I usually go to Target at least once a week and I am soooooo glad we don't have a Starbucks in ours! I can not resist! Made the mistake of going in this morning, wow that Lily Pullitzer stuff was flying off the shelfs! Worse than Black Friday. There wasn't a single item left, crazy!
I'm so glad my 15-91 isn't as finicky as Patience, I can use pretty much any brand of needle!
I know - I need to really start limiting my Starbucks - at least for the next few weeks/month... I NEED to be able to wear the rest of my summer shorts this summer, and most of them are tight enough that I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing them in public. So, I must buckle down.
Um, yah... We shouldn't even talk about the Lilly Pulitzer stuff... :whistle: I had to drop Allison off at work yesterday - and since we are a small/not very shopped store - we were one of the last in the Metro to have any LP stuff left... Let's just say that D~ purchased more than she budgeted for. Sigh. I'll tell you what I got below.
And, yes... Patience... You are going to laugh at my stupidity when I tell you what was wrong with her... I"ll do that below too - so everyone can hear about it. :embarassed:
I am trying to avoid Target and Starbucks but unfortunately had fast food 2 days in a row which is a no no. Back on track big time tomorrow.
I need a day to sew. I am testing a skirt pattern and while it isn't difficult it is taking me forever. The good thing is it will be the first outfit done for our August trip.
C has a dance show today I wanted to go Prom Dress Shopping with her as she is graduating for the first time ever in June. She never had a graduation ceremony for kindergarten or anything so I want to spoil her a bit.
I am seriously trying to come up with a name for a PTR.
It's so hard, it really is. I do my very best to avoid bad things - but then I tell myself that this is "life" and things like this are going to crop up... I just need to do the best I can and move on with it. But it's hard. And it's hard not beating yourself up for it. But the biggest difference we can make in our journey is to keep trying - it's when we give up that we really lose. We've got this Chiara!
Awesome!!! I love trip sewing!! I am so excited to start ours!
FUN!!!! It's always good to spoil our kids once in a while. ::Yes::
I wish I could help... I am awful about naming them.
Hey there Miss D - was 10 pgs behind and now all caught up - yay for getting good airfare to Maine! Yay for girl's trip! Yay for cute, adorable Cooper pics (he is way beyond squishy cute); yay for new glasses!
I have been so busy between everyday work and trying to get Mom's Estate squared away; it seems it is so complicated because they didn't have a Will, they had a Living Trust, which doesn't have to go through Probate but is a big pain otherwise; there are no hard rules and each bank gives me a different answer; it is really tiring.
Hope your stomach issues have resolved completely; keep an eye on your arm, you need to take it easy on arm work. BTW, youngest son has been interested more and more in diet, especially the differences in Paleo and Primal; he analyzes everything; I showed him some of your progress pics and he was mighty impressed; we discussed how eating well is a life mission to keep your body running well and you have helped tremendously in this regard; don't be so hard on yourself, I can understand your mental issues after Whole 30, it is so strict that somehow after you finish you feel like you are eating wrong, which you aren't, Tyler went through some of this after his Whole 30; just keep eating healthy and a Starbucks every now and then isn't "bad"; I think we need to quit labeling "bad" and "cheats" when we have a treat now and then.
Looks like a wonderful time with V; its good to have a mother daughter day like that; V's glasses are too cute.
It is really telling and really wonderful that Gus loves to spend so much time with all of you; I am really hoping he and Allison can make it work next school year. It won't be easy but they seem to be aware of it and are willing to try.
I feel your pain in packing and planning layers for your Nov and Jan Dis trips; we are doing another Alaska cruise in June and talk about layers and the craziness of Alaska weather; you never know what you are going to get from day to day; and we have to pay for our luggage as Southwest doesn't fly to where we are going; stinking baggage fees; I can't wait to see what all you cook up for your outfits; you have great style especially for Disney!
Good luck with your sewing and your needle issues - have a wonderful week!
Glad to be all caught up!
Hugs and prayers - Carol
Hi Carol!!! I am so excited about everything going on - lots of fun things over the next months!
I am sorry that things are not easy with your Mom's estate... I cannot imagine having to navigate all of that. As much as I hate managing my Dad's finances - I think it will help in the long run later on? Thankfully, he doesn't own much, and he doesn't have a lot of complicated things in his life. I wish you the best, I've been thinking of you and wondering how you are doing.
So far, my stomach issues are a thing of the past - I have not had anything for weeks.
I am super happy to hear that Shane is taking such an interest in his health - that is wonderful!!! I am sure it will make a huge difference in all aspects of his life!
I am glad to hear that Tyler went through some of the same things after his Whole30... At least I know I am normal. And I am super happy to hear that I have inspired someone to take control of their healthy lifestyle... You are right - it is a lifelong commitment and I just have to keep on keepin' on - striving for some sort of balance. It's so hard, but I cannot imagine my life any other way.
V and I did have a great time! It was so fun to spend the day with her like that - we don't get to do it often anymore, because I feel like I am always running all over... But that one on one time is just so necessary, with any child/teen... I am so glad I have the ability to do that with my girls - if I worked outside the home, I think it would be a rare thing.
I know... In all of these months, Gus really has become part of our family. We are so lucky to have had the chance to get to know him so well. I hate to say this, but it will be hard on me when he leaves for college - it will be just like sending off one of my kids. I do hope that him and Alli are able to make it through this year... It won't be easy - but if it's God's wish, then it will happen. And we just need to trust in that.
The two of them have a special connection... And I think many people saw it before they ever did... So, it's been fun to see them grow and discover it on their own.
I am very excited about all of my trips - I am just so nervous about having enough $$ to pay for all of them. I've been working hard and trying to save, so that's good. I just wish I had a bigger dent.
YOu're going to love my needle issues... Hahaha... I'll write about it below.
Take care Carol - and much love... Thanks for stopping by - I've missed you and I've been wondering about you.
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Good morning everyone! I hope you had a nice weekend.
Yesterday was pretty uneventful... I took Allison in to work... No car problems at all. Phew! I was a bit nervous.
When I got to work - our parking lot was packed - way busier than any normal Sunday morning. I was a little anxious to get there, because yesterday morning was the release of the Lilly Pulitzer for Target line, and I've been excited for it since I first heard about it. Of course - I made a bee line for the apparel section... It was already quite thin at 10:30 - but surprisingly, there were a few items left in my sizes. So, I grabbed the sleeveless top I really had my eye on, a button up shirt and 2 shift dresses... Brought them back to the changing room... I was really disappointed in the sleeveless top - it was super cute and the fabric that I loved, but it did not fit me right at all - so that was out of the running. The button up shirt was cute - and in the same print, so I opted for that one instead. The shift dresses - I can see why people LOVE them... I put both of them on, and both of them were super flattering on me - I've never had anything accentuate my back muscles like these shift dresses do... Seriously - I was trying to decide on which one to get, and I couldn't decide - so I brought both of them home with me. Shame!!! I am not sure if I will keep both of them? But I knew if I left one or the other behind, I wouldn't get it again. So, that was my big splurge - I was only going to get one item, and I ended up with 3. Now, to find an event to wear these dresses to... Grocery shopping anyone? LOL
Then, I came home and had some breakfast - but it was really lunch time.
Then it was time to go to work... I sat down at my machine - and same thing! I couldn't believe it. It was still skipping stitches. After messing with it, and changing out the rest of the needles I had purchased - with no luck at all. I was near tears. It HAD to be something I was doing wrong, because it made no sense. There is just no way that many needles could be bent. And there is no way that something serious was wrong with my machine, because I hadn't done anything traumatic to it. So, I came downstairs and started googling... Wound up on
Youtube... Decided to watch a few videos... Josh came in and watched with me. He came to the same conclusion as I did... It had to be me - or something simple. So, I went upstairs - unplugged my machine - grabbed my tools and brought everything downstairs. Plunked my machine on my desk and started to rip apart my tension... A few months ago - V was sewing, and she had unscrewed my tension too far - and it all sprung apart... I put it back together at that time, but it was never quite right. So, that was my first idea... I sat here for about a good 45 minutes - making sure I had it
perfect - took it out to the diningroom, plugged it in... I was soooo frustrated. Beyond frustrated - almost in tears. Again - Josh said, it had to be something simple. So, I googled again... There were a few posts around the internet - asking people to double check that their needle was inserted correctly... Nah - that couldn't be it... I
know how to insert a needle into my machine - I've done it a bazillion times. So, I got out my manual... Sure enough... Idiot that I am... These last few weeks, I've been inserting my needle wrong. Gee... If you put the flat side of the needle into the machine correctly - instant perfect stitches. So, guess what... My Patience - who has NEVER been picky about needles (aside from the brand) - literally, there have been times I've sewed with a slightly bent needle on her, by hand cranking it and holding it straight with my thumb, until I can get to a place where it's inconspicuious to do a back stitch - So, I was just dumb founded that this many needles were ever so slightly bent and she wouldn't make a stitch! It made no sense! In the end, it was user error, plain and simple. Dont' I feel stupid! So... Now I am back in business... And I have a bazillion needles stocked up in every size and shape, from every store... I shouldn't have to buy needles for a few years.
So, I finished last week's custom order. I also finished a camera strap for a friend.
Then I sat on my tablet all night. Did some fabric shopping... In the midst of that, I stumbled upon some Camaro fabric... Gus LOVES his Camaro... It gave me an idea that Allison should make him a rag quilt to take with him for college (I would help her, of course)... It's a huge project though - and I am just not sure about it? Just the Camaro fabric alone would cost $20... And I think, by the time we were done with it, just the supplies alone will be about $100... That's a lot of $$, not to mention the time to do it. So, I just don't know? What do you think? Is that too big of a gift for a boyfriend?
<----- I'd love opinions on this.
I went to bed early, because I was so tired... It's menatlly exhausting when I am having machine problems. Hopefully, now that I've discovered what an idiot I am, all of my problems will be resolved and I won't have any more issues.
Today... I am scheduled off in my sewing room again this week... So I will be busting out some side projects! I hope to get a lot more done!
I have to pick V up from school today and bring her to Trap... I've never done that before - it's normally Josh who does it... So, let's hope I can find the place without too much trouble.
Gus is coming over tonight to hang out with Allison.
I think I am doing spaghetti for dinner, since I didn't make it the other night.
That's about all... I hope you all have a wonderful day - Prayers and Pixie Dust go out to all of you!
D~
. Would I do it again, no. Not for what they actually charge. My daughter got the tickets from school so we got a huge discount which included transportation down the City.
Happy Birthday Allison!!! 
