a bit o crafting

I took advantage of the quiet time tonight and was able to finish a project I started before Christmas. I bought the rice, and we're still eating it, because, well, ten pounds is a lot of rice. But after staring at the empty rice bag for a while, I knew I could turn it into something, so why not a totebag of sorts? I think it's big enough to hold a water bottle, a notebook and a library book. I lined the zipper part as well (the original opening on the bag), so I can put my drivers license and cell phone in there, not worrying about them getting lost.













My first piece of upcycled/recycled art.


I'll see how it holds up, and how crazy people think I am.

not good

My in-laws live on a country road, or at least what in this area is called a country road.

I have known them almost eleven years, and this morning, there was an accident on the road in front of their house. It was the fourth accident in the time that I've known them. This morning, two high school boys died as a result of the accident. They were on their way to school, six miles from the house.

This is really bothering me today ... I don't know if it's because I've got kids of my own, or if it's because I "know" the house it happened at ... this is the house that we are considering buying, once my in-laws retire and downsize. Is that it - am I going to have to make myself familiar with "the sound" of an accident happening? Am I going to have a conversation with my kids, using phrases, "oh, they usually are heading the other direction" or "I had to find which side of the house they were on"?

Whatever the reason for my being upset, it's really not about me. It's about two boys that didn't make it to school. Two sets of parents that won't be poking their head in the bedroom door, or listening for steps that aren't coming home again. There won't be the sound of their child pulling in the driveway, only people bringing condolences.

I hope that the families and friends are able to look back and remember with a smile through the tears, and that they are able to make their way from this awful point.

forever thankful

Each year, I ask various relatives to get me a short list (three things) that they are thankful for. I compile them into one giant list, and we share this list at dinner. Some things are serious, some are silly, almost all of them are heartfelt.

This year, I only got responses from five people, not including my kids or husband. Once I beat an answer out of them, I'll be up to eight. Not such a big list this year ...

But, instead of being all ho-hum about what I did not get, I'll focus on the list that I did get. I'll be working on that first thing in the morning, while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the bread and brownies are baking. Then, we'll load up the car and head to my Aunt & Uncle's house to spend the afternoon there. My bio-dad is up near the UP in Michigan with his girlfriend for the weekend. My step-dad is in Florida, he'll spend the day with his friends. My in-laws will go out to dinner, but we may stop by on our way home from Aunt & Uncle's House.

I have so many fond memories of Thanksgiving growing up ... the smell of sage that went into the stuffing that I never ate, unless it was cooked OUTside of the bird, the steamy kitchen windows from all the cooking going on, the pie my mom "flew" across the kitchen when the oven rack came flying out of the oven one year - it's amazing the mess an almost cooked pumpkin pie can make. My grandma's cornbread dressing (she spoils me!), the funny little ridge that is on the can of cranberries (I don't eat those either, unless they're made fresh), green beans and corn, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes with melted marshmellows on top ... then an afternoon of football.

I remember way back when ... before we had vcrs and dvrs and what not ... it was every year that we got to watch The Wizard of Oz, and it was always on Thanksgiving, and it was such a treat! That may have been the highlight of my day ... we always had to be home in time, so we could get pajamas on, make some popcorn with a little bit of garlic salt, and watch the movie. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful day.

Thats why I want my Thankful List ... I want my kids to have a memory of something special we did on Thanksgiving, maybe they'll keep if for themselves and their families, maybe they won't, but I just hope that when they look back at Thanksgiving, they'll look back and smile too.

more political talk

So, as Q is sitting here having a snack before bed, he's talking politics again.

Q: Who is the old president, I forget his name
Me: George Bush is president until January when Barack Obama moves to the White House and becomes President.
Q: Oh, that's right.
Me: Yes, because right now Barack Obama lives in Chicago, then he will move to Washington, DC
Q: Yes, even if I'm an artist, I can be president
Me: Yes, you can ...
Q: I'll be an artist in the morning, and then when they call me in the afternoon, I'll drive there. But I won't move to Chicago. I won't take all my stuff, just a few things that I need. You don't want to bring all your stuff.

So there you have it ... my son the lightly traveling, future Artist President. Both are evidently going to be part time jobs too. You think that'll fly?

serious crafting going on

I'm taking a bit of a break today from a serious crafting session. I don't know what has gotten into me, other than the cold I feel coming on, so I highly doubt it's that, but I am on a serious roll. In the last twenty four hours, I have finished;

two pillows for the living room sofa
two baby blankets
a rice bag for my father in law for Christmas

Yes, it doesn't sound like much, but if you also factor in six hours of sleep and the three hours of company/cook dinner/entertain, I've gotten quite a bit done, for me anyway.

I'm hoping to get a start on curtains for the spare bedroom tonight too ... that would be sweet.

Aah ... it feels good to get something done and have something to show for it.