The Kohlmans

Sometimes, I feel frustrated. Sometimes, I feel lost. Sometimes, I feel lonely. Sometimes, I feel insignificant. Sometimes, I feel like I don't know how to feel. And then, I always feel grateful that I got to marry my best friend, because, without him, I might feel these things usually, or always, instead of just sometimes.  "God gave me you for the ups and downs. God gave me you for the days of doubt. And when I think I lost my way there are no words here left to say, it's true. God gave me you." Is this unnecessarily mushy or a downer? Maybe. But I don't care. It's true, and if this blog isn't to record what's been going on in all aspects of life, then I don't know what it's for...

Well, I opened up my browser today and realized that none of my favorite bloggers have updated in the last few days. I thought, They really should update... How else am I supposed to stay entertained?!  Then I realized that this is probably what other people (Hi, Grandma!) think about me updating my blog. So here ya go! Despite the fact that my posts might make it seem that way, headbands are not the only thing I've been sewing lately. I made a cute little reusable snack bag for a coworker who gave me the pattern. I'm still waiting on the final verdict (size, and whether the lining needs to be something other than cotton) before I make more. But I most likely will make more. It took hardly any time at all... and would have taken less if I had the right velcro. I also made myself a new school bag out of some fat quarters. It has three pockets inside, one of which is divided for pens/pencils/etc... Yes, it's my second one so far this year. No, there's not anythin...

Thanks to all who entered. I loved the random facts. The winner of the headband give away (courtesy of random.org's random number generator).... Comment #2: Stacey said... It was good to see you tonite : ) Stacey - either comment on this post or facebook me or e-mail me to let me know which one you'd like. (The one second from the top does have flowers on it - they just blend in since it's monochromatic.) And this is great for Stacey because I don't have to ship it (just bring it to church), so she might have it sometime in the next month. :) You should all know that, thanks to your encouragement (and other random comments from others I know and Brad's enthusiasm), I'm tentatively planning to have a "booth" at my church's craft bazaar in 2012 (November) with headbands and a few other projects I'm experimenting with. I definitely don't have time to stock up for this year's, but if I set that goal for 14 months from now, it mig...

The most fascinating thing about these headbands is that you have time to make them. I would like to request an upcoming entry on time management. -Hannah Time management... Well, I hate to burst anyone's image of me as a totally with-it, especially if it's my sister's. Truth be told, the headbands don't take long to make. I do it in steps over the course of a couple of weeks, stealing time here and there. But it's not so much that I manage time as I desperately try to grasp at it as each day slips away. I get up at 5:15 a.m. Five days a week - every day I work. It sounds early, I know. And to tell you the truth, I've never been a morning person... you can ask my mom. Or pretty much anyone I've ever lived with. The funny thing is, though, now that I'm getting up so early, I'm more awake the rest of the day. As an added bonus, I sleep better at night, too. Who knew?! All I needed to feel more rested was to get up earlier. And, honestly, I ...

Well, faithful blog readers, I've decided it's time. Time for a give away. I've mentioned a few times before that I am getting carried away with this headband stuff. You'd think I was stocking an etsy store or something. (Which I'm not. I'd have to think of a name that doesn't suck. I'm not creative like that. And I'd have to ship things in a timely manner... my sister's birthday present (from August 31st) is still on my piano. I gave my other sister her present last Tuesday when I saw her in person. My name is Megan, and I have  a problem with getting to the post office.) So I need to give some away. To win a headband of your choice (I will post a picture with all the options when I announce the winner), comment on this post by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21... tell me how you found my blog or ask me a question or tell me a random fact. For an additional entry, "follow" my blog publicly by clicking the "join thi...

I've been up to a lot of random things today. Brad's gone fishin'. Literally. So I'm trying to be productive. So far, pretty good... I got groceries, took the recycling, ran other errands, did four loads of laundry, ironed, baked bread, sewed some headbands (I may be getting carried away with these), picked up, consolidated/confiscated clutter (I'm down to one box of wrapping supplies and one drawer of crafty/scrapbook stuff - which obviously doesn't include sewing supplies/fabric)... Thursday's sunrise at school. I also finished a paper this morning. It's due tomorrow. I'm not sure I've ever procrastinated like that before... I'm not behind, but I feel like I am because I'm not ahead. Maybe I shouldn't admit that. It makes me sound like a nerd. (I have to admit, I sure haven't put any effort into getting ahead this semester. I'm just working to stay on top of things. That's okay, right?!) I'm constantly in searc...

"We Carry On" Tim McGraw He hasn't seen a drop of rain for months it seems Rollin' river is nothing but a trickling stream The crops are dying in the harsh sunlight The dust on his tongue is dry The fatted calf is down to skin and bones We carry on ... And we carry on When our lives come undone We carry on Cause there's promise in the morning sun We carry on As the dark surrenders to the dawn We were born to overcome We carry on

I'm starting a new "series." It will be irregular and will depend solely on my Grandpa Melvin. I'm calling it Melvinisms, because he says hilarious things. You can read his comments about our dog here . Seriously... last night I laughed until I cried at this one: My mom was talking about their church's 200th anniversary celebration (of being a church, from the old country to the new, not of being a church in America). My grandpa lamented that he had missed one part because he was still in the cemetery. My mom asked, "Were there still a lot of people out there?" My grandpa thought about it... Dad interjected with, "Well, I'd hope so. I hope they're not climbing up out of the graves." Grandpa just had to add, "Eh... I pushed 'em back in."

Once upon a time, a long time ago, I went to Kansas City with friends. The day before the Warrior Dash we went shopping and found some really cute headbands in a store... But they were $20. That's kind of a lot of money... ...for something I could make myself... ...in whatever colors I want (and have in my scrap drawers)... in less than 30 minutes... I even put my own spin on them and made three different designs. So there's my new little craft project. It's pretty therapeutic. Who knew sewing could be so relaxing?! I usually have to rip out a few seams, but not so far with these little pretties (knock on wood). So far I've finished six. And worn two - one time each. I have several more that are waiting for flowers and leaves. And I plan to make more when I have some spare time (whatever that is). I may have gotten a little carried away... So who wants one?!

Every other Tuesday, for half of our language arts block, I take my students to the library. Our librarian teaches them a lesson, which could be anything from how to find library materials to a standards-based lesson. Then, they get to check out books and read on the couches. Today was library day. I've always loved my library days, but this year they seem to be even more special. I feel like I'm becoming a respected reader to them, through read aloud, reading during their time to read, commenting on what they read, and giving book talks to the class. I've slowly added to this list throughout the years, and I finally feel like I'm "getting there." Of course, as soon as I get there, I'll figure something else out. (Because I hear that when you "get there," it's time to get out.) This year I added something new... After reading through interest surveys, parent questionnaires, and reading surveys, I came up with a personalized book recomme...

We're nothing short of lucky to get to spend time at my grandparents' cabin on Beaver Lake in Arkansas. I've been there most summers of my life. This summer we couldn't make it down because of classes, but we nabbed a reservation for Labor Day weekend. We even took Friday off work (what rebels!) This weekend was amazing... relaxing... peaceful... quiet... We enjoyed a Northwest Arkansas Naturals game, a little fried chicken on the way down, fishing, some classwork (for me), and even a little grading (but as Brad said, "I'd rather grade papers here than anywhere else.").  I know this picture is in the collage, but here's the view from the cabin's patio. And here's the view from the dock to the end of the cove. This was probably my favorite moment of the weekend - pure dumb luck that I was able to drop my book (onto the dock, not into the water) and grab my camera in time... and even more luck that the settings were good to go and the ...