No more dripping noses! (or puking in buckets) Happy Holidays

I do believe after my bigger kids suffered thru the flu this past week that we are finally at long last healthy(er?). Thank you sweet baby Jesus. And with that we are back to sports, and playing in the mud and swinging and sliding and ahhhhh, just living life like we love it. It is so nice.

Do you realize that the holidays in whatever form you chose to celebrate them in, are fully upon us? Yes, it really is official. I spent the better part of my night (because I'm crazy like that) and this morning standing in insanely long lines for ridiculously good deals. And the deals are everywhere this season! Not just in your brick and mortar storefronts, but online too. After spending 3 hours (and I am soooooo sad to say this is NOT an understatement) in line at just the cutting table of Joanns, I got to come home and shop online!! Insert happy happy face here, I hate regular shopping. It gives me a headache and tends to bring out the really ugly and aggressive me when people cut in front of me or grab the last of the soft but not linty toilet paper, or you know, just breath? Yes, I regularly hate shopping. But I LOVE, LUB, LUV online shopping. And since I really love supporting my fellow handcrafters (and I just plain ol' think handmade is closer to one of a kind original=cooler) I like to head to Etsy. It supports work at home moms, artist, and our communities. The products are usually purchased locally, manufactured locally and sold locally. I Heart that!!

My first online stops are cruising the fellow SewingMamas on Etsy. These are some seriously talented mamas who are offering great discounts on their inventory and have the ability like me to make it custom. I know personally I have a 15% sale going on, and a BOGO sale too. Most of the other SewingMamas Team are doing something similar. If you get a chance, or your trying to find creative ways to buy for your friends and family, check it out:

Happy Holidays, be safe and be merry. For me, I'm off to window shop from my comfy desk chair

Stocking Stuffers

Did you know that there are only 38 days until Christmas! Gahhhh, where did this year go? It seems like just yesterday I was anxiously waiting to be done with pregnancy. Now I'm anxiously chasing around a toddling baby boy.

I was right yesterday. Partly. Not one ear infection but double ear infections. Poor guy. He is back on antibiotics and seems to be doing much better. Though the Mr. and I got hit hard with a flu bug and spent the day fighting over bathroom time. The Mr. suprised me by being sweet and helpful (as opposed to being whiny and needy) and somehow we managed to keep both kids taken care of in spite of being so sick and achy.

I'm working on adding some stocking stuffers to my Etsy store. I have some great gift options in the $5-$10 range for those people you want to pamper and treat. Check it out www.dustiebottoms.etsy.com

Really? How does that happen? lol

Well, I didn't realize that it has been so long since I visited my own blog. 10 lashings with a limp noodle and into my corner.

Actually, our house has been under seige with one illness or another. Nothing major or even a big deal, except the length of time that we have been the "sick" house. We've had croup, sore throats, sinus infections, ear infections, PARVO (see that sweet face in my last post? Brownie was only with us for a little over 3 weeks. And in spite of being immunized for it, he still caught it and lost that battle. I was pretty heartbroken), back to sinus infections, teething, learning to walk (the baby, I've been doing it for well over 30 years), and I think we are back to another ear infection. Needless to say Mommy's hands have been needed elsewhere.

Let's see: The holidays are quickly approaching and I am soooooo far behind. I have something made for each of the kids, and 3 of the four nieces and nephews. It's holiday craft fair time and I have been pretty busy trying to prepare for that (trust me, my blog isn't the only thing neglected these days, you should see my poor house after a week of mad sewing!). I have something for my MIL and SIL, and my Dad. But I still need to do something for the FIL, my sister and brother, my stepmother, and then some birthday sewing for my niece. GAH, that seems almost insurmountable.

I'll be back later to post pictures of what I've been up to.

Ahhh, new love

So we are still stuck in sicko land here. It is either the kids or me, me or the kids, but none of us are all healthy at the same time! I hate it. Right now I'm on antibiotics, inhalers, allergy meds, cough expectorant (helps loosen things up), and still think it is turning into pneumonia. I love that we live in an area where fresh produce is so abundant, but hate the fact that it puts lots of allergens into the air. I don't think I have had a healthy September/October for the past 9 years.

On a brighter note, we have a new member of our family. He arrived yesterday (no, I didn't have another baby! lol), and his name is Brownie. He is an Australian Shepard, 4.5 months old, and so stinking sweet. In less than five minutes he was a welcome addition to our household, sitting prettily, fetching, laying down when told, and chasing the bigger boy around like a loon. Shorty (our Corgy) was a little confused as to why we would think we needed another dog, but she is mature for her age, so she doesn't get that playing chase and fetch with the kids is FUN, and it can be done even when you are an old lady at the age of 1. They have since established who is in charge, and are getting along great.

It Aint Easy

I'm sorry I have ditched the blog in the past week. We are suffering with yet another round of viral bugs in our house. Thankfully this time, the kids are sleeping at night. But during the day, OY! Whining, snotty-ness reigns supreme.

This last Thursday was the Big Guy's and mine 3rd wedding anniversary. We did jack squat to celebrate. Wait, I got him an Oakland Raiders Jersey because that is what he wanted. (I wanted some time for just the two of us, and something romantic or sweet, like a love note) I got NADA but a kiss on the forehead and a happy anni on the way out. Men stink, love stinks, blah, blah, blah. Big Guy doesn't understand why I am completely bent about this.

I really didn't ask for anything but time. HE went to his union meeting that didn't end up happening, and instead of coming home to the wife and kids on a special day, he hung out and ate with the few guys who showed up. Got home and promised we would do something this weekend. Friday night rolls around and he hangs out with the tattoo artist for a couple of hours, then his dad, then it is time for bed. Saturday he left the house at 9 am, didn't get home until after 10 pm, spent all of 30 minutes with us (read ME) to eat dinner. Sunday he did actually spend some time with our oldest son. But as soon as I got back from my shopping nirvana, he left to see his friend that he "hasn't seen in a couple of weeks". Got home and it was time for bed. Monday, he went Walmart shopping with us. And on none of those days did I recieve more than a peck on the cheek.

I'm completely irked. Understatement. Pissed off fits better. All I wanted was to cuddle up in bed and watch a movie. Or get a stupid "I love you so much, thank you for being my wife" note.