Snow + Dirt = Snirt

Winter sucks. We are SO not leaving the apartment today...

 Occupying our time attempting to teach the baby how to eat real food.

Annnnd hosing her off in the tub afterwards.

Lounging about in footie pj's. In a grumpy fashion, of course...

Chatting with each other. Too bad I'm usually not in on the jokes... they speak a different language to one another. I'm sure of it.

Rolly-Polly

Le sigh... they grow up way too fast.

Hello, is it me you're looking for?

Has it been a year already?! Wow... sorry about that! I swear I've been busy! Don't believe me?

Well, check this:

1. Pregnant with 2nd baby. It's tough, okay!

2. Taking care of house and first kiddo while attempting to potty train him. Ugh... why didn't anyone warn me how tough THAT would be?!

3. Working my 9 to 5 at the local Cable Company.

4. Supporting my husband as he worked on finishing his Masters.

5. I had said 2nd baby on June 15th...

6. Moved our family of four and all of our crap across the country to Philadelphia. (With the help of my Mom and Stepdad, thank goodness.)

Now I'm lucky enough to be able to stay home with my babes every day instead of working a crappy 9 to 5. It's a LOT more work, but worth it.

Well, here's to New Years resolutions. If you didn't already guess by now, mine is to keep up with this blog thing. Wish me luck!

Cigarettes are bad, MMMKAY?!

Cigarettes have long been one of the greatest loves of my life. I've smoked consistently since I was about 15 years old and only been able to quit for VERY short stints. The longest time that I went without was while pregnant with Jack and a year after he was born. 2 years without tobacco seemed easy. Then one day, the stress got to me. I broke down. Again...

I hate the control that smoking has had over me for all of my adult life.

So, I quit 3 days ago. I found out that I'm going to have another baby, so obviously I have to. I also made a promise to myself that this would be the last time that I did this little dance with my beloved Camel Lights. No more games. I have to just cut the cord and send them on their way... for good!

Now, I'm chewing gum like a maniac.

Crying randomly... which could possibly be hormone induced and not caused by lack of smoke inhalation. We'll go with Nicotine Withdrawal for the purpose of this rant.

 (God, I'm pathetic.)

And what is the thing doing the best job keeping me sane, you ask? Why, SEWING of course!

Gotta keep the hands and the mind busy to really kick a habit. Thank you hexagons! How, I love thee...

 (Obviously making these guys for a Christmas project.)

I think I'm gonna make it this time. It's always soooo hard to quit. It seems even harder this time around than ever before. I don't want to go through this again.

HAIKU TIME:

I really loved you.

But, you didn't love me back.

You made my breath stink.

Goodbye, my love. Goodbye.

Color Inspiration, Courtesy of Alaska

We went to Alaska to hang out with the fam this summer. Lot's of good food, beer, laughs and GREAT memories. 14 days just wasn't enough, and we left with an urge to pack up all of our stuff, sell the house and make our way back. It was THAT good.

Breathtaking is the only word that can really describe the landscape. The colors are phenomenal. The air is clean.  It's just... totally kick ass!!

Ahhh... how I love poppies. Be still my heart.

I need to have a house built right on this spot.  Can you imagine waking up to THAT every day?!

Boy, howdy! SIGN ME UP!

I can't wait to make something with this pallet. I might just have to make my way to the fabric store today... ANY excuse is a good excuse for that!

I love the pumpkin patch!

It's my second favorite time of the year... FALL is here!

Awww, yeah! Breaking out the hoodies!

We decided to take our offspring to the pumpkin patch last Saturday and had a blast :). The little man was a handful to say the least. It was the PERFECT afternoon to let him run around like a maniac and burn off all of that energy.

Yes... he really IS trying to pick up a pumpkin almost as big as him. Needless to say, there was lots of grunting and gasps for air. But, if he is anything... he is a muscle man. He picked it up and promptly threw it down to break it.

Needless to say, we ran the other way. Shameful, I know.

This cow is trying to EAT a little pumpkin... Did you know that cows even LIKED pumpkin. Maybe he's just a freak of a cow, I dunno. It was weird.

Jack, The Chicken Whisperer.

 Me. Being happy and loving the outdoors, albeit a little bit grungy looking with my bandanna on.

Jack likes to climb things. Totally fearless. I was freaking out the whole time...

Can you say "overprotective"?

There were lots of pretty colors to inspire me. I especially loved this planter...

All in all, a GREAT day. Got some pumpkins. Had some family bonding time. Definitely left with an urge to create something as beautiful as the nature that inspired me.

And then I fell asleep on the couch. So much for that.