Movies, Skirts, and Chairs. . .

Yesterday we had a good day, I was able to get some much needed jackets and belts on sale. We even got to the RV dealer and was able to get some repair tape for a little snag in the trailers lining. Then we ended the day going to see a movie, we seen a Madea movie. Funny enough that was the last movie we seen together as well, 3 years ago! hahaha It was a funny movie and we had a good time. We ran into a brother I grew up with and who pioneered the same time I did. He and his wife were seeing the same movie. ha! Came home and finished up a new slip, I finally have the neck length just right I think. I kept on making them too high and couldn't keep them down under my neck line of my blouses, but I think I finally got it just right.

This morning we decided to go visit the Riverside congregation cause they are selling their hall and I wanted to see it one last time. Well surprise surprise they have Hyde Park's old chairs. Oh how I have missed those chairs. Well I got to have a last sit in them. I wish I would of thought to of taken pictures....Riverside is moving in with us next month, I hope they talk our brothers into letting them bring their chairs. Those chairs have been floating around for 40 years. From one congregation to another, but always look great, and are oh so comfortable. A brother designed them and built them. They are the most comfortable meeting chairs I've ever sat in. And they were so well constructed they just last and last. And one of my favorite things about them is they NEVER snag my clothing. So many of the chairs at the halls snag my hose, or my dresses, these never ever do! *sigh* I always miss them when I don't go to a congregation with them.

I got to also see a lot of old friends, Helen, and her family, ironically her son is the one we seen at the movies. And Vic Falcon, his wife Jerri studied with me...and now she is very ill I have to call her soon. The Meads-both Jim and Larry, Larry's son is in my congregation. And just so many people I've pretty much known my whole life.

Afterwards we went out to lunch and ran into more old friends, Helen again, ha, and Sister Jenkin's as well.

We came home cleaned a bit. I ironed some things. And then we went to Walmart. I got my hair cut, and I'm not happy with it at all. It's nothing like what I asked for. I asked her to keep my sides long, one side was about 8 inches and the other about 4 inches, the last stylist had made them a symetrical to give it so funk. Well, I decided I wanted them the same length again. I told her I was growing it out. And I wanted to keep my sides long. She asked if I wanted to just even them out then so they would grow at the same rate. So I thought she meant she would make the longer side the same length as the short side and they would both be about 4 inches, so I said yes....but keep them long please....I now have TWO 1/4 inch long sides....I am not sure, but I don't think 1/4 is LONG! I can't see with out my glasses so had no idea she had cut off the 4 inches completely and the 8 inches completely...and left me with 1/4 inch on both sides! And that's just the beginning, it's nothing how I want. UHG. Why, oh why did JR have to move away, he knew exactly what I wanted. Well, when looking at shampoo a few minutes later I ran into a woman who had the EXACT hair cut I wanted and asked for and didn't get. I talked her into letting me take photos of her, and asked her for her stylist name, so I'm going to her stylist next time, and ask for the exact same cut with the photos! However, to get my sides back to the length they were will probably take me 2 or 3 years! It makes me so mad! That's not evening them up, that's cutting them off...why didn't she ask me if I wanted them cut off, not evened up! UHG! UHG! UHG! I look like a boy now, JR had given me a very girly hair cut and that's what I like, I don't want to look like a boy. Grrr! I guess I will just have to live with it though now....*sigh*

Came home and started work on two more skirts. I decided I would stack the fabric and cut two skirts at the same time, so far I have 6 of the 12 pieces cut out that's all RJ would allow me to do, before he totally said he needed my full attention. haha One of the skirts is going to be super fun though I got it really cheap at Hancock's on the clearance table, but it's kind of kitchy 40's tablecloth style, it's yellow with like lace printed on it, and bright pink cherries. Which I was able to get a sweater at CJ Banks yesterday for only 5 dollars on clearance that is the EXACT same shade of pink. So it will be perfect. I am really hoping though to find a bright yellow tank to wear with it too. After I get done with these two skirts, I think I will make a few winter skirts real quick though too. It's in the triple digits here, but I want to get a head start for winter! haha

Glamping, and conventions. . .

I haven't been able to post much lately, just been too busy.

Vince is loving his new job. It is a lot of hours, but we are at least able to not live by a thread any more. And are seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

I took a big step last week and looked over Craig's List and bought our first camper. I am really excited to start Glamping! lol haha I just can't wait. I am scouring pintrest for lots of ideas and finding all kinds of things I want to do it. I just can't wait to get started. Next year we will be going on our first vacation in 4 years. But, now that we have this little camper, I think we will at least be able to go to a lake once in a while for a day or two before a bigger vacation. I think this is going to be a really fun hobby though. Even Lela is having fun looking at paint colors and fabric swatches with me. Funny though I keep finding lots of skirt fabrics looking for curtain fabrics. haha

Last winter I found some great drinking glasses at Krogers on sale for only 30 cents, I only bought a few cause we were low on money and I am so picky about my drinking glasses, I never know if they will be ones I like or not till I actually drink from them. Well I loved them but couldn't get back to Krogers in time to buy more before they sold out. Well, happy days I see Vermont Country Store is now selling them. I am going to buy some for the house and the camper! Too bad they aren't 30 cents. haha

We had our district convention last weekend. And boy was it awesome. I can't wait to get the audio cds of it and listen to it again. The drama was amazing. I hope we get it out on DVD some day. It moved me to tears. And nothing does that very often! It was a theme that we have all seen played out in real life, and we have needed addressed for decades, I believe. I surely hope this will help many many people. It was something for us all to remember. And we can all help, and encourage with this theme. And then one of the releases, we have already reviewed, and Belle and Lela were cheering and wanting it again and again! lol AWESOME! VERY VERY exciting! Just way too cool. The coming more/new releases to go along with it is just very exciting as well to think about and look forward to. I can see this is going to be a great learning tool for many. All I can say is, the society is moving right along with the times, and this is just a wonderful release. I don't think we got any pictures this year though at the convention. Man....I can't believe we didn't. UHG. I have to get better at that. I mean this was RJ's first and we have no pics of him there. UHG. Ok I got to get on the ball with more photos. *sigh* Any way, I just was blown away by this years convention. We've had a lot of good ones in the past but this really was far and above anything I've seen. Tonight we will be reviewing another release we received and were instructed to try as a family to review it in our family worship this week, and I can't wait. It's hard waiting for Vince to get home from work so we can do that!

On a negative note we are having a terrible time with flies, they are driving me nuts, we sit and kill a ton of them each day with the fly swatter, and yet they just keep coming and coming driving me up the wall!

Sew Starts Day Two. . .

We went to a grand opening of a new grocery store yesterday, called Fresh Market. It was really really nice. Had lots of yummy samples. Everything from ribs to crab cakes to apple pie. Just yummy yummy stuff. It's a "healthy" type grocery store so that's nice to have another local one. And if we get the house we want it's really really close to it as well.

After that I went to my bra class. Anne rescheduled for Weds/Thursday instead of Tues/Weds, cause of the sewing guild she forgot about. Which that was ok with me! That works better for me any way. So I was able to start my bra, and actually make a my first pretty one, I go back tonight to finish it. I can't wait. So far it's coming along awesome! I for sure want to make more and more and more. haha She showed me a really cute one her daughter made, and I said I want one like hers, so Anne's going to help me find the fabric in the store to make a similar one.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window. . .heat.

I am hearing...little house on the prairie.

I am thinking. . .RJ is getting so big.

I am thankful for. . .Vince's new job.

I am remembering. . .fun swims in the river.

I am hoping. . .we get the house we need.

I am creating. . .a new slip.

On my mind. . .that I will do well in my new class.

Noticing that. . .it's HOT outside.

From the kitchen. . .tuna noodle casserole.

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

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .looking at houses, taking a sewing class.

What I am reading. . .email.

Picture for thought I am sharing. . .

Deck during a down pour.

Jobs, cars, and thrifting. . .

Vince got a new job, he started two weeks ago and it's wonderful. He makes a lot more money and he really likes it too. He says he wants to keep this job and stop trying to get the rail road to hire him. Since it seems you need to be related to some one to get hired by them around here even with his near 15 year on the rails experience. Also they said cause his CDL is such a high class one, that he should move up fast and be able to make double what he is now, once he is allowed to start driving the larger trucks. So that will be even better. I am happy he found a job he likes, and that will really be able to support us as well.

My mom and step father finally got a new car, they ended up with a 12 passenger, we were hoping for 15 passenger but there doesn't seem to be many around here. But, the 12 is nice for now. I think we need to invest in a 15 passenger though.

We've been finding some really really nice homes in our search for our first home we are going to buy. I'm hoping it will also be the only home we ever buy. I hate moving! I really hope we are able to get this one really cute one that has a huge yard though. Almost a whole acre. That would be so nice for the kids to play in. We also found one that is on 5 acres but it needs a lot of work. 5 acres would be awesome, though. We just hope that God will help us choose the right one for our family for the long haul.

I start a bra making class with Anne tomorrow. I can't wait to finally be able to make my own. The cheapest in my size is 50 dollars. Anne said that it would only start costing about 15 dollars each, once I learn to make my own. That would be awesome. I went last Saturday and had her measure me up and start getting the pattern all ready. That's the best part about classes with Anne, she makes up the pattern specifically for you personally. I will also finally be able to have a pretty bra. Since pretty ones in my size run about 150 and up! I am super excited to take the class and learn some new skills.


On another really good note a new thrift store opened up last month that is awesome. Great prices, and its right by two other thrift stores, so I can go from one to another all in one day and super fast. It's a privately owned one and she has so many neat things and displays things so nicely. I was able to add a milk glass cake plate to my collection. I really enjoy collecting milk glass. She also had a ton of doilies, I bought several of them. Lela likes the one with the purple roses the best. She has done the store up so nicely the kids really like to play in the kids room she has there. She also has a ladies room, with all kinds of neat things. I was able to get a service bag, Ralph Lauren, for only 2 dollars! I wish Amber was here and could go with me. But, I think I may ask Raquel if she wants to go with me. Oh, and the house I like best is by the Bud Palmer auctions, Raquel and I always have fun looking through the vintage finds there and staying up late bidding on the bargains!

The Simple Woman's Daybook. . .

Outside my window. . .green grass.

I am hearing...little people.

I am thinking. . .of gardens.

I am thankful for. . .my parents helped us move here to Kansas.

I am remembering. . .fun times playing in my backyard.

I am hoping. . .to have fun taking my bra class.

I am creating. . .yet another slip-this time with a lower neck line.

On my mind. . .getting a forever house.

Noticing that. . .I think my sewing skills are getting a little better.

From the kitchen. . .tacos.

One of my favorite things. . .smelly flowers.

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .looking through my new Hot Patterns, starting another blouse, finishing my slip.

What I am reading. . .sewing blogs.

Picture for thought I am sharing. . .

RJ standing, at my favorite fabric store, Needle Nook.

Hot Patterns are hot?

I've been trying hard to get some clothing sewn up since I outgrew most my wardrobe! UHG! Any way, in the process, I tried a free Hot Patterns, pattern from Fabric.com . A lot of people complain about them being hard to understand or do, same as they do about Burda. Well, so far I haven't had any problems with Burda, and didn't have a lick of problems with the Hot Pattern pattern either. *shrugs* I think some of it may be a cultural understanding block, since HP and Burda both have European designers, I don't know. So far though the haven't been that "hard" for me and I'm pretty novice! I really liked the shirt too! Now I see another one I want to try for free too. But, the site also had all the Hot Patterns that they sell on sale! So I ended up buying all of them I wanted since it was such a deep discount. And a little fabric to make some linen pants in too! I can't wait to try them. I'm going to muslin them in gauze first though before cutting into the linen.

Jan at Needle Nook offered a "kids" class for making shrugs from T-shirts, so I enrolled Casey. It only cost 5 dollars, a t-shirt, thread and spool of ribbon. Jan provided jewels for decorating them. They were super easy and super cute too! I can't believe how hard Jan worked for only 5 dollars a girl! I wish my mom's truck was working, I think Casey would really have fun in Jan's sewing day camp. I for sure will be enrolling Lela when she is old enough. Casey did much better then I thought she would, I was very proud of her, and Jan is so patient with the girls and such a good teacher. It's really nice, and fun. Then I enrolled myself for a bra class next month. I can't wait! I need bras badly! And I want something pretty for once! Nothing pretty comes in a I cup. *sigh*

 Tonight I'm taking Casey to a dinner that her little school club is having. Hoping that goes well.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window. . .sand.

I am hearing...silly game show.

I am thinking. . .about my niece.

I am thankful for. . .a hard working husband.

I am remembering. . .fun times at the park.

I am hoping. . .to buy the house we would be happy in.

I am creating. . .a red blouse.

On my mind. . .the wonderful congregation we belong to.

Noticing that. . .I need to clean the house.

From the kitchen. . .spaghetti and garlic bread.

One of my favorite things. . .outdoors!

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .Finishing up my red blouse, getting some new sewing books and hopefully the zoo again!

What I am reading. . .message boards.

Picture for thought I am sharing. . .

Lela and Belle at the Zoo May 2012

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window. . .fresh mowed grass.

I am hearing...my girls laughing.

I am thinking. . .I can't believe I finally have my red skirt almost finished.

I am thankful for. . .friends.

I am remembering. . .junior high home economics.

I am hoping. . .to get the whole family well this weekend.

I am creating. . .a new skirt-yet another one.

On my mind. . .maybe getting yet another sewing machine, haha.

Noticing that. . .I'm getting much faster with my sewing.

From the kitchen. . .racos.

One of my favorite things. . .BBQ's.

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .Cleaning the car, buying a sewing machine from Craig's List, painting a used sewing cabinet I bought.

What I am reading. . .discussion boards.

Picture for thought I am sharing. . .