Projects I Am Currently Working On.

So this summer will surely be a busy one with school and all, but sometimes my little projects are something I really look forward to. Plus, if they are written down, perhaps I'll be more motivated to check them off the list! Here's a short list of a few things I'd love to work on this summer:

* My 101 in 1001 list. I started this last summer and have recently completed 7 of the items! Some are long term goals, other things I have wanted to do so I can check them off my list.

*MBC MAT work. This has got to count for something, right?

*My brother's quilt. I have no pictures of it, yet, but I have been waiting to bind it forever...

*Ashley's quilt. It's a wedding gift and I have a year, right? Another one I don't have a picture of!

*A Blurb book for Jeremy's family. I started this last year, but our computer crashed when I was scanning the last batch.

*A Blurb book about Ocean City. Because it might be my last summer in a while.

*A Blurb book for our little family for 2009. And then I'll work my way back to finishing the one I started so long ago for 2008.

*Papercuttings- some silouettes of our little family.

*A papercuttings wall. I have so many of them, but haven't put them up. There's just one space left in our tiny house and you can bet I am taking it!

I think that sounds pretty good. What do you want to accomplish this summer?

Blogging Break Over....

Well, I abandoned this poor little blog a little longer than I thought I would. Summer's almost over; I'll have to post more about our summer vacations (we have spent so much time in the car!) later. 

Right now, let me update you for a quick minute: I'm waiting to find out if I got into grad school. I'm that person who runs to the mailbox when I see the mailwoman because I'm so excited to open that envelope. You see, I've been at this job for 7 years. I am ready to either advance in my career or make plans to move on. When I think about becoming a student again, I'm excited. This also may be an opportunity for me to be home with Charlie, as the classes are evenings and weekends. If I get in, and work, I may not see him very much! So, we'll see.

 If it doesn't work out, I may have to return to my job but we're also interested in making some other changes: moving. We are so ready to move from this little house! 5 years in this house has been great but.... it's so small! We need more room! A yard and some privacy would be great. I'm tired of hearing what's going on next door, or hearing my neighbor snore. 

Finally, Charlie! Our little guy is so much fun. Watching him tear apart the house -- who has time to blog! He's crawling all over the place and is just a super happy guy. He was waving for a while but not so much lately. It seems he says "Mama!" but we're not quite sure. The photo above is from our recent reunion in Tenn.

Well, now that our computer is working again (down for about 2 months) I hope to blog again a little more . I've just started a new quilt and I've been baking a lot. My camera cards are full and ready to share photos, but I'm so itching for a good camera!!! 

More updates soon. Hope you have had a great summer! 

10 Reasons We Had A Great Summer! (Part 2)

Finally, I have the chance to finish my "Top Ten"...

Reason #4: Ohiopyle, PA

My parents invited us to go with them to Ohiopyle State Park (outside of Pittsburgh). My brother and his girlfriend Pam also came with. My dad found a great little house for us all to stay, and it was right near the river and biking trails. While they biked, I read books or wandered around the little old town. I don't think we've taken a trip as a family since I've been married, so that was cool. My brother is also starting a new coaching job this fall, so it was good to spend time with him and Pam before he left town. My favorite part of the trip was probably going to Fallingwater with my mom and Pam. I'd read about the house in so many of my Art History books, but to see it in person was just amazing. I don't think Wright's designs were always very practical, very liveable-- but he certainly was able to incorporate Nature into each and every room. I wished that I could wander the house without a tour guide, because they breeze right through every room. I'd highly recommend visiting.

****(I'll have to add my photos later-- I used my brother's camera and he's got to forward them to me!)

Another day, we all visited a different Frank Lloyd Wright house-- called Kentuck Knob. Everything is based on the shape of a hexagon. What I really found interesting after touring both homes was that Wright seldomly visited the homes he designed. He visited Kentuck Knob only once-- and that was because of a disagreement with the builder.

Anyway, it was a really fun trip. We ate well and had a great time. I know we'll go there again next summer. Another excuse to go to Fallingwater!

Reason #3: Bumming Around Town

Since we didn't travel very much, we pretty much hung out around Lexington. For most of the summer, we both worked odd jobs here and there. Some tutoring, some house painting for Jeremy; for me, some tutoring, some training, and some subbing at school (trying to earn extra maternity leave!). It was weird at first because we both felt guilty for not working, but after a few weeks of having the luxury of sleeping in, napping, hanging out in the AC-- we were well-adjusted!

A few doggie baths... Buster is so cute!
And here's the extent of my gardening this summer: There were a few fun days in town-- Fourth of July's Balloon Rally-- we went friends and family to watch the fireworks after a great BBQ dinner. The balloons were all over town for a few days:

Reason #2: Mother Hens! :)

We've never felt more loved! :) It's just been amazing how kind and generous our co-workers, friends and family have been... whether they're sharing advice or goodies for the baby, or even just sharing in their excitement with us... it's made this such a wonderful experience! This kid is already so lucky!

I wish I could post photos of all the adorable outfits and toys and goodies he's recieved, but I would like to post some of the handmade goodies:

Gown and hat from The Felt Mouse! It's just too cute-- she's so crafty! She's having a boy of her own-- due a few weeks after our little one. It's been fun to see experience this at the same time.

Needlepoint by my cousin, Becca. These pictures do it no justice-- it's so well done! She even made the frame-- including painting the blocks! Seriously! This girl needs to start an etsy shop at the very least! Will be perfect in the nursery.

Reason #1: Nesting! and Counting Down to the Arrival!

We've taken the preparations for the baby's arrival in stride. We've taken our own little baby steps-- everything we're supposed to do can be a little overwhelming, so it's been a slow process but I think we're almost ready! We spent some time over the summer getting ready-- us, the house, the car, work, etc.

(oh, the MINI sold in 2 days-- the buyer took 10 minutes to decide! We ended up getting a VW Jetta. Miss the MINI but love having more room!)

I've done a major cleaning of the house, oh, 3 or 4 times-- usually after we get a bunch of baby stuff I realize that we don't have room... so I get rid of even more stuff. The Goodwill folks have seen me a lot! It's been good, though, to simplify. We've also been recycling more and more-- also, paying closer attention to the chemicals we use for cleaning or what's in our food.

We've also been taking a childbirthing class-- that's taken away some of my anxieties and offered some strategies I hadn't known about. Although Jeremy hated the live birth videos, for some reason, I feel more motivated to meet him and less scared to go through it all.

Anyway, in less than 50 days, we'll get to meet our little man! This last month is one I have mixed feelings about-- I don't want it to go by too quickly (I'm not sure I'm ready!) but then again, I can't wait to meet him and I feel like a cow! I'm just glad we had the summer to relax together and get ready.

I hope everyone had a great summer!

10 Reasons We Had A Great Summer! (Part 1)

This might be a long post, but I haven't blogged in so long and I wanted to post about this summer. I don't have very many photos, and I think I'll have to keep it to a "Top Ten" format-- for time's sake. :) Our summer officially ended last Wednesday when school began again. I think today was the first day it really sunk in for us-- our summer really is over?!? It went by so quickly and we had a blast. The best part about summer ending is that fall's around the corner, and with that... we finally get to meet Junior! :)

Reason #10: I Finally Finished The Quilt!

Earlier this summer I may have mentioned that I was almost finished... yeah, that was before I realized just how long it would take me to hand quilt it. I'm loving the finished quilt (sorry the pictures are so dark-- it's been so cloudy all week):

In about 2 days, we'll be handing it over to our friends-- those Newlyweds-- who deserve their wedding gift sometime this year! It also should count as a housewarming gift since they just purchased their new house. Hope they love it! I would recommend D. Schmidt's pattern, although I followed it to the "T" and at one point, things werent' matching up correctly. I improvised by changing the shape of the circle. I don't think it's very noticeable and looks pretty close to the original design. Not perfect, but something I'm satisfied with :) !

I started my friend's baby quilt yesterday, but it shouldn't take half as long. Her baby is due soon after ours, so I gotta get on the ball! Once I finish hers, I'll be working on one for our little Junior-- probably will be the same D. Schmidt quilt pattern, but 4 rings (vs. the 12 with this gifted quilt).

Reason #9: Good Reads

For the first summer in a long time, I had the time to curl up on the sofa with a good book. That was really nice. Of course, I've been reading What To Expect but I also read all the Shopaholic books. Those were fun! This was my favorite of Sophie Kinsella's books:I read a few other "Chick Lit" books, but I can't remember the titles. I am reading Eat Pray Love right now, and I'm not breezing through it like some of my other summer reads, but I enjoy her writing. I've just started her visit to India...

Has anyone read Petite Anglaise?

What about this new Amy Butler book? It's killing me not to buy this. I have promised myself that if I can make it to the end of September... it just looks like it's got some great projects. Reason #8: Chessie Walks and Spoiled Doggies

Jeremy and I tried to go out on the trails nearby every couple of days. We'd take Buster (our "foster" dog) and Lulu. The trail is part of Rails to Trails-- old railbed trails. It all runs along the river and I love that it's just minutes away. Another perk of Lex Vegas! :)

We have seen so much wildlife each time-- there's even a little beaver den that I like to stop and watch. I've only seen them active very early in the morning.

We took the dogs everywhere this summer-- walks and to the river, on trails, etc. Buster even has his own little seat in the truck!

Reason #7: Summer Swimming

We swam all the time this summer! It felt great to get out a few days a week. We went to Lake Douthat a few times, Goshen (Indian Pool), a pool in town (Thanks, Sam!), and even out on the James (a great kayaking trip with my parents). Always refreshing and something I already miss. The weather's already a little too chilly for river swimming.

Reason #6: Soccer Camp

Soccer camp is a fun tradition in my family. When I was growing up, my dad ran the camp and all my cousins would come in for the week. Being "creative" rather than "athletic" I usually watched from the sidelines, and eventually my cousin Becca joined me on the sidelines. We spent lots of time checking out the camp counselors and shopping!

Now my brother runs the camp. We had Becca's kids in for soccer camp-- I think this might be their 3rd year. It was fun getting the spend time with everyeone, but being pregnant, I have to say I was completely, utterly, COMPLETELY worn out after they left... Dont' get me wrong, they're great kids but I definetely think being a mom is going to wear me out! At the end of the week, Becca came in for the weekend and we all hit the lake. Fun,fun!

More photos from our Lake Douthat outing:

Reason #5: Ocean CityJeremy and I had planned to take 2 trips to the shore this summer, but our second trip had to be cancelled when we sold the MINI. (We'd be broke if we'd driven the truck 7 hours with these gas prices!) We did make it in June and it was WONDERFUL!

It was still pretty early in the season, so the beaches weren't crowded. The boardwalk wasn't, either, so it was just nice to chill out. We played lots of putt-putt, ate lots of yummy food and candy, and stayed out on the beach for most of the day. I can't wait to take the baby there next summer!