Just Call me Martha!!

I just have to brag on myself for a moment....Last night I made "no sew" pillow slipcovers for the pillows on our couch and love seat in the family room. Now, the reason I am so excited is the fact that I did this all on my own! Every time I have ever made anything with fabric, like the valances in our family room, I have to have my mother's help....and that is pretty embarrassing when you're 26, married with a child to have to call up your mother and ask for her to come save the day...
Now some of you may be wondering why I am so pumped about a project that really took no talent what-so-ever, but once you see how cool this pillow slipcover is, and how inexpensive it could be (depending on the type of fabric you purchase)....you will be so excited to make some of your own!!

1. First measure your pillow length and width wise. (My pillows are square and are 20x20). Then you double the measurement so that you have enough material to cover each pillow. (That meant my fabric needed to be cut into a 40x40 square).

2. After cutting your fabric, lay it down with a corner facing north (like a diamond) and place the pillow in the middle of the fabric. ( I also ironed my fabric before this step, but you can't tell b/c I had to undo the slipcover to be able to take step by step pictures).


3. Then, take the first corner and fold over the pillow.

4. Next, take the corner underneath the first corner you folded and fold it over the pillow, but this time fold the fabric so that you don't see a point.

5. Finally, gather the last two corners and tie them together into a knot. Tuck the ears of the fabric underneath the folds, to hide any frays.

6. Enjoy your pillows!!!


Isn't that so easy!! I know, I'm a genious....but really I have to thank curbly.com and their "knot another no-sew pillow slipcover" pattern. I hope this has inspired you to be creative and thrifty...there is nothing better to make yourself burst with pride, than doing something fabulous on a budget!!

Our Doggie Dollie

For those of you that don't know the Vastola family has 4 doggies! I know, I'm a saint...but seriously, all four are like Jeremy and I's children. They are the ones that prepared us for Katelyn...teaching us things like discipline and sacrifice. We have been very lucky to have very well behaved and healthy canines...until now. Dollie, our girl Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has been putting on some weight for some time now, which we were aware of. She also has a breathing problem that makes her sound like a piggy when she breathes. I finally broke down and took her to the vet yesterday; I had been trying to hold out until it was time for the yearly checkup...but to no avail, I knew I couldn't wait any longer. We went to a new vet that is closer to home and he took blood to run a complete blood panel and also took a pee-pee sample. We waited to hear from the doctor this morning and when he called he had some good and bad news. Dollie's blood work came back and everything looked great...but the pee-pee sample didn't look so good...we had to go back in today to have an xray and we found some stones!! Now, we have to change her diet to a VERY expensive food and give Dollie an antibiotic for a week....I'm a little relieved, but at the same time I'm sad that my little baby doggie is sick! I will let you know how she does on this new diet and how our wallets do having to buy expensive food and pay the vet bills!! If you wouldn't mind, please pray for my Dollie....I would appreciate it and so would Katelyn! If you are lucky enough to have a pet, go love on them today....they are a special gift that all too often are overlooked and taken for granted.

Twitter me timbers....

I have become a Twitter user! I have no idea what I am doing...so as pirates used to say when they were scared..."shiver me timbers"!! I hope I get the hang of it quickly! I have to admit...it kinda makes me feel like I'm in high school again, the pressure to have lots of "followers" is unnerving! I mean, people can follow a blog...but most don't, but still visit on a regular basis....with Twitter, if you don't have any followers, you are twittering to yourself!!~how pathetic is that?! Anyway, if you are reading this and you Twitter too...PLEASE follow me-courtneymarie82!

2009 Peachtree Roadrace

Jeremy and I woke up at 6:30 this morning so that we could register for this year's Peachtree. After about an hour of frustration with the online process we were both signed up! We are so excited! Neither one of our families have ever participated in this Atlanta tradition, but Jeremy and I have always wanted to. It wasn't until Katelyn was born that we decided to actually do it. We are pumped about beginning a new tradition for our family...too bad Katelyn won't be able to run with us until July 4, 2019!! I will definately be posting pics once July 4th rolls around...until then, we will be busy training ourselves to run the 6.2 miles!! I'll let you know how that goes!

The verdict is in...

At today's 9 mo. well visit Katelyn weighed in at 21 lbs. 14 oz. and measured 31.5 inches long!! The doctor made a comment as he always does about her daddy being tall....and I always have to tell him that Jeremy is 5'7 and I am 5'3...then our pediatrician always asks me where Katelyn came from...it's a very silly conversation that we have every well visit! Dr. Arnold said Katelyn looks great and so healthy! She is just growing very fast!! The doctor told me she was the "average size of a 15 month old!" I could not believe it! After the nice visit with the doctor, Katelyn had to have some blood work done...I will not go into it, it's just too painful, but trust me-it was horrible! Katelyn now has a big bruise on her arm, but thankfully that is all that remains from that horrendous experience! I told Katelyn that if she was bigger, I would have taken her for ice cream because she was so brave!
Well, that's all the news for now! I hope you are enjoying God's beautiful creation as it is slowly becoming spring! I think Katelyn and I will go for a walk today, so we can enjoy this wonderful gift the Lord gave us!

Happenings in Harmony Update!!

*FYI* Exciting news! I have a very talented friend who designed a new header for our blog! She will also be putting a new background together too!! I am so very excited for our blog to look so much better!! I cannot tell you how thankful I am for Becca!(www.thestanleyclan.blogspot.com) She is a new mom too, and definitely stays busy, so I know what a sacrifice of her time it was! Please let me know what you think...I want to be able to tell Becca how much people loved her work! The changes will take place as soon as I decide which family picture I want to use...ugh, I can be so indecisive!! I digress....

9 Months!

Katelyn is 9 months old today! I cannot believe it! Time sure does fly by when you're having fun!! Unfortunately I slipped a disc Monday afternoon, so I haven't been able to play with Katelyn the way I normally do...she's noticed and has been a bit fussy the last two days, but I've been bummed too...I love kissing on her and holding her...it will only all end too soon. Katelyn's 2 top teeth have started coming in which is very exciting! I can already tell she is going to have a BEAUTIFUL smile! I will post a pic as soon as you can see them really well when she grins! I took her to get her 9 month picture today and it went well....a little too well, because I had a very hard time deciding which pose I wanted. If only I had all the money in the world, then I would not have had to choose. Anyway, I will see if I can scan it and put it up so you all can see her in the prettiest Easter dress ever! I really cannot believe that 9 months ago at this time 8:48pm, she had not entered our world yet!...she was definitely on her way though...it was at 9:04pm that she took her first breath and changed Jeremy and I's world forever! I thought I would share a few pictures from that wonderful day when Katelyn was born...isn't she sooo small!