{this moment}

One Finished, Two W.I.P.'s

Finished: one swanky pair of 'Buzz' Oliver + S Bedtime Story Pajamas

One Beach quilt started, hope to finish for the weekend

...and ??? :) Should have been done on Monday night, but I chose poorly when it came to fabric paint colors and bias tape. ETC = 4 days.

Summer Balance

My husband sent me on a bike ride today - the second on my new, pimpin' mountain bike, and the fourth for the year. It was long overdue, and I really enjoyed myself. It must be summer though, as the crowing glory of my bike ride was a nasty bite from a deer fly that make me yelp in pain. Here's to Summer in New England (where's the bug juice?!?!?)!

As I rode today, I started thinking about all the things I want to do - lists inspired by a blog I browsed today at work - and I realized that I have no time to accomplish them all. I realized that I must strive for balance and heed the advice I gave a friend - determine what it is you will do, and be okay with what you won't do. Don't torture yourself over both. Let one go (or in my case, a few things go...).

I am struggling lately with all the things I want to do, like crochet for The Stork, sew for my Sunny Son, ride my bike, spend time with my family, enjoy my garden and my lovely new yard, and study to be a midwife. I am determined to find a way to do it all, but as there is only so much time in the day, some things become less important than others, like riding my bike. It definitely shows, this lack of biking, as my jeans don't fit any more, and I am forced to wear skirts. It could be worse.

I have begun researching the steps I need to take to become a homebirth midwife. I can do it, I just need to lay out the plan and get the family on board. I am so excited to get this next phase of my life started. I just need to finish all these soakers for The Stork!!!

And to conclude and wish you all a Happy Summer Solstice, I leave you with...
Uli enjoying the stream, and trying to convince me the bug juice will stay on if he gets wet.

A Boy and Some Beer!

Kupie came to town. We took her to Tower Hill Botanical Gardens. It completely offended her. Uli liked it:

As an act of peace-keeping, I took Kupie for beer and awesome, locally sourced food. It was a most excellent time.

I miss her.

As an aside, after speaking to many friends and family, and getting a comment here (thanks, Erin!), I think we will send Uli to the local Montessori school. He will likely start in the fall. Thanks again!

...working

...or would it be called multi-tasking? I need to finish up my first 'order' for Stork, and so I am now toting my crocheting around with me. This is a good thing - I finish my projects, but I also get the added value of 2 15 minute sessions of mindful crocheting - meditation if you will. A very, very good thing right now...
On another note, and perhaps the primary reason I need my mindful meditation these days... I am unhappy with where Uli goes to school. The vibe has changed so much. I am seriously considering moving him to another school - I am looking at a local Montessori school. Thoughts to share? I read many blogs that love this type of schooling - I would love to hear some feedback if anyone has some to share, good or bad.

In business...

a soaker sold... what an awesome feeling!

{this moment}

"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember." - Amanda Soule

Transition

Garage before:

Garage (?) after:
The garage was an eyesore, dangerous, and a health hazard. We had it torn down. It used to be where the bed of pea gravel is on the right. Hooray for change!