wednesday

A Day at the County Fair

10 Things

The goal is to list 10 things that you are thankful for. The first 10 things that you can think of at that moment, plucked straight from the top of your head.

1. Living out in the middle of nowhere, enjoying the peace of nature
2. Gage singing "Gone Fishing" from Thomas the Tank Engine

3. DVRing old reruns of 90210

4. Kissing Brayden goodbye every morning before the bus comes
5. Afternoon naps
6. Family picnics
7. Simply Lemonade
8. Mike brushing my hair, putting me to sleep
9. Late night movie watching with good friends
10. Honey Wheat Pretzel Twists

An Honest Take of the Struggles of a Working Mom

I started to unpack my craft room over this past weekend. The experience was a bittersweet one. It was like breathing in a giant breath of fresh air after being underwater as I lifted all of my little bits and baubles out of the boxes that they have been shut up in for what seemed to me like and eternity. So much of who and I am and what I love to do was secured and taped up tightly for far too long now.

I'm about 75% done with the room. Things are scattered across my desk, breathing in new air. The shelves are starting to fill and my awesome old sewing machine is even set up in its new permanent location, complete with a stash of yummy fabrics just waiting to be turned into future projects. The truth is, though, that even when I am 100% done with the room most of my little lovelies that bring me so much joy will remain packed away and unused.


My schedule, it seems, has quite literally exploded in the last few months. This new job that I'm working, combined with moving and the start of a new school year has completely taken over my life. I'm working tons of extra, mandatory hours, so my once part time job has turned into a full time job, leaving me with no time for any of the things I used to take for granted. I'm stressed and I'm unhappy.

It's not the job itself that I'm unhappy about. I mean really, I sit on my butt all day in a cubicle and what I do really matters. In a round about way I save lives with my job, and that's a really fantastic thing! The pay is great and I have all sorts of amenities. I really shouldn't complain. The schedule, however, has put an enormous road block in my otherwise perfectly straight path.

My poor craft room will in no time gather dust I'm sure. Particularly seeing as I haven't touched my supplies since I got this job at the beginning of June, with the exception of packing them away. But really that all pales in comparison to what has been affected the most, my family.



The boys and I wake up at 7:00am everyday, Mike already being long gone thanks to our opposite work schedules. It makes afternoon childcare easier, since Brayden is at school and Gage only has to be with his Great Grandmas for an hour or so, but it takes its toll on our marriage, never seeing each other. In the mornings I spend one jam packed hour with Brayden, preparing him for his day at school and then at 8:03am he gets on the bus and away he goes. I won't see him again until I get home from work at about 8:20pm, just in time to give him a kiss goodnight. Gage is a bit more lucky. I'm able to spend around 4 1/2 hours with him daily. Unfortunately though that bonding time is also flooded with the daily workings that come with maintaining a house in addition to getting myself in my business casual best to start a day at work. He also gets a hug and kiss at bedtime when I get home in the evenings, and before I know it the day is over and gone.

Somehow I thought that me going back to work bight have a positive effect on Mike and I's marriage and perhaps take some of the stress off of him when it comes to our finances. It seems to have had the opposite effect though, as I've begun to resent Mike for getting to be the one who is home with the kids, doing all of the things with them that I used to do, and that I wish I still could do. He's the one they turn to now when there's a problem, not me. My Mommas boys have become Daddy's boys, and yes, I'm not at all too proud to admit that this bothers me.

I feel very stuck.

Do I quit my new job and possibly place my family in financial hardship?
Do I suck it up and tough it out?
Am I being selfish?
Do I look for another job when I live in a small town where not only good jobs, but jobs in general are far and few between?
Do I give running my etsy shop full time another go?

If nothing else, I am honest in my quest to find what's best for my family. I just don't quite know what that is at the moment

Wordless Wednesday