A skirt into a skirt--I love my serger!

A few years back I bought this skirt.

It's a long baby cord number and has (had) some great texture.  But alas, since I've lost a bunch of weight, IT WAS SUDDENLY WAY TOO BIG!

YAY!!

But I need a black skirt!  A cute one!  And the one I want is $65.  A project is born and I sense that I will not be sleeping much in the near future.  Or doing much laundry.  And the kids will probably be feeling neglected.  As will the husband. But whatever.  I'm building their independence, right?

Now, a little while back, someone gifted me a serger.  And to that person, I want you to know that I intend to use it until it dies, or when I die, pass it onto my children.  I love that thing. 

I found this awesome tutorial for a ruffled skirt, but didn't have a skirt in my closet that fit to take measurements, so needed a new route to figure out fit.  And then I found this tutorial.  Awesome fit instructions.  Bonus! 

Double bonus that it doesn't need a zipper.  Double bonus because I, 1) didn't have a zipper, and 2) s.u.c.k at installing zippers. 

This is looking good.  Triple bonus already and I haven't even cut into anything!

So, I threaded the serger with black thread, figured out how to use the gathering attachment (the thing rocks my world!) and cut and sewed and serged and got heart palpitations just putting it all together.  And then I got out the seam ripper and ripped some, serged and sewed some more, prayed that I had enough fabric in the skirt to finish, got it all put together minus the elastic and went to bed.

It was roughly 11:30 pm.  Not bad.  And the morning held promise.

Then the boy woke up and required some attention.  So I ended up being up until roughly 1:30 am.  But whatever.  The morning still held promise.

And this morning I finished.  I tried it on, realized that the back ruffle wasn't quite long enough, rifled through my meager stack of leftover scraps, got out the seam ripper, serged, sewed, ripped some more, serged and sewed again, and declared it DONE. 

TA-DAAAAA!

The thing is awesome.  And it goes awesome with my new tights and my awesome black boots.  Grace was my photographer of choice.  Love that kid.

The skirt definitely had "character" since cord is as fragile as it is.  But I like the kind of character it has and I think some of the character might soften in the wash,  We shall see. 

It's not very often that I actually love something I make for myself.  It's true that I love this skirt.  Even if I just look at it and never wear it (which is not my intention since I'm disappointed to not be going anywehere today that warrents me even wearing my skirt, tights and boots) I'd still declare this venture a huge success!

My meager pile of leftover scraps--headed for the trash. 

Grace also commented that my skirt looks like I got it at the store.  I'll take that.  And raise her an awesome ruffly brown skirt for her.  I sense some sleep deprivation coming on.  Oh well.  At least I feel like I'm accomplishing something! 

And photos you shall have!

Today I wore my new $10 dress to church.  And my new boots.  And my awesome sweater.  I felt like a million bucks.  Except at about 75% off, which makes it even better somehow. 

The kids all behaved.  We are liking this particular church so far.  They have a lot going on, particularly kid's church.  I was walking the tired boy around and it sounded like they were having a ton of fun in kid's church.  I base that only on the fact that every kid in there was giggling.

After church I told Brent I wanted to run into Coldwater Creek.  Last week they were having a pretty great sale.  This week I was prepared to take advantage of it, if it was still on.  I found a shirt and this awesome sweater.  They were 50% off the already sale price. 

Yes, I put it on over my new fancy dress.  I think it works.  The color is to die for.  Totally me.  And the more I wear these boots, the more I like them. 

Brent drove around with the kids while I blazed through the store.  He got a little impatient and told the kids that mom wasn't allowed to go shopping after church any more.  He told me that all three girls yelled in unison something like, "NOOOOOO!"  I love those girls. 

So far, so good on the whole goals for the year. 

A new year, a new ME! (to be continued . . . )

Happy 2012!  And I hope your resolutions are in full swing of being resolved, or whatever resolutions are supposed to do. 

I'll admit, I don't do well with resolutions.  In fact, they have always made me feel like a failure.  So, instead of calling my goals for the year "resolutions," I will simply be calling them "Goals for the year."  This is really the first year I've made such goals, but it just seems right this go-round.

First, I would like to announce that if I am ever pregnant again, I will cry for 9 months.  Probably longer.  Please don't take that the wrong way.  I adore my children.  I loved being pregnant.  Babies are about the best gift anyone can ever get.  In fact, they are little living, breathing miracles.  The simple fact that I have had four little miracles come forth from my body is something I thank God for, well, not enough.  They are amazing and they bless me every day.  Every single day.

But, my body is done being pregnant.  My emotional capacity is done being pregnant.  And now I will be focusing my energy on raising my four beautiful children rather than creating more. 

And now since I'm done being pregnant, I feel like to some extent, I have my body back.  Since some time in September I have lost somewhere around 30 pounds.  It's been a great journey so far, and I totally intend to continue on that path for this year, too.  The holidays put a bit of a plateau in my Primal journey, but we're back on track and loving it. 

I was reading a success story a couple weeks ago and something in that particular story really resonated with me.  "Better every day."  That's one of those things that I can build on.  Better every day.  It's one of my goals.  If I can on average be just a little better every day at something, anything really, this year will be a great success.  Feeding the family, laundry, schooling, scheduling, exercise, managing four kids day in and day out, any of that.  If I'm just a little better at any of those things, every day, that would be awesome. 

But that's just one of my goals for the year. I have some more goals, believe it or not.  My husband thinks I'm crazy, but whatever.  He knew that before he married me. (Though maybe one of my goals could be to get him to accept that even if he doesn't understand it.)

One thing I'm looking for this year is some class.  Christmas kind of put me over the edge.  Or it would have if I had even been on the fence.  I guess it mostly reinforced what I was already thinking. 

How on earth had I sunk this far. 

Oh, yeah.  I had four babies in eight years.  And moved four times in there, too.  Those eight things will suck the class right out of a person, I think.

Not that I was super classy to start with.  But that's beside the point.  Somehow moving and realizing how many first impressions I'm making here in this area was a bit of a kick in my too-big pants.  Not that I didn't care to begin with, but this place is so much more intimidating to me.  My rural roots run deep.  So deep that they seep out at the seams and I think I definitely qualify as redneck.  Don't get me wrong, looking around, there is definitely a group of people who fall into that category.  But, there's the other end of that, too.  With three girls and this boy, I am finding myself leaning towards the other end of the spectrum.  And sadly, there's some work to be done.

Take our Christmas tree for example.  We got a $5 permit, went to the forest and cut it down.  We jammed it into the back of the car between two kids, brought it home and realized that our tree stand was broken.  That's where it all went down hill.

Brent saved the tree stand.  He found a piece of wood, cut it into about 18" chunks and screwed it to the tree. 

Then, since it was pretty front-heavy, he wired it to the wall so it wouldn't topple over on someone.

Last year we got our tree all decorated and then watched as it just fell over.  It was rather irritating.  Decorating the tree a second time is not nearly as fun as the first time.

We found the decorations, which I realized are really pretty sparse.  I think about nine years ago we realized our lights were at the end of their life and ran down to the local market to see what they had.  All they had were icicle lights.  And now nine years later, we still have them, plus one more strand of white and a couple color strands.  Except now only half of one of the icicle strands works. 

Here's me trying to figure out how to make it all work and not be too sad.   Honestly, it took a couple tries.

The boy is oh so helpful.  At grandma's house he unscrewed nearly every light bulb he could reach.  By the end she had a pretty dark bottom half of her tree.

And because of him I also didn't feel comfortable pulling out the glass ornaments.  That made for not too many choices of things to actually hang on the tree.  Plus, a good dozen of those broke last year when the tree just fell over.

At any rate, we managed with the help of some ribbon and some snowflakes the kids made.  And I guess it looked okay.  At least I got a decent picture of the kids in front of it.  YAY!

The ribbon really saved it.  

The whole point of this story is that I have sunk to a level I never thought possible.  But, if all goes well, by this time next year, I'll have found enough class that I can go get at the very least a few new strings of lights for the poor tree.  Maybe even some new fancy red and purple ornaments.  I'd love those.

Having recently moved, I have also recently gone through most of the stuff we own.  By most of it I mean that there are still a hand full of boxes that have not been open from the previous three moves.  But the whole process makes me really think about what kinds of things I need, want, like and would move again.  So, another one of my goals is to only bring new things into this house that I absolutely LOVE.  Not kinda love.  Not maybe could grow to love.  Absolutely love to the point that I go out of my way to use it and will use it until I wear it out.  Maybe even longer.  And while I'm at it, I think I'll try to get my kids to buy into that one, too.  The husband might take a little longer. 

Today I made a pretty significant step towards my goal.  All of them, actually.   I went shopping.  Without a single child.  For the first time maybe since I even had kids.  I didn't even take anyone with me.  I went ALL BY MYSELF.  After all, I had some boot money from Brent and the kids to spend!

To kick my behind in gear, I realized yesterday that it was quickly getting to the end of boot season and if I didn't get on the ball, I was going to miss out.  So last night I announced to Brent that I really did need to go shopping TODAY to get what I wanted.  Or I was going to have to wait until next fall.  Especially if we are looking at possibly having a child or two or three or hopefully four with the chicken pox in the next week or so.  (They were exposed about 10 days ago.  Crossing my fingers.)

If you've never shopped for boots, let me tell you that finding the perfect boot is hard.  They are either too tight around the calf, cheap, cheap looking, too big in the foot, too sloppy looking, or a whole host of other things.  I went to about four different stores before I finally went to Nordstrom and tried on about ten pair.  I walked out of there with four options.  One of them these: 

These are the kind of boot that I would wear out.  Or at least I would try and then my girls would inherit them.  They are expensive.  Like nearly $300 expensive.  On sale they are $247.  But, that doesn't stop me from thinking they are amazing.  Because I'm a shoe snob and I know that when one pays that much for shoes, they are worth every.last.penny.  Frye Jane 14.  Simply a gorgeous boot.

Then I walked over to Macy's.  The pickin' was slim over there.  I picked up a pair of boots and told the sales lady that I was looking for "something like this in a size 8."  She brought a few pairs out and I was not super impressed.  I told her I needed real leather.  She went back in and came out with these:

Born Massi.  Just looking at them they were beautiful.  Seriously, full grain leather.  And then I put them on.  The heavens sang.  I was even able to zip them up with no problem.  To add to the heavens singing, they were a return and were less than half of the original $200!  I barely took them off as I sprinted to pay before someone snatched them off my feet and ran away with them.

Now, I'll be honest.  I do still feel the brown ones calling my name, but they can wait.  I did walk back to Nordstrom and pet them again.  I felt kind of bad for the sales lady.  Josie.  She totally helped me out.  I do need to go back and look her up and buy something from her.  She rocked. 

After leaving there, again, I wandered around some more since I had accomplished my main mission and wasn't feeling ready to return to the herd.

Poking around some I found an awesome dress.  Originally $129, marked down to $50ish.  I thought I'd try it on.  It was beautiful.  I also found a silver shirt (I need shirts) and a pair of pants (I need pants).  The pants were a substantial knit that I would wear every day and then not bother to change out of to go to town.  They are that comfortable AND classy.  When I went to pay, the dress rang up at $10.49.  I felt like I was stealing it.  All the other stuff was well over 50% off, too.  At that I called it a day, paid for parking and skipped to my car with my loot.  All of which I fully intend to wear out.

If all goes well, if I'm better every day, find some class, and work on getting stuff in this house that I absolutely love, next year at this time, I'll have another even more awesome new me, a totally awesome new wardrobe, boots that I totally love, a new Christmas tree stand, and new Christmas lights and decorations.  And maybe, just maybe, someday, I will look back at my redneck days and giggle.  Because really, I kind of am giggling now.  Only this giggle might be a giddy giggle of joy over the new, fancy boots and pants and dress I now own. 

Fun stuff

Well, since I haven't said it in type yet, Happy New Year!  I had to laugh at a quote about how a pessimist will stay up to make sure the old year leaves, but the optimist stays up to see the new year in.  What about if you go to bed to be scared awake at midnight by the fireworks next door that are literally shaking the house and you are joined in bed by scared little people and hear your husband mumble something about the idiots next door?  Maybe that just makes me old. 

But, all the little people had recovered by this morning.  Enough at least to do what their mom told them to do.  Maybe we'll make it our annual New Year's Day tradition. 

Then we had breakfast and got ready for church.  We've been church-hopping.  And frankly, you never know what you are going to experience.  Today's church has promise, except that it's 40 minutes away.  They had a cute little children's message.  The girls are not shy about going up front.  And today the little Mister marched right up there with them.  It was pretty funny.  He was not going to be left behind. 

I'm the crazy mom in the back with the camera.  This is the best picture of them in front of a Christmas tree.  Ever.

After church we went and drove around town for a bit.  We found a Starbucks because someone had to pee.  Then we found a beach.

But that wind was really cold.  It was actually whine-inducing cold.  But, after the promise of a hot chocolate after a nice, whine-free walk, the whiner straightened up pretty fast.  (And yes, it was the same un-named whiner from the previous post.)  I later the husband that there was a hot chocolate bribe in affect.  He said that he'd noticed a quick change of attitude. 

No, I'm not above bribing my children if it means I don't have to listen to them whine for 22 minutes.

This guy was particularly handsome today in his white shirt and tie and cute little coat and great new shoes. 

We found me a bike while roaming around the town.  I had no idea I even needed a bike until the kids saw this one and daddy said that I needed it. 

Pretty amazing piece of machinery. 

And we met this animal.  Violet thought it was a lion.  I told her it was a dog.  It's name was Grizzly. 

So, there you have a lion grizzly dog.  Yes, we had permission from his owner to both pet it and get it's picture.  And it's the only picture V smiled for the whole trip. 

Here's to a great 2012!  It's gonna be AWESOME!!

32 and sunny

Since we returned from our Christmas trip the weather outside has been frightful.  Snowing, blowing, melting, freezing, raining, blowing, snowing, melting, freezing.  Or something like that.

It has been so wet that our cars that are parked in the driveway actually sunk about an inch into the driveway.  Just because they were sitting there. 

Today we had a little change of pace.  Sunny and cold.  So later this afternoon we sent the kids out.

"But mom!  It's FREEZING out there!"

I know!  Isn't it GREAT!?!"

They found some fun stuff and had to make sure we got a chance to enjoy it, too.  Here's Calla racing down the driveway to show us what they found.

Violet on her Christmas bike, being towed by dad because it's more fun for EVERYONE that way.  And Grace on her skates.

Proof I participated, other than the fact that there are pictures documenting the trip.

We have a frozen lake!  A giant frozen lake!  Right in the field!

And Grace can skate on it!! 

Never mind that they are ROLLER skates!  Crazy kid.

This does seem a little dangerous, though.

Look at all of them out there skating around having a ball. 

Or rather falling down.

Calla is thrilled with her find.  It's not every day she finds a whole frozen lake in the field.

Carsten had a bit of a hard time.  Poor kid.

But he's a pretty tough kid.  And so is Violet.  Even though her mittens are on the wrong hands.

Did I mention Carsten was tough? 

My favorite picture.

Yuppers.  He's a tough kid.  Still smiling and everything.

Uh, crazy lady with the camera, that one kind of hurt.  (Well, this might be my favorite picture.)

Good thing there is a giraffe padding your fall, buddy.

Yup.  Still pretty tough.

And then we tried to take the circus on a little walk.  But it was interrupted by whining and stomping and pouting and the folding of arms. 

So we cut the walk short and came home. 

The end.

Merry Christmas! (Happy Birthday!)

Today is my birthday.  But before you get all sorry for me for having my birthday on Christmas, let me remind you that I don't just have a birthday, I have an entire birthday SEASON.  It started this morning at 7:30am.  Apparently there is some sort of competition to see who can call me the earliest to wish me happy birthday.   Just so y'all know, I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON!!!  Next year I will not be answering my phone until noon.

Unless it's my mom or dad.  I will forgive them.

But before I tell you much more about my birthday, we ought to talk about Santa coming yesterday.

Grace is eight.  She's a great kid.  And the husband's family has a tradition of hiding in the bedroom after dinner while Santa brings the presents and bumps around the house.  Two years ago, she got a little scared.  This year she was so nervous she was working her tummy into fits. 

So she and I went into the bathroom amidst all the excitement.  She was actually so worked up she was crying.  The poor thing.  I made an executive decision.  Sorry, Brent.

Grace, come sit on my lap.  We need to talk.

Okay. 

She comes and sits on my lap and I wrap my arms around her.  She's getting so big and I don't get to do that very often any more.

Can you keep a secret? 

*nod*

A super secret secret?

*nod*

Do you know who Santa is?

**pregnant pause while she thinks**

Daddy?

I smiled at this point.  She gets it.  She's a smart kid.

Yup.  And your sneaky uncles.  Notice how one or more of them is always missing when we hide in the bedroom?

She nods.  I can feel her relax some.  We talk about it some more.  She is feeling better.

I go out to the kitchen.  They all know something is up.  She's perked up pretty fast.  Daddy gives me the evil eye and says something like, "How can you make a decision like that without my input?"  He's a little hurt, but I had begun wondering if Santa needed a little helper this year. 

So I went back in the bathroom where she was still mulling all this new information around in her smart little head.

You okay?

Yeah. 

I'm wondering if maybe you want to ask Santa if he needs a little helper this year.

She smiles.

But I don't want to eat the cookies.

Santa's suddenly changed his tune, too.  I think he's liking the idea of a little helper. 

So they "went for a walk" to "get her some fresh air."

The bells Santa brings every year have never been so cheery.  She did a great job. 

Violet was pretty cute after Santa had come and gone.  She ran to the door looking out to find Grace.  "GRACE!! SANTA CAME!" 

They got all sorts of awesome stuff: 

Shiny shoes.

Bikes.

Pretty necklaces.

Hanging chairs that I'll get pictures of when they aren't just a pile of fabric on the floor.  Good stuff.

The little Mister really enjoyed the egg nog.  He calls it "nawww" and goes to the fridge asking for it.

And then today they kicked me out of the house because it's my birthday and they had to get my present all ready.  They've been working on it for weeks.  Brent would call from work to talk to Grace about super secret stuff.  They would work on it in the back bedroom and come out asking for a pile of buttons and an empty beer bottle.  Crazy kids.

A treasure hunt.  That's what they put together.  So I opened the present to find a beer bottle with a map rolled up and stuffed in it and a page of clues.  Fifteen clues.

They sent me all over the house collecting pieces to a puzzle they had made.

And out to the back yard to the big X in the flower bed.  There was even a shovel very conveniently located.

It says "Treasure Box" if you can't read it.

One of the main instigators with all the puzzle pieces. 

Putting the puzzle together.  Proved to be quite a task. 

Well, holy cow.  BOOTS! 

I've been lusting after a pair of boots for a while.  Brent actually went so far as to go into my pinterest account, find the photo in the board I call "Mama needs some style" and print out the picture.  The treasure hunt theme was finding mama some style.  So funny.  And fun.

But they know how I am about shoes, so the actual treasure was cash wrapped in foil with "TREASURE" written on it.  And now I get to go shopping.  I'm sure I'll take some kids and it'll be fun.

I love my kids.

They are so fun. 

I love their daddy, too.  But I didn't get any good pictures of him during the hunt.  Though two of the clues required that I kiss him.  Sometimes he has to be sneaky like that.

But here's a good picture of him with the little ones.  Violet is so excited about her tricycle.  She isn't so great with it yet, but wants to practice.  So we went out and pushed her around the block.  Carsten came along for a ride, too.

I have a feeling that trike is going to get a lot of miles on it in the coming years.  A lot of miles.

Then we came in the house and it started pouring rain and hailing.  So we made huckleberry sauce to put on my annual birthday cheesecake.  It was good. 

Merry Christmas, everyone!