Today I'm thankful for dear friends- one in specific - who shares my Craft A.D.D.
We had her and her entire family (5 kids, one husband) over to help fix our sink and stay for dinner. In the meantime, our pipe got broken, The Oldest showed his "Fix it" prowess in getting tile off in one piece, and we made two batches of soap.
A great day overall.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Thankful..
Yesterday, I was thankful for a computer graphic video that shows me clearly and exactly how to thread my Pfaff 4852, that I'm also thankful for but working up to actually liking.
Today, whew.. I'm thankful that even though my 15 y/o is sitting at the kitchen table, breaking the rules with no shirt on, is at my table and I know where he is and that he's safe.
Today, whew.. I'm thankful that even though my 15 y/o is sitting at the kitchen table, breaking the rules with no shirt on, is at my table and I know where he is and that he's safe.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thankful..
.. today I'm thankful for my chiropractor. And for the money to pay her. And for the woman that bought three weighted blankets so I could pay my chiropractor :-)
Thursday, November 4, 2010
November Ramblings
I've been horribly neglectful of my blog. Keeping updated is one of the ways to keep alive, here on the 'net!
I'd like to join in on something that I heard mentioned in webland..
For the month of November, post something you are thankful for. Every day. Could be on Twitter or Facebook or on your blog but post.
I think of when I was younger and how I'd complain so much. Eek, embarassing to think about now! Complaining isn't good for your spirits. It just makes you feel worse. And then, if you have a friend who is the same way, it turns into a contest of who has the worst life. What???!! That's nonsense. There are so many things that are blessings in our lives. If you are a believer or not, there are wonderful things that happen each and every day that are reason to make us smile, raise our spirits and be more pleasant about.
So, give it a whirl. I'm already late but I'm going to start with four today since today is the fourth. And there are 4 easy ones :
I am thankful for
1. My husband--- ok, I'm not one of those who will tell you it's all peaches and roses but I will tell you
that I love how he'll make me tea at night. Or how he tries his very best to help out. Or
how he's NOT an alcoholic. (sounds lame but when you grew up with what I did, it's a wonderful thing )
2. My Oldest-- The Challenge of a Lifetime. Boy, does that child fire me up! But he's shown me so much. From the day he was born. I never knew how very much my mother loved me until I looked into his face. I could thank her from the bottom of my heart and know what it was like.
Beyond that, he's so smart and he's quick witted and can be the most gentle, charming old soul and I love that about him.
3. Puppy Feet-- "The baby who stayed" My baby after I'd lost 2 pregnancies. My saving grace from the moment he was born. He's a ray of light that never dims and SO flippin' funny!!!
4. Lil Lady-- The girl that Mom said I had to have. What an amazing girl-- affectionate, silly, clever,
and a great shopping pal! Our shining star.
Those are my top four things to be thankful for.
Fall is my favorite season. With it's crisp air and bright blue skies. My favorite holiday is in the fall. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to celebrate family and wonderful foods and to reflect how very thankful we are. Why not think about how thankful we are the whole month? Will you join in?
I'd like to join in on something that I heard mentioned in webland..
For the month of November, post something you are thankful for. Every day. Could be on Twitter or Facebook or on your blog but post.
I think of when I was younger and how I'd complain so much. Eek, embarassing to think about now! Complaining isn't good for your spirits. It just makes you feel worse. And then, if you have a friend who is the same way, it turns into a contest of who has the worst life. What???!! That's nonsense. There are so many things that are blessings in our lives. If you are a believer or not, there are wonderful things that happen each and every day that are reason to make us smile, raise our spirits and be more pleasant about.
So, give it a whirl. I'm already late but I'm going to start with four today since today is the fourth. And there are 4 easy ones :
I am thankful for
1. My husband--- ok, I'm not one of those who will tell you it's all peaches and roses but I will tell you
that I love how he'll make me tea at night. Or how he tries his very best to help out. Or
how he's NOT an alcoholic. (sounds lame but when you grew up with what I did, it's a wonderful thing )
2. My Oldest-- The Challenge of a Lifetime. Boy, does that child fire me up! But he's shown me so much. From the day he was born. I never knew how very much my mother loved me until I looked into his face. I could thank her from the bottom of my heart and know what it was like.
Beyond that, he's so smart and he's quick witted and can be the most gentle, charming old soul and I love that about him.
3. Puppy Feet-- "The baby who stayed" My baby after I'd lost 2 pregnancies. My saving grace from the moment he was born. He's a ray of light that never dims and SO flippin' funny!!!
4. Lil Lady-- The girl that Mom said I had to have. What an amazing girl-- affectionate, silly, clever,
and a great shopping pal! Our shining star.
Those are my top four things to be thankful for.
Fall is my favorite season. With it's crisp air and bright blue skies. My favorite holiday is in the fall. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to celebrate family and wonderful foods and to reflect how very thankful we are. Why not think about how thankful we are the whole month? Will you join in?
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Best Smoothie Recipe Ever
We love smoothies around here. They truly are a staple of ours and one of the only way The Oldest gets any fruit!
Today, The Oldest said his homework assignment was to get his Mom to make his favorite breakfast. "Mom, would you make smoothie?" Aw....
Firstly, how easy, secondly, gotta help a boy with his homework! and thirdly, we have it half the week at least anyway.
If you want a tried and true Smoothie Recipe, this is the one. I don't really understand the ones with milk as we don't make it that way so if you do, give ours a try and maybe share yours!
(note the exact measurements)
Best Smoothie Ever Recipe
1/2 the blender carafe with orange juice
1/2 a 32 oz container of vanilla yogurt (I have tried plain here or a mix, we just like it sweet)
1/2 a 16 oz bag of frozen strawberries
1-2 over ripe bananas
Blend. Pour. Enjoy!
It makes enough to barely satiate this crowd but it does refrigerate well for a day or so (never had it last more than that)
Leave a comment if you try it and let me know your thoughts!
Today, The Oldest said his homework assignment was to get his Mom to make his favorite breakfast. "Mom, would you make smoothie?" Aw....
Firstly, how easy, secondly, gotta help a boy with his homework! and thirdly, we have it half the week at least anyway.
If you want a tried and true Smoothie Recipe, this is the one. I don't really understand the ones with milk as we don't make it that way so if you do, give ours a try and maybe share yours!
(note the exact measurements)
Best Smoothie Ever Recipe
1/2 the blender carafe with orange juice
1/2 a 32 oz container of vanilla yogurt (I have tried plain here or a mix, we just like it sweet)
1/2 a 16 oz bag of frozen strawberries
1-2 over ripe bananas
Blend. Pour. Enjoy!
It makes enough to barely satiate this crowd but it does refrigerate well for a day or so (never had it last more than that)
Friday, September 17, 2010
DMK Unisex Warm Hooded Jacket
I had the thrill and honor to test a pattern for a dear woman, Karen, who designs Dear My Kids clothing patterns. I'd made another one of her creations -- Stylish Double Breasted Jacket-- and struggled with it a little. Karen helped me and was so kind. (most of my issues were due to the fit of the sleeve and my slap happy cutting which wasn't a good combo. )
Here is that one:
The Warm Hooded Jacket was another winner. I love the tips that Karen adds and the versatility of her patterns. The Warm Hooded Jacket just looks fantastic!
Ok ok, you be the judge!
Here is that one:
The Warm Hooded Jacket was another winner. I love the tips that Karen adds and the versatility of her patterns. The Warm Hooded Jacket just looks fantastic!
Ok ok, you be the judge!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Back to School
It's a long story but I'll try to make it shorter.
I never thought I would homeschool my children. I had the two boys and they went to preschool, kindergarten and all that. I was The Oldest's biggest advocate for services and try to find some answers for so many things that just didn't 'feel right'. Then, 4th grade hit (sink or swim year, I claim), he got more and more miserable. The school did nothing to protect him from a bully IN. HIS. CLASS. and he, in the end, was suicidal at age 9.
Oh yes, I'm pretty sure I can do better than that so I chose to homeschool. And if I was going to homeschool one, let's have them all stay home. At that time, Puppy Feet had just finished Kindergarten and Lil Lady was only, well, little.
It was a huge journey. Where to begin? What style to use? How do we make this work? What support systems can we find? How can we make a wintry holiday season of this stuck at home? All of that and much, much more. We found a grove and, most days, it was neat. Kind of a lack luster word, I know but it was. Watching my kids learn, right from the start, seeing concepts click, sharing wonderful experiences with friends.. honestly, motherhood doesn't get better than that.
The Oldest still had his struggles. In the 4 1/2 years he was home he was diagnosed with so many things. Medically and emotionally. The poor guy can't catch a break. Really. But having him home, knowing him so closely and *not* giving him up for 6+ hours a day to someone else helped. Sure, we butted heads. That's not ever going to change, we're too much alike but seeing him soften and getting hugs from him when I'd lost him by 4th grade.. Well, I'm sure you can understand.
Puppy Feet-- what can't I tell you about this boy. He was the "Baby who stayed" after 2 miscarriages and I didn't put him down for a year, I tell you. My slice of sanity when there was none left. My playful little crazy guy that can always make me smile. I get to keep him?! He can stay home and I can enjoy him MYSELF? It was terrific. Letting him learn things on his *own* timetable, when he was ready and when it was so easy for him.. what a gift to give him.
Yet now, going back to school at 11 years old when he never really did before is a little daunting. For both him and me. It didn't matter than he didn't learn to tie his shoes until his sister almost learned before him. But schools don't understand that. So now, he's a bit behind, jumping to catch up and the schools think we sat around and drooled on ourselves for 5 years. Ask me how hard *that* pill was to swallow. They'll see. They'll see that Puppy Feet is brilliant socially. People *want* to be around him, *want* to please him and *want* to be his friend. No, just because we homeschooled doesn't mean he needs afterschool care to 'socialize', thanks anyway. And, let them see how my wonderful boy is ready and will snap up all that information they have for him and show all doubters (family and 'friends' included) that being homeschooled didn't hold him back but RAISED. HIM. UP. You show them, R!
And my Lil Lady. My Little Princess who isn't so much a princess anymore. (not with tutus and crowns anyway but still the expectations of one!) What does she think of all this? At 7, she really didn't 'miss much' school by entering now. Is she happy that she gets to go to school and not have the stigma my second son has? Or does she look at how brilliantly my oldest has done and say "I can do that too!"? I don't get the chance to guide her like I did with Puppy Feet when it comes to catty girls or exclusive groups or learning too much about adult things too young. I had a chance to stop all that with The Oldest and it never started with Puppy Feet. What happens to her?
So all in all, I'll miss the wonderful opportunities I had to learn with my children. Seeing a hermit crab change shells one day with them was outstanding! Moments like that are too many to number. But I am trying to keep my chin up. The Oldest has done fantastic. I know the choice with him was right and it was easier but he's in high school now. I need to have faith that the foundation I've laid with my two younger will always remain. Even when they are out of the home 6 hours a day.
I keep trying to tell myself that anyway. I miss you two already. <3
I never thought I would homeschool my children. I had the two boys and they went to preschool, kindergarten and all that. I was The Oldest's biggest advocate for services and try to find some answers for so many things that just didn't 'feel right'. Then, 4th grade hit (sink or swim year, I claim), he got more and more miserable. The school did nothing to protect him from a bully IN. HIS. CLASS. and he, in the end, was suicidal at age 9.
Oh yes, I'm pretty sure I can do better than that so I chose to homeschool. And if I was going to homeschool one, let's have them all stay home. At that time, Puppy Feet had just finished Kindergarten and Lil Lady was only, well, little.
It was a huge journey. Where to begin? What style to use? How do we make this work? What support systems can we find? How can we make a wintry holiday season of this stuck at home? All of that and much, much more. We found a grove and, most days, it was neat. Kind of a lack luster word, I know but it was. Watching my kids learn, right from the start, seeing concepts click, sharing wonderful experiences with friends.. honestly, motherhood doesn't get better than that.
The Oldest still had his struggles. In the 4 1/2 years he was home he was diagnosed with so many things. Medically and emotionally. The poor guy can't catch a break. Really. But having him home, knowing him so closely and *not* giving him up for 6+ hours a day to someone else helped. Sure, we butted heads. That's not ever going to change, we're too much alike but seeing him soften and getting hugs from him when I'd lost him by 4th grade.. Well, I'm sure you can understand.
Puppy Feet-- what can't I tell you about this boy. He was the "Baby who stayed" after 2 miscarriages and I didn't put him down for a year, I tell you. My slice of sanity when there was none left. My playful little crazy guy that can always make me smile. I get to keep him?! He can stay home and I can enjoy him MYSELF? It was terrific. Letting him learn things on his *own* timetable, when he was ready and when it was so easy for him.. what a gift to give him.
Yet now, going back to school at 11 years old when he never really did before is a little daunting. For both him and me. It didn't matter than he didn't learn to tie his shoes until his sister almost learned before him. But schools don't understand that. So now, he's a bit behind, jumping to catch up and the schools think we sat around and drooled on ourselves for 5 years. Ask me how hard *that* pill was to swallow. They'll see. They'll see that Puppy Feet is brilliant socially. People *want* to be around him, *want* to please him and *want* to be his friend. No, just because we homeschooled doesn't mean he needs afterschool care to 'socialize', thanks anyway. And, let them see how my wonderful boy is ready and will snap up all that information they have for him and show all doubters (family and 'friends' included) that being homeschooled didn't hold him back but RAISED. HIM. UP. You show them, R!
And my Lil Lady. My Little Princess who isn't so much a princess anymore. (not with tutus and crowns anyway but still the expectations of one!) What does she think of all this? At 7, she really didn't 'miss much' school by entering now. Is she happy that she gets to go to school and not have the stigma my second son has? Or does she look at how brilliantly my oldest has done and say "I can do that too!"? I don't get the chance to guide her like I did with Puppy Feet when it comes to catty girls or exclusive groups or learning too much about adult things too young. I had a chance to stop all that with The Oldest and it never started with Puppy Feet. What happens to her?
So all in all, I'll miss the wonderful opportunities I had to learn with my children. Seeing a hermit crab change shells one day with them was outstanding! Moments like that are too many to number. But I am trying to keep my chin up. The Oldest has done fantastic. I know the choice with him was right and it was easier but he's in high school now. I need to have faith that the foundation I've laid with my two younger will always remain. Even when they are out of the home 6 hours a day.
I keep trying to tell myself that anyway. I miss you two already. <3
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