The Random Dilettante

BEFORE: With all the attitude one can imagine because “Gahhh! Mom! I’m trying to READ”

AFTER: “Excuse me?!?!” “Uh huh…thats what I thought!”

Even with all of Taylor’s attitude I really like the first pic. It really “speaks” and tells a story. In one simple click it captured a clever glimpse into Taylor’s relationship with her sister…and her mom. She’s usually got some sort of attitude going on, and usually Audrey is oblivious to it all and in her own little world. My favorite thing about the picture is the blur of Audrey in the background…and how you notice it soon after looking at Taylor’s scowl. hehe

Anyways..

It was a busy weekend for all of us here! Friday I got home from work and immediately got to work on painting my bedroom. With having to prime it and the 2 coats of paint I put on, it took me till about 6 o’clock that evening to finish. I really need to stop staying up for 24 hours at a time. It makes for a very stressed and absent minded Glenda! The bedroom looks so much better though…it was worth it

Then on Saturday a gal I work with came over with her grandaughter. It was sort of a “play date” for Audrey more than anything. We all had fun though, and it was the first time we’ve even had a guest over at our new house since moving in..which was way back in March! Most of Saturday I was running around the house like a mad woman making sure everty thing was as perfect as it could be…I am so out of practice having company around!

On Sunday we went to a air show on Fort Drum which was awesome. It was their first air show ever, but it went off without a hitch. This past week they’ve been having “Moutainfest” in celebration of Fort Drum’s 100th year. I missed most of it, but I’m glad I got to go Sunday. I took a picture of Audrey with Ms. New York! Check it out…I think Ms. New York has a little competition on the way!

It’s Friday…whoo hooo! I love my Fridays. Even if I don’t do anything with them! The last few weeks I’ve had to work them so I’ve been seriously bummed. I think the “mandatory over-time” has come to an end for a while…I’m crossing my fingers, I know that much. This past week I’ve put in 17 hours of overtime..and only 8 of the hours were by choice. The other’s were a mandatory meeting that lasted too long, and then yesterday I got “stuck” because the guy who was supposed to relieve me had training elsewhere and couldn’t. So I had no choice but to stay….blah…talk about tired. When I finally got home I passed out and didn’t wake up till it was time to leave again.

Anyway, enough about work. It’s boring I know! Besides that, there really hasn’t been much happening though.

I did put an ad out to see if someone in my area had a used sewing machine that I could get cheap. So far I’ve got a few possible leads but I’m waiting for them to email me back. Time will tell! (and so will my blog!)

I need to get back to priming my bedroom - a while ago we painted it this warm orange color but it ended up turning the room way too dark so I’m painting it the color I originally wanted before Andrew interrupted with his opinion! I’ll have to take pictures when I’m done

Before I go, a post wouldn’t be complete without my latest Etsy find!

(click the pics to go visit the shop)

Aren’t these cool? I think they would be a great gift for just about anyone! You can buy them, but if you think about it, they really wouldn’t be that hard to make yourself! The next time I’m at a garage sale I’ll be looking for some odd china and be hooking it up.

Finally, at 31 years of age I got to see a baby picture of myself. To say I was thrilled is an understatement - but before I get ahead of myself, let me give you a little background info!

For those of you that read my blog that don’t know, I was adopted around the age of 5. Before then I went through a lot of foster homes and “children’s homes” because my birth parents were just having way too many issues at the time (don’t feel like going into the details right now). It had to have been hard on me to be away from my mom and dad and always be in a new place, but for whatever reason I don’t remember one thing about my birth father, or mother as a child. It was probably so hard I blocked it out…or maybe you just don’t remember stuff from that young? I wouldn’t know.

Anyway, when I was adopted my adoptive parents changed my name to Glenda. It used to be “Dolly” - which is pretty funny to me and anyone else I’ve ever told! So, one of the first things I asked when meeting my birth father again for the first time was, “Why Dolly?” and all he ever told me was, ” Because you looked like a little doll” — awwww, ok. My ego got a little boost as I pictured the most angelic baby ever and how cute I must have been to have been given a name like Dolly….

Fast forward to the present and my birth father announces he found a baby picture of me! I’ve always thought it really sucked that I had never seen what I looked like as a baby. I mean, I couldn’t even compare my own children to me, to see if they had my ears, or nose as a baby..ya know? Anyway, yesterday I get the picture in the mail, and seriously was smiling from ear to ear just opening it, expecting to see the worlds cutest baby…

and instead I get this….

I immediately broke into laughter! I have to be one of the goofiest looking babies I have EVER seen. In a cute way of course But still damn goofy looking, haha. Just looking at it brings an instant smile to me though..cause I might have been goofy looking but I looked really happy. Now days, it’s just not that easy to bring a smile to my face, I’m not one of “those” people that smile at everything and everyone, but seeing myself in this light…the silly look on my face, reminds me of the way I was…untouched of any the drama that would soon be thrown at me, and that is something to hold on too and even try to bring back.

For that reason I’ll be buying a nice frame for my one and only baby picture and hanging it somewhere in my house that I’ll pass by and look at everyday.

Not only will it guarantee a smile, but it will be a reminder to tap into that silly grinning baby more often and just…loosen up & enjoy life

Thanks so much for finding my picture dad….it means the world.

I had an exceptionally busy night, and my early moring/afternoon hasn’t slowed down much, so this will have to be quick.

No sewing machine for me until at least the 15th of July. That seriously sucks. But I’ll deal….like always.

I did get 2 new books yesterday, and as soon as I get a little extra time I’m going to scan a few pages of my favorites projects.

Anyway, I should go….keepin’ it short & sweet! Take the time you didn’t waste here and go check out this guy’s shop..his “By Order Of Management” signs are GENIUS, and a must for any household w/ little munchkins. I’ve already got my order in for the one below!  Heaven knows, Taylor needs this phrase STAMPED ON HER FOREHEAD…..

(click on the picture to visit his store)

With the new design of my blog I’ve really gotten back into the website design thing. I remember the days when that was all I did, and everyday you visited my blog was a whole new look for me! Back then all I really was doing, was changing colors and other small stuff here and there, which was fun, but I knew I was missing out on the whole picture. Taking the leap and getting a self hosted blog, and my own domain was a great step forward and I am truly thrilled about it. Not only do I have this wonderful new look, I also learned TONS about the whole process. I never really understood how to work with a FTP server, I had read about it, but it didn’t really “click” until I started actually using it. Now it’s fluent to me and I would love to do more with my newly acquired skills! I might even suggest redesigning my work’s website. It’s in desperate need.

Anyway, on to something else!

Sewing. I have yet to get a sewing machine, but hopefully on Wednesday or Tuesday I will? I’ve been a good girl and have been waiting for my paycheck and to see how the finances work out! Very rare…let me tell you! As I’m writing this, I remembered I also have 2 birthdays coming up, which may put back the purchase of a sewing machine even further. Dratts! Taylor turns 12 on the 6th of July and Audrey 5 on the 18th. So I will have to see how it all works out. I’m hoping I can work it in some how…I’m dying to learn and create something. I’ve already told Audrey that I’m going to make her a dress, and then a friend at work who is pregnant that I’ll make her a baby blanket. All before even owning a sewing machine. Yeah, I might be getting a little ahead of myself!

I know one thing I will be getting Taylor…and she will probably be totally embarrassed by it, but I’m her mom and that’s what I’m here for! It’s this:

It’s a cute Tampon holder! And YES there is such a thing! Taylor hasn’t “started” yet, but it’s only a matter of time, and I can only wish my mom would have gotten me something as cool. It’s totally creative, and I’m a HUGE fan of the gal who makes them. She’s the one I bought my first 2 quilts from and truly cherish. In fact, another gift of Taylor’s is coming from her, it’s just going be a little later than her birthday. She’s making a custom quilt for Taylor. Something that hopefully I’ll be able to do one of these days, but for the moment I can’t get anything more original and beautiful than a quilt created by Alison. She uses fabric from designers such as Joel Dewberry, Amy Butler, Heather Ross, Erin Mcmorris..just to mention a few, and the combination of how she puts it all together is inspiring to say the least! She has 2 shops, one where she sells gifts, and another where she sells designer fabrics. I will most likely be getting my fabrics from her when I do get my sewing machine.

Here is an example of some of the fabrics I’m talking about…

Fabrics like these send my head spinning with ideas! If your in the market for a unique gift or some luscious fabric to make your own gift, I highly recommend checking out Alison’s store at Etsy.

Starlit Nest Gifts & Starlit Nest Fabrics

So? What do you think? I’m loving my new design & little corner of the web

I’m still tinkering a little here and there with Wordpress plugins and stuff, but nothing too dramatic.

Anyway, I’m going to begin officially posting here DAILY starting tomorrow, so please check back often! I know in the past you were lucky to see a new post weekly, but I’m going to work really hard to change that.

So, until tomorrow - please take a second to show some comment love and let me know what you think of everything! Thanks!!

Hello hello! I know I haven’t been the best lately at blogging daily, but I wanted to let everyone know that “things” will be changing around here very soon! I’m talking MAJOR renovations people, and I’m seriously excited. I’m finally getting my own domain for my blog, and I’m even having a custom template designed for me. Told you it was exciting! I’m changing the name to the blog and everything. I’m also going to try and focus on a particular subject near and dear to my little hippie heart…..ART. All different kinds, because one thing I do believe is that art is all around us..if someone created it by hand, then it’s art to me. Some of it might just be “crafts”..I don’t think it has to be a painting, or a sculpture, it can be so many things and I plan on sharing some of my own creations as well as sharing other artists work that I particularly like or admire! I’ll have my hands full because I like tons of stuff out there..in fact I don’t think I’ve ever said I didn’t like a particular piece of art, the only thing I’ve ever said is if that art was “for me” or not. It does depend on your tastes, but regardless I will always support anyone who expresses themselves in creative ways…even those writers out there I admire…that’s definitely an art as well.

Anyway, I hope I’ve made some sense, I’m going on over 24 hours without sleep…so you know how that goes. Probably a lot of typos and other bad grammar going on!

I can’t say exactly when all the “renovations” will be done, but it shouldn’t be too long…so keep an eye out! It’s definitely going to be something special..I can feel it

Upcycling. (click or hover on the word to see the definition)

Upcycling and wanting to learn how to sew are my new favorite things. This afternoon I invested in some relatively cheap tools that will allow me to take beer bottles, wine bottles, soda pop bottles…you name it, and cut them and turn them into drinking glasses like this:

These are what I got Andrew for Father’s Day and I think he will LOVE them. He loves Corona so I thought he would think these are super cool! I got these off Etsy and was immediately curious how I could do it myself…cause lord knows I have enough wine bottles laying around! hehe. The guy that sells these only had these to offer and 2 other glasses made out of wine bottles, and besides him I couldn’t really find anyone else who was doing the same thing, so I thought, why not?? I can do this. I think they would make the perfect gift for a guy who loves a particular brand of beer, or for that classy girl like myself who enjoys a little wine every now and then and also cares about the environment. Plus, I think they would always be a conversation piece to anyone coming to your house and sitting down for a few drinks.

So anyway…

I can’t wait to get my tools in the mail and get to work! Even if I don’t sell any, I will just be happy to put my wine bottles, and Andrews random collection of different beer bottles to good use.

What do you think? Love it or hate it? Want to be the first to place a request for your type of beverage?? You know you want too!!

Where has Glenda been? Does anyone really care? If not, that’s ok…but if you have been wondering, YOU KICK ASS…cause that will make me feel better. Have you ever felt that if suddenly you were wiped off the face of the planet not a soul would notice? Invisible much? Yeah. Me too. Sometimes you just want to see someone gives a damn that isn’t “obligated” too. Anyway, I’ll stop whining now.

In other news, I don’t care if I am going to “hell” –

I LOVE this song…

CLICK TO READ THE LYRICS

Why? Cause it’s so true! Girls Women rock. No, I’m not gay. But whatever. “Us girls we are so magical, soft skin, red lips so kissable, hard to resist, so touchable…too good to deny it” - Yeah that about wraps it up. Girls RULE.

Hate on… not sure I care.