abby-doodles

back to school bows

2011-07-22T15:47:00.001-07:00

2011-07-13_14-00-27_351, a photo by abby-doodles on Flickr.

soon to be available on etsy!

Mother's Day List by Spencer- age 9

2010-05-09T23:22:00.000-07:00

12 reasons why I love you,

1.You're mostly nice to me.
2.You always get Abby in trouble when she's being a brat to me.
3.You gave birth to me. ( I bet it hurt ).
4.You let me have my awesome hair!
5.You don't nag me.
6.You help me when I cry.
7.You help me with evil homework.
8.Some presents from me are ugly, but you love them because they're from me.
9.You make me dinner.
10.You take me to nice places.
11.You helped me get such nice friends!
12.You made me tons of scrapbooks.

"Now all the reasons above are true and I'm very thankful for everything you've done for me."
"I love you." "Happy Mothers day, and thank you so much for being my mom.

From: your favorite boy

In Honor of All the Mothers Out There-

2010-05-08T18:32:00.000-07:00

Before I Was a Mom

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.

2010-05-05T20:13:00.000-07:00

Abby-Doodles is slowly but surely making their way back to the online world. As you may know, there is a new 'bow-wearing' princess in the family: Emma Grace. I have been extra busy in the studio making baby bowbands. The Abby-Doodles famous 'bowsies for your toesies' flip flops are soon to make their comeback too.
As a stay-at-home single mom of three, I have to use every hour of the day to my advantage! lol. I will be adding more inventory to my etsy store often. Once it is fully stocked, I will host a grand re-opening celebration. Check back here for updates!
Join us on facebook and become a fan. Visit our page: Abby-Doodles. Facebook fans will receive free gifts with purchase! Pass it on to your friends!

Our world plus one

2010-04-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

Three kids by myself. How do I do it? With lots of help and grace.

Emma Grace was named after my great grandmother, Emma Angelina. She was a strong woman with many talents and a heart of gold. My Emma has graced our lives by bringing us closer. Together, Spencer Abby and I are raising a happy, healthy beautiful baby girl. They are an amazing big brother and sister. They love her and are always willing to help.

A Real Sweetheart

2010-02-22T19:45:00.000-08:00

Emma Grace
born February 14, 2010
12:18 pm
6 lbs. 13 oz. 20 inches

for pet lovers...

2010-01-28T13:25:00.001-08:00

The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door.

Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort, however.. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.

The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.

Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:

TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:

(1) They live here. You don't.
(2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'-niture.
(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
(4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.

Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
(1) eat less,
(2) don't ask for money all the time,
(3) are easier to train,
(4) normally come when called,
(5) never ask to drive the car,
(6) don't smoke or drink,
(7) don't want to wear your clothes,
(8) don't have to buy the latest fashions,
(9) don't need a gazillion dollars for college and
(10) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children ...

Before I Was a Mom

2008-12-29T14:22:00.000-08:00

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.

Happy Mothers Day

2008-05-10T00:41:00.001-07:00

I started thinking today about Mother's Day today-
because my kids were telling me how nice they were going to be all day on Sunday.
Abby was saying to me "I promise I wont mess up my room on mommy's day, mom."
She knows it drives me nutso because her room is always so messy.
Barbies all over the floor and polly pockets too. Then when I tell her lets clean up, she collapses into a heap on the floor
and says shes too 'tie-derd' (lol)
Spencer said he was going to cook for me, and that I could drink as much
coffee as I wanted all day and "could I please take him and Abby to target to buy a toy on Mother's Day."
I'm going- "excuse me? Its MOTHERS Day, buddy. Tell me who the toy is for?"
"me and Abby" he said. "so we can stay busy and we wont bug you on Mothers Day."

Ohmigosh! Is he smooth or what?! Well no matter, there wont be a trip to Target for toys.

I thought about how wonderful it is to be a mother.
Looking into their big eyes, and knowing they are a part of you.
I am always amazed when I look at them- just living and breathing-
and I go "Wow! I made a person!"

I loved being pregnant too. That life growing inside me made me feel full of hope.
Giving birth was one of the most powerful experiences on earth.
I have never felt strength like that again. I felt like the strongest person on earth at that moment.
Like I could take on anything. And while holding that baby in your arms,
you know you will do anything to keep them safe.
Anything and everything.

I thought about my mom and how much she sacrificed for me.
I thought about all the choices she made while I was growing up.
Choices that shaped me into who I am today.
I recalled her working extra hours to pay for my college education. I remember never feeling like I had to go without.
And the funny thing that always sticks with me, is how much that woman liked to iron! Geez!
My clothes were always perfectly pressed and hanging in my closet.
And you would think I would have copied her and that same behavior? nope.
In fact, my kids saw the ironing board and iron set up at my moms house awhile ago- and they said,
"Nanny, whats that?" HA! I kid you not!

My grandmother is such an important figure in my life. She has always been my rock.
Grandma understands me, listens to me, never judges me, and loves me like no one can.
Shes so full of life, wit and wisdom, that I talk to her on the phone
at least once a week if not more. We could talk for hours. I see her very often too.
I remember grandma making clothes for me as a kid.
I remember spending weekends at her house and going to bed at night
looking forward to breakfast the next morning. She always did it up.
I swear I can still taste buttermilk biscuits right now!

There is no love, like a mother's love.
And although there are fathers who love their children with everything they've got, its a different kind of love.
A mother's love comes from way down deep inside. A place that only a woman poseses.
Its just a feeling like they have done something wonderful. That they have offered these children
to the world to do great things, and make a difference.

This is for all of you out there- mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters,
great grandmothers, surrogate mothers, and step mothers.
May you have the most beautiful mother's day ever.
And may you be appreciated for all the little things you do that go unnoticed.
But most of all, may you receive the love of a mother,
and may you feel so full from it that you cant wait to pass it on.

Happy Mother's Day

girlspeak

2008-04-28T23:01:00.001-07:00

(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right
and you need to shut up.

(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means half an hour. Five
minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes
to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and
you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in
fine.

(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't do It.

(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often
misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and
wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about
nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can
make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before
deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you. Do not question, or faint; just say
you're welcome. I want to add in a clause here: This is true unless she says
"Thanks a lot" - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO
NOT say "you're welcome" in this case, for that will bring on a "whatever").

(8) Whatever: Is a women's way of saying screw YOU!

(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning
this is something that a woman has asked a man to do several times, but is
now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?"
For the woman's response refer to # 3.

A bunny tale

2008-03-22T12:32:00.001-07:00

Everyone needs a special friend in their life. Someone that they confide in, someone that believes in them.
Someone that is there for them through thick and thin.
A friend who isnt afraid to go anywhere with you.
A friend who is there when you cry, laugh, sing, or dance.
Everyone needs someone who they can cuddle up with, and someone who they can goof around with too.

Finding all these qualities in one person isnt easy. Some will search the ends of the earth. Go to great lengths until they find that perfect friend. The friend who is just right for them.

Abby has that special friend.

His name is 'Nunny.'

'Nunny' joined our family on 2005 on Abby's first birthday. A gift from a good friend of mine who lives in the city, and who doesn't see the kids too often, we had no idea he would become her beloved companion. He was just the right size and was soft as ever. His ears were velvety and floppy and he had the sweetest expression on his face. His body was filled with just the right amount of stuffing and beans to make him perfect for tossing over your shoulder, cuddling, or even holding under one arm.

'Nunny' travels everywhere with us. He has also been left a few places. I have made numerous late night trips to retrieve him so that Abby could go to sleep with 'Nunny' safe in her arms.

One particular excursion sticks in my mind.
it was late one night, Around 9 pm. Abby was ready to settle in for the nite. We had ooked for 'Nunny' for awhile and had not succeeded in finding him. I started to retrace our steps of where we had been. We had shopped at the mall earlier that evening, but 'Nunny' had never left the car, so we knew he couldnt have entered the mall with us. I wondered if maybe he had been dropped somewhere? Then I panicked. What if he fell out of the jeep at the mall when we were getting in to go home? And he was still in the parking lot somewhere? Oh my god! I couldn't bear the thought! I wasted no time. Got in the jeep and raced back to the mall.

Its dark, the mall parking lot is becoming empty. I am driving around, up and down the area where we were parked. Window rolled down. Searching all over for 'Nunny's' poor little stuffed body. I start imagining him lying there alone, arms all sprawled out, with a tire mark over his chest. I fell emotional and I start crying! Omg what a dork! lol! I start wondering if maybe someone may have found 'Nunny' and turned him into the lost and found. But the mall is closed. There is a restaurant attached to the mall and its still open. I go inside and ask if someone turned in a stuffed bunny. No luck. I glance over at the railing that separates the mall from the restaurant. No one is looking. I hop over it and walk through the mall to the security counter. There are still people there! Thank god! I start explaining my story, and before I can finish, the security guard reaches under the counter and pulls out 'Nunny!'

"you mean this little guy?" he says. I start crying again. lol. I am so relieved. I wanted Abby to have 'Nunny' forever. I tuck my little treasure under my arm and speed home.

When I arrived, Abby was already asleep, with a different stuffed friend under her arm. Her little eyes were all red from crying. I carefully slipped 'Nunny' under her arm, kissed her on the forehead, and closed her door.

'Nunny' is still with us, and he celebrated his birthday the other day. He invited all his bunny friends to the party and they all had cake.

I am sure 'Nunny' will be celebrating many more bithdays with us.

So theres my bunny tale.

Happy Easter everyone.

'sew' whats all the fuss about?

2008-03-01T23:03:00.000-08:00

As IF making hairbows, running a business, raising two children, keeping up with my kids scrapbooks, and running a household isnt quite enough for me... I decided that this was the year I was going to learn how to sew.

My grandmother began sewing at the age of seven. (I asked her that tonight in fact.) She said her mother made her sit down with her at the machine, and watch her and learn the basics. She also told her that if you didnt wear a thimble, you weren't a real seamstress. I have never seen my grandma sew without using one.

I got a sewing machine as a gift two years ago. I asked for it in fact. It sat untouched for sometime because Abby was still small then and Spencer wasnt in school yet and I didnt have a lot of free time to practice. Finally the day came that I was ready to meet the machine face to face. I plugged her in. I stared her down. I got out the manual. I wish I would have been warned! Threading the darn thing took forever! lol! The directions were like rocket science! I locked myself in the room so I would have no interruptions. Finally it was done. Now what? I guess I should sew something? But what?

Months went by and I practiced threading and rethreading. I learned to wind bobbins. I really became aquainted with the machine. My grandma came over a few times a month to give me pointers if I was working on something. Mostly I was just making things for the kids. Easy projects. Nothing with a pattern yet. Abby and Spencer are still bragging about these mini sleeping bags I made last month. Abby's sleeping bags were made to fit her Barbies and Spencers were for his GI Joes. They were both involved in the design of their products. I took them to the fabric store with me to pick out their own material. They each chose 6 different patterns and fleece for the inside of the bags. Spencers were all camoflage, skull, or flame themed. Abigail's were colors of pinks, purples, and turquoise, florals, dots, stripes, and one cat print.

Yesterday was the moment of truth. I decided to tackle the task of making something for myself using a pattern. I love handmade bags, and I had this amazing fabric I loved, so I decided I would make myself a purse. The process wasnt all that hard. I did find it perplexing however that I was expected to sew the purse completely inside out and backwards and make it come out correct by then turning the entire thing right side out by pulling it throuh a hole in the lining? What? How can this be? Well, I pulled and squished and tugged and- voila! A purse!
I was so EXCITED!

I don't expect to be selling them on the market anytime soon... ;)
But if I suddenly become the famous 'abby-doodles purse lady' you can always say you knew me when I was just a lil' ole bow maker.

A Target gift card can't buy you everything

2008-02-27T00:55:00.000-08:00

If any of you are like me, you probably make a weekly trip to Target, or some other "all-inclusive-once-they-get-you-in-door-you-wont-be-able-to-leave-without-spending-at-least-two-hours-and-two-hundred-dollars" places. Target is like a sanctuary to me. On Sundays I go to my regular church, but during the week, I attend the church of Target. I love that place, man! I could get lost in there. Well actually, thats not a possibility, because I think I know where everything is. Seriously, someone once asked me what aisle something was on, (I happened to be wearing a red shirt) and I told them exactly where they could find it! LOL! My mom was with me, and she goes- "why did you do that?" And I said, "what? They asked where something was, so I told them." I mean really, why would I waste their time by telling them to go find a person who really 'did' work there? That person probably knew less than I did anyway! ;)

I have been shopping at the same Target since before both of my kids were born. I remember buying Spencer's high chair there. He's 7. I have shopped there longer then most of those people have probably held a steady position there.

I was cleaning out a few purses the other day and in one I found a Target gift card I had misplaced. I immediately went online and found that it had $25 available! Cool! I had an appointment I was headed to, so the kids were at my house with a sitter. I decided to stop off at Target afterwards and treat myself to a little 'retail therapy'.

I arrived with giftcard in pocket, and starbucks in hand. Where should I begin? My newest Target obsession? The dollar section right when you enter. Its like there is a special holy beam of light that shines upon it... I can hear the angels singing... calling to me. My cart wanders over. My eyes become glassy. I cant take my eyes off the bargains. Do I really need any of it? No. But its only a dollar. I'm sure I could find the perfect use for it! I actually have found some super cool things in that section, don't get me wrong, but most of it is just fluff. I mean how many different patterned post it note pads does one really need? The makeup section is especially fun, so I wander off. I could spend way too much time looking at fantastic nail polish colors, funky new eyeshadows, and 'cutting edge' mascara. Only to eventually remind myself that I will never make time to paint my nails, I dont really wear eyshadow, and my eyelashes are already ridiculously long so I dont need super power mascara anyhow. I can always find a new lotion to buy, or a new face product thats going to have me looking 10 years younger in 10-12 weeks. Of course I wont remember to use it everynight so it wont do any good. I love the bath and bedding section. With little effort at all, I arrive. I dream of throwing out every last towel I own and starting over. I walk to the bedding section and imagine buying the fluffiest comforter ever for my bed and six pillows to go on it. Then falling back and sinking into it and taking a nap. The next department over is the kitchen stuff. I wste no time and roll on over. I am currently having a love affair with orange. I painted my kitchen pumpkin spice and it is HOT! There in the middle of the shelf, is the coolest retro looking bowl I have ever seen. Rust, orange, black, berry, gold, and even some olive green. OMG. I must have it! I put it in the cart. I stand back and admire it. Think of where it would look best in the kitchen. What will I put in it? Well I already have a bowl on the table, and all it does is collect thigs from the kids. I think it has a few hot wheels, a stray crayon, some loose change, a barbie brush, and some stickers in it. It's a catch-all. Not at all what I had intended it for. I turn the bowl over. $40.00. I decide that a $40.00 catch-all is something I don't need, no matter how cool it looks. I'm starting to get discouraged. I realize that I must not be ready to make a decision. And also that I am taking the gift card way too seriously. I have put such an emphasis on spending it on something fun, and not on regular household neccesities, that I sucked all the enjoyment right out of it. I turn the cart toward the center aisle and start heading towards the front of the store. Past the containers, past the candles, frames, and stationary. Passing up all the food as well. I park the cart and start walking out. As I exit the store, I get this intensely odd feeling that I am missing something. Something doesnt seem right. I glance for my purse. Its there. Got my keys in my hand, cell in my pocket, and sunglasses are on. Then it dawned on me. I had no shopping bags. I bought nothing. I felt strange. Never in the 7 years that I shopped at Target, had I ever left Target without buying something. What was going on? Was this armageddon? What had brought this strange phenomenon? Puzzled, I walked to the car. I got in and sat for a moment. I had nothing new. Yet I was feelin alright. Did I have everything I needed? Is that why I didnt buy anything? As I looked over my shoulder to back out of the parking place I saw the kids carseats out of the corner of my eye. I smiled. I felt contented. I really did have two great things already. Spencer and Abby. And you cant get kids that fantastic at Target. As I headed towards home, I knew I was going to be getting the best deal of them all when I got there- two hugs greeting me at the door, and a lifetime of love.

Some things only women understand

2008-02-21T13:51:00.000-08:00

Only women understand...

-that making a list of the things you have to do is almost as good as doing them.

-the difference between a dishtowel and a rag: do not use the dishtowel to polish the car. Do not shine shoes with it. Do not use it to catch paint drops.

-why you need your own special shampoo even though the hotel provides loads of bottles of the stuff.

-that spending $50 on a sweater marked down from $150 means you have an extra $100 in your checking account.

-that older men going out with younger women are searching desperately for youth, but older women going out with younger men are searching desperately for equals.

i'm 4 now...

2008-02-19T23:57:00.000-08:00

Just thought you might find a little humor in this:
After all- the business is named after her!
Might as well see what inspires me, right? (wink)

Abby, my four-year-old has been attending gymnastics since she was three. She turned four 2 weeks ago. Last week she decided, right in the middle of class, that she didnt want to go to class anymore. She just walked right off the gym floor, into the parents room, and said matter of fact- "mom. I dont think i wanna do 'binakicks' anymore."
Tonight I figured out why she didnt want to go anymore. lol.

We came to the gym at 6:00 pm. She took me by the hand over to her class .
Usually the moms watch from this little room but she wanted me to come with her for a minute this time.
So i walked accross the floor with her to her class which has some new kids in it and they are younger than her- shes the oldest now.
So we got there and she leaned over and whispered. "I dont want to be in this class anymore. Im ready to 'congratulate' to the next one."
And she was pointing to the girls who were busy making faces in the mirror. Apparently she is too old for that now.
Coach Jim was calling her accross the gym saying, "Miss Abby, why arent you going to class today sweetheart?"
And she just shakes her head no. He says, "Now you're gonna make me cry. You better come over here and give me a hug."
So abby and i walk to Jim and he picks her up and hugs her and she says, "well im 4 now." and he says, "oh. Does this mean youre ready for a bigger class? Is that what youre telling me?"
"yeah." she said. I almost died laughing.
So he says- "Well then go over there to that big girls and line up honey."
she nods, and runs over and gets in line. Looks back at me, smiles a closed mouth grin, gives me a thumbs up and heads off to the bars.
The next youngest girl was 6-years-old.
Shes nuts man.

That's my girl.