Blogging, Family, etc

So, I watched Julie and Julia last week and right after watching it, I wanted to jump on and blog about something, but of course couldn't really think of what I could blog about. By the way, that is a really great movie! Well the day before Christmas Eve, I had a thought about what I wanted to share, but of course not only did I think of it late at night when I was trying to go to sleep but of course it was close to Christmas, so with the blizzard and all the family Christmas stuff going on I didn't get to it until now. Anyway, I also found it amazing to see how much blogging could do. It wasn't that long ago that you had to have an epic novel to get anything out there to the world. Sure you could have something in a local paper or small magazine, but nothing like blogging. Anyone can do it about anything! I have no intention of becoming big like Julie did on Julie and Julia, but the fact that you can is incredible!
Well, ultimately, my thought for this blog was about family. I was thinking about the upcoming holiday and family in general. Family is an interesting thing, I know I've posted a lot about relationships and mentioned family, but I feel like I'm going through some kind of phase where I'm contemplating things more and more. I heard somewhere recently something to the effect that friends are the family you choose. I believe that is true! I also think you choose the relationship you have with your family. In some aspects I think you are stuck with your family, but that is not a bad thing! They are your family after all! Of course everyone has those family members you wish you weren't related to, and there are those you want to tell everyone that you're related to. :) Then of course you have those people who aren't blood related to but are part of your family. Needless to say for a long time I was one of those people in the family I'm sure those that lived with me wished they did not have to claim me as family (and that still may be true) but over time I have learned that if you have to live with someone or share family functions with and you have to decide if you're going to just "put up" with them or actually make the effort to have a decent realtionship with them. I think a lot of people think they are just stuck with their family and grin and bear it if they don't like them and have to be around them but with people who have that option to be your friend or as close as family and can walk away without ever having to worry about seeing them again make the effort if they want to have a good relationship with them; shouldn't that be true with family, you aren't just stuck with family. Frankly you could decide to "abandon" your family and spend holidays and such alone. Growing up with a pretty good sized family I had to learn to deal with everyone and once I realized that my family wanted to make the effort to get to know me and love me and be around me despite the way I was especially through puberty, made me want to do the same for them. If anything family teaches you how to love unconditionally. They at least teach you love! I of course would love to have a wonderful relationship with everyone in my family and call all my friends family but with some people they don't have the same decision and that's fine, because it is their choice. Maybe it's part of being a Christian that I have that love for all those in my life.
So, for those in my "family" reading this and are dying to know my progress with my sewing, it's been kind of slow but I did manage to get some great stuff made for my nieces for Christmas and am working on reusable shopping bags. I have found several shopping bag things online and am totally inspired to make them and whip them out as much as I can. I have also seen reusable sandwich and snack bags and am wanting to make some of those too. I worked on some of my bibs I had sitting aside for an inventory I'm trying to build. Although, come January I may be pretty busy making baby stuff for my friends Terri and Katie; they both find out what they are having in January! I'm very excited! I am a point in my sewing that I'm actually getting a little frustrated because I have a few things I really want to sit down and whip out, but time is not my friend lately! Every time I sit down to sew, if it's when Madison is awake she is at my side every minute wanting in my lap or something and half the time even if Jason comes in to help she screams at him and gets upset; and if I sew while she's sleeping it's already 10pm and I don't want to be up all night. I've gotten a few things when she goes to bed and if I can while she naps. It just depends on the day. Maybe I'll make a set time that I can work on it and Jason can make plans and if we get Madison used to that she'll cooperate a lot easier. Especially if I have stuff I'm going to have to have done by a set time! I'm also dying to expand my skills to knitting, I don't know what the fascination is, but I really want to learn! I would love to make our own knitted hats and scarves, etc! Plus, I don't have to sit in my little corner, I can take it anywhere! I also was looking at a blog online last night about a review for a serger and I am definitely going to be looking into getting one of those, they aren't cheap but my cousin has already told me about them and how great it is to have one so when I can save up some money I'll have to get me one. It's a lot like a sewing machine but faster and with more options! It would definitely help with my intentions of starting a website of selling my creations! I also am thinking about setting a goal for maybe having a booth at the Deluxe Indie Craft for or something alike. I'd contemplated it occasionally but when my friend Laci said I could probably do it, I thought, well maybe I can, if someone else besides me thinks I could do it, maybe I can! :) I know there's a lot of work preparing for it, so I'd have to plan for that. I'm still thinking it over and haven't even talked to Jason yet, so we'll see.
Also for those who haven't really seen Madison in a while she is talking up a storm as long as she's not around new people. :) Like over Christmas she took a while to warm up until she was familiar enough with the kids then she was fine. The only thing that is getting hard is she is really attached to mommy which makes it hard if I want to do anything. We're working on it. :)
Okay, that's all I had for now and hopefully I will get pictures on here soon. I've slacked a little on taking pictures of my projects, hopefully I'll get one of my nieces Christmas presents since I forgot to. I will definitely get pictures of my shopping bags! Take care and hope everyone had a great Christmas and has a Happy New Year!