Halloween - Challenge Accepted

Do your kids have their costumes yet? Do you? Do you know that it is only 3 days away? No need to panic, or feel depressed when comparing yourself to the Pinterest Moms.  I may not sew, but I do know that If you have paper, double-sided tape, and scissors, you can make almost anything :)

When I was growing up, my mom never bought me fancy costumes for Halloween. We simply made them with what we had around the house, and I loved it. Now, sometimes we would have to get some supplies like make-up or tin-foil, but for the most part it was extremely cheap or even free, or items bought were something we needed anyway. This was the Halloween challenge...what are you going to be, and how can you make it?

I've now made it my personal mission to do the same for my kids (and my husband and I). We did break with tradition last year and use a $3 M&M costume for Jaelyn from the dollar store, but when you can get costumes for that price I think it fits within the challenge.

This year, I looked in Jaleyn's closet and saw a pink dress with black polka dots, which looked like it would work for Minnie Mouse. I added black tights, a larger diaper cover that her sister won't miss, a shoelace for the tail, and sparkly shoes she already owns. I did have to buy a long sleeve black t-shirt for her arms (and it's actually a Batman one), but I'm going to put it on her inside out so she doesn't see and give it to her for Christmas. She also needed a new knit hat, so I had my friend who makes crochet hats make a minnie mouse one for her. Yes, it's spending money, but it is also something she needs and will use throughout the winter....making it still within my boundaries for the challenge. Cost: $7 for the shirt (which will be added to her Christmas presents...it's not made local or by a work at home mom, but unfortunately most kids clothes aren't) and the cost of the hat, which does support a work at home mom.

For Luella, I knew when I saw her red hair that she would be Strawberry Shortcake. She had a big fluffy white dress, and a pink apron-style dress already (reversed colours, but close enough). My sister and I found green and white striped socks at the dollar store, which I made into leggings, and a pink shower cap as well, which i stuck paper pictures of strawberries to with double sided tape. Add three green diamonds to the front of the apron, and voila! A decent costume. Cost: $3 for the socks, shower cap and strawberry muffin cups.

We are attending a party as a family, so I told my husband he should go as a hunter, since he is one. Cost: free

And Me? Well,  in honour of my husband's first deer that he shot yesterday, and to match his costume, I'm going as a deer. I used wire, electrical tape and construction paper to attach ears and antlers to a headband I already had, and used a brown shirt, paper and double-sided tape to make the body. Add a long-sleeve white shirt and brown pants I already own and it's done. Cost: free!

Oh, and the time to make all of these? About 1/2 hour. Pictures of our whole crew dressed up will be added later.

So, are you still struggling to find something? Look around your closets and house, see what you have and get inspired! And share your pictures with me :)

A New Appreciation

I'm facing a new season in my life now. My recovery has been going really well, and I have even joined a program at the YMCA for those who have undergone breast surgery that is supervised by my physiotherapist and breast-health nurse.  We have gotten back into the swing of working on home renovations and improvement. Luella is sleeping a bit better and we no longer need to swaddle her for naps or bedtime (yay!), and potty training Jaelyn is just around the corner. We are also eager to get more invovled in our church and community.

I have additionally realized that for the first time since we've been married (almost 16 years!) I am no longer a bi-vocational Pastor, in that I no longer hold a 'secular' job since I have resigned from my position at the store. I still haven't fully stepped into a 'Pastor' role at the church, either, since I have been recovering from surgery (but I'm sure that will come sooner rather than later...). I have, however, entered the realm of  'Work-at-home-Mom' and have started my own business, so to speak, making signs and decor out of up-cycled material. I have always loved painting and creating things, and I wanted to test the waters of doing this before my Maternity Leave is fully up. I will probably have to do something else as well to help supplement the income I have lost, but I have to say that I have been enjoying myself so much! The response from friends, family and the community has also been incredible :) if you'd like to check out my Facebook page, go here: Mug Half Full Deigns

I have also discovered that trying to start a business is hard work when you have two kids under three! I think through all of this, I have realized how important it is to support those Moms who stay at home with their kids, and who also run a business - whether it is something they make, or it is something they sell, or if it is a business they do out of their own homes.

I have come to the conclusion that, as much as possible, I want the presents that I personally get my girls for Birthdays and Christmas to be from Work-At-Home-Moms, from local small businesses, and even used items from Facebook groups or my favourite used store. My girls don't need the newest toys that are out there,  and I want them to grow up without a sense of entitlement, and with an attitude of Thanksgiving. I believe that this is a good first step. It also helps to support those Moms who are working so hard. I also know how hard moms work who have out of the home jobs, and how saving money is important. Over the next weeks I'll be posting about some of my used findings, and some of the businesses I love to support...maybe it will inspire others to do the same :)

Here are some pics from my first craft sale:

Wordless Wednesday - October 15, 2014

Working on decor for kids :)

Wordless Wednesday - October 8, 2014

A little bit of what I've been up to...

Big Decisions

I can't believe that it has been a month since my surgery - September has flown by, and we are already into Fall (which is my favorite time of the year). My recovery is going well, and my surgeon has confirmed that no more treatment is recommended for me. I still have another physio appointment to go to next week, and a few other appointments and follow-ups to go to, but everything seems to be settling down back to normal. This past week, I have even been able to watch the kids by myself while Darren is at work. I can now lift them both, and carry them short distances. I've decorated my house for fall, and have begun trying to organize the house and contents after our rather quick move. It's coming together, slowly but surely. 

We're all still a bit tired - I'm on my second cold now since my surgery. My immune system is low, and I'm pretty susceptible to viruses now, and I've even decided to share this one with everyone else in my family :) Luella has been teething and going through a growth spurt, so our sleep has been spurratic, but hopefully we will be on the mend soon.

On top of this, I've had some pretty major (and minor) decisions to make over the past week or so:

- I have put in a referral for a plastic surgeon: to meet for a consultation, and plan my reconstruction surgery (my surgeon had put in a referral to one for me, but after meeting with some of them, I decided to go with one particular surgeon)

- I have been measured and sized for a prosthesis and two mastectomy bras - they should be here in about a week and 1/2. My clothes will fit more 'normal' after My incisions are fully healed and I am able to wear them.

- I have officially resigned from my managing position at Wicker Emporium, and will not be returning to work after my Mat Leave is over. They have been a great place to work over the past 5 1/2 years, but it is a very physical job, and with another surgery on the horizon and the cost of daycare for two little ones, we feel it best for me to stay home for now.

- I have decided to sell 'crafts' at an upcoming craft sale...this is new for me. I've always enjoyed painting and restoring things, and have decided to paint upcycled wooden home decor, and nursery/kid's room decor. More on that in a later post.

One of my biggest decisions has been to actually delay my reconstruction for awhile. Initially, we were planning on doing it fairly soon after my MRI check up in the new year, but after attending a reconstruction seminar and speaking with some surgeons, and thinking/praying about what is best for my family, I have decided to wait a bit. It has been a long year for both of my kids and my husband. Luella has spent her entire 9 months of her little life with a Mom who is recovering from some kind of surgery, Jaelyn has lost some quality time with me, and Darren has undergone huge amounts of stress by taking over kid duties when he gets home, renovating a house, and running a business - although they've all handled it like champs.  After talking about it with the surgeon who was leading the seminar, she suggested that I go home, get healthy, and enjoy my baby and family. That stuck with me (and is the main reason why I decided to get a referral for her to be my surgeon). I don't want to stress myself and my family out trying to get ready and  lose baby weight in a short amount of time, all in order to prepare for another surgery in less than 1/2 a year.  So,  I plan to invest the next while in my family, my health, and my Church - to get my life back to normal in a reasonable timeframe that won't sacrifice any more of my family - they have already sacrificed enough for me. Surgery is tentatively planned for next summer.

...and one last BIG victory to share: today, I went shopping with both my kids today. Just Jaelyn, Luella and myself. This is the first time I have EVER done that...and we all survived! 

These past few months have just been one part of our continuing journey. I am excited about what God has in store for us this coming year in our church and community, and for us as a family.