Tobias:

I just want to take a second to say that I have the cutest nephew in the entire world! You don't believe me? Take a gander:


I haven't seen this smiley face since he was 6 weeks old... he is now 4 1/2 months! (Okay, when I last saw him he could barely even smile, which is all the more reason why I need to see my nephew again!) I really need to make it up to Minnesota soon...

Homeless:

So I have an identity issue I could use some help with. (Okay, I have more than one, but let's save those for another day, shall we?)

I don't exactly know where to call "home". I always get flustered and start stuttering and/or rambling when someone asks the seemingly simple question of "Where are you from?". Let me give you the run down of the towns that go through my mind and all try to spill out at the same time:

First up, Haverhill, Massachusetts. This is where I was born, but I only spent a total of two years living here, both of which I don't remember since I was, ya know, a baby.


Second, Derry, New Hampshire. Eight years here makes me feel that this might be a logical answer to my question... but I haven't been here since we moved away almost 13 years ago, so it's a far cry from feeling familiar.


Next up, Woodstock, Georgia. This was home from ages 12 to 18. Less time than I spent in Derry, but it was definitely some pivotal years... middle school, high school, learning to drive, sneaking out of the house, my first few boyfriends, yada yada yada. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of bad memories and I associate Woodstock with being where my parents live... which couldn't be further from feeling welcoming.


Then there is good old Athens, Georgia, my current town. I'm registered to vote here, I pay taxes here, and I have spent my entire adult life thus far in this town. But there is little emotional attachment to this place... and I've spent a lot of that time wishing I were somewhere else.


And my last consideration, Sandown, New Hampshire. This is the place where the only people that I consider to be family (save my sisters and Auntie Sue) live. It hasn't been until recent years that I have been able to be a part of this family again, but they have welcomed me with open arms and I even now share their name. "Home" should be where your family is, but I don't have any true memories of this place other than recent ones.


Yeah, it's kind of sticky and complicated territory. Not to mention that I some times generalize and say Boston or Atlanta is my "home". I am very curious, if you have moved around a lot too, where do you call "home"?

Will You Take a Rain Check?:

So after a mysterious ailment that left me feeling closer to death than I'd ever care to feel again for two solid days, I'm still scrambling to get my life back in order. I have a French midterm tomorrow morning, a lot to catch up on at work after being out for two days due to the aforementioned sickness, and my final draft for my senior thesis is quickly creeping up (along with all of the other day to day things that need not be mentioned).

Basically I'm asking for a couple of days to catch up on life before I pick back up on blogging... In return, I have some awesome things lined up, including some awesome pictures of some new Gocco projects I've finished and that wonderful card catalog (which is now safely in my possession! Woot!).

So bear with me while I regain control... I'll be back soon! (Maybe even by the middle of the week.)

(Photo from here.)

Handmade Is Best:

I met up with my Aunt and company in Helen yesterday. After an unintentional detour that caused my trip to take an extra hour, I pulled into the strange, strange little town. I had never been to Helen and didn't realize that they entire downtown area is all Alpine architecture and most of the stores hold German/Swiss/Finnish/Norwegian/Belgian/Danish goods. Interesting...


From here. This is a glimpse of what the whole town looks like if you've never been yourself...

I guess I should start by saying that I took the Handmade Pledge recently and since my relatives were doing some early Christmas shopping, I decided to follow suite. Well, actually it wasn't until I found some I-really-don't-need-this-but-I-can't-leave-without-buying-it-so-I'll-buy-it-
for-someone-else items that I joined in on the fun.

First, can I say that I'm an awesome girlfriend? Yeah, I am. When I saw some authentic German beer steins, I couldn't pass up getting one for my sweetie. (He's been fantasizing of lifting that cap and indulging in frothy beer goodness since I met him.) And they are hand-painted in Germany? Sold.

Next, I can across the coolest thing I've seen since the Gocco. Soy candles! Not only are these better for the environment, but the "wax" can also be used as lotion! I admit, I was skeptical because I figured that it would feel cakey and gross on the skin, but it was some good stuff! Wait, you and your husband make these all yourselves? I'll take two. Someone super special is going to get these babies come Christmas time!

Of course I didn't leave without getting a couple of things for myself... We tasted some great wine from the oldest vineyard in Georgia (I didn't even know Georgia had vineyards to be honest) and I felt the need to support the small farm. It didn't hurt that the wine was amazing. I drank a glass last night, yum! And I'm not going to lie and say that I didn't go home with a bag of homemade chocolate-y treats from the candy shop. I totally did.

Overall it was a great day. I got a few Christmas presents, the weather was surprisingly nice for mid-August in Georgia, I got to go to a place I had never been before, and most importantly, I got to spend some time with family. Perfection.

Auntie Kim:

Tomorrow I get to pick up Amanda and baby Tobias from the airport! Ah! I cannot wait to finally meet this handsome fella and see my sister as a mommy! It's still so strange to think of her as a mom, but this is probably because I have yet to see it with my own eyes... all of that will change tomorrow at approximately 3:00!

Just look at this cutie, how could I not be totally excited?!