Playing Dress-Up

It seems that this last month I've been getting more familiar with my sewing machine and we seem to be getting along pretty well.  She still gets jammed and the bobbin still doesn't behave all the time, but I'm feeling more confident with fixing her small issues (as long as they stay small).  I can see why people may actually enjoy sewing.  It kind of grows on you.  Or maybe there is something to be said of overcoming fears (those high-speed needles can be scary).

 First Up. Halloween. The holiday I love to hate. In the past I was a mother who would buy a $20 costume and call it good but that was not good enough this year. My children got in the true spirit of Halloween, used their imagination, and choose costumes like this: Seriously?? Thanks for the help kids.

This is how it turned out...

You can't have the Jelly without the Peanut Butter and Bread. 

A friend of mine has the boy in the "costume" costume.
I loved it and think she lucked out.

The kids were very happy and I'm just glad that I didn't let them down and my fake skills pulled through.

Next Up: Tribal Fair.  I need to make an Indian girl similar to the Indian boy I made two years ago.

My boy two years ago.

My girl, this year.

The 5 BFF's

Next Up: Ward Christmas Party.

One Wise Woman (or so she'd like to think:)...

And add One Wise Man.

So whether they are wise kids, Indians, or an Assassin with Jelly...They will always be my perfect kids. I glad they can just be themselves for a little while. My machine and I are tired.

Facelift: Month 10

Give a Man a Week...and he will help me update my castle.  We've slowly been trying to update our kitchen and there are still a couple of things to finish but it is so much better.

BEFORE:

 AFTER:

Notice that the ugly scalloped trim is gone above the window?
New pendant light too.

Just noticed that the paper towels were empty. Oops.

It's been easier to keep junk from piling up on the counters because I actually like to look at them now.  Blake also put some fancy cool under cabinet lighting in after the pictures were taken.  I must say that after 13 years of being married, doing projects like this keep the marriage interesting and exciting.  If it doesn't kill Blake, it definitely makes him stronger (or he promises to never do it again).

Kindness begins with...

Keurig.

Now, most of my friends know that I don't drink coffee or tea.  So what's the thing I wanted most for this chilly, snowy season?  Why a coffee maker, of course.  But this is no ordinary coffee maker.  This makes hot cocoa and apple cider with a touch of the button.  The kids do it all by themselves and I will admit that it allows me to be even lazier to teach my kids more independence.  So imagine my sweet surprise when the morning after this purchase I received breakfast in bed with hot apple cider.  Yippee.  Hopefully many more sweet surprises to come.   

Wonderful Weekend in Washington, D.C.

I spent my weekend at the D.C. Temple.  It's been awhile since I've been able to go so this was a wonderful weekend.  It was a Stake Relief Society Activity so Blake had the crazy pleasure of staying home with the kids.  Lane told me that "they had a blast without me.  No offense, mom".  Offense taken, just a little bit.  But then I remember how much fun I had with 2 of my dearest friends.  P.F. Chang's, shopping, and staying over night like a couple of school girls.

This picture is taken on our way out of the city from the freeway. 

Had to stop for a bathroom break.  How could you NOT stop?
 Perfect season, perfect trees.

I stood out in the middle of the road and risked my life just for this shot.
(I'm kidding, Dad.)

I came home feeling a little bit lighter, a little more grateful, and a little closer to what really matters in life.  Thanks Blake for making it possible for me to go.  You & Me next time.

Look Mom

Georgia: ...there's an orb web and a spider.
Mom: In the house?
Georgia: No, in the window outside.
Mom: Good. (Whew, I don't really want to clean up spiders right now. I have to focus on the wasp infestation).
Georgia: If you look really close you can see his spinnerets.
Mom: Oh cool. Let me get my camera :)

It just finished raining...again.

Georgia is just finishing up the spider unit in school so she is full of all this knowledge.  She told me that I spelt spinnerets wrong (I was going for a rock-ettes ending, spinnerettes. WRONG.)

What can BROWN do for you?

Bring me an early birthday present!

Marigolds looking merry and gold.

Burning bushes "burning".

West Virginia hills.  It's been a rainy, froggy day.

Jimi hiding in the tub.  Looking for a little peace and quiet.

My new fancy camera takes great photos and I'm not even remotely close to a trained professional.  More of a "point and shoot" kind of gal.  Whether it's a gun OR a camera.  Looking forward to taking this loaded weapon to the swim meet this weekend.  Expect some AcTiOn shots.

Women would call this "Accessorizing"

My truck accessory came the other day and with Jen's help, I got it installed.  Looks really nice.  I understand now why women love to accessorize.  Next up...suspension lift and bigger tires.  Hopefully by next spring!!

Not a very good before picture

After

Low profile design

On a side note, Jen and I went fishing on the New River near Beckley, WV for our anniversary.  We had a great time, caught a lot of fish, and enjoyed the scenery.  I must have a great catch if she agreed to a fishing trip on our annivesary!  Thanks honey!!

The first catch.  She did lose the overall competition however.

The scenery was beautiful.  We stayed at a mountain resort nearby.  We definitely plan on a return visit.

Myself and our guide...real nice guy.  One of the 15 "smallies" I caught.

 Another side note...this summer we headed "home" to see family.  The first time in over 10 years that my brothers and I were together.  We had a great time.  I sure miss Idaho more than I thought I would.  We started up a new hobby!!  Thanks for the fun Dad!!

Lane, Georgia, and Blake
Racing thru southeast Idaho.

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window...

my burning bushes are starting to burn.  I love the fall colors and the crisp air.  I have yet to meet someone that doesn't like the fall.

I am thinking...

that by the age of 38 (I know, I don't look that old :) I should have my life figured out and be a source of wisdom and knowledge.  Wait...is wisdom and knowledge the same thing?  See, I know nothing.

I am thankful...

for SPANX.  I was at lunch the other day with a girlfriend and she was rather surprised that I was wearing spanx for our lunch together.  What, does she think I come by this girlish figure on my own?

From the kitchen...

I wish that I had a family chef to cook dinner for me everyday.  Rich people, who have chefs, have it easy.  Don't say money can't by you happiness.  I'd have a chef, maid, driver, and personal assistant.  Ahhh...happiness.

I am creating...

a weekly schedule to keep me on track.  I'm so overwhelmed with the big 'to-do' list that I simply ignore any 'list of doing' and instead 'do nothing'.  Yeah, it's not really working for me.

I am reading...

jewelry magazines.  It gets me all excited to create.  Now, I just need to schedule time to create.

I am hoping...

that the circuit training workout I started works miracles on my body.  Blake promised me a trip to somewhere sunny and fabulous when we reach our goal weight.

I am hearing...

my cat meow.  He wants to curl up on me but I have to say NO because he has a sedative-like effect on me and we end up taking a nap.  He's oh-so-soft and snugly.

One of my favorite things...

I'm having a hard time narrowing this one down today.  Beside spanx, there's spray paint, body wash, good music, telephones...But I'm going to go with...My husband.  He helped talk me through "MY expectations" vs. "the important stuff".  He expects only the best from me but understands that sometimes my best isn't all that great.  So in other words...he has no expectations for me, he just wants me to be happy.  He's pretty cool to hang out with, too.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

I don't know.  I'll have to check my schedule.  :)

A picture thought I am sharing...

in honor of hunting season.  

We saw this beauty up at Bear World in Idaho Falls, ID this summer.  I was even impressed with this rack.

Chaos in my Brain

As I was going through my clutter in preparation for a fantabulous craft room I found this quote in a Women's Day magazine.
"Our environment is a physical manifestation of how we feel.  Clutter creates chaos in our brain, which undermines our ability to function.  With less distraction, our brains function better, our anxiety decreases, our self-esteem increases and we feel more competent.  We also are more likely to invite others over and be social."
That sums up what I feel like with my clutter.  My focus is definitely not to become more social and invite more people over.  I think that would increase my husbands anxiety 10-fold and I've moved past the whole "need to entertain" stage in my life.  But for me I really would love to have less distractions and less anxiety.  And who wouldn't like to feel better about themselves?
I'm slowly changing.  My brain is being re-booted and I find myself a little more excited to accomplish something each day.  The craft room is painted (woo-hoo) with this color...

Behr, Sage Grey, 710F 4 - color-swatches.com

I've repainted my magnet/chalkboard and I'm liking it.  I've fixed the shelves so they won't unexpectedly fall and now I'm moving on to the piles of important stuff that I have no idea why it's important, just that I put it in an "important pile" months ago.

Facelift: Month 6, Part I

Squelch [skwelch] -verb
1. to strike or press with crushing force; crush down; squash.
2. to put down, suppress, or silence.

That is how I feel in my office/craft room.  I walk in, retrieve item, walk out quickly before something falls over or I trip over something.  So this is what I want to focus on for my "facelift" this month.  Check out the before pictures...

There is almost anything you can think of in this room.  Beads, buttons, and baubles.  Family Home Evening lessons.  Books, bags, and baskets. Frames, fabric, a full closet.  It's stressful to say the least.  The only reason I can sit at the computer is because my back is to the mess and I can pretend that it's not there.  I'm good at pretending.

So this leads me to the squelching of my creativity.  I envision a room that has a place for everything and everything has it's place.  A room where I can sit down at that lovely antique table and accomplish bills, crafts, thoughts, etc. without having to move a pile or two (who are we kidding? I would really be 3 big piles to move).  I want a room that inspires me to take time to create. A room where Blake feels comfortable to visit with me occasionally (without wanting to scream or turn his back so he doesn't have to look at it).  Is this too much to ask? You'll just have to wait to find out.