Tough Mudder 2012

I don't even know where to begin. On October 26th James and I participated in the 2012 Tough Mudder event at Raceway Park. It was amazing, and tiring and painful and a TON of fun!! We took a little over 4 hours to complete the course (which is pretty awesome considering I was still getting over being sick, and was horribly under prepared for the grueling task the course presented!) 
It was tiresome and I honestly don't think I would have finished it if it wasn't for James being there to push me on. But I must be honest, running across that finish line hand in hand was one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced! We both looked at each other and could tell that if we were able to take this thing on and finish it together there is nothing in this world that we can't overcome with each other.

Of course after almost 2 years together we already knew that. Our relationship is not easy, James' jobs are demanding and we are often separated for extended periods of time. But we have something a lot of people don't have, and that's humor, and the ability to find the beauty in everyday moments. We can laugh together and we can cry together, I know he is always there for me and he knows I always have his back. We have similar interests but are different in a lot of ways too. He completes me in more ways then I can express and this event just proved to us both that we have what it takes to make it in a world where a lot of couples don't.

ANYWAY, enough of the romantic stuff :P I wanted to share a few pictures that we have from the event! It was so much fun! 

Before we started! Our team name was "Team ArmyBallerina" James is in the army, has been since he was 18. I have danced since I was 2! When we needed a team name he thought of that lol. So I wore his Army shirt and a tutu (which I wore the whole time, and it must have weighted 10 pounds by the end!), and he wore one of my mom's dance studio shirts and army shorts. 

Exciting!! Going up to the starting line!!

This was us less than 2 miles into the event!! We are mud soaked and cold, but SO excited!

This was the first electro-shock therapy event, crawling through muddy water with live wires hanging down! I skipped this one, but James is crazy so he did it :P

Oh we left that a LONG time ago

As we were walking like this a lady behind us said she wished she had a camera so she could take a picture of us. We had gotten a water proof camera to take with us throughout the event, so I gave her mine and she snapped this shot. I love this so much!

She also took this one for us, I love the guy photobombing on the left. He even yelled "photobomb!!" as he ran into the frame lol. Everyone was so nice and helpful throughout the event :D

Yay! We finished! Got our tough mudder headbands and t-shirts!

Well thanks for checking this out guys! I am posting a new project in a few days. Sorry I haven't been posting as much, took my NCE's and had a bunch of projects due... That masters degree is in sight though! And then we had the hurricane the last few days so I wasn't really thinking about blogging x) 
But I'm back and better than before :P

Anyways, thanks for reading!!

New style :)

Hey everyone
So as you can see my NPM's and RTT aren't exactly falling when they should be, I had my NCE's today (my exam to get my counseling license!) and have been neglecting everything that didn't have to do with studying. But I also realized that there are times in the week when I have things I want to say, and I think "oh I'll wait until random thought thursday" or whatever.

And that's not working so well either!! So heres what I'm thinking, we are going to do a new project every week, probably either Sunday or Monday, those day's are just more logical for me right now. And every other day will be an opportunity for randomness, spontaniousness, and other 'nessess' I think this will be more fun for you guys to read, and will give you (and I) more things to read about! Besides, like I said in my last post, this is supposed to be fun and who cares about schedules :P

So tonight, I wanted to share a picture of a new little friend who has joined my 'family':

Meet Danbo, he is a little Japanese figure who is posable! He looks to be made out of cardboard Amazon boxes, but he is actually made out of plastic and is just the cutest little guy! I found him on ebay for a steal and *had* to have him!!

I was so surprised at how fast he got here! And Harriet was the first one to meet the new little fellow:

Harriet seems a bit freaked out by Danbo's eyes... what sort of creature is this!? 

Danbo says "you're a strange creature, how to you walk with no legs!" Harriet giggles, and decides that he is a-okay

"I like your ear's" Danbo says poking Harriet

"I like you're arms!" Harried exclaims nosing them

"I think we'll be great friends"

"Me too!"

A silly little photo story, but I am feeling very glad that my NCE's are done!! Danbo (who I suppose will need a name 0_o) will be in a lot of pictures with Harriet, Lucy and Rhea. And since he and Rhea are made out of plastic, I have a feeling they will be getting into all sorts of new trouble that I would never allow Harriet to get involved in!!

I'm hoping to have Lucy's wig actually done tomorrow (the process is relatively short, but I need to get better hair as I don't like what I originally got :( so that'll be tomorrow!) Autumn's wig looks superb, but her face is pretty boring... waiting on proper tools to fix her up!

I will also be uploading a number of wand pictures, sales have been booming with Halloween around the corner!!

My etsy shop will be getting new WINTER themed items in stock hopefully this week :D be sure to check back for the announcement!

Also Hank went on a Florida vacation with James! New traveling hamster pics to come!

Until next time :)

try seeing things from a different point of view :D

Random Rant

So today I decided that I was going to do something I have been thinking about doing for a while. I posted this on my Facebook this morning:

I have always cared far to much about other peoples opinions of me, so much that I worry about what everyone thinks of me. I could point the finger at a lot of people for making me feel this way, but the bottom line is I let them. 

It's time for me to break free of this mentality, to allow myself to be me regardless of what others may think. I can only hope that those of you who I always considered friends will still be around. If not, oh well, not my problem.

It's time to break free and just be me.

Unlike a lot of people who post things like this to try and get 'likes' or comments, I posted it because it is how I really feel. You see my whole life I've had an anxiety disorder, and when I was little there wasn't a lot known about it. Doctors gave my parents horrible advice, kids made fun of me cause I was different and some even took advantage of my fears. 
I have always had a hard time accepting myself. I hated that I was different, I felt like everyone could tell that I had this problem, when truthfully many probably didn't. But I always felt different, I could tell that others didn't worry about everything the same way I did, heck the way I still do worry! And I could not, would not accept this about myself. I thought if I denied it or hid it it would go away, guess what it doesn't, and it just gets tiring. 

So why am I announcing this on the internet, a public place where anyone can read it? Because I don't want to hide it anymore. I don't want to carry around a secret, a burden, I don't want it affecting me anymore. If I admit it here, then I am admitting it to anyone who cares to know. Anyone who cares to read.

And let me tell you it's scary. 

But let me also state this, anyone who thinks that they are perfect, or above someone else. They aren't. Everyone has something that effects them, something they aren't proud of, or are scared of letting the world know about. Anyone who says otherwise is lying. 
That's why I wanted to share this, this is why I'm going into the profession I'm going into. I want to help others, I want to help that kid that feels the same way I do, I want them to know they aren't alone, even though that's how a lot of people want them to feel. 

So to all of you out there who are reading this who bully someone because they are different, who laugh at someones insecurities, or who exclude someone because they're "weird", remember, we all grow up, and while we learn to laugh at the past, but there are some things that can't be undone, that can't be un-said, or changed. Think before you speak, remember that words and actions do matter, and that sometimes the person who you think is strange, or weird, might just be a kid who's scared inside, a kid who's just wishing that someone would extend a hand to help them up, instead of pushing them back down. 

I know this might come off as preaching and not really anything to do with NPM or my blog, but the bottom line is, this is my life, this is what has made me who I am today. And all of my struggles have made me a stronger person.

My wonderful boyfriend said to me the other day: "I know B. and that's part of what I love about you. Remember god doesn't make mistakes. Hence god meant for me to love you the way you are."

He is one of the few people who knows me inside and out. He has seen me at my best, and he has been by my side at my worst. He is the reason I feel brave enough to post all of this, and I love him for that. I want the whole world to get to know the side of me that only he and my family know. The crafty, nerdy, dorky, fun, silly, sad, happy, quirky person I have always been, but have always been to scared to show. 

So to all of you out there who are like me, the people who turn the radio down when you stop next to another car cause you don't want them to hear what you're listening to... turn it up. 

To those of you who are hiding things in a closet in your room that you really love, because you're scared that your friends will judge you... take them out and display them. 

For all those who think they are too old, young, fat, skinny, stupid, scared, to try something new... go out, sign up for it, take a chance.
And for all of those out there who are looking to share something like this, speak up, no one will ever know your struggles, know how you feel, if you don't tell them.

I encourage you guys to respond with your own stories, tell me about someone who inspired you the way James inspired me. Or just say something you've always been to scared to say. No one will judge you here, that much I promise. 
After all:

Thanks to anyone who read this, who believes in me, or anyone who might be going through a hard time. They might never tell you, but your faith in them makes all the difference

~Megan

NPM: Crochet Ball Jointed Doll

So lately I have been obsessed with my new ball jointed dolls or bjd's while I was waiting for my first two bjd's to arrive I found this amazing crochet pattern here: http://byhookbyhand.blogspot.com/search/label/Bleuette (you have to look on the left side of the page and click on "Crochet Bleuette doll Pattern" it is a PDF that you download. Well it took me forever mostly because I was waiting on safety eyes for her. But she is finally done, er well she's missing hair, and some clothes o_0 but her clothing is cut and waiting for me to sew and I have some wig stuff to make her a cute wig. But I have been wanting to show you guys her for so long I couldn't wait anymore!
Without further ado I present Penelope

Here Penelope is chillin' on my shoulder, she's so stinkin cute even without her hair x)

Autumn has been so excited about her new wig (I made her wig myself! Keep in mind I haven't styled it yet... lots of wand orders on my etsy shop have been keeping me busy! Oh I also made her dress :D) that she couldn't wait to show it off to Penelope

Poor Lucy-loo she has no wig either :( her hair is sitting on my desk chair waiting for me to have time to weft it!) She wanted to meet Penelope (also Autumn's wig is all out of wack here o_0)

my two baldie-beans wanted a picture together. Lucy loves her new pal Penelope!

Penelope is based off a Bleuette ball jointed doll and as such her pattern give her 'joints' that you can sew with strong clear thread- it mentions it in the pattern. But I didn't want to do that, so I whip stitched her together, I found that if I didn't make it too tight (like her shoulders) she can still move, so Penelope might not be striking and crazy poses but she can wave and all that. So I'm happy! Her eyes are smaller (size 8) the pattern calls for 9's but I didn't have any... Her checks color is actually from a neon pink crayon that I rubbed over and over until it was the right shade. It's hard to see in some pictures but it's amazing in person!

I will upload pictures of her with her wig when it's done!

I may try my hand at making a smaller version of her at some point!

New stuff coming to my etsy shop soon! Be sure to check it out :D

Thanks for reading to the end <3