Noah kept insisting that he was as tall as I am. So to settle the matter, we headed into the kitchen to the door jam that doesn't lie. First me...5'3 1/2? When did I loose an inch? Ok, so maybe I always lifted my heels up just a bit at the Dr.'s office...I'm comin' clean.
Then Noah...5'3 3/8....when did THAT happen?
6/10/2009
Our High-Tech Height Chart
6/08/2009
A Day to Blog About
Oh, I admit it...I haven't been blogging nearly as much as I used to...I need to feel inspired. Well, today has most certainly been one of those days that inspires...hmm...is that the right word? I guess if you have a blank canvas, speckle with BBQ sauce, smear with Comet, sprinkle on some salt, grab a bag of grass, mud and a rock and stick that somewhere, hold it ("it" being the canvas)under a downspout during a rain storm, sprinkle (no, remove cap and dump) more salt...well you get the picture...ba dum bump....get it...picture?...canvas??
Oh, I need a martini! Is it bedtime yet?
Here we go...one at a time.
Noah...pretty non-descript day until Steven found one of his latest works of art. Geez...are all tween boys as obsessed with...um...well, I know they're at the age where they're curious. Let me tell you...we're on top of it though.
~Aside~ Just glanced out the window and spotted Oliver running across the back yard carrying shovels full of dirt back and forth. Forth to where and for what? Do I really want to know...naaa...just keep typing Jill. And I'm also going to ignore what Linus is doing in the kitchen. I can tell it involves the heap of plastic shopping bags...yes, I know they're NOT toys, children can suffocate, yadda, yadda. As long as I still hear them rustling he's ok...breathing at least.
So we're on top of it...yes! We have responsible, mature discussions...they come and ask questions...we do more than give them anatomical, medical terminology and send them on their way...we do...we do. The picture was hideous, and I don't just mean artistically. I can take that, just give me an apology, say you won't do it again...is that too much to ask? Evidentally, yes! He proceeds to blame it on Peter, who's right next to him, and is quick to disagree. Uhh...we know the difference in their writing and their drawing. Asking who did it was STRICTLTY a formality. Finally Noah says that "maybe" he did draw it, but can't remember. Are we stupid? Enough!
Peter immediately jumps in as the "good son" as soon as Noah is sent to his room. After dinner, volunteered to help clean up, asked if there was anything he could do for me. Hey...I'm no fool...I put him to work, but was easy on him. He watched Linus for me while I got the dishes done. No easy task really, because Linus is a monster.
Noah and Peter...what they need is a break. I'm glad school will be out this week...the mood always changes here during the summer.
Oliver...what to say about him. Well, he's our little composer, and quite the lyricist. His songs generally revolve around the theme "I want my baby back in my heartland"....whatever that means, and they're filled with all kinds of mouthed sound effects very reminiscent of my brother Chris who also had a talent for creative sounds (I'm being kind here). Almost everything out of his mouth is hysterical, because he mimics that tween drama that overshadows everything Noah and Peter say. "Mom, I soooo want to go to the park today". Umm...how old are you?
As for Linus...I lost count as to how many times a week he gets a bloody lip, and a couple of weeks ago he chipped a front tooth and now has a nice space. He's fast, and I'm pretty sure he's chanelling Houdini or Jack Jack (the baby from the Incredibles), because I can turn around, and he'll be hanging from the ceiling fan in the blink of an eye. Laughing about it too...not at all frightened. No fear this one, no fear. While we're hoping to get a priest out of the gang, he's more of a Navy Seal or something...maybe a tightrope walker, or one of those guys who climbs to the top of suspension bridges to do repairs...I could speculate all night.
There's a glass of wine and a popsicle calling my name. Oh shut up, I know they don't go together, but I refuse to do either or.
Oh, I need a martini! Is it bedtime yet?
Here we go...one at a time.
Noah...pretty non-descript day until Steven found one of his latest works of art. Geez...are all tween boys as obsessed with...um...well, I know they're at the age where they're curious. Let me tell you...we're on top of it though.
~Aside~ Just glanced out the window and spotted Oliver running across the back yard carrying shovels full of dirt back and forth. Forth to where and for what? Do I really want to know...naaa...just keep typing Jill. And I'm also going to ignore what Linus is doing in the kitchen. I can tell it involves the heap of plastic shopping bags...yes, I know they're NOT toys, children can suffocate, yadda, yadda. As long as I still hear them rustling he's ok...breathing at least.
So we're on top of it...yes! We have responsible, mature discussions...they come and ask questions...we do more than give them anatomical, medical terminology and send them on their way...we do...we do. The picture was hideous, and I don't just mean artistically. I can take that, just give me an apology, say you won't do it again...is that too much to ask? Evidentally, yes! He proceeds to blame it on Peter, who's right next to him, and is quick to disagree. Uhh...we know the difference in their writing and their drawing. Asking who did it was STRICTLTY a formality. Finally Noah says that "maybe" he did draw it, but can't remember. Are we stupid? Enough!
Peter immediately jumps in as the "good son" as soon as Noah is sent to his room. After dinner, volunteered to help clean up, asked if there was anything he could do for me. Hey...I'm no fool...I put him to work, but was easy on him. He watched Linus for me while I got the dishes done. No easy task really, because Linus is a monster.
Noah and Peter...what they need is a break. I'm glad school will be out this week...the mood always changes here during the summer.
Oliver...what to say about him. Well, he's our little composer, and quite the lyricist. His songs generally revolve around the theme "I want my baby back in my heartland"....whatever that means, and they're filled with all kinds of mouthed sound effects very reminiscent of my brother Chris who also had a talent for creative sounds (I'm being kind here). Almost everything out of his mouth is hysterical, because he mimics that tween drama that overshadows everything Noah and Peter say. "Mom, I soooo want to go to the park today". Umm...how old are you?
As for Linus...I lost count as to how many times a week he gets a bloody lip, and a couple of weeks ago he chipped a front tooth and now has a nice space. He's fast, and I'm pretty sure he's chanelling Houdini or Jack Jack (the baby from the Incredibles), because I can turn around, and he'll be hanging from the ceiling fan in the blink of an eye. Laughing about it too...not at all frightened. No fear this one, no fear. While we're hoping to get a priest out of the gang, he's more of a Navy Seal or something...maybe a tightrope walker, or one of those guys who climbs to the top of suspension bridges to do repairs...I could speculate all night.
There's a glass of wine and a popsicle calling my name. Oh shut up, I know they don't go together, but I refuse to do either or.
Impromptu Sale
On a whim, I decided to see if I could get a space at the Grosse Pointe Park Farmers Market this past Saturday. I was in luck, and scored a great corner spot. Noah was gracious enough to come with me, and I'm so glad. I can't remember the last time we were able to spend 6 hours alone....AND he was helpful with set-up and break-down.
While setting up the market manager came by to tell me that the musicians would have the space next to me. Although I have pretty diverse taste in music, I immediately thought...ugh...what am I going to have to listen to all day? As luck would have it, it was 2 guys playing jazz guitar (much to Noah's chagrin).
I redouped my vendors fee, plus a few dollars. Many people asked when I was coming back, so I'm going to do 2 weeks in July. The market manager explained that this is common with new vendors. People come weekly expecting to make certain purchases, and children's clothing and handbags weren't on the list.
I need to work a bit on my display, but I don't think it was too bad for short notice.
6/01/2009
Comfort In the the Words of Al Kresta
I have been so disturbed and upset by the murder of abortionist George Tiller and the subsequent backlash on the pro-life community. A short while ago I received this email and want to share.
Leading Abortionist Murdered
May 31, 2009
Al Kresta
Years ago, I debated the defrocked and excommunicated Presbyterian pastor Paul Hill (1954-2003) over the question of whether or not killing abortionists was justifiable homicide. In short, I argued “Absolutely not.” He argued that he was obligated to protect the unborn by killing their murderers and thus preventing further abortions.
Paul Hill wasn’t insane or even “mean.” Rather he was in the grip of an abbreviated logic. He reasoned that since abortionists kill children then by killing abortionists we will save children.
As a moral theologian and pastor, Hill was wrong and convinced almost nobody. When it was clear that pro-life people dismissed his argument as grossly inconsistent with the moral law, he went out and killed an abortionist and his escort and wounded the abortionist’s wife. Paul Hill was arrested, convicted and, in September 2003, executed for their murder. He never publicly repented and perished in his folly imagining himself a martyr and leader: “While most Christians firmly profess the duty to defend born children with force…most of these professors have neglected the duty to similarly defend the unborn…I was certain that if I took my stand at this point, others would join with me, and the Lord would eventually bring about a great victory.” As an activist and prophet, he was also dead wrong.
He failed to see two obvious truths:
- There are many non-violent ways to stop abortions.
- Every act of abortion has multiple accomplices. Each accomplice bears differing degrees of culpability. Why should Hill’s logic stop at the abortionist and not with others who make his work possible including local law enforcement that protects clinics?
How about the one person most obviously standing between the abortionist and the preborn: the mother. Mothers call for abortions. Tiller provided them a service for a fee. As long as mothers want to get rid of a pregnancy, there will be abortions. As long as men want sex without relationships, there will be prostitutes. Both advocates for abortion and prostitution are willing to take the cash and call it empowerment for women. This doesn’t mean the law should permit either abortion or prostitution. It does recognize that we won’t get rid of depersonalized sex by killing prostitutes and we won’t end abortion by eliminating abortionists.
Absurdity as well as tragedy stain his position. Yes, abortion is a form of child-murder. But it is murder carried out with the consent of the mother uninformed as she may be. Hill, to be consistent, should have advocated the use of proportionate force to stop abortions. Following his twisted logic, he should have forcibly stopped mothers from entering clinics and, when persuasion finally failed, anesthetized her and removed the innocent child by C-section. After all, isn’t this a more justifiable use of force? Nobody gets killed. Of course, this is morally repulsive.
Killing abortionists doesn’t save lives. It takes lives. It is murder. It usurps the authority of the state by pretending to mete out justice to evildoers. It is vigilantism and diminishes respect for the rule of law.
If the moral arguments aren’t clear then the public relations argument should be. While the law needn’t permit mothers to kill their children, neither is the law enough to make mothers want to avoid abortion. For that, it is necessary to turn the heart of the mother toward her child. Paul Hill turned hearts in the wrong direction. He created unnecessary sympathy for the pro-abortion regime.
In all likelihood Tiller’s killer has not prevented the death of children. More likely, he has further hardened America ’s heart against the unborn (who people can’t see) by generating sympathy for abortionists (who people can see). His act distorts the truth because it shows blood on the wrong hands. Good heavens, he was shot to death ushering in his church. Absurd.
As Fr. Pavone has written: “At this point, we do not know the motives of this act, or who is behind it, whether an angry post- abortive man or woman, or a misguided activist, or an enemy within the abortion industry, or a political enemy frustrated with the way Tiller has escaped prosecution. We should not jump to conclusions or rush to judgment.” I agree. Regardless of motive, however, Tiller’s death is an unjustifiable act of murder. His widow is bereft. His soul needs our prayers for the mercy he thought he was showing mothers but denying to their children. Tiller had mugs inscribed with the motto: “Trust women.” As an active churchgoer, it should have been “Trust God.”
Leading Abortionist Murdered
May 31, 2009
Al Kresta
Years ago, I debated the defrocked and excommunicated Presbyterian pastor Paul Hill (1954-2003) over the question of whether or not killing abortionists was justifiable homicide. In short, I argued “Absolutely not.” He argued that he was obligated to protect the unborn by killing their murderers and thus preventing further abortions.
Paul Hill wasn’t insane or even “mean.” Rather he was in the grip of an abbreviated logic. He reasoned that since abortionists kill children then by killing abortionists we will save children.
As a moral theologian and pastor, Hill was wrong and convinced almost nobody. When it was clear that pro-life people dismissed his argument as grossly inconsistent with the moral law, he went out and killed an abortionist and his escort and wounded the abortionist’s wife. Paul Hill was arrested, convicted and, in September 2003, executed for their murder. He never publicly repented and perished in his folly imagining himself a martyr and leader: “While most Christians firmly profess the duty to defend born children with force…most of these professors have neglected the duty to similarly defend the unborn…I was certain that if I took my stand at this point, others would join with me, and the Lord would eventually bring about a great victory.” As an activist and prophet, he was also dead wrong.
He failed to see two obvious truths:
- There are many non-violent ways to stop abortions.
- Every act of abortion has multiple accomplices. Each accomplice bears differing degrees of culpability. Why should Hill’s logic stop at the abortionist and not with others who make his work possible including local law enforcement that protects clinics?
How about the one person most obviously standing between the abortionist and the preborn: the mother. Mothers call for abortions. Tiller provided them a service for a fee. As long as mothers want to get rid of a pregnancy, there will be abortions. As long as men want sex without relationships, there will be prostitutes. Both advocates for abortion and prostitution are willing to take the cash and call it empowerment for women. This doesn’t mean the law should permit either abortion or prostitution. It does recognize that we won’t get rid of depersonalized sex by killing prostitutes and we won’t end abortion by eliminating abortionists.
Absurdity as well as tragedy stain his position. Yes, abortion is a form of child-murder. But it is murder carried out with the consent of the mother uninformed as she may be. Hill, to be consistent, should have advocated the use of proportionate force to stop abortions. Following his twisted logic, he should have forcibly stopped mothers from entering clinics and, when persuasion finally failed, anesthetized her and removed the innocent child by C-section. After all, isn’t this a more justifiable use of force? Nobody gets killed. Of course, this is morally repulsive.
Killing abortionists doesn’t save lives. It takes lives. It is murder. It usurps the authority of the state by pretending to mete out justice to evildoers. It is vigilantism and diminishes respect for the rule of law.
If the moral arguments aren’t clear then the public relations argument should be. While the law needn’t permit mothers to kill their children, neither is the law enough to make mothers want to avoid abortion. For that, it is necessary to turn the heart of the mother toward her child. Paul Hill turned hearts in the wrong direction. He created unnecessary sympathy for the pro-abortion regime.
In all likelihood Tiller’s killer has not prevented the death of children. More likely, he has further hardened America ’s heart against the unborn (who people can’t see) by generating sympathy for abortionists (who people can see). His act distorts the truth because it shows blood on the wrong hands. Good heavens, he was shot to death ushering in his church. Absurd.
As Fr. Pavone has written: “At this point, we do not know the motives of this act, or who is behind it, whether an angry post- abortive man or woman, or a misguided activist, or an enemy within the abortion industry, or a political enemy frustrated with the way Tiller has escaped prosecution. We should not jump to conclusions or rush to judgment.” I agree. Regardless of motive, however, Tiller’s death is an unjustifiable act of murder. His widow is bereft. His soul needs our prayers for the mercy he thought he was showing mothers but denying to their children. Tiller had mugs inscribed with the motto: “Trust women.” As an active churchgoer, it should have been “Trust God.”
4/23/2009
About That Mullet
Disclaimer ~ Just for fun, not meant to be uncharitable!
What does your child's haircut say about you? Does it say anything? Is it relative to who you are, what kind of parent you are, your own likes or dislikes? Does it scream champagne and caviar, or Budweiser and boxed mac and cheese?
Ah...thoughts inspired by a trip to McDonald's for lunch...one with a Playplace. It is the 3rd dreary, rainy day in a row, it's spring break, and we went at noon...you do the math. Alas, the subjects for this study were plentiful.
What inspired me was the boy with the mullet. I don't see too many of those anymore, but we were at a McDonald's kind of bordering the "downriver" area of Metro Detroit, so anything goes. Now, the mullet carries with it a stigmatism of sorts, does it not? Yet parents willingly cut their child's hair this way.
If you are from Mars, or didn't live through the 80's and so are not familiar with the mullet, see below.
As I sat pondering all of this ~ while trying to keep an eye and ear out for my own children ~ I scanned the room discretly, in an attempt to identify the mother of the mullet-child. I honed into my alter ego as a socialogist, and was sure I had her spotted. She was a quasi-attractive woman in her late 30's, early 40's who had shoulder-length hair "feathered" on the sides, wearing stone-washed jeans neatly tucked into her slouch socks.
Just then...they mullet-child yelled out "mommy", and ran to another woman. Gasp! I was wrong! The mullet-child mommy was not the woman in the Van Halen concert t-shirt. In fact, she looked like a "TV" mom. Very pretty, put-together, well-dressed in current yet understated clothing...hmm. I bet if I followed her outside she'd get into one of those trendy cross-over vehicles with a GPS, built in DVD player in the back, and despite having 3 other children it is spotless...no cherrios on HER floors.
Feeling somewhat defeated, it was time to round up my kids and leave before I look around and find someone studying ME! Who, by the way was looking very Bohemian in a long crinkle skirt, clogs, tousled hair, and a baby with blond curly hair so long that everyone thinks he's a girl...so who's look needs an update? Just then, in walks a family with 2 boys who were about 4 and 7. Don't you know...they both had on black acid-washed jeans, camoflage jackets, and drumroll........matching mohawks!
Off to get Linus a haircut...well maybe tomorrow.
What does your child's haircut say about you? Does it say anything? Is it relative to who you are, what kind of parent you are, your own likes or dislikes? Does it scream champagne and caviar, or Budweiser and boxed mac and cheese?
Ah...thoughts inspired by a trip to McDonald's for lunch...one with a Playplace. It is the 3rd dreary, rainy day in a row, it's spring break, and we went at noon...you do the math. Alas, the subjects for this study were plentiful.
What inspired me was the boy with the mullet. I don't see too many of those anymore, but we were at a McDonald's kind of bordering the "downriver" area of Metro Detroit, so anything goes. Now, the mullet carries with it a stigmatism of sorts, does it not? Yet parents willingly cut their child's hair this way.
If you are from Mars, or didn't live through the 80's and so are not familiar with the mullet, see below.
As I sat pondering all of this ~ while trying to keep an eye and ear out for my own children ~ I scanned the room discretly, in an attempt to identify the mother of the mullet-child. I honed into my alter ego as a socialogist, and was sure I had her spotted. She was a quasi-attractive woman in her late 30's, early 40's who had shoulder-length hair "feathered" on the sides, wearing stone-washed jeans neatly tucked into her slouch socks.
Just then...they mullet-child yelled out "mommy", and ran to another woman. Gasp! I was wrong! The mullet-child mommy was not the woman in the Van Halen concert t-shirt. In fact, she looked like a "TV" mom. Very pretty, put-together, well-dressed in current yet understated clothing...hmm. I bet if I followed her outside she'd get into one of those trendy cross-over vehicles with a GPS, built in DVD player in the back, and despite having 3 other children it is spotless...no cherrios on HER floors.
Feeling somewhat defeated, it was time to round up my kids and leave before I look around and find someone studying ME! Who, by the way was looking very Bohemian in a long crinkle skirt, clogs, tousled hair, and a baby with blond curly hair so long that everyone thinks he's a girl...so who's look needs an update? Just then, in walks a family with 2 boys who were about 4 and 7. Don't you know...they both had on black acid-washed jeans, camoflage jackets, and drumroll........matching mohawks!
Off to get Linus a haircut...well maybe tomorrow.
4/21/2009
I Swear I Posted Pictures of Easter
I've been so busy, and despite my last post, I'm no more organized now than I was then. First...family. We had a blessed Easter, and spent the weekend at my mother-in-laws. We left Noah and Peter there to spend their spring break with the understanding that "what happens at Grandma's, stays at Grandma's". The children looked great dspite only one of them being in handmade garb...shame on me.
In case you can't tell, Oliver is the one who got the handmade outfit. I was uber happy with the final result, but getting there was ALL drama. I blogged about it at Covered Button Cabaret if you care to read the saga. He looked unbelievably cute!
And what would Easter be without an egg hunt?
This is what happens when you leave the hiding to two 11 year-olds.
I think we tried to get Violet in this one too, but she wasn't cooperating. Peter and Noah look as if they're nursing a chocolate hangover and it's only 2pm.
We certainly had the best weather we've had on Easter for as long as I can remember. Spring was everywhere.
And adding this one just because it's sooo cute!
In case you can't tell, Oliver is the one who got the handmade outfit. I was uber happy with the final result, but getting there was ALL drama. I blogged about it at Covered Button Cabaret if you care to read the saga. He looked unbelievably cute!
And what would Easter be without an egg hunt?
This is what happens when you leave the hiding to two 11 year-olds.
I think we tried to get Violet in this one too, but she wasn't cooperating. Peter and Noah look as if they're nursing a chocolate hangover and it's only 2pm.
We certainly had the best weather we've had on Easter for as long as I can remember. Spring was everywhere.
And adding this one just because it's sooo cute!
3/31/2009
Craving a Routine
My friend Lee posted a link to Simplemom.net and this post regarding routine. How providential!! I have been craving some sort of routine with the kids lately. When I was first laid off in August, I put off structuring my day thinking I'd be getting a new job quickly, so why bother? Now, it's to the point where I am overwhelmed with the amount of time I have during the day, and the number of tasks that I have to do. There are days when I know that the kids have watched *way* too much TV. It's PBS, but still TV. Shame, shame...they're watching SUPER Y as we *speak*.
One of my challenges is the age difference between Oliver and Linus. Oliver no longer takes naps, and Linus will take 1 sometimes 2, and they are rarely more than 30 to 45 minutes. He would sleep for over an hour if I slept with him on my chest...but who has time for that? Ok, I do indulge sometimes and nap with him. Oliver and I like to do craft projects, which are virtually impossible with a 19 month old hanging around. Linus is into everything, and will eat anything in his path. Having scissors, paints etc. out while he is awake is out of the question!
Sometimes it is 2:00 before I realize I haven't fed the kids lunch yet. My only excuse...Oliver usually tells me when he's hungry. Throw into the mix that on days when Steven works evenings, I feel less obligated to prepare a formal dinner. It's often soup, sandwiches, etc.
So I'm off to scour Tsh's blog and hope that therein lies the secret to getting it all together. I'm good with lists...I should start there...lists are good!
Oh my gosh...she has downloads here. How cool!!!
3/16/2009
3/15/2009
Am I Crazy, or What?
You wouldn't believe the noises I'm listening to as I sit here. Banging, scratching, thumping, dragging...what's above me you ask? The bedroom of our two 11 year-olds. It's not often that I venture much further than their doorway...it's too scary. I'ts like entering into an Edgar Allen Poe story...you're not sure what's going to be there when you open a drawer, pick up a sock, take off the sheets, and have I mentioned the smell?
So yesterday, I said my Hail Mary and took the plunge. Made the beds, straightened up a bit. These ARE things they are supposed to be doing on a daily basis. I don't want you all thinking that I don't hold them accountable, or give them chores, because I do, OH, I DO! Ask them, "does your mom give you chores"? The evil mother/step-mother/witch villanesses in the Disney movies pale in comparison to the desription of me that you would get from them.
The current commotion is them trying to get their mattresses back on their bunkbeds. They took the mattresses off the beds so they could sleep on the floor last night. Why? Someone please tell me why? Now, you moms who have bunkbeds somewhere in the house KNOW my issue...feel my PAIN. Bunkbeds are SO hard to make, and it takes so long to do...it's certainly comperable to 30 minutes on the stair-master (if not longer).
As if that's not enough, I was just handed an essay (our current punishment of choice) that I'm sure one helped the other write....(oh excuse me, Linus has a knife)...ok, I'm back, where was I? Oh yes, the essay. Oh forget it...it's Sunday...I'm going to check on the Corned beef and cabbage that I have slow cooking, and have a beer.
So yesterday, I said my Hail Mary and took the plunge. Made the beds, straightened up a bit. These ARE things they are supposed to be doing on a daily basis. I don't want you all thinking that I don't hold them accountable, or give them chores, because I do, OH, I DO! Ask them, "does your mom give you chores"? The evil mother/step-mother/witch villanesses in the Disney movies pale in comparison to the desription of me that you would get from them.
The current commotion is them trying to get their mattresses back on their bunkbeds. They took the mattresses off the beds so they could sleep on the floor last night. Why? Someone please tell me why? Now, you moms who have bunkbeds somewhere in the house KNOW my issue...feel my PAIN. Bunkbeds are SO hard to make, and it takes so long to do...it's certainly comperable to 30 minutes on the stair-master (if not longer).
As if that's not enough, I was just handed an essay (our current punishment of choice) that I'm sure one helped the other write....(oh excuse me, Linus has a knife)...ok, I'm back, where was I? Oh yes, the essay. Oh forget it...it's Sunday...I'm going to check on the Corned beef and cabbage that I have slow cooking, and have a beer.
3/14/2009
Thinking Spring but Sewing Flannel?
My little Linus pulled this fabric off the shelf at Joanne...he just loves elephants, and I couldn't possibly use letters to duplicate the sound he makes to say "elephant". I had some of the Michael Miller "leaf" organic cotton in my stash and loved the two together. A little bit of applique on a upcycled tee from Wal-Mart, and voila!
I has a bit of the "nails on the chalkbord" feel to buying flannel when I am so despeerately awaiting the arrival of spring, but what the heck. He'll wear the leaf cotton on the inside most of the time and that will keep him cool when the weather starts to change...right? Tell me I'm right...please...somebody?
3/08/2009
Happy 4th Birthday Oliver
My little Oliver turned 4 yesterday. As he sat in my lap and snuggled early in the morning, I attempted to tell him the story of his birth...he wasn't very interested. He WAS interested however, in discussing the days events which couldn't begin soon enough for him...or me. I couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he saw his new bike!
Before presents was a trip to The Henry Ford...it's all about the trains. With us came Grandpa Wally, Uncle Bill, Aunt Julie, Violet, and of course Lydia.
Aside ~ Julie told me that Lydia was up at 6 waking them up saying "do you know what today is"? She was just as excied about Oliver's birthday as he was (maybe even more).
So our first stop was the Weinermobile Cafe at the museum for lunch where we dined on....you guessed it...weiners! Anything you can imagine (and some you can't) putting on a hotdog...they've got it. Then it was off to the trains where Oliver can tell you just about everything you want to know about the Allegheny.
Home for presents and cake which surprisingly, was *not* a train this year. He asked for a dinosaur cake which conveniently I already had a mold for.
Funny thing though. When Oliver saw me decorating the cake he got really upset...crying and everything...because the dinosaur was smiling. He said he wanted the dinousaur to be roaring, bearing his teeth and claws. You know, the more that your kids know you are capable of, the more they come to expect from you.
3/06/2009
Sneak Peek of Spring
Today brought a warm breeze and sunshine at a time when I was beginning to feel like winter would never end. How marvelous it was to get outside with the kids and go to the park...we could have stayed all day, but with tomorrow being Oliver's birthday, there were preparations to tend to.
Today was also Oliver's first visit to the dentist. I was so touched at how Dr. Weiss' assistant showed him each instrument, explained what they were for, and let him touch them. She instructed him as to how to use the "suction thing"...give me a break, it's late and I can't come up with anything more technical sounding than that. In any case, he was a trooper, and model patient. His teeth are in fine shape, and it was determined based on the x-ray, that he is going to have my rather large front teeth...poor thing. The tech made it a point to tell me that they should look just fine on a man. Ummm....hello?
2/27/2009
Blog Clog!
I began blogging to put down into words and pictures those moments in life that I didn't want to forget, or wanted to share with loved ones who can't see the smiling faces of my 4 angels on a daily basis. Sometimes *in* the moment I swear I don't want to remember, but secretly know (or hope) that next week, or 20 years from now I may just see the humor in the catastrophe du jour.
Although sewing and crafting has become a big part of my life, it has stifled my inner writer...my Jane Austin, my Emily Bronte. Oh shut up! I'm not delusional, just hopeful. Steven is *really* the writer in the family and the one that could really do all these memories justice, but he insists that his forte is the short story...creepy, scary, short stories.
But I digress. My point is, that I'm going to start another blog...yes, you heard me...another blog. Where will I get the time you say? What will become of "SERENITY NOW"? Well, to answer your first question, that 5 minutes between flossing my teeth and wiping the sleep out of my eyes is just SCREAMING to be filled with some meaningful, life altering task. And to answer your second question, nothing. "SERENITY NOW" will live on as the catharsis it was intended to be. All of the creative mumbo jumbo will however be moving to Cleveland. Not really, I just don't want to divulge the name of the new blog until it's up and running and lookin' purty.
Stay tuned...it will be coming soon.
Although sewing and crafting has become a big part of my life, it has stifled my inner writer...my Jane Austin, my Emily Bronte. Oh shut up! I'm not delusional, just hopeful. Steven is *really* the writer in the family and the one that could really do all these memories justice, but he insists that his forte is the short story...creepy, scary, short stories.
But I digress. My point is, that I'm going to start another blog...yes, you heard me...another blog. Where will I get the time you say? What will become of "SERENITY NOW"? Well, to answer your first question, that 5 minutes between flossing my teeth and wiping the sleep out of my eyes is just SCREAMING to be filled with some meaningful, life altering task. And to answer your second question, nothing. "SERENITY NOW" will live on as the catharsis it was intended to be. All of the creative mumbo jumbo will however be moving to Cleveland. Not really, I just don't want to divulge the name of the new blog until it's up and running and lookin' purty.
Stay tuned...it will be coming soon.
2/26/2009
Eco-friendly Gift Bag
The customer purchased this outfit as a gift and wanted it mailed direclty to the recipient. I made a little gift-sack from a re-purposed pillowcase, a little ribbon, and added a sewn on gift tag and pocket. The paper is attached with big stitches so that it can be removed, and the bag can serve yet another purpose!
2/25/2009
2/15/2009
Something For Me!
Japanese fabric and a desperate need for a new purse are behind my latest creation. I started with a simple pattern, and a million modifications later had a finished product. Even with the mods, it was a REALLY quick little project. I picked up some additional yardage (not so busy), to make 2 more for my sisters who I will see next weekend. After a little more tweaking, I'm hoping to have a couple in my store within the next month.
2/10/2009
1/31/2009
New Outfit for Oliver
Oliver has just sprouted out of everything this winter. Suddenly everything is too short, yet when I buy a 5T, he complains that they are too long. He is *very* picky about the bottom of his pants fall. If it's even close to his toes...there's a song and dance involved.
So digging into the stash of clothes I have laying around for the purpose of RE-purposing, I got to work on this little creation. The plaid fabric is from an old pair of Peter's pants, and the rest was from old maternity clothes.
Now the set in sleeves were my first attempt, and aside from a small pucker on the left shoulder, I'm happy with the result. However, I have discovered that sewing sleeves feels like trying to put a square peg in a round hole. I was truly amazed when I finished, turned and pressed, that it actually looked like a sleeve!
And since they are for my little "engineer", I included a couple of train appliques. I'm in love with adding appliques...it's a great way to use scraps.
1/29/2009
New Yardage ~ New Book
I've been dying to get this book ~Bend the Rules Sewing~ by Amy Karol for ages...found it on Amazon for a steal. And as if that wasn't exciting enough, the day it arrived I also recieved this new Japanese fabric that I had ordered through a co-op ages ago.
What I don't like about co-ops is that when I order something I have to be patient about waiting for it to arrive. But when it does, it's like Christmas...almost having forgotten about it at that point, and all paid for. And of course, I get it for a fraction of what I would pay retail
So I think I'll be making myself a new bag...we'll see...the fabric may be too busy. I'll have to be on the lookout for a coordinating solid.
1/21/2009
A Prayer...by Oliver Andrews
We ALWAYS say the "Bless Us O Lord" prayer before meals, but for whatever reason, Oliver has taken to doing his "own thing". It's always precious, and I almost never remember. Here is his latest:
Dear God,
Thank you for the morning rises, and for when the morning rises, the sun, your heart, and thank you for all the trees and bushes that you made. Amen.
Dear God,
Thank you for the morning rises, and for when the morning rises, the sun, your heart, and thank you for all the trees and bushes that you made. Amen.
1/19/2009
According to Oliver
When getting shoes and socks etc. so we can go out...
Oliver: Well...my preference is to have socks and no boots, but shoes.
Later in the car...
Oliver: I'm a scholar not a meatloaf.
Jill: Did you say scholar?
Oliver: Yes
Jill: Do you know what a scholar is?
Oliver: Sure, but I'm not a meatloaf because it's not....(trails off and gets distracted)
I'm still not sure where this came from, or where it was going.
A few minutes later Oliver sings his version of "We Will Rock You"...
We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you
But on your face
You know it's not like grace
So it's
We will we will rock you
(this repeats over and over again for a good 5 minutes as I discourage the older boys from correcting him)
Oliver: Well...my preference is to have socks and no boots, but shoes.
Later in the car...
Oliver: I'm a scholar not a meatloaf.
Jill: Did you say scholar?
Oliver: Yes
Jill: Do you know what a scholar is?
Oliver: Sure, but I'm not a meatloaf because it's not....(trails off and gets distracted)
I'm still not sure where this came from, or where it was going.
A few minutes later Oliver sings his version of "We Will Rock You"...
We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you
But on your face
You know it's not like grace
So it's
We will we will rock you
(this repeats over and over again for a good 5 minutes as I discourage the older boys from correcting him)
1/10/2009
This Baby Sleeps
Shortly after waking from a nap, I looked over and Linus had fallen back to sleep sitting up. He looked so cute, and I couldn't resist the photo op.
1/05/2009
Jigs
The newest member of the family belonging to my mother in law. Is he not the cutest thing? I usually don't like little dogs too much (I'm a Great Dane fan myself), but he's got such personality!
Tamarindo
We stumbled across this at Meijer, which is great by the way for having lots of locally grown fruits and veggies...gotta keep it in Michigan. Anyway, the shell is like a peanut shell without the little "dents", then once out, the meat of the fruit is covered by a vine of sorts. Removing that, you chew the "meat" which is a bit like dried apricot, and remove the seeds. The seeds are shiny, smooth, and hard. Noah and Peter are totally into this now, and they want to collect the seeds until they have enough to use them to make rosary beads. I'll have to do some more research on this fruit, but I believe it's native to Mexico.
12/30/2008
A Blessed Christmas
Despite being out of a job, coupled with the daily chaos, the secular world hounding us to buy, buy, buy, and trying to raise 4 boys to go against the grain, Christmas was filled with a host of blessings. Oliver was thrilled to see his train table which now takes up a third of his room. It will make for hours and hours of creative, imaginative play, and already has. Keeping Linus from tearing the tracks apart like Godzilla is another issue. 
Noah's most exciting gift was a standing basketaball backboard for the driveway. Once it's assembled, I'm sure I'll never get him in the house...cold or no cold.
Linus appears to be a budding percussionist (or tightrope walker) so Santa saw fit to give him a drum...and harmonica....and maracas. We're trying to discourage the tightrope walking and related circus-like stunts, and thankfully Santa agreed.
Peter's favorite was a new Star Wars Lego, although I couldn't believe that there was one he didn't have...obviously I was wrong.
Steven got a homemade nightshirt and sleeping cap with a tassle. The tassle was a must, and part of the request. I HATE following patterns, and sewing adult clothes is not my specialty, so it was definately a labor or love.
He also insisted on traditional wassail, and made it himself. Definately NOT my cup of tea, but his mom and grandmother liked it. It looks yummy though!
The true spirit of the day resonates most in the few minutes I spent with an old homeless man that we see often when coming home from church. Steven and I had separate cars, and I didn't have any money in my wallet...I stopped anyway thinking the least I could do is give him a little of my time. I spent a few minutes digging through my purse and the car for change sobbing the whole time thinking "it's Christmas, I can't leave him out here on Christmas". I felt like a bafoon...I'm usually smiling and talkative. He chatted cheerfully, and was grateful for the 5 or 6 dollars I was able to dig up. I offered to go get some blankets and food, and as always he said what I'd done was enough. I wonder how many other "regular donors" he has, and if any of them realize that his are the eyes of Our Lord.
12/22/2008
Thoughtful Children
I ran out to Joanne's to pick up a few things to finish a gift I'm making for someone. Noah was being particularly helpful while I was browsing through the pattern books. Just moments before, he saw me drooling over this book about embellishing. Turning it over and seeing the price, I returned it to the shelf, made a mental note to see if the library has it, and kept moving. At first I wasn't at all curious about the questions about my favorite kinds of foods. My first answer which was "steak" wasn't what he was looking for so he started fishing (no pun intended) for an answer like, Italian, Mexican etc. I sat there for quite a while browsing while Noah pushed Linus around, and kept an eye on Oliver (not an easy task).
~Aside~ I'm almost afraid to go into Joanne's anymore because I feel like I spend the entire time scolding him for hanging from the ceiling...only a slight exaggeration.
Remarkably, everytime I called Oliver, he answered....immediately!!! Only Steven can appreciate just how FRIGGIN' unusual that is. He'd say "right here mom", and pop his head around the aisle. Once he was a few isles away and said "coming...I'm walking up the aisle....now I'm coming around the corner....now I'm coming around the other corner....almost there....Ugh! He cracks me up. Anyway, Noah asked if he and Oliver can "look around" while I'm in line, and could they meet me outside. I rounded up my few purchases and told Noah I was going to check out, and pull the car around. The line was very long, so by the time I was 5th from the register, I heard Oliver approaching the front of the store...he was singing Jingle Bells (well his version to which I'll post the lyrics later).
My eyes welled up with tears (just as they are now) thinking of my kids buying me a Christmas gift. I didn't turn around, and I didn't acknowledge them...I didn't want to spoil their surprise. I could hear quiet comments about the boy and his little brother buying their mom a gift. Ok...no more welling...we've got a veritable downpour (now, not in the store).
I couldn't help but think about the Christmases when we were little. My dad would give us each a little money (a dollar, maybe two), and drive us into town to do our "shopping". It would always be in the evening, and seeing the decorations and the lights was magical. Windows were beautifully decorated, Christmas music was playing...I loved it. We would almost always do all our shopping at Woolworth's where I would spend what seemed to be hours picking out just the right pair of earrings for my mother. I remember one year they were big gold hoop wires with pink stones. Now that I'm a mother, I realize that her the tears she cried when seeing them had nothing to do with their...ahem...beauty. But had everything to do with the excitement she could see in my face waiting for her to open the package, knowing that I took that dollar my dad gave me, and put my heart into picking something out for her that would rival anything I saw the movie stars wearing.
Well, I've done it now...I'm soaked and the kids want to know why I'm crying.
I wonder what every happened to those gold earrings with the pink stones.
~Aside~ I'm almost afraid to go into Joanne's anymore because I feel like I spend the entire time scolding him for hanging from the ceiling...only a slight exaggeration.
Remarkably, everytime I called Oliver, he answered....immediately!!! Only Steven can appreciate just how FRIGGIN' unusual that is. He'd say "right here mom", and pop his head around the aisle. Once he was a few isles away and said "coming...I'm walking up the aisle....now I'm coming around the corner....now I'm coming around the other corner....almost there....Ugh! He cracks me up. Anyway, Noah asked if he and Oliver can "look around" while I'm in line, and could they meet me outside. I rounded up my few purchases and told Noah I was going to check out, and pull the car around. The line was very long, so by the time I was 5th from the register, I heard Oliver approaching the front of the store...he was singing Jingle Bells (well his version to which I'll post the lyrics later).
My eyes welled up with tears (just as they are now) thinking of my kids buying me a Christmas gift. I didn't turn around, and I didn't acknowledge them...I didn't want to spoil their surprise. I could hear quiet comments about the boy and his little brother buying their mom a gift. Ok...no more welling...we've got a veritable downpour (now, not in the store).
I couldn't help but think about the Christmases when we were little. My dad would give us each a little money (a dollar, maybe two), and drive us into town to do our "shopping". It would always be in the evening, and seeing the decorations and the lights was magical. Windows were beautifully decorated, Christmas music was playing...I loved it. We would almost always do all our shopping at Woolworth's where I would spend what seemed to be hours picking out just the right pair of earrings for my mother. I remember one year they were big gold hoop wires with pink stones. Now that I'm a mother, I realize that her the tears she cried when seeing them had nothing to do with their...ahem...beauty. But had everything to do with the excitement she could see in my face waiting for her to open the package, knowing that I took that dollar my dad gave me, and put my heart into picking something out for her that would rival anything I saw the movie stars wearing.
Well, I've done it now...I'm soaked and the kids want to know why I'm crying.
I wonder what every happened to those gold earrings with the pink stones.
Frosted Windowpanes
It's below zero with the windchill here in Michigan which makes it difficult to want to leave the house. All that bundling up to do to the kids!!!
12/11/2008
Lots Going On
I have started and stopped posts for weeks now. Not feeling much like writing, or just busy? Interruption after interrupion...if someone wakes up and starts cring I'll just scream!
Thanksgiving has come and gone, and was quite lovely...my favorite was Julie's spinach and artichoke dip! I made my pumpkin cheesecake which was my best yet, and whoopie pies. I thought they were delicious. There would have been more, but in a moment of stupidity I put them on the back porch for a few minutes to accelerate cooling and a squrrell helped himself to a few. AND had the nerve to sit there and eat them in front of me!!!
Steven and Bill said they smelled like fish....what???? The kids made a gingerbread house which as you can see became home for a monkey...no surprise there.
The drive home from Milford, well it was a memorable one. Oliver started crying the minute we got in the car. "Hungry! My body is hungry!" Linus chimed in, and we had crying "in stereo". That went on for 15 minutes while Steven and I tried to say our Rosary. 30 seconds after they quited down and fell asleep, FLAT TIRE...yep, that's what I said. Poor Steven had to put the spare on in the freezing cold, no gloves, and 2 screaming toddlers in the backround...he's a saint.
I'll have to add more later. The battery is running low and I'm too lazy to go plug in.
Thanksgiving has come and gone, and was quite lovely...my favorite was Julie's spinach and artichoke dip! I made my pumpkin cheesecake which was my best yet, and whoopie pies. I thought they were delicious. There would have been more, but in a moment of stupidity I put them on the back porch for a few minutes to accelerate cooling and a squrrell helped himself to a few. AND had the nerve to sit there and eat them in front of me!!!
Steven and Bill said they smelled like fish....what???? The kids made a gingerbread house which as you can see became home for a monkey...no surprise there.
The drive home from Milford, well it was a memorable one. Oliver started crying the minute we got in the car. "Hungry! My body is hungry!" Linus chimed in, and we had crying "in stereo". That went on for 15 minutes while Steven and I tried to say our Rosary. 30 seconds after they quited down and fell asleep, FLAT TIRE...yep, that's what I said. Poor Steven had to put the spare on in the freezing cold, no gloves, and 2 screaming toddlers in the backround...he's a saint.
I'll have to add more later. The battery is running low and I'm too lazy to go plug in.
11/26/2008
THE DAY WILL COME WHEN THE WORLD WILL SEE IT FOR WHAT IT REALLY IS
WATCH THIS SHORT FILM....INCREDIBLE!
http://www.thedoorpost.com/hope/film/?film=420351f1aefa2b42b1772fe9d5cc044a
http://www.thedoorpost.com/hope/film/?film=420351f1aefa2b42b1772fe9d5cc044a
11/24/2008
Aprons for Nonie and Eileen
I finally cut into my Anna Maria Horner drawing room stash. I paired it with this pretty Robert Kaufman print. I love the combination, but have to work on the design a bit. The construction on these isn't up to par for selling, so I'm sending these to Nora and Eileen as early Christmas gifts. They don't sew, so they're not likely to scrutinize the construction.
Polka Dot Aprons
Matching aprons for me, my sister in law Julie, my niece Lydia, and a matching bib for baby Violet. It's a surprise for Thanksgiving. I think all the testosterone in my house fills me with the desire to constantly design and sew girly frilly stuff. I rarely make anything for the boys...bad mom!!!
11/23/2008
Oliver Funnies
Oliver is just full of funny little oddities lately, I have to write them so as not to forget.
Last week after saying his blessing before dinner, he discovered his food was too hot to eat:
Oliver: It didn't work.
Steven: What didn't work?
Oliver: My blessing didn't work.
Steven: What do you mean your blessing didn't work?
Oliver: My food is still hot.
A few days later after saying blessing and tasting his food he remarked that "this time my blessing worked, my food isn't too hot."
Yesterday in the car:
Oliver: I want to change my name.
Jill: What do you want to change it to?
Oliver: Gase
Jill: Is that your first name or last?
Oliver: First
Jill: Are you changing your last name too?
Oliver: Ummm...yes. Jason.
Jill: Gase Jason?
Oliver: Yes
Here, instert James Bondish music...Gase Jason...man of mystery!
This is a photo from this morning. He's wearing a suit that belonged to my brother Chris, circa 1966. You can tell by the cut that it's a 60's style, but fit Oliver like a glove.
Last week after saying his blessing before dinner, he discovered his food was too hot to eat:
Oliver: It didn't work.
Steven: What didn't work?
Oliver: My blessing didn't work.
Steven: What do you mean your blessing didn't work?
Oliver: My food is still hot.
A few days later after saying blessing and tasting his food he remarked that "this time my blessing worked, my food isn't too hot."
Yesterday in the car:
Oliver: I want to change my name.
Jill: What do you want to change it to?
Oliver: Gase
Jill: Is that your first name or last?
Oliver: First
Jill: Are you changing your last name too?
Oliver: Ummm...yes. Jason.
Jill: Gase Jason?
Oliver: Yes
Here, instert James Bondish music...Gase Jason...man of mystery!
This is a photo from this morning. He's wearing a suit that belonged to my brother Chris, circa 1966. You can tell by the cut that it's a 60's style, but fit Oliver like a glove.
11/20/2008
Belated Birthdays
Peter's 11th birthday was on the 9th. We spent a lovely day at my mother in laws, and the boys watched Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3-D. The following day was Steven's 38th birthday which unfortunately just got lost in the shuffle...I feel horrible that we didn't do anything special. I'll have to plan a surprise for him when he least expects it.
11/04/2008
The Lucy Apron
I've been dying to get started on my apron idea. I was inspired months ago by one I saw Lucy wearing on I Love Lucy. I immediately sketched it out, and knew I wanted to use polka dot fabric. Not even looking for fabric for this project, I spotted these beautiful fabrics, snatched them up and immediately got started.
I'm pretty happy with the results, but will tweak the design a bit with the next one. I made this one for myself, and have enough fabric to make a matching one for my sister in law so we can wear them while cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Won't we be cute?
The Polls Are Almost Closed
I've stayed away from politics in this forum, but I can't help but express sadness over where it appears that this election is heading. I'm not too keen on either candidate, but I could ABSOLUTELY NOT vote for Barack Obama, and his very radical support of abortion. He states that “the first thing I’d do as president“ would be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act, which would overturn every local, state, and federal abortion law passed in the past 35 years." More can be seen here regarding his opposition to legislation which would protect and provide medical care to infants who are born alive during a botched abortions.
While the economy is teetering on the edge, and our education system needs an overhaul, and the war in Iraq needs to end, nothing....NOTHING can be more important than protecting the most vulnerable little lives. It's very sad to think of the hundreds of thousands of babies that will loose their lives while he is in office. God help us!
While the economy is teetering on the edge, and our education system needs an overhaul, and the war in Iraq needs to end, nothing....NOTHING can be more important than protecting the most vulnerable little lives. It's very sad to think of the hundreds of thousands of babies that will loose their lives while he is in office. God help us!
11/01/2008
Autumn Fun!
Oliver seemed to be obsessed with Halloweeen this year. For months, anytime he saw a billboard or sign, he'd say "look...it's halloween!". So I shouldn't have been surprised when I woke up on Friday morning to find him standing at the bottom of the stairs screaming "it's halloween...it's halloween!". Now...it's 6 am, and it's dark outside, (he's the last to get up, so it's usually already light out),so imagine how confused he was when I told him that we don't go trick or treating till after dinner when it gets dark.
We had such a fun day, just waiting for Noah and Peter to come home from school. Oliver was so excited, but I don't think he knew what he was excited about. We had a yummy dinner. I made a dish that I say Rachael Ray make on her show earlier. Tortellini in a pumpkin sauce. I modified it a bit, but it was a huge hit...especially with Noah and Peter.
After dinner we were off to grandpa Wally's. He spends weeks working on his "haunted" yard, and the kids get a big kick out of it, and it's a great neighborhood for trick or treating.
The kids loaded up on sugar, we stopped to visit grandma and grandpa Andrews, and headed home where they all passed out quickly in a sugar coma! My feeling is...let them have their fill for 2 days, then it's over. I take it all away.....AND EAT IT MYSELF....just kidding. I dispose of most of it, and keep a small stash for treats.
10/27/2008
I'm Rubbing Off on Them
Evidently my knack for repurposing is rubbing off on my children. Noah designed a new "outfit" for Oliver out of shopping bags. Of course Steven rolled his eyes and warned them about giving me more ideas. Yes, the wheels are a turnin'! I see a raincoat design in my future...
Linus in Steven's rocker
Definately one of the BEST pictures I've ever gotten of Linus. My camera has such a long delay on it, that the perfect smile always eludes me. This rocker belonged to Steven when he was little, and was recently discovered in my sister in laws basement. Now Linus and Oliver battle over who gets to sit in it.
10/21/2008
10/15/2008
Mmm...Japanese Fabric
I've had this Trefle train fabric for months that I got from one of my co-ops. Determined to use it on my own children, I mulled over a design, and mulled even more over a coordinating fabric. Right under my nose, I had a beautiful Ralph Lauren plaid shirt. It's the same plaid that my grammar school uniform was made from...even the same weight which is perfect as the Trefle is a canvas weight. After playing around with a few designs, this is what I came up with. I had just enough to make matching outfits for both Oliver and Linus. Linus was so used to wearing shorts and lightweight fabrics, that he immediately pulled them up to his thighs. I should have Oliver's completed by this evening, and my hope is that they can wear them to church on Sunday ~weather permitting~. I found a couple of Peter Pan collar off-white shirts at Meijer...in the girls department, but they'll never know...shhhh.
10/14/2008
Our 5th Wedding Anniversary
I can't believe it's been 5 years. Yet in some ways, I can't believe it's only been 5 years. I thought for the occassion, I'd share a bit of our story.
Steven and I met online ~ yes a match made in cyberland ~ actually on Ave Maria Singles. I had been a member for some time, had a pretty serious relationship with someone else that I met on the site, but changed my membership to inactive when we broke-up. 6 months later, I visited the site just to scan new members. Steven's profile was the first to come up in my search. He was younger, and lived too far away to date, but we seemed to have so much in common, I thought it would be fun to correspond. On Friday I changed my membership status to active,(required in order to contact any member), and planned on sending a note over the weekend. When I logged on to do just that, there was a message waiting for me from him. Evidently after I changed my status, my profile came up in his search, and he too thought we had a lot in common. After a week of emails we switched to phone calls....very long phone calls. 6 weeks later, on Valentines Day, we met for the first time. On June 15th (I think) we were engaged, and on October 11th married.
Our wedding was beautiful. We had a Solemn High Mass in the Tridentine Rite presided over by my dear friend Fr. Bovee. The reception was a simple dinner attended by lots of family and friends. Noah's teacher gave us the best gift....she brought Bionicles for the boys to assemble during the reception. They look so little...Noah and Peter, not the Bionicle.
Now, 5 years and 6 children later(2 were miscarriages, and of course, Peter came with Steven) ...here we are! We knew that there would be challenges, and boy was that first year a doozie (sp?). Now ~ we have the ups and downs that any loving family has, and we roll with the punches. I love Steven more and more every day, and our children are blessings beyond belief. Noah and Peter had a great deal of adjusting to do, but have grown to be fabulous friends and loving brothers.
I can't wait to see what God has planned for us!
10/07/2008
Busy, Busy, Busy
I've taken on a number of projects. Some in the works, some just in the planning stages, some no more than an idea/sketch in my notebook, but all filling my plate just the same. Speaking of filling my plate...I made yummy bread pudding yesterday. I had a LLL meeting and didn't want to go empty-handed, but needed to use what I already had at home, and since bread seems to be plentiful in our house this week, I thought I'd give it a go. Not really following a recipe except for the proportion of milk to eggs, I improvised quite a bit. Rather than using just cinnamon, I used pumpkin pie spice, cubed up the rest of my homemade bread, and added some organic whole grain from Meijer. It looked a little lonely after coming out of the oven, so I sauteed some thinly sliced apple with a little butter and organic sucanat creating a kind of carmel-apple glaze. It was quite a big hit!
But I digress...I was speaking of projects. I'm almost done with my 2-day project of going through clothes. For the little ones, this is a 2 or 3 times per year event. This time I tackled ALL (and there were several) of the garbage bags of hand-me-downs in the basement, and went through all of the baby clothes too. I ended up with 1 "space bag" of baby stuff to keep, 1 bag for Linus for spring/summer 2009, and 1 bag of nice things over size 4T that I want to use for Oliver and Linus. Without having to go shopping, both of their dressers are nearly full. Oliver just needs a couple pair of pants, and voila! Only 4 more closets and dressers to go...I'll start on mine next week.
I didn't get nearly the amount of sewing done while visiting my mom that I thought I would. I finished one tunic/pant outfit, and started a dress that I'm complicating by using the flowers off of a vintage hankie to applique. There's the new diaper bag/purse I want to make from the Drawing Room fabric that's been calling me for months, and of course the matching outfits for Oliver and Linus from the beautiful japanese train fabric. With all this, what did I do last night? I sat and sketched 3 new designs. I had to get them down before I forgot, and I'm so eager to get started that I want to push everything else aside to do so. Prioritizing is not my strong point...creatively anyway.
But I digress...I was speaking of projects. I'm almost done with my 2-day project of going through clothes. For the little ones, this is a 2 or 3 times per year event. This time I tackled ALL (and there were several) of the garbage bags of hand-me-downs in the basement, and went through all of the baby clothes too. I ended up with 1 "space bag" of baby stuff to keep, 1 bag for Linus for spring/summer 2009, and 1 bag of nice things over size 4T that I want to use for Oliver and Linus. Without having to go shopping, both of their dressers are nearly full. Oliver just needs a couple pair of pants, and voila! Only 4 more closets and dressers to go...I'll start on mine next week.
I didn't get nearly the amount of sewing done while visiting my mom that I thought I would. I finished one tunic/pant outfit, and started a dress that I'm complicating by using the flowers off of a vintage hankie to applique. There's the new diaper bag/purse I want to make from the Drawing Room fabric that's been calling me for months, and of course the matching outfits for Oliver and Linus from the beautiful japanese train fabric. With all this, what did I do last night? I sat and sketched 3 new designs. I had to get them down before I forgot, and I'm so eager to get started that I want to push everything else aside to do so. Prioritizing is not my strong point...creatively anyway.
9/25/2008
Next Year's Summer Sandals ~ I Can't Wait
Soft Star Shoes is considering a sandal design for adults for next summer. They have mocs for grown-ups, but I'm just not into mocs. I WILL be into the sandal style though.
Oliver LOVES his soft star shoes...he's had 3 pairs, and once on, he doesn't want to take them off. I love their designs, colors, and the fact that the leather is formaldehyde-free. If you're not into leather, they have vegan alternatives that are just as durable. I can't say enough about them...their customer service is excellent, and even when you custom order/design your own, they in the mail faster than you can say "cozy tosies".
Oliver LOVES his soft star shoes...he's had 3 pairs, and once on, he doesn't want to take them off. I love their designs, colors, and the fact that the leather is formaldehyde-free. If you're not into leather, they have vegan alternatives that are just as durable. I can't say enough about them...their customer service is excellent, and even when you custom order/design your own, they in the mail faster than you can say "cozy tosies".
9/24/2008
The Smell of Nostalgia
In an effort to be frugal, I've decided to start baking my own bread. I used the recipe for the bread that my mother baked when I was growing up. Of course, I didn't appreciate it then...I wanted my sandwich on wonderbread like every other kid...I had no idea how fortunate I was. Luckily our kids not only appreciate it...they think it's cool.
As you can see, Oliver wanted to help, and had a good time doing so. I don't remember ever having helped my mother bake bread, but I do remember the smell (if
only we could have "click and smell"). Once I started kneading the dough the aroma was heavenly. Following my mother's recipe, I continued, and there was something almost primordial about it. I know I'm being silly...it's just bread, but baking bread is something that women have been doing since the beginning of time, and aside from the few times I've made it in my bread machine (cop out), I've just never had this experience. The smell has got my mind turned back 35 years. I can taste the cheese sandwich brought to school in my Partridge Family lunchbox, and see my brothers smushing the bread into thin wafers and using it while playing "church" in the basement. The recipe calls for Wheat Germ, and of course every time I see that jar, if I close my eyes, I can hear my dad mixing up a batch of whiskey sours. Heused the empty Wheat Germ jar to do so, and it had a very distinct sound...if you ask my other siblings, they'll have the very same memory.
After removing the loaves from the oven, I cut into one almost immediately. I wanted to see the steam rise, and the butter melt.
As you can see, Oliver wanted to help, and had a good time doing so. I don't remember ever having helped my mother bake bread, but I do remember the smell (if
only we could have "click and smell"). Once I started kneading the dough the aroma was heavenly. Following my mother's recipe, I continued, and there was something almost primordial about it. I know I'm being silly...it's just bread, but baking bread is something that women have been doing since the beginning of time, and aside from the few times I've made it in my bread machine (cop out), I've just never had this experience. The smell has got my mind turned back 35 years. I can taste the cheese sandwich brought to school in my Partridge Family lunchbox, and see my brothers smushing the bread into thin wafers and using it while playing "church" in the basement. The recipe calls for Wheat Germ, and of course every time I see that jar, if I close my eyes, I can hear my dad mixing up a batch of whiskey sours. Heused the empty Wheat Germ jar to do so, and it had a very distinct sound...if you ask my other siblings, they'll have the very same memory.
After removing the loaves from the oven, I cut into one almost immediately. I wanted to see the steam rise, and the butter melt.
9/22/2008
Playing Catch Up
I've been busy sewing away for the last few days. I got my first order for custom items from someone at church. I love the corduroy that I found to make the skirt...it's butter soft.
One Girl Circus
I have to direct everyone to Karen's (Peter's mom)Etsy Shop. She designs and fashions the most beautiful clothing. I've seen these garment up close, and her construction is flawless. She has been sewing for 30 years, so I'm continually asking for advice and picking her brain for techniques. And her model (daughter Ella)is precious.
Click the name to visit her store.
ONE GIRL CIRCUS (don't you love the name?)
Click the name to visit her store.
ONE GIRL CIRCUS (don't you love the name?)
I've Been Mentioned!!
I've been mentioned on Label Free, and they link to my Etsy store. Thanks Karen and Aimee.
9/21/2008
On the Subject of Blood
Oliver: The blood cells are the bones, which means the blood cells inside your body are attached. Did you know that?
Me: No, and what else?
Oliver: That's it...that's it of my story.
He talks about these kinds of things often lately, and likes to read this book.
This morning in church I heard him "reading" the missal. I couldn't hear every word, but I'd hear things like..."and St. John said that Jesus' blood died on the cross, and now it's in the tagernagle
Me: No, and what else?
Oliver: That's it...that's it of my story.
He talks about these kinds of things often lately, and likes to read this book.
This morning in church I heard him "reading" the missal. I couldn't hear every word, but I'd hear things like..."and St. John said that Jesus' blood died on the cross, and now it's in the tagernagle
9/13/2008
A Rainy Saturday
I'm ashamed to say that it is now almost 10pm, and I have yet to get out of my pajamas today...none of us did (except Steven and Peter). It rained and rained all day long, and despite the fact that I feel like I haven't done anything, I actually accomplished quite a bit. I had been wanting to make some reuseable shopping bags and finally got that done.
I just used t-shirts that would have otherwise been disposed of (not even worth giving to Good Will). Cut off the sleeves, and cut an 8" half-circle out of the neck, stitched the bottom closed, and voila! I would have liked to put more time into them with embelishments and such, but I have too many other projects waiting. I'm happy enough to not have to use the plastic anymore, and very pleased with how much they'll carry.
While I did that, Linus got a hold of my scrap bag. He and Oliver played in it like it was a pile of leaves, and it kept them occupied for quite a while.
I got the pattern and fabric cut out for a pair of overalls I'm making for Linus. If they're nice enough, I'll make some for the store. I have about 10 yards or more of this striped fabric, and joked tonight about making us all pajamas out of it for winter and wearing them for our Christmas picture.
Dinner was homemade ravioli with Italian chicken sausage from Trader Joe's. I used Nasoya wonton wrappers and stuffed them with ricotta, gouda, fresh basil, garlic, salt, pepper and parsley. It was my first attempt, and everyone loved them...even Peter (less the sausage of course).
My business cards arrived...there was a slight delay as the printer is in Miami, and the weather has held up some of the mail. I'll be sending everyone a stack and expect them to give them to everyone they meet!!!
Well, off to shower...finally, and enjoy some quiet time with Steven.
I just used t-shirts that would have otherwise been disposed of (not even worth giving to Good Will). Cut off the sleeves, and cut an 8" half-circle out of the neck, stitched the bottom closed, and voila! I would have liked to put more time into them with embelishments and such, but I have too many other projects waiting. I'm happy enough to not have to use the plastic anymore, and very pleased with how much they'll carry.
While I did that, Linus got a hold of my scrap bag. He and Oliver played in it like it was a pile of leaves, and it kept them occupied for quite a while.
I got the pattern and fabric cut out for a pair of overalls I'm making for Linus. If they're nice enough, I'll make some for the store. I have about 10 yards or more of this striped fabric, and joked tonight about making us all pajamas out of it for winter and wearing them for our Christmas picture.
Dinner was homemade ravioli with Italian chicken sausage from Trader Joe's. I used Nasoya wonton wrappers and stuffed them with ricotta, gouda, fresh basil, garlic, salt, pepper and parsley. It was my first attempt, and everyone loved them...even Peter (less the sausage of course).
My business cards arrived...there was a slight delay as the printer is in Miami, and the weather has held up some of the mail. I'll be sending everyone a stack and expect them to give them to everyone they meet!!!
Well, off to shower...finally, and enjoy some quiet time with Steven.
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