okay, so i guess i fibbed...

(disclaimer:  i am typing this entire post without any uppercase letters.  it's not a mistake. ;)

i really did plan on posting more last night, but i was completely wiped when i got home from work.  i fell asleep around 8 and slept in 2-3 hour increments until about 6:30 this morning.  i felt fairly rested when i got up, but i could definitely tell that i hadn't slept a solid 10+ hours. :(  anywho... i want to say "thanks!" to everyone who said a little prayer last night.  i do feel better today.

i have a couple of secrets to share soon, so be sure to stay tuned!  i can't wait to share them with you!! ;)

*hugs*
michelle

lots to say...here's a little bit

If you know me at all, you know that I like to talk.  A lot.  And, for once, I have a lot to say! ;)  This post will be quick, though.  (I'm at lunch right now.)  I'll be sure to post more tonight.

First, "Happy Birthday!" to my little model "E" who just turned 1 on St. Patrick's Day!  Where has the last year gone?!  We should be taking her 1 year pictures soon.  (Right, Cris? ;)  So, sneaks to come soon!

I've really been lovin' my camera lately, taking tons of photos and having fun editing them - thanks to my good friend Jeri.  Thanks for introducing me to the "band aid" - it saved me tons of time!

Also, our local scrapbook store, Pages In Time Forever, reopenned on March 11th.  I like to shop local whenever possible, so this makes me very happy! It was great so see some of the girls again, too! =)  And, speaking of shopping local, if you knit or know someone who does, you have to check out Red Purl in Niles!  The owner is super nice and has a great selection of yarn.  She even spins her own, which is absolutely gorgeous!  I knit with some a few weeks ago, and it turned out great.  That's a credit to the yarn, I assure you.

I had a great time with some of my scrapbooking buds last weekend.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get there until Saturday afternoon, so I didn't get to spend as much time with them as I would have liked. :(  I'm glad that I got to spend a little time with you, though! =)

I don't usually do this sort of thing, but if you wouldn't mind, could you say a little prayer for me?  I have this pesky sinus infection that just won't go away.  We've already done the antibiotic thing, so I'm guessing that it's viral.  Ugh.  This thing seems hell-bent on making me as miserable as humanly possible and has been giving me the worst sinus headaches ever - even worse than some of my migraines.  I can't seem to find anything to get rid of them.  One minute I'll feel fine and the next minute I'm all but writhing in pain, feeling like my eyeball is going to pop out because of the immense pressure.  It sucks!  I've had this for several weeks now.  I'm not contagious or anything.  I'm just miserable.  Which is really starting to fray my nerves.  So, your prayers are welcome and appreciated.  Thanks for listening! =)

*hugs*
Michelle

a few of my favorite etsy finds

I just wanted to post a few pictures of some of my recent faves from Etsy:

these owls at talkproof,

this coat at wanderlost,

and these a-dor-a-ble crocheted cozies at TWiNKiE CHAN.

*hugs*
Michelle

Meet Herman.

This is Herman.  He is currently at Pet Refuge.  Isn't he beautiful?  I fell in love with him at first sight!  If he is still there in October, I want to adopt him and give him a "forever home."  And, ironically enough, his name is my maternal grandfather's family name!  I think it's fate.

Have a good night!

*hugs*

Michelle

some general randomness... and some exciting news!

Let's start with some general thoughts. 

First, larger vehicles usually have great tires for zippity-doo-dah-ing their way through the mess that we like to call "lake effect snow."  HOWEVER, the drivers of these vehicles seem to forget that there's this little thing called Newton's Law of Inertia.  Loosely paraphrased: a body in motion tends to stay in motion, and a body at rest tends to stay at rest.  My point?  Slow the heck down!  For the 2nd time in 3 weeks, I have gotten stuck in a traffic jam on my way to work.  The cause?  Some yahoo in an SUV who thought that driving 40+ mph (in a 30 mph zone) on snow-slicked, ice-covered roads wouldn't be a problem for his big ol' manly ride.  Guess he was wrong.  Enough about that.

I would like to say "Congrats!" to one of my favorite designers, Elsie Flannigan.  Within the last couple of weeks, her store, Red Velvet Art, celebrated it's first anniversary, she was nominated for and won an award for her blog, and she is featured in the Spring 2010 issue of Studios magazine.  "Yay Elsie!!"

I love the Girl Scouts.  I was even a Brownie when I was a little girl.  And, I *love* Girl Scout cookies - especially the Caramel deLites (fka Samoas)!  However, I think I'll just make a financial contribution next year.  That's all I'm gonna say about that...

Now for the exciting news...

I'm going to apply to be a foster parent this fall.  For Pet Refuge - a local nonprofit no-kill shelter.  I hope to become a foster mommy to 2 cats.  Pet Refuge relies soley on donations to cover their operating expenses.  They do such important work, and I want to help in any way that I can.  I would also like to begin volunteering there a couple of days each week starting in March.  Also, because my apartment complex doesn't allow pets, I will be moving this fall.  Something that I swore I'd never do unless I was moving into my own house.  Oh well.  I started researching apartments and kitties last night.  I'm really excited!

Well, it's getting late, so I think I'm going to call it a night.  I'll post more about PR and the move later this week.

*hugs*
Michelle

Here they are...

Introducing the newest additions to my coffee cozy collection...

Showers of Love...


'Shroomie...


Play Ball...


Love Ya...


and Love Grows.


I will be listing these on my Etsy shop within the next day or two. If you would like one of these styles customized for you, please feel free to either leave me a message here or e-mail me directly. Have a great day! =)

*hugs*
Michelle

HAPPY TUESDAY!

Finally, after a week-and-a-half plagued with migraines, I'm feeling like myself again! Woohoo!! (Actually, I'm feeling a bit on the hyper side - likely a side-effect of my migraine meds which contain caffeine. ;)

Well, I'd like to start by again apologizing to my two wonderful winners. Sarah and Anna, you have both been so patient! I promise that I will have my five new cozy designs posted tonight. I have three of them completely finished and have the patterns for the other two ready to go. I am really excited about these new ones and hope that you will be, too! =)

Well, I need to get back to work now. I'll leave you with this adorable creation by joojooland.

*hugs*

Michelle