S is for sewing

I really love to sew! But I have always stayed away from sewing anything for anyone's body. The exactness intimidates me and if I mess up it is really noticeable. So, in the past I have just kept my projects for MY home that way I cannot be worried about apologizing for any mess-ups.

So when a friend, and sewing extraordinaire, decided to plan a skirt sewing activity for church I hesitantly, but excitedly, signed up. Above is a peak at the back of my fabric and the invisible zipper I was installing.

Here I am. I look like a pro, but looks can be deceiving! The skirt turned out decent (at least it fits) and I only had to destitch two times.

Even though D is in school, summer boredom still rears it's ugly head. He is obsessed with stuffies so when I saw this kit at World Market I jumped at the chance for him to make his own. It was a bargain and he did the project completely himself!

Good job D! Happy sewing!

"So Oh My Gosh!"

During the spring, some of my girl students came to school wearing the most adorable beaded necklaces with bottle cap pendants. They are so wonderfully made! I just went to a show and saw their collection! If you are into fun, funky jewelry for you or a girl in your life...this is it! The company is Lilly Ellen and their motto is "So Oh My Gosh ~ jazzy jewelry and creative couture for kids and moms" The above necklace I bought for E, at a very reasonable price I must say, and they make the cutest ones with names!

Check them out!
pictures courtesy of Lilly Ellen Ebay store

A Sad Tale

Outside I was really, really irritated with a huge pile of bird poop. I was so irritated that I was 98% sure I wanted to climb up and knock down the nest! I know, cruel! But before I did it I thought that I better climb up on a chair with a mirror to see if there was anything in it. I was secretly hoping there wasn't, but...

...there was! Isn't this the most precious bird nest you have ever saw? I swear...it looks fake, but it is not. And the adorable little eggs lead me to exactly what I DID NOT want to happen...I became attached! AND the darn things weren't even hatched yet. I am still mourning my goldfish that I stepped on in sixth grade, I have issues!
So I tried not to monitor them too closely but wondered when the little miracles would hatch, begin to eat and soon learn to fly.
Then... yesterday...D was riding his bike in the backyard and he ran into the house saying, "Mom I found a dinosaur skeleton!" I assumed this was one of his imaginative ideas but when I went out to the yard he showed me a little 3 inch skeleton and I knew it was one of the little birdies. I was tempted to take a picture of the little skeleton since it was in perfect, pristine condition...but it is a visual I would rather soon forget. Of course, D cheered me up by saying, "It's okay Mom. He is much happier flying and playing with other birdies in Heaven."

First Grade Math

Some of you may have thought, "she must be on vacation". Quite the contrary, school has started again. For those of you who are on traditional school schedules you are still enjoying your summer break. We are on a multi-track year round schedule and my track only has a week between school years. I am a job share first grade teacher, where the first week of school I teach all five days with my fabulous partner, and the rest of the weeks I teach one day a week. Here is a sneak peak at the numbers I have been adding up in my head since my last post.

100 - the number of times I have hacked, worrying everyone around me (my antibiotic did not work that well)

99- the number of times I have thought, "I am so proud of him!" (D is in my class this year and it has been exciting to see him enter first grade)

98 - the number of times I wanted to visit blogs and make a post but just had too much to do.

20- the number of sweethearts that I will teach this year

10- the number of days since I picked up my mail last (I was sad when we weren't invited to the coolest july 4th party in town, then I found the invitation in our mailbox today! Sorry j.s.! )

9 - the number of times I screamed at the tv during The Bachelorette finale when she did not choose the guy I wanted!!!!

8 - the number of friends I miss because I have not been seeing them often.

4 - the number of laundry loads I need to do!

3 - the number of phone calls I have not been able to return because I am so dang busy!

2 - the number of times I have thought about the Kauai Marriott in this heat!

1 - the number of hot dads that came to Back To School Night last night! (I am talking about my hot dad hubby since he came to support me and D)

My admiration goes out to all moms and wives who work full time. It is so difficult to achieve balance being pulled in so many directions. I am so grateful that I have the best of both worlds, a wonderful part-time job with amazing colleagues AND being able to stay home and be a mom and housewife (I know it sounds old fashioned, but I worked hard to get that title and am darn proud of it!)

Happy 4th of July!

I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very safe and happy fourth!

My M0m and Dad have taught me so many things, but one of the things that I will always be grateful for is how to respect our country. Every single day of the year (rain or shine) my dad puts out his flag. Okay, so alot of people put their flags out...but my mom and dad make sure to take it in as close to dusk as possible. Why, you ask? They take patriotism very seriously! I love the example they are to me. My flag is often out but I leave it out in the dark-tsk,tsk on me.

Here is a fabulous, easy to read, place where you may learn a few things about flag etiquette, which in turn shows respect for our country.

Please help me by:

• saying a prayer for those who serve our country
• telling a veteran or someone in the military thank you
• putting out your flag and repecting it
• respecting our National Anthem and teach your children to respect it
• remembering that the 4th of July is not just a holiday to bbq and have fun, but a holiday to honor the land we live in!

Be Safe!

curB appeal

Despite being under the weather I have still accomplished a few small tasks. The area above our front door has always looked empty to me. I have often daydreamed about a nice scrolling iron with a B there, like this. But on one of my hunts I found a B (for our last name) for just $7. I decided to try it out up there.

I actually like the simple lines, it goes well with our colonial style house. But guess what? Hubby does not like it. So I told him that he could totally go up there, get it, and fill in the holes. I guess it will be there for awhile...

update: I have blown through all of my summer reads. Any suggestions?I like them light and fun!

Summer Lovin'

My peaches were getting over ripe. I found this easy recipe, where the ingredients are in everyone's pantry, and actually made this Peach Cobbler for breakfast the other morning. Make sure you use self rising flour, mine sat on the bottom, but was still good.
Peel and slice your peaches~ just the smell is worth it!

I had some extra so I filled a ramekin. These would be great for a summer dessert!

May look a mess, but it was tasty! I omitted the ice cream or whipped cream. Can't have all your treats for breakfast...can you?

This particular morning I was actually feeling okay. I have been really sick, going on three weeks now. I FINALLY went to the Dr. and I have a double ear infection...I thought only kids get those. Moral of the story: GO TO THE DR. when you are sick!