Quilt - Pineapple Blossom

After seeing Becky's beautiful Pineapple Blossom quilt and then playing with her extra blocks from the same pattern, I decided to take her class... it was the first one she'd taught and every teacher needs a friendly heckler in the front row, don't-ya-know?

The timing turned out perfectly, since Becky taught the class at Cutting Edge Quiltworks over Halloween Weekend... which I happened to be spending with her. While in Arizona, I cut the pieces and sewed all the blocks. Home less than 24 hours, I've played with layouts. Here are "a few" of what I came up with... all from the same 36 blocks!

I would love to hear your input on which layouts you like and why.

I love the variety of a diagonal block like this, and am quite pleased that Becky convinced me to make this a two color quilt instead of just mixing all the pieces together.

Seeing Becky teach her class has inspired me... I'm thinking of taking this quilt into the local shop to see if they might like it on (I'm thinking) their January class schedule... it feels like the dead of icy winter to me. I'll let you know if I get the nerve up to share Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville Pineapple Blossom Pattern in a paid capacity.

Play, Play, Play!

Brother/Uncle's for morning swim.


Mom/Grandma's for afternoon BBQ.


Friend's for evening meal, playtime, and sleep-over.


Raid friend's sewing room for obsessive scrap sewing (these blocks are cut 3.5", the record holder (in this group) has 24 or 25 different pieces of fabrics.


Come to think of it, this may also be my record for the most blocks pieced in one sitting!

Crazy?

I think so!

But, oh-so-much-fun!!!

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!!!

Crazy Busy Times and Jack

I keep telling myself that I can handle what I have "taken on". But this week, all things seem to be intersecting! Visiting friends, school photos, a four day Field Trip, PTO volunteer work. Everything has to happen NOW!!!


I decided to pause and share a few quick Smile-Inducing-Photos of Jack...

Last week I went by for a Study Group in my Geology Lab. While we waited for the other students, my Professor sat down and chatted with Jack (for 30 minutes!) about Jack's rocks. Here, Jack is doing a "streak test" of Pyrite on a piece of porcelain.


In the end, Jack tried to trade rocks with the Professor, but Dr. Love gave Jack two rocks to add to his collection, and Jack started pulling new rocks out and properly identifying them. :D


Jack and dirt go hand-in-hand.


Here, he's waiting for Frank at school and I'm testing out my new Telephoto Lens (compliments of who else but Keith!)


This is a series of photos I took just before sunset last week.


Jack had such character about him this day.


From his clothes to his expressions,


This photo shoot was just All Jack!

Here's lookin' at you!


:D

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

Wyoming Life - Friday Playgroups

On Friday Morning's I continue to coordinate a Playgroup. The last three weeks, we've been meeting outside at parks and playgrounds. I'm making a point to explore each park in our town AT LEAST once this season.


Today we went to a park we'd never been to before. It has big, gorgeous, old trees; lots of shade and grass too! Today there were all sorts of bushes with purple booms and Cottonwood Fluff floating in the breeze.

There is also a Gazebo and a small Amphitheater. This site has a lot of Free Concerts in the Park.


I enjoyed the photo op presented by the lush greens, the gazebo and a happy, smiling boy. I'm just wishing I'd gotten the close-up photo in focus! Perhaps we'll go back and try again...

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

Baby Gift - Ribbon Tag Lovey Blanket

Q: When you hand a baby a stuffed animal, what's the first thing they do?

A: They flip it over to suck on the tag!


Around the time Frank was born, a Genius Lady in Gilbert, Arizona started creating Taggies. Since that time, I've created many similar variations myself, to give to my own children and others.

Yesterday I created this variation for Nicole's baby, due on with her third girl on the 28th. Her family has been calling this little one "Ducky" and Nicole likes bright colors.



I was very pleased with the brightness of this, as well as the baby-esque colors, without being Over-the-Top Pink and Pastel.


The duck is my own sketch and was appliqued with my own method that is similar to Angie's (Lunch Box Quilt) applique method.

As always, whenever I sew with Minky, I never want to give the finished item away... they are just so cuddly and soft! This item also has some small bits of flannel around the edges on the back... just a little more tactile sensation. In addition, the beak is made from a fun bright, woven fabric from Heather's Scrap Bag. The border fabrics are from Connie at The Quilter's Outpost in Payson, Arizona. The baby fabric on the back came from Nancy Haldeman. And the ribbons came from my ribbon bag... which I keep stocked with items appropriate for this very gift item. Basically, the whole project came out of my sewing room in under 3 hours, and with lots of thought given to the people who have shared scraps and tidbits with me over the years. Thanks to all! :D

If you are interested in making a similar snuggly item, check out this tutorial.

Where To Go

At the beginning of this, I contacted Frank's original surgeon. He was willing to consult on the phone and do the necessary surgery. Fast forward two months... when I talked with his office yesterday, the doctor's decided that Frank will need too much follow-up care for him to perform the procedure. Even when his nurse suggested we could stay in Arizona for six months, he said it's not enough. The likely-hood of needing long-term care for emergent and acute issues is too high. Also, if he operated, a closer doctor wouldn't want to provide follow-up care because of liability issues. So, as of yesterday, going to Phoenix is no longer an option.

The good thing about this is that it's made me keep asking and thinking... I just haven't been satisfied with the care out of Salt Lake (actually, I'm still waiting for them to call and schedule the surgery - it's been 24 hours since I called to schedule it). Along the way, I've discovered that The Denver Children's Hospital is one of the Top Ten for Children in America.

Also, my local Wyoming family contacted their pediatrician friend and I contacted my Arizona Ear Surgeon. Both of these people recommended the same surgeon out of Denver. I called his office and explained to the surgery scheduling nurse what we needed, she recommended two surgeons in the office who specialize in more of "facial plastics" than "just tubes and tonsils". Both of these doctors were also recommended by the Wyoming family pediatricians.

So. Frank has an consultation appointment on December 29th in Denver. He still has an appointment in Salt Lake City on December 23rd with Infectious Disease. I'll be calling Denver to see if they want to see him in their ID department or should I keep the appointment in Salt Lake.

As it turns out, Tom has December 26th-29th off (a RARE thing for him!) and so he may be able to go with us... if it looks like the weather will allow us to be back for him to work on the 30th. If a storm is pending though, I'll have to go alone and spend the night.

Ever since Mork & Mindy, I've always wanted to go to Denver (Boulder), although I'd prefer going for a reason besides surgery on my son, I'll still enjoy exploring a new place. Also, I'll have to go there frequently for follow-up care, and my brother's planning to move to Denver this year, so it will be nice to have a need to go there... I'll get to see my brother and his family more often than I normally would. How's that for looking for the silver lining?

I didn't think I knew anyone in Denver, but I've just remembered that a friend of ours whom we lived with while we were expecting Frank, he's from there and his family still lives there. Somehow it makes me feel better to know someone in a strange town... even if I have only met them once!

Right now, even though it's a little further away, I'm feeling much calmer about Denver than I have about Salt Lake.

Snow, Mud, and Mopping

I'm so glad my friends tolerate my insanity!

We had about four inches of snow two days ago, today the temperature is suppose to hit about forty. SO... we have ice. And we have snow. And we EVEN have MUD!

Our friends came over to play and visit. Soon, the kids were out back playing, then out front, then out back and front... through my house! When they left, I found trails of mud drying on my linoleum (miraculously, all the mud on the carpet was trapped on a little bath mat by the front door! Yeah!) I thought it was the fault of one child whom I'd remembered walking through the house. I called his mom to ask if he could come over after nap time to help clean it up. She reminded me that all the kids had been in and out and suggested that she send both her kiddos to help with the cleaning up right away.


I had them move all the chairs and stools out of the area. I swept, then I paired them up with the other families child (opposite their normal play arrangement though, so, a 4 and a 6 year old in each "team".) Each team had a wet and a dry towel, but there was fighting over the wet towels and also a lot of waiting, so, I gave them each their own pair of towels. Then, I stood at the counter calling names one-at-a-time. I rinsed out their wet towel and told them where in the room to go work. Afterward, the littlest hung all the towels to dry while the other three put away the furniture.


In very little time the entire floor was cleaned. They had fun doing in. They worked as "teams" with people they don't play with as often. AND, they seem to understand what to do with their shoes next time... leave them by the door!

All this is to say THANK YOU to my friend for graciously allowing me to put her kids to work to clean up the mess they all made in my house! What a great friend!!! :D

Microbiology

We started Frank on Sulfa, a very old sulfur based antibiotic. We continue to treat the wound topically three times per day, covering it with Bactroban.

This photo has NOTHING to do with this post!
I just thought you might like to see the boys with their friends on our trip a week ago (or was it two?) to Salt Lake City. They had a great time playing in a field and with the drainage pipe.

This report will mean more to some of you than most, but I have so many nurses in my Circle of Life, that I thought you might just like to peek at the details...

Wound Culture (Aerobic)
ISO1 (Final)
Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus To Furter Be Identified
Staphylococcus epidermidis

Gram St (Final)
Moderate WBC
No Organisms Seen

Clindamycin (CD) R
Gentamicin (GM) <=1 S Levofloxacin (LV) 4 R Linezolid (LNZ) <=1 S Oxacillin (OX) >1 R
Penicillin (P) >1 R
Rifampin (RIF) <=0.5 S Vancomycin (V) 2 S

So. I actually wish I understood more of what this report is saying, but I do understand that Frank has a Superbug, and the Arytomycin we've been giving him has likely been feeding the bug rather than killing it. :P

Two weeks (or so) on the new Sulfa and then a follow up. Surgery is pretty much a definite, once we clear up this infection.

We are blessed that he remains strong and healthy and feeling well... just the site of the infection that we are trying to clear. Even the site feels good (unless we're cleaning it, then it's uncomfortable for him).

Frank has been having me tell him stories about his previous surgeries. He also likes finding his previous PICC Line scars (one on each arm). I think it helps him to know that he survived all this before... and he doesn't even remember it!

Last night when I told him he had a "Superbug" and he would need more medicine before surgery, he said "Well, that's a good thing!... I can take medicine and wait longer to have my surgery." I LOVED his happy attitude toward the fact that we'd made some progress!!!

Embroidery Lessons

Tomorrow I'm starting Embroidery Lessons at the Mom's Time Playgroup I've put together.

Wait a minute! I don't think I've ever told you about the Group I created.

Last November I started inviting Mom's with young kids to meet each week. The idea was to give Mom's a time to craft and visit while the kiddos played. We wound up with three Mom's meeting all Winter and Spring. Over the Summer, we were meeting at Parks and had plenty of room for the kids to run and play, and the group started to grow.

As Fall approached, I realized our group had outgrown most of our homes. I had to look for (and found) a bigger (free) place for us to meet! {Thanks to the free meeting rooms at our Public Library!!!}

We currently have 15 mom's on our email list, and on any given Friday, we'll have 3-8 Mom's, plus all their kiddos. Tomorrow, we're expecting THREE new Mom's to come.

I'm very proud of the way this group is going. It's relaxed and casual and just what we all need at the end of our week!

Getting back to the original heart of the group... a time for Mom's to craft... some of the ladies were asking about Embroidery. I said it "was easy" and "I could teach" them. I've gathered supplies to put together a few kits, and tomorrow, I'll start them out.

We're going to trace their kids' hands and then stitch them on Flour Sack Towels. Very simple, but fun. They can keep them or give them as gifts. If there is more interest, I'll keep the lessons and projects going.

I feel a little unprepared because I don't have any written materials to share with them. I've been looking for a pamphlet or leaflet, but haven't found anything. I'd thought I'd put together something myself (from online resources) but didn't get around to it. So. Tomorrow, I'll go with materials in hand and knowledge in head and let the rest work itself out!

The Infection's Back

Frank's infection has returned and it's "Bigger than Ever!"

This morning the site swelled back up. I took him to the local clinic. I cleaned the wound and opened it back up. The Lab Tech delicately took a small sample while saying "we don't do this, the doctor does"; then refused to give me any more cotton swabs for me to finish cleaning the site, saying and "we don't have any Q-Tips!" Let's just hope this sample gets properly cultured so we know what we're dealing with!

Frank is going back on the same oral antibiotic that we used three weeks ago. I insisted on only a six day course though because in five we should have results from the culture, at which point he'll likely change medicines.

I told the doctor my expectation was "that Frank would have a PICC Line in next week and ... surgery before Christmas." The Doctor said this was a realistic expectation and time-line.

Here's my question for you... do I go back to the original surgeons, and "my home" in Phoenix for this surgery or do I find and use a new doctor closer to home (in Salt Lake City)?

Either way the doctor in SLC would have to do the follow-up, post-operative care.

I have support (family & friends) in both cities.

I trust the Phoenix doctor's implicitly.

Frank's Dad is closer to SLC.

Frank could return to his own home and bed and toys sooner here in SLC.

In Phoenix, Jack would be closer to me.

In SLC, Jack would be in Wyoming. I have only been away from Jack twice at night (he's almost four). Jack has never been in day-care or pre-school.

Jack doesn't "need" me much, but I have a HARD time being seperated from him (or Frank).

The surgeon doing follow-up care understands the case better if he also performed the surgery.

I'm having a very hard time separating emotion from this. What would you do?

Halloween Check In

Costumes completed!

YEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!

This morning I made the Satchel Bag for Jack, finishing it minutes before leaving for our playgroup's Halloween Party.



Isn't it funny how all the little kids are looking every which way? They had no clue what they were doing there, but I was pleased with how well they were sitting. I wished I'd had my voice to tease them into some smiles, but it's still fun to see them doing their own things.

Here are the boys with our homeschooling-neighbor friends.


The Monkey costume is from Old Navy. I was in charge of the other four costumes... getting Amy's help with the gloves and hats for the two Ash costumes, and teaching her while making the Witch. That was sure a lot of sewing to get through!

I'm most pleased with Jack! He looks so stinkin' cute in his Indiana Jones costume!


I bought each of the boys a surprise accessory which was waiting for them this morning... A Light-Up Crystal Skull for "Indy" and Pikachu for The Pokemon Trainer! I told Tom that "costumes are all about accessories... what's Vader without his chest box, belt or light saber?" Tom smirked.

Even with the $15-20 each on the boys "accessories" I made both costumes for under $50. We couldn't have bought one of these costumes for that price! I'm so pleased with myself... and modest too!!! ;P

Frank was so happy with his Pikachu!


I'll get some better costume pictures of the boys a little later, especially all the details that you can't see here on Jack's costume, but for now, I thought I'd share the beginnings of our fun Halloween. :D

Be Careful What You Ask For... Keith!

What you are about to see DEFINITELY falls under the "Be careful what you ask for!" Mantra.

Our Incredible Friend, Keith, was recently released from the Hospital in Massachusetts. He went in for a "simple" back surgery in July and FINALLY, last week, (this is October folks - JUST THREE MONTHS after going in for "about a week") was able to go home.

I blame what you are about to see on the fact that Keith is still in a frequent, drug-induced-delirium. {He's probably bored too.}

Keith mentioned it.

Tom created it.

I'm just the messenger here, folks!

Here, by request, is "Jack with a Goatee!"


I don't know. I just don't SEE any of Tom in Jack.

Do you?


SERIOUSLY!!!

Jack IS His Father's Son.

There has never been any doubt about that. This just helps to confirm what we've all known (and at times feared). Tom has replicated. He always says "a little chunk of him broke off and is starting to grow."

Be afraid. Be very afraid.


"Luke... I am you're..." Oh! Never mind!

"Some things are just better left to nature to occur on their own."

I think facial hair on a three year old falls into this category.


PS: The Three-Year-Old Facial Hair was Photoshopped in, not drawn on the person himself. :D

Almost Out the Door

Well, the night before a two-week road-trip and I'm actually feeling calm and pleased with myself... both a rare thing to happen just before leaving! I planned my week out and pretty much stuck to the schedule. Imagine what it would be like if I did this same thing (organizing and breaking tasks up) for other things, like Christmas or trips or projects! I could actually get things done ON TIME and at ease!? Okay, not totally at ease, as I often do, I planned too much and was wiped out ALL WEEK. Thus my absence from these forums, but, I did get things done on time, so, that IS a step in the right direction!

Here are a few pictures from this week:

Tuesday - before afternoon class-time, I took my boys and three of our neighbor-kids (also homeschooled) to the park.



Wednesday


With so much going on lately with Jack, Aunt Lou sent Frank his "Road to Wyoming" Quilt. He ask her to make this the last time we visited (when she gave me a quilt made in the same pattern, but called it "The Road BACK to Arizona".) Mine is full of Arizona related fabrics. For the boys, there are things representing their interests and also fabrics representing the road (and views) between Arizona and Wyoming. The boys and I selected most of the fabrics on the way home from a trip, then, I cut them into 2 1/2" strips and mailed them to my Aunt.

Jack's top is nearly done, and I'm on a mission (for my trip) to find the backing for Jack's "Road to Wyoming". I like how the boys' quilts have "kids" fabrics, but overall have a more mature feel.

The pattern for all three of these quilts is "Arkansas Crossroads". It is one of my new favorites. I LOVE how well it works with scraps.

Weekend Wrap Up - Ice Cream Social Block Party

In response to a friend's post about our weekend, I had the following to say:

Weekend? What weekend?!

I planned an Ice Cream Social for our Street's First Block Party. That was Saturday at 3:33... so, spent the morning and afternoon prepping and the evening cleaning up and recovering. All for just FIVE of FORTY households to come. I was disappointed in the turnout, but I guess I have only myself to blame because I didn't officially tell people about it until Wednesday (I've been talking about it all Summer, but didn't give them the date and time until the week of)... my bad!


The good news is, I got a Bachelor Pad down the street to agree to host a Block Party for 21+ on Halloween night, AND we are planning to do Trick-or-Treating for the kids beforehand, all up and down the street. Several of the bachelor pads were all about doing something for the kids, and very happy about having a grown-up party too!


Also, the town Mayor authorized a last minute drop-off of some barricades, so I could shut the street down for the Ice Cream Social. What I didn't realize was that he also sent the Fire Department out to greet us! It was fun for the kids to climb on the truck and talk with the Firefighters while they (the firefighters) enjoyed some Ice Cream Cones (the kids had already had plenty of junk food!) I think the most fun though was when a call came in and they ran to the truck and took off with lights and siren going!


Another good thing was that we started a Cultural Potluck. My pregnant Mexican neighbor wanted REAL Chinese Food. (What you need to know is that there really isn't any GOOD Chinese or Mexican food here, so, if you want something tasty you have to figure out how to make it or find someone who already knows.) The Chinese and Mongolian ladies each made some food, and a few others of us did too. On Sunday, we had the potluck (which I started out bummed about, because EVERYONE was 30 minutes late arriving). It turned out well though, and we're already planning our Mexican Potluck for October. That one will probably be in my house because we could / should / may have snow and or REALLY COLD temperatures by then!

So. I would have liked to see more people at the Ice Cream Social on Saturday, but it DID lead to some good connections on Sunday, with three future get-togethers set for October.


If you couldn't tell, I'm really trying to activate my neighborhood and create a Sense of Community here! :D

One other thing... brilliant me! I forgot to take pictures of our eating events! All that work and no pictures to show for it! :P

Supersauraus Boys

When I first wrote about our new friends, I had no idea how right I was. We get along FABULOUSLY and spend SO MUCH time together! I really enjoy it, but I am aware that we have to split up just so we can get things done! We all really enjoy visiting together though, and usually see or talk several times a day.

Last week, Jack was with Tom for the day. This gave Frank some one-on-one time with Jacob. (They are both having to learn how to play nicely with their siblings at the same time as their friends... when they get together, they want to be exclusive with one another.)

I took Frank and Jacob to the local College, for the Dinosaur exhibit.


While there, our local "Superheros" decided to "stop the stairway from collapsing!"

Quilt Update - Happy Hour AND What I do with my hands.

27 more Happy Hour blocks finished, 14 to go.

My back is feeling OH-so-much-Better! Today was my first day without extreme pain and or medicine to assist me. I wore "regular" clothes (as opposed to "sick" clothes), but I also kept myself in check. I didn't go any further from my home than six doors down the street, and I didn't do any chores beyond sorting one VERY small box of stuff (like 4" x 12" x 10" little box) and simple meal time preps. On Sunday, Tom made something like eight meals and froze or refrigerated them so I could just warm things up and let my back rest. My boys did the daytime dishes, and Tom washed this evening. One of my friends heard about this and said "Good for you!" That made me feel better about not "doing" things all day.

Actually, I did do some things. I posted 22 auctions to ebay. We could REALLY use some extra cash right now because we've depleted our reserves with the move and my recent back care, so we listed like 50+ WWII 1/72nd scale models that Tom's been meaning to sell off (he also has a pile of 1/35th scale, which have more detail, that he's keeping). I too have things to sell on ebay, but this was a good start today. If your interested, my ebay name is "SiouxzQzz".

Today I also helped my new neighbor. I met her in May and showed her the neighborhood we were about to move into. Well, today their family moved in six-doors-down. So, at 9:00 I walked (the boys ran) down and invited her to send her kiddos (DD7, DS5, DD4) down. They were here off and on from 9 to 4. I also visited with her a few times when she'd come down for a break.

This is where the "what I do with my hands comes in." I'm just SO used to doing something that I found it very odd to just sit and visit... without being in the kitchen cooking, or teaching a sewing / quilting craft, or doing some sort of handiwork (ie: crocheting or knitting). I tried to crochet the other day and the muscle relaxer just made my head spin to follow the hook and yarn visually. So, I just wanted to say that today, I sat. I visited. And it was really weird not having my hands busy. I grew up with my Mom telling me two things that I still think about weekly, if not daily:

Busy Hands are Happy Hands

Idle Hands are the Devil's Workshop

Are there any phrases you grew up with that you often think of or repeat? What little pearls of wisdom has your family passed down?

Quick! POP QUIZ! Stand up. Walk away from your computer. Grab a piece of paper and a crayola (pen, pencil, whatever). Write out your computer keyboard's main numbers and letters. Then, come back and check your work.

My son's have been making "computers" out of folded pieces of paper. Frank usually draws keys, but today Jack gave me one and I was suppose to put my own keys on it.

So. I gave myself the test I just gave you. I wrote the numbers and "Esc" across the top, then I proceeded to try to fill in the alphabet and : ; , . symbols... without pretend "typing". Just from memory, I forgot the Caps Lock (I included Tab and Shift), and I had the B and U in the wrong spot (which I knew something was "wrong" with both of the areas I'd stuck the B and U.)

What about you? Did you walk away from your PC write out the keyboard correctly?

I want to think this is some sort of Mensa test or something, but also, I just want to know if you can do it, or if you'll miss something like I did.

Playing Around with School

Back in November I started a "Mom's Time Playgroup." The idea was for Mom's to get together and do "their crafty thing" while the kids played. During the Winter we met at my apartment's clubhouse. The group solidified with me and two other Mom's, each with two kids. A total of 4 boys and 2 girls. Slowly, we started meeting at each other's places and ditched the clubhouse. When we ditched the clubhouse, we also seemed to have ditched the crafting thing. I'd like to get back to crafting, but for now, the playgroup is an important thing too.

Since the weather's warmed up, we've been meeting at different parks and playgrounds. Today, we went to the elementary school by our house. I think I've written about Wyoming playground equipment before... Tom and I thought they'd outlawed this type of stuff! We just NEVER saw it around Arizona... metal toys... merry-go-rounds... sand pits and asphalt under the equipment...


I mean, that is a SERIOUSLLY BIG METAL SLIDE!!!

Look at Frank (at the top) and Jack (at the bottom)! They are just tiny!


We've recently added another lady to our group, so we now have six boys (2, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 5) and two girls (2 & 4) that are playing together. Here are the two we've known for several months:


George and Frank were in the Sports Camp together. I can never get over how serious George tends to be. Andrew is a lot like Jack. They are determined and a bit mischievous! It's so interesting to make friends with other ladies with two sons, about the same ages as ours. I've got two friends like this now, and it's a lot of fun to compare notes on how the two boys interact with each other and others.

So, Frank has made two friends, both two months younger than him. All three of them will be starting Kindergarten this fall. George here is going to the Elementary School where they were playing today. Jeremiah will be homeschooled, along with his sister who's been homeschooled the past two years (she'll be in second grade). I just realized that either way, public school or homeschool, Frank will have a friend in his grade... someone to do "school stuff" with and someone to "compare" against the "other" method of learning. As we get closer to the beginning of the school year, Tom and I are more and more excited about the opportunity to continue schooling the boys at home!

Whenever you talk or think about your reasons for doing things with your kids, be it school or otherwise, you usually have a whole myriad of reasons, not just one or two. In the end though, I think it boils down to "it's the right thing to do for our family / child". Right now, homeschooling Frank (and Jack) feels like the right thing for us to do, and we are excited to do it. So. Yes, we are still planning to homeschool the boys.

This question of homeschooling came up in a comment to yesterday's HUGE post. I wanted to especially thank you for your feedback about that post; especially Cricket's unique Insurance Inside Insight. It helped me truly "understand" what was going on.

Thanks, as ever, for your feedback, input, and comments. They help this blogging thing feel more "alive"! :D