Dr. Seuss Day...

Dr. Suess Day 2/25/2011

Our Little Cat in the Hat

Dr. Seuss Day 2/25/2011



Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.

I meant what I said and I said what I meant.

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.

Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.

I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them Sam I am!

You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere.

I like nonsense; it wakes up the brain cells.

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself, any direction you choose.

Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way.

So you see! There's no end to the thing you might know, depending how far beyond Zebra you go.

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try.

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.

You're on your own, and you know what you know. And you will be the guy who'll decide where you'll go. Oh the places you'll go.

perspective...

sometimes, life can really get at you.  issues arise, and you think to yourself, surely it can't get much worse than this.  i was definitely having one of those days yesterday.  i allowed for myself to get sucked into it.  the 'issue' consumed my every thought.  i threw a grand petty party and let anyone who would listen know about this terrible thing i was going through.  

then i curled up in my bed and began reading blogs and tweeting.  i started thinking of the blogs that i read that really touch my heart.  the blogs where the author pours over the keyboard letting us in on the terribles of their lives.  a sick loved one.  losing a parent.  losing a child.  hospital stays. divorces. missing children. infertility. sadness. despair.  and i realized something --- i am pretty darn lucky.  sure, what i am going through is big to me right now, but it is so small compared to the heartache, sadness, and frustration that other people are going through.  so i decided something right then and there.  first, i would pray.   so i prayed for those who were struggling, that they would find strength in the midst of their sadness.  i prayed for them to know what an inspiration their story is to me.  i prayed for those wonderful ears that listened to me vent my frustrations last night, that they would know what a strength they are to me. second, i would be the bigger person in this situation, hopefully gaining something from all of it.

today isn't really any different than yesterday.  the issue is still ever present.  the difference, i have realized, is me.  how i act and how i respond.  how i move forward.  its taking baby steps.  anytime i start to feel myself struggle, i remember the strength of those who are going through way worse.  i can surely get through this.

perspective...its a beautiful thing.

how-to: a fabric flower tutorial...

so. i am by no means a 'martha stuart'.  i can barely thread a needle let alone sew.  i have seen these adorable fabric flowers everywhere, and  i thought 'i can make that'.  On a spontaneous weekend trip to ohio this fall, i decided to give one a shot with the guidance of my mother (who is, by the way, is a total martha.)   anywho, mom had some fabric scraps and fabric glue, so i gave it a try.  it was a sticky mess, but i managed to bust out three flowers and called it a day.  a few months ago, i decided to try them again, only this time i opted for a hot glue gun.  after a couple of tries, i mastered a few new headbands for me and ava.  i got some great feedback on them, and thought you guys might like a little how-to session.  again, i am no martha, and there is most likely a better way to make these.  this is just what seems to work for me:)

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Step 1.  the first, and best, step is choosing your fabric! I get a 1/4 yard of fabric, and cut it into strips.  this amount yields about three large flowers.

Step 2.  Apply a strip of hot glue to your fabric, and then fold. (this will allow for your print to always show).

Step 3. After folding, cut  your strip. The length is entirely up to you.  It just depends on how big you want your flower to be :)

Step 4. begin rolling the fabric in a circle.  i find it works best to work in small sections, alternating from rolling to gluing. when rolling, i work looking at the 'top' of the flower. when gluing, work from the backside of the flower, applying the hot glue in the 'seams'. when working with the hot glue, the small sections are key so that the fabric remains tight and easy to roll.   it is also key that you allow your glue time to dry before rolling more fabric.

  once your flower is rolled and the glue has dried, the possibilities are endless. pins, picture frames, necklaces, and hair accessories are just a few ways you can use your flower.  my favorite way (so far!) to use the fabric flower is on a head band.  all you need is an elastic band and some felt.

Step 5.  using the hot glue, attach the elastic band to the flower.

Step 6:  Using the felt, cut a circle just a little smaller than the size of your flower.  apply hot glue to the felt, and place on the back of your flower, leaving the elastic band in between.  the felt helps add additional security to the band for wearing. and your circle doesn't need to be perfect, as no one sees this side anyway!

Step 7. Enjoy your new headband!

If you try out the tutorial, please let me know how it goes!  And, if you are interested in having me make a headband for you, you can contact me at cemerson620(at)aol(dot)com. :)

editors note:  please do not pay attention to the very grown up toy story art tray i was working on.  it kind of works perfectly for flower making in front of the tv. a certain 5 year old is wanting her tray back ---  apparently i need to invest in a craft table :)

what i'm loving {loft edition}...

it's no secret that i have a small obsession with The Loft. i love going there on a Saturday afternoon and just browsing.  they always have great sales too!  they have their spring line out right now, and i kind of big pink puffy ♥ it.  soft pastels, stripes, ruffles.  ahh. like i said, i love.  some of my favorites are...

even better, The Loft is currently having a President's Day Event where you can save 25% off your full-price purchase.  i am for sure making a visit this weekend.  and the offer is also available online. 

Happy Shopping ;)

the good, the bad & the ugly...

the good:  i have a few vacation days scheduled for the next few months.
the bad:  work will be busy after those days are taken.
the ugly:  my first vacation day isn't scheduled until the end of march.

the good:  i have been making progress on the weight watchers program.
the bad: while my clothes are starting to be baggy, I'm still not ready to go down a size.
the ugly: i still have about 25 more pounds to go.

the good:  i get a three day weekend this weekend.
the bad: i have a to do list that is not ridiculously long.
the ugly:  a few items on said list? closets & baseboards. yuck.

the good:  i got my new glasses in and have been wearing them everyday.
the bad:  it has been a big adjustment, especially changing between my computer/reading to my driving glasses.
the ugly:  bifocals are so hard to get used to.  I've had major headaches at the end of everyday.

the good:  the weather here has been so warm.
the bad:  it has also been humid.  not great for my hair.
the ugly: on top of the humidity, my hair is in need of a cut/color.  why did i choose to lighten it again?

what is your good, bad and ugly thoughts today?

wordless wednesday...

happy ♥ day...

truths...

to be quite honest, being a parent is definitely the best, and hardest job there is.  it seems as though i have an idea in my head about how our year will go, and then the year gets here and it is nothing like i imagined.  its harder, better, and more beautiful than the image i initially get in my head.  the fifth year has proven to not be any different that the years before when it comes my precious, vibrant little.  at five and a half, little miss ava is...

confident.  she stands by her convictions and is not easily persuaded.

fearful.  she has come to learn that her mama is a 'i mean business' kind of lady.  that i don't like to say things twice, and this causes her to be scared.  at least i have THAT going for me.

devious.  partly because she like to lie,and partly because she doesn't like to get in trouble.  the poor girl has yet to realize that not telling the truth the first time around will actually get you in more trouble.

sweet. she loves to snuggle up and gives the best hugs.

boisterous.  her voice (not unlike mine) tends to travel.  she talks really fast and uses lots of hand motions.

dramatic.  sometimes i look at her and the vision of her at fifteen flashes in front of me.  it is truly terrifying.

sassy.  girlfriend has the eye-rolling and go to hell look down.  makes a mom proud.

independent.  she loves her 'me' time, and does really well playing in her room all by herself.

lazy.  she would spend the whole day laying in bed watching cartoons if i let her.

happy.  she is always singing (look out AI) and dancing around the house.

active. she loves playing baseball in the house with her daddy.

smart.  sometimes she asks questions that i don't know how to answer.  and she's five.  and a half. we are most definitely going to need an intervention.

creative. drawing pictures and writing in her notebook is one of her favorite past times.

compassionate.  she cried at the end of Ramona and Beezus.  precious.

these things and more make up my beautiful, vibrant little.  this age is nothing like i had expected.  its harder, better, and more beautiful that i could have ever imagined.  being her mom is the best gift i have ever been given.



Superbowl Sunday...

We have an annual tradition of getting together with our favorite emerson's to watch the superbowl. I don't care too much about the big game, but I love getting together for the good food and conversation;)

Ava helped Aunt Sarah with the cheese dip








And posed for a few photos









She even agreed to pose with boring old mom :)


Preston spent some time with Uncle Justin & playing :)





And I may or may not have consumed too many points to track :)


Happy Sunday!
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the 'martha' hour...

Even though I needed to spend the morning cleaning and doing laundry, I opted for crafts instead:-)

First up, I made a little valentine's day craft with left over fabric and some chipboard letters!



Then I worked on a headband for me, and a little rosette clip for Ava.












I finished off by dressing up a picture frame...


Now we're off to lunch & the grocery store! Happy Saturday ;)


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Working girls...

Because of all the ice & snow, Ava was out of school four out of the five days this week! Normally this wouldn't be a big deal, but because this storm was so bad, even her daycare closed! ((this is the first time it has EVER closed because of weather!)) That being said, Justin & I had to juggle who stayed home & who worked. Tuesday I stayed home. The first week of every month is crazy busy for me, so Justin took Wednesday & Thursday and the plan was that I would take Friday. Well, some unforseen things came up and I had to go into the office yesterday, so Ava came with me!

We were up and out of the house early (read- 6:15 a.m.) There was a fresh blanket of snow, so I had to be extra careful with my precious cargo :)






Ava was SO excited to be my assistant for the day :) She quickly learned how to work the fax machine and stapler :)






She was so good all day! She even took a 1 1/2 hour nap. We packed up about 4:45 p.m. to make the drive home. The highway was remarkably clear, but the side streets were still a mess. We made it home in time for a few pictures in the snow.


















There is nothing better than a great Friday with my girl :)

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Tuesday Tidbits...

****First and formost, if your reading this in google reader, please come out and look at my fab new design!!! Jessica with Diamond Doll Design gave me a complete blog makeover! And the new name? She helped me there too! I've been wanting something a little more memorable than just " The Emerson's"! I LOVE it, and hope you do too! Jessica is currently running a special so head on over an look at all the wonderfull things she can do! ****

Like so many others, Ava & I had a "snow" or really an "ice" day today! Normally, I would have tried making it to the office, but the rail system was down & Ava's kindergarten and daycare were both closed (the first time in 8 years that her daycare has closed for weather---they are ALWAYS open)) so we stayed in the comfort of our warm home while Justin ventured to work.

We spent the morning in our pj's, robes & blankets just watching tv an cuddling!







After lunch I got motivated and did an overhaul of ava's room! Christmas was a wonderful time, but the aftermath requires the whole out-with-the-old and in-with-the-new cleaning frenzy! I also did some rearranging ;)












I covered her art storage center with some cute fabric. Eventually, she is going to need a "big girl" desk with drawers, but this works for now.






Girlfriend recieved some new "artwork" and insisted on displaying it in her room. I would only agree to use it on the doors! Ha!






Besides, she already has adorable artwork on her wall!






While Ava played dress up...






I was able to remove THIS from her room!






Yikes!! There is still a few things left to do, but it's progress!

Hope you guys had a fantastic Tuesday :)

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