I've Ordered Hand Stamped Necklaces... Runner Necklaces!

I've ordered two necklaces from the Etsy store Gracie and Me Design.  I'm so excited!

One is a mommy necklace for my daughter's best friend's mom.  She's done so many nice things for my daughter that I wanted to give her a nice present.  I choose a family necklace with spacer beads.  It's so pretty on the site so I can't wait to see mine in person.

The other is a runner's necklace for a work friend who needs some cheering up.  She completed her first half marathon in 2010 so I've ordered a necklace to commemorate that amazing feat. I hadn't seen necklaces like this before and I think they are a great way to show someone how proud you are of them.

The artist, Barbara, has been a joy to work with.  She responded quickly when I contacted her and is such a sweetie!  I also think her prices are quite reasonable.  I've seen so many places that have beautiful jewelry but it's far too expensive for me to afford.

I've included some pics from her site but I'll be sure to share the final results with you as well.

Oy! What a Month!

I've been out of the blogging game for several weeks.  It was a combination of several things... all of them stressful (naturally)!

Number 1 is that hubby developed a severe case of cellulitis in his leg.  He's on his second round of antibiotics and is getting better but it's still not completely clear of infection after nearly a month.  I could post pictures but I'll spare you that (except you Beck... ask and you shall receive!)

Another issue is that rather then working in the office one day a week and telecommuting the rest of the week, I've been required to be in the office nearly every day this month.  That's nearly 2 hours round trip each day.  After getting home and making dinner I've had little energy for anything.

But I'm going to keep plugging along and hopefully things will be getting better soon.  I've missed blogging and having time to read all of your blogs too!

Ok, I love you, bye bye!

I miss you Summer, come back soon!

Wordless Wednesday

My babies

Wordless Wednesday

A few pictures from my trip to CA nearly three years ago when my niece was born.  The handsome guy is my nephew.  I can't believe it been so long!  They're getting so grown up!

Dystopian and Anti-Hero Book Reviews

I won the book Matched, by Ally Condie, from Karissa's blog (Thanks!) and I loved reading it!

First of all the cover is awesome.  This is a case where it's okay to judge a book by it's cover.  The picture is pretty and it has a very cool rainbow like holographic effect.

The book is about a dystopian future and a girl that is beginning to see the problems with the society she lives in. There are similarities to the society in The Giver, but this book focuses more on the main character then on the society.  I really enjoyed this book!  See Karissa's review here since she describes it far better then I can.






 The second book I want to tell you about is Something Missing: A Novel by Matthew Dicks.  The main character is a thief who thinks of his victims as "clients."  This was a fun fast read and it's a departure from the standard story line.  There are some great comic moments in the book and I highly recommend it.

Saving the Earth... One Tissue at a Time

It's nice when little boys care about saving the Earth.  As evidenced by the below conversations my sister and I have recently had with our little boys, they take being green to a whole new level.

*sniffle snort sniffle snort*
"The tissues are right there on the shelf if you need them, Aiden."
"No thanks, mommy, I have my hand."

"I think that may be the worst thing you've ever said to me in your whole life."

Boy: Ahchooooo!

Me: Do you need a tissue?

Boy: *SNIIIIIIIIIIIFF!*  Not anymore.

I Know What Boys Like

Boy:  Mom. do woman understand everything about boys?

Me:  Well, we do understand SOME things about boys, but not everything.  Like we don't understand why you like The Three Stooges so much.

Boy: Oh.  Well, I think the thing women really don't understand is that we just LIKE guns and fighting.

Me:  Yes, you're right, I don't understand.

I thought that was very insightful for an 8 year old with Aspergers.  I expect it was brought on by several years of his mother sighing and saying things like "you wouldn't want to kill a REAL person with that light saber right?"  to which I would receive an eye roll and a disgusted "Mommmm, light sabers aren't real you know!"  

Which really isn't all that reassuring when you think about it.

The boy with some "knights in shiny armor"