New Camera!

I have wanted a DSLR camera for SO long and I finally got one! I bought a used Canon Rebel XT from someone I know online using the money I earned by substitute teaching. I've had it since Tues. (today being Fri.) and I haven't had much time to play with it, but here are a couple of decent ones I got of my cuties.

Matt and Gracen have been sick again this week. I don't know why we can't shake the sickies, but it's getting really annoying!

I've actually done a bit of sewing! I'm getting ever-closer to finishing those gauchos. I had to have some help on the fly portion, but I think they'll work. Need to finish up the closures, then hem them. Don't you worry! I'll be posting some pics and a review once they are done!

We hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Winter Blahs or Laziness?

We have had ENOUGH of winter here in NW MO! We have hardly seen bare ground since December. It's been so snowy and cold here that no one can accomplish anything outside. Heck, I can't seem to accomplish anything inside either. We're just all seriously lacking motivation. But maybe we're just lazy! LOL!

What's been going on here?

• Illness--We all got the respiratory flu, or something like it, during the first full week of February. I have not been that sick in a very long time. It was awful and lasted a full week for the kids and I. Matt came down with it first on Sat., then the kids and I had it on Mon. Poor Matt had to take care of the rest of us even though he still felt fairly bad, too. Almost 3 weeks later, we're *still* recovering from it. I was even sick on my birthday and we were unable to celebrate. Oh well, I'm probably past the age where birthdays are really necessary to celebrate. LOL! Luckily, Garrett didn't miss much school because we got some snow that week as well.
  
  
• Eyes--I've had a roller coaster month with my eyes. I'm very, very nearsighted and have worn glasses since 2nd grade and rigid gas permeable (RGP) contacts since I was 11. My last pair of contacts were 12 years old and were starting to bother me. I looked into participating in a study for P-IOLs (phakic intra-ocular lens implants). This is similar to cataract surgery, but the natural lens is not removed from the eye and another, corrective lens is implanted to improve vision. I had decided to go for it. Eye surgery requires that contacts not be worn for several weeks prior to surgery. For me, I had to be without my RGPs for 3 weeks, have an initial exam, have a 2nd exam a week later, then plan the surgeries on my eyes--so up to 7 weeks in glasses. The eyes need to go back to their natural shape, esp. when you've worn RGPS for as long as I have.
  
  I spent the week we were sick in my glasses. It was TERRIBLE! I couldn't see worth a darn and felt like my glasses were keeping me sicker than I ordinarily would've been. I gave up on Sat. and put my contacts back in. I decided that it's not worth the torture of wearing glasses I can't see with or drive in. I've gotten along with contacts just fine for most of my life, so they aren't that much of a hardship for me. Plus, I think I was jumping into the surgery too quickly.
  
  I went to the eye doctor the next week and was told that the reason I can't see with my glasses is because they are TOO STRONG! Huh?! I was totally shocked, but it makes sense why it seemed so hard to focus on things far away. Crazy! Currently, I'm trying out some extended wear soft contact lenses and I'm liking them. The first set I wasn't getting great vision with, but this second set that I got this Thurs. are great! Great vision, but I can feel the left one a little bit too much sometimes. Have another appointment next Wed. to see if these are going to work for me and then the eye doc will write me a Rx. Lots o' driving to Chillicothe for this, but I'm sure it'll be worth it in the end.
  
  I haven't completely given up on eye surgery for sometime in the future, but I just don't think now is the time. We'll see what technology brings down the road.
  
  
• Substitute Teaching--I've been substitute teaching a bit this month. I'm saving my paychecks to possibly purchase a Canon Rebel DSLR. Since I don't have all the money for a camera yet, I'm trying to learn more about the operation of DSLR cameras and more about photography in general. I'm reading Quick Snap Guide to Digital SLR Photography. Study, study!
  
  
• Visiting Family--We visited my family last weekend and had a lovely time. My parents bought the kids bunk beds so they wouldn't have to share a bed anymore. They are sleeping so much better because they aren't kicking and pulling the covers off of each other. LOL! Gracen's loud thumb-sucking one night ran Matt out of the bedroom (the bunk beds and a double bed are in my old bedroom, so the kids, Matt, & I all sleep in the same room) and to the couch! I thought it was pretty funny!
  
  My parents, sister, & BIL got me some new FIRM workouts that I asked for. I haven't done them all yet, but I like them so far! Thanks, folks!
  
  
• Treadmills & iPods--Since this winter has been so yucky, I have been stuck inside to workout. I love my FIRM workouts, but I do like to walk/jog every now and again. It's been either too cold/snowy/windy or too muddy to get outside for exercise. Plus, the kids together will weigh too much for the double jogger stroller once the weather gets better. Garrett is just too big for it anyway, but he's not yet experienced enough to ride his bike alongside me on our hilly gravel roads around here. Now would be the perfect time to get a treadmill. After much research and looking around, I had decided on a one. The very day I was going to go pick it up, Matt called and said that his aunt and uncle will give us theirs! We're supposed to get it this weekend. How wonderful is that?!
  
  To go along with the treadmill, I've been looking the past couple of weeks at MP3 players. I tell ya, there is a dazzling array of these things available. They also do a lot more than just play music if you spend only a tiny bit more money on them. First, I bought a cheapy ILO brand (or something) at Wal-Mart. It wouldn't even turn on! Returned it. Then, bought a Memorex at Target. Got it home and saw that it got awful reviews on Amazon and Target.com. Gonna return it. After researching and agonizing and agonizing and researching, I bought a 4GB Apple iPod Nano. It's more money than I originally wanted to spend, but I figure the whole family can benefit from it--we can listen to audiobooks in the car on long drives or the kids can watch videos on it. I plan to use it when I'm on the treadmill. I'm going to purchase Cardio Coach to do some training. I haven't tried CC yet, but I've heard good things. I also miss listening to Dr. Laura since she's not on the radio around here anymore, so I'm going to try subscribing to her podcasts. I'm also going to start exploring the wide world of digital media--there are lots of free mommy podcasts on iTunes, podcasts for kids, videos, movies, music--lots of stuff! It'll be fun to play with the iPod.

That's the majority of what we've been doing, I guess. I have a bag order that I need to complete before next Wed. I've had no time to work on my other sewing projects though. Thus we come back to the main question: Is it the winter blahs or laziness?

Photo Bag

Finally! My photo bag is finished. A client requested a photo bag to give as a gift this past Christmas, so I decided the best course of action to investigate the possibility was to make one for myself. I created the outside and was pleased with the results, so I went ahead with my customer's bag, and just recently finished my personal photo bag. I'll be adding the particulars to my Bumblebee Bags website in a bit here. Check out the pics:

In other fun news, we got broadband Internet access! It's fabulous so far! Hope I can post more often here.

Sad Times

The world's worst blogger award goes to me. I can't believe it's been almost 2 months since I've had a chance to blog. I wish I could say that the time has been happy and filled with fun, but it hasn't.

Previously, I asked for prayers for my ailing father-in-law (FIL for those who don't know these abbreviations). As many of you know, unfortunately, his illness was too great for him and he passed away on Monday evening, December 10, 2007. MIL was by his side and DH and his brother had spent the weekend with them. MIL says he went very peacefully just a few hours after being transferred from the hospital to a hospice in Kansas City. Basically, as the doctors were finishing up tests for the transplant, they found cancer at the last minute (Thurs., Dec. 6). They didn't know where it had started, but it was beginning to spread and that meant the transplant would not be possible. FIL refused dialysis on Friday and was gone by Monday. It's very bittersweet--we're glad he's not suffering anymore, but at age 59, he was entirely too young to die.

So followed a whirlwind couple of weeks. The weather was awful--icy, snowy, cold--and all MIL wanted was to get home. DH & her BIL got her home and we began to plan the memorial service. FIL asked to be cremated and his ashes buried in the cemetery, so that's what we did. We picked out a nice wooden box with a deer and mountain scene on it for the ashes and guest book and programs with a farm scene.

I tell ya, I've never helped plan a funeral before and it was a very odd experience. I knew DH needed me there with him and I was happy to go with them to the funeral home. In this particular funeral home, there is a whole area upstairs with urns on display, casket samples, guest book choices, etc. It wasn't too difficult to pick things out and we were pretty open as to how the service would go. Then, MIL had to pay for the memorial service and the other services being provided by the funeral right then and there! I was surprised because I figured that surely they would send you a bill later when everything is over and done with, but that's apparently not how it works. I'm not knocking how they do it--they are a business afterall--but I was just surprised that the bill had to be paid right away.

Once the memorial service was planned, we went to work finding photos to put on large boards. Since there was no body to view, we thought people would like to look at the photos. I thought I was going to have to do most of it, but FIL's sister flew in and did a much better job than I did. She was a lifesaver! We spent the rest of the week before the service visiting with family and friends, receiving TONS of food (and I'm not kidding--TONS of food!), and cleaning the house and garage. We were busy every day and one of those days our electricity was out for the entire day (that was an awful day for me, but I won't go into that)! Like I said the weather was awful and we were really lucky that our power was out only one day.

FIL's memorial service was Sunday afternoon, December 16, 2007. We had lunch at MIL's before the service. DH did pretty well during the service, but DS cried the entire time! Poor kid! I guess it wasn't very real to him until we were actually there. Afterward, we all went back to MIL's and visited with family and friends which was very nice.

We are all doing OK. DH & BIL know they can handle the farm themselves so that's a worry off of them, but it will take some time for it to really sink in that he's gone. I'm sure it's hardest on MIL who took care of him and was with him for almost 24 hours a day. We will all make it through because we have to. There are no other alternatives. And I know that we all will appreciate having MIL around more because she's the guys' right arm, my left arm, the kids' grandma, our babysitter, friend, and general good-sense-giving person!

Our Christmas was pretty subdued. We usually go to my parents' house for Christmas, but we decided to stay home and they and my sis & BIL came here. That was probably more work for me, but it was OK. We had a good time.

Once we got past Christmas, we've been bumps on a log. We haven't accomplished a darn thing really, but I suppose that's OK. We all needed some downtime. We have gotten more snow every few days and we've taken advantage of that when we can. It's been way too cold and windy to play outside the past fews days, although it's going to start warming up tomorrow and into the weekend. I don't think we've seen the ground for almost 3 weeks! The kids go back to school tomorrow and I think we're all anxious to get back to our normal routine.

I'm taking January off from bag-making and I hope to get caught up on some of my personal sewing projects. Still need to finish those gauchos, make a jacket, and I want to make a bag for myself for a change! I'll try to keep you updated.

Our family thanks all of you for your prayers, support, food, and anything else you did for us during the year FIL was ill and after his death. It really means a lot to us. BIG HUGS!!

Oh, So Busy & A Place to Eat

Sigh! I don't know where the day goes. (Oh yeah, stupid time change took some of it!) We've been so busy lately that I sometimes feel like I shouldn't sleep so I can get more stuff done. That's not gonna help, though, so I do sleep, of course. I've had 4-H, a township meeting, Mom's group, friends and hunters visiting, bags to finish, and cows to work. That's along with cooking, cleaning, taking care of the kids, and substitute teaching two days this week. Whew! It's times like these that I wish I didn't have so much to do. Of course, then I'd be bored, so it's a double-edged sword.

Good news is that my new dining room set arrived amidst the chaos last week! We LOVE it! It's so nice--the table is a little higher than our old one which means that Matt can sit at it more comfortably, and the chairs are very sturdy and comfortable. I no longer have to worry that someone may sit down and fall straight to the floor! The table is 42W x 50L, I think, and we got two leaves for when company comes. I love it's chubby legs! The kids still haven't figured out exactly which is "their seat." ;o) Here are a couple of pics:

Keep your fingers crossed that things are settling down now. I hope to get caught up soon on posting some photos here, too. I hope you all have a blessed week!

A Little Toothless Grin

A visit from the Tooth Fairy is imminent this evening at our house. Garrett lost his first tooth today! I was eating my lunch in the office and he came in holding his little tooth in his hand and said, "Mommy, my tooth came out." He had the weirdest look on his face like he didn't know what to do or think about the whole thing! All I can say is that it's about time that he lost one. He'll be 7 on Dec. 1 and hadn't lost a tooth yet. He looks super-cute with it missing. Such a milestone for our little man!

Long Time, No Blog

Wow! It's been a long time since I blogged. We've been so very busy and have had so little time.


First, I'd like to ask for prayers for my FIL. He has been sick, in the hospital, and needs a liver transplant. Please pray for FIL, MIL who is his primary care giver, DH & his brother, and the rest of our family. This situation is very hard for all of us in so many ways. We all really need strength and understanding in God's will.


I've been busy with 4-H, subbing, a sick kid, all of my SAHM duties, my mom's group, sewing & getting project supplies, etc. I've been planning some projects for myself--gauchos and a jacket--and have several bags to make. You know I'll post pics when I get something finished!

Gracen's 4th birthday was last Wednesday. Gosh! Wasn't it just yesterday that I gave birth to that 9 lb. 4 oz. baby girl with an inch of dark hair on her head?! Time sure does fly! Gracen was sick on Monday & Tuesday, but my parents came to visit so they could be here on her birthday. They can do that since they're both retired, you know. ;o) I think she had a nice day even if we didn't do very much. DH's uncle drove up here from Kansas City to personally deliver a Disney Princesses backpack, sleeping bag, and water bottle to the birthday girl! It was really touching that he did that. My parents gave her a tricycle with all-terrain tires that will go on the gravel. We gave her a dress-up Polly toy where you "paint" her nails and hair with water and they change color. She really likes it--she really likes everything! We'll be having a little family party for her on Sunday, October 28. My whole family will be here and hopefully MIL and her sister can come for the day along with DH's grandma. I'll share some pics when I get the chance.

I hope you all have a blessed day! I'm going to go work on those gauchos!