work shirt quilt

This is for you, Kim! Sorry it took so long.

Last fall while Elton was traveling to NY a lot, I decided to piece him a quilt out of all his old work shirts. I gave it to him for Christmas. I think he likes it - he keeps it in his office and takes naps on it during his breaks.

I used sleeves, cuffs, the front/center where the buttons are and patched up holes with other shirts. It was a lot of fun to make. Maybe I'll do another one sometime.

when Elton's gone

I don't know how you feel about your husband being away, but I hate it when Elton leaves overnight. He's usually gone several days at a time, leaving me behind with Sam, pregnancy hormones, and some chores I'm not used to doing (but really I don't mind doing). I feel lonely all week! I don't know what's wrong with me. Growing up, if my dad was gone hunting, my mom would make it a party week. We'd eat what we never ate while Dad was there, watch what we wanted to watch on t.v. and had sleepovers. My mom believes, "While the cat's away, the mice will play"!

So when he goes I do my best to remember the things he needs me to do, like keeping the animals fed and watered, and "flipping" the cheese he made the week before. BUT, I skip the other things I usually do around the house, do as many crafts as possible with Sam around, and hang out at family's houses as much as I can.

Here are a couple pictures of what my house looks like most of the time when he's gone (and sometimes worse!) Notice the chair flipped over and pillows discarded by a rambunctious toddler. Then there are the crafts left out on the counter so I can do them whenever I want and the laundry basket full of clean clothes on the table (that I hope will fold themselves).

I guess my problem is missing my best friend :(

***BTW, the shirts piled up and the ironing board are out for a project I'm working on, not because I was being the perfect wife and ironing all his shirts!

husband tag

Since I'm not one to tag someone else, if this looks like a fun post, by all means PUT IT ON YOUR BLOG! :)

What is his name: Elton Orme
How long have we been married: 4 1/2 years

Who said I love you first: he did, right before he proposed

Who is taller: definitely him

Who sings better: I don't like this question :)

Who is smarter: HE definitely is! He's got his masters and has amazing ideas.

Who pays the bills?: he does, but I can see what's going on with the $ any time

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed: that depends on which way you're looking at it and whether you're lying on your back or stomach

Who mows the lawn: he does, often with Sammy on his lap or on his hip

Who cooks dinner: me - I enjoy cooking (but he'll do it if I ask)

Who drives: he does

Who's more stubborn: tricky question - we're both pretty stubborn when it comes to things we really care about (it was inevitable that our kids would get the same trait - Sam has it!)

Who kissed who first: well, little ole Jen - who had never kissed anyone - asked him if she could kiss him. of course he let me :)

Who asked who out: he asked me

Who proposed: I told him I had a blind date to force it out of him -- actually, I was completely shocked when he proposed since we had never talked about "us", but I did have a blind date to cancel after that talk

His Best Feature: Ooh la la! He's just so handsome, I can't pick one! His eyes, his smile, his real laugh (that he only does when I can tickle his good ticklish spot), his broad shoulders and nice muscles.

Best character trait: he treats me like a queen

Who has more siblings: he has one more than I do

Who wears the pants in the family: he does, of course! although we ARE equal partners :)

What do we like doing together: just being together - whether running errands, taking care of animals, watching a show, reading on the couch, or playing with Sam

here we are, in NYC

Although you can't see it, the Empire State Building is behind us. We got here VERY late last night after a crazy taxi ride to our hotel. I was about half a second from throwing up in the cab when I looked up and saw the familiar Hilton sign. So I put my head between my legs and took some deep breaths while Elton paid. Thank goodness that passed! I thought I was going to be sick for our entire vacation.

Today we walked all over, saw protesters outside the UN building and lots of shiny, black vehicles with dark tinted windows and flags from around the world in their windows. We went to Grand Central Station, used the subway, went to Rockefeller Center, got manicures & pedicures, and ate authentic Korean food. Then we got frozen yogurt with mangoes at NYC's popular Pink Berry. Yum!

So, that's what we're up to and where we're at this week. Thanks to my mom, Mel, and Laur, we were able to leave Sam at home and while Elton works, I go out and play with his boss's wife :) We're having fun!

Sleep

Sleep is such an amazing thing. Just by lying down in a horizontal position, closing our eyes and dreaming our bodies and minds become rejuvenated and able to live through another day. I'm so grateful for sleep! Especially when Sam is sick or teething (as he happens to be at the moment) and Elton volunteers to take him for the night so I can have a turn getting the sleep. I've been trying to be the one who takes him so that Elton can feel refreshed for work in the morning, but last night he said he was going to take the day off to work outside, so he would take Sam. I woke up and went downstairs to find my 2 handsome guys sleeping on the beanbag together. What a beautiful sight! And I feel so good to have been able to sleep!