My birthday present… aka: I’m old November 30, 2011

My birthday is still a little over a month away (WHAT???  Holy crap…) but I’ve known what I wanted from my mom and dad since July when I crossed a little something off my list.  I had such a blast making my t-shirt quilt that I decided I REALLY wanted a sewing machine.
 

And that’s how I know I’m old.
 

A sewing machine???  Seriously???  Who am I???
 

Apparently, this list has been pretty eye opening, no?  Because let’s be honest… I really enjoyed myself and found so much relaxation in the whole process.  And I’ve been looking for new hobbies so when my mom asked me what I was thinking I might like for the big 3-0, I said, I’d really love a machine that sews and was computerized so I could get away with drinking some wine while sewing and not totally screw up my project.  And she said ok!  Woo hoo!
 

Truthfully, I’m really excited about the idea of having a very cool thing that I can say, “yeah… I got this for my 30th after I completed a ridiculous list of things that helped me slowly adapt to the fact that I was indeed, turning 30.”  Or maybe it’s just, “yep… coolest birthday present ever” (although that title might be reserved for our trip to IRELAND but more on that later).
 

Either way, I did my research and came home with the perfect machine for me.  Meet my Baby Lock Serenade…
 

She’s gloooooooorious.

 

My dad helped me thread her for the first time – I think he had a lot of fun playing with the new toy – and she’s now home, propped up on a table just WAITING for me to pump out some Christmas gifts on her.

 

I can’t wait.

 

I went today and grabbed a few necessary items (at least in my mind) like a cutting mat, rotary cutter and a magnetic pin cushion so I make sure that my ass doesn’t turn into the traditional kind.  I’ve got a couple projects on the agenda and I hope to get them done in time!

 

So, I clearly owe my parents a HUGE thank you for once again lessening the pain of this impending birthday my new toy.  I’m so appreciative of everything they’ve given me but this is a pretty spectacular gift.  And I love that it’s an early one too.  THANK YOU!

 

Now… off to sew myself a granny-style lap quilt.

 

Really I don’t dislike to cook, but what you cook is eaten so quickly.  When you sew, you have something that will last to show for your efforts.  ~Elizabeth Travis Johnson

Look what I made! November 28, 2011

I have a really great relationship with my dad.  Like any relationships worth having, it hasn’t always been easy but I think that’s because we’re essentially the same person… and you know how that usually works out.
 

Some of the most memorable times in my childhood included doing things with my dad… or at least him relentlessly bugging me to do things until I said ‘yes’ and finally realizing that 90% of the time, they were worth doing (I can think of a few things I could have done without… like eating cauliflower).  So when the time came to add things to my list, I thought it would be a good idea to do something with him… something that was my idea for once.  But of course, if my idea was something that interested him, it wouldn’t be hard to get him on board.
 

Now you see, he has a phenomenal wood shop. He has a habit of jumping head first into things and going all out so his wood shop looks like it belongs at the North Pole (minus the tiny elves) and should be pumping out wooden Jack-In-The-Boxes like Jack-In-The-Box pumps out cheeseburgers (except for that little E. coli incident in ’93).  I’ve made something in his workshop before but not with him so I thought this would be a great thing to add to the list.  I can add to my (minimal) carpentry skills while spending some QT with the father figure.  Seemed like a good idea to me!
 

Mom and Dad and I have all been collecting old skis for quite a while but we were still unsure as to what to do with them but when forced into a decision, one gets pretty creative!  So behold… our ski bench.  It was measured to fit on the back porch of our condo at Sugarloaf (more on that in another post sometime soon) and will be painted (the wood, not the skis) to match the grey exterior paint of the place.
 

It’s about 65″ inches long.  I know… I measured that shit.

 

Now let’s rewind for a second while I throw out some mumbo jumbo to really impress you.  We did this WITHOUT A PLAN.  That’s right, here I was squabbling through woodworking books looking for a pattern, a measurement, ANYTHING that my Type A/Perfectionist personality could grab onto as a source for making the perfect bench while my dad whipped out a piece of paper and a mechanical pencil and went to work.  He may as well have been writing in German for how well I understood his drawings at first.  But once he translated, I was on the same page and we went from there.

 

This was no joke.

 

We based the width of the leg braces on the width of the skis all lined up.  We chose the skis based on the amount of space we had in the location on the deck that we wanted to put it and the height was based on a pipe that we needed to clear that stuck out of the wall.  So yeah, no rhyme or reason to this project.  It was the epitome of “let’s make this shit up as we go along.”  But you know what?  It worked.  And it looks damn good.

 

Lining the skis up to figure out how wide the base needed to be.

 

Leg brace #1 complete.

 

Dad screwing down the skis on top.

 

We used SCUBA weights to push down the center of the bench while we braced it with another smaller pair of skis – clearly, we’re resourceful.

 

Done and…

 

… done.

 

Testing out our handy work.

 

Now I’m sure you’re thinking, “Darcie, there are no pictures of you ACTUALLY doing any work” but trust me… I worked.  I measured, I cut, I drilled, I caulked and I lifted.  AND I took the pictures.  How ’bout THEM apples.

 

The best part of the whole thing?  We didn’t even fight… right Dad? 

 

I had a really great time between figuring out what we were going to make, putting pencil to paper, getting halfway through and realizing we needed to make a Home Depot run and pointing out that we could indeed place the screws in a straight line along the skis with just a little more effort than our first go around.  I learned a lot in building this project but more importantly, I had a really great day with my daddy… because apparently, no matter how old you get (almost 30 ), you’ll still be his little girl.

 

29. Make something with my dad in his wood shop

 

A father is always making his baby into a little woman.  And when she is a woman he turns her back again.  ~Enid Bagnold

I’m thankful for… November 24, 2011

 

I’m sure many of you saw the Thankfulness Campaign running around on Facebook so I wanted to share mine here – all 24 days leading up to and including Thanksgiving.  I have so so so much to be thankful for this year and this little list of thanks seems piddly in comparison of what I could/should be writing but each one of them was written with inspiration from that particular day.  With that being said, I went back and copied and pasted (with a little editing to leave out personal names) my last 24 days:
 

Day 1  – I’m thankful to good friends who have great ideas and keep me inspired…
 

Day 2 – I’m thankful for my cousins who remind me each year that it’s ok to still play dress-up like we did when we were kids.
 

Day 3 – I’m thankful for awesome veterinarians who take such great care of my own dogs as well as my rescues… Evie’s in for her spay today!
 

Day 4 – I’m thankful for beautiful weather, falls boots and a weekend that promises time with friends and lots of laughter.
 

Day 5 – I’m thankful that I have a husband as invested in rescue as I am, who gives as much of his heart to our fosters as he does to our own dogs.
 

Day 6 – I’m thankful for an extra hour to clean my house today… And that I have a beautiful house that we have certainly made into a home over the last 5 years.
 

Day 7 – I’m thankful for the fact that Brody is starting to use his leg again and he may not have, in fact, torn is ACL again… because that would have sucked. I’m also thankful that if he did, we can provide the proper care for him as we have done in the past.
 

Day 8 – I’m thankful for Dunkin’s ever changing holiday flavored coffees including the Iced Peppermint Mocha I enjoyed this morning in beautiful 65 degree weather. Oh yeah, and the fact that I have the right to vote… and I use it. Happy Election Day!
 

Day 9 – I’m thankful for a garage perfectly stacked with three tons of pellets just in time for 70 degree weather. And an amazing husband who did all of the work…
 

Day 10 – I’m thankful for an “early” night home for my husband and dogs that are snuggly.
 

Day 11 – I am so very thankful for all of our veterans – past, present and future – and their dedication to our country. I especially want to thank John’s and my grandfathers, our brother-in-law and my cousins. We love you all!

“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” ~Elmer Davis
 

Day 12 – I’m thankful for days off with my husband, afternoon naps and dinner with old friends.
 

Day 13 – I’m thankful for a job that I love working with people who inspire me…
 

Day 14 – I’m thankful for my mom and dad for instilling such a good work ethic in me and a husband that is the best partner in the world…
 

Day 15 – I’m thankful for coffee… lots and lots of coffee… and molasses cookies.
 

Day 16: I’m thankful for awesome colleagues to share good laughs with…
 

Day 17 – I’m thankful for the fact that I have an iPhone… even if it decides to not back up and delete all my contacts/notes/photos. And I’m being serious – I’m not even that upset about this. It’s good to remind ourselves of the much bigger problems in the world.
 

Day 18 – I’m thankful for opportunities and spontaneous moments that present themselves out of the blue and my ability to take advantage of them.
 

Day 19 – I’m thankful for the fact that my couch is so cozy and comfy that if I fall asleep on it and wake up at 3:30am, I don’t have a sore back… Off to bed.
 

Day 20 – I am thankful that even though God didn’t give me sisters, he gave me the best cousins a girl could ask for. I’m also thankful for their sick sense of humor and our ability to have fun, no matter how old we are.
 

Day 21 – I’m thankful for great hugs from good friends, the opportunity to give selflessly to others and Gronkowski’s ability to run the ball.
 

Day 22 – I’m thankful for much needed days off, dogs that make me a smile and a house I have to clean…
 

Day 23 – I’m thankful for family and friends and the opportunity to see so many of them in one weekend…
 

Day 24 – I’m thankful for the gathering of loved ones, sharing our thanks and our hopes for the coming year.
 
 

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.  ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

ALMOST there… and other random ramblings. November 22, 2011

Someone noticed yesterday that my little ticker with the veggies on the side of my blog holds some pretty fantastic information.  Like the fact that yesterday, I was .4 pounds away from my 15 pound goal!  I’m not writing the “I completed this task” blog YET because, of course, I was back up a little this morning AND the mother of all gluttony days is approached faster than a freight train.  And well, I don’t want to have to come back and say, I gained all the weight back less than 24 hours after accomplishing the goal.  BUT, I’m damn close… and that’s more motivation than I could ever need.  I’m preparing to bring an acorn squash dish (only 1 point for the butter!) to the first meal we eat on Thursday (yeah, two full meals… I’m screwed) so that I’m getting some more healthy veggies in and limiting the other (much more tasty) stuff that will be on my plate.  I’ll still DEFINITELY be eating (and drinking) whatever I want but if there’s anything I’ve learned along this weight loss journey it’s that I’m actually pleasantly satisfied with a much smaller portion than I normally glob onto my plate.  Go figure.
 

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I’m on vacation today and with that comes the underlying desire to clean my entire house, shop for my best friend’s baby shower gift and get packed and ready to leave for Maine tomorrow… or sit on my ass and blog.  Guess which one is winning out?  And I might go see Breaking Dawn (again) this afternoon… we’ll see where the wind takes me.
 

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I did already go and see Breaking Dawn on Sunday with my cousins.  Who live in NY.  Yes, I drove two hours, spent the morning eating chili, sipping themed cocktails (they looked like blood, natch) and then showing up an hour early for our show like the ultimate fan girls that we are, squealed like piglets over our excitement and then I drove 2 hours home.   I love us.  A lot.
 

Mmmm… Dirty Shirleys with grape juice.  Or Bella’s pregnancy cocktail of blood minus the sippy cup.

 

Honestly, I thought this movie was going to be the ultimate train wreck.  The book is my second to least favorite (is that how you say that?) because I didn’t really enjoy New Moon.  Not enough Edward… obviously.  But let’s be honest, I still ripped through it faster than any non-Twilight book I’ve ever read.  Anyway, BD had the potential to make me not want to even see the second half (ok, who are we kidding) and I was really worried how they were going to convey all of the weirdness of the storyline.
 

I.Loved.It.
 

I’ve even embarrassed myself at how much I loved it.  And my cousins all agree.  Now we can not WAIT until next November because we’ll be doing it all again… for the last time. 
 

My beautiful cousins… and me.  Photo not so good of me.

 

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I’m in the market for a sewing machine.  I loved making my t-shirt quilt this summer and I’ve been interested in getting a machine ever since and even taking some more quilting classes.  My very generous parents have offered to help me purchase one for my big 3-0 (shhhh… it’s coming up soon and I don’t want to yell it too loud for fear that it comes faster than aforementioned freight train).  So, I’m going through review after review of Janome, Babylock and Viking machines, trying to narrow down what I need/want/wish for all while trying to stay under a somewhat normal budget (why the hell are these things so expensive??).  If anyone has any suggestions, I’d love to hear them!
 

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That completes my randomness for today… I’m off to try and clean my house.  Or continue to sit on my ass.  Whatever.
 

Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn’t the work he is supposed to be doing at that moment.  ~Robert Benchley

Shutter speed, aperture and ISO, oh my! November 20, 2011

I’ve been trying to take a photography class for a very long time and by some twist of fate (and my realization that I was seriously running out of time), I got signed up for the latest (and last of the year) course just in the nick of time.  Five weeks later, I have completed my photography class and can officially turn the dial on my DSLR away from the “Push Here Dummy” mode and I have even shot in full-on manual.
 

My Christmas list is getting longer by the minute – lenses, flashes, camera bags, etc.  I’ve found a whole new hobby.
 

Mind you, this is two years after I received this amazing camera as a Christmas gift.  Slacker.
 

But hey, now I know how to set my f-stop (and what it does) as well as guide my ISOs for light sensitivity all while deciding what shutter speed to use…
 

And it’s a damn good thing because I’m going to be taking some pretty fabulous pictures in January – but more on that in the  next few days.
 

Until then?
 

2. Take a photography class
 

While there is perhaps a province in which the photograph can tell us nothing more than what we see with our own eyes, there is another in which it proves to us how little our eyes permit us to see.  ~Dorothea Lange

 

2 more months… my feet can’t wait. November 13, 2011

What started off as a bet with my husband has turned into my own personal hell… I have gone 10 months without purchasing a pair of shoes.  I think the 5K was easier.
 

That being said, here are some of the shoes that are on my radar come January 7th.  My dear friend Molly at These Little Moments is a shoe-ru (you know, a guru for shoes) and I am pretty sure that I am her shoe-wearing nightmare.  The fact that I own AND wear both Uggs and Crocs (of the original, Pepto Bismol pink, variety), does not bode well for me.  I might as well be wearing a potato sack in public with her because THAT would be less embarrassing.  But she loves me anyway so I’m lucky like that.
 

Because you see?  My shoe style is ALL over the place.  I don’t mind spending money on a good quality shoe… and that shoe could range from Fryes to Danksos to Keens.  Observe.
 

Let’s start with the shoes that Molly wouldn’t TOTALLY cringe at… some she might even WEAR.
 

Fuchsia Tory Burch ballet flats?  Yes please.

 

Oh, they come in a variety of colors?  Even better.

 

Frye Paige Trapunto Buckle – love the buckles.

 

Frye Jane Strappy – these are so hot and come in so many different colors it was hard to choose just one!

 

Frye Melissa Button in “wine” – LOVE the red and I hear they come in purple too.  Hotness.

 

These Frye Vera Strappy boots look like they belong on my feet.

 

I, of course, didn’t save the name of these and can’t find them again which is unfortunate because I LOVE them.  Must.Keep.Searching.

 

Now that Molly’s a hot mama, she’s been known to wear a more practical shoe (gasp!) and she MIGHT have even said that she’s purchased a pair of Danskos.  And if she hasn’t, she should.  This pair is fantastic for spring… at least in my book.

 

 

Now, I know my Molly and she loves the water and loves boats but I’m not QUITE sure how she feels about boat shoes… therefore this might be where this post starts to disappoint her.

These Sperry Top Siders with little boats are adorable… so adorable that they might be more appropriate for a toddler.  But I love them.

 

Fancy Sperrys… does this count as dressing up?

 

These might be too ridiculous.  Even for me.  But I do love me some sequins.

 

Now I KNOW this is a downright, “not going to happen” from my shoe-ru.  Her feet would not be caught dead wearing either pair of these shoes, both of which I think are FANTASTIC.  They’re right up there with bright pink Crocs…

 

Keen Newport

 

Keen Sula – I’m obsessed.  Must.Have.These.

 

So, what shoes should I be saving up for to purchase this January?  Do you agree with Molly that I have a pretty ridiculous sense of style when it comes to my feet?  Should I just be barefoot all the time?  Because let’s be honest, that would be ideal…

 

Age shouldn’t affect you. It’s just like the size of your shoes – they don’t determine how you live your life! You’re either marvellous or you’re boring, regardless of your age.   ~Steven Morrissey

Wait… HOW did you get here? Vol. 10 November 7, 2011

‘Wait… HOW Did You Get Here?’ DISCLAIMER:
I didn’t change the grammar/spelling on any of these searches so you can appreciate the full ridiculousness of every single one.

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alacakaranlık taki edward ın resimleri

I have no idea what this says but I can recognize the important part…
 

Yeah… this important part.

 

work now and rest whole life

LOVE this idea.
 

big booty bandit

I bet there’s a big cape involved.
 

just remember when youre sad, its the dementors fault

Great philosophy to live by.
 

blog bimini thirty hatter

I feel like you MUST have been looking for me…
 

carharttsandcoachbags halloween

Yeah, it’s going to be epic.
 

turning 30 inspirational

I’m inspirational???? Sweet!
 

smart woman with boobs

Yes, smart women can have boobs and just because you have boobs doesn’t make you dumb.  What the hell kind of search is this?
 

apprehensive clipart

Are you apprehensive about clipart or are you looking for clipart about being apprehensive?  Be more specific.
 

mad hatter johnny golden retriever sold

I’m not sure what you could possibly be looking for here… how about one search at a time next time, ok?
 

cartoon of farmer with his dungarees slipping down showing a bit of butt

Holy crap this is awesome… but I have no idea how this got you to my blog.
 

hide under the chair

Yeah, life’s less scary that way.
 

cartoon, halloween, diet, candy

I feel like this is an oxymoron of epic proportions.
 

This is my kind of Food Pyramid.

 

sorry to tell all to my dear because of i promise i am not drink again but i drink nw. show me images of wthat i write

Yeah, you’re drunk.
 

I may have had this conversation once… or twice.

 

It’s better to keep your mouth shut and give the impression that you’re stupid than to open it and remove all doubt. ~Rami Belson

Dear Evie, November 3, 2011

Dear Evie,
 

My heart is hurting for you.   I am trying so hard to find you your perfect forever home.  I’m sharing pictures of your beautiful face with eyes that stare into my soul.  I tell everyone about your sweet personality and gentle kisses.  I also tell them about your quirks – although there aren’t many, we want people to know everything about you.  I want the perfect home where the family is laid back, the kids are older and the love is plentiful.
 

My heart is hurting for you.  You’re getting so settled into our home and you LOVE the boys.  You like to cuddle with Capone – he is a snuggler – and you follow Brody around like he’s the coolest thing since dog cookies.  Brody is pretty fun.  He likes to play ball with you, and by that I mean he likes to play ball while you watch.  But you’ve learned how to play his way.  I want the perfect home that will give you doggy buddies that can provide you gentle leadership and a good snuggle buddy.  And maybe even a pup that will share his toys.
 

My heart is hurting for you.  You have become so attached to John and me.  You like me… you really do.  I come home and you run out of your crate and bounce around my feet… I’m sure it’s because I feed you then… but I love it.  However, you LOVE John.  He comes home and your whole world lights up.  You jump up to meet his hands (he’s much taller than me) and when he scratches you behind the ears, you look like you have just died and gone to Heaven.  You follow us both around as if you don’t want to miss a thing… you may even be singing a little Aerosmith in your head when you do.  I want the perfect home that the mom and dad love you even half as much as we love you.  And you love them twice as much as you love us.
 

My heart is hurting for you.  It’s been almost three months since you came into our lives.  You’ve been at our house longer than the other three from 2011 put together.  I thought we were going to find you the perfect home right away… you’re a perfect pocket rott with a sweet disposition!  Why are we not turning away perfect application after perfect application?  Sure, there are apps.  But they don’t have other dogs, or they have young kids, or, or, or.
 

My heart is hurting for you.  There are so many dogs out there who need our help.  One look at the euth list every day reminds me of that, reminds me of why I can’t keep you.  Because if I keep you, I can’t help more dogs just like you.  I love you so much that I want to find the perfect home for you.  We are just a pit stop in the middle to your forever family.
 

My heart is hurting for you because I don’t think you realize that this isn’t your forever home and that one day, when
we do find that perfect family for you, we’re going to have to say goodbye.  And I’m going to cry… a lot.  But they will be tears of joy for you, my Evie Beans.  Because my heart is hurting for you.  Because it’s bursting with love for you.
 

Evie, I promise you, we will find you the perfect home.  A home where I hope you are so happy that you don’t even remember us.  Ok, that’s a lie… I hope we go with you, tucked into a little corner of your heart. Because you will always be tucked in the corner of mine.
 

Love,
 

Your foster mama
 

 

We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It’s the best deal man has ever made. ~M.Facklam