Big tees and baby zs

Remember when I had "mommy syndrome" because my mom left me for a month with three kids (not counting my dad) to take care of, and I wore a shirt with black bean stains on it just because I was so frustrated after a long day and didn't give a care? I'm pretty sure I posted about it back in September, maybe here. Anyway, at that time my dad looked at me and decided against saying anything--wise, wise man-and NOW I am back at that place. I won't complain per say, but I will detail how my last few days have been in a short little nutshell. Who am I kidding? We all know I don't do short.
Their nicknames are Zay and Zap, and they are five month old twins. They are absolutely too chunky, cuddly, and adorable, and although one is a pound heavier, they look so much alike that it takes a second to tell them apart unless they're sitting side-by-side. If you read my September post (I keep referring to,) you know ManMan, the adorable little human that has recently learned how to open doors; his mom told Zay and Zaps mom about us, and she decided she wanted us to babysit her twins. This week has been the first time we have had them for three full days straight. Ironically they're teething so diarrhea is in the books and everything is x2! Today my mom was here, but yesterday and the day before she was too busy to help so I had to form some sort of routine. A friend wanted to webcam me then kept complaining because I kept getting up to take care of the babies. My answer: "I told you I had kids!" My favorite time of day? NAPTIME!!!
Tuesday I wore a huge tshirt (I actually have a collection now,) and then got spit up on and had to change it, yesterday was the same, and so was today. I'm sure their parents wonder if I own anything else to cover my top half. The twins are a delight, but I'm beginning to think that one is a sympathetic crier :-/ As much as I would love to expound upon all of this, I must quickly hand out pats-on-the-back to every mother of twins that I know and don't know. You are amazing. I mean that. Now, unless "my" twins stop having reflux soon, or stop being babies maybe (since they're about to go through the messy baby food stage,) I will need to go wash my big tee collection so that I can have them ready to wear next week :-)

Elisabeth Arona

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Me (left) and my younger sister Sarah

Don't ask me why my hair looks like it's not black in this picture, but Merry Christmas to you all :-)

Elisabeth Arona

Sharing while sitting in traffic

Today was grocery shopping day. The road that leads to the Walmart I shop at is always packed. There are two lanes going each way, and it's ridiculous. The store is two or three miles away, and yet, it takes about 15 minutes to get there! As usual, I was intermittently singing Christmas songs, listening to my little sister yap in the backseat, and yelling at the driver in front of me (bad habit.) Monnie (little sister) told me that the guy in the car over waved at her. I smiled because it was an elderly man, and he had a dog in the passenger seat. Next thing I know he pulls even with my window and motions for me to roll mine down. I do, and he calls over "Jesus loves you!" Me: "Awwww, He loves you too!"
I'm the type of person that would've started a conversation with the guy right there in our cars at the red light, but he rolled his window back up after that with a smile on his face. I wanted to tell him I was a Christian, and how much I appreciated that, but he may have read it in my huge smile...the one that stayed on my face the entire ride to the store. This is why I love Christmas season. I thought, then revised it: This is why I love the South. Then revised it again to: This is why I love Christians!
For unbelievers/non-Christians, oftentimes Christmas is their happy place. It's the time of year that they must be happy, say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone, leave extra big tips, think of others before themselves, and generally be a nice/nicer person. They get in "the spirit" of Christmas. As a Christian, all year round should be my "happy place". I have Christ in me so I'm already in the Spirit! Each of the things that Christmas is about, it's only about because of Jesus! I know, I know, you're saying "Wow, real deep thought Elisabeth!" but to me, it was a deep thought. All of this because of an elderly man with a dog, that decided he was gonna share his joy, the thing that makes him smile. He didn't know if I was a Christian or if I was an Atheist and would say "I don't believe in God old man, keep your religion to yourself!" He just went for it. I love that.
So here is what I have to say to you with a big smile: Jesus loves you! If you don't love him back, and need to hear all the great things about Him (as if His birth/Christmas isn't impressive enough) let me know...my email address is right here on my blog.

Merry Christmas!

Elisabeth Arona

Tempting Tuesday-Portfolio

Do you know what? I would like to grab a bunch of my girlfriends and go out to eat (I love doing that)...I would like for all of us to dress fabulously and get our hair done beautifully and have a personal photographer taking pictures of us the whole time. We would have the greatest time and pretend that we had paparazzi following us. I would LOVE for every girl to be wearing outfits I made myself and I could fill my portfolio with a bunch of awesome pictures...*sigh* It's a very tempting thought, one I may even act on eventually...

What tempts you?

Ahhhhhh...

Has it been almost a week since I posted? Yeah, it really has. Let me assure you that I am alive and well...unfortunately health is something that we can never be too comfortable with. For instance, my mom's sister had a blood clot removed from her brain after having a headache that wouldn't go away for days, and is still in ICU. This is only one case-another family member also announced a serious health problem this week. It's a very scary thing to face unknowns in life.
Humans are resilient, we're some of God's only creations that understand circumstances around us to a great extent and yet still have the ability to bounce back. So, life goes on, and we may be burdened in our spirit, and worried, but we laugh, tease, and smile in the midst of it all. My sister has come to visit with her husband and my niece-y (who made her debut on my blog two months ago or so.) I'm SO so glad to see them, and am just trying to focus on them being here.
I put up a new item in my etsy shop also (go check it out) and even though I need to revamp my shop and take all new pictures I'm still smiling because at least I put something up, right?

Expect some recipes this coming week!

Elisabeth Arona

It's the little things...

Like how Nece wore swimming goggles because she was chopping celery while I was chopping onions and didn't want her eyes to tear.

Or getting to take pictures with my lil darling Sunday School baby...

Elisabeth Arona

Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Expectations.

The feeling is back. That sad mopey feeling...but for now it is identified as a mixture between missing the way our thanksgiving normally goes (my favorite holiday was okay, but nothing near the usual euphoric feelings on that day) the miserable black Friday, and expectations. Let me clarify.
THANKSGIVING for the last four years has been spent two states over with my sister (and before she was married, it was just with her fiancée and his family.) Generally there is a flurry of activity, every one of my sisters-and I-have a dish to make, and after it's all done then somehow my sister's brother-in-laws (all four of them) manage to show up and eat. Sometimes even a couple of our friends will come too, and after we eat we play cards or monopoly or talk and laugh, and make general noise. :-) This year for several reasons that didn't happen. My sister Sarah is in college, and my sister, brother-in-law, and their new baby are at home two states over, while the rest of us stayed here in Georgia. I started off the morning by calling my younger sister-aka partner in crime-and then went downstairs to help my mom in the kitchen. It's about time we got the two youngest involved so we put them to work chopping onions and stirring things and washing dishes. We had a good time. The dressing and macaroni (neither are my normal dishes) we quite the hit, and my apple cobbler was tasty too. Long story short: After dinner I went over a close friend's house and hung out with her and her family, then went to pick up my cousin from the airport and drop her off at our grandmother's house...Cue beginning of Black Friday.
BLACK FRIDAY. Technically it wasn't even Black Friday, but my mom had a vacuum cleaner at Walmart that she had her heart set on. Julia (other sister) and I arrive around 11:15 and I went to wait for the plastic to be torn off of the vacuum cleaners. I was tired...had run around the kitchen too long...my cell phone battery was dead so no communication with the inner circle so to speak...We didn't leave there until 1:20! I made myself a plate, checked in with my friends, and was ready for bed by 2:30.
I woke up at 5 AM to meet my friend at Michaels. I took my sister. Due to some strange miscommunication, we ended up in the same car although we had discussed that I didn't want to go to Target and she did...when we finished at Michaels I told her to go ahead to Target and I'd ride to my friend's house with my friend, and she (my sister) could pick me up as soon as she was done shopping.. Five hours later my dad was picking me up at my friends house because my sister drove home (five hours before) without picking me up. I will admit that I did have a few violent thoughts, but they will not be acted on because Christ lives in me. Lol as my sisters and I like to quote from Madea "Jesus just saved her life."
Ironically, while I was tired to the point of tears people kept telling me "calm down". I was not screaming. I didn't raise my voice. I simply vocalized in my confusion and frustration with the events surrounding my being left somewhere other than my home when I started out driving. Pardon me.
EXPECTATIONS are funny things. If you expect too much from others you get disappointed. If you expect too much from yourself it can cause a plethora of problems. If other expect too much of you and vocalize them constantly it can cause frustration, irritation, sadness etc. I don't have a happy medium. I try to give others what I would expect from an average person that loves me--or even likes me a little-but when I give and give and then only hear negative feedback it feels pointless. I will admit that although I won't go into who said it, or why it matters, or any of that nonsense, I will say that the things someone assumed about me today were inaccurate. It discouraged me. Yes, I will get over it, and yes, I am still thankful for the many blessings that are too innumerable for me to even name, but once in awhile in spite of all the wonderful things going on it's still possible to be just a little...human.
And I miss the rest of my family.

Elisabeth Arona

After the dust clears: The Accessory Exchange/Swap

Remember the blog swap I held here? I do!! What I received in the swap had me smiling for days :-) Since I had included that my favorite color was blue Debi (my swap partner) sent me a blue bracelet that she made herself just for me! I was surprised to see a sweet card with a handwritten note too! THE best partner, seriously!

Beautiful, right? I immediately put it on :-)

The box had this great little zipper pull on it, and my mom was so busy examining it, that she didn't realize there was another gift IN the box lol.

The pretty card included...

Yes, I'm blessed.

Feel free to check out her shop and see some more of her pretties! 

Elisabeth Arona

Tempting Tuesday-Educate yourself first

The following clip strays a little from my usual "Hey, this is a funny/cute movie you should watch" stance. This film is about the dire straits our nation is in. I literally teared up when I saw this movie. Take what I'm about to say with a grain of salt (since it always seems like I'm chiding my own people), but minorities in the US are constantly saying that they're being done wrong and that everyone is out to get them...but my thoughts have always been that no one can bring another person down if that person has educated himself.
As for everyone, minority or no: you can't fight wrongs that you see done if you can't read or write, and you can't expect the world to become a better place if you're not learning how to make it better. What I see in this trailer makes me sad--but I think it's spot on-because it's a sad reality. So for this Tempting Tuesday, I'm hoping I can tempt you to educate yourselves, by first watching this trailer, and then watching the movie. I will...






Elisabeth Arona

Monday Madness

Thought you might need a laugh...

I sent that forward to ten people, and I'm still waiting for that miracle...

:-) Elisabeth Arona

Farmer's Market visit

A few months ago I took Taylor to the Farmer's market near us (DeKalb farmer's market) and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. When I was very small, my parents use to take me there. My sister's and I loved going over to the HUGE live catfish tank and have my dad dip his hand in the water and make all the fish jump and splash water at us. We would all squeal and dodge the water before begging him to do it again and again. Once I reached about the ripe old age of ten I started to think of the Farmer's Market as synonymous with the strong fish odor that would greet you at the door...and since my dad stopped going with us because he started working normal shifts, it was no longer "fun." 

Taking Taylor brought back so many memories, and the only thing more fun than seeing her discover all the wonderful items they have, was rediscovering them myself. Here are the pictures :-)

Taylor enjoyed the samosas in the cafeteria (mmmm fresh cooked food!) 

From chicken salads, to cole slaw, to baba ghanouj (no, I didn't make that up, it's a dip made of eggplant,) the dip area is a mouthwatering sight!

The amount of cheese there will blow your mind :-)



Elisabeth Arona

Honesty is the best policy.

I'm going to be very honest and tell everyone why I haven't been keeping up with my blog so much lately. I want my blog to be a positive place, a place where you can find a laugh, maybe some cool recipes, and interesting advice...I've been going through some "moments" as I call them, and I didn't want to rain on the lovely parade. Maybe I can help you though, as I find my way back to sanity.

I've never been the type of person to going through long periods of sadness. I'll have a burst of moping on bad days, be very dramatic, then move on. The last couple of months have been difficult though, as in can't-seem-to-have-two-good-days-in-a-row kind of difficult. It was as if I was always thinking of the negative. I believe I've found the root of my problem, or at least part of it. My mom asked me today if I really do feel that because I'm the only one left at home that makes me less important or less able to be happy, and if I were honest, I would say yes...It stinks for everyone else to be headed toward exciting things while I am at home struggling to be more disciplined with sewing and creating, be helpful around the house, and find the smile that I used to have so much more often!
I'm not off at college (I did love college,) I'm not loving on a new baby, and I'm not preparing for a wedding--those are the things my sisters are doing, and I am happy for them. Perhaps I'm a bit jealous also (ya think??) Sometimes life isn't all flowers and hearts; sometimes you have to take what you have and be grateful to God for all the bad things that aren't happening to you. This is me sucking it up. Want to come along for the ride? I'm sure this won't be the only lecture I give myself...

Coming up later this week...

1. Pictures from the blog swap.

2. Pictures from my attempt at making apple cobbler. 

Stay tuned!

Elisabeth Arona

Toy Story 3

How many of you have watched, or are planning to watch Toy Story 3? I caught about half of the movie yesterday and saw the part where everyone seems to be crying, but maybe I just wasn't in the mood...Either way, this seems to be a fairly good movie for those of you who don't want to be bored stiff while having movie night with the kids :-) This trailer has most of the best moments in it lol.

Accessory Exchange/Swap Update

Today is the day...or almost! The deadline is November 6th, which is tomorrow (Saturday.) Don't forget to send out your package if you haven't already...someone is waiting to receive it :-) More on the exchange later...

Elisabeth Arona

I am a brand-and you are one too.

I belong to a great team on Etsy. Etsy.com is an online location for handmade and vintage sellers and buyers to gather and change the world (but just check it out to really GET it.) Joining a team is like being in a club, people who understand you, your frustrations as a seller or creator, and in this case (since it's a Christian team) also discuss topics that apply to your every day life as a Christian. All of this is just me rambling though. Today one of the members of the team said she pulled an "Arona" by sleeping in, because obviously I am Arona, and I have been sleeping in a LOT lately and come in to say good morning when morning is almost over. I joked about how I am a brand, because someone named sleeping in after me...and yes, I realize that this isn't the best thing to have named after you but follow me here, it's gonna get interesting.
When I graduated last year from college, our commencement speaker spoke about brands. You know, his job is to make everyone that just graduated so ridiculously excited about getting out there and being successful that they actually get out there and become successful. He said something that will probably stick with me forever. Are you ready? Okay...
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You ARE a brand.
Wasn't that deep? Maybe not without explanation :-) When someone says "I ate Cheerios for breakfast." You immediately picture cereal, because that's what Cheerios is! No one has to describe what they look like, or what ingredients are included, Cheerios IS the all-encompassing description of this food. In the same way, when someone says your name, everyone around immediately has a picture in their minds of what or who you are. Some will automatically think of you as nice, others as industrious, and of course sometimes there are some negatives (we're all human after all.)
You and I are constantly shaping-and hopefully improving upon-our personal brands. Yesterday, I heard on the radio that a large, well-known store is trying to change the way people look at them. To do this, they are lowering prices, and for those who don't want to go into their stores, they are making an online version with low shipping. By doing this, they show that they "care" about their current and prospective customers; they make it impossible to dislike them by making sure no one can find the items anywhere else so conveniently and inexpensively. I attempt to be the type of person that can always be put out for others, and the friend that can be called any time. Since people always call me no matter what I'm doing, and I even get texts demanding to know why I would go to sleep early (when they are still awake and need someone to talk to) I assume that I am now known for my availability...While this is perhaps a branding "don't", there are many things that you can really do with this idea both in your personal mentality, and in the way you improve your business acumen.
Just think, you are completely responsible for how people think of you! You can build your brand to be known for all sorts of wonderful things! Go for it, go complete your brand!

Elisabeth Arona

Oh happy day

So a few of my friends in cyberspace told me that they wanted to hear my sing (I guess because I'm always mentioning choir practice or something that I'm singing in church on Sundays.) Well, this video was taken by my mom, and on a rather cheap camera, but I think it did pretty well. The song is Oh Happy Day, and I'm singing lead with a group at our church. Ignore the flaws and listen to the words :-) Enjoy.

Elisabeth Arona

Accessory Exchange/Swap Update

Hi lovely bloggers! I'm updating the info on the accessory exchange. I moved back the deadline because I realize that the current one is a little soon especially if you're going to make something especially for your exchange recipient. I'm moving it back two weeks!! If you haven't received your info yet about your exchange partner, it's because I haven't received your email or know that you tried to contact me :-(
The deadline for sending out your item is now the sixth of November!
I hope you all can work with this...and happy swapping!


Elisabeth Arona

Tangled

While all of you may not actually like animated films or think they're childish, I always have loved them. They're the best! They're like daydreams come to life! How can you not feel happy watching one? At the end of this post is one I'm looking forward to watching as soon as it comes out :-)
I'm the type of person who enjoys all the creativity that goes into movies, whether they are animated, or partially animated, or with real live actors and actresses (a mixture of both would be Enchanted which I have to commend the makers and especially the costume designers on!) I have weakness for musicals too-sound of music or seven brides for seven brothers anyone? Am I the only one that thinks it would be so exciting if for one day the whole world turned into a musical and everyone was bursting into song willy nilly? Yeah, okay, maybe I am. So, I'm thinking of actually putting previews of movies that I'm interested in on my blog once in awhile-any thoughts on that? One more question: what did you think of this preview? Is it something that you would take your kids to, or watch yourself?

Fat? No. Roundish? Yes.

Let me start by saying I'm neither obese, nor depressed about my current weight...but sometimes, y'know you just get that urge to shape up. My problem is that my two sisters that live at home still (both early 20s like me) are both tiny little things. One is 5 feet tall and wears a size two or occasionally children's sizes and the other wears size 6 and she's 5 feet 4 inches tall. I don't remember ever actually wearing either of those sizes, and it was never something that I worked toward, but I like to assume that my sisters by point of reference make me look large. Every time my mom wants to lose weight, she wants me to lose weight with her, and every so often my dad tells me I need to change my eating habits or exercise more for my "health".

My sisters and I. Left to right: Sarah, Mary, me, and Julia in front.

I can at least take comfort in the thought that when Mary was home, she was always getting the same kinda suggestions. Since she got married and moved away though, she's had a baby and no one bothers the mom of the first grandbaby :-) 

My point? Oh yeah, forgot I had to have one of those. Although I don't feel large usually, I would like to tone up and get some exercise in just so I won't always feel like a lazy hag. I went to the skating rink with some home school kids from out church and it was great! I forgot how much fun rollerblading is, and how much of a sweat I work up(especially since normally I don't sweat much)...I also forgot about how achey my legs would be the next day. With all this being said, I have come up with a plan. I want to buy some rollerblades. I've never been that person that enjoys working out just because it makes you healthy,  I want a workout to be fun! If anyone knows of any nice inexpensive rollerblades around let me know-size 9. I've also considered jumping rope, buying some zumba dvds of my own, and playing frisbee with the girls more often. If you know of any good "exercise fun" feel free to suggest it. My allergies are horrible right now, so anything indoors is best! 

Elisabeth Arona




BTW don't forget about the blog swap I'm hosting! Check it out in the post below this one!

Accessory Exchange/Swap!

While I was busy keeping house and home, I had some time to think even though absolutely no time to do. I decided that what I needed to recharge my blog as well as add more followers (hopefully) was a swap/exchange. Bear with me, this could be exciting :-)

I hope my fellow artists will join me! I am hosting a Fall exchange her on Lizzisays! If you're like me, just reading that gave you a little thrill lol. So let me explain. 

How to Enter: Each person that decides to participate will be given a name, an address, and something about the recipient so that they can better know what to send...They in turn will email me with the following info: Name, address, blog and/or facebook fanpage (if they have one.) If you don't have a blog or fanpage, please write a few sentences about yourself. Here is an example: "My name is Jesse, I am a mom with two kids, my favorite article of clothing is my knit hat because it keeps me warm and I can still look good, my ears aren't pierced so no earrings :-( "etcetc. Just keep it interesting and use your imagination, try to ask yourself what you would want to know about someone else! 

What to send: The swap is pretty much open to interpretation...You can make your package as big or small as you want, at least one handmade accessory item must be included but the package can also include other items of your choosing. Remember that there is a deadline, if you miss it by a day don't give up, but please TRY to send your item out before or by that day. Feel free to get creative with it and include a nice note, letter, or card. Who knows? You might actually make a new friend!

Deadline: The deadline for sending out your item is the 23rd of this month, so please, please, please be aware, and don't enter if you are not going to be able to make it. The deadline for entering is a week from today (10/09) so hurry and shoot me an email with your info! Feel free to email me with any questions also.

I would love, love, love to get photos of the items you send and receive so remember me when you pull out your cameras :-) Happy swapping!

Elisabeth Arona

P.S. A little bit of the fashion designer in me won't be silenced...so here are some things that are very IN right now: colorful socks, tights, and scarves (both knit-especially cowl ones, and cloth ones). 

I'm baaaaack!

I am sorry that I have been too busy to keep up with my blog. I hope it will never happen again, but since my sister is getting married this coming summer, I can see it happening again then...and if I'm really busy with creating from now until Christmas like I think I will, then it might happen again soon too. I will stop babbling and just say sorry again :-)

Now, let's get back to business. I have some pictures to load on tomorrow, so wait for them. It is inevitable that pictures of my beautiful niece will be up on my blog every week-I won't even bother to apologize to that lol.

Elisabeth Arona

I'm an AUNT!!!

I now have a niece! Her name is Brooklyn. At birth she weighed 7 lbs 9 oz and was 19 inches long. I do believe that she is the most beautiful baby ever :-) and I have proof:

In this picture, I tried to give her a mohawk, but her hair wasn't acting right lol.

I'm in love! 

Elisabeth Arona

Only so much I can take...

There's only so much a girl can take, honestly, this is a fact. So far since this grand idea to leave me with three kids, a dad, and a house to take care of I've been taking a turn for the worst. My natural knack for drama has only reached it's peak, my personal image has crashed and burned, my self-esteem has taken a beating, and my resolve to be the best fake mom ever has strengthened.
So, this song (Everything Falls) has become my song of the day and soon may become my go-to song for when I want to scream and jump off of a rooftop (I did tell you the thing about only becoming more dramatic, right?)
So I'm going to give you a few examples of the above problems that I'm having.
Dramatic
The other day I burst into tears because my dad told me to calm down, I also called him yesterday and declared it to be the worst day of my life-I've been saying that waaaay more lately than I'd like. I updated my facebook status saying "My life is a perfect graveyard of buried hopes" which is a quote from Anne of Green Gables (movie.)
Personal Image
I walked around the house with the same hairstyle for a week, and only changed headbands to make it look as if I did it. Yesterday I spilled black beans everywhere (including on my shirt) and went to midweek church service just like that. I really felt everyone should have been grateful that at least I took the beans off and only had mud-like smudges on my pink and white striped shirt. To give it uniformity I was going to smudge all over the shirt, but I didn't have time--TRUE STORY! Since in "normal life" I can never find my shoes, and definitely in crazy life I can't find them I've been wearing the same sandals every day for over a week except for Sunday.
Self-esteem
While logically I know that I should be proud of myself, I see sooo many problems with everything I do. It puts me on the defense a lot. My dad joked this morning that my mom stayed up (after waking up at 4:50 AM) until he leaves out the door (at 5:20 AM.) I was so sleepy that the only retort I could come up with was "better go find the mommyloo then!" and a kiss on the cheek. Sorry dad. After I finally washed and restyled my hair yesterday someone at church KEPT saying (they think I'm hard of hearing too?!) that I must've stuck my finger in an electric socket. I was not amused, but I was resigned. The girls haven't once said "Momma doesn't..." or mentioned her in that way, so I'm grateful, but there have definitely been other such statements, all of which sting. To make matters worse, someone told me yesterday I should grow a backbone and tell everyone I refuse to do this any longer. I think that being that way would come back and bite me later when there's something really really want to do (like my mom wants to be with her firstborn when she has her first child.)
Resolve
The house may look more lived-in that it has in quite awhile, but it won't be for lack of trying, or for lack of calling out orders lol.

So I repeat (or retype) there is only so much a girl can take before she starts fasting and praying that her sister hurries and goes into labor so she can have her life back. I know, how selfish, but the selfishness has been saved as the topic for another post.

Elisabeth Arona

Tempting Tuesday-Mom temptations

Are there any moms out there? Well, for a bit at least I'm joining your world...the world where whenever someone wants to talk all you can talk about is things that the kids did this week (because those are the only people you've been around...) The world where you really think the baby should be punished for something he/she did, but it's just too darn cute sometimes, so you just clean up the mess...The world where you try to write in your blog, but the kids keep asking you questions and at this moment the baby either keeps pressing the power button or holding onto your fingers as you attempt to type. This world takes some getting use to!

Sooo for my Tempting Tuesday these are the things that tempt me:

1. Naptime. I get excited at naptime now! The house is so peaceful and sleepy :-)
2. Quiet. I really don't know what this is anymore, but I have a faint memory...
3. Leaving the house. Since there aren't many cars, I rarely get to leave the house unless it's to run errands and then I have to rush back. Please don't leave your car anywhere near my house or I just may take off in it!
4. Another me. If someone offered me the chance to have a second me right now to do all the things I don't feel like doing (changing diarrhea diapers, putting a reluctant baby down for nap, or overseeing piano practice) I have to admit I'd be tempted to take them up on it.


Elisabeth Arona

Week in pictures

The Week in Pictures

Illustration for Ingrid

Burn marks from hot oil splattering on my neck while cooking too early in the morning

At Stone mountain with the kids wearing the shirt that a friend gave me over the weekend (I totally love it.)



Elisabeth Arona

Weekday Wacky

In life there are always priceless moments :-) Here are a few from my week.

1. The roach. At about 2 AM there was a giant roach in the bathroom...I am deathly afraid of roaches. If I'd seen this on a movie it would've been hilarious, but since it was me it wasn't so funny at the time. I quickly climbed up on the toilet and stayed there squealing (remember it's 2 AM) and wishing I had my cellphone to call for help. Since the only thing I could find handy was some air freshener (and I've heard how bad it is for humans) I sprayed that bug down with it, but alas it didn't work. Was that a slight limp I noticed? May it was getting sick, but it'd still be a good few hours at least before the thing died and I wasn't staying up on the toilet keeping vigil for THAT long! Ironically my little sister had taken a world history book into the bathroom and left it on the floor-go figure. The bug at one point crawled into the book and I thought about jumping on top of it, but I wasn't brave enough to hear the crunch...so when it wandered back out I gingerly snapped it up and at the right moment dropped it with a loud bang onto the roach.,..,and the roach is no more. My dad was hereby forced to remove the bug from the book--and floor-the next morning after I cooked him breakfast.

2. Suck it up. Yes, I took a moment to complain about my life at this moment to someone who asked, and they told me to suck it up. At the moment I swear tears possibly sprang to my eyes, because I was feeling especially sulky at the moment, but now I just laugh because someone actually THOUGHT that that was a great way to encourage me. People make life interesting, am I right?

ManMan sitting on the counter while I chopped potatoes

3. Toilet water. ManMan, the baby I watch during the day (about 14 mos) somehow wandered from my watchful eye and I found him vigorously "cleaning" the toilet-bowl with the lil brush in hand. His shirt was soaked. Since I was so busy cleaning him up I forgot about the bathroom, and later my dad addressed me about it--I had to assure him it was "just toilet water". I do hope that that's the last time I'll have to use that phrase.

Unfortunately I have tons more, but I will stop here lest I get carried away. I hope I at least brought a tiny smile to your face...because if I didn't I may have to tell you about the baby and the hot pink marker...

Elisabeth Arona

Homeschooling Help

My oldest sister is having a baby. I know you're thinking "aaaaand...?" so let me explain why this is significant. She and her husband are the first among their brother's and sisters to get married, my sister is the first to get married out of all the grandchildren, and now she'll have the first grandbaby (on her hubs side and hers), great grandbaby, and niece/nephew! My mom is going to be a grandmother for the first time, enough said. She has decided to go stay with my sister for the remaining three weeks of her pregnancy leaving me to keep the house. This will consist of waking up at 5 AM to cook my dad breakfast every week morning, supervising my two little sister's home schooling, cooking dinner every day, and even babysitting the little boy (about eighteen months old) that Mom normally babysits. Whew. Yes, I'm tired already, but in my effort to be a great "mommy" I have trolled the web looking for resources, especially for school. You will get to benefit from the fruits of my labors. Most of these sites are great for any kids, not just home-schooled ones.

This site is great because you can decide how you want your worksheets more or less. I use most of the sites for math, but other subjects can be found on most of these too.
Kid Zone is a great place to find cool kiddie worksheets. They're cute, and there are lots of subject to pick from! 
The Homeschoolmom site has all sorts of resources that will get you out of the house, from piano lessons, to art classes, and you can pick out your state. Now the home school kids that we know are going to a home school skate night with us at the rink in the near future!

Enjoy!

Elisabeth Arona

Happy September everyone!

I'm sorry I haven't been around. While I was out of state I thought I'd still be able to post, but it just wasn't possible; I was much too busy and then I got sick...I'll update you right here.

Here I am the day of the wedding when the bride (and my close friend) is about to leave for her honeymoon. It's shocking that we didn't have huge bags under our eyes and crazy hair after all the hours of sleep we missed and the prep work we did!

To see her like this ^ is the whole reason I went. *sniff*

After the wedding the guys decided I should get out and get have some fun after chaperoning and working all week. So sweet.

My friend's little sister Gracie hung with the guys and me

And her big ol' younger brother was my chauffeur after she left-I paid him back by helping with his college homework :-)

All in all I felt so at home that I really didn't want to leave...but leave I did, and I am now home about to leave again to take my mom to stay with my pregnant sister until the first grandbaby comes along (in about a month.) In all the flurry the bride and I both caught something and while she was hoarse on her wedding day, it didn't hit me until a few days later and I'm still recovering from my friends making fun of me. They claimed that it was a relieve to finally have me silent...but we all know how they really felt.

Elisabeth Arona

Kentucky on Thursday

Do your brothers constantly annoy you, occasionally have shockingly deep conversations with you, and teach you new things? Yeah, mine didn't. I never had brothers. I grew up with three sisters, and then eight years ago we added on two new ones. Still no boys. I have hung out with guys a lot, but sometimes I really get a little taste of what having brothers would be like; the good, the bad, and the ugly all come out.

I am at my friend's house and she is preparing for a wedding this Saturday so we are Busy (notice the capital B.) My friend (we will call her H) has eleven siblings, two of which are married, but basically it's a full house. I have realized several things from these guys.
1. They mean well. Sometimes guys say and do stupid things (from a girl's emotional standpoint,) but generally they mean well, they just picked the wrong time to tease. In their defense they really just seem to have a hard time judging when someone shouldn't be messed with...I'm a girl and it took me awhile too!
2. They can really teach you how to play xbox. I learned in about ten minutes and am now sure (with almost male enthusiasm) that I could beat my "teacher" at it if I tried hard enough.
3. They LOVE their sisters. Yes, they can be annoying, but they're showing their love in their own way. Really, having brothers is major awesome for protection from outsider males. Not only do they keep the bad ones away, sometimes they keep ones that they just don't like away too!

Anyway, I'm having a great time here...I really wished for almost a whole minute that I had brothers today :-) then I realized I could borrow someone else's with much less trouble and that's what I'm gonna do.


Elisabeth Arona

The flight

The Flight 

The flight to Kentucky was beeeautiful. The only thing more beautiful (and scary) is flying through rain. At the beginning of the flight there was only clean sky, then at one point we flew through tons of beautiful puffy clouds...And there was a time when I wanted to reach out and touch the them because they looked so soft and "delicious".

I looked around at the other passengers, but I seemed to be the only one impressed. Call this childish, but if enjoying God's creation is childish may I forever stay a child. I want to always find excitement in my surrounding and be awed by nature. This is one reason I enjoy traveling with others, there was no one for me to tell...and I couldn't even text :-)

Clouds were especially thick here

Elisabeth Arona

The...airport?

I have decided to post while I am away about being away. Hopefully interesting things will happen so I won't have to work too hard for them :-)

I am currently sitting in the middle of the world's tiniest airport-or maybe I just think so. Anyone been to the Birmingham, AL airport (BHM)? At least it has wireless, but when my sister and I arrived the place looked deserted! "Is it open?" My shocked sister asked. "Ummmmm..." I replied hesitantly. We are definitely city girls. I headed inside to check in my bag and there was no line! Are reading me? NO LINE! The Atlanta airport is never without a line, EVER. I thought it was kinda cool though. I asked the lady at the front desk if this was normal, and she said, "Yeah, pretty much!" People are really friendly here though, and the cheaper price was definitely worth it. 

Elisabeth Arona

Tempting Tuesday

These are the things that tempt me today.

I love Chinese food, and I hope that while I am away--oh btw I'm going to Kentucky for a friends wedding-I will manage to fit some Chinese food into the schedule :-)

Yum!

While I was in Virginia a couple of weeks ago, I managed to make it to the hot tub...I love hot tubs and pools...and well...clean water!

Ahhhhh....

My dear friend Taylor managed to get me somewhat addicted to frappes. I would love one or two or three right now!

Sighhhhhh

What tempts you?

http://www.mrcoffeecafefrappe.com/recipes.aspx

http://foodies.blogs.starnewsonline.com/tag/monkey-junction/page/2/

http://www.allaroundthehouse.com/lib.pqr.p6.htm

Mmmmm...chocolate everywhere.

Due to being highly moody and stressed out, this post is filled with the things that would make me feel best at this moment. Find them all at Hershey's site.

Elisabeth Arona

Race? What RACE??

My family and I (I'm in the red flowered dress)

As a forward, let me say that I believe racist crimes should be punished, as well as all other crimes...true crimes are not what this post is about. So let me begin:

Lately it seems like every time I turn around there is an issue where someone being "racist" pops up in the news, when there was nothing I considered racist about the incidents let alone the people. I will be the first to say that as a "lil bit of everything" type of chick, I find this somewhat annoying. To me, people are people. Yes, anyone can tell a white person looks different from a black person, an Asian person looks different from an Indian person, and so on...but when it comes down to it, it's really not worth all the drama. For those who don't get it, let me put it in perspective for you.
My mom was from the country-here in Georgia (things move a lot slower there--especially in the South) and when she was a kid, she walked to a one-room schoolhouse, while the white children rode the bus down the dirt road to their school. My dad was born in the U.S. to a Canadian mother (who is biracial) and a Jamaican father (also biracial, a descendant of Scottish and Irish natives), and though I really have never heard my dad talk about being treated differently as a light-skinned, green-eyed guy in Jamaica, my grandmother does talk about segregation and things of that nature. My mom said that her dad had green or grey eyes and it was rumored that one of his parents was white, but that couldn't be talked about back then because people could be hurt for that.
I said all this to say that I have it good. While I have heard a lot of "What race are you?" and "Is your dad white?" as well as a few snubs by people black and white, I don't really care. Most of it happened when I was too little to understand or care actually. I've been told that I shouldn't "think I'm all that" because I'm light-skinned by my own race, so far be it from me to tell a curious white person who asks what black people eat--out of true ignorance on the topic-that they are racist because they asked it.
Even though I find it highly annoying, there will always be people who don't talk to someone because they're too ugly, too handicapped, too tall, too skinny, too pretty, or some other just-as-confusing reason. I can't help this, and sometimes I think that perhaps people throw out the race card because it's the easiest and most obvious excuse for not being nice.
What is my point? I guess my point is that people are people; you can be what you want to be if you don't let anyone hold you back. No matter what race you are, people will insult you for something because even the nicest person is gonna have a bad day and lash out-not to mention those people who are just rude all day every day. So let's just all try a little harder to forgive and forget :-) and enjoy out lives. When God made us, he said that his creation was very good, and I truly believe he was right.


Elisabeth Arona

Friend Friday-Link up!

Do you like to make new friends? I know I do...and I love finding new blogs to check out, so add your blog to my linky and check out some of the other cool blogs that have added theirs! Hopefully you will find some new friends and some new friends will find you in the process :-) Enjoy!

Elisabeth Arona

Wiley Wednesday--new ideas!!

Although some of you have seen it already, other of you haven't...so here is my latest creation! I think I look absolutely horrible in this pic, but I'm working on that too lol-and I did like my crazy hair! I made this shirt especially for a trip I took to Virginia for a youth conference. I really hoped to advertise a lot, but that didn't happen so much. It's hard for me to advertise for myself because I feel like I am boasting or being obnoxious and no one likes that. It's most natural for me to deflect when people start praising me (it doesn't actually happen that often) so a couple times after I said "this is the shirt I made" and they started telling me it was great, I changed the subject. D'oh! I won't be able to sell if I can't do this! Any advice? I'm sure some of you have had a problem with self-promoting.

Anyway, you may be wondering what this has to do with Wiley Wednesday, and here it is. This shirt is a sneak peek at designs to come! I'm going to work with more ruffles and things soon. Any ideas on what I could be cooking up?

Elisabeth Arona

Tempting Tuesday

For this Tempting Tuesday I put together an adorable outfit that I would so wear! I love hats, and this skirt makes my heart beat a little faster :-)

Find me on Polyvore

What tempts you?

Elisabeth Arona

I LOVE MAIL...and then I don't.

Being an adult is hard. I used to be excited every time mail came for me, but today the hospital (read back to this post if you don't know the story) sent me a letter saying that they had done nothing wrong and I still owe them money. This either means (A) They have some lying doctors. (B) They don't know how to read-because since when was a sick nurse not against hospital regulations? or (C) They have lying doctors, nurses, and reviewing officials as well as horrible customer service. Yes, I had to vent.

On the other hand I received my Squiz cards in the mail today! These little darlings are so cute and tiny (aka mini hehe) and I got mine during a giveaway they were having, but feel free to purchase some for yourself HERE. They're waterproof and come with this adorable little holder!

I also participated in a blog recipe swap at this thoroughly awesome blog (I think I spoke about it once before) and have been receiving recipes in the mail from my swappy pals! I wish this were an ongoing thing! One recipe came all the way from Australia (soooo neat!)

Last week this and a hairpin came in the mail from an accessory swap on this blog! Does anyone see a pattern emerging here? I'm addicted to blog activities. I do believe that I will be having a swap this winter if I have time between all the things coming at me soo so fast!

So yes, I do love getting mail...until those adult moments come around and I receive a bill or bad news. Ohhh to be a kid again!

Elisabeth Arona

I miss my mommyyyyy

In case anyone has been wondering why I haven't written on my blog, it's because I am out of town. I'm sorry!

We left one Wednesday at 2 AM and I drove the first shift. Driving from here (GA) to Virginia is ten hours. I had five hours and my sister had five. I got an hour and sleep and was sooooo sleepy, but I did okay. I had a teenage co-pilot, and then my sister Sarah would have our other teenage friend for hers. I believe my sister planned to get all of her sleep while it was dark, and then drive during the light; her plan worked. When I stopped driving at 7 AM it was light and I was starting to swerve a little.
Fast forward to arriving in Virginia. We met a friend at our hotel and he helped us unload our stuff, then we headed back out to get food. Only God knew what would happen next. Five literal minutes down the street we went to switch lanes and apparently someone else had the same idea (or was speeding) we met in the middle. It was on my side and I saw it coming closer and closer. I screamed. I really wished it was a nightmare.
We are planning to drive the car, somewhat smashed door, and ripped off front bumper included. It's the worst feeling being away from our parents and in another state when (God forbid) something like this happens. Anyway, as someone told us, "The car can be replaced, but you cannot. Be thankful you're okay!"
I'm grateful, and trying to have a good time and will hopefully be back to posting as soon as I get home (Sunday.)

I miss my mommy and daddy!

Elisabeth

Tempting Tuesday: Simply Delicious Site

Bacon Wrapped Chicken

In case any of you have forgotten, it's Tempting Tuesday on Lizzisays! Soooo, here is the most tempting thing I found so far this week. In a way it's sad how much of a visual person I am. I love food, and this picture makes me want to weep. I can taste the bacon crust and the delicious tender chicken...*Ahem* Okay, I am back from my daydream. I didn't just come to tempt you with thoughts of chicken, but also with the desire to cook something up yourself.


Perhaps you too are a visual person. If you are, then this site I found is just for you! It is called Visual Recipes and it's basically exactly what it appears to be (from the name.) You get recipes and the step by step instructions with pictures! Is it obvious that this concept excites me? I did a couple recipes like that on here, and now you can find a really good selection too. So, what are you waiting for? I can't believe you're still reading my ramblings! I hope you enjoyed this Tempting Tuesday!


Elisabeth Arona

Marvelous Monday

I haven't decided what to label my Mondays-and many of you would argue that they are anything but marvelous. I disagree! While I truly dislike Saturdays, I LOVE Mondays! I don't work outside the home, so instead of dreading all of the weeks work, instead I look at all the things that I will create this week and can get started on today! It's a very exciting thing for me, and I wake up ready to get started.

My Monday morning consists of getting a good stretch in...

I'm juuuuust kidding, I would never be able to do that yoga pose (I don't even do yoga) I just thought it would give everyone a chuckle if I put that picture up. 

Then I quickly start saving the world...

One missed email, and Facebook status at a time...

After this, there is a jumble of cleaning my room, figuring out my next sewing project, and of course...doing my hair...

(no comment)

And of course I must eat!

What are your Mondays like, and why oh why do you hate them so?

Elisabeth Arona

Does that grass look greener to you?

Today while I was in the pool with two friends, we started a discussion about insecurities. It was pretty deep (okay, so maybe I just thought so, but judge for yourself.) I said that people tend to carry their insecurities over to others, and for an example I will use clothing. Someone who is afraid of wearing a certain color for fear of how others will react (someone once told me after I bought a certain color that it wouldn't look good on me), will often go to others and react negatively to their clothing color choices (therefore starting a chain reaction of insecurity.)
My friend who recently shaved her head to regrow her hair natural-oh yeah, I'm proud of her because I love having hair and would fear cutting it-said that when she wears weave or different colored wigs people comment about how she isn't happy with who she is or how God made her. Her reply was, "And you are?"
In their minds, these people consider themselves "more content" with their natural appearance although they have relaxers or perms, complain about their hair, or color their hair. I believe that for me to get into the insecurities of humans (especially women) regarding their hair and body image alone I would be here typing on through the night and yeah, maybe even through next week :-). So let me leave my main point with you. It is okay to enhance your natural beauty, but don't let what a few others consider beautiful or ugly sway you too much. You look in the mirror at yourself every day, you live in your skin, and you have to be happy with how you enhanced your person.
My daddy taught me that when I am most critical of others is when I am not happy with myself. I hate when he points it out because it is super true. I am going to an event in another state, and I was--okay am-somewhat afraid to wear my hair natural because I generally get mixed reviews. You know what though? I am going to wear it natural, and I will rock it, because I am confident (self esteem boosting in progress) and when I am happy with myself as a wonderful example of God's handiwork I won't worry about dissing other people to put them on the level I believe myself to be on...instead I will lift them up so we can stand on the same level together. In conclusion, as a radio host used to say...
"Now go do the right thing."

Elisabeth Arona

A problem with a solution

Every problem has a solution. I know this, and yet I still have a problem. I was a little nervous about broadcasting this, but I really felt peace about the idea; if that changes I will take it down. Those of you who are on CAST etsy team at least, know that in May I was sick for about a week with what (I didn't know then)  ended up being strep throat. Here is the numerical version all neat and tidy (without the name of the hospital) as I sent it to the Joint Commissioner's office. Do you have a solution or suggestion? I would love to hear it. I am contacting the health department next...and someone tells me to pay the hospital a dollar a month and it won't go to collections like they keep threatening while I sort it out.


I visited ***** Hospital's Emergency room on May 5. 2010 because I was coughing up blood. I had been sick for about a week, and was finally convinced by my dad to visit the hospital. My complaints are as follows:


1.The nurse was sick. When I was called to the back waiting room, the only nurse on duty in the area had a hacking cough. She was told by the physician to go home and take care of it, but laughed it off; I was exposed to more germs by staff!


2. I was diagnosed with Strep Throat but was not given a throat swab or any form of a strep test. The doctor simply looked at my throat and told me that I had strep throat. I called the CDC and they confirmed that a strep test of some kind must be administered to diagnose someone with strep throat. 


3. I was in the Emergency room that had hardly anyone in it for eight hours. Most of the waiting was done in the back office for the nurse to give me a shot, and then to sign me out. My dad missed some work because he drove me to the hospital and waited with me. 


4. I didn't get better. This is a fairly big issue, because since the doctor didn't take the proper measures to diagnose me, she may have given me a shot that was incorrect. As a result of not getting better, I passed on my sickness to two of my sisters. 


5. For all of the above reasons I don't believe that I should pay for the disservice done to me on May 5th. I also would like some reassurance that this won't be a common occurence although I plan to never go back to this hospital.


I am worried that if it happened to me it has happened to others, the doctor said that there had been a lot of cases of strep throat in the months prior to me being there. I had to wonder if perhaps she diagnosed those other "strep throat patients" in the same manner as she did me.


I have spoken with a customer service representative at ***** hospital several times, and have voicemails of her saying she received my letter about this problem; I also spoke to the Vice President of the Emergency Room (NAME) twice and have not been able to resolve this issue. If we could resolve this quickly I would be so grateful.


Elisabeth


If you have a suggestion I welcome it. I am not giving this up (very stubborn person here,) and even if I don't get the bill dismissed I will get something done.