Ah Sh*t

Charlie’s vocabulary is growing daily. We’ve been working on getting her to “use her words” instead of pointing and grunting. She worked really hard at Happy Birthday for Adam, but only mastered the Happy. It’s been fun and amazing to watch her develop her language.

Well yesterday morning my sweet smart little girl learned a new word.

Shit

Yup. Clear as day and proud as could be, she said Shit.

Why? Well it wasn’t because I was watching a toddler inappropriate TV show, like Weeds or listening to an explicit version of the new Maroon 5 album. I would NEVER do that. (I totally did both of those things)

Nope the reason my cute, innocent, bible reading daughter said shit was because she was watching her mommy get ready for work. And when mommy realized she was running late she said “oh shit, I’m late”

Then my pretty little girl looked at me, smiled her adorable little smile and proudly said Shit. Shit shit shit.

Adam reprimanded me from the bedroom. I quickly went into damage control. “Yes Charlie, you are sitting. Sit on the counter. Stand up. Sit and Stand. Good girl. Sit Sit Sit.”

Not sure it worked, but we’ll go with it for now. In the mean time I’m going to go enroll myself in Potty Mouth school.

Sorry Charlie, but this word is not going in the baby book.

“Shirt” Dress

A while back I came across this “How to” picture on Pinterest.

And of course it just sat there in my “Make It” folder.

Fast forward to last spring when I was cleaning out a few things in my closet. I had a newish shirt from Lands’ End that was too short for me so it made the pile. And that pile of discards has sat by the back door all summer waiting for a ride to the donation bin.

Then I saw that Pinterest picture again and pulled out my blue shirt. I thought…I can do this. So, Saturday night, I did. It was the easiest and quickest dress I’ve ever made. (and cheapest!)

I used one of Charlie’s existing dress to figure out the length then I cut my two pieces and started to sew them up.

The top piece:The Skirt:

Sew the two together:

For the straps I used some lace trim that I had bought last spring at an up-cycle store.

I think it turned out really cute and I’m dying to make another one to improve on my design. So if anyone has an extra button up shirt lying around, send it my way!P.S. Forgive my model…she is against standing still.

Project Pie: Week 8

So who’s sick of pie yet?? Not us!! Adam made the pie late this week due to our ILL trip and the cold he came home with. But I don’t think finishing up this pie by next week will be an issue…it’s good.
Adam is on Custard Pies and much to my surprise he did not choose Pecan. He said he was saving that one for the holidays. (Look at my little planner) Instead he chose Pear Cheesecake!

While I was off dancing Adam was home making his pie and not taking any pictures. He even said “I was going to…then I forgot” So there are only a few…but by now you know what it looks like to make a pie.

Also he cheated and bought a gram cracker crust. (he’s made one before so it’s not like he didn’t know how).
We ate the pie the next day for breakfast and it was good! The perfect consistency and flavor. I would have like the pears to be a little more mushy, but again that’s my whole aversion to chucks in my baked goods.  I’m pretty sure the pie won’t last until the end of the weekend…shucks, pie again?
Next week: Refrigerator pie!

3 Years

It has been 3 year since I have stepped foot in a studio.

Actually 3 years and 3 months.

I started dancing when I was 3 years old.

When I was in 2nd grade (8 years old) I gave it up, only to start back up 2 years later.

And I didn’t stop dancing until 2011.

This has been the longest time I have gone without dancing since I was born.

But in 2011 I was burnt out, I was teaching and I wasn’t enjoying it. I was trying (unsuccessfully) to get pregnant again. Adam was looking for a new job. It was just time for a break.

Then I did get pregnant. And for the last 2 years I have been wrapped up in all things Charlie.

But lately I’ve noticed my body is changing. Those strong legs I had always just had were turning into mush and that was not ok. And I was starting to miss pointing my toes, turning, balancing, dancing.

So I contacted a studio I had taken classes at when I was first married (and not teaching) and found an adult ballet class on Wednesday nights.  8-9pm  was the perfect time since Charlie would be in bed. I was excited, I was going to dance again, for me.

Last night I opened my dance drawer and pulled out some tights and and a leotard and when I slipped into them it felt like home. I quickly wrapped my hair in a bun and off I went to Beginning ballet.

The class was very simple, but that’s all my body can handle at this point. When it  was finished I was out of breath and my body was screaming, but I thanked the teacher and thought I can still do this, I will do this and I can’t wait to do it again.

I would love to get back to teaching someday. Maybe when Charlie is a little older and taking classes herself. But for now I am going to be taking class for me.

My one life goal has always been to teach ballet when I am 80 years old. Here’s hoping that in 45 years I can do it! Now I’m off to find some ibuprofen so I can walk.

Project Pie: Week 7

I got to pick the pie this week from the silky cream pies chapter and I chose Peanut Butter Pie!

I did better with my crust this week. I tested out the new pastry cutter, but had some issues up front with it slipping and throwing flour all over me and the cupboard and floor. I also chose to use butter instead of shortening. I rolled out nicely, but I think I could have done with one less TBL of water because it was a little sticky.

The pie was pretty simple to make, just a lot of stirring over the stove…

Then I added the eggs and stirred some more!

The last step in the filling was mixing in the peanut butter. I chose not to do the chopped nuts since I don’t like nuts in my baked goods. It’s a texture thing.

I poured it into the pie shell

then topped it with meringue.
It got all toasty brown while it baked.

We let it chill over night after first cutting a piece after it cooled only to find it oozing out! So I put the piece back in and hoped for a firmer pie in a day.

The next morning we (I) couldn't wait for dinner...so we had it for breakfast. And it was SOoo GOOOOODDDD!!!! It has just the right amount of sweet and wasn't too rich like some peanut butter pies are. And of course Charlie loved it. I would definitely make this one again!!

One Year Later

It was a year ago yesterday (shortly after Adam’s birthday dinner) That I had the panic/anxiety/hormonal imbalance attack that sent me into the weirdest time of my life. I am happy to say that a year later I am 100% myself and 100% off my medication. I am also about 20lb heavier, but as I asked Adam, would he rather a skinny depressed wife or one who is “Fat” and happy? He chose the later. (and informed me that I was too skinny; points for Adam!)

I still have little freak outs and get nervous stomach, but I’ve had that my whole life. But I haven’t had a full on attack in a while. But you know what? If I do, I’ll get through it. I’ll be ok. And I know how and wear to get help. May it be a phone call, a walk or a bottle in  my medicine cabinet I’m not ashamed or embarrassed to seek it. My family is my number one and if I’m not feeling 100% or even 90% my family will suffer. The main thing to remember is that it will get better and I will feel better.

Right now I’m happy and healthy and enjoying my life with these two wonderful people.

Humpday Birthday!

Today is Adam’s Birthday! He’s been working a lot of nights lately so it will be nice to go out for a good old steak dinner with him and Charlie tonight. We leave for ILL tomorrow for a family wedding and we haven’t even begun packing, so tonight might be a late one. But we’ll be able to really celebrate him with some quality family time over the weekend.

Here are some pictures from the past week. Charlie is just growing up way too fast!