UGLY!!!! But I LOVE the fabric.

My latest project: repurposing. I found this terrible window treatment at the thrift store for a whopping $1 and immediately envisioned a dress for AJ. So the hideous trip was the first to go, and then the seams, excluding the top and bottom 1/2" hem. Then, using this shirring tutorial from Pretty Ditty, I shirred a section for the bodice and added a skirt, back and ties. It's a little short, but with AJ crawling with a passion it's the perfect length to not irritate. I still need to tack the top to the straps a little better.

You will probably hear/see me mention shirring or mock smocking quite a bit. It's my new favorite passion. I've already made AJ 2 dresses just this weekend with it.

My beautiful model ;)

May I introduce you to... Maria!

I am in love. OK, well, maybe not in love. But definitely enjoying my new

SEWING MACHINE!!!

If you didn't already know, I love to sew and I keep finding more and more thing to sew! I frequently am sewing Audrey dresses, nursing covers (for me, friends, and for purchase *hint hint*), burp cloths (also for purchase), and now diaper covers.

I was using my wonderful but well used Kenmore that I purchased when I was 12 from an aunt for a whopping $75. I started really sewing last year, when I found myself alone, pregnant, and bored in a new house. Because I am just starting out in what I hope is a very long sewing career I wanted to get a fresh new machine to break in.

And so I began researching. Here's what I found via the Internet, other people, and various sewing forums.

Kenmore: no longer manufactured in the US; though having a 25 year warranty Kenmore is difficult to work with when something goes wrong; they just don't make them like they used to.

Singer: STAY AWAY! Their machines haven't been up to snuff in quite a few years. If you can find an old all-metal machine that can be fixed to working condition then great, otherwise look somewhere else; minimal warranty. Not very expensive, but it's not going to last you very long.

Brother: Ok. Not great. I had a few people recommend them. Very cheap (@ Walmart <$100). The employees at most sew/vac repair shops shudder at Brother machines. One man told me he usually gets a Brother to fix after the owner had it for 3 months.

BabyLock: I've yet to find a bad review. Been around for 40 years. 25 year warranty. I had a friend (and her mom) recommend this machine to me and both of them are avid sewers. On the higher price range. The few complaints I have (and this is simply because I am used to my old machine) is there's not a drop-in bobbin (it's a hidden bobbin) and that the front panel (where you store odds and ends) doesn't rotate open, rather you have to take it off each time and slide the stuff out of the hole. Not deal-breakers, though.

My needs for a sewing machine:

Multiple types of stitches

mostly metal (to last longer)

a great warranty

simple (NOT computerized, more things to break)

around $200

Result:

Babylock Maria A-Line series!

23 stitches

mostly metal

25 year warranty

not computerized

$500 (!!!!!)

The price was a really big deal... and the Lord provided! I was able to trade in my Kenmore and buy the Maria for $250!!! Amazing! I am so blessed!

Yippee! Just wanted to share my excitement and findings ;)

I want to give a shout out to my amazing hubby who provided for me so I could get my machine!! Thank you, Michael!

Alice.com

On the bottom right of my page I have a new link:




Click on it to receive $10 off your first purchase! It's a great website! FREE SHIPPING!!! You can go shopping from your living room! My mom and I are sold! You can buy just about everything except your perishable food items!

There may be a section that asks who referred you, just say Katie Paulus!

AMAZING!

Just found this website on how to fold flat fold diapers!

We just started using cds on Audrey again and I bought diaper covers as mentioned here. I didn't buy inserts/prefolds because Audrey's not very big, so I figured I could still get some use out of the old ones. Well... I can't.

So rather then purchasing new prefolds I found a website that recommended using all those swaddling blankets that everyone gets (and usually don't use for very long). AMAZING!! Why can't I come up with these things? ;)

Here we go! I'll let you know how well they work. It'll at least clear some shelf space.

Also about to venture into making diaper covers... Yes, diaper covers. From scrap fabric and a waterproof fabric for the inside. Yes, I know, I'm crazy and have way too much time on my hands. At least I'm using my time while I have it!

Just wanted to share a blog for all of you "needlework people". My mom told me about this website, I just wish I had more time to do fun stuff like this. :)

Early Bird Special

Here's one of the beautiful things she teaches you how to make:

Picture courtesy of ebscrafts.blogspot.com

Giveaway!

Laken and Lila Giveaway!

Mommy and me set: Tunic for mommy and skirt for daughter!

"like" Laken and Lila on facebook HERE

Good luck!!

Katie

It's done!

I feel like I've been "planning" on making this dress for weeks... I've had fabric since before Easter... and totally over-thought this process so it took me twice as long to sew it. Haha! At least it's done! I'll definitely be making another one.

Awesome CD Store!

Just wanted to share with this cloth diaper (cd) store I found while looking at reviews of the Wonder Wrap (that just came in the mail!! I got Blackberry, Kiwi, and Vanilla!)

Kelly's Closet

Check it out! I paid $14.95 for the Wonder Wrap at DiaperJunction.com (they're having a pretty good deal of 30% off wonder wraps so I got them for $10.50). But I lost some of my savings because you don't get free shipping unless your order comes to $75 (which is easy to do, but I didn't, this time...). Kelly's Closet, on the other hand, gives you free shipping for orders over $49! That's incredible!

Anyways, just wanted to share that with you!

I'll have my own review of the Wonder Wraps in coming in the next few weeks.

Communication

Disregard this post if you don't give a rat's patooty about childhood development or the Paulus home. Sorry to bore you. :)

Communication - a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs or behavior.

I share the definition because my daughter, Audrey, communicated with me for the first time. For the past 7 months I've been guessing what she needed. Bottle? Diaper change? Burp? Nap? You know. The mommy game.

But today Audrey communicated. By rapping her fist on her high chair she was trying to communicate that she wanted her favorite toy (a wooden spoon). Yes, I had to do some guessing. But after I figured out that she was showing me what she does with her spoon and how she got a huge smile on her face when I rewarded her with it I realized she had just asked for her spoon!

Yup. I'm a proud Mama. Sorry you had to read my bragging... Can't help it. I sure do love that kid!

Voila!

I made it! Home made laundry detergent!




1 cup Borax
1 cup Washing Soda
1 bar (2 cups shredded) soap


Mix it all together and store in an air-tight container. Use 2 tablespoons per load. Makes about 32 loads.


I was hoping to show the consistency... It resembles store bought detergent.

*Update*

I found Borax and Washing soda at the Commissary for $2.59 and $2.05, respectively. (Thanks, Jen!)

I've also been told you can find either of these at Ace Hardware stores and Whole Foods.

Happy shopping and saving!!!

Saving $$ and Time

This seems to be an ongoing process: being frugal and organized. Haha! As soon as I think I'm doing well in one area I've let the other go. Recently I've come across some sites that are helping me accomplish more in my day and make my money go further.

Here are some websites:

Making you own laundry detergent:

• Tipnut
• Planet Green (the powdered recipe is the one I'm going to try)
• The Simple Dollar (this is a video tutorial)

I have not tried this yet, but my good friend Megan Fischer makes her own. You spend pennies per load!! What an easy way to save money! The hardest part I'm finding is finding the ingredients - my Walmart doesn't carry Borax or Washing Soda. If you know where to find it pass the info on!

Organization: Making a Household notebook

• Organized Home
• FlyLady (She calls it a "Control Journal")
• {SimpleMom} (the Daily Docket - very helpful!)
• {SimpleMom} (the mini Daily Docket)

I'm in the process of making my Household notebook (I don't call it a Control Journal because I have enough issues with being the "boss"... oldest sibling syndrome, hehe!). So far I LOVE it! I've been more productive and I've learned a lot about my own organization and cleaning style.

Cutting coupons:

• CouponMom.com (Just signed up, don't know how it works but I've been told I'll save $$)
• "The Coupon Mom's Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half" - Stephanie Nelson (I just got a copy from the library - saving money (; - and already I'm enjoying it!)

Hope this all helps! I know it's been helping me! Good luck becoming a more efficient, thrifty housewife!

Being a Frugal Woman

The Lord's been putting on my heart to be more efficient in my house and to keep myself from the temptation to be lazy. I find that the easiest thing for me to do is sit at the computer, doing research, stalking facebook, and reading blogs. [Yes, I know that's what I'm doing right now... but I'm being useful by sharing my experience (; ]

That being said, I wanted to share what the Lord's been revealing through Proverbs 31

She gets up while it is still dark; she provides for her family and portions for her servant girls. vs 15

I hate waking up early. I'd rather scrub the floor with a toothbrush. But I've found that early in the morning is the best time for me to get things done and I'm much more productive if I have a head start. And when I wake up early I have more time in the day to do the things I really want to do but get pushed back due to lack of planning. Things like devotions, playing with Audrey more, cooking larger dinners, and just being cheerful!

She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable and her lamp does not go out at night.

This applies to my small business of burp clothes and nursing covers. More and more I see how beneficial it is for me to really map out my projects. I came across a snag in my last project when I didn't calculate Michael's homecoming impacting my time. I ended up getting the project done much later than I promised. I have also found that when I plan I feel stronger and more encouraged and confident in my work. It's a win win situation, if I just take some time to plan ahead!

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

The more efficient I am the more this comes true. I know the Lord is taking care of my little family, and that He's giving me the strength to thrive and serve them. I need not worry about tomorrow or next week. He's in control. Just keep on keeping on. :)

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

I'm still learning how to do this. Michael and I are working on making a budget (yippee!) and I'm working on becoming more organized and thrifty. I find that when things are organized it's easier to "watch over the affairs of my house". As for idleness... I really struggle with this. It's so easy to get sucked into facebook, blogs, or sitting with Audrey on the couch in front of the boob tube. So I'm learning to multi-task: get a load in the washer while I unload the dishwasher for example. It's a process.

Thanks for catching up on my little life! Sorry if I ramble...

We're mommies now...

Just wanted to give a shout out to my dear friend Isabella!! She just found out she's having a boy!!! Yippee!!

I'm looking forward to meeting Edward Reagan Hodge this fall!!!

Congratulations, Mike and Bella!!

~ Michael, Katie & Audrey

Itty Bitty Baby Dress :: FREE::

Just wanted to pass on this amazing website and dress pattern. I'm looking forward to making a few dresses for Audrey. (We'll see how they go!) She has a pattern for newborn, 1-3 months, and toddler.

Hope all of you mommies of girls enjoy it!

~ Katie

P.S. If you think of us, Audrey and I are still down with a cold and would love some prayer. Thanks!

*Cough Cough* *Sniff Sniff*

My baby's sick. :( I hate colds.

"You have to let it take it's course." Just what I want to hear when I've got a cranky, stuffy 7 month old.

Off to Walmart to find Puffs Plus, Infant Benadryl, and hand sanitizer.

Yuck. Audrey's not sleeping well unless cuddled on me (which I love, but also means we don't have food in the fridge...) and every time she needs to cough she coughs in my face.

Yup. I'm coming down with whatever it is as well... Shoving vitamin C down my throat.

Praying Michael doesn't come down with it.

Piggy prizes

So the story goes, forgive me if I don't get it all right, that when my husband and brother in law (twins) were infants Mom and Dad P would award "piggy prize"s for the messiest diaper of the day. Understanding, of course that diapers in the early 80s were nothing compared to the "leak-proof" diapers of 2010. Or so one would think.

Audrey proved that to be false today as she has many days (more than I wish to recount). Yup. She got the piggy prize. She pooped all the way up her back to her shoulder blades. One of those diapers that you run the bath water and consider the best way to approach taking off the offended clothing. Scissors? Roll it? Over her head? Slide down her legs? You know it's going to be bad, regardless of how you take it off.

Oh, I forgot to mention that we tried prunes recently... yeah. It RAN through her system.

And the best thing about babies (at least Audrey) she couldn't give a rat's patooty about the mess her patooty's in. Sitting there happy as a clam. With her pants full of ... you know.

It's good to be a mom. It's good to be a mom. It's good to be Audrey's mom. Right. Keeping things in perspective. :)

Haha! On to the next adventure!

$$ in my pocket

So I've got the diaper bug again. Excuse me, the cloth diaper bug.

For the last few months I've been using disposable diapers because I found that I was only spending $4 a week to diaper Audrey... and it was easier since Michael was deployed.

But, the other day I spent $20 on a box of diapers and realized that I could have taken that $20 and bought 2 cloth diapers that would last me months rather than days and that I could use on baby #2* (and hopefully #3 +).

*note: I AM NOT PREGNANT

So now the search begins again for the most cost efficient cloth diaper system. I'm planning on sticking with prefolds and covers but I haven't decided which brand.

The debate is between Bummis and Thirsties, both of which I've used before.

I would love any advice! (especially if you've used the Thirsties Duo Diaper cover)

Mommy things

This week I'm learning how to cook baby food... in my ebay-won Beaba BabyCook!

It retails for $149 (ouch!) but I was able to get one second hand for $100. Already I've pureed carrots for Audrey's lunch and I'm about to cook 2 plums and steam them.

If you're looking for a good sight on making your own baby food check out this site.

I know there's a big debate about whether it's cost efficient to purchase and "extra kitchen item" to make baby food when you can easily steam food on your stove top. While it's obviously cheaper to make your own baby food it's not easy to decide how.

So, this week I'm going to be making baby food both ways: with the Beaba BabyCook and on the stove.

I would love to receive any tips and personal experience. Feel free to leave a comment!

Boeuf Bourguignon

So the meal went well, not as satisfying as all the work Michael and I put into it, though. Sunday night we cooked from 8pm to 1am and then cleaned up from 1am to 2am. Needless to say, we were both exhausted when 7:30am rolled around.



We refrigerated the food and served it Monday night to our friends Vinnie and Cambria. Cambria tried to guess what we had made and shouted and jumped up and down when we told her "boeuf bourguignon". "Julia Child's 'Boeuf Bourguignon!!!" She had been wanting to prepare it since she saw the wonderful movie Julie/Julia (as did we... )

The meat was a little overdone, and it just didn't taste as "amazing" as it smelled. Oh well.




On the other hand, Michael and I had such a good time cooking together that we felt like we got an inexpensive date night out of it. We danced around each other as the broth boiled and the bourguignon simmered. We rolled our eyes in delight smelling the brown braised onions. And even when we were exhausted and starting to get grumpy (that can happen at 1am) we still laughed as we scrubbed down the kitchen from our cooking escapade.

It was a wonderful night.

Monday, as well was a great time. Vinnie and Cambria are awesome and we thoroughly enjoyed sitting and talking for 4 hours. I don't know about them, but I wasn't ready for the night to be over when they left. Leaves me in anticipation for the next time we can all get together.



Lord, thanks for great friends, good wine, and wonderful days full of laughter.

Date Night

Boeuf Bourguignon!! Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon! Pray that it goes well!

~Katie

Mother Goose

The more time I spend with my wonderful, spirited baby girl the more of my childhood is brought to remembrance... Songs like "Baby BumbleBee" and "K-K-K-Katie!" are sung frequently in our house. I love it!

As I was sitting here the old nursery rhyme "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater" came to mind and I started wondering what it really meant. That's when I found this website. It amazed me how many of the nursery rhymes we sing have terrible origins. Would you sing "Ring a ring of rosies" if you knew it was about death and the Plague? Or that the crazy woman in "Three blind mice" was Queen Mary I?

It's good to know stuff... I laughed after seeing the irony of the children's rhymes I've been singing since I was little were about terrible things at their origins. Whatever.

Spring!

Happy 1st day of spring! Hope everyone's having a great day, enjoying great weather, and hopefully getting away from gloomy winter days.

What's going on in the Paulus house:

Michael's tackling his "honey-do" list
I'm cleaning, folding laundry, and sewing
Audrey's figured out fake coughing for attention
- We're trying not to laugh when she does it to not encourage her
Just got back from a beautiful (and much needed) vacation to San Diego
Bought to start spring cleaning (YUCK!)
We pick up my truck (!!!) on Monday


Still working on getting back to normal with Michael home. It's been great having him home, but I've definitely had to work on putting away, for now, my many hats. For the past 4 months I've been mother, father, husband, wife in our house. It's been harder than I thought it would be to relinquish some of my duties, and even harder to submit and allow Michael to serve and lead.

We'll figure it out... Thankfully God's got a hand in our marriage :)

Pics to be posted later of our vacation!

Ciao!

Sitting around

Saturday I did a lot of sitting around and waiting. For what? My husband!!! Michael returned from his 3 1/2 month deployment Saturday night! I love having my husband home. He brings such joy and stability to our house. Audrey has transitioned well to him, thankfully! She's not in the "mommy only" stage yet. Thank goodness.

And I have finally slept! While he was gone I would sleep through the night, but I'd wake up just as tired as when I went to bed, needing to sleep lightly just in case I needed to help Audrey or defend my castle. Now that my bodyguard is home ;) I fall into such a deep sleep that it's hard for me to wake up. Michael brought Audrey to me while I was in bed, he was on his way to work, and she and I snuggled and fell asleep for an hour! The tiredness is catching up to me. I have a feeling I might be like this for a while. Oh well.

So now, I'm sitting here listening to Audrey talk on the monitor while she tries to go to sleep and watching Michael file our taxes. It's a great day. My family is together. Complete. As it should be.

One of my favorite times of day...

SNUGGLE time! After I get Audrey out of her crib, but before I get her ready for the day we snuggle on the guest bed for a few minutes. She talks to me, practices her crawling, tries to grab my glasses. We play peek-a-boo. This morning she found her thumb and nestled in for a little nap. Oh the joy of being Audrey's mommy!

Just another Tuesday...

I'm sitting here sipping a mixture of warm water, 3 T apple cider vinegar, and 3 T honey to hopefully heal my sore throat and ibuprofen for my headache and ear ache... I hope it works. Mom's don't get "sick days".

On top of my sickness, my daughter is refusing to take a nap. She woke up extra early this morning (7am). Of course, the day that I could really use the sleep I only get 6 hours of sleep (I waited up till 1am for Michael's call... which never came through). Otto barking, Audrey crying, it's just been one of those mornings.

Oh well. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. Until then, I'll try to rest and be cheerful. :)

Budgeting

Oh! I forgot to ask. If you have any tips for budgeting could you pass them on? Great websites? Saving tips?

I'm looking into PearBudget.com. Has anyone used it before?

Thanks, in advance, for the tips!

It's been a while

Sorry it's been so long. Kinda what happens when you're doing this whole parenting thing by yourself while your better half is deployed. Thankfully I won't be alone for too much longer (excuse me while I do my excited dance...)

I'm sitting here listening to Otto tear something else up in the backyard. He switches from the watering system to the cardboard box that holds our chiminea. Wonderful. More for Michael to take care of when he gets home... I've taken care of my fair share lest you think I'm leaving everything for him.

Audrey's just laid down to take her 3rd nap. She doesn't normally take that many naps... Oh well. More time for me to get things done around this messy house.

So what's been up with me. Well, I'm tired. It's been a long 3 months and I'm very ready for my husband to be home. I know I sound like a weakling. I've heard the "You're lucky you're not an army wife dealing with 18 month deployments." Yes, I am. But I also know that the Lord gives me the strength to press on through any deployment be it 3 or 18 months. And I've prepared for a 3 month separation, so it stands to reason that I'm ready for Michael to be home.

Audrey has kept me very busy in the meantime. She is on the go all the time! At 5 1/2 months old she's beginning to sit up unassisted (for a little bit till she comes crashing down on her face), she grabs anything and everything within her reach and immediately puts it in her mouth, she holds onto my fingers and stands up very well, talks, giggles, and blows raspberries. She's almost crawling... she gets up on her hands and knees, rocks back and forth, and then scoots... backwards. :) At least she's moving.

Children grow up so fast! Looking back at pictures Audrey's changed so much! You'd hardly recognize her. It's so hard for me to think of all the things I've seen her do while Michael finds out second hand. I sent him a video the other day and he replied that that was one of the first times he's ever heard her laugh! Come home, Michael and enjoy the joy that is our daughter!

I'm proud to say that this has been a productive deployment for me. I'll make a list to prove it:

Installed a security system
replanted watering system
fixed a broken watering system
organized our bills
spent 2 weeks in Texas
and 3 in Virginia
built 1/2 of my project desk (hoping to have it finished before Michael gets home)
made a meal plan
had windows installed in our VA rental
fixed Michael's credit score (with help, thanks Dad P!)
got Audrey sleeping through the night
and I've kept my sanity (for the most part)

What's left to do is another story:

clean the house
sew 3 large sewing projects
finish the desk
potty train Audrey (just kidding)
organize my pantry
and paint my nails...

Thankfully I have a few weeks left to do it. I'm contemplating whether or not it's really worth it to clean my house before Michael gets home... it's just going to get trashed again with all his stuff. Oh well. It'll make me feel better.

So there you go. Little ol' me. Workin' away. Keepin' busy and stayin' sane.

I'm still alive

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. My life is a living mayhem. Michael's deployed, I've got an energetic, determined 4 month old, a crazy dog that drives me crazy on good days, and I've been traveling for the last month and a half.

Not to make excuses. :)

We're doing well. I'm working through leveling out my emotions (what a roller coaster!) and being a productive mom. Audrey's growing (wish I could say like a weed, but she's still really little) and is as cute as ever. Michael's doing well, thankfully not staying terribly busy (he's search and rescue, so it's a good thing when he's got nothing to do).

Other than that, we're just living. Trying to make the most of each day, pray and hope for tomorrow, and not waste the time I have. I'm counting down the days till Michael gets back. I miss him terribly, but I'm so thankful for the strength the Lord has instilled in me to make it through these deployments.

It's all good.