And so it goes

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:55:00 +0000

This blog has been moved. The new address is http://hjdong.freehyperspace2.com/blog/ . Come on over and join the party :-) . (p.s. I did it, but it's pretty basic for all my talking ;-) ).

I haven't been going totally crazy . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 04:55:00 +0000

James and Mia
Originally uploaded by hjdong

two things have been taking my time. One, when I need time for myself, computer time decreases and two, I have been trying to set up the new blog with the time I am spending. It's been, well, trying. I hope to have it done . . . sometime.

One to happier topics :-). My sister and family came for their final (while they're living here visit). She mentioned it was o.k. to share pictures of Mia, so, presenting . . . Mia.

Thanks to everyone for their advice and support about personal time. As it turns out, James was also getting a cold, so that isn't helping in his ability to be alone.

I'll be participating this year in Project Spectrum 3. I'm looking to jumpstart my creativity. For me, of course, most of my projects will be knitted, but I'm also looking to do some sewing and to pay more attention to my photography. This is part of the reason for the new blog. Darren installed a new software program (Adobe Lightroom) and I can't really effectively take advantage of it using blogger. Although I may make the switch before learning to take advantage of it fully in the new platform and learn on the go. We'll see.

Not enough hours in the day

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:40:00 +0000

James (note the name change from Jamie, a recent decision) has made many development leaps in the past few weeks: falling asleep on his own (finally), occasionally sleeping on his own, note the name change, definitely noting the boy/girl play, although still playing with either gender (thankfully, although talking over the issue), eating up schoolwork and asking for more, little things that happen so slowly I've hardly noticed, baths to showers and on his own, getting his own food and drinks, I'm sure I'm missing some.

But, with every developmental leap, he clings, as if he is unsure of his new self. And in some areas, he slides. I've gone from "mom" to "mommy," which, for the record, I was never called, it was always "mama." And I seem to have no alone time anymore. I know that as he becomes more comfortable with these changes, this will pass. That it is healthy that he can come to me, that he needs me (and Darren) to see him through his growth; we all need a support system to rely on when we make huge changes.

I, however, am a introvert by nature. I need my alone time to regroup, refresh, be healthy. And I am finding myself drained, short, ungiving. By the time he is done with me, it is time for me to make dinner and be giving to my husband. I find myself begging him to watch a longer movie during the day (me, who allows him just one movie a day, saying, "You know, that movie isn't very long . .. "). I need this time to pass, so I can see to myself again.

So, how do you, if you do, find the balance between caring for those you love and yourself?

Where I ramble on about nothing much

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 01:26:00 +0000

Like it's any different from normal really?

Saturday we went to see the Shanghai Acrobats. Time for True Confessions. We saw the Shanghai Acrobats in Shanghai in 1999. Be we, I mean Darren and I were both occupying seats. I, however, have only seen pictures of the event because I was quite soundly asleep. We had just gotten in after a red eye and the tour company thought it would be fun. I never thought I would fall asleep because it was so cold in the theater. I was wrong.

This time however, I managed to stay awake, and quite enjoyed it. James (who no longer wishes to be called Jamie, please remind me) is no balancing on our fence, practicing to run away to the acrobats, I suppose.

Having told him that we were going to see the Acrobats, I left it at that. He finally said, "Yes, but what ARE they. Some kind of bat?" Oh, yeah, maybe I should explain that.

Sunday we spent weeding on a very blustery day. However, we are having our green time in So Cal and we can't let the weeds get ahead of us. Soon, I hope to post some of the wildflowers that have burst forth on our property, some of which have lain dormant for at least 2 years, waiting for rain. The difference between a weed and a wildflower: 1) mustard is always a weed, 2) a weed is growing where we don't want it to.

However, I need to (still) deal with the picture issues I'm having. That may result in a change in location for the blog. Stay tuned.

I am da Bomb

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 06:34:00 +0000

Arrow gets in on the shoot,
originally uploaded by hjdong.

Presenting to you . . . a knitting post. Wait, all my non-knitting readers, stick with me anyway. This is a moment of triumph. My first real knitting done for myself. That's right, there it is, in all it's glory, the Bombshell.

My sister gave me the extremely nice yarn last year for Christmas (last year as in 2006 not 2007) and I vowed to cast on in July, which I did. Then, I finished Jamie's sweater, because I couldn't take it camping with me. Then, there was all that Christmas knitting to be done.

But, it finished up quickly and nicely post Christmas.

It was a great learning sweater. My first sweater (for Darren) was done flat, on teeny tiny needles, and did I mention, flat. That means loads of seaming. Vowing not to make that mistake again, Jamie's sweater was made in the round, bottom up, and it's a great utilitarian sweater. He loves it. This was top down, and I loved making it.

I made some slight modifications. I added short rows for the breasts (and lots of them), I made the waist slightly larger (it came in 9" at the waist originally, which is a lot), and I made it slightly longer, because no one really wants to see any skin.

Now, when I look at a pattern for a sweater, I feel like I can change things to make it more suited for me (although not every sweater is made for every body type).

The yarn is so soft, it is glorious to wear.

I have already started gauge swatches for another sweater, but an having issues. This is a question solely for the knitters out there. I am swatching up SWTC Bamboo. I should have (according to the pattern) 4.5 st. to the in. I have 7. I know, crazy. From what i have read, it has serious stretching out issues. People say to knit it tight. If I stretch my swatch out, my gauge is fine. Who stretched a swatch out? How to follow this advice? Go somewhere in the middle? If I knit at 4.5 stitches to the in. I'm going to have a holey sweater. And, this is the yarn recommended for the pattern. Any thoughts appreciated.

And the winner is . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:59:00 +0000

Me! See the thing is, you have to read the post to find out (or you could scroll to the bottom. How many cheaters read my blog?). I won because last night, for the first time since we moved to this house, nearly 2 years ago, Jamie fell asleep on his own. Before we moved here, for about 6 months, I would read his stories, snuggle for 5 minutes, leave, he would go to sleep and stay in bed until the morning when he would kick the wall to let me know he was awake. And yes, he was in a bed not a crib. The first night we were here, he left his room about 100 times and sleeping has been somewhere between a nightmare and annoying every since.

But, he has been wanting to be "grownup." He's 5 1/2, you know. Practically ancient. And so, like parents everywhere, I have been using that weapon against him, testing the waters occasionally, but no dice. Last night, he finally bit. He wanted to be grown up enough that staying up in his room, being allowed to read books in bed, deciding when to actually fall asleep on his own, deciding whether to sleep in his loft bed or his Spiderman bed (one of those foam couches on the floor) was enough to throw me out and fall asleep alone. Well, alone with Penny, the most loyal dog he doesn't really like ever.

On top of reading that victory, Kitten has tagged me for 7 things about me, so I'm making you wait even longer.

1. I used to remember tons of random facts. Now, I can't remember to take my purse when I leave the house. I'm only 35. I'm slightly (really) worried about my elderly years.
2. I've decided this morning the make the library a regular part of our week. Next unit. I have a book problem. And a bad library. I went so far as to search the library on-line for this unit. And gave up. See #1.
3. I never cut Jamie's nails. Darren always does that. See #1.
4. We ended up celebrating New Year's at Greenwich Mean Time again. By accident again. Two years in a row, so that is our new tradition. Next year, we'll screw it up. See #1.
5. I loved Mom#1's tradition of taking a family picture. We have 1 family picture in the past . . . years. Must try to do that. See #1.
6. I have finally finished my first big knitting project for myself. It was a gift from my sister and is blocking. It will be making an appearance on the blog soon. See #1 (that doesn't make sense, I just didn't want to lose my rhythm)
7. I really hate that my sister is moving (in 2 weeks), although I'm trying to be a big girl about it.

O.k., so, now, the winner really is (drum roll please). . . Marla! Congratulations, Marla! I will be contacting you.

No rest for the wicked

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 17:40:00 +0000

It has been a busy time since my last post. My sister came to stay for New Year's while her husband went to take care of some moving details Back East. Now, Jamie and I are at her house until her husband comes home tomorrow night. It's been great to have more time before they move to spend.

Another 3 days on the contest, so scroll down if you haven't yet entered.

I haven't done any of the New Year's reflecting stuff, or even the end of term reflecting stuff. And my sister's cat keeps standing on my computer, making reflecting difficult.

So, what the cat is reminding me of: Living in the moment.

You will forgive me one more

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 17:13:00 +0000

Gifts from Kris,
originally uploaded by hjdong.

Christmas eve post? Particularly if it contains a contest, or two, or three?

You will remember my winning of the contest from Kris, here? Well, my prize arrived on Christmas Eve and I was gobsmacked. Absolutely never expected such a prize. What to begin with? Perhaps with the small things, which I had secretly coveted? See the bit of red? Well, those are hand carved rubber stamps, which I have seen are particularly crafty people's blogs, but have stayed away from myself, as I still bare a sizable scar from cutting cheese as a child. However, I now own two with no scars at all. Squee! And, a poem, on handmade paper, which I prompt framed and is part of our winter decorations (most of which, I must say, you saw on our Christmas table, except for my rather large collection of Christmas books and some wreaths, which we get yearly). A wonderful early reader, an old book, which makes it so much more precious, "The Buttons At The Farm". And chocolate (now gone) and tea (steadily being enjoyed). So many thanks to Kris!

The second contest: I entered, and *again* won a contest, this one from Trampled by Geese. Now, what's the chance of that? A sudden run of winning contests? Perhaps I should play the lottery? Well, maybe not.

I think, the signs point to a contest of my own. Now, since I have already indicated that I would cheat for Chelle, I will have to state that the winner will be pulled from a hat. No cheating. Cross my heart. But I won't out and out disallow her either. I'll even let Darren pull the winner. No special announce the contest on your blog and get more points stuff; that's way too complicated for me.

So, here's the thing. I would like to hear your New Year's traditions. We are working out traditions here. Last year, we tried to have New Year's at noon, but forgot, and ended up having it at GMT (I think, at least, it's always New Year's somewhere unless you really forget). We had s'mores and drank apple juice. This year, there will be no s'mores because if I see one more marshmallow, I'm going to scream. I think it will be finish the Christmas cookies or the get tossed and hot cocoa.

If you don't have a New Year's tradition or just want to answer this as well, what is one piece of never fail advice you can give. For me, it would be, if you eat croutons, don't buy the boxed stuff. They're easy and cheap to make. Just take any bread you have lying around, cube it, melt butter (or heat olive oil) in a pan, toss them in, add some herbs and spices (whatever you likes), and toast them. Healthier is in the oven, but, not as tasty. But still better (and cheaper) than that cardboard tasting box stuff. My only caveat is that I tried making them with cornbread once. It didn't work.

Contest ends Jan. 7th, and the prize will have something homemade (but not knit, sorry folks, next year it's almost all about me), and other things that say something about me. And that's all I have to say about that.

The Stockings were hung by the Chimney

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 02:30:00 +0000

The Stockings were hung by the Chimney
Originally uploaded by hjdong

by the chimney with care.

First, thank you all for your kind comments on my Christmas table. And I know. It's nearly the New Year and I'm still on Christmas Eve. I promise, it all hurries up after Christmas Eve.

My other sister, L, knit the stocking on the left, the one for Jamie. When we were growing up, her grandmother knit stockings for my brother and her (not my grandmother, on of *those* complicated families). As we grew up, all three sisters learned to knit, practically simultaneously, all as adults, independently, living in different states.

Now, I knit the right hand two stockings. And, I really can't explain about them. See, all three stockings are knit from kits from the same company, so they would coordinate. It is, of course, a question of gauge (the difference in sizes). But you would thing she had knit the two far stockings and I had knit the middle one, and very tightly I might add. But no, that's not the case. I did not gauge swatch because, well, no one had to wear them. The only possible explanation: for the middle one, I got a new needle. I actually went into a yarn store and bought a new needle. With Jamie. With him there with me. In a yarn store. There is a chance I got the wrong size and just never noticed.

Anyway, back to the mushy stuff. My sister offered to knit Jamie his stocking. She half thought, probably half hoped, that I would say, "No, I wish to knit it myself." But, when Jamie opened his gift he said, "It's a stocking." And when I said, "Your Aunt knit it for you." "Oh, well then it's *really* special." And so it will become part of the the family mythology, every year, unfolded, hung up. Really special.

Christmas Eve Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 19:06:00 +0000

Set for Christmas Dinner
Originally uploaded by hjdong

A bit late for this post perhaps. I did just sit down to write this, well, 4 hours ago, add to it that Darren changed my entire photo system so I would have a super fancy back up system (which I desperately needed) and a new cataloging system (according to him, I desperately needed it) and now I have no idea how to get my pictures on-line in a timely manner. I was going to resize multiple pictures and put them in through blogger, but I am exhausted. So, this may be a short post or I may post about multiple topics and you can look at the pictures in flickr. We'll see how long I last.

Anyway, as well as you can see in the picture, I am finally debuting most of my gifts from my sister for my birthday/Christmas: my grandmother's china and silverware. We used it for Christmas Eve (nothing broke) for the first time. As you can imagine, it is quite a sentimental gift. My grandmother ate off of them everyday, put them in the dishwasher, treated them, as, well, dishes. While I don't intend to be quite so casual, I do intend to use them fairly regularly, because that is how fond memories of them are made.

Everything on the table (with the exception of 3 glass votives I picked up after Christmas on clearance last year) has meaning to me in fact. Crystal wine glasses from a friend who got them during a semester abroad in college, clay water goblets I got during a field study in Montana, a wooden bowl from a trip to Alaska with salad tongs that were a wedding gift, Jamie picked flowers "all day" and then "arranged" them in his sand bucket, flowers Darren got for our anniversary, a snowman made from Jamie's footprint, two nutcrackers, one bought each time Jamie has seen it, a snowman cookie jar given to me by a good friend, and a candle and beaded ring given to me by Chelle, before we were even friends.

A table set with love.

And you'll have to wait for more.

So, if a woman is half

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:31:00 +0000

of 70, got married at 20, and had her anniversary yesterday, how many years has she been married?

Now, convert that to days :-).

Darren took the day off yesterday and we all went to see the Nutcracker, including my sister and baby niece. It was the kid's version (i.e. and hour long). Jamie saw it last year as well, and he just loves it.

Then, my sister, self same person who recently was in an accident, took Jamie to her apartment's movie theater to watch The Polar Express while Darren and I went to dinner.

Like grown ups. By ourselves.

Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:32:00 +0000

'Cause that's what it's all about, right?

Jamie drew me a picture with "Happy birthday, mama" on it, all caps, spelled almost right (moama, because he started to write mom and changed his mind). He also made me an ornament, wrapped it, put it under the tree, and when Darren got home from work, announced, "I made you an ornament for Christmas." "I thought it was for my birthday." "Um, it's for all of us." "O.k."

Darren got up late at night and went into the garage (a place I won't venture in the day time) and made me a swift (used for winding yarn). I was quite excited and used it immediately, although I really didn't need any yarn wound. I had asked for him to make me one, but would have bet he didn't (too much going on). And, the one he made was much nicer than the link I should him. One day, I will take pictures of it in action. I do not hide my knitting for him nearly as well as he hid this project, perhaps because I won't go in the garage. He also got me the composter I have been wanting. Now, I need someone with a lawn :-).

My sister, M, had given me my gifts earlier, at Thanksgiving, because she was moving, remember? They deserve their own post and will one day get them.

My sister, L, knit Jamie a stocking and it came in the mail. It also deserves its own post and will one day get it.

My mom gave me two of my favorite things, coffee and chocolate. I am enjoying them now.

I also went this weekend to a cookie exchange. I made marshmallows; I used Martha Stewart's recipe, here, but found a whole world to marshmallow making here, and in the spring can imagine yellow lemon bunnies, pink strawberry and blue blueberry eggs, all homemade marshmallows, way better than peeps. Sorry to peep fans. In the meantime, I have scraps of leftover marshmallows (I cut them out with cookie cutters for the exchange) that I am going to dip into chocolate today, as well as some candied orange peel I made back with the mandarin oranges.

So, more posts need to be done, but for now, I am going to sit back and enjoy the gifts of my friends and family, physical and spiritual.

It's my birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 17:10:00 +0000

If a woman is halfway to 70, how old is she?

We're going to my sister's, hang for the day, a nice peaceful day; that's the plan.

Breakfast is cooking. Jamie is . . . playing? at least content, as I am not being bellowed for.

All is well.

Happy golden days . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 22:42:00 +0000

Look at Me!
Originally uploaded by hjdong

This is Jamie's favorite new saying, that he is having golden days. Book club days are golden days, today must be a golden day, for the school to playing ratio, and ice skating and looking at lights was a golden day.

Rarely do I appear in family photos, being the photographer. However, Darren does not ice skate, so this is one occasion where I am captured (and not at my best I might add). We took him to a rink, once, when he was 3 1/2 (I think). I was quite impressed that he was able to sort of skate this time. He was extremely impressed he was able to sort of skate this time. And told everyone in three feet how well he had done. He loooves ice skating. We then took in the lights and some dinner.

The lights are displayed on a local hotel. As we walked by, bundled in our winter gear, we pass by some pasty people, baring their pasty arms, checking in, staring at us, hats, scarves, sweaters, coats, mittens. And in my case, wool socks and Birkenstocks. It's 60 degrees. Welcome to Southern California. Yes, we really do find it cold.

However, when we arrived at the restaurant to find that a high school jazz band was playing a benefit (Jamie's immediately reaction was to put his hands over his ears), we opted to eat outside. "Outside?!" the maitre de says. "The heaters are on?" "Yes, and I guess you're dressed for it." We sure were.

Hope everyone is taking time out for some golden days of their own. Merry Christmas, a bit early.

News of our flood

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 14:43:00 +0000

was greatly over exaggerated. And except for a slightly sore back from sandbags, we're fine.

We had a busy weekend, as December seems to be, with book sales (which I should not be allowed to as books and self-control don't belong in the same sentence with my name. Oh wait, here's one "Holly has no self-control when it comes to books."), Christmas parties involving lots of kids playing balloon volleyball over restaurant tables, and, my proudest accomplishment, finally getting all my gifts and cards packaged and ready to mail. I say that as if there's a lot, which there's not, but it's still my least favorite job. And today, they will all be in the hand of the USPS and off of my mind.

Santa came to the Christmas party and brought the kids a gift; he does every year. This year he brought Jamie a wooden blocks and marble set (for some reason, the Santa that comes to this party brings something not on the list and that's o.k.). It was a fairly simple set (read not super expensive, because those suckers get expensive fast) but it was really neat to see Jamie play with it. He thought he had mastered blocks (he had told me as much the other day when I suggested he build Santa's village, "Oh, I can build a city really well, it's the same thing"). But then, how to get this marble to roll down these blocks? There has to be an angle, the holes have to line up, what happens if this goes there? And then, when you're done with that, they make fine ray guns.

I won!

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:49:00 +0000

It's the very first time I've won a blog contest. Chelle, who is having a bad time at the moment, so we won't be too hard on her, wins them all the time. I'm pretty sure people fix them (oh, wait, it's the second time I won a blog contest. I won one of Chelle's. But I know she fixed it for me. I would do the same for her. That doesn't really count. Not that Jamie didn't love the prize and all. But it's not that same high as winning randomly) for her. See, that's how I know people fix them for her. Because I would fix them for her. She's just the kind of person worth fixing contests for.

Can we get back to me?

hs3kinder at Family fo Five was having a drawing for her 100th post. And I won! Who hoo. Thanks to hs3kinder. See this post was supposed to be about her blog and . . . me.

Hope things get better Chelle :-).

The rains have returned

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 16:49:00 +0000

I get to try out my rain gear
Originally uploaded by hjdong

Sometimes it feels as if I am running from one disaster to another.

We have 3" of rains predicted for tomorrow. Some of you are saying "so?" or even "eh?" To clarify the depths of this disaster, we got 3" of rain last year. And we have pretty much dirt for landscaping. So that means floods.

Darren got up early this morning to get sandbags; we spent yesterday with my sister (more about that later) only to find that our nearest Lowe's and Home Depot were sold out. You know, everyone was preparing yesterday. So, I called the fire department, who told me, why yes, they had sand bags. Was my house flooding? Because they were happy to provide sand bags to anyone whose house was flooding. And I thought the point of sand bags was to keep your house from flooding. Silly me.

I have called around and located some sandbags. Hopefully, they will still be there when Darren has his lunch break, because I don't think I can really get a sufficient number in my car. Then, he can get them (I think Jamie and I will be spending our afternoon filling and placing them) before the rains come. Anyone remember when i was wishing for rain? I'm just never happy.

On the bright side, my sister got out of the hosiptal yesterday. We were there for the world's longest release. Jamie finally broke and had to be taken to the park. The first thing he said to a medical personnel who entered her room, "I'm not sick, I'm just visiting." Don't even think about giving this child a shot.

Other than the inability to do anything with anything vaguely resembling efficiency, the thing that most struck me was the hospital's total lack of security. We stopped at the information desk; I expected to sign in, get visitor's sticker's something. Nope, we got directions. No concern about the five year old bundle of germs we were bringing with us. I get hassled more getting in and out of a Costco than of the trauma ward of this hospital. Bizzare.

The good news is my sister is doing really well. She was quite determined to leave the hospital (with good reason :-) ). She still has a lot of recovery to do, but soon this will be a memory. Thanks for all the warm wishes.

She's going to be o.k.

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:52:00 +0000

You never want to start a conversation with these words.

I had all these things I was going to post about this weekend. Rain and hikes and mountain lions tracks. And then, "She's going to be o.k."

My sister was in a car accident this weekend. She's going to be o.k. She's in the hospital; it was serious, but not as serious as it might have been. It will be a pain in the ass and alter her life, but ultimately, not life altering.

My niece was at home.

If she wanted to spend more time with me before leaving California, she just had to say so. Really, the dramatics.

A little humor. It never hurts.

The Christmas Bells are Ringing

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 01:13:00 +0000

Here we are, less than a week from Thanksgiving and:

1). Our tree is up. Having the fake version, after "The Great Tree Debacle of 2006," we put it up the day after Thanksgiving. No outside lights are up, since it has been windy, but the house is pretty close to as decorated as it gets.

2). We have watched Rudolph (Jamie multiple times), a Charlie Brown Christmas, and The Christmas Story (this will be the year where I learned that the t.v. has been editing it all these years. oops.).

3). We've read multiple versions of The Gingerbread man, gone to a museum exhibit on the Science of Gingerbread, made paper gingerbread ornaments, done gingerbread math games, Jamie is currently making a gingerbread house, and we have great plans of baking gingerbread men. Tomorrow.

4). We've listened to "A Christmas Carol" ("I absolutely loved it with all my heart") and "The Gift of the Magi" ("I loved it as much as my little finger."). We've read "Rudolph," "When will it snow," "Katy and the Big Snow," and "Rudolph" again.

5). We made dough ornaments at book club, waiting for me to get the energy to bake them.

6). We made a lego snowplow, which still needs to be tested with cotton balls.

7). We e-mailed Santa and checked the Good and Bad list. Everything seems to be going o.k.

And I just have one question: is it New Year's yet?

All I wanted were some pajamas

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 16:04:00 +0000

Great, you're thinking, just what we need, another post about an adventure in Target. But, my good readers, what you don't know, is that with the Thanksgiving holiday, my shopping season has effectively ended. Yes, from here on out, I let my fingers do the walking. I am already thinking of the few things that simply must be purchased from *shudder* a store, and how that can best be managed during this, the merriest of seasons.

So, before my computer, with Jamie's Christmas pajamas to purchase (so, I explain to him, we don't all look nasty in the Christmas photos), I get to thinking. Now we're treading dangerous grounds. Since I'm taking some time with this purchase, I would like it to be sweatshop free. I know, all of the other clothes in our closet were made by children in third world countries, but I'm all about the one starfish, the first step in the journey, blah, blah, blah. Also, I frequently, when Jamie, gets the seasons worth of clothes, buy used. Supposedly, it is then better that they were made in sweatshops, because someone else bought them first. I'm not sure I follow the logic, but I've been assuaging my guilt rather well thus far.

So, four hours later, I come to the conclusion, that not everything is so easily found in the internet. I start on etsy and hyenacart (sorry folks, it's Sun. morning, look them up yourselves). Great places, wonderful handmade stuff, often reasonably prices, presumably made by adults, generally in sizes up to 5, and adult. Because who wants to dress anyone in between? I could custom order, but I've waited a little long for that. Now for the hair splitting, going this way, who knows where the fabric was made, but that's not a path I'm willing to take the first step down.

So, I then recall the piles of Hanna Andersson catalogs I have received over the years, I've been mightly tempted but never purchased (too pricey). The catalog is full of their good works, the organic-ness; let's check them out. For the record, I did not contact Hanna Andersson, however, no claim to be sweat shop free seems, umm, sightly less than encouraging. Also, prepare to be shocked. I could care less about dressing my child organically. I know, chemicals, bad, ruining the earth. I get it. However, here's what I'm looking for, pajamas, made by an adult, in reasonably safe conditions, and they were paid a reasonable wage for their work (reasonable being defined by where they live). When I can get that easily, talk to me about your organic. O.k. Ms. Andersson?

Apparently, at least from the web searched I did, you can get that easily in the U.K. If you are willing to spell them pyjamas. I'm willing to budge on this point. However, I refer you again to the I waited a bit long for the shipping issue.

I did finally find a pair of highly priced pajamas for Jamie. I bought them (Stinky and Minky in New York, made in New York, not organic, red with robots, cute). They are not what he would want if any non sweat shot clothing manufacturer happens to be reading this blog (and wants to send along a free sample, we'll be happy to review). He wants fleece, "soft on the inside, soft on the outside," nowhere to be found.

Next year, I'll be sewing us all pajamas (extremely hard to find on the used clothing market), or maybe I'll make Jamie do it ;-), planning farther ahead, or putting Darren in charge of the pajamas. He won't think twice.

Maybe it's all the chemicals in the cotton that have confused my brain so.

Bittersweet Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 15:57:00 +0000

Yesterday, my sister's family came for Thanksgiving. We celebrated Christmas, thanksgiving, my birthday. Soon, they will be moving across the country. My brother in law has gotten a fantastic job offer and my sister as well (very difficult, they found, to place two phDs in the same state, much less commuting distance). And so, although we made promises of seeing each other again before they leave, hopefully twice (they plan to move with Christmas, when they would normally go visit family back east anyway), this visit definitely had the feel of parting.

We have been so lucky to have them here for the past couple of years, to have them here for their baby's birth, at a time when Jamie is old enough to remember and love them.

O.k., more later. I'm going to dry into my tea. :-(

A little gossip, a little chat

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 19:21:00 +0000

little idle talk of this and that . . .

Episode 1: A New hope

Jamie goes to the (new) refrigerator (and can I tell you how beautiful it it?), adds water to a bowl.

Me: "What are you doing?"

Him: "Making mandarin oranges."

Me: "I think you need some sugar for that."

A few minutes later, he has the rarely used Tang container and a chopstick and is pounding away, attempting to loosen up some powder.

Me: "Now what are you doing?"

Him: "Still making mandarin oranges."

Darren: "This is all your fault."

Me: "What?"

Darren: "You and that homeschooling. Teaching him to think."

.
Mandarin Oranges
Originally uploaded by hjdong

Episode 2: The Empire strikes Back

This Morning, I needed to get some blood work done (nothing to concern yourself with. My Dr., realizing I hadn't had any since 2004, thought perhaps she would do a little blood letting).

The plan was, I would get up early, go to h lab, and come back before Jamie was up. Jamie, upon hearing blood, drawn, and me, thought he had to be involved, woke up curious and excited. Darren did not, and when I said, "Fine, then get dressed and come with me," Jamie got dressed faster than he ever has.

The whole way there (maybe 20 minutes), Jamie, of course, talked non stop. In my fasting (no big deal except for the coffee, brain, I was quickly loosing track of his quickly jumping train of thought, one minute questioning me on Thanksgiving, the next on the name of the street we're turning on.

We arrive at the lab, no one is there (imagine, the day before Thanksgiving). This is a blessing, because we don't have to wait.

Jamie: "What's that?"

Blood sucker: "It's a rubber band."

Me: "It helps her to find my vein more easily."

Jamie: "What's she doing?"

Blood sucker: "I'm cleaning her skin, with alcohol, so she doesn't get sick."

Me: "She's making sure I don't have any bacteria."

Jamie: "What's that."

Me: "It's the needle."

Blood sucker: "Is he always this curious? How old is he? Does he do well is school?"

Me: "Yes, 5, yes."

Jamie: "What's she putting in you?"

Me: "She's not putting anything in me. Usually when you get a needle, you're getting a shot, something in you, to keep you healthy, here they're taking blood out of me, to check it, to make sure I'm healthy."

Jamie: "I want to see."

Me: "OK, Just don't move my arm. pause No, don't get on my chair or move my arm. pause No, really, I mean it."

Jamie: "Does it hurt?"

Me: "No."

Blood sucker: "All done."

Jamie: "What's that?"

Blood sucker: "A bandage."

Jamie: "Do you get a lollipop?"

And finally, for those who knit (or crochet), a new blog, Children's Lit n Knit (despite the name, there are crochet patterns). It pairs patterns with books, which is great for gifts, IMO. I'm not just bringing your attention to it because I currently have two project on it; I currently have two projects on it because I think it's a great idea. Contact the blog owner if you have ideas if you want to submit or browse it if you're looking for ideas.

Do you like

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 17:16:00 +0000

Green eggs and ham?

Oh yes, I like them, Sam I am!

Three weeks ago we went through the household chores. Jamie decided he was going to start planning and cooking one meal a week, with help, of course.

The first week, he announced we were having fondue for dinner . . . chocolate fondue. A brief discussion on nutrition ensued, and this being his first meal, I settled for cheese fondue, with bread, meatballs, and carrots. A bit rich, and odd, for our normal diet, but I didn't want to discourage him.

The second week. Well, we've been reading Dr. Suess books; the city is having a promotion - read 8 Dr. Suess books get a free ticket to Suessical. So, Jamie must have had Dr. Suess on his mind when he suggested green eggs and Ham. Thanks to the "Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook," we had soon whipped up the above culinary masterpiece.

As we were planning this week's meal, Darren, fearing that things perhaps were getting out of hand, quickly stepped in and said, "Hot dogs. How about hot dogs?" And so, Jamie also had his first grilling experience this week. Jamie had suggested salad when we insisted on vegetables of some kind, then complained miserably he didn't like the salad. So much for, "If he makes it, he won't complain," he knows arugula when he tastes it.

Since his day for cooking is Friday, I'll wonder how he'll react when he discovers he has to make turkey a part of his meal this week?

Some homeschooling miscellany

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 17:06:00 +0000

Just some random things, nothing earth shattering.

Here's a math game I made up for Jamie yesterday; if you're child is just adding and subtracting, you may like it.

1. Make card with numbers and matching symbols on it (I used pumpkin stickers. I know you can do this on the computer, but I do things, not last minute, but spontaneously, and Jamie helps. It reinforces lower math skills. That's it). We made cards from 1 - 12, because 12 is hard, only 10 fingers you know.

2. Lay them face down (blank side up) like a number line.

3. Use your handy 12 sided die (if you homeschool, get lots of die. It also helps, shout out to my BIL, to make Chutes and Ladders go faster).

4. Turn over whatever number comes up.

5. Roll again. Jamie has to decide. Add or subtract, then by how much. If he has trouble, he can count the stickers. Since the cards are laid in a number line, he can then count up or down to the answer. It seems like magic.

6. Continue bringing this game up until it doesn't seem like magic anymore :-)

Jamie has a favorite poem, his first:

Adventures Of Isabel

Isabel met an enormous bear,
Isabel, Isabel, didn't care;
The bear was hungry, the bear was ravenous,
The bear's big mouth was cruel and cavernous.
The bear said, Isabel, glad to meet you,
How do, Isabel, now I'll eat you!
Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry.
Isabel didn't scream or scurry.
She washed her hands and she straightened her hair up,
Then Isabel quietly ate the bear up.
Once in a night as black as pitch
Isabel met a wicked old witch.
the witch's face was cross and wrinkled,
The witch's gums with teeth were sprinkled.
Ho, ho, Isabel! the old witch crowed,
I'll turn you into an ugly toad!
Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry,
Isabel didn't scream or scurry,
She showed no rage and she showed no rancor,
But she turned the witch into milk and drank her.
Isabel met a hideous giant,
Isabel continued self reliant.
The giant was hairy, the giant was horrid,
He had one eye in the middle of his forehead.
Good morning, Isabel, the giant said,
I'll grind your bones to make my bread.
Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry,
Isabel didn't scream or scurry.
She nibbled the zwieback that she always fed off,
And when it was gone, she cut the giant's head off.
Isabel met a troublesome doctor,
He punched and he poked till he really shocked her.
The doctor's talk was of coughs and chills
And the doctor's satchel bulged with pills.
The doctor said unto Isabel,
Swallow this, it will make you well.
Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry,
Isabel didn't scream or scurry.
She took those pills from the pill concocter,
And Isabel calmly cured the doctor.

Ogden Nash

I am considering our post Christmas curriculum. Everything is going well, but I feel like Jamie needs more. Right now, we are pretty basics driven, reading, math, and an another, a unit, whatever catches his, or my fancy. Right now, it's Thanksgiving, and will be Christmas around the World, which should dovetail nicely with the "you're not getting as much this Christmas, see gross consumerism isn't what it's about in lots of places" theme we have going for this (and future) Christmases. Fridays are a catch all day, art and (sometimes) Chinese. I have had no real curriculum from Chinese, so I have been making it up from free websites and one video. He understands there is this other language called Chinese. That's another post.

Anyway, I'm trying to decide. Adding history, an easy choice, maybe Tues. and Thurs. (since Weds. we go to book club, those days are already rushed) or more writing, or both. He doesn't do a lot of writing (creative, letters, summaries, etc)., but he's 5. History would be easy simply because it would be, more or less, done. Additionally, my own history education was, hmm, abysmal, so I'm interested in improving it. And, of course, writing can be incorporated into everything, which is what I've done so far. But, is that giving writing short shrift?

I do understand, of course, that he's 5. Chances are, I won't ruin him with any decision except turning him off. Decisions, decisions.

You are my Sunshine

noreply@blogger.com (Holly) — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:18:00 +0000

What a strange day yesterday was.

Jamie asked me to sing "You are my Sunshine" over and over and over. Suddenly, he was sobbing in my lap.

"That song is just so sad." sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff "You woke up and cried because your sunshine was GONE."

"Honey, that song isn't about me. I didn't write that song. Just like the lullaby song, or all the other songs I sing you, someone else wrote them, I just sing them"

"Why were you so sad?" sob

"But it's not about me."

"Sunshine's dead and she's never coming back. I miss Sunshine. I loved her. Why did Sunshine have to DIE."

For those of you more recent readers, Sunshine was our dog. She died. Nearly a year ago. At the time, he seemed to handle it shockingly well. Apparently, he's spent a year in the denial stage.

"When I go to bed, I imagine me and Sunshine, cuddling on the couch." sob

Now I'm crying, literally now, and then.

Over heard later that night, "Jake, there once was this really great dog, Sunshine. Her kidneys stopped working. So she died. I miss her."

Sunshine is the black one.

And a really good recipe for butternut squash bread.
Butternut Squash Bread

1 (2-pound) butternut squash
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Cut squash in half lengthwise; remove seeds. Place cut side down on a baking sheet; bake until tender (375 for 45-60 min). Scoop out pulp; mash. Discard shell. Measure 1 3/4 cups pulp; reserve any remaining pulp for other uses.

Beat butter, gradually adding sugar; beat well. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and spices; add to butter mixture alternately with squash, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in pecans. Spoon batter into greased & floured (or sugared) 9x5x3 inch loafpan and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. (Or bake in 4 small loaf pans for 50 minutes/mini loaf pans 40 minutes.)

Cool in pan(s) on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan (s), and let cool completely on wire rack.