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.