Barefoot Quilter

Chili cook off for MDA

2010-06-14T00:56:00.001-07:00

Chili cook off for MDA, the booth I helped out at (my old station) their theme was Hawaiin Luau. So.....I did my part..... weird but alot of people kept asking for flowers?

Quilt in progress

2010-05-23T19:54:00.000-07:00

Ok, by the demands of some of my folks, I have had many requests to update my blog on a more regular basis. Here is a little something to appease those of you who let me know that I need to get on it! This is for a fast approaching birthday. Is it for you? I cannot tell.....you will just have to wait and see!

Gratuitous Baby Pictures

2010-05-16T18:30:00.003-07:00

More pictures of the little lady growing up......drool and barf and all

Up's and Down's

2010-05-09T21:54:00.000-07:00

So things have been up, and they have been down, so instead of bore you with that junk. I will show you some pictures. I have decided to let my hair start growing out. Well when you hair is about a half an inch long on your entire head, it take FOREVER!!!!! So I have been on a bit of a journey........

I tried platinum, that was a first....

Then I tried totally brown, which was also another first

Now, there are a few highlights in it, but I am still growing it out, despite how freaking slow it wants to grow

My Guest Room

2010-04-11T11:01:00.001-07:00

These are old pictures, but he is a sneak peek of my guest room. I only have a small three bedroom house, its big enough for me and the dog and my peeps. I have my masterbedroom, a sewing room, and a guest room.

The quilt on the wall, I purchased on ebay. Grandmother's flower garden. This quilt top was sewn entirely by hand. God Bless the woman (I assume) that hand pieced this together. I bought it and then sent it off to a woman who does long arm quilting. I think it is just beautiful as a wall hanging. The sign on the wall, I made it years ago. I saw something similar to it in a magazine, so I just got some scrap wood and made my own.

This chair, though the pattern is a little dizzying. I bought it from the neighbor down the street, at her yard sale, a bargain at just twenty dollars. This little sweety is an antique made the good old fashioned way. Even though she is an old girl, she is comfy to sit in and read or just relax.

This dresser, see my name on it? My dad made this for me before I was born. So yes, this too could be viewed as an antique. In fact this dresser will soon be 36 years old.

workin

2010-03-08T16:03:00.001-08:00

I have had better days at work. A bit embarrassing when your fire engine takes a ride on a tow truck. I am just so incredibly thankful that we were just pulling into the station when the bolts decided to break off the steering box. I could not imagine how that whole scenario would have gone if that bolt let loose while we were on the freeway.

If you are going to do hose lay drills, having a beautiful view while you do them, even better!

I live by the philosophy that is some hose is good then sure MORE hose is better!

Last but not least.....growing out the hair, now I actually do get helmet head.

Tragic Week in San Diego County

2010-03-08T15:38:00.001-08:00

It has been a very dark week (couple of weeks actually). A young lady age 17 disappeared while on a long distance training run. Chelsea King went running in Rancho Bernardo Community Park (the park that my fire engine exercised at every shift for the last five and a half years). She never finished her run, a registered sex offender has been captured and is now charged with her rape and murder. Chelsea's body was found last Sunday in a shallow grave at the edge of Lake Hodges. Tragedy incomprehensible tragedy.

There is another young woman aged 14 Amber Dubois, has been missing from Escondido since February 13, 2009. Amber's positively I.D.'ed skeletal remains were found in a grave in a remote area of San Diego County. It is very likely that the same monster is responsible for the senseless killings of both these young women. There is no HELL HORRIBLE enough for a monster who could commit such crimes.

Rest in Peace angels, may you find peace and happiness in a place that you can no longer be harmed.

Lil Miss Baby Face

2010-03-08T15:33:00.001-08:00

She has now discovered that she has hands, and they can fit in her mouth

and feet, that she is trying to fit in her mouth

I have been remiss again about posting so I will take some time catching up on photos an info and such.

Been gone awhile....

2010-02-14T20:59:00.000-08:00

I have been gone awhile. I have been crazy busy working and taking classes for work. I am also working for other people so that I can have some time off in the future to.....take more classes. Anyone wonder what some of the crazy stuff that I do at work looks like? Here you go

The rapelling is off of the fourth floor of a tower. SOOOOOO fun! More classes coming. Tomorrow starts 72 hours at work. So ready to sleep in my own bed for more than two nights in a row.

A welcome storm

2010-01-28T22:03:00.000-08:00

Last week we decided to get up to the snow. Last Tuesday there was to be a great storm that would bring some snow to the local mountains. We also figured since it is two-fer Tuesdays at Mountain High ski resort that we would get our ski clothes and get up that mountain!

Well we found out quite quickly that I had a major issue with operator error....those silly turnstyles. I sure as heck did not know how to work them properly. The first few times I was going way too fast and nearly broke my own legs off, then when I tried to be a bit easier I wasn't applying equal force. So one damn leg and ski got through while the other one did not. I had to take a ski off to get through!

I swear this was the ski lift to the end of the earth. See the yellow very tiny rope behind me? Attached to that was the sign of a picture of someone falling off a cliff, implying do not go this way or you will die. This was only a blue run (intermediate) and I was scared out of my skin. I decided this photo could be for my obituary if I did not make it down the run alive.

It was so cold.....so we bought the masks to keep the snow and cold off your face and out of your mouth. A bit scary looking, but SOOO worth the money!

Just taking a break and having a bite to eat. It was a GREAT day on the mountain. It snowed most of the day, but made for great powder on the runs. A lot easier landing when you fall. OK here's to the next Tuesday I am off work! TWO-fer Tuesday here I come!

A couple more of Miss Munchkin

2010-01-11T00:34:00.000-08:00

A few more photo's of lil miss lady.

She loves to be in a ring sling, or swaddled up tight. I made this pink ring sling for her to be worn in. She was in it for less than five minutes and she fell right to sleep.

Puppies and babies should always stay little.....I better enjoy her while she is tiny, she is going to grow all too fast!

Look who's 3

2010-01-11T00:22:00.001-08:00

Look who is 3 months old! Ms. Lady....... she has earrings now too! What an adorable smile.....I cannot wait until she starts to have that baby belly laugh.

So much catching up to do

2009-12-20T19:24:00.000-08:00

Just returned (a few days ago) from San Francisco. I booked our flights initially on Southwest....and then I got a sale message via Twitter. Virgin America was having a sale on flights for 39 dollars each way with tax and fees already included. I knew you had to pay to check bags, but I also knew that we would be taking carry on only. I quickly changed our flight plans and was so glad that I did. Virgin America ROCKS! If you ever have a chance to fly them DO IT!

We checked into our hotel that I captured on Priceline. It was a little boutique hotel. Boutique hotel means a historic building that has been updated and remodeled into a hotel. I would venture to say that this hotel was probably a hotel in it's original life as well based on the layout etc. It might have been what they referred to in days of old as "Workman's Hotel". I got a bit of a laugh as we settled into our room.
It appears as though they are on a Q-Tip rationing schedule. I figured if we each used only one side of the Q-tip per day we could get two full days of Q-tip usage, and the third day we would just have to go without.

The city was beautifully decorated for Christmas. San Francisco has such a fantastic public transit system that we did not rent a car, and had no need for a taxi. You can buy a MUNI pass from the city, and with that pass you can ride anything the city owns. For 18 a piece we rode anything with wheels, including the cable car, the buses the MUNI and the retro trolley cars.

This is the hotel lobby of the Hyatt in the financial district. It was quite breath taking. Here is a little hint to all you travellers. If you are out and about in town while traveling and find that you need to use the "facilities" you can darn near always find a public available bathroom in a hotel lobby. Ok great, now that you know that I have to use the bathroom all the time! (I drink alot of soda and water ok)

We ventured from one end of the city to the next the very first night we were in town. Here is a view of Grace Cathedral.
Challenging to take a photo at night, in a church. I would have been a heathen and taken a photo with a flash.....however they did appear to be a couple of folks that we having a private church moment. I did the best I could, but the ceiling in the cathedral is awe inspiring. This beautiful mural was on part of the wall of the cathedral.

Like I mentioned we went from one end of town to the other. In our travels we also saw the Castro district. For those of you not familiar with the city, the Castro tends to be the part of town where folks with an alternate lifestyle socialize, live etc. There are many parts of town with their own "area name" Haight Ashbury = Hippy and Earthy, the Tenderloin, Union Square, Pacific Heights, Marina, China Town, Financial District, North Beach, etc. Anyway, you needed to know the beginning of the story to truly appreciate this nail salon.
What a play on words huh? Hey I am figuring that was a smart, enterprising individual that thought up the name.

Last but not least as we made our way through North Beach (Italian side of town) We found a small Italian restaurant that stayed open for us (though they were to close in twenty minutes) I had the absolute best lasagna of my life!

Ok, so that catches up a teeny bit. So much more to tell you! I have to get busy finishing up cleaning the house as I have house guests tomorrow for TEN DAYS!

A few days at work

2009-12-13T18:54:00.000-08:00

A few photos of work.....these were of my second fire.

Day After

2009-11-27T19:37:00.000-08:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING a day late! I worked the holiday (what's new), though it was not awful. We had a holiday dinner of our own. It was decided that we didn't want to have turkey since we all would have turkey dinner's with our families later. So, we had a non-traditional thanksgiving dinner of ribs, mashed potatoes, rolls, and we snacked all day leading up to the "meal".

Today the Christmas tree went up here at home. I was going to try and get the outside lights done as well, but I ran out of day light. I mowed lawns, and cut the head off of one of my sprinklers. MAN that makes me mad when I break those! Well in the midst of repairing my sprinkler I was using my pick headed axe/ditch digging tool. I had my hands full and decided to carry it swung over my shoulder. Well...when I swung it back off my shoulder to set it down I wacked the back of my head with the blade. Now three hours later I have a knot on the back of my head the size of a super bounce ball, and headache to beat the band! I swear there is not one day of work that passes by, or a day of working on my house that I do not hurt myself in some manner. Goodness!

So I am still in the crazy Christmas making phase. I think perhaps tomorrow I will get a couple photos of the projects in the works so you can have a gander.....I can't tell you who is for what....but who cares right?

I hope you had a wonderful time on your Thanksgiving with you and your's.

Peace

Christmas is coming, Christmas is coming....

2009-11-22T23:18:00.000-08:00

I am not ready! I presented my family with an email some weeks ago that said...Presence alone is present enough. I suggested that we make this a NON buying Christmas. I proposed that we have a recycled, up-cycled, re-gifted, re-used, handmade Christmas. Well, i am doing a little bit of everything, and BOY do I have my work cut out for me!

I would like to include you all in this Christmas adventure. I am a TERRIBLE secret keeper, so maybe I could put some sneak peeks of all the goodies and you could just keep in secret for me? Of course I will not be able to tell you what is for who....but you can enjoy seeing what is being made.

Next post, more pictures of the woman of the hour. Kyleigh, she is well on her way to TWO months old!

More pictures of our newest family member

2009-11-05T23:48:00.001-08:00

More photos of Ms. Kyleigh who is One month old today! How come babies and puppies cannot stay and small and cute like this?

Disney makes you tired

2009-11-05T23:43:00.003-08:00

We had to see Disney again all spruced up for Halloween.

It was a LOOOOOOONG day
Don't you wish you could be little again? People push you around in the scooter all day, you can fall asleep on a whim, you were forced to take naps. You could sleep like this? You could fall asleep and someone else would carry you to bed and change your clothes and tuck you in? BUT NOOOOOOOO, we all want to grow up and be big people!

Proof!

2009-11-05T23:40:00.001-08:00

Ok here are my credentials.....(of course I have edited out some crucial info....who cares where I work or what my name is)

I am an Engineer Medic now, a complete change from my old life. It is an adjustment as I have been a paramedic for thirteen years and a firefighter for almost eleven. Change is sometimes hard, I guess that is what makes us grow and learn new things.

We have a BABY!!!!

2009-10-12T21:37:00.000-07:00

We have a baby, her name is Kyleigh, she as born on Monday the 5th about 5:15, she weighed 7lb 14.7 lbs and was 18 1/4 inches long.

Nothing going to waste

2009-09-20T15:10:00.000-07:00

When you are sewing garments there is quite a bit of fabric that could potentially go to waste. It would break my heart to throw away fabric that may possibly be used for another project or multiple projects. I quite often cut the fabric into 4 inch squares, and make buggy blankets for the little ones. Here are four more buggies in progress. Though they look similar........squint your eyes, they are four separate blankets.

There are two schools of thought about skulls for the little ones. You either love it or hate it. If you are edgy then generally you love it and all your friends ask you where you got your blanket from. If you are a bit more conservative then you think I am absolutely crazy for making such an edgy, off color theme for a young child.

No matter what you like, I sew it all. I am sewing like crazy and selling my wares on Etsy. I have two shops going right now, things have been slow lately, but as I stock up I am sure that business will pick up. I am also toying with the idea of trying out Farmer's Market. Here in my town we have Farmer's Market twice a week, Saturday and Wednesday. We will see.....

Ever wondered what it is like?

2009-09-16T11:46:00.000-07:00

A little sneak peek of what it is like to work where I work. This camera man got to the scene after two of the patients had already been extricated from the vehicle.

A surprise gift

2009-09-14T19:23:00.000-07:00

A surprise baby gift for someone at work. They have no idea it is on it's way, and will be rather surprised that it came from me. I hope they enjoy it!

She is a first time momma, and they found out very recently that their bundle will be a little boy.

Little buggy blanket is teeny, 22x22. It is the perfect size for the buggy, the car seat, or to drag around once the munchkin begins walking.

343

2009-09-11T15:54:00.000-07:00

We all know what we signed up to do when we became firefighters, we just never imagined something like this. For all the lives lost not only on September 11, 2001, but also the lives lost fighting for our country...........god bless the families. For those of you looking down on us, we have not forgotten!

Pretty Little things

2009-09-08T00:14:00.001-07:00

Been in the sewing room quite a bit lately. Our little one comes very soon, and there are many others coming this fall as well.

I cannot bare to throw away fabric scraps that are usable. I cut all these 4 inch squares for this teeny quilt from the left over's from making baby garments and other projects. Cute things can come from the left overs. This blanket needs some cotton batting and a minkee backing, then a binding and this beauty is FINISHED!

It's about time!

2009-08-23T17:03:00.000-07:00

Ok my followers, and question askers.......I FINALLY have got things back on my Etsy page and am up and running. I have been away for quite some time. Now that my baby making sewing is winding down I am having more time to sew and post items for sale. If this interests you at all, or you are just nosey.....go check me out on Etsy. www.sweetlittlefeet.etsy.com. I love that you are all reading and keeping up with all the going's on's..........October brings a BABY........our family cannot wait!

Around the sewing room

2009-08-17T17:25:00.001-07:00

When you cut out a pattern for clothing there is alot of left over "wasted" fabric. The thought of getting rid of useable fabric just about gives me a panic attack.....so I often set the fabric aside for other projects. Since baby pallooza is well under way I decided that I would cut 4 inch squares out of some of the "wasted fabric" and make a few buggy blankets. Buggy blankets are just the perfect size to fit over the baby while it is in the car seat or the buggy, and not have a ton more blanket to tuck in and around the baby.

Same thing with these "pieces" of fabric. The blanket in progress is a little less rigid in it's form, but no less fun!

Baby Pallooza....

2009-08-07T21:15:00.000-07:00

Photo's coming......babies, babies everywhere. Tis the season, all the babies will be arriving very soon! I have a pile of gifts for the party tomorrow. Photos by evening end. The party tomorrow is for a little girl, she will be receiving a number of beautiful handmade's.

Edit (11:40 pm) dangit! I wrapped the gifts without thinking......I forgot photos. Perhaps tomorrow at the party I will snap a few shots and get those posted up here. Where was my brain......

Firefighter in Training?

2009-07-31T21:36:00.000-07:00

Need I say more? He loves helmets, so Auntie brought her helmet so he could try it on. The funniest thing was he kept wiggling his head back and forth feeling the weight of the helmet on his neck.

Cute, cute, cute. Why do they have to get big? Babies and puppies should have to stay little forever.

Peanut

2009-07-27T21:13:00.000-07:00

The pictures dissapeared....here they are again.

Trying it out

2009-07-17T18:36:00.000-07:00

Well for all of you ladies who have talent in the make up department, I applaud you. I have been trying to accomplish the smoky eye look without looking as though I have been punched in both eyes......challenging. So this is what I got.

Ta TA

2009-07-11T22:47:00.000-07:00

Here is the first viewing of an item referred to as a Hooter Hider, a TA TA Tent, nursing cover, nursing apron, etc. Doesn't matter what you call it. It gives momma a little privacy while nursing the baby in public, and the baby is not able to pull the blanket off exposing momma.

I have a feeling many of the momma's to be will be making requests for one of these as the gift I bring to their baby shower. This little beauty was a VERY quick project, and rather inexpensive. You can buy them commercially made all over the internet but if you can run a sewing machine and turn a hem.......you would save yourself BUCKS!

Smoking Sewing Machine

2009-07-08T22:13:00.000-07:00

All of my sewing machines have been humming lately. The serger that I was not sure that I ever needed to buy has been my life blood with all the garments I have been making.

I should have some more photos to post within the next day or so. In the works currently are few birthday gifts for a few children that recently celebrated. Also making thier way to the sewing machine. "Hooter Hiders" It is a nursing type apron that will allow momma's to nurse in public and be very discrete. I have had a few special requests for these.....and with all the impending baby arrivals this fall I am sure they will be very popular at ALL the baby showers.

Ok so that is it for now.....was a VERY long day in LA today. More about that a bit later.

Lil Bit Mo

2009-06-28T18:38:00.001-07:00

A few more items that have been run through my sewing machine. I have made quite a few bibs....this is just an example of what one of them looks like. They are backed with minkee and have three snaps so that the baby may wear them for a longer period of time as they grow.

Another double breasted baby coat. This is the fleur de lis side. You are not able to see it in the photo's, but there is a bit of a sparkle to this fabric.

The opposite side of this coat is a vintage style cherry reproduction fabric. I still need to put buttons on this one as well. I have to get the damn button hole feature on my machine straightened out.......still a mystery to me. Usually you can find everything on the internet but....this one still eludes me. If I cannot get the damn thing straightened out then I will just have to do them the old fashioned way....ARGGGHHHH!

Fun with a webcam

2009-06-25T23:55:00.001-07:00

So my nephew loves to take pictures, I thought it would be funny to show him the webcam. Of course in the midst of my sewing room and its current state is "blown UP" as I have been sewing like crazy. First he is checking me out.

Now he has figured out that his face is on the screen.

He now would like to do it himself, as he is growing there is so much more that he will inform everyone...."NO, meeeee"

A little bit of UP CLOSE and in your face. We did not quite catch the "CHEEEEEEEESEE!"

Jacket's for the Girls

2009-06-25T23:39:00.000-07:00

Pictures as promised......better late than never.....

The jackets are double breasted vintage styled coats. I have not yet put the buttons on these little cuties, not because I am procrastinating, but because my button holer on my sewing machine is ticking me off. It is hit and miss, one time it will make a good button hole, and the next time it will screw the darn thing up.

Your eyes do not deceive you, yes the print on the black fabric is "skulls". I have gotten mixed reviews on this. It seems to definitely be a love it or hate it type of response. The flip side of the skulls is the very vibrant pink.

Spots with a reverse of stripes. Both sides of this coat are very visually stimulating and vibrant.

So, now you see a little of what I have been up to. There are many more of these coats already cut out and lined up for their turn through the sewing machine. Not only my family is being blessed with a baby girl. It seems it is in the water.....Everyone is getting a girl. All the babies are also due very near to each other. I am very busy getting baby girl ready. Still yet on the project list...........crib sheets. They will certainly be one of a kind's!

New Stuff

2009-06-25T17:15:00.000-07:00

Just trying a sleeve on for size. Yes I think I would like one.....but right now is just not a good time to get one. If I were to wear it in public I bet it would freak a few people out.

Pictures coming shortly.....I have been sewing quite a bit here lately. I suppose I have been doing a bit of knitting as well. I hope to get some pictures posted this evening of adorable little baby girl jackets. Cute, light weight cotton reversible jackets. I also have knitted several baby hats. The hats still have to be seamed together....

OI have a few chores to do before I can get to the fun stuff....

FINALLY!!!

2009-06-06T20:21:00.000-07:00

Last week we did Disneyland, and also great seats behind home plate at the Padres game. No matter how fantastic the seats were, we got our rear ends handed to us by the Phillies!

Birthday celebrations took place this last week, and this next week we will celebrate mine.......35!!!!!!

Ok now, the promotional letters finally came in the mail! I will be getting promoted, now it is just a matter of when. A lot going on at my fire department. There will be a mass exodus in June, and there will have to be a massive amount of promotions to fill all those vacated spots.

I am back in the sewing room (and on the knitting needles)......BABY PALLOOZA!!!!!!! So many babies coming so little time......lots and lots of cutie pies coming this fall.

Hey There

2009-05-22T15:55:00.000-07:00

I have not posted much here lately, so here is a little morsel. I have not knitted or sewn in a few weeks. Work has been busy, so has my off time. I am going to get a little organization going back in the sewing room. I have a boat load of new patterns to get busy on. This fall is full of babies for EVERYONE! It is going to be such an exciting time for all of us, all those little ones.

So we have been and seen at the zoo. It was a quick day as we went on a whim while we were down in San Diego. Got a glimpse at a peacock showing off their display of feathers

I may get some more up on here later in the week. I gotta run, places to be and people to see!

A little project

2009-05-05T19:07:00.000-07:00

Here is a project that is nearing finished. A knitted fire helmet.....a gift for a friends son. The project took one skein of yarn. Once knitted prior to felting the helmet was so huge it fit over my entire head and touched my shoulders. Into the washer with some jeans in hot water.

Out came a much smaller and felted version of the helmet. Some shaping while it was drying

Still yet to be done, a shield for the front and an addition of a name.....then wrapped and given call it done!

Crucial

2009-04-24T00:15:00.003-07:00

Have you ever wondered what crucial stuff goes on inside of a fire engine when it is not an emergency response? Blackberry'ing, duh. You gotta stay connected right? My crew makes so much fun of the two of us, we frequently check our blackberry's throughout the day. A girl has got to stay connected right?

A few more photos. I have not uploaded one of my cameras in awhile, I found these last night. Cheese.....AUNTIE......he was about three inches from the front of my camera. Funny little guy.

This I believe is a face that my brother (his father) will become very familiar with as he gets older......"whaaaaaat?" It is almost as though you can hear him say, "who me?" with the most darling innocent look on his face.

A trip to Lowes

2009-04-17T23:41:00.000-07:00

Yes. I'm ridiculous! But my yard will be beautiful. There are hanging baskets, blue hibiscus, climbing bower vine. A roto-tiller, and a bunch of bags of amending soil and potting soil. Who knew working in the yard could make you so tired? I guess all the digging, pushing, pulling, plucking is a work out of sorts. There are still things waiting to be planted, but a few other plants need to be moved first. Roses need to be transplanted to another location. T H E N when all these plants are in their new homes, I have 15 GASP, yes 15 bags of bulbs that I need to get in the ground.......quickly.........tulips.

Beautiful Weather

2009-04-17T23:30:00.000-07:00

The weather has been so beautiful here the last few days. I have been driving around town running my errands with the window down, singing my face off. It has been a great week! Easter was wonderful with family. I spent a few days at the beginning of the week with my Grandma, the two of us did not go anywhere or do anything but we still had the GREATEST time! We sat around and just talked and visited and LAUGHED!

I organized my sewing room, knitted like crazy and planted in the yard. The last six days were VERY productive. I love it when I am in the organize it, get it done mode! I just wish I was in that gear all the time. For just one person living in this house, I sure can mess it up. Imagine how messy it can get when I share the house with another human? Shudder.....

The weather here is going to give us a summer preview, the next few days will be in the high nineties......break out the sunscreen!

Big Week

2009-04-13T15:12:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a big week! You have already read.....peanut is a GIRL! I have so much sewing to do before October. Many, many, MANY plans for my sewing machines and my knitting needles.

I had a great time with the family for Easter. It was nice to finally have a holiday away from work. The last three years at work I have had to work Thanksgiving and Christmas, and several of the other holidays i.e. Easter, and Fourth of July. For Easter we had potluck style brunch. It was great to all just get together to eat and laugh. We all ate way too much of course. I came straight home and made split pea soup with the left over ham. It was DELICIOUS!

I hope you all had a wonderful time with your families as well.

Peanut Report

2009-04-12T20:00:00.000-07:00

Peanut report. IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!!!! Our family is very excited. Now that I know peanut is a girl I can begin sewing very little lady specific.

For those of you who are wondering. Did you know with the 3-D sonograms that you can find out a lot earlier what sex the baby is? Peanut will be joining us in Ocotber. See you learn something new everyday!

Birthday Surprise

2009-04-06T22:27:00.000-07:00

CLICK the photo to make it bigger, I realize you cannot read it this small......so that was the BIG birthday surprise.....on the score board on opening day at Petco park in front of a sold out record breaking crowd. They were surprised.

I tried to support my team. I had on just about everything Padre that was possible. I had my t-shirt, baseball cap and my sweatshirt. No matter the Dodgers still kicked our butts.

It was a fun day either way. I think the folks had a great time, their first time to Petco but I do not think their last.

This Year

2009-04-03T21:51:00.000-07:00

OPENING DAY!

for this year's Happy Birthday

There is more to the birthday, but that is a surprise and if I tell now.....well then the surprise will be ruined!! You will have to check back for that.

Last Year

2009-04-03T21:35:00.000-07:00

So last year for my dad's birthday I could not think of a single thing that he needed or wanted. I got the same answer when I asked, "what would you like for your birthday?" His answer, "I don't need anything, just get me a card." So I really had come up with nothing....until I was driving home from work a day or so before his birthday and it struck me. I called and did some covert operation stuff with my mom Debbie and the plan was set.

On my dad's birthday I showed up at his construction site (a community college down in Chula Vista....about 75 miles from home) I called my dad and said, "dad I can't find you...." he gave me directions to his part of the job, and I set up the birthday party. I pulled a card table and two chairs out of my pick up truck. I brought out each of our submarine sandwiches, chips, and a mini-cooler of sodas. I even brought a miniature birthday cake (just two perfect slices) and a candle. OH, and I sang the SONG! It is not your birthday in my family unless I sing you the SONG. Ask any of them, it is horrid, and I make it as horrid and painful as possible. BUT, it is not your birthday until I sing you the SONG! They all wait for it. So....I SANG the SONG all by myself.

This "birthday party" on location....you would have thought I bought my dad the winning lottery ticket! It made his day. We had just an hour, but we sat and laughed and ate, lunch and birthday cake. He was truly surprised. I told him, so this is it. This is your birthday present.

I heard from my mom Debbie how much my dad enjoyed his "birthday party" on location. I guess he told the story, over and over and over and over. Such a small gesture.....really made a HUGE birthday memory for him.

A problem

2009-03-31T16:01:00.001-07:00

I have joked for some time that I have more yarn than any human should own........

Do you think there are any 12 step programs for something such as this?

So much yarn so little time. Well in actuality this yarn will either be made into something(s) fabulous or it will find new homes with other knitters who have fabulous things in mind.

Back to It!

2009-03-31T13:01:00.000-07:00

I have a few photo's of various projects that have been finished and I have not yet shared with you. This blanket was custom made for a newborn baby, the babies mother really likes butterflies.

I was told that the blanket was a hit!

Peanut is a model!

2009-03-30T17:44:00.000-07:00

Look close, you can see the face and an arm......peanut is waving!!!

Everything is going great! Going to be a little bit before we know what our peanut is......when we know what peanut is I can start sewing and knitting peanut specific!

Peanut's picture

2009-03-24T18:10:00.001-07:00

Peanut's picture....somehow it dissapeared off here. But I have reposted it again. So peanut is doing well, and will be arriving in mid-October! Thanks for all the questions and congrats! The whole family is very happy!!!!

Disneyland Age 2

2009-03-20T13:54:00.000-07:00

Well we gave it a try again, and we took off to Disneyland. Our first trip to Disneyland at 18 months did not go over so well. This time he actually did enjoy the rides. Ok, he enjoyed riding Dumbo. Snow White and the seven dwarfs, not so much (the witch is scary in that one) The carousel I had to ride the horse with him, and then he was ok.

When you have had a rough day at Disney you can even fall asleep holding your own foot!

Arizona

2009-03-20T13:48:00.000-07:00

I spent the beginning of the week in Prescott, Arizona taking some classes for work. My partner from work and I drove this journey, which ends up being a seven hour trip. Our adventure home was.....ahem....well an adventure. Please allow me to share photo's from the scary gas station we stopped at. This place was right out of the movie deliverance.

Mkay, in case you missed it....they are advertising HUNDREDS of knives. Also notice, if we don't have it you don't need it. I want to also complement them on their wonderful merchandising skills, as they have displayed the visine available for purchase with your bong.

Yes we laughed our butts off, but we did not dilly dally getting out of this place.

Sneak peek

2009-03-11T17:17:00.000-07:00

First let me say things in this house are wonderful. I am getting promoted soon, and a baby will be coming to the family in late fall. More news to come after the first doctor appointment.

Funeral

2009-03-11T13:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Creig's funeral. San Bernardino City Fire Department lost a great man. It was evidenced at Creig's funeral service that he will be dearly missed by all. The fraternity of the fire department was very moving and eye opening to those who are not exposed to it.

Keep the angels laughing Creig!

Loss of a Family Friend

2009-03-03T14:16:00.001-08:00

SAN BERNARDINO CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT MOURNS THE LOSS OF FIRE CAPTAIN

It is with great sadness that the San Bernardino Fire Department announces the passing of Fire Captain Creighton (Creig) Nece. Creig was a 19 year veteran of the fire department and died during the morning hours on 3/2/09 while in the hospital recovering from back injuries sustained in an off-road vehicle accident last week. At this time it is unknown if his death is associated with the accident.

Creig leaves behind his wife and two adult children.

Funeral arrangements are pending at this time.

Updates will be provided daily.

PIO Eric Esquivel, Battalion Chief
San Bernardino Fire Department
909.693.6493
esquivel_er@sbcity.org

http://www.sbcityfire.blogspot.com/

Thinking about it

2009-03-02T19:48:00.001-08:00

Thinking about it. Perhaps as a gift to myself for my promotion? I have not decided yet, still doing the research, but........maybe.........

Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick

2009-02-26T17:26:00.001-08:00

Still waiting for a letter in the mail.........nuthin yet. So 4 - 6 weeks. Well 4 weeks was up on Valentines Day, which means 6 weeks will be up on the 28th. I am guessing they are not going to meet the deadline. So...........hurry up and wait. No one is an engineer yet!

I spent my whole week in La Mirada. This week was one of appreciation. That I do not have to be on the freeway with those CRAZY people 5 days a week like the rest of the world does. I don't know how you people do it, no wonder people are always so ANGRY! So I finished up my class today, and will be back at work Sunday.

I am going to be taking a TON of classes over the next couple of months. I am not sure where I am going to fit all the information in my head. I better wear earplugs so that the new information does not leak out.

So, check back later for any promotional updates. No rush, I am sure you have time to get to it!

Being a good Human

2009-02-14T22:34:00.000-08:00

Ok, I am not sure if this is a posting, a rant, or a rambling. It is quite possible that this will not make sense to most of you, though a select group will know exactly where I am coming from.

There are times in your life that you hold everything together and never let one of the juggling balls hit the ground for months, perhaps even a year at a time. Then there comes the time, where the balls get moving too quickly and your hands cannot keep up. No matter how hard you try you cannot keep all the balls in the air. Then comes the time where you trip and fall. When you fall, what you need is to have someone(s) there to lend you a hand and to help you get up. I have learned it is ok to fall. It does not mean you are incapable, unstable, inept, or unsuccessful. It means you are HUMAN.

We cannot possibly be perfect, no matter how hard we try. All we have control of, is ourselves. All we can do, is our very best to be good humans, treat others like we would like to be treated. Even when we are good humans, we make mistakes. We can accidentally hurt each others feelings, pride, ego's. Sometimes we might even project things out onto others that we never intended. All while never losing sight of always being a good human. We are FAR from perfect.

Communication, man that is a crazy thing. Even crazier, how men/women, friends/lovers, brother's/sister's communicate so differently with each other. You might often think that we are all speaking a completely different language.

I know I cannot control everything. I know that I am not perfect (nor would I want to be). Forgiveness, I am not sure if it is harder to give it, or receive it. I do know, that no matter how badly you would like to be forgiven if the other party has no interest, then forget it! I have learned not be to so judgemental, that I need to have more patience, that I should not jump to conclusions. A tougher lesson is, that it takes awhile for the "time to heal all wounds".

It has been a long year, a lot has happened during this time. The promotional process at work took eight long months, and some interpersonal relationships certainly had their ups and downs. The bummer is the collision that occurred at then end of this road. Perhaps my foot hit a crack, I lost sight of the balls, or I wasn't walking fast enough. BUT, the ball dropped and I tripped and fell HARD.

To those of you who were there to lend me a hand and help me up. I thank you. You were there when I needed you most, and alot of you may not ever know how big a part you played. I thank you. I just keep reminding myself

It is ok to fall. It does not mean you are incapable,

unstable, inept, or unsuccessful. It means you are HUMAN!

Goodbye Corey..........

2009-02-13T16:38:00.000-08:00

Rainy day in southern CA

2009-02-07T17:37:00.000-08:00

Well today the sky opened up and poured. We have had over an inch and a half of rain since about ten this a.m. I am at work, and of course the rain has caused a few problems. We have been on several vehicles stranded in the water, with the occupants still in them. So at not quite six p.m. we are already nine calls in. I am assuming this is going to be a very long shift.

Have you ever?

2009-02-06T21:23:00.001-08:00

Have you ever wondered, "What do people with no life do on a Friday night?" Has this thought run through your mind ever? Well, please allow me to solve this mystery and tell you where they are.

They are at the gym with the five other people with no life! I went to the two different extremes tonight. I had to run over to the mall for an errand.......at 7pm. Well............the people with lives? This is where they are on a Friday night. They are at the movies, out to dinner, walking the mall, hanging out with the "who's who". Once my errand was complete, I walked to the parking lot where someone with a life, was oh so excited to steal the now available parking spot that I created.

Back at home, nothing to do.......so I went where the other five people were..........the GYM!

Planning

2009-02-04T16:53:00.000-08:00

So my 35th birthday will be celebrated this year. I usually choose to take myself on a trip to celebrate my birthday. With the way the economy is going this year I am not sure if I am going to be able to make this one happen. I am not giving up yet, I still have until June. I am hoping to work some overtime (if it is available) and start saving some secret squirrel money. Perhaps the airlines will have sales to get people to fly and spend their money. I am considering going diving again as I did last year. I cannot beat the cost of my arrangements in Cozumel, a mere 45 dollars per night......can't beat it.

I have a few projects in mind for the knitting needles. I will have to blow the dust off those babies, I have not knitted in SOOO LONG I hope I remember how. My sewing room should be declared a national disaster area by the president. It is shameful how out of sorts it is right now. I need to dedicate a whole day to spend in there sorting, folding, organizing. As soon as I can focus my brain on just one task, I will get my arse in there and get busy. Then once it is in an organized state I can sew that arse off! I am sure someone is having a birthday or some sort of celebration in need of some sort of homemade gift, article of clothing, knitting bag etc.

I will get some photos up on here pretty shortly (not of the disaster area) of things that are far more interesting.

Photo's from a 2 year old

2009-01-26T10:40:00.000-08:00

Let your two year old nephew hold your camera and of course he want to take pictures. So here is what we have for a photo essay from a two year old

A close up of his daddies foot

A picture of his aunties arm

A picture of his own feet

A close up of his daddy

Oh yes and a picture of his own face. He was quite shocked by the flash directly in the eyes!

Dinner with my Crew

2009-01-17T01:11:00.000-08:00

Having some fun finally

2009-01-03T22:06:00.000-08:00

Part of my crew......got a little captain morgan in ya?

The last few days at work have been great. It was awesome to walk into work and not have the elephant sitting on my shoulders. Nice hair huh?

Just a few fun photo's from work.

A guy did not negotiate this turn on a windy little mountain road. Worst part of the story, the boyfriend was driving the girlfriends's two week old car. "Um, sorry sweetie?"

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!

2009-01-03T22:02:00.000-08:00

I must have lost my mind.........How could I have let you all go this long without telling you.......

THAT I PASSED THE ENGINEERS EXAM!!!!!!!!!

I must have been so excited and relieved to exhale that I forgot to tell my peeps that I have finished the last step of the engineers exam and was successful. I took the exam on the 30th at 9am. I will now have one last tid bit, the interview which will take place in couple of weeks. I have to spend time preparing for that, but it is not a pass/fail portion of the process.

I want to thank you all for your encouragement, love, support and friendship during this hatefully long process. I truly could not have hung onto that last strand of sanity had I not had you all behind me.

Good Karma Cash In

2008-12-29T00:11:00.000-08:00

ATTENTION, ATTENTION,

It is time again for the good karma cash in.....you may all know that my exam was supposed to be on the 22nd, and GAWD if it did not rain here in southern CA. Enough so that they canceled our exams and rescheduled them.

SO........the 30th at 9am is when I get my chance to get this darn thing done. For those of you who previously cashed in your good karma coupons, they have all been returned to you and are still valid for usage. Cash them in by 9am. All of your love, encouragement, and HUMOR has gotten me this far. I still need you all.

So, check back with me once the exam is done.....if I go missing for awhile that might not be good. Or maybe I am celebrating. Yeah I will be celebrating!!!!!!!!!! The last test portion of this hateful exam process.

I will have almost officially eaten this entire elephant. The last DAMN bite is the interview, but as I understand it is more about placement of seniority and what not.........not a pass/fail situation.

Christmas Day At work

2008-12-27T12:22:00.000-08:00

Out in front of the station, had to at least have one photo to prove that I worked on Chrsitmas......for the THIRD year in a row
Me and the SELF proclaimed EMT of the YEAR....Corey
Our Brush rig, and our Engine
Wait for it, wait for it
Pay no attention to the man behind the mask.........

So, we made it through Christmas, we had a very nice dinner compliments of the Rancho Bernardo Inn. They were very generous and also fed us on Thanksgiving as well.

I hope you all had wonderful times with your families. Looking forward to a fantastic New Year!

BIG giant CUSS words...........

2008-12-25T00:00:00.001-08:00

They cancelled my test and I am angry..........I better leave it at that. Damn RAIN!

The NO RAIN dance

2008-12-22T10:11:00.000-08:00

I need you all to perform the NO RAIN dance for me. I am taking my LAST test portion of the promotional exam today at 2:30. I do have another step after this, which will be an interview. BUT, it is predicted an 80% chance of light rain where the test is being held.

So I need you all to do the UN-RAIN dance. Oh, and cash in those good karma coupons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Rockstar

2008-12-21T17:44:00.001-08:00

Rockstar

So we broke Rockband for Wii out of the box today, and my nephew automatically knew how to use the drum sticks....to pound those drums. I am thinking perhaps Santa should bring him a set of these for Christmas??????

A family get together

2008-12-15T21:57:00.000-08:00

Saturday we had a family shindig. Since my grandma is in town we tried to meet up with all of the family that we do not get to see that often. We made our way up to Grand Terrace. I had to meet my sister in law in menifee so that she could follow us up. Well while in Menifee we quickly stopped off at Target and ran in to pick up a few items for the party. I came back to the car to get on the way..........and the car wouldn't start. So..........I went back in to Target and bought a pair of jumper cables and a gerber tool ( a multi function tool). Back out in the parking lot we used my sister in laws car to jump start mine. AND..........the damn thing would not jump. Next stop, the auto parts store, my sister in law drove me over so that I could buy a new battery. Back to the Target parking lot, I changed the battery (in my good clothes). So new battery installed we were ready to go.

The party was fun, a lot of laughing.

Picking up Gigi at the airport

2008-12-15T21:48:00.001-08:00

My nephew and I went to the airport a few days ago to pick up my grandma and his Gigi. I picked him up from his little school and we headed off to Ontario airport to pick her up. He is beginning to talk a lot more these days. We just barely made it to the airport before her plane landed. We hurried into the terminal to wait for her, and when I spotted her I told him, "there's Gigi" He kept trying to hide between the stroller and me. I would quickly move the stroller to expose him, and he would hide behind it again. I kept moving the stroller so he was sticking out, and as soon as my Grandma was within fifty feet or so I told him, "go say hi to Gigi" I almost teared up when he ran at her arms up in the air and crashed into her legs waiting for her to pick him up. He only gets the chance to see her twice a year, so for a two year old to remember and run to her open arms was awesome. I know it made her day.

Well our little helper wanted to help Gigi with her luggage. He was pushing a suitcase that out weighed him, but he WANTED to do it, and was very ticked off with me when I had to take him from him so we could cross the street.

Photograph published

2008-12-15T21:41:00.000-08:00

Oh fun news. Do you all recall my Cousin Captain Kirk who deployed to Iraq? Do you remember that when he came home I went with his wife and daughter to the base to greet him and to also take photos of his return? Well.........his wife Mrs. Bush submitted one of my photos to a magazine called military spouse..........AND.............

The magazine chose the photo and it is going to be published in their December 2008 issue. How exciting for the Bush family. Oh yeah for me too!

Coolest Woman in the World

2008-12-12T21:51:00.000-08:00

Ok the coolest woman in the world is here! My grandma came into town a few days ago. As I usually do my nephew and I went to the airport to pick up Gigi (great grandma, for my nephew). He was absolutely adorable at the airport. I kept pumping him up that we were going to get gigi. When my grandma came down the escalator, I pointed her direction and told him......there's gigi. He tried hiding behind the stroller, I would move it and he would hide behind it again. I moved it the last time, and he ran at her with his arms in the air. Oh my GAWD kid, make me get choked up! It was so adorable. Then we waited for her luggage, and he at the age of 2 was driving her suitcase around the airport and her suitcase was not light. I have a few photos of him driving it around the airport, I will have to upload them later.

I am trying to split my time with grandma, and the promotional process. There have already been some failures of other folks........that kind of crap scares me a bit. I have to try and just concentrate on myself.

Christmas

2008-12-02T19:36:00.000-08:00

Christmas is coming...........which brings up the same question year after year. What do you want for Christmas? No what do you want for Christmas? I dunno know, if I want it I buy it. Or I already have it. So truly, I am blessed, I NEED nothing.

This Christmas our family has suggested that we pick something, or somewhere to donate the money that we would have spent on the family members. I cannot reveal what our family present (from me) is just yet. I will say however that our family gift this year will be a great one, and it will make a difference.

I encourage all of you to consider doing something different this year. Perhaps donate to an animal sanctuary, shelter, etc. Maybe donate money or food goods to a food pantry (food for people in need). Donate to a non-profit organization that caters to something you are passionate about. Find a children's organization that helps foster children. How about give your money to an organization that provides medical aid and and humanitarian aid to third world countries.

Think it over, I bet you will find abundant REWARD and good karma in giving. Christmas is coming...........will you make a difference.

A few photos of us at work

2008-11-26T21:52:00.000-08:00

The community is producing a calendar to sell in order to raise money to remodel our fire station. So......they came and took a lot of photos of us doing our thing.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T21:41:00.000-08:00

Hello all, I want to wish you all Happy Thanksgiving now, as I will be at the fire station tomorrow. Yes you are correct this will be the third possibly fourth year that my shift has had to work both Thanksgiving and Christmas. The fantastic news is that our meal will be catered by the Rancho Bernardo Inn. Their food is amazing and they have made it a tradition to feed us on Thanksgiving and Christmas. THANK YOU RB INN!

I have to admit I have violated the american code! I put my Christmas tree up tonight. GASP! I figured I would rather do it tonight than do it on Friday when I get home. My teeny tree is up, lit, and decorated. I even have the Christmas stockings hung on the mantel. I know I said stocking plural, it is just me, but hanging only one makes it out of balance.

Everyone stay safe tomorrow, and have a great time with your family and friends. We should never take for granted the times we spend together. Sure all of our families have skeletons, but at times that is what makes us more interesting anyway.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

I love you all.

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-24T17:09:00.000-08:00

I did it!!!!! I passed. I have successfully eaten another bite of the promotional elephant. You know what I have discovered after eating all this elephant? I DON'T LIKE ELEPHANT!!!! The next step of this exam will take place on December 22 at 2:30 in the afternoon.

Many thanks to all of you who have sent me your love and support, and all the good karma coupons that you cashed in for me today. Please begin collecting more coupons so we can use them on the 22nd of December. I felt all the love and encouragement!

Thank you all for the congratulations, and kudos. For all of you who told me, "I knew you could do it." Even people who have it together can have brain fade, I am just SO SO glad that did not happen to me.

Last but not least, anyone who complains about parallel parking a CAR...............try parallel parking a FIRE ENGINE!!! Yeah, it is as hard as you think.

I love you all, now go collect all your good karma coupons.

Copy of an Email

2008-11-09T23:13:00.000-08:00

So I should have asked before I just blatantly posted this copy of an email from one of my childhood friends. But I thought since I was saving it in my inbox that there must be a reason. I have decided the reason is that I would like to share it with all of you. (M) lives in LA, very, very close to where the Sesnon Fire burned a few weeks back. She was affected by the fire (thankfully, is very safe post the fire), she sent me this email just days after the fire.

So I live in Porter Ranch and I was greatly effected by the Sesnon Fire up here. I don't know if you got shipped out to any of our fires but if you were or if you weren't, Thank You.

I need to say this to someone so Tag you're it:

Thank You for busting your butt in the face of a raging fire. Thank You for eating the smoke so my babies don't have to. Thank You for finding a way to save my 5 yr's old school. Thank You for continuing to cruise the area in rigs so my daughters can feel safe. Thank You for taking your life in your hands so my family is safe and my stuff stays my stuff. (by the way when you're told to evacuate you figure out real quick you don't have a lot of stuff you care much about beyond your family). Thank You for doing something most people can't. Thank You for flying over my home all night long and dropping water like an eye dropper into the mouth of a dragon because it was someone's back yard that you refused to give up on. Thank You for working in 24 shifts because you wouldn't let go of any of the houses, you wouldn't give up, give in or let go. Thank You for having the spirit, ego and guts to stand in the face of something that I would swear was alive and forged by evil - what else could come after someone's family, pets and home.

So, the next time you're tired and you don't want to study or you're not sure why you do what you do, just remember there are so many people out there that have wanted to say Thank You but don't know who exactly to say it to. So Thank You for letting me get this out to someone who (likely) won't completely wonder about my sanity. (and kissing the first fire fighter I see on the street, on the mouth, might get me arrested :) (it can't ALL be serious!)

I thanked her, and reminded her that it is my JOB. I also encouraged her to go out and kiss that first firefighter she saw..........but warned her that, the firefighter (as most of them are men) might pull her back in for a second KISS!

So (M) maybe I am keeping this email in my inbox to re-read throughout this DAMN promotional process. To remind myself that it is a short period of time, and that it will pay off.....EVENTUALLY!

Sickey

2008-11-08T22:01:00.000-08:00

Well I had a great quick vacation, but came home and have the cooties. I am not sure if this junk that I have is allergies gone sideways, or if this is in fact the common cold. All I can tell you is that I feel like $%%# I have felt very poorly for days now. I am ready for this junk to leave me ALONE! I know it is going around and many others are feeling the same, but I just had to complain.

An awesome old Barn

2008-11-02T20:40:00.001-08:00

This beautiful old barn belonged to a friend of my Aunt's. The friend's family owned this barn and farm house for many years. Within the last few years the friend had to sell the home and barn. Fortunately the people who own it now, did not mind us going on in and checking it out.

The upper floor of this barn was where the loose hay was kept. If you look closely you can see a rope swing, and also at the one end of the barn you can see the old basketball hoop. The history of this barn is pretty awesome. The basketball hoop was used for gym class by the local high school (many years ago of course). The cool old floor was also the skating rink for the local children as well. Can you imagine the clickety clack of all those old style roller skates on that wide planked (not smooth) floor.

This hot ol babe, is the COOLEST Grandma in the world. Yes of course it is MY grandma. How many grandma's do you know that would get in the rope swing and take it for a whirl? I will tell you that I am 34 and my grandma became a grandma at normal grandma age. (I will not tell you how old she is.....) But you can guesstimate, she does not act her age, as if you CANNOT tell. She is the hippest coolest, fastest walking lady I know.

I had to take the rope swing for a whirl too, I could not possibly be outdone by my Grandma! This was a fun afternoon, it was fun to imagine what this barn would have been like back in the day. I would love to live in this barn!!!!

YAHHHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

2008-10-30T23:34:00.000-07:00

So as you read in the previous post I passed this second portion of the promotional exam. I took the test yesterday at 12:30 and finished up around 2pm. I had some lunch with my parents and drove home to my house, I got in about 5pm or so. By 7pm I had purchased an airline ticket and 11 this morning I was on a plane to seattle.

I bought a plane ticket at 7pm less than 24 hrs before the plane was to leave, and for only $167.00 total, round trip, non-stop flight, all taxes fees included!!!!! I LOVE YOU HOTWIRE!!!! I had to drive on over to Long Beach, but that was not a big deal, especially since I got such as cheap ticket. Check out this airport, circa 1950's, people this photo is showing you the entire airport. Those are the only airlines serving it......the shuttle bus pulled up and I hopped out and here is what I saw.

I do believe that there are only four airlines flying out of this cute little place. Quaint, quaint, quaint. You want to know something funny though, the lady that talks over the loud speaker and tells you not to leave your luggage and all that jazz........she is the same in every airport, even this one. (She must be a recording, or a VERY popular lady!)

So I am in Sequim, WA seeing my two ladies. My Aunt and my GMA and we are going to CELEBRATE!!!!!!! Gotta get to bed, we have a rigorous day of garage sales tomorrow.

How do you eat and Elephant?

2008-10-30T23:28:00.000-07:00

One bite at a time! I just finished bite number two of my elephant. I am proud to say that I do not have to stare at this pump panel anymore for awhile. I do not have to lay, and pick up and lay and pick up hose for awhile.

I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!!

This portion of the promotional exam. The next bite of the elephant will be at the end of November. Thank you for all your well wishes, and good karma vibes. You can all be on break until the end of November, then I will need you again.

Some answer's

2008-10-22T10:29:00.001-07:00

I thought I might write a little snippit about a question that I am asked on occasion. I have been asked a few times, "why do you drive your sewing machine barefooted." Here is the answer. When my grandma taught me how to sew it was on an antique singer sewing machine. The pedal on that machine seemed to take quite a bit of pressure to get going, and once it got going I was a little out of control. As a new sewer, it would make me irritated to have to pull out all those errant stitches. It was very quickly that I decided if I sewed barefoot, that I would be able to feel how hard I was compressing the pedal, and in the end be more in control of that darn machine. Hence, ever since I have always "driven" my machine barefoot.

I use the widest part of my foot, keeping my heel on the ground and I fluctuate the pressure by pressing my toes down. I hope this explanation helps out a little. I was surprised how many folks have asked why I do this, and to also explain how I do it.

I have done a teeny tiny bit of sewing, just to keep my sanity while going through the promotional process at work. I cannot wait until next Wed and I can psuedo have my life back. I will at least be past this next step. The whole process will not finish up until the new year, so it is far from over, but one step closer.

Hanging out with a toddler

2008-10-13T15:27:00.000-07:00

Why do little kids like to stick out their little guts? My nephew has still not yet turned two but he is a tall one.

He is a big ham, he LOVES to have his picture taken. It is so funny that he understands how the camera works. Right after we took this picture he took my hand and tried to turn the camera around so he could see the photo.

Just hanging out.

I was getting ready to put the camera away, he decided we were not done taking pictures. He walked up with the crazy glasses and put them on my face.

He gave me an up close and personal "CHEESE". He is getting really funny to be around. His speech seems to improve weekly. I think pretty soon everyone is going to have to be really careful what they say in front of the baby. He does occassionally parrot back what you say. I predict it will not be too long before there is a whoopsie and a naughty word comes out of his mouth. I just hope and I pray I am not the guilty one!

My Crew at Work

2008-10-02T21:11:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak peek at what it looks like when I am at work. My boss (the one in the red helmet) at work will be moving to a new position after our shift tomorrow. We (my partner and I) keep telling him he will miss us. I am pretty sure he doesn't believe that....

The laughing starts when we walk into work

The problem is we both want to be the boss over the other one

He will miss us, he just doesn't want to admit it, after all who is he going to tell to quiet down.........40 times a day?

Lieutenant Dan we will MISS YOU!

New Blog

2008-09-22T12:32:00.000-07:00

I just want to let everyone know I started a new blog. I will keep this blog to post all my family stuff and personal stuff. I thought I should start a second blog to keep track of all my business stuff. It will be a journey, but here is the new blog address, www.sweetlittlefeet.blogspot.com, the title of the blog is Sweet Little Feet Designs. At the moment there is not much to it, but as the making continues there is sure to be more content, photos and posts.

I am in the midst of trying to get all my supplies in order and getting everything organized so that the creating can begin on a grand scale! I will still post photos here as well so you can all see what I am up to. I just thought perhaps the nosey ones might be interested in what is going on with the business stuff too!

A little bit about everything

2008-09-13T21:35:00.000-07:00

Ok, Phew, the promotional exam is over. I will not know for 4 weeks what the results are......but we can go with my gut feeling. Not a success. I am not trying to be demure or shy about my performance, I am serious, not good. Never the less, what is done is done. I will know 100% in about 4 weeks.

Ok a few house keeping things. I had a myspace page at one time, in order to catch up with family and see new photos and such. Unfortunately there were some other folks (not family) who began causing some drama. I have decided that I do not wish to have drama in my life, so I dropped the myspace thing. So.....for any of you who read here and also there, catch me here because I will no longer be there.

I am in the midst of hoarding all the supplies necessary to really get my whole little business thing off the ground. Now that the exam is over I can really start focusing my efforts and time on sewing and designing and SELLING! I am also going to start a blog dedicated soley to Sweet Little Feet. I do not want to clog up my business blog with my non-business chatter, so I am going to try and keep them separate. As soon as I get that up and running I will write a post with alll the knitty gritty details.

So the last two days I have done virtually nothing. I feel like someone unscrewed the top of my head and poured sand inside of my body. I literally felt like I could walk a few feet before I had to sit down. The only thing I can imagine is after all the stress of preparing for the exam and, regular old stress that my reserves were on empty. I dunno, I don't recall every being that exhausted.

So that is all I have for now. I intend to go organize my sewing room so I can get to work in there and start cranking out things of beauty!

Climbing the Walls!

2008-08-31T22:38:00.000-07:00

I am climbing the walls. I do not do sit still well at all! I do not do sit still and focus on learning, AT ALL! I feel like I have not gotten any fresh air in days. I am tired of reading, tired of memorizing. I am going crazy and probably driving everyone else crazy as well. This whole studying thing does not lend itself well to those of us who have a SEVERE case of A.D.D. If I ever wondered before if I really had an issue with A.D.D. this last few weeks has certainly cleared that up for me. I HAVE A.D.D. there is no question about it!

ARGGHHHHH, I need this to be over with. I cannot sit still, I cannot sleep, all I want to do is eat something. I am not allowed to sew, and I have not been to the gym to burn all this frustration off.

So, until the 5th gets here I will not have anything interesting to say, because there is not anything interesting going on in my life at this point in time. Trust me, it is buggin me too!

C'mon Sept 5th!

2008-08-28T18:45:00.000-07:00

September 5th needs to hurry up and get here so I can be released back to my own life. GEEZ! I have SO much sewing to do and so little time. I have ordered more fabric than any human should have. I have great aspirations for the upcoming months. I intend to get this whole childrens clothing thing in full swing. The holidays are coming and I think that would be a fantastic time to get it all out there. I will be continuing with Etsy and also giving it a shot at the local farmer's market and street fairs. We will see, I am a dreamer and I am dreaming that it will be a fun journey and not a big ol flop.

ATTENTION to all the folks who know me personally, if it is a flop your children will be getting my clothing for every birthday and holiday for the next umpteen years! So pray for me! I joke, I hope. It is because of all you folks that have encouraged me after having already receiving my clothing for gifts for your kids over the last few years. I thank all of you for boosting up my confidence and telling me, "Tammy, you really need to start selling these things." Unless of course that was your nice way of saying.........please give these things to someone else? I don't think so.

To all of you who are keeping track of my studying, don't worry you won't catch me in the sewing room UNTIL, September 6th!

So sweet

2008-08-28T00:56:00.003-07:00

I just think this is the sweetest picture. My nephew offering his daddy a flower. Of course he says da da not quite yet daddy.

Interestingly Enough

2008-08-28T00:40:00.000-07:00

So there has been a lot going on, but not a lot of writing happening here. I have been informed again, by my informant that I have been slacking on my duties again. Duties would mean getting on here and posting some juicy stuff for her to read!

I have been out of high school for 16 years now, and as all people do you tend to lost touch with a lot of folks from back in the day. The informant (who was previously mentioned) and I went to high school together, and due to some things out of our control we lost touch. We were joined at the hip the first two years of high school, and then we were kinda torn apart. School ended and she went her way and I went mine. Though over all the years it kept nagging at me, where is she, what is she up to. I was very curious as to where life's journey had taken her. After a few failed attempts of trying to reach her through Classmates.com, one day I finally got a return email from her! After all these years we literally live about 12 miles from each other. The best part about it, we just picked up where we left off.

Well the last few months have brought about a lot of fun surprises, allow me to explain. I had a girlfriend from grade school who I always invited to all my birthday parties, went to jr high and high school together.....she found me through classmates. Then this facebook thing, several more folks from high school have found me. I have so enjoyed hearing about the journy's in life. It just strikes me so oddly that everyone seems to be coming out of the woodwork at once. I have another friend from high school whom we lifeguarded and taught swimming together also found on facebook. It has been a real treat learning about what their life is all about now.

I sure wished I knew then what I know now. Kids are so mean to each other going through school. I wish I would have known nearly all the incredibly popular people in school are just run of the mill folks with very uninteresting lives. It is the nerdy ones, who were a bit more independent and not running in the "accepted social group" who have truly led the most fascinating and rewarding lives. I guess the ugly ducks ain't so ugly anymore!

Update on the whole promotional exam, I am struggling to study and really have been VERY cranky the last two weeks, and there is more crank to come because the exam is still a week away. I JUST WANNA GET IT OVER!

Where did my brain go?

2008-08-22T21:05:00.000-07:00

I guess I lost my brain in my last post. I forgot to mention I pulled off a surprise with the help of my aunt while I was on this trip. (Aunt from my mom's side) I drove down to southern WA and lay in wait for my biological mom to show up at my aunts for an alleged breakfast. I surprised her, we ate and laughed and shopped, and ate some more. It was a short jaunt but I think we packed a lot in. My aunt is also a big sewer so we our course had to all take a trip to the fabric store, at which much money was spent on my part! Then we all had dinner together. I had to head "home" to Sequim to study but the surprise was fun!

Where I've been

2008-08-20T23:43:00.000-07:00

So the promotional exam is coming......I decided that I wanted to get away from all the distractions at home. I packed up and headed to the Pacific Northwest and holed up at my aunts house in Sequim, WA. I have been up here a week tomorrow, and I have done nothing but sit on my rear and study the whole time I have been here. I am so sick and tired of reading and making note cards.

It has rained nearly everyday, the first few days it rained quite well and thundered and lightened. It was pretty awesome to watch. Today finally let up a little bit, and it was time to get out in the kayaks. It was a nice reprive from the books. I will be back on a plane home tomorrow evening. Before I go, here are a few photos from this afternoon. Oh yeah, it didn't rain until we were out there in our boats. The water up here is in the very low forties........c o l d!

Last Chance

2008-08-12T22:52:00.000-07:00

Ok tomorrow is my last chance to sew for a bit. Well that is if I have the energy to do so. We are riding the night train today. It has been an extremely busy day here at work.

The plan, an outfit or two for a little person who is getting ready to have their second birthday. After tomorrow I need to swear off, well basically anything fun! I need to swear off the sewing and knitting until after the promotional exam at work. I am leaving town on Friday to go to WA, to purposely get away from all my "stuff" that distracts me.

So after my last run at fun, I hope to get a few photos of the completed work! So check back late, late tomorrow....................

I was informed

2008-08-08T20:57:00.001-07:00

This evening I was informed by a dear (best) friend (whom I have known since junior high), that I better get on it and post on here more often. I was informed that she checks it daily and is tired of seeing the same sorry, lame, posting and nothing new and fresh. So this one is for you my dear!

I LOVE ETSY!!!!! Please take some time and look up www.etsy.com

I will just about guarantee that you will become addicted to etsy, you can and will find so many incredible things on etsy that you didn't know that NEED SO BAD!!!!!!!!! Maybe you should wait and check it from home, if you check it from work it will become a huge time waster. I am including my cute little business card, for my etsy shop. I am still getting everything set up. I am still doing a lot of sewing, so check it out, and check back from time to time. I am currently eyeing some flexible children's mannequins on ebay. Since I do not have any children of my own, and really do not have children easily accessible to me at all times...........I needed some dummies to put my clothes onto. I hope to have them soon. I will be taking all new photos of all my clothes so they will show better.

I have already written on here a lot about my desires to pursue fashion and fashion design. I have recently found some patterns that I have fallen in love with. I have found some fabulous patterns from the 40's and 50's. I hope to post some pictures of some of the project's that I am messing around with. There is an adorable swing coat (trapeze coat) that I am working on, I am just trying to work out a few bugs in the pattern. I don't think that the bugs are mistakes per se, just some fine tuning that might make the pattern sew up a little more smoothly.

Should Be......

2008-08-08T01:36:00.000-07:00

STUDYING, but I'm not. Instead I made this outfit. My sister-in-law needed a gift for lady at work who's daughter is having a baby. So I whipped this little sweetie up yesterday afternoon. I am going to be getting some childrens mannequins so that I can photograph the clothing a lot easier. I also made a little buggy quilt. It is a small quilt just big enough to cover the baby in the car seat and in the baby buggy.