THE QUEEN OF QUIRK

not moving

Sometimes I get so sick of discussing the same thing over and over again. Ok, so Colin and I have been trying to decide where we are moving to. Our tiny apartment is only 600 square feet and it is getting cramped in here, lemme tell ya! Well, we were 'shopping' online for the perfect place and Colin says, 'Hey, we never dicussed this before, but what if we spent the money we would have spent on moving...on totally revamping, reorganizing, and redecorating the place we have?'

Um, scuse me?

So after I roll my eyes and sigh heavily a billion times, we started seriously talking about what we could do to make this space work for us. And..it's a LOT. Thousands of dollars in new furniture, renovation, and countless manhours shopping and reorganizing. Not to mention the lifestyle changes we will have to make to keep this tiny space clean all the time. I feel like this subject has been a constant thorn in my side. So...we're not moving. And I guess that's ok.

Now so you don't think I'm spoiled or something, let me tell you that our home is filled with almost nothing but thrift store furniture. We had literally nothing when we moved here. Suitcases and our computer. That was it. But in order to set up house really quickly, we had to buy things fast. Fast and cheap. So, we went to the thrift stores almost everyday to try and fill our house. And Walmart was our best friend. OK, fast forward 3 years and 3 kids and you can guess that our house is taking on a shabby tone...with none of the chic. Every room is a mish-mash of junk furniture and the cheapest that Walmart stocks. Obviously, there is nothing wrong with this....it just isn't us. We're ecclectic, kinda funky, experimental, travelers......and our home reflects none of that.

So now I have literally been given carte blanche to get this house into shape. Whatever I spend it won't cost the nearly 10,000 euros it would cost us to move to a new place and stock the extra square footage. (Yes, it really IS that expensive here) And of course I will see immediate results instead of turning our lives upside down by moving to a new town. Another good thing is I don't have to find a new school for Lara and Mia. They both have a spot reserved in one of the best childcare programs in this city and I wasn't thrilled to have to move them. Now we won't and we can relax and make plans and get comfortable.

It's kinda silly, but we have been living here for 3 years and still haven't made this our 'home'. We've been living temporarily and I think that was the root of our problem with our 'small' apartment. It may be small, but there are so many things I love about it. We have incredible light and it's new and in awesome condition. We are just a few blocks from our tiny dowtown where I can get almost everything I need. And we are just a block from the street train which is awesome for me since I don't have a German driver's license.

So, even though we're not moving, I am going to make this work. We are going to have a fabulously fun and functional apartment and I can't wait! Ok, so thanks for reading my novella! Hahahaha! Here are some photos as a reward! Ciao!

everything in norah's photo is by laura alpuche (symphony kit & frameworks) thanks, Laura!

anything and everything

What a crazy few days!! :)
Colin took Friday off and we hung out and went to IKEA to check things out.....there were so MANY people there that Colin started yelling inside the car: "Don't you people have jobs??!!" I thought it was pretty funny! We got a few small things for the house and then called it a day.
Saturday we went grocery shopping and prepared for Lara's 5th birthday! My baby is growing up!!
Sunday we were having everyone over for dinner and cake and ice cream, so we went nuts on our house. We cleaned it from top to bottom and I cooked for hours....I love it, but it is always exhausting! I had to call Laura about a bajillion times to help me out! When nothing's open on Sundays, you better not be a total moron like me and forget half a dozen things! UGH! So I made HUGE pot of gumbo (THANKS DAD!!), cornbread, herb butter, and I bought some other breads..poppy seed, olive. And I made Lara's cake. She is soooo funny. When I was almost finished, she wanted to help decorate so I just let Mia and her friends join in....who cares, right? So it was covered in all sorts of candy and chocolate shavings! We even bought these cute little candles that spelled her name....but Colin wanted to put a silent 'X' on her cake and I told him no....so who does he ask next? Lara. And does Lara want a silent X on her name? Of course she does. So she's got a rainbow of sprinkles, chocolate shaving, XLARA, and a very un-Martha-like icing job. But, hey, she loved it! :)
Unfortunately, Lara didn't have her best face on when she was opening her gifts....I am feeling the brutal honesty phase coming on and I am NOT sure how I'm gonna handle it. Regan wrapped up a gift for her and when she opened it, it was the sweetest little drawings. Isn't that so nice? Know what MY daughter did? She scrunched up her face, had a BIG frown and said: "It's JUST drawings!"
I COULD HAVE DIED.
And to top it all off, Laura got her 'Lady and the Tramp', which we already have, and her response was: 'Another one? We already have this movie!'
I COULD HAVE DIED.
Please tell me this is just what 5 year olds do...this isn't how she's going to be is it? Heaven help me if it is!!
So, anyway, she's growing up. And a little too fast for my taste. Oh well. What can I do?
Yesterday I woke up soooo sore and tired and then in the afternoon, my neighbor asked me to go on a walk with her. I was REALLY tired and Colin and I were right in the middle of discussing our moving plans, but I decided not to turn her down. I thought an hour away from the kids would be nice, so I agreed.
Well, one hour and a downpour later, we got back to the house.
I should have known when I got outside and saw her in her running clothes that I was in trouble...but I thought....maybe that's just what she wears. Nope. We ran. It didn't start out that way, but my legs are so incredibly short that to keep up with her long-legged frame, I had to run. When we got about 30 minutes away from our house, the downpour started. At first I was pissed, but after a while my legs went numb and it was kinds refreshing. And I felt really good. I haven't done anything in a year and I was amazed that I actually ran that far. So, I made a deal with her. I'll meet her every afternoon for a walk/run and she was really excited. I think this is just the thing I need. A way to relieve stress in a healthy way. I just hope I can do it. I usually chicken out on stuff like this cuz I'm no masochist and all running does is hurt! ;)
So, I'm gong to try to run 5 days a week and I am going to break out the Pilates mat. I need to do this for myself.
OK, enough of my rambling!! I need to head downtown for some jogging shoes. Ciao! :)

woohoo! :)

quotes

Lara:

'What are we having for breftkiff?'
'May I can I have a snack?'
'Halmony is cutting her clothes, mommy!'
(my mom is a seamstress)
'I only want 8 more bites.'
'My tummy hurts. I need to blow bubbles.'
'When Daddy comes home, I'll tickle him so much!'

Mia:
'MOMMY!! Only boys wear shorts when they kick the baseballs!'
(said to me when I wore shorts this morning)
'Papa has a lot of hair on his face.'
'Do you want a cupatino?'
'This is the best everest!'
'I want to sleep on the couch and watch Dumbo.'
'Your dress is so pretty Mommy.'
(when I'm in my robe)
'When I grow up I'm gonna drink coffee.'

as promised...

here are some new layouts. The first one is of pics I took of Dave's room while he was at school. hee hee. Hope he doesn't mind! The last 2 photos I took at my parents' house. I really like the way all these layouts turned out, too! Feels so good to scrap again! I also did 2 more, but you won't see those til the June issue of De-zine is out. So, I guess you'll just have to check it out there! :)

credits: iron orchid papers (wicked garden, redemption) and rustic embellishments // laura alpuche (symphony kit) // katie pertiet, ali folendore alphas // jan crowley (little black dress kit)

I still have a few more things to do and then my list can be all crossed off. yay! And you know me....I have already completed a new patterned paper for my newest kit...I just can't seem to stay away, huh? HA!! :) ciao!

a new week

and a new start. Wow. Sometimes I can't believe the stuff I put myself through. After 24 hours of traveling, we were back home in Germany. No small feat! The girls' feet were blistered by the time we got home and got their shoes off! We did our best to stay up on Friday....and by the time I got to bed at 8 pm, I had been up for over 30 hours! Needless to say, I was a bit ridiculous. My speech was slurred and I was having trouble focusing. You would've thought I was drunk! But, no.....drunk is MUCH better than exhausted! HA!

So we spent the weekend hanging out and spending time together. Not much going on, really. I have been slowly unpacking and now we need to start the search for a new apartment. We can't move til August (everything to do with housing runs on a 3 month delay in this country) so we have plenty of time to find the perfect place! Can't wait! We need more room!

And I need to rest up because I have sooo many new ideas!! So many things to create, so little time! But before I can hit PS, I have a bajillion more important obligations to take care of first. I have no less than 10 layouts to create for CT's, and The DigiChick and I have (and will have) some assignments to do for collaboration kits and I still need to stay on top of things on the homefront...sigh....so when exactly did I have a vacation? hahaha...oh well. I also want to get a new designer sample up in the boutique, so I need to get working on that, too.

And, unfortunately, I lost another CT member.....I just can't seem to keep 'em, huh? So now that I am down to 5, I may actually have to have another call! :) But before that, I need to get some new stuff in the boutique.

AND I still have some AMAZING news that I am not at liberty to speak of yet!!!
:::FURIOUS NAIL BITING:::
I am soo bad at keeping secrets!! haahaha. Hopefully I will be able to share soon!!!

With that, I bid you adieu and I will post some layouts when i get them finished! ciao!

'surviving in germany'

I thought this was funny. Someone typed in 'surviving in germany' into google and guess what...I was on the first page. Funny, huh? Well, whoever you were, I hope you liked my blog!! hahahaaha!!

As for us, we are leaving for Germany tomorrow morning. I can't believe it is already over. We've had a lot of fun and I know my girls will have a hard time adjusting. So, I've been walking around taking photos today of things I want to remember. Here's a little collage:

The fabulous frame is by my good friend Laura. You can get it in the DigiChick boutique!

For anyone that has known me for any amount of time, you have probably seen a photo of my 'little' brother. Yes, he's 8 years younger than me (turns 18 in Oct), but he's almost a FOOT taller than me. I personally think he should be on the cover of GQ, but I may be biased. So enjoy his photo! HAHAHA!

As I write this, I have a million things to do. I have to finish packing, do laundry, pack up boxes of stuff to ship (yes, I bought that much!) and then I have to go to my grandmother's for a birthday party for my 2nd cousin and THEN we are having a sort of 'going away' dinner at Texas Red's. My mouth is watering just think about the steak I'm gonna order!

Tomorrow looks pretty long, though. We'll leave here around 7:30 am to get to the airport by 11 (yep...it's THAT far away) and our flight leaves from ABQ at 1 and we'll arrive in Cincinnatti. From there. we'll fly to Paris and then to Frankfurt. I'm exhausted jsut thinking about it. I have to hold Norah, so I literally won't get any sleep after I wake up tomorrow morning. By the time we arrive home in Darmstadt, it will have taken 23 hours to get home. That's assuming everything goes smoothly. Please keep us in your thoughts. I'm not afraid of flying but I am always nervous when I have my children on the plane with me. I am so worried something will happen. EEK! Ok, I just need to get over it! NOTHING WILL HAPPEN!!

I think Colin and I have decided to stick it out in Deutschland for at elst another year. Some circumstances have come up that will be hard to turn down, so we are looking at staying. We will have a concrete decision by the 31st and then we will be on the hunt for a new place if we decide to stay. 600 sq ft just isn't cutting it anymore!!

With that, I'll leave you with a few of my fave shots from our little trip to the States. See you on the other side of the ocean!

hmmm.....

wonder what this is?

secrets

I can't stand them, but this one is just amazing!!! I can't wait to share my good news!!!

Thanks everyone for all your amazingly kind words regarding my last post! I really needed it and I just wanna say thank you for lifting my spirits!! You are amazing women! Things have really perked up and I am much happier now!

Let's see....tomorrow my 'little' bro and I are heading to Santa Fe to go shopping...the closest Target or Old Navy or mall is 2 hours away from my parents hours! EEK! But, it's closer than Germany! HAHAHA! So, we are going to do some shopping before I head back to Deutschland. My mom has lovingly agreed to watch Lara and Mia and Dave and I are taking Norah with us. Should be lots of fun!

And I never posted a preview of some of the new stuff I put into The DigiChick boutique!

I added some doodles and some travel charms! Go check 'em out! :)

Other than that, not much going on. Just need to start getting ready for our trip back! I can't believe it's already been over 2 weeks! I hope everyone is doing well!

irked

I really try not to let things get to me, but lately I've been frustrated. And there's more than the usual junk and I feel like it's eating away at me. I hate not knowing where I stand with people or how they really think of me. I feel out of sorts when things aren't right with the people I love and care about. I'm frustrated with designing and I am drawing blanks. Nothing original is coming to me. I really miss Colin and I can't wait to see him again. Lara and Mia have been fighting almost nonstop and my nerves are raw. I just hate times like this. Nothing feels right and I am uncomfortable in my own skin today. Ok, enough venting. This too shall pass.....hopefully.