The Halloween debate

I am a seamstress, when I sew (most of the time) it is for other people to make money for, oh silly stuff like food and electricity.  Every year we have the debate about Halloween costumes.  I made the mistake when the three younger girls were little to make them costumes. One year we had a flamingo, Jasmine and witch. I must say they were looking pretty good. AND for the $150 I dropped in fabric and supplies and the 20 hours I spent at my machine they should have.  For a few years now I have made them create something out of the dress up box, (noting that most everything in there was hand made as well).

I do feel pressure as a crafty mom that I need to top that year, then I realize food vs. awesome Halloween costumes, and I have a clear winner.

Now we are to the age where I am questioning do they even need to dress up?  I have been strongly vetoed on this, but there is one issue that no one but me wants to face... Our girls are extremely tall for their age and this summer we got rid of the dress-up box.

I have observed that, like many things Halloween has gotten more and more elaborate and parents a just expected to keep up.  I remember many a year being a Hobo that consisted of my dad's barn clothes and my mom's brown make up.  So I say retro is in!  If you are trick or treating in Nevada, Iowa this year and you see three tall (you know the type,"aren't those kids too old to trick or treat?") hobos walking around you know who they belong to.

I may be a bit bi-polar

When I say this I am not trying to belittle anyone that has this disease.  I'm just trying to find out how my own odd brain works.  Here are some examples:

If I ever win the lottery my barn will look like it came out of the Dover catalog and most of my closet will be filled with Ralph Loren Polo. My favorite equine event, rodeo.

I had the DVR set to record some shows last night, 19 Kids and Counting and Sons of Anarchy.

My office and working space is close to a complete disaster, one of my favorite stores is Staples.

These are just a few examples, I think you can get the idea. I am starting to really notice this about myself.  Am I the only one out there with these traits?  I certainly think not.  So the challenge is, how do I make the two parts of myself play nice together and really become one?  Is it possible?  I'm not sure but I'm sure going to try.

Today's job, the disaster of an office and dinning room and getting some pictures posted to Facebook.

Have a great day!

Eating my elephant!

We have all heard the story about how you eat an elephant, one bite at a time.  Well that is what has not been happening in my world, so I am going to start now.

I haven't blogged in a while and I do feel that it is an important thing for me to do.  I have several reasons:
1. I am pretty positive that I am driving my family crazy with my rambling, so I will drive you all crazy with it.
2. It is important for me to use this medium to share about what I do and who I am, I don't know if I am building a brand around myself or not, but it would be nice to be ready if that happens.
3. I have been struggling with the 'fake it till you make it' vs. authenticity thing lately.  I have decided to go with authentic and I'm really happy about that.  I think that blogging is a good way to keep this real.  For some reason it is easier for me to be my true self on here, and lets face it once I click that 'publish' button it's in the cloud forever.
4. I am using blogging as a step in keeping myself accountable and productive.  I have a great thing going with Total Show Image and my husband is super supportive, but lets face it, creativity doesn't pay the bills, okay it can but not if the ideas are only in my head.
5. I am planning on blogging in the morning between my husband going to work and getting the kids to school. It is going to help me get my day going.

One bite down.....