Eye Of The Beholder

A straight face is a difficult thing to pull off when this little one is peering at you through her 3D glasses (lenses removed) after asking a serious question.

Nearly impossible.

My Latest Project

Ryan and I went through our closet last week and pulled things out that we don't wear anymore.  And I've been starring at a pile of jeans and shirts thinking that I could repurpose them in some way.  At first I thought I could take Ryan's jeans and button-up shirts and make a blanket.  But I really didn't want to make  a quilt.  Then I thought I'd make a purse for Mae because hers broke over Christmas.  But she had other ideas.......she wanted a bag.  So she gave me her input (size, dimensions and other details) and I got to to work.

For the bag and straps, I used a pair of Ryan's old jeans.  And for the lining, I used one of Ryan's shirts (Mae's choice).  It was her idea to distress, the edges of the straps and add a fringe across the front of the bag.

Wah-lah - the finished product!!!!

It is at this point that I will say that I have NEVER lined anything before.  Not ever.  And yet, look how fabulous it makes the bag?!  I think my favorite part is the pockets I took from the shirt and placed just so, for pencils, change or chapstick.  I am so pleased with myself I could pee my pants!

Boldly Go Where No Where No Housewife Has Gone Before

I have been less than pleased with our dishwasher lately.  It's dirty and is putting a sandy finish on my drinking glasses.  Well, I didnt know it was dirty at first, but it got so bad that I've had to get new glasses for when we have guests over and I can serve drinks in a glass that LOOKS as clean as it is.  But the dishwasher is still putting some sandy residue on things.  And I didn't want to pay a service guy to come out and tell me we need a new dishwasher (also meaning, I don't want to have to buy a new dishwasher!).  Then I saw this link on Pinterest and it got me to thinking that I could fix my dishwasher problem.  I didn't actually read the article, but it was about taking apart the dishwasher and cleaning it.  That was all I needed, an idea to propel me forward.  Forward into unknown territory - the inner-most workings of my dishwasher.

I don't think this ever occurred to me.  Ever.  As in, I don't think in my whole entire life have I heard of anyone cleaning their dishwasher.  And why would I?  I mean, a dishwasher is suppose to clean things so why should I have to clean it??!  Absurdity!

But I had to try since it could mean saving several hundred dollars on having to buy a new one (although.....a new one would be nice).  And so Saturday found me taking out the bottom rack and taking apart the dasher thingy and all the other parts underneath.  I soaked and scrubbed and brushed at the parts inside and out for an hour or so, then put it all back to together (thank you Jesus for helping me to remember how to put it back together!!!!).

And now my dishes are getting clean again.  Thank you Pinterest for yet another idea!

Not Prepared

There are many things that people told me when I was expecting my first child.  How I wouldn't get much sleep the first few months, how many diapers I'd need per day, how to get on a feeding schedule.  Then they told me more things on what to expect as each additional child came along.  But through all the advice and suggestions, no one ever told me or prepared me for one of the most annoying things......

how craft and office supplies vanish!

I wish that instead of baby wipes or onesies, I was given scissors, tape and pens.  My junk drawer is always severely lacking these things, and mostly when I need them!  It never fails that I'll need to write a check or mail a package and I'll look to the junk drawer for a pen or packing tape and not find any!  It's inevitable that these items have been lost in the vortex of childhood inspiration and imagination, never to seen again.  I am convinced!

True to motherhood, I've had to get creative in securing my resources (ie. hoarding and hiding).  I buy a 3-pack of scotch tape and put one in the drawer, one in a cabinet up above (for me to use, secretly) and the other in a closet (up, out of sight and reach).  I have also purchased a cheap pack of pens and declared that NO ONE IS TO REMOVE THEM FROM THE ROOM!  The pen(s) are to be used and immediately returned to the drawer from which they came.  And under no circumstances am I to EVER find them in someone's room!  But it has not worked.  No one listens to me. *sigh*  And so I bought a new pack of pens yesterday.

And don't get me started on printer paper and glue sticks.

I was totally unprepared for this part of motherhood.  Why did no one tell me that office supplies would be a hot commodity and hoarded and hidden like candy?  I had no idea I would one day find myself secretly snickering and congratulation myself on a well-hidden, good pen.

Isabel Says

The other day Ryan decided to walk to the store.  He needed some fresh air and thought a walk would be better than a drive.  Since the store isn't too far away, he asked Isabel if she wanted to go with him.  She said yes.

On the return trip, there is a somewhat of a hill to climb.  It was at this point that Isabel got tired and started to verbally regret her decision in joining her father on the walk.  Here are a few of her regrets:

My legs are tired.
My back hurts.
I wish I could fly.
I wish I had said 'no'.

Isabel has an uncanny way of expressing exactly how she is feeling and what is going on inside her little mind.  She didn't get that from me, but maybe that's a good thing.