So if you really want to mess with someone....

And you have Time Warner Cable, pay attention. I discovered this by accident. You have to have a cable box for this to work. Log on to their site. Sign in to your account. Go to My TV. Go through the guide and pick a show. Then click Watch on TV. It will change the channel on your TV! Seriously. The teenager had no idea why the TV kept going from the Speed channel to the Big Bang Theory and kept switching it back. It was hilarious. It could also work if you can't find your remote, but I'm mean and like messing with the boys. Enjoy!

Upcycled Cat Beds

So I mentioned awhile back that a co-worker volunteers at an animal shelter and when we were talking about sewing projects, she mentioned that shelter could always use more cat beds ans asked about fabric scraps.  So being animal lovers, another co-worker and I, started sewing cat beds.

Since I'm just starting out, I don't have any fabric scraps.  I do have fat quarters that I've picked up around town.  I also grabbed sheets and pillow cases that we no longer use from the attic.  Originally I was using them as filler, and then decided I could use the sheets instead of the fat quarters and use an old mattress pad as filler.

I thought I'd share how I did this in case anyone else wants to make some.  I'm sure lots of shelters could use more beds.  You could probably do the same for dog beds, just bigger depending on the size of the dog.

For the fat quarter versions, I just sewed two of them right sides together leaving a gap, turned it right side out, stuffed, closed and then did some additional stitching to keep the filler in place.  Like this:

For the sheet version, I used a full sized top sheet folded twice the long way.  I then cut approximately every 14-15 inches for strips like this:

Then I took those pieces and cut them in half on the middle fold.

You should have a folded piece and two separate pieces.
Cut the folded piece.

Continue until all pieces are cut.
Take two matching pieces and pin together.

Sew 3 sides completely, and the fourth side with a gap in the middle.

Turn right side out.

Fill with stuffing of your choice and sew closed.  Sew some lines to keep filling in place when washed.

Finished!  Not only do cats in need get beds, but I'm also re-purposing things from the attic that we don't use!

Vacation recap

Monday - Played outside in the morning.  We've been working on potty training, so I thought since we'd be home, I'd let L wear undies.  This seemed like a good idea until he told me was dripping.  After nap we went shopping so I could get some sewing supplies for the week.

Tuesday - Another low key morning at home with better luck on the potty training front.  During nap, I made these...

After nap and lunch, we went to the beach.

Wednesday - Low key morning, just like I like it.  During nap I worked on this for my sister...

After lunch and nap, we were back at the beach.  We ended up playing with kids from a couple of other families and had a great time.  Until the thunderstorms came and we went home.  The storms hit pretty hard right after supper.  L, who usually isn't bothered, was very nervous.  When it kicked the breaker for two rooms, I didn't blame him for being nervous.  Luckily they stopped just after bedtime.

Thursday - I don't know if he didn't sleep well because he was still freaked by the storms, but Thursday morning was atrocious.  First he freed willy while he was sitting on the potty, so I had to clean the bathroom floor.  Not that much later I decided to get in the shower.  While he can be entranced by television, this was not one of those mornings, so I opted to take him with me.  Besides, he hadn't a bath after the beach because of the storms.  Shortly after getting in, he tells me he has to pee on the potty, so I let him out of the shower to go.  He did go.  He also followed by pooping on the bathmat.  At this point, I want to bang my head on the shower wall.  So I get out, clean up the mess on the bathmat and clean the floor.  Again.  Then I turn around and get him in the bath, because of course he got it on himself too.  After all that, we still had an hour before nap!
During nap I dug baby stuff I'd listed on Craigslist out the garage attic.  None of which I ended up selling because they all blew me off.  While I was outside, I put the car windows down.  Prior to going back in the house, I put them up because I didn't trust the clouds.
After nap, my mom comes to visit.  We play with L for awhile, then decide to go for ice cream.  Except my battery is dead because I didn't turn the key all the way off when I put the windows up.  So I had remove and reattach the car seat and then remove and reattach again when we got home.

Friday - Thomas the Train Day!

On Friday we ventured to North Conway to see Thomas the Train.  We got to take a ride on the train which has a nice view of the white mountains.

L got to have his picture taken with Thomas and Sir Topham Hat.

We even met a very large turtle who moved pretty quick.  For a turtle.

It was a fun time, but very hot.  So hot, we stopped for ice cream on the way out of town.

Pet Photo Challenge

This week is The Paper Mama's Pet Photo Challenge.  So I am submitting Rusty and Ember, the matching cat and dog.

Things I'll miss

This weeks Monday Listicles is things I'll miss and things I won't.


What I'll miss:
1. My husband
2. My kids
3. My fur balls
4. Coffee
5. Junk food
6. Finished projects
7. Going to the beach
8. Baking
9. Spending time with friends
10. Relaxing with a drink



What I won't miss:
1.  Allergies, constant sneezing and itchy mouth.
2.  Potty training
3.  Passive aggressive behavior
4.  Working
5.  cleaning the litter box
6.  Laundry
7.  The cats walking all over me while I try to sleep
8. Politics
9. Spiders and other bugs
10. Project prep(cutting, pinning, cleaning, etc.)

SUYL - Bathrooms

Imagine a window.   A window that looks into a backyard which is mostly trees.  A window that lets in fresh air and limited light (remember the trees?).  A window located above a deep garden tub with jets.  This is what my master bathroom should look like....

But it didn't happen.  This picture is one we took while touring model version of our home.  My husband and builder both swear that I agreed to take out that window.  I must have been distracted.  It happens a lot.  But if I had been paying attention, that window would be there.  I noticed it immediately.  Our house is a modular, meaning it was built in a protected setting and delivered to our property.  We were there the day it arrived.   As we walked around the house, I noticed something missing.  My window.  There were phone calls and bargaining.  In the end, when it was determined that adding the window back at that time could delay our ability to move in (which ended up taking 8 weeks thanks to a busy electrician), I let it go.

About a year later, my husband called me.  He was making a delivery and there was a window for sale.  One that would fit in our bathroom.  So we bought it.  6 years later that window still sits in our basement.  An involved project that we just haven't gotten to.

When a friend told me she was getting new windows, my first thought was "I wonder if they would install a window that wasn't purchased from them?".  After discussion with my husband, we've decided against having the window installed now.  See that wonderful tub doesn't get used.  Filling it takes hot water, which takes oil, which is expensive.  So we've been discussing removing the tub and putting in a larger corner shower.  The pipes are already there so why not?  But who wants a window in their shower?  Not us.  So we will wait until we can remodel the bathroom, and I'll continue to complain that there's no window.  


That sound?  It was my husband rolling his eyes.

Sorry, I didn't get to take pictures of the actual bathrooms.  It's been a busy and somewhat frustrating week.

10 Questions

This weeks Monday Listicles is 10 questions.  Here we go!

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 23, and find line 4. What is it?  The amenities of a resort in Cortland, NY.  It's the closest thing I have to book down here.

2. How many times a day do you say Hi?  Shoot, I meant to count this one day last week.  If I'm in the office, it's a lot.

3. Have you ever worn a uniform?  Yes, when I worked at the record store.  We didn't have to at first but ended up there shortly before I left.

4. What do you think about the most?  How to try to fit in everything I want to do with everything I need to do while not neglecting anyone.

5. How many keys are on your keyring?  Too many.  I still have keys on there from things we don't have anymore.  I really ought to take care of that.

6. What was the last thing you bought?  We went shopping this afternoon.  I got a bathing suit, some jars for iced coffee, a organizer with drawers and some more fabric.  I really need to stop buying fabric!

7. Are you growing anything these days?  Impatient, but I'm sure that's not what you're looking for.  We have a couple of flower gardens that really need attention.

8. What is under your bed?  Dust bunnies.

9. What is most important in life?  Sqeaking out moments of happiness.

10. What is the strangest word you used this week?  I'm sure there was something, I just can't think of anything right now.