New Hair, New Shirt

I got a new hair cut, and made my first knit shirt, with a custom made pattern.

Sewing Class

I finished my tee-shirt class tonight. Every one loved the fabric I chose-a red plum designer rib knit with sparkly black rose design through out. I really loved the end result, it looks so good! I am very happy with it. I can tell I will be taking more classes so I can learn more. Anne is a wonderful teacher. I sure hope I can continue to take lessons from her, and maybe she can help me get a better fit on some of my other patterns as well. I will post a picture later when I get a chance to take one. I was also glad the other two students were as novice as myself, so I wasn't totally embarrassed by my lack of sewing knowledge. Every one was so sweet and nice, it was just a nice night out of fun and learning!

In other news it's still bitterly cold outside with lots of snow. We're supposed to get even more snow tomorrow. At least hubby is getting plenty of work!

Snow!

We've had snow since Sunday night. Lela and the kids are loving it! They have been having so much fun playing in it. Lela's growing up and becoming a big girl.

I have my first sewing class tonight, I will be learning to make a knit tee-shirt. I'm not much into tee-shirts, but to learn to sew with knits will be great. So I'm looking forward to it. I also really want to get my hair cut at the salon next to the fabric store, but I can't seem to get over there before they close. I want to go drastically short again. It will be a lot easier to style and take care of. Vince said he liked it better short as well. So hopefully I can get that done soon.

The other night Belle took her first steps. It was towards Papa Rick for some popcorn. haha She did it twice. She has also gotten her first two front bottom teeth. Sunday she started saying Baby and Mama. She's growing up, and so smart. We just love her more every day.

A Simple Woman's Daybook

I am thinking...I love my family.

I am thankful for...having a husband strong enough to make a cross country move.

I am remembering...grandma's stories of her youth in the ozarks, and how she met and married grandpa. The irony of how closely it related to Lorretta Lynn's life.

I am hoping...I can learn to sew well, and quickly.

I am creating...nursing turtleneck sweater using a Elizabeth Lee pattern.

On my mind...the best way to train up my children in Jehovah's ways and principles.

Noticing that...we are making progress in settling into our new home.

From the kitchen...chili and corn bread-brrr it's cold outside!

One of my favorite things...snow, which we have plenty of!

Favorite bowl of soup...Denny's Baked Potato Soup, Texas Land & Cattle Steak soup, Panera's Vegetable Pesto and my own Chicken Potpie soup. What can I say? I can't narrow it down to just one. We love soup!

Picture of the Day...

Littles

I'm still working on getting settled in. My mom gave me my old dresser I had as a child for Lela. It had been in a dirty garage for a couple of decades, so it needed a pretty thorough cleaning. I was able to get it half done today with the help of my sister Bennette. We will work on the drawers tomorrow. I want to make a embroidered dresser cloth for it too. The glass that was on top when I was growing up is long gone, so I hope I can find a good glass shop here to make a top for it. It's curvy and lots of detail so the glass will have to be cut by a professional. Too bad Hub's Hardware that made the original glass for it for me is out of business.......uhg Home Depot!

I am taking a sewing class for knits next week. I'm pretty excited. So far, I have made a nursing slip, and almost finished a nursing turtleneck sweater all on my own. I've been going into a locally owned store called Needle Nook that I had completely forgot about. And loving it. That's where I will be taking my class next week. The women there are very nice, and so helpful. They have sew ins on Saturdays where you can go to their shop and use their machines and work on your projects, and they will help you if you need the help then as well. For free! The class though cost a little fee. Which I think will be well worth it, since I'm learning through this turtleneck sweater ordeal I would like some professional assistance to learn what I am doing! However, all in all I think I'm doing pretty good on my own to be such a novice seamstress.

Which brings me to another pet peeve. I've noticed on websites as well as in books and written articles more and more people refer to seamstresses as "sewers". Um.......sewers, is a place where waste goes.....yes, I know slightly different pronunciation I am sure, in the authors thoughts, but I still think I prefer the word seamstress to sewer!

Through reading up on every thing on the Elizabeth Lee Design website, she suggest getting a sewing book. Such as Reader's Digest and Kwik Sew put out. I will probably eventually invest in both. But, in the meantime, while I was at Hobby Lobby the other day I came across a wonderful looking book that just came out in June. And it comes with paper patterns. And it looks very updated and classically stylish. For sure the look I like going for. So I plan on investing in it first. It explains how to adjust patterns, and all kinds of sewing skills that are needed when making ones own clothing. Her flair is very boutiqueish which I am really liking. Reminds me a lot of what is sold on etsy.

Speaking of Hobby Lobby, I went there to buy door knobs for a old book case Vince's parents gave us a long time ago. It's really ugly, dark, almost black stained. But, it's solid wood and a good solid piece of furniture. I bought some 5 dollar paint at Lowe's when we first moved here off the clearance rack, and have started using the yellow. I want to try to get a lavender for contrast painting on it. I also want to make some fabric covered boards for the back walls of it. And maybe modge podge some fabric scraps cut into applicate shapes. Which will come from another sewing book, I want to invest in! haha I was able to get some really cute scroll shaped "chalk board" stick ones from the dollar tree as well, two long scroll shapes, and 8 flower shapes for only 1 dollar! So I bought two. Which gives me 4 scroll shapes, and 16 flowers, for only 2 dollars. I am going to decorate the doors, and such with them. I ended up with the cutest knobs for the book case as well. They look like pink cotton candy gum balls. Almost like hand blown glass. And I also got some soft green colored small flower shaped knobs. It's going to look so cute and very whimsical. Thankfully the knobs were half price. While looking for knobs, I noticed all "hooks" were half price too. The hooks we have to hang our coats around here are too high for Lela to hang her own coat. So I ended up buying some very cute, mismatch hooks to also attach to the sides of the book case so Lela can hang her own coat. One is a crystal door knob attached to a pink embossed rectangle. And two are antiqued gold scrolls. I am keeping my eye out for a fourth, I want something unique, girly and whimsical. Even though I've just began to paint it, Lela's already excited about it, and loving it.

Vince's mom bought Belle some blocks, and I was able to get the cutest blue bucket with a rope handle at dollar tree as well. Amazing what I can get for a buck there!

Kathy also bought the girls two dolls. She bought Lela Baby Alive, with the bananas and sippy cup. She's been wanting it for a while. She bought Belle a soft baby that has a rattle inside it's arm. Well, you should of seen her face when she didn't get the doll that eats, and drinks. She kept looking at us, her doll, and then Lela's doll, like do you not know me at all? You know I like to eat! What's wrong with this doll you gave me, it doesn't have food! I want the one with food! Well, in a few days Lela let her guard down and Belle was able to play with it, whew did that make her happy! She is always trying to eat the bananas herself and drink from the sippy cup herself too. haha Once in a while she offers a little to the doll. haha

So last night we bought her her first sippy cup. And gave her some water in it tonight. Boy was she happy. Smiling, and laughing and having a good ole time. She sure is happy to have her own sippy cup. Even if she was a little surprised when real liquid came out of it!

A few days ago Amber, Bennette, Dad, Darla, and of course Belle and I went and seen the new western movie, True Grit. It was sure good. I think I will have to go see it with Lela, Vince, my mom, Eldon and their kids. It was that good. Tonight dad rented the original true grit with John Wayne. While I liked the girl, and the writing better in the new version. The acting was hard to beat, especially by John and Glen Campbell in the original! John Wayne was a truly good actor. Hard to believe when he made True Grit he only had half a lung! We want to get Rooster Cogin's next. haha I've been searching Amazon for it! I never really got into John Wayne movies that much when I was growing up. But, I think I may be sold now. I am pretty sure I may have to see a few more. Awe finally some real entertainment, that doesn't bother my conscience!

While at Sam's yesterday I noticed a few other good clean films on DVD, the whole series of Little House on the Prairie, the whole series of Leave it to Beaver, and the whole Anne of Green Gables series. I'm going to keep my eye on them, and when they go down to a reasonable price, I'm getting grabbing them. Hours of clean family entertainment, that I can watch over and over and not get bored of. I also seen that they are making a limited edition of ALL of Shirley Temples movies in one package, now that's another one I would love to get in on. It's about time to start introducing Lela to Shirley, my all time favorite actress as a child! haha I think I was a bit obsessed with her. But, again real talented acting, and just clean good entertainment. Not a bunch of trash piled together, that is not even entertaining let alone good images to have in our heads as most movies are today! Last week we watched The Sound of Music and all enjoyed it. Awesome talent, great story, and true! Too bad there's not much like that out today.

Oh well, on that note, I'll bid all a good night, and get myself some rest!

Going to the Chapel...

My little brother Nick finally married my new sister in law Megan last Saturday. It was a really nice wedding. Lela, Loudine, and Bennette were the flower girls, and they loved it. Amber was the maid of honor, and did wonderful. Josh, Ben and Caleb were all groom's men, Krystal & Sarah were bridesmaid's they all did their jobs loverly. I escorted Grandpa Chuck down the isle since grandma Martha is no longer with us. Dad officiated their marriage, and then the reception was in dad's barn, which was built just in the nick of time. Lela had a ball dancing the night away with lil cousin Ella. I'm so glad he was able to have a nice wedding, and finally marry, he deserves a lifetime of happiness and blessings. Congrats little brother!

I have sure been loving being back in Kansas. We've been able to save a lot of money at the commissary. And have just been enjoying rural life. Lela loves looking for horses and cows as we drive home. One night we ate at a Amish restaurant and horse and buggies were actually parked in the parking lot. Awe life with the simple things has been wonderful!

With the help of Julie and Raquel I was even able to sew my own dress for the wedding, which was a black and white print, and made from the pattern called Catherine's Choice, it's a maternity/nursing dress. Every one thought it was really pretty. Tonight I've almost finished a nursing slip, which I have made completely on my own. I'll probably get to finish it off tomorrow, as all it has left is the hem. I don't think I want to work with tricot again. But, I don't know it's getting a bit easier. At first it was a real bear! Before next winter, or maybe before this winter is over, I think I will make myself a flannel slip for really cold days in service. The idea just came to me the other night, that a flannel slip may be a awesome extra warm layer when it's frigid outside, and we are out doing door to door. And well even the Kingdom Hall can be a little nippy sometimes! So that will be a task, I'll get to later. First I want to start on a nursing turtleneck sweater. I'm hoping I can get it done in time for the next La Leche League meeting. But, I'm seriously doubting that will happen. But, who knows I have a few days! Just depends on how much time Belle allows me to work on it here and there over the next few days. I actually want to make two nursing turtlenecks, and 3 nursing nightgowns. THEN, if I have time I'll proceed with making my flannel slip.

Julie also reminded me of a store I used to shop at called Needle Nook, it's a small privately owned fabric store. I love it. I was able to even buy hard to find Jalie patterns there. I missed the small privately owned stores while living in NYC. The big box stores often lack heart, and for sure lack in knowledge! The women are so kind in there. They always take Belle, and play with her in the kids section that is set up with toys. So nice compared to the big box stores, where I have to try to entertain the kids, while making choices on fabrics, patterns, etc. Another nice bonus to Needle Nook is it is right next door to a model train store, that gives out free popcorn. Vince and Lela love going over there, eating popcorn and watching the model train layouts. And of course ogling the trains they wish to buy and bring home some day.

I've been able to help dad out here and there making dinner for the kids when he can't be home in time. They really love meatloaf and Salisbury steak! Glad those are hits, as Vince and Lela really loves them too.

My next anniversary will be the big 10. I'm hoping to make it a big bang! I'm thinking of surprising Vince with taking him to a train museum I found in Old Town Wichita, then eating dinner at Savute's Italian restaurant, which we haven't been there since our second anniversary. It's authentic Italian food that is soooooo yummy. They have the best Italian food ever. And I adore their in house, home made rum sauce they put on their spumoni. When I was little I was fascinated by the burning sugar cube they put on top. However, because of me, children under 12 no longer get the sugar cube lit on fire! As when I was 4, my sugar cube, while still lit, rolled off my spumoni and under some ladies chair. Being 4 I watched it, thinking it was a pretty light. Meanwhile, I imagine Mrs. Ladies bottom must of been getting pretty toasty! Thankfully mom eyed what I was watching and was able to put the fire out quick as she could with a glass of water. And from then on, no one under 12 was allowed the fire any more. Awe.......I missed the fire on my spumoni for the next 8 years! That was of course my favorite part back then! Then I'm hoping to be able to stay at this local bed & breakfast I found, that looks really nice. If it's not too expensive, I'm hoping to be able to have a late check out with them, or spend more then one day there. Then I would like to go to the history and-or science museum down town as I like both of them as well.

So all in all, life has been wonderful, and I've really enjoyed getting back to the things I love once again. And finding hobbies that are fun, wholesome, and not as draining as some other distracting time wasters.

We Made It!

We finally made it to Kansas a couple weeks ago. It was a hairied and exhausting last few days in NYC, but such a sweet relief to make it to Kansas. We had a really nice drive here as well. We stopped near Hershey, PA the first night after a exhausting day finishing packing and cleaning the last bits of the apartment.

We stayed at Wyndham hotel. It was really nice. Had a great buffet breakfast, and the room was really nice. Some one left us their beer in the fridge. haha We arrived so late all that was open was Wendy's. We went through the drive thru, and all the staff was outside, they ran back inside to take our order. Then said, "Be careful there's a skunk by the trash cans". We laughed so much! Then when we got to the window they went on and on about our cat willow, that had just been shaved and "fixed".

Day two, we went to Dayton, OH we stayed at Hawthorn Suites. I loved the room, it was done in curry yellows and navy blues, with hints of deep red, and cherry wood. Beautiful. Another wonderful breakfast. For lunch we stopped at Hoss's. We had passed it many times over the years but never ate there. Boy were we missing out! It was how Golden Corral used to be before they went buffet. Where you order your main entree, and sides, but can add the salad bar. It was super affordable. The staff were very sweet. And the food was awesome! The potato soup on the salad bar was hard to stop indulging in! Finally rolled ourselves out, and were full till about 11 pm! haha When we stopped at Waffle house for dinner.

Day three, we were making quick time to St. Louie! We had had our great breakfast at Hawthorn, I can't remember where we stopped for lunch that day, but I know the "hot" sign was on at Krispy Kreme so we went in and had one. When we got to Drury Inn it included every thing! We had a potato bar, nacho bar, frank bar, salad bar, and even a drink bar. So we had a good meal, and popcorn and soda pop was available till 10 pm! A online friend Gail and her daughter Abigail came to see us at the hotel and was greeted by the manager that had them get popcorn and soda pop before coming up to visit us! How sweet. haha They came bearing gifts, diapers for Belle, a book for Lela, and a nice fuzzy blanket for Vince and I. Abigail was able to wear Lela out by playing with her. They had a lot of fun. She was so sweet and kind with Lela.

Day four started out with another amazing breakfast from our hotel. And then the final stretch to Kansas! We splurged and stopped at Joe's Crab Shack for lunch. And hurried to Wichita. We made it to Wichita by 8 pm. My sister Amber and brother Josh came home from college (Topeka and Manhattan) to help us unpack. My mom and step dad brought Casey and Hunter to help too. Eldon, Casey, Hunter, and my siblings had the trailer unpacked with in less then 2 hours. Then we went out to eat with mom, Eldon, Casey and Hunter to Village Inn. They were more then excited to finally see us again.

Since then we've just worked on settling in, getting unpacked. Still have several boxes to go, and the pod has yet to be shipped! But, it's lovely here and we're doing great.

Working on getting Lela and flower girl dress, for my brother Nick's wedding. His fiance, Megan was up visiting last weekend and we had a good time with her. One night we went to a corn maze. Belle was confused as to why we decided to go get lost in a corn field at night. But, all had a good time!

I located the LLL meeting closet to me and went to the my first meeting here. It was a good one. There is 3 others really close, and they encouraged me to try them out too. But, I like the convenience of this one and the women were pretty nice too. One owns a store near by that sells local, and "green" things for babies. I'm anxious to go to her store. She was not pushy about it, in fact said very little about it. Only brought it up when we were discussing cloth diapers and where to buy them locally and when some one said no one had them locally, then and only then did she speak up and say she had just opened her boutique and sold them.

Hancocks had a sale on patterns for 99 cents each. I got a pattern for a awesome jacket that will go exactly with the dress I want made for the wedding! I ran the fabric I had in my mind by Amber when I found it at Hancock's and she agreed it would go perfect with the wedding! So yeah! Plus I was pleasantly surprised in feeling of it, it was more stretchy then I had remembered. So that will be a huge plus! haha

All in all, I'm glad to be back on the Prairie once again! And not just on the prairie in my mind's eye!

First Microburst?

We had a tornado in Queens, can you believe it? We were out at IHOP, can when we went out side, it was dark green, windy and torrential rain! I looked and thought I seen a tornado, but thought it must be my eyes playing tricks on me as we are in NYC, not Kansas. Then they said it was a tornado, now they are calling it something else though that is even stronger then a tornado. They called it a Microburst, I believe it went by our apartment, every one says that a tornado sounds like a train passing by. This did not sound like a train, it sounded like a really really low flying airplane, in fact, I thought it was a airplane that was going to crash into the side of our building! But, it wasn't!

It has been so stressful hoping we would get out in time. We were going to have to rent a truck to get the fridge and other big things over to the pod. I decided the fridge is old, and almost dead already. So we will just leave it behind, and rent a trailer and take things like our beds, and essentials with us in the trailer, instead of spending that same amount on a truck for one day. We will have a fridge where we are going any way. And we needed a new one to begin with as like I said, this one the freezer has been dead since July any way!

Thankfully Vince's father came over last night and helped us pack. It relieved a lot of my stress, as Vince and I have been doing all the packing by ourselves, and still had so much to do. His help sure did speed up the work. He says he is coming back tonight. I sure hope so. If he will come tonight, and tomorrow night and Thursday night. We should be done in time. We have inspection of the apartment on Monday and heading for Kansas on Tuesday. I am sure freaking out! I am happy, but scared about getting every thing done in time too. If Vince's dad keeps coming and helping though we will get it done!

On a sad note last Sunday Vince's uncle Michael, Kathy's brother died. He was my favorite uncle. He was so much fun to talk to, very wise, funny, and spiritual! We will miss him. But, at least we have hope of seeing him again one day. His poor daughters are so young though, only 19 and 24 so my heart goes out to them the most.

Saturday was probably the last block party we will get to go to, at least for a very long time. It was nice to see all the family one last time. But, also sad we didn't get to see Michael there, as he was so looking forward to it. We had just seen him a few weeks ago at the going away party, so it was such a shock that he was gone so soon.

Lela had a ball playing with her second cousins all her age there. And Belle, well she was a little confused about why another baby was there! lol As Linae is her same age, she's Kisha's & Eshawn's youngest daughter. They have a older daughter Shy, that is only about 1 year older then Lela. I will miss them, and I know Lela is for sure going to miss them. We also though look forward to making new friends in Kansas. Hopefully that will happen fast!

Earl

We are hoping that hurricane Earl will pass right on by us. Right now though it's pretty windy!

In the meantime we are still in the process of moving, I'll sure be glad when this is over! I hate it! And to add on to the stress, the complex wants 90 days of rent AFTER we move out as well! UHG.

Lela got sick today and threw up a whole lot, and missed out on her chance of going with grandma and grandpa to watch tennis live and in person. I can't believe she will be 4 this week!


But, to keep me all centered I have precious little Belle who's still nursing like a champ, and melting my heart with those milky smiles she gives me when she's full of milk and happily playing peek a boo with my breast.