World of COLOR

For Sale

2011-08-18T21:10:00.004-06:00

FOR SALE (shipping will be in flat rate boxes to US, email me lindsalita [at] hotmail [dot] com to combine with multiple items or for overseas pricing. all payments through paypal please) Thanks for looking!

All Night Media Stamps
Best Friends $3.00
broad stripe pattern $4.00
Cherub $3.00
Flower pot $1.00
French Wire Basket $4.00
Fur's Class $1.00
Girlfriends Forever sentiment stamp $1.00
Just Married with shoes $4.00
The Queen's Mail $2.00
Tassle $4.00
vintage border $4.00

The Angel Company Stamps
Alpha blocks $10.00Best of Buds $5.00
Background blocks $5.00
Butterfly $.05 pending
Fall Scribbles $5.00
Lady Bug $.05 pending
Mini medallions $5.00
                                                       My journey $5.00
                                                       Purse-onality $5.00
                                                       Something for you $5.00

Art Impressions
Awning $4.00
Vase $3.00
Window with shutters $6.00

Close to My Heart
Close to my Heart acrylic block case $10.00
Mini Tag set of 4 (wood mounted) $3.00
Pumpkins (wood mounted) $10.00

Club Scrap
Butterfly $2.00
circle $1.00
Dream Team $2.00
Dress Form $4.00
Fabrique De Chocolat Label $3.00
Masson Chocolat $5.00
Pinecone Statue $2.00
Ruler $3.00

Commotion
happy anniversary $1.00
Half of Southwest symbol $1.00
sand dollar $1.00
Southwest symbol $1.00

Copper Leaf Creations
terricotta pot $.50

Double D
Woman $5.00

Foam Mounted Stamps
Ivy $.05

Great Impressions
Batik Flower $2.00

Hero Arts
Bold Daisy $.05
double music note $.05
Friend Dictionary Design $4.00
3 mini stars $.05
mini sun stamp $.05
Mini swirl $.05
3 mini swirls $.05
                                                      Mini swirl outline $.05
                                                      Moon Stamp $.05
                                                      Miss you postage stamp with ship $.05
                                                      music note $.05
                                                     Outline of Daisy $.05
                                                     Sea Turtle Stamp $.05
                                                     Sun Stamp $.05

Imaginations
Candy Cane with Bow $6.00

Inkadinkado
Collage of plant $2.00
Dancing Flower $.10
Friendship is...sharing laughing loving background $5.00
Heart Flower with ribbon $.50
Hope $1.00
Medallion $2.00
Peacock Feather $3.00
Square Medallion $2.00
Stone Flourish $2.00
Urn $2.00
Vintage Lady $5.00

Judikins
face $3.00
kodachrome slide $5.00

Kolette Hall
Floral Circle $.50
Girlfriends $.50
Thinking of You $.50

Magenta
Bold flower diamond $4.00
Large floral Triangle $6.00
Large Outline floral square $5.00
Medium geometric triangle $4.00
Outline flower diamond $4.00
Small bold floral triange $2.00
Small floral square $4.00
Small outline floral triangle $2.00

Making Memories
Magnetic Date stamp set $5.00

Museum of Modern Rubber
Phone $7.00

PSX
Daisy $3.00
~~Florentine L $.10 SOLD~~
~~Florentine M $.10 SOLD~~
Happy Wedding Day $.50
Music Symbol $.50
Seagulls Roost $3.00
~~Tribal people group of four $5.00~~ SOLD

Red Unmounted rubber stamps
Happy Birthday to a real animal $.50
Leaves $.50
Tree scene $.50
Dots $.50
Eye frame $.50
~~Large tree background $.50 SOLD~~

Red Cling mounted rubber stamps
Posh limited cultural posh japan $12.00

Rubber Stampede
Dream Angels $1.00 pending
Fern Silhouette $1.00
Garden urn $1.00
Heart of Roses $1.00 pending
Rope Frame $3.00
Rose Mosaic $1.00

See Dee's Inque Boutique
Create Wonder $2.00
Kisses $2.00

Stamp Craft
Thanks $.10

Stampin' Up Stamp Sets
All About Autumn $20.00
Big Blossom Background Stamp $15.00
Bold Line Alphabet Lower and numbers $15.00
Bold Line Alphabet Upper $15.00
Bloomin’ wonderful $15.00
Bold Shapes $10.00
Brushstroke Alphabet Numbers $5.00
Classic Caps $15.00
Concerto $8.00 pending
Daisy $15.00
~~Dance Sketches $8.00 SOLD~~
Elegant Embroidery $10.00
Elegant Ornaments $8.00
Fall Flair $8.00
Framed Fun $20.00
Friendship Blooms $10.00
Funky Flowers $10.00
Garden Blocks $10.00
Good Things Grow $10.00
~~Groovy $10.00~~ SOLD
I like your style $10.00
Itty Bitty Backgrounds $5.00
Leap Frogs $15.00
Long Stemmed $8.00
Love Without End $10.00
Little Shapes $5.00
Merci $8.00
Merry $10.00
Mini Mates $15.00
New Beginnings $10.00
On Safari Background Stamp $15.00
Ornamentals $5.00
Outline Alphabet Lower $8.00
Outline Alphabet Numbers $5.00
Outline Alphabet Upper $8.00
Paisley Background Stamp $15.00
Phrase Starters $8.00
Polka Dots and Paisley $10.00
Quick Cards $10.00
Retro Alphabet Lower $15.00
The Shape of Things $15.00
Shapes and shadows $15.00
Simply circles $8.00
Something to Celebrate $10.00
Stipple Celebrations $15.00
Summer Sunflower $20.00
Tag time $15.00
Tropical blossoms $10.00
Vivid Greetings $10.00
~~Wide Open Places $15.00~~ SOLD

Stampin’ up individual stamps
Birthday wishes $1.00
Curly Leaf $.10
Dot $.10
Hand Stamped By $.10 pending
Hello with flower $.10
Stamped with love $.10 pending
Thank you $.10

Stampendous
Hand Stamped by with flower basket$.10 pending
Sand/Snow $2.00

Too Much Fun Rubber Stamps
Tribal Face $1.00

Unknown Wood Mounted Stamps
Bird Track $.05
Dream$.05
~~Good Gossip$.05 SOLD~~
I know you believe you understand what you think I said. But I am not sure you realize what you heard is not what I meant. $2.00
Moon $.05
Skull $.05
You're a Great Friend! $.05

Unknown Foam Mounted Stamps
Thank You $.10

Vap! Scrap
Butterfly $.10
Flower $.10
Rose $.10
Potted Flower $.10

Gel Pens
Cool Color Pink and Blue $.10
Cool Color Pink and Blue $.10
Cool Color Orange and Yellow $.10
Cool Color Pink and Purple $.10
Gelly Roll green $.10
Gelly Roll green $.10
Gelly Roll light green $.10
Gelly Roll red $.10
Gelly Roll red $.10
Gelly Roll Navy Blue $.10
Gelly Roll Navy Blue $.10
Gelly Roll Blue $.10
Gelly Roll Pink $.10
Gelly Roll Flouresent Pink $.10
Gelly Roll Purple $.10
Gelly Roll Orange $.10
Gelly Roll Black $.10
Gelly Roll Dark Brown $.10
Gelly Roll Light Brown $.10
Gelly Roll Flouresent Green $.10
Gelly Roll Flouresent Yellow $.10
Hybrid gel roller pink $.10
Hybrid gel roller gold $.10
Hybrid gel roller silver $.10
Hybrid gel roller purple $.10
Hybrid gel roller black $.10
Hybrid gel roller blue $.10
Hybrid gel roller orange $.10
Milky yellow $.10
Milky blue $.10
Milky green $.10
Milky purple $.10
Sanford uniball gel orange $.10
yellow $.10
banana $.10
yellow $.10
gold $.10
green $.10
dual tip black and blue fine tip pen $.10
calligraphy pen red 2.0 $.10
spider writers green $.10
spider writers silver $.10
spider writers gold $.10
spider writers blue $.10

Ink Pads
Anna Griffin Pigment Ink Pad Acid Free Pink $.50
Anna Griffin Pigment Ink Pad Acid Free Pink $.50
Antiquities Acid Free Ink Pad Cobalt $1.00
Color Box Pigment Brush Pad Celadon Cat Eye $.50
~~Creative Memories Acrylic attachment for trimming on cutting mat (straight, curved and wavey) $3 SOLD~~
Dauber Duos Cardinal and Camellia $.50
Dauber Duos Copper and Bronze $.50
Dauber Duos Lime and Citron $.50
Fresco Chalk Finish Dye Ink Pad Indigo Velvet $2.00
~~Kaleidacolor Raised Rainbow Dye Inkpad Riviera $2.00 SOLD~~
Paint Pad Pigment Ink In the Pink $2.00
Paint Pad Pigment Ink Fantasy $2.00
Splash Metallics (Metallic Iridecent Pigment Ink) Gold $.50
Splash Metallics (Metallic Iridecent Pigment Ink) Black $.50
Splash Metallics (Metallic Iridecent Pigment Ink) Blue $.50
Splash Metallics (Metallic Iridecent Pigment Ink) Rose $.50
~~Spectrum Stampin' Pad Kaleidacolor Blue Frost $4.00 SOLD~~
Spectrum Stampin' Pad Kaleidacolor Fiesta $4.00
Stampin' Up Classic Basic Black $3.00
Stampin' Up Classic Basic Brown $3.00
Stampin' Up Classic Mint Melody $3.00
Stampin' Up Classic Mauve Mist $3.00
Stampin' Up Craft Basic Black $3.00
Stampin' Up Craft Orchid Opulence $3.00
Stampin' Up Craft Rose Romance $3.00
Stampin' Up Craft Mauve Mist $3.00
Versa Color Bamboo Spot $.50
Versa Mark Spot $.50

Misc. Tools
6 inch botanical wheel (no handle) $1.00
6 inch distressed wheel (no handle) $1.00
American Traditions Stencil Brush $1.00
Art Accentz Micro Beadz black $.50
Art Accentz Micro Beadz gold $.50
Art Accentz Micro Beadz (black, blue, gold and turquoise) $.50
Close to My Heart sculpting foam $1.00
Creative Memories adhesive dispenser $1.00
Creative Memories deckled hand held trimmer $3.00
Creative Memories titletopia $3.00
Deco Art Paper Perfect White $1.00
Deco Art Paper Perfect Blue Dream $1.000
Foam attachement for speedball brayer handle $.50
Metallic Rubb ons Earth Tones #2 $1.00
Rollagraph stamp wheel roller, purple $3.00
Stampin' Up jumbo wheel storage container $2.00
Stampin' Up stampin' around handle $3.00
~~Zutter Demo and Project Idea DVD $.50 SOLD~~
Liquid Applique Purple $.50

Books
Creative Scrapbooking $.50

Punches pending
Stampin Up! Rectangles
Fluer di lis $.50
Bear $.50
Star $.50
Rectangle $.50

Stampin’ Up! Wheels
Crayon ABC’s $3.00
Blooms and bugs $3.00
Swirl style $3.00
Lovely ladybugs $3.00
Whirly-twirly $3.00
Island $3.00
Batik $3.00

Jumbo Wheels
Cool $5.00
Flitting By $5.00
Busy Blocks $5.00
Petals $5.00
Hook’s Lines and Inkers
Ropin’ $3.00

Unknown Stamps
String of fish $1.00
Set of four sun moon and stars celestial $3.00
Music Note $.05
Double Music Note $.05
Set of Hands $.05

Clear Stamps
~~Gecko with age is only a number mine is unlisted. SOLD~~
Luau and aloha with drink flower and lanterns

Consumables
Pom poms and holder for chalk $.50
Chalk eraser $.50

Embossing Powder
1 oz Christmas green $.50
1 oz Verdigris $.50
1 oz white $.50
½ oz pacific blue transparent $.50
½ oz baby blue pastel opaque $.50
½ oz wintergreen pastel opaque $.50
½ oz winter wonderland $.50
½ oz lemon yellow opaque $.50
½ oz Glow in the Dark $.50
½ oz lavender $.50
½ oz violet opaque $.50
1/8 oz starry night opaque $.50
1/8 oz star dust transparent $.50

Color and Texture
Pumpkin $.50
green glitter $.50
blue glitter $.50
Red and clear $.50
Yellow $.50
White $.50
Coffee $.50
Chocolate $.50
Lemon $.50
Mint $.50

Glitter
Silver $.50

Iridescent glue $.50

Denver

2011-07-26T23:27:00.000-06:00

Felt so urban while in Denver. It was nice to get away over Memorial Day. Josh's Mom took Eman for the long weekend so we could really escape from reality. Josh chose Denver. We didn't think we would get out of town because of all of the flooding. We forged 2 rivers that were flowing across the interstate. Reminded me of the computer game Oregon Trail. We got down there to visit Josh's sister Skye. She is the perfect person to visit in a moments notice. She had a complete itinerary prepared in 24 hours. I had a facial, we went to the ball game, tried new restraunts, shopped, relaxed, enjoyed a friendly gathering where we watched a movie they projected onto their garage. Super cool. We weren't ready to leave and are always ready to go back.

Tantrum in the Tulips

2011-07-06T07:00:00.001-06:00

These tulips were growing and I thought- KODAK MOMENT! The neighbors dogs started barking and Eli was not a fan of loud/sharp noises, hence the tantrum in the tulips.

So Mushshroom for New Recipes

2011-07-05T07:00:00.008-06:00

Most people have a few recipes that they consider their standbys. The ingredients are always on hand, the recipe is in their heads rather than on a card, and the whole family enjoys it. I reached out to friends and family to get their favorite standbys and here is the list...
Molten Lava Cake (by Leah)

4sq bakers chocolate (I use like 1/2 cup chocolate chips or a little less)
1/2 c butter
1 C powdered sugar
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
6 TBSP flour
Preheat oven to 425
Butter or spray with pam 4 cups/bowls/tins/ramekins

Microwave chocolate and butter high for 1 minute. Stir with wire wisk until all melted. Add sugar and blend. Add eggs and yolks and blend. Add flour. Blend. Bake 13-14 minutes. (I usually do like 18 minutes but check on them)
**Note we used pot pie tins and there was not much lava. The bowls need to be about 3 inches deep and 2 1/2 inches around, so check on your cakes to get the right amount of lava. We could have split them, but we were worried about someone having more lava than the other! Don't worry the cake part was still devoured without the lava.

Chicken Chimichanga’s (by Toni)

2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I just use 2 large breasts)
Oil
Salt and pepper
1 onion, chopped (I only use ½ an onion chopped kinda small)
1 tsp Ancho chili powder or any chilli powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 small can of diced green chili peppers
1/2 cup hot pepper sauce (I use tapatillo)

Season the chicken with salt and pepper and brown in a skillet with a little oil. Transfer the chicken to your crock pot.

Mix the onion, chili powder, garlic powder, green chilies and hot sauce in a bowl. Spoon mixture over meat. Carefully pour water down the side of the cooker until the chicken is about half covered.

Cover and cook on high for 3 hours, reduce heat to low and cook another 3-4 hours. Shred the chicken and allow to come to room temperature. Divide among quart size freezer bags (about 2 cups of chicken per bag). Freeze what you aren’t using because it makes a lot even with just 2 breasts. Let your chicken get pretty close to room temp before you wrap them or your tortillas will fall apart.
Serving Instructions
1. For serving day you will need 1 cup of melted butter, flour tortillas, grated cheddar cheese, lettuce, sour cream, tomatoes, avocado, etc.
2. Melt butter, dip both sides of a tortilla in the butter and allow some of the excess to drip off. Mound 1/3 c to 1/2 c of chicken in the middle of the tortilla. Fold envelope style and place seam side down in an 9" x 13" baking dish. Bake at 500 degrees for 15 minutes. Once 10 minutes has passed top with cheese and return to the oven to melt for the remaining 5 minutes..
3. Top the finish chimichangas with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, etc.
Meatloaf (by Tammi)

1 egg
3/4 c milk
1 c cheddar cheese
1/2 c oatmeal
1/2 c onion
1 tsp salt
1 lb beef
2/3 c ketchup
1/2 c brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp mustard

Beat egg and milk. Stir in cheese, oats, onion, and salt. Add beef and mix. Shape into burgers and place in pan. Combine ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Spoon over burgers. Bake uncovered 350 for 45 minutes!

Sloppy Joes (by Tammi)

1 package burger; few pieces of bacon-brown together
onion
1 can Bush baked pork n beans
1 can red kidney beans
3/4 c ketchup
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsp vinegar
mix together/simmer and serve on buns

Chicken Enchiladas (by Tammi)

2 cups chopped chicken
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 package cream cheese
1 jar salsa (8oz) divided
flour tortillas
12 oz cheddar cheese
stir chicken, pepper, cream cheese and 1/2 cup salsa in saucepan on low until cream cheese is melted
spoon mixture in tortilla; roll up and place in 12x8 baking dish
top with extra mixture and cheese
bake 350 for 20 min (sometimes I make these and don't bake but put straight in the frig to warm in microwave as we need them)

SUPER EASY last minute "shit I have company coming" cheesecake (by Tammi)

1/3 c sugar
1 package cream sheese
1 sm. tub whip cream
grahm crakcer crust (I usually buy one and keep it handy)
mix; throw in crust and top off with can of pie filling

Beefy Cornbread Casserole (by Lindsey out of Deanne's cookbook)

1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
1 medium onion, chopped (smaller might be better if you are not an onion fan)
1 can tomato soup
1 can whole kernel corn, drained (used mixed vegitables once and wasn't as good)
1 to 2 tablespoons chili powder (used 1 tablespoon and was bland for my liking, 1 1/2 was spicy for Josh)
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup water

Topping:
1 pouch cornbread mix
1 egg
2 tablespoons butter or margerine, melted
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese (forgot both times to add it and it still tasted great)

Place beef and onion in greased 3 to 4 1/2 quart slow cooker. Stir in soup, corn, chili powder, salt and warm.

In seperate bowl, mix cornbread mix, egg, butter, and milk together. Spread batter evenly over the top of the meat mixture. Cover and cook on low heat for 5-6 hours or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Sprinkle cheese over top for last 15 minutes of cooking, if desired. Makes 6-8 servings. This recipe can easily be doubled for 6-7 quart slow cooker.
(made in large slow cooker and it took an hour and a half, did it in a smaller one and it took 4 hours.)

Stuffed Mushrooms (by Val)

Stems removed from mushrooms and washed (I'm thinkin' this can make 400)
4 packages stove top chicken
4 packages cream cheese
2 pounds canned crab minced and drained
8 cups of butter
minced garlic to taste
stir with mixer
scoop and fill mushrooms

Bake 350* for 10-15 minutes

Links to recipes...

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes (from Leah) tested and approved
Mini Chicken Pot Pies, Heaven in a bowl, and Artichoke Dip (from Leah) pot pies tested and approved
Chicken and Black Bean Casserole and Easy Churros (from Leah) casserole tested and approved
Pot Roast Recipe (from Lindsey) tested and approved
Spice Roasted Carrots and Parsnips (from Lindsey) tested and approved

Molasses Bread for the Bread Maker (from Lindsey) tested and approved

Nice Note

2011-07-04T14:28:00.000-06:00

Lots of driving lately. Which means lots of fueling up. Even though gas prices have been creeping towards four dollars I enjoyed this nice note. And of course the nice weather! Hope you had a nice fourth!

Find the clipping mask and overlay by Ali Edwards, here.

The BEST Part

2011-06-23T07:00:00.001-06:00

The paper!

Rehersal Dinner Dress

2011-06-16T07:00:00.000-06:00

Photos

2011-06-09T07:00:00.003-06:00

Tables

2011-06-02T07:00:00.002-06:00

Venue

2011-05-26T07:00:00.001-06:00

Have Our Cake and Eat it Too

2011-05-19T07:00:00.000-06:00

Really like the wood platform and raffia on this one. The birds can fly to another nest though.

This looks yummy, not a fan of pink or frosting but just looks delicious.

In the Kitchen

2011-05-13T07:00:00.000-06:00

Josh wanted to bust out the bread maker. To make molasses bread. He had to brand, so I thought, heck I can do this! Poured in all of the ingredients and enjoyed the smell of baking bread for a few hours. When I took it out realized, hmmm, the beeping that I heard must have been the signal to take the turning hook dohicky out. Oh well, still tasted good!

While baking bread (and feeling totally like Laura off of Little House on the Prairie, well in the digital world with a bread maker) I was cranking out laundry, running the dishwasher, listening to podcasts, creating cards and downloading digital scrapbooking supplies. Talk about a productive day! Let's see Laura accomplish all of that without electricity!

The recipe from food.com(I thought it would be sweeter, but basically was a good wheat bread):

3/4 cup water

1/3 cup milk
3 tablespoons melted butter
3 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups bread flour
2 1/4 teaspoons fast rising yeast or 2 1/4 teaspoons quick-rising yeast

Remember to remove the mixing hook!

I Got a Feeling

2011-05-12T07:00:00.002-06:00

Love the light candles and twinkly lights make, a certain feeling I want at the wedding. Warm with orange and yellow.

Love twinkly lights. Love the warm feeling candles give. Love the hanging mason jars.

E's Emotional Rollercoaster

2011-05-11T07:00:00.002-06:00

Eli is a morning man. No idea how that happened because noon is early for Josh and I. Eli must be training early to take over the ranch, you know early risers they are. The mornings he is full of spunk.

Then he is just plain happy ALL DAY LONG.

Well unless he has to be in mom's studio with her. Or maybe because his mom pulled his pants all the way up to his nipples!? Poor kid, he got a double whammy of 'tude from his folks.

Then early evening brings the laughing. And I mean, just laugh for the sake of laughing. But sometimes it lines up, say when dad is having trouble putting together his high chair and is frustrated. Or he just knows how funny it is that his dad is having trouble. My taking this photo didn't help matters.

Tutorial Afterthought

2011-05-10T23:14:00.000-06:00

These were two projects I completed a while back. My aunt had purchased the lamp for me at a thrift store and the shade was in dire need of a face lift. The base has 3 different colors gold, gold that was supposed to be bronze, and brown that was supposed to be copper. Until I said ah the heck with trying to find a copper/bronze that I liked and went with black I had on hand. I found a tutorial out in blog land that used spray adhesive to attach fabric. Basically this is what I did. My apologies for no tutorial photos, this was obviously an after thought.

1. Purchased fabric, trim and tassels without knowing the measurements of the shade.

2. Located spray adhesive, nothing said fabric specifically but went with high tack multipurpose. And it was acid free which will come in handy for other projects that might include photos.

3. Traced a pattern by laying the lamp on multiple sheets of newspaper.

4. Cut the newspaper pattern.

5. Cut the fabric a bit larger than the pattern.

6. Laugh at myself for buying entirely too much fabric for this project.

7. Ironed the trim.

8. Waited for it not to be snowing and freakin' freezing so I could spray the adhesive outside.

9. Waited some more.

10. Finally got out there to do some adhering.

11. Note to self: wear gloves when spraying the adhesive. Fingerprints will be lost on the nozzle if this note is not taken seriously.

12. Second note to self: DO NOT put gloves on after spraying the adhesive. Hands will become attached to the inside of the gloves.

13. Heat up hot glue gun and realize that I only have blue hot glue sticks.

14. Roll with it anyway.

15. Realize that when working with a $2.99 hot glue gun you have to work fast because the glue dries just about the same time as it is applied.

16. Check out the finished product.

17. Snap a photo and realize this would have been a good step by step tutorial.

18. Say ah the heck with it and type it up anyway.

19. Use the extra fabric for a curtain for the front door, so the baby blanket that was duct taped to stay in place could be retired.

Lucky

2011-05-05T07:00:00.000-06:00

Flowers, flowers and more flowers. I like the idea of having dried flowers.

The clovers are just something I am drawn to for some reason. I guess because I am lucky. Lucky in Love. Or is that dried hydrangea? Ha! I love the wraps with burlap. The artichokes make me laugh but the wrap is something I like. These flowers need some major narrowing down. I am a bit all over the place to say the least.

Man at Work

2011-05-04T07:00:00.002-06:00

Karen is AMAZING. She is Eli's physical therapist. I swear he listens to her better than anyone else. She says he needs to sit up straighter, roll over, reach, and he will do it at the therapy session or immediately when we get home! Maybe we should have her tell him to drink all of his milk.

Look Mom! No Hands! Karen really pushes Eli and I love that. He is so proud when he can do something new, like he even shocked himself.

Barbara, Eli's feeding specialist is AWESOME! She had him tasting graham crackers dipped in apple sauce. He just might have been more excited about her reactions than the actual food. Eli and Barbara are having a good time, not sure if Josh is contemplating sawing off Eli's leg with that graham cracker!

Book It!

2011-05-03T07:00:00.002-06:00

Oh the library. My sister and I would LOVE to go to the library when we were little. We were allowed to check out 26 books. And my Mom said if we could carry them, we could check that many out. We would look like Gus Gus carrying our books out to the car! We would read into the night, my Mom would practically have to take our light bulbs away to make us go to sleep!

I want Eli to have the same love for the library, mainly books, and reading. He already loves book and we are slowly making his way through his collection. I check out a cute book for him when I pick up an audio book (Stanford Library has a great audio collection) or some book that has caught my interest. I get the bug to read a book by others, whether it’s someone I know or a person I think I know because I follow them in blogland. Currently I have a load of books from the Great Falls and Stanford Library and a few from my personal collection.

In true fashion of marking off #6 READ. I am read The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp as suggested from The Paper Clipping Round Table. She is a dance choreographer in NYC, but relates to any one interested in creativity.

See, even Eli enjoyed it! He already loves books. I am still pecking away on James and the Giant Peach with him. There are so many other books to read I forget about nibbling away at this favorite. But then Eli literally nibbles on it and that reminds me!

A Designer’s Eye for Scrapbooking by Ali Edwards. What can I say I LOVE this gal and anything she has to say I will read or listen to. It’s become such an obsession I had a dream that she invited me to her house for an event and her bathroom was under construction. Of course since it was a dream and things are always weird she told me to pee in her dresser drawer. And since it is a dream and things always get weirder I did! Eeeew. So it’s safe to say that I will never be invited to one of Ali’s events because of my bad manners. Geez, what does that mean!? Dream dictionary anyone?
The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hahn. Being in the present moment is not one of my strong suits. I can look into the future like a pro and over analyze the past like a crazy person. This book is good for me. This book is what I need right now…in the present moment.

On deck are these bad boys pictured above. And if that wasn't already enough I picked up Anne Frank, The Art of a Thank You and A New Earth at the Stanford Library. Any good books on your nightstand?

E1 and E2

2011-05-01T07:00:00.000-06:00

First came Eli then came Ethan. Here they met for the first time.

In true 'Lindsey fashion' I didn't photograph the card until on our way to drop it off to the 1 year old monkey, Ethan.

My friend Melissa made found this set for me because I had wanted it so badly, thanks girl!

You Know You're In Montana When

2011-04-30T07:00:00.002-06:00

You take a stroll up to the post office and wonder why you wore a jacket.

Then the next day, BAM! 16 inches of snow. Good thing E and I went for a stroll before mother nature got a lil' wild again. The running joke about Montana weather is, 'if you don't like the weather- just wait five minutes.' Or maybe the post office should change their pen cup to something springy instead of santa. Hey I'm willing to work it from all angles, anything for warmer weather!

29 E-isms on the 29th

2011-04-29T07:00:00.001-06:00

As promised, 29 E-isms

1. Has had 2 puke free days since this whole puking fiasco started. It's been going so long I can't remember when it started.
2. You can be standing behind him and still know that he is smiling. Those enormous cheeks of his wrinkle up as if his whole body wants to smile!
3. Laughs when you wipe his undercarriage (Josh said, 'uh oh he figured it out down there') dirty boys.
4. REALLY tickleish, just like his mom. Mainly his neck, belly, back, thighs and recently the inappropriate area. Alright everywhere.
5. Wants to sit up or stand up all of the time.
6. Been on some walks with mom. Hoping to get a cart to pull him on the bike too! Ah spring, we have been waiting for you.
7. Can push himself backwards on his back.
8. Can roll himself backwards in the walker, that was a shocker, watch out this guy has wheels now!
9. If he hasn't had much sleep he cries when people laugh or talk loudly.
10. Will ignore you if he's had enough, again just like mom according to my gram.
11. LOVES music.
12. Is a bit chatty when we are driving in to Great Falls now, funny, before he never made a peep which made me think I forgot him!
13. Doesn't like the bright sunlight.
14. But oddly enough loves to look straight into light bulbs or big overhead lights.
15. Is a bugger to get to nap.
16. Sees a feeding specialist, QLC, physical therapy, dentist (in May), eye doc, lung doc, pediatrition, gals at the Basin Medical Center for weight checks and Synagis shots (for RSV, the baby flu shot), the blind school, and a GI specialist from Seattle.
17. Takes 4 meds 2 times a day. Miralax to prevent constipation, Erped to increase appetite, Prevacid for acid reflux, and QVAR for his lungs.
18. Still not a big fan of belly time.
19. Not big on snuggling unless he doesn't feel good.
20. Reaching for everything as if he can use the force to bring it to him.
21. Everyone is saying he looks like a Soulsby boy, mainly Troy (Josh's brother).
22. Then everyone says he has blonde hair like his mom.
23. Then the light hits it just right and it turns bright orange.
24. His blue eyes are here to stay. We are thinking he got them from his Grandma Jackie and Aunt Courtney.
25. Everyone that sees him says he looks so big. He's not growing very fast according to full term standards but for Eli standards everyone is noticing.
26. That's right he's gainin' and is now 14 pounds 1.5 ounces. Don't worry I'm lifting with my legs people!
27. Wants to stand on your lap, but then twists around to flirt with someone else.
28. After his last synagis shot he started drinking from the bottle. Not an entire one all of the time but it's a start!
29. And as tough as it's been these moments make it all worth it. We love our little E.

'A La Card' Custom Cards

2011-04-28T22:41:00.000-06:00

A La Card, or A La Carte, cards sold seperately. There have been countless times that I needed a card last minute. Thinking that many folks are just like me I created 'The ICE Pack'. ICE meaning in case of emergency. A card emergency that is. I had a custom order for just such thing and here is what I offered. See anything you like? Request a custom order by emailing me at lindsalita [at] hotmail [dot] com.

For the Love of Shoes

2011-04-28T07:00:00.000-06:00

I had a love affair with shoes. Yes, had. My feet started bothering me I guess with age or the many miles I put on them at my last job. I purchased a pair of Danskos and have not looked back. Either I am wearing the ole’ Danskos or my Nike Shocks (which need replacing badly). So when Josh was telling me he would wear the dorky dress shoes for pictures but he was going to change into something else after, I told him I want to wear fancy girl heels but I want them to be comfortable. Josh told me that he just figured I would wear my Danskos! Funny man. These are the ones I would love to wear, but I am sure they will only last for 2 minutes in front of the store mirror.

Morning Rituals

2011-04-27T09:32:00.000-06:00

Ray poaches an egg for me. Well when we were at the ranch. Man I'm hungry this morning!

Me and the E get on the computer.

Daddy-O reads the paper with Mr. Sophisticated. Or is it Eli reads the paper to Dad?

Feelin' Oh So Good

2011-04-26T07:00:00.002-06:00

#4 Be active. Made it a whole lot easier when we had the little work out session here in town. We did kick boxing, step aerobics, zumba, boot camp and pilates. I can honestly say I felt a ton better when that was a daily part of my life. Now it’s on me. I took advantage of my Eli Free time after Guard Drill and tried out a pilates class in Great Falls. LOVED it. I will be back. The breathing made me more aware of my body and how outta shape I truly am! Scary. But I may have found a new obsession. Plus my instructor Michelle is a Grey’s Anatomy fan and also had one of her children due to preeclampsia. Crazy how connected everyone is.

The New Do

2011-04-24T07:00:00.002-06:00

So here is the hair. Do I love it? Not really sure. I think being bald is the only thing that would make me happy with my hair these days. But since we got 16 inches of snow I would have to wear a hat. Now I completely understand why moms whack their hair off after a kid. There is no time to do hair, heck there isn't time for a shower some days! Well, that is not true, there are 100 other things that need to be done, then a million other things I want to do before fiddling with my hair.

Speaking of hairs, or hares that reminds me Happy Easter!

Was a GoOd Day

2011-04-23T07:00:00.002-06:00

Waited in line for Starbucks. For a REEally long time. Handed my cash to the drive thru barista and he said, ‘this one is on us, thanks for waiting’. Heck I will wait anytime! Drove home and saw a rainbow. Now if I could just find that pot of gold. Or maybe it was the golden cup of mocha latte.

The feeder

2011-04-22T12:31:00.000-06:00

Josh had unlimited patience. Especially when it came to feeding Eli. Now it all makes sense after watching him feed a calf- it's a full body experience! They are so strong and just like Eli some calves just don't get how to suck right away. Josh is a trained professional when it comes to this matter. Babies are nothin' compared to a 90 pound calf. But the lil' Eli is only 13 pounds but knows how to throw his weight around that's for sure. Who knew a rancher would be a perfect father to a preemie with feeding issues.

I Want a Birdcage

2011-04-21T07:00:00.000-06:00

Birdcage veil that is. These are pretty.

Oh Poop!

2011-04-20T07:00:00.000-06:00

So what happens if you lift your legs while pooping?

It goes up the front and leaks out of the onsie! This boy has more poop stories than I know what to do with!

Just Released Into the Wild

2011-04-19T11:03:00.001-06:00

Welcome two new additions to the shoppe, introducing Always thinking of you and Hello Lovely.

Yes, that is a panty liner. Send this card and I am sure you will get a laugh, a call back, another card in the mail, SOMEthing. These are one of a kind!

Ooh La La, these Hello Lovely Postcards will be happy to travel through the mail to say HELLO to any lovely you know.

Thank you thank you for the overwhelming support of the shoppe! Back by popular demand...Wooden it be Nice...if life were easy cards.

The Ring Fiasco

2011-04-19T07:00:00.000-06:00

Once there was a girl on a ranch far far away. Her friend was visiting and they had grand plans, a baby shower being one of them. Before this said shower the girl put on hand lotion, removing her most prized possession, her engagement ring. She was to marry a rancher; a knight in muddy armor. The girl and her friend had a lovely time at the baby shower; snatching clothes pins, laughing over punch, nibbling on the tastiest cake in the world, melting plastic babies out of ice cubes and ooshee boo booing fluffy baby clothes. After the fancy party they found their way back to the castle where they were to tend to the herd of cattle. The girl took photos of her friend while she loved up on a calf. After the friend and calf parted ways they found themselves back inside where they played a divine game of Mexican Train. The conversation turned to hands or rings and the girl looked down and didn’t have her ring! Oh, no! What’s a girl to do. And her knight questioned her where his symbol of love had been lost. She could not remember. She raced down the stairs to see if it was next to her lotion. Checked her gloves, her coveralls and then remembered she had taken photos of her friend out in the corral. Mud and hay covered the poopy paradise. The muddy knight and friend assisted the girl in finding the ring. With flashlights they searched to no avail. It was lost forever and she would never have something so beautiful from her muddy knight again. They all thought back to what had happened, where could it be? After what seemed like weeks (most likely 45 minutes) the girl put her hand in her pocket and pulled out the ring. Alas! It was found. And as all fairytales end, insurance was put on the diamond the very next day. The End.

Wondering what new tricks Eli has up his sleeve?

2011-04-16T07:00:00.002-06:00

1. He turned 1 year on March 29th.

2. Doesn’t like cake to touch his hands.

3. He can see about 4 feet away from him. Without his glasses that is (I lost them and when I called the optical shop the gal said, ‘oh yeah kids lose their glasses all the time’ I told her, ‘nope I think this one was 100% me’. Robot Mom in action for sure.

4. Strokes his button as if it was a goatee; you know like men do when they’re thinking.

5. Shimmies his way up to the top of his wedge in his bed and uses his blanket to pull himself up and sit up!

6. Sucks on his toes.

7. Has 2 teeth on the bottom and looks like his two eye teeth want to come in next. Baby vampire perhaps?

8. Laughs A LOT. It even lines up at the right times as if he knows what we are joking about. Smart baby.

9. Smiles immediately if you say his name. Then his dimpled gummed smile makes you smile which makes him smile which makes you smile. You get the picture.

10. Tosses and turns until he goes to sleep, most of the time with his blanket over his face. So much like his Dad.

11. Eats some milk by bottle and some by the tube.

12. Can roll from his belly to his back and back side to side.

13. Chews on EVERYTHING.

14. Really grabs your face, hair, ears, neck and whatever else he can get his little hands on.

15. Sports #2 diaper and 6 month clothes.

16. Sleeps through the whole night but has to be woke up to eat. Josh says he looks like road kill when he sleeps.

17. Consumes a little over 18 ounces of 30 calorie formula a day.

18. Pukes up at least once a day.

19. Which results in many loads of laundry. Good thing I love laundry, too bad puking is what brings more laundry into my life.

20. Gags frequently.

21. Weighs in at 13 lbs. 5 oz.

22. Measures 26 ¼ inches long.

23. A twinkle is in his eye when he smiles at Grandpa Ray and we figure it’s because he doesn’t give any medicines or force milk on him. What an easy job just to love an adore a little baby boy!

24. Wants to sit up or be held almost every minute. Thankfully he has many folks who want to help him with that.

25. Rarely cries and if he does it’s not even that loud.

26. Likes the feeling of going down stairs. Will he be a rollercoaster rider like his mom or prefer to be safe on the ground like his dad? Mmmm, fair rides and fair food. I could go for a Viking right now!

27. Takes a few cat naps throughout the day, 20 minutes max. Then it’s the mad dash to get something done or take a nap yourself. I’ve been mixing it up a bit lately. Right now I am typing this post during a nap. Productive I know.

28. LOVES people. Seriously, if you want to chat he will listen.

29. Eli is a HAPPY HAPPY boy.

I would like to make this more of a regular thing. 29 things Eli is doing. Wouldn’t it be perfect to line it up with the 29th of each month too!? 29/29, kinda like 20/20.

Lately On the Ranch

2011-04-15T07:00:00.000-06:00

It has been calving season. Just about over 'bout 30 more cows to go. It's been fun since people have been visiting. Visitors are always welcome. Vacancy at the Soulsby Ranch!

First Skye (Josh's sister from Denver) surprised us for Eli's birthday. I am such a chicken that I could never buy a plane ticket without making sure the people wanted company during that time, yadda yadda. But it's a perfect time during calving season because no one is headed out of town and definitely looking for someone to come in and mix things up!

Then my aunt Deanne brough my Gram and her sister Dorothy out. Of course we are not sure who everyone is visiting, Eli, the cows or us. I think it truly goes in that order.

My friend Liz was looking for a retreat from the big city life. LOVES Eli, and cows and got rid of a tension headache for me. Needless to say she is invited back. Plus she risked her life to feed the cows, she is deathly allergic to hay! Of course she was there for a ring fiasco which I will share later.

Josh's aunt came out to visit. And since I have known him I have seen her for a total of hmmm, 7.4 minutes. It was cool to see Bonnie's sister because it brought new light to her personality. She is very much like her oldest sister which is cool. Same humor.

And most recently Josh's other aunt Helen came to visit for Steve's (no photo of the birthday boy oops!) birthday. She brought her little sweetie dog, Rocky too. Super cute lil hot dog girl.

My car got some TLC from Josh's brother Les. Well, maybe more than expected. It needed it.

"THE" Dress

2011-04-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

This link came to me in an email from my friend Toni as a joke. But, we both agreed they had some super cute dresses. I am so not a tube top kind of girl, nor do I want to have a plunging neckline or be uncomfortable. This dress is ‘SO’ me.

Josh: ‘it looks old lady-ish.’

Lindsey: ‘isn’t it ‘SO’ me though?’

Josh: ‘yes, you’re an old lady.’

Now to try something on similar to see if it’s all I think it is and more. Off to play dress up!

Where is the Love?

2011-04-13T07:00:00.006-06:00

My hair. I would like to say it’s a love hate relationship, but I can’t find the love. I need to own my hair. Love my hair. It’s difficult because I don’t know what to do with it and what I like on other folks my hair will never do. So here is what I am thinking…

Yes I want to be a combo between Gwenyth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham. Pathetic I know. But with my straight hair I think an A line will work and perhaps if I get it cut more frequently I won’t loath it. Here’s to lovin’ my hair or shavin’ my head! Off to get it cut, woohoo. I will update with my new do!

Let the Planning Begin!

2011-04-13T07:00:00.002-06:00

I am adding in a bit of the wedding goodness to my blog. I feel it is a safe place to share my ideas, thoughts and the photos I find. If it bores you to death or makes you want to vomit no one is holding a gun to your head to read it. So here goes...

The wedding...funny, Josh has more thoughts on the subject than I do! He had two "musts"...a ceremony and pulled pork. He kills me. My sister had pulled pork and it was oh so good so there is no problem there for me. I asked him why he was so set on having a ceremony and I thought he would start in on one of his 'it's tradition' speeches, but oh no, he said Carol (his aunt on his mom's side) will kill me if I don't have a ceremony. Really!?

So I was talking with Josh's new sister-in-law Camela and she asked if we had a date set yet. I told her no, but Josh said we have to have a ceremony and pulled pork. She started laughing and I thought it was because she doesn't eat pulled pork, but oh no it's because her husband- another Soulsby boy happened to say Carol would kill him if they eloped. I started laughing because why is all of this so important to the boys and does Carol even know they feel this way!?

So then came really narrowing down a date. First it was June, July or September to work with Josh's cows. You know they are the number one women in his life. The last two weekends were looking best since it could snow in early June here in ole Montana. When I mentioned the last weekend in June Josh said 'oh it can't be close to the Fourth of July because Carol will kill me!' Are ya kidding me!? Again, I need to talk this Carol, or perhaps we just need to have a meeting with her or run the ideas past her first.

Josh and I have decided that June 23, 2012 will be our big day.

Interesting to think back to all of our big days...

September 5, 2008 we met.
March 29, 2010 Eli was born.
June 23, 2012 we will be married.

A bit out of order and looking at it now very sporatic. Maybe we need a December date as well to have all for seasons/quarters. Well December 2008 I bought my house and December 2009 we found out we were having Eli. So I guess it's balanced. Everything about all of it seems so natural. That's how I know it's right. I found these invites and they cracked me up- SO us!

While driving to Missoula to see a specialist for Eli (and stay with Carol, the wedding influencer) we discussed our wedding plans and ideas. We laughed that she could review all of our thoughts on the wedding before we make any big decisions. Too funny. More on those as the date comes closer, some logistics still need to be worked out and folks formally asked.
So many other things to decide, find, create, pay for, you know all that great stuff that will hopefully not turn me into a bridezilla. Stay tuned for the L + J = LOVE planning extravaganza.

Mr. Man

2011-04-12T17:06:00.001-06:00

The Eman. He's a hunka hunka burnin' love. These are definitely getting enlarged into BIG prints. Can't wait to see Mr. Man on my walls. Thanks Leah for capturing our little cutie!

This was Eli's mood after the shoot. Well a bunch during the shoot too. Poor guy, the tourture we put the little ones through to get some good shots.

Eli's great aunt Deanne made this hat, and when I asked her if she recognized it she said no. I asked 'didn't you make it!?' She said, 'oh yeah, but it's inside out!" Geez, leave it to me and Leah. Well if your knitting looks this good on the inside you know you are good!

Anyone zooming in on his teradactile toenails!? How embarrassing.

We couldn't resist!

Eli has been holding up 2 fingers like he's saying Peace!

This is by far everyone's favorite. You can see more of his personality coming out. I think in reality we need 12 people entertaining the little man to get him to really open up!

My Fiance

2011-04-11T00:43:00.001-06:00

Now that we are engaged, Josh answers his phone...'Lindsey's Fiance, Eli's dad'. He's such a goofball. Once I had introduced him to someone as Eli's dad and he won't let me forget it. Josh really uses the word, i think because I think it's such a riduculous word. He will say, 'Fiance I'm home', 'oh I missed you Fiance', 'Fiance will you get me a beer'. But I really think he is diggin' his new title of Fiance. The word sounds so silly to me. So many people already call me his wife which isn't much better but I guess I have been called worse.

This photo of us is when it was REEEally cold. When the jelly in your eyeballs feels frozen type of cold. We were not dressed to hold up a 7 Eleven or anything. Although we might be able to do a ranch version of Fun with Dick and Jane!

Checkin' the 28 List

2011-03-22T23:12:00.000-06:00

3. drink water, ooh I have gone down the soda road yet again (sorry I just had to pause to take a drink of my root beer)
5. find peace, check, after reading this book I might know where to find peace.

6. complete a daunting task, check, I guess there is something good that comes out of living at the ranch during calving season and not being able to go outside due to the cold/windy weather. I organized my computer files. Man it feels good.

11. eli's book, makin' progress. I have taken every post from his website to include in the album, now I need to start the printing (as if I am afraid I might complete this daunting task- ooh then I could cross off #6 again!)

12. creative business, check, ready and open with many more ideas to come. This is something I could get used to. Thanks Leah for being my first customer!

15. complete incompletes for school, CHECK, school's out for Lindsey! Woohoo, just awaiting 3 grades to be updated.

18. be thankful, check, sent out some valentine love
23. take Eli on adventures, check, had some nice weather and took Eman on a walk in his baby bjorn pouch.

26. read, check just finished the secret (which helped cross off good ole' #5) and another one of Ali's books

The Shoppe is OPEN!

2011-03-07T23:40:00.001-07:00

Two years ago I spoke with a friend, well multiple friends, about a dream. It turned into my goal. Open my shoppe and sell my cards. After taking a photography class and my professor noticed my obsession with photographing wood. On a drive from Stanford to Great Falls I thought, wouldn't it be nice if I could do something with all of my wood photos? And the 'Wooden it be nice...' card series was born. Help welcome it to the world and check out the line over at my Etsy shoppe, Lindsalita. Thank you to everyone (you know who you are ladies) who helped me for years make this dream come true, thank you.

Robot No. 4 -A Cookie Gone Wrong

2011-03-02T07:00:00.002-07:00

Premature babies have trouble eating because they have had tubes down their throats, never learned how to suck/swallow/breathe and basically have been force fed their whole lives. Eli is no different. Our goal is to create good experiences orally so he will not develop an aversion. After becoming a lil’ gun shy from choking on what is supposed to be a dissolvable pill Eman didn’t want anything by his mouth. So I thought I would coax him out of this state with a cookie. These cookies require supervision. He goes after them like a Rottweiler and chomps off huge chunks, aka choking hazards. Next thing I knew I heard a big CRRRunCCHHH. Let the choking begin. Already wearing my Robot Mom cape, I flew to the rescue, immediately remembering the video training I watched it was like I had already performed the finger sweep on a plastic baby, oh wait I had…Eli needed a bit of patting (don’t worry CPA, the correct amount of pressure was applied) which triggered the lovely up-chuck reflex. Once Puke-E was settled I shed the puke over or pullover and continued on about my day. Later I realized I was struttin’ my stuff sporting what seemed like a gallon of puke! Imagine, this would never happen if I had a sidekick (currently accepting applications). Eli must have aimed the puke down into my pullover, sneaky little puker he is, bery bery sneaky. In case anyone was wondering what trends have hit Stanford Montana, feast your eyes!

Robot Mom No. 3 -Getting Saucy with Robo Dad

2011-03-01T07:00:00.002-07:00

Since having Eli Josh and I don’t really get a chance to go out to eat together. Well we had the opportunity and went to Jaker’s because I love their soup and salad bar. Nothing special just salad bars aren’t to-go friendly. We have become the king and queen of delivery or take out when we are in town since Eli can’t mingle with the germ carrying population. It’s an extra special treat to go to a restaurant. In true date night fashion we went out and even ordered an appetizer- bacon wrapped shrimp with some sort of plum sweet and sour sauce. Yum.

The waitress clears away the entire table attempting to balance it all on one are and the top of her tower was the plum sweet and sour sauce which of course came toppling down and landed in Josh’s lap! I watched the lil’ chippy of a waitress dive into Josh’s crotch in hopes to clean up the sauce. This is the point in the movie where the waitress would start apologizing for her reflex to clean him up and touching him inappropriately. But, not this girl! Oh, no. She was still down there working diligently to de-sauce Josh, and Josh at this point has leaned back to enjoy it! She apologizes repeatedly for her clumsiness, but nothing about wiping his crotch for a half an hour!

We laughed all the way home. I kept laughing thinking of Josh having to drive home with a plastic bag under his butt to protect his seat. The laughing didn’t stop when he had to change his boxer briefs because it had soaked through! I think all of my laughing set me up for Karma to sauce me.

On another day, I went to Perkins with my Mom and my Aunt. The waitress brought all of our food at once each served on a plate that was 14 pounds alone. I have no idea how they balance these puppies on their arms. Well I think our waitress was asking the same question. I didn’t know if I should grab my Mom’s plate to help the poor gal out, but the plates moved in what was like slow motion- right into my lap and down my side! It was cocktail sauce that was attracted to me the most. It was in the pocket of my jacket even! As we look around for more napkins we see the other waitress behind her that was only carrying a side salad- what the heck, think perhaps she would have been helpful with the rest of the meals? Anyway, she quickly returned with a wet rag and looked at the sauce oozing down my side onto my butt. She looked at me wanting to help desperately but realized she would have to touch my butt to do so, and paused, and asked permission. After the waitress wiped my butt and hearing a million apologies from the other waitress we died laughing. Of course I had to tell them about Josh’s experience and that I had it comin’!

Questions About "The Question"

2011-02-28T23:20:00.000-07:00

Well, it’s official. Josh and I are engaged. I always thought my engagement story would include, “then after I stopped squealing and crying” but not the case. He asked me to marry me and got a lil’ teary eyed himself. I of course said yes.

Now let me tell you the pre-engagement story. We were driving back from Billings after visiting his Brother Troy and soon to be Sister-In-Law Camela who were planning their wedding in full force. Seeing as though I had Josh’s undivided attention I took out my interregation lamp and started asking him all sorts of questions. There was no where for him to escape to, well I guess we were only travelling at 35 miles an hour, but it was a blizzard so he wouldn’t be jumping out. I was asking him if we were getting married what would be important to him, how would he like it to go down and so on. He had a lot of opinions and just as everything else in our relationship so far lined up almost perfectly. I am a ‘open your present before your birthday’ type of girl and can’t wait for surprises.
I asked : “Are you going to ask me to marry you this year (2010)?”

He said : “Yes.”

Shocked, I asked “Before or after I get huge?” (Eli was still calling my womb home at the time)

He said “Before.”

Funny how even though I knew Josh’s plan how life happens and takes an entirely different direction. I couldn’t stop myself from asking questions about how he was going to do it, if he had a ring, blah blah blah.

A few weeks later Josh was in the shower and his phone rang, it was his dad so I thought, I’d better answer it. He told me we needed to meet the mailman at the mailbox to pickup a package. “Sure thing.” Once we get the box, I of course want to know what’s inside it. I’m nosy. Josh told me it was his chip for his pickup. Again, Miss Nosy wanted to know what a chip looked like. We got to the ranch and he didn’t open it. It was killing me. An unopened package. I was dying to know what a chip looked like too! Next thing I know he is in the bathroom opening the package. I was like a little kid, “whatcha doin’ in there for?” He tries everything to keep me at bay but I am a professional when it comes to being nosy! Finally he breaks down and tells me it’s my ring. “WHAT!? MY RING!?” Man I am spoiled. He even showed it to me later on. And being the nosy spoiled girl that I am was wearing it around in secret! I know, horrible. We can’t keep anything from each other, which I’m sure is pretty nauseating for some. My apologies, there should have been a disclaimer that this story might make you vomit. Ha! I like how I just included vomit into my engagement story, so ‘us’.

Don’t worry, it gets worse. We went up to the mountains and I opened my big mouth and said, “this would be the perfect time to ask me to marry you”. In fact it happened at all sorts of places; the Space Needle, multiple dinners, long drives, the list goes on. I couldn’t help myself. I had diamonds on the brain I guess.

One day I realized Josh added something to the calendar. “Ask L a ?” Knowing good and well if I ruined it this time the ring would be flying off of some cliff. So I kept my mouth shut. After the entire day slipped away and Josh still hadn’t asked me “the question” I had to ask. He said, “I asked you a question today about Eli and you said yes”. Dangit, he did. Mr. Thinks He’s So Tricky. Can’t wait to be Mrs. Thinks He’s So Tricky.

28 Things The Update

2011-02-09T21:05:00.000-07:00

#2 make my home a home, check. I lived in my house for 2 years and the walls looked like a hospital. Oh-ho, no more. That's why I created #2 and why I crossed it off. Feels good. Even Josh said 'hey it looks like someone lives here now'. While trickling my stuff into my new home (Josh's), I thought, frames are supposed to be hung instead of leaning up against the wall. And so, the mirror Josh bought for my birthday last year from World Market, sconces from Party Lite and a Cherry Blossom number from Hobby Lobby. All on sale of course.

#4, be active. Completed my 21 challenge to exercise for 10 minutes a day. Can't wait for the ice to melt so Eli and I can beat our feet in the street. And of course the temperatures would have to raise above 10, which I would not complain about either.

#7, COOK. Gotta eat to live. Might as well do it at home and save money. Plus Stanford Montana has not caught onto the whole food delivered to your door concept I am used to. So far I have whipped up Elise's pesto pizza, Woman's Day Pot Roast, chocolate pudding from scratch, banana bread, mushroom pot roast, meatloaf, chicken salad- I know not tough but while I'm listing things why not, Sheppard's pie, meat balls, raviolis with alfredo, lasagna and bacon baked in the oven = LOVE. The list is a bit beefy, but when a girls got a freezer overflowing with the stuff 'BEEF, it's what's for dinner'.

#15, complete my incompletes. english and math left and I'm a free bird!

#24, pass my fit test. Done. Hallelujah!

Holly Jolly [Snail] Mail

2011-02-09T20:51:00.000-07:00

A beauty by Rhonda.

Lynn and Michael worked up another masterpiece this season. See more of their work here.

Toni, the artist of this chic card used to be my 'stampin' soulmate', but now she is my 'printable partner' who has fallen in love with House of 3 too.

Angela my scrappin' bud from SC sent this lil' number.

Holiday mail ROCKS! Picked up a wire hanger from Pier 1 Imports that held, well barely held all of the Christmas-ey goodness. Handmade cards are the icing on the Christmas cookie of holiday [snail] mail, photo cards come in a sweet second.

Eli helped me stamp these thank you's for his Christmas gifts. Let's say he turned into the little green giant and a lean mean green hand stampin' machine. Don't worry I checked and this does not qualify as child labor.

Just My Type

2011-01-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

The sound, color, and feel are delicious. This bad boy comes in it's own carrying case just in case I need to type something up on the go, LOVE IT!

Third the Turd

2011-01-17T07:00:00.004-07:00

Week two was really the week that made the whole challenge for me, then my grandmother passed away and let's say lots went on that made easy excuses for not keeping up with my last week. I completed the book and that is huge for me! 21 challenge accomplished, #24 crossed off. Done and done. And it feels good.

A Second for the Second Week

2011-01-16T23:33:00.000-07:00

The red element was a tag from Eli's 'good things come in small packages' onsie.

2010 postage cancellation is from a Shutterfly advertisement I received with my printed Christmas cards.

Of course the eagle is from that American Eagle bag I mutilated.

This is the second week of my 21 day challenge. Wheew. The second week was the most enlightening. Like an ah-ha moment that put my entire life in perspective. Thank you week two. During the holidays was a true test of if I could really make it. Stick with something through the busiest times, sweetest, buttery-est, mashed potato-y times.

View week 1 here.
[Printable numbers from Creativity Prompt]

Week No. 1 or Weak One

2010-12-23T10:53:00.000-07:00

Decided to go with book rings since this book will grow over the 21 days. Used one of Heidi Swapp's stickers, LOVE THESE.

Part of an American Eagle bag. Again, more Heidi Swapp stickers. And my new fave printable place Creativity Prompt for these numbers I will be using throughout the book.

Inspired by Ali Edwards lines for journalling.

Again, inspired by Ali Edwards using junk mail and Elise Blaha Cripe for using security envelopes.

After taking Jessica Sprague's Inspiration class, used the pocket template for this cool shape.

From the gal who started it all, Rhonna's quote, a little inspiration printout to get my butt in gear. Oooh and you can only imagine how excited I was when the postal worker gave me this package from American Eagle. First it's a package, but then it's super groovy too. Who cares about what is inside, I couldn't wait to use the ICAN again, AND it had the date and part of our box number on it, perfect! Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if little things didn't amuse me.

And finally a little photo love of Stanford. And yes, those are my boots Bonnie gave me. The cows don't know what to do with such a fashionista!

21 ACTIVE Days

2010-12-15T11:37:00.000-07:00

I am starting my own 21 day challenge. I need to cross #24 off my list, too bad it wasn't #21 that would have been perfect. I need to live a healthier life. I want to create something daily and keeping this journal is the ticket. Let me tell you I am lovin' not having my entire stash of supplies out here in Stanford. Limited supplies awakens my creativity. Love that. Might keep with this limited theme for a while.

I missed the boat for Rhonna's 21 day challenge, it just wasn't a good time for me, today is. December 15th, 2010 I will do something active for 10 minutes a day. Running a mile and a half in under 16:28, doing 18 pushups and 38 sit ups in a minute is the goal. I HAVE to (the air national guard requires it). I WANT to (I make healthier choices when I'm active). I NEED to (I have been feeling like crap, mentally and physically).

This is the front cover of the book. Not sure if I will use book rings or the bind it all (as both options are in Great Falls) to bind this little number. The red and 'ICAN' is from an American Eagle bag and after slaughtering it I only had enough to cover a portion of the front. I like it anyway, very 'Santa Baby'. And I'm sure you are diggin' my green verigated shag in my new craft room, it's alright be to be jealous!

Today's goal: Run for 10 minutes outside without breaking my hip on the ice. I am taking my ipod, a hat and gloves. I will also be sure to keep on the main roads where the ice has melted so this doesn't end up being a one day challenge. Gram is coming to watch my 'Santa Baby' during her lunch hour so I can run, see I even have a support group for this challenge!

Lately

2010-12-13T21:07:00.001-07:00

Wine glass chandelier from Bin 119.
Fossil's ad for their vintage collection- YUM.

Holiday shopping.
Let the wrapping begin once I gather the paper I bought on clearance last year.
Thinking about making carmels (for the first time) and some almond roca.
Enjoying having a lit tree in the house.

Less = More

2010-12-12T22:00:00.000-07:00

A couple sheets of notebook paper, silver sharpie, a plastic lid, stapler, paper sack, House of 3 family matters (received from their webshow) printable, cardstock card bases, House of 3 gratitude digital kit, House of 3 fall junque in the trunque printable, Creativity Prompt dear diary printable, and the Creativity Prompt circle graph label printable was all I needed to create 16 cards…yes, I said sixTEEN! Having all of my creative options back at my house really helped me think outside of the box and create with what I had or could find. Less supplies = More creativity. Less creative distractions = More accomplished. I guess less really is more.

Procrastinate. Check.

2010-12-04T22:58:00.000-07:00

I procrastinate. ALL OF THE TIME. I would love to break this habit, but to stay true to myself I will have put it off until tomorrow [add it to Toni's list]. I want to do EVERYTHING at once. I want everything done right now. My expectations are WAY out of line. I chose one thing to do this weekend [finish my photography class]. Slowly but surely I am getting it 'checked' off my list. Two checks still left...enlarge photos and turn in portfolio [alright maybe three, if I create a blog post to share]. These bites are much easier to chew than choking on that enormous elephant I was trying to swallow whole!

Not Alone

2010-12-03T22:24:00.002-07:00

Snow builds up.

Snow melts away.

In between evidence is left behind. [I have a band of squirrels who hang at my house.]

We gather. Even though we are each melting away. It's nice to know we're together.

I just heard that my dad's best friend "Flinger" as he is called has really aggressive cancer. Ugh. I know people aren't supposed to live forever, but I hate to hear they have to fight to live. Didn't I just learn the lesson of fighting to live the hard way with Eli? Or my aunt's brain tumor? Or do I still need to learn that lesson and that's why it continues to show it's ugly face?

My dad passed away when I was a year old. When my mom gave me all her keepsakes, my dad's wallet was one of them. My grandfather, his father, made it for him. I knew it was special, a piece of him. Not until I held it in my hand just before writing this post, did I wonder why he wasn't buried with it? Weird. Thinking about how many times I pull out my wallet in a day it makes me feel closer to my dad. Remembering back to when I first saw his wallet, both my sister and I were amazed with the button and of course the three old wrinkly dollar bills.

I am not sure when my dad got the 'I am Loved' button or who gave it to him. It lived in his wallet for what seems like an eternity with the letters rubbed off almost completely, wore a couple rings in the opposing side and was smashed flat from I'm guessing his butt squishing it. So cool to see something my dad loved and all of the abuse that button took. Much like our hearts, I wonder if they would look the same: rubbed raw, worn and smashed?

On another day I am not sure when, my mom gave my sister and I each a button to carry in our wallets. I am passing my button on to Flinger so that he knows he is loved by everyone here and where ever my dad ended up and one day they will be up to their shenanigans again. I would love to corner Flinger and hear all of the wild stories he has about my dad, but I guess it might not be politically correct to ask at a time like this. Ah heck, I asked anyway, maybe this is the perfect time.

Not until today while I was trying to find a replacement button did I know how it all started and now it only makes it more awesome, guess I need to share our story too! Better collect a few more details before I do.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

2010-12-01T09:54:00.000-07:00

looking back on what I looked forward to in november

My sister Courtney is bringing my niece Ella for a visit. [super excited to see my sister and her sassy miniature self]
~~Getting a flu shot. [well, not entirely looking forward to it, but will be nice to get it out of the way]~~
Completing all of my incompletes. [yes that means you photography, science, english and math, evil #15] Whoops, look like this one will be tackeled again in dec.
Selling some creations at the hospital craft faire with my Aunts. [once the above task is done, let the creating begin!]
Thanksgiving. [mmm…I'm thankful for yams and family]
Completing my PT test. [adios #24] It was pretty ambitious, it's now scheduled for January.
Eli’s CF test. [want to hear officially that we can cross off cystic fibrosis from his ‘side effect list’]

unexpected in november

the new harry potter came out [it was scary, the lady sitting next to me in the theater said I was scaring her more than the movie!]
Eli being hospitalized [only 4 days this time, thankfully]
tons of snow which closed roads

looking forward to in december

santa is coming [don't worry I've been good]
starting the lindsalita business and blog
going to Billings to have Eli's eyes checked
finishing school [looking forward to having the dark cloud of homework out from over my head]

Thanksgiving Weekend

2010-11-28T07:00:00.002-07:00

Thankful for family, busting a pair of pants in the rear end before the feast, deviled eggs, pumpkin bars, uncle Les holding Eli, sleeping in since Grammy B was watching the wee one and a bit of time to create some cards.

Thankful for warmer weather.

Thankful for green in the middle of white.

Thankful for dried flowers on the edge of the road.

Maybe not so thankful for watching a cow dehorned.

The Pen Pal Project Book

2010-11-27T07:00:00.002-07:00

This is the cover of my pen pal project book. I will be collecting the [snail] mail goodness in here. I created a 9 x11.5 chipboard album held together with book rings. Each pen pal, I have 6 so far has their own section with a envie tab and page protectors that contain their goodies. I can simply slip in the [snail] mail, whatever it be, a drawing, letter, card or postcard. This way it only takes a snap and I can go back through and smile at the little [snail] mail beauties!

A little more about the cover. I wanted to have a bit of lace adorning it, attaching it with staples for a more [snail] mail like feel. In one of those crafting accidents I stapled my finger...TWICE! Actually bled onto the vintage lace. I guess that's one way to dye lace! Wounded and sporting a band-aid I decided to sew the lace on- with safety being a top priority. Note: Only two fingers were hurt in the making of this album...so far. I have been enjoying practicing my handwriting along with Heidi's Love Your Handwriting book. *Will updade with the source of the mailing label printout.

Each section has a paper source envie that I will be storing items I want to mail to my special pen pals. I attached the stories I was told about my pen pals excitement to participate. 'Courtney: Do you want to be pen pals with Lindsey? Scott: What's a penpal? Courtney: It's where she mails you stuff. Scott: Ooh, like when she mailed me a Nintendo DS game!? Courtney: No, just mail.'

'Tammi: Do you want to be pen pals with Lindsey? Makenna: YES!!...What's a pen pal?'

This was the first letter/acceptance back. It melted my heart. I LOVE IT! Thank you Marta for the inspiration to star' this project and making this letter possible.

For the love of photos, a memory that they have chose to share with you. Much appreciated.

Alright, now I think I need an old fashioned typewriter to type up my very own pen pal letters. The look of a typewriter, the sound, the font. Note: Find typewriter that looks cool and works.

Ah, postcards. I love to travel. And the next best thing to travelling somewhere yourself is receiving a postcard from someone who has been travelling! So exciting to see a snipit of their adventure.

Thanks for looking! Hope you feel moved to feed someone else's [snail] mailbox.

Joining the Pen Pal Project

2010-11-26T07:00:00.002-07:00

Monday - Saturday is my favorite part of the week, that means the [snail] mail comes! Rarely I find my mailbox empty, when it is tons of questions enter my mind...

what time is it?
is it Sunday?
did I already collect it?
did the mail man forget my house?

So many people I know say, I NEVER get [snail] mail. Geez, there are only a handful of days I NEVER get [snail] mail, but perhaps they are talking about the good ole' [snail] mail. The handwritten address, the cancelled stamp, and the funky colored/shaped envelopes. You can never have too much good ole' [snail] mail that's for sure.

I was sending out a lot of cards a few years back and sent a few to a friend. Her husband was secretly jealous, and one day she came home to her card had already been opened. She asked him why he opened it, and he said he had a bad day at work and needed a little pick me up and opening her card did just the trick. Funny, [snail] mail that is not even for you is still fun to open! And it's such a high commodity it might get stolen, so watch out.

In a movement to NEVER have 'no [snail] mail days' I joined up with Marta and Summer in their Pen Pal Project. I love the idea. Slowing down, making it personal, and spreading the [snail] mail love. Filling people's mailboxes that are dying of malnutrition and simply making someone's day sounds like a lovely project.

First who would I ask? Will people want to do it? Would they think I am totally corny? Who cares, I have yet to meet someone who doesn't like [snail] mail. Junk [snail] mail sure, but this won't be junk at all. I ordered 2 packs of postcards to officially invite my chosen pen pals. Since Eli cannot be around children I thought what better people than the children in my life!? The fact that I can capture their lives right now through the [snail] mail instead of face to face seems so secret, precious, and COOL! Josh thinks I am crazy asking 5 year olds to be my pen pal, but they are psyched and openly so am I!!

Makenna's Mom asked her if she would like to be my penpal and she replied...YES! What's a penpal?

Scotty's Mom asked him if he would like to be penpals and he said what does that mean, she told him where she would mail you stuff, he said like Nintendo DS games?

Super excited to teach them about [snail] mail!

Below are the responses I have sent out so far and I also found these postcards that made me laugh.

***Upcoming tomorrow the [snail] mail book loaded with what I have received to date.

The 'give thanks' printables were found at Living Locurto courtesy of Beth Proudfoot.

B & E

2010-11-22T05:06:00.000-07:00

This weekend I was B & E, as Dane Cook calls Breaking and Entering. I am breaking out of my shell, like Eli out of his crib. Entering the creative world and sharing myself. I put myself out there (at a craft faire). Granted I was not there physically, but my work was on display. It survived. No one purchased anything, but no one egged my house for putting it out there either. I stuck a toe out there, no one bit it off. I survived. I can do it again. I will do it again. Watch out January, the world might not be ready, but I am.

Today's plan: Create a shutterfly book (my free code expires today, better use it up). Shovel snow. Mail packages (yes Toni, watch your mailbox). Talk with professors about incompletes for school, with Eli's recent hospitalization it seems that school work/#15 has taken a backseat. Organize my supplies, watch for a never/barely/rarely used it sale soon.

Robot Mom No. 2

2010-11-19T07:00:00.001-07:00

Well, just when I thought Eli had it bad enough with his robot mom...it turns out he has a robot dad as well. We went to Helena (where my doctor is, about 1.5 hrs away) and as we were walking out the door Josh says with Eli in hand, you ready? Yep, and we were off. What Josh should have asked is did you grab the diaper bag and fuel the car? Nope. So as we were 'drivin' on fumes' as my Mom would say and totin' a baby without his tool kit. Let's just say we are glad we were visiting civilization that had a Walgreens! Only a robot mom and a robot dad (or maybe robo dad sounds better?) would travel with their child without a diaper bag. We don't need no stinkin' diaper bags, heck we could have used a diaper bag for Josh. Since Eli can't be around other people while I was in the doctor (the scootch doctor as I call them, when you go for a yearly it's pretty much the only time you will hear someone say 'scootch, just a little more' ugh) Josh stayed in the car with Eli. We were late because fueling the car halfway took up some time, Josh's ~~using the bathroom~~ defueling time to be exact. When I came back to the car Josh asked if I wanted some apple juice. I was looking at an Arrowhead water bottle knowing good and well they don't bottle apple juice. Oh man! Poor Josh had to defuel Dumb and Dumber style. *Note to self, travel more with Eli so we are prepared for trips with fuel and diapers.

Living in Montana

2010-11-17T07:00:00.004-07:00

This is as close to the outside as I got yesterday. Peeking out from the front door. The roads were closed (didn't get to town for Eli's labs obviously) so we vegged out (or junked out there was cookies, ice cream sandwiches, popcorn and chips. Eli was good and stuck to formula) on the couch in front of the TV.

If we can make it to town the plan is to...
Get Eli's weight checked (fingers crossed for over 10 pounds).
Deliver wedding Thank You notes to a friend (will share pics later).
Gather pieces from my house to hang at Josh's (No. 16's gonna be crossed out soon).
Prep goods to sell at Craft Faire.
Organize/Edit digital photos (2 computers = too messy).
Pack bags to head to Seattle, again.

If we are still stuck in Stanford the plan is to...
Clean out 2 closets.
Go to the grocery store.
Pay bills.
Finish science homework (70 fill in the blank and a few essay questions to go).
Pack bags to head to Seattle, again.

There are quite a few things that I ~~need~~ want to get done in town. Finished reading Focus (only 2 more books to read to cross off No. 26) which had two great quotes I need to tatoo on my forehead.

"If you chase two rabbits both will escape." - Unknown

"Success demands singleness of purpose." - Vince Lombardi

Focus on one thing at a time. One. Thing. It's so easy for me to get wrapped up in wanting to do everything at once, then nothing gets done because I am overwhelmed. Focus on one thing at a time. One. Thing.

Outgoing and Incoming [Snail] Mail

2010-11-16T07:00:00.001-07:00

This is a thank you card for my friend that took care of all of the 'living' stuff while we were in Seattle and Salt Lake City. Friends are the best. The pendant is from Ritzy Misfit.

My grandma's sister fell out of bed and bumped her head, a lil monkey card made it to her [snail] mail box to cheer her up At 89 she really shouldn't be jumping on the bed.

Toni made this card for me and hand delivered it (with some books to read too!), too cool. Friends that make cards are even better! Thanks girl!

goOd dAy

2010-11-15T23:08:00.001-07:00

Today was a good day. Thanks Marta for helping me sum it up!

Oh So Funny

2010-11-13T07:00:00.002-07:00

Things that make me laugh lately...or laugh everytime I see them.

Bumper stickers, this one just killed me. I believe that they put them back there for my amusement. Thank you random car in front of me.
Taco Bell hot sauce packages. I know Taco Bell is not on a list of anything healthy, but it's cheap, I can't resist mexican food (nacho cheese and sour cream should be a food group) and they have hysterical packaging. I was literally LOLing at TB and the guy giving my order was thinking, man this girl is easily amused. Yep, all it takes for me is a one liner from a sauce packet! My old time faves are 'at night the sporks pick on me', 'this space for rent' and 'it's dark and I can hear laughing'. Thank you hot sauce joke maker upper.

Just Visiting

2010-11-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

I LOVE visitors! It's so easy to get stuck in a routine of doing what I have to do rather than what I want to do.

When a visitor arrives it is just what I need to mix it up a bit.

Special groceries are bought to prepare meals to share with the honored guest.
I get the motivation to do those extra cleaning projects in preparation of their arrival.
Simply hanging out at the house is more exciting because they are meshing their lifestyle with ours.
We take the time to go on an adventure, because they will only be their a short time and we want them to really soak up your environment. The ranch, Giant Springs, and Real Deals are always on the list of 'must sees' for a first timer.
The good ole' tour of the house, complete with the 'I'm not a house-keeper disclaimer'.
Splurging on a meal or two out.
Studying their routine, whether they need go to bed early, have a special pillow to sleep with, or need the tv on. It just facinates me to see a glimpse into their life.

The questions that come along with being in a new environment...

do you have a wash cloth?
will their be coffee in the morning?
do you have an extra blanket?
can I use the internet?
where's the bathroom?

With a brand new visitor, there is some transition. Although, with the regulars they want to know what you have changed in their room, I love the ownership that comes with frequent visits. It's fun to show off our little Eli, the newly improved gate, or that really cool clock I picked up.

With any arrival of a visitor always comes the bittersweet departure.

Dropping them off at the airport or walking them to their car to say good-byes.
Squeezing those 'extras' into their luggage in order to escape mailing it.
Knowing that reality is just around the corner when we return home.

Signs that people have visited my house are another close favorite.

Extra towels to wash. I LOVE laundry almost more than visitors. Towels are the best laundry because at my house they get their own load and perfect 'no thinking folding'.
A cup next to their bed.
A meal they cooked, a random item they forgot, or a gift they left.
Smiling at the new collection of photos from a different perspective of your relationships, environment and adventures.

Their memory lingers and I love it. The good times you had, the awkward blending of routines (I'm not a morning person which works for some, but not others) or the amazingly easy rythmn you seem to achieve with some guests. I love to hear someone is coming, even if it's just tossing the idea around, it gets me in a tizzy. Nothing like a new baby to get people motivated to visit. Thank you Eli for being such an attraction! Whether they can stay for 5 minutes or 5 months, we'll take em'!

Josh, Lindsey and Eli's household sign reads VACANCY.

Our rotating visitors started in September and just finished yesterday. Here's the recap...

Visitor No. 1: Ramah, Eli's nurse from Seattle came to visit and it was a blast. She loves E and has a special bond with both Josh and I which was very evident with her natural transistion into our world. She joined us in Dry Wolf mountains to play washoos (of course she became addicted immediatly), brought gifts to be sure Eli would be dressed like a stud, had the gift to soothe Eli during his cranky time, and when I said I have visitors for September, October and November but who will be visiting in December she said "Santa!". Thanks for visiting girl!

Visitor No. 2: My Mom, I love her! I was a real treat to see her for a length of time. Normally she is flying through so fast I almost forget she visited. I was facinating to see her with a baby, my baby, in a way it was like watching myself with my baby. My sister and I are always pointing out that we are turning into our mother, it's not a bad thing, it's funny. My Mom is not a baby person like me and watching her relate to Eli was facinating. I feel with my Robot Mom abilities that Eli will be lacking and wish he had a more loving, natural mother. But I thank my Mom for visiting to help me realize, I love her just the way she is and Eli will love me too (my robotness and all!). She brought Eli a minature cowboy hat, it was adorable and of course she was the paparatzi while she was here which I love too. Miss you already!

Visitor No. 3: Toni, my dear friend from Arizona came to see my new world. Wow, it was quite a change from the last time she saw me. She met the two boys in my life, saw my tiny town and ranch that I will soon call home, was the best friend ever and joined me at a geneology conference that was scheduled during her visit, had to hit up the main attractions of Great Falls (Giant Springs and Real Deals) and of course couldn't hold ourselves back from coffee, bookstores and Michael's. I taught her how to make earrings, which I hear now that I have created a monster! I wish my 'stampin' friend lived closer for sure, we weren't able to spend enough time creating or dreaming of creating for sure. She celebrated Eli's first halloween with us and almost missed her flight due to my poor timing, or was it my way to try to keep her, no one will ever know. The pictures are taken by Toni and man was I slackin' because there is not a clear photo of her in the ~~bunch~~ three I took, shame on me. So I guess that means we will have to meet up again girl! Thanks so much for coming up and seeing my new world, when are you joining me!? Miss you so much!

Visitor No. 4 and 4.5: My sister and niece from Illinois. It's weird to see my sister with a second child a girl this time (Scotty had to stay home). It's weird to see so much of my sister in my niece. It's weird to see how much she rubs off on her children and weird to think that will be me with Eli. It's weird to see her has a nurse (she did so well with my aunt in the hospital for her brain surgery) so caring, calm and together. It's weird to see her leave, we always wish she could stay longer.

For the LOVE of Paper

2010-11-04T07:00:00.003-06:00

Cards for my ~~old~~ past boss who loves green AND turned the big FIVE OH! I hope nobody believes I am even close to my age when I get to be old[er]. Josh told me today I looked 15, so I think I will be safe. Or perhaps he was talking about my maturity!?

A little [snail] mail to cheer up my Aunt who is about to have brain surgery. You can't see the glimmer misting goodness on this beauty, but believe me it's there! While stamping, Eli is my assistant and this song by Gretchen Wilson goes through my head...'with a baby on my hip'.

Halloween/Birthday cards for my Aunt, gotta love the holiday where any color combo goes!

Needless to say, women and men, young and old all LOVE paper!

[Snail] Mail Celebration

2010-11-03T07:00:00.002-06:00

Completely forgot Toni’s birthday this year. I had the gift. Wrapped even! All of that and still TOTALLY dropped the ball. To make it up to her I did a little [snail] mail celebration. These were the goodies that found their way to her [snail] mailbox. And others she 'personally' picked up! So great to see you Toni!

Robot Mom No. 1

2010-11-02T07:00:00.004-06:00

I am not a 'big baby person'. Not meaning I only like small babies, I am just not mushy gushy over babies like some folks. I joke that I am a 'robot mom'. I don't know how to hold them, talk to them or even be around them. It was so obvious that I am my Mother's daughter when I watched her with Eli. It was hysterical, we talk to him like he is 45 years old, get all stiff when we hold him and look like the most unnatural humans on the planet. But then I realized, I love my Mom, I could not ask for a better mom. Who cares if I am not the the baby whisperer, Eli won't even remember it anyway!

After watching Knocked Up [way before I had Eli] I knew I wanted a Baby Bjorn. Having total use of your hands while toting a babe is more my style. Here's where the robot part comes in. So I whipped out that bad boy baby carrier and enjoyed the freedom of having my arms once again. Eli and I did the dishes and just walked around the house. Josh kept looking at poor Eli with his arms sticking straight out, almost having to be up in the air because his armpits rest below the top of the carrier. Even though Josh and I questioned the comfort, Eli was having a blast.

I took the little man to town [I live in Great Falls] and thought, I could really get the car packed in a hurry if I put my lil' joey into his pouch. While trying to shimmy him town into his fave new spot I realized that there were arm holes below the top of the carrier! Oh geez, poor little guy was needlessly getting tortured through his armpits last time!!

And after that you would think that I knew my way around this pouch, but oh no...it's was bugger to get him into and out of this fabric contraption. I found quick release things that disconnect the top part. Genious! If that was robotic enough I let Josh's mom try it out and she found how the bottom disconnects for easy pouching and depouching. Man, four times to find out those Baby Bjorn folks knew what they were doing! Robot mom gives Baby Bjorn two arms thumbs up.

Unexpected and Looking Forward

2010-11-01T22:42:00.001-06:00

Unexpected in October

My Mom visited. [more on her later]

My friend Toni visited. [more on her later too...miss ya girl]

Old man winter visited. [wish there would be no more on him]

Earned an ‘A’ in my history class! [slowly pecking away at #15]

The cows came home. [their party is over, which means ours is too]

Eli had his first sleep over with Grammy B. [we didn’t even say goodbye to him, man parents of the year!]

Josh made room for my clothes at his house. [that means moving the clothes is the next step, ugh]

A new neighbor moved in next door. [have yet to meet them]

Looking forward to November

My sister Courtney is bringing my niece Ella for a visit. [super excited to see my sister and her sassy miniature self]

Getting a flu shot. [well, not entirely looking forward to it, but will be nice to get it out of the way]

Completing all of my incompletes. [yes that means you photography, science, english and math, evil #15]

Selling some creations at the hospital craft faire with my Aunts. [once the above task is done, let the creating begin!]

Thanksgiving. [mmm…I'm thankful for yams and family]

Completing my PT test. [adios #24]

Eli’s CF test. [want to hear officially that we can cross off cystic fibrosis from his ‘side effect list’]

My Life Twin

2010-10-21T07:00:00.004-06:00

I have been following the footsteps of a woman and didn’t even know it. Her name is Lynn.

She grew up in Phoenix. I grew up in Phoenix.

She bought her first house in Great Falls, Montana. I bought that same house.

She had a preemie. I had a preemie.

She makes cards. I make cards.

She loves my cards. I love her cards.

She thinks I am one of the greatest women she’s met. I think she’s one of the greatest women I have met.

I asked her to keep a diary so I would know what will happen in my future! She oozes creativity and love. Just another little perk is her cards, she draws them and her son paints them. I love when they grace my [snail] mailbox. This is the collection to date. Exciting to think it will grow along with our friendship.

Oldies but Goodies

2010-10-20T07:00:00.001-06:00

I love old things, people, and marshmellows, peeps to be exact. Just the thought that there are so many stories in each of them, well maybe not the peeps. Or let's hope the peeps don't have too much of a story to tell otherwise I might not eat them, you know like the hot dog has a wild adventure I don't want to know about it if I'm going to eat it.

If it's

worn
used [we're not talking underware people]
distressed from age
rusted
vintage-y looking
built to last
has personality

It reminds me of 'Friends' with the apothocary table that Rachel buys for Phoebe's apartment that is from Pottery Barn. Don't get me wrong I love PB, but old items are original. I'm like Phoebe, I want each item to have a story. I also love the hunt of a specific item, there is a memory then with where I found it. Going to isle 12 and picking one up isn't as thrilling as scrounging around a bunch of old junk to find a gem.

I have become the keeper of my Mother's keepsakes. It's facinating to see what she kept and hysterical to hear her tell the story of why she kept it and why I need to use/save/have it. Like the awful red and gold candy dish they recieved as a wedding gift and didn't know who gave it to them. There is no story worth saving, except that my mom is waiting for someone to pop back into her life and say - hey I never got a thank you for that candy dish! Since my mother is still alive it's interesting to hear the story behind each item. How sad to think that people only go through items after people have passed, so much is missed, the stories died with them.

Looking at my Mother's keepsakes and hearing her reasons for keeping things, it has really helped me think about what to keep in my own life. Simply talking it out, my mom realized how silly it was to keep certain items and had regrets of not keeping the items that were connected to the stories she remembered.

Once we walked into the barn (this was a year ago) I spotted these two brewing company crates. They are so cool. I knew they would be holding something in my house, but didn't know what. I love the worn paint, the chipped wood. Where they travelled to and all of the hands they passed through make them unique. I didn't have a night stand in the spare room and decided that together the crates would make a perfect night stand, with storage...an added bonus.

My sister is coming into town in early November and she will go through the last bits and pick what keepsakes she wants to keep. Either way, if they live in my home or my sister's all of the items that have been taking up one stall of my garage are finding a new place to live.
Adios big pile of keepsakes living in my garage, time to enjoy you in our homes!

Thoughtful

2010-10-19T13:11:00.000-06:00

Throughout our wild adventure with Eli we have been showered with gifts and random acts of kindness. It really is amazing to see the force that was behind all of us these past few months. Sometimes it is hard to think of something really thoughtful, but these gifts stand out to me to remember when someone else is in need. Thank you to all!

People who used their skills...

writing... who can resist Ruth's beauties!?
handmade cards and more cards

quilted, crotcheted,sewn, tied and knitted blankets

personalized cuties
crotcheted/knitted hats and booties

home cooked meals or treats - enchiladas, a roast with all of the fixin's and cinnamon rolls found a new home in our bellies

jazzed up diaper wipe case (love to see Josh using it!) and I feel like going to prom when I use it, thanks Leah
yardwork
cleaning the house - I'm not a housekeeper so this one is the best!

Ways to show that you care...

forms of communication - the occasional text, call, or email saying 'i'm here' or 'this is something that will cheer you up!'
delivering food or snacks - tacos (on multiple occasions) arrived along with a mini laundry basket of snacks and even Cold Stone ice cream
care packages and cards - boxes of random goodies, requested and little surprises were sent while we were away from home
loaner DVD's to have a little time to escape
magazines
pamper yourself items - lotions (the deep down good stuff to help with our dry hands due to sanitizing every four seconds), slippers, stress relieving body wash (the spearment eucalyptus is to die for!)
stopping by for a visit - when being quarentined from the world visitors have been the best gift ever, some even drove/flew hundreds of miles to see us!
collecting mail

It has been facinating the extent people are willing to go to help us out. In a way it shows how they would like to be treated and what they would have really needed/liked when they were in a similar situation.

For instance, most folks offer to watch Eli so Josh and I can go to dinner or a movie. I can see how this would be useful to a couple who are new parents and have not made time for each other. Josh and I had a different introduction to parenthood, we spent 5 and a half months together 24/7, and when I say 24/7 I mean the only 'alone time' I had was in the bathroom. Now I realize why men take 3 hours in there in the morning! Sure they could watch Eli but we would be taking our own vehicle and eating at different places! I will keep in mind for other folks who have a more traditional initiation into parenthood though.

Piles

2010-10-13T11:59:00.001-06:00

Good ole October. I ran 3 out of 3 mornings so far [No. 4 and No. 24 watch out!]. I have been enjoying my 2nd house guest of 4, more on this later. Josh brought home orange roses. Eli's wearing an 'I love my mummy onsie'. Cleaning out my garage that has been filled with keepsakes, more on this later too. Basically livin' it up while the weather is good, and just taking that time to smell those roses. But as all of these things are whirling around, I can't help but focus on the mess I've created.

Pile

1 : to lay or place in a pile

2 a : to heap in abundance

b : to collect little by little into a mass

I love to make piles. In the office, on the kitchen table, by the door, but more importantly ALL over my creative space. This is about to change. Over the past 9 years I have moved 8 times and some creative piles have moved with me each time. There are some projects from nine years ago that still have meaning to me, but sadly some do not. Why am I holding on to them? These piles are on my creative todo list and will never get done, but instead make me feel guilty and fill up valuable creative space physcally and mentally. I am allowing myself to let these projects go. Yes, gone with you old projects, you will fulfill your creative destiny by being recycled into something else. Whether that be another creative project or the recycling bin to become a paper bag or who knows what else!

There are different piles in my creative space,

large and small
important and insignificant
organized and chaotic.
old and new

With all of these differnt types of piles some are awaiting the right project and others are gathered for a specific project. I am no longer going to save things simply because I have been saving them in the past and have a large collection or the physcial space to do it. These piles are taking up too much mental storage. If they don't have a project in mind or will inspire me to create something new, down the road they go. This will be happening more frequently, or as projects die, they will be buried immediatly rather than stinkin' up the joint! Adios stinky projects, hello roses!

Now the list of piles that have accumluated and my future plans for them...

Adios cards that are half completed or went wrong and I felt I had the creative ability to turn them into a masterpiece
Hello treasures from my childhood [preserving them in a simple way is the goal]
Adios random class projects I don't care for
Hello my sisters wedding album [they're coming up on the 5 year anniversary, YIKES]
Adios fabric I will never use
Hello shadow box of keepsakes for my mother
Hello quote collection [you soon will be living in a snug database]
Adios random scraps [can't believe I still had you]
Hello frames to become gifts [and will mark off #16 on my list]
Hello Eli's baby book
Adios collection of cut rubber [embarrassing I kept 3 one gallon ziplock bags of this!]
Adios glue that got too hot/cold and doesn't work [even more embarrasing I kept 5 tubes of this!]
Adios old magazines [keeping them for reference has never come in handy]
Adios old album for a friend she never gave me photos for
Hello mustache book [you have been in the making for far too long, get it done already!]
Adios paper that came in packs I will never use
Hello random tidbits of goodies for minibooks [you now have a new home that's workin' great]
Adios old Stampin' Up demonstrator product [who needs product for something they don't do?]
Hello Denver mini book [you were supposed to be completed on the trip, let's knock you out]
Hello grateful book
Hello forgiveness book
Hello wash cloths to make into rice bags
Adios patterns for little girl dresses [funny to think how invincable I was when learning how to sew]
Hello horse book for my mother
Hello dog/star minibook for a friend
Adios minibook for other friend I've lost touch with
Hello goodbye minibook for friend
Hello 28 things minibook

HELLO to a creative mind and space I can work with. Time to enjoy life with streamlined piles.

Late, Late and Late

2010-10-11T07:00:00.001-06:00

I am always late. As hard as I try, my timing is always off. Always has been. Maybe I need to wear a watch. Ah, who am I kidding that doesn't help either. With the hard time I give myself about being late and the promises to be more prepared for the next thing, I am late for something else. Funny thing is, I was a Girl Scout, and the motto is to 'Be Prepared'. What happened to my training? Perhaps my badges need to be revoked.

My Grandmother's sister sends a birthday card to me every year and it always arrives the day of my birthday. She's works miracles or something or she is the polar opposite of me! I think about something that is coming up, be it a wedding, birthday, celebration of some sort for someone I know WAY ahead of time. While letting the thoughts of what I want do for them marinate, they get lost. I then find myself in the last minute trying to create this MASSIVE project I have created in my mind. If it is a card, the inside is blank and I write a little personal note to the recipient.

I want each card, gift, what have you to be EXACTLY that person. Their personality, our relationship, or a funny joke to make the perfect piece. Even if I started in the moment I thought about it, I wouldn't have enough time.

Talking with my Sculpture professor she asked what I wanted to do with art. I told her I would like to make cards. I explained to her that the cards I make send to people are hanging on people's bulletin boards, framed, even displayed on the back of a toilet [may not be a place of honor to you, but it is the one place you can almost guarentee everyone who visits your house will go, it's prime real estate!]. My professor had been reading the blog where I wrote about Eli's adventures. She said that I have a way with writing and perhaps they are not keeping the card for the 'art' but for the message. She left me with the words, you should look into that more.

Since she said those words this past spring, they have been dancing around my head. Writing, hmmm, I don't know about grammer or have perfect spelling. I guess who cares. The people in my life, even those who are Mr. Spell-O experts and grammer gurus like to read what I write, especially when I write about them. So these cards I created [in photoshop by the way] with the inspiration from Elise's You're the blank to my blank cards. This way I can fill them with whatever I want. You're rockin', You're cool, You're my aunt, You're sassy, You're the best, the list goes on! This way, if that perfect card didn't come together in time, there is a back up that will sufficiently hold the words that they might cherish forever. Bad grammer and all!

Or if all else fails, better late than never as my Mom always says!

Dust

2010-10-04T07:00:00.015-06:00

While on my drives to Stanford I have a lot of time to think, and by a lot, I mean an hour. The other day, I passed a cloud of dust.  After further investigation, I realized there was a dirt road someone had just travelled. It made me think that the dirt road and the creative life I want to live are very similiar.

Dust collects on things that have not been used in a while.  A load of dust does not pile up over night, it forms in layers upon layers due to neglect.  The creative life I want to live is victim to dust. For far too long I have been watching ladies through magazines and blogs make their creative dreams come true. Whether it's designing, creating daily or running a creative business - ladies all over the place are making it happen. Why can't it be me, oh because I'm not an artist, a certain religion, in a big city, fill in any excuse you can think of, I've had it. As I have been admiring these creative gals my own creative path was becoming covered in dust. Rarely did I dust off my skills to become one of those creative gals myself. NO MORE! There will be quite a bit of dusting before I am able to polish what I am meant to do in my creative life. Two weddings helped me remove some dust and continue down my own road to creativity. It felt good to dust off my skills and put ink to paper.

Kickin' up dirt and leavin' dust clouds!  I am on a creative journey, my own road.  Kickin' up dirt that people may or may not see and that is not the point.  Getting on the road is the point, making dust clouds is just a perk. Time to dust off my skills and create.

Trash to Treasure

2010-09-21T07:00:00.002-06:00

I have been saving Eli's formula cans thinking I would make something out of them. Bonnie, or Grammy B as she calls herself asked me to decorate one for her desk. I covered the can with a super cool paisley print, because I love it! I asked her when she came down, 'do you like paisley because some people hate it'. She said ' I hate it'. I thought, CRAP. She said on clothing, she doesn't mind it on stuff. Wheew. So, what was once a formula can is now a home for pencils. Time to feel good about getting a project done!

The Fat Lady Has Sung

2010-09-20T07:00:00.001-06:00

I have found myself unable to create. Not for the lack of inspiration or supplies but for the overwhelming overload of inspiration and supplies. Where has my creative self gone? I have been collecting inspiration from all corners of my life to find that 'keeping up with the product' is now translated into keeping myself from creating. So here's to no more shopping sprees. I just finished reading 'It's All Too Much' on the suggestion from the Paper Clipping Round Table. Purge all of the supplies that are not my style, projects that are only collecting dust, and really streamline my workspace. My goal is to not buy a crafting supply for one year. It's time to create.

28:20 Check

2010-09-14T07:00:00.001-06:00

With my 28 things to do before I turn 29, keeping journal cards in my purse was #20. Mission accomplished. Well, maybe not accomplished, because the real reason to keep them in my purse it to fill it out as I remember the story 'right then and there'. I printed out a variety (some stamped and printed some from this gal here so far) so I would have an option to have it match some sort of theme in my mind for the future scrapbook page that would make a home for the story.
I cut out a library card pocket with my silhouette to store these journalling tags and taped it right into my 'to do/idea/don't forget book' I carry in my purse everyday. Instead of writing my journalling in this book I thought what a perfect place to house cards to get it done right when it's fresh. We'll see how I do.
Then since I had my silhouette out and warmed up I cut another library pocket to house my coupons. So many times I think- 'hey I have a coupon for that!' just to find that it is crumpled up in my purse and has expired. This way they have a neat and tidy home and maybe even will get used! Fancy that. Now for both of these pockets to REALLY work I need to put them into action. I'll keep you posted.

In the Mail

2010-09-13T07:00:00.002-06:00

I LOVE getting the mail. I even have a cool mailbox to make the experience even sweeter. Seeing a handwritten address and a postage stamp makes my socks go up and down! These beauties have graced my mailbox lately (alright well, since Eli was born). Thanks- the first card unknown, Kemi, Leah and Melissa. Thanks ladies!!

Expires January 2011

2010-09-10T07:00:00.001-06:00

While looking around online I found so many great ladies (Elise, Ali, and Kal to name a few) inspired to complete their four simple goals thanks to Elsie. I kept my four goals in line with my '28 things to do before I turn 29', these four are the ones I want tackled bofore 2011. Would feel great to get the memories down about Eli, be a healthier person, get my school work done before suspension comes again, and find out where my money is going. [The budget photo is courtesy of Josh, who is very proud of his photography while I was driving 9-oh back from Billings). Having a shorter timeline for these 'top of my list goals', will help keep my butt in gear. Let's hope! I only have 112 days left!

Before August 6th 2011

2010-09-09T07:00:00.001-06:00

As promised the inspiration [our room at the Ronald McDonald House in Salt Lake City], the list and the book fixin's.

1family first
2make my home a home [already accomplished some purging and wowee it feels good!]
3drink water
4be active
5find peace
6complete a daunting task
7cook
8clean up blog
9master my camera in manual mode
10host a game night
11eli's book
12creative business
13geocache
14find an organization to volunteer my time
15complete incompletes for school [2 down 4 to go!]
16pictures in frames [would love to try what Becky Higgins did here]
17complete a home improvement project [josh and ray repaired my fence, does that count?]
18be thankful
19scrapbook my stories
20journal cards for purse [printed some out, will share more on this later]
21support used, handmade or local first
22budget
23take Eli on adventures [already had a couple adventures]
24pass my fit test
25use brushes in pse
26read [just finished life artist by ali - loved it!]
27start a happiness project group
28document it with words and photos

Thanks Elise for the inspiration to continue making these types of minibooks.