Christmas Presents 2010

Some years in the past I've made lots of handmade presents..this year I made 2 hand bags...McCalls pattern M5822

Made this purse/bag for my Mom. I bought the pattern for $1 when Joanns had a pattern sale. I had the fabric in my stash...I did have to buy the interfacing and fusible fleece and the zipper.


This year myy siblings drew names and I drew my brother and his wife. She likes cakes and cupcakes so I made thie same pattern purse/bag. I bought the cupcake fabric at Joanns. I made this one without the zipper.

Merry Christmas!

Nicole 13, Liam(my son)12, Carson 11, Kaden 10, Rachel 9, Riley(my daughter)8, Kale 7, Ethan 6, Kennedy 6, Evan 4

10 Kids in 10 years...

My new favorite show...

I just started watching 30 rock. It is the best show I've seen in along time. I went back and watched season 1 through 4 on netflix. I'm caught up now.

Earths Children

I've now read five of the books by Jean M Auel. The next book is going to be released next year.



Book one: Book one was what made me want to read the whole series. I read this book in highschool. I remember liking the book but I don't remembering reading to the end. I've always wanted to live like a native, settler or now, a cave person. I think I've just always wanted to live off the land. I used to play outside and sharpen sticks on the ground and try to make bow and arrow, sling, sling-shot. It's so eye-opening to think about how someone survives without all of our modern supplies. The girl, Ayla, is an amazing character. She survives (and thrives) against many odds. The author describes the way of life, the plant life, tools..it's like she was there and now she's writing about it. So many things in this book are interesting -things you wouldn't even think about, like what they use to clean themselves. How do you boil water with out pots and pans. The difference between male and female. When I think of cave people -I don't usually see a difference in genders, but there must have been.
I watch the show Survivor and every season the people start out normal size. By the end they are all starving. You can tell they have less strength and energy.
Cave people survived. And it was cold.



Book two: Was good too. But 1/2 way through the book, there was conflict that didn't resolve until the end. It was a bit frustrating..It was also interesting with the addition of animal friends. We really don't think pets are odd to keep..for the cave people, they were food, predator...not pets. Plus now we have bred pets that aren't wild and unpredictable. Our pets docile. No one would think about taking home an animal from the zoo and expect it to be tame. Book two also had the romance..



Book three: they met other people and described a different way of life/culture. She learned new things from the new people. She also saw how they did somethings and improved upon their process. It was also the first time she realized things were made for decoration...not for a needed purpose. Also there was some jealousy and mars vs. Venus...when I read online the reviews, alot of people commented that there was too much descriptive intimacy... Book three wasn't too bad for me but by book four, I was all, "again?" ...flip to the next page.



Book four: a bit boring. lots of descriptive plant and animal life. A little magic. More 'doing it' than in book three. Basically a journey from where they've been to where they're going.



Book five: They made it home and once again Ayla impresses everyone. She was amazing. There are so many people in history who have been to extraordinary to have invented and thought up new ways of doing things. There are even more people who only utilize those inventions and don't contribute. To be where we are now...people like Ayla had to be there then. There's such a huge difference in people now that it almost doesn't seem like the same species. We are so different...but in a way, they could independently take care of themselves....I don't think we could. It's one thing to go and live off the land..but to know how to utilize the resources of the land.
Anyways, I kept waiting for something to happen in book 5 to break the couple apart..I thought there would be some taboo or she would do something to piss him. But nothing kept them apart this time.

I'm looking forward to the next book. It will be here in about 4 months. The books were really good.. I'm glad I decided to read and finish all the books. I started this summer and read through all 5 books in a only a couple months. I didn't have to look any words, like I do in other books...but I had to look up 'banking a fire' and some species of animals they talked about. It made me think alot about plants, herbs, spices...How they were aware of the spiritual, not just themselves.

What to do next

I sewed Rileys costume for Hallowen..it was like getting bitten by a little bug. Since then I've been feeling like sewing or creating/crafting. I started dieting last year and shifted from creating to working out. Any spare time I had I would bike, swim, walk/jog...Now I feel the creative coming back, I just don't have a direction yet. Should I pick up an older project that needs to be completed? Or start a new project...Christmas is only 1 1/2 months away. Then, I have all of these home projects to do.
This morning I cut some fabric for a hand bag pattern...but it calls for Buckram...
I don't have any and I actually had to google it to find out exactly what it was. I figured(by the discription in the pattern that it was a stabilizer).
It's actually very stiff and will make a handbag stand up and keep it's shape. I'm going to have to get some at the fabric store.
While I was online checking I found a cute blog....sewserendipity. Lot's of cute sewing ideas. This lady makes "now" patterns. Things that are home-sewn, but look cute and modern. So then I checked out blog pages and images...and there went that hour.
Anyways...I have too many things that are going on in my head. Thinking of what to do next makes me think of things I need to get done before I have "fun"..the responsible mom in me it saying "housework first". The kids need clean clothes to wear and dishes to eat off of. Plus all of the extra things that I have started(but not finished): orginizing my closet. I've started, but not finished, cleaning and orginizing the kids play rooms. I have started, but not finished ?# of quilts and quilt tops. I've started, but not finished re-doing the storage stuff and tools in the garage. I've started, but not finished my garage sale project. I had one garage sale and put the things in boxes for another. The back yard needs alot of work..which I've started, but -you know. My bar-b-q needs new propane. I have so many things that I just need to pick one and get it done before working on other things. Because as it is, nothing is getting done because I've started too many things. I think I need to work on something that really needs doing before I start another project. I need to pack up the Halloween decorations and ..
uhhhhhhhh...this is making me depressed.
I guess instead of sitting here on the computer I should get my day started.
First thing: make a list of what I want to do today/this week. I actually can get alot done because I am closing shift at work. So after the kids go to school I have 5 hours to myself.

List:
1. Mt. Laundry
2. Pack up Halloween
3. Work on the Garage
4. Dishes
5. Vaccum doggies hair
and
6. Pick up some buckram for later
7. exchange the propane tank

..okay that'll be today. I guess I've decided to be Mom/wife today instead of crafty sewing lady.

I better get started

Halloween 2010

It's our most favorite holiday ever!!!!! This year, Halloween was very good. William was home(didn't have to work:) ). We decorated, strung lights, carved pumpkins, got dressed up, tricked, treated...lots of fun.

Riley this year changed her mind many, many times before she decided to be a pixie/fairy. I made her costume. The skirt I just made with out a pattern. It's just sparkly tulle and an elastic waist band. She wore leggings and her gymnastic leo under and for the vest, I used a McCall's pattern(M4887). I made the wing shape with thick wire. I stretched pink tights over the frame and glittered and attached arm straps. I painted and sparkled her face and arms and she wore a bright pink wig from the Halloween store...until it was too itchy.

Liam wanted to be Super Mario. We went to the Halloween store Friday and luckily found one his size. His friend, Matthew, went trick-or-treating with us.

I was a fox(one of Riley's previous was-going-to-be's), with a tail and face paint.

William, surprisingly, let me paint his face! I say surprisingly because he is like a 2 year old whenever I try to put anything on him(sunscreen, bug repellent, etc..).
He was the mad hatter.

Ahhhhhhhh

This book is frusterating! I want to shake these people. On the other hand..I want a block of flint..'cause I feel like I know how to make a spear point now.

Rennasianse faire

Saturday was awesome. We took the kids to the Renaissance faire at Casa de Fruita.

William, myself, Riley and Liam. Liam decided he wanted to dress up and we went straight to the rental shop. At about 11am it was warmish. We sat and watched the jousting and horse show. We were all screaming for the knight from Brittan (because we were sitting in his section...) This is a very exciting sport! Lots of danger...Swords are sharp you know.


We walked the entire perimeter 2.5 times. The second time around we found Angel. She works in a fur/leather shop. We bought a fox tail and an amulet bag. I also bought 2 mugs (from the pottery shop)which I love the most. I had to try my grip on all of the mugs and find the one that fit my thumb just right. I found two -they're beauties. They're signed "schultzi". I wish I had a cupboard full of schultzis dishes.

Food prices were high, as we expected, but probably no more than if we'd gone to the state fair.
The kids got a ride on the huge swing. They also shot arrows at an archery booth.

Weekend

I finally have a weekend off..w/ no one to intertain no partys to throw...nada
So I mentioned to William that I've been dreaming of the cold ocean..I have a wish to sink my toes into wet sand. And then there is ren faire this weekend. I wonder what we'll end up doing

personal problems

Happiness is right around the corner for me..I know it.. My Dr. called me today and is going to increase my thyroid dose(hallelujah)..I have been feeling really crappy this summer. I told the Dr. about this three weeks ago. He had me do blood work and I've been waiting to hear back. Today he called and said he'd fax my new prescription in....
When I got off the phone I felt so good...I know what it feels like to be correctly medicated and I'm so happy that I'll be feeling good soon....
Not having the correct thyroid level is so horrible. I don't feel like I'm alive. Last year he put me on the correct dose and immediately I felt normal. I had plenty on energy--I could go to work, take care of my kids after, exercise some..make dinner Do laundry..help w/ homework dinner grocery store after school activities pack lunches for the next day..

For the last month I nap and yawn and want to do... but can't get up long enough to do the basic stuff ...people at work keep telling me "you look tired". I haven't ridden bike enough..my pants are tight and I feel like crap.

Rileys last day of being 7

9/19/10
I got home from work today at 5 and took the kids on a bike ride. The weather was perfect almost fall weather. It was a little breezy but still warm enough to be nice. We went all over...first stop the Applegate park to play and swing for a bit.



Then to B&N for a Latte and Vanilla bean fraps for the kids..My latte has a skirt and arms and a very large head...
We rode back the way we came and stopped to see the new S.Steiner statue.



This is the big hole by our house...It will be an underpass someday. For now its a nuisance ..unless you're a kid. There were other kids down there so mine had to go exploring too. We also rode to Grandmas house to say goodbye for a week(my parents are going to Texas)..We got home when it was getting dark and got ready for bed.



Riley went to bed as a 7 year old and woke up 8... HAPPY BIRTHDAY RILEY!!!

...at our house we always have birthday pancakes for the birthday kid. It's a tradition that started when Liam was in Kindergarden. Every year before the birthdays start I get reminded constantly to make sure I have the whipped cream and pancakes for the birthday breakfast..they think I'll forget.
So now--after today the birthdays are done for a year(atleast the ones I'm responsible for)
ps. today is my niece Nicoles 13th birthday too..HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICOLE!!!

Longest bike ride in a while..

I have been feeling drained. I've been taking a lower dose of Thyroid medicine for three months and I can feel a significant drop in energy. I haven't come home from work ready to go exercise..I've been wanting a nap. 2 weeks ago my head started getting that fuzzy feeling(when I'm not on enough thyroid) so I called my Dr. to have the blood test. Hopefully, this week, he'll increase my dose. I also have not lost any more weight..I've gained. My pants are tighter. I keep telling myself to go. So I finally went. It's been 2 weeks since I've ridden at all. I wanted to really have a good bike ride so I set out. I didn't ride very fast but I wanted to stay out for a long time and keep riding. I averaged 11.something mph(slow for me) and I stopped once to blow my nose and once to drink some water..but I rode 1hr51min. so I was happy.
Anything after an hour is painful especially if it's been a while. My little toe on the left foot started hurting..my undercarriage area was hurting.. my hands. What I've learned about cycling is that it's about pushing through the pain and going and going and going. I could have worn my chamois and been more comfortable but I got through it and now I feel so much better.

Happy Birthday Liam

My son is 12!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ahhhhhhhhh.
How did 12 years go by this fast. We celebrated his birthday partially seperate from his sister. He started by telling me that he wanted his own party. We have been having combo parties since Rileys 2nd bday. It is alot of work to pull a kid birthday party together. And for me, to do it twice in a month, it's almost too much. So we compromised. He really wanted to go to Bubbas BBQ restaurant. We asked the grandparents and anyone who wanted to join us for lunch. I took Liam to Baskin Robins to order a special cake that only had his name on it(the restaurant let us bring it in..and kept it in the freezer until we were ready)

That was Sunday the 5th. The next day after work my Mom and Dad surprised me with a picnic dinner at the park for my birthday. All my sisters, brother and kids were there.
The next Sunday we had the "party" at the lake with tuns of games, candy, water balloons, pinata, cake, presents...

Fall Service Project 2010

We have something called the Hero Program at my work. Every year we find a project to do in the community. Employees, family and friends sign up to be volunteers for a day(or more). The store supplies all the materials and the volunteers do all the work.

Last year we worked fixing up Kiwanas kiddie land. We painted, fixed the roof, did some landscaping etc,. It was a big job and took numerous days to complete.

This year we worked at the Merced Homeless shelter. We cut wood to fit under the mattresses to support the beds. We built shelving racks and picnic tables and donated umbrellas. We were even written about in three local newspapers.
It wasn't hard hard work...but I think the bed supports alone will make a huge difference.
The beds look very uncomfortable. Many of them had layers of cardboard under the mattresses. I don't know how to describe it but some of the beds were sunken in. The metal frame was coming apart in some areas... Anyways, the wood under the mattresses are going to add support and make them more comfortable(if a thin mattress on a bunk bed is comfortable)
As you can see, I'm wearing my cycling gloves...not sure why I have sunglasses on indoors..

Bedtime Stories

I was remembering, tonight, my bedtime ritual when I was little. I would beg my dad to tell me a bedtime story and he didnt want to -he just wanted me to fall asleep. His story always went like this..."once upon a .... time ....(yawn). there was a little girl...(yawn)..and she was very ... very... tired... (yawn). she was so. tired ...she was soooooo tired she wanted. to go..... to sleep (yawn)"
-like the yawns are going to rub off on me. He told that one so much it must have worked. I would scream "no! I want a real story"
-Then when my mom would read me a bedtime story she would read a page and fall asleep and I would shake her and try to wake her to read more..every page she would pause and start to fall asleep or she'd yawn every other word.

...uhhh. My torturous childhood..deprived of a descent bedtime story.

So tonight as soon as I laid down on Rileys bed to read to her I started yawning. I had to flip over and read on my stomach so I wouldnt keep yawning. We read Junie B Jones book and once I started reading I was fine because of how funny the book is. I was laughing and Riley was laughing.. so we got through a few chapters.

Wicked the book

Finished reading Wicked. I enjoyed this book...although I'm not sure I enjoyed it enough to read the next book in the series. The musical didnt follow the book...it had some similarities but there was alot that was completely different. Some books made into movies have alot that is just left out..Like in Harry Potter, Hermione is involved in Spew..to help the plight of the house elves. That is completely left out of the movie and it was a big part in the book. No..this book turned musical things were completely changed and I was like, "hey, that character Avric is changed to Fiero in the book??...but not in the end""hey Madame Morrible trained Elphaba to do magic..oh, wait, she doesnt do magic in the book?" "but, Elphaba made the shoes magic...not glinda?..."> Actually I still liked the book even though it was changed.

Anyways it felt like the author is so pissed about society and is writing a book to bitch about how things are...he had so much in there Im sure he could pay a psychologist to just read his book and diagnose him with out having to go to therapy.

Saw these in my photos...so cute I had to post them

These photos were taken just before we moved back to Merced...
It never seems like 5 years have passed until I look at pictures of my babies. I'm always overwhelmed by their cuteness...they ARE still cute to this day. But look at those faces!

Group ride

Most people at my work know I like to cycle. It's been mentioned a fw times that there should be a group ride. Saturday I told Priscilla that we should plan a ride, she said yes.. And we looked at the schedule and Monday worked. Even though it was only 2 days away I posted a sign that there would be a group ride (out and back) all were welcome.
Monday I worked 10-4 ... The ride was scheduled for 5pm. Priscilla texted me that we were still on.
Guess how many showed?

2 - it was just me and her. But today more people asked about it and said they'd ride with us..if there was more than a day warning . So we decided next tuesday would work and I put a new sign up. I wonder if more people will show. I was always envious of the bike club that rides around merced intheir kevins bike shop jerseys and bike shorts. I've always wanted to ride with a bike club. I just don't want to be the slow overweight one 2 miles behind everyone else. I remember last year riding the bile trail and seeing a group of bikes and people. I was excited because I thought I found a bike group that hangs out in the park...then. I got nearer And saw the baby trailers with bags of recycling and bed rolls and back packs with worldly belongings..my heart sank a bit. I wonder what they would have said if id have peddled over and said "hey, can I ride with you guys?"

so, because it was only Priscilla and me we planned to meet at rahiley park. We rode to the lake and back. It's a good ride...I was worried that Priscilla would hate me today...but I saw her and she said she wasn't reall sore much..but is happy for the weekto rest before our next ride.

Here I am again watching gymnastics class. Riley is on beam. Walking backwards. I have had alot of work to dothis week. Yesterday I worked 2 hrs over...but it's only 1 1/2hr or because I ce home for lunchand I'm always 10-15min late +we are scheduled 15 min past the hour 7-4 is just 7:15 - 4.
My ear has also been stuffed all week causing me some dizziness.
That plus that means I haven't been doinguch fitness. I have been doing better with my nutrition. Most of the day I've been good-perfect. Then the evening hits and i don't do as well. I'll eat too much or not enough good stuff. I'm planning a yard sale so I won't bike tonight but maybe I'll plan for tomorrow. I want to have my sale tomorrow but I'm not ready and I already feel tired thinking about everything I want to do tonight/early morning. We were supposed to camp with Williams parents..but they planned their camping trip for the weekdays and were only off for the weekend. Will goes back to work sun night so were just staying home this weekend. I hope I can get this sale together because I've been wanting to do this for a long time

Summer swimming

My kids have been going to swimming at the Merced College pool for the last four weeks. Riley and Liam both did a 2 week secion in the Advanced Beginner class(which was nice because they both went from 10 to 11am everyday). Liam moved up to the Intermediate class(at 11am) and Riley is in the Advanced Beginner class at 10am so we're doing a little more juggling. I love watching them swim- sitting watching their classes makes me want to get into the water and swim too.
The first day I took them I noticed a sign that said Adult lap swimming class: $75 dollars. I mentioned it to my husband that I was interested in signing myself up. I also mentioned it to my in-laws and they thought it was a good idea and offered to pay for it as an early birthday present to me. So I(because of work/life scheduling) have been going twice a week for an hour class each time. I like the 5 o'clock class better than the noon class. It's less crowded. This week I've been having ear issues and dizziness so I've havent been. I'm hoping tomorrow my ears will feel less stuffy.

Card I made for my sisters bday

I have 4 siblings and some of them have spouses...plus nieces and nephews. So we celebrate alot of birthdays. Last year a sister and a sister-in-law decided that we should stop giving presents for the adults birthdays. So for 2010 we are just giving cards. If I have the time I enjoy making my card..if not I'll ask Riley or Liam to make a card.
This is the card I made for my sister Carrie. Her birthday was on Sunday.

She was an 80's child(when the Care Bears cartoon was popular). Because her name is Carrie..we called her Care Bear as a nick name. So I found an image of the care bears online and using card stock..cut and pasted all the pieces and then used a fine tip marker for the outlines.

Mom made homemade Lasagna w/ garlic bread, green salad, fruit salad(which was more like desert because of all the whip cream)and cake with ice cream....It was delicious but definitely not diet food.

We played apples to apples... Liam and my sister Rachel were doing good..but Tim was the winner. I didnt have the best cards this time. -That's ok with me because I'm still the reigning Scrabble champion. Becky told me we should play 1 on 1...I told her I wasnt going to play her for a long while. I want to enjoy being the winner for a while.

Anyways...I wish my sister Carrie a very Happy Birthday. 30 was a difficult year for her so I hope 31 is much better.

Yes, that is sweat on my head

I did a very fast(for me) ride. My legs are warm and fuzzy feeling...I actually might have some soreness(better stretch &eat some protein now. Stretching is the best way to not feel sore later

Summary:
00:52:02
12.17 miles
54' elevation gain/loss
14.0 average moving speed
20.3 max speed
152 average HR
188 Max HR
387 calories

Help!

Help! I've fallen (off the wagon) and I can't get back on.
My diet is so bad. Mom made lasagna for my sisters birthday... And I ate it :(
my pants don't feel so lose any more - at least I can still zip and button.
The lasagna isn't the only slip. Desert at mimi's restaurant on my anniversary, cake, salami.
I am sitting watching Rileys gymnastics class and typing this on my iphone. Before this I was grocery shopping and I consciously only bought good veggies, yogurt nonfat milk ,healthy nuts, celery. I haven't had a great summer as far as fitness and weightloss is concerned.
I was hoping to finish my weigh loss by autumn- but I've slowly gained Back 10 lbs. that I've already lost...so now I get to lose those again. -joy.
Last summer I was so successful. I was okay logging so many hours away from my family. I felt that it was necessary because my health was in jeopardy if I didn't go out and exercise. I rarely ate with them --I had my nutriton plan and I'd cook meals for my family but I'd go out the door on my bike once they were fed....and if I didnt get in a bike everyday I'd do atleast 30 min walk or stepper.
Last year was about me getting healthy. This year has naturally reverted back to them. A few times I've gotten home from work thinking about going on a ride...and the moment I walk on I hear,"oh good Moms home - mom can we_____." of course my plans are forgotten because I've already missed them all day long. I feel guilty if I leave them home and go exercise. Now it's almost the end of summer and I am still wanting to be a changed person...it is really easy to eat correctly if I'm exercising 1-2 hours each day. I remember how I'd feel after a hard workout ..I didn't want to ruin it by eatting bad. I would've done all that work for nothin'.

Now I need balance! The only thing I've managed is lap swimming class twice a week for an hour and I really like it.

I'm listening to John Mayer free falling, and watching Riley do split leaps -she can't get the arm swing right, I just told her that I could've done that one better. (I could have too)
she's such a strong girl...but she doesn't always get the graceful part...has to be reminded to point her toes..
I love watching her- it's amazing the things she can do. But not today...she's flopping around and not focusing. A few months ago she was on the verge on moving up to level 3 and at every class she was super good. Now she made it to level 3 and it's alot larder than level 2. And it's twice as much gym time(3 hrs per week). Not sure how well adjust once school starts and girlscouts & catch are back...and homework. I've been wanting to take Liam to karate again.
For the last month both kids have been in swimming lessons, 1 hour each day. Monday thru Thursday. Plus Riley's 1 &1/2 hr gnastics twice a week. (and dont forget I work full time)-So we've been busy. -I guess you can see how little time I have had for my own activities.
I know this Blog post sounds like I'm complaining --or making excuses. I really do like keeping my kids busy. It's important for them to not spend the whole day in front of the computer, tv & video games.
Right now I'm trying to psych myself up for a long bikeride this evening - and since my husband is resting before work the kids will most likely be in front of the tv if I go...I think I should rename this the-busy-mom-blog or the-not-every-mom-can-do-everything-blog

Our 16th Anniversary!!

We celebrated our anniversary today. We surprised the kids with a trip to Great America for the day. It was very fun. We had a full day..I think Will told me that we were there for 9 hours. We stopped at Gilroy to have diner at Mimis. Mimis is my favorite restaurant... but not the Gilroy one. Their building was beautiful but the service was slow and not very good. I think we'll stick to the Modesto, Elk Grove, Sacramento Mimis from now on.
This time last year we were on our backpacking trip in Yosemite....good times.
I think we all had a good day.

iphone

Hey everyone (ha! Everyone - that's funny). I'm blogging from my new/old iPhone.
We bought the iphone4 for my husband. And had his iPhone turned into my iPhone! I haven't had an iPhone yet so this is new to me and Happy Fathersday to him! It's so awesome! So far my life has been benefited by having it

A bit better

I got ready for a ride and walked around the house for a while, had a cup of coffee..filled up and chilled my water bottle...

Liam asked if he could ride with me, if I wasnt going too far. So we rode bikes around the bike trail once. It was warm but there was a good breeze and most of the trail is in shade. I used that ride as my warm up..(my heart rate didnt get over 110). After our ride together William and the kids went in the pool so I was able to go out by myself and just ride faster.

I listened to the latest episode of The Age Grouper for the first part of my ride then switched to Lady Gaga. It was warm - but not unbearable. I After 90 minuites my left pinky toe started hurting. I rode 2 hours 5 min. and my left foot was the only thing that had pain. My legs feel good.. everything was good, considering It's been a while since I've been on the bike for 2 full hours. My goal wasnt to push it..I just wanted to put the time in and start to build up my workouts.

I jumped in the shower when I got home...and got ready in a half an hour. I had promised the kids I would take them to the movies to see Despicable Me(cute movie). I didnt have time to stretch alot so hopefully I wont be sore tomorrow...