southern speak :)

People tell me I have a thick accent.

Okay. :)

All I know is that my Yankee, Mid-Western, and Florida friends get a kick out of listening to me talk.  Once, I even had a guy from Jamaica spell out words just so he could hear how I would pronounce them!

I have recently been told by several people that my accent has a lot of Alabama in it.  I guess I get that from Daddy.  It also explains why people in my own home town think I talk funny.

It's fun having a naturally thick southern accent.  Because of it, I can say things that non-southerners just couldn't get away with.  Let's face it, bless your heart and I do declare! just don't work unless you've got the proper accent. 

Not only do we southerners have amazing speaking voices, we have our own vocabulary to go with it.

For instance:

"Clodhoppers" are working boots or big clomping shoes.
"Chunkin" something means to throw it.
"Fixin' to" means you're about to.
If you're "laid up", you're sick.
"Sorry" is something that is inferior in quality, or someone who is lazy.
A "poke" is a bag or sack.
If you're upset, your feathers have been ruffled.
If something is overflowing it's "chugged full".
If someone has been misled or hurt they're a "stuck pig".
If something is "cattywampus" it's crooked.
Everyone older than you is "older then dirt".
Asking for sugar means you're asking for a kiss.
If you look like someone, you're "a spittin' image".
Temper tantrums are "hissy fits".
Lights are "cut" on or off.

I could go on, but then, you get the idea.  And, in case you are wondering, yes, I do use each one of these on a daily basis!

On second thought, all of them except "poke" and "stuck pig".  I use those occasionally, but only when I know I'm around people who won't give me weird looks!

I just love the southern language. :)

stash bustin'

You could say that I am slightly addicted to Pinterest.

OKAY, I'm very addicted to Pinterest!  Aren't you???? ;)

Anyway....I was going through my "stash" the other day and I discovered that I have somehow managed to build up a stockpile of zippers.  How?  I haven't the slightest idea...

That got me thinking.  What do you do with stray zippers?

I decided to solve my problem in the most logical manner - I logged into Pinterest!  What else???

After a few minutes of browsing...

Voila!!!!

Who doesn't love cute little bags and pouches? 

The cute stripes are left over from a ruffle skirt I made for my niece, Kenzie.  I just love it!

Click here for the tutorial for the bag shown above.  Mine is a bit smaller because I didn't have a zipper the correct size. 

This bag is super easy!  I whipped this one up in about 20 minutes. 

It has a lining, but I didn't think to snap a picture of it.  The raw edges show, so I used the serger to take care of the raveling.

Another tutorial I really like is here.  I will definitely be making up a bunch of these!

8-20-12

Monday afternoon I got to hold my brand-new handsome nephew.

 

 

Little Luke, Aunt Mana is so excited you're here!!!!  XOXOXOXO

it's a day late, but...

Happy Birthday, Sarah!!!!!

Fifteen years.  It seems hardly possible...

I remember it like it was yesterday.



You're the best little sister/best friend I could have asked for. 

Love you bunches!

at my leisure...

I am currently taking an unintentional-turned-intentional break from blogging.  Why?  Because it's summer and that's just how things seem to work out.  :)  However, I decided to check in for a bit today and let you in on what's been going on with me.

I celebrated my 21st birthday a couple of weeks ago.  I have always loved having a summer birthday because there is absolutely nothing else going on and I can enjoy it without any interruptions.  And of course, my lovely family took over the dishes and the laundry for the day.  Awesome! 

Typically, I don't like bragging about gifts that I received, but I just can't help it!  Daddy managed to find a vintage rotary phone that actually works!  I love it!  It was actually in working order in my room for about a week before Sarah made me unplug it.  The loud ringing disturbed her...  Another gift that I am extremely proud of is the DVD of the 25th Anniversary performance of the Phantom of the Opera.  Let's just say I'm a huge fan and leave it at that. ;)

Artistically, no paintings to speak of.  I'm in the process of planning one, though, and I hope to start on it soon.  Most of my artsy time has been spent sketching randomly and attempting to hone my skills with the human face.  A very frustrating task at times.

We've had a big change in our house.  Well, the upstairs of our house.  It has been completely turned upside down, rearranged, and reorganized.  I'll spare the details except to say that Sarah and I (and Elly) are now occupying the garage attic/bonus room/ whatever-you-want-to-call-it.  It's ginormous!  Especially after living in my tiny windowless sewing room for a month.  I now have a nice large window with a lovely view of the huge tree in the back yard.  Love it!

Sewing?  Most of it has been devoted to expanding my Grammy's wardrobe.  I might post pictures in the future.  We shall see...

The rain this summer has been absolutely ridiculous!  I mean that in the best way possible.  Green grass in July is rare.  Green grass in August is simply unheard of, but we have it!  It's absolutely gorgeous outside!

I have recently become quite obsessive over nail polish.  On my hands, that is.  I have always worn it on my toes to cover up the ahem deformities, but rarely did I wear it on my hands.  Now, I love it!  Although, the Bon-Bons look done by a three year old isn't quite my style...

We are patiently awaiting the arrival of the new nephew/grandbaby!  He should be here any day now!Can't wait for you to get here, Luke!

These are the random highlights of my summer.  It's been a relatively busy one.  Tomatoes, green beans, and field peas galor, people coming and going all the time, random shopping trips, etc.  But, I've also had lots of down time which I have been enjoying to the fullest and I intend to continue to do so until we get back into the full swing of things.  (Just a couple more weeks.)

Until then...

...I'll just be chillin'.  :-)