November 30

I made it to the end. That is all I have to say about that.

You'll have to check out my newest, newest as a term used loosely, photos over at picturemyeveryday!!

November 29

So there is a little problem with blogging from my phone. It only saves it as a draft. No clue why. Then when I happen to walk through 3G service at my mom's house it will post it... Therefore some of my posts are showing up on readers just a couple of minutes apart from each other. Not very good but it will have to work since my mother's internet is the slowest I have ever seen.

Yesterday was good. I, along with my little sister, Cameron, and my niece, Morgan, helped my mom paint the outside of a rental property. It sucked. It was windy and there were leaves sticking to the outside of the house in the wet paint. Then the wind was blowing the paint all over us as we were taking our brushes/rollers from the trays to the house. My outfit I had on look like I let someone splatter paint me.

We painted until dark and then headed to mom's for supper. It was so yummy and hot. Nothing beats ham, noodle and potato soup on a chilly day. After supper we sat around and talked. I had planned to head home around 8 but that didn't happen. It was around 10 before I ever got on the road. It was around 1:15 am when I pulled into my driveway. I was just so glad to be home. My bed has never felt so good.

Today I have been working on my 365 blog. Slowly but surely it is getting done. We are getting down to the end of the year and my poor neglected is stuck on May 31. How sad is that? I'm hoping by the end of the day to have the whole months of June and July up. I've learned this year that it is so easy to take a picture a day but it is so hard to get the time to get them on the blog. Therefore they just sit on my external hard drive. So sad. All those pictures just sitting there with no one looking at them.

Very soon though you'll be able to see what the rest of my year looked like. But for the rest of the afternoon I'm going to be adding photos to previous post so you'll have to check back on some of those older post...

November 28

Today is being spent helping mom paint a house...

It is about as fun as it sounds...

More tomorrow... She has noticed I'm no longer painting... Better get back to it before I get in trouble... lol...

November 27

Yesterday is just a blur. Seriously!
Today my sister and her husband and boys came down. And they brought their guns... We had a great day target practice with the 4 boys and the 2 big ones, aka their fathers.
After supper us girls played a game of rummy. Marianne smoked us.
Now that it is late and I'm laying in bed I'm going to go to sleep... and it's before midnight... Woot Woot!

November 26

Black Friday shopping kicked my butt today. I can't even think straight I'm so tired.
Bonus: I'm almost done Christmas shopping... All I have left is the hardest one on my list. My husband...

Thanksgiving 2010

OMG that drive down yesterday night sucked!! Freezing rain, slow people, old people, wind... lots of wind, cold wind... Somehow a 3 hour drive turned into 4.5 hours. But enough about that...

I got down here (my parents house) about 10. I grabbed some supper and went to bed... ha right!

Actually I changed and went to the bar with my brother to meet my sister and her boyfriend to celebrate his birthday. We had a great time and closed down the bar. One of my favorite local bands was playing. Chasing Daylight is a band that one of my formal school mates sings in... and plays guitar. He is really great and I know one day he will make it bigger than singing in bars and the like. I remember when he was learning to play guitar and had to look at his hands all the time. Now he is playing like a pro and singing with his eyes closed which he always said was 'too hard... what if I. Look retarded or fall'... I got some great photos of him performing but those will have to wait as I'm bloggging from my phone yet again.

After getting home from the bar my brothers sat in the kitchen 'gossiping' and going down memory lane. Every time I tried sneaking away to go to bed they sucked me back into the conversation. Finally around 4 we all headed to bed. First though I had to wake my neice up to come sleep with me because my room was really cold. REALLY COLD!!

I got a whole 3 hours of broken sleep before having to get up for the day.

Today was spent helping mom get ready for Thanksgiving dinner. Pies had to be made, bread had to be baked, I had to go pick up the turkeys from my sister's house. The morning went by in a blur. Thanksgiving dinner was great and we actually ate on time.

In the evening we headed to Shen to have pie and conversation with my husband's grandma and his uncles. Always a good time... We always laugh way too much. Mason kept us entertained. Especially when I asked him a question and his answer was that I as annoying him.

Now we are on the way to Grandpa Hansell's. My day is nowhere near over. I am heading to Council Bluffs with my neice to stay at my grandma's house so we can go shopping in the morning.

Wish me luck!!

...

It is freezing rain, the wind is blowing hard, it is cold out...

I would say it is safe to say that winter has arrived in Iowa.

Ideally it would have waited until after Thanksgiving but o'well it is what it is.

I'm busy packing and getting things ready to head down to my mom's for the weekend. Not a very exciting day.

Bonus: Got the baby blanket done!

Tuesday

Why is it that my sister always ask for a baby blanket when she knows I'm busy. Why do I stop what I'm doing and make her one. Not only make her a blanket but also a couple of burp rags and a bib or two just to round out the gift...

I should have been packing today. Okay at the very least been doing laundry but I wasn't. Instead I made Cammie a baby blanket, two burp rags and a bib for a baby shower she has to go to on Sunday. Inbetween all that I was dealing with a teething baby that I'm babysitting and making two dish mats. They are super cute.

I'm so ashamed that I haven't gotten any photos non here yet. Maybe next Monday after the holiday rush and before the next one gets in full swing... I have them all sitting in a folder just don't have thetime to upload them all and write about them...

Which reminds me that you can see the post of the crazy husband requested photos at (and bear with me here I'm on my phone) http://www.neckdeepinchaos.com. He has another one coming up too that I can't wait to try to get photos for!

November 22

Um... it's late... I'm tired...

Two fussy kids today. One sick husband tonight who wanted sausage gravy for supper... I'll let you guess how well that turned out...

Just to Recap...

Yesterday was a great day. I have never liked my birthday. Well turning 16 was pretty awesome but that is the only one I will concede to. Now back to my ramblings...

We'll start this at Friday night.

Friday night we took Mason over to his grandparents house for the night. Which I might add I asked them to babysit for a couple of hours, they asked if he could stay the night. I know that sounds like progress but it isn't. Trust me! So back to me now...

After dropping Mason off we headed to dinner. Dinner consisted of the best Chinese in Ames. The Mandarin. It was so yummy. It is always YUMMY! Austin and I are people watchers. Plain and simple, there are a lot of freaks out there and they were in full force Friday.

On one side of us there was a germophobic family. I can't make this shit up. The daughter told her mom she had to use the restroom so the mother gave her surgical gloves and a spray bottle. The daughter asked what it was and the mother says bleach water so be sure not to get any on your clothes...

The daughter was in college.

When said daughter got back to the table the whole family used germX...

I'll admit they looked normal but... ya... freaks.

Now to the next table... This table is directly to my right. Sitting at it are two people. One a very well groomed male and the other a woman. (There was some debate between Austin and I as to whether she was really a female. At least until she started talking.) The man male talked a lot. About himself. About Iowa weather. About his car. About the bus stop by his house. About the 'nightlife' in Ames/Des Moines.

As the night went on Austin and I noticed that the guys 'alternative lifestyle' lisp would come and go and the pitch at which he spoke would change.

Then towards the end of our meal the woman started talking and confirmed she was a female. She was talking with a German/Swedish accent. One time it would more German and the next more Swedish. Then she started talking French. The male evidently didn't speak French because love, bathroom, car, and child with some other french words don't usually go together in one sentence. Well at least not that sentence and make sense. Just trust me on this. All she did was run the French words she knew together and made it sound like she knew the language.

I busted up laughing and my wonderful and loving husband (no sarcasm here) started laughing too. After they left he asked what was said. Got to love that man.

I know you think it is probably enough that we had two fruity tables near us but then I would be leaving out the cheesy, sleek haired, sleaze ball and the younger girl(friend)/paid date making out at a table in the back. It was gross enough that when their food came it was in to-go bags. Confirmed by our waiter!! When you are regulars the waiters let a lot slip. Well that and great service!!

After dinner we headed to the fabric store, JoAnns, my husband was very patient. I won't say he didn't whine because he did but he was very good. Especially considering it was a fabric store. Nothing manly in sight. Including the male employee...

After JoAnns we headed to Target to get some Christmas shopping done for Mason. That was a total bust. We got him one toy. ONE! We did get us a new UNO game. UNO Flash. Such a blast! Might be one of the best purchases we have made all year.

Now Austin and I are wondering how much to spend on Mason for Christmas. An only child so he never has to share. An only Grandchild on my husbands side so he gets lots of little things from them. He is grandchild number 8 and great-grandchild number 10 on my side. We have to buy him something as his parents but how much do we buy him? What is a good dollar figure? Or should there be a dollar figure? We thought about a bike but then do we just get him the bike or the bike and a couple of little things. Or this bike for Christmas because it is something that seems indulgent for just anytime of year and not worry about the price of it affecting the rest of his Christmas? I know the crazy things that plague my thoughts...

So that brings us to Saturday.

Saturday morning I woke up to a quiet house. You know the eerily quiet. I thought it was a lot earlier than it was so me having to pee snuck downstairs really really quietly. You know so that I didn't wake the child who was sleeping 10 minutes away from our house... I walk into the kitchen and realize it is 8:15. WooHoo on sleeping in!! Anyways realizing it is 8:15 and I'm to be in Webster City at 8:30 or so... got my butt to moving.

I made it to Web City in record time to pick up my friend Jess and her sewing machine. I know!! I got to spend my birthday sewing!! Jess and I headed to the grocery store before heading home. You know we had to get the food for the rest of the people coming over that evening. We spent the day laughing and sewing. Jess got way more done than I did! I got 7 quilted coasters done. And those aren't even finished finished... I still have to get the binding done around the outside... I have another set of those to do and a couple of dish mats and some rice heat pads and a couple of table runners. I will be very busy till Christmas. VERY BUSY!

Around 5 or so we decided we had better start supper for the troupe of people that would be showing up hungry. Chili and potato soup were on the menu and neither one takes very long. We whipped up some corn bread and about an hour later we were eating.

After getting everyone fed and everything picked up we decided to break out the new game. We had so much fun. No more sh*tt*ng on your neighbor because you had no clue who was gonna be next. A couple of times people had to eat their own skip or draw 4 cards. We also played Spoons and Polish Poker. I know you get all of us so called adults together and we just become little kids. Very loud, obnoxious, and annoying kids.

So that is how I spent my birthday. I will be getting my gift sometime next week. I am getting a Kindle. I just have to get it ordered. I was hoping to have it by the time I have to go to my families for Thanksgiving but it just wasn't in the cards. Mainly because I am a procrastinator. That's okay though since they would all want to touch it anyways and I don't like to share really well. (Shh Jess) I mean with my family...

November 20

Today I turn 30.

I think that is all that needs to be said.

I'll be back tomorrow with details.

...

Today is the last day I will be 29. I think I'll go sulk for a little bit. Don't worry, I have plans to get out of bed tomorrow!!

Thursday...

It's a good thing I was productive a couple of days ago because I haven't been today...

I like it that way!!

I have yet to make my shopping list for Friday night. Yes, I need my list. If I don't have a list then I won't get anything I actually need and end up spending twice as much. I don't usually mind that though because it just adds to my stash but I'm trying to be a good girl and that includes not adding to my stash around the holidays.

Oh, and I'm ready for the weather to decide if it is going to be warm or cold and then stay that way for awhile. My finger nails are not liking this warm one day cold the next trend we seem to be stuck in. I've broken 6 nails in 4 days... It's not been my best week.

Productive...

Yesterday was a productive day!!

I completed one whole project and am almost done with a second!! What a great feeling!

Most of the things on my to-sew list are things to be given away. Whether that be baby shower gifts, wedding gifts, Christmas gifts, or birthday gifts. Occasionally there is something on there for just me. Just me!

Now I can cross one of those things off.

I have needed a different bean bag for newborn shoots for quite some time. My current one is an Iowa State one that I got at Target for $5. It is bright red and yellow and shaped like the typical bean bag. I have had the idea for a flatter bean bag in my mind for a very long time. Last night I actually put that idea onto paper and got it accomplished. It is really sad considering it didn't even take me 2 hours and that includes time to cut and sew! I just need to get some filling for it. I thought about just using the filling that is currently in my old bean bag but have decided that I don't want to use the tradition pellets. I am leaning towards foam scraps. 1 because they are cheaper. 2 because they are cleaner. We'll just have to see when I go to JoAnns on Friday.

Austin is actually going with me on Friday. I don't think he is aware of this yet. My birthday is Saturday and he is horrible about buying gifts so we usually go out just the two of us and I pick out my gift. Well, I've decided, this year to combine my birthday and Christmas and get a Kindle but he doesn't need to know that yet. So while we are out on Friday I can coerce him to go to JoAnns. I'll play it that I can't decide what I want for the b-day present but that I need the stuffing for my project. I know just genius!! That's me! And he says I don't know how to manipulate him... While we are there I'll get the rest of the supplies for Christmas presents.

I did complete a wedding gift last night. It is a dish mat. You know for when you take plastics out of the dish washer you can just set them on the dish mat to dry. Or if you have a pan that you don't like to put in the dishwasher. A pretty dish mat! I love it and Austin asked if I was really sure I wanted to just give it away. Evidently he thinks it would look good in our kitchen.

On tonight's agenda is two camera straps. I had made them before and had them setting aside ready to go to their new owners but now I can't find them. So instead of tearing apart my house I'm just gonna make new ones. So much easier.

Whoa...

Where did my day go... Woke up, ate, cleaned the bathroom, did some dishes, fed Zoey, did a little work, fed Zoey, picked up the living room (yet again), fed Zoey, picked up the dining room...

It has just been a blur!

Now I'm gonna finish this here and get started on some Christmas gifts... not very many days left... I decided that they only person we are actually buying gifts for would be each other and Mason. I'll let you know how all that goes after the holidays...

Monday...

We all know how much I love Mondays...

Today though I started babysitting a 3 month old little girl full time. She is so sweet and so quiet and Mason just loves her. And now I'd better go feed said little girl some lunch...

Novemeber 14

I finally got home today... It was a long day. The two gals I rode up with had a couple of stops to make on the way home... I sat in the car at the first stop. By the time of the second stop, Target with a JoAnns next door, I needed to buy another book to read on the way home. After buying my book I realized that they were no where near ready to check out. So I went to JoAnns.

I love a good fabric store. So many possibilities!!

I found my favorite print in a cotton fabric instead of flannel. Well I guess I shouldn't say my favorite but other peoples favorites for little girly blankets and accessories.

I decided to get 6 yards which would get me 4 blankets and some burp clothes and some bibs. I take it up to the cutting counter and the lady takes F O R E V E R...

First she counted out 7 yards instead of 6 and instead of having her count it out again I just said 7 was fine. Then she realized there was only 6 inches left on the bolt so I told her to throw that on there too. She told me that she would have to put it on separate because she didn't know how to put it on her thing. I suggested she forget about the extra inch and just put it in as 7 and 1/16 yards. She said she couldn't because then I would get that inch for free. I countered that as I can one inch samples of any fabric in the store for free... She was confused because the store had only been open a week and so I just decided to go with the flow.

It took her 30 minutes to cut my fabric. One yard of brown minky, two yards of pink flannel, and the 7 yards 6 inches of butterfly I ended up with...

As you can imagine I was just slightly annoyed when I headed to the check out... I finally get everything paid for and head out the door to meet back up with my friends who have just gotten back to the vehicle...

We pull out of the parking lot and that is when I decide to see how much I actually saved at JoAnns by using my coupons... First thing I notice is my total. 25.16. Twenty-five dollars and sixteen cents!! How crazy! I noticed that I didn't get charged full price for the butterfly. I got charged for .196 yards and .167 yards, or $1.16 and 1.00 respectively.

I don't feel bad about getting that much for free!! I have been screwed over enough times by that chain that I just don't care. Will it stop me from going there to buy most of my stuff? No!

And so now I've got plenty of baby blanket making supplies.

I finally got home about 6. It is going to feel so good to sleep in my own bed tonight.

November 13

Well, to start the day off good a good nights sleep is required...

Lisa wasn't feeling well due to her own medical problems, Jodi is getting over her a cold and was up all night coughing, Tracey forgot her mouth guard and was grinding her teeth all night and Molly was snoring softly... I am a very light sleeper. It was not a good combination!

Oh, and did I mention it was hot in the room and we had no window we could open.

Anyhoo... Tracey, Molly and me all got up around 7:30 and got dressed to go to the conference. It was really good and I always get so much out of it. I won't bore you with the details but I would encourage you to go next year. It is always a good time!!

AAfter the conference Tracey and Molly headed home because they had obligations tomorrow. Lisa, Jodi and me headed to supper and of course more shopping! Then we saw a bowling alley. It was early enough that we decided a little bowling was in order... I rocked with scores of 96 and 58. A sad thing considering my average in the leagues Austin and I have been in over the years have been around 170. But you know that is with my custom drilled ball and my own bowling shoes. A huge difference in quality, weight and comfort...

After bowling we were on the way back to the hotel and Lisa saw a KMart so of course they had to stop!

Now we are back at the hotel and I have a bed all to myself and am really hoping for a good nights sleep. The drive home should be interesting. We will be driving home through some snow. By the time we get up in the morning there could be 3 inches of the of the horrible white stuff on the ground.

I knew winter was coming but was hoping it would hold off for a little longer. Mason and I played outside Tuesday barefoot... Now we get to build snowmen and sled!! Yay!!

November 12

Note: My phone obviously doesn't like to post when I push publish...

This morning I woke up early, got dressed, threw my bags in the car and headed up to Webster City to meet up with some friends for the long drive to Rochester Minnesota. I was so proud of myself that I was actually on time!!

It was a great day for a drive... right... It was cold a rainy and windy!

Our first stop was Medford. Yep! An hour out of the way. For what you ask. Shopping of course!! If you know me then you know that shopping is not my idea of a fun day. Especially a day of shopping with 4 women who love to shop. None had anything specific they were looking for. Just shopping for the sake of shopping... After several hours of shopping we headed on over to Rochester. The roads were slushy... and it had started to snow.

After getting to our destination city these same girls noticed we were early and decided to do some more shopping. I know! Even more shopping!

We finally got to the hotel and dressed we headed to the Hearts at Home Mom's night out. We got to hear Sally Bauke. (www.funnygalsal.com) She is so funny. But maybe I just think so because her husband is also a 'nerdy engineer' so I understand what she means when she makes fun of him...

It was just such a great night that it almost evens out all the shopping. Almost!

Now it is late and I have to get up early in the morning. Tomorrow should be fun! Right now though I get to enjoy a night of child/dog/husband uninterupted sleep.

November 11

Today I found myself driving to Cedar Falls to watch the Fremont-Mills Knights taking on Armstrong-Ringsted in the state football semi-finals.
It was such a great game. Our Knights played with honor and heart! They had such a great season it was so wonderful to see them get so far. I hope their momentum carries over to next season. I think having the semi-final trophy in the case will just motivate them to get back there next year.
Now that my throat hurts and my head is still pounding I'm going to bed. Got to get up early to head to Rochester for the Hearts at Home conference. Girls weekend! Woot woot!!