Caroline and Scott, Prom 2011

I'd like to share my Walgreens Photo Center photos with you.

Showdown at the LC Corral

Troubles brewing more than normal at the LC Corral.....  We'll probably have a showdown at 20 paces.

Yesterday is one of those days I'd like to forget.

Z left his phone at a high school in Evergreen.  He's had it a little over a week which seems to have heightened our aggravation.  He was at his track meet there, apparently running and texting is an event now, and he lost it.  He realized it when they were leaving and even went back to look for it, but couldn't find it.  A young person called me from it to tell me they found it and would put it in the school office.  Thank goodness for honest and smart people!  M was livid, of course, and had to telegraph the I told this would happen to me in any way he could other than verbally.  I called to confirm that the phone was indeed at the school office and it was.  We can't get there today and the school is closed tomorrow.  M is busier than hell and we don't know when we can get up there to get it next week.  There is a chance that one of the EMS teachers will be there and be able to pick it up.  As long as I know it's safe, I don't care if it's a week.  It will do him so good to not have it for awhile.

C missed her school soccer team and individual pictures yesterday.  I want to strangle her and her team probably does, too!

She didn't have school because the juniors were ACT testing in the morning.  She could have gone to school for lunch and the afternoon for study hall or tutoring, but why would she do that?!  She tried to get me to take the day off so I could take her to finish shopping for prom and get some waxing done.  I couldn't for financial and work schedule reasons.  I didn't press either and even try to take half of the day for a couple of reasons.  We had every opportunity to do this stuff last Saturday, but she was too busy attending a party for the brother of a girl she is feuding with (another example of how she would rather spend time with people she dislikes than stay home) and then spending the night with someone else that night.  Sunday was Easter.  No, I didn't tell her she couldn't go and do these things, but I did tell her that I doubted we would have time to go during the week before prom.  She went anyway.

She is So living in the moment.  We have had talk after talk about issues like this.  We've been trying to get her to think things through and to make good decisions, but she can't seem to learn the lesson.  She's not very good at living with the consequences of her actions, either, and constantly looks to us to work around her schedule.

Her grandmother offered to take her out yesterday to get done what she needed to get done.  They set up the time, but my mom was a bit late and C slept in and then didn't get going herself.  I sent a text reminding her of things she needed to do like take her dress with her to make sure the stuff she would buy would go with it.  She was specifically looking for undergarments, jewelry, and maybe something for her hair.  I also made note of the forecast for Saturday, COLD and WET, and suggested she look for some type of wrap or shawl.  Shopping with my mom is difficult, admittedly.  She's barely mobile so going anywhere takes three times as long, she likes to express her opinion, and passive aggressively to bend you to her will.  C got a bra, but didn't make sure it worked with her dress.  She bought a necklace, but they couldn't agree on a bracelet.  She refused to consider pantyhose.  She didn't even look for a shawl.  They went to two places.  C had made other plans to go to the mall at 1 with her prom date that isn't her boyfriend and another friend that is also going to prom.  She made my mom take her home so she could be picked up by Thing 1 and Thing 2.  My mom gave her $5, part of the money she was going to use to take C to lunch, and tried to get C to confirm her plans and asked her if she needed anything else since she was going to stay in the area because it was silly to go home across town and then come back to pick up S and Z for me at 3.

Needless to say, she was late getting back from the mall.  I don't think she even considered coming home to allow herself enough time to get ready and get to the high school.  She texted me at 3:50 to tell me she was on her way home.  I think her pictures were to be taken at 4:30.  I told her I was still at work, having got held up, and hadn't even planned on being the one to take her to the high school.  She was calling me at 4:15 to see where I was.  Duh!  Her team captain had called her to see where she was as they were setting up and couldn't wait for her.  There was no way she was going to make it walking and my mom wasn't in the area anymore.

I don't know how to get control of this situation.  I'm sure someone will tell me.....

I got home at 4:45 and she was on the couch watching T.V.  She had nothing to say.  I told her I was angry and disappointed, continuing our conversation from when she called me at 4:30 to say she had missed her pictures.  We didn't speak anymore.  I had called her dad already and I thought we would talk together later that night.

I took S and A and their friends that they had been hanging out with afterschool for $.31 Scoop Night at Baskin Robbins and had ice cream for dinner.  It didn't brighten my mood, unfortunately.

M is working all day Saturday since he is supervising some installation of a big piece of equipment.  He's had it planned for months.....long before all this prom crap started a couple of weeks ago.

Do you think we'll have made up by then?!  She has to get her nails done and her hair done.

Since M is working, I'm going to be the one who has to do it all.  A has swimming lessons at 9.  S has a soccer game at 11.  C's hair appointment is at 12.  If we want any pictures of C, I've got to go take them at the friend's house at 4 since M will probably still be working.

I'll have to ask my parent's for help being two places at once--my mom, the one she was rude to.

Maybe I should suggest that the prom date who isn't her boyfriend take her to her appointments?!

Schmoals

I spent a good part of the weekend in the kitchen going through cupboards and cleaning.  I can't believe how much junk and duplicates we have.  Somehow I ended up with six loaf pans and two bundt pans.  I think some of them must be my mom's.  She hasn't baked for years (no oven--don't ask) and so I think she brought them over for me to use at one point.  I also had a couple of lids for pans and storage containers that I no longer have.  I went through two junk drawers and threw most of the stuff away.  I cleaned most of the cupboards and reorganized, i.e. moved stuff from one cupboard to another.  I still have a bunch of work to do.  I'm dreading the refrigerator.  It hasn't been cleaned in a long, long time.

I threatened M that I was going to paint soon.  He doesn't believe me and I don't blame him.

Goals....Schmoals!  I have to have some.  I'm tired--really this time--of waiting for him to help me.  The other thing I'm tired of is him being so disapproving.  If he doesn't like what I'm doing or, more, how I'm doing things, then he should help or do things himself.  I know I'm not going to get new cupboards or a floor anytime soon.  I would like to regrout and replace the vinyl baseboard thingies around the cupboards.  One of the cupboard doors is hanging by one hinge.  The front of the silverware draw came completely off last night.  I don't know if it can be fixed.  The back door between the kitchen and mud room needs to be replaced because the dogs have almost scratched through the door to the front of it...but, again, why bother as they'll just destroy the new one.

He finally moved the old dishwasher out of the back room that's been there for three months.  I've asked him before, but he finally decided to do it.  Maybe my plan of guilting people into things worked?!

We had a nice Easter, otherwise.  S was upset that for the first year we didn't have an Easter egg hunt with plastic eggs.  A asked me at 8 p.m last night when we were going to dye eggs?  I did feel awful....  M and I went shopping with C for candy yesterday morning.  I came home and threw their baskets together.  The only thing we couldn't find was Pixie Sticks.  I told the kids that the Pixies were on strike.  S and A got stuffed animals.  The older two wanted ITunes and Xbox cards.  M caved.  We finished our day with an early dinner of ham and sides.  Oh, and M and I both helped S with her science fair project that is due tomorrow.

And There She Goes.....Again

I know I've been whiney more than ever lately.  Ugh and Ooops!

I'm not any more optimistic today, but I did decide to work a bit on my attitude and the things that have been bothering me.

I've been working on some quilt stuff in EQ7.  A boost of confidence and accomplishment can certainly help one's attitude.

I've also been working on some things around the house.  I've been doing laundry, cleaning in the kitchen, and cleaning in the living room.  I've been focusing on the clutter.

Still no help from the family, but I'm using my last gasp of manipulation.  Maybe if people see me working they'll pitch in if nothing but because of guilt.

Sadly

I've been informed that C will be getting ready for prom with her friends and someone else's mom at someone else's house.

Our house is in too much disrepair.  We have too many dogs.  We have too many kids.  We don't have enough space.

All this should make me....everyone....want to get my....our....act together, right?

Don't make me laugh.

It makes it easier for me to be busy/lazy.  Will no one step up to the plate?

I guess not.

It's too easy to be on FB, play video games, watch T.V., play Legos or dolls when not sleeping, school/work, or eating.  It's easier to hang out at other people's houses.

I think about taking a week off of work to work my butt off around the house, but I probably wouldn't get much done.

Maybe I'll just run away instead...

The Phones Have It

Two down with two more to go.....

Zach turned 13 today.

Sarah turned 10 today.

Z is thrilled to be a teenager.

S is thrilled to be a double digit age.

Z asked for my homeade (actually my mom's recipe) lemon cake so I made it.

Sarah decided on a cookies and cream ice cream cake.

We had a nice steak dinner at home before desert.

They were both thrilled to get their phones.  Z didn't even mind that he just got his and his 10-year old sister did, too.

Both waived parties in order to get them.

I hope it's all worth it.....

Ignorance is Bliss

Ignorance is bliss.

When I find out things on my own, I'm twice as upset.

It doesn't take much to get me down in the dumps.

It's too late in my life and marriage to institute change.

I'm living the definition of hopeless everyday.

Now I'm leaving

Any moment I'll be gone

I think you'll notice

I think you'll wonder what went wrong

I'm not choosing

But I'm running out of fight

And this was decided so long ago

It was last night

If I Stay (Gayle Forman), p. 190

I just want out.  Out of my existence.  I find myself wishing that a lot lately.  Not be dead.  Or kill myself.  Or any kind of that stupid $#@*.  It's more that I can't help thinking that if I'd never been born in the first place..... Where She Went (Gayle Forman), p. 69

Quitting's not hard.  Deciding to quit is hard.  Once you make the mental leap, the rest is easy.

Where She Went (Gayle Forman), p. 182



Too Much of a Good Thing

I wonder if I will ever get back to quilting.  A's puppy quilt is abandoned on my design wall.  I'm supposed to be quilting Twilight, but I haven't been.

C got her dress.  Her dad took her back to Neiman's on Sunday.  We learned two things:  even Neiman's can be affected by the economy and they only take American Express.

They have shortened their hours because of the economy.  M had to write a check of all things.  Who does that anymore?!  He didn't have the other option of an AmEx card.

I still love the dress, but definitely know it's not worth it and terribly overpriced.  Hey, Shannon...if you pop in an read this post:  Do you think about $25 worth of fabric and notions?!

I think my body is out of alignment.  My hip hurt like crazy yesterday and today from all the walking I did on Saturday.  I am so pathetic!

On another note, after not seeing HP Deathly Hallows Part I in the theater, I've seen it way too many times now.  I tried to watch it Friday night without the noise of the kids like M suggested.  He was snoring about halfway through so I gave up.  I saw it three separate times on Saturday through various points as the kids watched it separately.  I saw it a couple of times on Saturday.  Too much of a good thing?  Well, I am looking forward to the second part.  I hope it gets more exciting.....  Maybe I can finish the book before it comes out.

M got our taxes done at 1:45 this morning.  He's annoyed that we broke even between federal and state.  He always loves a big refund.  I'd rather use my money during the year and not have the government using it.  I guess it depends on how you look at it.  I think he was looking forward to using the money, though, and was counting on it.  We both made more money last year, but have little to show for it in the scheme of things.  I still think there is something he's not telling me....in fact, I know there is something he's not telling me.  Oh, well.  It's not like he ever actually gave me any of our refunds in cash.  I'm not saying he didn't put it to good use by paying bills with them in the past.

He's off with the boys tonight at a Rockies game.  The Rockies had a tax day deal.  $10.40 tickets that I heard about on the radio this morning.  I purchased good seats for them in the lower level outfield.  The seats are normally $70 seats.  The weather is really crappy, though.  They headed out bundled up.  I hope they have fun.  Z's birthday is tomorrow.  One of the things he asked for was Rockies tickets for good seats.  The deal was kismet!

It's just S and I tonight.  C is off at a lacrosse game with the Prom Date.  I still haven't met the kid.

I should get some sewing done, but I'm not feelin' it.

The Rigors of Shopping

We almost had the dress....

C had a soccer game this morning so the plan was for us to shop this afternoon for THE dress.  At half the game was 2-0, but it ended 7-0.  C was pretty upset again and I wasn't sure how this would affect our shopping.  We came home so she could clean up.  M actually wanted to go which was a good thing because he's the one with the money.  It would have meant one more step of him coming to our location to make the purchase.

I had heard that David's Bridals was a good place to go from a couple ladies at the quilt shop so that was on our list to visit.  We went to Park Meadows first.  C didn't see anything she liked even enough to try anything on at any of the department stores or specialty stores.  Part of the problem, I think, was that we were battling against the color issue.  Greeeeeeeen.  riiiiiiight  She knew she didn't want a long dress and that was about it.  I gently tried to suggest that she might want to look for a black dress and have green accessories.

We struck out at the mall so we headed to David's across the street.  Nothin'--not even a try on.

I was getting pretty annoyed at this point.  I wanted her to at least try something on.

I suggested we head over to Cherry Creek Mall.

Two malls in one weekend.  I can't tell you how long it's been since I've been to a mall.

One of the stores we visited was Neiman Marcus.  Ouch!  I was standing back at this point, standing in the walkways, and not even heading into the dress racks.  I was kind of afraid to at this store.  I passed by dresses that had $2000 price tags (I looked).

We decided we needed a snack and to regroup.

I told C that she should at least try something on and wasn't there at least ONE dress she liked well enough?!

She told me there was one at Neiman's so back we went.

I felt so out of place in that store.....

She tried on the dress.  Black.  Above the knee with a wavy hemline.  Strapless.  Chiffon skirt with an under skirt.  Drawn up at the waist on one side with an indiscriminate bow.

Size 0

The dress fit and looked like it had been made for her.  I loved it!  She didn't want to come out and show her dad, but I made her.  He was speechless.

$315

M didn't even blink.

C liked it well enough, but no sale.

The sales lady said it was because I said I liked it.  I don't think so.  C and I don't really have that acrimonious a relationship.  I've tried very hard to respect her wardrobe choices and not force her into anything (unlike my mom).  I've given my opinion, but I've never forced the issue.

She said she liked it but she wanted to try on a dress at David's.  YGTBKM!!!!!!!  Back across town we went...

Another black dress.  She yanked it off the rack and asked for a room.  M and I sat.  She came out in a fuss.  It won't work.  She had pulled a dress without looking at the size and it was a 10.  I'm like, "We came all this way...go look and see if they have your size and try it on!!!!"

No go.  Size 2 didn't fit and she didn't like the dress enough to bother getting it altered.

"I want the Neiman's dress."

Sigh and grumbling from M and I.

I'm not sure if it's because she really liked it or if she was sick of shopping.

We had left Alex at my mom's because Z was spending the night with a friend over there and I knew he wouldn't want to walk around the mall looking at dresses.  S was with my sister hanging out after she took her to S's soccer game.

We picked up Alex and headed back to Cherry Creek.  6:20

Do you know that Neiman's closes at 6 on Saturdays?  We didn't.  Crap

I guess we'll have to go back tomorrow if they're even open on Sundays.

Maybe this dress ISN'T meant to be?

Prom Bound

I'm sure it's a bad thing to live through one's kids.....

I didn't go to a prom.  I wasn't asked.  I didn't belong to a group of friends that went.  I would have liked to have gone.

The EHS Prom is on April 30, 2011.

C is a Freshman so I wasn't worried about her going to prom. (Nor did I budget....)

Caroline has been crushing on a Senior boy for a couple of weeks now.  She asked me a couple of times what would happen if she got asked to go.  I honestly told her that I would be thrilled for her, but dread it at the same time.

She got asked yesterday.  The asking was supposed to be a big soccer game half-time production.  Boy was to enlist friend to hold up sign to ask C to prom during her soccer game at half-time last night, but all students were sent home from school and are off today because of a chemical leak in heating system.  Boy asked her yesterday anyway.

She is thrilled!!

I am, too.

M not so much.

I don't think this is the way it's supposed to be, but boy already has his color scheme picked out and, since it's his Senior Prom, C has to go along with it.  C's friend is also in the same boat.  C got the better color, though in my opinion.  She has to find a green dress and the other girl's color is yellow.  Green is a good color for C, thankfully.  I told her she needs to make sure she knows which shade of green she's looking for, though.

Aiding and Abetting

C has joined the EHS student protest over the non-renewal of math teacher Cherri Spencer's 2011-2012 contract.

They've even started a group on Facebook!

Any protestor needs a kick ass T-shirt....

I don't know who came up with the slogan?!

She got her dad to buy the T-shirt at Hobby Lobby with a stencil and some fabric paint.

I couldn't let her do that.  Her last attempts at decorating T-shirts with fabric paint have been interesting and.....messy.

I made her use fabric letters instead.  When she asked for zebra print from my stash, I only felt a chest heave for a second.  I mean, I can always get more zebra fabric...

She traced the letters onto fusible.  She ironed them onto the fabrics.  I cut them out.  She arranged them on the shirt.  I spent my afternoon sewing them on.

I told her she has to wear the shirt every other day, but not to get suspended or arrested.

I may or may not support the protest in theory,  But, like I said, C needed a good protest T-Shirt.  I can appreciate her choice to protest.

  I am not taking orders.

#%@! Free Motion Quilting

I think I'm going to make this a regular series.... #%@! Free Motion Quilting

In my neverending quest to become proficient at free motion quilting, I supplied myself with some new materials and watched some more videos.  My last attempt at free motion quilting the owl quilt finished with mixed results for me.

I understand all the concepts so they aren't the issue.

These issues remain:

1) I have never been able to draw.  It's a brain thing.  Free motion quilting is like drawing and, at the very least, doodling so I'm going to always have trouble.

2) Free motion quilting is actually the oposite of how one would draw.  The paper moves and the pencil is stationary.

3) I am dealing with equipment issues, thread issues, and the like.

4) I'm too impatient.  I'm going to have to force myself to do the prep work, like developing a quilting plan and maybe doing some marking of the top.  I also want to see improvement.  (No, I don't have to be perfect out of the gates, but I do want to feel like I'm going to be able to get better in the near future.)

I think I have finally solved some of equipment, thread issues, and the like.  When I have quilting questions, I hit the 'Net for answers.  I found Leah Day's site awhile ago (too lazy to link...you're own your own).  I had a Supreme Slider already.  I feel that it's helpful, but I've about ruined mine sewing through it when it's come loose on my machine without realizing it so I need to replace it.  I purchased Genie Magic Bobbin Washers to help deal with backlash which I don't know if I was really experiencing to being with.  I got a pair of Machingers.  (I used other gloves and tools to help grip/control the quilt top.  The jury's still out for me as to whether or not I think they're better than anything else.)

I think all these things helped me net better quilting results for the owl quilt.  My stitch length was pretty consistent.  I didn't have many skipped stitches or tension problems.

I wasn't happy with my quilting pattern.  I tried a simple meander.  My meander looked pretty goofy in places.

I decided to practice using water soluble Sulky stabilizer as a way of marking my quilt.  I drew some designs on it with a Sharpie and tried quilting them in numerous efforts.  I don't think this method is ever going to help me.

I'm a wild quilter.  I can't trace the design.  I get too panicky.  I quilt too fast.

I'm practicing free motion quilting again because I need to quilt the Purple Quilter Eater quilt.  The quilt is a lot bigger than the owl quilt.  I don't want to just meander.

I needed more Aurifil thread for piecing.  I had to order online because freaking GAQF closed (yeah, still pissy about that!) so I decided to splurge on Isacord thread which is another Leah Day recommendation.

My Singer Confidence Quilter, the machine I use for quilting, likes it!  I did have to go buy a thread stand because the thread spool was getting hung up on the spool holder.  It solved the problem.

I should be ready to go, right?!

All of this still hasn't solved my problem of quilting a nice design.  I guess I should be thankful that I won't have everything else to worry about.  I should be able to focus mostly on learning to quilt/draw on my quilts.

Remember Whooo Loves You....Love, Mommy

See that smile?!  It's moments like these that make me glad I'm a quilter and (almost) forget to be so critical of myself.

I made the Remember Whooo Loves You (pattern by Acorn Quilt and Gift Co.) quilt for the PatchworkTimes Monochromatic Challenge.  January's color was yellow.  I'd had my eye on this pattern and the Lila Tueller fabric (border fabric) forever.  When I decided to do the Challenge, I splurged on the pattern and the fabric.

I had planned on donating it, but Sarah claimed it.

It is April 5 and the quilt is finally finished.

  I quilted it myself and, of course, I'm trying to be happy with my results.  (I used 80/20 Hobbs for the batting and I really like it.)  It's actually been quilted for over a month, but for some reason I put off finishing the binding.  I worked on it here and there until last Friday when I completed most of it while sitting poolside watching the kids swim.  I finished it this weekend watching basketball.

I wanted to make a special label.  I scanned the owl applique pattern that was used for the quilt and then printed it in a reduced size.  I printed the label on photo fabric and then appliqued the owl on it, machine sewing as close to the edge of the individual pieces with matching thread, and framing this with the same quilt border fabric.  (I had a little problem with the label.  The fabric discolored with ironing.  I did everything I could to get the discoloration out (washing in cold immediately, hydrogen peroxide, and bleach), but it still has some spots.  I hand sewed the label down with an invisible applique stitch.

Sarah is so glad it's finally finished.  She loves it.  I about cried with her when she told me that she was tearing up when I gave it to her finished tonight.  Her words, "Thank you, Mommy!  I love it!  I'm about to cry.  It's been so long since you made me a quilt.)

It has been that long....around 7 years?!

Not Your Average Dummy

There have been so many responses to the topic of the Dumbing Down of Quilting.  The blog world really is a small one.  Does everyone hop from the same blogs to others?  We must.

My response was horrible.

I think it all boils down to the fact that no one wants to be called a dummy or to be made to feel like what they do is so elemental that a caveman could do it even if they are enjoying doing it simply and they say they are happy with their skills and quilts.  One immediately gets their back up.

I think quilting is difficult.  It takes practice like any other thing in life.  It can take a lot of concentration, too.

Sew an accurate and consistent 1/4" seam...no problem.  Cut a strip with ruler and rotary cutter that isn't bowed in the middle...piece of cake.  Look at a block or entire quilt and see all the individual parts without a pattern showing them to you...child's play.  Ha!

I just want to be sure that those that want to improve their skills are doing so and not just giving up and saying that it doesn't matter because they feel like they'll never learn or become better.  Are they saying that because it's really how they feel or because they don't want anyone else to think that what they're making has that dorky homeade look?

I also want to be sure that I'm not looked down upon because I like my quilts to be just so and the best that I can make them.....

This has happened.  I'm not supposed to sew well because it makes other people feel bad.

Make Me an Example



Who ordered the snow?!  I sure didn't do anything resembling a snow dance so it wasn't me.  Even if I expected it, the weather was still a major downer today.

I stayed up way too late last night sewing.  I shouldn't have because it messed up my whole day.  I had neither the energy or the motivation to accomplish anything today.

I am the worst quilting example.

I'm doing everything I can to ruin the puppy quilt.  I had the worst time cutting down the center section down and getting it square.  I'm such a dunderhead sometimes when I don't use quilting common sense.  I make it a point to sew accurately so that I don't have to square stuff up.  It's actually less work to do so and less frustrating!  I end up having to think more.

Then, in trying to even out the quilt to make adding the border easier, I added sashing strips larger than called for.  I didn't like the way that looked so I decided to trim an inch off all of them.  Not only was this wasteful, but on one side I got lazy and ended up miscutting so I had to take the strip entirely off and add a new one. 

Ugh!

At least I know the top isn't wonky, because these sashing strips fit the quilt on all four sides without any easing.

Like I've said before.  People may not like all the quilting rules out there...... but they really are tried and true AND should be followed.  Following them saves headaches later.  Whenever I use shortcuts or get lazy, I'm always sorry!

I'm back on track. 

I wanted the next border which is striped to be a bit different than the pattern, but I have trouble with random and I want to be accurate so I drafted 4x6" sections in EQ7 as a paper piecing pattern.  I know....a bit anal, but it works for me.

I'm also happy to report that I finally got the binding totally sewed on the Remember Who Loves You owl quilt.  All I have to do is make the label.  S is really getting annoyed with me.  She wants me to finish it asap.  She's going to have to wait.  I can't just put any label on it.

Ghosts I Have Loved

My 6"x24" Omnigrid ruler is missing.  It can't be found.  I've torn the house apart looking for it.  No one knows where it is.  It's a sad day because I immediately started grilling the children under hot lights and with threats that they would not leave the house until it was found.  I have a ghost in the house.  I know I didn't lose it.  I strongly suspect that something ill befell the ruler and the evidence has been hidden.

I went and bought a new ruler today.  JoAnns was out of the 6"x24" Omnigrid rulers so I got a Fiskars which I'm not thrilled about.  As quilters we do become attached to our tools!  ....Or, at least, I do.  I've tried other brands of cutters and rulers, but I always go back to Omnigrid.

I'm off to the swimming pool with S and friends.  No sewing for me today....