Slow Bee Shawl - Clue 1

I joined the Slow-bee Shawl KAL. Clue three came out today, but I just completed Clue 1 last night. Clue 2 doesn't look too bad, so hopefully I'll complete that in a week. Maybe I can keep up only being two clues behind? LOL... This is surely a 'thinking' piece, but it's working up beautifully. I'm learning to think-knit amidst lots of noise and interruptions... if I don't learn, I'll never knit anything quite so beautiful!

STCC Pinning Ceremony

Wednesday night was a cause for celebration! Kyle had his pinning ceremony at the college and along with other students was welcomed by their peers into the medical field. He'll graduate this week with an AS in Respiratory and will continue in the fall at the University of Hartford for a year and a half to earn his BS in Respiratory. Ooooo exciting happenings for Kyle this week! I'm a proud mama to be sure, and knowing I helped him (I hope) by homeschooling all these years makes it just a little bit sweeter!

Bird's Eye View

Are these pictures beautiful, or what? My son, Kyle, had his first trip on Lifestar helicopter, an air-ambulance, yesterday. He's in the mentoring program at Hartford Hospital and this trip was his first of many. He's a respiratory therapist/paramedic and it takes about three years to be ready to administer care in-flight without a mentor. He's on quite an exciting journey! I had butterflies in my stomach just knowing he was going up, knowing he gets motion sickness, and just thinking about my "little boy" growing up, realizing his dream. He took a few pictures on the way to the call they were going to, which turned out to be in Rhode Island. They picked up their patient, flew to Yale-New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut and then ended back at Hartford Hospital. He said it was very cool to see all the Wal-Marts, Home Depots, and even my parent's house! He said they don't fly terribly high, so the view is awesome.

Goodness Me, Look Who's Three!

Happy Birthday to You, Caressa! Today we celebrated Caressa's birthday. Much like we did two days ago for Kierra... We brought the two birthday girls out to eat to Red Robin, had cake, the rosary for the intentions of Kierra, and gifts. What a lovely day!

Puppet Theatre

I made the puppet theatre for one of Kierra's gifts. I used the pattern from the Bend the Rules Sewing Book. The pattern was easy, but of course, me being me, I messed it up. I cut the center wrong, but was able to 'fudge' it enough so the kids can use it and it's functional. If I were to ever make another one, now I know where I went wrong. I have no idea why many times I do things wrong the first time... After that I'm usually O.K., but I almost never do anything right on the first try. Oh, well, it came out pretty cute, anyway, and the kids have no clue their dingy Mom messed up!

Look Who's Five!

Happy Birthday to You, Kierra! My little munchkin is five today. Lots of celebrating all day at our house! Gifts, the rosary in Kierra's honor, and cake... can a day get any better?
The gang enjoyed the smiles and laughter that permeated all through the house!
I just love these guys...every one of 'em!

Wristlet Zippered Bags

My mom doesn't like to carry a handbag when she goes to Bingo or church. Sometimes, she just sticks her license in her pocket and calls it a day. Beccause she's 77, it kind of bothers me that she doesn't carry a phone or anything. She has one, but chooses to leave it at home with my dad. Now, does that make any sense? Who's he gonna call? (sigh) I thought a couple of wristlet bags might be just the thing for my mom. This way she can tuck a few necessities (even if she doesn't think they're necessary) in there and be on her busy way. I think the insides are just as pretty as the outside... just like my mom.

A Few Bedroom Projects

A few weeks ago, I roped my husband into peeling off the old wall-paper in our room and painting it a purply-bluish color. We spent an entire Sunday peeling the paper with the help of my mom and dad, and kiddoes. Although it was quite a task, it really turned out to be fun. Kleigh and Gary painted the room over the course of the next weekend. Then came the fun part: making curtains, a fabric covered headboard, fabric covered memo board, mouse pad, and pillowcases. I still want to cover my computer and sewing chair, make a covering for my window sill/seat and possibly make a couple pillows; but that will come...

Old Hands, Young Hands, In-Between Hands

Wednesday was a good day all the way around (see post below this one). My prayer shawl group from church met at my house and we had several shawls we prayed over, ready to be blessed and distributed. It's so nice to see that my 13 year old daughter, (young hands) myself (in-between hands) and three other church ladies (old hands) can all gather together and find peace, friendship and joy. Each month we meet and it always warms my heart.

As We Gather for Dinner

As we gathered for dinner Wednesday night, I realized just how rare it is now that we eat all together. Usually one of the older boys is either working or with their girlfriend. It was so nice to have the mass confusion confusion that I love so much. Lots of laughs, a few pokes at dad, and just general love all the way around. Life is good...