Sniffle Me Timbers

Every limb aches.
I have a chapped face.
My nose is running.
My whole body's bumming.
My mind is wondering...
Who gave me this cold??

It really doesn't matter.

The fact is: It's here to stay. Just a short visit, hopefully.

After sneezing all day and feeling generally miserable, I got to thinking...

Since there is no cure for viruses such as the common cold...

What could make me as comfortable as possible in this moment?

• Hot Shower (Steve's recommendation for most aches and pains)
  Before I jumped in, I threw a towel and my favorite pj's in the dryer!
  Got the water a little hotter than is comfortable to first touch.
  Slowly eased myself in. Nothing like 20 minutes in a sauna! Or 30 mins...
  
• Keeping Up Appearances
  I've found I feel better when I look better.
  I got dressed today and went out in the sunshine. Rare in Oregon!
  I hate pokey legs in bed... A quick shave does wonders.
  Slathering on some good lotion feels great after a hot shower too.
  Keeping up on my facial moisturizing routine helps prevent chapping.
  
• Cleanliness is next to...
  Keeping a trash bag near me to throw my tissues in is HUGE.
  Saves energy. Keeps everyone else healthy. Even I feel healthier.
  My house doesn't have to cave in, though my body feels like it is. ;)
  
• Don't Be Cheap
  I tend to splurge more when I'm sick.
  Pre-made soup rather than homemade. Just tried Bear Creek. Fabulous!
  Kleenex instead of T.P. I've learned: Dab, don't wipe. Much softer!
  I also splurge on fudgsicles... They are my special "sicky" treat.
  The cold helps the inflammation in my sinuses go down. As does ice water.
  But fudgsicles taste better. ;)
  
• R&R
  Nothing beats extra rest and sleep... Cozying up in bed is my favorite.
  A good book makes it even better.
  When my eyes are too tired and strained to read, I like Hulu or Netflix (subscription).

Speaking of rest and sleep... I think I'm ready to crash for the night.

What helps you feel more comfortable when you have a bad cold?

For some reason this Lawrence Welk song ran through my head and made me think of feeling so safe and comfy in my bed as a child...

Goodnight, goodnight, until we meet again
Adios, Au revoir, Auf wiedersehn 'til then.
And though it's always sweet sorrow to part
You know you'll always remain in my heart.

Good night, sleep tight, and pleasant dreams to you.
Here's a wish and a prayer that every dream comes true.
And now, 'til we meet again,
Adios, Au revoir, Auf wiedersehn!
Goodnight!!

Listen on Grooveshark!

Unresolved

I had a dream...

It was about my sister's death. This may be troubling to some and may feel extremely personal.

They may feel like trying to solve it, but the dream itself speaks volumes about that exact desire.

I wonder how many have dreamt or felt this exact way in their own lives when the inexplicable happens.

I awaken in my dream.

I am holding my mother in a hug around the shoulders as she cries, lying in my lap. My dad is not crying. We're surrounded by many, many people we know quite well, but no specific faces. My other siblings are not present.

In the middle of the room is my sister's body laid out in burial fashion - hands folded, lying on her back, but she has been dead quite some time. Only her face is covered with a white sheet. It's like a second funeral. The reason for her death has not been resolved. No one is mourning her, they're just trying to figure out why. They are not crying, only us.

A pastor speaks, and I feel daggers being forged in my heart and wishing them into his. A figure of spiritual guidance and comfort, I feel hostility and offense toward this man. My exact thought is, "He has no idea what he's talking about. He knows no more than anyone else here. He is merely human."

It feels like a forum. A brainstorming session. Everyone giving their opinion or reasoning as to why someone so young and vibrant would be gone/taken in an instant. They did care about her deeply, but seem so disconnected and distant now. It is simply a problem to be solved.

My dad seems to want to speak, but nothing comes out of his mouth when he opens it. As the arguing begins in earnest, my dad begins to cry.

Why now? I don't know.

I have a voice. It is caged. I speak, but no one listens. They can hear me, but they ignore me. "She's too young. She couldn't possibly understand."

Anger. Helplessness. Bone-deep sadness.

Why?

So many people stand together in a questioning choir before God.

The main refrain:

"Why?"

This dream has me reeling with the possible interpretations and ramifications to my faith.

The simple, single-lined marquee that scrolls across the blank screen of my mind is this:

You are never alone in your grief. Nobody else may understand your individual tragedy and pain, but they stand beside you, echoing the same painful cries, indiscernible by human ears.

Most importantly. There is one who holds the answers.

God hears each note of your soul-wrenching song and His eyes are not dry.

A Case of the Snugglies...

Just finished these for a friend who is expecting! Making them was so much fun!

This sweet little thing can double as a changing mat or a blanket. It's made of a really soft flannel from Jo-Ann Fabrics. Love that store! I had never bar tacked anything in my life, but I learned in about 5 minutes. Pretty simple!

A few cute burp cloths. I hear you can never have enough of these with a new baby. Can't wait to meet the little girl when she finally decides to arrive! So excited!

Making Progress!

Making some progress on the shabby chic quilt!

What you see here is the front and back laid out next to each other. It turns out I have a few extra feet of the front, so I'm planning to cut out little shapes and sew them to the plaid back. We'll see. I may change my mind once I see it mapped out!

This is a little better illustration of what the finished product may look like. Thank you, Shirley, for the sewing kit! Especially the seam ripper!!

Meet R.E.

Socks come and go, but creatures are forever.

At least we wish they were!

It is our honor to introduce the first born creature from our sock drawer.

He is the descendent of a John Deere crew sock.

Meet R.E.

R.E. is mostly Steve's buddy.

His favorite season is Fall, if you haven't guessed by his dress.

He is a wooly hamster.

His hobbies include hanging out with Steve, watching movies, playing Final Fantasy, surfing Craigslist for great deals, and eating a LOT of pizza.

Lately, he's been talking about motorcycles a lot. I think it has to do with Steve's recent obsession with riding. They're even talking me into it. I actually drove a motorcycle yesterday! A CM 250 Honda. Granted, Steve was running alongside with a slightly-giddy-yet-panicked look on his face.

R.E. is a great, laid back guy. He has great manners, and is always concerned about making a good impression on the ladies. Any cute, available girly wooly hamsters out there? He's single!

Deconstruction

I found a cute crib bumper at Goodwill for about $3. A crib bumper is a great repurposing project. You get plenty of fabric, plus a ton of batting to boot! After ripping out the seams, I was quite surprised at how much batting there was. Woo hoo!

I'm at phase 2 of my project now: What am I going to make?

Generally people begin with an idea, and then deconstruct. For me, it really depends on my mood. =)

Without any further ado, here are my materials:

A ton of thread goes into sewing! Crazy!
I don't generally reuse it. It just surprised me.

This is the front, back, and trim of the bumper.
I'm thinking quilt. What do you think??

I love the fabric. It's so girly.
I don't have many girly-girl things in my house.

What would you do with a spare crib bumper?

September Storms Out

Generally the stormy lion and docile lamb illustration is reserved for Spring, but it seems more fitting for Autumn this year.

Within three days, the temperatures in the valley have jumped from 62F to 81F. Yesterday was 76F, and this morning I woke up with an icy nose and toes! Now weather.com is attempting to convince me that it will be 88F today! I'm ready for something steady. Cold or hot, I care not! Just bring me some stability! =)

I've been sewing lately. It's been very productive and fun, but I wish I had something to show for it! They're mostly birthday/Christmas presents so I can't post pictures of them yet. I guess I'll have to work on something publishable. I've been working on blankets lately. I'm hoping to work on some pillows for our bed. I've had the fabric and trimmings for over a year now, but the intimidation of a new pattern has kept my creative courage at bay.

Today I'm planning an "Inspiration Day". These days typically consist of delicious coffee, hours at the library, lots of sticky notes, and a really good pen. I'm excited to share what I find!

Hope you have a beautiful day as well!