Aprons, aprons, and more aprons!!

Hello friends! Yes, it's 11 pm on Saturday night and I am home blogging. Fear not--I am not becoming an agoraphobic spinster. Although, Paula Deen was agoraphobic for several years and she turned out okay. But I digress....I do have social plans tomorrow afternoon--a movie and dinner--with a boy. So there *grin*
I spent a good chunk of the day making aprons!!! I just love them. And I find sewing and the act of creating something practical so therapeutic. Here is a picture of my very first apron, modeled by the lovely Melissa:

Today, I found this super-cute Amy Butler fabric at a store in Lewisville.
I couldn't believe it--it is perfect for that 'vintage' look! I ended up making an apron out of it and I think I'll keep it for myself (: BUT, I made two more that were also cute so maybe I'll have a giveaway soon.

That's all for today. "Beauty Shop" just came on E! so I might just watch that for a while. I love that Queen Latifah and how she rocks her plus-size body with confidence!!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

no picture yet....

...but I finished my first sewing project: an apron!!!!
Yes, it's true! I really made an apron on my little sewing machine. My mom spent most of last Friday with me and we played around and I watched her make a practice one. It was a fun time with her, but I was a little discouraged and thought that I could never do it. Well, I tried it on Monday and I guess the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. helped me along. I am kidding about MLK, but it did turn out better than I had hoped it would. It has mistakes, I'm sure. However, I am hoping that Melissa (the recipient of the apron) will not inspect it too closely (:
Anyway, we took some pictures last night of Melissa modeling her apron so I'll gladly share those as soon as I get them. I am loving to sew....sew (ha) let me know if you'd like to get on the apron list since that's pretty much all I can do right now!

simplify

I am really motivated right now to de-clutter every area of my life. So, I am making some changes and please feel free to ask me how the process is going at any time to hold me accountable. I will need it (: So...I am making some specific goals and breaking them into categories.

Here are my financial goals:
I have always been pretty good with money. Perhaps that is because I grew up with a banker/CPA dad who led by example on how to save and be wise with finances. Lately, I feel like I've kind of been nickel-and-dime-ing a little too much. Those little purchases add up. I want to be fully aware of where my money is going and exactly how much I'm spending each week.

**No more new clothes purchases for the next 2 months. I will mix and match what I already
have and use some creativity with accessories.

**Eat at home except for maybe one meal out per week. I have been getting in a bad habit of
grabbing something at the last minute for dinner. A little forethought will keep this from
happening...like remembering to thaw out some chicken before I leave for work.

**Cash budget. Each week I'll get out a certain amount of money and once that is gone, it's
gone and I'm done spending.

**Use what I have already have. I have a TON of Bath and Body lotions, bath gels, sprays,
etc. I also have a lot of makeup that I need to use up (with the exception of my Bare
Escentuals--I have to replace that!). But, each Christmas my om buys me this little makeup
kit thing from Ulta with so many little eyeshadows and such. I could use these for probably
2 years without having to buy new makeup.

Personal Growth Goals
**Workout at least 5 days a week
**Eat healthy 80% of the time but allow for a few guilt-free splurges
**Train for another half-marathon and maybe shoot to do another full
**Spend less time on the computer or watching tv
**Get better at sewing
**keep a personal journal
**Write more handwritten letters
**Stay organized and know where everything is at all times
**Have more consistent quiet times
**Become more assertive and not care what other people think of me
**Get married (haha)

That's all I can think of now...I hope to look back on this in a year and see that I followed through on some of these things. I guess the title of "simplify" only really applies to the financial goals, but my hope is that I will slow down and take time to enjoy the people and things that are already around me.

a little bit of this...a little bit of that

Yesterday was such a fun day. We didn't have to go to school, so that was the best part! Who would have thought that I would need another break so soon after Christmas? Well, I did (:

I popped right out of bed at 6 on my very own. As much as I wanted to stay in bed, I couldn't get back to sleep. So I worked out, got ready, and started out the day by running some errands. Most of the errands that I had to run were returning items. I HATE to return stuff. Mostly because the sales people kind of suspect that you have been less than honest about why you're returning things. As much as I hate returning things, I hate trying things on even more. Hence, the need to return.

Then I headed over to my mom's and we had a sewing day. ell, I basically just watched her teach me some basics about cutting out patterns, pinning, stitching, etc. It was a fun time with my mom. I do feel badly that I am just now becoming the little girl that she probably always wanted. I was a tomboy through and through and wanted nothing to do with dolls, crafts, sewing, etc. No that I'm almost 30, I am interested in this stuff!! Sorry Mom!

While I was with my mom, my dad called and wanted to take us out to dinner. Yesterday would have been my grandmother's 78th birthday and this is the first birthday since she passed away. So, we tried out a new restaurant in Flo Mo called Agave. It is owned by Tony Casillas, who some of you may remember from the Cowboys' glory days when they would win Super Bowls and stuff. The funniest moment of the night was while we were waiting, my mom and I walked over to Hobby Lobby to pick something up. When we returned, my dad said that they were handing out free margaritas because they don't have their liquor license yet and that I should get one because he was driving. Some of you don't know my parents but this was shocking! My parents have never had anything to drink and for them to suggest that I have one is unbelievable. I mean, I still can't get over it. So, I drank my free beverage with my parents and it was great! I feel like the door might be opening to tell them about a few other little things that I am not ashamed of but have been afraid to share. Anyway, the food was great and it was a fun night.

Today I am running a few more errands and am going to work on a sewing project that I will hopefully be able to post soon if it turns out as it should (:

blogs blogs blogs

hi friends! I hope that no one got too depressed by my lack of posting these past couple of weeks (insert sarcasm here). I am back! And I really don't have a lot of fun things to share, but do have a few little random things.

One of the reasons I decided to take a break from blogs was because I realized that I kept having conversation that started with "Well, I was reading this blog...." or "So and so posted such and such" on her blog". The funny thing is that I sometimes don't even personally KNOW these people. However, I feel like I do because I read about their lives because they are so free in sharing it.

So, here are some favorite blogs from people who don't know me from Adam.

Bring the Rain--This one gets a lot of comments so I am sure some of you have seen it already. All I know is if you read the whole story of Audrey Caroline, you had better have a box of tissues handy.

Kelly's Korner--I found Kelly's blog a little over a year ago through someone else's. She has the cutest posts and I think I am encouraged by her because she was a little older when she got married (: Well, she had a lot of struggles with infertility but finally got pregnant and had her baby girl, Harper, yesterday. Harper is in very critical condition and my heart breaks for this sweet family, but they are praying and staying strong in their faith.

Pioneer Woman--This lady is hilarious! Her posts about life on her ranch are entertaining. I particularly enjoyed reading the story of her romance with "Marlboro Man". It takes a while to read through the whole thing, but it was so fun to read. I hear that her recipes are incredible, but i haven't tried any...yet.

So, go check some of these out. You'll laugh, you'll cry. Blogs are great fun but like everything else in life, moderation is key.

fast

Over the past few days, I've realized that I'm a little too wrapped up in the blogosphere. So, I am taking a week off from writing blogs, reading blogs, Facebook, etc. Really, I want to only use my computer to check email.

I am looking forward to this break to use my time for other endeavors. I will be back soon with something exciting and fun (:

here's to a new year

I don't have a lot that I want to blog about right now, but I thought I should start off the new year with a fresh post. This is just going to be random, but then again, I'm pretty random.

**I did get a sewing machine for Christmas and it's so cool. Now I have to learn how to make something!

**I am still sore from a weight-lifting class I took at the gym on Monday...what the heck?!?!?

**Allison came for a visit this past weekend and it was so fun! We made our annual trip to Starbucks, went shopping, ate at Blue Goose, and went to Pete's Piano Bar. Oh, and she introduced me to this cool website: http://frugal-fashionistas.com/

**I bought leggings. We'll see if I have the courage to ever wear them.

**Went to coffee and to the movies with Hollie O today. Bawled like a baby during "Marley and Me".

**I redecorated a wall in my room. Scrapbook paper is the best stuff ever!

**My Aunt Gina gave me an apron for Christmas...she had no idea about my recent fascination with them.

**I am having a sleepover with Emily and her 4 kiddos tomorrow night...fun!

**Tis the season for engagements. Congratulations to Melissa, Hillary and Brooke!

**I basically accomplished nothing on my Christmas-Break 'To-Do' list.

I am hopeful that this new year will bring a lot of great things. I hope for this every year, and great things do happen. But it's just not usually the things that I specifically hope or pray for at the beginning of each year. With all of that said, I am looking forward to a wonderful 2009 (:

i'm so excited!!!!

I have a deep love for Amy Grant that goes back to when I was about 3 or 4 years old. My Aunt Gina and I would sing "Sing your praise to the Lord" together and it was always a hit for the family! Anyway, I discovered that Amy herself has a blog...yippee!! I know that Amy has been the subject of a lot of scrutiny in the Christian realm, and we don't know all of the details of her situations. And it's not our place to pass judgment. But I treasure so many of her songs, have been to numerous concerts, own just about every album, and I will always love her.

Here's the link if there are any more fans out there!!!
http://amygrant.typepad.com/

waxing philosophically

I'm in search of the perfect skin-care regime. So, after some careful research, I went to Sephora today and bought this kit by Philosophy:

The description on the website says that you need this product if...
**you want to restore your skin's radiance
**you seek skin confidence
**you want to look 100% better wearing 50% less makeup
**you want your skin to look the best it has has ever looked

Um, yes please!!!

It's a little pricey but even having just used it once today, I like it. I will report back in a few weeks to see if I am really able to pull off the "makeup optional" claim (:

aprons

Lately I have been obsessed with aprons. It started back in the spring when I saw some cute vintage aprons at a craft/antique mall. One of the reasons I have asked Santa for a sewing machine and want to learn how to sew is to be able to make them. I am convinced that people would love to get them for gifts!
So since parents are so hard to buy for, I decided to go with a 'theme' for my mom. (don't worry, they don't read the blog). The theme is "Things that you would not buy for yourself". So, I figured that one of the things I would get her is a fun apron.
I think that Melissa is the one who told me about Anthropologie having some cute ones. Off I went to the Shops at Willow Bend and I found a lot of cute aprons (and picked up a few other little gifts and a couple of plates for myself that were on sale). This is the apron that I bought for her, except that hers is turquoise and green:


Dad is getting the same boring stuff...gifts aren't his love language anyway so he really won't care (:

goals

I cannot tell you how excited I am to have a two week break from school. Beginning at 12:30 tomorrow, am a free woman. Wahoo!
In order to not waste-away the time off, I am going to set some little goals for myself. Here are a few.

**Finish the 'Twilight" series. I just can't get into the third book but I need to know how it all ends so I can just be done with it!
**Do some kind of workout everyday. I will probably run a lot but I need to get back into the weights.
**Organize my closet for GOOD!!!
**Figure out to do with the third bedroom (and I might paint it)
**Get my hair cut and colored
**Deep clean my house
**Get my plate back (only a couple of you will understand this one!!!)


That's all I've got for now....good night!!!

God with us

I must have sensed when I woke up this morning that today was going to be a heavy day for my heart. When I got dressed, I wore my little "Peace On Earth" long-sleeve T-shirt from Old Navy (everyone at school is wearing Christmas shirts with jeans). Then, I put my silver necklace on that has the word "Rest" engraved on it. When I paid for my coffee at Quik Trip, the cashier asked about me what my necklace meant. I simply told him that it was a reminder for me to just relax and to not worry about every piece of minutia. He then said, "And gurrrl, your shirt has the word 'peace' on it. You must really need to be reminded to chill out!" Thank you random convenience store man who can apparently see right into my soul.

So I went to school. Nothing went horribly wrong. In fact, it was a busy, but good day. My mind is so pre-occupied with things when I am there that I don't have time to obsess over my personal issues.

But something hit me on the way home and I suddenly was overwhelmed. I started crying. What was going on here??? That's not really like me at all.

Thoughts started flooding my mind about how I was all alone. I am just a teacher and school is the only thing I have in my life. And a lot of the time, I question whether I'm even good at teaching. I will never get married because I don't work hard enough to meet people and would rather stay at home and make crafts (ha). My friends care for me but will eventually move on into other phases of life and won't be able to relate to me. My health issues are getting worse (some of you know more about that than others--it's not serious, but causes cosmetic changes). I have made so many mistakes and am destined to fall into old patterns. People from my past will never believe that my life has been changed. And on, and on it goes.

In an effort to drown out the noise, I put on some music. My ipod was on shuffle, but the first thing that came on was "Emmanuel: God with us" off of Amy Grant's "Home for Christmas" album. (stop hating on Amy, Michelle ;)

The verses are not particularly powerful and the chorus is simple. But hearing "Emmanuel, God with Us" over and over again brought such comfort to me today. What an amazing truth to know that God is with us. It is something that I have heard for most of my life but today, my heart took refuge in knowing that He is here. All of the time. With me. With you.

Nothing has magically changed. I will still battle thoughts of fear and inadequacy. I will still struggle with disappointment and dreams that are locked-down in a holding pattern for an indefinite amount of time. But I do not have to battle them alone. I am so thankful to have been given a simple reminder during this season about how the Word became flesh and lived among us (John 1:14).

i should be sleeping

However, I'm still awake and watching the Cowboys. ***By the way, if you go to the Lewisville Albertson's on a game day and wear a jersey, you get 10% off of your purchase***

The weekend just flew by and I really feel that I have anything to show for these past two days. However, I guess it's important to rest up and prepare for the LAST SCHOOL WEEK of 2008. Wahoo!!

My roommate, Corrie, ran the White Rock Half today. I was going to do it but waited too late to register. Apparently, they had to close it down this year! So, I was sad that I couldn't do it but decided today that I am going to enter one race a month. It looks like the first one will be the "Too Cold to Hold" in January. It's a 15k. Anyone interested? After that, I think I'll do the Cowtown half marathon at the end of February. So, that's that! I have got to get serious about amping up the workouts if I want to achieve my purely superficial goal of being hot-at-30. ;)

Just a little update on the "hope deferred". Yes, Rebekah--it involved a boy. But, I am really at such peace about my decision and God has been so sweet. I am just trying to remember that He is better. But, it's still sucks sometimes.

This blog is a bit random but what can I say? I was just in the mood to blog. Oh wait! The Cowboys just scored again!! This game is going better than expected.

Ok. Hope you all have a great week!!

i'm it!!

Melissa tagged me with this fun little Christmas Survey, so here goes....

• 1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? gift bags....i can't properly wrap a present to save my life. My brother, Matthew, always has to wrap my presents for me.
  
• 2. Real tree or Artificial? artificial. I am too afraid of a fire with the real ones.
  
• 3. When do you put up the tree? The Friday or Sat. after Thanksgiving
  
• 4. When do you take the tree down? after New Year's
  
• 5. Do you like eggnog? Yes. I first tried it during a Hall meeting in college. I have never had "real" eggnog, though. Just the stuff from the grocery store
  
• 6. Favorite gift received as a child? I would have to say my ten speed bike when I was about 10 years old.
  
• 7. Hardest person to buy for? Parents
• 8. Easiest person to buy for? Matthew
  
• 9. Do you have a nativity scene? I had a little ceramic one but I recently broke the Baby Jesus. He is kind of an important part of that whole thing so I took everything else down :(
  
• 10. Mail or email Christmas cards? By mail
• 11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? silk, flowered lounging pajamas. Seriously, they look like something Bea Arthur would wear on the "Golden Girls".
  
• 12. Favorite Christmas Movie? National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. I just watched it last night with Hillary and Martin ;)
  
• 13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Good question. Usually the day before Christmas Eve. Matthew and I buy our parents' gifts together but I have to wait for him to get into town. We don't really have anyone else to buy for so that's about it!
  
• 14. Have you ever re-gifted a Christmas present? No
• 15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? I just kind of graze on the snack foods....party trash, these little cheese crackers, and my Aunt Gina's caramel corn.
  
• 16. Lights on the tree? White
• 17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night
  
• 18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? stay home fo sho
  
• 19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Rudolph, Donner, Blitzen, Cupid, Vixen, Dancer, Prancer, Comet...is that all??? And no, I did NOT Google.
  
• 20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
• 21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning
  
• 22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?people just seem to be shorter with you at the stores...everyone seems to lose perspective on the reason for Christmas
  
• 23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I have a teal/aqua/light blue theme on the tree. I am kind of anti-red & green
  
• 24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? I guess green bean casserole or stuffing...again, I'm a snacker!
  
• 25. What do you want for Christmas this year? a sewing machine
  

I tag.......Emily, Michelle, Tara, and Dawn!!!

i am second

I heard about this website, iamsecond.com a while back but didn't check it out until today. I ended up watching several of these little videos and I *might* have gotten a little choked up at times.

Some of the featured people are:
Josh Hamilton (of the Texas Rangers)
Jason Castro (from last season's American Idol)
Brian Welch (he used to be in Korn)
Tony Evans
Stephen Baldwin...
...and then just some 'regular' people sharing their story like in this video.
Something about that particular one really resonated with me today.

It is encouraging to hear the stories of what God has done in each of these people's lives. So, check it out!

a good day

Today started off a little rough. Let's just say that it was pretty stinkin' hard to get my butt out of bed. I am sure that I am not the only one who longs for a few extra minutes in the morning so they can snuggle with their significant other blankets.

But, I had to get up. The future of America was counting solely on me to teach them about finding the percent of a number. Oh, what a purpose I had today!!

I threw on my school sweatshirt and jeans, slapped on a paw-print sticker (you have to have this on in order to wear the jeans), and threw my hair in a ponytail. Being comfortable made the whole 'up and at em' thing a little more tolerable.

My first class was fine. They actually understood what I was teaching them...yea! Then we went to lunch and today, our district gave us BONUS checks! I think this is unheard of in the realm of education. We knew it was coming but what great timing. So, I was very happy to receive this 'gas stipend' and even happier when I realized that only $7.95 had been taken out of it for medicare. Woo-hoo!!!

Despite getting nauseated and throwing up during my 4th period class (this has happened 3 times this year in this particular class--weird), the rest of the day was great.

When I got home I found more money waiting for me: my rebate gift card from Walgreen's and a $125 check in return for attending a summer teaching conference. Good stuff...

To top off a great day, Melissa and Hillary came over to make some Christmas cookies. It's always good times with these girls. Their friendship has blessed my life so much and it's so great to have friends who *know* you, junk and all.

Sadly, the cookies were not near as cute as we had hoped. (See pictures below). Apparently we did not flatten the dough enough. Guess I need to put "rolling pin" on my Christmas list.

All that to say, things are looking up. I'm thankful for the little monetary surprises and for fabulous friends (even when i find out they have a secret pre-marital book club--just kidding, girls)

Here are some pics...enjoy!!!

My cookie and me. The red dots are ornaments--don't judge me, people!
Hillary and her 'special' star
Melissa and me making frosting--check out that mixer in action!!
Melissa getting excited about our baked goods...apparently she hadn't looked at them closely yet
Bonus points if you can guess what shapes these are supposed to be!!!
Melissa and her new friend

hope deferred

It really is true what the Bible says in Proverbs 13:12: "Hope deferred makes the heart sick". Today, I had to let go of a situation that I had hoped would have a different outcome. But instead of getting what I had longed for, I have a sad little heart. I know it will be fine and that I will one day look at this and see how the Lord spared me from something far worse, but it still hurts.

However, tomorrow is a new day and as it says in Lamentations 3:22-23, "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Amen.

day of disasters

It is 7:15 on Saturday night and I am in my pajamas watching another installment of Fa-la-la-la-Lifetime. The current movie is kind of a modern, holiday-themed take on the 'Parent Trap'. Very riveting.

Anyhow, I just don't have the energy to do anything else tonight after the day I've had. It started out nicely enough. I put some mulling spices on the stove, showered, straightened my hair, and had some coffee. Then, I kind of smelled a burning odor and thought that I must have left my flat iron on. Nope. It was turned off. As I opened my bedroom door, I saw that the living room filled with smoke. The mulling spices were literally on fire! Worried that my house was going to smell like smoke forever, I opened up every window and Googled "ways to get smoke smell out of house". The most positive sounding solution was to boil vinegar and to set out little bowls of vinegar all of the house. Apparently, vinegar absorbs smells. **Sidenote--I have previously blogged about my love for vinegar, but I have a whole new appreciation for it after this incident, as well as another miracle it performed earlier in the week**

The smoke smell is still here a little bit, but it's going away. I'm hoping that it will be gone tomorrow for good.

After the stovetop debacle, I decided to engage in some crafting while closely monitoring the boiling vinegar. The other day, I purchased this neat little rotary blade that has interchangeable blades. I wanted to use the decorative one to add some flair to some cards. As I was changing the blade, I cut my thumb with the tool. It stung a little but I have a pretty good threshold for pain. My finger started to bleed. Not just a little bit, but a lot. Gushing would be a better way to describe it. I applied some pressure to it, but nothing. It was just blood, blood, and more blood. My stupid thumb bled for about 30 minutes--ridiculous.

Anyway, I had just about all the fun that I could handle so I'm calling it a night. Today was kind of indicative of how my week at school went. Here's hoping that next week is much, much better. (:

thursday thanks: the thanksgiving edition

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. This hasn't always been the case, but something shifted after I went off to college. Yesterday wasn't anything extraordinary, but it was good.
I gave thanks for:

Mashed potatoes
Trash (it's the fabulous version of Chex mix that my mom makes)
Sister Schubert's rolls (they are in the freezer section..check them out!!!)
Football
Throwing the football with Dad and Matthew ( i must say that my spirals were especially good--ha)
Getting to spend time with Matthew before he heads off to India for a few months
Crafting with my Mom
Getting a Silpat for my baking (thanks Mom!)
Good running weather
The official beginning of the Christmas season....


...and that's just one day! I am one blessed gal...my cup runneth over (:

periodicals

I love magazines. Always have. If there is a good selection of them at a doctor's office, I don't even mind the wait. When I was in jr. high/high school and went to the central library to gather info. for school papers, I would spend most of my time reading back issues of 'People' instead. As much as I would love to subscribe to several at a time, I now only get two: Runner's World and Cottage Living.

Yesterday, something changed. 'Glamour' magazine magically appeared in my mailbox with my name on it. There was Keira Knightley looking right back at me. Then today, it was Nicole Kidman on next's month 'Glamour' cover. What?!?!? I have never bought this magazine, much less subscribed. This same thing happened last year when I got US Weekly for about 6 months for free. I constantly checked to make sure I wasn't being charged, but I could not figure it out why I was getting them for the life of me. I am not complaining...just puzzled (:

Is anyone else having this issue???