Taking a knitting hiatus

Posted in She's Crafty by

Well, I’m going to have to take a break from knitting for a while. I’ve been having some issues with carpal tunnel in both wrists/hands. Tingling numbess and pain do not go well with knitting. I got some lovely braces to wear that are supposed to help, so we’ll see what happens. I’m trying to look at the bright side of this by trying to focus on some sewing projects that I want to do for the little guy. I think that won’t be too hard on my hands, so we’ll see how that goes.

BTW, I had a OB/GYN appointment yesterday and all is well with the baby and my cervix is “primo” according to the doctor. I’m at 23 weeks now and the count down continues.

Thank you, Veterans.

Posted in General Life by

A special thanks to all of the veterans of wars past and present. Your duty and sacrifice is a testament to all that is good in our country.

(Photo of my maternal grandfather, Captain John Grzybowski while stationed in Hawaii during WWII)

101 things in 1001 days: 34. Contribute to retirement fund each month

Posted in 101 Things by

Not the most exciting one on the list, but definitely one that was needed. Shawn and I finally met with our financial advisor and set things up. This is something separate from the stuff Shawn has at through work, he’ll still contribute to that, instead this is another venue to help us plan for our future. Very adult, don’t you think? 







Still here.

Posted in General Life by

Sorry for the lack of recent posts, things have been busy around here. The weekend at Club Ponderosa was a ton of fun. Great to see all the family and celebrate mom’s birthday. Happy that I was able to get home and see everyone, since I’m not going to be able to travel for the holidays – doctor’s orders.

It seems that as soon as we got back in town the calendar has been packed with appointments, meetings and events to attend. Thankfully, things have calmed down a bit now and I can get some much needed rest. I’m pooped!

I’m starting to get into nesting mode and starting to plan the nursery as well as having to get serious about researching things for the registry. I have to admit that it is a bit overwhelming. So much stuff and so many options! I’m starting to think that I should just let him sleep in the bathtub and carry him around in a papoose. . . . thinking that Shawn is going to veto that option.

Hitting the road

Posted in Travel by

The doctor has given me the green light to make a trip home this weekend to see the family and celebrate my mom’s 60th birthday! We are driving out there, since I think that will be a bit easier for me than dealing with the airport and the hassles of flying. Luckily, I’ve driven this route about a million times so I know all the good bathroom stops along the way. Really looking forward to seeing everyone, especially since we won’t be able to go home for the holidays – doctor doesn’t want me traveling during my third trimester – so this will be the last time we go home before the baby comes.

Also excited to note that I’m 20 weeks today! That means that we’re halfway until Baby Colley makes his grand entrance to the world. Must say that I feel like we still have a long way to go, but at least now are able to have more time behind us that in front. Here’s to the next 20 weeks of hopefully smooth sailing!

The Great Gender Reveal

Posted in Oh Baby by

Last Thursday, Baby Colley decided to finally show us the goods and solved “The Great Gender Mystery.”

Drumroll please . . . . . . . it’s a boy!!!

Shawn and I are very excited and happy about our little blue bundle of joy and decided to first share the news with our family and close friends over the weekend before going public. Everyone is over the moon about the little guy – my nephew ran around his house whooping like an indian- and can’t wait for his arrival in March. We are already having fun thinking about decorating the nursery and cute little boy clothes. Suffice it to say, the little guy will be wearing lots of twill, selvage denim, and tweed if Shawn has anything input (and lots of handmade knits from mama).

I should also let you know that in addition to gender, the doctor’s appointment went well and he is measuring spot on with his due date and looks healthy from all aspects. My cervix is also staying put and looking “terrific” according to my doctor. So everyone is happy and healthy so far. Yay!

Baggu Leather

Posted in Fashion by

The geniuses at Baggu have hit another home run with their latest version of their reusable totes. They’ve just released a leather version and it might be my favorite yet. They’ve used supple, soft hand-milled leather in black, tan, and platinum and crafted some sexy looking totes and pouches. I am really loving the platinum tote, the perfect combination of shimmer and simple shape. I also love the medium size pouch in tan, don’t you think that it would make a great clutch? They’re a bit more pricy than their other lines, $120 – $120 for the bags and $30 – $40 for the pouches, but I think its pretty reasonable for leather. Besides, I’m thinking that you’d be using these more for a purse than schlepping around groceries.

Oh Baby

Posted in Oh Baby by

Just wanted to give you all a quick update on how things are going. It seem that the morning (all-day) sickness is on the way out. Huzzah! Finally starting to feel a like a human again. Still getting hit by the brick wall of tiredness, but hanging in there. I’m also definitely looking like a really pregnant lady instead of one that had a serious beer gut. Maternity clothing are a full time deal. -Clothing industry, you suck when it comes to this. Pregnant ladies want to buy fashionable clothing! Wise up!- I’ve also been feeling little flutters/butterflies of movement for about a week not. Tiny little things, but definitely there. Looking forward to the stronger bumps and kicks so that Shawn can feel them as well. Thursday I’ll be going to see the doctor for and will be having an ultrasound, hoping that I’ll be able to report whether this little meatball is a boy or a girl. Hopefully, it won’t be too modest and will give us the full monty. Fingers crossed!







101 Things: 10. Set up Studio

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I have to admit that I’ve been pretty much set up with my new studio since the end of June, but still working on the finishing touches. But since I’ll soon be refocusing my attention to the nursery, I thought I should share and cross this off my list.

I decided that I would commandeer this spare bedroom as my own as soon as we bought the house. I was stuffed down in the basement in Wisconsin and I hated being down there even though it was a walk out with great windows to the back yard. I was far away from the rest of the house and it was cold down there! This room is the smallest of the bedrooms, so it is quite cozy while still giving me plenty of room to spread out. I love the giant window that looks out over the trees in the front of the house. My one complaint is that we have carpeting -white!!- in here and I am paranoid about spilling on it. Shawn seems to think it is only a matter of time, but so far so good!

We went to IKEA and purchased some EXPEDIT shelving units, parts to make a desk/worktable from the VIKA system, and a BEDDINGE sofa bed. Shawn was AMAZING at helping me with the assembly. It was actually pretty easy with the both of us working together. Score another one for Team Colley!

I decided to keep it simple and go with white for the furniture, I knew that all of my supplies and accessories would give the room enough pop and I didn’t want it overwhelming. I kind of wish that I would have painted the walls – they’re the original off-white from when we moved in- but I think that once I get more up on them I won’t mind so much.

So that’s it, Widdershins has finally found an official home. I am so happy and excited to have my own special space to create. It’s really a dream come true.

(Please click over to the full post to see more pictures.)