Unbelievable

In an article written on July 15th of this year one of GQ's writers described the fashion sense in Boston as such... "Due to so much local inbreeding, Bostons suffers from a kind of Style Down Syndrome, where a little extra ends up ruining everything."  Is that not unbelievable?!  Like my sister Annie said, if we do not advocate for those we love, who will?  In response to such a completely inconsiderate, rude, thoughtless article, a petition has been started to demand that GQ take steps toward correcting this glaring oversight and apologize for such demeaning, uneducated comments.  I am still shocked at a grown man would write those words and think they were clever and not completely insensitive.  I can only figure that Mr. Thompson's editor must share his penchant for making baseless, asinine statements.  Honestly, how could anyone ever look at this face and say an extra chromosome ruined her?  She is clearly perfect!

Please take a minute to throw your name on the petition.  Let Ollie know that YOU will stand up for her.  In my opinion GQ and John Thompson should consider an article that showcases the accomplishments of individuals with Down Syndrome, maybe then, such complete ignorance would not be propagated.  At least a minimal amount of tact in future articles, especially those mentioning an already completely misunderstood genetic condition, would be greatly appreciated by those with Down Syndrome, their family and friends. 

Sew great!

Awhile back I wrote a blog about how I just decide I know how to do things and use my stubborness and my ram-iness to make up for my lack of know-how.  In that blog I sewed a baby quilt for Miss Ollie.  I decide to make another baby quilt for Penelope.  I decided, after asking for and receiving good advice, to do things a little different this time.  I picked out Penny Pea's fabric and am just loving how cute it is.  

I sewed my squares into strips first, then sewed my strips into my top.  It was a little less straight than Ollie's quilt (when I started in the center) so I sewed strips together and put on a border to square it up.  I added a layer of batting and a flannel back, then my cousin Ellen taught me how to do binding.  The next step was hand stitching the binding on the back.  This is my finished quilt...

It turned out so stinking good I can hardly believe I made it.  I actually felt bad that Ollie's was not as good.  So what do you do in that situation.  You do Ollie's over.  Which is exactly what I did.  This was Ollie O's after I put my new skills to the test.

I love them both!  My best friend also announced that she is expecting, so I will be whippin out a blanket for her bean too.  It is my new project and I am pumped! It is gonna be adorable.  

I have been feeling inspired by all of it....and I my have gone a little etsy fabric crazy but just look at these fabrics I've got coming.

Exciting right?  Oh how I love them.  Now I just gotta start having kids of my own so I can keep them :)

IDSC for Life

Hop on over to my sister's blog, and have a look at the necklace she created for the IDSC (International Down Syndrome Coalition) for Life.  It's a necklace to help raise awareness.  As it turns out, 90% of babies diagnosed with DS prenatally are terminated.  It's a very sad number.  The IDSC has a mission.  They want people to know that ALL life is precious.  It is also a support system for those that chose to end their pregnancy, to educate and heal,  not condemn, which I believe will change more people's minds (and lives) than anything else.  Down Syndrome is just a diagnosis, it is not the whole person.  There is no doubt in my mind that my niece Ollie will live a happy, purposeful life.  It may not be the same typical route I was on, but she will accomplish,  grow, and prove to everyone that she is just as worthy of this life as each and every one of us. 

Congratulations again to my sister for having her design picked.  I couldn't be more proud!

I don't do bugs

 I am not bothered by much really.  Well, maybe that's not completely accurate.  I am not bothered by most creepy crawly things.  I don't mind ladybugs, or mice, or snakes, or spiders but I swear, if you are a cockroach or a bug that jumps then I say f you.  Pretty strong language, I know, but it's how I feel.  In the last couple days I have noticed some small, almost lightening bug looking bugs in my house.  I AM NOT cool with it.  Get outta my house bugs!  I noticed the first yesterday and was so very saddened by it.  You see I came home, watered plants, felt sweaty and dirty so I decided to wash my face and brush my teeth.  I washed my face, brushed away, and was about to put my toothbrush back in my toothbrush jar when I saw it.  

Yep

What kind of a bug gets in my toothbrush holder jar!?  I was disgusted.  Even more so when I realized I may have just brushed my teeth with bristles crawled on by little bug legs.  Mega gag me.  I am grossed out now just thinking about it.  I have a zero tolerance policy for this bug.  I'm afraid I washed him down the sink.  

Much to my chagrin, he was back this morning, sneakin around my sink drain.  I rinsed him down again, then plugged my sink, filled it, and super rinsed him.  I swear, if I come home tonight to find him in my sink me and that bug are gonna have words....and he is not gonna like them. 

You agreed to what?!

Zac's family is a bit athletic.  To begin at the beginning, there are 6 kids.  A bit of a Brady bunch.  2 from his mom's first marriage, 1 from his dad's first, 3 after they got married.  Zac's half brother and sister, Brendan and Sara are the athletic ones.  Zac played golf in high school and a little baseball, but in the time we've been together the most athletic thing I've seen him do is carry heavy stuff...or push mowing the yard.    Anyway, Sara was a sprinter in high school and apparently a darn good one at that.  I don't know about Brendan then, but in the six years I've known him, he runs.  Long distance.  A super, hard to fathom it's so far, runner.  Last year at Christmas, Brendan married Katie.  Katie is a personal trainer for those interested in doing triathalons, marathons, and Iron Man competitions.  Katie just completed an Iron Man this May and she and Brendan are coming home in September to run the Quad City marathon.  

Katie knew I'd run a couple 5K's this year and asked if I'd want to run the half with her. I declined with the excuse, "I don't think I'd even have a moderately reasonable time."  She assured me this didn't matter.  I said send me the training plan and we'll see.  But, it seems Zac decided for me.  Katie, with all her wile, encouraged Sara to run it, as a trial for the Chicago marathon that she's currently training for.  Brendan's half-sister Jordan (from his dad's second marriage) and her husband Dan are gonna do it.  Zac's mom said he should do it, and his brother Chris is participating only if Zac would run and Zac agreed only if Sara's husband would do the half too.  Zac committed me when he committed himself.  I got sucked in!  Now it's on.  I've gotten in 2 runs, Zac hasn't made it yet.  He is not as worried as I am.  I am just sure he will end up with a better time than me and I'll have to be slightly annoyed.  There is no shame in being a poor sport....or so I like to pretend :)  Wish me luck guys.  It's gonna be rough.  

The boy is back in town

Zac's job drives me crazy.  It is true. I've talked and talked about it.  I am just not prepared to spend another year living half the week as a single girl.  Won't do it.  I always try to force things into happening.  If God's timing is slower than mine I will force it.  It rarely works out for the best but old habits die hard.  I did it again too.  The week of Ollie's surgery I applied for a job in St. Louis.  Three days later we found out Zac is getting transferred!  We are pumped!  Starting the first week of July.  He gets to keep his VW Bug and he will be taking care of over flow jobs from Decatur to Champaign to Bloomington.  It's a big area and he will be logging more miles than any of us know what to do with.  But get excited people!  Zac is home!
 

Keeping in mind

I have been thinking lots, I mean LOTS about my job.  I am completely unsure of what I will do when my contract is up for negotiation again in August. I constantly worry about what I'm being paid and where I could make more and have better benefits and be able to pay more on my loans and save for a house and a practice and on and on and on.  So, when this came across my Youversion today, I felt compelled to share....cause I forget it. 

Hebrews 13:5

⁵ Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,"