Woo Hoo! Woo Hoo!

School is finally and blissfully OUT! Remind me of this post in about 2 weeks. . .

This weekend, the girls and I are going to see Wicked in Los Angeles. I have downloaded the soundtrack off of itunes and although I enjoy the lyrics on several songs, I'm not sold on the music yet. The jury is still out.

And, Kudos to Rebi. She put together a 250+ slide power point presentation, complete with timing, transistions, animations and music for the Kindergarteners to watch today. It was highlights of the entire year, and she did an amazing job. The other parents were shocked to see such talent. I'm so proud! :)

Mutiny at Hand

I have canceled the TV for the summer.

And herein lies the problem-

In light of my new freedom, a friend of mine has asked me to write a book for her publishing company. Most of you know I would love to write a book. However, I have no idea what topic I would write a book on.

Here are the options:

• A step-by-step, image intensive, instructional series on a variety of topics
• A line of instructional DIY books specifically for women on everything from basic auto maintenance and repair, home renovation and remodeling, gardening, etc.

I can't think of one single thing that I know enough about to write an entire book! Suggestions welcome!

There's always an adjustment period

It's been one week since I quit work. One week does not normally sound like a long time. In fact, when I had a job, if someone told me I had a report due in one week, I would usually get started on it quickly, knowing how quickly weeks pass around here. This last week however, interminable.

I am well and truly bored, a symptom which does not agree with me.

Of course, I have 6 million things I could (and probably should) do to occupy my time, but my poor sad brain will still not be engaged. And trying to read while the children are screaming in and out off the house is less than ideal. I started "The Secret Agent" and I like it quite well, but I've reread the first few pages several times because I keep losing my place.

I did 33 loads of laundry yesterday, and today a child complained that he had no clean shorts (he does, in his drawers, but it's been so long since any of the kids thought to look in their drawers for clean clothes, I stymied him!). At least I can still surprise the minions. . .

Clearly, the blame lies with. . .

I was on the phone with a certain friend yesterday (you know who you are!) and we were discussing the merits of doing crafts with other women we attend church with. Clearly, I am not the crafty type, but I can sew some. When a sister in our ward talked to me about helping her sew some bags, I thought back to the conversation and decided that it would be a good choice for me. That was the first mistake.

When I went over to pick up the items, the lady had already left for the evening and left instructions with her kids. I picked up all pf the items, including a completed bag, and brought everything home. That was mistake number 2.

I could tell by looking at the bags that they were not hard, but they were going to take a lot of time. There was a lot of interfacing to be ironed on (which takes quite a bit of time) and lots of top stitching.

After looking through everything, I decided I was going to need to make a test bag in order to be sure I had all of the right steps, and didn't screw up the end result. (The bags are a gift, so I felt some pressure). After cutting out all of the pieces and reading through the instructions again, and after sewing the lining of the test bag, I felt that I was ready for the real thing.

In 5 hours, I sewed two linings, two flaps, and ironed on all of the interfacing. I also sewed one of the straps, only to realize I sewed it wrong. Sigh. I unpicked it all, resewed it, flipped it right-side out, and realized it's still wrong. GRRRR. At that point I went to bed.

This morning, I called the lady to tell her I wasn't as far as I had hoped and she told me that these bags (which, although easy, were very demanding and I confess, slightly intimidating) are the third thing she's ever sewn using a pattern.

I give up.