Sewing Machine

As in...I am the sewing machine! I've been working on patching up Scott's old jeans. He's been holding on to them for so long and refuses to throw them out. They're his favourites...all 7 pairs of them! You know how it is when you've worn them in just right and they're perfectly comfortable. So I understand why he's reluctant to part with them; however, patching jeans is a lot trickier than you'd think. Mainly because you have to manage all that jean fabric in a tiny little space in the sewing machine. As you can see, my patch job may not be the prettiest...but it does the trick!! Even if it's not perfect, I expect him to say "Thank you dear, they're just right" and wear them with a smile!! ;) And he will, bless his heart. After I finish with the work...I'm moving on to the fun projects! Annika's little dress is next! Woo hoo!

Hope you had a great weekend!
Penny

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Google = Cool

Anybody else out there use Google Reader? I absolutely love using it!! I've got the mobile version for my phone and it's so handy to be able to take a glance at one screen and see all of the updates for the blogs I follow...and there are so many out there to follow!!

I'm tellin' ya, if you haven't tried it, please do!! I've been checking out what I can do with my google profile too...so I've been sharing posts that interest me and "liking" things and "starring" other posts that I want to go back to later. Anyhoo...it's a good way to waste some time, so check it out if you can. You have to set up a gmail account or google account, but it's relatively simple...and most importantly, FREE. If you enjoy surfing the blogosphere, this is a great way of keeping on top of new posts without opening more tabs/windows to view multiple blogs.

I had great plans of coming home and doing some sewing but I don't think it's in the cards for me tonight. I'm tired. Kind of emotionally drained...it was a tiring day - we'll leave it at that.

I hope you all have a good week. I'm trying to avoid temptation (those delicious little cookies I baked yesterday are calling my name). Maybe I'll have just one teensy little cookie...can't be that bad for me right?!? :)

Penny

Another Week

Well...here's three posts in a row...how's that for getting back in the swing of things?! :)
It was a good weekend. We had some nice family snuggles...i love lazy weekend mornings! We also spent some time playing outside (Annika loves being "side" to play). Daddy threw her in a snowbank...she was not impressed. Not at all.

The snow plows finally made it down our street today and it looks pretty clear out there, except for the 9 foot piles of snow in our corners. At least we can get in and out of our driveways now...it wasn't looking good for a couple hours this afternoon!

We baked some chocolate chip cookies this afternoon and took a couple dozen to our next door neighbors...we've been lucky to have them come over and snow blow our sidewalks and driveway...yay! Scott really wants to buy a new snowblower. He has been spending lots of time online looking for a smoking deal on one. He's also been eyeing up new suv's...pricey ones like bmws and porsches! Lol...boys and their toys. I'll let him dream...but that's where it stops - in dreamland. ;)

I am looking forward to a beautiful sunshiny week. I hope you all have an opportunity to get out and enjoy the fresh air! This week my new rotary cutters that I ordered from ebay should arrive! I'm so excited!

Chao for now!
Penny

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More snow!

I can't believe there's still more snow left up there to dump down on us! More snow yesterday evening...it's nuts. Today I was able to get some things checked off my "to-do"list, finally. Did some vacuuming, cleaned bathrooms, did laundr (well, started it at least). Feeling pretty good about the day. Even managed to make a broccoli salad and some sesame breadsticks...mmmm. And last night I made a yummy banana zucchini bread that turned out just right.

This evening we went over to a friend's place for turducken...anybody ever tried that before? It was pretty good! Tonight was not a good night for calorie counting Penny. Yikes. Maybe tomorrow I'll spend some time on the elliptical to work it off. Maybe.

Heather and I managed to cut some more strips got her quilt...we still have a good ways to go though. I have way too many projects to do, and not enough time to get them all started! :)

Tomorrow we'll be checking out our old place to see how the tile work looks. Let's hope it all came together well!

Enjoy your Sunday...night night all!
Penny

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Avoiding the List

I wrote a list of things to do a week or so ago - mainly focused on things I want to clean/do in the house. Today was a busy morning and I managed to check off not one thing on my list! Sheesh. I took the van in for an oil change, which it was in desperate need of, and I picked up some cleaning things at the dollar store and we filled up with gas and had a bite to eat with Scott. None of those things were on my list. So i think I"ll make a day of it and I'll continue doing a bunch of stuff that's not on my list! Like sewing! Tee hee...I'm starting to pin out the pattern for Annika's summer dress. I'm really looking forward to working on that and figuring out my way around a sewing machine again. It's been ages and ages since I've done any sewing...and I'm excited to use the wonderful new machine that my in-laws bought me!! I'm the most spoiled DIL in the world!! :) I'm a lucky girl.

I also think I'll bake some banana muffins...I may even use a squash in my muffins. I was inspired by a friend, Holly, who made a butternut squash/banana loaf...doesn't that sound great?! Mmmm!

I purchased some rotary cutters on ebay last weekend and I was hoping they'd arrive by the weekend so that Heather and I can do some serious work on her quilt. Alas, they haven't arrived yet and I'm beginning to lose hope. Sigh. Guess I may just have to go and buy another one. Oooh, this isn't such a bad problem after all if I can somehow work a trip to Michael's or Fabricland!

My wonderful friend Sandy sent me a link to a site that is hosting a competition for a brand new sewing machine!!! You have to sew a pot holder and send in your picture of what you sew as an entry! So I may just do that. One can always use a FREE sewing machine, dontcha think? Here's the link if you'd like to check it out. http://www.prudentbaby.com/2011/01/contest-sewing-machine-double-down.html Anyone want to join me for a night of sewing pot holders?! LOL! :)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Penny

The Journey Down

I can't remember if I've shared how the hubby and I are working on being healthier...and so far it's going ok! I'm doing much better at meal planning which is definitely making a difference. And of course, portion control is pretty important with a heaping helping of exercise. ;) So far we're down 5 lbs each...woo hoo! It's a start, right? The cookbook I'm using is from Taste of Home...Comfort Foods Diet style! They've got some super yummy recipes that both of us are really enjoying! And it makes plenty so I have lots for leftovers and lunches...I love making life easier for me. :)

Now that I've shared that I'll share that I made some delish brownies tonight!! Hmm...perhaps not the wisest move considering our healthy objective. But it's ok...I figure I'll throw them in the freezer and we can take one or two out as needed! :)

I, like many Edmontonians, was so happy to see the sun shine and feel it warm up today. Woo hoo! Let's hope we've seen the end of the snow. It may be good exercise, but I'm tired of shoveling.

Penny

Another Snowy Weekend

I wonder...is there an end in sight to all of this snow?! It's crazy...I really should get some pictures of the crazy quantities of snow out there. Today I went out with my friend to get some fabric for a quilting project and when we came back we saw a tiny little munchkin bundled up and standing on the sidewalk watching her daddy shovel. The snow piles are honestly 3 times her height...it was funny to see her standing out there. Wish I had taken a picture!

So I made borscht tonight!? What do you think of that? I haven't had a bowl of borscht since I was just a young'n and my mom made us some while we were watching Jaws. It's funny, but I really remember that day...eating our soup in the living room while watching such a scaaaaaaaaaaaaaary movie! ;)

I sure hope you all had a wonderful weekend staying warm and cozy! I'm sad that it's back to work now...let's hope the roads are ok tomorrow morning.

Ta ta for now!
Penny

The Man in Red

Annika met Santa last month - this is a snapshot of how it went! We've never heard her scream in such terror! Poor little thing...we couldn't help giggling a bit though!



Wonder how next year's meeting will go?

Purpose, Passion, and Plans

I'm currently attending a 2-day seminar entitled "7 Habits of Highly Effective Managers" (anyone out there heard of Dr. Stephen Covey?) My employer is really good about sending us to excellent employee training, focused on understanding how each of us is unique with distinct abilities and skill sets, and how we can all work together best.

Throughout the day we were given several examples of individuals whose decisions impacted so many people - in some cases world-wide. One individual we discussed, John Wooden, was a college basketball coach touted as the "Greatest Coach of all Times" by some in 2009. Highly revered among his players and colleagues, John was positively inspirational to his team. He didn't focus or harp on winning, he guided players on the team in life lessons - lessons still being applied today. I was reading up on his life this evening and I read his 7 Point Creed that I would like to share with you.

• Be true to yourself
• Make each day your masterpiece
• Help others
• Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible
• Make friendship a fine art
• Build a shelter against a rainy day
• Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day

I read this and thought about how simple each point is, yet how important. It was pretty obvious that John Wooden was passionate about basketball and about teaching and his players. When I assess my work life, and sometimes even my personal life, I feel like I am missing some of the passion I respect in so many great leaders. Perhaps I missed my calling....maybe it'd be easier to be passionate about something slightly more exciting than accounting! :) However, I think there is opportunity in every situation. Opportunity to positively impact coworkers, make a difference that will be remembered. Maybe I just need to look deeper...I don't know!

In any case, I feel fairly introspective and I've been thinking about things I want to accomplish this year, since it is a new one. I think I'll start a list here...my list of things I want to be passionate about, things I want to achieve or do, ways I want to make a difference.

Purposeful, Passion-filled List:
A) I want to be a nurturing, supportive wife and mother. I want my family to always feel appreciated and that home is safe. Home is fun. Home is love.

B) Crafting provides me with a creative outlet, one where I can learn, improve and just have plain ol' fun!

1. I want to have card-making nights with friends where we make cards all evening and laugh and joke. We'll have snacks and drinks and just enjoy each others' company while gettin' down with our creative selves. Anyone want to join me??
2. I will be quilting this year. I am purchasing equipment and will be getting fabric for projects in the next couple weeks. My bestest bud will be joining me on this journey (let's hope she enjoys it!)
3. I will sew the summer outfit for Annika that I planned to make. If the pattern I currently have is too small I will get another one and make something that fits!
4. I will start Annika's scrapbook. I will finish Annika's scrapbook.

C) I will find a church I enjoy attending and start going and getting Annika into the kids programs.

D) Begin reading non-fiction books each month to learn something new.

E) Take more pictures and really get to know my camera. Make sure to have many family shots - they're important.

F) Make time for frequent family visits.

G) Take a long hard look at what I'm doing with my life. Is there anything I need to change? Do I want to go back to school? Eeeek!?!?

That's enough for today. Lots of things to add, but I'm tapping out for tonight. Going to read a fiction book and escape! ;)

Penny

Happy New Year!!

Hi all!
Hmmm...it's been a month, I think, since my last post. Oops! Christmas was a wonderful time - we enjoyed ourselves so much - time spent together with our families and friends. What a fantastic season...I've always loved Christmas but it was so much more enjoyable with a little one toddling around!

I hope you all enjoyed your time spent with loved ones...and that this new year presents you with the opportunity to enjoy even more time with your friends and families!!

:)

Talk soon....
Penny