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How to Turn Mommy Envy into Mommy Motivation

10/31/2013

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Mommy Marvel

Truth be told, I feel a teensy-eensy-weeeeensy bit of mommy envy.  And, it all started before I even became a mommy.

Type-B readers, close your eyes:  I'm a lover of all things scheduled, predictable, timely, nonspontaneous, and, well, grammatically correct.  I call this safe; my husband calls it boring. But, I absolutely thrive on the prudent path.  I am your typical "good girl."  I've never even tried smoking a cigarette.  Not.  Even. Once.

Growing up in such an over-achieving family didn't help.  It made me an over over-achiever.  No big deal for my family was straight-A's and varsity (all 4 years, mind you) -- it was our normal.  So to stand out, and feel like I could make my parents proud, I had to go above and beyond the normal -- and that's why I became obsessed with getting things -- anything really -- done first and best.  My normal was always being on top, in front, or stepping on somebody else.  

But then I met Amy -- a modern day Mommy Marvel.  Amy stopped me dead in my tracts.  She was me, but better.  

I first met Amy when I switched (upgraded) dental offices in 2011. I went from working in the slums of an HMO office, to a beautiful dental spa in Saratoga.  The DDS scheduled a staff BBQ -- and that's when we first met.  A cute, sweet blonde girl with an outrageously perfect updo and complimentary (handmade) bow in her hair introduced herself to me, offering me her homemade crushed pretzel jello salad (the EXACT one my mother makes every year on Christmas night; the EXACT one I've never seen anywhere else).  I instantly was drawn to her.

Throughout the next year of working together, we bonded.  She was so much like me -- scheduled, predictable, timely, educated, but even more.  She is the modern day June Cleaver -- a master of all things domestic.  It's hard not to feel envious of someone who is able to do it all so gracefully and beautifully -- sewing, decorating, cooking, baking, cleaning, etc.  To sum it up, making a homemade chicken pot pie (including the dough from scratch), is frivolously "throwing something together" for dinner.  


At the tail end of 2011, I learned that I was pregnant with Livia, and three months later, Amy learned she was pregnant with her daughter, Elle.  We were able to go through our first pregnancies together -- bonding over weight gain, nursery schemes, and leaving the 'dental spa' for a more mommy-friendly environment. Unfortunately, Amy ended up moving a couple hours away after Elle was born, but we still keep in touch via Facebook, email, and we recently had a mini-reunion.  And, no surprise, I still am in awe of her being.  

Point being?  I think it's actually a good thing to have a 
teensy-eensy-weeeeensy bit of mommy envy.  I believe that envy is a motivating factor that can be positively turned into emulation. If we don't let it turn into a big, green monster, envy can make us better women.  I think it's made me a better mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend.  Her accomplishments in the domestic world have motivated me to manage and perform more in my own domestic sphere.  Since knowing Amy, I've learned how to sew, craft out of fabric scraps, use baking flour (I never stored flour at my house until she gave me some for a wedding gift -- she couldn't believe that I never made dough from scratch!!), and I've created this blog!   Maybe I can be a Mommy Marvel, too.

For more about Amy, visit her blog here, or check out her facebook page.  Maybe she'll inspire you, too!
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(From Left to Right: Mandy, Amy & Me) Special Note: Notice Amy's updo and bow!
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(From Left to Right: Dr. Pagonis, Mandy, Amy, & Me at Amy's GoodBye Lunch) Again: Notice Amy's updo and bow!
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The Victim, The Vinyl, & The Machine

10/29/2013

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Getting closer...

Normally I am a do-it-to-it kinda girl.  I was that annoying girl that finished her 12-page paper the weekend after it was assigned, and then offered to help others write theirs (or completely write theirs for McDonalds gift certificates -- seriously, I used to be hooked!).  But with this sewing project, I feel like my heels are dragging in the mud.  It's because I'm so nervous! Remember your first sewing project?  Ahhh!  I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders!  But, I did accomplish configuring the measurements, buying the vinyl and other needs, and taking some (albeit not the best) pictures to show. 
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So my daughter's wooden table is the victim for my project (purchased ON CLEARANCE at Walmart -- $20 off original price just because of a dented box!!  Ha!!).  Anyway, the tabletop is 20.5" x 21.25" x 1".  Oh, and I decided not to do the seat cushions at this point since I feel so overwhelmed by the tablecloth alone.
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After Pre-Preschool this morning (it was costume day, and yes, I did crochet the Pebbles costume and make the Halloween bow for her -- I actually made a whole WIG for her too, but she won't keep it on!!), we went to our local fabric store to chose the vinyl for the tablecloth.  They didn't have the widest selection, so I bought the cutest one -- a bright blue backdrop with strawberries and leaves patterned on top.  I allowed for an inch on all sides for the seam.  I also bought 1/4" elastic (it's going to be a fitted tablecloth), matching thread, and safety pins.  With my coupon, it cost around $10 for everything.
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And lastly, I opened the box to my new sewing machine!  It's a basic model (perfect for me since I'm a beginner).  I read the manual (like 5x) and watched the DVD to help me learn how to work everything.  It's pretty straightforward and uncomplicated. But as a note, make sure you follow the directions carefully, as I almost had a heart attack because I thought my machine didn't have this threading component.  I actually started panicking and felt the tears well up (for like a second) because I thought I was going to have to go all the way back to Walmart to make an exchange!  But, alas, it was my own error.  Machine is good to go!

Keep tuned...this project will be done by the weekend!
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Fabric Run Tomorrow

10/28/2013

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Ok, so Tuesdays are Pre-Preschool days.  Yes, you read that correctly PRE-Preschool.  Yes, it may sound ridiculous, but it's ridiculously amazing!  What do we do you may ask yourself?  The moms all hang out and watch the kids attend preschool.  It's preschool without the drop-off aspect...yet.

But tomorrow, after pre-preschool and nap, Livia and I are going to the fabric store to purchase fabric for my first blog project. This will be the FIRST time that I have ever purchased fabric. Can you believe it?!?!  

I'll have pictures of the small wooden table and stools, pictures of my material, and a picture of my brand new sewing machine!  My husband bought it for me this past weekend at Walmart.  And, I can't wait to bust it open!

Stay tuned...
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    The Creator

    Hi!  My name is Nicole, and I'm a full-time wife and mother, and a part-time dental hygienist and crafter. Creativity runs in my blood, and after 30 (plus) years, I am finally devoting the time to realize my own artistic talent (and having so much fun in the process!).  Want to know more?  Click here!


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