I am still here...

Well, I may not be constistent with this whole blog thing but at least I show up once in a while.  

Ben is out with Friends of Trees, planting in the Concordia neighborhood this weekend.  Henry and Ava are playing together beautifully at the dollhouse: a rare and blessed sight.

I am missing my beautiful and pregnant friend Amy.  I am also worried about my sister.  Probably not the most exciting post, but thats where I am today.  

I am also still very sad that Baxter is gone.  She has been with me since I was 19!  I never was a cat person...disliked them really.  Baxter and I got along so well though, both being independent and a little cranky.  Funny and sad though, is the reaction of others who dislike Baxter.  Maybe not so much disliked but they feared her "pet-cemetary" side.  Like I said, she could be a little cranky.  More than once, adults were trapped in a particular part of our house out of fear of passing by Baxter.  

I know...its been a while...

25

color me pleased

Something fun I found while reading this blog. I seem to always love to hear what other interpretations of myself are...possibly because I am only just beginning to know myself, and its ressuring that there is something to learn.

you are lavender #E6E6FA

Your dominant hue is blue, making you a good friend who people love and trust. You're good in social situations and want to fit in. Just be careful not to compromise who you are to make them happy. Your saturation level is very low - you have better things to do than jump headfirst into every little project. You make sure your actions are going to really accomplish something before you start because you hate wasting energy making everyone else think you're working. Your outlook on life is bright. You see good things in situations where others may not be able to, and it frustrates you to see them get down on everything.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

Check it out at spacefem.com to see what color you are!

I know, I know...I am a slacker!

So I see that it has been many months since my last entry. I am posting mostly to attempt to download pictures of my latest BTRS project. This set of six napkins and placemats are going to Mellisa in New Jersey. I am sending them out really late because I did not pay close enough attention to the actual project assigned. I actually went to a lot of trouble to make the table runner...it was tricky! Then I realized that the runner was not part of the project and had not only wasted time, effort and money on it, but I also had not even started the napkins when the mailing date came around! Oooops! I made the napkins reversible mostly becasue it seemed easier than trying to do as the directions said and iron tiny little edges, so avoiding burned finders and offering Melissa options seemed wiser.

So alas, I have finished and these are the lovely pics of my handmade but clearly imperfect table settings...









I have to post these pics of the two babes being silly this summer...

happy days are here

I say that very honestly...although with much perspective. B suggested a visit to the south....I remember that trip...visit a southern state...for a vacation? Has he forgotten about the mosquitoes? the humidity? random storms? jurrasic sized insects? armadillos in the night? critters with eyes in your salad? no. seriously. Lets just go to the beach. again. hehe.

AvaJane is so funny. She asked me for milk before bed and I gave her about half a bottle of some milk, she said "thanks mama, your the best." and snuggled her warm head into my neck! It was so yummy. Henry still likes to sleep with me whenever he can and has been doing the "I had a bad dream" gig...oh well, at least he doesn't take all the blankets, and isn't waking Ava up!

Did anyone else see that bright flash? I only learned that it was a meteor while driving to work later this morning...but when I saw the flash of light streak through the sky i couldn't figure out what the hell it was! I was sitting by the windows in our bedroom and thought there was no way that could be lightning...crazy! And yes, I was awake at 4am...I often am. What can I say, it finally paid off?

I was looking at Poekelan classes for the kids, there is one at the place on Hawthorne every Saturday from 11-12, for kids 3-5...after Ava turns 3, they could both go and B and I could take a walk, have coffee and hang out together for a whole hour! Okay, 45 min, but still, we'll take what little we can get! I will still have to check on the cost, but possibly it could take the place of the OMSI thing, or the zoo since we only use that in the summer? Anyhow, off to nap. Talk soon.

still here...

This will be short but I have been feeling guilty for not posting more often. I figured out how to get the pictures in my post last time and that was super exciting!

I find that the more blogs I read the more I discover and they just keep coming, and they just keep getting better! So many beautiful blogs just in P-town...who has time to keep up?
B was out and about and took some lovely shots of the property where his great-grandmother grew up near Yankton.

I know this post is here and there...so many little things to remember...Henry and I searched online for these shoes he was begging for...we found them and three days later they were on our porch! Speaking of finds...I found another Wendy and snatched up many of her incredible handmade goodies. I am encouraging her to send some of her lovlies out this way, such simple, nature inspired pieces that would do well here, I am sure!
School is going well. I finally found some fish that I think will live! Yay! I also worked out a shared custody agreement with Hle so that Jeremy the gerbil does double duty as house-guest for Audrey and class pet for me, all the while saving Hle from having to actually get a rodent for her own house full time! However I can help, right?

holiday...yay!

Eeek....I am excited that the cherubs are out with Grannie for the day and I am in a QUIET house sewing. Hehe. I can hardly believe I even took a break to post this except that Hle has so many great new posts that I felt lazy! I think the creative energy I was intending to dump here has been redirected...Henry and I have been letterboxing a little more. We went to a carving event at collage and ever since, Henry sleeps with his stamp and log book, tells it things and begs to go find the boxes at Lloyd Center and the chicken box at Pistils!

Ava and I had the funniest thing happen the other day that reminded me of an article I read in the local paper I don't like to admit having a subscription to: Ava was up in her room saying what I thought was "Tell me to pat the pillow!" So of course, being the kind of indulgent mom I am, I say to Ava "Pat the pillow". "No! Tell me to pat the pillow!" Now, it quickly became obvious to me that the "no" part was actually not part of the game, I just wasn't saying what she wanted. So back and forth we go, me begging for more clues and not getting even close. Sad, frustrated Ava trying so hard to communicate with her slight frontal thrust probably caused by the passifier I (again) indulge her with despite many warnings from other more stern, knowing parents...ugh. Well, in the end, she grabs The Very Hungry Caterpillar book off the shelf, and says firmly, "See! Pat the pillow!!!!" She sighs, plops down on my lap and starts the story!

Note to self: pat the pilow = caterpillar. The pajama = vagina is a story for another day!

Okay, not to make this entry too long, but I have to mention this awesome blog before I go: littleredbikecafe.com. You must check out the witty writing and gorgeous food pics! Not to mention the beutiful owners! Love the local little places I keep discovering...yay P-town!

YIKES: I almost forgot to make sure I wish my sister, Michelle, the happiest birthday ever! She will be coming by for a visit today and her birthday is tomorrow...she won't like me to post her age so I will just tell you that we are twins, and I will be 32 tomorrow! Michelle is incredible: strong, brave, smart, generous...she is someone I am proud of and admire very much. She is a mom to 3 kids which in itself is a huge job, plus working and keeping some life for herself...I don't know how she does it all and still is one of the kindest people ever! I wish her a beautiful year full of blessings, good health and happy times. And for her birthday: tickets to Cirque de Soleil: Corteo. It will be my third, but her first time seeing them here in Portland.

notice.

I have to say that since first noticing the noticing project, I have been making a concerted effort to notice. Its a beautiful project and if you can, check it out. Its great for kids...I am going to use it in my classroom to develop attention to detail, use of technology and especially as an opportunity for kids to SLOW DOWN!
Well, Saturday was perfect. We left the house only to pick up groceries for Jan, and then to deliver them to her home and have a short visit. She is sad because she is giving her dog away. He is a wonderful lab, but needs a bigger yard. Poor Jan. Logan (the dog) is her baby, but in the last year or so he has dislocated her shoulder, broken her wrist and broken her knee, causing her to undergo knee surgery. He is just too much dog, and especially in an area with so many squirrels!
Henry's only requests today were that we make blueberry muffins and rainbow pants. We did the pants, and then, of course Ava needed a pair so we whipped those out. Hers are an adorable flannel with umbrellas all over them, and we stiched a strip of flowers down the front for fun. I think they will fray in a these are playful-not-perfect-pants kind of way. Yay! Again, made something today that I like! Henry looks great in his rainbow pants...with a fun green striped pocket. Hopefully I can post pictures later...
Which leads me to, again,...any tips for getting pics on WITH the posting? Mine seem to all show up at the bottom and I can't figure out how to get them with relevant text.
Well, hope your year is starting out with many lovely things to notice and that you create objects or energy for noticing all year long!

yay...I made something!

Finally! Its been almost 2 weeks since I actually MADE something and I was so bummed because it wasn't that I have such little time, or needed some inspiration (by way of a visit to the fabric store:)) it was just that I have been not "feelin' it". But yesterday...I finally made something I like! Unfortunately I have a lovely 2yr old who models beautifully but refuses to cooperate at this time. I am sure if I bribed her with chocolate things would be different but I am trying to not give in to that beast!
Okay...pictures...we'll see how it goes. I am still SOOOOOOOO not good at this stuff.
Well, I tried, but no luck...I plug away. Maybe tomorrow! Sorry folks.
By the way, check out jessprkl's blog (see my link list) for the sad story of her sisters missing art...spread the word. I think her sister said it best when she referred to the theft of personal art as "audatiously disrespectful". I have to agree. Good luck Shannon! For more of Shannon's work click here: Shannon Bonatakis

oh what a start!

Well, first off, Happy New Year! I really do wish you all the best this year--peace, good health, and blessings galore!
Now, really, this has been quite a start. I mentioned I have a 5 yr old and a 2 yr old, right? They have spent the enitre new year thus far, fighting! Seriously. I, being very experienced with children of this age, have a lot of patience normally, and many many tricks in my bag for diffusing tension and resolving conflict among children....but nothing is working! Really, not a day goes by that I don't imagine one of two senarios:
1. Me driving to Mexico, living happily ever after a life of beaches and sunshine.
2. Life in an modern, clean, minimalist apartment in the middle of the city, alone, quiet except for the occasional shopping spree and the numerous meals out (becasue the best food is usually the food I dont have to cook!)
I do adore the babies, and admit I have a pretty amazing life. We are all healthy and Henry and AvaJane really are delightful most of the time! Okay, now I am just feeling guilty for letting on that sometimes its just too much! Oh well...maybe I just need a little break.
I also have the slump in creativity that makes starting, and completing any project right now impossible because I get going and then I just don't know where to go. I saw Hle's blog earlier today and she is now part of a Letterboxing card trading group....where does she find the time? Her post was cute...love the card she and Audrey made. I barely find, who am I kidding? I havent even find time to do the actual letterboxing since summer, even though I would love to more of it!
Sorry if this post was a downer! Its still grey outside and at the store today, I had to tell a really attractive and interested guy that I was married, and I still havent gotten my new jeans in the mail....I better go find something to do that will cheer me up!
Before I go, here is a brief list of some good and bad from my 2007...and yes most of it is only from the last half of the year but I like to think of myself as someone who really stays in the moment...Oprah would be proud!
Yay 2007:
bought a serger
donors choose funded my project at school
great times with in-laws
dinner with my sister and brothers all in the same house
finding my new favorite jeans (taverniti so...love them)
another year of Lucky mag
another year of Living...okay I know many of you hate Martha but I don't!
my neice, Olive joined us (pictures coming)
started a blog...okay that barely fits on this list but as I mentioned above...in the moment!
Ugggg 2007:
what happened to Martha Stewarts KIDS magazine????
and Blueprint???? sad me...remember, I read magazines, not books.
gw...still?
Booker (great neighbor, old school cigar smoking and beat up truck drivin guy) died :((((
lead...china...on and on
time...gone
damn writers strike (what about Lynettes kids?)
my fav housekeeper quit for a "real" job, 9-5 and all that
new principal (yikes...we are going down fast)
gang recruiters in elementary school, really?

Buh-bye 07....helloooooooo 08!

what is this all about?

Well, its late (oh my, when did this start seeming late?), all are sleeping in my house, and here I am...recently obsessed with blogging. I only just figured the whole thing out and really am still overwhelmed by the entire network of technology out there! My dear friend, Hle, blogs here about her daughter and budding-artist, Audrey, and I love to check that out.
I will try to commit to updating weekly, with posts about life as a wife, teacher, mother and crafter...pictures to include bits of all of the above. Maybe pictures and craft ideas to share.
We shall see!