Talk About Tuesday

This is the VERY FIRST installment of Talk Abut Tuesday so it would be a good time to jump on the bandwagon! I know I've been including a lot of these on my blog lately. Frankly, it is sometimes hard for me to think of exactly I want to blog about each day. These kind of give me a focus and take the pressure off some of the days. Can you all believe that I've posted AT LEAST one time each day this whole year?

This week I'm being consumed with a top I am designing for the Project Lincoln contest held by my local yarn shop, The Yarn Shop. I have done some designing of my own patterns before but nothing of this magnitude. The final reveal will be at a fashion show this Saturday at the shop.

I called on Wendy to be my model. As much as I would like one of these tops myself, I just couldn't bear to make one for my ample bosom. We started by finding a few designs in magazines that we liked. We settled on the Josephine top in one of the past Interweave Knits (shown above). It ended up being a coincidence that I chose the same color of yarn. My only other choices at the shop were really bright red, purple, or green. I think you'll all agree that my top will look best in this muted color. Anyway, we kept the basic shape of the garment and the corded empire waist and then we made the rest our own.


I chose a simple lace fan design for the body. Here it is before steaming. The cotton flake yarn is a nubby yarn so it has some really thin/thick places. It makes plain stockinette stitch look interesting. I think it works really well with this top.

And now for the blocking. When this top came off the needles it looked like it might fit Eva (my 2 1/2 yr. old). With the help of my handy board from Hancock Fabrics, I was able to pin it out to a reasonable size and steam it into submission.
Here is a close up of the lace pattern after it has been opened up through the blocking. It makes a really cute scalloped edge at the blottom that I really like.

We had a fitting yesterday morning and then I seamed it up and started on the sleeves. I'm doing a basic stockinette sleeve and I'm envisioning some sort of rolled edge to match what I'm going to do when I finish the neckline. It is all going to depend on how it looks. It might take a couple of tries. I better get on that since I need to be done by Saturday!

Using the now infamous words of Project Runway guru Tim Gunn, I'm going to "MAKE IT WORK!".

Talk About Tuesday

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/10/talk-about-tuesday.html

Pink Plaid Party

I have yet to post about the Pink Plaid Party I hosted over the weekend. We had a wonderful time courtesy of houseparty.com and Better Homes and Gardens. I made some pretty delicious treats (if I do say so myself!) from the new Pink BH&G cookbook. I can't say enough good things about this cookbook. I have the old red one so I was thinking that I didn't really need this one. I WAS WRONG! It still includes a lot of the classics we all love but it has some excellent new recipes and the informational content is much better. I think it is well over 600 pages.

This party wasn't the kind of party where something is sold. It is just a new kind of marketing tool where they sponsor 1000 parties around the nation and we get to see the product and get an opportunity to spread the word to our friends.

I have a few goody bags leftover from the party that include lots of coupons and freebies from the sponsors. Do you want one? I have three to give away. Leave a comment on this blog post and if more than three people are interested, I'll draw for the winners and send them to you.

Pink Plaid Party

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/10/pink-plaid-party.html

Music Mondays

Because I haven't uploaded the pictures I want for my post today, I thought I'd do this in the meantime. I'll get the other post up sometime after Carl gets home.

Thanks, Melessa.

Get your iPod and hit shuffle. List the first ten songs (no matter how embarrassing). Link back to Melessa's blog. Easy peasy.

1. Angel- Aerosmith
2. Rapper's Delight (medley)- The Sugar Hill Gang and Ellen Dow (from The Wedding Singer)
3. Our Boat is Rocking on the Sea- The Wiggles
4. Wimoweh (The Lion Sleeps Tonight)- Laurie Berkner
5. One Last Kiss- Jesse Pearson (from Bye Bye Birdie)
6. On The Table- A.C. Newman
7. Hungry Like the Wolf- Duran Duran
8. Boogie Shoes- K.C. and the Sunshine Band
9. Ring Ring- MIKA
10. Figure It Out- Maroon 5

I just used my main music folder to do this one. I guess that would explain why some of Caleb's music popped up. Although The Wiggles and Laurie Berkner are some of my favorites for kids, I don't usually listen to them unless I have to.

Music Mondays

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/10/music-mondays.html

Craft My Ride

I'm kind of a contest junkie. I like to win things. If it is a competition, I love to win even more!

Enter: Craft My Ride.

I'm going to have to pass on this one. I'm still busy with my Project Lincoln sweater that needs to be done in LESS THAN ONE WEEK!!!!!

Craft My Ride

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/10/craft-my-ride.html

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Our church has conference two times a year. It is always the first weekend of April and October. Before the internet and satellite tv, we would truck on over to the church where it would be transmitted to the huge satellite dish at the meetinghouse. There are 4 general sessions (2 hours each, 2 a day). This was a lot of sitting at church.

Enter BYU-TV. Now anyone with this channel can enjoy conference from the comfort of their own home. Some families still dress up to watch conference at home to keep with the "spirit" of church. Other families play conference bingo with their kids to help them pay attention. Did they say 'Faith'? BINGO!!! At our house, we might get dressed and we'll eat a lot. Our kids can be loud and if we miss something we can REWIND!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/10/most-wonderful-time-of-year.html

Smart Habit Saturday

It's time for another SMART Habit Saturday! Last week I worked on communicating more with my husband. It helped. We didn't get to go on a date like we had hoped but we had plenty of alone time and lots of things to discuss.

This week I'm going to work on finishing some things I've started. I've started going through the kids clothes to get them ready for cooler weather. I'd like to finish that. I really need to finish my Project Lincoln sweater. I only have the short sleeves left. I need to finish my projects for my Stamp Camp I'm having later this month. I need to refrain from STARTING new things until I have these things accomplished. That's my habit for this week. Finish what I've started.

The end.

One blog post finished.

Smart Habit Saturday

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/10/smart-habit-saturday.html

I {heart} swap

Just when I needed it, my swap partner (I didn't get her blog address but I'd love the link!) sent me a delightful package! We {heart} a lot of the same things! The person that gets the package I send will find some similar things! I got a mixed cd, a bracelet (that I am finding very fabulous!), the book The Tale of Despereaux (which is actually on my long list of books to read), some post it notes, circle cards (these look really neat!), and a sheet of grocery checklists--magnetic--that I have actually been wanting to buy every time I've seen them at Target. Now I have some! Thank you so much! Nothing like a fun package to make your day!

I have about 15 minutes left before Caleb gets off the bus. Hoping for a better day today.

I {heart} swap

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/10/i-heart-swap.html

Smack Down

I've been trying not to blog about how bad it has been getting with Caleb. I'm trying to be grateful that I only have to keep him on task for half of the day now that school has started. Instead of having a variety of meltdowns dispersed throughout the whole day (like the summer), he compacts them into the few hours we are together. And, they are doozies. The fact that he had to change schools probably isn't helping. He has to get used to a whole new set of friends, teachers, and routines. It can be a little much.

I am seeing a little glimmer of hope. We've been working on helping him get to the toilet right when he gets home. He holds it all day and before it was a huge fight to even get him to go into the bathroom. He would just pee all over and then I would have to fight with him to get him to take his pants off. Now I've got it worked into his schedule and he gets a reward when he goes into the bathroom (usually a fruit snack). It is still a struggle to get him into the bathroom the rest of the day but we've got a good system now for right after school. It only took 6 weeks! Now it is time to work on the next problem areas.

His latest issue is with the car. For the past week he's been taking his seat belt off while I'm driving and then smacking me in the face...or throwing his shoes at my head...or pounding Eva. While. I. Am. DRIVING!!! I pull over as soon as I can and get him back in his seat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Until we make it home. Any punishment is lost on him. We're stumped. His teachers are stumped. The social workers are stumped. I've got an appointment with a behavioral psychologist but she's swamped and we can't get an appointment until November 15th. The silver lining? It's getting bad enough that the social worker is going to make a special call to the psychologist to see if we can get an "emergency appointment".

I'm even willing to consider medication. I wonder what they'll prescribe ME?

Smack Down

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/10/smack-down.html

Swiper NO Swiping

Eva loves her Dora backpack. As you can see, she wears it even when she has no clothes on. It is filled with her favorite toys (mainly Little People). Her latest favorite toy is also in the picture. Carl brought me back a souvenir from Hollywood. It is an Oscar for Best Sweetheart. He also brought me back some MAC lipstick (color: Retro). I won't let Eva play with that, though!

Swiper NO Swiping

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/10/swiper-no-swiping.html

It's A Boy!

My sister, Lisa, is having a baby. We found out today it is a boy. I'm really looking forward to meeting him and it will be interesting to see how a kid from our Charlton gene pool will look. I bet he's going to be super cute. Just a guess. She's due the first week of February. I've been planning on doing a lot of knitting for this little tyke. Now that I know that pink is out, I can get started!

It's A Boy!

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/10/its-boy.html

Big Girls

Last night we took the kids out for a family outing to Chuck E. Cheese. It was nice to have the whole family together again and we had a great time. Caleb is a master at skee ball. He doesn't roll it...he just tosses it right into the holes. Eva just likes to run around like a crazy girl. She kept saying, "Cheese! Where are you?".

We came home and Carl put the kids to bed. Have I mentioned I'm glad to have him back home? Anyway, I decided to go and try on some pants at Lane Bryant. They have a new sizing system and I wanted to check it out. I've been wanting to get another pair of jeans. The sizing is based on your shape. I knew I wasn't a blue. It was between red and yellow. The clerks sized me as a yellow 5 but she said that the measurements are running big so I should try on a yellow 4. The yellow 3 fit me the best. I also tried on some red sizes and they fit me well but I could really tell that my body was more fit for yellow. It was fun to see the differences. They have a sale going on right now that if you buy something regular price, you get something else for $10. Inspired by Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, I tried on a million (okay, maybe 6) white shirts to find my "classic". This is the one I ended up getting. For $10. Pretty sweet. I also found a really cute pink plaid shirt for my party on Saturday ($6.99 on clearance, thank you very much!). I'm too lazy to take a picture of it right now. You'll see some later when I wear it to the party! All in all, I'm glad I decided to go shopping last night because the sale ends today.

In other news...remember how I blogged about DWTS? This week Helio knocked it out of the park! Dude, I love him. He's so darn cute and a really good dancer. Carl and I tried to decide if he's better than Apollo was last year. We think he's just as good or will be even better by the end of the season. And...DONNY WAS THERE! What a great episode.

Big Girls

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/10/big-girls.html

Animal Killer

I was commissioned to make two little sweaters for identical squirrel stuffed animals. Had three squirrels not lost their lives tragically in our swimming pool, I probably would have declined. I've got enough deadline knitting on my hands right now. But, it seemed like it would be good karma to make sure these poor stuffed creatures wouldn't be cold this winter.

I also killed a mouse. Actually, I think Caleb did. This happened on Saturday. It was a good thing I found it when I did because the cord was really heating up. I turned it off immediately and then sulked that I wouldn't have a computer until Carl came home. Luckily, when he called I told him what was up and he let me know there were a couple of mice downstairs that I could use. I found a really awesome USB one and I just had to plug it into my USB hub on my computer desk. Easy peasy. Next thing I know someone will need me to knit a mouse cozy.

Animal Killer

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/10/animal-killer.html

Think Pink

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I was picked to host a special Pink Plaid House Party sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens. My box full of goodies showed up a couple of days ago. Check out what is inside!

• the "pink plaid" cook book, Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book, Celebrating the Promise
• "Words of Promise" card, with pin and bracelet, from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
• a new CD from Kelly Sweet
  
• Rocco's Real Life Recipe cards
• Fleischmann's Yeast recipe cards
• Fresh Express salad coupons
• pink party napkins from BH&G
• Energizer batteries to power your party
• A $75 gift certificate from Serta Mattress

This week I'm going to work on picking the perfect menu from my new cookbook. This isn't your mother's Betty Crocker cookbook. It is totally updated and has a ton of great recipes! I'm really looking forward to checking out the neat appetizers for the party. Everyone that attends will get a special offer to get the cookbook at 45% off including a year subscription to Better Homes & Gardens. Actually, I think I can pass this on to anyone that is interested. I'm going to have a giveaway later this week of a grab bag or two for my "virtual party-goers" (aka blog friends!).

I'm also starting to think about how to put the party favors together. I've got a few things I'm going to add in there. Also, I think I'm going to give the CD and the pin away as door prizes. I sent out some email invites but I wasn't really good about printing out invites to stick in the mail if I don't have your email address.

If you're in the area and want to come...here are the details.

October 6th from 5:30pm-6:30pm at my house. RSVP in the comments or email me! If you've already told me you're coming (or RSVP'd on the houseparty site) you don't need to do it again. I think we're going to have a lot of fun!

Think Pink

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/10/think-pink.html

Carl's Home!

Finally. It has been a long couple of months of on and off traveling for him. I didn't make a fancy coming home picture a la Maren but I'm glad to have him back all the same! He just drove the kids home from church and changed two diapers all before bringing in his suitcases. Woohoo!

Carl's Home!

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/carls-home.html

Smart Habit Saturday

Here are the habits I've worked on for September:

1. Sleeping. I've been going to bed around 10:30pm on weekdays and 11pm on weekends. We've been sleeping a little later in the week (thanks, kids!) so I'm moving my weekday bedtime to 11pm as well. I could use the extra time for my knitting deadlines.

2. Laundry. Didn't go over so well. I don't think I was meant to tackle such a HUGE habit at this time in my life.

3. Cooking for my family. This was really great and fun. It motivated me to be more organized with my shopping and my menu planning for that week. I hope to implement this again after this week now that Carl will be at home more often (no more trips until 2008!).

4. Diet Pepsi reduction. This has gone much better than planned. I did have a day or two where I drank more than one. HOWEVER...I also drank tons of water those days so it was kind of a reward. Right? I have 5 more Pepsis and I'm not buying any more for daily consumption.

And now we are to my SMART habit for this week. It is all about me and strengthening my marriage. I'm going to go on a date with my husband, make sure to talk with him each day, get a massage, read a good book, and do some other things that are all about helping us be better people. Will a massage help me be a better person? You betcha! After this horrific month, I'm pretty sure I deserve it. Now, if only I can find time to shave my legs between now and my appointment.

Smart Habit Saturday

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/smart-habit-saturday_29.html

All Aboard

I've talked a lot of Caleb and Eva's first trip to the dentist. I don't know what I was so scared about. They did so great! I think part of it was that I chose an awesome office (pure luck). Southwest Pediatric Dentistry is all about trains. You get a ticket to go back to see the dentist. They have this train (in the pics), a huge plasma tv, and video games in the waiting room. When you go back, they have a tv screen for each of the chairs and the staff are all really nice and accommodating. We were the only patients when we went in for our visits. The dentist is ridiculously good looking. I try not to stare. We'll see them again in April!

Eva has some baby teeth that are fused together. We call them "monster teeth". She's got two pair of them. We knew it wasn't any big deal but they are going to watch them closely when it is time for her teeth to fall out.

Speaking of teeth falling out, Caleb lost his second tooth last week. We also found out that he has his 6 year old molars already! He's only 4 1/2. I've been joking that if he keeps developing so early we're going to need to buy him a razor soon!

All Aboard

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/all-aboard.html

More TV Talk

Dancing With the Stars started this week. Helio Castroneves is my favorite, so far. Cameron Mathison wasn't my favorite dancer but I do hope he stays around a while. He is on my favorite soap, after all.

Marie Osmond? Well, I will be super excited if Donny comes to watch her. I love me some Donny Osmond. That line she had where she said, "25 million people watch this show and 22 million of them are Osmonds" really cracked me up.

Who is your favorite? What did you think of Albert Reed? Yummy or goofy? Come on, I know you watch it.

More TV Talk

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/more-tv-talk.html

Ugly Betty

I'm so excited for the new season of Ugly Betty! It was definitely my favorite show last season.

Survivor: China started last week. Thursday nights are rockin' my DVR! I'm going to get a lot of knitting done tonight!

Ugly Betty

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/ugly-betty.html

Damages

My work day is over. The kids are in bed. Here are today's damages.

1. Five minutes before I put Caleb in bed he broke my glasses.

2. Eva pooped on the floor.

3. Someone dumped out a bag of cereal on the floor and jumped on it. It wasn't me and Carl is in California.

4. Caleb did the dishes. It only took three huge towels to sop up the mess.

5. Eva found a full spray bottle of water ( I use it to fix her hair) and it is now empty. I still don't know the full extent of the damage there.

Believe it or not, it could have been worse. It has been worse. Actually, today was a real success.

1. Eva went to the dentist. It went really well. Caleb goes tomorrow.

2. Caleb had his piano lesson. He continues to amaze us with his talent.

3. Caleb is a little missionary. All his teachers tell me they love hearing him sing the songs from church.

4. Both Caleb and Eva are REALLY, REALLY good at going to bed now. I put them down at 7pm with very little resistance and they both sleep through the night like pros.

5. I now have a couple of hours to myself. What will I do?

Damages

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/damages.html

Indoor Camping

Here are the pictures of their indoor camping adventures!

Indoor Camping

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/indoor-camping.html

Visions of Pinwheels

I really want to make this sweater for Eva. I have the yarn (brights- pink, yellow, green, purple). I have the motivation. I just don't have the time. I have knitting deadlines, people. I'm stalled on the Project Lincoln sweater because I'm at a part where I need to be able to do math, write out the pattern, and do the knitting all at the same time. I need a good chunk of kid free time to do this and I just haven't had that for the past couple of days. I have until October 13th to finish the design. I'm also doing some test knitting for Chrissy Gardiner of Gardiner Yarn Works (aka Knittin' Mom). I'm really excited about these two projects but I can't show them to you...yet. She sent me some really cool Jaeger Aqua yarn (100% mercerized cotton--olive color) to do one of the projects. I'm still waiting on the yarn for the next one. These are due by October 31st. I guess it is good that I really want to make the pinwheel sweater because I know I can't possible start it until I finish the projects due in October. So, no matter how much I'm hating doing 12 1/2 inches of stockinette stitch in the round (over 250 stitches per round) I know I've got to do it so I can reward myself with the pinwheel.

In other news, yesterday went pretty well. The kids were relatively good. I needed that. For reasons I'm not going to blog about, I pretty much had the suckiest weekend I've ever had. I'm doing better now and really the only thing I can attribute it to is many heartfelt prayers. I was talking with Carl last night about what we were going through and I joked that it was probably a bad time to give up my Diet Pepsi habit. Even through all that, I did great! I think it is going to stick.

As soon as I can get batteries in the camera, I'll upload and post the pictures we took last night. The kids decided they wanted to sleep in the tent. Sleeping outside wasn't an option. We had some pretty cool storms. We decided that we would set the tent up downstairs. I've never seen them so excited to go to bed! They slept in there together all night and we didn't hear a peep! I'm going to start using that as a reward for good behavior since they liked it so much.

Visions of Pinwheels

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/visions-of-pinwheels.html

On The Docket

Monday: Keep the kids and myself alive. There is no school today. Carl will be working late tonight. He should be back in time to put the kids in bed.

Tuesday: More of the same. No school for Caleb. Carl will be working in Lincoln and Omaha but he should be home at regular time. Sometime before now I need to give him some time to clean out our squirrel-killing pool. Yes, we've killed three squirrels with our lovely swimming pool of muck. Nasty.

Wednesday: School is back in session but Carl is leaving to go to LA. He won't be back until Sunday afternoon. He should show up sometime during church. Eva has a dentist appointment in the morning and Caleb has piano lessons in the afternoon.

Thursday: Caleb has a dentist appointment in the afternoon and we are all going to Holmes Elementary in the evening for an ARC meeting (developmental disability support group). Thank goodness they will feed us and provide child care!

Friday: I am probably going to take Eva to play with Bella and Julie somewhere. This will be fun. Friday night is an activity at the church. We'll see if I'm feeling up to taking them.

Saturday: I'm actually dreading this day the most. We have NOTHING planned. Me trying to keep the kids occupied all day might do me in. I'm thinking that I'll have to use my "credit" with a local babysitter that day so I can have an hour or two to regroup.

Sunday: I'll spend the morning trying to get the kids ready and out of trouble so we can make it to church. Carl should be home for the rest of the evening after church so I'll be able to chill out a bit from a crazy week!

On The Docket

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/on-docket.html

Tylenol P.M.

I'm really wishing I had some Tylenol PM right about now. I'm tired, but I can't sleep. I need to. I just can't. I was in bed at 10pm ready to snooze. Nothing. Still, nothing. Icky ick ick. I'm going to be hating life tomorrow (or today, as it were). I guess I'll go try again. But, not until I give you all the tally so far from the Ryka giveaway.

People that signed up after reading about it on my blog that have won something (so far):

Melessa (shoes)
Gigi (shoes)
Kerry (shirt)
Audra (shirt)
Ginger (shirt)

Are there more of you? There is still time to sign up.

Tylenol P.M.

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/tylenol-pm.html

Smart Habit Saturday

Bedtime is still working out for me. I stayed up a little later one night this week but I was still in bed by 11pm. I can tell that I have more patience (still not a lot) and energy throughout the day. Last week I worked on cooking for my family. It was a huge success! I stuck with my menu plan that I had planned with only a few minor variations (we skipped pizza night and had leftovers instead and we didn't go out last night--more leftovers). I want to continue having better meal plans but this week is going to be a little abnormal since Carl will be out of town most of the week.

This week I'm going to try and limit my diet soda intake so I'll drink more water. Lately I've been drinking 2-3 a day (depending on how stressed I am). I stopped buying soda about a month ago and I am finally down to my last 12 pack. I'm allowing myself one a day until they are gone.

Smart Habit Saturday

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/smart-habit-saturday_22.html

Seven Year Itch

A German politician wants a law to allow marriages to automatically dissolve after 7 years. Seriously? Apparently so.

She has virtually no chance of getting elected but she seems to be using every publicity grabbing tactic she can come up with.

This is just one more example of how the sanctity of marriage is being trod upon.

Seven Year Itch

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/seven-year-itch.html

And the Winner Be...

mclynch who said...

Yo-Ho Christy, Ye Buxom wench!
Aarrgg--where would ye be gettin these crazy idears? Me thinks your little buccaneers are gettin to ya! Ho Ho Ho and a bottle of rum!

I'm sure you and your husband will be wanting those pirate patches! Or, maybe you'd like one for your fair grand lassie? Or maybe Belle, the wonder pup, wants to dress up for Halloween?

Congrats!

*winner determined by my daughter scientifically picking one of eight numbered pieces of paper out of my hands

And the Winner Be...

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/and-winner-be.html

Book Group 2008 Picks

Here is our list for the 2007-2008 book group year.
*Don't forget to comment in the next post for my pirate giveaway!

October: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
November: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
December: Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich
January: My Antonía by Willa Cather
February: For One More Day by Mitch Albom and
Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier
March: Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts
April: Pope Joan by Donna Cross
May: Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher
June: The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan
July: The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
August: A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel

Alternates:

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer (2nd book in Twilight series)
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (3rd book in Twilight series)
Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
Brothers by Da Chen
Giants in the Earth by O.E. Rolvaag
A Woman of Independent Means by Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey

Book Group 2008 Picks

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/book-group-2008-picks.html

Talk Like a Pirate Contest!

It's Talk Like a Pirate Day! I thought I'd have a little giveaway here at the crafty conservative. Leave a comment in your best pirate speak and I'll randomly draw a winner. What get ye? Aargh! Pirate patches for ye whole family!

*you have all day (September 19th) to enter

Talk Like a Pirate Contest!

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/talk-like-pirate-contest.html

Book Group

I've been writing about books a lot lately. Hmmm. Book group is tonight and we are choosing the books we will be reading for the next 12 months. I've got a couple of books in mind to suggest but I'm really looking forward to reading some new books. The way we do it is we all make our suggestions and then we vote for 12. The top 12 vote getters are our choices.

What three books would you suggest?

Stay tuned for a giveaway from me tomorrow!

Book Group

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/book-group.html

I'm IN, I'm IN!!!

My ravelry invite came today. I've been in there for about 10 minutes and have signed up to be part of the Knebraska Knitters and also Flap Your Hands (an autism related forum). Do you want to be my friend? My profile name is Christy. Original, I know.

I'm IN, I'm IN!!!

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/im-in-im-in.html

Music Monday

Because I just so happened to be listening to my iPod when I was browsing blogs today, I thought I'd participate in Music Monday.

1. White Wedding- Billy Idol
2. Dimelo- Enrique Iglesias (the Spanish version of the ping pong song)
3. Please Don't Tell Her- Jason Mraz
4. That's the Way It Is- Celine Dion
5. Love Today- Mika
6. Heartbreaker- Pat Benatar
7. Big Girl- Mika
8. Nothing Lasts Forever- Maroon 5
9. Holly Holy- Neil Diamond
10. Little of Your Time- Maroon 5

What happens when you hit shuffle?

Music Monday

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/music-monday.html

Menu Plan Monday

As part of my SMART Habit Saturday, I decided to work on actually cooking again. I kind of lose interest in meal planning during the summer because it is too hot to slave away in the kitchen and that's all the excuse I need not to do it. Anyway, I've always appreciated reading everyone else's Menu Plan Monday posts so I thought I would do one this week since I actually have a plan.

Monday: We're feeding our two sister missionaries tonight.
Burrito Skillet
Salad
Chocolate Eclair Cake

Tuesday: We'll be on the go so it will be something quick like a Lean Cuisine three meat deep dish personal pizza for me (the ONLY microwave pizza I'll eat) and some chicken and applesauce for the kids. If we have any leftovers from Monday, Carl will eat that.

Wednesday: Pizza night

Thursday: Zesty Crockpot Chicken
carrots

Friday: I'm going on a date with my husband...I think. That's the plan, anyway.

Saturday: Breakfast for dinner

Sunday: Pot roast with potatoes and carrots

Menu Plan Monday

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/menu-plan-monday.html

Almost "IN"

I'm only 146 people away from getting my ravelry invite.

Almost "IN"

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/almost-in.html

Errands

The best time to go grocery shopping in Lincoln is when everyone else is here*.

Or here.

Unless you want chips, beans, sour cream, or soda. Then, you'll find that you need to wait for the shelves to be restocked.

*The score was USC 49- Nebraska 31. Carl was taping it while I was gone so I could catch the highlights but anywhere you go in this town the game is on...even in Wal-Mart. I didn't have to miss a thing.

Errands

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/errands.html

Smart Habit Saturday

I failed miserably at my laundry habit for the week. I actually made a bigger mess than usual. C'est la vie. I am still keeping up the bedtime routine, though, and it is FABULOUS! I really like having a bedtime because it forces me to use my childless evenings wisely. Although, not wisely enough because I did not use them to put away the laundry! I think if I don't have the pressure to get it done, I'll be more apt to do it. That's why I'm not going to work on the laundry habit again this week.

This week I'm going to cook. Out of all the weeks in September, this is the one where Carl will be home the most. I kind of got out of the habit of preparing a regular meal because the kids and I would just eat whatever and whenever we wanted. Spaghetti and applesauce at 3:30pm? No problem! I'm making my grocery list this afternoon and heading out to prepare my house for a week of good eating.

Smart Habit Saturday

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/smart-habit-saturday_15.html

The Count of Monte Cristo

Since I did a post earlier this week about how I'm no fan of Jane Austen, I thought I'd share the book that I consider my favorite of all time.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas.

I'm kind of a purist and will only read the unabridged version. In my opinion, there is too much history and detail that you miss out on if you read an abridged version. For me, it takes away from the amazing story.

The main theme of the book is revenge. A young sailor, Edmond Dantes, is framed for a crime and stripped away from his true love, Mercedes, just as he has been named Captain of his own ship. He is imprisoned in the Chateau D'If (a real place in France that I really, really want to visit someday) for years and through some extraordinary circumstances, comes to know a man that will change his life forever.

The 2002 movie starring Jim Caviezel was really disappointing. But, I don't know how I could expect them to make that kind of book into a feature length film.

The best adaptation I've found is a French miniseries starring Gerard Depardieu. Apparently, he's the only actor in France. He's a little unbelievable as Edmond Dantes but as the Count of Monte Cristo I found him to be right on point. This miniseries is long enough to include most of the plot twists and turns that I love and is able to give me a "quick" Monte Cristo fix if I don't have time to read the book.

Now I have a question for my readers--what is your "go-to" classic that you can read over and over again?

The Count of Monte Cristo

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/count-of-monte-cristo.html

Lip Gloss

So you don't think it is all gloom and doom around here while Carl is gone...

Carl doesn't really like it when I wear lipstick or lip gloss. Especially lip gloss. He hates it so much that I never have any. I like lip gloss a lot and decided that I would wear it while he was gone. I went and bought a close-out tube of American Girl lip gloss (Pink lemonade flavor) from Bath and Body Works. I keep it in my purse. It makes me happy.

Lip Gloss

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/lip-gloss.html

Widow Maker

Overall I am very pleased with the career that Carl chose for himself. Being a professor is pretty cushy. He gets to research what he loves and gets paid for it. He doesn't work crazy hours and if I really need him during the day, he is available. What I didn't anticipate is the amount of traveling he would be doing. When Caleb wasn't in school and we didn't have to buy airfare for the kids, we would go with him. Now it just isn't economical to do that. These past few months have been full of trips. We had France, Las Vegas, and in two weeks he is going to Los Angeles. The good news is that I don't think he has any more scheduled for the rest of the year.

Another thing that keeps Carl away from home is his calling. He is in the Young Men's Presidency at church and is the Scoutmaster. Again, this week is a little abnormal in the fact that he is busy with the YM 4 days (Tues-activity in Papillion, Thurs-regular activity service project, Fri/Sat-scout campout). In the past 2 weeks, Carl has been at home 3 evenings.

When this month is all said and done, he will have been gone 17 days. Not all of these are overnights--just gone long enough that he doesn't see the kids for more than 30-60 minutes a day. I'll be glad when things get back to normal but I can't help but be grateful that school is in session. If I had to keep Caleb occupied and engaged for all that amount of time by myself, I'd be back in therapy in no time!

Widow Maker

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/widow-maker.html

Proud and Prejudiced?

I consider myself well read and pretty open to most kinds of literature. However, I can't seem to get into Jane Austen at all. Pride and Prejudice? blah. Emma. eh. Sense and Sensibility? yawn.

I thought maybe I would like them more if I watched the movies. Nope.

I could be persuaded to watch Becoming Jane (when it comes out on DVD) only because the fake life they gave her seems kind of interesting.


Am I the only woman to not care for the writings of Jane Austen?

Proud and Prejudiced?

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/proud-and-prejudiced.html

To the Point

I've been working really hard on my Project Lincoln design for the contest at The Yarn Shop. More than any other project I've ever done before, this comes down to needle choice. I'm working with Flake Cotton and the pattern has a row where I need to k4tog several times. With the needles I was using this just wasn't possible. I started out using my Boye needlemaster needles (not pictured). I knew starting out that these probably weren't going to pan out. The join at the cord is just too fiddly. With bigger needles this isn't usually a problem but I was using size 3s and the yarn wasn't moving along like I needed it to. So, I took my addi turbos off a different project (Drunken Argyle--on hold until this top is finished). These are at the bottom of the picture. They are way too blunt for this kind of project. I know that there are now addi lace needles that are pointier and made just for this type of thing. The bad news? They are pricey and I didn't want to invest in another set of size 3 circs in addis. Know what I mean? I had heard the Knit Picks needles (top of the picture) are pointy so I thought I would try those. At $4.99, you can't beat the price. I put the top away until the needles arrived. I thought I was being smart by ordering the 16 inch length so I could use them to knit some baby hats when I was done with this project---and I wouldn't have an identical set of circulars. The problem? The length of the needles is just way too little. I couldn't even finish one row of the lace pattern on these needles! Looks like I would have to break down and get some addi lace needles.

I trekked on over to my LYS to pick up some needles (middle needles in the picture). They had exactly what I needed in stock. I shelled out the cash and have been in love ever since! They were so worth the extra money because I am able to work this pattern with NO PROBLEM! They are pointy enough, have perfect joins, long enough needles, and do those k4togs like butter!

I should finish this top in no time! Wendy--you should probably come by for a "fitting" soon. The back is finished and I'm starting the front later today if I can find a peaceful moment.

To the Point

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/to-point.html

Small Victories

Today Caleb did some things that he's never done before. These are things that Eva's been doing for a while but Caleb has had some real issues with it. This morning he was as proud as can be to show us what he could do.

1. He put on his underwear by himself.
2. He put on his pants by himself.
3. He put on his socks by himself.

We clapped and cheered and were really excited for him! Eva, not wanting to be left out of the excitement went to put on an outfit, too. This is what she chose and then said, "LOOK!".

I wish I had a better shot of her standing up. The clothes are all Caleb's and those shorts she has on go to the middle of her calves. She looked like a real skater dude. We cheered and clapped for her "achievement" as well.

It's been a good morning.

Small Victories

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/small-victories.html

A House Divided

Carl got home yesterday during halftime of the football game. I told him that I was taping the game and he could watch the first half while I went out to get a pedicure (my reward for keeping the kids alive while he was gone) and to the store to replenish the pantry. He said he had already listened to most of the game on the drive back from Omaha. While I was soaking my feet waiting for the technician to start my pedicure something occurred to me. The football game I was talking about wasn't the one he was listening to. When I was talking about THE football game, I was referring to the OU/Miami game. When was talking about the football game, he was referring to Nebraska/Wake Forest*. Maybe there is something in the water fountain at his work that is taking all the crimson and cream out of his blood? I don't know. For me, college football will always mean Boomer Sooner around here.

*I do watch the Cornhuskers play and enjoy it immensely. But if I have a choice between an OU game and the Huskers, I'm going to have to choose OU---always!

A House Divided

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/house-divided.html

Smart Habit Saturday

Last week my habit was going to bed each night by 10:30pm. This really helped me out this week because when Carl is out of town I really struggle going to sleep. I wasn't always asleep by 10:30pm but I was always in bed by then. I'm definitely going to keep this one up.

This week I'd like to work on laundry. I don't usually have a problem doing the laundry or even folding it. My problem is putting it away. I will put away my own laundry but everyone else's just gets piled up higher and higher on the dryer until I can't stand it anymore and put it away. I'd like to try and avoid that scenario this week by putting away a little bit of laundry each day.

*I posted this before I went to bed on Friday night because I'm going to try not to get on the computer too much tomorrow. That's another habit I'd like to get going but it will have to wait for a few more weeks.

Smart Habit Saturday

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/smart-habit-saturday_08.html

Lizard Ridge Update

Check out my awesome Lizard Ridge blocks. This is getting to be kind of mindless knitting for me now and I'm loving it. The short row pattern is easy to memorize and is a nice distraction from straight stockinette. I love picking out the skeins to work on based on my mood. The next one in line is an airy blue. It is not the brightest and not the darkest. It is just right.

Lizard Ridge Update

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/lizard-ridge-update.html

While The Boys Are Away

With Carl in Vegas and my kids being super star sleepers (in bed by 7-7:30pm), I have my evenings free to get some stuff done. I need to be working on my Project Lincoln design but I'm waiting for some Knit Picks needles to arrive. The lacy pattern has k4tog and my addi turbos just weren't up for task, to put it bluntly. Pun intended.

I figured it was time to re-organize my stash. This is about 1/3 of what I have. I also have a mountain of projects that never quite realized their potential and are waiting to be ripped. I also have a pile of finished objects that need to be put away, given away, or sold. Since taking this picture, I'm about halfway through the stash now and things are looking better. I caught a glimpse of the floor in the closet. I'm going to work on it some more tonight unless those needles show up by some other carrier other than USPS.

While The Boys Are Away

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/while-boys-are-away.html

Dish Rag Tag

Remember the Dish Rag Tag that I signed up for? Well, WE WON! The team I was on pretty much rocked! We worked hard and we're going to enjoy the spoils!

Dish Rag Tag

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/dish-rag-tag.html

Reminder

The Ryka shoes giveaway starts today. They are giving away 50 pairs of shoes and 50 shirts EVERY DAY for 50 days. What are you waiting for? Go and register.

Reminder

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/reminder.html

Floats Like a...

This was taken on our trip to the zoo this morning.

Floats Like a...

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/floats-like.html

Check, Please

I have a long list of things I need to accomplish in the next few months. This isn't a to-do list of things that I do all the time like laundry, grocery shopping, etc... This list is for projects or other things I've just been needing to do. Today I checked one off the list that has been haunting me for months.

I paid my library fines.

Check, Please

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/check-please.html

While I Was Out

Hancock Fabrics had a whopper of a Labor Day sale today. Normally, I wouldn't be tempted but I have actually started using my sewing machine now that the State Fair is over. I'm not very good at all yet but I am catching the vision and even went out and bought a couple of sewing books. Today my mission was simple. Scissors.

Behold, the holy grail of scissors. These are Gingher 8" Spring Action Dressmaker's Shears. They were 50% off today.

Mique got her back2school swap from me so I can reveal its contents. I put it all inside a black photo storage box. There is a bottle full of red/black/white punched flowers and ribbons, some awesome post-it index cards, a red journal with a cool fabric belt fastener, a couple of #2 pencils, a lunchbox with atomic fireballs, and a magnetic tin full of butterfly pins. It was so much fun putting it together!

While I Was Out

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/while-i-was-out.html

Scripture Sunday

Yesterday I had Smart Habit Saturday and today I'm doing my own idea of Scripture Sunday!

Today in Sunday School we discussed 1 Corinthians 1:10-13. We were on the subject of how contention and divisions affect our fellowship in the church and how we could be more unified. When it was cross-referenced to Mosiah 18:20-21, that is when the discussion really got interested...at least to me!

Verse 21: And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another. *underline added by me

Having "hearts knit together in unity and in love" brings up such a wonderful image in my mind. There was a short discussion on knitting--how it is one strand but it makes up a whole, even different types of fibers knit together work well together and are strong, etc... It made me really wish I had taken a little project with me to work on.

In Relief Society we talked about goal setting and I was feeling good about having just made a new goal yesterday! I did go to sleep by 10:30pm last night and it felt great!

I just have to mention how good the kids were today during Sacrament meeting. Okay, they weren't perfect. Eva had to be taken out a couple of times. But, Caleb was pretty good. They didn't knock the hymnal case off the pew like they normally do and I did get smacked in the face but there was no blood. I'm making it sound bad--but compared to how it normally is, we got off pretty easy today. We're looking forward to having a nice day tomorrow with Carl home from work.

Scripture Sunday

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/scripture-sunday.html

Smart Habit Saturday

I've been reading along for some time now but today I've decided to participate in The Lazy Organizer's Smart Habit Saturday.

The habit I will be working on this week is getting to bed at a reasonable hour. The kids have been getting up earlier than they need to so I haven't been getting as much sleep as I'd like. This is going to be really important this week because Carl will be out of town Tuesday-Saturday and I have a hard time falling asleep without him. I will be in bed at 10:30 pm every night this week. I really have no excuse not to do this.

Smart Habit Saturday

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/09/smart-habit-saturday.html

Buddy Bag

Finished up a cute little Buddy Bag (pattern from annypurls). I got Eva to do be a model. Don't mind the apple goop all down the front of her dress (notice discarded apple on the floor--or don't, actually!). It was just a shame to only show the bag and not this adorable girl's face!

We decided to try and get some action shots as well. Eva on the go!

This bag isn't 100% completed since I don't have a fabric liner yet. I need to find some matching fabric and use my awesome, new found sewing machine skills.

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft and odd bits of green/brown/red/black for the puppet and leaf pocket
The pattern is extremely well written and I'm looking forward to making another one.

Buddy Bag

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/08/buddy-bag.html

Mail Time!

This morning Eva and I got ready to go to the post office and the grocery store. We were mailing this back2school swap box to Mique. I can't show you what is inside yet. We also had to go and buy some eggs and bacon because we are having breakfast for dinner tonight with the sister missionaries.

When we got home from our errands, I spotted a couple of boxes on my doorstep. One contained all of these goodies from Mique! Can you spot everything? There is a Crafts n' Things magazine (love those!), a binder FULL of knitting patterns (thank you so much!), a couple of notepads--one for the fridge which is something I really needed but kept forgetting to get myself, and an APRON! It is big enough to cover my bosoms (bless you) and even personalized with a "C"! The colors are fabulous and I am so excited to wear it around the house. Please go check out her blog. I'm so glad I did this swap just to "meet" her. We have lots in common. We're both Mormon. We've both been married 9 years. We both have a child with autism (instant bonding-right there). She lives in Saugus, CA. I've been to Saugus, CA. You get the point... ;) I'll post what I sent along to her in a couple of days.

In the other box was a pair of shoes. My Ryka shoes! These are the ones I won on sk*rt. I ended up getting The Chase running shoes. I tried a couple of different styles on at Scheels before I sent them what I wanted. I needed to make sure I was making the right choice. I think I did!

When I was placing my "order" with Ryka, they let me in on another giveaway they are doing. Starting on September 5th, Ryka will be giving away 50 pairs of shoes a day for a month on their website. I'll certainly remind you about this next week so you can stop by and check them out!

What a great mail day!

Mail Time!

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/08/mail-time.html

Good Stuff

All week this week at Life is Like a Lunchbox is the Summer Soap Celebration. There is a giveaway a day. You haven't even missed out on the first few days either because you have until Friday to enter each one.

Check out the Margarita Salt soap at The Foil Hat.

The soaps at Sudz n Bubbles are must sees. I'm a little partial to the Fish in the Bag soap (scroll down a bit). How cute is that?

Again, I'm probably ruining my odds at winning but I'm going for karma. It didn't work on the Twisted Silver Jewelry giveaway but maybe for soap?

Good Stuff

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/08/good-stuff.html

Time Timers

This timer looks like something that might work well with my kids. Anyone have experience with this product? My Pampered Chef timer just doesn't cut it anymore.

Time Timers

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2007/08/time-timers.html