Imprints on my Heart

I was just looking at some of my friend's blogs (because I am tired and I am avoiding doing what I should be doing - homework!) I'm behind in reading, months and months behind, which is too bad because many of my friends are excellent writers. As I read my friends' posts, I was observing that I seldom write (and publish) angry. Sometimes I write to vent, and occasionally I let Tom read it or read it aloud to him (which does wonders for me) but I think it takes a special kind of guts (and comfort with oneself) to write when you are sad or upset. At the point of publishing your anger, you really are putting yourself "out there".

Recently I decided I should always have a picture with my posts.
Even if the pictures don't really relate to the post, it's nice to have a visual reference.
Besides, I take SO MANY pictures, I *SHOULD* share them with you!

I realized that I have been a bad friend lately. I have been so consumed with completing my school work and keeping up with the boys and house and Tom being out-of-work, that I really haven't had time for much else. I don't cook. I don't clean. I don't {gasp} sew. I don't write. I don't chat. I've just been focused on school-school-kids-school! :P Exhausting I tell you! It helps me realize sometimes people really want to be involved but they have to prioritize how much of themselves they can give and to whom.

May I share some thoughts with you that I had tonight? I have only just shared it with one friend. Today someone called to tell me how important I've been in their life. It was wild for me. I've been the one saying those things before, about a few special people. My Aunt says some people come into your life for a short time, but live a print on your heart for a lifetime! I warmly think of those people who've made those kinds of imprints on my heart. It was touching to hear how I've now returned the favor and life begins to travel full circle (a friend wrote about her idea of life moving in a spiral.) So, I just crossed over an event.

In any case, tonight I was thinking about friends. Some friends you grow with (I think these may be Best Friends), some friends you learn from, and some you teach. All friendships have a place, but they serve different needs. Have you ever heard the analogy about having different friends for different needs? One you can hang out with. One you can cry on the shoulder of. One you can laugh and let-loose with. Anyway, I was thinking of all these things as I read about someone not-having a best friend. They sure are special when they come along, and it's weird, I think when you find one, you treasure them all the more because they are so infrequent.

Being in Rock Springs, knowing it was so temporary, I knew I needed support, and started out (unconsciously) looking for the best friends I'd left behind in Arizona... at the beginning I even gravitated to people with the same first names! Somewhere along the line, I realized it's okay to have friends for a short time, and have fun, but not have a life-long bond. I continue to nurture one particularly close friendship. I sometimes mourn friendships lost or changed, but realize that as we grow and change, our friendships must also grow and change.

In a strange way, I found these pictures suited to my topic.
They remind me of the quote along the lines of
"Go often on the house of a friend, for the path soon covers over with weeds."

It's important to maintain our relationships, whether in town or far away, for they soon become clouded over, not to mention, being involved is, well, a great way to BE INVOLVED!

I know I'm totally rambling! I'm tired. I'm sore. AND, I'm STILL avoiding homework (at this point I'm so tired, I'll make the bed and then crawl into it (the dryer just finished my sheets!)) Thanks for allowing me to share my mental ramblings and musings; I appreciate it!!!

Flip-Flop Knitting

I've been knitting so much this week that my hands have literally dropped the needles. I've also been enjoying knitting as never before. Why then is everything feeling like it's flopping and needs to be frogged (a knitting term for ripping something out, you know "rip-it, rip-it")? Do I dare rip all my work out and start over?


My Swyaze Socks. My socks, mine. The first is ready to bind off, and guess what... they don't fit. I can't get them on. So, do I send them off to an Aunt and mourn my lost yarn or do I frog them and mourn the lost sock and time?


My Sunrise, Sunset Shawl. I LOVED the first yarn. I don't like the second. I've also realized I just don't have enough yarn to finish the pattern the way I've done it. So, do I frog a whole 170+ yards and change the pattern? Do I add the first color back in? Do I keep going and see how big it is, then add more of the darker color at the end, by the faded color?


Why do I expect *everything* to be perfect? Can't I just let something go and be imperfect? Would I be able to enjoy the finished object, or would it ALWAYS bother me?


On a positive note, I am making progress on some projects for my Mom and her friend's costumes for the Arizona Renaissance Festival. They run a play place for kids called "Toy Island", and all three members of the troop wear red and yellow. I'm working on quilted hats, knitted mitts, and here is one of the crocheted scarves for them...


Thanks for listening to my rambling. Last week I was so excited by my knitting and this week it all feels like a flop! ;P

Adjectives & Adverbs from A Trip

After four days "in the field", on a bus, and without family or showers, I've just cleanup up, cuddled and filled my belly. Here is a "quick" list of words describing my school trip.

1. Great.
2. Fun.
3. Relaxing.
4. Exhausting.
5. Stimulating.
6. Thought provoking.
7. Inspiring.
8. Awesome.
9. Ponderous.
10. Bewilderment.
11. Aching.
12. Hot.
13. Cold.
14. Stinky.
15. Hungry.
16. Windy.
17. Gleeful.
18. Silly.
19. Joking.
20. Laughter.
21. Irreverent.
22. Goofy.
23. Cleavages.
    
24. Informative.
25. Sharing.
26. Valuable.
27. Assertive.
28. Accountable.
29. Counting.
30. Deduction.
31. Reason.
32. Observation.

I will follow this with pictures soon. :D

Keith. Mom. Here's a post for you! :P

I have talked before about the complimentary Adobe Photoshop Action Sets, from The Pioneer Woman. Today, I'll show you some more I've been playing with.

Here is a photo of Frank I took yesterday. This is "SOOC" (Straight Out Of the Camera).


I enjoyed playing with it as follows (cropped, sepia, heartland, and colorized):


I love the original color version, but it's interesting to see how colorizing or removing the color causes your eye to travel to things like the lips and eyes. With Frank's pale coloring, removing the color really brings the focus to his eyes, and somewhat to his lips.

Then Tom snatched my new camera and snapped his first picture on it... of me. Here it is SOOC.


I cropped it (with a slight rotation) and the applied The Pioneer Woman's "Lovely and Ethereal" Action... which warmed the colors and softened the edges.


Since Tom's Best Friend Keith sent me an AMAZING GIFT... a new digital camera, I've been taking and editing lots of pictures... but I realize (through constant reminders from Keith and my Mom) that I HAVE been stingy about sharing the results. I will make every effort to rectify that, know this though, I have just one week until I start back to college, and two weeks until Frank starts school.

So the luxury of "free time" I've been enjoying is about to disappear! Knowing this, I've been taking full advantage of being lazy (well, lazy for me anyway!). I've been playing silly PC games, going to the parks, taking pictures, perusing magazines, and generally not getting a lot done. I think it's good to allow ourselves a break once in a while. Mine is almost over though, and I do look forward to the return to productivity and general busyness!

What have you been enjoying lately?

Arbor Day at Shadona Central

Yesterday we planted five trees (with the gracious help of some local teens to dig the holes). I found the planting of trees very joyous and inspirational!


Yes, I know the trees look a little lean. Last week, when I bought them, they were lush. Then, the wind kept blowing them over and they started to dry out. After just a day in the ground, the leaves are cooling off and moisture is returning. The trees will be fine!

Jack keeps going outside to check on "his" tree, and saying "Look! My tree grew!!!" True to his nature as the "baby" of the family, his is the tree in the center, right in the middle of things, center-of-attention and all that. Funny that he chose "his" tree and it's location all on his own!

PS: Tuesday Jack went out to check on his tree and "pull weeds". He came back in and proudly declared "I pulled all the leaves off my tree!" I wonder if it will still grow. One thing is for sure... if the trees survive our family's "gardening", they will be stronger than ever!

Creative Juices

I just spent three hours hanging out in my sewing room. I think it's been a good month (probably longer) since I did that. Just went in and played. It was great! So relaxing!

While working away on an old sheet, turned Renaissance / Pirate Shirt, I was thinking about how I believe we each need to let our creative juices flow. Actually, I feel better in general when I give myself regular time to play (at least each week, preferably each day).

What I am curious about is how you let your juices flow? Do you write, paint, sew, stitch, mold, sculpt? Are you musical or mechanical? Do you tend a garden or cook or bake? What do you do that just feels second nature to you? Do you have one thing more than others that truly relaxes you?

Personally, I do many of these things, but feeling cloth in my hands and hearing the hum of a sewing machine is by far the most therapeutic thing I can do for myself... and it has been for many, many years. What about you?

Ladybugs

Saturday (June 13th) I played around and made two delightful and "oh-so-cute!" Ladybug items.

I planned to make another Baby Shower Minkie-Taggie-Lovey-Blankie-Thingy. While looking for ideas, I found this cake. I really liked the angle of the photograph and wound up creating this ADORABLE item:


One of the fun things about this applique is that all the fabric for the background and bug is super-soft Minky... except for the antenna. They are made from an old (clean) shoelace, couched down. I really appreciate the texture difference (both visual and tactile) that the shoelace creates.


In addition, the gift was for a Baby Shower. The lady hosting the shower has had a downfall of bad luck this month, and when I saw her the day before, I could see the poor gal was seriously overloaded. So, I offered to make the Party Cake. I found this website with amazing cake ideas and photos (Coolest-Birthday-Cakes.com). I looked through dozens of ideas before basing my shape on this.


My whole life I've made birthday cakes. Actually, I cried on Jack's last birthday (on the phone, with my Mom, at the store) because I was BUYING him a store-bought cake. Frank was sick. I was exhausted. Still. Crying over a store-bought cake. It goes to show you HOW IMPORTANT it is to me that I make birthday cakes for my family and friends! In all my years of playing with decorating tips and looking through Wilton Year Books, somehow, I never picked up a magnificent tip.

When finishing the frosting, dip the blade in hot water, smooth frosting, wipe off excess and repeat.

I've never taken a cake decorating class, just looked at books and came up with ideas. Mostly, I want a cake that tastes amazing, and looks fun, but isn't "too much" work. I enjoyed the Coolest-Birthday-Cakes.com because it was full of Non-Threatening creative ideas by the common cooks like you and I.

Still, with that one little tip (plus freezing the cake between steps), I was able to create this very nice looking cake. By the way. If you are wondering. Jack helped me with the process of creating both these items... thus the "lined up on one side and zig-zaggy on the other" spots. Jack and I made the eye whites and mouth out of taffy, warmed slightly in the microwave, and then hand shaped, like Silly Putty. Putting the decorations on was Jack's big part of this cake. :D

I would love to hear the music to go along with this fun song:

Hello Ladybug

Notes: words and music by Malvina Reynolds; copyright 1972 Schroder Music Company, renewed 2000. a.k.a. "Ladybug."

Hello ladybug, little lady, ladybug
Hello ladybug, my little friend
Eating up the crawlers that eat up my roses
Fly around ladybug, come back again.

Hello, wiggleworm, little wiggle, giggleworm
Hello, wiggleworm, my little friend
Churning up the ground so the roots can go down
Wiggle, wig, wiggleworm, come back again.

Hello buzzy bee, little buzzy, fuzzy bee
Hello buzzy bee, my little friend
Carrying the pollen that makes food and flowers grow
Buzz around, buzzy bee, come back again.

Hello ladybug, little lady ladybug
Hello ladybug, my little friend
Eating up the crawlers that eat up my roses
Fly around ladybug, come back again.

Now. One more fun Ladybug thing for you. I found this poem that reminds me of how content we all can be in our lot in life:

Happy to Be Me- a Ladybug

I'm a ladybug
nothing more
but I'm happy to be me,
so free,
with so much beauty to see...

I'm red with black spot
found in field,
meadow,
or flower pot...
on blade of grass,
tree limb
shrub or flower,
perhaps even on the Eiffel Tower!
hill or dell,
by a stream
in wood serene-

I've been to so many places
it's hard to tell...
I'm very little
but please do not belittle,
just content to be a creature of this earth,
isn't that a measure of worth?

-Marie Lawrence

I hope you're having a great weekend! This creative break was wonderful, but now it's time to hit the books again! :D

School Numbers

I feel so much better about myself going back to school! Already, I feel like I'm getting a grip on the work load (though I do have to stay right on top of it!)

What's interesting to me is that since people are hearing that I've gone back to school, strangers, acquaintances, and friends alike are all asking if I'm going to be a teacher. It's odd because my original major was Elementary Education, though few people now know that.

Right now, I was just intending to get an Associates and see what happened next, but maybe I will finish my Bachelors... it seems like someone/thing is trying to tell me something because I am hearing "are you going to be a teacher" all.the.time!

I even noticed a poster for a distance program from University of Wyoming to spread the two year program out over three! This is a special program UofW is doing to help people get their teaching degree while balancing life. Seeing the poster and thinking of doing the program just "feels right" inside. The timing coincides with how long we were planning to stay in this town, so, perhaps next Fall, after getting use to school, and suddenly having both my babies being school age, I can put myself to the task of finishing that long-ago dream. :D

-------------------------------

By the way... this is my 365th Post. Of course, it took two years nine months to get here... I guess that means I've posted about once every three days.

Okay. I LOVE numbers and math. I just went and checked. I started the blog September 16, 2006, which means this is day 1,001 for the blog. Kinda funny... exactly a year's worth of posts on the freaky number like 1001. That also happens to be Frank's birthday written out... October 1st... or 10-01.

Little things like this literally make me smile.

I know. I'm weird about numbers. But you should know that too, because I've told you about it before!

Yes. I AM Crazy!

At least I think taking five children ages (4, 4, 5, 5, & 7) to a concert qualifies as being crazy. Even if it was at the community college, and even if it was a free choral concert, and even if the choir was kinda (okay really) bad.

Who does that?

I think it would have been challenging enough with just my two boys, but my friend calls and says she’s going to a movie, but I know her hubby’s at work, and she just let Tom and I go to a movie on Saturday, and so her kids are going to a teenage who’s watching like NINE kids tonight, so, I open my mouth and say “I’m going to a free concert at the college, I can take them with me.” Then, I call and tell her “I’m making spaghetti and cooking a whole pound of pasta, so come over if you want” and then she’s like “we’ll be right down” because, I didn’t know it, but she LOVES my homemade spaghetti, even if it’s the “quick” version.

(Amy... I love you and your kids and OBVIOUSLY, this is just a total rant on my week and evening and not really about taking the kids at all, but just a great demonstration of how wacky I can be.)

Wow! I’m rambling and that’s QUITE the set of run-on sentences.

Anyway. I love being busy and going and doing and now that I’m feeling just a LITTLE BIT better (and Tom’s out of town and therefore unable to rein me in) I find myself doing crazy-fun stuff like that.

When I’m out with Amy’s kids, I always wonder what other people must think of me with the five stair-stepped kids. I mean, it looks like I cranked out one kid a year for five years in a row! Who does that? I know people do, but I honestly don’t think I could handle it. I mean, if the pregnancies, births and breast feeding didn’t kill me, trying to wash diapers and potty train all of them. And then, oy! I mean, this week, I waged war with Jack. I can't even imagine dealing with so many toddlers at one time - all.the.time.

This week, I decided it was high time Jack learn to clean up his room, on his own. The boys share a room and USUALLY, Tom or I or Erik will go in and clean it up. But no. I wanted Jack to do it.

I've learned that Jack really does know where all his toys and things go... he just honestly and truly wants someone else to clean up for him. What's more, he's OKAY with hanging out in his room all.the.time and just having occasional time-outs to interrupt his playing (because he seldom... okay, NEVER is actually CLEANING).

This week has been a long, harrowing journey for me. I’ve wanted to scream and yell (okay, I HAVE screamed and yelled). I wanted to strangle and cry (did the crying). Okay. The only thing I wanted to do and HAVEN’T done is strangle, gag, and bind my kids. I mean, I really thought about gagging them Tuesday afternoon. Which is when I first called Amy and she then came to my rescue. It’s been SO GOOD to have her support this week as I pitched this battle with Jack.

Come to think of it, that’s probably why I wound up with five kids at a concert tonight. I felt SO much more sanity this week because Amy has been coming over and calming me down when I wanted to strangle, gag, and tie Jack.

Tom would say something like “never wrestle a pig in the mud… the pig likes it and you just get dirty.” Same thing with this battle with Jack. But, I have learned somethings.

My best day, was also the one when I was the most exhausted (haven’t been sleeping well with hubby on a trip, and a good book series in my face!) Anyway, I was tired on Wednesday. Therefore, I couldn’t muster as much energy for the fight. But bigger than that, I made an effort to check on Jack FREQUENTLY, and made sure to catch him DOING WHAT HE WAS SUPPOSE TO. Then. I’d have him come sit on my lap for a cuddle and usually a story book. That little bit of positive attention was SO MUCH more productive than all the fighting, crying, etc I’d been doing.

Another change on Wednesday… some different forms of time-outs. In our house, time outs have almost always been served in a rocking chair… gives them the chance to move while still doing what you want, sit in one spot. Monday and Tuesday I was doing time outs on a step stool (little and hard and not-mobile). Well, Wednesday, we switched. Time outs were either Nose-in-the-Corner or (a new idea to me) hands above your head on the wall touching an item (either a piece of tape, or for Jack, until he figured out he could blink them off and on, he just had to put his hands on a switch plate). That worked out MUCH BETTER. I also made sure I could see him while serving these new time-outs. I’m loving the hands over the head one. It doesn’t take long until I hear “Mom! My arms are tired! Can I PLEASE go clean my room?”

I really hope I didn’t thwart my four days of effort here though… tonight, I left the concert early. And then, the five kids, when ask “do you think we should help Jack or just let him work on cleaning his room again tomorrow?” They decided to help! I gave each child an assignment (1 – clothes and hangers, 2 – stuffed animals and books, 3 – cars, 4 – little things, 5 – everything else). In TEN MINUTES, they had the pile down to small bits and trash. Another twenty minutes and the room was clean and vacuumed!

EVERY DAY this week has been a battle. I really and truly hope that I didn’t undermine my efforts by allowing the children to help.

Perhaps tomorrow I’ll have Jack do something nice to thank his friends and brother. Help him realize that he needs to be grateful to people when they do something nice for him, instead of just expecting them to do it because he’s the littlest/youngest/cutest/laziest/whatever.

Anyway. I do think I’m crazy… actually, in my family, it’s hard NOT to be Certifiable, but that’s DEFINITELY another story for another time! :D

Technology Essay

I just entered a contest from HP for a $5,000 Electronic Make Over. You have to write a 200 word (or less) essay about how you use electronic to help in your busy life. I'm not sure my entry was quite what they had in mind. That is, I imagine they want something about how wonderful and grand the electronics are, and my essay, well, just read it for yourself...

I think the most important way I use technology is to control how much of it we have. I am constantly analyzing if an item is really “helping” us, or if it is just taking up time and space. As such, we live without “necessities” like a TV, Microwave, Dishwasher, Stereo, and Coffee Pot. When I bring something into my home, I want to make sure it helps us to stay focused on the things that matter… which aren’t things at all, but people. The other way I use technology, is limit the amount of time we spend in front of electronic items. There is so much to see and do in this world; I encourage my family to get out there and experience the real world, instead of the one on-screen. Some days I classify as a “Power Down” day, where all electronics (including computers and phones) get turned off, and we spend the day cuddling and relaxing and playing. I really think it’s important to remember the technology is here to serve us; we have to keep that in mind so we don’t let ourselves get overrun with the latest gadget or gizmo.

Metaphysics - Mental Causes for Physical Illness

For several years now I have found great help from a book by Louise L. Hay, "Heal Your Body The Mental Causes for Physical Illness and the Metaphysical Way to Overcome Them". This was my first (and so far, only) introduction to "Metaphysical" things. I'm sure that I still don't use them to the fullest of my ability, but I do find this gem of a book to be immensely helpful. Here's what I do. (Usually when things get "really bad" and my body's screaming "LISTEN TO ME!!!") I write a list out of my current ailments, noting the side of the body they are on (if any). Today's list looked like this:

cough, congestion, runny nose, slight fever, 3 canker sores.

Then, I start reading through the book.

Excerpt from "Heal Your Body"

Problem	Probable Cause	New Thought Pattern
Cough	A desire to bark at the world. "See me! Listen to me!"	I am noticed and appreciated in the most positive ways. I am loved.
Congestion see: Bronchitis, Colds, Influenza
Colds (Upper Respitory Illness) see: Respitory Aliments	Too much going on at once. Mental confusion, disorder. Small hurts. "I get three colds every winter," type of belief.	I allow my mind to relax and be at peace. Clarity and harmony are within me and around me. All is well.
Respitory Ailments see: Bronchitis, Colds, Cough, Influenza	Fear of taking life in fully.	I am safe. I love my life.
Nose	Represents self-recognition.	I recognize my own intuitive ability.
Nose, Runny	Asking for help. Inner crying.	I love and comfort myself in ways that are pleasing to me.
Nose, Stuffy	Not recognizing the self-worth.	I love and appreciate myself.
Fever	Anger. Burning up.	I am the cool, calm expression of peace and love.
Canker Sores	Festering words held back by the lips. Blame.	I great only joyful experiences in my loving world!

I find it interesting to compare and summarize the similar thread that ALWAYS seems to run through the ailments Probable Causes and New Thought Patterns.

Holding words / thoughts back.
Too busy.
Acknowledge and care for self.

Then I write out the New Thought Patterns as a list / paragraph of phrases for a new Mantra. Then, I put it somewhere I see it each morning (in the bathroom/bedside/dresser). Each morning, I pause and think about the list. I don't always read it all, but I think about it. I find focusing on the positive new thoughts is more helpful than pondering over the more negative causes. Just being aware of the causes helps, but the biggest help comes from the new thoughts I'm focused on.

I am noticed and appreciated in the most positive ways.
I am loved.
I allow my mind to relax and be at peace.
Clarity and harmony are within me and around me.
All is well.
I am safe.
I love my life.
I recognize my own intuitive ability.
I love and comfort myself in ways that are pleasing to me.
I love and appreciate myself.
I am the cool, calm expression of peace and love.
I create only joyful experiences in my loving world!

I must say, this post is (even for me) a little daring to write. It "puts me out there", opens me up, shows a weak-side, and also gives you plenty to "judge" me on. That makes it hard to share. BUT, this book and method has worked many wonders in my life, and I feel that the risk of sharing is less than the guilt of not sharing and giving you the opportunity to try it for yourself.

I sincerely hope that you too can get your hands on a copy of Louise L. Hay's "Heal Your Body" and try this out for yourself. It's been amazing for me!

The Things I Worry About

Oh sure, there are LOTS of things I worry about. Actually, I worry so much that I don't know what I'd do if I had NOTHING to worry about. Luckily, I don't have to think about that because I can always find something else worthy of giving my time and energy and emotion to.

Wow! That's depressing and enlightening all at once.

In any case. I realized I've been fretting and thinking and debating and pondering over a lowly sock toe for something like three days now!

First I spent almost three hours on a test swatch for a Jaywalker sock pattern, before deciding I wanted to try a toe-up sock. Then, I spent a measly hour starting my first pair of toe-up socks only to realize I'm ... using the wrong yarn. I mean, it's the right yarn, but my Aunt indicated she'd *like* it if the toes and heels were made form a different, contrasting color.


The Jaywalker test swatch is on the right. And, yes. I know! That LITTLE BIT of knitting on the left ACTUALLY took at least an hour! But hey! It's all new stuff to me... figuring out the Magic Cast On and then trying to keep stitches tight between two needles while adding stitches. I don't like the increases. I don't like one side where it's all poking out and big.

So, for several days now I've been debating... keep the blue start, add a red stripe, then return to blue. Or just rip it all out so both socks have two matching red toes?

On one hand, my only pair of handmade socks (so far) have toes that are slightly different, and I have found that I like this because it's easier for me to wear the same sock on the same foot each time (and I don't know WHY I do that, probably because the toes are different and I can). So, do I allow my Aunt the same touch of wonkiness and keep going by putting a red stripe in this toe and a solid red toe on the other sock? Or do I try to make them "match"?

Every time I think I have the answer, I trick myself by thinking of something else.

Quilt Design - Almost A Job

Perhaps your tired of hearing about the Nitty-Gritty aspects of creating a quilt AND pattern to go with it... but do you know, I've been keeping track of my time and in the past six days, I've spent over 20 hours on this project. That's "almost like having a job!" And of course, I'm intending to make it lucrative, but, for someone who's "only" job has been running a house, homeschooling, and sorting out mounds of medical bills, adding 20 hours of ANYTHING to a normally busy week is quite a bit.

Tonight, I hit my wall. I miscut one piece, but one measly inch (over the course of 80" it doesn't sound like much). It was easy to fix, but not with the time crunch I was in. Instantly my hands started to itch (a nervous thing of mine) and I knew I was Done. I called Tom up and he encouraged me to take a break (I spent an hour cuddling with the boys on the couch) and push out the quilting until tomorrow. Tomorrow I won't have help from the machine owner. I have used a long-arm machine four times before, but the last time was last May and I had trouble with it. I guess, just like the rest of this project, I'll have to figure it out myself.

It's been enlightening to me that I've wanted to create patterns for so long. Finally, last week I decided I was going to do it, and I am doing it. I've realized that all this time I was waiting for someone else to encourage or nudge me, and really, I just had to make the decision and go for it. I've been so excited, but true to my nature, I've also worn myself out a bit.

I'll be leaving for Arizona AFTER my planned day of Monday. The trip will still happen next week, but I want to finish the pattern this weekend so I can get paperwork in order and pack (kinda HAVE TO do that) before leaving in the middle of the week.

Oh yeah. I JUST finished the quilt top - again. I decided it wasn't done with just the piece-work and added two borders. Today I also designed, cut, and pieced a scrappy back for the quilt. Now, I have to pin on three giant zippers so tomorrow I can "zip it" onto the quilt frame (at 8:30 am with Jack in tow!)

Game & Watch Sounds

Tom has a new work vehicle... like it was delivered to him two weeks ago with under 20 miles on it (he already has almost 1,500!) It's a 2009 Chevy Express Work Van.

Anyway, tonight was my first time driving it. When I used the turn-signals, I chuckled to myself at the sound they make... it took me a few seconds to place the sound... it's exactly the same as when the eggs are rolling down the chute in Nintendo's 1980's Classic Game & Watch Mickey Mouse Game!


This was my FAVORITE of the Game & Watch video games my Grandad brought back from his business trips to The Orient. He also brought us Parachute, folding Donkey Kong II and Greenhouse games.

I never could get my Mom to part with the original Mickey Mouse, so, a few years ago I went to trusty ol' eBay. I bid and WON... but was disappointed when all I received was an original INSTRUCTION MANUAL... no game. Don't you HATE IT when they auction shows a picture of one thing and lists text for another??!? I eventually won a functional game for myself, which sits prominetly on display on a shelf in my sewing room / studio.

Quotes and Thoughts about "HOME"

So, on the drive back to Wyoming I REALLY resisted referring to our new house as "Home". I called in "our house" or "back in Wyoming", but my heart aches at the thought of calling this "Home." Which confuses me, for, I certainly want my boys to have a "home". I just think of MY home as being in Arizona.

By the way, we arrived back at 10:30 pm ... after JUST 14 hours on the road today!

In any case, being so tired from this trip, I wanted to get back to my own bed and my things. But my feeling of rest and home points me back to Arizona. Luckily, my Mom helped me paint a mural with a Sonoran theme. When I saw it I smiled and felt better... I also thought that I should put a heat lamp in the room it's in to make it feel more like a desert (the house was 67 and outside was almost down to 40.) Also, all around Shadona Central Speedway, I have Arizona paintings and pictures. Whenever my eyes rested on one of my Sonoran things, I smiled and felt better. At least I can keep pieces of my home around me.

In any case, I think some of these revelations came after searching out "home" quotes online. Here are some that I found:

• "Have nothing in your homes that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." – William Morris, 19th Century Designer
• A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.- George Moore
• The most important work you and I will ever do will be within the walls of our own homes. - Harold B. Lee (1899 - 1973)
• Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,
  Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home. - John Howard Payne (1791 - 1852)
• My home is not a place, it is people. - Lois McMaster Bujold, "Barrayar", 1991
• Every house where love abides
  And friendship is a guest,
  Is surely home, and home, sweet home
  For there the heart can rest. - -Henry Van Dyke
• "Having some place to go is home. Having someone to love is family. Having both is a blessing." – Unknown
• "Home is a magical word - within that mystical circle are comforts and warmth never found outside it." – unknown
• "Home is not where you live, but where they understand you." – Christian Morgenstern
• "Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in." - Robert Frost
• "Home is where there's someone to love, and someone to love us." – unknown

The quote that finally "hit home" (no pun intended) was this one:

• "Home is where your favorite memories are." - Peter-Dirk Uys

and these followed closely behind it:

• "Home is where your story begins" – Unknown
• "Home is where one starts from." - T.S. Eliot
• "May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers and love grows." – UKNOWN
• "Mighty proud I am that I am able to have a spare bed for my friends." - Samuel Pepys
• "My home is where my books are." - Ellen Thompson 1909
• "Traveling in the company of those we love is home in motion." - Leigh Hunt

In any case, I've been pondering the simple little word "HOME" and what it means to us. It's strange how I resist using it because I just don't want to accept this Barren Wasteland as My Home...

So tell me, what does HOME mean to you?

Exploring Blogland

When I first started my blog, I didn't know much about them other than my friend enjoyed her's. I began writing for and TO my friends, through my blog. Then. I wondered how to attract other people to my blog... I still wonder about that.

Now, I have people I know personally, and those I know through a few swaps / give-aways. I have other people that I know just from comments... on their blog or mine. Basically, I've found I enjoy "meeting" other people though their blogs.

Generally, I'll be reading something I enjoy, and see a link, or read a comment on a post, I'll like what they say, and follow a link and find their blog, then, *viola*, I have another blog I enjoy reading. Today, I think that happened when I discovered PinsandThimbles.

I was reading Anne Brumley's post that was basically about finding our focus in life, and I thought I'd share my response:

I too have a million things going at once. Recently, I’d “slowed down” and wound up being bored and miserable. In the past few weeks, I’ve started picking up the pace and getting “more involved” and I feel invigorated and excited by life!

My Aunt, who’s in her 70’s and I’m in my 30’s, advises me that “to every thing there is a season”… there was a time when she was REALLY busy, but these days, mostly consist of her, a few pets, taking her mother to town, and LOTS of quilting. Her home is quite and calm, as is her life.

So. I guess what I’m saying, is that it’s important to do what motivates and excites us. It’s also important to accept where we are in our lives and know that one day things will be different, so, enjoy today and look forward to tomorrow!

Here's me reminding you to Enjoy Today and Look Forward to Tomorrow, with JOY!

Meet Trystan, The Neighbor

A few days ago, I was having a rough afternoon. I reluctantly let one of our neighbor-boys in the house. Reluctantly, because I was having a grouchy time and, although I like having a house where the kids feel welcome, sometime it can be a *bit* much. (There are 18 kids living in 6 houses across the street, 11 of them are out-and-about A.LOT!)

Anyway, after Trystan came in, he took his shirt down off his head. Here is what we saw:


I just burst out laughing! I know it wasn't nice. It probably made him feel worse. But is was just so funny to me!

The night before, Trystan's brother got his hair buzzed. Knowing Trystan, I suspect he was pestering his Dad (he can do that from time-to-time). So. Dad reached out and shut Trystan up!

Just the day before, Trystan had been flaunting his new, slicked-back way of combing his hair. So, I suspect this "punishment" was just what he needed, and probably far more effective than any talking, yelling, grounding, etc would have been.

Trystan was so embarrassed, he spent most of the day locked in his house... me? I told him to just put a hat or a bandanna on and go out and play. I never did let other people's teasing get to be in school...

Anyway, it is interesting to see how different parents handle different situations.

BTW, the next day, Trystan's hair was completely buzzed off too.

Life in Wyoming - The Information Age

This may be The Information Age, but, just like Wyoming was "The Wild West" even within the past century, Technology just hasn't caught up yet.

We may live without a lot of modern gadgets and conveniences, but when it comes to computers, we have plenty and use them A LOT! I'm constantly befuddled by the apparent lack of knowledge about how The Internet can be used in Communications here. I'm forever doing a Search for an event or place or some other thing, and I just can't find it. I wind up calling around and talking with people, only to hear "well, it was in the paper!"

So. After over ten years of no newspaper subscription, it looks like I may *HAVE* to get one, just so I can keep up with local events. This weeks transgression in related to tomorrow's Primary Elections. I haven't been able to get my hands on a physical or electronic copy of the Sample Ballot. Once again, I just heard "it was in the paper."

I should also mention, in this post about Newspapers, that living here for just a year, our family has already been in the paper twice. In May, Tom and Jack were featured at a Charity Event where Tom was dressed as Darth Vader. And, last week, at our Friday Playgroup, the boys and I were approached by a reporter... it was "a slow news day" and so we wound up on the front page AND the top half of the "B" Section... because we were having a picnic at the park! Now THAT's Front Page News, I tell you!

I don't know why, but it's just hard for me to go back to getting the daily paper... well, actually, it's not daily. Around here, the paper is published Tuesday through Saturday (so, no Sunday Paper), or, our Sister City publishes their paper once a week, on Wednesday.

Dirty hands. More recycling. One more thing "to do" (read the paper, bring the paper in, get rid of the paper). Why is it so hard for me to "get the paper"? I want to know what's going on, but I want it "now" on my clean, sterile, personal laptop-computer. Humph!

Take It Easy!

I think I just need to take it easy! On myself and others! I've been told that I "expect too much of others". Well, it's not just others but myself too!

I made myself a nervous wreck today before going to see an Orthopedic Spine Specialist about my recent, ongoing, continuous back pain. In the end, I came out feeling MUCH better than I went in! The news was good and quite the relief. Still, I received a phone call shortly after getting home and after the call, I totally Short-Circuited on my kids, my puppy, and my hubby (my Mom however was spared from the Rampage - of course, she wisely stayed out on the front driveway when she saw the Storm Brewing!)

Tom and I calmed down and offered apologies. Frank and I talked and made A Plan, in case I get upset tomorrow. Jack. Jack could care less that I blew up (not even crying when I dumped out his Otter Pop in the process). While it's nice that Frank is sensitive and emotional; you gotta love Jack! He TOTALLY knows how to "stay in his own boat" and just float down the Stream of Life, happy as can be, and oblivious to what other people are doing in their boats!

Musings about Blogging

I just made a very LONG winded comment to a post by Melissa at Sweet Seredipity and thought I'd share it with you...

Woah! Put the brakes on kid!

Between being a wife, mother, and home-educator, you've already got A LOT going on! So, I'd figure out what it is about the blogging that you get the most out of, and try to make room for *just* that.

Me? I like writing. I kept a pen-and-paper journal for over ten years (starting at age 15). It helped me TREMENDOUSLY, both emotionally and as "a writer"... I'm not published or anything, I mean just being able to communicate effectively with the written word.

I started my blog because my friend had one and kept raving about it. Then, I moved away from that friend and started writing weekly to keep in touch with family and friends. Then, because I enjoyed writing, I started doing it more. For me, a daily habit (in the evening, as my means of unwinding) is generally the easiest to keep up with.

Through out the day, I'll "write" my post. Sometimes I go on a writing spree, and I'll "schedule" the posts to go out on different days to spread it out. Other times, I blog only when I feel like it.

Personally, I like to know other people read what I write and I appreciate their feedback (ie: comments and phone calls), but I've come to realize that even when I don't get it, I still benefit from and enjoy the actual writing.

Lately though, I've been reading and commenting more than writing on my own blog. I've been nursing an injury and just don't feel like much is "going on". Also, I recently made a post that generated a lot of political debate in my comments... actually more comments than any other post, and yet it wasn't exactly "happy", so, I've noticed I've backed off a bit.

Basically, I don't beat myself up over keeping or maintaining my blog, I just post when I feel like it, and I enjoy the act of writing (can you tell by this MAJOR run-on thought stream?)

So. You have to ask yourself, what is it that you enjoy about your blog, and how can you do more of that?

Hope this helps! :D

Post Script: Keep your eyes open THIS SATURDAY for a very special and exciting post from your's truly! ;D