Too much of a good thing?

I never thought I would say this, but maybe there is such a thing as too much yarn...

Brian's aunt recently passed, and she was somewhat of a collector of yarn and fabric. As I am the only crafter in the family, the yarn and fabric collected over the years were handed over to me to do with what I like. I thought we were going over there to pick up a few balls of yarn and maybe a stack or two of fabric. No. We came home with 8 heavy bags of fabric, and too many bags to count of yarn.

They have been airing out most of the week, as they reek of moth balls, and tonight I began sorting through the stacks of fabric. This was a relatively quick chore - completed in the 20 minutes it took the Oochie muffins to bake. I probably kept about a third of the fabric - the rest is loaded into my car and will be dropped off at the senior center tomorrow. There are just way too many loud flower prints and weird novelty fabrics. I know someone else will love them way more than I do.

The yarn, on the other hand, is more of a daunting task to address. First, most of it is just so stinky that it makes your eyes water. I really can't stand the smell of moth balls. All of the yarn oozes of crazy pesticide. Second, about half the yarn is tapestry/needlepoint yarn, which I have NO idea what to with! It's in pretty colors and is pure virgin wool, but it seems like it may not be right for crocheting/knitting. I have to do some research. Lastly - there are a lot of fantastic other yarns in the pile - colorful and soft mohair, pure silks, luxurious merino wools, the list goes one. I am not talking one skein of this, a hank of this, a couple balls of that. I am talking 10 skeins/balls and up. A lot of yarn...

So, the plan right now is to sort through it all and inventory what I want and store it away in space bags until I can get to it (with a little lavender to keep the moths away...), then open up the selection to friends and family. What's left will go to the senior center, too.

If you're local, email me and come take a look. Take what you want.

Anyone know if you can use tapestry / needlepoint wool for anything else?

May be trying to do too much...

I bought some new running shoes and a pair of compression tights yesterday for Brian's birthday. They were for me. I figured it would make him happy that I am still trying to get outside and be the person he met 7 years ago. I also realized last night when we got into bed that 5 years ago, he asked me to marry him. We've made it pretty far, and I think we're doing pretty well.

I went for a 'run' today before work. Really, it was more of a slip'n'slide, as the melting snow in this unseasonably warm January was sitting over sheets of ice and making the trails a bit slippery. Who says you don't use your adductors and abductors when you run?

While running, I began to wonder if I try to cram too much into a day. I try to spend some good time with Uli in the morning, rush to drop him off for school, cram in a quick run, work all day while trying not to sink any ships, and rush home to cook dinner, spend some more time with Sunny Son, and then craft before I head off to bed. Sometimes I shower, sometimes I even take a bath. What I am not doing at all is slowing down. And I wonder why it's so hard for me to get out of bed in the morning.

My run helped me get through some of the muddled thoughts in my head. I think I'll do it again tomorrow.

Inspired

The door to the basement has been calling for something to block the draft since we've lived here. The temperature is drastically different between the fieldstone basement and our main living floor. In the past years, we usually resorted to folded up towels to block winter chill. I would usually embellish them in someway, but they were never what I wanted. I wanted a draft snake, and once I saw what I was imagining on someone else's site, I had to finally sit right down and make one.

The pattern for this harmless snake is from the e-mag 'Rhythm of the Home,' which I just adore. There are just so many good ideas there. The draft snake was so easy to throw together during Sunny Son's nap, and I was done within 15 minutes. Filling the darn thing really took the time. I think its about time I bought myself a funnel or two.

As some may notice, I committed a quilting/patchwork faux pax, and mixed colors. White and Cream - yikes. I kept thinking something wasn't quite right, and finally realized what it was once I laid on the floor to catalog it... Oh well. I'll learn.

Uli is still sick, we are all really tired, and I am having huge guilt about working away from the home. I am working through it slowly. I'll let you know how it goes.

a little sick

I bought this crazy thing today, I am so excited to get it and use it for the air-drying of the new (and old) diapers...

I bought it for two reasons: I needed a new rack that didn't have flaking red paint that sticks to the diapers (who knows what kind of crazy stuff is in that paint? it was made in China, who can say that it wasn't the same paint found on James the Tank Engine?), and I needed to bring peace and harmony to my husband's being.

Because: too much information is sometimes the tipping point, and makes those on the edge fall right off. And I will leave it at that.

Uli has been sick *again* for the last two days. He slept most of the afternoon on my chest, which is weird to say, as he's 30 pounds and nearly 3 feet long, and so really, it was just his head on my chest. Poor little feverish Sunny Son. He was better about it all yesterday, and tolerated the hippie potions, magic sprays and baths, and even let me give him a little Motrin before bed. Today was a different story - none of it was tolerated. So, he's making his way through a high fever (~103) on his own, and it's okay by me. Bodies are amazing, and I think that the arsenal of weapons that we've developed over the many, many, many years really does deserve some respect. Please don't think of me as a neglecting Mama - I am far from that, but I trust his body, my intuition, and the clinical education for which I still am providing monthly installments though its been years since I was actually in school. I am not anti-drug, after all, my business is getting drugs (and devices, right Gretchen?) from development to market. Nope, no anti-drug fanatic at all, just one to respect and allow the body to work its magic, and only intervene if really necessary. Let immunology take its course, heat up the body, kill off those nasties, and come out that much stronger (and naturally immune!) later.

While my cold bones were eating up the heat my son was giving off, I read a lot about the criticisms of Waldorf schools, and despite the negatives that were provided, I still think I need to check it out for myself. From the superficial look I've had into this type of school, it actually looks quite appealing to me, as it really respects the spiritual being through its journey of life. If my mother knew of this type of school and had access to it for me and my sister, I am quite certain that she and I would have attended one, at least for a few years. I don't know that Kim or I would have stayed in one, as she and I are both naturally competitive and need strong challenge, but we would have been exposed.

Waldorf is based on the principles of Rudolf Steiner, and his teachings on Anthroposophy, and were documented in the early 20's. Despite the spirituality of the teachings, I don't know that I can be fully on the Anthroposophy train, as Steiner comes from Nazi Germany and some of his teachings reflect that time (This is a statement based on what I've read OF Steiner. I have not ever read any of his actual writings or transcripts).

Like all school systems, there are positive and negative aspects of the Waldorf system. What I want is a place that will support, encourage, and challenge my son while respecting our family and our choices. I am not sure I will find that in a public school (sorry, Kup!).

Ultimately, my take home today was that all of the schools are different, and the experience will depend on the school. Hopefully, I'll be able to figure all of this out in the next few years before Uli heads off to school (3 years is enough, right?)

it's a process

Those of you that know me, know that I am an overly self-critical person. I am the queen of self-talk, most of which is negative. I am growing, and getting better, but it's still there. As a matter of fact, I think a got a demerit from my non-home manager because its just not necessary. I want to be creative, I want to be eloquent, I want to be clever. I am pretty sure I am none

...and then I read the 'Circle of Stones' Interview with Chelsea of this very inspirational blog, and I realized that its a process, and some of us get there more quickly than others. Although it is a nice reminder that we all have our own path, and we all have things to learn along them, our paths are not the same. I am no less critical of myself in these last 24 hours, however, I do feel more inspired.

I am having a difficult go of things these days, and reading the blogs that I do and having the connections I do, really helps my sanity. One of my recurring battles is about my relationship with my son and soon to expand family (planning stages, NOT pregnant yet, so stop hollering), as mothering does not come quite as easily to me as I thought it would. I am one impatient mama. Days like were had this weekend don't help my self-talk at all, as all Uli wanted this weekend was his Daddy. I love that Uli loves his Daddy and that they have a great relationship, but it becomes difficult for me to swallow, and hardens me spiritually. I did read an excerpt from this book, which really helped me, and will help me through this journey, especially when another (or more!) are added. In summary, children are spiritually tied and protected by their mothers until the age of three. So, even though Uli may want to hang with Daddy, he is still part of me, and maybe its that sense of security that allows him such freedom.

We went for a couple of walks this weekend. Excellent weather for it. These are not pictures promised last night, but pictures by Camera-Man, a.k.a Daddy.

(I love this photo - its just adorable, plus it a good shot of the best longies I've made to date)

(Some time with the boy... I'll take a walk with him any day)

Thanks for sticking with me.

we interrupt this broadcast...

I had a nice little set of photos to show today to highlight my newly rearranged sewing nook, and the quick project a pieced together while Husband and I tried to get Sunny Son to go to bed, but alas, technology took this leg of the race.

I don't know what I did, but my hands are in the air and I am calling in the Geek. Until tomorrow,

xo - Melanie

Excuses, excuses

We got rid of our cable and we don't have an antenna - the television is only for movies. I don't surf the internet for anything more than blogs or shopping. I only listen to the radio for the 10 minutes I am in the car on the way to daycare/work. Despite this, I am astonished that I only just learned of the earthquake in Haiti an hour ago. Under a rock. That's where I've been. Why aren't more people talking about this?

I am detached from reality. I suppose this is why I sent a congratulatory email to a colleague on the birth of her daughter that I feel was not terribly nice. I have a knack at inserting my foot in my mouth, but not realizing it until well after the fact. How does one cure that? Am I just going to be an insensitive loony all my life? I hope not. Birth is beautiful, no matter how it is experienced. My way is not the only way.

My day did start quite well, and really ended well, too. My son is now in a 'big boy bed' and is loving it. He actually wants to go to sleep right now! I wonder how long that will last? I am wanting to make a quilt for him, but I am officially postponing it until he and I can discuss it. Right now, he only wants two particular blankets, nothing else: my favorite receiving blanket from the day he was born (melts my heart), and the blanket my mother made for ME when I was a child. I love it, and won't complain.

Finally, a glimpse of what a dozen hand-made diapers look like after being cut, but prior to assembly. I so can't wait to get these sewn up and revealed. I had an awesome bit of flannel in my stash that I bought for Brian's winter pajamas a few years ago, and it will suit my little rocker and his boogie-butt perfectly.

Keep your eyes peeled on your favorite blogs and on the news. Even if we can't physically go to Haiti or even into our own communities to lend a hand, there are other ways to help. Google 'craftivism' and see what you can do to help.

Hand-made Diapers

Flyin' Monster

Jumpin' Monster

A little sewing

So, Uli and I made the trip to the thrift store on Saturday, and OH! what a trip was had! This was the first time I have taken Uli with me, as I do enjoy thrifting alone. I can peruse at my own speed without trying to keep a nosy toddler occupied. All in all, he did quite well, and we only left there with four books, not the whole stock.

We managed to find a flat flannel bed sheet, and several flannel pillow cases. Quite a score in my book - Uli will have the softest diapers in town. I quickly whipped a diaper together Sunday morning, just to see how they'd fit so I don't ruin the whole set of fabric. Turns out, Amanda's toddler pattern is quite big, but as I am not sure how long my stubborn boy will be in diapers, I don't think I will cut down the size at all. Just makes me wonder how she sized them down when her kids were out of the infant size, and just into this size. She must have done a lot of folding!

A few pictures will be uploaded tonight. Uli instantly turned into a monster and jumped around the house (the good kind of monster, if there are good and bad ones...). I think he likes them...

A little running

I went to see the doc today to follow-up with him about my last spinal epidural for my herniated disc. I didn't really get a clean bill of health, because I am still experiencing some pain, but he doesn't anticipate seeing me again. That's good, right?

Also, he cleared me to ride my bike again. SWEET.



So, I will give it a shot tomorrow. Get myself set up on the trainer (oh I am not hardcore enough to ride outside in this weather. Oh no, not me. I am after all, from Arizona) and give it a go. I'll report back.

Since I had time today after work and before the boys got home, I went for a quick fast-jog (I also don't run, ask anyone who actually runs). It was really cold (low 20's, brrrrrrr), but I loved it. I thought to myself today as I was running "Wow, look at me, running in this weather... snow and ice on the ground... wind-chill in the single digits... what's next, Ice-Climbing?" HA! Doubt it!

As my closing thought today - a little more thought into the diapers for Uli. First, we will raid the closets here and at Papo's. Then will be the thrift store. I can't wait. It will be fun!

Musing about change...

As noted in an earlier post, I have signed up for the One Small Change challenge - the idea that one small change can make a difference. I have believed this my whole life, and I have made an effort as I have gotten older, and especially now that I am a mother, to spread the word through example. I am not a preacher: I am not eloquent, I don't have a lot of meaningful things to say, and I really don't have the energy to broadcast my beliefs. What I am is a person out to live a low impact life the best way she can, while having fun, making beautiful things, and experiencing wonder.

I thought about listing all of the 'green' things that I do, but after mulling it over all day, I decided not to list it all out. How annoying, right? Most people I meet take something away with them after they meet me: colleagues now bring bowls, mugs and utensils to work instead of using the disposables supplied by work. Arianita mia now uses cloth towels and napkins instead of the disposable ones after spending two weeks with me. My mom uses a reusable water bottle. This is a small change for each one of my friends, and these small changes add up.

So, after thing and reading other ideas from the wonderful family blogs I frequent, I have finally come up with January's change: I am going to make Uli's next set of diapers. It will probably take me all month, but I have time. Uli has been in cloth diapers since he was born, but it NEVER occurred to me to make my own. I am now on the third set of 3 dozen diapers that he has now outgrown, and now needs the 'toddler' size. So, instead of creating the demand and using new cotton diapers, I am going to follow Amanda Soule's pattern and guidance in 'Handmade Home' and make the next set. Thrift stores beware. Honestly, I am really hoping to find a lot of tie-dyed shirts. I think those would be AWESOME.

So, head to the thrift store, order some new needles for the sewing machine, and off I go.

I do think I will add a few plants to the house too. As a matter of fact, at least one a month until April.

Instant Gratification

I have been putting in the hours to get some soakers and longies made for The Stork, but it seems every effort has in some way been thwarted by the rulers of the crochet universe. After a second soaker failed yesterday, I scratched the whole thing and decided I needed a project that I could 1 - make in a day, and 2 - would make me feel like I've met a goal. In essence, I needed to feel like I could complete something. But first, I took The Ooch for a drag in the sled.

Upon our return home, I set to work, and right after Uli went to bed, I was able to move this little banner to its new home on the mantle, where it is now filling the void left by our Christmas decorations. I intend to make one for each season, and they'll change ceremoniously with each solstice/equinox.

I feel better.