All Things Heather

I'm pretty sure my knitting mojo

is gone and I'm not really sure what to do about it. Remember in the day when I could knit nifty projects with amazing speed and tenacity.  Where did that girl go?  Maybe it's because I've been sewing so much.  Maybe I have a craft commitment phobia, or maybe I just have a short attention span.  Either way, it's pathtic, it's June for pete's sake as of yet I have not finished a project!  That doesn't mean I haven't started any, I've started about 10, I just haven't finished them.  And with each new project comes each new mantra - "I will finish this project, I will finish this project" only to have it discarded in a week or so.

My latest is no exception. This is the Lutea Lace Shoulder Shell from the latest IK knit with Rowan Summer Tweed.  As much as I want to, I just really don't like it. I'm 99% sure it's the yarn. It's too textured for a fitted tank and I think it should have been something else. So as much as I hate to I think I'm going to rip it out. Or should I just finish it and then decide. I really only have another couple of inches to go. 

Regardless, I'm pretty much zero for 10 in my projects. Bummer! 

 

Less then two weeks..

before Tom leaves.  Although I would prefer just "fun time," there are too many things that need to be taken care of.  I'm certainly going to miss him to death and what I am really dreading are the little things.  Such as - taking my own trash out, killing cockroaches with no moral support, cleaning the recycling bins, etc.  The day to day chores that get taken for granted when there is someone else to help with.  But I'll survive and though I would rather him not leave, I know it's going to happen and I"m ready to get moving. The sooner he goes, the sooner he will be back.

The one thing I really wonder about is how the children will cope. Amelia, my 4 year old, doesn't seemed to be too phased by his iminent departure.  I think on some level she remembers what it was like before and he was gone all the time.  My youngest, Makenna, never had that though and she is definitely a daddy's girl.  I know they will be fine but I know it will be a rocky transition period. 

And not to mention I've been slacking a bit in my parenting, knowing that pretty soon I will be doing everything.  The kids have gotten a bit pissy and spoiled over the last weeks.  Too many snacks, too much tv, too much soda, too much talking back.  I'm ready to put the smack down but I'm in a catch 22. I don't want to be too hard on them now as to make the last few weeks with their father miserable but I'm tired of their crappy attitudes.  I was chatting with my girlfriend the other day and we were discussing how the conveniences in today's society really affirm to young children that the world does  revolve around them.  A perfect example - TV.  Not only are they offered nearly an unlimited amount of cartoons at any given time on any given channel, we have digital recorders that can pause and rewind shows and we have on demand so they can watch what they want  when they want.  Whey wouldn't my kids think the world revolves around them.   

So, I've decided that the cable is going bye bye.   I don't watch that much TV, although I will miss some shows  BUT I know I don't have  the willpower to keep it off when they are at home. It's just too easy sometimes to plop them in front of the TV to get a breather. (Where do you think they are now?)  If I don't have cable then it won't be an option. Granted we have a bit of a kid's DVD collection but that's ok, a show a day won't kill them. Has anyone else gone the sans cable route?  Any tips would be great.

Ok, enough rambling for now. I wanted to share with you my project over the past week.  Of course, it's not knitting but one day I'll get some of that done! :)  My girlfriend's son is turning the big ONE next week and she wanted nifty party favors - they are part time "farmers" hence the John Deere colors.  She reads this blog sometimes so I will not bitch about how much work they were for fear of making her feel bad but they were a lot of work.  BUT with that said, they were lot's of  fun and I think they turned out SUPER CUTE. 

I'm thinking of this my new standard birthday present, maybe a bit larger.

   

You can find basic directions for it here.  I made a few modifications but  it will give you the general idea.  You really only need basic sewing skills so it would be a good project for sewing newbies.  And honestly, kids never notice if they are a little wonky!

   

Montessori Road Rage...

So my kids go to an artsy fartsy pre-school. I'm good with that, I love the teachers, I mostly love the owner and most of the other parents that I have met have been OK - I say that with some trepidation because some of the folks are just plain weird (not good weird, like weird weird)- also said with trepidation because who knows what they say about me. 

Anyway, it's a new bunch of folks for "summer camp." I see a couple familar bumpers in the line-up but  for the most part they are new to me.  (If you don't know how it works, there is a little circle doohickie at the back of the school, you drive in one side, stop, open the door, kid is greeted by the waiting teacher, and off on your way out the other..a little weird at first but man have I come to love not getting out of the car.)  So this morning it's starting to drizzle a bit, I pull up close to the fence open up the door, say good bye to the kids start to put it in drive and the b*tch behind me zooms around and blocks me in to park in front of me to let her kids out.  Now the teacher has to walk around my car to get to her car, the cars behind her follow suit and I'm freakin stuck.  What the fuck?  Is she stupid or just rude?  And seriously, normally these kind of things would never bother me, I'm a glass is half full person, I give EVEYRONE the benefit of the doubt but let me tell you....it took every single ounce of willpower in my supersized body not to just lay on the horn and start screaming profanities.  Apparantly I'm a little stressed out. I certainly hope no "real" injustices happen to me today.   

Easter revisited..

I had all intentions of having a Martha Stewart Easter..complete with handmade chocolates and naturally colored eggs..but alas...we ended up settling for sugar cookies out of a box and food coloring  eggs.  It was still fun nonetheless and the girls don't know any different.  Maybe one day my domestic goddess will rear it's head, probably not anytime soon though.

I think I have some "not martha's" in the making -

Or at the very least, professional egg dyers!

      

   

Doesn't it always work out that way..

you decide that you miss blogging so much, you are going to start writing all the time and then you get the mother of a cold and don't have the energy to type let alone work on anything worth typing about!  And aren't summer colds the worst?  Especially the kind that go into your ears,  my freakin' head is going to explode.  Such is life!

I wanted to thank all of your for your kind words from the last post.  It really meant the world to me!   I have not had the opportunity to respond to each of you but I will eventually.  In the meantime know every word was very much appreciated! 

Now onward, I've decided to go the beginning and start moving forward.  These little dresses were from earlier in the year!

Pattern - Little Prairie Girl from Favorite Things

Fabric and notions - Misc from my stash.

Details - I really LOVE the verasitility of this pattern and I plan to use it again and again.  You can use it for shirts or dresses, multi-layers or not.  The only thing I don't like is a the gathering at the bodice.  Little girls do not have curves up there so it was a challenge to "flatten" the area.   Next time, I will gather differently.  Regardless it was an easy to follow and stitch pattern and and once I have oodles of time to sew (which will be never) I will be making a couple more!

I've realized..

that I probably will never catch my breath. As most of you have probably noticed, I've taken a bit of a hiatus from blogging over the last couple months in anticipation of finding more time in my life and that just hasn't happend. What has happend is a creeping feeling of disconnect that has been gradually consuming me over the past weeks.  I never realized what an important part you all played in my life until you were gone and now I know that a big part of my identity and self esteem is wrapped up in this blog.  For my own happiness and sanity I need to keep being active with it. 

Honestly, being a mother, a wife, and just a general human being can be a pretty thankless job.  Granted, seeing your kids smile and be well adjusted should be thanks enough but in reality, that's not alwasy the case.  Like most people, I need the occasional pat on the back or to have a cookie tossed in my direction every once in a while just to remind me that I am a decent person who is doing the best that I can.  But we all get caught up in everyday life don't we, and fail to notice some of the little things. There is no one to blame, not the husband, nor the children, nor random strangers...but blogging is different. You can always count on someone saying something kind or constructive.  I miss that, and I need that right now.

I will not burden you with all the issues of my life right now, there are plenty of others who have it much worse.  To some they may be monumental, to others, only a mole hill.  Tom, my husband, is leaving in just a few weeks and he will be gone for nearly 5 months.  5 months of not seeing his kids, not tucking them in, not being able to smooch with me, not being able to give me a single parenting break!  To someone who has a loved one is in Iraq, 5 months may not be too long..but right now..as I'm trying to keep it together and be happy it seems like it's the end of the freakin' world.  And to make matters even more complicated, when he get's back, he won't be back with me, he will be in California with me being in South Carolina with the kids.  And I know it's for the best in the long run but I'm just so frustrated.

Ok, I'm over my pity party. Did any of you catch my last mention of a new addition?

Let me introduce you to Maya.  Anyone care to guess what breed she is?