A mess of completely random things

This past weekend Andy and I came home to watch a movie together, something that we rarely get to do. Andy puts the movie in, I go sit on the couch, and I sat there fidgeting and trying to sit on my hands so that I didn't chew on them. I couldn't concentrate on the movie and I felt very unsettled just sitting there doing one thing. I've become such a multi-tasker that to sit and just do one thing now feels impossible.

I asked Andy if we could set my sewing machine in the room so I could work on my project while we watched the movie and he looked at me like I had two heads. Yes, I agree that it is sad that I had to pull out something else to do while watching a movie, however, it was much easier to watch the movie when I had something for my hands to do.
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The other night I asked Andy to bring down Kalli's chapsticks, lip balms, lip glosses, and any other word you can come up with for stuff that you apply to your lips. I then asked Kalli to go get any other ones that she could find. Mind you, Andy and I had already looked all over the place. Kalli left the room, came back, went to another room, and then back again dropping about another 5 chapsticks on my desk. Seriously, I think the girl is hiding them in case of emergency.

I decided to take a few pictures of all of them just to show how serious her obsession is. And I am not joking in the least when I warn you that the next person that buys her anything that is applied to the lips.....or face for that matter....will regret it.


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I've been slowly making progress on my second sewing. It would be going quicker if I didn't have this problem by the time the kids are all asleep. The problem is called exhaustion. Here is a picture I took a bit ago...I'm a little farther now. I wish I had more time that I could devote to it, but days are so busy and I do need some sleep at night. And sewing while exhausted seems like a recipe for disaster.

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I've been having my niece, Kaitlynn, quite a bit lately. The other day when I had her she was hanging out in her highchair while I got some dishes done and the kitchen straightened. When I turned around this is what I found.

The poor peanut had just passed out. I let her sleep like this while we all ate supper, and fed her when she woke up. Just a note - she loves spaghetti and feeding herself. A 14 month old that loves feeding herself ends up being quite messy.
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The past 8 weeks my friend, Becky, has been off of work since having Brady. I've been able to spend lots of time with the both of them and am not looking forward to Becky having to go back to work. However, I do look very forward to having Brady to myself to spoil when she is working. I foresee a lot of cuddling and cooing at each other in our future.

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We recently attended a meeting for the Happily Ever After Animal shelter in Marion Wisconsin. Everyone was asked to bring a dish to pass and one of the desserts caught my eye. I'm glad I had my camera with me because I found this dessert extremely disturbing. I never checked to see how much of it was eaten, but there was no way I could get past the look of it to try it.


I just can't get past the look..... Agreed?

January 11, 2010

So many things to write about and yet I can't seem to sit down to write about them. And then when I do get a chance to sit down to write, I can't remember what it is that I wanted to write about in the first place.

My mind...it is a frightening place.
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It has been decided that this summer Cassie will be doing baseball again through the Miracle League and because we like a challenge, we will be enrolling Kalli in soccer. When I first asked her if she wanted to play this summer she said, "but I don't know how to play soccer."

After explaining that they would teach her, I thought about the fact that we may end up being the family that has to be at two different games at the same time. This will make our summer interesting. Let's add to that fact that, if games do overlap, the girls' fan clubs will have to somehow be in two places at the same time.

So, I'm taking up donations for Kalli's soccer education. She has to be registered this month yet or she will be put on the waiting list. The cost (and I find this a little ridiculous) for the 6 year old girls is $40. Seriously? I have to pay $40 to watch my daughter run around playing bunch ball? At this age there are no positions, no passing the ball, and no heading the ball (at least not on purpose). At this age everyone tries to get the ball (doesn't matter if you are on the same team), you are lucky if your child goes towards the correct net, and if your child is playing goalie at that point they more then likely are kicking dust around, doing cartwheels or something just as entertaining.

When my brother started in soccer at about this same age my mom called it bunch ball because all the kids bunched around the ball following it where ever it went. And it's true...it is bunch ball. Of course now, when you really think about it I'll be paying $40 to bring Kalli to and sit through who knows what kind of weather to watch bunch ball. Anyone want to help pay for it? I'm not to proud to ask for donations. In fact...remember her birthday is in May, if you'd like to give a couple dollars towards soccer early for her birthday present, I'd appreciate it.
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In the last post I included a picture of the baby cube blocks that I had made as my first sewing project. I've now made 8 cubes and have decided that I don't know many people with little children so really I didn't need to make any more. Therefore, I went to my almost sister-in-law, Kelli, and asked for help in finding another project. Over this past weekend we found something for me to make and with Kelli's help I know a little bit of what I'm doing. I'll need her help at some point, but this is how learning goes. Right?

As I make more progress with my new project I'll post pictures.
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So much else has happened, but I don't even know where to begin. I will work on getting you up to date in the next couple days. I think I've had enough of a vacation for a little bit :)

Here is something that changed today. Now mind you that I HATE pictures of me, so just posting this should show personal growth on my part.

I've gone from being very blond back to more of my original color. It is actually quite a change and seems very dark now with some highlights just on the top. I like it, but it is going to take a little bit for me to stop wondering who that girl that keeps following me past all of the mirrors is.
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Every weekday morning it is the same old thing. I get up, get dressed, and head downstairs with the girls' clothes, and push them through their morning routines. Let's get dressed girls...as I dress them. Time to eat girls...as I make their breakfasts, pack any lunches that need to make, and try to eat a little myself. Let's brush hair...as I brush hair and put tails in as needed. Let's get ready to go out to bus...as I aide both girls is getting all their winter gear on. Head outside ladies...as I escort them out into the garage, carrying their backpacks for them, making sure gloves and scarves are on snug. I help Cassie into her chair and push her down to the bus that is usually waiting at the end of the driveway. (Side Note: I can't wait til spring when getting jackets and such doesn't take so long and therefore we may be outside before the bus gets here.) The girls get onto the bus and I wave, blow kisses, and sign 'I love you' until the bus pulls away. (Unless, of course, I pile them into the van and bring them to school so I can volunteer at school that day.)

Then I go inside and take a deep breath before falling into a chair.

Every weekday morning is the same thing. Push the girls through the routine, breathe deep when I have to do everything for them, and see them off to school. And as frustrating as it can be, I wouldn't change it at all.

Happy New Year!!

Alright. It's been a while. And I've been hearing all about it from my family. Something about it being a New Year, after Christmas, and that lots has happened. After a little bit it all starts to sound like the teacher in Charlie Brown. Wah Wah wah wah...

Long story short...Yes, it is a new year. It is now 2010 and wow, where did that time go? It wasn't that long ago that everyone was worried about Y2K and all the computers of the world crashing. Though, seriously, I never saw it happening. It did cause a wonderful hysteria and flooded stores with people stocking up on non-perishables, generators, and other "necessary" things. I found it all a little foolish.

This year we all spent New Year's at my parents' house. The girls hung out with my mom and dad. At least for the most part. Andy and I visited with my brother, Tony; his fiance, Kelli; and two of his friends. It ended up to be a very relaxed night and it left me with no hang over for the morning.

Sure there was that one part of me that would have liked to go out to the bar, but for some reason, I'm not a fan of the whole hangover thing that would have followed. Besides, New Years is not a good time for this lady to go out to the bar. Three words for you: Cheap Champagne - Bad.
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Cassie still has her hand in a splint but is now able to walk carefully with her loft strand crutches. She keeps trying to tell us that she is fine and that she can do things by herself. However, she said the same thing right before she tripped, fell, and fractured her thumb. A point that I keep bringing up.

This Tuesday her and I will be making the trip to see the orthopedic doctor to see what he has to say. I'm not pushing for anything in particular, but I will be bringing up the fact that she uses her hand more then most people. Between crutching, transferring, and crawling I am worried about the amount of stress that would be put on her thumb if she didn't have some kind of support. I guess I would just prefer a cast be put on until we know it is all healed. It would suck if it didn't heal right or was made worse because it wasn't protected. In another word...it would stink!

On the night of Cassie's fall, Tony and Kelli came over to visit for a bit and show us their new puppy. (pictures in a minute) Tony sat next to Cassie to check out her splinted hand and said that when he heard about what had happened he thought that it really stunk. He then told Cassie that he tried to think of other things that stunk, but all he could come up with was a skunk. This is where he pulled out a WebKinz skunk out of his jacket. Her face lit up and I'm not kidding at all when I say that skunk has gone pretty much everywhere with her since that moment.

I'm hoping that she realizes that it won't be going to school with her on Monday. ::HUGE GRIN::

I will be bringing the girls to school Monday morning so that I can talk with the people that will need details on what is going on with Cassie. I need to discuss with them the fact that she won't be able to go to recesses for a while. Number one I don't want her to fall again at all, but also she can't get her glove on that hand and crawling around in snow would chance getting the splint wet. I'm sure that her teacher, principal, and her aides will understand perfectly and then we will work on finding something for her to do during her recesses that will make everyone happy.
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Alright, back to the puppy.

This year for Christmas, my brother got his fiance a puppy. Or at least that is the story. I think that he wanted a puppy and this is a way for him to have one too. :)

Actually, I know they both wanted one and now they have one. It is a little girl, a pit bull, named Maggie. She is about 8-9 weeks old and absolutely adorable. Take a look.


In this picture she is the laundry room laying on our dirty clothes. Obviously a good place to get some serious napping done. I'm working on getting a little video of her, but she isn't all that cooperative and what I've gotten leaves a lot to be desired . She is squirmy and so far not real keen on staying put. Go figure.
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One of the things that I received for Christmas this year is a sewing machine from my mother in law. I'm very happy with it as I would like to be able to start making more things including at some point clothes for the girls and other fun stuff. I'm working up to the clothes though as I'm very much a sewing virgin. I had home-ec in middle school, but that was a long time ago and I barely remember what I learned there.

Tonight, though, I was able to make a couple soft cubes for a certain little boy I know. He isn't exactly up to the age of playing with blocks yet, but I figure they are soft for when he starts and nice bright colors. Becky, act surprised when I give these to you. :)

Can't wait to see what else I can make. I've been spending a lot of time googling things lately like 'free sewing pattern', 'sewing for beginners', and ' sewing patterns for idiots'. Okay, not really the last one, though I wonder what I would get from that one.
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Maybe my next post will include resolutions for this year. That is if I decide to do resolutions or think of some I want to do.

NaBloPoMo - Day 7

Alright. Not sure how long this will be. I somehow sprained my wrist and typing isn't being friendly with it.

Today was the baby shower for my BFF, Becky. I was up until 12:30 this morning finishing things up and then up again at 7:15am and going. Things went wonderfully at the shower and I think that Becky had a good time and was happy with her party. After the party was over, my mom and I went looking at wedding dresses with my brother's fiance, Kelli. I pretty sure she found 'the dress' and I think that we all had a good time while out having a "girlie day". Alright, I'm going to put pictures up from the shower and call it a night.

Oh...and since I said I would. I measured Becky's belly circumference today. It was for a game, but seriously...it is just fun to know. :) After bringing home the yarn I wrapped around her, I measured it and the number is.....drum roll please...43 inches. Just to point out though that I think this is a wonderful number. I mean hello, she is 8 months pregnant, and that number is full of a beautiful baby boy. Thank you Becky for letting me have my little fun and be part of your day.

(Becky and her beautiful baby belly)

(Diaper Cake decoration)

(Cupcakes...the sticks make them look like rattles. Turned out alright, but not AS good as I wanted them to be. Oh well. People loved the punch I made though :) )

Hallelujah!

(Queue the choirs of angels)

It is 10:12pm and I just finished coloring in the last month on my last calendar.

Sure I still have to pick out, print, and attach pictures. And sure I still have to write in holidays and birthdays. But those stupid months are all finished. And honestly...that is the most time consuming and biggest pain in the ass.

Now if only my wrist, hand, and fingers would speak to me again. Pain. Cramping. Ouch.

November 2, 2008

What are your hobbies? Today I was able to show off some of mine. Our church held an event in which everyone could have a table to showcase their hobbies on. My in-laws reserved a table and asked me to join them in showcasing my talents. My mother-in-law brought her quilts, my father-in-law brought his carvings, and I showcased my jewelry, a few cards, and some of my photos.

It was fun to see other people's hobbies and to see what others thought of mine. I also enjoyed getting feedback on what other people thought of my jewelry and photos. There are many times that I wonder why I continue to do my hobbies. I feel like I'm not any good at them. Getting some positive feedback helped and makes me enjoy them that little bit more.
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Friday was trick-or-treating 'round these parts. Let me just say that the girls made quite a haul. I'm limiting them to 2 pieces a day though I'm going to admit how hard this is. Kalli asks every half hour if she can have another piece. This may be a long few months while we get rid of this candy. Or I may just send candy to Andy's work to get rid of it.

Baby Shower

This weekend was the baby shower for my sister -in-law, Trina. I think that everybody had a good time and that Trina enjoyed her party. Now that the party is over I can pictures of the things that I made for it.

First off, I made a diaper cake. This was the first time I have made one, but I think that it turned out gorgeous.I also made 2 'baby' pumpkins. I used craft pumpkins so that they can be kept and reused if wanted.
People have told me that I should go into business doing parties. Part of me thinks it would be a blast, but how would I go about even starting that? It would be right up my alley...crafty, pretty type things. But getting started, finding people, and all the things that go along with it...sounds not easy. Overwhelming even.

But I digress. The party went over very well and everybody seemed to enjoy themselves. Most importantly Trina seemed to have had a good time. And that was all that mattered to me. Happy Mommy to Be day, Trina. I'm so excited for you. And I'm counting down. (as you know :)

3rd post of the night!!

So you are all very lucky today. You get 3 posts for the price of one. The reason?? I want to share my newest creations.

Purple with some pink

Shades of Blue

Purples

Shaded Blue with white seed beads

Blue Earrings

Shaded Blue Earrings

Better late then never

Ta Da... The new banner is a little late, but here it is never-the-less.

Tonight I spent a good part of the night getting my Etsy site up and going. I have a total of 4 things up for sale now. Two of them are the same and therefore there will be only 3 listings. We'll see how this goes, though I'm hoping to sell some and feed my addiction. :)

Feel free to let anyone you want know about my site. :)

CasKaldesigns.etsy.com
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Tomorrow I work after being off for Easter break. It's going to be hard to go back, but it's only for two and a half hours. I will survive.

Feeding my addiction

A few of my newest creations...

A necklace. The blue beads are actually kind of a pale blue/gray. They also stay spaced out. :)

Pink and white glass beads.

Bracelet. Kind of a frosted blue. Beads will stay spaced. :)


I'm still working on getting the site that I will be selling these on set up. I'll let you know when it is set up.

Jewelry

Wow, you are all so lucky. A total of 3 posts today. Don't you feel lucky??

I'm working on getting a site up where I have some of my jewelry for sale. As soon as I have this all set up I will let you know. I'm really hoping to be able to sell some of my stuff online. While I'm not holding my breath, I am excited about the possibility.

Here are the things I made tonight.

Blue and Greens - Necklace and "matching" earrings

Black and white - Necklace and earrings

It's an addiction.

I'm addicted. To making jewelry making. Each night Andy comes home to me making more jewelry. I really enjoy it.

Multicolored necklace....This one required me to do some metal bending. First time for this, but I think it looks very nice.
Teal/Aqua bracelet. Matching earringsPink/reds necklace....2nd that required bending metal. Need to get a adjustable chain for the connection so that it will be adjustable.

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Today Cassie had a dental cleaning. She was nervous even though she knew what would happen. And as usual for her, nervousness leads to tears. She did well though and got through it. She has no cavities and they are very happy with how her teeth look.

Unknown to my children, Kalli will be going in before the next school year. I've signed her up for 4-year old Kindergarten and she has to have a dental exam and vision exam before starting school. I'm sure she'll be excited. After her first appointment, I'll work on getting the girls onto the same schedule so that I'm not running to the dentist 4 times a year for the two of them.

Tomorrow Cassie has a play date with one of her friends and their sister. I'm excited for this play date because the sister is 12 and is such a big help with entertaining all the girls.

March 24, 2008

Tonight Cassie is sleeping over at my Auntie Mary's. And I'm sure that she is having a blast and in heaven.

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New projects:

I win an award for being a patient mommy today. I let the girls work on their own necklaces. I let them do all the beading until the tired of it. Then I finished it for them.

Cassie picked out blue and green beads. And did about half of the beading on her own.


Kalli picked out pink and purple. She did about a quarter of the beading before she tired of it. I haven't gotten a picture of it yet because she put it on and wouldn't let me take her picture with it on. I did however use of of the beads to make her a pair of earrings to match.

Two other things I've made....matching bracelet and earrings to go with the necklace I made. And another pair of earrings.

March 22, 2008

Today we had an early Easter with part of Andy's family. We met at Happy Joe's where Cassie and Kalli got to play with their cousin and we all ate and talked. The girls also received Easter baskets. Lot of Easter baskets. Now for my part....finding place for the stuffed animals and toys.

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I have a new hobby. Something else to occupy my time. Wanna know what it is? Jewelry making. This weekend my mom helped me start this new hobby by buying most of the supplies to get me going. Mind you, she will be getting jewelry now :)

Tonight I sat down and made my first necklace. I kept it simple and made it for myself. After seeing Andy said that we could go get some more supplies :)

Here is my first necklace.