Making Masks for Essential Workers

Rachel and I have made masks for our family.  However, with the shortage of masks for essential workers in our community, we decided to keep making masks so we could donate them.

We worked on about 5 masks at a time - measuring and cutting fabric, measuring and cutting elastic, sewing masks, attaching elastic, washing masks, ironing masks.

Rachel loves to sew so she put in a lot of hours on the project.

We ran out of elastic and couldn't find any locally.  Amazon had some on back order that would be available in May but I didn't order it.  Surely we wouldn't still need masks by May.  It's supposed to be just 2 weeks or so to "flatten the curve".

We had to get creative with our masks.  We started using ribbon that I had on hand instead of elastic.  We also tried two different styles.  Our original styles is just a rectangle of fabric that is pleated.  We also used my Cricut Maker to cut another style of mask that is more fitted and conformed to the face.  

The video below shows the Cricut Maker cutting a piece of felt lining for a mask.  It is just amazing how this machine works!  It first draws the sewing line with seam allowance then it cuts out the fabric.  It's fun to watch.  If you are reading this post on email then you might have to click on the title of the post to go to the actual blog to see the video. 

Eventually we used up all of the elastic and ribbon that we had.  I had to research how to make bias tape.  Ugh!  Just another time consuming step.  I recruited Nicholas to help.  We cut the cotton fabric into strips, folded them, pressed them with a flat iron for hair, and sewed them.  Each mask needs four of these and they become ties for the mask.  

I kept reading how nurses were asking for masks to have a metal nose piece so they could custom fit it to their face.  I found a company called Chapco who was offering to send free metal strips to mask makers.  I was so excited to receive my package.  

In case you can't read the card it says, "Amazing things can happen when people come together.  Thank you, from all of us at Chapco, for your efforts".  What a blessing!

We adjusted our sewing pattern to include a little pocket at the top to hold the metal strip.

Just keep sewing.  Just keep sewing.

Rachel was proud to also make masks for her grandparents in Louisiana.

We made and donated 50 masks to essential workers.  I'm so proud of both of our kids for working so hard on this important project.

R

Shopping During Quarantine

With everyone worried about coronavirus, people have been stocking up on essentials and it is hard finding basic things.  Here is the meat section.

Canned goods aren't much better.  Nicholas just couldn't believe it.

And of course, no paper products could be found.  No paper towels or toilet paper.  Fortunately I went to Costco just a couple of weeks ago and bought a case of each as part of our regular shopping so we are good on both of those for a while.

Not much in the frozen food section either.

But the beer section is well stocked.

Ironically, Corona beer has quite a strong presence here.

Vitamins and supplements are also hard to find.  Fortunately I stocked up on Vitamin C at the first concern of coronavirus so I think we are set there.  Vitamin C provides a great boost for the immune system and since it is helpful in preventing colds and flu then it just makes sense that it will help prevent us from getting coronavirus.

We are trying to stay home as much as we can.  Unfortunately, our clothes washer is leaking and can't be fixed so we had to venture out to Nebraska Furniture Mart for a new one.  Thankfully they are still open because they provide home appliances which are considered essential.  However, the parking lot is usually packed and it was eerie to see it so empty.  We got in and out pretty quickly but I was still a little worried about being too close to people and touching anything.  I am constantly using hand sanitizer these days.

It is weird seeing all of the parking lots everywhere so empty.  Restaurants, malls, etc.  However, as I was driving though one empty strip mall I couldn't help but notice a gathering of cars in one corner.  An usual sighting these days, for sure.

It was a liquor store.  Only essential stores are allowed to be open but maybe a little alcohol is essential to get through these crazy days ahead.

Hand Sanitizer at Bendt Distillery

I have always been a bit of a germ-a-phobe so I usually have some hand sanitizer in my purse.  But with this coronavirus thing, even non-germ-a-phobes have bought up all of the hand sanitizer, both locally and online.  I tried to make my own but the recipe called for aloe vera gel.  I guess I'm not the only wanting to make my own hand sanitizer because I can't locate aloe vera gel anywhere either.

I saw a friend share a post on Facebook that a local distillery was giving out FREE hand sanitizer.  

Bendt Distilling Co

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  · 

We have just received a new shipment of bottles for hand cleaner this morning and will be filling them immediately. If you are in need of hand cleaner, please come by today between 10am-7pm. No purchase is necessary and hand cleaner is free of charge.

Please note that our tasting hall bar is closed until further notice. For now, we will continue bottle sales from our retail shop, with the following items available for purchase:

***BENDT No. 5 American Blended Whiskey: $25

***Cocktail Series Old Fashioned: $30

***Single Barrel Bourbon: $45

***Sherry (or) Port-finished bourbon: $60

***Single Malt Whiskey: $80

Bendt Distilling Co

225 S. Charles Street

Lewisville, TX 75057

214-814-0545

Tuesday retail / hand cleaner pickup: 10am-7pm

NOTE: Hand cleaner is 70% alcohol by volume. Using hand cleaner is not a replacement for hand washing.

If you have traveled to China, Iraq, Japan, South Korea or Italy in the last 14 days or have been in close contact with someone who has or is suspected of having Covid-19 Coronavirus or you have any cold-like symptoms (e.g. sore throat, fever, cough, or shortness of breath), please do not enter the distillery.

#StillStrongTX

Needless to say, I went right over. I have never heard of Bendt and I had no idea there was a distillery in this town. We have been avoiding going out if we can so I was a little nervous going in but it was worth it for hand sanitizer. I loved being greeted inside the door by lots of whiskey barrels.

I went to the retail shop to ask about the hand sanitizer. While I waited for assistance I couldn't help but look around. I decided to pick up a bottle of whiskey to help support this local business who was doing an amazing thing for the community by giving out free hand sanitizer. I decided on a bottle of Bendt No. 5 blended whiskey. the lady checked me out and gave me two free bottles of hand sanitizer. I felt like I had hit the jackpot!

I smiled at the whiskey barrel that had barrel plugs used for checker pieces. Such a crafty idea!

The distillery looked really interesting and I learned that they usually offer tours but they have closed that in an attempt to limit people being in close contact with each other. I will definitely have to bring Stuart back here once they start doing these again.

I walked out of Bendt with my goodies and just sat in my car in their parking lot for quite a while. Of course, I drenched my hands in the sanitizer but then I just sat and thought.

I had such an uneasiness about me. I just sat there thinking about this virus and wondering how bad it really is and just how contagious is it. There doesn't seem to be a lot known about it yet. I want to be sure to protect my family and I worry that my son and I might be at a higher risk because of our asthma. I thought that if it is spreading then things are going to get worse before they get better so I should probably take care of that toothache I've been having while I still feel safe enough to go to the dentist. I called the dentist from the Bendt parking lot but got voicemail. I hate going to the dentist so I chickened out and didn't leave a message. I decided to just wait until this virus has passed and then go get it fixed.

Today things got a little more serious though. I sent this text to my dad...

Honoring My Mom for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

My mom was diagnosed with Stage IIIC ovarian cancer in early winter 1997. I remember I had been happily wrapping Christmas presents when I learned the news.  The tumor was found on a routine exam.  She had not noticed any symptoms but the tumor was the size of a baseball.  

There are only a few noticeable symptoms of ovarian cancer.  According to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, the most common symptoms are:

• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
• Feeling the need to urinate urgently or often

Other symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:

• Fatigue
• Upset stomach or heartburn
• Back pain
• Pain during sex
• Constipation or menstrual changes

Too often women don't pay attention to these symptoms and as a result, ovarian cancer is often not diagnosed until it is already in the later stages. My mom's tumor was quite large when it was discovered and had already started to spread to surrounding tissue.  She was given a 35% chance of surviving 5 years.  I am so happy to say that this year will mark her 20th year of being cancer free!

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month so the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition has a 5K walk each year in September to raise awareness and funds for research in the field of ovarian cancer.  I have participated in their walk a couple of times in the past.  In 2007, Mom had been cancer free for 10 years and I made up shirts for Nicholas and me to wear to celebrate her.

Nicholas was only 3 years old at the time.  Look how little he was!!

Nicholas was dancing and skipping and playing along the whole route but he completed the walk just fine.  He has always been a little ball of energy.  It was fun having him along to celebrate mom with me.  The shirts were extra special because not only were we celebrating Mom but I had not realized what a blessing and hope they would be for survivors there who saw them.  I had several women come up to me and talk to me about the shirts and how excited they were to hear how well mom was doing after 10 years.

Life has gotten busy and I haven't participated in the walk in 10 years.  But with this being mom's 20 year anniversary, I wanted to be sure to honor her in any way I can so I signed up to participate in the 5K walk again.  Stuart and Nicholas already had a commitment for the day of the walk but Rachel and I were excited to participate.  

I had planned to make new shirts for this walk and I bought the same t-shirt iron on transfer paper that I used last time.  But when I started to print my graphics on the paper, I realized that it wouldn't work.  The transfer paper will only work with prints from an inkjet printer and we now have only a laser printer.  A laser printer's ink is more permanent on the page so it will not transfer to the shirt when ironed.  I got in touch with a company that prints shirts but it was too late to get my custom order made in time.  

I was sad but then Stuart saved the day.  He suggested that I just use the shirt I had made 10 years ago and update it to read "20 year survivor".  It was a brilliant idea!  It took me quite a while to figure out where I had put the 2 shirts but I finally found them.  I was amazed that Nicholas' shirt fit Rachel just fine.  But she suggested we make them a little fancier so I sewed on a teal tutu to the bottom on the shirts to match the color theme for ovarian cancer awareness.  I found some embroidered teal iron on numbers to add the "20" and then just used a black Sharpie marker to draw a line through the "10". 

We updated the back of the shirt too.

The back of the shirt is always everyone's favorite.

We got up really early on Saturday morning to make it to Lone Start Park in Grand Prairie where the walk was taking place.  We were decked out in our shirts and even had matching teal nail polish!

We each received a shirt for the walk.  You wouldn't believe how many black t-shirts I already have but this one is special to me.

We had time to wander around before the walk began.  A lady offered to take this picture of us.  Thank goodness because I hate taking selfies!

There was a beautiful Corvette all jazzed up to promote ovarian cancer awareness.  On the trunk was a tribute to their loved one who was lost to ovarian cancer.

There was also a boat sponsored by the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.  How does one go about getting a sponsor deal like that?

There were snacks and cold water for everyone.  I think this was Rachel's favorite part.

There was a good sized crowd and the weather was perfect.

Rachel and I talked for most of the walk.  It was fun having her with me.....

....until she decided I wasn't moving fast enough for her.  She then turned into a stinker and started running up ahead of me and taunting me to catch up with her.

We had a good time on the walk and we were happy to help support the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition to raise funds for ovarian cancer research and promote awareness to women of what symptoms to be on the look out for.  For more information on ovarian cancer, please check out the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition website at http://ovarian.org/index.php.

Garden Yoga Cards for Kids {Review}

Rachel has been enjoying learning about yoga with these adorable Garden Yoga Cards for Kids.  The cards teach children various yoga poses by comparing the pose to something they might find in a garden like a frog, cricket, or caterpillar.

The cards come in a downloadable format so I printed four cards to a page, laminated the page, cut out the cards, and put them on a ring to help my daughter flip through them.

Rachel likes to put a towel on the ground in our back yard and work through the yoga poses. Here she is looking at the Squat Pose which is like a Frog.

She is 8 years old and had no experience with yoga before trying these cards.  She loves the connection of the poses with the garden.

The Garden Yoga Cards for Kids includes 20 yoga pose cards and 20 garden cards in a downloadable format. 

We homeschool so Rachel likes to use her Garden Yoga Cards for Kids during her school breaks.  I have noticed that the stretches and the time outdoors helps her be more relaxed and focused when she sits back down for school.

The Garden Yoga Cards may be purchased at Kids Yoga Stories for $9.95 for a digital download.  There is also an amazing book that just happens to be titled Rachel's Day in the Garden that tells a cute story using some of the Garden Yoga poses.

Bye-Bye Braces (for now)

Nicholas got his braces off today!  Here is his picture before we went in to the orthodontist's office this morning....

And here is the final result!  He is so excited.  He immediately asked to get some popcorn and bubble gum since he couldn't have those while he had the braces.

Unfortunately, this is only the end of Round 1.  There will be a Round 2 once the rest of his permanent teeth have come in. 

He also has a wayward permanent tooth that isn't coming down into its proper spot.  It can be seen on the xrays and it is possibly at too much of an angle to make its way down.  He may end up having to see an oral surgeon to fix this problem but for now we are going to give it a little more time and see if it figures out its rightful place in his mouth.