A Sore Leg, and other News

Again, I have not posted as often as I would have liked. One of the main reasons is that my camera battery has been dead and I couldn't find the charger. I think my posts are so much more interesting with pictures, hence the long time between posts. Well I finally found the charger! So here is an update on the what has been going on in the Witko household:
   
    First off Bandit had her comprehensive exam about 2 weeks ago. She has been favoring her back left leg when running, and thinking she's just a goofball, I really didn't think anything of it since she didn't limp while walking. We had the vet check it out anyway, and of course we find out she tore her ACL. Seriously. Thankfully everything isn't tore, but it needs to heal. That means 4 weeks of rest. Yeah, have you met my dog?! If not she's a bit wild. She's half boston terrier, half beagle. She doesn't really ever run on low. The vet said we could give her benadryl to calm her down a bit, which worked...for the 1st week. She has gotten used to it since. Her follow-up appt is tomorrow, so we shall see if the 'rest' thing is working at all.

Resting, but still needs to see what's going on!

  
 EW was chosen to be the Godfather of our nephew Benson. We went to his 1st Birthday Party/Baptism last weekend. It was alot of fun, and great to see EW in the role of Godfather.
It has been awesome to see how great he is with his niece and nephew. EW hasn't been around kids much, so I wasn't for sure how he would do around little ones. In the past year or so, he's really become hands-on, where as before he was a bit hesitant. We've already discussed that when we do get pregnant, we will be taking a parenting class to brush up on our skills, and I am confident that he will make an amazing Daddy. If some of you are wondering if we are expecting, or planning on it anytime soon, the answer is no. We are taking it all in, and not really making a decision at the moment. Basically we are putting it in God's hands. (Ha, I sound like a Duggar) But seriously, if the time is right God will give us a baby, we are just waiting for that time.

Benson with his parents (Rachel and Brian), Godmother (Kristen) and Godfather (EW)

  Last night we went to Amy and Tristan's wedding in Fox Lake, IL. I know Amy from EIU, and we were very excited to celebrate with them, especially on St. Patrick's Day! We didn't make it to the wedding, but were able to eat and dance at the reception. The bride and groom looked amazing, and it was great to see them. Not sure when we will be able to again, since they live in Arizona!

Bride and Groom cutting the cake

 Our Festive Green wedding attire!

    The rest of this month will fly by I'm sure, and so will next! I'm gearing up for my friend, Ashley's wedding the weekend of April 21st. As a bridesmaid, I have been trying to get everything ready: dress, shoes, figuring out hair, and where I need to be at what time. I'm leaving that Thursday night for her bachelorette party, then staying for the rehearsal dinner Friday night, and then wedding, Saturday. With just one vehicle now, it's been interesting figuring out which of us is going where, and how the other will get there, but I think we mostly have it together.

     We have been in Lent for a few weeks now, and I decided to give up french fries. I am in love with McDonald's fries, so I thought I would try to become healthier and give something up at the same time :) So far is has been going well. Even though I miss them, I know I can live without them.
  
    I am loving this weather, it has been lovely to open windows and get some fresh air, however, this means there are more noises from the outdoors, which makes Bandit go nuts. She barks and barks over people walking by, or a distant dog barking. She has amazing hearing. I'm really thinking about getting a bark collar, not for shocking, but for the noise button. The high pitched noise is supposed to work. I really don't want to zap her, but the barking is getting to me. Any ideas from animal owners/lovers? I don't want her to stop barking altogether because she is an amazing watch dog, and I feel safer with her barking when someone is at the door, or at night when people are walking by our sliding door. I just can't stand the barking at EVERYTHING.

     I've already mentioned this, but I finally have pictures to share. We got EW a new chair a couple weeks ago, and I finally have a picture to show the before and after! Quite a difference, right?

 Old (above), New (Below)

Have a good week!

-Brina

Far Too Long.

To my Blog:
I apologize for the neglect I have given you. So many things have happened in the past month, and I have written nothing. Not only have I not written, but I haven't taken pictures either. So I am going to try to catch up the best I can.

February has been full of great things!
--The 1st was my 3nd day of my new job! I now work for a park district, about 25 minutes from where we live. I am the afternoon/evening teacher in the 2/3 room. I love it! Everyday brings something new, and the children and staff there are amazing!

--The 5th EW and I hosted a Super Bowl party. It was alot of fun to see and hang out with friends. It was quite a game, and had all of us sitting on the edge of our seats (ok, not me, because I really couldn't care less, but everyone else was).

--The 11th EW took me to Shedd Aquarium for our Valentine's Day Celebration. We had a great time, but unfortunately had to stand outside in the FRIGID weather for over an hour. Next time well will get tickets ahead of time! I got to see the Jellies exhibit, which I have been wanting to see for almost a year. Of course I forgot my camera, so no pictures, but it was a ton of fun. After the Aquarium, we meet our friends Kevin and Vicky, and their friend Katie for dinner. It was great to see them all again!

--The 13th was the anniversary of Bandit being a Witkowski. I don't know what I would do without my booboo. I love her so much, and I can't imagine my life without her.

--The 14th EW and I had a lovely night in. EW made fried rice, and we ordered appetizers from a Chinese restaurant. I can't remember how many Valentine Day's we have celebrated together, but every one of then has been great.

--The 18th EW and I finally decided it was time to get a new chair. His chair, I bought 2nd hand, and it apparently wasn't supposed to stand the test of time. It has fallen apart. We took advantage of the President's Day sales, and got a chair and a half recliner. We will get it this Saturday, so I will post pictures then.

--The 25th (this past weekend) was my parent's 28th wedding anniversary. We went down to Watseka to celebrate with them. We left early Saturday morning and got to help them pick out a new vehicle. They decided on a 06 Town and Country Van. It is very nice and is loaded. It has leather seats, a dvd player, automatic doors, and my Mom's favorite: Bun Warmers! It is red, so you will definitely see her coming! For dinner we went to Monicals, where I can have Gluten Free pizza! We had a great time (as always) and coming back home to my big bed is nice but sad, because I miss my parents so much. It's really hard living so far away from them.

So much has happened in the last month, and March is almost booked already! It is going to be quite a Spring/Summer filled with weddings, birthday parties, family/friends, and lots of fun! I'm really excited about the future, and I hope to stay updated (for realz!)

-Brina

Assessment

    If you know me, you would know that I'm continually assessing things. If things are in the right place, done in the right manner. If I feel happy about something or sad. How different people, places, things make me feel/react. I am emotional, yet rational. I try my best to do things rationally, but in some cases, I throw caution to the wind, and do what my heart says.
    I have made many big decisions with my heart. Some haven't turned out as I planned, but I don't make the plans, God does. There have been several decisions floating around in my mind lately, some big, some small. Sidenote, I am also indecisive. ha. I want what is best for my family, yet I want what is best for me also. I will not choose my family over my happiness. I know I am one of those people that can't live without being happy. I have a feeling that's why I haven't had a 'steady' job for so long. I wanted to be a teacher. I could not/would not take a job that I knew I would hate just for the sake of making money. That may be selfish, but, so be it. I know that I need to be happy to live.
    This all is bringing me to the situation I am in. I'm having problems deciding what will make me happy. I don't know if teaching will make me happy. I don't know what other careers would make me happy either. I have been praying really hard about finding my place on this Earth. Growing up, I thought I would be this cutting edge zoologist, that traveled the world and found new species. Well, obviously that didn't happen... So where to go from here? I think I see my future as a stay-at-home mother, working on Bits of Brina during my 'down-time'. That's one thing that always makes me happy. Making/figuring out new items for Bits of Brina makes me very happy. Things are going well, I would love to make a few more sales before adding more items to the store, but I do have some interest in selling in-store, which is FABULOUS! I'm not sure that my picture of the future will come into fruition, but again, I don't make the plans, God does. I will give it all to him, and he will show me the way....until then, I shall assess my life, and hopefully happiness will be around the corner.

Picture of my newest Vase:

-Brina

I finally did it!

    As I mentioned in my last post, I finally started my own business. Right now I just have an Etsy site, but I really hope to expand. I have always thought of myself as crafty. On every school project that needed craft skills or imagination, I have always excelled. Of course I had some help from my parents, but I had the vision, and they helped me bring it to life. Now, I have the ability to do it myself, and I have to say joining Pinterest has help alot! It's a site that has lots of DIY projects, and I have become addicted. With the ton of free time I have (working only 6-9 hrs a week), I have been able to make several items that I was told I could possibly make money on. My cousin, Nathan, who has his own business really helped me out. He does screen printing, and has a blog that shows you how to do it yourself also. At some point in time, I would like to try glass etching, which he also does. It would be great to go into business with him. Here's his website: Nate Screenprints. You should check it out. He will screenprint whatever you want (that can be screenprinted, which is more than you would think!).
    So far, my Etsy shop consists of upcycled vases made from glass bottles, then wrapped in yarn. I have several colors and will also make-to-order. I  also started making felt flowers to put on the vases. A few days ago I thought I would sell dog toys that I make for Bandit, out of fleece. Dog toys are so expensive, so why not make my own?
    I am so excited that after only 1 day of opening my Etsy Shop, I had my first order! Obviously people are willing to believe in my vision also! I love taking everyday items and making them into something beautiful. I have so many more ideas, but when it's freezing outside, I can't get out there and spray paint the many items that I want to give new life. It truly is my passion! As soon as Spring hits, I will be out there everyday working my butt off.
So here it is! My Etsy Shop Bits of Brina.
    I would love for you to check it out! No, you don't have to buy anything, I won't be hurt. However, if you know of someone who might like something, let them know about be. If there is a color scheme that I don't have, that they would like, I will do my best to find that color. Honestly, I believe in everything I make, and I don't sell anything that I wouldn't pay for myself.
    OH! I almost forgot! When my Facebook Page for Bits of Brina Facebook Page gets 100 likes, I will be doing a Give-Away! When 100 people like my page, I will post it on FB, if you enter and win, you would get a FREE Large Vase (value $15)! Go there now and Like me!

    Here are a few pictures of what I have for sale:

Valentine's Day 12" Vase

9" Vase

12" Vase

Braided Dog Toy Ring

Stay warm in this crazy weather!

-Brina