I am thankful for...

It is gobble gobble time!!! And our kid corner is decorated appropriately! What do you give thanks for?
This was a difficult task. Our son HATES paint on his hands. A lot of tears were shed.

Gobble Gobble!

All together. Very cute and festive. I don't know why, but I love hand cut outs.

Week one.

My first week at my new job went great. There are many enjoyable people. Funny people. Interesting people. The job is going to take some getting used to. I obviously still ask 193849238 questions. But that will happen in your first week anywhere. I did go a little crazy with the hours. I didn't understand that you can't come to work early. They frown on that. Who knew? And you must leave at your time off. No later. Who knew again? But the drive home will take some getting used to. It doesn't really take long, but it is 5 o'clock. I am so ready for my first paycheck. So much to buy and replace. My car needs a muffler and I need to get cracking on this Christmas thing. I am glad I am making at least one thing. Plus I want to send out Christmas cards. Oh do I want to. I missed last year. I am going to start next year early. Seriously!

Those are fighting words.

I hate that I think I am a better parent than most.


I hate that the 80's won't leave. It is 2010.

I hate that everyone that hates President Obama voted for George W. Bush x 2.

I hate that people have so many issues with our government but can't even take care of their life.

I hate that fast food coffee is more expensive than coffee house coffee.

I hate that Kanye West thinks he is God.

I hate that people with nice cars are on government assistance.

I hate that people can't take 10 minutes out of their morning to fix their hair and feel good about themselves.

I hate that I am 28 years old and there are people my mothers age that still need me to hold their hand to do the simplest things. People are just too dependent on others nowadays.

I hate when people litter. It is garbage. It seriously ticks me off. They make cans for that stuff. Use them. You are just being rude to the earth. And it looks ugly on you. You used it, you get rid of it. You are an adult. Clean up after YOURSELF. I am not your mom.

I hate that we live in a country with freedom of speech and you can't speak your mind in fear that someone has a gun.

I hate that after the age of 18 people are still beating people up.

Let us ketchup!

Lets get updated here. Since the last post we have celebrated Halloween, been to another apple orchard (well same one, just a different time), seen wheat Bear looks like covered in red bumps from head to toe and the best part...I got a new job!!! I start Monday. My last day at the Max will be Saturday. Blah blah bleee blah. I am not one bit sad. I am 100% happy! I have been there too long and I'm not going anywhere.

On an ucky note...Bear woke up yesterday with a viral rash and a fever yesterday. I took him first thing to the Dr and they said he had a bad ear infection that caused the rash and fever. I feel so bad for the little guy. Now the real ucky part...he has an infected hang nail on his big toe. It is gross and (wait for it) pussy. He keeps picking at it then says "Yucky?". Yup, super yucky. But he is on some yummy smelling meds. He is sleeping a lot and it seems like his toe and ear aren't hurting as much anymore. Today he was running around and laughing.

On a tasty note...I am thinking about making chocolate covered marshmallows. I have seen them a lot in the blog world lately. I think Bear and I can get down on them. But instead of sprinkles I think I will used crushed up graham crackers. Oh heck, I will use sprinkles too!

Yum-tastic!

Today has been exhausting. Holden has reminded me how much being a mommy/daddy is a full time job. Even if we already have a full time job. Today we played drive thru fast food with his kitchen. Sat on his big step (the landing at the bottom of the stairs) talking about things. We played hide and seek. Which, in my opinion, was the best thing ever. I miss it from my childhood. The thrill of being found while you are really trying to hide and are caught. He got me every time. I couldn't find him once. And that is the only time he actually hid. After that it was all me. Right now it is "Gabba Gabba" time. He is sitting next to me with his Count Chocula and apple juice in a daze. I don't know what it is about this show. He is amazed. I also worked on my first "Bento Box". Technically it isn't one because it isn't in a Bento Box. But it is along the same idea. I put 3 of his favorite things together. Pineapple, PB &J and pepperoni. He freaked out when he saw the pepperoni bag. "NUM NUMS!!!!". Crazy that a 19 month old is so in love with spicy things. Well spicy things to a child.

Twas a fantastic day. Sad that I have to go to my other full time job at 4. Makes a mommy sad :(

This week...

Our sink lately has been full of sippy cups and butter knives. I have to admit, I love it. I can't help but think that it is cute!
So this week I started working on Holden's Halloween costume. He is going to be a robot. I am making it out of a sweatsuit, felt and styrofoam balls.
We are also making all of our meals this week. We actually sat down and planned the menus for the next couple of weeks. We already had pork chops and red potatoes and baked chicken. I can not get over how proud I am about the baked chicken. Glad I originally bought a lot of the chicken so we can have it again! We also had grilled cheese and tomato soup. Felt weird because for the past 2 years we have only had it on Thursdays. The story behind that is because it is The Office night and for Jim and Pam's first "date" they had grilled cheese. Kind of corny, but cute :)
Also I have gone back and forth on if we will be making Christmas gifts this year or just be buying gift cards. I have taken on the task of making piggy banks for people. My orders are big. I am making at least 7 for Christmas. But I have found a new fun hobby. I haven't tried it out yet. It is homemade screen printing. I am going try it out first and make an Ohio State t shirt for Holden and I. If it turns out I already have a couple ideas for the women in our lives. I hope it works! Plus I don't want to spend a load of money on a new OS t shirt for myself.
Plus I have decided that I am going to take this blog serious. I would like to update it multiple times every week. Hopefully that can happen.
We will see.

Budget decorating!

Halloween decorations on a budget. Each item was from the Dollar Store.
I painted the candle holders black and dripped red wax on my white candles. I then cut the skulls off the rope and put them in the vase which I already owned.

The pumpkin once was orange. I sprayed that black and put a glittery leaf that I already owned on it.

I already owned the vase and flowers above. I sprayed them black so they looked dead and spread webs all over it. I then cut the "ring" off the spiders and hung them off the flowers.

And then for the kid touch Holden and I cut some fun items out of construction paper. We made a ghost family, pumpkins and for the first time made garland.

This weekend was a success. We went to Pat's friends wedding reception. It isn't what we imagined. There was never anyone on the dance floor except the same group of 5-6 people. The Bride and Groom never really were in sight. And there wasn't a cake. Just mini desserts that were gone once the last table was called. And we were at the last table. It was put together very nicely. The tables were beautiful and the music was fun. The food was very good and the drinks were free. Just like we like it. I was very afraid that it was going to turn out like the last wedding we went to. Where Pat and I were in our own little world because everyone had to pay attention to the loud ex. But not this time. No sir! We were on the dance floor all night, at the bar and out for food with all of Pat's friends. She had no pull on them that night. I guess they finally figured out that there is no reason to keep her around. Seeing that they have known Pat since grade school. All I have to say is that one couple will be sitting at the kids table at our wedding. Payback is a bitch :)

Then on Saturday we went to a Fisher Price Party. All you have to do is be one of the first ten to be picked and you get to host a party. They supply what you need. All you supply is food. For this one the host got 15 or so gift bags and a ton of toys. BIG toys. She ended up auctioning off one of them. We did not win. But I am not sad about it. We have enough toys! Holden had a bunch of fun with all the other kids and we had fun with the adults.

I guess I am hoping that this means we have people to play games with and go out to dinner with and hang out with. I want couples that want to hang out or be able to go out with or without their kids. I haven't gone out with friends in so long. We are always with family (not that I don't like going to the movies or going out to dinner with Pat's sister and my sister :) I need those kindof dates!) or people we don't like/get along with. I am forced to sit on my couch and act like I like someone because they have kids. I want to talk about TV shows, play an adult board game, go out to dinner and laugh about adult things. One of the friends I do like works at night and has a wonky schedule. So planning a night with her and her hubby is hard. Life shouldn't be this hard.

I say every season that I want to be more involved on the outside world. I am very proud of our summer achievements. We went swimming more than once, to the zoo, to the art museum, to the park, to cedar point and went out to play outside a lot. I am super excited for the menu this fall! We are finding it hard to go outside outside. So we usually play on our big porch. That makes Holden's day. Then we run outside for a couple minutes and his day is made. This fall I have already set some fun dates. But in addition we are signing Holden up for a tumble class. He is rolling and jumping all over the place. Here is a list of all the fun stuff we plan on doing this season:

-Make Holden's Halloween costume
-Pumpkin picking
-Apple picking
-Go to the park to "hunt" for leaves
-Whitmer High School trick or treat
-Neighborhood trick or treat
-Pat and I will go to at least ONE haunted house

Hopefully we get all these things done. I am pretty excited for fall. It is my all time favorite season. I am like a kid on Christmas morning...or should I say on Halloween morning :)

Labor Day Weekend...

We have been sick almost all of it. We had a playdate on Friday of last week and found out the next day that both friends were sick. So that meant on Sunday and Monday Holden was sick. And Tuesday and Wednesday Mommy was sick. And Wednesday Daddy is sick. So it has not been fun. We haven't/didn't do much. We went to visit Pat's dad in the hospital. He got in a terrible accident a week ago. It was pretty bad. Broke all but two ribs on his left side and punctured his lung. After many attempts his lung has been able to inflate. So hopefully he will be able to go home this week. So needless to say, it has been a lovely weekend. Wish I could do it all over again differently.

What is on the menu?

This weeks menu...

-Grilled steak, mashed potatoes,salad and crescent rolls.

-My famous cheesy potatoes and sausage.

-Pork chops, angel hair pasta and a salad.

-Baked chicken, green beans, potatoes and bread.

-Chicken bacon cheese wrap, au gratin potatoes, corn and bread.

-Breakfast for dinner!!! French toast, eggs and bacon.

:)

There was a point in my life that I thought if I make a certain change in my life I would never be in another relationship. I never felt good enough. Boys never asked their friends who I was. I never stood out in a crowd as the girl a boy just had to have. I was never seeked out by a boy. I was always fixed up so I wouldn't be that awkward third wheel. I always thought because of that that I was never ever going to be good enough for anyone. I was never going to be funny enough, pretty enough or smart enough.

Then, after waiting many years I found Patrick. He made me feel beautiful. He opened doors for me (which I had never had before. He is a real gentleman). He makes me laugh and I make him laugh. He listens to what I have to say. Even if it is corny. He looks past my terrible spelling and how I can not pronounce certain words because my broken tongue. He does all the things I was never given before. He makes me feel like I mean something. He is with me because he wants to be with me. Not because I was a charity case. He still gives me all the butterflies he gave me 3.5 years ago. I am totally and completely in love with him. He is and always will be my Patrick. :)

Our Bear got his wiggles out.

Have you ever had a day that would change your life? Something happen to you that you would never forget? We that was our past weekend. It all started on Saturday. Holden and I went to some neighborhood garage sales with my mom and sister. I was hoping he would nap in the stroller, but that did not happen. So once we got home he laid down for about a half hour. Then it was up to go again. We went with Pat's mom, sister and Lottie to Pat's cousins baby shower. Once we got there Holden started to run around. He started getting sleepy so Nina rocked him to sleep. Or atleast tried to. Once she couldn't get him to sleep I took over. I had a no go, so Pat's mom took over. When she was holding him he started to shake. He was having a seizure. I thought he was choking and started to yell for help. I yelled for people to call 911. I don't remember much after that. I blacked out. My baby, my life was lying limp on the ground. Thank god there was a nurse there to take care of our guy. I just remember them yelling for me telling me is okay and to come talk to him. Pat was called and he arrived in a matter of minutes. The ambulance came and took us to the hospital. Once we got there they told us that it was from a fever he had getting too high. (There are a lot of details I left out. It is for the best. I probably would cry.)

Talking about it gives me goosebumps still. I am hurt that the people I thought I new would care about my son and ask me if he was ok. I know we posted a lot on Facebook about his condition, but a simple comment to my face would be nice. But a lot of people don't have Facebook and new about it. And none of them asked Pat or I about him. I thought it was just human nature to ask. I guess not. I am glad we have the people we have in our lives. The people that care about and love us. I feel like I couldn't thank the people that helped out enough. They rock!

Blah...

I have been absent from the blog for awhile. And for that, I am sorry. But I feel that last month was very very busy for some reason. But when I think of it now, it wasn't. There were very few play dates, trips and dinners. I didn't take many pictures. I left the camera at home or forgot I even had it. July was just a mess. But then next couple of months are busy. Very very busy. We have Dr. appointments and weddings to attend and roller coasters to go on. Our appointments book is packed. Plus on top of all of that I am trying to come up with something to peddle. As always. I have to make some side money. Like all Americans I am wanting just a little more. But I can't take on a part time job. Just not in my cards. Eh, one day I will think of something. One day.

Holden and daddy.

Holden, Daddy and Lottie

(If you carry one you must carry the other...Right?)

Brent and Lottie

Pick me up!!!

He fell asleep after a fun and exhausting day with Aunt Nina, Brent and Lottie.

Weekend with a BANG!

Weekend=Art show at Bozarts (local art gallery). 4th of July bbq and swimming at Pat's uncles. Fireworks at the university. Dinner out for Pat's step dads birthday. Very busy weekend!!! Holden walking on the paint speckled floor at Bozarts.

Pat and I after a very very long 4th of July.

Holden amazed by how it moves.

Slow weekend.

Weekend = Work. Grocery shopping. Work. Bears last dr. visit till Sept. A Sunday night doing nothing because Pat had to work and overnight. Saturday Pat and Bear went to a birthday party for Bear's cousin Lottie. I made a yogurt and whip cream pie on Sunday. We (or just me) will eat it tonight after dinner. It was a slow weekend. Not many pictures were taken. Here are the ones that were. Enjoy?

Part 1

Things I would like to do or have in our home. We just started making our home a home about 2 years ago. It is still a work in progress. I hope to have it done by the time we are 30. Or atleast 90% done.

Dining room of bloggers Jeremy & Kathleen. I would like to do this in one of our rooms. Maybe the bathroom?

From West Elm. By Mike Miller

From: Fishs Eddy

Yummy yummy!

I am always looking for cheap recipes to make. While I was doing my usual blog browsing I found a recipe for a yogurt pie (I would link it, but now I can't find it). All you need is 2 small containers of yogurt (any flavor), a tub of whipped topping and crust. Mix the topping and yogurt and spoon into crust. Chill and serve. I can not wait to make this!

Weekend fun!

Weekend = BIRTHDAY! Zoo trip. Father's Day BBQ. Ice cream cake. Water balloon fight. Games with a fun couple. Swimming in clothes. Hot hot hot heat. New Sarah Silverman book (which is super funny!) and BIG sunglasses. We had SO much fun!

oink oink

Our kid is a pig. He is learning how to use a fork/spoon. It is very hard to let him eat on his own. I don't believe in bibs anymore. So his shirt usually ends up like this. He only eats one meal a day that is messy. And that is usually dinner when after he eats he changes into PJ's. Or he isn't wearing a shirt at all because of the heat. He is doing well...except for tonight. Tonight he got carried away. He gave up using his spoon after two bites. I let him go since he was tired and just down right hungry. He was happy. I was happy. And most of all, his tummy was happy.

Weekend tiddly bits

Weekend = Fun in the sun. Graduation party. Happy Birthday dinner at Pat's Mom's house. And a whole lotta vacation talk..."What day is it today?".
Blowing of the candles.
Holden and Lottie "Fishing".

Holden playing in the yard.

Yarn is awesome

These yarns are lovely. I am inlove with Purl.com. I want to spend my entire paycheck on them. I am going to teach myself how to crochet even if it kills me. I want to make a cowl neck scarf for next winter.

Want so bad

From...the vintage pearl

I love names. I love books, tv shows or random people that have my name, holden or patrick. I love charm's that have the names on them. And most of all, I love the handmade look these have. I want these. Maybe I will wait untill baby #2 to get them.

100 in 1001....or 40 in 1001

1.Finish Holden's baby book.
2.Read atleast 2 books.
3.Take Holden somewhere every Sunday.
4.Plant a veggie garden.
5.Make crackers, salsa, jam, bread, tomato soup and pasta sauce from scratch.
6.Start my scrapbook party.
7.Walk a mile a day for one week.
8.Give up fastfood for one week.
9.Clean out my entire car.
10.Finally put up something for sale in my Etsy shop.
11.Volunteer my time to a good cause.
12.Donate clothing to a good cause.
13.Purchase christmas gifts for a child in need.
14.Make everyones christmas gifts and wrapping paper.
15.Enter a craft/art show.
16.Take Holden to the zoo.
17.Take Holden to storytime at the library.
18.Make headboard for the bedroom.
19.Go on 3 picnics.
20.Work on a "Things around the house" and a "Week review" scrapbook.
21.Print and hang/store pictures.
22.Go on a bike ride (after we buy bikes, of course).
23.Learn to crochet and make a scarf.
24.Make a tshirt rug &/or blanket.
25.Make upsycled play food.
26.Finish cleaning out the basement.
27.Start construction on the kitchen (new cabinets, new floors, new everything).
28.Take Holden on a road trip to WV.
29.Get a tattoo on my foot.
30.Eat organically for one week.
31.Host a dinner party for family.
32.Host atleast one main holiday dinner at our home.
33.Take Holden to Chicago.
34.Repaint living and dining room.
35.Have my Blog be featured on another Blog.
36.Go strawberry picking.
37.Buy a breadbox.
38.Learn to felt.
39.Make a potato stamp bag.
40.Start only using fabric shopping bags.

If I saw a shooting star...

I would wish for a pair of these. I would love a new pair of sneakers for this summer. But I can only afford $12 flats from target. I guess I will just have to save my ashtray change for something other than .59 fountain soda from the gas station.

Weekend review...

Three day weekend = A lot of sitting around. Got to sleep in thanks to Holden being a good boy and my loving boyfriend. BBQing every night. We put the pool up, kindof. Still needs more water. Holden said "No Mom!" for the first time and pretty much "No!" after every question asked. Holden also had goldfish crackers for the first time. It was love at first sight. We had a bad storm that included a tornado, but Pat and I slept through the whole thing. Went to our birthday dinner at Pat's parents house. Ate a lot of steak and took a lot home to have on Sunday. Almost went back to the art museum but a busy festival and bad weather kept us away. Maybe next week. The newspaper delivery guy delivered 2 giant stacks of newspapers to us. We are so not newspaper delivery boys. It should make wonderful a fire starter.Not many pictures were taken this weekend. So not much to post. Will do better next weekend. ONE MORE WEEK TILL VACATION STARTS!!!




(Holden pooped after a long night of storms.Holden kept climbing in and around the giant bag of newspapers. And finally, Holden enjoying some suds.)