The Force is with us...

I've been a fan of Star Wars since I was a kid. Like many folks, I had a hard time accepting the more recent movies as part of the series... what can I say, I'm a classicist.

Anyways, one thing that I really love is stumbling upon fun Star Wars gear on the internet. It never fails to blow my mind how inovative and creative some fans are... Here are a few of my favorite Star Wars products.

A Chewbacca backpack. You can carry Chewie with you wherever you go.
Amazon - Chewbacca Backpack

 This is just a conceptual design, but it's pretty cool. Check out the facebook page...

Laika Facebook page

Storm Trooper USB drive. Super cute. 

Amazon - Storm Trooper

Taun Taun sleeping bag. From what I understand, this was actually an April Fools joke that was such a hit that they actually made it! That and the zipper on the sleeping bag is a little lightsaber. 

Think Geek - Taun Taun

There are some super creative folks at Etsy and one one of them made a Yoda hat for babies. SUPER CUTE.   ETSTY Yoda Hat

What is your favorite Star Wars item?

When did my toddler turn into a cat

Watching a child develop from infant into an independant little person with ideas of her own is pretty incredible. My baby is stepping into toddlerhood. I knew that my little one would be exploring and teaching herself about the world, but I had no idea that she would turn into a cat.

That's right... I said that my child acts like a cat.

In fact, she's even taken up playing with a ball of yarn... no lie. But it's not just this one little cliche thing. Check out some of these quotes and replace "cat" with "toddler."

These aren't my thoughts, they're my cat walking on the keyboard.

To a cat, "No!" means "Not while I'm looking".

A cats worst enemy is a closed door.

Anything not nailed down is a cat toy.

Never try to outstubborn a cat. 

A cat will ignore you until you really need to get something done.

Cat Quotes

See what I mean? Now, I know that all kids are different and there are adults that act like cats, too, but the transformation for my own little one was so stark... it took me a bit by surprise. The line between "I really need you to hold me right now" and "Um, excuse me I'm kind of busy and can't hang out with you right now... could you please stop looking at me... I'm trying to do something here" can be crossed in a milisecond and without any warning. If you persist, there could be consequences. Don't start paying attention to someone else... the toddler must have you to themselves. If you're hanging out reading a book, they REALLY need you to do something right now. If you want to cuddle... "um, sorry... I'm kinda of busy right now."

With a toddler, you never know what to expect. Just like with cats. I kind of love it.

A few gift ideas...

I love sites like Uncommon Goods, Fred & Friends and Etsy. I desperately want to purchase something from their sites for people on my holiday gift list. Here are a few things I've stubled upon that are great gift ideas for specific folks I know and perhaps for someone you know as well!

It's called the EDC (Every Day Carry) Pocket Tool Kit. Perfect for the Theatre Technician, Carpenter or Handyman in your life. I know a LOT of people that this would be a perfect gift for. Check out the article I found about it.... EDC article at dornob.com

Diamond Candles. Yeah. Each candle has a ring inside. The ring can be anywhere from $5 to $5,000. Either way, folks I've heard from have said it's incredibly fun to see what kind of ring you're going to get! Check out their site to learn more... Diamond Candles

I'm hoping to try one of these out someday and see how fun it actually is. If you've tried it, let me know!

Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book is pretty cool. I was introduced to this book when I was in high school. If you could believe that fairies are real and can be pressed into a book like flowers... well, that's what this book is like. A journal with fairies pressed inside. Warning: some images may not be appropriate for small children.

How to Steal a Million

One of my favorite movies of all time is "How to Steal a Million" with Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole.

film poster by Robert McGinnis

  I suppose I could say that I love this movie because Peter O'Toole is dreamy and Audrey Hepburn is classy and stylish, etc. But, the reason it's reappeared in my life lately is that I can have this movie playing with my 1 year old daughter in the room. In fact, my little one has even crawled up in my lap to watch a bit with me here and there. There are no bad words, no real violence (execpt when Peter get's shot in the arm, but it's just a flesh wound and my daughter coos about his 'boo boo') and the most the lead characters do with each other is kiss. I mean, pretty safe territory here. But Audrey Hepburn is classy and Peter O'Toole is really dreamy. And it's cute and fun and classic. Not to mention a pretty fabulous supporting cast.

I highly recommend it.

My use of chapstick...

I find chapstick to be comforting. At times, when stressed or on the edge of losing control, I take a moment and put on a bit of chapstick. Perhaps it's my way of "counting to ten" or "taking a breath". A break from the cause of my stress.

Lately, I've found that "chapstick" is taking on new forms. Sometimes it's getting a cup of coffee from the shop around the corner from work at other times it's taking a walk to the bank or post office. There have even been times when it means going out for a drink and snack at a restaurant across the street.

Interested to see what my means of dealing will develop into in the coming weeks.

Wait and see...