Hey all you Vintage Dutch Girl readers, last chance to enter to win TWO beautiful flower pins! The giveaway ends TONIGHT (12/26) at midnight...OK, really 11:59. OR 23:59 hours for those of you following military time. Whatever.
STILL, click on over to get your entries in (up to FIVE chances!) and get a shot at free flower pins. The last time I looked there were only 56 entries, so you've got a pretty good shot at some free sassification!
Find the giveaway HERE...or just scroll down a few posts. Merry Christmas everyone!
A
A Merry Christmas to you, from our family to yours.
Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing!
A
Guess what? I don't have time to write a nice long, informative and sassy post today. Guess what I DO have time for?
A giveaway!!!
That's right, let's give something away, just because I love ya all and am feeling mighty festive right about now.
Just think, when I'm busy, you benefit. Doesn't get much better, does it?
Up for grabs are TWO handmade by me flower pins perfect for sassifying your wardrobe.
The teal on this 3 1/4 inch wide flower pin is STUNNING. LOVE it. Remember, teal (and all jewel tones, for that matter) are extremely popular right now. This pin would help that plain black long-sleeved t-shirt that we ALL have in our closet be trendy and fashionable.
This black and silver on black lace pin is 2 3/4 inches wide with a black pearl center. I've been wearing a similar pin on a black velvet cropped jacket that I have and am loving the extra sass it adds.
And can I just say? These pictures don't do the flower pins any justice. They are so much purtier in real life!
What!? You WANT some sass too? OK, there are handmade flower pins in my ETSY shop found HERE.
OH!? You want to enter to win a FREE set of flower pins? OK, OK, OK, here's how to enter:
1. Leave a comment telling me on what outfit/article of clothing you'd use this sassy pin, or where you would wear it.
2. Earn another entry by FOLLOWING ME via the Google Friend Connect Follow Me doodad located on the right sidebar and LEAVE ME ANOTHER COMMENT telling me you just signed up or already DO follow Vintage Dutch Girl.
3. Earn yet another entry by subscribing to the Vintage Dutch Girl blog via a reader and LEAVE ME ANOTHER COMMENT telling me you newly subscribed or already do so.
4. Earn another entry by BECOMING A FAN on the Vintage Dutch Girl Facebook Fan page found HERE...and LEAVE ME ANOTHER COMMENT telling me you became a fan or already ARE a fan.
5. STILL need some more entries? Whew...OK. Earn another entry (if you're still counting, that's up to FIVE) by blogging about, facebook posting, or tweeting about this giveaway (with links added in to spread the fun!) and LEAVE ANOTHER COMMENT telling me you did so.
(Sorry, but for shipping reasons, this contest is only open to residents of USA)
I will leave the contest open until midnight (PST), December 26th (next Saturday) at which time I will select a winner through Random.org and post the results.
* Remember!!! You do NOT have to run a blog or have a google/gmail account to enter. Just click in as anonymous and make sure you tack your first name and email on the bottom of your comment so I can contact you if you win. Enter to win and join the fun!
Alrightly folks, let's get the entry comments a goin'....
A
(written Tuesday afternoon)
Today I might possibly be the crabbiest human on the face of planet earth.
OK, maybe the crabbiest human in the universe.
Yeah, that about sums it up.
So why why WHY would Bubbalu choose this day to break his own "see how many forbidden things I can get into and destroy/maim/render useless/deface/shred/combust" record?
Methinks it may have something to do with the 4:30 wake-up. He stealthily crept into our bedroom and from 3 inches away stared at my face until I startled awake.
"Mommy, I has to go potty".
On one hand, hip hip hurray to Bubbalu for staying dry all night long as a JUST turned 3 yr old. On the other hand, Bubbalu has a hard time going to the potty by himself and needs Mama (*AHEM* or PAPA...) assistance.
As a parent, some days are SO frustrating and mind-numbingly exasperating that you just HAVE to make a choice to choose joy. You can choose to completely lose it, or you can smile, laugh and go about your day.
Today, Bubbalu has been very...uh...inventive in his creativity and pursuit for knowledge and the inner workings of, well, EVERYTHING.
Near the end of this trying day, Bubbalu cajoled Lil Chick to once again climb the stairs and go and play in Mommy and Daddy's bedroom. Normally this is just fine as I have a strategically placed basket of books, dolls and cars for them to play with instead of wreaking havoc. I was downstairs in the laundry room, and having a dryer that isn't QUIET covers up the kids being TOO QUIET.
You know, the TOO QUIET that causes you to run. No, SPRINT.
I was just thinking to myself, "Hmmm, wonder what they're up to?" and heard a loud THUMP. Then a few more. THUMP thump THUMP.
What in the world are they up to!?
Raced upstairs to find that Bubbalu had located Mama's Christmas wrapping paper stash hidden under the bed...in a huge plastic under the bed type storage bin.
How how HOW he managed to pull it out (it is HEAVY - remember, I shop at Costco. Costco has AWESOME wrapping paper. True to their norm, you get a LOT of wrapping paper per roll. Each weigh a TON...and I had at least four of those in there as well as numerous other paper rolls), unlatch both handles and get the double sided lid off is a mystery to me.
Then he must have decided that since it was hidden under the bed, put away neatly and clearly MEANT for him, he started to investigate.
Really now, it wasn't that bad. From my view into our bedroom I just had to take a deep breath and just choose joy. Choose to smile and not to scream.
Then I followed a paper trail into our master bathroom.
And again had to CHOOSE JOY...after gasping out loud, of course.
Bubbalu had triple lined every square inch of the place with wrapping paper.
BRIGHT, GLASS HALF FULL SIDE:
-my previously undecorated for the holiday season bathroom is now VERY festive
-my boy understands which colors coordinate perfectly for wrapping
-my boy knows QUALITY paper...he chose the best, most expensive wrapping paper for his "decorating"
-my boy knows how to entertain his younger sibling for great lengths of time
-my Christmas wrapping paper stockpile is now so low I must replace some posthaste
-my paper recycle bin is VERY full
And that is it. No DARK, GLASS HALF EMPTY side. Why???
Because THIS Mama, despite starting the day off as the crabbiest human in the universe, is choosing JOY...
A
*** Make my day and become a fan on the Vintage Dutch Girl Facebook Fan page found HERE ***
Dear Amanda,
Why why WHY do you insist on putting your good most favorite in all of our universe dark gray dress pants that you cannot replace as the store you bought them at three years ago sunk into the abyss of bankruptcy into the dryer just for a few minutes to get the wrinkles out before hanging them up to fully dry?
You KNOW you will forget to take them out and the realization that you forgot (AGAIN) will hit you in your forgetful brain when you hear the dryer buzzer go off. It mocks you, that buzzer.
You KNOW they will be just a tad too tight forcing you to do eighty million deep knee bends and squats to fit the ole' backside correctly.
But hey, at least you got a good workout in...
Love,
Your Forgetful Brain
Lil Chick and I ended a special relationship a week ago.
She was down to one nursing session a day, the 'going to bed' feeding. The last month had been more my encouraging than her asking as I was too stubborn to have to start her on formula after making it 11 months. So I finally stopped encouraging. And that was that.
And now, Mama's going CRAZY.
I just need to know this...did anyone else feel like they were riding the hormone roller coaster after weaning? Ya know, the hormone roller coaster that doesn't feature an END to the ride? The All Access Unlimited Ride Pass that doesn't let you get OFF?
Not only do I have an All Access Unlimited Ride Pass for the hormone roller coaster (and the crazy train too, but whatever), but that pass happens to be triple laminated and hangs from a nerdy lanyard around my neck. Which means that the conductor of the hormone roller coaster won't LET ME OFF THE RIDE.
(Not that I am in general referred to as a stable person, but whatever.)
Dear readers, I need your help, your advice, your commiseration, your sympathy and some hope. Especially those of you who have never left a comment...I'd LOVE to hear from you!
Seriously. Because this Mama needs some sort of pamphlet or brochure from the World Wide Mama "We've all been there, honey" support group...
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.
I've been busy up in the bonus room. Just a quick smattering of projects. I've felt super inspired (yes, AGAIN.) and ready to do some major sewing and creating. Why why WHY do I have to be all inspired on the busiest week and month of the YEAR?
OK, it may not be THAT busy for you. What's on your plate this week? Maybe an office Christmas party, online shopping for those last 3 gifts you can't find and a quick trip to the mall?
This week we have TWO birthday parties. And I'm throwing them. Yep, Bubbalu and Lil Chick both have December birthdays....4 days apart....two weeks before Christmas. In DECEMBER. FOUR days apart. TWO birthdays. TWO weeks before Christmas.
IN DECEMBER.
OK, I'm officially done whining.
Truth is, I love throwing a party. I don't like to keep it simple and blah. When things are simple and blah I feel a bit sad. I LIKE to make parties special and create something unique for them. I also want to make sure my kids don't get the "oh, your birthday is so close to Christmas let's just lump the parties together" and have their birthday overlooked altogether. Problem is, throw two parties that I'd LOVE to have fun with together in one week (*ahem* 4 days apart) and there just isn't enough time to do it all.
Unless, that is, I plan ahead and maybe even create an excel spreadsheet detailing (insert booming loudspeaker echo voice) THE BIRTHDAY PLAN of 2009 complete with scheduled crafting, cake baking, decorating and even a rest time or two thrown in to keep Mama's sanity intact.
Good thing I plan ahead.
Lil Chick turned ONE yesterday. She makes me smile. She makes other people smile. She has dimples when she smiles.
We had a lovely, yet subdued (for me) party. Stay tuned, pictures coming soon.
There will be cake, there will be a tutu, and there will be dimples...
A
My husband and I had a great, Christmasy time wrapping all the kiddos Christmas (and birthday) presents yesterday afternoon. We listened to Christmas music and talked about how the kids would love their presents.
We had a strict talk with Bubbalu about the presents needing to stay under the tree and that they were strictly off limits.
I'm just SO glad he has recently developed into a reasonable, understanding and rule-following child:
It will be a miracle if the presents remain intact until the 25th. I'll keep you posted...
A
Dear Uber Cute New Boots In Transit,
If possible, could you please get here quicker than the stated delivery time? We are in desperate need of you. It just so happens to be the coldest day TODAY and when temps are below freezing we like to be warm...AND cute. You would certainly help to rectify this situation of uncute coldness.
Also, if you don't mind, could you please inform your prior home (store) that we need your sister that comes in the color black. Please tell them to restock your lovely sister in our size (9) so we can order her to come and live here at home too. Tell them we'd treat her nicely.
Thanks,
Amanda's Toes
You need some Festive Christmas sassyness. I just KNOW it.
So, how bout these?
Festive Christmas Plaid:
Candy Cane sugary yummyness!:
OK, it's not REALLY made out of candy canes and, ya know, SUGAR. Please don't try to eat your flower pin. I'm sure it tastes horrible.
But guess what? They look super cute on a black fleece coat over a red t-shirt and white cami with jeans and cute black flats. I know this because I wore it two days in a row. AND went to the post office yesterday AND today. Forgot that I wore the SAME OUTFIT until I got home. Doh!
I'm sure the nice post office lady noticed my outfit encore. Who WOULDN'T remember that pin?
Yay for Christmas Festivity! Pins are in the shop, ready for you to purchase. OR.... if you happen to live local, they are now at Grandiflora! Go on in and take a look-see...
A
(And yes I totally realize that my posts are starting to get BORING and SIMILAR. Just finished up a huge flower pin makin' project and I'll soon get back to writing about my obsession with creamer, my precocious almost 3 yr old and sweet almost 1 yr old and my penchant for choosing to do sewing projects over housework. Thanks for reading!)
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.
I am renaming Bubbalu as Destructo Boy. I will applique his new initials "DB" onto his superhero cape as well as spray paint his initials and logo onto his trike.
A small sampling of Destructo Boy's recent accomplishments:
- got into my toiletries and sprayed an entire small bottle of perfume all over my walk in closet, our clothes and Lil Chick. Husband will be thrilled to find he now smells like a woman. Discovery of crime due to Lil chick screaming in protest. Apparently she thought she was sufficiently fragrant.
- broke 8 candy canes into thousands of tiny pieces. Not such a huge tragedy as I can now make white chocolate peppermint bark.
- unwinding an almost full bobbin of elastic thread and stringing all about the living room. Discovery of crime due to Lil Chick screaming in protest. Apparently she didn't like having elastic thread woven around her NECK and cutting into her skin.
- dumped the newly reorganized, size appropriate, freshly washed and laundered (like ONE hour ago) top drawer of clothes of Lil Chick's dresser. ONTO Lil Chick. Once again, discovery of crime due to Lil Chick screaming in protest. Apparently she didn't like having a drawer on her foot.
- discovered an unattended container of itty bitty black beads and proceeded to unscrew lid and dump them all over the carpet. "They have holes in dem Mommy, little holes in dem!" Turns out that was too boring so he sat at my sewing desk and proceeded to unwind and tangle as many different bobbins he could in a limited amount of time. And let me tell you, that boy is efficient.
- picked out itty bitty black beads off of the carpet one by one and put them back into their container (punishment).
- but that was boring so he dumped the entire refilled container of itty bitty black beads into an empty, open bottomed sewing machine case sitting on the carpet.
- picked out itty bitty black beads off of the carpet one by one and put them back into their container (punishment WITH supervision).
- reset the thermostat. One again, that boy is efficient when time constrained. I'm hoping he'll give me a tutorial of the thing.
- discovered unattended new container of Soft Scrub on kitchen counter. Discovered how to climb ONTO kitchen counter. Discovery of crime due to appearance of soft scrub container sitting in a puddle of squeezed out product.
- attempted to pry metal labels off my Father's legal office file cabinets. Fortunately was unsuccessful.
- also attempted to push every button, turn every knob and try every handle in the interior of aforementioned legal office. ( I fled the office after 5 minutes fearing Destructo Boy's Rate of Destruction was going to multiply exponentially.)
- decided that his nap chart in his room was a stupid place to have stickers. During nap time (where's that sarcastic font???) stickers were relocated to finished wood closet doors. Why not?
All this along with eleven hundred ninety seven near misses and Mama interventions.
And I wonder why I'm exhausted at 7:42 PM?
A
*** ALSO: Vintage Dutch Girl has a fan page on Facebook! If you are on Facebook, do check it out HERE and make my day by becoming a fan.
I was in court today.
For an INCREDIBLE reason.
No no, I wasn't contesting a traffic ticket (never even been pulled over - holla!)
It was for a much more beautiful reason.
Remember my awesome sister Rebecca? Yaknow, the one who had a precious baby girl only three weeks before her newly adopted 6 month old son was brought home from Ethiopia by her husband Dusty?
( psst! You want to see some grown folk cry the Boo Mama coined "ugly cry"? Force them to witness a newly adopted child be brought home and placed into his exuberant and loving new Mamas' arms. Yep, ugly cry. But a GOOD ugly cry.)
Today, I witnessed my Father in court (haven't seen that since I was probably ten), who represented my Sister and Brother in law, as they finalized/re-adopted their sweet baby boy...my nephew!
It was an awesome day.
Except when Bubbalu bonked the JUDGE on the nose with the balloon airplane toy he was given right before entering the courtroom.
This Mother? Mortified.
The Judge was cool about it. After all, he's worked with my Dad for many years and has a heart for children. He was wiping away tears with the rest of us.
(Besides, I don't think you can hold a 2 year old in contempt of court.)
Welcome to the family Isaiah! We love you and are honored to be your family.
(psst! And your Auntie Amanda ALWAYS has cookies for you. ALWAYS!)
A
