well, it happened again...

i got another year older!  my daughter says to me last night "i was looking at that picture of us when you got me in China and you look so different then".  yes, my dear, i was 34 then and now i am 43... you look different too!
(ok, so it wasn't THIS picture because that is the back of my head, which still pretty much looks the same!  i only have a print of the picture she was looking at and i don't feel like doing confusing computer stuff, like scanning, on my birthday!)

June of 2004, in china!

i went out and ran 5 miles this morning, without the use of a motorized scooter (not too bad for an old chick),  the sun is out in MI  (so much so, that i can HARDLY see my computer screen!), i have a great husband (who is running a 5k with me saturday morning), and an awesome kid so turning 43 isn't so hard after all!!  Hope you have a great weekend and feel free to raise a glass in MY honor!  

Happy Birthday to ME!

5 things i love, 5 things i hate

as you read this, i'm on a party bus to chicago for a girl's weekend of shoes, shopping, shows, cocktails, chit-chat, and other girly fun!!  since i'm writing this thursday night and the mister is concerned that i still am not packed.... i'm gonna go fast!

i love:

1. victoria's secret lipstick, $13, great colors

source

2. avocado's

source

3. these 2 (who should be in slot #1, but i've gotta pack!!)

4. it's been said before, but my love is deep and true, so let's say it again

WHITE RANGE ROVERS (yes, i yelled that!)

source

5. the children of China...i love these kids!!!

now the 5 things i can't stand:

1. red velvet cake... i don't get it.  isn't it just cake with a crap load of red food coloring?

2. dogs, don't be offended, i don't like mine either!

3. dancing, can't do it, won't do it (sober).

4. people who don't live and let live. we don't all agree, it's ok!

5. this outfit

i know it's awesome, but just not my thing... but, if you are interested email me, the pattern is available FREE on ravelry! 

ok, i'm off like a prom dress!

have a fabulous weekend and don't forget to check out the tab above for the hat drive. if you'd rather donate dough, hit the donate button on the top left... the one that says "donate" (i try to keep it easy).

10 Random Things Friday...

Ummm, i gotsta, gotsta hurry and i should have done this (post) last night but i didn't because a new episode of "First 48" was on and if you know anything about me, you know i LOVE me some police 

drama!!!! 

Ok....

1. This is why i need to get busy:

("trash", so i don't try to eat out of it, i guess?!)

 i can hardly stand to show these, it is OUT OF CONTROL!  i'm in a downward spiral with photo's. i have soooooooooooo many and i just can't keep them in a box. at this point i am sooooooooo behind that i am going NUTS trying to get them in albums. i have given up doing the xtra fancy pages but i'm a little psycho about making sure they are in date order.  there are stacks and stacks and stacks of pages waiting to go into albums.  as much anxiety as this causes me, i know most would encourage me to just give it up- but it is NOT happening, i'm in too deep!

(paper only- you know, so i don't put "trash" in it!)

2. I'm going to start this book (in LARGE print edition! cause i'm 42 now)

 after i finish this.

3. i put food coloring (1 drop) in my soap to make it fancy and match my kitchen.  i'll let you know if my hands are blue by the end of the month.

4. i'm giving this mascara a try-it says "AVEC volume boosting complex" and because i am a marketing person's dream and believe EVERYTHING they put on packaging... i bought it!

(it's by Rimmel London)

5. The Mister is getting ready for a BIG hunting trip... have ya ever seen so much camo?

6. from my yard

7. i've got this long skinny laundry room, it needs glamified! here is the before, the after is still in my head.  the walls are chocolate brown, i'm going to try and think around that because i HATE to paint and the mister wasn't keen on hot pink walls...

8. one of the projects in that sewing book of kids clothes. i want to dress like this, so therefore, Darling is going to. shut up, i know i can't sew, but in my mind i can and that's where it counts, right?

9 have i mentioned my awesome friend Chris who drew this picture of my daughter (when she was 3 at an Easter egg hunt-my daughter, NOT Chris).  i need to get it framed, it's a goal before the end of this year!

 let's look a little closer, because it is awesome!

10. PLEASE take a look at the above tab, the one about the kids hat drive. if you would facebook, blog or twitter this information, i will LOVE you forever!!

(this photo is from last years hat drive. the poor little one in the front isn't so happy about being in a baby pile!)

i'd also like to announce which orphanage will be receiving the hats this year:

Chengdu City Children's Welfare Center.

IF you have ANY questions about this hat drive, please email me!!

chinamommy_04@yahoo.com

10 Random Things Friday...

Eek, I'm not sure I'm into my summer schedule yet... This is only the 1st week so I'll cut myself some slack!

1. I am in love with this ring!!  You all know I love me some quirky, whimsical art... If only the Mister would have seen this when he was ring shoppin'

The artist is a fellow Michigander and this is only a TINY bit of her jewelry goodness, go check out her wonderful shop here: dolldisasterdesign

2. We are 5 days into Summer Vacation- on Monday I ran around the lake with Darling riding her bike beside me (that was a challenge), Tuesday we drove into town so I could run on the trail while Darling rode her bike beside me (that was still a challenge but without the cars driving by), Wednesday we went to a friends and yesterday we shopped all day.  

3. I just bought this on ebay, 'cause I am a dork

4.  A new goody that will SOON be in my etsy shop

HERE: chinamommy

 5. I have a problem, actually 2... first: I have a embroidery/sewing machine that cost as much as a small KIA car, second: I THINK I can sew, I can't and yet... I bought this book yesterday.

6. If I hear the theme song to Phineas and Ferb one more time, I might drink bleach!

source

7. Squinkies are taking over my home.  No, this isn't all of them...

 8. Apparently "Color Changing" fingernail polish is "very drippy", so drippy in fact, that as soon as your 7 year old opens it, she'll drip the turquoise goodness on  your (soon-to-be-replaced) carpet- She got lucky, this time!!

9. My BEST summer find (so far): $1 ELF lip gloss!!  Found these at Target and for $1 each, they're perfect to throw in your purse, glove box, bathroom, pockets, and junk drawers!! I lose lip gloss like crazy, I just don't feel as bad when they're only $1, plus I don't lose $1 lip gloss, I lose the $10 ones!

10. Even though it's heating up outside, don't forget about my 2nd Annual Hat drive for the kids in China!!  Please see the above tab for ALL the information.  But... I'm taking hats now and will until mid Sept.  The one change I'm making this year: I'm asking that you send .50-$1 per hat to help offset the shipping to China!  BUT: if you CAN'T send the $ still send the hat!!! or if you can't send a hat, feel free to send the $- we're easy around here!!

You didn't forget these sweet faces from last year did ya?

Hand-made, Store bought, these kids do NOT care!!

❉ ❉Sizes from baby to 15 year old kids accepted❉ ❉

You can always send them to:

D. Shellenbarger

c/o chinamommy

146 East Main Street

Caledonia, MI 49316

(this is my Mister's work address...)

Have a GREAT weekend!!

Want to have a HAPPY HEART today??

I got a notice in my mailbox Saturday...they had a package for me at the post office...an EXPRESS package!! Yesterday I got my bootie to the post office RIGHT away...ok, it was 1:30 in the afternoon, but I have a problem getting out the door!  When the lady handed me the EXPRESS envelope I wanted to jump and scream right there in the post office but I had to act all nice and normal because I was buying stamps and sending some packages out.  I didn't want to get myself on a "no fly" list or have my picture posted around other post offices with a warning under my face!  So anywhoooooo, this is what I saw:

 It's from CHINA!!!!!

For you newbies, we (we being:  my wonderful readers, etsy artists, my mom and myself)sent a donation of over 50 hats to China for the little kids in one of the many orphanages.  I had included a single use camera and some cash (for postage) HOPING they would understand and return some pictures to us!

A picture is worth a 1,000 words and even though I'm sure I could write that many, the pictures are so touching my heart is swelling with joy!

 LOVE these pictures....those little faces!!!  I just love these kids!

 Do you see the giant smile on the little guy (below) in the front?  So happy with his pink and purple hat!  One thing about China, they aren't as concerned about girls in pink and boys in blue.  When you have so little, your joy is so big... isn't that true?

 Now how in the world are those 2 sleeping?  My mom made a ton of newborn hats, I think we should have sent more toddler sizes :)  The newborn size seems to be stretched quite a bit...

 Oh, those babies!!!!! 

 There is that sweet smiley boy again... don't you want to adopt them all? I DO!!

 Anyone want to add a precious child to your family?? Go see my friends at GWCA:

go HERE!

 In this last picture you'll notice the "split pants" which are traditional pants for babies/kids in China.  They're split in the middle so they can hold them over the potty.  When I adopted my daughter she was wearing these, I still have them in a little baggie.

To all who donated: Thank you, thank you, thank you!!  My heart is beyond happy knowing 50 little kids have warm heads!  Giving truly does fill your heart more than receiving ever will!  I will definitely be doing this again next fall.  If you didn't participate last year, feel free to send me a hat (store bought or handmade) any time during the year.  I'll collect them and ship a big box out in the fall.

You can always send them to:

David Shellenbarger

c/o chinamommy

146 East Main Street

Caledonia, MI 49316

(this is my Mister's work address...)

Seriously, Could people be any nicer?

Look at that cutie banner....the not fitting part is my fault.  BUT, isn't it cute?? Don't ya know my long lost sister, Angela (Gingers Girl/Pickles on Pizza), made it for me!!!  I've got an SOS out to blogspot help, so someday this blog might look "put together", until then let's just focus on how stinkin' nice people can be!!    

2 words:

HAT DRIVE

(check below each picture to find out which sweetie sent what!!)

Look at those tiny little mittens...love the little flower!

Don't you know this makes me want another little girl SO BAD??!!

Gingers Girl on etsy, show my sista' some ❤

and check out her blog... she's gonna be famous, trust me!

Angela at Pickles on Pizza

from Kim...

lucky for a little gal in China this didn't fit her new grand baby!  I wish you could see Darling in this hat... hee, hee!!  It's so cute on!!

 Cat Can Crochet on etsy, show her some ❤

I seriously SQUEALED when this came in the mail!!! Those little elf shoes??

GET OUT!!!

 Cat Can Crochet

Heidis Hats on etsy...show her some ❤

Go visit this sweetie!! I bought a pattern from her on etsy, she is super helpful, kind, sweet, and talented! love this girl!!

Hand Knit Hugs on etsy, show her some ❤

Wish you could see this in person!! Beautiful wool and her stitches?!  

PERFECTION!!  Her shop is FULL of gorgeous baby items!!

K.C. 

(not sure she wants her name out there...)

Can you believe all these??

Seriously, this crochet mama went crazy!!  I jumped up and down when the Mister brought these 2 BIG packages home!!  Can you even imagine she's already asking if she can make more for next year?

and... MY Mama!!

Yep, chinaGrandma made all these little knit caps on her magic knitting hoop/ring/thingy!  I think she was knitting these all the way to Montana to see Pilot boy (my youngest brother).  You put this woman on a task and you better WATCH OUT!!

To say my heart is full is an understatement!  You know I'm not real sappy, but God truly put the kids of China on my heart.  I could just weep seeing all these hats and knowing some precious little child will be that much warmer.  I'm sure they'll feel the love right through that gorgeous head of black hair!!

I'm going to put a disposable camera in the box and pray someone takes some pictures!!!!  

I can't thank you enough...really I can't!

But just so you know, in my mind I am buying each of you a white Range Rover and we're all going to Maui to sit on the pure white sand, sip a drink of our choice and listen to the ocean!

Oh, wouldn't that be fabulous?!

Love you gals!!!

❉ ❉❤❉ ❉ November is National Adoption Month ❉ ❉❤❉ ❉

SO sweet, you'll have to brush your teeth!!

So, this morning I am headed STRAIGHT to my studio, I have GOT to get some stuff DONE!  But...I checked etsy cause I just can't stop!! Wait till you see who I found!! If you like CUTE, this is over the top ADORABLE!!!  Take a peek....

DIVINEsweetness

Candy Castle pendant!

Gingerbread House RING!!

Macaroon earrings!!

LOVE these nest hair pins!!! LOVE!

DIVINEsweetness

I'll be back tomorrow and tell you of our wild trip up north to Traverse City, MI...typical chinamommy weekend! 

and...

a little plug about my BABY/KID HAT DRIVE

As most of you know, my daughter was adopted from China and I left a little piece of my heart there.  I'm collecting hats to keep the children and babies warm in the winter.  Many live in orphanages that are without heat.

1. make a baby hat, toddler hat, or kid sized hat 

(you can take the non-crafty way out and buy one if you must)

2. Send to:

David Shellenbarger

c/o chinamommy

146 E Main

Caledonia, MI 49316

3. I need them in my hot little hands BY Oct 31, 2010.

4. I'll take care of shipping them to CHINA this fall.

any questions- please feel free to email me!!

chinamommy@yahoo.com