Leaving

I winced as I lost sight of the last of those little waving fingers.  They had prayed for snow, and the weather predicts hurricane force winds with a snow storm right where they are headed.   They are excited about S-N-O-W!  I wince, knowing I will have to trust more.  He says they will drive west of the storm,  but I still wince.

I decided to stay home this year to have a staycation.  Our dogs are older and we knew it would be hard on them for us to be gone for 10 days.  I didn't even want to plan it for fear Jake would be too bad off to even leave.  I told myself it would be fun:  knitting, scrapbooking, exercising whenever I wanted and for however long I wanted, reading without getting interrupted, not having to make meals for anyone, wash dishes, and discipline.  No disciplining for 10 days!  A dream come true right.

We went to HOPE as usual on Fri and came home a bit early so they could get a good start on the drive.  It came time to say good-bye and my eyes were welling.  Every moment passed so surreal wondering if this would be the last time I hugged him or kissed his lips.  Lord please protect them from their own mistakes and the mistakes of others.

Lucas asked if I would like to take a picture of him.  He likes to have a picture of Daddy by his side when Lee goes out of town.  I didn't want to take another picture I just wanted to hold him and never let go.  He said trust Me and I had to let go.  Lord please bring them back.

I had to call the bank because our account has been hacked for the 3rd time this year.  Then I went to the store.  Once back, I found the house quiet and messy.  I also found myself wondering if I really wanted to pick up the messes or if I would rather remember them playing forts under the foot of the chair and umbrellas yesterday.  Lord help me to love their messes and be thankful for their play, right here where I can see them, feel them, hear them and smell them.  

I wondered if I should tell Lee all the little things the boys liked so he and Grandmom could get it just right.  They would appreciate me more if I didn't though and it would be good for them to accept what was given whether they liked it that way or not.  I didn't know I would miss them so much.

Dog Collar

These are really just notes for me to look at in the future to make more collars for the puppies in my life. I might take pictures and post them one day to help my other fur baby lovers.

1. Lay the current collar out flat and measure from one tip end of the buckle to the other. For Jake this was 20"

2. Take your measurement and add 10" for an adjustable collar.

3. Measure the width of the current collar. Jake's was 1". Multiply this number by 4. This is how wide your fabric piece will need to be.

4. Cut one fabric piece the length and width you determined above.

5. Cut one piece of iron-on interfacing just slightly smaller than your fabric piece. Apply iron-on interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric following the interfacing manufacturer's instructions.

6. Fold smaller edge (the ends) over and sew to prevent edges from fraying.

7. Fold your fabric piece in half lengthwise and press to make a crease down the center.

8. Open up fabric and press one side in toward the center crease. Repeat on other side.

9. Fold fabric piece in half again and pin or clip in place.

10. Topstitch around edges of fabric piece. Zigzag across ends if you like.

To assemble collar look closely at current collar before you cut off the hardware so you'll have a reference for how it fits together. You may even want to take a picture of it. ;)

This site really helped me put it together, thanks! http://www.sew-it-love-it.com/dog-collar-pattern.html

This one was also a great reference, thanks! http://keyka.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/05/recyled-dog-col.html