Bathroom before and after

My oldest daughter often complains that she feels like she is living in a baked potato. Brown and beige is the standard in our house. Not because we like it that way, it's just how it is.

I have finally taken charge of the situation! I started small with the bathroom, but colors have been chosen for the living area and the kitchen, too.


I didn't really choose the bathroom color, it sort of chose me. I am a very thrifty, frugal type. I like nice things, but if I can get it cheap, or better yet, free then I'm happy!

I thrifted this new flat bed sheet for $3.00 to turn into the shower curtain, valance and wall hanging. Not sure I like the wall hanging, but something had to go there.

The paint is a mistint that I got for $5.oo. It was extremely nice paint, no splatters or gobs or drips. I think it normally goes for $30.00 gallon. Of course, you can't choose your color for that price, but the color wasn't totally gross, so I got it.

Good bye, ugly palm trees!

It's not my dream bathroom, but it's not potato colored anymore! I think it will be nice for winter and then I will change out all the blue stuff for a pretty springy shower curtain that I got for $2.00 from another thrift store. It was new, too! It's amazing how many people donate never used things.

I purchased a new paint brush, some rollers, and blue tape. My project total probably came to under $35.00. Makes me wonder why I wait so long to make a change.

Clean Sheet Day!

Clean sheet day is the best day of the week. And the best night of sleep. I always take a shower right before bed on clean sheet day. Ahh! Fresh jammies, clean hair and unrumpled, vanilla lavendar softened sheets. Yum.

That is why these pants really appeal to me. Ingenious to use high thread count, softened over the years sheet fabric to make pajama bottoms. I don't know why I didn't think of it before.

Reducing, re-using and recycling at it's best.

Last year at this time...

I am having angst right now about showing my daughter's face on my blog. I haven't ever done that, but some of you do and I can guess that you haven't had any trouble, so I'm going to this once. I can always yank it if I still feel weird about it tomorrow.

We have a family tradition for birthdays. Everyone gets to pick their birthday meal, and everyone usually picks Red Robin. Every now and then, there is a Chuck E. Cheese thrown in, but we can usually count on at least a few trips to our favorite burger place each year.



The picture of us in black is from this time last year. The new picture (me in white) is just a couple days ago.

I've been losing weight this year, and I guess I didn't realize the transformation I've been going through until my daughter pointed these out to me. I've lost over 60 pounds (most of it from my face it seems, yikes!)

When I was younger, I just wanted to lose weight to look better in my clothes. This time around I was battling high blood pressure, borderline depression and I was one cookie away from being diabetic. It was all about getting healthy and staying alive. My dad died at 41 and since I am just a hop, skip and jump away from forty I decided I wanted to be around a little longer than he was.

Still, I sometimes can't get over the physical transformation I've gone through and am still going through. I love it. I feel great now that I don't have to melt myself down and pour myself into clothes that don't fit.

I am so very grateful to my friends who have helped me along this path and the steps that I have learned to become and stay a healthy person. Maybe blogging helped play a small, little part, too. Not that I'm pouring my heart out over here or anything, but I can come here and write a little and share some things about my life. So, thank you, too, friends.


So, I'm in a great mood! I'm feeling hopeful and thankful and ready for life.

Thanks for letting me share this triumph with you.

Cute thrifty find

Found these at our new thrift store. I wish there would have been more of them. I think they are the perfect fall colors. Plus, they were only $.07 each!

I'm trying to decide how I want to use them. I might keep pens and such in them on my desk, or use them to fill up with candy for little gifts. Or maybe just use them to drink out of. We'll see.

I am in the process of switching out all of our plastic containers to glass. I've been on the hunt for small, old corning ware casserole dishes with lids. I need lids! I've had pretty good luck with our thrift stores but they still want quite a bit for them.

If your grandma decides to clean out her cupboards, let me know!

knitty girl

Doesn't that look cozy? Fresh washed hair, a big fluffy robe and a new knitting project.

It always makes me happy when one of my children wants to learn to do something that I enjoy. So far they are all avid readers and it looks like I will have one or two knitters.

It's been hitting me lately how fast they are all growing up. We've been so busy, especially now that we have one in high school. I don't want life to pass by too quickly.

I love this stage of life, though. No more diaper bags and car seats. Everyone can peddle their own bike. We can all play the same board games. The only problem now that the younger ones have caught up, is that the older ones always have something else to do.

I'm glad for quiet projects that force us to sit and be together and savor the moments.

Puzzles, yarn and yahtzee! A great recipe for family time and the long winter ahead.

Delayed gratification

My little Sprite and I planted tulip bulbs today.

They are in the ground, and now we wait. We wait for them to lie dormant, for snow to cover the ground and for the eventual re-warming period that we think will never come. Then sometime in May, we will have beautiful flowers. Yay!

Spring seems a long time to wait to reap the benefits of our hard labor. But, of course, we know it will be worth it.

There is snow in the forecast for next week. Fall is much too short here, and spring is a long, long time away. But our little patch of fresh dug earth will remind us that we have something to look forward to.

Tulips are such hopeful little flowers.

I'm cute, but I'm not THAT cute...

Our family computer is in our bedroom, which is on the first floor right next to our main living space. This means my bedroom, which should be a place of peaceful sanctuary, is taken over by im-ers, msn-ers, homework doers, e-bay-ers and such.

There can also be extra kids in my room, which is embarrassing, because I know all their moms keep their rooms much cleaner than I do, but that's another topic. Anyway, most of my kid's friends know what room to find them in.

So I was not too surprised to discover a teenage boy jumping up a few feet to knock on my window, trying desperately to get my attention. I think I caught him off guard when I went to the window to ask if he thought I was my daughter.

There are teenage boys banging on my house. Sigh. I am the mother of a teenage girl.

At least I can take small comfort in the fact that the back of my pony-tailed head still looks girlish. But I am not looking forward to shooing boys away from my lovely daughter for the forseeable future.

And to think, I have two more girls who will be teenagers someday, too.

Loving this girl right now

Happy Halloween!!

That's about as scary as it comes. Have a safe halloween and don't eat too much candy!

The powers that be...

have moved Halloween! (Clip taken out of our local paper) Which actually works for me because I work Wednesday nights.

Can you imagine wielding the type of power to actually move trick or treating? It makes me wonder who handed down this edict. And what do I have to do to get her job? My daughter's birthday falls on a unconvenient day for me. I'd like to change that.

Annoying (but very funny) mom sayings...

This is going around town with my mommy friends. Thought you all might enjoy, too!

One down, one to go

I've been cabling away! I love these wrist warmers. They are so easy to make and are great gifts. I got the idea from Suse last year and have made a couple of pair. Someday I will make some for me to keep.

The color is somewhere in between these two pictures. It's hard to take a photo of your own hand.

I would like to make a matching pair of mary jane slippers, but we'll see how I do getting the second hand done. These are going to be shipped away and I have a deadline. I have been in a real knitty mood, though, lately, so I may be able to pound them out.

Don'cha just love fall?

Next up... this guy.

Love it!

Have you seen Pushing Daisies? Such a beautiful looking show. Bright colors, great clothes. And the dialogue is so very funny. Snappy.

Dog Rescue

Tonight on my walk I saw my dog wandering around my neighborhood. I called him and he came, but was squirmy and he kept pulling his head out of his collar.

I knocked at a stranger's door to ask to borrow a leash. This is small town America where you can borrow stuff from strangers. They had one handy and I said I would be right back.

Well... the closer I got to home, the more this dog didn't look right. He seemed a little heavier and lighter colored. When I came to our front door, I knocked and asked my husband, "Is this our dog?"

It wasn't. In my defense, it was dark out. I am not a dog thief.

I got the dog back to where he belonged, where he promptly ran off again, but the owner didn't seem too terribly worried. I returned the leash and came home to take a good, hard look at my dog.

I'm glad I wasn't bitten.

One Semester of Spanish - Love Song

One Semester of Spanish - Love Song (Subtitles)

I lied! I did really want to learn. Thanks, blackbird, for helping me out. I feel silly at how easy it is.

Enjoy the video!

A reeelly, reeelly good deal

I got four (4!) new skirts. Very cute for very little money!

Just look at that price tag. That's about a thousand percent off.

I also got the pretty green sweater for under ten bucks. Now I just need to visit my local friendly consignment store for a couple of sweaters to round off my fall wardrobe.

I'll also start hunting for a cute pair of boots and gets some tights. I'll get what feels like a whole new wardrobe for less than $100.00.

I love a good deal.

Because I don't know how and don't care to learn

I would like to upload these videos for you to see. I thought I could do it, but then it just stalls and doesn't upload and the computer jams up and, oh! the frustrations.



So here are some links to stuff I like.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zorfLNotWj8
This is funnier to me now that I work at a library.



Medieval Help Desk



THE PRETENDER... I really, really love this video. It makes me want to go out and fight some foo.



Thank you very much for your kind comments on my previous post.

Time to De-lurk

I don't think I have many, if any, lurkers, but if you are out there, now is the time to make yourself known. It's national de-lurk day!

look, it's a lipogram

A lipogram is a poem written with some kind of restraint. Here is mine, using only the left side of my keyboard (except the comma, I had to use the comma).

see red trees ~ tread far, carefree daze
qwest fer rest, easy days
far few, fewer
crazed drawer fever
dratted sad wear
freed

Now a real poet wouldn't feel constrained to tell you what her poem was about, but I can't help myself. I'm not a real poet. It's about how every fall I am compelled to clean closets and dressers after periods of doing nothing.

Go here to see how it's really done. This guy is a real poet.

Cravings

I had my first "crunchy" walk of fall yesterday. I stayed very close to the curb to get the maximum depth of leaves to take full advantage of the crunch. I'm sure I looked like a crazy person, but I didn't care.

The birds are beginning to abandon their nests and I am all of the sudden ready to build mine.

I want to paint the living room, get out the sewing machine, start my own esty shop, finish the knitting and crocheting things I left behind in May, write a book... maybe even blog a bit! I want everything clean, clean, clean and smelling fresh. I want open windows and hot tea and bread in the oven and friends at my table.

It makes me so sad sometimes, that these moments are just spurts for me. I want to make a lovely home (a la Sally Clarkson) where there is peace and good smells and quiet talks. But mostly there is chaos and a busy feeling and messes and piles and calendars and STUFF!

I really am not busy just for the sake of being busy. I tend to dislike people who sigh and tell me how much busier they are than everyone else. I have the job, two teenagers and two littles and laundry and errands, no different from any other gal out there. I love it. I just wish I did it better, balanced easier.

So, all this to say, fall is here! With it's slower pace and cooler 'in-door' days I hope to get the initiative to get things pulled together. And figure out how to keep it together. I have the desire, it's just to the point where I don't know how to start.

But I will start! First thing Monday. :)

With that, I will leave you with this quote that I saw on someone else's blog recently... If your house is really a mess and a stranger comes to the door, greet him with "Who could have done this? We have no enemies." - Phyllis Diller

I need...

HGTV to come and spiff up my house.

the people on the animal channel to come and train my pets to not scratch or sit on the new furniture the HGTV people will give me.

Gunnar Peterson to work his magic on my abs with his Core Secrets.

the Super Nanny to come train my children to pick up their dirty clothes and do their chores without having to be nagged to death.

Extreme Makover people to give me a really nice hair cut.

Bare Essentials. I really, really do!

I'm an infomercial/prime time special just waiting to happen.

Meet a new author... Nicole Baart

It's always so exciting for me to read the first novel of a new author. This time is special because this author is practically my neighbor as just a few country miles separate us.

I'd like to introduce you to Nicole Baart, author of After the Leaves Fall. (Isn't she cute?)

From the back of the book:

Julia Bakker's life has been marked by loss. After her mother leaves and her father dies when she's just sixteen, Julia is determined to escape the confines of her gossipy, conservative Christian town.

When her best friend and first love, Thomas, breasks her heart, Julia leaves for college - the perfect place to reinvent herself. But one wrong decision changes her life forever, and she returns to her grandmothers's farm, weary and defeated.

Yet hope takes root in unexpected places and Julia discovers that starting over looks nothing like she imagined.

I had the opporunity to get my hands on an advanced reader copy and thoroughly enjoyed this book. I also was able to ask Nicole a few questions and here are her responses.

I really liked your book. I felt that it was very different from what is typically known as "Christian Fiction". Was it your goal to be a little different?

Yes, I suppose it was. I feel bad admitting this, but I spent many years of my life avoiding Christian fiction because I thought it was too trite, too filled with easy answers. As a Christian who is also an author, I have always longed for meaningful fiction that can speak honestly about God, but that can also wrestle with doubts and uncertainty. A few years ago I read Peace Like a River by Leif Enger and it was very eye-opening for me. It wasn’t a Christian fiction book, and yet I thought the person of God just poured off the page. I had never read a more “Christian” book. When I wrote After the Leaves Fall, I wanted to do something like that. I wanted to subtly yet powerfully show the beauty of the Lord without being preachy or pretentious. I think I’ll spend the rest of my career trying to do that.

Who is your targeted audience?

On paper, my target audience is women of nearly any age. Angela Hunt endorsed After the Leaves Fall by saying: “If you are a daughter, a mother, or a grandmother, this book will touch your heart.” But I’d like to think that my audience could be wider than that. My writing partner and first draft editor is a man, and he loved the book. My husband and father love the book. Other men in my life have enjoyed it… I’d like for it to be universally appealing, but that’s for the audience to decide, not me.

Did you send out a lot of queries to get published? What was your journey to publishing?

I’ve been told I should never answer this question honestly because my story is so atypical! I sent out one query for publication and it resulted in a two-book contract with Tyndale House Publishing. Very unusual. The whole thing was like a dream. I submitted 50 pages of a manuscript, they requested to see the rest of it, and they offered me a contract. Crazy. I still can’t quite believe it.

This is a famous question among my friends... Dark or Milk chocolate?

Oh definitely dark. I absolutely love dark chocolate.

What are your goals as a writer?

This is probably going to sound really cheesy, but I just want to write. My life’s dream has always been to get a book published and now I’ve done that! How exciting! I’m trying to be content with that and not give in to my perfectionist nature by striving for the next best thing. My mind can start to play tricks on me and tell me that now it’s not enough to just be published--now I have to sell lots of copies or win some award or do something extraordinary. But I want to take things as they come and let God continue to unfold this fun adventure as he sees fit.

Some authors talk about thinking about a theme or a tag line for their body of writing. What do you think about that?

I think it’s a nice idea for people who can come up with a tag line that encompasses everything their writing is (or all they hope it will be). It sounds very daunting to me because I don’t know what I’ll be writing ten years from now. So for me to come up with some sort of a theme and then find myself moving in a different direction would be rather problematic. But if something brilliant came up I don’t think I’d be opposed to it!

Do you have a critique group or a workshop group that you attend? If so, what is that experience like? And if not, how do you get feedback and criticism for your work?

No, I have never attended a formal workshop or critique group. I do, however, have a wonderful writing partner and friend who edits all of my work. We’ve been working together for almost five years and I would absolutely be lost without him. He is very honest with me (sometimes brutally so!) but I welcome it. I actually love the editorial process. The best part is, Todd is also one of my biggest fans. He is very supportive and encouraging even when he’s telling me some particular aspect of my writing is absolute junk.

Is writing hard work for you? Is it fun or a chore?

So much fun. I love writing and I always look forward to sitting down with pen in hand.

Is there an author from the CBA world that you admire?

From what I’ve read on her website, I think Lisa Samson is a very neat woman. I hope to pick up some of her books soon. I also made a connection with new author Lisa McKay. I can’t wait to read her debut novel My Hands Came Away Red. And I’ve always loved Francine Rivers.

What is your writing uniform? Jammies? Jeans and T-shirt?

It changes every day, though I actually find that I feel better when I’m dressed nicely and feeling good about myself. It’s hard to take myself seriously in my pajamas. Usually I just get up and get ready for my day, wearing whatever I’d normally wear: jeans a nice shirt… Whatever I’m in the mood for.

It sounds like you write whenever you have a spare minute. How do you turn on the focus for such short bursts of time?

Whatever I am currently writing is always brewing in the back of my mind. Often I come up with a concept or even a specific line at different points throughout my day. Pen and paper are never far from hand in my house, and my purse is always equipped and ready. So I’m kind of writing all the time. Dropping into focus isn’t a difficult thing to do. However, sometimes weeks or months later I’ll find a scrap of paper and go, “Oh darn! That was good, I was going to include that!”

What advice would you give to an as of yet unpublished author.

That’s a hard question to answer because I don’t feel like I am in any position to give advice. But if you pressed me to say something, I guess I would suggest that any author (published or not) should spend more time writing than trying to promote their writing. Know what I’m saying? Good writing speaks for itself and that only results when you are practicing, honing your skills. If you are too obsessed about getting your work out there, I think you stand the chance of forgetting why you are doing this in the first place. Those of us who write do so because we love to write. We write because God created us with an innate desire to put words on paper. And when we deny that, when we’re more concerned about what the world thinks of our writing than what God thinks of our writing, we forget that he is the only audience that matters. Maybe that sounds overly idealistic, but I really do believe that. I’m not always capable of actively living out that worldview, but I’m trying! It’s a journey, right?

Thank you so much, Nicole! I wish you the best success and look forward to reading the rest of Julia's story in your next book.

If you would like to look at the other blogs featuring this book, go here.

Aahhhh...

My friends love me.

I have been inundated with meals and fruit and flowers and balloons and hugs and, and, and. I mean, I knew I was loved, but this proof is just overwhelming.

I'm starting to feel like I can get up and around, but the time spent down has been good. My son just finished the first Harry Potter, so we watched the movie together. I've read quite a few books, inluding Austenland, which is a cute, fluffy read if you need something like that.

I have chosen the color (after two years of pondering) of my living room and kitchen. The living room will be done in Turkish Tile and Toasted Pine Nut. The kitchen will be a very light lime-ish color. Yum. Although, I just went to look at the color visualizer at the Sherwin Williams site and the Turkish Tile may not be right. It looked more blue in the magazine. Sigh.

My mommy is here to take care of me and to keep the laundry going. I am feeling like I'm living in the lap of luxury.

I guess if I had to have surgery, I can at least enjoy what's enjoyable.

You will never guess what happened to me

Yesterday I had emergency gall bladder removal surgery. I lived through it and the surgery pain is much less than what I had been going through with the diseased organ.

I will tell you all about it once I can resume sitting on the big exercise ball that doubles as my desk chair.

One quick note, the hospital bed I slept in was the most comfortable bed I've ever been in, with the hotel bed at the La Quinta coming in a close second. Funny, eh?

Life is good.

Inspired by Jane

We went to see Becoming Jane last night. I liked it but it was sad. I hate it when people miss out on love. And die young.

It was a beautiful movie and I liked seeing Mr. Tumnus as the romantic interest. I didn't think he had it in him.

And Anne Hathaway. So pretty and everthing a girl should be.

I borrowed a big head band from my daughter and tried out a Jane/Anne hair-do. Not bad for a pony tail holder and four bobby pins.

You also get a bird's eye view of the back room at the coffee shop. Don't tell the boss! :)

I am reading I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. It is very Jane-ish but was written in the late '40's. I'm enjoying it very much and highly recommend it to you. It is written from the perspective of a 17 year old girl who is writing about her life in a ruined and empty castle. Lots of unique and quirky characters and boys... which one will she end up with?

Any one have something to share that has inspired you this week? (Hair-do or otherwise).

More from Seaside

I miss the beach.



Happy news, my daughter made the Volleyball team. Very exciting. We practiced quite a bit on our trip. On the beach, in my mom's front yard, at every rest stop and McDonalds and Burger King. I love volleyball and can't wait to watch her play at this new level.



My little girl is starting high school tomorrow. I'm not sure how I feel about that. She will be totally in her element as she is social as all get out, but MY BABY! I think this might be as bad as when my youngest went to kindergarten. I think it's gonna be a whole new world around here.

So our house now includes a freshman, an eighth grader, a fourth grader and a second grader. At three different schools. I just purchased a new calendar in hopes of keeping all the schedules straight.

Go-carting in Seaside, Oregon

Ten things I like about working in the library

In random order...

1. Covering brand new books. It's like wrapping Christmas gifts everyday.

2. The people who visit libraries tend to really want to be there, so they are pleasant. Very few grumps at the library. Lots of book lovers and recommendations and trading information going on. Love it.

3. I get to use lots of tape! I love using tape.

4. My co-workers smile when they see me. They seem to like the library, too.

5. Helping people find what they need is fun. It's like a little mini-treasure hunt. I'm considering becoming a research librarian.

6. Shelving is not so bad. I thought it would be boring, but everyone chips in and it goes pretty fast. Many hands make light work.

7. I learn something new everyday.

8. There is never any dead time. Always something to do.

9. I get to take home a lot of cool books and use them first! (I have a big long story about when we used to live in a place with an older library I never brought a book home without a booger in it. Isn't that totally gross? Ick, my stomach is rolling just thinking about it. Now, my reading is virtually booger-free).

10. My kids use the library often, so I get to see them when I'm at work.

Did you just feel that?

Is it a feeling or is it a certain smell? A whiff of fresher air and elmers' glue. Whatever it is, it's means it's back to school time and I can feel it. I think we are all ready for it. Summer is officially over in our household when no one wants to go swimming except for me.

For me, it means instant schedule. I am a pool rat in the summer. Laundry and dishes are neglected for brown skin, scorched hair and wet towels. It's really, really good for a very short time, and then my family starts to resent living in a pig pen. Thankfully, school comes along to get everything back to normal.

We still need three back packs, a package of dry erase markers, a black folder and pencils. I have all the spiral notes books we will ever need again. At .10 each I am considering wall papering my home with them.

I'm ready for jeans and sweater weather, to pick up my knitting, to bake pumpkin-y things. I'm ready for the leaves to change, for warm days and cool nights and less bugs and bed times and candles in the window and a clean house.

These things just can't happen in the summer because they take effort and it's hot and the pool is open and I can't sit still. Summer is the season for ADD for me. It's good while it lasts but I'm glad it's short. One can only take so much chaos and chlorine.

So now with school almost here and a structured work schedule for me I may be able to carve out a little time to have a complete thought and write it down. Get back into my blog groove. Shake out the cob webs. I've missed my little shiny journal time with you.

I am not a quitter...

Just a slower-downer.

I can't believe I haven't visited my own blog since March. I'm sure I have lost all (three) of you to bigger and better blogs. Here's to starting over from scratch.

Here is the quick scoop... We have had sports. Lots and lots of sports. The kids went from volleyball, to basketball, back to volleyball, then soccer and finally softball or baseball, depending on the gender.

In between there was eighth grade graduation (you wouldn't believe the big deal that was), job hunting for both the hubby and me, paper routes, baton lessons, sleep-overs, and of course, the best... the swimming pool! We love the swimming pool.

I have found a lovely job at our friendly public library as a library assistant. I get to shelve and cover books and label things and be a smiling face to all who enter. I even get a key to the building, which I feel is a great honor. And, I am reading a fresh, clean copy of the new Harry Potter without purchasing it.

The best thing about the library is that there is a place for everything and everything is (usually) in it's place. So opposite from the giant laundry room my house has become. It is a pleasure to walk into all that organization.

Tomorrow, I am sending my two oldest away to retreats and work camps. It will feel a little lop-sided around here until they return.

Hopefully, I will get back to regular postings. If not, at least you know you will see me in a couple of months.

TTFN, ta ta for now.

Again with the Technical Difficulties

No, I have not abandoned you, my internet lovelies.

We are experiencing internet hook up problems here in the midwest. I have to go to the library to check my email!

I miss checking up on your blogs and I've actually had some good ideas for posts, but it's difficult here. Hopefully, we will back up and running shortly. Don't feel neglected!

Quick update:

I am getting ready for my first 5K. I am running and it hurts, but it's a goal I have, so I'm gonna do it.

I have learned to waltz for a show I'm in this spring. Lots of fun and lots of rehearsals.

Spring has arrived. There is no more snow and now there is tons of yard work to do.

Volleyball is over and soccer is beginning. Our kids have too many activities.

I've started making granny squares for an afghan. It's all the rage. I'll show you as soon as I'm up again.

I have been spending time with lots of lady friends. It is so nice, this sisterhood I have here in town. I wish I could introduce you all to my real life friends. I think you would all suit.

Blessings to you, friends! I'll read you again, ASAP.

A referral for you

I have found a new blog that I love. Erin at Dress a Day is a fabric and sewing genius. She really has the best clothes.

But what I love most are the stories she tells. Go over and click on the Secret Lives of Dresses. Each one is a little vignette about a woman from the perspective of the dress she wears. The stories are beautiful and poignant and I wish I could read a whole book like this.

Erin has inspired me to sew my own dress, although I am procrastinating my project just a tad. I know I'll get to it, I just need to find the perfect fabric. When real spring hits (we had snow again) I know I will get tired of yarn and will want to move on to something lighter.

Anyone else follow a bunny trail that led you to a great blog?

More about yarn

I'm not sure you can get the full effect, (it looks kind of hairy here) but the yarn for this shrug is amazingly soft and it was only $1.00 a skein. I really hope it turns out. I think I would be proud to wear it.

Did you see Cameran Diaz/Kate Winslet movie where they switch houses at Christmas? (I know I just saw this not too long ago but can't remember the name.) Cameran's clothing in that movie was extremely soft and amazing. She wore these cashmere sweaters to SLEEP IN! that must have cost hundreds of dollars. I want soft clothes. And if I can't afford them, maybe I can make them.

I've been practicing different style hats, too. This one is almost right but not quite. I ended up giving it to a friend with way more hair volume than I have. It looks kind of rasti on her. Very cute and hip for the forty-something mom that she is.

Why is it that when I take pictures of myself I look all wonky? Must be the close range. Elsie Flannigan never looks wonky. My nose is not that long. I'm obsessing. Moving on. I'm in the bathroom and those are towels hanging out of the cupboards. I've said it before - I'm an excellent wife but a lousy housekeeper.

Anyway... I also love the movie Elizabethtown. I think it is one of my favorites. Kirsten Dunst wears this red hat that kind of looks like a beret but isn't. Super cute and I want one. But not red. I thought this stripe might be fun but I think I'm more of a solid color girl.

Here is the aerial view. The stripes are a little off line but it is just a practice hat.

I'm really trying to do a good job of finishing what I start, so maybe blogging about the shrug will keep my going until I have a finished product to show you.

Wow, this is quite the post. Rambling all over hill and dale, or should I say purls and knits, with a little bit of insecurity thrown in for good measure. Aye yi yi.

Yarnit - Rhymes with Darnit

Do not ask me why this photo is sideways. I've tried a couple of times now and blogger keeps being stupid.

Sorry.

Just tilt your head a little and you will get the right effect.

And the paragraphs are stupid, too. Not my fault!

Moving on... This is my friend, who is an amazing crocheter. She is part of my Wednesday knitting club, even though she is crocheting, we let her in. This garment was done up like a giant doily, with arm holes left open. It really is a beautiful piece of clothing.

The other picture features my desperate face. I spent a couple of hours trying to undo this tangled piece of yarn. Longer than it takes to knit the hat my daughter wants. Finally, with some very patient untwisting, I have a nice ball of yarn. I almost had to throw the dang thing away.

I have a beautiful project to show you that I started this week. I hope, hope, hope it will fit me when it's finished. It's this lacy like a cloud shrug in a very soft, light green. I've never tried anything like it, so we'll see.

I'm also waiting on another skein of blue that I ordered in order to finish the winter sweater that just needs some ribbing around the vee neck. But the snow is melting (yay!) so I wonder if I will finish it this year. I may put it away 'til fall.

Okay, this is just an all around crazy looking post. What the heck is wrong with my paragraphs?

I'm too lazy to redo this, so I hope you can muddle through the mess. I'll try another post tomorrow, hopefully with better success.

Happy Valentine's day, my friends.

Oh, to be a Scot (or a time traveler)

I'm on book four in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. It's very exciting stuff. I also have Brother Odd to read, but I feel like I need to finish my series.



I came across a website called House of Tartan. You'll have to google it, I'm too lazy to go back and link, but I will show you what I made.

My very own tartan.

I like it.

Lisa's book is out!

Girlfriends, if you haven't read Lisa Samson, today is the perfect day to join the band wagon.

Quaker Summer is her newest and it's out today. I haven't read it yet, but I'm looking forward to as soon as I get my hands on a copy.

Go to Lisa's Amazon page to read the review from Publisher's Weekly and buy your own copy. You won't be disappointed.

*They done R-U-N-N-O-F-T

Where, oh where have my little dogs gone? They have run off in zero degree weather. Why don't they love us?

Normally, I don't worry. They have a habit of running off, then returning hours later. They always scavenge something to eat, usually cow pies and squirrel guts (which they puke up on my carpet later, that's how I know). BUT IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!

How long can dogs last out there? They are used to being outside dogs, but they come in to sleep occassionally, and have been sleeping in since it's so cold. See, we love them! And they seem to love us, until the moment when they see a possible escape, and then they're gone.

Are dogs so stupid they prefer running around on frozen ground? Is is just my dogs? What if they are hit or cause an accident?

I've called the pound, where they have been known to be found, as well as the police station. Nothing so far. I'd like to say good riddance and hope some farmer finds them and decides to keep them, but really. Look at those faces. And look at that comfy bed. Why would they want to leave that?

Is there a dog whisperer out there who can tell me these things?

Hopefully they return before school lets out. Otherwise there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth by my kids. I'll keep you posted. Damn dogs.

*Name that movie and you win... two dogs.

UPDATE: They came back... bearing gifts.

Baby, it's cold outside

Cold weather means:

• Hot Chocolate
• Puzzles
• Movies
• Big, long historical novels (Thank you, Diana Gabaldon!)
• All day on the couch, under the blankies
• Pajamas and Slippers
• Snacks, not meals
• Laziness
• Knitting

We are having below freezing temps here. It's cold!

Spirit Week and other crafty stuff

Next week my older kids have spirit week, so I started projects for them to wear for their color day. Actually, my son's scarf was started back in October. It was just one of those boring projects that was easy to put down and not pick up again. But I have perservered.

My daughter wanted wrist warmers, but didn't like the cabled ones I suggested. Her warmers kind of look like a tube without the cables, but they will do the job for which they are intended.

Last week when everyone was too sick for school, but too house crazy to lay down and drink their liquids, we entered the world of decoupage. We cut up all the magazines I had available and covered the front and backs of marbled journals. I like the way they turned out. We also made one for a birthday gift.

I'm hoping to try some new projects soon, too. I bought some pretty Asian looking fabric and have a purse pattern that I would like to try.

Oh, and I found the most perfect place. I really couldn't believe this was someone's actual sitting room and it filled me with all kinds of jealousy. Go here to look. It's unbelievable.

On another note, does anyone know how to arrange photos with blogger? I can't seem to get my paragraphs right or move my photos to where I want them. Everything looks like a hodge-podge. It's driving me crazy and I'm sure there is a simple explanation, so if you have the info, please pass it on.

And, if you want to play Show and Tell tomorrow, the topic is bumper stickers.

I lava, lava, lava me...

If you were to ask me to tell you a little about myself I would say things like I'm a nice person, I'm friendly, I usually do the favors people ask of me... things that might let you know a little about who I am, but not what I look like.


If you asked me to describe my appearance, my first inclination would be to not say kind things. I would pick at myself. Or give myself a compliment with a 'but...'.



Or be boring. I would have brown hair, be medium heighth, be average and not call any attention to myself.



Except that, there is a tiny little bit of myself that thinks I'm kind of cute. Would I ever say that outloud? Never. But here I am typing it, and all because bobbie asked me to. And she's asking you, too.

We are so hard on ourselves. And with body image issues being what they are today, it's easier to be more dissappointed in ourselves than ever.



So, without further ado, here they are: five things I LOVE about myself.





1. I have a little beauty mark under my right eye, high on my cheek. It's sexy.


2. I have very, very soft skin. I try hard with lotions and potions to keep it that way. I also usually smell really good because of said creams.



3. My lips are kissable with just the right amount of un-botoxed pout.



4. My eyebrows have a nice shape, and sometimes they quirk up at just the right moment.





5. Although I don't study my earlobes that often, I've been told they are cute, and have noticed that they, too, are very kissable. They are also unpierced, which makes them look like a kindergartners ears.



Bonus #6: My hands. I like they way they look and I like what they are able to do, accomplish, and give.



I would love to see what you all LOVE about yourselves. Consider yourself tagged and please go read bobbie's post and the links she has provided there.

Lost and found

Remember in Little Women, when Amy is trying to get even with Jo, and she throws her manuscript into the fire and Jo has a very dramatic melt-down?

When I was younger I could never really understand that. I mean, for pete's sake, it came out of her own head. How hard would it be for Jo to just write it down again?

And now, that I try to write myself, I cringe that I ever thought like that. My ideas are so fleeting that I can't remember from yesterday what I intended to write today. My kids sometimes will say, "Mom, whatever happened to that story you told me about..." and I can't believe I didn't keep going with that story. Or I will look through old journals with ideas jotted down, and think "Hey, I'd like to read that book, why didn't I write it?" Unfortunately, even if I did pick up these threads, they would never be what they would have been if I had kept going.

Even this blog thing frustrates me. I can't duplicate a post that was lost. A comment that is not accepted and gets lost drives me crazy. The muscle memory in my fingertips doesn't even help.

Sometimes, though, what comes out second is okay. A comment comes out better, a post more thoughtful. Maybe even my stories, when I get around to them, will improve at a second go-around. Jo's did.

Yes, it's that time again

To cut bangs, or let them grow. It's a huge decision, every few months, because I usually tend to choose bangs, which I regret, and then have to let them grow until they drive me bananas. We are now at the bananas stage. Reese's bangs are cute. But I bet we'll see her without them in no time.
Kelly and Rachael both have the long, side swipey thing going on, but mine never turn out like that. Maybe I need superstar mousse. Or a hairstylist on retainer.
Oops, I cut off her chin, but I'm not going back. She's still cute, though, eh?

I know you are wondering, is this the only thing I have to worry about? Ha, I say. But whatever, it's a post and I feel like if I wait to post anything until I have something important to stay, it may be a while. So my fringe is taking center stage.

Really, we've been back to the doctor and we have another kid with influenza. He's already missed 3 days of school this month because of stomach flu, and will miss at least 3 more with this.

The littlest one is over it and is feeling good again, but we had a scare on Sunday when she TOOK A NAP without being asked or sent, which never happens and usually always means she is sick.

We are all frantically washing our hands and isolating any person with a hint of a germ, but it's still coming on. Pray the rest of us don't get it. We are a huggy-kissy family so it's hard to keep the hands off.

Blessings to you, friends! Be well.