Work on it Wednesday

Working on getting back into the swing of things. The holidays really have me spinning, but I'm making my list and checking it twice. I only have one more item to purchase and my shopping is done. Next up I'm doing a top to bottom winter clean so we can decorate the house. Also I need to start sewing up O's dress. I'm planning to either make the Feliz dress from farbenmix or my friend Dawn's Annika dress. I'm heading over to the Patsy Aiken's sale tomorrow to see if there's any Christmas fabrics for sale. I haven't been doing much stitching lately (more knitting) but I will definitely get back to it since I miss it.

Holiday Gift Giving Goals

Of course with the holidays approaching, I've been thinking a lot about what to give. I committed our family to doing a less commercial, more thoughtfully given Christmas a few years ago and I have to say it's been much nicer in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I have or will purchase some items. I've have a wooden dollhouse for O., Leggo, trains and other items for the boys. But, I'd like to make a good portion of the gifts, but I don't know if I'll have the time to do all I want. I hope that I can accomplish a good deal though. But, what to make? O. should be easy right? I think because she loves to help me cook so much I'm going to make her a chef set with a hat, apron and oven mit. Of course I'm finishing the quilt and perhaps I can make a doll quilt for her Waldorf doll. For the boys? Hmm...that's a bit harder, I'll have to think about that. My friend Dawn of the blog Olabelhe had a great idea about an artist portfolio and crayon/pencil roll. I think I'm going to borrow that idea. I'll also probably do another bag or two for M.'s train collection to go in. I'm not sure what to make for E. yet, bedside knitting him a hat and socks. For S. I'm going to make a hoodie sweatshirt, some boxer shorts and lounge pants. Gosh with the length of that list I should be sitting at my sewing machine right now. I also wanted to make a couple things for my sisters. Thank goodness I started some of these items in the summer. I let you know how things go. Wish me luck!

Whew! Thank goodness that's over with!

Christmas...the holidays, all the chaos. I'm so glad for things to settle back down to it's normal crazy pace. I've just been thinking about projects I want to work on this year. Well, there's
1. O's quilt
2. The slipcovers...I know, when am I going to make those things already?
3. The weekender bags (one for me and one for mom)
4. Kitchen stuff (new curtains, pot holders and trivets)
5. Living room curtains
6. Master bedroom curtains and bedcover (I'm thinking I'll do a quilt, queen size...how ambitious)
7. Clothes for me (skirts, skirts, skirts!)
8. Jacket for O.
9. Summer clothes for the kids (including swim trunks & swim suit)
10. Purge, purge, purge baby!
11. Me! Doing the things I love and being with the people I love
12. My HMB, really using it to it's fullest.

13. The yard...I really should get out there and dig in the dirt!
14. The house...an ongoing project.
15. Finances...well, saving for that European vacation so A. & I can go on our 10th anniversary. We have a little over 2 years. It would be so cool to go.

Holiday Sewing and Shopping

Well, took advantage of the early sales at Walmart and got a nifty new laptop. It's not fast or anything, but it's plenty for me. I've ordered a media player for S. and will look for a few more things for the kids, but we're trying to go low key. Also I need to get started sewing the kids clothes for the holidays. I also really want to knit something and of course I'm starting working on O's quilt I've pretty much settled on a simple patchwork pattern. I think that's enough to keep me busy

It's a merry christmas after all!

I was scheduled to work today and would have needed to leave the house at 6 to get to work on time, but I got to be off since there was enough staffing and I was first on the call off list! I was thrilled and so was the family. We opened presents at the ungodly hour of 4:30am. We were up for a few hours while the kiddies checked out all their loot. Everyone seemed happy with their gifts. It's funny though, in years past I've gone way overboard and into debt for christmas, but this year I stuck to a budget and paid cash for the gifts and they were just as excited about everything. E. even said this was the best Christmas ever. S. was very happy with his cell phone and has been walking around with it all day! A. & I did not exchange gifts, we decided we would do something for each other and I didn't miss the gift at all. I still have my gift from last year unopened and unused...how many pda's does one person need afterall. I'm going to use it though, 2007 is the year!
I've just been watching movies w/S. We watched Pirates of the Carribeian 2. Very good. Johnny Depp is a riot!

Confessions of a Cookie swapper

Who do I think I am? Martha Stewart? I have to be at a cookie swap in 3.5hrs and I have yet to finish the six dozen cookies I'm suppose to bring, plus whip up a tasty appetizer to share. How do I get myself into these things? Did I mention the cookie swap was my brainchild for my online/offline mommy support group? Ah well...I better get back to baking.