there are times when we need a little time off. when the list of stuff you wish you had time to do is growing faster than you can check them off. when the routine has become so crazy that it's not fun anymore. when you're not exercising, not spending adequate time with your Maker, when you've lost your joy. (i think that last one comes when the one before it is not happening!)
that's why i'm looking forward to 2 weeks in february. i don't have enough vacation days to do it, but i don't have enough reserves to not do it. i'm taking time off.
i'm being a bit idealistic, i realize, thinking that i will garden, clean the attic, bake, catch up on paperwork, get our taxes done, read a couple books, blog, have brunch with friends, sleep, go for walks every day and go to macworld. but that's ok. i'm gonna love trying!
i'll let you know how it goes...
Sunday, December 27, 2009
sewin' a coat
it's been a long time since i've sewn anything of significance, but i've had the itch lately, and have visited the fabric store several times in the last couple months.
one week i looked through pattern books--every section--just to see what's there. i jotted a couple numbers, and left without purchasing. kept thinking about those patterns, and went back, looked through them again, and actually bought 2 patterns. even at 50% off, they are ridiculous, but i've had some fabric sitting in my attic for about 5 years. it's time to make it worth something.
so these patterns sat on my desk for about a week. one night i read the instructions as reading-in-bed material. (pathetic!) i'm not sure why i couldn't just rip into them the day i bought them like i have always done. intimidated by patterns?! finally, a couple nights ago, i trimmed and ironed the pattern and started cutting out the coat while we watched The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (Netflix). notice i said "started". it took that long to get this pattern cut. yes, it was a little complicated; and yes, the fabric was a bit thick, therefore difficult to cut; but c'mon! 2 hours to cut out a coat. yes; i am rusty.
then the cut-out sat for a couple more days. i went over the procedure in my mind... over and over and over.
finally, this afternoon, the sewing began. i've done everything i can do until i buy more thread, more bias tape and a little piece of lining for the pocket. and i'm having fun! it's not a lined coat, so i decided to bind my seam allowances with a contrasting bias tape (hence, the need for more).
here's a photo of the inside back, with the bound seam allowances started.
and here are my sleeves, almost ready to be set.
here's a picture of my pattern:
maybe i'll wear it on new year's eve... maybe. :)
one week i looked through pattern books--every section--just to see what's there. i jotted a couple numbers, and left without purchasing. kept thinking about those patterns, and went back, looked through them again, and actually bought 2 patterns. even at 50% off, they are ridiculous, but i've had some fabric sitting in my attic for about 5 years. it's time to make it worth something.
so these patterns sat on my desk for about a week. one night i read the instructions as reading-in-bed material. (pathetic!) i'm not sure why i couldn't just rip into them the day i bought them like i have always done. intimidated by patterns?! finally, a couple nights ago, i trimmed and ironed the pattern and started cutting out the coat while we watched The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (Netflix). notice i said "started". it took that long to get this pattern cut. yes, it was a little complicated; and yes, the fabric was a bit thick, therefore difficult to cut; but c'mon! 2 hours to cut out a coat. yes; i am rusty.
then the cut-out sat for a couple more days. i went over the procedure in my mind... over and over and over.
finally, this afternoon, the sewing began. i've done everything i can do until i buy more thread, more bias tape and a little piece of lining for the pocket. and i'm having fun! it's not a lined coat, so i decided to bind my seam allowances with a contrasting bias tape (hence, the need for more).
here's a photo of the inside back, with the bound seam allowances started.
and here are my sleeves, almost ready to be set.
here's a picture of my pattern:
maybe i'll wear it on new year's eve... maybe. :)
Sunday, November 15, 2009
riding a bike
you never forget how, right? well, true, but you do become a bit less steady, and the injuries from a fall hurt a little more... or maybe that's just the old-age factor.
yesterday we picked up 2 of the bikes that we bought at least 5 years ago. they have been living in their boxes in our lock-off closet in arizona, and we finally had them assembled this trip. as we walked to the bike shop, i noticed the slight slope going down and was a little nervous about the ride back up this hill (well, incline). it's been a few years since i've ridden a bike, but i well remember the burning thighs when i was out of shape trying to make it up a hill. would i have to get off and push?
piece of cake. i made it up, no problem, and was surprised at how quick and easy the ride was.
this morning i got up early and went for a little ride to explore a wider scope of the neighborhood than i've ever ventured on a walk or jog. this is really fun! i want to start riding again when i get back home--except we have more traffic and steeper hills in san bruno.
a little later we went back to pick up the other 2 and i was doing great. we got to the villa and fred wanted to adjust his gears a little, but first wanted to put down the box he was holding. brave me: "oh here, just hand it to me and you can keep going." we bring our bikes closer... i could see i was just a little too close, overcompensated, felt my bike going down, stepped out to stop myself... still lost my balance and went all the way down, but not too hard. "good save," i think. till i started getting up.
if i was a kid, this would have been nothing but a little cut on my big toe. but i'm old. so all that jarring of the body made me a little stiff and sore, and i had to limp into the villa. this is just ridiculous! too bad, though. i'm going to keep riding.
yesterday we picked up 2 of the bikes that we bought at least 5 years ago. they have been living in their boxes in our lock-off closet in arizona, and we finally had them assembled this trip. as we walked to the bike shop, i noticed the slight slope going down and was a little nervous about the ride back up this hill (well, incline). it's been a few years since i've ridden a bike, but i well remember the burning thighs when i was out of shape trying to make it up a hill. would i have to get off and push?
piece of cake. i made it up, no problem, and was surprised at how quick and easy the ride was.
this morning i got up early and went for a little ride to explore a wider scope of the neighborhood than i've ever ventured on a walk or jog. this is really fun! i want to start riding again when i get back home--except we have more traffic and steeper hills in san bruno.
a little later we went back to pick up the other 2 and i was doing great. we got to the villa and fred wanted to adjust his gears a little, but first wanted to put down the box he was holding. brave me: "oh here, just hand it to me and you can keep going." we bring our bikes closer... i could see i was just a little too close, overcompensated, felt my bike going down, stepped out to stop myself... still lost my balance and went all the way down, but not too hard. "good save," i think. till i started getting up.
if i was a kid, this would have been nothing but a little cut on my big toe. but i'm old. so all that jarring of the body made me a little stiff and sore, and i had to limp into the villa. this is just ridiculous! too bad, though. i'm going to keep riding.
Monday, October 19, 2009
in the kitchen
tomorrow i'm supposed to bring something baked to our staff meeting. it's fall, and i love to bake. so my problem is not "what to bake?" as in "i can't think of anything." my problem is, i have 100 ideas (well, 10 maybe) and can't decide if i should make the pumpkin bread pudding... an new recipe, or norwegian kringlar, or heart waffles, or zucchini bread or any of a dozen favorite cookie recipes...
now i've run out of time, so it will be my tried and true, have the recipe memorized, swedish coffee bread. at least i know everyone likes it!
yum
now i've run out of time, so it will be my tried and true, have the recipe memorized, swedish coffee bread. at least i know everyone likes it!
yum
Monday, October 12, 2009
emotions
what is a hormone, anyway? has anyone ever seen one? is it just a word we use to excuse our bad behavior?
i don't know, but being a woman can be decidedly trying. my goodness, the emotions we have to deal with! i think i'm generally a content, happy person. i tend to work through tough weeks thinking next week will be better; or difficult years with, " next year will be better." but every now and then i'm just blindsided by my emotions.
a couple weeks ago i was particularly tired, and a little stressed... not so very uncommon for me. but on that wednesday morning, i could not stop the tears. it was ridiculous! what is wrong with me? i hadn't even had a hot flash for a few weeks. i should be getting over all this woman stuff! not so.
thursday morning i woke up just fine and wondered what in the world was so horrible! all i could do was chalk it up to hormones!
i don't know, but being a woman can be decidedly trying. my goodness, the emotions we have to deal with! i think i'm generally a content, happy person. i tend to work through tough weeks thinking next week will be better; or difficult years with, " next year will be better." but every now and then i'm just blindsided by my emotions.
a couple weeks ago i was particularly tired, and a little stressed... not so very uncommon for me. but on that wednesday morning, i could not stop the tears. it was ridiculous! what is wrong with me? i hadn't even had a hot flash for a few weeks. i should be getting over all this woman stuff! not so.
thursday morning i woke up just fine and wondered what in the world was so horrible! all i could do was chalk it up to hormones!
Monday, September 7, 2009
celebrating life
the past 12 years, august has been an odd month for me. as a kid, it was my favorite; it's still summer, we often vacationed in august, and it's my birthday month. but it 1997, 3 days after my birthday, our precious son david died of cancer. since then, it's been a tough season for my emotions.
this year was no different, but as i was thinking about it on the way home from a baby shower a couple weeks ago—the second shower that day and the third shower that month—i pondered how special it is to celebrate life!
i had just had the opportunity to participate in the celebration and anticipation of three new miracles joining my list of family and friends. what a blessing! how cool is that?
so life is something to celebrate and thank God for daily. way too often i get bogged in the day to day. this month (and hopefully beyond), i plan to celebrate and thank my God for life; physical, healthy, new and old life... but especially His gift of eternal life through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
And we'll get to see our boy again... now that's something to celebrate!
this year was no different, but as i was thinking about it on the way home from a baby shower a couple weeks ago—the second shower that day and the third shower that month—i pondered how special it is to celebrate life!
i had just had the opportunity to participate in the celebration and anticipation of three new miracles joining my list of family and friends. what a blessing! how cool is that?
so life is something to celebrate and thank God for daily. way too often i get bogged in the day to day. this month (and hopefully beyond), i plan to celebrate and thank my God for life; physical, healthy, new and old life... but especially His gift of eternal life through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
And we'll get to see our boy again... now that's something to celebrate!
Monday, June 29, 2009
makeover
every now and then, a girl needs a makeover... we just need to be freshened up a bit. right?
yesterday some friends were talking about a makeover and i wanted to join! this makeover is a little different than most. we aren't going to the spa for a mani-pedi or a facial or coloring our hair (though some of us will be getting a haircut just because we need it!). our makeover is going to mean hard work.
here's the plan:
400 crunches per week
at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise three times per week
15 minutes of solid praying per day
15 minutes of bible reading per day
support each other in prayer at an early morning prayer gathering every other week.
doesn't that sound like fun? i think the best part is that this makeover will have a more lasting affect than a facial... and all that exercise (physical and spiritual) will definitely give me a facial. hopefully some of those stress lines will disappear from my face!
so this morning i got started... did 100 crunches, jogged down cherry ave about a half a mile...until i tripped on the curb and almost saved myself, but ended up all the way down--on my hands and one knee. i walked the rest of the way, and then back home. this makeover could be dangerous to my health, but i'm gonna keep it up until i'm injured beyond repair!
I've also done my "daily read" from my phone's bible software. yay! i'm on my way to a great makeover!
yesterday some friends were talking about a makeover and i wanted to join! this makeover is a little different than most. we aren't going to the spa for a mani-pedi or a facial or coloring our hair (though some of us will be getting a haircut just because we need it!). our makeover is going to mean hard work.
here's the plan:
400 crunches per week
at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise three times per week
15 minutes of solid praying per day
15 minutes of bible reading per day
support each other in prayer at an early morning prayer gathering every other week.
doesn't that sound like fun? i think the best part is that this makeover will have a more lasting affect than a facial... and all that exercise (physical and spiritual) will definitely give me a facial. hopefully some of those stress lines will disappear from my face!
so this morning i got started... did 100 crunches, jogged down cherry ave about a half a mile...until i tripped on the curb and almost saved myself, but ended up all the way down--on my hands and one knee. i walked the rest of the way, and then back home. this makeover could be dangerous to my health, but i'm gonna keep it up until i'm injured beyond repair!
I've also done my "daily read" from my phone's bible software. yay! i'm on my way to a great makeover!
Monday, June 22, 2009
the midwest
fred and i have just traveled up and down the midwest.
landed in des moines, iowa on friday; drove to reinbeck to spend the night with rodger & liz; saturday morning up to minneapolis, the starting place of the gutierrez family reunion 09. 2 days later, drove further north to breezy point, reunion location. thursday, back down to minneapolis with a jog over to hudson wisconsin for a fun lunch with larry & carol szyman and their boys.
dropped off our kids at the airport and continued south to des moines to swap rental cars for a smaller one and spend the night. friday morning we drove yet further south to visit my nephew, philip and his wife jen in kansas city. yesterday after church we drove back up to des moines.
we are quite surprised at how pretty it is here...
- the drives are so scenic with the lush green alongside the highway
- downtown minneapolis is charming and clean... once you get around all the construction
- kansas city is full of beautiful architecture and some great food
...maybe we could live here after all. but then we open the car door and are blasted with that wet heat and it's confirmed: california is the place for us!
landed in des moines, iowa on friday; drove to reinbeck to spend the night with rodger & liz; saturday morning up to minneapolis, the starting place of the gutierrez family reunion 09. 2 days later, drove further north to breezy point, reunion location. thursday, back down to minneapolis with a jog over to hudson wisconsin for a fun lunch with larry & carol szyman and their boys.
dropped off our kids at the airport and continued south to des moines to swap rental cars for a smaller one and spend the night. friday morning we drove yet further south to visit my nephew, philip and his wife jen in kansas city. yesterday after church we drove back up to des moines.
we are quite surprised at how pretty it is here...
- the drives are so scenic with the lush green alongside the highway
- downtown minneapolis is charming and clean... once you get around all the construction
- kansas city is full of beautiful architecture and some great food
...maybe we could live here after all. but then we open the car door and are blasted with that wet heat and it's confirmed: california is the place for us!
Monday, April 13, 2009
wednesdays
what's so special about wednesdays? they're right in the middle of the work week. they don't have the drag of monday, nor the yay! of friday. they're just there... right in the middle.
but... wednesday is the day i get to spend with sophie merete! who's sophie merete? she's my adorable, fun, beautiful, pleasant, happy, smart granddaughter.
every grandma i know is all about her grandchild(ren). they are the best, cutest, smartest... blah blah blah. but really, sophie is quite amazing. (actually, now I know what all you grandmas are talking about.)
i'm posting some photos so you can see for yourself
:)
have you ever seen a cuter girl just out of the bath???
now really... how adorable is this sweet girl?!
we love her hair! yes, it's natural and always like this, even when she's not feeling well. tell me that's not special...
but... wednesday is the day i get to spend with sophie merete! who's sophie merete? she's my adorable, fun, beautiful, pleasant, happy, smart granddaughter.
every grandma i know is all about her grandchild(ren). they are the best, cutest, smartest... blah blah blah. but really, sophie is quite amazing. (actually, now I know what all you grandmas are talking about.)
i'm posting some photos so you can see for yourself
:)
have you ever seen a cuter girl just out of the bath???
now really... how adorable is this sweet girl?!
we love her hair! yes, it's natural and always like this, even when she's not feeling well. tell me that's not special...
Sunday, February 15, 2009
remembering
today, february 15, holds wonderful memories... 28 years ago, david richard gutierrez was born into our family. this morning i visited his grave in the pouring rain (how fitting for my sorrow). i'm really not much of a grave-visitor; but somehow, i find myself drawn there a couple times a year. i can cry and talk and pray about whatever i want. i know i can do that anywhere, but there's a freedom there at david's headstone (which mandy and katie so lovingly designed).
today i "told him" about our 2 brians—katie's husband and mandy's boyfriend—and how much he would have loved them both; i told him about our sweet sophie, katie & brian's 2-month old baby and how he would love her and rub her cheeks. i told him about our new church plant, cpc millbrae, and how he would love it, and our campus pastor rob, and how he would love him.
mostly i told him how much i loved him and miss him. i miss my buddy and his handsome face, his mischevious smile, and his quick wit. i miss his "hey mom..." and his "thanks, mom". I miss doing the crossword puzzle and the jumble with him. i miss watching him play basketball. i miss making organic bread from scratch and health shakes and organic vegetarian dinners. (fred and the girls still tease me about the enchanted broccoli forest—i thought it was yummy!) i miss his twinkly eyes and dear smile. i miss his love of life; how he wanted to run everywhere, and everything was a competition. i miss his love for his friends and family, and his (rare) hugs!
i don't miss watching him suffer. i don't miss his limp. i don't miss his pain. but if he was still here, i would care for him gladly!
so today i rejoiced, too. i rejoiced that dave loved Jesus. i rejoice that he's in heaven. i rejoice that he's healthy... no more cancer, no more pain, no more sugeries. i rejoice that he already got to meet Jesus in person. and i rejoice that i get to join him one day.
today's sermon was on the 5th commandment: honor your father and mother... wow!
today i "told him" about our 2 brians—katie's husband and mandy's boyfriend—and how much he would have loved them both; i told him about our sweet sophie, katie & brian's 2-month old baby and how he would love her and rub her cheeks. i told him about our new church plant, cpc millbrae, and how he would love it, and our campus pastor rob, and how he would love him.
mostly i told him how much i loved him and miss him. i miss my buddy and his handsome face, his mischevious smile, and his quick wit. i miss his "hey mom..." and his "thanks, mom". I miss doing the crossword puzzle and the jumble with him. i miss watching him play basketball. i miss making organic bread from scratch and health shakes and organic vegetarian dinners. (fred and the girls still tease me about the enchanted broccoli forest—i thought it was yummy!) i miss his twinkly eyes and dear smile. i miss his love of life; how he wanted to run everywhere, and everything was a competition. i miss his love for his friends and family, and his (rare) hugs!
i don't miss watching him suffer. i don't miss his limp. i don't miss his pain. but if he was still here, i would care for him gladly!
so today i rejoiced, too. i rejoiced that dave loved Jesus. i rejoice that he's in heaven. i rejoice that he's healthy... no more cancer, no more pain, no more sugeries. i rejoice that he already got to meet Jesus in person. and i rejoice that i get to join him one day.
today's sermon was on the 5th commandment: honor your father and mother... wow!
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