Little Wallet

Chelsea sent me fabric and a pattern for this little wallet for my birthday, and it was the impetus for all of this change and crafting and everything.  I really loved it and wanted to make it, so that meant that I had to clean the craft room, and then finish the projects that had time limits and the ones that had been sitting for months and it was so exciting to sit down and make this little cutie!

   

Here it is.  Why the little fold in the side?  I think it's because my iron was a touch too hot and melted the interfacing a bit which made the fabric on the inside shrink down a little more than the outside fabric.  Oops.   

 Didn't she do a nice job picking out the fabrics?  I love them.

The part that took me the longest was remembering how to use my snap setter.  Thanks Chels!  You made my whole life a little brighter!  (You always do).

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

I used the Random Number Generator at Random.org to pick a winner because it made me laugh.  I'm sure there's a way to link to the picture, but I don't want to figure out how to do it right now.  The answer was 1. That means Sarah at In The Mix is the winner!  I'll send it sometime.  There's a giant stack in the "to be mailed" basket and I really don't know if that's a good sign or a bad one.

I made a little mat for under Katie and Jimmy's chairs today.  I have been thinking about this since I found this pattern online in 2010.  This is a clear example of the best being the enemy of the good.  Cutting off the tablecloth and hemming it on one side took me literally 5 minutes.  I'm sorry, floor.

This is also a clear example of me NOT cleaning up.  Photographic proof of justifiable laziness.  :)

THIS is a photograph of the world's sweetest graduate this year, AND the 

Kansas 6A 

STATE CHAMPION 

in Dramatic Interpretation.  

(Also this photo makes me cry a little)

A break!

I finished my class!  (Repeat 30 times while dancing around)

Now I have an entire blissful month of not being in school until I start again on June 3.

I hope to have lots of fun and make lots of things and plant lots of things and relax and get enough sleep and spend a lot less time squinting at a computer screen.

I've actually had a really nice couple of weeks because I made a small change that's making a big difference. I know you want to know about it, right?

Usually when I get home from school (after changing clothes, of course) I get everyone fed and down for naps and then I clean up.  Toys and breakfast and lunch and dishes and tidy and chores, etc.  Then, if there's any time after all of that and before it's time to pick up Anna, I work on something that I want to do.  

When I told the family that we were expecting Jimmy I got a sweet note in the mail from my sister-in-law Jenny.  She said "...you might have to set aside perfection and just ENJOY LIFE."  I keep the note hanging by my desk and I decided to try it out.

I had noticed, in our evening thankfulness, that the first thing that I think of, on any day when it works out, is to be thankful for a moment or two to make something.  I always underestimate how much I love making things.

So now, I DON'T clean up.  I get everyone fed and down for naps and then I leave it all where it's laying and I come down to my office and sew and play.  I've finished a quilt top, put binding on two quilts, tied another (halfway through the binding on that one), and my room is clean and inspiring and I'm just so happy. We clean up together when Anna gets home from school.  (She's not crazy about the new plan)  ;)  We work together as a family and usually get it all cleaned up and get some dinner made while Jimmy crawls around chewing on things and Katie either "helps" or plays in her pod.  I love that pod.  

It's still hard to leave things undone, but I think it's a better choice.  Thanks, wise Jenny!

Oh!  I just remembered again that I finished my class.  *Grin* and squeal and sigh and go to bed.  :)

Crazy Ramblings about Sweatpants

So last week in my particular internet world this article kept popping up everywhere.  So I read it, and then because Jimmy was snuggled up so sweet and sleepy on my lap, I clicked around her blog for a bit and read this article about dressing nicely even when you're at home. 

She makes two points actually, and the second one, about not looking like death when you're out and about, I get that.  It's the other one, about how not looking niceish at home isn't good, that I keep rolling around in my mind like an everlasting gobstopper.

The first thing I do when I get home is change into my comfy clothes.  Sweats, t-shirt, bandana.  I even take off my rings.  First first first.  Partly because I don't like to have to wash my work clothes and the kiddos, you know, they're messy, and partly because it's SO NICE, and partly because it's my home uniform.  So.  Does this really indicate to my family somehow that they're not important?  I think they're nice sweatpants.  They don't have holes in them or anything...

Or it could be that I'm just getting hung up on the idea of putting on a bracelet because I can't stand wearing bracelets.

I think I've decided that I get her point, but it doesn't apply to me.  Which is one of those conclusions that always seems a bit dangerous, somehow.

What do you think?    

Regular shorts

MJL and I were able to sneak away to Target this weekend for a few minutes and we did a little shopping for Mr. Jimmy.  As we were looking at all of the jean shorts and khaki shorts and twill shorts with little whales on them I said:  "I'd really just like some regular shorts. Do you think they have those?"

We found some little elastic waist knit shorts and I was happy.

Then when we got home I read the tag and laughed and laughed.

I realize a cute picture of the boy IN the shorts would be much better here, but he's asleep and I should be too.  Too bad so sad.  

Today I'm thankful for...

We started a new tradition of saying what we're thankful for every day.  It makes for nice dinner conversation.  

The other day I was thankful that this knife I dropped didn't land on my toe.

I'm also thankful that I'll be done soon with this class that's keeping me up too late.  Thursday!

Even Katie is joining in, saying "Thank You, Anna.  Thank You, kids"

I found this idea in the book "Mitten Strings for God" which was recommended on the blog On Clover Lane, which was recommended to me by Sarah at In the Mix.  It was in my Easter basket this year and I enjoyed it.  She talks about slowing down and being peaceful and thoughtful.

At one point I rolled my eyes at the "healing basket" when she was talking about taking the time to really take care of ouchies.  Then she ended the chapter with this sentence:

When I comfort my children with love and care, I teach them compassion.

That gave me pause.  So being nice teaches compassion?  And doesn't just make the children into big whiny babies?  Shoot.

I also liked what she had to say about resting on Sundays-something I've been trying to work on lately.

I've read it, now I'd like to pass it on!  Leave me a comment and tell me what you're thankful for today.

I'll give it away Friday-ish.  :)

How to spend a blustery morning

Fire, blankie, nap.

Jimmy and Poppa Marion know how to relish the day.

Lydia Leigh

Here's a quick sneak peek at what I'm working on for a nice niece.  If I'm going to work this hard on classes, I have to have a little fun too.  Today somehow I managed to sew for an hour with ALL THREE in the sewing room with me.  I only fished 5 or 6 things out of Jimmy's mouth.  It went great!

Futility

This weekend I went shopping with Katrina.  (And you should all just say a little extra prayer for her because anyone who goes shopping with me should get extra blessings.  I annoy myself to no end, so I can't imagine how awful it is for someone else)  I told her to pick out a pair of sunglasses for me, because I can't seem to help ending up with something ridiculous.  She carefully had me try on lots and lots of pairs and picked out some nice ones and I was all set until I spied these.















Heart shaped

                                               Multi colored

I bought both pairs they had in Target so I'd have a spare.

They make me smile every time I remember them.

Really, there are so many areas of life where we HAVE to be grown ups.  Sunglasses are not one of those.  Right?  

My quilt!

I made myself a quilt for the couch 3 or 4 years ago, and finally took it to the quilter and then finally put the binding on it and it's perfect and makes me happy every time I walk down the hall.

I found an old sheet for the backing (Goodwill) and it's just right.

This is my first post from the ipad thingy. I don't know how to organize the pictures in order or anything yet.

Let's just see what happens when I press "publish". Whee!

Time

This week I cleaned up my craft room, which was delightful and since then I've mended several things that were in a pile, and put the binding on my quilt that's been hanging there since November, and cut out fabric for Lydia's quilt and put together the binding for the quilt that I'm picking up tomorrow, and I layered the quilt top and batting for the quilt I need to tie.  

A clean room is more important to my spirit than I ever give it credit for.  

I also started work on this lovely basket full of soft and pretty yarn for a graduation blankie for my darling baby sister.  

    This picture didn't make the cut, but I like it.

  Now if I could just figure out some magic formula for working on the class that I am behind on.  I can't think of any other time I've been this horrible about school.

Goal for this week:  CATCH UP!  One week every night.    

Quick Spring

Winter 2013 goals:

1.  Relax.  Look around and breathe in the chaos and laugh and enjoy it.  
2.  Get passports for the whole family!
3.  Make a 13 list for the kitchen to replace the Manifesto (Anna's idea!)
4.  Put the binding on my quilt for the couch.
5.  Figure out a way to integrate Spanish into my new life. Kind of.  I'm doing some more translating.  
6.  Move the files-old year out, etc.  
7.  Hallway and 8x10's for 2012.

There wasn't much on that list, and I said that I was able to relax and enjoy, but I wonder if my family would agree.  And I say I'm integrating Spanish, but that's mostly because I have been able to get some more translating work.  But I think that'll count.  I get to work my brain and remember, and it's not speaking, but it's something.  I got to translate for conferences too, which was fun.  And  I felt lots less pressure just translating as a bilingual person, and not as a Spanish teacher.  So what if I mess up?  That was fun.  

Spring 2013

1.   Renew Driver's License!

2.  Make a 13 list before the year is half over.

3.  Put the binding on my quilt for the couch.

4.  Make Lydia a blanket.

5.  Make Abby a blanket.

6.  Finish dumb required Library Class and enroll in Summer class.

7.  Finish moving photos to new albums.

8.  Choose patience and gentleness. I'm working on it, anyway.

9.  Plant vegetable garden. 

10.  Plant flowers.

11.  Play outside whenever possible.

12.  Sew with my aunts-Anna's 4H project.

13.  Run away with the kiddos.

14.  Go shopping with Katrina.

15.  Make a baby gift (or just be honest with myself and buy one)

16.  Something to the college nieces and nephews.  I missed this-why is college over so early?  I feel bad, but I'm hoping just crossing it off will help me to LET IT GO.

17.  Get enough sleep.

18.  Don't "work" on Sundays.

19.  Tidy up office.

20.  Have fun at Easter.  Don't worry about any of it.  

That's a giant list.  Spring makes me feel that way.  I really probably need to adjust the way I look at life and time, but it's hard.  

Last day of Haiku Month.

Hurry up and post the rest you've missed!  It's the last day of Haiku month!

Looky look we have
new books in the Library!
Please take only one.

2/18/13

I have read many
biographies and now
I know some great folks.

2/19/13

SNOW DAYS!!!


Big blizzard fakeout
Students, teachers are watching
Waiting on the snow

2/25/13

Daisy-Head Mayzie
grew a flower on her head
and they still loved her.
(written with students based on the book Daisy-Head Mayzie by Dr. Seuss)

2/26/13

A change for the world
Goodbye to Pope Benedict
We'll watch for white smoke.
2/27/13

Today is Thursday
February twenty eighth
Two thousand thirteen.

2/28/13  (This is one of my favorites)

Titled Haiku

On taking your Mom's clothes to Goodwill

The thing about it
is that you never really
believe that she's gone.

2/15/13

Haiku catch up

2/11/13

Annabelle could knit.
The box of yarn was magic.
She transformed her town.
(written with students, based on the book Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett)

2/12/13

In a crib last night
so far away from Mama
my baby boy slept.

(A huge favorite with the kids!)

2/13/13

Water, milk, V8
No sweet yummy drinks for me
This year's little Lent.

2/14/13

It's Valentines Day!
Books and friends and family
Are things that I love.

Budget

Oh, Budget Meeting.
I'm flummoxed!  Ambushed by my
own naivete.

Thursday

2/7/13

Sleepy six o'clock
Thursday mornings are rotten
Wednesday nights; too late

Two! Haiku

Rita Katherine
lively, loving, bold and kind
Grammy's sparkle shines.

Happy Birthday Katie Bug!

Haiku!

February is National Write Haiku Month (NaWriHaiMo).  In the Library, I'm posting a haiku for each day, and the February challenge for the kiddos is to read five books and write a haiku about each one.  I thought it might be fun to keep track of my haiku here. 

2/1/13

February days
are short and cold and perfect
for writing haiku.

2/4/13

Crescent moon morning
tinted sky from blue to gold
on the way to school.

2/5/13

Snuggly warm baby
wrapped in blankies and in love
as I leave the house.

Ooh-maybe you'd better comment in haiku!  ;)

1000

You know what's funny?  This is my 1000th post.  Ever since sometime in the 800's I've been thinking I should have some kind of wonderful post for my 1000th, but all of this wonderful, delicious, messy LIFE kept happening, and here I am, typing this out with one hand while Jimmy wiggles on my lap.  Katie puked on MJL (who has the sniffles) today and Anna helped me grocery shop and then there were baths and in two minutes I'm due upstairs to watch Poirot and fold a mountain of laundry.  Thank you all for sharing this life with me.

I'll leave you with one picture from today.  It's not a bit cute.  You know how you're supposed to clean out your dryer?  Not just the lint trap, but some other part?  Apparently you have to take screws off to get there.
  

MJL did that today.  This is 1/2 of what we removed.  After the first 6 handfuls to the trash can he stopped getting up and walking to the kitchen and started piling it up.  The dryer works great now!  For years I thought the timer was broken because the "more dry" auto stop quit working.  It looks like it was just covered up with lint.  Oops.  Thanks, God, that we didn't catch the house on fire!  

So go clean out your dryer.  Probably you all do that.  But just in case.  You might need a screwdriver.  :)  

Here's to 1000 more!