yikes

Today at the grocery store Henry said "Mama, that lady looks like you."
I scanned the area searching for someone that looked like me. There were 5 people in the area, none of them looked like me.

"Where?" I asked.
"Right there, Mama. Right there." He pointed straight ahead.
Wade said, "I bet it is the women right there, with the pony tail."

"You mean the pregnant one?"
"Yeah, um....I'm pretty sure."

This was not a women with a cute little baby bump...this women was about to give birth right then and there in the produce department.

I need to go on a diet.

Yeah, that's right

Had kind of a rough few weeks so tonight I decided to do a little cupcake therapy. I did a "cookies and cream" version. They turned out really rich and yummy (the pictures, on the other hand, turned out no so good).

save some trees

yes, we all recycle and try to do "our part" as much as we can, but can one simple change make a big impact?

from "good:"

*the website changethemargins.com is calling for printer owners everywhere to take the simple step of, well, changing their margins from the current luxurious standard 1.25 inches to a the more modest .75 inches. It may sound like a small change, but if everyone in the nation did it, we’d save a little less than a Rhode Island’s worth of trees every year. Does tinkering with Word’s cumbersome preferences scare the fonts right out of you? Don't stress, it's easy and you won't be able to tell a difference.

Changing your margins in Microsoft Word:
Go to “File,” then “Page Setup.”
Once on “Page Setup,” click the “Default” key, and you’ll be offered “Do you want to change the default settings for the page set up? This change will affect all new documents based on the normal template.”
Set each margin to .75 and save some trees.

Heart

When my Aunt Cindy died she left all her jewelry to her nieces. She had a LOT of jewelry. Mostly costume jewelry that was as big and bright as the amazing woman that wore it. She loved holiday’s. At Christmastime I don’t think there was a piece of furniture in her house that was not adorned with something red and green. She even celebrated the summer with flamingo earrings and sunshine sandals. So, when I looked over her jewelry box I decided that I wanted to find a piece of jewlry to wear for every holiday…well, it turned out that all of my cousins (and a couple of unauthorized Aunts) had the same idea. But I was able to hang on to one gem, a red plastic heart pin. I have been wearing it on Valentines Day every year since she died. Because that is what she did. Because today is about love. Because I loved her so much. But today I decided that I don’t think I should save this pin for just February 14th anymore. I think that this red plastic heart pin actually goes with every outfit on every day. So I can be reminded to celebrate her love and her life, and my love and my life everyday. That makes me happy.

I ordered 3 new sewing books. My mind is racing with all the projects waiting for me on the pages...and yes, I have an Amazon addiction. I can't wait to make this sun hat. I plan to use it a lot this spring in the garden.

Super Tuesday

Are you guys going to caucus tonight? I REALLY REALLY want to go but I can't. If you go and you're for Obama cheer extra loud for me :)

Free

Much to my parents disappointment I had to drop my classes this semester. Although I am a 30 year old woman, I still feel the sting of disappointing my parents. But, unlike the many other times that I have felt the loneliness and self-doubt brought on by my father’s silent treatment tactics, this time I feel a slight surge from the decision. Don’t get me wrong, I still cried most of the day after dropping out and I still felt a little sick to my stomach as I over-explained my reasoning to my Mom, but at the same time I know that it is the right choice. When I complain about school my Dad usually tells the story of working 3 jobs while going to grad school and raising 3 children. He sacrificed his time with his kids for education and work, a compromise that I am unwilling to make and an example of the fundamental difference in priorities between me and my father. At any rate, I feel good about the decision and am reveling in the delight of free time. Imagining watching movies with my hubbie, my toes tucked under his legs while we snuggle under the blankets. Reading a book that keeps me up way too late. Making a new cupcake recipe (I’m thinking: pumpkin cranberry cake with brown butter icing). Here are a few other things I would like to do with the next 4 months:

volunteer at an animal shelter.
paint and recover the kitchen chairs.
take a couple of cooking classes at the merc.
sew new curtains for the kitchen.
bake homemade bread.
have coffee/dinner with my friends more, without children.
annihilate debt.
successfully predict this year's college hoops champion for my own March Madness pool.
get a pedicure now and again?
make a piñata.
make an entire meal with ingredients grown in my garden.
discover and learn about a new artist...music, painting, photography, anything really.
find or make Wade a really great gift.
exercise.
take pictures nearly every day.
go to and take everyone to the dentist (admittedly sad that this is making the list!).
keep the yard from looking trashy (harder than you think).
eat a salad every night.
plant a lilac bush and a dogwood tree.
get to a healthy weight so we can have another baby.
take a screen printing class (that means you lisa).