Irish Friends

I have a good friend that married an Irishman, taking her to Dublin for good.  Wah wah.  I miss her something awful, I so wish we could get our kids together to play and drink coffee and all the stuff we used to do.  But, I know she's got a good thing there and has the sweetest little family ever.  She was in the States visiting the past couple weeks and I finally go to see her!  The last time I laid eyes on her Ingrid was about four months old.  Which means I had never met her daughter, she had never met Otis.  It had been too long! 

 

We met at her family's farm and it was perfect.  The perfect weather, it was both her husband's and my husband's birthdays, the kids had a huge expanse of grass to run on, there was a little river down at the bottom of a hill, they got to see a snake and some strange bugs.  We sat and caught up, the birthday boys (both scientists) talked geek stuff.  Just the best afternoon I could ask for!

We used to hang out, smoking our cheap Old Gold cigarettes and drinking coffee, talking about the day in the future we'd be married with babies.  Now here we are, even though we live in different countries, we're both married to DOCTORS of science that have the same birthday!  We both have little redheaded Irish babies.  It's so funny to me how things have worked out.

The Way We do Things Around Here

A bunch of the same busy busy busy around here.  Keeping sane by keeping busy. Mornings are still pretty much without TV.  We do puzzles still.  Lots of coloring.  Today Otis made a ramp for his cars with the ironing board.  Anything to pass the time!

I've been pretty busy crafty wise.  I had a new consignment order for a place right across from State Fair Park, and seeing as State Fair started today, I had to get my stuff there in a timely fashion.  I also have two other consignment orders to work on, and another Maker Market is coming up September 1st.  So, busy mama.  Ingrid and I made this felt doll for a friend's birthday present.  Ingrid was too funny, "Mom, I have to play with it to make sure it works, okay?"  Apparently it was in working order.

 I went through some old photo books and found some gems.  I love that I'm taking pictures of pictures.  Here's Brendan and I the first summer we met ten years ago.  We are little kids, it's crazy!

 Speaking of little kids, there has been a bounty of little kids around our house the past week or so.  We watched a friend's girls one afternoon, here's Eleanor and Otis looking sneaky.  They found this water fountain (or "bubbler" if you want to get Milwaukee on me) and took turns seeing who could actually get to the water.  It was hilarious.  They're both just a tad too small so they were trying SO HARD to climb up!

 We also went to the zoo with our neighbors the other day.  Here they are at the barn with the cows.  I still can't believe my mom had four kids.  How do you do it?  I have it down pat now to look for each of my kids, but four?  Jeez louise.

 And here I am looking like I have long hair.  WHICH I DO.  Which if you've known me in real life you'll understand how freaking amazing this is.  I have had short hair my whole life.  Except for a short stint in middle school/early high school with a perm and some fierce bangs, I've had a pretty short hair style.  Like boy short most of the time, what feminine people call a pixie cut.  I have always just said it was short, you know, like a boy.  But now that I have money to pay someone amazing to cut my hair in a flattering way, what do you know?  I can grow it out.  It still seems so new and crazy that I can pull it back in a ponytail.  Like a normal girl.  Weird.

SO Glad I'm Me, or, I LOVE My Life!

 I've been thinking of all the troubles I had when I was younger, feeling lost and like I just didn't know what to DO with myself.  Where did I want to live?  What did I want to go to school for?  What would I do with my life?  Now in my mid 30s I can honestly say I'm glad I ended up where I am.  I live in a cool neighborhood in a pretty great city, I'm married to a funny scientist, we have two amazing kids that make me happy about 99% of the time, I get to sell vintage kid's clothes and sew stuff.  I have it pretty good.

This past week has been HOT.  We got a cheap Slip'n'slide at Target and used it for hours at a time.  I even slid down it, it was fun!  The kids got a real big kick out of that, I'm glad there is no video evidence of it.

We've stuck to our no TV in the morning routine, well mostly.  Sometimes I have to take a shower and that is the easiest way to ensure I get all the shampoo out of my hair AND shave both legs.  I had cut out 4" squares from a whole bunch of my scraps to make a scrappy quilt or two.  Ingrid found the pile and has been having fun putting together her own quilt.  I cannot wait to teach this girl how to use the sewing machine!  She will be a natural I bet.

And we've been just plain silly stuck in the house with it being in the 90s.  We go out right away in the morning, try to get some play time outside.  Then it gets too hot to breathe, so we go in and cool down.  Again after naptime we try to get outside, but dang, it's been like 80% humidity the past week.  Uncomfortable.  And yes, I realize how funny that is that we midwesterners complain about how COLD it is and how much snow we have and then a few months later complain about how HOT it is and how much humidity we have.  I sometimes wonder why anyone lives here...

 This weekend we went to the cottage.  We brought friends, it was fun.  The kids all played, we went swimming in the lake, and this morning Brendan took each of the kids on a kayak ride.  The cottage got a face lift last month, doesn't it look nice?  It used to be white, I really like the creamy tan though.  And lastly, look at that picture of Brendan's dad and uncle!  Bob is the one on the right.  He looks just like what Brendan looked like at that age!  I love how there are just random old things at the cottage, you just never know what you'll find when you go searching through the drawers looking for clean sheets...

Red Clogs and Green Beans

First of all, I got my new clogs!  They are adorable and I feel oh so fashionable in them, which is nice, because the other night we went out and I hadn't showered and was feeling GROSS, but I slipped these bad boys on and suddenly felt feminine and gorgeous.

Tonight Ingrid and I picked green beans from the garden.  I had just thrown some seeds in a row at the beginning of the summer and they just blew up!  So we got about a bazillion plants growing and tonight we picked them.  We got a lot.  Ingrid just kept eating them like candy!  Good for her.  (Honestly I hate green beans unless there's a lot of butter and salt on them.)

One last thing--our kitchen is looking so much better now!  I painted the cabinets white yesterday.  It was a sweaty job and it took four coats of paint on each door, but dammit, I did it!  I love it.  I'm hoping to paint the walls gray and get new floors and a new sink.  Then one room in our house will be done!  And I can focus on another room!

Maker Market

Today was another craft show.  I was looking forward to this one, as it was outside and in the parking lot of a coffee shop, which meant good coffee only steps away!  I love my neighborhood so much, and today's event just made me so happy.  A friend started this show, the first Sunday of every month May-September.  I was supposed to do June but after having impromptu throat surgery, I had to pass on that one.  So today was the day.

My first ever show I had NO CLUE what I was doing, but now that I've done a few every year, I'm really getting the hang of it.  I know what to bring, I know what usually sells well, I know how much to make, and yet still always make way too much!  Getting the tables set up is pretty fun, I'm always perusing Pinterest for ideas. 

 This show I had two smaller tables, which I covered with vintage table cloths (one was a kid's sheet) and I used my wire baskets I have for shows, along with Otis' toy drum, and my Irmi giraffe.  He's been holding clothes in Otis' room, but guess what fits on him pretty well?  BIBS!  I love how it turned out. 

I also used my tent to hang clothesline and I hung up some tag blankets and bibs on the side.  Last but not least, my trusty vintage sheet bunting I stole from Ingrid's bedroom way long ago.  It has since been taken over for hanging at my shows. 

 

I did pretty well today.  My goal was to make enough money to buy this pair of clogs.  My god, red and cute and Swedish, I just died when I saw them.  But money doesn't grow on trees and we need a new floor in our kitchen so I couldn't just buy them straight up.  Well, I could, but I'd feel guilty later...Now I don't have to!

Books and Braids and Beaches and Bods

This week:  I tried on a pair of pants that DID NOT fit me 2 weeks ago.  Turns out the 30 Day Shred is working!  I felt so good being able to button them!  I'm hobbling like a grandma because my knees are so shot, but that's the price I pay I guess...

 And!  My hair is long enough for braids.  This is SO EXCITING because the last time I had hair this long is when I was 20.  I have been a short haired girl my whole life, this is such big news for me.

 Summerfest is going on right now.  It's a sleazy huge music festival that happens every year and people act like it's the best thing and you just HAVE to go.  We never do, but we had free tickets and it was a beautiful day, so we went.  Otis fell asleep on me, Ingrid whined about walking, and the beer cost a ridiculous amount.  Probably won't be going again next year...

 The thing we WILL be going to again is this amazing place called Bookworm Gardens.  It is so cool!  A sprawling garden with little sections devoted to kid's books.  There's tons of stuff for kids to do, like play music, sweep a barn, water the garden, play in a log cabin like Laura Ingalls, scrub Harry the Dirty Dog, go in the Three Little Pigs' houses.  It was so fun, the kids ran and ran for two hours, we actually had to drag them away because it was lunch time.  We didn't get to see everything there, so we'll have to go back.  Afterward we went to a nearby state park and had a picnic and played on the beach.  It was another gorgeous day, we had so much fun! 

 And now it's the Fourth of July, we should be planning lots of fun things to do, but instead we're looking at all the rain in the forecast and thinking maybe we'll just stay in and paint our kitchen cabinets.  I have a show on Sunday and I am hoping it is not rainy the whole time since it's outside...Please cross your fingers for me!

Turning Off the TV

I always wanted to be one of those moms that never turned on the TV, but early on I realized I could get shit done with a half hour here or there!  Sometimes we watch a lot, some days we don't even think about turning it on.  Some days we just get lazy and tired and only want to lay on the couch and veg.  Usually I don't pay attention, they all seem to balance out and we never have problems with turning it off and switching to something else.  Once the credits come on, one of the kids pops up and turns off the TV. 

However...this week has been rainy and Otis got hand foot and mouth disease so we were quarantined at our house so we wouldn't infect anyone else.  I have a show coming up July 7 and I've been trying to finish up the last few things I have to get ready.  The house seems like it's constantly sticky and hairy from the humidity and the dog, laundry piles up.  Excuses, I know.  But the TV was on a lot the past few days.  And there was tons of whining and fighting between the kids about who gets to watch what show, and then kicking each other on the couch or stealing pillows.  it was INSANE.  Get off each other and just sit there while I get the bathroom cleaned!  Please!

Two days ago I don't know what started it, but I did not turn on the TV.  Instead we did a puzzle together.  We read library books.  We colored.  We played outside a bit between bouts of rain.  I had the best time!  I was happy, not yelling, the kids were so good together, not whining or fighting.  The day was just so awesome, I finally remembered how great it is to be a stay at home mom.  Some days I forget why the hell I do this, like how great it would be to get a job and let the kids go to school and a babysitters and just be around adults all day.  Go to the bathroom by myself, eat a whole meal, shower DAILY! 

Yesterday we ran errands all morning.  Kids slept in the car a bit so when we got home I was exhausted and wanted to sit.  I put on the TV and immediately (immediately, ugh.) they started fighting over what show to watch.  Ingrid just lost it because I let Otis get his way for once.  Huge tears, stomping feet, kicking things.  It was the shittiest afternoon, I just could not turn it around.

So today I said no more TV in the day!  We've got so many fun things to do around here, let's play!  Ingrid has been working on these little stuffed hearts she's been sewing from my scraps and she wanted to work on those.  We painted.  More puzzles, more time outside before the rain came.  Another wonderful morning!  Just so much fun and everyone was in great moods.  The afternoon was naptime and more playing, this time with neighbors outside when it cleared up.  Everyone was in good moods until bedtime, I mean for real, that never happens! 

I know it just takes more effort on my part, and honestly, I don't get much done during the day.  I did get some things done but not nearly as much as if I'd ignored my children, haha!  I guess that I just have to do what I can, and do the rest after bedtime.  I'd much rather have happy kids than 30 more bibs done, right?  They'll both be in school next fall so I should enjoy this summer as much as I can!

Summer Break!

We've been on break for about a week and a half now and I'm loving it.  We have to leave at 7:30am to get Ingrid to school on time, so it was always rush, rush, rush.  Now we have the best mornings, we have nowhere to go, we get to hang out and be lazy if we so desire.  Otis has been sleeping in until after 7, which is great, except next fall school starts even earlier!  I guess the bell will ring at 7:20 instead of 7:40.  UGH.

We have a summer list full of parks, museums and local activities.  So far we've done the museum, Chill on the Hill, the wading pool, parks, and of course, gardening.  Keeping busy!  One activity a day, even if it's just going to the park. 

 I have also started the Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred video.  Whew!  I've gained about 30lbs in the last year for some reason, so I have to kick my ass in gear and get some more exercise.  I am not a video exerciser, normally.  But a few people had mentioned doing it and loving it, and I thought for $8 and some 3lb weights I might as well try it, right?  It's awesome!  The thing I love is that Ingrid loves watching it with me for some reason, so she's my biggest cheerleader!  As soon as I've had a couple cups of coffee she says "Okay, mama, time to shred!"  Honestly, I need that, since I would otherwise get lazy.  I'm also doing some sort of post on Instagram after I do it so I keep a log of it.  Even if no one else is seeing it, I feel like I have to do it to keep myself motivated. 

Otis has been sick and crabby the past couple days though, so I am worn out.  Mentally tired of dealing with his mood swings and crying.  Physically tired from him wanting to be cuddled and carried all the time.  Please, don't let your kids get Hand Foot and Mouth disease!  It sucks.

Next week is another week of whatever, and then we have a fun filled weekend for the Fourth of July and cousins and the cottage and I have another craft show!  The Maker Market is July 7th, I'm getting ready for it and looking forward to hopefully not a really hot day!  Last year I did an outdoor show in July and it was like a hundred degrees.  Ugh.  I'm happy it's in the parking lot of a coffee shop, I foresee a LOT of iced coffee in my future.

What are you up to this summer???

Door County 2013

Our annual camping trip was last weekend.  It was so much fun, and just as I'd predicted last year, this year was our golden year where the kids slept all through the night and Brendan and I just got to sit around the campfire, drink beer, and wait for the stars to come out!  It rained a bit, but was overall really good weather.  It was COLD the first night, we all had on pjs, jeans, coats, sweatshirts, sleeping bags and blankets, and Brendan still said he felt cold.  46 degrees when you're in a tent is really chilly!

We did the usual stuff, throw rocks in the water, walk the trails, go see if the goats were out at Al Johnson's, get breakfast at the White Gull Inn.  We also rented a bike for me, plus a Tagalong bike for Ingrid.  It was so fun!  I was a bit shaky at first but once we got the hang of it, it was super fun.  There are tons of trails to take around the state park, we'll definitely do that next year!

Like I said, the kids passed out right away the first night and slept the whole night.  Brendan and I were actually up before they were Friday morning!  No 3am wake up and driving the park like last year!  No starting the day at 5:30am, the kids slept until 7.  Bliss.  It was really amazing.  Each year is just going to get easier and easier, until they hit puberty when they'll all the sudden start thinking it's lame to go camping.  Or at least that's what happened to me at that age :)

Once again, a great trip with the family.  So glad this is our tradition!