The Great and Random Ramblings of Cannwin

This little lady is the newest addition to my ever growing pile of mini-tech toys... She (shall I call her Rosa?) was purchased last week because Remewin ate my other one. Well, really the other camera was already dying and Remewin just helped it on it's way, but the point is that if it hadn't been for Remewin getting a hold of it when I was on the phone with Ralexwin (see, he can't suggest I was guilty of speeding the camera's demise) I would still be dealing with an overzealous use of lighting. But now I have Rosa and Rosa makes me happy. Rosa, also cost me a pretty penny (or 24,400 pretty pennies-- I think I did the math right on that). Rosa and I will be together for many years to come... and many photographs as well. Including these ones that use my fantastic new 'fish bowl' feature. (Photos compliments of Mischievites Anonymous):

South Dakota... Packing Day 93*F Nebraska... Moving Day One 90*F Colorado... Day Two 34*F I had to stop at a Wal-Mart in Denver and buy sweatshirts for everyone. We hadn't anticipated snow! I mean, if South Dakota was warm then it seemed pretty safe to assume anything South of us would be too. It took us twice as long as it should have to get through Colorado... We were so excited about finally making it to Utah that we had to stop. Utah...the destination 70*F The car was attached to the Uhaul and got rained on the ENTIRE way. Our new home. Extra video:

I've been slowly acquiring some new, nice clothes (one clearance sale at a time) and I must say I'd forgotten how much of a difference nice clothes can make. It's been quite a while since I spent any time in a clothing store (for myself) and most of my 'law school' wardrobe has come from Wal-Mart. But not lately and it seems to have made a difference. I feel so much more feminine when I like what I wear. I feel like putting on some light lipstick and doing my hair a bit. I've been really amazed at how refreshing it's been to feel pretty --even in a pair of sweat pants or a hoodie. Also it's nice not to have to dig through my drawers and grumble every single morning. I can just grab and know that whatever I pick will look nice, without alteration. I think I've learned a great lesson about myself and perhaps about looking nice in general. Looking pretty takes keeping up with your wardrobe. On that note, today Remewin has her 18 month old Dr....

Have you ever seen Chitty Chitty Bang Bang? I honestly hadn't until I was an adult with children. Now we watch it all the time, and one of the things I've noticed is how cute some of their props and costumes are. So, I'm going to do another set of Theirs Vs. Ours links. Ready? Theirs Ours Links to making your own rompers: Growing Home Online (the one above) Dana-Made-It Intstructables Theirs---(the little girl) Ours Can I just say how much I love smocks? Remewin has just one that I made... I need to make some more. Links: Prudent  Baby (shown here) Madquilter Theirs Ours Links: Jane Avion (shown here) Theirs Ours Link: Brown Paper Packages (shown here) What do you think? Living in a movie sounds good to me. Now, I'm off to quickly clean my house before my play-daters show up. Remember, I'm on vacation through the end of the year, but I'll try to pop and leave some Christmas love for all of you. Happy Holidays!

After much wrangling with schedules my family all managed to be in the same room together (pre-bedtime) for more than an hour. This gave us enough time to put up our Christmas tree and get in a much needed family picture. We haven't had a family picture in a few years. We're not one of those families that's ever paid more than $50 for a photo shoot (although I always wish we would). So a family photo is a big deal for us and I was immensely pleased to only have to click the self-time twice to get this one. It's nice that our kids are at an age where they can appreciate and understand when their mom says, "Smile!" Do you ever look at family pictures of yourselves and think--'Wow. That's all mine.' As I was tweaking this photo I kept thinking about all the Christmas cards we've received over the years with those big families we know and their cute children. I remember being the 'young family,' or the 'new family,' and ne...

When I get bored I take pictures.... .... .... of me. It's really just a matter of trying to get the best picture I can. One without a frown, without squinty eyes, without a double chin, and without a cheesy smile. It's sort of a game for me. Except the outcome is that I have a lot of pictures of myself on my computer--like some sort of narcissist. Ralexwin teases me about this sometimes. Vicbowin rolls her eyes (and then borrows the camera). But I can't help myself. When I've posted all my blogs, done all my chores, read all the pages I can read in a day and taken that nap I sometimes take, I inevitably end up pitting myself against the camera. The sad part is that the camera usually wins. It's shameful I know. What sort of grown woman spends her time playing with a camera?! Well, me actually. I'm just glad technology has advanced enough to encompass digital cameras... the price of all that wasted film was getting a little out of hand. What do ...

In the mail last week I found (to my delight) a new catalog--I love catalogs--from Athleta. Now, first, lets just clarify that I've never purchased anything from these guys before, but I imagine that Gap sold them my address. I'm okay with that... I like junk mail. But here's the point. As your strolling through the catalog you come across a yoga section with what I can only describe as some of the worst marketing I have ever seen. Why? Because the photos clearly and decisively distracted me from the product. Let me give you an example: source: athleta.com I'll wait... go ahead click on it. ::cleans fingernails:: Yes. You see. I'll bet you're not even reading the rest of this post. You're trying to figure out how the he** she's doing that. If you're anything like me you've taken a moment to try to put your hand on the floor next to your leg... forget lifting anything, you can't even put your hand and leg on the floor at the...

Have you ever seen those blog posts where the person takes a collage of things they like and then tells you about each and every one? This is one of those posts... And since I now know how much effort it takes to create said collage, I'm expecting you to take the time to look at this conglomeration of photo's from my Idea's and Inspiration file on my laptop. I can't remember where I got all of these photos, so if you see one you recognize please tell me so I can give credit where credit is much deserved. So, here we go: 1. Soft baskets are one of those ideas that I love, but have yet to create. It's like the cheap way to get what I want... baskets! Image source (and tutorial): Image source: jcarolinecreative.com 2. I love, love, love the notion of built in bookshelves, big windows and cozy reading benches overlooking vine covered gardens. Image source: Not Sure 3. Crazy quilts have become a new fascination with me, and I just recently figured out how ...

This is what my kiddo's looked like on the first day of school this year... Mischievite included.

I ran across another I♥Faces challenge that I thought I had the perfect photo for. Only this week the theme is collages. ::knuckle cracking:: I have the PERFECT Collage.

There's this blog iheartfaces.blogspot.com that has weekly photo challenges and such. I don't know much about it, nor do I actually know how I bumped into the blog but one of the challenges was 'Angles' and I thought to myself... I have a picture that fits perfectly into that theme! I figured I'd try and enter the contest, just for fun--except... The contest was already closed. Dang, there goes my one chance at greatness. Then I got an email from a blogging buddy who is having a link party. Theme: Posts You Didn't Get Up In Time/ Old News. Perfect. So here is my entry for 'Angles' (that I'm sure most of you have seen): Beautiful Remewin discovering a 'friend' in the mirror. What do you think? I totally should have won, huh?   What would I do without blogging prompts? P.S. Want to know how I made the ♥ ? If you are on a laptop you push function+alt+L (which is the function #3) all at the same time and voila ♥ -...

List three words that would describe your family. Silly Happy Loud

What my afternoons look like (poladroid style) To Do Today: More laundry More dishes Possible trip to the store Vacuum Clean up mail drop spot

2010 is here.   Wow. Remember ten years ago when they thought the world was going to end because the computers weren't smart enough. I spent my New Years that year working the desk at a hotel. That was also the year Ralexwin and I got married. Ten years later this is what I can expect for the next 365 days. Ralexwin will turn 33. Iyawin will turn 3. Ralexwin will finish his 2nd year of Law School and 1/2 of his third. Remewin will turn 1. She'll start walking and say her first words. I will turn 30. Ralexwin and I will celebrate our tenth anniversary. Vicbowin will turn 9 and start 3rd grade. Albowin will turn 8 and be baptized. He will also start 2nd grade.  Hmm... Looks like life will move on like normal. I guess that's what happens when you have a young family. Life stays simply complicated. It's definitely worth another year.

(Click to enlarge)

1) Tried to type my blog on an iPhone (gave up and waited for an internet connection). 2) Went to see Avatar in 3-D on Christmas Day. 3) Slept in nearly every morning. 4) Shopped at the outlet stores in St. George, UT (nice). 5) Driven 1,500 miles with 1,000 more to go. 6) Had my hair cut by my sister-in-law... short, short. 7) Put together a puzzle and played upteen number of word games. Scrabble rocks! 8) Watched my kids play Snatch-Grabs* at the Christmas Eve Party. 9) Argued about family LLC and considered burning all the land and cashing in on any insurance. 10) Ate my weight in chocolate, candy, cakes, cookies, chips and pancakes.... didn't get any fudge though ::sniffle::. ------- *Snatch-Grabs- A game in which the parents all chip in large amounts of change that are then thrown onto the ground for the children to collect--snatch and grab--thereby teaching them at an early age the importance of money. This years haul: Vicbowin $25, Albowin $31, Iyawin...

The Stomach Flu.