A family hobby that I'm finally embracing.

My Grandmother made all of my dresses when I was a little girl. I never wore a store bought dress until I was around 10 or 11. I was always amazed at how good she was at sewing. I watched her all the time, learned a lot of the terms and what different machines did. She would let me help when I could and showed me how to do a lot of things. All that said I have always had a high interest in sewing. I sewed a little in my high school Home-Economics class, and when I got married, my parents bought my first Singer sewing machine. I purchased a how-to book on sewing and made some really cute curtains for our den. After that I basically piddled around with a few projects, but I never got really into it.

Sewing is something that you have to practice, practice, practice to get really good at (a little family history helps too). I was way too impatient to realize this when I first started sewing on my machine. After a lot of failed attempts at a few projects I put my machine up. I just got really frustrated with fact that I wasn't good to begin with.

I read lots of blogs, and recently came across some really great sewing blogs that gave me some inspiration. I got my sewing machine back down because I really love to sew. I would love to be able to make my daughters clothes and other things for her. I just have to get that practice. I recently came across this great blog with a nap mat tutorial. Jenna really needed a new one so I gave it my best shot, and it turned out great!!

My most recent projects were for a good friend of mine who is having her second little girl in October. I made bibs, burp clothes, and a taggie blanket from tutorials I found on the Internet because I still need a little guidance before I go at it on my own. Here are some pics of the finished products.

I made three off these bibs. The only problem I had was sewing the area where I had to leave open for turning, but hopefully that will get easier.

The taggie blanket worked out great and I made a set of four burp clothes. They have quilt batting in the middle for extra absorption.

Here's little miss Jenna showing off Mommy's creations.

I hope to continue my sewing adventures and plan on sharing them with you on my blog.

Not much has been going on this week, hence the lack of writing. I did realize that I have a very clumsy two year old. She had water day at school, but never even got wet. She tripped on the playground as the teachers were setting up the sprinklers and bit into her upper lip. I got the phone call around 9:30a Tuesday and went to her rescue. She was so pitiful and SWOLLEN. She looked like she had a better lip job than Angelina. It did get me a day off with her all to myself, so it wasn't all that terrible.

I convinced my husband to let me rename the cat. The whole Star Trek reference was not working for me, so his new name is Milo. I think it fits him much better.

I officially hit my pre-baby weight!! Yes, it took two and a half years, but I did it. I had come within a couple of pounds of it a few times, but never at it or under. I would like to lose another 5-10, but we'll see. I won't be devastated if I doesn't happen. According to all of my friends it's now time to put it all back on again. Not just yet, but hopefully soon. ;-)

Full Moon Friday

Was there a full moon Friday????


I was so ready to go home Friday afternoon. I missed my child and I was just tired of working for the week. I was glad to be able to sneak out about 30 minutes early. On my way to pick up Jenna I got a phone call from an irate husband. He was ranting and raving about coming home to this:





Apparently our fence jumping German Shepperd, Max and lab mix, Major just had to get out and attack our lovely swimming pool. They didn't get in for a cool dip, but they did feel it was necessary to bite the holy crap out of it. Not only did they do this to the pool, but they bit and popped every one of her balls and water toys!!!


We have a HUGE fenced in backyard and you would think that they would be happy and content. But apparently not. We have the wire on the bottom of the fence that "zaps" them if they try to go under, but Max is very elusive and doesn't seem to be affected. I think we will be investing in one of those "invisible" fence systems.



Continuing with full moon Friday, I arrived at Jenna's daycare to pick her up, and was greeted by her with, "Mommy, Emma bite me!" Evidently Jenna wanted the truck Emma was riding on the playground and Emma said no, and took a bite to make her point.

Jenna was not happy about what her friend did to her. Nor were her mommy and daddy, but it happens, that's one of the few hazards of daycare and two year old's.

On to more pleasant things. Saturday morning Jenna and I went to Wal-Mart to get a patch so John could try to fix the pool. On our way back it was still early and I decided to hit a couple of yard sales. The first one was just a bunch of junk thrown onto to a sheet in the yard, so we didn't even stop. The second one actually had tables, so we got out. They didn't have much, but we did find something that Jenna could call her very own.....

Yes people, we went to a yard sale and came home with a new family member. He was a stray that wondered up to the house a couple of days ago, and the resident (princess) cat did not like him, so he had to go somewhere. That somewhere was going to be the pound if they didn't find him a home this weekend. Jenna absolutely adores him, and he tolerates her (carrying, up in your face, constant petting, laying on you toddler) very well. So, in our books, he's a keeper.

Blogging world, meet Mr. Spock. Do you think my husband is a Treky??

My Husband, The Pirate

To continue with introductions we will concentrate on my lovely husband today.



My husband John is a great husband and father. He is still a big kid himself, which Jenna loves!! He has the greatest personality and is ALWAYS the life of the party. He works as an Electrician with his step-dad and he is very good at it. He is a very strong-willed person, but growing up with a disability he had to be. You see, he was born with a very rare birth defect called PFFD. Which basically means he was born with just one complete leg. His left femur, hip and fibia never developed. He saw a lot of doctors when he was a baby to find the best course of treatment for him. After a surgery at age 3, he was fitted with his first prosthetic leg.



John's disability has never slowed him down. Growing up, he played just as hard as any other little boy could, and had the "broken legs" to prove it. He made the basketball team in high school and even wrestled. Although, the docs put a stop to the wrestling because of possible injury. He even swims better than I do.


In the past few years he has embraced his lack of a limb by "becoming" a pirate. You'll see what I mean in the pic. I think it started with the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. He's got the tattoo, costume, and peg leg to fit.
















By the way, he does BIRTHDAY PARTYS!!!! ;-)

Introductions

OK, so this is my first post, obviously. I have been reading other blogs for a while now, and felt it was time for me to give blogging a try. As my blog title states I consider myself an optimistic person and this blog will contain ramblings from my everyday life as a wife and mother. So, on to introductions and a little about myself.

I am 27 years old and have been married for 6 years. I married young, but I don't regret it one bit. My husband's name is John and we have a daughter named Jenna. I have a younger brother, Jeremy. John has two younger brothers, Kyle and Stone that live in Wyoming with his dad. I work for a local hospital and, for the time being, part-time at a department store. John is an electrician, which amazes me everyday considering his condition (that's a whole different post). Our daughter, Jenna, is 2 1/2 and is the light of our lives. She has the greatest personality and is so cleaver. I hope I don't bore you too much, but with a 2 year old there's always something going on! :-)