a starry night

Okay…this is the year of “getting in the habit”….

Getting in the habit of keeping track of those finances…

Getting in the habit of working out on a very regular basis…

Getting in the habit of reading a good book instead of staring at the TV…

Getting in the habit of cleaning, organizing, de-clutterizing, etc.

You get the general picture, right?  Oh, I should get in the habit of blogging more often.  I will try, I promise!

One habit I will try to give up this year (starting tomorrow):  soda (pop in the North, coke in the deep South, caffienated beverage with fizz…whatever).  I gave it up when I was senior in high school and I felt wonderful!  I fell off the wagon when my friends and I planned a “college party” for a professor and the main drink was Root Beer (the lifestyle statement friendly equiv. to real beer).  So…needless to say, I fell off the wagon hard and I hit rock bottom last month.  I was drinking huge quantities of Dr. Pepper then falling asleep an hour later.  Caffiene really doesn’t affect me anymore.  So, coffee is okay, some energy drinks (those fueled by Vitamin B) are good, tea is also good.  Soda has to go.

So what are your goals/resolution/lifestyle changes for 2010?

One day I will graduate from college.  I will not spend my days and nights studying and writing papers.  I will not spend my free time playing Sims and eating Nutella.  One day, I will be a more active blogger.  I promise you, I will.  Please don’t doubt my ability to blog, just understand that I am crazy super busy right now.

I’m going ahead with my plans to open a shop on Etsy.  I haven’t quite decided when my shop will open.  I am hoping for Fall 2009.  I am creating flowers made from fabric.  I’m trying to re-use all of my fabrics and most of my supplies have come from the local thrift store (with the exception of yarn, pins, and beads).  I have purchased several old curtain panels, one red dress, and several scraps of fabric.  Now, let the creation begin.

I’ve been inspired by other creators on Etsy, but I don’t want to blend in.  It seems all organza flowers are of a typical design.  I want to follow that design, but I’m also going to branch out.  I’ve been inspired by the flower gardens of my mom and future father-in-law.  Both love their daylillies.  I love the colors, variety and shapes of the daylillies and I have several pictures to use as my inspiration.   So here are a few pictures of my work and inspiration.  It should be noted that these early flowers are more proto-type than anything.  I’m still learning and perfecting my craft. 

My very dear friend gave me a great idea for my blog.  I’m working on that plan now. I’ll keep you up to date.

I have been finding some wonderful pieces of jewelry online lately.  Pieces that were handmade or were found from antique shops and estate sales.  Most of these pieces have been altered a bit to be something different.  Rings and keys are hung on chains to become necklaces.  Pieces of fabric become flowers. 

I really want to do this. I would love to make these things myself.  Anyone want to go shopping/thrifting with me?

This weekend was beautiful.  Wonderful weather, fun times, lots of good food.  The company was okay, if you enjoy spending the weekend with the love of your life (and by okay, I really mean amazing).  We talked for hours, shared silly moments, and tried different things together.  It was a great time.  So here’s how it went down:

Friday night, Noah arrived.  We missed the only showing of The Reader in Edwardsville, so we decided just to eat out and head back to his hotel.  We had Red Robin, my treat (I think he spends too much on me and I like to treat him to dinner, too!).  It was delish.  When we got back to Greenville, we spent time hanging out.  Pretty simple evening. 

Saturday we had a late-ish start.  Instead of having brunch at Cafe Ventana as planned, I had a small lunch of Aunt Annie’s pretzel sticks at the Galleria and called it good.  Noah and I walked the entire mall, stopping at shops we liked and goofing around.  We shared some hilarious moments in Macy’s (The salespeople in Macy’s are a little too helpful when looking for the right size of clothing). 

 After hours of the mall, we headed over to the St. Louis Arch.  We got our tickets, rode in the tiny elevator with two little boys, their mom, and a small cardboard cut out of their Army Dad.  Noah took a picture of them with the cut-out.  I think they were going to send it to him later. It was sweet.  We got out of our tiny tiny elevator and walked to the top of the Arch.  I may have stopped breathing.  Noah was trying to keep an arm around me so he wouldn’t loose me, but I was too claustraphobic (?) for that.  I looked out a few windows and I was back in line to go down.  The group ahead of us was full so I had to wait about 15 minutes to return to Earth.  I could have kissed the ground when I got there. 

After the Arch, we ate at Hannigan’s. It was a nice restaurant.  We ate an early dinner, so it was almost empty.  Nice and quiet.  While walking back to the car, things got a little scary.  A man approached us with a story about how his tire just blew out on the interstate, he was from Illinois (but his photo ID didn’t look like an Illinois ID) and a credit card.  He explained that he was overdrawn and needed money for the tow truck.  Noah didn’t want to turn him down and get into more trouble.  He handed him a $20 bill and said it was all he had, and the guy thanked us and went looking for others.  Who knows that man’s story.  Maybe he did have a blown out tire?  Noah said he was thinking of me and wanted to protect me, so he gave the guy a little money and made him happy. 

After walking [quickly] back to the car, Noah and I decided to check out another mall.  We ended up going to Crestwood Plaza in Webster Groves.  This mall, btw, is closing down.  There were only 3 stores in it that did not have Clearance signs outside it.  It was so empty and strange. We left quickly and went to Bailey’s Chocoalte Bar.

The Chocolate Bar was amazing. We went early enough there and we avoided the late night rush.  He had crepes and I had the chocolate innebriation (it comes with cinnamon ice cream, but no alcohol!).  We had a nice time there as well.  After eating, we found our way back to I-64 and decided to go to Fairfiew Heights because we still had some time before it closed.  I needed a new pair of shoes because my feet were killin’ but we didn’t spend too much time there, either. After Fairview, it was back to the hotel to hang out. 

Sunday morning, Noah and I had an early lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings.  We checked out Best Buy (It should be noted that I think we go to Best Buy EVERYTIME we are together.  I don’t mind though.).  We finally got to see The Reader which was really wonderful.  Slow and sad, but wonderful.  Kate Winselt earned her Oscar for that one.  After the movie, we got happy hour drinks from Sonic (half price from 2-4 p.m. EVERYDAY!!!!) and headed back to my dorm.  We stayed there for a little while but the time finally came for him to leave. 

I cried when he had to leave.  I’m not sure why.  Could have been the mix of being tired and having had a really great weekend. I didn’t want it to end and I didn’t want him to have to drive away.  I really do hate saying goodbye all the time.  Perhaps soon it won’t always be that way?  Maybe…  You’ll just have to wait and see.

Tonight:

Agape meeting with division + director. 8:30
Clean and dust my section
Put away laundry
Dishes
Compile COR 401 Proposal and make sure everything is correct
Write WGRN news
Read Philosophy (maybe)

So, no, I can’t do anything so please don’t ask!  No TV, no Sims, no coffee breaks (well, maybe coffee breaks), no dance parties.  Nothing.  I have work to do. 

Have a great evening.

A friend found this Valentine idea from the Purl Bee and I had to try it.  It’s a super fun crocheted valentine.  I worked on a few on Saturday and I’m going to make more.  I need a smaller hole punch, but other than that, they are turning out really well.  So, here are some pictures.  My favorite is the square with the white heart.  So, here you go!

Right now I have quite a bit on my plate.  I don’t mind.  I am embroidering a queen-sized quilt, knitting the Buttony Sweater, and crocheting a Navy/Silver afghan for Noah.  Now with all three projects in motion, I have to begin school.  I may never get them done.

Also, I have the task of finding my dear boyfriend a gift for Valentine’s day.  I have a few ideas of what to get him, but nothing to certain.  I just don’t know what he will like.  After 2 years of dating, I still have a hard time buying the boy a gift. 

The semester begins tomorrow.  I have one class on MWF.  Philosophy at 10:30 in the Art Building.  Yes, I get to walk four blocks across town in 6-8 inches of beautiful, white, freezing cold snow.  Oh boy.   I am not anxious about this semester, which is unusual.  I have COR 401, but somehow I feel like my previous semesters at Greenville have prepared me for this (If I can do a task force group in Small Group Com., I can do anything).  I’m really quite excited about this semester.  I have quite a bit going on, but it will be fine. And it’s my last Spring semester at the college.  That’s a strange feeling.  In less than a year, I will be out of here.  Weird.

Christmas is such a special day, I really enjoy it.  It’s my favorite holiday, not for the commercialism, not even for the presents, but for the tradition!  Of course, we remember the true meaning of Christmas.  Our family is very grateful for the  birth of Jesus.  Don’t worry.  We don’t get too involved in presents and tradition to forget the real reason for Christmas.  BUT, here’s how Christmas operates in the Newby house (or, how it operated today):

7:20 a.m.  — I hear mom scooting along to the bathroom by my bedroom.  I immediately smile because (YAY!) it’s Christmas morning.  I throw off my warm quilts and plant my feet firmly on the ground and then it hits me:  It’s 7:30 a.m., there’s no way my brother is getting out of  bed.  Knowing that it is pointless to get out of bed yet, I climb back in and wait.  I sneezed and my mom heard me, so she knew I was awake.  She called me in to the living room then we waited for my dad to wake up.  He was given the task of waking Daniel up. 

After pulling Daniel out of bed and bringing in some of the remaining presents, we began to open our gifts from mom and dad.  I received some great gifts from them.  I’m really grateful to them.  I got the Bogart collection, the Alfred Hitchcock Signature and Masterpiece Collections, a few Wii games, and some more expansion packs for Sims 2.  Very fun.   After the kids open presents, Mom and Dad take their turn.  Mom loved the gifts we got her (vintage popcorn machine and giftcards to Sephora and C.J. Banks).  Dad got a tool chest for his truck.

9:30 a.m. – After getting ready and loading up the truck (and loading Mom into the truck), we headed over to Grandma’s.  This is where all the big action happens.  This is an all day event.  This is the same way we spend Christmas every year, all of my life.   We eat a great breakfast together.  I have the pleasure of eating at the same table as the men in my family.  I finish my one plate of food, then watch them devour biscuits and jelly.  My brother is addicted to strawberry jelly.  The uncles, cousins, etc. compete with each other about who eats the most.  Daniel’s count?  Well, I lost track after 5.  You get the idea.

Well, we clean up after breakfast which leads to the next event: Presents!

10:30 a.m. — First, I have to tell the story about Keegan.  This four year old is CRAZY and he thinks my mom is a transformer because of the pins on her leg.  It’s great.  Well, I leaned down to talk to him and he pinches my cheek (like, “I’m your grandma and you’re cute” type of cheek pinching.) and he doesn’t let go.  He latched on and held on for a good two mintues until I had to pull him off.  He’s a nut.

Ok, present time.  This is always a test of patience for the older guys.  They like their presents and waiting for their 4 and 6 year old cousins unwrap their presents.  So, they cheat.  They always cheat and slowly pull the tape off the wrapping paper so they can see their gifts.  It’s terrible and it’s funny.  Keegan got quite a few Transformers gifts, his favorite being his Bumblebee PJs from my family.  He put them on almost immediately Cleo got some Nintendo DS games, which is what she asked Santa for. 

My turn came eventually and I got a lap pillow desk (pillow with a desk top and an mp3 hookup.  Very cool.  I got some cute new flats, and a Borders giftcard.  Very good.  The rest of the family went.  My grandma got a potting table for the ladies of the family.  They’re really neat.  Good idea, Gma!

After presents (around 11:30), we threw away the wrapping paper and tore into the kids toys.  Once we set up the Transformers and the DS, we were entertained by the 4 and 6 year olds.  The guys played poker.   The family spent the entire day together, which was so wonderful.  Being at school all the time, I rarely have the opportunity to speand time with them. 

Noah came over later in the afternoon and the family ate dinner around 5-5:30.  Again, I ate at the men’s table (how do I always get stuck at this table??) were the men competitively ate hot rolls.  I love family tradition. 

We came home around 8 and watched the last half hour of Home Alone.  We have seen Home Alone and Home Alone 2 SO many times in the past week.  I don’t really mind though. 

Today was really nice.  I like presents, to be honest, but who doesn’t?  That isnt’ what makes the holiday for me though.  I really love the way we spend our Christmas day together.  Thanksgiving is always a little up in the air.  Some of the family is absent at Thanksgiving, but never at Christmas.  It’s a great day.  I wanted you all to know that. 

Four year olds are so fun, but I am so tired from spending the day with one.  Goodness.  

Merry Christmas everyone!