Ready for Church on Christmas

I really enjoy having church on Christmas.

Growing up my family went to either the 7pm family service or the 1145pm late night Christmas Eve service, and again for the 10am Christmas Day service.  Well, at least one of those but the intention was to go to both Christmas Eve and Day service.


On Christmas morning we all got up and showered and went to church, actually Sacrament Meeting. 

After church and before everyone dispersed into the house I asked if we could take a picture on our back steps.

 

Christmas Eve 2011

This year we invited our missionaries over for Christmas Eve dinner, a newer tradition our family started after moving to San Diego.  Before bed we kept with our tradition of reading from the scriptures about Christ's birth.

 The only pictures of Hubby on Christmas Eve were this one, one you could see up his nose, and a third with is leg and foot.  As you can see we are all gathered around for scripture reading.

Blackout

Around 340pm local time [September 8th] the power went out.  About six million people were without power for the night. Articles can be found here, here, here, and here.

The washer had thankfully finished spinning while the dryer still had damp clothes in it.  We do not have large water storage containers yet.  I immediately filled the bathtubs and our water pitchers and shut of the water.  We blocked the fridge from being opened.  Then we found rope and hung it between the fences to put our wet clothes on.

We used a lighter to ignite the gas stove to cook dinner. We found all the flashlights and candles in the house and places them in strategic locations.  We contacted family out of state to notify them of the blackout and that we were safe.  While we still had some power to our batteries of the cell phones we checked the internet for updates on the power outage.

After eating dinner and making sure things were ready for the next day, the kids went to bed.  I brought in the dry clothes and got things ready for work.  Then I went to bed.  Hubby stayed up a while longer reading by flashlight, then he too went to bed.

Just before 2am the power came back on.  We turned back on the breakers and off any missed light switches.  We turned the water back on and emptied the bathtubs. We went back to bed.

I had to be at work by 530am.  School had been canceled.  Hubby emptied out the fridge of all dairy products and anything else that had turned.  We were able to save a large majority of our food.

Ten hours without power was a small test in our preparedness and resourcefulness.  We loaned our propane tank to a neighbor for them to finish cooking their meat.  We saw and hear how others fared during the experience.  We're definitely purchasing water drums soon.  I am grateful there wasn't a natural disaster associated with the black out, as that would have made things last longer and other utilities like natural gas probably be interrupted as well.

Are you prepared for blackouts and natural disasters?

Hubby's Project

Our home has a built in desk on the second floor.  Hubby really wanted to add shelves and expand the area to better suit our needs.  This is what he came up with.

Pretty neat, don't you think?

Fixing My Sewing Machine

Yesterday, I took apart my sewing machine.  I cleaned it.  I greased it.  Then, I put it back together.  I ended up with a few screws that I wasn't sure where they went.

 

Today, I tested it.  The motor wasn't engaging the shaft to work the machine.  I took plastic casing off and investigated the problem.  I hadn't put the outer knob/wheel on correctly and it didn't engage with the gear behind it - the one with the belt that ran to the motor.  After fixing this, the machine worked.  I put the plastic casing back on.  I had less screws left over.

I tested it again.  The machine worked.  I re-hemmed the travel diaper bag and diaper pail liner.  The travel bag worked well.  I kept having issues with the liner.  It seemed as if the threads weren't catching on each other and would skip stitches periodically.  The travel bag and pail liner are both PUL.  Maybe the stretch of the fabric was causing the problem.  I'll try a different fabric and see if the machine continues to have issues.

Update:  The machine is sewing cotton and cotton blends just fine.  Whew.

I am still researching a new machine.  I found a few store in the are that are authorized dealer for the big brands.  I want to test a few machines before I make my final decision.  Thank you for any feedback on what you own and recommend.

Sewing Machine

I would really like to update my sewing machine.  It's at least 15 years old.  My parents bought it when my mother's broke, and after a few years fixed her Singer.  When Munchkin was a baby they gave me this one.  It is just a very basic machine, a Janome JF1004, with 11 stitches, a 4 part button hole, and reverse stitch.  I have been unable to finish Pumpkin's blanket nor sew new PJs for my children as I keep having issues with it.  I will attempt to deep clean it this week and see if that helps. In reality, I'm just tired of it.

I've looked at patternreview.com, consumer search, and more.  I've asked friends and relatives what they use.  The most common reply is to purchase a Brother sewing machine.  To be honest, there are plenty of glowing reviews on their products.

Then, I read the negative reviews about Brother machines and they are all very similar.  That if your machine has problems, you are out of luck.  From what I've read, the company will not honor their warranty.  I don't want to buy something that I plan to use quite a bit and have it not work within a month or die right near the one year mark.

[I've mentioned in the past that I want a serger.  This is still on my wish list.]

My questions for you are what sewing machine do you use?  Serger?  What would you recommend?

Pets

I grew up with a calico short-hair feline, Dutchess.  She found our family when I was in 1st grade and she lived with the family until after I graduated high school.  My "foster" family had two cats and two dogs.

Over the years, Hubby's family had several fish, 2 cats, 3 turtles, 2 dogs, and 3 hamsters.  His favorite was his red eared slider, Rascal.

During our married life we've had two cats - Shadow and Mungo, whom we gave to my parents when we moved to Arizona; a red eared slider - Scamp, who we had to give away before moving into military housing, Scamp went to a turtle lover who built his own backyard pond and had others turtles to interact with; a beta that died after a year, and a plecostomus that died after a year and a half.

We are considering adopting a bird in the future.  Possibly a Conure [such as this one].  Our housing district does not allow cats, dogs, reptiles, rodents, or other furry critters.  We are permitted to have birds, fish, hamsters, and guinea pigs.

What kind of pets did/do you have?  What was/is your favorite?

Chores

How do you divide chores in your family?  When do you start having your children help out?  What is your least favorite chore?  Do you give a reward for completing chores?

We've tried a chore chart in the past.  It only seems to work for a month or so.  I've made a list of all the chores for each room, so if there's a doubt of it being done, simply look at the list.  Our children are expected to help around the house and take care of their rooms.  For their personalities and all the changes we've had lately, we simply remind them verbally what needs to be done.

When our children are toddlers we start having them help clean up after themselves.  I don't remember having a specific age or milestone when each child started to do more.  I guess we just go with their ability and inclination and try and nudge it along.  We have the viewpoint that everyone lives in the house and we all use things (dishes, clothes, etc) so we should all help maintain it in some way.

My least favorite chore is dishes.  Sometimes I get on a good streak and will wash them a few days in a row, or rinse and load the dishwasher, but I can't seem to get past that.  Then they pile up for a day or two and I get discouraged.  My goal is to not let them sit for more than one night without being cleaned.  Eventually, I'd like to always have them done before bed.

For now, we have an unregimented system wherein our children will receive a small immediate reward/consequence for completing [or not] their daily chores.  This is usually something they had asked for, but must be earned, like a piece of gum or a few minutes playing a video game.  We like to do bigger things on the weekends, especially if we've had a good week of cooperation and finishing homework & chores.  We may go to a park, or somewhere we have an annual membership [this year is a local conservatory and the science center]; they may earn a dvd or board game that has been on the collective wish list.

Picture Frames

I have needed to get more frames for pictures and art in my home.  I checked the ads for Michael's online yesterday, but was confused as to what was actually on sale for this weekend.  After work today I drove there on my way home to find out.  I'm sure glad I did.

We have several of the Lifestyles frames in our home, specifically the dark cherry color.  I like that they come with mats and look nice without the high price tag.  This week they are on sale through tomorrow [the 13th] for $4.99.  For the 5x7 frames that's about 40% off and the 8x10 frames are about 50% off.  The larger frames were $12.99 or about 35% off.  I picked up four of the 8x10s to use for the completed cross-stitch projects [here and here - not the birdhouse; that needs a special frame].

Before checking out I browsed the remainder of the frame section to locate a document frame for "The Living Christ" and to see if there were other good deals.  I found a collage matted wall art that had three pictures of butterflies with inspirational quotes.  It was regular price $15.99 and would require a special frame. On my way to the check out I stopped and perused the clearance rack.  I found three separate matted pictures very similar to the ones I found in a collage mat.  They were $3.00 a piece.  I decided to buy them and also picked up three more 8x10 frames. 

Once I got home I mounted each of the cross-stitch projects and the new butterfly art in their frames.  I then hung the frames in their respective places throughout our home.  At first I thought of putting the butterfly pictures in Little Miss's room, but after comparing the colors to the curtains, I thought they better matched those in the extra bedroom.

Don't you love it when you need something and it's on sale?  Even better when you find something you'd like and its on clearance?  I do.  Sometimes, its the only way I actually get some of my wants.

Baking Bread

I made more bread tonight.  I can't wait to eat some.  I used our Honey Wheat Bread recipe.

Dough after the first rise.

 After the second rise; ready to bake. I originally had the stoneware pans on the second shelf, they rose so much the tops were touching the shelf above them, so I had to switch the pans around.

 Fresh out of the oven.

Top view of loaves.

I think tomorrow I'll make some granola.  Do you have a favorite recipe?

Sneek Peak - New Home

Today I decided that I would figure out where our pictures would be hung throughout the house.  At first, I struggled to find a place for everything.  Our new home does not have large stretches of walls.  In fact there are several spots where even a framed 8x10 wouldn't fit right.  Eventually, I figured it out.  Then, I couldn't find our hammer.  I even called Hubby and dug around in the garage.  So, for now, the pictures will sit near their new spots and wait until I either find our hammer or borrow one from a friend.

I think stacking the children's pictures here will look nice.  Oldest to youngest.

 Our meal calendar and FHE chart.

 This pin board may find a different home, but for now, it'll be next to the hutch.

 I thought these scenery pics would be nice above our coat hooks and shoe rack.  I think it brings to mind the places we go and adventures we take.  I need to replace the missing [broken] frame.

 

 Around the pillar I'm putting two of our inspirational frames.  Above the computer desk I'll hang each of our parents pictures and our most recent family picture in the middle.  On the right of the stairs I'll put "The Family: A Proclamation to the World";  I need to get a document frame for "The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles" and it will hang next to it.

 Going up the stairs I'm putting family pictures.  To the left will be one of Hubby & I; at the top one of our children; on the right a set of frames with pictures of our growing family - starting when Munchkin was a baby.

 There is a built in desk upstairs.  I wanted to put our temple picture behind it, so if you catch us on Skype you can see it.  Also, a reminder of what we should and shouldn't be doing with our technology.  Surrounding the temple I want our sealing certificate, replica of the painting of the prophets [all but Joseph Smith officiated in the room where Hubby and I were sealed], a wedding picture and a more recent one of us to show how we've grown and changed.

 A handmade gold foil picture of the Chicago temple; this was a wedding gift.

 More inspirational art and poems.

 Our memorial poem and picture of Hubby's sister and husband.

After I get the pictures hung I can find our candle holders and figure out where they'll go.  We have a few more things that need framed.  I am excited how our home is coming together.

Curtains - Kitchen Close-Up

 This fabric was purchased in 2004 when we lived in Indiana.  It was made by Cranston Print Works Company aka Cranston Village.  This print is from the V.I.P. and 100% cotton.

 The bottom of the green ivy border is hemmed.

  Close-up of ivy pattern.

 Close-up of green ivy border.

Curtains

Finally, I finished putting curtains up.  Here are the pics and explanations. No, I am not a master decorator.  I tried to be frugal and tie in with everyone's likes and general feel for a room.

These floral panels cover our front window.  They were purchased off the rack when we lived in Indiana.  They were in storage for 5.5 years.  Now they let the natural light in and keep a passerby from seeing much.  These curtains are in our living room.

This little green curtain is over our front door.  It was purchased off the rack and modified to better fit the window size.  We bought it when we moved into our last home.  If I find a suitable match for the living room curtains, I will make a new over door curtain with it.

These cream with roses and ivy curtains were purchased on clearance.  They are to tie in with the kitchen curtains that I didn't have enough material for.  My physical therapist suggested that I find something that will go with the ivy.  When I saw these in the store I knew it would work, both are cream background and both have green leaves on them.  This just has flowers as well.  These curtains are in the dining room

The ivy pattern for these curtains was purchased for curtains in our home in Indiana, but I was never able to make them [they were stored for 5.5 years].  Now, I have three large windows that need covering instead of two small ones.  I re-purposed an old cream fitted sheet [no matching top sheet] to make them.  These curtains are for the back door and the kitchen windows; these form a bay window & door.*

These blue curtains were purchased on clearance.  One was 63" and one was 84"; they were last two in the store.  I cut and re-hemmed the longer one to match.  These curtains are in the boys' bedroom.

 

These light blue butterfly and floral curtains were made from a re-purposed top sheet [no matching fitted].  Little Miss and I like it so much that we decided it should become her curtains.  These curtains are in the girl's room.

These pastel blocks with scripture verses and butterflies were purchased off the rack; they were sold as individual shower curtains.  I fell in love with them as soon as I saw them.  We didn't need another shower curtain; but they are fabric.  I ripped out the plastic at the top with the button holes for hooks and made a rod pocket to hang them with.  These curtains are in our extra bedroom.

These earth tone blocks with words were purchased off the rack.  I liked how these and the curtains in the extra bedroom had inspirational words.  The coloring for this is more muted and better matches bedding and furniture already in our bedroom, while the other is bright and lively for the general purpose room.  These curtains are in the master bedroom.**

I will need to figure out how to tie back the curtains when someone wants them out of the way.  I am not sure if I will make fabric ties or add curtain hooks.  I guess it depends on the room.  Also, our half bath has a small window and I'd like to make a curtain for it, so no window is left out.

* The curtains in the kitchen will have applique ivy added.  A friend explained how to do it, so after I finish a few other projects [Pumpkin's quilt] I will give it a go.

** As you can see with the master bedroom curtains they are quite sheer.  I have plenty extra of the "brown" material that's hanging behind the first panel.  It is actually woven from yellow gold and purple [bought it and made costumes when Hubby and I were dating; almost 11 years ago].  Both shades are in the curtains themselves.  We have a fair amount of green with our bedding so I think it'll still look fine after I make a lining for each panel.  I think I'll sew the panels separate and hang them on a second rod behind the first.

What do you think?  Do you have only blinds, curtains, or both, or something else in your home?

Our Old Home

We have lived in military housing for about three and a half years.

Our old home was a three story town home.  It had three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, large storage/pantry closet, loft/built in desk area, and laundry room.  It is approximately 1618 sq ft.  We had a small back yard with concrete patio and a detached two car garage with some storage shelves.

Some older blog posts showing pictures of our old home:

Dining Room

Kid's Bedrooms (fall 2010)

Part of Backyard, Kitchen, and Dining Room

Here is a full tour, this was taken 22 May 2011, and the house was not detailed/super clean.  You can see what it looked like on an average day.

On A Typical Day

The Floor Plan: [courtesy Lincoln Military Housing ]


Click here to read about our new home.

Moving Soon...

We got a call on Thursday to look at a four bedroom!  We have been on the wait list for a larger home for over a year.  Being active duty you can live in housing or rent out in town.  With housing you are entitled to one bedroom for the parents and one for each child living in the home.  With the addition of our youngest child we qualified for a four bedroom.

Our new place is the middle unit of three.  The other two have the same layout as our current home.

Here is the basic floor plan of the new place:

[Plan 4B - it has an island in the kitchen as well]

image credit: Lincoln Military Housing

We are traveling to Wyoming for Independence Day and a small family reunion.  Our move will take place after we get back.  A heads up to our friends back in Indiana - Hubby and the kids will be out your way after the move and plan to be there for two weeks or so.

What Summer plans do you have?