Mothers Butterfly Quilt

Today I went to the doctor. Once I was done and had gotten the bad news and good news all I wanted in the world was to talk to my mom. It was so hard to not have that. I did talk to my dad on the phone but even though I love him and we are close, its not quite the same. It is funny though because he did express the same concern she would. One that I waited to long to go in, Two that I needed to take all my antibiotics and do as the dr said, Three that he would pray for me. 

On the way home I thought about her a lot. How hard life was in those last few years for her, how much I don't want to have to live that way and that I really really need to take better care of myself. I already have some beginning signs like low blood pressure. It can be good but well it can be bad too if it continues to get low. It also isn't great that my body does not fight infection well.

The Lord sure knew my inner cry. As I approached my house I drove past our mail box to put two bills in. A Butterfly landed and touched my hand ever so softly as I reached for the little lever. Just one of those awesome moments. As I walked to the front door I saw one more, it was much smaller. It brought a quick tear to my eye as I remember so many times spotting butterflies, dragonflies, and hummingbirds with my mom as a kid and a grown up. Even rainbows in the sky. One time we saw a double rainbow as we were driving up the mountain pass from her dr appointment in CA. I remember the beauty of it and just her being so captivated by the Father's promise that comes with the rainbow. 

I am so blessed to have had such wonderful moments with her, to be able to have a moment like today that takes me back to amazing memories of a strong woman of faith. I do admit selfishly I thought of that bigger butterfly being my mom and the smaller one being my son. Knowing they are together in heaven is a thought beyond words.

Today also made me realize I am ready for something special. I wanted to make a butterfly quilt to remember my mom by. I remember how hard it was for me to put her burial quilt with her in the casket. It was rough to let go of it, but I knew I wanted a part of me, and my family with her on this earth, even though she had already departed it. I found this wonderful template today online for a butterfly. I am still trying to figure out if I can applique some other things with it. Applique is very new to me still. Its hard to think like some do that she is smiling down from heaven, but today I felt touched by heaven for sure.

Tackle it Tuesday

I admit this is more like a late tackle it Monday- I had to do the sanding on two corners and repaint last night, because I have a dr appointment this morning, then I also got asked to help with the choir dress rehearsal for tonight's program--this afternoon at 12:30. I am praying that me arriving at my appointment early will help me get in early, get out early and make it back in time for their rehearsal. Will be a tight fit, but that's what happens when you are asked last minute.

So the before color was a purple- it had been in my daughter's room at my Mother in Law's house years ago when she was in pre k, at the time she had her room a very loud pink and purple. It worked for the time, but since we have been here it has been in my room and well I hate looking at it. I decided since I had plenty of the paint left over from the game center, I would just use the same color to do the dresser. I think it turned out great!

Jakob helped me move the frame in this morning when we got up- so that part is my tackle it Tuesday. Its right under the window so the space is used well and I hope to be able to put things in it soon. It will be a much better location than in my bedroom against a wall taking up space. We also moved a gun cabinet last night- after we moved the mirror on the wall by our bed. Of course we found more mold. Never a good thing- means three of the four interior walls of our room have it. Probably a high source of my depression. Hopefully we can tackle those locations soon- for now I have used bleach and vinegar. I loved the mirror when our bed was in the middle of the room, now it was just in the way- its something the previous owners left. I know why now that we saw the mold. Same story as the extra wide baseboards I love- a nice cover up job. So sad that people are so dishonest. Regardless I am still making progress and I am happy about that. If you will pray my appointment goes well and quickly that would be great.

Cleaning Part Two

This is what was left this morning. It was very very overwhelming, so I dragged container by container to the bed and used the table and trashcan to go through each. Took a couple hours but not too bad. It has ALL been gone through and put up in one way or another.

This is the newly cleaned area. Since it will be my sewing spot I want to get a bookcase for my supplies that will help things stay tidy since there is no longer a desk here. I am hoping Hubby will make the bookcase this weekend. I need him to hang my thread rack for sure.

So I didn't get everything put away just yet this is a box of just things to be filed and sorted into files. Not bad, but I better get to this first thing in the morning- My main goal is no containers/boxes of stuff. Unless it is for storage like blankets or supplies.

This is the trash- feels good- alot of magazines and mail - I was surprised at how much homework that is graded ends up in my room too.

So with all stories of my life this is what is left. Not too bad. A lot of random things and not really a great deal of stuff, just have to take another 30 min or so and get it all put up.

40 Bags 40 Days

I thought I was going to apply for that job I heard of last week, but turns out we have decided for me to just stay home. I did apply for a job last week for teaching part time this summer in just the month of June, so maybe that will come through. We decided that Zekaryah needs more help with Math this summer to be better prepared for Jr High next year. In a way it is a relief because I think there is still much to do before I can go back to work full time.
For example today I tackled part of our room. There was at one time a bucket here with socks- well I think the kids borrowed it and I had asked them to clean up the mess they left- It didn't happen- one more reason I wanted them out of our room.

This is the newly cleaned area, much better. I also have a bag of trash- I don't get how so much stuff ends up under the bed. I also pulled down the blanket that was over the sliding glass doors so that I could wash it, its been up there a year so I was thinking its probably full of dust. Did the same with our bedding- will be nice to have clean sheets with the cleaner room.

Even tackled my side of the bed, clearing out my bedside table that for some reason gets full of all kinds of things. I tackled under my sewing tables too. Now I have some more room if I need it. I do still have a ways to go. I am kind of drained today and not in a very good mood. I would like to say I am going to keep pushing but will see.

Frankly the site of this is overwhelming. I think there are four containers of random things that are left from the living room, kitchen, den, the desk we moved. It has all made its way to my room. I hope that I can just put in a movie and keep moving. It would be nice to have fully tackled one more room! May the Lord give me strength and motivation.

Free Shipping on Tshirt Quilts

In honor of Mother's Day 2011, I am offering FREE SHIPPING on my TSHIRT Quilts. You still pay to ship your shirts to me, however, I will ship your quilt back to you for free. This is for US Orders Only though. So go take a look around my ETSY shop and order a Tshirt quilt today. Upcoming Holiday Events

Easter- Graduation- Mother's Day-Father's Day- then of course birthdays too.. they make wonderful gifts.

Feel free to spread the word for me. The shipping code is MOTHERSDAY11.

Weekend Work

Zekaryah had to show me Saturday that he cleaned his room, I had been on him all week about the fact that it was dirty again. He even showed me how much he liked the quilt I finished for him- because his bed was all made. He said look it has all the things you have made for me. Pillowcases, blankets, pillows etc. Good Job! I love clean rooms and happy kiddos.

This weekend I wanted to tackle the pantry. We had cut and painted the top and base boards a while ago- but they were still not up yet. My husband was insistent on painting the ceiling- so- he got to that first- I was more concerned about getting my last top shelf. I needed the extra storage space.

So here it is all painted- I used the same charcoal color paint that I did the game center shelving with, amazing how much darker it looked on this plywood.

Top Boards in- and caulked- I will have to go back in and paint over the caulk, not that I want to do that but hubby wants that done- he doesn't like that it dried white. hmmm

Baseboards in. It is so nice that this is all working out. We have done everything ourselves- the walls were open if you remember from a long time ago- you can't tell at all that they are plywood now. They really look like sheetrock. Great going!

After an hour of work, and the installation of my last top shelf- which we finally had the money to buy those last two pieces of wood for, well I am a little more organized again!

I love it! We still need to do some more work in here- like framing the window- putting in a new window and a window unit, then framing the door and around the shop style light. It has come along way though. I am so thankful it is almost done!

What I really like is I have some storage space for fabric. Eventually I will go through the containers again and maybe do one more donation bag, so that I have less and can store things more efficiently. I am going to try and get to some of my projects first though. The very first two bins are just blankets that are keepsakes, so might see about investing in or making a cedar chest for those.

So truth be told, we have a long way to go to get our room and closet done. I bet it takes another month or so, since we don't seem to ever have a full weekend to tackle projects. The closet is a disaster. Paul needs more shelving on his side and I need to invest in some baskets to help organize things better.

Right now I have about four-give containers all piled up against the wall and under the quilting tables that need to be gone through too. I dont even have the energy to start today, so maybe this week. There are no quilt orders so I will have plenty of time to try and make hard decisions and limit what we keep. It would be great to have more floor space for when I am making those big Tshirt Quilts, so my goal is by the end of April- to have all this squared away.

Posting Early- Menu Monday

I admit I am getting depressed. The mania has passed and the lows are hitting, so I am being proactive and got a menu and shopping done to try and help at least with the cooking portion of this coming week.
This week we are making use of Fajita Meat cooked Saturday Night, making several meals from it to cut down on the budget. I was able to do this weeks groceries for $40.  That included my nine boxes of cereal at 1.28 a box. :-)

Sunday

Chicken Taco Salads

Monday (I have a meeting night)

Enchiladas-with leftover Fajita meat

Bean Burrito for Jakob

Tuesday- (kids have choir performance tonight)

Tostadas

Wednesday

Pancakes

Thursday- Paul works late

Boys Tuna Helper

Mek and I- mac n cheese

Friday

Grilled Fish 

Dirty Rice (white rice kiddos)

Saturday 

MEF DAY= Softball Game/Booth- Paul BBQ

Sunday 

BBQ Chicken and Veggies

Purex Complete With Zout Satin Remover Review

Purex Complete with Zout combines the proven performance of Purex detergent with the triple-enzyme stain-fighting power of Zout stain remover.

Purex complete with Zout contains three powerful stain fighting enzymes. Each enzyme targets a different type of stain.

  Purex Complete with Zout can be used as both a pretreater and a detergent making it great for every day laundry and heavily soiled loads.

For Normal wash loads, use it as you would a normal detergent.

For really tough stains, pour a little directly on the stain and rub into the fabric. Let it sit for 5 minutes before putting it in the washer. 

 It will work in any type of washing system.

The Purex Complete with Zout Fresh Morning Burst and Free and Clear fragrance bottles. 

You can get this NEW product at stores such as Walmart, Target, Kroger and Publix. 

I must say personally that I loved the Purex Complete with Zout. I chose to try the Free and Clear version. I had a stain on a quilt that I was working on and I did the pre treatment method. I waited the allotted time after rubbing some in, and then added some to the wash as well. The stain really did come out. It also helped with those socks that never seem to come fully clean. Watch for future posts as I will host a giveaway for a coupon for your own free bottle to try this wonderful new product.

**I was not paid for my opinion, I was given a bottle of the product to try and then post my honest opinion of this new product. **

Zekaryah's Ocean Mania Quilt

Zekaryah's Quilt has been a quest in the making. I had the top done quite a while back, I was going to link to the post, but I have no idea where exactly in the year for 2010 it was. Oh well.. Anyway point is, today I had this pinned quilt starring me in the face and not much to do, so I finally got to quilting and binding it.

I think he is going to love it, it is bright and colorful and full of ocean ideas.

At the time that I was making the quilt, his favorite color was blue, so I found this neat star-burst fabric that kind of reminded me of jelly fish- if you use your imagination. Needless to say his favorite color is green now, but he still likes blue, so he says.

It even has his name at the top, however I will have to fix it with a label because well it cut part of the R off his nickname which is Ryeyo. For now it is in the washer and then will hit the dryer than hopefully his bed- Lucky him I noticed while in his room that his room once again needs cleaning. Guess he can do that while Jakob and I are at the carnival working tonight. So maybe just maybe I will finish Jakob's quilt next week, or over the weekend. That one is more of a challenge since my original plan did not work, so his quilt top is actually a work in progress.

Trusting the Lord

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (NIV)

Proverb 3:5

Last night my husband received a phone call from his coworker telling him that there was an opening at Exxon Mobile for a clerical position, and asking if I was serious about going back to work full time. It would be working under his coworkers girlfriend. First off, I was serious a year ago when things were pretty bad and it looked like there was an opening at my husbands work. I am a little torn at this point because I am not sure what the right decision is for us. I know with me staying home the kids grades are all wonderful and they have time to do things like Track, Volleyball and choir. I also know that Jakob graduates in three years and we get our afternoons together with me being home, so that is nice. 

I will admit that it is a hard call to make. I know that our house needs a lot of repair and the land we own is not selling anytime soon, so this would be an answer to prayer financially- if the money was right. My cousin made the comment last night not to be too quick to dismiss. It made me realize that even though my heart knew we had to pray on it, my mind was not doing that. 

There are pros and cons to every decision. I do realize that Jakob would be driving soon, so that would help with the number one issue- how to get the younger two to and from school activities in the afternoons. 

That brings me to this verse. I am looking at this in a world's view. Not seeing the bigger plan. This is a great opportunity, I have worked this type of job before and loved it, the kids did well in school then too, I would still be able to handle quilt orders- just maybe not turn them around in two days. The Lord would be able to provide us new windows, a new fireplace etc if I was working- because of the added income. Things would also not be so stressed because my husbands income does not meet what our monthly bills are, and we do live without things like satellite TV etc to keep the budget low. 

I am going to trust the Lord to open the doors that he would like opened, and close those that need to be closed. I will do my part and go to the temp agency and do the application process and testing, then if I am hired I will trust the Lord to make a way for all those that seem impossible right now.

Its very interesting how quickly live can change by the decisions that we make. 

I look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for our family.