But I get positively giddy when I drive past a gas station these days.  Today, I found gas for $1.88 a gallon! My joy is indescribable.

A few years ago, I got all prophetic and declared we would never see gas fall below $2 again. But look at us now! I have to physically resist the urge to stop at every gas station. I keep wanting to just "top it off," in case prices sky rocket again tomorrow.

I know, I should be shrinking my carbon footprint and using less oil and all of that.  But I just can't imagine shuttling my two children on to a bus to drop the oldest off at school. For one, I imagine we'd accumulate far too many tardy slips.

We are those sort of people, the ones who use our vehicles as a second home/storage facility.  The other day we arrived at school in a panic.  For weeks, there'd been one purple tennis shoe riding around in the back seat, while the other was somewhere in the house.  Yesterday, my daughter grabbed the second tennis shoe from her room, believing its mate was still waiting in the car.  When we arrived at school with one shoe on, the other purple shoe was nowhere to be found. 

Seriously, I have no idea what one does when one shows up for school with only one shoe. On a rainy day, no less.

Fortunately, I found the shoe. It was in the front seat--under the umbrella, my winter coat, the baby's diaper bag and last week's mail.

Still, we were tardy.

I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but I'm a huge fan of handmade gifts. In my world, it means a lot when someone sits down and takes the time to create something for me.

Imagine my excitement when I received this lovely birthday gift today from my friend N!  Wait 'til you see what's inside:

Isn't this the prettiest sewing kit you've ever seen? Where does one find such tiny scissors? And see that little measuring tape folded in there? 

It even has safety pins. I always need safety pins, and I never have them! There's also a page with assorted buttons.

Now I'm feeling quite behind on N's birthday gift. 

It's a good thing I've snapped out of my sewing slump.

That's right. Projects are actually getting completed! I spent last Friday cleaning the office/sewing room, and it has become my sanctuary again.  

I was so inspired by my clean space that I committed to producing some items for the school's Christmas shop.  It's a gift shop filled with donated items (i.e. my criss cross coasters, maybe some totes and boxy little pouches) that children can purchase (for a minimal amount) to give their parents for Christmas.  Parents, of course, are not allowed in, lest it ruin the surprise. 

And we know that coasters are a hot item, despite Mr. Plaid's lukewarm feelings toward them.

I had this remnant left over from an apron I made myself last year.  One of my very first projects ever.  I thought it'd be fun to make a set of coordinated, but not matchy-matching coasters.  I used the Bend the Rules Sewing coaster version.  I backed them in a solid yellow.  Very fun.

 

These, I think, are my favorite. I love the fabrics. In fact, these are scraps left over from a purse I made myself.  The Artsy Clutch, also from BTRS.

I love productivity!