Friday Fox

How freaking cute is this little fox ring?  I wants it!

Waz up?

I am out of photo space.  I am not sure how all that works but I apparently need to buy storage space?  Boo.  I am a little more than half stupid about pretty much anything that has to do with computers.  So until the boy half can help me I think I am going to go with witty words......  We are in trouble peeps! 

Oh wait here is a little video from the lovely Paul Simon. 

Anyways.... We had a great Thanksgiving weekend.  Nick had from Thursday until Saturday off from work.  That was fantastic!  I am truly grateful for my sweet husband and the sweet babies he gave me.  I hope yours was a fabulous holiday!  Now on to Christmas, yeah?

Embracing change

We have been doing a little adjusting around here.  That is probably the biggest reason for the lack of posts.  OH and we lost a set of rechargeable batteries so we have been switching them around to all of our electronic devices.  Obviously the computer mouse has been getting the short end of the stick.  Rechargeable batteries are crazy expensive!  I know they save me money in the long run but damn! 

Anywho... back to adjusting!  Nicholas, my fabulous husband, just got a new job and has been working a boat load.  That means 60-70+ hours most weeks.  That also means that I am now a SAHM.  YAY!  I feel like I have to pinch myself whenever I think about it.  I don't think it has really sunk in yet.  I have worked since I was 16 non-stop.  This last week we have been adjusting to never seeing Nick and to me being home full time.  Not seeing Nick has been rough for me and the kids.  He is part of my happiness.  That is not to say that my happiness depends on him entirely.  But he is by far my favorite person in the world.  He puts a smile easily on my face.  I am not trying to sound whiney!  I am so grateful for the sacrifice he is making for our family.  He amazes me more everyday.  I miss him though!  Whine whine whine!  I will say that the time we have together has been extra special.  We never fought much before but we haven't at all since he started 2 weeks ago.  The kids go nuts for him every time they see him.  It is freaking cute!  I think the four of us are already appreciating each other more.  Lets see how we feel a few months down the road!    

The whole point of this is to say that we have had some major changes in our life the last bit.  I am trying to learn to embrace change.  Which has never been easy for me!  Really who is it easy for though?  If you adjust well to change please give me some advice on how to accept and love it!

Weekend Links at the beginning of the week...

So you know how I am supposed to do the NaBloPoMo?  I am a slacker.  Haha!  Pretty much story of my life.  Anywho..... Want some links that I was suppose to get up on Saturday?


Cute ways to wear a bow in your hair.

These DIY beaded tights are lovely!  They would be perfect for a holiday party. 

A wonderful thought on not giving up on your dreams.

Ten pictures of classic couples.  How does one become half of a classic couple?  You obviously have to be fabulous and famous.  I am pretty fabulous ;) but I am in no way famous!    

I love this photorito lens wrap.  I just need a cool lens to wrap up all safe in it!

I want the vinyl record of the She & Him Christmas album for Christmas this year.  Yes I am obsessed with it like pretty much everyone else in the world!

This retro camera print is basically perfect in every way.

Friday Fox

Cute fox hat!

Thankful Thursday

Is it redundant to be doing another thankful post about my husband?  Well too bad!  Nicholas pretty much totally rocks.  He is so willing to work hard for our family.  He recently took on a second job so that I can quit mine and be a full time mom (!!!!).  It brings tears to my eyes and a bit of guilt.  But it mostly brings an overwhelming sense of pride for Nicholas!  He is such a good and fearless leader of our family!  He has taken the responsibility in stride and with a smile on his face.  He is an amazing example to our children.  How could I be so lucky?

So on this Thankful Thursday and every day of my life I am thankful for that big hunk o'man of mine!  

Halloween Re-cap

Halloween Re-cap!  I know that I am a little late with this but I really loved Halloween!  I didn't want it to end.  This year the kids were a vampire and a vampire princess.  Easy and inexpensive costumes!  WOOT!  We had a neighborhood party the Saturday before.  Nick and I were given the lovely task of taking pictures of the night and we really slacked!  HA!  The day before the kids went to a cookie decorating party.  Halloween day Nicco had school and his first Halloween parade.  I pretty much loved it.  That afternoon we heading up to the Foothill Village shopping center and trick or treated.  We have gonw every year and I love it!  Safe and fun.  Of course we also went through the neighborhood.  Lola was having a hard time keeping up with the big kids.  It was sort of sad!  Her bucket got too heavy for her so I helped her carry it.  Next year the rule is of you can't carry it then we are done!  I am learning as I go here.  On to the photo dump.

Little Vampire and Vampire princess.

She obviously was in need of some blood!

Nicco insisted on wearing the fangs even though they hurt his mouth.  I know now that it is better to spend an extra dollars and get the flexible ones!  Still learning again.

Home-made root beer.   

Vampire at his parade!

Trick or treating in the strip mall.

Sunday Songs

I love this song and I find her charming!

Weekend Links

I am planning on doing a halloween re-cap next week (i know I know everyone is so over Halloween!).  We had a fun one this year!  We are in a candy coma over here.  And it doesn't show any signs of stopping!  I am going to dive back into the candy bucket so on to the links-

I was just telling Nicholas that I was wanting to learn a little coding so I could improve my blog and that is when this happened!  It is kismet. 

Have you seen this crochet challenge from The Curious Pug?  I am going to participate this month!  That granny square pillow is really rad.

Oh pasta!  You kill me! 

I am wanting to do a few handmade things for the kids for Christmas and this doll house is perfect for the girl baby.  Or this one! 

Love this list of 48 things to be grateful for.  I need to remember this!  Especially with it being the month of thanks and all. 

I want to do this 5 minute game with my kids.  We all need to feel loved!

I want boots!!!  Like these ones.

It's Friday- we're in love!

I love my kids!  And they love me and their dad.  But you know my favorite thing about all this love?  Those two kids love each other so so much!  It does my heart good.  We might be bad parents in some ways but we have got to be getting something right.  At least one thing- HA!  I am not sure how it happened but Nicco is Lola's champion and Lola is Niccos' biggest cheerleader.  They fight really fierce but they love even more fierce.  I never thought I wanted children but I am glad that our Heavenly Father shook his head at me and sent me them anyway!    

NaBloPoMo

So you know how I have been a little bit of a slacker blogger?  I am wanting to change that!  So I am signing up with blogher and doing NaBloPoMo.  Basically you post everyday.  And they couldn't make it easier since they give you daily prompts if you need them.  I was like, what?!  Go here and sign up and blog along!

Sunday Songs

I have liked Pink Floyd from my teen years.  More than half my life at this point and I don't see that feeling changing ever!

Weekends Links

via

It is UEA weekend this week!  It has been so great.  We have just been lounging around hanging out.  That is my favorite thing to do with my little family.  We were "spooked" this week.  That is when someone leaves a treat on your porch with a little poem.  Then you have to do the same for two more homes in your neighborhood.  We have been total slackers and haven't done it yet.  HA!  We will get on it this weekend (maybe the beginning of next week really).  Our spook friends left us a huge pumpkin!  It is the perfect addition to the porch.  I took the kids to see Brave at the dollar theater this week by myself.  It went extremely well.  I am shocked and very pleased.  I am one of those moms that has always been afraid to go anywhere alone with my kids.  I am a big baby but it is hard to do entertainment type stuff with the two of them!  They always want to go in opposite directions.  But I think we finally can venture out more just the three of us.  That is liberating!  Especially considering that Nicholas works nights.  Were you aware that everything happens at night?  Well it does.  Awesome.  Shall we link?


I need to figure out how to make this pattern for a reversible baby vest big enough for Nicco and Lola.  They would both like wicked cute in it!

I love Totoro!  So so much.

This fox print is pretty much amazing.  Really this whole Etsy shop is amazing!

I love this bloody drip nail tutorial!  Perfect for Halloween.  And it is simple enough that a nail polish novice like myself could probably actually do it.

This huge jenga is pretty amazeballs and I want to make one!

I need some black flats and I want these ones.  The price is a bit out of my range so I am going to be on the look out for something a little less expensive.  *sigh*

6 old-school habits to teach your kids.  I love this!

Thankful Thursday

This is Nicco.  And that picture pretty much sums up exactly what he is like.  He is so rad!!  He has more energy than any one I know.  He is in constant motion.  Nicco is so kind and friendly to everyone he comes in contact with.  Plus he is freaking hilarious!  I love seeing his sense of humor develop.  He is not little kid funny either- he is like real people funny!  He is a hard worker.  He started school this year and he has rocked it!  I am proud to be his mom.  I love my boy!  I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to be his momma.  I don't know what I did to deserve to be the mother of such an amazing human being but I say thanks everyday that he chose me!   

Weight Loss Week #11

So last week my goal was to lose 1.6 pounds making it an even 18 pounds lost.  Well I blew that goal right on out of the water!  I lost 3.2 pounds.  YAY!!  I am now up to 19.6 pounds lost.  I am so proud of myself.  Only .4 pounds left to hit the even 20.  Awesome!  So guess what my goal is this week?  Yeah .4 pounds.  Just kidding guys!  I want to lose 1.4 pounds.  

I am going to continue to count my calories this week.  I need help figuring out this whole water thing.  I got to get it my body but I am having a hard time with the desire.  Maybe I should just look at it like it is non-negotiable.  It might not be my favorite thing but it is absolutely necessary.  

On to my really revealing pictures!  I think I am going to be taking my pictures in stretchy pants from now on.  They leave nothing to the imagination!

I am pleased to say that my back rolls are shrinking!  That is the place I can see the weight loss the most.  

I like this list of 9 healthy snacks.  I am hoping it will help.  Snack time is my hardest time!

Weekend Links

This week has been pretty sweet!  We went to our first SEP conference with Nicco's teacher.  It was great!  We have been worried that he was a bit too young to start this year.  He started out at the beginning of the year being behind the rest of his class.  But he is right up with them now and we couldn't be more proud of him!  He has worked so hard and it is paying off.  We got the kids new LEGO sets this week and they love them!  Lola picked a little girl beach set and she loves it!  I am so glad that there are finally LEGO sets that are geared towards girls.  I feel like I am a crazy mom with the LEGO's.  Those bad boys are expensive so every piece that gets lost makes me stress out.  I need to sit back and just enjoy.  They are playing nice with each other with them- I need to remind myself of that silver lining every time they misplace a piece.  Another bright spot is that Nick has officially been at UPS for a year.  Which means that his health insurance started.  WAHOO!!!!  The kids and I still have another six months to wait before we are on it but we are on the down hill slope!  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Check out this Frankenweenie cake!  AHHH!  It is green inside.  Do I need to say more?

This DIY bunting is super neat.  You could customize it any way!  I think I will be making one this month.  I needs it!

I am not positive but I am pretty sure that these gradient blocks will make your kid smarter.  

We have a running joke that my family are the black sheep of our extended family.  I think this print is necessary!  And it is true- we are actually the black sheep.  

So far I haven't had a single hater here because all 28 of you followers of this little blog are super kick butt!  But that is not to say I don't have haters in my real time life.  If you have had any haters in your life then This post is a must read! 

OH my gosh this chick!  She bikes a seven passenger bike.  Seven!!  She loads up her bike SUV with her kids and goes.  I can't even make it around the block carrying me alone 4 times without needing to stop.  Yeah I should exercise more.

I want an exact replica of a human skull in my home.  Not because it is Halloween time- I want it up year round.  Weird or rad?  Depending on how you answer that we could become fast friends forever! 

Weight Loss week #10

I am two days late with this update but at least I am here right?!  So I gained .6 pounds.  I know I shouldn't be bummed out about that just over half pound but I am having a big time plateau over here.  Is it really a plateau when I am being a major slacker?  Probably not. :)  Lets raise a glass of metabolism boosting water to re-re-recommitting! 

I am using the Lose it! app again.  And so far this week I am doing great at not going over my calories. I am also still working on getting my water intake up.  But I hates it!  It makes me feel great to drink water but I am not a fan of the lack of taste.  Except the water Nick brings home from work.  I am telling you that UPS water is the best water.  I haven't been able to convince him to fill me up a gallon of it every night.  It might look a little tacky I guess.

To the stats- I am still down 16.4 pounds.  My goal is to be 18 pounds down by the end of this week.  I can manage 1.6 pounds right?!

I need to get out of the shade but it was bright!

Loverly side view

And from behind.  

I am feeling comfort food lately.  But that can be bad for the diet so I am going to try this lightened up meatloaf.

Thankful Thursday

That is Lola.  I am grateful for that little girl.  Lola kicks ass!  For real that girl is a firecracker.  She is stubborn and a little crazy.  And hilarious and tender hearted.  She has had to over-come some very difficult things in her short life.  Well really just one.  Lola was born without fingers or a full thumb on her left hand.  She does have little stubby fingers and most of her thumb luckily!  She has amniotic band syndrome.  Which essentially means that a piece of the amnion wrapped around her fingers and they just never developed in the womb.  It is also what causes cleft palates.  Unfortunately she has already had to deal with kids being mean.  She is three!  It breaks my heart.  Fortunately all that happened was some missing fingers.  Other people have not been so lucky.  

I think that is why she was blessed with a her crazy personality!  This experience has made her more compassionate and kind.  She accepts people with no question.  She doesn't take no for an answer!  Lola is completely fearless.  She is smart and can figure out a way to make things work.  She uses her left hand to her advantage as opposed to a disadvantage- which is what most people see it as.  I am so glad I get to call her daughter!    

Is it week 8? OR maybe 9?

So this is week what?  Like 8 or 9 for my weight loss journey.  I am losing track.  I can't even say how much I have gained or lost this week.  I stepped on my scale this morning and it said I lost 3 pounds.  I was crazy excited!  I got off of it and stepped back on just to make sure and it said I had gained four.....  So what I am trying to say is that I think my scale is on the fritz.  I am hoping it is just a dying battery.  Or maybe I will go with the 3 pounds lost.  I need a win this week!  No I am kidding (mostly).  I will be replacing the battery and maybe getting a whole new one this weekend.  So I will be back with a real weight loss post next week.  

These are the only pictures I have this week.  I had to work and run people to doctor appointments today so I decided that pictures were a low priority.  I hate when life gets in the way of me living my life!  

Nice shot eh?  It was the only full frontal. Yes people I said full frontal.  And you guessed it- I am naked under those clothes.  Full on!

And now onto the sassy side view.  Eat your heart out!

 I think I am going to try this oven fried chicken recipe this weekend.  It is supposed to be healthy.  I need all the healthy recipes I can get.  I haven't got the faintest clue how to cook to lose weight.  I guess I will figure it out one recipe at a time.  I will let you know what it is like.  Any and all help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Cranky Owls

I love owls- doesn't everyone lately?  I am getting over cutesy owl stuff though.  I want sinister and mischevious looking owls.  It seems like how they are in real life.  Like these:

Check out those eyes!  He is none too pleased.  I love this print on the dictionary page- um rad!

How about this guy?  This photo is awesome!

I love how he looks like a scraggly, cranky, wise, old man owl.   

Okay seriously?!  I saved him for last because well I am sure you can guess.  This photo is so beautiful and unique.  Love it!

You can buy any of these on Etsy- just  click the link under each picture.  I love Etsy!  Best part is that they are all under 30 dollars.  Inexpensive and amazeballs.  Win win!

Orange sweaters and skinny jeans!

I think this will be my fall wardrobe.  Short sleeved sweaters and orange.  Those are my only two criteria.  From there on out I don't really care. 

Weekend Links

I have nothing to report this week!  I do but I really want to get outside with my family and enjoy the nice cool weather while it lasts.  So on to the weekend links.

These state prints from q.a. designs are wicked cute!  And it is a free download to boot!

I know that everyone is a little sick of Gotye's Somebody That I Used To Know.  But I am still enamored!  Especially with this version.

I love handmade things- I have always said I would rather pay a bit more and buy something handmade.  Check out these shoes by ELF!  Considering the quality and that they are leather they really aren't expensive.  Well they are for me right now but I want some!!

Need a pick me up?  Look at this list of 10 ways to improve your day.

This is a shirt that my both my kids and I can love.  Freaking awesome!

This Victorian Artificial arm looks like an art piece to me!  Weird that is was a functioning artificial arm.  It is beautiful!

I am starting to really think about Christmas.  It is coming whether we want to admit it or not.  I choose to proclaim it from the mountain tops.  It is the most wonderful time of the year!  Pun so so intended.  Any who..... I think Lola needs one of these Gnome babies under the tree! 

Thankful Thursday

Can you see those happy colors up on the mountain there?!  It is happenin' people!  I am happy that it is fall!  I am grateful for the weather change.  I am not a hot weather sort of person.  The season changes really make me wonder at the world.  And wonder at an awesome God who created it for us and with us in mind!  We are supposed to have beauty in our lives!  I can't deny it when I see those oranges and reds and golden yellows. 

OH and the smells of fall!  The damp leaf smell and fires burning.  Ginger and clove.  Oh yes I love the smells of this time of year.  Plus I love pumpkin- like a lot.  The color, smell and taste of pumpkin.  This is the only time of year I eat pumpkin flavored things.  It makes it more special for me. 

Fall is motivating for me too.  I am not sure why that is but I feel crazy motivated to do a million and one things!  So many projects- so little time!  My creativity gland swells 12x during this crisp season.  I feel unstoppable!  I wish I could bottle up this feeling and make it last all year. 

Well I am off to burn the autumn candle at both ends.  I don't mind as long as it smells like spiced apples!

    

Easy Spiced Cider

I love fall!  The sounds, the sights, the smells (I will say this about the Christmas season as well!) and of course the tastes!  Pumpkin spice and all things nice.  One thing that screams autumn to me is apple cider.  I have a crazy easy and crazy fast spiced apple cider recipe for you.  It is slightly adapted from this recipe

Spiced Cider

1 12oz can of frozen apple juice concentrate- 

mixed with water according to directions

1/2 c. red hots candy

1/2 cup brown sugar

Mix all ingredients in a medium pot and simmer until red hots are dissolved.  Bingo bango.

Easy and fast and bueno!  I think I like the more complicated recipe a bit better but I can't complain considering it cost me two dollars and about 15 minutes of my time.  It gets super red so it would be fun for Halloween night after the festivities to warm up.  OH and it is pretty sweet so you can really omit the brown sugar but it is nice when you sip it.  Plus I feel like the brown sugar gives it a little more depth of flavor.  I found the red hots candy in the baking section in the bulk goods at WINCO.  It was the twonkie brand and they were called cinnamon imperials.  

Hand Stamped Pashmina Scarf

I feel like I should celebrate fall a little.  So how about this next week is all about fall?!  

Cool temps come with fall and scarves come with cool weather.  I have 3 of the exact same pashmina style scarves.  Nick brought them home to me last year from a store he has inventoried.  They were a gift with purchase that apparently no one wanted.  I decided to figure out something fun to do with them but it was a when I get around to it kind of thing.  Well finally a year later I am gettin' around to it.  At least around to one.  

I hand stamped it using this post from Kelli Murray's blog as inspiration.  I love the way it turned out!  I love the rough and uneven look.  I eyeballed the placement and I love that it really looks hand stamped.

I apologize for the wrinkles and bad lighting.  It was a dark and lazy day today!

I like how it shows the pattern when free hanging.

But I also love when it is all tied up as well!

/

Sunday Songs

Foo Fighters is one of those bands that I can always listen too.  I never need the mood to strike- all though it does often.  I love them that much!

Saturday Links

I am going to have to do a full post about the State Fair!  It was so fun.  It was my second time going my whole life.  I went the first time when Nick and I were dating.  Now it will be a yearly tradition.  I don't want to get too into all of it because I could go on forever.  I will say that it was one of those days that makes all the other days of the thankless work that often comes with parenting totally worth it!  The reward I guess.  That makes it sound like every other day sucks and that is not true.  We have good moments and bad every day actually.  But this was a particularly fabulous one!  It seemed like the kick off to Autumn for us too.  Speaking of Autumn- today is the first day of fall!  Are you going to celebrate?  I am trying to think of something to do to kick it off right.  Maybe some spiced apple cider?  Who knows.  Here are some Fall inspired links to get the juices flowing!  

Caramel Apples seem like a fall treat to me.  Yay apple season!

Comfort food like Mac and Cheese is the perfect way to end a cool day.

A loverly DIY wool poncho to stay warm on an Autumn day.

Pumpkin bars sounds perfect.  I have actually had these bars and they are so good!  You can't really go wrong with Paula Deen though.

Fall is the beginning of boot season!  I have a hard time finding boots to fit over my massive calves but I want some for the cold seasons.  I think maybe some short boots are in order.  And I think this DIY boot accessory would be great to change them up!

How fabulous are these hanging leaves?!  So fall!  

Cute little fox plush in a cardigan?  Yeah that looks like fall to me!

Weight Loss week #7

SO you know how when you miss a couple days blogging when you are super busy and you apologize and everyone is okay with it?  I missed a few days this week and all I can say is that I flat out didn't turn the computer on.  I kept thinking I should but I didn't day after day.  And it was fabulous!  So here is my weight loss post a couple days late.  

I haven't lost anything.  I took the week off from the scale last week.  I think that had a lot to do with it. I can't say that I regret it though.  I needed that break.  To be totally honest I am grateful that I didn't gain.  Between the fair last week and the fact that the month of no sugar is over I am a little surprised that I didn't gain a whole mess of weight!  I am back on the wagon again this week.  Keep on keeping on!    

My goal weight loss is two pounds for the week.  I am going to work on portion control and continuing trying to drink all my water.  Last week I mentioned that I want to drink 100 ounces a day.  I have yet to do that.  It is hard!  Maybe I should pull it back to 62 ounces.  That would be more feasible for me considering that I usually drink about 8.  Yeah it is that bad!

On to the pics of the week

 Don't mind my goofy face....

or my less than lovely background....

or my backside ;)

a little update

We have officially been in kindergarten for 3 weeks.  So far so good.  Nicco seems to love it.  Truth be told I think that he has a little tiny crush on his teacher.  I am so loving that!  It is his first crush on someone outside the family.  I was his first or so I like to think.  Sigh....  He gets moony eyed when he sees her.  Talk about great motivation for him to work his tiny tail off!  I don't blame him for loving her because she is gorgeous and nice and fun.  She is pretty much the epitome of Kindergarten teacher.  He has learned how to write his letters up through M so far.  Numbers up to 4.  His 4's are the stuff of legends!  They are so good.  I am a proud momma! 

Lola has started getting into a little routine without Nicco.  She still misses him while he is gone.  She is pushing through and handling it better and better every day.  It is a little sad when we pick him up- she runs up to hug him and he runs from her.  It upsets her a lot.  He is her everything!  She gets him back though so I can't get too upset with the boy!  That girl always gets her revenge ;).  

Nicco has made friends easily.  I however feel awkward on the playground waiting for him.  It is weird that you can stand next to someone practically touching and not speak.  Some of the moms even ignore you if you speak to them.  What the hell?!  I swear it is like high school all over again!  And I am the geeky eyeglass wearing band geek- head gear and all.  Oh well- their loss cause I am rad!  K?!  Rad!  Why is it so hard to make friends as an adult?  Or is it not hard and I am just making it hard?  Why can't we just become friends automatically like kids?  They can both like a rock and all the sudden they are besties.  That has not been my luck as an adult.  I have made some great friends online!  Maybe I don't translate well in the real world.  That could be it seeing as how I am wicked awkward in person.  Like it might not be endearing but just creepy awkward.  I like to think that it is endearing but I might be just fooling myself.  Maybe I try too hard.  Desperation is a stinky cologne and all that. 

 Oh well I am not changing.  I have tried to be anything but myself in the past to please people and make friends.  That sucks so bad.  Nothing is a bigger blow to your self esteem than that- when you decide you aren't good enough without having to be told that by someone else and then it not working out.  You get rejected twice!  Once by yourself and then a second by the other person.  BOO!  I am over it.  I refuse to be anything but me from now on.  If you don't like me then screw you! 

Deep for a little update I think.  That topic has been nagging at me though.  I needed to work it out apparently!