Old School Mail Prep.....First Things First.

When my little lady squidlet and I started talking about what it means for someone to have a pen pal I got a rather brilliant idea. 

I found this old stationary kit that I received, literally 20 years ago, while I was at my parents house this past summer. I loved the box itself, but it was so out of date!

It's good and sturdy, the top part kept envelopes and paper. The bottom drawer held cards and envelopes, but both the paper and cards (the cards have the same picture as the lids) just don't say young girl to me. 

So, I decided to do a bit of a "renovation" on it. 

With some clearance scrapbook paper, Elmers Glue All, a sponge brush and some pretty tape, this is what I came up with.

This is the new outside of the box. LOVE.

The new top inside, with all the paper.

 This is the new inside of the drawer. LOVE.

 Her supplies, stickers, crayons, pencil.

and underneath, the new envelopes.

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The box has just plain white envelopes, but if I know my daughter, and I think I do, they will be gone pretty soon. Instead of buying more, I decided to make more. 

I know I got this idea from somewhere, so I'm sorry to who ever came up with it, that I can't give you credit.

 I got one of the MANY Martha Stewart magazines in the recycling bin, and some patterned and colored tape (similar to washi, but less expensive) from Target.

 I chose Martha Stewart because her pictures are so pretty, no matter what it's of.

I picked a pretty page and ripped open one of the envelopes from my stationary.

 I traced it on to the page I picked, and cut it out.

I folded it along the same lines and used one of the sweet tapes from target to hold it together instead of messy glue. 

 I taped up all the edges just because I liked the tape, but you don't have to. :)

Then I took the solid tape and used it to write the addresses on.

 This is the second one I made and because the first one was so flimsy.
I took my pretty page and used my gluestick to glue it to another lame ad page for more stability. I really like the result.

I made many more, but here are some of my favs.
(I can't believe the picture is so bad, sorry)

I would have taken another picture, but I have already addressed them and I don't want to be rude and give out all kinds of addresses. :)
My daughter LOVES the box and everything in it. We spent the weekend "writing" all kinds of people!
I am testing whether or not they will successfully go through the mail this week, but I think if you can mail an Easter Egg, you should be able to mail this. I'll keep you updated!

Weekend Thought: Old School Mail.

Frequent messages between Jade and I have resulted in quite a few good ideas. Most recently, Pen Pals. Last summer I signed the kids up for a pen pal program with one of the blogs I follow. I was so jazzed, since we were pen pals with 2 children the same age, but sadly, nothing ever was sent to us and we gave up. :(

Since our girls are about the same age and have known each other since mine was almost 1, I ran the idea by Jade and she loved it! We have already started on stuff to send their way. I am so excited that both girls will get to learn all about the different places we'll live and see!
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Does anyone else have a pen pal or want one? I'd be happy to do a little "matchmaking".
 Let me know! Email me if you are interested!

Carpe Itsy Bitsy, or Seize The Tiny. Part 2

Continuing on in our journey to find the cool stuff to do in the small town that is our current host, we go back to the Water lily Park/Garden and hit the other side. 

The Rose side.

Again, my photos are lacking and do the real things no justice. They are beautiful.

After that, The Squid gave me a girls night out with a great plan for a good time.

ROLLER DERBY!

Oh yeah, that's right we went to a Roller Derby bout hosted by our own Thunder Kittens.
I was super jazzed about it, I mean with names like...

KungPow Chick
Jeep Strangle-Her
and
Titz McGhee,
how could you go wrong!!??

The visiting team was from Austin, and unfortunately we got our asses handed to us.
At half time it was something like 43 to 92. Our girls were trying, but the big booty girls from Austin were just to good at not letting our jammer through. I would love to go back, and hopefully we'll have better luck (sorry girls).
It was a good time while it lasted though.
Go Thunder Kittens!

Hope Everyone has a great weekend!

Hey, I'll Trade You! Month One.

My buddy Jade has finally gotten settled in her new digs in Hawaii, and she seems pretty  happy with her arrangements there, but during one of our conversations we got on the topic of fabric. She told me of all the pretty Japanese fabric she was able to find(which I am jealous of), but that she was less than pleased with the rest of the selection she had seen thus far.
(Mind you this was before she hit up the Fabric Mart.......... I. am. jealous.)
And I told her of my sadness that there is no Joanns near me, only a tiny Hancock and Hobby Lobby.

Then, Light Bulb!

She pitched the idea of a fabric swap. I happily accepted and we set to work ironing out the details. 

$15.00 limit (although as I said I would, I went slightly over not including shipping) :)

If at all possible it should be at least 1 yard, unless it's a remnant. 

We will swap once a month. 

I just sent my first picks and I hope she likes them.
 I hit up a 1/2 off sale at Hancock Fabric hoping to find some inspiration, but noting. Then I walked the aisles of my local Hobby Lobby during their sale, and bought fabric that shouted as I walked by 

"JADE NEEDS ME! EVEN IF SHE DOESN'T KNOW IT YET!"

It was great fun, although, I need to be careful not to indulge these loud fabrics, word travels fast and soon I'll be picking up everything I see. 

Here is what I sent to her, sorry for the crappy picture. I remembered just as I was shipping it that I hadn't taken a picture of it.

 Being from New Orleans, the Mardi Gras masks was a must.

The next one looks like her daughter Arielle took markers to fabric she found. 

(Which is something she would do and Jade would love it and make a dress out of it. :))

I don't know why, but the blue flowered fabric and the paisley on top of it were both yelling Jade at me. 

The cat fabric above that reminded me of Arielle and her love of animals, but specifically Rose. 

The last fabric is a remnant and it's so delicate and beautiful, I just had to get it.

(P.S. The green and purple color theme was entirely accidental)

I hope she likes them and that I get pictures of all the things she does with the fabric.

I am super jazzed for next time and I am on the prowl for what yells at me next.
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Tuesday I got a lovely and soft package in the mail! I was so jazzed, and had every reason to be!
Here is a picture of my new fabric!

The first is amazing pink and grey Alice in Wonderland fabric, the second is just plain awesome (the Squid thinks is super cool, so I might use it for him), the last is a beautiful blue fish batik. It reminds me of my time in Hawaii and the sarongs I used as curtains in my room. :) Thank you so much Jade! I am so looking forward to our next trade!

Airing our Dirty Laundry: Rockin' With More Butt Fluff!

After a couple of months on a cloth hiatus due to what can only be described as laundry overuse, I started cloth diapering again as soon as we got to our current pit stop. Having grown so much over the last summer, a good amount of our diapers no longer fit our little boy squidlet, so I just HAD to invest in some new butt fluff. My current favorites are........

For days/naptimes: Tots Bots with a Flip insert. These diapers are fitting super awesome, they are absorbant and not to bulking. I guess they are kind of an all in one since the insert is sown in and flips out for easy cleaning and fast drying time. But, I put an extra flip insert inside and we have a winner! I ordered 3 more in this pretty great green color and I'm loving them.

For nighttimes/soon to be daytime: Happy Heineys, the pocket that still rocks my world. They are a little more on the bulky side, but I stuff the heck out of them and hardly ever have a leak issue unless we are having a heavy wetting night. 

Just ordered/found for nighttime: Kawaii Baby heavy wetters. I just got a chance to try these since a lovely lady that is staying here has had both her babies in cloth too. I love them! Soft, absorbent and no more bulky than by HH's, best of all about 1/2 the price of my other fluffs. The only downside is the limited color/pattern choices, but I totally don't care.  I ordered 4 and after our first night, I am in love!

Along with my new Tots Bots I ordered some Rockin Green Hard Rock and Funk Rock.

 I got Earth,Wind and Orchids, and while it still works wonders on my cloth I admit it's not my favorite scent. 

The Funk Rock has totally lived up to its promises! I de-Funked my diapers when I got the bag and have only had one instance of "punch me in the face, knock me down" ammonia. I am super jazzed!
 I love the guys over at R&G! They now have a military uniform formula that I am seriously considering getting just to treat the Squid's uniform. He wears them more than once between washings, and I might need some extra help getting it clean. Rockin Green to the Rescue!

Carpe Itsy Bitsy, or Seize The Tiny. Part 1

I am a little tired of having a maid......yes I just said that. No, I never thought I'd say that either. I am just done living in a hotel, maid service is no longer making it worth while. That being said I am still trying to enjoy being here. Such a small town can be....challenging, but the Squid and I think there are possibilities everywhere! For instance....

Surprise! A water lily garden/park. Who knew!? It is beautiful and such an interesting and exotic flower is such a treat to enjoy out in the middle of nowhere!

The founder of this lovely display has been called "The Indiana Jones" of the the Water Lily world. How could you pass up checking this out?? 

Also, across the street, a sandwich shop that has this on the cover of it's lunch menu.

WHAT!? Being the huge Seinfeld fan that I am, I couldn't help but visit a place that uses the phrase "The Sandwich Nazi"! They even have an autographed picture of the Soup Nazi hanging on the wall!

How are the sandwiches you ask.....they are AMAZING! 

OH MY GIDDY AUNT are they AMAZING!

We were there before they opened due to the Squid's current schedule and thank goodness we were, it was busy!

Hidden in an old home, we found a table, a menu, & decided what we wanted to eat. Down a small hallway to the kitchen I went, only to find a half door with a cash register and a sign that says "If you don't know what you want get to the back of the line. If you don't like our attitude you can leave".
(They have been known to refuse changing a sandwich, like 86ing the black olives.)

I am quite sure that I saw half of our base eating there, and I understand why. The Squid ordered a sandwich to take with him to work, in his words it was "EPIC". He showed it off to all his friends so, I wouldn't be surprised to see them eating there the next time we go.

The Sassy Sicilian

The Dirty Mike

The Intel

Almost feeling the sand between my toes.

I recently bought yet another pair of shoes.
 I saw them on a friend of mine, and after much discussion on the benefits, and drawbacks, I decided to talk The Squid into at least trying them on.
(He really loves to be barefoot and I thought he might love them. He does. )
They are typically trail walking/running shoes, but we just wear them as everyday shoes and walking around/exercising shoes.
(Although, as the Squid learned they aren't meant for things like basketball.Ouch!)

I broke down and got my own pair, and I love them. They are called Vibrams Five Fingers and people stop me all the time and ask me about them.....
Yes, they are soooo comfortable, each of your toes has a spot and after the first couple of days wearing them it's super easy to put them on.
Yeah, I love the colors to and they have others.
They breath very well, I can feel the wind blowing through them.
They took a day or so to get used to, no I choose not to wear the special socks, & yes they smell pretty bad right now, so I'm going to have to wash them soon.
I got a bag of funk rock for our butt fluff and I'm going to give it a go on these shoes, hopefully with some wonderful results. 

Overall, they are worth every penny!