I am not sure why it always seems as if things are ending right around this time of year when in reality not much really changes at all as a new year rolls around. We make resolutions or goals or whatever you want to call them. We have good intentions and sometimes we follow through with what we want for the new year and sometimes we don't. I don't think I am going to make any resolutions this year, because I was thinking about how much my life changed in 2009 and none of them had to do with resolutions. On Jan. 1, 2009 I did not know that I would be holding a baby boy in my arms right now and typing with just one hand. I did not know that I would no longer be teaching (at least in a school). I did not know that I would learn to sew and crochet. I did not know that we would have a new vehicle. Those are just a few things that come to mind.
Each year I realize how much more I am blessed to have family and friends that care so much. So many things have happened in 2009 and no matter how much I want to plan things out, I know that 2010 is going to be full of unplanned greatness.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Nana the Cleaning Wonder
When Nana comes to visit, my house always ends up cleaner than it was before she arrives. My mom cleans better than anyone I know and that has really been helpful this week since we are in the middle of a bathroom renovation. I decided we should redo our bathroom since we are nearing the bottom of our house renovation to-do list. At first we were just going to paint. Then we were graciously given some money and a gift card for Christmas, so we decided we would get new hardware. But then, we found the perfect vanity that would fit in the spot where our existing vanity is that would not mess up the plumbing or venting. If we were going to replace the vanity, then we would need to replace the flooring and so on and so on. With a relatively small amount of money we are going to significantly increase the value of our home (we hope).
Renovations are not as easy to do with a baby, so with Nana coming to visit, we took the opportunity to paint while she was here to play with Seth. Since Seth does take a pretty long nap during the day, my mom was also able to help us in the bathroom (she scrubbed the bathtub, and I mean scrubbed) plus she did laundry, the dishes, and helped me straighten the house. So to my mom, THANK YOU, and now that the house is cleaner than it was when she arrived we are ready for some bathroom demolition. I have a very strong feeling that we are going to need Nana back at our house very soon, especially after the mess we are about to make.
Renovations are not as easy to do with a baby, so with Nana coming to visit, we took the opportunity to paint while she was here to play with Seth. Since Seth does take a pretty long nap during the day, my mom was also able to help us in the bathroom (she scrubbed the bathtub, and I mean scrubbed) plus she did laundry, the dishes, and helped me straighten the house. So to my mom, THANK YOU, and now that the house is cleaner than it was when she arrived we are ready for some bathroom demolition. I have a very strong feeling that we are going to need Nana back at our house very soon, especially after the mess we are about to make.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Traditions in the Making
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Get Up and Go
Last weekend we were visiting with family and I was asked by a few people what I was doing since becoming a stay-at-home mom. After giving my response, I was told that I apparently have gotten my "get up and go," which I have been told, can take some time for many new moms. I admit I did have a week or two where I just wanted to sit on the couch all day long and watch t.v., but it soon passed. What have I been up to, you might ask? I have since been filled with an urge to improve my homemaking skills.
I checked out a book at the public library called Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver. (If you love food, cooking, gardening, or just want a fascinating read, I highly recommend this book.) It has been very inspiring and has motivated me to learn more about eating foods in season and possibly growing some vegetables this coming Spring. I love the idea of gardening, but I often fail at carrying out all the work needed in a well maintained garden and that's sad considering how small of a garden patch I had to maintain. I hope to change that this coming year. I do a pretty decent job at growing my own herbs, which I still have growing in my windowsill (I almost brought them in too late, but they are holding on). I have ordered some seed catalogs and I hope to inch my way toward being a more skilled gardener.
I have also been learning about composting which I plan to start doing in the very near future. I am also in the process of improving my sewing skills and I hope to learn how to crochet and knit. I have been practicing my baking skills and trying to perfect a chocolate chip cookie recipe. For some strange reason I feel the need to know how to make bread, and I am going out on a limb here, but making my own cheese. I think those sound like very good homemaking skills. Weird, huh?
I am not sure how to explain it but all of these plans, tasks, and the experiences of motherhood have just about put me in a state of elation. I feel so happy. I feel so comforted by being at home. Sure I like to get out, but I also feel so happy just being at home with my sweet family. I am almost giddy at the thought of all that I want to learn to improve my role as a wife, mother, and homemaker.
I checked out a book at the public library called Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver. (If you love food, cooking, gardening, or just want a fascinating read, I highly recommend this book.) It has been very inspiring and has motivated me to learn more about eating foods in season and possibly growing some vegetables this coming Spring. I love the idea of gardening, but I often fail at carrying out all the work needed in a well maintained garden and that's sad considering how small of a garden patch I had to maintain. I hope to change that this coming year. I do a pretty decent job at growing my own herbs, which I still have growing in my windowsill (I almost brought them in too late, but they are holding on). I have ordered some seed catalogs and I hope to inch my way toward being a more skilled gardener.
I have also been learning about composting which I plan to start doing in the very near future. I am also in the process of improving my sewing skills and I hope to learn how to crochet and knit. I have been practicing my baking skills and trying to perfect a chocolate chip cookie recipe. For some strange reason I feel the need to know how to make bread, and I am going out on a limb here, but making my own cheese. I think those sound like very good homemaking skills. Weird, huh?
I am not sure how to explain it but all of these plans, tasks, and the experiences of motherhood have just about put me in a state of elation. I feel so happy. I feel so comforted by being at home. Sure I like to get out, but I also feel so happy just being at home with my sweet family. I am almost giddy at the thought of all that I want to learn to improve my role as a wife, mother, and homemaker.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Felt Mr. Potato Head
This past week I worked on a very fun sewing project. I came across the idea of a velcro Mr. Potato Head from a blog called Make It and Love It. I made three of these cuties for some of Seth's cousins. Although they did take about three and half hours each to make, they were very easy to sew and they were super cheap. Each of these come with a pouch attached to the back containing two more mouths and a different hat. I think I am going to do a few more experimental pieces with the one I make for Seth. If your interested in making your own, you can check out step by step instructions here.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
The End of an Era
by Bryan.
That's right. Bryan is actually authoring a blog post. Crazy isn't it.
Back in September of 1997, I was 15 years old and very excited about my upcoming 16th birthday. For a guy, turning 16 is about two things and only two things. A driver's license and a car. I had saved practically every dime I made since I was 12 mowing lawns and then working for a contractor my family knew. Saving and saving for a car. And then we found it. A 1994 Ford Explorer Sport, green with a gray interior, a 4.0L V6, and manual transmission. Perfect. Well, except for the fact that it had been totaled and re-built, but through some weird state to state title conversion, it came to Tennessee clean. It was in good shape though, and looked very nice. I was paying for it my self, and it was the best I was going to do. I couldn't have been happier.
Fast forward several years. I'm off to college. Still driving the good 'ole Explorer, but now it's not in such good shape. The paint is peeling on the roof a little, and when it rains, the windshield leaks some. When I hit bumps, there is this clank sound that sounds like one of the wheels might fall off. One day I noticed that the spare tire was missing. It attached under the back with a cable. All that was left was a little piece of broken cable. So at some point I was driving down the road and it came off. I hope there wasn't a car close behind me. I could have caused a terrible wreck. I guess I'll never know.
Fast forward to a couple week ago. I'm now 28 years old... still driving the Explorer. Now a piece of junk. Now there are more parts that don't work than do. A few of the issues are funny. The radio now longer worked. Have you ever tried to drive your car in silence, (except for the verity of rattles and clanks and shakes) it's weird. The fan for the heat and A/C worked... sometimes, and making that even better the windows no longer rolled up or down. Summer = Hot. The leaky roof, oh the leaky roof. Now not only did it leak, it dripped on the driver's side seat. I had to keep a piece of plastic in the back for when it rained. The clank sound when I hit bumps, I'll put it this way. Not a single person had ridden with me more than once in at least couple years, Stephanie included. Not only will the tail gate no longer stay up, one of the shocks that held it up snapped off, it literally flew off the car. One nice thing is that I can now take the key out of the ignition even when it is running. That's actually quite convenient. The tires are completely bald. I can think of at least 20 other issues.
So I know what you're thinking, "Why don't you just get another car." I can't get another car. That's the only car I've ever had. I can't get another one. I can't. But then last week, it wouldn't start. Cars are much less useful when they don't start. I tried several things to fix it, but nothing worked. I came to the realization that just having someone diagnose the problem would cost more that it was worth. So at long last the ride is over (so to speak). Salvage valve for it is only about $250 (thanks cash for clunkers). So I sold it to someone for 300 bucks. I feel bad because I think I ripped them off.
When they came to pick it up, and by they I mean the buyer and a tow truck, the tow truck guy turned the key "just to see." It started. The buyer asked if I would drive it to their house, and I said yes. I was thinking during my last drive in the old friend. It must have wanted me to drive it one last time.
And so ends the story of my first car. I pick up my new (to me) truck tomorrow. It's by no means a spring chicken, but I can't help but wonder how far it will take me.
That's right. Bryan is actually authoring a blog post. Crazy isn't it.
Back in September of 1997, I was 15 years old and very excited about my upcoming 16th birthday. For a guy, turning 16 is about two things and only two things. A driver's license and a car. I had saved practically every dime I made since I was 12 mowing lawns and then working for a contractor my family knew. Saving and saving for a car. And then we found it. A 1994 Ford Explorer Sport, green with a gray interior, a 4.0L V6, and manual transmission. Perfect. Well, except for the fact that it had been totaled and re-built, but through some weird state to state title conversion, it came to Tennessee clean. It was in good shape though, and looked very nice. I was paying for it my self, and it was the best I was going to do. I couldn't have been happier.
Fast forward several years. I'm off to college. Still driving the good 'ole Explorer, but now it's not in such good shape. The paint is peeling on the roof a little, and when it rains, the windshield leaks some. When I hit bumps, there is this clank sound that sounds like one of the wheels might fall off. One day I noticed that the spare tire was missing. It attached under the back with a cable. All that was left was a little piece of broken cable. So at some point I was driving down the road and it came off. I hope there wasn't a car close behind me. I could have caused a terrible wreck. I guess I'll never know.
Fast forward to a couple week ago. I'm now 28 years old... still driving the Explorer. Now a piece of junk. Now there are more parts that don't work than do. A few of the issues are funny. The radio now longer worked. Have you ever tried to drive your car in silence, (except for the verity of rattles and clanks and shakes) it's weird. The fan for the heat and A/C worked... sometimes, and making that even better the windows no longer rolled up or down. Summer = Hot. The leaky roof, oh the leaky roof. Now not only did it leak, it dripped on the driver's side seat. I had to keep a piece of plastic in the back for when it rained. The clank sound when I hit bumps, I'll put it this way. Not a single person had ridden with me more than once in at least couple years, Stephanie included. Not only will the tail gate no longer stay up, one of the shocks that held it up snapped off, it literally flew off the car. One nice thing is that I can now take the key out of the ignition even when it is running. That's actually quite convenient. The tires are completely bald. I can think of at least 20 other issues.
So I know what you're thinking, "Why don't you just get another car." I can't get another car. That's the only car I've ever had. I can't get another one. I can't. But then last week, it wouldn't start. Cars are much less useful when they don't start. I tried several things to fix it, but nothing worked. I came to the realization that just having someone diagnose the problem would cost more that it was worth. So at long last the ride is over (so to speak). Salvage valve for it is only about $250 (thanks cash for clunkers). So I sold it to someone for 300 bucks. I feel bad because I think I ripped them off.
When they came to pick it up, and by they I mean the buyer and a tow truck, the tow truck guy turned the key "just to see." It started. The buyer asked if I would drive it to their house, and I said yes. I was thinking during my last drive in the old friend. It must have wanted me to drive it one last time.
And so ends the story of my first car. I pick up my new (to me) truck tomorrow. It's by no means a spring chicken, but I can't help but wonder how far it will take me.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Babysitting
Seth had his first babysitting experience this weekend. Saturday evening Bryan and I went to the annual water district Christmas party. This event was the first time that both Bryan and I had to be away from our little man. Although I wanted to call every five minutes or so I refrained because Seth was in good hands. Nana and Pop drove three hours to keep our cute little cookie (see photo above :). Seth sure does love his Nana and Pop and so do we!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Enjoying Life
I know it's been a while, but we have been staying busy and enjoying life for the last little while. Here's a recap of some of the things that have been going on...
Last week we enjoyed Thanksgiving with our families in Jackson. Seth sure did love staying with and being around Nana and Pop (my parents) and Uncle Michael.
Seth got to meet Memaw during this trip and got to see Pepaw again (my grandparents).
Seth also loved visiting with Granna and Papa (Bryan's parents).
We ate lots and lots between last Thursday and Sunday. Speaking of eating, we tried out our new roasting pan that I got on sale at Macy's on Saturday. I did not go shopping on Black Friday again this year and I was so glad because I got the same deals on Saturday without the crazy crowds. I also picked up a few cooking ideas from family members and hope to try some new recipes soon.
Yesterday we decorated the house for Christmas. I really debated over whether to decorate because I didn't want to fall into that whole consumerism thing like I mentioned last year and I am reading the book The Irristible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne. Reading that right before Christmas definitely puts a whole new perspective on things.
Today I finally hung the four matted prints that have been sitting in our bedroom for almost 3 years. I am not sure what exactly we were waiting on. Maybe a bed? I think we will be waiting a lot longer thanks to having to buy a car.
That's right, the explorer has died. We are currently looking for a very cheap, and I mean cheap vehicle.
A discover yesterday will help us save some money. I found my missing pairs of pants. Yay!
I picked up some felt tonight and some fabric over the weekend because I have some sewing projects planned for the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned for more on that.
Life is fun right now. Seth is growing and changing each day. He smiles so much and can make the /g/ sound and /oo/ sound amongst his cooing and giggling. He has also slept through the night for the past six out of seven nights. It is wonderful!!
We are so blessed and have so many things to be thankful for.
Last week we enjoyed Thanksgiving with our families in Jackson. Seth sure did love staying with and being around Nana and Pop (my parents) and Uncle Michael.
We ate lots and lots between last Thursday and Sunday. Speaking of eating, we tried out our new roasting pan that I got on sale at Macy's on Saturday. I did not go shopping on Black Friday again this year and I was so glad because I got the same deals on Saturday without the crazy crowds. I also picked up a few cooking ideas from family members and hope to try some new recipes soon.
Yesterday we decorated the house for Christmas. I really debated over whether to decorate because I didn't want to fall into that whole consumerism thing like I mentioned last year and I am reading the book The Irristible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne. Reading that right before Christmas definitely puts a whole new perspective on things.
Today I finally hung the four matted prints that have been sitting in our bedroom for almost 3 years. I am not sure what exactly we were waiting on. Maybe a bed? I think we will be waiting a lot longer thanks to having to buy a car.
That's right, the explorer has died. We are currently looking for a very cheap, and I mean cheap vehicle.
A discover yesterday will help us save some money. I found my missing pairs of pants. Yay!
I picked up some felt tonight and some fabric over the weekend because I have some sewing projects planned for the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned for more on that.
Life is fun right now. Seth is growing and changing each day. He smiles so much and can make the /g/ sound and /oo/ sound amongst his cooing and giggling. He has also slept through the night for the past six out of seven nights. It is wonderful!!
We are so blessed and have so many things to be thankful for.