What You Sew
March 8, 2010
I must admit that I’ve recently discovered a new past time. Sewing. It’s new to me, but the history of sewing is rich in the South and old cultures. Today, simple thread and fabric are found on the latest catwalks and in your grandma’s trunk.
After receiving a machine (Singer 2263) for Christmas, I’ve found myself frequenting Hobby Lobby in a nearby town. Thursday, I really didn’t have the time or energy to travel another 10 miles with a tired toddler to grab the backing I needed (really, I’m quite green to sewing basics and forget the essentials on my shopping list). Instead of venturing off, I decided to check out a store found on old Main Street who, I’ve noticed, doesn’t seem to be visted often. I’ve driven by several times when their parking spots were vacant. Because I was desperate, I decided to pull over and hope that the little Southern Lady Quilt and Sew would have something of my likening.
I was both surprised and impressed with the quality of merchandise, fabric selection, and genuine kindness of the store employees. After friendly help, my sister and I was notified of a sewing social class that meets on Saturdays. For the next two days I contemplated attending the event. I was very fearful of their talent (or should I say lack of mine), and felt extremely intimidated by the machines in the storefront. My basic Singer has only 23 stitch patterns, and I seldom use anything but a straight stitch for my basic crafts. Needless to say, I dragged my sister along with me for class on Saturday.
It was LOVE.
The women were older than I, but offered more knowledge and fun than I could have ever dreamed of. They were actually starting a new embroidery quilt project, and the class wasn’t specifically intended for beginners. When I asked when the store owner, Irene, would offer a beginner class she simply replied, “Come back Saturday, we’ll help you with whatever you want t know.” From the basics of cutting with a rotary, to backstitching, quilting basics, and the finer points of embroidery…. they knew and offered it all.
I must say that I am very much looking forward to sewing with the group again, and can’t say enough good things about the people at Southern Lady. They plan to open up a new room next door for a “learn to sew” program offered after school. It’s the love of stitching, and folks like them, that keep both the culture and inventiveness of sewing alive today.
Now, thanks to the ladies, my mouth is already watering for a Bernina machine. Singer is the classic, American tradition of seamstresses everywhere. However, I have found that as far as technology goes, Bernina (I must regretfully say) offers better machines…. I am no expert. It doesn’t take Einstein to figure out the capabilites of Bernina, and after playing on an Activa (240 I believe) I am absolutely lusting for one. Just wait til I figure out embroidery. If you haven’t checked out the Bernina 8 Series, I am ordering you to do so as soon as you finish reading this post. They offer machines which can connect and upgrade via USB ports so that the most creative stitching and embroidery needs are available at a click of the button. You can even design your own embroidery patterns! (Remember how I said my machine has 23 stitches? The Bernina 8 has 150 embroidery motifs!!!!!!)
At this moment, and at least for another couple of years, I’m gonna stick to the trusty Singer. It has sentimental value. It can achieve everything I need for my home projects. It’s American made. Irene said, “A needle in thread is all your grandmother probably had.” She’s right: our ancestors could create the most amazing quilts, table runners, pot holders, and sunday dresses filled with intricate detail with only a simple needle.
For the mean time, I think I’ll keep learning. I think I’ll keep dreaming:
My Singer 2263
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The Bernina 830
In touch
March 5, 2010
Those who know me may recall my obsession for style, to some degree. I am by no means a fashionista, but when it comes to owning my touch of cutest of cute–I’m a banker! So, instead of spending the majority of time working on my homework this semester, I’ve found myself scanning all the greatest online sellers for the most fab deals on rocking clothing: my way!
Operation Shut Eye
February 7, 2010
Tonight, we will begin operation shut eye.
After nye 15 months of restless nights, crying spurts, and refilling milk—we are ending all insanity!
You see, when you are expecting a lil one they tell you about the loss of sleep. They tell you about the waking every four hours, the zombie-like tomb of endless nights you will enter. But they never tell you it will last over a year!
Last night was the last straw. Instead of the usual 4 hour span of whining from the crib, I found myself up every TWO hours.
“Wah. Wah. Mamamamamammma!”
I peek open one eye.
I stumble to the crib.
I grab the toddler cup.
I pour the milk, slopping it over the edge onto the table.
I grab the toddy from the crib, and place him in bed– because that’s the only place he’ll fall asleep after dark.
I lay there. I lay there. I sleep.
“Wah. Wah. Mamamamamammma!”
ENOUGH!
I can’t take it any more.
Lord, I love him. You know I do…. but after enduring 15, fifteen, fifteen, months of INSANITY!??! Seriously?
…..
Tonight I am no longer MAmamamama. I am Colonel SleepAllNight. Let me tell you, baby boot camp hasn’t seen anything yet.
Light Bulb
January 18, 2010
Yesterday, Mother, Bryar Bug, and the kids and I were enjoying a peaceful time on the back porch (as the weather was gorgeous 65ish). Somehow, we began talking about Harlie’s recent 3lb. weight-loss thanks to the successful motivation of the Wii console. I was lost in the conversation, when a light bulb inside my noggin started flashing vigorously and then–lo and behold–shined as bright as an LED 85 watt.
You see, I absolutely love psychology. Some aspects are the workings of the mind, nature versus nurture, most recent discovery of biological versus psychological (e.g., Seligman, Walker, Rosenhan, 2008). And yes indeed it is so that my most profound interest of the mind is the acquisition of learning. I love to learn about learning. I want to know what synthesises all processes of mental apathy into one unique transition of memory.
However, something new has again sparked my interest. A new twist of the cognitive model. I now find myself yearning to define the root of all evil, the dispair of disorganization, the secret to a healthy mind, body, and spirit.
Although I’ve read many philosophic viewpoints on existentialism, realism, and socratic methods of whole-being wellness, I’ve never really put two and two together until I started studying Mary Carlomango’s philosophy: “Secrets of Simplicity.”
This divine sense of self established by “simplifying” one’s life is done in a way that eliminates excess stress, the need for materialistic objects, and wasted time. Carlomango’s theory is based on various Western philosophic practices (Buddhist Lao-Tzu, Henry David Thoreau’s modern movement of voluntary simplicity). I agree with the majority of findings in her research on seeking voluntary simplicity in a maneagble manner. However, there are some adjustments to be made on my insight on the study of learned versus genetically acquired behaviors on the setbacks of disposition.
Unfortunately, I don’t believe that her tools described in her book are realistic in terms of the newcomers to self control and self identity of the human soul. I believe that in order for one to simplify their life to discover and live by teachings of value and inner peace, a rigorous therapy must be developed and practiced.
In conclusion, my new idea is to create a wellness center for the mind, body, and spirit. In this peaceful center, teachings of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being will be available to those in search of a better self. The three will exist in harmonious sequence, without contradicting philosophies like found in many practices and physical instruction courses of today.
A compilation of modern yoga, group/couple/individual mental therapy, and offerings of spiritual knowledge and growth and development at one peaceful institution.
Now that’s what I call simple.
On the Run
January 13, 2010
Don’t you ever just have one of those days?? The kind where you spit your gum on the sidewalk, and the gorgeous woman behind you in Prada steps in it? That’s how yesterday went. Unfortunately, today I was the one wearing Prada. (Don’t be decieved, it isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.)
You see, I had strangely ran several errands yesterday: three mall store stops, Baskins, Hobby Lobby. All went very swell. The bug was pleasant and had not one outbreak, whimper, or hurling cry. In fact, several clerks and mother shoppers commented on the delightful behavior my son was (ever so oddly) keeping.
To ask for two days in a row of good behavior was rather selfish and somewhat tempting, after recieving a taste of what the joys of mother-son outings good bring. Instead of counting my blessings for the day before, I decided to take another swing. Daring you say? Let me correct you; I believe the word you are looking for is ignorant. How foolish could I be to believe God would grace me with a two for two no hitter?
First, it was off to the good ol’ USPS to mail a flat rate (which I must say is the greatest thing since fried bread–any weight, 50 states, one flat rate). I should have known what the inside of the building had in store after I dropped the package and reluctantly did not break anything inside after playing musical chairs with the locked doors all while holding bug and my spankin’ new purse I purchased on my outing the day before. I should have known I was a gonner right then and there, but a package must be mailed so I carried on.
There I was inside the post office, behind seven people in line for one open attendant, with my box on one hip baby on the other and my purse slung around my shoulder…. Now that’s what you call a woman! At the moment I didn’t realize the dignity of my stature, but now looking back I understand why folks in front of me let me cut ahead three places. ”Thank you.” Only four places to go! Three. Two. One…. and the show started.
I heaved my package onto the USPS desk. My son, who was already fussy from waiting on my hip, decided he wasn’t waiting any longer. He wiggled himself loose from my grasp, off my hip, down my leg, and off he went ran. As soon as it happened, I saw my pride from yesterday whisk into the memory of history. As he tore through the post office like a two foot tall tornado, I tried to remain calm. I stood at the counter (as if the crowd of anxious customers wouldn’t notice he was my son) and awaited for my bill. I thought “surely he can’t really hurt or be hurt by anything in the Post Office?!”…. “That’ll be $15.20 ma’am, and I think your son is climbing in the display.”
Complete humiliation…. I handed the man my money, walked back around the counter, ducked under the line rope, dodged glares from the onlookers, and headed toward the “Eee Wee Bah Blah Bee BAHA” that was coming from the empty cubby slot in the Flat Rate display. I carefully jerked him out by his tiny shoes, and wrangled the screaming 13 month-old out the door and into the car.
I then decided to make the USPS my first and only stop of the day.
As I drove the road back home, looking at him sleeping in his carseat through my rearview mirror the only thought that crossed my mind was: “Man $15.20 was so worth it.”
Just another day of motherhood.
My bug turned one
December 4, 2009
And the year that I never thought would come has indeed came and went. 2009 saw many changes.
Don’t Play with Scissors
November 18, 2009
Who says lil men can’t have attitudes??
November 15, 2009
Here are some awesome finds:
From Kitsel.
Lap Shoulder Tee for Infants.
3-6 months in black
12-18 months in graphite
22.99
Babies RawkGhouls and Ghords
November 1, 2009
Harvest Festival
October 25, 2009
In a small town on the Texas Gulf, the Texas state capitol was born. Today, Varner-Hogg Plantation sits just a hop and a skip north of the township of West Columbia. In celebration of the plantation’s delicate part in today’s history, a harvest festival is held each fall to keep the story of the time alive.
Cane History was very informative. Apparently, Varner-Hogg Plantation would yield around 300 barrels of Hoggs Heads per season of sugar molasses. That’s a lot of sugarcanes!
