Evening out

Last night I went to a women's dessert night at our church about Becoming Alive Inside. We had an interior designer talk about basic design principles (which I was happy to find I knew most of them) and then we had a talk from Debbie Fortnum. What a wonderful woman. She talked of how many (most?) women are dead inside (spiritually), and what we haven't realized is that we have lost hope. We need to connect or reconnect to God, who is the source of hope. (She put it much better than me.)

Of course, I had to buy a couple of her music CDs...she wrote a song based on Jeremiah 29:11 which happens to be my favorite verse. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." I had heard this song on our 'local' Christian radio station but had never realized she lived here in the Lower Mainland.

She also has talks on CD available from her website and check out her biography.

Mmmmmm....Cinnamon Buns

I'm making cinnamon buns, and pan buns and a loaf of bread. Yay me!

I love home-made cinnamon buns. Almost all the 'bought' ones I have had are way too sweet. The exception to this is the IKEA ones. Those are heavenly with their cream cheese icing.

My favorite ones are just like my mom made when I was growing up. Regular bread dough (she used to make all our bread and buns by hand each week as her mom did), rolled out, buttered, brown-sugared, cinnamoned, rolled-up, cut and placed in 9x13 dish to rise and then bake.

We used to unroll them and put a little extra butter along the cinnamon part as we ate them.

Mmmmmmm....I can't wait until these ones are done!

Another beautiful painting...

at Anywhere But Here.

I might have to buy this one too!

Finished Objects (FOs) - Updated

Update - here's a picture with bad lighting.

Yesterday was a day of finishing stuff...

I finished a doll dress I had been (putting off) working on for quite a while. I made the doll, too, so she's been nekkid for too long. I still need to add the ribbons and buttons.

I finished the back of my wrap sweater (Yay me!), so now I can start the fronts (Yay!).

Ummmm.....

I finished sweeping the floor (does that count?)

I finished the fringe on the shawl for my Gramma....it's more like an extra wide scarf than a shawl...(okay, I finished that today, not yesterday, but I started finishing it yesterday)

I'll have to take some pictures and then update this later.

The sun is shining!

Quick!
Go outside!
Jump up and down!

(We've had 25 consecutive days of rain here...we're a little stir crazy.)

We're going to Disneyland!

Yay!

I have to admit, I love Disneyland. The first time I went was 10 years ago as part of our honeymoon. It truly is a happy place. :)

TKHubband is booking our holiday with the travel agent as I type!

Wheeee!

I just bought some art!

I bought an original watercolour painting from Kris at Anywhere But Here. She's trying to make some money to buy herself some music equipment.

Go, look!

Grief and music

This evening at worship practice, we did the song, "Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redman. This song always makes me think of my good friends' mom who passed away a little over a year ago. We started singing this song in church and small group while she was sick with cancer. I found it very difficult for quite a while to sing the bridge, "You give and take away, You give and take away, my heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be Your name". It was hard to sing it before she passed away, and it was impossible for me to sing that part after she passed away. Not because I didn't trust that God knows what He is doing and His timing is perfect, but because it hurt to think of her not being here with us anymore.

Over the last year, it has gradually become easier to sing. I still think of her every time.

Oh! That's my hand!

TKHubband and I love this story. It makes me giggle every time I think about it.

Last year in the summer, TKHubband heard the following through the baby monitor in the kids room.

monkey-boy: Aaaaaaaa! It's a spider!
monkey-girl: Where? Where's the spider?
monkey-boy: Right there! There's a spider!
monkey-girl: Where?
monkey-boy: Right there!
monkey-girl: Where?
monkey-boy: Right there!

(pause as monkey-girl gets out of bed and goes over to monkey-boy's bed)

monkey-girl: Show me. Show me where the spider is.
monkey-boy: Right there! Right there!

(pause)

monkey- girl: Monkey-boy. That's not a spider. That's your hand.

(pause)

monkey-boy: ...ooooh! That's my hand!

Progress on my wrap sweater

This is the sweater I mentioned here and here. Well, I'm almost up to the armhole shaping of the back. (I'm not a very fast knitter, and it's been a little busy, lately...)

I'm using up some of my stash yarn (Yay me!) that I bought from a clearance bin. It's Red Heart Casual Cot'n Blend in Spice. I only have 6 skeins, but I think I'll have enough. I'm over two thirds finished the back and I'm almost finished the first skein, so that leaves almost 5 skeins for the two fronts, the sleeves and the ties.

I really like the way it's knitting up. It's very similar in appearance to the picture in the magazine (which uses much nicer yarn) with more orange tones instead of pinks. This yarn should be quite easy-care (I do have kids after all....everything must be washable!) Things are moving along nicely, and I'm quite excited that I'll finish the back soon and I'll be able to start on the fronts!

Ice Skating

Yesterday we met some friends at the skating rink.

But that's not really how it started....

First, we got to the skating rink. The sign on the door said, "Over-capacity, come back in an hour." Then a girl came out and said they would be cleaning the ice in half an hour and would be letting more people in then. So we called our friends' cell and told them what was up. They had left late, so were still a bit away. While I was on the phone, monkey-boy managed to fall off a concrete step/bench thing and skin his knee.

Once we got him calmed down, we decided to walk to the gas station down the road as TKHubband was hungry and wanted to get a snack while we waited. Well, the lady behind the counter was the slowest I've ever seen. The line-up was at least 10 people long when we got in the store. It was still that long when we got in the line. Then our friends call back to tell us they were at the rink. The line-up moved so slowly, the people in front of us had just about finished their slushies by the time they paid for them. When we finally got out of there, it started to rain, so we had to walk back to the rink in the rain.

Finally, we get back to the ice rink, we get in there, pay and pick up our rental skates. There were our friends, still getting their skates on. First, monkey-girl's were too small, so back I went to get her the next size up. Yay! Success! Then monkey-boy's were too small, so back our friend went to get him the next size up. TKHubband and our friend started putting monkey-boy's skates on, so I got to sit down and put mine on. After fighting with monkey-boy's skates for a while longer, we were finally all ready to go on the ice.

I haven't skated for years. TKHubband doesn't skate. Monkey-girl and monkey-boy have never skated. Our friend's kids are 2 and 4. Recipe. for. disaster.

It actually went really well. Considering all the torment leading up to it, the actual skating wasn't so bad. Yes, the skates made my feet hurt. Yes, the kids were a little freaked at how slippery the ice was. Yes, it is hard to push the kids around with those metal things.

But the kids loved it! (except for the 2-year-old)

Monkey-girl and monkey-boy both asked if they could go skating the next day. TKHubband isn't so sure that's a good thing. ;)

Many blessings this Christmas

Yes, I am truly blessed.

We've enjoyed much time with TKHubband's family this Christmas. Since TKHubbands parents and brother moved here this year, we didn't have to travel to see them (and they didn't have to travel to see us). (Of course, Christmas with my family is yet to come, but that just spreads things out nicely.)

It was fairly hectic, with the Christmas Eve service and the Christmas Day service, but everything went really smoothly and we had a yummy turkey dinner after church (courtesy of my mom-in-law) and leftovers on Boxing Day.

The kids did really well even with all the excitement...well, okay, they haven't been going to sleep as easily as normal, but really, they aren't terrible. I'm just tired (I think I'm fighting to not get a cold).

Yesterday, we went ice-skating with some friends. That probably deserves it's own post.

Tonight, we got together with some other friends and had turkey dinner again (yum yum yum), and more presents for the kiddos. They got to play with their friends too and it was such a nice time.

I got spoiled by TKHubband....he remembered things I wanted and got them for me! ;)
This one, I specifically asked for because I thought it was something I would use, and oh, it's so cool and fun and it works! He also got me a mantle clock with a Westminster chime...I've wanted one for quite a while. (Most of our friends think it's the doorbell, even though we've always had a 'ding-dong' doorbell.) Now, I just need to put the cuckoo clock back up for a cacophony every hour...just kidding! He also got me a calendar with secret garden pictures, and a bunch of yummy chocolates. Before Christmas, he got me a KitchenAid stand mixer! Woohoo! They had a really good deal, so he picked it up for me (got an extra 10% off!) and gave it to me early, so I could do my Christmas baking with it. I've also used it for mixing the meat mixture for meatballs. It works just as well, and maybe even a little better, than I expected.

Oof, long post....so that's it for now...lots of blessings this year.

I was good yesterday!

I was. Honest.

While I did start the ballet sweater I mentioned yesterday, I limited myself and only let myself do 2 rows at a time with 40+ minutes of tidying/cleaning between. I figured that was very reasonable. 2 rows actually recharged me enough to fold and put away a ton of laundry and clean up all the toys all over the floor and vacuum!

So, because I was so productive yesterday, today is (almost) a write off. I did manage to pick up a last couple of things at the mall this morning and wrap the rest of the presents that aren't for the monkey-children. Not bad, but now my sweater is calling to me again....maybe if I do 2 rows, I'll be able to get some more tidying done.

My get-up-and-go got up and left...

So, I'm supposed to be wrapping presents, figuring out the last few to buy (No, I'm not done yet) and finishing up my local (ie. hand-deliverable) Christmas cards...

...but I don't want to.

What I want to do, is sit down and start working on the snazzy ballet wrap sweater on the cover of the Winter 2005 Interweave Knits magazine. I even have the yarn I want to use and the needles I need. I've been reading too many knitting blogs and am so inspired by the beautiful things people are making. My hands are itching to pick up my needles and make something.

I have plenty of items in my part-done list, but none of them are calling to me the way this sweater is.

I suppose if I spend a few minutes getting work done, maybe then I can justify starting it? Maybe?

Hmmmm...I do like red hair...

Your Hair Should Be Red

Passionate, fiery, and sassy. You're a total smart aleck who's got the biggest personality around.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

Christmas Decorating...

...is mostly done!

Yay!

Of course, our loveseat, coffee table, glider, etc is still in the garage, but, hey, I've got TWO trees decorated inside, candles, snowglobes, etc inside and the outside lights and decorations are done!

Yay!

Oh wait, I still have the Christmas Village for on top my cupboards, the garlands for the banisters, and my wreaths for the doors to do. And my Christmas letter to write!!! :O

Wait a minute, why am I posting to my blog instead of writing my Christmas letter?!?!?

Christmastime is here...

Christmas time is here,
happiness and cheer,
fun for all that children call
their favorite time of year.

Snowflakes in the air,
carols everywhere,
olden times and ancient rhymes
of love and dreams to share.

Sleigh bells in the air,
beauty everywhere,
yuletide by the fireside
and joyful memories there.

Christmas time is here,
families drawing near,
oh that we could always see
such spirit through the year.

By Vince Guaraldi (I think)

This song has been going through my head a lot this year. Part of the reason is because of the Peanuts Christmas Special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. Another part of the reason is that a few different groups have redone this song so I hear it more than previous years. It makes me think of the gang of peanuts characters, each of whom has issues (which makes them more real).

It also makes me think of Linus and how he recites the Christ Child’s story from Luke, and then says to Charlie Brown, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

On cats and Christmas Trees...

You don't want to know....not really.

Kitten, as I previously talked about here, likes Christmas trees. Specifically, he likes to climb in, chew on, and sprawl inside our Christmas tree.

Last year, when he was but a small kitten, he spent so much time in the tree, that I kept a pair of pliers out to bend the tree branches back into place to keep the ornaments from falling off.

Now, he's full grown.
.
.
.
Yes, he still climbs in, chews on and sprawls inside our tree.

What am I going to do?

The weather pixie is wearing normal clothes!

Now that it's a little cooler, the Weather Pixie is actually wearing normal clothes!!!!!! She's wearing a very nice sweater and pants.

;)

Over-obligated....or just feeling like I am

So, a while ago I posted that one of my upcoming posts was going to be about being over-obligated....yeah...I've been too busy to post.....

Really, I'm not over-obligated...I just feel like I am...

Why is it that I feel so responsible for fulfilling everyone's expectations?
I'm horrible at it.
* Thank-you notes.
* Keep-in-touch phone calls.
* Volunteering to help (with everything).
* Organizing this, that or the other.
* Being in charge of maintaining group communication.
* Keeping a spotless house...or even just tidy.

Even if others don't expect me to do something, I somehow feel like I'm failing by not volunteering myself and my time.
Even if others have no idea or intention of me doing something, I still feel that I should do it and by not doing it, I've failed at being 'good', 'responsible', 'thoughtful', etc. (all those good things)

And, I actually want to do most of these things (that's probably the root of my problem), I just haven't figured out how to fit them in to my life.

I also want time for me (selfishly, when I want to do what I want, I put the monkey-kids in front of the TV). I fear that I'm not giving them enough non-TV time...or enough time playing with me (rather than just playing in the same room as me). And I 'lose-it' with them far too often...where's that gentleness, kindness, self-control?

When I do get the time to work on something...I usually choose a selfish thing to spend my time on. I could write a thank-you note, but I sit and knit. I could phone an old friend, but I play with my craft stuff. I could clean the house, but I hide in a book. I could empty the dishwasher, but I surf the internet reading blogs.

(sigh) I guess I have to work a little harder on my servant-heart....