Goodie Bags and the Anticipation

I'm a little under pressure with Halloween costumes. I am perpetually on island time when it comes to these personal projects. As much as I love to make them, for some reason each and every year I am under the gun.

Today Greggy has a Halloween party, and Cooper has his on Monday. While I cannot attend the actual events because I have the other two in tow, I cannot help but want to contribute in the celebration. I am a (enter my maiden last name here) after all. Even if my plate is tipping, I won't pass up the opportunity. It's a sickness, really.



What is it about goodie bags that excite me? Even if I know what's in it, I want one for myself. Is it the process of opening it? Or knowing what's in it is all mine?

I love them.

Some lace, lots of chocolate, and strep?

I had to live vicariously through Greg these last few weeks. While I grappled with backpacks and homework, he took a business (military) trip through England, Germany, France and Belgium.

I heard from him every couple of days, and he recounted (at my request) what he ate and drank, and the sites he saw. It brought back memories of travelling with him. And because I am ruled by my stomach, what I was most jealous of was that he got to eat authentic cuisine and drink hearty, warm beer.

As a consolation prize, dearest Greg brought back two loves of mine: linen and chocolate. A little Belgian lace goes a long way in my book...I still have our lace curtains and pillowcases we bought from Brussels a few years ago, of which I have not displayed because I am afraid that they will be forever stained by my little ones.

This time around he brought home a table cover with matching napkins.



A little more dangerous is Belgian chocolate. I now have few bars of several kinds and they are all resting in the refrigerator. As you can see, I only pictured one here, but I am quite selfish when it comes to sweet stuff, I don't even like to photograph it ;) . These chocolates are my stash, and I have been enjoying a morsel at a time since he came home almost a week ago.



Since his arrival, unfortunately, Greg has been banished to the couch in the family room. Though I expected to pass the baton with some of the children's needs when he got home, he has been coughing and complaining of a severe sore throat. I think it's Strep. Poor guy...but then again, I wouldn't mind getting sick for 2 weeks worth of a European getaway ;).

At least I have my fluff for the week :)

Sisterhood.

I got a phone call yesterday from one of my girl-friends from our last duty station. She called to let me know that they were surprised with quite a bit of snow. I was quietly jealous that she is walking through powder and wearing her winter coat. I am still wearing open toed sandals here.

She and I caught up with the happenings in our household...and as with all of our conversations (as with all of my conversations with anyone involved with the military), we talked about future duty stations. She and her husband are within that 6 month window before their move. I felt her excitement through the phone. :)

I told her how much I missed being where she was...the weather, the atmosphere. We as a family have made every required destination home, but there was something about upstate New York that is so calming and safe.

But I wonder if it was the location, or the people we were so intricately involved with that made the difference? Despite Greg being deployed, our apartment complex, comprised of 4 families with all of the males out to war, made for an instant family. Complete with laughter and mini-dramas, sit down dinners and loud opinionated discussions.

J (my girl-friend) is ready to leave to reach their new duty station. She was very clear to point out that things are not just the same in the apartment complex, and it hasn't been for greater than a year. She and I were the last of the four original (for lack of a better word) girls and once we both went our separate ways (her to Florida while here husband was redeployed, and we to our new home) there was no longer that closeness with the subsequent neighbors.

It made a little sad.

But it made me so glad.

There were so many things that were out of our hands. When we initially moved to upstate New York, and realized we had to stay in that small, run down, Army apartment complex I literally cried. I fought the idea of taking my children up and down stairs, and whined that 1040 sq. feet is just not enough, nor was it acceptable to me. I rolled my eyes at the cheap pilly carpet and the stained kitchen tiles.

But looking back, I realized that the road ended for us at that apartment because I was meant to have great friends there. That all four of us, so different in every.single.way. were destined to end up in the same run down corner building, with all of our husbands deployed, so that we could not just get to know ourselves, but to make ourselves stronger through each other's help.

I can't imagine that I would have gone through my lonely nights and quiet weekends unscathed without these surrogate sisters, aunts to my children. Now that we are all separated, away from each other, even if we don't keep in touch as often as we'd like, I would do anything for each one of them (are you reading this, A, K and J ?). Because just as our husbands created bonds with their fellow soldiers, we created our own with each other.

I love you girls. :heart:

Ah, it's been a long week.

The change in weather, from hot to cold then back to hot, then to rain then to sun has promptly put a damper on the mood here in the Johnson household. I have 3 very. very. unhappy children, with runny noses, slight fevers and watery eyes.

...all of which results in a very. very. tired mama.

It should have been a *relaxing* week, seeing that Cooper missed school all week and Greggy didn't go to Tae Kwan Do. Instead, because my three decided to wake, eat, cough and cry in intervals, by 6 pm I am trying to combat my drooping eyelids with coffee.



I was so relieved to get these little pair of pants done, because I have been literally falling asleep while I knit. They are for a little baby B, son of a fellow Sewing Mama, who was born slightly premature.

I just noticed now in the picture that the ribbing has so much to be desired. *doh* . It clearly depicts that I was hanging by a thread, knitting in stupor...but I really tried to focus (I swear), because I wanted to finish it before he decides that he wasnts to undergo a growth spurt.

This is the Chai Latte colorway by Morwenna. Knit with Theresa's Picky Pants Pattern.

OK, I'm off to nap (notice I say Nap. Not "sleep"). Because I anticipate one of my sweet-ones will call for me in an hour or 2.

TFL!

A litte Zen Garden

...made by Alison, that is.



I cannot describe the excitement I feel when I get "fluff" (soft yummy stuff) in the mail. And I am especially most thrilled when the "fluff" is made by another Mama.

Soon after I found that I had a love for crafting, I realized that there were so many Mothers who are just like me. While they come from all walks of life and from all corners of many countries, I share their love of creating, of challenging ourselves to push our talent, and to value craft as a process.

I have found such a bond with some of these women. Our conversations revolve around the fabrics and fibers we covet, or what patterns and methods to achieve success. While we eventually talk of our families and lives, we are brought together under the premise that we respect each other's want to make something beautiful, useful, and cherished.

I suppose that blog readers are not surprised that we meet through message boards. Mother/Crafters are brought together at all hours of the day with a few clicks of the mouse. I have trusted colleagues I have never met, and I rely on them for friendship as I nurse my babe, or when I am holding her as she naps.

But folks I know IRL (in real life) are a little perplexed that not only do these communities exist, but that true friendships can come from it. How can one possibly create and maintain friendships with those one has never seen?

There are so many stories of friendships gone stalker-ish, or about perverted lurkers and sick individuals on the net. And I do believe that there are these people, but there are those who are sincere, just like I am, and I have found communities are are private, respectful, and resourceful.

We send each other well wishes on our special days, we share our journey in pregnancy, motherhood, and we buy/sell/trade the fruits of our talents.

And these friendships are substantial, and though they do not take away from the friendships we have IRL (though these friendships certainly are real-do not let this acronym fool you), these friendships add depth to the relationships we form in our lifetime.

...and for this I am grateful.

Weddings

They always make me cry somehow.

One of my girlfriends, M, got married this weekend. She has one of those relaxing easy personalities, and we have managed to remain friends despite the distance that 8 years of Army miles has provided us. She and I finally live in the same city :)

Her wedding to J allowed for me to meet up with one of my best friends, K, and she and I promptly began our giggling and joking and commenting. It was as if we were back in college again. Her poor husband, he had to endure her growling stomach during the ceremony and our minutes of our subsequent stiffled giggles.

Her wedding was a good excuse for me to get re-acquainted with quilting. So, I a made a lap blanket for M & J. Hopefully it will cover their laps and legs as they watch TV or read books.



up close:


Doing this size of quilt also gave me quilt-sewing-machine-lust. I had a darn of a time rolling and shoving this baby in the little space my Viking had for me.

Don't tell Greg that though (wink).

My Cooper...

is a special little boy.

I feel all of my children are special. I feel that each of them are destined for greatness in whatever environment they will find themselves in. Though just children, they each seem to be able to touch and reach people; I have no doubt that they will change the world to be a better place, as they already have today.

But I watch my Cooper very closely. I am so mindful that he may fall into the generalized second (or middle) child syndrome. I want to make sure he knows that he is his own little boy, and that he can be whatever he chooses to be.

Unlike Greggy and Rafaella, who are both very outgoing, uber social and assertive, my Cooper is selectively animated, with many moments of quiet thoughtfulness. He is careful, a watcher. He internalizes situations, and at his own chosen moments, lets Greg or I know what he has observed.

And with his disposition, he is generous and kind, rarely getting a cup of milk for himself without getting one for his brother. He follows Rafaella around the house to make sure she doesn't get into trouble, all of which is very mindful for a 4 year old boy. He is surprisingly intelligent...I say surprisingly because he will suddenly just show you that, yes, he knows how to write his name, and phonetically read letters...all without my concentrated effort to teach him these things.

What do I do to make sure that he remains the way he is? I don't want him to change, nor do I wish to compare him to my other two. Each of my children have gifts and talents, shortcomings and misgivings, and I love each and every trait because it is theirs.

I hope our love will be enough to give him the courage and confidence to remain who he is.

Carpool Creation #1

This is proof that I have truly succumbed into being a mini-van, carpooling mama. What has become quiet moments of knitting has turned into van knitting, waiting for one, while the other two are either sleeping or eating lunch in the back seat.

Sure, I know, it's not ideal...but we still have fun :) .

I am intent on being one of the first 10 or so cars (vans) there, so when Greggy comes out he can see me immediately. I don't want my babe to wait, or worry. And in order to do this I have programmed my brain to get there at least 30 minutes or so before the dismissal bell rings.

Yes! I know it's not ideal, but we still have fun...

The vans are practically parked in line, waiting...mamas come out to chat with each other (probably one of our few contacts with other adults before dad gets home)...most vans have other babes in there, so they are usually rocking out with some kind of child CD (ours is no exception)...and you will see many mamas reading, doing bills, their nails.

When I am not chatting, I am knitting. Or I am knitting while chatting, whatever...

And behold the first creation from the carpool line, actually finished last week, but did not wash and lanoloze until last night :)



The yarn is Kimberly's colorway, I believe using Full Belly Farm Yarn, an organic wool yarn, wonderful and yummy.

I look forward to many more knitterly moments waiting for Greggy from school.

It took me 48 minutes to go 11 miles yesterday...

...and this was through the freeway. On the way back, I took the side streets and it still took me 39 minutes with all of the traffic...

And to think we are in the suburbs, over the bridge from D.C.

I used to think that I was such a city person. I grew in San Francisco. Greg and I used to daydream (when we were dating, and when newly married), that we would return to The City as soon as we could, to reclaim a piece of it and become part of its history.

Moving to Germany and living there for 4 years totally changed our perspective, and now all I crave is to one day find myself living in a small European-like village, where people still take walks, eat their meals outside *unrushed*, and talk to neighbors across the fence.

Until then I will be sitting in traffic and spend my time listening to children's music as the kids sing in the backgroud...(the latter part not being so bad)..

And until then I will continue to live in my craft bubble where I put all of my dreams and hopes into things I can make for others...

...this is for Sophia, J&C's first daughter, born about a month ago. J and I were nurses together in Germany. She is a Friend For Life.

Yarn is BFL, dyed by Nada.

Pattern in the Quick Baby Sweater (can't find the link at the moment haha).



Congratulations, Mama...

Sewing comes in handy...

for birthday parties. Especially little girls' birthdays. This is what I have concluded.

I have been privy to attend numerous birthdays last year and will most likely attend many this year, now that both Greggy and Cooper in school. They are always so fun and crazy. Very noisy! Chaotic. And exhausting.

But I look forward to the cake and the gift opening. Most especially at little girls' parties...because I am a crafting freak and am looking forward to her opening her present from Greggy (doh - I mean me).

This weekend was another opportunity for me to dive into my pile of pinks :)



The shirt is made of a pink interlock, and after putting it together I embroidered her initial on the front. Pants are a stretch twill.

Ms. M loved it, and so did her Mama. Which makes me happy...and I am grateful that there is another little one possibly wearing something I have made :)

Just stocked....

...at the Shop

I thought it be appropriate for the season coming ;)





(can be used as reusable trick or treat bags ;) )



Waterproof bags :)

I hope everyone has a great weekend!