My My.

Well I have been told that I need to update. The Madsen Empire has been plagued by the worst colds ever. Turns out we had nasty sinus infections. And our cats have ringworm. And I do. We get to dip them in a sulfur bath twice a week. If you think normal cats and their litter is stinky you should try shaved cats that have been dipped in sulfur bath and their little. And I found out that I am allergic to cats. Hence my lingering cough and itchiness whenever I see them. We don't know what we are going to do but I think we are going to try to help get them better already. Maya has a terrible cough. I feel like our adventure in cat ownership has been a trainwreak.
Anyway Danielle gets really excited about presents and she occasionally has been known to go quiet and sneak a present off to open. Luckily she has only found small ones, like hallmark ornaments I bought last year after Christmas and wrapped up. I discovered that I will never have to buy wrapping paper again. Danielle got a present in the mail the other day from her grandma Madsen and she opened it up immediately. I don't know how she knew the package was for her. Maybe she can read her name already. I always knew I was raising a baby genius. I captured her moment but she was so excited that she didn't want to look at the camera. It just seems like my camera doesn't do a good job and the photos are always of the top of her head or half of the photo is occupied by an enormous baby hand. So the cute photos of the event are a little blurry and not that cute.
Turns out her favorite thing in the kit was a plastic pair of scissors. Kids just know what scissors are. They must be born with a radar for dangerous things. One of the most terrifying moments of my life was when Danielle handed me my fabric shears one day. Turns out she was tall enough to get them off the table. I was just glad she knew to give them to me so I told her she was great. After that she would try anything to get the scissors so she could bring them to us for praise. I feel like a lot of the time when I think I can teach Danielle something by praising her she gets a little confused. Also sometimes she likes to see if she can make her parents mad. Like when she decides to hit daddy in the face and see if he cares. Recently we started a new initiative called- is what she really wants attention? That was it is easy to remain calm in the face of seemingly vindictive baby behavior. Thank goodness for those child development classes or I would think there was something seriously wrong with her. I was only a note taker for those classes though, so I am still baffled by some of the crazy things kids will do.
I have been making things for claireandjanae.etsy.com and selling some stuff. Really it's nice to have people like what I am making- because I like to make things more than I have an actual need for the things so it's nice that people give me money so I can buy more fabric. I love fabric. John recently went to Ikea with me and we built a table where I could make things. We got adjustable height legs for 30 dollars each leg-(cheap!) the top was also about 30 dollars and is big so I have lots of room for sewing. I set the legs almost at the highest setting- that way I can cut out fabric and stand up. The table is tall enough that Danielle can't reach the scissors. I love it so much. I have been organizing all of my sewing things in the guest room and there is still room for bed, which is good since my bedroom makes me itchy from the cats. I feel so good having my own space. It surprises me how nice it is. I think everyone should have their own room- or at least their own bookshelf or desk.
I have decided that I would make a revised Christmas List based on what I really want. I am also done with most of my Christmas Shopping so this list is a bit silly.
1. Fabric.
2. A fancy camera to take photos of stuff I want or just get a picture of Danielle that is in focus. Just today I noticed several of the functions of our camera stopped working. I think the warranty probably expired yesterday.
3. ric rac.
4. Fabric.
5. A fancy embroidery machine.
6. people to buy things from my website.
7. A fancy purse.
8. thread or ribbon
9. a pincushion
10. a 12 inch roll of poly tubing to make plastic bags with. from Uline.com
That is my revised list. I am constantly thinking of new things to put on this list. Lucky for me I have a blog where I can write about all the things I want. Then the next day I can write a new list. I don't really expect to get these things. It's like the act of making the list gives me some portion of those things- like filling up a shopping cart online and then closing the window when you realize you can't afford any of it.
I decided to post a picture of a little cuddle blanket I made the other day. It is a monster and I am pretty proud of it.
I am glad that I am feeling better. It is nice to feel better. And to make stockings for everyone in your family.