Habits + update

I know. It's been awhile. But all that's about to change!!!

I'd like to talk a bit about habits. I just recently joined a piano teacher book club on Facebook.  Lucky for me they were just starting their next read and I thought I'd join in. The book is Atomic Habits and even luckier, my library had a digital copy so I could get going right away.

The idea is how habits--not necessarily goals--create systems and help us do things without thinking. I jokingly refer to it as pre-planned laziness. But that's the idea, free up your brain while still being productive. Anyway, the book is excellent and I recommend it for everyone.

One of the good habits I'd like to get back to is regular blogging. Identity plays a big role in our habits, and I want to be a blogger. So Sundays, I blog. And that's why I'm back.

But where to start? 2 minutes, my book would say.

So how about a quick run down:

Tyler--busy working out and trying to figure out a problem on Maddie's jeep. It's one of the few times that a car has stumped him, but he's trying to be patient and take his time (not consume him)

Me--wrapping up summer piano lessons, trying to keep the house from imploding, enduring the last 2 weeks of summer which are always the worst, learning German on duolingo

Maddie--works, sleeps, takes cute pictures, so excited for senior year, filled with wanderlust

Giselle--also works out a lot, jumps off 65 foot cliffs, bore a very nice testimony today--made me cry

Will--bikes, watches youtube about biking, makes annoying sounds, loves passing the sacrament, drinks a gallon of milk a day if I don't stop him, turned 12.

Wyatt--wants to play legos all the time but only with people there with him, doesn't want a haircut, always hungry, another loose tooth

Amelia--excited for kindergarten, loves to play babies, starting to want Barbies. Wants to craft and create, poor girl. Prefers pants to shorts.

And that's it. That's all I have to do. And make sure I do it again next Sunday!  That was easy, I might even do more!!!!

January Writing Prompt Week 4

In full disclosure--I am answering all these daily prompts today. I have not done any of them on the appropriated day, well except today's.

21.  How do you feel about the dark?
How can such a simple question be so complicated? I'm not afraid of the dark. I get annoyed that it gets dark so early when the weather is actually nice here in Texas. I appreciate a dark, moody day every now and then, but I function better in the bright sun. I love dark chocolate. I like my cookies slightly dark.  

22.  When you were little, where was your favorite place to hide?
When we lived in California, the heat vents were in the floor. I loved lying next to one and putting my blanket over us both and it would puff up like a warm tent.

23.  What is your current go-to outfit and why?
This is a funny one because I am mildly obsessed with outfits right now. 
Church: pencil skirt, some kind of polyester blouse of sorts, cardigan, heels
Around the house: skinny jeans, t shirt, sweater, shoes or slippers. I'm always freezing in my house, so usually a lot of layers.
Looking nice: I'm trying to follow the rule of 3 since I'm really a clothes minimalist (lazy?) so I've been adding things like scarves, vests, jackets etc. It really helps you look put together, you know?

24.  Describe what dinner times were like when you were little.
I don't remember a whole lot of these. I remember our dog, Nippers, begging at the table all the time though.

25.  Is there something that you'd like to change about your life right now?
Well I hope there's always something I'm working on. I'd like to be better about making decisions. I'm the WORST.

26.  How do you usually respond to conflict and confrontation?
I'm flight. I'm usually always taken by surprise too. And I'm a super-slow processor. Then I write in my journal. I'm afraid I'm a bottler-upper.

27.  Who are the people you spend the most time with these days?
My family and my piano students. 

5 things I'm grateful for this week:

1. The opportunity to grow and stretch. This week I was asked to serve as the Grand Chorus Manager of DMCO.  It's something that I want to do, but it is SO FAR OUT of my comfort zone. I'm a great wing-man, sidekick, counselor, worker bee, but I've never been the president or leader or front man. So it's really scary for me, even though I'm excited about it. I have a lot to live up to since Mandie was the last one and there's really no measuring up to her. I may be slow to warm up, but I hope to feel comfortable and useful, at some point. 
2. Getting my song (Allegro Burlesco, Kuhlau) memorized. Memorizing piano music has always been hard/impossible for me but I've got this short little piece memorized for the start of our Adult Piano Enrichment group. Even if I'm the only one there I will have accomplished my goal. 
3. Things that bring me comfort: new Voces8 album, writing in my journal, hot baths, timehop pics of my family, organizing my outfits, drinking Fresca.
4. The printer/copier I got for my piano studio. That thing has made my life so much easier!!
5. There have been some good laughs with the family this week. We don't always have connection (there are some big personalities here) but it's so great when we can all laugh together.  It's also great when kids can learn to laugh at themselves. We're getting there.

Goals:

I'm pretty sure I didn't do anything from last week. And my goals are going to have to change with my added responsibility so I'm starting fresh. And basic.

• Don't procrastinate. That means dinner, emails, putting things on the shopping list, putting laundry away, cleaning bathrooms.
• No spend week. 
• piano/organ practice--pick piece for next month
• Plan/figure out Adult piano enrichment meeting

I wore my favorite dress from high school today for the 90s challenge.

And here's a song I could have on repeat

January Writing Prompts Week 3 + Grateful Sunday + Goals

14. Have you ever felt trapped or suffocated?
Yes. Yes I have. I am pretty claustrophobic, so there's been some moments where I've literally felt trapped (once in a tiny car, packed full of people, in a dark garage and the doors wouldn't unlock--major freak out--I was a kid. And another time in an elevator whose doors wouldn't open. I was with friends in high school. And another time when I climbed inside a McDonald's playground in the old days and it was the hamburger and it had this tiny opening). I also have dreams of being trapped.

15.  What's your favorite meal to cook and why?
There is no favorite meal to cook. I pretty much hate cooking. Because no one eats the food. So my favorite would be something from the instant pot that I like eating.

16.  When does your family usually take down holiday decorations? Who does it?
Usually pretty soon after. Maybe new year's day. Maybe before. Tyler does the big stuff like tree and outdoor lights, I do everything else. The kids help take down their ornaments and put them in their box.

17.  What happened today at 10 am?
Mandie and I were in the car driving to an institute meeting where we were singing.

18.  Where were you born? Have you been back since?
I was born in Santa Rosa, California. Went back a lot until I was nine since we still lived in the bay area and my grandparents were there. Then we  moved to Texas and I went back a few more times. But everything has been burned up in the fires, so there's no going back. Sad face.

19.  Write down five things about your mother that you are most grateful for.

• sense of humor
• legacy of music
• strong example of Christ-like living
• great taste in old movies
• sense of adventure--making memories was always worth it to her and I'm grateful for all I got to see and experience.

20.  What's your relationship with your siblings?
I have 3 brothers. I don't think any of us are exceptionally close??? It's fun when we all get together but we don't interact much outside of an occasional family reunion. Only Amelia has cousins that match up, so there's not even that.

 10 year challenge Jan 2009

5 Things I'm grateful for this week.

1. pinterest/sunday wardrobe challenge. I know this is totally shallow, but I've been looking up outfits on pinterest and putting together clothes in ways I didn't think of before, or figuring out what I need in order to look "put-together."  It has helped me so much! I've always struggled with style because my main motivation is comfort and I'm cheap. But I've enjoyed my pinterest outfits and I even made a board for Tyler. It's nice to wear what you actually have, and purge what doesn't work. 
2. Mandie and I got to sing for and institute meeting (see 17, above). It was really fun to learn a song quickly (thank mom for writing a duet part!) and perform. I'm not much of a soloist, but I'd like to get better so that means doing it. Plus it was flattering to be asked--well, I just got lucky because Mandie is my bff.
3. I bought a Fake Book (it's actually the Real book) this week (I needed something for same day shipping) and it's like 500 pages of intimidation. Melody and chord symbols on top. I am determined to play every song in that book by the end of the year.  I will know my chords!  It's such a fun challenge! I've got one song down--499 to go.
4. Tyler and I spent the morning yesterday meal planning and grocery shopping and then we did a bunch of cooking and we've got lots of healthy food ready to go. I'm grateful to have his support and company in the kitchen.
5. I'm grateful my family supports me working. I've got 25 students and I'm busy almost every afternoon/evening and all day Tuesdays. It's been an adjustment. I know it doesn't probably seem like a lot to other working moms, but it's been a big change for me. I don't get to putter and fuss about the house like I used to. I'm much more scheduled and I usually can't get everything done that needs to be done. We're falling into better routines of them helping out and picking up slack and I appreciate that. 
6. Ok, 6 this week. I am so grateful for the Come Follow Me program. Our discussions have gotten progressively better and better each Sunday. I'm grateful to point out to the kids that these good feelings are the spirit confirming truth.  This is an inspired program that is already bringing our family closer!

Last week's Goals:

• Go to bed by 11 each night--pretty good at this. I like not feeling so tired in the mornings.
• sew a dress for Amelia--nope, not at all. I'm sad about this.
• 3x T-Tapp--another no. I think I got 1 day in.
• Practice piano 30 minutes a day--yes! I've been diligent about practice since we've got piano enrichment coming up
• Perfect eating days--no. I had 2 not excellent days. Mostly I'm mad at my body for having such a messed up cycle and I'm frustrated.
• drink more water--maybe? Does Fresca count?
• read with Wyatt each night--could do better at this

My favorite snowman pic from 10 years ago 

This week's goals:

• keep kitchen counters cleared off
• sew something
• exercise 3x
• memorize my entire song
• plan Amelia's birthday
• buy plane tickets to NYC (do it! do it! do it!)
• all the things I didn't do well last week

January Writing Prompts Week 2

7. Is there any hurt or pain lingering in your heart right now?
Well, isn't a life made up of hurts and pains that have scarred over?  It's in there, sometimes you brush past something that reminds you of the wound, but it's safely healed inside. Skin stretching and growing over. Maybe not so flexible as it once was. Life goes on. But no, I have no major open wounds in my heart right now. 

8. What songs or tunes do you find yourself singing unconsciously?
If it's MCO season  I will for sure have MCO songs stuck in my head. Lately I've had Messiah melodies floating around. I've been listening to a lot more classical music lately and less chamber choir, otherwise I might have some Polyphony in my head. Or maybe old Mary Poppins. I've been watching that with Amelia.

9. What do you miss most about being young?
Hmmm, I'm not really sure about that. I like where/who I am now. 
I had lots of  performing opportunities as a kid--that was super awesome,  and did I fully appreciate them?  So maybe that. All the gigs, lol.  And family vacations that I didn't have to plan and pay for. 

10. What's a good book that you've read recently.
I have not read ANY books lately. I finished the Book of Mormon in December, and that's a good book.

11. Describe a moment from today that you want to remember always
Going to Mary Poppins Returns with Amelia (and my mom and dad). I love to watch her face while see watches. And she sits on my lap and fluffs my hair. And begs for candy. I will really miss our time together when she goes to school in August. She's just so nice to have around. 

12. Who was the last person to make you laugh? What did they do or say?
Of course I'm writing this after the fact, but it has to be Wyatt. That kids does the funniest things. The other day we were reading through my old journals as kind of a new year thing and I read how Wyatt, not even 3 and barely talking, tooted loud and then said, "Me swallowed a bullet."  We all  laughed hysterically until we were all hyperventilating. And since then it's been a common phrase. He was so funny though; he made me look it up again and he wanted to see where I wrote it and what it looked like. He loved the attention. I'm grateful for my journals too. 

13. Describe one recent dream that you've had.
I don't remember anything from last night, but the night before I had a dream that Tyler and I were at a movie theater (cause I just went to one) and we saw Will there. But the movie wasn't good and I couldn't get his attention. He was there with other people. I kept calling for him and he wouldn't hear me. It was one of those frustrating dreams. I did finally get him before I woke up. 


5 things I'm grateful for this week:

1. First week of piano is under my belt.  All my new students are great!  They seemed excited to be doing this so that helps. Plus it was pay week and that helps a lot too.
2. the Come Follow Me program. We've had our family discussion for 2 weeks in a row now and they have been SO GOOD. The kids have been really good about participating and we've had really good discussion. I am loving 2 hour church and this family centered teaching.
3. Primary. I've been in Primary almost the entire time I've lived here (4 years minus 3 months in young womens) and I've loved it. I love the kids SO MUCH. I love the music and the fun and the laughing. I love watching my kids in there. Last night was the Great to be 8 and Priesthood/Temple prep night and I thought it was so nice. The spirit was strong. Will was there for the second meeting and he said it was really "touching". I think that means he felt the spirit too. 
4. My calling of ward organist. I really have enjoyed figuring out the organ. Yesterday I played pedals on 2 different songs (super easy ones, I'll say) and I make tons of mistakes, but I love the challenge. What's even more fun is playing the organ books my mom got me for Christmas.  
5. Music in general. I have been listening to the classical music station in the car. I've never done that before, mostly because a car full of crying/chatting children is not conducive to good listening and I just got frustrated with more noise. But Amelia likes it and WRR is a really good station playing short, good pieces. On the way home from dropping kids off at school we got to hear the opening of Also sprach Zarathustra and turn it up loud. She thought it was pretty neat. I'm grateful I grew up hearing a lot of this stuff in our home. 

Goals for last week: Recap

• continue 8:30pm family prayer and bedtime routine--yes we did this
• have meals cooked every night--I did pretty good on this
• get through this week's lessons (6 new students start this week--always a little stressful)--yes
• study organ books--look for a teacher?--no
• write up intro for piano club--no, but scheduled building
• do my T-Tapp exercise video 3x this week. No excuse eating.--yes for exercise, and I was like 95% on food

Goals for the week:

• Go to bed by 11 each night
• sew a dress for Amelia
• 3x T-Tapp
• Practice piano 30 minutes a day
• Perfect eating days
• drink more water
• read with Wyatt each night

January Writing Prompts Week 1

2019 marks the beginning of 2 hour church. Which means we have infinity more hours during the day, right?  One of the many things I want to use that extra time for is blogging. I may be the last of the family blogs and it's totally ok that nobody reads it, because my kids read it (when they have free time at school, it's one of the sites that is NOT blocked, lol). So it's like a little legacy I can leave them. Or a lecture that they can't interrupt. I really should take advantage of that....


So here are writing prompts for the month of January. I figured I'd answer them during the week and publish on Sunday. I might include a grateful list and goals for the week if I feel crazy.

1. Describe 3 moments from the holidays that you wish to remember.
-Playing duets with my grandma. I hope that when I'm 93 I am still playing the piano.
-Orpheus Concert and hearing Ave Maria by Biebl from the aisles
-Seeing all the pretty packages around the tree on Christmas Eve. Admiring my work. Thinking about Mary giving birth on a silent night. The baby Jesus. My family happy and content the next day. Except Tyler who was sick.

2. What's one thing that you hope to achieve or accomplish this year?
I have lots of things I hope to achieve or accomplish. One is playing pedals on the organ.

3. What is your family's Christmas story? (your traditions, your rituals etc)
We don't have a TON of traditions. We always have the kids pick out an ornament for the year. We drive around and look at lights (and spill hot cocoa in the car), we eat Chinese food and watch A Christmas Story. We watch Mr. Krueger's Christmas.  We get Christmas jammies. Lots of concerts. Everyone endures my music schedule.

4. Describe your bedtime ritual.
Fall asleep putting Amelia to bed. Then wake up, brush teeth, floss, wipe down my face with coconut oil and take magnesium pill. Get in bed and write in journal if lights are still on, or just read on my phone. Pray. Check weather. Check facebook. Check IG. Maybe read from the Ensign. Listen to music if I can't fall asleep. Maybe watch Twoset Violin videos. Check everything again. Fall asleep.

5. What are three things that bring you joy in life
           1.  Being with people who make me laugh
           2.  Making music, making pretty clothes
           3.  getting my to do list checked off/feeling capable

6. What was the last movie you watched, and did you like it?
Meet the Robinsons. Or Dumplin. I liked both of them. But especially Dumplin. I've watched it 3 more times with my daughters.

Random pic of Will from 10 years ago

5 Things I'm thankful for: (look at me go!)

1. Tyler's new job. He's pretty happy about it and it includes a small raise that will make a big difference. We are SO GRATEFUL.
2. Finishing the Book of Mormon. When the prophet issued the challenge I had just started over and was a few books in. I remember thinking NO WAY. I'm swamped and stressed and I'll do what I can but I don't plan on finishing it. But somewhere in November I thought, I really need to do what the prophet asks, even if it's bad timing or hard (hello, pioneers!) so I started listening to it whenever I got the chance. And I finished it 3 days before the end of the year. It is a different experience to read it fast--it's more like a story and you understand the big picture. I thought about how quickly people fall into iniquity and lose the spirit. How we must be ever vigilant. How much I always want to be on the righteous side. How important humility is. How much the Savior loves people. Us. How we need to love all people. It was a good experience and I kind of miss having it playing all the time. 
3. Christmas break. I've LOVED sleeping in. So much. And not packing lunches. And not having a schedule. Not getting dressed. Having family dinner. Being with my kids. Watching movies til 1am. Staying up late talking. 
4. My children's independence. I'm proud of Maddie for having a job and being good at it, just going when she needs to be there. I'm proud of Wyatt for going to primary even when I'm not walking him in there. He goes to class. He goes to school. Amelia sleeps in her own bed. In her own room. I'm proud of my kids when they can cook their own eggs and even more so when they clean it up after. I'm glad I don't have to nag Will or Giselle about schoolwork or grades. It's great to watch them grow up. They're gonna be ok. 
5. Warmer weather. Maybe that's a cop out, but seriously. I've been SO COLD this winter. Just chilled to the bone (I still have plenty of fat stores, so I don't know why it's so bad) but just a little temperature increase helps a lot. I don't have to wear 8 layers. Just 4.

Lego scene of London. By Will. Probably as close as I'll ever get to the real thing.

Goals for the week:

• continue 8:30pm family prayer and bedtime routine
• have meals cooked every night
• get through this week's lessons (6 new students start this week--always a little stressful)
• study organ books--look for a teacher?
• write up intro for piano club
• do my T-Tapp exercise video 3x this week. No excuse eating.

Amelia is Three! + Other Stuff

I've been excited to write this post. Amelia is 3!  I can't believe that tiny little person has been here for 3 years. And that my baby is 3. 

I distinctly remember writing a post about Wyatt turning 3. It was a tough thing to write and things were so hard and he just made everything hard. (I'm excited to write about Wyatt turning 5, by the way, cause he's a completely different kid)

Amelia is the total opposite. She's sweet and cute and thankful and cuddly and fun and happy and just a delightful girl. She was a pretty easy-going 2 year old--who knows what the 3s will hold though. I've had enough kids to know anything can happen. 

We celebrated on Saturday since no one was around on Friday. She wanted "unitorn" cupcakes and everything pink. 

I made homemade cupcakes and frosting (which was killer, to stay on my diet I admit) and I had the older girls take her for a walk while we quickly filled the place with pink balloons and crepe paper and presents. 

Then we ate lunch at Jason's Deli which was actually nice! Everybody was pleasant and it was a rare, enjoyable outing. 

  

Peppa Pig birthday set from her Nana. She loves it! Thanks mom!

 Back at home Amelia was delighted with her surprise, saying things like, "I wuv thith!" "Happy birtday eweyone!"

 We opened some presents (lots of Peppa Pig and Paw Patrol and Ponies--only things that start with P)

and ate cupcakes (yes, I ate one two).

Should I admit that the boys love the MLPs as much as Amelia? 

 It was so fun and she was just a cutie in her "Janie" dress with unitorn fabric. 

Dress pattern write up coming soon to the Midwest Vintage Co blog.

Oh, what a sweet girl. We all just love her so much. 

Happy Birthday Janie-Bae!

*          *          *

I was gone Friday night because my BFF Mandie took me out to see a play for my birthday. We saw My Fair Lady at a community theater in Fort Worth. It was so fun and cute and surprisingly good. The theater is "in the round" so seeing the other audience members react is like another show undo itself. 

Mandie gave me a beautiful necklace (that I'm wearing below) that says Then sings my Soul because, 

I'm the newest member of the Dallas Millennial Choirs and Orchestra!!!!

Auditions were scheduled for last Wednesday, then pushed to Thursday, right before the first rehearsal. I had spent the day practicing my 2 prepared hymns (they tell us what to sing) and feeling like I couldn't make a good sound at all. I really wanted to make it. But I felt my audition went great and I was surprised at the voice that came out of my mouth and the director doing the auditions really liked my tone and was very complimentary and said I'd make a nice addition to the Alto IIs. I have had a perma-smile ever since. The first rehearsal was exhilarating. I LOVE sight singing with a fantastic group. No endless stopping to go over parts. I'm super excited about the songs we're doing including, an arrangement of a hymn I've always disliked that is now amazing. I'm sure I'll have more to say about the experience, especially since Tyler doesn't want to hear it, haha.

*          *          *

Tonight, after peaceful afternoon naps, Amelia slipped on Wyatt's blanket and hit her forehead on the newel post of the stairs. It was bleeding like crazy and a huge gash. We took her to the ER which we are now familiar with and luckily they were able to just glue it back together. It was a pretty painless procedure (for Amelia and her parents). All is well. 

 All glued back together. Of course she charmed everyone at the ER. 

*          *          *

Goals/ To do for this week:

Valentine's parties for music class and preschool

Get out the Valentine decorations, I guess

Maddie gets her braces off on Tuesday

Teach a sewing class to the YW on Wednesday

Elle doctor on Wednesday--she had an allergy panel done

More MCO rehearsals(!) on Thursday--find rides for kids cause it's Tyler's last night of working late!!

Exercise (it's our last week of walking together in the morning too)

Find some new keto meal ideas

prep lunches

do sharing time lesson before Saturday

put all the clean laundry away 

I'm still Going

I may have missed last Sunday's regularly scheduled post, but I'm not going to let that derail me!

Last Monday I was printing off a pattern and got a printer error message, so I stuck my fingers in assuming it was a paper jam. Well, I didn't know it gets really hot in there and I burned my middle and ring finger of my right hand. It's probably the most painful, long lasting burns I've ever had.  I swear it took a full 30 seconds before my brain got the pain message and by then my fingerprints were fried off. They made huge blisters and I still don't have feeling in those spots. Not happy, cause my fingers are my livelihood.

We got to watch our neighbor's dog during the day and Wyatt and Amelia were in heaven. We got to let Zeke out and play with their toys. 

 A pretty sunset I captured on my way to the Great to be 8 fireside. 

Some patterns I tested this week:

I'm thinking about starting up my MidwestVintageCo blog again and really writing up my pattern reviews. I post a lot on instagram and I like the sewing community there, but I usually have more to say than just a photo caption. 

Amelia is just the sweetest, but a crier. I'm a little worried about the waterworks happening everyday....

I can't believe she'll be 3 on Friday!

These were my goals from the last time I posted goals, so maybe 2 weeks ago?

-declutter something and get it out of the house Decluttered, yes, out of the house, no
-clean all the bathrooms 2/4
-sew: secret pattern test, paw patrol dress, valentine dress, birthday dress pattern test, paw patrol, need to get going on the other 2!
-music (I'm taking on 2 new students so I need to figure some things out) still working on it
-MealsI haven't meal planned strictly in a week, but I've managed to throw some decent dinners together pretty fast. I'm following a keto diet at the moment, so I'm back to some low carb favorites. All food has lost it's power over me, so it's just boring old fuel now. 
-2 books (I made the goal to read 100 books this year. I'm at 5. I need to pick up the pace. Do children's books count? 😉) I've read 4 more books. Two that I enjoyed so much I might write them up!

New Goals:

Keep reading

keep practicing music (I hope to have report of my mco audition the next time I post!)

Keep following diet

Keep working on house

keep blogging

Endure to the end

Oh, we might move my sewing room downstairs and move Amelia's unused furniture and stuff upstairs (she sleeps on the sofa in our bedroom anyway) and kind of do a sewing room/playroom and see if that helps me get more stuff done. Who knows. 

I got a Roomba for my birthday. Not sold on it yet, but I'll report back. 

I'm practically a regular blogger

6 posts already this year! I'm really doing it.

I don't really feel like I have much to say today though. Life is just plugging along. In a good way. I don't even have exciting pictures on my phone:

Amelia sleeping

preschool nature walk (letter L for leaf)

watching a show

 Amelia sleeping

 $1/yard knits at Walmart (I bought it all)(and this is actually super exciting)

 Shirt I made for Amelia. A little different and modern.

For journaling purposes: 

What everyone in my house talks about the most

Tyler--BYU sports, roofing jobs, needing to be more active, tired of late work schedule
Me--losing weight, fighting children, food, telling people to clean up their stuff
Maddie--how many days til EFY, how many days till MCO, how many days till braces are off
Elle--art class, sign language, Wicked soundtrack, drama with other people
Will--Pokeman, basketball, lots of random stuff I don't listen to
Wyatt--Pokeman, needing help finding all the things, being hungry
Amelia--being hungry, watching shows on the youtube, Peppa pig, general crying



Well, that's about it. Not stellar, but I'll be glad to look back and get a peak at this week.






Last week's goals:

-Teach preschool T/Th ✔

-Exercise and no eating after 8pm I exercised 3 days but I know I had a few late eating nights...

-dinner planning, lunch planning ✔

-sew something else (as soon as the new foot comes) I got the shirt, some straps for a costume and a blanket for Wyatt done. Wish it was more. 

-Temple thursday✔ great night

-piano/voice  eh, didn't do much this week but my Chopin is coming along

-finish one of the books that I've got on my kindle I finished 

What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

-start planning feb. sharing time✔

This week's goals:

-declutter something and get it out of the house
-clean all the bathrooms
-sew: secret pattern test, paw patrol dress, valentine dress, birthday dress
-music (I'm taking on 2 new students so I need to figure some things out)
-Meals, always a big one
-2 books (I made the goal to read 100 books this year. I'm at 5. I need to pick up the pace. Do children's books count? 😉)

My Sewjo is Back: June Bug Dress and Chloe Cardigan + kid stuff

I'm sad that I already missed my scheduled Sunday blogging, but maybe all the pictures I post today will make up for it!


This last weekend I finally got the motivation to sew something. And it all went together really fast. Everything that normally slows me down or demotivates me happened easily: thinking of what to do, picking out fabric and pattern, printing, taping, cutting. Lately, just thinking of what to sew is enough to change my mind. But I always knew I was going to make a little cardigan out of this scrap of vintage double knit. I knew I had to make it before Amelia grew too big or it wouldn't work and that was enough to light the fire.

It was truly a fabric puzzle and I really doubted all the pieces would work. I didn't realize the scottie dogs were directional and that made it even tougher. But I was able to cut EVERYTHING except the undercollar and facing. I did have to cut the collar in 2 pieces instead of on the fold and the back pieces have scotties going sideways instead of up/down, but at least I did it. This is all I had left:

I used the Bubby And Me Creations Chloe Cardigan which is an awesome pattern. So easy and straightforward and fits perfectly. I had it done later that afternoon. The hardest part was deciding what color snaps to use (I skipped the buttons since I never have more than 2 matching buttons)

It's perfect. 

Then I decided she needed a cute dress to go with it. I made the free Junebug Dress from Craftiness is not Optional in size 2. I re-fashioned a thrifted anthropologie skirt of the buttery-softest corduroy in a not-quite navy.

 I wish I had read through the pattern tutorial first because I would have constructed the bodice differently (hello? enclosed sleeves?) so I'm annoyed at the lousy inside product. It's bulky in the underarms and too broad for her chest so there's gaping. But, I love the style and it looks so cute with her cardi. I think I'll make another one and see if I can bring in the chest a bit.

And-as soon as I sewed the last stitch, Wyatt came into my room and took the sewing machine foot off. Then it dropped to the floor and split in half. It was the last foot I had that fit the walking foot. Grrrrr.

Anyway, we did a little photo shoot today even though it was freezing and dark out there. She was a good sport. Now, I will overload you with photos.

This is her discovering that Peppa Pig is on the TV in my room. 

(side note: it's adorable when my kids use the words torch and rubbish bin thanks to Peppa Pig)

In other news:

Will and I went to the Mother-Son Movie night at the school.

 And the Pinewood Derby was a great success! Will came in second and was very happy about that. It was a fun night. I could relax more since Tyler wasn't there (he had to work). 

  Wyatt and Amelia playing with puzzles. Wyatt is obsessed with bulls. He thinks every cow is a bull. So I told him how only girl cows give milk and they have udders.

 He understood that and then I saw the wheels turning in his head and he says, "And the boy cows make the cheese sticks!" Ok, son. 

 He's so funny. 

And Janie Bae had to have her picture with the chickens. 

Last weeks goals:

-exercise everyday NO EXCUSES I walked all 5 days!

-meal plan and make 2 things for the freezer yes to meal plans and does lunch prep for the week count?

-bball Tuesday, Pinewood Derby Wednesday, Temple (me) Thursday, Mother-son movie Friday,  temple (youth) Saturday. Yes to all except my thursday trip was rescheduled for this week

-finish memorizing my piano song 

-practice singing.   I did work on these things but must keep going. 

This week my goals are to:

-Teach preschool T/Th

-Exercise and no eating after 8pm

-dinner planning, lunch planning

-sew something else (as soon as the new foot comes)

-Temple thursday

-piano/voice

-finish one of the books that I've got on my kindle

-start planning feb. sharing time