That Mouth!

While looking through old pictures of myself I noticed one thing over and over again. My mouth. It was always open, like someone was catching me mid-sentence. This idea of self importance started floating through my head. What was I saying that was so important that I couldn't stop for 5 sec and smile. Or maybe I was singing? No I know I was chatting. I use to get notes sent home from school about my constant chattering. I was a good student but I just would not stop talking. I started going through images of 2010 for printing and what did I notice? James's mouth is always open. Poor kid.

Crock the Pot

Crockpot is our newest addition to this crajeeee household!! He is super cute, cuddly and we all love him very much. His paws are huge, his poop is to. Just keeping it real. He has melted into the rhythm of the pack and after a few days of growl fests it seems as if he has been here all along.

Hurry.. quick.. faster..

I always feel like I am rushing from one place to another, constantly moving. My hand always on someones back tapping them out the door or one hand tugging on another to move. One of my "quotes" is "get ta movin" What the heck does that mean.. Get ta movin, redneck anyone? This morning it was just me and the tiniest bird of course running late. I gently tugged, pulled and encouraged him out the garage door. Does .. "you better hurry or else I am leaving without you" count as gentle? Here I was three bags in my hand, clutching a snack in the other and struggling with the keys to get the mini van door to open. I saw James head disappear and I hear his tiny little voice squeak out, "come here mama, look at the snails, there are lots". I rush over to the other side, 1. to make sure he wasn't going towards the street and 2. to tell him to leave the snails alone and get in the car. This is what I saw..

How was I supposed to drag him away from one of the wonders of every small child's life. The travels of snails. How excited he was, "look at the big eyes mama, ewww gross". I dropped the bags and crouched next to him and we hung out for a bit looking at all the snails and how they were moving really fast ..... for snails that is. He was thrilled and I was sad. Sad that me hurrying could have made him miss such a simple but amazing adventure. I have to stop and slow down. I forget that this little sponge needs some water to soak up. He walks plenty but only to get to places. Does he really stop and inspect like I use to when I was a child. Monday- Thursday just feels like this circus and I am the clown juggling all the balls. Then Friday - Sunday we all recharge and try and slow it down but why does it only happen on the weekend? Why can't every day be treated like a weekend? What did I lose, a few minutes late to work. Hmm late for a job that while I am grateful to have is not very rewarding, doesn't make me so happy and fulfills maybe my pinkie finger full of satisfaction in my life.

By coincidence I read a blog post this afternoon that touched on this same topic. www.huffordhouse.blogspot.com. It seems like I am not alone in this challenge of life. So I ordered a patio set. You know because thats how you slow things down. You sit your butt down. No but really, I need to make these nests around the house. I need places for each of us to get comfortable and rest our weary heads. Less running around and more experiencing. It's a good thing.

Update on 33 before 34

1. Mail out 33 postcards or hand written letters, and no Christmas does not count Not even close. I have to get on this! 2. Find 10 new places to eat Santa Barbara - Jeannies Baker, Santa Cruz - Tacos Moreno, San Fransisco- Louies, Blue Mermaid, Fisherman wharf, 3. Try 33 new recipes Ok this is still a work in progress. Enchilada bake- :(, everything else has been good, turkey meatballs, turkey chilli, all sorts of veggie soups and cream style soups. 4. Learn how to sew on paper and in journals nope 5. Spend 33 minutes outside on the sidewalk with chalk nope, coming up 6. Take 33 self portraits working on it, thanks iphone!! 7. Walk 33 minutes or more 2 times a week HAHAHAHA Haaaaaaaaaa NOT winning on this one. 8. Scrap 33 pages I suck. 9. Journal 33 prompts Coming up! 10. Photo shoot with mom and dad YES Done! Oak Glen and it was Fab! 11. Do a week cleanse at least twice Once only, I didn't really like it, Ok actually twice if you count the unfortunate Ikea food poisoning. 12. 33 random acts of kindness 13. Craft a lot of my Christmas presents nope 14. Buy more Etsy and less Target I have been frequently using Etsy for buys, Julia's b-day was one occasion! 15. Build a nest Yes for Julia's birthday decor 16. Wear more vintage house dresses 17. Wear my fun extensions more often Photo shot! 18. Spend 33 minutes a day working on crafty goodness HAHAHAHA haaaaaaaaaaaaa 19. Photograph 33 new subjects in Macro 20. Eat 33% less taco bell Yes, thanks to Weight Watchers I have eaten less Taco Bell. Which means less of me! 21. Plant 10 new things in the garden, starting with lettuce 22. Blog 33 times 23. Spend 33 dollars in a candy store (that one is going to be hard) 24. Find 33 different ways to tell the kids how much I love them Ok doesn't making dinner and washing clothes count as ways to tell them I love them? 25. Take a 33 day challenge of some sort, maybe walk 33 minutes a day for 33 days? 26. Watch 33 movies, thanks Netflix We got rid of netflix so this one doesn't count! But we have gone to the movie theatre more than ever. That means 2 so far. 27. Once a month craft days 28. Once a month purge days How about once a week purge days!! 29. Host a girls only camping retreat in the cabin Must plan! 30. Take a online class on a new crafting concept Of course, Brave Girls counts right? 31. Pick a subject to photograph and start a collage 32. Host a Porch Wine Night 33. Live in the moment and recognize it, journal it, craft it, express it, share it

Crockpot and stuff

So I am going to just come out and say it. No more babies, which meant all the clean non-broken baby gear from Baby James went to the great yard sale in the sky. I was sad. So then I bought a puppy, because you know puppies are so sweet and cute and hardly ever need anything like to be feed more than once a day. Puppies don't need diaper changes either. They need whole kitchen tile floor changes. The are so quite as well, not once single yelp or cry or protest .. on the first night. Night number 2 was a whole different story. No but really. We have been thinking about a new pup for awhile and when I came across the Olde English Bulldog I was in LOVE!! He had a name before he had a home. He smells like puppy and he is HUGE! His poops are super size already so we know this guy is going to be big. I love him and his rolls...and his droppy eyes and his muzzle. His pink lips with littke black dots.. I want to eat that puppy. Hmm that doesn't sound quite right.

So Charlie is less than thrilled. He growls and what not. He has the stink eye perfected. Piddles.. hmm she thinks she is hot stuff. She's not. Oh piddler on the roof, you are such a muttzuuu. Charlie Babbit, your a young ole man. Welcome home Crockpot. We love you!

Oh and something new this Spring. Sunday Bloody Mary/Mimosa brunches with Joan and Scott. Soon will be the Friday night porch drunk extravaganza's. With boxes and all. I look forward to spring for more than one reason now.