About Me

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I live in the Pacific NW with my husband,our 85 pound black lab and the newest member of our family our adorable little boy! I love to cook, stick my hands in the dirt and grow veggies and flowers, etc., craft for gift giving, repurpose things from my grandmother, find a cozy corner and curl up with a good book, and most of all hang out with my boys and our furry one.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Elegant

I had my baby shower this past weekend and one word I would use to describe it would be elegant.  I once again feel blessed by the wonderful people I have in my life.  Namely my friends who took the time from their busy lives to plan the whole thing.  Where are the pictures you say?  Well I am waiting on one of the hosts to supply those to me.  I charged my battery that morning and took my camera but it never left my handbag.   I didn't want to wait any longer to capture the day however and promise to post some pics later once I get them.

I will be honest.  I was very nervous about this shower.   Being the center of attention is not real high on my list as I have mentioned before so events like these stressful for me.  I however decided just to roll with the punches and know I was in good hands with the ladies who were throwing it for me.

Every bit of it was pure elegance as I said. 

It started with the invitations done by my sweet friend Amy.   Jack and the Beanstalk - how cute is that!   I truly have never been a part of an invitation like this one.   All done by hand with some many parts.   My mom even framed the invitation for me to hang in his room.   Perfect!

The event itself was lovely.  My Salem Sis was kind enough not only to bring my parentals up for m Salem but to also make sure that my mom and mother in law and I all arrived in style.  The weather for the day could not of been more perfect.   Not too hot and not to cold and not raining!   There was a fire over in the warm spring part of the state so the view from the yard was a little hazy in the distance and you couldn't see the mountains but it was still an amazing view.  This house of my friends is beyond your wildest imagination.  It looks like something straight out of Town and Country or Architectural Digest - I kid you not.   Guest were greeted with options from Champagne bar by Shaunna.   You could have straight champagne or add one of four juices (pear, cranberry, ruby red grapefruit, or orange) - I had my go to sparkling water.  You then could wander outside to the backyard and the pool area and visit.   The brunch was perfect with a selection of breads, scones, mini quiches, fruit kabobs, and a yogurt bar.  After everyone had a chance to eat the presents were brought outside to the pool area and I sat down to open them all.   To say my friends are generous is an understatement.   Who knew there were so many cute things out there for little boys?   At one point a couple of the gifts were compared to a clown car at the circus.  And to think with all of those gifts not one duplicate!   Lots of football and monkey inspired things as well as lots of blue. 

As part of the invitation there was a book template and you were asked to bring a book to start my sweet jellybeans library.   I love all the books we received were great - books about puppies, hawaii, and some great classics like Pooh and Dr. Seuss.  There were also two tables (one in the entry way and one in the family room) with a display of books and some stuffed creatures from them.   These were the gifts from the hostesses.   They each picked out books that they personally liked.   Now I just need to make sure that they get to sign some of them.  Will have to make a note to do so when they come to meet my jellybean.  Also, I need to take the list and make sure I know who each book is from.   That way when one turns out to be jellybeans favorite and can be sure to share that with the person who gave it to him.

At the end our take away gift was a cellophane bag with the initials J-T-P cookies and magic jellybeans in blue.  Both the cookies and the beans are yummy!  Like there would be any doubt.

Amazingly enough all the stuff fit in the car to go home.   And I was able to go through everything with G that afternoon and sort through things for the most part as well.  I hope to work on that a little more this weekend.

Again I am truly thankful and feel blessed to be surrounded by the people in my life and cannot wait to introduce them to my bundle when he arrives.


Friday, August 24, 2012

Cleaning

So although I consider myself one of the lucky ones with this pregnancy I do not have near the energy level I had pre-human growing.  As a result I have decided to give in and hire a housekeeper.

The first one I hired didn't show.

The second one came today.

As it turns out she is 31 weeks pregnant (keep in mind I'm 32).  I believe she is in her 20's and doesn't know what she is having and feels great.  Says her mom will take over her clients when she can't work anymore so its good they have a back up plan.   However there is something weird about hiring someone to help with something due to your "condition" and then she has the same one.   Actually if we are being completely honest it feels weird to have anyone cleaning your house.   Keep in mind I wasn't just sitting around watching TV and eating bon bons.  I was working while she worked so I didn't feel as guilty but the whole thing is surreal.   Don't misunderstand though - not so weird I don't want someone to do it.   She did a good job but not great and honestly I think she should of been able to do more in 3 hours.  I know I would of in my pre-human growing state.  I didn't schedule my next appointment with her and to be honest will probably move on to someone else or maybe not anyone at all.


Oh well I tried.......

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Thoughtful

On Sunday the parentals showed up with wonderful things in tow!   They were going to see the play Cabaret with some friends and stopped by our house first to drop off the following:
  • Homemade spaghetti sauce (enough for two dinners)
  • Homemade zuchinni bread 
  • Homemade peanut butter cookies
  • Homemade noodle casserole
  • Herbal tea for the knocked up one
  • Orchard plant
I asked G which he would prefer for dinner that night - casserole or spaghetti - he choose spaghetti and so I wrapped up the casserole and stuck it in the freezer for next week.  I'm telling you its like gold in the bank! 

I just don't have the where with all to do all the prep on the weekends for the week like I used to and the fact that my mother showed up with food for us is beyond wonderful for me.  Its so nice to have worked all day and be on my way home and know that dinner is already ready and just needs to be warmed.  I truly try not to complain about being tired but a mother knows and my mother definitely knew and did what she could to help.   Rumor has it that lasagna and soup might be making an appearance soon as well.  

The food itself is wonderful as well.   I have had more than my fair share of the cookies.   And take some of the bread in my lunch every day.

Also, lets face it - food always taste better when someone else cooks it.  Not trying to take anything away from my mom's cooking just saying what I think everyone will agree with me on.

I know I should have pictures but to be honest that requires effort that at this point I don't have - sad I know but honest.  



In other news.......hired a housekeeper to come and help just for a couple of hours every other week.    She was scheduled for Friday and we got up and got ready for her and guess what - she never showed.   I called - nothing.  I emailed and finally heard from her the next day.    Whatever the excuse I've moved on.   Hopefully some feelers I have out for another one will work out.   Fingers and toes crossed on that one.    Part of my plan to get my ducks lined up and in a row by October.  

Finally, G finished painting the J's room this weekend!   Once we get everything set up and arranged I will take some pictures and post them.   He did a great job and even replaced the old ugly outlets and installed the dimmer switch on the overhead light.   Progress for sure!  Blessed that I have a husband that will do all these things and not complain about how hot it was or other such things.






Wednesday, August 1, 2012