tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19360950657844379632024-03-13T19:54:28.138-07:00GingersnapOceanside, CA stay at home mom and military wife who loves to craftGenny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.comBlogger243125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-50050080677930753082014-10-28T05:27:00.000-07:002014-10-28T05:27:25.493-07:00Children's Hospital MaskOne of the first (and easiest) projects I wanted to tackle when I decided to start this project of cleaning out my sewing/crafting room was something that I had, ahem, put off but that was soooooo easy. <p>
I started following an Instagram account called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BaileyLynHaney?fref=nf">PrayersforBailey</a> and a few weeks back her mother posted on IG that Bailey was not a fan of the hospital masks, and it had taken a lot of time to get Bailey to wear one during her current hospital stay. I've made fabric hospital masks before, in fact our first nurse that came to the house to watch the kids had shown me some that she had bought online, and I asked to borrow one so I could recreate it. I ended up giving her a few more and my initial mask that I made was too small, but it fit Genny perfectly, so we added it to her doctor's kit. <p>
I chose some scrap fabric, then whipped up two pediatric-sized masks and finished up one adult mask that I had found while searching for fabric. Voila! A mask for mom, and two for Bailey. Now my only problem is figuring out how to get them to her... I've tagged her on IG but she hasn't responded (they get so many comments I'm not surprised they don't sit and read all of them. They do have two kids, one of which is constantly in the hospital)<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7WLio-K-S8SbLNvLxqWeUapX2Kwpj_4X6C68GtuAqxi_tIsulPfzwMLfqFVIkpik_gNOw0ep_jvaGOGLa24Pk0q63TrZ2OSS1dtZlbPam7xv3cdzbWCGs47x9oFl5_88qT68w5BFG-E/s1600/IMG_8164.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7WLio-K-S8SbLNvLxqWeUapX2Kwpj_4X6C68GtuAqxi_tIsulPfzwMLfqFVIkpik_gNOw0ep_jvaGOGLa24Pk0q63TrZ2OSS1dtZlbPam7xv3cdzbWCGs47x9oFl5_88qT68w5BFG-E/s320/IMG_8164.jpg" /></a>
<P> These are the fabrics that I grabbed. I wasn't sure how long it would take me to make one (it had been a while) but I knew that I wanted to make one for her brother if I had time.<p><p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyKdnnfLPGfWQvrgHixkKQErt2ACFoP2YMKXN9R-tmPxhuzUZpr8oGf2pNyn1HBHeEOIDwXJX1MemXAeowlsZ_Y_91FDMuR1g6Y7gaVS638tTxSWBC5JjtUzP_ul-oMLeM-RElNxKbHE/s1600/IMG_8165.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyKdnnfLPGfWQvrgHixkKQErt2ACFoP2YMKXN9R-tmPxhuzUZpr8oGf2pNyn1HBHeEOIDwXJX1MemXAeowlsZ_Y_91FDMuR1g6Y7gaVS638tTxSWBC5JjtUzP_ul-oMLeM-RElNxKbHE/s320/IMG_8165.jpg" /></a>
<p> This is my super mathematical way of figuring out how long to make the ribbon loop. Yup, I graduated high school with this logic.<p><p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklyXVUSKhDrlUzF3vg4rA2Mttd9TdNqTJkjWpPVkFOXW7g8NN55QJupY2kPZG9HfNdPiipz8jUQzvsrlG00uqtHaZLwbZRvjPc0PlYBcDWhmHqvFcfgQjE1zgZF1ALy38r1pmWn29v8o/s1600/IMG_8166.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklyXVUSKhDrlUzF3vg4rA2Mttd9TdNqTJkjWpPVkFOXW7g8NN55QJupY2kPZG9HfNdPiipz8jUQzvsrlG00uqtHaZLwbZRvjPc0PlYBcDWhmHqvFcfgQjE1zgZF1ALy38r1pmWn29v8o/s320/IMG_8166.jpg" /></a>
<p> Here is my unwitting model. I think she would have looked happier if I had told her the mask was for her. Once she realized she was not going to get the mask, she lost all emotion in her face. (I'm not sure where she gets that drama from...)<p><p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKrMWgWkzMn8sEi-y8qsr5q701gbt9nlV1ZBmrlhs_orPxewdytU9a1oIHYxYS8WNHHvQz_nZf2-5wRw9dMz3xug4DuY7YNgKRf-FCXN9VNRNo8kDcXkITbTHmmFxe7blRS46_-dtD7Q/s1600/IMG_8167.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKrMWgWkzMn8sEi-y8qsr5q701gbt9nlV1ZBmrlhs_orPxewdytU9a1oIHYxYS8WNHHvQz_nZf2-5wRw9dMz3xug4DuY7YNgKRf-FCXN9VNRNo8kDcXkITbTHmmFxe7blRS46_-dtD7Q/s320/IMG_8167.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMWFeQrVTnSTkPWlXURJ7hKOyAl-8B7E6hOT-yYJw4it8mLyRwwLCaZu7LTTqF1ijCpvdRbBQ6wRpWdYfzG79bCj5I3PV2dyJkPIJfV06gyhDu79VbLa0GuFmu3MprSmzv-BlG6HsHvU/s1600/IMG_8168.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMWFeQrVTnSTkPWlXURJ7hKOyAl-8B7E6hOT-yYJw4it8mLyRwwLCaZu7LTTqF1ijCpvdRbBQ6wRpWdYfzG79bCj5I3PV2dyJkPIJfV06gyhDu79VbLa0GuFmu3MprSmzv-BlG6HsHvU/s320/IMG_8168.jpg" /></a>
<p>Here are the finished three! It took me about a half hour to make the two pediatric size ones (the purple fabric and the princess fabric) and I also finished up the adult pink fabric mask in that time. I was out of time because the kids needed to be put to bed, but when I posted this picture on fb for Bailye's family to check out, I offered to make her dad and brother one too. If they don't end up responding to me, I will probably just call up Rady's Children's Hospital in San Diego or St. Jude to see if they want them. <p>
See you next time as I clean out my crafting room!Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-39139274217180203922014-10-25T20:11:00.001-07:002014-10-25T20:11:40.519-07:00It's Been A While...Well, well, well. This feels a bit rusty, but then again it's been AGES since I last blogged so that's probably why... Don't get me wrong, I've thought about blogging. I really have. But Life has gotten away with me. Or so I say. Don't we all claim that our lives are too busy when we really just didn't take the time to do something? But if it's actually important, then we MAKE time. So that's what this post is about... Making time to create the things that make me happy. Because I'm a crafter by nature, and I craft almost every day. So I decided that since I'm in the full swing of Christmas crafting, and since I'm also in the full swing of a few other life-changing event preparations, I'd try to document my crafting as I do it during the week. Let's see how quickly I fizzle out on this claim to document all of my crafts, shall we? I'll tell you what: if, by the end of December, I have documented my crafting at least once a week, then I will hold a give a way for the three people who actually read my blog. Who knows what it will be, most likely what every I'm in to at the moment. But don't hold your breath, I'm not good at maintenance, so I'm sure I'll miss posts here and there.
<p>
Don't you worry- I'm not going to dangle words like "life-changing event preparations" and not go into any detail. So here it goes: I'm pregnant. Yay! Five months! But don't get too excited; it's not mine. Ha! That hasn't gotten old yet! No, seriously, I'm a surrogate for a wonderful couple and I'm so very happy to be pregnant (I really do love to be pregnant!) and it really puts the cherry on top to know that this baby girl is going to go to such a wonderful set of parents as well as extended family. Seriously ladies, if your pregnancies go well, think about becoming a surrogate. It's such a wonderful experience! But even though I know logically that this is not my baby, my instincts are still the same as with my other pregnancies. IE: I'm nesting. Big time. All the time. I'm rearranging. I'm organizing. I'm throwing so. much. stuff. AWAY. It feels great!! <p>
Now onto life-changing experience two... I'm moving in eight months. Across the country. This was not an anticipated move. No, in fact, it was down right out of left field. You see, we just bought this house in December. Of 2013. And we're moving. In June of 2015. That means we'll have spent roughly a year and a half living in this, my self-proclaimed dream house. But that's how it goes with the military, folks. That's just how it goes. So this impending move to a [smaller] new house has had me change gears from WE NEED FURNITURE TO FILL THIS HUGE HOUSE! to WE NEED TO GET RID OF EVERYTHING BECAUSE WE'RE MOVING BACK INTO A 1500SQFT HOUSE! Big item on the list? My craft room. Do you know how wonderful it is to have a craft room?! It's the cat's meow. Seriously. Especially for a right-brained girl like me who starts and stops projects as the wind blows and can never keep her stuff organized. <p>
This is where the blog comes in. Not only is it October (best time to start Christmas crafting!!) but I also am nesting and in need to clean out all of my crafting supplies to hopefully bring a much smaller amount with me to Chicago. <p>
Here are a few pictures to show you what I'm in for... Granted, I'm sure this could look much nicer if it was all Pinterest-Organized, but guess what? I don't want to spend my time in there organizing when I could be making. Am I right? (go ahead, mutter, "that's right!" to the computer, I know I did as I was typing)<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-mEgMD6UK4OOmfZOW2vhwCCObByzxV7lz3CUeg3NEZ-3tdlXjGhUGtXGbWsb_mpiCh2JZE5GOWzA3BYj-JrjL-NlYZuIVcrPoywi4soawbDXOkQ2tuIMpUTvBU6IlTCcfkMeyhBQrik/s1600/IMG_8092.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-mEgMD6UK4OOmfZOW2vhwCCObByzxV7lz3CUeg3NEZ-3tdlXjGhUGtXGbWsb_mpiCh2JZE5GOWzA3BYj-JrjL-NlYZuIVcrPoywi4soawbDXOkQ2tuIMpUTvBU6IlTCcfkMeyhBQrik/s320/IMG_8092.JPG" /></a>
<p>
And here it is folks. The ugly truth that I call my sewing room. This is the built-in desk that I went ahead and covered with not just my sewing machine, but also random scrapbooking supplies. I also have a basket that has who-knows-what in it that has been there since moving day, and our printer which somehow doesn't get swallowed up in the mess.<p><p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HGVxy7_V9nSHxLkW2VVueELCStdvb1EOZBCscKe0b5DAHs9K1tZjnhCIjIcKOGNtGqlbzfwNv8-vlBHH8mt5HL1Antj9h81mjqifslyTuke6qyAFmhr2Jo0fRvLm8MlxBPmt6RXTiAk/s1600/IMG_8093.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HGVxy7_V9nSHxLkW2VVueELCStdvb1EOZBCscKe0b5DAHs9K1tZjnhCIjIcKOGNtGqlbzfwNv8-vlBHH8mt5HL1Antj9h81mjqifslyTuke6qyAFmhr2Jo0fRvLm8MlxBPmt6RXTiAk/s320/IMG_8093.jpg" /></a>
<p>
Then we have the desk and shelves. I thought I was a genius when I cut cardboard rectangles to use as fabric bolts. But the only way it would be genius, is if I did it to all of my fabric. That giant pile on the desk? It's my projects... Hoping to see it shrink as the weeks go by!<p><p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUXpXC2-TP5x5qUNlCNG4koePZylGWOP71EGEWlmxtiX6MtJM6KCgLsZ7zYRKskAAWXI56Skeqnxfge_b9tg30Bqfhbx4vZ5XoRgu7vXZ1tZU6kpt5SEbQGL7vFFjPBmtznIhz8m2GTw/s1600/IMG_8094.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUXpXC2-TP5x5qUNlCNG4koePZylGWOP71EGEWlmxtiX6MtJM6KCgLsZ7zYRKskAAWXI56Skeqnxfge_b9tg30Bqfhbx4vZ5XoRgu7vXZ1tZU6kpt5SEbQGL7vFFjPBmtznIhz8m2GTw/s320/IMG_8094.jpg" /></a>
<p>
And finally we have the foot lockers with my scrapbooking stuff. Did I mention that I used to be a demonstrator for Stampin Up!? So I have waaaaaayyyyy too much scrapbooking stuff. Way too much! My goal when Glenn started preschool this year was to make quilts with my existing fabric and to catch up on scrapbooking. I'm only 4 years behind, so that should be easy, right? :/
<p>
Ok! Tomorrow I'll post what projects I worked on today, and hopefully I'll have worked on something else too. Spoiler: I made some scrapbook pages and started a quilt. Don't get excited- I start quilts all the time... <p>
Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-48477079640172661342014-02-03T11:59:00.002-08:002014-02-03T11:59:49.859-08:00Welcome to Genny's Room
I've been on a kick lately... I'm thrifting furniture and refinishing it! It's a very frugal (and I believe stylish) way to fill in the empty spaces we have since we've moved to a house that's more than double our old square footage. The first piece I did was a TV stand I bought for $20. It was missing a door handle, and it was that honey oak, which didn't match our furniture style. I painted it a pale green, bought new nobs, and put it in the kids play room. It's a perfect height for the windows in the play room, and since it has doors, it can hide some toys!
<p>
Before I bought the TV stand for the kids play room, Thomas and I found a round table and chairs to go in the kitchen nook. It was old, smelled like play dough and was pretty dirty. I cleaned it and am still working on painting/staining it. I'm sure I'll do a post about it when I'm done.
<p>
My next purchase was a small double-door cabinet which is the perfect size for about any room in our house. Because it was such a perfect size, it took me a while to figure out where it should go. In the end I decided it should go in Genny's room, since there wasn't any storage in there to corral her explosion of toys, book, and doll clothes. I painted it a light grey, And kept the handles since they were still good.
<p>
And now we'll take a look in Genny's room! I'm not done yet (we just bought her a night stand yesterday that I'll be refinishing soon), but I know that my mom and sister want to see the room in it's entirety, and since it was picked up, and vacuumed, I thought, why not?
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<p>
And now onto the main event: the cabinet!
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<p>
I love the shelf in here- it really allows more storage! This inside color was the original color of the cabinet, but it was scratched and the color was fading in a few spots, so I knew it had to be repainted.
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<p>
And there you have it! It really was pretty time consuming, what with all the painting and waiting that it required, but with a LOW budget, and with the result I got, I'm excited to do more!
<p>
Here is the TV stand I painted for the kids' play room, just in case you were curious. :)
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Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-72637793681772136202014-01-15T10:23:00.001-08:002014-01-15T10:23:05.677-08:00Teaching Our Children About Real HeroesI want to start by saying that I love Disney and it's Princesses. We had Disneyland passes last year and Genny picked a different Princess dress to wear each time we went. We have the movies, we have the books. We pretend we're the Princesses, and we have the toys. With that disclaimer, I want to explain what I did in my kids' rooms.
<p>
I recently started following <a href="http://instagram.com/soynuriaperez">Nuria Perez</a> on Instagram, then found her blog. She blogs about adventures that she and her two daughters have together. A recent <a href="http://theadventuresarchive.com/why-you-should-create-a-panel-of-real-heroes-for-your-daughter/">blog</a> was on real live women heroes and why you should teach your daughter(s) about real live heroes in addition to learning about Disney Princesses. I loved her wall of female heroes she created for her daughters, and have been wanting to do something similar. Now that we've settled into our new house, I decided it was time. Then I thought, what about Glenn? Well, as it turns out, it's just as easy to find real male heroes as it was to copy the female heroes from the blog.
<p>
So behold! Our heroes that we will talk about and learn about. I didn't have six 8X10 frames to use for the project, but some sticky tack and page protectors worked out just fine.
<p>
Genny wanted to pose with her pictures, can you tell she's the shy one? ;) From left to right: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malala">Malala Yousafzai</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Carson">Rachel Carson</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Goodall">Jane Goodall</a>.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6yXiPGKXOwKKhFIMExmjEzAIXlU0XmnUqcfVCQiQ1lftid87stwASBD0io1DRttBtIPpkxMZp3J84FtUyRA3urF78XM5JfgPlR5KVmc4_QA9KEvJ3G4Lp2JePJOdMPsmK1iuIaWCk3c/s1600/DSC07972.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6yXiPGKXOwKKhFIMExmjEzAIXlU0XmnUqcfVCQiQ1lftid87stwASBD0io1DRttBtIPpkxMZp3J84FtUyRA3urF78XM5JfgPlR5KVmc4_QA9KEvJ3G4Lp2JePJOdMPsmK1iuIaWCk3c/s320/DSC07972.JPG" /></a>
<p>
I decided that since Glenn was still only three years old, I wanted his heroes to be out of reach. So they are above his dresser. From left to right: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln">Abraham Lincoln</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Mandela">Nelson Mandela</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wright_Brothers">The Wright Brothers</a>.<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcRMoXcqTdaUOvYy_f0876SV3aKkSlBbJQCIzrlMmujQ_o5VuCotWRQBZE_bLpjXnlt0AMbzsbLqb1PYHUl8dBdXUvEYLq8-Yf7MHgJGiLQyOm1gRzsqYULG6FVRkH_apr6OZCrGpma4/s1600/DSC07977.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcRMoXcqTdaUOvYy_f0876SV3aKkSlBbJQCIzrlMmujQ_o5VuCotWRQBZE_bLpjXnlt0AMbzsbLqb1PYHUl8dBdXUvEYLq8-Yf7MHgJGiLQyOm1gRzsqYULG6FVRkH_apr6OZCrGpma4/s320/DSC07977.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeghiatSgfCLPIe-IBqWEmoVV4oWVSDDndjrV4LoxodoSy0hvjU2QSHwvuEiobtos_B91SrqFW_1Usaa5htVkJUnLBIMSBpZluddNhYm9tBvurtzmN8nWle4u3x8GK-WywP8qkNDg24tA/s1600/DSC07978.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeghiatSgfCLPIe-IBqWEmoVV4oWVSDDndjrV4LoxodoSy0hvjU2QSHwvuEiobtos_B91SrqFW_1Usaa5htVkJUnLBIMSBpZluddNhYm9tBvurtzmN8nWle4u3x8GK-WywP8qkNDg24tA/s320/DSC07978.JPG" /></a>
<p>
Who would you pick to be on your child's hero wall?Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-7646875854356052852013-08-12T11:59:00.000-07:002013-08-12T11:59:41.571-07:00Painting My House (myself!)I didn't realize it until today, but when Thomas is tasked with something that takes him away from our little family for longer than a normal working day, I start planning. When he left for Afhanistan for the first time, I painted the nursery for my son. When he left for Afhanistan for the second time, I painted my sons current room. And now that he's made Chief, which starts with six weeks of long hours and overnight tasks, I decided to FINALY finish the outside of the house where we had the windows put in our master bedroom <i>a year and a half ago</i>.
<p>
It helps my motivation to live vicariously through my next door neighbors, who are getting their house ready to rent it out so they can move to the desert. I've always loved HGTV type discussions, programs, and seeing the finished project is always worth what ever it took to get there. So watching them paint their cabinets, and renovate other things, it makes me itch to improve my house in some way. It reminds me of a show I used to watch on HGTV where a couple would want to sell their house, but they had to do several (mostly minor) renovations to get it ready to sell. After they fixed up their house every single couple would say, "Wow, I almost don't want to leave anymore!" which is why they probably made the show Love it or List it. I always thought to myself, "If I keep my house nice enough to sell, then I'll always love it" But alas, day to day things get in the way of the greater picture and priorities shift from season to season, day to day. But here I am, with my priorities set to <i>upkeep of the house</i> mode. And I'm ready!
<p>
Don't get me wrong, I am all sorts of good at ignoring something that needs to be done. But then one day I'll get super motivated and want to do <i>everything</i> on my to-do list. <b>All of it</b>. So this weekend I decided I wanted to be happy with the way my house looked from the outside, and decided to fix and paint it. I know what you're thinking, <i>wow, Kari must be really handy!</i> Nope. I can't even use an electric screw driver. But I grabbed some ready-mix stucco and checked out youtube for some how-to videos, then went outside to look at the project at hand. If you didn't catch that, I didn't look at the project at hand until after I had bought the supplies and learned what I needed to learn on youtube. Classic Kari mistake. I got out there and saw that the only thing I needed to to was paint! How wonderful is that?! So I loaded up the kids (one still in jammies, none of us looking like we'd done anything except step out of bed and into the car) and returned the laith and stucco mix to HD and bought some paint. Then I psyched the kids up for the job on the way home, and they painted for about five minutes, then I finished the painting while they played. It was fantastic. It was wonderful. I am so happy that I did it! Five years in a house dreading the first time people come over because they'll see how ugly the house is, and all it took was $30 of paint and two hours.
<p>
I feel so accomplished. I feel like superwoman!
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoBKOP4njLJy1IWzcFaxjsTl4xXmkz8gmRDINz_u6K_EJAmIvp2Hzze5FTHfwgbO1F_t2DDqGZ03NDiS5axaSobjMstMnzVAPAfdnQm5jtyhWPq1C6mXAV5R_OVQEvtyqhsu6FyKza5U/s1600/DSC06934.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoBKOP4njLJy1IWzcFaxjsTl4xXmkz8gmRDINz_u6K_EJAmIvp2Hzze5FTHfwgbO1F_t2DDqGZ03NDiS5axaSobjMstMnzVAPAfdnQm5jtyhWPq1C6mXAV5R_OVQEvtyqhsu6FyKza5U/s320/DSC06934.JPG" /></a>
<p>It was pretty early when we left, I thought I'd give proof!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHY4fu24cdWLO-_dqh1RO6lIRNZstJw7IzX_lY70hDRvflIiJ5qrad1geDt2mQ-7VYCieQ04G01pNsV_eAuYLCmuFN8hqgfMY6j-wwnwYgPGA-JHu2e13cSWgGrdVVWUn0-0L1VH0EYhU/s1600/DSC06935.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHY4fu24cdWLO-_dqh1RO6lIRNZstJw7IzX_lY70hDRvflIiJ5qrad1geDt2mQ-7VYCieQ04G01pNsV_eAuYLCmuFN8hqgfMY6j-wwnwYgPGA-JHu2e13cSWgGrdVVWUn0-0L1VH0EYhU/s320/DSC06935.JPG" /></a>
<p>
Like I said, the kids had a blast for the first five minutes, but then they were over it.<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5p-ejFpnxZHd2rm5OTrgNyjsZ7SKIaXqOCBvrCUpen4jJOy-ODHpHwjnjkBa0sVp6zT-rSaTqiaHeHhMFoWeZriS4UbDoCN95fWJNVM9mnziaN5pFA40ISllur2_sEW3mKfMAMgJTX2A/s1600/DSC06938.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5p-ejFpnxZHd2rm5OTrgNyjsZ7SKIaXqOCBvrCUpen4jJOy-ODHpHwjnjkBa0sVp6zT-rSaTqiaHeHhMFoWeZriS4UbDoCN95fWJNVM9mnziaN5pFA40ISllur2_sEW3mKfMAMgJTX2A/s320/DSC06938.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0a7xuPacLH-4xYAskq6kPBTCzVXBr_0_lw85qdiTXedTIk17hiZEgRreGwekLVdBNEZ2L8sZMlkdQMtAj41fOtGoWK6kGuS4kZdOXSv2lfwNaTfIaIaaZpUrLWcB6qCPD_8xYq9XiXM/s1600/DSC06939.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0a7xuPacLH-4xYAskq6kPBTCzVXBr_0_lw85qdiTXedTIk17hiZEgRreGwekLVdBNEZ2L8sZMlkdQMtAj41fOtGoWK6kGuS4kZdOXSv2lfwNaTfIaIaaZpUrLWcB6qCPD_8xYq9XiXM/s320/DSC06939.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhFe0lpyc99yykQfslTXS1XPwiGaA8oPSUs_dzg4Ds5DhxlGIqDa04uDHZ1_YciyUnyD9mlppzEmA25wdM4cDqw2TlDmyJ75SXxezQpNw1KPzELKzTMu6FQsrvSePhVNfDqgCXckwDfo/s1600/DSC06940.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhFe0lpyc99yykQfslTXS1XPwiGaA8oPSUs_dzg4Ds5DhxlGIqDa04uDHZ1_YciyUnyD9mlppzEmA25wdM4cDqw2TlDmyJ75SXxezQpNw1KPzELKzTMu6FQsrvSePhVNfDqgCXckwDfo/s320/DSC06940.JPG" /></a>
<P>
No wonder I had random contractors knocking on my front door asking if I wanted my house painted or any work done. They would say, "I see you just had some windows put in, do you have anything else that needs to be done?" My reply would be, "Well, those windows were put in a year ago and we can't afford to have it finished. So no thank you, we can't afford anything right now."<P>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6l8P8aOLiTrqAa60fF0YltIxOUDzKY-elUzAeJaoCIj6nQILAjqlOtNn2uB6sM6FRWDpIOSBjgIW58Z2Mu-8sGHGmkVDvcT8I_S_QRS1dOYLVQGh7NPFUUJo-BewoQDqUfoyBSJgNJgQ/s1600/DSC06941.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6l8P8aOLiTrqAa60fF0YltIxOUDzKY-elUzAeJaoCIj6nQILAjqlOtNn2uB6sM6FRWDpIOSBjgIW58Z2Mu-8sGHGmkVDvcT8I_S_QRS1dOYLVQGh7NPFUUJo-BewoQDqUfoyBSJgNJgQ/s320/DSC06941.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAt9NrsI3s5xgDr4hRsUC1JvZWRuVP4yCfZ1RGxrTj7-l6XMLvpGcRmmih8pyMJatMdv20-51XbsLaiFXn-ohg1pEmkCktDVKy4KR9RVd0IMoKJxSV-4p9xbD-XIUXWR0E4CqiSeaTOQ/s1600/DSC06943.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAt9NrsI3s5xgDr4hRsUC1JvZWRuVP4yCfZ1RGxrTj7-l6XMLvpGcRmmih8pyMJatMdv20-51XbsLaiFXn-ohg1pEmkCktDVKy4KR9RVd0IMoKJxSV-4p9xbD-XIUXWR0E4CqiSeaTOQ/s320/DSC06943.JPG" /></a>
<p>
My companion once the kids left. He'd follow me into a lava pit if that's where I happened to be headed.<P>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQiKkQy_BhANL0eZ95OKH7t2KY5oZ7SB_YvYo4DeEP6i96ZH62GrAeuvt3RkqP000UCxr6uuhKStmPXoWbSRoxVjWyU_Ohzku_lHLRHDMTMr416wnaC0Y4fPuZpU0SG9V96yDn2K7bqU/s1600/DSC06944.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQiKkQy_BhANL0eZ95OKH7t2KY5oZ7SB_YvYo4DeEP6i96ZH62GrAeuvt3RkqP000UCxr6uuhKStmPXoWbSRoxVjWyU_Ohzku_lHLRHDMTMr416wnaC0Y4fPuZpU0SG9V96yDn2K7bqU/s320/DSC06944.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBnM6R-YFqM_rLaz1_taNtfQ7YdduE9viAXpIx0F4_2y_GDAepPlx984mo_hXyar0JGZ0HfoejJALeshpUm54vSCQRm1HytanPhgAp1aC4MX4Wf1ny0UPAbct85c7m1l65AuaYq6TrbY/s1600/DSC06945.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBnM6R-YFqM_rLaz1_taNtfQ7YdduE9viAXpIx0F4_2y_GDAepPlx984mo_hXyar0JGZ0HfoejJALeshpUm54vSCQRm1HytanPhgAp1aC4MX4Wf1ny0UPAbct85c7m1l65AuaYq6TrbY/s320/DSC06945.JPG" /></a>
<P>
I had enough paint to paint the spot under Glenn's window. It makes me more happy than a night on the town sans kids to have this looking better! (Do you see the guilty puppy? I wonder what he was up to when he realized I was watching...)<P>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NiiKRtPrVFCxqqi6FjhsnOvWz0y4Gu275A4Q9O9Jzgk6dwdw_zjUTQjAIkfKCMu8hdIGwW4m4kv6K5vb08PXflEXM3KwIy6BnDdP_1hZO_1B5Y8oUZ0g2Ocw-f8c2JbRO1moPbsuBeo/s1600/DSC06948.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NiiKRtPrVFCxqqi6FjhsnOvWz0y4Gu275A4Q9O9Jzgk6dwdw_zjUTQjAIkfKCMu8hdIGwW4m4kv6K5vb08PXflEXM3KwIy6BnDdP_1hZO_1B5Y8oUZ0g2Ocw-f8c2JbRO1moPbsuBeo/s320/DSC06948.JPG" /></a>
<p>
<p>
Below is the finished wall outside my bedroom! yay!!!<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqARDZub5o7S2860j96SUNkjHDYQmjBkzMk0wQTlGSqYs5T2leYYZduhjdIaIKBWsqWNaoo2qJRMgcA6J2lBrjFTR5jdKRg86uG5TYimabcBNPCTZfBTI8oar51hYOTtklA5I0Cbv2yx8/s1600/DSC06949.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqARDZub5o7S2860j96SUNkjHDYQmjBkzMk0wQTlGSqYs5T2leYYZduhjdIaIKBWsqWNaoo2qJRMgcA6J2lBrjFTR5jdKRg86uG5TYimabcBNPCTZfBTI8oar51hYOTtklA5I0Cbv2yx8/s320/DSC06949.JPG" /></a>
<p>
After a break and shower, we went outside in the sun room to do some <i>fun</i> painting. Well, fun painting if you're a three and five year old. Give me a roller, some paint and a wall and that's fun painting to me!
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstZ0bwlfdpIFHTyYup0JphH0LSmETGLrN8gvBbFtcpf3WBtizn-ll8ahoVweiJXf5pZ-ydwVGqDGN9j6U8aXMH8LMk9xhYK48QQudu9gh6iwuALCRRtiKqfzybLgPD7G1oEhNZrNWnxw/s1600/DSC06952.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstZ0bwlfdpIFHTyYup0JphH0LSmETGLrN8gvBbFtcpf3WBtizn-ll8ahoVweiJXf5pZ-ydwVGqDGN9j6U8aXMH8LMk9xhYK48QQudu9gh6iwuALCRRtiKqfzybLgPD7G1oEhNZrNWnxw/s320/DSC06952.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLlr8jwdiZF70UcpmKODj2HeuqZhdVNaKTV0q3T78VeRiU0_rLfYyIXm9xqQ0FgKGfP-S8ndSHC5op2ewsXBVpCzjLsoI4xb9NMFMKZclcAN3YZPzJkj_lWS7cNqCakqJWWqHo6_8GvU/s1600/DSC06954.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLlr8jwdiZF70UcpmKODj2HeuqZhdVNaKTV0q3T78VeRiU0_rLfYyIXm9xqQ0FgKGfP-S8ndSHC5op2ewsXBVpCzjLsoI4xb9NMFMKZclcAN3YZPzJkj_lWS7cNqCakqJWWqHo6_8GvU/s320/DSC06954.JPG" /></a>
<p>
Below you will see two pictures progressing from Genny showing Glenn her painting, to Glenn getting an unwanted, unboyish streak of pink paint in his hair.<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZWyKZ9u6lEaRMd3sxDR1ijf8CGLUlEvxq8woSj2ea-x6goP0dNPA9ZxyGR8dmLUrhOgyQX5Cl-x32ycbYRAc3Q7rvAytNuO4zeptYMdGSqw1ZPIRYlJFuSqU5QDqB8qMxmioRlPiTv4/s1600/DSC06955.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZWyKZ9u6lEaRMd3sxDR1ijf8CGLUlEvxq8woSj2ea-x6goP0dNPA9ZxyGR8dmLUrhOgyQX5Cl-x32ycbYRAc3Q7rvAytNuO4zeptYMdGSqw1ZPIRYlJFuSqU5QDqB8qMxmioRlPiTv4/s320/DSC06955.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoXDGFIA3nJXHcX6dmMn7oBU-VreVFRPGsY5N3fE3PtUFXrpQZsDEzUM01zbshIGO1iXDRN-bpVvmx96sTmwHvuSfurxYZeNWQY7jGk85hiBART2Z28c_CyPGnyqDtxirCD717C2dO10/s1600/DSC06956.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoXDGFIA3nJXHcX6dmMn7oBU-VreVFRPGsY5N3fE3PtUFXrpQZsDEzUM01zbshIGO1iXDRN-bpVvmx96sTmwHvuSfurxYZeNWQY7jGk85hiBART2Z28c_CyPGnyqDtxirCD717C2dO10/s320/DSC06956.JPG" /></a>
<p>
But all is well when you can't see said pink hair, and you have green paint on your finger.<P>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqzCOM8VOvnNevZsUA2fWhLCp3H6dX_3Vv23rId7QD3gIxGBtdZbDS60hzk-q38TvVc_1F9qp5g0AzXMqBqXFg0g0h7RyPJNbYw5qHObdKZqP2CBdUW5DD9D67uC7ORnYP69UglJo-Ug/s1600/DSC06961.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqzCOM8VOvnNevZsUA2fWhLCp3H6dX_3Vv23rId7QD3gIxGBtdZbDS60hzk-q38TvVc_1F9qp5g0AzXMqBqXFg0g0h7RyPJNbYw5qHObdKZqP2CBdUW5DD9D67uC7ORnYP69UglJo-Ug/s320/DSC06961.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgD5lri7oAf-_9BrLwIEmWJHNcboJRY62dmz593IfJjaA3uR_yfGH_84sdoRrlhwTnrNxWu90suE_FWYEb3sdA_Se0v5_qcnOJiqdofHXmkjLJDrE9vN8Lj2MbCZX2B1JHhMuh4pwdSGc/s1600/DSC06962.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgD5lri7oAf-_9BrLwIEmWJHNcboJRY62dmz593IfJjaA3uR_yfGH_84sdoRrlhwTnrNxWu90suE_FWYEb3sdA_Se0v5_qcnOJiqdofHXmkjLJDrE9vN8Lj2MbCZX2B1JHhMuh4pwdSGc/s320/DSC06962.JPG" /></a>
<p>
Don't worry, that's my coffee. We don't start caffeine intake around here until you're at least in first grade...
<p>
Another project I've started, Aaralynne's quilt. It will be her birthday/Christmas present this year and I can't wait to finish it and give it to her!
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipS5RkRvfOB6p7lHUZ7sSXrBPYhwyiCZoWTBuYj-yMCEoUwdqzkstjaA099hK1ly5dXRgPC1qb5UNx5EFZrFNVNQoNp7s3Wqy8jTuBHRJyf6UQ_LU42qhq7nuzg6DnM0eIOeY0ZUMLhEE/s1600/DSC06963.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipS5RkRvfOB6p7lHUZ7sSXrBPYhwyiCZoWTBuYj-yMCEoUwdqzkstjaA099hK1ly5dXRgPC1qb5UNx5EFZrFNVNQoNp7s3Wqy8jTuBHRJyf6UQ_LU42qhq7nuzg6DnM0eIOeY0ZUMLhEE/s320/DSC06963.JPG" /></a>
<p>
Have a good week everyone!Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-20038063154786231242013-07-24T13:03:00.001-07:002013-07-24T13:22:53.887-07:00Family Road Trip with a 3 and 5 year oldWe did it! We went on a three week road trip as a family. This included myself, my husband, my three year old son, and my five year old daughter. We were so happy and blessed to be able to see almost every living family member in both of our families, and we saw some fun sights along the way. One of the tricks we used was driving our long drives at night. An example would be our first leg, where we left our house in Oceanside, CA at about 9am, drove to Phoenix, AZ and spent about six hours with my aunt and uncle, then left Phoenix at about 10:30pm (we put the kids to bed, then transferred them to the car) and drove to Clovis, NM.
<p>
On the nights following a drive-through-the-night we slept in a bed. I know what you're thinking, <i>there is no way I could drive through the night</i> but we knew that our young kids would be bored to pieces if we drove the long hours during the day, and since we are still fairly young parents (I'm 32 and my husband is 29) we knew that we could survive on six hours of sleep a piece and preferred to be a little tired rather than have screaming crying kids who want OUT of the car.
<p>
Since we recently downgraded to a smaller car (we went from a Ford Freestyle which has three rows to a Volkswagon Jetta Sport Wagon which has two rows) we realized that space was going to be a big issue and my husband wanted to utilize the luggage rack and put our soft carrier on top of the car. Now, I'm not a materialistic person, but the new feature of a full-length sunroof was such an exciting new thing to me that I didn't want to use the carrier. And I'll go ahead and pretend that I knew that adding the carrier would cut down on our mpg... Yah... We'll say I knew that.
<p>
Packing was hard because Thomas and I are both over packers, plus I knew we'd be picking up stuff along the way, but I made a plan and stuck to it. Here is my packing list:
<p>
<b>Packing List:</b>
<p>
5 outfits for each of us<p>
4 jammies for the kids, 2 for the adults<p>
1 sweatshirt for each of us<p>
3 pair of socks for each kid <p>
2 running outfits for each adult<p>
1 wedding outfit for each of us<p>
2 pair shoes for each of us<p>
1 swimsuit for each of us<p>
Genny's cathing supplies<p>
Genny's enema supplies<p>
3 beach towels<p>
Sunscreen<p>
Toiletries (I didn't pack things I knew our relatives would have like q-tips, hair dryer, etc)<p>
Books and Kindle <p>
2 computers<p>
2 divided plates (this helped out with crafts and also eating)<p>
Large soft lunch bag for cold items such as veggies and fruit<p>
Food bag with: bagels, almond milk, chips, pretzels, variety packs of crackers, candy, and several 1 liter water bottles<p>
Ear plugs, sleep mask and neck pillow<p>
3 throw-size blankets<p>
2 pillow pets<p>
<p><p>
<p>
<p>
I put like items in bags, I used handled grocery bags so I could tie the handles making the contents stay in better. My bags included: shoes, kids clothes, adult clothes, jammies. I also used smaller <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/123107309/ready-to-ship-produce-bags-set-of-two">drawstring bags</a>, one for adult undies and one for kids undies and socks. I used one <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/79975337/ready-to-ship-extra-large-wet-bag-in?ref=shop_home_active">wet bag</a> for our running stuff and an one for swimsuits. It was nice to have everything separated because it was easier to find and pack. We had a 24 hour bag which had cathing stuff for Genny, one pair of undies for each child, an outfit for each child and jammies for all of us. I also had two bags for dirty clothes, which is a must-have in my opinion. I don't have a link for those bags, but I've been making them and giving them to anyone who sponsors my <a href="http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2013/SanDiegoEvent2013?px=6888220&pg=personal&fr_id=1818">Three Day Breast Cancer Walk</a>.
<p><p>
<b>Things to keep us busy while driving:</b><p>
Leap pads<p>
DVD players, DVDs and headphones for the kids (the headphones were the best idea of all)<p>
Paper, new coloring books, stickers, and crayons<p>
<p>
<p>
<p>
It turns out that almost everywhere we stopped, our hosts had something to give the kids for the trip. Some gave stickers, some gave stuffed animals, and my sister topped them all with a bag of items including <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-57-4415-Modeling-Compound-Pouches/dp/B000NP9LUM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1374694210&sr=8-2&keywords=crayola+dough">Crayola Model Magic</a> which is similar to play dough, but it doesn't crumble. I also bought small packs of beads and elastic string which was a big hit the 2nd to last travel day when we woke up at the Grand Canyon and ended up back at my aunt and uncle's house in Phoenix.<p>
The thing that was the most stressful was putting together the itinerary. Once that was done, I typed it up and sent it out to everyone on my e-mail list that was in the area we were visiting. Thomas and I have wonderful family that open their doors for us if we're in the area, and it was great to spend time with them all. We are so happy we went on this trip, and if you have any questions that I didn't answer, please feel free to comment below.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyAiLInAudnO3F_gukFC4yDSFZ2mRceWmTnR8B_KvH1jD4uoWOBOmaKE2BMzcn15Ex9Ho2qjU95t7_Odef3Cj2C56ZI_j65IFvaAoy1mcPIOTK3iz2xIMQtjGpK-uCJ6XdMKCGCndjzg/s1600/DSC06309.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyAiLInAudnO3F_gukFC4yDSFZ2mRceWmTnR8B_KvH1jD4uoWOBOmaKE2BMzcn15Ex9Ho2qjU95t7_Odef3Cj2C56ZI_j65IFvaAoy1mcPIOTK3iz2xIMQtjGpK-uCJ6XdMKCGCndjzg/s320/DSC06309.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YI_HdctMD4RcRVWJdC-a3PCNsZDBVaTGT2QsUUjhmlmY7ZYeuF_yI9MjADz4V7D0AMqZHXl-1g9JE4dMDQ7FcHt_g5sOsUo68hLAm-fuJKXBgCSUpk7Hadl_XNH6g8seG3AZPYZjbUU/s1600/DSC06328.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2YI_HdctMD4RcRVWJdC-a3PCNsZDBVaTGT2QsUUjhmlmY7ZYeuF_yI9MjADz4V7D0AMqZHXl-1g9JE4dMDQ7FcHt_g5sOsUo68hLAm-fuJKXBgCSUpk7Hadl_XNH6g8seG3AZPYZjbUU/s320/DSC06328.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdD-6C-wirHLOG42PF07nqdd99-doJexn4PqkVCVsTj6vu_H8Zge4ah4UjXA1ey8FCpMACj1eZq3PssHYd3DHoqd_6dzrS22Lh2ZhR5Bun3FO0D3iJhb4XhEXUrLy_WfzL_x-7Vu0KjM/s1600/DSC06353.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdD-6C-wirHLOG42PF07nqdd99-doJexn4PqkVCVsTj6vu_H8Zge4ah4UjXA1ey8FCpMACj1eZq3PssHYd3DHoqd_6dzrS22Lh2ZhR5Bun3FO0D3iJhb4XhEXUrLy_WfzL_x-7Vu0KjM/s320/DSC06353.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-huOk_N0SulqwaTk8GtNeVxtX8HWaa6FlKb3bKZ7P677c9j-gjI-B6mR708bfQk4fbnQd8l1OK7bJ0YxhV7iO4Ns3lRBqHdz3nmCKYR8liYSI_Oqwpw4nPFlWtgs6XoYvwM2j31_u0w/s1600/DSC06358.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" 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Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-2838696227394159332013-07-22T22:54:00.000-07:002013-07-24T13:22:40.263-07:00For my daughterMy darling Genny, you are growing up. I knew this would come, and that as you grew you would become more and more independent, but as happy as I am that you are able to achieve milestones every day, I still think of you as my baby, my precious baby that I couldn't wait to hold. Two whole days of waiting to hold you as you lay in the NICU a hospital miles away from me. Maybe this is why I cherish these snuggles even more now, now that you're getting older and less likely to plop down on my lap where I'm sitting and lay your head on me. But this afternoon you let me remember, let me hold you the way we've always done.
<p>
This afternoon you put your arms around me and rest your head on my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around you, our bodies forming to each other. I hear your breathing, something that every mother must cherish. I hear your soft grunts as you reposition yourself to mould better to my embrace. The slight catch in your breath as you shift your head on my shoulder. These creaks in your breathing are more special to me than any of the compliments I get from strangers about you. They remind me that you are mine, that you are my child and that you need me. I need you in the same way that you need me. Your determined stubourness is lost here, with your head on my shoulder. You’ve lost your power or perhaps don’t care to fight for it. I am your mother, you are my child. I will let you put your face in my neck anytime you want, and hope that you will when you’re wanting me to be a simple answer to your craving for comfort.
<p>
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhFBmkRDio8HaDXp5AtZKwOdDELEQaRoLpPuEvGOveYe3GA9My_GgrmNPuYuxKL_PUylwQBRMg5xQ-3Gw9-5tL3S634Dx6OPS3edattE26e9icbCv8dydaCiF__DUxymUPrVqAWJBbRY/s1600/DSC06311.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhFBmkRDio8HaDXp5AtZKwOdDELEQaRoLpPuEvGOveYe3GA9My_GgrmNPuYuxKL_PUylwQBRMg5xQ-3Gw9-5tL3S634Dx6OPS3edattE26e9icbCv8dydaCiF__DUxymUPrVqAWJBbRY/s320/DSC06311.jpg" /></a>
Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-68065297417125850172013-06-16T08:55:00.001-07:002013-06-16T08:59:23.474-07:00Summer Bucket List: A Walk Through Downtown Carlsbad After reading a post by <a href="http://www.kellehampton.com/">Kelle Hampton</a> about staying on Mackinac Island and deciding to take her kids out in their jammies after dinner to stroll the streets, I thought to myself, <i>we live in one of the best areas of the country to do that, we should TOTALLY do that!</i> So last night at dinner I thought about our day, and it had consisted of a lot of errands. We spent the morning running around, telling the kids that we had to hurry, and in all essence, making them conform to our needs. I don't like making the kids conform to our schedule all day long, kids aren't built for that. They need time to explore, to play, to try things out and see what happens. It doesn't flex the muscles in their brains to sit in a car going from place to place, getting out of the car, then being told not to touch things and to quiet down, then getting back into the car to go to another place where they will be told not to touch things and to quiet down. So after dinner last night, we were off, PJ's in the car and sweatshirts packed in case it was cool. We drove to downtown <a href="http://www.carlsbadca.gov/Pages/default.aspx">Carlsbad</a> where we walked and looked. The kids touched things and shouted in excitement. It made me feel good to bring them here, and I told Thomas that exploring the coastal towns near us after dinner should be on our summer bucket list. Hopefully my kids will have slices of memory from these explorations of our area, remembering the cool salty air or the music we danced to in the parking lot. Maybe they will just get a smile on their faces when they are older and spend their twilight hour walking along the streets of a coastal community, not knowing where that smile is from, but feeling joy anyway. Maybe that's why it makes me happy; my family had a boat and we spent summers at the marina or out on the water. I'm sure that's why I've always found happiness near the water, seeking it out when I feel sad or in need of guidance. The water makes me calm and happy. I hope that my children feel the same way. <p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5jtsT_JdHcj5aKCCS9ka9aTVaihGjAaqP6S83VXeN-RbH6zqPMd2nCbpWaHzWKZ-_NbXfhezbNWdPSaG3QlpKBbHsDt5aciZ6Oswq6cs7Qd2mgcvFV1bnRwBWxm2NpuhTLFhqr5fnZY/s1600/DSC06242.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5jtsT_JdHcj5aKCCS9ka9aTVaihGjAaqP6S83VXeN-RbH6zqPMd2nCbpWaHzWKZ-_NbXfhezbNWdPSaG3QlpKBbHsDt5aciZ6Oswq6cs7Qd2mgcvFV1bnRwBWxm2NpuhTLFhqr5fnZY/s320/DSC06242.JPG" /></a>
<p>
It was a nice evening, probably in the mid 70's. We parked off Rosevelt and didn't have a plan, just strolled.<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXc8oL2H7qQlKhjBtHcV9UGFdZtue3u4R_7633rSI8bweRrjXRdHE8Fue65XvKre1zqX96SdIbyQAlE8FmvnWUqSR1e0MXzSUkkZYbdF2B9dQvDWn5AwMzYoky5yH8xBJTtoRJMpkakc/s1600/DSC06243.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXc8oL2H7qQlKhjBtHcV9UGFdZtue3u4R_7633rSI8bweRrjXRdHE8Fue65XvKre1zqX96SdIbyQAlE8FmvnWUqSR1e0MXzSUkkZYbdF2B9dQvDWn5AwMzYoky5yH8xBJTtoRJMpkakc/s320/DSC06243.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CeALhCEvoy7hGxMCBrjdU_F9-1MxRMtXkTiI9hN-vh0mIwtsYrHWvSx3GWhD2RQgIl4eRkYPAH_bVqg1DUn2bVAHmXP6PdrjCMUYW9AxRBMqqd7ldf2jQ6H-PyYYGZ5Q-MkOdUoOQqI/s1600/DSC06244.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CeALhCEvoy7hGxMCBrjdU_F9-1MxRMtXkTiI9hN-vh0mIwtsYrHWvSx3GWhD2RQgIl4eRkYPAH_bVqg1DUn2bVAHmXP6PdrjCMUYW9AxRBMqqd7ldf2jQ6H-PyYYGZ5Q-MkOdUoOQqI/s320/DSC06244.JPG" /></a>
<p>
We looked in shop windows and sat on the ledge of a fountain named after a man named Glenn something.<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUE2Kvp6f6JbABbjzJ67ATZUmDlYGp6_R3RM2qaI0oqZieHW1aFfRcoG0fwVQ-CAXraOjZPKHCiNY0zwBVQ-JmxSE3VYM6cW0joSTRSOCB2S-hSftn2OTtlUk4XUp66WVwkyiNQM0CYxY/s1600/DSC06245.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUE2Kvp6f6JbABbjzJ67ATZUmDlYGp6_R3RM2qaI0oqZieHW1aFfRcoG0fwVQ-CAXraOjZPKHCiNY0zwBVQ-JmxSE3VYM6cW0joSTRSOCB2S-hSftn2OTtlUk4XUp66WVwkyiNQM0CYxY/s320/DSC06245.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sU4RyL9-cwlHmd9k10oHFVhKxRaEYY9s05mP2xStQtcOS8I8C9PChnkB79bpYFE70PqYrAkpTcaaPYl0k01rn5VJwupIJPe84ddvJFMAcGkTSRe4GTZ1aXHJX0BHMMSTF-oy58zSsEQ/s1600/DSC06249.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sU4RyL9-cwlHmd9k10oHFVhKxRaEYY9s05mP2xStQtcOS8I8C9PChnkB79bpYFE70PqYrAkpTcaaPYl0k01rn5VJwupIJPe84ddvJFMAcGkTSRe4GTZ1aXHJX0BHMMSTF-oy58zSsEQ/s320/DSC06249.JPG" /></a>
<p>
We waited to cross at an intersection and Genny talked to the cross walk because it talked to her.<P>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0PASZLFxiK482w-bCjLOiu0GAqd2sdOtpl6F9n3F-2f6dMznBs6spqt8LpeEVCV09fSaeg9SX582DH6dNmV7c-AK5-iEid1VQmB2vahWF4D6WsmR-ApbbXx5GGY8gbOe2mSBN9aMmBQ/s1600/DSC06251.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0PASZLFxiK482w-bCjLOiu0GAqd2sdOtpl6F9n3F-2f6dMznBs6spqt8LpeEVCV09fSaeg9SX582DH6dNmV7c-AK5-iEid1VQmB2vahWF4D6WsmR-ApbbXx5GGY8gbOe2mSBN9aMmBQ/s320/DSC06251.JPG" /></a>
<p>
Thomas was talking to his dad for most of our walk, but I know he enjoyed it too.<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8qZenQhvnZgx21KOBbwVvfIpRwqCbVGKo9PD9XhjmblT5H5OU3l1WbgyE5sYPo7DGVLDWfSjvWgykI0Wwu2WEfFfXm8y7VBvWItyxr1U9GtKWtNjKZfbiH86xIW1rBvE_xZdCvj7mJg/s1600/DSC06252.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8qZenQhvnZgx21KOBbwVvfIpRwqCbVGKo9PD9XhjmblT5H5OU3l1WbgyE5sYPo7DGVLDWfSjvWgykI0Wwu2WEfFfXm8y7VBvWItyxr1U9GtKWtNjKZfbiH86xIW1rBvE_xZdCvj7mJg/s320/DSC06252.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vnyZ0uNZcsYJL_ng8rzHaUarRC7-prZy7zWMZ68jTajdYSW179pgmz8FmkdVuKIQU-vNEHANKlS8RnzfZxPQ9VNw43MIiEvwWbTrevhPz8yIX5Frq__fFJdRcRje7kjRKBgP-69ejyc/s1600/DSC06254.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vnyZ0uNZcsYJL_ng8rzHaUarRC7-prZy7zWMZ68jTajdYSW179pgmz8FmkdVuKIQU-vNEHANKlS8RnzfZxPQ9VNw43MIiEvwWbTrevhPz8yIX5Frq__fFJdRcRje7kjRKBgP-69ejyc/s320/DSC06254.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnMcX0u2Bl35FMCAG-z_KNtmxQxCepBcAZj_2ko9QAHkRyb6h205l0IlWcBAlAdkdTK8pS0kqP73OcEfP-PFABtkgd95IkSEJjVDxqIrj4PQp0WUFpIknnalP8bSyFUcPv5GT3zCWRsk/s1600/DSC06258.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnMcX0u2Bl35FMCAG-z_KNtmxQxCepBcAZj_2ko9QAHkRyb6h205l0IlWcBAlAdkdTK8pS0kqP73OcEfP-PFABtkgd95IkSEJjVDxqIrj4PQp0WUFpIknnalP8bSyFUcPv5GT3zCWRsk/s320/DSC06258.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguC2rXVbz8NIaZp78Z0gOS8dd5phvWaS7kmg2ND7xCOcqgJ1inHZzKJmBup8DlD7pGiC3V9yvuyAkU8uFomkUWis4X0Vh2ReFNLxMpcc6yDVkrgIdRgDMav2j6aZ2xdbXeMF97Nv9sHtI/s1600/DSC06260.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguC2rXVbz8NIaZp78Z0gOS8dd5phvWaS7kmg2ND7xCOcqgJ1inHZzKJmBup8DlD7pGiC3V9yvuyAkU8uFomkUWis4X0Vh2ReFNLxMpcc6yDVkrgIdRgDMav2j6aZ2xdbXeMF97Nv9sHtI/s320/DSC06260.JPG" /></a>
<p>
We found a small plot that had a red phone booth and a rose garden with a path. The kids ran around and talked on the phone, which, if you're a three year old or a five year old, is <i>very</i> cool.<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoQ3E5tk6bxLCuAEoBU5cDPONRIvtl6LT53RkW9R4PV8EHJxarMVaqcJsTgSr-626SHJNMpTRZwJ7pIrjDDJ1WA2JOTlVk3cJ6Ub5pBTCW82Dp-c7Frs2i_yEl8Dga8f-EDAYrp-_aHY/s1600/DSC06262.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoQ3E5tk6bxLCuAEoBU5cDPONRIvtl6LT53RkW9R4PV8EHJxarMVaqcJsTgSr-626SHJNMpTRZwJ7pIrjDDJ1WA2JOTlVk3cJ6Ub5pBTCW82Dp-c7Frs2i_yEl8Dga8f-EDAYrp-_aHY/s320/DSC06262.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgf-Dt8vHQ_JGzPoyBjuRXwFlOZhGih0o3x_MHCK9_HURI0YPYn7ZtDnkUCAdrogfceNCqcCv_2Kg6jrsZvFZDao8_ltlevFaywnwi465QSuaogUgcbuwfpnhhlJRFupaWApXPdzw4T6M/s1600/DSC06264.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgf-Dt8vHQ_JGzPoyBjuRXwFlOZhGih0o3x_MHCK9_HURI0YPYn7ZtDnkUCAdrogfceNCqcCv_2Kg6jrsZvFZDao8_ltlevFaywnwi465QSuaogUgcbuwfpnhhlJRFupaWApXPdzw4T6M/s320/DSC06264.JPG" /></a>
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<p>
We stopped for ice cream...<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImAXK9ipjc_y_X0mfUnfEqD-r5VI7dW8OcnOEbkBxwbFZwXnYqjbxvfmNaDRWlm5cFgP2VQ3itnrKQQhvmYQRgGtlwqfwC6JrUke3lnUrt92n4v_qSOXRQMSYjjG-WnSz5DQBt6iZm7M/s1600/DSC06268.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImAXK9ipjc_y_X0mfUnfEqD-r5VI7dW8OcnOEbkBxwbFZwXnYqjbxvfmNaDRWlm5cFgP2VQ3itnrKQQhvmYQRgGtlwqfwC6JrUke3lnUrt92n4v_qSOXRQMSYjjG-WnSz5DQBt6iZm7M/s320/DSC06268.JPG" /></a>
<p>
And ended the walk looking at a painting on a building.<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7rNdCEX3shhyphenhyphenZjHyODzRXmLDiKAKZdv57u8aCw_3HNDEMNi4CvvY4sWxdWpQXjzMocrUuSy0Od4i7qNZS40xPgSGhAEkvY806DpThaQVpz7GZSGXaFwxVFpC5y3HLa1fWVLuE2Gr_IA/s1600/DSC06269.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7rNdCEX3shhyphenhyphenZjHyODzRXmLDiKAKZdv57u8aCw_3HNDEMNi4CvvY4sWxdWpQXjzMocrUuSy0Od4i7qNZS40xPgSGhAEkvY806DpThaQVpz7GZSGXaFwxVFpC5y3HLa1fWVLuE2Gr_IA/s320/DSC06269.JPG" /></a>
<p>
I'm still smiling from our walk.Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-15023618849682103632013-06-13T17:02:00.001-07:002013-06-13T17:02:50.330-07:00Car Organizer TutorialWe are about to embark on a three week family vacation that will take us from San Diego, to South Carolina, to Michigan, then back to San Diego. As soon as I realized we were actually going to do this, my mind started listing things I wanted us to have to help things go smoother. So for the last few weeks I've been trying to sew everything I feel we need to help us stay organized, which will in turn keep my stress levels lower. This car organizer was one of the more complicated projects and I'm glad it's done. I made some mistakes, but hopefully my tutorial will help you to avoid them if you decide to make these.
<p>
I started off by measuring the back of the front seats of our car. I added an inch to the length and width when cutting the white fabric.
<p>
Materials:<p>
base fabric (I used white)<p>
pocket fabric (I used the chevron)<P>
coordinating thread<p>
snap press (if you have one, if not, don't worry about it)<p>
It's helpful to have a cutting mat, rotary cutter and clear ruler for accurate cutting<p>
I chose very cheap cotton fabric for my base. Since I was using a twill for the pocket fabrics, I needed to add some strength to the fabric. I could have used interfacing, but I had batting left over from another project, so I used that instead.<p>
I cut the base fabric and batting first. I wanted to have a visual of what the pockets would be on when I started cutting them. So I sewed the base fabric to the batting.<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHO0kSVTXlubKv-Qw-ZuMKmnwPsNMzLTxt-V3ebzkf2U28GUx1i3j1A5SlyvBiJKas9_q6kVdGM_yyuzkHM1FEvO8C9dFafRB8bNkPs8P9l6gijubLpXxLq_uSuASV_efrAOztcKJiuhI/s1600/DSC06200.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHO0kSVTXlubKv-Qw-ZuMKmnwPsNMzLTxt-V3ebzkf2U28GUx1i3j1A5SlyvBiJKas9_q6kVdGM_yyuzkHM1FEvO8C9dFafRB8bNkPs8P9l6gijubLpXxLq_uSuASV_efrAOztcKJiuhI/s320/DSC06200.JPG" /></a>
<p>
Then I measured the pockets. I cut both the chevron and white fabric, then sewed them right sides together, turning them right side out and pinning the opening closed when I was done.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA09Ggf15I8b0ntHOm6EpzdPy4r3cQ0Apu1Hn5ruuWcgqFmXs0itgTlLC5G1mLIOqr-fKw4ltNaEqDrP5EPfWVKMdYFifTfIlidI3ObK5f2SHJ1lZ-BYdO0aWXKuIZHnSW4k510-u13GA/s1600/DSC06202.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA09Ggf15I8b0ntHOm6EpzdPy4r3cQ0Apu1Hn5ruuWcgqFmXs0itgTlLC5G1mLIOqr-fKw4ltNaEqDrP5EPfWVKMdYFifTfIlidI3ObK5f2SHJ1lZ-BYdO0aWXKuIZHnSW4k510-u13GA/s320/DSC06202.JPG" /></a>
<p>
One of the mistakes I made was trying to put the elastic for the cup pocket in while sewing the right sides together. If I was to do it over again, I would sew the elastic onto the right side of the base fabric AFTER I had turned the square right side out. Then sewing the pocket to the base would have been much prettier and easier too.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Rdpuwep6rpkRp9r521zTEDxbXLTrm2MOI5Ut3Iye1HiPiDLgubycpftMbCIOYmhQXDErRbfJVU-mF8MBdh9F7dCnHdPK5Ut3PP3r-pooAnqNVhBjj0M3daaLSmW5PczwH1rdIqy5Www/s1600/DSC06203.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Rdpuwep6rpkRp9r521zTEDxbXLTrm2MOI5Ut3Iye1HiPiDLgubycpftMbCIOYmhQXDErRbfJVU-mF8MBdh9F7dCnHdPK5Ut3PP3r-pooAnqNVhBjj0M3daaLSmW5PczwH1rdIqy5Www/s320/DSC06203.JPG" /></a>
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1M6Cm3JsIcKKm4SsU1CEGvxE28LRzxB9PJXkg_XDk4BqYxIYz1Q9i4w6lA-c2NwlAseCdAhcwO5WO2Q8KPHM_wFZSj0nk-1CU3amRpSnBF1FYmBXHkXo_3hnay81H8SxEQTQP8WjtnB8/s1600/DSC06204.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1M6Cm3JsIcKKm4SsU1CEGvxE28LRzxB9PJXkg_XDk4BqYxIYz1Q9i4w6lA-c2NwlAseCdAhcwO5WO2Q8KPHM_wFZSj0nk-1CU3amRpSnBF1FYmBXHkXo_3hnay81H8SxEQTQP8WjtnB8/s320/DSC06204.JPG" /></a>
<p>
When decided on the measurements for my pockets, I focussed on having a pocket for their cups first, then knew I wanted a lower large pocket, and just kind of filled in the space that was left.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0e0mddDaCH6Ec7VAom5_7X_JtlvkIOSB0Pd1bTZXXgTd7wNWLDoUq1N9VMic-Lv7z4ZJS44NONPOrA1RGpyuOUnvN0NBk1a1D5k2k2TTVrOMXrHJx4NtdUxT4REQfgedh7iNmzwxm_w/s1600/DSC06206.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0e0mddDaCH6Ec7VAom5_7X_JtlvkIOSB0Pd1bTZXXgTd7wNWLDoUq1N9VMic-Lv7z4ZJS44NONPOrA1RGpyuOUnvN0NBk1a1D5k2k2TTVrOMXrHJx4NtdUxT4REQfgedh7iNmzwxm_w/s320/DSC06206.JPG" /></a>
<p>
After I had sewn all the pockets, I laid them out on the cutting matt.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbRRg43GyiGqXJMqHqOXXpUmazzGgHxd7vBDOreeSZ41jyczDfiAXotTZ47QmcufqpgbGcRvrBhWYxBEEQ9tyO2WLtbXU5al4xpLt-qGeZIxQAH4tKEQtxsKffrdfimkfLVmR7zZmLRQ/s1600/DSC06207.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbRRg43GyiGqXJMqHqOXXpUmazzGgHxd7vBDOreeSZ41jyczDfiAXotTZ47QmcufqpgbGcRvrBhWYxBEEQ9tyO2WLtbXU5al4xpLt-qGeZIxQAH4tKEQtxsKffrdfimkfLVmR7zZmLRQ/s320/DSC06207.JPG" /></a>
<p>
Then I pinned them down and sewed them.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlSDMd5MKco0s_gRcVKJ8SKr2wHdm0l1gXQq90HAOextYlmXwlo5pFFhiD9MqvDcccNprIrXHCN0Vgvc8t4ltr1-LyvDkH11W9XpIruzkIhx9db0PNAi0Iv1IHaozn9XphLAmsJDvYlQ/s1600/DSC06208.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlSDMd5MKco0s_gRcVKJ8SKr2wHdm0l1gXQq90HAOextYlmXwlo5pFFhiD9MqvDcccNprIrXHCN0Vgvc8t4ltr1-LyvDkH11W9XpIruzkIhx9db0PNAi0Iv1IHaozn9XphLAmsJDvYlQ/s320/DSC06208.JPG" /></a>
<p>
I added a strap to loop around the head rest. It's placed wrong in this picture, it should be pinned to the pocket-side and hanging down. I put the end of the strap in one of the pockets so it stayed out of the way while sewing.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsWmipsAUJ8MwNCKVhynW2yKdcIzepcmjsvZ-IeDO2KG-mkOhBfVe268xPb1Gvo3sOIlaucJHN9Mb1bjAd4SHdl7Ay-5Ycdx3CTxiaGFOBwsgXuXUTkpyBpdy_Rq9BveRjXJy4cL0YHs/s1600/DSC06209.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsWmipsAUJ8MwNCKVhynW2yKdcIzepcmjsvZ-IeDO2KG-mkOhBfVe268xPb1Gvo3sOIlaucJHN9Mb1bjAd4SHdl7Ay-5Ycdx3CTxiaGFOBwsgXuXUTkpyBpdy_Rq9BveRjXJy4cL0YHs/s320/DSC06209.JPG" /></a>
<p>
I put the second base fabric on top of the pockets, then pinned it down. I'm not an over-pinner, but for this I made sure there were plenty of pins.<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGBMkFSJlQWnJa-44jk7rOgyciUFUoHj86JGXjqAixoJWFLSOcyW6Jyip-RcYKgH_Iz2ORRQ_Mglv2ajqbBVXxXjK0ue8120oWh3MLOOXFo9tO3KeQ0jxccb-Y2W9FyIvynUyLOGch7A/s1600/DSC06210.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGBMkFSJlQWnJa-44jk7rOgyciUFUoHj86JGXjqAixoJWFLSOcyW6Jyip-RcYKgH_Iz2ORRQ_Mglv2ajqbBVXxXjK0ue8120oWh3MLOOXFo9tO3KeQ0jxccb-Y2W9FyIvynUyLOGch7A/s320/DSC06210.JPG" /></a>
<p>
I made sure to go over the strap several times to make sure it was secure.<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcdgfhNGtLNcSvG4yhs8BmNucF9PyrTkO4uK5zQkUFoTnn_sgZiTVOxpF9BGvF3TRtoCEEpytVz94QvM1mhS_qRbBxCQzcXg0Sumg01TZGYGy57AnnSLQKdjMfpabQofL5FwqUFwCThU/s1600/DSC06212.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqcdgfhNGtLNcSvG4yhs8BmNucF9PyrTkO4uK5zQkUFoTnn_sgZiTVOxpF9BGvF3TRtoCEEpytVz94QvM1mhS_qRbBxCQzcXg0Sumg01TZGYGy57AnnSLQKdjMfpabQofL5FwqUFwCThU/s320/DSC06212.JPG" /></a>
<p>
I left an opening, and brought the right side out. I like to use the back end of a crochet hook for corners and thinner straps that need to be turned right side out.<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZuF8WsLbjWpMab-9G8AAeWc52qy5EMOfag_tCp_twGw8OiNT3k_Scejb4iJzVQZ4YyLa-Dp39UlrGGOSPDu6t-vUHv1CvwAV_tBcJDrcLzqW5eekcOHIAP7uvrcsXTV2Ot5oItLfLRs/s1600/DSC06211.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZuF8WsLbjWpMab-9G8AAeWc52qy5EMOfag_tCp_twGw8OiNT3k_Scejb4iJzVQZ4YyLa-Dp39UlrGGOSPDu6t-vUHv1CvwAV_tBcJDrcLzqW5eekcOHIAP7uvrcsXTV2Ot5oItLfLRs/s320/DSC06211.JPG" /></a>
<p>
And there you have it! It was more work than I'm used to when sewing, but I think they will work out great. And I will add a snap to the loose end of the strap with a few snaps so we can adjust it as needed.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHhucBK4kET3gGgi5tsHTnheVInSi-pxBqIp3sESa_CufEfl_bil4PIeu8a5NqVjAWQOmcOOLeINZEvuVM4sYAd4dhLVEy1B2R3uZcHWFMqgrUv4kZQ6Rv4tlLxT4ekFTwGSiwxhZSBI/s1600/DSC06214.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHhucBK4kET3gGgi5tsHTnheVInSi-pxBqIp3sESa_CufEfl_bil4PIeu8a5NqVjAWQOmcOOLeINZEvuVM4sYAd4dhLVEy1B2R3uZcHWFMqgrUv4kZQ6Rv4tlLxT4ekFTwGSiwxhZSBI/s320/DSC06214.JPG" /></a>
<p>
Thanks for checking out my tutorial, and make sure to check out my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlfordDesigns?ref=si_shop">Etsy Shop!</a>Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-18601458724054340152013-06-06T16:18:00.000-07:002013-06-13T17:03:03.760-07:00Boxy Makeup Bag TutorialI found <a href="http://modernquiltlove.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/perfect-box-pouch-tutorial/">This bag</a> while pinning tons of sewing projects that I may or may not ever get to. I loved the boxy look of the bag, and thought it would be a perfect bag to replace my current makeup box that I've had since I was in 8th grade. (a mere eighteen years ago...) As I started cutting the fabric I realized that the bag would be too small for my makeup items, and so I made it a little larger, and at the last minute I added a strap for my wrist or hanging it. I also used PUL as the lining, thinking it would be nice and water proof, but after finishing the bag I realized that I would have to construct it differently to make it actually water proof, so if you're making it at home and are wondering if you should use PUL or not, I would recommend using nylon instead because it's cheaper and it will still have the same effect of the PUL for this design, which is to keep the inside wipeable if you spill makeup. I referred to the PUL in this tutorial, only because that's what I used, but again, I would recommend using nylon.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMnL9TRVf9zWkrk-70HSSH1KDbHW6YbIXP3r3PCWYcBnjfH1rYmd6agramc9fz7s2c9V7z-hArIruNTRJr6WWJEqzn3VBDhP59eCcRAkQJEYx7lG_li2denF3Wbd6DN-G8-OfLEut9X4/s1600/DSC06198.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMnL9TRVf9zWkrk-70HSSH1KDbHW6YbIXP3r3PCWYcBnjfH1rYmd6agramc9fz7s2c9V7z-hArIruNTRJr6WWJEqzn3VBDhP59eCcRAkQJEYx7lG_li2denF3Wbd6DN-G8-OfLEut9X4/s320/DSC06198.JPG" /></a>
<p>
Here are the supplies:
<p>
~two pieces of fabric 10X8" (outside fabric)
<p>
~Two pieces of PUL 10X8" (inside)
<p>
~One piece of 3X10" fabric (handle)
<p>
~Two pieces of interfacing
<p>
~one 14" or 16" zipper
<p>
~coordinating thread
<p>
I always cut the fabric twice as high, then cut that in half. This makes it easier for me to cut two pieces the same size for some odd reason.
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFWzEpXQiQpQnVWO5lRWaltAqGzKDDYlY0M1VmqfUzws-27KLwkrq88YmQj37fcAZ-Cz7pvrOb7d_39xzmMzlpcE78gqUX7L1g8TetwrptwKTAaSeIgemdWiN3UYOeMr4Ac8WKO7iWCM/s1600/DSC06183.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFWzEpXQiQpQnVWO5lRWaltAqGzKDDYlY0M1VmqfUzws-27KLwkrq88YmQj37fcAZ-Cz7pvrOb7d_39xzmMzlpcE78gqUX7L1g8TetwrptwKTAaSeIgemdWiN3UYOeMr4Ac8WKO7iWCM/s320/DSC06183.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmMsFfnLuhSTms0bUhp1AXaUZAyyVvPf5sogSwcTgUjg6ARQ2uXwDT_DD-oT5U-pcO7BtnC-ShbH2R4W9LafUsU8XEKTr_tpcm9DlLQMmHfmXCs5HbdkrSlUK1L4_-wSc3uJo7ICb_o4/s1600/DSC06184.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmMsFfnLuhSTms0bUhp1AXaUZAyyVvPf5sogSwcTgUjg6ARQ2uXwDT_DD-oT5U-pcO7BtnC-ShbH2R4W9LafUsU8XEKTr_tpcm9DlLQMmHfmXCs5HbdkrSlUK1L4_-wSc3uJo7ICb_o4/s320/DSC06184.JPG" /></a>
<p>
<p>
<p>
I ironed the interfacing to the wrong side of the outside fabric.
Then I placed the PUL right side up on top of the interfacing.
Then I sewed them all together.
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUq7Ar3afjS6kif2f07m6byXIxEQc_eObx1pvU1qCy8e-Yz9TDrwx5BJi-xKXLPM9_c_9TOmMEc-LQqVU6QCLGgUF1SHIYzTyw6mUlvPuSgf7FWT4nF3sNW4mAO-M9NT9gifIvnaF3qg/s1600/DSC06185.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUq7Ar3afjS6kif2f07m6byXIxEQc_eObx1pvU1qCy8e-Yz9TDrwx5BJi-xKXLPM9_c_9TOmMEc-LQqVU6QCLGgUF1SHIYzTyw6mUlvPuSgf7FWT4nF3sNW4mAO-M9NT9gifIvnaF3qg/s320/DSC06185.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXWLrFwN0qKHxF6EE4PBqrnHjfGuw-mW0BeXW7Vxe4-gsxS_O7-he_6F3ZfeIcRQ0cvxP7woeMohhSwDli_PXo47l8wEhxU45ncSH1PkzpM5IeRfgmw5U-urWgqDhPiQHtvv0KST7Z1g/s1600/DSC06186.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXWLrFwN0qKHxF6EE4PBqrnHjfGuw-mW0BeXW7Vxe4-gsxS_O7-he_6F3ZfeIcRQ0cvxP7woeMohhSwDli_PXo47l8wEhxU45ncSH1PkzpM5IeRfgmw5U-urWgqDhPiQHtvv0KST7Z1g/s320/DSC06186.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7w9PvmEc8jSC2zFR4OF4VEBjm43NbeGewyq8yYEqamNygCTWnAKd6xFPRuHYLgDiQ9-7aF0MjIxCRAyhRwnGUz_ZizKgBLQ4n4sP02i8ur28-1-2Sed_AJahDVOWWRDupROtfBYcDOA/s1600/DSC06187.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7w9PvmEc8jSC2zFR4OF4VEBjm43NbeGewyq8yYEqamNygCTWnAKd6xFPRuHYLgDiQ9-7aF0MjIxCRAyhRwnGUz_ZizKgBLQ4n4sP02i8ur28-1-2Sed_AJahDVOWWRDupROtfBYcDOA/s320/DSC06187.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi-e5cXZdUe_FvfsPba7AQxth6uCBKmMsZ_KyX72OLTMNzgI_cm2giAx_BvDaB6Y-npLEo6pUjklx9UduJ07HnS44FS35B8EtPbvo8px6QJtoVNiNypBfux7fUYEUIzYAgq8C7zcceeE/s1600/DSC06188.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi-e5cXZdUe_FvfsPba7AQxth6uCBKmMsZ_KyX72OLTMNzgI_cm2giAx_BvDaB6Y-npLEo6pUjklx9UduJ07HnS44FS35B8EtPbvo8px6QJtoVNiNypBfux7fUYEUIzYAgq8C7zcceeE/s320/DSC06188.JPG" /></a>
<p>
<p>
<p>
Then I folded over the long end by about a 1/4" and pinned it to the zipper. I sewed the zipper on (unzip the zipper first to make it easier if you don't have a zipper foot)
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wslFjzoQRrwO5DcchKkLU6gXd8lwP2pP7uoytOrJDoEvR9C5jVPCWlJrx68K3UTET83VYgZ66XupHLNxKj1-JPu4PwWfL4W1lxgP0P1q89aQhcXs5jqMrjGwgiHS4P9DnURjaDwETAg/s1600/DSC06189.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wslFjzoQRrwO5DcchKkLU6gXd8lwP2pP7uoytOrJDoEvR9C5jVPCWlJrx68K3UTET83VYgZ66XupHLNxKj1-JPu4PwWfL4W1lxgP0P1q89aQhcXs5jqMrjGwgiHS4P9DnURjaDwETAg/s320/DSC06189.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0r-yi1fG9fOmWdQN0hqbO9hqGvflpFoeYIJvdSw7KNN4jJvCOXRHoaecxRVzJnEuJ6IbwNHutDvl-bjxm_duIys086z9aNS-hTQ2wUmWL0MQ31oqKWRQVN1Jzu6jGeem7YWjUEtmcLxs/s1600/DSC06190.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0r-yi1fG9fOmWdQN0hqbO9hqGvflpFoeYIJvdSw7KNN4jJvCOXRHoaecxRVzJnEuJ6IbwNHutDvl-bjxm_duIys086z9aNS-hTQ2wUmWL0MQ31oqKWRQVN1Jzu6jGeem7YWjUEtmcLxs/s320/DSC06190.JPG" /></a>
<p>
<p>
<p>
Put the right sides together so the PUL is showing and the zipper is on the left. Sew the right side only, leaving the sides that are perpendicular to the zipper open. (sorry- I somehow forgot to take a picture of this step)
<p>
<p>
<p>
Now position the bag so the zipper is on top and in the center. (like below)
<P>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEI-qNjJu_7lo-fqFfTI9gMwvsRnJT7mhi_Z-ET2Gx30jHvvKi_1MhyI5eDyWMJe5VPbp_VwWivSMe4en4O70tfwvA2mlyMou36iPTsdmsPXpv052javlRdxPKZb-uEuXJ_u9xLOXIy1E/s1600/DSC06193.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEI-qNjJu_7lo-fqFfTI9gMwvsRnJT7mhi_Z-ET2Gx30jHvvKi_1MhyI5eDyWMJe5VPbp_VwWivSMe4en4O70tfwvA2mlyMou36iPTsdmsPXpv052javlRdxPKZb-uEuXJ_u9xLOXIy1E/s320/DSC06193.JPG" /></a>
<p>
<p>
<p>
Unzip the zipper a little bit and trim the excess zipper. Sew the open ends together (this is where you would add your strap, wait to sew these open ends until you sew the strap)
<P>
<p>
To sew the strap, take your 3X10" fabric strip and sew right sides together, leaving one side open. I use a crochet hook to turn it right side out. Don't worry about finishing it because the unsewn end will be inside the bag anyway.
<P>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8y62sAi0E-6VgphPsqxJDxx7qwTkhW0fg_EfQrmp0YpF9clf6mfQjqQhzFx4L-5m6Ntaho-FdHLg9NaHYvgq7-O0I3ET7K5Qx2SSQMLQa7XZZMkhltdeomjMOZ79R-OIKxVJQ2vvomI/s1600/DSC06194.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8y62sAi0E-6VgphPsqxJDxx7qwTkhW0fg_EfQrmp0YpF9clf6mfQjqQhzFx4L-5m6Ntaho-FdHLg9NaHYvgq7-O0I3ET7K5Qx2SSQMLQa7XZZMkhltdeomjMOZ79R-OIKxVJQ2vvomI/s320/DSC06194.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhSR6tR5tVWp9xKIA03WpmKex_oLZ9wOV71tZ1g27N7cB6qTvT0KvU_hSylBKOX9cl-mIyx3KhOASfPyLas4rXm5faCUDLycQHaBjq12SAtmL1aCMgRy7LYx6YmfFfvpPL0-sL6gWPTI/s1600/DSC06195.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhSR6tR5tVWp9xKIA03WpmKex_oLZ9wOV71tZ1g27N7cB6qTvT0KvU_hSylBKOX9cl-mIyx3KhOASfPyLas4rXm5faCUDLycQHaBjq12SAtmL1aCMgRy7LYx6YmfFfvpPL0-sL6gWPTI/s320/DSC06195.JPG" /></a>
<p>
Turn the bag inside-out and pull the corners out and sew those. I don't have a picture of this, so refer to the link above because she has some great pictures.
<p>
<p>
<p>
Here is the finished bag! I'm so excited to use this because, if you're anything like me, you make a lot of things for other people, but not much for yourself.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyN1Ax9H-aUYlgGPEhdau8zQuzpofsyqspFN_VH1sBAleP94XTQ6COIHeml41LGeBXK1JcMIRWSVCeRFjnq5tgAwCcNnkfPDhxuQhrXtM9V6E51LYRCyPd4cQRtJ_Ae0zhK9qGnClYo4w/s1600/DSC06197.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyN1Ax9H-aUYlgGPEhdau8zQuzpofsyqspFN_VH1sBAleP94XTQ6COIHeml41LGeBXK1JcMIRWSVCeRFjnq5tgAwCcNnkfPDhxuQhrXtM9V6E51LYRCyPd4cQRtJ_Ae0zhK9qGnClYo4w/s320/DSC06197.JPG" /></a>
<p>
Do you think I picked the fabric subconsciously knowing it would match my makeup?
<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYam6nMQ_wQ3OElECXxdpa6wf9koRtmBFWBQjk5sY1JFjwKrGtoO4ebqGLVhPM1409Qz9EJvQPfhzVbFS8GBBOySC4i83AdBviwEhd9N-huGhX-sU4WqmLIp-tYsHOqYITJRdb9bztdo/s1600/DSC06199.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYam6nMQ_wQ3OElECXxdpa6wf9koRtmBFWBQjk5sY1JFjwKrGtoO4ebqGLVhPM1409Qz9EJvQPfhzVbFS8GBBOySC4i83AdBviwEhd9N-huGhX-sU4WqmLIp-tYsHOqYITJRdb9bztdo/s320/DSC06199.JPG" /></a>Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-45173903637048023852013-04-14T21:39:00.002-07:002013-04-14T21:39:44.374-07:00Dear Man Watching Me Play On My Phone While My Kids Are Playing At The ParkDear Man Watching Me Play On My Phone While My Kids Are Playing At The Park,
<p>
I am a SAHM. That's Stay At Home Mom if you don't know. I get up every morning before my husband to feed the baby or snuggle with my kids on the couch while I wake up and become someone who can function. I may be tired in the morning because I was up every hour or two with a newborn or every few hours with a toddler, or a few times to calm a scared preschooler who had a nightmare. I may sleep with my kids, which never allows full sleep because every time they move I wake up a little to make sure they aren't falling off the bed or kicking their sibling or father.
<p>
After I've woken up, I change diapers and get breakfast ready. I pack lunches and go over my to-do list for the day which always includes carving out time in the day to do something special that each child wants to do. I plan small surprises for my kids because I love to watch their eyes light up when they see that I've found her favorite tutu for ballet or his Franchesco car he was looking for yesterday. After my children eat breakfast I get them ready for the day. We pick out clothes, brush hair and teeth, and if I have any girls, we pick a ribbon for her hair. Then change it to a headband. Then change it to pigtails. I may take some of my kids to school, but the little ones that don't go to school, those are the ones I get to play with all day. After we come home from dropping their sibling off at school, we play with their favorite toys. We drive Franchesco on train tracks and I hold her hand while she spins her ballerina spins. I laugh and take pictures, posting them on instagram and face book, because these moments are precious and fleeting. I text their father at work, sending him a picture of his daughter in her ballerina outfit, one he will probably make his wallpaper.
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After playing, we have lunch. At lunch my children ask me questions and I answer them. We see who can crunch the loudest and I remind them that if they want to be big and strong and smart, they will eat their veggies.
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After lunch we play some more, this time maybe a puzzle or a preschool matching game. Then they have nap time. While they are napping I clean up from lunch, and start to prepare dinner. I clean what ever part of the house needs it, and fold laundry while they are finishing up their nap. After their nap I take them to the park because we have thirty minutes before we need to pick up their sibling from school. At the park I watch them behind my sunglasses, holding my breath when they look like they may fall off that first step of the play structure, or worry that the kids she wants to play with will say she can't play with them. I take pictures of them playing, and then sit down on the bench and upload them to fb and instagram again, making sure to tag grandma because my daughter is telling me, "show Grandma that I made it across the monkey bars all by myself!" I have spotty signal, so I'm concentrating on that while my daughter twirls next to me and my son calls for me. I don't reply to them because I'm taking five minutes to post some pictures of them. When I'm done posting the pictures I will reply to them, this teaches them patience and also shows that I was paying attention.
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Then I notice a man watching us. My alert is activated and I take my kids to the car before they were ready because when a middle-aged man watches you and your kids at the park you have to assume he's out for your kids, or going to write an article about the five minutes you weren't watching your kids. Either way, you don't want to be near him. Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-20542169776600380092013-03-26T14:55:00.002-07:002013-03-26T14:55:22.310-07:00For My Daughter's Friend's MomToday is a beautiful day. Living in San Diego, most days are like this. A few clouds, mid to high 70's, and just enough breeze to make you chilled in the shade or comfortable in the sun. We had a busy day planned. I begrudgingly got out of bed (after my late night coming back from school), I went straight to the kitchen where I squinted at the muffin box to see what ingredients I needed for the mini muffins I had promised for the Easter Meetup. After realizing that I didn't have all the ingredients, I moved on to making breakfast and getting ready for the day. We were out the door early, something so rare that it put a smile on my face as I drove to ballet.
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Her mom was running late, something that happens to each of us at one point or another. It's rare for all of the moms to get to ballet on time. I always try to help out if I can, I'll help the girl get her tap shoes on while her mom brings in the other child. We all help each other, because we've all been there.
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Today the girl was standing outside the glass door, trying to open it (something none of the girls can do). She had her ballet backpack rolling behind her and was saying something to her mom when I got to the door and opened it for her, ushering her inside so I could put her shoes on. It didn't register that her mom was walking slower, or that she looked uncomfortable. I had my blinders on and was trying to her her daughter into dance class.
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Her mom sat on the bench in the hallway next to the two-way mirror where our girls were dancing, a wince on her face while her son played and babbled to her. My son said something to her and I said, "Honey, she isn't feeling good because she has a baby in her belly."
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"It's not morning sickness, I'm cramping and bleeding." I'm sure my face fell. Who's wouldn't? Words of support came out of my mouth, but I'm sure they were poorly said. I never seem to know how much to say or not say. The rest of ballet went like that. She looked pained, and I tried to help. She was coming to the meetup after ballet at the park, so I would see her there.
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At the meetup, she was the same. She went to the bathroom more, and we each offered to take her kids home with us, but she declined. Her husband was coming home, she had an OB appointment at 1:30. We all laughed with the kids, helped them find the Easter eggs we uncleverly hid, and tried to get them to eat a few veggies to combat their cookies, cupcakes and candy. We said things like, "What a beautiful day." and we ran to our children if they cried or needed help crossing the monkey bars. We talked with each other, joked that we were eating a weeks worth of calories in one sitting. Then she went to the bathroom again.
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I was watching Glenn. He was standing in a patch of sunlight and the breeze was blowing his hair. He was looking at something and then took off running to it. I scanned the playground and saw Genny, head bent in determination, trying to collect sticks for her Easter basket. She too took off running to her friends, adding a skip in every few steps like she does. I was watching them, thinking of her in the bathroom and thanking God for my children.
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She came back from the bathroom crying, her face showing her pain, both emotional and physical. She whispered to me, to no-one, "It just happened. I just felt it happen. I have to go home." I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to do. I put my arm around her and rubbed her back. She was collecting her things but I hadn't begun to function again yet. She was talking, but I don't know what she was saying. All I heard was white noise. I had to move with her to keep rubbing her back while she was packing her things in a plastic grocery bag. And then I came back. I helped her get her things, and tried again to offer any help I could. I told her to go sit in the car and I would bring her kids and her things to her. She shook her head, maybe she needed to keep moving to keep from breaking down.
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Another mom helped her to her car. When she came back she hugged her young son and said, "I love you." We were all silent, watching our children play.
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I've never miscarried. I don't know what it's like. But I've had death around me, and even though this baby was only eight weeks in her belly, it was a baby and it was loved. Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-35643070100626125722012-12-31T18:26:00.000-08:002012-12-31T18:26:26.954-08:00New Years EveI was talking to my sister tonight, and she said something to the effect that I was good at thinking of fun things to do on special occasions. I laughed and said, "Usually I'm a day late and a dollar short!" I always have the best ideas for a celebration the day after it happens. Well, not today!
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I recently found out that in Downtown Disney they have an ice skating rink. Guess what we did for New Years Eve? Glenn wasn't as thrilled as Genny was. We left earlier than we could have, but my toes were cramping and Glenn was pitching a fit and out of his skates by then anyway.
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We stuck around Downtown Disney to check out the lego store and the build a bear workshop. We fit in some ice cream somewhere in there and rode the bus back to the parking area which was a treat in itself for the kids who (I'm pretty sure) have never ridden a bus before.
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On our way home I realized that we would be getting back to town just in time to watch the sun set from the pier. I amped Genny up for it by talking about how cool it was that we were going to be the last ones to say goodbye to the sun in the country. We got there and ran, racing and laughing towards the pier, and even though it was cold, it was fun to wave goodbye to the sun and say, "See you next year, sun!!"
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The only thing that could have made this New Years Eve better would (of course) be if Thomas had been here. This has been a tough deployment and I feel like I miss him more than I have before.
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Even though I miss Thomas, I'm so glad and feel so blessed that I can stay home with my kids and watch them grow and change every day. I wish I could have a video log of all these days and special moments that fly out of my head because there are so many. I wish I could keep these memories for a rainy day when both kids are away at college and I'm missing them. Pictures will have to do, and I'll remember enough to keep me happy.
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Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-43032821951545340212012-11-14T08:34:00.000-08:002012-11-14T08:34:42.310-08:00SAHM Preschool: Living and Non-LivingI'm not a teacher. In fact, when I first started out on this preschool journey I was trying to make a then three year old Genny write letters. Then I started talking to other moms and found out that Genny needed to learn to draw lines and circles before she started writing letters. So even though I'm posting about the homeschool preschool I do with my four and a half year old daughter, it may not be up to a certified preschool teachers standards. With that being said, let's take a peek at what Genny worked on today.
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Thanks to Pinterest, I have lots of ideas and tools for Genny's preschool. Today she learned about living and non-living. Before I started the project, we talked about what is be living and what is not living. I asked her to name something living. She couldn't, so I helped her by asking if she thought that she was living. Then we named lots of things that we saw, and she started getting the idea of what was living and what was not living.
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I had cut out a bunch of pictures from catalogs and magazines of living and non-living things. I went through each one with her, asking her whether it was living or non-living. She did pretty well, and we placed each one on the correct side. After we had gone through them all, she got to glue them down.
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Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-7074666598835557562012-11-03T23:11:00.000-07:002012-11-03T23:11:03.392-07:00Dear HusbandI miss you. I try not to, and I pretend that it's not as bad as it is, but I do. I miss you like someone underwater misses breathing. That's me, underwater, looking at the surface where your face is waiting for me. Holding my breath and feeling the ache in my lungs for that cold air I will breathe when you are home.
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It doesn't make sense. Logically I should be fine, there are many more worse off than me. Single mothers who never have someone to wait for. Women who sit by starving, just to give their child something to eat. I am more fortunate than they are.
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Yet still I miss you.
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I tell people that not much has changed since you left, my days are the same, and if I change enough details in my memory, nothing has changed. I just have to hold on to those few nights when you weren't home for dinner or bedtime. I just have to pretend that this <i>is</i> the norm. But I know it's not. I know that while you're gone I'm missing out on all the little things you bring to our family. I'm missing out on you playing with the kids so I can clean up dinner. We <i>are</i> missing out on so much.
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I tell others I'm fine.
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I tell them that I don't worry about you and that we have so much to do that the days fly by. But in the back of my head there is a box waiting to be checked. Like when a loved one leaves on a plane and you wait for them to text you when they arrive. Once they do you can check off that box.
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Last time I cried a lot. I cried at night over silly things, things that had only to do with the fact that you were there and I'm here. I'm sure you're safe this time just like last time. It doesn't make sense that you wouldn't be. But that box is still waiting to be checked. Until it is, I will be here, holding my breath, looking at your image rippled by the water keeping us apart.
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Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-79764244027709888942012-11-01T18:08:00.001-07:002012-11-01T18:08:50.618-07:00Pinterest Diaries: Sugar Body ScrubAh Pinterest. You've done it again. You've provided a fantastic craft for me to do and I'm very excited to give it away!
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This sugar scrub is a pretty easy thing to make. It's 2 parts sugar to 1 part oil and a few drops of essential oil to make it smell yummy. We painted the lids of some jars and layered brown and white sugar then added the oil at the end. It ended up taking longer than I had imagined it would take, but that's what you get when you wait for oil to absorb into sugar. In the end I'm very happy and I'm sure Genny's ballet teacher will be happy to get her gift at Christmas time too!
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The yellow-tinted ones are the ones that we used olive oil. The ones that are in the middle we used veg oil.
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<p>
I used a winter-themed stamp with a coordinating punch for the tag.
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<p>
I used stamps from the same set for the lid.
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Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-48239749659962479972012-10-30T18:53:00.000-07:002012-10-30T18:53:39.184-07:00Around The HouseToday was Genny's ballet day. We usually have an errand to run after ballet, and last week we even went to Disney right after for the day. Today I decided I needed a day home to pick up, clean up, and actually cook dinner.
<p>
I think we need days where we stay home all day. It allows us to do things we've been putting off (ahem, folding laundry) and it always gives me the motivation I need to check off the mental list of things I need to do that I somehow don't get done. Today I just did things as I saw them or they came to me. I'm sure tomorrow I'll think to myself, <i>darn! I should have done___</i> but as it stands right now, I'm pretty happy with my accomplishments today.
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<p>
And now a few pictures for my hubby.
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Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-51362989756176702432012-10-28T22:28:00.001-07:002012-10-28T22:28:24.806-07:00The Peculiar Ponderings of Hippy KariWhy do we rub soap on our bodies, but not on our faces? I rubbed my night-time-face-soap on my face tonight when I was washing my face getting ready for bed. It was different but not at all unpleasant.
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Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-69036776235051467312012-10-26T14:09:00.000-07:002012-10-26T14:09:13.620-07:00Summer Sausage and Sharp Cheddar Cheese Spread for DinnerMy husband would be proud -ne- jealous. My mother would say, "Hey wait a minute..." as she found the file in her over-packed brain of her go-to meal during the fall when I was growing up. (she does have an energetic five year old that she's raising, you know) Yes, when our thirteen year old neighbor TJ came over about a month ago with a catalog of random over-priced items for a fund raiser he was doing, I took in a deep breath and tried to find something that I could live with buying. Then I saw it. Cheddar cheese spread and smoked summer sausage. And my mouth started watering. I mean, <i>make sure your lips are sealed shut cause you're going to drool all over your shirt</i> watering. I couldn't write down the numbers fast enough, as if my expedited ordering would make it come faster. I casually asked TJ when he thought the order might come in. "October, I think." and my mind played a little fantasy of cookies, bread or <i>something</i> baking in the oven while my cowl sweater wearing kids played Candyland quietly in the living room. Me, in dark lipstick and a maroon sweater (neither of which I actually own, nor do my kids own cowl neck sweaters) cutting up the sausage and getting a spreader for the cheese. Making lemon aid and calling to the kids that dinner was ready. There may have even been a fire place in this fantasy, something that my house does not have...
<p>
That fantasy <i>almost</i> happened. I was wearing coral lipstick (day three people, and I'm loving it!), a dark green shirt, and the kids were watching a program in the living room (quietly).
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<p>
Genny didn't like the cheese but loved the suasage. I know, you probably had to read that sentence over again because if you know me or my family <i>at all</i> then you know that Genny will eat cheese every minute of every day if she can. But the added horse radish in this cheese apparently didn't please her pallet. She did take joy in playing with the string on the outside of the sausage, just like I remember my brother and I doing when we were younger. Ah, memories.
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<p>
Glenn loved the 'sandwiches' I made with ritz crackers and gobbled them up.
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<p>
It was a good meal. (sorry to my brother and sister who are vegetarian and vegan!)
Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-19770113823188930252012-10-23T18:41:00.000-07:002012-10-23T18:41:17.655-07:00Family is not biologicalFamily is not only blood relatives. It's the people we choose to be around us for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death (or a military move) do us part. And if we happen to come back together through another military move, then we pick up where we left off.
<p>
Barb is a great friend. She's one of the people who knows me better than I know myself, and I love her and have missed her in our time apart. I love her kids like they are my niece and nephew, and am so happy that Barb's ex is allowing me to take them for the weekend.
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We in the military community make insta-families. We find ourselves in a new place, and if we happen to know someone already, we think of them as family, someone we can count on, because we know that we <i>can</i> count on them. When Thomas and I first moved to San Diego, we knew Kris and Joe. We counted on them to show us around, and they catered to our need for family. As we expanded our circle of friends, we keep them in the loop because they <i>are</i> family to us, and we to them.
<p>
When Barb moved to Oceanside and didn't know many people, we opened our arms and our house to her and her kids until she found her footing, and still stayed available for her as family. We all need family when we are away from our blood relatives. When we need a night out, or when a holiday comes up. Barb is my family and she will stay my family forever.
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We miss you Barb, but you're kids know that we are here for them if they need us. <3
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Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-9990651404028619822012-10-23T18:34:00.000-07:002012-10-23T18:34:30.179-07:00Christmas is Not in December...
My favorite thing in the whole wide world (aside from getting snuggles from my kids) is to surprise someone with something wonderful. Something that makes their eyes light up and a smile instantly appear on their face. Something that may even make them cry tears of joy. When I give gifts, this is my goal. To get it just right and give the person something that is just perfect. This doesn't work out as often as I'd like, but when it does, it's worth any effort that I made towards the gift.
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My mom, my sister and I are three best friends. We talk all the time and can't wait to hear what's going on in the other person's life. So when I have a surprise for one of them, I can't hold it in long. Two years ago when I spent Christmas with my sister she opened her gifts knowing full well what each of them was, because I was living with her so couldn't keep the secret. I think I made it three weeks into my pregnancies before calling my mom and sister to tell them the news even though I had planned on telling them in person when I visited. I've even told my husband, "Don't tell me anything confidential while you're in Afghanistan, because I can't keep a secret." Which is why I'm sitting here writing this blog not quite sure what it is he's doing over there.
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I digress.
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When I read that one of my two favorite bloggers, <a href="http://www.kellehampton.com/">Kelle Hampton</a> was coming to San Diego and was even having a book signing, I couldn't believe my luck. I started planning how exactly I was going to get there and get books signed for my mom and sister. As luck would have it, my wonderful respit nurse Gemma was able to come and put the kids to bed so I could go and experience standing next to greatness. Because, if you've read Kelle's blog or her book, you know that she was put on this earth for <i>us</i>. God placed her here to talk to us and tell us her story, to teach us that we are all human and we all have ups and downs, but everything is OK if we love and accept our roles in life. Her role is to be a mom to a daughter with Down Syndrome.
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My sister turned me on to Kelle's blog when I was staying with her two years ago, and I've followed it since. I love her posts and pictures and feel like she's a friend, something that I'm sure most of her followers feel. My mom, sister and I even refer to her casually, like, "Hey did you see Kelle's post about ...?" or "Haha, Kelle had a great picture on Instagram today, did you see it?"
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In my excitement to see Kelle and get three autographs out of her I started scheming to surprise my mom and sister with the autographs. I decided to flat out admit I knew Kelle was here, but that I couldn't go to see her. But the real question was, could I hold up the secret until Christmas? Nope. Not even close. The day after I saw Kelle (a mere 14 hours after I met her) I handed over the padded envelopes to the postmaster and smiled. Now I just had to avoid my mom and sister until they got the packages...
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When I met Kelle I was all thumbs and blubbering. I know I said to her, "We just love you. We just love you guys!" and I told her that my sister went out to see if she could catch Kelle when she was visiting Traverse City (bad idea Kari, you don't tell someone that someone you know was stalking them!). And I don't remember much else of the conversation because all I kept thinking was <i>I'm standing next to a Goddess! I'm standing next to Kelle Hampton!!!!</i> And after I got my books signed I resigned myself to avoid stalking her while she was in San Diego because I didn't want a restraining order put out on me. I mean, for all she knows I'm crazy, right??
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If by chance some day Kelle reads this blog post, I just want to say that you were every bit as classy as I imagined you would be, and I hope you enjoyed this city as much as I do every day.
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The sun was going down as I was driving to San Diego. It was beautiful.
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This was the woman I stood in line with. We because instant friends and I will forever remember our great conversation as we waited to meet Kelle.
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This post was sitting waiting to be posted until my mom and sister got their packages. It was awesome to hear how much they appreciated the books, I even got to skype with my sister and watch her open the book. I told her that I got something on the book, and had her look at it. It was the inscription!
Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-23373245403287086472012-10-18T18:05:00.000-07:002012-10-18T18:05:11.395-07:00Glenn's Big Boy RoomI painted Glenn's <a href="http://scrappinkari.blogspot.com/2010/10/painting-baby-glenns-room-with-him.html">old room</a> two years ago around this same time. Thomas had left for Afghanistan, and I wanted to do something productive. Then we moved Glenn into his new room. It was still painted the light tan that the whole house had been painted prior to us moving in. A nice color, yes, but I wanted it to be a <i>boy</i> room.
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Thomas recently left for Afghanistan, so of course, I wanted to paint Glenn's room. I wanted the room textured and painted by a professional to avoid my mistakes and get it done quickly. So Mario The Handyman came and finished the room in two days. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I love the color, the texture, and even though Mario covered the holes that needed to be there for the curtain rod (completely my fault since all I said to him was, "Could you, with the?" pointing at the curtain rod) I'm very happy with it overall. Plus I got to move in the dresser I bought off craigslist (wow was it bigger than I thought!) which holds all of Glenn's clothes and more.
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There are still some tweaks I need to do to the room, like add a shelf above the dresser, add some good baskets on his shelf in his closet, and add a bean bag for him to sit and read in his reading nook. These will come over the next several months, it took me about a year to get Genny's room to the way it is now, and I'm so happy I took my time with it, adding special touches as I found them. I'm not very decorative-inclined, so anything I do that looks good I marvel at.
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What decorating have you done that you're proud of?
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Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-20322069039272500442012-10-14T20:13:00.001-07:002012-10-14T20:13:05.832-07:00Genny's Baby Clothes QuiltAll of those clothes. Those tiny adorable clothes that your child fits in for such a short period of time. Those clothes that you need to take pictures of, like, "Oh! I haven't taken a picture of him in this outfit yet!" Those clothes were the inspiration behind making Genny a quilt. I took all of those baby clothes (premie to twelve months) and cut them into 5"X5" squares. Then I sewed them in strips, and added fabric around them until I had a quilt.
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I had picked the fabric out when my favorite fabric store <a href="http://maisonnetteoceanside.com/">Masonnette</a> decided to stop selling fabric and start selling fabulous kids clothes. They had a wonderful sale so I bought three yards of three different fabrics, thinking that it would be perfect for Genny's quilt. And it was. But as stated in a <a href="http://scrappinkari.blogspot.com/2012/10/tire-pressure.html">recent post</a>, I am a procrastinator. It runs in my blood. So it's taken me a year to finish the quilt.
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But here it is! My husband is probably impressed that I'm getting as much done as I am in just the two weeks he's been gone (what with all the procrastinating I usually do) but this is something I've been craving to get done for months now. I'm so excited to see it on her bed every day now, and just hope that she doesn't start picking at the buttons and such on it. We'll see...
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What project have you done or are procrastinating doing? We all have something to check off on our to-do list, whether it's get the dog groomed or finish a quilt for our child. Here's hoping that you find some motivation in the coming weeks to check something off that's been on your list for a while now.
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Happy Sunday everyone.
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This yellow dress below was the first thing I bought after I found out she was a girl
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This one below was a three outfit set that our good friends Kris and Joe gave us.
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Here is the back, just strips of fabric
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I 'hand tied' it instead of quilting it. I used embroidery thread in pink.
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Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-3188778489591952662012-10-13T09:00:00.000-07:002012-10-13T09:00:59.762-07:00Potty Training GuiltI'm the queen of guilt. I'm not sure if it was born in me or taught to me, but I feel guilty about <i>so many things</i>. Things that I probably shouldn't feel guilty about; seeing the homeless woman who walks in the mornings when I'm driving and feeling like I should be doing something for her because I have so much and she has so little is just one example of my daily fight with guilt. Sometimes I even go out of my way to help someone or something because I know that if I don't, I'll worry about it for months and even think back on it years later wondering why I didn't help more. A perfect example would be this past Monday, when I started out on my jog with my kids in the jogging stroller and found two dogs <i>stuck</i> together. I couldn't walk away, so I stayed for over a half hour, talking to police dispatch (apparently that's who they transfer you to when it's an after-hours animal emergency). One of the dog owners came out eventually, and that seemed to be the motivation for the dogs to get unstuck, but it was very troubling for me to leave the other dog even though I've seen him in the neighborhood before and had tried to rescue him. But he's been on the streets too long, and is too weary of humans to be rescued. *sigh* <i>Poor puppy</i>.
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Now that you know the extent of my guilty feelings, it should come as no surprise to you that I feel guilty that Glenn, my two year old boy is almost completely potty trained and my four year old girl isn't. For those of you who don't know, Genny, my daughter has Spina Bifida. You can learn about Genny's form of Spina Bifida <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002525/">here</a>. Because of her SB she has bladder and bowl function issues, which means that she doesn't potty train like a normal kid. She should be learning how to cath herself over the next year or so, but her bladder squeezes randomly, so I've been waiting for a referral to be approved for her to see OT to learn about how to control her bladder, if that's even possible for her. And I'm working on the bowl issue with a cone enema, something that isn't typically used for people unless they have a stoma, but has been found with SB kids to work well. (for SB parents, I used this <a href="http://youtu.be/_hINaZkGWwg">youtube video</a> which helped a lot in understanding how it works)
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How many parents have children who are a little different and they feel guilty about something they can't control? How many parents worry about their child being teased in school and go to great measures to keep that from happening? Is it better to let our kids toughen up at school and in social situations to make sure they learn young how to deal with people who make them feel bad about themselves? As a parent I try to toe the line of a good parent who disciplins well yet loves more. I want my kids to be kind and caring to others, but not get walked all over. I want them to be able to take care of themselves yet know that I will move Heaven and Earth for them. I think we are all doing our best to raise the best adults we can, but boy is is hard trying to figure out what <i>best</i> is.
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Here's hoping you know more than I do and raise your child to be the best adult he/she can be. Happy Saturday everyone.
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Here are a few pics for my hubby. We miss you babe. <3
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Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936095065784437963.post-56947902208187713832012-10-08T16:06:00.001-07:002012-10-08T16:06:50.261-07:00Tire PressureI went for a run this morning. Before I left I filled up the tires in the stroller (they were getting pretty low). When I started running I could feel how much easier it was to push the stroller. I no longer felt like the out of shape girl that I did in <a href="http://scrappinkari.blogspot.com/2012/10/revelations.html">this post</a>. I was able to run without having to stop every quarter of a mile to walk. And it dawned on me that I didn't realize that anything was wrong with the stroller when I was running these past two time with the kids and low tire pressure, I assumed it was me and my strength and endurance. This made me think of other things in life that we accept without question, letting things be harder than they need to be.
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I'm notorious for letting a pile of papers sit in one spot for months, collecting dust until one day I see them and think, "Well, how long have those been there??" This goes with other things in my life too. So while I was running, I started thinking of other things in life that I'm allowing to be harder than they should be. Do you have something in your life that is harder than it should be?
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Procrastination is another word for life's tire pressure. How long do I hold onto a box that needs to be sent to my hometown? How many days do I put off cleaning the bathroom until I can't put it off anymore? On the other hand, how much do I love walking into a clean room? How good does it feel to know that you went six days between cleaning bathrooms instead of eight? How nice is it to walk into the kitchen in the morning and make that morning pot of coffee without having to wash dishes first?
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This year has been about letting go for me. There have been several small occurrences in my life this year that has made me want to clean house, get everything out that I don't need so I can have more space, less clutter and a happier me. It's working. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm dropping things off to Good Will at least once a month, making sure to get things out of my house and out of my life that I don't want to have to keep moving, re-organize, or see in a pile next to the wall three months after I made it.
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What do you have in your life that you can let go of? Are you ready to make a change for the good?Genny'sMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04866661978607553640noreply@blogger.com0