My daughters are fighting over this. MissC wants to hug him and squeeze him and call him, “George.” MissB’s favorite color is purple, and, well, the universe revolves around her, therefore Mommy must have made this for her. I was just using up yarn and trying the pattern book. Their insisting that I make all the dolls. And, TJ wants a mouse for Hep Cat to play with.
This is my first non-maternity wrap dress. I like.
Altered: use shoulder height of 2 sizes smaller, rest of dress under sleeves and on down in ‘my’ size. Skewed armscye and used 1 size smaller to fit between top of side edge and outer shoulder. Added 9″ to hem and 2″ to sleeves. Fit great on first try! I think the darts need to be adjusted a little next time.
Ben picked the sleeves. He liked how the flutter sleeves mimic the flow of the skirt.
MissB said I look like Luke on my top.
(In which she realizes that she didn’t check the weight of the # of balls used in the original..)
I have four (4) balls of yarn. It’s lovely, the color’s called, “Sorrel.” My dear husband bought it for me and I looked at the four little balls and said that I’d figure out something to make of them. I searched patterns and finally settled on one. I started knitting. Hmm, 1 ball made it halfway down the shoulders. The second ball made it just past the join. I’m in the third ball and I haven’t finished the bodice. I picked up a ballband -50g. There are still two short sleeves to go. I’m thinking the last ball should be worked into the sleeves, then finish the bottom. I can always use another color for the ribbing (sigh).
I searched through Ravelry for ideas what to do with DK yarn. That really made me want the 9 volumes of Viking Knits! Anyway, I settled on trying the Soy Cardi, which I probably printed last summer just after she posted it! And, miraculously, I found that printout just after I dived through ravelry!
After the first skein of yarn:
I’ve nearly finished the November September Mystery socks… Yeah, it’s not November September any more (almost, though). These were cast on in March, I’m trying to talk myself into finishing them in July. I keep going back and forth on what to knit, cardigan or socks.
Wow, this thing has had some trouble this week. Usually, if a post begins with this sort of a title, it goes through. So, here’s hoping.
SICK. 3 down, 1 to go of the children. I’ve had it, too, but MissC’s had it hardest, so far. Sunday: MissC. Monday: I woke up sick, MissC was still sick, MissB came down with it in the afternoon. On my bed. Tuesday: I felt better, just tired, MissB perked up in the afternoon. Now it’s Wednesday, 5AM, and young Master TJ was up at 3AM to make a huge mess in the bathroom. It’s finally cleaned up, and I’m going to bed.
Yesterday, Ben decided to paint a wall that the children had decorated. The other day, they got into my rubber stamps and took the stamp pad to the walls, doorknobs, hands, eyelids, and necks around them. After a half dozen coats of paint, the wall has just a faint hint of the red showing through.
Ben’s friend from work, Ryan came over for a BBQ. The kids approved of him, and wanted to play with Daddy’s friend. MissB ran around topless like her aunties used to do (one when she was BB’s size, the other as a teenager..) 
and MissA took over his lap after dinner. MissC acquired a Dr Pepper and downed it.
Getting the kids ready for bed presented a slight problem. The tub has paint paraphernalia in it, and I didn’t have much time to clean it right then. Ben suggested a shower and I let the girls get in there. After a while, sopping wet MissC came into the kitchen where we were playing Five Crowns and handed Ryan the ‘toy’ she had been playing with in the shower. I’m not sure who blushed or laughed harder, but we all were cracking up and none of us could remember the name of the item. Ben mentioned that I’m going through training as a midwife, and Ryan asked, “Doesn’t it begin with an ‘S’?”
Yes, speculum begins with the letter ‘S’.
Well after Ryan went home and we turned in, MissC started vomiting. The first and last time she did was when she got hold of TJ’s Root Beer and drank half the can. I remembered the Dr Pepper and just worked with her. I’ve been nursing her, changing clothes and keeping towels handy for the last 9 hours and thankfully, she’s starting to have longer intervals between upchuckings. She’s kept a good desire for beverage, too, asking for water since about 9AM, and she’s starting to eat a bit again. She’s being so calm and only getting fussy just before, which gives me time to get her contained now. I just need to wash my mattress (or buy a new one…) and we’re all set.
Did you know that it wasn’t until our 39th president that we elected someone who was born in a hospital? The first 38 presidents were all born at home. As a teenager, I visited the then-new Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, CA, and was amazed to discover he was born in a cabin in the hills not far from the museum/library. Many of the presidents were also educated at home or self-taught.
One of the best ways to learn is to follow an example. In early schools, the students were taught to memorize their books: history was taught by reading the subject matter until the student was able to recite lengthy passages from memory. English was taught by copying sentences and breaking them down into the individual parts of speech. Mathematics were learned by rote and applied in class and at the general store. P.E. was taken care of with the morning chores, walk to school and games at recess.
In the last couple centuries (longer in Europe), school and birth have been removed from the home. No longer are children taught to sit and listen at Father or Mother’s knee -they ‘learn’ in school.. And, learn they do. Just as their ancestors did, by rote and recitation: they learn the morals of the peers, teacher or state, they learn their games, but they don’t learn much of the actual work.
Children will be children, teachers will be teachers, and parents must be parents. The very attitude that “it’s not my job” can easily be ingrained in the minds and hearts of our children. To affect a situation, there is only one person that you or I can control to bring about change. I can only take control of me. But, my actions, and my attitude can be infectious and bring about change.
Not everyone is able or willing, but I have chosen homebirth and homeschool. Midwifery is choosing me. What is it that moves your heart and life?
How long has he been working like mad? Let’s see, wasn’t it just 3 weeks till the relatives were visiting? And, that was the first week of the month. So, 2-3 weeks since they left.. Wow, at least 6 weeks so far. I know how service-wives do it. The husband is gone. There’s not a wishy-washy 7PM today, midnight tomorrow, I won’t see you for 3 weeks, except on weekends (which are taken up with other life events). In many ways, it’s SO much easier when he flies away: I have a date on the calendar when life will return to ‘normal.’ Not in San Jose. Such is life.
How will this all work out when I go to a birth? I think he’ll work from home..
I had such a good weekend. It was back to back class days with studying and research all night. Like stepping into another world. I look forward to getting on with schooling and beginning to attend Study Group.
Thinking out loud: It would be fantastic if the Homeschool group had a regular meeting. I know we’re all doing different curriculum, but we could touch base and compare and feel like it’s worth while.
gotta get a breather.. no, have to clean up this huge mess and figure out how to get in routine again.
MissB is officially 4 years old. She’s still trying to be 5, but she’ll have to wait another year. The grands and uncle came out for a visit the week before her birthday, so we were able to have a nice celebration with them. I made a Green Velvet cake (I was out of red dye) which MissB doted on (purple & green being her favorite colors).
I’ve done a little bit of sewing. I made this blue strawberry apron for MissB (early B-day present) and I’ve started a dress for me. I’ll get the apron pattern info later. It’s an older pattern for a ‘top or dress.’ MissB’s consistently asking for strawberry patterned fabrics every time we’re looking at the fabric store lately.
My dress is a vintage Marian Martin pattern. It scalloped neck, sleeve, and pocket edges. I’d forgotten to remove the shoulder pad allowance before cutting, so I need to rip the sleeves & shoulder seams and fix that. Otherwise, I’m so pleased with the dress!
What does MissA say as her Daddy gently lifts her back into her bed?
“Stop it, Tom!”
