rain on tulips

I swear it ought to be midmorning now, but its after four.

I’ve gotten up and showered and cleaned the kitchen (mostly) and helped clean up the family room and run two loads of laundry (wet scouting 50-mile-hike ooginess — *shudder*).

I’ve sent one kid off to an all-day playdate with a friend and walked to the grocery store with the others for milk and tomato sauce and soda and corn chips.

I’ve put chicken chili in the crockpot and cajoled kids to do their jobs before they play xbox.

I’ve worked on cleaning my bedroom in 5-minute stints — so as not to get overwhelmed — and changed diapers and swept floors.

I’ve signed up to be a contributing writer to a newsletter for parents of kids with 1p36 Deletion Syndrome and thought some about what I should work on for my first article, then I signed up for a knit-a-long to work on a sweater that I’ve had the pattern and yarn for for more than a year.

Yet I feel like the day should be just starting. I feel like there should be hours and hours ahead of me.

I feel like I need a nap!

Wind howls through the trees, evergreeen boles swaying treacherously over homes beneath the invisible onslaught, their limbs whipping wildly, some letting go their tenuous grip and flying haphazardly to the ground. Tiny drops of icy rain dance down the gusts, chilling any daring enough to brave the weather. The wind storm begins.

Howling through the trees,
whipping limbs, bending branches:
The wind storm rages.

I’m about six weeks into this program, and so far its amazing! I have learned lots already abut writing and thinking and planning and making my creative side play nice with my critical side… so totally worth it! And, I’m suddenly finding myself with ideas about new things to write, and being excited by them again! (Its been such a long time!)

Check it out… cool stuff!

(The course is only open for new signups through this week — it will open again later, bt I don’t know when. Just a heads up for anyone interested! And click thru this link to get there… its a bonus for me!)

AE is off to camp. (Was that really only 12 hours ago I dropped her off for her ride?)

Shopping was finished up.

EK, CC & GC spent a nice seven hours with a church friend, playing with kids and going to the park. CC crashed out on the couch within minutes of getting home!

I survived chaperoning Cub Camp with DS for seven hours on the hottest day this week — archery, carving, obstacle course, raven masks, button blankets. Got some sock-knitting done while the boys created.

Fuul got to girls’ camp in one piece, all packed up and ready to go. He’ll be doing his homework while he’s there then uploading it tomorrow when he gets home.

Home. Tired. Want to knit. Need to write — paper due for critique/edit next wednesday.

Overall: survival.

monday

• JS and DA have to be at the church at 5am for scout camp
• AE needs to be at her girls camp hike at 9am
• AE needs to be picked up at noon
• CC has speech at 1:30
• DS will be picked up for cub camp at 1:45
• must finish shopping for last minute items for girls camp for AE

tuesday

• AE needs to be ready for camp by 9am
• CC has speech at 1:30
• I am chaperoning DS & cub camp from 2-8:30
• Fuul is chaperoning girls camp overnight
• Yes, that means I have to find babysitting for 3 kids for the entire afternoon

wednesday

• breathe
• DS has cub camp
• Fuul comes home from girls camp

thursday

• DS has cub camp
• Family evening at cub camp; must get all the little ones there and back, without losing my mind

friday

• breathe… and then remember that I have a 6,000 word assignment due for my writing class the following wednesday… what are the chances I’ve even thought about it??

saturday

• sit around, waiting for the calls from various and sundry kids who are dirt covered, sunburned, and waiting for a ride home

Maybe I can breathe next month??

Fuul took me shopping today for my birthday, and I actually found a couple of dresses that look nice and fit! Both are floral and lighter colors than I had in mind, but the fact that they fit make up for a lot, and I don’t dislike the colors! (one is an aquamarine-y floral, the other a little more lime-y and cream floral. Both fit, hit at a decent length, and will be nice to wear for church! Not to mention they’ll look great with sweaters over top — heehee, more knitting incentive! LOL) I also got two new tshirts at Old Navy; one is a black v-neck, the other a pink not-quite-stripe-y perfect tee. Love both of them!

Now, if I could only find some good ‘beach pants’ for summer… you know: linen-y, rollable, midrise… I’m not picky or anything, am I?

We came home, had some chinese takeout, and I got in a nap while Fuul played xbox and the kids napped (the ones that were home, that is).

Now, back to editing/critiquing stuff for class, and maybe getting in a bit of knitting. (I’ve not knit at all since tuesday, and it feels a little strange!)

Well, here I am with EK at the hospital for her (how many is it now?) sleep study. She’s all wired up and in bed, but not sleeping. I have internet access (what can get past the system’s web-blocking software) but no email; I have pictures on my phone of EK all wired up, but no wire to move the photos to my computer.

So. Here we are. Think she’ll sleep early? (Think I’ll get any writing/editing/critiquing/knitting in?)

Only time will tell!

10:58pm: Still awake. She’s been almost asleep a couple of times, but every time something wakes her up, and we start over. She’s dozy now, and has a bottle, so I’m hoping this is it. (I’m really hungry… I picked up some Taco Bell on the way here, but haven’t had a chance to eat it yet, and I know if I open it up before she’s asleep, I’ll have her all over me trying to eat instead of sleeping!)

11:08pm: Or not. *sigh*

11:27pm: She finally seems to have given up her obsession with getting candy (don’t have any here) and fell asleep… here’s hoping it lasts the rest of the night! I’ve broken out the burritos, and she hasn’t stirred one bit….

12:06am: Its been long enough I think she’s really sleeping. Good. I thought I might stay up and try to get some editing/critiquing done, or maybe knit a little on the socks in my purse, but instead I think I’ll likely call it a night and see if I can’t get a bit of sleep. Woohoo… happy birthday to me!

Stomach flu running rampant through my house.

Last day of school. EK doesn’t realize yet that she doesn’t get to go back until fall.

Laundry beyond measure.

Fuul testing for college classes; last day to sign up is next week.

Packing to send DS to visit Grandma for a week.

Sent DA away to youth conference until Saturday night; Monday he leaves on a week-long YM trip.

AE has sleepovers and socializing scheduled nearly every day.

Planning on a weird week in July–DA/JS at Boy Scout camp, AE at girls’ camp, and DS at Cub Day camp… all the same week!

Bought a carpet shampooer; have done the living room, hallway, and nursery. Can I just say EWWW! (But so much better, now they’ve been done.)

Instant hot water thingy leaked/been replaced/much better now. Yeah!

City water knocked on our door yesterday; there is a leak in the pipe right where it connects to city water, but on the house side; made our consumption double last billing period. Landlord says we can write off difference in consumption costs off next months rent; hope it is fixed soon.

Knitting lots; writing little; overwhelmed trying to figure out summer stuff that isn’t camp or stuff while kids are at camp.

More soon, I hope!

EK was sick during the night last night. Several times. Several changes of bedding, several changes of pajamas, luckily only one spot of carpet needing to be cleaned (and that was my fault*). I opted to keep her home this morning from school, and she’s been sleeping most of the time. When she’s up, she doesn’t act sick, so that’s good, but I’m not risking going out of the house with her today.

I’ve done my grocery shopping online (but it won’t be delivered until tomorrow morning, so I will have to have Fuul pick up some milk tonight), I’ll run library books back tonight when Fuul is home, and I already called to cancel CC’s speech class today — we’ll have to reschedule that one.

The good part is that I’ve gotten three loads of laundry done (though admittedly, I’ve not started on the regular laundry yet; sigh), I’ve done the dishes and picked up the house, and I’ve gotten my head around the idea of writing (note that no actual writing has been done; I may pull out a notebook and try hand-writing for a while). I have some bits of knitting to work on, a sweater I want to disassemble for the yarn, and some light vacuuming that ought to be tackled.

After yesterday (when I “took the day off”**), I guess its good that I get some of these things done, huh?

*EK woke up acting as though she felt fine, bouncing and laughing and everything. I told DA to go ahead and give her a bottle of milk when CC had one. Half hour later, the milk was back out, on the floor in the hallway. Eww. That’s the last time she threw up, and I’m hoping maybe she’s done now!

**I have had a cough for about a week, made worse by springtime allergies. Sunday night it turned into a full-blown head cold, so Monday I informed Fuul I was taking the day off. Of course, I still got up and dressed kids, got them to school, played with CC, got lunch taken care of, and picked up AE from her field trip that ran late. And then I took a nap. For nearly 3 1/2 hours! And DA cooked dinner! So I was at least rested when I was dealing with EK during the night, though that wasn’t really the plan when I decided to rest some. Oh well. It all worked out.

I didn’t win the felted bag contest. I had deluded myself for a while, but the winner was really great. My shrunken head bag makes a great sock-knitting bag, though! And the sock needles poking through the sides just add to the ewww factor.

I found 16″ circular knitting needles in size US0 online recently, and got them in the mail yesterday… can’t wait to finish up the socks I’m working on (ribbing on my Mango socks, and the second half of the second ‘Hawk Stocking) so I can cast something on with them!

Good news/bad news from EK’s class: she’s learning lots, she’s improving her interpersonal play skills, but the interaction with the teachers and students on a conversational level (sign language, body language, listening to what she is trying to say) is not going so well. I talked with the speech teacher yesterday, and she is putting me in contact with the district person that can help implement more sign language into class, and help us figure out the best options for it all. I’m hoping things work out, because EK so loves going to her class.

Fuul is between projects (yeah!) so he’s off work today, and in the evenings this week he’s been playing around with projects that have been on hold here at home — looking at new hosting companies for our online world, installing music programs and playing guitar, playing games with the kids, playing new video games. I’m thinking I’ll send him out to pick up lunch today, and I’ll finish up some knitting!

I have a friend who is expecting twins any day now (she’s hit that magical 35 week mark that twin pregnancies shoot for) so I’m trying to finish up some cute handknits for the new sprogs.

I signed up for a sock-kit-swap on LiveJournal; only about ten people total, so it’s not a huge, overwhelming thing. I’ve been looking at sock patterns and favourite yarn colorways, trying to figure out what I’m going to do. I have lots of fun ideas; have to winnow them down and make a few decisions on how to focus them. But I’m really excited about it, and have about six or so weeks to get it done, so no pressure!

I’m holding up ok. Would like to fit in some more (any?) writing time. Maybe I’ll see if I can’t fit some of that in this afternoon as well. Or something.

So. That’s it. The snippets of this week.

I’ve managed to finish most the things I need to do today. I’ve not gotten the prescriptions filled yet, but will do that as soon as JS comes home to babysit. I didn’t get AE’s glasses fixed, but we found her old pair, and they will make due until we can get something else put together. I did pick up a couple of birthday things, and planned the others I still need to get. I bought corned beef and cabbage; will see if we do it tonight, or wait until tomorrow when we will all be home. I’ve finished the skirt on my duster, and have only the collar, buttons, and weaving in of ends left. Tried it on, and it fits great! (Love that I can mix sizes in handknits).

I’ve not done any writing for my class tonight, but I can’t concentrate enough to do any real writing this afternoon anyway; wound up with an earache, instead. Gah.

Anyway… going to go see if I can’t finish my sweater while I wait on JS getting home.

Today: church, dinner, laundry, knitting (nearly finished the skirt on my Tilted Duster!), Fuul had to go in to work, DA taught his priesthood class, AE and GC went to choir practice, EK (who is recovering from a nasty face-plant at school on Friday that left her with a scabby goose-egg) got hit in the nose with the handle on the front door, AE broke her glasses while either wrestling with the other kids or spinning around and catching them on something (the jury is still out on which it was), and the kids Auntie A called to talk with them!

Tomorrow: DA’s birthday! Must fill prescriptions. Must buy milk. Must have AE’s glasses repaired. Must buy birthday presents. Must deposit rebate check. Must finish laundry. Must finish writing something. Must go to last writing class. Must remember that kids have only a half day of school. Must not get overwhelmed by all the musts!

Still no news on the new nephew. I’m hoping that no news is good news…

Fuul and I may go look at a house this afternoon… its 30 miles north of us, different school district, different ward, different everything…. but its five bedrooms and well within our price range. Wish us luck!…

Got Fuul a new guitar last night… well, new to us. It was on consignment, and is really nice. He’s not ever had his own electric since the one he lost before I met him (the one he plays most is really DA’s), so this is a big step! And its nearly as perfect as the really expensive ones he likes…

Knitting is moving along. Finished my Blood Stupid Johnson hat, made progress on my second ‘Hawk Stocking, finished and stuffed the body of a bunny rabbit, and got yarn for an orange felted bag… Will try to post photos soon…

I’ve not gotten much done on the writing assignment for class next week… better get a move on…

Finally got DS to give in on the haircut front this week… its not short now, but its styled, and looks a lot nicer, I think… and to think it took him seeing someone on Project Runway to make him change his mind…

EK is loving school… her speech teacher sent a note this week that they are looking at getting her a communication device, so we’re excitedly looking forward to that…

Fuul will be in Las Vegas next week for a conference, then visit family on his way back home. He’s going to be bringing back his sister’s car to use for a while, so we’ll have two cars for a bit… hope I can stand him being gone most of a week… hope his laundry gets done before he has to go…

CC will be two on Monday. How did my baby get so big!? He’s full-on toddler now…

JS and DA are loving wrestling, and wrestling with the unexciting homework of middle school…

AE and GC made a lot ($40-ish) of money with their winter lemonade stand, and have been shopping… book orders and such…

AE is nagging me to finish up her middle school application… Fuul and I have to do our part and get it all printed off and submitted before the seventh for the lottery draw for places… she’s really excited about the prospect of going to this school…

And I really out to be heading out to run errands and pay rent… woohoo! What excitement for a Saturday morning…

today is not a day for full sentences…

migraine. ’nuff said.

anxiety. no new word on baby, last news wasn’t encouraging.

expectant. fingers crossed for a leap-year baby brother for neice O.

struggling. must find topic for writing class assignment.

tired. sleep came in fits and starts, wasn’t much restful, ended far too soon.

feeling guilty that i have things to do, life moving on, projects evolving, while family far away wait anxiously for answers. wish i were closer.

Busy few days, but when isn’t it?

I’m enjoying the blonde and black hair… wore it up today, and I love the way the colors mix!

Football was great! Go Giants! (Would have been so much nicer for the ‘Hawks to be there, but so long as someone finallly knocked off the Patriots!) Got some knitting done (almost finished a hat for JS) and enjoyed some good nachos and cheese and beef stick. Was very surprised to find out that the kids and Fuul were all equally disappointed that I’d not made cheese balls for this game; I probably ought to make some soon.

I’ve all but bound off about 50 stitches of JS’s hat — its closely based on the Helmet Liner, done all in black. The plan was to include flames around the ‘brim’ section, and I have yarn to do that, but he told me tonight that I don’t have to do the flames if I don’t want to. I think that what he really wants is just to get the hat ASAP, and he’s disguising it as looking out for my best interest! I’ll ask again tomorrow what he wants me to do.

I finally got to go back to my writing class tonight — we had one week off for MLK Day, one day cancelled for snow and ice, and one day cut short for snow in the last three weeks. It was kind of nice to be able to get back in and get more feedback on things. The general consensus is that I write dark stuff… its just a lot less ‘fluff’ than a lot of the other class members. I really liked the piece I wrote tonight (we do 10-minute Hot Writing Exercises); maybe I will link to it after I get it typed in.

Fuul had to go in to work again tonight after I got home. His laptop freaked out on him again last week, and he’s moving data to a different computer and formatting it to see if something can’t be done with his old one. I wish he were home instead of at the office after midnight! (At least he’s at a close office, I think; not the closest one, but not the one on the other side of the lake.)

DA is down with a bad cough and laryngitis. I figure its likely what Fuul and I had last week. I hope he feels better soon. (He had to miss out on wrestling this afternoon, and was talking tonight about staying home tomorrow. We’ll see how he is tomorrow).

JS has his pre-op appointment tomorrow afternoon; I think he’s starting to get nervous. One week and it will all be behind us. (Feel free to send good thoughts and prayers!)

Anyhow… I ought to be heading off to bed… and not surfing through Ravelry any more! LOL More projects than I could ever get done in three lifetimes!