In Honor of John G. Borbonus

This is the comfortghan I finished assembling this weekend for Heartmade Blessings Operation Purple Heart. It is being sent to the mother of Army Pfc. John G. Borbonus

In Honor of James Holtom

Another comfortghan I was priveledged to assemble for HeartMade Blessings' Operation Purple Heart for the parents of Army Sgt. James J. Holtom.

In Honor of Ross Clevenger

This comfortghan has been created as part of HeartMade Blessings' Operation Purple Heart. Hopefully it will bring some comfort to the mother of Army Spc. Ross A. Clevenger.

The difference between boys and girls

Having a teenage son I am learning some things. He just spent 9 days in Japan as part of a tour that we paid for him to go on. Lots of preplanned activities and things to see, 5 different cities, a ride on the bullet train,etc. For Christmas I felt it was important to get him the digital camera he had been asking for. Keep in mind I don't have a digital camera. He has been very excited - at least as much as he can be and still be cool! I didn't send him with a phone card, but he promised to email us. The daughter of a friend went as well.

The friend had a phone call and an email from their daughter after the kids first day in Japan. She emailed several more times and even attached some pictures for them to see.

My son emailed his Dad -not me!- the last full day they had in Japan and did not take a single picture! NOT ONE!!

He did seem to have a wonderful time. When I ask about what he saw I hear about the 8 stories electronics building and seeing the Bandi building, etc. However, if I just let him tell me things as he thinks about them I hear about the Golden Palace and some of the gardens, etc. I am glad to know that he enjoyed some of those things as well :)

The old lady in the mirror

KEEPS SHOWING UP!! I swear I do not know who she is and why she is here, but I would really like her to go away. Now she is bringing all these strange places for adding some extra weight. What is with that? I have been very consistent about going to the gym and have never had to fight a weight issue, gain issue anyway, in my life. I am that person you all hated that had problems gaining weight. NOT NOW!! This really sucks and I don't like it and I don't even honestly know what to do!!! This is all new territory. Why it is starting at the same time I am actually trying to exercise, also a new thing for me, I do not understand.
Ok, I just had to vent someplace because most people I know look at me like I have three eyes or something and tell me I look fine and to quit worrying about it. Obviously that is NOT going to happen :).

Summer is here!

All the things with my Mom have been resolved. She is still very much in the healing process, but well on her way to recovery. That was a very difficult time for everyone and I am glad we are through some of it :)

The kids are out of school for summer. This is so exciting!!! I really look forward to getting to do things and spend time with them. I would love to take the summer off work as well, but I do get to cut back my hours so we can participate in more activities. Of course, my oldest thinks he is too cool to do stuff with his mom, but if I let him invite a buddy he is more open to the whole thing. Time to enjoy the outdoors and the fun!!!!

McFly!

Have you ever had a time when life just comes up behind you and smacks you on the back of the head? Not fun! I have had some things happening with my Mom medically that gave me the first real experience that brings her mortality to the front of my consciousness. This is not a pleasant experience and I really prefer to have my head in the sand. The good thing is that she and I have been able to have a couple of those very important "what if" discussions. I now know her feelings on life support and a few other of the big topics no one likes to discuss. This actually provides me with a lot of peace to know that I can honors her wishes if needed in the future.
Now, we just deal with what is in front of us one day at a time.

Thoughts on deafness

I feel the need to share my thoughts on a topic that in all fairness, I am in many ways not entitled to have an opinion on, and that is deafness. First a bit of background. My youngest son is deaf. He was identified during the newborn screening process and at the time still had a significant amount of residual hearing. He was wearing hearing aids by the age of 6 weeks old. This was NOT fun as a parent and even less fun when he began to take them out and use them as a handy teething option. The first set cost approx. $3000, none of which insurance covered, and water destroys them. See the problem?
Anyway, he is now in second grade and his loss has continued. We learned a couple of years ago the cause of hearing loss is a genetic condition and he is rare in that he had any hearing at all when he was born. I fully expect him to loose all of his hearing at some point in the near future. As it is he has days that he hears better than others. My son currently has very understandable speech due to the hard work he has put in since the age of two and the ability to utilize the residual hearing he had when he did. He is also intelligent and understands the rules of phonetics and applies them to new words he encounters. Unfortunately the English language is full of exceptions to the rules. I also credit much of his success to his early exposure to sign and later American Sign Language (ASL). He was exposed to language from the beginning even if much of it wasn't through auditory means.
I have learned more in the last 8 years about ears, hearing, hearing aids, FM Systems, language development and speech than I ever even knew existed, let alone wanted to learn. This is good as it helps me be a better parent for my son.
So, you are probably wondering where the opinion comes in. I am horrified by the number of parents who have deaf children that never take the time to search our a deaf adult (or 2 or 3) to learn more about what being deaf is like. What they learned growing up and suggestions they would make. The decision is ultimately the parents, but a person who has lived the life is much better experienced to give opinions and advice than ANY doctor, audioligist or speech language pathologist EVER will be. They can provide medical information and opinions, but they are not deaf and so do not truly understand.
In the area where I live there is currently a large emphasis and push for cochlear implants and oralism. I believe cochlear implants have a place. Do not misunderstand and think I am anti-cochlear. I do not, however, believe that at this point I would implant my child without it being his decision. There are too many factors. There are also just as many or more stories when it was not successful (as defined by the hearing community) as there are success stories. When it doesn't work out, the parents are made to feel as if the failure is their fault. If they had only provided more speech therapy or not allowed the child to sign, etc. The truth is that sometimes it just doesn't work. The opinion that if you allow a child to use sign they won't learn speech is the stupidest thing I have heard. As my husband says, "That is like saying if a child eats with their hands, they won't learn to use a fork." As a point of education, speech is not a language, but a means of communicating a language the same as writing.
I don't believe that the burden of communication should be placed on the shoulders of a small child rather than the parents. When parents refuse to take any approach but to implant and then work on speech, and only speech, all communication responsibility is the child's. I can honestly say that I have never met a Deaf adult who said how they wished their parents hadn't learned to sign. However, I can tell you many, many stories of adults who feel their parents didn't care enough about them and were just plain selfish when they refused to learn to sign in order to communicate with them. That the parents did not love them enough or accept them as they are.
I NEVER want my son to think this. My husband and I have spent many hours learning ASL and work to expose him to others in the Deaf Community. I want him to have role models and mentors available that are Deaf with a capital "D". Proud and successful Deaf adults.
Those in the medical community and the parents that follow who are insisting the implants are the way forget that there are many for whom implants are not an option. Depending on the reason for the hearing loss it just may not circumvent the issue or be of any potential benefit. What do they propose for this group? At the moment, nothing! They pretend as if this group does not exist in an effort to further their cause.
I have rambled on for some time, but I will say that as the parent of a child who is deaf, I am proud of who he is. I can honestly say that if I had been asked before he was born that I would never have wished for this. I am still sad at times. That does not make him any less of a person or a success. It does not mean he needs to be "fixed". I love him as he is and hope he does the same.

In Honor of Brandon Titus

I had the honor and privilege of assembling this OPH comfortghan for the father of Brandon Titus. I was only recently able to obtain mailing information with the assistance of a friend or it would have been sent to him earlier. This one has haunted me and was one I have wanted to assemble since the first reports of Brandon's death. I am glad to have been able to complete this assembly and send to Mr. Titus.

What a day!

This has been an interesting day. Yesterday afternoon my boss announced that the office would be closed today so I had the day off. FANTASTIC! I planned to get a ton of things done and have some me time as well. I started off the day with working out after the kids left for school. Just as planned. I then went to use my %off coupons at some of the craft stores to get some things I really need for upcoming projects. I got some things for the ABC baby book I am making (gift) and new blades for my cutter. Unfortunately, stop #2 was not what I had hoped. I needed the page protectors and they did not have what I needed. Since I had a 50% off coupon I really thought I should use it. So I wandered for waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy too long. The good news is I did NOT spend money just to spend money. Bad news, can't get the time back. Went to another store to get the page protectors and then went to visit a LSS that I hadn't been to in some time. I actually didn't need anything, but I noticed the owners vehicle and just wanted to say "Hi!". It was a great time and I am so glad I did. She shared some of the upcoming changes for the store and showed me a bunch of things. It is going to be really neat and it was good to see her so excited again. I did get some ribbon she had that matches perfectly a page kit I have and it is just the thing for it!
After all of this though, the day was pretty much gone. I really should have tried to catch up with some friends or something, but I just didn't plan well. The good news is the weather is sunny and nice so I have spent as much time as my bum knee with allow cleaning out flower beds. There is still a TON of work to do. This has brought on quite the pity party however. Earlier this year I talked to my hubby about spending the raise I got the have the front relandscaped. I wanted the big ugly junipers gone and flower beds that looked planned instead of mish mashed and overgrown. I wanted them easier to maintain. He agreed so I began to get quotes. As it went along it was decided to find out how much it would cost to replace the grass with something more suited to our climate. Then we added on how much to do the grass in back as well? See where this is going? I have spent several weeks in landscape hell and guess what? We have all new grass, but I still have a front bed that needs to be rototilled, prepped, planned, planted and mulched. Not quite what I had planned. Now, I admit the junipers are gone and the bed is edged in beautiful rock as are my beds in back, but it is not ready to go and done. Hence the pity party. Guess I best get over it soon because it isn't going to get done by itself!!!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Dad! I love and miss you!

Mixed emotions time

This time of year is so hard for me. I love Spring. It is my favorite season. There is nothing like seeing the trees in bloom and the first colors of tulips and daffodils (one of my favorite flowers!). The grape hyacinths remind me of my grandmother and playing in her yard.
This is also super tough. April 1 is the anniversary of my Dad's death and April 3 is his birthday. I try to avoid all the April Fools stuff as it just serves to remind me what day it is. This year it has been 9 years since he died. It isn't easier, the pain just isn't as sharp.
I dread the phone ringing on either day. I always worry it is a family member wanting to talk. I don't want to talk. I just want to pretend it is any other day. Not very adult, but also the only way I get through.
So, enjoy the sunshine and the daffodils, I will be. The rest will come as it will.

ATCs

I have really been admiring ATCs and over the last year participated in a few trades and received some amazing artwork! This is certainly the way to go for me and creativity without pressure. As long as it is 2 1/2 in by 3 1/2 in I can't do it wrong!!! This the latest one I made for a "celestial" themed swap. My one before that can be seen at Scottish Borders Stamping.

Sewing on paper?

Oh, yes! I swore this was a thing I would never do. It looks really neat, but just seemed like too much effort to me. Keep in mind I have a very old and very heavy machine with no craft room, so everything has to be gotten out each time. Well, I caved. I joined a card swap and the other evening I created the card in my mind and the sewing was part of it. I have to say that I am pleased with how it turned out. It is almost as nice as I imagined which is much better than usual :).

Christmas gift finished

I have been experiencing some problems and pain with my wrist so have not been able to spend the time crocheting and knitting that I usually do. I decided to pull out the sewing machine and see what I could get done.
I have actually managed to FINISH a Christmas present. I know it is March. Can you believe it? I can't! Now the trick will be not to forget where I store it between now and then..............

Anyway, this is a flannel rag quilt I made for a little girl who loves Blue's Clues. For size reference, that grey thing on the side is my 12 inch paper cutter I use for scrapbooking.

Who elected these morons?

I work very hard to not post things that might offend someone. Politics are a subject that is often prone to that and so I don't usually "go there". However, this is just so outrageous that I can not believe it! These morons in the Idaho State Legislature killed a bill in committee that would set MINIMUM safety standards for daycare facilities and require background checks of workers. The reason it was killed? Get this! Mothers shouldn't be taking their children to daycare they should be staying home with them. WHAT!?!?!?!?!? Not every parent even has that option even if they wanted to. So those kids aren't important to keep safe? Ones that aren't raised by two parent families and stay at home moms just don't matter? This is the most amazing thing to me. Talk about hicks! And I thought we looked stupid for having elected someone like Bill Sali to represent us in Washington. However, this really takes the cake. I often wonder WHY I live here and if this is really such a great place to raise kids if these are our elected leaders.

New Quilts

I finished the binding on one and started and completed the other for a total of two additional quilts to be sent to TLC for Angels. These are really fun quilts to make! The colors in both of these just seem so cheerful to me and it was a nice feeling to have something COMPLETED!! Need to do more of that ;)

Never Ask

Never ask "what else could happen?". Why? You will find out. My youngest (and I) were up all Wednesday night because he was sick. He is much, much better today and headed to school. I just hope it either hurries through the rest of the family or stays away. I can't bring my brother here to recuperate if we are all sick!

My niece is scheduled for her cardiac surgery on Monday. The Dr.s say they don't find anything else and expect this to be a very straight forward surgery. She will probably still be there for another 4 weeks, but at least now her Mom has been able to join her. That is a very important part of the process, for both of them!

On a brighter note, I am all signed up for a scrapbooking retreat in April. I can hardly wait! I feel like I am in paper withdrawals. There hasn't been time for me to touch much of my scrap stuff lately. I have made a few cards, but not much else. I picked up 10 rolls from the developer so I really NEED to get busy :). I have gotten some sewing done though. Made great progress on Brandt's denim quilt and finished up a few in progress projects. That feels GREAT!

It continues

My niece was born yesterday, but they have determined that she has what is called transposition of the great artery. Basically her heart has some backwards wiring and so the blood recirculating has not been oxygenated. She will require surgery to fix this and she has been transported to another hospital and the surgery is scheduled for Friday. My SIL will be released from the hospital tomorrow so she can join her daughter.

If all of this seems a bit familiar, this is the same thing my nephew was born with last year. Now keep in mind, this is not genetic. Yeah right! They won't get me believing that anytime soon! It just means they haven't found the marker yet!

Busy, stressful, good

Today was THE day. Transplant day. My sister is receiving a kidney from my brother. Add to that another brother and his wife are at the hospital working to provide me with a new niece. There are some phone calls going back and forth today!!!

The great news is both my brother and sister are out of surgery and seem to be doing very well so far. They are tired, really exhausted is more like it, and have some recovery ahead of them, but so far, so good.

Last I heard, my SIL was being taken in for a C-section. Although I wouldn't wish for this, there is a time when it is just time and this was one of those. My SIL is in fantastic health and shape and will recover quickly. She also has the advantage of a couple of SIL who will be making certain her husband is taking proper care of her during all of this ;).

Well wishes and prayers are welcome, but the news so far is GOOD!!!