Eleven...Once'...Onze...Undici...Elva

I'm totally ripping the format for this off First Time Mama - First Time Blogger. Mostly because I'm too lazy and pressed for time to think about being creative right now...ha.


Why Eleven? 
I got tagged by Skye at "First Time Mama - First Time Blogger" - I've got a lot of posts that I need to catch up on, but this sounded fun! I have to answer 11 questions, create 11 new questions, tag some friends to do the same, and mention 11 random things about myself. 

There are 6 rules: 
1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself & 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the 11 questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog and tell them you've tagged them.
6. No saying, "If you are reading this, you're tagged."


11 Random things about me

1. I've lived in eight different cities. We won't even try to count how many houses/apartments. Amarillo,TX - Albuquerque, NM - Temple, TX - Lubbock, TX - Orlando, FL - Spring, TX - Austin, TX - Cedar Park, TX (Did I forget anything, mom?)
2. I met my husband working at a liquor store in Lubbock, TX while attending Texas Tech University. I know a lot of people judged my decision to work there, but turns out God's plans are bigger than human judgements.
3. I wish it was sunny, 85 degrees and windless EVERYDAY. 
4. I ran a marathon. You guys probably already know that, but it will be in my top 10 facts and accomplishments for the rest of my life. So get used to hearing about it! ha.
5. I was bit by a snake when I was little...like before elementary school little.
6. I love traveling and wish I could do it more. 
7. I have very vivid dreams and remember a lot of them. I believe it's a gift and I'm still trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do with it. Maybe write some strange science-fiction novel?  
8. I have a bit of social anxiety and am an introvert. I'm still trying to learn that both of those things are completely fine and normal. I learned pretty early on that you sometimes have to pretend to be an extrovert to prevent making other extroverts uncomfortable. For a while, I even had myself fooled into thinking I was an extrovert.
9. I worked at Disney World's All Star Sports Resort for a few months during college.
10. I sometimes wish that I lived a simpler life. You know: grow my own food, sew my own clothes, no t.v., share everything I have with others, etc. Did I just say I want to be a hippie? I think I did. I think I'd be good at it...
11. I won't ever do that, because I'm a people pleaser. That wouldn't please the people I know and love very much. :) 

11 Questions from Skye to me: 

1. When did you last step outside? What were you doing? I was outside today chasing Chloe and her friend, Rocco, around while they played. 
2. What is the last film you saw? I rented 'One Day' on Friday. I read the book and enjoyed the concept. The movie was not as good. Story of a reader's life...
3. What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer? Probably a marketing document from work. *shameless plug alert* (Check out Loku!) 
4. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do? I would take away selfishness (including my own). Wouldn't it be nice if everybody thought about other people before they thought of themselves?
5. What was the last thing you bought? Grocery's today at HEB and a bathing suit for Chloe.
6. Seen anything weird lately? Are you kidding? haha I live in Austin, TX. My neighbor drove by my house the other day with a sailbike, a three wheel bike that uses a sail to drive him around the neighborhood.
7. What's under your bed? Maybe a stray toy of Chloe's. Other than that, it's free and clear.
8. What are some of the different jobs that you have had in your life? bank teller, communications manager for a property management company and office manager for a startup
9. What's your favorite indulgence? Other than ice cream, probably travel. I think I could go into debt traveling. What's worse is that I don't think I would mind that much.
10. Favorite sports team? Texas Tech Football
11. Do you collect anything? Not really. Do pictures count? I have Precious Moments from when I was younger, but I don't collect them anymore. It takes up too much room to collect stuff. Plus, I don't like being attached to material things. When I collect things, I start caring about them too much. 

Here are my 11 Questions for my tagged friends

1.  What is your earliest childhood memory? Is it a good memory for you or a not-so-good one?
2. What is your favorite book? The Bible doesn't count for this answer.
3. What is THE ONE thing you would do if you knew you were going to die tomorrow? Have you done it already?
4. If you could live anywhere, where would you live?
5. What is the one thing you would want your children to remember you for?
6. Would you rather be able to run faster than a cheetah, fly or breathe under water?
7. What is your favorite song?
8. If you could travel time, what are three points in time you would visit?
9. Would you rather have a full-time housekeeper or personal stylist? 
10. Would you rather be smarter or prettier?
11. What is the strangest thing about yourself that you're willing to share? (Keep it PG-13)

Here are my tagged friends. Don't let me down.

Diane at Life is an Adventure
Tori at Busy B Family
Shelby at Everyday a New Day
Heather at Life with Little H

Hope you guys have as much fun with this as I did...

Mobile Blogging on my iPhone?

I just found out that Blogger has an iPhone app. I thought I should test it out and see how blogging from my phone will work.

As a result, you get to see a few iPhone pictures. If you are friends with me on Facebook, you've probably seen these.

The picture of the dog with stickers covering it is Mark's parents' dog. Bentley, the dog, is such a trooper. He tolerates Chloe's nonsense pretty well.

Did it! Pin it.

I think Pinterest was the best thing to happen to social media in a while.  I've tried of a lot of things that I've pinned. I really feel like I should be blogging about what works and what doesn't. This is the project that I just completed today.

I'm not a great seamstress. I can work my sewing machine, but I can't do anything that's very complicated. I can sew a hem, make a baby blanket, I've attempted a robe that turned out o.k. and I've failed at making myself a dress.

When I found this tutorial for making a skirt, I decided to use the scrap fabric that I used for my failed dress to make Chloe one. It turned out really cute! It was one of the easiest things I've ever made. I did make it a little too big and she might be wearing it until she's 4. The good news is I learned from my mistake. Next time, I will make the elastic adjustable...something I've seen my mom do with a button.

The blogger's site that I found the tutorial at was LaForce Be with You. Cool name right? She's got lots of cute ideas on her blog. You should check it out!

Post Valentine's Post

Yesterday was beautiful here. We had a few days of colder, rainy weather. The warmth and sun was a welcome relief. We played outside in the yard for a bit after we walked to the mailbox. Chloe is my little nature lover. It makes me happy!

This is what Chloe wore for Valentine's Day. My mom made the shirt for her. It's cute and I'm pretty sure that she'll be able to wear it next year. We just have to keep the stains off it.

she doesn't like being told to stand still

always inspecting something.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope Cupid is treating you all well. Personally, I'm not a van of Valentine's Day. But, I celebrate it every year because I'm a sucker for the pink and red color combination...and it gives me an excuse to cook something 'special.'

I can't seem to find the time to sit down and write a proper post. I did take some pictures of Chloe playing in the yard today. I still have to edit those before I post them. So for now, this is what you'll get.

Valentine's Day in Granthamania:

My funny valentine.

Valentine's Day dinner

Dinner was chicken cordon bleu, mashed potatoes (from scratch) and roasted green beans and mushrooms.

There is no way to tell you how absolutely to-die-for the chicken was. The gravy was amazing and I am currently trying to figure out a way to make it without having to cook the chicken.

Dessert

 These are champagne cupcakes. They were lots of fun to make. Don't worry, though. Chloe had ice cream instead. She's still got about 19 years before she can have these...

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!!

Ziploc Art

It's been a while since I posted pictures of Chloe. So, today I thought I could share our morning craft.

Another great idea from Pinterest just got put to use in our household. Who knew Chloe was a budding little Picasso? You can go straight to the 'Color in a Bag' link on Disney's FamilyFun site, but read through this post first because I made a mistake.

Or don't. You're probably smarter than me.

Ingredients: 4c water, 1c corn starch, 1/2c sugar, food coloring, Ziploc bags,
packing tape.

I'm not going to give the step by step. But you cook the sugar, water and corn starch for about 30 min. {Please go read the directions if you are going to try this.}

What is this?

Her Backyardigan is helping her out.

Here is where you can tell I messed up. The first two bags I made a solid color. There is only green in bag 1 and only pink in bag 2. You are supposed to mix the colors. Put multiple colors in one bag. I fixed it in the picture below. Of course, Chloe didn't seem to mind the mix up. She was more into the texture of the Ziploc goo bag than swirling the colors together.

This is the correct way to bag the goo.

Honestly, I thought this would be more fun. I spent more time making the project than Chloe did playing with it. It was worth a shot?

Good news is that the site claims the stuff lasts a week. Maybe we'll get more use out of it.

Summer Daze Shopping Spree

The weather has been so wonderful here in Austin. In fact, we haven't really had much winter weather at all. Most of the days have been around 50-70 degrees. That's pretty warm for us this time of year. I'm not complaining because I really hate being cold. But, this weather is making me really ready for summer weather. I have spring fever so bad. It is this condition that has caused me to make the following purchases:

One of Chloe's new bathing suits. Both suit and cover up were 9.99 on Zulily

A 16.99 purchase on Zulily. Hope it fits. 

My new 'covers more than a bikini, but still feel like I'm wearing a bikini' suit.

If the bathing suit fits nice, I'm going to order another color.

Bathing suit season is still another 4 months away. Not sure I'll be able to wait that long to try out our new suits. Good thing our gym has an indoor recreation pool.

I want to know if you have any favorite online shopping sites? I'm tired of going to the mall and never finding anything I like...