33

33, please be good to me

slow down on the wrinkles

give up the acne already

focus on giving me patience

rather than gray hairs

33

your alliteration makes me feel you should be special

satisfying

prove me right

Country Visit

Yesterday we took a drive into the country to see my oldest and dearest friend. It was her birthday and a lovely weather day and utter craziness with 9 children (7 of whom were boys) in the morning, but totally worth it. The pool was too cold (although tested by Adam and Tate), but the dog dish

and some local grapes

seemed to work just fine.

We are missing our friends today. The big boys, Mitchell and Evan, who included Calvin in some baseball and graciously GAVE him his Lego creation (the niceness of which he is still talking about), Adam who adventurously did anything with anybody (cold pools, climbing trees, you name it) and dear little Polly (even if Elle does keep calling her Laurie, she also calls her "my fwend").

Miss you too Meg. Why do I never take a picture?

Corny Kids

The kids had a great time at Nana and Papa's. They shared a ton of wonderful pics with me, but this is my favorite:

Amidst the veggie picking, ball playing, word puzzle solving and dancing, we were supposedly missed. I sure did miss them, but the break was good. And, more importantly, it makes me happy that our kids love to spend time with all their grandparents. Those are relationships that I am thrilled to (ahem) cultivate. ;-)

The Ugly (but currently freeing) Truth: Maybe

Yesterday was good. It was quiet, uninterrupted and rather enlightening. I took a majority of the day putting together my BEAST of a tote and I slowly came to realize that there is a good possibility that selling my crafts is not the thing for me. At least, not now.

As I struggled to maneuver the heft of fabric through my sad little "home ec" machine from possibly the 1980s (Did I ever mention this? My mother bought this from my old high school when they sold their Home Economics machines for something like 20 bucks or less. It has numbers on it to show you how to thread. Very fun.), I found myself stressing rather than enjoying the sewing. Stressing about the fact that if I am going to charge someone for this it had better be darn close to perfect, and stressing about what on earth I was GOING to charge for it and was I-in the end- going to make about 50 cents an hour, and stressing about all the sewing that I really should be doing for my little family and instead I was trying to make what was likely to end up as a rather small amount for the work I was putting in.

It was then that I was awakened to a couple of realizations. One, I am way more about the overall appearance and function when it comes to sewing and not concerned enough about flubs like this which really matter if I am going to try to charge someone for my work.

I do realize that I could take all that out and fix it. But it really just doesn't sound like something I want to do. I think that this darling monstrosity is nicely suited for my jumbly house and maybe not for a price tag. I think that I had delusions of churning out beautiful things while my babes sat happily around my feet fiddling with bits of fabric and string and the reality is that they are far more likely to be stabbing at each other with knitting needles and throwing around my lovely buttons. I think, for now, I am tabling the idea of making a buck crafting and will just continue to save a buck crafting around here.

Speaking of which, I finally finished Ellerie's window shades a couple of weeks ago and I just ADORE them!

And now, joining them, is a colossal tote-instead of a plastic bin- for all the stuffies.

It seems right at home here. Oh, and I DID enjoy making it for US ;-). You never know with me, by this afternoon I could be changing my mind. I do have a nice little pile of knit washcloths started.... maybe i'll just stick to those for tagging.

It really feels good to be so decisive. ;-)

Last Day Fimming

We hit Aunt Kathy's pool the other day for what I imagine is the last time this summer.

The nights are colder now and some leaves are already changing around here. Seems in some ways like we never really got a proper summer, but time goes forward and seasons change. I feel autumn coming and it's okay. A new time is sometimes like a breath of fresh air: like peeling off your winter coat for the first time, or sliding jeans over tanned, summer legs.

Today I am taking some other deep breaths and trying to dive back into my tag sale sewing. It has been waiting so patiently for me and I think, in spite of my initial excitement, that I have been subconsciously avoiding it because I am nervous. But the kids are taking a long weekend at Nana Sue and Papa Paul's and I have two whole days to myself while Mike is at work. It would seem that I need to take advantage, so instead of cleaning my car (horribly gross) or sorting the basement (horribly jumbly and the boiler man is coming Monday) or sorting and weeding out the kids' stuff (I like to pitch things when they are away... ssshhh!), I am throwing on Summer's playlist and then Dana's and maybe my own and I am going to make something.

::deep breath::

Busy Days

Last week was a busy visit home. I forgot my camera (*GASP*), so all these pics are courtesy of Grandma Jean. Mom and I did a bit of thrifting for the kids' back to school clothes. The kids got messy and dirty in the woods and at the creek. And the highlight of our visit was the local county fair.

I tried to get the kids to beg Mike for a rabbit, but it didn't work. Ditto on the chickens and a horse. I never get what I want ;-) Darn suburbs. But the kids got what they wanted (a ride) in spite of the RIDICULOUS cost of the tickets. Seriously? 4 dollars for one spin on the ferris wheel?!?!?! NUTS. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for indulging them a little and helping to teach them that sometimes a little is enough.

We are doing our best to soak up these last few weeks of summer, whatever that ends up meaning. Pools, fairs, mud, bug bites, even stick-tights.......bring it on! All too soon we'll be back to buses and "schedules" and earlier bedtimes, so whatever business we get into we are trying to do it with a grin.

Recent Quotables

Cal: Mommy, all you do is feed us and do laundry.

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Me: You guys are just the most GORGEOUS kids in the whole, wide world!

Tate (not missing a beat and with a grin): But not the nicest!

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Birdie, to just about everyone: "Wanna come WITH me?"

"I want to go WITH you"

"I need to hold you."

"Where my Calvin go?"