Monday, August 31, 2020

Simple Summer Days

How is it already the end of August?  As much as this year has stunk, at least it's flying by.  Summer is winding down and I'm finding myself longing for crisp autumn mornings, beautiful changing leaves and pumpkin everything.  It's already been over a month since the last time I checked in on our day to day lives.  After Eliot's sisters left on their road trip back to Colorado, Eliot and I basically went back to our boring and quiet lifestyle for the most part.  There have been a few highlights though! 

Most importantly, my Mom had her surgery about 2.5 weeks ago and she's home and slowly recovering.  After a long summer of uncertainties and rescheduling things, she's finally done with all of the procedures she was supposed to have.  I've been doing a lot of traveling back and forth between our house and my parents' house, but it was all worth it to have her home safe.  I'm hoping that this is the end of the procedures and that she can take time to fully heal and recover this fall.


As for our businesses, Eliot and I have gotten a lot busier this past month.  Part of it is that I haven't been home much, but it's mostly because we've gotten re-motivated.  It's been really hard to get excited about mouse ears when the parks have closed and business has been down.  But orders have slowly picked up, and with that so has our desire to make new designs.  As you know, last month we were really busy working on our Christmas in July mouse ears.  That kind of kick started both Eliot and I to begin working on new mouse ear designs.

Since then, we've gone through all of our mouse ears.  We started with the incomplete samples that we're working on.  (We've got about 40 of them that are in various stages of completion!)  Some of them are completely new designs; while others are new variations of current designs.  Eliot and I have also spent some time on the weekends organizing our mouse ear samples.  Our current storage solution wasn't working, so we got some new storage containers and we separated them into categories.  Now, it'll be much easier to grab the ones we need for our trips and to take social media photos.


I've also taken some time to work on our Happily Ever Hatter Etsy shop.  I haven't spent too much time working on it the past few months while the parks have been closed.  But now that things are slowly picking back up, I felt like it was time to give Happily Ever Hatter a little love.  I've been working on organizing our existing listings in order to make room for new ideas we're working on behind the scenes.  I've also been taking photos of our new designs and adding those new items to our listings.

As for Snowblade Creations, that has been pretty steady.  Eliot and I have kept busy fulfilling desk accessory orders and working on samples behind the scenes.  However, we've been slacking a little bit.  We've got two desk sets and a few new accessories that need to be photographed, edited and listed.  Truthfully, they should have made their debut last month.  As long as Mother Nature cooperates, we're planning to get that done sometime this week so I can finally get them added to our collection!


I'm really excited about a few new products that we're working on behind the scenes for both businesses.  I ordered a few more supplies the other day for a new Happily Ever Hatter product that I've been dreaming of making for a while now.  Plus, Eliot's been working behind the scenes on a new product that we'll be debuting soon!  He's got a bunch of the samples completed and I'm so excited to add this new product to our collection!  We're going to launch a bunch of the designs for it all at once!


Eliot and I have also taken time to enjoy our summer.  After a few summers of barely getting any summer fun in, we've been sure to take some time for ourselves.  We've continued to go swimming in Eric and Heather's pool whenever we've had a chance and the weather has cooperated.  Eliot finished the Lego car he'd been working on since the end of July.  We've continued to check Hallmark movies off our list- including a few more Christmas movies that we recorded during the Christmas in July week.


The most exciting thing for Eliot and me is that as of August 1st, hockey is back!  The San Jose Sharks aren't in the playoffs this year, but that hasn't stopped us.  In fact, it's been nice to watch without being completely 100% invested.  The first week hockey was back, we literally watched nothing but hockey for a week straight.  There were so many games to determine playoff standings and who would make it into the playoffs because the regular season got cut short.  It's been a lot of fun and we're still very much interested in the playoffs.  We watched most of the 1st round games.  Now that we're into the second round and there are only 8 teams left, we're watching pretty much all of the games.  It's been fun to cheer on past Sharks players!  (Go Stars!!!)


We've actually had a little bit of a social life these past few weeks.  One Saturday night, we went over to the pool and Eric and Heather were already in it.  We spent about an hour and a half talking with them while floating around in the pool.  Eliot works with both of them, so I wasn't worried about them giving anything to us or us spreading germs to them.  For that hour and half, things actually felt normal.

On Sunday August 2nd, we had a BBQ Block Party with our neighborhood.  Eliot and I live on a small private road with only 4 houses.  Our new neighbors wanted to meet us, so we took our own food and had a social distanced gathering.  We gathered at the end of the dead end road and talked for a few hours while the kids played.  Towards the end, everyone went back to get their dogs and I got to love on the dogs.  Two of the dogs loved me and they were pushing each other out of the way to get next to me for back scratches.  I kept telling them that I had enough love for both of them.  (Eliot and I really need to get a dog... I absolutely love them.)


Finally, Eliot and I have gone out shopping a few times.  Going up to Portland to visit Joann Fabrics and Michael's has been a big highlight for me.  I love going to the craft stores; it's really therapeutic to me to browse and get inspired.  Plus, it's been fun to picnic in our car outside of Chipotle after picking up our to-go order.  It's been nice to get out of the house occasionally.  Other than that, it's been a lot of the same.  


Now that the seasons are starting to change, I suspect we'll start spending more time inside as it cools.  Eliot and I still need to get back to finishing Once Upon a Time after taking a break between seasons 6 & 7.  We've got a few more Hallmark movies to watch on the DVR.  Plus, once it's cooler, I'm planning to finish organizing our master bedroom, my vanity and my clothes.  I also want to get the master bathroom finished.  I suspect that things will be getting a lot busier with working around the house!  In the meantime, we're going to try to enjoy the last of our simple summer days.  °o°

Friday, August 21, 2020

Fun Find: Magical Quarantine Memes (Part 22)

Happy Friday!  Well, we've survived another week living through the COVID-19 pandemic.  It's hard to believe that it's been over 5 months... 22 weeks... 150 days since the world basically stopped.  To be totally honest, it's been wearing on me a lot this past month.  I'm still having a hard time seeing people act as if life is "normal" when it's anything but normal.  I've decided that after 22 posts, it's time for me to stop my weekly Magical Quarantine Memes.  I've enjoyed posting them... but I need to spend time on some other projects.  Plus, I'm running out of material anyways!  When I started this series, I never imagined that I'd still be posting these 22 weeks later...

However, I still wanted to go out with a bang.  I've rounded up a few of the videos that made me laugh during the bad moments these past few months.  I hope they make you laugh as much as they made me.  If you'd like to see more of my Magical Quarantine Memes series, you can find the rest of my weekly posts here: Part 1Part 2Part 3Part 4Part 5Part 6Part 7Part 8Part 9Part 10Part 11Part 12Part 13Part 14Part 15Part 16Part 17Part 18Part 19Part 20 and Part 21.  In the meantime, I hope you enjoy these funny videos.

I imagine that this is what a Princess Zoom call would be like: 

The Holderness Family videos have kept me laughing each day they post them.

Seriously, if you like to laugh, you need to follow them!

These videos of Disney characters in quarantine made me laugh so much.

Here's Part 2 of Disney characters in quarantine.

And one more time with Part 3 of Disney characters in quarantine.

I hope these videos made you smile.  I also hope you enjoyed my Magical Quarantine Memes series!  I have a few more memes saved, but I'm going to wait a bit before I post them.  I'm sure as the coming weeks and months pass, I'll come across more of them online.  In the meantime, take care and enjoy your weekend!!!  °o°

Friday, August 14, 2020

Fun Find: Magical Quarantine Memes (Part 21)

Yippee!  TGIF!!!  It's finally Friday.  This has been quite a week and I'm glad it's almost over.  I'm feeling so drained emotionally lately.  But, these silly memes keep my humor going.  This is the last normal Magical Quarantine Memes post that I have for now.  If you're in need of more, you can find the rest of my weekly meme posts here: Part 1Part 2Part 3Part 4Part 5Part 6Part 7Part 8Part 9Part 10Part 11Part 12Part 13Part 14Part 15Part 16Part 17Part 18Part 19 and Part 20.  For now, here's my last round of Magical Quarantine Memes: 

It's that time of year when we trade a swimming pool for back to school.

Not gonna lie... I'm ready to get my Halloween decorations and pumpkins out.  Bring on pumpkin spice everything!!!

My current status after spending most of this summer quarantined at home... 

Yep, most relatable meme for 2020... Apocalypse Bingo!

I'm so glad that I finally got a haircut... let's not discuss my need for a pedicure.

All the movies did not prepare me for this.  Definitely the most boring apocalypse ever.

I don't know what I'd wear to go out... I've lived in pajamas and yoga pants for so long.

Don't like Disney?  Then there's a 0% chance of transmission from me.

Poor pirates... they'll be digging up a lot of buried treasure.


I've got to stay away from the fridge and all the midnight snacky snacks.

This is what we'll all look like after all these quarantine and midnight snacky snacks.

It's a before quarantine snacky snacks and after quarantine snacky snacks time lapse.

I miss people and I'm ready to be able to get together with people again.

I'll be singing this someday... when things finally feel like they're normal again.

Of course, I had to end my magical memes post with another song.  I think this is my favorite of all of the memes I've seen so far.  And, it's still very pertinent five months months later... continue to clean and quarantine like Gaston!

I hope you enjoyed these magical memes.  I've got one more planned post and Part 22 will be coming next Friday!  (Be sure to come back and check it out... it's going to be a really good one!)  Take care of yourselves and enjoy your weekend!!!  °o°

Please Note: I did not make any of these memes and I don't claim ownership of the photos or the jokes.  Most of them I've seen uncredited on Facebook from other people who have shared them.  I just wanted to put them all in one spot so we might try to find some humor in a dark time when we could use a smile.

Monday, August 10, 2020

Magical Merchandise: Halloween, Hocus Pocus and Haunted Mansion

Happy Monday!  Earlier today, a lot more Halloween merchandise materialized over on the Shop Disney website.  It's only been two weeks since I first posted about the 2020 Halloween collection.  (And lot of the items I posted about from that post are already sold out!)  Merchandise is flying off the shelves.  This morning, it appears that they added the Halloween merchandise for the parks.  This was also the official release of a few items I've been waiting for!

Photo Source

Today's merchandise additions also include a Hocus Pocus collection and some new Haunted Mansion items!!!  Here are a few items from each collection:

Photo Source

Hocus Pocus Spirit Jersey- This was one of the items that I've been waiting on.  I knew I wanted to get it as soon as I saw it.  I love the green dip dye look!  After a rough check out process (like the Tiki Room Minnie merchandise), it finally decided to stay in my cart long enough for me to check out.  You won't find this searching on the website as it appears that it's already sold out in all sizes at this point.  But look at your local Disney Store!  I've heard that they're available there!!!

Photo Source

Hocus Pocus Loungefly- This was an unexpected addition.  They had a similar bag last year, but I didn't bother getting it.  However, I did purchase this Loungely tote bag to match my new Hocus Pocus Spirit Jersey... Salem here I come!

Photo Source

Haunted Mansion Maid Loungefly Backpack- This backpack what I've been waiting for since they announced it in May during the Disney Park Blog's Halfway to Halloween celebration.  I love the Haunted Mansion and this needed to be in my collection!

Haunted Mansion Spirit Jerseys- These sold out so fast.  There was a design for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland and they're completely gone.  That was fast!

Haunted Mansion Crocs- These have been a huge hit at Walt Disney World the past few days.  I've heard that they're sold out on WDW property so grab them quick!

Haunted Mansion Dress- I love this new dress!  I saw photos of it online the other day and I'm so glad it's online.  I love it and it will probably be my newest Dress Shop addition!  There's also another dress of the Haunted Mansion wallpaper! Yay!!!

Light Up Mickey Pumpkin Decor- This is so cute!  It reminds me of a few of the Christmas pieces available last year.  I love the fun colors it lights up with!

Mickey Pumpkin Bubble Wand- Ok, this is ridiculous, but I totally bought one of these earlier.  I have a bubble wand from a few trips ago and I love it.  I had to get a pumpkin Mickey one and I'll be outside playing with it this fall!

Halloween Crocs- These are so cute!  I might have to get them.  Crocs are so comfy and they'd be perfect for me to wear around the house.


Halloween Spirit Jersey- They made Spirit Jerseys for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland.  I love the fun designs on the back!  (See photos at the top of this post.)

Halloween Mouse Ears- Disney also released a bunch of cute new mouse ears!

There are so many more fun merchandise items from each of these collections!  These are just a small selection!  I'm so glad that I checked the Shop Disney website earlier today!  Were you able to snag any of these items before they sold out?  If you're interested in any, check them out soon!  With everyone spending so much time at home... things aren't staying online for very long!  °o°

Friday, August 7, 2020

Fun Find: Magical Quarantine Memes (Part 20)

Happy Friday!  We've made it into August and we're still navigating our way through the COVID-19 pandemic.  I don't know about you, but I'm growing tired of all the quarantining, debates about face masks, and general unrest.  But, I think this is how life is going to be for a while... especially when cases only seem to be getting worse in most of the country.  Thankfully, these posts keep my humor going.  If you haven't been following along with my weekly meme posts, you can still catch up with all of them here: Part 1Part 2Part 3Part 4Part 5Part 6 , Part 7Part 8Part 9Part 10Part 11Part 12Part 13Part 14Part 15Part 16Part 17Part 18 and Part 19.


Time for a mental health check... I think I'm at a 6 or 7 right now.  Blah.


The most relevant meme for parents of school aged kids these past few weeks.

 
I was pretty excited to get my haircut... but I still don't get it.  I was already months (maybe even a year) overdue for one.  I don't get how people can't go a few months without getting one.


Can I book a one-way ticket to Genovia to ride out the rest of quarantine there?


This is it.  We all need giant hamster balls.


Is anyone still watching Tiger King?  (Eliot and I still haven't seen it.)


I never get my nails done so this would be me anyways... haha!


How I picture quarantine to be for those of you who have kids.


Poor Quasimodo... he doesn't get any credit.


Wash your hands.  Also, don't land the carpet anywhere that hasn't been sanitized.


Gotta love those quarantine snacky snacks!!!


Sigh... part of me wants to Disney so bad.  I could use a break from reality.


Yes!  The Muppets would be the masters of Zoom.


This is so true... and so sad.  Back when COVID first started, I really thought we might be better on the other side of this.  Now, I feel like we're more divided than ever.


At this point, most days I'm happy to be inside my house away from everyone.


My thoughts: The real super heroes are the ones who wear masks!


Of course, I had to end my magical memes post with a song.  I think the intro to Under the Sea is exactly the way I feel about the world right now.  We're a mess.


I hope you enjoyed these magical memes.  I've only got another post or two left!  Part 21 of my Magical Quarantine Memes series will be coming next Friday!  Take care of yourselves and enjoy your weekend!!!  °o°

Please Note: I did not make any of these memes and I don't claim ownership of the photos or the jokes.  Most of them I've seen uncredited on Facebook from other people who have shared them.  I just wanted to put them all in one spot so we might try to find some humor in a dark time when we could use a smile.