Katidids

Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect.

It's learning to look past life's imperfections





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Monday, June 29, 2009

RED, WHITE & BLUE PATRIOTIC SALE







Independence Day is almost here!



Is your little one ready to celebrate in style?



All RED WHITE & BLUE Patriotic Shorties marked down for the Holiday
If you don't find what your looking for in my Store, be sure and check
TWISTED FATE on Etsy!
OK, Shameless promotion is over.

The Diva Has Grandma Around Her Pinky!

Grandmas cleaning up the sewing mess
So I the
"Reining Diva"
can tell you about these sloooow people.
One of my many fans (Mommy's customer)
gifted me with a beautiful Minky blanket.
All winter and spring I would lay on it to sleep...
as is appropriate for a Diva.
Well, summer is here and they
have been trying to put me to bed on a cotton sheet
(the nerve of some people!)
Every night I would wake them screaming
I want my blankie!
I even varied the times,
thinking they would catch on....
1 am,....
3 am....
5am!
no one would listen!
Finally this nice new lady that takes care
of me while Mommy's at work told them....
"You didn't tell me she won't sleep without Minky"

Finally! Someone understood!
So, today Grandma made me another!
One for back up and play....
I love bold colors but, as a true Diva
I want PINK
so, I now have a new blankie

Soft minky circles

some I can chew on, some I can rub my face on.
some smooth & flat, some twisted so I can pull on them
It took a month for them to catch on....
grown ups are soooo difficult to train
Tomorrow I'll start working on a
Pony!
Baby Steps!



Garden Updates & more Do-It-Yourself

This garden is doing well in spite of my attempts to help it along
Peas, green beans & cucumbers
Cantaloupe that needs weeded desperately!
Fresh Rabbit poo to keep the Fat Wabbit Diner
CLOSED!
As I said before rabbit poo has very little smell...
until your 100lb dog rolls in it,
let me amend that...the 100lb Wet dog
then sneaks back and just lays in it.

Then he becomes Mr. Fix it's Damn Dog!


Cucumbers that are taking over


My sad tomatoes & peppers.
I think I had the paper mulch to close to the plant
since I pulled it back they are starting to take off

We should have a good haul of tomatoes
while were gone to Poland!
On the backside of the Cantaloupe are onion sets
hiding in the weeds
they're shy


And because we can't leave well enough alone
Mr Fix it added a curb thingie to the patio.
Now hes talking about taking it out as
the mix had so much gravel in it &
not as much powder as he wanted

Nice form yes?
The concrete form!
Now what were you thinking!

Oh, and be sure you check out Tatersmama, shes taken care of Ozzie land
by taking out punks one at a time!
I'm not joking!


PM Up Date.....
*** after looking at those photos I was a tad bit shamed by the weeds, went and took care of a bunch of them. Happy to say the maters are looking much better, have about 10 little maters started and nearly 50 cucumbers...I stopped counting!***

Make up Monday!

Morning!
As usual I'm starting the week behind,
we've had lots going on
& I'll update later this afternoon
I got some "Bling" to share
But, they both require 7 things about me
so I have to think about that
I've been knitting my fanny off..
not really, knitting yes but
the Fanny is still there
behind me
hello fanny....
will you go play some where else?
Weeding in the garden of half dead tomato plants
updating my blog reader
taking on Mt Laundry
planning out custom wooly capri's
test knitting
shop knitting
dyeing yarn
supervising work on the patio/courtyard...
which for some reason was not appreciated
Customer photos to show off
planning a blankie for Miss Evie,
little Miss Priss who will only sleep
with polar fleece or minky
Nooooooooo shes not spoiled!
Guess I better get busy & finish some of these!
Lord, where are my vitamins...
double dose today!
Have a blessed Monday!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Test Knit!

Mandie Over at Sheepy Time Knits
has a new pattern coming out soon.
Guess who got to test knit!
MEEEEEE!
Excuse me while I gush but
It is so flippin
CUTE!!!!
Yep! That's the only photo you get
till its released.......
my big ole hand and a bit of pink!
Already cast on 2 more for Miss Evie
Shes going to be a stylin babe!
Clear, precise & easy to follow directions,
(Well they are Mandie's, would she have it any other way?)
The license...is mine as soon as its released!

Get your paypal ready!

Must read directions!!!

I bought myself a food processor
Every kitchen needs one right?
pretty basic & simple to put together
no fancy schmancy parts
I took it out of the box & washed it up...
had peeled potatoes & onions ready to slice
& in they go
grrooom ...one down
Yes! No tears!! No burning eyes!
whaaaaaa.....2 down
Man this is quick!
I can smell fried potato's already!
grawwwww...3 down
hummmmm.....oops!
I put the potato in the plunger
gotta dig that sucker out...
ok here we go the last one!
groooom.....done!
Now to take the lid off & look at my nicely sliced potato's!
Um...did you know there is an optional super duper chopper blade
that you can take out?
neither did I......
Guess that's why there are directions!
It chops VERRRRY well.
not wanting to waste them....
I thought OK.....hash browns!
(I hate to waste food)
Well, guess what....
that chopper blade?
Its so good...so strong....so powerful.....
It liquefies the stuff on the bottom.

I cooked it......
and cooked it......
then cooked it some more
and had a nice organic wall paper paste!

So I dumped it .....
read the directions
and started all over again!
Good thing I started supper early!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

It's Thursday...Already!& Fathers Day Projects

And its HOT again..
one day is melting into the next!
I'm outside having coffee & its well
in to the 80's at 8 am!
A belated "Happy Fathers Day"
to all the male types reading this
Ya, right!
But seriously Happy Fathers Day to all
the Moms who struggle to fill the roll
of Mom & Dad.
Father's day morning had us up and out
by 8am painting the play structure..
Isaiah & I were painting ends and crevice's...
Mr Fix it had a sprayer...1st time we've used it

Don't look at all the weeding I've neglected!
We had supervisors, The oldest & youngest Sib's...
taking sister time where you can find it.
not the most flattering photo and I'm sure I'll hear about it!
Danielle brought her lawnmower over for repairs...
shes had a hard time getting it to stay running
& was worried her Dad would need some thing to do.
Sweet child...
2 minute fix......
he put gas in it!
She could see it had gas..
but it was to low to pump ....
she won't hear the end of that one for a while!

Buddy performing a quality assurance check...
2 minutes later he was in the pond,
8 am & it was already in the 80's

Sure glad he was the one crawling around
but he had the sprayer!

3/4ths of the way through, the clouds rolled in and
we were soaked with as much rain as we were sweat!

Guess we should have been in Mass.....
Gods not to suble way of saying Ahem....HELLO!
I need to listen more!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Make Do Monday's Birdbath

We were sitting outside the other night having coffee after supper
& heard the dreaded engine sound
Our Neighbors Bobcat.
I do have to say he can make that thing dance,
knows exactly what hes doing and is
Very good with it
when working for others
Unfortunately as with most of us, the time he has to
complete things for himself is limited
so he's always in a hurry.
So, there is usually collateral damage
his yard, home & surrounding areas!
Being the kind/nosey neighbors we are, we went
across the field to see if we could help.
Turns out his water line had a break on his property...not by the meter
The water company would hire a crew to fix it...
for a price close to the national deficit.
Hence the Bobcat to dig up the line.
We stayed to help him find the broken and temporally cap it.
As his wife & I "supervised" the destruction
I made comment I loved her birdbath collection
(she has like 6-7 of them in a small area)
& have been looking for a small one for my flowerbed.
She said "Take em....I'm throwing them out, they're old"
Music to my ears!!
Being the kind helpful & thrifty neighbor I am...
we hauled this Cast iron beauty back across the field to its new home.
A bit of time with a wire brush & a new coat of paint, she'll be better than new!
I love the detailing, I'm sure I'll love it even more
after we wash all the mud off.

Oh, the water line? It was fixed the next day....
so was the cable line....
the second power line,
the wood pile was re stacked.
The lawn?
It will take a month or so to recover!
Possibly longer, as the bobcat is still parked in the yard...
he's been busy....

Monday, June 22, 2009

Empty Hands & Heavy Hearts

A few days ago a friend of Erika's was in a car accident.
She was pregnant.
My understanding is she was delivered due to medical complications
29 weeks along, she delivered a 2lb 8 oz baby boy
We didn't know the details,
but Prayed for Strength & Healing for the family
We just found out
The baby did not make it.
The details?
we don't need them to pray
I just know there are parents with heavy hearts
& empty hands
that need all the Strength & Healing our
prayers can give them

Flip Ultra HD Giveaway!

WOOHOO!
I just found this great Give Away
Who wouldn't Want this little Flip Camera, Hook it up to your TV for HD
Closes on Sunday night so be sure and watch the video & enter!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Talk To Me Tuesday

Have you heard about the new e-magazine
“Ruby”?
It’s written by women, for women!
After all who knows us better right!
Think of sitting around the kitchen table with a group of your girlfriends chatting,
sharing funny stories, swapping recipes, crafting ideas,
gardening & even home school projects.
That’s the goal of “Ruby”
Something for women of all ages & family stages.
In fact, much of the content will be from you the readers
When was the last time you found a magazine with
paper dolls or stationary!
Remember how fun that was?
And, I’m so excited as I have been blessed with the awesome opportunity
to write the WAHM (Work at Home Mom) column!
I’ll be covering everything from juggling time between work & family,
to budgets (eww! The B word) & marketing.
So, I’ll be looking for input from all the WAHM’s out there!
Interested in being interviewed?
Contact me using the link above & let me know, I’d love to chat with you.

Best of all “Ruby” will contain no advertisements, except for the WAHM ads!
And those ….drum roll please…will be FREE!
Yes, I said FREE!
To submit your ad, you can go to “Ruby” or send them to me.
You will have a 4x4 ad, so send graphics & a link
If you hurry, you should still be able to
be in the JUL/AUG issue.
Any questions? Contact me using the link above & let me know,
I’d love to hear from you!

Tackle It Tuesday....Coupons

Boy, have dropped the ball in my couponing.
One of the easiest money saving
things you can do!
Tackling the Coupon's today!
I had a 4X6 card box.
Cream colored, broken up neatly in categories
with index cards,
sorted with a ready to expire section,
rebates...
Money saving at my fingertips,
and I saved lots of money!
Now, its at another's finger tips
can you believe some one would steal a coupon box?
How low can you go!
That was a few years ago....
Can you tell I'm not quite over it?
So, I started another
it was Pink
Pale Pink
No one will steal a
Pink coupon box
I've left it in the cart
in the parking lot....
It was still there a few hours later
when I went to retrieve it.
Although it was great for organizing it was designed
for desk top use,
not the battering it was receiving
The last time it dumped,
I crammed all the coupons back in and have left it sit.
I wasn't about to put all the work
back into setting it up (& have it dump for the 100th time) AGAIN!
I've been using the bowl or baggie method...
you know, the little dish on your counter that"collects thing"
I'd poke through the earrings & bobbins to find the clipped coupon I needed
or the big freezer bag in the cabinet stuffed with the Sunday ads
Did you know expired coupons breed?
(Neither did I
But they do)
I needed a new system
Besides, Bertha is used to being fed all the
$ I saved..& shes hungry!
Here I think is my solution
A clear 24 paged presentation book
It has blank inserts inside each page
effectively giving me 48 sections!
Catching up clipping all the coupons has been a chore
but, all I have to do is think of how much cash I've left at the store
& I get motivated again.
Its been sitting (the pile of coupons)
at the end of the table for the past few days &
I've been working my way through
bits at a time.
Tackle it Tuesday was my motivation to complete it!
Now to shred the expired pages for the garden!
Whats your Tackle it Tuesday?


Monday, June 15, 2009

Make Do Monday Frugal/Cheap Chair Cushions

OK, I did the work on Saturday but..
Heres my make do Monday!

I love this table & chairs
Spill something liquid,
it falls through
Spill food?
drops right through
(Buddy, Clean up table 0ne!)But here is my issue..
the chairs are the same mesh
If you have any "fluff" on your back side
You have "Mesh marks" where you don't want them
I have fluff
Lets just say lots of fluff
(we'll leave it at that OK?)
These are the plastic/vinyl cushions that came with the table
We've had them for 10 yrs, and they were old when we received them
The foam & covers are sad but in fairly good shape
I figured if they lasted this long, they would see
another ice age in a land fill......and i'm being frugal right?

Ok, cheap!

I decided to just recover them.
It also added stability to the cushion
$3.00 of remnant fabric later...
Trim off the ties or tabs,
measured the cushions;
cut the fabric.
Its best & looks nicer
if you can match the patterns
My fabric had a big fade mark in the center
so for $3.00....
They are not "centered" stripes
but they do match
sew the sides, miter the corners

so they don't smoosh up

Sew the back leaving a 6 inch opening in the center,
flip right side out
I rolled the old cushion
slid it in the opening and flattened it out
Tuck in raw edges and sew closed
the fabric was heavy enough to finger press
Repeat 3 more times,
grab a cup of Fresh cup of coffee & relax
with no fear of



fluff marks


Garden Updates

In answer to the challenge issued by Paula from

http://www.savingmoney101.blogspot.com/
(Great website by the way be sure & check her out!)
to show off your garden progress......
Green beans, Peas, & cucumbers
Fresh tilled by Mr Fix it
with a free small tiller
It was handed to him with the comment
it won't work, we're throwing it away
if you can fix it,
(& he takes these challenges personally)
keep it
so he did
and we did
THANKYOUVERYMUCH!
Yes, we know the Locust tree in the back ground is dead,
yes we know its leaning but,
it survived the wind storm,
the ice storm...
it can fall when it wants
it has earned that right..
Besides, we need a break from hauling dead trees & wood for a while
I'm trying something new with the tomatoes this year...
newspaper mulch
shredded newspaper.
I know you can use plastic YUCK!
I know you can use the paper in sheets
I thought this would mulch faster
Besides, there is something therapeutic
in shredding paper
PSA.......reuse, reduce, recycle....
Sorry Freecycle Friends, no more newspapers!
Back to our regular programing...
I put it in the fenced enclosure first in case it blew around
before I could soak it down
(you know the enclosure the rabbits laughed at?
that became the "Rabbit Diner"?)

So far, so GOOD! I have a few weeds poking thru
where the paper is not as dense
& the soil underneath is staying moist
I'm sure "Martha" would not approve
But she lost my respect when she said to be ascetically pleasing...purchase
"Color Coordinating Nylons" (for your organic garden) to tie up your tomato's

I looked around on line and found 2-3 others that have tried this.
I thought I had saved the links to credit...so,
If some how you find your way here
and you know I found this through your site
THANKYOUVERYMUCH!!!!
Please let me know it was you
so I can give credit where credit is due!
*****Updating*****
I know Bargain Becky inspired me..
In more ways than just shredding newspaper!
off to find the others.....
Hey, Whats in your garden!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

How to Recycle Concrete

We're done

Finished


I think


We went from a grassy

slippery slope

to this

And I was OK with it

It was better than

a 3ft deep pit between

the house & garage.


We could work with it.


Then the new floor cracked,

they re poured over it

it cracked.

So to make a long

2 yr project a

short story


I have a new,

courtyard

between the house & garage.

With the exception of the

new umbrella &

$3.00 fabric on clearance

and about $200.00 (maybe)

of building materials
Everything is repurposed
The table was Larry's Grandmothers

The Stump we carved out for a flower pot..



This area is large enough area to create seperate

cozy spots.....

The 4 green chairs & table I purchased at a yard sale

for $5.00


The stone slabs we hauled

by hand

from a friends

crumbling 1800's barn foundation

in the woods

The tan chairs... I bought 8

for $2.00 ea at a yard sale a few years ago


My oldest daughter Danielle has the other 4

We have a slab of the tree we just took down

to make a small table for under the window &

2 logs curing Mr Fix it will split & use to make benches
to go with it


These chairs are for the Grill Master

& his supervisors

They can solve the worlds problems

in the shade

We would like to give special thanks
to Dr.Steve Hoffman
...........our chiropractor

Yeah, I'm pretty sure were done.

How I know He Loves Me

You know,
A lot of women expect their husbands
to surprise them with thing like
Flowers,
Jewelry
Big showy acts of love
There are a few things
I've needed this week
& have not left the house to go get.
Once I'm home,
I just want to stay there
&
enjoy it
Nothing says I love you more
than when Mr Fix It,
is up at O'Godthirty
and leaves this gift for me
to find as soon as I step out side
After 25 yrs,
I love him more each day
and little gifts like this
says he still loves me too

Friday, June 12, 2009

Our 2 year Project Completed & so Much Love

2 Years ago, we started building a courtyard,
it runs 40 feet long, 9feet wide at one end
and opens to 22 feet wide on the other.
It started from a dream,
a someday, wouldn't it be nice to...
you know,
that type of thing.....
A new garage floor that was full of air bubbles
and cracks
when torn out and replaced
We were left with ....
Now keep in mind,
we're talking about a big garage & work shop..a big boy play house.
15 cubic yards of concrete.
Which, weighs out to
22 and a 1/2 tons of concrete rubble.
In our yard
after a few months we started calling it
Last night we planned on completing
the last 8 ft of the floor
And then the thunder storm rolled in.
We waited it out.
The job Completed,
We put the shovels away at 10pm.
After 2 years, WE ARE DONE!!!
Bet you thought There would be a picture
Tomorrow,
after we get things set how we want them

We're stubborn like that.


We came inside and had homemade
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Isaiah, started talking
about all the love in his heart
He was so serious.
He told me he has so much love,
God gave him a 2nd heart on the other side.....
He calls it his love box,
that's where he keeps all the love
people give him.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all felt that way?



I Won, I Won, I Won!

Remember the "Give Away"
Katie at Tatersmama was hosting?
Well, guess what!
I WON!!!!
After loosing out on the fantastic Bag "Give away"
I pouted, I wanted that bag...
I wanted the beautiful chair
the bag was displayed on.
I know,
she added the fine print stating
the chair
was not encluded
But I won Tatersmama's Giveaway!
Yes, I will share,
(NO wait a minute...)
ok, I'll share photos of my loot!
Knowing Tatersmama,
it will be fun
Nothing worse than some one who gloats right?
Well, Sorry,
I just have to say it
One more time
I WON!!!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Lilies,& 15 Minutes

About 10 years ago,
I planted a few of these beautiful Lilies
I dug them up from the side of the road
They multiply
Like Rabbits!
we have separated them
they are at the end of the driveway...
in the front of the house...
on the side of the house...
around the pond...
They have split the landscaping timbers
they are coming up on the
edge of the driveway

2 years ago I gave away not less than
4 wheel barrel loads
last year, I gave away 2!

As beautiful as they are

I now understand why

they were on the

side of the road.

15 minutes after taking that photo
this is what I saw rolling in


I don't know about you,
but when the sky turns
that shade of green

I boogity boogity inside!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Is it the Hair?

Rachel & Hayden came down this past weekend
for my niece Marisha's graduation
Rachel was holding Evelyn in the bleachers
and it hit me how much they look alike!
What do you think,
is it the hair?
Rachel looks so good!
Getting back to normal weight
(not the bone skinny chemo look)
now that the majority of treatments
are over!!!!
Looks like they both
may have hair by winter

Monday, June 8, 2009

LIFE!

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.
Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month..
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12.. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.
But don't worry; God....never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion.
Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words
'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is,
not because of anything you did..... or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,
we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time.
You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
LIVE your Life!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Make Do Sunday Clothes Pin Holder

It bugs me when I forget
the pins and find this
Or this.
I used to use a gallon milk jug with a slit in the handle
and the center cut out for the pins.
Even with a few holes in the bottom,
it still held water if I forgot it outside in the rain.
(yes I know, bring it in each time!)
After slicing my hand on the edge a few times
it went in the recycle bin.

Years ago (just a few)
my Mom had a hanging bag made from a hanger,
bent in a loop with a bag sewn
over the wire
I thought this would be a bit more eye catching
so I wouldn't forget it out side!
A quick 2 minute project
I re purposed one of Isaiah's outgrown shirts, this happens to be a size 3
(but I would think 24 months & up would work,
what ever would meet your needs)


I stitched the bottom closed
It has split sides so I just stitched above that


Placed it on a sturdy child size hanger
and tacked at the shoulders
over the hanger to hold it on
(you can see my threads hanging)

I did not stitch the front placket closed
so I would have easier access as the
pins were used

button up & load with pins!
This size holds approximately 200 pins quite easily

I'm sure Martha would not approve
but it works for me!
If you try it, make sure you link back so I can see how yours turned out!