Brinca!

We're back.

Have you missed me?

Do you know why I've been gone? It's because this guy is hiding somewhere.

Hopefully I'll find him soon and share some of our adventures.

Have you met Bigfoot?

He lives here:

(I did not take this blurry pic, but look at the very clear spring in the background.)

and looks like this:

I can't blame him for staying.

Or maybe that's Swamp Thing?

Rows

of pink and red azaleas rimming the house

of tops organized by color and layering duty

of amazing bowling scores

of words to make a fun car trip educational

of windows and cabinets in Alicia's new place

of plants in garden perfection

of keys to learn to type

Rescue 911

I don't know why, but I loved that show as a kid. Being a lifeguard took care of most of that fascination. Yesterday took care of the rest.

1 fainting lady + 1 911 call = 6 very friendly EMTs.

These nice guys took my vitals and everything seemed ok, so they had me sign a paper saying I didn't want to go to the hospital. Since I had been about to swipe my card when all of this happened, they said it must have been divine intervention. I sent them on their way and then tried to stand up.

I couldn't. They came back. I called Noah to get me and asked if I could have a picture with them, and they said they'd do it if I sat on the stretcher.

Poor Tisha. The one to find Marcus's diarrhea (on her shirt!), the one to reach for the bag (see it under my leg?) that I asked to puke in right before my head hit the floor (don't worry-- the bag is empty). Um, welcome to the neighborhood... Just be glad it wasn't you who was with me.

Can you tell where we were?

Noah and I spent the rest of the day/some of the night in the ER and everything seemed fine. Noah kept me entertained by colorfully answering my question, "What would happen next if this were a novela?" and trying to turn on the tv. (Why do they even put those in there if you can't watch them??) The doctor diagnosed me with "unexplained fainting" and prescribed a bunch of medicine for symptoms that are already fading. I think I'll pass (just pass, not out). Noah said he didn't seem very smart, but I just didn't like that he didn't laugh at any of my jokes.

The Rule of Threes

If you want your students to disregard your hours of preparation and write things like, "I like teacher's clothes" on your evaluations, I've got a tip for you; think three. Three interesting pieces on top, that is. Start by not thinking too much.

Grab a couple items that you think kind of match, but haven't tried together before-- it helps if you're really pressed for time.
Then add another piece that you think makes it special. Normally you would probably be done, but this is where it gets interesting. Take a bold leap and grab something else. Edit in the mirror, but usually after this step you'll just be admiring your creativity.
I know some of you are way ahead of me on this. For you, know that I've been watching, taking notes, and trying to copy you.

References:
jcrew.com

shade style guide 11/09

shade style guide 09/09

Credits:

Alicia's: closet, backyard, camera, Photoshop, afternoon

Parking Lot

With my calling in nursery, I've volunteered to be the one to take out the trash after church. This motivated us to change up our usual parking spot (from the one in front of the otter pond) to the one right next to the dumpster.

Pretty nice.

Do you need a button?

Yes, the yellow one is called a "plastic goofie."

Which is your favorite?

The paperweight? Steel points?

I don't have a fancy camera like you guys, but you get the picture.

This is about half of the button collection at the Lightner Museum.

Free to St. Johns County residents!

Texas Birds

This morning when we opened up the garage, I said to Noah, "It feels like Texas." I couldn't put my finger on why until I saw the mockingbird singing on the oak tree. The fog and cooler temperature also reminded me of waiting for my ride on a school morning. When I got to work, this guy was singing a song, and I had to find him.

I saw those red feathers and little cap and recognized him as my first school's mascot.

400 pennies

That is roughly the cost of this skirt.

Alicia and I saw the shirred floral skirt at shade and decided to create our own take on it.

Off to the Wal-mart sale section again.

Why is it that as I am imagining and making something, I love it so much...

and after it's finished I mostly hate it/have angry feelings towards it?

Any advice?

valentine

We celebrated with food and friends. This was how the day started.

What did you do?

Christmas Gifts

I made about 50% of my Christmas gifts this year. I guess if you wait until February to put them on your blog, there is absolutely NO CHANCE that your recipients will see them before they get unwrapped. I'll call that strategy and not blame it on the still-absent computer.

Michelle and I made at least a half-dozen of these. We combined the Buttercup Bag and Birdie Sling to make our own pattern for this not-to-small and not-too-big bag. I know. You want Michelle as a friend.

I made three in coordinating fabrics: this shimmery stuff, this, and the one below. The exterior is the coolest "denim" herringbone from the Wal-mart sale section. (Boo and hiss all you want; this was (said to be) made in America and just way too versatile.) I really wanted to get a glamorous group shot, but I guess I got too excited to give them all away.

My favorite part (and that says a lot!) are the tags I made at spoonflower.com.

Alicia got a freezer paper tee. I described my vision and Michelle made it better than I imagined-- are you laughing at that evil cat, too? The message couldn't be more accurate. The colors for the mystery gift were picked by Alicia, and I put them on quite deftly. I meant to put that big blob under the "E."

I won't put the picture of her puzzled face examining this on Christmas morning; I'd rather she still talk to me. But use your imaginations and then multiply the expression times two!

Snow Bird Company

Snow bird
It's hard living really far away from family. You'll take any visitors you can get. Our only "sure thing" every year is this little guy.

I call him "Bachelor Bird" because he must be a boy. Any self-respecting girl bird would build a nest, right? Noah calls him "Pillolin." We worry about him during the freezes, but he always comes back.
We have a deal that he can stay as long as he likes as long as he doesn't wet the bed-- speaking from experience. I told you we'll take anyone we can get.

*Sorry the picture is dark, but, as he is a bird, he's only around at night.*

House of (Dryer) Horrors

Dryers,
We are warning you; you have lost three compadres just this week at our place including this latest casualty.

All sides are mourning the loss, but consider yourselves warned.
Love,
Navarros

(You should have gotten the memo from the laptops and leather couches anyway.)

dress burning

Some of you wanted to see how this thing turned out.

It has served its purpose. A dress-burning party was on the agenda, but didn't materialize. Anyone up for it?

More nice pics by Erika: http://www.yellowpearphoto.blogspot.com/

And this pic was a group effort; thanks to Mandy for spending so much time fixing my child-with-scissors-like bangs!