New projects and Life Updates

Well hey. 

I always feel bad when I neglect my blog for a few days/weeks (or even months as I have been known to do in the past). 

Things have been kinda hectic on Brown Acre the past few weeks. 

Isn't this pic cool! the center egg is the first laid by my Golden Phoenix Bantam, aka "Goldie". So tiny! We have gotten 2 more since then! I thought she would never lay an egg!!

#1 Today, I'm 23 weeks pregnant! 

And, oh the exhaustion! If I could take a nap between 12:30 and 2 everyday I would be a much nicer person. Unfortunately, there is no napping for a full time working gal. The students would probably go bonkers if I decided to lay my head down on my desk...even for a few minutes (and trust me, I've thought about it). 

BB is moving around a bunch now! I have actually watched my belly moving....strange stuff! 

Still, every time Z tries to feel some kicks, BB stops moving. Oh well. K-man, on the other hand has felt a couple different kicks...even while waiting in line at the post office! 

I'm getting more anxious everyday about getting things done before he gets here, naming him!!, and all the other general worries about having a newborn all over again. 

The newest symptom is preggo brain. I swear my head feels "cloudy" all the time! Like I can't put a thought together or finish a sentence. 

.....what was I saying???

Seriously. 

#2 I had my hearing that determined I will not have a job next year, unless someone retires. Boo. 

I had a little visit from some higher ups a few weeks ago, so I knew this was coming. 

But it still is stressful.

 Another program is getting cut in the county and that teacher has more seniority than I, so I get bumped out for next year. The board members were clear about the fact that they think I am a great teacher and has nothing to do with my abilities as a teacher. That made me feel good, even though I already knew it, but it doesn't change the fact that I have only 5 years of teaching under my belt. 

 I'm staying positive about the situation though. Someone could retire and I could magically be back in...or they won't and God will open up some other doors for me.  

He has a plan! I'm excited to see what it is. At the same time, I'm nervously awaiting the big reveal. 

I'd just like to know now, so I could prepare....but His timing is best...I just have to keep reminding myself of that. 

#3 I have been trying to complete projects! 

I signed up for a craft show in March, and I know that it is going to take more time than ever to get ready, simply because everyday I get bigger, getting around is more difficult, and I am more exhausted! No late nights of sewing for me anymore! 

One of my newest projects that I will feature at the craft show will be Ipad and e-reader cases! (Funny thing is, I don't own either of these...lol....but I have tested them to make sure they fit with those owned by family.) I made one for my sis and she loved it. 

Here is one of the prototypes:

I'm going to try to add lace to each one for my signature look. 

Also, check out those new labels!! Yea, I made them. It was a process with my Mac. I don't have photoshop (I should probably invest in it...) so I had to create my "reversed text" on my other small non-mac and then send it to myself via email, open it on my mac, then customize further...whew! But I did it all by myself=). 

I found this old lamp at the goodwill a few months back. I tried spray painting the base (not the glass though) but that was a disaster. I then came up with the brillant idea to wrap jute twine, in different widths, around the metal base. This took FOREVER! Such a tedious project....and with my crafters ADHD I had to take several breaks. The motivation to complete it was this AWESOME lamp shade I found at Target. Check out the green glass base...can you see the small light inside???? How cool is that! 

 Lastly, I made a maternity pillow. I was going to include the tutorial in this post, but I decided to wait and do that another time. Here is the finished product!!

If I would change anything, it would be to make it slightly longer....but other than that its been comfy!

I will leave you with the most awesome mugs ever found at the Goodwill ( I love that place). 

How cute are these?!?

Have you ever found something amazing at a thrift store? What was it!??

Peace out, Girl Scouts! Have a fantastic weekend! 

Linked to:

Fabric, my love.

What a wonderful weekend!! 

 I have accomplished little to nothing as far as house work/projects/work work goes. 

But it was great even so! 

We kicked off the weekend with my sis and her children staying the night on Friday. Always a blast!! KB and K-man enjoy spending time together (even if the arguing like siblings drives their mothers crazy!) and Z and I enjoyed playing with the sweet L-baby! That girl is always (well almost) happy! She just grins and giggles and is so ornery for a 1 yr old! 

After they left on Saturday afternoon (and after naps had by all), we just lounged around, ate, and watched movies. So NICE!

Sunday, we attended church and then were off to the mall for the sole purpose of perusing the fabric store for inspiration for BB's nursery. We had lunch in the food court and then proceeded to Joanns. 

I had 25% off total purchase and 50% off one item coupons to use and upon entering the store, I discovered all redline fabrics were also 50% off!! I got some fantastic deals!!! 

Here are the fabrics I purchased for BB:

Green and Yellow terry cloth, navy and white graphic print in home decor fabric, blue chenille, navy and white houndstooth, and lime green and houndstooth fleece (for a fast blanket). 

And...... These beauties!

 (not pictured Pellon SF101 interfacing)

Sometimes, I just purchase whatever strikes my fancy, is on sale, and makes me smile! Some of these will become aprons, others purses/bags....

I got all this (17+ yards)  for $50! I was seriously impressed with myself.

I decided to check in with motherhood maternity to see what deals they had going on. I got a new pair of maternity skinny jeans and two tops. It's hard to feel cute and pretty with some of the maternity selections out there, so I'm glad I picked these up. 

After shopping, I was exhausted! I made it through the door, plopped on the couch, and made my dear husband rub my swollen feet/ankles. It was awesome.

Don't judge my slightly cluttered house and weird feet=). And yes, those are sponge bob pj pants. 

Finished up the weekend with K-mans fav dinner, Spaghetti and Meatballs (all homemade I may add).

Now, off to read and relax a little before bed. Back to work tomorrow!!

AH....I love weekends. 

20 Week Update

Wow! I am 20 weeks pregnant. Halfway there. So crazy!!! It is finally beginning to sink in that we are REALLY going to have a baby, an infant, that is ours. In the house. That needs stuff. And attention. And will deprive us of sleep. And fill our hearts with love we didn't know there was even room for.......a little overwhelmed?!? You betcha. A ton excited?!? Oh yea.

This week I have felt baby brown (hence forth known as BB) so much more than ever. He is the size of a banana this week. The kicks aren't painful or even completely obvious until I am sitting or laying quietly, able to really feel whats going on. My placenta is in the font of my belly so usually kicks are low or to the side, but occasionally I will feel one dead center. Just feels like he is kicking through a pillow=). Just last night, K-man and I were lounging on the couch and I started feeling some movement. I told K-man to put his hand on my belly just to see if he could feel it too. Low and behold, BB decided to give his hardest kick ever!! K-man drew his hand back in shock and yelled "I felt him!!!" It was pretty exciting=). Now, if we could just get BB to do that when Z is trying to feel.....Z's voice must be calming or something....

My ankles have already started to swell. I have been trying to watch my salt intake and put my feet up in the evenings to help, but its so hard!

Other than that.....

The second trimester rocks!! For the first 14 weeks I was pretty miserable. So tired. And sick. And emotional/crazy (Ok so I'm still crazy emotional! Just not the angry kind anymore....). Ugh. Just nauseated all the time. I could hardly make it through a day at work. And forget about any upkeep at home in the evenings.....I didn't talk to my friends/family it seemed for most of this time. It was just really difficult to find the time and energy to hang out.

But since about 14 weeks, I have started feeling like myself again. Thank goodness! My energy has slowly but surely come back and I don't gag at the thought of chicken or salad!! Which is totally a good thing on so many levels, but mainly so that I can start eating better. I have gained too much weight in my own eyes up to this point because all I could stomach for 14 weeks was fried carbs. And I ate every hour atleast and kept myself full so that I didn't puke. Needless to say, I am pounding the salads and healthier options as much as possible now, and trying to get some exercise in there as well. 

My k-man is so excited about being a brother. He talks about the baby everyday, all the time. He wants to buys new things for BB and is always looking for what he can do to help me feel comfortable in the evenings. Such a sweet sweet boy. 

Zach is equally excited, but feeling the pressure to find a name for the little man. We both are. We like different and unique names, but not something that will get him made fun of later in school. We also like old names that aren't over used already. But nothing has really stuck with us yet. I hope that when the right name comes along, we will just know. 

Being a second time momma, I know I am poking out there much more quickly than I did with Kole. I hate the pity look I get from people when I say I'm due in May. HAHA, its like they aren't sure if I can make it! So I have just started saying "I'm 5 months along" when people ask. That seems to sit better with them. 

Now that I feel like myself again, the reality is sinking in and I feel the need to get some stuff done. I have only purchased a few things for the baby so far, and I need to put together a registry, as I plan on having a shower. It's been 10 years since the first one.....I think it is acceptable to have another this time around. 

I also would like to have the nursery done by sometime in March. I have a couple different themes in mind, but I can't decide. I know what  I DON'T want though....I don't like the traditional jungle, farm, car, etc. bedding that seems to be out there. Looks like I am making most of the nursery stuff=). The few items I have bought for BB have all been navy and white, without meaning to match. So that tells me those would be great colors for the Babys room. I love the idea of using suiting fabrics, houndstooth patterns (and chevron), and keeping a more casual yet sophisticated room. I also really like navy, white and greens......such a good color combo..... My other nursery idea is vintage farm. I can just picture vintage toys and cream colors with pops of red. Lots of artwork depicting realistic (not kiddy like) animals.

Navy Inspiration: 

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

Vintage Farm Inspriation:

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

What do you think I should go with??? Or should I go a whole other direction??

Dreaming of Spring.....

It hits me about this time every year....I miss dirt.

I miss warm weather, my garden, fresh produce from my backyard, chickens who lay, sunshine, growth,.......the list could go on and on.

It's possible I have that winter weather depression thingy.

So to get myself out of the funk, and get my head into a gardening "space", I am pouring myself into seed catalogs and planning my 2013 garden.

Here is my little green book!!

I started this book at least a year ago, if not two. Before pinterest was a huge deal. 

I keep it in my purse at all times...so when inspiration strikes, I'm ready! 

I glue things from magazines, I write down random ideas, make lists, etc. Every topic is covered as well! From christmas gifts, to crafts, to garden it is all covered. 

Basically, if you were to pick up this book and read it, it would be like peeking inside of my brain. Probably pretty confusing...lol. But it has been so helpful to me in keeping track of it all!! 

I've been going through my seed catalogs!!!

These three were just the closest to my computer. There are several more scattered around the house. 

I have a list of new things I want to try this year! 

~Dry Beans: Calypso, Tiger Eye, Lina Sisco's Bird Egg, and Jacobs Cattle.

~More and different varieties of squash, like Lakota and Spaghetti Squash.

~Plant a cutting flower garden on the terraces behind the house: varieties will include but not limited to: sunflowers!!, zinnias!!, Cleome, Snapdragon, Butterfly Flower, etc. Perhaps sell some flowers during the summer at the local marketplace here in our small community?!? 

I've also been making lists of what needs done before the spring so I can keep track of it all! I've written down eureka moments of where to move and start certain crops, what is needed to make our garden/greenhouse more functional and enjoyable, frost dates and dates of when to start each different crop......its an extensive list that I am sure to add to as time goes on. 

I just love this.....

So, my mind is full of sunshine, but my acre is full of snow. 

Just checked on chickens....5 eggs...woot woot! Maybe there is hope after all=). 

Speaking of chickens....guess who is getting chicks this spring!??! So pumped!!!