Whew! Thank goodness that's over with!

Christmas...the holidays, all the chaos. I'm so glad for things to settle back down to it's normal crazy pace. I've just been thinking about projects I want to work on this year. Well, there's
1. O's quilt
2. The slipcovers...I know, when am I going to make those things already?
3. The weekender bags (one for me and one for mom)
4. Kitchen stuff (new curtains, pot holders and trivets)
5. Living room curtains
6. Master bedroom curtains and bedcover (I'm thinking I'll do a quilt, queen size...how ambitious)
7. Clothes for me (skirts, skirts, skirts!)
8. Jacket for O.
9. Summer clothes for the kids (including swim trunks & swim suit)
10. Purge, purge, purge baby!
11. Me! Doing the things I love and being with the people I love
12. My HMB, really using it to it's fullest.

13. The yard...I really should get out there and dig in the dirt!
14. The house...an ongoing project.
15. Finances...well, saving for that European vacation so A. & I can go on our 10th anniversary. We have a little over 2 years. It would be so cool to go.

A good thrifting day

So after freecycling 3 green trashbags full of too big (woohoo!) clothes I needed some new stuff. So I've been hitting the GW's and various thrift stores trying to find some suitable items. I went to Dorcas today and it was a great score. I found 4 pairs of pants priced as $2/each and a nifty sewing basket that I have already repurposed into a more "me" look, a vintage pattern for an mom and me coordinating aline dresses and a book for O..
On another note I'm almost finished with the mama made gifts for the kids. I made 2 cinch bags. A backpack for O. and I'm going to make a pillowcase and bag for M. And I'm finally ready to start on "The Quilt", lol.

Purging vs. Social Consciousness

I really want to do a whole house purge while A. is home, but I don't want to be bothered with carting the crap somewhere else or waiting for someone to p/u. I just want to take it to the dump and be done with it. And yet, I feel badly about that. I also hate to think about all the money I've spent. But...I'm going to be better about letting go in 2008 and the future. I don't want to be weighed down. I'm entering my 40th year and I really want to make an effort to only do the things that matter and be surrounded by things I love. So...I guess that's my answer. I made a mistake in acummalating so much "stuff" but I'm trying to do better by lightening my load.

Can't teach an old dog new tricks

I'm technologically challenged, did I tell you that? Well, I am. Dh got me a new camera for Christmas and I've been trying to use it, but it's so confusing to try to learn a new toy. So...today I was on ebay and I found a charger for $20 for my old camera. Well, of course I bought it. I know...but maybe I'll keep that camera in my purse and take more out and about pix. I don't know the idea of a new tech toy just feels me with dread. You're talking to the girl who waited a year to open her IPOD, who's yet to use her PDA that she got 2 christmases ago. I'm just a simple gal, ya know?

A quilt...a saga

I'm sure I'll have alot to say as I embark upon my first real quilt. I've taken one class, checked out countless books from the library and purchased some for my own library, saved fabric for over a year...probably closer to two and today I plucked up my courage and began. I have about 120 blocks cut...only 1 billion more to go, lol. I originally had ambition of making a queen size quilt, but as I cut into my millionith or was it billionth block I'm thinking...twin, twin is good. And the design too...it's changed. I originally thought I do 4 inches blocks then I thought no bigger so 6 inch, then I thought oh I'll alternate them with a 4 patch block...but the idea of cutting 300 3.5 inch blocks is more than I can consider. So...I'm think simple is good, right. I mean it is my first quilt. I'd like to finish before she's 20. So...the saga begins. I have more fabric to wash though. Some of it just didn't look right for a little girls first quilt so I'm going to have to break out my stash for a few more prints. I'm really excited to make her a quilt, but I guess that will mean I'll have to make the boys each one too.

How to know when you've stayed too long

I've been part of this parenting board in my home town since it began. I was introduced to it by a former acquaintance and it's been a big part of my life for the past almost 3 years. Well...the love is gone! It's time to leave this party. I'm a little sad, a little glad. I hold a management role on the board and I used to love it. But, in July they did some changes in administration and since then...well, not so much. It's no point sticking around and trying to change things...I don't care about it that much. I even thought I should say my peace about it, but I don't know if it's even worth it in the end. We just have different ideas about what's important. My kids are much bigger now and besides I belong to another playgroup that I actually really love and enjoy and causes me very little stress.
The main reason I think it's time to say goodbye is the leadership on the board. Their hearts are certainly in the right place, but I'm not your typical SAHM and I don't want to be. I don't want to sit around all day reading about other women's bullshit problems. I've got my own, baby! Also, I don't need or feel like being bothered. It's sort of like all things where alot of women are involved...and worst even. These women don't have much else going on, this has become their lives and jobs. Sad, but oh so true! So, I guess I answered my own question. I stayed too long.

Yay! Back to Sewing!

Oh how I have missed it. I haven't sewn in almost 2 months, but last night I sat down to sew up the kids Christmas outfits and it was so much fun. Plus...I got a new camera and I'll be able to post pictures of the outfits and the kids too!

A new camera?

Should I? Shouldn't I? Mine is 6 years old, the charger no longer works and while it takes ok pix, it's pretty basic and only 2mp. I think I will look for something a bit better. I'd like to take more pictures of the kids and my projects.

Holiday Sewing and Shopping

Well, took advantage of the early sales at Walmart and got a nifty new laptop. It's not fast or anything, but it's plenty for me. I've ordered a media player for S. and will look for a few more things for the kids, but we're trying to go low key. Also I need to get started sewing the kids clothes for the holidays. I also really want to knit something and of course I'm starting working on O's quilt I've pretty much settled on a simple patchwork pattern. I think that's enough to keep me busy

Just 5 more days

Until...well, my life changes. I'm not nervous yet! But it's still 5 days. I said things would be different by the time I hit the big 4-0!
I'm ready for it.
Also so glad that most of the home improvement projects are done. It's been nice to have those things taken care of. Someone is coming tomorrow to look at the window. We still need to do the power washing and I need to talk to John about converting the patio...but this is becoming a home I can be proud of. It's been a long time coming. But, I'm to the point that I'm pretty pleased with it. Oh and I'm loving the home management binder. It's exactly what I was looking for and perfectly tailored to my needs and so adaptable as our lives change. It rocks!
I really need to get a new camera. Maybe I'll get one at Christmas.

Just call me Mary

Frickin' Typhoid Mary that is. For the second time in a month I have strep! What grown person gets strep throat...jeez! I knew my throat hurt like heck, but I thought it was something viral. Well, I hope I get rid of it for good this time. I have a ton of stuff to do this month and I can't be sick! I'm so far behind on all my sewing. I really need to hop on the kids Christmas outfits and get some pictures. I'd like to be able to do them around Thanksgiving and get them out early. (Yeah! Right! )
Oh...cleaned up the FW 221. It wasn't very dirty at all. Someone really loved it and cared for it and now I get to love it and take care of it! Yay for me! I love sewing machines, they're so cool.

It was a good day

Today was family day. We went bowling and to the Borders...oh and tried to go looking for a MP3 player for A. It was fun. It's too bad you have to bowl 10 frames, we sort of lose M and O. about halfway through.
But, best of all...I finally got a FW 221. It's so exciting. I've wanted one for ages. I'd take a picture, but my battery on my camera(well, the charger) is kaput. Anyways...as soon as I can, I'm going to take one to share. It was a good day!

Homemanagement Binder...will it change my life?

I've been working on a Homemanagement binder. Simply put, it's a notebook with everything in one place that I need to manage our home. Calendar, schedule (ok, I'm more of a routine kind of gal than a schedule persay), resources for budgeting, shopping, project ideas...anything I might need to manage our home. I've found a wonderful online resources and lots of examples for inspirations. Of course there's the flylady's control journal...but I don't really like the idea of controlling as much as managing. Anywho, I'm going to give it a try and will see if it changes my life. I'm even going to schedule myself some exercise time and perhaps get more in touch w/my spiritual side. It was interesting that many of the online sites where I saw sample binders were from women who identified themselves as christian women. I think it's interesting that they seem to put more focus in to caring for their home and family. Not to say that I don't consider myself a christian...I do, but I don't think that would be the primary identifier I'd use if you asked me to tell about myself. I might say I'm female, a wife, a mother...but not necessarily a christian. I was also fascinated by alot of the passages they quoted on their blogs that represented being a wife and how important it is to care for one's family. I think I'm going to take this year (now and into 2008) to read the Bible. I've never read the entire thing. I have several, but I've never read more than select passages. Anyway, even if I end up not loving the binder, I think I'll get something out of the experience.

Animal, Vegetable...Miracle?

So I'm reading the Barbara Kingsolver book about living on a farm and trying to return to a simplier time, eat what our local earth provides and supporting an effort to make less of an environmental impact with the choices we make. It's enlightening. I think about this stuff constantly. So I think I'm going to make more of an effort. I mean hey I'm making other changes so why not this one too. I don't know about the whole organic thing, but I think I will look into being part of a CSA and also shop more at the farmers market. Things are so delicious from there. I love the freshness and that it helps keep the livelihood of local farming alive.
On another note. I'm planning on resigning my position on the parenting board. I'm a bit sad, but it's time. I'm not getting anything out of it and I have such a limited amount of time that I truly don't want to waste it on that board.

Not again

I changed my blog name. I think it's cause all the cool ones are taken. I actually liked the zoo one, but then I thought, this blog is really a slice of the pie that is my life. The little morsels that make it the confection that it is. So...I changed the name. Hey, I'm just trying to capture the true nature of what I'm trying to do, what this blog represents. Lol! We'll talk again, next time I change the name.

Under Construction

The painter is coming today! WooHoo. I'll have to post a picture of a finished room after for the full effect. I'm excited that my "to do list" is getting shorter. I'm working on the slipcovers, but it's slow slow going. I don't get much time to sew. Things have started back (school, JLR) and I'm slowly getting into a routine. It's funny how life can be so hectic when all I really want is to slow down.
Oh, I got a raise at work. It will be nice to have a little more funds to put away. A & I are planning for a European vacation for our anniversary. I'm going to start putting money in there in October. I hope we can make it to Greece and Italy, I've always wanted to go.
I started reading the Barbara Kingsolver book "Animal, Mineral, Vegetable". It's good so far.

So busy...

Well things have been so busy here. Two of the kidlets are back in school and one more will start after labor day and then it will just be me and the princess.
I've been working hard on home improvement projects in an effort to embrace and love the home we're in. I just cleaned out my pantry. I'm thinking maybe I hadn't done it since we moved in...imagine. Anyways, it's quite empty now. Now, I'm going to reorganize the kitchen and clear off the counter space. It's so liberating to declutter. I mean I took 3 bags of expired and dusty food items to the dump. I will probably have 2 more bags when I completely finish with the other shelf. Woohoo, we got the new floors! They look fanfreakintastic! No more soiled smelly carpet. It opens up the entire space too! I highly recommend wood flooring to anyone.
Things are advancing well in the project me arena. More on that later.

On Motherhood

So, I've been reading (okay, listening to it while I sew) Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner and I have to say the angst she writes about in regards to being a SAHM is spot on. I find myself nodding in agreement or chuckling at the character Kate's despair of leaving her life as an independent New Yorker to waste away her days in the burbs hanging at the playground with a bunch of competitive catty mom's who have channeled all the expertise they formally employed as professional into raising perfect little kidlets. But the irony is I live in the burbs, and I eh...know these women. What is it about motherhood that makes us crazed? I was at B&N yesterday and the section on parenting is overwhelming. Did our parents have anyone beyond Dr. Spock advising them? I think we turned out pretty well. Ok, some of us, but you know what I mean. Now we're so bogged down in doing it right instead of connecting with our children's need and listening to our guts. Even on Oprah yesterday they had mom vs. mom wars. The judgment, the superiority it was all a little much. I don't think any mom gives birth and looks at their child and says "I can't wait to fuck this little sucker up" I mean come on! Don't we all want the best for our broad? Aren't we all just trying to do it the best way we know how?

Me...under construction

I'm in the process of making a major life change. It's a decision I've contemplated in the past, but now the stars seemed to be aligned in my favor and I'm pursuing it. I don't want to talk about it too much as I'm still processing everything and trying to work all the particulars out.I'm hopeful that when I enter 2008 it will be with a fresh outlook! Here's to a brighter future, one I can share with my family and really enjoy to the fullest.

Japanese crafting goodness

So...I'm on a Japanese craft book sewing kick. It makes me happy, because it brings me back to my time living in Japan. I'm so excited to make the cute little things for O. I just got 2 more books from YesAsia today! I'm in heaven. They're so cute and the designs seem fairly simple to manage even if I don't read Kanji.
I made my first item from the book Girly Style Wardrobe. A very simple cross front dress. I made it out of Chez Ami licorice floral. It's a size 100cm. it's a tad big, but will probably shrink a bit more with washing. It's super cute and O. looks like a doll in it. I love that chez ami line too. It's one of my most favorites that she ever did.

It's over!

So,book 7...you know, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I managed to avoid all the spoilers and read it unspoiled. I loved it! I don't know if it had the ending I wanted and I did think the epilogue was a bit weak, but it was a good run and I'm glad I had the pleasure of knowing Harry Potter. Thank you JK Rowling for such a fantastic adventure. I'm a little sad to see it end.. Will there ever be another phenomenon like this?

Ode to the microwave

Oh how I love and depend on you. Why did you leave me right when I needed you most? I can't believe you're gone. How I long for you to return. I will find another one that reminds me of you in size and shape...in the warmth you give. Oh Microwave how I miss thee!

No seriously my microwave inexplicably bit the dust this morning right when I was getting ds some breakfast. I'm devastated! I will definitely be making the trek to the thrift store for a temp fix until I can get the hood replaced. Maybe I'll get something super cool and fancy. Ahhh...the possibilities! However I can't even imagine more than a few hours without a microwave in this house.

Oh and on another note S. comes home today! Very excited to see him and honestly do hope he had a good time.

Purging is fun

So I purged 3 bags of clothes from the kids room. There's more to be done, but I had to stop there and do some other stuff. I offered it up on the parenting board, but if the takers don't come by Monday then I'm off to the Bargain Box with my goodies. I mean there's no point in purging if it just sits by the front door for weeks on end. I can't wait to hit S.'s closet and mine and dh's stuff too. Purging is so fun and freeing. It also let me know that we have way way way way (can I say way some more) too many clothes! In the future I will be better about that. I took a careful inventory of what to get for E. to start school. I'm going to get him some socks and unders and make 2 pairs of shorts and 2 more t-shirts. Some people I know (think the muckety mucks) would be appalled, but I found about 4 pairs of jean he could still wear, shirts and several shorts. He's set for awhile and it's nice on the budget I must say. It's nice not to feel compelled to spend spend spend, to take an inventory of what you really need. I have the 3 bags of clothes to donate that prove it.

Off to camp!

Dare I dance a jig? E. is off to camp. So, that just leaves me, O. and M. to find something to do with our time. I'm going to run errands, sew, relax...giggle! I know it sounds bad, I honestly love my children, I really do, but the quiet that comes over the house when, ah...some of them aren't here is priceless. It makes me appreciate them ever so much when they are here. I'll have to remember to take a picture of him when he comes home. Entitled, first day of camp.

I'm so happy

That I can sew! It's so liberating! Who knew something so simple would bring me so much happiness. There's no getting around it. I'm plus size, big, zaftig, fullfigured, curvy, pleasingly plump...FAT! I'm ok with it, usually, but the lack of clothing options is depressing. I mean why does Fat=matronly and dowdy. I fancy myself youthful and hip...dare I say cool. I want to wear fun prints and things that don't resemble tents and mumus. I want to wear stuff that enhances my figure and not hides it. I want to strut and twirl, not slink along in polyester. So...taking needle and thread in hand, I've made some clothes that I feel good wearing. I've made some t-shirts and skirts and I'm working on some capri's too. There's alot of cool plus size patterns out there now, thanks to the now thin Kaliyah Ali. Plus I've tried my hand at pattern drafting and made a totally kicking a line skirt. It looks great if I must say so myself. Once I shave my legs I'll take a picture,LOL!

In another life.

I think I would have made a good farmers wife. Living out by ourselves. Depending on my own two hands to care for my family. All the domestic pursuits that I love. Cooking, sewing, caring for my family. In another life I would have gotten up with the chickens and mixed up the biscuits for breakfast, brewed the coffee and scrambled the eggs. In another life I would have gone to my garden instead of the farmers market. In another life my bread would be made by hand...left to rise under a blue and white tea towel. In this life though. I use my beloved Kitchenaid standmixer. Can I just say how I love this thing. My dh got it seven years ago for mother's day. I know, you're not suppose to get appliances for a gift like that, but I really wanted it. I use it all the time. I love the sound of it clunking along. I love the things that I make with it. I love my Kitchenaid!

Going from thinking to doing

Lots of my time is spent thinking about what I want to sew, prepping my fabric, looking at my fabric, looking at patterns and imagining what the finished product will look like. I want to kick it into high gear. I see so many other sewist that seem so productive. Although I try to avoid comparisons I hate to think how much money I have invested and not make better use of my time. So, my goal is to sew some every day. I'd like to start working on the christmas stuff and also on some things for myself. I don't actually have alot of decent looking hip clothes. So...that's my plan to make better use of the time I have to sew. To stop thinking about it and start doing it! Wish me luck!

Only 21 days left

Until the final installment of the Harry Potter series. I can hardly wait. What will happen to them all. I suspect she will kill him off so that no one else will pick up the pen and try to tell more tales of Harry. I can't wait to see how it ends. I don't know if I'll be able to put it down after getting it which is a bummer since I will have to get to bed early for the work the next day. I hope the time flies by. Just 21 more days and we'll know the answers to the final contest between Lord Voldermort and Harry. Is Severus good or truly bad? Will Hermione and Ron get together. Oh...I just can't wait. Just 21 more days.

My new toy

I've recently purchased a few things to enhance my sewing and to give it that professional edge. My recent endeavor as a fabric selling mama has afforded me some hobby money to do it.
Here's the coverstitch machine. It's a Brother 2340CV and I love it.

Six changes

So...again, I'm working on me. Trying to lose some weight. I haven't watched Oprah in forever, but today, Bob Greene is on there. He said something that really struck me was that the motivation might not be there. You have to do it even if you're not motivated, but the motivation will come with success. Jesus! That makes so much sense. The motivation comes from success and seeing the changes! It's unbelievable.

Anyways...I had already decided to give up soda. But I have some additional things that I will work on giving up over the next 6 weeks.
1.Soda
2. Trans Fats
3. Fried foods
4. White Bread
5. Reg. Pasta
6. Highfat Dairy

Photography

I look at some of these great blogs and they have the most lush well staged photos. So this summer my goal is to take better pictures and to post those pictures. I'd also like to shoot some film.
I really want to be better about taking pix of the kids. I look at O. and she's changed so much from that scrawny 5lb baby. I want to capture more of her on film rather than just in my memory.
Plans for this week. Take pix of my craft exchange projects and start working on a messenger bag and a diaper bag for S. I can't wait to get the snap press! It'll make some projects so much easier.

So, what is it about women

I think I'm going to divorce myself from the female species. I swear! First it's work and snippy backstabbing hags! And now even in cyber space I'm encountering it, not me exactly, but you know. On two boards I'm on there's nothing but cattiness and snipping. It's exhausting. I guess that is the exact reason women will always be considered less capable than our male counterparts. We are ruled by emotions and not to our benefit. Ahh well...

The Kitchen/Grocery Challenge

I started this last year, but I slacked off big time. But, baby I'm back! We've been spending way to much eating out lately. Plus with gas prices what they are I need to be organized and avoid running to the store 10 times/week. So I found this cool site called Cindy's Porch and I'm going to print off the list and begin my once a month cooking again. I even have a new cookbook to try out and I think it will make the summer much more relaxing if I don't have to stress about cooking big full meals. So, tonight I will make out my menu and tomorrow the cooking begins. I'm also going to try and eat fresher. I took the kids to the farmer's market last week and the veggies we got were so delicious. Maybe it was my imagination, but I felt like I was eating a wonderful meal and doing something great for our community by shopping at the farmer's market. Ah well, next I'll be going organic!

After all, tomorrow is another day

Ok...tomorrow came and went and I wasn't anymore committed, but I am now. Something happened that really hit home. This is my first year in the JLR and my advisor dropped dead this weekend. She was probably in her early 40's, single, appeared healthy and she had a massive heart attack and died alone. Nobody knew until she didn't show up for a meeting at work. I was the first in the JLR to find out since we were planning to carpool and she didn't email like she said she would, because you know...she was dead. I'm still in shocked...I didn't know her all that well, but she was super sweet and made a point to really welcome me to the JLR. Anyways, my point is life is short and fleeting...I don't want to spend it overweight and unhealthy.

Getting back on the horse

Woo is me! I have really fallen off the sparkteam bandwagon. I got out of the habit when we did a huge Easter dinner...now I can't seem to get back in the groove. I don't consider myself a quitter...so I'm getting back on the horse. Tomorrow!

My first redondo skirt

This skirt is a euro pattern that is very popular w/the sewing mama sect. I've admired it's gored style and wanted to make one for O., so last week I did. It probably took me a bit longer to do it, since I can only sew occasionally. But I'm pleased with the outcome. I will never, ever do the bias tape on the edge again though. It was misery! It came out pretty good with the only wonkiness being the bias tape hem.
I've been sewing alot of dd. And found the perfect pattern for her today. One I've been wanting to make forever! Can't wait to get started. It's one of those cute swing top's w/cross back and bloomers. I have some wonderful fabric ready to go! I love when you find the perfect combo of pattern and fabric. It's like magic!

I've been busy!

I've really been sewing alot and online ALOT!
Mom is visiting and we're doing the whole decluttering thing. I hope it helps. I get overwhelmed very easily by the mess! It's nice to have someone come and clean and organize for you. I could so get used to this!

Sparkteam

So on my continued effort to get my ass in shape, LOL. I joined a sparkteam and i also dusted off my pda to track my food. Apparently journaling is a key since it makes you mroe aware of your caloric intake.
So...I'll blog later about how it's going. I weighed in today...it wasn't pretty, but hey, it's only down from here right?

Fit by Forty

It's approximately 18 mos until I'm 40 and let's face it, I could stand to be a bit fitter, LOL! So...adventures in healthy living begin today. I want to be a fit fabulous forty year old. I want to have more energy than I do now. I want to be able to find and fit into "regular" clothes that don't look like shapeless tents. Why is that anyway, If you're a larger size that you seem to need (according to the clothing industry) tents? Ugh! Anyways...I'm breaking out my WW stuff and logging onto dwlz.com and getting my butt in gear. I do such a good job in so many other areas of my life, why not this one?

It's so hard to keep up

This is a super busy time. I'm in a civics group that a lot of stuff has been going on for the end of year! The normal stuff with kids, husband and work. I've been trying to sew the kids summer stuff, plus do a bit for me too. Anyways...I haven't blogged in a a bit. So, where to start.
I've decided to sell one of my sewing machines. I want to earn some money to pay towards my embroidery machine, so out with the old...in with the new.
Oh...and my mother in law died yesterday. It's sort of surreal.

Enough shopping...

on with the sewing! I've been on a mad kick of adding to my fabric stash. Lots of cute stuff, but still...enough w/the shopping already. I'm pretty excited about some of the fabric though and I do plan to make a couple shirts for me and some stuff for S. since he requested. I finally made something out of the Ottobre magazines besides legging...pants,LOL! They came out great and E. loves them. I'll have to take a picture of my model. So...it's off to sew.

The things we do for love...or for peace and quiet

I've just gotten back from signing S. and E. up for summer camp. Yep, signups start now and slots fill up fast. It's a great day camp program and super cheap to boot! Here's the kicker though, I got up at 4:30 and was there by 5:30, chair and coffee in hand and I wasn't even first in line. I was #14. Number one said they got there at 3:30 and someone else came right after them. It's insanity, but I'd rather wait in line in a storm than come up with 8 weeks worth of activities to keep 4 bored kids entertained. So, even though I'm still a bit chilled and pretty sleepy, I did it for love and for a little peace and quiet.

Get rich quick schemes

My husband is always thinking of ways for me to make a quick buck. He's quick to come up w/a scheme. Usually I just nod...but this week I decided I would give one of his suggestion a go. I live near a local designer's warehouse. Once a month they open their doors to the public and have the most amazing deals. I purchased some merchandise for a song and have flipped it for a nice little profit. It was pretty easy since there was a built in market for the stuff already and the ease of paypal and the internet make shopping effortless. So, that's me, the little entrepreneur.

Is it cheaper to sew

I don't think that in terms of my time, purchase of supplies, patterns and fabric that sewing is really cheaper than any RTW item that I can purchase any do of the week. I do however think it's saving me a ton in therapy. I've always liked to sew. I've gotten more into it in the last 8 years and especially the last 3 years since the purchase of a nicer machine and plunging into the world of sewing for your children. I've discovered a cool group of sewing sites that have great resources for me and turned me into a much more relaxed and competent sewist and have expanded my already present love of creating. I've experimented with new fabrics and new techniques. I've learned to take care of my own machines and gained a love and appreciation for machines from the past.
All in all the pleasure that sewing has given me is worth a tremendous amount. I have to say that it's probably saved my sanity and given me something of my own beyond just being a wife and mother. It truly is therapeutic. It's one of the ways I express love and care for my family. It's a way to express my creativity and brighten my home.
Sewing isn't cheap, but it's enriched my life immeasurably.

What class are you

That was a question I saw today on MDC. I answered upper middle. It's such a strange thing to think about. I don't like to think about class and economic levels. Yet, I guess I'm faced with it everyday. We purposefully chose to live in an area that is solidly middle class. We wanted our children to have lots of opportunities and be exposed to a certain type of person. That sounds snobby...but we didn't want them exposed to drugs or gangs. We didn't want their speech to reflect an ethnic stereotype. I guess we wanted them to be as nonthreatening as possible to society so that they would have the least amount of conflict and the greatest chance for success as we could give them. Sometimes I wonder if they'll be ready for the real world. I mean they already think that everyone lives like they do and has the things that they do. I try to temper their perceptions of the world with a dose of reality...but the reality is that their world is a very gentle indulged world.

A blog by any other name

It's so hard to think of a cool all encompassing name for your blog. I've changed my blogs name...again. It's pretty funny how hard it is to settle on one name. What does it matter really. But, since my life is crazy and sometimes I really do feel like I am just hanging out at the zoo. I thought it was fitting.

What was lost is found or Narcissim will not be denied!

So for a week I lost my blog. I couldn't find, or rather I could as a viewer but not as the blogger. The change over w/blogger caused it to merge w/A.'s blogger account and somehow I couldn't log into it. Weird! Anyhow I decided to start over today with a fresh new blog, but being a creature of habit I apparently used the same user name and bingo bango...here's my blog! A. says that it's so obnoxious to think that someone wants to read about your life. I don't know, I'm not doing it for that. I orginally thought I'd just post my crafting stuff...and I probably will, but it's fun too in a surreal kind of way.