Wednesday Randomness

It's eeeeaaarly Wednesday morning and I just got a text that we're having a two hour delay today because of last night's storm. It doesn't seem to be a very big one, but enough to make the roads dicey. Two hour delays are a-okay in my book. And it's Donut Wednesday, so no prep for me. It's also the one weekday that I make coffee...and share it with the boys. :) Honestly, I don't even know when this all started, but I can't remember ever not doing it.

For the past few months I've been watching two neighbor girls most days after school, but this week their Dad is out of town on business so they need to be here in the morning- yesterday I totally forgot...and answered the door in messy hair and pajamas. Oops. This morning should be interesting with the delay!

This one is completely random, but I have been so incredibly frustrated with Pinterest lately. Anyone else? The whole format is different, I never see pins from the people I follow anymore, and it's just, well, annoying. I think Pinterest and I may be entering that awkward relationship phase of staying together- for the time being- even though in your heart you really know it's over.

Since Christmas and New Year's, sewing orders have dwindled nearly completely. I think this happens every year, but this is probably the first year that I've been 100% happy/relieved/excited about that. Ha! I am incredibly grateful for the additional income Rose & Ruffle brings to our family, but I am wiped out. One last nightgown to finish, and I'm officially taking a break from the shop on Friday. I'm so ready for it! And to any of you reading who has supported me in any way, thank you from the bottom of my heart! Truly.

Another snow plow just rumbled by. Boy, are they loud! ha ha

Okay, two last things: 1. I have been putting off buying new sheets for well over a year now because I cannot stand the feel of sateen, and everything now seems to be either sateen or that silky brushed cotton. Ugh. Both my husband and I loathe that feeling. We are percale people through and through. I like my sheets crisp. I do not, however, intend to go bankrupt buying said sheets, so I'm wondering if anyone is also a loyal percale fan, and where you get sheets for around forty/fifty bucks. I feel like I have searched everywhere...and found nothing.

And 2. We are trying to revamp our bill-paying/important papers/household maintenance & purchases system a bit - any tips? Currently, we have a decorative file holder that houses monthly bills - we pay nearly everything online but still get mailed bills each month. I'm okay with this system, but the other papers are driving me nuts. I have tried to use those folded accordion type boxes for the important papers, but I fail. Every single time. Maybe a couple of folders, clearly labeled, in a desk drawer? I'm planning on putting up one or two shelves over our main desk, so maybe a couple of those boxes would work after all. There is too much clutter around me right now and it wears me down. Help! Share your bright ideas with me, pretty please! :)

Obviously it would be wrong of me to post this without any photos of my cute baby, so, you're welcome. ;)

He chews so cute! I can't even stand it!

 And though it's hard to capture on film, he makes this squishy face and it just about kills me. Ah, we love him so!

Oh, and PS: I think I will really regret not doing a better job of documenting those early days with Levi, so I'm creating new posts retroactively to fill in the gaps. If you follow along, you will be seeing some pretty odd smatterings of posts in the next few weeks, ha. Here is my first one . :)

Happy First Day Back...

Oh. Oops. Today was supposed to be the first of homeschool, but since it's already thirty-eight degrees beyond insanity and it isn't even seven AM, we're going to the beach instead.

This summer has been a big one. My sweet baby boy now drives a car. How did that even happen? My other little boy is now in high school, and made it through an intense round of cuts for a spot on the soccer team. So proud of him! The undertaking of planning and prepping for all four learning at home this year has been just a tad all-encompassing and consuming.  ;) And, well, we've just had fun. Lots of treks to the mountains, the beach, lakes, obscene amounts of ice cream ingested, not that anyone has complained a bit.

I've also been thinking a lot about the situation with the Duggar family, and any family, really, caught up and forever changed now as a result of this latest sin tragedy. Heartbreaking. I've been upset by lots of friends and acquaintances who make jokes and snide comments about the whole ordeal, and an anger burns deep: this isn't funny! None of it is funny! I'm curious to see how the Duggar family responds and behaves in the coming months, and I believe that their deepest desire is to see God glorified and honored throughout it all, and I'm hopeful for that will look like. Many of us know firsthand just how our great God can transform ashes into things of infinite beauty- I know I do- and He can certainly transform the darkness there. The world is watching and waiting, and what a wonderful testimony they can be. But it takes time, courage, humility, and lots of hard work to save a marriage and rebuild trust.

The request for pancakes was already put in last night, so I'd better get to it before I start sweating in the batter. Ew. Sorry. That was gross, even for me, ha. I'd post a picture, but my head is pounding so I'll have to wait till next time. Hope you have a great day!

It's Beginning...

...to look a {little} like Christmas!

I've got a looong day of cutting and sewing ahead of me today because yesterday I decided to bring up one little beloved Christmas item.

And of course that one was lonely, so that one turned into...several.

Which meant packing up and storing 99% of the Autumn decorations. 

When I really should have been cutting and sewing. But it sure smells lovely and Christmas-y in here this morning. Now if I could just find an elf to help me...  ;)

Saturday Morning Randomness

Totally random post. I started this post days and days ago, but my mind is in jumbles. Proceed with caution. Or just laugh at me. Whatever.  ;)

Random Thing #1:
The mornings have been SO DARK recently. It makes it hard to get moving. I'm the type who thinks the day is nearly over by 10 am, and while I'm generally pretty productive, I find myself feeling slightly frazzled at 9:58 and I start rushing around to get every.single.thing.on.my.list done. Weird, I know.

Random Thing #2:
Gravity has shifted. This is my theory anyway, because I refuse to believe that I can no longer manage to paint the upper corners of the bathroom while balancing on the edge of the bathtub. Without difficulty, that is.

Random Thing #3:
Fall is here and it's amazingly beautiful, and it's all going by so very quickly. Which makes me sad. I want certain things to linger, but time keeps bulldozing past us as normal.

Random Thing #4:
I should not be allowed to buy peanut M&Ms. Friends, if you see me with a bag (or 8) in hand, I beg of you, please stop me. At all costs. Even if I tell you that they're just for trail mix. Because I'm lying, right to your face.

Random Thing #5:
These things I can stare down without devouring. But they look so cute on the kitchen counter in my fall tea cup!

Random Thing #6:
Being a Mom is hard work. So many fears and worries and doubts. But my God is bigger than all that, for which I'm forever grateful.

Random Thing #7:
I feel the need to warn anyone contemplating painting their heater a coordinating color - don't do it! Just...don't. Please & Thank you.

Random Thing #8:
I'm having a slight identity crisis. Between my little shop and this blog and what I really want to do (write books) and and and... this is laughable because I'm sure nobody really cares, but it totally stresses me out. Weird. Again. Noticing a trend?   =)

Random Thing #9:
I can't stop thinking about the fact that we've been out of our decade+ home for over a year now. One whole year. One whole year! I try and remind myself that it isn't that easy to complete the projects on the To-Do list in this house while, oh I don't know, having a life, taking care of four children, dealing with their schedules. Just the other day, I psyched myself up enough to drive past our old home. And you know? It was okay, it wasn't as painful as it was before. I'm thankful for that. It really helped me start considering this place our home now.

Random Thing #10:
I'm falling hopelessly in love with the baby girl things that I'm supposed to be selling. Her closet will definitely be more loaded with goodies than mine ever will be! Like, ever!!! (Isabelle's always has been. ;) I haven't shared any of her cute fall outfits...I'll try to do that next week.)

That's it for now...Have a wonderful Saturday! We had friends over last night for homemade pizza and a bonfire, and we get to do it again tonight! Well, not pizza again, ha!

ps- Here is something new at Rose & Ruffle- what do you think?

(Yes, this one's actually for sale.) 

:o)

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