She’s Crafty 365

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I’ve been pondering what my New Year’s Resolution should be and one thought keeps coming back into my head: How am I going to be able to continue to create when the little guy gets here? Everyone keeps telling me how busy I’ll be with once the baby comes and how I won’t have any time for anything else after he arrives and this really bothers me. I know that he will be my number one priority and that I’ll be slept deprived, etc. But, I also know that I need to have some sort of creative outlet in my daily life or I will truly go insane. Whether it be knitting, sewing, cooking, crafting, etc. I know that I need to figure out a way to keep this as a part of me. It helps me deal with stress, gives me so much satisfaction and helps keeps me centered, so I know that I have to make time for myself to have this even though the baby is going to step into my world. I am a bit overwhelmed by trying to figure how to do this, but if people can work full time and be a mom, I should be able to find a minute or two throughout the day for this, right?

In order to help in this endeavor, I’ve resolved to start my own personal She’s Crafty 365 Challenge. I propose that everyday I make time for some sort of crafting. (I’ll be using this term loosely, it could mean sewing, doodling, trying out a new recipe, knitting, etc.) Even if I only get in 5 minutes, I have to take the time to do so. Yes, I will miss days due to the baby and other things that come up in life, but I am going to do my best. I will also attempt to hold myself accountable by recording my efforts over on my She’s Crafty page. For those of you that haven’t moseyed over there, its where I have been logging my recent projects as well as any news about Widdershins Knits, my Etsy shop. I hope that you’ll support me on this self-imposed challenge and that maybe it will inspire you as well.

New Beginnings

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I hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Ours were spent with family and friends here at home and I couldn’t have wished for a better, more relaxing, time. A wonderfully calm, quiet end to a roller coaster of a year. I have to admit that I am really happy to see 2011 slip into the past, too much stress, heartache, and upheaval for my taste. I am hoping that 2012 will continue in the manner which it started: relatively quiet, full of loved ones, and hope for the future. I know that with the arrival of the little guy in March, things will drastically change in our lives, but I feel that it will be all for the better. I am looking forward to things to come.

Must admit . . .

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I have to admit that I am really enjoying not having to travel this year for Christmas. (The doctor grounded me on all travel due to possible cerclage issues – everything is fine, but he wants to be 100% safe.) Usually, it is a race across the Midwest to spend time with both of our families and by the time we land back home we are exhausted and need a vacation from our vacation. Now please don’t get me wrong, I really love seeing everyone and getting together to celebrate the season, but It is really hectic and stressful to travel like that each year. I think that this will be the first year I will wake up in my own bed on Christmas morning since I was in high school!

I am happy to say that Shawn’s mom and brother will be visiting on the 23rd/24th and my parents are make the trip out for a few days on the 27th, so we will still get to spend some time with our families. I’m actually quite excited to “host” a bit of the holidays here for them!

I know that we will probably go back to traveling again next year, but I am hoping that we can work out something with everyone so that we can have Christmas Day here at our home. Shawn and I want to start our own family traditions, especially since it will be the little guy’s first. How do people make that transition once they have kids? Any suggestions? Well, at least I have an entire year before I have to worry about that! 





101 things: 89. Have a Holiday Party

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There is nothing Shawn loves more than to host a party. He is truly Mr. Entertainment. I told him that since we were not able to travel for the holidays this year to see our families, I was willing to host a party here for our friends to celebrate the season. So, last Saturday we had our little shindig and it was a great time. After this roller coaster of a year, it was great to be able to spend time with the people who have been so supportive and helpful in getting us through it. If only I would have been able to join in with the cocktails . . . guess I’ll have to wait until next year.

Pantone Color of the Year 2012

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I have to admit that I’m loving Tangerine Tango, the color chosen by Pantone as its color of the year for 2012. Here’s a little on how the color wizzards at Pantone choose the color and what they think about this years hue.

"There’s the element of encouragement with orange, it’s building on the ideas of courage and action, that we want to move on to better things. I think it would be a disservice to go with a relaxed, soothing color now," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, the research division of Pantone Inc., which creates color standards for the fashion, beauty and home industries.
The annual forecast for the next year’s dominant color takes into consideration both what Pantone thinks shoppers want and need. Those are influenced by the designer runways, fabric shows, news events, pop culture and consumer habits. "Part of what we do is look at the zeitgeist," Eiseman explained. "We have to look at everything in the world around us. It’s not an arbitrary choice."

101 things: 33. Buy supplemental life insurance

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Not the most exciting thing to cross off the list, but with the little guy on the way, it had to be done. Shawn and I have some coverage through his work, but I felt we needed some additional insurance to make sure we had enough coverage. Done and done. (Don’t worry, honey, I think that you’re definitely still worth more alive.) 


Anniversary and Lumberjacking

Posted in General Life, Noble County Gold by

This weekend Shawn and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary on Saturday. I can’t believe that we’ve been married for six, together for almost 12, it seems like yesterday and a million years ago at the same time. All I can say is that he is the best thing that ever happened to me and that I am so happy to be his wife.

Part of the celebration included us taking a trip to Timbuk Farms to chop down our Christmas tree. This is a tradition that Shawn started before we were married and we were very excited to go back this year after our time in Wisconsin. I did not partake in the chopping this year, but it was a great day. We were talking about how much fun it will be next year to take the little guy with us. The tree is HUGE, the largest one yet, I estimate about 11’ with it in the stand and the star on top. It looks gorgeous in the house. Shawn even set up his toy train from when he was little underneath it. Very cool. I think that we are now officially ready for the holidays!

Nothing much to report

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Sorry for the recent lack of posting, but there really hasn’t been to much to report lately. Shawn and I had a quiet Thanksgiving here in Columbus, due to the no travel ruling from the OB/GYN. We actually went to a nice restaurant for dinner – something I’ve never done before- and then stopped at a friend’s house for dessert. We also spent the weekend putting up most of the Christmas decorations and getting things together for our upcoming Holiday Party.

On the pregnancy front, I’ll be at 25 weeks tomorrow, so I’m in my 6th month. Having some issues with carpel tunnel still, although the braces have been helping, and some major hip/pelvic pain along with the usual exhaustion. The little guy is moving around now quite a bit and it’s strong enough that Shawn has been able to feel it. Yay!

We’re gearing up to do the baby registry in then next week or so. I must admit, I’m a bit overwhelmed by the amount of stuff that we have to get. Not to mention all of the different options. I’ve spent more time researching strollers and car seats than I’ve ever spent on buying a car!

Also getting my list together to commence holiday shopping. Must say that my heart isn’t quite in it this year since we won’t be able to travel to see the family. I’m trying to turn that around though. Maybe once I have the tree up . . . .

Legacy Monogrammed

Posted in Fashion, Noble County Gold by

Back in August, Shawn was wonderful enough to get me my JW Hulme Legacy handbag. I’ve been loving it ever since, so much so that I kept putting off sending off to get my monogram embossed on it. Shawn finally pried it out of my fingers and sent it back to Minnesota have it done. I got it back last week and it looks even more amazing than before! Shawn did a great post on the details, you should check it out.