Stuck Inside of Mobile... Wednesday's 2nd Post!

Well, I'm not in Mobile, obviously. But I am stuck. Here it is 4pm and I've really not done much to even mention. It isn't that I don't have things to do or that I don't want to do them, I'm just stuck in a rut. I spent most of my morning reading articles on money management, creating a home management workbook and rearranging some books on bookshelves. Eating this dill tofu spread on fresh bagels- like it is going out of style and feeling all-around sucky because I have a basket full of items to photograph for the shop. In the forefront was TV(a Project Runway marathon), that plays a big part of my lack of productivity. I felt pretty good for most of today, so I should have gotten a lot more accomplished.



I did make myself a 5-minute fleece scarf
sew 4 coffee cuffs and 1 pin cushion
hang Zach's wintry shirts & henleys to air out & packed up 1 box of his summer shirts
and found places for all of our outside/ now inside plants- but still I feel lame.

I think I need to go back to listening to books on tape/CD, because when I did- I was getting so much more accomplished. All I can do now is acknowledge my weakness and hop back on my sewing machine. I guess I shouldn't beat myself up too much- but once baby Hazel arrives, I know things will change and I'll wish I had a whole day to sew! With that I'm shutting off the TV.
xo
M

The Straight Talk Express Lost a Wheel...

Last night we did watch the debate. Tom Brokaw was making me uncomfortable, so I admit we were switching between that and the Rachel Zoe Project in the last hour. My favorite quote was Obama's, which is my blog title. Yesterday, after meeting with the OBGYN ((a technicality) he seemed slightly like a sociopath- who had no emotion) we stopped at the health food store. As of late, there is an Obama headquarters there, Zach stopped in to get me a button and found our next-door-neighbor manning a booth! What a small world!


Here I am at 32 weeks-wearing one of Zach's sweaters. I'm feeling a lot of back pain and shortness of breath. But, I am having good days- where although I'm tired, I can even eat a Wendy's salad and not die right after it. So progress seems to be made by using the Acacia powder.

Monday, I went to Carter's kids shop and made some exchanges of sizes. Luckily I found the same of everything- just in smaller or larger sizes, cause kids shouldn't wear fleece in June! Then I ran a few more errands (a trip to Target for a gift and yes a owl hand towel for our woodland bathroom, which I could not pass by- I did pass by the owl nightlight) and came home to tackle some much needed tidying. We rearranged furniture this weekend, so now we still have our little book nook- but it now has a super comfy rocking chair in it. I'm amazed at how much space it feels we've created.

Then I tackled making space for listed/finished products. They're usually kept in a large Rubbermaid bin, which was covered with a quilt & pillow and used as an ottoman. But with the new arrangement, that wouldn't work. So now all of my vintage sheets & pillowcases have a new home in a salvaged hat box. My overwhelming large collection of Blue fabric is living in a shelf unit on my desk and the finished products have a new bin to hang their hats. When 2 flyers for Joann's came in the mail, I had to laugh. As if I need more..

Last night I introduced Z to the website Pear Budget as well as the idea of using this envelope method from Simple Mom. So we saddled down on the couch and gave our budget a stern looking and when payday comes- I know exactly how much to take out for the envelopes. I'm feeling pretty good about it. The Simple Mom's website is so helpful- I know I've mentioned it before!

(Zach working from home on Tuesday)



(Here is the first ever hat I knitted, for Baby Hazel! It isn't quite a newborn hat, maybe infant. I had to sort of make the size/stitches up to adapt it from another pattern)

Fall is definitely here, because I started pulling out the holiday/ Christmas, winter print fabrics! I cut up about 11 coffee cuffs last night during the debate. However it is supposed to be in the 70's for the next week!
Have a great Wednesday!
xo

Gratitude

All the hub and now the day has come and gone. It was lovely! No I didn't wear a Grecian gown, I wore a purple stripey turtleneck with pinky- metallic accessories. Zach and I played a little matchy-matchy, which was dorky fun. I needed to take Imodium to assure that I could leave the house, so today I am taking the day slow.

The Matchy Couple


Breast Cancer- Donation Flowers from Aunt Gorny


Crazy Shower Games!

We still have another carload of stuff at my parent's house, but between our rocking chair, 2 Frog Pods (we'll need to make an exchange),pack & play,high chair some items just had to be left behind for a pickup today.

The weather held out and even though it was a very tight, very tight mix inside the dining room, I think it was a total success! I got to see so many special people from far & near. It meant so much to me that everyone took such detail in purchasing their gifts or making them. I never thought I would get caught up in baby clothes- but there are some ADORABLE clothing choices out there and thanks to the generosity of family & friends I think I own them all! Yes, of course there was a lot of pink- the decorations were very cute and of course Miss Hello Kitty made several appearances.

Family & friends made food from baked beans-penne ala vodka (my sister's speciality),butternut squash faux mac & cheese,boiled potatoes(for me), chicken Marsala and the list goes on! Everyone had seconds, which was encouraging for the cooks. I made an apple crumble of sorts, I didn't even add the caramel sauce. There was a good amount of brown sugar- so it didn't need it. IBS & Vegan Friendly Apple Crisp It was super easy and came out delicious! I think I'll be heating a piece up for breakfast this morning.

Last night, Zach finished assembling our new rocker and now today we must figure out where it will go. Always a challenge in a small space. But I rather enjoy spinning around the furniture to achieve a new look and new nooks. The reality is setting in I think for both of us, babies have a lot of stuff! I don't think we really even registered for an over-the-top amount, hardly any clothes or toys- mostly the items we needed. Yet, I still feel overwhelmed, slightly. I think if we keep it simple and watch what we allow into the house, we might feel better in control.


One of our handmade gifts was a gorgeous, pink & white check, knit blanket set. One is smaller to cuddle baby, the other is bigger to cuddle mama. Not having come from a family of knitters (me being the only one on my side), receiving a handmade- knit blanket from a family friend (the daughter of one of my mom's best friends- who has known me since birth) just made my day. Once the rain goes away- does that happen in October? I'll take pictures.

We also received some gorgeous littles from Land of Nod. These wooden blocks we were so excited to open.In an attempt to have more durable-non-plastic,traditional toys for Hazel.

Lastly, I didn't even get a darn picture of my sister and mother who orchestrated the entire thing from decorations- games- food and presents.(In my defense- they were all over the place and hardly sat down!)

One of the most touching details was the wishing well. Instead of having everyone bring little tchochkes, my big sis, Susan( who is also a history professor) asked for books- to start off Hazel's library! From Eric Carle - 100 First Words, Hazel's collection has grown into something even more precious. We both have favorites from our childhood, that we merged together and purchased used from the library, yard sales etc. but now she'll have books with bookplates in them and notes from family & friends. Each time we read them- we can be thankful for the idea and the generosity.

Overall, I was just so touched by the generosity of family & friends. To feel that loved and to pass it on to our child is going to be a wonderful experience/adventure.
Thank you for sharing our little shower story. I'm grateful to have the friendly readers who stop by and say hello! Be well xo
M

Much To Do About Friday

In addition to being well enough to grab a soy chai yesterday, I visited the health food store for some much needed pie crusts (when I make my own they always crumble). I also stopped at my brother's house to drop off the last shower gift to my mom. She was there with my dad & nieces & nephew. They're so funny- such characters! They talk to my tummy and the littlest, Lizzie asks " When is baby Hazel coming out?" she lightly taps my stomach and smiles. So sweet. They know Saturday is the party for baby Hazel. If I hadn't shared her name yet, it's HAZEL! We were kinda keeping it under wraps, but I don't even know how many people will even read this lol!


A little zip pouch, my favorite oatmeal soap, lavender sachets and one of my favorite chocolate bars~

organic lavender sachets


A gift for one of the shower games~

Yesterday afternoon I came across a favorite movie I had forgotten all about-
Peggy Sue Got Married..
They just don't make movies like this anymore!

I remembered this movie from when I was little. I always liked Kathleen Turner and had such a crush on NICHOLAS CAGE, with his semi-goofball/sexpot singing persona.

Nicholas Cage and Jim Carrey! Can you believe the all-star cast in this movie?

A very young Joan Allen along with Sophia Coppola and directed by Francis Ford Coppola! I had to stop and watch.

I just found this great website,
Simple Mom. Even if you aren't a mother- she has a lot of great tips on living green, living simply, budgeting etc. This article is about how there are actually 12 weeks left till Christmas, for real. So Simple Mom is going to help plan out the next 12 weeks to get us all organized for the holidays. Like any stressful situation if we can just break it up into smaller pieces- the whole thing gets less daunting and maybe even fun! I'm on board! Today she'll start her Budgeting for week 12.

At some point tonight I plan on making that Apple Caramel pie I've been rattling on about- for the party tomorrow. I'm looking forward to the faux mac & cheese my mom is making me. She uses regular elbow macaroni- but adds butternut squash and kind of bakes it- then I'll add bread crumbs and nutritional yeast.

I've been a little consumed by the thoughts of this Saturday.Our baby shower.
Our first baby will be here shortly and I just can't believe it. Are we ready for this adventure? Will she be a terror? Like the kids I see at the mall misbehaving- whining for a toy? My mom has always said- people expect kids to act somewhat bratty and sometimes naughty, but in public people look for the way the parents react to this behavior. When I think about our little baby I have so many hopes & dreams for her.. not in the way parents think - oh you'll be a lawyer or a doctor- not even that far- just hopes of what we'll do during our days together. Crafts, finger painting, making messes, baking and then when Papa Oat comes home we can have show & tell. Gosh I am such a huge dork.

I still have no clue what to wear tomorrow. I'd like jeans- because it's sweata weatha- but I feel like I should somehow be this goddessesy- mother in a Grecian gown.. I wonder if I can wear jeans under that?
xo
M

So Project Runway, last night was kind of a disappointment. I won't go into details, but if you read Pulp Sushi, I'm sure Marilyn will give you a wonderful explanation! Let's just say the contestants don't seem to be as skilled as other cycles. Not that I could ever be on that show! Too crazy!

Yesterday, I created a new blog header. I'm having fun doing these every month, we'll see how next month goes~ I also had a prenatal massage, which was really great. I'm grateful that we have a friend who not only charges a reasonable price, but is willing to come to me!

I've decided to try and make an apple pie with a caramelish topping for my shower. Possibly a little bit ambitious, but hey what better time to make one? I'll be using a vegan recipe. Boy how I miss caramel apples... sorry just thinking out loud.
In addition to making the apple pie and iced-chamomile tea I'm aspiring to stitch up a cute little makeup bag to house the soap, chocolate bar & lavender sachets for one of the winners of the baby game. I'm silly.

Two Works in Progress:


I'll tell you about them a little later.

Well I hope you all have a lovely Thursday!
xo
M

Welcome October

With the holiday season just around the corner, we here at the Hobocamp Headquarters (that would be me, our unborn child and two kitties) have decided to mix up our advertising a bit. We've taken ads in magazines and their websites in the past, but print is so very expensive. Plus, I've found myself not buying as many magazines lately.
So one of our first new endeavors is the adorable, Scoutie Girl. You can see our new ad that Zach designed-


Yesterday was spent listing some new Scraparellas in the shop.
I also made some soup, the pot was filled with carrots, potatoes, some tofu chunks,spices,veggie broth and mushrooms. All of the veggies that don't currently bother my stomach.

Today I need to do some light clean up- a friend of mine is coming to give me a prenatal massage and I promise I am staying quiet this time! I talked too much last time and it went by so quickly! I've been having some serious lower back pain. I'm grateful for our little heat up lavender packs we purchased years ago. They smell wonderful and relax my shoulders on extra stressful days. Speaking of lavender, I purchased some from Summersea, my lovely spice & herb seller on Etsy and promptly misplaced the bag. For days I was sniffing around our bedroom trying to find it, then finally last night I did!

My reason for needing this is to make some lavender sachets for a one of the gifts for the game at my shower. In addition to giving the first winner lavender, she'll also receive a bar of my favorite oatmeal soap & favorite dark chocolate & raspberry bar. The other gifts include coffee cuffs and coffee shop gift cards. Hope the ladies like them! I had to beg to contribute this! MY mom & sister wouldn't let me do much- I know it is my shower, but I wanted to help.

If you get a chance, take a look here
throughout the day, I am scheduled to have a feature of one of my coffee cuffs for the Heart Lab. I wrote a semi-tutorial-dissection for this site of this cuff.

(which has recently sold) Super cool! Keep Your eyes peeled for our new blog banner for Octobie!
Have a great day!
xo

I Get So Weak in the Knees..

A tiny view of the new banner I created, just because.

I know terrible song and I'm a terrible person for referencing it. Bad me, Bad!
But I am slowly losing my powers of strength. I'll sit at the machine and within 30 minutes I am dizzy and weak! How do women with multiple children continue to care for their kids while pregnant? Perhaps my diet is dragging me down. I feel like such a wimp! I'm usually a toughie! Spppshhh!


Sunday night I finished my vagabond wrap- full of so many skeins I forgot to count. I don't know that I will actually wear it in public, but it makes a lovely lap cozy and I've gotten approval from Jasper, who keeps needing it with his paws. In my house growing up we always called it" nice- nice"- I guess my mom made that up. Z always kinda laughs at me when I use that term.. along with so many other Lawrencisms like bashy-bashy cake.

It astounds me that these kitties who I spend most days with, can tell time.. no for reals! They sleep most of the day away and then start meowing around 4:30- I usually feed them at 5. In Hermione's case- she stalks me and then just stares at me till I eventually feel uncomfortable. Jasper waits in the dark in the kitchen by the fridge, so I can't possibly open the fridge for my own snack without feeding him first. Clever kitties.

Speaking of clever, I've been listening to this fine, clever lady- Erin McKeown as of late. We saw her at a show a few years ago, she's playing this weekend in NYC- but I don't think we'll be trudging into the city anytime soon. Of course once the baby is born a proper NYC/ holiday trip will be in order.

In happy shop stories- we just got one of our larger wholesale orders- 5 Scraparellas will be going to a new home down south, along with numerous coffee cuffs and onesies. So exciting! Plus, we'll be using the payment for our crib mattress- it feels good to contribute to our household in a larger way than usual. I'm grateful~
Happy Tuesday