Looky What I Learned...

GIRLY HAIR

I did - I learned how to do something girly to Anna's hair. I learned from HERE and mine isn't as tidyb ,ut I tried it and it worked. Best of all it keeps the hair off her face and looks super cute (if I do say so myself).

I am NOT a fru-fru type gal. Pigtails and ponytails I get pretty good - I'll even put those cutsey little do-boppys in for her, but braiding or fancy stuff - NOT the first clue. I am glad to have resources and guts to try it and a girl who can deal with more than a little pulling. Anna is thrilled (even if I pull some) and I am willing to spend the time it takes (which is a while) to make her happy. I figure I'd better get all this in before she sarts with the "MOM - Puh-Leeese" when I ask to do her hair.

Here is a close up (please ignore the messy and un-even parts - we're still learning).



There are more ideas I'd like to try so I guess I'd better learn to make a decent french braid. Fortunately I know just the gal who can teach me and hopefully it will only cost me a Grande Vanilla Latte.

Oh - if you are into super girl hair - check out this site and the contest she's having right NOW!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

And Now For Something Completely Different:

Lighten Up would ya? OK - OK - it's gotten very serious around here lately - what's up with that?!? BUM-MER!

Works-for-Me-Wednesday OR Me, Working-for-Wednesday - some crafting updates:

The yo-yos are still taking shape and will make their debut next week (they are very excited and cannot wait - they've even been giving me photo tips - the divas).

I've got 4 current (we won't discuss the long-time UFOs) sewing projects in various working stages:

1. Placemat Set #1, 2. "Nest" Quilt Top, 3. Coaster Set, 4. Placemat Set #2

2 sets of placements - these again need to be quilted and bound, but are also simple to finish so I'll work on them this weekend.

Coasters - I have several sets of coasters at the 50% mark - they need to be stuffed (tedious therefore unfinished) and quilted.

A Quilt top - finished the top just need to buy backing/binding fabric and then do the quilting, etc - I like th patchwork process so much better than the quilting - wish I could afford to pay someone to do ALL my quilting and finishing, but I have to save that for the really fancy ones.

I'm also cleaning out the craft room (again) and purging LOTS of stuff including books, misc. crafting items, maybe my knitting machine (maybe), and more. I have too much stuff and I can't use any of it because I have NO room to work.

On Deck for the rest of the summer/fall are the following projects (many for holiday gifts):

• Finishing 3 quilts (did I mention I stall out after piecing the tops?)


• Making 2 new quilts


• Reupholstering the couch & chairs


• Reupholstering the chair & 1/2 for craft room


• Making clothes for the children


• Embroidering dishtowels and napkins


• And More

Between all that crafting, homeschooling, cleaning, and new activities for both the children and myself - I'm excited. I know this will be a busy and productive time and I can't wait. What have you got planned for the fall?

I learned something new this week too - I'll show you tomorrow.

Be sure to leave a comment about your plans and be sure to check out Works for Me Wednesday links.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

In THIS Moment Today

As I listen to the rain and plan my day the world keeps turning as:


A friend battles red tape and paperwork while watching her hero disintegrate mentally and physically before her eyes. One welcomes a perfect new life into this world, while yet another makes the decisions preparing for the final days. Still others struggle to find their way after God has called home their compass, their beacon, their safe harbor. As one dissolves an unfulfilled dream and marriage another anticipates an anniversary and a birth.

My children grow and play and learn and laugh everyday overcoming the great obstacles of life and I pray for them. I pray for their safety and their wisdom and their strengths and their courage to face all of the challenges that life will present. I pray that they will have the courage and the strength of character and the support of loved ones and friends that each of my friends mentioned above possess. I pray for those friends and others and those without friends to pray for them. I pray for myself, as sometimes I still feel so unbearably lost and all I want to do is call my mom.

While you plan your day remember that wherever you are in life - you are NOT alone and someone is praying for and thinking of you.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Looking for Me?

Find me HERE today talking about finance and my personal struggle with keeping it all in perspective. Also be sure and add Lynnae to your google reader or bloglines; I learn something new and useful there everyday.

My two week menu plan had a little fall-down this weekend (lunches on the weekend elude me), but we got back on track last night with taco casserole (YUM - thank you Andrea) and I'm making soup today so everything is headed in the right direction.

Remaining on the two week plan I have:

Sweet Potato Chicken Stoup (Rachael Ray favorite)
Breakfast Burritos
Breakfast for Dinner (including pancakes)
Tuna Steaks
Baked chicken with Brown rice
Tuna Salad
Turkey Burgers
Summer Sausage w/Mixed veggies & rice
Cheese Tortellini alfredo (yum it was good last night)
Chicken & dressing casserole
Taco Casserole (thank you Andrea for the recipe)
Salmon croquettes


I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

And One More Thing FREE!

SimpleMom is having a HUGE giveaway! Please check it out and participate HERE! Visit before Midnight (CDT) August 25th to enter.

Even if you aren't in to free prizes (what's wrong with you about that anyway :-0) check out her blog - it's a wonderful resource!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

From the Mouths of Babes

Photo credit: Shortstuff411

I don't like ironing clothing - so I don't usually do it.

This morning, to avoid the "I just pulled this out of the laundry basket, where it's been sitting for 3 days" look, Casey's outfit needed pressing (don't like to fold laundry either). So being the dutiful wife that I am (and because the iron was already out for crafting) I began pressing Casey's clothes. Then I hear an incredulous 5-yo voice at my side.

T: "Mommy, what's that?"

M: "Daddy's shorts."

T: "WHAT are you doooiinng?"

M: "I'm ironing them."

T: "Why?"

M: "They're wrinkled."

T: (befuddled) "Oh"

Just another proud mommy moment!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

When is Your Time?

Photo credit: Wikipedia Here

Me? I like to wake up early. I wake by at least 5:30 every morning; some of you may think I'm stark raving mad, but let me explain. It's quiet at 5:30 a.m. It's quiet in the house, quiet in the neighborhood, quiet in my little part of the world.

I love early mornings and I love sunrise - it's like watching the day being born and growing up. I am not super creative at this time or even all that productive between 5 & 7 (time for that is between 7.am. and noon) I'm just still and that's BIG for me.

Now if I could only get the dogs to stop snoring I'd be all set!

When is your time? When are you productive or reflective, or just still? I look forward to reading your comments.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Menu Planning Monday - finally

Finally back to the menu planning - we've been eating out and going out and bringing home and NOT cooking - time's up for that.

In no particular order for the next two weeks:

Turkey Burgers
Summer Sausage w/Mixed veggies & rice
Cheese Tortellini alfredo (yum is was good last night)
Sweet Potato Chicken Stoup (Rachael Ray favorite)
Chicken & dressing casserole
Breakfast Burritos
Breakfast for Dinner (including pancakes)
Taco Casserole (thank you Andrea for the recipe)
Salmon croquettes
Tuna Steaks
Baked chicken with Brown rice
Tuna Salad

Of course there are sides, etc. with all of that, but with all the lesson planning I'm doing for the next school year (it's a hard age spread this year) a list is as good as it gets - but it isn't take-away! Check HERE for even more menus and meal ideas.

Thanks for your support while I'm busy planning - this homeschool thing is a tough job (SO worth it for us) - especially when you're not an "color within the lines" kind of family.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Neck Deep in Lesson Planning - So...

One Word Meme - I found this whilst looking at the lovely Sweet Jessie's lovely blog!

1. Where is your cell phone? charger
2. Your significant other? shower
3. Your hair? walnut
4. Your daughter? sleeping
5. Your son? curly
6. Your favorite thing? family
7. Your dream last night? forgotten
8. Your favorite drink? coke
9. Your goal? contentment
10. The room you’re in? bedroom
11. Your church? visiting
12. Your fear? average
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? away
14. Where were you last night? Shogun
15. What you’re not? average
16. Muffins? sure!
17. One of your wish list items? Barrowman
18. Where you grew up? here
19. The last thing you did? hug
20. What are you wearing? p.j.'s
21. Your TV? ginormous
22. Your pets? barking
23. Your computer? silent
24. Your life? perfect
25. Your mood? expectant
26. Missing someone? Mom
27. Your car? ideal
28. Something you’re not wearing? pants
29. Favorite store? gone
30. Your summer? hot
31. Like(love) someone? always
32. Your favorite color? red
33. Last time you laughed? now
34. Last time you cried? yesterday
35. Who will repost this? unknown


I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

WATER! HEATER! RUPTURED! BACK TOMORROW!

Yep - spent last night cleaning up water - plumber is here NOW so hopefully no more COLD showers!


I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

My Humblest Apologies...

To some of my favorite "Hot Sexy Men" whose invitation to the "Hot Sexy Men Dinner Party" were apparently lost in the mail. For that please forgive me and know that you are welcome ANY time!

Apologies to the following:

David Boreanaz, Julian McMahon, Johnathon Frakes, Val Kilmer, and Michael Shanks

Please forgive me one and all!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Screaming Hot Sexy Men That's Who!

You know that icebreaker party question - "What 5 people would you have over for dinner...?"

Well, Let me just say that I would waste no time on historical, political, or the so-called "important" people of our past or present. Nope, Not me - I can read about their contributions. Me? I want hot sexy men at my dinner party - including (but certainly not limited to) the following:

1. John Barrowman - to crack bawdy jokes and sing whatever he wants as I swoon (plus he's been in the Tardis!)

2. David Tenant - because you can't have Captain Jack without the Doctor and he's really cute too!

3. Todd English - to create and cook a magnificent dinner wearing an apron - only (ok, the apron is optional)

4. Matthew McConaughey - I'd just like to watch him do yard work with his shirt off (YUM!)

5. Brendon Fraser - he's so charming, do I really need a reason?

and

6. Harry Connick Jr. - Piano, Singing, Community Rebuilding, Acting, Married to a Victoria's Secret Model (though she can stay at home) and so much more

Oh My! I think I might need a moment.

OK - as is plainly obvious I like men - I like talented, smart, sexy men. Who do you like? Who will be at your fantasy "Sexy" dinner party - and why? Let me know in the comments - I can't wait to find out.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Thank You!

A heartfelt, giant "Thank You!" to all who voted for me in the blog makeover give away. It appears to have done the trick, but I'll wait to hear the official results before celebrating. Thanks especially to my Casey's techie posse at work who responded to his "random favor" request - I truly appreciate all of you.

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe

Utterly Shameless Self-Promotion!

Truly, utterly, shameless, pandering - I know - it's not pretty, but then neither is the blog layout - Ha!

Pick Me! Pick Me! Please go Here and vote for me in the blog makeover contest. Voting closes Sunday August 3 @ 11:59 edt.

Thank you so much!

I'll keep you posted!

AmyDe