A New Venture

I've decided to start selling the jewelry I've been making.  I should be posting on FB & probably here as well within the next week.  I'm excited, but nervous.  It will be the rings & bobby pins I posted.  I'm also going to be selling some necklaces like this one. 

 

I've decided not to make or sell anything that costs over $10.  I want it to be things I'd be able to afford and would want to wear.  I'm really enjoying making it!  I'm going to give each of the pieces a name that fits it.  Anyone have fun suggestions?  It is all pretty retro so I'm thinking older names.  The ring from the last post is "The Alice" in honor of my friend Theresa whom I made it for.  I name everything so I think this part of it will be fun too.  I might even do a giveaway on my blog so keep an eye out for that!

Updates, Creations, & Searches

What am I up to these days?  Lots!  Here's a quick run down.

• I'm nurturing my 6 month & 3 year old daughters, working on being a more loving wife, and seeking God.  I feel like I'm doing better in these areas than I have been in a long time.
• I'm considering working out.  For some of you this may be a no brainer, but for me it's not.  I hate working out.  I've never been a sporty girl.  When I was younger I loved no work out exercise like walking places, skateboarding, etc.  Lately I've been much too inactive and I don't like it.  I don't like the way I feel or the way it looks on me.  I know myself well enough to know I need to find something I'll enjoy or I'll never stick with it.  I enjoy out Wii Fit+, but it's broken right now.  Any suggestions?
  
• I'm crafting for the first time in a while.  I had been knitting a lot, but have put that on hold for now.  I recently began creating jewelry.  I'm loving it!  It's fun, easy, and the pieces make fantastic accessories.  Here's a pic:

• I'm researching tattoo artists in the bay area and planning to get my tattoo for my birthday in August.  If you have a suggestion let me know.  I need someone who is good with lettering and, of course, works in a clean, safe shop. 
• I've been feeling inspired to start sewing again.  I'd like to start making things for my girls.  I'm basically a beginning sewer.  I took sewing in jr. high and made several things.  In high school I made one of my halloween costumes by following a pattern.  I hadn't used a machine in ages until two years ago when Kacey helped me make a quilt for my mom.  Now I want to get a sewing machine.  Anyone have suggestions for a good machine for beginners?  I'm not even sure how to start comparing them or what to look for.  Here's a pic of me holding up the quilt I mentioned:

• I've fallen into the busy day to day and haven't been spending time on myself.  I want to remedy this for myself, but also for my family.  I want to look nice for my husband.  I want to set an example for my girls.  I'm teaching them that inner beauty comes from loving the Lord.  It shines through love and kindness that glorifies God.  It comes from your character and it is the most important kind of beauty.  I'm also teaching them that caring for yourself and your appearance is important too.  The fact that it is less important doesn't mean it is unimportant.  The best way I can teach them these things is by my example.  To do that I need something easy so I'm working on a "five minute face" by trying new make-up tips and products.  I'll let you know what I find.  Please share if you have favorites I should check out.  

While Doing Mom Things

Ever the multitasker, I am...

• Listening to:

• Researching Fonts for my Tattoo:

 -Frivolous-

  -Old Script-

 -Platthand-

  -Porcelain-

Thoughts?  Also, if you have fun handwriting feel free to write down "Always Love" and send it to me.  I'm sort of leaning towards one of the lower two.

• Playing to Win

• Searching to Win (and saving up for Starbucks)

A Quote

"Wisdom is knowing what the right thing to do is.  Virtue is doing it."

---Unknown

Thank You!

Thanks for all the feedback on the bomber jacket for A's costume. The authentic style won by a landslide. It was my favorite too. It's been purchased and came today. She was a little unsure why Mommy was putting a huge coat on her in 80 degree weather, but was a good sport and wore it long enough for a quick photo. Here she is:

Medical Insurance...Do Share

Peter & I have a meeting tomorrow to get our medical insurance figured out. Peter's main job is a contractor so we have to get our own medical insurance. We currently have a Blue Shield P.P.O. that has been wonderful medically but more expensive than we can afford (read, premiums more than our rent and we still owe on our 18 month old daughter's birth - time in the N.I.C.U. is expensive, but priceless). Recently our monthly premiums were raised again and we decided it was time for a change. We have looked at H.S.A.s, high deductible P.P.O.s, Kaiser, and have thought about an H.M.O.

I've never had an H.M.O. so I know almost nothing about them. I know the main difference is that my General Practitioner would have to refer me to any other specialists, but not much else. What are the groups in this area? Do they include any of my current doctors? Would we still get to go to Good Sam?

I've never had Kaiser either, but at least 3/4 of what I've heard have been horror stories. After watching how they've handled Lenny's Grandpa after his stroke this past week I'm honestly somewhat frightened for their patients and have no desire to be one of them. Am I wrong? Are there others of you out there who have had wonderful experiences with them?

Please share. If you live in California (or used to) let me know what medical insurance you have or have had and what kind of reviews you'd give it. If you are involved with the medical community please share your thoughts. The more information we can get when making this decision the better. Thanks in advance for your help!!

Almost Here

My birthday is coming in just two weeks. I LOVE birthdays! I think it is all the possibilities of a new year, the celebrating with people I love, and how life affirming they are. I'll be 32 this year. I'm incredibly excited. I've always thought that 32 sounded like an exciting age. I'm not sure why. I hope it will be. I've decided to do some things to feel just a little more fabulous as year 32 begins.

1. I'm getting my hair done tomorrow (YAY for Jac being all better!). I'll post pictures.
   
2. I'm one step closer to beginning my "tattoo process." I've decided on "She will always love." in a cursive or scroll font. It will be a wandering swirl on the back of my neck. Now I just need a mock up to hang somewhere. Do any of you graphic designer font ninjas have suggestions for fonts I should look at?
   
3. I have a gift card for a facial & massage that Peter gave me for our anniversary that I think I'll schedule for next week.
4. I have a gift certificate for a mani & pedi (thanks Lacie, Kacey, Andrew, & R.J.) from my birthday last year that I'm going to use.

Peter has asked me to start brainstorming how I want to celebrate. I'm really not sure. I just know I want to be with my loved ones. Any ideas out there? I want to do sushi with Talicia while she's here as one part. Just her being here is a gift! YAY for birthdays!

Poll

I need a little help. My baby Boo LOVES airplanes. When we visit my parents she'll repeat, "airple," (which sounds like apple, but means airplane) and knock on the garage door until someone takes her out there to look at my dad's remote controlled planes. When we go to Target and planes fly over the parking lot she blows them kisses. This is a wonderful thing since my dad has been hoping for another flight enthusiast in his line for years. I decided that because of all this she should be a tiny aviator for Halloween (think Amelia Earheart meets Easy Company). I bought her a little aviator hat and I'm going to make her goggles from black felt. Now I'll just looking for her jacket. I'm looking at two. One is for a girl so she'd get more use out of it (a little more $$), but the other one is so authentic that I'm a little bit in love with it (a little less $$). I thought I'd put it out there and get some help with the descision. Here they are:

orWhat do YOU think?