Just a dollar

My friend Ann sent me the link to this blog post "bigish small news - what can 1 dollar really do?" Read the article. It's a great reminder that it really is the little things in life that can have the biggest impact. Pausing to say hello, taking time out to listen, lending a helping hand, sharing a meal, sending a note (really, the list goes on and on)... none of these things are monumental or require elaborate plans or piles of money, but without knowing it, they can make a world of difference to a person on the receiving end. I love the creativity these men have found to include others in their effort to be Jesus to someone in need. I'm excited to see where this goes. We're in. Are you in?

Glam craft

Here's a little something the girls and I made over spring break. They love their button rings (probably because they're so gaudy and huge!) Pick out your buttons (this was half the fun). The largest buttons were found at Walmart. The smaller ones were from my button stash. Use whatever elastic you have on hand. Measure your finger and cut to size leaving some overlap. With a sturdy needle sew your buttons onto the elastic. Easy shmeazy! The Crafty Crow has lots of fun, easy crafts you can do with your kids. Most of the items needed are probably in your cupboards at home. Look at their sidebar under Categories to help you navigate through all the possibilities.

Double Digits

It's official -- Elie's now sporting the number 10! She couldn't wait for this milestone. To celebrate, we had a spa party for her and some of her friends. They had a blast getting girly. Enjoy the pics...

Gearing Up

So are you all up on Buster Martin? He participated in the London Marathon a few days ago. And be he 101 or 94 years of age (click on his name for more info on the age dispute) he was able to successfully complete the race! If I was wearing a hat it would be off to him. He has been on my mind a lot lately as I'm gearing up for the Frisco to Ft. Worth MS150 ride. I'm really starting to get nervous about it. I'm just not in the same shape I was when I rode two years ago in the MS150 Bike to the Bay. And this event takes place rain or shine (or gale force winds) in just two weeks! I keep thinking if Buster could run his run then surely at more than half his age I should be able to ride my ride. To be quite honest with you, I think running 26+ miles would be much harder than riding 150+ on a bike - but that's just me (mind you, I won't be stopping for a beer and cigarette like Buster did). Keep me in your prayers that I can a get a couple more rides in before the big day and that I'll be able to complete the whole thing. I'm also no where near the minimum donation amount required. If you've been thinking about sponsoring me, think no more! You can donate through the link on the side bar. You'll be helping someone with MS live a better life. If you've already donated, a huge thank you goes out to you!

Straight-Line Winds?

Apparently, we had some Straight-Line Winds hit us. We woke around 4 in the morning to alarming amounts of noise. Everything seemed to be in motion as high winds were bearing down on us. When we lived in Tulsa, I was always told that if the sky turned green, you had better find the nearest ditch because a tornado was about to hit... well the sky was definitely green and lightening was striking non-stop. We scrambled to get the girls and hid out in the downstairs powder room until things calmed down a bit. The girls have all had a lesson from school on what you should do in this situation so although they were scared they knew we had picked the safest location in the house. Later, the girls said they could feel their beds moving! We came through unscathed, but our neighborhood was littered with sections of fencing, roof shingles and trees were split or toppled right and left (much like the pictures you see above). A trampoline flew out of someone's backyard and landed three houses away on top of a truck. Some of the schools were closed because they hadn't regained power, but my friend's son went to his school with a partial roof missing and windows blown in. No t.v. is the only inconvenience we have as the dish detached itself. The soonest it can be repaired is the 18th. Can anyone suggest some good reading material? Oh btw, these pictures were submitted to a local radio station at krld.com by some of their listeners of the sights around town. Amazing!

In the mail

Finally!
This apron has been months in the works. It should have been mailed out in December for an engagement gift, but sometimes life has other plans. It only took 1 afternoon to complete and was in the mail the next day. I just love this pattern. It's a little flirty with the flared ruffle on the bottom. If you want to make one like this, it's by Simplicity #3752 (with a few tweaks of my own). Throw in a couple of colorful spatulas and a favorite recipe, and I think it makes a nice gift. Best of all, the bride-to-be will receive it well before her wedding! Congratulations again, Donna!

Hire a gardener?

What?! And miss out on all this cuteness helping me?


Besides, she works for the promise of pictures being taken of her. I can afford that!