Exhaustion

I'm not going to sit here and whine about how tired I am, about how holiday prep, etc. has kicked my worthless butt. Mostly because I know that not one of you would feel sorry for me. And unless I can evoke some kind of sympathy, then really? Why bother?

Okay, I lied, I'm totally going to whine.

Actually, today kind of rocks because as of this weekend (where I logged about 6 hours sewing) I got the aprons made, my shopping done, the presents wrapped (5.5 rolls of wrapping paper later), Christmas cards sent and I cleaned the office for the last time this year. Woo-freaking-hoo on that one, I tried to think of a million different reasons to not come in and clean. None of them were good enough. Not even when my husband danced around in front of my face with a beer in his hand - shaking it at me, telling me how cold it was outside, could I justify staying home. Although his awesome dance could have swayed weaker people.

I did not get the laundry done, bathrooms cleaned, my hair bleached or my bedroom unearthed from the mass of Christmas "goodness" it has become. So if you come to my house you will not find any clean underpants (why are you looking anyway), you will be witness to urine spots on my toilet (you'll get over it), you can marvel over the inch of dark blonde roots (shut up!) and if you go in my bedroom, make the bed, would ya (thanks)?

This chick is pooped. You have to know that I was busy all weekend when my husband not only threw in a load of laundry but then didn't even complain when I had to retrieve his underwear and socks from the dryer this morning, only then to find he was totally out of undershirts and ended up wearing a Royals freebie t-shirt that said MUSTARD across the chest under his button down. Classy.

I also forgot to mention that you can throw in there that we had friends over for dinner on Saturday night. Jason put out the best spread of Mexican food EVER! (It's a good thing I NEVER exaggerate, isn't it?) However, on the way to our house, our friend made his wife pull over so he could toss his cookies on the side of the road. When he got to our house he laid on the couch and ate Saltines. She and their girls ate and an hour later they headed back out again. I don't know if they were the best dinner guests or the worst I've ever had. I decided on the best when I was in my pajamas by 9:00, drinking a beer and relaxing.

The whole weekend ended with my son head butting me with a football helmet and asking me why I was such a butt face.

Except that wasn't my son, that was my husband.

Happy Monday!

Figuring It Out

I had forgotten that the Presidential Debate was on last night. At 8:00 I wrangled the small, angry, blonde hellion into his bed, with teddy bear wound up and sweetly tinkering out music, he curled up on his side and finally sighed that little breath that said he was more ready for sleep than he would have ever admitted.

The house softly lit, Monkeygirl was in her room and Jason was downstairs curled up in a blanket, miserable with some cold that Autumn always brings his way. As I set up my sewing machine and laid out materials, I sipped a glass of cool water and flipped through the channels to see what was on. The debate.

I turned it on and let it play softly in the background as I set forth on my apron. It felt good to be sewing again. To slow down and do something that is relaxing and productive. In and out, I listened to the debate. And, finally I just tuned it out all together. I have felt so heavily invested in this, as every American should. As we are all supposed to do and really are bound as adults and Americans to help choose the future of our country. But the back and forth and the petty is just eating away at me.

I let the soft whir of the machine take over instead. Sewing straight lines that I can control. Stitches I can make close to perfect. That no matter what, they don't care about health care or taxes. They just are. The material running smoothly through my hands. My scissors cutting cleanly through the fabric. The pins, all different colors, working as one to hold the material together and then falling back into the pin box uncomplainingly.

And as I work, diligently, calmly, serenely, it strikes me. Sarah Palin is a fembot created by Tina Fey, Lorne Michaels and the GOP.

It's the only explanation that seems reasonable.

Ignore My Funk - The Winnah Is!!!

The duality that is my life has presented the wonderful little golden nugget of a gift that was my babysitter announcing that she is quitting this morning.

Why? I think she's an asshole, but whatever. I sobbed for 10 minutes on the phone to my hubs who thought someone had died when I first called him.

Sorry, babe. Just a small over reaction on my part.

But seriously, we're going on number 6 on the babysitter count. And for the record, it's not my kid. I don't think. Because the one that wasn't going back to work wanted him back but she was also crazy, so who knows?

If it is my kid? Screw you. I pay you good money and he's cute.

But on to happier things.

I'm pleased to announce the winner of the great apron give away. A number was chosen totally at random by Mr. Booms. And the Winnah Is:

Kat!

I'm so very happy for you. Now email me at betseybooms@gmail.com, girly.

Okay, I'm off the perform the Spanish Inquisition on potential babysitters. The next one better not be an asshole. Really, do people just not have any integrity? Apparently you can just start a job and quit it whenever you want and turn babies lives upside down.

Sigh.

Holy Cow - I Won?

In this life time I can be called a lot of things:

A mother
A wife
A woman
A thinker
A drinker
A lover
A fighter

Or like my hubs called me this morning? A brat.

One thing you really couldn't call me is a winner. I rarely win anything. So when I was informed last night that I would soon be the proud winner of a sock zombie, I was floored and super happy. And no, I didn't find one with big boobs.

Thanks J.

More than that though, I was inspired. Inspired to do my own giveaway.

Yeah, you heard me. I'm giving shit away. But I don't do anything for free, so there are rules people. Big FAT RULES.

First, what am I giving away? Well, what else? A handmade apron made by none other than me, Betsey Booms. If you aren't familiar with my work, where the hell have you been? But more importantly, go over to my labels section and click on Aprons. You'll be able to see a few of my creations.

So let's establish some rules here. First you have to leave a comment on this post, you can leave up to 3 comments a day, right here. Next? Yeah, I'm doing it, you have to mention somewhere on your blog that this contest is going on (unless you don't have a blog). I know, it's a lot of work, but I haven't even made this apron yet, people. THAT? Makes it ultra special and JUST FOR THE WINNER!

How will I establish a winner? Well, the lovely and talented, Mr. Jason Booms will be picking the number. I'm not sure yet how he will do it. Perhaps I'll have him pick random or perhaps at the end of next weekend I'll count the number of beer cans we emptied and that will be it. One way or another, he will be responsible for choosing.

So that's it. You have until the end of next weekend (Sunday, September 28th). The winner will be announced the next day. Oh and I know it's jerky, but the winner has to be within the U.S., I'm not rich or good at international shipping.

Good luck and Godspeed.

Rock On!

This? Makes me intensely happy.

For the record? I cut three aprons earlier this week and will be putting them together this weekend. One is a cupcake apron. To die for, kids.

One is a super cute retro kitchen fabric with jello-molds and percolating coffee pots. LOVE IT.

And the other looks like this only where this is pink - It's baby blue.

Dump

Time for a photo dump... So here you go. Random shots from my weekend:

I'll be better, I promise

I've been a horrible blog friend lately. This? I know. I've been busy and self consumed. I suck.

Hard.

Really awesome things have been happening and have been said about yours truly.

Like this.

Seriously. Isn't she the cutest damn girl ever? She might just have the best hook up ever in the apron realm. If you know what I mean... or something.

Also? I got this kind of press.

I have to say, this feels really damn good. So good in fact that I've taken this Friday off to work on aprons most of the day. I know, right?

So because I've been a horrible blogger friend and lousy with the comments here is my promise to you. If you leave me a comment on my blog, I will make it a point to head over to yours and leave some crazy comment love.

Promises.

Also? I'm considering an apron giveaway.

I know, guilt works on me.

Modified

This morning I'm putting a little of myself into a large envelope and shipping it off to see the world.

I modified my darling Red Betty, smaller bib, narrower waistband - very flattering.

And from this day forward she is off on her journey to live here



I wish I was going too, just to see where she ends up.

Red Betty

Here she is! And I'm in massive love with her. I'm crushing hard on my own apron.



And I've been so busy I haven't watched TV in about 2 weeks, so I catch up with my DVR while sewing. Can someone please tell me how it is that Corey Haim, my sweet, sweet Corey Haim looks at least 50? Seriously. Poor dude.

You know, my husband does a kick ass Haim impression.

My Newest Apron

Tonight I will be cutting an apron out of this:



I had to get another yard of it because I'm dying to have one of my own and this one is already sold.

Time To Relax

Last Friday I sent off my first two aprons. My first official order.

I spent all weekend with the nervousness just right behind everything else, hoping they would be received well.

This morning I have an email that says they are awesome! Whew!

Pair that with the fact that I just laid in bed last night and started watching the 'How I Met Your Mother' Season One DVD that my sister's fiance let me borrow and I'm almost good as new.

I frikking love that show. Ted Mosby is the most charming douche bag.

I'm still running on empty today but I'm creeping towards being back to non-exhausted normal. Between aprons, wedding hair and houseguests, I pulled out a calendar yesterday to start keeping track of this stuff.

I'm off to suck down some Diet Coke. I'm off chocolate right now. I've cut out candy and snacking.

Why must I punish myself like this???

Just What I Needed...

I had a horrible morning.

Seriously.

And then? Then? I received an order for not one, not two, but three aprons. THREE! And I've received requests for three more.

In honor of my first paying client, the sweetie that I started last night is called Robyn:



I was so bummed when I didn't quite get her finished. But not anymore.



Oh and this? I've dubbed the KC security system. I'm parked next to it today.

The Unveiling

Here she is! And you can find her here.



Waistband detail:



The ties:



She came out so pretty and already I'm working up designs for different aprons - shorter, curvier, you name it.

And for my beloved blog readers only I offer this, if you are interested in a custom apron, I will throw in the shipping for free.

Full aprons are $20 and half aprons are $15. Perfect for the baker or hostess. Or if you're me? I like to wear super cute aprons over basic dresses to cute them up.

Just email me at betseybooms@gmail.com.

Awesomeness In Abundance

At this very moment my camera is sitting, with my cell phone, in some random place that just so happens to not be my purse.

Because of this you will have to wait to see fantastic things like:

My kickass Red Velvet cupcakes with pink Cream Cheese frosting. They rule!

The assortment of fantabulous fabrics I scored.

My first official apron I made last night. Which is to die for. My co-worker is already shopping for fabrics so I can make one for her wedding gift.

Seriously? I'm capable of making some super cute hostess aprons. Who knew? You know it has to be cute. My husband got up this morning and said "Ooooh, cute".

And also? The frikking rad dress form I just acquired for my apron making and modeling needs.

So... My first apron(s) will be available for sale on my etsy site before the end of the week.

Trust me. You will not be disappointed.