I'm Having A Good Day

These days my life is characterized by how I feel.  On the days where I've felt horrible, I am in a fog.  I have forgotten to show up at school to serve lunch.  I've forgotten to write important things on the calendar.  

 I've lost paperwork.  I missed more of the Olympics than I have in all of my life because I can't keep my eyes open.  But if I consume huge amounts of this I can survive.

 And I've watched a lot of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. 

Now I think I really could have a shot at Wheel of Fortune but that Jeopardy is for the birds.  I usually change it to Entertainment Tonight because, well, I understand what the heck they're talking about. 

Well yesterday I had a relatively good day.  School went well.  I never got sick. I only chewed 10 pieces of gum and took 12 pills.  Honest.  I came home, early because of "snow", and did all the laundry.  And I made dinner.  Now that is huge. 

Then, mom needed some blog help, and I answered all her questions.  Go Team.

Then I turned on my token Jeopardy- since my blog helping made me miss Wheel of Fortune.  And I got 15 answers correct.  Now to some that is not a big deal but people I'm not that smart.  I have common sense.  I don't recall learning about the Czars of Madagascar's eating rituals or famous lines from powerful Norwegian Vikings.   I can cook you dinner, sew a dress and give good directions.  I even can answer some HTML coding questions but forget the Norwegians.  So to answer 15 questions right and before they answered was shocking to say the least.  Nate was jumping up and down saying "Go Mom!"  Ross rushed in to see what the hype was about and witnessed some of my smarts. 

And before you ask what ails me.  It's that kind of sickness that will be better in 9 months.  And I'm a whopping 9 weeks down. 

It was a good day.  And I needed to relish in it. 

Themeless

 I'm joining a blog party over at Blessed Moon of random photography.  Although I won't ever have as good a shot at Patty has- I can dream! *wink*

Surprised Again

Sometimes I look at my kids and am amazed at what they can do. 

They are so full of life and adventure that I don't recall having.  I am very cautious.  I don't try things that could involve me getting hurt. I am often reminded of the fact that I was scared to death of slides and had to be rescued many times.  But I am also not the kind to stop my children from trying things.  Today was one of those days.  Although it was not anything scary or daring it was new.  And they succeeded brilliantly.

We were blessed with snow today.  A lot of snow for our area.  The most my kids have seen.  We went sledding.  Normally they are happy just playing in the yard but today I decided I was taking them to sled.  We own 8 sleds.  We need to use them before they rot.  After calling some friends we got an invite to sled a local favorite spot.  It was a private residence but you'd think it was the local sled riding hill.  They should charge a fee.  It was a blast.  And cold.  The kids flew down hills,

and laughed,

And encouraged their mom, to be brave, or not to be wimpy.

And they tried something new.  

And did it really well.

And had fun doing it.

The littlest lasted over 3 hours out there.

She rode the big hills with the big kids.  And loved it.

and they never moaned, even though they walked that hill a hundred times.

It was a great day.  Just ask the kids.

A Tie? Really People?

I am creative.  Or at least I'm more creative then most.  This is a genetic thing that I got from my mom.  I enjoy being creative.    Until I read blogs.  I love blogs.  They are what inspires me to create.  Until they out think me.  I hate that.  I want to be able to do that.  Take my new favorite blog.  Ruffles and Stuff.  She is awesome.  She "shops" Polyvore and then goes to Goodwill and after buying the strangest item- transforms it into fabulous.  She also dresses like I want to.  Very vintage chic.  Very out of the box.  Very out of my comfort zone.  And she doesn't care what you think.  Unfortunately I do.  But I don't want to care so I created out of my comfort zone.  I made a scarf.  I know.  Ooooo aren't I brave.  But it was a different scarf.  I thought it was super cool.  I made three.  Here is a picture.  Of the original.  The inspiration piece. Ruffles and Stuff's scarf.  Now isn't that classy.

One of my scarves was made out of the dress my mom wore at my wedding.  Let me explain.  After my wedding, they sold our family home.  They moved in with us for a month while my dad renovated their house to livable condition. Well, she washed her dress and hung it in the laundry room over the washer to dry.  Well we had this darling little boxer puppy that was extremely lively and while locked in the laundry room sort of chewed it up.  Yes.  I about died.  I drove to every store in the town until I found the matching dress to replace it.  And saved it.  Cause I may have needed a scarf someday out of floral lace.

So mine looks just like the original except army green in color.  So my mom wears the cool lace one and it looks fabulous and people say so.  I wear my green one.  Oh.  My.  Goodness.  I don't think I heard so many comments ever!  And they were not encouraging.  At least 3 people asked if I made my scarf.  And that was all they said.  "Did you make that?"  And they walked away.   I was sure they didn't want one made for them.  Then I had one person say, "So what's the story with that tie you're wearing?"  I was horrified and slightly embarrassed.  Tie?  Really people?    It is winter- you should at least assume that an excess of fabric around your neck is a scarf.   Duh.

So the next day I wore my other one.  It was white with cool black designs on it.  I dyed it orange.  It is my favorite.  So we are in JoAnn Fabrics and the cashier says, "Cool scarf, did you make it?"  This is where I say,  "As a matter of fact I did."  And she says, "How long did it take?"  And I say, "Oh just a few minutes."  And she says, are you ready for this?  "Oh you must have used a sewing machine."  Really?  I mean she works at JOANN FABRICS.   We laughed at her.  To her face.  Mean, I know.  But she totally asked for it.

I've made one other item Ruffles & Stuff suggested.  They are the greatest cuff and collar set just like the ones worn by the Chanel models in their winter line.  Yes, Chanel.  As in Coco Chanel.  I. Love. Them.

Here are mine.

Aren't they great?  So what do you think, should I risk the comments and wear them?  I may have to think about it.  And yes I did use a sewing machine.  Just saying.

Mini-Hallway Reveal

Do you remember my sewing room reveal a little while back?  Well, it seems that in the winter that room is as cold as it is outside.  I knew this but I thought with a cute little heater I could still enjoy this room. I was wrong.  I am freezing my batootie off.  And not feeling very creative.  Actually I can't feel my feet.  So, I needed a new plan.  Introducing my new sewing "corner".  Literally.  A corner. And I share it with the dog.

This is the hallway between the pantry hallway and the new "create" room.  It is a cute little desk area that just collected piles of stuff.  Now it can't.  Now I can create.  And be warm. It has this cute little desk made out of an old cabinet door mom rescued.  It used to be here. She is clever.

I managed to hem 3 pairs of pants today.  That is what I call productive.

"Create" Room Half Reveal

I would love to say the room is done but money hasn't allowed me to purchase all of the storage solutions I want to make it perfect. And I have a table treatment that I don't have done yet so we'll skip those items.

While at Goodwill this past week I found 2 sets of lined curtains that worked great for our French doors.  Mom happened to have the Ikea wire system to hang it. 

 

I cleaned out all of the craft bins and made way for a display shelf over top for all of the fabulous artwork.

 

I will eventually buy enough of the black boxes to do all the upper shelves.

I was excited to use this cool wood box for all our stamp stuff.  I've learned that if they can see them they will use them.  No sense in having all these great products to store in a cabinet.

 

We used stickers to label our boxes.

 

I also cleaned out the table spinners.  I had to make room for all of their new Sharpies.

 

I feel good about the progress even if the table is not done and I need more boxes.   But hey I can relax and have a nice glass of water.  Or atleast a sip as I move on to the next room.

Crafting Happens

You know what happens when you organize the craft stuff and set up a new art table?  Crafting happens.  Here are Nate's Mario Cart creations.  (Keep in mind these are made out of clay and the people are about 1- 2 inches tall).  Impressive!

Luigi

Koopa

Toad

Fake Item Box (I hate these car flipper boxes)

Banana (Another car annoying item)

 Mario (who's having trouble standing)

Give me another day or so and I'll do a real reveal of the new and improved "Create" room.