The holiday is over. I didn't quite finish my to do list, but I came close enough. The Elvis outfit was a pain in the butt to sew, but fits perfectly and looks great. I still have 8 inches to go on Caitlin's scarf, but that's okay. We had a pretty relaxing and stress free day.
One of the things my dad still enjoys a lot is music. He still remembers the words to all his favorite old songs. So for Chirstmas I bought him a personal CD player. He just sat there listening and singing along. He didn't even open the rest of his gifts. It was worth the price just for the joy of watching him open it. I hope he can remember he has it and how to work it. I drew an arrow with a marker pointing out the play button. Maybe that will be enough.
It is a beautiful day and i think I'll go out and put shingles on the roof of the goat shed. Happy Holidays y'all!
Friday, December 19, 2003
It is so nice to have class over. I actually had a couple mornings with no place to go this week. I have finished the things I was making for mailing, a scarf, a fleece couch sack, some cookies and candy and lip balm. I've decided to send my siblings an e-mail telling them that I decided to go more low key with Christmas this year, but that the boxes would probably arrive in time for a New Year's celebration. I really don't want to spend more on postage than I did on gifts this year.
Now all the handmade things are for the kids and I'm not finding time to work. It seems like they are ALWAYS hanging around this week. Normally I'd be please about that, but now I'm tempted to say "don't you have any friends? Why don't you stay in town for dinner? Why not stay OVERNIGHT?" So I sneak in time for the Elvis outfit, a fleece couch sack for Matthew and maybe finishing the fleece jacket for Caitlin that I didn't get done LAST Christmas.
Caitlin is finishing up Nutcracker this weekend, then she dances at a fund raiser for the symphony on New Year's Eve. We had quite a talk last night about the costumes. Apparently they were made for someone with bigger boobs. The costume lady told her she needs a very padded pushup bra. Diane's sister has some fake boobs, so we called last night and asked her to send them. Caitlin is skeptical. I'll see if I can find a well padded wonder bra at the pre Christmas sales. We'll figure out a way to make this girl buxom. The girls were pooching out their stomachs in class trying to look like their pregnant teacher. Caitlin was told she looked like a starving child from Africa. Maybe she can put on a few pounds before New Years.
Caitlin's best friend was having severe headaches and some motor diffuculties. They did an MRI and found spots in her brain. They are hoping it's inflamation due to a virus, but the drug they gave to treat that didn't have the anticipated effect. So now Anna is in the hospital for 5 days. I am thankful that my children are healthy and that we are able to handle what is put before us. My life seems very trouble free and I am grateful.
Friday, December 12, 2003
The forecast for today is frigid. Winter is finally here. I have a morning at home and plan to do some sewing - last minute gifts for mailing. I am making Matthew an Elvis suit. I finished the Elvis wig and bought a pair of Elvis glasses. I think I'll look for a toy microphone. Maybe this will inspire him to try out for the school talent show. I think I bought an Elvis song book a couple years ago, so he could work up an act. I hope he finds this as funny as I do.
I've been using my parents car during Nutcracker week. This morning the door was frozen and won't close, so I let Caitlin take my car. I hope I can get the door shut by the time I have to leave.
last night was bonsia meeting. Lots of cookies to eat and some really good pop corn, but I'm beginning to resent having things eat into knitting time. Matthew will want to hang out in town tonight, so Diane and I will finish up shopping, then have the weekend for around home stuff. The final project is turned in. Saturday is TubaChristmas and a bunchy of tubas are going to play in the capital. matthew is planning to participate. I think it will be fun to go. Wish I played tuba myself.
Well, off to the sewing machine!
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Meq Swanson came to knitters guild Monday night. She read a section of Elizabeth Zimmerman's journal written while camping on an island in the north during the time she was writing 'Knitter's Almanac'. Elizabeth really was an excellent writer. I enjoyed the journal more than the book. Then Meg answered questions about knitting. She is very personable with a sense of humor. I always enjoy it when she comes to guild. And I finished the first half of the seaman's scarf I'm making for Caitlin for Christmas. I'm also working on a little scarf for a niece. I'd like to do one more Christmas sock for myself and one more seaman's scarf for Caitlin. We shall see.
Diane is trying to knit hats and scarves for all her staff. She is starting to doubt her ability to get it done. I keep telling her she has oodles of time left. I've even offered to knit a hat, but I think she wants to do it herself. She should get some knitting done on the plane today. She's had trouble deciding what briefcase to take - because her knitting will bulge in the small one and the big one is overkill. I think she's finally decided on the small briefcase and a large purse for the knitting. She did get the ink tag removed from her new outfit, so at least she doesn't have to spend the day trying to keep her arm over it.
Diane is flying to Chicago to interview for the job in Houston. The more we talk about it, the more I think it might work for her to take this job (should it be offered) and the more unworkable the job here seems. I checked out the Houston ballet web site. They have a summer program with auditions in Chicago in January. I think Caitlin should go to the audition just in case.
I turn in my final project today, so class (and homework) is over and I have a little time to get ready for Christmas. We are also in the final week before Nutcracker. Caitlin driving really helps. We don't have to transport her to and from the theater every night. Last year both kids were at every performance - Matthew was singing with the boychoir for the snowflake dance. But this year he's a baritone and it is easier with one kid and that kid being a driver.
My brother and I are going to court at the end of the month to be declared guardians of my dad. We've talked to dad about this, I even took him to the lawyer's office to be served with papers, but he doesn't remember. Mom got notified. Her first reaction was to not show dad the papers, but she couldn't stand it and gave them to him. He told me he's relieved. He trusts us and knows we love him and feels better that he won't be allowed to do stupid things with his money. I'm glad he's taking it so well. He keeps making remarks about being completely crazy and not a human anymore, so I keep reemphasizing that he's NOT crazy and is still wonderfully human, he just can't remember squat. Maybe it will sink in.
Friday, December 5, 2003
We had a real snow last night. Probably less than an inch, enough to make everything look beautiful, but not enough to have to shovel. The perfect amount. One of Matthew's jobs this fall was to get the snow blower running. He actually succeeded. Last night he was worried that he hadn't put it all back together, so he wanted to get up early to deal with the snow. He was disappointed that he didn't have to shovel. What a different perspective from mine!. Matthew tends to be a lazy bum and never does anything I ask, but ask him to do an outside chore and he's willing, capable, pleasant and works very hard.
Dad has gone to daycare willingly every day this week, so the car pool has worked. I have had two days where I didn't have to go get him and it makes a huge difference. I'm trying to get the final project for my art class done, work some overtime and get my consulting project done, so having the extra time is a blessing.
Diane took her annual shopping trip to Chicago. She bought a really nice suit, but got home and found the ink tag still on. The closest branch of the store that uses that type of ink tag is in Milwaukee. We were thinking about going down on Sunday, getting the tag removed and going to an exhibit at the art museum (Quilt's of Gee's Bend - it sounds very cool). She wants to wear the suit for her interview with the Rice recruiter next Wednesday, so we really need to get the tag off. Needless to say she is very irritated with the store. I think maybe we should just walk the mall on Saturday and see if we can find another place that uses the same tags and talk them into taking it off for us. If I have my project done the trip to Milwaukee would be nice and I could knit in the car. But there is so much to do at home - like finish the goat shed. I'd rather go down when I could feel more relaxed about it.
Well, off to the paintbrush.
Wednesday, December 3, 2003
We had a nice Thanksgiving weekend. My brother came by on Sunday and helped us get the roof on the goat shed. So all that's left is the shingles and the door - and building a waste proof goat feeder, which may be impossible. Since my little sister was here, I had 4 days off looking after my folks. It was wonderful.
This week dad didn't want to go to daycare on Monday, but then something seemed to click and he has been eager to go yesterday and today. Two days does not a trend make, but it certainly makes me feel happier and less worried.
I have finished the elvis wig. Matthew has been asking for a gold jumpsuit, so I bought a sewing pattern. We also picked up a pair of Elvis glasses and I ordered an Elvis DVD. When he starts performing in Las Vegas as an impersonator I know I will regret this, but right now it's fun.
I haven't made too big a list of Christmas knitting, but I'd like to knit Caitlin a couple scarves and one for my niece. I have one more Christmas sock to make, but it's mine, so it isn't as as important. Meg Swanson is our speaker at knitter's guild on Monday, so I want to go and I should be able to make good progress on a scarf during the meeting.
I was offered the chance to work some extra hours the next few weeks and my consulting job is also picking up, so with trying to talk dad into daycare every day time is short. but we seem to be getting into a routine and having Caitlin drive is a BIG help. I am approaching the new year with some optimism, despite the heartbreak of watching dad deteriorate. I pray they have a way of treating this disease before it hits me.
