Category Archives: Family Matters

Getting My Groove Back

I have been a bit distracted lately.  I have 101 different projects running through my head and I’m trying to do them all at once.  This means I work on something for about 7.8 minutes before moving on to the next to do item.  It isn’t working out so well.  

Anyone have any ideas on how to get yourself to focus on one task at a time?   Yesterday, I spent 10 minute agonizing over which unfinished task to tackle, decided it was too hard to decide, and ended up spending the rest of the night watching a Hallmark Channel movie.  Yes, it is that bad.

Maybe it’s because it’s finally spring and the weather is warmer and the days longer.   But whatever it is, my groove has been worn away.  Right now, I’m more like newly paved asphalt.  Flat and uninspired.  Luckily, it appears that the Hallmark Channel is continuously playing made for tv movies so I’m good there.  

But seriously, I’ve set my chrissieterry mind to it and I will snap out of this.  Even if it means having Kevin hid the tv remote at night.  And in the morning too.  

Maybe I should just cancel cable altogether.  (shudder)  

I think I may have to fall back on my old reliable inspiration jump-start.  A trip to OfficeMax.  In law school, whenever I had a new paper or class or project to start, I always headed to the office supply store.  I would spend the afternoon buying notebooks, new pens and filing folders.   Sure, I’d be out 50 bucks but I’d be so inspired to start working I couldn’t wait to rush home and get organized.  There is nothing like a clean notebook and fresh pens to make a girl feel ready to take on the world.  I haven’t been to the office supply store for years.  I think this may be the problem.  No wonder I can’t get anything done!  I’m surrounded by half dried out ball points, dog-eared  notebooks, and blunt pencils.  It’s enough to drive a girl to the Hallmark channel I tell you.

Yes!  That’s it!  I need new pens!  This can be easily fixed.  Sheesh, sometime I can be so dense.   Look out efficiency, here I come!

Erica!

My good old friend Erica is flying in today for a Portland visit and I can hardly wait.  In law school, we had the perfect trifecta.  Kat, Erica and myself.  I used to kid that if I ever wrote a tv show, I’d have to base it on us.  Kat was the blond from Rhode Island.  She used to get dressed in full make up and hair to go to the grocery store which is pretty unusual for Oregon.  She was our sweet one who cried at every Hallmark moment and once lost her cordless phone in her apartment for a week.  Erica was our feisty red-head from the south.  She was definitely the mother of the group.  When your heart was broken and you need a shoulder to cry on, Erica was your girl.  She’s a non-nonsense, go getter with a real spark.  I was the brunette from California.  Not so much on the mothering but heavy on the sarcasm.   We complimented each other beautifully and supported each other even more.  So it was with much regret that Kat and I watched Erica move back to Louisville after graduation.  We were down one southern redhead and they aren’t easy to replace!  Erica’s last visit was right after Leina was born so I didn’t get to see her much being in the middle of tiny child shock.  That was four years ago!  That’s a long time to have to go without Southern Spice.

But she’s back!  She flies in the moring and will be here all weekend.   Even better, I’ve managed to get rid of the kids to Grandma Vicki’s for the weekend so I’ll be flying solo which means lots of time to catch up and bask in the reunited trio once again.  I can’t wait.

Does anyone know any single Portland men who like red headed girls from the south?  I’m willing to play dirty to get her back here full time.  Send me any leads you have!

Jiggity Jog

I suppose it had to end.  The blue skies and sunshine were just too good to be true.  But we did have a great time visiting family, meeting up with old friends and tromping through the Magic Kingdom.  Definitely a week of memories made!

Now, of course, we are back home where the sun fights the clouds all day long.  And it’s still so cold!  I’m not believing that Spring is here.  Not yet anyway.

Yesterday I signed Leina up for Kindergarten.   She’ll be the graduating class of 2022.   Now that’s frightening.  Kulia also decided to grew up a bit too and finally gave up her cribby.  We had converted it to a little baby bed over her protests awhile ago and I was thinking she’d put up a huge fight when we removed it all together.   I’m glad I waited because she took it right in stride and loves her new big-girl room.   She looks so tiny in that big twin bed to me.  Kevin is itching to give the garage a through clean up and get ride of all the baby stuff we have squirrelled away in there.  I like the idea of cleaning things out but getting rid of all the  baby supplies?  That implies we won’t have any more babies!  Sigh.  I guess I’ll have to start befriending more pregnant women to get my baby fix ’cause there aren’t any more here!

Heading to Long Beach

The girls and I are taking off for an adventure.  Our first time flying JetBlue and landing in Long Beach instead of LAX.  I hope I can find my way around!  LAX is always a mess though so I bet Long Beach can’t be that much worse, right?  The girls are excited for their trip to CA.  They get to hit Papa and Tutu AND the Walls brood.  Going to be a whirl-wind of fun.  Poor Artie.  He’s going to be home alone all day long.  I hope his bladder can make it.  Ah well, that’s Kevin’s problem!  I’m just keeping my fingers crossed for warm winds and clear skies.  Here’s hoping….

More Prairie Love

The bonnet pattern came in a pack with some other prairie inspired clothing.  One was a very simple chemise that would work as a nightie or even a nice little dress.  I just couldn’t resist.  Any pattern that only has 3 pieces is right up my alley!  So, a little stitching later, I was able to make Leina her very own matching prairie dress!

 

Leina Modeling Her New Dress

A Little Prairie Dress

Once Leina saw it, she immediately wanted to wear it.  Never mind that it is snowing and hailing today.  This girls loves comfort just like her mom so a nice floaty dress is right up her alley.  

 

Leina Loving Her New Dress

Leina Loving Her New Dress

But what is a prairie dress without a bonnet?  Exactly.  Kulia was kind enough to fetch the bonnet and so I can now give you the complete Little House look.  Enjoy.

 

My Very Own Mary

My Very Own Mary

I even managed to convince Kulia to try on the bonnet.  I had to promise her 21 chocolate raisins but I think it was well worth the bribe, don’t you?

 

Sweet Kulia

Sweet Kulia

And, Liza, I am not one to flinch from a dare.  But be afraid girlie.  I’m bring the bonnet and my camera to your house on Friday.  I triple dog dare you!

 

Bitg Head + Small Bonnet

Big Head + Small Bonnet

Now, lets see.  Is that everyone?  Oh, right.  I almost forgot.  Something to make you smile all the way home.  May I present the Bonnet, as modeled by Kevin.  (You do not want to know what I had to promise Kevin to get this shot and the ok to post it.)

 

Aint He Sweet?

Ain't He Sweet?