I am from Earth...my sister is from ??

I sometimes wonder if my sister and I grew up in the same house. You would think that having the same set of parents raise you, would give you some of the same parenting skills, but I sometimes think my sister and I are from different planets. I don't claim to be a perfect parent, far from it. I try my best, and that's all any of us can do, I just don't understand how a two year old can run your life. There are countless shows on TV, Super Nanny, etc. that I know she watches, and still that boy rules the roost! Dinner last night was an all out war, and I swear Mr. Man was about to have the throbbing vein on his head explode at any second. Apparently, this is a nightly occurrence at home. WTF!?! I tell ya...give me a week with the boy alone, and he'd be singing a different tune. I would love to be a fly on the wall when that little entourage ends up a Nana and Grumpa's house at the end of the week. I can't even begin to imagine how my parents will react to the behaviour they are about to witness, and I don't mean just from the nephew. You live what you learn, right? (Still not sure where my sister learned...) I have to hope that my parents say something. I had to hold my tongue and not criticize, because I'm supposed to be the supportive sister, but my parents have all the experience necessary to back up any advice they feel needs to be given. Our parents made mistakes. No doubt about it, but I hope that I've learned from them and I'm trying not to make the same ones. I can only hope that in the end everyone is still speaking, and maybe even listening.

Since this post is all about my sister...I thought I'd share a little project that I did for her. I did this Coupon Keeper for a Christmas gift last year (I think). It's just sealed envelopes with the tops opened, glued together and decorated. The flower circles hide the magnets and when released it folds open, accordion style. I also did the matching Shopping List by removing the spiral and decorating the cover, before punching and reattaching it.

From Scrap Room to Snoring Room

Well no new teeth...WTF?!? Not sure what all the fuss was about. That's the thing with babies, they can't really tell you what is wrong. Sure, you can learn their cues, but most of the time it is a guessing game when new things crop up. We took a trip into the city yesterday to see one of my dearest friends who was visiting from the Island. It was a bit of a gong show, but nothing a map couldn't fix. Mr. Boy was a trooper, spending so much time in the car. He was a little grumpy when we got home, and throughout dinner, but hey, so was I!

Snoring...OMG! Since the last trimester of my pregnancy I have had a snoring issue! I don't mean just little snuffly cute snoring either. I mean full out sawing logs, waking myself up snoring. It's become such an issue that in order to save our marriage, Mr. Man and I have gone out to Ikea and bought a new sofa bed. Since we don't have much space it had to go into the Scrap Room. This of course meant a total remodel of the space. It's working so far, but we need a new desk that has space for my crafts, my computer, and Mr. Man's laptop when he has it home from work. As it is now, we put the laptop on the desk in front of my monitor and it works for now, but we both can't use the computer at the same time.

We got some new shelving units too, they filled up very quickly since I'm a magazine hoarder. I just can't let go of them. I would like some more shelves up above the filing cabinet and above the desk area. I'd like to be able to store more of my supplies on the shelves where they are more accessible and clear out some of the space in the closet to be able to store the bedding for the sofa bed. I'd also like to repaint in here too. I do love the blue and would keep it similar, but it needs to be redone. Along with the rest of the rooms in our house. Most of the paint is from the previous owners, and we've been here 4 1/2 years...but that's a whole other issue/post...lol! Now I'm off to start my day, and try to get a few things done before the baby is up.

Teething?

Mr. Boy had better wake up with a new tooth this morning. Please! I haven't had a night like that since he was 2 months old or so. I have been blessed with a child that has slept through the night since he was 4 months old, and I know I shouldn't complain, when the odd sleepless night pops up, but man...that was brutal. Nothing seemed to help. He wasn't missing his sucky, or had a dirty diaper, didn't want to be held, he just complained in his sleep all night long. He hasn't made a peep since about 5, but I still woke up at my usual 6:30. Since I have somewhere to go this morning, he'll probably sleep in...lol. Ahh, the joys!

Well now anyway, I'm up, showered, and working on my second cup of coffee. I bought a new hair dryer yesterday, after my old one packed it in, and it is awesome! It apparently has "Ion" technology and as far as I can tell it seems to have worked. My hair looks less frizzy than it usually does after a blow dry. I think that this is the best hairdo I've ever had. It's been a couple of months now and I need a cut again. I just have to come up with the $65 it's going to cost. OUCH!, but so worth it. Mackie Naturals Day Spa is an awesome place to be pampered. They offer coffee, tea and goodies while you wait for your appointment with a heat wrap around your neck. Just what a new Mom needs to feel herself again. I highly recommend it!

Oh Poop...and some paper too.

I've been trying to figure out ways to get out with the baby and get some exercise without it costing me an arm and a leg at the gym. He is not a big fan of the stroller, and will fuss and cry until you get him out. He is much too big for a snuggly...I tried it out a couple of weeks ago, and it really hurt my back. A friend loaned me a hiking backpack that her son has outgrown...we tried it out today. No such luck! He did NOT like it AT ALL! He was a little freaked out when I first put him in it. He got a little more upset when I strapped him into it. When Mr. Man put him up onto my back, he totally lost it. I tried walking around the parking lot before we hit the trail, and he would have none of it. He is little Mr. Independent and wants to walk. He can walk with me holding his hands, but he has not discovered that he can do it on his own yet. So... I did not get any exercise today. POOP! We still walked down the trail...at a baby pace...and watched the ducks for a little bit before heading back to the car. It was cold and windy. It's looks like a beautiful spring day out there, but the temperature says that it is still winter. So my search for exercise continues...

I'm almost all ready for my next card class "Glitter, Sparkle, and Shine." I've completed 4 of the 5 cards that I'm planning on doing, but I have to wait to finish the 5th when I get my new CHOCOLATE glitter when my Stamp Club order comes in. I found a "Glitter Window" tutorial on the Splitcoast Stampers (SCS) website that is really fun and easy to do. We'll also be doing some Emboss Resist, an Acetate card, and using some Crystal Effects and some heat and stick powder. It should be lots of fun. I've forgotten to take photos before I turned in my samples for display at the store, so I'll have to post them later. For now you can take a look at the set of thank you cards that I have done as a boxed set for sale at the store...

Big changes in the last year...

Well it's been quite some time since I was here last. I thought I'd even deleted this whole blog, but here I am again. I have an urge to share not only my crafts, but also a need for sharing my trials of new motherhood. In the time that I have taken off many things have changed.

Mr. Boy was born in January of 2008 and he is now a year old (on Obama's innauguration day). The year has gone by so quickly...I can hardly believe it! Being a mother is an amazing thing, and I'm so very happy that my husband and I were able to work out financially how I could be a stay-at-home Mom. I could not imagine going back to work right now. My life is so full, and I would miss so much. My heart goes out to all the Moms out there who have to go back to work. Not that I wouldn't love to work and have the extra money, but after reviewing all the factors and putting them into perspective, for the $2000 that I would make in a year after expenses just wasn't worth it for us. I'll go back to the work force when Mr. Boy starts school. I loved my job as a Medical Office Assistant (not neccesarily the place I was working when I went on Maternity leave, lol) and I believe that I'm very good at it. I can't wait to go back, but not at the expense of missing out on my son growing up. The coolest thing that I would have missed if I was at work was the day that Mr. Boy discovered his shadow. That was amazing! The wonder on his face...priceless! In the meantime...I've started teaching card classes at a local craft market, Innovative Craft Xpressions, once a month. These are the cards that I did at my last class...

This store is like a permanent craft fair. If you love handmade things this is the place to shop. From beaded jewelry and artwork to quilts and paintings, there is something for everyone. The store also offers other classes too. Well I should sign off now...can't let it all out in one post! Stay tuned!