Progress

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Swimming


We went to the home of one of the other homeschooling families here in town. They have an in-ground pool. (Color me jealous.)
The girls had a lot of fun. I stayed on the sidelines. Next time we go I believe I will join in on the water fun.
DD9 practiced holding her breath and swimming underwater so she could go off the diving board. She got pretty good, for someone who always went in feet first while holding her nose. Well, progress is progress.
DD8 and DD6 both also had a really good time, though I didn't let either of them go off the board. DD8 wanted to but she is not a good enough swimmer. YET...next time, who knows?

Dad's OK

I got a call from my mom yesterday evening saying Dad had been in a wreck and she was at the hospital but didn't know how bad it was. DH watched the girls while my DB28 and I drove for an hour to get to the ER where they were. They were just finishing up stitching his arm when we got there. He is fine except for some scrapes and bruises and, like I said, a few stitches in his arm.

If he hadn't been wearing his seat belt he'd be dead. If anyone had been riding with him, seat belt or no they would be dead. His pick-up flipped over and flew for a short distance, then landed upside down. The passenger side is scrunched in. The aluminum camper top on the back was folded like a tin can. The driver's side is the only part not turned into roadside origami.

That seat belt habit is a nice one to have. I am glad he has insisted on us all wearing belts all our lives.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Quilt Tops

The pinwheels are for DD6. Her birthday is in August. I had to tear out and turn one of the blocks 90 degrees and sew it back in. it looks just fine. The whole thing is a little small, so I think I will be adding a border, maybe two. I still have A LOT of that fabric left. (enough for a border, a matching pillow, and probably another quilt.)



The framed pictures in DD8's quilt are Disney fairies, as are some of the fabric motifs in the frames. Others are just bright fabric that I thought enhanced the look. The picture doesn't do it justice. These colors are very bright. In that quilt I messed up the frames a bit on the last two pictures, but it is hard to detect unless you know it is there. I decided to leave them and not do a repair. It would have been much more complicated than fixing the turned pinwheel.

Sock Mopping


We focussed on the Kitchen today. Much more fun than the living room was yesterday. The girls are in there sock mopping right now.

I included it in our Camp Rainbow plans just because it sounded like so much fun. BUT...it is also remarkably effective. AND...I can let THEM do it.

I'll have to help with the final clean-up of the soapy water, but it is nice to let them have fun and take a break for myself.

This morning that floor was covered with dirty laundry and garbage, Kool Aid stains, broken spaghetti noodles, crumbs, etc. This has certainly been a productive day.

In the future I think I'll be able to use the possibility of Sock Mopping to get the girls to help clean the kitchen.

Monday, June 25, 2007

Camp Rainbow

Today is the first day of Camp Rainbow. (see flylady.net and the section on Camp Gonnawannafly) We are focusing on the dining room. Weirdly, I chose it for first because it needs the most work. It is looking much better. The girls have helped out. DD6 won Junk Pile Bingo. Laura scored an Empty Dishwasher race time of 2:01.

Oops, I just promised extra camp points if they work together and load the dishes without fighting. I had better come up with what Camp Points are. WHatever they are I'll give Sadira some for winning Bingo and Laura some for running the Empty Race (the winner will get more later)

I am taking a much needed break right now. When I get back to it I am going to hit the teaching/sewing table area. When the floor is clear we are gong to Sock Mop. The girls are really looking forward to this.

I'll also post an After pic of the dining room. Sorry, but I forgot to take a Before pic. It was really something!

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Re-sewing

I got the quilt square removed and repaired from my stupidity. Now I am sewing it back into position on the quilt top.

I deicded to do it by hand. I just had a fit trying to decide the best way to maneuver that thing one 3 sides with the machine.

I would provide pics, but my battery is dead after our trip to the zoo a couple weeks ago. Maybe later.

Kim WW

Tying the Knot

I had no idea that DD6 did not know how to tie her shoes. That's what sandals, mocassins, and two older sisters will get you.

We sat down and had our first lesson this evening. It'll take some review, but I think she's got it.

Herbs

I told my husband last year that I wanted to be a Ranger. No, not joining the army, but neing one of those woodsy people who know all about animals and the outdoors and stuff. Sort of an uberBoyScout. Anyway, there is no way that is really going to fit into my lifestyle. However, I did enjoy starting to learn about herbs, in cooking and medicine, and found a cool site for beginners that you might like.

http://www.learningherbs.com/index.html

He approaches herbalism and such from the point of view that you probably don't already know all about it. That was very helpful to me.

Now I have my own small herb garden and have really enjoyed using God's medicine when I or my family get sick.

Later

Old News

Certainly these health risks of being fat are things most of us have heard before. I hate hearing about them, mainly because they hit too close to home. I don't want to read it, but I make myself to it to drive the point home a little bit more.

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/how-fat-kills-the-impact-of-weight-on-your-body?ecd=wnl_wct_061107

I do believe I am going to make a few changes what I do the grocery shopping next week. Time to peak back in at my Body Clutter menu mailer subscription, which I have been ignoring.

http://www.savingdinner.com/

Real Love

Check this story out.

This man in Poland was in a coma for 19 years! It is truly heartwarming to know that there are people like his wife out there who will care for a loved one no matter what.

20 years, I can't imagine. I hope I never have to face it, but if anything happens to DH I hope I would have the strength to be such a caregiver.

http://www.local6.com/family/13436116/detail.html

Frogging

Rip-it Rip-it

Have you ever been sitting quietly, ripping out a square from a quilt top because you sewed it turned 90 degrees from how it should have been, minding your own business, when the thought occurs to you that it is a good thing you aren't ripping the wrong seam?

No? Well, count yourself lucky. Because in my world that thought is inevitably followed by, "Well, I HOPE I am not ripping the wrong seam." Which is of course followed by checking to make sure I am not ripping wrong seam. And, if you are me, that is usually followed by "Oh, for crying out loud!"

At least it was only a few inches and will sew back easily enough.

Sheesh!

Well, I have moved along on fixing and finishing DD6's quilt.

I have also folded 20 paper cranes since I made the list. That is 2% of 1000.

Now that I have the offending quilt square out, I need to go sew it back in, the right way.

Later, Kim

Friday, June 15, 2007

More ideas

1000 yrd Solar System experiement with the girls

bake and decorate a wedding cake, though not necessarily for a wedding

visit Seaworld with the girls

Walt Disney World

New Ideas

Here are a few of my new ideas. I haven't fit them into the list vacancies yet.

Attend an Ole Miss football game. I don't like football, but it is an experience I would like to have had.
Same for a basketball game.

I would love to hang glide someday, but I don't know if it will be possible before March of 2010.
It depends a lot on how much weight I can lose. Fat don't fly

Complete my Star Trek DVD collection. This one is a bit frivolous and may fall prey to the Saving for a House thing. It couldn't hurt to try.

Put together a scrapbook with all our photos I have stashed in a box.

Attend a Classics lecture

That's all I can come up with right now. That is 6 things.

Goals

Ok, first the good news. Since I made the list of goals I have worked quite a bit on my SMokey Mountain Christmas cross stitch work. I haven't touched it since March, so that is something. I worked on it almost all day Wednesday while I was sick in bed. The bears are almost done.

Also, I folded 10 paper cranes. 1 a day would get the goal acomplished, but Iwould rather have some breathing room.

And the bad news...
I went back over the list of 101 things and found quite a few that cannot be "quantified and measured" as specified by the terms I found on Belinda's blog. So, I deleted most of them and need to find new ones. (I had a hard enough time thinking up the first 101.)

This does not mean that I should eat fried foods whenever.

Here is my preliminarily altered list (the bad items have been removed but no new ones added yet.)

1 Lose 100 lbs 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
2 Lose another 100 lbs 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
3
4
5 Learn CPR
6 Take the girls to the dentist 1 2 3 4 5
7 Take the girls to the doctor 1 2 3 4 5
8 Get eyes checked 1 2
9 Grow herb garden, keep alive, use
10 Finish herbalism course
11 Walk to Rivendell
12 Walk from Rivendell to Lorien
13 Walk to Brie
14
15
16 Clean all the aquariums (this is a big job)
17 Keep aquariums clean and topped off
18 Buy 2 show bettas and breed
19 Design and keep green tank
20 Design paludarium
21 Declutter fish supplies
22 finish baby quilt for Sonya (3rd)
23 finish baby quilt for Jen (1st)
24 finish baby quilt for Amanda (2nd)
25 finish Smokey Mountain Christmas
26 finish English Garden Welcome
27 Finish Castle Sampler Tapestry
28 attempt Koolaid dying of wool yarn, knit something cool with it
29 Sew Chinese Jacket, in satin
30 Sew Indian jacket, in silk
31 Sew tunic, in green linen (embroidery too)
32 Sew Jacket in Black w/red lining
33 Sew Jacket in beige tapestry
34 Sew quilt for Ma
35 Sew quilt for Shonda
36 Finish quilt for Naya
37 Finish quilt for Sadira
38 Finish quilt for Laura
39 Finish quilt for my own bed
40 Design greek cross stitch design
41 Sew Greek Cross stitch design
42 Knit a pair of socks
43 Declutter sewing area
44 Stitch Sweetheart Tree Simply Romantic sampler
45 Design quilt from Cross stitch chart
46 Stitch The Holly and The Ivy (for 2008)
47 Art quilt
48 Sew family Christmas stockings
49 complete floss stash (DMC)
50 learn to batik
51 SG:1 Super Marathon, every episode, all 10 seasons
52 SG: Atlantis Marathon, all 3 seasons
53 Fold 1000 paper cranes
54 Learn to turn clay
55 Finish painting of Mom's wedding
56 Fold 100 Christmas ornaments
57 Write out one of my stories
58
59 Learn 1 of the languages on my language disk
60 Learn another language from the disk
61
62 Find some way to tastefully and beautifully display chopstick collection
63 Don't start any new collections
64 Learn Standard Rose origami
65 Learn Ink painting
66 Clean and declutter closet
67
68
69
70 Declutter desk
71
72
73
74 Declutter books
75 Set up a defined classroom area
76 Make wooden Yard holiday decorations
77 Take down Christmas lights when appropriate 1 2 3
78 Polish brass vases
79 Fix porch swing
80 graduate from Ole Miss
81 PEAK field trip to Memphis Zoo
82
83
84 Visit large aquarium
85 Visit University Museum whenever there is a new display
86 Research Keenum heritage
87 Visit Mammaw once a month, at least
88 Visit friends once a week
89 read Bible all the way through
90 read New Testament in Greek
91 read Harry Potter: SS in Latin
92
93 Visit Atlanta Zoo
94 Visit Devery in Kansas
95 Visit Joe and Karla in Houston
96 Visit Pat in Joliet
97
98
99 Buy a house (save for dp)
100 Take out life insurance policy
101 Visit Williamston, SC

I may take this oportunity to be frivolous, though I know some of these already are.

XAIPETE,
Kim

The Glass Menagerie

I hate this play. I had to read it in high school and now again in college and I just hate it. It is so depressing. I know that is the point, but still...sheesh!

We have to collaborate on a group presentation to write an essay about how to write an essay about "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams which focuses on the historical contect of the play.

It is due tonight at midnight. It is finished for the most part.

I hate doing group projects. I would much rather do the work myself. At least this professor said that we should not go overboard picking up others' slack. If they should write a paragraph but don't we can simply write something like "Insert paragraph about ____ here"

I worked on the thing for about 5 hours this afternoon. I set an alarm to go back and see what suggestions the others have made or submitted later, and then another one closer to midnight to make final revisions and submit.

I will be glad when it is over.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Sick Sick Sick

I finally got the cold that has been torturing the girls for a couple of weeks. Bah! I hate being sick.

While I was wallowing in bed yesterday it occurred to me that I did not do the 101 things correctly. Many of them violate the "must be quantifiable or measurable" part. So, I'll soon be posting a revised list.

This DOES NOT mean I do not have to clean my kitchen and keep it clean.

Later

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

In Progress List

Of my 101 things I have these in progress:

Grow Herb Garden- The drought has killed my fennel. It is doing a number on the creeping thyme as well (and it was doing so well!). The rosemary seems very hardy, hard to kill even. The mints are growing like weeds, which mints are except that they are wanted. The Greek oregano is taking over its pot again. Time to harvest.
The old harvest has dried nicely and soon will be a good time to put it into jars.

Design and keep green tank- I feel a little guilty putting this one as "in progress." My current planted tank is horribly overgrown, mostly with algae. Still...

Finish Baby Quilt for Jen- light blue fabric with a stars and moon theme bought. I haven't chosen a pattern yet though.

Finish Smokey Mountain Christmas- I was doing so well up until this March. I am about half done, maybe a little less.

Finish Castle Sampler Tapestry- I really can't afford to give this one any attention until Smokey Mountain is done. It is "in progress" though, so it is listed.

Finish Quilt for Naya- The top is pieced. It has a mistake in the pattern, but the whole thing is so busy it is not very glaring. I am going to leave it as is. I need to chose a backing fabric and quilt it all. Deadline, Nov 3, 2007.

Finish Quilt for Sadira- The top is pieced. it has a mistake that messes up the whole pinwheel scheme. I need to rip one section off and reposition. Then I need to get a backing fabric (might already have something) and quilt it all. Deadline, Aug 17, 2007

Complete Floss Stash- I would really love to have every DMC color. I have a few hundred. It has been a while since I counted.

Finish Painting of Mom's Wedding- This would make a nice anniversary gift. It I cannot make that deadline then it can be for Christmas or her birthday in January. The painting is about half done, maybe more.

Write out one of my stories- I have some scribblings saved to computer but nothing anywhere near done. This is low priority.

Don't start any new Collections- Doing OK on this one. I hope it keeps up.

Graduate from Ole Miss- Junior year finished with 4.0. I am taking one online class over the summer. 15 hours in the Fall, ALL Classics.

Save for a House- This one is hard. I like to spend money on frivolities. I need to try to back that off. Maybe I could put restaurant money into the Savings instead of eating out.

Keep Blog up to date- We'll see how this one keeps up. I need to write myself a reminder.

Xaipe,
Kim

101 Things in 1001 Days

Tomorrow I turn 34 1/2. I am going to make some changes in my life. I need to set some goals and really work to attain them.

I have been inspired by Belinda's 101 Things in 1001 days. http://www.clioratha.net/101things.html

She explains it like this:

The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days? Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

So, I think I will do this. Here goes...
Starting Date 6/13/2007
Ending Date 3/10/2010

In Progress
Completed
XXXNo Longer PossibleXXX

1 Lose 100 lbs 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
2 Lose another 100 lbs 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
3 Drink 64 oz water daily
4 No fried foods (Heaven help me)
5 Learn CPR
6 Take the girls to the dentist 1 2 3 4 5
7 Take the girls to the doctor 1 2 3 4 5
8 Get eyes checked 1 2
9 Grow herb garden, keep alive, use
10 Finish herbalism course
11 Walk to Rivendell
12 Walk from Rivendell to Lorien
13 Walk to Brie
14 Cook
15 Cook once a week w/ Saving Dinner
16 Clean all the aquariums (this is a big job)
17 Keep aquariums clean and topped off
18 Buy 2 show bettas and breed
19 Design and keep green tank
20 Design paludarium
21 Declutter fish supplies
22 finish baby quilt for Sonya (3rd)
23 finish baby quilt for Jen (1st)
24 finish baby quilt for Amanda (2nd)
25 finish Smokey Mountain Christmas
26 finish English Garden Welcome
27 Finish Castle Sampler Tapestry
28 attempt Koolaid dying of wool yarn, knit something cool with it
29 Sew Chinese Jacket, in satin
30 Sew Indian jacket, in silk
31 Sew tunic, in green linen (embroidery too)
32 Sew Jacket in Black w/red lining
33 Sew Jacket in beige tapestry
34 Sew quilt for Ma
35 Sew quilt for Shonda
36 Finish quilt for Naya
37 Finish quilt for Sadira
38 Finish quilt for Laura
39 Finish quilt for my own bed
40 Design greek cross stitch design
41 Sew Greek Cross stitch design
42 Knit a pair of socks
43 Declutter sewing area
44 Stitch Sweetheart Tree Simply Romantic sampler
45 Design quilt from Cross stitch chart
46 Stitch The Holly and The Ivy (for 2008)
47 Art quilt
48 Sew family Christmas stockings
49 complete floss stash (DMC)
50 learn to batik
51 SG:1 Super Marathon, every episode, all 10 seasons
52 SG: Atlantis Marathon, all 3 seasons
53 Fold 1000 paper cranes
54 Learn to turn clay
55 Finish painting of Mom's wedding
56 Fold 100 Christmas ornaments
57 Write out one of my stories
58 Run for JD once a month (at least)
59 Learn 1 of the languages on my language disk
60 Learn another language from the disk
61 Reread all 7 Harry Potter books
62 Find some way to tastefully and beautifully display chopstick collection
63 Don't start any new collections
64 Learn Standard Rose origami
65 Learn Ink painting
66 Clean and declutter closet
67 Do Flylady missions everyday
68 Keep Shiny sink
69 27 Fling boogie 1/week
70 Declutter desk
71 Keep Desk clutter free
72 Clean kitchen
73 Keep kitchen clean
74 Declutter books
75 Set up a defined classroom area
76 Make wooden Yard holiday decorations
77 Take down Christmas lights when appropriate 1 2 3
78 Polish brass vases
79 Fix porch swing
80 graduate from Ole Miss
81 PEAK field trip to Memphis Zoo
82 Keep Lunar journal with Laura
83 Teach Sadira to read
84 Visit large aquarium
85 Visit University Museum whenever there is a new display
86 Research Keenum heritage
87 Visit Mammaw once a month, at least
88 Visit friends once a week
89 read Bible all the way through
90 read New Testament in Greek
91 read Harry Potter: SS in Latin
92 Keep blog up to date
93 Visit Atlanta Zoo
94 Visit Devery in Kansas
95 Visit Joe and Karla in Houston
96 Visit Pat in Joliet
97 Write 1 letter a week
98 Go to church regularly
99 Buy a house (save for dp)
100 Take out life insurance policy
101 Visit Williamston, SC

Palai Eboulethen

That is Ancient Greek for I made a Wish Long Ago.

My name is Kimberly. I am a 34 year old, very happily married, full time college student, homeschooling mother of 3 lovely girls. I enjoy crochet, knitting, cross stitch, quilting, sewing, reading, writing, movies (some), TV (some), origami, keeping aquariums, and learning foreign languages.

People ask me how I manage to get everything done. Well, honestly, I don't always. But when I must then it is a matter of prioritizing.

I have the tendency to procrastinate. That's when things get nasty.

I have Adult ADD. My mind bops from topic to topic without asking my permission. I have the tendency to have many projects going at once and tend to leave off without finishing.

I loved to role play when I was in college (the first time). It helped hone my taste for the fantastic and magical. I don't get much chance to play these days except when my wonderful hubby dusts off his GM cap just for me.

I enjoy some computer games, but not of the role playing variety. I love puzzle games like Bejewelled, Bookworm, Alchemy, and Big Money.

I am a senior Classics (Ancient Greek and Latin) major at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) I went to the University of alabama at huntsville when I got out of high school, but thigns didn't go well. I am much happier now and doing much better after my 10 years hiatus from college life.

That's all for now, Talk to You Later,

XAIPE,
Kim