Creative vs. Sewing

Last night I had to be really creative. My son had a World's Fair project, he had to come up with a traditional Nigerian outfit. We had no problem finding pictures, but...there was a slight issue....I don't know how to sew!

Years ago, (7th grade) was my last attempt to use a sewing machine. That experience ended with me pitching a fit & throwing my wrap around skirt on the ground, only to have my older sister finish it for me-I received an A.

Not one to focus too much on my weaknesses...what I lack as a seamstress, I more than make up for in the creativity dept. I can always come up with something and "surprise" it's usually pretty good.

I headed to JoAnn's Fabric Store after work, roamed around looking for some Nigerian looking fabric...on sale, of course (I'm also the bargain shopping queen). I found the right colors, had them cut 2 yds. (not knowing if it was enough, but I always wing it, so I figured I would have to make it work).

My next problem was coming up with the traditional hat made out of the same material. I wandered around picking up a few items, sticking it on my head to see if I could somehow make a hat out of it. Finally I found a plastic bowl in exactly the right shape. I grabbed some fabric glue (an absolute must have item for people who don't sew).

AND WALLLLLLAAAAHHHHH

A Traditional Nigerian Outfit

I cut slits for the arms, tied the skirt & glued the material (like a present) to the bowl/hat. We had the shirt (I know you thought I fabric glued it all together, right...LOL).

The judges thought the whole thing had been sewed.

Here are the rest of the pictures from the fair.

My son Elijah is on the right

The girls made all of these outfits....

Inside their booth

They were all happy to be able to pick their own group this time (much more fun to be w/friends).

Announcing the winners

I'd have to say that being creative is far more important than being able to sew.

Barbed Wire Pad Punk Reunion Party & More

I've been waiting for a weekend that we don't have anything to do. Since moving into our new place we haven't had a free moment to just kick back & relax in it.

On Friday night I had a birthday dinner for Elijah (15). His actual birthday was on April 3rd, our move in day. I also wasn't able to do my annual birthday pics & tribute story to him, because we had no internet. I'll post this later also...can't break tradition.


Saturday we had a birthday party for my nephew, Tristan (3). I got some really cute pics, also to be posted later.

Sunday we had my hubby's punk "Barbed Wire Pad" reunion party. The Barbed Wire Pad was a place all the punkers used to hang out at in the 80's. So my hubby was excited to get to see all his old friends.

I was pleasantly surprised because all the girls were really nice. I usually end up hanging out with the guys at these kinds of things (i'm not much of a gossip person & get really bored with girl conversation). Not to mention girls can sometimes be really catty if they don't know you.

My hubby was really crazy back in the day. Most of everyone's stories/memories revolved around him. He fell off a balcony landing on his head. At another party he accidentally pushed a girl off a balcony while pretending to push her.

The saying then became, "It's not a party until Anthony throws someone off a balcony." In his defense he said, "She jumped!"

Anthony throwing a keg off the balcony...

They were both okay after stitches & casting of the arm.

Then there were the stories of him in vehicles. He was hanging his head out of a car & the hood flew up & hit him in the face...knocking him out.

One night he was pretty drunk & wouldn't put his seat belt on. They were in an open, topless jeep when he fell out. A truck behind them ran him over with the front & back tires. Everyone thought he was dead. His arm was almost completely ripped off & hanging from his shoulder by a few tendons.

He was in the hospital for quite a while after that one, but they were able to repair his arm.

I always thought some of the stories were a little exaggerated, but everyone confirmed they were right on.

As you can see, my husband eventually decided that he wasn't the best drinker & thought that if he wanted to stay alive he better stop.

So after about five hours, everyone safely left the party, no accidents, falls, or trips to the hospital, aging has its advantages!

The Loss of Two Boys

On Sunday I received a phone call from my son in New York that his friend Drake had passed away. He was so upset he could barely talk.

I had just moved to Huntington Beach from La Habra. Steve, Venus & their boys were the first people that I met, they lived in the front unit of the apartment complex we lived in. We had a lot in common, we each had three boys. They were almost all the same age. It was also perfect because we would take turns babysitting each others kids. That way, every other weekend we would be able to go out and know that our kids were in good hands (it was hard finding someone willing to babysit three rambunctious boys.)

Venus & I would take daily bike rides down the board walk, with my little 2 year old Elijah in the bike seat. All the other boys were in school. We had so much fun, getting in shape & enjoying the beach, just having "girl therapy" which is always a MUST!

My oldest son Josh became really close with Steven & Zach, while Jullien and Drake seemed to have a rougher time hitting it off. They both were hot heads and their "play time" eventually would turn into a boxing/wrestling matches. Drake out weighed Jullien by about 30 lbs. So I wasn't surprised when I heard screaming and yelling one day. I ran outside, turned the corner to see the two 5 year olds...Drake sitting on top of Jullien, hands on both sides of Jullien's head, smacking it into the pavement.

Now, I'm not a mom who freaks out...so I pulled him off, picked up Jullien & told them that they both were not allowed to play with each other anymore until they could get along.

Once I got Jullien back home, I told him the same thing my dad told me when I was little, "It doesn't matter how big they are, make sure that you never let them get the upper hand on you, handle your business." LOL...I know not a very nice mom...but being a tomboy & raising my boys alone for so long, I didn't want to have a bunch of little sissy's so I was pretty tough.

Jullien really took that to heart, the boys would continue to have "scuffles" but I never had to pick him up off the ground again. Once Drake knew that Jullien could "handle his business" the fighting stopped. They were the best of friends after that.

When they were older, they grew closer. It's funny how the love-hate relationship in the beginning left a strong bond between the two boys.

Drake was such a fun loving kid. Always cracking jokes & making everyone laugh. He was a loyal friend, ready to defend anyone who messed with the people he cared about.

Drake's older brother Zach (21), had just passed away three months before in a freak car accident.

My heart just aches for Steve, Venus & Steven. The loss of two sons is absolutely unimaginable. Steve sent me an email asking for people to please pray for them...they are at a total loss!

Tonight we will be attending a candlelight vigil for Drake.

R.I.P. Zach & Drake...you are loved & will be missed!

Cleaning, Schedules...AND SLEEP!

Elijah & Donald called up together as OUTSTANDING Linebackers!

Da Boys-Ryan, Cooper, Donald, Elijah & Trenton

Ryan, Cooper, Donald & Elijah (STUDS)

Chowing Down at Edison's Freshman Football Banquet

Wow, I haven’t updated my Blog since the weekend. So here’s what’s been going on, Sunday we had Elijah’s end of the year Football banquet. They made a really cool video for each of the boys. At the end they added outtakes. We were all cracking up! It was really well done and I loved it because the showed all of Elijah’s touchdowns and interceptions.

Monday I had the day off because my boss was on vacation. I had a lot of stuff planned to take care of because my good friend Debbie is coming to stay with us for a while. But of course nothing ever goes as planned. I got up, ate some oatmeal, laid down to read my morning devotional and fell asleep until 1:00 P.M.!!

Then I spent the rest of the day cleaning Jullien’s room for Debbie to stay in while he’s gone. What a nightmare! I can’t believe how kids can find so many hiding places for all their crap when you tell them to clean their room! I even found clothes that he’s had since he was 12. That took me the rest off the day, but I finally got it all done. If Juj’s was that bad I’m afraid to see what is hiding in Elijah & Adams room. That will be a project for another day.

Josh has been staying in Juj’s room since he’s been gone. I told him he could move into Elijah & Adam’s room while Debbie is here, but I think he got mad that I asked him to move and said, “NO, I’ll just stay with friends for a while.”

Whatever...I’m not going to stress about it, he’s a big boy and if he wants to act like a baby I’m not going to let it get to me.

On a positive note, I fell asleep at 10:00 p.m. last night. I’ve been so worn out from going to sleep at 2:00 a.m. every night, (insomnia). I feel really good today...sleep is AMAZING!

Pictures Of An Almost 18th Birthday

I wanted to just share some pictures from Jullien's early 18th birthday (he won't be back from NY for the real one).

Grandma, Jullien & Papa

Chelsea (Jullien's girlfriend), Elijah, Aunty Stacy, Grandma Dianne, Jullien & Papa

Jullien & Chelsea


Jullien & his Aunty's (Erika, Vivian, Brigett)

We told Papa to give his model pose...it cracked the boys up!

The model boys!!

Papa trying to be taller than his boys!

Tashy & Anthony (Sexy Face!)

Jullien & Elijah

Me and Baby #2


Cousin Tristan (He kept blowing out the candles as I would light them...LOL!)

My Baby Starts High School

Tomorrow is the day I officially have to accept the fact that my baby boy is all grown up...he starts High School. Where has the time gone? It was just yesterday that we were going on bike rides. My chubby lil' Lijey sitting in his bike seat, big blue helmet, high on his head, barely able to fit his big noggin'. Laughing, pointing at all the "burdie's" flying around his chubby hand as he ate his sandwich.

In junior high I still felt a sense of connection with him during our every Thursday lunch days. He would get out of school early and it was our time together. We would take turns picking the lunch spot. Then spend time catching up on all the important things going on in his life. Not that he'd really tell me...but anything you can drag out of a teenager is special.
Elijah's 8th Grade Graduation

Natascha, Adam, Elijah, Josh, Me, Anthony & Dillon (Jullien was in NY)
Last week was my first experience not having anyone to go to "Lunch Day" with. Elijah was at freshman football practice, Jullien was in New York and Josh was working. I felt so alone, I guess I'm getting the beginning feelings of "empty nest" syndrome.

We spent tonight going school clothes shopping and then out to dinner. My stepson Dillon was going to pick him up for me tomorrow, but as we ate Elijah kept saying, "Well if he can't you can take me for my first day of High School." He said it a few more times throughout the night...so I took it as a hint that he really wanted me to drop him off. I had Anthony call Dillon and tell him I'd take Lijey tomorrow.

So I will drop my baby off at 6:30 a.m. (0 period starts at 7:00 a.m.) Saying goodbye to my baby...and our special lunch days. Wow, I never thought I'd take it so hard...I guess it's time to learn to embrace the fact that I will have more time for me again. This will be a new concept because I haven't thought about me since I had my first baby at 21~

Nickelodeon's BrainSurge-They Both Made It

Elijah and Adam both tried out for Nickelodeon's new game show. Adam was the first one to be contacted and went down for a taping last week. But they had over booked the kids (they had informed us that they usually do this in case some kids don't show up.) They asked if Adam could come back on a later date because we live closer than most of the other kids. Anthony wasn't to happy (he is not the type to sit around all day for nothing), but he said, "Okay."

When he got home he told me that they also wanted Elijah to do a show. So we are now re-booked and I will take both boys back in two weeks for their taping. I was hoping that they would be on the same show (the two step-brother's are a crack up when they're together), but they said they will need to do it separately...darn it!

They are really excited and I'll let you all know how it goes and when it will air.