More Quilt Love

One of my goals before the baby comes (I'm still not used to saying that...weird!) is to finish up my gazillions of mostly-done sewing projects and quilts. One of the projects I need to finish is the quilt exchange quilt I organized last spring. Apparently I am not alone, because I have seen lots of you other participants listing that as part of your resolutions this year.

As a reward for finishing it (think positive!) I have an itch to start a new one. Nothing official yet...but doesn't this quilt just beg to be to made? I LOVE it! And it would be perfect for a quilt exchange. It is exactly what I want for my gender-neutral baby's room (is it too colorful to be gender neutral? I don't think so...I hope not).

I love all the things in this woman's etsy shop. She is very talented!

BBQ's in January Equal Heaven

Excluding today (which has been raining sadly...yuck) the weather in Palo Alto lately has been FABULOUS!  For two weeks it has been in or near the 70's.  We have been wearing shorts and flip flops around here.  I LOVE IT!

To celebrate I rounded up some of our friends here on campus and we had a BBQ.  Yep, a BBQ in January.  I am never moving from Palo Alto!

   

New And Improved

I changed up the booties pattern a little to be more ballet flats-ish. I hope they'll stay on, because I liked the simplicity of not having a strap...but I guess we'll see.

At the encouragement of my mother-in-law I made these with real leather soles, and I also decided to use 100% wool felt (way expensive...but much more sturdy than acrylic felt). So soon you will be seeing these in the etsy shop for sale, because I am now confident they are a sturdy little baby shoe.

Bye Bye W.

I found this quote on our friend Millie's blog and I had to share it. It is so poignant and true and I cried while reading it, knowing that this chapter in our lives is truly over now.

"The White House, with all its pressures, intrigues, triumphs, betrayals, joys and disappointments, is the most special place you ever will work. Look out the gates at the people who slow their gait as they pass, trying to get a glimpse of someone -- anyone. They know what you're likely to forget. You're blessed…Leave no room for regrets -- for someday, in the not-so-distant future, you will be back where you started: On the sidewalk with the other folks, gawking at that grand, glorious, mysterious place -- where Lincoln walks at night, and our highest hopes and dreams reside.”
-Tony Snow, Former White House Press Secretary
Advice to new Bushies from a Washington "insider", January 2001

*Sigh*

For The Babe

I bought my first baby product on Saturday, a Phil & Ted's stroller. I debated and debated whether to buy the expensive stroller, but I reasoned that it is the only baby item I really care about spending money on. I am totally ok with hitting up the yard sales and craigslist for a crib, I'll probably make my own bedding, so I deserve this right?!

I did use a little of my own Christmas money (this is better than clothes that aren't going to fit me in two months anyway) so I could alleviate some of the guilt. And I bought it used on Craigslist...it's not like I paid retail for it.

I love it so much. I'm tempted to put dolls in it and start pushing it around. Lol.

Blah-gging

Sadly, sometimes I'm just not that into it. I try to be - I think "What has happened lately that people would want to hear about?" and I don't come up with anything. But just so you know the Merkleys are not dead I'll post.

Here are a few highlights from the past weeks:

*I started work finally! It is still very few hours and very part time...but it was nice to start. I am tutoring small children in reading at a learning center.

*We heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time. That was every bit as thrilling as people say it will be. I was a teency bit relieved - my body hasn't changed a bit and I really haven't had many symptoms. Part of me wondered if there really was a baby in there afterall, or if somehow a grain of rice had snuck into that initial ultrasound and tricked us.

*I'm being a rebel and not setting any goals this year. This is going to be a crazy year and I just want to get through it healthy and happy.

*Christmas break was wonderful and nice to get away, but it feels good to be home in Palo Alto where I'm walking and crafting with my girlfriends again.

Ok...shame on me...I'll try to be a better blogger now.