What do you do when life hands you lemons? Why, you make lemonade!
That being the case: what do you do when life hands you an emergency light on your dashboard that turns out to mean that there is a nail in one of your tires causing a slow leak, which needs to be removed (and you tire patched), when what you had planned to do that day was drive to Zuma Beach with your friends? You make rock candy.
At least, that's what we do.
I think.
To be honest, this hasn't come up much. Really just the once so far.
Let me walk you through it our day:
This morning, Kaia and I got up and headed straight out to the orthodontist's office for her monthly check-up/adjustment. The plan was to have her appointment, grab a baguette on the way home, pick up her sisters, our swimsuits, sunblock, towels, hats, boogie boards, snacks, etc., meet up with our friends, Priya, Maya and Nadia and caravan over to spend a day at Zuma Beach. Unfortunately, on the way to the orthodontist, a light I had never seen before lit up on my dashboard. As soon as we were situated at the office, I took out my manual and looked it up.
After a brief investigation, I dicovered the answer. The mystery light was my tire pressure light. According to the manual, if it illuminates and remains lit, it could indicate a slow leak or a flat tire. Since we had already checked in ~ and since trying to get an appointment at the orthodontist's office is like pulling teeth (pardon the pun) ~ I decided to stay until Kaia was done, then check my tires. In the meantime, I called the service department at my Mazda dealership* and asked if I could stop by and have them check it out, since I was right down the street. They agreed.
Kaia's appointment went quickly, once she was in (they finally took her back about 40 minutes after her appointment time), and we headed off to the dealership. The car was taken in right away, but Danny told me there would probably be about a 1-hour wait. I called Priya, and we decided it would be best, at this point, to postpone our beach trip until tomorrow. That's okay. I think I'll have it more together by tomorrow, anyway. Kaia, however, was very disappointed.
Because there would be a long, boring wait (and because coffee ~ or, in Kaia's case, chocolate milk ~ makes everything better), we decided to walk across the street to the Starbucks inside the Jaguar dealership. I guess that says a lot about Jaguar dealerships vs. Mazda dealerships. At the Mazda dealership, they have a pot of coffee and some little plastic pots of creamer. At the Jaguar dealership, they have a Starbucks.
As soon as we had placed our order, Danny from the service department called to inform me that the problem was, in fact, a nail in my left rear tire that would need to be removed. The tire would have to be patched, and, since I was overdue for scheduled maintenance, they could just go ahead and do it all. Sure, what the heck, I said. I mean, at this point, why not, right?
For the next hour, Kaia and I sat in the waiting room, watching the Olympics, leafing through Audubon magazine and chatting with a 72-year old woman who told us all about how, when she was in 4th grade, she missed the entire school year because she was in the hospital with Rheumatic Fever. She told Kaia all about how she was quarantined and had to attend a special school inside the hospital. As the children got better, they were allowed to do more around the hospital (like go to the playroom), but when she first got there, she had to stay and have her classes in her hospital bed. Doctors told her that she would probably not live past her twenties. Then, they told her that she could only have three children. She had four. I told her that, at 72, with four children, I guess she showed them.
Too soon, it seemed, the car was ready. We picked out a cute little turtle to adorn our rearview mirror, paid our bill and headed home.
Although she enjoyed her milk, her visit, the Olympics and the magazine, it just wasn't a trip to the beach with her best friend. Kaia knew we would go tomorrow, but...well, you remember what it was like when you were a kid and you were all geared up to do something fun and exciting, and then the rug got pulled right out from under you. No fun :( She was very sad.
So, we decided to make some fun of our own. I had been promising to make rock candy with the kids. I've never made it before, but I thought it might be the perfect combination of sugary candy and science to satisfy my girls. I found this some time ago, and have been planning to do it for months, but we never seemed to have time. Today, as it happened, we suddenly had nothing but time.
Each girl made her own solution, flavouring it with a drop or two of extract and colouring it with food colouring. It is sitting on the counter right now, and, hopefully, it is beginning to form crystals. Justice tried adding coconut flavouring, which we later realized contains oil, and her mixture kind of seized up, so she gave up on the rock candy and put tiny portions of the stuff onto waxed paper to cool, making "green coconut globs" instead. Luckily, the other girls made enough that there will be some rock candy for Justice.
I love that she didn't let it get her down when hes didn't work. After all, that's what scientific experimentation is all about. Science or not, that's really what I want them to take away from this experience. I think it is vitally important to be able to look on the bright side, roll with the punches, not let little set backs and disappointments throw you for a loop. To learn from mistakes, and to make their own happiness is probably the most important thing I can teach my kids.
But that stuff about super saturated solutions is pretty awesome, too. In this case, it's even yummy. And, in about a week, as Kaia said, "I'm going to eat science."
*It's not really my Mazda dealership. I don't own it or anything. It just happens to be the dealership at which I bought my car, so I feel sort of personally involved with it.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
"Kid Gloves"
Not long ago, someone said to my daughter, "Sheesh! Why do you always have to act like everyone's out to get you? The world is NOT against you." I'll admit it, I've said similar things. But, you know, I got to thinking about that remark, and I realized something important. If you really want to know why my daughter "acts like everyone is out to get her," I'll tell you.
It's because, for years, they were.
Okay. Not everyone. Unfortunately, however, when you are being bullied, and other kids are jumping on the bandwagon with the bully instead of defending you, it can feel like the whole world is against you. When you ask for help from adults in authority, and they accuse you of "overreacting" or being "whiny," it starts to feel like no one is on your side. When your parents are the only ones you can be sure are in your corner, you might even start to feel like, "Yeah. They have to be. They're my parents. They probably don't like me, either." I know, because I went through it, too.
I remember too well the vicious cycle of being bullied, getting hurt, crying in front of all the other kids and then getting teased for being a "crybaby" or "too sensitive." I challenge you, even as an adult, to stand in front of a room full of people who are making fun of you for crying when you are genuinely upset AND NOT CRY. It's really hard.
"Too Sensitive." That's one I've heard for most of my life. What does that mean, anyway? What makes a person "too sensitive?" Is it when a person doesn't like being called names, made a laughingstock, being hurt (physically and/or emotionally)? Is that too sensitive? I don't think so. I really don't think it is too much to expect kindness and decency from people. I firmly believe that, when my daughter tells someone that something they say or do hurts her, it is not "too sensitive" of her to be upset if they keep doing it, anyway. Nobody likes being treated unkindly.
I don't buy in to the whole "Sticks and stones..." nonsense, either. Words hurt. Sometimes, words hurt more than any stick or stone ever could. Hit me with a stick, and you've wounded my flesh. It'll heal. Probably won't even leave a scar. Hit me with cruel words, and you have wounded my soul. Souls heal, too, but I think they're more fragile. It takes special care and gentle handling for them to heal. And time. Lots and lots of time.
Yes, I know people tease sometimes. Over the years, I have learned not to take things too personally. But, see, that's the difference: I have had YEARS since I was bullied to learn not to take things personally. I have had years ~ decades, even ~ to try to understand that, just because something a person is doing upsets me, that doesn't mean they are trying to upset me. My daughter hasn't. She's working on it, and she'll get there, but it is going to take more time. After all, it took years of bullying to get her to where she is now.
Frankly, I hope she doesn't get there by developing too tough a shell. I think there is great value in her sensitive nature. I want her to learn to be sensitive, but not to allow herself to be so hurt. I think the world needs more sensitive souls who live passionately and feel deeply. I just hope the world begins to see that as an asset while she is still young.
So, do me a favour: the next time someone tells you that something you've said or done has hurt him/her, just say, "I'm sorry. I didn't know. I won't do that again." And then don't. I'm going try hard to do the same. It's not like the world will suffer from too much kindness.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...
Inspired by my cousin, Alice, I finally got off my ass and went to the Y to swim laps today. I have been saying I would do this for...sheesh...YEARS, I think. However, since I started PT (that's Physical Therapy) for the ankle and the knee a few weeks ago, I have actually meant it. Which is not quite as effective as actually doing a thing, but I think is closer than just saying it, if you follow me.
Anyway, it seems it was a few weeks ago that Alice posted a blog entry about her recent experience going the pool to swim laps. I will try to find the link (if she says it's okay) and share it. Well, after reading her blog about swimming, I thought, "I can do that." So, I bought a new swim cap and a new swimsuit and...totally didn't do anything.
Well, that might not be entirely accurate. I did a lot of things. I worked, I went to physical therapy, I saw my acupuncturist, I watched my daughter perform with her orchestra, I served as P.A. on my other daughter's film, I did some sewing with yet another daughter, I drove all three daughters to all of their various lessons, practices and other engagements, I had lunch with a girlfriend... I even went for walks, a bike ride or two, did my exercises every day (ish)... I just didn't swim.
So, last night, I promised myself I would head to the Y after I dropped kids at school and swim a few laps. It seemed simple enough. I announced my plan on Facebook, and asked my friends to hold me to it, so I would have to do it or risk losing face.
Then, #2 daughter remembered at 7 o'clock-ish that she had a major assignment due for dance class the next day. So, I ran out and bought her a binder while she got to work. Boy, oh, boy, did she work! That kid constructed an entire dance term dictionary with illustrations for each entry and an section at the back about famous choreographers in one night. Sorta. She was up until Stupid O'clock finishing it. Which means that I was also up until Stupid O'clock ~ 'though I will admit I dozed off once or twice.
As you might have guessed, I really didn't feel like going swimming after dropping off kids this morning. I felt like going to bed. To be perfectly honest, I didn't feel like dropping off kids this morning, but ~ whattaya gonna do? Right?
Now, I thought I would be all packed up and ready, so I could drop kids and go straight to the Y. Ha. Instead, I raced home after dropping off kids, gathered all of my stuff, realized I could only find one flip flop, pinned up my hair, put on my suit, pulled on some sweats, stuffed a towel and my Y card in a bag (it was a Camp Rock bag, as provided by my husband, because I am just that cool) and headed up the road.
By the time I shed the sweats, showered, and entered the pool area, it was almost 8:25. Now, lap swimming only lasts until 8:55 today, so I thought, Okay. 30 minutes. I ought to be able to knock out 30 minutes of lap swimming, right? I'll admit, I was even a little bit disappointed. Like: shoot, if I had been here earlier, I could have gotten in more swimming.
I am so, so silly.
Thanks to Alice's wonderful account of her first lap-swimming experience, I knew how to get in to the pool, at least. That was helpful. I decided it would be a good idea, however, to make sure I was getting in to the appropriate lane. I approached the lifeguard on duty.
"Hello," I said, "I've never been here before. Does it matter which lane I use?"
"It doesn't really matter," she replied, "but, generally, the farther to the right you go the slower the lanes are."
"Ah. Okay." I watched the other swimmers for a moment. They all seemed to me to be going at a pretty good clip, so I asked, "Is there a remedial lane?"
She chuckled, and suggested I swim in the general area of the pool, to the right of the lanes. She said there really was a lane there, but they just didn't have it marked today, because one of their lane markers was broken. I didn't really believe that was true, but I thought it was kind of her to say so.
Armed with a plan of attack, I went over to hang my bag and towel. I noticed that nobody else had their bags and towels hung on the set of hooks I had chosen, so I thought they must be the wrong ones, and moved them to another set. Then, I noticed that there was no place near those hooks to leave my shoes where they would be out of the way, so I changed my mind and put all of my stuff on a bench, sliding the shoes underneath. Because it totally matters where you leave your stuff.
I went back to the Remedial Lane and sat on the edge of the pool. For some reason, I had decided it would be a good idea to enter the pool at the deep end. It was closest to the lifeguard, which seemed like a good idea, and, by the time I got worn out from swimming, I might be in an area of the pool in which I could touch the ground. I lowered myself into the water and took off for the other end. So far, so good.
Covering the distance from one end of the pool to the other was not as hard as I thought it might be, so, my confidence bolstered, I turned around at the other end, paused for moment to catch my breath, and headed back. By the time I got back to the deep end, I thought my lungs might collapse. The funny thing is, I expected this to be hard on my legs, but they were feeling great. My lungs, on the other hand, were pissed. I struggled and sputtered my way to the wall and clung on for dear life. The lifeguard didn't seem the least bit worried, so I figured I must be doing better than I thought. Then, I looked back at the other lap swimmers. No. No, I was definitely NOT doing better than I thought. But, hey, I was doing, and that's what really mattered.
I took a few more moments to catch my breath this time before heading back to the shallow end. Then, a took a few more moments to catch my breath. Whew! What a workout! What time is it?
I glanced at the clock.
Holy crap. Are you kidding me? It's got to be closer to 8:55 than that!
Nope. It wasn't.
So, seeing that I still had most of my 30 minutes ahead of me, I devised a strategy that might allow me to both swim my laps and survive. I decided I would use a kickboard to go up and back twice, then I would go up and back twice without it...and so forth and so on. In the end, I did 2 trips up and back without the board, then 2 trips with it, then two without, then two with. And then ~ thank God! ~ it was 8:55.
I did it. I won't say it was easy ~ especially when the lady in the zebra print swim cap decided to join me in my lane but kept swimming on her back directly into me...or on her front directly into me. Really, she just kept swimming directly into me. I think she swims with her eyes shut. I changed lanes. ~ but I did it.
I'll do it again, too. I'm willing to bet it will keep getting easier.
Besides, I need some excuse to wear my cute new swim cap.
Anyway, it seems it was a few weeks ago that Alice posted a blog entry about her recent experience going the pool to swim laps. I will try to find the link (if she says it's okay) and share it. Well, after reading her blog about swimming, I thought, "I can do that." So, I bought a new swim cap and a new swimsuit and...totally didn't do anything.
Well, that might not be entirely accurate. I did a lot of things. I worked, I went to physical therapy, I saw my acupuncturist, I watched my daughter perform with her orchestra, I served as P.A. on my other daughter's film, I did some sewing with yet another daughter, I drove all three daughters to all of their various lessons, practices and other engagements, I had lunch with a girlfriend... I even went for walks, a bike ride or two, did my exercises every day (ish)... I just didn't swim.
So, last night, I promised myself I would head to the Y after I dropped kids at school and swim a few laps. It seemed simple enough. I announced my plan on Facebook, and asked my friends to hold me to it, so I would have to do it or risk losing face.
Then, #2 daughter remembered at 7 o'clock-ish that she had a major assignment due for dance class the next day. So, I ran out and bought her a binder while she got to work. Boy, oh, boy, did she work! That kid constructed an entire dance term dictionary with illustrations for each entry and an section at the back about famous choreographers in one night. Sorta. She was up until Stupid O'clock finishing it. Which means that I was also up until Stupid O'clock ~ 'though I will admit I dozed off once or twice.
As you might have guessed, I really didn't feel like going swimming after dropping off kids this morning. I felt like going to bed. To be perfectly honest, I didn't feel like dropping off kids this morning, but ~ whattaya gonna do? Right?
Now, I thought I would be all packed up and ready, so I could drop kids and go straight to the Y. Ha. Instead, I raced home after dropping off kids, gathered all of my stuff, realized I could only find one flip flop, pinned up my hair, put on my suit, pulled on some sweats, stuffed a towel and my Y card in a bag (it was a Camp Rock bag, as provided by my husband, because I am just that cool) and headed up the road.
By the time I shed the sweats, showered, and entered the pool area, it was almost 8:25. Now, lap swimming only lasts until 8:55 today, so I thought, Okay. 30 minutes. I ought to be able to knock out 30 minutes of lap swimming, right? I'll admit, I was even a little bit disappointed. Like: shoot, if I had been here earlier, I could have gotten in more swimming.
I am so, so silly.
Thanks to Alice's wonderful account of her first lap-swimming experience, I knew how to get in to the pool, at least. That was helpful. I decided it would be a good idea, however, to make sure I was getting in to the appropriate lane. I approached the lifeguard on duty.
"Hello," I said, "I've never been here before. Does it matter which lane I use?"
"It doesn't really matter," she replied, "but, generally, the farther to the right you go the slower the lanes are."
"Ah. Okay." I watched the other swimmers for a moment. They all seemed to me to be going at a pretty good clip, so I asked, "Is there a remedial lane?"
She chuckled, and suggested I swim in the general area of the pool, to the right of the lanes. She said there really was a lane there, but they just didn't have it marked today, because one of their lane markers was broken. I didn't really believe that was true, but I thought it was kind of her to say so.
Armed with a plan of attack, I went over to hang my bag and towel. I noticed that nobody else had their bags and towels hung on the set of hooks I had chosen, so I thought they must be the wrong ones, and moved them to another set. Then, I noticed that there was no place near those hooks to leave my shoes where they would be out of the way, so I changed my mind and put all of my stuff on a bench, sliding the shoes underneath. Because it totally matters where you leave your stuff.
I went back to the Remedial Lane and sat on the edge of the pool. For some reason, I had decided it would be a good idea to enter the pool at the deep end. It was closest to the lifeguard, which seemed like a good idea, and, by the time I got worn out from swimming, I might be in an area of the pool in which I could touch the ground. I lowered myself into the water and took off for the other end. So far, so good.
Covering the distance from one end of the pool to the other was not as hard as I thought it might be, so, my confidence bolstered, I turned around at the other end, paused for moment to catch my breath, and headed back. By the time I got back to the deep end, I thought my lungs might collapse. The funny thing is, I expected this to be hard on my legs, but they were feeling great. My lungs, on the other hand, were pissed. I struggled and sputtered my way to the wall and clung on for dear life. The lifeguard didn't seem the least bit worried, so I figured I must be doing better than I thought. Then, I looked back at the other lap swimmers. No. No, I was definitely NOT doing better than I thought. But, hey, I was doing, and that's what really mattered.
I took a few more moments to catch my breath this time before heading back to the shallow end. Then, a took a few more moments to catch my breath. Whew! What a workout! What time is it?
I glanced at the clock.
Holy crap. Are you kidding me? It's got to be closer to 8:55 than that!
Nope. It wasn't.
So, seeing that I still had most of my 30 minutes ahead of me, I devised a strategy that might allow me to both swim my laps and survive. I decided I would use a kickboard to go up and back twice, then I would go up and back twice without it...and so forth and so on. In the end, I did 2 trips up and back without the board, then 2 trips with it, then two without, then two with. And then ~ thank God! ~ it was 8:55.
I did it. I won't say it was easy ~ especially when the lady in the zebra print swim cap decided to join me in my lane but kept swimming on her back directly into me...or on her front directly into me. Really, she just kept swimming directly into me. I think she swims with her eyes shut. I changed lanes. ~ but I did it.
I'll do it again, too. I'm willing to bet it will keep getting easier.
Besides, I need some excuse to wear my cute new swim cap.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
She's Sew Crazy!
Recently, I have become obsessed with sewing. This is funny because I vividly remember, not more than 5 years ago, making a New Years resolution that involved making myself and each of my daughters a dress. It was a real struggle. In the past couple of months, however, I have made myself 5 dresses, 1 shirt, 1 tunic (I guess that's a shirt, too, huh?) and a skirt. Really. I don't know what happened. The bug bit, I started sewing, the kids started sewing ~ oh, forgot to mention: Hallie has made 2 dresses (1 for her little sister) and a skirt, Kaia made herself a dress and matching purse and Justice made herself 2 dresses.
As you can see, I made this one a good bit longer than the one in Faith's pictures. I think the length, the way the fabric falls and the neckline look just perfect with this pretty print. It has an old-fashioned feel, which I like.
I think it had something to do with being laid up for a time. I get bored. Really, really bored. And then there is the fact that the clothing in stores either a) doesn't appeal to me, b) doesn't fit me or c) cost too much for me to consider. So...sew!
Now, I will admit that sewing doesn't always save me money. However, I am not spending nearly what I would to have clothing custom made to suit my taste (and my body). I try to hit the sales, shop the bargain tables and remnant bins and use coupons. In the end, I get exactly the clothing I want, made to fit me. So, that's awesome. Sew awesome :)
So, it didn't take me long to stumble upon an excellent resource: Pinterest. Don't laugh. I thought it sounded totally lame and weird and pointless when I first heard about it. Turns out, it's a really good way to keep all of my resources organized. And, as an added bonus, I get to see all of the things other people who have similar interests have "pinned." This is where I first stumbled upon "Faith's Twenty Minute Dress." Click here to find it. And, BTW, HUGE thanx to Faith Towers for the tutorial, and for letting me link to it here. Oh, you know, and for my new wardrobe. Really, I am having way too much fun with this.
Now, let me preface (can you "preface" several paragraphs in? I can. Watch:) this by saying I am not a very accomplished seamstress. I mean, I get by. I have made some dresses, skirts, stuff for the kids, costumes, a few household items, but my skills are pretty basic. So, when I saw a pattern for a "Twenty Minute Dress," I thought, "No way can I do that in 20 minutes!" I was right. It took me more than 20 minutes...but, the good news is ~ *drumroll!* ~ I did it! And I liked it. In fact, I liked it so much that I did it again. And again. And again...and again... In the end, I used Faith's instructions to make a total of 3 dresses, one blouse and one tunic (maybe it's a dress, maybe it's a top...I'm really not sure. I like to wear it with leggings).
Now, I will say this: I did a lot more measuring and pinning than I think Faith did (really, I obsessively measured EVERYTHING), but that's because I have sewing-related anxiety. Honestly, I have everything-related anxiety. It's okay. I just measure, pin, take notes, wash my hands, check the locks, look over my shoulder... It's not surprising that it takes me more than 20 minutes to make this dress, come to think of it.
On my first attempt, I decided to make the neckline a little higher, and, on most of my projects, I placed the waist a little higher than indicated in the original instructions as well. I made my first dress a lot longer than the one Faith made.
You know, lets just start with the pics, and I will explain what I did as we go along:
This was my first:
I love the hazy retro feel of this picture, but it's not very clear, so here's another:
(this is the back)
I just fell in love with this fabric the second I saw it. I mean, who wouldn't? Just look at those butterflies! It is a very lightweight polyester knit. If I knew more about fabric, I could tell you more about it, but that's all I've got. Sorry. I bought 1 1/8 yards, because I wanted my dress to be a bit longer, and I think it worked out perfectly. I love it!
In fact, I loved it so much, I decided to make another. Or two. The next time I happened to be at the fabric store, I spied two pieces of fabric I liked in the remnant bin, so I snapped them up. It turned out they were both a bit shorter than I though they would be (you know, because, apparently, I can't read the label, which states how long the remnant is), so I ended up with a blouse (which I quite like):
Super comfy and super easy to wear ~ true of all of these dresses and tops.
...and a tunic:
(not a great pic ~ I could have used some sleep!)
This fabric is kind of sheer, so I thought it would be a bathing suit cover-up, but it's pretty cute with leggings and a cami underneath. It also looks great with a wide belt, and I happen to have one that matches the leggings in this pic. Wish I had a picture of it that way. Use your imagination (while you're at it, use your imagination to make me look like I have slept, too). Cute, right?
So, after all of these successes, I was feeling a bit adventurous. When I saw this next fabric on the sale table, I thought, "You know what would look cute with that...?" I decided I would make another little Twenty Minute Dress (thanx, Faith!!!!!), but this time, I'd mix it up a little. I decided to tie it at the shoulder and add a big, industrial-looking metal zipper right down the front.
I cut the fabric and sewed it at the shoulder and sides, as directed, then attached the casing, ran the elastic through and secured it at each open end with a few stitches. Next, I simply installed the zipper down the front. And, when I say "simply," what I mean is, "installed the zipper very incorrectly, so the elastic didn't match up at the front; then, removed the zipper and painstakingly re-installed it correctly." The advantage here was that I got to practice using some of my favourite colourful "sentence enhancers." Oh, and I ended up with a pretty cute little play dress, too. Yeah, I still play. In dresses.
I cut the fabric and sewed it at the shoulder and sides, as directed, then attached the casing, ran the elastic through and secured it at each open end with a few stitches. Next, I simply installed the zipper down the front. And, when I say "simply," what I mean is, "installed the zipper very incorrectly, so the elastic didn't match up at the front; then, removed the zipper and painstakingly re-installed it correctly." The advantage here was that I got to practice using some of my favourite colourful "sentence enhancers." Oh, and I ended up with a pretty cute little play dress, too. Yeah, I still play. In dresses.
In the end, it looked a little like this:
No, wait...It looked EXACTLY like this:
I think it's a nice departure from the other dresses. Sometimes, you need a little attitude, right? And it goes nicely with the boots, which, frankly, are the most comfortable shoes for my pitiful little ankle at the moment.
Now, at about this time, I happened to be at the fabric/craft store picking up supplies for a project for one of the kids (it was a volcano. Not the kid, the project. Although there are times when arguments could be made in support of the "kid as volcano" scenario). Anyway, I didn't think I was going to buy fabric. I mean, what more could I possibly need, right? But then I saw a particular fabric on the sale table. It had caught my eye (in fact, I had even picked it up) before, but I just couldn't decide if I really liked it. I mean, it didn't really seem like my style, and yet, there was something about it. I just kept coming back to that fabric. And now, here it was on the sale table. I snapped it up.
Oh, I feel like I ought to mention: When I buy my fabric for this project, I tend to just hold it up in front of myself and sort of guess how long I want the finished product to be. Then, I add an inch or two, and that's how long I have the fabric cut. Unless it is a remnant, in which case, it is already cut. In that case, I misread the label and just get whatever I get and roll with it. So far, so good.
So, I brought home my new fabric, and set it on the sewing machine. It sat there for quite some time, until, on Mother's Day morning, while Justice was working on her sundress (I'll do another post about our sundresses), I decided to throw together my newest dress. I placed the waistline closer to my natural waist on this one (I think I did that accidentally, but it worked out well, so let's pretend I meant to do that). When it was finished, we all agreed it would be perfect with a wide belt, so I ran right out and bought one (they kind of wanted me out of the house, so they could prepare my Mother's Day tea). I love it. In fact, I wore it that day ~ to tea, to the Japanese Garden and, finally, bowling. Every time I have worn it since (yes, there have been a couple) I have gotten compliments. Are you curious?
It looks like this:
And my husband looks like that. Cute, huh? The dress AND my husband :)
What I really love about this project is that by simply choosing a unique fabric, adjusting the length, placement of the waistline and/or neckline, tying the shoulders, adding a belt. etc, you get many different looks from one very simple pattern. It really is very simple. I am sure a more accomplished seamstress could whip one out much more quickly than I. It has always taken me more than 20 minutes, but I don't think it has ever taken me more than an hour (even that time I totally messed up the zipper installation), which I think is pretty swift for making an entire dress that is presentable enough to wear in public. You should definitely try it. And, if you do, please share your pictures.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Kindness
This year, we really didn't make any New Year's resolutions. Well, I didn't, anyway. Some of the rest of my family may have, but they haven't informed me. I mean...as far as I am aware, we didn't make any official resolutions. But...well...the new year seemed like as good a time as any to take pause to think about our lives and what is important to us, and there were some simple changes we decided to make. As we talked about these things, it seemed to me like a "lightbulb" moment ~ "Oh, yeah! That's what's important to us!"
I think we knew. I think we started out on the right track a long time ago, and I think we do...well...okay...most of the time. I guess. I have felt, in recent years, like we've sort of lost focus. Like we've all gotten so caught up in work, school, and all of our activities that we sort of lost sight of what has always been the heart and soul of our little family.
We live to serve. Ha. Well. doesn't that sound self-righteous (yeah, okay, it totally does)? Let's see if I can redeem myself with an explanation. We just feel best when we are helping others, doing what little we can to try to make the world a better place. As a family, we are happier and we get along better when we remember to step outside of our comfortable little bubble and reach out into the world. That sounds like a pretty selfish reason to do it, huh? I don't know. Maybe, in a sense, we all contribute to charities, give a buck to the bum on the corner, donate a toy 4 tots because it makes us feel better. We're humans. We are what we are. sometimes, what we are is selfish...or, maybe...self-serving is the term I am looking for. Whatever it is, I think it's perfectly natural. In fact, the next time someone tries to tell you that the world does not revolve around you, I think you can make a fairly well-reasoned argument for the position that, in fact, your world DOES revolve around you, just as her world revolves around her ~ because, let's face it, if you weren't here, you would have no knowledge of the world at all. It is your perception of the world and how you interpret the things in it that make it whatever it is for you, and, therefor, it really does revolve around you, doesn't it. (Oh...sorry...did I digress? Well, don't say I didn't warn you.)
So, yeah, selfishly, we have chosen to dedicate this year to spreading a little kindness in the world. We want to live in a kinder, gentler world. We want to raise kind, compassionate children who, just maybe, will grow up to be decent human beings who feel a responsibility to those around them. I think it's important. To feel like we are positive contributors to our world. To understand that our actions reach far beyond ourselves and touch those around us ~ that we do, in fact, have the power to change the world. I want my kids to know that they can actively shape their world, that they don't have to be "innocent bystanders," but can choose, instead, to be active participants.
Our focus this year will be kindness. From pausing to consider the feelings of others and how our actions affect those around us, to actively participating in fundraising and volunteer opportunities within our community (and beyond). For me, I think the small daily actions will make the most profound change in our lives. Just pausing each day to be kind to someone ~ paying for a stranger's coffee, picking up after a family member (instead of fussing for him/her to do it), complimenting someone, helping carry groceries...little things like that can mean so much to people.
In addition to the focus on kindness in our daily lives, we agreed, as a family, to choose one major project/event/charitable organization to support each month. Aside from volunteering, donating time and/or items and/or fundraising (kids want to hold lemonade stands for this purpose, which should be easy, since we grow lemons), we want to take time to learn about whatever organization we are supporting. For instance, when Kaia made cookies and we delivered them to the fire station, one of the firefighters took us on a tour of the station and told us all about what the firefighters do, what tools they use and how they live at the station. We met the Captain, who was cooking dinner that night, as well as the other firefighters who were on duty.
That visit to the fire station was our inaugural event, in a sense. It was the thing that got us thinking about just how much more we could be doing to give back to our community, and to our world. This month, we decided to clean out our closets, cupboards and toy boxes. We are gathering all of the items into boxes, and will donate them at the end of the month. Still deciding on which organization will get them ~ maybe San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission, maybe Disabled American Veterans...either would be a worthy cause, and probably afford us some more volunteer opportunities. It's mid-month, so I guess we'll have to make a decision soon.
A couple of nights ago, after dinner, we sat at the table and tossed around ideas. Some are specific organizations we would like to support, and some are just general ideas. Would like to dedicate each month to a different one. Here's what we've come up with so far:
Mend (Meet Each Need with Dignity)
Make A Wish Foundation
Donating shoes. I have heard about this ~ needs more research on our part.
Learn to knit baby caps and donate them.
Visit a nursing home ~ bake treats, visit, maybe sing/play for the residents.
St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital
Habitat for Humanity
Donate/Volunteer at an animal shelter/Gentle Barn
Feed the homeless (we used to make and deliver meals every Sunday when we lived in Phoenix, and would like to do this again. In our experience, they are more strict about this sort of thing in LA, but we think we're punk enough to buck the system and pull it off, anyway)
Still working on a few more ideas, but I think we are off to a good start. We already have two boxes full of stuff, for this month's goal, and I haven't even started.
In addition, the girls are going to decorate a collection box, and we are all going to throw in our change in an effort to raise money for Shelter Box. $1000 will fund a box that will serve up to 10 people, so the girls would like to raise $1000. This will not be easy. We aren't rich, and $1000 will be a lot of $$ out-of-pocket for us, so we may try to work out some fundraising opportunities for this undertaking. If you happen to be at our home, and you want to throw in a few bucks, we sure won't mind. Maybe the kids will even make you a little something pretty, in exchange for your donation. That could work, right?
So, there you have it. We are hoping for a kind year, for all the world, and we're doing what we can to take charge of our little part of it. Wish us luck. Even if what we manage is just a drop in the bucket...well...every drop counts, right?
I think we knew. I think we started out on the right track a long time ago, and I think we do...well...okay...most of the time. I guess. I have felt, in recent years, like we've sort of lost focus. Like we've all gotten so caught up in work, school, and all of our activities that we sort of lost sight of what has always been the heart and soul of our little family.
We live to serve. Ha. Well. doesn't that sound self-righteous (yeah, okay, it totally does)? Let's see if I can redeem myself with an explanation. We just feel best when we are helping others, doing what little we can to try to make the world a better place. As a family, we are happier and we get along better when we remember to step outside of our comfortable little bubble and reach out into the world. That sounds like a pretty selfish reason to do it, huh? I don't know. Maybe, in a sense, we all contribute to charities, give a buck to the bum on the corner, donate a toy 4 tots because it makes us feel better. We're humans. We are what we are. sometimes, what we are is selfish...or, maybe...self-serving is the term I am looking for. Whatever it is, I think it's perfectly natural. In fact, the next time someone tries to tell you that the world does not revolve around you, I think you can make a fairly well-reasoned argument for the position that, in fact, your world DOES revolve around you, just as her world revolves around her ~ because, let's face it, if you weren't here, you would have no knowledge of the world at all. It is your perception of the world and how you interpret the things in it that make it whatever it is for you, and, therefor, it really does revolve around you, doesn't it. (Oh...sorry...did I digress? Well, don't say I didn't warn you.)
So, yeah, selfishly, we have chosen to dedicate this year to spreading a little kindness in the world. We want to live in a kinder, gentler world. We want to raise kind, compassionate children who, just maybe, will grow up to be decent human beings who feel a responsibility to those around them. I think it's important. To feel like we are positive contributors to our world. To understand that our actions reach far beyond ourselves and touch those around us ~ that we do, in fact, have the power to change the world. I want my kids to know that they can actively shape their world, that they don't have to be "innocent bystanders," but can choose, instead, to be active participants.
Our focus this year will be kindness. From pausing to consider the feelings of others and how our actions affect those around us, to actively participating in fundraising and volunteer opportunities within our community (and beyond). For me, I think the small daily actions will make the most profound change in our lives. Just pausing each day to be kind to someone ~ paying for a stranger's coffee, picking up after a family member (instead of fussing for him/her to do it), complimenting someone, helping carry groceries...little things like that can mean so much to people.
In addition to the focus on kindness in our daily lives, we agreed, as a family, to choose one major project/event/charitable organization to support each month. Aside from volunteering, donating time and/or items and/or fundraising (kids want to hold lemonade stands for this purpose, which should be easy, since we grow lemons), we want to take time to learn about whatever organization we are supporting. For instance, when Kaia made cookies and we delivered them to the fire station, one of the firefighters took us on a tour of the station and told us all about what the firefighters do, what tools they use and how they live at the station. We met the Captain, who was cooking dinner that night, as well as the other firefighters who were on duty.
That visit to the fire station was our inaugural event, in a sense. It was the thing that got us thinking about just how much more we could be doing to give back to our community, and to our world. This month, we decided to clean out our closets, cupboards and toy boxes. We are gathering all of the items into boxes, and will donate them at the end of the month. Still deciding on which organization will get them ~ maybe San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission, maybe Disabled American Veterans...either would be a worthy cause, and probably afford us some more volunteer opportunities. It's mid-month, so I guess we'll have to make a decision soon.
A couple of nights ago, after dinner, we sat at the table and tossed around ideas. Some are specific organizations we would like to support, and some are just general ideas. Would like to dedicate each month to a different one. Here's what we've come up with so far:
Mend (Meet Each Need with Dignity)
Make A Wish Foundation
Donating shoes. I have heard about this ~ needs more research on our part.
Learn to knit baby caps and donate them.
Visit a nursing home ~ bake treats, visit, maybe sing/play for the residents.
St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital
Habitat for Humanity
Donate/Volunteer at an animal shelter/Gentle Barn
Feed the homeless (we used to make and deliver meals every Sunday when we lived in Phoenix, and would like to do this again. In our experience, they are more strict about this sort of thing in LA, but we think we're punk enough to buck the system and pull it off, anyway)
Still working on a few more ideas, but I think we are off to a good start. We already have two boxes full of stuff, for this month's goal, and I haven't even started.
In addition, the girls are going to decorate a collection box, and we are all going to throw in our change in an effort to raise money for Shelter Box. $1000 will fund a box that will serve up to 10 people, so the girls would like to raise $1000. This will not be easy. We aren't rich, and $1000 will be a lot of $$ out-of-pocket for us, so we may try to work out some fundraising opportunities for this undertaking. If you happen to be at our home, and you want to throw in a few bucks, we sure won't mind. Maybe the kids will even make you a little something pretty, in exchange for your donation. That could work, right?
So, there you have it. We are hoping for a kind year, for all the world, and we're doing what we can to take charge of our little part of it. Wish us luck. Even if what we manage is just a drop in the bucket...well...every drop counts, right?
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Why Teenagers Rock
...and will, one day, rule the world.
I heard it a lot when the girls were younger ~ maybe especially because I have 3 girls, and girls do have that reputation for being more emotional than boys, especially during the teenage years (we'll talk about that in another entry, someday, perhaps) ~ and I have to confess, I have caught myself saying similar things: "Just wait 'til they're teenagers!" as though it is a threat to National Security. Can't you hear the call?
"Mr. President! Mr. President ~ this is URGENT!!"
"What is it?"
"Teenagers, sir."
"Teenagers? TEENagers!! No...no...it...it...can't be!"
I mean, really. What is this horrible thing that is going to happen when they are teenagers? They're going to...what? talk back? Get a little emotional? Test boundaries? um...spend a lot of time in the bathroom???
*gasp*
Yeah.
My kids have been doing those things since they were born. Isn't that what being a kid is all about? I mean, if you think about it, our job ~ the ultimate goal of parenting ~ is to make ourselves obsolete. Kids have to test boundaries. They have to have to find their place in the world, and figure out how to occupy it ~ who they are, what they stand for, what their life's work will be.
Have Shane and I joked about having 3 teenaged girls at once? Sure. He isn't ready for the dating to begin, for them to begin looking like young women instead of little girls. I am not ready to let go of my babies, and watch them become women because...well, really, who is ever truly READY for that? and, yeah...we could use another bathroom, if they are all going to spend hours in there every morning.
But, honestly, does that REALLY terrify me? No way! I mean, we all know, going in, that they will grow up. That's the plan, right? They will one day be adults, and we will be people they visit and, hopefully, respect and regard fondly. We can try to influence them, lead in a direction we would like to see them go, but, at the end of the day, they have to make that journey into adulthood. We won't agree with all of their decisions, now or then, but we can be proud that they are capable of making decisions. In theory, if we do our job right, chances are we will be proud of them and the decisions they make.
What's the worse that could happen? What are they gonna do ~ take over the world?
Well, good. I hope they do. It's their job, after all. That's right, folks: one day, your sweet little snot-nosed, mushy-cookie-faced toddler will be running the world. He'll be working in cahoots with your defiant 10-year-old drama queen and your slingshot-wielding six-year-old. And we will all be at their mercy.
So, I hope we are getting this right. Face it, we don't get a do-over. I am trying to instill in my children what I think are good values. I am trying to raise caring, kind, compassionate, creative people who have the confidence to work toward their goals. I am doing my best to prepare them to take on the world, and make it their own. I am trying to teach them to respect themselves and others, and to stand up for what they believe is right. I am teaching them to think for themselves, and question authority ~ to not allow anyone, no matter how important, powerful or seemingly well-educated they appear to be to spoon-feed them opinions.
At least...I HOPE I am. It's challenging, when you realize that, as a parent, you ARE authority ~ that they will question and challenge you, before they move on to the rest of the world. But...well...if I stop and think about it, it's all part of the process ~ a step on the road to growing up and becoming those people who rule the world.
Granted, I am just barely beginning to tread the waters of parenting a teenager, but, all joking aside, it doesn't scare me. My daughter is becoming a young woman with thoughts, opinions, ideas and goals of her very own, and, frankly, it is interesting to be a part of her life right now. Honestly, it's not all that different than parenting her has always been, except that, sometimes, she understands things she didn't used to understand. In fact, that has happened before in her life. When she was 5, she understood and navigated the world differently than she did when she was an infant, and when she was 10...well, she wasn't 5, anymore. There is nothing magically scary about people whose ages end in "-teen." Parenting them will raise its unique challenges, just as parenting children at every age does. But, come on. We're parents ~ we can do this. We've done it before, this adapting to our child's developmental needs, and we will do it again...and again...and again...
My plan is to continue to support and guide my daughters, throughout their lives. I hope they will always talk to me, and tell me how they feel and what they believe, what is important to them. As far as teenagers being more emotional than other people is concerned...*shrug*...eh, it's pretty hard to tell around here ~ we've always been emotional people. And, you know, that's okay. We are passionate in our beliefs and our actions, and that's not a bad way to be, no matter what age you are.
If, perhaps, you are of a more temperate nature, and your teenagers' passion should take you by storm, I respectfully request that you try to see what's good about it. Try to focus on that ultimate goal, and see if you can picture yourself, one day, relaxing on your porch with a glass of iced tea, confident that you are in good hands, because your kids ~ those grown-ups, who were once your little babies ~ rule the world.
They will.
There is no doubt in my mind that, one day, they will.
I heard it a lot when the girls were younger ~ maybe especially because I have 3 girls, and girls do have that reputation for being more emotional than boys, especially during the teenage years (we'll talk about that in another entry, someday, perhaps) ~ and I have to confess, I have caught myself saying similar things: "Just wait 'til they're teenagers!" as though it is a threat to National Security. Can't you hear the call?
"Mr. President! Mr. President ~ this is URGENT!!"
"What is it?"
"Teenagers, sir."
"Teenagers? TEENagers!! No...no...it...it...can't be!"
I mean, really. What is this horrible thing that is going to happen when they are teenagers? They're going to...what? talk back? Get a little emotional? Test boundaries? um...spend a lot of time in the bathroom???
*gasp*
Yeah.
My kids have been doing those things since they were born. Isn't that what being a kid is all about? I mean, if you think about it, our job ~ the ultimate goal of parenting ~ is to make ourselves obsolete. Kids have to test boundaries. They have to have to find their place in the world, and figure out how to occupy it ~ who they are, what they stand for, what their life's work will be.
Have Shane and I joked about having 3 teenaged girls at once? Sure. He isn't ready for the dating to begin, for them to begin looking like young women instead of little girls. I am not ready to let go of my babies, and watch them become women because...well, really, who is ever truly READY for that? and, yeah...we could use another bathroom, if they are all going to spend hours in there every morning.
But, honestly, does that REALLY terrify me? No way! I mean, we all know, going in, that they will grow up. That's the plan, right? They will one day be adults, and we will be people they visit and, hopefully, respect and regard fondly. We can try to influence them, lead in a direction we would like to see them go, but, at the end of the day, they have to make that journey into adulthood. We won't agree with all of their decisions, now or then, but we can be proud that they are capable of making decisions. In theory, if we do our job right, chances are we will be proud of them and the decisions they make.
What's the worse that could happen? What are they gonna do ~ take over the world?
Well, good. I hope they do. It's their job, after all. That's right, folks: one day, your sweet little snot-nosed, mushy-cookie-faced toddler will be running the world. He'll be working in cahoots with your defiant 10-year-old drama queen and your slingshot-wielding six-year-old. And we will all be at their mercy.
So, I hope we are getting this right. Face it, we don't get a do-over. I am trying to instill in my children what I think are good values. I am trying to raise caring, kind, compassionate, creative people who have the confidence to work toward their goals. I am doing my best to prepare them to take on the world, and make it their own. I am trying to teach them to respect themselves and others, and to stand up for what they believe is right. I am teaching them to think for themselves, and question authority ~ to not allow anyone, no matter how important, powerful or seemingly well-educated they appear to be to spoon-feed them opinions.
At least...I HOPE I am. It's challenging, when you realize that, as a parent, you ARE authority ~ that they will question and challenge you, before they move on to the rest of the world. But...well...if I stop and think about it, it's all part of the process ~ a step on the road to growing up and becoming those people who rule the world.
Granted, I am just barely beginning to tread the waters of parenting a teenager, but, all joking aside, it doesn't scare me. My daughter is becoming a young woman with thoughts, opinions, ideas and goals of her very own, and, frankly, it is interesting to be a part of her life right now. Honestly, it's not all that different than parenting her has always been, except that, sometimes, she understands things she didn't used to understand. In fact, that has happened before in her life. When she was 5, she understood and navigated the world differently than she did when she was an infant, and when she was 10...well, she wasn't 5, anymore. There is nothing magically scary about people whose ages end in "-teen." Parenting them will raise its unique challenges, just as parenting children at every age does. But, come on. We're parents ~ we can do this. We've done it before, this adapting to our child's developmental needs, and we will do it again...and again...and again...
My plan is to continue to support and guide my daughters, throughout their lives. I hope they will always talk to me, and tell me how they feel and what they believe, what is important to them. As far as teenagers being more emotional than other people is concerned...*shrug*...eh, it's pretty hard to tell around here ~ we've always been emotional people. And, you know, that's okay. We are passionate in our beliefs and our actions, and that's not a bad way to be, no matter what age you are.
If, perhaps, you are of a more temperate nature, and your teenagers' passion should take you by storm, I respectfully request that you try to see what's good about it. Try to focus on that ultimate goal, and see if you can picture yourself, one day, relaxing on your porch with a glass of iced tea, confident that you are in good hands, because your kids ~ those grown-ups, who were once your little babies ~ rule the world.
They will.
There is no doubt in my mind that, one day, they will.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
*ring* *ring*
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's 2011."
"So...THIS is what they mean when they talk about 'ringing in the New Year?' Weird."
"Yeah, well...it's the modern age. The times they are a'changin'. Right?"
"Guess so. So...um...I'm kinda busy with the champagne and Auld Lang Syne over here. What did you want?"
"Just thought I'd let you know ~ I've arrived."
"Thank God. I certainly hope you kicked that punk 2010 in the ass on his way out."
"Oh, yeah. I don't think he'll be coming around here again."
"Good. Did you tell him to take all his shit with him?"
"Yeah, yeah, but...you know...I'm sure he left a few things behind."
"Well, okay...I guess. If he left anything I like, I'm keeping it. Otherwise, it'll be on the curb in the morning."
"Hey, that's entirely up to you. Your house; your rules."
"Right on. Well, they're drinking a cup of kindness over here..."
"Mmmmm-mmmm! Love me some kindness!"
"...and I'm sure you have a lot of other calls to make..."
"Oh! Right...right...Yep. Lots of calls. So...well...Happy...me. I'll give it my best shot."
"Thanx, man. Happy you, indeed."
"Hey, it's 2011."
"So...THIS is what they mean when they talk about 'ringing in the New Year?' Weird."
"Yeah, well...it's the modern age. The times they are a'changin'. Right?"
"Guess so. So...um...I'm kinda busy with the champagne and Auld Lang Syne over here. What did you want?"
"Just thought I'd let you know ~ I've arrived."
"Thank God. I certainly hope you kicked that punk 2010 in the ass on his way out."
"Oh, yeah. I don't think he'll be coming around here again."
"Good. Did you tell him to take all his shit with him?"
"Yeah, yeah, but...you know...I'm sure he left a few things behind."
"Well, okay...I guess. If he left anything I like, I'm keeping it. Otherwise, it'll be on the curb in the morning."
"Hey, that's entirely up to you. Your house; your rules."
"Right on. Well, they're drinking a cup of kindness over here..."
"Mmmmm-mmmm! Love me some kindness!"
"...and I'm sure you have a lot of other calls to make..."
"Oh! Right...right...Yep. Lots of calls. So...well...Happy...me. I'll give it my best shot."
"Thanx, man. Happy you, indeed."
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