Memory bears

Its been a while, I know.  I have thought of sposting many times but the thought often gets interrupted by a cute little curly headed kid wanting Mommy to pkay or to watch something on mommy's tablet.  and time spent on an actual computer are becoming further and further between.   I have sevreal things I want to blog about, but none that are really time sensitive, so no hurries.    In the few minutes I have this evening I thought I'd ask  about memory bears.  Have you heard of them?   {(urg tech difficulties agin....I was typing the end and ended up here...)   You take these old clothes and cut them out and sew them into a teddy bear.   You can give it a hat, a vest, additional clothes for the bear.   I'm getting ready to cut the first one out in my free time, but its not going to be from sentimental clothes, in case it isnt as easy as it sounds.   Then I already have a couple people that want them if I can successfully make them.   And I just may dig out a couple pieces from the depths of my storage of favorite baby clothes of Em's and make a bear for me.    But first, I've got a little princess that needs her bedroom transformed into something walt disney might create....a princess castle!

A couple weeks before Christmas a friend asked me that question, and I admit no, I'd never heard of a memory bear, but google is a wonderful resource and so now I am educated as to what a memory bear is.   But for those of you that know me well, you know that it doesnt stop with knowing what one is.   I have this thing about making things, I enjoy it, too mxuch I'm afraid sometimes.   Ok, so a memory bear is a teddy bear, made from memories....the clothes of a loved one that has passed on, those cherished baby clothes you just can't give up, that favorite outfit you loved in hogh school, that still hangs in your closet even though it should have died with the nineties.  

I haven't forgotten

I haven't forgotten about my blog.   Its not that I havent had anything to say.   Its just that, well, its Christmastime and I've been busy.  Excuses....yes, but 90% of my gift giving this year is homemade and the rest has been at really good bargains, which take a little time to find.   I purchased exactly two items that weren't at least 50% off and they were both for my hubby.   So I'm working on a good Christmas post....stay tuned!

December 5

I used to think a decade was a long time.   Ten years....amazing what can happen.   But at the same time, I remember ten years ago today like it was yesterday.   It was a day much like many others.   I had finished classes for the day, gone back to my apartment and was talking to Mom on the phone.  Her call waiting beeped.  It was a number she didnt recognize but she answered it.  I stayed on the line both of us assuming that she would quickly return to our conversation.  She did, but it had been my dad on the phone.  He'd  ben in a "little" accident on his way to work.  He was fine but he was going to let them take him to the hospital anyway.   Of course I was already in Springfield, so I beat the ambulance to the hospital.   I beat my mom to the hospital.  I sat....paced the waiting room, watching for ambulances to arrive.   Finally I saw the one from stone county and saw them wheel daddy in.  strapped to the guerney I could see he was talking to the ambulance guys but I couldnt tell much else.  Mom, Tara, and Blaine, a one month old came in immediately following the ambulance.  They took xrays, they gave him pain medicine, he introduced us to his new guardian angel, and they sent him home, telling him he could go back to work in a couple days.  Ten years later, the pain has never completely gone away.  I wonder sometimes about the girl that hit him.  I remember the many conversations backpaxking with my ddad, talking about how God evidently still had a job for him on earth in order for him to have survived.   You see, his "little accident"  was really a sixty plus mile per hour head on collision.  Three months qlater he was able to go back to work, but he hasnt had a day without pain in those ten years.  But he hasnt stopped living, and I think of all thats happened in those ten years...we've had many fun backpacking trips in the rain, sleet, snow....and I think we've gone hiking in good weather too..just not as often!   I've seen my daddy go from more than just daddy...he lights up my little girls eyes when she plays with "pa pa"  Ten years ago, I was certain I was all grown up....looking back, I see how much I've grown.   I've watched my best friend have to give her daddy back to God eight years ago today and four years later, also give her Mom back to God.  I'm so thankful to still have both of my parents!  Ten years ago, I almost had a college degree and was going to conquer the world with it.  I've had my dream job, I've spoken at a professional national conference for my job, all before giving that up to have the best job in the  world...mommy.  So yes, in ten years a lot has happened.  We've taken good with the bad.  And yes, as we look back on today, a decade later, we are once again certain in the power of angels and so very thankful to still have Daddy around, because without angels, no one would have walked away from that wreck.  It also reminds us that our time on earth is not guaranteed.  So what will you do with the time you have left?

Ok, since I wrote this I have had technical issues, so it is being posted a day late.  I also wanted to add a funny story.  Emily.  The Nativity under the tree.  It is the Little People one, incredibly cute, that she has played with for the past year.  Ok, so we put it under the tree the other night and were talking about why all the different pieces were there, the angel, Jesus, Mary, the wise men, the sheep, and then we got to the donkey.  I told her that Mary rode the donkey into Bethlehem.  She said, "no, wait" and ran off into her bedroom, obviously with a mission.  She came back with another Little People horse, much larger than the donkey.  "Jesus mommy needs the best horse"   Aww....how cute. 

So far today....

Not much of anything has gone according to plan.  My hubby had lots of plans to get major things accomplished this weekend....woke up at 4 am with the "bug" that he believes he got because he stepped foot in the daycare room yesterday.  Regardless, his plans were shot.  Emily and I were getting her pictures made, going to the bank, and a few stores, getting groceries and going home.   Pictures went wonderfully, I'll put a few of my favorites at the bottom.  Will still need to do Christmas pictures, but isnt the best backdrop the one that God made?  Anyway, after we get done with that we are heading to the bank, less than  five minutes away.  "Mommy, I need poot poot...NOW"  followed immediately by "Mommy I poot poot my panties"  Uh oh.  So at the bank parking lot we get all cleaned up, she says she feels fine and so we go over to Big Lots, where they have a sale that if you spend $15 on Disney Princess or $15 on Barbie you get a $20 toy free in the mail.  Yeah, wasn't impressed with their selection, and what we really don't need are more toys!  Anyway, so we arrive at Big Lots and start getting out of the car, "Mommy I need to pee pee"  Ok, surely they have a public restroom.  We hurry.  Hurry, carrying her to try to get to the bathroom quickly (I'm thinking her stomache is upset), and I came across a pot hole.  I didnt see it.  I twisted my ankle and said "Ouch" evidently much louder than I thought cause another lady came over to see if I was ok (at that point I wasnt sure) and then I decided I was and she went and got me a cart.  Meanwhile, "Mommy I need to potty".  Ok, so I hobble into the store, wondering how badly I sprained my ankle, and we get to the bathroom on time.  Ok, maybe we should go home.  But the best deals at Kohls end at 1.  Must keep going.  From that point on the day improved.  Great deals were to be had at the salvation army (perfect princess cups for a Christmas tea party, a cute cardigan for me for a quarter, a pretty dress for fifty cents), got a couple things at dollar general, and then went on to Kohls, were I scored!  Tennis shoes, tights, princess lipgloss, total less than $3.  Went to the grocery store.  Saved $56.  Spent slightly over $100.  In this day and age, that's not too bad.  The ankle is tender but I can walk.  Groceries are in teh cabinet...yes, the day is improving, I think:)  At least its warm, even if the wind is approaching those blow you in front of a bus strengths!  So here are a couple of my favorite pictures.  Now to clean a little and finish the apron set I'm making for a little girl I watch.

the great Santa debate

I didnt sleep well last night and while lying around I started thinking about none other than the jolly old elf himself....Santa Claus.  You see I don't remember ever believing in santa, although many kids I know did.  As an adult, we've had fun with Santa with my nephews.  But the fact remains, there is no Santa.  We have our children write letters to him, leave him cookies, and makes requests, hoping on Christmas morning to find a tree spewing forth all of their wants and wishes.   And while it can be fun, I question it as this season we are faced with the reality that if we start he Santa thing it is ours for years yo come, until that day when we have to look Emily in the eye and say, "yes sweetheart we have been lying to you about Santa now for your entire life.  That guy in the red suit you saw at Bass pro doesnt live at the north pole, he probably lives just down the street."  Ok, so there lies problem number one....we asked our children to believe in something with their whole hearts only to crush there sense of faith whenever they are old enough to realize Santa just won't work."   But lets say they come to this conclusion at the age of 8.   Slowly losing that innocence, we swipe a security blanket out from under them.   Meanwhile we've also been teaching them all about God, how to pray, and the story of the nativity and  christ dying for us.   Do you know an 8 year old?  If you disspell the Santa myth, isn't it going to make them question the very roots of their faith....in the important things?  Each night as Emily lays down to sleep, we talk to God.   Mostly she repeats after me, but she's learning about this awesome God of ours, how he cares about even the smallest little detail in our lives, down to the number of hairs on our heads.  Whythen do we feel as though we must attempt to make our children believe in something that will subsequentl break their hearts when they learn the truth?  I wan Emily to enjoy the holidays, and the "fun" part of Santa, but more importantly I want her to know how to give and share, not so much to receive.

Which brings me to my next train of thought.  As you probably know I enjoy following Ana White's blog.  She has great woodworking plans on sher site that she graciously shares for FREE!  She had a great idea this holiday...and has issued a challenge to all her readers which I'm passing on to you...the challenge.  Make something homemade this Christmas for someone you love.  But don't stop there.  Make another identical item (twice the product..but not really twice the work since you'll be using all the same tools/supplies) .  Donate your extra item to someone in need, whether it be a family you know to be struggling this Christmas, or through an organized charity.  For those of you near Joplin....finding a recipient won't be hard I'm sure.  For those of you in the Kansas City area, I don't know who all accepts homemade gifts however, Emily and I will be delivering our homemade rag doll to Children's Mercy.  They sounded very excited about the prospect of getting homemade cuddly donations.   So will you, join me in accepting the challenge?

Necessity is the mother of invention....right?

It is entirely possible that I will be required to go to the store in the near future, like tomorrow more than likely.  For dinner tonight we are having....we'll call it a Lori Special.  it is something similar to a bbq chicken pizza, however since I've never had one of those, I really can't say.  I was going to make loaded tortillas, a yummy recipe I found a while back.  and a throw together so fast Rachel Ray would be proud kind of dinner.  Well...what I thought was a package of flour tortillas is really a package of corn tortillas.  ok not exactly what I had planned, but should still work.  next step....refried beans.   oh yeah, we ate the last can two weeks ago and I havent been to the store.  I've made my own before, but the only kind of beans I actually have are dried, not ready to be smooshy on my tortilla shell in a couple minutes.  ok, next idea.  Pizza sounded good.  No mozzarella cheese, and weel, cheddar cheese just wasnt what I was wanting.  I had already thawed the bacon for the tortillas, we had a couple grilled chicken breasts left over, and cheddar cheese would go good with chicken and bacon, right?  well, I thought about rice, pasta, bread...oops out of bread and macaroni too.  I still had the pizza idea, and I could make pizza cruat.  but I would need sauce.  ranch would go good but i really dont like rancch...same goes for ho ey mustard.  then like a bolt of lighting I thought Barbecue sauce.  Perfect!  Of course I'd run out of that the other day too.  Not to be easily defeated, I had ketchup....and a computer with recipes galore...kc bbq sauce.  sounded like the perfect solution.  so a cup of ketchup and a few ingredients later I had bbq sauce.  So pizza crust, homemade bbq sauce, bacon, chicken and cheddar cheese.  sounds good.  I hope it is.   It is still cooking, I'll have to let you know.
I was very excited to have found a crockpot for $1 through facebook the other day....it arrived today, so tomorrow its looking like vegetable soup for dinner!  I think I have vegetables.....I also received my barbie I paid $2.36 for.  she has a couch, laptop, cell phone, all the necessities you know.  And I know a little girl that just might like something like that for Christmas.   And this weekend I need to go to Kohls.  I think I can get her a pair of shoes fo $2, and then I have the $25 from disney that I'm going to use on a 'punzel dress, costing me a total of $1.50.   Wouldn't it be cool if I could get all my shopping done for under $10¿  ok no idea how i turned the question mark upside down.  but now i must go eat dinner.

Better Late Than Never

I haven't gotten the video on the computer yet, and I'm done for the evening.  Actually considering making her dress that I told her I'd get made SOON!  Anyway, here is a little Rapunzel...the $5 version, not the $35 one!  She liked it, so all was well.  And it had a castle hat.  All princesses neee a castle hat:)