Man, I really needed that break! Things just got a little chaotic there for a while but have calmed down to a dull roar now so maybe I can manage this blog a little better. Too much has happened in the time off to completely catch everyone up to speed but let me just tell you the most important:

I graduated from college! Finally, after all these years... I can proudly say that I am a college graduate. No more checking "some college" on surveys. Sorry to brag but holy cow I am proud! I made an A on my final paper, which earned me a grade of a 96% in the class. That means I graduated with distinction and will be on the dean's list. I am so proud! Two friends are planning a small graduation party for me and I am so happy.

I've only been finished with school and homework for four days but I've already finished four craft projects. I will attempt to upload pics soon. They'll be kinda crummy camera phone pics because my regular camera is all but unusable. I have no idea what we'll do at Easton's birthday. Maybe I can borrow one from a friend. Katy? Amanda? Jessica? I'd really appreciate if I could borrow a camera from someone. Even if it's just for the day. Thanks!

That's all for now. It's late and I've got a lot of crafting to do tomorrow. Hooray! Crafty Lil Devil is BACK! Pictures and how-to's coming up.

Lately I've been praying for some friends. Now that sounds really pathetic when I see it in print but it's true. I have met some wonderful friends since we've lived here but we're all just so busy with our kids, our jobs, school work, etc and I haven't really met anyone who lives close to me. Also, I'm sad to say that I don't really know very many of my neighbors all that well. Sure, I know a few of them well enough to speak to them casually at the mailbox and ask after their kids but that's about it. We've lived here for almost six years and I don't really know people on my street all that well. I'd love to know people in my neighborhood who have kids the same age as mine or interests in common with Jason and me. So, armed with my neighbor gifts and my sweet little blonde-haired boy I marched over to meet the neighbors who just moved in behind our house. And what do you know...they're newlyweds who look to be about our age (or a little younger). They invited us into their house to look around, gave me their phone number in case we needed to get ahold of them and I invited them to Audrey's birthday party later this month. Now I don't know if we'll have that much in common or be good friends or anything but it sure was nice to get to meet some new friends. Can't wait to get to hang out with our neighbors at Audrey's party on the 29th.

Next, I'm going to make up some more neighbor gifts and take them to the neighbors I don't know. They only cost me about fifty cents to make because I used materials I had on hand or that were destined for the recycling bin. People are either going to think I'm totally weird fro bringing them flowers or they're really going to like it. There are a few families down the street that have young kids. I sure hope to make some friends and get some playdates for my little ones this way. I jokingly said that I was so desperate for friends when I first started staying at home that I was tempted to go door-to-door knocking til a grownup answered just so I could have an adult to talk to. Looks like that's what I'm going to have to resort to now! haha Talk about getting out of my comfort zone! But staying in that comfort zone sure hasn't made me very many friends in my neighborhood now has it?

My friend Katy and one of the rainbow cupcakes I made just for her. This picture makes me so happy. I love it for two reasons. One, Katy is of one of my favorite people. Katy is creative, fun, very smart and a great friend. She is a photographer in NYC. (Although she is modest and will tell you that she just works at a portrait studio and does not particularly love living there.)

And the other reason I love this picture? Rainbow cupcake!!! It was really fun to see everyone's reaction to the cupcakes. Even the waitresses commented on them. Maybe I'm a little bit vain for loving the attention but it sure was fun. :) That night Katy and I had a totally unplanned cupcake trade. She made the most delicious Snickerdoodle cupcakes! From scratch! From Bakerella's recipe I believe. I literally licked the cupcake wrapper when I finished eating one of them. They were THAT good!

And here is a link to the recipe for rainbow cupcakes

Linking this to Just for the JOY. Because Katy and rainbow cupcakes bring me joy. Especially Katy.

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I really should make cupcakes more often. Because really who doesn't love a cupcake?

Well our first date night since September was cancelled due to snow. I was so incredibly disappointed but not terribly surprised. It stinks because we rarely get a night out without the kids but I kind of knew we'd be staying at home once I saw the weather report. Man, I sure wish we still lived in Oklahoma! I know a bunch of people there! I know a bunch of people here too but not ones I'd leave my kids with. (ha! Just seeing how many locals read this. I'm guessing not many.) I do know two or three people who would watch them but most of the people I know are either too busy or too far away from my house. And like one of my friends said, "How do you find reliable, trustworthy people to watch your kids? It's not like you can just open the phone book and find someone." Hmmm....brings to mind that "BABYSETTER" sign I saw a while back. Maybe I'll give them a call. Um, no!

We might have a sitter for Valentine's Day though. My sweet friend who was going to watch the kids for us last night said her hubby has to work that day so she can watch our kids while we go out. But J and I have always avoided going out specifically on Valentine's Day because everywhere is always so crowded. Plus, I usually just cook whatever special thing we decide to eat and it's always way cheaper. But now that we have a sitter we'll be going out. I have no idea where we'll go or what we'll do but I'm sure we'll find something. Any suggestions?

I've added links to some of my favorite crafty websites and also added more favorites, new and old. Take a minute to check out some of these sites and leave them a comment if you do.

P.S. If you have a blog, let me know. I'd love to add your blog to my favorites list!

National Night Out - Tuesday, August 4, 2009

We met some friends at the National Night Out on Tuesday. I wasn't sure if there would be anything for a little one like E to do but he had a blast! He got to meet McGruff the crime dog and get a stick-on sheriff's badge, throw a beanbag for a prize, pet the animals at the petting zoo, meet the Chick-fil-a cow and spin to win some free chicken, and play t-ball. He LOVED that and didn't want to give the bat back! Here are some pictures from that night. Thanks to my friend Jessica, who had her camera!!!

Easton's first snowcone. He said it was "ummy!"


Audrey along for the ride


Easton and the minature horse. He LOVED the petting zoo!