what to do, what to do....

Summer is quickly coming to an end. Molly will be returning to school in 5 weeks and I will be left with some extra time on my hands. Only small windows of "free time" of course but I am already envisioning what I could possibly do with them. There are a few things I would like to pursue - like woodworking or felting for example. Or things that I should pursue - like a first aid course or learning what's under the hood of my car. I did find this wonderful blog about making your own toddler bed (directions here) but I don't think Abbey is quite ready yet to make the transition from her crib so that project is on hold for the time being. Problem is the things I would like to do require a bigger time commitment than I am able to give so those will be reserved for evening classes. My house needs some fresh paint and my basement is in desperate need of a good purging and...oh the home improvement list goes on and on. I have thought about trying to focus on my portfolio and promoting my paper designs or do I find some other creative outlet?? I have so many things I want to do but I don't know where to start. Anyone want to steer me in the right direction? What to do, what to do...

old softie

So while I know how very lucky and blessed I am to have two very beautiful and healthy children, it does not come without consequence. I was never the epitome of the figure of a goddess but I wasen't in poor shape either, in my younger years I am speaking. But now it seems that my body is really starting to show it's age. Especially when I look at myself beside one of my children. I feel wrinkly and dull and well, soft. They are young and vibrant and beautiful. Now don't get me wrong, I hold no ill feelings because of the changes my body had to go through to have children, I just wish I could see myself the way my husband does. I am trying very hard to love my body and embrace it for all that it is but I admit, that is a very hard thing for me to do. I am committed to getting myself back on a healthy track though, no matter the time frame. In the meantime, I will try to come to love me for me...soft spots and all.

I heart Edward Cullen

So apparently I have fallen victim to teen romance novels.

I started reading the popular "Twilight" series after I heard a friend gush about the loveliness of it. But that was it, I had only started it. I got to page 30 or so then put the book down. It sat untouched for 3 weeks. It was boring and started slow (a real problem for me). You see, I am not a big reader so for me, a book needs to start with a big bang in order to hold my interest. Twilight had no bang...that is until about a third of the way through. I had one child-free night where I sat on my back deck with my husband while we both enjoyed a beer and a book. I was determined to find out what the fuss was about so I persevered. I'm not sure at what point exactly that it happened, but I fell in love with a fictional vampire named Edward. I couldn't put the book down. I devoured every page and couldn't wait to have a quiet opportunity to pick up my book again to read about him *sigh*. I plowed through Twilight and the day after finishing it, I purchased book 2, "New Moon". It was a slower read (still done within days) however, *spoiler alert* Edward leaves in the beginning of the book and doesn't return until the last 100 pages or so. The only thing that kept me reading was that I knew I would be able to read him in the end. Yes, I peeked. I HAD to. I am now waiting for book 3 to come out in paperback and while I wait, I have picked up book 1 again just so I can revel in all the Edward goodness that I love.