Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Jeans the Correct Length Can Make a Girl So Happy!!!

I found the best "life hack" the other day.  I recently bought a new pair of jeans to wear with boots.  When I tried them on at the store (without shoes) they were long, but I figured they would be fine once I had my boots on.  Wrong!  When I got home and tried the jeans and boots together, the jeans were still way too long.  This was a bit frustrating because my only choices were:  1. return the jeans (that I really liked)
2. hem them up Finding jeans has always been an issue for me (see link) Dear Jeans, I am Leaving You for Yoga Pants.  So the thought of returning a pair that actual fit everywhere but the length is not something I wanted to do. I am not great with sewing, especially on a machine.  In fact, I sent my sewing machine to live with my mom because our relationship (the machine and myself) is so bad.  LOL!  Seriously, any time I try to sew on a machine it is a complete joke.  I just can't seem to get along with it.  I am pretty good with a needle and thread after sewing countless Cub Scout / Boy Scout badges onto uniforms, but dreadful with an actual sewing machine.

My other dilemma was that I wanted the look of the original hem.  I don't like just cuffing them under and then hemming, because you don't get that original seam effect.  I decided Pinterest was the place to go to figure out how to keep my jeans, but not drag two inches of fabric on the ground as I walked.  I specifically searched, "how to hem jeans with the original seam".  Pinterest delivered, as always!!!  I had tutorials with descriptions and tutorials with step by step pictures.  I read a couple of the blog posts and picked two that made the most sense to me.  Then I tried out the process on an old pair of jeans in case the experience was awful and the jeans ended up ruined.  It seemed pretty easy on the old pair of jeans, so I cheered myself on to try it out on the new jeans.  Voila!!! It took me about an hour and I was super careful with my measurements and pinning.  It really was very simple and worked like a charm.  

The idea is that you cuff the jeans up (not under), sew directly next to the original seem, then cut off the extra fabric (the cuff).  Here is a picture of my finished product.  Although, I still haven't cut off the extra fabric.  It seems too permanent!  Not that my legs will be growing in length any time soon.  Ha!!!

(Both legs are done in this picture.  You can't tell at all from the outside of the jean.)

If you look closely, you can see the "cuff" or extra fabric.  That is the part you should cut off.  I can't seem to part with it yet, so I ironed it down and you can't even tell from the outside.  Also, if you zoom in you can see my navy blue stitch directly under the original hem.  Since it is so close to the seam, you cannot see it from the outside of the jeans. Can you use the words seam and hem interchangeably???  I have no idea...
Seriously, I wish I could give each of these bloggers a big hug!  I feel like I just learned the best tip, practically life changing! LOL


Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Supposedly South Texas

Oh my goodness, I have the winter doldrums!  I mean seriously, it needs to be Spring ASAP.  Living in South Texas we don't experience much winter, but this year has been a different story.  We have had more COLD weather (like even cold to other parts of the country) than I can ever remember. 

I'm done with cold.  

I am done with layering clothes, coats, gloves, all the things.  

I am over an electric bill that made me cuss like a sailor.  

I'm tired of not wanting to go to the restroom because the toilet seat is so cold...(yes, this is a problem due to the electric bill - insert eye rolling because I am cheap).

I find myself questioning if feeding the chickens is really a necessity because the walk out to the coop feels like a hike through the frozen tundra.  Unfortunately, feed is crucial for their survival...FINE!

AND....I am SO done with our sheets on our bed feeling like some type of cryotherapy session.  Every night I stand on my side of the bed trying to convince myself that the sheets aren't really as cold as they seem.  I become my own cheerleader, convincing myself that I am strong and courageous.  I CAN DO THIS, I CAN GET INTO THE BED.  Only for the same outcome....more un-lady like words.  You would think that a husband the size of mine would be warm...he works in a cold room 12 hours a day.  I think the room he is in is an average 32 degrees.  On days when he is in the freezer it is something below zero, but at this point, the numbers really don't matter.  The man is frigid! He is an iceberg.  The night usually ends up with one of us yelling, "Stop flapping the covers!"  So romatical this winter of ours... LOL

I need the sun.

I need to feel sunshine.

I need to sit on the porch.

I need to run errands without a coat.  Coats make me feel like a three year old on the verge of a tantrum.  You know, that feeling when you forget to hold the bottom of your sleeve before sliding your arm into the coat sleeve.  There is no returning from that, you must surrender to the coat and start over.  OR just forget the coat, run to the car, and then the entire time you are out question if at some point you moved to Alaska because there is no way this is South Texas.

Also, my kids' moods have been off.  I am blaming this on the lack of Vitamin D.  If their moods are off, my mood is off, then their mood is off, then mine...you get the picture.  We are just plain moody!  We need SUN.

I can't even remember the last day we had blue skies and sunshine.  I found a picture on my phone from Super Bowl Sunday of the sunset.  I don't remember the sun shining during that particular day, but at least I have proof the sun does exist.

Until we meet again, dear sun....