chic.and.spicy

I can't stop eating Easter candy

2010-04-07T17:35:00.001-05:00

Last week Maverick attended his first Easter Egg Hunt.

{eeeek.so cute}

Definitely one of those parent moments where he's just old enough to participate, but not quite old enough to understand....but....we're going to take pictures and try our hardest to show you what to do anyways.

Mr. Holdsworth was able to take a break from work to join us which made the moment so much sweeter.

Our world would be so pointless without daddies.

Most of the time he was just content to have an egg in each hand.

He checked out a few others baskets to make sure he was getting the good stuff.

He quickly figured out inside the eggs were treats.

We got our picture with the real Easter bunny. The dressed up Easter bunny was creepy. His eye was falling off.

Hey look my husband took a decent picture of me and no one is looking at the camera. I know, my mother does not look old enough to be a grandma.

(take note ladies: wear sunscreen on your face everyday)

Mav got some fantastic Easter goodies from Mimi and G. From a magnetic fishing pole to clothes

(mav LOVES when he get clothes {wink})

We went and saw Gamonie (a red-headed cowboy in her past life) in her new home. At one point told me I was almost as big as my mom and I was growing up so much (I've got 20lbs on my mom and I stopped growing when I was a freshman in highschool). We let it slide 'cause she came back to reality. It's still too soon to tease her.

More proof Mr. Holdsworth takes terrible pictures, but it's one of my birthday wishes from my sister.

A sewing box so I'm not the parent who rushes their child to the E.R. because he swallowed a needle.

Sweet Heather came down to visit The Wasemiller's and us three ladies and our two boys braved the Zoo during spring break. It was tons of fun, but it.was.crazy. Amanda ran over a little girl's foot with the stroller (accidently...the girl should lean how to walk...) and her very old indian looking grandma (maybe great grandma?) sneered at Amanda and spat "Watch it". That's the kind of lady you want on your side when people start throwing punches. There are only Chuck-E-Cheese pictures because all of us losers didn't have our cameras at the Zoo.

I haven't been able to work on any crafts and I can tell it makes me grumpy when I don't. It really has become a stress reliever for me. Adam and I have decided to go nuts and buy a house before April 30. It was my dad's idea (which means my smart financial business dad has given us his blessing so it must be a smart decision) and now I fill my extra time with house hunting and paperwork. Apparently buying a house is like doing a dance. If you've bought a house then you are probably aware of how stressful it is. I feel like the little girl on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (not the creepy new one). "I want a house and I want it now." I just don't get the act of wooing someone with offers when I feel they should be grateful to even have offers in this housing market. Right? I told Mr. Holdsworth that if I sent them a pretty basket of homemade goodies and they met me, they would probably like us so much they wouldn't have to entertain other offers. We are praying and sitting on our hands while waiting for FEMA evaluations, counter offers, and all sorts of other messes.

So I will live vicariously through all my crafty blog friends for now. Say prayers, cross fingers, chant (whatever works) that we are blessed with the house we REALLY want (I'm not even going to put pictures of it up because it just might be bad luck).

P.S. My tattoo is healed and I grant you some horrible pictures I took of it. It is an odd angle to take by yourself. I love it though and can't wait to add more to it someday.

I also want to thank Jesus for dying on the cross for me and keeping His promise of resurrection. I try to remember what you did all year, but for this special time I'm grateful to celebrate with everyone who remembers.

Sappy

2010-03-24T13:18:00.004-05:00

A mix of emotions this week.

My grandpa passed away this week. He's had alzhemiers for a long time and he was never Mr. Rogers (who I imagine was a fantastic grandpa), but he was my dad's daddy and it is our first grandparent to lose. He loved us a lot and took us on so many adventures when we were kiddies. I'll probably be dedicating an entire post to him next week. So, we are sappy. Sad he is gone, happy he is no longer suffering.

In other news, my birthday is tomorrow. I am now tumbling on the downhill to 30. Twenty-six. It feels good saying it outloud even though Mr. Holdsworth teases me that for a couple months I get to be a cougar and he a young lad. I hear 30's are the new 20's. Lets hope so.

A few birthday wishes (and promises).

I need one of these so I don't endanger my child with loose needles.

I really wish I had more of these, but I REALLY wish it looked like this after I got it.

Adam has never been to The Melting Pot, so that is where we will be. We are so excited for CHEESE.

Yes, I would like some bread with my cheese.

Afterwards I'll be adding to the bird tattoo on my wrist I got in 2005 and it will be something similar to this (but bigger). I'll be designing it myself, so stay tuned to see what it will look like after.

I'm hoping to get some more of this, so my aging face will glow again.

(all these images found here.)

Here's a peek of something I'm working on right now. Maybe I'll finish it before my 27th birthday.

Next time I post, I'll be older (maybe wiser).

I must go now, my child is knocking on the door because he's locked himself in again and I think I smell a poo trail.

Happy Birthday to ME!

A Place to Pin My Fancy Notions

2010-03-20T14:25:00.004-05:00

Indie Biz Creative Board Project

Not only was this a ton of fun and a good exercise for my rusty artistic wheels, but I got to use the $20 tubes of acrylic I bought in college.

PS. My friend Eleise is having a 50 followers give away. Check out her gorgeous blog and there you will find 4 different ways to enter to win. She is giving away some pretty fantastic dillybobs!

Go here to enter and take a look around at her super crafty talents!

First Glimpse of Lazy Summer Days

2010-03-16T13:11:00.002-05:00

Mr. Holdsworth and I made an executive decision on Sunday. No church or work. We haven't been able to lounge around the house together while the sun is still out in a looooong time. Mav took a long nap in the morning which was an extra bonus.

It was a sunny, warm happy day until we noticed our new family was dying off pretty fast. It seemed like everytime we went to check on the tank another fish had died. We've lost close to ten and most of them have been the more expensive favorites we splurged on. Isn't that something. The first to go was my clown loach and I will be upset about that till I get a new one. We still aren't sure what the problem is, we can only assume that maybe the hard lake water is to blame. (we didn't use the actual lake water).

A few survivors.

We did get to spend some time down by the water. My dad and Adam ended up fixing everyone's dock on the shore. It made for a funny show when Adam slipped and fell into the still very cold water.

do to the drought we had to take the truck down to the water. Maverick was amused by seeing daddy in the back of the truck bouncing around.

We ended the day with a walk around the neighborhood

Adam insists on straining my nerves. I will have an early heart attack.

(yes, my child was in the wagon all the way down the hill)

Mav discovered he could put food in his hair. Since mom found it hilarious, he kept doing it. The spinach stuck pretty well, but the beef, not so much.

By the end of the night at least half our fish had died and we're still counting.

Here Fishy Fishy

2010-03-13T22:03:00.001-06:00

It's Saturday and my poor husband is working again.

All is well though because as soon as he is home we are off to find scaly friends to put in the fish tank. When our house caught on fire last year the only deaths were those of our beloved fish. To be correct one oscar did commit suicide a few weeks before. He literally jumped out of the tank, lid closed and all, and landed a good six feet from the tank. If you don't know what an oscar is, they are like piranha's without the little chompers. Ours looked a bit like this

They are always hungry.

Our main reason for acquiring a new responsibility is of course our child. Mav loves fish. I couldn't get him to show off much at the doctors the other day because the wallpaper had fish all over it. His love of fish must be genetic or grandpa has been whispering it to him from the beginning.

Fish tank as is....

so sad and lonely

Why is it men can make messy bed head look so darn cute...

Mav had his 15 month healthy baby check up this week. He is now 31" long and 21 lbs. He's still such a little guy. We love Dr. Tamayo because she gushes over Mav everytime. Maybe she's just really good at her job, but I think Mav is one of her favorite patients. She did say in terms of using utensils, knowing so many body parts and recognizing animals, that he is already at an 18 mo. level. Lord, help me not to brag about my kid so much. He does bang his head on things when he gets angry. We should send her a card....

yep. he's was jolly right up until he was victim of a nurse. She didn't hold his leg down (gosh, what kind of toddler kicks when he gets a shot) so when she stuck him, he went crazy and the needle stayed in his leg. I had to watch it move around, hit her hand a few times and then she kept jabbing it further in till she could pump the vaccine in. I was not happy and Mav's feelings were pretty hurt. Jerk.

We ate homemade tortilla soup later that night with skillet fried poblano peppers, garlic and chedder cheese on top. It was totally worth sauteing the tomatoes and adding black beans.

Mav has learned to take off his diaper. I find it hilarious.

We have some heavy equipment outside working on the septic so Mav has had a difficult time taking a nap.

When I finally thought I heard the last of his murmuring and playing, I took a peak in and this is what I found.

When I got him up even his socks were soaked in pee. At least I planned on doing his laundry tomorrow.

I'm really loving this Indie Business course I'm taking. I feel like I'm in school, but without all the boring parts. I'm finally feeling inspired to create and all those hundreds of dollars worth of crafts I've bought over a 15 yr. period (yes, I saved almost all of it) are being put to use.

Stay tuned for craft blogs to come.

Just Throw in the Towel Already

2010-03-12T16:23:00.000-06:00

Even as I type this now I wince in fear of a virtual hand lashing out of the computer to slap me in the face. Just for kicks. The last couple of days I've stuggled with a blog post and the archaic formatting that blogger offers us. I kept going to bed and saying "I'll give it another shot tomorrow when I don't feel the desire to punch things." This morning, for whatever reason when I went to edit my post, almost all of it is gone. In defeat, I will briefly share what I tried to this past week. Probably with much less jazz and enthusiasm.

Good times at Fiesta Farms. Mav knew almost all the animals and was only freaked out by a few. Like the turkey. I was afraid of the turkey. Unfortunately I brought along a dying camera and missed shots of Mav hugging the baby goat and letting it nibble on his lips.

I caught Mr. Holdsworth's other side on camera.

Double duty vacuuming.

More reasons I love Mr. Holdsworth

He cooks and cleans.

The consequences of my urge to sew.

Poor guy barely made it at Hobby Lobby, but he still turned on the charm to the girl who cuts fabric.

Funny thing I cannot change for the life of me. When I read the word sew in my head, I always pronounce it as if it rhymes with pew.

and for randomness sake...

This fellow (or lady) landed right in front of the kitchen window at my parents. The couple have a nest on the property and have been hanging around for a few years. They are naughty. They seem to have a couple chicks every year (can you imagine?) and this is the closest we've seen one.

The End.

Toots McGee

2010-02-19T16:20:00.011-06:00

The new year feels like a cool minty breeze that whispers promises of an even better year. A month or so ago, Adam and I had a long talk about who we wanted to be. More importantly, who I was being. I let myself get lazy and tired during the whirlwind that is Christmas. I promised him I would change and surprising myself more than anyone, I did. I changed the next day. I woke up and said I can be different, I can find my own energy, I can be supermom. It sounds very cheesy, like an encouraging article from Reader's Digest, but it actually happened. I guess you'd have to understand that the process of change in my mind doesn't happen overnight, it's always a long one day at a time ordeal. And while I have improved and learned more everyday, I realized that I made a choice to instantly improve the quality of my family. I would like to announce that I AM NOW AN ADULT.

Since then, which was also the night I got to wear these fab shoes...

I have been having quite the adventure in my own home.

Maverick's molars are coming in, which is truly a test of my patience. This has a snowball effect. With the molars comes a runny nose. After a bath one night I was kissing on Mav and few minutes later for whatever reason, I wiped my mouth. There was a booger on it. Instant gag. In addition to a grumpy wittle boy,the runny nose causes congestion which leads to coughing and makes us feel terrible. Baby coughing just sounds so sad if you've never heard it. The pain on his gums has left his meals hardly touched which results in a lot of gas and only one big poop a day. I don't think I can rightfully describe his gas. It's like a constant stream of hot air. While house sitting we all must inhabit the same room. Just as Adam predicted, when we snuck into the room last night to go to bed, it REEKED of fart. It doesn't even stop when he sleeps. Hence the nickname, Toots McGee.

but books before bed and Saturday mornings in bed with daddy is something we treasure.

Adam still puts up a small fight when I put my Bumble and Bumble's curl enhancing cream in Mav's hair and blow dry it. Personally, I think he looks like a charming lollipop kid.

Almost everyday we take my pint sized wrecking ball outside to do whatever his heart desires. It usually starts out with Mav making sure the golf ball pile is still intact. We then make our way to the "rocks" where he taste tests all the sticks, rocks and shells till his mouth is content (or I grab something which is just too icky to savour). We climb boulders and call the deer (Mav clicks his tongue) who wisely stay a good distance away. Our dog Jaxen makes sure the deer don't get too close to Mav. We even got to see someone toying around in a helicopter. He buzzed right over our heads while we were perched on the shore practicing our rock throwing and splash making. I usually save the swing for last because luckily for me, it makes Mav sleepy and nap time breezy.

All these changes I've made to my routine have given me a lot more extra time. Which I find funny because I'm doing so much more around the house, yet I have more time.... I've got two softies going, both are almost finished. This is my hobby and something I hope will be more one day. I find myself smiling often because my husband loves so much that I am doing these. I think because he wants me to have something that is my own. He is so supportive and enthusiastic. I always hear "babe, one day people are going to be jealous of your softies. They'll say that Cassidy is so shabby chic and artsy. You just have to start somewhere".

one of my unfinished projects

This morning my sister shuffled in (we're house sitting) around 10:30am which was expected. She offensively stank of alcohol and aged cigs. I guess she got sleep because she started to fix herself breakfast and I put my anger aside so we could just talk peacefully. There was a moment where she was searching for advice and I had a window to say something pointed and wise. I tried to think of a quote that somehow said "you can't ride both sides of the fence" or "pursuing instant pleasure and happiness doesn't promise joy or peace", but I couldn't think of anything and the moment passed. I was sad because I have been there, but I never gave up fighting for myself. I hope Shayla still has one foot in the door. My life right now is a picture of answered prayers and I want hers to depict that one day too.

So, now that the laundry is never backed up, the floors are always clean and the counters never have crusted food on them, the sound wisdom from my dad rings in my head.

"With responsibility comes freedom"

So true, so true.

Nanny has a Heart as Big as Texas

2010-01-09T12:19:00.009-06:00

My nanny is a character.

As many other things, the way I see her has changed over the years. As I've grown more wise and kind, my perspective has too.

When I was little, she made AMAZING french toast. But she was the definition of a cat lady. So, as I would enjoy her thoughtfully prepared french toast, I also remember being afraid cat hair was going to fly and stick to the syrup pool on top. It was everywhere. And my Uncle Mike has always lived with her. As a child, he simply terrified me. He's schizophrenic. He would just carry on mumbling angrily about her apartment. In my tweens, she sweetly embarrassed me by planting stained kisses on my cheek and endlessly professing how much she loved us and how beautiful I was becoming. There are certain topics you don't bring up around her either, or you'll be pulled into a long conversation that sounds much like a rant. Politics, history, or football. And don't think for a second she's crazy, because she knows what she's talking about. She can tell you details about football games played decades ago. And the biography of the coaches. After high school I became irritated with her because I could see the stress it caused my mom to take care of her. It would make me angry when I had to watch my parents being torn between giving in to her unhealthy habits or taking a stand to do what was best for them. Kinda like the toddler years of a child.

Motherhood and marriage has really opened my eyes. I see my nanny in her true light now. My parents spent the last few years taking a lot of time building up my Uncle Mike's self-esteem, teaching them healthy eating habits and remodeling their psychological health. Real quick, let's give around of applause for everyone here. Together they have lost a total of 335 lbs with the help of my parents who persistently cheered them on to workout and managed their groceries. My mom has opened up to me about how she purposefully changed her view of her mother a few years back. Instead of a burden, she chose to see it as an opportunity to get to know her mom as a person, learn to laugh with her and be her friend. The other day Nanny told her she was her best buddy. You can actually have a conversation with Uncle Mike now. He laughs, does a lot of the household chores, works out to Sweat'n to the Oldies (with Richard Simmons) four times a week and occasionally makes a joke.

It's amazing how you can choose to think differently about something. One of the best things my husband has taught me is how to see the humor in life. Rather than being seriously embarrassed or irritated when my nanny is screeching at the UT game or trying to sneak food out for a kitty (there has to be a limit on how many cats a person can take care of), I laugh because she has enthusiasm and she always means well. My mom taught me to appreciate the more endearing qualities. When she gushes over Maverick or tells me 47 times how proud she is of me, I don't feel annoyed anymore. I'm just so grateful that my nanny loves me so much and loves my child and husband just the same. I'm grateful that she tells my parents thank you more than she needs to instead of less than she should. Nanny has unknowingly helped me to look beyond the zealous rants and see a heart that loves God and tries so hard to live a life that pleases Him. She is lovely, goofy lady.

And she LOVES Texas.

who doesn't love food

2010-01-07T00:07:00.004-06:00

I love food.

Sweets are my biggest weakness.

After giving up addictions and then having a baby, I came to love food more than I had before.

Trust me, Adam will tell me (now) how surprised he was sometimes by the plates I would make for myself when I was pregnant. I probably sounded like an ogre when I would say "I'm gonna ENJOY my pregnancy".

I did.

So mom, you were right (again). I regret it.

I have started weightwatchers and I find myself, once again, in a meeting where I must face demons head on. Now, I don't have a problem with unhealthy foods. I was taught to eat healthy and I do. I eat too much healthy food (and candy). The point is, weightwatchers has made me move out of my cooking comfort zone to explore new recipes instead of the simple one meat, two veggie plate.

This week I made beef stuffed poblano with an apple pico and homemade baked corn chips. Adam gushed over it and so did I. It was good.

It probably tasted better 'cause I cleaned and tugged him around at the same time.

Adam would eat fried food that was all the same color everyday if he could, but I think he really appreciates the work, time, and effort I've been putting into our dinners. He never forgets to tell me how much he loves my cooking. I must admit, I don't disappoint.

So, with all this effort I have lost about 15 lbs and I have another 16 lbs to go to get to my goal weight.

I just have to start working out now.

Oh Christmas

2009-12-30T16:47:00.012-06:00

We already miss Christmas.

(other than my family) My favorite thing about Christmas is popping in an Amy Grant christmas album.

Nobody does Christmas like Amy.

Adam's favorite thing is getting more time to cuddle up with Mav and me.
but right before Christmas this year....

Maverick had no routine whatsoever for about two weeks before Christmas. This was because of three things...

We were all over town and at Mimi's everyday.

Mav was sick from a bug and then milk.

We had no idea what to do.

Adam would ask me what I thought we should do when Mav was screaming or not eating and I just gave up with "I have no clue. I don't know what I am doing anymore". It started when Mav choked on a piece of apple. It was stuck in his throat and we had to go to the urgent care. He was so miserable and minutes after paying and a few before the doctor called us, he threw it up all over Mimi. A week later Mav got a stomach bug and gave it to 9 family members. It was at this time we were going to start the weaning, but it didn't matter because he was so sick. On the worst day of it all the poor baby fell and busted his gums. Adam freaked out from the amount of blood and I couldn't handle Mav's first bloodshed because I was already sick. So for the next two weeks we cried together almost everyday. Do you ever feel like you are just winging it?

But Christmas was right around the corner and we got a healthy Mav back just in time to make everything so special. The G-parents loaded us up with plenty of fantastic gifts and some very cool toys. Mav got the corduroy owl bean bag I had been eyeing at Target, a lawnmower, and an off road Radioflyer wagon.

The end result...

Hooray for dads who will squeeze into a wagon for a cute picture!

Adam and I saved our Christmas for later that night when we got home. We unpacked all of our gifts and put them away before we opened our gifts. I swear, it was Adam's idea. Adam has a note in his phone where he writes down things I mention all year long so he doesn't forget. So I got very thoughtful things like slippers he had bought months ago. A rolling pin. A canvas duffel ba

g. Sharpies. An outfit picked out by him from Old Navy. Nail Polish. A pore cleansing face mask. Sushi cookbook. These things are simple, but they mean so much. I have been begging for a rolling pin since I started baking a lot and whenever we travel I have to take three or four small bags. It drives me nuts. He really thinks about the things that I want and aren't necessary to survive, but would make my life easier.

So thank you sweet sweet husband. Just the thought that goes into each gift means everything.

We spent the night at my parents for New Year's Eve and ate way too much food with the Wasemillers and Kate. I discovered alcohol free champagne and made cranberry kir royale and had the last glass passed out (no joke) four seconds before "HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

(don't mind Adam's face. It's his 'thing')

Amanda and I had to wake our husbands up to get a New Year kiss

The next morning Grandpa Goody lovingly got up with Mav at 6:45am and let Adam and I sleep in. I experimented with something I had seen on tv for breakfast. It was SO tasty and I recieved lots of raves from the family. I just took a french loaf, cut off the top and dug a lot of the bread out. Brushed it with olive oil and toasted it for about 10 min. I mixed about 20 eggs, buttermilk, italian cheeses, tomatoes, poblano,spices and the top of the loaf (cubed) and poured it in the bread boat. Baked it for about 45 mins. And topped it with cheese, so it had a nice crispy cheese top. Wonderful. God gave us some great weather on New Year's Day so we spent a couple hours outside. Dad pulled Mav around in the wagon on his bike. Yes, it was a sight to see.

the flag completes the whole arrangement

We feel so grateful to start another year together. So many memories were created this year. We had the house fire right after new year's last year. Then we were robbed. We moved out to the lake house, which turned out to be a blessing for us financially. Adam and I have definitely faced struggles this year. I'd say discipline in all aspects of life has been our biggest teacher in this first year or so of marraige. I'm just glad, that after whatever challenge we face, we look back joyfully. . . and then ahead joyfully 'cause it's over.

Here's to a joyful 2010.

Cas

Crossing the Blog Threshold

2009-12-11T22:53:00.001-06:00

My first blog post will be about trying to blog. Apparently I can find tips about blogging, what the top blogs are, FREE layouts(I love free) and digital scrap booking. I'm not old, but sometimes I feel that way when I realize how behind I am. It is 10:45 pm and it feels like 3am. I don't even have an ipod yet. I don't even want one. I just thought I'd start a page for those who care to keep up with my family and I. Plus I thought it would be fun to add something else to my busy life. Keep an eye out for more to come as I catch everyone up on the Holdsworth's first year with a baby.