Priorities People!

I should have chosen to go grocery shopping tonight. The contents of our refrigerator leave much to be desired. All day I've been adding to the overwhelmingly growing list of need to gets.

Unfortunately, when it comes to the kid's breakfast and Wesley's school lunch tomorrow, I am not overfilling a grocery cart full of food.

Instead, I've snuck myself downstairs without being noticed, to construct a post, with the comfort of Madeleine Peyroux's voice streaming and a winter cold Miller Lite keeping me company.

I've checked my phone at least 23 times and Facebook twice. I've sent 2 e-mail and updated 4 Etsy shop product's information. Wesley's come down to talk about monetary negotiations for his school's book fair fund twice and I've entertained the thought about shutting down the computer, putting on a movie, and seeing how long it would take for everyone else to find me.

There are times like this, that I hate how hard it is for my mind to slow down. I don't want to waste this moment of solitary by mind jumping to the bills on the desk that need to be paid, the order that needs to be double checked before tomorrow, the chicken's water that needs a heating element, the basketball game that isn't until tomorrow night, that one pool stick that isn't standing as evenly as the others or how I just randomly text a friend about kale chips.

There are also times I love how hard it is for my mind to focus, like the past few days. I've thrown my scattered energy into pulling together Christmas care packages to be distributed both near and far. Giving gifts is in the top five of being one of my favorite parts to the holiday season.

I selfishly love the feeling that's attached when you present someone with something that's unsuspected.  I love handing off some homemade salad dressing on a random Tuesday. I get giddy when I find a matching set of coffee cups, a friend of mine was admiring the last time she was at my house. I can't contain my excitement when I know a package full of odd 'thinking of you's is stuffed full within a cardboard box, stamped with a snowman figures and is making its way to a friend's door step.

I don't think it could get much better than that. If giving was a drug, then the holiday season would be my big fix.

Affecting people positively is a priority.

Making time for those you care about is so important.

Little gestures, often have a grand effect.

Genuine acts, should stem from selfless intentions.

As a parent, it's one of the most important things for me to lead by example for my kids.
Putting effort into the ones you love, is worth it… pour the coffee, take the time, send the cookies, mail the letter, make the call…  it's worth making a priority…..

Groceries… apparently, not so much. 

DIY: Wine Cork Ornament

I saw this original Pinterest idea {here}. It took me to an Etsy site that no long had the product available.

Fortunately for me, every time I open a bottle of wine, I throw the cork into a jar on the counter. I figuring something would come along that I would be able to use them for…

Well…something has come along…..and my plan is to attach these ornaments to the bottle's of wine I'm giving out this Holiday season, with a few being tucked away in the packages being sent out to some close friends.

All I did…

-Cut a champagne cork in half {giving you two 'heads'}
-Angle cut the bottom of a wine cork so it's easier to glue on the 'legs'
-Hot glue gun {with clear glue} the arms & legs
-Puff paint two eyes and a mouth
-Glue wreath twine on top, to be hung from.

I've thought about braiding some yard and adding a scarf.
I've thought about adding a little black top hat.
I've thought about puff painting a speedo on him.
I've thought about keeping them all for myself.

Now start popping those tops, Christmas is coming!!

Scattered Rush

I don't know where the time is going.
I honestly can't wrap my head around that next week is Thanksgiving. I'm not even sure if I've really accepted that fact that it's even November.

I understand there is an unspoken expectation that this time of year is suppose to be a whirlwind of all things do…..a constant looping mental check list, to remember to grab this, without forgetting  that…..all while being dazzling hosts, with a swift turn at being the gracious guests.

I've honed a bit of the panic, that has come along with my inability to control it all, by making listings, from the lists, I've made lists about. I think I'm suppose to have an epiphany here about making an effort to slowing it down…Enjoy the season… not fill the days with bustle, but there isn't anything I love more than the busy, scattered rush that this time of year beckons for.

That's not to say it doesn't stresses me out at times too…

I've had a pile of orders for the Etsy shop… and that isn't a complaint… true to my self form though, I'm kicking myself for all the things I've tried to "space out" in offering in the shop... now I feel like I'm playing catch up to get them finished, posted, and offered, with enough time to ship for the holiday season. {Never you mind pointing out that the above statement is an unnecessary stress I'm throwing on myself, we don't have time for that now.} 

This is where I have to admit I started this post three days ago…. put the computer down to tend to some juice spillage and the day took off from there… I opened it yesterday only to be reminded of something else while proof reading and shut 'er down again.

Even now, if I don't start to wrap things up, the likelihood of hitting the "publish" button, by the end of this day, isn't good… I can feel the caffein starting to perk in my brain and my feet antsy to get moving.

Tomorrow, Nate and I are taking off for our Bangor Christmas shopping adventure. There isn't much we have to pick up, but the things we do are contingent on a lot of our Holiday gifts being made.

I found this DIY homemade coster idea on Pinterest and I think it's going to turn out amazing… I'm also hoping my parents forgot to read this last sentence.

And with that… I'm out.
Happy Thursday!

{You can always follow our weekend adventures on Instagram or Facebook! }