Grin and Bear It

By Jessica | April 22, 2009

Yes, Bear

Don’t bears eat a lot, then go sleep for a good long while, say, all winter long? That is a bit of a reflection of my current lifestyle.

I try to grin despite all the sickness and the fatigue of this pregnancy but really I don’t hide it very well. I try not to be a bear with my attitude — my pregnancies have been been an emotional blessing — stable hormones I guess.

Hiding in a cave only lasts for so long, so through the muck, I still try to get out…

  • The Macy’s Flower show was a nice way to get excited about Spring. My favorite part was eating soup and salad in a restaurant with a sky view of downtown.

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  • I gathered with my small group ladies to discuss the novel, The Shack (which I didn’t actually read because I have been under a rock for 9 weeks). Surprise, surprise my favorite part was the meal we shared…everything was lovingly prepared (by my friend) from the Barefoot Contessa.

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  • I finally checked out a little bakery with some MOPS friends. It was delightful. Good food, good talk. I am just a little cross about losing my French truffle due to a queasy tummy. But, this too shall pass!

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Now I must log off to eat and sleep some more…then get up and do it all over again.

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Something Special for Me!

By Jessica | April 20, 2009

Update: This post is now added to Chatting at the Sky for Tuesday’s Unwrapped.

Where the Magic Happens

MTV Cribs is a TV show known for interviewing celebrity’s homes. Upon entering the bedroom, while giving a tour of their huge glamour-dom home, the owners often tout, “This is where the magic happens!”

At my house, we have plenty of magic happening…except, it is on the kitchen table.

WAIT! Before you run off wondering how Just a Blink just became so graphic…

I mean the kind of magic that delights in:

  • birds pecking at the paper plate full of seeds on the patio of the kitchen
  • a single rose that Ryan, 4, bought for his Mom because, “It is as beautiful as you are”
  • two big packages of new maternity clothes shipped all the way from California by my loving family (Thanks Connie!)
  • scribbles and wiggles scratched with pencil by Molly in Ryan’s workbook just to be more like him
  • a jam packed silverware dishwasher basket used for a impromptu sorting lesson

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Now that’s magic!

P.S. I hope go get going with better photos soon…the above image is curtisy of my iPhone. I did try to pick up my camera but both batteries were dead.

Posted in Really...Continue | 2 Comments

Me? A Super Blogger? *Blush*

By Jessica | April 16, 2009

Just a Blink’s 1st Award

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am proud to display my Super Blogger award from The Masked Mommy.

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The Masked Mommy has inspired me to do a little comic book writing myself…

Super Plot:

Messy Jessy and Neat Pete are in an epic battle against time as they prepare for the arrival of the Double Trouble Twins. Can simplicity and peace be obtained with Super Ryan and Molly Girl constantly at their feet?

Stay tuned as they gather wisdom from friends (in life and in the blogdom) and strength from the Ultimate Super Power, God Himself, to live life to the fullest without clutter and delay!

Will they overcome their differences for the greater good? Who will reign victorious, the Garage Goblin or the mighty duo Messy Jessy and Neat Pete?

Only time will tell…..!

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Floor Plandemonium

By Jessica | April 15, 2009

Floorplanner.com

Our room switch has begun! Okay, not really. Planning our room switch has begun!

You can view our second floor in 3D or create your own room plans/floor design at floorplanner.com.

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Now, to figure out the actual switch….king bed in the little room? Four kids in the big room? We’re going to try…stay tuned.

Posted in Really...Continue | 2 Comments

Twins…I am having TWINS!

By Jessica | April 14, 2009

Double the Fun

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Well, I am having my own set of twins, not Jennifer Lopez’. However, I am absolutely *sure* I’ll look just like her, upon leaving the hosptial. I can say however, my children will not be named Emme or Maximilion.

My clinic does a routine 8 week ultrasound, in which, my nurse found two babies! I have been in a pleasant state of terrified bliss! My mind is focused on making it through the day with nausea and fatigue.

I joined a local mothers of multiples group via email. I will be first in line at their annual rummage sale later this month.

Thanks for hanging in there with me as my posts have been spread out lately. I do plan on keeping Just a Blink rolling along. I need it now, more than ever, to reflect, share and create!

Hope you all had a Happy Easter! The Easter Bunny, aka my Mom, was so thoughtful to even leave two jars of pureed carrots for the twins.

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Knit Blooms

By Jessica | April 2, 2009

Handmade Spring

The only buds or blooms around here are found on Molly’s knit hat.

Hand knit custom order hat for Molly from my friend Julie

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Posted in Really...Continue | 2 Comments

My Closet Can Breathe Again

By Jessica | April 1, 2009

Masked Mommy Pow-Wow

The Masked Mommy

Remember this?

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I made some serious progress in my bedroom closet this past month. I feel like a big weight has been lifted off of me when I go into my new space.

But, of course, my to-do list for the closet is super long and remains with several check marks unchecked. Some such unchecked items: His and Her robe hooks, mirror hung on the wall, and computer printed but crafty-chic labels on the plastic drawer fronts.

I actually purchased items to complete my dream mini-redo. Items waiting in reserve: yards of diamond shaped, light green flowing fabric, bright white ceiling paint and a basic but NEW light fixture.

Then our news came…baby on the way…change of plans.

Neat Pete and I will most likely be doing a room switch with little ones. Three kids in one big room and us (with a King size bed) in the little room. Switching rooms means switching closets.

So, my ambition to paint the closet ceiling left as quickly as it came. New visions of shelving and extra hanger bars came in its place.

But for now, here are some photos of my closet progress.

Before and After Shots:

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before-shelves

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before-pete-floor

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after-drawer-top

Operating with an organized closet has saved us so much time and energy! Thanks Masked Mommy, whoever you are, for the encouragement and opportunity to join in the De-clutter Movement.

Related Posts I’ve Written for Just A Blink:

My Earthquake :: A Poem

Closet 1: The Journey Begins

Grasping for Air…Closet Clutter

Laundry Room Redo (My First Masked Mommy Pow-Wow)


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Internet Sminternet

By Jessica | March 31, 2009

Unplugging with A Soft Place to Land

Kimba from ASPTL invited her blogging community to unplug (go without computer time) last Friday and report back what we found.

Due to my early days of baby growing, my nausea and fatigue have guided me to a week or more of being unplugged.

I am back. But, it begs the question…

What did I do?

  • I disappeared from facebook
  • I left my email inbox full
  • My Google Reader blog feeds (that I read daily) are stacked up to 250
  • My blog writing fell of a cliff
  • Photography…I have a camera?

What did I learn?

  • Life happens all around me all time whether I capture it, remember it or even share it or not.
  • Life happens on the internet (blogs, social media, email) with or without me around.
  • I missed the daily dose of connectivity but felt a relief from it as well.
  • I learned to guide my days by moments I got to have with my kids rather than by moments I got to have without them.

Where do I go from here?

I will let go of guilt and enjoy my time on the computer. The Internet, as I interact with it, is a great source of learning on a variety of levels.

How else will I know if so-and-so’s ultra-sound predicts a 10 baby? OR When my MOPS table is signed-up to bring food? OR How a good friend is doing at the Hospital with her sick baby?

Not to mention, what types of organizational, decoration-al and recreational ideas I absorb every week!

The Goodness of being Plugged In

  • Reading blogs is like earning continuing education credits
  • Writing posts is like a personal growth workshop or therapy
  • Sharing status updates is what a cup of coffee together or chatting over the clothes line used to be
  • Uploading digital photos with captions has become the new baby-book or scrapbook

P.S. I did give up checking my blog stats for Lent.

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Our Family

Our Family