Lessons learned

Four long months since I last posted?! Not for lack of events that's for sure! Let's see...best way to sum up recent events...we feel like we are living in our own made-for-TV medical drama. I'll spare you all the details but I thought I'd share some lessons I hope I've learned.

*To never take my health for granted and the little things my body can do without me even thinking about it. How about swallowing your own saliva? We never think about tiny things like that until you see someone you love lose their ability to do this!!

*It may just be a little pain, easily ignored, but if it doesn't go away after weeks, don't keep ignoring it!

*If you are wearing a cast and you're desperate for a shower: wrap it up with heavy duty bags. Do NOT use the cheapskate store brand garbage bags!

*If you do get your cast wet, get it removed ASAP. Even if you only had it put on a day ago and you're embarrassed :)

*Our family and friends have pitched in and supported us so many times the last few months. We are so lucky and I feel like I can never thank them adequately. I hope at least I can be the same kind of friend in return.

*Once again my hubby proves his love by the way he handles all the bumps in our lives. He is so capable and willing to rise to the occasion without complaint! I need to let him know more often how much I appreciate him.

*If you have all the usual pregnancy symptoms, don't assume you're experiencing early menopause. There, I told on myself-go ahead and have your laugh at my expense. :)

*Doctors are not magicians, they do their best, and they pray for you.

At this point I am humbled and in God's hands and sure I have more to learn!





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Craft bazaar wrap-up

My friend KatieB had a blast at our first craft show!  We are already scheming what to do for "next time" a phrase that makes my husband shudder.  Actually he admitted he didn't suffer too much and it will only take me a couple weeks to catch up on housework, food and laundry-ha!  Since I started preparing for this bazaar ALL the way back in November I didn't have so many last-minute crazies.  Except for the night before when Katie and I did a trial set-up that involved a lot of laughter, a trip to the craft store right before closing, gobbling down a sandwich with too much mustard because I didn't take the time to prepare or eat it properly, very little sleep since we didn't go to bed until after 1 and then I spent the whole night crafting and creating and setting up my table in my head.  And guess what--now I have this extra time in the evenings to catch up on said housework or read a book, but I want to craft!  It's a habit I guess--could be worse habits right?

Down to business: I am retiring the ribbon hair clips so take a good look below if you have a girl in need of some new hair things.  I'd like to see them ALL go to good homes and they will probably appeal mostly to local folks...I love the zipper hair clips so I will probably keep making those and if I find the right headbands again I'll make more ribbon woven headbands.

Make a photo collage

Bazaar Creations!

My friend over at Crafted by KatieB and I are trying out a Holiday Bazaar this Saturday.  Shirley E. will also be selling her beautiful scarves and hats! Come visit us at Valley View Elementary from 9 am to 2 pm.  We've been busy sewing and crafting, and alternating between excitement and "what have we gotten ourselves into!" We'd love to see you there! Click below to get a sneak preview of some of the things that will be for sale.

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Jack o' lantern grins

Last week these guys spent more time in costumes than regular clothes.  They dressed up for a school party, a fun evening at the cousin's and of course trick or treating. We continued the tradition and went with Bob, Katie, Ryan and Emmalee.  As the kids get bigger they cover more territory! Carson was a penguin and Wyatt was a ninja.  They mostly put together their own costumes this year.  Trevor has been a kitty for the last 3 weeks but did wear the dog costume for trick or treating.  Greg and I spent (will probably spend) quite a bit of time being kitty cats also at Trevor's insistence.  I forgot how insistent (meaning bossy) 2 year olds can be.  We have a whole bucket full of animal ears and tails that I sewed about 4 years ago. 

Greg had a birthday. and he requested cheesecake.  This photo shows Trevor waving away the smoke from the candles.  Imagine if I'd really put 38 candles on!

I got creative with our food.  One night we had canned chicken breast sandwiches on bagels with cheese on top--stuck under the broiler for a couple minutes.  Tip:  I add some Kirkland brand No-Salt Seasoning to the chicken, and mayo of course--yum!  Sliced olive faces and a cucumber stem turned them into jack o' lanterns.  My kids always love witch fingers (carrot sticks with olives on top).  I put that in their lunches throughout the year also.  I attempted to make jello worms using straws which I saw on Pinterest, but I think my straws were too narrow.  The Jello did look uncannily like clots of blood.  UGH--I can hardly type that.  Some people refused to eat it.  I also hollowed out some apples and we drank hot apple cider out of them.  That was a hit!

We finally carved some punkins and roasted the seeds.  Whew--fun times!

Shiny new button

You might notice, over to your right there, I have a new button!  Bet you didn't know that October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month.  As a teenager I spent four summers working with children with different disabilities, but my favorite kids were those with Down Syndrome.  Seemed that they saw things in a different, often more joyful and startlingly accurate, way.  My day was always made better when I was partnered up with a child with Down Syndrome.  When we got the news that our little niece was to be born with Down Syndrome we gained new perspective on that phrase all expecting parents say: "I just want my baby to be born healthy."  Well, of course, but guess what?  Even when you find out your baby is not going to be perfectly healthy you still long for that child.  I love how my bro- and sis-in-law explain about their baby:  "She was born with a little something extra." So far, my boys have noticed their cousin's tiny feet and her funny tuft of hair that sticks straight up on the top of her head and that's it.  Someday they will notice the "something extra" about her and we will learn from her about "perfection."  Click this link for more facts about Down Syndrome and my niece's story.

They like her pretty well, too.

Looking up to her big boy cousin!

I solve homework woes

My sis-in-law suggested some positive affirmations to help with our homework struggles.  No one else struggles with after school homework, right?) Here is my solution to help my Homework Super Heroes.  By the way, we have 2 types so far:  the perfectionist who spends far too much time and energy getting every detail just so and the avoider who does the work quickly and accurately once he decides to tackle it.  Here are the positive messages:  I work calmly, I solve my problems, I finish my work and then have free time.  I concentrate on my work, I block out distractions.

To aid the older one in working without distractions and help him be more independent (see: I solve problems) I decided to donate the use of my craft table for after school homework.  Now I have added incentive to keep it neat.  Maybe more positive affirmations are in order:  I maintain tidy work spaces, I maintain tidy....

craft room--finishing up

 Here are updated photos of my craft room.  So far, I have done a few projects and worked some every day and I have managed to clean up after myself EVERY time!  Amazing.  See if you can spot the changes to the decor. 

 First, the clock needed a makeover.  I used the EK circle cutter and my Stampin' Up circle punches.  By the way, this circle cutter works great--it is still a bit tricky to use just like all circle cutters.  BUT it will probably be replaced by my "new" Cricut which cuts circles even better!  The paper colors I used for the clock are a little too pastel, but the paper has some sparkle to it, which I like.  And, YES, I can still tell the time--it's quarter to the multi-flower circle!

Ah...love my Cricut!  This was an old cupboard front I picked up at Habitat for Humanity for a few bucks.  I added fabric rosettes to cover up the hole where the knob was and cut out *LOVE* using my Cricut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I decided I should actually display a few projects in my craft room!  Hand print trees and 3 photos I took last fall.  See the close-up below.  I uploaded the photos to Picnik and chose the sketch feature.   I printed them at home and then used my Stampin' Up ink spots and craft sponge to add color.  I love to look at these on the wall as I work.  Picnik has lots of free options for editing your photos--it's really fun to experiment with your photos on this site. 

 Two more make-overs:
 

Our old coat rack turned ribbon holder

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I recovered my plain bulletin board using fabric, spray adhesive and upholstery brads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Craft room: Mess to Masterpiece

And no room to work...

With piles all over the floor...

Remember the mess--the embarrassing mess I showed you?  Everything now has a place and is mostly in its place.  I am a LUCKY lady to have a husband who built this room so I could have space to craft and the kids could have space to play and store toys and games.  I VOW to spend as much time cleaning up after myself as I do creating!  I can do it--to honor my hubby and be an example for the kidlets, right?!




Well...feast your eyes on THIS!

Another reason I needed to organize was that I acquired a new-to-me Cricut (thanks Billie) and it needed a little home of its own in this room.

Before

After

I'm so excited to have this space all organized.  This time everything has a dedicated place to be and so I think I can maintain order.  Maybe I need to post a photo once a week.  Nothing kicks you into gear like promising to post photos for all the world to see!  Next...some of the decorating/personal touches I'm adding.

Organizing the craft room...again

Why do I need to organize my craft room? A few reasons: Greg is out of town for almost a week and I have a little time on my hands in the evenings.

BUT...I can't scrapbook or even finish the unfinished projects lying around because I cannot work in this environment!  Why do I let it get like this?  I am daring to post this very embarrassing photo hoping that the before and after contrast will bedazzle you.  Also, I wouldn't mind any and all of your tips on maintaining a tidy and organized workspace.  Please help!

And finally:  I decided it might help if I had a separate area for sewing and use the long table only for scrap booking/other crafts.  So, I searched all the thrifty places and found this little beauty.  She was a bargain, fairly sturdy (Greg helped shore her up a little more when I got her home), and full of character (meaning I could paint her wild colors and I wouldn't be ruining a priceless antique--I'll save that story for another post).  Oh, and she also fit in the back of the car.  Perfect.

The last few days have been spent sanding, painting, running all over town for more cans of paint and, yes, organizing/purging the craft room!  Photos coming soon.

Yellowstone Slideshow

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Summer science fun

This digital scrapbook made with Smilebox

My ninja boy turns 7!

I can't believe it, but this guy turned 7 last week! 

Pizza is a ninja food (cupcakes too)

I love how kids crowd around the birthday kid so close they can barely open the presents.  Wyatt was thrilled with his presents!  He was pretty spoiled.  I better not hear a single, "I'm bored" for WEEKS!!

Make your very own NINJA PINATA!

 

In case you are ever throwing a NINJA theme party and would like to have a bad guy for the kids to attack (instead of each other!!) here is how you make your very own paper bag ninja pinata.  I got the idea from this website then modified it to fit our ninja theme. First I used a glue stick to attach the black crepe paper.  I think sheets of tissue paper would be faster and easier.  Then I filled the paper grocery bag with candy, mini horses, army guys, ninja silly bands (Fred Meyer) and ninja guys (pack of 5 from Honk's Dollar store).  Fold the top of the bag over a wire hanger and tape it closed with packing tape.  The head is a balloon (the black balloon popped so the purple was the back-up head) with a taped on paper mask.  Stuff 4 garbage bags with newspaper and tie the arms onto the hanger and tape the legs to the bottom of the grocery bag body.  Pretty simple.  My husband untwisted the top of the wire hanger and hung it from swing set chains and hung it from our basketball hoop.  By the way, I did not double the grocery bag.  We had about eight 6 to 8 year old kids punching, kicking and throwing ninja stars at it and it held up pretty well.  The ninja swords finally did it in. It would be okay to double the bag to make it last longer.  It did kind of hurt to punch that thing.  We offered punching gloves, but the little ninjas were tough.