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Make Do or Do Without...

Currently doing without most days. An occasional make-do moment sneaks its way in, but mostly doing without.

I have pictures piling up on my memory cards, I have photo editing that's getting way too far behind again. I have blog posts that will never see the light of day. I have downloads to download, but nowhere to download them. I have craft ideas saved that I can't get to, and blogs are being posted to every moment and I can't read them. Not having my computer has really put a kink in my day-to-day life.

What to do, what to do... I can't even add a fun photo to this post!
:(

Currently Reading...

found on Amazon or your local library :)

I have to admit, I actually started reading this book some time ago. I managed to read about a third of the way into it and then set it aside to read something else. I kept telling myself I just needed to read it and get it over with. I think my problem is that I saw the movie some years ago and it's interferring with my reading. I like to read the book before I see the movie. That way I can visualize the characters my way and enjoy the story from my perspective, rather than the perspective of some Hollywood producer and a gaggle of writers who all want to put their own two cents into it. Hopefully, I can get past the movie scenes playing in my head and enjoy the story my way :)

What's the Word Wednesday!

Technical Difficulties

I really dislike technology at the moment. My computer has been under attack for a couple weeks and it has finally succumbed to the incessant prying of a virus. It's my own fault. My virus protection was expiring and I didn't renew it because the brand that was on my computer was waaaaay too expensive for me to renew. I've also been unable to find a suitable replacement that fits my budget. So now, my computer sits, unused, on the kitchen table; a daily reminder that virus protection should be purchased and installed at ANY cost, because a dead computer is a bad thing. Especially when one relies on said computer for not only email, but research and homeschooling.

So, that being said, if my blog posts get behind, it's because I'm not able to beg a computer from another family member. I'll try to pre-schedule posts so I don't miss any, but there are no guarantees...

Project 365: Week 23

Sunday, May 30, 2010 What else do you do on a hot, summery afternoon but play in the water?


Monday, May 31, 2010 Another warm day. This time dad took the kids to the pool.


Tuesday, June 1, 2010 I saw some decorated baggies on the 'net and couldn't resist trying it myself. This could become addicting!


Wednesday, June 2, 2010 New dreaddies in the works. Brown base with yellow and orange for fun :)


Thursday, June 3, 2010 J's Nerf arsenal.


Friday, June 4, 2010 I went thrifting for the first time in a long while. Found a few goodies :)


Saturday, June 5, 2010 Time to get all the June birthday/anniversary cards ready!

Marathon Training Update: Week 1

Well. Week One is complete. Three short, 3-mile training days during the week and a longer, 6-mile training day on Saturday. I finished the shorter walks in 48-49 minutes. The long walk came to 1 hour and 37 mintues. Not bad, not bad. Today is a cross training day. After the sun goes down a bit I'll take my bike out for good long ride, or maybe go for a swim. Personally, I think living life is cross-training enough!



I still haven't found a race to compete in. I do have a few options. It really depends on where we are going to be living, so I have to wait a few more weeks to make that decision. Right now I'm leaning toward the Springfield, MO race in October. There's also a race in Indianapolis. There are options in November as well, though I don't know if I want to go that far into fall since most of my training will be done in the excessive heat and humidity of summer. But, since I can't register until I know where we are going to relocate, that decision is on hold.

Training commences! 17 weeks to go :)

Inspiration Station: Embroidery

I am so in love! Not only is it Queen Elizabeth I, but it's embroidery! The dress, the fencing, those trees! So amazing! This is definitely going on my "to-craft" list!

tutorial here

Here's a close up look at one of those trees:
Truely amazing work!

Project 365: Week 22

Sunday, May 23, 2010 J decided to eat breakfast outside this morning while waiting for everyone to show up to go to church.


Monday, May 24, 2010 Time to go through the library books again. I also have some knitting projects to get started on soon


Tuesday, May 25, 2010 We're having another go at the Mexican Rice recipe. I tweaked it a bit and it was waaaay better this time around!


Wednesday, May 26, 2010 K decided to do some of her schoolwork while laying on the couch. I usually see J there, but today he sat at the table.


Thursday, May 27, 2010 I spent 3 days making some striped rocket popsicles and the kids finally got to enjoy them today


Friday, May 28, 2010 Daddy's day off. "I heard that." I thought he was asleep, turns out he wasn't quite there yet :)


Saturday, May 29, 2010 J hit an out-of-the-park homerun a few days ago and he had me label it and then he put it in one of his baseball boxes. Way to go, Slugger!

On the hunt for...

THE PERFECT BEACH TOWEL!!!

Find the tutorial here
Because I want to make this! A couple years ago I had a lovely pink striped beach towel. But it joined the group going to the water park one fine day and became lost in lounger land. Sadly, it's never been replaced. But now the hunt is on. I need a nice big, thin pile beach towel to turn into this amazing swimsuit cover-up dress. I figure if I make my beach towel into a dress, it's unlikely anyone in my family will want to borrow it! *crossing my fingers!*

What's the Word Wednesday!

Journaling Me: Music

What kind of band do you see yourself fronting?



Hmmm...fun question. I could see several possibilites, really. I could see playing my violin in a rock-driven, folksy band. Or going electic with it in a more metal/edge type band. I don't have a voice for fronting a band, but I love harmonizing. So a band that has some depth to their vocals for sure. I'd love to be in a band with some industrial sound and clever bass lines.

I like the sounds of Clear, Natalie Grant, Todd Agnew, Skillet, Flyleaf, Casting Crowns, and about a zillion others. I think I should take some pics of my disc collection!

Photo Shoot with R2-D2

R2-D2 was in the neighborhood and wanted to take a look around. I always thought the grass was cut a little short, but for R2 it's a jungle out there!

We didn't get far when he stopped to smell some flowers.

It was getting warm and the kids were in the pool, so we stopped by to see what was going on. R2 decided to get some sun and see what he could do about his pasty exterior.

While lounging around R2 decided he wanted to get a look at things from a new vantage point. Choosing a new perspective is always a good thing. Just don't fall, okay? We don't have any spare parts.

The day was slipping by and R2 was a little tired. He called Chewie for a pick up, but he chose the wrong place to wait. No parking here my friend.

Marathon Training Update: May 2010 Progress

Progress? I don't believe so. I walked all of 2 days in May. It got so very hot. We took a week for vacation. Baseball was time consuming. Craziness.
Here's the stats:

Current Weight: 183 lbs. - Weight Lost: 0 Total 12 lbs.
Steps: 18,974 - Total Steps: 206,473
Total Miles: 8 - YTD Miles: 76
Longest Distance Walk: 5 miles - Time: 1:20
Avg. mph: 15.875
Cross Training: baseball

I sort of anticipated that May was going to be a difficult month. Maybe I set myself up for that? Anyway. The Chicago Marathon is out. Registration met the 45,000 limit way back in March. A bummer that. So now I'm looking for another marathon somewhere around the same date as the Chi-town race. Hopefully I run across something soon so I can get registered!

My official training starts tomorrow. With a day off :) Mondays and Fridays will be my days off for cross training and rest. 18 weeks to race day! somewhere...

Thrifty Finds!

It has been far too long since I've enjoyed a trip to the thrift shops. I only hit one this time around, mostly because I'd spent my budget! Too many great deals :) I went with the intention of finding some skirts and dresses and hopefully some workout shorts/gear. And after trying on at least 20lbs of possibilities, I walked away with one dress.

This purple dress! I can't wait to get it washed and start wearing it! Best part - it was brand new. What a deal. On my way to checkout I remembered that I wanted to look for a bag to convert to a camera bag. And wouldn't you just know it; I totally lucked out!

When I spotted this bag I actually squealed a little and started hopping up and down in pure joy! Not only is it the perfect shape and depth, it's the most beautiful color. I love it! And then I just happened to spot another sweet bag, one that I've been craving for some time now...

The perfect straw bag! The lining is in desperate need of replacement, but that's okay because I got this bag for a song! At this point I decided to get in line, but then I happened to glance over at the "new" stuff shelves and I couldn't believe my eyes! A brand new pair of galoshes!

I saw all the pretty galoshes on the Target website and instantly fell in love. I never did get to order a pair. This colorway wouldn't have been what I ordered, but it was on my top 5. And while I was still glowing with happiness over the boots, I glanced up and saw these

beautiful ribbony things! The birthday ribbons will go right into my scrapbooking box. The green plastic wire is very interesting. It's a foam/plastic wrapped wire made for use in the garden. I can't wait to play with it. And I'm wondering if I'll be able to find any more of that stuff.

It was a pretty good thrift day, even if I didn't find skirts. Maybe next time!

Project 365: Week 21

Sunday, May 16, 2010 Our Texan friends are visiting Orlando for the week so we are spending time with them at Calypso Cay. We really like the pool there!


Monday, May 17, 2010 We spent the day at Downtown Disney. Chad and the boys played "Monkey See, Monkey Do". They're so funny.


Tuesday, May 19, 2010 After breakfast, K challenged Dad to an arm wrestling contest. She almost won :)


Wednesday, May 20, 2010 While our friends were at Disney, Chad and I took J to play a round of disc golf. K doesn't enjoy the game anymore so she stayed at home.


Thursday, May 21, 2010 We played the Braves this game. J got to pitch!


Friday, May 22, 2010 I used my last disc to copy pictures for my friend and needed to go buy some more to backup all of my pictures. I got a little behind this last couple months. But now, I'm happy to say, everything has been backed up, multiple times!


Saturday, May 22, 2010 Finally got around to doing some grocery shopping. Fresh fruits! Yum! If only the blueberries weren't so expensive!

Round Up Time! - May 2010

It's that time again. Another month has flown right on by. Here's the scoop:

1. What books/magazines did I read this month?

I read two fiction books: A Murderous Glaze and Hugh and Bess. It took quite some time to get through the first one, but I flew through the second book. Historical books are so much easier for me to enjoy! As far as non-fiction goes, I've read bits and pieces of Homesteading as well as numerous mexican cookbooks and craft/knitting books. The usual suspects when it comes to magazines, but I did get a new one this month: Creative Knitting. I don't know if I'm going to keep this one. It didn't seem to have too many projects I'd like to undertake.

2. What TV shows/movies/plays did I watch this month?
The usual, though most of my shows have ended and are only running sporadic reruns. I did get the discs from season one of Eureka. That was funny and I plan on watching the rest of the seasons. Movies: Independence Day, Julie and Julia, The Sum of All Fears, Avatar, Blindside, Karate Kid 2, Honey I Blew up the Kid, Sweet Home Alabama, Daybreakers, Sherlock Holmes, Up, Star Trek; the Voyage Home, A League of their Own. I guess we've watched a lot of movies lately since our TV shows are finished.

3. What fun things did I do with my family/friends this month?
Our friends from Texas came to visit for a week and we stayed in the condo with them for a few days. We had fun walking around Downtown Disney and spent lots of time together at the pool! Chad and I have gone on a date almost every Friday morning this month. During vacation week we actually got to play a round of disc golf. J went with us because it had been such a long time since we'd played.

"Monkey see, Monkey do"

4. What gifts did I give/receive this month?
J went to a birthday party this month and he gave his friend (what else?) a baseball bat/ball set... made by Nerf! The ball has this patch on it that helps you make it curve. They had so much fun. And now J wants one for himself :) J and I both received a certificate from J's baseball coach at the end of the season. J for completing his first year in Majors and me for being the scorebook keeper.

5. What special or unusual purchases did I make this month?
I bought myself a cheap pair of tennis shoes. And K immediately tried to steal them...again. She won't give back my purple shoes, so I'm guarding these new ones very carefully!

6. What illnesses/health concerns did I have this month?
None, really. I'm a little concerned with J's diet lately. He seems to be putting on some weight despite being very active. I hope that means a growth spurt is on the way.

7. What were my accomplishments this month?
I finally got the artwork for my online craft store finished. I signed up for a store on shophandmade.org and I made three sets of napkin rings. I have a few more items to finish before I'll post anything though. I want to have a few more options for potential customers to look through.


8. What were my disappointments this month?
I didn't walk much this month and I can feel the difference. I am determined to knuckle down and get back on it though. The offical training schedule starts in a couple weeks! eek!

9. How did I do on my goals this month?
It's 50/50. I didn't walk much, but I got a lot done on the crafting front. I didn't take any photo challenges, but I've been close to getting my pictures every day. I didn't blog every single day, but I did blog most days.

10. Anything else noteworthy for the month?
Chad's work has been on again off again. We're still trying to make plans to move back up north soon. The kids have made a lot of friends this last year (we have too) and that is making things difficult.

What's the Word Wednesday!

I would imagine the Roswell incident was accompanied by a foudroyant flash of crystalline light. At least the nerdy sci-fi part of my brain would like to think.

"Twelve on a Tuesday"

I was reading on this lovely blog some time ago about posting any twelve photos just for the fun of it. I thought it was a great idea, especially since I have a ton of favorite photos! So here are twelve photos that make me smile:

2005 J's toothless grin; a once-in-a-lifetime photo op

2005 SeaWorld, Orlando, Florida. Chad and the kids were spying on Santa in his workshop.

2005 New Years Eve - yes it's upside down - that's how I took it!

2006 New York road trip. My favorite mittens, chosen for me by my daughter when she was 3 - and a lost-and-found scarf that I hope "I" never lose!

2006 Playing around at the Eclipse

2006 Finally got my new camera!

2006 DD's first haircut in years. Donated to Locks of Love

2006 Epcot, Orlando, Florida. Chad is such a ham!

2007 Worlds Greatest Sandwich Ingredients

2007 "A squirrel peed on me!" LOL! No, not really. J was pulling my leg.

2007 Birthday Sushi yum!

2007 Halloween fun. I love making their costumes!