Done, Baby!

Finally finished my baby projects: 2 receiving blankets, 2 decorated cloth diapers, and 1 little plush toy. Not bad for a first try!

Thanks, ladies!

You girls are the best! I just wanted to thank you for your support. It's good to know that everyone's house is out of control. I was starting to think I was the only one -- especially after my hubby told me that in Brazil people clean their houses on a daily basis. I mean, who has time for that?! Apparently we're doing something wrong (or right?) here in the U.S. Whatever the explanation, I'm just glad to know I'm not alone. Hoarders, here I come!

(sike)

Have a great weekend, and don't clean too much!

These Stitches Itches (and other prattling nonsense)

So I know that's bad grammar... but give me some poetic license, okay?  I have 12 more days until I go back to the doctor to have them taken out. Ugh! I don't know if I'll be able to make it that long (hehe).

In other news, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with life (or more specifically my house) these days.  I think it was William Wordsworth who wrote "the world is too much with us."  Something like that.  Okay, no. It's exactly that.  I couldn't leave those words quoted, and possible incorrectly, so I just Googled it. And checked it. And that's exactly what he wrote.  If I were writing those lines today, I might change them a bit to say that my house is too much with me.

My house looks like a bomb went off and there's really no good reason for it to look that way.  It's not like I just came back from a month-long trip and my suitcases exploded everywhere (I wish).  It's not like a have a toddler running around the house messing up everything.  It's not like I don't have a place for everything.

Oh wait, that IS the problem.  Space.  Who knew that without enough storage space, one's house would slowly become a miserable mess of piles.  Of "stuff."  I desperately want to unload a lot of this "stuff" but you see, that requires mental effort.  "Do I really need this?"  "Can I replace this if I change my mind after I've gotten rid of it?"  "Should I donate it or try to make some money off of it?"  "If I'm keeping this, WHERE am I keeping this?"  Oh yeah... and then the physical effort of actually putting it back where it belongs.  Everytime!

Does anyone else have problems like this?  Am I the only one?

The Brave Little Beeps

So, I just needed to take a moment to brag about myself. And my bravery. Go me!  I had to go to a doctor's appointment all by myself today (not normally a big deal considering I'm nearing 30) but a big deal nonetheless.  I willingly went to this appointment knowing that I was going to get poked with a needle.  Me!  Willingly!!!  You're proud too, I know you are!

The best part?  I lived to tell the tale.

LOST: "The End"

As soon as I got home from the beach, I immediately sat down to watch the last episode (ever!) of LOST. Two and a half hours later (and many, many tears later) the end has come. I'd like to quote what someone else typed on Facebook because I feel like it summed up everything I felt:

"WOW, I can't stop feeling sad because it ended. I guess they became part of our lives and it's like a death. Grieving for the end, grateful for the time it gave us. So many layers of feelings: love, sadness, fear, joy, and everything else. I enjoyed LOST and will deeply miss the people and the adventure. The last scene with Vincent and Jack, still tearing. WOW!!! Going back to keep crying."

Those of you who never got caught up in the show probably can't even begin to appreciate the overwhelmingly emotional finale. I cried intermittently throughout the entire episode, but the last 5 minutes brought on tears that I haven't seen since my favorite pet died. Despite the fact that I'm grieving over the end of a show, I assure you that I am sane. Some fans were complaining online about the ending, but I thought that it couldn't have possibly been wrapped up any better than it was. I got closure. You know how you're always wondering what will happen to the characters after the show is over? I'm not. I feel like I know exactly what became of all of my favorite people. You know what else? I absolutely loved the way they depicted Heaven. I hope that's what it's like for me.

Beach Weekend

T.G.I.F... Need I say more?!

Little Monster

I know my friend asked for neutral colors for all things baby, but seriously... how could I resist this little monster print?! I spent the morning sewing two receiving blankets for her. Next up? I'm making a plush rattle! Sewing is so fun :)

The Day the Hail Came

Well, the hail looked really cool -- blasting downward out of the sky, ricocheting off of the back wall of our balcony, and bouncing off of the ground. Then I noticed our screens.

The hail was not cool. Not only do we need to replace our screens, but we have the added joy of not being able to REMOVE our screens in order to take them somewhere to be repaired. Yeah, it's really neat how the screens are permanently attached to our building.

At least my flowers weathered the storm... right?

What a difference a day makes!

My poppy finally . . . popped!
[Yesterday]:

Today!

The Not-Ugly Car Trash Bag

As you may remember, both S and I bought the same sewing machine, and today we got together to make our first projects using our new machines. Upon buying her new machine, S's best friend surprised her by sending her a copy of the book One-Yard Wonders (yes, I covet it).  We decided to make the Not-Ugly Car Trash Bag.

We had a great morning/afternoon -- just us girls -- and after about 5 hours of measuring, cutting, cursing, and sewing, we finished.  They're so pretty, I don't know how we'll be able to put any trash in them!

Check out S's awesome butterfly print:

Ironing, not very carefully -- pay attention to what you're doing!

Sewing, very carefully:

The twins... aren't they lovely?!

The banes of our existence! Broken pin heads, broken needles, and seam rippers. UGH! seam rippers...

VOILA... finished! Coming to a car near you: