Zara Will Be Three!

Sugar and spice and everything nice .............. that is what little girls are made of. Smiling at her daddy. She is every bit as sweet as she looks. She was always the happy baby. Still easy going. She will celebrate her third year in May along with sister Jada. I am busy filling the suitcases with lots of girl dresses and birthday presents.

A baby doll to play with. The back pack comes with lots of accessories for the doll. No, I did not make it. I did not have time to construct a wardrobe for this doll. I would feel guilty, but I know that Zara won't be upset and that is all that matters.

Baby Zara likes to clean things. Perhaps she will have her own janitorial service one day. I will be leaving the broom here for her to use when she visits, I took it apart and it would fit in the suitcase. I just wonder what they would think it was on X-ray. Toys R Us has the whole set and I will just get it when I get there.

I always worry that my luggage will be chosen to inspect. I use space bags just to get everything to fit. If they released the vacuum in those bags .............. would they call me and ask me to try to get it all back in? Do they have a vacuum there? I can't help but ponder such things.

I made two sets of sister dresses and Zara will get hers, along with the capri set. I love this fabric and she is the only one young enough to enjoy prints like this. They grow up so fast. I am looking forward to holding her tomorrow. If she will let me. She is a very busy girl.

Jada Has A Birthday Coming .......

Jada will be six soon. I won't be there in May .......... but I will be there next week.

I saw this doll beckoning for me to buy her. She was dressed in a mediocre outfit of pink and blue. I picked up the box and studied her for just a moment before adding her to my cart. At the time I had no idea whose doll she would be. She met the criteria for me to buy her:

1. She was on sale.

2. I could make clothes for her.

Turns out that I can also buy items for her. She wears a size 3-6 months. I picked up one outfit at a consignment store. She is also in possession of new socks. And Jada has a birthday coming.

Jada picked out the 'hello kitty' fabric on a trip to the fabric store with Gramma on my last visit. I am not a big 'hello kitty' fan. But Jada is, and ....... it was on sale! I am a big fan of clearance sales. So Dolly is sporting a capri set made from Jada's fabric.

Of course, Jada will also have a set to match. Only fair, since it is her fabric.

Dolly and Jada will match right down to the bows. I had a pattern for the capris for Dolly ..... sort of, but the top is my own creation for Dolly. Jada's is a combination of two patterns that I liked.

Jada had requested a Minnie Mouse dress. We searched for polka dot fabric, but could only find black on white. I was going to add a big red bow and hope that she would accept it as one of Minnie's wardrobe. When I got home and started looking through fabric that I buy on sale and keep until inspiration hits me, I found the white on red! I think I bought it after Halloween one year. Perfect!

Jada picked out the pattern. I think it was the purse that caught her eye and not the dress. But, the dress pattern was perfect for Minnie's dress.

Dolly will have one, too.

I had so much fun making these for Jada. I was thinking of her the entire time and imagining her happy smile.

Me ..... A Grouch?

The weather is finally warm. I spent the entire day in my side yard yesterday ridding the strawberry patch of dandelions, then I edged part of the flower bed along side my house, then mowed. All this despite the fact that I still had not managed to get the purses for the wedding done. I find good hard yard work to be mind freeing. I was still a little wound up this morning as I got up at the butt crack of dawn to raise the yeast dough for the cinnamon buns. But I had given much thought to the process of making the purses and was ready to give my new plan a go................ First, I needed to gather together all the items for my three youngest granddaughters. They love to play dress up. They like lots of bling, so I found it hard to resist this tulle with the sparkles. They can wear them over leotards when they go to dance class.

It was Jada on my mind when I got the fabric. She has a unique sense of style and I can imagine that she will be putting the longer one atop lots of skirts ............... no matter the colors.

Sister dresses. All different, but the same. Easter? They could gather eggs in the little purses. Well, not too many eggs.

More sister dresses. Maya picked out this pattern. I was lucky that all their sizes were included in the same envelope. Given the price of patterns, they should be! They won't be able to wear these until it gets a lot warmer, but I like to see them when I give them to them. A lot more fun than just sending a package.

I made a lot more that will be going with me. Jada and Zara will have birthdays in May, but they can have an early gift event with me.

I am not thrilled with the purses. I had wanted to pleat them and make them more tailored. My problem was the glue. It was supposed to just peel off the fabric and the frame. It came off the frame, but the fabric was a different story. It looked like they had a milkshake spilled on them. And as if that wasn't bad enough, the middle part wanted to creep out of the channel in the frame. No matter how sticky I let the glue get, it still did not want to grab it and hold on. I only have three of the five done, but all I have to do is glue the last two and my new method is working.

The new method involves bamboo skewers and a hammer! I had to rethink the entire design and make a small casing at the top in which to insert the bamboo skewer cut to size with a serrated knife. The skewer gave the middle enough stability to stay in the channel and I used my little tack hammer to gently pound it in.

Everyone here in the park can attest to my change of mood when I got the first purse done! I was even called a grouch yesterday!

Anticipating Disaster?

Yesterday was windy and warm. Really it was downright hot. I heard later on the news that we got up to 89. It would have been a great day to get some outdoor chores done but for the wind. I thought about mowing, but remembered that the last time I mowed in that kind of wind I ended up with lots of grass in my mouth.

I decided to clean and load the outdoor soda machine. It is on the front porch and I was hoping to get the 8 cases of cans out of the area behind my desk. The wind was knocking the big door a bit as I scrubbed the inside and it wasn't the easiest job to do. But, when I brought out the cases of cans and opened the first one, Diet Coke, and sat it on end, the fun began. The wind knocked the case over, one can rolled and hit a rock, which pierced the can and I got sprayed as I chased the other cans down. I was determined to get at least one case in the machine and as I was putting what I thought were the last two cans in a big gust of wind grabbed the door and the whole machine tipped. Fortunately, we have low ceilings and it couldn't tip all the way over. I stopped and decided to give up.

I worked on my reservation book instead and cleaned up my desk in the office. Even though I had a good night's sleep on Friday night, I did not fare so well on Saturday night and last night wasn't great. The doctor I saw did think that my poor sleep pattern has a lot to do with my palpitations. She offered some medication, but I really don't want to start taking anything. So, I suppose it should come as no surprise that my mind seems to be failing.......

I went into the store this morning to discover that I had left the coffee pot on all day yesterday and all night. First I set the towel on fire in the microwave and now I have created another fire hazard with the coffee maker. Am I just forgetful due to lack of sleep or do I have a subconscious desire to burn the building down?

Perhaps I am simply distracted by all the news footage that Southwest Airlines is getting. This is the airline I am scheduled to fly next week. The top of the plane ripped loose and they lost cabin pressure. I suppose I should be paying more attention when they give you all those tips at the beginning of the flight ............ you know, the ones about how to secure the oxygen mask and seat cushion in water. For survival. No wonder I can't sleep.

The Bird of Paradise

Ready or not ........ the season has begun. I arose early and made muffins and coffee and began the day. I am ever so thankful for having had a good nights sleep. Yesterday as a calamity of horrors.

I will admit that I was less than pleasant when I asked he who can sleep through all manner of disasters to please take care of the dogs and let me sleep for just a bit longer. Some sort of critter invasion, probably the old possum who shares the cat food with Kamp Cat, had the trio of dogs all a tither. Wall-E is able to jump in and out of the bed at will. The doxies aren't as agile, being short of leg and having achieved 11 years of life. Emmy needs a lift up and down. Unfortunately, Oscar is able to get down, but not back up. He will stand on the floor beside me and whimper until I get up to lift him in bed .............. but, he will only allow himself to be lifted on the other side of the bed. He is a little tyrant.

Oscar got me up at 1:00 and insisted on going out. If one dog is going out, I take them all. I try to shuffle along and hang onto my sleep. I only allow three minutes for these mid-night adventures. I can go in three minutes, so that's all they get. I hear them barking as I shuffle back to the door.I open it and Wall-E and Emmy scamper in obediently. They know the drill. Oscar, however stands just beyond my reach on his stubby little legs barking defiantly and refusing to come back in until I show him the fly swatter. Even then he gets a last bark in, just to let me know that he is the alpha. This performance was repeated at 2:30 and again at 4:00. At 4:00 I used the fly swatter on Oscar.

So, when he got down at 7:00 and tap danced with his toenails across the room I suggested that he who rarely shares the mid-night outings be the one to take them out. In addition to being rudely awakened, my knee was aching so much that I had trouble finding a comfortable position to get to sleep. Sleep was fleeting at best and my head ached and I was just plain cranky. A nap was needed. So, he who sleeps through the night got up and took the furry trio out and put them back in bed with me ............. He who knows that Wall-E the Wonder Dog will not stay in bed with anyone except he who is loved most by Wall-E. He leaves the house and Wall-E leaps to the floor to check on the master of his universe no less than 6 times in a mere 30 minutes.

When he returns and expresses surprise to find me sipping black coffee and grumbling I was quite vocal about the little white dog he chose to leave in bed with me. I was in pain all day. The knee had that deep ache that feels like it is untouchable and in the very marrow of the bone. I took aspirin and tylenol all day, but it only made it somewhat bearable. My lack of sleep the night before just made everything worse. Kamp buddy, Yvonne, came to check on me and bring me a sweet treat ......... feed a cold, starve a fever and indulge any other malady with creme horns. She opined that moist heat might help and when she left, locking the door behind her I decided to try a little nap. I put a towel in the microwave and automatically set it at two minutes (coffee heating). After about a minute I checked it and found it to be toasty warm. Wrapped up my bum knee and settled on the couch with the dogs. It did help, but I was unable to fall asleep (due, no doubt to the 4 mugs of coffee I had consumed). I tried to sew, but after I sewed a size three top to a size six bottom I decided my mind was not functioning and I went back to my perch.

We had a pizza in the freezer and I decided it would suffice as supper and I went in the kitchen to preheat the oven and stuck my towel back in the microwave ..... and automatically set it for two minutes. I heard the chime of the store door opening and went out to help a nice lady inquiring about a seasonal site. I was explaining the rates when I heard the microwave ding and noticed a different aroma. The nice lady and I both sniffed the air at the same time and both decided I should check on my towel ......... It was blackened and smoldering. I asked he who handles all things unpleasant for his bride to take it outside.

There is little left now of the towel but ash. So, to all of you out there who would want to warm a towel ........... two minutes is too long ..... way too long, it would seem. I finished with the lady and was told to just sit down and let he who sleeps at night take care of things. I did.

I went to sleep after Jay Leno's monologue and slept until 8:00 this morning. I was in the same position, did not even move all night. Only two dogs were in bed when I opened my eyes and I called he who let his wife sleep to let him know he could bring his dog home .......... they were chasing squirrels, master and dog.

I feel great! Who knew how good sleep could make a person feel? My knee doesn't even hurt today. So, as I was mixing blueberries in muffins and chopping nuts for the banana muffins I was reminded of that song Roger Miller used to sing about the bird of paradise flying up your nose. My dad loved that song, probably still does. I was thinking that the bird of paradise had flown up my nose yesterday ........

Ramblings of Procrastination

I have been truly uninspired lately. Winter blahs, I suppose. Actually supposed to be Spring, according to the calendar, but you can't go by that so much. I have a few brave little daffodils that bobbed gently in the wind and snow last weekend. The extended forecast that we all watched earlier in the week promised a warmer weekend, but I hear now that it was a fantasy. My joints are telling me otherwise.

I have been spending far too much time in front of the TV. I was encouraged to go for a walk today by a friend and it sounds like a great idea .......... but the skies are gloomy and threatening rain (or sleet, maybe snow?) and the ground is woefully soggy and sloppy. Added to that is my bum knee and my jaw aching and I am less than enthusiastic about a walk. Instead I am doing laundry and grumbling to myself. I think I will hang out in my sewing room today as I am finishing a bunch of projects for upcoming birthdays and a wedding.

One of my baby girl's best friends is getting married and asked me to take the wraps from the bridesmaid dresses and fashion some little clutch type purses for the maids. I found the metal frames on-line and she approved them and I have all the supplies at the ready ......... I watched a tutorial on-line and it looked easy enough. They suggested a particular glue that is not available here in the US. I looked it up and was more than willing to purchase it, as it was under $10. I was not willing to pay the $35 shipping, though. Now I wish I had just done it. I have tried some other glues and so far I have been unsuccessful in getting the fabric to stick into the channel. In utter frustration I even asked he who does not sew for advice. He suggested spline, like you would use to replace screening with. That made sense, but the channel does not narrow at any point and it would still need something to grab it and hold it in place ............. and no, I will not be crimping it with a pair of pliers. I purchased some glue at the hardware store yesterday and will be trying again today. This is my gift to the bride. Well, this and dog sitting while she digs her toes in the sand on a beach in Mexico while saying 'I do'. She is my favorite friend of my daughter.

Yesterday found me on an adventure with my kampground buddy, Yvonne. We took a ride to Columbia and surprised Miss Martha at her work place. We enjoyed a nice lunch at the corner diner and I ordered some T-shirts for the kampground. We went on to shop at the Dollar Tree!! We found treasures galore, let me tell you. We even stopped at Artichoke Annie's Antique Mall. It was interesting. We didn't buy anything .............. you are not allowed to bring your purse in! They do offer free lockers in which to place your purse. To quote he who says absurdities "They sure were proud of all that stuff, cause it was not priced to sell!" We were a little punchy from laughing at the prices and the condition of some of these 'treasures' as we were leaving. We spied a church pew and I sat on it to gauge the comfort (none) and as Yvonne was about to join me she jumped back and yelped at me to get up because it was coming apart! We were laughing like school girls as we imagined the two of us on the floor beneath the broken bench, unable to pay for it because we were forced to leave our purses in the car .......... We had a nice glass of wine when we got home and laughed some more. Could be why my jaw is aching today.

It occurs to me that I have have rambled long enough and that I am simply procrastinating. Off to the sewing room I shall go ......

He Who Has A Birthday

Just in case you are reading me for the very first time and may be wondering ........... he who is my husband. Yesterday was his birthday. He is 58 and I have been in his life for 36 of those birthdays ............


Am I the only one in my age group experiencing difficulty in finding something unique to gift their mates? When we were younger, just establishing our union, it was pretty easy to come up with an idea for a gift. Things were needed and little was left for luxuries. But, you reach a certain age and you have everything. So ....... you resort to gifting things that aren't really personal. Things that are really for all the people in the household to use and enjoy. He who gets gifts for his wife has been doing this for years, so I suppose I shouldn't feel guilty for doing the same. We needed a new TV and that is what he got. I suppose the real gift was letting him go on the shopping trip and choose it. And ......... I must say that I am enjoying the gift myself.


Okay, I did buy some things that only he will use ............ just didn't think he would need to use them today. It snowed last night and he is wearing his long underwear today. Happy Birthday to He Who!