Okay, so between those two posts there were 56 comments. I guess that’s a good way to get people to come out of lurkdome - have a giveaway or get pregnant (and hello to all the de-lurkers - it’s great to finally *meet* you!). Either way, I appreciate all the words of support, both for the clutch and for little G-bean.

On the baby: We are very excited. VERY. We decided back in September that my reasons for not having another baby were selfish (seeing as Tim was ready for another awhile ago). So once I got over myself, we decided to let the chips fall where they may and a few very short weeks later I was blessed with my early symptoms: dull cramping and hormone-overload.It was so bad. I cried at everything, felt stressed and overwhelmed at everything - I was really scared that I was slipping back into my depression, but hark! That wasn’t the case. Tim kept insisting I was pregnant, but I wasn’t entertaining the thought yet.

Then I had a dream that I took about twenty pregnancy tests and all of them were either faulty or negative. Oh, and I was wearing a diaper. Like, a baby diaper but for my size. Don’t ask. So when I woke up I thought it was too early to take a test, but I might as well, so I did. I squinted and only saw the one line - didn’t even wait for the full 3 minutes since that first line popped up pronto - threw it away,went downstairs and started my day. Three hours later I went back into the bathroom to pee and Jaxon had pulled it out of the trash can (ewwwwww). I picked it up, glanced at it and holy crap there was a line. It was faint, but it was there (and I didn’t want to repeat the same thing when I was pregnant with Conner and the first test I took was a faint positive so I called the hotline number on the back of the box and harassed the lady for about twenty minutes, where she kept saying, “A line is a line - you’re pregnant!” and I kept saying, “Are you sure? It’s really faint!”). So a few days later I took another and that second line came up so stinking fast. So I’m like 99% sure I’m pregnant. (kidding)

And of course this occurs a month after I had finished losing the 25 pounds I put on when I went on anti-depressants and bought a fabulous pair of skinny jeans, but that really is okay - I have the rest of my life to be fit. And to add icing to my big fat prego cake, I get to experience this with a few of my closest friends. Not just people I know, but people I know and love and cherish. And our poor husbands can start a club. Or a refuge, depending on how many months/weeks/days/ are left.

Okay, now onto why you guys really checked my blog today: the winner of the clutch. I put everyone’s name in a bowl and had Conner pull one

Isn’t he the cutest little assistant?

and the winner is…

Congrats, Whitney! I will be emailing you shortly to get your mailing info. And the other 32 of you who did not win, I will (hopefully) be having another giveaway next week so check back for another chance.

So if you’re living in the greater Lynchburg area, you need to start buying your water bottled. Seriously.

Yes, that is my hand and my prego test I’m holding. And what makes this INSANE is that I’m the 3rd person in the last month of my closest friends to announce this.

So many, many thoughts, feelings and words I want to express, but for now I’m just letting it all sink in. And don’t think that I’ve forgotten about the giveaway - I’ll post the winner tomorrow!

I wanted to coincide this giveaway with my new clutches that will be in the store on Monday (not the end of November - woot woot!) but decided you all are worth not having to wait (and maybe that means another giveaway?). And I do have to say this isn’t just a piece from my stash - I hand-stitched this embroidery, thinking of my adoring readers, all 17 of you.

So if you want to be included in the pile, leave a comment with your name and a valid email address (none of this girl@yahoo.com - legit ones, people!) and answer the following question and I’ll pull a name Friday: If you could participate in any reality TV show, which would it be and why?

Ahhh it feels so good to be up and running again! You don’t realize how much you come to depend on this little thing called a computer and when it dies on you, you’re left feeling like one of your arms has been cut off. But now I am typing on a brand new computer, everything’s been transferred over and reinstalled and *sigh* the world is as it should be.

Thank you guys so much for the crafty-love - you rock my face off! I was a little bummed after the craft show when I only sold two items (both earrings to Joy and Melody, whom I adore you even more for that wonderful gesture), none of them being a clutch, and then within two days of them being in my etsy shop, five were sold. It totally affirmed me and I thank you guys so much! I’m thinking a giveaway on this site may be in order…anyone interested in scoring some crafty goodness?

I really did enjoy doing the clutches, so after I picked my jaw up off the floor when the fifth one sold, I got out my sketch book and thought up some ideas for a few more, and will have them in the store just before Thanksgiving. So stay tuned if you missed out. My next project is a ripple blanket for myself. I made one for Chloe’s birthday and after about the seventh row I decided I was doing my own because I *heart* it so much. The colors make me salivate and the yarn is so soft. Yummmmmmm.

Saturday, Tim and I sent little man over to my parents house so we could spend some quality time together…cleaning out the basement! Isn’t that so romantic?? As much as I did not want to do it, oh my gosh did it need to be done. We threw out a ton of stuff and sent a bunch of it into temporary storage for a yard sale we’re doing this weekend. As glad as I was to have that icky chore done, I was so ecstatic I didn’t see any creepy-crawlies. I do not mess with bugs that like to linger in the dark. Ugh, just the thought makes me itch violently.

The weather here has been so amazing, I am loving it! Fall is still my favorite time of year, and now that it’s actually here it’s even more confirming that I don’t think I could live anywhere that the seasons didn’t change. Conner and I went for a walk this morning, even tho it was a bit on the chilly side but I am so giddy over it. The next few weeks will be full of fall decorating, autumn crafting, pumpkin patch visiting and lots of family time. Now I leave you with some pictures of my favorite lil’ pumpkin:

Look at those eyelashes…*swoon*

Somebody needs a haircut

When my computer decided to go ape-crazy on me a few weeks ago, I immediately went into panic mode. I had just recently backed up all my files so that wasn’t a worry. I was more upset by the fact that I couldn’t check my email 100 times a day until it got fixed. I mean, how else will someone be able to contact me?

The first day was pretty hard - I got to check my email before Tim left for work, and then again when he got home. Twice. That’s it. It was awwwwwwful. When Conner went down for his nap, what was I supposed to do? Certainly not read - no, no, no, I don’t read. That was my ‘net surfing time. No more blog reading. No more emailing. No more watching random YouTube video’s and forwarding them to everyone to see if they thought it was as funny as I did (which they never do because let’s face it - I laugh at everything).

I hated not having my laptop handy. But as the days went on, I came to realize just how much stinking time I waste on that thing. And I mean waste. Don’t take offense to anyone who’s blog I read and comment on, or who I email regularly - it’s not you…it’s me. And it’s all the other junk I read.

So what have I been doing with all my newfound freetime? Well, for starters I got all my crafting done for the fair that is to be held tomorrow morning. That was such a relief to get it finished and not a moment too soon. I even finished in enough time to whip-up some yummy fall treats, which, are making me salivate worse than Pavlov’s dogs.

I also spent a few days visiting the in-laws in Georgia and it was so much fun! Conner did great on the flights (on the way down he was a little overtired and couldn’t just point to the pictures in his book, but point and squeal “Apple!” or “Ball!” - the lady in front of us actually moved to the back of the plane after a few rounds of “Mama! Cat! Mama! Cat!”) and was so compliant when he was lugged all over creation. Conner has never been a big talker - not tangible words, that is - and in the last few weeks he was just beginning to talk more. But getting him in a different environment must have inspired him because his vocabulary just exploded! He was saying things I’ve never heard before…and never remembered teaching him. It was pretty cool, but also a reminder to be careful what I say when I make a woopsy. Hearing your toddler say “Cap!” instead of “Crap!” will only be funny for so long.

My crafty cohort, Jen, and I were invited to be on a local news show to talk about the craft fair we’re participating in tomorrow, and to show off some of our goods. At first I was reluctant - TV? No way. I’ve got so much to do, not to mention the camera adds 10 pounds, so I had to lose 10 pounds pronto, ya know, balance it all out. But after much persuading, I decided to do it and it wasn’t as punishing as I thought it would be. I wish they would post the video so I could upload it - I straightened my hair for it, brushed my teeth and everything…it was a big deal - so if they do I most certainly will link to it.

I feel like we need to catch up on so much more. How are you? How has your fall been going so far? Seen any good movies? No? Me either. Except for the Princess Diaries 2 that I tivo’d a few weeks ago. I love Anne Hathaway, she’s so beautiful and classy. And Julie Andrews - she’s amazing. Ah, I digress.

It’s time for me to rest my weary bones. I leave you with these grubbin’ pictures of Conner. This first one, his hair reminds me of Harry from Dumb & Dumber (my favorite line after Lloyd had rigged the blind boy’s beloved dead bird - “Harry! I took care of it!”)

Conner, how do you feel about PB&J?

Who’s my happy boy?

*The clutches and tote bags above are for the craft fair and any leftovers will be put in my etsy shop next week.