Wednesday, June 20, 2012

a story and a dust cover

My husband asked me to make him a dust cover, for a piece of equipment he keeps on a cart in a treatment room.This cover is more about appearance less about protection from dust. 

He has more faith in my sewing abilities than I do. I consider myself a "pretend" seamstress, able to do some mending and straight line sewing. I have always had spacial learning problems and patterns and maps are the places that these challenges are manifested.

A little side story (recorded here for my children's sake).
When traveling with my husband, on our first road trip, he told me to quick get the map and see where we were and if the approaching road was where we needed to exit.
I quickly opened the atlas, found the state we were in and turned the book upside down to place the ocean on the correct side of the car. He simply rolled his eyes and said, "OK, we are now lost." All these years later he usually asks one of the boys to help with the map navigation.
In my own defense, if we have traveled to a location, even if it was twenty years ago, I can usually retrace my steps back there. I believe this is a coping mechanism I have developed due to a lack of confidence in my ability to read a map.

Back to this pattern for covering any type of machine, appliance, electronic, etc.
I followed this extremely easy tutorial by  Crafty Gemini. If I can do it, you can too.
Of course I finished it at 11pm so the lighting in my pictures is not great.

Drum roll please.....

The machine is at the office; therefore, the pictures show the cover over a cart.



The seem down the middle is due to the fact that I wanted the unfinished fringe (salvage) edge 
so that I would not have to hem it.

This on my knitting needles, but I'm not holding my breath...I also"pretend" to knit.
Stay tuned for more Summer sewing/knitting projects.

Saturday, June 09, 2012

happy birthday

Seth turns another year older...19!
He is taking the ACT today, not the way I would want to be spending my birthday.
I think BBQ chicken, potato salad and cheesecake just might redeem the day.

Happy Birthday~We love you!

Sunday, June 03, 2012

weekending

My weekend began Friday at lunch time.
A group of ladies began to arrive out in the country at a friend's home. 
She organized a mini retreat to refresh and renew body, mind, and spirit.
The group consisted of women from 70(?) to 22.
Some I knew yet others I was meeting for the fist time.
All were sweet and I left calling all of them friend.
Our hostess put a lot of time into the little thoughtful things, and here are just a few pictures.
Morning coffee, hot tub soaks and prayer happened on this beautiful and peaceful porch.

Fresh flowers beside every bed.

 Manicure, pedicure or both? The choice was yours. 
And if you'd rather not Anita Renfroe was making us laugh via DVD.
 Throughout our entire "retreat" this little guy had to be fed.
 Our only scheduled outing was to the local pottery studio. 
I painted a color-wheel plate and can't wait to get it back fired.
 Starbucks ~ no further explanation required.
 Each meal served had it's own theme and table setting.
 Hot tub...relaxing!
It was decided this needs to be an annual retreat. 
Thank you ladies, I'll see you next year!
So as not to add stress, to our already over committed
lives, our weekend ended so that everyone could attend their own
church fellowships.


And as if that was not enough to fill my weekend...
 My boys played and sang in church. 
They sang an original song written by the man on the far right.
 Jacob on bass, Seth on guitar center.
 Senior Day at church...I guess this breaks my promise.

Moving on...we spent the evening at the beach with friends...


 A very serious game of Bocce Ball.


 Girls "catching" fish!
 AND MORE FISH!

 As we were leaving, the sun was setting on this side of the highway.

 While the moon was rising over the ocean.
Thank you for sharing in my very full weekend.

Friday, June 01, 2012

hello June

 My camera lens has been quiet this week; capturing only a sweet evening with friends.
 I love the lighting in this picture with siblings playing a game under the lamp.
I am off at noon to a girls weekend...yeah!
Be back in few days, re-fueled and ready for Summer.

Monday, May 28, 2012

seth's last graduation post ~ i promise

Setting up. The sign on the barn was one of my favorite things about the decorations.
 It could be seen from the driveway as guests arrived and is still hanging on the barn. 
I am sure this will not be the last sign to hang on the barn.

 Ready and waiting.


The graduate (on left) with Nathan.
 Corn Hole!
 Chilling while the food line is long.
 BBQ pulled pork, mac-n-cheese, baked beans, coleslaw.
 Eating!
 Eating!

Hannah, smiling!



 Many games of volleyball.
 Marianna and Rebekah
 Girls catching tadpoles in the pond.
87 friends and family 
38 pounds of pulled pork
144 servings of mac-n-cheese
76 servings beans
 2 1/2 gallons of coleslaw
many different desserts
5 gallons iced tea
8 gallons lemonade
10 gallons of water
It was a ton of fun...
and we're glad it's done!

It has been storming for two days. We went to church yesterday and now have done nothing but a minor amount of clean-up, movie watching and napping.

Thank you to those that have served our country and humble gratitude to the families whose loved ones have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Thursday, May 24, 2012

preparations

scrub, wash, cook, mow, plant, paint, slide-show, music...repeat!

Seth's graduation party Saturday has us working overtime.
And a sick child had me at twilight pediatrics last night.
She has been a trooper. 
The youngest of five and the first one to have strep-throat.
Watermelon fruit slushie, gatorade, medicine
and a Walton's marathon
help ease the fact that mom can not sit by her side
for any extended period of time. 

Many emotions are racing through my heart.
Deep breaths help me smile and remember
that these days, with all my loves under this roof,
are numbered...and treasured.

Friday, May 18, 2012

oh happy day moment!

Just a Moment from our week,
 one to remember and savor always...
slowing down to enjoy it!  Hope you have a great weekend!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

morning light

What will I do when the music stops...
This morning I have heard guitar, piano, violin and bass.
Bass? How did you sneak in hear.
 For  seven years I have said, "No bass, it is too big, I am not hauling it around."
 Then they get big enough to haul it around themselves. 
The house is alive with the sound of music, forget about the hills.
When the children have gone and music grows quiet...I will begin piano lessons - again.

Monday, May 14, 2012

graduation

Today you close two chapters in your life and begin a new one. Seth, I am proud and blessed to call  you my son. I know that God is going to do mighty things with your life, if you allow Him to guide and direct your path.  

I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you. 
I said, ‘You are my servant’
have chosen you and have not rejected you. 


 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
 Isaiah 41:9-10

Love, Mom

Happy Mother's Day

To all Moms, near and far, that I love and call friend, you know who you are; I pray your day is special, blessed and shared with those you love!
This post never made it yesterday because I was waiting on this little guy to arrive...an incredible Mother's Day blessing!