It's a Tall Order

We Moved!

2011-01-22T23:01:00.002-05:00

Because it's depressing how long I let this blog fall into neglect, I'm starting over.

Join us HERE!!!

Our 2010 Family Christmas Card!

2010-11-27T17:38:00.002-05:00

Many Merry Memories Christmas

Make a statement with custom Christmas cards at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Testing... 1,2,3 Testing

2010-11-27T17:36:00.002-05:00

.....

Oh Sure! Let Me Just Rearrange My Life, Because THAT Sounds Fun!

2010-09-27T10:54:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday, an online friend commented on something I said, and she included the words: Kids Clothes Week Challenge.

Wait. That's in the spring, right? Although she did say that she was hoping to organize a fall challenge week, too. But I haven't looked at her blog lately. I should look.

And there, on Sunday evening, after very little thought and a great deal of excitement, I decided to join.

Sew one hour a day for one week. Okay, sure, I'm all over that! But one hour seems puny, I'll make it 2 a day. Or 10. That's right, I said 10. It was very, very hard to do my household duties every morning before I could turn my sewing machine & iron back on. And I neglected things like keeping the floor swept and deep cleaning. And folding laundry. Really, who needs to fold clothes when you can just make new ones?!

Monday evening, I sat down and finalized my pattern choices and picked out fabrics from my stash. My goal was to not need to buy any new fabric. This would make my sewing more bearable for J. Because you know I neglected him, too. Then, I started tracing patterns, pinning, and cutting.

Tuesday, J, Saxton, & I went south to get remodel supplies. Since we ate lunch at the pizza joint in the mall, I decided to run down to JoAnn's and see if they had anything I could use to recover the Mustang's back seat. They did not. However, I did spend $1.20 on some knit ribbing for some shirts I wanted to make Saxton. That night, I finished traing, cutting, & pinning, and then, I began some very minor sewing.

Wednesday, I down to business. I sewed everything enmass. Iron & sew. Iron & sew. Clip curved seams. I finished both of Saxton's 90 minute shirts.

Thursday, I continued in my mad woman manner. That evening, I completed a pair of pants for Saxton & the Oliver + s Pop Over Sun Dress for Korra. I Finished all but the button holes & buttons on 2 Oliver + s Sailboat Shirts for Korra. I decided to do all the button holes on everything at once, when everything else is done.

Friday, I was L-A-Z-Y. Well, actually, I had to run some errands and be a good wife and mother. But then I sat down in the afternoon with a romance novel, and, well, it was good to be unproductive for a change. I had to stay up to do some diaper laundry, so I sewed away, and I finish Saxton's red wool pants.

Then, on Saturday morning, the kids & I left town, met J at work, and went south for half a day. When we got home, we did the Saturday things that make being a family fun and chilled. Once the kids were in bed, I thought about turning the sewing machine & iron back on, and getting back to work, but I got sucked into Facebook and sleeping instead.

This left Sunday. Day 7 of the Kids Clothes Week Challenge. I knew I HAD to finish what I started. If I didn't, they would get set to the side, while I moved on to other projects. I know me. First, I finished putting the Oliver + s Playdate Dress together. I had plans to applique this fun pumpkin made out of 5 different patterns on it, but when I got it all cut out and ironed onto the interfacing, I decided it was too overbearing for the dress. So, I hung the dress up as done, but knew I wasn't really.

The last item waiting to be finished was the the Oliver + s Puppet Show Dress. and actually, it's still not done. I have to finish the hem (by hand) and sewing on the rest of the buttons. But it's *almost* done.

A little bit of inspiration later, I decided to add a little weenie dog applique to the Play Date dress, and I LOVE IT!

Oliver + s Play Date Dress

Oliver + s Puppet Show Dress

Call me crazy (because I am, I know) and join myself & 400+ other sewists this spring, to do it all again!

Six Months of Silence, Part 1

2010-09-19T14:06:00.000-04:00

Almost to the day! EEP!

My husband will tell you that I've not been so silent in real life. In fact, I keep waiting to wake with masking tape over my mouth, just so he can get a word in edge-wise. *blush*

I've been really, REALLY busy. I created a new blog (more on that later), knit a LOT, got my sewing machine fully repaired (& sewed a LOT), chased Saxton, saw a dance recital, took kids to cheer camp & scout camp, cooked out, grew a couple gardens, worked on the front porch, created a nest for me, got a puppy(!!!), canned like a mad woman, turned 30, discovered my dresser on fire, dealt with the stress of a short notice remodel, made Korra's back to school wardrobe, hosted Canning Camp, and much, much more.

Well, enough excuses. Because I left you all alone, I decided make a special post. You see, because I like to sew, and my husband likes when I sew cheap, I've rounded up quite the collection of free children's clothing tutorials and patterns. But what fun is having a collection if you can't share it??? Not much. so I'm sharing.

Enjoy!

BOYS:

Made (by Dana) the 90 Minute Shirt

Made (by Dana) Sweater Vest

Made (by Dana) Knee Pad Pants

Made (by Dana) Flat Front Pants Pockets

Sew a Straight Line Boxer Briefs

Made by Rae Men's Shirt to Boys' Shirt

Omi Creates Onsie with Binding

Saltwater Kids Shirt to Shorts

Saltwater Kids Tie Shirt

Sew Liberated Pilot's Cap

This Mama Makes Stuff Slim Slacks

Clever Girl Newsboy Cap

iKatbag Fold Up Cuff Pants

the Purl Bee Tie Boys' Tie

Handmade Con Amor Faux Fly & Pocket Pants

:::Falls on Floor, Exhausted:::

2010-03-22T14:48:00.009-04:00

I'm about as done as I can be, all things considering (like needing to replace the dripping faucet, but it has to wait for DH to be off to do that). Done that is, with the main batheroom!!!!
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I'm very happy at the moment.
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Before (sorta. I painted the cabinets white shortly after moving it, because the oak was fugly):
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And remember when I painted the walls back in November because I bought new rugs?
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Well, the time had arrived for the new flooring!
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We bought a single tile down south of us, put it in the batheroom, and liked it. So we called the Lowes north of us (much closer), and asked about the tile. They don't stock it there. But HUGE customer service rave!!!! They sold me the more expensive tiles at the same price I would have paid for the tiles I wanted!
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I took my original tile in, found it's long lost identical cousins, and brought all 70 home for $.88 cents each. We also bought the glue/primer that helps the self-stick tiles stick better on the wood subfloor, silicone caulking (that I ended up not using much of), and a new heat vent for the floor.
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The tile was bought on a Sunday, and on Monday, I did this:
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Like my painted square? We had to replace the wax seal on the toilet in December, and discovered serious floor damage. J replaced the many, many subfloors, and I painted it white to protect it from moisture, since we had cut away the linolium.
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On Tuesday, I bought a trowel, and spread the primer/bonding adhesive. After it sat for 5 hours and was just tacky to the touch, I started laying tile!
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On Wednesday, I finished laying the tile, and started sealing the joints with white caulking.
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On Thursday, DH helped me put the toilet back in with (yet another) new wax seal. Much to my horror, I hooked everything up, and discovered lots of water leaking out of the tank.
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J went to Home Depot and bought a $7 part to fix it, while I researched repairs on the internet.

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That night, I played plumber, and as they say, out with the old, and in with the new!

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The new floater isn't a ball. It's... different. But it works!
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The floor (and toilet) were done!
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On Sunday, I bought towels. At the advice of several opinionated friends, I went with the eggplant, chocolate, and gold. And, for the record, K-Mart carries a new line from Country Living. VERY nice stuff, at great prices.
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This past Saturday, I purchased 12 more vinyl self stick tiles, this time from Home Depot, and in granite. I cut the to 4x4 squares, sanded down the laminate counter top (followed by a good wiping), and laid tile on top of it. I "grouted" it with white caulking (like the floor), and my previously pale blue piece of plastic, is a stone look alike!

I painted all the switch plates tan, so that they flowed better as well.
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Like my antiqued brass accessories? Cannon from K-Mart. Yeah, baby!

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and finally, the finished space:

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Love my vintage cameras! Gotta have 'em EVERYWHERE, lol!

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My decor cost me $15. Most of the stuff you see, I had on hand, or I had the supplies on hand to make them. Tree branch is from my own backyard.

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My goal was elegant and classy. I think I reached it.
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I Want to be a Two Year Old

2010-03-19T22:33:00.003-04:00

I want to wake in the morning to my mommy's smiling face as she kisses my cheek and hugs me close, and promises me breakfast after she changes me.

I want to steal my brother's open lunch box and dump it on the floor so I can swipe his juice box.

I want to insist on bringing my woofwoof & minky blanket to go grocery shopping. And then sing a song I made up while we sit in the carwash cleaning salt off the truck.

I want to ride in a red plastic car with two steering wheels while mommy shops, and beep at everyone I see & wave hi. I will attempt to swipe bananas while mommy weighs some produce.

I want to eat a sugar laden cookie with sprinkles while the bakery tells me how cute I am. And then I will ask for another cookie, and get one.

I want to stand in the cart and hand mommy things, one.at.a.time. so that she can put them on the belt.

I want to ride in the shopping cart at Joann's and touch everything I can reach. No body cares how much toddlers pet yarn!

I want to be taken to Taco Bell, eat all my food and demand some of my mom's. Which will be spit out when I realize that there are veggies in it.

I want to try to take my seatbelt off while mommy drives home, and surprise her when I stand up in my seat. Aren't I clever?

I want to roam around the backyard, dragging my blanket in the dirt, leaves, & dead grass, while mommy unloads everything out of the truck.

I want to help mommy putaway groceries. Who cares if that jar doesn't go there?

I want to climb into daddy's bed and jump on him while yelling, "Hi Dad!" and be rewarded with a smile and my tummy being tickled.

I want to yell that I want to go outside while mommy cleans mud off my shoe, and the floor where I tracked the mud.

I want to drive my toys around the yard, insist that mommy follows me the whole way, and then, I want her to push my in the swing for exactly 3 pushes before I decide that I want to slide. And play with the Tonka firetruck. No, slide. No, truck. No, swing. No, slide.

I want to be carried inside after I bump my head, covered in kisses, and be washed off.

I want to be tucked into my bed, with a clean diaper, my minky blanket (that Mommy shook off outside), 10 billion crochet blankets, my minky pillow, a cotton sheet, and all (this means all) of my favorite stuffed animals.

I want to have my tummy rubbed while I suck down another sippy of water and my eyes drift shut.

I want to nap in the warm sunlight, snug in my bed. (Or so mom thinks)

I'm not asking too much, am I?

The Clothesline Said So Much

2010-03-17T22:33:00.002-04:00

It's finally warming up again, outside! Yippee!!! Yippee!!!

The snow melted pretty fast, but there's stil some piles here and there. We've been in the 50's several days now, off and on, but the wind is still nippy. And if the wind is nippy, my hands will freeze hanging wet clothes on the line. So I'm waiting. But soon, in about a week, my clothesline will again become primary source of dried clothing around the house.

Tonight, while web browsing, I came accross this poem, and it made me feel all warm and summery.

Enjoy!

The Clothesline Said So Much

A clothesline was a news forecast
To neighbors passing by.
There were no secrets you could keep
When clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link
For neighbors always knew
If company had stopped on by
To spend a night or two.

For then you'd see the fancy sheets
And towels on the line;
You'd see the company table clothes
With intricate design.

The line announced a baby's birth
To folks who lived inside
As brand new infant clothes were hung
So carefully with pride.

The ages of the children could
So readily be known
By watching how the sizes changed
You'd know how much they'd grown.

It also told when illness struck,
As extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
Haphazardly were strung.

It said, "Gone on vacation now"
When lines hung limp and bare.
It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged
With not an inch to spare.

New folks in town were scorned upon
If wash was dingy gray,
As neighbors raised their brows,
And looked disgustedly away.

But clotheslines now are of the past
For dryers make work less.
Now what goes on inside a home
Is anybody's guess.

I really miss that way of life.
It was a friendly sign
When neighbors knew each other best
By what hung on the line!
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-Marilyn K. Walker
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2010-01-16T19:55:00.001-05:00

"A Police Officer's Wife"

A special kind of woman: a cut above the rest,That's A Police Officer's Wife, rating her best.

How many good byes are whispered, joined with a fond embrace?As duty steals her man, for the danger he must face.

How often have meals been ruined - or tender moments disturbed,by a call for special duty, sparking loyalty un-swerved?

It's a devil of a job, for an angel like this,Who......for the love of her man, must forsake that kiss,
She can run a garden tractor; even paint a room in need,How she can stretch a dollar is a miracle indeed.

She's mother, lover, chauffeur and nurse, A living symbol of: "for better or for worse."
Rich is the man, reaping his rewards in life,Who chose to be the other half of
A Police Officer's Wife.

(Author Unknown)

For you, Carrie.

I've Wanted to Take Pics Like this for Awhile Now

2010-01-06T13:39:00.004-05:00

I've seen a lot of posts in an online chat community that I belong to, where people ask how to store cloth diapers. Very few responses include a changing table like our's, and most of the curious have similar tables.

So, here is where we change diapers and how Saxton's cloth diapers are stored

The diapers are stored by type on the middle shelf of the changing table, in either baskets or stacks. The in season wool, our choice cover, is also stored on this shelf. The cloth wipes sit in the center front for easy access. The bottom shelf contains hemp doublers (the best kind ever), off-season wool, and soakers. The wetback hangs on the right side of the table, and the diaper pins are stored to the left, on top of the dresser.

We use several types of diapers, including flats, prefolds, fitteds, AIOs, and pockets.

From left to right: (front row) flats, prefolds, wipes, and fitteds

(back row) more flats, wool longies, pockets, and more fitteds

I love how bright and cheery our diapers are!

Yup, that's right, we own a Farmall patterned diaper. Isn't it cute?

We own several different brands of fitteds.

Front to back: Suzy's One Size & Four Little Fluff Bugs, Goodmamas, and stacked in the top picture, Artsy Fartsy FooFoo, and on top of the table, Sustainablebabyish.

I prefer Blueberry brand pockets & Bum Genious Organic AIOs when we don't want to wear wool or our Olive Jane cover.

(AIOs are kept in the diaper bag)

Usually, we wear wool. I love handknit wool!

(in case you can't tell from previous posts)

I covered a handmade bar of soap with a piece of flannel, and keep my pins stuck in it. Not only does it keep my pins close by, but the natural oils from the soap coat the ends and make them very easy to slide thru diaper fabric. Because it's on top of the dresser, I don't have to worry about Saxton geting into the pins and getting hurt.

The bottom shelf of the changing table has 3 baskets that sit in the front. One basket holds hats (that Saxton has no intention of wearing), one holds his newly aquired blocks, and the 3rd is where we keep his shoes (not that he wears more than one pair, picky kid).

Behind the baskets, and away from curious fingers, I keep our other diapering supplies.

In the back left corner, is the hemp inserts/doublers (all made by the notorious AFFF), stacked neatly (sorta), where i can reach them from the side when needed.

In the center back is the stack of shorties, waiting ever so patiently for warmer weather. Aren't they bright and cheery?

In the back right hand corner, and not pictured, is where I keep our stack of wool soakers. We wear them under jenas, cords, slacks, and at night. Like the doublers, I can reach them thru the bars of the table.

Lastly, the top of the changing table.

I keep the changing pad up there, of course, and hang wool off the edges to dry. Sometimes they are drying after a super wet diaper or a day of use, or if they a soaker, I hang them there after I wash and lanolize them. Right after I wash & fold diapers, I usually place a night time diaper on top, because I don't have room below.

There you have it; the where, how, and why we store the diapers the way we do.

Happy cloth diapering!

If We Make It Thru December...

2010-01-03T16:13:00.013-05:00

I always thought that old country song was, well, out of line with the Christmas season. But after the Decemeber we just survived, I think I can relate to the song writer.

The Sunday before Thanksgiving, I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph a family for their Official Christmas Family Picture. I actually photographed 3 families, but this picture has stuck out as a tradtional styled favorite from the shoot:

Thanksgiving Dinner went really well, with my inlaws in attendance. Dinner was delicious, we all ate too much, and the day was wonderfully enjoyable!

(Now to just convince the inlaws that I want to visit after dinner, and J & I can do dishes after they leave...)

Black Friday found me rising early, meeting J when he got off work for the kid transfer, and Saxton & I bargain hunting. I think we did really well!

I was home around noon so that J could go help with the MRR Club Toy Train Show at the Mall. It took a little racing around the house on our part to get out the door on time for the area light-up parade, but we were there early, with a clean truck and bundled up kiddos.

Xavian rode in his Cub Scout Pack's float

And I drove Korra, minus her attendants, to represent her portion of the Pleasantville Royalty.

It was a rain sleet mix, and I had a very cold and shivering pair of children at the parade's end. Thank heavens for cheeseburgers and hot chocolate!

This is about the time that one of Santa's Elves came to live with us. We named our Elf on the Shelf, Ralph. Ralph was in a new place almost every day, and oh! how much fun the kids had finding him!

We rose to an unseasonable warm day on Saturday, and were waitting for the tree stand to open at noon, to insure we could pick out the perfect tree. The wonderful thing about these trees, is that they are grown less than 30 miles away, and are cut Thanksgiving Day, so they are fresh, and really last the Christmas season!

Xavian helped me drag that big ol' thing into the house, and once I bought more lights, I covered it in the glowing bulbs and we set about decorating it Tuesday night.

Friday night was our Hill Top Hometown Christmas Bash, and off we went to see Santa and for Korra to perform more raoyal duties.

The visits with Santa were quite annimated, and full of smiles!

The highlight of the evening was Xavian's uplanned invitation to sing We Wish You a Merry Christmas with the performing band. Very unexpected, but so wonderful to see and hear!

Sadly, this is when our month long Christmas celebration took a sad turn. In the chaos of returning home from seeing Santa, our beloved family dog, Alco, did the unthinkable. Saxton had surgery, and Alco had to be sent to a new home. We miss Alco everyday, and we've coulda-woulda-shoulda'd ourselves over and over.

In the end, we've both had to admit that Alco made the choice, and all we could do is find him a home without toddlers.

Saxton has recovered, but will have scars. And he still loves "woof woofs".

Korra's Christmas program found mom and dad sitting on hard metal benches, watching their little girl sing. And sing she did!

That evening, our lives took another painful turn. The neighbor's dogs attacked and killed Chessie on our backporch. I will admit, I lost it on the dog owner. Especially since his dogs did this to another cat of our's (front porch), have destoyed property of our's, and have a history of terrorizing Alco and the kids. Not to mention those dogs have cornered me in my garage.

We opted for legal action this time. It doesn't look good for the dog owner.

Needless to say, I had an emotional breakdown about this point, and really didn't feel like celebrating Christmas anymore. J & I held each other and the kids, and we all cried.

Thank God for family and friends who lift you up when you feel so lost and hurt. Their kind words helped us pick ourselves back-up, and restored much of our Christmas spirit.

Xavian's school Christmas Program was the following Monday night, and my! he looked handsome!

My BFF Nicki came the following Saturday to cut Saxton's hair. I won't lie, I cried.

First came off mommy's lock of hair to keep

Then 'Aunt' Nicki set to work turning him into a big boy. She did a wonderful job!

Always the clown, Xavian ventured out into the snow while Nicki was visiting, and turned himself into a human snowman!

Before we knew it, it was the Tuesday before Christmas, and we celebrated Korra's 6th birthday a few days early (she's a Christmas Eve Miracle)

And then it was Christmas Eve, and we made cookies and candy. And hot choclate on a stick. YUM!

Then we hung our stocking by the chimney with care,

Left Santa some cookies and milk,

And woke to Christmas morning and gift opening!

Saxton decided unwrapping new things is the best thing ever!

And Xavian was left speechless when he opened his REAL drawing supplies

Christmas dinner was tasty (as usual), and we lazed around a great deal the rest of Christmas break. With exception of my annual after Christmas shopping trip, of course.

Our Christmas turned out much happier and fulfilling than we thought it would be, after the rough patches. But we made it thru December, so we're going to be fine.

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year, from my family to your's.

A Handmade Christmas

2009-11-25T13:43:00.003-05:00

I know, I know. It's the day before Thanksgiving & I should be respecting the turkey. But, like most moms (& dads), I have to start thinking and working on Christmas long before the man in the red suit makes his first appearance and churches light the first Advent candle.

Like many of my friends, online and in real life, we are attempting a mostly handmade Christmas morning. Some things will be bought. It would be too much on myself & J if we were to try to make everything.

To help others who are attempting the same idea, I thought I'd post a sampling of what has been/will be made with love to sit under the tree

Sewn:

*Napkins for lunchboxes
*Children's clothes

*Barbie clothes

*Alterations from thrift store found prom dresses to dress-up clothes

Knit:

*Socks

*Sweater

*Ornaments

*Hats, scarves & mittens

*Barbie & Ken sweaters

*Cotton washcloths

Crafted:

*Hairbows

*Ornaments

*Candles

*Raw sugar body scrubs

Canned & Cooked:

*Jellies
*Salsas

*Pickles

*Candies & cookies

It's a lot of work, I won't lie, but I started working on things this summer, and am excited about every item as I put it in the chest at the foot of our bed. It's quickly filling up!

I am No Longer Scared to Have People Ask to Use the Restroom

2009-11-15T22:38:00.008-05:00

It wasn't so much that I was scared "scared" per say, but partially embarrassed. The room was a pale disaster that showed dirt horribly and was in all together shabby condition. And this is the one room of my house where my house guests can be 100% alone.

:::shudder:::

I give you, the before pictures:

It was the rugs that did me in.

I bought them 3 years ago, and after many, many, many, many, many, many washings, they had lost their grip. To step on one was to risk your life. One wrong step, and Slip! out the window you would go.

Okay, not really, but you could slip and fall.

Their edges were frayed and separating.

Such a sad, sad sight.

So I thought to myself, Hmmmmmm...

I should buy new rugs. But what color to get? What really goes with this nasty seafoam wall color?

Nothing.

But if I painted the walls, too...

And so it began.

I've wanted to do a chocolate room for awhile now, but J always vetoed me. His reasoning? Dark walls make a room feel small and closed in. I, of course, have always diagreed. Which led to a sign on the door, and only myself allowed admittance while I worked.

The sign also kept my children out. Little fingers like to touch wet walls. It's a hardship.

I baracaded the door with a couple laundry baskets of folded laundry as well, to ensure everyone stayed out.

It took about 2.5 coats to paint the walls choclate brown, also known as plymouth brown (benjamin moore).

Have you ever painted around a toilet? It's not fun.

I opted to treat the cabinets like furniture, and paint them a bit different than the trim. I painted them bright white (with teflon!), and then rag glazed stone colored streaks on the surface area and doors. It's subtly nice!

Once the doors were returned to their rightful positions, I started putting the space back together. I put up the freshly laundered lace curtains,

Hung the shower curtains on their new hooks,
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Hung my 5.5 year old Home Interior's mirrors that have lived their foam box since the day I got them (loved them, but never could figure out where to put them)

Returned the toiletories to the counter space,

Placed the toothbrushes in the new tumbler I found on sale at K-Mart,

Spread the new rugs on the floor,

And called J in to take his first look. He, of course, was awed by how the brown DIDN'T shrink the room. He is quite impressed to say the least. His kiss said so.

After showing the fresh space to J & the kids, we put the 3 urchins to bed, and I set about finishing the room.

The last thing on my list: stenciling a gold design around the top of the room.

I used my Cutterpead, cut the design I desired out of cardstock, and pounced some acrylic pure gold paint into the template.

LOVE IT.

Don't you?

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The completed space:

It's soooo very, very different now!

And finally, the cost breakdown:

Paint, $20.53

Rugs, $26.98

Curtain Hooks, $7.49

Tumbler, $7.19

______________________

Grand Total, $62.19

Of course, now I want the matching liquid soap dispenser, 2 matchy matchy soap dishes, and the trashcan, plus new towels, and possibly some new tiles for the floor....

Because I Love You

2009-11-14T15:44:00.004-05:00

When you wake to this:

And this:

And then you see this:

You melt into a puddle of warm goo

Meet: Mo(w)

2009-11-11T08:13:00.004-05:00

One week ago yesterday, I attened our district's Title 1 Parent Conference. Always informative and fun, this year proved to be the best yet. And I know. I've attended all 4 conferences they've put on.

From learning about how to help our children become better readers to listening to motivational speakers talk about who we parents are the main defining part of our children's education to learning about how our children learn (it's not how you and I did!), I soak up every minute in hopes that I can help my children become the best students they can be.

This year, we also had a class called Agriculture in the Classroom. It was extremely shocking to discover how many parents are clueless about farms! This is where our food, clothing, and Christmas trees come from people!

Along with learning that Pennsylvania is the mushroom capital of the world and how our children are learning about farms, we did a few hands on projects to bring agriculture into the home. The pinecone feeder is hanging in a tree outside the kitchen windows, the kids ate the trailmix that explained what makes up a pig's food, and Mo(w), our illustrius grass seed catipillar, is living on the kitchen counter.

Mo(w) is aptly named, because in one week he not only prouted his hair, but his "hair" is almost to the point of needing mowed.

With a little water, some sunshine, and lot of love, Mo(w) will live with us for a long, long, loooooooooooong (to the point Mommy may have to make him disappear during the night) time.
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Hawt.

2009-11-10T23:18:00.004-05:00

One perfectly fitting dress under my belt, and I'm feeling confident! (I'll show off the dress once the hem is set. My 401A, with all it's many stitching glory is having a factory only part replaced)

As my luck would have it, JoAnn's had one of their big pattern sales going on when I was there on 10/30. So I gave a peek.

The first pattern I snagged, a Vintage Vogue, I've actually had my eye on. But the $25 price tag, even at JoAnn's usual 40% off was too pricey. The sale had them at $3.99, and I pounced!

I think the lines of this dress are incredible. And hopefully a little, or a lot, slimming.

While leafing thru the drawer for my first pattern (the patterns were a little mixed up), I ran accross my 2nd $3.99 bargain:

Love this dress. J says to make it in a rich shade of a lighter green. I'm still trying to figure out what he meant. Maybe he means a richer shade of chartreuse?

The Butterick patterns were $1.99, or was it 99c? Hrmmm. Oh well, doesn't matter. They were cheaper than normal.

So I looked thru the book, hoping to find something with structure (a must with my figure), when I found this vintage wrap dress.

This dress is so simple in design! Perfect for whipping out a couple to wear in the summer. I love a nice, light summer dress with good lines, and this is it!

So there you have it folks. I bought 3 patterns that I can't touch until January, because I am a busy bee prepping for Christmas. Lots of Christmas presents to knit and sew. 2 rooms to paint in the next 2 weeks. 3 big meals to prep and cook. And a birthday party to prepare and throw.

Craziness!

Uh-Oh!

2009-11-01T21:56:00.003-05:00

The decorating bug has bit. Again.

Le'Sigh.

Or is it a SQUEEEEEEE! ?

Hrrrmmmmmmm....

Either way, it looks like the mudroom is to be painted pumpkin orange (a plan long in the works), and the batheroom will have milk chocolate coated walls. I'm going to paint the cabinetry in the bathe a fresh coat of white, dry brush on some antique white, and then rub on a gold gilt on the cabinet doors' edges. Maybe I'll treat the linen closet door and the inside of the batheroom door the same. We'll see. The trim is getting a fresh coat of white as well. I'm keeping the glass handles and knobs. I wonder what a handpainted gold border of scrollwork would look like at the hight of the walls...

Of course, all be done by Thanksgiving, so as to not hinder my Christmas decorating the next weekend.

Is there a support group for habits like this? Do they come and help you paint?

At least the wall space is actually pretty small in both spaces. They just need something new. And to look like our home, not the former owners.

I wonder if J & I can find money in the budget for new batheroom towels....

Trick-Or-Treat!

2009-10-30T21:06:00.005-04:00

Happy Halloween!

We Trick-or-Treated last night, here in town.

J handed out candy & I took the kids around.

Alco guarded the 3rd floor, while Chessie watched from the shadows.

Everyone dressed up but me. Someone has do have freedom of movement to choral those kids!

Here's my Halloween Scene Bunch, hanging on our spiderweb covered front porch

J was Shrek

Saxton was a chocolate lab puppy (so cute!)

Wag that tail puppy dog!

Korra was Barbie Mariposa

(my right thumb is still numb from doing all that cutting for those wings)

Xavian was a Rootin' Tootin' Cowboy

Yeeeeee-Haw!

Xavian showed off his cattleman skills by herding and laso'ing a runaway Saxton

J had a blast passing out candy and joking with the grown-ups. I heard more than one kid say they saw Shrek, lol!

This kids were very well behaved and had fun going door-to-door. Saxton never did say Trick-or_trick, but he did say NomNom a LOT. It worked.

I got the biggest laugh, when we got home and discovered that, under the cover of darkness, Saxton had been pilfing his candy and eating it. He was shocked that we caught him!

I hope everyone else is enjoying themselves and having a Spooktacular good time!

Pumpkin Guts & Monster Faces

2009-10-27T21:06:00.006-04:00

We always put off pumpkin carving until just a few days before trick-or-treating, because I fear the pumpkin smashing morons of the world & rotting pumpkins.

We buy our pumpkins from a local pumpkin farm who charges 25c a pound. We always get big fat ones to carve, warty ones for interest, and white ones because they are cool. This year, it was pouring down rain when we got to the pumkin stand, so the kids stayed in the car, and my MIL & I got drenched picking out the best of the best. The kids then spent the next 20 days rolling them, carrying them, sitting on them, and dreaming up what to carve.

Just a few benefits of buying same day picked local!

The pumpkin stash, minus the 5 pie pumpkins that were gutted and tortured in the kitchen

The kids decided who's was whose, and then I whipped out my trusty butcher knife

(Please ignore my concentrating face)

The removing of the pumpkin guts took about an hour!

The actual carving process was fairly quick.

Korra had me draw the design on her's, while Xavian manned the marker himself.

I carved mine & Saxton's

J carved his and Korra's

Xavian's took a joint effort and a lot of hand cramping.

Finally, we lit our 2009 Jack-o-Lanterns!

Can anyone guess which one belongs to each of us?

It's beginning to feel a lot more like Halloween!

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Meet Heidi

2009-10-26T09:25:00.003-04:00

Before I start the kids' Halloween costumes, I had a couple custom orders. My favorite is Heidi.

Inspired by the Shirly Temple version's costuming, this is what I came up with:
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The apron is a piece cut out of a hand appliqued tablecloth. So sweet and perfect for this piece! The costume is one piece, plus a corset to blouse the top over and cinch the waist. We originaly decided on yellow trim on the red skirt, but the trim seemed to take away from the apron, so I kept it simple and made the corset ties yellow.

Thank you for allowing me to dress your little princess for Halloween, Brianna!

I can't wait to see pictures!

Does a 6 Year Anniversary Make You Old?

2009-10-25T22:35:00.006-04:00

I hope not!

We had a lovely anniversary weekend. Almost perfect.

Saturday, my FIL & MIL came and picked up Xavian and Korra for the night, and took them to the Zoo Boo.

Sans Thing 1 and Thing 2, J, Saxton & I went out for a late lunch and shopping for J a new pair of jeans. Then, our wonderful neighbors took Saxton for the evening, and J & I dressed up as a Midevil Lord & Lady and went to a really awsome Halloween party! Sorry, no pic of J & I. I thing everyone else got pictures of us on their cameras, but neither of us thought to make sure we were on ours.

:::blush:::

The party was a blast! It was costume required, with wait-staff, and an open bar. A very open bar if you catch my drift! "Oh, was that a Jack & Coke? Let me splash some Coke into that for you."

My FIL returned the kids around noon today, and seeing how the weather was sunny and warm-ish, we took the kids to a local corn maze.

Someone should have warned us about the mud!

Xavian did most of the navigating, with Korra chiming in

And J was a good Daddy and husband by braving the muddiest of mud to punch our maps at a few of the checkpoints

Saxton ran the haybale maze a couple times (yay! for toddler friendly activities too!)

Xavian and Korra each took a try at milking the "cow" in the barn

I *thought* I would get some really cute pictures of the kids with this monster of a pumpkin, but Saxton wanted NOTHING to do it! And so, we now have a picture of a very angry Saxton. Who seemed to just really dislike that particular pumpkin, because I tried to go back and try for a good picture about 15 minutes later, and he screamed the instant he was taken near it.

I hope the pumpkin didn't take it personal.

To finish out our weekend, we drove to the bridge where J asked me to marry him, and poked around.

It's so nice that Xavian is old enough to hand a camera!
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I told J this morning, "If I knew everything we would go thru, the very worst of it, I'd still marry you. The good stuff makes it 100% worth it."

He said, "Me too."

Love you, J! Happy anniversary, honey!

Did You Know They Make 1/2 Gallon Canning Jars?

2009-10-22T22:56:00.003-04:00

I knew that they used to, but I didn't realize that they are making a comeback.

What might one use a 2 quart Ball jar for, you ask?

Well,

I used my 6 new jars to can 3 gallons of that amazing apple cider we made last Saturday. Tonight, while J & I admired the freshly processed jars, I came to the conclusion that they are perfect for canning a family sized soup meal. Which would be great when I'm sick or have to make dinner on the fly for whatever reason.

They cost $10 for 6, which is comparable to a dozen quart jars for $10. And, unlike many pint, 1/2 pint and 1/2 cup jars, and some quart jars, these won't go to other homes as gifts. They'll live here, and only here. And that makes them cost effective as well. Not to mention that home processed food contains far less preservatives that store bought pre-made foods. BPA anyone?

To give you an idea of the size difference in jars, the pictured jars are sized as follows from front to back:

1/2 cup jar (great for apple butters, ect for gift giving)

1/2 pint jelly jar

Pint sized jelly jar

Pint jar, regular mouth

Quart jar, wide mouth

1/2 gallon jar, wide mouth

Every size of jar has it's use. Some are used more widely than others.

I'm hoping to add another 1/2 dozen of the 2 Quart (1/2 gallon) jars to my collection next pay, so I can make some family sized soup.

Oh, and you won't find these at Wal-Mart, the grocery store, the bulk foods store, or Cosco. You're going to have to call around to your small town hardware stores. I found mine 10 miles south of here in a mom & pop hardware/general store set-up. But I called several other places before I found some. I saw some on Amazon as well, but you're going to pay $20 per half dozen by the time they charge you shipping.

And for those of you requesting a canning blog, perhaps eventually, but right now, I'm stretched pretty thin keeping up with my family and this blog. Add 8 more hours to the day, & it might help.

If You've Ever Wondered How Cider is Made:

2009-10-18T12:54:00.007-04:00

It's so much fun to take these:

And turn them into this:

And fill up a bunch of these:

How do we do it you ask? Well...

First the apples must go through Quality Control:

Then they are washed and any with bad spots are sorted out

The antique cider pressing mill is fired up and the washed apples are dumped in to be crushed:

It's realized that the newly added motor's belt keeps comming off because of the leg of the mill, so adjustments are made:

Success!

We are up and running!

Our hosts, and good friends, Ryan & Lacy:

Let the pressing begin!

J & the bigger boys crank down on the apples to press out the precious juices:

But boys aren't allowed to have all the fun. It takes a girl to make sure it's done right!

Once all the juice, now cider, is out, the excess pulp is dumped to feed to farm animals:

The collected cider is then passed on the the goddesses of the kitchen, otherwise known as wives & mothers. We strain the cider into old milk & vinegar jugs:

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Once all our jugs are filled, it's time to eat our yummy desserts, and...

Bob for Apples!

Xavian had the fasted time with 16 seconds

Eben was a close second

There's already talk about pressing pears as well as apples next year, which brought up pear-berry cider allowed to turn into hard cider. And also talks of making maple syrup. I just need to talk my FIL out of his maple syrup supplies...

It Rained on Our Parade.

2009-10-16T20:45:00.004-04:00

And snowed.

So technically it sleeted. Or is it sleated? Hrm...

Either way, Brrrrrrrr! It was COLD!

Korra was a trooper, as were her adorable runner-ups. Those 3 girls really like to throw the candy, lol!

Her majesty, Princess Korra, showing her school colors:

I'd love to show the other sweeties off, but I forgot to their parents' permission.

I did however get permission from the freshman class, who were very proud of their really ah-some! float. Didn't they do a great job?!

Cue 1960's super hero music

BAM!

Love it.

Hello GQ!

2009-10-14T22:21:00.004-04:00

Someone, please, tell me when he started growing up

And turned into this handsome cutie

Who knows the power of a look

And makes my heart ache and melt all at once.

Please?

I Cry When I'm Sick

2009-10-11T16:04:00.004-04:00

I feel so pitiful and bad that I am useless for my family when I get sick.
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Everyone but Xavian has been or is sick. Lucky Xavian!
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Saxton is the only one with a fever, so he must have a virus too. Poor guy. I know it has to be a virus, because he's on a prescription to prevent infection right now. At least he takes meds well.
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Anywho, I feel much better, J & Saxton are still down, Korra is getting worse. Fun times.
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So that's where we are. Anyone wanna come visit?
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Relief.

2009-10-07T22:44:00.003-04:00

Saxton received his first stitches Monday night (a milestone I would have prefered skipped), and we were a little worried about how he would recover. 11 stitches, no matter how small, is still a lot for a little face.

Tuesday, his little face was so swollen and looked so sore.

I really thought he'd end up with a black eye, but after today, I think the plastic surgeon is right. He's going to heal very quickly! I doubt he'll have any scars by the time he starts school.

Saxton is back to being himself and loving on his puppy

Kisses for Saxton!

Alco is a pillow!

Alco highly dislikes a camera flash. He never smiles when it's on.

I am so grateful for how well this has all turned out.

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers!

Prima Ballerina

2009-10-06T18:25:00.002-04:00

I think we've found the perfect activity for Korra.

It involves big mirrors, the color pink, sparkles, and being pretty.

Oh, and getting to dance on stage at the end of the year.

Lessons started today, and Korra is like a duck in water. Except these "ducks" run on their tip toes. She's quite impressed.

And very pink.

The dress code we received said we'd alternate pink weeks and black weeks. Tonight, I found out that "Pink Ballet" doesn't follow the dress code. As the teacher said, little girls at this age tend to outgrow things quickly, and to expect us to financially keep up with the dress code on top of current sizes is too much to ask. Can we get a Yay!?

Korra learned to run on her tip toes, to properly turn at the bar, and 2 other moves. Oh, and to always tie her ballet slippers at the beginning of class.

She's not too shabby!

I should add that her Daddy observed, "she has really long legs."

I think Daddy is worried about the future boys, lol!

I Really Should Update My Interwebz

2009-10-05T22:12:00.004-04:00

I have a bio that I made all about us and our house.

It's sadly behind.

I've made several changes, like rearranging and new furniture (antiques) and wall hangings and a bunch of other "stuff". I've added some stuff, but I haven't updated the old. I should. Before I put Christmas decor up again. I'd like a Christmas free dining room to show off, lol!

I really need to motivate myself....

A Little Something for Me

2009-10-04T22:52:00.004-04:00

I don't make myself very many things. It's a sad fact. I make things for my family, friends, and interweb strangers, but never for me.

I have, however, discovered that polyester knit is the fabric of the season. Ick. I'm a natural fabrics gal. I can do without the polyester tops, dresses, and pants, that will all become covered in tiny little snags and fuzzies in about one wash.

I'm shuddering here.

I get that silk and pure wool, especially merino and cashmere, are too $$$ to find at the local stores, but what about cotton? Wool blends? Isn't polyester plastic thread? Like petrolium based? Shouldn't IT be too pricy to produce with the current cost of oil by the barrell?

Sadly, the fashion world has also decided that the 80's should return.

WHO'S IDEA WAS THIS???

Shoulder pads, styrup pants, neon plaids, skinny jeans, and doe skin fabrics were a part of the past for a reason!

:::fans self:::

So, basically, my clothing choices for this fall are tacky and tackier. Gag me with a spoon. Please.

The upside to the horridness of the mass produced clothing market, is that I have the abilties to make what I want.

I spent almost 2 hours at JoAnn's, looking through pattern catalogs and fingering fabrics. Thankfully, all 3 kids were more than cheerful to wait. Xavian and Korra looked at Halloween costumes, and Saxton was cheerful to half nap in his stroller.

I found several vintage patterns that called my name, but am on a budget, so I decided to pick one to start.

Meet Butterick pattern 6582, a 1960's designed cocktail dress:

The beauty of the dress is that it's from a time when hour glass figures were celebrated, the necklines weren't so cleavage baring, and a woman's back was considered sexy.

It's a good thing I'm fond of my back.

I'm loving style A, the black dress with shoulder bows. I'm going to make the bows detatchable, so that I have the option to wear a cardigan.

The pattern calls for light weight fraille, crepe, taffeta, pique, light weight linen, or shantung.

I'm making mine with a deep red suiting weight wool. It's more pratical for actual wear. I don't go to too many cocktail parties, but I do go to church, luncheons, and Christmas parties.

The dress itself is supposed to hit mid-calf. I'm thinking I'll probably go with knee length.

I'm making a muslin mock-up of the dress so that I can determine alterations to ensure a perfect fit. This is a first for me. It's also a must, because the dress is supposed to be semi-formfitting. I don't want to waste any of this beauful fabric! Besides, if I were to buy more, it probably wouldn't be on sale, and I'd have to pay $25 a yard. Eeep!

Wish me luck, as I am excited and daunted all at once. I really want to love the finished product!

My Household Cleaner Recipes

2009-09-30T14:05:00.003-04:00

Okay, I get asked this a LOT. So, here we go, forever posted on the interwebs, my 2 main cleaning recipes:

Furniture Polish

2 cups Veggie or Olive Oil

1/4 cup Lemon Juice

Combine in a spray bottle and shake before use. We live where it's cold & dry, and with all our woodwork, I have to heep it healthy. This does the trick. My wood sucks it up, and doesn't leave any greasy film. Just spray, wipe, and let dry for 20 minutes.

Bathe Tub Cleaner

1 cup Baking Soda

1/2 cup White Vinegar

Splash of Water

I sprinkle the baking soda all over inside the tub, get a textured rag wet, and start scrubbing. Yes, there is some elbow grease involved, but think how great your arms will look! Once the baking soda is paste-like, I sprinkle in the vinegar and let it foam for about 1 minute, and then I start wiping w/ my unrinsed textured cloth again. Buh-bye scum! Rinse with water.

Happy, healthy, clean house!

FABULOUS. Peroid.

2009-09-29T12:39:00.005-04:00

I have such Fabulous moments in my life.

Take yesterday for example:

I had lots to do. And not a lot of time. I also have a couple projects that even to be done by midnite Thursday night. And that required a trip to JoAnn's and spending $6. It almost cost more. Like a speeding ticket more.

I was in the checkout line at JoAnn's when my cell rings. "Hi, is this Korra's mom? Would you please come and get her? She threw up."

FABULOUS.

I am 40 minutes from my house, and because of construction, almost 50 minutes from the school.

"Okay, sure. I be there in about 45 minutes. I'm running errands down south today."

I pay for my purchase, grab Saxton and speed out of the mall and load us into the car. As I'm fishing out my keys, I realize that in about 25 minutes, J has a friend comming over. When the friend arrives, I'm supposed to wake J up.

FABULOUS.

I take a deep breath and think reasonably, "Just get to the house, wake J no matter if his friend is there or not and then drive to the school and get Korra. No rush."

I drive. I sing with the radio. I notice a patrol car at an intersection, but think nothing of it. I stop at the stop sign and make my turn. And then I follow the car in front of me. and then I see the flashing lights.

I don't know what is more embarrassing:

A. Getting pulled over for speeding twice in less than 6 months (I really am not a fast driver!)

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B. Being friends with the person who just pulled you over and knowing that she's going to give you husband hell over it.

-or-

C. Having the school call 15 minutes after you get pulled over to tell you that it's not your child who threw up, it was someone else. "Sorry for the mix-up"

My face is still RED.

DH lectured me this morning. Not that I didn't tell him, but to hear from a co-worker, well, he had to remind me that we need snow tires and to get into the "winter driving mindset."

*sigh*

I think I shall drown my sorrows in candy corn and apple cider. Or hot chocolate. I don't think I have any homemade cider left in the freezer.

I've Been Knitting Again

2009-09-26T19:11:00.004-04:00

I like this knitting thing!

This fall weather jumpstarted my need to knit for fall, winter and Christmas. My needles have been clicking away. I'm sure my sewing machine being re-tuned has played a part, but still, at least I like knitting as much as sewing!

Of course, I needed to do a photo shoot with Saxton and these adorable longies and hat I made. The only thing cuter in these pictures is him, and I made him too! Ha!

We started the shoot by playing on the big slide,

Then we got down into the leaves.

With a Yummy Earth Mango sucker.

But even the sucker couldn't keep him out of the sandbox

And then I put the hat on him and made him MAD!

So, he got cookies too!

The green multi-media tee came from AlexandAndy on Etsy, the undershirt is a plain white longsleeve tee I dyed using black tee, the hand painted Marr Haven came from Alligator Knits on Hyena Cart, the longies pattern is from Itchy Fingers on Ravelry, and the hat was made using Ky Baby Knits Hudson Pattern.

Can I just say how much relaxing knitting is, how exciting it is to see things grow from a skein of yarn, and how accomplished I feel when I finish a project? I love hearing people say, "you made that?!" My kids, and J, wait impatiently to see what I'm making and for who. It's quite halarious! And is going to lead to a Christmas morning full of (I hope) "I really hoped you'd make me one!"

I challenge you to learn something new and see where it takes you!

9 months of knitting, 11 projects completed, 2 on the needles, and 5 planned.

I Wonder if I can Pay in Peanut Butter Cookies?

2009-09-25T09:34:00.005-04:00

J got a tractor around the Fourth of July. He lurves his tractor.

I think he lives to just drive it in circles and pretend to be productive.

(Just kidding! He's actually really productive with it. We have new french drains at the back of the house, and he's moved a lot of rocks for the patio.)

BUT, appearently, a 20 year old tractor has small issues. Like a non-working fuel gauge.

J ran out of gas.

J bought more gas and filled her back up.

J ran her for 20 minutes and then went to bed.

Neighbor tried to borrow the tractor, and it wouldn't start.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm...

So I called Daddy. "Daddy listen to it when we try to start." Daddy listens. "Sounds like there might still be some air in the lines. You're probably going to need to crack the fuel injection lines..."

He told me how. We fixed it. J caught us at the end and tried to take over putting the motor back together and dropped a nut into where the air hose goes. We fished it out. We put it back together. It started right up. It's been fine since.

So, what would a service call have cost us? Think Daddy will take peanutbutter cookies as payment?

I have to wonder, do other guys' wives work on tractors?

If it's not one thing in life, it's another

2009-09-20T15:14:00.002-04:00

I had big plans today.

Huge plans, really.

I slept in. When I woke, I started making marinara sauce to can. I knit some on a project for Saxton with a goal in mind. I was going to do the usual Sunday changing of sheets on everyone's beds. The kids were going to clean their rooms so that I can vacuum tomorrow morning. I was going to finish 3 sewing projects. I was going to call family and say hi.

Life can change plans in the blink of an eye.

2 hysterycal children can change everything.

A child's bleeding head always changes everything.

It could have been so much worse. Xavian finally managed to get up into the tree by his sandbox. The next step was to make somewhere to sit. But branches are round and hammers are heavier at one end than then other. That hammer fell 10 feet and whacked Korra in the head.

Holding your heart yet?

J was OOT for the day. The neighbors were home, thank goodness, and they kept the boys so I could take Korra to the ER. For an ER visit, it wasn't horribly long, only 3.5 hours. But the stress of waiting in an overcrowded space, with an injured child, sucks.

The CT scan came back good. But the external swelling detered the dr from actually stitching the small gash. Korra's best friend is now an icepack and children's motrin.

We have follow-ups to do, including another CT scan. Korra home from school for a day. And I get to wake her up 3 times a night for the next couple.

Thank God that this isn't what it could have been!

It Looked Like Fall Today

2009-09-19T20:48:00.003-04:00

I don't know why I feel like it snuck up. Maybe because we never really had real summer weather for more than 48 hours this year?

I drove to Erie today, and the day was so clear that Lake Erie swollowed the horizon line in a way that can only happen when the air gets crisper. The orchards were full of fruit, and the vineyards had droopy grapes hanging. It was really hard not to pull over and taste! The trees leaves are changing colors, and leaves are strting to litter the ground.

Breathe taking scenery.

The kids have been back in school for 3 weeks now. I've been trying to be more organized this year, so that we don't miss the bus and have to drive into town. We've had 2 late mornings so far, but the first happened when the alarm clock died (how do I kill these things?!) The second when I had MOPS, and was dropping Korra off on my way. Life happened, and we were late by 5 minutes. The kids are making an honest effort to dress, eat, brush teeth, and comb hair in the timeframe allotted. I'm proud of them!

In my be on time effort, I've taken the making sure everything they need to go out the door is in one place.

So far it's working!

It wouldn't be fall without BTS pics, so here they are!

Xavian looking suave:

And a very excited Korra outside her classroom door:

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Want a Bag Like Korra's?

2009-09-02T20:18:00.001-04:00

Check out my store!

I just listed a couple that will be made to order.

Jenn

Korra's Kloset, because I love my little girl!

Korra's $1.37 School Book Bag

2009-08-27T19:02:00.002-04:00

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I was less than impressed with what we saw while school shopping.
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Every bag was either covered in characters and/or so cheaply made that it was ridiculous. One tug at the shoulder straps, and the stitching started to tear. MIC (made in China) pieces of craap.

So, I decided to make my own.

I used the scraps left from making the porch furniture's cushions, ribbon I have on hand, and quilt batting I have on hand. I bought the zipper for $1.37. I made the pattern myself.

Korra loves it!

The Evolution of a Laundry Room

2009-08-24T23:47:00.001-04:00

Still have the finishing touches to do, like decor, new windows, & DH hooking up the sink basin, but I'm too excited to wait until next pay day to finish, so here is the evolution of my laundry room...

The Before Pictures.

This is with a flash. Very dark and dismal, huh?

The Kenmore washing machine is 35 years old and purchased from my Chief Master Sergeant when pregnant with Xavian. I paid $50. The start mark on the knob was worn off, so once a year, I remarked it with red nail polish. The dryer belonged to my Technical Sergeant, and was 18 years old when she up and gave it to me. Not what I expected to see when I opened my door that day! I cried after they were picked up by someone from FreeCycle. I prepped and washed all my babies' clothes in those machines. They've lived in 4 homes with me. I had no idea idea it would be so hard to let them go.

Take note of the cabinet between the washer and dryer.

The 2x4's and sheetrock were park of 2 wooden closets built on top of the drain. Smart, yes? No. You can see on the floor where the second closet was. J tore that portion out and a door that led to the laundry room a couple years ago. The laundry space was ridiculously small, and if I wasn't skinny-ish, there was no way I could have loaded and unloaded the washer in the space between the washer and the back of the closets.
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The windows are on the replacement list. The one above the dryer will probably be replaced with glass block to allow for the dryer vent. Our basement walls are between 2.5 and 3 feet thick, so can't just drill a hole thru them for that! Windows also run $150 a pop. So to try to rig a new one to accomidate that vent would be a waste of money.
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That sad green wastebasket has been with me since my dorm room days in the Air Force. It's around 9 years old. Rubbermaid really is made to last!
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The In-Process Pictures.

Sealing the Exterior Wall.
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3 gallons of basement wall sealant is $79.98 at Home Depot. The exact same brand is $36.50 at Ollie's Bargain Outlet. It pays to shop around!

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The previous homeowners had started sealing that section of the wall, but they didn't finish. The directions say to fill larger holes with cement filler and to coat until the pinholes are gone. The wall was covered in pinholes and had 7 holes that needed filled.
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I should warn you that the sealant is VERY potent. I had to work in 20 minute intervals, with the windows opened and fans going, to advoid passing out. I made the mistake at the end of the evening of sitting down on the floor between the washer and dryer to look for missed spots. The dog woke me up a couple hours later by barking at J doing a drive-thru of the driveway. I spent the next day out of the basement, until the smell was gone.
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Bring on the Blue!

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Kingfisher Teal, exterior semi-gloss. Me likey!
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I used black spray paint in Black Ink to paint the laundry chute and pipes. Again, open windows and fan usage was very wise on my part.

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I actually painted the side wall the night before I started the sealant. I wanted to make sure I liked it.
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I left the white spot on the wall because I figured the washer and dryer would cover it up. I regretted that move once things were moved in. J also ripped out the rest of the old closets at this point.
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Painting the Floor with Epoxy Enamal Garage and Basement Floor Paint
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My back was so sore after scrubbing the floor with the acid wash to etch it and then using a squeagy while rinsing the floor. I don't think the cement has been that clean since the day it was poured!

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I followed the direction to a "t", and am so relieved I only did half of the kit instead of all of it. That paint gets thick and hard to spread FAST. While I rolled the paint on, J sprinkled the paint flakes. It took 2 people. If I had stopped to spread the flakes every 4 foot section, I would have never gotton done.

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Moving in the LG HE Front Loaders

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If it weren't for our neighbor comming over and helping J get these things into the basement, these heavy things would have likely fell down the stairs and J & I ending up divorced. Those gals barely squeezed thru the landing door way. Whew!
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Me turning on the dryer! I am elated!
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J hooked up the washer, and then Iopened the door and saw that it came with new hoses. New hoses are detergent cabinet for now. The cold faucet is leaky and has to be replaced, and J said he'd change out the hoses when he fixes/replaces the faucet. The dryer didn't get hooked up until the next day. I thought new dryers came with venting duct work! They don't. LOL
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Arranging the Space
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Recognize the cabinet? I painted it black! Those 1960's silver "v" shaped pulls are so awsome! This picture was snapped while I was deciding where I wanted to put the cabinet. It didn't stay here.
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I wasted no time putting my Fuzzy Wuzzy wool dryer balls in the dryer!
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The (Semi) After Pictures.

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HA! You see that?! I painted the wastebasket Hammered Steel with that spray paint that bonds to plastic. So sharp! The $4.88 for the can of paint was much more realistic, than a new $48 stainless steel trash can.
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I picked this sink and it's faucet up at a yardsale 2 years ago for $5. I scrubbed it down and painted the bottom and the legs black. I can't wait until J gets it hooked up!
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I put the cabinet in this space here. It actually works quite well right here! Didn't it turn out nice?

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As you can see, I had to paint in a lot of my white square. It was a pain. But, it looks good!

I have named them Betsy Lou and Mary Sue.

Here's the cost list for the space so far:

Washer & Dryer, with warranties, $2,007

Basement Wall Sealant, $33.50 + tax

Wall Paint, $19 + tax

Epoxy Enamal Floor Paint, $64.88 + tax

Spray Paint, $15.55 + tax

New Laundry Chute Hamper, $12.50 + tax

Basically, if you exclude the needed washer and dryer, we've done the room for under $150, excluding tax! I figure another $75 for accessories, including a rug for in front of the machines, $150 for the window, $75 for glass block, and $50 for the ceiling. Still less than $600 for remodeling and basically finishing a space! Not bad. Not bad at all!

They're Here!

2009-08-17T22:47:00.002-04:00

My new washer and dryer are here!

I know I sound over-hyped about these things, but I have researched these for 2 years and just dropped over $2,000 for the set (with warranties), and they are my laundry pals for the next 20 years. Did I mention it will cost less than $20 a YEAR to run them?!

Sadly, we opened the flooring to find that the "great for Kitchens, Batherooms, and Basements!" vinyl was backed with PAPER. WTF? I mean, I've never ever seen a perfectly dry 100 year old basement in my life, let alone a 2 year old dry basement. So we took it back. And J talked me into garage paint. HOWEVER, there is 100% vinyl flooring that looks like hardwood and floats (designed for cement floors), that I spoted. It'll cost $250 just to do the laundry space, but if I buy a pkg a month, I'll have the flooring I really want by February. The garage floor paint will be an extra layer againt the moisture, which I can definately still appreciate.

I put the old washer and dryer on Freecycle.org for my area, and they were snatched up quick! Turns out that the lady who got them runs a licensed daycare center with state paid kidlets. But, our state budget still isn't passed, and while they passed a bill for the state employees to get paid, lots of "contracted" aren't. She hasn't been able to make payments on her washer and dryer since June, and she has to return them. So, while my old ones aren't new or pretty, they are workhorses who get the job done. And someone who truely needs them, is getting them.

Sorry, no pictures yet. Will show before and after pics when it's done though!

I'm High on Dr Pepper and Basement Sealant Fumes

2009-08-17T01:40:00.002-04:00

But the laundry room is rapidly changing!

J could not believe all the work I had done in the basement. Nor could he believe how strong the fumes were from the wall sealant. That stuff makes your eyes water!

Tomorrow (okay, technically today), I pick up the new washer and dryer! SQUEEEEEEEEE! I'm to be there any time after 12pm. Hopefully, I'll have the wall painted teal, and the flooring down by then.

Oh wait. Didn't I tell you? I bought vinyl flooring that looks like hardwood for the laundry area! Cheap too. Of course, Ollie's is always cheap.

I painted the 1960's metal cabinet with the cool silver "v" drawer pulls, black, today. Matte black. It looks sharp! I think it will look very nice between the new washer and drawer.

I'm looking for a cool shower curtain to cut up and make curtains for the 2 windows and for the new bags on my laundry organizer. Why a shower curtain? Because the basement will always have a certain level of humidity to it, and I'm afraid cotton will mildrew.

I can't believe how much we've changed the basement space since we moved in, and the changes currently in progress. This is so not any of the previous homeowners' house!

I Knit Because I Can

2009-08-14T00:21:00.005-04:00

And I'm not too bad if I say so myself!

Here's a pair of shorties I made using Dying to Fly's Inspiration 2 colorway on peace fleece. The pattern is by Itchy Fingers.

"Wait! Dad! Are you taking both of them and not me?!"

"I can't believe you would leave me!"

"Fine. I'll drive myself."

Another Itchy Fingers patterned piece (hey if it works, then don't mess with it!). I made these longies using Sensations' Black and White Licorice that I bought at JoAnn's.

Of course, I pay other people to knit for me, too.

Why? Because I can.

Smarty Pants Knits' scrappy shorties to finish out this summer and to wear all of next!

Squishy softness on Marr Haven.

You may be jealous and cry now.

These I am going to keep this next set forever.

Another Smarty Pants Knits creation, these train longies' yarn was dyed w/ engineer's overalls in mind, and the train silouette was free handed.

I won the next pair of upcycled woolie board shorts in a FFS (free for shipping) drawing on Hyena Cart. The funny thing is, I almost didn't enter the drawing because I wasn't sure if they would fit.

They fit!

"Who me? I'm not trying to fingure out how to get on the dining room table. I'm just pretending to be a pirate. Land ho!"

My life would never be complete if I didn't get to make trades.

Thankfully, other mama's agree!

These island embellished shorties were knit by Smarty Pants Knits, and came from a fellow EFFer's home. She's already said she may want to buy them back for her in-utero baby, so don't get your hopes up of seeing these offered up when Saxton outgrows them!

The final pair of wool you see has lived in 3 homes. The knitter's, a buyer who decided that she didn't like ends not weaved in, and sold them super cheap to me. In case you're wondering, I wove the ends in. I took all of 15 minutes. Her loss, my gain!

The colorway is unknown, but the yarn is Marr Haven. I think they either look like a fall colorway or a tiger. What do you think?

"Grandma? Do you see what I have to put up with?!"

I have another pair to be on Oi Goi's needles right now. The colorway is inspired by the different colors of pears at harvest. I'm sooooo excited!

Is it legal to love wool this much?

Korra's Handmade Fall Wardrobe!

2009-08-13T23:23:00.007-04:00

I think the best part about knowing how to make your own patterns and sewing, is getting to make unique custom outfits for those you love. Xavian is a little old for homemade clothes, other than sweaters and such, and Saxton gets most of (okay, so far all of) my knitting, so Korra gets the sewing.
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I had oodles and kaboodles of fun making these! Enjoy Korra's back to school fashion show!
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Korra's school has Eric Carl week, so of course I had to make her a Very Hungry Catapiller outfit with the licensed fabric!
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Remember that box of vintage fabrics I scored at a yardsale and resold in my etsy store? I kept one piece. I had to. I was more than adorable. It was perfect for skirt just for my girl!

Behold, Korra's vintage poodle valance fabric skirt!

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I think every little girl needs at least one toil outfit a year in her wardrobe. Timeless and sweet, and always chic! It's not a typical fall design, being sleeveless and capris, but it will be warm for a bit after school starts and spring is only 8 months away!

I saw this fabric and knew exactly the outfit I would make, and I'm more than please with the results! The hat was made by the very talented owner of Leeny's Beanies.

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I bought oodles of fabric from a boutique fabric store this spring, and included in the order was the Timeless Treasures Apple Family fat quarter collection. I've been fingering the set for awhile now, but was never sure what I wanted to make. Until I was surfing the WAHM wares on eBay, and saw an Euro designed dress in similar colors. I knew right then what I wanted. I wanted a 70's feel w/ an European flair. And so, I made this:

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This dress is the only outfit I made using a pattern not mine own. It ran big, and I did alter the neckline from square to round. I think she'll look fab when a pair of white tights and her little brown boots!
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Well, there you have it! Korra's handmade fall wardrobe!

I'm so happy she loves it!
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:::Hangs Head in Shame:::

2009-08-13T22:12:00.002-04:00

I'm here.

I promise.

Life got hard & busy all at once.

It's better now.

J is getting paid again.

School starts in less than 3 weeks.

We just bought a brand new washer & dryer set today, and I no longer have to go to the laundromat to dry laundry on rainy days.

The porch roof is new and no longer leaks.

The drainage behind the house is repaired so that water quits leaking into the basement.

Korra has a new handmade fall wardrobe.

Vacation was good and much deserved.

I'll show off pictures later.

And the Winner Is....

2009-07-20T13:09:00.003-04:00

#12, Kristy!

Recently, she has started:

1 Using Cloth Diapers

2 Cleaning with vinegar and baking soda around the house

Her goals include:

1 Using the AC less and turning off lights when not in the room

2 starting a compost bin

Kristy, blogger says your profile is private. Please e-mail me at thejenni.girl at gmail dot com, so that I can get your address and send you your new to you napkins!

Thank you to everyone who participated!

Drawing made using random.org.

A Little Something to Encourage You to Go Green!

2009-07-13T13:46:00.004-04:00

Since I'm having so much fun shopping at yard sales and estate sales to fill my house & shop, I've decided to share the love!

Cloth Napkins are one of the easiest ways to cut down wasteful consumption, and when purchased 2nd hand, they are an even greener way to go!

I have decided to GIVEAWAY (!!!) 11 luncheon napkins w/ machine embroidered butterflies (folded in half) and 4 heavier-weight ivory cotton dinner napkins (folded in quarters). They show no signs of wear and are beautiful and functional.

There are 4 ways to be entered in the giveaway:

1. Leave a comment with 2 things you have done in the last 12 months to live Greener.

2. Leave a comment with 2 Green Goals you have for the next 12 months.

3. Link this Green Giveaway in you own blog, encouraging others to live Greener. (Provide the direct link)

4. Post about this Green Giveaway in a public forum, encouraging others to go Green. (Provide the direct link)

Please include a way to contact you in your response(s).

This Giveaway is open until Sunday, July 19th, 2009.

Winner will be chosen by a random online # drawing and posted Monday July 20th, 2009.

What better way to Go Green, Save Money, and show off your Class, than to use cloth instead of paper?

Good Luck!

She Really IS a Princess!

2009-07-12T21:15:00.002-04:00

Let her reign begin!
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Guess What?

2009-07-07T12:48:00.002-04:00

Happy Belated 4th of July!

2009-07-06T22:44:00.002-04:00

From Our Family to Your's

God Bless America

And Have Mercy on Those Who Think Otherwise

If You've Been Wondering Where I've Been,

2009-07-05T17:17:00.004-04:00

I was very busy!

I turned 21 lbs of rhubarb, some cherries, and 9 quarts of strawberries from this:

To this:

And then I took the $1 chandelier

And painted it Ballet Slipper Pink!

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And, of course, I also painted this picture frame:

White!

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And then family called and said they were coming, so I got ready for that. Whew!

Fourth of July and visiting family pictures comming soon!

I Listed a Bunch of Vintage in My Shop Today!

2009-06-29T18:24:00.002-04:00

thejennigirl.etsy.com

I Am a Yard Sale Diva!

2009-06-26T18:07:00.004-04:00

Cast Iron Cafe Set, $25

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100% Handsewn Twin-size Quilt for Korra's bed, $50

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Framed Picture for Korra's room, $1 (painting frame white)

Brass Bed for Korra's room, $8

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Dress for Korra, $1; 8 Cloth Napkins for me, $2

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Vintage Fabric & Items, $4.50

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Little Tykes Toy Car, $3

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Eyelet Twin Sheet Set, $1

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Chandlier (sp?) for Korra's room, $1 (painting white, needs new crystals, & rewiring)

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Cloth Napkins for other people, $13
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Glass Salt & Pepper Shakers, $1

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Not photographed:
2 Blue & White Hand Crochet Doilies, $3
3 Wreaths, $5
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Twas a good day!

First Came Father's Day, Then It Went to the Birds

2009-06-23T01:55:00.002-04:00

True story.

Sunday was, of course, Father's Day!

We ate dinner at Fat Dogs, which is this obviously very awsome gormet on the side of the road and at the edge of a cliff hot dog joint. Napkins optional.

Here's a proud Daddy, and his 3 kiddos:

Monday, is the part that went to the birds.

Er, the chickens anyway.

J put the shingles on the roof!

And since he was working on the coop, I thought that I'd hang with him and paint the primer on the coop's walls.

Before paint:

After paint:

Can you tell a difference?

The paint was left over from 4 years ago when we had to do touchups so that the house would pass the VA inspection. And it was left in the garage. Where it has froze and thawed more times than I want to know. I tried stirring it by hand, but that was a big fat FAIL. So J got me a beater that goes in your electric drill. And now, the paint is mixed!

Me and my frizzy unstyled hair mixing paint with power tools:

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I mix paint like a girl.

*wink*wink*
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And, finally, the 3 famous chickens:

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clockwise from left:

Penelope, Gertrude, & Ethel
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All I have to say is, get to layin, Ladies!

Today's Yard Sale Finds!

2009-06-19T13:16:00.007-04:00

I was happy as a clam this morning digging thru the delights other people want out of their houses, lol!

So, short & sweet, here's the bargains:

$4.75 for this pile of fabric & 2 embriodery hoops, plus a 3 yard section of Chriatmas fabric that my son dropped in the mud while helping carry things into the house that is, obviously, not pictured

$2.25 for this shelf and handmade doily for Korra's room

$5 for all these vintage hankies (either crafting with them or re-selling on Etsy)

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$10 Name brand clothes for Xavian, including 2 shirts with the tags still on them
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$1 for a couple sets of jammies for Korra
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$.25 for this wire basket for J and his gardens
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And, introducing my find of the day, a 1963 made in Canada, Singer Model # 285 J!
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The sticker said that it doesn't work
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So I asked if she knew what was broke on it. She said that the belt slips. So I looked at the belt:

No wonder it slips! It's too old! That's an EASY fix!

It's in really great shape, and has lots of neat details (besides the fun color!)

The model number and serial number plate is in poerfect condition:

The cast metal machine's bottom has easy to read identifying markers:

It even came with lots of it's accessories, including the zipper foot and a yet to be identified foot:

Did she sew with this thing??? The foot pedel shows absolutely NO wear!
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One last peek:
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Isn't she pretty?!
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My Sewing Space and the Return of the Decorating Bug

2009-06-18T22:52:00.005-04:00

I know several people have been wondering where I sew. Well, I sew in the entryway of my home! It allows me to keep an eye on my family, have plenty of fresh air when the front door is open, and I have plenty of room to move around.

Of course, since I work in the hub of my house, I have to try to keep my space neat. Which is a challange for my creative genious. But I do it. And I survive.

Here, is where I create my sewn delights (as viewed from the grand staircase):

Eventually, I hope to get a sewing table to keep my primary machine in, and a small cabinet fr my fabrics, instead of that lovely green tub.

Wait! I did buy a table to keep my machine in! I just fell in love with the machine that came in it, lol! That beautiful piece of work now lives in front of the diningroom's front window, next to J's B&O RR switchstand signal light.

Which brings me to the next order of business.

The Decorating Bug has me in the grips of extreme fever right now! Just in case you couldn't tell with recent blogging posts.

Right now, I am searching for a canopy bed for Korra's room, art for Korra's room, art for the entryway, a 16x20 oval frame for wall of the grand staircase, a sewing machine table, small wooden cabinet for my fabric, a tredle sewing machine table to use as a night stand for me, art for my bedroom, heavy crown moulding for my bedroom, a rug for the twin room, an outdoor rug for my front porch dining set, 2 tables for the new patio, a bistro set for the patio, the perfect fabric for the patio furniture's cushions, flooring for the laundry room, something clever to hang in the laundry room, a frame for a limited edition odd shaped print for over the dining room fireplace, blah, blah, blah...

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I could go on and on all day. My list is HUGE!

And because my list is huge, I know I have to be frugal. Which means big box stores are probably not where I am going to shop. I don't like shopping there anyway. Instead, I adore shopping at yardsales, flea markets, antique malls, and etsy. I window shop online all.the.time.

Lately, while surfing etsy and design blogs, I have come across one or two cute things.

I really like this painted ceiling tin tile that says, "Bless this house"

I think it would look adorable over my entry way's brass switch plate! I discoved the etsy store Embellished Bayou (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6874265) after learning about a new blog (http://cprojectpretty.blogspot.com/). You like? She's doing a giveaway right now! (http://cprojectpretty.blogspot.com/2009/06/embellished-giveaway_18.html)

I found a great website full of fabulous picture frames that suit my tastes and this house perfectly, but not so much for the pocket book. The Victorian Frame Company (http://victorian-frames.stores.yahoo.net/oval-frames.html) has lots to choose from in all sorts of sizes. And I like. A lot. But I know J would fall over dead if I spent $200+ on a picture frame! I am really going to have to do some digging at some yardsales this summer. And see about attending a few more estate sales. Estate sales would probably be the best bet, but you never know!

So, for now, tonight, I sit and drool over things on the internet and the pictures of what I want in my mind. But have no fear, I already have today's newspaper open and have circled some yardsales for tomarrow morning. Gotta get there quick for the good stuff!

Operation Save the Front Porch Summer, Part 1

2009-06-17T11:58:00.005-04:00

The front porch is in sad condition, and has been for a couple years, but the house had more pressing concerns up to now. This summer has been declared "Save the Front Porch Summer!" by the H & I. He's replacing the roof over the 4th of July weekend, and I am currently removing 100+ years of paint from the rails and around the windows, and on rainy days (like today) I work on the decor. We are also remortering (is that a word?) between bricks and stripping and repainting the floor and the lattice work that goes around the bottom of the porch.
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More before pictures are located here: http://thejenni.girl.googlepages.com/home.
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So, here is the before pictures of how thick 100+ years of paint can be:
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Here is what it looks like stripped down (It took me about 3.5 hours to get that much done):
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Look close, and (hopefully) see all the details that have covered by so much paint:
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And, here is the handmade cushions in their current progress (I still have to add gromets and ribbons for ties, and dimple the cushions w/ the pictured glass beads):
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(I got the table & chairs at a yardsale for $20, and scrubbed them w/ a wire brush and repainted glossy black w/ rustolium paint)
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(My FIL got us the 2 matching loveseat sized benches)
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And, just for fun, my hanging baskets I got from a local nursery for $10 each!

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I Loves WAHM Trades! (Lucy's Pants)

2009-06-16T21:13:00.004-04:00

Tommigirle (http://valleygirlhasbabygoescrunchy.blogspot.com/, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7112304) & I made a fun trade!

She made Saxton this adorable vintage diaper (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25825525):

Taking a stroll

Smelling the flowers

Enough pictures! He's gone!

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And I made these shabby chic beach pants (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25590109) for her little Lucy:

Looking sweet

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Close-up of the drawstring details
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The view from the rear
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Veggie Stuffed Mushrooms

2009-06-15T22:21:00.000-04:00

20 large muchrooms
1/2 c. broccoli, finely chopped
1/4 c. carrot, finely chopped
1 Tbsp onion, finely chopped
1 c. seasoned croutons, crushed (about 1/2 c.)
1/2 c. shredded cheddar
1/8 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp butter

Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Core/scoop stems out of mushrooms, reserve 1/4 c. chopped
Place mushroom caps rounded sides down in deep dish
Mix finely chopped ingredients, salt, cheese, & crushed croutons
Stir in melted butter well
Scoop stuffing into rounded piles in caps
Bake 15-20 minutes
Serve warm

YUM!!!
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Who Likes Corn on the Cob?

2009-06-15T17:43:00.002-04:00

Not Saxton. We had to put Pitstacio Fluff on it to get this shot. How sad! Xavian and Korra both LOVED their first ears of corn. He is definately his own person!
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We hosted our 3rd annual Family and Friends "Let's Have an Excuse to Get-together" party on Saturday, and we had a blast!
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The day wasn't without it's casualties. Xavian lost control of his moter bike and took out some of Korra's sunflowers in the garden, then teased the dog while riding the same moter bike and Alco ripped his new denim shorts and Xavian gained a cut above his left eye:
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Of course, that wasn't the end of the crashes. After nearly running over Saxton, I took the moter bike away. Xavian then hopped on his new (to him) 10 speed and took off at a break neck speed down the driveway and promptly wiped out. His knee now has a lovely gash.
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:::sighhhhhhhhhhh:::
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Summer just started too!
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I'm a Lucky Gal!

2009-06-11T20:12:00.002-04:00

I'm married to a great guy!
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We have our not so great moments (who doesn't) but the good moments get me thru my days. He listens, he hugs, he's the common sense one moment and the goofball the next. He works hard for us. He works hard so that I can stay at home and be the constant in our babies' lives.
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He's working about 12 hours (all overtime) today, so that we can pay cash for our new furnace in the fall, and so that we can pay our bills if the state doesn't get the budget passed on time.
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He built this ah-mazing patio and planted hundreds of flowers to make our yard a place to enjoy. He built me a chicken coop to humor me and my chickens. He set up a ton of tables for my yardsale, and helped my friends unload their cars while we set up.
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I don't say thank you enough. I don't know if words could ever convey my gratitude.
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J, if you read this, thank you. And I love you.
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I'm a lucky gal!
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My May Yardsale Steals

2009-06-09T17:42:00.004-04:00

At the urging of some online friends, here's the May yardsale tally:
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$10, Waterfall Vanity from the 30s/40s. The finish was pretty bad, but it's beautiful painted antique white! (sorry, no "before" pic) Perfect for Korra's room
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$5, 1928 Singer Sewing Machine and Cabinet. See post below for details.
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$5, Wooden Speaker Box/Cabinet. I painted it antique white, and it is now a toy box in Korra's room.
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Before:
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After:
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$5, Montogomery Ward Sewing Machine With Carry Case. I have researched the details on it yet, but it'll be nice for dragging to MOPS, friends' houses, ect. A nice back up machine!
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$35, Six Patio Chairs and Loveseat Glider, with Cushions. I'll have to recover the cushions and paint them to match the finish of what ever table(s) we get, but I am looking forward to it!
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$4, Old Wooden Chair. Yet another great addiction to Korra's room! I painted it antique white as well.
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I also scored quite a bit of name brand clothes for Xavian ($22), a black wrought iron hanging shelf ($2) that I'll take a pic of later after it's hanging on the wall, a rolling storage cart for J ($.75), and a Pampered Chef East Accent Decorator still new in the box ($1).

Not bad, huh? Looking forward to June's finds now that I've hosted my own yard sale this past weekend!

God Will Provide.

2009-06-07T16:12:00.000-04:00

Easier to say than to live.

Pass that budget (state) Congress!

What Being a Mom Has Taught Me:

2009-05-31T14:38:00.003-04:00

1. Red washcloths in the first aid kit keep the injured child calm while you asses whether or not to go to the ER.

2. Washing machines can and will beg for mercy.

3. Make them eat their veggies when the are small, and by the time they are 5 it will become 2nd nature.

4. A bad day can instantly be improved by ordering out Pizza.

5. 3, 219 washcloths will be used in 3 days.

6. If you send a child to bathe, make sure you state: "Use soap", or they will 'forget'.

7. Bowls of cereal for dinner is perfectly acceptable. As is feeding them left over lasnagna for breakfast. Just call it backwards day, and they will think you are clever instead of tired of cooking.

8. Cars eat sippy cups.

9. Naps are good for EVERYONE.

10. Nothing can make your foot hurt like stepping on a Lego in the middle of the night while sneaking in to play toothfairy.

11. Cats can choke on Polly Pocket shoes.

12. Kid + Tonka dump truck + hill = thrill ride and trip to Dr. Mom.

13. Spray on sun screen should have been invented 6 years ago.

14. The smell of cookies or cake will bring your husband and kids running faster than calling for them. Light a cookie scented candle and save your voice.

15. The wisest thing I've ever told my kids is that when the ice cream truck plays music, it means he's out of ice cream.

16. Neighbor's with empty nest syndrome make the best sitters. You can pay them in pie, too.

17. The day you hang your family's underware on the clothesline is the day you have unexpected company show up.

18. Play with your kids' toys while they are asleep and watch them try to figure out who built that Lego boat or rearranged the Barbie house. They think it's fairies!

19. Shut the dish/cable/ect. off. When the TV is associated with Friday nights and rainy days for movies, it becomes special and involves popcorn. Voila! Family memories!

20. Christmas morning is best spent in your own home.

21. Bake with your kids. The cookies taste better.

22. Smile. It makes you look less tired.

23. Have friends with kids. You can relax on the porch and visit while your kids fight. It's entertaining. You could make extra money by selling tickets.

24. Go ahead & beat your kids at Tic Tac Toe. They'll learn the tricks to the game and one day beat you!

25. Feed your kids chicken nuggets and french fries, put them to bed, and eat homemade fettuncini alfredo with your husband by candle light. Because once the kids grow up and move out, he'll still be there.

Give a Girl $5....

2009-05-26T09:33:00.004-04:00

And she'll take it yard selling!
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Here's my $5 score from last Saturday:
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It's a 1928 Singer sewing machine! In it's own custom cabinet!
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Machine details:
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The top of the cabinet looked rough-ish, but I figured some stain for the finish & some glue to reattatch some loose veneer spots would be all it needed. Ummmm... It needed only a good would oiling & some glue! Woo Hoo!
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The inside of the lid (the machine lays down inside the cabinet for storage):
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The notions drawer on the side:
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I am one very happy girly!

Sew, I Was Sewing...

2009-05-20T14:12:00.003-04:00

Whatcha think?

Sorry

2009-05-17T22:27:00.002-04:00

I haven't posted lately. I feel bad, but have not been feeling the best. My BP is running low, and the dr says I'm suffering from exhaustion.

I'm feeling quite a bit better, but now have a mountain of laundry and a life to try to catch up with.

:::sigh:::

I will try to blog up a bunch of pics this week. Just give me a chance to catch up a few things first.

Saxton's First Birthday Party!

2009-05-03T20:48:00.006-04:00

Sometime in the last year, my tiny baby grew into a tiny person!

I'm shocked!

We celebrated his first birthday in style. Although, what style we were shooting for is lost on me:

There were of course presents from his Mommy, Daddy, big brother & big sister, Memaw & Papaw, Grandma &, Grandpa, Great Granny, and Great Pa!

He was tired, so opening presents wasn't big on his list at all. Oh well. We took turns "helping" him open

Grandma got him his first case of beer...

(I promise, it was actually toy trucks. This is the box that they fit in best to wrap)

He took a belated interest in a couple toys when he thought no one was watching. Here he's pushing his Fropper and making a vroom sounds.

I made him a special birthday banner &, Xavian loaned Saxton the use of his own birthday balloons

I'm sure people without kids wonder why people strip babies to eat their cake. Let me explain to you childless people that babies do NOT like the idea of using a fork and taking dainty bites. They prefer to coat themselves in brightly colored stain inducing icing.

My example is as follows:

Baby looks at cakes and tries to decide if mom was really stoopid enough to give him this wonderful piece of sugary yumminess. He gingerly takes a pice of icing to taste while waiting for the delite to diappear:

Realizing that Mommy did indeed give him this and that it is all for him, baby decides to grab entire cake before she changes her crazy mind:

Baby finally relaxes into the cake destroying event while coating self in the confection. Pleasure is evident:

I Made a Cherry Pie Yesterday

2009-04-28T08:37:00.001-04:00

Doesn't it look yummy?

I'm eating some for breakfast!
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Mmmmmm! S'Mores! And Paint?

2009-04-24T20:35:00.004-04:00

We had our first s'mores of the season tonight! Woot!

Saxton had the privilage of eating his very first one!

I think he enjoyed it

I did the first coat of paint on my clothesline too!

Whatcha think?

I think I have the prettiest clothesline! J made it from scratch for me last spring, and we let it weather for a year before painting. Don't lie. You KNOW you're jealous of my custom designed poles!

Swim Lessons Graduaton!

2009-04-24T08:22:00.002-04:00

Xavian & Korra are officially done with swim lessons for another year. They both learned so much this year!

Xavian learned the front crawl, but prefers to swim on his back

Korra got over her fear of getting her ears wet & learned how to kick

Xavian passed level 2!
Here he is w/ his instructor

Korra completed level one.
She absolutely adored her instructor!

Who says my 2 oldest babies don't look alike?

A Little Less Girly, A Little More For The Guys

2009-04-22T18:21:00.003-04:00

I'm crossing my fingers here. My very first boy clothing item is in stock! It's a pair of preloved jeans that I updated with a button tree design.
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I'm pretty pleased with the design!
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Earth Day is Comming to Etsy!

2009-04-19T21:05:00.004-04:00

Check out Team Eco Nest's blog for more info!

http://teameconest.blogspot.com/

http://www.teameconest.blogspot.com" target="_blank">

I Cried This Morning

2009-04-19T21:00:00.002-04:00

Something killed and ate one of my baby chicks last night. The one I named after J. Whatever it was had to shred the poor little bird to get it thru the front of the kennel. My heart just broke.

RIP little J Chickie.
:*(

J Says We Have a Future Navy Seal on Our Hands

2009-04-19T00:17:00.002-04:00

What do you think?
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Saxon not only enjoys bathe time far too much, but has also taken to drinking water. On his own. No coaxing needed. So why, pray tell, were we not surprised when this happened tonight?

The timer on the water spout broke, and appearently, the hose's seal isn't all that great. J looked up to see where Saxton was in the yard, and here he was, having a drink out of his own personal fountain! His face was drenched, his shirt soaked, his hair was even wet! Did he care? No. I had to take him away from the drip zone!

This boy loves the water far too much!

The Things That Come Into This House

2009-04-13T20:32:00.002-04:00

African Violets for Easter from my MIL
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The Lego Police Station from my mom for Xavian's birthday
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8 Red baby chicks (Technically in the garage in Alco's old kennel for a couple weeks until it warms up some more)
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There's Nothing Better Than Some Good Friends...

2009-04-13T20:18:00.003-04:00

What's better than good friends?
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Nothing.
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Except maybe spending a school vacation day together with weather nice enough to kick the kids outside.
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With tea.
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And knitting.
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And birthday cake.
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The kids enjoyed a brief stint in the house while eating cake and coloring:
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We three moms decided to knit and visit. As seen pictured here. Except Chaffee took pictures and thus enjoyed not getting her picture taken. Again. I'm getting wise to you Chaffee!
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My Baby Boy Turned 7 Today

2009-04-12T18:20:00.003-04:00

Well, he's 7. Seven. Somewhere between a blink and a sneeze, my oldest son has grown. I don't remember when exactly that he got so tall. Or so smart. I look at him and wonder how we, 2 clueless people, have managed to raise that tiny baby into this child. He is so much his own person. So preciously sweet, and at the same time, so much a boy.
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:::sniff:::
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I remember holding him that first time and thinking, "wow! I'm a mom!" I couldn't be a mom without him. He changed my life so much. I've better because of him. He really, truely, is my 'bright gift of God'. He is a treasure beyond worth, and for him, I am forever grateful.
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I love you, Xavian! Happy birthday!
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Xavian wanted an Amtrak Train cake, so here's what I came up with:
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He loved it! Yay!
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Like any child, Xavian loves opening presents on his birthday. He got quite the stack!

I only managed to get one or 2 good shts of him actually opening gifts, because he jumped around so much!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T17:52:00.004-04:00

Happy Easter!
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May God bless you and your's, as we celebrate His resurrection and our chance for a new beginning.
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Here's some pics of our family's Easter celebration!
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Xavian, Saxton, and Korra:
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The Easter egg hunt!
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The kids had a blast digging thru their baskets the Easter bunny filled

Saxton saw his Easter basket and crawled right over to inspect

He immeadiately spotted the Peeps!

He tried on the sunglasses the bunny brought

And then he ate the head right off a Peep!

And, just because there's rarely pictures of me, especially during holidays, here's a shot J took of me in my Easter dress:

Gee, wonder where the youngest 2 get their blonde hair?

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Xavian's First Slumber Party = SUCCESS!

2009-04-12T08:20:00.002-04:00

How can my baby be 7 today? I'll not force you to look at pictures of tiny and new Xavian. Though I want to. I really, really want to, but I'll be nice. Because then you would have to hear me cry like a 2 year old who's lost their lovie.
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Xavian had 2 friends over for the night to celebrate his birthday. His very first slumber party!
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The boys were really, really excited to be here, and all sorts of boy thing took place.
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Legos: check
Hotwheels: check
Build fort at 12:30am: check
Pizza: check
Eat 2 dozen cupcakes: check
Drink 2 litter of root beer: check
Play video games: check
Watch 2 movies: check
Wrestle: check
Play Twister, Battle Ship, & Hungry Hungry Hippos: check
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The boys:
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(Picture ^^THAT^^ in 10 years... Got that thought? I'm scared)
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Singing Happy Birthday:
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Xavian with his balloons Memaw had delivered:
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We surveyed the diningroom carnage the next morning, er, at noon:
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Says J: I now know why my parents didn't do parties. Can you believe Xavian had to be told to pass out at 3am?

One friend went home at 1:30am to sleep in his own bed, the other was picked up at 8am. And then I returned to my warm little bed and passed out.

Today is Xavian's family party. More pictures to come from that!

Our Easter Eggs Are Awsome! (As Always)

2009-04-09T20:09:00.004-04:00

We dyed Easter eggs after dinner tonight with some dye I bought on clearance last year. Wow! The colors are bright! These have to be some of the brightest eggs I have ever dyed!
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The kids waiting for Daddy so we could start:
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Let the dyeing begin!
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J drawing on an egg prior to dying it:
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We gave Saxton an egg for him to dye. He got really excited!
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He knew the eggs are for eating, so first he tasted the egg:
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I held the cup so he could put his egg in, but he tried to drink the dye! I finally got him to drop the egg in, only to have him get mad because he had no egg. So we gave him another and he banged it on the table until it busted open, and then he ate the insides. Little stinker!
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I had wrote his name on the egg we did get him to put into the dye, but he really didn't want to take a pic with his egg. Oh well!
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Our egg dyeing process included more than just egg dye! Besides the wax crayon, we also had glitter sponge paints. Boy I wish we had these when I was a kid!
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Korra showing off a work of egg art in process:
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Xavian putting his creative genious at work while plotting, er, planning his next egg:
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And finally, our masterpieces!
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Can you find the watermelon? The planet Earth? The dinosaur egg? The 'ugly' egg?
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Another Night of Swimming Lessons

2009-04-09T20:04:00.002-04:00

Have I mentioned how much Xavian and Korra enjoy swimming lessons?
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Xavian Jumping off the diving board:
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Korra fresh out of the water and wrapped in her towel:
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J is on vacation right now, so he went with us tonight to see the kids swim. "DAAAAAAD!!! Watch me swim!" was the phrase of the evening.

Korra's Class Easter Party

2009-04-09T19:41:00.002-04:00

I have been very lucky this year to be able to volunteer with Korra's class at school. Mostly snack mom, but I have also helped with art projects, field trips, and class parties. The children in her class are so much fun!

Here's some pictures from the party today:

Not pictured is the Easter egg dyeing. All the K-4 classes rotated rooms, and our room was egg dyeing. Another mom & I helped 138 kiddos dye eggs. That, is a lot of eggs!

Saxton came too. He played in the classroom sandbox

Another Night of Swim Lessons!

2009-04-07T18:35:00.002-04:00

Xavian and Korra are loving swim lessons! They both adore their instructors (members of the high school swim team) and the instructors are such patient girls. Especially Xavian's-she has 5 little boys!
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Korra hams it up while waiting her turn to practice floating
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Korra floats!
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Xavian and his instructor take a turn with a kick board practicing underwater kicks
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Who is that under the water? Is he, is he holding his breath?!
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Whew! It's Xavian! He was holding his breath!
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I think I look forward to swim lessons as much as the kids. I love watching them learn to love the water! And it gives me about 1.5 hours of uninterupted knitting time. =P

Planting Seeds

2009-04-06T09:00:00.003-04:00

The weather was simply beautiful yesterday! J & I decided to do a little work in the yard. Which, of course, turned into a lot of work.
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We started off raking out the flower beds and the side yard. We took a break, so that I could go meet my MIL to pickup the kids, and when I returned with the kids, I thought we would just finish raking. I was obviously mistaken.
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I went inside to nurse Saxton and put him down for a nap, and when I returned to the back yard, I found this:
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I think someone (or someones) are a little excited to get the gardens started!

I finished raking by myself and then fired up the grill for dinner. Because I was such a planting slacker, J has given me 3 days to get my bulbs planted or he's swiping them for his flower beds.

Back away slowly, dear. And stay away. Those bulbs are MINE!

I know the weather is supposed to be yucky for a couple of days, so when it clears again, I'm off to plant my pretties. In the mean time, have no fear. I his my bulbs.

Ha! So there, J. Try top swipe 'em if you can't find 'em!

More Swimming Pics!

2009-04-06T08:48:00.002-04:00

These are from last Thursday evening's lessons. Much better pics! The doors were open, so the pool are wasn't so hazy humid.
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Korra took to trying to float on her tummy and back like a champ, and Xavian, well, Xavian swam UNASSISTED! I am soooooo proud of both of them!
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Xavian & Korra Started Swimming Lessons!

2009-04-01T14:05:00.002-04:00

They had a blast!

Please excuse the blurriness. There was a lot of humidy w/ the pool last night.

I am Speechless at his Preciousness

2009-03-31T22:48:00.000-04:00

A Couple Dresses

2009-03-31T22:40:00.002-04:00

I listed a couple more dresses today

And here's a peek at part of an outfit sooon to stock!

See? My machine is workin' hard!

My Sewing Machine Doesn't Know What Hit It

2009-03-30T20:18:00.002-04:00

Good thing I had it serviced. It's been hot needles every since I got it back!

I'm working on a lot today and tomarrow, so prepare for some great stuff to hit the store tonight and tomarrow night!

Saxton and My Chessy Rice Cakes Bag

2009-03-28T23:58:00.002-04:00

Looks like he had fun, no?

The little stinker!

My Apologies

2009-03-27T21:07:00.002-04:00

I ran into a snaffu prepping for today's listings, and had to go to JoAnn's for some supplies.

I may not get my listing up tonight, so, if I don't, it'll be double the fun listings tomarrow.

I'm bummed that this has happened, especially since I myself am sooo excited about my store's new stuff!

Listings Are Up!

2009-03-26T16:00:00.001-04:00

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6100767

Happy shopping all you stalkers!

A Tease!

2009-03-26T00:20:00.002-04:00

Sometime tomarrow

About mid-afternoon

Take a peek

To See these outfits complete

And to get your chance to buy!

thejennigirl.etsy.com
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Korra Got a Medal!

2009-03-22T09:40:00.003-04:00

For being "Loving & Caring"
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How appropraite, eh?

Fab Fabric Store Finds!

2009-03-19T20:59:00.001-04:00

I.Am.Happy.

Happy St Patty's Day!

2009-03-18T19:59:00.001-04:00

It's a day late, but cuteness like this is worth waiting for!
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It's a Tall Order

We Moved!

Our 2010 Family Christmas Card!

Testing... 1,2,3 Testing

Oh Sure! Let Me Just Rearrange My Life, Because THAT Sounds Fun!

Six Months of Silence, Part 1

:::Falls on Floor, Exhausted:::

I Want to be a Two Year Old

The Clothesline Said So Much

I've Wanted to Take Pics Like this for Awhile Now

If We Make It Thru December...

A Handmade Christmas

I am No Longer Scared to Have People Ask to Use the Restroom

Because I Love You

Meet: Mo(w)

Hawt.

Uh-Oh!

Trick-Or-Treat!

Pumpkin Guts & Monster Faces

Meet Heidi

Does a 6 Year Anniversary Make You Old?

Did You Know They Make 1/2 Gallon Canning Jars?

If You've Ever Wondered How Cider is Made:

It Rained on Our Parade.

Hello GQ!

I Cry When I'm Sick

Relief.

Prima Ballerina

I Really Should Update My Interwebz

A Little Something for Me

My Household Cleaner Recipes

FABULOUS. Peroid.

I've Been Knitting Again

I Wonder if I can Pay in Peanut Butter Cookies?

If it's not one thing in life, it's another

It Looked Like Fall Today

Want a Bag Like Korra's?

Korra's $1.37 School Book Bag

The Evolution of a Laundry Room

More Than Irritated with US Postal Service

They're Here!

I'm High on Dr Pepper and Basement Sealant Fumes

I Knit Because I Can

Korra's Handmade Fall Wardrobe!

:::Hangs Head in Shame:::

And the Winner Is....

A Little Something to Encourage You to Go Green!

She Really IS a Princess!

Guess What?

Happy Belated 4th of July!

If You've Been Wondering Where I've Been,

I Listed a Bunch of Vintage in My Shop Today!

I Am a Yard Sale Diva!

First Came Father's Day, Then It Went to the Birds

Today's Yard Sale Finds!

My Sewing Space and the Return of the Decorating Bug

Operation Save the Front Porch Summer, Part 1

I Loves WAHM Trades! (Lucy's Pants)

Veggie Stuffed Mushrooms

Who Likes Corn on the Cob?

I'm a Lucky Gal!

My May Yardsale Steals

God Will Provide.

What Being a Mom Has Taught Me:

Give a Girl $5....

Sew, I Was Sewing...

Sorry

Saxton's First Birthday Party!

I Made a Cherry Pie Yesterday

Mmmmmm! S'Mores! And Paint?

Swim Lessons Graduaton!

A Little Less Girly, A Little More For The Guys

Earth Day is Comming to Etsy!

I Cried This Morning

J Says We Have a Future Navy Seal on Our Hands

The Things That Come Into This House

There's Nothing Better Than Some Good Friends...

My Baby Boy Turned 7 Today

Happy Easter!

Xavian's First Slumber Party = SUCCESS!