We Mama's Need to Stick Together....

You guys are awesome! So many awesome tips for traveling with kids in the comments section on that last post.

Love it when Mama's can stick together and share our often hard earned knowledge.

I must say, I'm not nearly so nervous about our trip now. Although I am guessing our trip will have at least three "you'll NEVER believe it" stories to tell you all about. Yay for blog fodder!

Stay tuned folks, Black Edged Ruffle Tank Tutorial up tomorrow...

A

A Test a Tank and a Toodlededoo...

How do you score on the Maternity SATs? I did quite well...and laughed myself off my chair. Missy is hilarious, I have a feeling you'll love her as much as I do.

This tank top is BEGGING to be knocked off. It's next up on my list:



And that's all I've got.

I normally can't seem to drag myself out of bed before seven but today I set foot into Walmart at 6:00. Yes, A.M. As in, the MORNING. Yep, I'm still stunned I did that. And tired.

I don't fully awaken until about 8:30 - 9:00 ish so I really don't recall all of the shopping and aisle scanning that I accomplished before 8:30.

And with a pleased sigh and a smile about my productive day I'm heading off to bed. Well, as soon as I finish my oreo mint blizzard.

Nighty night...

A

**Didja know you can find me HERE on Facebook? True story. Become a fan (or like) and get the latest Vintage Dutch Girl posts in your news feed. Oh, and it'll make my day! **

Commenting and Stalking...Hello Out There!

I got together with a bunch of girlfriends to celebrate a dear friend's milestone birthday. (Really now, DO go on over to her lovely, hilarious and down-to-earth blog and shower her with some birthday blessings!)

Amongst the many many many things we chatted about, blogging, stalking and blog commenting was a huge topic of conversation being that the majority of the gals are bloghappy.

I can't tell you HOW MANY TIMES I've been out and about getting groceries, picking up more Mr. Clean Magic Erasers or getting a Costco iced mocha to bump into someone who references something from my blog.

My usual reply is an astonished: "Oh!?! You read my blog!?! I had NO idea!"

Really now, it shouldn't be like that.

I LOVE to blog. I love to tell stories about my kids, share my crafts and sewing ideas and connect with friends, family and the blogisphere.

However, sometimes I feel a bit sad putting myself out there and getting a big fat zero response. Doesn't exactly encourage further posting. I know my site traffic...I have about a 2.5% response rate. Yes, that is a two followed by a POINT then a five. Not twenty five.

So, let's just put this out there: Why are people afraid to comment? What holds them back???

Ya know, way back when I started Vintage Dutch Girl I stalked a TON of blogs before timidly submitting my first comment. Then, once I had "declared" myself, it was a BLAST having conversations and building relationships with people I'd never met. Guess what? My bloggy buddies are very dear to me. They make me laugh. They make me smile. They give great advice. Most of them know RIGHT WHERE I AM...because they are RIGHT THERE TOO.

Think about it from this perspective. Say we are at a cocktail party (ya know, because I attend so very many cocktail parties that I am sick and tired of wearing my stunning LBB -Little black dress- and conversing with adults...) and we happen to be introduced:

"Hi, my name is Amanda, how are you?"


-----silence-----


"I'm married to my high school sweetie and have two vivacious children that constantly provide me with laughter and help to teach me the fruits of the Spirit. Do you have any children?"


-----silence-----


"My hobbies are crafting, sewing, painting...basically anything that involves creativity. I love to look at new fashion and try to recreate it by refashioning, altering and embellishing clothing. What about you???"


-----(crickets chirping)-----


You get the picture. So here's what I have to say:

1. Comments make my day. I love to hear what folks have to say. The more comments/response/feedback comes in the more I am inspired and encouraged to continue to blog. Comments make me smile. :) See? Big smile!

2. If you've been stalking me for awhile, say HI! I like to meet people! Let's chat, m'kay? I'm really not scary. Promise. Unless I'm dieting and you have Tostitos Queso cheese and tortilla chips. Then I'll straight-up right hook ya, grab the food and run.

3. YES, I realize that sometimes commenting just isn't possible. I fall off the commenting wagon frequently. Usually because I'm holding a 3yr old away from (once again) hitting the master power switch and zapping my computer or trying to convince the 18 month old that USB cables are NOT an item that we need to be chewing on.

So, whatcha got to say? I know you have thoughts bubbling inside. Share a word or two...

A

Please feel free to link/reference/quote this post on your blog...all I ask is that you link appropriately back to VintageDutchGirl.

**Didja know you can find me HERE on Facebook? True story. Become a fan (or like) and get the latest Vintage Dutch Girl posts in your news feed. Oh, and it'll make my day! **

Lil Bits O Random...

Remember that I posted my love for the Swagger Wagon song? Yup, still love it. BONUS: Found out you can download the mp3 for free from the nice funky folks over at Toyota. Already have it added to my running playlist!

Oh, you want it too? Ok, go HERE to download it. Caution: may make you laugh when you are supposed to be exercising and focusing on your breathing. Just sayin.

Remember that I said I was freezing a pair of stinky shoes in the hopes that it would kill the stench-causing bacteria? Don't bother trying it. Could hardly tell a difference on the ole stink-o-meter. What DID work? Setting those stinky shoes out in the sunshine. Ahhhh, back to un-stinky feet and shoes!

Remember that I mentioned Destructo Boy peeled a cute space-ship wall decal off his wall? Well, he struck again. This time it was a cute robot decal that is now disemboweled, dismembered AND decapitated with it's sad body parts stuck in random spots all over Bubbalu's room. So much for a quiet, rejuvenating nap time. Good thing those decals were clearance items. Goodness gracious.

Oy, off to pick robot parts off the walls...

A

** Been reading this blog for awhile now? Didja know you can find me HERE on Facebook? True story. Become a fan (or like) and see the latest Vintage Dutch Girl posts in your news feed. Oh, and it'll make my day! **

Busy BEIGE Bloggy Break...

Well lookey there, took another bloggy break. Mama's been busy.

Busy painting some walls. Now, don't get all excited about a special color or anything, it's BEIGE. Boring boring BEIGE. I had to paint over the ugly non-flattering brown-red sludge that the "interior designer" picked for our home when it was built. It made the woodwork look orange. Not just a tinge of orange, but IN YOUR FACE orange. I was o-so-happy to get rid of it. Even if it was to paint it BEIGE. Had to make the room ready for our new chocolate brown sectional couch. The family room is coming together nicely. Except for all the BEIGE.

Can you tell I'm not a huge fan of the BEIGE? But it's worlds better than the sludge.

Busy feeding the children. Because they are food disposal professionals. They HAVE to be going through growth spurts because this is crazyness.

Busy cleaning and organizing the home front. Yep, unpleasant, but someone's gotta do it.

Busy building some gates for our yard. You know, a child backyard containment assistance device. The hubby and I have been having fun doing some carpentry. Power tools make me smile. I've got a bunch of projects on my list.

Busy getting the boy allergy tested. Let's just say skin pricking tests aren't Bubbalu's most favorite pastime. Mama and Bubbalu were both exhausted after that appointment. Starting to wonder what shenanigans Bubbalu will be getting into once he's healthier. Note to self: Hide the sharpies in a better location.

Busy helping Bubbalu and Lil Chick make my sister Sallie a birthday video. Not your average Birthday song, but oh well...



OK. The bloggy break is now over, nice to see your lovely faces again...

A

**Didja know you can find me HERE on Facebook? True story. Become a fan (or like) and see the latest Vintage Dutch Girl posts in your news feed. Oh, and it'll make my day :) **

Getting To Know Me...

I KNOW I should get back to blogging. I enjoy it, its my life journal, I can share my crafties, it's fun to chat with and make new friends online...

However.

Sometimes I just don't have "it".

Some days I compose blog posts in my head all day long. Other days my head is like, "Dude! Take a break from all the mental composing and just chillax!"

We are currently on an extended chillaxing season.

However. I miss it and miss you! Back to it I go!

It's been quite awhile since I posted some great stuff, so in the interest of getting to know you and getting to know all about you, getting to like you, getting to hope you like me (Yep, hum the song from 'The King and I' along with me please) I'm filling out a bunch of questions about me.

Because Vintage Dutch Girl? She's chillaxin and has nothing fresh and sassy in her head right now.

Here goes:

High heels or boots? Depends. If it's THESE high heels:



then by all means yes, high heels. But I've discovered they don't quite go with everything. Like my used-to-be-black-now-faded-to-gray yoga pants. Not a great look.

If it's THESE boots:



then by all means yes, boots! And these look MUCHLY better with my used-to-be-black-now-faded-to-gray yoga pants. However it makes me look like a slubby slob. No one wants to be a slubby slob. Still love my rain boots though!

What time did you get up this morning? I slept in til seven. I know, such a rebel.

Diamonds or pearls? Uh, both!? Love me some pearls, but diamonds??? You know what they say about diamonds and being, you know, a GIRL.

What was the last film you saw at the cinema? So long ago I don't even remember. Because really? Spend $25 to sit in a stuffy or freezing theater with someone stinky sitting in front of you, someone laughing too loud behind you and coughing all over you (ewwwwww) or spend $1 on a new release movie from those handy dandy DVD dispensing machine thingys and get yummy takeout??? HELLO. Duh.

What is your favorite T.V. show? This is sorta embarrassing, but 'Say Yes To The Dress'. I have NO idea why I'm obsessed with weddings. I just love em. Yes, I got married TEN years ago (celebrating getting to double digits this summer!) and have zero plans for having a recommitment ceremony or anything, but I surely do love me some wedding dress shopping.

What do you usually have for breakfast? Flavored sugar-free creamer with a splash of coffee, bowl of healthy cereal or yogurt.

What food do you dislike? Super spicy food, curry

What is your favorite CD at the moment? Seeds Family Worship. LOVE THESE. Thanks to Missy for the recommendation awhile back.

Favorite Clothing? A good well fitting pair of jeans and a LONG perfect t-shirt....hopefully individually sassified by me of course.

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Just give me a warm sunny beach, my husband, a book, a bikini, some light sunscreen and a fruity iced drink and I'm good. Pick me up in a month or two.

Are you an organized person? Um. Yes? (Stop laughing Mom. And Lance...you can pick your jaw up off the floor now.) I'd LIKE to be organized. We are in an a major house revamp/organization/clean/purge overtaking right now. Which reminds me I'm supposed to be in the garage purging as we speak (Type). Ah well, gotta have a break now and then, right?

Where would you like to retire? See the vacation answer.

What was your most recent memorable birthday? A few years back I was three months postpartum with a screaming colicky child and we were booted out of our apartment (they converted them to condos) and were moving. I remember thinking, "really!? THIS SUCKS." So memorable? Yes. Good thing is it's the worst birthday I've had. Every other birthday has been great!

When is your BIRTHDAY? It was 3 days ago! Yep, my birthday rings in Spring!

What are you going to do when you finish this? Uh, revamp/organization/clean/purge the garage. Ugh.

Are you a morning person or a night person? Night! However, I have two little peoples who are VERY much morning peoples. I have to pretty much force myself to go to bed at a decent hour and while I wake up between 6 - 7 every morning I'm not really awake until nine-ish.

Any exciting news you'd like to share that is great? We bought new garage storage shelves! Woo HOO! E.X.C.I.T.I.N.G!

What did you want to be when you were little? Kristi Yamaguchi

What was the last thing you ate? Knock off Olive Garden Salad Dressing on romaine and a bottled Starbucks Mocha Frapp.

Last person you spoke to on the phone? My sweet hubby.

Favorite soft drink? Diet Coke, all the way baby.

Hair color? Dark Brunette. So far, I've pulled one gray hair out of my head. I'll keep you updated.

Summer or winter? I love each and every season. I'm one of those who says, " I LOVE this (whatever season we're currently beginning) season the BEST!" with every single season.

Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate, chocolate and some more chocolate.

Coffee or tea? Coffee! Hello!? I live in the pacific NW. Not drinking coffee is almost sacrilegious.

When was the last time you cried? Yesterday.

What is under your bed? All my gift wrapping supplies and only ONE dust bunny.

What did you do last night? Got all caught up on my Beth Moore Esther bible study (it's awesome if you are looking for one) and watched 24.

Best quality you have? No idea.

How many years at your current job? Three plus change. Before that seven years being a high risk OB RN. Miss it like crazy, but don't know that I'll ever go back. We'll see.

Favorite day of the week? Saturday!

Positive or negative? I'm positive in general. What's to be negative about? I'm saved by grace. End of story.

Nice to chat with y'all again...

A

Will The Super Mom With Boundless Energy Please Stand Up...

My friend Rachel asked me:

I'd like to know how you do all your creative projects with 2 little kids around. I can't get any of my sewing projects and I only have one right now. Although I do work 2-1/2 days and I'm pregnant so I'm pooped by the end of the day. But you seem to have so much energy.

Oh girl. If you only knew. I hope I haven't insinuated that I am a super Mom with boundless energy and productiveness who completes every task with a smile plastered on her face. No no no. I get all my creative projects done by shirking my housekeeping, playing during naptime and giving up other things. I don't watch much TV anymore, but I've conveniently replaced the my TV screen time for computer screen time.

I am blessed to be a SAHM. I am NOT blessed with excellent time management skills. Besides, being a SAHM automatically means you have issues with completing tasks and actually feeling productive. At least in our house that's what it means. Tasks (and fun crafty projects) are often thwarted by poopy diapers (or poop ON THE FLOOR), children injuring each other, errands to run, sick children to nurse back to health, laundry and...hmmm, what else?.... oh yeah, everybody needs to be fed once in a while.

This bouncing back and forth between projects and housework and childcare is often frustrating for me. I often have to remind myself that being a Mama to Bubbalu and Lil Chick is THE most important task that I have. Sure, I know it in my head, but sometimes my head needs to be reminded.

Yes, more important than completing that super uber cute shirt pattern that I've had mulling around in my brain. Sometimes that means putting my latest project down and not returning to it for a few days (*ahem* WEEKS).

Bottom line: I'm NOT super Mama. I get VERY tired (and cranky!) and exhausted. I often choose to be crafty instead of doing housework. I blog, craft, sew and create things for therapy. IT WORKS FOR ME. It is my passion and I choose to pursue it unless my family is suffering because of it.

Still don't believe my claim? Ok Rachel, here's a photo I snapped just minutes after reading your question:



There, feel better now?

And mind you, superimpose five bins of random Christmas decor scattered about the room and you can see what it looks like right this very moment.

However, my Christmas tree looks quite spectacular, if I do say so myself...

A

***Have a question you would like to see answered? Make my day and become a fan on the Vintage Dutch Girl Facebook Fan page HERE and throw your questions at me.

Praying For Olive Hope...

I have someone I'd like you to meet.

Meet Olive Hope:



Sweet Olive Hope was born at 28.5 weeks in Chiang Rai, Thailand where her missionary parents, Rusty and Lynette, are spreading the word of Christ Jesus. Rusty was one of my youth group leaders and our church supports Rusty and his wife, Lynette, as missionaries in Thailand. People around the world are praying for this little one as she fights to live.

Psalm 52:8-9 'But I am like an OLIVE tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will HOPE, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.'

You can follow Rusty and Lynette's blog HERE as they chronicle Olive's struggle to live and the challenges they are all facing by being in such a far away country.

I ask that you join me in praying for little Olive Hope as she fights for her life. Grab the HTML code under the button and paste it into an "html code/javascript gadget on your sidebar to spread the news about this precious baby girl.

<a href="http://www.rustylynette.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src=" http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt148/VintageDutchGirl/PrayingOlivecorrectsize.jpg" /></a>

Want to know more ways you can help?

An auction has been set up to help offset the enormous medical bills Rusty and Lynette are facing. You can:

- DONATE an item/service for the auction. What ever you have to give would be appreciated. What are you talents? Where has God blessed you abundantly? Be creative. Be generous. (information on how to donate on sidebar of link.)

- BID on an item/service from the auction. Bidding starts on November 22! That's in three days! Bidding will run until November 28th. To enter a bid, starting November 22 all you have to do is leave a comment with the amount of your bid. You'll have to check back to see if others have outbid you and submit another bid to win. ( * Hint, there may be a shirt refashion/sassification up for grabs * )

Need more ideas?

- You can make a DONATION to the Olive Hope Care Fund.

- You can leave a NOTE OF ENCOURAGEMENT and SUPPORT for Rusty and Lynette on their blog HERE.

- You can JOIN the Praying for Olive Hope group on Facebook. Updates on Olive's condition are often posted, allowing you to direct your prayers accordingly.

- Pray fervently. We serve an AWESOME and ALL-POWERFUL God who holds Olive Hope in His hand...

A

Clearing Out The Draft Folder...

A smattering of often pointless but nevertheless hopefully entertaining shorts in the draft folder:

***

My almost 11 month old daughter gained four pounds in less than a month. This daughter, who is currently lying prostrate on the ground so as to teeth on the piano pedals, is a CARB-AHOLIC.

Wonder where she got THAT from?

***

Would you rather change EIGHT medium sized poopy diapers per day or ONE insanely impressive ginormo poopy diaper per day?

YES, you have to pick one.

We are currently on the EIGHT medium sized poopy diapers per day plan. And by "we" I do mean Lil Chick. She is going through more diapers now than when she was a newborn. If I had a nickel for every poopy diaper I've changed...well, I could buy these:



I'd call them my poop boots. Nice ring to it, no?

However I am now completely disgustipated. They are actually Girls boots, not Womens boots. What does it say about me that I prefer Girls boots over Womens? Is it just me or are those seriously cute? Please, someone justify my thought processes here.

***

And going WAY back to summer:

My take on the annual, held-in-my-small-town Fair:

I detest crowds. I get crabby at people who walk slowly and then stop in the middle of a walkway forcing everyone to walk around them. However, since I am now one of Those Mom's who push a gargantuan double-wide Bob stroller around I fully realize I am now part of the crowd problem. My penchant for speed walking and whipping around people with the double-wide Bob doesn't help. I'm pretty sure I startled eighteen or so peoples, whom surely though that there was an emergency or a Poffertjes stand that I was rushing towards.

(hint: it was the Poffertjes. Surprised? Didn't think so.)

***

ALSO: Vintage Dutch Girl now has a fan page on Facebook. So, if you are on Facebook, do check it out HERE and become a fan.

A

Nifty Lil Button...

For all two of my RSS and Reader subscribers, I wanted to give a heads up. We (*ahem* I) had a lovely streamlined site update and have added this nifty lil button! Feel free to grab (highlight, copy and paste) the html code and slap it onto your blog!

<a href="http://www.vintagedutchgirl.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i606.photobucket.com/albums/tt148/VintageDutchGirl/JustLivetile4quad2.jpg" /></a>

A

Jones Soda Winner Announced...

The winner of the Customizable Jones Soda has been chosen on the Vintage Dutch Girl Giveaway blog! Go on over and see if it is YOU!

Stay tuned, more giveaways coming up...

A

Customizable Jones Soda Giveaway!!!

Who WOULDN'T want Reindeer Root Beer soda with their face on it!?

Just for fun, we're doing another giveaway! To enter to win, head on over to the Vintage Dutch Girl Giveaway Blog and leave a comment to be entered to win.

* You do NOT have to run a blog to enter. Just click in as anonymous and make sure you tack your first name and email on the bottom of your comment. Enter to win and join the fun!

A

Green Season Salad Plate Winner...

The winner of the Green Season Salad Plates is announced over on the Vintage Dutch Girl -giveaways Blog!

Thanks for playing everyone!

A

Just A Reminder!

*Contest is now closed and a winner has been chosen*

Just a reminder to click on over to the Vintage Dutch Girl -giveaways blog to enter to win a set of 4 pretty green salad plates!

Contest Ends August 31st! Only four more days to enter...

A

300th Post And A GIVEAWAY!!!

*contest is now closed and a winner has been chosen*

I've been watching my post count, and we are officially hitting 300 today! Which means I have wasted many MANY hours writing bloggity nonsense and stories of poo and craftiness.

In honor of my 300th post, we are doing a giveaway! To enter to win, head on over to the Vintage Dutch Girl Giveaway Blog and leave a comment to be entered to win!

This giveaway is from a lovely store that has fun home accessories and dining room furniture.

* You do NOT have to run a blog to enter. Just click in as anonymous and make sure you tack your first name and email on the bottom of your comment. Enter to win and join the fun!

A

Notice Anything Different?

Many of you will notice my new blog accessory in the left column. I am excited and honored to be a BlogHer ads participant!

I think it's very figure flattering, don't you?

A

And The Bald Guy Is My New BFF...

For More Things I Love Thursday, click on over to TheDiaperDiaries.

I didn't manage to get around to writing a post Tuesday night because I was busy scrubbing.

Usually, I am easily able to throw off housework in exchange for some good ole bloggy time, but this was a defining moment.

Folks, meet my new cleaning BFF:



And I know Jill has sung the praises of this baldy before, but really?!? I had no clue.

I opened the box, wet the boring looking sponge and started scrubbing.

I didn't stop scrubbing for TWO HOURS.

Remember the post when Bubbalu scrawled black ink all over my wood windowsill?

Those loop-de-loops are GONE.

COMPLETELY.

However, the deep etched in marks are still there. The Magic Eraser definitely lightened them though. Any pen marks that weren't etched in are gone. Buh bye!

We purchased our new construction home last year. As in 2008. There were miscellaneous construction related scuffs, stains and drips scattered throughout the house:

A dark brown splotch on the laundry room floor. A black scratch dead center on the upstairs bathroom linoleum. An 8 inch red scrawl on the tile back splash. A mysterious black scuff on the base of the glass slider door that screamed, "Hi! I'm Mr. Black Scuff Mark...My owner can't figure out how to get rid of me, so I'm here to welcome you being that I'm the very first thing you see when walking into the family room!".

And Tuesday night? I silenced Mr. Black Scuff Mark FOREVER...and I made him take his friends with him!

A

This has NOT been a paid endorsement.

Kreativ Blogger

Awww, thanks Tiff!



A

Tweaks and Tinks...

As you can see, we have some tweaking and tinkering going on here at the blog. New three column design and some other design changes. Huge shoutout to my wonderful e-friend Moriah at Please Pass The Salt for helping me. Thanks girlfriend! Go on over and check her out.

A

Plague Habits...

We have been afflicted by a plague over here.

I do not recommend catching this one. In the last two days I have blown through (literally!) all my tissue boxes and have taken to stashing toilet paper rolls in handy places throughout the house.

Because really, is there any difference between toilet paper and tissues? Don't they call TP tissue paper? And yes, I realize that certain lotionized Kleenex, Puffs etc. work wonders on raw undernoses, but I don't care to spend $6.00 per box. Especially when I need upwards of 5 - 10 boxes to survive this bug.

Side note: This is AFTER using nasal spray.

Tell me I'm not alone in my use of toilet paper to blow my nose?

And furthermore, do you make those little nose "plugs" out of twisted tissues? Because I am SO doing that right now, and the lady biking past my front window gave me a weird look...

A