Is it just me, or is it a bit crafty in here?

Well I forgot to take pictures of the little notebooks, so maybe those will come later. But for now, I would like to introduce you to my new and current obsessive busywork: upcycled paper beads!!!! Just imagine the endless piles of scrap mail waiting to be rolled up & covered in clear varnish. :)

Please pardon my wrinkly old lady hands. These are THE funnest things ever. Time-consuming, but so satisfying to my craftapetite right now.
And just for fun, some recent snapshots:

x o x o,
B

Had to Share...

I just ran across this "resume" in one of my oooold baby/parenting magazines this morning(Parenting magazine, Aug. 2006, article written by Suzanne Stipe Persaud):

[insert name here]
address, 123 123 lane
whereveryou are, WA 98303

OBJECTIVE     Obtain a position where I can utilize the diverse skills obtained in the fast-paced world of parenting.
EXPERIENCE      Waste-Management Consultant
(2001-present)         Dispose of more remains than Tony Soprano, including one-legged action figures and
 the art projects that "mysteriously" disappear in the middle of the night.
                               Engineer
                               (Practically) earned an advanced degree in toy assembly. Successfully completed the final project: assembling a ride-on pony at 2 a.m. on Christmas.
                              Detective
                              Solved hundreds of cases, including "The Mysterious Brown Stain on the Carpet" and "Who's Been Eating Mommy's Favorite Cookies?" Hope to crack the case " Midnight Appearance of the Toddler Dressed In Inside-Out and Upside-Down Pajamas."
                             Singer
                             Entertain small and large crowds with a diverse repertoire, ranging from the Blue's Clues theme song to the Rolling Stone's "(Can't Get No) Satisfaction."
                             Technician
                            Quickly, and with very little swearing, extract Legos from DVD player and pick pennies from between computer keys.
                            Food Scientist
                            Create well-balanced meals in which no item touches another, and instantaneously turn "peas" into "magic green grow pellets."
                           Actor
                           Realistically convey enthusiasm for up to three consecutive games of Go Fish. Emmy-worthy performances include "Good Job on the Potty!" and "Mommy's Not Mad, She Just Needs a Time-Out."
                          Coach
                          Lead my team to many successes, including sharing for longer than seven seconds

SKILLS            *Handling demanding bosses
                          *Tracking down lost blankets
                          *Distracting Hungry clients with only a set of keys and a travel pack of tissues
AWARDS       The Butterfly Kiss Award, the "I Wuv U" prize, and the coveted "Mommy, You're the Best" Honor

REFERENCES     Please contact two happy, healthy kids and one (mostly) satisfied husband.


That sums it up. :) And no, the format was not intentional. I tried to fix it, but that's just how my silly blog arranged it.
If I am as awesome as I think I am, I will post some pictures later of my recent craftyfull endeavors: little recycled notebooks, and junkmail paper beads!!
Love,
~Bea

Noggin Nuggets...

Currently experiencing self-imposed mom guilt about:

• The fact that both of my daughters, under the age of 6 (gasp!), are fully aware of what "make-up" is, and have worn it on multiple occasions. All in the name of dress-up, of course. But then I stumble across various posts by supermoms who wax eloquently about their campaign to keep their kids safely sheltered from things like eyeshadow and Star Wars.
• How much time I spend with my back to my babies. Seriously, how many pins do I need to pin to this cleverly disguised new evil warlord of the internet known as Pinterest? I go through seasons of being a champion of crafts and face time and reading aloud all the books that Dr. Seuss has written. And then there is this awful drought of selfish choices and "mommy will be right back," pause, eat, repeat. Depressing.
• Feeling the strong desire, nay, conviction, to scratch the homeschool bandwagon adventures for the hope of the glory of a Montessori school next year (more gasping! whaaa? is that bea backing out on yet another far-fetched proclamation? yep).
• The price of groceries, and how they directly relate to the current state of our cupboards right now. I mean okay, I definitely make a guided effort to reach for the healthier version of the foods we usually consume. But dang, can a broke mama get a break with all this UNREASONABLY EXPENSIVE organic grub?? I feel like the amount of goldfish cracker consumption in our household lately has reached a high threat level.
• the fact that we don't go anywhere! Cripes, the park is just getting old! I had these imaginary visions, as a kid, that when I was a grown-up parent I would do whatever it took for my kids to get beyond the four walls of their playroom and out across the oceans. That of course was before I had a concept of the cost of living, especially with children. Boo. Bills-1 hundred million infinity times 2, Travel-0

So there ya have it. a little bit of a pity party, I know. I'll be better in the morning. Wait, it's already morning? Damn it. Maybe we'll at least have another shining Fall day. :)

Much love,
B