Who Me?

I won what? I did? Sweet.

Check out these awesome goodies that I found on my doorstep yesterday afternoon ...

The scarf is oh-so-soft, the ornament cannot wait to be hung on our Christmas tree, the yarn is so yummy, and the candle is just burnin' to be lit ... and they came all the way from New Zealand. Thank you so much Ally for your generosity!

What a great treat ~ hope you have a Happy Halloween and no tricks.

I don't know about you, but I'm off to light a cupcake ...

Loose Ends

Several things I've been meaning to blog about ... I haven't completely dropped off the creative wagon. Here goes:

Periwinkle had hosted a magazine swap (such a cool idea) and these are the goodies I got from Louise:

These are the best. It's so much fun seeing what the trends are in another country. I am sooo enjoying these. I made it very clear to DH that none of these are to make it to the recycling bin until I put them in there ;-)

Mindy hosted a Halloween swap and Hot Cup Lutheran sent me these amazing goodies:

Paula Deen, chocolate, coffee - can't go wrong there ... and she painted me that picture - isn't it amazing! Here's what I sent her:

I modified the Gratitude Wrap. If I get my act together I'll post the changes. No bias tape for starters!

Since she is an artist I thought she would enjoy a little 'to-go' kit. I included watercolor paper, watercolor pencils and a hot pink (one of her favorite colors) sharpener.

Henry eats lunch at school this year and every day I was throwing away a paper napkin and cringing. Waste. I decided to make him some Halloween napkins. We use cloth napkins at home so why it took me the better part of 6 weeks to think to pack one for him is beside me.

Now the precedent is set - I need to make some for Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc!

You still with me ... this has been a long post! Two more things ... I actually finished a washcloth in under 48 hours! That is a record for me (compared to the months it took me to knit one).

I am hooked. Sorry. I had to do it. Pun intended. Henry has already put in his request for 2 lovies! Crocheting is definitely more up my ally but I'm going to stick with washcloths and scarves for now. To all you knitters our there - more yarn to ya - it's tough!

And last but not least ... don't forget to sign up for the Thankful Things Swap (deadline this Friday, Oct. 31st). You know you want to ... come on ... join us!

Pressed

So why is it when I have more tasks than time that I seem to accomplish the majority of the things on my list? Now, that certainly isn't always the case but somehow that applied to yesterday.


I managed to do much with little. I did take a few short cuts. Here are a few of my wrinkles that got ironed out:

Cupcakes for Henry's class

... out of a box.

Ironed 5 continuous yards of fabric and began cutting out a shower curtain for this bathroom.

Called the painter to see if he could squeeze us in. This bathroom has been completed for a month and neither DH nor I have picked up a paint brush to finish it off. Sometimes, regardless of what you do or do not accomplish on your list, you are just pressed. I just am thankful that somethings got crossed off. The way I see it ... it's ok to be a little wrinkled sometimes.

Hooking ... Quite Happily

I suckered my grandma into giving me a few quick lessons in crocheting while she was here for John's birthday. She was quite happy to oblige and hook.

Oh boy. I'm on to something. I haven't made anything yet but I can see some dishcloths in my future. I've also found this web site with great videos. Reading the directions on patterns still stumps me but I guess I'll figure it out.

I had this groovy yarn in my modest stash. The big block grandma and I worked on together. The skinny snake is a not so great attempt and the smaller piece is a much better venture into the world of hooking. I still have an unfinished scarf that I was trying to knit. I don't know if that will ever get done or just put in the Land of Unfinished Projects. Keeping the tension just right is still tough for me but I got all excited and decided to just dive in. This is supposed to be the beginning of a washcloth. The gauge is 13 stitches to 4 inches. Well, this is 22 to 2 1/2 inches! Yikes. I'm really tense!

I'm just going to keep practicing with this a bit and then start over. Hopefully I will have relaxed a bit! Crocheting moves at a much faster pace ... maybe I will finish something by Christmas ... 2009! In the meantime, I'll be trying to hook happily ;-

Climb Up

This weekend was filled with family and friends until our cup runneth over. It was wonderful. John's present from my mom, DH, and myself was a step stool with his name on it. Henry has one (from his 2nd birthday) and it took John the majority of the weekend to realize that it was his and not Henry's. He's figured it out now though. When he is in his room his favorite thing to do is to "climb up. climb up mama." onto the bed.

I do not know what you wished for John ...

But my wish for you is that you continue to go at life the way you went after this piece of cake ...

With all the gusto you can muster.

Keep climbing up my little one.

Ribbit

I finally finished (and like it) a softy. Tutorial here. Fabric from stash and I used poly fill instead of beans (only because I didn't have an beans on hand). Same with they eyes - I only had buttons.

Thanks for all the kind words and suggestions for my elephants and John's birthday wishes. We've finally got him holding up fingers and saying he's one ... we're working on two! As for the elephants, I'm going to give the 'saddle' suggestions a whirl. What have I got to lose!

We're having a family birthday party for Dos. Hope your weekend is hoppin'. I know ours will be!

Dos

When I was pregnant with John we didn't know his gender until ... today; two years today actually. It's my little fellas birthday.


While he was growing (and kicking - a lot) in my belly, we would refer to him as Dos. Well, here's to you my sweet John. Happy Birthday Dos!

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This morning when Henry and I went to get John up, Henry said "Stand up John. Let me see how tall you are now that you are two."

Wordless Wednesday

Back Problems

Don't worry, not me. Just my elephants. These poor softies have had a rough time from the start. Somehow my seams didn't meet up quite right, I lost the buttons for the eyes (still haven't found them), and they look like they were stitched up by someone who had one too many adult beverages.

These elephants have been staring at me (well not really since they don't have eyes ... but that's worse if you ask me!) for far too long. I just can't bring myself to pull out the stitches and redo their backs.

Things like that just frustrate me even more. *deep sigh* The pattern is from the Sew Everything Workshop and is supposed to be very simple. That's what stumped me I guess.

What should I do with them? They were a gift for a girlfriend who has a 2 year old (big elly) and had twin daughters (little elly's). These are definitely not gift worthy. Should I just give them to a consignment type shop? Ugh. I hate it when a project goes awry. I know I should just rip out the stitches and do it again but I just don't have it in me. These elephants just keep giving me the imaginary evil eye ;-)

I'm off to make some sock primates. Those I know I can do!

Thankful Things Swap

Sooo ... it's that time of year again. You know, turkeys, stuffing, green bean casseroles ... the list could go on and on. But we all know it's just not about overindulgence ~ it's about taking pause to give thanks. Thanks for our many blessings both big and small. Seen and unseen. Which got me to thinking (dangerous I know). What are you thankful for? Is it lip gloss? Is it the falling leaves? Is it the sound of the ocean ... a really good pen ...

Let's have a swap of tangible things that we are thankful for. Here is the low down:

Deadline to sign up Friday Oct. 31st.

Package must be mailed to your swap partner by Friday Nov. 21st.

Spend no more than $10 (not including postage) on things that you are thanful for.

Let me know if you are willing to ship internationally and if you would like this swap to be anonymous (your partner doesn't know you have them until they get your goodies).

You can email me (someofakind at gmail dot com) or leave a comment but make sure I have some way to get in touch with you (blog address or email).

Feel free to copy the picture and paste it in your sidebar. Please do not sign up if you think you will not be able to follow through. I'd hate to have to think of you as a big fat turkey!

It All Began With Bessie

Bessie the cow that is. I had seen her before. She had to be the same gal. So I did what any cautious blogger would do. I left Angela a comment with some very vague questions (as not to give away the location of Bessie) to see if indeed we, I mean our children, had milked the same cow. Yup. We discovered we were neighbors! Small world indeed. We set a play date after much comparing of calenders and surprise ~ we run into each other at a festival! We were so excited that we forgot to take pictures ... but not the second time we met. Cameras were in full force.

Poor Bessie ... I think she's been milked one too many times.

What was really cool was how our kids got along so nicely. It felt like Angela and I had known each other for far longer than our 2 weeks of correspondence. We packed in quite a bit of chatter during the 2 hours at the museum. To think that we were complete strangers, stumbled upon each others blogs and discovered that I went to high school with her husband!

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Angela and her daughters. They are just delightful. It was so much fun getting to meet them. Such pleasant company! Thanks Bessie. Here's a great big shout out, I mean moooo, to ya!

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Angela tagged me to name 6 random things about me. Here goes:


~ I hate the toilet paper to hang backwards (the loose end towards the wall). I like it to be hanging down the front. Much easier to pull off. We all know how important this is when you have helpers in the bathroom with you ...

~ I can load a ton of stuff in the dishwasher and it comes out clean. DH is always amazed at how I can make it all fit.

~ I can almost always guess the right size Tupperware for leftovers. DH again, is in awe of my domestic abilities.

~ I am a morning person. I'd much rather be up at 4 am than at 2 am. In college no matter how much coffee I drank I could not pull an all nighter - I'd be cross-eyed shortly after midnight. I'd get up early to finish up whatever was due (at 8 am no doubt).

~ With that said - give me a cup of loaded coffee after 4 pm today and I'll be up all night. Getting older is for the birds.


So, that's only five I know. I asked DH what he thought my quirks were. Poor thing looked like a deer in headlights. I explained to him what it was for ... he cautiously said, "Well, you move things around. A lot." He never knows where to put things when he unloads the dishwasher, puts the laundry away, or where to sit in our living room ... I do move things around ... a lot.


There you have it! I hope you will still be my blogging friend now that you know more about me ;-) If you are still reading ... consider yourself tagged!

Car Conversations

The boys and I are driving down the road when Henry asks, "Could you put on some classical music?"

Mozart happily obliges.

John then says, "Like. Like Mama. Like."

If only all car conversations could be so calm and cultured.

These Are The Days

Two of my favorite fellas.

Busted.

I love a man who can cuddle.

These are the days to show our boys how to one day be real men.

It's A Wrap

I finally sewed something. I feel like I've been running on empty in the sewing department for some time. I made Soule Mamma's Gratitude Wrap. It's fast and easy but if you are on shaky ground with bias tape like me ... stay tuned for another version. My corners are wonky but I'm not redoing it. so there says she in a teeny tiny voice.




You might recognize this fabric. It's original plan was to become a skirt. I could never find a shirt to match. I'm sooo glad that I had some impulse control (procrastinated) and didn't make the skirt. I have enough left to make another grocery tote. *Love.Those.Totes.*




I've make another wrap Some of a Kind style ~ I'll share the process and results when I have time to type it up. Notice there is no date set ... I'm still in search of my mojo ... it's out there ... somewhere.


Speaking of out there somewhere - sign ups have begun for the Flirty Apron Swap. I think she is only taking the first 100. The theme is Holiday Hostess. Now that just might help me find my mojo. I love a good apron.

Back In Time

This weekend John and I had a little one on one time. We headed to a local festival that is held every year at a historical landmark.


We had a blast. Spent the better part of 2 hours there. I think that is a record for John ... being entertained for such a long period of time.

I also (surprisingly) ran into Angela and her gang. Yup, we discovered we were neighbors. One of those "hmm ... some of those pictures look familiar ... I live near that place". A few email conversations later to determine we weren't axe murderers and a play date was set for this Friday. We were so excited to have run into each other that we forgot to take a picture of our meeting. Don't worry, we've already discussed having our cameras on Friday! The Some of a Kind / Clothesline Chronicles (second) rendezvous will be documented! ;-)

Hammock Time

There's nothing like a classic ...

A quiet and comfortable spot ...

And a new pair of hot pink shoes ...

Hello fall. It's hammock time.

Ahhh ...

We finally have our new computer up and running. I have access to my music, pictures, and documents. It's just heavenly. When our computer first crashed I did the usual check to make sure everything was plugged in securely etc. I had to laugh though when I actually looked under the desk - this sums up my life - chaos.



Needless to say we took advantage of having to replace our hard drive and straightened up all the chords. Much better.

I had over 100 pictures on my camera that needed to be down loaded. That of course does not included the ones that I deleted after I took them. I never realized how many pictures I take. I have so much to share ... stay tuned ... I'm baaa-aack ;-)

Diary Of A Provincial Lady

This was such a delightful book. One of you wonderful bloggers had read this not too long ago but I cannot for the life of me remember who. It was you who peaked my curiosity and lead me to add this to my always increasing reading list. Upon a rare occasion that I was childless, I had the opportunity to brows through a local bookstore's used book section ... lo and behold ... Diary Of A Provincial Lady presented herself to me for all of $3.95. Perfect. Now, I must say, just for the record, I did indeed look to our local library when I first discovered this book ~ and they didn't have it! I must make mention of this to them (my mom works at the library - he he).

I think the only way to do justice to this book is to quote the text itself. (DOAPL is set in the English countryside during the 1930's.) This passage has the two children together after one has returned home from school for the holidays:

Customary rather touching display of affection between Robin and Vicky much to the fore, and am sorry to feel that repeated experience of holidays has taught me not to count for one moment upon it's lasting more than twenty-four hours - if that.

(Query: Does motherhood lead to cynicism? This contrary to every convention of art, literature, or morality, but cannot altogether escape conviction that answer may be in the affirmative.)

The mother's observations couldn't be more accurate ... and laugh out loud funny when you realize that she has spoken for most mothers out there.

I found myself doing just that; laughing out loud, often, and forcing my DH to listen while I read to him from the book. He did on occasion crack a smile ... especially after this witty observation from The Provincial Lady at the close of a very busy day:

(Query, mainly rhetorical: Why are non-professional women, if married and with children, so frequently referred to as "leisured"? Answer comes there none.)

Go ahead, get the book. It's a keeper. You know you are 'leisured' ... what ever else could you possibly have to do?

Red, White, And Pink

I usually avoid controversial topics on my blog which is kind of silly I suppose. I guess I try to keep this place in my life a 'happy' place ~ subconsciously trying to avoid not so nice comments. Well, I'm throwing caution to the wind. I have a few extras of these that I'd love to share. Leave me a comment if you would like one. First come first serve.
I am so thankful to live in a country that I can express my opinion without fear of persecution. I am also thankful for my very dear friends who disagree with me on the election (and probably a few other things) but they are still good people that I want in my little world ... and we are still friends despite our differences. In the end, all of this mess that our country / economy is in won't matter a hill of beans. It's still scary though, I just try to keep my mind and heart on the one and only true outcome of our universe and who created it. Here's to making the best of it while we are on this planet!

Coffee Anyone?

I'm tired of my picture-less posts. I had this one saved ~ no particular reason ~ just had some random thoughts one day and it never made it to the published side ...

I spent a lot of time in airports as a child. Recently we were down at the train station and I experienced deja vu. I couldn't figure out why because I had never been in our train station before ... then it hit me. The coffee machine.

Nothing like an old vending machine to bring back childhood memories eh?

Gratitude

I am so thankful for all of your well wishes. Thank you. It has been a rough couple of days in the Some of a Kind household. Actually a rough month if you count the economy (DH works in the financial industry). Last night was no exception ... Henry couldn't settle into a good sleep until after 2 AM. But enough about that. I have (somehow) managed to get a little of my mojo back. I've finished my elephants (except for sewing on the eyes) and have almost finished two Gratitude Wraps from Soule Mamma. These wraps have worked up so nicely. They are a great base to expand from as well if you want to make it a little different. Definitely more in the future.

If I could send each one of you a gratitude wrap I would; but you know I can't. So I'm sending you virtual hugs and kisses and lots of well wishes. I can't wait until our new computer comes so I can post some pictures ... but in the meantime, I'm off to make a big pot of coffee!

Backwards

No whining I promise - just the abridged version of the past 24 hours. DH is at the MD. Henry spiked a 104.4 temp last night. 30 minutes in the tub to bring it to a whopping 101. Pitiful what we consider victory. John is back to his frisky self. Henry much better ... just finished breakfast. Which brings me to the reason for this post. As he was eating, he was spelling his name. H.e.n.r.y. It's written on his place mat. For entertainment purposes I asked him to spell it backwards. He looks at his name and says "ornery". I couldn't help but laugh. I hope he will be back to his little ornery self soon ;-)

Couldn't Have Said It Better

Today Henry, John, and I were running some errands. I wish we could say we made it to church but about 4 AM this morning DH woke me up ~ sick as sick can be. He actually had been sick all night, I just hadn't heard him. The boys and I got out of the house to give him some peace and quiet. Let's just say he spent all night in the water closet. Off to Wal-Mart for some more Gatorade. Here was our conversation:

Henry - "I just shouldn't have gotten out of bed today."
Me - "What do you mean?"
Henry - "Well, I should have know that everything was going to fall apart."
Me - "Oh?"
Henry - "I'm just getting old and achy."

2 hours later Henry had a fever of 102.6. Little did my sweet babe know that he really shouldn't have gotten out of bed today.

Trick or Treat?

Update on the computer front (because I know inquiring minds want to know). It's officially fried. It was not the motherboard. DH had to order a new computer. Our warranty expired sometime in August. Nothing like timing. I'd call that a trick.

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It's a Halloween Swap hosted by the very funny Mindy (of Bits and Odd Pieces of Mindy's Kingdom). Sign ups end Oct. 10th. Now this is going to be a treat!

Loving Frank

Ok. We all know I love my DH. I'm talking about the book Loving Frank. ;-) And what a great book it is. It's got a little bit of everything ... love, drama, tragedy, and lots of controversy. I'd be lying if at times I wasn't a little ... put off shall we say, by the whole 'thing'. Let me clarify. The book is based on an affair that Frank Lloyd Wright had and it is written from his mistresses perspective. It is based on as much fact that could be gathered (given it was the turn of the century and utterly scandalous ... which really is a shame to say that an affair in our current day is not but I digress.) I found myself getting angry, upset, and concerned like she was a friend - "how could you be so stupid!" would come flying out of my mouth. (yes, I am one of those laugh out loud at the TV or while reading a book if it strikes my fancy kinda gals) This book was well worth the read ~ you get to travel back in time and have a glimpse of how things were while peering into the mind of a genius.

I'm sure I've mentioned that I'm an antique lover-conservative-likes things simple-person. Aside from the relationship between Frank and Mamah (the main story line), Frank's design philosophy is explored. It's fascinating to me. He wanted his architecture to blend in with nature - not compete with it. Upon finishing the book I was dying to Google the house that he built for he and Mamah, Taliesin ... I had to wait until we got the dinosaur up and running though. It was well worth the wait. So not my style but absolutely amazing. It was sort of like reading a book and seeing the movie ~ but the movie was good.


If you can do it - hold off. Read the book first then go look at all the pictures of Taliesin. It's the icing on the cake.

The List

I was feeling good. I made it to the gym, took care of some committee work, and ran an errand. I knew it was too good to be true. I head to the drug store to get a prescription filled for DH's back. As I am paying, I make an impulse purchase. Twix. I'm hungry. I ran for 30 minutes. Chocolate is good for you (that's my story and I'm sticking to it). The cashier asks if I want everything in a bag. Are you ready ... and I say "No, that isn't even going to make it home. I'm ripping it open in the car." Of course I meant the Twix but judging by the look on his face he thought I meant the high powered pain meds. I'm sure as soon as I was out the door he called the pharmacist and added me to the list of sketchy customers. I did donate $ to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation ... maybe I'll be listed as a philanthropic addict. ~sigh~