Projects in Action

For Christmas, my parents got us some very creative gifts! We will definitely be busy for a while =)

Chap got a new 'Skill Saw'. I don't know alot about these things, but I do know that my dad was just as excited to get it open as Chap was (aren't they cute?!) Anyway, Chap has finished the fireplace mantle and the flower boxes outside...however, his 'to do' list is only getting longer =)

I got a new sewing machine, which I was thrilled about! I don't know a LOT about sewing, but that doesn't mean I can't learn?!

After I opened it, my mom quickly added one condition: I had to make her a quilt. Ha! I'm pretty sure it will be a couple years before I learn the quilting business, however, I did promise her the first "creation" which was this pillow that matches her new bedroom. Not sure if you can see, but embroidered on it is "No Place Like Home". Amber and Carter were kind enough to take a trip with me to the fabric store so I could get my new sewing basket and sewing essentials...thank you Amber & Carter!! =)


If Chap new how to post by himself, he'd probably add the fact that I had to keep my portable DVD player plugged in directly beside my sewing machine so I could watch and re-watch the machine tutorial over and over and over again. Ha!

My next project will be to make a doggie bed for our 'new' indoor dog =) Hopefully, after that I can move on from 'pillows' to something a little more exciting...

Happy Snow Day!

Hooray for snow days!! Alright, I know it isn't quite a 'winter wonder land'...but hey, it's still exciting! Yes, Chap and I were those kids glued to the news last night and watching every second of 'weather in motion' on weatherchannel.com. School was finally canceled this morning, and unfortuneatley, Chap did have to work today...so Brodey and I are trying to make the best of our snow day. We checked it out, still not quite enough to play in...but it was fun watching him sniff around.

I hope all my kids are enjoying their day off, and I’m SURE they are all watching and appreciating the historical inauguration ceremonies today so we can have great discussions tomorrow! =)

The 'Marley & Me' Effect

I took one of my old students, Bailey, to see ‘Marley and Me’ this past week. We both decided to read the book over Christmas Break, and a lunch/movie date was a perfect way to celebrate. Little did I know the effect it would have…

First of all, if you’ve seen the movie, and you have a dog, then you understand what I mean when I say you leave the movie a sobbing mess. Bailey and I immediately drove to my house to pick Brodey up and take him to the vet. He needed some more heart worm medicine, and since the beast seems to have enlarged since our last visit, I figured it would be smart to take him to get weighed on the ‘large animal’ scale they have...which I’m glad I did because he’s gained 10 lbs since our last visit a couple months ago, making him 105 lbs. This places fattie in the higher dosage/more expensive heart worm medication.

If any of you have ever met Brodey, you would understand why we decided to make him an ‘outdoor dog’ after moving into our new house. He has rather large jaws that seem to hold an enormous amount of slobber, which can be unleashed at any time without warning. Well, obviously after the movie this would change. Brodey got an extreme bath the next day so that he could come inside and hang out with his loving parents (yes, we put towels out for him to lay on and have been following him around with a slobber rag to wipe away any disasters).

Needless to say, Brodey has thoroughly enjoyed the effects that “Marley & Me” has had on ME. Our once outdoor, slobbering dog has now become an indoor, slobbering dog.