Last Christmas, I gave you my heart...

Seriously, isn't the title of this post from the most depressing Christmas song EVER (well, besides the song where a little boy had to get shoes for his mom before she DIED.)? Suddenly, on January 12, I have it stuck in my head and now you're stuck with it too. ;)

Gosh, I haven't blogged in ages! I've actually been doing a decent amount of sewing over the past month so I will defnitely have to catch up on sharing those fun pictures. Anywho, for the first time Heather and I hosted Christmas dinner for my family this last year! It was so much fun and I think, at the ripe age of 30, it helped solidify me into identifying as a tride and true adult, for real.

The family came over around 3:00 and we started the evening with appetizers of cheeseballs, meatballs, cookies and other sweet treats. I had the foresight to freeze all of the cookies I received at Tricia's AMAZING cookie exchange earlier in the month which may be one of the top 10 best ideas I've ever had. Not only did it save me from eating dozens of cookies myself during the holidays, but on Christmas day I had a wonderful assortment of goodies to serve everyone and I didn't have to bake one of them. WIN. :)

Michael put on his fanciest bow tie just for the ocassion.

We all got each other a ton of presents which didn't matter one bit; the best gift I ever could have gotten was having everyone I love most in the world all over at my house. It had been almost two years since my mom had been to my house (due to illness- our condo is on the second floor) and having her there filled me with more gratitude and joy than I can properly express.

I have a pretty crafty family and we all REALLY love making and give handmade gifts. This year I made quilts for my mom and sister and ordered headbands (to match their sparkley TOMS) and owl hats for the girls (check out Hitched and Stitched's website, makers of the cute-tastic owl hats, to check out dapper Brady in his custom sock monkey hat!).

Me and Mom with her Christmas quilt.

Laura having a HOOT of a good time- HA! :)

My sister also knitted us all beautiful scarves and the Lollies sewed a Christmas themed pillow case for me!

They did SUCH a good job!

Christmas Day 2011 = FANTASTIC. I'm looking forward to many more family gatherings at our house in the future. :)

a reflection

Yesterday I was sitting at work when my cell phone rang with my sister's number as the caller. I picked up and was met by a stranger's voice saying that my niece, Laura, had fainted and had a convulsion and that I needed to meet my sister in the ER at Children's Hospital immediately. Everything after that is a bit of a blur of tears, Kim taking the phone from me and her rushing me to my sister, as I wasn't in too good of a state to drive myself.

But that call… that call was the closest I've ever come to feeling like my own baby was hurt. Never in my life have I felt the way I did at that moment- not when my mom has been sick, not with any other struggle that has shown its face. In an instant I knew that I would do anything, even give my life, if one of those sweet babies needed something.

I sit here today, grateful that though we don't know what caused the episode yesterday that Laura is in good hands… not mine, not her parents or her sweet Bua, not the doctors' hands either. I know without a doubt that the love I feel for her is nowhere near the love that our heavenly Father feels for her. And though I would do anything in my power for her or her sister or brother, so would He and He has. I'm confident that He's got her in His grip and that He's going to take care of her every day of her life.

Yesterday reminded me of how blessed I am… despite the struggles. How very, very blessed I am because when you take it all away- the family, the friends, even life- I've still got more than I could ever need in Him.

Sending out an SOS to the world!

Did I tell you that my sewing machine broke? It did, about a month ago. Suddenly the needle wouldn't pick up the bottom thread and some things would spin but others wouldn't... just silly. After I spent too much time cursing at it and going through every link that came up after Googling "effing Singer Inspiration effing fixes effing help me", I broke down and decided to take it to the shop.

As was recommended to me by Jessica at Sewn (heeeeeeeey!), I went to Luke's in Blue Ash to see if they could help a girl out. Dude, Nadine at Luke's could NOT have been nicer! She was friendly, helpful and wore jingle bell earrings. I kinda wanted to have coffee and cookies wtih her but that would have been weird. Anywho, looooooooong story short it's going to cost $90 (+ any parts that may or may not be needed) to fix my little guy. Since it cost around $200 when I started sewing three years ago, it hardly seems worth it.

So, bloggie friends, I'm in a pickle! I am in need of purchasing a new sewing machine but haven't a clue where to start! I bought my last one at Sears because it had the name Martha Stewart on it and, despite her man hands, she's kinda the shizzle. Anywho, needless to say, I really don't know what I'm doing when looking for a new machine. Can y'all help me out? What machine do you use? What machines are so lovely you want to send them Christmas cards in December?

Here are a couple that Nadine recommended (note: Luke's offers 50% off sewing machines when you trade your old one in, even if it's broken. say WHAT.)

Elna 340 (replacing the discontinued Elna 2800); $400 at Luke's, after the trade in discount.

Elna 3230; $699 at Luke's, after the trade-in discount. Nadine said it would last me for life. At that price, it better make me waffles every morning too.

I've also heard murmurs about the Oh, Brother (ok, that's not really their name...) sewing machines. Anybody have experience with those? What about Janome? I'm feeling a bit drawn to buying from Luke's because they offer a free lesson in how to actually work the machine (instead of fudging your way through it like I did) but when the most economical is a whopping $400, I have to wonder if there are other options that are equal in quality and durability but not so hard on the pocketbook.

So... whatcha think? Help a girl out!!! I've got a week off at Christmas to sew (and nap and watch movies and eat carbohydrates) but I need a new machine to do it with! :)

PS- On a COMPLETELY unrelated note, take a look at the inspiring message on Tricia's blog today. Don't we all need that reminder?! I know I do, especially after yesterday... thanks for sharing, t.Dawg. :)

It's hell to be white and over-privileged.

Oh, friends; it's been too long! Life has been madness, with a cherry on top known as GRADUATE SCHOOL. I finished up with that mother yesterday though and will not be seeing her face again until January! Unless you count the proposals and planning and other funness I'll be doing for over the next month for an upcoming independent study. But, truth be told, I'm the nerd that doesn't mind that part so much. J

Here I am on day one of my December period, reflecting about life. Because that's what you do during your period when the new year is around the corner, yes? I often think I should have been born Catholic (no offense, yo) because of the guilt I feel about every single thing on a daily basis. But, I suppose my Southern Baptist upbringing may have had a hand in that too. Or maybe it's just me. Who knows.

Anywho, this thing about guilt—it surrounds me. It takes me over and it cripples me. Here are just a few of the musings that have taken residency in my heart over the past week:

• "Oh my gosh, graduate school is so stressful. It's so hard. I can't do this. What is wrong with me?! It's a gift to be able to further my mind and education! Buck up!"
• "I love my _________ (fill in the blank, it could be any number of people) so much. I don't know what I did to get them. I don't show it to them enough. I don't spend enough time with them."
• "I'm spreading myself too thin. I'm not good enough for anybody. I'm selfish."
• "Work is driving me nutty. I need a vacation. What the heck?! There are so many people out of a job right now, who CARES if I'm having a bad day?!"

+ a whole lot more that are just not worth my emotional state to publish on the Internet.

What's wrong with me? Is everyone like this? Is it the holidays? Is it being a woman? Is it my period? Whatever it is, I just want to feel full. I want to feel like I'm doing my best at everything and for everybody and still have just a smidge left over for myself. I don't feel close to accomplishing any of those goals today though.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from life. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

To see other beautiful moments from around the blogosphere, check out Soule Mama on Fridays.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends! :)

TOMS to the rescue!

I fell in love with the mission of TOMS shoes a year or so ago and Heather and I now have 8 pairs between the two of us. Have you heard of the company before? Basically, every time you buy a pair of their shoes, a pair is given to a child in need who lives in Argentina or South Africa. Is that not AMAZING?!

Me and my favorite pair of cozy TOMS- Grey Woolen Men's Classics.

While in West Virginia visiting family last month, I saw that the founder of TOMS, Blake Mycoskie, has written a book on the movement (it's so much more that than a company, in my eyes) titled "Start Something that Matters". I immediately snatched up the book and read the first 50 pages that day when we got home. Well, graduate classes and work have gotten in the way of progressing further but I have literally been counting down the days until Christmas break when I'll have the opportunity to finish this book- among other things. :)

Though I haven't had the opportunity to finish "Start Something that Matters" yet, I have been following Blake's blog and there I read about a contest where, if you win, two copies of his book are sent to you- one to read and one to give away. Just write a review of the book on your blog and on Amazon and give a copy of his book away to a lucky blog reader. How great is that?

Guess what? I won the contest!!! :) I have in my possession two brand spankin' new copies of "Start Something that Matters". And since I already have a copy of my own, I'm going to give away both of these copies on here to two of you!

The catch? Well, there really isn't one. I love this company and their mission so much and I am confident that you will too. I'll post my review of Blake's book some time around Christmas and have the drawing shortly there after. In the mean time, check out TOMS and Blake to get inspired by the great work they're doing. And stop back by here in December for a chance to win a copy of "Start Something that Matters"! :)

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from life. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

 

To see other beautiful moments from around the blogosphere, check out Soule Mama on Fridays.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends! :)

 

a single tree

Truth be told, I adore every minute from the first of September through the beginning of January- it all seems so magical. This fall, though, I have so enjoyed the weather! Here in the greater Cincinnati area, we often go straight from the humid heat of summer to the mind numbing chills of winter with no autumn to speak of but, oh, not this year! It's been effing beautiful. You heard me- effing. :)

I've been fascinated by the transition of life this fall, both in people and in nature. There's a beautiful tree next to our driveway that I've been particularly enamored with and have been documenting it's changing leaves over the past few weeks.

This morning I woke up to our first frost of the season and I immediately went to the bedroom window to check on my little tree.

Yep, she's still hanging in there. :)

"A woodland in full color is awesome as a forest fire, in magnitude at least, but a single tree is like a dancing tongue of flame to warm the heart." -Hal Borland

 

Easy as Sunday morning...

I love Daylight Savings Time!!! What used to be an extra hour of sleep as a child has turned into an extra hour of relaxation as an adult. Our extra hour in the morning consisted of piping hot coffee, fresh blueberry muffins straight from the oven and of course, "Flipping Out" on DVD.

I hope you had a great 25 hour Sunday yesterday too! :)

 



{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from life. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

To see other beautiful moments from around the blogosphere, check out Soule Mama on Fridays.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends! :)