Wishin' I was Home Doing These

Here is a picture list of all the lovely things I wish I was crocheting. I just got some amazing patterns from Playin Hooky . I've been eyeing her designs for quite some time. Now I'm the proud owner of 6 of her patterns. 4 I purchased myself and 2 came with being her 600th order! Whoop! Time to get out the crochet hook! If only I didn't have 3 blankets and 2 teddy bears ahead of these fun hats!!!

I'd Rather Be Crocheting

Sounds like a bumper sticker. It probably is.

Sad to say but I have a ton of school before I can crochet :( At least there is only 3 more weeks of this.

I just wish I could get the other stuff I HAVE to do! Feeling a little stressed out at the moment.

Apple Picking in the Fall

My mother in law and I have been wanting to take the boys apple picking for quite some time now. We talked about ALL last year and didn't get to it. Then this year the conversation started last weekend. We knew we HAD to fit it in.

Today, we were discussing how we didn't have anything much going on and needed something to do. DUH IT'S APPLE SEASON! I asked her if she was coming to get me or if I was coming to get her. She said she would be here in 20 minutes while I got the kids ready. We were finally going!

We have a few orchards to pick from around here but we decided to go to Ecker's Apple Farm . It's only 15 minutes away. We arrived and were impressed by the amount of people. Apparently, this place is pretty popular. There was a sweet little cafe with apple goodies, a store where you can choose a variety of apples and fun gifts, and a seating area to eat your bounty. We decided to find out where to go picking first. A nice lady showed us to the bags we would use. We grabbed three bags and headed out to the orchard.

We started and quickly realized one bag could be filled easily off a tree all by itself but we wanted to do some more walking. So we decided to search for only the "big ones". This picture shows grandma showing Nathan what "big ones" look like and how to place them nicely in the bag.

I could tell Jacob wanted to get out of the stroller and run around but he was content as long as we gave him some apples to hold along the way. He had a good time :)

Jacob and grandma having a good time in the orchard

Nathan does a fantastic job filling up his bag of apples!

Jacob tries to pick apples from his stroller.

It was a really good time and the boys did very well. After we were done apple picking we decided to go in, pay for our apples, and grab a treat! We went with the Queen's Apple, which was actually developed, trademarked, and franchised by this farm! It's a nummy cored apple drizzled in an amazing caramel sauce then topped with peanuts, whipped cream, and a cherry! It was so very delish and we will be back for more.

Our time apple picking was a success! We had a great time and I ended up going home with 2 big bags of Honeycrip apples. NOM! Never spent so much on apples in my life but it was worth it. We will try and go again before the season is over!

And The Winner Is...

Christi!

Please email me at JLooman515@gmail.com or comment me with a way to contact you so I can get your address and send you your bath poof and wash cloths!

Thank you to everyone who participated. More giveaways to come!

Thanks,
Jessica

The Story of My Non-Active Lifestyle

I think my decision to hate all things sports came when I was around 10. I can almost remember the day I made that decision. How I do remember it, which might not really be exact nearly 20 years later, is I was racing against the boys on my block. There were about 7 or 8 of them and I was the only girl. To be "fair" they let me start about 10 paces ahead of them. I remember the race where I actually thought I was going to win and last second the tall lanky boy behind me passed me up and won. I beleive they started to call me "pie lady" that day. It didn't make sense and it was actually a PARENT that started calling me that because I was round. Apparently, it made them feel better for being a horrible person. It caught like wild fire. I decided that I wasn't good at the sport thing and I should stick to the reading thing.

I tried again in High School and nearly killed myself trying out for basketball. That's right. High School basketball. It took 2 weeks and I found myself in a 6th period Spanish class my freshman year. I couldn't breathe. My lungs and body were not up to the challange of being fit.

I blamed living in the mountains and the thin air. In fact, the doctor agreed and I was freed from all exercise! What a relief. So, except for bouts of exercise programs and indoor treadmills once every 6 months I've lived a rather stationary life. I do like to kayak but find it very hard to do any exercise besides dishes or laundry.

That was until my friend Chianne decided she wanted a running partner and at the same time I decided I wanted to learn what it was like to be a runner. Maybe it's partly because my husband is working part time in a outdoor retail store or perhaps it's my loathing for my overweight body but something finally changed in me that made me WANT to get back out there and try this again. Chianne has introduced me to a program called Couch to 5K. I will admit, I was leery but this is what I was waiting for right? A chance to run? I even had my husband buy me nice running shoes from an expensive outdoor brand. I had to put them to use.

Week one, Day one: I thought I was going to die. I brought the kids along and it was a disaster. Honestly, I was shocked Chianne wanted to try again. I decided I needed daycare to get this done.

Week One, Day Two: Chianne and I went to Hip Hop Hustle prior to running. It was way too much. I had to start and stop the run constantly. I felt pretty pathetic. Then it rained. I liked the rain at first, then it turned into hurricane conditions. Not fun. But, it felt good.

Week One, Day Three: Chianne and I didn't get our schedules right. I had to do it alone. I had a sitter so I went. I even had a nasty swollen eye, but something in me told me to go. First part of the run I was miserable. I wanted to quit. I wanted to stop. I told myself that the "pie lady" couldn't do it. Then something clicked. All of the sudden I realized I was half way through the run and I hadn't stopped. I was doing it. My whole attitude changed and I felt amazing. I picked up my pace and I ran my run! I DID IT! The whole thing! No stopping! I felt silly for being so happy. It is just a 90 second walk and a 60 second run done 8 times, but I did it.

Today my friend Amber asked me for the zillionth time to join Weight Watchers with her. I asked my husband what he thought about it. I have talked about going before but the weekly meetings were just ANOTHER thing to add to my plate. Again, not sure what made me do it but I did. I signed up. My first meeting is tomorrow. Hopefully having another friend help me out in this type of program will lead me down the right path. She has a wedding in July that we're both in. I hope we are STUNNING. :)

Today was also Week 2 Day One of our run program. Amber came too. We ROCKED it. It was rough but we did it. No slowing down. Super proud. Again, it seems so silly but it really is a huge feat. I'm starting to LOVE running! I'm excited about being healthy and fit...best of all for my husband who has loved me through my nearly 50 pound weight gain since our marriage 8 years ago. Sure, two kids were the result but I'm sure he'd love to see me get back to my weight from before. I know I would.

Here's to my NEW active lifestyle. Time to leave the "Pie Lady" behind and win the race :) I can read books on my down time.

Laaaaast Chance! GIVEAWAY!

Last chance to enter the giveaway!!! Tomorrow I'll announce the winner! Cream color crochet Bath Poof and set of washcloths FREE if you share this giveaway! Here's how to enter. Each participant can get up to three entries: Post this giveaway on your Facebook, Blog, or Tweet about it. Then comment on this page with a link to where it's posted. Each entry counts as one! Tonight I'll gather all the entries and draw a winner!!! HAVE FUN AND SPREAD THE WORD!! HOURS LEFT.

Mommy's Time Out Updates and Recent Projects

Hello Blog Land,

First off, a few days ago I posted that I was hosting a giveaway. No one has entered :( Which is good news for you because if you participate you could be the only one and then you'd WIN! Follow this link to join.

Second, my Mother In Law has created some very very cute headbands. You can find them on my Etsy site. They're precious and perfect as a handmade gift or for your own new little lady. Made with soft Caron yarn they will not irritate sensitive baby skin. If you are interested in other colors or larger sizes please let me know here or send me a conversation via Etsy. We will see what we can do!

In my free time on Sunday I started working on this new creation.

He's pretty cute if I do say so myself. :) I'm still working on the final kinks.

That's about all the update for now. PLEASE enter the giveaway so I don't feel so neglected. Thanks! Oh and remember that Christmas will be here soon so if you have some lovely handmade gifts in mind I'd be HAPPY to help you out.

Here's to a fun filled week!

BATH POOF AND WASHCLOTH GIVEAWAY!!!! ENTER TO WIN

Who is ready for a GIVEAWAY??? Cream color crochet Bath Poof and set of washcloths FREE if you share this giveaway! Here's how to enter. Each participant can get up to three entries: Post this giveaway on your Facebook, Blog, or Tweet about it. Then comment on this page with a link to where it's posted. Each entry counts as one! On September 9th I'll gather all the entries and draw a winner!!! HAVE FUN AND SPREAD THE WORD!!