My Weblog

I dropped the ball on Christmas cards so now I'll start planning Valentines Day cards.  Good idea, huh?  In the meantime, my poor neighbors got nothing from me besides a headache for Goliath barking and the kids screaming. We have the greatest neighbors, the greateast.

I was over looking at Tracey's blog, cuz I do love my necklace so much and found this recipe for cookies. Look here . OMG, holy s&*% these cookies are amazing. They are so darn good, I cannot believe I made them.  (I hope the neighbors liked them aas much as I). So we spent the aftenoon passing out cookies, Gabe kicked Joe in the eye, Joe cried, gabe cried and we screamed all the way home. BUT they did look pretty darn cute.  Oh, how I love dressing my boys. 

Now I am off to clean up the cookie mess ( why do you think cookie is spelled cookie, not cooky?  Just wondering) First I have to share this pick of the birthday girl with you. This is maddie, Jennifer's daughter , of the famed J. Sherrick Photography. She had just turned 9.  My goodness and she is wearing MJC. I was so thrilled. I am telling you that is the hardest age group, they are still your baby yet want to spread their wings.  Oh, on that note, see below. I feel a rant coming on....

While you are figuring out why one spell cookie, c o o k i e and not cooky please tell me why I am seeing all these youngling where that darn Victoria Secret Pink line.  I will be the first one to say it is beyond cute fore a college girl, but not for a 6th grader let alone a 9th grader. Would you want your 13yr old shopping there? No, I am not dissing the store, I just cannot understand the pressure to grow up so fast?  I saw this little girl, about 12 or 13, the other day with Pink across her butt and was about to puke.  Okay, I had better stop, because I am gettng pissed and why this angers me so much I have no idea. Maybe becasue I have 2 boys and I really dont; want them to be dating girls who have that much exposure to stuff?? Whew, lets stop there.

I keep meaning to post some pics of what I am working on but, sorry, it is always lasty on my list. A bad place to be!!!  Off to make some curtains for my kitchen.

One more thing.....Okay I suck at Illustrator and Photoshop. I do try but I'm just not wired that way.  Yes, so I proudly admit to using Microsoft Picture it. Go ahead and laugh, but it is easy.  And easy I can handle.

So Amanda when you see my new header I proudly made, do not cry at the b/w job I did on your photo.  The coloring does not reflect your ability but mine!! Just to prove your talent, see below, see, she is damn good. 

And I cannot help but post a few more pics  from Amanda and of course the boys. Sorry, but I just love how darn cute they look. They don't always look, not act like this, so I must drown myself in these pics, and you. 

I'll try to come up with something exciting for my next post.  OHHH, so many confused emails I have been getting.   The gals at the office and I decided to pull random names out fo the customer database, so if you get something on your doorstep, it is just because we are spreading the love.  It is not a mistake, though we do make plenty of those.

I've been stalking Betsy's blog cuz I love seeing my boys inthe spotlight. Now I know why I get so many pics emailed to me.  I do try to post as many as I can, but I just never have enough words. Way too many pics, not enough words. Maybe you could write a post when you submit your pics?? Or give me something to talk about. Or we could pull David in for some of his wisdom.

And the other beast that pee'd on my floor. I still can't believe him. What is he thinking? Boys, boys, boys and I am surrounded by them

The ice is cracking and I think I need a Diet Coke.  And guess who is off to get me one?Oh, that sweet husband of mine. I have been doing so well, but this Xmas thing puts you over the edge. All those cookies and that sugar buzz.... you know.

I'm combing through my emails and there are so many picture you guys have sent that I have to share.  These girls are so darn darling. My gosh, the beast just doesn't look this good in MJC.

See , they are pretty darn pretty, eh? So while I was uploading these pics David brought me my Dt. Coke and I must say, it's not all that it is cracked up to me.  Yup, it's not cutting it. Hmm. ..maybe I should try a Snickers bar.

You know I am not much of a wine drinker.  I know it is the new trend but I just can't figure it out. It seems pretty complicated and Chris just laughed at me when i told her, Boone's Farm may have to be in the top of my wine list. Rember that stuff? Strawberry Fields? It was liek 2.50 a bottle. Oh, I can remember my sweet friend Ali stuff 2 bottles down each pant leg and sneaking up into the dorms.  Ahh... to be young again.   Wouldn't that be so fun if they had some type of girls retreat and we could all be dorks again and not care what the world thinks?  Ya, I'd get nervosa tongue and not make it out the car door. YIKES.

OH MY GOSH what is up wth poor Robin Wright and Sean Penn? That makes me so sad.  Forest Gump is probably so upset for poor Jenny. I love her, and I loved her most on Santa Barbara.  Back to clean up the email box...

Let the clean up begin, eh? I have already washed all the sheets, scrubbed the bathroom from floor to fan vent and now I am about to tackle the kitchen cupboards.  Though, I really think Christmas should last 3 days.  It was like I woke up this morning and nothing had happened. I went to work and it was just another day. Though I was wearing my necklace I begged for from Tracey at Junk2Jewels. It is so great, it reads " the bear and the beast". So perfect. 

Why will my dog not stop whining? If you have a dog that is past 9 you know, they get a bit irritating. Whining all the time. He is just over 9 and a mere 180lbs. Not to mention he pee'd in my house today. YEs, you read that right. What the hell???? Never, ever, has he done that since he was 8 weeks. Whew, fret not, no MJC here!!! It is all safe! Okay, just thought I would share that with you.

Back to Christmas....

So my favorite gift? Easy. The Laker Hockey game Joe and Mimi stayed up all night making.  It has got to be the cutest thing I have ever layed my eyes on.

After endless discussion Joe did not get an XBox 360.  His Leapster will just have to do another year. It is hard enough getting him off the computer and an XBox battle is one I am not up to.  Plus, he is only 6. And a six year old should have favorite gifts such as his Transformer watch and Laker jersey ( yes, it was to be David's)

And the Beast? It was love at first sight when he saw that little puppy.  You know those battery operated ones? My gosh, I loved those things. Joe had like 5. (sorry for the sucky pic)

And David? Well, he was over the moon for his BonJovi tickets, though he has already guessed he would be getting them.

So it was another great Christmas that I still can't stop spending money.  Not to mention all the cool cards that you guys send my way. i suck. I still haven't sent any out.  Oh, but sweet and beautiful Michelle is helping me out. I think she feels sorry for me!!! Okay, she's just nice.  Someday I'll get there.  In the meantime, I will enjoy all the wonderful cards and soon mine will be in the mail. 

I may take that back, if I can afford stamps. Carla just called from Peru and my fabric is in.  Yes, this sucks. Could the timing be any better? This means, if I bought you a present we may have to take it back and return it . Lots of money we have to gather up for fabric. I will not tell you the amount, you may freak.  I will say it is way more than my house cost.  BUT, it is a beautiful as my house.

And I promise to get some pics this week. I'm a great promise maker (very sarcastically said).

Okay, Joe is dying to play battleship with me.  Before I sign out, I must say I love you guys. It is so exciting to know people actually read my blog and come back for more.  For real, when I get see that someone left a comment I get pretty excited. Yes, okay, it make me feel cool, almost like the popular girl at school that I never was. Though I did dress cute!

Why is Christmas so darn fun? Yes, a bit chaotic but it is so fun spending money. For some reason these last few days before Christmas it's like money is free.  You know, you buy all these last minute gifts and go way over board.  Yup, tone it down a bit. I need to just stay inside because the list is done, but I just want to buy more.

I was telling Joe tonite that I bought a jersey for David. I had totally forgot that a couple months ago I bought Pat Inglis's jersey from the Lake Superior State Hockey team and had it signed for him. OMG, Joe got the saddest look on his face and said "Mom, but I love Pat. I wanted that." Joe already had a jersey but informed me his was not the same, his is mesh and Pat's is not.  The poor boy was so upset, so I put the motherly spin on it and said, "Well, it may not even be coming in the mail, we'll talk about it later." Yes, he continued to cry.....

So I had to tell David (yes, I know this story is getting long) and he responds " Denise, why would I want a jersey? Do I buy Pat Captain Crunch? Do I draw Pat pictures? Joe loves him, you need to give it to Joe."  So, Joe, Merry Christmas.

Why can't I just shed a few tears and get what I want?  I cannot stop looking at the pics of my boys from Betsy.  Therefore, you get to look at them some more.  Fear not, pretty soon I'll post a few pics from the Spring line, OMG wait till you see "Casey and the Sunshine Band" it is so stinkin' cute.

I just love how Betsy made my bed look so awesome. It fools you into thinking I have a cool bedroom when in reality it is filled with workout junk. It is like a dorm room. It sucks.

And Amanda sent these my way. Her daughter is so amazing, defiantly an old soul. Darn it, Miss Amanda is a smarty pants and I cannot paste them over.

Okay, we will save them for tomorrow's post when I get to tell all you how much I love, treasure and appreciate you. For real, I am not being sarcastic. Now, if I said you were the wind beneath my wings, that may be a bit sarcastic, but my goodness I am truly blessed by all you.  I feel as if I have made so many friends this past year, it amazing....

Upon much hesitation I decided to go to our friend Erin and Kevin's Xmas party. The hesitation was not because she's not adorable and super sweet but because Chris, my other half, was busy getting tan in Mexico.  I have zero self confidence to go to a party without her.  I was always worry, what if David starts talking to so and so and I am left alone. I get so flippin' nervous. Most people think I am super outgoing. Guess again. What it is, is nervous tongue and then I just talk junk about everything I shouldn't say. So I seem outgoing but actually I am just talking like I am wasted cuz I am so nervous.

So the point to that long rant was I am so glad we went. We met a fantastic gal and her dear huband, Betsy and John.  And best of all, they were photographers and I am due for some pics of my boys.  So they came over and oh, my boys were smitten with Betsy. Yes,. she's pretty darn cute. And if you live in FTW you must call her. Trust me, you'll be thanking me or sending me a singing monkey with balloons.

And here is how cute my boys are, well, I should say were.  I have just told Joe for the 100th time, "no" he can't play on the computer. What part of "no" he does not understand is beyond me. If he asks one more time..... The beast has the gooey eye gunk and it's gross. Not to mention he just looked over here and spilled chocolate milk all over the floor. Yes, I need a drink, a strong drink.

But first let's dwell in there yesterday cuteness.

Besty and John were so awesome. They captured my boys personalities completely, and by the way the boys are NOW being cute dancing around.  Yes, kids are much like girls, well, me, very moody......

On that note, I am off for a run and to bed. I leave at 4am for Miami. I was to cheap to fly out of FTW for 600 and got a flight 1.5 hours away for 200.  What the heck.  Wish me luck and let's hope the samples are pure perfection. Oh and Gabe wore those darn boots to bed the day he got him. talk about smelly feet.

What sucks the most... When you are using the last piece of your favorite wrapping paper and it doesn't reach all the way around the box or when you pull the vacuum cord and it gets stuck on the corner and won't let you tug it enough to plug into the next outlet? Gosh, it is little things like that that put me over the edge on a today like today.

Yup, I caved and went to McDonald's for a Dt Coke. Fear not, I ordered the Md not the Lrg. Talk about a stressful day. But you know what, I got 5 fabulous cards in the mail today, and I keep reading and looking at them. That is what makes it all worth it.

You know when you get a call from a women in hysterics that received the wrong size top, cards like that remind you that there's a lot of awesome gals out there.  Why do we always focus on the nutso's? I am telling you mean people suck and if they only knew if they would be nice, they may just be a bit happier.

Whew, lets get off that rant. I need to clean up my email. I keep finding all these great pics. How I missed these from Amber I will never know. Have you ever seen cuter, happier girls.  Maybe they can teach all those folk how to simmer down just a bit.

This color sucks and I cannot get it any darker? Sorry, just another human error that I tend to be the master of. NO, not the picture, that is fantastic. the light grey font is what I am talking about. Whew.........

Let's see what else? You guys are hilarious. It was so fun reading all those comments.  If you did not scroll through them, do it now. It is quite entertaining. Maybe the mean people didn't listen to hair band and that is why they suck? Hmmm..

Okay, so my random gals are, the lovely Jami Davis, Miss Molly Frye, Kathleen Tavolaro, Audrey Preston, and the hilarious Wendy Knafelc .  But once again, I am a giver so let's add in  the confused (your comment was funny) Julie Wozencraft, Brandy Mitchell, the girl with the talented husband Nicole Mc ( that can't possibly be your last name?) and LAST the funny girl Niki Hogan-lefler .

Be sure to email me, denised@matildajaneclothing.com and use RANDOM as the subject. I tend to overlook things, this way I won't miss you. 

Lastly, have a goodnight and let the sunshine bright tomorrow. Oh and I heading to Miami on Thursday for a quick 12 hour stay to pick up the samples of the Spring Line. I am so excited. I can hardly wait to see it.  P.S. Esther, I love you! You are my daymaker!

How is there now like 10 MTV channels, where have I been? Yes, things are slowing down and I've been watching too much TV. Oh, but Lynette, Sarah and I have that workshop looking  smashing.   I promise to take photos as soon as it is in tip-top shape. I am still working on a pattern rack and what nots.

I have never seen so many cute MJC girls. Oh, my.  My boys just don't do it justice. So thank you to all who have sent me such darling Xmas cards and to all the great photo emails. I need to do a nice long post so I can show them all off. BUT I am way too busy watching MTV.

Oh, but I had a great idea today. Yup, another great idea, whew, I am a brilliant one. But first Karianne sent ove this pic of Reece.  I love it. I love that girls where my clothes for play. People used to ask me all the time why I dress my kids up for school. I'm like, huh? I don't dress them up? It's just if you have cute clothes you must wear them all the time, not just for Sundays. You need to get your wear out of them, or if you wait to long for that special occasion they'll be too small.

Okay, here is to the cutest Frosty friend ever.

And one more thing before I forget, for those of you with handsome lads, you must run over here and buy these boots. They are on sale and have free shipping over 75.  I bought 3 pairs, I'm hooked up for next year! Yes, that means they are only 25 bucks. Hurry up.

 

When I get home for work there has been so many boxes on my porch. I flip out till I see none are for me. Well, that is unless they are in disguise? So I have decided, (girls at the office do not freak when you read this) I am going to send out some random acts of kindness. You just need to leave a comment with your name and ahh...let's say, hmm...favorite christmas gift,, nah, that could cause some fights.  How about your favorite hair band. Ya, David will like this one.

And hey, on the David note, if you can make these please fell free to send some our way. DAvid loves them and I suck at baking.  Our only hope, Becki, you know the gal in the pic with me on my website, says they are a pain to make. So I am guessing she's bailing on us.

So really, at was age does it stop being cute to have chubby thighs? Just curious, I may still be cute if you say 35. I am not quite there yet. Thanks Amelia for the pic.

Off to watch some more TV. And I can't remember who left the comment about the Dt Coke, something like "thanks for abandonining me with my 2 liter of Diet Coke..."" but that was hilarious. I keep thinking about it as I am on week 3 of water. BORING WATER.  But I am feeling fine and it's a good thing. Just wondering when my skin is going ot start to glow? Do you really think running makes your skin sag? If so, that would be a good excuse for me to give that up too. LMK

One last note, Molle just sent me a pic of her daughter, Maddie, over.  Maddie is  fantastic. We met her at an art fair and I am telling you I have never met a sweeter, confident, outgoing gal as her. She is  lovely, and  beautiful.  When I got this pic, I was so excited. I never get picks of older gals in MJC. It is a tough group that i still can't get put my finger onthe pulse of. We are trying. Oh, trying, ya, that's why I watch MTV. ya. that is it.

This is going to get long.  I was just trying to change my banner, that is a job for tomorrow night but I came across these great pics. Forget it, I need to get the credits straightened out and I have lost my posting patience.

I have spent the last 2 hours just googling for Xmas gifts and haven't spent a dime. YIKES.   I have found lots of great shoes for the Beast.  Like he really needs shoes and like I have any money to spare on shoes.  My fabric bill is out of this world.  We won't even talk about that.

So thanks to all for supporting the cause and helping me get rid of a ton of "end of the season stuff". We still have a bit left and I have been getting quite a few emails, I'm trying to respond promptly but we are admist a workshop over haul. Yes, that little 5-600 sq feet workshop needs to fit 3 desk for next season plus inventory galore.  It'll be a tight squeeze. We all love eachother SOO much that'll it'll be fine.  Though, I guess I should take showers more often!! Maybe  I will get some time for Xmas.

I just came across this pic, ( thank you Shannon) And OMG she looks just liek me when I was younger. It almost freaks me out.

Joe and I had a great trip to Omaha.  Our plane was delayed a couple* times on the way there.  As soon as we landed David called and said Pat was playing, and OMG we had to run so fast to get to the game buy the 2nd period.  SO fast that I bribed Joe with a camera.  It was a great game, as well as the game on Saturday. We left Sunday morning only to return home Monday afternoon after many more** delays!! The worst part was Joe loves to buy food for the hockey players and I was too tired to wait and give it to them.  So we had to bring it all home on the plane.  I looked like a complete idiot with  4 grocery bags of cereal,  macroni and cheese, and what not hauling threw the aiport.

Okay, back to googling. Sorry for the lack of communication lately.  You know, no excuse jsut the normal business. Hopefully, we can get the workshop in order. I need to post some pics without emberassing myself.  I'll stage a few great desk shot and impress you all!!!

Just to share, here's my old and latest addictions freepeople.com, garnetthill.com, flora and henri, the curiousity shoppe and so on, and please if you have a little chick buy these. I love them and Gabe, well, he probably would not. Check out darly bird

Closin' the Season

My only problem is I cannot stop looking at the darn Patagonia website.  I'm like addicted to it. It's like the Anthropologie addiction, only different. They have the best jackets for the entire family and they have great web specials. What amazes me the most, is I looked in a couple of jackets of mine and they are made in the US, well 3 of the 5 of them are. Most impressive, eh?

Okay, so the season has come to a close. Ahh...what a wonderful feeling.  And for you we have some great close out items that seem to be hanging around the shelves. They need to get out of here so I can bring Spring in. 

Here's a few pics and the list link is below. Be sure to call your local trunk keeper right away. On Sunday, the 9th, at midnight it'll all be gone.  In other words, you need to place your order before Sunday night.  The sizes are very limited and are noted on the attch'd list below

Snappy Snap Top, 12 and 18m $25.00, Charcoal Big Ruffles, 18m $25.00

Pink Thermal baby Doll Top, 8,10, 12 $20

Sasha halter Dress 2,4,6,8,10,12, $35.00

Plain Jane 2,4,6 $30

Sorry Shannon, this is the only pic I had, I deleted the real one!!

Flora Knot dress 12,18,2,6 $35, Tulla Peasant Top 2,6 $25, Polly Pocket, 12,18,6, $25

Lacey Skirt 2, $35, Flutter tank, 2, $15, Sasha Halter Dress 2,4,6,8,10,12 $35

Elaina Tunic Top, 12, $25 Circle Leggings 8,10,12 $15

Thanks Leah!!  Holy cow, I just looked at her blog blog. She makes my clothing look amazing! Love her.  Ruby cardigan, 2,4,6 $40

  Scrappy Snap Top 6, $25

Thanks Tiffany for the pic.  If you look at her blog, I have never seen 3 prettier girls than her last post. The photo's are fabulous, each one is so beautiful, yet a complete individual.

Okay, the list goes on, check it out, Download fall_close_outs.xls 

If you have questions, give your trunk keeper a call. She will be the best gal to help you. You can call the office, 260.745.1607 if you do not live near a TK nor work with one, but your best bet is to contact your TK first. Okay, off to get Joe some snow pants before he cries any longer. He  is so me. It is 10 pm and I guess Walmart here I come. David just went to heat up the truck. Love him.