It's Been Really Busy

I know I haven't posted in a while but it has been really busy around here. As usual work is crazy. I have had continuing education and my husband's big anniversary open house. Softball season is in full swing. With all the rain we have tons of make up games. For example next week the only day we don't have a game is Wednesday. And with ball season starting that includes my favorite special needs baseball team - A field of Angels. If you would like to read more about them visit http://www.afieldofangels.blogspot.com.
Thursday I attended my first "After Prom" meeting. This is kind of depressing because it doesn't seem like my baby boy should be old enough to go to prom next year. Oh and then there is my infamous spilled sprite zero on my laptop incident.(which is why I still don't have use of my comma key). A week without my computer and a few hundred dollars later my computer is better - not perfect but better.
On the upside I have made many new items. I then remembered I need my comma key to list them. So I ordered my new key board Thursday. I have also created a Facebook fan page. The link is listed on the side of my blog.
Anyway the purpose of this post is to let everyone know I really am trying to keep my goals of promoting more. It has just been crazier than usual around here.

A Field OF Angels

This weekend is bittersweet for me. I am so excited that this weekend is A Field of Angels first game. I am so dissapointed that I will be in Little Rock at continuing education. A Field of Angels is a baseball league for children with special needs. I heard Mark Brashears talk about his dream for the team at a PAA meeting. You know me, I felt compelled to help him. Now I am his right hand (wo)man. Not only is this great for the players, but for the volunteers that help. Check out our blog http://afieldofangels.blogspot.com. Our game schedule is posted on the blog. If you are in the area, please check out a game. I highly recommend it.

Spring

Today has been the most wonderful day. My braces are finally off. I heard from many friends that I have not been in contact with for awhile either by text, phone, or email.
The weather was absolutely beautiful today. (It's hard to believe it was snowing last weekend). I didn't get to run due to my two orthodontist appointments, but that is a trade I am willing to make.
Today in my backyard, there is a lone tulip. The first of many to bloom. I have had other flowers in full bloom this spring, but this is my first tulip. I started thinking how pretty it was. Or maybe it was just that I took the time to NOTICE how pretty it was. It seems sometimes, that between work, ball games, volunteering, and with all the stressfull things that have been going on, I don't take the time to appreciate or notice the really beautiful things that I am surrounded by.
Don't get me wrong, I love all the things I am involved with. Just today I feel like God gave me the most wonderful day, and then he made it perfect by sending me a flower.

Meet A.Victoria

I would like to introduce you to A.Victoria. A while back, she marked my Etsy shop as a favorite. I noticed that she lives in Carthage (I used to live in Joplin), so I contacted her. I have become friends with this sweet lady. I asked her to write a little about herself so that you can get to know her too.

"I grew up in a family of eight, we all loved crafts and my Mother made sure we learned all kinds. I am now married and have two little girls. :-)I have been knitting for just over 12 years now. I started with the normal learning to read patterns and went on to learn how to design and adjust patterns to fit an individual the way desired. When I first started knitting I really did not want to, my Mother was making me, because she felt it would be good for me. As it turned out, I loved knitting and was fairly good at it. For a while I designed a bunch, got my knitting certification and teaching certification and played with patterns I already liked. I also have taught on and off for over 6 years. In the last 5 years I have mostly used patterns others have designed and played with color and types of yarn. I still like to play with designs! I love to knit special order for people. It is so much fun knowing that what I am making is exactly what someone is wanting; the size, color, kind of yarn and so on. I do a lot of knitting for my children as well and friends and family. It is so much fun and very relaxing to me. :)"

Check out her Etsy store at:http://www.avictoria.etsy.com

She has some awesome gloves that remind me of Bella of Twilight.

Let Me Introduce you....

Let me introduce you to one of the nicest people I know- Paula of Embroidery Impression on Etsy. I have known her all my life. She TRULY has the kindest heart. She would do anything to help someone, even if she had never met them before that day.

Though she would disagree with me, she is very creative. Growing up, she was the oldest of six children. She learned to sew at a very young age so she could have clothes. After she was married, she found creative ways to stay home with her children. She was a seamstress for people, made quilts, doll clothes ect. As a single mother of four, she was determined not to put her children in daycare. She used whatever creative means she could to support her family. One day, she was able to purchase an embroidery machine. She opened her business - Embroidery Impressions in Lamar, Mo. There she has done everything from monogramming school uniforms, spirit items, Red Hat Society items, to teaching others how to quilt. She is truly a talented lady with a beautiful soul. I am not prejudiced at all, even though she is my mom. If you get the chance, please check out her store:
http://www.embroideryimpression.etsy.com

Twilight

Last summer, one of my reps told me while on vacation, she had read the best books. She told me I would love them. I asked her what they were about. She smiled sheepishly and said...."vampires." She quickly added..."It is not like it sounds, you will want you own!" I was having trouble getting my daughter to read, to make her AR goal. Although, I used to love reading, the last few years I just haven't had the time. I decided I would read one, to make sure it was appropriate for my daughter to read. During the days my office was closed during Thanksgiving, I managed to read three of the four books. I was addicted. My husband would tease me relentlessly. My daughter, who hates to read, is now on her fourth book. Of course, while I am in awe of Edward, my daughter thinks Jacob hung the moon. (No pun intended). After she finished the book, I took her to see Twilight the movie. It was not quite as good as the book. She was disappointed that Edward wasn't as handsome in the movie as the book.


I now have my friends and co-workers reading the series. One friend, who wasn't excited about the series is now on the third book. She, my daughter and I are going to see the Twilight movie tomorrow.


As I said, I am addicted. And yes, I want my own vampire.

My Vintage Pearls

Today was my first day back at my day job after my vacation. When I came home I made my "milk jug light box" that I had read about in an Etsy forum. I have listed two items - both vintage faux pearl earrings. The earrings themselves are not vintage, but the pearls are. My great-grandmother, Isabell Blanchard (or Grandma B.) used to make beautiful, intricate, jewelry. I have a few of the pieces and treasure them. A few years ago, my grandmother (her daughter) gave me an ice cream bucket full of her unused beads. Recently, I have started using them in my jewelry. For Christmas, I made each of my sisters a bracelet and earring set with the pearls and their birthstones. I hope to do so for my nieces and other family members. It is kind of like handing down a little piece of our family that they can treasure for years and years to come.