Jessica Kelso

I am currently the proud owner of this cute little homemade wallet. . .

I had been looking for a new wallet for quite a while when I came across the site One Happy Tree. She will make a wallet like mine for you and she has a couple different fabrics to choose from. She was absolutely a pleasure to work with and I plan to tell everyone who sees my cute wallet about this site. I’m pretty sure she is still doing 10% off right now too! The wallet has a change pocket on the back and has plenty of space inside for money and credit cards. I’m sad to say I wasn’t the one who made this, but maybe. . . just maybe, one day I’ll be able to.

In other news, I did actually finish my first project ever involving a needle and thread. It took me quite a while to hand sew it all, but I was very happy to have it finished in time for Amber’s baby shower. Now, if you plan on looking a little closer. . . please remember this was my first attempt at a project like this. Next one will be better, for sure!

I made the starbursts to go along with her robot theme bedding, since I didn’t feel quite ambitious enough to attempt a robot.

How cute is that?! I can’t wait to see little baby Mitchell in his robot onesie made by Kallie, sleeping on his robot sheets, and throwing up in his organic burp cloths! So fun.

So, that’s the best in my life as of late. Wallets, robots, and babies.

Being cooped up in the house for the past 3 days made me a little stir crazy and I had to try and get back to reality. I think I might have overdone things today though. I had lunch with Kevin and our friend Matthew at a little diner I had never been to before. After that I headed to Dillards because I heard they had some shoes 70% off, and I love a good deal. . . but unfortunately I think all the good stuff was already picked over. I went to a couple other stores and ended up just getting Kevin a cute new shirt. After that I decided to check out the Aldi food store and see what it was all about. Total let down. You have to pay for your shopping cart (you get the $.25 back, but seriously? A hassle! Especially since I didn’t have a quarter). Out of my entire shopping list, I was able to find 2 things. I didn’t bother to look in the little bit of cold stuff they had seeing as how I knew when I left I was headed straight for Publix. So I ended up leaving with paper towels and kidney beans. Nice. Oh, and that was after I was told they don’t take credit cards. What store doesn’t take credit cards? (Seriously) After a little huffing and puffing on my part, I managed to get out of the store with my things. I went to Publix and was able to do my usual shopping. Came home and unloaded everything then headed to the lake for a run. About halfway into it I decided I was going to die. It’s been a couple of weeks and I’ve been completely non active for 3 days so it wasn’t an easy task. I came home still feeling somewhat motivated and knew I should make dinner. So I tried a new recipe I found for Santa Fe Chicken Chili. And oh was it delicious! I think it was quite possibly the best chili I’ve ever had. It’s gluten-free too, I believe. (Christy. . . you don’t do gluten, right?) You have to try it!

Right now, I feel accomplished and tired. I don’t think my body was ready for the day I gave to it. Maybe tomorrow will be a bit more relaxing. House cleaning, dentist appointment, and small group. How was I ever able to work before?

Thursday night I had the opportunity to dress up in prom attire for the first time in my life. My mom had bought me a dress in high school to wear to prom but I ended up not going. So this dress has moved with me from house to house through the years with tags still on. . . never really knowing where I’d actually be able to wear it to. Thankfully, my friend Lis is amazing and throws the best parties. We sat around, ate a lot of sugar, listened to some Boyz II Men, and talked about our best and worst Valentine’s Day experiences among many other things. All while being in our lovely prom dresses. It was great.

As far as Valentine’s Day goes, I was a complete bummer. Kevin actually had the whole day planned out and I was hardly able to get off the couch due to feeling like I had the flu. So instead of going to the Pancake Festival, he made me pancakes for breakfast. And instead of going to dinner at Grass Roots and listening to live music, he picked up Crispers and we watched a movie. He even outdid himself on my present. I just got him a new video game for the Wii and he got me 2 necklaces and a gift certificate for a 50 minute massage! He thought of it all on his own and I was/still am pretty shocked by that. I told him part of his present was getting to play his video game most of the day while I slept! It was a great day just lounging around the house in our pj’s. . . not having to be out fighting the lovey-dovey crowds.

I’m feeling a wee bit better today, but I’m still pretty sleepy and have a horrible sore throat. Kevin went to church solo while I slept in as late as possible. It was my first time missing Access in a long time, and I wasn’t a happy camper about it. Now, I guess I should go figure out what to make for dinner with no groceries in the house. I hope to feel well enough to at least make it to the grocery store tomorrow.

Tonight is our third week hosting small group at our house. Right now, there are 8 of us. . . 4 couples. And so far we are loving it! It’s nice being around people we truly enjoy. I’ve especially liked having it at our house, because I make sure to have the house tidy by Tuesday instead of drawing it out through the entire week like I had been doing. I also enjoy having an excuse to bake or make fun munchies. I recently found a recipe for a Spiced Cereal Trail Mix and it’s become our new favorite around here. I double or sometimes triple the recipe and separate it out into zip lock bags and have it for easy snacks. So tonight this is what we will be munching on! I’m aware we are way past autumn, but I don’t think I ever get tired of pumpkin flavor.

I’ve started watching my nephew 3 days a week in the afternoons. And let me tell you! Some of the stuff he says blows my mind. 3 years old and he already knows how to be sarcastic and witty. It cracks me up. He’s made me become very aware of how OCD I truly am when it comes to my house being clean though. I don’t know how I’m going to be able to handle kids of my own constantly making messes. Aidan likes to eat his snack on the coffee table and it’s usually apple sauce or yogurt. It never fails that half of it gets on the table. Like that isn’t enough, he will take the bowl and rub the applesauce all over the entire surface of the table. The first time he did it, I was a slight maniac and had a towel and cleaner out wiping it up as he dropped it. But the next time I quickly realized it wasn’t a big deal. He’s a kid and it’s completely harmless. The second he leaves, you better believe the spray is coming out though! I’m currently trying to find more kids to watch, so I can hopefully make enough to be able to do it full time. I really enjoy being able to stay home along with loving kids, so this would be an ideal job for me. If you hear of anyone needing a nanny/babysitter/child watcher. . . keep me in mind!

In talking with a friend the other day about all of our previous hair colors and then going through some old pictures. . . I came up with a small gallery of the many changes I’ve made to my poor hair in the past 20 years or so. There’s still a few stages missing (like ages 10-16) that I will have to make up for once the pictures are scanned into the computer. Looking back now, I feel so sorry for my mom. I know how bad she wanted a little girl after having two boys. I can only imagine how excited she was when I was born but since the first day she put me in a dress, I fought my way out. I was a pretty big tomboy for most of my younger years. In second grade, she gave in and let me chop my hair off. . . and I’ve kept it above my shoulders ever since. Constantly bleaching and doing different things to it during hair school and the years after didn’t make it very easy to grow it any longer. Not working in a salon any more means having less access to getting my ends trimmed constantly so the length it is now has come fairly easy. I know it’s not long by any means, but I am pretty proud to say it’s the longest I’ve had it since that first picture when I was probably 5 or 6.

I’m still trying to figure out why I’m looking down in almost every single picture. I guess I thought that was cool.

[View with PicLens]

Our neighbor, Bob Decker, lost his battle with cancer this past Thursday.

There have been a couple of people I’ve met that I could have lived without ever knowing and been okay with it. They were probably rude, selfish, or just straight up nasty people. Then there are others that I’ve met who have brought nothing but joy to my life. People that I’m so incredibly thankful for having the opportunity of ever knowing. They are most likely the ones who are selfless, giving, loving, caring, and helpful. Bob was one of those people for me. I’m sad that he’s no longer here in our presence, but I’m rejoicing in his life and in what a great man he was. I hope everyone has a Bob in their life and doesn’t take them for granted.

Rest in peace my dear friend and know you will live forever in my heart.