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So the kids and I were at the post office this morning and this man got in line and yelled out “Hi”. He had sunglasses on and seemed to be looking right at our direction. I went along my business and decided to check out the boxes before exiting. HUGE mistake!
Sidenote: For those who know me, I am a bit of a paranoid germophobe but I keep that in check and to myself. My sis is worse than me…she’s the one you see using an elbow or pulling her sleeves down just so she doesn’t have to touch the crosswalk button. I mean…I’m not bad 
I’ll still take my kids to the mall play area (you know that place NEVER gets washed down or disinfected!!!), the pet store, the park, community places, etc…but I ALWAYS carry hand sanitizer in all my bags and make sure that their hands get washed after EVERY activity. Plus, when one gets sick, you can be absolutely positively sure the other one will get sick and get it worse!
So, back to the story…I’m checking out the boxes and out of nowhere the man reappears. He didn’t seem like a homeless person but…there was definitely something a little off. He comes over to us and speaking very loudly, asks my name and introduces himself. That’s fine and all but then his hand reaches out and touches my kids’ heads! Oh my…I almost had a panic attack. AND that’s not the worst part…he wants to shake my hand! If my husband was there, he would have known exactly what to do and say even if it was offensive. Boy, do I wish he was there! I’m that type of person who can’t think of things to say at the moment but relives it afterwards and comes up with a million things! So I didn’t want to be rude and if he was a bit slow, then good for him for introducing himself to us and wanting to shake my hand, right? So I did it, I shook his hand…and he didn’t want just that! He wanted to do the whole hand-shake-jive-thing (don’t know what that move is called, but you know what I’m talking about). His hands were SOOOO rough and while looking at them, I noticed they were filthy! And that’s when my OCD kicked in. I immediately rushed home (the Purell in my car was almost out and I knew I did not have enough to feel good about just using that amount), and washed my hands with LOTS of soap before going to play at the park with the kids. Yes, I know…it’s a bit much. BUT STILL! The whole time at the park…I was thinking of all the things I could have said to him. But what nice thing can you say and not offend someone who just wants to shake your hand? And then I go into parent mode…what if I refused nicely and he gets all belligerent in front of my kids. Better to just suck it up and shake that poor man’s hand, right?
I’m hoping that there is no next time but if there is and I am faced with the same situation…I’ll just pick both of my kids up and run for the door!
big sis
Is that how it goes???
I must admit…I am not a hard core, to die for, will do anything in the name of SC kind of gal. Maybe it’s b/c I went there for grad school. It seems to be that the undergrad students get a bit more attached to their alma mater. At the wedding my sis was in and I attended, the bride and groom (both USC alumni) hired some members of the USC band to play at their reception! It was crazy! It was quite exciting and the band did an awesome job…in their whole get-up too! In any case, I am proud to be a USC grad student but a lil bit more proud to be a UCLA graduate! GO BRUINS!
I had the pleasure of making some very special dolls.
How cute are they!
big sis
Aloha! I just got back from Maui, and it was such a nice getaway for me and the hubs. This trip was an eye-opener for me. I can’t believe the special treatment I got just because I’m preggers! First off, people in the airplanes were so gracious enough to let me cut in line for the restroom so I never had to wait. Secondly, when we got to the Hyatt, the desk attendant upgraded us four grades above our plain ‘ol garden view room to a deluxe room with a beautiful ocean view. We told her we were on our babymoon, and she excused herself to go talk to someone in the back room and came out with the wonderful news. Our room was situated so perfectly, right smack in the middle of the hotel so our view was of the pool overlooking the ocean. Finally, on my plane ride back to LA, the check in lady gave me an Economy Plus Seat (normally you have to pay additional $$) so I had extra leg room. I’m sure she just threw it in because it was not occupied, but I want to believe she gave that to me because of my circumstance. Who knew that being preg meant people were extra nice to you?? I love it!
I have to say Maui was the best island out of the three I’ve visited. Kauai was too calm and tranquil for us. I like to describe W and I as adventurous and people watchers, so Kauai was too peaceful or shall I say a lil too boring. When I went to Oahu with my girlfriends, it was perfect because we acted like all the rest of the tourists and pretty much blended in with the packed crowds. It was just a bit too touristy for me. Maui was the perfect mix!
I only took a few pictures because I had a horrible time remembering to bring my camera.
The view from our room and the inside of our hotel:
The penguins chillin in the hotel:
Here is a pic of W getting ready to go parasailing and another one of him up in the air. Can you see him???
We planned this parasailing adventure around my spa time, so right after I got all my blackheads extracted, I ran down to the beach so I could see him off. BTW, another reason why I didn’t want to take pics is that my forehead is a disaster. Ever since I’ve entered into my second tri, I’ve broken out like there’s no tomorrow. It’s been hard getting used to all these pimples, but what can I do, right? Hormones! The Vitamin C facial included a session of extractions, so I can honestly say I have about 20 small scabs scattered everywhere on my face. Thank goodness I brought a hat!
This is a scenic pic of “The Big Beach” and a funny looking bird that kept hanging by my towel.
If you ever go to Maui, you must try Tasaka Guri Guri in the Maui Mall right next to the OGG airport. My brother in law’s father recommended that place and told us it was a mixture between sherbet/ice cream that was only made there and could not be found anywhere else. How intriguing! We trekked up there the second day. It was prob almost an hour drive from our hotel, and we just fell in love with it! They only have two flavors – pineapple and strawberry. Pineapple is our favorite! We had to get the guri guri one more time before leaving Maui, so we checked out a little earlier to go on our last day.
I’ll leave you with one final pic of this famous guri guri:
Yummy!
Now on to making some big sis dolls for our shop
-lil sis
Guess who went to Disneyland with two 2 year old toddlers all by her lonesome self?! MEEEEEE! Yes, I’m excited! A girlfriend of mine gave me some tips on how to get on the tram without assistance (that was my only fear about going by myself). And if you have a double stroller, you know those things are NOT light and although I have been working out 
to lift something so bulky that high up without hurting yourself…let’s just say, it’s not an easy task and I know I will have some bruises to show for it. All worth it. And please, those battle wounds are nothing compared to the ones on my tummy from my skin stretching to the MAX! But that’s a different story…
We left in one piece and I must admit this has been my most challenging outing. We were barely able to ride any rides b/c most of the kiddy rides only have enough space for one adult and one child. So it looks like I’ll have to leave those rides for the weekend when my husband can join us.
I completed some paperweights a couple nights ago and they are now in the shop.
Yes, in some aspects, my sis and I have similar tastes. Guess she likes the panda print too! I am currently working on the most cutest custom order. Can’t wait to show you what she looks like. She has not been shipped so you will have to wait a bit to see how she turns out.
big sis
My husband and I did it…we bought annual passes to DISNEYLAND! We had been waiting and waiting for this moment mostly because we wanted the kids to see it and experience the happiest place on earth! We were not the first ones there nor were we the ones sitting on coolers in the parking lot enjoying breakfast BUT we did manage to get there at 8:15am (park opens up at 8 during the summer).
There’s alot of planning that goes along with traveling with twins…even if it’s just to the amusement park…even if it’s just for 3-4 hours. Husband and I each know our roles. For ex. I sit in the back seat with the kids and give/feed them breakfast; he is in charge of folding up the stroller and getting it on the Disney tram while I pick both kids up and “shove” them in; I “power walk” to the ticket booth to purchase the passes while he meets me at the entrance gate. All this to save us precious time and avoid meltdowns. It started to get SUPER crowded around 10:30 so we took a ride on the train, the one that goes around Disneyland, and called it a day. All worth it and we are planning on going back next weekend. You should have heard my daughter; from the moment we arrived, she was yelling “I see it” and then after seeing all these lil girls dressed up as princesses (in this heat too!!!), wearing Minnie hats, she insisted on getting one and did not stop until she had her hat on her head. Yes, she is a girly girl and I LOVE that about her! My son, on the other hand, was excited to be there but only got really excited when he saw the cars in Toon Town. Typical boy
Lil sis and I are working on some paperweights for the shop. We are hoping to list at least 4 this week so be sure to check them out! I have been busy prepping for my sis’ baby shower. I have some time to plan and prepare but with trying to update the shop and prepare for our next craft show, I do not want to procrastinate. So I’m halfway done with her invites; I think that they are super cute and not just because I’m making them! I must think that I have all the time in the world! You’ll know what I’m talking about when you see them…give me about 3 weeks to post a picture of them. I know…I started REALLY early!
Hoping you all are having a wonderful Monday!!!
big sis
I shared with my husband my exciting news about going out to eat by myself with the kids and you know what his reaction was???
Husband: Is it that big of a deal?
Me: Well, you would never think of doing something like that!!! (with horror that he would try to minimize my successful trip to El Torito!!!)
Husband: I know, but that’s me.
Of course, I wasn’t going to let it end there. Can’t take away my thunder just like that! But he clarified and I forgave his callousness I can write this all here b/c he doesn’t read our blog and I don’t think he’ll ever. So what I wanted to clarify just so I don’t give off the impression that my kids and are hermits (not that there’s anything wrong with being one), we have eaten at fast food-ish places by ourselves just not sit down, order food, wait for food, entertain kids by myself, pack up kids’ stuff, pay bill, and make it out in one piece kind of places
Another thing I need to clarify…this is for you, Silliesmile’s husband…I did not raise my twins completely on my own. When they were born, my husband took a few days off here and there. Yes, you read that correctly, only a few days off here and there! Hmmm…I sound bitter, don’t I? I’m not; he had to do what he had to do. But I also had my mom for about 1.5 weeks and then here and there too. It was extremely hard for me in the beginning b/c I hated to see both of them cry and not be able to pick both of them up…so hard b/c they were so so tiny. It was then that we decided to hire a high school student for the summer (twins were born in May). When the student went back to school, we tried a live-in nanny for a week but that situation was crazy in itself, and it was at that point that I decided to raise them on my own. So technically, I had help with them until they were 5 months old.
And how did I manage? Hmmm…alot is a blur I have to give some credit to my husband. He helped ALOT at night b/c I was so determined to nurse both of them and so I nursed, passed a baby to my husband who then fed with a syringe filled with milk that I pumped or formula…yes, we are both neurotic like that! AND I MUST give credit to my organizational skills! I kept a chart on them. Oh, you know…the usual things like how many times did they pee, poop, time of feeding, length of feeding, nap, how long they napped, so forth. I lived off of this chart out of fear that I would miss something from being so tired! Funny when I think about it now but it saved my life! I had multiple copies everywhere. If I got up to nurse, I would crouch down by the nightlight to complete it! Did I mention that I’m neurotic?! It saved my life (and probably theirs If anyone is interested in having a copy of this life saving chart let me know and I can e-mail it to you!
OK, so this post had nothing to do with crafting but I wanted to clarify a few things and let you all in on a lil secret…I’M NEUROTIC AND PROUD OF IT!
big sis
My kids and I have reached another milestone in our lives…going out to eat at a restaurant by myself! For those of you who have/had 2 year olds, you know how restless they get during mealtime. And with my 2, they just follow after one another; so if one wants down, the other does too. If ones wants to wander off, the other does too. They barely sit in their chairs. So then why would I want to do this to myself? I LOVE to eat and I had been craving Mexican food for some time. I thought…should I call my in-laws??? But this is another thing that I must master! So I did what I always do before activities…talk to them about what is appropriate behavior and why they must sit in their chairs because mommy is by herself and will freak if they decide to throw a tantrum and we’ll all have to leave without enjoying some chips and salsa! OK, so I left the last part out. And we did it! We went to the restaurant way before the lunch crowd and they were angels! Hurray for us!!! My daughter attempted to have a meltdown but got over it after I reminded her that we couldn’t take the chips and salsa home
I’ll leave you with this picture…our newest set of sisters. I blogged about lil sis here. And unfortunately, big sis is no longer available. She was purchased just as I was finishing her up. They are a cute duo!
Thanks to JustJenn for mentioning us in her blog. You are too sweet!!! I don’t know how she does it…she has a job, 2 kids, a side business, bakes, cooks, AND blogs!
big sis
So, for some time, I have thought and thought about how to maximize the space issue in our office/craft room. I am so lucky to have met someone who enjoys to live in a clutter-free, mess-free house. Most of the time, everything has its place and usually it is put back in its place. EXCEPTION to that rule…when you run out of space! Half of our office was like a jungle! There were bags stacked up on top of each other, bags of felt here, bags of felt there, baskets of stuff here, boxes of fabric there. And normally, that would drive me crazy but what is a girl to do when she doesn’t have her own craft room?!!! So, until we move into a bigger house, this tiny tiny rolling cart will do.
I know what you are thinking? where is all the other stuff? I have lots of “things” stuffed inside of bins, inside of our office closet! So what did I do?
Step 1: Purchase bin from Target…on sale for $9!
Step 2: Got some ideas from Silliesmile’s post on how to organize your fabric. I spent some time cutting cardboard to size last night and then started wrapping my fabric. I have tons more cardboard to cut but I thought I’d show you my progress.
Step 3: Once all my fabric is wrapped, I am planning on color coordinating it ALL and organizing it by design! My life is so exciting!
Sis and I have thought about including some boys in our collection. I am all for boys playing with dolls. It fosters creativity, imagination, and most importantly, it cuts back on the fighting between my girl and boy. I made one for my son with one of his old T-shirts. He could care less now since he is all about anything with wheels but at least he has one when he’s in the mood to play with a doll. Anyways, I digress…this lil guy is in the shop.
I don’t know if we’ll be making any more. I guess we’ll see how popular he is. If you are wanting a doll for your son and want us to recycle one of his shirts, e-mail us! It seems to be easier to do with boys since you can always pair a T-shirt with jeans!
I’m off to do my favorite thing…pay bills!
big sis
My friend requested a Chloe and Brady paperweight (to resemble her and her bf) to be put in her office, and she just recently sent me a picture of her with her dolls. She looks so cute with the lil ones that I just had to post the picture!
Thanks for sharing T!
By the way, I got my dress altered for the wedding I’m in this Saturday, and everything turned out A-OK! It’s at the Beverly Hills Hotel, and I know it’s going to be a beautiful wedding! Will post pics after. Big sis and her hubs will also be there. Can’t wait!
lil sis
