The Great Pretender

On a recent library trip, Husband picked up The Great Pretender by Millenia Black for me.

After reading the back of the book, I was definitely intrigued.

TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM THE BACK OF THE BOOK:

One man. Two lives.

For over six years, Reginald Brooks pulled it off. Having two families, leading two lives. Now the pretending must stop.

The Great Pretender. An electrifying tale of how one man tries to untangle his life, setting a full-fledged arena of wife against husband, lover against lover, friend against friend, family against family. Once you begin this engaging tale, you witness how one man's decision to pretend ricochets through the lives of several people.

Husband definitely did well with this pick. I really enjoyed the drama and wrong decision after wrong decision. In fact, I worked myself into quite a lather at the ridiculous choices these people kept making. I read it at a much quicker pace than I've allowed myself for books lately. It really pulled me in.

The emotions were real and very believable. I felt the anger, happiness, love, rejection, fear, betrayal right along with the characters. It was a real page turner for me.

Aside from not being able to counsel these people myself, I enjoyed it.

The only part I didn't like or think was entirely believable was the part that actually set the wheels of the story into motion. I'm not giving anything way because it's stated right there in the prologue, the double life ends because Reginald feels guilty. I just don't think that's quite believable. For over 6 years he's able to live with and carry on this lie and then suddenly he's just struck down with guilt? nah. Both women trust him completely and have no clue about his other life, but guilt makes him stop? nah. It's a nice thought, but I don't believe it's real world practice.

But I did like the book and I do wish that someone I know will read it so that we can yell together at each other about the ending.

Wordless Wednesday: It's hard to say goodbye to bumbo

My July 5K (and some slime)

Saturday was my 5K for July.  It was fun because it's one that a sweet friend I've had since middle school organized (this is the 2nd annual) to benefit her church's missionary efforts in Haiti.  But when you don't really run on any kind of consistent basis in the 3 weeks before the race, you really can't expect to have a great run. And I was overheating and a lot of other excuses.  At the water stations I took a cup of water for my throat and a cup to pour down my back.   hot, hot, hot. Luckily, it was a pretty flat and easy course.

Anyway, kind of like the way Mandy and I hope to one day beat the mayor of HYT in a race, I hoped to beat one of Husband's law professors that was running.  But alas.  I stuck to him pretty close for most of the race but then I opted to walk from the mile 2 marker until the mile 3 marker.  He got ahead and beat me by about a minute.  And won 2 place in his age division: 65+  seriously.

a family picture right before the race started.  stretched and ready to go.

the kids LOVED the bouncy house during and after the race 

Looks like I'm really booking it, huh?  That's because I walked for A MILE and I had  some energy left at the end to hurry up and finish!  (I also got a little sunburn on my shoulders.  must remember sunscreen)

Son asked for something that I did not understand and neither did the face painter.  So I suggested a basketball.  He was pretty giddy about it.

with no prompting, Daughter asked for a pig.  She is currently in love with all things Peppa Pig.

After the race, we went to Mcwane for Slimy Slippery Saturday.  The kids were excited.  And then we got there and they saw how crowded it was and how hot it was outside and suddenly they wanted to go in and play with the bubbles!  I prompted them to do everything once and we'd go in.  

Son, going down the slide into the slime.  Daughter opted not to go up the slide because she said the rubber was too hot to touch.

Walking in the slime.  They thought that was cool.

Then they were ready to go in and do all their normal McWane things.  It was a fun and exhausting day. 

A New Machine and a New Dress

I've talked about how when I wanted to start sewing my mom lent me her machine so I wouldn't have to buy my own in case sewing wasn't all I thought it would be. Well, did you know the reason my Mom even had that sewing machine? It's because my senior year of college, I hand embroidered about 12 blocks of the Noah's Ark Story and I wanted my mom to turn those blocks into a quilt as a college graduation gift for her. (circle of life) Her 30 year old JC Penny machine was kaput, so she picked up a Brother LS-1520. And it served us well.

Recently, Mom came across a great sale and picked up a machine for me. not a loaner, but an actual machine that I own. awesome. Except, it's WAY more complicated than the old one. Digital, 80 stitches, embroidery, smocking, quilting, applique stitches that went on for days, a function to sew without a foot pedal, more feet than I've ever seen, 8 different options for making button holes ... it does a lot. So, I let it sit in the box for awhile and used the less complicated machine. Then I got out the manual and read the entire thing. seriously. Then a few days later I decided I'd take the machine out of the box and learn to use it while watching the instructional dvd. yes. It came with an instructional dvd. Well, I kept putting that off and off and off.

Finally, last week I just got it out, got the manual out and got started. I pieced some charms for a disappearing 9 patch I'm forever piddling with. I made a practice quilt sandwich and played with applique, quilting, the decorative stitches and binding. I've done pretty much everything except buttons and zippers.

the big bad SQ-9000

now that I know how to use it, it's not so big and bad anymore.
By far, my favorite feature is the visible bobbin.  I can actually SEE how much bobbin thread I have left just by looking down!

Lastly, I played with the smocking a little bit. (Fun fact about me -- neither of my kids have ever worn pastel smocked clothes. gasp. true.) And because I already learned how to baste, it was easy peasy to figure out.

Daughter has a couple of great dresses that Tina (yes, linking her twice in one post) put together with "pre-smocked fabric" that she loves. And I figured I'll take the left over pink fabric that Daughter picked out for the wonky log cabin quilts and make her a dress like those.

The practice fabric on top of the actual fabric used.

It only took about an hour to get the dress put together, but I didn't have any white ribbon for the straps and didn't feel like going to get any. So it took about 3 days before the dress was finally finished!

And, seriously, this was the best picture I could get of Daughter wearing the dress. After I snapped this picture she said, "I stood like this (she struck her pose again) so you can see my whole dress." good job kid. crystal clear. ;-)

I made it a little longer and a little bigger in the chest so hopefully she can get at least one more summer out of it.

So, I've boxed up the old LS-1520 and the SQ-9000 is here to stay. AND Daughter has a new dress she loves.LOVES.loves.

More Pleated Purses

I put some of my fabric by the pound to good use and made 3 more pleated purses (I actually made 4 but one was from leftover material from the one I made for myself)

I used Kona solids for the lining.

BBWP claimed this one as her fun prize.

It looks black-ish in the picture but is actually navy. It's my favorite fabric of all of the fabric by the pound and I was happy to send it out west.

This is the one I made from my original leftovers. It's about an inch and a half smaller because I was trying to cut scrap fabric, but that's not really noticeable. I like the way the pink goes with the polka dots. But I still like my light blue liner too.

black and white.

This might be my second favorite. All though I'd never actually carry it ... because, well, I would have to wash it daily! too much white for me. I like the print.

My mom picked this one out and has been carrying it around nonstop.

I don't really have any plans for the extra 2. They'll stick around for awhile until I gift them away. I did enjoy making these more than the first one. Just for confidence sake. It was nice to know I wasn't doing it "wrong"

Plus, it was nice practice for all the different skills.

Double Plus, it was the first time I've sewn with Kona solids. wow, I love it. I bought a few yards of white for a later project after using the pink and blue for the purse liner!

Palisades Park from Daughter's Point of View

Recently, we took another trip to Palisades Park. seriously, my kids love to hike. I love it.

This time when I was packing Daughter's backpack with oranges, wipes and ice water, I added her camera. She was so excited when she found it. "So, I can taking pictures during the hike? Of whatever I want to?"

yes, yes, indeed.

And, boy, she did. She took about 50 pictures and I parred it down to 10.

The captions in quotes are what she was saying when she snapped the picture.

"This tree is so big and strong. I love it."

"Mommy, this says, 'Our hike starts now.'"

I'm not sure why it looks like I'm asking a question. Maybe because I was wondering if she was actually taking a legitimately good picture. She was.

She took a picture of EVERY one of these on the trail identifying the trees (over 20). I liked this one best because of the lighting.

"This is a tiny pine comb. It's where trees come from."

something like that, exactly.

mushrooms

I love how she picked up the rock to take a picture of it.

(Son in the background)

Son. (sigh. what a cutie)

Husband starting eating these wild "blackberries" Well, not these. He ate ripe ones. He offered me some but I told him if he didn't die, I'd have some on our next hike. (I'm glad he didn't die)

a great sunset.

Wordless Wednesday: rainbow in the rain

Membership Day at McWane? sure. um, NO.

Saturday was "Membership Day" at Mcwane. We had no idea what that meant until we got there and the place was C.R.O.W.D.E.D. like I've never ever seen before. ever. An employee handed me a piece of paper that listed all these organizations/attractions in Birmingham that included McWane, the zoo, Vulcan, The Ballet, The Alabama Theatre, the art museum, the Civil Rights Museum and the public library. Basically, they, (and many other places that I'm forgetting now) all partnered together so that members of ALL these organizations could get into ANY of these organizations for free. all.day.long.


Sigh. This would have been fabulous to know BEFORE we got to McWane. Sure, it was listed on the website, but there was no description of what membership day actually was. So, it was close to 100 degrees and anyone with a library card could get into McWane for free. Genius idea if you want people to visit your attraction for free for the possibility of loving it and paying to come later. Horrible idea if you're already a member and just want to enjoy an afternoon with your kids.


After about 45 minutes the kids were still having a fantastic time but the noise level (WHAT WAS WITH ALL THE SCREAMING UNATTENDED CHILDREN?!) and the crowd, I was done.


It was 3:30 and not getting any hotter outside ... Hey, let's go to the zoo. For free. Admission for a family of 4 to the zoo is $46 and that's if you don't ride the train or the carousel.


I was optimistic about the zoo and it really turned out to be a fantastic family adventure. I loved it, the kids loved it, Husband at least acted like he mostly loved it. Great fun.

the only picture from McWane. Listening to the ocean. See Daughter's yellow bruise under her eye? That's what's left over from falling off the futon in Mobile!

Son's favorite. This big guy was roaring and roaring and ROARING some more. It was pretty amazing. But by the time I grabbed the camera, he'd tired himself out!

Daughter's favorite again.

Son actually said, "I go pet 'dem." Ok, good luck, buddy.

It was a lot of fun walking around seeing everything I didn't get to see after the 5K. I think we saw everything. Then we went to the children's part. They didn't go there last time so we all got to discover it together. Splash pad, butterfly house, petting zoo, nature walk and the carousal (which we didn't ride) - oh my. It was fun.

we didn't bring bathing suits, but that didn't stop anyone.

Daughter didn't even have a change of clothes. So the best I could do for her was take off her dress, wring it out well and put it back on her. She didn't mind at all. They both loved the water.

Daughter petting a goat

Son petting a goat. I'm not going to lie. I think I had the most fun with the goats. Everyone was ready to leave WAY before I was!

We all took turns getting very close to this rooster. I think he was our tour guide because he followed us around the petting zoo for awhile!

Daughter petting a sheep.

She was singing Old MacDonald to the rooster.

Son taking his turn. "cock-a-doo-loo-doo, roos-der."

"look, Mommy, we found a bunny."

And then we REALLY did find a bunny!

"I say ROOOOOOAAAAAR like 'de lion."

Sigh, it really was so much fun. We stayed about 2.5 hours and I just kept marveling about how I never would have imagined the zoo could be this great especially when it was so hot outside!