Danith’s Blog

We are starting early on the home improvement projects this year, as we don’t usually get going on these until May/June timeframe.  But there was a sale at the local hardware store, so we decided to work on the laundry room this winter.  Last weekend we ordered cabinets for above the washer/dryer – they came in two days later – fast delivery! 

Yesterday Rick moved the washer/dryer out of the corner, took the existing shelving down, and then proceeded to spackle and prime the walls for the new color that will decorate our laundry room walls – gacuamole. I know, you are thinking a nasty green, but once done I will post pictures of it – it truely is a nice green. 

While we are working on the laundry room, we had a mishap with our garage door.  I will not mention names, to protect the innocent.  So, that will be Home Improvement Project #2 – a new garage door, to be put in later next week.  Of course this means our cars will be out in the wintery conditions this weekend – which of course is just in time for the ice/snow storm headed our way. 

I better get started on painting!

Until next time, Danith

It is hard to believe the holidays are once again upon us – where did this year go?

But I am happy to say I am ready for the festivities to begin – I got my presents bought, wrapped, and the important ones shipped to loved ones. Now it is to start on the cooking – I have a salad that takes two days to make – so layer one is on tomorrow’s agenda.

Tomorrow I get to spend the day with an unexpected ‘helper’ – Aiden. Daycare had to close unexpectedly, so Aiden and I get to hang out for the rest of the week – but who wouldn’t want to hang out with Batman (the Vikings Fan)!

We are hearing news of a big snow storm headed our way later this week – which both boys are excited about. All the fun activities involving snow – sledding, snowman making – are dancing in our heads.

Here is Aiden and I are making snow angels.

Next post I will have to fill you in on the boys latest hobby (and yes, I mean all three) – skiing. I think I may have to get out on the slopes this year!

Happy Holidays – From Danith

Now I know where my inspiration for this blog should be from…my daily commute into work companion – the radio. Today’s entertainment was around super powers. Both DJs believe each and every one of us has some super power – how ever useless it may be.

Now one DJ had a useless one – could say ‘W’ really fast and repeatable (where would one use that?). The other one had a great sense of smell – could tell when food was being baked and done in an oven, without ever using a timer. Now that is handy.

Got me thinking, what is my super power….is it a great sense of direction? Anyone that knows me, knows that isn’t it. But that would be a good one. So, I will ponder this – and I ask you, what do you think your super power is?

Oh, side note, I know my super power is definitely not foretelling the weather. Rick had me painting the deck last night, as soon as the paint can was shut, the rain came…and washed all my hard work away.

to…..CANDY!

For Easter/Lent season this year, Brandon and I decide to both ‘give up’ candy. For the last few weeks, Brandon keeps asking me when Easter will be and when will we be able to eat candy. Only a few days until the sweet taste of spicy jelly beans!

On other items of my life (this weekend) -
Friday – I taught my machine applique class – to a class of 6. It was a good class, lots of beautiful quilts/table toppers were produced. It inspired me to design my own applique pattern for a quilt in progress. When I get it done this week, I will post a picture!

Saturday – While Brandon and Rick were on the first of many Boy Scout field trips of the weekend, Aiden and I did the unthinkable…we went through the playroom, sorting toys to keep and toys to donate. Of course, at 2, all toys are worth saving, so Aiden held quite a few back. But after being bored with them in two minutes, Mom silently slipped them into the donate bag (ended up with 6 in total) – but that was only if the batteries had stopped working. I forgot how many toys these children have that require batteries – and if they don’t, they are ‘not workin”, according to Aiden.

Sunday – With Rick and Brandon gone for a day of basketball and theatre tours (yes, another boy scout adventure), Aiden and I bonded over laundry, Noggin and lunch. Once our load of laundry was done, we headed off to Gramma and Grandpa’s house for some fun. Aiden kept Grandpa entertained, while Gramma showed Mom how to sew melons together for the Wedding Ring Quilt. It is coming together, slowly. I think I now have enough knowledge to begin working on the project at home, alone, with lots and lots of pins!

Tomorrow night I will post picture of the boys partaking of hopefully the last measurable snowfall – it turned out to be great ‘snowman’ packing snow!

This is a question I ask myself daily – it seems. Especially this year. So, what have I gotten into lately?

First – I decided to teach Faith Formation to 6 and 7 year olds, so that Brandon’s class could continue. I enjoy spending time with Brandon, but the class is full of squirrels – they definitely don’t want to be there to listen to me, and come up with the craziest questions/ideas on what is funny. But I am glad I did it – it has been a great experience so far.

Second – I agreed to teach a quilting class in April – but when do I have time to sew up a sample and examples? With work and family, my time has been very limited. But I am going away on a quilting retreat in March – so there I should hopefully get that done and prepped for April.

Third – My Mom and I are putting together Wedding Ring quilts – her is a twin and mine is a full size. My Mom is a very accomplished sewer – with many more years of experience and bounds of patience than I. So imagine my surprise when she admitted to finding this quilt pattern to be challenging. I have yet to start – but she gave me the templates to begin cutting today. She expects me to be done cutting out my center pieces by this upcoming weekend, so we can work on the project next weekend. While the ‘challenge’ is daunting, I am glad to have Mom in my corner – she has already shared tips and tricks with me.

Fourth – Don’t have one of those right now – but I am sure I will get myself involved in something or other.

Until next time,

Danith

Where have I been, you may ask? Oh, living the life of Work, Home, Work, Home…the endless cycle. Luckily for me, I don’t mind either the work or home life right now.

For Work – I am working a project that is about to roll-out. It has it’s moments of being ready or not ready – this depends on which way the wind is blowing at that particular second I ask the team how they are feeling. But for all the complaining my dear Rick must endure when I come home at night, I honestly do enjoy the excitement of it all.

For Home – it is busy as usual. Aiden is nearly 100% potty trained. Now if we could just convince him to stay in his bed when it is bedtime, then we would be making strides. He is my little wanderer.

Other Home news – Brandon has really taken to skiing. He is loving lessons and is really excited about riding the chair lift. I can’t wait to see him in full action on the slopes. His last lesson is this upcoming weekend – from his score-card, he has mastered most lessons.

As for crafting time, it has been limited. That urge to clean or straighten up has gotten in it’s way. But I have sewn a few stitches here and there, and am always thinking of great pages I could make with the kids’ latest antics. I have pictures taken for use when I get the time. Next post I will have Rick help me upload the latest antics of the boys.

And surprisingly to myself, I haven’t let this cold weather get me down yet. But it is only January, we will have to see how I feel come end of February.

Until next time, Danith

To finish Brandon’s ‘First Haircut’ scrapbook page. I have had it laid out in my paper mess since last December, screaming ‘Finish Me!’ every time I looked at it. What took me so long, you may ask? Kids, work, my obsession with quilting, you name it, it got in the way of those two simple pages. But now I have motivation to get more done…the kid is so darn cute, I have to scrap about him some more! One day I will share some of my pages.

Today we celebrated Christmas with my mother-in-law, Ellie. She braved the icy roads to spend the day with us. We went out to lunch, as I didn’t get up in time to get a roast in the crockpot for lunch. We also stopped by Best Buy to pick up a digital camera for her – getting ready for her cruise later this month.

Tomorrow Rick and I go back to work. I am going to miss my time off, but may find it a bit quieter and calmer in the office, than at home. The kids can sure keep me on my toes.

And now for my ‘quote of this blog’: ‘The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams’ – Eleanor Roosevelt. (Ellie gave me a book of inspring quotes by women…I love it!)

Well…we survived 2008! The years seem to be flying by – especially as I see the kids grow. Just in the last few days Aiden has taken leaps and bounds – by talking non-stop (with us actually understanding), moving into his ‘Big Boy’ bed, and will begin potty training next week. Brandon has grown inches taller in the last few months – I should learn to go school clothes shopping for him in January, rather than September.

Rick and I have had an enjoyable holiday vacation. We hosted Christmas Eve with my family and New Year’s Eve with my sisters and their families. We did our annual fondue celebration – having cheese, meat, and chocolate! As with the last two years, I always add a new recipe to our fondue menu…but we always agree that the standards we started with back in 2003 are the winners. This year I noted that on the recipes – but that won’t stop me from trying new things on my unexpecting guests!

On the quilting front…I have gotten lots done during the last few days I have had off of work. I finished two table runners, put binding on two other wall hangings and finally pre-washed fabric for a future Christmas gift of 2009. I am feeling a bit more organized now. I also am very proud of my restraint from not visiting all quilt shops in the area for their end-of-the-year sales. I did get to Bear Patch Quilting Co and puchased 2 yards of red fabric for a future project – but that was it!

New Year’s Resolutions….I can always come up with something. This year I would like to continue fitting fitness in my life and busy schedule. I would also like to get the house a bit more organized – by going through all of our closets, cabinets, and all other nooks and crannies. Number one goal…start piecing together my dream closet organizing system. The sticker price shocked me in 2008, but if I buy in parts – maybe I can justify it for 2009. Besides, it’s my 2009 resolution, and we all know we have to follow those!

Well, sad to say, no pictures to post of my New Year’s party – forgot to get the camera out. But I promise in other posts to share pictures of us throughout the year.

Happy New Year – here we come 2009!

Welcome to Danith’s Blog! Here you will find my ramblings on life, family, and anything else I can think of. Come back in 2009 for more!