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I can't sew. Really, I've tried. I earned a B in sewing class in high school. (For reference I was an A student.) I made a pair of boxers - billowy, floral print, open fly boxers with a terribly sewn elastic waist. And let us not forget the dress I tried to make with my mom. The cutting went fine, but once I had to pin the fabric to the pattern with what I'm sure was three trillion pins, I was out. My goodness that dress was bad. Just think "Little House on the Prairie" for a good mental picture.

But now, now is different. I'm older and wiser now, right? I walk through craft stores and eye fabulous fabrics imagining into what I could fashion them... if only I could sew. Outdoor drapes. Indoor drapes. Pirate costume. Duvet cover. Simple skirts. Last year I ended up sewing Mateo's skeleton costume by hand. (This was after trying to unsuccessfully use fabric glue and melting my felt bones, but that's besides the point.)

So what I need is this baby:

It's computerized, has pre-programmed stitches, and most importantly, has a needle-threading system. I'm not sure what all that means, but I really stunk at threading needles, so a "system" must be helpful, right?

Mind you, I'm more than willing to take a class to learn to use it properly. I'll read the manual, too. Just think of all the stuff I could sew. Just don't ask me to make boxers.

Popcorn pouring.

I've had a list of Montessori activities to do with Mateo for a long time, but until recently he's proven to be a bit too young and uncoordinated. So today I broke out the popcorn pouring.

These were our materials: a cookie sheet over which to pour (I learned this the hard way), two pouring cups that are transparent enough through which to view the pouring action, various sizes of measuring spoons, and an egg separator to see what happens when there's a hole in the spoon.

He quite enjoyed it, though he kept asking to eat it.

Armed and loaded.

Mateo gleefully learned how to use a water gun today at the pool. He was very proud.

P90X Update.

I'm a little slow in posting this, but we have completed the first 30 days of P90X. Have we followed the program to a T? No. Have we eaten the way we should eat every day? No. Yet somehow we've managed to lose a little (and I do mean little) amount of weight. Between P90X and my morning boot camp workouts I am definitely feeling more fit. Right now I'm feeling motivated to keep pushing through and finish the 90 day program. Hopefully the next 30 to 60 days will bring greater improvements. I know it's all up to ourselves to, in the words of Tony Horton, "bring it."

Sleeping hard.

If ever there was evidence of sleeping hard, this would be it.

Tax free weekend.

Two days of shopping + Candy and cookie bribes = Tax free weekend.

Sister-friend.

This is my sister-friend Tina.

She was kind enough to let me practice my photography on her.

It's pretty safe being behind the camera, but when you're the subject it can be kind of unnerving. Especially if someone's right in your face. That's why I prefer to be behind it. Tina is a good sport.

She has some interesting talents. Besides being Gumby, she has a handshake that no man can match. If you need a jar opened, she's your gal. She also plays a mean game of Quiddler.

She's beautiful. In fact, I'd say she glows.

Austin Ice Cream Festival.

Last Saturday we checked out the Austin Ice Cream Festival. It was hot. Therefore I needed, NEEDED this green apple Italian ice. I figured if I pronounced it "Eye-TAL-yun" it counted as being a Texas food item. Mateo wouldn't eat one bite of ice cream or Eye-TAL-yun ice. He's weird.

They had popsicle sticks to play with.

Our friend Connor met us there.

Mat enjoyed fanning the ground.

He worked up an appetite.

Abuelos' visit.

Mateo's abuelos (Rafi's parents) visited us this August. Strangely we neglected to take very many photos, but I really liked this one.

Also odd, Tita didn't make her famous arroz con leche this trip - per our P90X request. Sniff, sniff. There's always December...

Yay, Mom!!

About a year or so ago my mom joined her local Lion's Club. From the start she jumped right in there, even serving as treasurer. And here she is now holding her Lion of the Year award. Go, Mom!!

Can you believe it?

I've had the same email address since my senior year in high school. I remember someone teasing me about having the words "hot male" in it. (Get it? "Hotmail?") That was about 14 years ago. Ouch.

More importantly it dawned on me that I've been keeping a blog/website for almost 7 years now. For a walk down memory lane, check out the old website and the "What's New" page. At the top you can click to view various years. I guess I was blogging back then before I even knew what blogging was!

http://www.campanas.net/

Awww, youth.

What boys must do.

Here a boy finds a tall grass and plucks it. He's proud of his hunter gathering instincts. There are a few things a boy must do with such a find.

He has to wave it around like a sword.

He has to try to destroy it.

And when it can't be destroyed, it must become something with which to poke. Sorry, Marley and Pixel.

Nature box.

Today we went on a nature walk in the backyard. Mateo selected some beautiful leaves and rocks. I chose some stinky herbs. The irony of nature things in a plastic box is not lost on me.

I like the bark of this tree. Doesn't it make you want to pick at it? Oh yeah, and I really REALLY would like a macro lens. Thanks.

Camera fun.

I'm on a new learning quest - my camera. We've had this camera (Nikon D40X) for a while, and yes, I get lucky sometimes and get a decent photo, but I'm on a quest to study it and really REALLY learn how to use it. I figure if I learn this camera inside and out, it will merit me getting a macro lens. (If you're unsure of what a macro/micro lens is, here are some examples of what can be done with one.) Today I used an AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm lens.

Anyhow, I've made it through the first couple chapters of my book and decided to practice some today in the evening hours.

Playing with chalk. Not sure why he never has pants in my photos. I swear he wears them usually. I swear. Really.

Putting it all in a line.

Then my anal retentive self had to line them up according to color.

Fun with shadows.

Funny faces. He's so beautiful, don't you think? I especially am fond of his leftover milk mustache.

I love how the slightest change in eyebrow position conveys a completely different emotion.

And how desaturating a photo completely brings out the inside of a person.

I'll leave you with my yoga toes.

Thanks, OnStar!

Okay, I know you've heard on the radio those OnStar commercials, right? You know, the ones where someone pushes their OnStar button, and some ultra courteous angel comes to their rescue? Yes, you remember now.

My car (yes the brand new shiny Sangria Salma GMC Acadia we got a few months ago) is dead. First, the two DVD players quit working, and then the car wouldn't start shortly after. No worries, I know it's a problem with the DVD installation and not the actual car, as the same thing happened to my friend who had the same installation done within days of us at the same place with the same results. Anyhow, let me submit that my first calls to the car dealer service center were not satisfactory on several levels - not covering the tow fee, being put on hold and transferred all over, having to leave messages and call back, etc. All this at 7am on a Saturday.

Now enters OnStar. Finally a kind, kind soul named Ellen at the dealership mentioned we could call OnStar to do car diagnostics and arrange for towing. I called. Yes, OnStar really does hire ultra courteous angels to do the bidding of their customers. After receiving 30 complimentary in-car calling minutes (of course, dahling, my car has its own phone number don't you know), they very quickly contacted the service department we needed (all the while staying on the line to ensure the transfer was made). From there they found a local towing company for us and assured us that we would have no charge for the tow. The estimated arrival time was 45 minutes. The towing company (Longhorn Towing Company) was here within ten! Everyone in Austin should keep this towing company in mind should you ever need one. OnStar's service even called again twice - once to confirm the tow company was on its way and another to confirm the pickup.

In summary, from the time I called OnStar to the time the car was gone was all of 30 minutes. So once again...

Thanks, OnStar!!