Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Change of Plans


[image courtesy of Sue Spargo]

I am suppose to be at a day long Sue Spargo course in 6 hours.  Yep, it starts at 9:30 and it is 3:16 exactly right now.  This is some early morning blogging, isn't it?  

We have had coughs and colds and sore throats and the list goes on and on as does our collective illnesses.  It started with E on Friday (with a late night trip to the Children's Hospital thrown in).  Carried on with me starting on Saturday (no end date as of yet) and now is with our S who woke me up with his cough cough coughing.  He has finally fallen back asleep after about an hour straight of back rubs and forehead kisses.  

So it isn't looking promising for my Sue class tomorrow. And I worked really hard on getting everything ready for the class.  I mean, there was a lot of hand sewing done, my friends (something I didn't know how to do until last week-ish).

But I am not bothered in the least about missing out.

I am sure I will be able to take one of her courses in the future.

Because being a mama comes first (and I am not quite sure if in my sick, and now sleep deprived state, I would be any good at the course anyhow).  

Last week, Courtney over at C Jane wrote about how she broke her commitment to blog every day until Christmas because her little one was sick and needed her more than her blog did.  It was an amazing post about commitment and being a mother and what you go through when your child was sick.

I thought a lot about that post all day Friday, because it spoke to me  in light of leaving my big corporate job because in my heart I knew my children needed me at home more than my job needed me or I needed my job.  

I thought about that post Friday night as I stood in my driveway, uggs and pj's on, sobbing as I  watched Darrell drive with E to the hospital.  No one warns you when you have children that you will from that day forward wear your heart on the outside of your chest - with no rib cage or muscle to protect it, the heart is easily broken, especially when faced with the knowledge that your child is sick and that it is beyond you to heal them.  I am humbled by the strength of parents who deal with the chronic illness, or worse, of their child, on a daily basis.

And I am thankful for the doctors and nurses who worked hard to make my E well.  

So, there is a pretty big chance that it will be S and I snuggled up tomorrow watching ICarly all day (oh ICarly how I loathe your silly show).

But who knows .... Sue is teaching a course in Italy in the Spring ...

L xo

PS - If this post rambled, forgive me. It is almost 4 in the morning, after all.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Music Monday



We haven't had many sunny days here in Calgary lately.  It feels more like we live in Vancouver or something.  Rain, rain, rain.  The gloom is kinda getting to us all.  

But

D and I off to Scottsdale for 6 days on Thursday.  We were made for sunny days.

And

the sun is meant to come out starting Thursday so my sweet boys, who are also made for sunny days, will have sun too (and their Grandma too!)

L xo

PS - If I owe you a block from a bee, I am working furiously to get them all done before I leave.  I don't want all those blocks hanging over my head.  Next year, I am only joining one Bee.  That's it.  I just bit off more than I could chew, didn't I?

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Dare to be Square

Dare to Be Square Quilting by Boo Davis from Quiltsrÿche on Vimeo.

I may be late to the party on this one, but I just picked this book up yesterday and ohmygosh, I love it.  I haven't done a lot of solid colour quilting but this book may change that.  I absolutely love everything in this book.  And I am picky.  Which doesn't mean I don't pick up a book even though there may be only 2 patterns that I like.  But it does mean I am not quick to wholeheartedly, without reservation tell you to take a look at something.  

I am wholeheartedly, without reservation telling you to take a look at this book (or the video about the book - which, as an aside, I find very clever.  The whole video/book thing.  I used to review books for a national newspaper here in our sweet Canada and love all things books and, while the actual book will always be my first love, I am kinda digging technology as a means to get more people to read.  But I digress).

Take a look at this book because it is quirky and fun.  And has great patterns that everyone can do.  And is really well written.  That Boo has talent.  And from the patterns, I would guess also a great sense of humour.  Absolutely lovely, if I do say so myself.

I hope all is well with everyone.  We have a dog with a stomach ailment at Casa Cohen.  Restless nights to say the least.  Poor sweet Chester.

L xo

PS - In non-quilting book news, I am starting the Harry Potter book series (yep, all 7) again, for the 8th time, in preparation for the movie release in November.  Love them.

PPS - Boo's book is very cute and not offensive.  Her website may be for some of you (just sayin because I don't want to offend anyone).  I dig it because it shakes things up and I think that is a good thing.  Some may not.  (can you tell I am a lawyer, geesh, all the warning and waiver language ...)

Monday, September 13, 2010

Music Monday



Well, well, well, here we are again with a Music Monday.  I think every single preteen, teenage, twenty something girl needs to play this song over and over (advice from my almost 40 self who may now, finally, know a thing or two about this sort of thing).  Listen to the lyrics girls.  And go get a copy of Kelly Cutrone's book If You Have to Cry, Go Outside.  I wish I had that book in my early twenties.  Not everyone is going to love the book but it has some good advice, let me tell you.  Even for all of us out of twenties ...


And don't we love Sara Bareillis?  Yes, we do.

L xo

PS - This one is a dedication from my 20-ish self to that oh so awful ex-boyfriends from times gone by.  While my hot yoga self would offer love and compassion to those who may have done me wrong in the past, the Leanne I know and love revels in the fact that karma is a bitch, baby. xoxo

PPS - Next Music Monday we are getting all up and positive on it, I promise.  I am going to share my favourite album of right now.  It's a good one.  Promise.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Scenes From a Domestic Life


Well here we are at Friday.  We made it through another week, and we did well, didn't we?  This was Chester and I yesterday.  Laundry folding in the living room while we listen to Mindy Gledhill on the computer (I haven't downloaded her album to my iTouch yet).

Chester is at daycare today (playing with a schnauzer - how cute) .  Boys at school.  Yoga soon.  Coffee with some "friends that are boys" later.  And then a sewing session (and pizza) at Out of Hand.  Hooray!

But first, more laundry and kitchen cleaning.

All in all, a pretty good day, don't you think.  If I can get my act together, I'll post pics of what I get done tonight, tomorrow.

L xo

PS - Have an absolutely wonderful Friday.

PPS - There is snow on the mountains.  I had the most amazing view driving home this morning.  The sun was shining and there is snow on our Rocky Mountains (I know I said that already but snow = skiing and we LOVE that).  It was beautiful.  I am such a lucky girl.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Thursday



Do you like my inventive title?  It is late and I am making good on my blog every day this week promise to myself.  Today was crazy - all the sewing I had planned ... not so much.  Tomorrow for sure.  It is just that life seems to get in the way of all of my good sewing intentions these days.  I am sure it will all done ... eventually.

See you tomorrow.

L xo

PS - I made these pincushions for the first Pincushion Swap.  I didn't sign up for the second - too much on my plate as it is.  There are some amazing pincushions being made though.  Kinda wish I had signed up.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

I Am In Love ...




with hexagons (even though I haven't made that many recently - only for my bee blocks - that's one of them up there.

with satellite radio - I know I am the last one to the party but just got it this weekend - love it.

with my dog - because sometimes he is the only thing I talk to for hours - he is good company and a great listener.

with hot yoga - I am back at it and it feels amazing - my last two classes focused on commitment and whether you wanted to be the light or the bulb - I am choosing light.

with working from home - it is sometimes a hard balancing act but I love having the opportunity to keep working while being able to drive my beautiful children to and from school.

with bee friends who are patient with me as I am always late with my blocks - you know who you are xoxo

with bluelily photography - they are coming back to Calgary in August and I have already signed us up to have them take our pictures again - big hooray.

with lots of other things too but I am going to my inlaws for dinner tonight and we are going to be late if I don't get going ...

Talk to you tomorrow (I told you I was blogging all week).

L xo

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Pillow Talk

Modern Swappers Pillow

I made this - start to finish.  It is perhaps one of the only things that I have completed, sewing wise, it what seems like FOREVER.  I used the amazing tutorial at Sewtakeahike and it was easy peasy.  I wish I could keep this sweet pillow, but alas, it it for my Modern Swappers partner (I like the swap, hate the name - is that okay to say?).  I have plans for more of these pillows for my own house.  Let's see if I can get that done before next year.

L xo

PS - I wanted to post J.K. Rowling's Harvard speech last week but last week was a little crazy, with first week back to school and all.  So here it is today.  It is brilliant.  I listen to it quite often because it is just so true (in my humble opinion).


J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.

PPS - I haven't shared this speech with the boys as of yet because I think they are too little to hear some of it.  I will make sure they hear it when the time is right.  You should share it too.

PPPS - I just realized I only posted 3 times in August.  Let's blame it on huge life change (first month not at job), shall we?

Monday, September 6, 2010

Music Monday




Finally ... a Music Monday. 


The boys have started school. 


I am winning the laundry war. 


I have lots to show.  Sewing wise, that is. 


I am blogging every single day this week if it kills me.  Just sayin. 


L xo 


PS - It was roundabout way from ... Nie Nie.,  C JaneBlue Lily photography ... to this song ... to me.   Found it last week.  On the day I celebrated my 10th wedding anniversary.  Very fitting song for my sweet D and me.  !0 years. 
 
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