DIY No Sew Boot Trees

When your expensive boots limply fall over in the closet, they are exposing themselves to more abuse with other shoes carelessly getting deposited on top, say your 3 sons' soccer cleats. My sister showed me a set boot trees she bought and I wondered why I don't have a pair for every one of my boots. Why doesn't every one? How can I mass produce without sewing? I saw you could cut a pool noodle and put them in...but let's make them look nice.

Supplies for 2 sets of boot trees:

1 pool noodle 

1/2 yard of fabric (I used 42"ish quilting cotton fabric) Note: Vertical prints seem look better than horizontal. I experimented with a number of fabrics that you can see in last picture. 

Felt

4 Dryer Sheets (to smell nice)

4 Ribbon cut into 18" lengths (Grosgrain is preferred here)

Glue (I used a hot glue gun)

Measuring Tape

Iron 

Serrated knife

Scissors

1. Cut your noodle into 4 equal parts with a serrated knife. The noodles I used were standard $1 store, ~56", so I was cutting them to 13.5". If the last piece was longer, I trimmed it to be the same size. 

2. Cut your folded fabric into two 9- 9.5" sections. Then cut in half on the folded line. You should have 4 equal sections. 

3. Use the noodle and trace circle onto felt. Cut out 4. This will cover the bottom of the boot tree. 

4. Fold over the top salvage end of the fabric 2.5-3" and iron.  Open flap up. Then fold a 3/4-1" edge inward and iron.

5. Assembly! Place a dryer sheet in middle of your fabric. 

Place your cut noodle so that 1-2" are left at the bottom. 

Put a continuous strip of glue on the ironed seam, close to the folded edge, from the bottom of fabric (on left) to before the folded over, top portion (on the right). Roll it up tightly and hold together until cool/dry. You don't want to glue the folded over, top portion (on right) together just yet. 

6. Fold bottom edges like a present and glue down. 

7. Glue on round felt. 

8. Now look at the top. I tucked the Unfinished edge into the ironed seam and secured with a dot of glue. 

9. Tie top with ribbon and trim edges. Voila!

At this time of year, I could only buy a case of noodles to the delight of my kids, who have been using them as long weapons. So, I made them for all my kids' female teachers and friends for a holiday gift! 

Xuan, Quan, Tu?

After we vascilated to name JT Tuan or Tu, we decided Xuan, Quan, Tuan was too much and went for Tu. Last week, JT informed us he wanted 4 letters in his middle name like his brothers. Oh well.  

Infinity scarf longer than JT

Cousin Katie was surfing Pinterest and sent me a couple ideas. She asked me to make an infinity scarf that could wrap around 3 times. After getting to the 2nd row, my hook broke, so I pulled it apart and started over, using a bigger hook. The stitch didn't look the same as a picture we so I pulled it apart and tried a different stitch. It still didn't look right, so I pulled it apart again and used a larger hook...so, many tries later...Success! 

I used a N (8mm) hook instead of the J hook. 

Here's my first pattern write up...

Supplies:

5 Skeins of yarn (the one I used is pictured below, available at JoAnn's)

N Hook

3/4 in sheer organza ribbon, same length as finished scarf

Row 1: Chain on as many as you want...I didn't count, just wrapped it around my neck 3 times. It is about 8 feet. 

Rows 2-28 (or so): Turn, Single Crochet into 2nd stitch. Single crochet all the way across...turn and repeat. The width was about 8-9 inches. 

Bind off. 

Match ends. (You can twist scarf, but I didn't.) Use ribbon and lace ends together. Tie a bow with excess. 

Done!

Election Day

I vote today to honor my parents, who fled a country that suppressed their rights, who came to this country with only hope, for all the men and women who ensured our safety on that journey, and who continue to provide us with this opportunity. I may be one voice, but I live the American Dream everyday. Election Day is one of my favorites.

Patience and Pho

There are many things that you will strive to do faster. However, there are things that can't be rushed...Pho is one of them. No matter how much you want it, before the 4th hour of cooking, all you will have is beefy water. Time and consideration help deepen the broth. And all the time you took to make it is so worth it. We have been feeding you boys pho since you were babies. You all know the components, but it will take time for you to master it. And I can't wait for you to make your first vat. 

Playing with Fire

Dad watched this TED Talk titled "5 Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Child Do." The message was "The most effective way to keep children safe is o give them a little taste of danger." 

http://youtu.be/NXhddUqNNjo

So this weekend, we played with fire. 

Chess and ice cream

Yesterday, Jaxon scored!!! And to celebrate, we had dinner at Sushi Station with dessert at Oberweis. 

Blood Moon

I love that you all love science. After talking last night with Jaiden about the Blood Moon/Lunar eclipse, I woke up at 5am. Watch Jaiden gasp with excitement and seeing Jaxon jump out of bed to see it made me happy today. 

Shooting Stars and hot chocolate

At 5:30, I woke up, but forced myself back to sleep...at 5:50, I was startled awake by quiet "MOMMY!" And Jaxon's face next to me. It was the Orionids meteor shower and we had great clear morning skies to catch a few shooting stars. I'd never seen one and as much as Jaxon scared the crap out of me, it was so endearing to see him wake up the whole house so we could all experience it together. So in the dark of this chilly 42 degree morning, we wandered out side and saw 2 shooting stars and 2 quickly moving "stars". We used my app to identify constellation and when the sky lightened and the stars dimmed, we went inside for hot chocolate. That's what made me happy today. 

Remembering to document everyday moments

I know I am not good at taking the time to write, otherwise, my book would have been written by now. I was feeling like I have to say something insightful or meaningful or thoughtful in this blog, and that is what was hampering the progress before. I have to keep reminding myself that this is about remembering and celebrating what made me happy everyday. Many times it is just a simple moment that makes me smile or appreciate life in this family. 

This is what made me happy yesterday...Miss Morgan cutting your hair on her driveway. A friend helping out another friend. 

Successes on and off the field

This weekend, Jaiden had a win and a loss, Jaxon won and JT won. We love watching you guys play. I love seeing you enjoy the game because none of you scored, but aided your teams to win. Winning isn't always about the person who found the back of the net, but of the work to get the ball up the field, past the opposing players to your teammate. 

I have seen you display the same humility and joy in school and playing with your friends. You make me proud to have you on any team. It is our job to continue to teach you to respect anyone involved with giving you the opportunities you have to succeed. 

Reading

It was always important to me that I read to you at bedtime. I wanted you to discover books sooner than I did. 

I don't know how it started. I was NOT a good reader. When I started working, I read the paper and some books on the train. I was invited to a book club in the city and I think that was the accelerant. Daddy thinks I read too much, sometimes to the detriment of our relationship. But I read to feel beyond myself. Everyday, I feel love, happiness, annoyance, frustration, joy...but I don't feel that angst of youth, of FALLING in love, of tumultuous regret. The extremes of emotion because they stem from new adventures and actions that I wouldn't do or take now. So I read and my heart hurts, and sings, and laughs, and breaks, and ponders...in the safety of our home. When you feel the fullest extent of an emotion, it is probably a reaction to an event that either will cripple you or change your life. I like our life and don't really want my heart broken, but I want extreme joy. So we live day to day. Mostly Happy. And reading to empathize. 

12 yrs on...

Today, Daddy and I came to our twelfth anniversary. In those years, we bought a house, Daddy grew the business 10-20% each year and expanded into China, I built a program to help college students find jobs from 50 to over 200 students, but most importantly, we had 3 great kids. We are so fortunate to be your parents. We know we don't get it right a lot, but we try as hard as we can and stay humble. We are learning as you learn. We try to teach you what we know, but soon you will be teaching us. We are both happy and apprehensive about that. I just hope you remember that we are smart too. 

Family Vacations

For years, Daddy's family was going up to Green Lake. We took a break, but were so happy to be able to take you guys there. I loved watching Jaiden try to ski, Jaxon try to surf, and JT going along for all the rides. Building sand castles, fishing, and swimming. That's what a summer vacation is about. 

Amber

When certain songs come on, I get visceral, emotional reactions. Amber by 311 makes me just happy, sedate, and calm. Just after our honeymoon, your dad and I were in FL driving from Orlando to Bradenton to visit Bac Chi. Amber came on and we sung it at the top of our lungs. When the chorus came, daddy lovingly changed it from "Amber is the color of your energy" to "Amber is the color of your inner Chi." It makes me smile every time I hear the song. I told Jaiden about it last night and he changed the lyric to "Amber is the color of my inner pee." So now I have something else to laugh about. 

http://youtu.be/SUFSB2plwzM 

Starting School

It is bittersweet to see JT off to Kindergarten. I was anxious but happy. We talk about how time is accelerating and this is one where we can't wait for the next step, but are trying to hold onto each day. 

A life outside our family

Today, while shopping for back to school stuff at Target, we ran into 2 of the Theatre Camp counselors. I realized just how much your lives are going to seep away from us. You already have school friends, soccer friends, and now summer friends. You have inside jokes, and codes, and giggles that I don't understand, and sometimes don't want to. (Why would they think you were affiliated with the CIA?) Your smile is sly and mischievous. Your demeanor is confident. You are standing in your own social circles. 

And I am happy. We want people to see in you what we see in you. The flip side is that we have to share you with more and more people. Please know we will always love you and be the ones who were your first circle. 

Family Vacations

This past week, we bought a boat. 

It wasn't cheap. Daddy and I discussed this over years, but got really serious when he said he wanted an activity to do with the family. Daddy works to provide us with a beautiful house, food, soccer, and other experiences. However, he doesn't have a chance to enjoy it with us.  It was unfair for him to have only one time a year, skiing, where he feels true joy with his family. 

Any given day, I am able to see the best and worse parts of parenting. But I am around you more. Daddy rarely gets those longer times of just fun. He doesn't get to sit in the pool or run around a park with his kids. We are realizing how fast our three boys are growing. We want this family to continue in pursuits that are engaging and will make you want to vacation with us in the future. 

We want more time...and that is something we won't get. 

Lasting Relationships

Over time, some friends will be more significant than others. Some will be more present than others. You have to decide who you want to give your time to, who will respect and appreciate the attention you give them. Yes, there are social interactions that will not amount to any memorable experience, and you will spend time with people who are fun, but those relationships are not substantial. Then, there are friends who you will not talk to for months, and it will be like no time passed. 

Yesterday, I spoke to 2 friends who live out of state and drove to the airport, to pick up one, in town for work. This week, a great friend, who I don't see or talk to much, came to visit. The time spent with those friends grounds me, and gives me an opportunity to enrich my conversations with daddy. They make me happy to engage and learn about their challenges. They are sounding boards for me. Discussions this week went from managing personal insecurities, to parenting, to developing young college graduates, to ridding yourself of selfish people, to having fun in the bedroom, to negotiation tactics. 

You will hear me talk about my "best friends" and I am blessed to have many who I am close with, specifically Uncle L, Uncle Tom, Mrs. Beth Snider, and Mrs./Aunt Michelle, all of which I have known for over 20 years. But there are others, like Ms. Mary in ATL, who I've known for 5 yrs and has become a true and close friend. Your Bac Chi and Bac Huong are my dear sisters. And Daddy, well, he is the one friend closest to my heart. 

So when you are looking at your friends, think about who moves you forward, who helps you in your decisions, who ushers you through challenges, who will let you feel vulnerable, who will make you see your shit and not let you get away with it. Your friends will be smarter than you, more talented than you, more compelling than you. But you are all those things to them too. 

Bac Huong and Bac Chi in town for my birthday, Jan 2014.

Uncle Tom, Senior Year. May 1994

Aunt Michelle, 1998.

Mrs. Beth Snider, 1999. 

Ms. Tammy and Ms. Mary, Mexico 2014. 

August 2012