Friday Confessional: Dirty Little Secret

I Confess:

It's been a chronic problem.

One that I had ignored for far too long and had gotten out of control.

I am hesitant posting this - afraid that it will not paint me in the best light...

But here goes nothing!

A dirty little secret about yours truly...literally.
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 (gulp!)
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BEFORE:

Wait...here's the best part -

YIKES!!!!!!!

But I did redeem myself...

AFTER three plus hours of sorting, throwing away, & interruptions from kiddos:

I know, right???

Holy cow!

And, unfortunately, there's a lot more where that came from. (I confess: I honestly haven't quite figured out a system for this house since moving here a little over a year and a half ago. Pathetic, huh? Not that our previous house was the epitome of organization, but it had color, murals in the kids' rooms, and a lot more character. I loved that house. Still, I just need to get over it. This house has its perks too. It's a rental so I can't paint and such, but it does have vaulted ceilings. I do love vaulted ceilings!)

Let the spring decluttering, organizing, rather stick a needle in my eye fun cleaning BEGIN!!!

Friday Confessional: Out of My Element

I Confess:

The last time I used a sewing machine was in the 7th grade.

A blue and white checkered pillow in Home Ec.

I learned how to sew on a button too - a piece of knowledge that has been completely swept from my memory.

That being said, you can imagine my complete and utter confusion as I attempted to pick out an EASY pattern and material with my 6 year old daughter who has been begging to learn how to sew. (Thank you, Barbie Fashion Fairytale.)

I consulted with friends who have skills in this area. I was assured that "you'll be fine," "If I can do it, you can do it," trying to encourage me to venture into this uncharted territory.

So I did...with the assistance of a friend who spent THREE hours (with unlimited kiddo interruptions) trying to teach me (and Abby) how to sew a supposedly SIMPLE jumper-style dress. (I tell ya, she has the patience of a saint. A big batch of chocolate chip cookies is coming her way.)

And voila! A yard and an 1/8 of cute ladybug fabric (that Abby picked out) turned into a DRESS!

Yes, the dress is two sizes too wide and about four inches too short, but if I can figure out how to take it in a little, add a long ruffle, and put in a zipper, Abby just might be able to wear it in public.