Christmas & other things are in full swing at Cobb Cottage.......

I know, I know, it's been a while since I've posted...... I must say that things have been quite busy/crazy around the cottage since my last post..... I have a really good excuse though - I'M EXPECTING!!!!! I just found out about a month ago, I'm 9 weeks and counting.

I've been pretty much out of commission the last few weeks with sinus stuff and then nausea on top of that but I've finally gotten decorated for Christmas. Thank goodness my Mom kept Addie for me or it would have been total chaos......Sometimes I feel like a big 'ole scrooge, but at her age, I just like to decorate my tree without her little helping hands. This is my first Christmas with my hardwood floors too and I could already foresee a lot of breakage going on. I did save some things for her to put on that were non breakable and she seemed happy with that :) She was also tickled to death to see Santa (an almost life size one that sings and dances), so that made up for it too. She gave him a great big hug when she saw him.

I changed my Christmas tree "theme" a couple of years ago, costing me a small fortune but I think I'll enjoy it for many years to come. I basically had to start over since none of my old stuff matched (that's my story and I'm stickin' to it!!) It's lime green and red and I mix in a lot of polka dots and other whimsical things like these big peppermint candies that I made.

They are real simple to make and fun too - I've posted the instructions on how to make them down below..... I've always considered myself pretty crafty and used to do several craft shows a year but I noticed after I had Addie that I felt so much more creative & imaginative than ever before when it comes to decorating or creating things. I feel like now, I want to decorate more whimsical and child like. Do you think that having a child just brings out the inner child in yourself? Or maybe it's just because when you have a child, it's like seeing things through their eyes? Have any of you experienced this?

Here's what you'll need to make the peppermint candies:

round, flat styrofoam discs

red fabric paint

glitter (optional, but aren't all things better with glitter :) )

cellophane

ribbon to tie ends

peppermint swirl pattern

You might have to enlarge/reduce the template a little to get it to the correct size of your styrofoam disc. Place template over the styrofoam disc and trace the pattern onto the styrofoam with an ink pen - making sure to press down so the marks are on the styrofoam. I used red fabric paint in a bottle and followed the lines and filled in with the red making sure to alternate the red with the white from the styrofoam to give it the peppermint effect. I also came down the sides with the paint. Optional - you can sprinkle glitter in the wet paint. Depending on how you are going to use them, you might also want to paint the backside as well. You have to play around with the placement of the template so that the two sides match up. Once the paint is dry, cut clear cellophane and leave enough on the ends to "tie" like candy.

Some of mine, I made to look like lollipops by sticking a wooden dowel in one end. For the red stripe on the dowel, I used red shiny curling ribbon and glued it to the dowel.

Have fun and enjoy!!!

Staying Sane in a Working Woman's World.....

Sign me up!!! That's what I told my lifelong friend, Lorry, when she told me about this seminar that she and I attended last night. Mainly because I need all the sanity I can get these days!! The 2 hour seminar was sponsored through First Things First. FTF, is a local not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening families in our community through education, collaboration and mobilization. FTF is a community resource that collaborates with and is supported by a broad cross-section of community organizations, groups and individuals.

The topic was "Staying Sane in a Working Woman's World" and it was held at a day spa - how perfect!!! Everyone got to indulge in great food, and our choice of spa services. She and I chose to have a foot massage/reflexology and the paraffin wax hand treatment. It was so nice and relaxing and a rare treat as well. At the end, we all gathered for discussion and here were some things that I took away from the meeting:

• Take time out for ourselves - We as women and as Moms, need to take time out for ourselves. We get so wrapped up in taking care of everyone else that we sometimes forget ourselves. I know for me, it seems that everyone wants a piece of my time and it's very difficult, if not impossible, to make time for myself.
  
• Ask for what we want/need - We need to ask for what we need/want instead of assuming that everyone can read our minds and then we are disappointed when they don't do what it was (in our mind) that we wanted them or needed them to do. I am very guilty of this and that is one thing that I would like to implement in my own life. I guess I've always been under the mindset that if I have to ask or tell someone what I want, then I'd rather not even have it.....I've learned over the years that this does not work and some people just need to have it s-p-e-l-l-e-d out or else you are never going to get what you want!

• Have realistic expectations - This one speaks for itself

• Have fun in life/Have a sense of humor - We've got to make time for some FUN in our lives!!! Life is not all about work, our children & our family. There's got to be some FUN every once in a while in our lives. We tend to take ourselves way too serious and sometimes a little laughter can go a long way. We all need to loosen up and don't be so uptight! I think that we are sometimes so focused on getting everything done, and we are so stressed out, that we lose sight of what's important in life.

We were also asked to list our top 5 priorities in life - the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing!!! So often what we would like to think is our #1 priority, often times falls to the bottom of the list.

I know that I struggle on a daily basis trying to juggle all that life gives us and I'm constantly torn between work and family and keeping my house halfway straight. I am so very blessed that I am able to work from home and have since I had Addie. BUT, and I do mean a big BUT - it's not all it's cracked up to be....As much as I truly love being able to work from home, it definitely has its ups and downs, just like working at an office would. I sometimes think for me, it's even harder because I feel that I have to work twice as hard (at my big girl job) for fear that the rug will be swept out from under me at any given moment and I will have to return back to reality....One of the downsides to working from home is that I never get away from it and it is constantly looming in my head all the things that I need/should be doing even when I'm "off". Another side to that is that I have become a FREAK about my house because I cannot focus on my work when I look around and see an untidy house!!! I don't know what it is about me, but I cannot focus on anything when my house is a wreck. My sister and I have discussed this before and she feels the same way. It's like when my house is clean and in order, my mind is clean and in order....I know, I'm nuts!!!!

I do realize that a lot of the pressure and stress that I stay under - a lot of it I bring on myself. That's really a hard thing to admit but there, I said it!!! I think a lot of us do that to ourselves - we try to be WONDER WOMAN!!! I'm sure that there are those of you out there just like me that at the end of the day, sometimes I'm amazed at myself for all that I was able to accomplish in one day!..... I guess the most important thing is to just take a deep breath and take one day at a time. Do you know what really helps me when I'm so stressed out with work, trying to raise a 3 1/2 year old and everything else - I just think about how Jon & Kate do it and then I realize that I don't have it so bad!!!!

Happy Halloween!!!!

Happy Halloween to everyone! Wow, what an amazing day it has been! As you all know by now, I love Halloween and today has been so much fun. First of all, the weather was just gorgeous and it warmed up really nicely. My sister came over and spent the day with us.

My sister is my best friend and I treasure time spent with her. She and Addie carved the pumpkin while I was making the caramel dipped apples. That was actually Addie’s first time ever carving a pumpkin. That was very cute to watch and it took a while before Addie would touch the “guts”. She took these pics of Addie after they were done - too sweet. She loved her pumpkin & was very proud of him!

Mom came over too and helped me get things together for the big night. All our neighborhood friends came over and we took all of the kids trick-or-treating and then came back to my house for food & fun. Halloween in our hood is always fun and full of activity.

Addie did wear the 50’s girl costume and she looked so cute - even if she is mine! She had so much fun and it was so much fun watching her having so much fun. Shane and I were married 12 years before we had her and sometimes I wonder what we ever did without her…..life is so much fuller now with her in it.

I'm a bit sad that Halloween is now over & all the decorations must be put away until next year......

Let the Halloween Festivities Begin!!!!

Tonight we took Addie to the Fantasy Maze at the River Park. This is our third year going and it was a lot of fun. All the kids dress up in their Halloween costumes and this year Addie dressed was a kitty cat.
Last year, Addie was a cowgirl.

The Fantasy Maze features cartoon heroes and classic characters hidden deep within a 1,500-bale of straw maze. Characters give away candy and provide photo ops.

The first year we took Addie, she was a poodle.

Addie had tons of fun and had to kiss and hug each & every character there...... Who knows what she'll want to be next year. One thing's for sure, Addie has a mind of her own and is very head strong (hmmm I wonder who she gets that from??) She's especially strong willed when it comes to what she's going to wear. I found the cutest little 50's girl costume for her this year and even found a matching one for me to wear on Halloween and she keeps telling me that she wants to be a kitty cat!!! I know, I'm silly to want to do the matchy matchy thing, but it's so much fun and she'll not allow it too much longer I'm sure. Oh well, either I better get to finding me a big girl kitty cat costume or be a solo 50's girl!! We'll see on Halloween and I'll let you know what the BOSS decided.........

I survived!!!!!

Whew!!!! Today, I participated in the annual craft show at the hospital where I work and I’m exhausted. As much as I look forward to it every year, I’m glad that it is over. Somehow, I forget how much work goes into it ! I baked my little heart out yesterday and baked 24 loaves of pumpkin bread and 3 batches of brownies. I quite literally baked from sun up til sun down. It paid off – I sold every last baked good that I had. I also made some wreaths, and other stuff.

My grandmother, who also works at the hospital, came and sat with me for most of the day. (after she had worked all night) She's practically a fixture there at the hospital - she's been there so long. She's 78 and still works part-time. She knows sooo many people and so many people know her and love her. She's one of those that you can't go anywhere (even on vacation) with her without her running into someone she knows..... She's a sweetheart and also a little on the mischievous side :) She's a mess and a lot of fun too!! She and I have been known to go "people watching". I just hope that I have half of her spunk when I'm her age!

Here is a chair that I made for the show and it didn’t sell – can you believe that? I thought it was cute and I had fun making it. As you know by now, I am a Halloween nut and I love all things Halloween. So, I guess that I’ll just have to add it to my Halloween collection……..bummer

I really do need to downsize my Halloween decorations, but I just love them all so and I seem to keep adding to it every year….. I find way too many things that are just too stinkin’cute!! If you want to see pics of my Halloween decorations, you can click here

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/564339311UTiaRr

My friend, Sandy, also came down and stayed all day and brought some pretty things that she made for Breast Cancer Awareness. Sandy is a breast cancer survivor herself but has now been diagnosed with metastatic cancer. Sandy is definitely the strongest person that I know. Even before cancer, she's has been through so much and everytime that she gets knocked down, she keeps coming right back up. Sandy, you are truly an inspiration to me & I mean it from the bottom of my heart! Keep on fighting Sandy!!!

Remembering "Grammie"

It was on this day, 3 years ago, that Grammie passed away. Addie was only 8 months old at the time and it saddens me deeply that Addie will never know her. Grammie was so very excited about being a grandmother and was absolutely crazy about Addie and just worshipped her.

She flew here to visit the weekend before she passed and I will be forever grateful that we had that time with her. Although she was my mother-in-law, she treated me like a daughter and we spoke almost daily. This picture was taken right before she left to go to the airport and it still gives me chills when I see it. I guess it's just the way the two of them are looking into each other's eyes, it's almost like they were connected on a spiritual level.


Even 3 years later, it does not seem real that she's gone. She will live on forever in our memories and in our hearts, but it's just not the same without her here. We love you and miss you Grammie!

Pumpkin Pickin'

This past weekend, my Aunt & Uncle took us to a friend's farm and we got to go pumpkin pickin'. Most of all, Addie had a blast and picked every pumpkin that she could get her little hands on..... We had a great time and the weather was just absolutely beautiful.

I love & cherish days like these, spent with family. I also love any opportunity to take pics and to use the magnificent beauty of mother nature as the backdrop. I got lots of great pics that day, but more than that, lots of great memories.

Me, Addie and my sweet hubby.

Aunt Joan, Uncle Russell & Addie

I loved the outhouse! Yes, a real outhouse. My sister, my Aunt and I, had lots of fun being silly in it but I won't be sharing those pics!!! Hmmm, might make a great Christmas Card!

Peek-A-Boo, I see you!
Anyone that knows me, knows that I cannot resist when it comes to animals... I love each and every one of them and I just had to take a picture of "Toby". He's the farm dog.

My sweet sister :)

~ Autumn ~

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.-- George Eliot

Ah, my favorite time of year is here...... The cool crisp feel in the air, the gorgeous blue sky, the leaves changing, the smell of pumkin pie.

What's funny is that I used to not like this time of year because to me, it meant that winter was right around the corner. But as I've gotten older, I've learned to appreciate it for what it is. It's like a gift from nature - easing us into colder, darker days by giving us a gorgeous display of colors, smells, tastes, etc.

I also love to decorate my house for fall/halloween. Actually, I just love any excuse to decorate my house!!