We can't stop patting ourselves on the back (which I know is prideful, but . . . whatever)

When I bought my house 8ish years ago, I bought a set of living room furniture at a garage sale. The upholstery is hideously ugly and dated, and itchy, but the cushions are actually really soft and it has fantastic wood detailing.

About six (maybe even seven) years ago I bought fabric to re-cover the loveseat. But I knew this was a lofty project that I hesitated to begin, so the fabric has either been in a drawer or haphazardly draped on the loveseat.

So, on December 30 (a month and a half ago; this was a LONG time coming) I finally decided to see how much effort it would really take to re-cover the dang thing. I had to use a screwdriver to pop out the wood covers on top of the screws that hold the wood panels into place. 60+ years of glue made that sometimes difficult, and I scratched the crap out of some of the holes. But we removed the panels. That was a huge first step (and, now that it was scratched and somewhat disassembled, we were forced into action).

Next I cut the back of the couch to reveal its inner workings. We saw that the main cushion is really only held in place by staples and elbow grease (well, and the springs; but we decided to just put the new fabric directly over the old, which saved lots of time and headache), so we got excited as we realized this was actually something we could do. The fabric was barely not wide enough to be pulled and stapled, so I used my sewing machine to sew two panels to either side of the fabric.

Luckily Todd has a staple gun; this project would've been near impossible without it. And it was really fun to use.

Then we got to work on the sides. In order to do as good of a job as the original, we'd need to take apart the arms (this is a really well made couch). I wasn't willing to risk us being unable to reassemble the couch, so we rigged it using techniques we saw as we disassembled the couch. 

Todd is very handy and an excellent problem solver, so he figured out ways to seamlessly integrate one piece of fabric into another. You can barely tell that the arms have two different pieces of fabric. And that some of it is tacked with cardboard and staples.

The wood panels on the arms made it much easier to drape the fabric on the arms (we totally learned draping on Project Runway), because the seams were covered by the wood panel.

I hand-sewed several parts, like the piece of fabric across the front, but it was actually enjoyable because I got to use an upholstery needle. That's an addicting implement (yes, I know how nerdy that sounds).

I hand-sewed the seat cushions, because I didn't want the stress of figuring out how to do it on the machine. They're not perfect, but they look pretty good, and as of last night they're done!

The finished product is AMAZING. I know we shouldn't toot our own horns, but seriously, I'm so happy with it. Now I want to bring it back into the living room (too bad we don't have space for it). I love that the wood detail stands out so well in it now--it got lost in all that horrible yellow and brown before. Though we now have the problem of owning a white piece of furniture (yikes; obviously I bought the fabric years before having children was even an issue), but that's ok--if it gets nasty, we'll just cover it again.

Here's a before and after (I wish I would've taken a better "before").

Rubber duckie, you're the one

I have a subscription to Parents magazine, which I thoroughly enjoy reading. They have some really helpful articles, articles with totally fun activities, and articles that are ridiculously hilarious in their fear-mongering. Why has The Media decided to report every little thing that could possibly harm 0.01% of the population and report on it as if we're all in danger? Sheesh. But I digress.

February's Parents has an article about the "windows of opportunity" for infants and toddlers, the times in which you can best begin a habit (sleep through the night, start solids, etc.). I love these kinds of articles. In all my nerdiness, I scan articles like this and keep a topical record that I can use when some of the information is more applicable.

One of their windows (which also include potty training and using a sippy cup) is the time to introduce a "lovey." This window I just don't

understand. Why why why would you purposely attach your child to a single object, something they can't sleep or leave the house without? Something that is easily lost and will lead to meltdowns and sadness for all? (The article does helpfully suggest buying a replacement lovey, though from what I know about some kids' loveys, replaco-lovey doesn't cut it.)

Many kids naturally gravitate to a lovey. That is fine. But to have a strategy for creating a lovey, as if a lovey is suddenly a necessity... Am I the only one who thinks that's just silly?

Grinches? Or are we not alone in this?

Because this is our first Christmas with a non-newborn, we had to consider the possibility of sitting Nadine on Santa's lap. We're into photo ops, and a child on Santa's knee seems to be one of the quintessential ones (I love that word; many thanks to my Communications Law professor for introducing it to me). We passed Santas set up in the malls, and Santa was available at our church party. But we didn't get a picture with Nadine on Santa's lap.

We did this mainly because Santa arrived during Nadine's bedtime, and she's really not into people who aren't me or Todd.

As I have stated many times on this blog, I am a bit paranoid, and I think that plays into the Santa picture thing. We've decided we're never going to force Nadine into physical contact with people--no forced hugs/kisses from "great-aunt So and So," etc. If she doesn't want to go near someone, she won't have to; it's important for her to listen to and follow her feelings. So how does that work if we force her to sit on a stranger's lap? It doesn't.

She may be the only child in history never pictured on Santa's knee. Oh well.

Pride: a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority

I've hesitated to show the scrapbook I made for Lindsay because it seems like bragging and fishing for compliments (this could totally be an Ask Miss Tacky post). But I'm going to do it because (1) I am fairly proud of quite a few of the pages, and (2) you guys had great ideas that look wonderful in reality, so I wanted to help you brag too.

I don't have full bragging rights--a few of the pages were done by my cousin Shannon; it was so nice to have her help and perspective.

The scrapbook is fairly personality-specific, which means the pages aren't light blue with Winnie the Pooh and babies in clouds. They're a bit edgy and unconventional, but so is Lindsay so it's perfect ("edgy" and "unconventional" are my excuses for "made by someone who rarely scrapbooks"). My favorite papers were from the nursery rhyme album. Those pages were all so cute, and glittery! Glue doesn't stick to glitter very well, though.

I got some fantastic flair for the pages--it's so hard to walk away from those aisles in the store. My favorite was this adorable animal mobile . . . that moves!

And I couldn't resist this totally cute duck with real feathers on his head--it's so Lindsay.

The pages are here, if you want to view them all. It was a really fun project, and I greatly appreciate all the insight and ideas you guys gave me. I had a blast integrating everything.

Gushes and rants

(or, Gushes and one rant, which fortunately is more positive and Karma likes that)

Recently I have developed a major dependence on caffeine. Specifically Diet Cherry Coke. I've also noticed my soda intake is significantly contributing to my Newlywed 15 (I never gained the Freshman 15 in college, so Karma is having a blast with it now). So I have been cutting back on my Diet Coke intake (sigh). And that is my excuse for this post--there are things I have wanted to post about, but they've been random and short, and today I'm feeling my caffeine withdrawal so I'm hoping a blog rush will get me through the day.

Gush:
We got Wicked tickets! We have very good seats, and hotel rooms, so now we just get to let the anticipation build, which really is the coolest thing.

Rant:
Yesterday was stake conference, and it was a really nice meeting. The meeting was broadcast to our building, and they had technical difficulties, so the sound was very quiet. So quiet we couldn't hear anyone who stood more than an inch from the microphone. Especially with the background noise of children crying, screaming, banging toys on the metal chairs, etc. The noise drowned out the speakers. And that's my rant; maybe it's even an Ask Miss Tacky.

And I know I run the risk of Karma giving me hellion children because I am complaining about other people's children, but seriously parents from yesterday--can you not take your screaming child out of the room? They had a feed into the Relief Society room, where there are soft chairs. Take your kid there. I realize kids make noise, and I find it mostly adorable, but there was a child in front of us who screamed like a banshee every minute or so. And his parents just sat above him ignoring him. I admit, I am not a mom and can't even imagine having to parent children, but that's all I ask--parent your children, don't just let them annoy everyone else. (That was quite a rant; I can only imagine what you moms will have to say about my insensitivity Ü.)

Gush:
This picture from Ryan and Katie's blog. I can't get enough of it. I think it's the sweetest thing.

Gush:
Grey's Anatomy and LOST are on the same day. What an awesome idea. And LOST was fantastic, but we all know my true love lies with Grey's, and Thursday was such a good episode. That woman's skull flap flopping out of her hat?! Oh my nastyness. And one of the best lines ever was George and Lexie after she klepto'd everything from the hospital:

George: “I wish you had stolen the TVs.” Lexie: “I tried; they’re bolted to the walls.”

Gush:
Right now I am totally obsessed with this song

and this song.

Ask Miss Tacky

Ha, I like that. Miss Manners should totally change her name. Because really that's what people are asking: "Is it tacky for me to not write thank you notes?", "Is it tacky when I take up two or three parking spaces?", etc.

So I pose the question and created a survey: Todd and I are sending out our wedding invitations soon, and I am wondering whether it's tacky to tell people where we're registered. I understand all the arguments for and against, and am wondering what my . . . 4 friends who read this blog think. Then I'll tell you what I think. After I get back from my fantastic vacation.