Sunday, December 18, 2011

Another year older

Yesterday day was my birthday.  Since I have hit all the cool milestone birthdays (being able to drive, vote, and buy alcohol), I don't really get excited for them anymore.  I would rather just avoid them as I am not one of these crazy people who will age gracefully.  I really enjoy my children's birthdays so it is nothing against birthday....just getting old.  Anyway, my husband and girls have been known to ride their bikes all over the neighborhood and have so much fun.  I recently went with them on one of their journeys and had a great time.  I do not own a bike but we have an extra that was gotten at a yard sale.  I had so much fun with them!  Mike and I decided I really need my own bike so we did some shopping.  Since it was my birthday, I took my birthday money (yes, my parents still give me birthday money at my age!) and ran to the store and picked up a bike we found on the internet on sale.  There was exactly one left at the very top of the racks so I grabbed it up.  Took it for a test ride with my girls and it was great!  I think the girls are really excited to have an extra riding buddy and I think it will be great cross training for me in addition to running.  This bike isn't the top of the line or anything but it is a decent mountain bike that I can use in the neighborhood and on trails.  And it is my favorite color!  Cute definitely helps.  The picture below makes it look more like mint green but it is really more aqua blue.  Time to hit the trails!


Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Sew this is Christmas...

Ok, really bad pun but I have been in sewing world for about a week.  I love making special dresses for my girls but don't have a ton of time to do it.  I also love to procrastinate so everything gets done at the last  minute.  Personally, I think I do my best work that way!  Anyway, I am using a great, simple pattern from Carla C at youcanmakethis.com.  Her directions are so easy to follow and the outfits are easy to put together.  I am making a simple jumper with ruffle.  Elizabeth's dress is done.  It is a bodice and ruffle of white fabric with tiny red dots.  The skirt is red fabric with tons of cute little Santa's all over. E requested Santa's and red is definitely her color!  I was on such a roll that I didn't measure out the length of the skirt like I was supposed to so she have a very long, flowey.  Luckily, she LOVES it long.  She will wear it tomorrow in the school Christmas program.  Even though it was 70 degrees today, she will wear a plain white shirt under it.


I am now assembling Katherine's dress.  Her dress will have a lime green bodice and ruffle with tiny white dots.  The skirt is white with different sized dots that are red, lime, and kelly green.  I was lucky to find fabric exactly as she described she wanted. I am going to leave the skirt long to match her sister's.  Plus, K said she liked the idea of the long, princess-type dress.

I have made enough dresses to know I hate gathering.  It is too time consuming and a pain.  But, I have daughters and all the cute dresses have gathers or ruffles or both.  Today, I found a gathering foot for my sewing machine for an awesome price (1 cent plus shipping!) so I ordered it.  I won't get it in time for this dress, but will have it for Easter.  So exciting!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

It's Crohn's & Colitis Awareness Week!

Almost 20 years ago, I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. For over a year, I had suffered with horrible allergies to everything (food and contact allergies) as well as abdominal cramps and other intestinal issues. No one could figure out what was wrong with me. I lost a ton of weight until I got to 98 pounds at age 15. I was tested for Crohn's Disease but was told I didn't have it. Everything came to a head when I was doubled over in pain one day and couldn't sit or stand up. I went to the doctor again and was immediately admitted to the hospital for more tests. An upper GI showed I had an intestinal blockage. Surgery was required. The surgeon told me that I had Crohn's Disease, and that if he hadn't removed the blockage (and about 6 inches of intestine to include my appendix) I would have ruptured and died. Heavy information to give a teenager. Strangely enough, I was never scared while in the hospital. I was at peace for some reason. Maybe I knew deep down that I had to be there to get fixed.

Thanks to the resection, I was in remission for 7 years. I have been under the care of a physician and on medication of some sort for 12 years. Today, I live a relatively normal life. I have a great doctor who is super concerned for me. I have poor eating habits and most of my flare ups are because of that. I have several, several strictures throughout my intestines but with medication and a modified low residue diet, I can handle them. I will have to deal with Crohn's Disease the rest of my life. I will be worried for the rest of my life that my daughters will suffer from this disease. But maybe with an increase in awareness of this disease, great strides will be made to find a cure.



Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Tornados and Turkeys

Today was the Thanksgiving program at my little one's school. I left work to watch 3-6 year olds sing adorable songs about turkeys and then enjoy eating some turkey with my baby. I was almost to the school when the weather alarm started going off. When I arrived, all the kids were huddled in the girls' locker room riding out the storm. I think they were in there an hour or so. The kids were so good, especially considering the small space and how warm and stuffy it was.

Finally, the tornado warning expired and we were released. The kids, dressed like pilgrims and Native Americans, sang the cutest songs. I was excited to get to eat lunch with Elizabeth. It was pretty good food as far as school lunches go and we sat at the table with one of E's best friends.


Sunday, November 13, 2011

Hiking!

We had a little adventure today after church. We drove to Tuskegee National Forest and hiked part of the Bartam Trail. The entire trail is 8 miles but we only did a total of 2.45 miles. Bartam hiked the original trail in 1775-1776 as botanist for King George.

We had a great time! It was a great hike with fresh air. The girls could run and play wherever they wanted. We even toon a snack for our halfway point - no littering allowed! The girls used some walking sticks an clinked trees and just played. So much fun for all of us. Now I need a nap!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Campfire!

So thanks to Veterans Day, we were able to pick our girls up early today and start a fire. We just ate some hot dogs (roasted by my sweet girls) and are spending some great time together. There might be a few marshmallows making an appearance later.

Special thanks to all veterans (past, present, and future) for protecting our freedoms. Without you, we would not be able to enjoy free time with our families, or anything else for that matter. :)

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Wonderful Wednesday

Today was a busy day.  I got to take my daughter for her 5 year check-up and was traumatized when she asked to go home while they gave her 5 shots!  I am pretty tough, except when it comes to my girls.  Then I can be an emotional wreck.  I for the second day in a row, I got to drive my girls to school which was fun.

Also, today, I spent my first real day of planning for their Christmas dresses.  I went to lunch alone, which I really kind of like, and did some calculations about fabric for their dresses.  The plan right now is to make 2 jumpers with a single ruffle, then a simple white shirt if I have time.  I have two options for this dress:  make a solid skirt with coordinating bodice and ruffle, or a striped skirt.  This pattern is one I bought from youcanmakethis.com and I love how easy the directions are.  Perfect for a working mom!  I am not sure what fabric to use yet as I will need some much needed input from the girls.  They are both pretty opinionated!

Tonight, I was pretty excited to see my new Runner's World magazine in the mailbox.  I always renew my subscription in the school magazine sale so I can never remember how many issues I miss between my last issue and the renewal.  This is the reader's issue so I hope to read a lot of articles about regular runners like myself.  Don't get me wrong, I love the advice and personal stories of more elite runners but it is nice to know there might be others out there like me.  Maybe someone who struggles to get out there with a crazy life or people with health issues who persevere and run anyway.  Running is truly for anyone who is willing to try.  I may not be an awesome runner, but running gives me peace, improves my health, and gives me something to strive for.  Here is a pic from the October 1st Montgomery Half Marathon.  My husband and I both participated and thought it was a great event!




Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Thanksgiving, back in the day

Today, I went to a great place named American Village (near Montevallo, Alabama) with my third grader and her class.  I don't go on many field trips thanks to my job but being a history lover, I was super excited about this one.  We had a great time!  Our group were pilgrims who traveled with Miles Standish on the Mayflower to America.  The leaders were very good and stayed in character the whole time.  We met many pilgrims besides Standish and also met Massosoit, the Indian Chief who helped the pilgrims survive.  The kids all seemed to love it.  I would love to go back some time when we could see a program on the Revolutionary War.  



Since I work full-time, I really enjoyed having an afternoon and longer evening to spend with my girls.  I was able to drive them to school today and pick them up.  Kind of refreshing.  Not sure why but I have decided to try blogging....again.  I have tried this 2 other times in the past but could never get consistent with it before life got in the way.  Let's see how long this lasts.  And if I get tired of it, at least I have gotten a little written therapy out of the way before I start something new.  I think my third grader is just as excited as I am so there may be a few posts from her!