in Seattle a little longer...

The kid and I are still in Seattle with my Mother. We had high expectations of returning to Alaska by the middle of April but that may change. Last Thursday she had her routine labs done and her White Blood Cell count was very low. They told us that we may have to stay another two weeks. We are hoping that the labs that were done on Monday will be alright. Mother has been looking forward to going home after her appointment April 11th, and so have we.

She has been able to do so much since her transplant and is determined to be able to go home on the expected return date. We are beside ourselves as to why her cell count was down. We haven't spent too much time in the public eye. If so, she wears her mask, regardless of all the stares. Mom once told me of a lady who flat out asked her, "Are you wearing that to protect us from YOU or to protect you from US?"

Upon explaining herself, the lady turned away without showing any interest in what Mother had to say. It makes me laugh really, the behavior of someone who just doesn't know the situation. Mother has to wear the mask to protect herself against any infections. Since the transplant, she has to take a lot of medication. Most of which lower her WBC's to keep her body from rejecting the new heart. If she gets any infection, this could be a harmful thing for her and the new organ.

It seems that Mother has a lot more energy nowadays. We go for walks with Abigail and she keeps up. Sometimes I have to keep up with them. Of course, Abigail always wants to hold Grandma's hand. She is doing this little thing where she hides behind Grandma when she gets a scolding. This drives me a little crazy, she can be so rambunctious. I tell her when she gets into trouble, she cannot hide behind her. I doubt she'll grow out of this anytime soon. She has a mind of her own and isn't afraid to show it.

I am missing my son terribly, but I know he is in good hands. My brother is taking good care of him now and when he goes back to work, he will be with my friend Carla. So good of them to care for my child. I know he is missing me, it shows in his studies. I am feeling guilty about having to leave him but he needs to be in school. He will be entering the 7th grade next year and cannot miss any school.

I am just hoping all the snow is melted when we return home. That is the part I hate most about Spring time. I am sure my home is missing me. The last time I came to Seattle, when I returned home, I found that my water heater had leaked. It was easy to fix, but I wasn't home when it happened and soaked into the carpet. I feel that I have neglected my home, I've only been home intermittently within the past 6 months. The first time I left my home alone, I had my brother checking on it. He was gracious enough to unplug my toaster. Which led to the disagreement of electricity thus causing it to trip. Yes, it tripped the safety switch discontinuing any electrical paths to the refrigerator. By the time I returned home (a month later), my fridge had thawed and molded up pretty good. I cleaned it up right away but I haven't gotten a new fridge since because of all the medical issues with Mother and the time and financial constraints. I'm hoping and praying that my home didn't have any hiccups while I've been gone. Time didn't allow for proper planning so I don't have anyone checking on my house. My brother drives by once in awhile. I guess it's good to have a nosey neighbor.

Journey

It's been such a long journey since last I blogged.

My son turned 12 in January and my daughter turned 3 in July. Could you believe my son will be in middle school this next school year. He's trying his hardest to get through the sixth grade. Abigail has adjusted well to her surroundings. She had been going to a daycare that she didn't like and switched last August. She is in the Pre-K3 class at her brothers school and is learning all the little things about being a 3 year old. She is very creative and enjoys coloring, cutting, and gluing. She loves handling those little scissors, Lord knows I have to keep those hidden.

In January my Mother went through a heart transplant and is recovering well. God has blessed her so much. My daughter and I will be heading down to Seattle to spend a month with her. It's going to be tough on my finances but it's got to be done.

We've gone through the hardest part and now it's time to start new. We've already started planning the summer with fishing, camping, and berry picking. Those are a few things mother has missed. Last summer she went berry picking and this year she'll be alot stronger.

To fill her time in Seattle she started quilting. I've got several quilts on the table. The first being a baby quilt for the doctor I work with. She had a little boy, Colton. I love all the fabrics with stars and little boats. I'm sure it won't be finished by the time I leave for Seattle. I'm sewing the blocks up into strips and I don't know if I like it much. The fabric make the strips look gorgeous but the seams are not matching up like I want.

Another quilt I am planning is one for my mother. The fabric is sweet (pictured top left). I am waiting for a book to come in from my LFS/LYS.

This weekend I've been planning this trip to Seattle. I will be taking my daughter but my son will have to stay behind. He didn't like being away from school last time so my dear friend, Carla, has agreed to let him stay with her. She doesn't have any children so this should be an adventure for her. My son listens pretty well and he will be in good hands.

On a different note, the weather here has been warm. It's 45 degrees in the Great state of Alaska. The snow is melting at lightening speed. Okay, maybe not lightening speed but it's melting. This means if it gets cold at night all the water will freeze. I've lived here all of my life and do not like driving with icy roads.

Alrighty, off to sweep and mop.

One Word Meme

1. Yourself: Twisted
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend (spouse): I don't have one right now
3. Your hair: growing
4. Your mother: Rachel, Strength
5. Your Father: Peter, Passed
6. Your Siblings: Older Brother--Peter, Twin Brother--Lowell(passed)
7. Your Favorite Item: camera
8. Your dream last night: I don't know
9. Your Favorite drink: pepsi
10. Your Dream Car: jeep
11. The room you are in: Family
12. Your Ex: in God's hands
13. Your fear: Alone
14. What you want to be in 10 years?: Content in my walk!
15. Who you hung out with last night? Family
16. What You're Not?: a door-mat
17. Muffins: blueberry/lemon
18. One of Your Wish List Items: camera lens
19. Time: in God's time
20. The Last Thing You Did: swept the floor and mopped
21. What You Are Wearing: t-shirt and short pants
22. Your Favorite Weather: Crisp
23. Your Favorite Book: Little Women
24. The Last Thing You Ate: bagel bites with kids
25. Your Life: tornadoe
26. Your Mood: solemn
26. Your best friend: terrific
27. What are you thinking about right now?: mother
28. Your car: jeep
29. What are you doing at the moment?: thinking about more cleaning
30. Your summer: hopefully will be filled with family fun
31. Your relationship status: Dreamy
32. What is on your TV?: Troy
33. What is the weather like?: warming up
34. When is the last time you laughed?: I'm always laughing.
35. When is the last time you cried?: last night

My daughter loves playing with little baby dolls. She lines them up face down all in a row for nap time. The linen towels are the first thing she finds to cover up the freezing dollies.

I had fun making this quilt, finishing it this weekend. Okay, the unfinished blankie sat around in the WIP basket for ever. I couldn't get the binding just right so I put it off. I ripped it and restarted the binding. After a few inches of wayward stitching, it looks pretty good. I'm excited that the binding turned out nicely. I was inspired by Heather Bailey's Tutorial. I love her website, it's so inspiring and I absolutely love her fabric as well.

Another inspiration is the Lilac tree that I planted in my mothers yard two years ago. It finally started blooming. I love it. Now it's about 4 feet tall. It smells wonderful.

I've been thinking about planting another apple tree in Mom's yard. I'd do it in my yard but I don't like spending a lot of time back there. My neighbor is a bit nosey.

I love spending time in Mother's yard, she has a 6 ft fence all around her place. It's so private and peaceful. I'm a bit envious of it. My favorite spot is the swing. You have a view of the whole yard.

Flickr is an inspiration to my creativity. I wish I had more time in the week to sew. I would sew everyday if I could. I found the pattern for the 3 tiered skirt at JoAnn Fabrics yesterday. I found a nice pink fabric to create this lovely little skirt and my daughter adores it. She called it her little Princess dress, although it's a skirt...she doesn't know the difference.

I suppose I'll do three colors next time.

I have a whole list of items I would like to sew up this summer:

1. Amy Butler Weekender Bag

2. Quilt for Abby

3. Quilt for Nate

4. Quilt for Mother

5. Quilt for me... :)

6. Wee Wonderfuls Big Footed Bunny

I guess I'll be busy this summer.

All in a days work

This weekend, so far, has been spent doing yard work. First my son and I worked on my mothers yard. She has a huge yard but only needed to be cut. Then we worked on our yard, which is much smaller but it needed more attention because we hadn't worked on it at all this spring.

We uprooted a few unwanted trees and dug out some weeds. It was tough work but for the rest of the season it should need maintenance. I'm so glad that part is over.

We also gathered a bunch of junk that the previous owners decided to leave behind. I know, I know, we've been in the house close to three years and haven't cleaned up their hidden junk but it's done. I couldn't believe the junk that we cleared out. From toilet seats to tires to broken glass to bathroom tiles.

Last year I threw away a barbecue pit and lawn junk. (The rest was hidden under piles of wood behind the storage). I don't know what they were thinking but I couldn't believe that someone could live with such a hidden mess.

My son is 11 years old and this year is the year that he is to maintain the yard. I told him I will have nothing to do with it, except the occasional gardening. It is now his job and I am gladly passing down the duty. He should have an easy time now that all of the clearing is complete.

The best part of my day was having fun with the kids in the freshly cut lawn taking beautiful pictures of them. This is what makes me happy!

ripples

It seems that I don't know what to do with myself. I love to read, knit, crochet, sew...but when I start something and then finish it I can't get in the groove again. I guess variety is the spice of life.

I've started on an afghan for my son. I couldn't make up my mind as to what colors to choose for my first ripple. I think that the colors I chose are quite nice and my son seems to like them.

I'd like to make several ripples this year in hopes to have some Christmas gifts for family.

Things to Accomplish this year:
(this will be an ongoing list)

1. Spend quality time with the kids.
2. Read a handful of books.
3. Read to the kids more often.
4. Get to sleep earlier.
5. Declutter my house.
6. Complete one knit project per month.
7. Sew a quilt.
8. Pay off two credit cards and them close them.
9. More Bible study.
10.

to be continued...

Knit New Years Resolution...

I am a self taught knitter and until this year I only knew how to knit scarves. This summer I signed up for a class that one of the RN's arranged at work. We spent two different days for an hour learning how to knit a roll brim hat. It was exciting to see a project come together. I ended up ripping it a couple of times because I was not happy with the tention and the way it was turning out.

The mustard colored hat was my first piece of work (other than scarves). After comleting my son's hat I knitted one for my daughter. I used smaller needles. It fits perfectly (with no room to grow) I will need to make another as she grows. Both hats I used lambs wool. I don't know the dates I completed them but plan on journaling future projects.
I hadn't worked on any knit projects for several months and found a pattern for baby socks. Hmmm I thought, is it possible for me to be able to read a pattern and be successful? Much to my surprise my plan had worked. I was able to make a pair of socks that matched in size and shape. I'm so excited to know that I can follow a pattern. The world is at my fingertips.

(picture will be posted later)

Right now I'm working on a third hat for myself. I am using ribbing for this one. I haven't spent much time on it. I would like to knit a pair of socks for my eleven year old son. I started on that project but now it is sitting in a bag. There is not enough time in ones day to focus on projects when you work full time and be a full time mommy.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

I have fond memories of watching A Christmas Story year after year. This year I will delight in watching it once again with my children. I will not miss Ralphie, for it is on for the next 24 hours...starting NOW! It wouldn't seem like Christmas without it.

"Wow, There it is, the Holy Grail of Christmas Gifts, the Red Ryder 200-hundred shot range model air rifle..."

I have already made cookies to leave out for Santa. A combination of Chocolate Chip cookies and Sugar Cookies frosted and sprinkled with sparkling red and green sugar crystals to boot.

As the end of the month nears, I reflect on the year past and the year to come. This January my son will turn 11 and in July (still ways away) my daughter turns 3. It seems like yesterday that they were little babies. How time flies...

A few of the things that I'm proud of this past year was learning how to knit socks. I've knitted scarves and hats and was a little frightened of the advancement of socks and mitts. Now that I have conquered the fear I would like to try mittens. I'm guessing it may be a little easier than the socks so I have no fear....okay, perhaps a little.

Time to make something easy for dinner for we will feast on a Christmas dinner of turkey, stuffing, potato salad, etc...tomorrow.

Have a Beautiful Christmas Day and may God Bless your Homes!!!

Good Citizen?

The kids and I decided to spend some time with Grandma this weekend. I mean, she only lives7 minutes away from us but the thought of them being able to spend the night at Grandma's is exciting to them. Besides, sitting around gossiping about family business and watching the boob tube is relaxing.

A midnight craving for chocolate ice cream brought us out driving in the late night. I usually don't drive around that late but the grocery store is only a few minutes away. While waiting for mother in the car I got to catch up with a little reading, something to keep my mind off the frozen Alaskan air. (I'm reading Super Mom.) It's a bit chilly outside but the car is running and the heat, well, is trying to warm up.

During my moments of concentration, I look up to find two men running past the car, in a sheer moment I realize it is a Police Officer chasing after a man. The officer was probably in his late 30's, maybe early 40's and the man being chased was probably in his mid 20's. I must say that the Police Officer was in good physical condition to be able to keep up with the young man. I don't know if it was the ice on the pavement that slowed him or what but he lost him. I don't know what the situation was but after my family had entered the vehicle minutes later we went to gas up. There was a little black car sitting at the payphone with a young lady. She sat there, with the engine off, the whole time I gassed up. She looked about the age of the man that was being chased. Could there be a correlation between the two? Hmmm...

As I was driving away from the gas station, there were 4 police cars at different ends of the grocery store. Three Police Officer's headed in another direction with a K-9. How exciting. As I drove past these three men, I decided to tell them about the young lady patiently waiting at the vacant gas station, all alone in her vehicle. To my surprise one of the officer's yells "We're busy..." another says "Call dispatch..."

They didn't allow me to continue with what I was saying so I drove off. I think this lady was waiting for this man they were chasing. Maybe not, but just in case, they could have questioned her. I was only being a good citizen, but realize that I shouldn't have bothered them.

What would you have done in this situation? I thought it a bit strange for a young lady sitting at the gas station in her vehicle at 1:00 in the morning in temperatures in the single digits. She was parked near a payphone with her engine off. As I drove past her, she did not move an inch, not even a glance in my direction.

Anyways, I hope that whatever the problems were, that everyone was safe and handled by the coppers.

Halloweenie

I'm not much of a Halloweenie. With all of the hoopla at work about Halloween I decided to allow my children to partake in the the receiving of candy. My son as Captain Hook and my daughter Abigail as Tinkerbell. We live in Alaska so it is a bit cold, she wore a t-shirt under her dress. I had so much fun fixing her hair and adorning it with fairie dust. Doesn't she look adorable? In the past, instead of participating in the halloween thing, we would attend the carnival at our Church. With this cold, I almost wish we had done that instead.

Afterwards we headed over to the hospital to check on my Uncle in the Intensive Care Unit. He has been in a coma for about a week and is not expected to recover. Our family is facing some major decisions in regards to his life and it will be a tough decision for his daughters to make. I only hope that when the decisions are made that the family will stick together.

In the Native communities, families stick together through thick and thin. My mother has a large family. Although she only had three children, the Aunts and Uncles are a plenty. Not to mention the many Cousins. It's always interesting to hear the conversations that are held within the circle. I remember when I was a young girl my cousin Michelle and I would sit and listen to the adults. Now our children are doing so. We never wanted to feel left out, always wanted to be included in the circle, the circle of women, the circle of sisters.

Sisterhood is a strong bond. I don't have a sister, only two brothers. It's not much fun to gossip with my brother. That's not how most men work I suppose...

Thirfted Treasure

I absolutely love this little sewing machine with a bobbin of thread. I found this at a thrift shop and when I got home to open up the little treasure box there was a little bobbin of thread (the top says cotton) wrapped up in little bubble wrap.

Making of Beds

(what a lovely room, I love this bed, picture found on the net...my dream room)

The Care And Making Of Beds

1) Air beds daily. It is best to remove all covers.

2) Turn mattress over often. Turn from end to end to prevent sinking in the center. Often brush off the dust.

3) Lay lower sheet in place, right side up. Tuck wide hem in at the head. Stretch smooth, and tuck tightly in at foot and sides.

4) Lay bolster in place, if one is used. Lay upper sheet right side facing down. Place wide hem at top, leaving enough to turn over. Tuck in at foot.

5) Place blankets not quite to top of sheet, tucking them carefully in at foot.

6) Spread counterpane smooth over all: and after shaking pillows, put them in place.



A pad cover is often laid over the mattress, before placing the sheets.



First of all, what is a bolster? Dictionary.com says it is a long narrow pillow or cushion. Couldn't they have just said that? :)~ Okay, this was written in 1914.



I don't have time to air my bed out daily. When I get home at the end of the day I just want to go to sleep. (I usually don't because I have insomnia...but the last thing on my mind is to air my bed out.)

Clean House

I have never really enjoyed housekeeping. I do, however, enjoy a clean home. I suppose that would be the fruits of my labor. Being a single parent of two lovely chilren, one in which is going through some terrible two's, I find that it's difficult to ensure that my house is spotless at all times. This perhaps will be a conquest that I shall seek through the years. I guess the first action would be to de-clutter. Hmmm, de-clutter...I was interested to find this word was not in the dictionary (at least not on dictionary.com). Which leads me to believe that being in the state of tidiness is unattainable. Is this possible? I hope not. I will make this one of my goals to reach before the year is up.

Here are some things that I need to de-clutter. (I will use this word because it should be in the dictionary.):

1) Childrens clothing

2)never ending paperwork

3)magazines

4)toys (never ending supply)

5)old shoes

6)unused household goods

7)hmmm, I'm sure there are more things that I have not listed....

It seems to me that whenever I have gotten rid of something, something else re-appears. I don't know, some lovely magic trick perhaps?

Then there is the two year old. She seems to pull things out of her hat...things that once were lost are now found. My house will never be in order. Perhaps it is unattainable....nah!

Birthday Treats!

23 October 1973

Since it's my birthday today I thought I'd post 33 things you may or may not know about me, inspired by the creative Lisa Congdon...(Thanks for the inspiration Lisa)

1. I love to laugh
2. I totally despise static electricity
3. I don't like anyone playing with my hair (see #2)
4. My favorite season is fall time (especially in Alaska)
5. I'm Inupiaq (eskimo), Swedish and Norwegian
6. I'm not good at public speaking
7. My favorite number is the number 7

8. I took German for two years in high school and don't remember one thing...my German teacher smoked pot with members of our hockey team
9. I get totally obsessed with shopping when I find a new hobby
10. Mac n' cheese is my favorite comfort food
11. I paid a friend a couple of dollars to change my grade from a C to a B in German class in high school. He was the teachers aid, probably a member of the hockey team....:)

12. Teaching children is not something I am comfortable with (I used to be a teachers helper for a 3rd grade girls Bible study, I felt obligated to do it and pressured...I wasn't happy)
13. I don't know how to change a flat tire
14. Lived in Kansas as a youngster while mother went to college and love the memories
15. I miss my twin brother terribly
16. My older brother spoils me and my children :)~
17. I played the violin in elementary school
18. I should have been born in the 1800s
19. I haven't gone to church in so long because I am uncomfortable, I am a minority and don't feel welcome
20. I'm not a morning person
21. I wish I could work from home, but wouldn't know where to start
22. The wind is comforting to me
23. I'm very sentimental
24. I love the color pink
25. Am desparate to track my Ancestry from Sweden and Norway
26. My kids and I spend a majority of my time at my mother's house
27. I was fearful of teen pregnancy and was scared to date in high school
28. I gag very easily
29. I love watching Martha Stewart
30. I'm not comfortable living near my nosey neighbors
31. I love the smell of fresh cut grass but despise yard work
32. I hate my feet
33. I still have a little fear of big dogs, when I was younger I was bit on the bum by a German Shepard

Sunday...

Well today was a nice day to rest.

Last night when I arrived at my house I found a nice surprise waiting for me on my porch. I found a vase filled with pretty pink carnations and a lovely birthday card from my co-workers. My birthday isn't until tomorrow but I thought it was a beautiful gesture.

I don't know how I feel about turning thirty something. I've already started pulling some awful greys.

Some things I wish I accomplished before turning thirty something:

1. Finish my college education (put on hold to work full time and raise two wonderful kids).
2. Travel a little.
3. Tone and firm my body (ugh, this will be a work in progress....).
4. the list will continue to grow...

I don't regret anything that has happened in my life. I only wish I would have been more cautious and thrift spendy with my money. My life as a single mother of Nate and Abby is wonderful. On one income, I managed to purchase a home for my family of three. It's not a terribly big house, but a house none the less. It is a two bedroom ranch style zero lot line. Meaning I have a common wall with another home owner. I don't know how I feel about it, but it's my first home. I've been living here for two years now and purchased this home before I adopted my daughter.

My neighbors are a young couple with one child. I haven't really spoken to them, nor have they spoken to me. I've waved a few times...that's about it. My other neighbor is a lady that lives with a friend. She is always working in her yard and she tends to be a bit nosey. Her yard is immaculate, which I only wish that I spent as much time in mine. With all of my other chores, it makes it difficult to focus on anything else. I guess I lack having a green thumb.

Time to sleep...

1 vs. 100

Last night I tuned in to watch 1 vs. 100 on NBC. It's quite interesting the logic behind this game and I am quite taken by the contestants and the MOB. One in particular, Ken Jennings, the brainiac guy who spent six months on Jeopardy winning 2.52 million dollars. Did he not win enough money he had to show up on another show? Or was he completely bored? Hmmm. Where do they get the other members of the MOB? I thought it funny when Ken actually got an answer wrong. I believe it was the question What color is the number one on the Roulette Wheel? Red, Black or Green?

If the contestant is smart they'll know when to quit. If not, they lose it all. I've seen both. Much like Deal or No Deal, I've seen contestants lose a huge amounts of money because they don't know when to quit or because of greed.

I went to the NBC website to see what the hype was all about. They actually have an online game (1 vs. 100) you can play. It's okay...nothing to write home about...(I guess interesting enough to blog). It's not something I'll get addicted to. I don't see this being a long term show, although I could be wrong.

Fraternal Twins

I feel that my world is spinning around and around. My current state of confusion span from lifelong experiences with family, friend, and foe. I feel happiness yet I harbor sadness. I have much to be grateful for and yet there is sorrow and despair. When I am happy I am not satisfied. There is something missing...

October 15th marks the 10th anniversary of my twin brothers demise. It seems like yesterday that we were once running around in the summer heat, causing trouble. Our birthday is on October 23rd and I find it difficult still to "celebrate" the day of our birth. Sometimes I feel obligated to celebrate my birthday, inside I feel like curling up and spending it asleep in my bed just so I won't feel what I am feeling inside. To mask the pain of losing my brother, with whom I shared the womb.

They say he pushed me out and six minutes later he arrived. Doctors didn't know mother was having twins but grandmother knew. She walked herself to the hospital in snow, full with twins.

I love and miss you dearly my twin.