The Stuff I Live For

No Parking Here. Ever. May 15, 2008

Today we did some work with Crayola Sidewalk Paint and chalk in the driveway. It was fun, except that I spent about $17 on 5 bottles (also came with 6 large chalks), and it's almost gone after one use. It's kind of watery so you have to use a lot. It's OK because the girls loved it. I'll just have to use my economic stimulus check on that stuff I guess. (Yes, I finally submitted my tax returns!) We even had a picnic on the lawn.

Would you believe Eric saw it when he pulled up to the house, paused in the car and looked at it, then proceeded to park on top of it? I hollered at him politely asked him to park on the street so the girls wouldn't freak out when the woke up from their naps. Ayla thinks he's never going to park there again. Let's hope it never rains here again either. 

Girls Halter Top/Dress PLUS Skirt-in-One Tutorial May 14, 2008

 This is a 3 Part Tutorial! Click the Link at the Bottom of the Post for Part 2!

This is probably the best thing I've made because it fits a range of sizes - about 18 months to 5T - and can also be worn as a skirt. The size I'm using is a dress for sizes 18 months to 3T, and a shirt for 4T & 5T.

  halter dress  back

  as a skirt     close-up

                                   as a halter top on a bigger kid

What you'll need:

• one piece fabric:  36" X 16 1/2"
• 2 pieces:  1 1/4" X 28", for ties (you might choose to use a coordinating print)
• 1" elastic (anywhere from 14-20" worth)
• 1 button, 1 1/4" diameter

Fold the shirt piece over on itself, short sides and right sides together. (So that you have a piece that looks 18" X 16 1/2") Pin if you need to. You may want to serge this edge or at least use pinking shears on the raw edge.

Head to the ironing board. Choose the side you'd like for the top of the shirt. Fold over 1/4" and press.

Wait There's More! Click here for Part 2!

Desperate Housewives No More May 13, 2008

Nope, no desperation here. You'll look smokin' in one of these adorable aprons. I came across this Etsy shop and though I love my little apron, these may suit your style much better. Great prices too. Amy Butler prints at just $29 for a full apron. These'll definetly make you look like a domestic diva. Or, they'd make a fabulous gift that really can't miss.

Momomadeit says:  If you're going to be in the kitchen, you might as well look as hot as the food!

The Lewis Black Comedy Show Update May 12, 2008

When I found out about the show I asked Eric to set an alarm on his phone for the morning tickets were going on sale. Yes, the alarm on his phone went off that morning, but he was in the car at the time and didn't call me at home to remind me. Tickets went on sale at 10 am that Saturday morning and I didn't think about it till 12:30 that afternoon. I ran to the computer but was upset to see the Ticketmaster site tell me over and over that only seats in the back of the upper balcony were left. I checked the view online and saw how far the stage was. I took the bad seats, but was annoyed at Eric.

Saturday night we dropped the kids off at my moms and went to a restaurant/bar for dinner and drinks, before heading over to the show. Walking in, I handed Eric the tickets to our 'awful' seats. He started to bring me into Section 5. I told him that wasn't right. We were sitting in the balcony, which was Sections 12, 13 & 14. But, the tickets said Section 5. I was starting to get excited that we weren't upstairs afterall.

An usher offered to help us. He looked at our tickets and said it looked like someone was in our seats - or at least the seats that were printed on the tickets. He checked the other people's tickets and they were printed the same as ours.

To make a longer story short, Eric got the usher to let us grab a couple of portable chairs and put them up in the orchestra pit! We were literally 2 feet from the stage, with no one in front of us and Lewis Black practically spitting on our shoes from just about 12 feet away! I took a picture for you from Eric's Blackberry but it really looks awful.

It was so awesome I just had to share. That stuff never really happens to me and I just couldn't believe it. I was giddy! It was a great time. Something different and a great way to celebrate the Mother's Day Weekend Extravaganza. If you don't know him, you can check out a clip of Black here.

Mother’s Day Weekend Extravaganza May 9, 2008

Eric was a restaurant manager right out of college and up until last year. That means he worked nights and weekends through most of our marriage. Mother's Day is, of course, just about the busiest day of the year in restaurants so Eric worked the entire day for all of my Mother's Days except last year. He started working for ARAMARK last May as a Food Service Director with normal hours and weekends off. (Thank you, Lord.) I think we argued about something silly last year on Mother's Day though and I let it ruin my day by complaining that I never had a good Mom's Day yet.

So I decided that Mother's DAY isn't enough. I want the whole darn weekend! Eric got home at about 6 this evening. The girls were coloring in the kitchen. He came in and I clapped my hands together and I loudly exclaimed, 'Let the Mother's Day Weekend Extravaganza begin! Can I get a WOOHOO?!'

I think I heard a cricket chirp. The girls didn't even look up from their coloring. Eric continued walking into the family room.

  Me: Hello? Can I get a WOOHOO, Shay?

  Shay: (quietly and in a squeeky voice) hoo!

  Me:  Ayla?

  Ayla:  Woohoo.

  Me:  Eric?

  Eric:  (with a smirk) Heh.

It's not looking too promising, friends. But I assure you, I will not relent. If anything, I am quite relentless.

I thought it'd work out really well because Ayla has her first friend birthday party tomorrow and it's at Libby Lu in the mall. All the little girls are going to their make-up and hair done. (Yes, this is a party for 4-year-olds. I'm actually really regretting RSVP'ing that we'd be there and then telling Ayla about it because I think this is surely not a good thing for 4-year-olds. But, that's a whole other post.) Point is, I have to take Ayla to the party, so Eric will only have half of our children tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow evening is the Lewis Black show so my mom is keeping the girls overnight tomorrow. She says she wants to have some time with them and doesn't want us to pick them up too early on Sunday. (Mom, don't even try to act like you didn't say that either.) So Eric won't even have to do all the parenting on Sunday anyway. Sounds like it's a good deal for Eric right? I get to think I'm having the whole weekend off from parenting but Eric's getting plenty of time off himself.

Still, as I write this, Eric's watching The Weather Channel next to me and Shay has just come into the room asking for her Elmo CD to be put on in the other room. She has asked three times in a row and I am purposely ignoring her to see if he'll do it. He didn't look away from the television. I truly believe he didn't once hear her ask!

I'll let you know how it goes. And I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's WEEKEND. I wanted to have a giveaway for all of you hardworking mommies this weekend but, alas, I am the Queen Procrastinator and didn't get it together in time. Stay tuned!

Playlist Added For Your Listening Pleasure May 5, 2008

I added a Playlist to my blog. Couldn't get it to fit on my sidebar, so it's at the bottom of the page if you want to pause or skip a song. I put my wedding song on there. A New Day by Celine Dion. I just love that song, it's so beautiful it give me the chills. There are lots of other songs I'd love to have on my Playlist but I'd probably drive all my visitors away, so I kept it pretty chill.

So I'd like to hear, what was your wedding song?

Free Money - Who Needs It? May 3, 2008

Apparently, not I. Or so it would seem.

Yes, friends, you know that little thing they call the economic stimulus package that I'm sure you're all enjoying now or will be soon? Not me. Why, you ask? To receive that check slash free money, you must first do your… Yes, you got it! INCOME TAXES!

I am the Queen Procrastinator. My husband has all of our taxes done - Federal, plus THREE State refunds. But, he can't file them till I do my Schedule C for my business. So, we're not only without the 'free money' from the government, but also all of our tax refunds.

Would you believe I JUST did my Schedule C for last year's taxes - meaning for 2006 - TWO months ago! I knew we'd be getting back close to a grand just from my Schedule C, but I procrastinated it for a year.

So, I need your help. Please motivate me. Tell me how dumb and lazy I am. Just make me feel like such a loser for not forcing myself to get all of my receipts together and just doing it.

Eric is totally frustrated with me. Help me out people. My marriage is at stake here. Maybe even my life!

Props from Sandi

How cool is it that I got a comment from Sandi Henderson on my last post, the fabric designer of that last outfit I made.

Sure, I solicited her for one. And, yeah, what else was she gonna say but 'good job.' But, so what?

Girls Halter Top and Ruffled Pants May 2, 2008

Here's my latest creation. The top might be my new addiction (of the week - I have a short attention span). Now I know this may not suit everyone's taste, but I'm loving this, so like your mother told you: Don't say (comment) anything if you don't have anything nice to say (comment)! I like it mostly because of the delicious Ginger Blossom prints by Sandi Henderson. Can't wait for your next line, Sandi!

Halter top with a thick band of elastic and skinny ties in the coordinating pants print, and large button detail.

Ruffled bottom pants with lace trim detail.

Wordless Wednesday - Butterfly House April 30, 2008

Last week we visited The Camden Children's Garden. There's a really neat greenhouse to go in with butterflies floating all around you.