Monday, June 30, 2014: Update on my Moose and a Gripe about this Morning

A quick update: The vet called this morning with the results for my Moose's blood work.  His levels for Lyme Disease are very low, so she believes that we caught it pretty early!  As long as he doesn't have any adverse reactions to the antibiotics he should be a healthy boy once he is done with them!  Thus far he is doing well on the antibiotics, he does seem a little lethargic, but nothing major.  Needless to say we are ecstatic to get this good news!

I also had my vents cleaned today.  Ugh.  They showed up two hours early!  What is the point of giving me a four hour window (10 am to 2 pm) to show up if you are going to be there two hours early?  And it wasn't like two hours early was even reasonable time--they showed up at 8 am!  Babygirl and I were still asleep!  My alarm was going off as I answered the door in my pajamas!  I was not a happy camper and it made for a very hectic morning since I had not been able to get done the things I wanted to do before they came (like moving furniture to make sure all the vents were accessible...)  I really thought it was very disrespectful of them to show up two hours early and expect me to be OK with it.

They also made a mess of my carpet.  I think it was the vacuum they were using since both guys put on those blue fabric booties when they came in.  I had vacuumed last night, but after they left I definitely needed to do it again.

I was ticked off enough to be motivated to clean under the bed in the master bedroom since I had the vacuum out anyway.  When I looked under the bed I could see dust bunnies, so I knew it was time.  There was probably five years of accumulated dog hair and dust under there!  I'm glad its done, and afterward I felt much better; then the vet called and pretty soon I was feeling fantastic!

Friday, June 27, 2014

Hubby's flight is coming in almost two hours late today.  That really throws my day off, but Babygirl and I will be glad to have him back.  Its been quite the week.  Still no word on the Moose's blood work, but I am hoping to hear from the vet soon.  He seems to be doing well, but does seem kind of lethargic the last couple of days.  That could be a side effect of the antibiotics though.

Dress: Sangria; Earrings: Ralph Lauren; Ring (right hand): vintage; Shoes: Kate Spade

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Had to leave the house to get groceries today.  Got home to discover that we are almost out of flour which is essential for making pizza for tomorrow night's dinner.  Oh, well, guess we are stopping at the grocery store again tomorrow!

Working on a project to make Babygirl another lightweight quilt (so I can have one on her bed and one to wash--or for emergency use!).  I should have pictures of that early next week.  It is slightly different than the easy toddler quilt, but uses the same principles and still only took a few hours to complete.  I am also working on some pillow cases trimmed with matching fabric inspired by something I saw on pintrest.  I'll probably have a tutorial on those some time next week.  I'm really happy with the way they have turned out so far, I just need to add some finishing details!

Top: Ann Taylor; Necklace: Amrita Singh; Rings (right hand): TJ Maxx; Jeans: Lucky; Belt: Nine West; Shoes: BCBG

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

I really should go grocery shopping today, but I really don't feel like it.  I'm feeling rather depressed about my Moose still and would rather stay home with him I think.  (He was diagnosed with Lyme Disease yesterday during a routine vet appointment.)  He still doesn't really appear to have any symptoms.  The vet put him on an antibiotic Doxycycline for 28 days.  Since it is in capsule form (and therefore doesn't taste funny) he is taking them like a champ!  I can just drop them in with his food and he gobbles them right up.  Hopefully they do the trick.

Still no word back from the vet's office on the blood work.  Once they get that back we will know where his levels are and how much (or little--hopefully!) he is affected.  I am hoping that since he is not showing any obvious symptoms his levels will be relatively low...

Dress: Calvin Klein; Sweater: Reaction; Necklace: Ralph Lauren; Shoes: Clarks

Monday, June 23, 2014: Not My Day

Just returned from the vet's office for the second time today.

Took my "little" (he will always be little to me, even if he does weigh in around 80 lbs these days) Moose in this morning for a routine visit: exam, vaccines and standard tests.  During the examination the vet commented that he was in really good health and excellent shape for a dog who is nine years old.  It is unusual for a dog of his size to stay so fit, but he has always been very enthusiastic and active.

I was fixing lunch for Babygirl and I when the vet's office called.  I figured it was just the routine call to tell me that Moose had tested negative for heartworm, but something in her voice made me apprehensive.  She told me that he had indeed tested negative for heartworm and I said "Ok, great!  Thanks!" figuring that was it.  Then came the but: he tested positive for Lyme Disease.

We don't find many ticks on him.  We live in a wooded subdivision near a lake and have a fenced back yard.  It is unusual for us to find any ticks around home.  We do take the Moose with us on our annual visit up North to Minocqua, WI, and he does tend to pick up a lot of ticks there (probably around 15 or so over the course of a week.  This is actually much lower than most people I know who take dogs up there--he stays on a yo-yo leash unless he is swimming and we keep him out of tall grass as much as possible.)  The vet also said that he tested negative last year, so I think he picked this up around home.

It does seem to be pretty common in our area, particularly when owners live in more rural areas.  My brother's dog was treated last year, and I have known other people as well.  (My brother does live in a more rural area and his dog is allowed to roam much more than my Moose.)  My brother and his girlfriend had noticed that their dog was lethargic and seemed very achy and had taken her to the vet, at which point the vet diagnosed Lyme Disease.  My Moose does not show any symptoms.  He is very energetic and doesn't seem to be in any pain.

They will be running further tests to see where his levels are.  I am guessing that his levels will come back relatively low due to the lack of symptoms, but I won't know until the tests come back.  Meanwhile Moose gets started on a 28 day antibiotic regimen: three pills a day.  Total cost of antibiotics and further testing: $260.  If it makes my Moose better it is very much worth it.

Dress: Tart; Cardigan: Banana Republic; Necklace: TJ Maxx; Shoes: BCBG

Back of shoes

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Had an invitation to go to my in laws for lunch today.  I really do like my in laws, but I didn't really want to have lunch with them for various reasons, the one of the primary reasons being that Hubby's great-grandmother (GG--who I also adore) was going to be present.  I love GG, but she really seems to try to do everything possible to distract Babygirl from eating and/or try to get Babygirl to get more than she really wants to...  These are both pet peeves of mine.  Babygirl is currently very time consuming to feed; mealtimes can last an hour (or indefinitely if their are distractions!)  I am also a firm believer that she should only eat as much as SHE wants to eat.  (I do have a rule that she must try one bite of each thing on her plate--beyond that she can eat as much or as little as she wants.)

I really do think that a lot of people try to eat more than they should out of "habit".  I often wonder if these habits come from being made to "clean their plates" as children.  As a child I was never forced to eat, and I still do not feel compelled to over-eat as an adult.  I am very grateful to my parents for this.

I am also very big on things that I consider to be healthy for Babygirl.  We eat a lot of organic products in our home and I try to serve fruits or vegetables at each meal.  If an item is on the dirty dozen I buy organic or I don't buy it.  Most of the people in Hubby's family (and my family as well) don't feel a need to be concerned.  (Most of them also are not raising a small child...)  I personally just feel that we do not have enough solid data on the effects of the chemicals in our food for me to feed them to my family.  Yes, I'm one of those nutty organic people! :)

Anyway, I thought because of these things that it would just be easier to feed Babygirl at home.  I did offer to bring her by after lunch instead.

Honestly I would have rather stayed at home like we usually do on Sundays.  Usually we all sit around the house doing a lot of nothing and have "a day of rest" on Sundays!  Going to my in laws was the only reason I got dressed today.  Plus, I could feel a nasty headache coming on after lunch.  None the less, we went.

Babygirl had a great time blowing bubbles with Grandma and GG.  I was glad for her sake that we went.  I was also glad to leave and go home for a nap to help my headache when we left...  (Luckily it did feel better after Babygirl and I took a nap.)

Dress: Target; Necklace: my own; Bracelet: Banana Republic; Shoes: Clarks

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Dropped Hubby off at the airport tonight.  He is on his way to Germany for work.

Came back in one of the worst rain storms I have ever driven in.  I left the tollway because I didn't like how black the sky was getting and figured Babygirl and I could stop and do some shopping on the way back.  I often do this when we drop Hubby at the airport because I don't get that far south very often.  I took the appropriate exit, and about half a mile from the desired shopping plaza the sky opened up.  It was raining so hard our speed dropped to a crawl.  I drove through the shopping plaza to a nearby Home Depot thinking I could park under their awning until the rain let up enough to go in a store.  The protected parking was already more than full.  Driving through the parking lot it was raining so hard that the sewers could not keep up.  My car created a wake as I slowly drove through the parking lot.  

When the rain let up a bit I wrapped Babygirl in my raincoat that was thankfully in the car.  She complained that the arms were too long and the hood covered her face.  I explained that the long arms and hood would help keep her dry. With her unbuckled and swaddled in the rain coat I rushed out of the car, grabbed her and ran into the store through the flooded parking lot.

Inside the store a sightly wet Mommy unwrapped a dry Babygirl.  I asked her if the coat worked?  She replied "Yes, and I held on to you tight so you would stay dry too!"  :)

Thursday, June 19, 2014: Rainy Day # 2

The last couple of days have been wet and rainy, and good days to stay home.  I've had several people tell me that they hate rainy days at home with their small child, but I honestly enjoy them.  Most people don't like them because their kids get bored and make a huge mess.

I look at it as good time for Babygirl and I to have some creative time.  Yesterday Babygirl played with her toys for a while, and then did a lot of cutting.  She loves to do cutting and insisted on hanging her "grass" on the refrigerator to show Hubby when he got home.  She also did some coloring.  Babygirl knows that she needs to pick up everything from the last session before I will let her move on to the next activity, so I really don't have a disaster even if she does several different activities throughout the day.

Today, we finished painting the fairy house for our fairy garden.  (I am hoping that it will be dry enough to seal tomorrow and they it can go outside and we can finish putting the fairy garden together.)  Then Babygirl wanted to paint on her "weasel".  I don't drag the easel out very often, because it is a lot of set up and take down, and I have to find somewhere for *several* masterpieces to dry (usually for a few hours.)  It ties up a lot of space.  That makes the time that Babygirl does get to paint on her easel extra special and therefore an excellent activity for the second rainy day in a row!

We got the "weasel" out after breakfast, and it kept her occupied until I made her stop at lunch (about three hours.)  I do frequently have to change paper, admire :), and give her more paint.  The mess stays at a minimum thanks to easy to clean supplies like a plastic shade floor mat, a paint pallet (an old Chinese food container) that can go in the dishwasher and a bib/smock over her clothes.  We also have a rule that the paint and brush have to stay at the easel.

All in all, it was a good way to keep her thrilled and occupied for a good part of the morning!  Now I just need to find somewhere to hang the "masterpieces"! :)

Babygirl loves painting on her "weasel'!

An old container from the local Chinese restaurant makes a
great paint pallet.

A plastic roller shade keeps the floor clean.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Ever wonder about all the things you see on pintrest?  Me too!

I started a new board on my account called I did this! complete with comments about what worked and what I would do differently next time.  Hopefully people will find this helpful.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

A very hot, trying day today.  The high is supposed to be just shy of 90 degrees.  Other than Babygirl's Muddy Munchkins program at the library, lunch with Hubby and a trip to Target we are staying at home in the air conditioning.

Babygirl is having one of her awful days.  She doesn't want to listen, she wants to yell and argue with me about EVERYTHING!  I hate these days.  If I had known she was going to be like this we would have just stayed home.  It is much easier to give her a time out and have her think about her behavior at home than when we are out and about running around.

I think it is very likely that we will just stay home tomorrow.

On a completely unrelated note, I need to stop drinking so much tea!

Dress: Cynthia Rowley; Cardigan: Gap; Necklace: Amrita Singh; Shoes: Clarks

Monday, June 16, 2014

Dress: Isaac Mizrahi; Bracelets (top to bottom): Target, Kate Spade; Shoes: Stuart Weitzman

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Dress: Pink Rose; Jacket: J Crew; Bra/Camisole: Cosabella; Necklace: Ralph Lauren; Shoes: Bandolino

Friday, June, 2014

I was having a conversation with a friend the other day that started out: "I was drinking on the internet the other day..."  Wait, you were what??

I am pretty certain that any action or statement you need to preface with "I was drinking on the internet" is probably not a good idea.  On a related note, an El Camino is probably not a good investment...


Having some rather cool weather for the time of year.  We have been having highs around 70 F, rather than high 70s to low 80s that we are normally accustomed to in this area.  So, rather than the normal dresses and shorts, Babygirl and I are still wearing jeans and light jackets!

Top: Green Envelope; Jacket: J Crew; Earrings: Ralph Lauren; Bracelet: J Crew; Jeans: Lucky; Belt: Nine West; Shoes: Kate Spade

Wednesday, June 11, 2014: Easy Toddler Quilt Tutorial

Last week I shared that I was making a quilt for Babygirl and promised a tutorial.  Being that I continually forgot certain supplies, the tutorial and quilt were a bit behind schedule.  That being said, this quilt is really easy; I finished it in three nap time sessions.  Anyone who knows me knows that my sewing skills are pretty minimal, so if you aren't an expert sewer, don't worry--you can still do this project!

I was making a toddler bed size quilt, and looking for a finished size of about 35" by 39".  This tutorial could be scaled up or down depending on the size you were looking for, you would just need to take measurements and adjust accordingly.

I used a twin size flat sheet for the fabric for the quilt top (it was on sale and I liked the pattern), quilt backing fabric (available at any fabric store) and cotton batting for the filling.  The sheet was "microfiber" (aka polyester) and this combined with the cotton batting caused some problems because it was slippery.  I think if I had used all cotton fabric or polyester batting I would not have had as much of a problem flattening things out and I would have had an easier time.  I do have plans for another quilt which will have a cotton top, so if I remember I'll do an update to let you know if the fabric change helped.All fabrics (and batting as well if you are using cotton batting) should be washed and dried prior to starting your project.  This "pre-shrinks" the materials and helps to avoid shrinkage (and disaster) after the quilt is assembled.

Step One: Place top fabric face down on your work surface.  Since I was working with fabric larger than my finished project, the best surface for me was my kitchen floor.  Prior to starting the fabric should be ironed and the floor vacuumed of dog hair...

In order to make your next steps easier, it is best if the fabric is as flat as possible without all the bubbles and wrinkles (like you can see here.)

Place batting on top of fabric.   Once again, it is best if the top fabric and batting are as smooth as possible without wrinkles and bubbles.  This will help to avoid puckers later when you are sewing.  

When everything is smooth, measure out the size of your quilt.  I added an inch in each direction so I could trim later and have smooth edges.  I wanted my finished size to be about 35” by 39”, so I drew my rectangle to be 36” by 40”.  To draw my lines I used my favorite measuring tool—the giant T-square!  It is actually for drywall, but it finds all kinds of craft uses in my house. 

If you don’t have a giant T-square, you can use a tape measure or yard stick.  One of those clear measuring squares would probably work well if you had a large enough one.  The important thing is to make sure that your corners are square (this is why the T-square works so well.)

I drew my lines directly on the batting so I would know where to cut.  Since this was not a part that anyone will ever see on the finished quilt I just used a sharpie that was handy.

To help keep things together it is a good idea to pin the layers together.  This makes things much easier when trimming and moving the top section.  After you have pinned trim the top layers along the lines you drew.

Once you have finished trimming, pick up the top layers and lay them on the ironed lining fabric.  Once again you want to make certain that everything is as smooth as you can make it.

When everything is smooth, you want to pin all your layers together.  I recommend safety pins for this, because you will be leaving the pins in while you are quilting.  If I used regular pins, I would be in a lot of pain by the time I was done...

Once everything is safety pinned, you can trim the excess fabric from your bottom layer.

When everything is trimmed you want to take a piece of tape and lay it diagonally across your quilt.  This will help you to have straight lines.  I used blue painter's tape because it was what I had on hand, but regular masking tape works just as well.

Line up the foot of your sewing machine along the tape and sew to the end.

It works much better if you tuck the end of the tape under the quilt rather than leaving it hanging out like I have in this picture.  Right after I took this picture, my sewing machine jammed because the tape was stuck to the machine and the fabric couldn't move forward...

Once you have a full line, just pull the tape off, line up the tape along the stitch line and sew another line to the end.

And so on until you are done!

At this point, you could go and sew lines at right angles (or not quite right angles if you prefer diamond pattern to squares.)  I decided that I liked the diagonal lines, so I left it as is. 

Straighten off the edges again...  This time around I used a disappearing ink marker just in case.  One again I used my handy dandy giant T-square to get straight lines and right angels.

Trim the edges.  If you were sloppy the first time around that is OK, but you want to be a little more careful this time around and make nice straight lines.  The better your lines the easier binding will be.

Zig-zag stitch the edges for extra stability.  This will help your quilt to hold up better in the long run.  Again, it is best to stitch as close to the edge as you can.  

Finished zig-zag edge.  It is best to stitch as close to the edge as possible.

Why did I use purple thread?  Because it matched my binding and I didn't want to have to change my thread again.  You won't see it when you are finished, so use whatever color you like.

I used satin blanket binding because I wanted a really wide binding.  I actually only needed one package for the quilt itself, but...

If you want a narrower binding you can use standard binding, or you could even make your own binding if you are feeling inspired.  I bet you can probably find some really cute pre-made bias tape on etsy as well.  (And who doesn't love etsy??)

When starting your binding you might find it helpful to think about how the quilt will lay on the bed.  On my daughter's bed, the bottom left corner will be by the bed rail corner (and therefore mostly out of view), so I chose to start (and therefore end) my binding there.

Pin the binding on.  I used the quilting marks as markers for pins.  (Sorry about the picture--it was a rainy day and I was reduced to flash photography...  I also think it may be time to replace my "trusty" camera...)

Notice that I placed the last pin up-side down.  I was hoping that would make it easier to remove after I did the corner.  In fact, it was actually better to place them the other direction for removal...

Pinned finished corner.  Once again, it is important to check your corners on the front and back to make sure your corners line up.

Checking to see if my binding is even on the front and back...  Stick a pin in on the quilting line...

...And see where it comes out the back side.  (It should still be on the stitch line if you put it through straight.)  The back side binding needs to be moved down slightly (if I want to be picky--you might not be as picky as me.)  As long as the pin is hitting the binding, your stitching will hit the binding as well.

Until you are all the way around!  Now to finish the corner.

Cut the end off, leaving a very short tail.

You will want to finish the edge.  Since my binding was 100% polyester, I chose to melt the edge.  You could also cut the edge with pinking shears, zig-zag stitch, or fold the end under and stitch it.

If you do have polyester binding and choose to melt the edge, please be very careful!  It can catch on fire easily!  (I'm not responsible for property loss and/or injury if you choose to follow my fool-hardy ways.)

Tuck the edge under to match the edge of the quilt, then fold under again to form the angle.  Once again, it is a good idea to check your corners on both sides of the blanket.

It was helpful for me to put an extra pin on this corner to hold the end.

Time to do some more zig-zag stitch!  (Actually, you could do a straight stitch if you wanted, I just thought my mediocre sewing skills would be less obvious with a zig-zag stitch edge.)

At the corners I did a straight stitch to make them look neater.  This is optional, but I think it really did make it look better, especially on the ending corner.

I had leftover binding (a whole extra package!), so I decided it would be cute to edge the pillow case that came with the sheets with some of the extra.  (Pillow cases are really easy to make if you didn't buy a sheet set.)

The finished product!

Babygirl was so excited, that I had a really hard time getting a picture without her in it!  She can't wait to sleep with her new blanket that Mommom made *special* for her!

( I do think I might make my own pillow case another day since the birds on the pillow case go the wrong direction.  Unfortunately I didn't notice this until I put it on Babygirl's bed.)  I guess that is a project for another day!

I also think I may embroider Babygirl's monogram on the binding to personalize it further, but I will need to find the proper shade of gray embroidery floss first, and what are the odds of me remembering to buy that next time I am in a fabric store??

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Tuesday, June 10, 2014 by bizzymom featuring dark jeans

Monday, June 9, 2014

Babygirl saw a picture of Grumpy Cat this morning while I was scrolling through the internet.  She told me "That hamster looks sad..."

I feel like summer is half done and I haven't taken enough advantage of it--I still have plants that aren't planted!  I don't know where the time is going!

We have decided (once again) not to list our house this summer.  Hubby has received definite overtures from his work that there will be an offer to move within the next twelve months, more likely before the end of the year.  In this light, it doesn't make sense to sell our house now.  I am rather unhappy about this decision, but I can live with it.  This is the third year in a row we have put off selling a house that we have outgrown.

Top: Banana Republic; Necklace: my own; Bracelet: local boutique; Jeans: Lucky; Shoes: Apepazza

Friday, June 6, 2014

The quilt I am working on for Babygirl is taking longer than expected.  Not because its difficult, but because I keep forgetting supplies...  For example, today I bought binding to finish it off, but it did not occur to me that I would need matching thread until I was home...  The binding is a dark purple, and I can tell you without even checking that I do not own a similarly colored thread.  With my sewing skills, non-matching thread is not an option, so I guess another trip to the fabric store is in my future.

Dress: Apt 9; Scarf: gift; Shoes: Mariza Vellutini

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Working on a new summer weight quilt for Babygirl.  This will be the first one I have ever made...

Most likely I will post a tutorial next week.  I promise it is really easy, even if you have minimal sewing skills (like me.)

Top: J Crew; Jacket: J Crew; Necklace: my own; Bracelet: Banana Republic; Jeans: Lucky; Shoes: Charles David

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Quote: Norman Vincent Peale

Honestly, I stopped keeping track of my age several years ago.  Now, when I have to sit down, do math and figure out how old I am the answer usually surprises me.  I just don't feel that old.  Why should I act old?  Its just a number...

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

from Glitter Inc

Babygirl was awful yesterday.  I mean really, really awful: defiant, belligerent, and unmanageable.  I cannot imagine where this behavior came from.  

It is really important with small children to remember not to let awful days carry on any further than necessary.  One must forget them and move on.

Luckily today was a new day and Babygirl was much better.  She was her normal cheery self, maybe a bit more energy than normal, but nothing that could not be dealt with in the course of a normal day.  Thank goodness.

The garden program at the local library started today.  Babygirl loves Muddy Munchkins.  This year her six months younger cousin is joining the program as well.  I hadn't told Babygirl her little cousin was coming, so she was REALLY surprised and thrilled to see her!

Dress: Max Studio; Jacket: J Crew; Necklace: J Crew; Ring (right hand): antique; Shoes: Bandolino