12): Sneezing, Sewing & Old Movies

By bobbi
September 14, 2012
3 Comments

– 1 –

This Is Why We Don’t Have A Cat – Over the past two weeks we’ve been touch and go with a cold bug tagging each of the kids. This week it finally hit me. At first it started as allergies due to a bad experience with Target. I know, the store I love! Well, it wasn’t really Target’s fault but one of their shoppers. I purchased a slip cover for our horrid front room couch that has an even more horrid slip cover that always comes off. (It is taking the word “slip” too seriously.) I opened it up and as I was placing it on the couch I started sneezing like crazy. I then realized that the cover had cat or dog hair all over it. I pulled the cover off and folded it back into the box but the damage was done. My allergies went crazy. (It’s weird but I know it’s my allergies when the roof of my mouth gets really itchy.) Well, slowly my allergies went into a head cold and sore throat and if you call my house and hear a raspy whisper answer the phone, don’t hang up. It’s just me.

– 2 –

Silence Is Golden – However, I’ve noticed a curious thing with not having my normal voice, I can’t ~~yell at the kids when I am mad~~ moderately raise my voice to demonstrate my displeasure. Yesterday, I almost blew my top, but not being able to talk loudly, I had to take a deep breath and firmly but calmly and quietly correct Child A. This automatically had a calming effect on me interiorly and I then calmly corrected Child B. I swear I felt like Michele Duggar when she sweetly corrects her kids (at least on camera.) I walked into the kitchen and Brian was smiling at me. I think he is secretly praying that my voice takes a long time to return. 😉 But seriously, it’s amazing all the little lessons God can teach you when you are quiet and humble enough to listen.

– 3 –

Pass the Visine – Okay, okay. One more quick take about being under the weather. (Cut me some slack, guys, it’s been a slow news week.) Along with the stuffy head and raspy voice, I have been wearing sunglasses outside the house all week, despite the clouds and the fog, because my eyes are so red and watery. I looked in the mirror the other day and saw puffy eyes, bags and dark circles and I swore I aged 10 years in a week. Man, if this keeps up I’m going to have to break down and buy some kind of cover up/ make up. I’m also really resisting the urge to watch the movie Mr. Skeffington just to witness Fanny get ill and age 20 years after always looking so youthful. (I love that movie!)

– 4 –

Movie Night – I think I’ve mentioned this before but one of my favorite times of the day is when I put John-Paul and Andrew to sleep. After prayers and bedtime stories, it’s lights off. Usually I would sit in the room 5-10 more minutes while they dozed off. Now they are out within minutes but It is so quiet and peaceful that I find myself staying in there 15 – 20 minutes just to read. No emailing, texting or web surfing allowed. I can only read. One of the books I finished last month was To Kill A Mockingbird. Can you believe I had never read the book nor seen the movie before, particularly since I love B&W classic movies? Now that I’ve read the book I was going to rent the movie but I noticed that our local theater is playing the movie on Nov 15 as part of the TCM Event Series so I think I’ll wait and watch it on the big screen.
BTW, if you are a classic movie fan, next Wed, Sept 19th they are playing Hitchcock’s The Birds and on October 24th it is a Halloween Double Feature with the original “Frankenstein” (1931) followed by “Bride of Frankenstein” (1935). Sounds fun!

– 5 –

Catholicism & A Zombie Apocalypse – Speaking of reading, I was going to do a Quick Take about Ryan Charles Trusell and his new, innovative novel Ora et Labora et Zombies but I think it is too exciting to merely mention it quickly so I made a separate post instead. Check it out.

– 6 –

Making It Count – Hey, did you notice that I am now hosting Making It Count Tuesday? Sarah and Pam are unable to do it right now so they were kind enough to let me oversee it. If you are not familiar with Making It Count, it runs every 2nd and 4th Tuesday. You simply start with any one of those fabulous ideas you’ve found online. Then, do it. Make it. Cook it. Create it. Take it from the screen, give it life and let it bless your world. When you’re done, snap a photo, write about it and share it with us. Make your time online count.
You have until Sunday night to participate in this week’s MICT. Or you can come back on Tues 9/25. I hope to see you there!

– 7 –

Sew what? – Speaking of getting creative, as readers of this blog know I am not exactly skilled in the sewing department. (Duct tape to hem pants, anyone?) However, I’ve been trying to correct my ways and spread my creative wings and I’m thinking about trying a simple sewing project – such as making your own cloth napkins. How hard could that be? (Famous last words.) I was thinking of buying a simple sewing machine with some birthday money I have saved but let me ask you a question – what is the minimum I should spend on a machine. I don’t need anything fancy but I don’t want it to be so cheap that it doesn’t work properly but I honestly don’t know where to start. So if you could recommend a brand or price range I’d really appreciate it! Thanks.
Okay, my time is up and I made it to the last take. Have a great weekend!

Making It Count (Vol 2): Mama & Me Journal

By bobbi
July 24, 2012
2 Comments

NOTE: Since “Making It Count Tuesday” is no longer, I have a Pinterest Party instead every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. Join me and link your post! 🙂

*****

Today is Making It Count Tuesday over at AmongstLovelyThings.com. As Sarah explains:

Start with any one of those fabulous ideas you’ve found online. Then, do it. Make it. Cook it. Create it. Take it from the screen, give it life and let it bless your world. Making it count!

Anyone who knows me well, also knows that I have been in love with journals since I was a little kid. Even today, if I see a really cute or pretty journal I have to buy it. I envision myself at home looking out at the mountains behind us as I scribble away or sitting at the beach filling it with prose. In reality, I have a collection of blank journal sitting on my bookshelf as I chase the kids around but should inspiration hit, I am well prepared!

When I was pregnant with Bella (and all the kids, actually) I kept a pregnancy journal that I planned to give her one day when she is older. So when I saw this simple project for a “Mama and Me” journal on Pinterest, I could not resist it!

I went over to Jenn’s blog MamaJennBlogs.com and she wrote:

What exactly is a “Mama & Me” journal? Well, it is basically a journal for my daughter and I to share. We write letters back and forth to each other…kind of like being pen pals (without the envelopes & stamps). My hope is that these seemingly simple letters to one another will become a book of memories to treasure for a lifetime!

She gave easy directions and a link where you can download the label for free. (There is one for a daughter journal and another for a son journal.) She actually got the idea from another blogger who got it from another blogger so the different versions continue to multiply.

In my version, I already had a blank journal I got on clearance at Target. It was a little too “pink” for me but I thought Bella might like it. (See, I told you those extra journals would come in handy!) The cover had a felt design so I used a Martha Stewart label to make a simple label on the front.

I then went through my binder of stickers and scrap book paper I had collected over the years and decorated the inside cover.

Here is the first page inscription.

For the introductory letter to Bella, I used the same basic letter that Jenn used.

Dear (child’s name),
Would you like to be my pen pal? Instead of mailing letters to each other, we can keep them here in this notebook. Does that sound like fun?
I will write to you and then leave the notebook on your bed. Then, when you want to write me back you can begin writing on the next page and leave the notebook on my bed when you are done.
You can write about anything! It can be funny or serious! Just write about whatever is on your mind! 🙂
I am so excited and I hope that you are excited too!
Love,
Mom
P.S. Write back soon! 🙂

I just changed the words slightly.

I love it, and more importantly, Bella loves it. (She has inherited my journal madness.) We’ve already exchanged a few short letters and this morning she asked me if I answered her last letter yet. I haven’t so as soon as I finish posting this, I will. 🙂

{pretty, happy, funny, real} – vol 34: My Faves Edition

By bobbi
June 7, 2012
1 Comment

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Here are some of my favorite Instagrams from this week

{pretty}

I took this shot at a friend’s house after the rain earlier this week.

{happy}

All these shots made me happy!

John-Paul

Andrew and Matthew

The three boys mesmerized by a bug.

Bella with Andrew & JP

{funny}

It was crazy hair day at school. Andrew was proud of his do.

I loooove this shot of John-Paul in his James Dean mode but unfortunately it was streaked by the sun’s glare.

Matthew started out spikey but with everyone rubbing his head he ended up just a big mess. Lol.

{real}

If you visit Monterey County you’ll find many huge life-like murals done by John Cerney. Here are tow of my favorites on Cannery Row depicting cannery workers from the 1930’s.

7 Quick Takes – 1/6/2012

By bobbi
January 6, 2012
4 Comments

Hosted by Jen at Conversion Diary.

– 1 –

Happy feast of the Epiphany! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year’s. We have been out of town last week and I am still catching up on unpacking the suitcases and packing up the Christmas décor. I think that is why I am so reluctant to clean everything up…I don’t want to box up my favorite time of the year. (Well, truth be told, I’m actually a procrastinating messcat but the other scenario sounds so much more romantic…)

– 2 –

For Christmas I bought Brian a Kindle Fire. Anyone who knows me also knows that I am always the first one to get an electronic toy and then later Brian joins the bandwagon. However, I wanted to get him something special and being a book lover I thought this would be a nice match. He was very excited and has been using it frequently.

– 3 –

I have been holding off buying one myself because I have been saving up for an ipad instead. However, the more I think about it; maybe I should get myself a laptop – one of those sleek, thin ones that you can carry in your bag. It may make more sense than an ipad. However, it will take me awhile to save up extra money for that so I may just use some gift money I have saved up and get a kindle for me as well. Brian said that I could have his Kindle Fire and he could get one of the basic Kindles since he mostly uses it just for his books. Tempting, but I don’t know. Doesn’t it seem like I am taking back the very gift I gave him? I’ll have to think about it.

– 4 –

Speaking of electronic toys, a few months ago Brian and I both needed to replace our old iphones that weren’t working. We bought the new 4s and I love mine! (Should I admit that I even sleep with it? Hmmm. No, I better not.) I happen to also like the new Siri and I’m always telling her to set up reminders or asking her to read me new texts when I’m busy. I showed Brian how to use Siri and he swears his iphone is defective. He asks her a question and she almost always responds, “I’m sorry. I do not understand what you are saying.” I don’t know if he is speaking too close or talking too robotic but he insists it is not his fault. To prove to him that his phone was fine I used it and asked Siri a number of questions. She always gave me the correct information. So I don’t know what it is. He thinks it’s a conspiracy. You know, the same conspiracy/evil plot that allows things to be hidden from his sight. Yet, when I walk into the room to look for the hidden object it is always right there in plain sight. (Yes, Siri and I have it all worked out.)

– 5 –

The one thing I do not like about the iphone is how delicate it can be in the hands of young ones. I bought a cute decorative case cover for my iphone and I loved the personal touch but it gave no protection whatsoever. If I was the only one using it, that would be fine. However, the kids will often use my phone to play games or watch videos, especially in a long line at the market. (One lady at Costco was amazed because I handed my phone to John-Paul and at the age of two he was able to zip through pages and folders and open up his games. It’s second nature.) So my cute but worthless cover had to be replaced. My brother suggested that I get one of those ToughSkin rugged rubberized tread cases or one of those military grade ones made out of tires but that seemed a bit extreme.

Instead I settled on the Marware SoftGrip Core Case, available in black, white and pink. I like that it has a protective silicone skin, textured dimples on back to minimize impact shock and extra coverage around the display. It makes the phone slightly bulkier and it doesn’t slide easily into my pocket – I have to shove it in because of the silicone traction – but it is sturdy enough to handle the drops it has received so far.

– 6 –

Okay but enough talk about the electronic gadgets. How about a quick take about sewing something crafty and beautiful? (Obviously, not something I did.) My sister-in-law Maria is not only an incredible artist as you can see from this painting she gave us a couple years back…

… but she is also gifted at the sewing machine. Look at some of this handiwork!

She even made her own gift tags, gift bags and bows. And did I ever post what she gave me for my birthday last year?

A card with one of her sketches and matching magnets. So pretty! I’m trying to get her to open her own etsy shop and maybe when she gets over the tough first year of having a newborn, she will. I’ll keep you posted. 😉

– 7 –

I could make my last quick take about the cute aprons my other crafty sister EL made but she may want to post about that herself. Besides, all this sewing talk is depressing me. (I’m getting flashbacks of when I hemmed my pants with duct tape.) So instead I’ll put one last plug for Downton Abbey, Season 2 coming Sunday night. Jen mentioned it on her Quick Takes and I was elated to see others are as smitten as I am. Brian and I will still quote lines from it to each other. (“What is a weekend?” hahahaha! Love it.) Okay, here are some closing photos for all you on Team Mr. Bates & Anna. 😉

Okay that is it for now. I’m meeting up with some local Catholic moms this afternoon – something I’ve been sorely missing! Have a great weekend! xoxo

{pretty, happy, funny, real} – vol. 9

By bobbi
August 11, 2011
1 Comment

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

{pretty}

I bought this pretty hibiscus flower at Trader Joes this week and put it on our front porch. I love the red flowers! (Although I just noticed that the tag said to keep the plant indoors. I guess I’ll have to move it.)

{happy}

I must confess that I am a stationary geek. I was so happy to get this package in the mail because as much as I love the convenience of texts and emails, there is something soul-satisfying about putting pen to paper.

I bought these lovely sets of writing sheets and envelopes from Daniella (WritingsByBluebirds) at etsy.com. I already wrote a letter on them, which made every happy.

{funny}

Ever since Bella was a baby, we’ve been trying to deal with kids that will climb chairs and dance on the table. Since then we’ve gotten used to tipping the chairs over during the “climbing” stage. It is a major pain in the rear, but we’ve put up with it. However, I may have to think of another strategy because JP started climbing his tipped over chair to get to the kitchen counter – something he probably wouldn’t have done had he not spotted a jar of jelly beans on the sink. (Which I should probably dump out since I think they have been there since Easter!)

{real}

We are finally getting around to fixing our backyard deck. The main structure is fine but all the floor boards have to be replaced. We have to keep our sliding glass doors locked to make sure the kids don’t step outside and fall through the deck! (Thankfully the weather has been foggy and cool so it’s not so bad.) I will be glad when the work is over. All that hammer pounding at 8am is disturbing the baby’s sleep!

Revolution of Love

Do small things with great love.

Category Archives: arts & crafts

7 Quick Takes (9/14/12): Sneezing, Sewing & Old Movies

Making It Count (Vol 2): Mama & Me Journal

{pretty, happy, funny, real} – vol 34: My Faves Edition

7 Quick Takes – 1/6/2012

{pretty, happy, funny, real} – vol. 9