365 days: day 217 Undie drawer update and DIY Bracelet Organizer

Days are getting pretty swanky around here

underwear drawer is looking good

so, I couldn't just ignore the socks

or the bracelets ( this is brilliant)

I highly recommend doing this, I should have done it years ago.

I got these organizer things on Amazon

closet underwear organizer

came the next day so that I didn't lose my will or want and blammo...Undwear organized like a grownup.

Panties have a living space and every pair is open to fair use.

same with the socks.

remember, if you do this, make sure you get rid of the gross underwear too....and socks.

After I cleaned those 2 drawers I thought, "well hell...let's do something with the jewelry."

I wanted something to hang my bracelets on ( I love bracelets!)

I looked on amazon and Pinterest and really could not find anything which looked semi modern and was not killer $$

Then....I saw something...I said, I know what that is!  

A CUP HOLDER!!! 

So, I went to Target and got a coffee cup hanger thingy and it worked perfect. 16$, light wood and marble base for my rings.

woop woop.

Please see above.

genius 

I ordered this thing for my necklaces and earrings 

we will see.

I feel a bit relieved.  

I have been donating and ditching things for downsizing.

better to be prepared

Now y'all get to organizing that undies drawer.

you can thank me later

off to admire my panties

xo,

m

Artsy Crafty Stuff

Day after Mother's Day and I had the day off.

It's nice, and although I wanted to just lay around and contemplate life, I got my ass up and checked a few things off my list.

I did some crafty things...

finished up a few projects and tidied some stuff which had been bothering me, but seemed daunting to  start.

It really wasn't.  Honestly, I was just a bit lazy.

My sewing/ and knitting room had turned into a spider haven and dump area for the family.

So, I got in there, vacuumed and put the yarn into the little boxes where it should live, cleaned the tables of the 2" of dust and threw out a bunch of old fabric and garbage.  Still have stuff to chuck, but it is a start.

I figure if I am going to be here, I might as well make it what I want.

It definitely needs a revamp, but I enjoy the shabby chic coziness.

Once I was tidied I used up some old fabric and whipped a test run of a scrub hat for work.

They cost about 15$ so I figured I would make a few, save some cash and use up some fabric. 

It will work to get my lil bit of hair all covered for surgeries and have a little sassy flair too.

Then in order to stay on track I headed outside and worked in the yard.

I mulched everything.

...backyard...

it should look nice when the stuff starts popping up

and the front yard....everything is mulched.  I don't think I have ever finished mulching the entire yard in the same year.

I enjoy working in the yard.  It is just sometimes a bit overwhelming, but as I work on each little section each year it becomes easier and actually seems to take care of itself now.

I really just have to maintain stuff...pull some weeds and add some color.

I keep digging up the grass because I find it a nuisance.

That all took quite a while.

But when I was cleaning the sewing room I found my trusty glue gun and glue sticks and that was my reward.

When I went to Costa Rica last time I noticed they had all these sparkly mirror hanging things from the balconies.  I just loved them and asked about them.  They said it was to keep the monkeys from those areas, and that they made them ...you couldn't buy them.

So today, I sat down and made some for my back deck.

I love my back deck when everything is blooming. So the addition will be perfect.

to make the sparkly things you need 

1. fishing line

2. beads of any sort, but a couple of heavier ones to weigh the string down

3. glass squares (you can get them at any Michaels or such)

4. glue gun

I like them about 3 to 4 feet long. I make a loop at one end then I glue the fishing line in-between the 2 little glass squares.  As I go down the string I put a bead in-between the mirrors.  At the end I like to add a skull bead or a crystal bead to catch the sun.

Sparkly, cheap, easy.

Here I think you might be able to see them hanging behind the swing from the trumpet vine which hasn't bloomed yet.

So, my day was productive. I still need to run and clear my brain...

but, it feels good to get things done, throw things away and make my space relaxing and mine.

go make some sparkly things.

write ya later,

m

maybe Ill go make cupcakes, everyone loves cupcakes.

365 days : post trauma mulch therapy

A dear friend sent me an article about marriage and divorce this past week, amongst all of my family strife and trauma. I always read and or listen to whatever people send my way because:

1. they thought enough of me to send it

2. it may help

The article made me think about no matter how much life education you get you can always use a bit more help and maybe someone with a little better track record to tell you

"you are moving the correct direction."

But, My mind is a bit full right now and as I read I thought...

Does this shit really matter?  We all end up in the same place anyways....dead.

Bettering myself for who?

Me? 

When someone says to you, "You must love yourself, in order to be loved..."

I call bullshit....Makes me laugh

Look at Charles Manson....

he's a piece of shit, but people love him

oh, but wait, 

He loved the shit out of himself.

...Back on track...

Does changing my entire life at 50 even make a difference to anyone?  

Yes, I need to make myself happy, and I am working towards that, but even when my change in status happens, will there be a change?

that is the 500k question.

Three weeks ago I started private therapy sessions, to mainly see if I can correct this great sense of guilt and need to take care of everyone's needs short of my own...Also, I am working towards some life changes which I am finding extremely difficult because of the first issue of guilt.

My new therapist pre-warned me she accidentally says "fuck" sometimes and contrary to her flowey, hippy, royal colored outfit, I really connected.

She let me cry about my recent trauma my son experienced which has left me fearing for his life and my poor parenting skills.

Then she asked me about my life.

Why do I go back and forth on things like a poorly operated amusement park ride?
Me:

"It's not good...but it's not horrible....I won't die if I stay where I am at....but my soul may die...."

She looked me right in the eye and said ...

"WTF?"

shit or get off the pot.

quit overthinking...get out of your overworking brilliant mind and connect with life.

She asked me to make a grand change , but not too grand, before I came back to see her.

So that night, moving quickly, so that I did not have time to dwell.

I quit my job and took a closer job, with more pay, at something I have never done before in my life.

barely told anyone.....just sent the resignation and the acceptance letters all in less than 20 minutes...

then thought I would literally die...

dead....

but I did not.

I took a breath and thought about what my son is going through and said ,

"grow a fucking pair, M....this is just daily life...not death or anywhere close....ya silly twat"

Next she asked how my parental family interacted....

I said, "they are dead" so I'm good there.

oh!? you want to know their interaction when I was growing up?

yeah.  

My mom was a caregiver for my dad who had Alzheimer's for as long as I can remember....

she pretty much sacrificed the best time of her adult life to make sure Dad was safe, loved and cared for in a dignified manner.

..."So, your mom was a caregiver for your dad and 12 kids...she never left because 1. she loved him...and 2. she owed him for taking care of her when they met? ....hmmmm, M...does that sound familiar to you?"

fuck holes.  

"maybe"

Why are you not mad about your current situation?  I see an intelligent, attractive, funny, albeit overthinking, very available woman, with quite a bit to offer, that is getting nothing in return.,,,

Why have you not gotten angry? why ?

Go home...

do one big task and think about the rest...

I'll see you in 2 weeks.

one week...

task one completed but still unable to address the main situation.

I have quietly been laughing at myself.

trying to get back into my normal life post the last few weeks.

Working out, running, taking a million pictures no one sees, writing, actually riding my Moto....and connecting with people who have been trying to connect yet I have closed them out.

It feels pretty good and soothing...not stressful.

questioning if this is apathy...that I don't care what he will think....or is it the start of a fuller independence?

Independence wise I threw 80 bags of mulch down around the huge ass yard, because this is what you do around here....I packed more things in case I want to just walk away.

looked at studios and such even though people say....

you shouldn't move...

you should get to stay.

maybe I don't want to 

4/8/19

post mulch...no makeup...no filter...just me...

Feel free to offer any advice, article , love, you may have in the comments.

I'm open.

my heart is open.

my humor is there....

ha

write ya later,

m

Hellllllo October, you Bitch

Oh, October in Colorado.  One of the persnickiest times of the year.

One day 78 degrees and clear ....

Isn't it lovely?

All less than 12 hours later.

Same view....

17 degrees. 

No worries though, this is why we love Colorado, she is as unpredictable as a, well, let's say a woman who has been on the wagon for 17 days, attempting to figure out what to do with all her free time not spent drinking or surfing IG or Facebook.

"Shall I have an acid flavored Kombucha?....or a cucumber water?"

"Shall I knit or shall I clean and sort my entire sewing room, then decide to finish all projects which were left unfinished from years ago?"

Guess what ?

All of the above.

SoberOctober is proving itself to be quite productive, not only for projects , but for clearing my mind and getting my lonely lost head straight. 

Two Thumbs up, M!.

 yeah Kanye, we get it 

"MAGA"....and that is starting with my sewing room and brain.

Let's see, just for the idle chatter, I knitted a sweater, sewed a bag (little hexagon appliqué pictured below), got a Fitbit, been working out, am getting a BMI body scan, repotted all the outdoor plants to bring inside and planned a trip to Nashville

Who doesn't love Hexagons?

All of this while sober.  

I may just keep it up into November (probably not, because my friends are so not supportive).

I am still grieving the loss of a friendship which brought me much joy....but it will be ok. 

Everything works out in the end, one way or another, it is just weird to hear someone say they will be there, then , well.....go silent.

Part of my Yoga, workout, run therapy also involves lessons in patience. 

It's kind of cool.

I am working just being me. 

It's all good when you can look at yourself and laugh...give people hugs....and  say "good things happen to good people and mean it". 

I missed out (self inflicted) on a once in a lifetime trip to Machu Picchu, which was to start tomorrow, because 

1. guilt of spending $3K on myself

2. a little bit scared

3. head not quite where it needed to be to travel and enjoy.

it's ok....there will be more trips....right?

(yes that is grey hair...the red is being replaced by silver)

This is me....at work, 

washing my hands so that I can pass out some more hugs.

Try it.

I'll keep ya posted on my plans.

Nashville, Bryce National Park 1/2, then hopefully Italy and or Greece....although I have heard Croatia is quite nice. 

xoxox,

write ya later,

m

DIY Garden Glass Globe Mushrooms

It is still not full blown Spring here in Colorado, but in between blizzrds we get some nice 78 degree weather.  Still too cold to start gardening, but we do start tidying up the beds.

It keeps all of us gardner types happy for a while.

While taking a break from pulling dandelions I decided to make a few things.

I like the way mushrooms look and I really wanted some yard art for my , well for my yard.

I was flipping through Pinterest and saw some glass mushrooms.

Easy enough.

I see light fixture leftovers at every thrift store so we went on an excursion to find them.

$4.25 later I had the makings for 2 LED garden mushrooms

~~~SQUEEEEE~~~~

you , too, can have these.

Junk you need:

(for 2 mushrooms)

4 vase like sconces or whatever you think will work and look cute for mushroom stem

2 Large light fixture bowls

(see picture)

2 LED light candles *or you can use real candles just be careful

lock tite glue or gorilla glue

 Here are the old lamp parts

I put a piece of tape here to hold the little LED "flickering candle"

But if you are using candles, do it like a pumpkin, or you could use those LED little string lights.

See ,stack it up .

I actually did not glue anything but if I was going to glue I would only glue the "stem" and leave the cap removable

There they are.

They are going to look great when all the little flowers are popping up around them

Enjoy,

m

Easy Patio Chair Cushion Recover. DIY

So, as I cleaned up the deck, the one day the weather was nice, I noticed the chair cushions were nasty...nasty ....nasty...

The female that I am headed to the Home Depot to get new ones.

They were anywhere from $18.00- 32.00 each!!!!

Holy Heck.

So just like I did when I covered the swing chair cover, I decided to cover these old things, again.  This is the 3rd time I have recovered.

I wanted to do an easy tutorial because , even though I sew and read and follow a ton of tutorials, sometimes even the most "simple" ones are not so simple.

I guarantee if you can cut a shape (no pattern needed), sew a line with a sewing machine...you can do this one

junk you need:

2 yard+ fabric.  

I needed 2 yards of large bolt upholstery fabric

 and this was actually weather resistant.

I purchased it from Hancock Fabrics, on sale, in the crap section, for 9$ a yard.

Thread

Sewing machine

Scissors 

pins? 

OOOH yucky 

 Step 1: lay out your fabric (doubled) and figure out how those cushions will fit so that the shape can be cut.  

 Step 2: Cut out leaving about 3/4" or so all the way around.  no need to be perfect.  just cut out the shape, like kindergarten.  Remember, the fabric is doubled so when you cut you are cutting out 2 at one time.

Step 3: Probably cut out all at once, but I cut out one pillow at a time, because I like instant satisfaction and I want to see what it will look like.  

Once cut, put RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER.  You can pin at this point almost all the way around , but leave one side open so that you can get that ugly cushion inside it.  

Step 4: I start my sewing, with right sides together, about 3 inches up and head south, turn and go all the way around then stop about 3 inches into the las side.  that way it leaves the opening for the cushion cramming.

Remember! right sides together... and I sew about a 3/4 seam, but we aren't picky.  Just sew! we don't want difficult.

Step 5: put the ugly cushion in the new cover.  

Oh my, that is a lot of pattern going on there.  Sorry, its the ironing board cover clashing with the cushion cover.   

 Step 6: OK...the hardest part.  Now that the cushion is safe inside take the opening and iron the area where you are going to sew it closed into about a 3/4 fold.  it will match with what is all ready sewn. 

This just makes it easier to sew it closed in a few.  If you are super crafty feel free to put a zipper in, but if you know how to put a zipper win, you won't be reading this simple tutorial. 

Open....

 Step 7: This is where I pin the opening closed.  see?

Closed

 Step 8: Now take it back to your sewing machind and sew it on the outside at about a 1/4 inch topstitch.  I just line the outside of my presser foot with the fabric and sew that hole closed.

Don't worry if its a little wonky, your rear end is going to be sitting on this. If one of your friends looks that closely, they need to be scolded.

Step 9:  Pat self on back and go buy a 20$ bottle of wine because you will still be ahead on cash flow after the wine!

good job!

I'll take final pictures when the snow melts from my patio chairs.

Write you later,

m

feel free to share.

craft room disaster

Room is painted. I'm not sure why I choose to do these things.  I guess it gives me some sense of being able to fix something.  Anything.

Bobby ended up helping me "cut in " the paint because I always get the ceiling.  I chose my two favorite colors: tangerine and green...with white.  I love the 70s mod colors.

this is in no way my completed project...this is much too nice...but these are the colors I used.

My shit is all over the place.  I have cleaned up more mouse poop in the past 2 days then I ever did working on the farm.  Who knew we were infested in the laundry room?  Not anymore.  

I have cleaned and bleached and if I show up dead or deathly ill in a month, it's Huntavirus (sp?)

While I wait for paint to dry and for Bobby to sand the last part where we had to re plaster the wall...Note to self...don't try to chip that tiny piece off...it always opens a can of worms I am sitting in the crappy computer room looking at what to do with all this fabric.

I have ironed little scraps

 i have ripped fabric meant for the garbage into strips

oh my god....mess

i'm worried I won't be able to get this all back together.   So I sit here making fabric for the garbage into balls of fabric yarn I can make something with.   All my best ideas come when I am not able to do anything  i.e: craft room non functioning.

Well, I'll keep ya posted,   I really should try to go for a run.  Its bee 2 weeks since the boob surgery.  My pants are tight.  

xo,

write ya later

m

craft room and yarn hole! Lets do this thing

Shit shit and more shit.   

So today I start to fix and throw away and try to make something out of this place we call home.

It gets to a point where you have lived some where so long you don't really care any more, then one day you look around and say 

Jeesus, this place is a mess and we have such great space and I bet if someone else lived here they would make it nice

so I am going to make my space nice.

Of course as soon as I started the man came down and said you can't just paint...you cant just put stuff in here.

well why the hell not!?

Just go back out to your garage.

the front loader broke...I had to spend 600$ on a new washing machine on Mother's Day which really really pissed me off.  so that wont be here until 5/25.  that gives me time to paint.

I'll keep ya posted and in the mean time if you have any ideas via pinterest etc...send them my way

The Big Pleated Bag...handmande cuteness

howdy do...I decided to finish a task, you know, to make myself feel better about life and my ability to complete a few things.

It came out cute.  

Inside lining with pockets.

I'm my own worst critic...

so to me, it's not perfect, but if I saw someone else carrying it I would think, 

"wow, that is a cute bag....I bet I could make that".

You too can make it....

Warehouse Fabrics Big Pleated Bag.

Dont say I never do anything for you.

Yeah for me, I finfished something.

Circular Needle Holder …clothespins

Yesterday I started cleaning the craft/laundry room.   

I had all my circular needles (which I dont use very often because I have since acquired some knitpicks interchangeables) in a needle wrap...pretty unsuccessfully.   They were a mess.  

So….I came up with an easy fix

Off to Home Depot.

1 piece of steel/metal   1.58   1 inch wide and 1 foot long

clothespins                   1.29

magnets                       4.00

glue gun

You may have some of this stuff just hanging out.  I had magnets but I wanted stronger ones than my bottle cap magnets.

The metal strip I got has holes in it so that I can nail it to the wall….or because its magnetic, I can put it to metal.  Imagine that.

Painting the clothes pins would be quite fancy also.

 You can easily romove the needles.

 I'm sure you crafty people can make them look more hip

But I like the industrial look.

Enjoy!

Halloween…The Feather Mohawk

I'm the kind of, " are they having beer or wine at that school function?" kind of mom.  I believe more people would show up and the school could make a huge profit.  You, know …charge 6$ for a tiny beer…I know I would pay when I had to sit through some of those recitals….
Back to the point.  I'm not always really involved with the kids stuff.  I volunteer.  I make the cupcakes, I do the low end….but Halloween…I like Halloween.  I like making the costumes.

I made this Dead Mau5 for Ilin
Powerpuff for Olive
I've even been known to knit a Princess Lea Wig 

This year I said I'm tired.  Ilin is too old and I always seem to have to work.  But as the days got closer I felt empty inside.  SO!!!!  i decided to try a lil sumpthin' , sumpthin'.  When we were in San Fran we stopped at this Steam Punk ( Distractions) store, and I saw these amazing Feather Mowhawks.  Upwards of $500.  I was mesmerized.  
I had tried earlier that day to get Olive to agree to be a Lucha Libre, because we were seeing those masks all over the Mission …for CHEAP.  she said NO way.  spoil sport.

All right…

I couldn't just do nothing.  we talked about a mime…or a princess…then I said, lets try a Feather Mowhawk

I did some googling

and headed out to find feathers.  

I couldn't find any great feathers, because once again I waited too long and didn't have time to order.  Hobby Lobby, junk stores, and any craft store had to work…oh yeah …plus 2 Feather dusters from Target.

I used this Link at Instructables to get started…He does a great easy job and his instructions are easy enough to follow.  He has a cool site too   HAR.MS
I added some of my own

Sew the hat part…

used Unicorn Buckrum  (love saying that)

added the support like the guy did

then Started messing with the feathers

FUN

What a mess

I know it doesn't look like much…

But, I think it will

I have to get back to work.  I have one more day to finish this becasue I have to RN for the next 2 days and her school festival is Saturday.

It's a bit too early to start drinking, although if I had some Bailey's or something I would add it to my coffee.

Bobby is not feeling well, which I believe is a way to get out of Halloween.

grrr

I'll keep you posted. 

xo

m

Risotto, Zen cooking, Just stir the rice

I've been wanting to make Butternut Squash Risotto for a while now, but just haven't been able to do it.  Due to laziness.  You know, all the stirring and such.

Last night I felt it was time.

The Butternut Squash was sitting on the counter, begging to be eaten opposed to thrown out and there was really no excuse.

So onward bound I went.

There are many recipes for this but I just followed the recipe on the Arborio rice....then spruced it up.

1 butternut squash

chopped onion

minced garlic

1 stick of butter

1 container veggie broth

1 Cup  Arborio rice

Parmeson Cheese

Dry white wine (optional)

***I used Vermouth***

you can add herbs

Peel the squash. I only used half the squash and I'm going to tell you right now this made enough for at least 6 people so cut it in half...everything in half from the recipe on the box.
chop the peeled squash into small cubes.  I like mine a bit bigger because they do break down. Saute the onion until translucent in the 3 T butter and a bit of oil.  Once translucent add chopped squash to pan and saute for about 5 minutes, then add garlic, 3/4 c. vermouth  and rice.  Stir and cook until rice starts to turn clear with a bright white to it. (you will see as you do it.  It's not a science, you just want the rice to cook a wee bit...maybe 3-4 minutes?
Now for the fun part.
Make sure you have some music on or...I like to listen to This American Life with Ira Glass...
Pour one ladle of broth into the pan and slowly stir on low heat.
the first few ladles the broth will suck into the rice quickly.
stir with love.
Find your Zen...just stir the rice...if your are stirring, just stir.

each time the broth is absorbed add another ladle

and stir Zen-ly :)

you do this for about 30 minutes.

Relax.

the squash will cook as the rice does and turn everything this fabulous orange color.

taste the rice after 20+ minutes .

you want it to be cooked but have a bite to it....al dente.

when this happens

add 3/4 cup or whatever you feel of Parmesan cheese to the pan.

1 more T butter.

remove from heat and stir a bit more.

I covered mine and let it sit while I chopped the green onions.

I suggest, if you have more time, or an extra pan while stirring...fry the green onions in a little bit of oil..it gives the smooth creamy risotto a crunch on the top...

plate it and sprinkle on the onions.  

mmmmm

Zen-ly

yummy

filling

As I was saying, you really don't even need to measure....
just saute, throw in rice add broth, STIR until done.
I'm sure some of you cooking snots will tell me I've done it wrong...
I've ruined the rice...
wrong wrong wrong...
but to me this was as easy as pie (not that pie is easy)
and it helped my inner Zen:

"if you are going to stir the rice, just stir the rice"