The Joys of Homeschooling

In my ever, continuing battle against clutter, I bring you..... The Bottle Project. The DIY man does work for a little, ole dude out in Salem who built his house in a gully and raised his yard to street level by bringing in some sort of dirt. My kids have been excavating at the bottom of the gully, and I bring you......

Bottles. Who knows where they came from, or were used for what. They are ancient. Before the days of plastic. That blue one there is an old Vicks bottle. Thank God, I understand about compost, dirt, and God's clean up crew, aka: worms, bugs, and various other micro organisms. So, I know they are clean.

Folks. This is the joy of homeschooling (I'm being slightly sarcastic here). I am not *allowed* to throw that crap away. I will have 3 weeping and wailing kids on my hands. I have no earthly idea what they are doing with those bottles, but the kids are doing *something*.

Here are my projects lately:

BABY SURPRISE JACKET #2

FELTED CLUTCH

KNEE HIGH SOCK

YET, ANOTHER DECEMBER LIGHTS TAM

Welcome to the Twilight Zone.........

What? Me? As if!!!!!!

You're Dune!

by Frank Herbert

You have control over a great wealth of resources, but no one wants to
let you have them. You've decided to try to defend yourself, but it may take eons before
you really get back what you feel you deserve. Meanwhile you have a cult-like following
of minions waiting for your life to progress. This would all be even more exciting if you
could just get the sand out of your eyes.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Knitnana gets to be The Mists of Avalon. I am so jealous...............

Been Busy.

Been busy. Life has gotten the better of me, and this time, worse than usual. Is this normal? Is this what life is? One 'crisis' to the next? Thank God I can knit and spin. Besides my children, these are the pleasures I have on this earth that I cling to.

This is the lace wing moth section of the Fiore di Melanzana stole. Handspun from David Simpson. Robin helped me decide how many oz. I'd need. I am pretty sure that it is an uneven lace weight up to some sections sport weight yarn. Glad it is for lace and not a fitted garment.
Finished up Wallaby #2 for DD#1. Great pattern, but BORING! That is that huge pack of yarn from Knitters Knook. Forgot what it is called. I affectionately call it the 'Z-Pack', as it is from New Zealand. But wait? A Z-Pack if a type of antibiotic. Oh, well. Great yardage, cheap, and best of all wool to keep my kiddoes warm.

Oh, guess what? We are getting a wood stove next week. We have an oil furnace and radiators. Great heat. One problem. We only bought 1/2 a tank of oil and the price was INSANE! In 2 years, we will have saved enough money heating our house with wood to make up for the cost of the stove. Better for the environment too, just a little added bonus for me! Right now, on Oct. 3 at 9:16 am, my house is 65 deg. F. I REFUSE to turn the heat on with all the wool sweaters I have been knitting for my kids over the last 2 years, they are gonna have to actually wear them.

So, DH, is going to have another reason to support my knitting and spinning habit. The sock there is a knee high (I am so into knee highs right now) made with Noro Silk Garden Sock Yarn. L-O-V-E T-H-A-T Y-A-R-N!

I am so grateful to God for so many things in this season of my life. I think I'll make a list. This is as much for me to remind myself of His goodness TODAY! Here goes:

• healthy children
• healthy self and husband
• distance between my crazy family and me. Oh, about 6 hours or so :)
• I have a spinning wheel
• I can knit so very, many cool things
• I have shelter
• there is a wood pile bigger than my mini-van in the driveway
• it is sunny today
• it is my favorite month today
• I am making pasta for dinner
• Andy still has a job!
• Andy is off next week
• Mom is safe, and secure, for now, in a nursing home
• I have all the advice I need to make a competent decision for mom's care
• dad had foresight to leave enough money to care for his wife after his death
• I have many, many friends
• I have high speed Internet
• I don't have a cell phone!
• I love this high pressure in the area now
• did I forget to mention my stash?

I could go on forever. I make this list to help resist the temptation of self-pity. This has been a hard month. But, life is good and I am looking for the positives today.

OK. nough of that, gonna go feed my kids breakfy.