NaBloPoMo 6

Yesterday was Friday and I think that's a good enough reason for not blogging. Today was full. Full in a good way. There was no appointments, no schedules. No meal planning or menu. No people to see except the ones we wanted to. No places to go except the ones we wanted. In their proper order:

starbucks
farmers market (then home to drop off food)
linens & things to make a return
sonic for lunch (diet cherry limeade and foot long hot dogs..yum!)
homegoods
target (with my lovely parents)
home

The kids are all sleeping, finally. The couch and my knitting needles are calling my name.

NaBloPoMo 4

I just love this picture!

NaBloPoMo 3

This amazing quilt that resides on Adeleine's bed is one of my most precious earthly possessions. This quilt was hand sewn by my grandma when she was about 10 years old. She is currently 82, which makes this quilt a whopping 72 years old! It is in absolutely perfect condition! I have several other quilts that grandma made (as does most everyone in the family), but none are this unique or well-cared for.


That black star used to be a dress that belonged to my great-grandmother who died 65 years ago. It's totally trippy and amazing that she wore that so long ago. I obviously never met her, but I look at the squares often and wonder what else they were before they became stars. When she first gave it to me, my first reaction was to fold it and put it away. It was beautiful and special and I wanted nothing to happen to it. My grandma reminded me that "quilts were made to be used". She was right, what good would it do, to be folded in the closet. I reluctantly spread it on the girls bed, and we talked about how special this was to mommy and the family. That it was old and should be well cared for. I was so honored to be the receiver of such a wonderful piece of our family. So as I tuck my girls in, I am made aware of the love of my grandma and her mama for me and our family, and I can smile and rest knowing they are sleeping under their love as well.

NaBloPoMo 2

Today was election day, and all 6 of us marched down to our itty, bitty public library and excercised our right to vote. Not only did the adults make their voices heard, the kids had a great civics lesson. We talked about why we vote and Abbie wanted me to name every person I voted for. I was prepared for all the elderly people running our polling place to ask me why the kids weren't in school at 9:30am, but not a single question or comment. They were very helpful, and very complimentary of the kiddos behavior. I am a bit ashamed to admit that I essentially copied Bill's sample ballot. I have no time to read up on these things like he does, and we usually agree anyway. It took some convincing to get me to vote yes on prop 19 which would legalize marijuana in small amounts. I still kinda go back and forth about it, but can it really make the drug situation here any worse? (Maybe kids won't smoke pot anymore if they know their parents can, maybe parents will start giving it to their kids?) It didn't pass so I guess we'll never know!

NaBloPoMo 1

I was really excited to attempt NaBloPoMo this month. Here it is November 2nd, and I have already failed. Instead of feeling defeated, I will prevail! I'll just pretend I posted this yesterday.(It was Halloween, and she was sick, but oh so sweet! We had a good time reading books, playing ponies and taking pictures.)

Speed

As I pulled in the driveway after a lunch date with friends, I glanced in my rear view mirror and saw that 3/4 of them were asleep. The tricky part would be keeping them asleep. I figured I had a good chance since they played hard at the playground. 1, 2, 3 tucked in...I was successful! As I locked the front door after carrying the last one in I muttered a quiet "yes!" This NEVER happens. I actually has some time to do what I wanted to do. Abbie went to the kitchen to find a snack and I did a quick pick up of the living room and kitchen.
Abbie: "mama, can we do something just you and I?"
Oh no, this wasn't in my plans! I wanted to fold laundry, do breakfast dishes, start dinner, sit down and knit, check email. I had such grand plans for this sacred time. I had a dilemma!
me: "Would you like to help me fold laundry?" (This usually works.)
Abbie: "No, I want to do something funner. Can we sew my cape?" (We didn't have that much time.)
me: "No Bee, We don't have that much time, the kids will be waking up soon. Would like to help me cook dinner, we're having soup??" (This usually works too!)
Abbie: "No, let's play a game."
At this point all I can think about is how I want to tell her to go to her room and read her book. Go color me a picture or find something quiet to do so I can finally fold that laundry, or for once start dinner without little people all over me in the kitchen.
me: "What game do you want to play?"
We go into her room to find a game. I remember that I recently taught her to play speed and it is a relatively quick game. Maybe we can play a few games and still have some time to myself.
me: "Do you want to play speed?"
Abbie: "yeah"
We get the deck of cards and head into the living room. We play 3 lovely games of speed. I am starting to feel really good about my decision to spend this time with her, and not doing chores. As we are wrapping up our last game, I suggested she go take a bath. At that very same moment, I hear Eleanor cooing from her bed. I realized that anytime I wanted for myself was just a dream now. I kept myself from feeling resentful to these precious girls who wanted nothing but my love and attention. It is true what they say, there will always be chores, but these little people will not always be here. As I get ready to go to bed tonight, I know I made a wonderful decision. My eldest and I don't get a lot of alone time, and I am so so happy I decided to spend it with her.

Tidbits

- it's 9:14pm but it feels like 11:14pm. I am tired and it's been a long week
- I have quite a few DIY home improvement projects on the brain. They're all really good ones and fun, but I can't really stop thinking about them. There will be lots of craigslist this week.
- Sundays are becoming my favorite days. Mass, Denny's, visit with the 'rents.
- Hoping to resolve some stomach issues with Jameson this week. New meds, labs and ultrasound this week.
- Excited to go apple-picking with our homeschool friends
- Officially became a school, our name.....Ash More. I love it and the meaning.
- Soccer season is over and I decided I am most definitely NOT a soccer mom. I think baseball may be my sport. Jameson on the other hand loves it!
- Thrilled to be Carly's confirmation sponsor. I'm so happy for her!!

- A new Dyson rocked my world this week. This is the second Dyson I have owned and I LOVE them!! This one is even better than my last one...James Dyson you're my hero!
- All our laundry and sheets are clean, folded and put away. It feels really good to start the week with empty hampers.
- Google reader has changed my life! All the blogs I read (there are lots) in one spot! I wish I had know about this long ago, it saves me so much time and I can get them all from my iphone too!
- Looking forward to a full week. Hopefully this cool weather will stick around, it finally feels like autumn.