Chocolate Migraine

4.07.2011

Ugh - Timely I am Not!

Trying to get a picture of the two of them...

Princesses

Clare showing Finn the finer art of jumping. Love how he always hikes his pant legs up before take-off!

Discovery Center - Boise

Discovery Center

New corner cabinet

So that's what's under there!

Yep, it's a time-consuming project.

Morning cup of joe with Grandpa.

Ready for the hotel pool

Bend playground - Harman Park


Memory with Grandma and Auntie J-Dog

I really can't remember the last time I blogged. It's been busy around here. We took a little family vacation to Boise for a couple nights at the beginning of March. Mike attended a work-related training while the kids and I checked out a park, the Discovery Center, and Monkey Bizness (indoor play extravaganza).

The next week Mike headed to Colorado on a fire assignment. Clare and Finn missed Daddy like crazy, so Grandma and Grandpa headed down to provide some diversion. Mike returned after seventeen days and we headed over to Bend last weekend to visit Uncle Jimmy and Auntie J-Dog. We went to Connor's pool (Juniper Aquatic Center), swam in the very chilly pool at the Fairfield Inn, checked out some local playgrounds, enjoyed a couple great dinners with J and J, and I braved the Bend Costco on a Saturday.

Next week Clare is going to have her tonsils removed. She is mostly excited about the procedure because her doctor told her she could keep her surgical cap. Her biggest concern at this point is what is going to happen to her tonsils after they are removed. We've already picked out her pudding, yogurt, and a workbook (hey, she's a total nerd and it's what she wanted) and will be picking up juice, popcicles, and Lortab.

Spring is trying to arrive, although as I type this there is a bit of snow spitting out of some dark clouds in the sky. Our grass is green, the tree buds are swollen, and the tulips might be blooming in a week or so. Guess it's time to start working on some of those outside projects as well.

2.20.2011

What's Under Your Kitchen Floor?

Damn if curiosity didn't get the better of me this weekend. That, and a migraine. Oh, and I fell down the stairs. But even so, I was still bound and determined to find out what the mysterious flooring was under all the layers of eighty years of renovation. On top we have the amazingly cheap (priced at H.D. when we first moved in, it was by far the CHEAPEST per square foot) contemporary vinyl, poorly glued, not so expertly cut, bubbly, already ripped, need I say more. Under that is a snazzy second layer of vinyl, white in color with gold accent stripes and glittery gold sparkles. Both Mike and I are sure we've seen it around in other houses we've lived in. Below that, still another layer. This one is old school linoleum with the black tar paper base. I'm thinking the original color may have been a gray with some red mixed in, but seeing as the contractor/home owner who laid down the white vinyl actually used a glue with some sticking power, the top surface of the linoleum is tightly adhered to the bottom of the vinyl.

And under it all.... original oak hardwood flooring that matches the rest of the upstairs. Now, I'm not sure of the condition of the entire floor. After hours (between eight and ten total) I've only managed to remove layers and residual glue on the small entry section by the back door. But I am motivated! I did a little internet research and discovered the answer to my sore shoulders, ripped up and bleeding skin, and multiple slivers: a wallpaper adhesive removing steamer. For less than $50. Time is money and I'm ordering it. The portion of floor I have uncovered so far looks to be in remarkably good shape. Depending on how the rest comes out we will either refinish it or paint it. I'm hoping it is in great shape, but sinks and stoves have a way of making for not so nice floors over time.

The migraine is in day three so I'm hopeful tomorrow will be the end. The fall down the stairs was only about seven or eight steps with most of the impact going right to my ass. Didn't feel it yesterday too much because I was so doped up on painkillers, but today when I went to sit on the floor to play with Finn it was like the day after a long, hard day of trying to get of the chairlift on a snowboard. Lesson learned as well: don't try to multitask while walking down stairs when you have a migraine. FOCUS!

Here are some recent pictures of the darlings!

1.25.2011

Projecting

This month I finished a quilt for baby Lola and even got it in the mail. As always, there were a few unexpected glitches, but all in all I think it turned out quite nicely. One of the main things I learned is that it is much better to start on the same edge every time when doing straight line quilting like this. At least on my machine, when I turned it and went back in the opposite direction there was some interesting puckering. Live and learn.

I'm not sure why I love white on the back of baby quilts. Maybe because it seems so pure?

This is the front of a new baby quilt I am putting together for some friends who are expecting their first baby in a few months.

This is what I am hoping the back with look like when I am finished with it. Well, much neater, but you get the idea?

Finally, here is the fabric I hope to use in the making of Emily and Ryan's wedding quilt. I still need final approval from the bride but I am really loving these greens, blues, and grays together.

I guess I wasn't quite finished, but the last one is a bit of a secret. I am planning on making a quilt to enter in a contest and it is due at the end of March. It also involves a TON of technical stuff I know nothing about but am going to try to wing in typical Kate fashion. If it turns out I will be posting it here eventually.

Looking for pictures of the kidlings? They are in the January, January post!

January, January

Finny enjoying his first painting experience. Look closely for the matching orange fingers and lips. Yum.

Clare chose apron colors. She is also very adept at protecting her own paint while looking quite nonchalant.

Brush and paint in hand, Finn bolts for the privacy of the next room so he can enjoy eating some more paint. Too bad his mama is so fast. He didn't make it far.

The final masterpiece, aptly named, "Crab" by Clare. She did about 98% of the painting.

Getting ready to try some snow. Not a huge fan. I think the cold component was its downside.

Pajama mugshots. I'm not sure why, but they both look a touch guilty.

Finn adores his new seat at the table.

Clare's block art. I'm not sure what she was going for here, but it is tall and cool.

Finny and the dinosaur. See, he's holding it and not crying!

Feeding himself.

1.01.2011

Christmas Day and The Monday After

Was this ever a fun Christmas! Clare was old enough to really understand the magic of Santa. We left all of her remaining Halloween candy and the Halloween pumpkins for the reindeer and they must have been hungry because the only thing they left were some candy wrappers. Clare thinks they should work on their manners and throw away their garbage!

Finn thought the pile of presents made a great climbing mountain and we spent the morning opening gifts and removing him from the pile. Speaking of Finn, our improvised Christmas tree kept him from tipping something over on himself or chewing on lights. Maybe next year he will have a better understanding of leaving things alone and not climbing them. Maybe.

We had a delicious dinner of BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, green salad, cranberry sauce, sweet potato fries, and gingerbread with hot lemon sauce. While it was traditional, it was incredibly relaxing to not worry about a major dinner and spend the day playing with the kids instead of slaving in the kitchen.

Thanks to all of you who helped make this day extra special for Clare and Finn! We love you!!!

Our tree and the Christmas bounty!