It's Coming!

This could get interesting. We've never been in a typhoon/hurricane, so we're not sure how it's going to go, but we're safely camped out in our cement bunker of a house and waiting.... Carrick gets today and possibly tomorrow off work depending on when Kompasu decides to show up so we're cuddling on the couch watching tv because there's not much else to do!

Re-purposing an old sheet

My other project this week: I took this old sheet from this....







to this! Now I have more places to store my shoes, and it didn't cost me anything!

First *Successful* Clothing Item

I did it! I finally conquered my fear of sewing actual clothing! I have sewn clothing before, but always with my Grandma's help (who taught me everything I know about sewing). This was not my first attempt, however. That occurred when we were living in Jacksonville, and I had just bought my machine. I was really ambitious and thought I could sew a dress. I bought a pattern and material, which turned out to be my downfall. It was a satin/silky mess. After I cut that pattern it just started unraveling, and I gave up.

But not this time!



I used two patterns out of a book and made up some of it as I went. The top is part of another dress pattern, but I didn't care for the bottom, and the bottom is from a skirt pattern.




Don't laugh too hard at my completely obvious zipper ;). After searching this island for a zipper and finally finding one I just wanted to be finished. I ignored the directions about an invisible zipper (I don't think I have the right pressure foot anyways), and I hand sewed this bad boy in. I'm happy with it. Also, it looks like it's separated at the top, but there is a hook there. I couldn't latch it by myself.

Expo Park Day

We went to Expo Park....

It was REALLY hot that day....

We saw old style Japanese houses....

There was this scary guy....

And a botanical garden....

We climbed to the top of a spiral building (or rode an elevator to the top)....

It was great, even though Carrick won't ever take a good picture........

In this life....

I'm starting to realize that in reality I don't have a whole lot of say in what happens, or where we live, or go, or do..... and that's ok. I'm learning to let go.... which if you know my personality you can imagine it's been hard because I'm a super planner. I have lists for Everything, including my life... although that one is more in my head, not written down. But things happen that remind me that life isn't always about having control and knowing where you're going, but about living, and loving, and letting it be what it is.

I was listening to these songs while I was getting ready this morning and I was reminded that even though we think we're in control we're not. God is. My life is planned for me, I just need to have faith in that. As a military spouse, where things change in an instant, these words really resounded with me...

Francesca Battistelli Lyrics – I’m Letting Go Lyrics

My heart beats, standing on the edge
But my feet have finally left the ledge

Like an acrobat
There’s no turning back

Chorus
I’m letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
Losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
So I’m letting go

This is a giant leap of faith
Trusting and trying to embrace

The fear of the unknown
Beyond my comfort zone

Chorus
I’m letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
Losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
So I’m letting go

Giving in to your gravity
Knowing You are holding me
I’m not afraid

Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
Feels like I’m falling and this is the life for me

Unpredictable - Lyrics

Album: My Paper Heart
Artist: Francesca Battistelli

Got my thoughts
I got my words
Got this head full of answers
Got You wrapped up
Got You under control
See my future like the past behind me
I think I know where You’re leading
Don’t need no questions
Don’t need no rocking the boat

But I just forget all the mystery
I just forget who You are


When I know that I know
What You have down the road
When I’m sure that
I’ve figured You out
Help me see that I’m small
That I can’t know it all
‘Cause You’re so unpredictable
‘Cause You’re so unpredictable

You said the foolish
Would shame the wise
To put my faith
In what’s beyond my eyes
And to believe You
I have to come as a child

So help me to rest in the mystery
Of what I can’t understand



Can’t wrap my mind around You
Can’t put You in a box
Can’t keep You safely contained
You’re gonna move the way
You wanna move today
Just let me follow along

A Personal Touch to our Decor

Today I was inspired to fill some frames I had purchased for pictures from my sister's wedding. The pictures aren't even ordered yet, and I just can't stand having an empty frame, so I thought about what I should put in them. Our house is kind of photo heavy. We have some pictures that are cherished gifts from Carrick's parents, but all our other wall hangings and such are photographs. I wanted something that was old looking and special to us.... so I thought of maps. I'm drawn to old vintage-y documents and maps are some of my favs. I google image searched for old maps from places that are special to us. I found these three.

The large one is an old railway map of Northeast Iowa. It's my fav of the three. It has Dorchester on it, which is the mailing address for the Girl Scout camp I went to and was a counselor at. I thought that was great because now Dorchester is a tiny one street town with a tavern and a few houses. Many of the towns on this map have little illustrations next to them too which I thought was cool.

The small horizontal map is of the North Carolina coast. This is where Carrick and I first lived together, and where Carrick proposed to me on Topsail Beach.

I'm sure you can guess the location of the third map. It's Okinawa! This one appears to be made by the Marine Corps during World War II.

Carrick came home and said "Hey! Where did you find these?" He thought is was a great idea and really likes them. I'm thinking they're going to stay, and I'll have to make a trip back to the store for frames for Meagan's wedding photos :)