My New (and Only) Belt

I have not owned a belt in at least five years.  Before that I may have had some in the back of my closet, but they never saw daylight.  During a recent girls trip, I saw a belt that I loved.  I showed my sister and she said, "yeah, mom bought one yesterday".  To which I thought...when is she going to wear this?  Then, like an echo in my head, my sister asked, "when are you going to wear that?"  Over the years, I've improved with regard to reasoning myself out of purchases that will never be used.  But I wanted this belt.  I want to add some style to my weak wardrobe.  I want to change things up a bit.  Well, just over a month later, I am proud to say I wore the belt.  I got compliments on how nice I looked too, yay!

It's a Cinch!

Check out these little cinch-top bags I made!

The pattern (I slightly modified) came from a great book: Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross.  I used leftover fabric from another project.  I liked them so much, I went to Hobby Lobby for cuter fabric and ribbon!  I think I'll make some big ones to use for shoes when I travel.

A Great Vacation Spot

I am wrapping up my three day vacation at home.  My mom and sister have watched the kids before when Joel and I went on vacation.  Lately I’ve been thinking (a lot) about sending the kids to grandma’s while I stay at home.  Fun right?  I KNOW!  I have wonderful memories of spending weekends with my cousins at our grandma's house.  My boys are 5 and 2 ½ years old, and I knew they would love this idea.  But I also know how attached I am to them and they are to me. 

Have you seen the new version of Disney’s Rapunzel, Tangled?  When Rapunzel leaves the tower against her mother’s wishes, she is ecstatic one second and weeping the next.  She yells, “This is the BEST DAY EVER”, and then cries, “I’m a horrible daughter (for leaving)”.  This is how I felt when the boys rode away with grandma.  I was excited for time to myself, and I was sad to be away from them. 

While they were gone, I hoped for a nice mix of accomplishing and relaxing.  I feared over-thinking it (I often do).  What if I make a list of things to accomplish?  I would probably get overwhelmed with all the things I want to do on my list and get sucked into a three day list-making fest.  I also feared once I sat down to watch TV, it would turn into a three day veg fest.

I must say I am proud of myself.  The mix was good.  The time went fast like I knew it would.  I reminded myself no one’s list is ever done.  Enjoy the quiet.  Do what I want to do when I want to do it.  So here are just a few things I did during my vacation at home. 

I finished a pillow slipcover.  I found a super easy, super cute pattern here on the blog, Cottage Magpie.

I finished repainting star hooks for Grayson’s room, finally.  It was one of those projects that kept getting pushed aside.  

As for relaxing, I watched some first season episodes of Glee (love it).  

I know from talking to the boys each day they are having oodles of fun!  I am eager to see them and douse them with hugs and kisses.  I wonder if they will ask to stay at grandma's house longer, or if they will be ready to come home (to one of the best vacation spots EVER).

Sorry

Sorry, my blog.  I know I have not posted recently.  I have written things, but I don't have anything edited or blog-worthy at the moment.  It has been a crazy week.  I will return to post something soon.

Barbra IS Like Butter

I am almost done with an awesome book on loan from my mom (thanks mom):  My Passion for Design by Barbra Streisand.  I have heard Barbra described as a perfectionist, demanding, and difficult.  She is a superstar though, so I figure some of that comes with the job, some of it may be the way she is, and some of it is just people talking.  As I read the book, I can totally see why she is sometimes described this way.  This lady is detailed, notices everything, and is wicked smart!  I like her music and movies, and I love this book.  She likes things a certain way and is not afraid to say so.  I admire that she knows what she wants and knows what she likes and does not appear afraid or ashamed to stand up for it.  In the book, Barbra references a quote from her speech for Women in Film given in 1992. 

“A man is commanding – a woman is demanding.  A man is forceful – a woman is pushy.  A man is a perfectionist – a woman’s a pain in the ass.”

Wow.  Two people, one a man, the other a woman, could behave the same and be interpreted completely differently?!  I know you already knew that, but I thought Barbra said it quite nicely (hehehe).  Barbra IS like butter!  A friend and former co-worker used to tease me about "always" being right.  Just like perfectionism, I am not sure why confidence in my high level of intelligence would be a bad trait J I will admit I love to be right.  Who doesn't?  I think if I ever met Barbra in person, we would probably get along well.

Name of the Game

Does anyone other than me think it inappropriate to teach a five year old and two and half year old a game called butthead?  I’m not as concerned about the actual game as I am the name of it.  I actually had to tell my husband why it might not be the best idea to call it that.  I’m sure you know it.  Your wrestling (my kids call it “get you”) and you sit on the other persons head and yell out “butthead”.  Yeah, good times.  My husband said, “Well, that’s what my friends and I called it”.  I remind him that was probably (hopefully) in junior high school.  Not only am I going to have a kindergarten teacher call me about my kid asking others to play butthead next year but the church-run mother’s day out program for my not yet three year old might have some concerns with the game as well.  I suggested calling it booty head, but it hasn’t caught on yet.

Patience: Not Just for Kids Anymore

My son just told me to have some patience!  Hmmm.  I laughed.  This is something I say to him, a lot.  He may very well be the most persistent five year old ever (I sincerely don’t think I am exaggerating).  We just finished a board game, and he and his brother were going to watch a DVD.  He went to pick one, and I asked him to help me pick up the game first.  “Just a minute” (one of his signature responses in his signature tone - whine).  I was about to retort when he followed up with, “have some patience”.  After my initial surprise, I waited…patiently J  He is listening and learning what I am trying to teach him!  I am sometimes too quick to jump in with a correction, explanation, or direction.  This is another reminder for me to listen more instead, so he can show me what else he has learned.  Of course, I hope he hasn't listened to everything I've ever said!  That might get us both into trouble.