The Very Worst

I know that I've been absent from the blogosphere for a while now and the reason is between being busier than ever and something that I can hardly discuss.  I don't even know how to say it, much less write it, but my world completely changed on January 28, 2013 around 8:30pm.

I received a phone call from my mom.  She was in an ambulance with my brother Jeffrey, and they were being rushed to the nearest ER.  Jeffrey had a massive hemorrhagic stroke and never recovered.  He passed on Friday, February 1, 2013 at 4:29pm surrounded by those who loved him most.  I have never experienced anything so heartbreaking and devastating in my life.  His memorial service was amazing and such a beautiful tribute to him.  How I was able to stand before over 100 people and tell them about my brother is still unbeknownst to me.  Watching my parents lose a child has been equally as difficult as losing my brother.  And that's all I can really say.

If you've followed my blog(s) for a while, you've prayed for Jeff before.  Thank you for that.  He was so amazing and speaking of him in the past tense doesn't make sense to me.  I don't have any idea how we are all getting through this, but it is painful.

I have lots to tell you about my beautiful, wonderful daughter and how she is helping to heal the hearts and souls of my family, but for now we would covet your thoughts and prayers as we try to figure out how to live without such a wonderful person in our world.

Even though this pic from 1984 looks like I'm attacking my little brother with my huge bangs, I love it because of the look on Jeffrey's face.  We had a relationship of love that could never be beat by any brother/sister ever.

We love you, Jeffrey.  You are desperately missed and forever loved.

In Case You Were Wondering

Mommy & Daddy brought home a "squirrel" on September 12 . . . a noisy, wiggly squirrel.  The first few days were tough on us because tons of people were visiting and - for some crazy reason - they weren't here to see us!

We are still getting used to our new life of interrupted sleep and sharing our space and people, but we're adjusting so far.

Love,
Steve & Pippin

Welcome to Our Family

Our little blessing . . . Miss Katherine Leigh!   "Kate" was born September 11, 2012 at 11:08am weighing 7 lbs. 2 oz. and 20 inches long. We are proud, humbled, blessed, and already a little tired. ;)  Kate is more beautiful than we could have ever imagined!

Siblings Extraordinaire

In case you don't read Kristin's other blog, things have really been changing around our house!   Pippin and Steve are now the unsure jealous irritated depressed proud sister and brother to Baby Kate.  Well, no matter what our precious pups are thinking and/or feeling, they sure are cute!

Teacher Crafting

Today is our LAST official day of summer vacation, so I'm watching movies of "The Twilight Saga" and crafting.  If you'll remember back a couple of years, my mom and I did some "HOME Work" by taking extra slats out of the blinds, hanging curtains, rearranging some things, etc.  I planned to reupholster the chairs but . . . uuuhhh . . . that hasn't happened.  Todd is NOT happy about that but I can't find fabric I like, not to mention I'm daunted by the project and really want to buy chairs with lower backs.  Enough about the damn chairs.

And the slats from the blinds?  Wwwweeelllllll . . . let's just say they've been sitting on the floor of our imaginary baby's nursery just waiting to be used for something.  In one of my recent fits of insomnia, I created a use for those lonely little (big) slats.  I decided to make HALL PASSES for school!  Yes, it sounds sad but you'll probably understand my excitement if you're a crafter, a teacher, or a crafty teacher.

When I asked Todd to lend me his power saw skills, his response was "perhaps."  Living in the world of immediate gratification, I decided to get started on my own.  Come to find out, I didn't need his stinkin' saw anyway!  :)  Supplies: extra slats from faux wood blinds, cutting blade, duck tape, paint pens, and clear spray (optional).

Level of Difficulty for this project = 1462 on a 100 point scale.  It was so very, very difficult.  (note: sarcasm)

Today's craft area: the coffee table.

First, I took my blade along the natural notches of the blind slat and (didn't really) score it with a straight line.  And for safety's sake, I didn't use a mat or anything - just threw it across my knee.  Then I simply snapped the blind along the score line.

See that fancy, straight line?  Who needs a ruler??  (me!)

It made a lovely snapping sound.

Continuing the difficult work of this project, I cut my duck tape a little over 2x the width of the slat.  I got skull & crossbones for the boys' passes & dots for girls.

To protect the ends, I cut a tiny slit off the end of my large piece, stuck it on the end, and folded it over.  Just make sure it adheres well.  Told ya this was going to be difficult.

In preparation for any students with ADD/ADHD needs, I took a break to screw with the dog.  Couldn't help myself!!!

MOMMMM!  I iz not a pirate boy.  Argh.

After lovingly placing the tape around one side of the slat, I wrapped it around completely and made sure it formed a good bond by pressing on it with  my fingers.

From there, I fancied them up with some old-school paint pen lettering.  I must be too tired and lazy from summer to use my Cricut and actually cut out and rub on vinyl lettering!

Most likely, I will drill a small hole in the end and tie string so I can hang them on hooks.  The last thing I plan to do is spray over the lettering with clear acrylic spray paint to hopefully add some toughness and longevity to the hall passes.  Kids seem love to destroy any & every thing I make.

Oops, Steve Did It Again!

Last week, we visited our cousins for the day.  They are moving out-of-state, and we sure will miss them only being 1 1/2 hours away!  In order to spend some time with them before their move, Todd and I left around 11ish that morning and got home around 11ish that night.

Todd went in the house first while I drug some things out of my car.  When I came in, Todd was rushing around the house and with a panicked look on his face said, "Steve is gone!"  Not even a rattle of the cookie jar surfaced our tiny little man.  I immediately headed to the other side of the house while trying not to panic.  Calling his name like crazy, I guess I hoped to hear him call out, "Hey Mom!  I'm here!"  :)

Heading in to our bedroom, there was no sign of "white boy" as we sometimes call him.  (Yes, Pippin is "brown girl.")  Remember another of the many times he'd been "lost", I looked into our master bath and noticed the door to the wet area was closed.  Inside was a tired, overworked, slightly stressed horse named Steve.  Somehow his crazy ass got himself stuff in there.  Mind you, this wet area holds a toilet, door, and tub.  That's it.  It's not a large area!

Knowing he could've spent as many as 12 hours in there, I yelled that Steve was safe and had Todd usher him outside to potty while I inspected the damage.  It's Steve . . . you know there has to be damage!  In however long he spent in there, Steve-O went through a roll of toilet paper (some for play, some to add fiber to his diet), pulled a few robes off the door hook, and used all of that plus the bath mat to build himself a dog nest.  (Wish I snapped a pic before cleaning up!)  Big Boy must have gotten himself a nice nap while we were away.  Todd said he peed for almost a full minute, so he was definitely glad to be out of the confines he created.

No harm, no foul.  I have my tennis ball to play with now!

One would like to think he'd learned his lesson, but I'll bet he does it again someday!

A Pinterest "Meh."

I love me some Pinterest.  I'm AWESOME at pinning all sorts of things, but my execution is lacking.  Being that it's summer and I am a lazy bum haven't been motivated for major projects, I decided to try an easy project that popped in my mind.

The post I saw showed a flat paint with a same-color high gloss paint as a contrast.  Knowing my patience level and tendency towards the OCD, I thought it would best to keep it simple.  To the foyer I went . . . well, after Home Depot!

Before.

I considered doing chevron striping, and I'm sssooooo glad I didn't.  It would've sent me into a compulsive leveling and straightening from which I might never recover.  Instead, I did two wide stripes.

Taped off and first coat of paint.

Then I didn't like two big stripes & taped off/painted a smaller stripe in between.

 The tape came off much easier than I thought, and I was thankful for that.  There just isn't much of a difference in the two paints.

After.  Not much of a difference, huh?

Kinda looks like shadows, but Todd said it's not too bad.  So - it stays.

Overall it was an easy project - maybe 2 hours total.  I only wish it wasn't so "meh."  Oh well . . . off to find my next Pinterest project!