For Posterity

08Aug09

This is where you will find a merging of two blogs: my old blog, “Slowly Emerging” and the older version of my family blog, “Bedtime Stories.“  There is a lot here and I don’t claim to remember all that I have written.  I just know that I have come a long way.     I find myself wondering if anyone reads blogs anymore.  Do they? I think everyone must be on Facebook, Twitter or MySpace. Someone needs to come up with a new social networking tool.  Three just isn’t enough.

If you’re finding yourself wondering what to do with a “dead” blog or where to begin in the archives, here are a few ideas:

1. See if I wrote anything on a date that is special to you (maybe you’ll feel more connected)

2. Type in a word or phrase to see if it comes up in any of my blog posts (it’s kind of like looking up potty words in the dictionary)

3. Go through month by month and methodically read through the entire thing (it’s kind of like plucking nose hairs)

4. Read the old stuff on days that I haven’t written on the current blog (I do what I can to encourage my fellow procrastinators)

Anyway, old or new, it is lots of fun to write on a blog and I can’t deny myself that. Here it is for the masses.  Enjoy.  Otherwise, I’m simply claiming my little piece of Internet space.

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Celebrate the Boy

03Feb10

It can be so difficult finding cute handmade clothing and toy ideas for boys; and my Noah sure notices when his sister is getting something made by mom. Well Dana of MADE and Rae of Made by Rae have teamed up this month to Celebrate the Boy.  Dana, Rae and a host of other bloggers will join together so that a boy-centered project is featured every day of this month.  Fabulous!  I’ve started a new bookmark folder just to keep tabs of projects I want to make in the future. And it’s all for the love of The Boy.

In fact, I picked up this shirt so I could complete this project. I’m really hoping I can get away with not having a serger. I’m also hoping the machine I have will be kind to me working with a knit.  Hop on over to their blogs and check out the cuteness.

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Reminder cards & a gift

02Feb10

My children are…children. They need constant reminders about the things they need to do each day.  We have been awakening and getting ready for the day since they were born. So, why they can’t remember to put socks on before they put on their shoes is beyond me.

The issue isn’t really that they forget, it’s their snail-like pace that is so exasperating.  That they haven’t grasped the concept of moving quickly, (or moving at all) on every morning except Saturday, is a part of getting ready for the day. It does not matter what time we wake up, children are just slow.  I also realized that my reminders were probably making them dependant upon my reminders so I decided to stop reminding them. That didn’t work so well cause they are children and I usually cut them a little slack on the account that their mother is addicted to the snooze button.

So, my most recent solutions are these:

One sheet details what they need to do to get ready for school in the morning and what they need to do to get ready for school at night. The Boy and The Girl went through what should be on the sheet, and I still have to add the description.  However, the pictures say it all. The other is a weekly pictorial of what needs to get done or what they get to do each day.  That sheet is the stuff we all forget (yes I forget to give my kids a bath. I put it off cause I’m a procrastinator, they are young enough to get away with it, and too many baths dry out their skin) or the extras they ask about too frequently.

They were inspired by Moriah’s  class calendars which gives a picture with each daily reminder and this packing list.  I used watercolors to color in the pictures that I drew in pencil and outlined with a fine tip black pen.  It was a lot of fun and it has been very effective.  The project was very rewarding because it allowed me to use visual creativity to improve a system in my home.  I also hope it adds a bit of literacy to The Boy’s world.  He does read, but I don’t think he knows he’s reading when he does it–it’s very random.

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I’ve also made a quilt for a family at church. They recently added another little girl to their family and I wanted to make a gift. So here it is:

It’s a little tiny baby quilt. Sometimes the crib size is simply too big to tote around. I love the colors. Unfortunately, this shot doesn’t show the lavender/white dot binding.  I will not go into the details of this quilt cause they aren’t pretty, but all in all I am pleased. My hope is that they’ll use this for the all purpose pretty thing. Impromptu changing pad, swaddler, [p]lay mat.

Tomorrow, I’ll show you what I scored at the thrift stores. Thrift stores are absolutely irresistible.

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the man in the library

27Jan10

The man in the library decided to print 100 pages just before the library was to close

He printed so much, the printer ran out of paper.

I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bother me.

The man in the library apologized for my wait,

“I’m doing a little desperation research. I’ve got cancer and I’m supposed to be dead in 2 months. Trying to see if I can stop it.”

“Oh no. What kind do you have?”

I found out he has lung cancer and it’s spreading. I hoped telling him about my ‘grandmother’s’ lung cancer survival would encourage him. He seemed to get a glimmer of hope once he realized I wasn’t telling him she died.

He asked her remedy.

“Surgery, chemo and lots of prayer.” I shouted, for he was hard of hearing.

He affirmed that prayer was the best thing for cancer. And I thought I should pray for him. Lay hands on him and pray right there.

I didn’t. I’d have to shout in the library. So I left.

But I couldn’t leave.

I stalled and stalled until we were leaving the library at the same time and offered to pray for him.

We stood in the cold as the man in the library told me two “jokes,”

“I told my doctor when I die I want to see the autopsy report.  All my neighbors are praying that I die so they can seize my property. How’s that?”

I told him they weren’t funny. I didn’t get the first one and the other I found quite sad.

He continued to tell me that God is the only way he’s going to fight this. He continued to tell me how he’s lost 60 pounds in a short amount of time, he’s getting weaker and weaker. He doesn’t have money to go to Germany for some fancy cancer treatment. He has to take care of his wife. He’s in a bit of a trap with some things, but death is the only way out.

“So, you still haven’t told me if I could pray for you.”

The man in the library told me he’s beat cancer before. Brain cancer. He was supposed to loose an eye. He still has two. He was supposed to be dead 16 months ago. He told me that it is only the Power of God that has kept him alive.  It will only be his power to keep him alive.

He said I could pray for him. So I did.

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Potential

27Jan10

I have a thing for chairs. The older and more unique the better. When I look at the outdated chair I see it as what I can create it to be. I don’t see the chipped paint and stained cushion. I see the potential and I am quick to defend its beauty  in its unrepaired state. It can be the same for people.

Some people don’t see a difference in what a person can be and what they are.  A person’s potential is all they see.  I think having that kind of vision and faith is almost admirable.  That vision has the potential to encourage, motivate,  and drive an individual toward that goal but only if they have a path to follow. A little direction. I’m sitting here on the receiving end of that kind of vision and it actually sucks.    Having potential is worthless if you don’t know how to reach it. I’m thankful that I am seen as what I can be and what I could do, but the truth is I need help to get there.

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my first watercolor:a critique

25Jan10

This is my first attempt at painting a picture in watercolor. I prefer oils (according the one time I’ve painted in oils) and I don’t have all the supplies needed for that. I have plenty of watercolor supplies and I really wanted to paint something for fun.

I painted this picture of a lily pad flower from a photo I took this past summer. I definitely like the photo better, but I don’t think anyone could paint a picture of the photo that I would enjoy more than the photo itself.

I was not trying to mimic the color. I didn’t want to get into mixing, I just wanted to try it out. Watercolors are difficult to paint with. I like the depth I can capture with oils.  My absolute favorite medium to use are chalk pastels. Anyway.  I like the sketch of the picture before adding paint, and it looked better before I finished it.

I finished the picture this morning and that involved adding some color to the white and adding the background. It was prettier before I finished it. I think I’ll try one more watercolor and then stick to using them for things like this:

I really enjoy using watercolors for coloring bright, flat images. That picture is a section of a journal page where I was documenting my thoughts and events of a day with a picture, then I would color it. Anyway, it feels good to paint or color. Here’s the photo:

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my 2010 list

22Jan10

I’ve never been one for resolutions. I’m still not. But, if we don’t set goals we’re bound to not accomplish any.  This year I chose the start of the new year to set a few goals for myself.  One of the proven ways to succeed in reaching your goals is to tell someone what they are.  That is one of the reasons I am choosing to share these goals with you. One of the other reasons is because I plan to refer to some of them on my blog and I’d like to give you some context.

There were 4 big, generic goals on my list. In the case of these 4 goals, the more generic, the more likely I am to actually attempt them.  Most of them can work together. They are big because if they are important to me I am more likely to actually attempt them. I have thought of a few specific ways to accomplish the goal, but the ideas are secondary.

In no particular order:

1. Write more (I have already written more this year–in my personal journal–than I did the whole of 2009). I want to write in my journal more and write letters. Handwritten letters.

2. Build stronger relationships (with God, family and friends)–this can be done with letters and I’ve done a few other things here and there.  And it’s fun, not scary. My moms would be very proud of me.

3. Create more. Sew, paint, write. The goal is to just do something even if it isn’t the vision in my head. I also have a shelf of about 6 projects to complete this year. I considered restricting myself to only those projects, but I will try and fail to only do those projects cause sometimes crafting is like homework. I look at a project, then think of something else to do instead–like go to bed. Sometimes things come up like someone has a baby or I get overwhelmed with the project ideas in my head.

4. Implement crucial/strategic routine–I love routine, but avoid it for some reason (cause I’m ‘creative’). I feel so much more at peace with routine. It is one of the mysteries of Andrea. BUT now I won’t be able to get away with as much flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants-just-cause-I-can. I think “soon” is the time I’ll start waking up earlier. This one is going to hurt.

The overall theme is to be more productive.

Have you set any goals recently. I’d love to hear what they are. Hearing someone’s goals can be encouragement to accomplish your own. Feel free to keep me accountable and I’ll do my best to keep you updated.

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yakamushi

20Jan10

When Nathan was home, his mother would make Yakamushi.  I don’t know how they came up with the name, but it is a very simple, inexpensive, quick and tasty dish.  Our entire family likes this and I don’t make it often enough (no longer!).  The ingredients are the recipe, measurements are to your taste and are based on how many people you are trying to feed.

ground beef, onions, carrots, green peppers (all chopped) and cooked rice (brown or white, but brown is healthier). I also add pepper, garlic powder, powdered ginger, and soy sauce (also set it out on the table for those who want more).

That’s it.

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Protected: when daddy's gone

20Jan10

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and soon my life will change

19Jan10

Soon.  That is the kind of soon that gives absolutely no true indication of time.  Soon I will be a full time working mother.  Nathan and I have gone through a list of (most) everything that needs to be done to maintain our home–all of the things that I did (or did not do depending on what was distracting me that week).  We have divided responsibilities.  We have owned up to who is better suited to do which job and who should just do it whether they are better suited or not.  In theory, this is awesome.  I can’t wait to try it out.

So, I’m still in charge of cooking (except on weekends).  I love to cook and I’m going to love to not have to cook.  With our new schedule in place I’m going to have to learn a new way of cooking and meal planning (and the family-self balance).  I have been searching websites, I’ve checked out a couple of books, I’m drawing upon my memories of what my mom did, and I plan to interview a few women to get ideas.  I checked out Rachel Ray’s 30 minute meals cookbook.  The recipes look great, but they aren’t really geared toward my kids. Perhaps I could also use this transition time to make their palettes a little more sophisticated?  Here are the problems that I will need to eradicate and the problems that I’ll just have to learn to deal with. I am looking for tips from outsiders and tips from moms who have made it work:

• Going out to eat is not an option
• I do not get off work until 5.  It will be 5:30 by the time I pick up my kids from after school care, 6pm by the time we get home. Currently, I am in the kitchen from 4-5:30. If I continue to spend close to 2 hours making dinner, the kids won’t eat until 8 and will have to go to bed pretty much right after that. I don’t like that. So, I’m hoping to cut down how much time I spend cooking. I’ve decided to go with theme nights, but that’s as far as I’ve gotten.
• When will I have time for any prep work ahead of time?
• What are some yummy, quick meals that are relatively fresh and healthy?
• How will I have time for me? How will we have time for family?  Actually, we have two scheduled family nights per week that will start soon. But, I think we all know that if I don’t have time alone and/or time to create I will have a difficult time with all of this.

There’s so much more, but I think the food is on my mind the most right now because it will require the most change in the current system.  All help is appreciated!

Filed under: Family, Making Home   |  3 Comments

if i had a garden

18Jan10

and knew anything about zoning, I’d plant:

• tomatoes
• herbs
• onions
• garlic
• brussels sprouts
• asparagus (for The Man)
• potatoes
• carrots
• collard greens–lots and lots of greens
• kale
• lettuce
• cabbage
• sweet potatoes
• green beans
• strawberries
• blueberries
• blackberries
• raspberries
• leeks
• corn
• peppers
• ??

What else is good? I’m in zone 4a(I just looked that up).

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