studio mela blog

Hurry! Very Limited!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:05:00 +0000

Update! They are all sold, thank you!!

I saved a very limited number of Limited Edition Desk Calendars just for you!

They are now up in the Etsy shoppe!

xo

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noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:42:00 +0000

When the leaves start their pretty decent to the ground I find myself completely smitten with the state of Minnesota.

Everything is gorgeous right now.

The colors.

The cool breeze.

The bugs running for cover.

The campfire smell in the air and hot chocolate by the gallon.

(sigh)

It's (really) pretty darn perfect.

There is nothing better, to me, than stopping at Starbucks for a Grande Vanilla Latte and parking myself out in the open garage with my sketch pad and ink.

It doesn't happen very often so when it does it's like heaven on earth.

Honestly, I'm working on new things but barely completing anything.

Time slips away and before I know it I'm daydreaming about something completely ridiculous like the two-year old growing up to be a cement mixer.

It's hard to stay focused right now.

The weather.

The comfort food waiting to be baked.

The print orders...custom work...

the husband.

There are simply too many distractions to get anything done.

I'm hoping to accomplish something today.

Anything.

Even if it means I go to sleep at 2am.

Well, hey! Look at this.

A blog entry.

Done.

I'm so on my way!

I should also add that I, in a WHAT THE HECK WAS I THINKING moment, purchased a small bale of hay for outside the front door.

A BALE OF HAY.

I could barely get the thing out of my trunk AND there is hay everywhere.

Every. Where.

All over me.

My bra has hay in it ok?
Seriously.

WHAT WAS I THINKING?

So needless to say...the entire BALE of hay is waiting in the garage for the lovely husband to deal with as I stand back with my Latte and giggle.

The trunk looks like a farm animal resides in it.

I have NO idea how to clean up hay.

I'm off to Google...

xo

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Don't throw any rotten tomatoes at me, please!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 02:03:00 +0000

all around you - newest print - $20.00

One minute it's June...the next I'm staring August in the face and telling him to BACK AWAY SLOWLY AND NO ONE GETS HURT.

Obviously, August has a mind of his own and is refusing to go back...and here we are...waiting for Autumn to arrive.

I'm actually happy about it.

These last few months I have had just about enough stress, sadness and weirdness to last me a lifetime.

Don't believe me?

Well, fine.

I will make a handy dandy list for you to scan (or read) at your convenience.

Feel free to pity me slightly or send flowers.

I take hugs as well.

And in no particular order...5 things that have happened lately.

1. My very favorite cat Mika got very sick after the move into the new house and we had to put him to sleep. Now, I know you aren't supposed to have favorite pets or favorite children...or favorite anything- but seriously. Mika was the best. I miss him everyday and wish so badly things could have been different. I hand fed him through a dropper for three weeks...but I still wonder every morning if I could have done something more. We blow kisses into the sky and I still find myself expecting to see him around the corner.

little mela - our newest addition

2. Because Mika was a huge part of our lives and the other 2 cats missed him... My mini partner in crime and I (that would be my 2 year old) went to the pet store. Maybe it was out of sadness...maybe out of craziness...I don't know. But I brought a kitty home. We promptly agreed that her name would be "Mela" after...well, you know, Studio Mela. (Creative, I know) It is well understood by everyone that enters my home- MELA IS INSANE. She has a screw loose inside that head of hers. Sometimes it's cute and sometimes? Sometimes I want to haul her back the store and demand a turtle instead.

3. I had a weird mole removed from my leg. Sounds easy? Well, it hurt really bad and I didn't have anyone with me to hold my hand...and I have a huge hole in my leg by my knee. Oh but don't worry, my son is letting me borrow his Batman Band-Aids. I mean, I have to admit everytime I look down at the Batmobile I get a little smile. It's the healing gift that keeps on giving.

4. My husband went to the ER for a numb feeling in his arm. (he's fine, thank God) Ten days later I went to the ER for a weird fainting blood pressure thing (i'm fine too!) a month after that my little boy has a hernia pop out of nowhere and slaps me across the face. He has to have surgery. Soon too, possibly next week. The mom inside of me is freaking out! I have no idea how to handle the stress I'm feeling. So I've been eating like everything I see. I ate a handful of stale i've-been-sitting-out-all-day-and-night-popcorn. Im not ashamed. But it does bring me to the next number...

5. I purchased Jillians 30 Shred Dvd thing. Heard of it? Yes, this dvd will change your life and make you fabulous. And yes, it's going to kick my butt into tomorrow and I probably will not be able to walk...or type...or anything...so Im adding it to this list now. It's supposed to arrive any day...but honesty it can take it's time. From what I've heard I need to revel in my last few days of Jillian-Free nightmares.

In other news.

Please follow me on Facebook (if that link doesnt work just search Studio Mela on FB or Shelli Dorfe)

or

my tumblr account

The truth is...I update those much more frequently.

Till next time...

thanks for being my shoulder to cry on

and happy end-of-summer!

xo

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Long Time No See.

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:16:00 +0000

the little note i left behind

Wow.

Just wow.

The last few months are a blur.

A good kinda blur.

Like a band-aid that has covered a cut for far too long and you know you have to rip it off really fast...

and when you finally tug it...revealing fresh air on the skin...

you wonder why you waited so damn long.

It all happened so fast.

And now?

I'm blissfully something.

Sure, there are still boxes left to unpack...

and I'm still learning to fit my happiness inside these walls...

New jeans take awhile to feel like favorites...

As will my new home.

I'm taking it all in one day at a time and becoming more familiar with my brand new surroundings.

For instance...

I know now that daddy-long-leg spiders can grow to be as big as your head. (I've seen a million here and my Ben has had the lovely duty of coming to rescue each time.)

and

The garbage pickup is on Wednesday and you better remember because they will not come get it out of your garage.

and

My neighbors all go to bed at 8pm and the place feels like a ghost town.

I'm not going to sit here, typing away in my new pool colored studio, and lie to you though.

It's been rough.

I've had my moments of OH MY GOSH. WHAT HAVE WE DONE? I MISS MY LITTLE HOME!!

I want to stomp and pout and throw a fit that would rival my 2-year-old son's.

I was comfortable there.

Emotionally Safe.

Everything was predictable and cozy.

Here, I am off kilter and holding on...but everyday feels a little bit better.

I'm just waiting for the cozy to find me.

Until it does I am surrounded with the boys I love and the (meaningless) items I love.

I can't complain without looking like a spoiled brat.

OH YEA! YOU HAVE IT SO ROUGH SHELLI.

Right?

Right.

I know there are bigger problems in the world then me and my separation issues.

I just fail to see them right now.

Oh and one last thing.

That all of you should know.

Because each of you that left a comment below had a hand in me saying goodbye to my little apartment.

On the night before we turned in the keys I drove back to my little empty apartment by myself.

I pulled in the parking lot and stared at the building with sadness fluttering in my heart.

I got out...

walked up the concrete steps...

through the main door...

and arrived at door 204.

All I could think the whole time was: THIS IS IT. THE LAST 12 YEARS OF MY LIFE AND THIS IS IT. I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING THIS MOMENT FOR THE LAST FOUR MONTHS AND NOW I ACTUALLY HAVE TO DO IT.

I HAVE TO SAY GOODBYE.

I turned the key.

And although I had been there for the entire week cleaning and making sure everything was perfect...

It felt like I hadn't been there in months.

I was going through the motions and now I was feeling it.

It smelled of bleach and floor cleaner.

I began to cry the moment I stepped in the door.

I was alone...but I needed to be. I didn't want anyone to tell me I was being silly or feel sorry for me.

I just wanted to let go.

And I did.

I sat down on the worn carpet in the bare living room and closed my eyes as tightly as I could.

Forcing memories into focus.

I saw my son walk for the first time...

I saw my husband dancing like a fool by the big window...

I saw the last few years dance through my head.

And then I slipped my mobile phone from my pocket and clicked on INTERNET EXPLORER.

Through teary eyes I typed in this very blogs address and clicked on the post below.

And there...

Right there...

in those last moments in the place I had so loved...

I read aloud each of your comments.

You did not judge me.

You did not scold me.

You shared with me stories as though I were your very dear friend.

You will never know how each of you helped me let go...

but you did.

Every word.

Every line.

Every single one of you.

I took a few last photo's so I could show Brayden someday and I signed our names in the circuit-breaker-box.

I took one last look at my little apartment...

opened the door to leave...

and I've been doing my very best to never look back.

xo

ps: i have not forgotton about the freebie giveaway! i will choose the winners soon, i promise.

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A Give-Away and A Move-Away!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 20:29:00 +0000

new print: Believe It available in the Etsy shop

So many times in our lives we come to little or big forks in the road.

This is one of mine.

There are so many things I am feeling right now.

I don't know how to say them out loud.

I don't know how to get them out.

Inside my head they are silly thoughts.

So silly that I don't know why I think them...or why I feel them.

So I write them.

I write them and hopefully something, like healing, will come from it.

I write them down in the belief I will then be able to set them free and let them go.

That's all I want.

TO LET THEM GO.

I want peace and calm to find me.

My husband and I just purchased our first little home. It is a townhouse. Nothing extravagant. But to us, it is beautiful. It is everything we hoped for and more. Well, almost. Without a
deck or patio and sacrificing an actual yard to plant peonies in...it's pretty freakin perfect.

It was the first house we looked at.

Which seems crazy...but it's not if you know us.

We know what we like...what we will accept and what we will not.

First and for most it needed to be a great place to raise our son for a few years and a place to house my growing business.

With the rolling open farm land and giant green pine trees set against that blue-sky day...it fit. Everything fell into place and here we are.

We are 336 hours away from our closing.

Two weeks.

14 days.

and a bajillion things to do.

My head is spinning.

I am happy one minute and very sad the next.

Happy.

Sad.

Happy.

Sad.

And this is where the silly comes in.

I'm sad because this little apartment that we have now has been my home for just about forever.

Everything good has happened to me here.

I don't care that it's run down and falling apart...or that my neighbors are rude and loud.

Ok, wait, I do care a little...

but in the big scheme of things this box has been my life.

And I don't want to LET go.

To leave.

To pack it up and say goodbye.

I've had numerous parties and sleepovers here.

I've had bangs and falls.

Tears and laughter.

Cold days...hot summer nights.

I got home from marrying my husband in Cabo San Lucas Mexico four years ago and rose petals lined this carpet.

THIS crummy carpet.

Rose petals laid.

I sprayed the deck with black spray paint (by accident) and I can still see the speckles.

I did those speckles and now I am leaving them.

I painted words like "Bathe and Brush" and the bathroom wall...I don't know why I did it, but I did and now?

I am leaving them.

I saw movies here.

Made dinner after dinner here...

I fell down the stairs here.

I rescued a turtle here and a cat.

I started my work here.

Right here in fact.

On this crummy carpet.

I had birthday's here.

Anniversary's.

Ordinary days.

I, in a sense, grew up here.

I slept here and had good dreams.

I had bad dreams.

I've opened gifts on Christmas morning.

And-

this is where it really hurts.

I brought my son home from the hospital here.

Here.

Here!

Right here.

On December 6th 2006 I walked my little baby in that door and never looked back.

I can almost still see his bassinet waiting for him.

I remember setting up his crib before he was born.

Here.

Everything happened right here.

He took his first steps here and said his first words.

And I don't know how the hell I am going to leave it all.

These walls hold so much of me.

The very thought of closing that big wood door and turning the key one last time makes me so sad it's as if my heart is breaking.

My eyes fill with tears and I cry.

I hate change.

I told you, it's silly.

But those things are what make me...ME.

Those memories.

Those moments.

Those feelings and that happiness.

That is what makes my life.

I know the new house will bring me new memories...

new adventures...

new hopes and dreams...

But this is the place where everything GOOD and great and amazing happened.

It's hard to imagine another home coming close.

Though my husband, who stares at me in sadness when I begin to sob, assures me life will not only be just as good...it will be better.

I have to believe him.

He is my rock and my best friend and 9 times out of 10 he is exactly right.

So I have to say goodbye to my little apartment.

I have to say goodbye to you, little apartment.

Thank you for everything.

EVERYTHING.

I'm not just saying it to say it. I mean it. With everything that I am.

Thank you for protecting us from the wind, the rain, the world outside.

Thank you for holding my secrets and happiness in your walls and
never letting them seep out.

Thank you for watching over us all this time and allowing us to grow.

Thank you letting the sun in and keeping the dark out.

Thank you for keeping spiderman on the ceiling (inside joke) and keeping us warm.

So warm.

So warm and so happy.

Thank you.

I hope that the next person to live inside these walls will have half the fun we did.

I hope they are nice and sweet and treasure the time they have in this little nest.

It may be small...but it's so full of love.

So full of love.

I'm gonna miss this place.

My little apartment.

I will never forget you.

As silly as it is, I will never forget.

xo

ps: If you read this whole thing...thank you. I am leaving comments open in the hopes you can cheer me up...OR just say hello. I will then pick 4 random comments and send them a free "Cest La Vie" journal/notebook that has been professionally produced and will be sold in stores soon! You will get a journal and a few other goodies! So please, comment away. I will announce the lucky winners in the next week or two. xo

Apple Street: A mini sized collection!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:40:00 +0000

Pssst: I will be listing some teeny originals in the etsy shop today! (monday march 30th) Little houses on little canvas. This mini collection is called "Apple Street" and I hope you'll come by for a visit!

www.dazeychic.etsy.com

In other news, the partner in crime and I purchased a nice little townhouse and are packing up our nest.

It's on to bigger and better pastures.

Or something like that.

Now if Spring would hurry up and show her pretty face...I'd be one very happy girl.

xo

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Over The Moon...

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 21:17:00 +0000

just me

Again.

It's been awhile, I know.

Too long in fact.

I could quite possibly be the very worst blogger/twitterer/updater in the world.

To my defense- When you have a toddler that demands you play with them and smiles up at you as though you are their very favorite person in the whole world... your priorities go out the window.

We are alive over here... I'm working on so many new things I cannot keep them straight.

Which, as crazy as it sounds, is exactly how I like it.

I work better in spurts than one thing at a time...

I think almost all artists would agree with me there?

Keep an eye out for some new prints and new little works that are beyond CUTE.

Just trust me on that.

In other news...

I just returned from a fabulous trip to the Windy City.

Also known as Chicago.

I took my partner in crime out there for a little birthday surprise and it was amazing.

sideways self portrait

Let me just say that the phrase "windy city" is not a joke.

And let's just thank God (for once!) that I am not a size 2 or I would, in fact, have blown into the Chicago River on numerous occasions.

For once I was glad to be fat.

kiss during dinner @ shaws

There is something so magical about being alone with Ben.

Having a little man around all the time is the biggest gift in the world...and when you take him out of the picture for even a moment I feel sad and weak and terrified the world will cave in and I won't be with my son.

What if he falls down and goes boom!?

I will not be there to kiss his ouchy.

I will not be there to do our secret hand shake before bed...

or hear him sing "MAMA! I AM AWAKE NOW!" from his crib every morning.

But wow.

When you push past that emptiness and tell yourself you'll see that itty bitty man in a few days and to enjoy the time you have with your husband...

you fall in love all over again and find yourself tearing up at the very thought of how damn lucky you are to have found him.

a mini windy city

Between the holding hands as to not blow away...

the miniature sky line at the science museum...

the yummy breakfast at Bin 36...

and seeing numerous hilarious things...

I realized it didn't matter where I was...

my ben

It just mattered who I was with.

Wishing all of you a lovely day...and a true love to share it with.

xo

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oh my!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:45:00 +0000

brayden wearing his new etsy shirt. so darling!

Ok first, let's blow the dust and cob webs out of this place!

I have not been here in ages.

I'm sorry about that.

I am, indeed, a horrible blogger.

There are just not enough minutes in my day and that makes me very sad.

I did want to pop in and say, happily, that I am still here.

Breathing, I mean.

Alive.

Well.

Happy.

And I have not fallen off the earth.

Just busy.

Which seems to be what I say ALL the time now.

But I cannot complain...and I won't.

No matter what.

I'll see you soon.

Promise.

xo

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www.happylittlenest.com

Happy Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:40:00 +0000

The tree is finally up.

Sparkling like crazy and driving my 2 year old to ooze with curiosity.

Every branch and every needle have been touched and prodded like a giant science experiment.

He has to figure it out before he accepts it.

A lot like me, I suppose.

Or any of us for that matter.

The mini squirrel ornament is his favorite.

Mine too.

And the lights.

And the "BLUE!" snowflakes.

I think half the fun of popping out kids is to watch their eyes fill with wonder.

To watch them stare at the empty stockings...

and wonder.

To watch them look at the bottom the tree and wonder why we put water in there...

To wonder why mommy keeps hiding Target bags underneath the bed.

It's so much fun I want to freeze time.

But of course... He won't even stop to take a photograph with mommy...

So stopping for "time" is out of the question.

New work for the new year.

I've picked up the paint brushes once again and well...

painted little girls with cute hair and adorable sweaters.

Little Portraits.

They remind me of Private School girls or something...

ones that carried the super yummy lip gloss and wore faded (and short) jean skirts back in the day...

And you know you wondered what they did when they went home with all their friends.

Turns out they were just like you...

day-dreaming about boys, being liked...and what dress matched their perfectly red mary janes.

You might see something else in them though.

That's the best thing!

Maybe one looks like your best friend...your sister...your mom?

Either way...watch for them in a few weeks.

Hopefully (fingers crossed) they will be framed in gorgeous little frames and as perfect as I see them in my head.

I'll see you all next year.

Happy, Happy Christmas to all of you.

Wishing you Love, Peace and lots of Glittery snowflakes to surround your little spot in the world.

xo

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Whirlwind. In a Nutshell.

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:15:00 +0000

So!

Craft-O-Rama is over and holycow-batman (as my super smart and well educated 2 year old would say) it was INSANE.

So insanely busy that I could not even take pictures.

I'm not kidding.

It was so packed full of craft-lovers that these are the only pictures that do not have mobs of people in them and you can sort of see my space.

I have one photo with a girl picking her nose.

I know, you want to see it!

But that would just be mean.

Funny.

But mean.

I came really close to uploading it.

Up there, in the photo, is Ben.

He is my husband and partner in crime.

He worked his butt off.

My little mathlete!

I am not allowed near the money... I've been known to just hand people things rather than ring them up. (Because I am horrible at math!)

"Oh here! Just take this 2.00 card! Its not a big deal at all!" I'll say while staring at the 20.00 she is about to hand me....sweat dripping down my face in nervousness.

Ok. It's not that bad.

But it's close.

Anyway, my mom was there on Friday...which you know, sometimes you just need mom around.

She helped me in more ways than one...

and more than she will ever know.

I met lots of amazing people...saw lots of old friends...ate an omelet in 1 minute...drank too much coffee...met this Charlie (who walks very very fast) and purchased this...and this.

I made someone cry. (a good-kind-a-cry!)

I sold out of almost everything.

I shot someone a dirty look. (a well deserved dirty look I'll have you know! and I'm normally very nice!)

A man yelled "OUUUCHHHHHHH!" as loud as he could after his daughter stepped on his toe. Everyone stopped and looked at him and Ben and I held back our giggles like elementary kids.

I gave out 500 business cards.

And slept late on Sunday after it was all over.

People always ask me "is it worth it?"

I nod my head and smile.

Worth it?

How can you measure people accepting you for you...

your work and all...

your messy table...

hair sticking up...

how can you measure that in worth?

In money?

In smiles?

In kindness?

In love?

In laughs?

To answer it simply...and honestly...

It's absolutely worth it.

Every.

Second.

xo

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Happy Birthday!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:27:00 +0000

Today is December 4th.

It was two years ago today that you came into our lives and forever changed the way I see the world.

It was you that made everything beautiful and perfect.

It was you that melted my heart into a giant puddle of goo.

It was you that scared me into being a better person.

It was you that taught me about patience.

It was you that made Daddy and I whole.

Did I know love before I felt your kicks in my tummy?

Or before I saw your adorable little face...with that dimple in your chin.

Did I feel happiness before you smiled at me for the first time...or said your first word...or took your first step?

I wonder everyday how Daddy and I got so lucky.

How God knew we needed you to light up our already-lovely life.

You are SO big now.

I can hardly believe you are that same little baby boy.

You speak like a forty year old, saying things like:

"I want that now please."

or

"Daddy is at work with his car."

If I ever thought something was amazing... it is you and your words.

And you, my little dude, are obsessed with cars and trucks.

We will be in Target and you will say "Get new car" so matter-of-factly that I cannot help but buy you 10 new Hot Wheel cars just to see that excitement and fire in your eyes.

I will show you the moon and you will show me a truck.

I will show you a book...and you will flip pages until you find a car...or truck...or anything with wheels.

You love forts on the bed with daddy.

You love scaring mommy and giving kisses.

You love playing airport.

You love Caribou Coffee.

You are head over heels in love with your pacifier and cheeseburger happy meals.

You refuse to eat anything I cook for you and promptly throw your head back in disgust if it does not meet your expectations.

You sing "Money Money....must be funny in a rich mans world..." from the Mama Mia Soundtrack daily.

You can recite Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.

No one can count like you.

You are a great dancer and have moves that would make anyone swoon with jealousy. (Especially the one where you put one hand on the couch and one on the coffee table and shimmy your way back and forth...back and forth...back and forth.)

You like to read books in the morning in your crib. I think it's your way of letting mommy wake up...

But...not all is perfect with a now-two-year-old.

There are fits.

There are fits and tantrums so bad that I will lay you in your crib to work out on your own.

You get so mad that you kick your little legs against the mattress in protest and force yourself to cry.

You look at me with so much anger my heart aches.

And then... as quickly as they start, they go away and your happy again.

You will look at mommy with big tears and sniff like a little man, "all done" you say. "All Done."

We all feel that way sometimes.

I understand more than you will ever know.

You want to wear your little croc's everywhere.

You hate hats.

You love going to get the mail.

You love throwing away garbage.

You hate the vacuum.

You love chocolate milk.

You love making mommy's coffee in the morning and dipping french toast in syrup.

You love your grandma's and grandpa more than anything I think. Your face lights up when you know you are going to see them.

Your aunts....your uncle matt (and his car)...they are all your little best friends.

You are my little light.

I am so proud to be your mommy and know you are going to do great things with that mind of yours.

For this year I wish for you lot's of trucks, cars, tractors, trains, bulldozers, mail, fruit snacks and never-ending juice in the sippy.

I have so much love in my heart for you I'm afraid it will burst.

Happy Birthday Brayden!

Hugs and Kisses and Too-da-lee-loos,
Mommy

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The last 48....

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:33:00 +0000

The last 48 hours are a blur.

My fingers hurt from wrapping tiny things in cellophane.

Tape is stuck to the kitchen table...

Oh AND

My little son's 2nd birthday is tomorrow and I don't have a cake.

Or ice cream.

Or anything else a two year likes. (Besides hot dogs)

Looking forward to normal...

Once my show is over.

I'll see you soon.

xo

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A Doozey Of A Post.

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:52:00 +0000

I know, I know. (sigh)

It's been much to long since I have been here to fill this empty space with my silly thoughts and words...

I am sorry.

I am sad to say that it's going to be like this for awhile as my plate is overflowing...

Overflowing is good.

Like, too much chocolate cake...

No matter how full I cannot complain.

So goes life.

Busy is great.

I have a huge show coming up in the first week of December call No Coast Craft-O-Rama so if any of you are from the Minneapolis Area I would love for you to stop by and say hello!

Just don't be surprised if I get very quiet.

I'm shy.

You wouldn't think it...but I am.

I get all clammy and say stupid things.

I might even say something so stupid you will talk about it for years with anyone who will listen.

It's happened before.

But come!

I'd love to meet you!

I'm trying my hardest to get everything packaged perfectly.

I have a sort of crafting-O-C-D.

Everything needs to be properly aligned and properly stickered on...so it makes getting help with tasks nearly impossible.

It will get done though.

Not to mention Etsy orders.

Etsy is alive with Holiday fever!

I love flipping through the Time Machine function and watching people sell things like mad.

It's so wonderful to know the world is grasping the Etsy concept...

Handmade is just so much better on so many levels.

Sooo in my free moments I have been scouring ebay for some more little putz houses and vintage tablecloths.

I mean, how can you pass up a mini house?

A mini house from Japan and with a little hole for a Christmas light?

(sigh)

I'm afraid I cannot.

No matter how much I try.

They are just too darling for words.

And the little man in my life likes them too...which is my excuse really.

"But Ben, HE REALLY LOVES THEM!" Is all I have to say when I bid on more.

Using the kid to get what I want is ok right?

I mean I'm not using him to get free stuff or anything like that.

Just feeding my little vintage addiction.

And now, a little story....

Nearly four months ago I had a yard sale.

In that sale I put one of my treasured Juicy Couture hoodies for sale.

I made it super cheap even though it was in brand new condition...thinking it was going to make someone as happy as it had made me.

It was bubble gum pink.

I mean, bright bright 80's pink.

And really, a 30 something girl like me just looked silly in it.

Soooo it went in the sale, even though I loved it very much.

Anyway, a little girl, about 14, you know that really awkward i-just-want-to-fit-in age, came to the sale with her mom.

A neighbor in fact.

And I swear to you- her eyes went directly to the hoodie hanging between millions of other hoodies and she ran over to it like it was calling her name.

I watched her.

I smiled a little.

My Mom did too and nudged me in the side.

She grabbed it off the hanger, screaming in delight, "MOM! You have to GET THIS for me! YOU HAVE TOO! YOU HAVE NO IDEA! EVERYONE WANTS THESE!"

And I watched her Mom.

Her mom shrugged slightly as if to say "what is the big deal?" and she finally nodded after viewing my price tag.

"You can get it." She said to her.

"THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!"

They paid the four little dollars and I watched with a happy heart as the little girl floated to the car while ripping off her own hoodie to replace it with my bubble gum pink one.

"I knew that was going to make some little girl happy!" I giggled to my mom.

"She loved it." My mom agreed.

And then...

I forgot about her.

That girl with the "new" hoodie.

Until I saw her walking home one day three months ago... wearing the hoodie.

And I smiled to myself.

And then...I saw her walking home one day about two months ago... wearing the hoodie.

And I smiled to myself.

And then I saw her again a month ago...wearing the hoodie.

And I smiled to myself.

And then, I saw her today.

Walking up the giant hill with the bright bubble gum pink hood pulled tightly around her head.

And...I teared up.

I'm really not sure why.

Maybe because I remember being that age and feeling so incredibly self conscious.

How everyone seemed "cooler" than me.

How I never wore the nicest clothes...

How I thought no one could possibly understand how hard it was just to survive the day with blue jeans on while everyone else had black.

To see this little adorable girl wearing this now faded-pink hoodie makes me so aware of how grand and special one little gesture can turn out to be.

I saw a little of myself in her.

Walking up that giant hill...

And I wonder...

if it somehow made her life a teeny bit better.

I think so.

And that's just the best feeling ever.

xo

replies are closed

Happy Voting!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:22:00 +0000

So what do you do when you have a family full of Democrats...Republicans...and Independents?

You make a LOT of cupcakes.

With a LOT of choices.

And, never, EVER, bring up the election.

Talk about anything else.

Your hair...

Your nails...

Paint drying...

But.

Never.

Ever.

Politics.

Because it just gets out of hand and it's not pretty.

Last week was my brothers Birthday and he is one of the most passionate Political dudes I know...

So...I felt it was the perfect opportunity for some red white and blue cupcakes!

How cute right!?

Directions for the little cupcake heads are really very easy.

I printed out the images and cut them out with a circle paper punch that I picked up at Dick Blick on a half off shelf. (score!)

I glued a toothpick on the back of the circle cut-out and when that was dry I added the same image to the back so you don't see the toothpick.

How cute would these be with the birthday boy/girls picture on them?

No matter who you are voting for... Go vote! It's so important that you use that voice of yours.

Until next time...

Happy Election Day!

xo

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New Goodies!!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:30:00 +0000

Happy Halloween to all of you little pumpkins out there!

Just a quick note to let you all know there are some new goodies in the shop.

I cannot even tell you how much I love the new stuff.

Cannot. Even. Explain!

I love new.

Especially the recipe cards...

(above) 8x10 print "Nana & Papa"

(above) Little House Gift Tag Pack

(above) Happy Holidays Gift Tag Pack

(above) Tweet, Tweet Recipe Cards

Have an amazing weekend...and don't eat too many candies!

xo

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It's Never Too Early.

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:47:00 +0000

Is Barnabe not the greatest name for a little boy...a little puppy...a little anything?!

My heart just melts at the above page from Chambres d'enfants a Paris.

Which is, by the way, the cutest and coolest book to own if you have children...or if you just love interior design. But beware... you may have to give up your left arm for a copy if you live in the usa. I, however, because I am very nice and love all of you to pieces, will tell you a secret. Look on Ebay before you buy it anywhere else. You'll thank me later. The entire series by Jeu de Paume is so lovely and perfect...you cannot go wrong with any of them.

So anyway...

I am in love with those little square lights (in the photo) and have been looking everywhere for my own adorable set...so if any of you know where to find them please let me know! (dazeychic@aol.com)

That's how things work for me. I see something random and I can think of nothing else until it's mine...

Barnabe! I want your room.

And how cute are these!?

Those are teeny tiny little plastic candy canes that I picked up at the crafty store last week.

They are so very little and sweet I just had to take them home.

And if you order some Christmas goodies from me... you just might be lucky enough to find one of these darling canes in your package. Just to make you smile.

I'm cranking out Holiday items with my partner in crime (aka: super husband) like a little elf.

I have gift tags strewn about... ribbon everywhere...and glitter, yes GLITTER (ek!) in my hair.

It's not pretty.

But it's fun and oh-so festive.

Even if those pretty crisp leaves are still falling from the limbs...

Now if I could just find my Andrew Sisters Christmas Album I'd be all set!

Joy To The World...

Joy To You and Me!

xo

replies are closed

My Week In A Tidy Tidy List.

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:38:00 +0000

1. Last Monday I had my arms filled with orders to mail. I ran to the post office and with moments to spare before 5pm when they close, I raced to the door...arms full...panting...
That's when it hit me. It was Columbus Day here in the USA. And yup, post offices were closed. No wonder the lot was deserted and I got the good parking space right up front!

2. I went back to the post office promptly on Tuesday morning. I parked in a handicapped spot because everything else was full...and really, having a 2 year old along while your arms are full is EXACTLY like being Handicapped anyway right? So of course... I come out of the post office and there is an older man in his 1960's Caddy waiting for me to leave. He shook his head at me angrily and I felt like a complete fool. "you should not park there missy!" He yelled out the window at me. Everyone turned to glare at me, the girl-who-parked-in-the-handicapped-spot. And that's when I swore to myself I would park across the street and 3 blocks down next time to avoid people like him. It so wasn't worth it.

3. I accidentally invited my entire AOL address book to be my friend on facebook. I say accidentally because I was trying to only check the people the actually knew me...not every person I have ever sent an email too. Sooo if you are a lovely customer of mine...I will not be offended if you do not accept my request. But if you do add me- Thank you for your kindness. I'm sure you were wondering who the heck I am. For anyone else you can add me on purpose.
I'd be honored either way.

4. I made a Cottage Cheese Roast. Yes. Let's say that again shall we? A. Cottage. Cheese. Roast.
Think Im kidding? I'm soo not! The crazy, yet somehow edible concoction can be found here. It was actually really yummy. I topped it with tomato sauce and served it with super baked potatoes and mixed veggies. Just try it to say that you did, I mean, that's half the fun!

5. I watched the last presidential debate and, like usual, to add further excitement we played Debate Bingo during it. Ben won. That darn "Earmark" square.

6. I put a little lamb on top of a red Lamborghini and made my son giggle and giggle...and giggle some more.

7. I ordered & made tons and tons of new goodies for the shop and Craft-O-Rama in December. Oooo! They are so cute too! I cannot wait for you to see all the new stuff.

8. I went to Target yesterday and did 2 separate transactions. Food on one... Fun stuff on the other. See above picture. Both totals were identical! IDENTICAL! I mean, does that not mean something? Is that not cool? What are the odds? I looked at the cashier and said happily, "They are the same!" He didn't care one bit.

9. I spent money on a Halloween costume, you know, like all good super mommy's do...and my son hates it. HATES IT. He will not even look at it without screaming in horror. It's a cute little dinosaur from Pottery Barn Kids...and believe me when I tell you they make nothing scary. My son just hates anything right now.

10. I also purchased this. Which is beyond adorable! He tolerates it for a whole 20 minutes....but still! If you have a little one I highly suggest it! So so cute!

And now I'm off to the pumpkin patch. Let's all hope for no 2 year old tantrums among the gorgeous little pumpkins and blowing leaves!

xo

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My New BFF

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:53:00 +0000

I did something absolutely crazy the other day.

Crazy with a capital C!

I went to Target...are you sitting down?

And I purchased a Crock-Pot.

A slow cooker!

A really big black one...with shiny stainless steel on it.

Yup, I am officially old.

AS if the two grey hairs that popped up on my head practically overnight did not give me sign enough...I now own a kitchen machine that (sadly) is not very coolesc. (coolesc is not a word...but it is now!)

I don't care really.

I wanted to make this vegetarian chili.

A good batch.

A batch that would smell up the house for hours and be so warm and yummy we would eat like 3 bowls because...well, because we could.

And even crazier?

I think I love it.

The Crock-Pot is fabulous and lovely and I have NO idea why I did not purchase one sooner!

For any vegetarians out there...

I also found the perfect Sloppy Joe recipe using lentils instead of meat. Click here for that.

My meat eating husband loved them...and I swear to you-know-who he had like 5 of them.

But, dont tell anyone! I used a type of "manwich sauce" in a can because I was to lazy to make my own sauce as the directions called for.

Soooo good!

So Fall.

Try them, you will not be disappointed.

Comfort food is what's keeping me sane lately.

And trying new recipes on for size....

So far the Crock-Pot and I are getting along famously and becoming the best of friends.

I love that I can leave him on the counter and walk away and he's not all needy and clingy.

He lets me do my thing...

and I let him do his.

It's like the perfect relationship!

Go get one.

Really, even if your grandma had an orange one for like years and years and you think it's old fashioned and complicated...

It's so not!

While it cooks you can go look at the fall colors...bid on ebay...soak in the bath (sigh).

Well, there is one drawback...

You may feel a teeny bit bad for your oven.

xo

replies are closed

Moo Launch!

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:09:00 +0000

So you know when you really believe in something you would do anything to support it?

Well, yea.

That's how I feel about Moo.com!!

No public service announcement...and OK, maybe this is a teensy weensy shameless self-plugging...

But Studio Mela Illustrations are now available on www.moo.com!

Soo cool right?

You can use some of my illustrations for itty bitty moo cards...notecards...greeting cards...business cards...etc!

I just think Moo is great. When I was asked to contribute I was thrilled!

And you should go there and order some goodies. (even if they are not my designs)

My designs can be found here: http://www.moo.com/designs/designers/studiomela/1/

xo

hello, it's nice to see you.

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:40:00 +0000

So do you ever wonder how on earth an entire month has flown by without your knowing?

I seriously do not think I scribbled "September" down on anything and now it's a distant memory.

Amazing.

How fast things blur by...

whiz by...

rush by.

Autumn has arrived here in Minnesota and it could not get any more gorgeous if an artist such as Claude Monet painted it himself.

The air is cold...the leaves are a brilliant red and yellow...the wind is just cool enough to remind you "things change".

And the wind is exactly right.

Things change.

I'm dealing with that very sentence in very different situations right now.

I'm knee deep in issues...

and just trying to keep my head above the water.

Ben and I were supposed to be purchasing our new home this month.

October.

And everything is falling apart.

Right before my eyes.

Like the leaves falling from the trees...

I'm watching my house flutter in the wind and sail away.

The economy does not help us one bit either...but let's not go there.

So we are looking at lofts & condo's in Minneapolis.

Not exactly where we wanted to go...

but "things change" and I am just along for the ride.

No matter where it goes.

Hang on, Shelli.

Just hang.

On.

xo

replies are closed
the above photograph is by Love, Loren who has one of the most captivating flickr streams

A pop In...and pop out.

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:41:00 +0000

This is really a cool thingy-ma-jig from the anthro site.

click here

at first i thought i was looking at pictures...and then, the model blinked.

I think all online browsing should be as pretty and romantic!

I love number 10 and number 16.

Gorgeous.

In other news...

I worked out yesterday for a whopping 25 minutes and my bum hurts so bad I can hardly sit on it.

::sigh::

Here's wishing I was still 18 and in semi-shape.

I so fondly remember when squats were a breeze... and bum's never hurt.

xo

replies are closed

The last 24...

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:03:00 +0000

The last 24 hours (or so) in bits.

1. Had minor meltdown at Macy's.

Explanation: Well, approx. 12 hours before above meltdown I had been at Macy's and tried on a fabulous black dress by French Connection. Similar to this, only it was in black. I had decided that even though I had LOVED it...there might be something a little less expensive at a different store.

And...of course there wasn't anything as cute as that dress.

So I left the suburban mall with the full intent of coming back the next morning to get the dress. Needless to say, 12 hours later the dress was not on the rack anymore.

And right there next to a faux fur shrug and a tacky purple mini dress I had a mini meltdown.

I called my husband and held back tears.

"It's gone!" I pleaded with him. "You just don't understand!"

I am 99% sure the sales lady in the Free People section thought I was certifiably insane. She kept an eye on me at all times like I was about to rob the place while sobbing. And she kept her hand close to her walkie talkie thingy as if it were a gun.

So I shot her a dirty look.

She deserved it a little.

I mean, How dare SHE or WHOEVER it was...HOW dare she sell MY DRESS! (insert stomping feet on ground like child)

I called my mom.

She calmed me down and assured me that a Macy's somewhere in the state of Minnesota would have it and all would be right in the world again.

Luckily I stopped pouting for two seconds to think of something completely brilliant!

The dressing room!

I practically ran to the fitting room and stood outside waiting for someone to help me.

And then.

There is was!

The dress was hanging on the "put back" rack.

Mini Meltdown turning into a HUGE meltdown? Completely diverted.

2. I winked at a stranger. It was an older lady. It was weird and awkward.

Explanation: Brayden (21 months old) and I were standing in line at Lakewinds and I winked at him.

"Can you wink?" I asked him.

He blinks at me and giggles.

I wink again. "Like that," I say "You only do one eye."

And then as I am showing him I look up- mid-wink and, of course, there is a lady looking right at me.

She turns away quickly and says something to her husband.

I'm 99% sure it went something like this, "That lady just winked at me! WINKED at me Harold. What is this world coming too? For Gods sake..."

It was uncomfortable.

But a little funny too.

3. Drove down the middle of streets to avoid critters.

Explanation: You do not want to drive behind me.

To avoid hitting squirrels and other little animals with my car, I drive super slow and down the middle of the side streets.

This is my way of preventing road kill.

And I happen to love animals.

I wish I was kidding, but I am not.

Yesterday a very angry man, apparently on his way somewhere super important, honked at me repeatedly.

I thought to myself, "Keep honking MR. That only helps my cause!"

4. On that note. I tortured a kitty cat. (top photo)

Explanation: Walking through Target and I spot a little itty bitty chicken hat for cats.

Halloween for cats.

OMG.

Right?

Right.

I spent $4.00 on it and it was worth every penny.

I highly suggest getting a chicken hat for your cat if you don't have one.

I was laughing so hard I could hardly breathe.

I mean Really.

My life is so uninteresting, I have no idea why anyone would visit this blog.

5. I painted my nails black only to have the big toe stepped on moments later.

Explanation: No need for an explanation really.

I spent an hour painting my toes (which I HATE doing) and well...

little innocent child came up to me with his little red shoes on his feet and stomped the heck out of my toe.

No biggie really.

Just wanted to prove how dang smart he is.

He knew what he was doing.

He knew how ha-ha-ha funny it would be to watch mommy repaint that foot.

Of this I am 110% sure.

And now?

I'm off to a wedding.

Where I just know a big giant steak or something is going to be plopped in front of me.

A vegetarian's life eh?

That's the kind of junk I worry about.

Let's hope for a pea or two.

And not that the bride or groom read this blog...

but-

CONGRATS ERIC AND JESSICA!

And may the rest of you, out there in internet land, have a very lovely day.

xo

replies are closed
but you may email me at dazeychic@aol.com

O.M.M. (podchat episode 3)

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:21:00 +0000

Another little Studio Mela Pod Chat. (episode 3)

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN!!

My PodChats are now available on itunes as well! While in the itunes store please click on Podcasts and search for Studio Mela. (while there, please leave a nice review!)

Or... if you prefer to read it:

I have realized something horrible!

I have turned into one of those Mom's overnight.

You know the kind.

The Mom's that cannot stop talking about how great their kid is...

How cute they are...

How perfect they are...

How they will be the highest paid quarterback in the NFL someday...

How smart they are...

Ug.

Yes!

I AM ONE OF THOSE!

I cannot help but feel that there should be AA meetings for Mommy's.

Only of course we would talk about our complete addiction to our children (or talking about them) and not well, alcohol.

When I was as big as a duplex house (aka: pregnant) I swore that I would never be one of those Mom's.

I will have loads to talk about with other people!

My career!

My clothes!

My sunglasses!

My HAIR!

The weather... the movies... the reality tv... the art world... ETSY!

Anything.

I could and would talk about it all because there is nothing more annoying than a Mommy who drones on and on about how great their kid is.

Right?

Well.

::sigh::

The thing is- once you pop one of these little guys (or girls) out of your belly you cannot wrap your brain around how amazing it is and suddenly everything else doesn't matter so much anymore.

My son is my greatest accomplishment.

Period.

So to not talk about it all the time ... or think about it 24/7 is- well, highly unlikely.

It's like being 12 years old and making a paper-mache statue out of ripped up Playboy magazines (don't ask) and community newspapers.

You spend hours working on it....months really. You and your very bestest friend slave over the coffee table like starving artists and put your heart and soul into this thing. You throw yourself into the lifestyle of a sculptor and have Crayola crayons hanging from your lips like cigarettes...you have mugs of chocolate milk at your side so full of chocolate it looks (conveniently) like coffee... you swear off eating until it's done... you don't shower- you eat, sleep and breath for this thing. Your best friends mom demands the living room be picked up and you plead with her...

"We are almost done! A week left! Swear! A week!" You and your friend are practically screaming at her. A weird sort of passion begins poring from your heart, "You are crushing our dreams! My soul is empty..."

"Oh for Pete's sake." Your best friends mom will say while wiping her brow. "Fine! But only one more week after that I'm hauling it in the alley. For Pete's sake my house looks like a toilet paper factory."

So you work faster...faster....faster.

You take turns painting and fake smoking your Crayola Lights.

And then-

you finish it.

You and your best friend stand back to marvel at your work.

Your arms are sore and you can barely lift them from your sides-

Your best friend has a piece of paper-mache stuck in her hair-

but it doesn't matter.

Nothing does.

Standing there.

Right there on that Sears coffee table sits the finest man statue you have ever seen.

Complete with yarn hair and a mustache made of orange pipe cleaners.

He was marvelous.

Worth every single second you had to put in.

Worth it all.

You and your friend will actually tear up while staring at him. So tall and handsome...so charming...so lifelike.

And then, unfortunately, you will fight.

You will argue and argue about his name...

You will scream at her and she will scream right back.

Finally you agree on Nathaniel.

Which is a really stand-out name when your work is listed in an art history book in a few years.

And then you begin to tell everyone you know about Nathaniel.

You tell them anything and everything.

How long he took you to make.

How tall he is.

Approximately how much he weighs...

How gorgeous he is...

and you are quite taken back when no one seems to care.

"That's nice honey." Your own Mom will say over sloppy joes.

"NICE!?" You will screech. "NICE!? This is not just nice this is SPECTACULAR!"

"Uh-huh." She nods while barely looking up from her mystery novel.
"YOU made what!?" the school kids will ask, "You made it for fun? A teacher did not tell you to?"

And even though Nathaniel ended up in the back of the garage you and your best friend never stopped talking about him.

He was amazing.

He was the very best thing, EVER.

You did not care what anyone else thought of him.

Talking about him made you happy.

You knew you had something special and nothing was going to change that.

So when I had an actual child, the same crazy passion crept up out of nowhere and took over my soul.

I talk about him constantly.

I am in love.

Thank goodness this time it's with a human and not a paper-mache Nathaniel.

Now that I know I have a problem, I am working on a solution.

No more baby talk.

Must keep mouth shut.

Talk about sunny day.

Or politics- errr no. Stay away from politics.

Talk about Project Runway.

Or Top Design.

Im just hoping that from now on, when someone asks me how I am doing I don't switch to Obsessive Mommy Mode (O.M.M for short) and start talking about how Brayden said the words "coffee" and "scone" when passing Caribou Coffee.

And, NO MATTER WHAT, I won't tell them how cute it was when he spilled hot chocolate down his shirt while trying to sip it. And how he said "Oh nooo" while looking down at the stain.

I am zipping my mouth and throwing the key.

Not.

Another.

Word.

xo

replies are closed

It could be worse.

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:56:00 +0000

above are horrible pictures from my camera phone

I, being Super Mom and all, decided it was time to venture out into the real world with my son after printing my little butt off the last two days.

And even though I still had more to get to the post office I decided that my Brayden needed to at least see the outside world so he won't forget what it looks like. The sky is still there...the birds are still singing...there are other humans on the planet.

So anyway, I pop through the Mcdonald's drive thru for a Happy Meal.

Chicken nuggets, apples and apple juice.

His favorite meal.

Happy. Happy. Happy.

Who cares if it's a bajillion calories right? As long as my son is "happy" right now, I don't give a you-know-what.

That's what Super Mom's do right?

Then we drive the two blocks to the lake.

I stop for an iced coffee and I stroller the little man down by the lake.

Right away I can tell things are not going well.

He (meaning the little dude) is whining about the buckle...whining about his crocs (which he refuses to take off...he would wear them to bed if I let him) He is not happy AT ALL.

But the "Happy Meal" will fix it.

Of this I am sooo sure that I giggle about how I am going to outsmart his whining and save the day.

We say hello to a nice older couple. They think Brayden has got to be "the most handsome little boy in the world." and "with looks like that he might be a hefty teenager."

Hefty?

OK.

I suppose I can deal with hefty. Although I am a little unclear of what that word actually means.

We stroller on...

I find a nice little bench by the water and we sit.

It smells.

It smells like goose poop and dead fish...

but hey, it's all good, I am not going to complain.

We are outside...it's beautiful out...there are five geese moving closer-

Um, yea.

Geese!

Moving in.

Fast too!

They aren't scared of us at all and sit down feet away watching my every move.

I imagine they are all having a conversation that goes something like this:

Goose 1: She has food. I know it. I can smell it.

Goose 2: I hope it's an entire loaf of bread.

Goose 3: Im hoping for crackers. Cheesy ones that those little humans eat.

Goose 4: Goldfish. Those are Goldfish Crackers.

Goose 3: That's what I said!

Goose 5: (who happens to be sitting the furthest away from the pack) You are all so annoying. She is going to give all the food to me because I am pretending not to care. I look like the sad pathetic goose in the back. I will outsmart her and look really really pathetic as though I have not eaten in days.

"Goooooosey!" Brayden declares, snapping me back to reality.

I give Brayden his Happy Meal and set it on his tray.

He looks at it for literally one millisecond and turns up his nose as though I have just set a plate of sardines or something in front of him.

He whines.

Whimpers really, as though I am the most horrible person in the universe.

He throws his hands up in disgust and grabs his pacifier just to spite me.

He grins underneath the blue pacifier.

"No paci." I say, "EAT."

I sit back and unwrap my spinach wrap.

The geese stand to attention and move closer.

Goose 1: See! See! I told you!

I feed them.

I know! I know! BUT I cannot help it. I just had too!

And I gave more to the one in the back...because he looked so sad and alone.

I gave them almost all of my tortilla and Brayden thought it was the coolest thing in the world.

He was actually, dare I say it, HAPPY!

Super Mom scores a point.

I try to tell him about everything.

I sound like an idiot, but I don't care.

Boats have motors.

The sky is blue.

Geese are nice.

Geese are stinky.

The water is cold.

That dog is playing catch. With a ball.

Can you say ball?

The grass is green and brown.

They need to water the grass.

It's dry.

Can you say dry?

Having a conversation with an almost 2-year-old is almost like having a conversation with a wall.

A wall that talks occasionally. When it's so inclined.

Brayden puts his feet up on the tray of his stroller and stares thoughtfully at the lake.

And at that moment I get all choked up in an odd-mommy kind of way and think,

"He is adorable."

And then he chucked his sippy cup three feet in the air and giggled as the geese ran.

Ah. Door. Bull.

He whines and whimpers dramatically as if this is the worst day ever.

It was at about that moment that a mom came walking past us with her little son.

Her son is on a leash.

An actual leash.

Attached to his wrist.

I stared at them for a moment and looked back at Brayden,

"Life could be a lot worse kiddo. I could have you on a leash! Like a dog!"

"Dog." He repeats.

And with that I pack up our not eaten lunch and walk it to the garbage.

"Garbage." He says.

I nod, "Say Bye-Bye to the geese"

He lifts up his hand and waves to the birds who are now paddling in the water.

"byeeeeee geeeseeey"

Successful outing?

I dunno really.

For the geese maybe.

But anytime I get to just "hang out" with the little guy is great.

Even if he disagrees.

xo

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Just Facts.

noreply@blogger.com (Shelli) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:06:00 +0000

tim walker photograph . i love it . flickr user foxtongue

It's been an entire week since purchasing a Hoover SteamVac to clean our upholstery.
We have not even tried it yet. It has become a nice decorative piece in the corner of the living room. Worthy of Domino. Of course.

Brayden ate an entire leaf. And survived!

I have a gym membership. I have used it 2 times in six months. I am oh-so-ashamed of my fat self and yet... I don't go. Whatever right? It makes absolutely no sense. None. At. All.

I sometimes wear my sunglasses inside stores. Just because.

If you are sitting next to me, behind me, in front me...or anywhere within ear shot, I am listening to your conversation. I am one of those people. I just love hearing peoples stories and watching them talk with their hands, it makes me feel connected to the world.

I love This American Life and never miss an episode.

I purchase songs on itunes if the album art is a pretty illustration.

Brayden is almost 21 months old and I sometimes wish I had a super power to stop time. Just for a moment because it is all going by so damn fast. It's just not fair.

I judge books by their covers.

My husband is my best friend. And I'm not just saying that. I mean it. My heart could not possibly love him any more than it does now. And if you told me something...and told me not to tell him...I would never be able to hold it in.

I sometimes think I will never end up where I want to be.

I color code Brayden's books on the shelf.

I don't allow replies on my blog because I feel guilty when people leave them and I do not respond or visit their blog regularly. It's hard. There is just not enough time in the day.

I still crave chicken nuggets and it's been over a year of NOT eating meat. It's not easy.

Usually, I do not answer my cellphone. Not because I don't like you... because my husband yells at me if I go over minutes. He knows exactly how minutes we have used on any day of the week and tells me. At least four times. A day.

I think people with British accents (or any accent really) are fabulous.

Growing up I thought I was going to be dancer for a professional football team.

I am horrible at remembering words to songs...and am known for making them up as I go along. And because of this I have only sang one song in karaoke. With my mom.

Eight is my lucky number.

My child knows how to say "boobs" and will happily point them out on anyone and everyone. Needless to say, this can cause uncomfortable moments around strangers.

Saturday is the best. I'm off to enjoy watching my two boys run around in the grass while I sip a Diet Coke...or wine. I love wine.

xo

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