Thursday, January 31, 2008

Trashy


Thursday is trash pick up day at our house ('cause I knew you were dying to find out). I was thinking this morning and considering all the trash our household of 4 people and 5 pets generates. And here's my secret (shhhhh): I'm a closet environmentalist - ack!

Yes it's true. I could be a total "green freak" if I allowed myself (because I am obsessive) - no because I care. But I am NOT a total "green freak." Good for you (and all of us) if YOU are & thanks - truly. Maintaining my sanity (shut-up!) and marital bliss (I'd make him even crazier than I already do) requires a different approach to "green" in my life.

I carry my box in and out of Harry's (and other places too) and I buy organic as much as possible, heck we're even buying a Prius in a month or so (gosh how average is that?). I have been evaluating my reasons for all of this during the social climate of "green" being trendy and "in."

Well as you know I care NOTHING for being "in" or trendy so I asked myself "Self? Why or even ARE these things important to you?" I'll stop recounting the quoted conversation I had in my head - you can relax I'll just get to the point (in a minute or two).

Being "green" for me is almost a selfish choice (maybe it always is?) in that I carry boxes into Harry's because it's easier and I don't have to figure out where to store or toss all those plastic baggies. I buy organic because it tastes better and if I can cut out at least some of the chemicals, antibiotics, and hormones pumped into myself and my children - WooHoo I'm doing it. We're buying a Prius because it's cheaper on gas with Casey in Atlanta rush hour daily and let's face it (for gadget and techno freeks like us) it's really cool! I take a short shower (usually) so that I can have some quiet time to myself before the kids wake up. I turn out lights because they give me migraines (and I hear my father's voice in my head when they are left on, but I think that's another post).

I don't compost (though it might be fun), or garden, or reclaim rainwater (like it rained here this year?!?), or ride my bicycle to make my ginormous T.V. work (though my a** would be smaller if I did b/c I LOVE T.V.), or use biofuels (don't even get me started on why ethanol is EVIL), heck, I don't even recycle on a consistent basis (SHAME). I AM more aware and more cautious about what we put in our bodies and in our homes. I "go green" where it is reasonable for us at this point and always strive for more (without being my completely obsessive self) incrementally. I admire those who do more and those who go all-out; I understand those who don't and those who don't care. I'm somewhere in the middle - do what I can where I can as I can - and it's enough.

I do have a goal of reducing the amount of garbage we generate (again selfish, as we just plain have too much stuff) which means I have to remember GIGO, but I can work on that and I'm sure my garbage collector (they don't pay those guys enough) will be appreciative.

When I doubt myself I just remember the immortal words of great thinker Kermit the frog "It's not easy being green."

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

I Wish To Read

I wish I could be IN that photo to do it too.

For 2008:

  • My Sister's Keeper
  • The Knitting Circle
  • Anne of Green Gables (again)
  • The Kite Runner
  • Anna Karenina
  • Water for Elephants
  • The Golden Compass 1, 2 & 3
  • Grace Walk
  • Wicked
  • Death's Acre
  • Eat, Pray, Love
  • Emma
  • The Time Machine
  • William Faulkner & Southern History
  • The Island of Dr. Moreau
  • A Thousand Splendid Suns
  • The World Without Us
  • The Measure of a Man
  • No One Belongs Here More Than You
  • The Call of The Wild (again)
  • The Nine
  • A Walk Across America
  • A Touch of Wonder
  • The Pillars of The Earth
  • A World Without End
  • As I Lay Dying (again)
  • My Antonia

What do you wish to read this year?

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Vicodin Good!

Makes me Love EVERYBODY! And it quells the migraine.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Monday, January 28, 2008

Square Pegs

"Square pegs, square pegs, square, square pegs..." You remember that show? Yeah - I know - that song is going to be stuck in my head all day too.

I've been thinking lately (nearly burned the house down *grin*); soul searching one might say - not me, but 'one' might. I've come to this:

I don't fit in!

It's something I've always known and am quite satisfied with. For the past few years I've found myself straining to "fit" somewhere and I can't really figure out why I've been trying. I like not fitting. I like going against the grain, ruffling feathers, marching to the beat of my own drummer, rocking the boat, using lots of idioms... Really I have always been happy on the outside. True, sometimes the outside is lonely and often it is scary. Ultimately 'outside' is where I belong and where I am happiest.

I have struggled against my own nature to 'fit' myself into this group or that group even into 'typical' social roles - it doesn't work. I don't fit in my church groups, small social groups, large online forum groups, heck I didn't even fit in my Girl Scout Troup nearly (ack!) 30-years ago. For better or worse I'm just me; quirky and creative, opinionated (cough *understatement* cough) and loud, kind and generous, gracious and stubborn, smart and funny (sometimes).

My sister-in-law, who struggles with self-certainty, maintains that I don't care what other people think of me - not exactly. More accurately, it doesn't matter if others LIKE me. If someone likes me that's their choice - if they don't that's fine too. I don't waste time and energy 'fitting' myself into someone else's mold or idea of who he or she thinks I should be.

I truly am a "Square Peg"; you know what? I like it.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Saturday, January 26, 2008

What? Snow? Here?

It's snowing.

It's pouring.

This blog post is boring!

Last weekend's wintry loveliness.

It Snows

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Friday, January 25, 2008

All's Quiet on the Eastern U.S. Front...

Been reading. Can't talk and read. Can't knit and read. Can't sew and read. Can't watch T.V. and read. Can just read and read.

Read this:
And This:
I know I'm behind on the knitting book. And HEY!!! Someone could have warned me!

Read LOTS of children's books (we read at least 5 everyday) and we're listening to The Golden Compass.

Now I need to find something else off my shelf to read - probably Tuesdays with Morrie. I could knit or sew something before I begin the next book, but it's so cold here lately that I just want to sit on the couch with my quilt and read.

What are you reading? Anything good?

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Friday, January 11, 2008

Toby's Favorite Trick

Toby's Favorite Trick

Disturbing No? He's 4 there. Loves to show that to everyone he meets. He always gets a laugh. For an encore he sticks his tongue UP his nose.

We're so proud!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Amy Sews

I made some things for the kids today:

A Skirt for Anna out of mini-cord (McCalls 5168)
Skirt Front

skirt back Pocket Flair

And a Camp Shirt for Toby out of a Cotton Jungle Print (Butterick 3475)
Camp Shirt b

Camp Shirt

Both projects were simple, but had some details that made them fun. I love sewing for the kids and sewing in general.

I will have many more items finished over the next 6 weeks or so b/c a group I am a member of is having a "Stash Game" in February and it's a competition. Many of you may not know me well, but I am fiercely competitive and I want to WIN. So sewing is going to feature strongly in February! Better watch out SewingMamas!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Anna Sews

We bought Anna a new sewing machine; a Janome Jem Gold 2. It is perfect and easy to use and lovely; a little (and big) girl's dream machine.

Anna wants to sew all day everyday - like this:
Anna Sews

and this (finishing by hand):
Sew By Hand

She makes things for herself, her brother, just because, but mostly for - the cats - like all of these:
Kitten Blanket

Kitten Pillows

The quilt blocks were in the scrap bin, a long-ago abandoned project and Anna made them into pillows herself.

Apart from keeping her safe with the machine, I don't help Anna at all (like she'd let me)and she just goes to town with her imagination and her new machine.

I'll Keep You Posted!


AmyDe

Monday, January 07, 2008

Reminders of Home

Dinner was simple, easy, familiar; a meal I remember from childhood. Tonight we ate "Pepper Steak."

Pepper Steak is a classic American 1950's dish of hamburger patties, tomato sauce, green peppers and, as my Mom did, served with rice and green beans. As I was putting this meal together I was uncertain of a few steps. Nearly two years later I still almost picked up the phone to call my mother. It's strange how, if only for a moment, a meal from my childhood made me feel so grown up and alone.

I am thankful for the moment; the bittersweet memory. I am thankful for the recipe and knowing my way around the kitchen. I am thankful for all the things of me that are "Hers." I pray daily that I give my children as much as my mother gave me.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Sunday, January 06, 2008

L.E. Funt, Thy Name is "Trouble"

Here is what should have been a really cute project.

L.E. Funt Side

L.E. Funt Face

Instead it's really NOT. It's just weird.

The pattern is from my new book Toys to Sew. The pattern itself was horribly vague. Neither Andrea, an excellent seamstress and smart lady, nor I could decipher the written directions fully. We went with what we know about sewing and finally got things together. It's still weird. I tried to put it into the "Throw me away, I'm really UGLY" bin, but Toby loves him.

I'm glad Toby loves him, even if it's just because he's "Mommy made"; in the end I guess we all need to be loved.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe