Christmas Fun!

Our tree...
The jolliest Santa ever, I really felt like I could tell him my holiday wishes and he could make them come true.
These actually tasted so good, it must have been all those kiddie germs!House still under construction, my daughter did the beautiful ones, I did the crazy one that will be the back door!

A new friend is introduced to baking.


Baking Gingerbread, an artist at work!!

SECRET GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY

THE LAST FEW WEEKS, MY BUSINESS HAS PICKED UP ON ETSY, THANK GOODNESS. I GET LOTS OF REQUESTS FROM PHOTOGRAPHERS TO PHOTOGRAPH MY CLOTHING. THESE WERE TAKEN BY BECKY AT SECRET GARDEN PHOTOGRAPY. A
LOVELY GIRL TO WORK WITH AND A VERY GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER! SO GO CHECK HER OUT!!
AND CHECK OUT THIS LITTLE TOMBOY TURNED PRETTY TWEEN IN HER OWN DESIGN!!

SHIPPED!

HI THERE TO EVERYONE IN CYBERSPACE!

IF YOU ONE ANY OF MY GIVE AWAYS, YOUR THINGS HAVE ALL BEEN SHIPPED, FINALLY! AND THE WINNER OF THE HAIR CLIPS IS BECCA.

Recipe Monday

Well we didn't get to the cookies tonight, I was too crabby from sitting in a court room all day and I didn't want to spoil holiday cookie night. So instead we made fresh whipped cream which I have never done before. I let my daughter do it and she got rather creative. We used our Christmas cups and she ladled in the whipped cream, topped it with cinnamon and then added a straw which was a cinnamon stick. It looked so pretty and tasted so good. Unfortunately my camera died. So if you've never tried this, although it probably adds 10,000 calories to the hot chocolate, here's the simple recipe.

Fresh whipped cream
1 cup cold heavy cream
2 tablespoons overflowing powdered sugar
1/2 tablespoon vanilla
Pour heavy cream in kitchen aid (or hand mix)
Beat about 20 seconds on low, add sugar and vanilla, keep mixing on HIGH until peaks form. (about 3 minutes) Do not overbeat.
For hot chocolate, top with cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.
Thank goodness for spell check, I have no idea how to spell cinamin!

Fingerprint Friday

FingerPrint Friday, How do you see God's fingerprint in your life. Maybe God is showing me his fingerprint this week by the problem I just posted about below. Maybe I really do need to pray for my lawyer and R and the judge and the police. Maybe I should try that. And now I'm listening to a Christmas song from Pampering Beckie. What is Christmas all about. This is the season of joy and peace, what's wrong with me. How can I take this situation and make it joyful. A funky version of Amazing Grace just came on. Thanks God, for being there once again.
For my picture, my cousin Donna adopted a bay girl from Russia, tonight was her Christening. What a different life my cousin will have and her new daughter.

I look at my cousin's face and she is so in love.
To see more or join in, go to Pampering Beckie and scroll down to sign up for my give away!

A NEW YORK CITY DIVORCE

I decided to start posting about this horrible divorce, its not even that the divorce is so horrible, I'm over that, it's the judges, the sheriffs and the lawyers.
Why am I posting about this. Well, someday, if it is God's will, I would like to be able to support other women that find themselves in this situation and help them to realize that they are not the crzy ones, THAT IT IS THE SYSTEM.
I love our country. I love what it stands for, I love the principles its based on.
With that said, our court systems are a joke I can't begin to tell you. They protect the guilty. I know that most of the women I connect with here in cyberspace are happily married. Maybe because they don't live in NY. I don't know but I haave been trying to get a divorce for 3 years. I had to sit in the court room 30 times in the last three years, 6 different times, knowing my husband wouldn't show up before they would issue a contempt of court warrent. Yeah, I think were getting somewhere. I spend the last 2 years talking to half the sheriffs in Westchester county. You see, noone wants to arrest him, so what if he doesn't pay child support, so what if he blew off court at least 6 times. So what if he's a violent deadbeat dad, SO WHAT Two weeks ago, the last officer I spoke to in yet another town and I quote "Why did you put my name on the fax, now I'm responsible for this"
Noone will arrest him, an order of contempt means nothing. The judge told me, if I was in an abusive relationship, why didn't I get help. "We have places to take care of that" BS I went to the police 5 years ago, did he hit you, no, he just kicked in the front door, do you have proof he destroyed everything you own, sorry we can't help you. And on and on the story goes. I don't want to be a victim here but I feel so powerless, the judges are so nasty and the police are useless. And even if he was arrested, I would have to prove he's lying and prove he owns buildings and has money.
And my lawyer, he has lyed and lyed to me. Again because I let him because I don't trust myself. Finally tonight, I fired him. We are suppose to go to court tomorrow and he said his back was out and he couldn't fill out the papers, again. Oh, but he did speak to my estranged and they made a date to meet 3 weeks from now in court, sure. Lovely.
I find it really hard to stand up for myself, I believed this lawyer just like I believed my husband.
I am so angry tonight. I have to go to court tomorrow and stand in front of that judge and have a voice and feel powerful. This has to be happening for a reason.
I guess I'm this angry because I'm scared. I trusted this lawyer and he screwed me. Just like R did. I've made amends for my part in the relationship and I know I should be praying for my lawyer tonighht not venting about him...

Give it away Wenesday AND WE HAVE A WINNER!!

#9 CONNIE IS THE WINNER OF LAST WEEK'S GIVE AWAY FOR THE GREEN VELVET SKIRT! CONGRATULATIONS CONNIE!

This weeks Sharing the Spirit Give away is for your choice of 4 hair clips. I have many more choices besides whats in the picture. Just leave a comment here sometime before next wednesday at 10:00.
And, if you know of a child in need, please let me know, we would love to help. xoxo

Recipe Monday

Party Clam Dip

This is a great dip for parties. The first time I had it, as disgusting as this sounds, my mother and I ate the whole pan! I make this at every party I have and it's always a hit. This week's hint. Prepare this in the morning, cover with aluminum foil , store in fridge until time to bake. Also, most of my recipes are fattening, at the holidays, I like to eat and think food should taste good and to me that means lots of fresh ingredients, butter and sugar and garlic!

3 cans chopped clams with juice
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/2 stick butter
3 tablesppons fresh parsly
1 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or 1 lemon
1 medium onion (chopped fine)
1/4 cup grated cheese

Heat a little of the butter, add onion and saute a few minutes
Add other ingredients and mix. Cook over low heat about 7 minutes stirring frequently.
Grease 9" pan,bake at 325 for 30 minutes, serve hot with bread.

And remember to scroll down for my giveaway...

Fingerprint Friday

First, if your looking for this week's give away, scroll down and second, if you've been tagged, scroll down!

My photo for Fingerprint Friday. I love this photo! A few days ago, I met the mother of these beautiful children in my Etsy shop. She sent me this photo to show me what her daughter looked like. I wanted to ask her if I could use it for today but was embarressed. Tonight Sarah and I happened to be on the computer at the same time and I was having a very difficult moment. Sarah offered to pray for me and my child and it was a prayer that couldn't have come at a better time. So I think this is how God showed himself to me this week.
If you would like to join in, go over to Pampering Beckie.

Talk about You Tuesday (or Thursday!)

Wow and I have to share this with everyone. I purchased my friend Debbies bow company many years back (she decided to go back to being a lawyer!) so I still have lots of ribbon hangin around here. I have never perfected my bow, until now! Sometimes it's absolutely amazing all the information that is at our fingertips. I just googled, how to make a boutique hair bow and wala! So go and check this site out, Girly Things and you will never have to purchase another bow. (You can just spend hundreds of dollars on ribbon and have it sit around your house for years!)
And..remember to scroll down for my holiday skirt give away.

Give It Away Wednesday--Spreading the Spirit!! And, I've been tagged!

Today's Quote:
He Said "COME TO THE EDGE."
They said, "WE'RE SCARED."
He said, "COME TO THE EDGE."
THEY CAME TO THE EDGE, HE PUSHED THEM AND THEY FLEW.

This week's give away is for a velvet holiday skirt. You have 2 choices for color. green or Burgandy. Just leave a comment here, you have until next Wednesday. Good Luck!

And I have been tagged by Becca's world

The rules are as follows:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post.
5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know your entry is up.
Here are my six...
1. I have given up on dating.
2. I have been known to use my last dollar to have a party.
3. When I got pregnant, my then husband and I couldn't picture me being a mother, I was such a workaholic. After I gave birth, I raised my head, saw her laying on the table and my first thought was I can take care of her. Then I passed out. I think I am a pretty good mother.
4. Sometimes I feel really sad about losing my business.
5. I totaled my first car, which was a bug, 10 minutes after I got it. My father was not happy!
6. I have had many jobs. I helped run a bed and breakfast, 7-11, pizza maker, short order cook, dollmaker, childrens party planner, sketcher, teacher, waitress, secretary, bakery, bridal alterations, bartender, deli dept at meat farms, babysitter, costume designer, wardrobe mistress, faux painter, stylist,house sitter, boss, factory owner and designer. You think with all that experience, I would be able to find a job!
I have tagged
Who would have thought
Never enoughluff
Connies turning 50
The Zawisza Tribune
My Crazy Life
Three Loud Kids

Recipe Monday

PUMPKIN SPICE CAKE
My daughter loves pumpkin pie, by November, I usually can't have another bite of pie! So, I decided to try this pumpkin Spice Cake. I made this for our halloween party. It was delicious, very moist and rich. This recipe's hints: Have all ingredients meaured and ready before you begin, it makes baking much simpler. I made this with the pumpkin creamcheese frosting but it would have been just as good and not so rich with plain cream cheese icing. Great cake for Thanksgiving! Every store I went to was out of Nutmeg, so I left it out. Cake tasted much better the following day. I would ice it and refrigerate uncovered 2 hours before serving. The uniced cake can be frozen for 2 months. I used two 9" pans instead of three 8". Also, very important, I went to 6 different stores looking for plain buttermilk, you can use 2%!
Enjoy!!
Recipe
3/4 cup(s) (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup(s) firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 cup(s) sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup(s) pumpkin purée
1/2 cup(s) buttermilk
1 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract
2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon(s) baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon(s) ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon(s) baking soda
1/2 teaspoon(s) fresh-ground nutmeg
DIRECTIONS
Prepare cake pans: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat three 8-inch cake pans with softened butter. Cut three 8-inch circles out of parchment paper and fit them into the bottom of the cake pans. Lightly coat the paper circles with butter and set aside.
Make the batter: Cream butter until smooth in a large bowl with an electric mixer set on medium speed. Add the sugars and mix until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, until the mixture is smooth and light. Set aside. Combine the pumpkin purée, buttermilk, and vanilla in a medium bowl and set aside. Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and nutmeg in a large bowl and set aside. In thirds, alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk mixture to the butter mixture, blending well after each addition until smooth.
Bake the cake: Pour batter into the prepared pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the middle of each cake comes out clean -- 35 to 40 minutes. Cool the cakes in the pan on wire racks for 30 minutes. Remove cakes from pans and return to the wire racks until completely cool.
Assemble the cake: Place one layer on a cake plate and top with one-third recipe of Pumpkin Cream-Cheese Frosting. Repeat with the second and third layers. Serve or store refrigerated for up to four days.

Last minute rush, I had to put the guests to work!



Pumpkin Creamcheese Icing
1 package(s) (8-ounce) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup(s) pumpkin purée
1/4 cup(s) (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon(s) fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon(s) grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract
4 cup(s) confectioners' sugar, sifted
DIRECTIONS
Blend the cream cheese, pumpkin purée, butter, orange juice, zest, and vanilla in a large bowl using an electric mixer set at medium speed until smooth. Add the sugar and continue to beat until light and creamy -- about 5 more minutes

Christmas...the time for giving...$15. Skirt Sale

I'm sorry I missed my give away this week. Life kind of caught up with me and I needed to get some work done. I have taken all the small pieces of fabric in my closet and turned them into these beautiful skirts. They make great gifts because the price is right and are so easy to wear, so sizing is simple. Little girls love them! Quantity is very limited.
Also, I want to talk about Cornucopia. Cornucopia not only means horn of plenty but it is a horn of plenty that never runs out. I have gone thru really hard times during the last few years after losing my business. Last summer, I found out what it's like to be an out of work single mom in NY. Very difficult. We struggle here but I know the best thing to do when your struggling is to give. I want my experience to help others. I am not quite there yet financially. At Christmas I will donate 5% of what I make on Etsy to help PS . I heard a woman share about this school. A teacher there, she has to pay for all her supplies and will go without a salary. She said that sometimes the free lunch the kids get in school is the only food they have all day. These are the things I have to remember to know that I have a pretty damn good life and my stuggles are nothing compared to others.
I just had an idea, maybe this weeks give away could be a contest. I have no idea how to make those little side buttons. Make me a button for Cornucopia and the chosen design will win the skirt of your choice.

Talk about You Tuesday/Give away Wednesday

The picture of the peasant top above is a new item in my shop (perfect colors for Thanksgiving!) and the napkin idea below is just one of the great things I found on I found on Tip Junkie. Laurie, the blog owner has lots of great tips about give aways and great products. There are posts about decorating and seasonal things and also tutorials on how to work a blog. I have just begun to explore her blog and can't wait to do more research there! Also, she is running The Mom-prenuer Shop-a-thon (which I just signed up for)it's a one stop listing of a bunch of fabulous women who sell products. The challenge is to buy from women this holiday season. Here’s the link to the Shop-a-thon! http://tipjunkie.blogspot.com/2008/10/mom-prenuers-shop-thon_03.html

I won an award! My first! Thanks, Jaden!

Thanks Jaden! That was very nice of you. An award for me, as a creative blogger! Jaden was one of my give away winners and I love a quote I found on her blog. As the great Dr. Seuss said- "I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” "The requirements for this award are to list six things that make me happy, then tag six more bloggers."
Six things that make me happy:
1. Of course, the 1st one, my daughter's happiness
2. Hosting Parties, all kinds
3. Warm rainy Saturday mornings and coffee and gardening
4. The beach at 4:30
5. Hiking deep into the woods
6. Being n love, will that ever happen again?
The final requirement for this award is to tag 6 more bloggers that are Kreativ.
1. Jumping in the rain puddles of life.
2.Little Jenny Wren
3.Hill upon Hill
4.Pampering Beki
5.Project Domestic Bliss
6. Daisy Bouquet

**REMEMBER TO SCROLL DOWN TO SIGN UP FOR MY GIVE AWAY< YOU HAVE UNTIL 10:00am ON WEDNESDAY!

Crazy in New York!!

Annual Dog Costume Contest
It's been a little crazy here this last month, Halloween is starting to feel more like Christmas then Christmas. There is abot a month of activity leading up to Halloween here. Oct 31 the weather was perfect, there were so many families and children out on the streets. My father always described Christmas when he was growing up in the 30's and 40's like this. People on the street and something in the air. Everyone happy. That's what it felt like. Like the old song. It's Christmas Eve in the city...It was really nice. Even though I live in a big city, I live in a small neighborhood...The "girls" sorting candyOur Halloween Bash!
a>Octoberfest and Community ServiceUnion Square Farmers Market, in the rain with hot cider

"80's Band" TRICK OR TREAT!!
And last but not least, my little model!

Give It Away Wednesday--Spreading the Spirit!!

This weeks winner was Jaden,winner of 2 cotton lycra tops. Go check out her poetry, very inspirational!
I have to confess I am being a little selfish here. One of the reasons I am doing this weekly give away is to change my life on a profound level. I am stuck in some lifelong routines that don't work anymore, and that's all I will say about that! Sorry I missed Talk about you Tuesday, this week it will be Talk about you Thursday! We are having a very BIG Halloween Party Thursday night in my very SMALL apartment. A little overwhelmed here!
This week's give away is for a sweet pink cotton peasant top, a "must have" in every little girl's wardrobe. You can leave a comment here until next Wednesday at 10:00 am. Lot's of pretty things have been given away already!
Also check out Chasing Moments Photography, the wonderful photographer/mom of this little beauty here.
As always, if you know of a child in need, please let me know.

Recipe Monday

POPOVERS!
"Antique cast-iron baking pans not only are beautiful reminders of days gone by, but they also make the best muffins you've ever tasted." Beth Kidder, New England baker
Just like a lot of other blog writers, I LOVE colecting almost anything (old)! I started collecting these old griswold pans a few years back. As quoted, they are beautiful and useful. I think there is something special about having a pan that is just for a certain muffin. When we make popovers my daughter knows that this is the "Popover Pan". It's a great way to build traditions and memories.
There is a special upkeep of these that I will try and post about later. The following recipe is delicious. My hint this time is don't get creative with the flour, I tried using a whole wheat flour and the popovers never popped, the flour was to heavy. Am I the only one who doesn't know these things?! Another hint, the hotter the pan, the better the muffin. Heat the oven with the greased pan inside, the batter should sizzle when its poured in.
Grease the pan thouroughly including the top and place inside oven. Heat oven to 400
1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
2 eggs
Sift flour and salt in bowl then add milk and eggs. Beat until well mixed which won'lt take very long. Ladle into pan, no more then 2/3 full.
Bake for 35 minutes or until popovers are very brown and puffed.
Remove from pan immediately and serve hot.
If your interested in starting a collection, they're available on Ebay.
Remeber to scroll down for my "Spreading the Spirit" give away!

Fingerprint Friday

How do you see God's fingerprints in your life? This was my little piece of heaven this week. Check out Pampering Becki to join in the fun.

Give It Away Wednesday

"My job is to take care of the possible and trust God with the impossible." unknown

Thanks to every one who entered last week's give away. The winner was Christina, #27 picked by my daughter. Christina is very sweet, she said if she won, she would give the peasant top away. Nice!

This weeks give away is for 2 cotton lycra tops. These used to be my main selling item. They come in any color you can think of. Very useful, soft and wash well. Please leave a comment here to enter. You have until Tuesday night at midnight. And once again if you know of a child in need, please drop me an email.


SPREADING THE SPIRIT
blogs with weekly give aways till Christmas
Jumping in the Rain Puddles of Life

Talk about You Tuesday

WEE WONDERFULS

Such a sweet little blog, another dollmaker/toymaker. There is something really special going on here. It's a great project to do with children. There is a story being written and along with the story are the boy and girl dolls with different outfits. You can follow along with the dolls in their story and create them as you go. There is a small charge to download the patterns, but it's worh it. There doll patterns, clothes patterns, knitting and craft patterns. The way I see it and I hope I am right, the dolls would start school, you would make the doll and their clothes and then a craft to go with it, maybe something they will do in school. I think this is such a great idea and something so great to do with a small child. It would be a good winter or holiday project.

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Sorry this is being posted so late. I love the idea of recipe Monday. In an ideal world, I would be spending a relaxing Sunday afternoon, baking and trying out new recipes, playing cards and having friends over. I like to try out a recipe before I post it. I will try this sometime this week. I did find a nice whipped cream to go with it or on top of coffee. I'll add that in on the bottom.
A gingersnap crumb crust underlies this spicy cheesecake, and caramel-coated pecans adorn the top, for an irresistible alternative to traditional pumpkin pie. Cut this rich dessert into small wedges to serve.
Ingredients:
For the gingersnap crust:
1/4 lb. gingersnaps (about 20 small cookies)
1/3 cup pecan halves
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
For the filling:
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1 lb. cream cheese, at room temperature
3 eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
For the topping:
1/2 cup pecan halves
1 Tbs. unsalted butter
2 Tbs. granulated sugar
Directions:
Preheat an oven to 350°F. Lightly butter a 9-inch springform pan.
To make the crust, in a food processor, combine the gingersnaps and pecans and process until crumbly. Add the brown sugar and melted butter and pulse for a few seconds to blend. Transfer the crumb mixture to the prepared pan. Use your fingers to pat the mixture into the bottom and evenly all the way up the sides of the pan. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
To make the filling, in a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, ginger and cloves. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Using a rubber spatula, occasionally scrape down the sides of the bowl. Gradually add the brown sugar mixture, beating until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the pumpkin puree, beating until smooth. Using the rubber spatula, Scrape the batter into the chilled crust and smooth the top.
Bake the cheesecake until set or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool completely. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
To make the topping, set aside 10 pecan halves and coarsely chop the rest. In a small fry pan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add all of the pecans, sprinkle with the granulated sugar and cook, stirring, until the sugar melts and the nuts are toasted and caramel coated. Transfer the nut mixture to a plate and let cool completely, then store in an airtight container.
Just before serving, sprinkle the chopped pecans over the cheesecake and arrange the halves evenly around the perimeter. Serves 10 to 12.
SPICED WHIPPED CREAM
1 Cup heavy Cream
1/4 Cup Confectionary Sugar
1/4-1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Mix ingredients together and use on top of cake or coffee.

NATURE'S BOUNTY

"Fingerprint Friday" How do you see God's fingerprints in your life? The little glimpses I do get of God here on earth have always been through nature and the cycles of the seasons. I love this time of year and hope I have captured it in these photos. Go on over to Pampering Beckie to join in and please leave me a comment so I can stop by your blog!



Don't forget to scroll down to enter my give away for my autumn peasant top!

ANYWAY

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight. Build anyway.
The good you do today people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.
Author: Dr. Kent Keith
I found this on Angie's blog here.
Scroll down to sign up for my give away!

Give It Away Wednesday

This week's give away is the cream floral peasant top.


Welcome to my weekly give away which will be happening every Wednesday until Christmas. You have until Tuesday of the following week to post a comment. I am hoping to generate some Christmas spirit ahead of time this year. Each week I will be giving away one of my designs. I need some major change in my life and I know that giving is one of the main spiritual practices whether it is giving of your things, yourself or your time. And, as I said last week and will say again next week, if you know of a child in need, please email me and I can design something special for them. Please don't be afraid to ask. Ask and you shall receive.



The winner of last weeks Halloween skirt giveaway is Tracey from Stitch X Stitch, she is from England. Congratualtions!

A Day in My Life

As I said in the post previous to this, I joined this "Day in my life" Once a month I will join with other women and share a day, today was not a good day to share. By doing this though, it helped me to look around and find something good in the moments of dispair. I also noticed that during the week, I judge my days on how much I get done, guess thats a good thing to notice and try and change. So here goes!
Woke up late as usual, Razzle and Midnight, our kittens like to sleep all day so they have lots of energy to charge around the apt all night. So I had about 2 hours sleep and the worst allergies I have had in about 30 years.
Pried my crabby daughter out of bed, made her breakfast and lunch and an after school snack. Still in my pj's (half hidden by a coat) Walk her to my favorite coffee shop to meet her friend Kate, kiss her goodbye as they walk to school together.
Grab a coffe and go to my morning meeting which I didn't plan on doing, I am still in my pyjamas! The topic was: self seeking will slip away and we will gain interest in others.
Leave the meeting early because of the sneezing and return home. Do some computer work while eating the left over pumpkin cheesecake with my fingers. Oh.

Last week when we were upstate, a farmer told me about an online dating service for farmers, so I sign up for that (time is running out for me to get my dream life of owning a small farm) I haven't dated in 8 years. I got a few flirts from cattle farmers! One man emailed me and it was like he was speaking in another language. I begin to think, Do I live in a Fantasy World? This isn't what I thought farmers do! Kill animals, yuk! Exausted and depressed, I go back to sleep for 2 hours.

Farmers we met upstate! They didn't kill animals, they grew lavender and had gourmet hens and bees and apple trees?!

Get up again, take a shower and off to my dd's volleyball game. It is almost 4:00 and with the help of a Starbucks Vivano I start to wake up. Join my mommy friends at the game and my dd scores 8 points, 8 great serves. I was so happy for her and so proud. They win the game.
Off to Best Buy to exchange the ipod dd got for her birthday. We walk up to 86th street both of us in a great mood. Her dad calls and tells her he is getting her the phone she wants for her birthday. Could her afternoon get any better?
Get to 86th, ipod sold out, hop on subway down to 42, get the ipod, dd drops part of the head phones, starts crying, there is a grateful dead record signing in the store, chaos, the whole front of the store smells like drugs. AHHH! I am leaving, go to wait outside while somehow my dd talks the manager into giving her a new set of headphones. Lots of traffic on the bus ride home. Protest outside of grand central. 7:00, dinner in the pizza place, she sits and does homework, I make 6 trips up and down to our 5th floor walk up to schlepp the laundry across the street. Oh no, I left the quarters upstairs.
Am i boring you to tears yet?
10:00 Laundry done, DD takes shower, I start sewing. Mom, can you lay down with me? (Just when I am finally about to start work) I give in because she is my life. We have a nice cozy talk in bed and hope that tomorrow will be a better day.