It's Here

Bird's first tooth has started to poke through! After months of wondering when it would get here, thinking that she was teething every time she drooled too much and got fussy, and people assuring us it was OK to have a late teether, her first pearl of a tooth is popping up. Now if only she would sit still long enough to let me take a peek/pic in her mouth.

Also, this cutie arrived on our doorstep today (after this failed attempt to pick it up in person):

And then this happened:

I will say this, they are as b*tchin as everyone says they are.

Now I'm no expert (despite my single high school photography class and the many that I sat in on with my friends) but I'm really looking forward to the awesome results we're going to get from this upgrade in our photo arsenal.

Welcome to the end of November and the end of NaBloPoMo, hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

Little Bits

Today is the last day for 25% off in my shop Goose and Trisser with the code GANDTBFCMBLOG. Ends at midnight.

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The little lady has been playing in her room for about an hour now. Every now and then I'll hear a giggle or a squeal. I love that she is just having a ball.

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Our house is going to be inspected today. Here is hoping that this selling process is one step closer to being over.

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Today is absolutely beautiful outside. From the inside, looking out. Tell me why I just want to sleep the day away.

Early to bed

Calling it an early night after a long day with both Bird and T not feeling well. We got to enjoy a nice dinner with my mom and brother after I spent the morning in the nursery, one of my favorite things to do on a Sunday.

I'm really looking forward to T's 3 day work week this week and all the extra time Bird gets to play with her papa. He ain't bad to look at either.

Hope you enjoyed your weekend!

My joy

My weekend mornings

Today, this is my joy. Happy Saturday!

Black Friday

Bird hasn't been feeling well all day and with our ever growing distaste for large crowds, we opted to stay in for most of the day and just relax. The house got cleaned, Bird got cuddled, and we decided to get a new wireless router due to the wonkyness from the other night. Yea for Black Friday sales! We ended the night with a snot nosed baby and a mini marathon of True Blood.

happy weekend!

don't forget, 25% off in my shop til Monday night - GANDTBFCMBLOG

Happy Thanksgiving

Today has been nothing like I thought it would be but I still have so much to be grateful for (not in any particular order)

Bird
T
Family
Great friends that are family
Old Country Buffet
Not having to do dishes after dinner
Jesus Christ
my health (including my sugar loving teeth)
baby orajel
World of Warcraft
having rich people's problems
enough money to have clutter
my blog
me time

The list goes on but it is late and I'm headed to bed.

Oh and as a special Thanksgiving present to any who read here and wanted to pick up a little something from my shop, Goose and Trisser:

use code 

GANDTBFCMBLOG 

between now and Monday 11/29, at 11:59 pm 

to get 25% off your items (not including shipping and tax). 

enjoy!

Wonky interwebs

Something is going on with our Internet connection or our router and I'm too tired and full of delicious pulled pork and catfish from Slows to do anything about it.

Have a happy Thanksgiving eve, don't get too crazy. More from me tomorrow.

P.S. Be on the lookout for a special sale code good on Black Friday for my shop

Teeth: eruption, extraction, correction

Bird is teething. No one is sleeping.

I am missing a tooth. 14 of my teeth have fillings. You do the math.

I got a new cavity filled yesterday in less than 30 minutes. I was stunned by the dentist's speed and accuracy. I took the numbing needle like an old pro (see above.)

I am getting my wisdom teeth out January 6th. Sympathy e-cards can be sent here. I'm practicing my counting down from 10 to make sure I get it right at surgery time.

Fail update and mini victory

The events of today are as follows:

Enter Sam's Club promptly at 10 am when they open with receipt and item in hand
Explain situation to older lady behind counter
She gives me guff because I am not actually on the membership, T is
I tell her my card is the one the item is charged to, so lets just get this fixed
Team leader Angie (TLA) comes over to hear about the problem
Problem is explained and TLA asks why the box was opened by workers last night
Our cashier from last night comes in to start work and vouches for me that the box was opened by the workers last night
TLA wanders off with my item
15 minutes elapses, Bird is adorable and helps me keep my cool with her toothless grin
TLA wanders back and begins to explain that the General Manager wants to investigate and that the other worker who helped us last night by bringing over the item can't be reached by phone right now and will be in this evening; asks if I can return this evening
Cool is being lost slowly at this point; I just want a refund
I am told that refund is not an option until the situation is further investigated; contact information is taken down and I leave with my half-item and adorable child in hand
3.5 hours pass
I get a call to from TLA asking me to check the serial number of my item on the box; I read it off to her and she says she'll call back in 5 minutes; I start to doubt that
I get a call in 5 minutes; they sold us the display model and they still have it at the store, if I can come in now I can pick it up no problem
I pack up said adorable child and head back up to Sam's
Wait 15 minutes for TLA to come to the member services and address my issue
This is the last of the item in the store; I ask if there is any discount for the display and my time and trouble and was offered a $25 gift card
We opt to return the item; as a courtesy, we receive a $10 Sam's gift card
Head to pick up T from work, stop by another Sam's hoping they have one in stock
Head to the register with new version of item box
Wait 20 minutes for them to try to locate item in warehouse
They have the item, 11 in fact, on a special truck/storage area/wrapped pallet that are for Black Friday sale only; will not/can not sell us one
We leave 2nd Sam's
Go home, go to samsclub.com, order item with free shipping to be delivered in 3-8 days; should have done it in the first place.
All's well that spends well.

Sam's Club fail

This evening we took what we thought would be a short trip to Sam's Club to pick up something we've been thinking about getting for a long while. Here's what happened:

We take the card for our item to the cashier
We wait for them to go find the item in the warehouse area
We are repeatedly told that they found it but it was under something/in another area/locked up
We are given free sodas due to the wait
Bird is oogled by many a worker and shopper
30 minutes go by and our item finally comes to us
We are assured that they checked the box and everything is in there
We check out with our sodas and Bird and item and get a smiley face on our receipt as we leave
We get home all excited about our item, waiting to see who tries to open it first
We start to open the box and pull things out...

...the item is not in the box. The main component that we bought is not in the box. I've been repeating that out loud to myself and T for the past 2.5 hours. I can't believe it is not in the box.

Sam's Club, we'll see you tomorrow.

Is that all I had to say

When I said I loved mail, it must have sparked something cosmic because this week has been full of great mail surprises.

First, we received our Christmas present very early from T's parents and we were urged to start enjoying it now, without delay. I'm good at following directions so we jumped right on that.

Then, we got the sweetest thank you card from a friend. You never know how the things you do, even your small day to day actions, will affect another person and getting a note of thanks just brightened up my day.

Finally, we received a package from Enomhen containing a handmade monogrammed blanket for Bird and a tote that I have claimed for myself. It made me teary as I received it the day after her birthday that I missed calling her for (bad friend!) But it sparked a thank you call in which we got to catch up so all is good.

P.S. I almost forgot about the package a couple weeks ago from family containing 2 new outfits for Bird in 18 month sizes. Which was perfect timing as she is starting to grow out of all her 12 month clothes. We have a little giant on our hands!

First Treasury

After a very small shop update a few days ago, one of my kerchiefs from G + T was featured in an Etsy Treasury!

I was very excited to be notified and am loving this new community that I get to engage with.

Signed, sealed, delivered

One of my favorite things about the holidays is the increase of mail that we get. I love all the little packages and cards that we receive. With this being our first year as a family of three, I’ve been thinking about sending out Christmas cards for the first time in years.

I want to have photo cards to show a little update of how big Bird has gotten over the past year and to commemorate our first holiday season together. I was tipped off about Shutterfly and their 2010 Holiday collection and it started to get my creative wheels turning.

I’m partial to the flat photo cards for their simplicity and ability to get straight to the point of the mailing: Here are our bright shining faces, we miss you and wish you were with us this holiday! I won’t show you my absolute favorite as you might find that in your mailbox this holiday season but here are a few of my runners up:

Holly Chocolate - I love the green and chocolate combination

Big Red Bow - I like how this one showcases the photo. Pics often just speak for themselves.

Yule Bough - Again with a combo including chocolate. This one reminds me of our wedding invites. I just adore the single bird on the branch.

You can see these and more here. Happy start to the holiday season!

Hello my name is...

Rachel Anne. There I've said it. Nice to meet you.

Some of you knew that and some of you didn't but I've been here in this space for over three years and I figured now was as good a time as any to let you know my name. Because...

...well because this here blog just got a new name + blog address! Update your feeds because now you'll be able to find out about all our antics here at the roost at

gooseandtrisser.com

...as you were.

Creation Station

As promised here is a little peek at where I create for G+T, enjoy!

 

The little space where I blog away

My ribbons and twine

A bit of my fabrics

Gifted machine (from Val)

Threads down the length of my desk

Packing area with some packages ready to ship

Shut down

With winter starting to peek around the corner and an almost 10 month old who randomly chooses when she wants to sleep through the night and when she doesn't, I'm starting to get the feeling like I just want to hibernate. Just stay inside, huddle and cuddle with my family, leave all to-do lists behind and just do nothing. I'm just in an asocial type mood where my little family is all I want to worry about and spend time with as the cold whips about outside and the sunlight hours get shorter.


Is that so wrong.

I know I'll get out of this little mood soon. All it takes is a few plans with some good friends and I'll be looking forward to dashing about.

For now I'm going to revel in the fact that we didn't leave the house at all yesterday, we feasted on warm comfort foods (fried/sugary/meaty) off and on like grazing cattle, and we played and made Bird giggle exponentially more than I can remember in the recent past. It was definitely a notable Sunday.

SGS Dedication + present reveal

Last weekend we had the pleasure of seeing this little bundle get dedicated.

K and B reading a letter to SGS

Their letter to her was so touching and honest and it was an amazing moment to witness. Little SG behaved so well during the ceremony and looked so beautiful in her gown. Afterward, we were invited back to their house for food, drinks and good times with friends as we celebrated together. Of course there was cake and presents too! Here is a peek at the little gift I crafted especially for her:

Custom belt with matching pouch for all her baby bits and things

Yates Cider Mill

We didn't make it to the cider mill yesterday when T got home, so we got up bright and early and made the drive out to Yates Cider Mill this morning. The air was crisp and a little cloudy due to fog, but the donuts were delicious and the cider was worth the drive. There is a hiking trail by the mill and we took a little family walk, stopping to admire the river and the last of the fall colors. My bro C came out to meet us and get in a little "Turtle Time" (that's his nickname for Bird). He shared his donut with her and enjoyed watching her down some cider like a wild child.

Our little family ready to head out for the day

Cuties in hoodies

Ham for the camera

Watching me watching Bird

Ducks double date

Turtle Time with Uncle C

Happy Weekend!

Bird is napping now after being up from 9 am til 2. Miss Shannon came over to have lunch with us and I think Bird was so excited to see her she powered through with no nap. Hopefully she wakes up in a little while because we have a little adventure to go on when T gets home. The weather was so nice again today that after some quesadillas and fresh made guac and chips, Shannon, Bird and I went out for another little walk around the neighborhood. It was great to just catch up, be out in the fresh air, and walk off a bit of our delicious lunch. I hope you all are starting your weekends off just as nicely. Here is what we have planned for the rest of ours:

Tonight: Headed to the cider mill once T gets home from work! I haven't been in a long time but my bro keeps bringing me their cider and donuts and I have a hankering for some fresh ones. Here's hoping the lines aren't too long.

Saturday + Sunday: Taking it easy. No real plans, probably some family visits and good food.

I'm starting to see a pattern and so is my scale.

enjoy

Little bits

Today was an awesome day, starting from last night. Bird went right down to bed and didn't wake up until 7 this morning. She went right back to sleep after a feeding and slept until 10, allowing me to workout, shower, eat breakfast and read an entire magazine in peace and quiet. Unreal.

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Bird and I took advantage of the last of the wonderful weather and took a leisurely walk through our neighborhood. I know we won't be here for much longer (prayers!) so we enjoyed the sights, waved to neighbors, strolled down the sidewalks and just took in the colors and sounds.

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T and I had an impromptu home date night last night, involving Jet's Pizza, Coca-Cola, blankets and the movie In the Loop. I highly recommend all of those things.

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Did I mention that I got a full nights sleep last night...I don't want to brag.

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Next week I plan to show a little peek of my creation station for G + T in case you are interested.