She saw the art her world needed and hung it

One of my most favorite gifts this Christmas was from my sister. These wonderfully inspiring sayings for women. It's a fitting gift not only because 2013 is said to be the era of the feminine, but I'm a work in progress. Isn't that all women? I don't think men continually take stock of their lives the way we do. But back to the art work. My sister gave me five framed prints. I'll have to ask where she got them in case they inspire you too.
To hang the wall collage of prints, I took newspaper from my recycle pile and setting the frame on top, I cut fairly rough shapes of the frame. Then I flipped the frame over, lined the paper up with it, and then using a pen, punched a small hole through the paper where the nail hanger was at. That way I could just use that hole to hammer my nail into the wall once I got my newspaper templates right where I wanted them. I used frog tape on the back so I could adjust the arrangement without to much fuss. It's the best but less exact method to hanging picture collages. I'm in love with the end product.
I still need to paint the walls a deep gray and hang my gallery wire above the collage.

Just like this

Seems like I'm always dreaming of a life with more and better. Better job. More decorations. More clothes. Better hair. Better Mama. Better wife. I dream of this world where everything is exactly where and how I want it to be, but if that happened, wouldn't I be done with life?! So instead I'm taking a look around at my life and wanting it to be just like this. Just like this.

What I got for Christmas

This Christmas was mainly about Vincent. I was sad he was so grouchy. On Monday we woke up and wanted to open presents right then. He opened one halfway and started bawling. Food first then. He was grouchy off and on that day. Between waking up early from his cough, not getting in good naps (cough again), teething, not eating well, and finally, all the people he didn't know but who wanted to hold him, he wasn't the exuberant child I imagined on Christmas Day. Maybe next year. Maybe we'll also make it a priority to bring the pack and play along so he can take a decent nap. In spite of all that, our Christmas Eve dinner party and Christmas was wonderful. Here's what I got:
• a collection of jewel-toned inspirational sayings to hang in my office (thanks sis!) I'm going to hang them today, so look for that picture.
• a journal
• Starbucks! There is nothing more inspiring than coffee.
• lotion, lip balm, nail file, and cuticle oil (I love pampering gifts!)
• pjs (two sets!)
• a sweater (needs to be returned...the husband failed!)
• bra and undies (the girls and the goddess are happy!)
• money to get a passport (headed to Canada this summer possibly)
• a pearl necklace and earrings (thanks honey!)
• a blingy bracelet set (my mother in law did good)
• wonderful ornaments (only four this year: a custom made one from my sister that I plan to hang in the office, the Hallmark Christmas radio countdown I had been wanting, a Hungarian egg, and a beautifully knotted ribbon wreath that I'm told was inspired from the pages of Martha Stewart Living...my new magazine subscription for the year!)
• a blanket for the air mattress Jonathan received
• young house love's book (my BF knows me so well)
• bath salts and truffles (mmmmm!)

I can't believe how thoughtful all my gifts were! It makes me inspired for next season!

Merry Christmas

It's Vincent's second Christmas and boy is it wildly different from last year. Last year he was still a baby baby and drinking formula from a bottle. This year it's what do we feed him that he'll actually eat and keeping him entertained while I cook. Thank goodness for Curious George! The thyme and parmesan roasted sweet potatoes, kale and bacon Mac n cheese, wine braised brisket, and pumpkin crescent rolls were a smashing success! Well, for all the adults anyhow. Vincent wouldn't eat anything after all the crackers he ate. Typical.

Presents under the tree

My sweet sister sent us a box full to the brim with lovely packages. What joy to place them under the tree. Vincent wasn't as happy about it. #mamaletmeopenthem

Oh, to have captured this moment

Today was a hard day. Vincent was home sick. He has a cough. It's nothing major. Except a cough for him means vomit. Cringe. He's always been a gagger so anything that could trigger that reflex does. Today when he puked on me it illicited an "uh oh" on his part. At least he showed the decency to feel bad. The coughing and puking has continued on into this evening, so we took him into our bathroom to hopefully steam out that cough. To distract him, we opened up the cabinets. Daddy got five tampons and I got one. If only I had the camera.

Put everything aside

Friday was without a doubt a horrific tragedy for the community of Newton. I'm not going to write about gun control or anything else political because to be further separated by opinion is not what we need right now. I ask that we all put our thoughts and opinions aside and we embrace our neighbor. That we show absolute strangers who may cut in front of us in long lines as we do our holiday shopping a smile and tell them to go ahead. That we act on peace instead of rage. Be thankful, happy, and exude an air of love for all those around you not only now but through the new year. All we need is love...