A crafty recap

Boy, I have been lax about blogging, and I really don't know why. I've just had a reluctance to write my thoughts down. There have been so many moments worth remembering, both big (inauguration!) and small (Vivian spazzing out to "Twist & Shout" during her music class), that I almost don't know where to start. So instead of tackling anything deep or meaningful, I'll just post some pretty pictures.

It's still January, so I think it's still ok to post some photos of my Christmas crafty projects.

On the left is Gigi, the doll I made for Vivian. She's made of muslin, and stuffed with scrap cotton quilt batting. Her hair is a merino wool sock yarn, and her dress is made from some left-over quilt squares from the crazy 9-patch baby quilt I made last year. I love how she turned out, but Viv hasn't completely warmed to her yet (she's more into stuffed animals than dolls right now).

Next, we have my version of the popular Emmeline apron from Sew Liberated. I made this for my mom, and I love the fabric I used, a vintage cotton I bought on ebay (featuring a guitar player in a sombrero on a donkey).

If I were to make this again for me, I'd definitely increase the width of the bust. I wish the pattern had noted that it was not exactly one size fits all, as I have now seen many others having this same issue.

Another project I tackled this christmas was compiling a box of dress-up clothes for my 3-year-old great-niece (Richard's sister's granddaughter—the generations are screwy in his family). I had so much fun brainstorming items for this box.

I ended up making a red tutu, a lace dress and green sparkly robe. I also included a yellow feather boa (who doesn't love a feather boa?), a black Lone Ranger-style mask and tiara. Unfortunately, Kaitlyn wasn't able to come to our family Christmas in Kingsburg last weekend, so I didn't get to see her open the box, but I hope she really enjoys it.

Time for me

As a mom, I have discovered just how easy it is to constantly put yourself dead last. I spend so much of my time thinking/worrying about Vivian, that sometimes I just can't care about anyone, or anything, else, much less myself. Vivian is #1, Richard is #2, the cats are (a somewhat distant -- to their dismay) #3, and if I have the energy, I am #4.

But that needs to change (if not the order, then at least the number of times I actually get to #4). I need to take care of myself to take care of my family. What's that annoying t-shirt say? "When Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." I won't take on the appalling grammar -- I don't have time. But I do think I need to pay attention to myself a bit, so I can be happy and healthy. Because when I'm not, everyone at home feels the pain.

So, I'm starting by making doctor's appointments. After seeing a doctor every 2 weeks while I was pregnant, it feels a bit weird to not have seen someone for months. So I made an appointment for a physical, a flu shot and an eye exam. I also need to get into a dentist, which I have been putting off for far too long.

The upside for me? Once I get my new eye prescriptions, I can get lenses for my new glasses that I picked up at this weekend's L.A. Eyeworks sale! Thank you Ellen, for reminding me about this yearly event. I scored 3 pairs for $85: a dark green rectangular set, a light peach rectangular set and a fab gold-brown cat's eye pair. Pictures to come.

I'm also getting some knitting done, although no finished objects yet. I am making good progress on my Juliet, although I'm starting to think that the Noro Blossom I'm using, and its color stripes, will take away from the lace pattern. Oh well, too late now. It still looks fabulous, and I know I'll get a lot of use for it this winter.

Christmas is coming up, and I've gotten a late start on crafting, as usual. I have 5 knitting projects on the list, which is probably too many to finish, but I'm going to try anyway. Luckily, I'm not fooling myself that anyone is getting sweaters, and once I'm finished with Juliet (probably my last "me" project until after the holiday), I can cast on for the first.

Even though this post is about me, I couldn't leave without some gratuitous baby photos.

Vivian in her Pumpkin costume for Halloween

Vivian & I in the craziness of Hollywood Blvd. on Halloween (on our way to see The Nightmare Before Christmas in 3-D!)

Redneck Woman

On Friday night, I looked for inspiration as I teased my hair and applied my blue eyeshadow.

And then it came to me: "What Would Britney Do?"

Well, we all know that Britney would have walked barefoot into the gas station bathroom on her way to the White Trash Wedding. And while I couldn't bring myself to do that, I did buy my faux bouquet at CVS. Actually, I think my true inspiration was a cross between Britney and Joy from My Name is Earl.

Let me present, my white trash alter ego, Velma: Please note that the Budweiser is a prop. All I drank was 7UP, I swear.

And here is Richard's inner redneck, Cletus: His polyester jacket has pleather points on the pockets. His pig hat has a pipe cleaner tail on the back. He ironed his jeans, so there was a crease down the middle. And of course, the bolo tie. His only problem was that he was, if anything, too authentic. We've been to several casual weddings, and there have been quite a few uncles/cousins who thought that this outfit was the standard wedding uniform.

The majority of attendees of the party at the VFW Hall in Sun valley dressed up, which was cool, although many confused "wedding" with "monster-truck rally." There were several faux-pregnant brides and attendees, but I think I was the only one who was, in fact, in a "delicate condition." There was a lot of dancing, which I did some of (only 1 or 2 dances before my feet & back protested), and a lot of drinking, which I did not do. But it was still a lot of fun. I love costumes and dressing up, so this party was perfect for me!

The happy couple!

White Trash Wedding

No, this post is not a jab at any of my friends or relatives. I am just excited about Richard's kickball end-of-season party tomorrow night, where the theme is, you guessed it, "White Trash Wedding."

Normally, I would not be all that jazzed about going to a drinking party 6 1/2 months pregnant -- hello, designated driver. But "White Trash Wedding?" Hello, I'm already 6 1/2 months pregnant! How perfect can I be?

Richard and I have been scouring local and not-so-local Goodwills (Pacoima?) for the perfect outfits. I found a true gem. Think of a cheap version of the prom dresses at the end of Pretty in Pink (not Andie's though). It's apricot satin (My momma wouldn't let me wear no white dress on account of my condition.) that is scrunched and elasticized (hence actually fitting over my belly) down to the hips, where it has a flowy knee-length skirt. Oh, and shoulder pads! I just need to figure out a veil and I'll be set!

Richard drove all the way out to the Goodwill in Pacoima to find the perfect outfit. I don't want to spoil it, but let me just say it will involve a bolo tie.

Pictures will come next week. These are going to be good.