So I DID buy a sewing machine. A Singer Stylist. I even managed to thread it and wind a bobbin and all those things I forgot how to do over the past couple of years without wanting to throw it out the window. I'ts amazing what a quality machine can do for functionality.

Anyway, in my true fashion I've dove off the deep end. I already have about 6 or 7 patterns and a growing little stash of fabric. I've already cut the pattern for my first "project". I put this in quotes bc I think it was a tad ambitious in that it requires a knit and darting and zippers and interfacing and omg... I just remembered I've never sewn anything other than headbands and pillows before! In all seriousness I think I'm going to be nervous and put if off for a bit. But not to worry my other starter project while also knit is MUCH more basic.

If it weren't almost 2am I'd bother to find and add the pattern listings for those curious but as I'm pretty sure I'm the only one that reads this (since I just started writing in it again...) I'm going to go to bed instead :)

Hopefully by the next time I update I am well on my way to having a handmade dress.

Anyone have ideas on the best way to store patterns? I obviously cannot refold... as that would require some serious wizardry.

Sewing on the brain

I stayed home today with a busted toe (unfortunate accident at the craft store) and a completly kinked neck. No sudden turning leaves computer researching available. I've been dancing with the idea of getting a sewing machine again. I know- Christine- you had a sewing machine before and you never used it and ended up giving it away for free...

Now that I'm reading reviews I'm convinced I was not the complete fool I felt like with that machine- apparently it was a entry model known for the issues I was having. This gives me hope.

I get this itch to sew everytime Project Runway starts a new season. Well- a new season just started and my good friend Kelly was showing me some things she's been working on and let's just say I'm about to cave.

Add it to the hobby list! Hopefully it'll take off. I'd love to make some cute skirts and not to mention some clothes for Judie.

Later for now :)

2012- Oh Boy

Was accused of having a bad attitude a mere minutes after midnight but a certain woman that shall not be named gets under my skin so. You should not be receiving from your ex that treats you like hell "love ya and be safe" texts although I must admit this was a big step up from an actual phone call at MIDNIGHT like last year. Still, I raged.

So I resolve to be less involved this year. Her mistakes are her mistakes and I shall laugh them off, not get irriated. What's that quote about holding on to anger is like swallowing poison but expecting to the other person to die? Yeah, I don't want that for me anymore.

My other resolutions are to travel more and kick this cold. Easy.

I struggle on with my dedication to weight watchers. Still learning my willpower. I did not weigh in Fri bc I was nervous as hell. Today I made a HUGE pot of veggie bean soup. I'll get there.

I must appologize to Wendell for being in town and witnessing me in some low points - although I was not the only girl in this house not on my best behavior I am the only adult girl PMSing while with a bad cold...

I'm crossing my fingers to get my July vacation time approved. My plan is to do a road trip w/ Denis to MO via the panhandle and a return to Tampa via TN. I don't feel like flying. I feel like watching the road stretch on behind me and stopping places along the way. I want to swim in the ocean with no cares and hike in the mountains all sandwiched around visiting with family that'll meet Denis for the first time. Unsure if Judie's mom will have her during this time or not but it can be kid friendly if need be. I guess it'll also have to be dog friendly bc of Macy not being able to be babysat by family.

Project: Chore Board

So pinterest has given me all kinds of ideas! This is my creation from a bunch of pins and somewhat born out of frustration lately w/ the lack of chores from the little one and her attitude that if she does good in school she can do whatever at home. Not anymore; Enter the chore board!

The ribbons have clips for the day that slide down to the "DONE" area when tasks are completed. The left side is for daily tasks and the right for weeklies. Along the top there is "extra credit" which are tasks worth $ if she'd like to earn more or balance out days she didn't complete chores or did poorly w/ her school behavior. These weekly extra credit tasks are worth anywhere from 10-50 cents.

On a daily basis if her tasks aren't completed she loses 50 cents and if she gets a non green or blue day in class she loses 25 cents.

The clip titled school fun is for her reward idea of the week. In the past it's been bowling, an arcade, picnic/park day, a movie, etc. This can be won by getting all green or blues for the week at school.

She's happy about it and rushed to get all of her daily tasks done tonight which makes me thrilled!

Gardening

So unless you follow my facebook it's unlikely anyone would be aware that I've been actively gardening away. We're in this rental house and it's first impression is BLUE. That's right- I live in a big blue house with blue accents and a RED door. I live in a freakin cartoon house but what's nice inside is really nice... and spacious... and there's a spa tub!

Ok so despite the fact that it's a rental I've been plugging quite a bit of $ into the yard. The landlord doesn't really care what I do- I think she's just glad it's getting some TLC.
I put in a liriope border by the fanned stepping stones at the front door. There are solar lights behind them and on the yard side there are some FL friendly gold (pic) plants (a type of stonecrop) placed which are a really BRIGHT evergreen ground cover. It's filling in painfully slow but I'll like the finished effect (if I ever live here to see it... lol)

I've also planted purslane which I LOVE for they were apparently one of Gandhi's favorite foods. It's very rich in vitamins and has beautifully colored blooms that open during the day. I've got yellow, orange and pink and have them planted near the driveway. The house side of the driveway's yard is... poor. Not true grass and many weeds. There was a large tree there that  uprooted a few months before we moved in so it's hard to dig there from the remaining roots and there are wood chips strewn about the sandy substrate. I just wanted to get something easy and pretty down that will thrive... and thrive they are.

Along the front of the house I've planted Bulbine which I love. It's hard, a good plant for xeriscaping in FL and get beautiful blooms. Mine are not nearly as gorgeous with the foilage as they should be... I think I had some issues w/ transplanting but they still bloom like crazy. Absolutely gorgeous. They're a tuber plant and I'm hoping will slowly spread out in the area I've planted. Did I mention they have the medicinal qualities of aloe? Great plant.

I've also selected some salvia, milkweed, buddleia, lantana and dill for a small butterfly garden patch I will be planting this weekend.

Other than that I've been attempting to grow some food, also. I have two unfortunate heirloom Mr. Stripey tomato plants (I think aphids have done some damage- they just look... leggy and not so great). I've got two kinds of eggplants, 2 strawberry plants, 4 small brussells sprouts (which I'm sure won't produce in FL but I enjoy the look), 6 small jalapenos, a sweet banana pepper, a petite orange bell, an established flowering cherry tomato and some small sugar snap pea plants. I'm sure there's some more. Other than that I DID have arugula, buttercrunch and red leaf lettuce but only two arugulas since that smackdown rainstorm yesterday. I need to figure out a way to shield them and still provide plenty of sun.

In the back yard I've planted a few potato vines to help cover some baren ugly areas along the house. I have a little strand of coleus along the window and a few other plants here and there. the backyard is largely shady and doesn't grow grass well.

I'm trying to be mindful of FL requirements and plant as many xeriscaping plants so once established can thrive with minimal water use. So far so good and I'm enjoying this great practice for when I can purchase my own place!

Things that are incredibly frustrating

1. Supply list on J's school page was LAST years. It's wildly different from the list I finally found in the shuffle of the move.

2. Can't speak of it here.

Just checking in

We're finally mostly done with the big move and I must say I'm very relieved to be living in my home neighborhood again! It's just a short walk to my parents and from their house a short walk to my brothers. My mom is pleased to have us in close proximity and it really boosts the convenience factor as far as babysitting and after school pick ups go. My best friend literally lives 3 turns away from me and is about 2 minutes by car if you catch the one traffic light.

We have four rooms and 2 living room and 2.5 baths. Definitely the most space I've had to call my own, ever. The backyard is a gentle slope down to a pond complete with turtles and cypress trees. My only complaint can be the color of the house but hey, that's why it's a rental!


I have an oceanic and dark wood guest room that needs a bed. And a charcoal gray studio that needs setting up. Judith's room is a sunny yellow as mine was as a kid. Our room is compete with en suite spa tub and seperate shower stall. Love. Bathing with a glass of wine after work has been a new treat. Especially when drawn up and waiting for me by Denis.We're still settling in and that always takes awhile because I like things to come organically together (and work a full time job w/ long hours. and help care for a stepdaughter.)

Anyway, life is good.