WHAT AM I GRATEFUL FOR?

Join in the Autumn Spiced Blog Challenge!

I am grateful for all around health; My daughters, nieces and nephews, siblings, family, and friends. I am thankful for what health we do have that keeps us going. I am grateful for the love expressed to my daughter and in turn, to myself. I am grateful for my life and all of my belongings. Belongings are nothing to compare to the souls I surround myself with, however many people aren't fortunate enough to own objects. I am grateful for my skills and abilities, for my working senses and functioning limbs and brain. I am grateful for a healthy child. I am grateful to have the thoughts I create and the ability to better myself daily. I am grateful for life- for each day- every moment. I am grateful for my opportunities and evolvement. I am grateful for my soul and to the parents that created my body for my soul to have a place to inhabit. I am grateful I created a body for my daughters soul. I am grateful for her soul, beyond all other things I have ever been grateful for, because she is an incredible, sweet, charismatic, beautiful, generous, funny, energetic, silly soul who makes me happy without even trying. I am grateful for my reasons to exist, and for existing.
I am plain, grateful.

On a sillier note, I am grateful that Daryl is still alive on The Walking Dead, cookies and ice cream, really fantastic food, and chapstick!

MAKE-IT MONDAY: OWL PUMPKIN!

 

Would you believe that at my unspecified age, I have never carved a pumpkin before? Well, believe it. Tonight-yes November 4th, don't judge me-I carved my first pumpkin! Before Halloween, I wanted to carve Loki, but I couldn't print the stencil because my printer abhors me. I wanted to carve something that wouldn't look too ridiculous sitting outside well into November, so tonight I freehanded the only bird I like- and the becoming-theme of my kitchen- an owl.

He was cute, but too big. I had to scale him down, and then figure out which parts I wanted to cut out complete, shave, and leave. This is SO much harder than I thought it would be because you have to cut to make the shapes and give your pumpkin an identifiable form, BUT you have to leave parts in tact for structure! It took me almost 2.5 hours from start to finish. 15 minutes of that was Matt trying to convince me to put my hand inside that disgusting, stringy, seedy hole and rip the guts out. Oh, that was ICKY! But, I did it, and in true OCD style, I re-drew my plan over and over, and over again on the skin with a dry erase marker. It comes right off so it worked perfectly!

After I was completely done carving scooping sawing drawing poking scraping shaping this beauty, I put some bleach and water in the sink, dunked the pumpkin inside and out with the mixture, let it dries, slathered some Vaseline on that bad boy, and put it outside.

I am SO proud of myself! My first pumpkin came out pretty damn good if I say so myself. There! I said so myself!

whooo! whoooo!

Preserved and nocturnal, between the child's plastic fall pumpkins.

 

 

Here are the others. Matt's Thunderbirds logo, and the child's felt, painted, and pierced creatures.

 

 

While it may be a bit late in the game, I've just put my November pumpkin out! What did you carve this year? Do you freehand or use stencils? Let me know with a comment down below!

 

Thanks for stopping by to my first Make-it Monday!



DAY THREE.

It has been mentioned here on my blog that I lost my mother in 2010 very unexpectedly. If you were not aware, you now are. The article of clothing I am very attached to, that is the center of my 15 Day Blog Challenge, is a blue sweater of hers.

Can't you just feel the oversized mommy comfort this brings me? yesssssssss.

She wore this sweater almost every day of her life. It was soft, warm, comfortable, and had pockets for her cigarettes- hello, bonus! It has big buttons that close in the front so it could be thrown on and off quickly, worn closed or opened. It was an object that brought her warmth and comfort.

It is now an article that brings me warmth, comfort, and the representation of a hug from her. Not that we hugged a lot-ohh nooo-my mother was vehemently disgusted by physical affection. We are not a touchy feely people! But it was her sweater, and now I swear it, and therefore it is a hug, dammit!

This is my favorite article of clothing next to my Hogwarts tshirt. I don’t get attach to clothes (tell that to the three bags of pre-partum clothing still waiting for me in the closet that I cant donate!) but this is the one object I’d like to remember when the zombies rise.

Do you have a sentimental article of clothing? Socks your grandma knit, or a shirt of your best friend who moved too far to visit? Comment below and tell me about it so I know I’m not the only one!

DAY TWO, BABY

I wish I were more interesting.

Sometimes, I converse with myself-intensely.

I am actually counting each word.

VERY excited to start freelancing work!

Entirely too exhausted to complete this.

Revisit DAY ONE for the blog challenge, join in, and let me know so I can read your posts!

WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?

What exactly can I offer you?
I can offer you an identity.
Nothing illegal! What I mean is, I can help you build your business identity. I can help you draw in the crowd, bring in the money, and keep them coming back for more. I am your graphic designer, and I am here to help you create your brand.

What is it that I do?
I create! I create the sign above your door that people can see driving down the road. I create the watermark for your photographs to keep them yours and to gain you exposure (see what I did there!). I create the menu for your small business, the business card you will hand out whenever the opportunity presents itself, and I create the design that will be your money-maker. I create the graphics you will post on your blog, website, and social media accounts.

Thank you www.asenathhorton.com

THE BEGINNING: DAY ONE

[1]

Family above all else. My siblings are the most helpful, selfless, generous people I share this life with and I’m very blessed to have them. They help each other (and me) in anyway they are capable. I love my siblings immensely and thank my stars that we were raised the way we were.

[2]

I lost my mother at 25. I guess 25 years is better than nothing, right? But with my mother, no amount of time would have been enough. She was just a classy, funny-as-hell broad that you loved to be around. I miss her excruciating amounts.

[3]

I cried when I found out the child was a girl. Four months after losing my mother, we found out the gender of “nugget” and I said “It’s still early, though. She could still grow a penis!” It wasn’t until I was driving home, missing my mother, and thinking about the incredible relationship we had as mother and daughter, that I realized I was beyond ecstatic to have a girl. I didn’t realize I wanted a daughter so bad until it was confirmed that I was building one. So when people tell me to wait for those teenage years when she hates me and I’m wrong about everything- suck it. My mother was my best friend no matter what age I was, and I have complete confidence that while we will fight, the child will feel the same towards me.

[4]

I have no self discipline. I do what I want, when I want to do it, and that is why I am still not back to my pre-partum weight. I don’t bargain with or restrict myself from the things that I want and enjoy because life is short.

[5]

I want to own a home more than I want to be back into my pre-baby clothing. I want to be a home owner and enjoy the struggles and hassles and the yard! Oh, the yard!

[6]

I loathe ketchup. Get that nasty away from me!

[7]

I unapologetically love TV, movies, and fiction books. I love getting away for a while in the comfort of my home, wrapping myself in their story and being enveloped. I can’t afford to travel so why not?

[8]

My mom called me Poopy my entire life. I believe it came from my unyielding love for Winnie the Pooh. I used to cry when it (and Gumby) was over and the credits rolled.

[9]

I love to clean late at night. (Another reason I want my own home instead of an apartment!) If I could clean at night without disturbing anyone, my apartment would always be perfectly organized and gleaming.

[10]

I can spend 12 hours on my computer without a 2^nd thought. I haven’t in a very, very long time, but I could.

[11]

I am not a morning person. I do not enjoy coffee. I will have a morning conversation with you and not remember a single word of it. It is best to leave me alone until after 12pm, just to be safe.

[12]

I am terrified of birds. However, I love owls. They are a special little fowl that I enjoy and would probably even pet. All other birds should just go away, though.

[13]

I am also terrified of spiders, thousand-leggers, and any bug that jumps. Screw it, bugs. I’m just scared of bugs. I also wouldn’t want to come face to face with bears or sharks, because I’d pee all over.

[14]

I gnaw my nails off when I am stressed while reading, and I won’t realize I’ve done it until I’m finished and in pain.

[15]

I take 600+ pictures and videos with my phone in a 2 week period.

FUNKY FABRIC SHIRT TO DUST COVER: MINI-TUTORIAL

Hey there! I wanted to post a really simple, fast, and useful tutorial for you. I made this Thursday between the time I put the child to bed, and before she fell asleep. Super simple! Now here's the backstory and tutorial!

7/2010. Me at 24 in my awesome shirt from Target

So once upon a time before I became a mommy, I was thinner and wore cute tops like this. (Big ups to my sister-from-another-mister Ryne over at 1, 2, 3, 4, Kids, Bacon, Coffee, More. for this photo of outstanding quality and character!) I saved this top hoping to fit into it again once I've reached my weight-related goals, but when I pulled my Al Borland shirt at the beginning of summer I noticed a small-yet noticeable-hole right on the stomach. After weeping for a few moments, I tossed aside my old plaid friend and awaited inspiration.

Being the mother to a toddler, a student, employed, and book lover, I really don't have the time or the space I need to use my sewing machine often. So after dusting off my sewing machine for the 70th time, it dawned on me. Use my funky fabric for a dust cover! It will allow me to peer over at the colorful plaid, and keep the dust off of my lovely, barely used machine. Let us begin.

Step 1: I cut the bra top and elastic off, and place on the child to wear. (That’s not mandatory.) Because the top is an empire style top which flares out at the bottom, I didn’t need to neatly rip my seams apart. I cut the seams off and folded the two pieces- good side together/insides out-and making sure I had the needed length, cut the flared excess fabric away. I was left with 2 squares of fabric.

Step 2: (not photographed) pin. I didn’t care if the patchwork matched up-the patchier the better-so I didn’t line anything up. I pinned one side, sewed it using a straight stitch size 3, checked for any gaps. Pinned the second side, sewed it, and checked it. For the top, I threw it over the top of my machine before pinning, because I didn’t want excessive fabric drooping below the machine. I gathered the fabric, pinned one on each side, gathered the fabric on the edges, continued pinning on top of the gatherings, and then finally sewed the top.

Step 3: Simple hem along the bottom. I saved this for last because if I accidentally made it too long, I could cut and hem to make it fit even better. Luckily all I had to do was help the raw edge.

It isn’t fantastic, but it fits and it works! It only took me about 15 minutes from start to finish.

Show me your dust covers-bought or made! Help me make better tutorials, comment below and tell me what I could have added to make this more helpful!

ABS & ASS: BACK ON TRACK

For about 2.5 weeks I've been super demotivated. My body has not come back fast enough and I was going to punish the gym by not using it.
So, I just wasted my money and my indulgences, because I didn't even attempt to burn to calories off! Well, I saw some results today in my most unflattering pants. That motivated me all over again! Also in the time I had not gone to the gym I lost 1lb, and that makes me even happier.

 

So I need to really get on track with my stomach. My abdominal muscles (or lack thereof) is straining my lower back, and that doesn't feel good at all. Tomorrow I am starting an ab & squat challenge, and I am going to repeat each set 3x through out the day. A bit after breakfast, a bit after lunch, and while at the gym with weights (for squats). The more, the heavier, the better!

Found it over at 30dayfitnesschallenges.com!

 

 

Also, I will be posting some freebies here in short time! I'm so so excited about it!

 

(Slow Cooker finale is coming up, soon. I'll explain why this time it took so long when it's posted. Well, Ill just tell you now. It's your fault for not giving me delicious recipes. I hope you're proud of yourself!)