Halu-Halo

To everything - turn, turn, turn

I do believe that I gravitate towards projects I really need.  That of all the Works In Progress I have sitting in my craft space, or laid out in front of me on my computer, I choose what I think is most therapeutic.

These last two weeks, it's been this:

Infinitude 

I used size 8 needles instead of the 9 it called, but it was the only long circ I had on hand that was large enough.  Yarn is Cestera, with the colorway Erica, dyed by KimberlyR. 

The picture above is at its full length...it actually reaches below my waist.

This is Infinitude doubled:

There is a season - turn, turn, turn

And above: tripled

This was a wonderful pattern.  Just enough texture to give the cowl interest, but not too complicated that I couldn't get lost in the stitches.  

It brought me just enough zen so I could enjoy my family circling around me, enough challenge so I could have a conversation with my husband, and just enough silence so that I could hear myself think.

I modified the pattern a bit to I took out some of the repeats in the end.  I only had one skein of Erica, and I was intent on using as much of the 220 yards the skein promised.

I'm proud to say that I only left two yards unused.  

Life is so much about knits and purls, and the dips and bumps they create.  Patterns call for purposeful eyelets and cables, and yet sometimes there are those unmistakable holes and missed stitches.  But so long as we recover from these - increasing a stitch here and there, K2Tog, or even just grabbing our darning needle and sewing the hole closed - the garment will still come to be, as imperfect as it should be.   And that modifications in the prescribed pattern is completely allowed, but getting the most out of your pattern, and the yarn that you have is what counts.

I wear it in comfort.  

And a time for every purpose, under heaven

 

p.s...for those in your wonderful 40's...do your yearly mammograms! It will save your life!

p.p.s...please keep my friend in mind.  She lost her two nephews yesterday. 

I love having creative friends...

And I love it even better when they live nearby..

I had breakfast with KimberlyR this morning.  We snacked, had hot beverages, gossiped and laughed and talked business.  I took a lot of silly pictures, and she didn't mind, because she knew me well enough to know that by entering into my home,she inherently agreed that she would be a part of a future blog post or a tagged Facebook picture. (*)  

Sorry, Kim :)

But seriously folks, she came bearing yarn...how could I not talk about it.  In fact, I think I even squealed when she handed it to me.  Such is my love for hand-dyed yarn - I freak out even in small quantities.

I was giddy for hours after our morning together, as if a part of me was topped off and fulfilled.  I usually feel the same way after coming from a Quilt Guild meeting, or after checking into a craft blog or forum.  It's as if the sharp parts of my environment smudge just a tad, making *all of this* - the constant and busy of now - seem that much prettier.

With Creative Friends, most everything is possible.  They dream for it to come true.  Their imagination translates into something tangible, substantial and present.  And their encouragement - it's undending, no matter how small the project is, or whether it's been completed.  After all, it's as much about process and progress as it is about product.

With Creative Friends, I feel completely inspired!  I remember the projects I would like to do, I rifle through the patterns I hope to start, and I revel knowing that these things really, really make me happy, in what could be considered as rudimentary or domestic.  These organized set of stitches, these combinations of fabrics, they are all little outbursts of excitement onto fabric.  

These days, I don't accomplish nearly as much as I want to, but my Creative Friends help me remember through their own projects that life goes on, one stitch at a time.  That the fabric that is our environment is stitched together by people from all walks of life.  And that, really, nothing is wasted from whatever we do, as little or as much as we finally get to show.

I bet that Kim didn't think that her visit would do me that much good, but it did.  And if you're not a crafter, I bet you didn't think that all that could be felt doing a little bitty quilt or knitting a hat, but trust me, it can.  

Have a good night everyone!

 

(*) Note that I respect all friends wishes. If they are photo or blog shy, I promise that I don't expose them to my tomfoolery.   

Fixing myself

I have my cell phone set on a timer; in ten minutes, I will click Publish, and this blog post will be on its way to you, and I can stretch out my hands.

I really don't like going a week without blogging, not unless, of course, I am on vacation and I am resting for fun.  But I've had good reason to be away from the computer: I've had to fix myself let my body fix itself.

Last week, a seething pain went through my right wrist, up my forearm and into my shoulder.  It was a pain that didn't get better even with stretching so I put myself on a self imposed break.  It was, I believe a repetitive strain injury (RSI), most likely caused by the way I grab on to my tiny little mouse as if it was the root cause of life itself.  I had been spending a lot of time on the computer, and it was my body's way of saying - "Enough, already!"

By the second day of my symptoms, I cried, my withdrawals starting - I didn't want to spend any time away from the words I had to write.  I started panicking, planning out my purchase for a speech-to-text program. The entire house was in a tizzy, with everyone trying to console me, patting me on the back, bringing me ice and words of encouragement.  My family = my best supporters.

After a couple of days of pain, I got better, only to wake up on Monday feeling like someone had charged a jolt into my thumb.  I cried then too.  And on Tuesday.  

Anyway, today, I am much better,

physically and emotionally.  And appreciative for the use of my hands, for these 10 minutes I am able to write, and being able to still reach out to you.  The moments that we can try to bring our dreams to fruition, I keep realizing, can be sidelined in an instant.  So why not take those moments and run with it?  There's no reason to wait, even if it's only 10 minutes at a time.

It was a great lesson for me, so after I hit Publish, I will write down my to do list for the day as if the last week never happened. (with some hand stretching thrown in there for good measure)  And I'm picking up my highlighters and my sticky pads and will mark up my papers with pleasure. (and then maybe do some yoga)  And hopefully, I will joyfully pin down a quilt I need to finish for my baby niece. (then ice, ice, ice) But I'm going for it.

I hope you have a Go-For-It! Thursday yourself!

Practice what I preach

Every morning here in the Halu-Halo residence, there is a flurry of excitement as to who gets what bowl for their morning cereal.  

Excitement is probably not the most accurate word to describe it - it's more like an eyerollingfrustration or a mindnumbingchaos.

We have exactly the perfect amount of Fiesta bowls for each of our family members, except for Baby J, and if all of the bowls are present then there isn't really an issue.

But, in our house, we never know where that last bowl is....in the dishwasher, maybe, or in the wrong cupboard.  Hubby could have taken it all the way to work and heck I really wouldn't have known, because as a mom of four I choose my battles.  Kids safe? Check.  Fed? Check.  Mama's sanity intact? Close enough. Last bowl? Uh-whocares.

In the middle of these morning "discussions" on who's turn it is to take the yellow bowl, which has been deemed the least desireable against an unknown criteria set by my kids, I really try to teach them that it really doesn't matter what bowl they use.  I plead, I put my hands up, I wave my arms like Vanna White and show them that these bowls are all the same.

My 10 and 8 year old boys are pretty easy going about all of this; I think they like to "discuss" just because they like to hash everything to the tee.  Usually, as soon as they see me exasperated they take the bowl nearest to them and life goes on.  But my Sweet R, in her 6-year-old sassiness, only wants the red bowl, because it is "a girl color."

I usually take her under my mama-bird wing and talk to her about the many different colors in the world and how they are beautiful.  She always looks at me as if she really doesn't buy it, but eventually agrees and takes whatever bowl is left.  Then I pat myself on the back for being consistent, and for teaching her to be flexible and appreciative.

Last weekend, Hubby went to the Commissary for his twice a month shopping spree.  Armed with my shopping list and his zipped baggie of coupons - yes, my Army Man doesn't only shop, but shops with coupons !!hoooah!! - he set off with me yelling as he walked out the door, "Don't forget to pick up the disposable razors that have more than 3 blades."  

And no, my neighbors didn't hear me, thank goodness.  

He acknowledged with his coffee cup in the air and off he went with half of our brood.

Two hours later, he returned, looking very accomplished and proud, with a car full of groceries and with kids who had half a bag of candy already in their cheeks.  I started to unpack, and asked him if he bought my razors.

"Yep," he said and he pulled them out of the bag.

I gasped.

Me (trying not to panic): These are men's razors!

Him (not looking at me, still proud from all of the bananas he brought home): Huh?

Me: (holding up the package): These! (shaking them) These are men's!  

Him: (arranging his bananas): You said you wanted razors with at least 3 blades. Those have four! (he smiles)

Me: (still shaking them): But women's razors are pink!

Him: It doesn't matter does it?  Aren't they all the same?  Just a different color.

 

I took a deep breath, readying myself for my tantrum, preparing my argument that he will need to return these razors and get me the correct ones.  Then I looked around and realized that I had little Sweet R staring at me, still chewing her Skittles and waiting for my reaction.

So, I did what I had to do.  I took one for the team.  I stayed quiet, and today I used one of those darned razors.

And guess what?  They are exactly the same as their pink counterparts.

Happy Hump Day everyone!  Hope your little lessons today bring you some laughs!

My case to argue

I was at the pool the other day, watching my Big Two tear it up with their friends in the water, and drying off my sweet R.  It was a beautiful and relaxing day, with sounds of summer all around us.

I couldn't help but catch a few phrases from a group of mothers next to me.

"I can't imagine having more than two."

"You can't do everything you can if you have more."

"Right now, each one of us can take one, and more than that would be crazy."

I leaned in to hear more of their discussion, and for minutes they discussed their happiness of having only one or two, and couldn't understand how more could be better.

My first inclination was to thrust myself into the conversation of these four ladies, to explain the joys of having more than two, that chaos exists with any number of children, but my sensible side reminded me that by doing so, they will simply feel that mothers of more than two will, in addition to their preconceived notions, seem both impulsive and defensive.

And really, who am I to feel like I should defend my own reproductive rights, since they were chatting among friends, albeit loud.  

Still, I walked away from the the afternoon a little scathed.  I am an equal opportunity mother, I believe.  My mama-friends are diverse in race, religion, political affiliation, choice of schooling, family size, etc etc etc.  I respect each one of my friends and their decisions and situations as simply, theirs and really none of my business.  

On that day, I felt judged.

I held off on writing about it until today, when I thought I could articulate *a little* of what is in my heart.

 

To those mothers, I had wanted to say:

- Each one of my children are unique and special, each born from my womb bringing gifts insurmountable to whatever material pleasures you feel you may have "saved" from having only two.

- My capacity and potential to love, care and dote is limitless.

- My heart is not divided into different parts which are allocated to each child.  All receive everything from me.

- My parenting is no more imperfect than yours even if I have more children than you.  We will fail in some cases and hopefully triumph in most.

- No one can do everything.  

- And just like you, I cannot imagine....having one less at my dinner table.

 

And my final question to them..

- Why perpetuate a mommy war?  Why can we not encourage one another, instead of alienating those who make different choices?   

 

 (thank you friends, for listening, and for supporting my PERFECTLY big, chaotic, loud and imperfect family!)

How appropriate

Good morning dear Internets.  At my watch it is a little after 7am. According to Harold Camping, we only have 11 hours left before the end of the world begins.  

I guess, then, that it was appropriate for me to finish this project yesterday.  It is for a friend's son First Communion.  I'm getting better closing up these head pins, that I think I am ready to make a full size rosary.

I am very fascinated by the end of days.  The nannies that took care of me when I was young had tabloids with them that spelled out the end of days, almost monthly.  Pictures of Jesus were all over the front pages, calling sinners to repent before Judgement Day.  Even as young as 7 or 8, I remember starting a bucket list of things I wanted to do before Jesus came to get me. But of course I wouldn't be left behind to suffer, I was a good girl!

I do have to say that despite Harold Camping's absolute ridiculous-osity (because this prophecy deserves its own crazy spelling), it does give one pause to evaluate their place in the world.  Let's admit it, shall we, that even the most cynical person has thought of even for a second of where they think they will be at the end of days (religious or otherwise).  Will you be up/or down/or sideways or where the good people are, or will you be pulling a cart and scrounging for food with a blackened face as Cormac Mcarthy  has depicted in The Road.

I personally hope that I am pulled up to the Good Place, since I have no survival skills except for cooking.  And sewing, as we all know, since this is a part craft blog and all.  That's it - I can sew clothes! And knit hats for when its a nuclear wasteland and it's freezing everyday.

Well, folks, if this is my last day on Earth, just know that it's been great knowing you.  I was planning on showing pictures of our get together here at my home of the NOVA Modern Quilt Guild which is supposed to happen tomorrow - oh, well...

I hope you all have a great day, since, of course, it will be the last normal day ever.

:)

 

Stylish Blogger Award!

although I don't feel anywhere close to stylish at all.

Especially since I am post-4-wisdom-teeth-removal.  Get a load of these cheeks!  

  

I've been dizzy and nauseous from all of these medications I am taking, so there hasn't been any crafting for me, but I received a note from Natalie that I've been nominated for the Stylish Blogger award and I was so honored!

Thank you Natalie!  I loved seeing you the other day and am so glad to be able to connect with other local bloggers.

As part of this nomination, I have to share 7 random things about myself.  Although I will have to warn you that since I am under the influence of Percocet, I cannot promise a G rated conversation.

1.  I love, LOVE handmade things.  They make me happy.  I have kept everything handmade that has been given to me.  I am not much of a collector, nor am I a packrat, so at some point, with all of the moving we do, things store given may find itself in the "giveaway" pile....but handmade stuff - no way.

2.  BUT, I do not return gifts.  Not even those too small sweaters, or the hat that doesn't fit my head.  A gift is a gift, and I chuck those gift receipts.      

3.  I'm neurotic.  Like, Bethanny Frankel neurotic, but quieter.  Have you seen Bethanny Frankel on TV?  I love her because she is so real.  It shocks me that some folks think I'm so calm.  I don't think I am.  I suppose that's why I write and blog.  I must get my wiggles out on the page before I face the world.

Didn't I warn you that Percocet is a-flowing over here?  You asked for it.

4.  I love love my children.  And I enjoy them deeply...and because of this, I can't wait to be a grandmother.  I can't wait to have lots and lots of little children calling me Lola, and I can spoil all of them with my cooking.

5.  In 6 years or so, when Hubby transitions out of the military, and when we are in the market for our forever home, I want be in an episode of House Hunters.  I already have our little bio in my head.  

6.  I want to learn how to make mixed drinks.  Maybe take a bar-tending class.  Is there even such a thing?  We entertain a bit here at home and I want to be able to just take orders and whip drinks up in a jiffy.  How cool would that be? 

and finally...

7.  I totally believe that we all get the same amount of love and happiness and good luck.  The key is to how to detect it, how to use it, and how to appreciate it.  

 

As part of my nomination, I nominate 6 other bloggers.

1. Julia  at Simple Truths.  Julia and I went to college together and were co-Resident advisors.  We reconnected through Facebook and was thrilled to find out that she blogs and crafts!  So much in common!  And she is quite a talented lady.  

2. Steph at Paisley's Place Quilts.  Steph and I have a lot in common too.  She is a nurse and a military spouse and quilter.  She is wonderful with color!

3. Tia of Campfollower Bags.  She too is a nurse and a military spouse, and we were both stationed together in Heidelberg, Germany.  Today, not only is she a prolific quilter, but she also makes handmade quilts out of uniforms of military members.  

4. Amy of Made During Quiet Time.  She had me at the name of her blog.  And it's actually amazing what she accomplishes!   She makes beautiful quilts and has quite a few helpful tutorials.

5. Laura of My New Blog Journey.  Laura is an inspiration! She is a wonderful quilter and just an equally amazing person.  Her blog posts are honest and true.  And her quilts!  You must check her out.

6. Pietra  of Homestead Emporium.  Pietra is a phenomenal Work at Home Mom. Her blog is a glimpse into her life of being a mom of 7 and an successful entrepreneur.  She inspires me to stay productive!  She encourages me with her positive outlook.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I was planning on taking an afternoon off to go to the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival, but my cheeks will insist that I stay home, I'm sure.  At least I will be pampered by Hubby, who has taken command of this ever-busy home.  Thank you, honey!

Take care everyone,

Tif

Evidence!

I finished basting the preemie quilt yesterday, grateful that it was, in fact, a baby quilt and that I was able to do it all on the kitchen table.  Had it not been so small, I would have had to sneak away some extra time when Baby J was asleep or with Hubby, since she is a whirlwind of a spirit, and underfoot she can cause quite a havoc.  

I am not exaggerating.  Yesterday evening, as we got leftover Easter dinner onto the table, I was spent...a blob of my usual daytime self, from the phenomenon that is called - Baby J.  Who knew a one-year-old could pack so much energy, when even at a playground full of older children (while my oldest Big was at soccer practice), she pushed through their legs without hesitation.

Earlier in the afternoon, I had given Sweet R my camera to snap pictures on our main floor.  I set my camera and just gave her full reign, partly to teach her some confidence with a camera, by mostly because I knew I needed to seize the few minutes to finish basting.  

Yes, I was that desperate, enough to give my five-year-old my Nikon oldie.but.goodie D50.  

I didn't realize she took this picture.

When I uploaded it this morning from my camera, I was astounded to witness my peace.

The power of craft - dear Internets - see it here, I am practically smiling, despite the chaos that you don't see in the camera's view.  I have always said that craft took me out of loneliness during deployments, out of sadness and insecurities and here it is, as evidence.

So, don't wait.  Craft daily...work with your hands, I am encouraged once again that this is the best addiction vice to have.

Have a wonderful day, friends!

Giveaway winners and a side of beer

The only way to describe this weekend was eventful.  In addition to the normal to and fro that soccer games entail, and a fabulous get together to watch the final four, there was a hullabaloo of extended family conversations.  There was the constant texting and calling back and forth, the recurring lost calls of cell phone connections gone awry, and the "wait, I've got to switch phones" when the power finally gives way.

The subjects of the conversations?  Unimportant really, but the event was such a reminder that sometimes it's tough being far away from family.  Most of the time, the moving, the travelling, the celebrating events without family is actually ok, but when something needs to be decided or discussed, teleconference is just not good enough.

So I gifted myself a little extra.

and it was darn good.

Now, the winners!!  I thought that I would personalize this by having my own Vanna White draw the names.

 

Do you see how long her hair is?  I secretly wish my hair was that long.  It was, growing up...but very unruly especially in humidity.  I shiver just thinking at how crazy it must have looked in high school.

Why didn't my mother insist I use a flat iron?

Anyhoo,

 

 

Thank you ladies for liking, and commenting!! I'll be contacting the winners in the next couple days! :)

Until the next post, when you decide to sit back and have your poison drink of choice, have an extra swig for me!

 

Cute Placebo

I really should not be watching infomercials into the night.  While, I do have to add that "into the night" means - into 10pm, these infomercial marketers have figured out how to slip them in earlier in the evening.  And it works!  Because they can catch infomercial addicts such as myself who are simply channel surfing while folding laundry at night.

I think I've seen every infomercial known to man and have almost picked up the phone with every single one.  Gullible - yes, I am.  Though, in all fairness, the workout DVDs I have purchased in the past have previously done wonders for me, so no regrets there.  But the Orange Glo?  And Rich Dad, Poor Dad?  That would be another set of stories in themselves.

Have you taken a watch at those Irenew bracelets?  I thought they were ridiculous initially, but after watching the infomercial, the subliminal messages started to sink in.  It doesn't take long people.  This is why I am a great MLM party plan customer.  Scrapbook, Homewares, Stamping, Basket reps can spot me from afar.  

I almost picked up the phone.  I really, really almost did, because who wouldn't want naturally balanced energy?  And to not feel like you need a caffeine drip to make it through the end of the day when the kids ask me such difficult questions like, "what's for dinner?".  I was stumped with that one yesterday.  And if you knew me, you know that is a bad, bad thing, since I am a compulsive dinner planner.

But.  I didn't.  And not just because Dave Ramsey has gained a seat at our table, but because I think Hubby may turn me into IA (Infomercial Anonymous), of which I would probably ascend to as President.   

Instead, I made myself my own bracelet, named appropriately as :  Icangetittogether bracelet.

I used memory wire, pearl seed beeds and cute flower beads I purchased last year.  Super fast to put together; just quick enough that after I put it on, Baby J summoned and I was back into my night routine.

And guess what?  I woke up this morning and knew exactly what to make for breakfast.  It's working see?

Nod with me....

(thank you...)