I'm a little weepy.

For those of you new readers who may not know, I have several jobs.  One of those jobs is as the Youth Director at my church.  We have a very small group with about 7 regulars.  Quality not quantity, people.  The kids have adopted Stop Hunger Now (an organization that provides hunger relief aid to more than 120 countries worldwide) as their mission for the year.  I recently asked them to brainstorm some fundraising ideas and they unanimously decided that they wanted to do a yard sale.  I put a lot of time and effort into planning and collecting and this past Saturday was the big day.  The kids had worked hard to organize and price everything and I knew the hard work would pay off.  
I have one boy in 10th grade who has been in this church his whole life. He has recently started choosing social activities over the youth group and I worried I was losing him. He was there to help with the yard sale on Saturday, and was a tremendous help. About halfway through the day, I went up to him with a stack of money and asked him to guess how much money we had raised so far. (I wanted to let them know what a great job they were doing.) He estimated we had about $300 so far. With a smile on my face, I told him we had $680. Without skipping a beat, this 16-year-old boy that I had watched grow up, pulled a $20 out of his wallet and said, "Make it $700.". My eyes filled with tears as I realized that my kids understood the magnitude of what we were doing.  It only takes $0.25 to feed 6 people for an entire day.
All in all, we raised $941.78, which will feed 22,602 people.  I am so proud and humbled by those kids.


Thanks for letting me brag.  Want to help in the cause?  You can donate here.


Weepy hugs,
A

The Way

"They drank up the wine

And they got to talking

They now had more important things to say."

All the Pain Money Can Buy by Fastball {here}

This weekend was pretty normal.
Saturday was not Princess Fiona's favorite day.  She got a B-A-F-F.  (For those of you who haven't been reduced to spelling "bad" words in front of your children pets, that means bath.)  She was not thrilled.  Sadly, I wasn't able to capture the magic on film, but she does smell as fresh as daisies now.  I had to swaddle her like an 8lb, 6oz newborn infant Jesus who doesn't even know a word yet because (s)He's just a cuddly little infant but still omnipotent. [If you didn't catch that reference, you can't be my friend.]  After her B-A-F-F, we snuggled.

My feets are all tangled.

Oh, I may look innocent, but I'm not.

I picked up Zaxby's for lunch/supper and Princess Fiona was sad that she didn't get any, so I gave her the bag.  Let's be honest, that's what she really wanted anyway.  She made it her new home.

Please tell the paparazzi to get off my lawn.

I also got my sweet Lagy Gaga-esque wig for Halloween.  It's more yellow than I'd imagined, but whatevs.  You'll have to stay tuned to see it.  S.E.Dubs and I went and saw "The Social Network" on Saturday night.  We went to the "cheap theater" and tickets we $9!  That's what I call robbery.  Good thing we brought our own drinks and candy.  The movie was...interesting.  Mr. Facebook is kinda douche-y.

Sunday was filled with church and a baby shower.  The baby shower was precious and tons of fun.  There was a black and white photo booth with props for all of the guests to take pics.  Loved it.
I decided that Sunday night with the Youth Group would be Game Night.  We pigged out on pizza and brownies and play Catchphrase and Apples to Apples.  Def a fun night.  I felt really old when the youngest member of the group (6th grade boy) kept getting people cards in Apples to Apples and had no clue who they were.  Who were they?  Chevy Chase, Tom Clancy, Tommy Lee Jones, ABBA, and Pee-wee Herman. He was born in 1998.  Let's recap life in 1998...

• Rehab and addiction were just a twinkle in Lindsay Lohan's eyes.  In 1998, she played twins in The Parent Trap.
• Mel Gibson was still a Jew-loving sane person, starring in The Patriot.
• The movie industry was a little obsessed with meteors, releasing Armageddon and Deep Impact in the same year.
• Savage Garden's "Truly, Madly, Deeply" was my jam.
• Anyone remember the band Fastball?  Because I def was loving their song, "The Way."
• President Bill Clinton "did not" have relations with that woman, aka Monica Lewinsky.
• The FDA approved Viagra.  Impotent men everywhere rejoiced.
• Europe agreed to introduce the Euro as their mutual currency.

I felt old.

Daddy apparently caught a pretty nasty stomach bug and suffered all weekend.  I thought I was safe, but Mommy Dearest and I both had to stay home from work yesterday because of it.  We took turns bringing each other ginger ale and toast.  Not a fun day.

Long distance hugs so I don't give you my germs,
A

Of Graves

"Can we argue at a later date when it's convenient for both of us?"

Lullaby Appetite by Alexa Wilkinson {here}

I love this line from Alexa Wilkinson's song.  It completely describes how I feel some days.  I just don't feel like putting in the effort to out-argue you today.  You know who you are.  

My workday started off pretty well today.  Yesterday, I bought my pregnant coworker a Sprite and some M&Ms (shhhh!) as a pick-me-up.  This morning she called me and said she was going to bring me a mocha to repay me.  Score!  Another highlight from my day has been exchanging emails with Pam (one of our freight providers).  Poor thing has poison oak on the inside of her eyelids.  I don't know how she is working!  I'd be on a bus to Crazyville, slobbering on the windows, in a straight-jacket.  For reals.  She makes me feel better a bout my haphazard life.  A close friend/coworker, S.E.Dubs, suggested that I call my blog "Accident Prone."  Not a bad idea, but I didn't want to jinx myself.  [Sidenote: I prefer the word "dubs" to saying "W."  Get over it.]

I have a bit of dilemma.  I've been invited to a wedding this weekend.  The bride and I went to college together and were in the same sorority.  We are friends, but not extremely close.  The wedding is in Cola Town (about 2ish hours from where I live), and I'd have to drive by myself.  No biggie, until you remember that I have a broken right foot and driving that far isn't exactly the safest easiest thing on the planet.  I'd also have to rock Das Boot with a cocktail dress and have uneven legs all night because I'd either have to wear flats that are too short or heels that are too tall (or rock the Reebok Easy Tones...).  Not to be vain, but I don't want to look too unfortunate in pictures.  The wedding is on Saturday night.  I'd have to drive back late at night because I have to teach Sunday School at 9:45am.  Do I go even though my heart just isn't in it?  Current verdict: stay home.

It's clearly the birthing time of year, because I have another baby shower to go to this Sunday.  It's for the aforementioned pregnant coworker (KL).  S.E.Dubs and I are going in on a plethora of gifts together, and I decided to make a picture for the nursery, like I did for C(P)W.  KL and her hubby decided to keep the baby's gender a surprise, so I don't have a name for the picture.  S.E.Dubs and I decided to go with the monkey theme, so take a look:

Presh, right?!

I'm pretty proud of it, not gonna lie.  Now, all I have left to do this week is: fill all of my outstanding jewelry orders, plan a Sunday School lesson, plan a devotion and games for Sunday night for the Youth, try to make my apartment livable again so that I can move back in soon, teach Princess Fiona that it's not nice to open doors and run away, teach Princess Fiona that it's not nice to pull the vent cover out of the kitchen floor, find a Lady Gaga wig, make a wish-list for my birthday, and maybe do some laundry.  Bleh.

Because I know you want to see the furbaby, here is a recent picture of Princess Fiona.  I think she looks like a sleeping lion.

Rawr.

And here is a stamp that I bought last night at Michael's that I'm a little obsessed with:

Adorbs.

I bought some light pink blank note cards and some dark pink ink and I am going to make my own stationery.    I think that I might do the flames in metallic gold, because who doesn't love metallics?!

Later gators,

A

Overboard

"I could write my name by the age of three, and I don't need anyone to cut my meat for me.  I'm a big girl now, see my big girl shoes?"

Girls and Boys by Ingrid Michaelson  {here}

C(P)W's baby shower went well on Saturday.  The food was yummy and the gifts were presh.  Here's a cute picture:

Teeeeeeeny tiny socks!

Also, I couldn't resist throwing a little copper jewelry in the mix.  I know it's not a "traditional" baby shower gift, but I love it.

C(P)W's monogram on top, and Baby A's monogram below.

[Rewind.]  Friday night, I got to hang out with one of my favorite 3-year-olds.  ME is completely adorable and loves me to pieces (as I love her).  I am the only non-family-member that she likes (AKA she doesn't cry when she's left with me).  We play princesses, watch Dora, play dress-up with Pooh Bear, and tell silly stories.  She's awesome.  See what I mean?

This is her "scary" face.

ME insisted on wearing braids because she began the night in her Dorothy costume.  (I made her change before we went to play outside.  Mud stains on a white dress...tragic.)  Here is a conversation that we had:

ME: "I used to be a little girl, but now I'm a big BIG girl."

Moi: "Yes you are.  You're a lady."

ME: "What's that word?"

Moi: "Well, lady is another kind of big girl.  Mommy is a lady."

ME: "Yea, Mommy's a lady.  Daddy's a lady, too."

Moi: [trying hard not to laugh] "Umm...actually, Daddy isn't a lady. He's a gentleman."

ME: "No, I'm pretty sure he's a lady all the time."

[Fast forward.]  Don't you love how I ignore the logical order of things?  I like it better this way.  For Sunday School, I had my Youth dress up like the Disciples and reenact the Last Supper for the kids.  We have a "theater" room with costumes and props, so we went digging for attire.  However, there do not seem to be any actual Disciple clothes.  Here's what we looked like:

1. Beatles wig.
2. Fairy wings.
3. Hospital gown?
4. Purse.
5. Keyboard.

There are no words to explain this.  Just go with it.

I was supposed to be Jesus.  I look more like Miss Cleo.  "Look in to me crystal ball..."
(Although the "crystal ball" is the styrofoam head that the wig goes on.  Same diff.)

All in all, I had a bizarre yet standard weekend.  [Who are you calling an oxymoron?!]

I'm bored with the way my blog looks, but I don't know what I want to change.  Suggestions?  Comments on how awesome I am?

Kthanksbye,

A

Starfish & Coffee

"Starfish and coffee,

Maple syrup and jam, 

Butterscotch clouds, a tangerine,

And a side order of ham.

If you set your mind free, baby,

Maybe you'd understand

Starfish and coffee,

Maple syrup and jam."

"Sign 'O' the Times" by Prince {here}

Ok, so this post has nothing to do with starfish or coffee, other than the fact that it is random.  Besides, I adore this song (especially the cover by Matt Nathanson) and it's been stuck in my head today.

Lack of sleep and an abundance of stress have caused me to come down with a rather annoying cold.  It doesn't help that the weather keeps alternating between summer and fall every other day.  Seriously, Mother Nature, make up your freaking mind.  

Since my brain is relatively fried, I am going to post a list of my random thoughts.  Sorry to disappoint you if you were expecting a polished post.  

1. I'm struggling to come up with a Sunday School lesson and a night-time lesson for my youth group for this week.  Lately, we've been discussing truth and right/wrong in Sunday School, and we've been talking about sharing our faith on Sunday nights.  I don't want them to burn out on a topic, but I don't want to end anything too soon.  Ideas???
2. I'm a little worried that my foot isn't healing like it should.  It's extraordinarily sensitive still.  And achy.
3. I'm searching for new inspiration for my copper jewelry line.  I love what I do, but I want to do more!  Suggestions?
4. On days like today, I'd rather procrastinate that be productive.  (Hence the blog entry.)
5. Halloween is quickly approaching.  I've narrowed down my costume ideas to 2 choices: Snooki or Lady GaGa.  Last year, I was Kate [Gosselin] + 8.  It was a pretty awesome costume, if I do say so myself (which I do).

 

Nailed it.  I am determined to match the awesomeness of Kate + 8, so which do I choose???  I've decided that the sex-bomb costumes just aren't me.  I don't make a good sexy Little Miss Bo Peep or sultry Catwoman or naughty school-girl.  No ma'am.  It's best that I just accept it and move on.  Instead of spreading lusty feelings with skimpy/overpriced/unoriginal costumes, I'd rather spread laughter.  

6.  Gilt Groupe spoils me with it's fabulousness.  And RueLaLa.  Check out this ridiculous beauty that I got in the mail from Gilt yesterday:

(Pardon the gnarly cat scratches on my hand.)

  It is absurd, gaudy, and I LOVE it!  I mean c'mon...it's gigantic, and it's a cameo of a fairy.  What's not to love???

7.  I REALLY want an iPad.  My excuse is that I need a computer for my business and iPad's are surprisingly inexpensive.  I realize that they don't have tons of memory, but that's what my crappy Gateway laptop is for.  I just need something that doesn't take 15 minutes to boot up and won't overheat and crash or get viruses everyday.  Plus I just want one.  

I guess that's all for now.  I know both of you that read this are truly riveted.  You're welcome.

Later gators, 

A

I'm in a Hurry (And Don't Know Why)

"I'm in a hurry to get things done

Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun

All I really gotta do is live and die

But I'm in a hurry and don't know why"

Ultimate Alabama 20 No. 1 Hits {here}

This is exactly how I feel lately.  As soon as Monday morning rears it's ugly head, I'm praying for 5:01pm on Friday to hurry it's little butt up.  The upside is that I enjoy all of the things that keep me busy and have me always in a hurry.  However, I do love the moments where I have NOTHING to do.  Those are few and far between at the moment.  I long for those moments, especially right now since I have a broken foot that doesn't appreciate my constant hurrying from place to place.  What keeps me so busy you ask? (I'm just going to pretend that the 2-3 of you that actually read this did ask.  Humor me.)

1. My full-time job.  I work somewhere that I like, with people I enjoy, doing work that makes me happy.   PLEASE don't assume that I'm ungrateful for being employed because that is most certainly NOT the case.
2. My business.  I started my own jewelry business in August and I am loving it.  Orders are rolling in and I couldn't be more thrilled.  However, this leads to some late nights when I have people needing a quick turn-around on an order.
3. Church.  I've taken over the position as the new Youth Director at my church.  I don't really feel old enough to be in that position.  I mean, wasn't I in Youth Group like yesterday?!  This requires that I plan Sunday School and Youth Group curriculum, which can be challenging.  Have you ever tried to find a meaningful topic that is also interesting and engaging?  
4. Kappa Alpha Theta.  Joining Theta in college might have been one of the best decisions I made.  I walked away with life-long friendships, great memories, and some pretty hilarious stories/pictures.  Since I live just down the road (about 45 minutes) from my Alma Mater, I decided to volunteer to the the Membership Advisor for our Chapter.  Keep in mind, when I decided this months ago, I was unemployed and searching for positive ways to spend my time.  I'm very glad I took the position, but it's been some time since I participated in Recruitment (aka Rush).  I was Recruitment Chair in 2006 (junior year) and then I was studying abroad during Recruitment senior year and missed it.  It's crunch time this week, as everything kicks off tomorrow, so I'm preparing to switch back to Theta mode. (Suddenly, all of the cheers and songs from my college days have coming rushing--no pun intended--back into my head.)  And there's a tiny (well, maybe bigger than that) piece of me that hopes that even as an advisor, I will get a Bid Day shirt.  Is that sad?
5. Babysitting.  During my 6 months of unemployment, I spent a fair amount of time playing the role of Nanny for several families.  (Thirty-something children, to be exact.)  I loved it.  I've been doing the babysitting thing since I was 13, so this is nothing new.  I guess I'm considered the "cool" babysitter because I love to play games, make crafts, color, read stories, and things like that.  Since I've gotten a job, I babysit less, but usually I do it at least once a week.  That means my life still includes Disney Princesses, colorful band-aids, talking stuffed animals, Dora the Explorer, bedtime stories, finger painting, carpool lines, and all the great things that come with kids.

And the rant is over.  Just wanted to give you a glimpse into my chaotic life.  Thanks for reading!

Later gators,

A