May's Craft of the Month: Completed

After a few weeks of working, I've finished my colorful baby blanket. If you would like to purchase this afghan check out the etsy listing!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Craving something sweet on a quiet day inside, my husband and I decided to make cookies. We went through our cabinets to see what ingredients we had stocked. Oatmeal and raisins led us to searching for a recipe. That's where we found a very simple cookie recipe from the Smitten Kitchen. This half recipe made roughly a dozen small cookies.



Find the recipe here!

6 Things I Couldn't Live Without

1. D
My husband is a huge motivator in my life. He is a positive influence who believes in my talents. He constantly cheers me on and makes me feel special. I love how he treats life's problems as if they are trivial matters that will work out, even though I'm usually running around freaking out about everything.

2. Internet
Let's face it, the internet is important. In this day and age, it not only replaces cable tv for me but allows me to communicate with many different people. I can network, sell crafts, and buy supplies, all without leaving my home. With all the friends I've made online, I hardly think the internet has made me antisocial, quite the opposite really.

3. nook
I wouldn't have read half the books I have if I didn't own a nook. This handy device allows me to carry a library wherever I go. I love it for it's portability. Sometimes I simply want more than one thing to read. My nook gives me the option that I wouldn't have otherwise, to carry as many books as I want with me.

4. food and water
It's clearly obvious but what kind of person would I be if I didn't list food and water as necessities? I would never survive without something delicious to eat and a cool beverage to wash it down with!

5. yarn and a crochet hook
Crafting is a hobby that has taken on a life of it's own here in my house. I rarely sit and watch a program without the constant stitching of my crochet hook. I find the rhythmic action soothing as well as productive. I love to create and crocheting gives me that opportunity.

6. caffeine
What can I say, I'm a junkie. Everyday when I wake up I have to have a Pepsi (or Coke, I'm not discerning). I know once I start planning for the future baby I'll have to cut back but for now I'm getting my fill, daily!

BotM Review: Confessions of a Scary Mommy

May's Book of the Month, as you may recall, was Confessions of a Scary Mommy by Jill Smokler. This book was a frank look at the not so exciting parts about being a parent. I have never been pregnant and don't have any children yet, but I would recommend this book to anyone who is thinking of having children. Confessions is just that, confessions by Smokler and other scary and scared mothers.

When I started reading this book I became skeptical but I realized I couldn't judge this book because I've never been a mother. Being a mom is a hard, sometimes thankless job, that requires a parents full effort to create and raise to adulthood, a life. Scary Mommy tells us in a very real way, that sometimes you will feel like a single parent even though you're in a two parent home. Or how your biggest baby may in fact be your partner. Before I read this book I never imagined my husband would get jealous of the baby's attention.

Just as my preview stated, the book is a humorous look at motherhood, however there are dark sides to Confessions via the anonymous confessors from Smokler's website. I'm sure they aren't meant to make you feel as scared as they made me. The tale while meant to be lighthearted had me taking note. Things I never thought I would say made sense.

One thing in particular that stood out to me was the section called, "Freedom of Speech". Before reading this, I was extremely judgmental against parents whose children cussed. While I still don't condone it, I agree with Smokler's stance.

"I've heard some parents say some pretty awful things to their kids under the guise of constructive criticism. 'Don't you think that shirt make you look fat?' one parent asked her seven-year-old daughter on the playground... Personally, I find language like that far more harmful than an occasional "fuck" flown around..."

I can get behind that sort of reasoning.

I give Confessions of a Scary Mommy a solid B+. There were parts that were hard to read for me as an aspiring mom however it was also an eye opening read in the same respect. I think after I become a mom I might actually revisit this book to see where I stand. I would definitely recommend this to moms and future moms, alike.

Making progress on the baby blanket. Look how pretty. It will soon be a lovely blankie for some lucky kid!

10 Things I Want To Do This Year

As part of my website, I want to make sure I complete a craft each month. Even if it means over lapping months and working a little harder. I'm dedicated to making my crafts.

I definitely want to make a go of taking photos for a check. I hope to make some client contacts soon.

I often start stories and they get lost in the shuffle. I'd like to write a new one that sticks, one that might have a chance at being published.

My husband and I are moving to a new town for his job. It's stressful and annoying but it will be worth it to lose his commute time.

I'm terrible about letting my anxiety get the best of me. One of the ways I've learned to cope with stress is by biting my nails. I had quit for years but recently I've been chewing them so badly I've been doing acrylic manicures just to have my hands look decent. I would like to just stop doing it altogether.

Sorta bad with money, D and I spend a lot when we should be saving. We want to save money to buy stuff for #9's sake.

Pretty simple, I want to get 25 books down. I'm 2 books in and am working on my 3rd. This is why I added the BotM feature. It will keep me on the right track. Plus, I sometimes start several books at a time and this goal will be encouragement to finish those books.

To have a blog that people will know I'm going to post on and not leave them hanging has been my goal since I started back this year. I want to make this blog as successful as I can. I don't measure success by comments or pageviews but by my own standards. I will put forth my best effort and have the satisfaction of meeting my goals.

Since this past Christmas when I confessed to my husband that I do, in fact, want to procreate D and I have been discussing having a baby. It's been emotional at times, trying to decide when the right time for us would be. However, after all the discussions we decided to start trying by December! I'm very excited. He's very nervous.

This won't be about losing weight for vanity. This goal is something I'm doing solely for #9. I know the weight I feel comfortable at so I want to lose enough to compensate for the future life that will be growing inside me.

What are 10 things YOU want to do this year??

Recently, I've had an influx of animal visits and visitors. I spent a few days dog sitting Holly, my sister's dachshund this past week. Though a bit clingy she did quite well with us. Also, yesterday I went to my parents' house for dinner and was able to hang out with my baby, Foofie and Mom's cat, Puss. It's lovely to see so many sweet animals in my life.


Rush and Holly


Holly


Puss



Foofie's fur pile.


Foofie

What I've Been Playing: Guild Wars 2

When I started dating my, now, husband, D, he was really into MMORPG's. That's Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Game, for those who aren't savvy. Don't worry, before D my greatest feat was Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on Sega Genesis. Sufficed to say I was clueless about MMOs.

One day D brought a computer to my house. It was a gaming computer, far superior to my puny netbook. He also bought a copy of Guild Wars. This was a way to give us something to do while we spent many nights chatting on Skype. Having no subscription fee made Guild Wars an appealing game, however we were soon sucked into arguably the most popular MMO of them all, World of Warcraft. We put away our Guild Wars and ponied up $15 each month to save Azeroth. However, 3 years later, bored with what the World of Warcraft has to offer, we're seeking a new game and we are getting it, in the form of Guild Wars 2.

Announced in 2007, Guild Wars 2 has been a long time coming. But it is coming. Over the weekend of April 26th to the 28th, D and I were able to play through the beta for GW2. I have to say, straight away, the whole rest of this is complimentary. I have no bad things to say about my time with the beta.

Out of the race options, I chose Norn over the Char, which is the cat race, and the humans. I picked the Norn for their love of adventure and fun. They're are characterized by how much larger they are than humans and by their deep voices. Right from the very start, the customization is very rich. It's not as deep as a Sims game however it does allow for many different facial types as well as hair, tattoos, height and the color of your armor.

I ran my toon, Scarfy, through the starting area where she and a few other newbies killed a giant ice worm. Right away I was thrilled by the changes. Sometimes I have a tendency to get in over my head when I really get into the fray. I end up neglecting to look at my health until it's too late and I'm dead. However, Guild Wars 2 has the option before you are completely dead for you to fight for your life and ask a fellow player for help. Raising someone from the brink of death is as easy as hitting the F key. It's so simple and keeps your comrades from having to run back to the fight from a way point. Also no matter what class you pick you are equipped with heals thus eliminating the old fashioned need for a healer in a group. Everyone can heal.

In terms of aesthetics, Guild Wars 2 is beautiful. It's amazing how video games have come so far in terms of artistic style. Even in it's beta state GW2 is so polished you would think the game is coming out next month! Sadly it's not. I was only able to explore a few areas in the beta however it gave me a taste of the future of MMOs. Guild Wars 2 could be putting the big dogs to shame when it releases. With it's polish, character customization and zero subscription fee, I believe, it will be the MMO to beat in the future.

What I'm Seeing: Nature

One fine day I strolled out my door and found some lovely bits of nature to take in and enjoy. Here are the best of those moments, including a surprise downpour.

May Craft of the Month: In Progress

This month's craft is a colorful baby blanket made from granny squares.





By the end of the month I will have a completed blanket for sale on etsy!

Shutterfly Promotion

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

This is the Mother's Day card I made for my mom on shutterfly.com. I use them most often for my photo printing needs. They produce quality photos that are shipped in a timely manner. Plus, they have amazing deals. I got this card for free and only paid shipping costs!

What I've Been Watching

I don't watch much network television due in large part to not having cable. Instead of cable, my husband and I watch most of the shows that interest us on Netflix. I'm no shill but Netflix Instant Streaming really fills the entertainment void in our family.

About a month ago, I started watching the series Supernatural. The show features Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles as brothers, Sam and Dean Winchester. Aside from being incredibly buff and handsome the brothers are demon hunters with a fair amount of emotional baggage. I'd say dying several times, being double crossed and going to hell, throughout the 6 seasons available for instant streaming, would give anyone some hangups.

Supernatural is a dramatic ride with some tension easing comedy and a host of supporting cast, including Bobby Singer the brothers' father figure, Crowley the Scottish demon with the heart of... well not gold and Castiel the resident clueless angel. The show is an entertaining, sometimes nail biting, addictive ride through heaven and hell.

For entertainment value, I give Supernatural an A-. Some of the drama is heavy handed, pulling from the soap opera style of withholding the truth from someone. This usually involves one of the brothers not telling the other something semi-important. Leaving me moaning at the tv, "Oh lord, just tell him the truth!!" I do get many chuckles from Bobby's two catchphrases "BALLS!" and "YOU IDJITS". I would definitely recommend Supernatural to anyone looking for a show that gives you demons, angels and classic rock.

May Book of the Month Preview

Often, I am very grateful to own a nook. My e-reader has expanded my library ten-fold. I have been thinking about motherhood a lot recently which made me decide that May's Book of the Month would be Confessions of a Scary Mommy by Jill Smokler.

Smokler is a blogger mom turned author with this book. Described as "hilariously, outrageously truthful", Confessions seems like a humorous journey into a woman's foray into mom-dom. Not only that, but having read the first few pages, it's more than just a bored mom who blogged her ups and downs with her children, it's about being truthful about what it's like to be a parent.

All too often people with children want to seem strong, like they have it together, however with hundreds of anonymous confessions from other moms it's plain to see child raising isn't always sunshine and roses. Of course, not many people would say "If I could have gone back I would have never done this". At the very least they'd never say it out loud, yet Scary Mommy gives them the liberty to feel like less than a perfect mom without making them feel like the worst person on the planet.

I'm really excited to read this book and can't wait to review it at the end of the month! Feel free to read along or tell me your thoughts in the comments!