Back to the Basics

Here's the quick update. We are still looking for a job. The house is on the market. And we are still doing okay. Now on to some fun stuff.

Some of the blessings I have noticed lately are what are keeping me going. The first (in no particular order) is that I can now grocery shop without kids! This alone has cut the grocery bill, but I am also able to remember to use the coupons I have at the check-out instead of realizing too late that they were in my purse. Another Savings! I can run errands almost anytime of day now, no trying to work around school or nap schedules. YEAH! I can go for walks almost anytime of day. AND today was so beautiful. Seventy degree weather and lots of Sunshine! Music up and windows down in the car. Did I mention that because I am able to go places without my children, I actually get to listen to MY music. Usually, it's Signing Time or Thomas in the background. But now it's MIX 106, Michael Buble or whatever else gets me going. As a side note, I heard "Blame It On the Rain" today, admittedly turned up the volume and had a great Friday Flashback.

Another perk of this time, is that I am finally finishing some projects that I have wanted to do. I finished the top to Peter's new duck jammies. I do pants for Christmas time, but Peter decided he needed a top to match. Mostly because these duck jammies were replacing ones that he had outgrown, and the old ones had a top and a bottom. Anyway, I quilt, I don't sew. I mean, quilting, for the most part, is straight lines. Curves on the other hand, are quite the pain in the butt! And that, my friends, is why plus sized clothing never fits right. No one likes to sew curves! (OK, I am probably exaggerating a little, but you'll never know unless you try to sew yourself.) And any outfit you may have with piping on it is worth double what you paid, I promise. Can I just tell you, it was 100% worth it when I finished because of my Peter's beautiful smile? He was so proud of me and the jammies. Just don't tell him that I think they are at least one size too big.

I also have almost finished my friend's baby quilt. Shamefully, I think he is about nine months old now, but still, it counts. The first problem with me finishing stuff is that I am a perfectionist. The second it that my friend refused to find out the sex of the baby before he came. So, I started a quilt, but it started looking girly. Then I find out it's a boy. What to do, what to do? You'll have to tell me what you think of it (it's the rainbow one.) You can't see the quilting very well, but that was tons of fun because I was using the laser on a long arm quilter to trace some stars and moons. Cute stuff I tell you. The people who design and invent these quilting projects are awesome!

Lastly, I have included a picture of a table runner I have wanted to do for at least a year if not longer. Yeah, you probably guessed that it was originally going to be for Valentine's day, but it could work for Mother's day, Birthdays, or Anniversaries, right? I got so into it, I have more than one. I made five. Don't know why, but I did. And I probably have fabric to make five more. This is always how it goes with me. I have a thing for fabric. I have thoughts of using the extras as visiting teaching gifts, presents, or selling them on ebay. I don't know. I just can't make one. ESPECIALLY if I originally am making it for myself. Because right before I finish the project, I will almost always think of someone else that I think might like what I am making too. (I don't mean that pridefully.) Anyone own a Mr. Gobbles or snowman door hanger??? :)

So, I think this is a pretty good update of my life. I have some fun things coming up too, so maybe I'll be better about updating the blog. I have a trip to Washington soon. I'm going without kids. To be with my best friend from High school. It should be a lot of fun and maybe a little bit of trouble too :) I have my second ever talk to give in church. I am not sure I can do it, but the good news is I won't remember a thing I said afterwards, so I can't be held accountable, right? And then, hopefully, I'll have a new job for hubbie and place to live to tell you all about.

I can't let the opportunity pass without telling you all "Thanks." Thanks for being my friend. Thanks for supporting and sustaining me through this stressful time. Thanks for praying for me and my family. I have always been surrounded by great friends and I hope that never changes. Love you!

P.S. The other picture is just a cute one of Parker and his marshmellow catapult. I think it may have been a scout project. And he built it himself. Cute kid!