This is my future

 Meet Wade. My future Husband.

Wedding Planning

My first wedding, I did very little planning. My parents took care of everything. I kinda just had to show up. Well, this time, my fiance and I are taking care of it. So, i'm just gonna throw some ideas out there and see what ya'll think. BTW, my dress is white and my MOH dress is black. Was thinking of a multi colored reception with bright colors. Something fun. Anyway, here are some things I found online.



I like this one, just not as much as the one below. The leaves can be done in black, but not sure it is YELLOW enough?????




I think this one might be my favorite that i've found. I love how YELLOW this is. (and for those that know me, and know I want to paint my front door and shutters yellow, you will understand how much I LOVE YELLOW)



I love these cakes, the calligraphy on them is amazing, just not sure it would go with the "fun, party" theme I am thinking I want to create.

Our New Life

Where have I been. Well, to sum it all up, busy. Raising 4 little monkeys on my own was not what I had expected to happen, but, what can you do? Life gave me lemons, so I made  lemonade. Their father and I finalized our divorce a little over a year ago. Getting the kids into a routine that works for all 5 of us, and then their dad and his schedule has been a little challenging and not always enjoyable, but I think we have worked it out I am handling all the little issues that come up daily very well. The kids are thriving in school and all their extras. I substitute at the school as much as possible and volunteer the rest of my time with the PTO. The kids and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the fact that I am able to be at the school as much as I am. Now that I "think" I have a pretty good schedule going on, I am hoping that I can start blogging more and more about our lives. And....I am about to start sewing and embroidering again, so that will be loads of fun for me, and at the same time, I am teaching monkey #2 to sew. She is so excited about that.

Living on a Farm

Just so we're clear, I do not live on a farm. Nor do I own a dog or cat. However, this morning I find myself cleaning trash out of my yard, yes again. This is becoming a daily occurance. Apparently my trash is better than the neighbors? So, while I am cleaning up my trash I hear the cows moo. Not uncommon since the field beside me is a cow pasture. What I see when I look up is two huge eyes glaring at me from my patio. I'm going to call the cow Bubba, don't know why, he just looks like a Bubba. So anyway, Bubba and I have a little stare down and even tho I am a bit frightened, I refuse to give up any more of my yard to animals that I don't own. After a while of me standing there, hands on hips, staring the enormous cow down, Rusty and Roscoe come to my rescue and chase the cow out of my yard and back into his own field. Rusty and Roscoe are the dogs that seem to think my trash is top shelf. Rusty and Roscoe are my heroes and are welcome to my trash now.

My Grandfather, 80 Years Young

This is Leroy. Leroy is my grandfather. He is an amazing person in every sense of the way.

We celebrated my grandfather's 80th birthday last Sunday, May 23. He was a Command Seargent Major in the US Army, worked for the State of Alabama, he is a devoted husband, a father to 6, a grandfather to 9, and a great grandfather to 10.

 

 

He is also an amazing volunteer. He is active in the Shriner's and Mason's to name a few.

He loves spending time with his family and telling stories of the "good ol days."

He has traveled the world and been in several wars. Even recieving the Purple Heart.

Of all the things my grandfather has done,

and all the things my grandfather is,

The most important role he has played is My Hero. I hope to be just like him when I grow up.

Little Layla Grace

For those that don't know, this is Layla Grace

She is this amazing 2 year old fighting with stage 4 neuroblastoma.

She is a true fighter. If you ever needed any inspiration in how to stay strong, just look at her parents and family. You can follow her blog HERE.

She has touched so many lives through her blog, facebook page, and twitter. I am in awe at how many followers she has and at how many prayers she is recieving daily.

If you would like to help donate to her medical bills you can head on over to her blog, or check out Project Mommyhood. They are currently holding a benifit auction to help Layla and her family. The auction will end tonight (March 6) at Midnight.

Remember...

Knowledge+Funding= Cure

It's Hard Being Such A Good Mother

I am at McDonalds today with my 3 year old. We both felt like we needed a little reward for having 3 snow days and having to share our days with the older kids. So off we go. Now, with my older 3 kids I would have never dreamed of sitting in playland while eating, but this one is such a great little eater that I figured it would be okay. We are sitting there eating while all the other little heathens kids are running around being chased by their mothers and being begged to sit back down and eat.


(Insert feeling of being a superior mom here)

I just politely smile and nod my head like I know how they feel and they in turn give me the look “don’t look at me like that because your kids is sitting still and eating”. We have all been there and KNOW what look I am talking about.

So, our McDonalds has 2 really cool computer games that are touch screen. These are obviously to be used by the older kids who feel it is too cool to play in the tubes, but in the middle of the school day, you now have toddlers fighting over the computers. The BEST part is the mothers that are “bragging” about how much computer time they DON’T let their kids have (oh, and there is this retired dad sitting there and he said (I PROMISE this is exactly what he said) “Oh, I let mine play whatever he wants. He has a gameboy, PS2, and his own computer. I leave the educational crap up to my wife.” (His child was maybe 4) The other mom’s just ignored him after that.

Ok, so picture this. Child A runs and gets on the computer, followed by Child B. Childs A’s mother helps him into the seat while Child B’s mother sits there and talks about how the only computer game her son is allowed to play is Dora. Not to be outdone, Child A’s mother now decides that she has a “no computer unless it is educational” rule and removes Child A from said computer. Child A starts screaming. And I’m not talking a little whine. No! This was a throw yourself down on the floor and scream at the top of his lungs scream. THEN (oh, it gets better) Child A’s mother takes Child A in a football hold and proceeds to inform the manager that “the computers were the worst idea they had and that she was going to have to leave because her child would not stop ‘fussing’ over them.” She comes back into playland where my child is just happily going down the slides, oblivious to the fact that there are computers, and sits her child down and tells Child A “We have to leave since you won’t stop screaming over the computers. You know you are not allowed to play”. Wait a minute here. Child A was on the computers earlier with your help!!!

(Insert another feeling of superior mom here because mine has yet to see said computers and I now get to give them the “oh, I’m sorry for you” look)

Uh, oh. I gave the look and now my son sees the computers. He sits down at the empty chair and starts to touch the screen. He really does not know what he is doing because I believe my computer cost to much and has all my work and school stuff on it so mine has honesty never been allowed to touch mine. Not because of educational reasons, just because I am selfish and don’t want my stuff broke. He is in heaven playing when all of a sudden, Child B shows back up and starts playing. NOW Child B’s mom decides that he can’t play so she removes him also. So, I have my child at the computer and 2 SCREAMING BANSHEES running around because their mom’s are trying to out do each other. At this point mine comes back over to me and tells me (very loudly) “Let’s go! Baby’s won’t stop screaming”.



(Insert superior look again.)

Your Daily Dose of Laughter

There is this Blog that I obsessively stalk read. Every morning, her blog is the first one I check just to make sure I don’t miss a posting. I recommended her blog to my sister and to ALL of my Face book friends. She is GREAT!! I read her post and sometime I laugh out loud (like today's blog posting), sometimes I cry (Because I have had that elderly neighbor too), but most of the time I find myself thinking “OMG, this could be me.” She is so real and honest. Even the other day my sister and I were talking about her "mom's lunch" and all the emailing back and forth trying to schedule and I interrupt her with "OMG! That reminds me, did you see Amy's posting about the school bookroom...." I find I am in LOVE with Amy and I really want to be her when I grow up.


So, today, I ask that all of you take a few minutes to check out Amy Musings, Dramatically Incorrect. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

Adult Onset ADHD

I’m one of those people that can never seem to finish a chore. Take this morning for example. I started cleaning the kitchen. I started with the dishes in the sink and once those were all clean I moved on to work on the island. Now, on the island were the clothespins from yesterday’s project. Still not put back together. (I had taken them apart and painted them pink for a valentines craft found here)

So, I stop cleaning and start putting the clothespins back together. Once that is done my youngest wants to take my craft box and put it back in my office. Since I don’t trust him to be in my office by himself, I must follow him upstairs.


Like any good crafter, once I set foot inside my office, I am immediately overwhelmed with all the projects that must be completed. I sit down at my computer and first check email, then read all the new blogs and let’s not forget about face book. Then I realize a few days ago I was supposed to make pillow cases so I start cutting out my fabric, and see some really cute Japanese fabric that I want to make a burp cloth and wash cloths out of. I move on to cutting out my Japanese fabric and actually make the burp cloth, but then I remember I am supposed to be making pillowcases. Japanese fabric gets put aside and I pull my striped fabric back out. I make 1 pillow case and carry it downstairs to put on my bed. My son is taking his nap in my bed so I just lay the pillowcase on the dresser and check the time. Oh my, 4:30. I have to start boiling the eggs for the girls salad tonight for dinner (I made taco soup but the girls don’t eat that, and since we all run restaurants for meal times, they start placing orders.) I run back upstairs to try to finish the other pillowcase in the few minutes I have while the eggs cook, and my 2nd grader starts going thru my fabric and asks me why I have not made the mittens and hats and scarves I started Thursday night? So, I pull my fleece back out and start measuring that when I realize I have eggs on the stove. Run downstairs, take the eggs off the burner, and come back up stairs to finish the scarves and decide to Blog instead.



This all started at 8 AM with me cleaning the kitchen. Does this happen to anyone else?

The "Blizzard" of 2010

For some people, snow is a regular occurrence during the winter. However, if you live in a southern state, the chance of snow is few a far between. A few days ago, the news channels started forecasting "A HUGE WINTER STORM" and it was coming straight for us. OMG!!! Everyone run to the grocery and overstock on everything, oh yah, lets close all the schools too. Seriously, that is what happens down here. Last night around 7PM our director of schools cancelled school for today because of the "forecast" for the winter snow.

This morning we all wake up and there is nothing on the ground. It is 39 outside. Not even cold enough. You should see all the face book comments from this morning. All those irritated mothers whose child is home today and they had to call out of work. WOW!! (This is 7 AM this morning when the comments start)



Fast forward to about 9AM. The Nashville (TN) news stations are reporting that by Saturday AM Nashville and the counties east and west may get around 8", north of Nashville even more. The good thing (as we are told by the weather lady) is that the southern counties that border Alabama will not see much. Hey, guess where I am? Yup, one of those bordering counties, and let me tell you!! By 9AM it had already begun sleeting and there was ice on the roads.



10AM, we have about 1" of snow already and this snow is covering the ice (thank goodness these southern counties won't be getting anything too bad).



11AM, News stations start telling everyone that the roads are getting bad (oh, by the way, Nashville and the northern counties do not have any snow on the ground. I know because face book tells me so.)



NOON, the roads in Maury County (according to the news people, and Maury County is SOUTH of Nashville) are some of the worst that you will encounter.



2PM, this is my backyard (remember, we are one of those counties that border Alabama, my back yard is actually only 45 minutes away from Alabama.) This is about 2" in the yard and it is still snowing. Will be untill early  morning. Good thing the weather lady said we would only get about 2" total for both days.

Is it REALLY this EASY

What have I been doing for 2 weeks? Searching for an easy pillowcase pattern to make to cover the pillows on my bed. ( For some reason, I have seemed to loose pillowcases like others loose socks, and now I find myself with 4 pillows in desperate need of some cases.) So, I have been busy searching my local stores trying to find some that will match my curtains and bedspread, but no luck.

{Back Story}

When we moved into the house I painted my room a light blue and wanted a brown quilt/throw to go over the bed, blue sheets, and I was going to make the curtians out of the City Girl Blue/Brown fabric. Guess how much fabric I bought, somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 yards. ***GASP*** Okay, I know what you are thinking, I have no idea why I thought I needed that much fabric, it is not like the entire wall is covered in windows. So, needless to say, because I ended up finding this awsome bedspread at Overstock.com and then matching curtains, I still have ALL that fabric left. Lucky for me, it is in 4 different coordinating patterns.

{Back to the original thought process}

So, anyway, I have all this fabric, no pillowcases, and since I am also currently working on 3 different bedding sets, not alot of time, I needed something easy.

I FOUND IT!!!

Here, at Make It and Love It, Ashley shows us how to make pillowcases. It is sooooooo easy. (Why I didn't just think to do this is beyond me but I am going to blame it on all the snow days we have had out of school). And since tomorrow is a snow day also, I am making me some of these.

~Amanda~

*on a side note, I think Blogger took away Spell Check so if you see any spelling errors, don't blame me, blame Blogger.

Am I a Bad American?

I vote, regularly. I truly believe if you don't vote, you don't get to complain. Because lets face it. We all love to complain about politics. Even if we voted for the party in office, we complain. It is just what we do. Everyone has that "I can do it better" feeling, even if we admit it to no one but ourselves. Just take a moment right now and admit it, I'll wait. ............(this is me waiting)...........

Ok. Now that that is done and we all feel a little better, let me just say that I did not watch the State of the Union tonight. I did not watch his speach on the health care a few months ago either. I do not listen to the talk radio station DJ's (are they even called that anymore?) that think they know EVERYTHING there is about politics and they know all the solutions, nor do I turn on CNN or any other all news broadcast stations.

I read the paper, when I get one. However, we live in a very small southern town so we only get the local paper on Sunday and Wednesday. This small paper maybe has 10 pages and it covers local and state news, church news (usually a full page for this) classified adds, half a page for yard sales, and school athletics (usually 3 pages). We don't discuss much national news. I guess we figure we should take care of our own back yards???

I donate to all the disaster relief efforts when something bad happens, and I donate to the local Good Will. I volunteer when I can. I try to help others. I do not ask for anything in return. I was taught that you should work hard for what you have. You don't get handed things in life, and NOTHING is free. This is how it should be. Remember, I'm not saying don't help someone that is down on their luck. I'm just saying, maybe we should go back to learning our neighbors names and a little about them. Saying "hi" to someone or even "excuse me" when you walk by them in the grocery isle. Lets not try to compete with the other PTO mom's on whose kid is dressed the best or who has the newest minivan or SUV.

With that said. I am sure "we are better off now with THE BAILOUT than we would have been with out it." I'm sorry, Mr. President, but did you get where you are with someone bailing you out of every problem? My father worked for the steel industry several, several years ago. Do you guys remember when that industry went under. It was a huge industry. Unemployment rates started raising and prices started going up, but no one got a government "bail out" and the people of the US do not "own" the steel industry. It's just not around. Now, I know it sounds like I am anti "bail out money" but I am really not. There are places that really do deserve it, but just like everything else, the deserving are being way overshadowed by the selfish.

Welcome to "Generation Bail Out"

That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.

What I want to do this year

This year, I have many, many, many plans, that all revolve around my little ones rooms. I have neglected their rooms LONG ENOUGH!! (We moved into the new house on Jan. 9, 2009 and all the rooms are still so bare!!!). I can not wait to transform my girls room into a very girly, flowery room. My youngest will rocket into outer space in his room, and my oldest will be......OK, so have not gotten that planned yet, but will do so quickly. Now, to quit blogging, get some sleep, and get to work in the morning.

Happy New Year Everyone.

A Great Gift For Mom

Wow. I wish I had seen these when I had babies. I guess I still do, but my youngest is now 3! I am still putting these on my wish-list for Santa.

These great Mothers Bracelets would make an awesome shower gift, new baby gift (Dad's, YES! You are expected to get the mother of your child something), or even a great Christmas Gift for those more experienced mom's (hint hint). But, don't forget Grandma either. She would love to show off all her little angel's with one of these great bracelets.

I personally love this Two-Toned bracelet with 2 names. I would need two of these, but I am sure Santa won't mind when he sees how reasonable the prices are.

Head on over to Nanny Deprived and order your today. I think there are only about 50 days left till Christmas.

My Latest Product Line

So, I seem to only have stuff to say about once a month. Not really, if you ask my husband or kids (or parents or friends or parents of kids friends or the girl scout parents, ok. you get the picture), I talk ALL the TIME! But just look at how infrequent my blog post are. Then all of a sudden , BAM! 2 or 3 in a 2 day period. I understand I am very scatter brained so I just write all my idea's on little pieces of notebook paper so that I can blog about them later that night. Problem is, I ALWAYS seem to loose those little pieces of paper. Hence, all the blogging gets done at one time because that is when I remember all the things I was wanting to do.

Back to my original reason for posting this blog (see, I really am scatter brained.)

I am launching a new line of children's Aprons. They come in 3 sizes, Small (size 3-4), Medium, shown in pictures, (size 5-6) and Large (size 7-8). The strap is one piece and is threaded through the arms allowing it to be adjustable and grow with the child. I would love to make an adult line to match if the demand is there. These will make super cute gifts for birthdays or the holiday's coming up.

Are these not the best pictures. Rachel Williamson from Mammagoose Photography did these for me. Thank you Rachel and her beautiful little girl. Rachel has loved photography for as long as I have known her (which is over 20 years. Wow, I feel old now.) She does any type of photography you need from family portraits to wedding to children's. Please head on over to her Blog and check out her latest works. http://www.mammagoosephotography.blogspot.com/. Once you are done there, all you local people, head on over to her website http://www.mammagoosephotography.ifp3.com/ and get your pictures scheduled. She will definitely give you a timeless treasure for your family to enjoy.

Weekend Fun

If you are like me, You are always trying to come up with something to do during the weekend.

Ok, now back to reality. Between cleaning up after my 4 kids and my loving husband, IF I find free time, here is what I will be doing this weekend.

Frozen Cookie Dough Rolls from Design Dazzle

No Sew Flutter Cape From Ruffles & Stuff

Make my own Wooden Block toys from matsutake

Please, if you get this done, send me your pics. Can't wait to see what all my talented readers do with their weekend.

Trick Or Treat Bag Tutorial

I made these adorable Trick-or-Treat bags for my kids. These were so easy, I decided to make a tutorial so you could make them for your kids too.

(Oh yah, no commenting on the extremely neat sewing table in the background)

Please keep in mind this is my first tutorial so lets all hope I remember everything. Please read through the entire post and take a look at the pics before starting on this project, just to make sure it all makes since to you.

What you will need

2 different fabrics at least 1/2 yard each.

Cut each fabric into 2 13.5"x14" squares. You will end up with 4 squares total.

And a strap made out of your remaining fabric. (I forgot to take a picture of the fabric cut out before I started sewing so just pretend this has all 4 squares and the strap).

The length and width of your strap will depend on how much fabric you have left over. Mine was 26" Long and 6" wide (before folding). To make your strap take your fabric and fold in half lengthwise and iron to make a crease. Now, fold your raw edges towards the middle(crease) and iron down again. This should leave you with a piece of material 26" long and only 1.5" wide. Sew close to the edge down both sides of your strap (lengthwise). This will close your strap and leave you with 2 visible sew lines. (Personal preference on that. I like to have the contrasting thread showing on my straps.)

So sorry about the strap instructions. I will do better next time.

Okay, now to the bag.

I am using Star fabric and Skeleton Fabric. Remember, 2 squares each fabric design.

Take your first fabric (mine was stars) and pin them right sides together. I only pinned 3 sides together and left the top un-pinned so I would know where NOT to sew. I chose to have the 14" on the top and bottom and the 13.5" as the sides. You can make this either way, depending on how tall or how wide you would like your bag.

Sew 3 sides together using 1/5" seam allowance. Leave top open.

Do this for both fabrics. Now you should have 2 'bags' made. One will be your lining the other will be your outer shell.

Next you are going to take one bag and open it up so that the seam from the bottom and the seam from the side are lined up together forming this triangle. Mark at least 1.5" from the point of the triangle with a fabric pen. Remember, your bag is still inside out at this point.

Now you will sew along the mark you just made on each corner of the bag. Once your line is sewn, you will cut of the top of your triangle. This will give you those 'mitered' corners and allow the bottom of the bag to open up wider and sit a little flatter.

This is what the bottom of your bag (lining and outer shell each) will look like after you have finished your corners.


Next you will take your inner lining and turn it right side out. (My lining is my star fabric). Leave the outer bag inside out for right now.
I find it easier at this step to pin your straps in place. To do this, open up your outer shell (remember it is still turned inside out -fabric on the inside of the bag- at this point.) Then just drop your strap in, making sure it is not twisted, lay it out along the sides of the bag. I just kinda eyeball the middle of the bag on either side and pin in place.

Now you will lay your lining inside your shell. It should layer like this: Inner lining (fabric on outside of bag), Strap, Outer lining (fabric on inside of bag). You fabrics will be facing each other with the strap in the middle.

Sew the lining and outer shell together using a 1/4" seam allowance. Remember to leave a small opening in the bag so that you can turn it right side out. (My photo shows a pair of scissors in the opening that I left in the bag. )

Now, turn bag right side out thru that opening you just left yourself. Your bag should look like this at this point. I know it looks funny, but this is what it should be.

As you can see, your lining and shell are sewn together with your strap in the middle.

You take your lining and just push it into your shell.

To close this hole,

you will need to topstich around the entire top of the bag.

And then you end up with

I hope that was easy to understand.

The "C" on the front of the bag was just sewn on using a straight stich before I sewed the two pieces togeather. I have 4 little ones, so I added the initial to make sure they don't fight over whose bag is whose.

Thank you.

Getting Ready For Bed

My wonderfully cute 3 year old little boy has been potty training for a while now. He is the youngest of 4, so I really thought this would have been the easiest. He is so strong willed and hard headed (He takes after his dad) that this task has lasted about 7 months of on-and-off trying. Well, we are officially on day 2 of no diapers. YEAH!!!

Tonight, as I was getting the kids ready for bed, Charlie came to me crying about his "wear" being broke. (His "wear" is his underwear). I am currently sitting in my office finishing a project so I really did not want to take the time to figure out what he was talking about so I just sent him back to bed. A few minutes later he is still in there crying so I went back in and asked him why he thought his "wear" was broke. ( I was really just curious). Guess what he told me????

"Look mommy, it has a hole (imagine big-boy undies). It broke. You fix it?" After I finished laughing, I told him yes and he made me sew the opening closed. When I put them back on him, he just laughed and laughed about how mommy fixed his "wear".

Happy Labor Day

We had such a great day today. The fam and I went to the 75th Annual Sacred Heart Labor Day Festival. The kids got to play games and play on the bouncy slides while Robbie and I worked the Fast Pitch Booth. After 5 hours we came home with several little stuffed animal key chains, 3 slap bracelets, 2 high bounce balls, and 1 arm tattoo that looks like stitches.

Tried to make a Turkey for dinner today. (I know, you are supposed to grill out, but we had grilly-out type food at the festival). Put the bird in the oven at 4:00 thinking it should only take about 1 1/2 hours to cook. Well, I had a 9lb turkey that was not done by Dinner time. (I am usually a better cook than that.) So, Dominoes to the rescue. The kids were ecstatic as we NEVER eat out.

On a more serious note. My Grandfather passed away on August 25th of this year. He was a great man who served 28 years in the US Army and was married for over 50 years. He had two children, 4 grandchildren, and at the time of his passing, he has 6 great-grandchildren. While I was in Iowa for the funeral, I was privileged enough to meet his sisters and some of their children. Most of these people I had never met before. I dare to say we now all have a bond that hopefully we will always have and we will always stay in touch.

This afternoon I was so saddened to hear that my Grandfather's Nephew and his wife, Mike and Cathy, lost a daughter. My heart goes out to the Moon family and we will continue to send our love and prayers.

Apple Picking

We had a great Saturday.

Mom's Version:
First, we drove about 2 hours to get to this orchard that my mother had seen in a magazine. We got there only to find out that the "Apple Season" started in early August for our area. Remember, just said I drove 2 hours to get to this place so my 4 children were getting apples.
Okay, so we start down these rows of apple trees and there are NO apples on the trees. We had to go all the way to the end of the rows to get apples. Then it smelled like old apple cider and the apples were kinda small. The kids picked over 20lbs of apples. (What am I to do with that many apples?) Went to Cracker Barrel for lunch then back to my mother's house. Had BBQ Ribs and fried apples for dinner.

Kids Version:
Preston-"Why are we leaving the house so early?" Kennedy-"We been in the car FOREVER!"
Abby/Kennedy-"I'm Hungry" Charlie-"mmmmm, vrmmm, cow!!! tactor!!!!" Kennedy-"Let go of my Bag!" Charlie-"My Bag, My bapples!"
overheard...
"My apple is better than yours", "Your apples are stupid", "don't pick the ones with worms"

Kids had a blast once we got there. They ran from tree to tree picking apples. Small apples, medium apples, bad apples. (Parents running after kids) Each kids had their own bag (don't want to have to share) so I am not even sure what type of apples we have. They ate so many apples while we were in the orchard and then on the way home all of them were complaining of tummy aches.

You know it was a good day when the kids go to bed exhausted and bellies full.