It's Friday, I'm in LoVE! #15

THANK YOU, FRIDAY!
For being here albeit a day late IMO.



This would be cute if my cats weren't doing this and getting into the lovely flowers on my table... GET DOWNNNN!
Via

 
Today I love me because:

1. I can REALLY draw.
2. I wore pants on Monday and looked fashionable all week, too! 
3. I am much more confident in my future mommy abilities.
4. I am pulling my portfolio together this weekend so I can apply for a new position at work!
5. I have been disgustingly honest with myself all week
6. I admit I don't want to do Fashion Week anymore... at least not without my dresses I designed.
7. I am SOOOosoosooossooooo in LoVE with Shawn!

Today I am going to my surgery follow-up appointment so she can see how well I've gotten!
And then tonight we are going to a Fish Fry at a local Church. We're not religious but we do love fish and standing in light whilst drinking beer. So off we go!

What are you doing this weekend?

Fantasy Closet 3/29/12

Fantasy Closet 3/29/12 by hilljo featuring a pintuck tunic

 I wore this today and did my hair like this! Just need a new bag and my puggy with me! 

Good News & Mommy-Training

Happy Wednesday! FINALLY!

A lot of you know but some of you don't know that I have 7 animals. Yes, 7: 2 man-rats, 1 ferret, 3 cats and 1 pug. They are a ton of work but Shawn and I work together to make it all happen. I have sold myself short for the last time (as of yesterday) by saying that I don't have an idea of what it's like to have children just by comparing it to the work the sheer amount of animals we have take. I DO.

This was my Tuesday:

• Woke up at 5AM because I couldn't sleep anymore. I just got ready instead of laying there until I was tired enough to sleep but late enough that I couldn't.
• Did not get to work early. Just on time despite having 2 and a half hours to get ready.
• Worked a full day at work.
• Came home and planned to take a nap while the ferret ran around in the room for exercise.
• Instead cleaned up water-diarrhea that the ferret had all over the floor.
• Gave a wiggly, feisty ferret a bath.
• Cleaned up all the residual mess of half-done tasks invoked by weasel scat.

After that fiasco I looked up to see that it was just about time for Shawn to get home.
No nap for mommy.


ANGRY FAAAAACE!

Then I made dinner for our friends and their almost-2-year-old boy who are a delight. Dinner turned out well, we had just enough food and desserts for everyone, and they told me that Peach is more of a PITA than a new baby. And a toddler.

Much more.

After the day I had, to know that if I can deal with Peach that I can handle our future baby (in the eyes of experienced parents), I feel good about that. So good news there.

Cuz Peach is a crrrazy bitch sometimes; even if she looks sweet.

PS: I wore this today and I must say... I look good today. I'm having a "Jamie Moment!"

Fantasy Closet 3/27/12

Fantasy Closet 3/27/12 by hilljo featuring satchel handbags

When I make these little "fantasy closet" posts, it's usually either what I wore that day or a version of it! This one is pretty close; just need that BAG! YUM, NEON!

Custom Illustrations by HiLLjO

Happy Monday! It's almost over, too!

So I mentioned Friday that I am drawing up a storm lately! Well I made a drawing over the weekend for my bloggy pal Jasmine and she loved it!



I thought it was cute but I didn't know it was that neat, but she really liked it and I got to thinking... what else would I make that someone would REALLY like?
MOARRRRR DRAW-RINGS!

If you would like a HiLLjO marker drawing done just for you by hand, click on the contact me button on top or email me here!!! I make especially fabulous drawings of food!

Prices vary by size, detail and amount of colors involved, but start at $5. Yes, five. bucks.

So get in touch with me and we'll strike up some new and fancy-schmancy hand drawing fabulousness.
Just for you!

So this is fun... the BABY MORPHER

On the Nest.com they have a "Baby Morpher" tool that lets you upload photos of you and your partner's faces to see what your baby is projected to look like.

Well, folks... it worked for me. I've never dreamed about what Bernice will look like as a toddler but this is not far-removed from what she looks like as a baby in my dreams that I have had of her before.

After some photoshop to take away her, ahem, tan and dark eyes, she looks like Bernice!

Fantasy Closet 3/23/12

Fantasy Closet 3/23/12 by hilljo featuring a crochet knit dress

It's Friday I'm in LoVE! #14

I love me today because:

1. I always thought I was honest... but I used to not be to myself sometimes... And now I am.
2. I'm am taking it real eeeeeasssssy peasy... and I feel good now because of it.
3. I am drawing again! SO MUCH DRAW-RINGSSSS!!!
4. I'm good at Polyvore and y'all seem to like it, too!
5. I wore a dress everyday this week because I can't wear pants but I must say... I rocked it!
6. I can see how healthy my body is because my incisions are healing so fast.
7. I ate like a pregnant lady yeserday... SRLSY.

• Breakfast: Yogurt
• Breakfast snack: granola bar
• Pre-noon snack: bagel
• Late lunch: Jimmy John's Slim 5 Unwich with chips
• Dinner: Shrimp Scampi
• Immediate Post-dinner dessert: bowl of mini wheats with almond milk

So yeah... I had a pretty good week. I went back to work Monday because I'm crazy and have just been adding everyday tasks to my everyday schedule little by little. I recognize when it's time to lay down for a bit and when it's time for medicine, I take it. Shawn is still helping me but I cooked dinner last night on my own! Yay!

Have a wonderful weekend!

*Sunflower photo by Shawnda Thomas Faveau

Fantasy Closet 3/22/12

Fantasy Closet 3/22/12 by hilljo featuring old navy skirts

"So where the hell were you?"

Sorry that I have been less frequent in the rounds this last week. I'm starting to catch up but I still have no time to write a nice, meaty post that is currently sitting in draft.
If you missed anything, had no idea I was gone, knew I was gone, or have questions about what happenened, to summarize:

• I'd been dealing with Paraovarian cysts for 7 months. They were painful and caused me to miss work and cut out all meat except for fish and game from my diet.
• I got rid of one cyst on my own but one would not give in.
• I finally got into the doctor to get surgery scheduled last Tuesday.
• The surgery was scheduled and done the very next day on Wednesday.
• The doctor performed a laparoscopic cystectomy and ended up finding out that my fallopian tube was so badly damaged and twisted that they had to cut it out with the cyst as well.
• So now I have 2 ovaries but only 1 is hooked up. At 23.
• I was on bedrest from Wednesday through Sunday.
• I did too much and ended up hurting myself bending over to pick up a dog toy Monday night. It hurt so bad I passed out and had a fainting episode.
• Went back to the Dr. Tuesday after almost collapsing at work in crying fits.
• Was put on antibiotics because I had a fever and possible infection. The doctor sternly told me to take it the hell easy and no more of Monday night business.

So I can't wear pants, have to select my underwear by what is the biggest in the drawer, my tummy hurts, I'm tired, and I am cranky. Oh, did I mention I went back to work MONDAY?

Tthis could have been worse... much worse. I'm not discounting that I could have had cancer, could have lost my fertility completely, or something else but I still went through something, so I'm upset.
It's like if a woman was upset about how she gave birth in a different way than she had planned. Saying "You should be grateful..." implies that she isn't grateful for what she has, and that her struggle and emotions from the aftermath don't matter; it was just a means to an end.

So yes, it could have turned out much worse... but what happened to me was a shock. I have tried to make it OK in my head for a week by just saying "Oh, it's okay..." and I'm sorry for lying.
Well, half-lying. I should be saying "It will be OK."
Because it's not right now, but it will be very soon.
As soon as I am healed and have our baby growing inside me, it will be perfectly OK.

Fantasy Closet 3/21/12

Fantasy Closet 3/21/12 by hilljo featuring a fringe bag

Fantasy Closet 3/20/12

Fantasy Closet 3/20/12 by hilljo featuring leather bags

Fantasy Closet 03/19/12

Fantasy Closet 03/19/12 by hilljo featuring leather bags

HiLLjO Sketch

Lucy in headscarf and sunglasses

HiLLjO Sketch

Ava in headscarf with sunglasses

HiLLjO sketch

Mama Kitty in headscarf and big sunglasses.

HiLLjO sketch

Peach channeling Jacquie O. on my shopping list.

FRIDAY I'm in LoVE! LUCKY #13

Hello all you fabulalalalous people coming over to read and see how I am doing while I Blog via mobile and cannot come "visit" until Monday. You are just lovely! Thank you all for your constant love and support. Your well wishes are making me heal so much faster!
I just want to say that I love myself today because having surgery was the scariest decision I have made in a long time but now that it is done I feel SO MUCH BETTER! Already! I mean I have no makeup on and haven't for days and my undereyes aren't dark anymore. I feel GOOD. Sore, but by contrast SO GOOD.
I also love myself because although I only one "hose hooked up" now (the cyst mangled my tube... Yee) I am perfectly fine with it. I just would feel bad if others felt badly for me about it. You only need one! Besides, now this summer we'll have a sort of baby lottery, if you will.

And today I love Shawn. I love him everyday but the last week he has taken care of me so well. I'm crying right now thinking of all the things he did for me. Things I never dreamed another person would have to do for me. He fed me, got up in the middle of the night to walk me to the bathroom ten times (at LEAST), held me while I cried and wretched the 48 hours before surgery, just... Everything. He is my best friend and the best husband and partner to me.
I love you, Shawn. Thank you for everything this week.

HiLLjO is in Recovery

Made it out ok. Thank you all for your sweet support.
Love!

-out sick-

Forgive my non-blogging self for the next week-ish: I'm having surgery tomorrow to remove my cyst and see if there is anything else causing this pain.
I miss you all.

exclaim my bravery for posting this photo.

Friday I'm in LoVE! #12

I'm not at work today (learning Illustrator!)... but I want to share with you that my boss will be on TV tonight! I have put off telling most of you that I work at Oriental Trading Company, but I am spilling it!

Sam Taylor via Omaha World Herald

So make sure to catch Undercover Boss tonight at 8PM/7PM CST on CBS!!!

Today I love me because:

1. I'm finally dreaming again... and I keep telling myself subconsciously to let stuff go.
2. I got my butt out of the house VERY early to learn Ai today.
3. I'm planning to incorporate my very HiLLjO-y crochet skills to work for OFW with a children's line. The wedding dress is still in progress but I don't want to work on it with a deadline.
4. I made AMAZING deer-nitas chimichangas last night. Like dining-out quality chimis. YAH.
5. I drank SO MUCH WATER yesterday! Like, a crapton.
6. I finally asked for help with my cyst: we're scheduling surgery on Monday for later this month.
7. I'm making jello shots for the Undercover Boss viewing party my coworkers are throwing.
8. Seriously who wouldn't love me for making jello shots?

Have a great weekend! Watch CBS!!!!!

Fantasy Closet 3/07/12

Fantasy Closet 3/07/12 by hilljo featuring jersey knit tops

Beaded Statement Necklace

Beaded Statement Necklace by hilljo featuring drop earrings



HATCH - Everything Dress

HATCH - Everything Dress by hilljo featuring turquoise stone jewelry

Hatch - Day Out

Hatch - Day Out by hilljo featuring flat shoes

Fantasy Closet 03/03/12

Fantasy Closet 03/03/12 by hilljo featuring a stacked heel

Over the weekend Shawn, Peach and I all went to Grandpa's so Pug could play with Grandpa's dog (and get tired--later we had plans to go out on the town)!

She loves the car ride over so much ..And staring at Daddy while he drives...

I was sick on Valentine's Day for my end of the bargain: dessert and drink out, but we made up for it Saturday! I wore this outfit so Peach and I matched... I know! So cute!

We went to Cantina Laredo in Omaha, which we highly reccommend. Great food, great drinks and great waitstaff. It is a pleasant experience whether it's busy or slower. The bartender even made us a custom shot to go with our dessert! We will be back again for sure.

Hope you all had a good weekend! Back to work is never easy on Monday...

Oh, and I think you should go read this today.

Pedigree Pug Ad

I just died laughing, ripped the page out of BHG, and stuck it on the fridge immediately. Hope you enjoy as much as I am!

It's Friday, I'm in LoVE! #11

Today I love me because:

1. I feel good. And I am not taking it for granted after yesterday.
2. I knew I had to go home yesterday from the pain. So I did.
3. I'm tenacious.
4. I broke my chopsticks right on Wednesday (yes, we went again!!!)
5. I want to be organized like crazy... more on that later.
6. I am SO ready to be a mom... as ready as you can be without hindsight anyway!
7. I am responsible. My choices are mine.

And we're keeping it short. Have a great and safe weekend!

In case you missed it this week:

Ava is a living home decor item...

NYC Fashion Week was an inspiring treat...

Haters gon' hate... and haberdashers gon' hat...

It's tax time once again!!! Have you filed yet?

I'm really, really, really liking fashion again!!!

Spring \\\ Pastels

Spring \\\ Pastels by hilljo featuring denim jeans