30 Day Happiness Challenge

I have been pondering the subject of happiness.  Sometimes it completely eludes me.  Often I feel like Elizabeth Bennet: "The more I see of the world, the more I am dissatisfied with it."  It made me wonder, how do people maintain happiness when the world around them is immoral and seems, well, a bit hopeless.

Well I guess 'maintain' might not be the right word.  A person cannot be continuously happy.  There has to be some sadness and some vexations in life that alter a person's happiness level.  I just notice that I allow a lot of things to vex me.  I seem to be irritated and angry more than sad or depressed.  I think I will make a list of things that upset me and try to avoid those.  And make a separate list of things that make me happy and take more time doing those.  Seems like a pretty simple solution!

I shall make a challenge of it!

The 30 Day Happiness Challenge
  *Everyday take at least 3 photos of things that make you happy.

Day 1:

Wildflowers!  I love spring in Texas.  Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrushes, Buttercups...they spring up everywhere and are so pretty.

This rooster...he sits in the backyard and well, just look at him!  He is awesome!  A bit stern and his feet are a curious green color, but something about him is total happiness.

Sunshine peeking through the tree with a gorgeous blue sky background.  What's not to love about that?

Wow, I've already discovered 3 things that make me happy by 10 a.m.  Perhaps, this will be easier than I thought.  I am eager to determine if searching for things that make me happy will actually divert my emotions and bring me to a happier state...

Simplicity 2615

So, for my first disaster of a project I'm going to try this:

Simplicity 2615 - I like the fact that the package says "easy-to-sew" and the notions section doesn't list a zipper.  I'm not ready for that level of frustration yet.  I'm going to attempt dress 'B' (the top dress on the model), but maybe give it just a bit more length to cover up my scarred knees.  *personal side note:  one knee has a scar from stitches when I was in 2nd grade and I was wearing roller skates and me and my sister thought it would be a good idea if I grabbed onto the back of her banana seat on her bike and she pulled me...let's just say that hitting a rock with your roller skate wheel while your sister is pedaling like a bat out of H-E-double hockey sticks will land you in the ER; other knee has a bigger scar from a motor vehicle accident...knee straight through the radio on a crazy road in West Texas).

I'm going to use this fabric:

I've already decided to not bother with interfacing and try making some bias tape in the green.  The solid green will also be the belt and ties.

On another side note:

This is where Penelope Jane sits when I'm at the computer in the den:

This is what she does when I don't let her sit in my lap while I'm at the computer:

And then she wins:

Maybe this is why I don't get much done...

Intimidation

There are lots of things that I want to do.

My List:

1. have a closet full of home sewn clothing
2. learn the piano
3. learn the violin
4. lose weight
5. learn to paint
6. learn to build things with wood
7. take amazing photos
8. etc....

I could list things all day.

But I do not do them.  Let's take sewing.  I have a plethora of patterns, a large fabric stash, a really  nice sewing machine, needles, thread in various colors, zippers, all of the things I need.  Yet I open a pattern and browse the instructions, fold the instructions back up and say 'maybe later'.  I have never taken a sewing class.  As crazy as this sounds I really don't want to.  I am a 'I'm going to do it by myself' kind of girl.  Not helpful, I know, but that is who I am.

I believe that I can teach myself anything.

Yet, I am intimidated when it comes down to trying.

Well, no more.

I am just going to do it.  And I am going to share my horrible projects and laugh at myself on here.  I have browsed and perused blogs by 'novice' sewers and their projects are awesome.  Well, I am a true novice with absolutely no experience and this endeavor should prove to be awesome and embarrassing and completely ridiculous and hopefully a whole lot of fun while I (hopefully again) improve on the things that I try!

Penelope Jane

I have a friend who is having a baby and she has a dog that is deaf.  A cute little dapple dachshund named Jane.  Well, they call her P.J. (Amy said they called her 'not so Plain Jane').  Both her and her husband work long hours and the dog was a rescue dog who came from a not so great home before.  She was so upset because she was having a hard time re-homing Jane and was actually faxing some rescue shelters when I found out about her predicament.

And when I found out my heart told me to take her.  Mr. H2 gave me the thumbs up.  Well, actually he said "Whatever makes you happy".  Yeah, he's that kind of guy :)

Amy was excited and we planned the puppy switch.  

And here she is!

She's a wee little thing.  She's smaller than the chihuahuas!  We have been busy having some adjustment days, but everyone is starting to play together finally.  Mr. Beane seems a bit aloof, but Penelope and Nina have bonded pretty well.  Oh, that's the change - we went from P - Plain to P - Penelope.  She just looks like a Penelope.

She's a bit timid and the whole 'she can't hear you when you call her' part takes some getting used to, but totally worth it.  Everyone is loving her.  Now the biggest fights seem to be who is going to hold her!

How I Rock My Day Off

Today my day looked pretty much like this...

Colored my hair (my roots were showing, yikes!)

Much better!

Went to the grocery.

Spent $140, took 2 hours...still not sure if I got what I needed.  That's what I get for not having a list.

Got an awesome bag for work.  I was looking for something with dividers.

Score.

And my new stethoscope came in.

I also bought this super cute watch that goes on the end by the bell for timing.

Last, but not least.  I got this awesome diet journal.  I have gained back the 35 pounds I lost, cause I'm awesome.  So obviously quickly lost, quickly gained because I am not changing my habits permanently.  Time to try that technique.

Super awesome ledger.  I know a lot of apps are out there for phones, but I'm a pen and paper kind of girl.  I like to see it down on paper.  I start tomorrow!

Oh, and I picked up 2 maxi skirts that can totally be used for some casual cos.  A light brown and a Tardis blue!  Yeah!

Work, bleh...

I'm not a fan of holding my tongue.  It is one of the hardest things for me to do.

 However, I am starting to rethink my mouth a bit. 

It shall be difficult.

But I shall try.

From this day forth, I will attempt to keep my negative thoughts about the doings at work to myself.

Dear Lord - how will I manage it????

On the Go...Food, Books, Horse Shampoo

I have to work tonight and run errands and pick up the kids...two hours to go to three stores (one being Wal-Mart, which there should be a meme that says something like, 'one does not simply go in and out of Wal-Mart in under an hour').

However the girls want to try a shampoo from my high school days, Mane & Tail.

I had super long hair back in the day and I received lots of compliments (and lots of unwanted hair playing).  My hair, of late, has become a bit thin.  Thin enough that even my husband has noticed...so off to the beauty supply store I go and get shampoo, conditioner and a hair strengthener spray and some good old hoof and nail cream!

Next stop is totally for me...

Some 1800's trashy fan fiction...the wildly scandalous continuation of Pride and Prejudice.  I read the first one and was content until the author allowed Wickham to get away....so obviously I had to order it from the book shop and today I got to pick it up!

Lunch on the go

Burger King...with dessert

With this sugary energy boost I did make it in and out in about an hour.  Picked up the girls, drove two of their friends home, got dressed for work and off I go again!!!

Whew...

Mr. Darcy and Doggie Jackets

Another big cold front is shutting down our schools.  Icy weather and I cannot seem to find the coats for the Chihuahuas.  Alas, time to dig through the fabric scraps and patterns.  I have a pattern collection that might look like a small pattern store...


I found some fleece left over from some tie blankets.  Southwestern in navy, red and green and some rainbow stripes!  A boy print for Mr. Beane and something a bit girlier for Nina.


A bit of Colin Firth-Mr. Darcy on the television...

And after a few lake scene rewinds (I do love watching a man remove a cravat)

and tah-dah!

Mr. Beane in his quick fleece jacket for the blustery day coming tomorrow.

And Nina in her rainbow fleece.  She pretty much hated hers.  She walked around like she had stick legs.  Absolutely hilarious, but she will appreciate it tomorrow when she is not shaking all day.

Now, back to Darcy...it's almost time for him to patch up Lydia's wedding and return to Elizabeth...(sigh).

<3

Food Stamps & French Fries

At work the other night, one of the other nurses had a labor patient whose family members came in with Burger King.  Now, laboring patients are not allowed to eat, so I always think it is rude for the family to bring food into the patient's room.  In this case, however, it is even better!  Not only are they being thoughtless to their family member, but they start telling the hard-working, tax paying nurse that they used their food stamps to buy their fast food!

I'm not sure how that worked, but I'm pretty sure that's not the kind of assistance I want my tax dollars going towards.  I'm pretty sure they could budget more meals out of the same amount they spent on their Whoppers and fries...

Abuse of the system just drives me mad, but it is so common.  People should be ashamed of themselves!

Texas Freeze

Well, it's Texas and its cold.  We're not known for 'doing cold' well.  I mean really...half of the winter is shorts weather.  Not today.  Today is cold and wet and icy.  Today is scraping off the glacier that has formed on your window.  Today is being grateful for seat warmers.  And now that my twelve hours are done...Today is over (well, atleast until 2 or 3 this afternoon).  Good luck to everyone out on this wonderfully cold day. 

Sweet Sixteen with The Bard

My middle daughter turned sixteen yesterday...

Where does the time go?  Really.  You hear people say that all of the time, but it's true.  Close your eyes and its gone...so sad.  But not to get teary eyed - cause as my girls are growing up they are becoming amazingly awesome!  I mean, how many 16 year olds want a Shakespeare themed birthday!?

That girl does, that's who.  So, being an obliging mother I threw her a Shakespearean family dinner party.  Like I have mentioned before, we just do family parties.  I figure, I gave them life, they can spend their birthday with me.

They doth not protest.

The trifold paper on the table is "how to use thou, thee, thy & thine" that I found here.  Well, actually I found it on Pinterest, that's just the link.

My husband had this Shakespeare bust on his desk.  And obviously her favorite color is purple...

Rose shaped lollipops...easy to find since her birthday is so close to Valentine's day!

She got some clothes.  A super cute navy dress with pink polka dots.  It looked like something that Clara would wear (Doctor Who)  so I stuck a note in that read, "a dress for the Impossible Girl".  I also got her a navy dress that had birds and feathers on it.  The note in that one read, "Mockingjay, dress like you are leading a rebellion".  I picked up some leopard print flats that were awesome, jeans, a long white shirt and a fabulous handbag.  Oh, and the DVD "Shakespeare Retold" that has 4 different plays put on with a modern spin.  The above is a handmade fangirl art project and I'm pretty sure it was the favorite of the gifts.  A montage of the characters she loves with the guys who play them.

Oh!  And we also did the Shakespearean Hokey Pokey.  (the girls won't allow me to post the video of them).  But it was great fun.  Another Pinterest find...Shakespearean Hokey Pokey

What a gorgeous child!  Happy Sweet Sixteen, pumpkin!

It's that time again!

Another pattern sale!  But atleast I came prepared and organized...if you take a peek under my new purchases you will find a print out of my pattern inventory.  I made it on excel and listed the manufacturer, pattern number, sizes and a description.  That way there are no duplications! 

I guess I'll be doing some updating when I get home!

Mad Girl with a Box (and a Wood Burning Tool)

I know it's after New Year's (Happy 2014!), but here are the last of the Christmas boxes!

These are my daughters:

For the Duck Dynasty fan

For my theater girl

For my IT fan - a Moss tribute

And I had a box left over!

So I made one for me!  Of course it had to be Doctor Who!  A bit of Tardis on a box.

Ah, the Tardis on some Rose fabric...

All in all, I'm pretty pleased with them all.  ;) My favorite is mine.