EMBRACE THE CAMERA

Yup-you know what today is. That's right it's embrace the camera Thursday! We finally did our pumpkin carving last night. This year was awesome because my eight year old was actually able to help a little. No, I didn't hand him a knife and tell him go for it or anything. He actually helped me clean all of the nasty pumpkin guts which in years past he would never be caught dead doing. He also pricked out the outline for me to cut on. My five year old quickly lost interest and started playing catch with himself until I was done with his pumpkin. Brady picked out the Frankenstein design and Jake picked out the mean face pumpkin. I think they turned out pretty good! We tried to get little Nick in the picture with us but he wasn't having it. Check out the other embracers at www.andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com.

Jules

GETTING OLD?

Well I am officially closer to 40 than 30. I'm not really sure how I feel about that yet. I honestly don't feel like I'm 36. I feel like I am around 29 still. Age is just a number....right? It only matters you feel physically....right? Anyway-I had an awesome birthday and was really humbled by all that others did for me over the past weekend. The weekend consisted of a shopping trip, a date with my husband, a family birthday party, a pumpkin patch field trip with one of my son's, and last but not least a game of domino's with my boys. It was busy but filled with memories that will last a long time! It is really nice to feel loved and appreciated. Thanks to everyone! You know who you are. I am so blessed to have such a fantastic immediate family and extended family. I am so grateful for my friends and family, without who I would be a completely different person. Unfortunately I didn't get many pictures this year. This is a picture of Brady and I on his field trip on Monday.

It was nice to try to just have some one on one time with Brady even though he much rather preferred to hang with his friends. It's okay, I get it. I got a new lens for my camera so expect some "photo shoots" with the kids soon!

Jules

EMBRACE THE CAMERA THURSDAY

haven't done an embrace the camera in awhile. We had extra time this morning to play and goof around before school. Does anyone else have AWFUL mornings with their kids? Is it hard for anyone else to get multiple kids dressed, fed, teeth brushed and hair combed? I hope it isn't just me. It probably is just me..sigh. Anyway....we have been having hellacious (is that a word?) mornings around here. They have involved me screaming at the kids for 30 minutes straight to get dressed and eat breakfast. I don't know why it is so hard for my kids to complete these simple tasks but GOOD GOD it is! I implemented a new rule as of Tuesday. The rule is no one is allowed out of their bedrooms in the morning until they are dressed, their teeth are brushed, their bed is made and socks on-no shoes just socks. For three days straight now the morning routine has been wonderful! No yelling or scurrying around like crazy people. They come down the stairs all ready for school. I really think I might be a genius. This is the best rule I have ever come up with all by myself. This morning we had plenty of time to take some photos and everyone was in a good mood to boot! We played, had a pillow fight and Jake even had extra time to read some of his Diary of a Wimpy Kid book. It was awesome! Nevermind that I am still in my PJ's with crusty hair and all. We just got shots of having fun which for us is really rare in the AM!

WHAT A MESS!!!

I have been absent on the blog for a long time. I don't know why. I haven't felt like there has been anything interesting to blog about I guess. Is that sad and pathetic? I think it might be. I'm sort of in a sewing rut. For several months now I have only been making the same things over and over. Just the appliqued onesies. They sell really well so I guess I shouldn't call it a rut. I can feel that I will be taking on something new and challenging soon. I don't know what yet but I have the urge to create something that I haven't done yet. I guess we shall see.

The following are pictures of my sewing room or as I like to call it my dungeon. I call it the dungeon because it is an unfinished room in the basement. No windows, no carpet, no personality. It also has dim lighting and is very cold. It's a wonder I ever go down there at all. I do feel fortunate that I do have a little corner in the house just for me though. By nature I am a fairly unorganized person. I do not like cleaning my messes as you can tell from these pictures. Yes, the stuff on the floor is trash. Well, I guess I should call it remains from my applique backs which I guess is technically trash. Why don't I throw that stuff in the trash can you ask? Very good question....when I am in the middle of ironing these appliques to my shirts I don't have time to throw them in the trash. DUH! It's just easier to throw them on the floor. Anyway getting on with my point-I need to have all of this crap cleaned up by tomorrow! I am trying to organize another part of my basement and I am bringing all future garage sale items into my sewing room. I LOATHE (I hate the word loathe by the way and moist and loaf-more on that some other time) cleaning the sewing room. I have it so out of control that I don't know where to begin. So many scraps of disorganized fabric and ribbon remains. UGG! Oh well, it has to be done so be it.

Please note that the rest of my house is not like this. Only my sewing room and my closet....honest!

JULES