Keep Voting for Charlie!

Ok, ok, so I know people have better things to do than vote for a dog contest.  But if that was you, would you be wasting time checking your blogs?  Nah.  So while you are procrastinating on the internet, why don't you go to http://contest.kob.com/engine/Details.aspx?contestid=24573&pagetype=VOTING&SubmissionID=6574023 and vote for our pup. 

Charlie is really excited about this, and it means a lot to him.  And all votes got wiped out a couple of days ago because people were cheating.  So let's make him a winner!  You can vote once a day every day until February 4th!  And P.S., it's my birthday week, so consider it a gift to me. ;)
Thanks,
Amanda

Kitchen Lighting Remodel

Ok, so Doug and I are weird about weird things.  The other day, we were talking with our friends about how we don't like the fluorescent light in the kitchen.  Minutes later, we heard a loud "pop", and the light went out.  We went to buy a ballast, and then discovered that the ballast in that particular fixture could not be removed, and we would have to buy a whole new fixture.  (Insert frowny-face.) 

Before=Blah.

So, we decided we would just buy a regular light fixture, rather than the commercial-looking fluorescent light.  That just looked wayyy too dim, even for a temporary solution.  It reminded me of the kitchen in "A Christmas Story"--too dim.  So we decided to go for it--recessed lighting! 

The temporary solution...and racing stripes!  Can you spy Doug's finger?

Recessed lighting was the plan all along, but we were thinking we would do it later on.  We weren't even sure if we could get in the attic above the kitchen.  Well, Doug crawled right on up there, no problem!  He did a lot of research, and figured out how to do it himself.  I did my best to help. 
      

Up in the Attic

The hardest part was mapping it out.  We drew it all out on graph paper.  Then we cut out dots to make sure we liked the layout on the ceiling. 

Dots

Then we put coat hangers into the ceiling where they would go, so that he could see the location of the lights from in the attic.

Coathangers come in handy!

That's when he discovered that a gas line goes right through where we wanted to put our middle lights.  So we had to adjust. 

We got our plans finalized.  Then came the scary part--cutting! 

Peek-a-Boo!

But it worked out ok, and all the lights are now in their new homes.  It turned out quite lovely.  What do you think?

AFTER!

Classy?  I say yes!

Vote for Charlie!

We've entered Charlie into a contest.  If he wins, his picture will be put on a scratcher ( I think).  Anyways, since he IS the cutest and has provided endless hours of entertainment for all of you, why don't you go vote?  You can vote once a day per computer.  Here is the url:
http://contest.kob.com/engine/Details.aspx?PageType=APPROVED&ContestID=24573&SubmissionID=6574023&IncrementNumber=1

Once you are there, click on the "vote" tab on the top.  Then, in the search box provided, type in "Charlie".  He should be on the second page.  Let me know if you have any problems!  And thank you!
Doug and Amanda

Doug has hobbies too...

So, this blog has unintentionally become a showcase of all of my projects.  However, Doug has been busy as well.  He has recently taken up photography.  It all started with his sister Virginia's wedding.  Today we took some senior pictures of my cousins.  He is hoping to make it a side business, but he just loves doing it regardless of if he's making money or not.  He recently designed a website.  Please go check it out, and tell us what you think!  It's called Depth of Field Photography.  Oh, and if you want any pictures done...

http://www.depthoffieldphotography.com/Depth_of_Field_Photography/Home.html

The Latest Sewing Projects

Thought I'd post some of the latest sewing projects I have made.  These were for my sister for her baby shower. 

Boppy cover and Nursing Cover (Double sided this time!)

Carseat Canopy, Diaper Case, and Wipes Case

Wipes Case and Diaper Case

Wipes Case (First time I have made this.  Really cute, but a pain in the butt!)

Back to School!

Well, summer came and went. It seems like it hardly even came. I had so much I wanted to do, but between weddings, weekends, visits, and other adventures, my to do list is nearly as long today as it was on May 28th. Ah, such is life, I suppose.

I am wrapping up my first full week of school with my new kiddos, and let me say, I am EXHAUSTED! Not only am I not used to getting up before 9:30 every day (yes, feel sorry for me), but these kids have a LOT of energy! I have been complaining to Doug that I don't "like" this class as much as last year's, but he reminded me that I said the same thing at the beginning of last year, and I ended up liking them better than the class before. I suppose it just takes time. I hope.

I am starting some new things this year. Mostly integrating more small group work, because even I get bored of hearing me talk. One big thing on my plate this year is my Professional Development Dossier. In English, it's a big portfolio/project I have to complete in order to move up a tier as a teacher and get a much needed pay raise. What it seems to comprise of is tooting my own horn. Hey, I'll do anything (legal) if it means a raise ;) There are a lot of us at the school that will be working on it, so it will be nice to have buddies that are going through the same thing. That way, we can meet and compare notes and hopefully make this thing a whole lot easier.

Anyways, sorry if this was boring. I think I just needed to write about my thoughts. I've felt so discombobulated lately. (Hey, I think I just spelled discombobulated correctly!) So I don't feel bad if you skim-read this post, or even skipped it.

And mom, here's your picture of my first day of school. (Yes, I still take a first-day-of-school picture every year. Probably will till I retire.)

Beth's Reversible Apron

What can I say, I love aprons! They're the perfect gift for a new bride, and almost guaranteed to fit. With Doug's sister getting married in July, I knew I needed to find a cute apron to make. I found an awesome tutorial for a reversible apron here.

I had soo much fun making it! And I was only tempted to beat my sewing machine with a hammer once or twice.






Doug took the pictures with his new camera. I guess I should post some of his awesome pics, instead of only sewing pictures. We'll see.

Amanda