the sky is pink

I had invited some girls from church to my house this morning for muffins and juice. Spenser helped herself to three mini-muffins before anyone arrived. She's looking awfully guilty, huh? Despite my repeated, " this is your last one," she kept going. And this is my view down our dining room table. I usually sit at the end where the camera is because it is closest to our kitchen. Joe sits at the end where Spenser is chewing on the tablecloth. The boys sit in the side seats. There are six side chairs, which will be great for our six children. (We have more chairs to add for company.) I just love the big, long table. It is not always this empty. Usually my sewing machine and stuff sits here (at my end). I had to clean it off last night before company arrived this morning. I think I like this minimalist look. (You should see my formal living room now. That's where I stuck all my sewing stuff ... yikes !) And did you see this from last night's post? After that lit...

So I'm freaking out a bit. No. No scary noises. (Joe is out of town until tomorrow.) My security alarm is set (and has been since I decided no one else is going outside for the night). I just checked my email and apparently Jack (5) or Mason (nearly 4) "won" two ebay auctions!!!!! Yes. I just got the invoice to pay via email. $55 worth of stuff. And not stuff they would want. Two little bracelets and a necklace for Spenser. Apparently Joe bookmarked one to return to later and somehow the boys opened it up, placed a "buy-it-now" bid (even logging in to ebay) twice (from the same seller)! How is that possible?!?!? I'm even wondering if this is some kind of scam. Surely boys that age could not figure that out!!! I even called Joe, who is in New York, to see if he was the actual bidder. He said he has been in meetings and wasn't on the internet (and doesn't remember our log-in information). Nice. Really nice. I guess I'm stuck paying for this jewe...

So I've posted a few times that I used to crochet (many moons ago ... pre-mom days). And I've been trying to "learn" again. So, I stumbled upon a "wee mittens" pattern (for 0-3 months) that I tried before I got pregnant with Taylor (over 10 years ago) and decided to give them a try for my new little one. As I crocheted along, it seemed like the mitten was getting wider and wider and I was somehow adding more stitches than necessary. Finally, I had to stop myself from continuing. This is how big and wonky it was: Go ahead. You can laugh. I was. It could seriously fit on my hand (if it were longer). It was so funny, that I decided to put it on one of Spenser's dolls. Last night I tried it again and one mitten turned out better than the other. I still have a little detail to do, and then, maybe, I'll post that picture. Of course, just to prove to you that not all projects turn out like the one above. **And, if you missed Mailorder #2 from Angry Chicken...

Blogger and I are not getting along today. I haven't been able to post any pictures, so this post will be photo-less. Yesterday was Joe's mother's birthday, so during Spenser's naptime yesterday, I sewed a little purse organizer, using the idea from this tutorial and a matching tissue pouch. I had been racking my brain trying to come up with some idea for her birthday and that was the best I could do. (She doesn't really wear aprons. She doesn't have a need for a tote bag or fabric bag. She doesn't craft. I wouldn't know her size for PJ bottoms or a skirt, which she wouldn't wear.) I was fresh out of ideas. I did manage to raid my "quick gifts" container and found a candle and a bar of cucumber melon soap from Bath & Body Works. Last night, after dinner, I made some banana blueberry bread with some of my fresh blueberries. I think I neglected to mention that I bought another 20-pound box on Thursday, because I ate the other 20 pounds!...

On Saturday morning the boys went to a Primary pioneer activity at church. They made homemade butter, played hopscotch, and played other old-fashioned games. I think there was even face painting there. Wait ... did the pioneers do that??? They were allowing the children to dress as pioneers for the picture, but it was so hot (and I was ready to leave), so we opted for a more contemporary, modern pioneer look. Last night around 9:30 p.m., we heard a knock on our door. Some of our friends stopped by with a loaf of fresh zucchini bread. They stayed until 11:00 p.m. and we had a great time laughing and talking. It was a very nice, unexpected treat. I'm getting my hair cut this morning. I'm so excited. I haven't had it cut since October! And have been in a slump lately. Kristina, the girl who cuts my hair, is coming to my house at 11:00 a.m. Talk about personal service!!!

Well, I guess that's not entirely true. Yesterday morning as I was drawing her bath water, Spenser (who had already taken off her diaper) kind of grabbed herself. I asked her if she had to go pee-pee and she said, "uh-huh." So, to the potty we went. I really did not expect anything (she's only 20 months old), but when I went through the motions of wiping her, I realized she had peed! (She did it again last night, but I heard it this time. No bath water running.) This morning I popped her on as I was running the water and I heard her go. When I went to wipe her, she had pooped, too! I'm certainly not forcing her, but I am encouraging her. I still thinks she's a little too young to understand. But, she likes the bubbles I blow for her after she goes potty (as she sits on the potty). My sewing WIP are the same as last week. I never actually got around to those projects. Just some others. Including, more skirts for after the baby: Sewn from a thrifted sheet a...

My " new " chair. If you don't recognize this room, it's our first floor bathroom . The chair is sitting between our dresser and our clawfoot bathtub. I needed a place to sit while I am giving the children baths (or drawing the bath water or waiting for them to finish playing so I can wash them). I've been sitting on a little wooden step stool, which is becoming increasingly harder to get off of. Even though the chair is comfortable, I think I'm going to make a pillow for it ... just for looks. (I saw a very cute pillow made from an old quilt at a yard sale last week, but didn't buy it because it was before I found the chairs. Now I'm wishing I bought it because the colors would have been perfect!)

Today was my OB appointment. I received good news. No ... grea t news. It seems that my placenta is "on the run" (as my doctor put it) and is moving away from my cervix. So. No cesarean. Regular vaginal delivery. He is going to order another sonogram in about 4 weeks to make sure (because it is still low lying and posterior) it is still moving. He just kept saying, "This is great! This is great!" I could tell that he was very pleased. He even got within a few inches of my face and said "as bad as it was, I didn't think it was going to go anywhere." And, more good news: I didn't gain any weight! (And I'm off "pelvic rest.") Some fab fabric I bought at Jo-Ann yesterday with my 40% coupon. I have lots of ideas for this fabric. Pillows. Bag. Skirt (?). I just want a really great bag pattern first. I want to love the bag as much as I love the fabric! And yesterday afternoon (after the movie), I was so exhausted that I really, really wan...

I found a new love: PJ bottoms. Made from the same pattern as last time, but I used a ribbon as the drawstring so I wouldn't have to turn that narrow little thing. (Although Lindiepindie from Craft Apple made an excellent suggestion on my sewing blog about sewing the drawstring. Instead of turning it, cut fabric wider, press in half, fold in raw edges, press, and topstitch all around. I feel so dumb because that is how I make my bag handles!!!) This fabric, again, was on clearance at Jo-Ann for $1.20 a yard. It is pink with black, pink, and white stripes. The stripes are actually sewn on, not printed, so there is a bit of texture. Even at capri length, it took a little more than 2 yards. (I know because I bought 2 yards on Friday night, laid out the pattern on Saturday morning and didn't have enough, so I headed back on Saturday to buy more.) And the little basket in the picture is one I found yard saling this weekend. I forgot to take it's picture before. I...

I haven't been to a yard sale in probably years . Since Joe works most weekends, and I'm not dragging 5 kids around with me, I just haven't gone. Until this weekend. Joe (who just changed jobs within the Army from the batallion to the brigade) had off this weekend. Again! Three weekends in a row. This has never, ever happened the entire 11 years we have been married! (And I don't think he has to work this Saturday either!!!) Okay. Breathe. My mother had the four boys spend the night (they keep bugging her and everyone else) with one of their boy cousins. So, with a morning to "ourselves" (to include Spenser, of course), we headed to town to check out some yard sales. These are the things we found. Some blue glass jars. (I love little glass bottles and jars.) A little dolly for Spenser, two brooches, and four miniature dice. We found this little pink box at the antique mall. It was $10 with 20% off. A little vintage knitting pamphlet (even though I can...

So I decided to post another WIP (Work in Progress) picture today because nothing else is happening. From the left: a floral sheet and new "vintage" fabric for more pj bottoms ; strawberry flannel for a needle roll (actually a crochet hook roll); and floral duckcloth for a new bag (which was cut and interfaced prior to photo). Okay. I've had the bag cut out for over a week and I couldn't stand looking at it anymore. When Spenser was in the highchair (and I was chatting with Christy on the phone), I ironed on the interfacing. As soon as Spenser took her nap, I got straight to work. It's from the Amy Butler pattern " In Town Bags ." (And let me just say that I've purchased all three of my Amy Butler patterns and a Favorite Things " Cute Skirts " pattern from ebay because they were cheaper. I'm still waiting to receive my skirt pattern.)

So I thought "I need some pajama bottoms for after the baby is born. Something not too hot, but something comfortable." (When I was on bedrest, Joe took over laundry duty and "shrunk" all of my pajama pants. I have loooong legs and have a hard time finding any thing to fit. When I found 2 pairs of pj bottoms that were long enough, I decided to only hang-dry them. Joe dried them in the dryer and they are too short now.) So, I sewed a pair of capri-length pj bottoms yesterday before our trip to Ft. McHenry. I used McCalls pattern 4979. It was easy, except for the darn drawstring. It was narrow and hard to turn. I wound up sewing a new one that was wider. I am planning to make more, however I will use ribbon or something else for the drawstring next time. I sewed it from some new "vintage" fabric. There is a collection of "vintage" prints at Jo-Ann. This one was on clearance for $1.20 a yard. Here's a funny picture. When I showed them to Joe yes...

I think you can say the same thing about me. We just bought a 20-pound box of blueberries and I've eaten so many, I'm sure I'm going to turn into a giant blueberry. 20 pounds, you say? That's just for starters. It's really not as many as you'd think: Last summer I bought three boxes! I still have some frozen in my freezer. I'm trying to be conservative this year, but I'm sure I'll be picking up another box next week. Today Taylor's cub scout pack to a fieldtrip to Ft. McHenry in Baltimore. Joe took off from work so he could chaperone. I hadn't planned on going (because of all the children), but I decided if he was going to be there, we could do it together. And, boy, did it take the two of us to keep up with them. We just had all of our children. All of the boys (the cub scouts and all the younger siblings) were running WILD! Most of the parents didn't even try to keep up, but I did. Joe had Spenser in the stroller and I walked as quickl...

I have pregnancy insomnia. What is a girl supposed to do when she can't sleep? Why sew, take pictures, and blog, of course ! I woke up 4:00 a.m. on Saturday. 6:00 a.m. on Monday. And 5:00 a.m. this morning. Usually I just realize that I'm awake. Nothing disturbs my sleep. I just wake up. This morning I actually had a cramp in my foot. Not the "normal" kind. The kind that has gotten worse with each pregnancy. It tightens and cramps on the top of my foot ... under the bones. There is no way to "flex" out of those cramps. You just have to be in misery. I did get up and walk to the bathroom, and it seemed to go away, but it took awhile. Anyway, I sewed a little something for a gift (can't post pictures yet). Then I decided to take pictures of my ribbon purchases from Saturday's Ribbon Outlet trip . So here are my purchases. I think my total bill was $14.39. First up: Ribbon by the yard Next: Woven ribbon (10 cents a spool, except the green floral, out-o...

Spenser sitting on her cobbler's bench. She's looking a little chubby there, but I assure you that she is a mere 22 lbs. (and I'm being generous) 20-month old. The boys always have to pose! Carter, the soldier; Mason, the Red Power Ranger; and Jack, the Blue Power Ranger. Joe, Carter, Jack & Mason piling up on each other on Friday night before we had our weekly family movie night. Wrestling. A tote and tissue pouch (sewn today) for Nikki 's birthday. I forgot to mention that on Saturday, Christy and I went to the coveted Offray Ribbon Outlet! It was about an hour's drive, but well worth it. We also visited the Wonder Bread/Hostess Outlet; a mall of outlet stores; and Jo-Ann's. We made a quick trip to Costco's, too. I forgot to take pictures of my lovely ribbon purchases. I may have to do that tomorrow! If I can remember. Joe and the boys made homemade rootbeer on Saturday. After it fermented, it wasn't sweet enough, so Joe made another batch on S...

On Friday we had our most recent sonogram. I think that makes #4. We saw our little guy. No matter how many children you have, no matter how many sonograms you have, each one is special. Here is a picture of his profile. (I still think he looks like Jack!) Here is his little face. You can see his eyes, nose, and mouth! Our little guy is approximately 3 lbs., 5 oz. right now. And that's with 10 weeks left until my due date (9/19/06). Because of his size, the sonogram was showing a due date of 9/13/06. Now I don't feel so bad if I have to evacuate him early. (He was also in breech position.) While the placenta did not appear to be covering my cervix in this sonogram (she said she would have to do an internal sonogram to be sure), it was still low-lying and posteriorally placed (up the back). So, while I still have to wait for the radiologist to review the sonogram, and my doctor to receive the report, I will assume things are still pretty much the same. He has been very active l...

As I was sitting on the couch with Spenser (watching Nick Jr.), Mason walks over, hugs and kisses us both, and says, "we love our family ... right?" He can be so sweet! * * * * * * * * * * * * * After my sonogram, I told Mason that the baby's head was at "the top" (in breech position). He was circling my stomach, trying to kiss it, when he asked, "where's his lips?" * * * * * * * * * * * * * When I took a shower on Friday morning, I asked Taylor to keep an eye on Spenser for me. When I was getting my makeup on, Taylor came upstairs to see how much longer I was going to be. Assuming he wanted to play on the computer, I told him that he could go play and that I would be down in just a minute. When I went downstairs, Taylor was still in the family room (alone) and said, "I don't know where everyone is." At that moment, the children all jumped out from their hiding places and yelled, " Surprise! " They were trying to do somethin...

This is actually outside of our home. This is our barn (or horse stall, or carriage house, or whatever you want ot call it). Along the short side on the right (which faces our house) is usually where my herb garden grows … except this year. Our barn has a 2nd-story loft on the inside. Some day we hope to add a greenhouse to the long side on the left. The little ledge at the top must have been for birds (homing pigeons, perhaps), as there are boarded-up openings above it. The barn is probably about 130 years old and is one of our three out-buildings. 3 Comments: Get out of here! You have a barn? So cool. Do your kids play in there? Comment by Kelli — July 6, 2006 @ 5:16 pm Oh, cool. I bet the boys love playing in there (if/when you let them). Comment by capello — July 6, 2006 @ 5:38 pm Oh wow! Looks like you have a neat property! Is it in town or the country? Comment by Angela — July 6, 2006 @ 6:30 pm

The Army actually gave Joe a four-day weekend. But shhhh…. I’m sure it must be a mistake! On Saturday we took a day trip to Harpers Ferry, WV. We had a nice time. A lot of walking (and it was hot), but it was fun. We didn’t do much on Sunday. On Monday we went to Gettysburg, PA, to the movies. Joe and the boys saw Superman and Spenser and I saw The Devil Wears Prada. Then we shopped a little at the outlets. And enjoyed dinner at Texas Roadhouse, where kids eat free on Monday nights! On the 4th we went to my aunt’s house for a giant breakfast and the children swam. Then we had lunch/dinner at Joe’s parents house and at night we went to watch the fireworks. Today I had my bi-weekly OB appointment. I am scheduled for my next sonogram on Friday 7/7. I’ve been having a lot of pelvic pressure with cramping. My doctor said it could be due to my condition (complete placenta previa) as the baby gets heavier, it is resting on my placenta. The sonogram will be able to determine the placenta’s pla...