craft show & goodwill

Saturday, I had another craft show. It was busy, but slow for me. If that made sense. The lady next to me, with her knock off Coach & Gucci purses, made a killing. I sold 2 fingerless mitts, a pumpkin hat, two pixie adult hats, and I got a custom order for a newborn baby set. Not too bad, but I spent all of my profit on some alpaca wool at a different booth. Ack, I am such a yarn freak! Here’s my blurry shot of my booth:

I learned a bunch this past weekend. Mainly,
1. Get up, don’t knit, talk to the peeps. They’ll buy more!!
2. Try & focus your efforts on 3 things. Having too many different items is overwhelming. I think I’ll keep diversity in my shop, but for shows, I’ll focus on streamlining.

Oh. And I was thinking, ‘everyone knits.’ Right? So, I think it’s high time I started to learn how to spin & hand dye. And also, I need to get all of my patterns written down. I’ve started taking photos of complicated things I do, so I am getting there….

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Today, I went shopping at Goodwill. I love Goodwill. I haven’t had me a good trip to the Goodwill in a while though. I decided I have enough vintage sheets – and anyway, they’re starting to charge 5.99 and upwards for them – so I made a bee line for the dresses. And wouldn’tyaknowit, I ran into someone I knew. So, we gabbed and gabbed and gabbed some more. All gossip about the school system. See, once you become a parent, that’s just what happens. You gab and gossip about the whats and whys and doings of the school system, because you pay taxes and your kids go there doggonit, so you’ve got a say. RIGHT? Right. Anyway, the conversation got me all charged and ultimately gave me some good Goodwill juju.

I ended up with a Bitter coat (by SJP – that line is no longer available, so this was a major FIND!!), Gap jeans, and a Target sweater. All for under 20 dollahs. So, here I am modeling it for ya:

Tomorrow, I take the test for the city clerk position. I am so nervous!! I went to the library and got books on grammar. I’ve taken the sample tests and it isn’t looking good. I’m just not a test person. I panic. I sweat. My hands get a clammy and my mind goes blank. So, wish me luck for tomorrow.

❤ mommarocks

British accent, fake glasses, a new era!

Lately, my young darlin daughter likes to talk in a British accent. And wear fake glasses. Is she becoming a hipster, or what? Must be all of the new influence at kindergarten.

Yes, didn’t I tell you? She started kindergarten! Oh my nelly. She’s all growned up. Here she was her first day – going & coming:

Here was my older son on his first day – he started 2 days before my daughter. This is the only year they will go to the same school.

Aw. Doesn’t he look so excited? NOT!

Anyway, we’ve had a great, change filled week. I think it’s me that’s having the hardest time with change. I miss my baby girl all day. I’ve been home cleaning & cleaning. And that’s it. I haven’t even watched tv during the day. Just cleaned. And now I have to look for a job.

wahhhh.

Oh, look what else we did this weekend – hung out with the cuz;s. Aw.

I made the girls play outside and had the boys make us brownies. And boy, they were super yummy brownies. I like making the kids cook & bake. It’s a win win situation.

We’re going to the drive in tonight, so I have to go, but before I do, here’s the my favorite new picture. It’s my niece and Jake. Just chillin. Like homies.

Hello, it’s me.

Hey homies. I love summer!!!! I am not going to count the days until the end. Oh no. I am going to keep on keeping on….
Here’s what’s been goin’ on:
*It was our turn for Cooking Club. (Our theme was a Luau. We even did the LIMBO!)

*Doesn’t this look yummy?:

*We had the kids over, too, this time.

*I put some new items in the shop.

*DS’s baseball team all of sudden got really good the last couple of games. We won this game. The coach is pointing to all of the kids who made awesome plays. It really was exciting. They made it to the game before the championship game. But that was still pretty good. (considering the season. shh, I didn’t say that.)


*My niece came to one of the games. I think she was good luck. Here she is with DD:

*I have been working on my own knit designs. Here is a simple harter top. I am going to add fabric to make it into a little hippie top that can be a dress for a toddler and a top for older kids.

*Of course, I have been working in the garden. Does anyone know what this succulent is called (1st & last pic)? It started as just a little succulent close to the ground and then boom this year it is tall. I hope it does something fun next year, too. (I hope it doesn’t die.) (p.s. middle pic is lavender.)

*Look, my little baby is this close to riding a bike without training wheels.

*And look at this – she also finished T-ball this week. Her team won. So did the other team. (That’s how T-ball rolls ’round here.)

*We went to Valleyfair. (Amusement park)

*DH is the only one that rides the rollercoasters. The rest of us ride the kiddie rides:

*I made chalkboards for the kids. This is my new (& brilliant) chore chart idea.

*And last, but not least, I sewed a table cloth. It is custom fit and with ruffles! I am oh so proud.

**********That’s all dudes & dudettes. I’ll be back again soon….. xxoo mommarocks

be good to yourself!

It is spring. Finally. I should be chipper. But I feel rather dull. I need to be nicer to myself. Tell myself I am pretty and not that wrinkly and anyway who cares if I wasn’t or if I were.

(I am trying to look at this without criticizing myself. Boy, is it hard!!!)

I have a lot of people depending on me to take care of myself. And I feel ashamed that I don’t. I mean, I do, but I could do better.

I need to eat more salad. Drink less soda. Walk more. Learn more.

Once, I had a dream that my deceased aunt Fran came to visit me and she told me that the purpose of life was to learn as much as you could. And really, that makes sense to me.

I really, really need to work on my will power. Just because there are pretzel m&ms right there does not mean I need to eat them. But I want to oh so bad and it hurts my soul to think of me neglecting my favorite candy. Poor pretzel m&ms.

This is my to do list for any normal day:

Do the laundry (or at least think about it).
Give the kids baths.
Make healthy lunches.
Make the beds or change the sheets or something.
Wipe the walls of all the dirty finger prints.
Fold the laundry.
Put away the laundry.
Decide if the older kid gets his allowance.
Drive kids to their extra curricular activities.
Make sure big kid did homework & practiced violin.
Make a healthy breakfast.
Let the kids enjoy some outside play time.
Try not to watch too much TV.
Do not drink soda.Keep the big dog off the furniture.
Keep the little dog from being so stinky.
Do something about the bathroom. Seriously!
Look around the house and see what needs to be done to keep it in tip top shape.
Read?
Computer?
Think about returning the library books. But don’t, because life just wouldn’t be right if you didn’t have a bizillion dollar fine at the library.
Listen to some music.
Have a dance party.
See what is on Oprah.
Work. But not really, it’s preschool.
Volunteer at big kid’s school.
Knit.
Figure out what you want to do with your life.
Think about what things you want to make & sell.
Give husband kiss when he gets home.
Sit down for dinner.
Redecorate the kitchen?
Paint the basement?
Plan the garden.
Weed.
………………………
I’ve put some new things in my shop. Stop by if you’d like. www.ahandmadeprincess.etsy.com

Next weekend, I will be at the art a whirl in Minneapolis, selling my wares.

Right now, I am working on a sweater for myself. I am actually making the capped sleeve version and the gauge is bigger so it is more of a springy sweater vest thingy.

Anyway, that’s enough crazy random talk for the day….

xxoo, mommarocks

Totally Cool Tuesday

We just got home from the Dentist. As we were leaving, dd said, “I love going to the dentist.” Gah, she is so unique and I love her for that. Anyway, no cavities. yeehaw. I was a bit worried there for a minute when my ds was telling me that when he eats or drinks cold or hot, his tooth hurts. Turns out it’s his molars growing in. Aww, he’s growing up!!! And that gray tooth my dd has in the front is finally loosening and the adult tooth isn’t far behind. I feel so bad for her when she draws pictures of herself and she colors her front tooth gray. (Why it’s gray? I am not exactly sure. At some point, she must’ve bumped it and killed it. But she’s none-the-worse because of it. Just a few childhood photos and drawings with a gray tooth ;))

So, no cavities = totally cool.

Also, last week, I never posted the pic from my ds’ Orchestra Performance. Wow, it was brilliant. I really hope he sticks with the violin. There were highschoolers that were there, too, and they were Ahhmaayyyyzzzingg. Music is just such a beautiful, constructive thing to do with your time.
So, here it is:

And one of the best things about having a girly girl is …drum roll…. hair accessories. Today, we went to Claire’s and got her some fake hair clip ins. I know, such frivolous spending, but it’s the photo opps and the good times that make this life (and blog) great, people. 😀

What do you think is totally cool? leave a comment and I’ll stop by.

❤

Totally Cool Wednesday

You know what would be totally cool?
If we had more than 24 hours in a day. Or if we never had to sleep. Or if we had super powers.
Actually, I do have a super power.
You are going to think it’s funny, but it’s totally real.
I can get really good parking spots.
Every time.
A front row spot.
Seriously.
Drive with me sometime, I’ll show you.
Anyway, it’s been an uber busy week.
DD had her dance photos.

Um, how cute is that?
I’ve been knitting and knitting and more knitting.

I’m preparing for Spring & Summer so I have been knitting lots with cotton. Cotton feels so different on my hands than wool.
Charlie got a haircut.

An expensive haircut I must add.
I went to the doctor on Monday and had a cat scan to figure out what’s the dealio with my chronic sinus infections. Is that TMI? Well, it’s Wednesday and they still haven’t gotten back to me, so I guess that means it’s not a pressing issue. I’m thinking I probably have a deviated septum. If so, I’ll have to get surgery. A nose job. I know my nose is a little quirky, but I like it. So, I don’t know how I’d feel about a nose job.
My dd went to the doctor on Tuesday, because she always complains of a tummy ache. I know it’s something a lot of 5 year olds complain about (I looked it up on the net), but I wanted a professional opinion. Well, for the next two weeks she has to be on a lactose free diet. Do you know how hard just the last two days have been? This kid lives on dairy! Cheese sticks, yogurt, butter, milk, ice cream, chocolate, cheesy broccoli…oy. So, I went to the store to get substitutes. Soy yogurt, soy cheese, almond milk… Did you ever notice how soy cheese doesn’t melt? uck.
Tuesday night, my ds had a poetry open house at his school. It was really cool. They’ve been talking about creative expressions all month, so that was the premier of all their hard work. My ds recited a Silverstein poem on video. It goes like this:
Lazy Jane
Lazy
lazy
lazy
lazy
lazy
lazy
Jane,
she
wants
a
drink
of
water
so
she
waits
and
waits
and
waits
and
waits
and
waits
for
it
to
rain.
He also wrote a few poems, but I don’t know those off hand.
Tomorrow, he has an Orchestra Performance. This kid is a brilliant violinist.
I don’t mind him playing at home. You’d think I’d want to pull my hair out, but I like the feeling of having craziness all around, dinner on the stove, then in our tummies, then the screeching sounds of the violin. I feel like…ahh, this is parenting. This is home. It’s quite unusual, probably. But I feel proud of this little family, my home.
Except when the dogs howl as the violin plays. That part I don’t like.
Anyway, that’s a bunch of coolness right there for ya. What do you think is cool? Comment and I’ll stop by.
Till then….
Here’s a photo of me and my kiddos. (Apparently, I’ve kind of abandoned my 52 weeks of me project. Now, I think I will just try and post a photo of me at least once a week. It’s interesting to see myself on here. I’m usually behind the camera. But I like being in front of it, too.)

xxoo,
Mommarocks

Totally Cool Tuesday

It’s Tuesday, y’all.

Today, I went to my son’s school and shared with the class my creative expression; knitting. I have many creative outlets, but the teacher told me that the kids would like to learn about knitting.

Since I just gained experience teaching knitting, I thought why don’t I go the extra and teach the kids to knit, too.

So, I bought 30 pairs of chop sticks and used those as the knitting needles (hey, it was wayyyy cheaper and just as useful. Don’t knock it till you try it.). I cast on about a yard of yarn for each pair.

I was nervous. More nervous than when I taught the adults. I don’t know why. But it ended up being great. I feel so proud. And even a little bit talented. But mostly….TOTALLY COOL!

Here’s a pic of me with the students:

How was your Tuesday? And what do you think is TOTALLY COOL?

Totally Cool Tuesday

I cannot believe it’s been a week since I last posted. I’ve been on the net; it’s not like I’ve been ignoring the bloghood.

So, what’s my dealio?

Well, it has been kinda busy ’round here.

I’ve been knitting tons, because a friend of mine is having a Fundraiser Boutique in April.

It’s the same boutique I knit for last year. I sell my stuff, then give a portion to two different charities. The charities, if you’re interested, are Hope Academy & Freedom Firm. Two very great organizations. Click on their links. I’m very proud to be a part of the boutique because of them, but also because my friend puts it on and she is a totally awesome artist & also I do make a little money myself. What I am saying is that it is a win win situation, if ya know what I mean and I think that you do.

Knitting takes up a lot of my time, but so does partying!

Yeehaw.

Here’s me drinking beer out of a boot. (and I’m using this pic as my Project 52, pictures of me. Not really connected to parenting, but it’s the only picture of me from the last 2 weeks.)

It’s this game you play at this German bar in Nordeast. You take turns sipping, if you don’t flick the side or if you get splashed, you drink again. The person who finishes it buys a new one and the game starts again until everyone is totally blitzed. But we only did one round, so no worries! I refused to be the last to finish it, I was starting to get the heebies from all that back wash, if you must know.

But besides partying, I’ve been having play dates galore. Well, not galore. But I did have one.

I saw a friend’s new weee little baby and made him a knitted gnomey hat.

Oh and we got snowed in and I didn’t change out of my pajamas for two days. It snowed 2 feet!!! I don’t have any pictures of that. I am pretty mad at snow right now. It was so nice, I fell into the trap of believing spring was near. I saw grass!!!!!! I was starting to draw out plans for the gardens. I was making plans for decorating the deck. I was making a calendar of summer events. Then, BAM! 2 feet of snow. Reality check. Spring will be here in 3 months, not 3 days. Ugh. So, I am tired of snow. Tired of pictures of snow. Tired of winter.

YET! I could never get tired of my dear daughter getting dressed up on her daddy’s winter gear:

Could there be anything more totally cool? Uhh, no.

So, there ya have it.

What do you think is totally cool?

my sweet ‘lil valentine (& sorry for being MIA)

I have been so bad.  I haven’t finished my photo class assignments.  They involve a photo walk and a portrait session and since it’s been below zero the last couple of weeks, I haven’t been too keen on photographing anything.  I’m getting bored with the things around my house.  I cannot wait until Spring.  Today kinda feels like Spring (it’s about 35 above), but it’s not the real thang.  Ya know.  I mean, I have been thinking about gardening lately.  Woooo, the temps are rising, time to put in some seeds.  But uh no.  It’s still a good, I dunno, 4 months until we can even break the ground.  So, even though today was above zero temps, I didn’t play outside.  I went to the movies and saw Gnomeo & Juliet.  Which furthered my procrastination on photographing.  geez, I am baaad.  Not to mention I am two weeks behind on my P52 project.  Oh and did I mention I’ve been sick?  I know, I know, when it rains it pours.  But no more negativity, I promise.  BECAUSE I did finally have a photo shoot with my lil one when we got home from the movies.  And I just love, love this photo that came from it.  And so I think I shall enter a photo challenge…(and also count it as one of my 52 weeks of me (my P52)).

Me n my love, my sweet valentine:

The birthday party.

My poor blog, neglected.
It’s just been a busy week.
With my daughter’s 5 year old birthday and birthday party and all.

It was a blast.
This is what we did:
On her actual birthday, we went to chuck e cheese with just our immediate family.
Then, on Saturday was her PRINCESS party.
As the guests arrived, I had them make castles out of sugar cubes.
Next, we played “princess walk.” Like a cake walk, but whomever lands on Cinderella got a prize (and they each had a turn to land on her).
Then, we sought and found Cinderella’s glass slippers.
Next, we played Royal Ball freeze dance.
Then, we sat and read Princess & the Pea. Everyone sat on a pillow and then I told them we were going to see if they were real princesses. So, they went in another room and I hid a ball under an unsuspecting princess’ pillow. If they felt it, I knew they were a princess. And they all had a turn. each of them received a certificate saying they were a real princess.
Then, pin the tail on the donkey.
Next, cake & ice cream.
Then, of course, Presents.
And, lastly, free play & dancing.
It was a successful party 🙂