Eleven years ago today, I received the worst news of my life.  So far, I've experienced nothing that has surpassed that day.  Rest in peace Daddy.  You are missed every day.

We welcomed a new member to our family this weekend.  Meet Murphy McFurball.  He's about 6 weeks old and very cuddly.  The boys adore him.  I'm not sure the feeling is mutual quite yet.

These are the items I hand-sewed for my cousin.   I used this tutorial to make the ring, then I came up with a cute ponytail holder to match.  She loved everything...and so did I!  I almost kept them for myself.  I'll probably make myself several rings in varying colors and styles once all the holiday festivities are over.  I have such ridiculously small fingers so it's hard to find rings that fit.  Usually I have to have my rings custom-sized (which means no costume jewelry for me) so this tutorial is perfect!

I am so happy Christmas is over.  I didn't really find my Christmas spirit this year.  Moving right before Christmas was probably not a good idea.  I know we broke the bank, that's for sure.  =)  I also had some issues with my sewing machine...of course, right?  I was able to hand sew a couple of items for my cousin, but everyone else is getting a belated gift.  Better late than never!  Everyone got so much stuff.  What recession?!  I don't know where we're going to put it all!  This year we decided to get ourselves a big present, so we're paying on a Nikon D60.  It will be paid off in a couple of weeks.  I kind of wish we had just purchased it outright, but then we would not have had $$ to buy gifts for anyone else. 

One more thing, before I sign off for the night:  I made the most delicious dinner the other night and I highly recommend everyone try it!  Rice will never be the same for me.  Anyway, I got the recipe here.

I love the Pioneer Woman. =)

Well the move-in is almost complete.  We're just waiting on our dining set to arrive. =)  The boys are not adjusting as well as I'd hoped, but maybe once all the stress of Christmas is over they'll do a little better in their new home.  I, on the other hand, am loving the new place.  Yesterday, I even hung the drapery rod all by myself and it's level and it looks awesome!  I'm going to spruce up the drapes after Christmas.

Right now I'm supposed to be working on a cake for a friend's graduation.  She wants a 3D Aggie Ring cake.  I think I mentioned that in my last post.  Anyway, it's not so such a hard cake to do, I've just been very unmotivated these past few days.  I think I'm coming down with something...let's hope it's the flu and not baby numero tres.  Not that another baby wouldn't be a wonderful blessing, but my other two are running me ragged as it is.  I don't have enough energy for three!

Speaking of lack of energy, our housewarming is Saturday night too and I have another cake (Polar Express themed) for Sunday AND I have a ton of Christmas gifts to make!  Needless to say, my stress level is through the roof right now.  And my energy level has bottomed out.  Oh Starbucks, why don't you deliver?!

This past weekend was very hectic! I barely slept. Saturday was so ridiculous. The morning of, I decided to bake the cakes for a birthday party Saturday.  After that, I had to hustle to get myself and the boys ready for our trip to Seguin, with Papa Troy and Rachelle, so we could do our Christmas pics. THEN we got the keys to our apartment and moved a load of stuff.  At that point it was after midnight, so we went to bed. Sunday, I finished the cakes, attended the party - which was a lot of fun - then we moved some more stuff into the apartment. With the weather being so uncooperative, we haven't been able to move the big furniture in yet. It's very annoying, especially since our housewarming is less than two weeks away!

Now I have to prepare myself for the Aggie Ring cake I'm making next week for a friend's graduation. Sheesh, why do I do this to myself?

It's hot chocolate weather, which means Christmas is approaching. I have so many ideas for gifts and so little time to get them all made. My Janome, and I, will be busy bees over the next few weeks. I'll be making a slew of cute things: ribbon wallets, ribbon rings, coasters, placemats, scarves, pillows, baby stuff etc. And I'm tired just thinking about it.

We're also moving into a new apartment on Sunday. It's more centrally located, which I love. I also love that it has wood floors, berber carpet and black appliances. I am not a fan of the old 80's appliances and cheap carpet that is so characteristic of most apartments. I'm really antsy to move and get everything unpacked. I hate not being organized. Speaking of moving, I should probably end this post and return to packing.

I have officially booked my flight to Germany. I leave in March! I'm very excited to see my aunt. She moved back there in May of '08, so it's been awhile since I've seen her. Now I need my renewed license to get here so I can go down to the Passport office! It's been almost 3 weeks now, so it should be arriving any day. Other than that, I must figure out how to pack 8 days worth of clothes/shoes/toiletries/misc into one carry-on suitcase and tote bag. I would really like to avoid paying extra to check my bag. Plus, carrying-on ensures that my luggage will arrive safely in Germany and not end up lost in the bowels of some random airport. Eight days in Germany just wouldn't be as fun without clean clothes and appropriate footwear.

Well October is officially over and I am officially one year older. Hopefully 24 will treat me better than 23. Overall, I can't complain though, it's been a hard, but rewarding, year. Yesterday was Halloween and I took the boys trick-or-treating with our friends Troy and Rachelle and their kids. We had an awesome time. The boys just adore Papa Troy. =) They brought home a lot of loot too. And I brought home a cold. Yay! I always get sick around my birthday. It's probably best to get it out of the way now. Well, I hope everyone had a fun, and safe, Halloween. I know we did.