Did you "Leap" today?

I seem to leap from one thing to the next everyday but seeing as how it is "Leap Day." I just thought I'd ask. Did you do any leaping today? We did leap to the mall tonight to see Nathaniel's artwork. Here is the budding artist himself...
While we were at the mall Julianne couldn't help herself being surrounded by all those shops and clothes. She just had to "Leap" in!
She's just too funny.
Here's the next installment on what I am making... any guesses??? I might just make it worth your while.
So, How was your day?

Good morning

Thank goodness it's Friday! It's been another busy/crazy week at casa de albury. Julianne's book report got done last night ~ well it was more of a poster really. She changed her historical character from Elvis Presley to Dr. Seuss. She had to spell out his name vertically and then use the letters from his name to tell about him. It turned out pretty good. I, of course, forgot to take a picture so I'll try to remember to do that when it gets back home. We also added some cool pics with help from Richard and his computer. Nathaniel is still playing catch up on his homework ~ but I have a feeling this battle will be going on for years to come. Pray for me!!!!!
I have been busy at the sewing machine. I finally finished the seminole table runner. I really like the way it came out. I've also got the placemats embroidered and cut out. I'm redoing our dining room in brown and turquoise. I'm also working on a wall hanging and have a lot of it cut out as well.
Oh, here are the pillow cases I did for Julianne. They didn't photograph well but they do look good. Her favorite is the pink/purple checkered one.
You can't see it too well but I put sewed some sparkly purple yarn on it as an accent.
Yesterday I took the day off from helping out at school (Thursday is science lab day!) and took a class myself. I have lots of homework to get done before my next/last class next Thursday. Can you guess what I'm making? Maybe I should post a new picture each day and make it a contest to see who can guess.


Well time to get to work ~ laundry, dishes, cleaning and I'll probably sneak a little sewing in there as well! So, How was your day?

feathers are all cleaned up

As I mentioned in my earlier posts about Julianne's bday, I got each of the girls feather boas. DO NOT DO THIS! I have been picking up feathers for two days now. Even the poor dog had them stuck to her. I'll probably still be finding these damn pink feathers when we move out this summer!
Good news ~ Nathaniel was chosen out of only 16 from his school to have his artwork displayed at the Melbourne Square Mall Art Show. It'll be there until March 1st right outside the Dillards entrance inside the mall. Apparently it's quite an honor so if you are in the area check it out. We'll probably be there on Saturday and I'll get a picture and post it for you all.
More Good News ~ This was the email Jennifer got today from the University of Florida: Congratulations! It gives us great pleasure to inform you that the College of Journalism and Communications Doctoral Application Review Committee has approved your application for doctoral studies for the Fall, 2008 semester. Our doctoral program is consistently one of the highest rated in the nation, and only a small percentage of applicants are admitted. Truly, you are to be congratulated. She is still waiting to hear from a few others but this was one of her top picks so she's very excited. I'd also be really happy to have them closer!
Julianne is working on a report for school. She has to write something about an historical figure and she's chosen ELVIS PRESLEY!! God, I must be getting old! When did Elvis become an historical figure! I have been to Graceland. I'll have to dig some of those photos out for her report ~ she has to do a poster board. I actually got to see him waaay back in the early 70's at the Miami Beach Convention Center. I wasn't really that "into" Elvis at the time (more like Grand Funk Railroad!) but I went with my sister who is a HUGE fan and I have to admit ~ it was a hellofa concert. You could feel the electricity in the room just before he gets on stage.. of course once he's there you couldn't help getting into it. He was a great performer.
Me, I've been busy doing something I really really hate... getting people and businesses to donate to our school auction. "Quest Fest" is coming up in April and we auction off baskets. Half the money raised goes to the PTO (when did it change from PTA?) and the other half goes right back into the classrooms themselves. Since I am home room mom for both kids classes ~ I've been busting my butt all over town. Gotten quite a few donations so far. Julianne's class basket theme is "Making Memories." I'm making a hand print quilt (using the kids in the class) representing the months of the year. I got the idea from this book by Marcia Layton. She actually lives in Tampa and works at Heritage Quilt and Needle Works. She's one talented lady. The book just has so many wonderful ideas that I'd like to make. I'm crossing my fingers on the one for the school cause I didn't have a lot of time to get the handprints down the way I wanted to. I'm sure it'll be fine though. I also managed to wrestle up tickets to the Ice Plex, Rave Movie Theatres, a few local restaurants and I'm hoping to get tickets to the local baseball stadium as well. Then we will load the basket with a camera and scrap book stuff to help keep the memories of all these outings.
Nate's class basket is all about Wild Animals ~ appropriate, right? I'm waiting to hear back from the Zoo to see if they will donate a family pass. I'm also making a quilt for this basket. Most of the fabrics have been donated by "The Quilt Place" and they are all animal prints. I'm also hoping to put in some binoculars, a camera, the movie "Madagascar" and also an animal video game. There will hopefully be lots of other donations and next week I need to look into getting some company sponsors. I just really hate soliciting donations ~ even though it's for a great cause.
Richard has been busting his butt at work. He even had to go in on Saturday right after Julianne's party. Nathaniel went into work with him on Sunday and got all of his homework caught up (for now!). It's been crazy. Poor man hasn't had a day off in ages. I'm sure hoping this won't last much longer (the long hours, not the job!).
Well that's really all the news I can think of right now. It's getting late and I need sleep! Oh one more thing.. just had to show you this wonderful pic of my two little ones actually getting along! How sweet is this?
So, How was your day?

More party pics & video

So, for the few days before the party I busted my butt getting her new quilt finished. I think that was more for me than her though cause no one else really noticed. It came out a bit more orange than I had planned ~ Me and orange ~ go figure.
I also finished a set of pillow cases to go with the quilt in the spare room. I think they turned out cute.
Oh, I also forgot... as a parting gift I had taken a pic of each of the girls with Julianne in front of the door with "Hannah Montana" and my darling hublet uploaded them to the computer and got them printed out and back in time for me to put them in cute little pink frames with a red bow for each guest. Here's one of the whole gang.
Here's Julianne's friend Sara getting her nails done by Miley (yes, my babysitter's name is Miley!)
And here's Hannah Montana at our front door. Let me tell you this freaked me out once or twice seeing it out of the corner of my eye and thinking someone was standing there. The dog wasn't too happy about it either!
And last but not least ~ Here's a video from the party!
Oh and in case you were wondering Julianne got to pick out a new bike for her birthday ~ purple, of course. Thanks to all of you who sent her gift cards, checks, cash & gifts. She'll be getting those thank you notes out this weekend! So, how was your day?

Princess Punkin Cakes turns 9!

Well my little baby girl is getting all growd up! She turned 9 on Friday. I brought cupcakes and juice for the class. Her teacher had the bright idea of having the celebration out at recess so there would be no mess in the classroom. 2 problems with this though. 1 ~ it was so windy I thought we were back in Chicago where my little one was born. Wish I had taken a picture of what happens when a cupcake loaded with icing flies through the air and hits a few screaming girls. 2 ~ they are out at recess with 4 other 3rd grade classes who all came running at the site of cupcakes. I had to beat them off with a stick. I did take this pic though.
Saturday was the big party. She invited 6 girls from her class (5 out of 6 actually came) and we did a "Pop Star Makeover" party. Here's the loot each girl got... A feather boa, a bling t shirt, a brush & mirror set,some other hair accessories, a nail file, fake Miley Cyrus hair, chocolate, some finger separators shaped like crowns and a ring. . I had two teenagers come over and help me with hair, nails and make up. I had all kinds of sparkly glittery make up along with face bling and tattoos. We also did some jewelry making
Here's the birthday girl herself opening her gifts.
We played Hannah Montana and High School Musical on Julianne's Karaoke machine and the girls had tons of fun dancing and singing along
and of course, her brother had to get in on the act.... I wish this had turned out less blurry but you get the idea ~ and he was loving it.
Later that night we met up with my step mom Patty and my little bro Matthew. They were over at UCF looking at condos since he will be going back there in the summer. They drove over to see us and we all went to dinner. Here's Nate with his godfather who also happens to be my godson (and my brother). I love this picture!

I think this is my favorite picture of the day though... It's all the girls in Julianne's room sitting on her bed (notice the new quilt!) and covered in teen idol posters. Needless to say a good time was had by all and I, for one, am glad its over! So, How was your day?

"The shuttle and its seven astronauts landed at 9:07 a.m. at NASA's spaceport at Kennedy Space Center, where the crew's families and top space program managers gathered to welcome them home."

And I can tell you I knew at 9:05 that it was in cause the sonic boom was so loud I thought someone had just crashed through my front door. I was sitting at my sewing machine just feet from our see thru glass door, chatting on the phone when "BAM." I jumped like I had been shot and really and truly thought someone was trying to bang the door down. Fortunately common sense kicked in (hey, it happens every once in a while!) and I remembered that the shuttle was coming in this morning ~ that and I could see that there was no one at said glass door. It's really kinda cool that I can usually hear the shuttle coming in, just a bit unnerving when I forget about it until I am scared half out of my wits. Anyhow... I may have missed this one going up but didn't miss it coming back. So, how was your day?

The big reveal

Okay so around Christmas time I alluded to something that Jen had done that had made me very proud but I couldn't talk about it yet (and NO she's not preggers!) Well not only can I now tell you about it ~ I can show you... Her first ever quilt!!!! And here's the proof she did it herself. Not bad for someone who claims to be totally undomesticated. She did it all from picking out the fabrics to picking the pattern to cutting it all out and sewing it all back together. I did quilt and bind it for her but hey ~ she did all the rest. Oh and the quilt is actually for her Aunt Valerie (my ex SIL) who is expecting early this summer, I believe. They had a baby shower for her in Atlanta this last weekend and I had to wait for that before I could show you her work. Can you tell I'm a proud mama? Who knows what domestic skills she will show next? So, How was your day?

I am a comma!

I know these things are silly but it was fun anyway. So who out there is a question mark? We'll be BFF's! You Are a Comma

You are open minded and extremely optimistic. You enjoy almost all facets of life. You can find the good in almost anything. You keep yourself busy with tons of friends, activities, and interests. You find it hard to turn down an opportunity, even if you are pressed for time. Your friends find you fascinating, charming, and easy to talk to. (But with so many competing interests, you friends do feel like you hardly have time for them.) You excel in: Inspiring people You get along best with: The Question Mark

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

Time to play catch up with my life

Okay, I know I've been a slacker but here I am ~ making up for lost time, and yes... I will be back dating these posts and NO, I do not consider that cheating!
I've missed a couple of important events... MaryAnn's Rebecca turned 18 on the 11th - Happy Birthday Sweetie.
Alex & Adam celebrated their 5th anniversary on Valentines day or as Alex always called it "The Black Day of Love." You could have knocked me over with a feather when she told me that was the day they were getting married. This pic is from their honeymoon in Hawaii. Don't they just look like the perfect couple? Happy anniversary you two ~I wish you a whole lifetime of wonderful anniversaries together.

Also my niece Dawn had a birthday on the 12th. I think she will be 45 or so and is just about to be a grandmother. That's Alabama for ya! And an old friend from Raleigh, Becky had a birthday on the 15th. And finally a customer of mine from Tampa, Stacy had a birthday on the 16th. She was the one who commissioned me to do a series of quilts for her family made from her mother's clothes after she was struck and killed while taking a walk. It was a hard series to do but they were very pleased with the results and I was happy that I could do that for them.
Happy Birthday everyone. So, How was your day?

Such a productive weekend...

On Friday I drove over to Tampa/Brandon and boy did I accomplish a lot. First of all and most importantly I went to see Diana to have her "remove" the gray streak from the middle of my head and as usual she did a wonderful job. I got done there just before 3:00 so I decided to run over to the kids old elementary school to see some of my friends there. Boy did I get lucky.. they were all in the library just wrapping up a little get together. I got to see Cheryl & Michelle who are the kindergarten aides and also good friends of mine. I also got to see Barbara B who was Julianne's kindergarten teacher and my friend. Her daughter just got married in December and Barbara grew her normally very short hair out and it looked just beautiful. Soft and wavy. I wish I had taken a picture of her and believe me I got in trouble from Julianne for not doing that! Hopefully Barbara and her friends Ginny and Jen will come over for a day trip sometime soon ~ now that her life is calm again. I also got to see Jane who was Nathaniel's advanced math teacher. I've always really liked her and she worked very hard with him. In any case it was great to get a chance to visit with all of them. My next stop was Gutcher's Quick Print where I got the kids (Julianne's class) handprints transferred onto fabric for the auction quilt I'm doing for Quest Fest. Turns out I know the owner ~ Just didn't ever know her last name so I didn't put 2&2 together until now. Cool thing is she is also a quilter so really understood exactly what I needed.
Friday night we went to "Scrap & Sew" in Carollwood. They have an all night sewing thing most Friday nights and so Mary Catherine, Peg, Gail, Prudence and I all met over there and sewed and chatted the night away. Here we are all with our "Lazy Girl Designs" patterns. I've gotten them all hooked. Mary Catherine showed me how to make the fabric wrapped bowls and that was a lot of fun. I can't wait to have time to do more! Here's Tess, the owner of "Scrap & Sew". She was a wonderful host and the store is great. It's a combination of scrap booking and sewing. She's also a Pfaff dealer. Mary Catherine played on one of her embellisher machines ~ I can see one in her not too distant future.
Saturday Mary Catherine and I ran lots of errands ~ picked up her serger that was being serviced, got my oil changed from her wonderful mechanic, hit a few quilt shops and I got a ton of stuff for Julianne's birthday party on Saturday. I stopped by to see Debra & Gregor over at Bernina Pfaff and it was great to see them again. Debra gave me copies to a couple of patterns from the shop hop that I missed out on this year. Mary Catherine and I got a late lunch/early dinner at Cherry's which I've missed and then I headed for home. All in all it was a fun and productive couple of days. I think we're gonna try to do it again in March before Peggy moves to Germany. I'm already looking forward to it. So, how was your day?

Happy Valentines Day!

Okay so for someone who doesn't celebrate Valentines day as a rule ~ I did me some celebrating! I actually remembered to get Richard a card and he got me one too. How amazing is that cause we don't normally do that. I mean, for us ~ everyday is a reason to celebrate love ~ AWWWW! For most of the day I bounced back and forth from Nathaniel's classroom where I helped hand out valentines to Julianne's classroom where I lead the Valentine Bingo game. Both kids came home with bags of candy (oh joy). Nathaniel's teacher had them do something that was a really good idea but I'm now thinking they are not quite mature enough for. She printed out and handed out paper with each child's name on it and each child was required to write something nice about each person in the class. Again ~ good in theory but one kid (boy) wrote "I really like your unibrow" to another kid(girl). The teacher had enough sense to check the papers before they were given out and when she quesioned him about why he wrote that he said "Cause I really think it looks cool." At least he was sincere but she made him write something else anyway. And Jen in case you couldn't guess who did this ~ it was your pal Vinnie!"
For dinner I made my now traditional meat loaf and pink mashed potatoes. Yes, I said Pink. It's almost hard to eat them when they are that color but the kids love it. One year I even shaped the meatloaf into a heart! And yes, I make green mashed potatoes (along with corned beef & cabbage) for St. Patricks day although I've never had green beer. Maybe I'll have to remedy that this year. Well that was our "Day of Love." At least the part I can write about and you all don't need to know the rest! So, How was your day?

Our trip to Hutchinson Island

So today (which was really almost a week ago) I went on a field trip with "Nate's" class to Florida Power & Light's nuclear power plant over on Hutchinson Island which is about an hour and a half south of usI was not really looking forward to all that time on a bus with 30 10 y/o's but it was a really nice charter bus with enough seating that I had a row all to myself and we got to watch "The Rookie" on the way down. So, comfy seat, Dennis Quaid ~ not bad at all. I also brought along a baggy with my yo yo makers and some fabric squares ~ perfect time to do some hand sewing. . My son and his BFF sat in front of me and were actually very well behaved. Actually almost all the kids were very well behaved. The girls for the most part read/traded teen magazines and ooh'd and ahh'd over Zac Efron and The Jonas Brothers Band. Nate and his friend Jacob fiddled around with rubic's cubes. They are both wizzes and can put them right in a matter of minutes ~ I was very impressed. In any case we got to the power plant without incident and were given a few "rules" before we got off the bus. Around the plant they have what is called a "Jersey" wall. Not sure where the name came from but basically its two cement barrier walls filled with rock in between. The kids (and adults) were instructed to NOT TOUCH these rocks and that there were camera's everywhere and they would be severely punished by FP&L if they did. Also there is to be NO PICTURE TAKING outside of the plant. Got me to thinking ~ it's a shame that this is the era our kids are growing up in. The reason for the wall is to stop any type of terrorist from driving a car bomb into the nuclear plant and the camera's are there to record any "suspicious" behavior. And even 10 y/o's on a field trip can be suspects when taking photos of the layout of the power plant. So, needless to say I have no pics from outside. I did get a few inside though. This is the class getting their "introduction" to FP&L and Nuclear power.
We didn't get to go to their "Turtle College" because of construction at the plant but they are very active in the conservation of sea turtles. We got to see a video and learn about the 5 types of sea turtles and what they eat. Here are some of the kids "helping" with the demonstration
I had 5 boys in my group. I asked the teacher what I did to piss her off! She laughed and said "hey, one of those is yours!". Besides mine I had two of the most challenging but also two of the best behaved so I guess it worked out and they actually were all very good. We got to wonder around and look at all the exhibits. Here is Nate, his "friend" Trinity and a couple of the other boys from my group. We were also given a demonstration of how nuclear power works and then got to do a few power experiments of our own. All in all it was a good day and I think we all learned something. I know I did.
We ended up eating our lunch on the bus do to a nasty storm that came in but was kind enough to wait until we actually got on the bus before the heavens opened up. It lasted just long enough for us to get back to the school and then the skies cleared again. I think someone was watching out for us.
So, How was your day?

Father daughter dance

Friday night (the 8th) was the much anticipated Father Daughter dance at Quest Elementary School. Richard and Julianne got all dolled up ~ don't they look spiffy!
As it turns out, the dance itself was a bust. Both Richard and Julianne found it boring and ended up coming home early. Julianne did have fun chatting with her friends. Of course my socially challenged engineer of a husband (sorry honey) didn't speak with anyone the entire time despite the fact that a coworker he is familiar with was also at the dance ~ across the room, not speaking to any one else either. Engineers ~ go figure!
There was supposed to be a photographer there taking pics and part of what we paid to go to the dance included your 5 x 7 print but they never saw the photographer (probably didn't think to look) which is the difference between men and women. Women would have made sure they got their moneys worth. Oh well. Fortunately I got a pic and Jules got to go to the dance with her daddy. So, how was your day?

My visit with my friend Ann

I know ~ I talked about it so much before it happened and I'm sure you've been on pins and needles just waiting to hear how my visit with my friend Ann from Oregon was. I've been so busy (and still recovering from bronchitis) since she was here that I haven't had a chance to tell you ~ so here goes...
Ann's plane arrived a little over an hour late but fortunately she was able to call me before I left for the airport and tell me that they were being delayed and then called again to tell me they were boarding and ready to take off which told me I had about an hour before I had to leave for the airport which sure beats sitting around in that scary cell phone lot by myself late at night! That's a true friend who watches out for you! We arrived at the airport in Orlando just about the same time and I was so excited to see her. Her hair has gotten very long since the last time I saw her and mine has gotten shorter! We chatted and chatted the whole way home which made the hour drive seem to fly by. We stopped at Denny's so she could get a bite to eat since she had been traveling since 7:30 that morning (Oregon time) and it was now midnight (Melbourne time).
Unfortunately Nathaniel (who has been coughing for a couple of weeks) now has a fever so we've determined he'll be staying home with us tomorrow (so much for our mani/pedi's). About 10:00 he decided he didn't feel so bad after all and he was no longer running a fever so we headed over to one of the quilt shops for what ended up being a couple of hours. It wore both Nathaniel and I out though but I got some great fabric for Bryce's (Alex's new little guy) quilt and Ann got some fun stuff to play/sew with. We grabbed some lunch at Long John Silvers and headed for home. We just beat Julianne home and we were so exhausted we completely forgot to walk outside and watch the space shuttle go up ~ bummer!!! Richard forgot also until after it was over and called to see if we had caught it.
Later that night Buggy's fever went up to 103.5 so guess who is staying home from school again tomorrow! I felt so bad for him. He could barely lift his head and his eyes were all glassy. I was able to get the fever down pretty quickly with meds and cold cloths on his head but I just hate when my kids are sick. Friday we stayed in and Ann got lots of sewing done. She did a tissue cover, a wonder wallet, a sassy bag and two fabric bowls (which are now her new favorite thing to make). I didn't take pictures of all of it but here are a few hilights... Didn't her bag turn out great. Good thing we had gone shopping the day before and loaded up on patterns and fabrics!
Saturday Ann & I went out to breakfast and then hit EVERY QUILT SHOP any where near us including a return visit to "A Quilt Place" where we had been on Thursday. As it turns out the fabrics I got for Bryce's quilt turned out to be totally wrong after Adam sent me pictures of the little guys room but I managed to find some that were much more suitable. Some lucky recipient is gonna get a really cool / bright Hawaiian fishy quilt though. Saturday night Ann's son David came over and the four of us (Ann, David, Richard & I) went out to City Bistro for dinner and had a wonderful time. David is a great guy who is in his first year of college at UCF. I, of course, forgot to take pictures again! Miley came over and babysat the kids (thank goodness Nathaniel was doing much better and hadn't run a fever for 24 hrs).
Ann and I got up at 6:30 Sunday morning and headed for the airport. By the time I got home around 9:30 I was just plum worn out. I went right back to bed and pretty much stayed there until around noon when I went out to the couch and promptly went right back to sleep. Richard had taken the kids to work with him and it was just the day I needed to completely recover!
So ~ that was Ann's visit. Wasn't it worth waiting for???? So, how was your day?

For a short month February packs a punch

I've never been fond of February ~ at least not for as long as I can remember. It's always been way too busy and then really sad memories. My half sister has a birthday this month, my step brother has a birthday this month, my niece has a birthday this month. Then there is my ex husband and ex SIL ~ not that it's a concern for me now but some 28 years ago it added to the stress of my life. So what did I do? Got married for the first time around this month and let's not forget Valentine's day otherwise known as "The Black Day of Love." It's never been a favorite of mine. It's supposed to be a day to celebrate your love. Try telling that to all those people who are NOT in love ~ the day sucks reminding you what a looser you are. The "not in love" is not an issue for me. I've never been more in love but I still feel for all those who are not and haven't celebrated this day in ages.

The really bad February's began in 1982. My mom passed away, you guessed it, in February. I was only 25 and clearly not ready to loose her. Hell, I'm quite certain I still would not be ready. She was one amazing, funny, loving and crazy woman. My Jen was only 2 at the time but she and my mother ADORED each other almost to the exclusion of everyone else. Hell my dad was even jealous of the love they had for each other. I know as a new mom it made me feel a bit less than perfect but even then I knew that the fact that my mother loved my daughter so much was not inspite of me but in many ways, because of me. From what I can piece together the time around my birth and into toddlerdome was not the best time for my mother and she always felt that I somehow missed out because of it. She always said having Jennifer was like getting a second chance to do right by me. Now who can be upset by that logic. She used to watch Jennifer for me during the day while I worked and she really loved that time. She was never able to stay home with us so for her this was a great treat. Of course, we'd spend the weekend together too. My dad and my ex would go out golfing and it was "my time" to spend with my mom (and Jen too) The three of us were very happy together ~ spending our weekends out doing silly things together. At the end, when my mom was in the hospital taking her last breaths, it was Jen's picture up on the wall of the ICU unit she would see if she regained concousness. It was as is should be. They were the world to each other. It makes me sad because of course, even though Jen has heard the stories a million times, she really doesn't remember her now. My mom did come to say goodbye to her though. We were driving home from the hospital and she pointed up at the sky and said "Look mommie ~ there's Mimi!" Thinking I misunderstood her she insisted "Look RIGHT THERE ~ there's Mimi!" Talk about the hair on the back of your neck standing on end. We knew Mimi had come to say goodbye to our baby.
That February was also the final nail in the coffin that was my first marraige. My mom's death followed immediately by the loss of a 2nd pregnancy threw me into a bad place in my life. I really didn't want to be "close" to anyone after that. In my mind I guess I figured if I didn't love, it wouldn't hurt to loose someone. I do know better now. It is indeed better to have loved and lost than never to have been loved at all.

February has taken a turn for the better though and this story has a happy ending ~ Julianne was born in a very cold Chicago in February and while that is a story all unto itself I would live through a thousand Februarys for her and I am grateful everyday for the gift that she is ~ that all my children are really.
This February looks promising. I'll be spending the next couple of days sewing with my friend whom I've missed. Julianne and Richard are going to a father/daughter dance at school and who knows maybe I'll finally get those diamond earrings I've always wanted. Probably not, but I can dream! So, how was your day?

In case you need a good laugh.

Now you know how much I love Ellen Degeneres ~ and this just shows how truly funny she is... Enjoy!

I'm back amoungst the (almost) living

It's not been a fun week here in Melbourne. First Richard brought back some nasty stomach bug with him from Houston which, fortunately, he did not share with any of us but then Julianne starting coughing and running a fever and she did share that ~ with me. Somehow, and I'm grateful for this, she never got too sick. Bad enough that she missed a 3 1/2 days of school but I did take her to the doctors and her lungs are clear and today she is back at school. Me, on the other hand, ended up with bronchitis. I honestly don't remember bronchitis coming with fevers and chills and body aches but that's what the doctor says I have. But fortunately I'm on the mend now too. Still coughing up a storm but actually managed to get a few hours of sleep last night for the first time in 4 days.
Last week before getting sick I did manage to get some sewing done. I've been wanting to make this purse forever. It's by Joan Hawley of Lazy Girl Designs. She makes some of the best purse patterns you will ever find. Her directions are always very clear and concise. And not being able to leave well enough alone they are easy enough to change to fit my own personal preferences. She also gives lots of hints and tips along with lots of other options for her bags on her web site. You really need to check it out. In any case, the blue purse on the right is Joan's version of Miranda. The vibrant orange (does that surprise any of you?) is mine. I made my bag a bit smaller than hers and opted for larger handles so I could use it as a shoulder bag. I also cinched the sides (a great tip from Joan) to give her a different look as well. I also used faux leather on the bottom rather than quilted fabric and then made some accessories to go with it all. So here's my version.

It's a bag I'll definitely make again. The kids were in a crafy mood as well last week. Nathaniel had the idea to make his "friend" a bracelet for her birthday so we shuffled off to A.C. Moore to get supplies. He chose to get the little alphabet blocks and put her name on it and used more pearl type colors. Julianne made bracelets for herself and her two best friends using jewel tones. I forgot to take pics of the ones they gave away but here's Julianne's bracelet. With Julianne's we used the stretchy bracelet stuff (technical, I know) but with Nathaniel's we actually used beading wire and a clasp. He also bought his friend a beany baby and put the bracelet on it's neck. Is that not too adorable? He thought of it all on his own and he was so excited to give it to her. I happen to be in his class later on the day he had given it to her and was pleased to see she was wearing it and he says she thanked him several times. Glad to see he's appreciated.
And lastly here's poor Sadie. Apparently Julianne forgot to give her water in her dish so she jumped into the bathtub to find water (at least it wasn't the toilet!) and I guess couldn't get out. I almost didn't see her when I walked into the bathroom. I did rescue her (after taking a picture) and made sure she had plenty of water!
Well ~ that's all the news that's fit to print for now. My friend Ann is flying in tonight from Oregon and I'm very excited. The next three days will be about sewing, shopping, pedicures and chic flicks. So, How was your day?

It got me

I have the yucky flu.... hope to be back soon! So, How was your day?