BBQ at the Park. . .

We had a pretty fun weekend. On Saturday we went to Watson Park and had a BBQ. We tried some new hickory charcoal, it was soooo yummy. We had ribs, burgers, dogs, corn on the cob, baked beans, kale, potato salad, and on and on and on. And then s'mores for dessert. It was freezing cold though. It was supposed to be warm, but ended up being cold. Sunday was supposed to be cold, but ended up being VERY warm, brimming on hot! UHG. lol But, all in all we had fun any how. For sure though I will be making picnic table and bench covers soon. I went to Walmart to have a looksy at the dollar fabric, but they no longer sell dollar fabric. Two dollars a yard was the cheapest. Awe well. I will probably go back and get some. Was just disappointed it was no longer only a dollar.

I started on my red skirt. I can't wait to get it finished, shouldn't take me much longer. It's almost done already. I used my new Kia pinking shears to finish the seams. Since I don't have a serger apparently that is how you are supposed to finish the seams, but this is my first time doing it that way. It went well. I hope that helps them really hold up. Next year I swear I am taking the sewing 101 class by Janet. But, this year Belle and RJ are too stuck to me like glue for me to get my money out of it. But, who knows it's only 60 dollars, I may just go for it and then take it a second time when the kids detach themselves from my leg for more then a few seconds. haha I seen a free colette pattern for a blouse, I HAVE to try! As I really really need blouses! So that will be soon as well. I've decided for sure when we get back from vacation, I am taking a bra making course. I have to learn to make my own. I am in real need of more. I bought several last year and some how most came up missing and I seem to only have three now. I don't know what happened to any of the others! And they are so expensive. I am just going to bite the bullet and take the class. I'm thinking in July.

And to feed my sewing addiction, or maybe it's even a bit more SMAD. I bought a new sewing cabinet today off Craig's List. I barely missed one on Saturday missed it by just 20 minutes. But, today I got one for 20 dollars. Came with a working Sew Gem machine. I'm not sure if that's a good machine or not. But, I'm very happy with the cabinet. And that's why I bought it. I want to put my bernina in it.

And then to top it off, I got side tracked on Craig's List, and started looking again in all the areas we may be passing on vacation, and came across a Elna....I was going to wait till next year. But, this one is such a good deal, I'm giving in and buying it now! So I guess I better curb my spending, like NOW! *sigh* And I'm sure I will be going to the local thrift store on vacation as well, as that's one of my favorite things to do too! hahaha I can't wait for Amber to get home from school, I want to spend a day thrifting at least once this summer. That would be so much fun!

Sew Much Fun. . .

I finished another sundress today. But, it was with 20 cents a yard walmart knit. I won't be using it again. It is so fiddly it was a real pain to work with. for sure will be sticking to gauze with this pattern. It was a lot more fun to sew in gauze!

I just heard about these feet to make sewing easier too....I'm seriously considering buying them. They are called Creative Feet. Supposed to help you get less fatigue and such at the sewing machine. But, I never experience fatigue at the machine since RJ barely lets me have more then a few seconds there! haha Still they sound interesting and I may invest in them next year. I still want a Elna though too! haha

I am looking for some red fabric that I put in the wash a few days ago. I plan on making a skirt with it next. I would like to cut it out tonight hopefully. I also bought some more clearance cotton for another skirt from Hancock's. I may make it after the red skirt. Then I HAVE to get started on some blouses! I just need to trace the pattern out, like NOW! *sigh* I need blouses ASAP.

Last weekend we went to the Renascence fair. Had a ton of fun. And for sure need to make some costumes. hahaha I think I'm going to make Lela and Belle easy butterflies, and myself I'm going to use my nursing slip pattern, since one of Mc Call's costume patterns looks exactly like it, for the outer dress, and a online tutorial to make a underdress. Sadly we missed out on Turkey legs though, they sold out! I was so sad. But, we are going to Silver Dollar City next month and I will for sure get one there! Which more good news, I called them because we didn't get our season passes used last year, and they are going to give us ones for this year completely free! Boy were we needing that break! I can't wait to go!

We went out to eat the other night and RJ did the funniest thing ever. He must of been premeditating this for a long time. As soon as Belle's plate was in reach he was fast as lightening snatched two french fries and stuffed them in his mouth before you could say french fry! hahaha It was hilarious then he just looked around like, what are you all looking at, I didn't do anything. haha He knows we usually take stuff like that away from him, so he must of planned next time I'm going to be faster then them and stuff it all in my mouth before they can take it away! haha It was so funny!

A Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window. . .beautiful clouds-the most interesting I have seen in a long time-one looks like a upside down volcano, complete with red (the sunset) lava swirling down! Another looks like a banana split, two perfect scoops of ice cream!

I am hearing...beautiful country silence.

I am thinking. . .how glad I am that I got the car all fresh and cleaned.

I am thankful for. . .My step brother paid for us to go to the Renascence Fair this year.

I am remembering. . .crafts I've made in the past.

I am hoping. . .to make some costumes for the girls before the next fair.

I am creating. . .a dress. However, not too sure I like the fabric.

On my mind. . .dinner tomorrow.

Noticing that. . .the laundry finally is caught up!

From the kitchen. . .spaghetti and garlic bread.

One of my favorite things. . .the outdoors!

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .Sewing, grocery shopping with my mom, maybe going to the fro-yo shop.

What I am reading. . .message boards.

Picture for thought I am sharing. . .

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window. . .blue skies.

I am hearing...dr Phil.

I am thinking. . .I'm getting a lot of sewing done.

I am thankful for. . .a loving family.

I am remembering. . .childhood antics.

I am hoping. . .to get to all the laundry folded, sorted and put away.

I am creating. . .a new dress.

On my mind. . .homeschooling Lela.

Noticing that. . .the house is full of laundry, at least it's clean!

From the kitchen. . .tacos.

One of my favorite things. . .a organized home.

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .getting lace to finish the neckline of my new dress I made, making yet another slip, and another dress.

What I am reading. . .sewing message boards.

Picture for thought I am sharing. . .

Sunny Days Dress. . .

I was able to get a bunch of new shoes at a great sale, I even got a pair of coveted Gabor's! SAS, and Dansko too. My feet will be singing this summer.

I was able to finish a raspberry sun dress I've been planning since last July! haha I need to make a few adjustments but over all, I'm happy with it. And I'm going to make it in tangerine next. I've gained so much weight nothing fits so I have to get crackin'!

Also on the sewing table is a red skirt, a white shrug, yet another slip. And on and on. lol At least I'll have a shoe for every outfit.

My Flylady order came, and we love the dust mop. I think I will have to order two more. Cause Lela and Belle keep fighting over who gets to dust mop. I think it would be a good gift to my dad too....and hmmm probably should buy one as a gift to my mom too! I love it. I also really really like the rubba swisha. It has already removed a lot of the hard water stains. However, I was highly disappointed in the Hey Tom car duster, it's a really really cheap thing made in china. Could of probably done better at dollar tree. And the dusting mitt isn't anything more special then what they sell at dollar tree either. And so far the rags in my opinion are just so-so...I'm thinking the walmart ones in the car section may of been just as good. But, I will wait and give them a fair test first. The feather duster smells to high heaven of moth balls! Hopefully it won't for long, cause I can't stand the odor! Next time I will just get the sheeps wool one from Lehman's. Which that order also came. I just got furniture polish, laundry detergent and magnets for the hard water in the toilet from them. I'm really hoping the magnets work. The water is just so hard here, the toilet looks filthy even though it's cleaned all the time.

At La Leche League they decided since they no longer send out hard copies of the magazine with your membership we could receive a book instead. So I was able to get the brand new cookbook which will save me a few dollars! I was planning on buying it with my Amazon gift certificate from My Points. At least now I can buy another cookbook or more sewing books. I've decided I will get the Colette Sewing book, and Petite Plus, I'm on the fence about Serendipity though. Although I am liking what I have read of it online. I just don't know. I'm also not sure which patterns to buy. It's so hard. I know for sure I want some Hot Pattern Pants, and Petite Plus Shell, but I don't know weather to get Colette blouse pattern, or a Hot Pattern's blouse pattern. The one I want from Colette is very close to a free Hot Pattern's pattern I got from Fabric.com. Except you can use wovens and not just knits, however, it takes 3 times the fabric because of that. The one I want from Hot Patterns is different then any of my other blouses, yet looks simple and easy, and I for sure need some blouses. I like the Petite Plus shell cause it has so many options! Decisions, decisions. I have to narrow it down though. And sadly Anne doesn't carry any of the ones I want right now. Otherwise that would make it easier, getting one of them half price! *sigh*

I also need to make a decision on a new baby hawk, Vince said I could get a Oh Snap...but I am on the fence about what colors to choose! hahaha White, or Espresso. I love my white, and raspberry and orange Kangaroo Pouch. But, I think the Expresso looks really neat too! I need to just take the plunge and pick one and get it over with! haha I need it before vacation for sure! *Sigh*

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window. . .little girls playing in the sand.

I am hearing...tv.

I am thinking. . .about the fun week I had.

I am thankful for. . .good sales.

I am remembering. . .good times with friends of the past.

I am hoping. . .to have a summer vacation.

I am creating. . .a raspberry sundress.

On my mind. . .weight loss.

Noticing that. . .Ralphie is growing so fast.

From the kitchen. . .cream cheese chicken chili.

One of my favorite things. . .freshly bathed babies.

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .Finishing up two sun dresses, getting all the laundry finished.

What I am reading. . .Bible stories.

Picture for thought I am sharing. . .

Lela making a snow-woman with papa Vincent.

Memorial. . .

We had a wonderful Memorial, my parents and their children came with us. Jerry and Vic decided though to go to another congregation for memorial. I was so looking forward to seeing them though. Oh well, I may just have to go visit them. I don't know what our attendance was but it was high. There was no chairs left. Many of the young brothers decided to just stand in the back, and let the sisters and elderly have seats. One brother jokingly said, we are asking all husbands to set on their wives laps to save seats! hahaha

As my grandma Lela used to say, you learn something new every day. Well, tonight I seen a sister who looked so familiar but I couldn't place her. I thought she was a Maggard though...so I went up and told her she looked so familiar but I couldn't place her. She recognized me right away and said, I'm Kim, you know Jay's sister. I was like oooooooooh, you look just like your aunt Cindy now! I never would of recognized you. It has been about 20 or more years since I seen her. Then I asked her how her mom was, and Hannah's mom piped up that she was fine, and going to Winfield congregation. I was like ok, but I was asking Kim. Then it dawned on me......um...Kris? So I said ok, what's your first name again, she said Kristina. Yes! I know Kris! Jay's OTHER sister! I said, all this time, I didn't know you were KRIS! We grew up together and you didn't say anything...she let on like she thought I knew. Um no, you change last names, have a few kids, and give 20 years of looking different and NO I didn't know. We were even baptized together on the same day, same convention, etc. Now, I'm really going to have to give her a ear full for this on Sunday! lol UHG. And to think last Sunday I met Lynn's father in law, and now I find out Kris has been in my congregation all this time. And ironically enough Kris's brother had dated Lynn at one time! lol haha Yeah yeah....I swear I think I grew up with every one in this congregation of mine. So different then from NYC where I didn't know any one, but my own family! hahaha I think it is so neat though that Belle and Lela are growing up with the children of the people I grew up with, and had so much fun growing up with. Oh good times indeed!

After Memorial we went to Apple Bee's where apparently every one else decided to go too. Including Kris, and Hanna! hahaha There was so many of us there, the waiter asked me if it was a convention, I told him no, and then explained to him what it was. He seemed pretty interested, I think I should go back with a tract or something.

Lela decided to go home with my mom and is spending the night there tonight. I was nervous today wanting to get ready early, but knowing with Littles you can't do that (puking, pooing, etc happens if you get dressed too early). So I cleaned the house. It's almost done. I just need to finish Mt Washmore, should be done next week! ALL of it! Finish my room, and finish the top bunk of Lela's bed and it's done, done, done! Finally! Out of the pregnancy barely do any cleaning mountain of clutter I was in! I can finally have people over. I'm thinking uh, Kris! lol Only thing is I think her husband would have to come, to carry that heavy wheel chair and oxygen tank of Hannah's down the stairs into our apartment.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window. . .I'm pretty sure it's summer time!

I am hearing... Squealing little girls.

I am thinking. . .How happy it is to have good friends.

I am thankful for. . .Christ ransom sacrifice...truly awe inspiring.

I am remembering. . .the wonderful people God has brought into my life.

I am hoping. . .to see old friends at the Memorial.

I am creating. . .lots of milk, haha.

On my mind. . .what a wonderful life it is serving the true God.

Noticing that. . .The house is almost company ready!

From the kitchen. . .pulled chicken, kale, and baked beans.

One of my favorite things. . .true friends.

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .MEMORIAL! That's the most important plan I can have. However, we also plan on spending Saturday enjoying the nature that Jehovah has created at the park with the family.

What I am reading. . .message boards, and email.

Picture for thought I am sharing. . .

Awesome Weekend. . .

We had a awesome weekend. Saturday started out kind of lazy. Then we decided to go to the commissary with my step father. We stocked up on food stuffs. Then came home unloaded, and went back out. I wanted to go to Kabpbs but they were closed so we went to a Mexican restaurant instead. We had never been there before it was pretty good. But, not too much healthy on the menu, so probably won't be going to often. But, the chili verde was delicious and I had sopapias for the first time in years. Then we went to Home Depot and bought some cleaning supplies I've been needing for a long time, and some plastic shoe boxes to protect my shoes. I love using them. Next it was off to Dollar Tree to get some more supplies, but they were out of the little solar lights I wanted....wouldn't you know! UHG! haha Then I got my hair cut! Really really cut. I really like the new cut, it was exactly what I wanted, and I haven't been able to get any one to understand what I wanted till Saturday! I keep getting ok cuts, but not what I want! Any way, the stylist's name was JR, and he got it exactly right! He said it was so fun. I went in and said, I want a pixie, kind of...but more fun, and with length here, and here, but pixie, here and here. I just want funky! Any way as he was almost done with my cut, he asked his co-worker, how many times do we get some one come in and say cut it all off and have fun with it!? She said never. And he said exactly! This is awesome! haha And he did it exactly how I wanted. He said well I can read your mind, I knew this is what you wanted. I really don't know how he finally got it, cause the last few times I went in with pictures and the ladies still didn't get it even close. This time I just walked in and said a few words and he got it! I can't believe it. But, I'm very happy with it. He also wants to color my hair, give it a few red foils. I really think I will do that. I haven't done that in ages. And I agree, red is always fun with my hair...so I just might do it. Especially cause my hair used to be red/brown, and it's now black (naturally-not dyed). I don't know why it got so dark as I am getting older, but I'm quite sure I want the red, to break up some of the black. Any way, it was fun. While I was getting my hair cut, Vince went and bought us some bowls which with the kids breaking most of ours we were down to only one! haha So we really really needed them.

Sunday was good as always. A wonderful meeting. Which ended even better. I was going around making my rounds saying hello to every one. When a older, "new" brother came up to me and asked my name. I told him, and asked his name. He told me. And I said, hmmm you know, I know some Martin's. Do you know a younger John Martin, married to a Lynn. And he said yes that's my son. What a hoot! I explained to him how I knew Lynn, and we had a good chat about her and John. I said, what was super funny about it all, is when I moved to NYC they moved back home, but I heard they had moved to Oklahoma, not Kansas. And he said yes, they lived there for a while, and then a while in California but were now back in Kansas again. And even live close to us, but they don't go to the English congregation, but rather then Vietnamese congreation. Then he gave me their phone number. I can't wait to call Lynn! I haven't seen her in years. I had planned to get together with her when I moved to NYC, but literally the year I moved there, they moved back to Oklahoma! haha Any way, on my way out the door, I seen Dana and I told her, tell your Mother in law, I just met Lynn's father in law. She told me Jerri and Vic will be at our memorial this year. I just can't wait! Jerri, studied with me and Lynn at the same time. She took Lynn and I out in service for the first time on the same day. Hmm, wouldn't it be fancy if Lynn got to be at our memorial too, and we both got to see Jeri. She's been sick for years now and has rarely gotten out of the house. So I know it will give her a boost to see either of us still here, and still going to the meetings. Doesn't seem like 30 years has passed, it went by so fast!

After meeting we went to Kabobs, and again had yummy yummy Pakistani food. Mmmm can't get enough curry! Or coconut milk! mmmm mmm mmm.

Then we did one of Vince's favorite things and went looking at travel trailers. Funny that the girls thought that was lots of fun, climbing in and out of them. Then we did a few more shopping stops. And went to Goodwill, got some much needed curtains. And our deal of the day, a new stroller for 25 dollars! It's a double jogging stroller that also goes on the back of bicycles. Ours got broke last year, so to have a back up till it gets repaired for only 25 dollars was a bargain! The girls had fun riding in it around the store too. haha