Book Beginnings and Bookends - CeeCee Wilkes - Chapters 21-35

You can link up here if you have read the book too!  Can't wait to read everyone else's answers!

1. Do you think Tim is the one sending the money?
   I think that it's possible that Tim is the one that sent the money.  With the $5000 that he gave to CeeCee before, he has the money somehow.  If it's him though, I'm suspicious how he found out where CeeCee was.  And why he was sending the money, what was the connection?  Maybe I'm looking into this too much, but if he was in hiding I don't think that he would have been able to gain access to his money.
   
   
2. So far, there's been a lot of discussion on CeeCee/Eve and her choices. What choice(s) would you make differently from her?
   I think it's hard to say you would make different choices that what CeeCee/Eve made.  All along I've said I would make different decisions.  I don't think that I could have gone through with it to begin with, but if I had gone through with it, then maybe I would have made the same decisions as her all along.  Keeping it from Jack would have been tremendously difficult, I feel like at some point I would have had to tell someone, it just doesn't seem like a good way to start out a marriage.
   
   
3. What do you like about Jack? Are there things about him that you don't like?
   Jack seems so personable and likable.  It's hard not to like him, he just kind of swept in.  He seems like such a good guy and someone that would be great for Eve.  Very genuine and passionate about his acting career.  I don't think that there's much about him that I don't like really.  He might be a little pushy for my taste.
   
   
4. What are the differences between CeeCee/Eve's relationship with Tim and Eve's relationship with Jack?
   I think that this relationship is different then the one with Tim as Eve is a much more mature person now.  I think she has "learned her lesson" and doesn't easily let her guard down.  She is cautious and wary of new people.  I think that she needs this relationship with Jack to feel like a normal person again.  Her relationship with Tim was one of lust and immaturity where her relationship with Jack seems to me more based on love and feelings.
   
   
5. Do you think Eve is to blame for Cory's fears? What could she do, specifically, to help Cory feel like less of an outsider?
   This is kind of a hard question to answer, after reading the whole book I had a bit of a different opinion I guess.  But I do think that Cory's fears were started by Eve and how over-protective she was of Cory.  I think I'm forgetting parts of the book, but I don't remember specifics that Eve did to really make her feel like an outsider, other than being so over-protective.  Maybe I need to go back and brush up.
   I think that to help Cory, getting her involved in different activities would be the most beneficial so she is able to meet new people and make friends.
   
6. Do you think Eve appropriately answered Cory's questions about her father? Do you think Cory will question her father more as she grows older?I think she answered them the best she could.  As would most people, I think that Cory will have questions about her father when she grows older.  She doesn't look like her mother so she'll naturally be more curious of who her father is as time passes.  It's kind of ironic that Eve had to have the same questions answered about her own father by her mother.  Do you wonder if now that she has to tell Cory lies if she wonders if her own mother was telling the truth?

This book club is such a great idea, I'm really enjoying it.  I can't wait to see what the next book is!

One of those weeks

It's just one of those weeks where I don't have much that is particularly coherent to put together to make a full post, so a brain dump will have to do for this fabulous Friday.

1. I am so happy that the weather is finally cooling down a little bit.  It was multiple weeks of non-stop upper 90's here and it was starting to get frustrating.  I'm so ready for fall.
2. M pinged me yesterday to say that she wanted this for Christmas, and while she may have been trying to be a smart @$$ about it, I'm going to get it for her anyways.  I love it!  :-)
3. I'm almost finished with my first quilt, yeah!  Hopefully I should be able to finish it this weekend.  If so, it will have only taken me about 10 days, not too shabby (it's a small baby quilt though).
4. I find it amusing that I needed to buy $50 worth of merchandise to receive free shipping, so I added a shirt to my order, assuming I would just take it back if I didn't like it (they don't have what I ordered in store).  Well, I got a tracking confirmation for 2 packages, one for the shirt and one for the rest of the items I ordered, 2 separate packages, no shipping paid.  That just seems a little backwards to me!  
5. Next weekend we are going to a beach house for the weekend, Definitely looking forward to some time by the ocean.
6. The country girl in me is excited for the Brad Paisley concert tomorrow night.  It's the first one for the year, which is very rare for me.  I usually make it to a couple.
7. Gap, Give and Get is this weekend, which means 30% off (unlimited use) at Gap, Banana Republic or Old Navy (including outlet stores), if you haven't gotten the coupon, let me know and I'll email you mine.
8. Opinion needed, we got a quilt for a wedding gift and I liked it.  My friends are getting married in about 6 weeks, I'm not sure if I'd have time to finish one by then, but it's possible.  Do you like the idea of getting a quilt (with your last name or names) on it as a wedding gift?

I hope that everyone has a great weekend!  Anything exciting going on?

Aim to please

This weekend I was watching 27 Dresses (for like the 10th time) and when the bar scene came on, it struck a cord with me.  You no, the part where Kevin asks Jane if she knows how to say 'No'.    I realized that I don't know how to say 'No' and more so, I'm a pleaser.

I find myself not being able to say 'No' to things, whether it is work related or personal related.  If someone asks me for help with something 99% of the time, I say 'Yes'.  Invited to a party, I will ask to bring something.  Getting married, I'll ask to help with whatever I can.  New project at work, sure, I'll work on it.

Lately, it's happening more frequently.  With my friend who's getting married, she had invitations to make and pillows to make.  I insisted on making at least 4 pillows for her this week because she has other wedding stuff to do.  She needed to finish a few envelopes, I stopped by and picked them up and brought them back all finished.  My husband doesn't get why I am so eager to help (there's more to his argument, but I won't divulge it here).  To me, I say I'm just trying to be a good friend and help out the bride.  We just got married a year ago and I know how much work needs to be done.

The Luau shower that was this weekend is another example.  At this point we've already picked out the menu, etc, but I took the details to a whole new level.  Why?  Because I want the bride to be happy and I want her to have the shower with every detail thought about and not overlooked.  From the small things, like water bottle labels, wrapped silverware, and food signs to match the invites to the big things, like a luau/hawaiian themed menu, hula bear cupcakes, a photo-booth to remember the details.  To me these are all things that are important to make the party, but deep down, it's because I want to bride and groom to be pleased and happy with it.  I want them to feel special.

It goes on and on, I could probably give you at least 5 more examples.  I think KC gets it a little bit, he understands that I just want to be helpful and I'm trying to be a good friend, etc, but I know that sometimes it annoys him. For me, sometimes I think I'm terrified to disappoint people or let them down.  That they'll feel that I'm incapable or inadequate.  Even though these things might cause me stress and other problems, I still can't say no and stretch myself above and beyond.

I'm not really sure where I'm going with this, but I do know that I'm going to try to work harder to pick and chose what I say yes to.  It's ok to not do everything.  It's ok to let someone else host a party.  I'm sure there are some things that I'll never drop (it's common courtesy in my book to bring something to a party), but I've got to learn to stop stretching myself to the limits so often.  Can I change immediately?  No, it's gradual but in the long run, I know I can be a better person for myself (and for KC) if I do change even a little bit.

Book Beginnings and Bookends - CeeCee Wilkes - Chapters 11-20

I love participating in the responses last week so I am glad to get into it again this week.  I will admit that it is hard to write some of these responses knowing the ending of the book.  


You can link up here if you have read the book too!

1. Where do you think Tim and Marty are at this point in the story?
   I think that Tim and Marty are somewhere in hiding.  Part of me thinks that the original plan was to just abandon CeeCee to begin with and never come back regardless.  I can't help but wonder if they have other plans that they didn't reveal to CeeCee already.
   
2. What were your thoughts as CeeCee was helping Genevieve deliver her baby?
   My heart was aching for CeeCee.  I wanted her to just have the common sense to get in the car and drive, drive somewhere.  I mean the authorities have to have some sort of sympathy for her if she gives in now right?  I knew that she wouldn't actually hurt Genevieve but she had no idea what she was doing.  She had no idea what she was getting herself into when she agreed to go to the cabin and this just made it 10x worse!
   
3. After Genevieve died, what would you have done with her baby if you had been in CeeCee's shoes?
   I would have taken the baby to a hospital or something.  I don't think I could have kept it a secret.  It would just gnaw at me forever.  This beautiful baby didn't have a mother and it was partially her fault.
   
4. Why do you think CeeCee/Eve is still holding onto hope that Tim will come for her?
   I think she is, she wants to think that Tim was a good person and that she made the right decision to help them.  Tim is her first love and made her think that they loved one another and that she was doing
   
5. How do you think Eve will establish her new identity in Virginia?
   I think that Eve will struggle at first to establish herself and let go of CeeCee.  She still holds onto hope that Tim will return and I think she doesn't want to accept her self as Eve out of hope that Tim will find her.  Deep down I think she knows that this whole ordeal will always be with her, whether she gets married again or whatever she does with her life.  I also think it may cause her to be a little apprehensive or men in the future.  Afraid that something similar might happen.
   
6. What do you think of CeeCee/Eve now after she has gone through with the kidnapping, the delivery of the baby, the escape, and the relocation?
   I think that she has grown up a lot over the course of this ordeal.  I think that she will constantly live her life in fear now.  That she will always be looking over her shoulder and will be very protective of the baby.  It's hard to know if she will ever shake that feeling that someone is looking for her.  I also wondered how she would be able to go on without letting this eat at her for the rest of her life.

Other/Notes:
I struggled with the fact that Ronnie didn't inquire and ask more questions of her.  It would have been interesting to hear more from Ronnie's side, about her roommate and friend who disappeared, to never return.  She left all of her belongings, her money everything behind, even the things she cherished most (the letters from her mother).  If it was me, I'd be looking for her or call the police or something.  


Hope you all had a great weekend!

Single Girl Weekend

We're in the middle of prime Ultimate Frisbee season here in our area.  For me, that means that KC is gone for tournaments frequently on the weekends, there are 1-2/mo.  On top of that there's a bachelor party weekend away and other trips planned.  This all adds up to me being home alone for the weekend.  In the end it's really not such a bad thing!  We try to do our cleaning during the week so that I'm not stuck with it all on the weekends and the rest of the time is mine to enjoy like he is enjoying his weekend playing Ultimate.

For the most part, I'm pretty good at keeping myself busy, if the other guys are around then I'll hang out with them, etc.  On the other hand, I secretly enjoy when no one is around!  That means time to myself to do whatever I want.  I have a few guilty-single-girl tendencies though:

• It's ok for a meal to consist of either:
• Baked Potato
• Cup of Minute Rice
• Air-Popped Popcorn
• An Auntie Ann's Pretzel
• Turning on TBS or TLC or FX (or WE) and watching movies/tv shows all day without interruption.  This seems to ring a bit more true in the winter, but I can turn on TBS and just watch all day, some times their movie marathons are awesome.  Doesn't matter if I'm crafting, sewing or reading it's on in the background.
• Calling M and talking to her for 3 hours without getting bugged.
• Sitting in the office paper crafting or sewing all day and spending way too long on one project.
• Perusing the craft/fabric aisles for longer then is necessary. 
• Showering but putting my pajamas/sweats back on right afterwards.
• Going to the mall and perusing the sales, since KC does not like to shop and usually follows me around like a puppy dog when he goes.
• Go to Target and wander around look at random things, only to leave with nothing, or $100+ worth of items.
• Sit at the computer and Blog-Hop and find new blogs to read or projects to do.
• Go to the RedBox (or Netflix streaming) and find the chick-flicks I've wanted to see but haven't yet.  I just wish I had the guts to go to the theatre myself.

This weekend will be no different and I'm kinda looking forward to it.  I'm looking forward to KC's return as well but, sometimes it's nice to just have to worry about myself and no one else!

Most of mine are fairly boring, does anyone else have anything else they do when it's just them?  Anything that's a bit more exciting then mine?!?!

Happy Friday!  Have a great weekend!

ETA:  I've only had 2 people participate in my Craft-It Forward so far, so there are still some spots open if you want to join.  I might just go beyond 3 depending on how many people there are.  :-)

100 Posts & Pay it Forward!

Today marks my 100th post!  To celebrate, I thought I'd Pay it Forward!  

A few weeks ago, Sandy from Sandy a la mode posted about a little game with the following rules:

1. I make a handmade gift for the first 3 people to comment.
2. I have 365 days in which to send you the gift.
3. The gift will be a total surprise.
4. You keep this going by posting Pay It Forward on your blog (obviously, you must have an active blog to participate).

Luckily, I was the third commenter, score!  If you don’t follow her blog, you should, she posts about all sorts of inspiration, traveling, cooking and weddings!

So go ahead, leave a comment on this post and the first 3 people to do so will get something handmade by me!  Just like Sandy did,  I won’t approve comments until the end of the day so the comments will show as ZERO until I approve them, that way it will be more like a surprise who wins!  Assuming I even get 3 comments by the end of the day!  I have a few ideas for sewing projects and spent some time paper crafting this past weekend, so I hope that I will have something to send to the first 3 people sooner than later.  :-)  And really, I just wanted to take this time to THANK YOU all for following me through all 100 posts.  The comments you leave are encouraging, funny, supportive and  appreciated!  Thanks for sticking with me.

To be honest . . . . .

1. I haven't posted a recap of the shower because I'm disappointed with the lack of pictures I got.
2. I'm doing a half marathon training program for the one here in early November, but I'm so afraid to actually sign up for the race out of fear that I will jinx myself about being able to finish the program.
3. I'm really ready for fall to be here already, the heat is really getting to me.  I'm looking forward to cool crisp days.  Light weight sweaters and jeans vs. what's the most work appropriate coolest thing I can wear.  (Any recommendations for some new flats, I'm struggling to find some.)
   
4. Softball and Soccer are starting up soon, through October we have something every Mon, Tues, and Wed and KC has something on Thurs nights.  Holy moly we're going to be busy, and it makes time fly!
   
5. I'm really excited for football season so that it can be time for fantasy football.  I love Sundays in the fall, sitting around, watching football and checking out my team!
   
6. I'm feeling the need to do some painting and house organization, but it feels like money is flying out of the bank account and not back in as quickly so I might have to just do it with what's on hand.  No trips to the container store for me.
   
7. I've changed my blog design weekly lately.  I just need to man up and find someone to do it for me, I'm just being cheap! (Though I know they all do great work and I'm sure they're worth the $$)  I want to make sure I'm set on a blog name first though.
   
8. I bought fabric for my first quilt, but I'm terrified to start, I don't want to mess it up.  I've laid out the strips and paired them so far.  My goal is to start sewing this week.  Eek!
   
9. Tomorrow's my 100th post and just *might* feature my Pay It Forward post (hint, hint).
   
10. I bought 2 of each of these shirts this weekend in different colors and really just want to go back and get them in the remaining colors.  How many is too many of the same shirt in different colors?
    
11. All these new comments and followers have made me really excited about blogging lately!

Hope you're having a great day!

Book Beginnings and Bookends - CeeCee Wilkes - Chapters 1-10

I thought the book club would be a great way to motivate me read a book in a timely matter and it definitely was.. . . . I'm done with this book already.  :-)  I'm going to try and answer the questions along with the rest of the bookclub and hopefully I can do it without giving anything away and still remember everything!

You can link up here if you have read the book too!

1. What was your first impression of Tim?
   At first reading about Tim, I thought he was a nice guy, but was rather skeptical of him, I thought it was odd that he left her large tips and always came into the diner.  At some point it became a little bit too much and I didn't trust him.
2. If you were in CeeCee’s position, would you be willing to help your boyfriend in the way that she is willing to help Tim?
   Absolutely not.  I know she was young and 'in-love' but there is no way that I would help him out.  At the point where he became more distracted by the 'project' I think I would have hit the road running.
3. Why do you think CeeCee is so eager to please Tim?
   Maybe this is a bit cliche' but, I think that not having a male influence in her life is part of the reason for the type of relationship that they had.  CeeCee was looking for someone to take care of her and he was more than willing to do so.
4. Who do you think has it harder? Tim or CeeCee?
   That's tough, in a nutshell both of them are on their own.  Tim's brother Marty is just too far gone to be there for him and CeeCee has been on her own since her mother passed away.
   
   I think that CeeCee has it a little harder than Tim, she has no idea what is going on or what Marty and Tim's plan is.  She hasn't been involved in the situation from the beginning so she is just hearing it all for the first time from Tim.  She doesn't know the other people involved and is just trying to be there for Tim.
5. What character trait(s) about CeeCee stuck out the most to you in these first ten chapters?
   Even though it's not upfront, her loyalty to Tim makes me feel like she has the desire to feel needed/wanted and to please the people around her.  She is a smart girl but she is just trying to make people happy and not let anyone down.
6. Do you think CeeCee is as mature as she seems?
   I think CeeCee is mature in some areas and not in others.  She is mature enough to know how to make a living and what is best for her future.  Emotionally though, i do not think that she is mature and in this case, her emotions are taking her over.

Other Notes:

There are a few things that drew me into this book.  

• One being that it started out in present day with Corinne and then went back in time made me want to keep on reading.  
• Another thing was that it was set in a location that I knew and could actually pick out on a map.  It really drew me into the storyline as I searched for more 'location' references, help me to relate in some ways.
• CeeCee's attitude reminded me of myself in someways.  The desire to feel that someone needed you.  The organizing/cleaning of the house, as strange as it sounds, that is definitely something I can picture myself doing.

Happy Birthday to my husband!

Happy birthday to my husband!

Every day I am more thankful that we get to spend our lives together.

A great doggy- dad,

 brother/brother-in-law,

 son/son-in-law,

friend,

and most of all, husband

Love you babe!  Hope you have a fantastic birthday!

Book Reviews

A lot of people asked about Eat, Pray, Love, so I thought I would do a quick recap of the last few books that I've read.  I'm not going to giveaway any details, no worries, just a few thoughts.


The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes

This is the book for the Book Beginnings and Bookends book club and I had heard a recommendation for it before so I thought I'd give it a try.  I started reading it on Sunday night and I finished it yesterday.  I read it during lunch, every night before bed, I couldn't put it down.  I absolutely loved it!  The story was captivating and the fact that the first part of it was set in an area that I know rather well, I loved reading about streets and places I knew.  I would definitely recommend it!


Eat, Pray, Love

My main motivation for reading this book is that I wanted to see the movie and I wanted to read the book beforehand to compare the two.  I'm not sure if it was just me, but it took me a long time to read this book, it really just didn't hold my interest.  I forced myself to sit down and finish it.  I think that it was interesting to read about the places and the different things she did, but there was something about it that just kinda felt a little boring to me.  With that said I still want to go see the movie to compare.


Heart of the Matter

I loved all of the prior Emily Griffin books so this was on the top of my list to read when it came out.  I have mixed feelings about the book.  It's definitely not my favorite one of her books to read, but I do enjoy her writing, I would say that the first two were the best.  The storyline was a little controversial to me, but I also know that it is something that does happen and to see how people handle this type of situation despite how upsetting it was to see people struggle in their marriages. 


Good Things

I read this book on a whim.  I had just finished Heart of the Matter and thought that it looked pretty good.  It was a pretty easy read and was similar to most 'chick-lit' but I liked it, and would recommend it.  It was a fairly quick read and was funny too.


The Help

When I saw this going around the web I was a little skeptical.  This was just not my kind of book to read.  A co-worker lent it to me and I was so grateful that I read it.  It took me the first Chapter or 2 to get into it but after that I loved it and couldn't put it down.  To hear about what it was like living in that Era was a real eye-opener and I anticipate that if I come across similar types of books, I will read them.


I read Nanny Returns and The Last Song as well earlier in the year.  And liked

I've had these 2 different books started for some time now and I just can't seem to get through them.  I'm going to make myself finish them and hopefully I will start to like them better.


I've been keeping track of other books I've read in an Amazon wishlist so I don't repeat.  So far I'm right on with my goal for the year I think.  If I can get somewhere with the 2 I'm reading, I'll be ahead.


So now the question is, what do I read next.  I've seen a suggestion for the Time Travelers Wife, but I didn't like the movie, is the book different?  What's on your nightstand?   Did you like any of the ones I've read or can you recommend any?  Have you read:   Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison or Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah?


*All images from Amazon*

Getting to know you!

Ok, while I struggle to get this post up about the shower, I thought I'd do something fun.  I've seen this around blog land recently and I thought I do it too.  I've seen so many new people leaving comments and visiting and that makes me really happy!  So, comment below and tell me a little bit more about yourself.  I would love to hear things like:

• Age
• Location/Hometown
• Marital status/Children
• Likes or dislikes
• How you found me
• Anything else you think I should know

Don't forget to leave your blog if it's not linked to your ID so that I can check it out as well!

For all the new readers, I'll start myself:

I'm Lauren, and I just turned 27 (ok, so 2 months ago isn't just but I still like to think it is).  I live in the south now but I'm originally from upstate NY.  KC and I have been happily married for 1 year and we have one fur baby that just turned 4.  No kids yet, but we've been talking about starting a family in the near future.  I work in a technology field and spend most of my time with guys who do the same.  I've recently started running, completing a 10K training program and am in my 3rd week of half marathon training.  I'm big into crafts, Stampin' Up, paper crafting and recently started sewing.  I'm a sports lovin' girl and love my country music.   I'm pretty quiet and laid back when you first meet me, it takes me some time to warm-up to people.  I've only been blogging for 6 months and I'm really having a lot of fun doing it and meeting new people.

And, what's a post with a picture, here's a picture of KC and I from the shower.

Your turn!

Monday Musings!

{1}  What a great weekend! The Luau shower was a success and I'm working to show you all some pictures.  The bride said she was going to cry when she walked in and saw all of the details.

{2}  Last night found out that a friend posted a video of me on YouTube, hiccuping during the Wine Festival.  There are 850 views and I'm just seeing it now.  I'd share, but I'm afraid you'd all laugh at me, my voice apparently goes up an octave after I've been drinking.

{3}  KC is out of town for the next 3 weekends, it's appealing for like 1 weekend to have some girl time, but more than that in a row, not so much.  My friends mom called me an "Ultimate Widow", which I'd never heard before, but apparently it's commonly used for women's who's husbands play golf, mine plays Ultimate Frisbee instead.

{4}  Once upon a time, when you were adding pictures to posts in blogger there was an option to link to your Picasa albums and pull from there.  Now, it's gone, anyone know what I changed to make it go away?

{5}  I finished Eat, Pray, Love yesterday, just in time to see the movie.  I started the Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes last night and couldn't put it down.  The online book club is starting it today, hope you're joining!

{6}  I've noticed lots of new followers and comments lately.  Thanks for stopping by!  I'm looking forward to meeting everyone.  Sorry I wasn't able to follow back this weekend, but our wireless was not working so I was not able to do much until it was fixed on Sunday.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Friday Fill

I can't tell you all how glad I am that it's Friday.  I've been preparing for this weekend all week and I'm glad it's here already.  I luckily have the afternoon off to do so much for the shower and I can't wait to share it all with you next week.  

I decided to do Fill In The Blank Friday today, because I haven't done it in a while, and who am I kidding, I love food, so it's perfect.

1.  Today for breakfast I ate   a Fiber plus bar and a diet snapple raspberry tea, brought down from NY because you can't find them her in NC. 

2.  My go to/never fail recipe   my spaghetti sauce and meatballs, is it weird that I like mine the best? .

3.  Something I eat that other people think is weird is    nothing really, my husband thinks it's weird that I eat popcorn for lunch some times, does that count?

4.  My worst cooking disaster ever was   when I was making Indian food from a packet a co-worker gave me.  I used the whole packet, the next day he told me they only use 1/4 and that's spicy for them, yeah, bring on the Tums!

5.  If I could only eat one flavor of ice cream the rest of my life it would be  cookie dough, it's my absolute favorite, though cake batter is a really close second.

6.  One food I hate and avoid at all costs is   red onions!  I can't stand the taste/smell of them and when I worked at a restaurant we had to cut them up for the salad bar and I went around with red-smelly fingers  for days afterwards .

7.  What is your favorite meal?  Breakfast, lunch, or dinner?   Dinner!  I love big meals, like Spaghetti and Meatballs or a Turkey or a Roast.  Yum.

I'm hungry now, good thing it's almost lunch time!

Have a great weekend!

Market Tote Finished!

I have finally finished my Market Tote.  Thanks to the great tutorial by Holly at Bijou Lovely!

I struggled with it at first but in the end I'm happy with the outcome.  The colors look a little bit better together in person.  I learned a few things along the way.

• Don't listen to the lady at the fabric store!  It was my first time in the store alone and I was trying to find the interfacing, so i asked for help.  Even though I specifically told her it said light-weight interfacing, she said, oh, well if it's a tote bag you should use this heavier interfacing.  Needless to say my bag is a little bit stiffer than I anticipate!
• Measure! Measure!  I'm struggling with making measurements/cuts that are correct.  My panels were off by a 1/4" on the outside and so I had to cut down the inner panels to make it work a little bit better.
• Practice sewing straight lines!  I'm sure this will get easier with time.  It's all about keeping things lined up.  It's really not too bad, but there are a few spots that are noticeable.
• Think about the orientation of your pattern before you tell them how much fabric you need.  The stripes threw me off and had me cutting a second time.

So there you have it, my second sewing adventure!  Has anyone else tried this tutorial?  Stay tuned for more in the future!

P.S.  Keep your eyes peeled, I was selected in Sandy's Pay it Forward, so I'll be hosting my own when I get my item from her.

My person

My first post on friendship, came right when I found out that M was coming to visit you were all really supportive.  Since then, M was here visiting for 5 days and we had a blast.  During my vacation the week before last I was with M again for 4 days at her grandparents cottage on Seneca Lake, and it was so much fun I wish we could have stayed longer.  I've been doing more thinking on friendship.

In the 2 years or so M and I have 're-kindled' our friendship from college.  Being on opposite sides of the country was really hard on me to begin with.  I'd had the friends that were far away and it was really hard to keep in touch with them.  We kept our calls to an average of 2 every 3 months, and still sent birthday cards and gifts, etc.  After we got engaged I knew she would be in my bridal party, no questions asked, she's the one who gets me.  When she came home for my wedding she asked me to be her MOH and I was thrilled (she broke off her engagement a few months later).  Our conversations usually last 2hrs.  Mostly we call while one of us is out running errands or at home cooking dinner, cleaning, etc.  Our chats on the phone are every 2-3 weeks again, but we chat on google chat during the day as well.  During our last conversation, she talked about the possibility of her moving here (or to the East Coast in general) next year.  She also said that when the time comes that we do start a family, she's saving a week of vacation to come visit if she hasn't moved yet.  We just talk, about whatever.  There's no struggle, there's no awkwardness, there's no holding back.

The point of this post isn't so much about her, as much as it is about 'my person', the one who gets me, the one who's opinion I want, the one who is always there for me, the one who I can call no matter what, the one who cherishes the same things as me.  My friends are great, but they can't all be 'my person'.  M, she's my person.  The older I get the more I realize how much I need that person to be there for me as well as KC.

Anyone else have a 'person'?  Please tell me I'm not the only one who has 2hr phone conversations with a friend either.  :-)  

P.S.  I should have started off by saying, I love my husband, he is wonderful and he is also 'my person', but girl friendships they're different.

Bonus points to whomever knows the TV show 'my person' is from?  

Miscellaneous August

{1}  I was really productive this weekend but also had a little bit of time to relax.  It was kinda nice to be able to enjoy the weekend and not be in a frenzy.

{2}  I finally finished my Market Tote, but forgot to take the pictures off the camera, so that'll have to wait until later this week.  It has it's flaws but I'm proud of it as a first project.

{3}  This weekend's weather made me longing for fall.  It was in the 70's/80's here most of the weekend and I loved it.  It was great!  That's what we have for weather practically through November.  Not to mention football (see #4).

{4}  Fall brings football and that means fantasy football!  Yippee!  Did I mention that I won the league the first year and got 4th the second year.  Out of 12 (all but 2 were males), that makes me happy.  

{5}  Anyone have any good games to play at a couples shower.  I have the question game in mind, but not sure how to organize/play so guests win prizes (without having to fill out a long questionnaire).

{6}  Last night as I was wrapping/tying silverware and lining a basket with fabric (the same fabric used in the invitations), I realized that I am most definitely my mother's daughter.  :-)  I love details and in my head that is what's going to make this party stand-out from your regular old party.

{7}  Saturday we went to Target to get a birthday gift for a 1yr-old and 3yr-old and spent almost an hour walking the aisles picking out a gift, which mostly consisted of playing with the toys ourselves.  

{8}  For me party planning/hosting = insomnia, so I'm sure I'll be getting very little sleep this week.  When I try to go to bed, I can't stop thinking about things that need to be done and small details to add (see #6).  I'm looking forward to the weekend getting her quickly! 

Hope you all had a great week/weekend!  Head on over to lowercase letters and join in!

Happy Birthday Miss Maya!

It's hard to believe that she's 4 already!

The first day we brought her home, she weighed a whopping 12.5lbs, hid behind a table, bit everything and loved sticking her head out the car window.

She hid from the vacuum and was an 80's rock-star for a few days.

She's a puppy school graduate (2x)!

Now she crawls into bed when we let her,

looks out the window whenever possible,

curls up in the weirdest spots ever,

(I tried telling her to be more lady like but she didn't listen!)

likes riding in the car,

 and still cocks her head to the side when we're talking to her.

I can't believe that she's 4 already!!  Happy Birthday 'baby girl'!