"Other Parent" Day at labschool for Piper and Jason
cra(p)ft show with my bestest Kelly and Fin
new shoes for the Bird
refinishing furniture all by myself (I did it! Good for me!)
Fin finally entering the pool and learning that she LOVES to swim
a houseguest
family date night to the fair
a little of this and a little of that
thinking of trying this recipe now that it has finally cooled off a bit (like 77* is really cool, right?)
How was your weekend?
Monday, October 23, 2006
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Thursday, October 19, 2006
truth?
Lately it seems as though I have been struggling with the role of church in my life. It seems like a struggle I've had since college. I grew up in a Christ-centered home and all through my childhood and adolescents I knew what was expected of me as far as going to church on Sundays, going to Sunday school, being involved in various "ministries", etc. Then as I reached early adulthood and was on my own I kind of quit going and rationalized it as that I was only going to be there for a max of 4 years and why get involved only to leave? I was still active in my home church when i came home to visit and I figured that was enough.
Looking back at that time, I know now that it was a mistake to be so flippant about church-going and finding that community of believers. I remember distinct feelings, though, of feeling left out and alone and not fitting in because everyone around me seemed so fake...at church on Sunday but drunk and in someone else's bed the night before. I became cynical and disappointed.
When Jason and I married and started our lives together, we were also very invovled in our small community church. It was a nice fit for us at the time because that church was made of imperfect people who admitted to their faults and weren't afraid of being transparent. The problem was, we had kids, and the church stopped growing so there were not programs in place for young families and we began to feel like going to church was just another job, that we were working every Sunday. It was like feeling too big in clothes you have outgrown, stretching and pulling and uncomfortable and about to rip.
So, we went back to the "Big Baptist Church" of our youth looking for a solution to our problems. The problem is that no church is perfect so we had to decide what we were willing to sacrifice in order to enrich our lives and the lives of our children. What could we overlook, and could we really not let is bother us?
The answer to that is complicated.
One of the things that I love about labschool (the infant-preschool program we are involved in with our girls) is that it is a community, a family. I trust these people with my most valuable possessions, my girls and their safety and well-being. These are people that would do anything for me and my family and in return, i would do the same for them. The interesting thing about these people is that they are of different denominations, different religions, some even with no religion and yet we are a true family, working together towards a common goal helping and supporting each other. They are real, we share our failures as well as our accomplishments, our grief and our overwhelming joy. There is no pretense or qualifications to be a part of this community, it just is.
When I walk into labschool I am not worried that I may be wearing the wrong thing or carrying the wrong bag. I don't feel the stares and hear the whispers. I feel acceptance and belonging. These people have genuine smiles on their faces and really want to know how you're doing that day. There is give and take and love.
Jason and I have had many discussions about these issues. His solution would be to have a group of like-minded believers meeting together on the beach (of course) actually really talking and not worring about speaking "christinese."
Piper has been going to AWANA on Wednesday nights. It is like alittle Bible club for kids and they learn scripture and play games and earn play money for doing certain things. There is parent involvement as well, every week we work in her handbook learning the Bible verse and doing some kind of activity and reading the story. Well, this past week the story really bothered me because it talked about "...God is truthful." The scripture is not what I had the problem with, but the interpretation of that scripture seemed way off base to me. It went on to illustrate that God always keeps his promises (true) and that we make promises as well (true) but when we don't keep our promises we are disobeying (yes, that is the word they use for 3 year olds) God and that is called sin and makes us bad people (oh my, the total opposite of the truth). I'm reading this (for lack of a better word) crap to Piper and trying to explain it while she's asking me about if she will go to jail and I'm stuck. Just the night before we had a labschool meeting on the topic of "praise" and how we need to separate the deed from the doer. For instance, say Piper climbed up the playground thing and slid down the slide and I said "Good girl", well, does that mean that if she climbed up the playground thing and didn't slide down that she is "bad"? Of course not, and so telling kids that when they disobey God's word that they are bad? Well, I don't see any truth in that statement but it is the mentality of the church.
So, what is the solution? I don't know. All I can do is what I think is right for my children and our family. My fear is the mixed messages that we receive, that we aren't good enough to belong, that material things could make us good enough, that we are not ok for the way we choose to parent our children and what we teach them is not "christian" enough. The thing I want most for my girls is that they become independent thinkers and problem solvers. If they are eqipped with those things then they can figure out the truth from the quasi-truth and that will be enough.
It's painful, growing up.
Looking back at that time, I know now that it was a mistake to be so flippant about church-going and finding that community of believers. I remember distinct feelings, though, of feeling left out and alone and not fitting in because everyone around me seemed so fake...at church on Sunday but drunk and in someone else's bed the night before. I became cynical and disappointed.
When Jason and I married and started our lives together, we were also very invovled in our small community church. It was a nice fit for us at the time because that church was made of imperfect people who admitted to their faults and weren't afraid of being transparent. The problem was, we had kids, and the church stopped growing so there were not programs in place for young families and we began to feel like going to church was just another job, that we were working every Sunday. It was like feeling too big in clothes you have outgrown, stretching and pulling and uncomfortable and about to rip.
So, we went back to the "Big Baptist Church" of our youth looking for a solution to our problems. The problem is that no church is perfect so we had to decide what we were willing to sacrifice in order to enrich our lives and the lives of our children. What could we overlook, and could we really not let is bother us?
The answer to that is complicated.
One of the things that I love about labschool (the infant-preschool program we are involved in with our girls) is that it is a community, a family. I trust these people with my most valuable possessions, my girls and their safety and well-being. These are people that would do anything for me and my family and in return, i would do the same for them. The interesting thing about these people is that they are of different denominations, different religions, some even with no religion and yet we are a true family, working together towards a common goal helping and supporting each other. They are real, we share our failures as well as our accomplishments, our grief and our overwhelming joy. There is no pretense or qualifications to be a part of this community, it just is.
When I walk into labschool I am not worried that I may be wearing the wrong thing or carrying the wrong bag. I don't feel the stares and hear the whispers. I feel acceptance and belonging. These people have genuine smiles on their faces and really want to know how you're doing that day. There is give and take and love.
Jason and I have had many discussions about these issues. His solution would be to have a group of like-minded believers meeting together on the beach (of course) actually really talking and not worring about speaking "christinese."
Piper has been going to AWANA on Wednesday nights. It is like alittle Bible club for kids and they learn scripture and play games and earn play money for doing certain things. There is parent involvement as well, every week we work in her handbook learning the Bible verse and doing some kind of activity and reading the story. Well, this past week the story really bothered me because it talked about "...God is truthful." The scripture is not what I had the problem with, but the interpretation of that scripture seemed way off base to me. It went on to illustrate that God always keeps his promises (true) and that we make promises as well (true) but when we don't keep our promises we are disobeying (yes, that is the word they use for 3 year olds) God and that is called sin and makes us bad people (oh my, the total opposite of the truth). I'm reading this (for lack of a better word) crap to Piper and trying to explain it while she's asking me about if she will go to jail and I'm stuck. Just the night before we had a labschool meeting on the topic of "praise" and how we need to separate the deed from the doer. For instance, say Piper climbed up the playground thing and slid down the slide and I said "Good girl", well, does that mean that if she climbed up the playground thing and didn't slide down that she is "bad"? Of course not, and so telling kids that when they disobey God's word that they are bad? Well, I don't see any truth in that statement but it is the mentality of the church.
So, what is the solution? I don't know. All I can do is what I think is right for my children and our family. My fear is the mixed messages that we receive, that we aren't good enough to belong, that material things could make us good enough, that we are not ok for the way we choose to parent our children and what we teach them is not "christian" enough. The thing I want most for my girls is that they become independent thinkers and problem solvers. If they are eqipped with those things then they can figure out the truth from the quasi-truth and that will be enough.
It's painful, growing up.
Monday, October 16, 2006
for my girls
i carry your heart - e.e. cummings
i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
Thursday, October 12, 2006
If it's on the interentis must be true...
Are You a Slacker Mom?
Your quiz results make you a Zen Mom
How do you do it? Even when explosions are all around, you are able to take a deep cleansing breath and chant your mantra "this too shall pass." You are a calming influence on your kids in a hectic world.
Take this free personality test by going to www.areyouaslackermom.com
HA!
Your quiz results make you a Zen Mom
How do you do it? Even when explosions are all around, you are able to take a deep cleansing breath and chant your mantra "this too shall pass." You are a calming influence on your kids in a hectic world.
Take this free personality test by going to www.areyouaslackermom.com
HA!
Friday, October 06, 2006
where did the time go?
The 6th of October already and that means that I am already behind on geting the girls' costumes made. I told myself last year that I wanted to start their costumes super early this year so there wouldn't be this rush to get them finished.
But, the girls, well, they had other plans.
"What do you want to be this year?"
another day, another different answer, mostly involving some sort of princess. Then I would throw in an opinion, "How about a pirate?" And the "YEAH MOM! I WANT TO BE A PRINCESS PIRATE!"
right. so.
Then Piper came up with the idea of Max from "Where the Wild Things Are" (one of my all time favorites) and Fin was to be a "wild thing" which she doesn't really need a costume for but anyway. I was haveing a difficult time envisioning them in these furry full-body suits in what is sure to be 80-90 degree weather. Veto.
I do like the idea of them being a pair or having costumes that relate to each other. So we racked our brains (not really) and we (I) have reached a decision and I'm not asking them anymore because they always change their answer. They dress up like princesses ona daily basis because without the TV on they really like to do imaginative play and dressing up is one of their top of the list activities so I didn't want to go with anything princess-y.
Piper - Alice from Alice in Wonderland
Finley - the chesire cat
Jason - the Queen of Hearts (just kidding, or am I?)
I got the blue cotton for Alice's dress for $1 a yard and you can't beat that and that sort of sealed the deal for me. Now I just have to get it done and this is not the month to crank stuff out because we have 2 night meetings to host for labschool and tons of other stuff, so much stuff I had to skip m monthly bunko game because we were out very night last week. phew!
Not only that, but Finley's birthday is right around the corner (what am I gonna do for that? ideas? she'll be 2!) And this weekend I get to go to Orlando to help my best friend register for her baby girl!
could this post have been more boring? That's what you get when I'm up at 5am to go to spinning class, by this time of day my brain is fried!
But, the girls, well, they had other plans.
"What do you want to be this year?"
another day, another different answer, mostly involving some sort of princess. Then I would throw in an opinion, "How about a pirate?" And the "YEAH MOM! I WANT TO BE A PRINCESS PIRATE!"
right. so.
Then Piper came up with the idea of Max from "Where the Wild Things Are" (one of my all time favorites) and Fin was to be a "wild thing" which she doesn't really need a costume for but anyway. I was haveing a difficult time envisioning them in these furry full-body suits in what is sure to be 80-90 degree weather. Veto.
I do like the idea of them being a pair or having costumes that relate to each other. So we racked our brains (not really) and we (I) have reached a decision and I'm not asking them anymore because they always change their answer. They dress up like princesses ona daily basis because without the TV on they really like to do imaginative play and dressing up is one of their top of the list activities so I didn't want to go with anything princess-y.
Piper - Alice from Alice in Wonderland
Finley - the chesire cat
Jason - the Queen of Hearts (just kidding, or am I?)
I got the blue cotton for Alice's dress for $1 a yard and you can't beat that and that sort of sealed the deal for me. Now I just have to get it done and this is not the month to crank stuff out because we have 2 night meetings to host for labschool and tons of other stuff, so much stuff I had to skip m monthly bunko game because we were out very night last week. phew!
Not only that, but Finley's birthday is right around the corner (what am I gonna do for that? ideas? she'll be 2!) And this weekend I get to go to Orlando to help my best friend register for her baby girl!
could this post have been more boring? That's what you get when I'm up at 5am to go to spinning class, by this time of day my brain is fried!
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
fishes
Look at that girl. I am so proud of her. We started swimming lessons last week and I wish we had started at the beginning of the summer. She was terrified to put her face in the water and would not go under the water. Well, 2 days of lessons and she's practically jumping in and now she is our little fish swimming all the way across the pool. Yesterday she had her 2 second float down (or up as the case may be) and you can just see in her face her sense of accomplishment and then of course she'll let you know, "I'm so proud of myself!"
Now, the birdie on the other hand does not enjoy her 10 minute lesson every day. Eventhough she cries pretty much the entire time, she is also swimming and a better floater than Piper. She can't cry under water, so the only other option is to swim. We have their lesson after school every day and as soon as we leave the school parking lot and head towards the instructors house you can hear her saying her mantra:"I don't want to go to swimming lessons. I don't want to go to swimming lesons." The both are working really hard, and as a result, both are very tired and sometimes skip lunch because they have fallen asleep in the car on the way home. We are so ortunate that it is still 90+ degrees here. Really, soooo fortunate. Our weatherman is tempting us with temps in the low 80's this weekend.
We'll see.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Piper Speak
yesterday at school, Piper made a variation of a "stress ball" with a balloon filled with flour. When I picked her up she showed me that she had made one for each member of our family and then she told me:
"Hey Mom, look at this! Do you know what this looks like?(pulling at the end of the balloon that is tied off) It looks like a nipple. Like your nipples mommy on you big boobs! You have really big nipples and really big boobs!"
(meanwhile all the other parents are snickering and as i am sure, checking out the "girls")
"Hey Mom, look at this! Do you know what this looks like?(pulling at the end of the balloon that is tied off) It looks like a nipple. Like your nipples mommy on you big boobs! You have really big nipples and really big boobs!"
(meanwhile all the other parents are snickering and as i am sure, checking out the "girls")
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Weighing In...
I have reached a decision and today is my staring point. I am swallowing my pride (and alot of other things apparently) and posting how much I weigh because i have decided that i need to be accountable and each week i will weigh in, not because I need your validation or affirmation but because i need something that makes me look at where I am and where I want to be and how I am doing in the process.
I have become disgusted with my body. Since i have had children i have gone back and forth and at this point I can feel it all over. A little snug here, a full face, even my feet feel pudgy to me. This morning Piper asked me "what is in your big belly?" Not only that, but I feel lousy. I don't have energy or stamina and i feel just plain gross. It is affecting almost all areas of my life and so really this is going to become a life makeover. It is starting with the house and my body. We can work together. As I fix up the house and make it a home, I'll fix up my body and make it a temple. then comes the self image work. I am not a waif, i have an athletic body and that has been ok with me because I've always played sports. Varsity vollyball, basketball, soaftball, and tennis from 9th grade until i graduated in college, so I am not trying to be that skinny thing, just healthy and toned and strong.
There is no secret magiacl diet I will follow. Just eating less and more nutritious and exercising more. I will not deprive myself, but I will moderate what I am putting into my body. I will be aware and not be a bystander.
So, today is the day. Will you join me?
I weigh 138.2 pounds at 5'4".
My goal is 120 pounds.
That's about 20 pounds I want to lose.
I guess there should be a time frame, so let's say by Thanksgiving, that's 9 weeks. Does that sound accurate? That's about 2 pounds a week. That seems too easy?
ps - I dyed my hair back to 1/2 shade darker than my natural color and when i picked up Piper after having it done she says, "Mama, you painted your hair black!?!? Can I paint my hair black?"
I didn't think it was that dark but anyway, I'll try to post before and afters. I like it but it is taking some getting used to.
I have become disgusted with my body. Since i have had children i have gone back and forth and at this point I can feel it all over. A little snug here, a full face, even my feet feel pudgy to me. This morning Piper asked me "what is in your big belly?" Not only that, but I feel lousy. I don't have energy or stamina and i feel just plain gross. It is affecting almost all areas of my life and so really this is going to become a life makeover. It is starting with the house and my body. We can work together. As I fix up the house and make it a home, I'll fix up my body and make it a temple. then comes the self image work. I am not a waif, i have an athletic body and that has been ok with me because I've always played sports. Varsity vollyball, basketball, soaftball, and tennis from 9th grade until i graduated in college, so I am not trying to be that skinny thing, just healthy and toned and strong.
There is no secret magiacl diet I will follow. Just eating less and more nutritious and exercising more. I will not deprive myself, but I will moderate what I am putting into my body. I will be aware and not be a bystander.
So, today is the day. Will you join me?
I weigh 138.2 pounds at 5'4".
My goal is 120 pounds.
That's about 20 pounds I want to lose.
I guess there should be a time frame, so let's say by Thanksgiving, that's 9 weeks. Does that sound accurate? That's about 2 pounds a week. That seems too easy?
ps - I dyed my hair back to 1/2 shade darker than my natural color and when i picked up Piper after having it done she says, "Mama, you painted your hair black!?!? Can I paint my hair black?"
I didn't think it was that dark but anyway, I'll try to post before and afters. I like it but it is taking some getting used to.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Thursday, September 07, 2006
life in pictures
her first day was a success. her second day was AWESOME! I think I must explain labschool a little...it is a parent co-op program in which we receive education about the development of our chid and also participate with our children during the actual "school time". Piper attended the toddler program last year and we went once a week and I was with her the whole time facilitating her learning through playing (the philosophy of labschool is learn by doing). This year she's a 3-day "preschool kid" (she likes to call herself in regards to anything she does that makes her feel grown-up) and i work one day a week but instead of it being just me and her i am in charge of 4 kids throughout the day among other responsibilities. It is an amazing program and I wouldn't want her anywhere else. it has really challeneged my thinking about learning and schooling and Piper has just really adjusted so well, it's me that has had a difficult time letting go as is the case most of the time.
All of the parents stayed the first day as it was sort of an orientation for the kids and then this past wednesday was her first real day. It didn't hit me until i wa son my way to pick her up that she really is a "kid" now. All the working parents said she had an awesome day. It is difficult for me to describe the level of comfort I feel knowing that she is in an environment with adults that really care about her and feel similar to me about parenting issues and philosophies.
This is Fin. She is just so different from Piper. She is all about living life to it's fullest and making sure you know how she feels about things especially when things are not, in her opinion, the way they should be. This was her first day of the toddler program at labschool. We are going 1 day a week and i'm so excited to experience this with her.
I sometimes worry about the way I interact with Finley compared to the way I interacted with Piper when she was that age. The second one just doesn't seem to get any breaks, you know? So, I'm really happy that we are getting to do something together, just me and the birdie. Her first day was also amazing although she was exhausted about three-quartes of the way through and got kinda grumpy.
Here is a project I'm working on right now (in my spare time, ha!). I bought these chairs and a table at the goodwill for $50. The chairs had these covers that weren't that bad from a design aspect but they were incredibly dirty and filled with that musty ciggarette smoke smell so they needed to be recovered. I have one finished. But, I really like how it turned out. Then this week i got the west elm catalog in the mail and saw some very similar chairs for like $199 each! I had to pat myself on the back for that and that mine are actually vintage rather than "vintage inspired."
And our stairs. Nice, huh? I am so embarassed to show them and cringe whenever we have people over and they see the dismay state of these poor steps. We tore the carpet off these stairs 2 YEARS ago before we even moved into this house. We were set on finishing them in wood ourselves and you can see where that got us. Jason is very efficient in many areas, in handy things around the house however, he is no Bob Vila and i finally decided to take matters into my own hands and call someone and now are stairs wil be finished next week! I can hardly wait! It's funny. When we moved into this house we thought we got this incredible deal, and we did compared to what we could sell this house for now, but after living here for just a few months it was apparent that we had a strong dislike for the neighborhood and the outside cracker-box architecture of the house still makes want to sort of vomit. BUT, then we had another baby and then we had a lawsuit and then and then and then...life, life, life. Now? We love the pool that we put in and the landscaping is 75% finished and we painted the house which makes me want to vomit less. We still dislike the neighborhood and location but are set that we need to stay here until we can afford to buy land (a lot if it) and build our own house that we will live in forever where our girls can be married and bring back their own families to visit. So, in the mean time, I really want to focus on making our house a home for my family (it's about time, right?). Besides, home is really just where your family is, not the place you mops the floors (which I did today thank you very much, i hate mopping).
Monday, September 04, 2006
FIGHT TEAM FIGHT
GO SEMINOLES!
FIGHT TEAM FIGHT!
SCALP 'EM!
F-L-O-R-I-D-A S-T-A-T-E
FLORIDA STATE!
FLORIDA STATE!
FLORIDA STATE!
WOOO!
it's football season my friends!
FIGHT TEAM FIGHT!
SCALP 'EM!
F-L-O-R-I-D-A S-T-A-T-E
FLORIDA STATE!
FLORIDA STATE!
FLORIDA STATE!
WOOO!
it's football season my friends!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Leaving the nest
Tomorrow is Piper's big day, her first day of preschool. We've been preparing for this day for the past couple weeks, reading books, talking about what she'll do at school, seeing friends that she will be going to school with, meeting her teacher, and visiting the school.
I'll write more and have pictures tomorrow, now, I'm tired.
And sad.
Living in Twilight
The Weepies
You look darkly on the day,
with memories to light your way.
A little sad but it's all right.
We always living in twilight.
No one knocks upon your door
until you don't care anymore.
A little alone but it's all right.
We are always living in twilight.
Living in a dream,
walking in between the sunrise and sunset.
Living in a dream,
walking in between sunset and sunrise.
You get tied up in your day,
so I let go and walk away.
And now we're loose ends of the night.
We are always living in twilight.
So it goes,
though no one knows you like they used to do.
Have a drink, the sky is sinking toward a deeper blue.
And you're still all right,
step out into twilight.
So i stumble home at night
like I've stumbled through my life,
with ghosts and visions in my sight.
We are always living in twilight
I'll write more and have pictures tomorrow, now, I'm tired.
And sad.
Living in Twilight
The Weepies
You look darkly on the day,
with memories to light your way.
A little sad but it's all right.
We always living in twilight.
No one knocks upon your door
until you don't care anymore.
A little alone but it's all right.
We are always living in twilight.
Living in a dream,
walking in between the sunrise and sunset.
Living in a dream,
walking in between sunset and sunrise.
You get tied up in your day,
so I let go and walk away.
And now we're loose ends of the night.
We are always living in twilight.
So it goes,
though no one knows you like they used to do.
Have a drink, the sky is sinking toward a deeper blue.
And you're still all right,
step out into twilight.
So i stumble home at night
like I've stumbled through my life,
with ghosts and visions in my sight.
We are always living in twilight
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
so, sew
with ernesto looming and school cancelled and everything closed and a horrific amount of pain from a pinched nerve in my neck or back or shoulder, finally an update with pictures of some of the sewing i've been doing. Please excuse the incredibly lousy pictures...the lighting is bad and apparently I don't know how to take pictures of non-living things.
First, this bag that I call my "Back to school bag" inspired by this lovely crafter. The handles are measuring tapes.
You can find a very helpful tutorial here and you can make your own or comission me to make one for you! It would be my pleasure :)
Next, a gift made for a little friend of Piper's for her birthday. She is three now and needed a "3" t-shirt. She is one of Piper's more "girly" friends and very into the whole princess thing so the princess fabric was found and made into a little backpack using this tutorial and then she had to have a marker roll and art pad to carry around as a sort of little art-on-the-go kit. I'm loving the little embellished t-shirts I've been doing for birthdays. These are more examples of others doing the t-shirt thing...
the marker roll. I had made one of these for Piper a while back and couldn't remember what I had used at the thing to make it sturdy (i'm so technical here) so I used this heavy interfacing for this one and it turned out to stiff for my taste but it gets the job done.
and a dress for Piper sewn a while back. it is reversible and the inside is a cute paper dolls fabric.
more to come when i have time to fiddle with the camera and figure out how to make my work "say cheese". Oh, I almost forgot, I sold my first bag this week and was comissioned for another one from someone else who saw the first one. Although, I think this woman may just be being nice, jason says that when people part with their money it isn't about just being "nice". I'm excited. we'll see.
First, this bag that I call my "Back to school bag" inspired by this lovely crafter. The handles are measuring tapes.
You can find a very helpful tutorial here and you can make your own or comission me to make one for you! It would be my pleasure :)
Next, a gift made for a little friend of Piper's for her birthday. She is three now and needed a "3" t-shirt. She is one of Piper's more "girly" friends and very into the whole princess thing so the princess fabric was found and made into a little backpack using this tutorial and then she had to have a marker roll and art pad to carry around as a sort of little art-on-the-go kit. I'm loving the little embellished t-shirts I've been doing for birthdays. These are more examples of others doing the t-shirt thing...
the marker roll. I had made one of these for Piper a while back and couldn't remember what I had used at the thing to make it sturdy (i'm so technical here) so I used this heavy interfacing for this one and it turned out to stiff for my taste but it gets the job done.
and a dress for Piper sewn a while back. it is reversible and the inside is a cute paper dolls fabric.
more to come when i have time to fiddle with the camera and figure out how to make my work "say cheese". Oh, I almost forgot, I sold my first bag this week and was comissioned for another one from someone else who saw the first one. Although, I think this woman may just be being nice, jason says that when people part with their money it isn't about just being "nice". I'm excited. we'll see.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
stolen
from kellie
August 2001:
How old were you? 22
Where did you work? kindergarten teacher at a private school
Where did you live? Florida
Where did you hang out? home
How was your hair style? chin length bob, really ugly
Did you wear glasses? no
Who was your best friend? jason
Who was your regular-person crush? jason
How many tattoos did you have? 0
How many piercings did you have? 4
What car did you drive? ford explorer sport
What was your favorite band/group? U2
What was your worst fear? failure
Had you smoked a cigarette yet? yes
Had you driven yet? yes
Had you been arrested? no
Had you been to a real party yet? yes
Had your heart broken? not so much but i had broken a few
Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter: married 3 months
August 2006
How old are you? 27
What grade are you in? eventually going back to school but i don't know when
Where do you go to school? labschool
Where do you work? home
Where do you live? florida
Where do you hang out? home, my monthly bunko game, fabric stores, labschool
Do you have braces? no
Do you wear glasses? no
Who are your best friends? jason and kelly (we were best friends in high school and then not so much and now best friends again and i'm so happy about that)
Still talk to any of your old friends? yes
Who is your celebrity crush? hmm, nobody really...Jason is really hot so i don't need a celebrity, he's my celebrity
How many piercings do you have? still 4 (2 in both ears although i rarely wear earrings) and i want to get my nose pierced but i'm too chicken
How many tattoos? 0
What kind of car do you have? Land Rover LR3
What is your favorite band/group? U2
What is your biggest fear? anything that has to do with the safety and well being of my family and still failure
Have you been arrested since if so how many times total? 0
Has your heart been broken? since then? not so much, but my heart breaks a little each time I have to leave my girls and they are sad
Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter: so totally married
August 2001:
How old were you? 22
Where did you work? kindergarten teacher at a private school
Where did you live? Florida
Where did you hang out? home
How was your hair style? chin length bob, really ugly
Did you wear glasses? no
Who was your best friend? jason
Who was your regular-person crush? jason
How many tattoos did you have? 0
How many piercings did you have? 4
What car did you drive? ford explorer sport
What was your favorite band/group? U2
What was your worst fear? failure
Had you smoked a cigarette yet? yes
Had you driven yet? yes
Had you been arrested? no
Had you been to a real party yet? yes
Had your heart broken? not so much but i had broken a few
Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter: married 3 months
August 2006
How old are you? 27
What grade are you in? eventually going back to school but i don't know when
Where do you go to school? labschool
Where do you work? home
Where do you live? florida
Where do you hang out? home, my monthly bunko game, fabric stores, labschool
Do you have braces? no
Do you wear glasses? no
Who are your best friends? jason and kelly (we were best friends in high school and then not so much and now best friends again and i'm so happy about that)
Still talk to any of your old friends? yes
Who is your celebrity crush? hmm, nobody really...Jason is really hot so i don't need a celebrity, he's my celebrity
How many piercings do you have? still 4 (2 in both ears although i rarely wear earrings) and i want to get my nose pierced but i'm too chicken
How many tattoos? 0
What kind of car do you have? Land Rover LR3
What is your favorite band/group? U2
What is your biggest fear? anything that has to do with the safety and well being of my family and still failure
Have you been arrested since if so how many times total? 0
Has your heart been broken? since then? not so much, but my heart breaks a little each time I have to leave my girls and they are sad
Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter: so totally married
Thursday, August 24, 2006
There's nothing like it...
an afternoon thunderstorm
a bag of hot popped organic popcorn
a family movie
and a warm snuggle on the couch with my girls...
a bag of hot popped organic popcorn
a family movie
and a warm snuggle on the couch with my girls...
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
so i am watching project runway and if you watch it you know that commercial for loreal true match makeup with the makeup artist guy giving you a lesson on "flawless daytime makeup"? well his voice has some weird click in it and well, he looks sort of odd.
he creeps me out.
really. i have to close my eyes and plug my ears and hum a little tune or turn the channel because seriously, he gives me the heebie jeebies.
and also it is so not cool for jeff to be making angela's mom cry.
so. not. cool.
he creeps me out.
really. i have to close my eyes and plug my ears and hum a little tune or turn the channel because seriously, he gives me the heebie jeebies.
and also it is so not cool for jeff to be making angela's mom cry.
so. not. cool.
When jason is away...
So, Jason is out of town, again, this time in Philadelphia which makes me burstout into "PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM" which scares my children, and I have about 34 minutes until project runway starts andI should be getting the girls stuff together for tomorrow morning but, nah, i don't really feel like being productive.
I thought I might make a list of the things I want/need to make and then realized that most of these things need to be made before Saturday. hhmmmmm...
my list:
1. Backpack, marker roll, smock, t-shirt - for friend of Piper, birthday party Sat.
2. marker roll - ditto friend, ditto party Sat
(***both of these parties are at the same dress up place at different times on Saturday***)
ps - the 2nd marker roll friend's mother told us no gifts so is it wrong to take him just a teeny tiny little something...it's his birthday...please?
3. Finish machine-made patchwork purse (i hate that word - purse - ) for my mom - need to quilt one side and do lining and straps and sew it all up
4. Frame print for my mom - birhday on Sunday
5.make peach cobbler for BBQ/pool party on Sunday with friends (none of which have children and actually only 2 other married couples, should be interesting since I am constantly feeling like a living form of birth control around non married, childless people)
other than that, I got my first custom order this week for a tote/toddler bag. I'm trying not to get too excited about it, but someone is actually willing to pay me for making them a bag, itis pretty dang awesome. I just hope she is pleased with her purchase and tells all her friends.
23 minutes left...
I turned down the job I was offered this week. it was a very part time job that I would love, however the pay was only about $1200/year after the expense of childcare and it just isn't the right time for my family. I really have a peace and relief about the decision I made and that I actually made a decision. And now that i got that custom order, i think I may just give the sewing thing a good try. And I do believe that the opportunity will be presented again and hopefully at the right time for me to accept.
I love labschool. it is just so awesome and modern in an old-fashioned kind of way. Piper starts preschool next week and Finley starts the toddler program the week after that, we visited the school today and they are so excited. You know when you can see their whole body smile?, it was that kind of joy and excitement.
I'll leave you with this, my new favorite thought:
"it's never too late to be what you might have been"
I wish you well
I thought I might make a list of the things I want/need to make and then realized that most of these things need to be made before Saturday. hhmmmmm...
my list:
1. Backpack, marker roll, smock, t-shirt - for friend of Piper, birthday party Sat.
2. marker roll - ditto friend, ditto party Sat
(***both of these parties are at the same dress up place at different times on Saturday***)
ps - the 2nd marker roll friend's mother told us no gifts so is it wrong to take him just a teeny tiny little something...it's his birthday...please?
3. Finish machine-made patchwork purse (i hate that word - purse - ) for my mom - need to quilt one side and do lining and straps and sew it all up
4. Frame print for my mom - birhday on Sunday
5.make peach cobbler for BBQ/pool party on Sunday with friends (none of which have children and actually only 2 other married couples, should be interesting since I am constantly feeling like a living form of birth control around non married, childless people)
other than that, I got my first custom order this week for a tote/toddler bag. I'm trying not to get too excited about it, but someone is actually willing to pay me for making them a bag, itis pretty dang awesome. I just hope she is pleased with her purchase and tells all her friends.
23 minutes left...
I turned down the job I was offered this week. it was a very part time job that I would love, however the pay was only about $1200/year after the expense of childcare and it just isn't the right time for my family. I really have a peace and relief about the decision I made and that I actually made a decision. And now that i got that custom order, i think I may just give the sewing thing a good try. And I do believe that the opportunity will be presented again and hopefully at the right time for me to accept.
I love labschool. it is just so awesome and modern in an old-fashioned kind of way. Piper starts preschool next week and Finley starts the toddler program the week after that, we visited the school today and they are so excited. You know when you can see their whole body smile?, it was that kind of joy and excitement.
I'll leave you with this, my new favorite thought:
"it's never too late to be what you might have been"
I wish you well
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