Struggling

I'm going to give it to you straight.  I'm struggling!  I think I've entered the joys of what is known as a "fibro flare-up".  It started toward the end of last week and is hanging on for dear life.  I am so extremely tired I'm afraid to drive anywhere because I'm afraid I will fall asleep at the wheel.  When I wake up in the morning I feel like I haven't slept at all and that my body somehow went from being 33 to 95 overnight.  My hands are so stiff and swollen when I wake up I can't use them for an hour or more.  I have to fix the girls' hair before they go to bed at night because I just can't make my hands do it in the morning.  All of my joints ache and my head hasn't stopped pounding for days.  In short, I feel terrible.

Last night I decided I was going to quit my blog.  I used to love it, but the last couple of weeks have been hard.  I am so behind on housework and helping the kiddos with homework and piano lessons it is ridiculous.  I haven't cooked a real dinner in almost a week.  I feel like my life is unraveling and there is not a thing I can do about it.

I'm sad becuase I have gotten to know so many amazing people and my linky parties are starting to take off and my followers are starting to climb pretty quickly.  But I just can't do it...not right now.  I don't know if I'm going to quit it for keeps or just for a little bit, but I have to give myself permission to stop for now.  I'll see how I feel when my "flare-up" decides to "flare-down" and I get my real life under control again.  I will still post things if I think they are awesome, but I'm not going to push myself to do it everyday.

Thanks for understanding.

Messy Monday -- DIY Watercolor Paint

These are the BEST!  My kids love to paint, but we used to go through watercolor paints like crazy.  I decided there had to be a way to make my own.  We love it so much, I just had to share with you!

Watercolor Paints

• 4 Tbsp Baking Soda
• 2 Tbsp White Vinegar
• 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp Glycerin (available in any pharmacy)
• food coloring
• ice cube tray
• tooth picks

1. Mix the baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl until fizzing stops.
2. Add cornstarch and glycerin and mix thoroughly.
3. Spoon evenly into ice cube tray.
4. Add food coloring to each ice cube slot and mix thoroughly.
5. Mix and match colors until you have all of the colors you want.
6. Let dry overnight.
7. Use as regular watercolors.

This will crumble easier than store bought watercolors, but since it is in an ice cube tray it is much less likely to come out and make a mess everywhere.

Hint:  I make 2 of each color so that the tray can sit on the table between 2 kids.  Then they each have the same colors and don't fight about who is using what.

What have you done for Messy Monday?  Link it up!

1.  Use the link to your actual blog post, not your blog address.

2.  Grab a Messy Monday button and put it in your blog post or somewhere on your blog.

 

</P> <P></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CFLPhXbrx2LwLWzztjTAKUbY1LxAgoeJAny5EEDMNSHbhAXaRJIA1p6uvwMEs0Kqoktrq1h1Ti3As1RnnSGu1JevQnSDIGRyzpm0ZTy5PSWo9mGBEOunpPHNweSfrr_iq0HmexXqyXah/s1600/Messy+Monday+button-2.jpg " /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P>

 

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   </P> <P></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BD-VrmJKY6MT9xweSmOq7FX955VNIRkgJegyM8_wwQgXVr07TsgjhgO8jqjj_sUB3BGezI-cR-YD3aBXmRp3TRvYtMjCWBRd5_yjLg8teUOEG0Tkl1zVM-XLJx1EDo9nK6uwEjT5dTJ6/s1600/Button+Messy+Monday.jpg " /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P>

3.  Go check out what everyone else is up to and leave them some comment love!

I'm linking to these sites.  Go check them out! 

Whatever Wednesday -- Featured!

Since so many awesome people are linking to my parties, I thought I would change Whatever Wednesday to WOW Wednesday and start featuring my favorites from the link ups the week before.  If you were featured, grab a button and proudly display it on your blog!

These Halloween costumes are made from fun foam.  How cool (and inexpensive) is that?!  You can get all of the details over at Paisley Passions.

I don't know about you all, but I HATE having to get a new razor after only using it a few times.  Check out this amazing tip on how to make them last much longer over at In The Loop.

Isn't this log bench beautiful?!  My dream is to some day live in a log home and if this bench were mine, I don't think my bum would ever get off of it.  :)  Best part, it is HANDMADE.  Go see how they did it at The Paisley Cupcake.

Check these treat bags out!  Aren't they the coolest.  My kids would love these, and not just at Halloween time.  You can get all of the handy details (I know i'm so funny) over at Making Memories With Your Kids.

Isn't this wreath so cute?!  It would take all of my self control not to eat the thing every time I walked by.  I love Candy Corns!  You can get the tutorial over at A Mommy's Adventures.

Well, there you have it!  My favorites from last weeks linky parties.  Keep the links coming people!

If you were featured, please grab a button and display it proudly on your blog.

</P> <P></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PiTzOGK6SBHfbpOa70nbsM9CodYCWksun79Vb7ijyFUgD3c3-r2llaXGf8jiqsdy9HBRJoe1ly-VNvbHdPYGtDkU96cyBff5Qr-mBP_gvDzBSALZ9En3b-aYjtM4wW7MSTpqqlangj2I/s1600/pumpkin+patch+featured+button.bmp" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P> 

Transform Tuesday -- Bald is Beautiful!!

My friend Corinne and I teamed with St. Baldricks and shaved our heads to raise money for children's cancer research and we donated our hair to Beautiful Lengths so that it can be made into wsig for people who have lost their hair from chemotherapy.

Before:

After:

So how's that for a transformation?!  There's still time to donate to children's cancer research.  Even $5 will help.  Click here.

I'm linking to these sites.  Go check them out!

What have you transformed?  Link it up!

Here are the rules:

1.  Use the link to your actual blog post, not your general blog address.

2.  Grab a button and post it on your blog somewhere.

</P> <P></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAMfYekv2NCEXjM66gwAB2F8I6TVxEV0xaFG5VtfiPlGluZwU4wLybN37BOz4LUUTRN8WJ3TmROa3EoCMkIQXTztZtjmoP3w5dwKePhSQNhkw4RIZfHmZhLmG5WJIp6CXxrj7IpgwHcwd/s1600/pumpkin+patch+button+transform+tuesday.bmp" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none">

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3.  Check out what everyone has done and leave them some comment love!

Messy Monday -- I'm home and I'm BALD!

I did it.  I shaved my head to raise money for children's cancer research.  How's this for a mess?!

There is still time to donate if you want to.  Even $5 will help.  Click here.

Come back tomorrow for the Before and Afters...now that's a transformation you don't want to miss!
What have you done for Messy Monday?  Link it up!

1.  Use the link to your actual blog post, not your blog address.

2.  Grab a Messy Monday button and put it in your blog post or somewhere on your blog.

</P> <P></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CFLPhXbrx2LwLWzztjTAKUbY1LxAgoeJAny5EEDMNSHbhAXaRJIA1p6uvwMEs0Kqoktrq1h1Ti3As1RnnSGu1JevQnSDIGRyzpm0ZTy5PSWo9mGBEOunpPHNweSfrr_iq0HmexXqyXah/s1600/Messy+Monday+button-2.jpg " /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P>

 

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3.  Go check out what everyone else is up to and leave them some comment love!

I'm linking to these sites.  Go check them out!

Transform Tuesday -- Goodwill Recycling!

Reminder:  If you want to know why I'm shaving my head click here.

Daisy and J-Man go to a public Montessori school where they have to wear uniforms.  Which is really great for the morning routine... no arguements because they already know what they need to wear.  I have also been able to get most of their clothes from Goodwill, so I haven't had to spend a ton of money to get them.

When we signed them up, they told us that kindergarten and 2nd grade wouldn't have to wear gym uniforms.  Last Friday they sent a note home to the parents saying that they needed gym uniforms afterall.  I went back to Goodwill sure I'd be able to find what I needed.  Guess what I found?!  NOTHING!  Not a single thing!  So I went to Wal-Mart and got some cheap t-shirts that were the right color/style, but they didn't have any pants.  I also looked at Kohl's, Target, and Meijer.  NOTHING!

Oh shoot!  Now what?  In desperation I headed back to Goodwill.  I looked in the women's section and found 2 pairs of athletic pants that were the right colors (Hunter Green and Maroon) for less than $5 each.  Then I headed home and set to work with a pair of scissors and my serger.  About an hour later I had a new pair of gym pants.  :)

I really love it when what I see in my head and what I actually end up with are the same thing!

Before:

After:

I'm linking to these sites.  Go check them out!

What have you transformed?  Link it up!

Here are the rules:

1.  Use the link to your actual blog post, not your general blog address.

2.  Grab a button and post it on your blog somewhere.

</P> <P></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAMfYekv2NCEXjM66gwAB2F8I6TVxEV0xaFG5VtfiPlGluZwU4wLybN37BOz4LUUTRN8WJ3TmROa3EoCMkIQXTztZtjmoP3w5dwKePhSQNhkw4RIZfHmZhLmG5WJIp6CXxrj7IpgwHcwd/s1600/pumpkin+patch+button+transform+tuesday.bmp" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none">

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3.  Check out what everyone has done and leave them some comment love!

Messy Monday -- Follow your kid's lead

Reminder:  If you want to know why I'm shaving my head click here.

Have you ever asked your kiddos what they would like to do for Messy Monday?  I did.  I was expecting some huge project, so the answers I got really surprised me and made me realize that all they really want is for us to love them and spend time with them.  Feel free to set some parameters...We're not going to go anywhere or spend any money...we have to use what we already have...no video games...etc.

Question:  What would you like to do with me today?

Answers:

Daisy:  I want to do a craft wtih you.  Maybe we can paint some pictures and then turn them into something...like a special book or something.  (give this girl a gluestick and some paper and she is in heaven.)

J-Man:  I want to snuggle and read lots and lots of books with you. (melt my heart)

Princess:  Let's bake something.  And I can wear an apron and you can wear an apron and we can make it together and then we can eat it.  And the other kids can eat it too!!  (girl after my own heart)  recipe here.

the Babe:  CARS!!!  I wanna play CARS!!!  (give him some cars and he will play happily for an hour or more)

So, guess what we are going to do for Messy Monday?  Yep!  And I'm going to love every second of it.

What have you done for Messy Monday?  Link it up!

1.  Use the link to your actual blog post, not your blog address.

2.  Grab a Messy Monday button and put it in your blog post or somewhere on your blog.

</P> <P></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://pumpkinpatchdesigns.blogspot.com"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1CFLPhXbrx2LwLWzztjTAKUbY1LxAgoeJAny5EEDMNSHbhAXaRJIA1p6uvwMEs0Kqoktrq1h1Ti3As1RnnSGu1JevQnSDIGRyzpm0ZTy5PSWo9mGBEOunpPHNweSfrr_iq0HmexXqyXah/s1600/Messy+Monday+button-2.jpg " /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right"> </td></tr></table></center></P> <P><BR></P> <P>

 

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3.  Go check out what everyone else is up to and leave them some comment love!

I'm linking to these sites.  Go check them out!