Currently... July

I'm still nursing the last symptoms of my July 4th stomach bug, but after yesterday morning, any improvement is vastly better. So, Yah! for that.

Is there any month more summery than July?  June is fine and all... but for a good part of it you're still nursing a bit of a school year hangover.  August has you start thinking toward Labor Day and the autumn months.  But July... July is pure summer.

Who's ready to pause after the holiday weekend and take a look at where we are?

Reading:  Finished The Princes in the Tower and took a day to read Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling (cause sometimes I'm  way behind the trends like that...) because I really needed a light, easy, funny read. Now continuing my Anglophile tendencies with Serving Victoria by Kate Hubbard.

Eating:  Not much of anything right now.  I did manage a bowl of chicken soup and a couple of crackers last night.

Making:  Finished the first of two baby blankets (or lapghans) and started on the second, which is a rainbow inspired design.  Can't wait to get them listed in the shop!

Enjoying:  Lower prices on cherries - while it lasts

Anticipating:  Getting back into a healthier eating routine.  Eliminating most processed foods, added sugars, gluten and dairy.  More fruits and veggies.

Feeling:  A little tired.  A little achy.  But much better than I did 24 hours ago!


How are you "Currently" doing?

Currently... post-Mother's Day

I hope each and everyone one of you had a pleasant Mother's Day - whether you are a mother, are married to a mother, or have a mother. Mine was wonderful (more on that later this week)!

What's everyone up to this week?  I am looking down the barrel at a pretty full to do list, myself.

CURRENTLY...

Reading:  Still trying to get through The Paying Guests.  And still not enjoying it much.  As much as I hate giving up on a book, and usually make myself finish no matter what - I have been tempted many times to toss in the towel on this one.  At least the pace is picking up a bit.

Eating:  So many delicious and oh-so-not-good-for-me things over the past weekend! A milkshake. Cake at the reception following the male offspring's guitar recital. French toast.  Cheesecake.  I honestly gained 4 pounds this weekend.  Much healthy eating catchup work to be done this week!

Working on:  Some cotton bath puffs for my sister and her daughter.

Enjoying:  pretty toenails thanks to the beautiful new polish the female offspring gave me for Mother's Day

Anticipating:  A fun little crochet project - something just for me!

Thinking:  About everything that I should be doing while I sit here taking far too long to write this post.  And how maybe it will rain this evening and the Man of the House will get to come home early if his double header gets cancelled. And that I still need to buy stamps so we can start getting graduation announcements mailed out.

Feeling:  A little nauseous today.  Maybe from all the sweets I ate all weekend?

Because It's Friday

This week has flown by!  I can't believe it's already Friday!  I am looking forward to a weekend filled with painting in the master bedroom. And hopefully being ready very soon to start putting in the new flooring.  (yah!)

But today, simply because it's Friday...

• I'm going to have one more cup of coffee.  With chocolate caramel flavored creamer and plenty of sugar. 
  
• Tonight's dinner is going to involve bacon somehow.  Because... bacon! (maybe in some sort of salad, so we can pretend it's healthy)
• I think I might stay up late tonight. (late being anything past 9:30 or 10:00 - I am such an old lady about my bedtime!) 
  
• If I get a few chores done this morning, I might spend the whole afternoon playing with the grand baby and crocheting!
• I'm spending too much time online looking at hotel deals so the Man of the House and I can plan a night or two away soon.

What are your big plans today... just because it's Friday? 

ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT!!

All Scarves, Neckwarmers, and Cowls

40% OFF (thru 9/14/14)

 www.etsy.com/shop/queenbsbusywork

 You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

Missional Women: Faith Filled Friday
Christian Mommy Blogger: Fellowship Fridays
Essential Thing Devotions: Essential Fridays
Serenity Now: Weekend Bloggy Reading
Womanhood With Purpose: Heart-filled Fridays 

Three Things: I Want To Crochet

I'm a teeny tiny bit addicted to crocheting.  I always have at least one project going at any time.  And usually it's more like 2 or 3!  (gotta have one personal project and one for Etsy shop going at all times!) My Pinterest board is overflowing with ideas and patterns for things I want to create. 

Here are three of my top "I wanna crochet that!" items:

1) An area rug:

http://www.bestfreecrochet.com/2010/12/17/round-rug-free-crochet-pattern/

There are a billion and one different crocheted rugs all over Etsy and Pinterest.  I want to make one for my dining area. Still looking for just the perfect pattern.

2) This cabled bag:

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/plus-size-cable-bag

It's big and roomy.  It's got a cool cabled pattern.  It's fabulous.  And I want it! Although I'd probably make it in a pretty Tiffany blue color. But the grey is good too.

3) This coat:

http://gipsybazar.blogspot.com/2011/02/missonis-back-from-70s.html

I don't even know if there is actually a pattern for this somewhere or what.  But if I ever find one - I am so making this!  I mean.... c'mon - just look at it!  It's just stunning!

 Be sure to visit my giveaway HERE for a chance to WIN a

Hand-crafted Cotton Spa Bath Set!!

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

Picture October: Day 8

Check out how I gave this sweater a little makeover HERE

Bumble Bee Hat

Now Available at Queen B's Busy Work

BABY/TODDLER BUMBLE BEE HAT

The perfect accessory for your little busy bee!

Available in sizes 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-24 months

$12.00 USD + shipping

https://www.etsy.com/listing/162251753/crocheted-babytoddler-bumble-bee-hat?ref=shop_home_active

10 Piece Cotton Spa Bath Sets

Now available at Queen B's Busy Work:

10 Piece Cotton Spa Bath Sets

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/158515041/10-piece-cotton-spabath-set?ref=shop_home_feat

https://www.etsy.com/listing/158513049/10-piece-cotton-spabath-set?ref=shop_home_feat

 Spa Bath Set hand crocheted from 100% cotton yarn. Makes a lovely gift (or pamper yourself at home!)

 Set Includes:
* 1 Bath Puff
* 1 Washcloth
* 7 Facial Rounds

Handmade from 100% cotton yarn. 

All pieces are machine washable. Drying flat or hanging is recommended to avoid shrinking and changing of shape.

What Do You Do?

I saw this writing prompt on another blog recently and couldn't stop thinking about it:

"If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?"

Maybe this was easier for me since I stopped answering this question with a description of my work away from home job about a year ago.  But it still made me think: what do I do?

I...

... love my husband

... take care of my family

... like to read

... crochet

... write a blog

... love to hang clothes out on the line

... enjoy saving money and am always on the lookout for bargains

... babysit my grandson

... watch documentaries on Netflix

... make my own cleaning products

...  google everything
... do crafts for my home and to give as gifts

What do you do?

First To Do's of November

To Do List for November 5 - 9:

1. Work on priming/painting in living room
2. Work on Christmas presents
3. Work on project for Queen B's Busy Work
4. Do something nice for myself (such as bubble bath, mani/pedi, etc)
5. Walk

November Goals

This month is probably going to be busy enough on it's own, so I'm keeping it short and simple.

November To-Do List:

• Finish living room remodel
• Work on Christmas presents
• Anniversary date with the man of the house
• Get a haircut

That's it.  Like I said.  Short and simple.

A New Week, A New List

To Do List for October 29 - November 2:

• Finish grand baby's halloween costume
• Work on Christmas presents
• Start priming newly installed drywall
• Make final decision on paint colors
• Pick up some coffee mugs for project
• Finish "About" page for Queen B's Busy Work
• Finish reading atleast one book (hopefully 2)
• Do something nice for myself
• Walk 2 times (weather permitting)
• Have a happy birthday

What's To Do: Update

I am quickly finding that since I am watching the grand baby in the afternoons while his mother is in classes, I am not getting much done at all.  I have to hurry to get the day to day things not on these to-do lists done in the morning.  And I'm not doing so great at that either!  Yikes!!

• Tape and compound new drywall to get ready for painting next weekend   Well, someone did it.  I'm not going to pretend it was me.  I helped a little. 
• Take down pictures, clean and spackle other walls for painting  Yep.  And I just realized this morning I missed an entire wall.  What?
• Work on Christmas present  My crochet focus this week as it turned out was helping with the grand baby's halloween costume. 
• Walk 2 times   well.....   1 time.....
• Pick up some mugs for new project  Nope. I looked at some mugs.  And decided a trip to the dollar store is in order.
• Figure out where all the note pads for my To Do lists keep disappearing to!  NO clue.  None.  I think all my notepads are in cahoots to run off together.  Somewhere there is a happy little land full of my notepads. 

What's To-Do: October 22 - 26

The To DO lists for the next few weeks are going ot be mostly focused on the living room remodel we began this weekend. 

To Do List for October 22 - 26:

• Tape and compound new drywall to get ready for painting next weekend
• Take down pictures, clean and spackle other walls for painting
• Work on Christmas present
• Walk 2 times
• Pick up some mugs for new project
• Figure out where all the note pads for my To Do lists keep disappearing to!

A Brand New Week: Update

Ok, let's review.  Since I hardly even left the house this week, you would think I must have gotten a lot accomplished inside, right?   Yeh... you would think that. 

To Do List for October 15 - 19:

• Write everyday Check!!
• Work on Christmas presents Well, I started to work on a Christmas present.  And quickly realized that I needed a crochet hook size I didn't have (as impossible as that seems, it's true!)  I do have the hook now, and am ready to roll!  OH... I did pick up a Christmas present.  Does that count?
• List a few new items on Queen B's Busy Work CHECK!!  (please check them out at Queen B's Busy Work!)
• Start painting projects on dining room furniture I took some "before" pictures and took the hardward off one piece, so I am counting that as "starting".
• Catch up on laundry  Still working on that one.  The laundry pile seems to grow as fast as I can wash it (or faster)  I think it may be regenerating on its own.
• Walk at least 2 days  Nope.  Walked one day.
• Go to library  I didn't personally go to the library. But the female offspring took her brother and picked up my hold, so I'm calling it done.

 

"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." ~ Philippians 4:8

A Brand New Week

After the last two weeks, I am determined to make this week a good one.  I'm no longer assuring myself that nothing else can possibly happen.  When I do that - something else seems to happen.   Instead, I am keeping the To Do list short, sweet, and do-able. 

To Do List for October 15 - 19:

• Write everyday
• Work on Christmas presents
• List a few new items on Queen B's Busy Work
• Start painting projects on dining room furniture
• Catch up on laundry
• Walk at least 2 days
• Go to library

"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." ~ Philippians 4:8

October Goals

October has arrived!  The year just keeps getting busier and busier from this point on.  Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc, etc, etc.  The To-Do list becomes even more important as we start heading into the busy, hectic months. 

To Do List for October:

• Schedule a date night with Man of the House
• Write everyday
• Do more reading
• Do something "active" every day (see "30 Days of Activity")
• Work on Christmas presents
• Work on holiday inventory for Queen B's Busy Work
• Complete "About" page for Queen B's Busy Work
• Man of House's birthday!
• Clean carpets
• Family coming to visit!
• Schedule some "me" time each week (bubble bath, give myself a mani and/or pedi, etc)

Getting It Done

To Do List for September 24 - 28

• Give dining room a thorough cleaning
• Write
• Finish book before it is due Tuesday!
• Work on Queen B's Busy Work custom order
• Get more new items up on Queen B's Busy Work
• Go to Man of the House's softball game
• Attend Women's Bible Study
• Attend James McDonald Vertical Church Tour
• Give myself a manicure
• Organize something (anything!) in craft area
• Organize coupons

Rain On My Parade

Out my living room window the rain is coming down. 

Pouring rain. 

Raining cats and dogs. 

Raining pitchforks and hammer handles.

Monsoon-esque rain.

The type of rain that calls for curling up on the couch with a cup of tea and a book for the afternoon.  Or do some crochet and watch some shows I've had on the DVR for a while.

The kind of rain that makes me not want to leave the house for any reason.

Of course, just as the heavens open up and the bottom falls out - this is the time that the dog starts whining to go out.  Now.  In the midst of the downpour.  And apparently he needs to go right now! 

It also happens to be a day when I need to run to the store and the post office.  And take the male offspring to his guitar lesson.

So, I set the book aside.  Give the crochet hooks a longing look.  And forget the tea.

I resign myself to the fact that my hair is going to be a mess today, no matter what I do. 

I put away the cute shoes; because I know my feet are going to get soaked.

I take a deep breath, pull up the hood on my rain jacket, and brave the rain...

Gonna Be A Busy Week!

To Do September 17 - 21:

• Get mani-pedi
• Go to The Man of the House's softball game
• Get Queen B's Busy Work order mailed
• Catch up on laundry
• Babysit grand baby on Monday
• Wednesday: help prep for The Gathering
• Attend The Gathering Thursday night
• Post new items for Queen B's Busy Work
• Purchase/order yarn for Queen B's Busy Work custom order
• Start work on Queen B's Busy Work custom order
• Write!
• Finish reading current book
• Make and freeze soup and pasta sauce for dinners this week and future meals

This Week I Will: Update!

It's time to take a look back at my goals for theweek and see how I've done marking off the ToDo List. 
This was a great week!  I made a lot of progress.  Yah me!! 

• Do some organizing in craft area! (no, for really reals this time!) Got the crochet patterns organized and into a binder! Hey...it's something!
• Work on items for Queen B's Busy Work Finished a scarf, have another scarf and a baby hat ready to go online, working on some hats for special requests.
• Finish and return overdue library book Check!
• Do some more purging in bedroom It's a work in progress.  But I made a little progress.
• Freezer cooking of gumbo and chili Check!
• Attend Little Man's open house Check!
• Attend Man of the House's first softball game of the season Check!
• Walk at least 2 days
• Write Check. 
• Start working on first Christmas present I found the pattern I want to use and picked up the yarn, so I'm counting it as a Check