Wow.   This blog has been neglected.   I was amazed at the new look on wordpress and the date on my last blog entry.  

Here’s the scoop: 

Summer is here.   It is hot.  Tempers flare around 4pm.  It is never pretty.   There is screaming, crying, slamming of doors, ignoring.   I’ll leave it to your imagination which of those things are me and which are  the kids!   

There has been knitting, though not much.   I’m in a knitting lull (?), duldrom (?).   It has been dishcloths, headbands, and coffee cup cozies.  Projects that can be started and finished quickly.  My bigger projects hang in limbo.   They do not talk to me.  I do not feel guilty about not knitting them.   They are just string (expensive string) with sticks.   Lately, even socks are too much of a commitment.   How crazy is that?

 My birthday is quickly approaching and I think I am having a mid-life crisis.   Ok, so hopefully its not a midlife crisis, but it certainly is a crisis.   It seems as if the world and my little microcosm I live in has gone haywire.   Gas and groceries are super expensive–hello $3.99 a gallon for MILK and GAS?    The election, the economy, my role in the family, and a so many other things seem to be stressing me out.     It seems as if there are more failures in my life (and the world) than positive events.   All of this has made me want to retreat inward and make memories with the kids and my husband.   As I do this however, I find myself getting annoyed with the little things about being a wife and a mother–and not just the laundry either.  

Once upon a time, I thought I would be a great mother–loving, nurturing, all that AP, granola, birkenstock wearing, crunchy stuff.   Now I know, I’m not any of those things.   Yes, of course I love my kids, but when they are 35, what will their memories of me be?   I shudder to think.    What do I remember about my mother?   Little crazy things.  I won’t write them, because I’m sure she doesn’t want the world to know all those crazy stories.   But do I want my kids to have the same memories of me–crazy stories about the wacky, silly, stupid, and lazy things I did when they were growing up?  

How can I contribute to the world and my kids if I don’t even know where I fit into any more?   Outside of the role of Mother, of course.  It is about fitting in and finding what I’m “meant” to do.  

I am not a big fan of April Fool’s .   I just never really got into the whole practical joke thing.  Kind of mean really, if you think about 99% of the “jokes” out there.  

All that changed when I opened up Family Fun’s April edition.   An April Fool’s Day dinner trick.   Not difficult really, pretty healthy, I’m doing it! 

So what do you think of our Fauxberry Pie?  I pronouced it FOX-berry pie, in a vain effort to “fool” my children (who don’t read or know what “faux” means or how to pronounce it).

The review–the meatloaf filling was great!  I am tempted to try it with out all the rest.   The boys like the mashed potatoes better when pink.   Sunshine Daughter didn’t eat dinner even though pink and pie are some of her favorite things.   It would have been a much better gag if Sunshine Hubby hadn’t demanded to know “What is it, REALLY?”

Happy April Fool’s Day! 

Do you ever have those days when you feel like you are getting it done?  You know, the laundry is moving through the whole process, you’ve done some things on the ever growing list?  The kids were all fed and happy (ok, maybe not happy, but not screaming or crying).   Today was one of those days.  Not the past tense.   Was.

Ten minutes ago, I was doing my usual routine of dishwasher avoidancefinally emptying and reloading the dishwasher when I was called to mediate a dispute.   Problem solved.   I think I’ll check out Ravlery and the email.  Hey, blogs, cool.   Wow, a minute to myself with quiet–well, the washer and dryer are running, but that is background Mom noise.  

Sunshine son #1: “Is someone washing dishes?” 

Me:  “No, that’s the washing machine.  Go outside and play.” 

Out he goes.  I blissfully read and waste time on the computer.  I then think to myself.   Wow, that washing machine is really loud all of a sudden and its been loud for a lot longer than it should have been.   Better check on that.   As I walk to the laundry room, I realize I had not shut the kitchen sink off!   It was not the washer, it was the HOT water running full blast!!!!   

Note to self:  look confused when the gas and water bill are exceedingly high next month.  Of course I will have forgotten this funny little story, so it is likely that I will be confused about it. 

I really need to start paying more attention.  

My kiddos have been counting down the days to Halloween.    Last night they headed out to beg for candy like a homeless child  Trick or Treat.   Here are the pcitures to prove it.   I should have taken pictures of their haul.  It was amazing.   Sunshine Hubby went to work today armed with a LARGE bowl filled with the peanuty treats (allergies). 

Firefighter, princess, and cowboy all pose for the obligatory Halloween shot.  

I made the costumes. Here’s a breakdown:

Firefighter:  Goodwill ROCKS!   Pants & shirt from there.  Yellow felt from Hobby Lob.   The neck was fiddly, but I love the pants.   The jacket needs something, and I realize today, it needs little fake buckles down the center.  Oh well.   Hat and gloves we own.

Cowboy:  Goodwill for shirt and hat.   Felt from Hobby Lob.  I’m not a fan of the rick rack or the medallion doodads, but hey, he likes it.  Bandana and jeans we own.   

Princess:  Fairy dress from Christmas last year.  Tights and shirt we own.  The wand came from the mother’s morning out dress up box.   The crown, I KNIT!!!   It was a cute and quick freebie from Interweave Knits.   There is a boy and girl version and I don’t remember how I found it.  I started it Monday night and it was finished the next morning.   We added some bling and there it is.  I love it and am tempted to knit more just because they were so fun and quick.  I held my yarn double and knit of US 8s & 6s .  It looks more substantial than the pattern. 

The costumes are now permenant residents of the “dress up box”.   I love how they came out.   I love how they turned out.  Everyone was happy, which is always important.   Now the trick is to keep myself from raiding their Halloween bags!  

Happy Halloween!  

Today was the first day of school.   I was am unprepared.   Why did someone not tell me what this day would be like?   I feel as if part of me is missing.    I wonder what they are doing right now (oh, and every few minutes).   I am sad at all the things I am missing.    

They have been at home, with me for five years.  Some days were great, others, not so much.   The time went so quickly.   The sleepless nights of infancy turned into the busy days chasing, playing, and disciplining toddlers who like to beat each other up.   Soon they were big borthers, helping with the baby and then morphed into days filled with drawings of dinosaurs, fantastic lego creations and stories of working at the building site of “This Old House”.   

Instead of our days and weeks revolving around storytimes and playdates, instead, it will be school projects and vacations.   After watching, hearing, and being there for five years, there are things I will not see, here, or be there for.   It makes me sad.   I was not ready for this day.   Oh, I joked that I was…”When do these kids go to school?”   Apparently, that is just what a stay at home mother says when she has three children.  I didn’t mean it.     

Transition means change.  They are growing up, changing into the men they will be.  I know this in my head, but my heart is having a hard time with it.   My heart and head have never agreed about this change stuff.  There were always times when the boys could do something before I was ready to let them. 

 They were ready for school today.   We left with our hug, kiss, and a wave goodbye.  No tears, angry looks or sad faces.   Again it seems, I am hurrying to catch up.       

Happy first day of school Sunshines!

Yesterday was sewing night here at Chez Sunshine.  

Pattern:  Artsy Clutch from Bend the Rules Sewing

Fabric:  Misc scraps from other failed aborted stash sewing projects.   The outer fabric is a demin look alike 100% cotton.   The inside is a primary colored checks also 100% cotton. 

Accessories: Primary color button from Wally world and hair elastic found near sewing machine.  

Notes:   This was a great beinning sewing review before I undertake the handbag from the book.   The finished project is a little smaller than the stated size because I was too lazy to go and find my tape measure, so I guessed at the seam allowance on the needle plate.   I don’t mind.   I am thinking about making these for Christmas for some cousins.   I think I would change the size alittle bit next time.  

My other sewing project was some pajamma pants for Sunshine hubby.   I bought the fabric and gave it too him for his birthday (cheesey huh?).   I was sick of seeing the fabric around, so I sewed them up last night too. 

Pattern:  Simplicity 9499

Fabric:  Walmart flame fabric. 

Notes:  No modifications.   These were finished later in the night and I had trouble remembering to switch back to the straight stich from zigzag, but other than that, these were easy peasy.  I’ll be checking out Wally world today for some more cheap fabric for more of these pants. 

We went camping over Labor Day weekend and had such a great time we decided to go again.    Since it has been HOT and HUMID here in the Piedmont (NC) we headed west–to the Mountains of NC.   The Blue Ridge Parkway and Julian Price Park Campground to be specific.   This is a great campground* and I couldn’t have been happier about our spur of the moment decision to go. 

It was beautiful and downright chilly at times.   There was fishing, canoeing, hiking, scenic views, and just sitting and doing nothing.  Those were the great times.   There were some not-so-great times involving scenic views, twisty roads, blue Jello, and car sickness.  Enough said. 

I took some knitting but I only did a few rows and then abandoned it after purling half a row instead of knitting.   The sad part, it wasn’t a super complicated pattern, it was only a dishcloth…. 

Here are some of the pictures of our trip. 

 The lower falls at Linville Falls.   I didn’t make this hike, I was at the car with some sick kiddos.  

The rhodedendrums were just a week (maybe two) past peak.   They were everywhere.   Sometimes they were so thick you couldn’t move more than a foot in.   Really beautiful though. 

This is the Moses H. Cone Home.   It is a Craft House now and FILLED with all kinds of craft items but local artists.   I saw local yarn there, but alas, did not purchase it.  This is an elevation of about 3400ft.   Everyday was cloudy, threatening to rain. 

These are the dirty Sunshines after 4 days and 3 nights of camping.   Everything was packed and this shot was the last thing to do.   It was a good thing it was time to leave, we were out of food and clean clothes!  

*It would be a fantastic campground if it had hot showers.  Leaving the bathroom the first day, I heard a teenage girl say “There are NO showers?  How am I going go a WHOLE day without a SHOWER?”   Too funny.   If only she could flash-forward about 10-15 years to the birth of her first child and see herself going SEVERAL days without a shower.  :) 

Here are a few pictures from the birthday celebration.  Unfortunately, as soon as these were taken, the camera broke.  The lens jammed and will not retract.   Canon is sending a replacement, but we missed some great pictures yesterday.   I have them in my mind, “Click”. 

This was my birthday card from the Sunshine boys.   I love it.   On the back it says “I heart U   Tom & Joe”   For those without kids or a degree in palentology, this is a T. Rex (note the TWO claws on the hands).

My new swift.  Yeah! 

My new ball winder.   The toys are going to be great fun.   I haven’t found the right place to set up yet, most of my surfaces seem to be too wide or have a curved edge and I can’t get them clamped on.   It should be lots of fun when I can play by myself and not have three helpers.    Thank you, hubby for my presents.  

 All in all it was a fabulous day.   We ended it by going to the lake for fireworks–a first for the kids.   They were great considering the waiting involved.   We were so close you HAD to lay down to see them.  It was amazing, awe-inspiring, and so beautiful.    A great day.  

July 4, 1999

Happy Anniversary.  Eight years.  

101 degrees on wedding day.

Sunburn. 

Walgreens pharmacy to pickup lotion for sunburn

Week long camping trips in the pouring rain.

Scrabble games.

Scalloped potatoes with ham dinner ruined by “crafty” dining room centerpiece.

Miscarriage.

Lost job.

Found job.  

Twins.

Moving. 

Singleton baby.

New house.

Although I worry what the future might bring and what God thinks we can handle, I know there isn’t anyone else who I’d like to spend the future with.   Thanks for making the last eight years a wonderful time.   I love you!

This was taken in our apartment on our wedding night.  We snuck back home after the gifts were delivered and opened all our presents.   We had a great time with all our goodies.   Our wedding was anything but traditional. 

St. Michael Church, Lowell, MA.   Our wedding was a mix of Jewish and Catholic elements–both priest and rabbi were there, along with the traditional elements of a Jewish wedding–chuppah, breaking of the glass, etc.   Thanks to Fr. Mario and Rabbi Ross for making the day a wonderful one. 

 Happy Anniversary!!!

Happy Father’s Day!

We love you!

(Please excuse the dirty faces/shirts.   We had just finished a BBQ dinner & cake.)