simple Analogy

A Bit of Nothing

* Christmas cards are done!

* I'm tired of "loving" my thread.  You can read what this is in this interview with Natalie Chanin.  It makes all the difference in the world (no knots, snarls, tangles) but when I have to love as much thread as it takes for the project I'm working on...  Noah volunteered to "love" it for me yesterday.  I jumped at that good fortune.

* My FOE arrived.  They really need to sell this stuff at my local fabric/craft stores, cause the shipping was more than the elastic.  I hate that, but what could I do!   

* I had my first really negative comment today.  Someone thought that carving your own stamp was stupid.  (Ouch!)  Ok, maybe it does seem a little ridiculous when all the craft stores are loaded with them.  But how many times have you gone to the craft store looking for just the right stamp, and come out empty handed.  More times than I can count.  So personally I loved the carve your own stamp craft.  I can make just what I have in mind.  Plus, children can make whatever their little minds imagine and have fun at the same time.  Creative time!  My philosophy is that it is worth every extra moment it takes to inspire creativity in a child!

So about comments... I love them!  I have gotten to know several of you just from your comments and replies.  I like to know what you enjoy reading.  I enjoy your suggestions, your anecdotes, your encouragement.  I also enjoy constructive criticism.  (Just be tactful so I don't feel like and idiot!)

* One more performance and I can pack my flute away for the rest of the holidays! 

* I purchased pictures for my room from the Friday Outlet:  this, this, this, this, and this!  Oooo, can't wait for them to arrive.

* Working on the crafts for my annual Nursery Christmas Party for the children.  My volunteers are so wonderful.  I sent out a plea for cardboard.  Boy, did I get cardboard!

* Making Mexican Cocoa for teacher gifts.  Megan made some for us a few years ago and we loved it!

Hope your week is going well.  Hang in there!  It's almost FRIDAY!!!!!

Confidence

Confidence - the firm belief that something can be done

I guess you could say that I am gaining confidence in my bamboo growing skills.  The one I bought way back here is still alive and flourishing after all this time.  Its success gave me the confidence to make a bigger investment and try my hand at yet more.  I just have to keep telling myself, "Leave it alone!  No fussing!"

What Boys Are Made Of (and Mine In Particular)

What a surprise to be featured on the "What Little Boy's Are Made Of " weekly round up.

So what are they made of?  Snips and snails and puppy dog tails?  Hardly!  My guys are made of noise, energy, movement, competitiveness, big appetites, a little bit of mischief, and hearts of gold.  Really and truly I love being the mother of boys!   

Making Notes and White Pumpkins

Yay for small white pumpkins with a ribbon!  I turned some crystal goblets, votive holders, and jars upside down to use as pedestals and put a pumpkin on top of each one to decorate the food table for Tracy's shower.

A missed Sunday nap can really catch up with you in the middle of teaching geography.

It's a bummer when your car is dead in the water.

How would you like this cause on your death certificate... "Scared to death by the meter reader while opening blinds to the back yard."  Yep, that's what mine almost said.

You know it's time to go get groceries when you've just fed the kids the last bite in the house for lunch and it was noodles and bacon & eggs.  Not all mixed together, but still!  Bluckk!

Just Blathering

Things swirling around in my mind...

• The first thing the couple asked the contractor when they entered the house was, "Did you do the texture and the painting?"  His answer, "We did the texture; they did the painting."  Credit where credit was due.  I'm happy.  They loved the house and the painting.  Joel told them we were for hire, but that we didn't come cheap.  He was joking - I hope!

• Hobby Lobby is selling Vintaj now!!!!!!!!  Way too many exclamation points I know, but really this is exciting.  Michelle and Bev told me yesterday and then I saw it in the weekly email.  They have all their Vintaj on sale this week for 25% off!

• The mutilated box above was done by Landon and his new automatic AK-47 air soft gun.  I tell you that is one happy boy!

• Pulling an all day-er in the nursery is not that much fun.  Ah well...

• Sewing new bags is fun!  Soon to be revealed.

• Time to start easing the boys back into school year bed and wake up times.  Who am I kidding?  Time to ease myself back into them.

• I'm also trying to push myself into a regular exercise program.  Can't really ease myself into that one, but it's gotta be done.

• One last thing, that recipe for white sauce?  It's not green onions, it's green olives.  Sorry, but I fixed it!

It Must Be Done

It can't all be sewing and fun around here.  I clean my house every Friday.  Well, almost every Friday.  Most of the time it gets done in some form or fashion, but today is the Big Clean.  Our contractor is showing our house to some potential clients.  Ok, but will he take all the credit for the loveliness I call home, or will he tell them we worked like mad right alongside his people to make it this beautiful.   We'll see - and so we clean.

Bouquet for You

Thank you to all who continually stop by to see the crafting and life that happens here at simple Analogy.  I do have a few short "in my little world" posts arranged for you while I'm in vacation mode. 

A Colorado wildflower bouquet just for you. 

My List

• Finish Micah's present 
• Groceries
• Take Noah to the library
• Make a blanket for the next Craft Hope Project - Almost able to cross this one off.  That's my binding up there.
• Make the dress
• Hang my gallery
• Hang magnetic boards in Landon's room - I miss him!
• Try my hand at printing
• Get my car inspected
• Start my pillows

I thought I'd be way more into this list by now, but Noah's social calendar has been quite full.  The last half of the week is looking like it will be my best chance - hopefully!

Gratitude Friday

So much to be thankful for...

It's the last day of VBS!

The children were very good and had so much fun.  I love to see that all the fun plans I made were not in vain and that they truly enjoyed themselves.

Awesome helpers!!!!  Thank you Lissa, Melanie, Megan, Ruth, Amanda, and Ruth.  The notebooks are their thank you gifts.  I used composition notebooks, fabric, and Heat 'n Bond.

My 20+ trips each day to the potty with the kids end at 12:30pm!!!!!!  That potty training business will wear you out!

I get to sleep in tomorrow!!!!!!!

Happy Mother's Day