Today was the culmination of a handful of not so pleasant things coming to a head all at once. A missed opportunity, conflict, exhaustion confusion, accusations, disrespect, etc...
I was sitting there at work and decided I needed to be apart of something positive. I packed up my bags and finished my day from home, so I could catch a glimpse of my beautiful sweet daughters before they went for their naps. They warmed my heart, brought tears to my eyes and reached their arms out to me to give me great big hugs.
Yes, today was one of the worst days I've had in a long time, but those precious smiles are what life is all about. Thank you for being there for me today Abby and Emily!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
I Forgot About This Phase
Emily, my sweet Emily. She gives lots of kisses and gives the best 18 month old hugs. She is fearless and wants nothing more than to be joined at the hip with her older sister at all times. Emily has a great sense of humor, is very happy and an awesome sleeper. She is easy going and recovers quickly from the bumps and bruises a toddler incurs. She knows what she wants when she wants it and is freakishly strong for her age.
Emily is now throwing tantrums, OH NO! She does this when we take something she shouldn't be playing with or when we tell her to stop slamming the TV cabinet doors repeatedly. You get the picture.
When Abby was the same age, she went though a similar phase and it was brutal. She was very emotional and would throw herself against a wall, the floor, where ever. To the point where she would hurt herself and get even more upset. 30-40 minutes later we would have her calmed down until the next outburst.
Emily's tantrums are a little less severe and much shorter in duration. But, can't we just bypass this phase?
(imagine a cute picture of Emily here, with a scrunched up smile on her face, I'm having trouble loading pictures at this time)
Emily is now throwing tantrums, OH NO! She does this when we take something she shouldn't be playing with or when we tell her to stop slamming the TV cabinet doors repeatedly. You get the picture.
When Abby was the same age, she went though a similar phase and it was brutal. She was very emotional and would throw herself against a wall, the floor, where ever. To the point where she would hurt herself and get even more upset. 30-40 minutes later we would have her calmed down until the next outburst.
Emily's tantrums are a little less severe and much shorter in duration. But, can't we just bypass this phase?
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Made Some Stuff Just for Fun - Necklaces
Work has slowed a bit. I'm through the thick of it for at least a few months. As a result, I have a few spare minutes each day to do some things I enjoy. My latest creations are these 100% sterling silver necklaces. I like how they turned out, but have some work to do on the technical side of assembling.
All the parts of the necklaces came in raw form. I twisted wire, put jump rings on, attached clasps and circles and stones. It was a lot of fun and nice to have a creative outlet.
The 3 largest blue stones are real turquoise, the small blue stone on the left is a pretty Blue Chalcedony and the small yellow stone is a cheery yellow Chalcedony. Sorry for the bad picture, it was with my cell phone in a hotel room. I have some green amethyst and quartz to work with next.
Next up: a few more necklaces and then some more fabric zippered accessories bags.
All the parts of the necklaces came in raw form. I twisted wire, put jump rings on, attached clasps and circles and stones. It was a lot of fun and nice to have a creative outlet.
The 3 largest blue stones are real turquoise, the small blue stone on the left is a pretty Blue Chalcedony and the small yellow stone is a cheery yellow Chalcedony. Sorry for the bad picture, it was with my cell phone in a hotel room. I have some green amethyst and quartz to work with next.
Next up: a few more necklaces and then some more fabric zippered accessories bags.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Commissioned Project - Complete
I did it, despite one minor schedule disruption.
I'm a planner. I hate the mad dash at the end of a deadline. I like peaceful and proactive progress, at work as well as at home. I like to finish projects ahead of time with a little bit a breathing room just in case.
This project was well planned. I cut the fabric and started sewing over the weekend. I was scheduled to finish Tuesday evening. 'Was', being the key word here.
During the day at work on Tuesday, there was an awful lot of pounding going on in an office not far from mine. Some repair work. That, coupled with an extra sunny day and no sunglasses to be found, spelled disaster for me. That evening, my head was pounding and I mean noise and light sensitivity pounding.
When Steve got home at 6pm, I went to lay down, for 30 minutes, for the advil to kick in and to ease the pounding in my head. Next thing I know, it's 11:45pm, I must have been tired. Oops.
I had 6 more little wallets to finish, but each one of them was already about 60% done. Well, I did it, delivered the projects. I also added a little necklace inside for a little extra something special. I hope the women liked them (I should know later today)!
Here are some pictures of the finished projects. The party colors were purple, yellow and gray. This fabric was just perfect! Special thanks to Buddha for the assistance.
I'm a planner. I hate the mad dash at the end of a deadline. I like peaceful and proactive progress, at work as well as at home. I like to finish projects ahead of time with a little bit a breathing room just in case.
This project was well planned. I cut the fabric and started sewing over the weekend. I was scheduled to finish Tuesday evening. 'Was', being the key word here.
During the day at work on Tuesday, there was an awful lot of pounding going on in an office not far from mine. Some repair work. That, coupled with an extra sunny day and no sunglasses to be found, spelled disaster for me. That evening, my head was pounding and I mean noise and light sensitivity pounding.
When Steve got home at 6pm, I went to lay down, for 30 minutes, for the advil to kick in and to ease the pounding in my head. Next thing I know, it's 11:45pm, I must have been tired. Oops.
I had 6 more little wallets to finish, but each one of them was already about 60% done. Well, I did it, delivered the projects. I also added a little necklace inside for a little extra something special. I hope the women liked them (I should know later today)!
Here are some pictures of the finished projects. The party colors were purple, yellow and gray. This fabric was just perfect! Special thanks to Buddha for the assistance.
Friday, June 10, 2011
My First Big Commissioned Project
I've been trying to get a little idea of mine off the ground, for over a year. Any spare time I've had is taken up with kids or work. I decided that I needed to commit myself to something small and go for it. I needed something with a deadline that wasn't flexible and I needed a firm commitment so I would be forced into it.
I sprung this idea onto a co-worker of mine who is throwing a bachelorette party for her sister in San Diego in 8 days. A week ago I asked her if I could make something to be included in the favor buckets they are giving away. She was a little hesitant at first, but I think I finally wore her down. I am doing them at my cost, for a couple reasons:
1.) I really enjoy working with this person, she really is just wonderful.
2.) I can't ask her to pay for something that I've inflicted on her.
I am making little zippered pouches (enough to hold credit cards, money and lipstick) and cute little necklaces to match the color theme of the weekend; purple, yellow and gray. What a great color combination. I found this fabric by Michael Miller that will fit the bill! I may add some accent fabric in solid gray and yellow. I also ordered zippers in the 3 theme colors as well.
I'm likely going to be doing a lot of cutting and sewing and gluing over the weekend. I'll post more pictures on Monday on the progress I've made. I am really looking forward to doing this.
I sprung this idea onto a co-worker of mine who is throwing a bachelorette party for her sister in San Diego in 8 days. A week ago I asked her if I could make something to be included in the favor buckets they are giving away. She was a little hesitant at first, but I think I finally wore her down. I am doing them at my cost, for a couple reasons:
1.) I really enjoy working with this person, she really is just wonderful.
2.) I can't ask her to pay for something that I've inflicted on her.
I am making little zippered pouches (enough to hold credit cards, money and lipstick) and cute little necklaces to match the color theme of the weekend; purple, yellow and gray. What a great color combination. I found this fabric by Michael Miller that will fit the bill! I may add some accent fabric in solid gray and yellow. I also ordered zippers in the 3 theme colors as well.
I'm likely going to be doing a lot of cutting and sewing and gluing over the weekend. I'll post more pictures on Monday on the progress I've made. I am really looking forward to doing this.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Two things wrong with The Bachelorette...
The Bachelorette was a complete disaster tonight. Two things were drastically wrong with this episode...
1.) How did the producers let this guy on the show? Really Bentley, you are such a jerk. Because of you, I will teach my daughters to love themselves enough to spot an a$?hole a mile away and not have low self esteem that they think someone like you can be genuine. How dare you use your daughter as your reason to go home, which itself was a lie!!! You disgust me.
2.) Ashley, you were warned. At the point you learned of Bentley's intentions, you should have never let him get out of the limo! Why even give a guy like this a chance, there were many more to choose from. Why do women do this to themselves? Why are they so enamored with the bad boy. You cannot change guys like that. Once a snake, always a snake..
Shows like this make me realize I am married to a wonderful husband and father. He would never even imagine treating anyone this badly, nor would he ever use his precious daughters as a cover to something so awful. Please don't tell him this though. I'm still trying to get him to do more around the house and I don't want to lose traction :)...
1.) How did the producers let this guy on the show? Really Bentley, you are such a jerk. Because of you, I will teach my daughters to love themselves enough to spot an a$?hole a mile away and not have low self esteem that they think someone like you can be genuine. How dare you use your daughter as your reason to go home, which itself was a lie!!! You disgust me.
2.) Ashley, you were warned. At the point you learned of Bentley's intentions, you should have never let him get out of the limo! Why even give a guy like this a chance, there were many more to choose from. Why do women do this to themselves? Why are they so enamored with the bad boy. You cannot change guys like that. Once a snake, always a snake..
Shows like this make me realize I am married to a wonderful husband and father. He would never even imagine treating anyone this badly, nor would he ever use his precious daughters as a cover to something so awful. Please don't tell him this though. I'm still trying to get him to do more around the house and I don't want to lose traction :)...
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Juggling Act
As a corporate finance professional, fiscal year end is always a blast (please re-read with sarcasm). 12-14 hour days, tracking down revenue entries, daily reporting of where we think we'll land, etc, etc. Sounds utterly fascinating huh? If I talked about my job to most people, their eyes would glaze over, some might even fall asleep, but it does get pretty intense.
During this fiscal year end period, my Memorial Day weekends are always work focused. I do try to carve out some time for family and this weekend was no exception. Saturday and Sunday were pretty crazy... They looked like this:
8:30am - 10:am at the gym with the kids. I only got in a 30 minute workout because Emily decided that screaming at the top of her lungs in the kids center was a good idea. We waited for Abby to be done at 9:30am and socialized with friends for another half hour.
We zoomed home to get Abby a snack and changed for Dance Class from 11-12. At 11:45 Steve shows up to dance class with Emily, after having gone to buy a birthday present and I head off to get my hair colored (skunk stripe of gray loveliness, be gone!). I get home at 2:45, and turn around at 3:00pm to take Abby to a birthday party from 3-4:30 (she had soo much fun). Then we leave the party at 4:30 to take the in-laws their car at the airport, head home, make the girls dinner, give them baths and they are fast asleep. All throughout the day, I'm checking/sending emails, talking with my team, making sure things aren't blowing up on the work front.
Sunday, Steve started BBQ'ing at 9am, and make the most wonderful pulled pork and smoked brisket I think he's ever made. He gets pretty stressed out when he cooks, so I try to give him space. My family shows up at 11:30am, I make some coleslaw and mac and cheese, we visit, I check emails, send emails, we eat, we play in the backyard, visit some more, etc..
During busy times like this, I typically burn the candle at both ends, especially when the busy time falls on a holiday weekend. Somehow we manage, I get in fun time with my girls, I get my work done, I get less sleep than I need, but have the memories of the girls laughing and playing to carry me through.
I know at one point I may look back and think I worked too much and missed too much of Abby and Emily's younger years. I hope I don't, but it is possible. Until I have that epiphany, I'll continue the juggling act to try to squeeze in as much time with them as I can and enjoy the challenges at work as well.
During this fiscal year end period, my Memorial Day weekends are always work focused. I do try to carve out some time for family and this weekend was no exception. Saturday and Sunday were pretty crazy... They looked like this:
8:30am - 10:am at the gym with the kids. I only got in a 30 minute workout because Emily decided that screaming at the top of her lungs in the kids center was a good idea. We waited for Abby to be done at 9:30am and socialized with friends for another half hour.
We zoomed home to get Abby a snack and changed for Dance Class from 11-12. At 11:45 Steve shows up to dance class with Emily, after having gone to buy a birthday present and I head off to get my hair colored (skunk stripe of gray loveliness, be gone!). I get home at 2:45, and turn around at 3:00pm to take Abby to a birthday party from 3-4:30 (she had soo much fun). Then we leave the party at 4:30 to take the in-laws their car at the airport, head home, make the girls dinner, give them baths and they are fast asleep. All throughout the day, I'm checking/sending emails, talking with my team, making sure things aren't blowing up on the work front.
Sunday, Steve started BBQ'ing at 9am, and make the most wonderful pulled pork and smoked brisket I think he's ever made. He gets pretty stressed out when he cooks, so I try to give him space. My family shows up at 11:30am, I make some coleslaw and mac and cheese, we visit, I check emails, send emails, we eat, we play in the backyard, visit some more, etc..
During busy times like this, I typically burn the candle at both ends, especially when the busy time falls on a holiday weekend. Somehow we manage, I get in fun time with my girls, I get my work done, I get less sleep than I need, but have the memories of the girls laughing and playing to carry me through.
I know at one point I may look back and think I worked too much and missed too much of Abby and Emily's younger years. I hope I don't, but it is possible. Until I have that epiphany, I'll continue the juggling act to try to squeeze in as much time with them as I can and enjoy the challenges at work as well.
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