Monthly Archives: August 2012

Seven Quick Takes: Vol. 43

1.

Heat has arrived here in SoCal. The last few days have seen the temperature in the high ’90s, but with low humidity. Don’t believe the lies: Dry Heat is still Too Damn Hot.

2.

I decided this year that I was going to do a better job watching both of the Conventions and I’ve pretty much failed at that so far. I tried… it’s just that there are more entertaining things on TV and if it’s downtime… I just want to chill.

3.

I took one of those political-type quizzes this past week and I found out why I am so confounding, politically: I agree with Republicans 67% of the time, Libertarians 66% of the time and Democrats 63% of the time. Yup, I’m that annoying voter who sees and understands all sides. Kind of a Republicratarian.

4.

This was our first full week of kindergarten and I am exhausted! We are still getting used to the new schedule… primarily getting out of the house no later than 8a, if we drive, 745a if we walk. (Driving involves parking the van as we walk the kiddos into the kindergarten area.

5.

Part of the challenge is what I like to call the “Morning Time Continuum Conundrum.” Basically, it’s that unexplainable wrinkle in physics where time seems to speed up or slow down depending on what you are doing. 10 minutes on a treadmill= eternity. 10 min before you have to leave for school= gone in a flash. Luckily, there are some great bloggers out there with great tools. One that I just found were these morning and night routine charts from Jen at IHeartOrganizing. We’re using it as an extension of our current chore chart, and we’ll see how it works… Stay Tuned.

6.

This past Tuesday I did the glucose tolerance test for this pregnancy. I mentioned to my OB that the “sugar drink of death” makes me so sick and since I’ve recently started feeling better with this pregnancy, I wanted to keep that feeling. So, rather than having to drink the drink, he ordered a “post-prandial glucose challenge.” Basically, go in for a fasting blood draw. Go and eat. Come back and hour later for another blood draw. Sweet.

7.

The new season of Doctor Who starts on Saturday! Can I get a WOOT!?

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Be sure to head over to Conversion Diary to read more Quick Takes!

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Bringing in the Fall!

At the risk of sounding like a humble braggart, the one thing that kind of bums me out about SoCal is the relative lack of seasons. I’m a Midwest-girl and I know that I am really going to be missing my absolute favorite season of all: Fall.

I love everything about Fall: the crisp snap in the  air, the crunch of leaves under your feet,  that smell that just means “Fall is here!” When I was in Wisconsin, I was lamenting to my friend, Tamara, about how I am really missing the idea of Fall. Her suggestion was simple, “Bring in the Fall!” And for me, that means the scents of fall.

Our olfactory sense is so powerful that just simple smells can evoke an emotional response. I mean, think about it: have you ever smelled the perfume that your mother or grandmother wore and immediately thought of her? Or maybe it’s the smell of the Stove-Top Brand of stuffing that reminds you of Family Dinners? Or what about the clover smell of Grandpa’s Pipe?

Smell= experiences=memories

I know that it’s still pretty early in the season (after all, it’s only August) but I have already been burning my Hot Apple Pie and Spiced Cider Candles. I love walking around our apartment and being enveloped by a hug of apple, cinnamon and cloves. As we move through the season, I’ll bring in the Fall Decorations (especially the Halloween ones!) because while there are a few deciduous trees here, I will be missing the beautiful fall colors caused by the temperature change. If it wouldn’t kill our energy bill, I’d even consider cranking our A/C up just so I could justify wearing my Wool Sweaters and skirts!

Trips to the Pumpkin Farm and Hay Rides might not have the same feel here as in the Midwest, but there is no reason that they still can’t be fun! After all, a huge part of the experience is who you are making the memory with. One goal of mine for the Fall is to find a Pumpkin Farm that has NOT just been set up in the parking lot of the local CVS, even if it means driving a bit. It would be easy to complain and lament about the lack of Fall, but what good would that do? Better to be proactive and make the best of everything!

I love our new (adopted) state (except for maybe how State Money is spent, *snark*) but I will always miss Fall in the Midwest.

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What is your favorite season? How do you bring it into your home?

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The making of a Princess… Dress

The Dragonfly has decided that she wants to be Merida (from Brave) for Halloween. And she has decided that The Bear will be her… Bear. (If you have seen the movie or read any of the accompanying books, you know that the bear is pretty key.) Now this is a big departure from the last 3 Halloweens, in which The Bear has been the human and The Dragonfly has been the animal (Little Bo Peep/ Sheep; Farmer/ Cow; Witch/ Cat) so we are a little excited.

She’s looking at this particular version of Merida’s dress:

Just without the head piece. Basically, the Merida from the scene in which she is pretty much awesome with her bow and arrow. Now, I know that I could just head to Target or scour the Internet and find a premade Merida costume, but those just seem not really worth the money.  (One place wanted close to $45!) So what to do? Well, draft a pattern and make a dress!

In my head, this seems like a simple task: I’m thinking a 1/2 or 3/4 circle Skirt for the Skirt, and then basing the top off of a long-sleeved shirt and adding the details as needed. I don’t have a dressmakers’ dummy, but the thing about little girls’ clothing is that there is not much worry about the need for darts, etc as little girls are still pretty boxy. I will buy a commercial red curly wig for her, as The Dragonfly’s hair is brown and not so wild.

I did buy a bit of Muslin to draft onto and make a dry run before busting into the purchased fabric, mostly for the bodice piece, and I will say I am kind of excited about this. It’s kind of neat to think that she will have a unique costume done in the style of what might be a popular character this year and that it will be mama-made and pattern-less.

Now the question remains… will this end up being a hot mess?

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Have your kids made Halloween plans? How do you go about the costume game?

 

 

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