Dino Socks

I first saw these on pinterest (click to see the pin and repin if you want) which links to this blog:

Happy Together

I didn’t have any kids knee socks like she suggested so I got some of my own socks I thought would work and after I cut the slit I cut and sewed closed the heel to just create tube socks the girls could wear.

I finally did this because Leah has silly sock day today. So she’s wearing the ones in the second picture and some jean capris. She was so excited. I tried to get her to wear one of each sock but she wouldn’t do it!

After I took the pictures I noticed that 2nd pair only had five spikes on the right sock. That’s what I get for doing it while I’m chatting on the phone. I cut it and fixed it. They match now. Whew.

The only part of this project that took a bit was cutting out the spikes. I had to cut out 24 hexagons. I like the way they look though. Doing a strip of triangles would have taken less time but I think the little shapes were worth it. Even at that I had both pairs done within a couple hours. And it wasn’t dedicated time. Hannah, Ava (I babysit her sometimes. She’s 12 days older than Hannah), Drew was here, etc. Anyway – my point – It’s easy. That is all.

And how cute are Hannah’s legs!?!?

Five Words

Today I read two blog posts. One was from Camela who does a thing called BYOC (bring your own crazy) every Friday and the questions are always different. One of them today was to have several people (friends, family, etc.) describe you in 5 words.

And then another was a link Camela sent me to a post challenging a person to come up with 5 things you like about yourself.

I knew I’d have a hard time with that but having my friends say nice things to me was a lovely thing to have happen today as I’m mentally not in the best place in the world. Getting used to having Fibromyalgia – it’s a toss up whether that’s harder physically or mentally…

Anyway – this was great fun and I highly recommend it if you need a mental boost. And then ABSOLUTELY go write five nice things about yourself! Above all we should like ourselves!

Drew
I totally told him he had to add more to replace clean because… LAME.

1. Clean (gee. isn’t he romantic?)
2. Motivated (huh?)
3. Sensitive
4. Perfectionist (who is he talking about?)
5. Sexy (awww)
6. Sensual
7. Committed

Leah
(she was so extremely shy about this. It was so sweet!)

1. good cook
2. nice
3. gives lots of kisses (then we had a little talk about what the word affectionate means)

Hannah

Me: Can you describe mommy?
Hannah: Yes.
Me: Well?
Hannah: FUNNY! (with all the glee in the world. I love that girl)

Renee

1. smart
2. funny
3. awesome
4. compassionate
5. honest

Kathy

1. empathetic
2. creative
3. loving
4. patient
5. strong

Leah (my sister)

1. compassionate
2. nurturing
3. intelligent
4. talented
5. sensitive

Camela
who wouldn’t stop at 5 and when I pointed that out said she was doing a 2nd set of 5. She’s a rebel.

1. real
2. loyal
3. trustworthy
4. fun
5. a little crazy
6. intense
7. mother
8. friend
9. creative
10. smart

Jeff

1. Genuine
2. Irreplaceable
3. Witty
4. Vulnerable
5. Loyal

Ann Marie

1. Amazing
2. Brave
3. Fierce Dancer (I've not seen it, but I can imagine)
4. Cool Mom
5. Awesome Friend

Ann Marie said these things to me on FB and then we had the following exchange:

Me: Thanks!! And LOL at Fierce Dancer - In my own mind I am. That's the same thing, right??

Her: I believe that is the DEFINITION of being a fierce dancer. :D

(that made me laugh. hard.)

Jen

1. thoughtful
2. great listener
3. compassionate
4. strong
5. persevering

Becky

1. generous
2. selfless
3. Google-queen
4. genius
5. mathematician

My Mom/Cathy

1. brilliant
2. forgiving
3. absolutely fabulous friend
4. intuitive mother
5. such.a.wonderful.daughter.
6. thoughtful

Me

1. I’m a loyal friend
2. I’m a good mother
3. I am sensitive, emotional AND emotionally strong. (These things can coexist. I think people seem to often not know that.)
4. I am loving and affectionate.
5. I am generous.

That list I made myself took me forever! Sweet glory. I don’t know what that says about me but I don’t feel like analyzing it!

Now go forth and do this exercise. It’s good for you!

Drew for the win!

So yesterday I guess Drew was wandering around downtown Green River, WY and he happens upon a thrift store that is having a “going out of business” sale. He decided to go in a look around.

He found this silver set. And he thought I would love it. He also thought it was probably worth more than the 75 dollars they were selling it for.

The woman told him she didn’t think the silverware was worth much but she new the box itself was worth about 40 bucks. She had a paper that showed the silverware was worth about 500 dollars but she didn’t believe it. Anyway – Drew bought it for me and brought it home because he knew I would love it.

I did some research and found out that it was made in 1921 by Community Plate (which is now Oneida). The pattern is called Grosvenor. It’s silver plated and buying all the pieces I now  have individually… would cost about 800 dollars!

*faint*

http://www.silverpattern.com/Grosvenor.htm – You can see a bunch of pictures there. And if you feel the need to buy me a present… There are some pieces there I would love to have. haha.

Drew wanted to sand and refinish the box and I told him he was out of his mind. I LOVE it just like it is. All vintage and gorgeous.

So here is what it looked like this morning…

So I read all over the internet for awhile about the best ways to clean it. One of them is to induce a chemical reaction. You need aluminum foil, baking soda, salt, and boiling water.

And… then I forgot to take a picture while it was bubbling and doing it’s thing because I was so fascinated. It took most of the tarnish off. I still got a soft old toothbrush (poor Leah. That used to be hers… now it’s in the garbage.) and rubbed off the rest of the tarnish with the toothbrush and a little baking soda. Very gently.

I also cleaned the box inside and out and rubbed it with wood oil cleaner.

These are the after pictures:

LOVE! Yay!

Sisterly Love

Sunday Sentimental Share

I have a… thing… with this song  lately. I’ve been listening to it over and over again. I’ve known this song for many years and always I’ve gotten the message I think she intended but right now – with everything with my health and learning to function within the new normal I’m making for myself – It’s the bold part that is sort of speaking to me as I play it.

And that’s my sentimental share for today.

Also – I just have to publically say how fantastic my husband has been through all of this. He has taken on so much responsibility and is getting so much done when I’m having bad days. I know seeing me hurt is causing him pain. He loves me, He wants to fix it and he can’t. I’m so grateful for his caring and his love and his tenderness towards me. Love you, my Busband.

If I could tell the world just one thing
It would be that we're all OK
and not to worry 'cause worry is wasteful
and useless in times like these

I won't be made useless
I won't be idle with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear

My hands are small, I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
and I am never broken

Poverty stole your golden shoes
But it didn't steal your laughter
and heart ache came to visit me
But I knew it wasn't ever after

We'll fight, not out of spite
For someone must stand up for what's right
'Cause where there's a man who has no voice
There ours shall go singing

My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
and I am never broken

In the end only kindness matters
In the end only kindness matters
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray

My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
and I am never broken

My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
and I am never broken

We are never broken

We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's mind

We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's heart

We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's eyes

We are God's hands
We are God's hands

Chatting with Hannah

These four videos took place over the space of 14 minutes. I thought this was a good depiction of how much happy entertainment Hannah brings to our lives everyday!

Mommy is Obnoxious

Getting the look on camera may be the height of my mommying life.

I love that girl!