Blessed In Him

Beavers, bulls, birds, beaver dams. It's all B (well, mostly)

2008-09-05T04:56:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd share some pics of our BIG B day. We learned about beavers. Then, after we made beaver masks, we went to the beaver dam. Didn't see Mr. beaver this time, though.

First, though, let me take a moment to share a pic of a card I made, and some of Gabers.

This was done with the SU! stamp, "Totally Cool" from back in 04, I think. I stamped it on with versamark and then colored it it with glitter gel pens.
These are Gabe's fall pictures. He posed himself for all of them. I was so proud of him. But I can't believe he's growing up so fast.
Bri sportin' his Beaver Mask that HE made. He glued the ears and nose and teeth on all by himself. He loved working with the glue stick.
Brian and the kids ready to go to the beaver dam on the four wheeler.
The Bull (how fitting "b") that we saw on the trip down to the creek.
The beaver dam. (well, what they've made of it. All the muck on the edges will soon be under water, if I know our Mr. Beaver well enough)Patrick, after he fell down, and Daddy helping him up.
Mama swimming in the cool creek water. Pat after he lost is sandal in the grass and muck. (this wasn't the first or last time!)It's okay, I got it, Daddy!Bri cheezin' it up for the camera. A Kudzoo flower. Gosh I didn't know those things were do pretty. well,don't have much to say, (that's a first) but wanted to share these pics, so ya'll all take care and enjoy the remains of summer before Hannah and Ike destroy what's left.

2008-07-21T08:31:00.000-07:00

I started sweating while we were hiking and took my belt and put it on my head (it's a sash belt) and Brian was picking on me saying I looked like "ms. rambo" so I took some goofy shots, LOL

Almost to the end, 2.5 miles THIS trail, 11 miles total. "you go ahead, I'll be here when you return". Taking a quick break on the last trail. (about 10 miles under belt at this point)Yup! The long hike was worth it. Isn't it beautiful?
Brian at the end of the trail. Brian and me Day TwoBrian calling to check in on the kids, LOL

A view of table rock at a pull off view point
Me playing with the camera, LOL
B standing at the trailhead that lead to our campsite the first night.
Doesn't it look huge? Nope. Just camera fun. It's only about two inches high in real life, LOL
this was my "birthday outfit". Brian picked it out. I think he done a good job. The pants are a little big in the waist, and I had to tie the belt tighter than you're supose to, but they were comfy.
this is the life, right?
Our campsite the second night. Due to a late reservation, we had to change sites the second morning.

Hello?!?! Remember Me?

2008-07-15T18:49:00.000-07:00

As I said in the previous post (they were gonna be together, but didn't want to bog down a memorial for Adam), we attended a funeral today.

while we were there, I saw my sister in law, her husband, their daughter and her husband. After the graveside services were over, I walked over to say hello. As I asked how they knew Adam, (I honestly didn't know) my SIL said, "I've know him his whole life" and walks off. No "let me catch so and so before they leave", no "hold on a minute, I want to holler at so and so", nothing. Just walked off. I turned to my niece and said "so ya'll be doing good" and she said "yeah, pretty good" AND WALKED OFF.

I wouldn't be so ticked about it, but they're usually bustin' to tell me something or ask me about the kids or HER BROTHER, or something. I wouldn't have given it a second thought either, but back on the fourth, when we went back home for the fireworks show there, her twin, Brian's other sister, ignored us the same way. One of my kids stood there "Hey Kay! Hey Kay" and she ignored them. I said to him, loud enough for her to hear me, "come over here, I don't think Kay hears you." she didn't even blink. Brian asked her later "how ya'll been?" and she looked him in the yes, and turned the other way. What the heck? Is is so hard to just say "good, you?"

My nieces (two were there that night) and my MIL (step-MIL, not the same one I was visiting in previous post), even Brian's dad ignored us like that. I mean, MIL talked but not like usual. I don't understand why. It breaks my heart, but at the same time, it pisses me off. It confuses me, yet it makes perfect sense. (kinda). But still, what ever happened to the kindness of the south? I mean, even with all the yankee blood my husband carries, even he is flabbergasted. It's stupid. So Stupid.

Life, Death, and Everything in between

2008-07-15T18:32:00.000-07:00

On Friday, as I was visiting with my mother in law, my mo called to tell me that the boy that was my neighbor growing up, had gotten killed. Adam's mom and dad moved into the trailer behind ours before either of us were born. they lived there about as long as my parents had been in their place. He was born two years before me, and while he was allowed to get into so much more than I ever thought about, he always watched out for me. I always knew, too, that if something happened, I could count on him. LIke the time my ex beat me. He came at him like a bat out of hell an stopped just shy of popping him, and told him, "i'll spare you this time, but there better not be a next". Then when he met Brian the first time, he told him, "you'd better treat her better than the last one. I threatened to kill him, and it carries over to you, too."
I couldn't pass his house without him waving. he was more than just the neighbor boy. He was like a brother. It's amazing how close you get to people when you live next door.
As we layed his body in the ground today, I couldn't help but think back to all those times we'd sit and throw rocks at the stop sign b/c I couldn't leave the yard. How he would throw his bike in the ditch, skippin out on the rest of the kids to hang with me sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes, just to make sure I felt included.
Or the time he stood up for me on the school bus, and then, that time we threw one of the girls in the ditch between our lots. We almost broke her leg, and he sat us all down, big brother like and explained to us just how wrong and mean we really were. But then, hugged everyone of us.

He always was the first to tell me hey when i went back home, and ask me how the kids were doing, and if I was comin' back to Iva. His life was lived to make everyone around him happy and content, yet I sit here, sad and ashamed. Sad b/c one of my best friends from childhood has now gone on, but ashamed, b/c so many visits home I didn't have the time to sit and talk like I should have. Adam touched many, many lives, and I pray that even in death, his legacy will live on. Please, I know most of those who read my blog don't know me IRL, but in his memory, when you're out and about, tell someone "hello". Ask em' how they're doing. Don't forget the small talk, and don't forget to lend a hand. He would have.
R.I.P Adam (7-13-1982/7-11-2008)

You're So Mean, mama

2008-07-09T09:40:00.001-07:00

So last night for dinner, I made meatloaf, rice-a-roni, and green beans. Of course Bri finished off all of the green beans (he gets that from his mama!) We ate dinner early, remember from yesterdays post? and this morning I slept late. (as did Bri and Patrick and Gabe). Gabe woke up at 12 noon asking for lunch. Bri and Patrick woke me up around 10 something. They didn't want to wait for breakfast and settled to share a nutty buddy bar.

I began to fix lunch around 12:00 or so (well, once Gabe demanded food). I'm getting lunch ready, Bri reminds me that I promised "croccoli" so I threw some broccoli in the pot to cook. I get the leftover rice from last nice into a double boiler (well, really, it was a bigger pot, and a smaller pot, LOL) anyway, while that was going, I threw four little meatloaf muffins from last night into the toaster oven to heat up. Get table unset, get the littles corralled into the dining room, and then plates on the table. "Gabe, come on. It's lunch time." Gabe gets to the table.

"ugh. this is what we had last night".
"No. We had greenbeans with it last night, we're having broccoli today"
"I hate meatloaf. I wanted a grilled cheese"
"Well, son, I'm sorry. This is what we're having. I'm not cooking four different things for four different people. We'll eat what is fixed or we can go hungry. besides, I'm only ONE mama. Burger King has at least five different people working back there to have it your way.".

"you're so mean. all I wanted was a grilled cheese"
"I love you too, baby"

By the way, all he ate was a few bites of broccoli. That's fine. Dinner will be ready around five thirty or six.

Bri, he ate most of his plate. Patrick, he's still at the table, by himself, chowing down. he eats and eats and eats. He doesn't care what I fix. he tells me it's good. Why can't all my kids still be two?

Never mind. Don't answer that. I couldn't deal with 3 two year olds.

Well, the house is clean, the kids are fed, and the alarm on my phone is telling me that Days of Our Lives is coming on. (It's my one and only guilty pleasure) so I must go now. While Gabe and the littles entertain themselves with the sega or playstation, I must watch Days.

Until Next Time,

SweetPea to the B!

So I'm ahead of the plan

2008-07-08T15:40:00.000-07:00

Well, I got a little ahead of myself earlier today, and now I sit here at 6:41 p.m., and supper has been cooked, fed to the little guys, the big guy has went to his room to play video games (while he's thanking God for the rain, cuz mama makes em' stay outside all day, LOL) and the two littles are in there room screaming like banshees.

The living room has been picked back up, the kitchen is cleaned up again, and the littles bed room has been cleaned, LOL. It's not even seven! So I think I'm gonna do some research and planning for our upcoming school year. I've got most of my stuff, but probably still need a few small things.

I guess I need to get my grocery/household supplies list going too, since we'll be going to the grocery store on thursday. (yeah, it takes me a day or two to get things together, LOL)

Well, off to surf the web, good evening to all!

Tuesday, feels like Monday

2008-07-08T12:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a very productive day. But today, it's like I'm just blah. I want to just sit around and do nothing. I need to get off my butt and exercise, but I can't bring myself to do anything.

I want to bike a couple of miles today, but I'll have to go by the number of songs I listen to. My battery in my odometer is dead. (at least, I think that's whats wrong!)

So, here's to a vegetative day for me!

C-ya tomorrow!!

~Kana

My Summer in Ten

2008-07-07T19:21:00.000-07:00

A quick shout to Aiti at Sewingmama's, thanks for the idea for this. For my non-sewing mama visitors, the idea is to post ten pictures that celebrate summer and all it means to the poster. It's such a fun idea, b/c with ten pics, you can get in a variety of things that relate to your personal summer.

Without further ado, here are my pictures.

10. Beautiful views of the lake. I love being able to walk to my mailbox everyday and being able to smell the water. It's so refreshing. You only get that smell when you live on the lake. It's so calming and just watery. It's not fishy, not yucky, just fresh watery. I love it. (this isn't our lake, though, just a shot of a local lake we camped on)

9. I caught this one when I went out to talk to Brian one afternoon. I suppose the Bri got tired of "junking" on the trampoline, so he propped his feet up with Daddy for a quick snooze.
8. Gotta love those dirty little boys that summer brings!!
7. Spending time with cousins. Gabe and Bri had a blast having Kaydun spend the week with us. This was a quick shot of them on the water making silly faces at the camera.

6. Going to summer camp!!! Need I say more???

5. BASEBALL!!!!!

4. Playing on the playground. (in underwear, LOL)

3. Getting baby brothers in trouble with the water hose. (aka. "I think Patrick done it")

2. Those big ol' clouds that turn into afternoon thunderstorms... .........................................that lead to.............
1. Summer Romance :-)

Gosh, I love to sew!

2008-06-26T10:31:00.000-07:00

So lately, I've been working on a few things and I thought I'd share them with you! Remember those bride's maid dresses? Here is a picture of Me and Brian walking down the isle. Doesn't he clean up so nicely?Here's another of all three of us bride's maids and the matron of honor, with the lovely Bride. I also had to do some hem work to her dress, and gosh, I thought I was going to strangle in all that crinolin under it, LOL (I'm the one on Your left, front, kneeling, the other kneeling is the bride's best friend. Standing in red is the groom's sister, and the matron of honor, in black, is the bride's sister.

My niece and nephew are going to a fourth of July celebration and "needed" something to wear. Lexi's is a jumper, from Simplicity 2991, View B, without the godets. I felt it was full enough to not need them. It's a size four bodice, and the skirt is a four, but with an eight length. It's folded over at the seams so I could get all the dress in the pic. Spread out, the bottom width is about 8-10 inches wider than shown.

Kaydun, My nephew got a camp shirt. he chose the red pocket. It was a toss up between one of the patriotic prints on Lexi's jumper, a self fab. pocket, or the red, he chose the red)

Also, this is an outfit I made for "challenge runway" over at sewingmamas.com
The pants are a polyester knit. Not my first choice, but the drape was really great, and the price was too! ($2 rack at walmart) Initially, they were just for testing, but I think I like them well enough to wear. They are Simplicity 6735. No alterations.

The shirt is from a really soft, thin, but not too thin, shirting from the dollar rack at wally world as well. It's made from Simplicity 6516 View A. the only thing I changed was that instead of rolling the arms, I took bias tape, the same from the trim, and cut it in half, sewed the raw edge, with RSF, to the edge of the arm opening and then ironed out. I've seen them that way in stores, and thought it looked nice.

Well, thanks you guys/gals for looking! I'm sure I'll have more later!

Life, Love, and the pursuit of something

2008-06-16T05:21:00.000-07:00

***THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS HARSH WORDS. TRUST ME WHEN I SAY I REALIZE WHAT I'M SAYING IN THIS POST. I KNOW IT MAY COME OFF AS BE BEING INCONSIDERATE OF THOSE WITH MENTAL CHALLENGES, BUT PLEASE KNOW, FOR ME, THAT I LIVE WITH TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO DEAL WITH HANDICAPS ON A DAILY BASIS, AND THIS IS JUST THE THINGS I CANNOT, AND WILL NOT SAY OUT LOUD. THIS BLOG IS JUST MY WAY OF VENTING. ***

There's just so much going on here that I'm scared to death of. Bri is so hard to deal with, and it's getting harder and harder for me to accept the whole "autistic" thing. No matter how "high functioning" he is, or no matter the fact that his Daddy has the same issues and that he "turned out normal". I can't handle the temper tantrums for no reason, the high pitched screams and shrills b/c the baby is in the wrong place, I can't put up with the lone playing, his brothers want to play with him, they want to interact with him, but he'd rather be alone. Is he going to be this way forever? Obviously. But then, the autistic adult may be the opposite of their younger self. Maybe he's going to throw himself into life and try to fit in and try to befriend everyone to only be rejected and broke down like I've watched my husband be done. Maybe he and his wife will one day have kids and they, too, will share this "reject mark" with their father and grandfather and my son and his wife will have the same fights and arguments that Brian and I have. My daughter in law will stay up all night wondering what she done wrong, why HER child, her precious little baby was born with something that's just not right. She and Bri will fight all the time, b/c she can't open up to anyone about it for fear of being looked at as a bad mom and she doesn't want to talk to her husband b/c it would be the same as talking to a fat person about obesity and why you despise it.

They, too, will talk of separation, divorce, and all the other marriage fatalities. Her nerves will be so shot over the situation that her stomach will roll all the time, she'll be nauseated, and will lose a matter of pounds in just a couple of days. She'll be a bitch to everyone, but rightfully so. She'll have been through a lot by this point. Because not only will her child have problems that she must deal with, her husband, my baby, will have those same issues. and her marriage will suck b/c of it. She'll want a simple hug, a back rub, some lotion on her shoulders, and he won't be able to do it. But by then, she'll have learned what I've learned the hard way, as hard as it is to accept, the autistic mind is self centered. Not out of anger, not out of greed, but b/c they don't know any other way. It's all they can do. But yet it hurts.

Will my daughter in law go through this, all I can say is, "lord, I hope not.".

C'moms Blog Challenge

2008-04-03T16:34:00.000-07:00

What is one area in your spiritual life that you want to grow in or change?

Not too long ago, Brian and I prayed together almost every time we touched. We still pray together in the morning, and at meals, and pray silently at night as we snuggle, but if we passed in the kitchen, we hugged, and prayed. Usually something simple, "God bless my husband/wife today". But we prayed. I would love to do that again.

~Kana

Self Snapshot

2008-03-09T11:09:00.000-07:00

I took this from Debbie Mumm's blog. I read it on hers and thought it was a neat idea, so here goes.

10 years ago: Let's see, I was 14. I was starting my sophomore year at Crescent.

What's on my to do list for today:
1:30-2:00 clean and mop kitchen
2:00-2:30 cut pieces for orders due out Wednesday
2:30-3:00 pick up living room
3:30-4:00 work on order again
4:00-4:30 reboot laundry and fold some things and get them put away
after that, if Brian is home, we'll spend some time together, and if he's not, I'll work some more.
This evening:
I'll have to work on some samples for a client.

What would you do if you were to become a billionaire:
I would buy my own shop, pay off our house, buy a cuter car, LOL, put a lot in stocks and stuff (well, use a bit of it to pay someone to do that for me) then I'd buy an RV and travel all over the place and go to as many quilt shows, and fabric shops as I could find, :-)

What are my 3 bad habits:
1. Taking a sugary drink to bed instead of water
2. Crunching Ice
3. Talking too much

3 places I've lived:
1. Simpson Street, Iva
2. Turpin Road, Iva
3. Gate Road, Honea Path
and that's the only places I've lived.

5 Jobs I've held:
1. Fast Food ( a few of those)
2. Medical Assistant
3. Office Administration (in same office as medical assistant, but at different time)
4. Crisis Counselor
5. MOM. (the hardest, but most enjoyable)

5 things you don't know about me:
1. I've fell in love with Bingo (the game)
2. I want a miniature Doberman
3. I think my kids are total idiots half the time :-)
4. I sometimes wonder "what might have been", but I don't care.
5. I want a tattoo. (Like I'd get it, though, right?)

Table Runner from OST challenge

2008-03-03T09:05:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of the table runner I done for a challenge in one of my yahoo groups, One Stitch At a Time.

I thought I'd already posted a pic, and if I have forgive me. Someone else wanted to see it larger, so I thought I'd get it up here :-)

Baby shower gift for niece, Brandi

2008-02-12T04:11:00.000-08:00

Our niece, Brandi, will be expecting her first baby next month. She chose ladybugs to do the nursery in, and I just couldn't resist this cute little quilt. She loved it, and as a pat on my back, so to speak, everyone at the shower thought is was cute, too.

I just think those little baby towels are precious, too. So I used a pink towel, and some cute lime green with pink polka dot fabric and made the baby towel and wash cloth set. It turned out really cute. When I cut the gift tag from card stock, I fused a piece of the lime green fabric to the back of the card. I thought it turned out really cute. The front of the tag, the paper part, is pink with darker pink swirls.

Will have some more projects coming up in the next few days!

Misc. Pics taken recently

2008-02-07T18:32:00.001-08:00

I can't use those "ear-buds" b/c my ears are so tiny, so I still use those old school head-phones, and these are actually the ones I used way back when I was in high school, LOL
Anyway, can't listen to the mp3 without Patrick wanting to listen, so his Daddy got a pic of him listening. I *think* he was listening to some good ole' Hank Williams, Jr.
Brian with his grilled cheese the other night. I didn't purposely burn a heart into it, but we laughed b/c I said, "let me get your sandwich off the stove, if I burn it, you may think I don't love you". Ha. How ironic? We also have this inside joke thing about selling crazy stuff on ebay, and we had Gabe convinced we were going to sale his Daddy's dinner on ebay. After we showed him where the potatoe that looked like the madonna/baby thing, he believed us for a few minutes.
A lighthouse wall hanging I *finally* made for my mom. I had the center pieced lighthouse block done for almost a year before I finally made the wall hanging. the blue in the border of the center block looks dingy, but it's got some gray in it for shadow, i supose. I hung it using twine and a stick we found down at the lake. (a little more "realistic", LOL) Two pot holders and a soap bottle apron to match the wall hanging. One potholder will soon be replaced, as I mistakenly put the tab on the wrong corner, LOL.This church block is a block for one of the BOM (block of the month) quilts that I'm doing. This one is with Anderson Quilt Shop.This is our 4th "son". Isn't he handsome? Just like his Daddy. Get his belly full and go to sleep. (He even sleeps through me talking to him, LOL)
Me taking a break from working the other day for a quick hug and snap-shot with the babies.and last, proof that our kids watch CSI, Law and Order, and stuff like that too much. Bri had put a ginger-bread man sticker over the windshield of his truck. Kinda alarming, but I don't think he really knew what he was doing. I think he was just really decorating the truck.
Hope ya'll enjoyed them.

~Kana

is it right?

2008-02-07T09:14:00.000-08:00

As I'm working today, I keep getting the sense that someone is "hovering". So I turn around to find me handsome little man, Bri standing their and he smiles and asks, "Is it right, mama?"
"Is what right?"
"The banka right?"
I conclude that he's asking me if I'm doing my job right, LOL, and then go on to tell him it is.
"Bri see it?"
"Yeah, climb up here and look"
"Girlie Girl banka, mama. Banka not for Bri?"
"No, it's for Layla, your cousin"
"Layla, baby girl?"
"Yeah"

and he walks off, content that I now know what I'm doing, and returns about every 5 minutes or so to examine what I've accomplished since last check-in.

I'll edit in a bit and get a pic of the blanket up here.

Baby Lovie tutorial

2008-02-03T09:12:00.000-08:00

We've all seen those cute little small square blankets for babies with the "animal head" on them. They market them as "lovies". Here's how I made one for little fella.

Step One:
Gather your materials.
13" square of flannel (I used an old baby blanket of Bri's when he was an infant)
small stuffed animal (I got mine at the dollar tree)
Pins (I found the 2" straight pins the easiest for this project)
Cutting tool (I prefer a rotary cutter)
Thread and Needle (or machine)

Step Two:
Pin the hem up (two 1/2" hems worked for me) Leaving a section turned once so that the second turn will catch the bear.

Step Three:
Cut the animal's legs off at "belly button height". (Trust me, it doesn't hurt them.)

Step Four:
Place the edges of the bear into the fold of the first turn, and then fold up the second turn, pin in place. Make sure you place the animals back to the WRONG side of the blanket fabric.

Step Five:
Using a zigzag, stitch all the way around the blanket's hem, using a pin, if needed to keep corners turned in, and making sure to catch the bear in the hem.

Step Six:
After removing and inspecting, surprise your little one with their new lovie.

I love my Friday dates

2008-02-01T07:59:00.000-08:00

I've waited all week for today. I do every week. Before, when Brian worked a formal job, we would meet for lunch and all before I ran my errands. Now that we're together almost everyday, except for when he's on the road, you'd think I'd want my Friday's to myself. But you couldn't be more wrong.
We'll take the kids to my mother's and she'll babysit for us while we run a few quick errands and then we're gonna go out for coffee and visit the library.

Other than my leisurely afternoon with Big B, I, of course, have a to do list for the day.

1. work up samples for Baker-Madden wedding

2. jewelry for Baker-Madden bridal party

3. pull some dress options for B-M bridal party

4. work on valentine hanging. (can do in the car with Brian) THIS IS ALMOST FINISHED!!!

5. HAVE FUN AND GET READY TO PARTY COME SUNDAY!!!!

Hope to check in later,
Kana

Dresses!?!?!?!?

2008-01-31T17:49:00.000-08:00

I've never done a dress for a grown woman before. Done plenty for the littles, but never a grown up, well, except me. I did do that red satin number Brian liked, and my Easter dress the year I was preggers with Bri, and a couple of tank lounge dresses, but never done any for other grown women. They're each picking out their own design, it's not up to the bride. (i have a problem with that. I'll be sewing 3 DIFFERENT dresses, not just 3 dresses).

Well, add to the list. Work with Stacey to get dresses picked out.

~Kana

This Weeks to do

2008-01-27T09:54:00.000-08:00

This week, I must do the following. I have NO choice.

1.ORGANIZE WORK ROOM AND OFFICE AREA.

2. MAKE FITTED'S FOR THE BABIES

3. GO THROUGH CLOTHES AND THROW OUT WHAT WE DON'T NEED OR DON'T FIT.

4. START WORK ON CURRENT COMMISSION

5. FINISH BRANDI'S QUILT

6. CUT PIECES TO DAISY PATH