Ooh baby, baby!!!

My love has 2 nieces expecting babies within weeks of each other.  I have met one niece, but not the other.  I hope to someday.  It doesn't matter, though.  Babies on the way mean this Nana is craftin'!

Niece #1 is the niece I have not met.  She and her husband are expecting their 1st baby, a girl.  I  had this flannel in my stash.  Stitched the two pieces together, then crocheted around the edge.  Very sweet and feminine, I think!  (Please forgive the photography.  I'm a better crafter than photographer!)

Niece #2 and hubby are expecting their 3rd child, a boy.  Of course this flannel was in my stash.  I intend to stitch together, edging with the white ric-rac in stead of crochet.  While I love the crocheted edged, it's very time consuming!

Again, please forgive the photography!  The original inspiration came from here:

http://www.littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2011/07/no-hemstitch-crochet-edge-receiving.html

So after this blanket is complete, I think I'll applique some onesies, make some booties, and maybe some hats. Oh, and how about some of those cute little clips to hold a binky!  My head is spinning!  I gotta get busy!!!!

Make it an awesome day!
Lori

 

Look at them.  Aren't they adorable?  Well, maybe adorable isn't the right word considering they are adults.  It doesn't matter, because they will always be my babies.


She is 24, he is 18.  This photo was taken last fall.  Never have two people made me happy, made me cry, exasperate me, and humble me the way these two have.  During my divorce, there were days I got out of bed only for them. I would've just given up, but I knew they needed me.  They are my reason why, my greatest joy, and make me so proud.  I am blessed beyond belief, and so thankful to God for giving me the honor of being their mom.


Over the last couple of months she has been dealing with some health issues.    She is fine because the doctor caught it early, thank you, Jesus.  Yesterday, she posted this on her facebook:


I've learned after these past few months, NEVER say NEVER. If you think something can't/won't happen to you, it probably will.... Don't take life for granted, cherish every moment you have, you never know when your time is up...

Wise words from my girl.  It's interesting to me that she posted this because she works for Hospice, and death is part of her daily work life.  She is so good at what she does.  She amazes me.  I've realized what a strong woman she has become, and I believe that strength has helped her work through the emotional roller coaster she has been on for the last few months.  Well, that and lots of prayer.


So, listen to my girl.  Cherish this life, because it's the only one you have.  Thank God everyday for the blessings He gives you, and never let anyone doubt how much you love them.  "You never know when your time is up....."


Make it an awesome day!
Lori

TAH DAH!!!!!

I am a stress eater.  There, I said it.  For all the world to know.  I realized I was a stress eater when I was going through my divorce a few years ago.  I was have a perfectly fine day, driving down the road, singing at the top of my lungs to the radio.  I saw my soon-to-be ex-husband driving down the road in the opposite direction.  All of a sudden I craved a hot fudge sundae so bad that if I didn't get it I was afraid I would hyperventilate.  I drove straight over to Dairy Queen and indulged in a large hot fudge sundae, with extra hot fudge, thank you very much.  And afterward.....felt like crap.  I was not the least bit hungry when I ate that sundae, and felt so miserable afterward I wanted to lay down and sleep the rest of the day away.

My love and I have been together for 2 years, and during that time I've put on about 12 pounds.  Now, our relationship has had it's up and downs like all relationships.  Add the stress of everyday life, and this Nana is starting to look like a Butterball turkey.  I decided it has to stop.  Now.  So about a month ago I decided to join Weight Watchers online.  It has been one of the best decisions of my life.  In 4 weeks I have lost 9 lbs, and that is only changing the way I eat.  I haven't added exercise like I should.  (Have I told you time is something I seem to run out of everyday!)  I have a ways to go,  but I am so happy and excited about this program!

The best thing about this weight-loss journey  is that My Love is very supportive.  He truly does not care if I lose the weight or not.  He wants me to be happy and healthy, and toting this extra weight makes me neither.  He knows I have a chocolate addiction, 2nd only to my diet coke addiction, and is always looking for treats I can have that won't blow my points.  He is willing to give up butter in exchange for heart healthier spreads.  And he joined a gym with me, even though that time thing is in the way again.  I love him so much for all of his support.

Some of you may know this little recipe, but I'm usually late with this kind of thing.  I found it on Pinterest (don't you love Pinterest?), and it's only 2 WW points per cupcake.  YAHOO!!!!  Music to my ears!

All you need is a sugar-free cake mix (chocolate, of course), a 15 oz can of pumpkin, and 6 oz of chocolate chips. Mix the cake mix and pumpkin until well blended.  The batter will be very thick, so use a mixer.  Fold in the chocolate chips.  Line your muffin tins with cupcake liners, and I spray them with non-stick spray.  You can fill the tins almost to the top.  I try to round them off, and make them as uniform in shape and size as possible.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 min.  DELICIOUS!!!!  Do they take the place of my Grandma's homemade chocolate cake and icing? No, but they cure my mid afternoon chocolate craving,  and do not blow my points for the day.  That's a win for me!!!

Oh, and the stress-eating thing?  When I start craving some random thing I ask myself what is stressing me out?  Then, I get busy.  I clean, I pray, I craft, or sometimes go for a walk.  Don't misunderstand, because I am a work in progress.  I am not perfect in this process, but I've come a long way, baby......

Make it an awesome day!


Lori

The Weekend is Near!

Happy Friday Eve! This has been a crazy busy week, and I am so happy the weekend is near!  I had big plans to hit the gym this evening, then bake my low-fat, low-cal cupcakes.  As I was getting ready to leave work, my daughter called and said my aunt and uncle were in town. So....family won out.  Cupcakes will wait for the weekend.  The gym?  Well....maybe....

I must say this blogging is fun, and I am learning something new.  I am not a techy person, therefore you will gradually see changes as I learn more.  Thank you for your patience.  I have soooo many ideas floating through my head!  I. Can't. Wait!!!!!!!

Make it an awesome weekend! 

Do something you enjoy, and try to rest!
Lori

Be Intentional.....

Tell me something, please.  Does time get away from you?  Please tell me that I am not the only person on this earth who has trouble with time management.  A coworker told me today that time is one thing he cannot get back, so he is very deliberate about his time management.  Almost obsessive, actually

I decided to start this blog to create a bit of accountability for myself.  See, I have great ideas for crafting, home projects, baking, and the like.  I have great intentions to be productive in my spare time.  So my thinking was if I wrote a blog I have to complete some of these projects to share my utter brilliance and creativity with the world.  HA!  I should have know better!

I had intended to bake cupcakes this evening, and share the recipe with all of you.  But my Love needed some help with his real estate, so the cupcakes are put off.  Sorry folks.  I promise I will share these awesomely delicious, low-fat, low-calorie (I promise they truly are) cupcakes in another post.

The point of all my babbling is what my co-worker told me today is absolutely true.  You can't get time back.  There are soooo many things I want to do, see, and experience in this big, wide world, and not enough time in my day.  So I am trying desperately to "Be Intentional" about my time management.  It is something I struggle with.  If I am given a plan of things that need to be accomplished, I'm the woman to get it done.  If I have to create that plan????   Ummmm......well....not so much.  Sooooo....if anyone has some great time management strategies, please please please share them with me.  What works for you????  What doesn't work? What do you struggle with???

And remember....this post is meant for audience participation!

Make it an awesome day!
Lori
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Random facts.....

How about a bit of randomness about me to start this blog off.  


I live in a house with a stone facade that my friends affectionately refer to as "Falling Rock."

I do not like marshmallows, or whipped cream.  It's a textural thing.

I have a cat named Elvis, and a dog named Presley.

Twenty-four years ago I was blessed to become mom to my daughter, Aubrey.  Her brother, Jordan, followed behind six years later.  They are my reason why.

I am addicted to diet coke.  It's the whole fake sugar taste that I'm addicted to.  I try to limit the amount I drink, but my day is not complete unless I've had one.

I have a brilliant, handsome, talented, perfect grandson named Elijah.  He calls me Nana, and he is my heart.  If you don't believe that he's the most amazing child to walk the earth, just ask me.  I'll tell you all about him.  It's my duty as his Nana.

I met the love of my life two years ago.  We were introduced to each other by.....HIS MOTHER!!!!!  Can you believe it?  Sometimes, mother truly knows best!

My best-friend and I call each other "Honeylove."  Don't judge us.  You know your jealous 'cuz you don't have a Honeylove.
I think that's all for now.  Please leave me a random fact about you.  This is meant to be audience participation!!!

Make it an awesome day!!!
Lori