Tuesday Thoughts

Since I don't have any pictures loaded on the computer and Henry is still napping at 5:08 pm (!), I thought I would take a moment to jot down a few thoughts while our enchiladas bubble away in the oven.

-Today is a wonderful day. The sun is shining, we went to story time at the library and Henry actually paid attention and smiled as if he knew what was going on. I finally got a scale so I can ship via paypal now so no more dragging Henry to the post office or standing in line at Chevron to have Veejay assist me. And I am wearing jeans I haven't been able to fit into since I had Henry. Jeans I haven't been able to wear in almost 2 years. Granted, they are not my skinniest jeans but I'm one step closer.

-I just made black bean and corn salsa and know my hands smile wonderfully of fresh lime juice.

-Oh and I got a new calling. I am no longer in Primary (and just when I was getting the hang of it, too). I have been called to the Relief Society presidency. I am the enrichment counselor although I don't think that is actually my title. I don't really know since I haven't been in RS for almost 3 years. I'm excited though. We'll see how it goes.

Well it turns out I didn't really have too many thoughts. Mostly just the jeans thing. I will have pictures from our Valentine's Day festivities soon. Henry is awake and dinner is done. Peace.

Happy Valentine's Day

Shirley MacLaine-a-thon

"I think of life itself now as a wonderful play that I've written for myself, and so my purpose is to have the utmost fun playing my part." Shirley MacLaine

Last week I saw Terms of Endearment for the first time. I got it from the library. I loved the first scene where Shirley Maclaine is convinced her baby has died of crib death. She bounces the baby and pinches her until the baby is wailing. Aurora walks out of the room and says, "That's better." That is a scene right out of any new parent's life. From there is gets worse and of course I am sobbing by the end. Literally I haven't cried that hard since the time I watched Charly with Whitney, James and Brian. We were all trying to pretend like we weren't crying but we were all out of control. Actually that was pretty funny.

To make myself feel better I watched Steel Magnolias. Southern movies take on a whole new appeal now that I live down here. And of course I cried again but then I was smiling as Sammy rides after his laboring wife on the back of a motorcycle dressed as the easter bunny. Have you even noticed that the movie feels like a play most of the time? Favorite quote: "My secrets out. I am having an affair with a Mercedes Benz."

Anyway, another Shirley MacLaine movie I recently saw for the first time was The Apartment with Jack Lemmon. This is worth a watch and won Best Pictue in 1960. A darker romcom, she plays an elevator operator who catches quite a few male's eyes in an insurance company. She sure was lovely in her youth. "Shut up and deal."

P.S. I just learned through imdb that she is Warren Beatty's sister.

Quilt Project Continued

So about a year ago I was not doing etsy and had lots of time and fabric lying around. I started this project to donate as many quilts and blankets as I could to Project Linus or other local agencies. Once we moved I kind of forgot all about it until our RS decided to donate 50 quilts to local charities by May 31 of this year. My love for quilting was reawakened! Since I still have tons of scraps I came up with this design for a quilt and we're going to tie it at enrichment tonight.

I love the way it turned out. Its a good sign if you'd rather keep it for yourself than donate it, right? I think the cheery colors are really going to brighten someone's day. Its a little crazy how many different fabrics I used but I think the white really ties it all together. White: the great color equalizer.

And that's Henry watching Diego save a Baby Jaguar party...

Buffet of Entertainment

When we bought our new TV this summer we had to get rid of our old entertainment center. And as ghetto as it was, we were using a card table as a TV stand. We would occasionally look for replacement options. I wanted something with storage, something with height to keep Henry away from the TV and something unique. Call me picky but I just can't put something typical in my home. I mean there are things you should buy brand new like sofas and mattresses but I wanted something with character. And everything I found in our price range just seemed very soulless. So while I was picking up the new table for my birthday I spotted the perfect buffet credenza for our TV.

And actually it turned into a Christmas present from my parents. It does need a little work like a paint job and some new handles (the current ones are adorned with cornucopias!)but so far I love it. And it has places for Henry's toys and he loves to open and close the doors. Its nice to have something sturdy and well crafted. One more thing off the checklist done.

Talk to the hand

Remember when people used to say that? Well I was watching one of my mom and I's favorite movies, The Beautician and the Beast and Fran Drescher said it a lot. I am sure I said it a lot too in the 1990's. And I'm sure I was just as annoying.

Yes, I know what you're thinking. Fran Drescher? Yes, I watched it on VHS. Yes, we still have a VCR. Yes, I used to watch The Nanny.

Other fun shots from sitting with Henry in front of the computer.

The Mega Church Bag

One for lesson manuals + purse + one for Henry = annoying


On my to-do list for months, I finally got around to making this church bag and I am so glad I did. It has just enough space for manuals, scriptures, toys and treats for Henry. The days of 3 small bags are done. Hallelujah!

Printed fabric is from Anna Marie Horner and basic red all from my stash. Looking to make something similar? I copied a couple of ideas from Martha Stewart Encyclopedia of Fabric and Sewing Crafts like the exterior pockets and then used our canvas tote as a general template. Basically I just figured it out but there are tutorials all over the place online.

P.S. Remember how last Sunday I promised all those blog posts. Well all of a sudden it was Friday and nothing was done. But this is the week! I promise. Not like that means anything anymore.