What's a girl to do? Well- A vacation in a sunny spot would be nice.... but with pending college costs and thread-bare furniture... that just isn't a priority right now... so- instead- a little alternative medicine: The Kauni Cure. I ordered 4 balls of Kauni Yarn from Little Knits. It arrived and I've been winding it and playing with swatching. My plan is to knit the "Autumn Cardigan" Designed by Ruth Sorensen. Since I was once asked by a teen girl whether I was "goth" because I wear so much black.... it is safe to say these colors are a streeeeeeetch for me. But- at this time of the year- a little drastic color therapy is necessary. The Kauni is a true Shetland style wool. Very sheepy (read has bits of grass etc) and well not the softest thing ever, although I understand it softens up quite a bit after a nice long soak. This project is all about color- so we'll forgive the feel for now. This will include- "steeking" which involves taking a scissors to finished knitting and a number of other techniques that I haven't tried yet. Really--- I have no clue whether I can knit this or not- it may be entirely past my skill set. But- hey it's only yarn, it's only knitting- and Pushing Daisies won't be back until next year... I have to do something while my family watches "Don't forget the Lyrics" , "Deal or no Deal" (which I just can't stand , as no one wins and it's dumb luck.... no challenge no play-along-ability of yelling out answers or ANYTHING) and American Idol (which is sometimes ok, sometimes annoying- but not bad background music for knitting;) So- as a cure for the winter yuks, I'll be starting this sweater this weekend..... a fresh adventure to beat the winter blahs.... or a major knitterly crisis of identity--- who knows? Either way- should be fun to watch--- unless you want to join me in a little Kauni Cure- and knit along! Labels: autumn cardigan, colorwork, Kauni, knitting, scary, steeking
The weather has been YUK... Everyone here has been sick. Even the dog is sick of winter and she LOVES the snow. I've tried brighter light bulbs, looking at beach pic's (which just make me miss the beach) and denial. But-nothing is working. Like it or not- it's here-(and it's grey) the Winter doldrums. DUM DUM DUM.
For some of us- the most direct route is NOT a straight line... or is it? You can click todays post at Laced with Grace to find out;) We're battling bugs left and right here- at this time of year- Lysol is my Raid. Labels: devotions, flu season, snow day
Labels: Maya Angelou, What is a Christian? devotionsSomeone recently asked me about my faith.... A "What are you?" Kind of question... my answer was lame--- this is what I wished I'd said.... (well- with a little less dramatic flair than Maya--- - I'm definitely no Maya, couldn't carry it off;)BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER By Maya Angelou'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin'' I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect, My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heart aches, so I call upon His name.When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!As far as the pox that is upon us (the sickness going through the house) .... we're recovering (or taking turns being sick- I suppose.... one after another.... regardless of how many things I sanitize... I think my nasal passages are permanently scarred from Lysol. ) ... + I'm currently down with another hormonal migraine:( HATE that. I forgot to link to my post at Laced With Grace on Saturday--- please pop over for a devotional visit!
Labels: welcome to flu season, what to do with sick kids
The phrase "Dropping like flies" seems to fit for my family this week. Dropping with various viral/bacterial infections, that is.
Middle Son- did not return to school until today, and I fully expect the school nurse to be calling at any moment- to go pick him up. Youngest son, now has a fever and has been laying around all day. Spin the wheel and we'll see who's next. The oldest? Me? DH? The dog??? Round and round she goes--- where she stops- the nose must blow!
The oldest rarely gets sick- he just complains about everyone else "faking it." (hard to fake a fever... but you knpw- he's the oldest- they always complain... ;)
We've a few rules about sick-days:
1) If you're too sick for school- you are too sick for video games. (Mostly for the big boys)
2) If you're sick.... you're pretty much spoiled. Soup? Cocoa? Patting or be left alone? You got it.
3) If mom is sick- not much changes. (I think that's a universal rule of mothering... however- last week I was down with a migraine- and actually went to be early... that's a pretty rare occurance!)
So- what do you do when you're kids are sick? With the youngest- it's a jammie/cuddle/pick the carrots out of my chicken soup kind of day... (I usually make him pick them out himself... why DOES Campbells keep putting carrots in their chicken and stars soup????? Are there any kids that eat them??? Is there some kind of farmer/Campbells conspiracy??:)
Hope the flu- hasn't hit you!
Will update when I'm not picking carrots out of soup....;)
Labels: "Body of Work", Christine Montross, knitting, Pirates Who Don't Do Anything, Veggie Tales
I just finished Body of Work, by Christine Montross.
The writing is fluent, full of both emotion and fact. (Something usually hard to balance.) It details a med-student's experience with her "assigned donor cadaver" in the anatomy lab. I found it offered great insight into the "making of a doctor."
The book delves into the history of scientific exploration of the body, as well as into our cultures experiences and perspectives on death, and the body, in general. It is quite descriptive, so the squeamish may struggle through this one.. However- as I admit I pass out over injections and need to be medicated for dental visits...the writing style keep me from losing it. A wonderful, insightful read that was intriguing and well done.
I look forward to reading more of Christine Montross' writing.
- the small print disclaimer: this book is not written from a Christian perspective... but that doesn't mean it didn't have some spiritual meaning to me;)
Now-for something entirely different- another review: (we go from one extreme to another here...)
Veggie Tales new movie: The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything
I will preface this by saying:
We love Veggie Tales.
Noah and Dad set out to see this movie on a "daddy date". Noah left the theater 3 times during the movie- "cause he was scared." He came back in because he " loves Veggie Tales and wanted to see the new movie".
Noah's review of the new movie was this: "I never thought Id be scared of a Veggie Tales Movie." Shaking his head in disbelief. There were scenes in the movie that may not bother some little guys- but bothered mine. (The cheeto's that turned into toothy worms, and sword stabbing's in particular, did him in) My DH didn't find anything objectionable about the movie- but found it a little more "intense" than what we've come to expect from Veggie Tales. (I replied it was a Pirate Movie.... so some pirating was to be expected...) I suppose my guys just assumed Veggie Tales could do Pirates without scariness.
I'd still recommend this one- as it may not bother other kiddo's- but if your's are very sensitive this one may not be for you. (Although, my guy watches the generally accepted age- appropriate cartoons and likes fighting and bad guys getting busted as much as the next guy- so I was surprised by his strong reaction to this.) There is so little decent media content ,that I want every movie that's appropriate for young ones to be well attended. and make the $ that will assure future clean movies... but- as a Mom- I also want to offer you a caution:
Where Pirates abound, some fear, could be found;) Arrrg.
Knitting:
Working on:
Mittens but currently madly finishing a pair of my hubby's favorite slippers (his do not have fun fur trim:) for Valentines day... better get back to work..... can't give them to him soggy wet from felting... (well- I CAN and I may if I have too! and he'll love them and me, anyways!... or rue the day he asked for more slippies!)
I picked my outfits carefully. I matched shoes and bags. I researched and learned the language of the country I was planning to move to. My guidebooks and insider tip books were dogeared, underlined and packed to go. I had learned the history and political environment of my new homeland. The tools necessary for my survival and comfort, were packed. Everything ready, I counted down to my departure. Labels: mothering, random domesticity
Excited, nervous and a little nauseaus, I boarded my (very bumpy flight) and made it to my destination. Exhausted, I waited at baggage check. All I wanted was to get settled in.
Around and around the luggage carrier went- I saw all kinds of luggage passing me by.... suitcases that looked like mine, but weren't. Duffles like those I'd left at home...But not mine. I stood there long after the last bag was gone. Watching.
Normally- I can roll with most punches. My view is- whatever I forget or lose in travel- can be bought/replaced on arrival. (I'll tell you about trying to find a strapless bra in Germany. Let's just say, I don't speak German, but now know: Busten halter. )
But this wasn't just any trip. This was my voyage to Motherhood. Not a vacation- but a serious life move. And when I arrived? All that packing and preparing? Somehow it didn't arrive when I did. After a bumpy pregnancy, I arrived at motherhood exhausted, travel worn and completely unprepared. Like a traveler who packed "heavy" only to find her luggage lost- I was in trouble.
Yes, I'd read the books. (just about all of them, I swear!) I even had experience with children. But none of it prepared me for motherhood. The "insider guides" (all those Mom written and full of wisdom books) left out so much. The "language in 30 minutes a day" (books by professionals who gave me opposing advice in every book) .....well- they didn't cover the universal baby language of crying. (Mine or the babies;)
After a bumpy pregnancy I arrived exhausted, travel worn and busier than I'd ever been, and completely un-prepared.
Luckily- I was met by a welcome wagon. New to the "mothering neighborhood" I found a group- MOPS International, that helped me fill my new life with the skills, tools and support I needed.
Nobody had all the answers... (a few may have thought they did- but that's just part of being Moms) But together--- we figured it out, got through it and grew. Meeting after meeting...year after year... speaker after speaker convention after convention... slowly my suitcase full of preparations was more than replaced.
It even started overflowing. I still don't have all the answers, (Still think I do sometimes... but my kids are quick to point out the truth.) but I don't feel totally unprepared anymore.
Even when change comes- I know I'll have help. Like for the next phase of mothering I'm quickly entering, there are always other women who've been there- done that- and now proudly wear the t-shirt ready to help the next Mom survive! (You can call me multi-tasking/ multi-phase mom... I have one getting ready for college in the fall, and one going to first grade.. as well as a middle child who'd gladly point out that he is listed last....) we are all about change around here...including my entering my *gasp* forties!
I've never been here before--- but other moms have. And- at MOPS....I know I'll be able to pull on them for support through this too!
If you're a mom- and feel like your luggage didn't arrive at mothering when you did..... you're not alone. And you're welcome to come to MOPS, for a cup of coffee, a little encouragement and a bit of suitcase re-packing;)
(MOPS is an International Support group for Mothers of Preschoolers... please stop by the website and find a local group to be involved with!)
Labels: charity knitting, knit michigan, ravelry
Momma's day off;)
Yes- it happens once in a great while. Saturday was "Knit Michigan" so I took the day to do a little fibery goofing off, for a cause.
There was shopping, and knitting and meeting fellow Ravelry members. (See the group pics)
Knit Michigan is an even hosted to raise funds for a number of local cancer related charities. Knitters were encouraged to bring "Chemo Caps" a huge pile were donated;) As well as $.
A great day- I'm planning on going next year too;)
I met so many great knitters! Here are just a few:
Tanya
Russelmomma
Frottez-
RedfordPhyl-
There was knitting, spinning, classes, shopping, great people and food... the bases were certainly covered;) A terrfic day off!
Today is my day to post over at "Laced With Grace" Pop in for a visit!
