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Thursday, August 21, 2014

Hands-Free

As those of us that have been around tiny babies know, it is hard to get much of anything done around the house when you have a tiny infant.  Of course, they are cute and snuggly and entertaining even when they are sleeping.  But, of course, they like to be close their mamas.  Really close.   With that in mind, Callie decided it might be nice to try using a baby sling of some sort.  Eventually, he will fit into the Ergobaby pack they received as a gift, but not until he can hold his head up a little bit better.

Callie checked out a couple of different styles online and decided that the best option seemed to be either a "ring sling"
or the "pouch style", which provides an area for him to perch and is not adjustable.  We decided to try the pouch style since he is so young and it seemed to provide a little extra support.
I read lots of different DIY instructions for each type and found a great tutorial for it  on Pinterest.
Here are the directions I used.  Before shopping for fabric, I looked through my rather large stash and found one that was perfect.  I bought this fabric several years ago with Callie in mind---I planned to make a skirt, but never got around to it.  (these photos were all taken with an iPhone in pretty horrendous lighting situations)  And yes, there are loose threads on the fabric---as you've probably guessed, there are loose threads all over my house!
After studying the directions Tuesday night before bed, I ended up dreaming about sewing the sling all night long.  Ugh!   But, in my dreams, I had it all figured out, and by morning I was pretty sure that it couldn't be too difficult.   I made a self-lined sling, and it really went together quickly.  I cut the fabric, sewed the one long seam,
then turned and pressed it and top-stitched the edges.
I don't have pictures of the next step, but I sewed the curved edges together and finished them with a flat fell seam, providing a little extra strength to the seam and covering all the raw edges.    And that was it!!  So easy!
Once it was completed, we couldn't wait to give it a try.  Great fit and he seems to be quite secure in there.
Getting him in there without any assistance proved to be a challenge, however.  In fact, it was downright funny!
BUT, today she managed it all by herself on the first try!!

Monday, August 18, 2014

One More Shower

Cindy's daughter is getting married.  Callie and I have always had a special relationship with Cindy and Elizabeth since we were the mother-daughter duos on those early Mexico trips with our church.   Mission trips have a way of doing that---creating bonds that are deeper than normal, everyday friendships.   For this shower, we once again divided up the jobs so that it was such an easy party to put together.  My main task was to design, print and mail the invitations.
 Look at the beautiful quilt that her fiance's mother made!!
Elizabeth is such a sweetheart--we were all thrilled to be able to honor her.

Adventures With Dan

Dan came to visit this weekend. Ron and I picked him up Saturday morning and took him to eat lunch and then headed north.  Before we left Alexandria, Dan told us about a local pawn shop that he'd heard had the original "General Lee" car from the Dukes of Hazard TV show.  Just as he finished telling us about it, we turned a corner and there it was in all of it's 1970's glory!
Dan was pretty excited (as was Ron, actually) when we stopped to get a closer look.
We did a little shopping for some new clothes and shoes once we got into town.  The pups were quite ecstatic about Dan's visit.
Later Dan got to meet his new great-nephew over pizza and pasta at our house.
Baby D looks pretty content in his uncle's arms.
Ron had previously signed up for a virtual 5K because he knew Dan would like the theme---"Howl At The Moon".    Rather than just handing over the cool medal, he decided that he would appreciate it more if he earned it, so once it got dark and everyone else went home, Ron got Dan suited up in a race bib.
Then they went for a walk.  Instead of a 5K, they did 1 mile, but Dan was so proud.   When they got back, Ron awarded him the medal and he loved it!!
Weekends with Dan are hardly ever absent of some sort of drama.  Fortunately, this time it was minimal with a quick recovery and we went on to enjoy the time together.  I hosted a bridal shower this afternoon, so armed with bottled drinks (he's now switched to Dr. Pepper) and leftover pizza, Ron drove him home for me.  
Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Guilty Pleasure

#augustbreak2014

Here are a few pics from my latest roundup of August Break prompts:

Handwriting - 8-11-14
Hoping to focus on the words penned here during this school year.  Need to really re-read it in the morning---it was a trying day in the office!
On the Table - 8-12-14
We ate at Panera last night and guess what our number was---our lucky number 13!
Guilty Pleasure - 8-13-14 
The "guilty pleasure" got me thinking about other things that I love, that perhaps I once (or even still) felt a little bit guilty about enjoying.
**Reading my morning blog roll - I can get so wrapped up in reading blogs that I used to feel bad about spending so much time on the computer rather than doing housework, or whatever.  And truthfully, I often still do.  But, lately, I've decided to put the guilt aside and just enjoy the inspiration.

**This sort of goes with the first one, but I love to sit out on the deck in the mornings or evenings.  For some reason, I have always felt the need to be "doing, doing doing".  If I wasn't busy, I was thinking about being busy and or feeling guilty that I wasn't busy.  After spending the first summer in about 15 years NOT working, I gave myself permission to enjoy that time of just being outdoors and relaxing.  
**It is definitely not everyone's "cup of tea", but I have to admit that I really do enjoy watching an occasional reality show.  There, I said it!  And I've decided not to feel guilty about it anymore.  Sometimes, if just feels good to watch a show that requires absolutely no thinking on my part---mindless entertainment.

**Saying "no" has been a very difficulty lesson to for me to learn and I am finally beginning to do it without feeling guilty--usually.  I discovered when Ron and I were dating that I could not possibly keep up the same pace of volunteer activities and nurture a new relationship at the same time, so I began cutting back.  And it has been great--for both of us, but for me especially.    I think it has helped keep my volunteer work more pure, as I've selected things that speak to me the most and I don't resent participating because I've been a bit more selective.

**I was a grown woman, in my later 40's actually, before I received my first pedicure.  I loved it and decided that it would be my special treat to myself from time to time.  Now, I have a regularly scheduled time that I go, with two other friends, and I look forward to that time each month.  We call ourselves the "Beauty Buddies" and we've also become friends with the technicians we see, which has also been fun.  (don't worry---this photo was taken several weeks ago after my baby toe collided with a cinder block.  It's doing pretty well now)
**Due to financial reasons, mostly, I've always had a plain-jane, no-frills vehicle--cloth seats, only power windows and doors and nothing else extra.  Now, for the first time ever, I have a "luxury" car---well it is to me anyway. (not sure that everyone would agree that a Ford Escape is a luxury car)  And I am TOTALLY loving the moon roof!!!
Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Extreme Cubicle Makeover - Part 2

It's been a couple of years since we had an extreme cubicle makeover, but our return to school this year provided the perfect chance to do some secret scheming and decorating.  Over the summer, my home-based school was under construction to install bathrooms in every classroom.   Since our office is really just 2 classrooms that were converted to office space, that meant that we got two new bathrooms.  We've been quite excited by it ever since we heard the news because for 15 years, we've had no adult bathroom to use---when the need arose (as it inevitably does), we shared the children's facilities in the breezeway.  Not only were they old and stinky, there was limited privacy since our school consists of very young children, who often require supervision.

Imagine our excitement when we returned to generously sized bathrooms right there in our office!  There is one slight problem however:   the toilets are sized for a 3 year old!   Seriously.  The top of the toilet is slightly less than 11" from the floor!     And just in case you don't believe me, here is a picture:
Who needs a gym when you have to do squats each day anyway??

In addition to that situation, two of our teachers completely lost their desk-space with the construction.  We wanted to do something to liven up the tiny spaces that they now inhabit, so we staged a bit of a Cubicle Makeover to surprise each of them.  The first space we tackled belongs to Constance.  We were able to run power-strips into the space and scavenge a used desk from the salvage pile, but it definitely lacked any sort of character.
Danette picked our a couple of fabrics that featured her Constance's favorite color:  purple.
With glue guns and straight pins in hand, Danette and I got to work.    I think you'll agree, that the space looks MUCH better now!  

Today, we decided that Jane's tiny workspace needed a face lift as well.
While she was gone this afternoon, we set to work once again and were finished in record time.  After covering the walls with a pretty blue pattern, we added rick-rack around to the edges and on the shelves then tied on a red chair cushion.
We even added a little lagniappe to her small desk lamp.

If you'd like to see the last cubicle makeovers we did back in 2011, click here.
Saturday, August 9, 2014

Catching Up on August Break 2014

#augustbreak2014

Day 6 - Reflection - (Wednesday)
I'm beginning to reflect on my life and record the memories in a book for my grandkids, and future grandkids.
Day 7 - Today Is . . . (Thursday)
Jana was able to come and spend almost a week here.  She came to meet her new nephew and she and Callie spent lots of great time together.  I always hate saying goodbye to her, but this time was easier knowing that I'll be headed out to visit her in a few weeks!
Day 8 - Selfie - (Friday)
Today's "selfie" was taken out on the Mountain Fork River as we were fishing from our kayaks.   As you can tell, there is no makeup and way too much sun, but we had a great time out there.  In fact, we were the only ones on that portion of the river.
Day 9 - In My Bag - (Saturday)
After spending another day at the river, we were wet and dirty when it was time to head home.  We stopped for a quick fast food dinner and I slipped into the restroom to change clothes.  In my bag (which is a very glamorous grocery sack):
* wet swimsuit
* t-shirt
* gym shorts
* Tyler's sunglasses (not sure how they got in there)

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Three

#augustbreak2014

Today's prompt of "three" evoked lots of memories and thoughts for me.  You see, for much of the last 20 years it has felt like that was our number---3.  Me, Jana and Callie.  While difficult beyond belief at times, "three" represents some of the most important people and moments in my life:  a close-knit circle that speaks a language all of his own.
Through the last few years, we've widened our circle.  First to 4:
Then to 5:
and finally to 6:
Each addition has brought changes, as well as adventures and even some new struggles.  But. as Jana says, when the three of us get together, "we're a force to be reckoned with".



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