Speaking to My Heart

In the past few years, I've discovered Stampington Publishing. If you love creativity and artistic expression, go over and sift through their magazine offerings. Their product is professional and high quality.

One of my "must-haves" is Artful Blogging which unlocks and opens the door to many creative bloggers that I would have never found just trolling through the internet on my own.

In the current winter issue, while soaking up the inspiration laid out among the pages, I came across an article about Carmen Torbus and her blog called, Distracted by Design.

Part of the article was a partial post from her blog--a poem. As I read it, I realized it spoke exactly what I feel.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Feeling Tender and Vulnerable

by Carmen Torbus

Sometimes I sit and dream.

I think of all the things I'd like to do.

I put off the stuff that needs to be done

trading that time for daydreams.

Thinking of conversations I'd like to have,

with old friends,

current friends and

with friends I've not yet made.

Wondering where the other people like me are.

How do I find them?

How do I connect?

I long to sit and laugh,

sip coffee, or hot cocoa, or tea,

while making a mess with art supplies,

or just chatting about nothing in particular,

or the meaning of life itself.

Deep conversations,

light conversations,

no conversation,

just being.

I don't want to just be a dreamer,

I want to be a doer.

I want to paint.

I want to write.

I want to take pictures.

I want to talk.

I want to listen.

I want to have a tribe of my own,

and be a part of the tribe of others.

I want to be a part of something bigger.

Something good.

Something powerful.

Make a contribution to the world.

Somethimes I think it's me that gets in my way.

Is it fear that stops me?

Lack of belief?

Lack of motivation or energy?

Lack of work?

I sit back and watch others do what I know in my heart

I can do too.

Sometimes envious, or jealous, wondering what the

secret is.

Wishing I could know what they know,

I cheer them on

Pat them on the back.

Encourage

Congratulate

Sit in awe of.

Recognizing their potential,

their strength,

their capabilities,

their talent,

their accomplishments.

What is the missing piece?

How do I reach my full potential,

my strength,

my capabilities,

my talent,

so that I can realize and accomplish my dreams,

and contribute.

I suppose I'm not alone in my desires,

my dreams,

my paralysis.

I suppose the only way to find out is to "do" while

continuing to dream.

I suppose I don't have to know how, I just have to start.

(used by permission)

See the original post here.

Art Journaling

art journal page December 2009

Yep.

That pretty much sums it up.

If it's artistic

or

creative, I want a piece of it.

A little thing I like to call...

Creative Schizophrenia.

I'm Might Be Rolling Into Next Christmas...

Time to start some Christmas cooking and so far, all I can get out of hubby, is that he wants Buckeyes.

Like momma used to make.

(photo: allrecipes.com)

I've never made Buckeyes before, but I trolled the internet for recipes and I'm going to give it a shot.

He better savor each and every little ball, because after reading the directions, we may not be doing this again. Not sure how much patience I'll have rolling those balls.

(Recipe from allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 cups confectioners' sugar
• 4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and confectioners' sugar. The dough will look dry. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.
2. Press a toothpick into the top of each ball (to be used later as the handle for dipping) and chill in freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.
3. Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or in a bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir frequently until smooth.
4. Dip frozen peanut butter balls in chocolate holding onto the toothpick. Leave a small portion of peanut butter showing at the top to make them look like Buckeyes. Put back on the cookie sheet and refrigerate until serving.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 331 | Total Fat: 19.4g | Cholesterol: 16mg

Looking for a Piece of Quiet

Tap, tap, tap.

*checking the keyboard to see if it still works*

So is life moving at the speed of light for you too? It seems all I've done recently is work and sleep and start the cycle over the next day.

I'm looking forward to Christmas. We are not traveling and as far as I know, won't have any company either. It will be a lovely, restful day. Can't wait!

For now, I'm just trying to maintain status quo. I've been reading every chance I get. (A practice I've had since I learned how.) I'm working my way through some Madeline L'Engle books. I have Wrinkle In Time and picked that up (and couldn't put it down) and that led to a trip to the library for Meet the Austins which I THOROUGHLY enjoyed. I wanted to BE part of that family!

Today will be full of going out and finding Christmas surprises and later on, seeing Christmas lights and sharing a bit of Christmas cheer with some friends.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

A Little Something for Sunday

After I ran at the park Friday, I noticed the sun filtering through everything and lighting it with a lovely glow.

Cuz I Still Obey My Momma

So since we haven't heard from either side of the family requesting the glory of our presence for Thanksgiving, we decided to stay home.

Not a hard decision. I like to stay home every chance I get.

Unless I want to go somewhere.

Which I didn't.

Then my mom calls me at work in the middle of the day last week.

Once my heart stopped pounding loudly and I could hear what she said, I realized she was asking me if we would be home for Thanksgiving.

Which we would, coincidentally.

Once she and dad make their tour around the state attending 50th wedding anniversary parties and visiting other family members they've decided to crash our Thanksgiving party.

And bring half our living relatives with them.

I don't mean to be unkind, but I'm glad our numbers have dwindled over the years.

Cause as it is, I'm going to have to make Thanksgiving dinner stretch by making lots of desserts.

Maybe I should tell them to bring a couple more...

I'm Not Her Drama's Mama

I don't even know where to start with this.

I try to follow the "Golden Rule" when dealing with people, treating them as I would like to be treated. I (and my salon) try to pour into people knowledge and fairness and we work hard to accommodate their needs, wants and whines. We aren't perfect and there comes a point

when you have to say "no more" and draw boundaries.

But I'm always surprised when people don't act in kind.

A hairstylist recently left our employ. A new salon is opening in town and the "grass is greener". I wish her well.

I was unprepared for the drama that has ensued.

We have been calling the clients who used her and letting them know that she is no longer in our employ and telling them that we would like to get their address and send them a gift certificate.

She used Facebook to tell people that we are "bribing her clients, just ignore it." Her husband wrote on her wall complaining that we were "Indian givers" because we took away her week vacation. (Because she wanted to come and go as she pleased and was no longer considered a "full time" employee. We explained that and she consented.) There's more, but I won't belabor the point.

This is a girl that I took under my wing right after she got out of beauty school. She used me as her hairdresser while she was in high school and then came to work for us after she finished. I apprenticed her.

I never expected her to do a full attack of our salon.

To say I'm reeling is and understatement.

I don't know whether to walk away and ignore it, or launch our own attack/defense.

For now, I'm praying for wisdom and guidance.

Because I don't think the Golden Rule has and "except when" clause.

Well crap.

Describes Me Perfectly

Kinda the way I feel after working today without an assistant.

Chocolate + A Plan = Foolproof

I think I've hit upon a creative plan. A way to incorporate my art into my tobusytobreathe everyday life.

It's an idea that a professor of art recommended.

It indirectly involves chocolate.

Which makes it all the more brilliant.

Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda

Yesterday.

I coulda cleaned bathrooms.

I shoulda swept the floor.

I woulda washed clothes.

I coulda cooked a meal.

I shoulda showered.

I woulda washed my hair.

But.

There was the Farmers Market. The Library.

There was art waiting to be created.

There were ideas flowing.

There was sunshine.

There were cats to be petted.

Clearly, something much more important came up.

Heart Cry

This is representative of the times I feel my voice gets lost in the shuffle. Millions cry out to God every day and I sometimes feel like a tiny, insignificant dot in the midst of the vastness of humanity.

There are Bible verse references floating through the space which echo my cry.

A Girl and Her Cat

Accomplishment?

Up.

I dress to run.

I pause at the door listening to the house breathing it's sighs of sleep.

I see the couch adorned with all manner of clothing.

"Working out" takes on a whole new meaning.

I revel in the luxury of completing tasks.

Alone.

Unbidden by others.

In the accomplishment of one thing, another goes undone.

Don't Stand There Arguing. Go Check it Out.

This chick, That Girl,--- whatever you call her...

She's funny.

Grieving....

Thompson Family Photo
Why?

My Life is Thus

I run.

On the one hand, this is great. I've been getting exercise and working at being consistent. I've run 3 miles, two weekends in a row and am feeling quite smug and self-satisfied. During the week, I'm working on a MWF running routine with weights on TTh. Sounds reasonable, eh?

The second aspect of running has to do with life in general. Weekday mornings start with my early morning jaunt to the gym, then the "game" of beat the clock begins. Rousting a child from bed, packing her lunch, breakfast, clothes, teeth brushing and practically shoving her and her dad out the door to school feels like a day's work in itself! Usually there's a small window of time left to get myself ready and to work. I'm growing frustrated/coming to terms with the fact that other things I love/enjoy have fallen to the bottom of the priority list.

Every now and again, I'll snatch at something I love (like blog writing) grabbing a small piece and wondering how long it will be before I get a more satisfying creative meal.

Until then..

Sanctuary

Christ Church

St. Simons Island ~2008

This I Do for Me

I have fretted and fretted over my blog recently. I haven't seemed to have the time, resources or inspiration to post recently. I feel like I've posted just enough to maybe string some readers along. I've felt guilty for not updating because I feel an obligation to my blog. And to the readers, maybe?

I figured if I couldn't do a "proper" post, I just wouldn't post at all.

I long to be inspirationally artistic like Teesha. Consistent and relevant like Inthefastlane. (Love her most recent "I am" post.) Engaging like Mabel's House. Sweetly industrious like Posy Gets Cozy. Witty like I Should Be Folding Laundry. My list of comparison is endless. It's like I'm in high school again.

I had an insight into myself this morning.

My husband has said it before: "You're an all or nothing kind of person."

I totally get it.

So, I've decided. This blog is for me. Oh, I really want you to share it with me, and I love receiving comments, but I gotta get back to the freedom of blogging. Blogging what interests me, no matter how small, or unfortunately, infrequent, a post it may be.

Blogging Break Means My Brain is Broken

*Yaaawwwn*

You still there?

I'm amazed.

I have combed the fine lines in my brain for material to write about and all I got was furrows in my brow.

Also, sharing the computer with my hubby eats into MY time on the computer. Big time. If I can move heaven and earth, guess what he's getting for Christmas?!

Then again, maybe Twitter is eating up all my good material. You know, all that microblogging.

Thanks for hanging around.

I'll be back.

One day.

A Little Virtual Happiness...

Because she makes me happy.

Dreamy

My girl and her cousin.

Omigosh, I r e a l l y like this.

Can I get an amen?

My Girl

I'm hurting for posts these days and my laptop is preoccupied with my hubby who has been working on a project. Said laptop is also getting on up there in age as evidenced in how slowly she's been moving of late. I feel fortunate that she found it in herself to give me this picture...

A Man of His Word by Kathleen Fuller

Moriah married the man of her dreams.

Levi Miller, unfortunately, had other dreams. Dreams that didn't include Moriah. Or the Amish life he had grown up in.

Members of a closeknit Amish community, Moriah was looking forward to her life with Levi. Her wedding is picture perfect and soon after she finds, to her delight, that her dreams are fulfilled when she discovers she is pregnant.

But Levi leaves Moriah and the Amish before she can tell him of the good news.

Gabe Miller, Levi's twin, has loved Moriah since they were children. His heart breaks as he sees Moriah pregnant and abandonded.

But what can he do? The Amish Ordnung does not permit divorce. Even if Levi never returns, Moriah can never be his. Must he be content to love her from afar?

Hurt and betrayed, Moriah struggles to trust a God who also seems to have abandoned her.

For some reason, I'm drawn to books with Amish settings. Maybe I'm drawn to the portrayal of a simpler life. The Amish seem to live such quiet, orderly lives.

I love Kathleen Fuller's characters. She presents a very human side of the Amish showing deep emotional struggles. She also places real life scenarios into the story. Unrequited love, betrayal, hurt and bitterness are not glossed over in A Man of His Word. The parallel story line of Tobias and Rachel provided a bit of lightness to all the heavier drama the main character, Moriah, was facing.

I look forward to Kathleen Fuller's next Hearts of Middlefield book, An Honest Love.

Birthday Adventures

I wasn't quite awake, but mommy and daddy said I there was an birthday present for me to open before I went to school. Even though my birthday wasn't until Saturday, mommy said I could have this present early! Hurray! Knowing you have a birthday present sure helps you wake up quicker! Daddy is holding our cat Coco. Coco really wants to "help" me open my present.

Ooooh, what is it?! Coco says, "It's CRACKLY PAPER!"

It's a dress!! With birthday balloons on it!!! Mommy won this dress from Chigger Hill Cottage! Mommy said Ms. Rhonda made it all by herself! Wow, Ms. Rhonda is really smart to know how to do that!

"IT'S CRACKLY PAPER!!"

And look what else!! A cool bow to go with my dress! (Uh, daddy, no offense, but I think I'll let mom put it in for me.)

Daddy, maybe it would look better on you if you were wearing the bow...

See, Daddy? Doesn't it look better with the bow?

Here I am, all ready for school.

School is always fun, but today was extra special because, I was THE BIRTHDAY GIRL!!

Mommy and Daddy brought BALLOONS! Just like on my dress!

They also brought cupcakes for everyone in my class! My favorite part is the icing. I got a blue one, 'cause I always get blue.

Do you like my blue lipstick?!

I'm wearing my pink class shirt under my dress. You can't see it, but this is what is on the back! We drew our faces and wrote our names. We are all really good artists!

Part of my favorite part of Friday at school is going to the treasure chest!!

Wow! I had so much fun celebrating my birthday with my friends at school!

--A note from mommy...

You really MUST go check out Chigger Hill Cottage. While you very well may get a cavity looking at all that sweetness, you should definitely risk it because there are some cutie-patootie outfits for your girly-girl. Her prices are reasonable and her handiwork is very well done and professional. Tell her Hippychick sent ya.

Wishes...

That pretty much describes how I feel today.

Unfortunately, that's not how the day is going...

Le' sigh

Fearless by Max Lucado

What is your greatest fear?

Is there really a way to live fearlessly?

Our lives are filled with fears. Fear assails us from every side. It robs us of joy, relationships and many times people take their life because fear swallowed them alive.

Max Lucado's book, Fearless, exposes fear as a powerless ploy Satan uses to cripple a person's walk with Christ. Max reminds us in his imitable style that faith is the key to disabling fear.

Each chapter identifies fears we struggle with on a daily basis and dismantles each with reminders of who God is. Far from a dusty, hard to swallow lesson in theology, Mr. Lucado weaves his words in such a melodious fashion, you find yourself drinking in more and more hope with each turn of the page.

After reading Fearless, you too will be encouraged and hopeful to live and fear less.

Avenue of Oaks

St. Simon's Island, Georgia

I May Already, Actually Be a Winner!

So excited!

I just won this!

I'll post pics when I receive it. (Of course.)

Go to Chigger Hill Cottage. Quick, quick--like a bunny!

Saturday Morning

Just a dreamy Saturday morning around here....

Applesauce Cake with Caramel Sauce

Applesauce Cake with Caramel Sauce

2 cups Whole wheat pastry flour
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 Tbs brown sugar
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp allspice
3/4 cup maple syrup ( I use pancakes syrup)
1/4 cup safflower oil (I use Smart Balance)
2 lg eggs
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350.
Mix dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients. Add wet to dry. Pour into a greased 9x9 pan and bake 30 - 40 minutes.

Caramel Sauce (From the Joy of Cooking -- Caramel Icing

Stir until sugar is dissolved:
2cups brown sugar
1 cup cream or 1/2 cup butter plus 1/2 cup milk. (I chose milk and butter method.)
Cover and cook about 3 minutes or util the steam has washed down any crystals that may have formed on the sides of the pan.Uncover and cook without stirring to 238 or 240 degrees.
Add;
3 Tbs butter
Remove icing from the heat and cool to 110 degrees. (I couldn't wait that long and made it to about 150.)
Add:
1 tsp vanilla
Beat the icing until thick and creamy.(I gave it a good stir, but didn't beat.) If it becomes too heavy, thin with a little:
cream
until it is of spreading consistency.

Things That Make Me Say...Hmmm.

I don't think anything strikes terror in my heart quite like the words: "You are hereby summoned and commanded to lay all business aside and personally appear in the courtroom..."

Jury duty.

It's not that I don't want to perform my civic responsibility. I think I would find it a fascinating experience, especially given all the mystery novels I enjoy. I'd like to see the real deal.

Because I am the sole income provider right now and it would cause financial hardship,( I have to be physically doing hair to make any money) I trotted over to the clerk of the court to fill out an excuse form.

As the day loomed and I hadn't heard any response to my request, I began to wonder if it was my responsibility to search out that information.

Enter one of my clients.

It so happens that she is a retired judge. I'm not one to curry favor and try to play my connections to avoid responsibility, but I asked her if she knew the answer to my question.
"Would the clerk get in touch with me or did I need to call them?" Judge asked me a few questions and took it upon herself to call, then reported to me that because I had a child 5 or under, I automatically was excused.

Didn't mean for sister to bail me out of jury duty, but who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth?

Yesterday found me "up to here" with life. I felt seriously overwhelmed and was hatching a plan to hide for the weekend.

Then I checked my messages.

"YOU ARE TO REPORT FOR JURY DUTY IN THE MORNING." She stated it twice in case I couldn't believe my ears. She was right. I couldn't.

I went into frantic panic mode. What if they select me? What if I'm out of work for a whole week? How am I going to pay the bills?

Fearless. Fear. Less.

Verses I've recently been meditating on came to mind and I took it upon myself to remind God about them.

YOU said..."Aren't two sparrows sold for only a penny? but your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. Even the hairs on your head are counted. So don't be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31 emphasis mine.) AND: "I tell you not to worry about everyday life - whether you have enough." (Matthew 6:25)

I chose to trust.

I showed up for jury duty.

I stood in line.

I practiced not fretting.

I forgot and fretted.

I presented my papers.

The clerk was quizzical.

"You're not on the list."

Hmmm.

Now why did I get that phone call? Was it just an honest mistake? They meant to call someone else and dialed my number instead? Or did God orchestrate that to teach me a valuable lesson?

I don't know the answer to that. I do know that it is not up to me to provide for my needs. I forget that and try to take care of everything by working hard and fretting over stuff.

It's times like this that make me remember...

I have a Heavenly Father who has it well in hand.

Are You?

Are you fearless?

I'm not either.

But based on what I know, I should be.

This book is a reminder of those things.

Stay tuned for what's up next in the next Thomas Nelson review....

The Man in the Marriage

My husband and I are firstborns. If you know anything about birth order, I can stop right there. If you aren't familiar with this concept, just know that both of us are convinced of our rightness in any given situation and compromise is a foreign addition to our vocabulary.

It makes marriage challenging and often messy.

I marvel that we are still together after 23 years of marriage. I must admit to times of fantasizing of living life apart; thinking it would make my life so much simpler and peaceful.

But occasionally, I catch a glimpse of the reason I stay married this man.

We were putting our girl to bed. As is our usual custom, we/she read a story from her Children's Bible. The story was about Jesus walking on water. We were imagining how He did that. That sparked a scientific conversation about water striders and surface tension.

As he expounded, I realized in a flash--this man has so much knowledge. Knowledge that has long since leaked out of my brain.

Later, I was lying in bed and my reading was accompanied by the sounds of Hubby playing the piano and singing.

Tears sprang to my eyes as I realized that, while I may be a very capable woman, I am not the end all, be all.

And there is no reason why I should try.

My husband adds so much to my life. Sometimes, so much more than I ask.

But. He completes me.

The X and Y of Buy by Elizabeth Pace

The X and Y of Buy is chock full of information to guide you on how to customize your sales presentation based on the differences in how men and women think.

I have never been part of the corporate world, so I wondered if I would gain much benefit from The X and Y of Buy.

Most of my selling is aimed at trying to sell my husband on the fact that I need (another) new hairstyle.

Using scientific evidence, the X and Y of Buy shows that men and women think differently. But you knew that. But did you know that those differences also affect their approach to buying?

Although this book is technical in nature, it's format is easy to read and understand. I found myself underlining gems of information.

You'll find this book valuable as you discover the secrets of why men and women think so differently.

Especially if you want to sell your husband on your latest hairstyle idea.

Early Morning Picnik

"Somebody" woke up earlier than they wanted to this morning. "Somebody's" bladder decided that for them.

Ah, the joys of aging.

But I'm making wine out of my sour grapes.

Remember this photo?

I did some basic (read: very basic) editing with Photo Shop. Yeah. I have LOTS to learn about Photo Shop.

But then...

I (re)discovered picnik.

I did lots of cool things with the basic, online tools they have available.

Just think what I could do with the premium package!

BWWAHHAAHAHA!!!! *Rubbing hands with glee*

P.S. They did not pay me for this free solicitation. BUT THEY SHOULD!!! :)

A Lesson

It's Monday and my thoughts are a jumble.

My mind is a battlefield. Positive thoughts fighting for frequency with dark, worrisome thoughts.

I'm trying to remember to "let the peace of God rule and reign in my heart" and that "the Lord is my refuge, my rock, in Him will I trust".

I'll be on vacation next week.

You'd think I'd be over the moon, but all I can think is that I will go a whole week with no income. As a hairdresser, I only get paid for the work I do.

It's stupid, really, to be fretting over that. I look back to 6 years ago at this time when I was on strict bedrest with my pregnancy. At the time, mine was the only income--and it was non-existent. In all, we went 6 months with no income except for disability--- it took FOREVER to get paid--- and because of God's grace and mercy, we lived through it without losing our cars and house.

This whole scenario reminds me that I want control of my life. I want things planned, laid out neatly and comfortably. While I do need to plan things like our finances better and more efficiently, I can't rely totally on my ability. It is not up to me to provide for our family. It's up to my Father God to take care of us.

"Behold, God is my salvation;

I will trust, and will not be afraid;

for the LORD God is my strength and my song,

and he has become my salvation." Isaiah 12:2

Posting the Lazy Way

Good Gravy! I just got slapped with a wet salmon - really - I have not updated this since you last visited... You would not believe how much more of a drama I could make that. I'm a blogger so I will though!.

I am hopped up on caffeine with setting fire to people wearing Crocs, being distracted by the shiny, just generally being a nuisance to anyone unfortunate to cross my path, my day is passing in a blur from dawn to sun down and beyond. I am putting money aside so I can run away. perchance.

I will try to remember I promised you I will update you with my nefarious activities as soon as I get a chance. Seriously! Don't hold your breath though, you're likely to turn blue..

Courtesy of The Lazy Bloggers Post Generator: http://www.aussiebloggers.com.au/blogpost.html

An Epiphany

The other night, my mind was wandering. I was idling fixing everything in my life. I move furniture, paint walls, organize my closet and fret over things I should have done better in these mind mazes of mine.

This specific time, I was thinking of the vacation I have coming and how I really can't afford a vacation but it will be well worth my time to take some time off. Otherwise, I may be paying for therapy in the very near future.

It occurred to me that if I will put away $20.00 a week, I will have $1040.00 at the end of the year! I've not been going out to lunch much, preferring to run home and grab some time with my family. I work 4 days a week and eat usually eat out with a friend once a week. If I add the money I would have used eating out say, $10.00 a day, I could have $2600.00!

That would make a rather decent vacation, don't ya think?

In my next daydream, I believe I'll go to...

Aww. Something else I have to figure out.

For My Husband...

Sometimes you make me angry. So much so that I can’t see straight. Can’t see past the moment.

Recently, I’ve just been looking at you and thinking how happy I am to be married to you. One day, I was walking behind you in the hall and we were having a disagreement and oddly, I wasn’t angry or frustrated at that particular moment.

All I could think was:
Damn. You are so fine.

Living Life 30 Minutes At the Time

*SIGH*

That about sums it up for me right now.

I find myself distracting myself with inane things, raising procrastination to a fine art.

I'm tired.

I'm burnt out.

I'm overwhelmed just thinking of all that needs to be done and frustrated that I can't get it done quickly.

I'm very impatient.

I find myself with the mindset of "let's get this done and get on to the next thing". Perhaps my job feeds that mindset. Every 30 minutes, I'm doing a color or a haircut. My job is wonderful. I love the variety and creativity of it.

But real life is not always that interesting.

There are projects around my house that are more mundane and won't be done handily in a 30 minute window.

Neither, apparently, will they be done in the space of a weekend.

I've found that a weekend holds just enough time to "get ready" to do a project, but not enough time to actually complete anything.

So I'm gearing up for...HOUSE CAMP '09.

This year for vacation I will accomplish several things--I hope.

1. Rest. No getting up at the crack of dawn and scrambling to the gym and then on through my day.

2. Plan. Map out the projects I have and break them down into manageable sections. (Preferably in 30 minute windows.)

3. Progress. Be able to look back at the end of the week and feel good at what's been accomplished.

4. PLAY. REMEMBER THAT I'M ON VACATION, FOR PETE'S SAKE!!

Now I'm going to go figure out how to procrastinate my procrastinating!

The Fifth Element

So we were supposed to my parents over 4th of July but my girl seemed to be getting sick. Runny nose, headache, cough. It seemed to be minor, but not know if it would worsen and knowing that it's awful being far from home when your sick, we decided to stay home.
Going to the grocery and the office supply store was our biggest outing. We didn't go to the fireworks and I'm glad we didn't. Today I discovered that it's highly probable that my girl had developed Fifths Disease.

http://www.fifthdisease.org/index.html

http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/skin/fifth.html

Symptoms flu-like runny nose, sore throat, headache. A rash develops several days later usually appearing on the face, first looking like sunburn or slapped cheeks, possibly spreading to the trunk area and developing a lacy type pattern. As a rule, it is contagious before the rash develops. The rash worsens with heat, exercise and stress.

Fifth disease (also called erythema infectiosum) is caused by parvovirus B19. A human virus, parvovirus B19 is not the same parvovirus that veterinarians may be concerned about in pets, especially dogs, and it cannot be passed from humans to animals or vice versa. (From kidshealth.org)

Treatment includes pain reliever, rest and fluids.

My child also has a congested cough which I didn't find in the list of symptoms in my research. I don't know if it's related or not, but it has, at times, been severe, causing her to throw up.

Thankfully, she doesn't seem all that sick--except for that awful cough.

I've been surprised at how many I've spoken with have never heard of Fifths Disease. In fact, I hadn't heard of it until about 6 years ago when I was pregnant with my girl. I just spoke with a good friend today who has 6 (count 'em!) kids and had never heard of Fifths.

Spread the word and maybe...
You won't have to "take the fifth". ;)

Apron Making Mania

This why it takes me all day to do anything...I have to stop and take pictures of this preciousness:

This is Coco. He's the cat I rescued out of the middle of the highway about 2 weeks ago. He has a broken leg (not shown here) but that has not slowed him down in the least and he is rip-roaring through the house at top speed. His purr is bigger than he is. I could eat him up with a spoon and go back for seconds.

But I digress....

This is really what I did on Sunday between cat kisses...

Project Apron!
I had planned on a VERY SIMPLE square apron that simply tied around the waist for my little girl.

But NOOOO!

"I want an apron that comes up here!" Patting chest area. "But not around the neck, 'cuz Daddy said nothing on the neck, I might get hurt!"

Sigh.

I aim to please.

I'm not known for my planning, measuring and general perfection when it comes to sewing. My motto is "Guess and Go!".

So I eyeballed the fabric, folded it in half, drew a chalk line and cut.
I trimmed the sides to even it up a bit more...

Folded over the edge for a small hem snipping notches in the rounded edge for a smoother finish.
Not bad so far...this might actually work!

Since I couldn't put anything around her neck, (grump, groan, growl) I cut two small strips, folding each edge to center and sewing to make a strap which I then attached to the bib and the back. (Here it is shown pinned before sewing.)
For a tie, I had the idea of using ribbon, so I raided my stash and found some orange satin ribbon which I sewed to the front leaving long tails free in the back for wrapping around the waist to tie in the front.

Here's my little model who is so pleased, it pains her to think about it...(this is her "I'm smiling so pretty for the camera" smile.)
After she went to bed, I added a couple of pockets at her request.
I was inordinately pleased with how it turned out. It went quite smoothly aside from a bobbin adventure about midway through. I misplaced my sewing machine manual and had to go online to find a video on how to wind the bobbin on my machine. Then I had to futz with remembering how to get the bobbin back in and rethread my machine. (Sew often?! Uh. NO.)

While still flush with this success, I'll have to keep in practice.

If nothing else, so I can remember how to work the machine.