Prints. and stuff.
	April 30, 2009 | Filed Under JJF, Loss, The Print Shop | 29 Comments

I’m so surprised that I’m coming to you tonight to write here, but I just had to share some exciting stuff with you.

okay, maybe it’s just exciting for me, and that’s okay.  Just humor me.

I received my first shipment of prints from my first shop orders today and I have to tell you, I’M IMPRESSED!  I’m beyond impressed, I’m totally excited.  Some individuals purchased prints as large as 16×20 and WOW, those knock my socks off.  Brian and I stood over the prints, both of us in awe, I told him that I don’t think I ever need to buy another print that’s not my own ever again.  And that made him really happy because anytime I say “I don’t need” and “buy” in the same sentence, it pretty much makes his night.

Anyway, THANK YOU to all who supported the shop.  The shop is still open, I’m hoping to add new prints over the next week.  If you placed an order last week, your order will be shipped by Tuesday.  If you place an order this week, your order will be shipped the following Tuesday.

You can see the prints for yourself at the end of this post, sitting on my kitchen counter.  This shot is straight out of the camera, no editing involved.

LOVE.

Also, don’t be too disappointed, but there is no way I’ll be able to put together a post on editing photos by tomorrow, I had a very long, intense appointment with a doctor who specializes in pregnancy loss, which is pretty much the most depressing kind of doctor EVER.

The appointment literally lasted for hours and hours.  This has been in the works for about two months now and we finally were able to meet today.  I may elaborate more later, but right now I’m not sure how much I can or want to share.  It’s really, really personal.  Just know that today was a good day, and a sad day and a draining day.

Literally.  They took 18 vials of blood.

LITERALLY.

Don’t forget to follow me while I’m at Disney Friday-Sunday – twitter: @foldinglaundry.

One more thing…coming next week is the biggest giveaway to take place on I Should Be Folding Laundry.  DON’T MISS IT.

	You Capture. Joy.
	April 29, 2009 | Filed Under you capture. | 39 Comments

Oh the joys of life.  I can hardly take it.  Yesterday morning, I spilled an entire cup of coffee into my purse, it covered my iPhone, checks written out to me, checks I’d written out to others, EVERYTHING.  I could have cried.  I can remember while driving around with my purse filled with coffee that I wish I had picked something called “bad mood” or “day ruiners.”

Man, did I feel sorry for myself.

But as the day progressed I realized how little that mattered and now today?  It doesn’t matter one bit that I spilled that enormous cup of coffee into my purse.  (okay, maybe a little, my phone may not be completely recovered.  yet.)

Here are my picks for this week.  The first two BRING ME JOY because they mean spring is finally here.  This past Sunday we walked for our James and Jake.  It felt so great to spend the day devoted TO THEM.

I captured some flowers while walking the six miles.

These next two are joy captured.  This is Stephanie with Ivy, they were having so much fun together after the walk.

And here is Racecar and I.  Now, I did not take the photo, but it’s MY camera and I told my husband to take pictures of us.  He’s a crazy kid.

I’ll cherish this forever.

And finally, this brings me joy.  All of these people walking for James and Jake.  It feels like joy times 30, in case you are wondering.

Now it’s your turn to share!  Just a few things before adding your link to Mr. Linky!

1.  You can join in on this challenge at any time!  We welcome & love new participants.
2.  Please make sure you are linking directly to your specific You Capture post in Mr. Linky (and not just your site, for instructions, go here) and please make sure you are linking back to this challenge in your post.  If you don’t abide by this, your link will be removed.  (I know, I’m so mean.)
3.  Try your hardest not to reuse a picture from your archives, the goal of You Capture is to get you moving with your camera, get creative!  Challenge yourself!
4.  Do your best to visit the other participants’ site – everyone loves the traffic, the comments and the feedback (not just you!)
5.  And finally, post as many pictures as you want on your post.

EXPRESSION.

Happy capturing!  Check back here on Friday for a post on editing pictures easily and INEXPENSIVELY.

	so many bullet points.
	| Filed Under Bloggityville, OMG, stupid crap | 26 Comments

I’m trying so hard to stay on top of my responsibilities before heading out on my trip on Friday but I’m pretty sure that I’m failing miserably and I only think that because the laundry piles are now taking over our house and the piles on the coffee table (ANDALLOVERTHEHOUSEFOREALZ) is enough to make my head spin, but I’m trying, I’m reaaalllly trying.

I have about 10,000 pieces of information to share with you right now, so I’m thinking I’ll do that with bullet points because bullet points are so pretty.

• ooooh, pretty.
• This Friday I’m going to Disney with some rockstar bloggers.  I’m not really sure how I got invited but I’m pretty sure I’ll arrive and everyone will look at each other and be like “who invited her?”  And the person who invited me will get fired and I’ll have to sleep on the streets in Orlando which is okay with me because the high temperature is 90 and if you know me, you know how much I love 90 degrees.   Anyway, I’m going with Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting, Christine at From Dates to Diapers, Megan at Velveteen Mind, Emily from Mommin’ it Up, Oh Amanda,Marsha at  Sweatpants Mom, Andrea at Mommy Snacks and Lindsay at Surburban Turmoil.
  If you’re interested, you can follow us on twitter.  #magicalmoms will be our hashtag.  I’m really excited to go and spend the weekend with these people. Without kids.  In my own room.  By myself.  With free food.  And maybe even a waffle cone.

  Man, I love waffle cones.

• I’m sorry I didn’t do an Idol recap last night.  I had dinner with friends and then had to shop for my trip.  My budget was $75 but I spent $293.
• I suck at budgets.
• For those that have been in San Francisco, I leave for San Fran on the 7th of May, what is a MUST SEE while I’m there?
• I got a haircut today and got my eyebrows done which is just good news for everyone because the hair was frightening.  (the eyebrows were even worse.)  In all seriousness, if anyone lives in my area and needs a good hair stylist, you need to give my girl a try.I have been seeing her for three years and she does a great job every single time.  I love her.  Also, if you go to her and say that I sent you, she’ll give you 10% off.  If you’d like to go to her, send me an email and I’ll give you her info.  She’s awesome.
• I am actually going to shut my computer down for a few hours and really clean my house and do all of the laundry.  I’m hoping that Brian will come home and be so impressed with all of my hard work that he’ll forget about the $293 I spent at Target last night.
• Stephanie helped me shop and she did a great job.  Everyone needs a Stephanie.
• EMAIL!  Oh my gosh, I am so behind on my emails.  Literally, hundreds of emails behind.  If you’ve emailed me and I haven’t responded, please be patient.  I’m hoping to sort through everything within the next two weeks.But if you’ve emailed me asking me to promote your product for nothing in return, I will not be responding.
• I lost weight this week.  Last week I weighed 176.8, this week I weighed in at 174.4, which is a miracle.  I love miracles.  I also love ice cream and Papa John’s and Miller Lite.  Can you see why my weight loss is a miracle?
• Thank you to everyone for your support with the Folding Laundry Print Shop.  It’s been so much fun.  Don’t forget that tomorrow is the last day where all of the proceeds will be donated to the March of Dimes.  So far over $150 has been donated because of the shop.  I love that!
• I think I’ve tortured you enough with the randomness.  I’m figuring out that bullet points aren’t so pretty after all and too many can be annoying.  I’ll remember that next time.
• one more thing.
• Be sure to check back this Friday on a post about how to edit your photos in Picasa and Picnik, it’s even for those who don’t have an interest in photography.  You won’t want to miss it!
• bye

(whoever did what they did for that Etsy shop for me…well, I just can’t thank you enough, I am so excited), but man, I sure wish you would tell me who you are.  Tell me, k?  It will be our little secret.)

	{Handmade Inspired} What I Want for Mother’s Day
	April 27, 2009 | Filed Under Travel, handmade inspired | 26 Comments

Can you believe how self-absorbed the title of this post is?  At least I can admit it.  The truth is, I’m pretty much missing out on Mother’s Day this year because um…I’m going to be in San Francisco without my children, which I’m certain is going to send me into therapy because HOWCANINOTSPENDMOTHERSDAYWITHMYKIDS?

Except it’s not even my fault because  we are going there for Brian’s job and he can’t choose which weekend he goes and hello?  It’s San Francisco.  I’ve never been there and well, I need to go there.

I just wish we could afford to bring the kids along, but we can’t. So, I guess I’ll have to settle with sleeping in and having a vat of coffee delivered to our room just to get out of bed, take a shower and leisurely walk around the city taking photos ALL DAY LONG.  (READ: heaven, yo.)

Last year Mother’s Day was pretty much one of the worst days of my life, so I’m hoping that last year sucked and this year I’ll be two thousand miles away from home and next year I can start fresh and start to love and adore Mother’s Day once again.

Man, did I used to love and adore Mother’s Day.

Long story short, I don’t think I’ll be receiving anything for Mother’s Day this year since my plane ticket was so expensive.  (but I’m secretly hoping that I’ll still get my two lilac bushes.  That would be grand.)

So, let’s pretend that I WILL receive gifts for Mother’s Day and that Brian said “Beth, darling, whatever you desire for Mother’s Day, I shall get for you, I just need a list.  With photos and prices on your blog.”  So, that’s what I’m doing this week, a small series on what I want for Mother’s Day, even though I won’t get anything.

(I have a sickness living in this pretend world, I realize this.)

I stumbled upon these unbelievable prints.  They make my heart soar.

The selection is amazing, but I narrowed it down and I’d love to have all of these that I’ve included in this post.  And before you look at these and fall in love, let me just encourage you to buy one for yourself because these are good for your soul.  Tell your husband I said so.  (and the seller is not sponsoring this post, she doesn’t even know I exist.  so there.)

Behold the awesomeness.  Each print has a message on the print.

Among the lines on her skirt are my favorites “wear red shoes,” “surround yourself with good people” and “speak of your gratitude.”  Can you even handle the loveliness?

Hello, birdie.  I love you.

This one is called “I heart your heart.”  Oh my gosh, LOVE.

And this one is just breathtaking to me, the red, the power of the message, the butterfly.  Oh, the perfection.

Not only are these so amazingly beautiful, the messages are profound and perfect and seriously could make me weep in the most beautiful way upon passing a collage on my wall (in my office, to be exact).  The prices vary depending on the size, some are 5×5, some 8×10, the prices ranges from $14 – $18.

This shop, you must visit.  LIKE NOW.  Don’t you agree?  And if you do order something, tell me so I can be jealous of you and also, feel free to go there and tell me which one is your favorite in the comments.  We can dream together.  That’s what girlfriends do.

	oh, the love
	April 26, 2009 | Filed Under JJF, March for Babies | 28 Comments

The true meaning of “labor of love” came into fruition once again in my life when we walked today.  Six miles is a really, really, REALLY long time.  I’m not sure why they make the walk so long, but it is and although by mile three I thought my shoes had turned into hot burning coals below my feet, I still continued on because how could I not?

My feet have been up all afternoon, I have blisters on my feet and throbbing muscles in my legs, I’m tired and I have a sun burn.  But we had Papa John’s and Miller Lite tonight and a day dedicated to our precious boys.  I have to say, this day could not have been much better.  (although, I wish we weren’t there at all, if you now what I mean.)

There were hundreds of people walking today, honoring someone, somewhere and it was unbelievably beautiful.

But my God, I wish I could put into words the love that I felt deep into my soul walking with so many amazing people.  And not just walking side by side with these people, but also hearing the cheers from people via twitter & email and knowing that so many people expressed their love with a donation to our team.

I often wonder what I did to deserve losing James and Jake, did I give someone a dirty look?  Did I lie?  What did I do?  Haven’t I always been a good person?  But on the other hand?  I also wonder what I did to be so loved by so many people.

When they died I never imagined that anything good could EVER come out of their deaths.  And then I reflect on today and realize that these two boys, their spirit and their presence ARE the the good that came out of their death.  It’s painfully beautiful.

It’s a gift.  One that I hold very, very close to my heart.  But not as close as the gift of so many people who really love James and Jake.  Knowing THAT is what helps me sleep at night.

Speaking of sleep.  That is just what I need right now.

Just look at this beautiful team.

There are TONS of photos from today’s walk right here.  Please feel free to take a look and guess what?  You can comment on the pictures which is just fun for everyone.  And I have to warn you, there are so many pictures of me up there that I’m uncomfortable sending you over there, but I will anyway.  You’re welcome.

I mean, I’m sorry.
____

Thank you for all of the love.