Crafty Christmas....

Okay... so it all started with this blog post from Vicki Howell, one of The queens of Knitting & Craftiness, IMO anyway :)

The Stocking I had, was one that my first husband bought for me when we were dating.. um that would have made it... 13 years old & did I Mention it was from my first husband? LOL So when I saw Vicki's post.. I knew that, THAT was my future stocking!

I did add my own craftiness too it and used a cut in half foam ball and some yarn to make my yarn ball and used my die cut machine to cut out the letters for my name :) and stars were more chirstmasy than hearts for my needle ends... so here is MY NEW Stocking :)

While making my stocking I remembered that I Hadn't bought one for Abbey yet... and since we call her Abbey Bear.... her stocking was born....

While Make Abbey's I realized Ashley didn't really have a "personalized" stocking of her own... So... She wanted Hello Kitty :) and so her stocking was born...

When i told Jake how the girls and I were going to have cute similiar stockings with our fave things on the front.. he was jealous.. and so... his stocking was created and born.... a Ninetendo WII remote and console for those of you not savvy on video games :)

Merry Christmas!!

This was supposed to be posted a long time ago... it was saved in my drafts sorry here it is :)


Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, I believe we were all very spoiled here. We had a good Christmas! Jake's Mom sent us our Christmas box, filled with wonderful gifts and goodies for everyone!!

Christmas Eve we had our usual get together with my Mom, our dinner theme this year was BBQ Christmas, I smoked some ribs and we had potato salad, deviled eggs, rolls and yummy baked beans. Everything was so good!!! Mom spoiled all of us! Jake got a Dremel tool and and coffee maker and I got an awesome PINK suitcase to use for my retreats and a pink camera bag that I'd been wanting forever and of course the girls got all these goodies . . .

Then of course we had Christmas morning with the girls, Abbey's first Christmas :) The girls got very spoiled by Santa and Jake and I didn't do too bad... here are some pics from that :)

See how we all were spoiled? Wonderful Christmas!!!

I've Been A Very Bad Girl!

Okay, So you know how a child is with a new toy? Well, I have a fairly new toy, It's called Second Life. For a former SIMS addict it's a very addictive thing and well frankly I seem to have an addictive personality to things I enjoy, knitting, scrapbooking, food.... well you get the point, So as it goes, I've been spend a LOT of time playing SL and not a lot of time blogging. I'm still functioning and doing my Motherly, Wifely and Housely duties, Just not my blogging duties. They've been neglected & I am sorry for that.

So no more guilt and moving forward I present to anyone who cares enough to read and myself a new blog :)

Let's see, I see here that my last blog post was on December 4th. Not too long ago but a LONG time ago in Blog-Time. So what has happened since then...

On the 7th-9th I went to another wonderful Scrapbooking retreat at the wonderful Stolen Moments Inn with some very good friends. It was a wonderful weekend as always. I had a wonderful time and got lots of goodies completed and lots of ideas from the other girls about projects to start. hee! Great fun is the be had there with all of those wonderful ladies :) TY Teresa for hosting & Susie for providing such a wonderful location :)

In between then and Now, Ashley managed to catch something at school called "Fifth Disease" which sounds much worse than it actually is, She healed from that and then caught some Nasty stomach Virus TWICE then gave it to her poor sister :(

Jake is back to working a somewhat normal schedule but is only getting one day a week off.

I've been cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, shopping, wrapping, and playing lots of SL which we've already talked about :) So now time for Pictures. . . .

Here are some things I finished at the retreat...

In knitting land I finally finished a scarf for Ashley that took me a year to knit because I kep putting it off.

The project I'm working on today is painting a coat/backpack hanger for Ashley's room :)

Okay I guess we're all caught up now :)

Christmas-y Things...

Well, Christmas is so close and I still don't feel the spirit of it. The older I get the less I feel it and I don't want that, I want to love Christmas like I did when I was young....

We did get our tree up... & I did actually get some cards made up to mail out this years.... So here are some photo's from that. We put up a little tree this year instead of our big one since Abbey is really getting into things a lot now...

They took Jake off of nights, just when we were getting into the schedule of it all and now he's back ON days and they told him if it get's real busy then they may put them back on nights *scream* I'll be glad when this ShNUFF is over!!!

Abbey has a Dr's appointment tomorrow, but I'm going to call and reschedule. I'm leaving Friday Morning for my weekend Scrapbook retreat and I have a lot to get ready before I leave...

We went Saturday night and bought Christmas for the girls. We need to get Abbey one or two more things, but otherwise we're done. So next payday will be buying for each other and our parents and Siblings. We pretty much already know what we're getting so we're in good Shape just gotta wait for the money to get it!

I did get one of my presents early though.. hehe!! Jake bought me an HP all in one Photo Printer, Scanner and Copier. I have a Dell 4x6 photo printer that I used the heck out of, But I wanted to be able to print larger pictures sometimes and to just have a good printer in general, So far so good, I'll be printing out pictures today that I'm going to work on this weekend :) Yaay me! Digital Photo's rock!!

Okay guess that's about it for now.. I'm not feeling so great today.. PMS getting the best of me this time.... and Ashley's home from school sick... that helps don't ya know? LOL!!

Till' next time!

Do You Love Christmas Music?

We love Christmas music and I came across this blog today reading another blog.. They have several free ablums available for you to download of Christmas Music... Check it out!

http://falalalala.com/

So I haven't posted anything in awhile. That's bad of me. Jake has been working from about 7pm to 8am and sleeping until about 5pm everyday. It's been hard, definately a change for me. not having him here to help me manage two girls. It isn't killing me by any means, It's hard to adjust too. It means a little less time for other types of things.

I do have a new addiction.. I think I may have mentioned it in a post before, It's Second Life... You can check it out on their website. http://secondlife.com/ It's a lot like the SIMS if you've ever played that but so much better because your interacting with real people. It is it's own little world.. You create you a person & You can rent places to live or even build places to live, Shop for Clothes and furniture and there's all kinds of places to hang out and dance and socialize.. and lots of event's that happen that you can attend. It's so much fun, I love it and would love to have more friends on there to socialize with, So if you think you might be interested in playing please email me and I'll send you and invite, I get credits if you go thru me :) missmandigirl @ sbcglobal.net

I haven't done any Christmas shhopping. NONE, That's bad... but Jake will get his first big check this week and I'll be on my way. Two girls to buy for this year :)

I have my scrapbook retreat in 2 weeks, I'm looking forward to that for sure. I haven't done any Scrapbooking since the last retreat!! Oh my.

Not a lot of knitting going on. Since most of my knitting happens while Jake and I watch TV together. I have worked on a KAL a few times. But not much else.

That's about it for now I guess.. Till next time!

Just A Ramble In Time...

Honestly, I have nothing exciting really to post about! LOL!! I just felt that I should blog since it had been a few days. Abbey is keeping me on my toes these days, For while there she hadn't figured out how to get her walker over the living room carpet to other rooms, So we could "trap"'' her in there while I cooked and things, Well now she's figured out how to get over those humps of Carpet and She's into everything! LOL!! However one evening while I was cooking dinner and trying to keep Abbey out of the kitchen Ashley came up with this very cute and clever idea :o)



Friday was Oklahoma's 100th Birthday. Ashley's school was celebrating and they asked that the children be dressed and Pioneer children did 100 years ago. So this was Ashley's dress up. I know it was a bit before Strawberry Shortcakes time but Jake's Grandmother made Ashley this adorable Apron and I couldn't resist letting her wear it :)


Jake has begun his night shift at work. Only for the holidays. it's hard keeping quiet around here during the day when this is the time I normally clean. I had also gotten spoiled to having Jake here to help me get the girls ready for bed and for now it's all on me since he leaves for work at 7pm.

We finally seem to have gathered enough ladies to meet to knit to actually call ourselves a group! LOL!! We had our 3rd meeting last night at the Library, Sabrina, Myself, Misty and Amanda were all there, Four of us, The biggest meeting so far, We do have a few other ladies interested so maybe they will make it to the next one.We had a ball last night, it was fun knitting and talking about her kids and husbands & life in general. Now I understand why knitters love their knitting groups so much! I can hardly wait for our next meeting.

Thanksgiving is here, Thursday, It snuck up on me this year! But we have mostly everything bought that we'll need. I need some cream cheese for a Cake I'm making but otherwise I think we're all set! It will just be our small family get together. Mom, Kristi, Me, Jake, Ashley & Abbey. I'm thinking next year My Mom's side of the family needs to get their business together and have one big Thanksgiving. it's been awhile since we had one.

I have a new addiction I'm afraid. It's even more awesome than The SIMS!!! I've been hooked on playing Second Life!! I love it so much, it's awesome. It also makes me realize how badly we need more ram for this computer. But I've been having a lot of fun on their messing around. It's a awhile other world on there!!

That's about all I guess. I do still have some recipes I Need to post over on my recipe blog. So I guess I'll tend to a few of those now :)

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!
Mandi

What Time of Day are You?

I did this because I Mel had done it. This describes me to a T!!!

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

What Time Of Day Are You?

Wednesday's Words..

Hello Blog & Bloggers :o)


Everthing is going good. Nothing very exciting going on, which is always good. Means more time for the blog & knitting of course.. Today I'm thinking of dragging my scrapbook stuff out and working on some more of Abbey's pages that I didn't finish at the last retreat. I'm going to another retreat in December, I'm so excited about that!!

I got my hair cut and highlighted the other day. I'm on a mission. You know how when your a SAHM some tend to kind of stop dressing up & fixing your hair and putting on make-up, Well okay maybe it was just me. I know I feel better if my hair is fixed & etc. So I'm on a mission to do that for myself every morning. So far so good. I know that letting myself go is not a good thing for me. It's so easy to stop caring for yourself when you have others to care for. But I need to do this for me.. Plus Jake likes it when I do.. and that is another plus...

Ashley got her hair cut as well, about 5 inches off. Guess what, No more throwing fits in the morning when she brushes her hair! Things have been so much better in the mornings now! Woohoo!!!

Jake has started to work the crazy "Peak" hours at CC Distribution. Which means a lot of hours and little time at home. This weekend will most likely be his last weekend off until after the holidays. Ashley will be with her Daddy this weekend and we've already asked Mom if she would mind watching Abbey for us while we go on a date. The busy season is always hard for me and Jake because we don't get a lot of alone time with each other and we both need that. Not sure exactly what we'll do on that Date yet.

I've been knitting on odds and ends stuff. I did finish a ballband hanging hand towel. Part of a set that I'm working on for a special friend of mine. I created this one by just working the ballband pattern until it was as long as I liked and then I decreased at each band. worked 4 rows and decreased over and over until the hanging handle was as wide as I wanted it to be and worked seed stitch with one YO for the button hole.

I finished this kings cozy. I don't like that it doesn't have a bottom and the bottle can slip right out of it when your holding it. I love the design though and need to come up with some way to add a strip across the bottom.

The weather here has been absolutely insane. But that is Oklahoma for you. Last night it got so hot we had to turn the AC on in the bedroom, IN NOVEMBER. Today it's getting cold and I need to find a pair of socks to put on. I don't think we're going to have a winter at all & Global warming is a scary thing...

Okay not much else going on, I have a new recipe to post on my recipe blog, So I need to get to that. I've not bee trying a lot of new recipes lately. I've been cooking cheap and easy things. Hopefully I'll pick back up on the new recipes soon.

Have a great week!!!

Mandi

I don't usually do these, But this one is kind of neat and I'll do it for Mel :o) I was tagged by her and She's ma new sweet friend :o) She rocks, Check her out..
http://lilknitofthisandthat.blogspot.com/

So, here goes:

38 Things About Me That You May Or May Not Want To Know......

1. Name one person who made you laugh last night.

Ashley, She asked me why my hair was sticking up (spiked int he back) I told her because I liked it that way and asked her if she liked it, She told me no, I asked her why and She said people would think I was crazy... ROFL!!! Sorry kid, they already do!

2. What were you doing at 0800?

Dropping Ashley at School.

3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?

Making another cup of coffee and starting the dishwasher.

4. What happened to you in 2006?

We moved and I got Pregnant.

5. What was the last thing you said out loud?

to Jake on the phone (It wasn't me that called your work, maybe it was your girlfriend) LOL!!

6. How many beverages did you have today?

2 Cups of Coffee

7. What color is your hairbrush?

Green

8. What was the last thing you paid for?

Ashley's School lunches

9. Where were you last night?

At home...knitting and watching TV

10. What color is your front door?

White

11. Where do you keep your change?

In a huge empty Crown Royal Bottle. Yeah it was mine when it was full too...

12. What's the weather like today?

Overcast & Chilly

13. What's the best ice cream flavor?

Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey

14. What excites you?

Yarn Stores, Scrapbook Stores, Money

15. Do you want to cut your hair?

Just got a cut and color yesterday

16. Are you over the age of 25?

Yeah, But whatever.. I don't feel a day over 21

17. Do you talk a lot?

most of the time

18. Do you watch the OC?

No, never seen it.

19. Do you know anyone named Steven?

I know of Someone, a friends ex-husband.

20. Do you make up your own words?

No. I'm so not that clever!

21. Are you a jealous person?

I can be, yes.

22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter "A".

Anna Marie

23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter "K".

Kristi (My Sister)

24. Whose the first person on your received calls list?

Jake's work number.

25. What does the last text message you received say?

From Susan, we will have to get together at my house now. Love you.

26. Do you chew on your straw?

ugh, No

27. Do you have curly hair?

Nope.

28. Where's the next place you're going to?

To meet Jake at work with his lunch since he forgot it.

29. Who is the rudest person in your life?

My Grandmother, I choose to not have her in my life anymore than neccesary.

30. What was the last thing you ate?

Spaghetti for dinner last night.

31. Will you get married in the future?

No, This is my second and last marriage.

32. What's the best movie you've seen in the past two weeks?

I haven't seen one in two weeks.. :-P Want to though!

33. Is there anyone you like right now?

Family & Friends & Rosie O'

34. When was the last time you did the dishes?

I'm doing them right now as I type this.. haha!!

35. Are you currently depressed?

No, I never feel depression, odd I guess.

36. Did you cry today?

Nope

37. Why did you answer this post?

Because Mel wanted me too!

38. Tag 5 people who would do this survey....I hope....

1. http://relaxaspell.blogspot.com/ - Brie



You may want to leave a comment on your "tag-ees" blog (okay maybe I just made up my own word) to let them know they've been tagged....I'm sure they're going to love me for it. :)

Tuesday Ramblings...

Where to begin, This morning was a doozy. Ashley (my 6 yr old) is NOT a morning person. So just getting her out of bed is quiet a chore, Then I have to try to get her to dress herself, make her bed and worst of all.... Brush her hair.. She has long hair, She loves her long hair, But in the mornings she does not want to brush the tangles out, Instead... She wants to have a fit and scream about it for an hour and tell me that she wants me to brush it... This morning was no different.. except this morning she took longer and was late for school which caused her to miss getting breakfast. When we pull up to the school she wouldn't get out. So I took her in.. then she wouldn't go into her classroom. I did explain to Mrs. Allen about the mornings events. and she did help me to get Ashley into class. She told Ashley that at home we have choices just like at school and that her choices have consequences just like at school... Ashley seemed to understand.. and calmed down and went to her class. I tell her that also, but it never works that well for me... Raising children is so hard.. I've been doing a lot of praying lately . . .

With that out of the way...

The Volkswagen show was this weekend in Fort Worth, We went with our frines Michael and Misty and My Mom got to tag along with is this time. We got to see a few different cars than the ones we saw in the Eurika Springs show, But there weren't as many. So it was a small show.. but here is my fave...

And Jake's fave...

We had a great time!! While we were down we stopped at Central Market & World Market and Picked up some various flavors of beer, We love that we can make our own Six packs at these places and Jake loves trying new beers.

I also visited a yarn store, There are three there in Fort Worth, They are so lucky, I'd love to have JUST one! I did buy me a skein of sock yarn... I'm working on a pair of basic ribbed socks with the jojoland melody yarn and I'm not too fond of the way the yarn feels for a sock.. So I bougt some On line sock yarn, superwash wool... I'll see if I like they way it knits up better. Speaking of knitting, I Have a knit in to go to at the Library, I'm looking forward to it! I wish we could get more people to come!

I did get something finished this week, I knitted Ashley a pair of mittens from some leftover yarn I HAd... Yarn bee brand.

I also got a happy piece of mail yesterday... knit picks catalog, Yummy!!! I need a knitting mag subscription... LOL!!

I took the girls to the park yesterday it was so pretty and warm out. Abbey got to swing ont he swings and slide with Mommie's help for the first time. We had a lot of fun.

Well, I better get out of here I guess.

till' next time! (Hugs)

Halloween Time!

Whew! Sugar day has come and gone! haha! Here were the event's of our day...

Ashley's school Carnival was from 9am to 11am. Abbey & I escorted Ashley along with Jenna from her class around to the different games. It was so cute seeing all of the little kids in their costumes, Before they let them play the games everyone "paraded" around for everyone to see their costumes. Too cute!

When Ashley got out of School we joined the Masses downtown for the annual Trick or Treat. it was crowded and exhausting as always. I think Next year we may try door to door for the first time and just find a good neighborhood and check all the candy, Ashley seemed a bit bored with downtown this year. We didn't even get all the way around and she was ready to go. Next year Abbey will be old enough to go and she'll have fun doing it along with someone. Here are some photo's from downtown...

Our Pirate & Hello Kitty Butterfly

Here is what I was up to in between everything on Halloween, I'd had Celebrity Detox by Rosie on hold at the library and they called to let me know it was in... I've always been a big fan of Rosie O' I'm also reading Knitting Rules by the Yarn Harlot which is awesome, She is just too funny! and of course OTN was a pair of mittens for Ashley from some leftover yarn bee baby yarn :o)

We also got Abbey a Johny Jump-Up which she loved right away. I guess that's all for this time. We're headed to Fort Worth tomorrow with our friends Mike and Misty for another Volkswagen car show, Mom's coming along with us this time. Should be fun!! Have a great weekend!

Pumpkin Patch 2007

Last Friday was Ashley's class trip to the Pumpkin Patch. This was a different one than Chickasaw Headstart took them to last year. There were more activities for the kids. Mom & Abbey went along with me. It was a pretty day for it... Here are some pictures of the activities they had going.

They Served the kids Hot Dogs for Lunch . .

Then the parents got to make Smores for them....

There was a Hay Maze, a Hay Slide and then a Hay Ride....

Then a cow ride...

Then of course they got to pick out a pumpkin....

Those were our events on Friday. It was a lot of fun, Ashley came home and colored her pumpkin in with markers, Then she put it on the porch for a few hours then stuck it in the fridge for some odd reason.. LOL!!

Kids....