Making Sheet Valances

Well, what do you think of the window treatment? Ten years ago when I made it the fabric was appropriate for the space.

The fabric was tacked to a 1x4 and attached with a small bracket. However, it is now Anthony's bedroom and it doesn't quite go with his decor.

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So, I went to Walmart and bought a flat sheet to make a valance more fitting a boy. When I opened it I realized that the top had an interesting design and I needed more of it then a single twin sheet could provide. I had a choice, I could fit this sheet back into its bag or go buy another one, they cost $5. There was no way I was going to fit that back into the bag so I bought another twin flat sheet. It comes in a cool little bag which I plan on using for something else in his room. Not sure quite yet what it will be but my brain is thinking about it.

My tools; a piece of 1x4, tacks, tack hammer and about 18 inches off of the sheet.

First I tacked the two ends so that it would fall down the side.

Then I tacked it towards the middle and then with the extra fabric I folded it over to make a big pleat. I used the entire top portion so that I wouldn't have to sew any seams. The little pieces of tape were placed 15 inches up so that the valance would come out somewhat even.

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I use tacks because that was what I was raised on. I remember my dad putting tacks in his mouth and then putting the magnetic side of the hammer to his mouth and placing the tacks on it one by one. My grandfather was an upholster by trade and my dad worked his way through college with the same trade. Anything that could be upholstered in our house was. The sheet is light so I imagine that hot glue may work as well.

My brackets were still in place so I sat the wood on it and screwed it in place.

The finished product. Definitely more befitting a boys bedroom.

Now I need to do something with the little bags and all the extra fabric I have. Another project for another day.

My Pond

I enjoy my pond. But let me tell you, there is a lot of work involved!

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The original reason for my pond was these turtles.

I really enjoyed those turtles but they got too big. They are now living in a big manmade pond. When they were here we used to buy feeder fish for them. One specific fish survived. For some reason they did not eat her, even after we bought more fish. The fish survived for a long time before I decided that the fish needed a pond.

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I started with one of those plastic liners. It was really easy to put in the ground and it even ended up being pretty level. I got all the rocks that are around the pond from freecycle.

I found out pretty quickly that if you wanted to actually see your fish you had to have a decent filter system. When I added a UV light filter it really helped to keep the water clear. One expense I find that I have to do yearly is buy a new pump. This year I bought a combination UV light, filter and pump system. I will be curious to see how it does.

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Plants - wow, they flourish. At least they do in my pond. I typically buy the pond plant baskets and plant my pond plants (bought at Lowes) in them with rocks on top. By the end of the year the lily pads have grown out of the baskets. This year I had to divide them and I have a bunch in a huge round container of water. I will offer them to someone on freecycle. .

Fish - well I had koi before we tried to move to Texas but I gave them all away when we left. The koi did fine but I felt that my pond was really too small for them so this last summer I stocked with pretty orange feeder fish. Some survived the summer but I think I may buy somemore to restock soon. They cost less then 25 cents each, can't beat the price. Honestly, I don't feed the fish because the plant life does sustain them. If you want them to come to the surface when you come to visit then you should feed them.

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Cleaning - well, it should be done more often but I only do it once a year. I do try to take out the plants as they die off in the winter but I am not always successful. My pond is frequently neglected. However, in spite of that I get some beautiful flowers and the the fish survive in spite of me.

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In spite of the neglect and time, I would actually like to have a bigger pond.......somehow I think that they are addictive.

Working Weekend

The poor pond.....so neglected. Some feeder fish survived the winter so it could only be partially emptied. You have to keep the nasty balance so the fish don't die. . Naturally the old pump died so I had to go buy a new one. I quickly realized that I bought one a little too strong for my little waterfall............ I do believe that we have a personal record for the most trips to Lowe's in one weekend......uh, at least 7 trips. John worked on putting up the new garage door opener while I did other projects. . When the security folks put in the new system they left the old..... along with the holes. I got to patch and paint those.

I wanted to do more outside work but the weather turned nasty, cold and rainy.

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Jason and a family friend stopped by just as Sarah was making dinner Sunday night.

We got some work finished. I worked on decluttering but I am a looong way from being finished. I go to bed at night tired but then can't sleep because I have so much to do. I have been seriously neglecting my class work. I have a test on Wednesday and need to get to the library to do some research so I can start writing some of my projects up.

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I am looking forward to April 28th....last day of finals.

Busy, busy, ACK, BUSY, BUSY

So, I was so busy before I got a call last week from adoptions. No, not a kid but finally some movement forward. We are getting a visit next from the adoption worker to do our homestudy.

Thus the ACK!

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I have been anticipating having May off so that I could do some spring cleaning. I really don't have the time to do it now. However, it looks like I am doing it now even though I am crazy busy.

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I did take some time to have lunch and do a little shopping with some of my girls the other day. I kept Larissa home from school so I could spend a little time with her.

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I know that I am going crazy when I forget what day of the week it is. I forgot it was Friday today. That may not be a big issue but I had an assignment that had to be in by 8 pm, it was submitted at 10 pm because I realized at 9:45 that it was Friday. Oooops.

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So, no zoo or other excitement this weekend. I will be cleaning and organizing our clutter. Hmmmmm, there are some empty tubs in the garage.....

What is on my Mind!

What is it you may ask. It is a castle loft bed that I would like to make. The sketch is a little basic but in my mind I contemplate the details, the trim work, how I will construct it. I really don't have time for this. I have so much that I need to do.

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However, when I am stressed I need to create. It is the way I am, making something is my best stress reliever. That is also part of my problem....I tend to start projects and not finish them! Well, typically I do finish them....eventually.

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My biggest stresses right now is not unfinished home projects but unfinished school projects. This semester ends April 28th and I have some huge projects to do. Maybe if my brain didn't wander to lofty castles I could get something else done. Hmmmm, or maybe not. I am also a terrible procrastinator. Can't help it, I believe that it is genetic. Tasha seems to have a touch of it as well.

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For some reason this semester I have been struggling with school. I enjoy the lectures, I just have a hard time sitting down and doing the reading. Every time I pick up a book I tend to fall asleep. If you want a good nights sleep start reading Single-Case Research Designs. It put me to sleep anytime of the day, even when I don't think I am tired.

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Actually being tired is a big problem for me right now. For some reason I am sleepy all the time. Naps are delightful when I can take one. I think that going to the local schools during the day and then class three or four nights a week is part of the problem. I also have household and mommy duties so that doesn't leave time for studying..

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I know that this too will pass. The semester will end and I will go on to the next one. Eventually even the semesters will end I will graduate!

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I really want to build that lofty castle while Larissa is young enough to enjoy it.....I am thinking May break might be a good time.

The Zoo

Spring is finally here and that requires a trip to the zoo.
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Where you feed the lorikeets....


Larissa wasn't too sure about it....she preferred that the bird fed from my arm.

This is why I take the pictures!

Success.....Larissa allowed a bird to stay on her own arm.

We also rode the carousel.

Did some rock climbing.

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Last time Anthony wasn't willing to do it, this time he did and enjoyed it.

Sarah, Joselin and Tylor even gave it a try.

We even checked out some animals.

And they checked us out.....wonder if they think we look funny.

We got to feed some giraffes.

We had a great time and got out there by noon right when the crowds were showing up.

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Tonight John and I are going on a date! Looks like it will be a good weekend. I might even find some time to do some school work that really needs to get done.

Shoes

I bought Larissa some red and white polka dotted shoes.
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She loves them.

Do you think that she will always be so easy to please?

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I think not. But I will enjoy her simple pleasures while they last.

Paranoid

I have stayed away from posting because I just can't seem to find my happy place this week. I am still very bothered by the fact that I had boys snuck into my house while all the kids and I were in it. It is such a security issue for me.
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I find that I am paranoid. Yep, I get up in the middle of the night and walk around the house. During the day I inspect the garage and make sure that stuff isn't being taken out there to disappear. We have had two IPods disappear lately. We do have someone in the home who has a long history of stealing from everyone in the family.
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Lying, stealing, deception........it all gets old. I get tired of being the cop. I get tired of forgiving. I get tired of feeling like someone is taking advantage of me.
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Today I was doing some research on alarm systems. Ours has not been activated in a long time and I think it is time to upgrade. I am looking at having a wireless system installed. All the doors will beep when they are opened. That still leaves the windows vulnerable.
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Taking actions to add security systems seems to be the only thing I can do. Honestly, I am not sure what else I can do at this point. Sad thing, it is for protection from within.

Global

In some ways the internet has made my world a little bigger. The people I worry about are now all over the place.....all over the world. I follow many blogs. I am not limited by a single subject.....crafts, adoption, foster families, sewing, large families, military families.....I follow a lot of them.
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The earthquake and then tsunami in Japan immediately brought one particular blogger to mind. All day I watched to see if they posted. Thankfully, they are safe. I have never met them, but I worried about them. http://not2many.blogspot.com/
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I also follow a blogger in Libya. I really worry about her. I check her blog daily to see if she is OK. She has not posted since March 2nd. I assume that there is no internet. Their country in turmoil. http://khadijateri.blogspot.com/
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I have many kids to worry about yet I choose to become involved in the lives of other bloggers.
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Everyone seems to have global connections. On the surface it seems great but then some days I worry that with the global connections that we have lost face to face connections.
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Funny though, most of my support through our adoptions and related issues have come from internet connections. I have even met with some of the women that I have met online. Sometimes I just wish that I could find such support locally. Support where we could meet with for some iced tea or even swap childcare. But then I think that my life is too busy to support friendships. How sad is that? I guess that this is my season for internet support.
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However, if you ever see me heading to your town let me know, we can meet for some iced tea.

Changes

It was a long day but a good day. We accomplished our mission....to move Tasha home.
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We knew that we wouldn't get much accomplished with the babies along so they got to spend the day with the foster family who has their older siblings. It would be great if they could all be placed together but it is hard to place four kids in one home. At this time the siblings only get to visit as often as the parents do.....2 hours a month.
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We travelled to North Carolina, packed all of Tasha's stuff up and put it into a UHaul truck. All of her possessions are now sitting in our garage. That garage is sure getting a lot of use. It seems to hold more "stuff" then cars.
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I am not sure how long Tasha will be home. I know that she is already making plans to move to Charleston at some point and attend college. As a foster family adding a family member to our household means that we have more paperwork to do. Since Tasha is older then 18 she will need to be fingerprinted and get a physical.
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When you become a foster parent the paperwork never seems to end. Every year you have health and fire inspections and you have to meet training hours. Every change in family status has to be documented. Major changes in financial situations have to be reported. Your life is no longer private. A social worker or GAL can show up at your house at any time. Doesn't it sound like fun? Not everyone is willing to do so.
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So.....we will have a lot of changes in our home in the next year. It won't be long before Tasha will be off pursuing her dreams, Joselin turns 18 this summer, Sarah will finish school by December and is looking at college, I will still be going to college, Larissa will be starting kindergarten, maybe John will find a job here and get to come home, perhaps we will have an adoptive placement and sometime the foster babies are supposed to go home.
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Life is never boring in our household......I love it.

Dear Daughter

As part of our certification we are required to purchase and maintain an escape ladder for the upstairs. This ladder is not for the use of boys to come in the house through the window. However, it has come to my attention that this is happening.
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Doors are for privacy. There are times in life when privacy is not necessary. Your door is now in the garage.
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There are rules in this home. If you want to enjoy the benefits of living in this home then you need to learn to follow those rules. Until then, don't expect to receive much.
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I love you very much but my patience is about gone.

Love You Forever

I love the book "Love You Forever". It pretty much sums up my love for my kids. Our job as parents isn't finished when our kids meet that magical age of 18. Sure, we don't do the daily parenting anymore but we still encourage. We still support. And boy do we still worry. I wonder if the worrying ever ends.

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Why do I bring this up? I have been worrying about Tasha a lot lately. I told her that when she needed us to come and get her that we would. Well, that call has come and we are going this Saturday to help her move out. She is divorcing her husband. I am sorry that her marriage wasn't all that she expected it to be. I don't like to see my kids in pain. However, I am relieved that she is getting out of a bad situation.

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Tasha is a strong person. She will pick herself back up and carry on. She will come home for a short period of time while she determines her next step. She is currently looking for a college to attend.

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So, Tasha is coming home and we are trying to determine where to put everyone.

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Love you Tasha.......you will always be my baby girl.

How I Paint My Zebra Furniture

Early in my blogging days I painted this dresser....in the middle of the house. Since then I have had people visiting my blog daily to look at it. I really didn't tell how I painted it....my secrets.
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A while back I bought Sarah a really nice solid wood TV cabinet for $40 off of Craigslist. Those big TV cabinets are outdated now because so many people have gone to big, huge TV's that don't fit in them anymore.
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I painted the cabinet in black and white. The white areas are where I put the zebra stripping. I used my magic touch to outline the zebra stripping.......

Yep, a black sharpie to outline the stripes. You really can't go wrong with your design. No two zebra's are alike.
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After doing the outline you simply paint in between the lines. If you go outside of the lines it is not a big issue. They are just there for a guide.


Jason is not a painter but even he got into the painting action.

So, what do you think? Pretty unique and inexpensive to do.

Trudging Along

It is my spring break. Somehow it doesn't feel like it. Today and tomorrow I will be at the local high school and then on Wednesday and Thursday I will be doing drill at the local armory.
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My drilling days are now limited. They have not been able to find me a slot anywhere in the state and I do not have the time (or energy) to attend a new school so I am getting out. I should be out some time in May. With the economy the way it is so many people are either joining the Guard or reenlisting. They definitely do not have a shortage of soldiers. Somehow it makes me just a little sad but I know that it is for the best.
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I have picked Sarah's entertainment center as my project to finish this week. Hopefully tomorrow night I can get some work done on it. I had planned on doing some work tonight but drama took over. Good but hard decisions were made today.
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I should be using this time to catch up on my reading however I haven't touched a book. I have been going to the high school to catch up on some stuff for a big project in one class so I don't feel too bad. I have several big projects coming up and worry that something may not get finished. Geez, this applied behavior analyst stuff is very interesting but a lot of work.
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So, I am off to bed because it has gotten late again. Look for some zebrafied furniture pictures tomorrow. If I promise them then I have to motivate myself to do it! Have a great evening.

Weary

Do you ever get weary?
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I looked up weary - tired, especially in having run out of strength, patience or endurance.
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That is how I feel this weekend. I am weary.
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I am weary of all the household chores that never end.
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I am weary of worrying about my children's educational, medical and emotional needs.
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I am weary of feeling that so much depends on me.
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I am weary that so many people depend on me (some extended family and friends do quite a bit, financially and emotionally).
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I am weary that my husband is so far away all week.
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I am weary of holding down the fort.
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I am weary of school (even though I love it).
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I am so weary that even chocolate doesn't make it better.
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I need to create, to do a project. I need to do something just because I enjoy it. I need to do something for just me. Why is that such a hard thing? Why does everyone else seem to come first in my life?
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Am I whining? Is mom allowed to whine?
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This too shall pass...........perhaps a little chocolate wouldn't hurt.

My House is a Disaster Area

Yes, my house is so bad I can't take any pictures of it. My laundry pile is so high I could lose a kid in it. I have been a little distracted this week. I can't believe it is only Wednesday!

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Monday I had a midterm. Tuesday day at the high school, night giving a powerpoint presentation at class. Today day back at the high school, afternoon meet with my academic advisor, night class and then back in town in time to pick kids up from Bible study. I then took the time to do Larissa's hair so she wouldn't look like a poor neglected child. She fell asleep in my lap and is now sleeping smack in the middle of my bed.

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Tomorrow will be day at the high school, afternoon IEP meeting for Joselin and then dance for Larissa. Friday I get to take John to a small medical procedure and then I head to Greenville for drill this weekend.

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I could surely use a wife! I don't know what happened to the one who lives here.