House Fire Aftermath

The beautiful old home we were renting caught fire. The top floor is gone and the water damage is extensive. The cat was missing for 10 hours, but we're all well and together now. Currently picking up, sorting, scrubbing, and re-packing the pieces. Artemis is struggling with her first emotional experience of loss. It's been a hell of a ride. I miss the giant antique old place, but I'm grateful for a small modern new place to live.

My, how you have grown...

My spirited girl is practically a lady! I rediscovered the photos Artemis less than a week on this Earth. She keeps growing in beauty, brains, and brawn, but her inner light remains unwavering. Ladies and gentlemen, my lil cheeser at two days vs two years.

Excerpts from my High School Journals

I had some fun revisiting my younger self's angsty little world, and picked the best-of to share with you. :) Featuring: teenage angst poetry (even haiku), quotes quotes quotes, tattoo sketches, self portraits of fluctuating attractiveness, a to-read list I actually accomplished, and my earliest exploration in style.

I quit smoking, whaaaaaaaat!

My final substance abuse problem is GONE. I'm freeeeeeee! I quit for Lent 2015 and so as not to jinx it, didn't share that information much. I use an electronic cigarette, and have reduced the nicotine gradually.

My smell and taste senses are sharper now. I believe that this has had an antidepressant effect. I also do not feel ashamed and gross 10-20 times a day. My daughter will not have conscious memory of smoker mom. All in all, good riddance.

My daughter has blossomed into a proper toddler. She runs and talks and identifies as a big-girl now. Look out!

Quinoa, Classwork, and Moving

This week is all about reducing. We are moving (me for the 2nd time this year, my mom for the 1st time in 27 years) next month. We are eating up the contents of our kitchen and getting ready to box up everything. The goal is to send most things to our new house and the rest to our family's homestead up north. Goodbye, childhood home! RIP.

In an attempt to avoid grocery shopping, we are eating mostly quinoa recipes from Mary Jane Butters's cookbook. Fast-cooking, nutrient-dense, delicious food every day. So far, the Greek recipe is my favorite.

I am 2 weeks away from being a certified nurse assistant! And 6 weeks away from finishing all my prerequisites, taking the TEAS, and applying to nursing school! 

So far, so good. This semester has been a challenge to keep up with 19 credit hours worth of homework. I'm ready to take fewer classes and work more next semester so I can save some money. I'll need it if/when I get accepted into nursing school!

Elegant Halloween

So costumes have been decided and created. I am a flapper girl and Artemis is current favorite thing in all creation: a doll. Photos below, and to come.

I have deep fond feeling toward my sparkly beaded dress (NBC $16) and metallic shoes (Goodwill $5). I also glue feathers and ribbons to a hair clip for my headwear and found a lovely vintage pearl bracelet. My fingernails are painted Orly's "Luxe" and toes are Orly's "Rage". (Cool metallic gold and rose gold. Very pretty!)

Artie's doll costume includes gelled hair, pink frilly dress, coordinating diaper cover and socks, sparkly necklace, and a brown paper price tag that says "I'm a doll", tied on with ribbon. Easy peasy, made from stuff we already have.

Mom and Baby Creative Halloween Costume Ideas

Summer is ending right and left! QUICK THINK OF A HALLOWEEN COSTUME!!!

Candidates for our costumes:

- little red riding hood and the wolf

- 1920's Gatsby flapper girls

- Victorian witch and owl

- Matryoshka dolls

- Parvati and Krishna

Decisions, decisions...