Head on over to julie-k for the details! The winner will be chosen tomorrow!

— Time spent with good friends.
— Watching my husband enjoy himself at the track.
— Watching Bella play with Mason.
— Two new yarn stores to visit (I hope!)
— Knitting.
— Sketching instead of making.
— Spending time outside.
— Unplugging from the computer.

Have a great weekend everyone!

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new on julie-k: coffee sleeve of the month: oops!

T used to come home for lunch most days. His office used to be around the corner. (Literally, around the corner!) In February, his office moved up north. It’s not far; just not close enough for him to come home for lunch any more.

I got used to having him around in the afternoons, even if it was only for 15 minutes to make a sandwich and head right back out. Bella liked it, too. We used to coordinate our day with when he’d be home. We’d be bummed if we missed him.

Now, we can do whatever, whenever. It’s kind of weird. This morning we went over Christy’s house. It was the first time I didn’t look at my watch. Eva and Bella just played until they were both too dirty to play any longer. Usually, I would have gone home afterward, but I brought a snack with us and decided to run some errands (after I did my best to dust her off).

It was a sunny, warm day and I kind of wanted just to stay out — maybe go somewhere to eat outside. Unfortunately, the little eyes in the back seat started to get droopy so we came home for lunch instead.

After two months, it was the first day I felt used to being on our own for the whole day. Kind of weird, huh?

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new on julie-k: pinquitos change purse

I’ve been thinking about this post for almost 24 hours; right after I left the clothing store. I don’t want it to sound like a rant or whine, but I can’t get these thoughts out of my head. So, here goes.

I recently did a clean sweep in my closet. I got rid of all of the old clothes that didn’t fit or look good post-pregnancy. It was hard. There were some things that I really loved, but couldn’t alter because they were too small. I avoided my spring and summer pants, though. I wasn’t ready to face them.

The temps are going to be in the 80s this week and yesterday I decided to see what fit. Yeah, it wasn’t good. Nursing my daughter on a no-dairy diet made me a very skinny woman. Very skinny. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I could use losing a few pounds, but there was no way I was going to fit into some of my post-pregnancy capris. So I decided to take my gift card (thanks, Mom and Dad!) and buy a few staples before I started my Wardrobe Refashion pledge. And here comes my shocking revelation:

I can’t believe how much clothes cost!

Maybe I’ve been spending too much time in thrift stores. Maybe I spend too much time in the fabric store. Let me also be clear: I don’t have a problem paying top dollar for quality items made out of good fabric that are built to last. No problem at all. But the clothes I tried on yesterday were not of that quality. I think maybe they will last two seasons if I am good to them. Everything that I purchased was on sale and I was still shocked when I got my total at the register. And here’s the kicker. I was at Kohl’s. Not the Gap or Banana Republic or Talbots, but Kohl’s! $40 for Kohl’s brand capri’s? $36 for a cotton t-shirt? Really? No wonder the whole store was 40% off.

I seriously need to learn how to sew my own pants.

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new on julie-k: bean bags

I’ve been looking forward to this afternoon all week. I’m going to lunch with the girls. Time away from my husband and daughter that doesn’t include any errands or work. Not even any knitting. Just eating, chatting and maybe a glass of wine.

There used to be a time in my life where lunch with friends on the weekend happened all the time. Quite often it was brunch with a bloody mary to recover from the crazy night before. My, how times have changed.

There is something to be said about the infrequency of these events, though. I look forward to them all week. I appreciate them more. I cherish alone time with my girlfriends. Lunch becomes a special event, not just a meal.

The strange thing is that after getting a few hours of alone time, I can’t wait to come home and be with my two favorite people. How is that? All I want all week is to be away for a few hours and then I can’t wait to get back. Motherhood sure can be weird sometimes.

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new on julie-k: wardrobe refashion preparations