Goin' to State Fair - Sort of...and The BIX 7

Skyler with her project chosen to go to State Fair

Congratulations to Skyler!! This was her first year participating in 4-H. We really didn't know what we were in for but she decided to enter 2 projects into the Rock Island County Fair and just see how it goes. For her two projects Skyler ended up with 2 blue ribbons as well as being chosen to go to the Illinois State Fair with one of her projects. We were super excited. Later we learned that there is an age requirement and the judge didn't realize that Skyler is just a bit too young to be considered for the Illinois State Fair so she had to be demoted to a State Fair Alternate. If she was just a few months older she would have been on her way. At least now we know how it all works and Skyler is already thinking about what she can do for next year. We also had fun checking out the animals at the fair that other    4-Hr's are showing.

Skyler with some Domestic Turkeys

Skyler and one of her friends at the RI County Fair
with their blue ribbons

On Saturday I had a great time running the Bix.  This is only the 3rd race I have ever ran and the longest one I have ever attempted.  The Bix is a 7-mile course that it known for its intense hills.  Brady Street hill is actually nothing compared to McClellan hill.  Actually the whole course is pretty much uphill -- both ways if that is possible  :).  It was pouring down rain for a good portion of the race so everyone was soaked to the bone -- but I love to run in the rain so it was perfect.  I ran the 7 miles in 1 hour, 1 min. + 56 seconds.  I think I will run next time with the goal of running it in less than 1 hour.

Vacation On the Boundary Waters of Minnesota

On the way to our destination we, of course, had car issues -- this time they were not self-inflicted.  Our windshield wiper arm snapped at the base so this is a pic Skyler took of Paul trying to temporarily fix it while I tried to hold the hard plastic up high enough for his hand to fit.  If only she had taken a picture while we were on the interstate getting absolutely DRENCHED as we stood in a rain storm trying to fix this darn thing...

We got to take a canoe trip where we would portage the canoe on land in between the bodies of water.  Super fun and here Paul got a picture of me after Skyler had led me the wrong direction.  It is a little tough to turn around in the timber with a 17 ft long canoe on your shoulders but I got it done.  (I will admit that Paul portaged each time but this one...he was nice enough to let me carry on this last portage). 

Skyler loved trading with me and sitting up front for a while to help paddle the canoe.

We found this painted turtle while we were hiking -- once Skyler put him down he put the other turtles to shame -- he was movin' pretty quick!

Ahhh - the picture of relaxation -- love it!!  This is the view from beside the cabin showing the dock we all hung out on to watch sunsets...the last day we were there the wind finally stopped blowing and we got to see the lake look like glass -- beautiful!

Skyler the Track Star

Skyler had her first track meet on Saturday morning.  I am so proud that she got 2nd place in both events which she participated in!!!!  Below is a picture of her during the last leg of the mile when she kicked it into high gear to pass her friend who had been running in front of her.  Skyler also ran the 400 meter and received 2nd place in that event as well. 

Skyler was in the Rockridge Runners Camp the last few days.  Here is a picture of the top girls from the 400 meter relay:

Here is a picture of Skyler just after she released her frogs and tadpoles. We have lovingly raised them. However, their smell is just something that none of us enjoyed so it was time for them to be on their own.

The other day while I was doing yard work I found this Monarch chrysilis hanging from our front deck.  It takes about 2 weeks for the Monarch to emerge -- so hopefully we will get to witness when that happens.

Christmas in July...DO YOU BELIEVE??

I just had to put in a little note.  Do you BELIEVE??  Without revealing too much -- Skyler and I had a "talk" yesterday afternoon that changed our future Christmas's for years to come.  Some of the stories and questions that go along with our "talk" are hilarious!!  Most of them start out with "but what about that one Christmas when..."  The topper is that when all questions were cleared and I told Skyler how much fun we had watching Skyler each Christmas she asked "Mom, did I ruin Christmas for you now?"  Awww, what a sweet girl, but absolutely not.  It sure will be easier this Christmas!!  I might actually get to bed at a normal time and I won't have to chew on carrots, and take bites out of cookies at like one in the morning any more...there are definitely some pluses to the fact that we had this "talk." 

Summer Break in Full Swing

The other day we took a break and went to the zoo as a family.  This was our first time visiting Niabi Zoo this year.  We used to be members when Skyler was younger because I took her to the zoo several times a month -- but now that she is older -- we settle for several times a year.  It has been so fun over the years to see all of the improvements made at Niabi.  We love the new monkey and giraffe areas!  It is also so fun to get to go in with the birds where you can hand feed them.  If you haven't been to the zoo in a while it is well worth the trip -- a lot has changed.

Those of you who do not live near us may not know, but we have had an INCREDIBLY wet spring.  The last I heard it is our 4th wettest in history.  So when it rains constantly -- you learn to have fun in it.  Below are pictures of Skyler.  She loves the rain no matter what and if it is raining -- you know she will be outside playing in it.

This is a picture of Skyler using our yard as a slip and slide.  Note:  There is no slip and slide underneath her.  Our ground is so saturated that she was able to run and slide on the grass for probably 20 feet at a time -- it was hilarious!

We have been very busy lately so I have cut way back on the blogging.  Paul and I built a deck for our neighbor all by our lonesome this past week, the Quad City Air Show was last weekend, I have been running the Bix at 6's as well as running in general, Skyler has had a lot of softball games (last night was all the way down in North Henderson), we went to the zoo, Skyler has had several 4H activities recently and we still mow our side yards and do other side jobs in addition to our regular jobs, I have also had the opportunity to help my friend by being her photographic assistant for several Saturdays (which is so fun), plus just regular life.  I will try to keep putting occasional posts especially for those of you who don't live nearby and we don't get to see you too often.

Hit 'N Run -- A Layout

Ok - here is my first layout in FOREVER.  I used my Photo Art Letters for the title "Hit 'N Run" -- which is exactly what Skyler loves to do.  She has taken great pride in being one of the top hitters on her softball teams for years now.  Go check out Megan Klauer's blog where she is kind enough to be offering a prize challenge to anyone who does a layout using my Photo Art Letters I have for sale HERE.  Megan will be doing a drawing for a prize from her "paper stash" choosing randomly from those who participate in the challenge.  The challenge ends on July 10 -- GOOD LUCK!

Scrapbooking Alphabet Letters

Be one of the first to use these awesome letters for your scrapbook layouts!!  Check the whole set out at my Etsy Shop Here -- You will receive a full set of all of the letters of the alphabet PLUS extras of some of the letters we use most often.

Tattoo Time Again

Last night was my third time sitting down to have Dee of The Blue Hue apply ink to my skin.  I have been wanting to get deer tracks for a long time but couldn't decide where to put them.  The other night I drew up these small tracks and decided I would just put them right above one of my other tattoos.  I am also now officially "marked."  Most of you know that Paul marks his tools for construction with a deer track so that everyone knows those are his tools -- so I've been talking and half joking about how I will be officially his after getting deer tracks on me.  Since deer hunting is such a part of my lfe -- it just worked perfectly.  The tracks will fade to match my "littleGrissom" as time goes on.  Paul also had an old tattoo finalized.  Skyler came and hung out with us (since she is with us wherever we go) and said she will be back when she is 18...I know - what great parents are we??

Staying Cool While Going Green Tip #5

The weather is starting to heat up and I am hearing that ever-present hum that means many people are running their air conditioners.  We have one too -- we run it also -- we just try to wait it out as long as possible before flipping the switch.  So far we are still the "open window people."  But with the humidity starting to creep up as we near summer, people with air conditioners would be silly to just let them sit idle -- after all, you got 'em to run 'em, right?  So how can we stay comfortable while still making efforts to be green?  Many of these tips are helpful whether or not you have an air-conditioning unit.

• Ceiling fans should be run ONLY when someone is in the room as they do not actually cool the air, they only circulate it -- so the fan's efforts are wasted unless someone is there to enjoy the circulated air.  Ceiling fans can make you feel up to 8 degrees cooler!!
• Table or floor fans should also only be run when someone is in the room.  If using table or floor fans and you do not have air conditioning -- place one fan pulling outside air in and another fan across the room blowing hot air out.  This will create a "tunnel" effect and the air in between will feel cooler.
• When night air will be cooler -- open windows at night and then close them before the day begins to heat up.  This works BEAUTIFULLY at keeping a house cool and is something we do regularly.
• Make sure your ceiling fan is set in the summer direction -- that means, that it is forcing air DOWN.  If it is in the direction to pull air UP, then it is still set in the winter direction.
• Hopefully your ceiling fan is "ENERGY STAR" rated as these are 50% more efficient than those that are not. 
• Turn your thermostat up a few degrees.  The typical household sets their thermostat to 78 degrees in the summer.  If you turn it up to 80 degrees you will use approximately 17% less energy.  Turn it up to 82 degrees and you will use about 31% less energy -- you get the idea.
• If you have an exhaust fan installed above your stove USE IT.  This will help expel some of the heat so it doesn't make your house warmer.
• Use a dehumidifier.  Keeping humidity levels lower will allow you to feel cooler even if the temperature isn't.
• Keep your air conditioning unit out of direct sunlight.  The north side of the house is the deal place for the unit to sit.  Otherwise, try to use landscaping such as trees or bushes to shade it out.
• As in one of my previous tips -- dry your clothes on the line.  A clothes dryer can heat up a house just like an oven can.  But if you don't run the dryer -- you are that much cooler.
• Wear light natural fabrics like cotton or linen as these allow you to stay cooler than many other fabrics.
• Sleep in the lowest level of your home to stay cool -- for most of us that means the basement.

Our next tip will be about meat...

Make Your Own Throw Pillows - Going Green Tip #4

Need new throw pillows?  Maybe you have a chair whose seat needs recovered?  Think outside the box.  Instead of going to your local fabric store to buy fabric -- or your local store to buy pillows -- do it yourself with vintage fabric and give some old fabric a second life! 

Here is a picture of a throw pillow I made a while back using a vintage grain sack -- but any old/vintage material will do.  I personally LOVE the vintage grain, flour and rice sacks.  All you do is:

• cut out two squares or rectangles the size of pillow that you want but add 1/4 inch all around for seam allowance.
• Turn your material right sides together. 
• Sew all of the edges, but keep a few inches of one side open to put your stuffing in.
• Stuff the pillow.
• Hand sew those last few inches - and you have a new pillow!

Now to fill this pillow, I used the poly stuffing.  I should have used an old pillow -- but I didn't have one at the time.  You could use anything soft such as wool or felt strips or other old fabric to fill the pillow and keep it green.

This pillow to the right is one you can find at Above and Beyond Designs for $90.  It is beautiful -- but you can do it yourself.  Notice how they made it into a pillow cover by placing buttons to close one side so that it can be removed from the pillow insert and washed -- great idea!  Below is my take on this pillow which I created and now have listed in My Etsy Shop.

Our next tip will be Staying Cool While Going Green...