Our Magical Anniversary Celebration

We celebrated our 4th Anniversary yesterday at Disneyland!

Neither of us had been in 12 + years so it was a fountain of youth experience. So much fun and the lines weren't bad either. I think the longest one was only 35 minutes or so but for the most part they were less than 15 minutes. An extremely pleasant surprise.
The best part was that the entire park was decked to the nines in Christmas attire. Tons of lights and ornaments and trees and garland. Just totally made the magical settin that much more special. I had this huge grin on nearly all day and had several random outbursts of happy dances! I think my only complaint was that since it was just the two of us there weren't many pictures of us together but the couple we got I am thankful for. It's just a bit of a pain to have to pick a stranger out of the crowd for a picture.

So for the most part, we settled for self-portraits. :)

Yay for Disneyland!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!

This is a year that I have much to be Thankful for, even though one item is bitter sweet.

We have purchased and moved into our first home, we have two wonderful dogs and two awesome cats and I've began new friendships, new projects and really tried to apply myself int a more possitive manner to my job (again).

I am thankful that I even have a solid job right now with all of the uncertainty out there. I've made it over a really uncomfortable spot and back into a state of confidence and happiness knowing that it's a job and an income and that neither have to dictate my life.

I am also thankful that sweet, beautiful, wonderful Tessa has arrived at her new home and that I know she will be cared for and loved for several years to come by her new "mom" and family. I will miss her dearly but knowing that little Em has several years at home left and a very good home means that Tessa will be well looked after.

I am also thankful for my friends. Making them can certainly be difficult but keeping them is the other half of the battle. My gal and guy pals are all great and I appreciate their support, honesty and humor in all things. You guys are awesome and I look forward to many more laughs, cries and pranks over the next several years to come.

And finally, I am thankful that on Monday, December 1st, 2008 Brandon and I will be celebrating having completed four years of marriage. It's hard to believe that five years have gone by since we first began our relationship and four years since we made the ultimate commitment to eachother. We've been through a lot and are only going to go through more but we keep managing to pass the test together on a regular basis. I love you!

Lending A Helping Hand

I'm very excited about two of my current projects. They are groups of women that I've organized to create "patch-work" knit and crochet blankets for some local charities and shelters.

My first group is at work. A small handful of ladies gather every to every other Friday in the conference room during our lunch break to crochet and get a few helpful pointers from me. Eventually we'll move on to knitting as well and they'll all get to learn an art while contributing to their community. The goal is to create enough squares (8") to create at least one twin sized blanket for a local Women and Children shelter.

My Second group is at church. Through e-mail I've recruited the skills of several ladies to also make several squares, both knit & crochet (8"). These will be forming baby blankets and prayer shawls/lap blankets for mothers and babies at a local crisis pregnancy center called Alternatives Women's Center.

Both charities have been extremely excited by my phone calls asking if they are in need of blankets, especially when they find out that they will be hand made. It's really rewarding to be involved in the community in a selfless manner. Especially as the holidays are fast approaching.

Is volunteer work for you? Maybe you should ask yourself that. What are your talents? Whether they be professional, amateur or hobby there is a use for them. Even if its a few minutes of your time, consider giving it back to the community and charities around you that need it most.

A is for Adoption

It has happened. We have had our first discussions about adoption. And not in a "what-if", or "some day" kind of way. We have honestly discussed this very real option to having a family of our own.

Granted it was rather difficult for me the first time but the more I think about it the more I realize that I would be selfish to discard adoption as an option and continue to poor money into attempting to conceive children of my own flesh. Adopting a child should not make it any less my own. Rather I should feel and know how blessed we will be when that day does come that we can attempt to make a difference in a young child's life.

I don't think we're going to try and join the thousands of others vying for the first newborn to pop out in their general direction. But the child will still be young. Most likely 3 years old or younger.

The more I think about this possibility, the more I grow warmer to it. I know that I want to be a mother more than anything. It will just be coming about in a manner I never imagined needing to consider. The Lord's will be done, whether or not I understand in this life time His choosing.

'Tis the Season

As we enter into this supposed most joyous time of year there are many faced with the holiday blues.
Those in need of work, those who can't wait to get out of their job,
those in want of children, those wishing they could better handle the children they have,
those in a less than desirable relationship and those longing for companianship.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to revert to that innocent time and place in your childhood when the best thing was a new box of crayons with a big coloring book and the worst thing was a little scrape to the knee or being denied that third cookie?
Silence is golden and innocense is platinum.
The days of instant friendships, just add toys.
Warping back into the today brings responsibilities, maturity & daily heartache.
Where friendships and relationships are scraped together
then fought for with all your vibrant life.
Just to have many fade away.We all could use a kindred spirit.
Especially now.

Life

*sigh* so much has been going on in the bubble I claim as my life!

I've reconnected with a friendly flame; I've realized how much I hate bills and hope none of our pets get sick inbetween their annual visits; I've stood by a friend in joy, a friend in happiness, and a friend in injury; I've come to the bittersweet realization that I must part with a long time companian - very soon; and I've reconnected with my husband yet again.

Isn't it interesting how it seems like there is so much time in the day and it does such a good job at dissapearing when there are things left to do? Especially now that it gets dark earlier. I definitely don't think there are many "wasted" moments in my day. Take this past Monday for example. Upon waking up for the day I pulled a load of laundry out of the dryer and sorted it while Brandon fed the dogs and showered. I laid out his work outfit then fed the cats and fish and got our lunch out. Then I showered and got myself ready (even a little makeup!) before grabbing my breakfast, lunch and purse and jetting down the road to work. After puting in my 8 hours I went straight home to change my pants and shoes. Walked down the street to get the mail, fed the dogs, cats, & fish. Gathered up my recent issues of Rachel Ray Everyday, a cookbook, pan and a few ingredients. Sorted through the mail to weed out the junk. Then helped Brandon take the trash out and go to Albertson's to get a few veggies and missing ingredients for dinner. Went to his best friend's apartment (who had a back surgery on Thursday). There I combined the ingredients for a turkey meatloaf and popped it in the oven before cutting up the veggies (eggplant, squash, red bell pepper & green beans) for steamed veggies in the microwave. While I was waiting for the meatloaf to finish in the oven I flipped through the magazines I brought to begin planning Thanksgiving lunch (which will be hosted at our house this year!). Once everything was done I dished up a plate of food for myself and "K" our healing friend. We ate dinner then I knit a few rows on the baby cartigan I'm working on for a friend. Then Brandon and I helped clean some of their dishes before heading home. Once home I put in a load of laundry and vacuumed the entire house. I knit a few more rows on the cartigan before calling it a night at 11:30. PHEW. Survived another day. And yes, that is pretty typical. Actually, maybe even a little underactive. Sometimes there are several stops in the evening and more activites at home, including walking the dogs.

Needless to say, when people say "you don't have children, you really can't be all that busy" I am rather eager to prove them wrong. Because we do not have children we apply ourselves to many different situations and people. Constantly helping others while we know we can. Because when we're up, others are down and we want to see the people we love, happy. We have created a wonderfuly loyal small circle of friends.

Speaking of the no children thing. I have had some rather difficult moments of depression upon the reality of it all. But now that we have the full house of animals I am kept rather distracted. And they have a great way of telling when I could use an extra prrrr or face full of kisses. I love animals and can't imagine my life without several at all times.

Well I do believe I have rambled on long enough for this post... ah the therapy session comes to an end for the time being.

Happy hooker/Stitch & Bitcher

I think it is very important for each person to have their own stress reliever(s). Whether it be writing, knitting, crocheting, swimming, running, riding, or boxing. Discovering those wonderful little outlets are what help keep us sane in this ever crazy world we live in. And boy is it ever.


Mine are writing, knitting & crocheting. For writing I can get things out and on paper or in a blog that simpley will not leave me alone until they've been transferred from my mind. For the longest time I didn't really have a good friend, at least not one that would agree with the things I do enough to listen to the woes of my life (personal, family, & work). So that therapeutic writing time was like a good coffee session with a best bud.


Over the past several years I have brought my knitting and crocheting back to the forefront of my life . Enjoying what little time I get to spend with my different fibers. And the sweet, successful joy of teaching another my passion. I go back and forth between claiming a favorite (knit vs. crochet). I've come to realise though, they are like children, there never will be one favorite, rather what works best for what I want to achieve.


Some of the things I've made that I'm most proud of are: a self-designed baby blanket for my niece, a turtle who's shell comes off like a sweater vest, a granny square variation blanket, miniature christmas ornaments (sweater, mittens & hats), and a toy zebra. There have been the many scarves, hats and little things but my current focus is in designing pieces, toys, and custom pieces. A good challenge. ;)


One thing I particulary enjoy with my knitting and crocheting are my "stitch & bitch" sessions. It's when I get together with a friend (or a few) to knit/crochet and chat about life. Usually this is accompanied by a tastey cup of coffee or tea and some juicy gossip, thus the name. I currently don't have a scheduled session and really hope to get back to a weekly S&B session.


As we approach the hollidays I will become increasingly busy with orders and gifts of my own. I'd love to hear any suggestions, requests you may have.

Update on Tessa

An update on my beautiful horse, Tessa. The lady that came to interact with her last Saturday (who was an hour late and still stayed nearly two hours) has yet to return any communication to me. We have now posted Tessa on Craigslist and Horsetopia. Below is the link to her Horsetopia ad. If you know anybody that may be a good match for her, please send them to her page.

http://horsetopia.horse-for-sale.org/classifieds/ad348111

ALL Dana's fault

more animals


more animals


more animals


more animals


more animals


more animals

With one end, comes another begining

Isn't it interesting how when one thing comes crashing to an end another begins? While I was sitting at the County Clerk with two of my very good friends waiting to get married I got a text that two of my other great friends had come to a sudden end the night before. So you want to smack one and hug the other...

And now I'm living through the slow death of terminating my services with with my current employer. And at the same time desperately trying to find a new employer. FUN.

I'm pretty sure I'm boiling my own brain in the process.

Picasa Web Album

Here is a link to our web album of the house and our lives since becoming home owners. The album is updated fairly often so bookmark it and check back from time to time.

http://picasaweb.google.com/sarahnbrandonbaker/House?authkey=vGMlcOIqHsA#