Plumtickled

Reruns.... all the time!

I feel stuck.

Stuck in a life of reruns...... day after day after day......... it's all the same.

Get up, wake kids up, eat a breakfast or two, take the kids to school, walk by pile of laundry, walk by piles of paper on my dining room table, hear our damn dogs barking at what the heck ever is moving outside which causes me to (panic) get up and look to see who might be "dropping by" to see my crappy mess house, listening to Spongebob-Dora-Diego-Backyardigans-Yo-Flippin-Gabba-Gabba, making Amelia Claire lunch, eating a lunch or two for myself, staring at my pile of sewing that is overdue to be sent to England, needing a shower but dreading the cold air that hits afterward, wishing like Hell I could grab a nap but can't since there is sooo much for me to do, As the World Turns at 2:00, time to pick Kavin up, then supper, Darren gets home, eat, pick Cole up from Baseball practice.......... put Amelia to bed and saying goodnight to Darren who has to go to bed at 9:00 so that he will be able to start his rerun day as well at 5am.

Not to mention I am at the point in my pregnancy that makes me look "not pregnant" but just fat.

Throw me a beanie and a pair of suspenders and call me Rerun.

**********************************

So, I was thinking.  I need to get out of this funk...... quickly.  Unfortunately the only way I think I can get myself out of this hole is to start working at each "pile"........ just tackle one at a time until I find the light.  I need the light so badly.

Here's the plan Stan...... Tackle the things that keep you awake at night!

     *Pick up house.  Take a lousy hour to get it all picked up and looking pleasant.  Don't worry about the corners or baseboards.... just pick up the crap......... clear up the crap........... THROW AWAY THE CRAP!

     *Clean out the car.  Darren is car shopping this afternoon & might be taking the "Ozone Depleter" away tomorrow.  Oh, God......... I need boxes.  Lots of big empty boxes for this job!

     *Clear off the damn dining room table.  For all that is good and Holy....... clear the crap off of it.  Good Lord Judi your family eats on the couch and coffee table..... SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!

     *Make something......... ANYTHING!  Bake some cookies or a cake....... you know it makes you happy!  (And a bit fatter.... not pregnanter)

     *And..... the one true thing that keeps you up at night.......... finish your England order.  You're almost done..... work on it tonight till your fingers fall off!  You'll feel sooo much better..... you know you will!

Well, that's my list.  I wish it included: 

     *Get nails done

     *Get Liposuction and/or tummy tuck

     *Get facial, improve the skin!

     *Go shopping for something that makes you excited

     *Lay out in the sun at the beach.... must make sign, "Not a whale, do not roll"

     *Blog about something you've made!

My hope is to get at least two things on my list completed today.  Maybe tomorrow will be a fresh start without any reruns!

How do you get yourselves motivated?

1.4 pounds, MILF weigh in!

I guess y'all have noticed that I haven't been posting about my Weight Watchers weigh in's for a while.  Okay, for about 5 weeks or so....... sheesh......... who keeps up with this stuff anyway? 

Well, I took notice of the post cards that magically appear in my mailbox, reminding me to "not let the busy rush of the Holiday's throw me off track" and "we miss you" and headed out to the Camp Pickney Baptist Church and stood. on.the.scale........ {after peeing out every extra ounce of water weight I possibly could}......... and surprisingly enough, I only gained 1.4 pounds during my absence.

Let me give y'all a couple of  visuals to help you see just how great I did while eating more than I thought I should:

Why this rock thingy...... it only weighs 1.4 pounds.  HMmmm..... that's probably the chunk hanging off my back where my  bra strap sits....... hooda thunk it?

And this little doggy...... his name is Ducky.  He set the world record in June of 2007 for being the smallest dog alive.  So, if we really think about it......... this weight gain would be almost like I was carrying around little Ducky there.  Paris Hilton and her twig ass gains MORE than that everytime she picks up TinkerBell or London or whatever the Heck she's named her stupid little dogs today.  See, I gain weight like that dumb dumb Paris Hilton.

And this gorgeous bag made from a vintage linen and framed by Uptown green. 

Oh, wait!  I'm sorry......... this is the bag I have in the shop right now!  My bad!

{Did y'all like that little shameless plug}

Actually, I have been away from making bags and having fun with my vintage linens and had an extra couple of hours to play with my sewing machine.  I had so much fun...... it was like coming home. 

Using vintage materials and combining them with new........ tickles my fancy like nobody can........ um except for my Angel of a husband. 

So, In the spirit of giving....... and gaining....... I am offering 20% off to anyone who visits my Plumtickled Shop and decided to purchase this bag or any of my Amelia Halter dresses or tops.  Just convo me with your choice and I'll make you special listing.

Have a great day!  And don't forget to enter in the Plumtickled Fabrics drawing on my other blog, it's still going on and boy, have I gotten so many suggestions that I plan to begin following today!   I'll keep ya posted!

{This Amelia top was made from Japanese fabric, with the wolf tracking down the sheep..... I'm saving one for Amelia to wear!  I'm still waiting on my Japanese fabric order in case anyone is wondering what the heck is going on!)

Where I've been

Dear Blog........

How are you?  I'm am fine.  Actually, I'm lying my ass off in hopes of tricking my face into thinking it's not exploding and dropping off of my neck.  You see, last Tuesday I had a double root canal performed.  Yes, I know..... yuck, ouch, oooh, wow and so on.

I won't go into too many details about how the dentist liked to talk to her assistant about each phase of the "operation". 

And I quote:

• "Wow, this is a hot tooth"
• These roots go all the way to your brain!"
• "Can you feel that Judi?"
• "We just need to burn them out and we'll be done"
• "With the amount of Novocaine we've given you, you shouldn't be feeling anything" 
• "Oh, I'm so sorry Judi.  Do you need a tissue?"

All of this was fine and dandy and even went shopping afterwards...... went to work on Wednesday and got all of my orders caught up and sent out. 

Then, it happened.  In the middle of the night the pain hit.  What the?  I finally called the Dentist Thursday afternoon and had to travel all the way back to Fernandina Beach Florida for her to see me.  I walked out with three prescriptions and headed back to Wal-Mart.  I love Wal-Mart, even though they stopped making their Crystal Light brand of Strawberry Sugar Free drink.  (Thank you Brooke for risking your life to get me the last two cans in Texas!).

Anyhoo...... I'm doped up on Motrin 800, Penicillin and Nips.  I'll make it....... I just know I will. 

I get to have brunch with my oldest and dearest friend Jennifer and our mutual friend Lynn.  She always remembers our birthday and this year....... we dissed Jen.  Oh, the guilt.  So, we're taking her out to breakfast/brunch and have a nice gift for her!  She truly is my dearest friend and I hope she receives everything she deserves and all that she strives for!

I'll be posting on the Plumtickled Fabrics blog this afternoon with lots of news.  I've been behind on just about everything but will catch up today.  Um, I hope.

My Kindred Spirit

People....... are you sitting?  Just look........ just look at what I found in my mailbox today...

Let me tell you how it went down:

Just an ordinary Monday..... blah, blah, blah.  Weight Watcher's meeting tonight....... after Halloween Candy Hell Week...... not looking forward to it at all.  Amelia loaded her panties with a surprise at the shop today...... lovely.  Laundry & what-the-heck-is-for-supper thoughts plaguing me all day long.  Left the shop, picked up the boy and went home.

Drove up to my mailbox...... it sits on a huge elephant.... I'll write about that one later........ opened the door and there it was.

*********************

Oh..... how could I stay calm not knowing what lay beyond the yellow padded envelope?  What could it be?  I didn't enter any giveaway...... no, not my birthday, it isn't July...... not Christmas......

With trembling hands I lifted the mystery package from where it laid in wait for the last 4 hours. 

I read the return address and whose name did I find there?  It was my friend's..... my Kindred Spirit from afar....... well, kinda a-close since she's only one state away.........

Meredith.

I had to fight the urge to tear into it with all claws extended...... where's my camera...... FOR THE LOVE OF GOD....... GET ME MY CAMERA!  THIS HAS TO BE DOCUMENTED FOR "THE BLOG".  (Those of you with a blog understand what I'm talkin' 'bout.)

Trying my best to carry in an almost three year old, a purse, the other non-exciting mail and my new something-or-other I already loved........ I had to endure the regular obstacles that I face daily...... Sandy Big Head, Phoebe and all the holes they could dig while I was away.  Our yard resembles Baghdad people!

************************

Breathing was becoming difficult to remember........ all I could think about was what lay beyond........

I found my camera...... planted the girl on the couch....... kissed her boo boo........ and headed out for better lighting.  I couldn't waste anymore time........ I was salivating for the love of all that's Good. 

Carefully, I peeled away the first layer.  Oh, it's wrapped again....... it's too pretty to open....... no wait Judi...... there's more....... more that lays beyond the pretty paper.  Don't let the pretty paper distract you!  Fight it, fight it!

Dizzily, I placed my new pretty paper wrapped something-or-other into the Crepe Myrtle tree.  Click........

Then, it happened.  I lost all control........ something came over me....... it was as if I was floating above my body watching myself .......... like the time I had surgery and they gave me something in my I.V that I've never had before in my entire life, and made me talk really loud about things I can't remember much about............. yeah, that good Ya'll!

**************************

After my brief moment of unconsciousness I found this in the tree:

Oh, the joy!  Oh, the splendor! Oh, the plans I have for my new scarf!  My best Kindred Spirit Meredith made me a scarf....... with her own two sweet little hands!  I LOVE HER!

Then my middle child Kavin came out to see what the Hub-Bub was about!  (I hear that during my "unconsciousness" I was running about talking in tongues or something........ I found leaves in my hair and I don't know where my shoes are..... weird.)

So, he volunteered to take about 22 pictures of me wearing my scarf.  I say 22 because that's how many I made him take of me......... about 21 of them showed my triple chin, my butt-front and whatever seems to have made it's way growing on my face today. 

I ended up using the first one he took.  Go Figure.

Anyhoo......... Isn't it just the most beautiful scarf you've ever seen in your entire life?  I felt every single piece of "special" she knitted into it as I tied around my neck.  To take the time to make me something with two needles and the two colors that I need a scarf made in to..... was so meaningful to me. 

Even Sandy Big Head could feel the excitement running through my veins. 

Look at how Phoebe the dog and Eisenhower the cat are looking at it.  (The cat is up on the left and Pheobe in under the tree...... you can't see them very well but durnit...... they're there and wanting my new scarf like you wouldn't believe!)

****************************

In all the excitement....... I forgot my little note.  I sent the boy outside to fetchit......... and thank God I did 'cause  my Kindred Spirit friend Meredith wrote me a note and sent me this:

It is a sign ............... from God himself.  Tonight....... I'll dig those knitting needles & yarn out I bought before the "accident" and get to clicking.  I just wish my Kindred Spirit Meredith could be here to teach me and whack me on the head when I mess up. 

Oh, I'll just channel......... channel........ channel the lessons from the Grasshopper Meredith.

Thank you Meredith........ my Kindred Spirit, my Grasshopper.  You are great........... I love my scarf and will wear it to every single Charlton County Indians game from now till forever!  Red and Black........ scalp 'em boys!

I'll leave you with picture number 20........ It reminds me of a feminine product commercial for some reason.  Those are my chins....... my cheeks and my ass-front..... don't let them scare you or they'll win. 

I must ask ya'll though......... doesn't my new scarf distract you from them?

Thank you again Meri........ I love it!  I hope you can tell.

Aint' n your Birfday this month?

Blood, sweat, tears & part of a finger!

Meet my leetle friend!  His names is Percocet or Oxycodone for short.......... but I like to call him .......... Mom's Crack.

My Spazoid self totally whacked off the top of my thumb........ including my fingernail yesterday afternoon while cutting out the last of Amelia's quilt. 

The scene of the crime....... minus my finger part that was lying on the fabric.  My sister Debi was kind enough to gather it up and take it to the ER for me....... you know, in case  reattachment was possible.  I totally freaked when all I saw was "meat".  I had no idea how much I cut off and flew straight to the ER.

After the worst shots ever known to man since creation, that were directly injected into my knuckles.......... the pain was better.  But, now I'm left with the pain from the Lanacain shots and the missing fingernail/flesh that I zipped off with my rotary cutter.  Oh and the best part....... she had to poke about 10-12 holes into the remaining bit of my fingernail and nail bed to relieve the pressure of the collecting blood.  Nice.

My ever clever and quick thinking older son Coley......... the highly trained Boy Scout.............. devised an on the spot  First Aid center made especially for me......... ah, he knows me well.  It apparently includes items to help with all of my burns, cuts and boo boos that I collect while in my kitchen.  It's right next to the sink that I use to treat my numerous burns with cold water.  What a kid!  He used duct tape....... it's there forever.

So while I was flying high and totally oblivious to the pulsating pain flowing from my once totally normal thumb............ I made this:

This bag will be given to one lucky person who leaves a comment and/or tells a bit about a klutzy thing that they've done.  It doesn't have to include the ER or pain medication but anything trippy, fally, whacky, slippy or runny into-y something.  Oh and droppy on toesy things........ like the other day when I dropped a 2 1/2 pound jar of Jif Peanut Butter on my big toe....... and yes, it bruised my toe and part of my foot...............  or even how like last night I picked up a hot metal spoon from my stove with my good hand and burned myself.  Yup, life with me is a chuckle a minute.

It's work of prescription pain medication art........ yup.

So.......... as I was saying...... leave a comment any comment....... it doesn't have to be a story...... and I'll throw everyone's name into a something or other and have a kid of mine pick it out.  With clean hands of course.  And..... you can be from another country....... so you over the sea friends........ you're totally invited as well.

So....... I'm off to take another crack pill........ sip on my Wal-Mart brand of Strawberry Crystal Light....... and feel nice and fuzzy and try not to smack my thumb on anything.

Oh Percocet....... where art though?

 

Man with boobs

Yup, that's me......... or, that's the way I'm feeling at the moment.

I was so excited to get my haircut on Tuesday....... days it took to pick out my new "do"........ or as I like to call it now, my new "doo doo".   Why oh why do the hair cut gods do this to me?   For a good laugh, point and pee session?  To make themselves feel better about their haircuts? 

Probably.

So, I have to tell ya'll about my cut.......... it's therapy so just sit back and chill.  I'll be here a while. 

I kinda knew going in that it's a short haircut........ and it might make me have the "small head-big body" look............ but I just threw caution to the wind and said....... "it'll grow back".  Um, someone kick me in the ass for that one........ what was I thinking?

Now, I'm not saying it's as bad as the dude above but, let's just say......... he looks more feminine than me.  I swear ya'll.......... I felt like a big manly tugboat with short darker- than- usual- hair walking around my shop yesterday..... horrible.

And, I'm not over reacting so put those thoughts away.  I'll tell you how bad it is.....

I took my boy Cole to get his hair cut last night....... one full day after mine by the same girl...... who by the way only did what I asked............. and, she even looked funny at me.  Later, she asked....... "so, are you happy with your hair?"....... knowing full and well what she was really asking me..... "holy crap, please don't tell people that I did this to you"..... uh huh.  Nice.

And....... not just that but it's the hair cut when your husband says nothing about.  Not one word...... not good, not bad......... nothing.  Like it'll go away if he ignores it.

I think it stems from a bad experience when I was 13 years old.  I had the Princess Diana hair....... short and feathered.  Yeah, I was a looker.  Actually cute and had many boyfriends.  Til' one day I was at the dentists office sitting in the chair waiting for him to come in and work on my teeth.  He walks in quick like and says this, I'm not kidding people.....

"Heeellllooooo there young Ma.... Lady."  He totally thought I was a guy.  Totally ignoring the boobs and makeup.  Dip shit.  Now I'm all screwed up in the hair cut head.

I don't understand ya'll........ I used to have the hair mojo.  I could do my hair any way I wanted and it always looked great.  No matter the cut....... color or style....... I looked good.  Then, it's like the moment I got pregnant with Amelia I turned funky.

Funky Ya'll.  What up?

Please, all of you fall to your knees and beg those hair gods to send my hair back........ even the damn perm...... I'll take it back and treat it so much better than I did.  I so promise.  Ack!

So, in true Judi style........ I'll go around like Don King up there acting like my hair is fine as hell........ or maybe I'll follow the husbands lead and ignore it........ maybe it will go away. 

Don't know what you've got till it's gone

I don't know what to say.  I don't think I've gotten very personal on my blog before and I truly don't want to bring it down, but for some reason I feel like I need to spend a minute here.  Strange.

So funny how in my last entry I mentioned the fact that we decided not to have any more children........ actually it's more ironic than anything.  So, on the fourth I had a pregnancy test which came out negative and proceded to have an IUD put in.  There was a little voice that said to wait one more week .......... didn't listen.

So, I seemed to be fine and began spotting........ thinking this was normal.  Then, I thought it was weird how I hadn't any cramping with it and started wondering.  Put if off of to the fact that this is "normal" and kept plugging away.  More than a week later, I finally started cramping here and there thinking I was getting my period..... again, normal.

But, just like Magnum always said about his little voice............ mine kept whispering to me.  So, Monday I took a pregnancy test.  It was positive. 

The phone calls began, first to Darren.......... no answer.  Then to the clinic........ told to go to the ER........ and then to my sister.

Darren called right back and I lost it.  I just had soooo much guilt and worry.  I already loved this little baby.........

So, I went to the ER and had a pregnancy test and an ultrasound.  Darren made it home in record time and was there to see the little yolk sac on the screen.  His face said so much and it killed me. 

Needless to say, the damned IUD was removed and I was sent home with instructions to stay off of my feet and call my OB/GYN.  Yesterday morning I headed to St. Mary's for a blood test to see what my hormone levels are........... I find out this afternoon.  I must say that Dr. Mixson is just the most wonderful doctor/person on the planet.  He personally came out into the lobby and took me back.  Took the blood sample himself........... I've never had a doctor take my blood before and I must implore you to try it......... I DID NOT FEEL THE NEEDLE..........AT ALL PEOPLE!

So, here I've been.  Not knowing if I have this little one or not.  Just like a Music......... I'm sure it's a sneaky little boy....... worming his little way in here and causing his Mom and Dad to panick.

I'm still cramping and bleeding and so I'm pretty sure it's too late.  You really don't know what you've got till it's gone.  I'm trying hard to be positive but yet don't want to hope too much.  I'm sorry to lay this on ya'll here but I feel a pull to do it.  I believe in the power of hope and prayer............ maybe this is why.

I shall listen to my little voice from now on.......... every single time without fail.  I'll let ya'll know what's going on as soon as I hear something.

Tagged

Alrighty then, Meredith tagged me for a Meme game thingy.......... and this  one is hard for me.  Apparently, I have to use list one relevant fact per letter of my first name and then tag as many people as the number of letters in my first name to the same on their blog.  (or, for those without a blog.... can do it in the comments section).  J?  What's relevant to me with the letter J?

J-  Jovial........ I'm almost always in a good mood.  I hate being upset or irritated and try my darndest to be happy and forgiving......... to a point.  I know we only have a few moments on this earth and to waste it on being grumpy, nasty and hurtful......... it's just not my thing.

U- Ummmmm?  Unkept house........... It's clean underneath everything......it's  just not always tidy.  I don't know why but I just can't seem to organize my stuff or keep it orderly.  It's my biggest fault and I know it.  If I had a magic wand....... I'd organize my house before making myself skinny............. yup, that's how bad!

D- Drawing......... I love to draw.  I've drawn more dolls to make into patterns than I could ever count.  I draw for myself and for my kids.  I draw out designs for Amelia's clothes, quilts, embroideries and more.  I would never call myself an artist, just a doodler.  There's something about getting it on paper so my mind can focus on what it's having to "build" from fabric or whatever.  I love it.

I- I am always busy doing something.  I can't sit on the couch and watch T.V without writing a list, reading a craft book, sewing, or looking a cook book.  I feel like I should be doing more than one thing  at a time.  I never, ever feel relaxed.  There's always something to be done, and it's always on my mind.  Bluck!

There ya go.......... nothing exceptional really ............ I wish I had better letters to write about like B for Baking, or S for sewing, or GV for Great Value Strawberry Crystal Light.  Woe is me.   I guess it's time to name some names....... this is hard too.  I have to choose 4 people so I guess they'll be Rhiannon, Lotta, Esther & Kimberlee.  I'm curious as to what they'll put as they have really cool letters!

I'm working on some embroidery and will post it tomorrow!  Today, I have a little girl who is still fighting a fever and tummy troubles.  She's miserable and so are we........ we hate, hate, hate to see the kids sick.  Have a beautiful and blessed Sunday!

I'm still Kickin' yo, yo

I just wanted to peep my tater head in to say I'm still kicken' it..... yo.  What up?

Our  opening day is Saturday and as of yet, I haven't one sample ready!  Huh, how'd that happen?  Dunno...... just did!  Wait, I do know.  As of late, every single second of my day is filled with plans, lists, trips to the Post Office, ten batrillion checks of the email for convos, phone calls, pricing, ordering, cutting fabric, checking the mail, taking kids to and fro....... and trying my best to keep my little girl happy and content. Rushing here and there......... all the time.  Am I complaining?  I'm not.... it's very exciting and yet draining too.  I promise.

So, I only have until Saturday to finish up my "last seconds", "almost dones" & "what's lefts"......... that's only a few days away.  Oy! 

And, tomorrow I'll be cutting this sweet thing out:

Isn't it darling?  I can't wait to see it on our dress form....... which will be delivered on Friday....... you know, the day before we open our doors!  Yup, no need to worry,  I'll have it finished.  It seems to be pretty cut and dry ........ knock on wood.

So, with all that still needs to be completed....... guess what I did when I got home today?  That's right....... not one durn thing that had to do with the shop.   I took my camera and one of my favorite subjects and clicked away.

Back in the day I was a portrait photographer for Olan Mills.  It was a kick-ass job for someone my age and I adored working as I did.  My subjects of choice were babies and children....... and still is!  I always hoped I'd be able to further my life with photography but since then, haven't had many opportunities come my way.  Well, except for my kiddos of course.

I was taught how to pose, use lighting and to make one smile...... for portraits naturally it's expected.  But, what I truly love is to capture a moment, a thought, and a second of time that will be forever kept by a parent........ not something normally thought of when you go to a studio.  I prefer, above all else, going outside and using the light God has given us and all of the surroundings we were gifted.  It's amazing what a plain old background of green leaves can do...... not to mention a very nosy "Sandy" colored dog that sneaks in behind.  In the shot above, I will look back and notice the pout, the slight drying of chapped lips and the dog....... the darn dog.  It's a second of her life that will never be given back....... only remembered.

Here is my oldest guy, Baby Cole.  He's almost 5'10" and getting so handsome.   This picture was taken right after school, in the car while still wearing his back pack as he explains the torturous moments during band on this day.  Another second of his life....... he'll never get back, but will be remembered with this photo.  I love him.

So, what is this post all about?  Maybe it's the feeling I got today during my time outside with Amelia Claire.............the feeling that I should stop and notice the time that passes right before my eyes or how we should slow down...... even for those with shops that are opening in days........ and remember what/who is most important and how special each and every second is. 

Time....... it takes and it gives. 

We should be grateful, shouldn't we?

Shop pictures & mail happy

I hope you guys aren't getting sick of our shop updates!  It seems like that's all I've got to show you lately.......... probably because that's all I've been doing lately! 

This Saturday and Sunday we painted the remainder of the shop and started setting things out.  Finally, the fun part!  Here is what we have so far......

and this:

Now, we're stuck till we get more little tables to set more things out on.  We're also waiting on a big shipment of some awesome primitive gifts that we should be getting next week.  Not to mention our samples that we still have to make...... um, yeah...... the samples.

This is a corner of the office that I'll be sharing with Amelia Claire everyday....

She's got it made......... trust me!

I've been slowly but surely getting things listed in our Etsy Shop as well...... I still have tons more things to list!

Anyhoo......... I'll be getting some samples sewn next week and of course finishing things up here.  I promise that the next time I have an update...... it will be of the shop finished! 

Meanwhile...... tonight I have a Weight Watchers meeting ...... I just don't know how that's going to work out since I've had a couple of Cokes this week and some cookie dough.  (It was so good!).  I'll report on that tomorrow...... wish me and my butt front luck!

See what came in the mail today?  Yup, my beautiful necklace that Lisa Leonard made for me!  Special orders rock!

I plan to wear this to our opening and think it just may bring me luck! 

I also want to share what I bought off of Etsy today..... I've been watching it for a little while and since I sold some dresses last week....... I treated myself to a new bag. 

This will be my tote bag that I fill every morning and every evening with WIP that I'll be surely hauling to and from the shop daily. 

Check out this big ole pocket!  Pefect for a book, pattern or a WW snack.  I already own one of Rhiannon's ball bags and know the quality is second to none!  The "Hello" is embroidered by her machine..... not from a programmed machine but by her own hands!  Remarkable!