It's all about the gourds...

Wow, what a day!

We decided to pick out a pumpkin while Grammy was visiting and give it a paint job. After Meghan told us what she wanted on her pumpkin (two triangle eyes, a triangle nose and a big smile), I drew it on with a Sharpie and gave her free reign with the black paint. Except that she didn't fill in the shapes, she painted around them. So we have a reverse Jack 'O Lantern. Wanna bet it's the only one? ; )

Click on the play button:


So after we got done painting on Jack's face, I got the wild idea to turn some decorative waxed gourds into votive holders. My mom was SO thrilled with this idea (yeah right). But, I think they came out nicely! Here's my Martha Stewart project for the day:

My latest creation

I've spent what free time I have during the last 2 days making this beaded bracelet. It's certainly not for everyone, but I love the colors I used: browns, oranges, greens and dark purples. It reminds me of harvest colors.



I think I'm about jewelry'd out. The upcoming craft fair at my mom's church has had me making enough jewelry, altered items, and handmade cards to last me a LONG time! Of course, there's still a lot more I'd like to do, but a trip to the craft store is imperative...I'm running out of necessities! *gasp!*

CyberCrop Time!

This weekend is the quarterly CyberCrop at Memory Book Inspirations! I'm planning to get a lot done, I have tons of pictures to scrap! The theme is Fabulous '50s, so it should be lots of fun! Hope to see y'all there!

www.memorybookinspirations.com

Timing is everything...

Y'know how when you see an ad for Coca Cola, it makes you want a Coca Cola. And if you don't have one in the house, you want it even more. A very good example of very bad timing.

So, anybody have a clue what's going on with our country? Good timing for this whole economic crisis, isn't it? Gas prices shoot up, Wall Street doesn't know their head from a hole in the ground, thousands of people's jobs are in jeopardy and we just listed our house. All in the midst of one of the most passionate elections in history. Good timing, huh? DH says that selling our house is the least of our worries...all those poor folks who got evicted from their McMansions are going to be looking for a new place real soon ; )

Meghan's 1st Day of Preschool!!!

It's finally arrived...Meghan's first day at preschool! The "prep work" started last week, and this morning when I reminded her that today was her big day, she was pretty excited.

As I was driving her to school, my hands were shaking and my stomach was in knots. I literally thought I would be sick. Why am I so nervous about this? SHE'S the one going to school, not me! So I walk her in and see all the other parents with their kids, most are dressed to the nines...then here comes Meghan in her pink shirt, denim shorts, and her infamous green, blue, and silver "rocket shoes". Oh Lordy.

After she was settled in her class, bookbag stowed under her cubby and toys doled out, I managed a quick hug and kiss before the teachers politely ushered all of us parents out the door. "They'll be fine, don't worry! It's ok, really!" For 2 hours and 45 minutes I worried that she was unhappy, or that the kids were being mean to her, or that she missed me and I wasn't there...was I even doing the right thing?

So at 11:45 (more like 11:55) I picked her up from preschool and she seemed very happy to see me. She talked non-stop all the way home about what she did, what they read, who she met, what they ate for snack (water, long pretzels and circle cookies with spots) and anything else she could think of. It was the first time I felt "out of the loop" with my own child. Finally, she asked me what I did while she was in school. She asked it with a note of concern in her voice, like what I was doing might have been more fun than what she was doing (not a chance, honey). I reassured her that all I did was run errands and do laundry and she seemed quite content with that.

I'm sure drop-offs will get easier as the days go by. I'm slowly losing pieces of her, a little bit here, a little bit there. I guess it takes me losing the pieces for her to eventually find herself : )

So many things I want to do...

...while Meghan is in preschool. While I'd like to think that I'll spend my time cleaning, grocery shopping, working on the website, etc., I have a feeling I'll find myself perusing Tuesday Morning, sipping coffee at the local cafe (uninterupted, thank you very much), or thinking up new projects to work on, like making some of those super cute hair bows that Meghan won't wear...

I have a feeling that two mornings a week won't afford me the time that I think I might need. Is it bad to say I wish I'd signed her up for 3 days a week?

In all honesty, I'm having a hard time believing that it's really almost September. Which means that Thanksgiving is just around the corner, Christmas will be here before I can blink, then Meghan's birthday, Spring Break, another beach trip...oh my head is spinning.

Like those insurance commercials say, Life Comes At You Fast. Catch it and enjoy the ride!!!

Yes, I've been MIA...

Well, not really. I've been here, there, and everywhere! This summer has been chocked full of fun stuff. We went to the beach in June, Carowinds, Chimney Rock, and a Knights baseball game in July, and so far, a family reunion this month. Whew!

In this picture, Meghan, Tim and cousin JT are building castles in the sand!


And these pictures are from our Carowinds/Chimney Rock adventure!






I'm looking forward to my friend visiting later this month. I haven't seen her in about a year, and we're going to the CK Convention together! It's going to be so much fun!

Meghan starts preschool on September 2nd! It's only 2 days a week, from 9 to 12. She's really looking forward to going to school, and I think the interaction will be good for her. Not to mention that mommy is looking forward to some quiet time!

Memory Book Inspirations is participating in Dalton's Crop for Autism on September 6th. For more information, visit www.daltonhelpfoundation.org or click the link to the right.

We're really not doing much else this month...just trying to stay cool in this 100 degree weather. Hope you had a superfun, supercool summer, too!!!