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in the middle of the mall

On Tuesday, I had quite the eventful morning at the mall.  I was with Owen, Deacon and my neice Elylah (age 3) throwing pennies into the water fountain.  I took a few pictures of them and had both my purse and camera on my arm.  My neice was sitting on a bench and must have lost her balance because she fell into the water head first (but she didn't bump her head).  The current took her slowly away and my only option was to jump into the fountain to get her.  I praise the Lord that she is completely fine.  When I pulled her out of the water, she was most upset that her shoe had fallen off!  

I could not believe the adrenalin rush I had from the whole event.  The only other times I felt like that were when I was giving birth! I was so embarrassed and glad and scared.  Then all day, my brain was filled with the "what if?" questions.  It was really emotional.  Much more emotional for me than Elylah.  She really was over it shortly after it happened.

Oh and later on in the afternoon, a couple of large bruises appeared on my knee and I don't even remember banging them.  Isn't that strange?

My phone seems to be working alright and nothing else really got damaged from my purse, but the camera is dead.  So we'll see how picturesque I can make my blog posts with-out it.  I'm going to call Canon and give them the whole sob story and see if maybe they can make a repair or replace it.  Anyone have connections or mad skills in camera repair?  I was SO happy with the camera and I've only had it 5 months.

Announcing EllieLaVeer.com

A good friend of mine put together a simple website for me.  Check it out!

www.ellielaveer.com

Accessorize with flowers

Here's a bit of a triple flower threat.  I picked these glasses mostly because of the flowers on the sides.  The earrings were a gift from my wonderful husband for my birthday.  They actually have real flowers in them.  I also have a necklace to match.  The headband was made with this pattern I found.  I haven't crocheted in years, but I thought it would be fun to pick up again since I'm away from home right now and it's a nice portable craft.  

Happy Birthday to Mommy

And here's the second attempt.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwMUbDwT3NQ]

Anglo Threads with an Italian Accent

***Note, this is a guest post by Ellie's husband, Andy.***

Usually my contributions to this blog are limited to replacing the occasional comma with a period.  But the illustrious Ellie LaVeer has seen fit to allow me to guest post for a very special occasion.

Behold, Devona's great photo of my 1979 Vespa P-200E, taken back in January.  

I figured another $20 (half off) for this sterling silver Vespa tie bar from Vespa Charlotte was not much after paying $400 in repairs yesterday.

This is one of those things that Ellie really wished she had found and given me as a gift. And it's one of those things I in no wise had to justify purchasing. 

And since this blog often features thrift store finds, I'll call attention some such pictured here: Chaps RL sportcoat, vintage Joe Bank tie, and a Brooks Brothers non-iron button-down.

I think throwing the Vespa tie bar into the ensemble both adds class and disarms those who would otherwise think I was dressed a little bit "pushy".  It also adds a good bit of vintage Italian (which constitutes 25% of my blood) to my otherwise Angl0-Saxon (which constitutes 12.5% of my blood) -inspired garb.  I also think it helps me effectively re-incarnate my late grandfather, Samuel Francis Lichi--the man whose class and knack for thrifting himself into a fantastic and incredibly affordable wardrobe* I will always seek to emulate.  

*Speaking of affordable wardrobes, check out another dapper Italian--this time a young Bostonian named Giuseppe--who has taught me whatever I didn't learn from Papa Sam about thrifting:  An Affordable Wardrobe.

Posted by Andy Stager.

Driving Through the Night

Why we liked it-

no traffic on I-77 the whole trip from SC to OH

listening to our own choice of music and talks

no squealing from child #2

getting to watch my adorable children sleep

drinking fully loaded coffee at 10pm

we actually got to see the sunrise

snacking like a college kid all night long

chili lime plantains- fiesta in your mouth- sure to keep you from falling asleep at the wheel

Why we didn't like it so much-

strange tummy ache the next day

constant adjusting of dangling sleeping heads

the boys had no interest in going back to sleep once we arrived

everyone was a bit grumpier (except me of course) from sleeping less than usual

seeing relatives for the first time in a while with giant bags under the eyes

didn't get to crochet or read while we drove

finding a nice potty and coffeeshop is much harder in the middle of the night.

Will we do it again?
Most definitely- But I need to make another run to the hispanic grocery store first.

I actually won something

I've commented and registered for many giveaways in my day but until yesterday have not won a single thing. But to my surprise, in yesterday's mail was this super fun green tote bag.  I won it from an earth day giveaway I registered for.

Thank-you to Calypso Studios. You made my day. Seriously, just ask my husband, I was SO excited!

*Photo from Calypso Studios.

Vintage Tray

I found this at the same time as This painting.  Isn't it lovely?  It goes nicely in our front room.

Flowers in the garden

When I came back from my trip to Phoenix I found a blooming rose bush- didn't even know I had a rose bush.  She is mixed in an enormous hedge at the side of the yard.

I also planted a couple of moonflower plants today that I had growing in a pot.  The moonflower is a climber so I planted it next to a pillar by our walkway.  I hope it works (like this lady's vine) Maybe it will climb up the decorative flower first.  The flowers are said to be big, fragrant and attractive to beautiful moths.  

After Andy picked me up from the airport we stopped at the Junior League thrift store and I picked up these babies.  I know I'm like the last person in the world to finally get cool rain/gardening boots, but I couldn't ever justify spending $20 on rubber shoes.  I'm glad I waited.  These were only $8, LLBean brand, quite comfy and they don't go all the way up my leg which makes them much more cool.  I wore them all morning while we played outside in the damp yard.  

And the little white and pink flowers by the boots are begonias.  I planted them just for fun.  As long as I can keep the kids from stepping on them and the dog from peeing on them, they should be in good shape.  I think we've already ruined a few of my begonia plants for those reasons.  Everyone has heard me raise my voice enough to stay clear of my flower patch now.

Another sewing project

I made this bag for my cousin that I just visited in Phoenix.  I thought it turned out pretty cute.  It was a rather simple project and the size is prefect.  I did add a little length to the straps so that it would be long enough to wear over the shoulder.

I found the FREE PATTERN HERE. 

Thank-you to My spare time for posting such a fun pattern!  I may try your Pleated Pouch next.  Three cheers for great talented sewers helping me out by sharing great tutorials.