wolffe

Probably because after having no caffeine for about 2 weeks I had two big diet cokes today.

I was laying in bed awake when Jake pitter pattered in. I said that I should make him go back to his own bed. To which he replied, "but you won't because you like me a really, really lot."

Very true.

Now if I could just get tired enough to get some sleep...

I've delved hot and heavy into planning my next tattoo over the last couple of days. I found an artist I really like and submitted my idea to her. (Char Hall). She's in California somewhere but is coming to North Carolina in October, which is pretty nice since that's my birthday month anyway.

She's very good with animals and I'll be getting a wolf on my left shoulder blade, opposite my dragon. I might try to find an artist local to Atlanta that I like but just looking around online I haven't found anyone.

Now I'm looking for someone to design it. I was going to go with a medieval sort of look and just draw it myself since I wanted it on all fours.

Now I've decided to go with more of a whimsical realism feel. I've contacted this artist to see how much she would charge for a wolf version of this:



Although the fox is pretty damn cool too.

This will be a joint celebrate the weight loss goal reward/motivator and a 40th birthday present. :D

So my back's been hurting since Friday. It wasn't like my back was out or anything, just sufficiently twinge-y to get me good every so often and be a general nuisance otherwise.I went for a walk around the neighborhood Saturday afternoon, and that actually seemed to help a bit. Sunday it was unhappy again, but I was still able to move around.

Then this morning, the pain moved into my left hip. All of it. It's persistent and it's so painful it's hard to walk, stand, sit or even lay down much of the time.I'm unsure if I'm falling apart and should see an orthopedic, or if I just slept on it wrong, or if sitting in the chair all day yesterday playing WoW was unwise.

Also, I've realized that I actually prefer to read on my Kindle now. That's quite a revelation since I was dead set against them and considered myself somewhat of a purist when it came to books. But it's just so damn convenient. I don't have to use a hand to keep it open to read. I can set it down on the table and eat while reading only needing a finger to tap to turn the page. I can read at night, in bed just using the back light turned to a dim setting. And - here's the best part - I will never run out of bookshelf space. Oh, I still insist on paper versions of reference and graphics books. The one book I read on my Kindle that included a map the page was laughably unreadable. But yeah. I like reading on the Kindle.

I'm trying to decide between a circus theme or a zoo theme for Erik's 2nd birthday party. I love the colors and look of the circus, but I don't support traditional circuses so I'm having a hard time with it. I'm over thinking, but it's what I do.

So I've decided that to get back in the swing of things I'm going to post at least once a day in December. Now that it's out there I have to do it, right?

Yesterday I made an advent calendar for the boys. It turned out pretty cute, but I missed my math on the pockets so I have to make the craft sticks I'm using for the activities shorter. I'll probably do that next year though. I'm planning on posting a tutorial over on the Bewhiskered blog. I have a tutorial for the car wallets I made for Jake's 4th birthday party in my head as well. Maybe I can get those things done now that I'm off customs for the season.

Other projects I want to work on during the break include my red riding hood coat that I've had the materials for forever but haven't even opened the pattern and Erik's 2nd birthday party. I also need to make teacher gifts and figure out what I'm getting everyone for Christmas. My niece wants a giant Ruggle for her bedroom, so she's taken care of but everyone else? No clue.

Today the advent calendar is going to tell Jake we're decorating the house and yard so I'd better go get ready for that.

Oh, and Roll Tide! I love my team and hope they win, but honestly just knowing someone from the SEC is going up against Notre Dame makes me giddy. We finally get a chance to shut them up with their we just need a chance and we can beat the snot out of an SEC team talk. But talking football to people who aren't into it is boring so I'll stop. :)`

In researching time management tips and whatnot I came across a pretty good website about the subject. Their first step is to do a simple exercise. Grab a sheet of paper and draw a line down the middle. On one side, list the 5 most important things to you. On the other, list the 5 things you spend the most time on. Order doesn't matter, just jot them down.

For me, it was an eye opener. I mean, I already knew I was out of balance but wow. Now the challenge will be to get them more in line.

Yesterday morning Jake and Erik woke up at 5:30am. Jake had passed out on the couch around 4 the afternoon before, and slept until he woke everyone up. I kept him in bed as long as I could and then brought him downstairs to watch TV and eat breakfast while I cleaned up myself and Erik and got Jason up.

We went to a local town center that has a fountain where we were meeting greenstripe and her kids. We had fun for a while and then an entire daycare showed up the same time Lori did. I called another nearby town with a fountain that was more appropriate to play in but there were 2 daycares there. We decided to move anyway since the other town center has an ice cream shop.

Although it was very crowded the kids had a blast (Jake could literally stay there all day). It was in the low 90's and there's not much shade but I did what I could to keep Erik and I cool (without getting wet). After getting the boys in dry clothes we had ice cream. Overall a lovely morning.

Not long after I got home I realized I may have gotten too hot as a migraine hit me hard. Before long I was throwing up, with Jake in the other room asking me what that noise was. The third time I threw up he came in to watch and then told me how disgusting it was. LOL The fourth time he was telling me not to throw up and make that noise. *snort*

Then he disappeared for a while. I got up to get new ice packs and when I came downstairs I discovered a blanket of white over everything in my living room. EVERYTHING. Jake had gotten a full shaker of baby powder and emptied in the living room. The chairs, couch, floor, tv stand, all of his toys - hell even the CAT had baby powder on him. I kind of stood there, stunned, and then took what little remained in the shaker and put it up. Got my ice packs. Called Jason and told him I needed reinforcements and to come home. And then I went back to bed.

I wish now I had taken a picture, but I didn't. I asked Jason later if he had thought to but of course he didn't. Jason vacuumed a couple of times but I'm still going to have a lot of cleaning to do today.

I'm also going to see if I can find a neurologist. I need a new GP too. I hate Dr. shopping, but I seriously need to go see if they've come out with anything new I can try for these damn headaches.

I'm headed to the farm to visit Dad in a few minutes. Since I feel like I take pictures of the same old things, I thought I'd put it out there if anyone wants to make a request, I'll try to get a picture of it. I'm there through Wednesday afternoon, and I'll check my mails and stuff. So if there's something you want me to take a picture of, leave me a comment and I'll do my best. :)

Overwhelmed. Exhausted. Emotional. Totally in love with everyone.

Whoever thought snaps were a good idea for infant sleepers that must be negotiated by sleep deprived parents in the middle of the night should be drawn and quartered.

You know you need lotion on your feet when your toddler runs his hand down the sole of your foot, yanks his hand suddenly away and says "ouch! Sharp!"