Farewell, non vital organ.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Christmas 2009
Here is the only "Christmas morning" experience we had this year. It happened at 2am. I'm glad I have this video or I may not have survived Christmas this year at all. When the kids got us up at 7am, we went downstairs to utter destruction. Every present that was under the tree was unwrapped (including ones for me and Carl). Most of the boxes containing those items had been ripped to shreds. Caleb is the only one strong enough to do that. Eva said she didn't do it...she was "just watching". Either way, they both got sent to bed as soon as we got up.
I considered re-wrapping the presents and having them open them again the next day. I also considered taking away all the presents for good. Instead we cleaned up the mess, opened our own stockings (the only things left unharmed), and went upstairs to play a game and chill out. By the time Caleb woke up from his nap, I was a little more calm and I just let them play with their stuff.
Santa's going to have to rethink his strategy for next year, that's for sure.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Crafters
I seriously underestimated what my energy level might be after working for Provo Craft the week before Christmas. My five days of gift ideas have turned into three. Of all of them, I think this one is the most crucial! The stocking is a great place to put all sorts of little goodies that crafters will go crazy for! Husband (s), take note!
What crafter wouldn't want to write (or embellish) with glitter?
2. Wintery Glitter from Martha Stewart
This might be a little big for a stocking stuffer, but any Martha Stewart glitter will do. I'm starting to sense a theme here. I better get off the glitter train for a moment because I know that it is not every crafter's cup of tea.
3. Fat Quarters
"Fat quarter" is a term that refers to a yard of fabric that has been cut into 1/4 sections across the crosswise grain. So, instead of a 9" x 44" piece of fabric you get an 18" X 22" piece. Most craft and fabric stores have fat quarters for sale for around $1. They come rolled up or in little squares and make the perfect stocking stuffer!
4. Ribbon
A spool or two of fun ribbon appeals to a lot of different types of crafters. Can you ever really have enough?
5. Adhesives
Most crafters have their favorites. If you are stuffing a stocking for a specific crafter, go snoop and see which kind she prefers. Having extra adhesive (or any consumable, really) is always a good thing.
BONUS:
Massage gift certificate--just saying. I'm sure I any crafter would love one of these in their stocking.
*cross posted at ChristyNelson.net
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Gift Guide: Gifts for Techies
Day 2 of gift guides include stuff for the techies in your life. I most certainly consider myself a member of this crowd. I'm a computer nerd that loves crafts.
- photo copyright Craftsquatch
1. Twitter Pillow from Craftsquatch.etsy.com
This first item is perfect for any crafty geek in your life. You can purchase one of these on Etsy for $20 but I'm sure most of my readers (at least at ChristyNelson.net) could make their own version for less.
2. Wi-Fi Detector Shirt from ThinkGeek
Words can not describe how badly I want this shirt. Actually, I want the technology on this shirt to put on one of my own. It totally detects the wi-fi and lights up accordingly! It's only $20. What a bargain!
3. A Netbook
Any little netbook would probably do! I've linked to this one pictured that I might purchase if I was shopping for myself. My laptop is my primary computer but can sometimes be a bit cumbersome to lug around for meetings and conferences. A netbook is a good bridge between my iPod Touch and laptop. I think it would make a terrific gift for me any techie.
This has been one of my favorite tech purchases ever. It is so easy to use and so versatile. This is not only a great gift for a techie (although, they probably already have one!) but it is a great overall gift for anyone...a new parent, a teenager, a blogger, a grandparent. You don't have to be very computer savvy to use it, either. It's got a flip out usb and built in software. Easy peasy.
Sometimes you just need to use your laptop on the couch or in your bed. Instead of burning up your legs and your computer, a cooling pad is the way to go. This isn't the one I have, but it looks pretty darn good and got some great reviews on Amazon. The one I have is a bit bulky. This one is lighter and slimmer. That's important.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Gift Guide: Gifts for Foodies
This week I'm posting some gift guides. They'll also be cross posted on ChristyNelson.net. There will be at least one homemade item per list.
Today we've got gifts for foodies. Enjoy!
1. Taste of Italy gift set from Vervacious: Voyage Inspired Fancy Foods
At $50 this is a little out of range for a hostess gift (at least for me!) but if you're shopping for an adventurous chef wanna-be, this could be a great option. Vervacious has so many different blends and gift sets (another great one is theSpanish Favorites for only $25). They also offer subscriptions where they send out something amazing once a month.
2. Homemade Spice Rubs from ChristyNelson.net
Okay, I'm adding something I've featured on my other site. It makes such a great gift and is so quick and easy that I couldn't leave it off the list.
At $10, this knife could easily fit the hostess gift bill or be a great add-on to a fun food related gift. There are many colors to choose from and did I mention that it's NON STICK? I'm putting this on my Christmas wishlist.
4. The Man Who Ate Everything by Jeffrey Steingarten
Is this book really over 10 years old? I love it. Jeffrey Steingarten is now very well known, having been a judge on Iron Chef America since it premiered. This book is full of short articles so it is a great read over a period of time. I own this book and find myself grabbing it when I have a few moments and just want to read a chapter or two. I'll warn you, though. You might want to put his second book in your shopping cart as well.
5. Omaha Steaks Tasteful Gift Combo
I do live in Nebraska, you know. This isn't just a gift for foodies. This is a gift for anyone that eats. Well, anyone that eats meat. At under $70 and free shipping, the recipient (and their family) will be enjoying this gift for months. It is full of great food!
Friday, December 11, 2009
A Little Venting
To the man that was dining with his family at Runza tonight:
I hope you feel better about yourself having yelled at me and my kids tonight. You told me to get that "big kid" out of the play area. He's two years younger than your daughter that was pushing around mine. How do I know she was pushing around my daughter? Caleb is very just. He sees things in black and white. He saw your daughter push mine and he went over to her and told her to tell Eva that she was sorry. I'm sure it looked a little menacing. My kid is big for his age. Would you have reacted the same way if my kid was white? I don't really want to go there, but I think I just did.
I tried to explain to you that he is only six and has autism. I tried to explain to Caleb that it isn't his job to make your daughter say she is sorry. I tried to comfort Eva after being pushed around by your kid that is twice her age (although only a little bit bigger). All the while you're yelling at Caleb to get away which is just making him more upset.
I felt bad about the whole situation. It didn't have to go down like that. Pushing happens. Sometimes my kids are the offenders and we do our best to apologize and fix the situation. Sometimes they are the ones that get pushed. We do our best to forgive and be nice. Things didn't escalate until you started getting after my son. Let's take care of our own, okay? I wouldn't have been in your daughter's face for what happened whether it was on purpose or not.
We got out of there as quickly as we could. Caleb cried the whole way home and kept mentioning the yelling man and saying that he didn't want him (the yelling man) to be mad at him. It's possible you're not giving tonight's incident another thought, but I am. I'm proud to have a son that looks after his little sister (even though I admit we need to work on his methods) and tries his best to do the right thing.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
AdoptUsKids
This Friday at 2pm EST there is a Twitter Party with AdoptUsKids. If you're interested in the adoption process, want to know how to get involved or to learn more about children available for adoption...you should check it out!
Adopt Us Kids helps recruit and connect foster and adoptive families with waiting children throughout the United States. Funded by the Children's Bureau of the Administration for Children and Families, the national photo listing website at AdoptUsKids.org contains photos and information about children in foster care.
Adoption is such a great option! My family certainly wouldn't be the same without it. So many children are in need of a home and I know so many people that have so much love to give.
To learn more about adoption from foster care and how to help spread the word about children in care waiting for a forever family, please visit Adopt Us Kids. To search for children in your area, visit the Adopt Us Kids Child Search.
- Tweet Friday between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. EST with the hashtag #AdoptUsKids
- Follow @PerfectParent and @ResourcefulMom
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Snow Day
I spent a week in Grand Rapids and I was missing my family like crazy. I leave again on Monday and I'll be gone for another week. Being away from everyone really takes its toll. I like the paycheck, the people I get to meet, and the crafting. It just makes coming home all the sweeter because I know what I have here is even better than all of that!
Today I got a special blessing.
SNOW!
It is snowing so much that my whole family is stuck at home. I had a full schedule for today and most of it is now canceled. I get to stay at home!
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Stop Right There!
You know on the Price is Right how they have that game where you get the price in the "green" range and then you push the stop button? If they let parents stop their kids from growing once they get in a certain age range, I'd be really tempted to push the button right now.
Caleb is almost 7. His teeth are falling out at an alarming rate. His feet are bigger than mine. He's growing up so fast!
Eva is 4 1/2. She is such a sweetheart. She loves to help me and is still loves to cuddle. She tells me she loves me all the time and says the funniest things.
I'm in Grand Rapids for the week and I'm really missing my family. This morning they listened to my voice on the radio. I was interviewed for a feature about etsy. It was a fun interview that I got to do with my friends. Caleb said I sounded great and he'll see me on Monday. I can't wait.
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