Mail Call Mail Call & More!

OK, so I have a few things done and a few things failed that I needed a bit of help on.
I have finished the girls "mail" and mail bags, and I decided that I needed to make "mailboxes" because who has the time to get mail delivered into their hand all day long? Not my sisters in law, they would go mad and kill me for all the mail the girls have at home. So, the mail has to be cute, washable, simple, and have a place to go when daddy's got raw chicken in his hands and can't accept the package.

So, pictures first of the mail: *We got the idea from Craft Pad*











The mail, I cheated on, I have a machine that does type and I had 4+ bags to make so I had to make a lot of mail per kid. 2 parents, 4 grandparents, any siblings, of course me and Miss T. and one From them that's open in the back to put things in to deliver too.
The mailbags are made for some that have siblings and all have easy names M, H, A and T so we could make bags and either side would still be the same letter.... This made it easy to make the decision to just make the bags for the person, this way no fighting ever over who's bag it really is.
So, now comes the big problem, the ones that don't have someone at home to play with... i.e. the chicken issue.
Oh ya, Mailboxes. I promised a home made Christmas, and I can't give up now!!! (Who remembers the year I swore cards? Ya, Martin Luther King Day will never be forgotten, I got them ALL out by then!!)
Ok, so I decided Mailboxes were possible and after many many attempts I got the design. What better than to stick on a door knob. This way it can go anywhere (just about) and allow the adults do other things while enjoying play time.
The first try didn't work well at all. It fell over and fell over and no matter what I did, it fell over. I made a keyhole slot in the back to slide over the door knob and slide up so the mailbox would stay on the door. I thought after I finished I would cover in felt or fabric, so the hole would be covered. I went over this time and time again until I finally got it. I went to JoAnn's to get a few final items for Christmas and saw they had colored needlepoint canvas which worked out so well I didn't feel the need to cover it. I started making my mailbox. and look how cute it is!

So, here's what you do:
Supplies:
1 piece of needlepoint canvas - colored or white.
Thread or Yarn to sew (2 colors preferred)
An easy thread needle
easy point scissors to cut small parts

Get the piece of the canvas and fold in half and cut down the middle, once you do that take 28 squares (or an even 30) and cut those off for the bottom
measure another same amount of lines and cut those to be the back, measure up the back side and make an arch as best you can so you can sew the lines on. I can measure this and put what I used if anyone wants my exact measurements. Just comment and ask.
Against the back piece, cut a slice about 15 squares by 6 or 8 depending on the door knob, I cut 6 then tried on a few at my house but these can always be cut to fit later.
Cut and set aside 2 small pieces of 15 by 15 to use to even out the wobble.

I try not to have any sharp points. **Tip, if you can't get your cutting close enough or it still feels sharp, tap it with a bit of hot glue, it will soften any edge.

I used thread but think that yarn would work just as well if not better, stronger and would really make the colors pop.

Sew loose but taught across the seams, start out with the wording on one side and complete the word MAIL and or the numbers or letters of the address. I didn't get too fancy here, Mail is pretty easy to keep straight.

Take one of the 15X15's and hook 5 squares in on the round of the box and the back (where the door knob will go) and sew on while still flat. It will be so much easier than trying to do this when the whole thing is together.
Now sew the bottom onto the back piece. This quickens up the steps so you can move on without having to keep one hand inside the mailbox as much. I folded mine over and did a loose stitch that was taught enough to stay together but flexible enough to bend and stand where it needed to stay

Once complete, start on one edge of the bottom and back and start sewing together.











Once the mailbox is together take the last 15x15 and sew 5 squares up from the bottom and the other side against the bottom edge.

TaDa! Cute mailbox that can hang on any door inside (or out) of the house to collect that hard working mail and keep some busy while others are busy :)

Happy holidays, I hope these go over well..

Days of Christmas ...

8 maids-a-milking
Originally uploaded by Creative Kismet

Look at this shot... Creative Kismet took it at a holiday celebration and I love it!! It's so great... I mean where else can you get Eight Maids a Milking???
It should have been my Friday Foto, but I've been crazed.. I hope to get a few shots out tomorrow of what I've been working on but it seems the blogging Gods are against me when it comes to posting this month... I am one busy elf, I hope those guys are union because this gig is so not worth it!!

So, This whole first day of Christmas and all is so great, well for Miss T.
On the first day of Christmas Miss T got a box from New York and some new Sassy tubby toeeeyyss.. (ok no pears no rhyming)
On the Second day of Christmas Miss T got another Box, (no turtle doves) with a new outfit and a cute basket from Thomas (and Kate, and big daddy)
On the Third day of Christmas Miss T got a gift from our old New Yorker, transplanted, mismatched shoes and everything, it's a great book that plays lots of songs... Too Cute..
On the Fourth Day of Christmas Miss T got a visitor, our neighbor girl with a new rattle for lil Chickie...
Santie comes soon, so who knows what else we'll get. We go see Nee Nee tomorrow and I am sure we will come home with a book of some sort. :)

Ya better watch out, ya better not cry, ya better watch Google, I'm tellin ya why!!!

Ok, this seriously is the cooletst thing EVERRRRR.. Track Santa on his treck across the world!!

Not that This should be any kind of Surprise..

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy
Too Funny, I can't wait to find out who you all are!

I am a Katharine!





I am a Katharine -- "I am happy and open to new things"


Katharine's are energetic, lively, and optimistic. They want to contribute to the world.






How to Get Along with Me

* * Give me companionship, affection, and freedom.
* * Engage with me in stimulating conversation and laughter.
* * Appreciate my grand visions and listen to my stories.
* * Don't try to change my style. Accept me the way I am.
* * Be responsible for yourself. I dislike clingy or needy people.
* * Don't tell me what to do.




What I Like About Being a Katharine

* * being optimistic and not letting life's troubles get me down
* * being spontaneous and free-spirited
* * being outspoken and outrageous. It's part of the fun.
* * being generous and trying to make the world a better place
* * having the guts to take risks and to try exciting adventures
* * having such varied interests and abilities




What's Hard About Being a Katharine

* * not having enough time to do all the things I want
* * not completing things I start
* * not being able to profit from the benefits that come from specializing; not making a commitment to a career
* * having a tendency to be ungrounded; getting lost in plans or fantasies
* * feeling confined when I'm in a one-to-one relationship




Katharines as Children Often

* * are action oriented and adventuresome
* * drum up excitement
* * prefer being with other children to being alone
* * finesse their way around adults
* * dream of the freedom they'll have when they grow up




Katharines as Parents

* * are often enthusiastic and generous
* * want their children to be exposed to many adventures in life
* * may be too busy with their own activities to be attentive

Neighborhood Christmas party fun!!!

This weekend we had our neighborhood Kids Christmas party. It was so much fun and we got to use MY idea this year so I am so excited to blog about it that I put the baby down for a nap and ran to the window,... Wait Wait Wait.. Wrong story... Ran to the computer to blog about it!
Ideas flew about what we could do, and the person who's house it was said cookies. The kids can cut them out and after they cook they can decorate them... WOW! That's a lot of work we said... She agreed and off to think again. Neighbor two said Gingerbread houses, we'll make them up the night before and have them all decorate them.. MAKE? Who's going to make 16 gingerbread houses??
Now they call me, my idea has been the same, year after year...
This is so easy and what we will do.
I'll make the houses and task things to you.
One neighbor will bring some marshmallows too, and icing to cover as if it is glue.
The rest of the neighbors will all need to bring, some candy to cover and at least two different things!












So, I worked for two hours just mixing it up. I made up the houses and chilled them right up. I finished the making and then cut them out. It wasn't too easy but they rounded about. I am not a piggy, no huffing or puffing, but these houses turned out like bricks no mussing no fussing and no crazy tricks!






















We got to the neighbors with houses in hand, some cardboard with foil to use as a stand. The decorations were pretty and even so bright, that they may even last the day and tonight! The workers were tough and some were so pretty, they didn't even mind that the work was so sticky! No Dilly, no dally just work and get to it, and all shared a lot and helped each one through it! My rhyme may sound silly, yet my words all are true, but my hope is your neighbors are great ones too!!!


























Ok, so long story short. Massive Rice Crispy treats, 3 pans full, two are house bottoms and one cut into triangle to make roofs, everyone brought candy that went into muffin tins and icing into ziplock bags with holes cut in one corner to "glue" on your houses, one little boy was wanting a paper towel till he found out it was not real glue then he was so happy he was glittering everything so he could squirt it.
SUPER EASY!! All the kids got along, we had so much fun, glad not everyting was unwrapped, it would have been wasted. Tons of fun, and even the littler ones (2 year olds) had a great time!

Oh ya, I got it!

I got the eye and ear infection now... I've been home today, on my volunteer day, reviewing papers for the hospital. Good thing I got "mad skills" and can multitask and stuff.

So, I was thinking I should take a picture of my eyes, but I can't wear my contacts, and I can't see to get a clear picture without my glasses that stop you from seeing the full nastiness of my eyes.. So I found some pics online that I love, speaking of Eyes...



I would rather have this Clockwork Orange Eye... Crazy, Creepy and honestly a little sexy.

Long story short, no Friday Foto because I am trying to get better, work, and get my house cleaned so I can get my Christmas Presents made. I will have a ton of pictures tomorrow..

Hang on you little Spider Monkey! -- Spoiler Alert --

We saw Twilight, yes we do, we saw Twilight, how bout you~..

and Zander's Mom and I were the ONLY TWO IN THE THEATER!! Ok, benefit of the doubt, yes Monday, yes School Night, but seriously, Me & Z's Momma, alone, in a theater, with chocolate, popcorn, soda and more candy... there was too much giggling to really take this movie seriously..... Here's my spoof... and maybe a little bitching....

This post brought to you today by Fleet!!

Edward? Is that you??? Rosalie?



Jasper, I am your Fatha.... (insert heavy breathing here)



Wow, is this the real Jasper?? Where the hell was he during the movie? They killed him and put an android in there!!!


Oh James, I know where you were in your past life.. We still love you....

We never knew you were one of the Lost Boys thou... Maybe you were in that one boy band too... hmmm.. and the world may never know...

Z's mom is going to post and I can't wait to read it with my morning cuppa Jo... She cracked me up the whole time (even if I was late!)

FFF - Thanksgiving (no snot)

Ok, so every year it gets bigger, more fun and a lot more family.. but this year, I wanted to take a real look around and see what makes home, homey...
My mother made this, the year I was born, or when I was one, I bet it took that long..


This phone has been around longer than I have, there have been plans to make it into a real working phone, and a million other things.. it never got it's day in the sun as anything other than a really cool old phone.

This is a crazy vase.. CRAZY, it's always been around, remind anyone of that movie.. with the lamp.. you know the one
Another thing my mother made, always hung in the house. Hours upon hours of work to make this thing.. if I would have done this, it would be a stick and half blue,,, in a box, in the basement, of someones house that bought it from my garage sale because I would have been tired of looking at it, lurking at me..
but she did it, and it's so pretty


Speaking of pretty, look at the best part of thanksgiving this year!!!

Stop by Carries for more holiday fun!

**Gross Talk!!** you may wanna skip this one

Captains log Day Two:
The natives are still crazy, snot is running a muck! (and I still would not do THIS) I am not sure what else can be done, i may lose my mind soon. I had 2 hours of sleep 2 nights ago and last night I was on a 30 minute timer to get up... go in, wipe the nose, calm the tears, and lay back down, fall back asleep in about 10 minutes, and then 20 minutes later start over.
We went to the Dr this morning and we have an EYE infection from wiping the nose with the hand then wiping the eyes... yes. both eyes... We also have an ear infection... GREAT... Got meds, and they still smell the same, that fake bubble gummy whatever that is, and eye drops. 3 times a day for what seems like F O R E V E R!

Never ending Snot.... That was surly what awaited me....
(remember that from A Christmas Story?)
Ralphie: Oooh fuuudge!
Ralphie as Adult: [narrating] Only I didn't say "Fudge." I said THE word, the big one, the queen-mother of dirty words, the "F-dash-dash-dash" word!
Mr. Parker: [stunned] *What* did you say?
Ralphie: Uh, um...
Mr. Parker: That's... what I thought you said. Get in the car. Go on!
Ralphie as Adult: [narrating] It was all over - I was dead. What would it be? The guillotine? Hanging? The chair? The rack? The Chinese water torture? Hmmph. Mere child's play compared to what surely awaited me.

or, if you replace the word HAIR with SNOT...

I swear I've sang that all day...
more tomorrow, after a shower

Thanks - Giving - Taking and No Thanks!

Oh it's over..
GIVING -
We are thankful for Family, friends and a good long week off. We are thankful for Cheaper gas prices that saved us when driving 90+ miles a day everyday last week to see family. We are thankful for family coming into town and driving their own hundreds of miles to see us.
Miss T is thankful for - Mashed Potato's, Pumpkin Pie, french fries from Wendy's, chicken soup from Panera (St. Louis Bread Co here) unsalted top crackers, vanilla wafers, plain shortbread girl scout cookies, and Vanilla Frosties from Wendys! No wonder she does not like Carrots!!!
Daddy is thankful for -days off, sleeping in, play time with Miss T, cars that run, cheep gas, hugs and kisses, lots of saying "daddddaaaaa" and the start of Lost in Jan.
I am thankful for my my beautiful baby girl, my loving husband, brothers and sister that are the best cooks ever, sisters in law just for being there, my mom/grandma to Miss T, my sewing machine, family events that last jut long enough, fun with the nieces, friends that remind me how good things are in our lives and so much more...
TAKING -
We have been thanked by Grandmas that didn't have Miss T cry when they held her, aunts that got to spend quality time with, uncles that said we were good parents, friends that we shared food with and broke bread with, extra special out of the way trips to say hello.. and so much more...
NO THANKS -
No thanks to those that got drunk at holiday fests and bitched about stupid worthless items. Those that rolled their eyes, made snide side remarks, acted stupid when they were asked to tone down the loud and yelling, not acting like an adult in a family, not being able to share joy in others lives, drinking wine that was brought for a celebration before the recipients arrived and then laughed and said we missed out it was good. Rude unfamily like behavior and passive aggressive attitudes and actions. Lack of respect for the United Stated in which they live, option to move to the Europe that they love so much! Burn the F-ing place down for all I care!

I am trying so hard not to be hurt and upset by the actions of those in the no thanks bar but it's so hard when they are suppose to be in a family environment, I understand everyone being their own person and am sure learning a lesson on how some of my family members have felt about prior person in that place but this is out of hand, out of sorts and I am having such a hard time handling. Please God, give me strength!