03.27.07

First and foremost...a belated Happy Birthday to my dear ol' dad!!! Love and miss you!!!

Today was day number 21 of the morning walk. This is when an activity is supposed to officially become a habit. I hope that it is true. I feel better when I get up early and walk.

Next, Shelly had her Easter egg hunt/party today and here are a few photos of her on the hunt:

Then I snapped a few photos of the trees around our yard. They are just so pretty this time of year.

Our garden Dude...that's grass growing out of his head...cool, huh???

And finally, a quick look at the skirt and up close of the fabric. I think I will go with this skirt for Easter day:

03.25.07

10 Happy Thoughts from Today:

Hearing mommmy "I love you"
Figuring out how to cut out the skirt pattern on my own
Organizing clothes for the trip
Going to Super Target
Eating bagels with my girls
Eating good Egg Foo Young
Winning $2.75 at Poker
Mowing the lawn with my iPod
Buying a new suitcase
Laughing with friends

9 Things I Did Today:

Took a Shower
Bought milk
Ate Special K for breakfast
Paid bills online
Made a second skirt on the 5505 pattern
Changed diapers
Mailed a birthday card
Read Parents mag
Drove my car to town

8 People I Spoke to Today:

Lori
Diana
Linda
Mom
John
Lily
Ellen
Shelly

7 Things I Read Today:

An article on sippy cups
The Mail
The directions for Lily's microwave meal
The directions for Shelly's micro meal
My email
A Barbie book to Shelly
A coupon in my purse

6 Things I Wondered about Today:

Will I ever get a pool?
Do I have any cash on me?
Do we need swimmy diapers for Shelly?
What are we having for dinner?
What time is it?
Do I know how to put in the hem?

5 Things I have to do before the end of the month:

Pack
Go to Shelly's Easter Egg Hunt
Buy Chicken Nuggets for her party
Order bagels from Panera
Go to Lily's Play

4 Things I'd Like to Change:

The distance between me and my family
My desire to please others and not always speak the truth
All worry and sadness in my daughters' lives
The cost of gas

3 Things I Wouldn't Change:

My husband's great sense of humor
My children's smiles
The happy memories of my childhood

2 Things I Love about this Time of Year:

Newness
Warm temps

1 Thing I Learned Today:

It's a Brand New Life Around the Bend is the theme song to Who's the Boss!

03.24.07

I am continuing with my sewing projects. I finished the skirt and I think it took me just over 2 hours. I had to take out the hem and redo it, so that tacked on a bit of time. I am planning to cut out another skirt and make it a little narrower through the A-line part. I think I measured myself incorrectly for the perfect size...live and learn.

Here are all of the headbands I did last week. The green one and the red one go with the Nemo and Minnie shirts for the girls.

I also created a couple of girlie didis and packaged them up. I just wish someone I knew was having a little girl!!

Yesterday morning I missed my morning walk, but I made up for it later in the morning with an hour and a half walk with a friend. This time I was pushing the stroller with Shelly in it. So not only was the walk longer, but it was harder with the pushing action. So, I feel good about that.

The girls and I will sort through some clothes today to prepare for the trip. I have been studying the park maps (thanks Ellen) and feel ready for our big adventure. Shelly and Lily are so excited!

Next week, I have the school Walk-a-thon on Monday, Shelly's Easter Egg Hunt on Tuesday (I'm providing Chicken Nuggets), and Lily's 1st grade play on Thursday. So, this will all keep us busy.

Have a safe and happy weekend.

03.21.07

It's Spring!!! Love, love, love Spring...baby bunnies, fresh grass, and great temperatures. Here's what's going on:

Lily likes to discuss the itinerary for our trip at least once a week. She wants all the details...from checking in our luggage to picking up the rental car. She's my girl...all about the logistics of things.

Shelly has some funny little phrases. Here are a couple: "Excuse me, I had a little burpie." And another one after bumping into something,"it's ok mommy". She's a happy and fun little girl.

I purchased fabric and a pattern for a skirt yesterday. Tonight, I put aside my fears and read the directions on the pattern. I actually put it all together with the exception of tacking down the elastic waist and hemming it. I had to stop to prepare dinner.

Lily read three chapters in a book tonight. She loves to read and I am thankful for that.

John had a bit of a mishap with his airplane yesterday, but he spent some time tonight repairing the damage. I was bummed for him. But, I think all is well, now.

I need a pedicure...desperately.

My walks are going well...still loving the iPod and how it motivates me to get up and go.

Next week is busy...PTA Walk-a-thon fund raiser, Shelly's Easter egg hunt party, Lily's 1st grade play, packing, and attending to all of my beauty issues before our trip.

I am beginning to realize that there are some people who don't enjoy being positive, as well as, being around those who are positive. Isn't that a shame for them? I am happy to be upbeat...call me Pollyanna; I'm ok with that.

Here's a fun little thing I found on Elsie Flannigan's blog...you, too, can create your own retro tape:

I'll end with a little layout I did that is on my computer desktop...eagerly anticipating April:

03.18.07

Some Random Thoughts:

I am usually a person whose frustration level with projects can come on me rather quickly. For some odd reason, this sewing gig has not revealed itself to me this way. Is it that I'm getting older and oddly more patient??? Or could it be that I am doing something just for me/just for fun? I wonder and I pray it lasts.

We (meaning the girls and me) spent most of the day indoors yesterday...it was cold and windy outdoors. We had fun playing games, organizing, sewing, writing a story (Lily worked on this for 3 hours with a 15 minute lunch break...no joke), straightening up the hovel (aka the small playroom/craft room), opening a Christmas gift to play with, using the computer...just filling the hours with laughs and peacefulness.

We (meaning all of us) did get out of the house for a dinner at Turk's...a local sports restuarant to eat and view the neverending basketball games. Tip: don't go there for the food.

Then we all decided we must have ice cream. So, we headed into Reidsville for an ice cream joint and sure enough, we found one. It's called Mayberry's (how cute is that name) and their hot fudge cake rivals my all time favorite hot fudge cake from Shoney's. Yummy.

We all wore green today in honor of St. Patty's day.

I have loved the past four days with my girls...no school and fun times.

I am thankful for my husband. He spent the morning/afternoon spreading mulch and fertilizer. I am glad he knows what he's doing when it comes to our yard and that he does it.

I completed two more headbands yesterday and a small little tote bag for Lily that she is using as a diaper bag for her baby dolls.

Now for the pictures:

03.16.07

Yesterday I went to Target with Lily (she had the day off) and I purchased a cute little address book for $1.28. The reason this was significant was the fact that I could now go back to the old days (that's pre-computer days)...putting my addresses in a little book that I could carry with me. As great as the computer can be, I was really disliking the way I had to go to the computer for my addresses. It just wasn't convenient or effective. Now, all of my addresses are located in this cute little book and I am happy. Doesn't take much!

Also, I have set some goals in 2007 and I am really feeling good about achieving those goals. I don't like to talk about these much because they feel so personal and I hate being scrutinized by others where my goals are concerned. But, I am pleased that two of my big goals are working out well for me.

The first, was to learn how to sew before our Disney trip. I wanted to create a few little things for the girls for the trip and I knew I needed to pull out the sewing machine to make these items. Since the 24th of February, I have been buying fabric and coming up with new design ideas and making them into something tangible. I am really excited about this.

My second goal was to get healthier for me and my children. I wanted to be able to play and move easily when outside with my girls and live for a long time. So for 14 days I have been getting up at 6:06 a.m. (it is really dark at that hour...FYI) and walking for about 35-40 minutes. Thanks to my iPod this isn't that difficult. I am looking forward to my 21st day. They say doing something for 21 days makes it a habit. Hope that's true. So, here's to goal making and as Lily would say, "you have to believe in order to achieve!"

Here are a few photos of the princesses top and dress I created for the girls. As always, don't look too closely, please:

03.15.07

My sewing is coming along. I am working on some fun projects and have moved from the Disney related items to other projects. My mother has been an intregal part of my success. It is so great to be able to pick up the phone in the middle of my sewing and ask her all of the questions I have. I am grateful that I have her to answer my questions. It is an interesting exchange of skills between us. I attempt to help her with the computer and she assists me with the sewing machine. What a cool gap of the generations. I love it. Here are the latest sewing attempts...2 didi's (shh...one is a gift) and a headband for Lily (it was too tight, so I'll make another tomorrow) using these instructions.

03.13.07

Wow, so long since my last post. Well, last Friday the girls and I went to Charlotte for a little visit with Lin and Krissy. It was sooo great to see them...miss them so much. We did some shopping at Southpark and then went to a lacrosse game of Eric’s. Cool sport. I had never been to a lacrosse game and I really enjoyed it. We spent the night with them in their comfy hotel room. The girls love to stay in a hotel. So, that was fun for them.

This week is busy with doctor’s appointments, doughnut sale drop-offs, and two days off of school for Lily. Really looking forward to that time with her.




We are creeping up on our Disney World date and I am trying hard to highlight all of the important info in this book. Also, need to finish one more top/dress for the girls.





The weather here has been superb since Saturday. We attended a party on Saturday night and hung out on their deck…just perfect. John did yard work on Sunday and I mowed the yard while listening to Miss Nano. I have never been a big fan of it staying light later…I know I am one of about 3 people in the universe who feel like this. So, my goal for the year is to grow to love it. I think part of my vampire ways has something to do with the light and my eyes. Anyway…on with the pictures:

03.07.07

Ok, so my latest endeavor has been sewing a few little designs on to premade shirts for the girls. The final product is for our trip to Disney. They came out ok and as long as they hold up for a day of fun at the land of Mouse, then I am good with it. I am acquiring quite a stash of fabric (similar to the stash of scrapbook paper) and I love it. Sometimes I just walk by it so that I can see it together in all of its cotton glory!!! Well, on to the photos: (please be kind, remember I'm a novice)

03.04.07

It was a fun weekend here. We got to meet baby Kaden for the first time. He is adorable and the girls were crazy about him. We went to Hanging Rock State Park for a nature hike and picnic. That was fun. Coming back a tree had fallen across the road and our manly men helped move it. That was fun, too. Last night, we had dinner out and came home to a little fun around the fire pit and roasted marshmallows. Here's to family and fun!