{Tiny Wings}

Sorry that I have been absent for the last week or so . . . I’ve been knee-deep in Meghan’s room remodel  and that has been keeping me more than busy!  I will have the Big Reveal very soon.  Just working on some final details, and hope to have photos by early next week!

In the meantime . . .

I would be remiss if I didn’t make mention of something wonderful unfolding in my life that is turning out to be a true blessing to me.

In March, I reconnected with a friend from high school, someone I haven’t seen or spoken to in over 20 (gasp!) years. In the months prior to the email I finally sent her, my friend’s name kept popping up in the strangest places, from what seemed like out of nowhere.  When this series of “coincidences” caused me to finally think, “Hey, maybe the universe is trying to tell me something!” I finally contacted her.  I prayed that she wouldn’t think I was somehow stalking her!

Fortunately, Tracie is a beautiful soul.  Through email and Twitter, she and I became reacquainted.  When I realized how many interests we share, I began to understand that it was probably only a matter of time before we were to stumble upon each other.  Tracie is such an inspiration to me . . . in many ways, and I feel blessed to have her in my life at the moment!

And if that wasn’t wonderful enough . . . I feel like I’ve also inherited this amazing Girl Tribe through her, as well!  Tracie has been so kind to me by introducing me to many of her close friends.  I haven’t really had a circle of girl friends since high school, and it feels really nice to be surrounded by such a spectacular group of women.  Even though I’m just meeting everyone for the first time, everyone seems familiar.  I have felt embraced when I could have clearly felt out of my comfort zone.  (Thank you, Tracie, for including me.  And thank you Heather, Amy, Tiffany, Marta and the rest of the group for welcoming me!)

The best part of spending time getting to know everyone has been watching how they support each other and take care of each other.  I am in awe of their dynamics and their synergy.  It has been truly inspirational to me!    And every time I witness prayers going up or some other selfless act of caring for another, I am reminded of this quote:

“The circles of women around us weave invisible nets of love that carry us when we’re weak and sing with us when we’re strong.” -Sark

Feeling very blessed.

Have a safe and relaxing holiday weekend, everyone!

Peace,
Leslie

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Good morning, everyone! I’m working on a new blog post, but until it’s finished, I thought I’d share a quote that I stumbled upon this morning on the The Lettered Cottage blog.  (Thanks, Layla, for the inspiration!)  I hope everyone can draw from these words and apply them to this beautiful day.

Respond with purpose

- Ralph Marston

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Today is a very special day to me.  It is my amazing husband’s birthday.  Mike isn’t feeling very celebratory this year, which is a shame, because I would like to celebrate him and everything I love and appreciate about him.  So I shall, right here.

Mike has had an atypical (and somewhat rough) year so far . . . being let go from a job that he loved, in a career field that he was passionate about.  (Aviation.) That, right there, breaks my heart.  This man loved to go to work each day and poured himself into everything he did there.  I, admittedly, had long been envious of him for having the perfect job, so well suited to him.  So, to become a victim of the economy just didn’t seem fair.

But I am so proud of the man I married for the way he has handled the situation that has been given to him.  Not only is he diligent and enthusiastic about finding something else (probably in a different career field, no less) but he has also spent his time at home in hyper-productivity.  He has gotten some major stuff done!!

I’ve told him countless times that he is so much more than a paycheck . . . and that the things he has done for me, the kids, our home and for extended family have been so meaningful and so positive that he should be proud of himself for what he has accomplished during this time away from the job.  It goes without saying that he has made my life easier.  (Which of course, makes me so much less crabby!) Not only that, but being home gave him the opportunity to volunteer at school and participate in the kids’ activities, which they absolutely  love.  Being home gave him the opportunity to finish the never ending sunroom remodel and various other home improvement projects! (Yay!  Being married to a handy guy ROCKS!)  Being home has made him available when his parents and siblings need help with something, which I know they appreciate wholly.  Mike is always generous with his time and talents, and we have all been blessed by that gift!

The best thing about the past few months, in my opinion, is that we are maneuvering through it as a team.  Another little adventure on our journey together.  Something that allowed us to look at things from a different perspective.  I love the fact that we are there for each other and have the ability to help the other work through the rough spots.  I’m proud of the fact that we’re quite good at that!  I know that the current job situation is a temporary one . . . but the benefits of this experience on a family level will stay with us forever.

Mike’s sense of humor, cheerful disposition, strong values, unending loyalty and patience, willingness to grow and change . . . and of course his good looks . . . make me so grateful to have him as my partner in life.  (Note, Honey, that I didn’t say “Life Partner”.  Hee!) I have known for awhile what a good man I am married to . . . but he continues to amaze and impress me with the way he approaches every single day with a positive attitude.  His example makes me want to become a better person, a better spouse and a better parent.  I am fortunate to call him mine!!

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart.  You truly are my favorite and my best!  I love you!

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So, the past few weeks have been busy with end-of-the-school-year field trips, teacher gifts, and other last minute school things. We’ve also been in the thick of Meghan’s room remodeling, repainting an awesome (but numerous-pieced) bedroom set we found for way cheap on Craigslist. Throw in a playdate with some new-old friends, and that pretty much sums up where I’ve been for the last few!  *phew!*

School’s finally out and with it summer weather seems to have arrived as well.  (Took long enough, for pete’s sake!)  I had grand plans to get many things done this past weekend, but the fabulous weather yesterday coerced me to put them on the back-burner so I could spend the day outside, soaking up the rays that had been so scarce lately!

Wildlife Drama was once again the name of the game at the Flynn Ranch this weekend.  Not raccoons this time, thankfully.  Instead, we were busy rescuing chipmunks from our swimming pool!  Three decided to go for a swim on Saturday, and one on Sunday.   Problem is, once they’re in, the can’t quite get back out on their own.  Enter: human with pool skimmer!  While two of the rescues were uneventful, with the chippies scampering off right away, two of them appeared as if they wouldn’t have happy endings.  I’ve never seen anything so pathetic in my life . . . a waterlogged chipmunk shivering and exhausted, little heart pounding in it’s chest!  So wiped out that they didn’t even mind when we helped dry them off with a little towel!!  We love to watch the little critters chase each other around our yard, and we were so glad to perform lifeguard duties so their antics will continue.  I hope  they stay away from the pool, however, since watching it full time proves to be difficult!

Yesterday, the chipmunks stayed away because the kids spent a majority of the day in the water while I relaxed in my favorite patio chair and enjoyed the day.  Thoughts of chores quickly left my mind, as I hung out poolside with the whole family.  Couldn’t have asked for a better day! Once again, Meg wins the #1 Fishie award by staying in the water virtually all day, with only a few breaks for nourishment!

(Meg being silly with a bucket on her head)

When the children and hubs were finally waterlogged and mildly sunburned, we had dinner on the patio.  We had our favorite summer sandwich:  grilled chicken breast, hardboiled eggs, avocado, tomato, blue cheese, spinach and bacon on grilled focaccia bread. Yummmmy!   As we ate, we had a wild discussion as to what this sandwich should be named, since it is a staple on our summer menu.   I think the tentative name of the sammy is the Flynn Family Flamwich, only because it’s impossible to say and results in everyone dissolving into a fit of laughter.  Works for me.  Kinda. 

Because the evening was warm and bug-free . . . and because we just weren’t ready to go inside yet, we decided to cap off our Sunday with s’mores in the outdoor fireplace.  It was the perfect ending to a perfect family day.

(Zoning out in front of the fire.)

(A rare Mom & Ry snuggle time.)

(The sad face of someone who’s snuggle-buddy is cuddling with her arch nemesis.)

(Dogpile on Momma!  Not exactly what Momma had envisioned for Snuggle Time!)

The Photoshop action used on all of today’s photographs is Lovely Color by ~orangepotatos.

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You have GOT to check out this amazing giveaway at one of my most favorite blogs on my endless blogroll. They’re celebrating their one year blogiversary in true style!

Winner is chosen on Monday, so make sure to enter before then!

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I mentioned earlier that Meghan had a recycle project and presentation to work on for her social studies class.  As soon as she mentioned the words “recycle” and “crafts” in the same sentence, my brain went on creative hyperdrive!  She and I were giddy with excitement over the concept of repurposing 3 bags from other materials.  We spent all weekend with our new sewing machines and made the coolest things!  I got to try out a few things I’ve been wanting to try . . . and Lolly got to work on her sewing skills.  A win-win for both of us.

Here is project #1:  Our Betz White 2-necktie water bottle holder. We actually made two of these because they were so cute, fast and simple!  We bought our neckties at Goodwill for $1.50 apiece, but we would have raided Dad’s closet if we hadn’t been able to find any!

The next project we made was a felted sweater purse.  I had made these before, and the only problem we had with this one was that the wool sweater I had on-hand was a turtle-neck rather than a crew-neck . . . which somehow forced the handles of the bag to be skinnier than the others I’ve made.  To make these, you basically cut off the sleeves and the neckline of the felted sweater (to make a tank top-looking garment), line up the side seams, and sew along the bottom.  Easy peasy.  The result:

Our final bag was the one that was probably the most fun and “science experiment” of the bunch.  We made a lunch bag out of Fused Plastic Bags. It was fun to experiment with different types of plastic bags to see which ones fuse the best.  Thankfully (because I had so many of them!) the Target bags fused together PERFECTLY!  They are so cute, too!  If you try this project, make sure to work in a well-ventilated area, because melting plastic is kind of smelly.  We worked in the garage and smell was not a problem.  We found that fusing 6 layers of bags worked very well.  The product was definitely sturdy, but not too think to sew through without difficulty.  To keep the project fairly simple, we took our fused plastic and made a simple sack . . . but we could have added handles or a closure to make the bag even more useful.    Here’s our cool new lunch bag:

Meg is giving her oral report today, and I wish I were there to hear her present it to her class.  Her enthusiasm is apparent, and you can tell that she is proud of the items she made.  I’m quite proud of her, as well, for being willing to tackle this project with her craft-crazed Momma!  Good luck today, Lolly!

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The scene: Meg and Reilly, swimming in the pool and trying to annoy each other, while Mom and Dad sit at on the patio reading the paper.

Reilly: MOM! Meghan (which he pronounces “Mee-Han”) just mooned me!

Mom (looking up from paper): Really? Meghan!

Meghan: But he was annoying me!

Reilly: I just told her to pull up her bottoms!

Meghan: So, I pulled them up! I just pulled them down first.

Mom: *speechless*

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So, here it is Friday again, and I’ve been a blogging slacker all week.  My apologies.  It has been a rough week for me emotionally, not to mention a busy one . . . hence my silence.  Needless to say, I am glad it’s Friday and that playtime will soon be upon me.

Meg has a social studies project to work on, and I (for once!?) am excited to help her with this one!  They just finished a chapter on recycling, and she needs to make something entirely out of recycled objects and then give a presentation on it!  Now you’re speakin’ my language!  Meg laughed when I shared my ambitious project ideas with her . . . but she’s totally on board.  Love my little eco-girl.

So here’s our plan.  We are going to start with this:  a Betz White 2-necktie water bottle holder.   (Oh, for cute!)  Next, we’re going to make a purse out of a felted wool sweater.  She and I made a few of these last year and gave them out for Christmas presents.  Finally, if we have time, we’re going to try to make some Fused Plastic Bag totes.   Meg is psyched because she’ll get to use the fun little sewing machine that Santa brought her for Christmas!  I will post photos when we’re done.

In other crafty news . . .

I was so excited to see that there is a Wreck This Journal blogging group starting up next month!  I bought this awesome book going on 2 years ago, and haven’t had the courange to put a single mark in it.  Perhaps through peer pressure and a sense of shared anxiety, I will actually feel brave enough to do as the title of the book suggests.  Learn more and sign up for the blog group here:  Wreck This Journal Blogging Group

Finally, I found an awesome website repository for some great printables.  Who doesn’t love cool, creative stuff that some other brilliant person made and is willing to share??  Go here: Blah, Blah, Blagh printables.  Be inspired.  Download goodness.

Happy weekend, all!

Peace!

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