Magic Mondays (take 2): My Body:Wrecked, Ravaged& Overwrought

It is that time again: Magic Mondays - where for one day I get to shout to the wind, get it all off my chest, complain to my heart's content; and then drop it and move on the next day. ;o)
(* believe it or not - I did post this on Monday morning.  Then my son got my laptop, deleted half of it and reverted it to a draft - smart cookie that one ;op)
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My Body: Wrecked, Ravaged, and Over Wrought

I know that all mamas say the same thing - 'you never get your pre baby body back'.

That is fine!  After back to back pregnancies (the first of which was huge twins, 7.9 and 6.3!!!), 2 C-sections, and a pre-baby curvy figure; I never plan on going near a 2 piece again.  I have no desire to wear mini skirts, plunging necklines are now out do to constant baby grabbing, and make up would just be a joke 90% of the time.  I have no desire to magically transform into something I am not - I just want to feel like me.

What no one ever told me about pregnancy was the long term effects to your entire body.  My pregnancies have affected my hair, my teeth,  my shape, my weight, my muscles, my metabolism-and food cravings, and my poor BRAIN!

In my daily schedule there is no time to brush my teeth & shower let alone workout, eat a healthy meal, or get the rest my body needs to recover.

I just want to fit into ONE pair of pants I own that aren't maternity.  Just one would be great - because right now I fit into none and fall is right around the corner! (and maternity pants are comfy and all, but they don't stay up - they slide down... CONSTANTLY.  I am forever adjusting my pants and pulling them up, I feel like a gangsta wannabe!)

My hair is falling out by the fist fulls - I am getting BALD spots by my temples and am having to reverse my part to try to cover up the worst of it.  The only saving grace is that I had tons of hair to start with, so people who don't know me super well probably don't notice.  But, as an always borderline 'chubby girl', my hair is one of those things I count on as a good feature. ;o(

My teeth - oh you didn't know that teeth were affected by pregnancy - well read on poor soul... I was sick with my twins for 24 weeks, 24 weeks of throwing up coupled with poor nutrition does a number on your chompers.  After the boys I ended up with a root canal, a crown, and 4 fillings ;op  I'm scared what my appointment this week will bring.

Back to my body - It isn't just that I am carrying extra weight (I am), I have all this excess skin, and my ab muscles separated from the twins and have never had a remote chance of coming back together.  It is sad, but a bit hilarious that when I engage my abs (like in a chrunch) - I can push my fingers all the way down the center through squish - there is no connective muscle tissue to tighten up and act as a girdle.  And of course since I am  eating to stay awake (rather than for nutrition), all the bad fats, sugars, and excess calories dump right into this region. I swear that my already sluggish metabolism has slowed or maybe stopped!!!  And the only foods I feel like eating come from the following food groups: Chocolate, Carbs, Sugars, and Ice Cream - do not tell me those are not food groups!!!  Sigh...

Today is my day to rant, to rave, to complain... Tomorrow I must do something, or drop it.  But today I can admit that this sadness over my current size, condition, and lack of enurance overflows into my daily life.  It isn't just the image in the mirror.  With a little extra sleep and a few more minutes to myself (HA on both counts) I can tweak the outer appearance to one of health and happiness.  It is what lies underneath, what can not be seen by a crowd of people, what is on the inside that is eating away at me for change.  I WANT to change, but it stops there.  I currently have no motivation and too little energy to try.

HELP

WORTH IT

Operation: project $0 (week 3) sorta, kinda

Hello All,
I realize it seems like I am off my game already - I said I would update on Fridays, this is not a Friday.

Well, on Friday B had surgery - nothing major, but still a little nerve wracking.  Watching a nurse carry your screaming baby away, even for a small out patient procedure, is torturous.  Luckily all went well and he is healing great - life would be easier if I hadn't cut his catheter down to a nub by mistake (sleep deprived mama and wriggly 18 month boy with a complicated double diaper = disastrous results).  Traveling 2 hours each way for all the followup appointments is probably going to be the hardest part on all of us.

 in the waiting room, all happy smiles

 unsure of this new outfit and strange hallway

 cow and Elmo were there for comfort though

 quiet moment with mama, 'don't worry mama, I'm a big boy'

bravely walking to the surgery wing

But I did sew this week!!!

  And drum roll please (da da da dum...........)

THE JACKET IS DONE!!!!
not just sorta done, 100% done.  And I LOVE it.  It isn't perfect, but it looks great, and the best thing is that B loves it.  I put it on him after finally getting the zipper in (smurfity smurf smurf smuf, zippers!) and he ran all over the house giggling, and cried when I took it off.  I take that as a compliment!
The materials in this jacket include: khaki capris, men's dress dirt, men's sweater, my wedding aisle runner, and a zipper I have had in my stash for some reason since college.

  yes, yes, these are terrible pics... I'll take real ones eventually, but these are the proof!

*And yes, my children do wear pants - just somehow never when I throw something on them to snap a picture ;op

I will be doing a tutorial for the jacket (well maybe multiple stages of tutorial) in October.

(there is always a photo bomber lurking!!!)

I also did some girly sewing this week (I realize is isn't officially part of project $0, but it is all still upcycled).  I really love rompers on my girl, so I decided to wing a non-pattern romper using Made By Rae's Baby Sunsuit as a general starting point.  I wanted mine to have a bodice rather than straps and I was forgoing the shirring, but I figured I could use her basic measurements as a guide.  It would have worked perfectly -except my brain forgot that her length measurement was from sternum to bottom and I was making something from shoulder to bottom - arghhh the difference 2 inches can make.  So, I ended up with a bubble onesie - meh, still cute. (Hubs thinks I should paint a big M on it and have her be our brown M&M - 'cause she is the smart one).

 The revamped version of this pattern will be my first entry to Project Run and Play.  Here's a sneak peak.  If all goes well, it will look NOTHING like a little M&M baby ;o)

 I also finally got around to making those cute cotton baby sandals, and a lace headband that will go with the PR&P outfit.

This upcoming week is 100% back to the BOYS!  I need to start working on my fashion inspiration look (I'm doing pants, sweatshirt, suspenders, and hat - and maybe a shirt, but I might have something in his wardrobe that will work, is is bad to mix???)  And I need to draft my pattern for the White Sheet Challenge - I have a boy and girl item in mind (both will require fabric treatments that I have never before tried).

Whew - what a week!

What have you been sewing????  Link up your kid creations to the flickr group and get featured next Friday! (I will also be picking 2 bloggers at the very end to guest post here at Winter Wonderings...)

Wonder What Operation: Project $0 is all about???
The Beginning
Week One
Week Two


linked up: http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/09/mop-it-up-mondays-32.html, http://www.iheartnaptime.net/sundae-scoop-link-party-44/, http://www.itsoverflowing.com/2012/09/overflowing-with-creativity-91/, http://my1929charmer.com/sundays-best-46-par-tay/, http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/2012/09/motivate-me-monday-138.html, http://etcetorize.blogspot.com/2012/09/make-it-great-monday.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:, http://www.sewcando.com/2012/09/its-labor-day-craftastic-monday-link.html, http://www.sumossweetstuff.com/2012/09/market-yourself-monday-statement.html, http://sewchatty.blogspot.com/2012/09/made-with-love-link-up.html, http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/m-m-m-120/, http://jembellish.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-round-tuit-117.html, http://brassyapple.blogspot.ca/2012/09/linky-party-make-it-monday-46.html, http://alderberryhill.blogspot.ca/2012/09/make-scene-monday-38.html, http://www.hideousdreadfulstinky.com/2012/08/eat-make-grow-thursday-5.html?showComment=1346717734605#c5964788884781076246, http://www.nap-timecreations.com/2012/09/somewhat-healthy-ice-cream-sandwich-and.html, http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/2012/09/sew-cute-tuesday-90412.html

Whatnot: The Money Pit

We've all see the movie right - Tom Hanks and Shelly Long buy the house of their dreams, a bit of a fixer upper, but everyone loves a project - right!??!?  Of course one thing after another goes wrong, hilarity and much destruction occurs, and pile after pile of money gets thrown at the house until it is ultimately rebuilt virtually from scratch.

I'm living in the money pit.

Hubs and I bought our house 5 years ago, we new it was a bit of a fixer upper, but it was a fairly new house in a great neighborhood.  Within a day of closing on the house we had painted all but three rooms (floor & ceiling - painting parties, so much fun!!!); within a month we had walls torn down to open up the dining room and stairway.  Within two months we found out that the kitchen plumbing was almost destroyed by large quantities of oil being put down the drain through Aisian cooking (we have the plumber out about once a year because without tearing out all the plumbing to the street, there is nothing else that can be done).  By the end of year two we painted the entire basement (which is the whole footprint of the house).  Year three saw the replacement of the washing machine, a leaking air conditioner unit, and the realization that with a twin pregnancy we HAD to have a bathtub in the house.  So, year four led to a complete 2nd story overhaul that resulted in a new Master bath, a new walk in Master closet, a reconfigured hall bath with a tub added, and the repainting of EVERY SINGLE WALL (except the then guest room, now baby girl nursery).  Now here we are in year five and we have discovered mold in the basement - which means excavating the wall by removing the concrete sidewalk and all the dirt, and then sealing the wall to protect water from getting in the block.  I will have a wondrous tale of our experience with MidAtlantic Water -but now is not the time (italics equal sarcasm).  Our kitchen faucet is down to a dribble, our main floor toilet is running non stop (even after trying two different replacement flaps), and I am losing SOOOOOOO much hair post pregnancy that my gorgeous new(ish) master bath tub is starting to clog on a regular basis.

I can't even start to calculate how much planned and unplanned money has been thrown into this house over the past 5 years... I can't start because for a penny pincher, it would just make me cry.

But, I love my house.  With all its flaws, it is a phenomenal house for our family.  And slowly, piece by piece I have made it feel like a home.  Wellllllllllllllllllllllllllllll, almost....

There is one room in the house that has never been touched by a paintbrush, never been given a curtain, never had a single personal item adorn its walls - my poor poor laundry/mud room has been sadly neglected for far too long.  I have tons of ideas for the space, gorgeous thoughts of organized shoes, a functional laundry sink, and an ironing board.... sigh.  At this time, there is no way I can do anything to the space - I don't have a penny to throw at it... you did just read that we have to EXCAVATE our basement, right!!!

Never fear - there could be a solution in sight!!!!

Mandi, from Vintage Revivals is having a CONTEST!!!  (The winner gets a room make over for free.  That says FREE people.)

So please, PLEASE, PLEASE cross your fingers and pray that our room makes the top 10 (oh yeah, and click that picture thingy up there and VOTE for it! voting is Sept 7-14, tell all your friends to vote, get your great Aunt to vote, go to a computer cafe and log into every computer and VOTE - hmmm that might be considered voter fraud). Here's a look at what I'm living with:

 Here is is, a long bowling alley of space - the bones are good, there is just no flesh here!

 I chose not to pick the shoes up (for the fifth time in one day), because I need you to see how lacking this space is in function.  The shoes go in the blue basket, which is accessed by the two 18 month old monkeys to become a game of throw the shoes.

 This table is the closest thing to function int he room - and it is just a landing zone ;o(

 Oh look there are shelves - wire shelves are pointless, that is all I will say

 Yes, this is my laundry sink (I can not soak anything in it, I can not use it as a craft sink, you can barely wash your hand here!)  Oh and that is a pretty high heel IN the sink from the shoe throwing game mentioned above ;op 

 Poor naked window (I've made curtains for just about ever other window in the house, just not this one)

 Bare expanse of wall - You know that so much could be done on this wall!!!

 My pitiful hanging rack - one might say that I have too many bags, but must I mention the shoe throwing game again to explain why everything must be up off the ground???

 This is a fabric headband that I use to hold the door open so that said monkeys can not lock themselves IN the laundry room and get into even more mischief.

 Yes, yes, I have a mud room closet - but once again - WIRE RACKS - not so good for holding shoes, and there is too little hanging space, and my vacuum is crammed inside because the monkeys... I think you get the picture...

...But in case you don't, here is the trash can ON TOP of the table, taking up valuable dumping space, because if it was on the ground we would have a TRASH throwing game rather than a shoe throwing game.

Oh, and the two hideous light fixtures (I have replaced EVERY other light fixture in the house).  This picture doesn't show the horendousness of brass bases and glass covers with a floral motif, ughhhhh. Please, please Mandi, come make this blank, nonfunctional, un-homey space one of your gorgeous works of art!!! *I'll bake you something yummy, I'll sew you something pretty, I'll get my three beautiful babies to smile and giggle at you...

Project $0: Updates, competitive nature, and sharing the love (week 2)

OK - so here is the run down of where I am currently:
                               ~ 6 shirts DONE
                               ~ Three pants DONE
                               ~ Jacket DONE!!!!

Wanna see the jacket?????  You know you do ;o)

OR NOT

You see, I write my posts during my middle of the night feedings, and I typed that last section Wednesday night, projecting how much I could get done Thursday in order to post on Friday.  I sewed together the cuffs for the jacket, I sewed together the two layers of hood, I then went to top stitch the hood and my needle BROKE, grumble grumble snifflefinx.  This would not be a huge deal, but I broke another needle on Wednesday while going through way too many layers of khaki.  I was down to one needle - a super slim voile needle, I put it in and the machine stopped sewing.  As in, wont make a stitch in any fabric to save its life.  I'm blaming the needle.  So until I get more needles, or figure out what is wrong with my machine, I'm stuck with ALL the pieces of the jacket done and no way to connect them to one another (so frustrating to be so close and SOOOOOOOOOOO far away!).
So let's focus on what is done:
Khaki pants with cargo pocket, flat front/elastic waist, and cuffs

 

 

-

-Docker style khakis: slash pockets, stitched on placket, welt back pockets, hand stitched blind hem


 

 

And the poor, poor jacket...

 

So, I spent my evening doing something else...
Those who know me know that I have a bit of a competitive streak.  I love to play games (particularly Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, and my new favorite Dominion) and I may even enjoy occasionally winning.  I have noticed recently though that my normal sweet disposition whilst game playing has become a bit more aggressive since the arrival of my children.  I tend to stuff my emotions during the day to keep a calm exterior for my kids, and it seems those emotions are boiling over onto my friends and family during more intense rounds of game play.  Hmmmmmm, there must be a solution to this dilemma (I can't have everyone I know run for the hills when I need a game fix).
Enter: Project Run and Play.  An online version of the ever popular Project Runway but for KIDS!  And there is a sew along with prizes.  So it is a competition, with no one I actually know, and only a computer screen to yell at when I view all the amazingly talented other entries and realize I don't stand a chance. WOHOOOOOO!!!!!
Every week has a theme, so I started sketching (my figure drawing skills are WAY out of practice)
week 2: Fashion Icon

Week One: Remix of a bias skirt

I have many more ideas, so these may not make the cut.. but we'll see.  I may make one or two things for baby girl, but essentially I will be sewing within the rules of Project $0 (the two overlap).  So every challenge will incorporate something for the boys and must be something that enhances their fall/winter wardrobe.  I will also only be sewing with upcycled materials or things I have in my fabric stash (sooooo happy I have a twin white sheet on had for week three!).

So, if my machine ever works again, the Suits are 100% back in the running.  My Mom and sister both shared some wool suiting that they had left over in their own stashes... SCORE!

Here is the piece from my mom - it has really nice light blue and grey tones in it.  AND she let me borrow her serger.... ahhhhhhh serger ;o)

Sharing Some Love
Have you visited the flicker group?  No????  What are you waiting for?  There are already some amazing things being shared!  Here are two of my favorites so far.

I just love that they are red, and that little fire engine is beyond cute!!!

Thanks Monkey See, Monkey Do

I love this simple dress that looks anything but simple.  Black and white is always classic, and the fact that she made the dress, bag, flower pin, and bloomers(not shown) from her materials is awesome!

Thank You for sharing in the group Threading My Way

Click HERE to see and join the fliker group!

Operation: Project $0  BEGINNING              WEEK ONE

Had any sewing catastrophes of late???  Someone amuse me with your own horrendous tale of woe!  Pretty Please.

linked up: http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2012/08/show-and-tell-saturday-082512.html,http://www.sewcountrychick.com/search/label/Sew%20and%20Tell%20Saturday, http://www.sumossweetstuff.com/2012/08/market-yourself-mondaycolor-blocked.html, http://etcetorize.blogspot.com/2012/08/make-it-great-monday_26.html, http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/m-m-m-119/, http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/08/mop-it-up-mondays-31.html, http://brassyapple.blogspot.ca/2012/08/link-up-party-make-it-monday-45.html, http://www.linesacross.com/2012/08/the-cure-for-common-monday-52.html, http://www.craftionary.net/2012/08/Best-diy-projects-crafts-party-33.html, http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/2012/08/sew-cute-tuesday-82812.html, http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.ca/2012/08/time-to-shine-party-no-83.html, http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2012/08/take-look-tuesday_27.html, http://www.sew-much-ado.com/2012/08/we-did-it-wednesday_28.html, http://onelittlemomm.blogspot.com/2012/08/wkww-what-kids-wore-wednesday_28.html, http://raegunwear.blogspot.com/2012/08/sweet-and-tasty-treats.html, http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2012/08/transformation-thursday-no-167.html, http://www.momnivores-dilemma.com/2012/08/creative-juice-thursday-87-features.html, http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2012/08/under-100-linky-party_29.html, http://www.the36thavenue.com/2012/08/23-diy-home-projects-and-link-party-71.html, http://networkedblogs.com/BxvOm