The Sewing Mom

Yes, it’s once again that one day of the year that causes me to shudder and want to hide. It’s my birthday. I don’t care to celebrate, I really would be happy to just hide out and get through the day unnoticed, but there is no denying that I am now another year older. So today, I am tackling my birthday head on.

I slept in about 20 minutes in honor of my birthday. I then got up & got showered and dressed and when I came out into the kitchen to make my coffee, this is what I found. I have to tell you, this was the BEST way to start my day, the day I usually try to avoid. It put a huge smile on my face!

I want to thank my husband for being so sweet for doing this. It may seem like a small gesture to many, but this is exactly what I needed to get my day going on a positive note! Thanks also to my sister Karen who just called me and sang a beautiful rendition of the birthday song to me! Happy Birthday to me!

I have been so excited to share this and I haven’t had time to write this post! So, I’ve spent this evening uploading my pictures and I’m going to share my news.

A while back I had entered a contest sponsored by Parent Reviewers and Dymo, manufacturer of some of the best label makers I’ve ever had the privilege to use. Then, just before Christmas, I received notice that I had WON! I was thrilled beyond words. Since we moved almost 2 years ago, I’ve been unable to locate our label maker and having one is such a great organizational tool, not to mention how handy a label maker is for assisting with school projects. Not long after that, I came home to find a package at my front door.  I wanted to rip it open right away, but I did pause just long enough for my daughter to snap a quick photo.  I knew I would be wanting to write about this very special occasion!

At first, I couldn’t think of anything I had ordered so was surprised to see the package. Then, my surprise turned into delight when I realized that my brand new, shiny, super easy to use Dymo LetraTag Personal Labelmaker was inside. I ripped open the package and was even more thrilled when I realized that they had also included 7 additional rolls of label maker tape in a variety of colors, including a magnetic tape, plus AA batteries. How cool is that?!

So, my tackle for this week, besides getting this post written finally, is to get all of my electronic cords labeled. It drives me nuts when I’m looking for the camera cord and can’t figure out what cord goes to which electronic device. I’m going to feel so much better when everything is organized and labeled! WOOHOO! I do feel like a winner!

Today I’m tackling the last minute preparations for the holiday. We won’t be having company this year so that takes some pressure off, but there are things that must be done, whether there is company coming or not.

The first item on my list is the grocery shopping. I don’t have a very long list, but we’ve decided to have a turkey dinner on Christmas day, so I need to go get my turkey and stuffing plus a few other items to go along with it. My daughter and I always bake our Santa cookies on Christmas Eve, so I need to get the refrigerated dough for that. I used to make the dough from scratch, but it makes way too many cookies and I always ended up in the kitchen by myself trying to finish baking and decorating, so now I just buy the roll of refrigerated dough and it’s much more enjoyable.

The 2nd item on my list is the gift wrapping. I had intended on getting this task done last week while my daughter was still in school, but I’m a procrastinator, so here I am, 2 days before Christmas and the gifts need to be wrapped. I’m usually wrapping late on Christmas Eve, so if I can get it done today while my husband takes my daughter out shopping, I’ll feel pretty good about things.

What are you tackling today?

It’s funny how being out of town for Thanksgiving can put me behind on my holiday decorating! I normally haul everything out the day after Thanksgiving, while everyone else is hitting the Black Friday sales, and have it all done by Sunday. This year though, because we weren’t home, I’m behind.

I rearranged the family room furniture on Sunday and my husband put up the tree Sunday afternoon. By Sunday evening, the lights were on the tree and I added the garland. That’s as far as it got. All of the boxes of decorations are still sitting here and the family room is a disaster. The dog’s bed is even sitting in the middle of the room because it just sort of landed there, she seems happy with it!  You can even see my daughter’s homework project in the middle of all the chaos, we were busy working on her collage instead of decorating.

So, my tackle is to get busy and get the room decorations up. I have to wait on decorating the tree for my daughter to be home after school. She would not be happy with me if I did the tree without her! By the way, I have a 2nd tree as well that I put up to hold all of my Barbie ornaments that I have collected over the years. That’s also on my to-do list and I still have to go purchase this year’s ornament from Hallmark.

How’s your decorating going?

I really have no idea why this project is taking me so dang long, but it is. I had planned on finishing this last week, but just didn’t get it done. This is my Countdown to Christmas project, designed by Nancy Halverson. I have been working on it for several weeks and hope to finish it this week, for sure! I must admit, I did create 4 tote bags during the last few weeks as well and had to set this project aside while I was doing that.

Last week I managed to get all but one of the hanging loops sewn onto each individual block, I was one short and need to make that loop. I also have the backs sewn on all but 5 of the 13 blocks. So, once I make the last loop, I can get it sewn on and finish sewing the backs on the remaining blocks. Finally, I’ll be able to quilt around all of the applique and these will be done, just in time to begin counting down the days until Christmas.

So, if you don’t see me here, you’ll know I’m at my sewing machine.