How Do You Do It?

A few weeks ago, after a customer commented on my new tattoo, I realized that I am growing up to be the person I wanted to be when I envisioned growing up. I have tats and piercings. I go to college and frequent my favorite coffee shop. My pants haven't fit my waist since I was seven, and I have the body to pull off LOW rise jeans. There are a few things that still don't work with my 15-year-old version of my 34-year-old self, but I'm getting there.

One huge component is how I live and raise our kids. I live a very modest life. My rent is my biggest bill and I gladly pay it because I love the home I have made this house into. The kids go to a laid back "hippie" school, it's a Steiner school, for anyone who wants to know. They are versed in all forms of art, music, drama and get to play in the sunshine, rain, snow mud and anything in between. They play sports and Number 3 is joining the Earth Scouts this month. I work only three days a week and go to school five days a week. My loans pay for most of my expenses right now. I weighed the consequences of taking out so much money to the benefit of being able to concentrate on my school work and, most important to me, being able to be with the kids.

My friend emailed me today and asked for advice. She is thinking about quitting her job and working from home. She's scared to death and asked for tips on how to do it. Without too much thinking this is the advice I gave her:

Sheer will, perseverance and faith that you can do it. Honestly,  I'm not sure how I do anything anymore. I just believe that I can, take what comes and own it; good or bad. That doesn't mean I don't struggle, cry, scream, give up or complain, but at the end of one of those moments, I wipe my snot and remember that I have felt like giving up before and it's all worked out.

Most of the time, my plans are basic, not thought through. I'm not sure if that's good because I don't have expectations or bad because if I don't really have a plan, then I really don't have a back-up plan. Except I do have a back-up,  I suppose. It is faith in my convictions, faith that, once again, I will be okay, faith that I am supposed to be where I am right now, no matter where it is. This isn't based in religion or God, just belief in magic, I guess. The magic in me.

I guess what I am saying is super-cliche, but follow your heart. Do what's right for you. In my case that meant breaking apart my family, losing my home and my car, leaving my friends and living without running water for 7 months. And that doesn't include what I have done to keep my relationship with Tris thriving. I believed that leaving [the kids dad], so many years ago, was what my heart was telling me to do. I believe that doing everything in my power, without giving up myself, is what I have to do for my romantic relationship. I believed that moving to Flagstaff was the best choice I could make for my family.

On my hard days, and I do have them, I remember what I believe. I make a list of the things I am grateful for and do not pause to mourn the things I have lost in my journey. If working from home is what you want to do, I support you. You may have to make a list of the things you are willing to give up to make that dream come true, but if you are willing to put them on the list in the first place, then you are probably willing to part with them. Simplifying my life was the best thing I have ever done, but that is just me. I know you will take the next step in the direction your life will take, just be willing to accept whatever direction that is.

Oh. And I make my bed every day because there is subtle satisfaction in doing one little thing for myself, even if the rest of my day is devoted to everyone else. (I learned this from my friend, Katy. In fact, she practically made me make my bed every day. Now, it's a habit and I relish in the fact that I get to slide into tight sheets every night. )

I retyped this mostly for myself. This is what I tell people and what it probably true, but from my perspective, I am only doing what I have always done. Maybe it's ordinary, maybe extraordinary, maybe it's just mi vida loca. Anyway you see it, I make my life the way I want it because, to me, there is no other option. I hope you are realizing your dreams and not letting fear hold you back from the reality that could be yours if you just jump. So plug your nose, when you are ready, and be prepared for whatever temperature that water is when you hit.

HillBilly Clothes Pin Hanger

My good friend, Michelle B, came to visit me. The first day she was here we were sewing maniacs! I taught her how to make wrap-n-mats and then I made this gem. I just used a baby shirt, sewed up the bottom and the sleeves. If you make the picture bigger, you can see that I blanket stitched the front of the shirt together and the collar open. It's very cute, I must say. My only complaint is that the hanger is too big. I am on the hunt for one that is the right size and wont get in the way. My friend, Terry, a local artist, says he can fashion something for me. I will update when I get a new hanger situation. Leave a comment if you have a suggestion. 

Mt. Elden Hike

Before Our Hike

Yesterday, the boys and I decided to have a look at Elden Pueblo. It's an old Hopi Pueblo that was unearthed in the 30's, I think. Since 1978, the public has been encouraged to participate in digging out of the pueblo. The pueblo was home to the Sinagua people from 1070-1275 AD. (The people's name, Sinagua, comes from the long ago name of the area, Sierra Sin Agua, Moutains Without Water.) The pueblo is on Highway 89 North, from Flagstaff to Page, AZ.

After we visited the pueblo, we decided to check out Mt. Elden to hike. From that trail head, there were three trails, each a bit longer than the other. The longest was two and a half miles long and ended at the top lookout of the mountain. Two and a half miles is a 30 minute breeze on flat land! Two and a half Mt. Elden miles are a bit different. Right away, it started to rain hard. We took shelter under an Alligator Juniper tree, which by the way can be up to a thousand years old in this area. A-Mazing! When that down pour ebbed, we trekked on, only to find ourselves drenched half-way up.

After shivering for  a few minutes, I made the executive decision to start our decent. It was a bitter sweet moment; we were only a half mile from the top, but I felt that I would be risking hypothermia if we continued. The wind was blowing on our soaked skin and clothes and we all had cold, stiff arms. We did take the long way down though, which was a blast! It was longer, but it was also less steep, so we ran most of the way down.

Drenched and Happy After Our Hike

If it's a little broke, fix it!

My soft white sheet has been slowly ripping for two weeks. That is until the other night. It just tore; a big fat T! I am strapped for money and didn't want cheap, crunchy sheets, so last night, I fixed it. I tried to just pin and sew, but that didn't work, so I had to add a strip of flannel to the back and sew her up.

BEHOLD FRANKENSHEET!

I will get at least another 6 months out of her!!! Is there really a good reason to buy new sheets if the old one only has a tear? I think not. What is something that you will fix, instead of repurchase? Do you have any tips to share? Send them to us at twoqueerhippies@gmail.com. I would love to publish your ideas and photos.

home made (adult themed) wrap-n-mats

Are you sick of buying Ziplock sandwich bags? I was, so I bought Wrap-N-Mats. W-N-M are these awesome reusable sandwich wrappers that are lined with vinyl or plastic, they seal with velcro. They keep your sandwich moist and they are completely reusable. Over the years, only one W-N-M survived the boys, so last school year, I decided to take the bull by the horns and make my own. I traced a pattern from the existing W-N-M, then figured out how to sew them up. I buy all my supplies at Joanne's, so if you have any fabric store near you, you can do it too.

This year, I got sick of using kid themed wraps for my own sammys, so I got grown-up fabric. To be specific, I bought pin-up girls, skulls, day of the dead, and sugar skulls fabric. Here are some of my most recent creations! (Apparently, I don't have any pics of the pin-up girls, but I will get some up soon.)

I will see you one for $10 plus shipping. Let me know if you want one. :)

The last picture was my first attempt at a vinyl lined, velcro closed fruit bag. It gets so annoying having fruit drip out of bags or not being able to fit apple slices into the only small containers that fit into the lunchbox. This is really ingenious, if you ask me! Now I am going to add utensil holders to the set! I am super excited!! 

inspired!

I just checked out a friends blog, Leaner Sews. It hasn't been updated in quite a while, but what I saw there has inspired me to sew some utensil holders for the kids lunches. I can even use matching fabric from the wrap-n-mats I made. Did I ever post pics of those? If anyone wants one, I am selling them for $10 each, plus shipping. I will get those up ASAP! At any rate, when I get a chance, probably next week, I am going to make a pattern and sew these beauties up! Can't wait to post what the look like!!!! Thank Helena for your inspiration, ALWAYS!!

What You've Missed

2011 In Photos 

January Cold

February Frost

March Pile-Up

April Road Trip

May Snow Showers

June Pride <3

July Beauty

There is so much more to show you, but I will just have to post little by little.