asheville concert

Clyde went last Saturday with a few of his book club buddies to Asheville to see The Christmas Jam...the Allman Brothers and The Steve Miller Band. The concert went from 7pm to 3am. This group of teachers aren't accustomed to staying awake that late and were asleep within minutes of going to bed. As a Asheville treat Clyde arranged for them to stay @ the Mountaineer...one classy joint. :)  

science center

Last week I went on a field trip with Jacob's class to the Science Center here in the Emerald City. We had loads of fun on that cold day. The animal exhibits didn't open until 10am and we had classes to go to, so we didn't make it outside to see any animals. This is Jacob's friend that is a girl, S. She is a cute girl and she and Jacob are like peas and carrots.

art show

Erin's art was displayed at the Randolph County Arts Guild last Thursday night. We are very proud of our girl!

potholders/ hand towels

 This'll be the last request made until after Christmas. These are for the same gal that I made the knitting needle roll up. She wanted as much upcycled material as possible, with the potholders having yellow, red, brown, and orange in them, as well as a pocket on the back and a loop to hang them up. I did have a tricky time with the binding. I think they turned out well. hopefully she agrees.

She also requested two blue hand towels. She wasn't specific on the shade of blue so I gave her some good 'ole Duke blue. She just wanted them to be at least 7"x 7". These are actually 8"x8".

cable

Libby is home sick today. Before I left the brown house to get the little wardlings to school, I ran upstairs to check on Libby, who had nestled into my warm and tozy (a Penny word) flannel sheets.  She was watching Katy Perry on VH1. (Don't worry... it wasn't her "I want to see your peacock" song.) I had an instant flashback of sleepovers with my grandparents Cecil.  My family didn't have cable when I was growing up so going to MeeMaw and PeePaws house was rockin' for more than just a visit and yard sale-ing with them. It was the cable. My sister Raegen and I would always sneak a VH1 or MTV video as much as we could. We would always have to change the station...even if it was on a dumpy country station. Everything was innocent in those days...I mean George Michael singing, "I want your sex" isn't bad...right?! Besides it was really Cindy Lauper who rocked VH1 with her awesome "Time after Time" video. Just seeing Libby with the remote in her hand and watching The California Girl, Katy, I thought that times had changed.  She wasn't laying there with her finger on the remote to quickly change the station when she heard footsteps of an adult or the door opening. I hope that Libby feels better, but for today, she can chill with the remote, on my bed,  and watch all the non parental blocked shows she chooses. :)

thumbs up

As we were walking into school this morning, the principal for our elementary school shouted out..."Got him moved!" and then gave us a thumbs up.  (This meaning that the bully was removed from the classroom and placed with an EC teacher.) Then this afternoon, after picking up our children, Josh's teacher stopped to chat, thanking me for going to the principal. I told her that I was happy about the outcome but was less than happy about what the principal had told me yesterday in our meeting. To be honest, from our meeting, it didn't appear that anything would be done. Josh's teacher said the same thing about the conversation she had with our principal. She also said that when she (the teacher) was talking to her husband last night about the situation, that we were the parents that would get things done. I really think that knowing our children's rights, actually reading the Parents green rights handbook, while knowing and understanding enough about the I.D.E.A. (individuals w/ disabilities education act) really helped out. I also think that her knowing Clyde is in education and knowing that if we didn't get the answer we wanted to hear, a simple email would be sent, made a difference in our outcome.

hot topic

Josh has been off for a few days now...more like a week. We couldn't quite put our finger on his behavior until last night when Clyde was able to crack his shell. Turns out there is an autistic child in his class that is a bully. Josh's teacher and principal got a visit from us today. His teacher was super helpful while his principal's response was less than helpful. Bullying is such a hot topic right now that I thought that me talking to the head gal in charge would do something. All I can say is that we are more than happy to go higher up on the chain to get the results that we need. 

taking it too far

I have been on this etsy kick for awhile now.  I found this request today and I thought 1- ew gross, and b- this is taking the requesting part of etsy too far. I mean really for hippie gals, this may be the way to go, but really...this is grossly funny, mainly just gross. oh and you're welcome. :)

trista/knitting needle holder

I have been busy making a few more things for etsy. These girls get sent out tomorrow. This apron was requested to be reversable and adjustable with room for growth, along with oven mitts, hot pads, and dish cloths. She also wanted it to be embroidered. I tried the cursive font I have, but didn't like it. The apron got rave reviews from the etsy customer.

 This knitting needle roll up was requested to be made to fit the 14" needle size with a variety of pocket sizes. She wanted greens, purples, and preferred upcycled material. The denim that I got from Sister Dunlap constitutes upcycled material. (upcycled meaning saved from being destroyed and being reused, or refashioned.) She also wanted it to have an elastic closure. I added the flap, to help keep the needles in their place when rolled up.

This etsy thing is kinda fun!

black friday

It was a very rainy Thanksgiving in the Emerald City and surrounding towns. We loved visiting @ the Cecil Farm. Thanks Mom and Dad for hosting us yet again. As a Thanksgiving tradition, the Wardlings stay the night @ the  Cecil Farm, allowing Clyde and I to get up before the sunrises, to wait in some long line to shop the black Friday deals. This years shopping was a one stop shop. We hit the bullseye store.  We were in line around 3:20am. The store opened at 4 and we were home by 5.  We got all we needed to make our wardlings Christmas a success.

Before we travelled back to the Cecil Farm, we went to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. What a cool film! I really enjoyed it.  I have to admit that I was teary eyed in more than one scene. Knowing how the book series ends, I was moved by several scenes in the film. Clyde kept looking over at me to see if I was crying. Not only was the movie pretty close to the book, there was awesome knit wear to look upon. Cool yarnwork like Hermoine's cap...

(this picture is from mugglenet.com)

and Umbridge's sweater...

(picture from mugglenet.com)

In the film, it looked like she was wearing a knitted fox stole.  Upon closer inspection, this is a knitted pink sweater and it has a cat for a collar.  Pretty imaginative, if you ask me!!

Hope your Thanksgiving was very memorable!

symposium

There have been loads of events that have happened around the brown house lately. first of all, Soccer is over! After spending 7 hours on the field Saturday, it is all over!  Josh's team won their first game of the season during the tournament. (It was a self kick by the other team. whatever...we'll take it!) He played another game an hour later. They did lose that game, but they played awesomely. Jacob's first game was won by one goal. That meant another game, at the same time as Libby's game. Libby played great and even won the sportsmanship award. Her team lost, but again, it was good practice. Jacob's 2nd game was a nail biter. The other team we were playing had Jacob's arch nemesis...Rosie, on it's team. Rosie is in Jacob's class and he was determined to stomp their (her) team. (I must say that Rosie is a very sweet girl off the soccer field.) The game was totally neck and neck. We scored a goal then they scored a goal.  Jacob was injured on the field...a kick to the knee. He was a champion, because he got back out there as soon as he could. We went into over time. Then a shoot off.  Our goalie took a ball in his neck! The final score was 4-2. Jacob's team won! Talk about a very happy Jacob!! We are very proud of our wardlings!

Young Women in Excellence. I canceled scouts so I could be there. Erin brought home some artwork to display and Libby practiced and practiced her clarinet. She couldn't decide which hymn to play. Once there, the idea was thrown around by someone who will remain nameless, but rhymes with CLYDE, that she didn't have to play. Of course the motherly eyes shot across the room. I brought the Flip afterall. She practiced and practiced and now she isn't going to play?! oh no!! Once it was her turn, she got up and talked about her clarinet, but didn't play her clarinet. I was less that thrilled...less than thrilled i say. She knew it too. Her face became very red. Steam was coming out of my ears, but I didn't say anything. I know she could feel it because at the end of the night, once the closing prayer was announced, the Laurel President said, and Libby Ward is going to play us a song. Libby gets up and says,in front of everyone no less, "You're welcome Mom! Do I have to play all 4 verses?!" She played the prettiest verse of "For the Beauty of the Earth" ever. All was well. :) Mom is happy and very proud of her girls!

It feels like so long ago, but last Saturday, I went to Duke Hospital for a NF Medical Symposium. It was very informative. I was amazed at what I knew, but more amazed at what I didn't know. We have been very blessed with Erin's health. Mark your calendars for April 30th, 2011. NF is hosting a huge walk @ Country Park, here in the Emerald City, to raise money for NF research. More details to come.

As a whole, our Christmas shopping and making is coming to a close. I am very thrilled to actually say that.  Thanksgiving is Thursday and we have so much to be thankful for. I am thankful to my parents for teaching us about being frugal and making a dollar stretch. I am thankful for my Mom who has had patience to show me some new sewing skills that have helped our family out in more ways than one. I am thankful for an enrichment leader, S, that taught me knitting, and my mother-in-law who showed me how to crochet. I am thankful that surgery went well for my father-in-law. I am thankful for all my brothers and sisters and their families. I am thankful for awesomely awesome friends. But most importantly, I am ultra thankful for our children. They are such radiant beams of happiness. Clyde is always reminding me that one day we aren't going to have the cap gun noises upstairs, or the laughter sounds from the wardlings rooms when we know they are supposed to be sleeping. I am enjoying these moments. But I am most,MOST happy and thankful for Clyde.  He works so hard and has dealt with endless loads of craptastic adventures that he has put on a happy face and endured them anyway. He loves me for me. He encourages me. I love him.

Happy Thanksgiving.

mango, MD

 I had my second sale this week. I had bid on Alchemy to make this 3T doctor's coat last week, but didn't hear back for a few days. Once I got the offical bid acceptance, this little sucker was sewn within 24 hours. I could've finished it earlier, but I didn't have the right buttons on hand. (I know right...me not having the right buttons.) Since the coat was for a girl, I wanted to add some femininity to it and my buyer was down with the changes. The changes included the detail in the back of the coat...a waist band and a few panels, along with the waist band in the front.

 Here is the finished project. I was quite pleased with my work.

 My buyer wanted the name Mango, MD embroidered on it. Since the coat was already sewn, hooping it was a bit on the tricky side. I came out a bit slanted.

This beauty was shipped today.

etsy sales

 I am so excited to say that I had my first etsy sale. I bid on Alchemy to make a male doll with a goatee and got the job. She sent me a picture and told me about his favorite shirt and his facial features. This is what I came up with. She was happy and I was happy that she was happy. He goes in the mail today.

I am working on my second project today. I love sewing and creating.

etsy

So, after talking about opening some sort of etsy shop, for some time, I finally did it this week. I only have four postings thus far. One of them is the pink sweater that I knitted for Penny. She thinks it is 'too eetchy' and thus won't wear it. The idea was to have her wear it on top of a turtleneck. Whatever. It isn't worth the battle, even though the sweater is dang cute.

So without further adieu...here it is...my etsy shop.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ashes2pashes

thoughts??? opinions??? suggestions???

libby's 11/6/10 game

jacob's 11/6/10 game

josh's 11/6/10 game

1st nine week honors

 Josh earned A's and B's onhis report card, making the A-B Honor Roll. We attended the breakfast in celebration.  Later there were two recoginition award ceremonies for the grades. Jacob is apart of the Rudy Reading Club, which means he has read his little eyes out to be apart of it. (He is in the back row just right of the clock.)

 Josh along with the other Honor Roll recipients being honored again for their grades. We are very proud of our babies!

Erin and Libby did great on their report cards too!! Both Libby and Josh are on the battle of the books team for their school. I hope this goes well for them. Josh loves to read. He has read the first four books in the Percy Jackson series within days of each other. He read the 2nd book in a day...and into the late night. My visiting teacher has her Ph.D in children's literature and has loaned us boxes upon boxes of books. This has been a great blessing to us!

halloween night

Halloween night began soon after coming home from Church. We had our traditional Ward pigs in a blanket for dinner.

 Then oft to pose for the yearly costume photos. We watched "How to train your Dragon," and two of the Wardlings flipped over the costumes. Well, I should clarify...Jacob flipped. Penny had wanted to be, but couldn't make up her mind, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Piglet, cheerleader, or anything else she laid her eyes on. So the decision was actually made for her... I was determined that I wasn't going to spend very much money on costumes this year. Penny's costume was made from blue yarn that Maylee gave me, horns from left over Max costume last year, gray fleece left from the Edward Jacket, whit terry cloth fabric I had on hand, and brown from a fleece blanket Becki gave us. I had the yellow yarn for her hair already.

 Jacob's outfit was the same as Penny's...all left overs, plus $2 worth of accessories from the dollar store.

 Josh was a cool owl. I crocheted him an owl hat from some wool that my mom had given me, along with some yarn that I already had on hand. His wings and pants were from the same blanket that Jacob's tunic/skirt was made out of.

 Libby the pirate, changed from Ellie Mae Clampett the night before. Clyde purchased some pirate gear from the dollar store to complete her ensemble.

 Erin's costume was partially purchased. We saw this cute Count tee and we had a cape. Awesome.

 The Wardlings all dressed up and ready to go. Fun was had by all.

 This picture was too cute not to include. I loved making Jacob's beard. It was itchy, but it made his costume perfectly authentic for my little man.

hiatt trunk or treat

Since our ward doesn't have a trunk or treating activity, a family in our ward so enthusiastically hosted a semi ward trunk-or-treat activity. We were so very happy to join them...welll the majority of us. Jacob was a bit nervous about it. He didn't want to walk around. I actually grabbed his hand and made him walk around. Maybe I shoulda let him sit by Clyde and miss the fun. I just didn't want him to miss the fun. He did warm up by the end of the night.

 Josh was the coolest owl ever. He jumped around all night. Maybe next year he'll be a grasshopper.

 Ellie Mae Clampett was present too!

 Erin the count and Penny the viking had a blast going from trunk to trunk.

Thanks Hiatt family for all your work!!

soccer galore

 Another soccer saturday has come and gone. The games in this post are from October 30th. Jacob's team tied. He is the the far right hand side of the photo above. His opposing team has a girl, Rosie, from his class on it. All week long Jacob was telling me how he was versing Rosie and how he was going to stomp her (team). He wrote on everything, "Jacob vs. Rosie" or "We are going to beat Rosie's team." He was so nervous. Turns out that his team tied with Rosie's. whew.

 Then there was Josh's game. He is such a good player. He knows where to put his body and can dribble the ball quite successfully. His team did unfortunately lose, but he is getting better and better.

 Libby's game was next. She is getting better at being more aggressive. At the beginning of the season, she was still ducking at balls coming towards her. Now she is getting in there and kicking the ball and taking some hits. That's my girl.

 Clyde still stands on the sidelines. I think that being on the sidelines is killing him. He can't take bad calls, or wardlings in particular not playing their positions. He is a great soccer coach and can see him coaching our children's teams in the future.