I’m not going to go into details about “why,” but I made the decision to no longer watch my nephews after school. It’s a really, really long story. My heart is in tiny bits over this. Despite the stress I’m under when I watch them, I actually LOVE watching them. They’re my favorite “little people” in the world. I know this is going to crush them, and I’m not just saying that. These boys have gone through a lot in their short lives. More than a lot of adults I know. I just hope they realize this wasn’t an easy decision for me. I hope they don’t think it’s anything they did.

This is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I just feel like my help isn’t appreciated at all, and I felt I was being taken advantage of. But yeah, I don’t want to get into details because I love my sister, despite all of this. Anyway..

I already miss those boys, and today is only the first day I won’t be watching them.

One day, when I’m gone, my sister will realize just how big of a role I played in her life.. their life.. and want to play in the future. I wish she could/would see that life is so short..

While going through recent photos, I realized this; I love sandwiches. I have had a sandwich for at least one meal every other day for the last week or so. Not that I’m complaining. I wouldn’t really be eating them if I didn’t like them, right?

Today’s special; Sara Lee maple honey ham on whole wheat white Arnold’s roll with mayo and provolone cheese — YUMMY!

I’m sitting here now sipping on hot chocolate. I don’t know why. I usually only drink this stuff when it’s cold out, and it’s gorgeous here today. Warm, light breeze and clear skies. Feels like Spring.. minus the pretty flowers, green grass and rain!

I spent over an hour riding down back roads today, for my sister Nikki. They’re looking to buy a house and I found two in their price range. I wanted to see what the neighborhood looked like though, since I was unfamiliar with the road they’re both on. Needless to say, we failed — miserably so. We were on the wrong highway, which wasn’t actually our fault. Thank you Google Maps..major fail! I’m going to visit my mom tonight, so I’m going to go to the right highway and have a look see. I hope it works out. The house is a foreclosure but was built in 2007. We’re hoping because it isn’t very old the possible damage to the property will be minimal. Cross your fingers. Houses in that neighborhood are well over $100k (a lot for this area), and this house is only $58,500 and the other is $109,500!

I’m still very busy, trying to catch up on several things. I’ve worked through 2 designs, on the verge of completion. Starting 3 more, and working on a logo design. Not to mention sending off premades that have been sold! It’s good though. I like it like this!

I’ve been keeping myself busy the last few days. Since my brother in law fell ill and the holidays took over, I got a little behind. I’m still trying to catch up on everything (both personally and with the design business). My brother in law is feeling better, however, he’s got a long road ahead of him. He’s still in a lot of pain and has already had to revisit the ER. They’re not sure when he’s going to be released for work, but from what I understand, when they do he will not be able to go back into the same line of work (insulation and air conditioning) because of the condition of his lungs. He still has to follow up with a lung specialist too. They’re struggling right now, like nearly everyone I know. Their oldest son, Tyler, he’s outgrowing his clothes — the clothes we bought him like.. in November. Yikes! I’m going to take him shopping for new pants sometimes this weekend. I have a gift card from Christmas that I still haven’t used, and he needs it more than I do.

Everything is a go with the new business. We’re (my friend Jess and I) going to try to start making products (hint: handmade) next week. We’re both super excited, and can’t wait to share our products with everyone. I’m sure there will be some contests in the near future. Lucky you!

I decided to go with easy meals today, since I’m trying to get as much done today as possible. Since it’s Friday and all! I had a craving for cinnamon rolls this morning when I woke up. I wasn’t in the mood to make them from scratch, so I went with store bought (gasp). They were delicious!

For lunch I went with a simple ham sandwich with lettuce and provolone cheese on my favorite bread: whole wheat Arnold’s. It was also quite delicious! If you haven’t tried that bread, do. Whether you want whole wheat, whole grain or whole wheat white — they’re all wonderfully yummy. I’ve used it for sandwiches, toast and even mini pizzas! Can’t complain about the 100 calories per roll either!

My mom would like for me to stay with her this weekend, but I’m not 100% sure I’m going to go yet. I would like a weekend to myself, since I don’t get those very often anymore. I’m usually helping my mom with my sister Nikki’s 3 boys (they visit with her every other weekend, sometimes every weekend, and I work on the design stuff on the weekends a lot too. Busy, busy. That words currently defines my life. But it’s nice to be kept busy. Doesn’t allow me much time to think of anything that may or may not be bothering me!

Back to work.

This year hasn’t really started out the greatest. It has been so hectic around here since New Year’s Eve. My brother in law got really sick and was admitted to the ICU on January 1st. It was pneumonia, and with it came an infection in his blood that began doing something to his heart. After several days in the ICU, he was moved to a private room and was actually able to come home yesterday evening — thankfully. We have all been doing our best to help my sister with her 3 boys, cleaning her house and what not, so it has just been crazy! I’m so glad he’s OK though. The boys were so upset their daddy was in the hospital, and even more so that they couldn’t see him while he was in ICU. They demanded (seriously) to see him as soon as they moved him to a regular room. I obliged!

Anyway. I haven’t had much time for anything for the last couple of weeks, so I’m trying to work my way through emails and getting caught up on various “net” things. Such a slow process!

It looks like I’ll be able to begin the process of launching the new business soon. I’m hoping to have it going by February 1st. I can’t even describe how extremely excited I am about this. I hope it works out and takes off!

My divorce should be finalized in the next week or two. I’m not sure of the exact date, but I know I have to sign one more affidavit a couple of days before it’s granted. They haven’t called me in to do that yet, but I’m hoping they do that sometime this week. Maybe then I can look at 2010 with a more positive attitude (not that it’s that negative though).

I have about a week off from actually watching the boys, possibly a little longer I’m not sure. I’m going to use it to my advantage and try to get everything caught up and new things rolling!

Now that I don’t have to get approval on my decor, I feel like I really decorate the way I want. I’ve always loved the Shabby Chic style (refer to Rachel Ashwell). I don’t want to overdo that whole style, but I do plan use it in moderation. I found a few pieces I’m going to use, and hopefully it’s going to work the way I want it.

The first two pieces are from Kohl’s. I actually plan to paint the iron frames white and sand them a bit so you see the darker iron in some places. I think white, or even eggshell, will make the pieces look better and work better with the style I’m aiming for.

I found these really cute, shiny ornaments at Pier1 Imports (bought 4). I’m planning on adding small round mirrors to the centers rather than use them for small pictures as they suggested. Then I plan to hang them from the pegs of a white shelf. I will probably change the ribbon to a shade of light blue or green. I think white would be a little too much against the white pegs.

And last but not least, I found canisters at Pier1 Imports that I think will work with this style. I only got the “flour” and “sugar” since I don’t drink coffee enough to use that one, and the cookie canister was much larger and just didn’t look right with the small flour and sugar canisters. I absolutely love them!

I also found shower curtain hooks (by the Simply Shabby Chic brand) that I’m going to buy. I picked them up while we were at Target, but put them back without buying them. As we walked around a little more, I thought I should go ahead and buy them since they only had one set left. Unfortunately someone got them before I could get back to that aisle. Ah well. That will teach me to just go with my gut and buy something if I really like it (and can afford it of course).

I have never been sick during Christmas. Well, not that I recall — I am getting old, so I don’t know how reliable my memory is at this point! Landon was sick last weekend and the first part of this week. Then Nikki started getting sick, and she sounds like she’s on the verge of pneumonia (but won’t see the doctor..sigh). Now my throat is getting sore. It isn’t to the point where it feels like razors, but I know it’s coming. I don’t have a fever (yet), but I started coughing a little about half an hour ago. This stinks! I’m going to take something for it before I call it a night. With any luck I’ll be able to avoid getting too terribly sick like everyone else.

Earlier today I decided to go ahead and get my baking out of the way. I made cupcakes for my mom’s party tomorrow, some for Nikki’s co-workers at the bank and some for Kim’s (dad’s girlfriend) family party. I decided to do Devil’s Food Cake & Strawberry mini-cupcakes (though I’ve only take photos of the Devil’s Food Cake so far). Don’t they look yummy? Trust me… they are!!

Now all that’s left is to wrap the last 2 gifts. One for my brother in law, which will actually be from Tyler, Landon & Trent. The other is for Tammy, my mom’s friend & roommate. I was hoping I wouldn’t have anything left to wrap after tonight, so I’m thinking I may even just put their gifts inside of gift bags instead. I think I’m out of ribbon, and I would prefer to have ribbon on a wrapped gift — yes, I’m that particular about it.

I’m supposed to stay the night with Nikki tomorrow night, Christmas Eve. At this point, I’m thinking I may just stay with my mom since she’ll be by herself Christmas day. Nikki is just so sick and I really don’t want to get whatever she has.. if I don’t already have it. As much as I really want to be there when the boys open all of their gifts, I’d rather not get that mess. Guess I’ll figure that out tomorrow.

Speaking of my mom though; she called me tonight and asked if I took one of the gifts, from her to me. I told her no, of course. Well it turns out it’s the handbag (one of two from her that I know I’m getting lol) I was looking forward to having the most. I really hope she finds it. She said she’d already unwrapped all of the other gifts under her tree (like 50 of them) and it wasn’t there, but she remembers wrapping it and putting it under there. I don’t remember her giving me anything but gifts to the boys, so what I’m thinking is she’s put the wrong labels on something.. I hope. :/

I have some laundry to attend to now, and I guess I should go on and take something for my throat..

Christmas is almost here. Only a couple of days left to finish up what little bit of shopping I have left to do and finish all of the baking I have left to do. Speaking of which, I did a little baking tonight — baking two different kinds of shortbread cookies. I’m not at all fond of the chocolate ones. They’re not terrible, just different I guess.

I’ll be baking cupcakes tomorrow, for the small Christmas gathering at my mom’s Christmas Eve. My nephews will be helping me decorate those. We’re doing white icing, swirled on top, with red and green stripes along the swirls and then we’re topping it off with Christmas tree sprinkles. I have a feeling my sisters kitchen is going to be a disaster for a couple of hours. Thankfully we’ll have time to clean it up before she gets home.

I’ve been rather “blah” these last few days. I think it’s the change in weather (going from mild to much cooler) and all the running around I’ve been doing. I feel like a chicken with it’s head cutoff! I think I have everything together, gifts purchased and ingredients too. Then I get home and realize I forgot something. The sad part is I’ve been taking a list with me every time I’ve had to run out to the store. For some reason I’m striking out items I haven’t even put in the shopping cart. Ha, ha. I think that’s a sign that I just need to stop now. Just live with what I’ve got!

A part of me is going to be so happy when Christmas is over..

How we finally worked our way through wrapping every single gift, I do not know. I am, however, so happy we did! All of the gifts. I am such a perfectionist with gifts too. I know that the paper is going to be ripped to bits, but I still really enjoy wrapping and decorating each gift. I suck at making those fancy bows, but I can still work a little magic. Examples below (one wrapped gift, two gift bags finished with Christmas tree ornaments)

I really love the wrapping paper in the first photo. Blue is one of my favorite colors, so it was really nice to see something other than green, red and gold wrapping paper. I did a few gifts in those colors too, but only before I found the pretty blue one!

I thought I had finished up with my Christmas shopping, but it dawned on me earlier that I still need to buy a gift for my dad’s girlfriend. It wouldn’t hurt for me to get a little something else for my dad and mom too. I know I want to buy my mom a box of Turtles — her favorite chocolates — too. I’m not sure what else to buy for my dad. Any suggestions? That won’t cost me a fortune?

Overall, I am pretty excited about Christmas. I’ve said Christmas is exhausting a lot recently, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy this time of year. My nephew Tyler is going to flip out over the autographed Jimmie Johnson (Nascar, #48) pictures. I can’t wait to bake cookies for “Santa” with my nephews too. We’re making all kinds of goodies actually; cookies of all kinds, fudge and maybe even some truffles if I get motivated enough to try them this year!

The only thing that could possibly make Christmas a little better at this point would be a miracle — snow. Not enough to slow us Georgia folks down, but enough to at least stick to the ground. It would definitely be better than all of this soggy stuff in the forecast that’s for sure!