Friendship Friday: My Friend Date

So I finally ventured out of my shell and had a "friend date" with not one, but three friends.

A's boyfriend just bought them a house and she's been hosting dinners for the other two and I've been invited before and finally took them up on it. She was excited to show off her new house, and all the renovations. I was equally excited to be out of the house and away from the normal hustle and bustle. As much as I love to be at home, it's nice to break the routine.

I really don't want to sound like a debbie downer, because I did enjoy getting out, but I really think they tried too hard. I really think they tried to impress me and that was not what I was looking for. So here is my list of complaints:

• I got the "grand tour" with "adult talk"(facts, figures, etc.) of A's house. 
• We then sat and waited for dinner to finish with the tv, surround sound on, blaring. I don't want tv, and the surround sound made it impossible to block out. I was there to socialize, not what America's Dumbest.
• We sit down to dinner, and the other remarked that there are wine glasses. They don't normally drink wine, and A had picked up a bottle of Sangria-to go with the meatloaf she made. Call me a snob but I wanted to hurl. It was good meatloaf, but with every fruit sip I had to tell myself I was drinking punch so I didn't hurl.
• The conversation was a bit lacking all around. I have little to talk about that would interest them collectively, and when I brought up valid points I know I came off too condescendingly. I hate that about myself. I also hate being the "adult" that everyone comes to with "important" questions. 
• The evening ended with us sitting in the office while they were on the computer. I stayed for a bit hoping there would be more conversation or something, but then decided that this was what they did and I left them to that. 

Ultimately, I'd probably go again. I'd go hoping that the last time was a learning experience and that they realize that I am no one who needs impressing. I would hope that next time it would be more relaxed and less technology centered. I think I would even take her up on the offer to bring the family along, because if nothing else, it would give me something to tend to and provide distraction, entertainment, and an easy out if needed. 

It is nice to be looked up to, and it is wonderful to feel wanted. But I was taken aback to be some unspoken guest of honor, in my flip-flops and jeans I'm not much to behold. They were really excited I actually came, remarking so many times. I just wish things could have been more relaxed, a little softer and quieter, and perhaps slightly more focused. I feel horrible ungrateful, because I did enjoy being out and having a hot meal, but the setting was so awkward. 

Is it just me? Do your friends put out a big display? Do they look up to you??

I think I am just stuck being the old lady in my peer group, one the of trouble of having an old soul I guess. 

A Day In The Life

I'm going to entertain Deanna, and hopefully a few others, with a walk through our day.


Way too early: The Squatch (DH) rises and rumbles through the house, signaling and commanding his pack (the dogs). The go through their morning rituals and annoy a very sleepy Mama Bear (me). Squatch collects the things that are leaving the house and loads them into the car. He also prepares sippies.

5:45 a.m.: I hurl the cat from the bedroom. I'm not a morning person.

6:15 a.m.: The Squatch has been trying to wrestle me awake and I finally rise. He then wakes the girls and carries them, with all their accouterments, down the stairs. He gets their shoes and jackets on, hands out sippies, and waits.

6:20 a.m.: With family waiting I, quickly as I can which isn't very quickly at all, dress and finish in the bathroom. I fall down the stairs and make a glass of chocolate milk. I find my shoes and jacket.

6:30 a.m.: We pile into the car and head out.

7:10 a.m.: We arrive at Cousin's house. DH unloads the car and delivers hugs and fist bumps. Off to work he goes.

7:15 a.m.: Cousin has breakfast ready and we deliver it to the children.

7:45 a.m.: Cousin leaves for work. I clean up breakfast and onto play. Usually books and block puzzles.

8:00- 9:30 a.m.: We head upstairs to the play room. We do our day of the week, letters, weather, and such. We brush teeth and get dressed for the day. If we have a craft we do that, or we play. (Today we made clouds since it's a rainy day, and I wrapped a beer bottle!)

9:30-10 a.m.: We had back down the stairs for snack. This involved browsing the pantry for a bit, fighting over what we want to eat. For some reason there is some rule that we all eat the same snack. I'm not sure when I made that rule, or why I stick to it, but we all have to agree. Sometimes it's really not worth the effort.

10-11 a.m.: Play downstairs. If it's nice we go out now. I can't wait for summer! If we're inside we'll open the door and talk about the weather, what kind of day it is turning out to be, and all the critters we see out the door.

11-11:30 a.m.: This is usually their 30 minute TV window. They watch Play with Me Sesame. But we've been skipping it more often then not to stay outside or go back up to the playroom. Fine by me.

11:30-12:30 p.m.: Lunch grind. The prep, serving, and clean up of lunch. The ladies come to pick what they want. Sometimes their combinations are gross (today was muenster cheese dipped in ketchup), and I serve entirely too much fruit, but they're happy.

12:30-1:30 p.m.: An hour of free play, inside or out. Sometimes we have projects that carry over and are finished during this time. Today it was hanging our clouds and playing matching games.

1:30-4 p.m.: NAP! 4 is an exaggeration, it's slowly turing back. But it is nap none the less and I relish in every minute!

4-4:15 p.m.: Snack. Not one of these ladies enjoys waking up so sometimes snack is far more painful and tear-filled than it should be.

4:15-5:15 p.m.: This is almost always outside play. If we are stuck inside they kind of meander in a fog till they fully wake up.

5:15-5:20 p.m.: Cousin comes home and loading of the car.

5:20-6:10 p.m.: The beltway is hating us on the ride home.

6:10-6:30 p.m.: Dinner is pieced together. I try to unload the dishwasher and reload as I'm cooking. If DH is cooking I usually pretend to be dead till I hear dinner is ready. The ladies almost always run to their doll house while dinner is cooking. DH walks the dogs and unloads the car.

6:30-7:10 p.m.: We eat and clean up.

7:15 p.m.: The tubs starts filling. The girls either play in their room or watch a short episode of something.

7:30-7:50 p.m.: Bath. Somehow Mommy does it better and I no longer have this quick break. The girls get out, dried, dressed, and teeth brushed.

7:50-8:10 p.m.: This is story time, always read by Daddy. Always. Then tuck in, kisses, and the ceremonial door closing. You're on your own till sunrise ladies! If they haven't calmed down before now, they'll probably stay up chatting. It's so cute.

8:10-8:20 p.m.: Mama Bear and Squatch lay on bed pretending to be awake and that the dogs aren't whining to go out.

8:20-11 p.m.: DH might change out a load of laundry or two, I'll run out if I have to. Or I'll work on any projects I need to. Otherwise we pretty much veg out. He with a crossword and the tv, I on the computer. Around 9:30 he'll starting being "awake" and I'll hop into the shower. By 10:30 he's usually toast and I'm repeatedly telling myself to lay down and try to sleep.

What's your day like?

This is our Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday routine. So glad we only have half the week this busy! I don't know how you working people do it!

Creative Thursday

I'm linking up with Marcia this month for creative Thursday!

Photo canvases!

This was my first attempt so I started small. Very small. 

I tried two different methods (here and here) and I'm not sure which I like more. 

(Side note: the canvas and my printer are in disagreement over 6'x6'. I'm not a fan of the white boarder.)

Not too bad! This is tissue paper modge podged to a canvas. I painted the edges too so it looked a little more finished.

I was worried you wouldn't be able to see the canvas or the tissue paper would crinkle but it didn't.

This was attempt as an actual transfer. I must have missed the "gently rub" part because I scraped clear down the the gesso. Reading directions isn't one of my strengths.

See the ugliness, gah.

I was ready to give up. But after a few hours I tried again using a sponge to gentle rub the tissue away. 

If you look past the first attempt I think think might work. Next time I'll try color. 

Mother's day is coming up and I'm thinking the grandmothers may get canvases and I'll let the ladies paint the edges and put their own stamp on in. 

As for me, I have big dreams. 

As in 18" x 24" canvas, or a 12" square face mural. 

Mwahahahaha!

What did you create this month?

Memento

With the real coming of spring, and later birthdays, comes the need to clean and declutter. I've clean the ladies' room many times since their birth. This tiny sock that once fell off their teeny-tiny feet hasn't left. More consciously than not, I'm simply shuffled it around their room. It's been hidden under baskets and behind frames. It serves as a silent reminder of how far we've come.

This is why I love cleaning their room, bittersweet as it may be. Maybe it's time for a frame?!

Canvas Transfer

I need opinions. I really want to make some canvas transfers. What that really means is I want some cheap, child friendly projects to make use of all these pictures I've taken. I want to involve the ladies and let them get in on the mess. But I can't decide on a picture for Claire. 

So sound off in the comments about which pairing you like...

A.

 B.

 C.

 D.

No really, comment! I can't decide!!

Marcos' Coat

Totally NOT what I needed to do tonight, but it's nice to cross it off my list!!

Terrible picture, but what do you think Marcia? Not bad for fabric scraps!?

Please also note this picture is of my *clean* craft table. One more thing off April's goal list!

Superhero

So I'm really, REALLY loving Superhero. I feel like it has forced me to make use of my camera. Not only that, it has given me something to focus on outside of what to make for lunch each day. It helps that I had a love of photography before, but it has really fostered a passioned in me. My love affair with Marcos is getting hot and heavy!

As I'm working through the second week, I'm amazed at the sheer amount of photos I've taken. I just upload 400 from the last 3 days! Eeeek. I'm going to need another hard drive just for photos!! 

I quickly need to develop a system. 

I've fallen into the same trap I had with baby pictures. I can't delete any of them! There is something special about baby pictures, I couldn't bring myself to delete any of them. I did go back and get rid of the true duds, but there were others that spoke to me now that didn't speak to me a year and  a half ago. 

That being said, I've really worked to delete the "instant dubs" directly from my camera. I think delete more after I upload. But in the end I'm left with entirely too many pictures of nothing particular!

I initially took 6 of this same shot. I currently have 4. I can delete 2 semi-duds leaving me with 2 pictures that are nearly the same. It's also a picture that I wouldn't print or hang around the house. What do I do with this?

Please enjoy and leave me some feed back for the following 40+ pictures...

Laughter

Laughter.

Angle, getting down to her level.

Texture. Angle.

 Laughter.

Someone(s) I love.

Sun.

Angle.

Angle.

Sun & Clouds.

Depth

Rocky Horror.

I'm thinking of making a small canvas of this one. Thoughts?

Textures. Grass.

Someone I love.

Laughter.

Adventure.

It almost looks sweet, till I tell you she was being attacked with chalk.

Over the flower pictures yet?

I love how the sun caught the flower and not her face. It's glowing.

Emma's had enough flower pictures.

Post nap.

Perspective.

Laughter.

Perspective.

Message on a side walk.

Face in an unexpected place.

This is also in the running for canvasing.

Adventure.

Adventure. Perspective.

I just love how the chimp was coving himself with paper.

Perspective.

The benefit of keeping your camera with you. 

Something that looks like jewels. I tried playing with my timer (great idea Marcia!) but I need to work on action photos.

Did I mention I haven't even started this week's lesson!?