Saturday, July 23, 2011

Shirt redo, and other stuff

So, since my last post, I've turned one of Clay's t-shirts into one for myself:
It was easy peasy. Here are the simplified steps:

1. Turn shirt inside out and lay on table

2. Take your favorite t-shirt (mine was my eclipse edward t-shirt) and turn it inside out. Lay it ontop of the big shirt as flat as you can, and line up the shoulders and neck.

3. Cut around the shirt and when you get to the sleeves, just cut at a general good angle...ha sorry I don't have better instructions on that part. I left a little extra on the sides just for good measure because the surger cuts off a bit when sewing.

4. Pin the sides and sleeves with shirt still inside out.
5. Surge or zig-zag from bottom of shirt to edge of sleeve.
6. I re-enforced the armpits and the edge of the sleeves with my sewing machine, since those are hard parts to get on the surger and because they get a lot of action when wearing the shirt (meaning, more likely to get a hole or something).

And you're done! Woohoo!

Well, other things I've done since my last post:

Signed up with readthescriptures.com. My sister Megan mentioned them a LONG time ago and I was thinking the other day I should look into it. I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT IT! I am the type of person that is basically life dependent on the internet and technology. The first thing I do in the morning is check my email and blogs. I know, kinda pathetic/wrong... but, whatever. It's my life. So I've been having a real hard time getting scripture time in because it just wasn't a priority, even though I wanted it to be. So I signed up with this, told it I wanted to read the Book of Mormon in one year, and it sends me 18 verses a day to my email to read. At the bottom of the email it has a button to push "Completed" and then it brings you to your page and tells you what percentage of your goal is done. I LOVE THIS. It is right in my inbox each morning, and therefore a reminder and it's just so easy. 18 verses might sound like a small amount to some of you, but I am thrilled! I think it's just right for me. I am a firm believer in consistency, not quantity. I once read one verse a day of the book of mormon, and I think it was the biggest testimony builder of scripture study of my life. It made it so I read consistently, and then gradually I added more verses. Anyway, if you are struggling with scripture reading I HIGHLY recommend this website. Oh, and if you're not mormon, but are in need of spiritual enlightenment, have no fear! This site also includes the Old and New Testament, King James Version. So you could do that too. But I guess I should probably also say to you that I highly recommend reading the Book of Mormon too. This book truly has done wonders for my life. It's pretty miraculous the changes I see in my life when I'm simply reading the book everyday consistently. It just makes life easier.

Anywho, I made another pillow for my couch! Two down, two to go. Super excited.

Today when we were getting IV's at the West Clinic, there was a lady that just found out she had Lyme Disease yesterday. She was getting her IV and the doctor came and gave her a bunch of papers talking about Lyme Disease and stuff. So anyway, she kinda just burst into tears and later kinda led on that she had read on the paper that it can be transmitted to spouses from eachother. My heart aches for her! She was so overwhelmed. She had just found out about everything and was still learning and oh dear. I just remember the first time we went to our Doctor in Seattle and learned so much and how horrible this disease is...and I don't think I realized it at the time, but looking back...I'm pretty sure it kinda took my spirit away for a bit! It's pretty depressing and hopeless at times. I was pretty proud of Clay cause he was sitting next to her and he was talking to her and giving her lots of hope, and telling her that she will get symptom free and that there IS hope and all these nice things. Later I was sitting next to her (hah it sounds like we play musical chairs or something- but it's just too hard to explain...but it's nothing fishy) and we got to talking and she gave me her card with her email address and I told her I'd email her so that she can ask any questions or anything. I just feel so bad for people when they find out they have Lyme Disease! I'm happy that they finally got a diagnosis and that they will get treated, but it's never a good thing.

One thing that is great is I have been feeling great! I mean...at least right now I do. I suppose every once in a while I have a bad day. But it's weird. I think I forgot what it's like to have energy, cause just tonight- I was walking through winco and I just felt so much more energy than normal and I had a sort-of flashback to high school and thought- oh yeah...this is what it's supposed to feel like. I don't know, it's so weird. Until today, I kinda feel like I forgot that is what it could be like...because I haven't felt that way in a while. It made me so happy! Cause I feel like in the past month I have made SO MUCH improvement. I think the combination of the IV's, the antibiotic treatment, eating healthy- all of it is finally pushing me in the right direction. WOOHOO!

Welp, I take my exam next week. I am actually FINALLY feeling pretty good. Today I took 3 practice tests that included all of the subjects on the test (cause until today I'd just been focusing on individual subjects until I master them), and so it was kinda exactly like I'd be taking the exam...anyway- I passed all three! That made me REAL happy. I still need lots of practice but I think 3 days will be just enough. I told Clay I need something kinda like a reward after I take my exam and told him that I wanted to spray paint our piano next weekend, after the exam. He looked at me kinda funny, but agreed to it! So I'm really excited. Our piano has been painted before by some idiot because it is BUTT UGLY. And by butt ugly, I mean poop ugly. Cause they painted it the color of poop. NO exaggeration. Seriously. Poop Piano. So I am going to paint over it WHITE and then put antiquing gloss on it and it'll just be marvelous. You'll see.

I found out that my Sunbeam teaching partner got released and I will get a new one next week or something....which pretty much depresses me because she basically ROCKS at that calling. My patience wears thin so quickly with those hooligans. According to her though, I'm the best partner she's had. And she's been in sunbeams for 5 years, so I'd say that's a big compliment! She said she's had partners before where she's feared they were going to hit the children they got so impatient with them! They never did of course, but they just had such a hard time. If you don't know what sunbeams are, they are the 3-4 year olds...who for some crazy reason are expected to sit quietly in primary for 45 minutes while there's a lesson where they just talk to them, and then singing time where they are constantly learning new songs that are so long. I tell ya, I remember primary differently when I was a kid. I swear all we did was sing fun songs like Popcorn popping, Give said the little stream, and only songs we knew. I dunno. Anyway- then after that we are expected to give them another lesson. 3-4 year olds. What?! I try and remember what my mom always tells me, that little kids have a talent of doing things and looking like they aren't paying attention, but really they are absorbing quite a bit of the info you are giving them. It's hard to truly believe that is happening sometimes! Oh well.

Alright- well that's all for now. Life is pretty good. Pray for me that I will pass the exam this week. Please :-)

7 comments:

Megan and Greg said...

I always forget you're with the sunbeams. That was the hardest calling. Oh man. Good luck on your exam. I can't remember, is this your last one? What a process! I'm glad you're feeling so well. That's amazing! Is Clay also? That sucks about that lady you met. I'm glad you got her info. It's always good to have a friend who knows what you're going through. Even though nothing changes, it just eases stress and pain to know you're not alone and someone knows what you feel like. Glad about your scripture reading. It really is a cool program. When I got on it Greg thought it was so stupid and said, "Why don't you just open your scriptures?" I get his point, but I was like you- email first thing in the morning. I've sort of stopped, but I should do it again. Cool shirt. Pretty simple tips. I always forget to model changes after something I already like. I always freehand stuff and that's never a good idea. LOVE YOU.

Leanna said...

Too bad you don't live here! I'm Primary President, and you'd love teaching our Sunbeams. Our church starts at 1, so by the time they get to sharing time during the last hour, they are exhausted and wilting right on the spot. One of them actually fell asleep in his teacher's lap one day. haha Poor kids...I actually have to TRY to rouse some energy out of them when I'm doing Sharing Time, trying to involve them with lots of participation activities. lol I'm sorry you're having such a hard time with them...

Oh and p.s. I google chatted (is that a word?) you earlier, but I don't know if you got it. I just wanted to let you know that I used your ironing board cover tutorial (our old one was looking a LOT like your old one) and it turned out great! I'm so excited to finally have better experiences while ironing now. I may actually iron more often. It's amazing. Thanks a ton for posting that tutorial. =D You're amazing.

Lizzie said...

i love it when you post. it seriously makes my day. honest. i love it.

that scripture reading sounds cool. just before i sat in front of the computer this morning, i though, "i should read my scriptures first". then i have this battle in my head. that i'll read them AFTER i check my computer stuff. then of course i forget later. so that program sounds awesome.

it's sad your sunbeam class is so horrible. i do look at ours though and they are awfully distracted. kate just sits and talks to her little friend the whole time (in sharing time, not in class). one boy brings a toy every week, plays with it, takes of his shoes, bends over and touches the ground on his chair all the time. one boy cries all the time. it is a very emotional class. i bet you are sooo good at it though. i agree with mom though about them listening. they are little sponges. my kids will be in the other room with the tv on, playing with their toys and talking to eachother and i swear they hear everything i say to shad. tanner could repeat it word for word. it's crazy.

you inspire me to be healthier. i have no energy lately. shad or i. possibly because of the insane amount of treats i eat. possibly because our kids get up at 5:30. i'm sure eating healthier would help.

love you. can't wait to see the pilllows.

AMY AND MIKEY said...

i'm glad you are feeling so much better. It is crazy to be in that situation of actually FORGETTING what life used to be like before lyme/cancer. I remember the first time I felt energy and I felt reborn. It was awesome. I LOVE the shirt. What a great idea! I'm so glad you feel better about the exam and that it will be over soon, and then you'll just have one more left (right?). That's exciting about the piano, I can't wait to see it. And the pillows too. And good for you for plowing away on those pillows. The lady at the clinic.. so sorry. It is hard to see people just finding out the news, or seeing them go through the stages you've been through. It's so hard, you want to comfort them and take it all away. that was really kind of you to switch contact info so you can talk to eachother. She won't be the last one you help. You will be a comfort to many others. I love you so much.

Jenni said...

LOVE THE SHIRT and thanks for the instructions because I've been thinking about doing that! It looks great! I am so glad that you are having more energy. What a great feeling. And how awesome that you and Clay are able to be there for other people. You are such a strong person, that is truly one of your gifts, and this lady is lucky to benefit from that.

Love you!

Grandma, Nonnie said...

What a great idea for a new shirt. I love that you made it fitted for you. I am so sorry for that woman. I am glad you are feeling better, and I love it when you post as Lizzie says it makes my day. I hope you have many more days of feeling good energy and I love you so very much. hugs and kisses Oh the little class, I think I remember that they have an attention span for as long as they are old and then they move on to something new. I know it must be a challange. But you would be good at it I know. love you

Kristi M. said...

I always appreciate these little refresher tutorials on how to do the most basic things like this shirt. it looks great. thankfully i have never been a sunbeam teacher but I was in nursery for a time and I thought I was going to die until I had a change of attitude and decided to throw myself into the calling 100% and then some with a definite schedule. Sunbeams would be a little harder because play time isn't built in. The 4 year old class (one up) is Gunnar's and it is a nightmare. there are quite a few kids and they have energy! I substituted a few weeks ago and we had one kid taking off his shirt because it was wet another was licking his shoe for whatever reason. I feel for ya.