jane's apron

last minute

 

Just like in real life, I have way more to share here than I seem to have time for.  And just like everybody else, I'm doing lots of last-minute things, making my lists, checking them twice, tossing out ideas that aren't going to happen. Still have to go see Santa (this afternoon), still have to get those brownies kits to teachers (done...see photo above).  Still reading all of my favorite blogs.  Still a stack of holiday movies to watch.  The crazy days before Christmas are always my favorite...it's the time that everybody seems to relax a little and lessens their grip on holiday perfection.  

I'm happy to say that we didn't go near any stores this weekend.  I did, however, order from Amazon five separate times on Friday...far from perfectly organized around here...but having fun and looking forward to what the week brings.   

 

wish lists

 

My kids make wish lists for Christmas.  They are pretty elaborate with drawings and fancy lettering...sometimes a ranking like "really want" or something.  So I cut out a picture from the latest Anthropolgie catalog and made a one-item "Mom's Wish List".  It didn't go over so well...a butter dish? what's a butter dish? why do you need a butter dish?

But you guys understand, right?  

 

christmas for kids

 

I always think of things I want to "do" for Christmas and that got me thinking.  What am I NOT going to do?  Most of them are pretty easy...I'm not going to any malls (except for a last-day-of-school trip to see Santa), I'm not putting up the tree until St. Nicholas Day, I'm 98% sure I'm not sending Christmas cards.  This got me thinking again.  Why does everything start with "I"?  Why am "I" in charge of Christmas?  And then it hit me...I'm going to put my kids in charge.  

I bought the coolest yellow/gold mini-lights at Lowe's and am letting the boys put them where they want in the yard. My daughter will like to put the ornaments on the Christmas tree.  I'm going to let the kids decide what cookies they want to make and what they'd like for dinner on Christmas Eve and/or Day.  This is a little hard for a controlling mom like me but I'm liking the idea already.   

Anything you're not doing for Christmas?

 

bench monday - a clue

 

My attempt at a 'bench monday' shot...it was way harder than I thought...lots of questions and a refusal to take a photo of me.   Do you know where it is?  The first one to guess the right answer wins a prize...how about the clipboard from my previous post?  

Well, guessing where was way harder than I thought too...sorry about that!  So, here's a clue...

My son Ross and I traveled to Memphis last weekend for a soccer tournament.  I know you don't have to pay money for memories but this is one that I know Ross will remember...ordering food without having to share with his brother, playing soccer, running around a nice hotel with his friends, and a visit to the ultimate "man cave".  

Gina got it...it's Graceland.  Had to be the man cave clue.

certifiable

 

I got the good news last week...I'm a certified math teacher.  Big sigh of relief (and a big thank you to everybody for the always positive input).  I know the whole teacher + apple thing is probably annoying to most teachers but I couldn't resist this apple at the thrift store. When I have my own classroom, it will be cute. 

Thanks for the Penny love this week.  Things are settling down a little bit with our other dog and two cats...slight downgrade in the growling and hissing.   I've done a little shopping for Penny on etsy and will share the tiny treasures soon. 

Finally, I created a tutorial for a regular-size patchwork clipboard that I'll be posting tomorrow.  It's very easy and, best of all, very giftable.  

penny

 

Logic can't be applied to some decisions.  Like bringing a new dog home.  But we do it anyway.  

Penny came home with me after a somewhat random stop at the Humane Society last week.  We've been talking about getting a "little dog" and she fits the bill at three whole pounds.  The picture is a crazy blur taken with the MacBook within minutes of the kids meeting her.  

Her cuteness cannot be put into words...letters maybe...like ooxxooXoXXx.

tiny frogs

 

I love November.  I love November except for two things; leaf blowers and holiday ads.  They each bring me to the brink of insanity.   

How are you supposed to keep things in perspective and not be marketed to...especially with kids?  It's hard.  One of the best things that works for me is to plan.  Take a few days to look through magazines and books.  Gather a few ideas I'd like to try and put them in a folder.  Then, before December, I put all of the "idea" sources away so I'm not tempted to try "just one more thing".   One of my favorite bloggers is bitter betty and she has a very wise post that I'm going to print and stick on my "to do" list.  

November.  The weather here is gorgeous.  The trees and streets in our neighborhood are a mess of pretty colors. My blog anniversary is today (really!).  My birthday is in a few weeks.  I love Thanksgiving.  I love November.  

Now, about the picture.  Have you ever seen such tiny flower frogs?  They are only about an inch in diameter...today I'm going to make a tiny bouquet with stuff from my yard.  

inventory

 

Every once in a while I feel like I have to do a blog inventory.  It usually goes along with getting my house and craft stuff in order.   Just like a facebook update, I've made a rambling list:

Julie Thompson... 

• submitted a couple of aprons to Somerset Studio's Apron-ology and they were both picked for publication.  She is now bitten by the art apron bug and thinks she has time to make more.
• cleaned out multiple craft storage areas and thinks she should stop buying vintage linens and trim...and zippers and pillowcases...and sewing patterns.  
• is getting her act together for an upcoming craft show.
• is happy to find others that like jadite as much as she does and is grateful for her blog readers (thanks!).

ima goof off

 

I took the second test for my teaching certificate yesterday and did very well on the multiple choice portion. Now I have to wait for the results of the essay.  I did OK...but just OK is a little worrisome.  I wish I was the type of person that could wait patiently but I'm not; I'm doomed to worry about it endlessly until I know the results (in about a month).  So...until then?

I'm going to goof off.  Goof off in epic proportions.  I've learned from Facebook that "ima" means "I'm going to". I'll start the goofing off by making a list:  ima stitch, ima crochet, ima sew, ima paint, ima listen to my kids when their stories go on a tad too long, ima read silly stuff (see "The Witches Guide to Cooking With Children" above).

Before I run off for a day of mindless activities, I want to thank everybody for the nice comments on my previous post.  I also have to point out that there is an advertisement comment right in the middle of all the others.  Seriously?

spider girl

I've been in black-and-white mode for the last few weeks...my eyes keep going to black-and-white at every store, in every magazine, on anything.  I always think that I don't need any more  Halloween items in my house but then along comes something like this...so unusual, so cool.  

Ok, I guess there's room for just one more.