Ta-Da!

I am in no way a great seamstress. But I am fortunate enough to have a fairly nice machine. This is great because when I do decide to put something together, I'm not fussing around trying to get my machine working properly.

Regardless, I have had this window treatment in mind since last year. I saw something very similar in a model home and knew it would be perfect in our home. Outside that window is a view to a beautiful green belt. All kinds of animals reside there including a deer I saw last week. So, I needed something light and airy that I could see through, and casual while still looking custom. I found exactly the fabric the model home had used at Hobby Lobby. It's a sheer fabric with a tone on tone polka dot and a black corduroy topper.

Then the fabric sat in my sewing cabinet for six months. =)

All in all the entire window treatment cost me less than $75 and that includes the rod which I got on clearance at Lowes. Yay!

Just thought I'd share.

She Wanted To Recognize Her Chicken

Every once in a while Reese has a "family homework project". She came home last week with a turkey shape copied onto brown paper. Our job was to cut out the turkey and disguise it so that it wouldn't be found and eaten for Thanksgiving.

It was due today, and yesterday she walked in and animatedly exclaimed, "Mom! We need to recognize my chicken!"

Me, with furrowed and questioning brows, "Huh?"

She responded again, "You know, make it so my chicken can't be found?"

Me, "Oh, we need to disguise your TURKEY."

Reese, matter of fact, "That's what I said."

Yeah, exactly.

A Movember to Remember

From Drop Box

At the beginning of the month Terry decided to participate in Movember. For this, I apparently have Josh Turmel to thank. (Josh, there will be something "special" in your Christmas goodies this year. =) ) I'm wondering if his wife would be willing to start a Movember Wives Support Group with me. Hmmmm. Food for thought, but back to the issue at hand.

What is Movember you ask? Yeah, I wondered who came up with this delightful event myself.

From the Movember website: Movember is an annual, month-long celebration of the moustache. Highlighting men's health issues-specifically prostate and testicular cancer.

So, for the rest of the month, I get to see Terry in his 'stache making jokes about Smoky and the Bandit. I'm surprised he hasn't asked for a new Trans Am for Christmas.

As for me, I'm counting down the days until December 1.

A Time To Run

Even though it doesn't feel like fall outside, I have deiced to look on the bright side of this crazy Indian summer. My bright side includes the kids still getting to play outside and I am still getting to run without either sweating my insides out or freezing my rear end off.

In honor of my fabulous run today I thought I'd post about my running list on the iPod. Here you go for anyone who cares:

Pictures: Kid Rock/Sheryl Crow

Without Me: Eminem

Crazy: Gnarls Barkley

Technologic: Daft Punk

I Gotta Feeling: Black Eyed Peas

Sexyback: Justin Timberlake

What Goes Around: Justin T.

So What: Pink

Sweet Child o Mine: GNR

Welcome to the Jungle: GNR

Mysterious Ways: U2

Black Horse and the Cherry Tree: KT Tunstall

And that is what gets me through my miles on the road! What do you listen to while you workout? Anything you'd like to suggest?

Looking Back and Looking Forward

Two and a half years ago I wrote this post. I cried re-reading it again just now. I felt so raw and ripped open that day. It was awful and my first step forward all at the same time.

So much has changed in the past 30 months. I am back at home now and am able to really focus on my husband and children. God gave me a group of women to meet with last January that have been more of an inspiration in my life than I can even verbalize.** I'm watching God use me in ways I never imagined. All in all, some days I feel like I'm looking at someone else's life. And I am so very thankful.

I knew even the day I wrote that post that I would come back to it in the future. I knew I didn't want to forget being in that place. If I don't look back occasionally, I might forget how far He's brought me. It brings me to a new place of gratitude and that is the place I want to stay.

**To my BSers. Srsly, y'all. You rock. As you know, I will not insert warm mushy sentiment here b/c I don't want to get all teary. =)

Scentsy Alternative

Several months ago Terry brought home a Scentsy product and I was instantly smitten. It made my whole house smell wonderful and there was no worry about me burning down the house! Score!

Since then I was told that Hobby Lobby (aka: The Mother Ship) carried a Scentsy knock-off for quite a bit less money especially when you used their coveted 40% off one item coupon. Obviously, I went to check it out. Here is the deal and how it fared.

The product is called ScentSationals and has "Not a Scentsy Product" very clearly printed on the label. The large warmer is $19.99 and the scented cubes are $3.99. I haven't seen these go on sale yet aside from the Internet coupon, but it's still cheaper than a medium Scentsy warmer and bricks.

I bought the cubes first to try in the warmer I already owned. I was worried the smell wouldn't be as fragrant, but was happily surprised. I tried the cinnamon and brown sugar and it was great! I could even go so far as to say it was a bit strong. I picked a smell sweeter than I should have.

My neighbor across the street bought the warmer and says it works just as well as the Scentsy product; it's just not as pretty.

So, pros are that ScentSational is less expensive, easy to get, and smells great. The only drawback that I can tell is Scentsy has a larger selection of smells (if you will) and a larger selection of warmers. They also sell a nightlight warmer that you can't find at Hobby Lobby...yet. =)

Wanting My Hands in the Dirt!

For as long as I can remember, I've looked forward to fall and the holiday season starting in about August (or July if it was crazy hot). There is just something about the cooling of the air, leaves falling, and preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas by decorating, shopping and baking that captured my heart and imagination.

But this year has been different. For the first time as long as I can remember, I am kind of wishing Christmas away. Why? I am ridiculously excited about the garden I am planning for next spring. Secretly, I wish I could spend all the money I have saved for Christmas gifts on gardening supplies and seeds!

I tried my hand at container gardening this past spring and summer. I did learn quite a bit and while I was researching for next year, I came across a book called Square Foot Gardening. Now, I'm even more excited about planting tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and a variety of herbs next year using a combination of both container and square foot gardening.

Of course, I might feel differently right now if the high tomorrow was 50 instead of 80. =)