Ideas?

I don't know what to write lately but I have gotten a few ideas about what to sew. We'll see what happens over the next few days. Hopefully, I'll get to my sewing and get my ideas completed...So far I've completed one new purse and I've gotten 2 other bags started. Sometimes the cutting and "designing" is the hardest part, especially when you are using a pair of jeans to make them with. I'll post pictures when they are done.

Oh...and by the way...I did finish the comforter last week. I just haven't put it on Danny's bed yet. Thankfully he hasn't needed it. Once it makes it's way to his bed I will post a picture. I did not manage to finish it in the 7 days I had originally promised, but I did finish it in 9. Not too bad considering he did not need it yet. Thank G-d!

Many issues

There were many "issues" in my house this morning. Getting the kids ready for school today was...shall I say...less than enjoyable. To start off, today is picture day in school. So nobody got dressed until breakfast was eaten and teeth were brushed. Alex was a real pain about what he was going to eat. Then, we got a call this morning from Danny's friend saying that if Danny was walking to school with him, then he needed to be at his house in less than 10 minutes. He hadn't even eaten breakfast yet. I made him something for him to eat while walking...but of course, it got left on the kitchen counter. That is Danny's tortilla and cheese rolled up, sitting on the cutting board. Whose fault was that? Of course it was mine...who else's fault could it have possibly been? Not Danny's...I should have just said "you don't have time, NO". But he started to whine, he's been looking forward to this all week, and he whines at too much that I absolutely can not or will not let him have, so since I thought it would be possible...I tried it. Not again!

OMG! These are the mornings I hate being a mom...I thought that we were finally past having problems getting ready for school. I can tell you...I am not looking forward to when the boys need to get up an hour and a half earlier when they start high school...I'm just glad I have almost 2 years to wait for that one...

I'm hooked!

There are so many talented people out there in cyber world creating so many great things by hand. There are also so many people promoting these talented people with a chance to win their stuff in free giveaways. I am hooked! I can't stop entering these giveaways...there is so much great stuff to be won (and admired)!

Here are a few more that I have found:

giving away "green" bags by kootsac
http://rikrakstudio.blogspot.com/2009/09/great-greenies-giveaway-with-kootsac.html

giving away a peyote stitch bracelet by Windyriver
http://ejdssteam.blogspot.com/2009/09/artisan-jewelry-september-giveaway.html

giving away plantable seeded greeting cards by Botanical Paperworks
http://women-prenuergalore.blogspot.com/2009/09/rewiew-of-plantable-greeting-cards-from.html

Giveaways

This is not a giveaway...Last night I spotted a link to a very interesting giveaway, that then lead to another giveaway and then another giveaway, and then another giveaway. Amazing...I was surprised to see all of these blogs linked. And all with some great giveaways...I entered a bunch and stayed on the computer much longer than I had originally intended. I'll list the blogs that I found that apparently always have something going.

a little etsy love

http://etsyfix.blogspot.com/2009/09/art-under-glass-giveaway.html

Audry's give away blog

http://audreysgiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/09/inventing-liz.html

Indie craft corner

http://indiecraftcorner.blogspot.com/2009/09/september-giveaway-pieces-of-me.html

women-prenuers galore

http://women-prenuergalore.blogspot.com/2009/09/review-and-giveaway-hazel-aid.html


If you go to check these out...you'll probably find tons more...I just decided it was time to get off of the computer and get some other stuff done.

Have Fun!

Clueless at the gym

Yesterday when I was at the gym, I met two women who had just joined and had no idea as to what to do. The one women was commenting on how they try to get you to buy their services that are so expensive. After talking to them for a little while, I discovered that they really have absolutely no idea what they are supposed to be doing while there. The one women was just lifting (and lifting and lifting). I don't think she was even paying attention to how many reps she was doing. I suggested to her, that she count to 10 rest and count to 10 again, after a few seconds of rest. The other woman had said that she had a goal of 20 lbs, 30 reps on this one machine...only she was starting immediately at 20 and barely able to do only 15 reps. I suggested to her that maybe she should start with 10 lbs and work her way up. I was afraid to give them many tips since I just know a few things that are good for me, and maybe not the next person. I am really glad that I have a built in trainer...my husband who is a physical therapist. When Pete walked me into the gym the first day, he told me which machines I should start with and approximately how much to do. These poor ladies have no one. I have decided that the next time I see either one of them, I am going to suggest to each of them that they should actually shell out the bucks for one session with these trainers, just to get them started in the right direction, if they are going to get anything accomplished without hurting themselves.

I'm actually worried that they are going to end up hurting themselves, and I don't even know them. They are both at least in their 60's (if not older). The funny thing is the one woman told me I looked 18...I'm 42...I know I have always looked young, but it has been a really long time since I heard anyone say it. It always feels good to hear it. I'm just hoping that the time I get to be their age, I'll only look like I'm in my 40's. I know...Fat chance that will happen...

How loud is too loud?

This is the age old question...How loud is too loud? Only it is not the parent complaining this time...it's the brother. They are sitting at the breakfast table eating...Danny is listening to the cd his dad took out of the library for him. It has "Living on a Prayer" (Bon Jovi) from Rock Band 2, one of Danny's favorite songs of the moment. Danny needs to blast it. He has already blasted it once, before Alex came into the room. Alex is trying to read while eating. I figure, if I can hear it loud and clear while on the computer (on another floor)...it's too loud. Let poor Alex, who is not really a fan of music, have a little peace. He didn't make Danny turn it down unreasonably. I can still hear it. Danny...Just deal with it this time...OK Danny...Now that "Dead or Alive" (from Rock Band 1) is done...just finish up and get ready for school...

I promised

Not only did I post that I would have Danny's comforter done within 7 days...I promised it to Danny too. Which means that I will definitely get it done. Seeing my son heartbroken (and cold) does not appeal to me. I always try my best to not break my promise.

It will be done...and hopefully with less than the next 7 days.

It's starting to get cold at night

Well...it's starting to get cold at night. Pretty soon we are going to need to start using comforters...I guess that means that I will need to work (very consistently) on Danny's comforter. He will need to have his really soon. He gets colder at night than the rest of us do, since he has very little body fat (thanks to gymnastics).

I am so sorry that I had to take on this project or that I decided to make it striped...I should have just made it color blocked, you know only about 4 seams on a side. It would have been much easier. Hindsight is great! It's a pity I didn't learn a lesson from my mom. When I was pregnant with Alex, she asked me what kind of blanket did I want her to knit/crochet for the baby's room. She gave me her pattern books and left it up to me. Guess what? I'm still waiting for it! Almost 13 years later. I wonder what she did with all of that beautiful yarn... I thought that once I was pregnant with Danny she would have rushed through it, but I don't even think she attempted it again.

I will have it finished within 7 days...I hope. I will post a picture of it (on his bed) when I'm done.

Moods...

I sure hope that Alex's mood has changed greatly from yesterday. He argued with my husband over the stupidest little thing...forever yesterday (after all of the arguing with me). I'm not sure what bug he got under his bonnet yesterday but...OMG! It was a horrible mood that I hope to not experience any time soon.

He has school today...as well as a new challenge to start. He is going to be taking his math class at a local college, he's 12. It's a special class for kids gifted in math. He has been looking forward to this class since he first heard about it back in January. He had to take an entrance exam, 3hrs long, to get in. And he made it in. I knew he could do it. We are all very proud of him. 350 kids take the test and 60 kids get into the class each year. If he focuses on the class instead of the minor little things that bother him he should be just fine. I think that maybe he was nervous about starting this class today and couldn't find the words to express himself...or didn't want to admit that it was a problem. He's 12, that one happens all of the time. Denial of feelings.

Good luck with your class this afternoon, Alex, and have fun with it! I know it seems weird but my son LOVES math, personally I'm not a fan, but hey...

Minor breakdown

I just had a minor break down and sceaming fit at Alex. We have "piles" in the house that need to be cleaned up. Pretty much they need to be cleaned up by me....

OK...I just had another screaming fit at Alex because he interupted me and still will not leave my "piles" alone. He thinks that going thru the pile of approximately 100 papers if he finds one sheet of his...it's good. In the mean time he (1) makes a mess and (2) he wastes time that he could actually help me. He keeps saying that he wants to "help" me but he is only making things worse, by not just doing what I ask of him. I don't know what to do anymore. It's past driving me nuts!

The long wait...

Somehow I forgot to write about my weekend with my sister and two nieces. It was Labor Day weekend. We all managed to keep busy, nobody complained they were bored, and the only fights between the kids were between the siblings...not the cousins. On Saturday we went to the zoo, the girls enjoyed visiting the rain forest. That is one of my favorite parts of the zoo these days. My 12 year old niece hates "serpents"...her word. She is a girl after my own heart...I don't usually look around the reptile house too long...I usually hang out near the lizards, so I don't have to see the snakes. Quite frequently my sons will try to trick me into looking at some legless animal...not usually my high point of any zoo.

Then on Sunday, the day before Labor Day, we went to Niagara Falls. Of course we find out that that is the second busiest day of the entire year. We walked around for an hour or so, eat our picnic lunch we had packed and then we decided to take a look at how long the line was for Maid of the Mist. We stood on line while Pete went to investigate the situation. When he came back, we found out that from that point, we should be on the boat in about an hour and a half. My guests had been looking forward to it for weeks...and we don't usually stand on lines (neither Peter or the kids have much patience)...But we decided to go for it. I think we actually stood on line for closer to 2 1/2 hours (maybe even 3), none of us had actually looked at our watches at the begining. The kids did pretty well. They all just goofed around, Danny started to get annoyed and kept saying "this better be good", then Danny had a bloody nose (good thing we had lots of tissues and some water), that didn't make the waiting any easier. But...when we finally got on the boat, I think we all agreed that the wait was worth it. It really is not something that you can experience a whole lot of places in this world, especially for not a whole lot of money. Everyone decided that it was really awesome.

Waiting in line is not always so bad!

All in all we really did have a great weekend. My nieces decided that maybe next summer they might come visit us for a week. Wahoo! I have been offering that on up to them for the past few years and the answer had always been "not a chance".

It was a great weekend!

Chauffeuring...

Today was the day for chauffeuring the kids around...Bring Alex to a scout project, come home feed Danny lunch before gymnastics, bring Danny to gymnastics, can't go home 'cause it will take me as much time to go home and come back before getting Alex from his project...but...hey...I got to go shopping in between...3 separate places...things accomplished, while taking up time. All of this while Pete is at a college football game with his dad. This morning he was feeling guilty, I told him to not worry about it. The times weren't all crammed together...and I got in some shopping...Did I say that already? It wasn't such a bad day...and Pete was feeling bad. And it always helped that the weather ended up beautiful too...A good day...Now I have to go back to pick up Danny from gymnastics...

And then dinner...what's for dinner?

The gym?

While in Myrtle Beach, I discovered that my body is not as bad as I thought and I had every right to show it off in a bikini...but I couldn't. After seeing a size 20 lady in a string bikini, I thought if she could do it, I could do it (and I'm only a size 6). But you know what?...I still couldn't bring myself to bare my belly. After watching that particular woman, who is obviously confident about her body, wearing a bikini, I made the decision (with my husband's help)...to join a gym.

Just so you know...I have absolutely nothing against big women (or big people in general). Some of my closest friends and relatives are large. I just feel that if I don't want to be seeing (or have anyone else seeing) my partially naked body why would I want to see someone elses, who is much more out of shape than mine. It is possible to find a sexy bathing suit at almost any size without baring it all (if that is what you are looking for).

I am determined to be bikini ready (meaning...there won't be anyone asking... "what is she doing wearing a bikini?") by the time I need to put on a bathing suit again. Considering I live in a place that only has 3 months of "summer", I have plenty of time.

A great gift...

My Aunt Marilyn decided to offer us a week of her time share to use for this year. She has offered it to us before, and we have never taken her up on it. We decided to go to Myrtle Beach. The place was amazing. We expected to walk thru the door and find a large hotel room or maybe a suite...but when we walked thru thru the door, we found a duplex instead. Unbelievable! We lived almost normally, if it is possble to live normally when you are away visiting a new place. There was a full kitchen, dining room, living room and two bedrooms each with a full bath.


I made sure to send her a thank you note expressing how much we appreciate the gift. She sends me an email saying (1) that it was the best thank you she has ever received (2) she is "going to save it forever" (3) "we're gonna do this again, right?" WOW! She's going to give us another week again? Do we take her up on it again? If we do, do we do it again this coming year? It seems like we would be taking much too much from her. It is quite a large gift. We'll have to think about it...

Both kids are now in middle school...

Wow..that was a weird feeling...both of my boys are now in middle school. I just went to the bus stop for the first day of school with both Danny and Alex are at the same stop, same bus this year. Both Alex and Danny kept checking their watches every minute or 2. I think that both of them were anxious. I hope that they do not end up too late that Danny rushes thru getting his stuff to his locker and ends up with trouble opening up his lock on the first day of school. You know...the first time it really counts if you can get it open easily. It doesn't help Danny that he can't even reach the top shelf in his locker, either, just one more thing for him (or me) to worry about. That's OK I guess 'cause he makes friends easily and can just ask anyone to reach anything for him. We tried to not put much up there. I can tell you though...I will be doing lots of locker checks on him. He is not the neatest individual.

This is gonna be an interesting year...I hope we can all survive it, and that I am able to not give in to yelling. The "sport" that I grew up with and hated and have appeared to inherite. Hopefully, I can change this...I really do HATE yelling. It just seems like it comes naturally to me. I guess you learn what you grow up with. That sucks and I'm determined to change it...

So sad...

I just found out that my old school crush, Caleb, committed suicide on Monday. I had a crush on him all thru school starting, I think, back in 1st grade. I just saw him in June for our 25th high school reunion. I even confessed to him that I had always had this crush. Caleb had always been popular, good looking and sweet. He never seemed to realize just how good looking he was, at least he never showed it. He was always friendly to me even though I wasn't exactly popular like him. I wonder what he was thinking...he had a gorgeous wife, 2 beautiful children (young children, who now have to make it without their father), a great job (not that I'm sure it was he dream job or not). But OMG, what makes people do things like that? I wonder if going to the high school reunion made things worse for him? I don't have a very "sucessful" life, but even I enjoyed going to the reunion. It didn't make me feel any worse than I did before. If anything...I think it has made me even more motivated to succeed at making my purses and yoga bags. No one that I chose to speak to put me down. Something that many people in our school might have done 25 years ago.

All I can say is OMG!!!