Zumba Summer Fun!

We have so much fun at our Zumba class. Our instructor is always looking for ways to make it even be more fun. So on some Saturdays we have themed Zumba days.

(Beth, our instructor, and I love to go all out in costume!)


For those of you who don't know what Zumba is I will share a little. Zumba is an aerobic exercise class that is mixed with dance to make it more fun and so you don't feel like you are really exercising. It can include Salsa, Merengue, Hip Hop, Belly dance, Tropical Rhythm.


This last Saturday was Summer Fun so we thought of Hawaiian Hula!


Here is the group that showed up for our Summer Fun Day.

My vintage aprons

Just decided to add a little vintage to my shop! I just love aprons and I love almost anything vintage! These are the cutiest things I've seen lately.

Yellow gingham apron is just adorable.


This is such a cute Bavarian apron, great gift for your German family members who miss their homeland.


Cute little catchy saying, on this red checked apron.

My Vintage Fabric Finds

Today I went to my local upscaled recylced shops and thrift stores.

I have been admiring my friend Sherry Marrero's finds and just thought I needed to check them out too.
I had bought and used thrift fabric finds before I ran across Sherry's blogs, but after seeing her wonderful finds it inspired me to go back and check them out for myself.





(Rose applique curtians)

I get so excited buying fabric and thinking about what I might make with it. It so thrilling and enticing. I would much rather buy fabric than anything else.

(Rose basket table cloth)

I didn't find any cool sheets but found fabrics, and table cloths that could make lovely aprons.


(Victorian golf shower curtain)

The thrill of creating things is something someone just has to experience and to really understand how a crafter can get so excited just purchasing mediums in the raw.



(Polo shower curtain)

Now to decide what to make with my wonderful finds.


Be sure and check out my friend Sherry's blog: http://anniescupboards.blogspot.com
I have her link under my favorite links on the right.

Self Medication or Prescription Medicine?

Hum, let me see, is it wise to self medicate or is it better to get prescription medicine from your doctor? I believe that when someone is highly stressed or depressed he needs some outside help to make wise decisions in regards to his health and well being.

Ultimately, I believe when someone is stressed they need to seek God for answers and help them to remain calm and help them make good rational decisions. But for some people they need physical help along with spiritual help.

Turning to drugs and alcohol are not the answer to life's problems. These things gives a person a false since of hope and helps them to make irrational decisions.

According to the Wikipedia encyclopedia: Self-medication is the use of drugs or self-soothing forms of behavior to treat a perceived or real malady. Self-medication is often referred to in the context of a person self-medicating, in order to alleviate their own distress or pain.

Some mental illness sufferers attempt to correct their illnesses by use of certain drugs. Depression is often self medicated with alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, or other mind-altering drug use. While this may provide immediate relief of some symptoms such as anxiety, it may evoke and/or exacerbate some symptoms of several kinds of mental illnesses that are already latently present, and may lead to addiction/dependence, among other side effects of long-term use of the drug.

Alcohol and sedative/hypnotic drugs, such as barbiturates (depresants or downers) and benzodiazepines (antianxiety drugs), are central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which produce feelings of relaxation, and sedation, while relieving feelings of depression and anxiety. Alcohol also lowers inhibitions, while benzodiazepines are anxiolytic. Though they are generally ineffective antidepressants, as most are short-acting, the rapid onset of alcohol and sedative/hypnotics softens rigid defenses and, in low to moderate doses, provides the illusion of relief from depressive affect and anxiety.

Self medicating with benzodiazepines or alcohol often make the symptoms of anxiety worse. Approximately half of patients attending mental health services for conditions including anxiety disorders such as panic disorder or social phobia are the result of alcohol or benzodiazepine dependence. Sometimes anxiety pre-existed alcohol or benzodiazepine dependence but the alcohol or benzodiazepine dependence act to keep the anxiety disorders going and often progressively making them worse.

Knowing all this information helps or should help people realize that when it comes to drugs it needs to be given with doctors orders so a person can get the right help needed with the right doses and the right type of medicine for the person's particular problem. Laymen or women do not have enough knowledge to make a rational decision to relieve the pain one is carrying on their own.

If things are too stressful, and at times we all have stresses, please seek counselling, doctors and ministers to help you cope with overwhelming issues and don't self medicate.

New Apron

This is my newest apron. It's a custom order for a friend. My friend loves orange and black as they are the college colors of the local University in our town. All my aprons can be made in the colors you like, just ask me and I will be happy to accommodate your wishes.









GO POKES!

What Do You Do When You Don't Have A Sitter?

You make do and improvise. You either stay home or you take the kids with you. So we took the kids with us golfing. We all had a really good time. It wasn't too overly hot and we all played. Of course the grandkids, LaRyn and Christian who are only 9 and 6 didn't play eighteen holes. Instead we let them tee off and putt and that seem to make them happy. Christian made a hole in one on one of his putts and LaRyn learned to drive a golf cart.


The Twinkies LaRyn and Nana wore peach and Khaki while the others found some other non-conforming outfits. LOL





LaRyn loved learning to drive the cart. She also caddied for her mom and Nana.



LaRyn and Christian were quite naturals golfing, you would have think that had private lessons. It's amazing how well they played compared to Mom and Nana.




Everyone putting but my daughter, she sat this hole out and was able to get some pics.

Are Fathers as important as Mothers?

This is a really hard question. Fathers are important as mothers but for different reasons. Mothers are the nurturers and fathers are the stability that keeps things together.

When there are two parents in the home there is more security, love and acceptance of all and it helps keep everything in balance and in perspective.

Most people know that in the first five years of a child's life are the most informative and its also where the bonding takes place. I know that mothers are closer too their babies when they nurse than those who do not. But it in no way means that if a mother chooses not to nurse that she doesn't love her child. It's a matter of choice and what is best for baby to some, where as to some mothers they think a bottle is the best and easiest choice.

A child needs the love and guidance of a father as well as a mother. For teens it is known that if there isn't a good strong father or male role model its hard for young men to grow up into good loving fathers and providers. For the young teen girl if she doesn't have a father in the home or doesn't have a good father who shows love to his daughter then she will seek love else where at an early age.

For the young girl a father is the first male she will bond with and if she has a good relationship she will have a better relationship in adult life with men.

Dr. David Popenoe says, "Involved fathers bring positive benefits to their children that no other person is as likely to bring." Fathers have a direct impact on the well-being of their children.

The child welfare Information Gateway states: Children with involved, caring fathers have better educational outcomes. A number of studies suggest that fathers who are involved, nurturing, and playful with their infants have children with higher IQs, as well as better linguistic and cognitive capacities. Toddlers with involved fathers go on to start school with higher levels of academic readiness. They are more patient and can handle the stresses and frustrations associated with schooling more readily than children with less involved fathers.

The influence of a father's involvement on academic achievement extends into adolescence and young adulthood. Numerous studies find that an active and nurturing style of fathering is associated with better verbal skills, intellectual functioning, and academic achievement among adolescents. For instance, a 2001 U.S. Department of Education study found that highly involved biological fathers had children who were 43 percent more likely than other children to earn mostly As and 33 percent less likely than other children to repeat a grade.


Even from birth, children who have an involved father are more likely to be emotionally secure, be confident to explore their surroundings, and, as they grow older, have better social connections with peers. These children also are less likely to get in trouble at home, school, or in the neighborhood. Infants who receive high levels of affection from their fathers (e.g., babies whose fathers respond quickly to their cries and who play together) are more securely attached; that is, they can explore their environment comfortably when a parent is nearby and can readily accept comfort from their parent after a brief separation. A number of studies suggest they also are more sociable and popular with other children throughout early childhood.

The way fathers play with their children also has an important impact on a child's emotional and social development. Fathers spend a much higher percentage of their one-on-one interaction with infants and preschoolers in stimulating, playful activity than do mothers. From these interactions, children learn how to regulate their feelings and behavior. Rough-housing with dad, for example, can teach children how to deal with aggressive impulses and physical contact without losing control of their emotions. Generally speaking, fathers also tend to promote independence and an orientation to the outside world. Fathers often push achievement while mothers stress nurturing, both of which are important to healthy development. As a result, children who grow up with involved fathers are more comfortable exploring the world around them and more likely to exhibit self-control and pro-social behavior.

One study of school-aged children found that children with good relationships with their fathers were less likely to experience depression, to exhibit disruptive behavior, or to lie and were more likely to exhibit pro-social behavior. This same study found that boys with involved fathers had fewer school behavior problems and that girls had stronger self-esteem. In addition, numerous studies have found that children who live with their fathers are more likely to have good physical and emotional health, to achieve academically, and to avoid drugs, violence, and delinquent behavior.


In short, fathers have a powerful and positive impact upon the development and health of children. For more information on the roles of fathers go to http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/usermanuals/fatherhood/chaptertwo.cfm

(the lovely pics are of my son and his daughter who is fighting for rights to spend time with his daughter. He has done nothing wrong just his ex is selfish and doesn't want him to have time with her.)

New Item!

I just recently posted an vendor, craft or garden apron. It has 11 pockets total, first row has 6 pockets and the second row 5 pockets and two loops for tools or supplies.



Below are some custom aprons I've made that might inspire you for a custom apron too. Check out my fabrics on flickr: http://flickr.com/heartandsowdesigns

The language of love!

I received a dozen red roses and my favorite chocolates, Ghirardelli dark chocolate carmels for my birthday today from my husband. I feel truly loved. Why? I guess because my husband took the time to think of me and buy me my favorites. That has to count for something. Other than that I don't really know why I love roses, especially red. Red is my favorite color. But why do women love to receive flowers? I don't really know other than that they are so beautiful and breath taking. For years flowers have been an unspoken language of their own and women have admired them.

Most women feel really loved if they recieve a dozen of red roses. I guess because they are so lovely and smell so divine.

I've done a little research and have found some meanings listed for flower gift giving.

Red roses mean romantic love
Purple roses signify that the giver has fallen in love with the recipient at first sight.
Coral and orange roses signal desire.
Yellow roses are joy and friendship.
Pink roses express our gratitude and appreciation.
Light pink roses show feelings of admiration and sympathy.
Peach Rose is more indefinite, as it can signify either sympathy or gratitude.
White roses show meaning of reverence and humility.




Carnations
As one of the most popular flowers in the world, the carnation is widely appreciated and enjoyed. Carnations are available in a variety of colors and are generally symbolic of love and fascination.




Gerbera Daisies
Distinguished by their large, beautiful blooms and wide assortment of vibrant colors, gerbera daisies have become a favorite flower choice for expressing cheerful sentiments. The traditional flower meanings for the gerbera daisy, however, are beauty and innocence.



Iris
Few other flowers can match the elegant beauty of the iris. Representing faith, hope, and wisdom, the iris is a flower that can be used for many different occasions. While it is most known for its distinctive blue varieties, the iris can also be found in other colors such as yellow and white.



Orchids
With an exotic appearance, orchids have come to represent rare and delicate beauty. Those seeking to make a lasting impression with a unique flower have found the orchid to be a perfect choice. As both potted plants and cut flower arrangements, these tropical flowers have an undeniable appeal.



Peruvian Lilies
While they resemble smaller versions of many lily varieties, Peruvian lilies, also known as alstroemeria, have many distinctive qualities of their own. If you’re looking for flower meanings like friendship and devotion, Peruvian lilies are the choice for you. Available in a variety of colors, these exquisite flowers can create a striking arrangement.


Roses
There is no flower that has been revered and celebrated as much as the rose. As a source of inspiration to people throughout history, roses are the definitive symbol for love and appreciation.



Stargazer Lilies
Known for the stunning appearance of their star-shaped blooms and their distinctly sweet fragrance, stargazer lilies are a majestic masterpiece. The flower meanings traditionally associated with Stargazer Lilies are innocence and purity, but the more modern connotations are honor and aspiration.



Sunflowers
With their bright yellow petals spreading from their center, sunflowers not only resemble the sun, they will also turn to face the sun as the day progresses. Sunflowers' meanings are warmth and adoration, and they are also thought to be a sign of longevity.



Tulips
With their flower meaning being perfect love, tulips can impart a sense of grace and elegance wherever they are displayed. The tulip is recognized throughout the world as one of the most popular cultivated flowers, but they are particularly associated with the Netherlands. Dutch tulips are among the leading tulip varieties within the floral community.


The meaning of flowers can impact the message that your gift makes.

History of Aprons

When most of us hear the word apron we picture our grand mother in the kitchen wearing an apron and baking away, or we visualize a middle aged mother from a television show of the 1950's - 1960's like June Cleaver from "Leave it to Beaver", or Alice, the maid on the "The Brady Bunch" wearing a half apron made with lace and a feminine print fabric. The fact is aprons came about long before the television was even invented.

The apron came into part of fashion because of practical necessity when times were hard and money was scarce. Back in the early 1800's everyday folks did not have the luxury of owning many pieces of clothing. Nor did they have washers and dryers, therefore washing clothes was not done that often, so people had to wear the same clothes for a couple of days in a row. It was not uncommon for a woman to wear the same dress everyday for a week before it was washed.

Hence, the apron came about. An aprons purpose was to cover up the dress underneath and protect it from getting dirty. This made washing much easier for women. The apron would be washed every couple of days, and the dress might be washed once a week. This left more time for other many chores that the women had to attend to.

Aprons were not just worn by housewives. School teachers, children, shop keepers, and even secretaries wore different styles of aprons everyday over their clothing. The apron served one purpose; to protect the dress and clothing underneath it.

By the 1920's and 1930's handmade aprons were made from feed sack. Feed sack is a large bag that farmers would buy which held their seeds or flour. It was made from a heavy cotton fabric with different floral and plaid prints. Nothing was wasted back then, so when the feed sack bag was empty, it was never thrown away. Handmade aprons were made from the feed sack bag. It was a sturdy heavy fabric which was perfect for an apron! Once the feed sack apron was used up and ready to be thrown away, parts of the apron were saved to be used for making a quilt. Not one inch of fabric was wasted!

By the 1940's and 1950's the half apron became popular. Many were made with beautiful prints of different kinds of cotton fabrics with different color pockets and bottom borders. The fancy aprons were trimmed in lace and rick-rack and were made to look very pretty just like the ones you would see on television today.

Nowadays people wear aprons for not only practical use, but also as part of fashion. Today you can find an artist, a gardener, a baker, and many more every day people and professionals wearing aprons.

Adoption of Sam & Joe

My brother Jim and his wife Sonia adopted to beautiful boys, twins, Samuel and Joseph from Kazakhstan. They have been with them for about 3 years. You would have never thought they weren't their biological children as they look just like them. Joe is on the left and Sam is on the right. (top pic) They are as different as night and day. Sam is more curious and adventurous, always checking things out, including perimeters. While Joe is more a soft cuddle bug, he's so loving and affectionate.

They were officially adopted last St. Patrick's Day 2008 and they all wore green T-shirts. It was so cute. Sam and Joe are to well behaved children, my brother has done such a great job with them. I know families always feel their children are a hand full but Sam and Joe are so polite and respectful. I meet them last year and in one year's time they have been growing into quite good little boys. Of course they have there days like all 8 yr. old boys but by far they are the best I've seen in a long time. This Sunday they just celebrated their 9th birthday!

(Sam on the left and Joe is on the right)


I will never understand why women abort babies. First, abortion should not be used as a method of birth control. There are so many methods of birth control these days. Second there are so many people out there just waiting to adopt because they can't have children that its just a shame hear of those who choose abortion.





I give kudos to my brother Jim and his wife Sonia for such a good job!