So it's less than a week to Thanksgiving. This year I'm slightly ahead of the game. I've got the turkey and sides already. The pies will get done and I'm only lacking whipping cream and cranberry sauce. I tried to get the cranberries but there was a mob by the display so I'm going to get them on my final pass through the market next week. Not too many decorations for Thanksgiving- some leaves and window clings courtesy of #1, a construction paper turkey by #2 and that's about it. Thanksgiving is like the middle child- it was never the first or last. Most of my current focus for decorations is Christmas- little paper mittens and stockings for a garland, paper cones for the advent calendar, some glue and glitter for the paper decor, a new vacuum bag for after the paper decorating, lots of little lights strung hither and yon. Little Christmas books, candles, frames, statues, stuffed animals, etc. everywhere. There is nothing as fun as stringing the 600 mini lights along the dining room molding and windows. Last year I used little transparent 3M sticky hooks to help hold the lights in place- please cross your fingers that I can find them in time to use them again this year. I have a knack for putting things in a safe place that I'll surely remember next time I need whatever. Someday I'll find so many things on time I'll finally have that psychotic break I've been waiting on.
So I agreed to be tech support for #2s class. I get to learn the Boardmaker computer program. What is that you ask? It is a program from Mayer-Johnson for communication with language delayed or impaired individuals. It is a bit daunting but I think I'll be OK. There are cool tutorials on the website and the instruction manual is huge! The goal is to create pictures with words to help the class learn the words at the same time as facilitating communication. Autism being the minefield of possibilities that it is you never really know what will work. One of my goals is to get him onto a schedule at home to ease the tantrums. He will be able to look at a book and follow the list without much help after learning all the various components. Sounds like me and my PDA. Where am I supposed to be and what do I need to get done. Same idea but it will also factor in the life skills he needs to master- getting dressed himself, brushing hair and teeth- with different brushes- breakfast, hand and face washing, etc. It's a huge list if you stop to think of all the little things we all have to do daily. Anyways, back to tech support for the class- I get to make the activity boards, pictures needed for class use or in the home to augment learning, schedules in pictures, etc. If you've heard of PECS- picture exchange communication system, you get the idea. Some of the pictures are funny- I mean that in both senses of the word. The brush your teeth picture has no nose or eyes, because the focus is on brushing the teeth. Wish me luck, I think I'm gonna be really busy!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Reading can be hazardous to my health
Happy November.
I have finally been forced to entertain the idea that reading is dangerous. Not as in it's gonna kill me but in the it's gonna drive me crazy kind of dangerous. You may be wondering what kind of reading I'm talking about. It's not the big expensive Christmas wishlist catalogs I'm talking about, it's not even my reading that's the problem. #1 has taken to reading everything she can. It doesn't matter what it is, she reads it to me and if she can't figure out the word she spells it to me. Right, I know, that's great- she is really trying hard to read and expand her knowledge. Welllllll, we all know a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, right. Well so is a little reading. Especially when the conversation runs something like this-
#1 "Mom, how fast are you going?"
Mom "47"
#1 "The sign said the speed limit is 45. You're speeding!"
Mom (thinking I'll change the focus to something safer- like math) "How many miles per hour over the speed limit am I?" (Dumb move, Mom)
#1 " Mooooom, the speed limit is 45, it doesn't matter how many miles over the limit you are, the police officer is going to arrest you."
Mom "huh- what police officer?"
#1 "Can I have your cell phone?"
Mom "No, why?"
#1 "So I can call the police and tell them you are speeding."
Mom "Not gonna happen. I'm doing 45 now so you can relax."
#1 "Can you hurry, I hafta go to the bathroom."
It's a no win situation sometimes. The good twin said "sure honey, I'll speed right home so you can pee." The bad twin said "the speed limit is 45." I'm pretty sure that the internal argument over how to respond is leading me closer to a nervous breakdown. I find that remaining silent after this type of discussion is the best choice. Nobody gets their feelings hurt and nobody learns any words they don't need to use at a later date. I find it's usually easier to drive with #2 that #1, he doesn't feel the need to interject pithy commentaries in the middle of a song I love and haven't heard in a million years. On the other hand since #2 doesn't talk- ever, it does get boring sometimes to drive with him. Unless you count odd noises from the back seat. Try checking on odd noises at 55 on the thruway. Usually I just take for granted he is being himself and having a strange noise interlude. The rear view mirror is not helpful, by the time you get it adjusted to see what he is doing he's quiet and gazing happily out the window. By the time I get it back to seeing the truck behind me he's making odd noises again. I think children realize the amazing power they have when they are in the car and abuse it.
I love the fact that #1 is really off and running (amok) with this whole reading thing. I love to read and actually will read anything put in front of me, which explains why I know so much about the kids cereal. I have no recollection of being like this as a child.
"What does no turn on red mean, Mommy?"
"It means you can't make a right turn when the light is red."
"Can you turn left?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Can we talk about this when we get home and I can explain about the flow of traffic and crossing lanes of traffic, oh nuts- that was our turn."
"Why did you go by our turn?"
"I was talking and not thinking."
"Can't you think and talk at the same time?"
"Yes, but I can't seem to think, talk and drive all at the same time."
Oh the things we say when we are doing other things. Or worse the things I've almost said while doing other things-
"Mommy, Can I live at home with you forever?"
"NO!!!!!" narrowly caught before falling out of my mouth.
Lets look at some of the conversational cliff hangers. We all know the way kids ask questions that have a good answer, a better answer and a please don't let me say that one answer. Shall we visit a few of my favorites and review the good, better and bite your tongue answers?
#1 "Why did you want kids?"
good- "Daddy and I thought the Grandmas deserved some grandchildren."
better- "Daddy and I wanted a little girl just like you."
Bite your tongue- "Jack Daniels made it seem like a swell idea."
#2 "Where did I come from?"
good- "The hospital."
Better- "Mommy's belly."
bite your tongue- "Mars."
#3"Is math hard?"
good- "No."
Better- "I'll always help you learn math."
Bite your tongue- "Yes."
#4"Will my goldfish go to heaven?"
Good- "I'm sure your goldfish is happy where ever they go."
Better- "I'm sure your goldfish is in goldfish heaven right now."
Bite your tongue- "No, it went to the septic tank."
Why is it that the bite your tongue answer is usually the first one you think of? Am I the only one in the universe who has these good mommy/bad mommy moments where I have to actually weigh my answers against how it could be repeated back in public?
I've come up with a new plan to annoy telemarketers. I give the phone to #1 and let her get some phone manners practice. She's quite polite but really getting indignant that they keep hanging up on her. How rude can they be? Hey, you call my house during the dinner hour and you can expect to talk to whomever I hand the phone to- including the dog, who is NOT much of a conversationalist but he sure can do loud breathing. They should be thankful I don't put them on speaker so they can hear all the commotion and strange questions. "Mommy, why do they call during dinner?" "Because they figure we're home to be annoyed." "What's for dinner?" "I don't remember what I made but grab some while it's hot." "Hey #2, sit on the chair, not the table. #1 use a fork. #2 eat off your own plate." Dinner here does have a twilight zone quality to it most nights. Then they all go to their own little areas after dinner and I can almost believe I'm alone in the house for 3.5 minutes until the next drama begins something like this.... "mom, he's touching/stealing/looking at something of mine." And we are off for more fun.
I have finally been forced to entertain the idea that reading is dangerous. Not as in it's gonna kill me but in the it's gonna drive me crazy kind of dangerous. You may be wondering what kind of reading I'm talking about. It's not the big expensive Christmas wishlist catalogs I'm talking about, it's not even my reading that's the problem. #1 has taken to reading everything she can. It doesn't matter what it is, she reads it to me and if she can't figure out the word she spells it to me. Right, I know, that's great- she is really trying hard to read and expand her knowledge. Welllllll, we all know a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, right. Well so is a little reading. Especially when the conversation runs something like this-
#1 "Mom, how fast are you going?"
Mom "47"
#1 "The sign said the speed limit is 45. You're speeding!"
Mom (thinking I'll change the focus to something safer- like math) "How many miles per hour over the speed limit am I?" (Dumb move, Mom)
#1 " Mooooom, the speed limit is 45, it doesn't matter how many miles over the limit you are, the police officer is going to arrest you."
Mom "huh- what police officer?"
#1 "Can I have your cell phone?"
Mom "No, why?"
#1 "So I can call the police and tell them you are speeding."
Mom "Not gonna happen. I'm doing 45 now so you can relax."
#1 "Can you hurry, I hafta go to the bathroom."
It's a no win situation sometimes. The good twin said "sure honey, I'll speed right home so you can pee." The bad twin said "the speed limit is 45." I'm pretty sure that the internal argument over how to respond is leading me closer to a nervous breakdown. I find that remaining silent after this type of discussion is the best choice. Nobody gets their feelings hurt and nobody learns any words they don't need to use at a later date. I find it's usually easier to drive with #2 that #1, he doesn't feel the need to interject pithy commentaries in the middle of a song I love and haven't heard in a million years. On the other hand since #2 doesn't talk- ever, it does get boring sometimes to drive with him. Unless you count odd noises from the back seat. Try checking on odd noises at 55 on the thruway. Usually I just take for granted he is being himself and having a strange noise interlude. The rear view mirror is not helpful, by the time you get it adjusted to see what he is doing he's quiet and gazing happily out the window. By the time I get it back to seeing the truck behind me he's making odd noises again. I think children realize the amazing power they have when they are in the car and abuse it.
I love the fact that #1 is really off and running (amok) with this whole reading thing. I love to read and actually will read anything put in front of me, which explains why I know so much about the kids cereal. I have no recollection of being like this as a child.
"What does no turn on red mean, Mommy?"
"It means you can't make a right turn when the light is red."
"Can you turn left?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Can we talk about this when we get home and I can explain about the flow of traffic and crossing lanes of traffic, oh nuts- that was our turn."
"Why did you go by our turn?"
"I was talking and not thinking."
"Can't you think and talk at the same time?"
"Yes, but I can't seem to think, talk and drive all at the same time."
Oh the things we say when we are doing other things. Or worse the things I've almost said while doing other things-
"Mommy, Can I live at home with you forever?"
"NO!!!!!" narrowly caught before falling out of my mouth.
Lets look at some of the conversational cliff hangers. We all know the way kids ask questions that have a good answer, a better answer and a please don't let me say that one answer. Shall we visit a few of my favorites and review the good, better and bite your tongue answers?
#1 "Why did you want kids?"
good- "Daddy and I thought the Grandmas deserved some grandchildren."
better- "Daddy and I wanted a little girl just like you."
Bite your tongue- "Jack Daniels made it seem like a swell idea."
#2 "Where did I come from?"
good- "The hospital."
Better- "Mommy's belly."
bite your tongue- "Mars."
#3"Is math hard?"
good- "No."
Better- "I'll always help you learn math."
Bite your tongue- "Yes."
#4"Will my goldfish go to heaven?"
Good- "I'm sure your goldfish is happy where ever they go."
Better- "I'm sure your goldfish is in goldfish heaven right now."
Bite your tongue- "No, it went to the septic tank."
Why is it that the bite your tongue answer is usually the first one you think of? Am I the only one in the universe who has these good mommy/bad mommy moments where I have to actually weigh my answers against how it could be repeated back in public?
I've come up with a new plan to annoy telemarketers. I give the phone to #1 and let her get some phone manners practice. She's quite polite but really getting indignant that they keep hanging up on her. How rude can they be? Hey, you call my house during the dinner hour and you can expect to talk to whomever I hand the phone to- including the dog, who is NOT much of a conversationalist but he sure can do loud breathing. They should be thankful I don't put them on speaker so they can hear all the commotion and strange questions. "Mommy, why do they call during dinner?" "Because they figure we're home to be annoyed." "What's for dinner?" "I don't remember what I made but grab some while it's hot." "Hey #2, sit on the chair, not the table. #1 use a fork. #2 eat off your own plate." Dinner here does have a twilight zone quality to it most nights. Then they all go to their own little areas after dinner and I can almost believe I'm alone in the house for 3.5 minutes until the next drama begins something like this.... "mom, he's touching/stealing/looking at something of mine." And we are off for more fun.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Happy Birthday to Captain Dan
My kid brother had his birthday this past Friday. My only contact with him for the day was email. Once upon a time I would have called him and razzed him about getting older but with him being in Iraq that's pretty much impossible. So I sent him a gift card to Amazon and hope he'll get something he will enjoy. I know him and figure it'll be books most likely. So let me give a brief overview of my little brother. First I use that term since everyone who knows us will laugh. He is nearly a foot taller than I am and about 2x my weight. OK- yup, I'm small but he's also big. I am nearly 4 years older so I have no intention of spilling his age (16- hahahahaha). I wanted a puppy, I think that says quite a bit, don't you? The fact that I got a naked, useless, smelly, crying creature was not what I had in mind. I was thinking small, cute, sorta hairy, would grow into a great friend in a few months. In a few months all I had was a smelly, crying, useless in a onesie kinda pet. Needless to say house training him was slow going. We'll get to the leash later. He wasn't all bad, he kept the parents busy and out of my way. So the years went by and still I waited for him to become as fun as my mother promised he would. Finally, after years of torture and pain he's not so useless. Still smelly- his shoes could cripple, not quite as naked but there are laws about that, and less prone to crying than to long amazing strings of profanity. I don't wish he was a puppy as often now.
So let me regale you with some of the moments when I wished he was a puppy- or something wild I could release and never see again. One of the most memorable moments was when, on MY birthday, he announced to my date "Gee XXX, you're not as fat as my sister said you were." I really wanted a suspension of the first commandment for that birthday, although I'm pretty sure it would have been viewed as justifiable homicide had my parents not protected the little spawn of Satan. Little brothers make nice decorations gagged in my opinion- and it could extend their life span. Or how about the story that still makes my mother laugh til her eyes water- the eggs. I like hard boiled eggs and would often boil 6 or 8 at a time. To keep the boiled from getting confused with the fresh (NOT boiled- RAW!!!) eggs I would write HB in pencil on them. Do we all see where this story is going????? OK, so as I come in the kitchen one day and smack the HB egg on the counter and it runs everywhere I realize only the spawn could have done this. According to my mother (who is still straight faced at this point) she was there when my brother (I was switched at birth- where is my rich birth family when I need them?!?) walked in, opened the fridge, took 2 eggs out with the letters HB clearly written on them, peeled and ate them. She did feel the need to mention that I might be aggravated (she is smiling and trying not to laugh by now) so critter says not to worry, takes 2 eggs that have no HB written on them (RAW!!!!), asks her for a pencil- WHICH SHE GIVES HIM, LIKE A GOOD LITTLE ENABLER- and he writes HB and puts them right where he found the other two eggs. By this time she is laughing with no attempt to hide it. The eternal question from this episode of long, long ago- what happened to the second raw HB egg? Dunno- I quit making HB eggs, kept labeling them HB in an attempt to settle the score but I didn't boil another egg until I had my own apartment.
Now that we are both older and some time has passed I don't get mad at him all over again for that. He and I actually get along- as my mother said we would. Now we get along like any two people from a moderately weird family and laugh about the moments we thought would kill us. We laugh about our kids- my 2 and his 3, our lives, our family- that gets some real good laughs and our differences. The size difference is just the start- and the most glaring. Most people would not think we are related unless they spoke to both of us for awhile. A dry sense of humor, odd turns of phrase and a strange candor mark us as related.
Since most people by now think he was only evil as a child, let me give an example of the budding camaraderie as we grew up. No one beat up my brother but me. Twisted logic but hey, we were kids. One day we were home at the same time, watching the news when we saw a piece on a woman with leukemia who needed to find a bone marrow donor. There was a drive at a church not terribly far from us. He looked at me and said "Wanna go?" So we went and got tested and listed as potential donors for someone we never met- cause it seemed like the right thing to do. I think I was about 24 or so. He was 4 years younger then, too. The day that my grandfather died in January 1999, we drove all around making arrangements with the funeral home and then to the VA to get a flag since he had been in the Army in WWII. I remember him showing his Army ID and getting in no problem while I beeped my little heart out in the metal detector. To this day I have no idea what was beeping- I was ready to (and said so out loud) strip naked and go to the 7th floor of the old Dulski Federal building in Buffalo to get the flag but the guard finally waved me over for a hand held wand check- which DIDN"T beep. I had taken off my coat and the pile of stuff on it was impressive- I had no idea jeans pockets could hole so much. My brother made sure to point out I got waved over as I threatened to strip naked- hmmmm I think I was being insulted. We got through the day and got everything set up pretty well for a pair who had never done that sort of thing before. His good friend Dave Z., also Army, showed up in uniform for the service- in a freezing cold damn blizzard- to present the flag and stand at attention for the fallen soldier. I guess he has to be a good guy to have friends like Dave.
So my brother is Army- he's in Iraq for his third time. If all soldiers were as upstanding as my brother there would be no questions about improper behavior. One thing I can say without fear of being challenged- the boy's got Honor. That's right Honor with a capital H. It's a big thing to my family to behave and live an honorable life. He's still my little brother and NOBODY gets to beat him up but me, and his kids and my kids. Nobody else. So I'm going to close this with the same thing I say everyday when I wake up- "God keep him safe and get him home OK."
Happy Birthday kiddo, may you have many, many more.
So let me regale you with some of the moments when I wished he was a puppy- or something wild I could release and never see again. One of the most memorable moments was when, on MY birthday, he announced to my date "Gee XXX, you're not as fat as my sister said you were." I really wanted a suspension of the first commandment for that birthday, although I'm pretty sure it would have been viewed as justifiable homicide had my parents not protected the little spawn of Satan. Little brothers make nice decorations gagged in my opinion- and it could extend their life span. Or how about the story that still makes my mother laugh til her eyes water- the eggs. I like hard boiled eggs and would often boil 6 or 8 at a time. To keep the boiled from getting confused with the fresh (NOT boiled- RAW!!!) eggs I would write HB in pencil on them. Do we all see where this story is going????? OK, so as I come in the kitchen one day and smack the HB egg on the counter and it runs everywhere I realize only the spawn could have done this. According to my mother (who is still straight faced at this point) she was there when my brother (I was switched at birth- where is my rich birth family when I need them?!?) walked in, opened the fridge, took 2 eggs out with the letters HB clearly written on them, peeled and ate them. She did feel the need to mention that I might be aggravated (she is smiling and trying not to laugh by now) so critter says not to worry, takes 2 eggs that have no HB written on them (RAW!!!!), asks her for a pencil- WHICH SHE GIVES HIM, LIKE A GOOD LITTLE ENABLER- and he writes HB and puts them right where he found the other two eggs. By this time she is laughing with no attempt to hide it. The eternal question from this episode of long, long ago- what happened to the second raw HB egg? Dunno- I quit making HB eggs, kept labeling them HB in an attempt to settle the score but I didn't boil another egg until I had my own apartment.
Now that we are both older and some time has passed I don't get mad at him all over again for that. He and I actually get along- as my mother said we would. Now we get along like any two people from a moderately weird family and laugh about the moments we thought would kill us. We laugh about our kids- my 2 and his 3, our lives, our family- that gets some real good laughs and our differences. The size difference is just the start- and the most glaring. Most people would not think we are related unless they spoke to both of us for awhile. A dry sense of humor, odd turns of phrase and a strange candor mark us as related.
Since most people by now think he was only evil as a child, let me give an example of the budding camaraderie as we grew up. No one beat up my brother but me. Twisted logic but hey, we were kids. One day we were home at the same time, watching the news when we saw a piece on a woman with leukemia who needed to find a bone marrow donor. There was a drive at a church not terribly far from us. He looked at me and said "Wanna go?" So we went and got tested and listed as potential donors for someone we never met- cause it seemed like the right thing to do. I think I was about 24 or so. He was 4 years younger then, too. The day that my grandfather died in January 1999, we drove all around making arrangements with the funeral home and then to the VA to get a flag since he had been in the Army in WWII. I remember him showing his Army ID and getting in no problem while I beeped my little heart out in the metal detector. To this day I have no idea what was beeping- I was ready to (and said so out loud) strip naked and go to the 7th floor of the old Dulski Federal building in Buffalo to get the flag but the guard finally waved me over for a hand held wand check- which DIDN"T beep. I had taken off my coat and the pile of stuff on it was impressive- I had no idea jeans pockets could hole so much. My brother made sure to point out I got waved over as I threatened to strip naked- hmmmm I think I was being insulted. We got through the day and got everything set up pretty well for a pair who had never done that sort of thing before. His good friend Dave Z., also Army, showed up in uniform for the service- in a freezing cold damn blizzard- to present the flag and stand at attention for the fallen soldier. I guess he has to be a good guy to have friends like Dave.
So my brother is Army- he's in Iraq for his third time. If all soldiers were as upstanding as my brother there would be no questions about improper behavior. One thing I can say without fear of being challenged- the boy's got Honor. That's right Honor with a capital H. It's a big thing to my family to behave and live an honorable life. He's still my little brother and NOBODY gets to beat him up but me, and his kids and my kids. Nobody else. So I'm going to close this with the same thing I say everyday when I wake up- "God keep him safe and get him home OK."
Happy Birthday kiddo, may you have many, many more.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Happy October
October first- the day I start the Halloween decorating. The first day of bats, rats, witches, skeletons and all things ghoulish, spooky and bumpity in the night. I love Halloween- cobwebs are a good thing for once, I can indulge my inner witch and display witches hats and wands, little jars (they were baby food jars in a previous life) of things that may or may not be creepy. Lets face it- appearances and packaging can do quite a bit to sway our opinion. Little white ball cake decorations with black food coloring dots on them or newt eyes? Who can be sure???? Chocolate chips or newborn dragon droppings? This is a month when most people seem to avoid eating at my house- Hmmmmm, I wonder why. I love baby food jars for their many uses- all season decor and food storage.
I love Halloween for the amazing misunderstood pagan celebration of Samhain. I'm Celtic and many of the old festivals have been translated into today's holidays. There is no devil worship in Samhain- just good old spooky belief that it is the day when the veil between worlds is at it's thinnest and the final harvest is done along with preparations begun for the winter. There is a more in depth explanation at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain it's not great but it'll do for now. I'll celebrate Halloween with a party for some of the kids nearest and dearest and our friends. Hopefully there will be a nice day so we can start the bonfire and roast marshmallows and make s'mores, run around the yard and generally have fun with friends at the end of the outdoor party season. We will rake a big leaf pile and jump in, pick apples and dip them in caramel and make merry while the sun shines, for in this region who knows when the first snow storm will hit. I'm hoping for sometime after the 31st.
So I'm starting to get the old house in the Halloween mood- silhouettes of bats, rats and witches will adorn most windows, pumpkins on the porch steps, corn stalks on the porch rail, maybe some spider webs, unexpected guests in corners and who knows what else will pop into my odd little mind. Did I mention living by the cemetery? There is a house between me and it but they built way out back and so the only thing between me and the cemetery would be a driveway. I'm putting some gravestones in the front garden as well. Maybe a stray hand or foot with them as well as the cauldron of bones on the side porch. #1 is adamant that we decorate for every possible holiday. Do you know how hard it is to find decorations for all those secondary and tertiary holidays, like arbor day and groundhog day? I thought I liked to have a party but this kid should be an event planner. She also has no problem telling me she likes to arrange things so they look 'fabulous', as opposed to how they looked ("Ok") when I did them. My domain of decor is that which she cannot reach- which means it's getting smaller each year. Once it's more decorated I'll post some photos. We're still deciding costume details so I can't give any ideas about who to expect to see other than a witch. I may even be in costume ha ha ha ha.
I love Halloween for the amazing misunderstood pagan celebration of Samhain. I'm Celtic and many of the old festivals have been translated into today's holidays. There is no devil worship in Samhain- just good old spooky belief that it is the day when the veil between worlds is at it's thinnest and the final harvest is done along with preparations begun for the winter. There is a more in depth explanation at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain it's not great but it'll do for now. I'll celebrate Halloween with a party for some of the kids nearest and dearest and our friends. Hopefully there will be a nice day so we can start the bonfire and roast marshmallows and make s'mores, run around the yard and generally have fun with friends at the end of the outdoor party season. We will rake a big leaf pile and jump in, pick apples and dip them in caramel and make merry while the sun shines, for in this region who knows when the first snow storm will hit. I'm hoping for sometime after the 31st.
So I'm starting to get the old house in the Halloween mood- silhouettes of bats, rats and witches will adorn most windows, pumpkins on the porch steps, corn stalks on the porch rail, maybe some spider webs, unexpected guests in corners and who knows what else will pop into my odd little mind. Did I mention living by the cemetery? There is a house between me and it but they built way out back and so the only thing between me and the cemetery would be a driveway. I'm putting some gravestones in the front garden as well. Maybe a stray hand or foot with them as well as the cauldron of bones on the side porch. #1 is adamant that we decorate for every possible holiday. Do you know how hard it is to find decorations for all those secondary and tertiary holidays, like arbor day and groundhog day? I thought I liked to have a party but this kid should be an event planner. She also has no problem telling me she likes to arrange things so they look 'fabulous', as opposed to how they looked ("Ok") when I did them. My domain of decor is that which she cannot reach- which means it's getting smaller each year. Once it's more decorated I'll post some photos. We're still deciding costume details so I can't give any ideas about who to expect to see other than a witch. I may even be in costume ha ha ha ha.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Needle felting
What is needle felting? It is the unique use of a special barbed needle, wool and an idea. All you need to succeed is a pad to protect yourself from the needle, the needle and wool. I use a large chuck of leftover upholstery foam for large work and a small chunk for smaller work. I like to be flexible. The needle is jabbed into the wool to cause tangling of the fiber which shapes the wool into whatever you want.
Sounds easy right? With some practice and a few pointers, it is easy- and fun. Poke straight up and down- don't bend the needle as it will snap very easily. Keep your fingers clear, like all needles it is sharp. When (not if) you jab yourself, stop and wash it out. First- get any possible bacteria off your finger and secondly (more importantly, if you're like me) don't get blood on your work. What are the limits? Many as you start but as you get better your imagination and time limits are the only limits. You need to experiment with wool types, ideas and what your preferences are. Some like very densely felted items while others like a softer more squishy felted object. I flux between the two depending on what I'm working on. Mostly I like to make small animals and mini dolls. Some have a wire armature so I can change the poses while others are static poses.
The seated squirrel with the acorn to the left is static while the climber is wired and can move his arms and legs a bit for hanging onto a tree of whatever. They are both all wool, not sewn but wrapped and poked into shape. #1 also needle felts but she works in flat images. We are having a display and demonstration at the Marilla Ag Day celebration on Sept. 14. A few examples of my animals and a book of #1's work along with knit then wet felted bowls by my mother will be on display. I love working in wool- it's fun, soft and amazingly forgiving as a medium. Like sculpting clay you can always add more or remove some to fix an area. The funny part is how you may start working toward one thing and find that the wool wanted to be something else so you switch gears and finish with something totally different from what you started.
And then there is the piece who starts and ends exactly as you knew it would. A small bird for my Christmas tree just needed to be simple and soft. The wool gives them an individual feel that can't be easily explained. It's like hair color- no matter how hard you try to cover grey and match your own color it's always just a bit different. Trust me there.
When you first try needle felting it's odd to make a 3D item. You start with a big puff of wool- now what? You can roll it around a wood skewer to get a start on a tight ball or you can roll by hand then start needling to keep it together. the more you needle an area the tighter it gets in that area. This allows you to sculpt subtle or big accents. You can also add on accents (like wings)by needling through the new piece into the original. These are pretty delicate in terms of play. If you pull on what you needled it can come off. I tell the kids these toys are more decorative and not good for rough play. If I'm going to make a toy for real play I sew accents on with a couple of stitches for security. nothing worse that having a cute little bird lose a wing mid flight to kill the game.
Where can you get the wool and needles? Many craft shops are now carrying the basic supplies near their yarn. Online stores are my favorite since the selection is huge. Just search needle felting, wool roving or felting and you will get hits. There are several books out about both flat and 3D needle felting. This is just a starting place. I like the wool colors I've gotten from this ebay seller and have actually met him at a weavers guild sale in Lewiston, NY.
Wool and supplies:
http://stores.ebay.com/WINDERWOODFARM_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsxQ3asstQQtZkm I have this book and love the pictures and information.
http://www.woolpets.com/book.html
Sounds easy right? With some practice and a few pointers, it is easy- and fun. Poke straight up and down- don't bend the needle as it will snap very easily. Keep your fingers clear, like all needles it is sharp. When (not if) you jab yourself, stop and wash it out. First- get any possible bacteria off your finger and secondly (more importantly, if you're like me) don't get blood on your work. What are the limits? Many as you start but as you get better your imagination and time limits are the only limits. You need to experiment with wool types, ideas and what your preferences are. Some like very densely felted items while others like a softer more squishy felted object. I flux between the two depending on what I'm working on. Mostly I like to make small animals and mini dolls. Some have a wire armature so I can change the poses while others are static poses.
The seated squirrel with the acorn to the left is static while the climber is wired and can move his arms and legs a bit for hanging onto a tree of whatever. They are both all wool, not sewn but wrapped and poked into shape. #1 also needle felts but she works in flat images. We are having a display and demonstration at the Marilla Ag Day celebration on Sept. 14. A few examples of my animals and a book of #1's work along with knit then wet felted bowls by my mother will be on display. I love working in wool- it's fun, soft and amazingly forgiving as a medium. Like sculpting clay you can always add more or remove some to fix an area. The funny part is how you may start working toward one thing and find that the wool wanted to be something else so you switch gears and finish with something totally different from what you started.
And then there is the piece who starts and ends exactly as you knew it would. A small bird for my Christmas tree just needed to be simple and soft. The wool gives them an individual feel that can't be easily explained. It's like hair color- no matter how hard you try to cover grey and match your own color it's always just a bit different. Trust me there.When you first try needle felting it's odd to make a 3D item. You start with a big puff of wool- now what? You can roll it around a wood skewer to get a start on a tight ball or you can roll by hand then start needling to keep it together. the more you needle an area the tighter it gets in that area. This allows you to sculpt subtle or big accents. You can also add on accents (like wings)by needling through the new piece into the original. These are pretty delicate in terms of play. If you pull on what you needled it can come off. I tell the kids these toys are more decorative and not good for rough play. If I'm going to make a toy for real play I sew accents on with a couple of stitches for security. nothing worse that having a cute little bird lose a wing mid flight to kill the game.
Where can you get the wool and needles? Many craft shops are now carrying the basic supplies near their yarn. Online stores are my favorite since the selection is huge. Just search needle felting, wool roving or felting and you will get hits. There are several books out about both flat and 3D needle felting. This is just a starting place. I like the wool colors I've gotten from this ebay seller and have actually met him at a weavers guild sale in Lewiston, NY.
Wool and supplies:
http://stores.ebay.com/WINDERWOODFARM_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsxQ3asstQQtZkm I have this book and love the pictures and information.
http://www.woolpets.com/book.html
September 11
I remember, like so many others do, where I was and what I was doing on this date in 2001. I was in the kitchen making breakfast for my then four and a half month old daughter. The radio was on to wben 930 when I heard the news that the World Trade Center had been hit by a plane. I remember thinking that that had to be a horrible accident until a few minutes later there was a second plane flown into the second tower. I realized we were under attack in our own country. It didn't matter that I was in a kitchen nearly 400 miles from the Towers, I was stunned. Breakfast was served that day in front of the television while watching the news, not cartoons. As the day unfolded calls flew to family and I later had to drive to work to switch finished paperwork for that which needed to be done. I drove as glued to the radio as everyone else. Work was in such a state, decisions were being made to not only close the office but to totally power down everything in case of further attacks or power interruptions. As I drove home I was thinking of my uncle, in midtown manhattan. My mother had spoken to him and he was fine and well out of harms way but just to have someone close to NYC was very intense.
The nerve to strike at our military by hitting the Pentagon! Did anyone really believe this would cripple the U.S.A.?? I think the heroes on Flight 93 are a good example of why that will never work. I heard the President today giving a speech that spoke of the steel and stone that the plane broke at the Pentagon and I immediately thought of the bodies that were broken that day but that the spirit was not broken. At the Pentagon, a group rushed and grabbed the flag and that reminds me that the USA is so much more than we hear. We live in a super power, some hate us for our excesses, or waste, or debauchery but they don't understand that none of that is what makes this country strong. It isn't the Hollywood celebrities or news making celebutantes who revel in the pathetic and unimportant, it isn't the politicians who believe everything they say to be gospel. It's the people who go about their lives everyday to make so much possible for so many. People who stop to help someone in need without batting an eye or expecting a reward. People who respect the need we have to be different from each other. We may not be able to get along all the time but in times of tragedy- so many differences, of opinion, belief, color, ethnicity- can be put aside to stand shoulder to shoulder against a threat. Terror does not work against this mentality. Terror only works against a beaten down, already terrorized population.
The news today talked of all the flags on display on September 12, 2001. Stores sold out of flags and people painted flags on their houses, made signs and flags out of anything. How many fly the flag today? I do. Our town puts the flag out for all summer on the utility poles. We also put up holiday banners for Christmas. It's a small town, a nice place to live and raise kids. We know our neighbors and help each other. We have town celebrations and work hard to remain a small town with small town values. We wave to farmers on large equipment as it rolls slowly by, we yell "Dinner's down" at 6 pm when the fire whistle sounds and we know that it's a real fire call when the whistle blows the old air raid tone. The kids move away from the street when that happens since the volunteers will be coming to the firehall quickly to help a neighbor or stranger who needs help. I buy fresh corn from the honor stand in front of the farm where it was grown. We have bonfires and roast marshmallows for fun on crisp fall evenings. We go out and help a neighbor clear snow or downed branches, trade plants from our gardens and laugh over funny moments.
Why am I so sure the USA will withstand any attack from outsiders? They don't know us. Most are like me- going about their business, trying to raise a family in peace and generally mild mannered. But when push comes to shove, we will not quit, we won't turn away and hide. We will stand up and do what needs to be done. We go where we need and try to help people through disasters all over the world with little thought for ourselves. We are just tough enough to get the job done and that is, as Martha would say, a good thing.
The nerve to strike at our military by hitting the Pentagon! Did anyone really believe this would cripple the U.S.A.?? I think the heroes on Flight 93 are a good example of why that will never work. I heard the President today giving a speech that spoke of the steel and stone that the plane broke at the Pentagon and I immediately thought of the bodies that were broken that day but that the spirit was not broken. At the Pentagon, a group rushed and grabbed the flag and that reminds me that the USA is so much more than we hear. We live in a super power, some hate us for our excesses, or waste, or debauchery but they don't understand that none of that is what makes this country strong. It isn't the Hollywood celebrities or news making celebutantes who revel in the pathetic and unimportant, it isn't the politicians who believe everything they say to be gospel. It's the people who go about their lives everyday to make so much possible for so many. People who stop to help someone in need without batting an eye or expecting a reward. People who respect the need we have to be different from each other. We may not be able to get along all the time but in times of tragedy- so many differences, of opinion, belief, color, ethnicity- can be put aside to stand shoulder to shoulder against a threat. Terror does not work against this mentality. Terror only works against a beaten down, already terrorized population.
The news today talked of all the flags on display on September 12, 2001. Stores sold out of flags and people painted flags on their houses, made signs and flags out of anything. How many fly the flag today? I do. Our town puts the flag out for all summer on the utility poles. We also put up holiday banners for Christmas. It's a small town, a nice place to live and raise kids. We know our neighbors and help each other. We have town celebrations and work hard to remain a small town with small town values. We wave to farmers on large equipment as it rolls slowly by, we yell "Dinner's down" at 6 pm when the fire whistle sounds and we know that it's a real fire call when the whistle blows the old air raid tone. The kids move away from the street when that happens since the volunteers will be coming to the firehall quickly to help a neighbor or stranger who needs help. I buy fresh corn from the honor stand in front of the farm where it was grown. We have bonfires and roast marshmallows for fun on crisp fall evenings. We go out and help a neighbor clear snow or downed branches, trade plants from our gardens and laugh over funny moments.
Why am I so sure the USA will withstand any attack from outsiders? They don't know us. Most are like me- going about their business, trying to raise a family in peace and generally mild mannered. But when push comes to shove, we will not quit, we won't turn away and hide. We will stand up and do what needs to be done. We go where we need and try to help people through disasters all over the world with little thought for ourselves. We are just tough enough to get the job done and that is, as Martha would say, a good thing.
Monday, September 1, 2008
A Dog, a Ball and a Nightmare.
I just learned about this blog today. My sister in law in Tennessee emailed me about the boycott and asked me to do the same. I investigated the whole thing as far as I can- check the company website for any sign of doing the right thing and recalling the product, read the blog on the dog victim and then forward to my dog show world connections. I'm appalled at the response, or total lack of, of this company. Here's the link to the owners blog. http://www.thechaistory.blogspot.com/
Let me know what you think.
In the meantime, here's what I think. I think if this was marketed as a kids toy it'd be all over the news. The recall would be announced on all major news channels and the CPSC (http://www.cpsc.gov/) would be sending me an email announcement. Pets get a short stick. Yeah, yeah- I know dogs aren't kids- blah blah blah. In my house they are- so there! Arthur is just as much a family member as #1 and #2. Don't bother to start about that- you'd be preaching to the willfully deaf. I grew up with dogs- breeding, training and showing them. They have slept on my bed and I've slept on the floor by a sick dog as much as or probably more than I've slept with my kids when they're sick. They all (kids and pets alike) beg and plead for what they want, they all want more of my attention than they think they get and they all are spoiled. Most days I'd rather have Arthur with me for a long ride in the car- no "are we there yet?", "can we play my CD?", "I'm hungry." etc. Nope- he'll ride shotgun for as long as I want. When he's tired or bored there is no whining about it- he just goes to sleep. He even rides buckled in- no kidding. He's got a harness and it clips to the seatbelt. At 70 pounds he wasn't going to ride on one of those little doggy seats for the itty bitty bunch. Arthur can see out the window from his seat without help. I like the dog as a family member. We chose to drive all the way to New Jersey to buy him from a breeder who raised the bullies in the house with her kids. We spent a good penny for him to get a true example of the breed. He puts up with everything the kids can dish out and never gives them a cross look. He can go to his rug (big heap of blankets he configures to his satisfaction) and be done with them although that doesn't happen often. He worships both kids- where else will a dog get attention, sloppy eaters who drop all sorts of tasty treats, the coolest toys left everywhere- some have lights and make noise when sat on by man or beast. #2 is great for opening the fridge and not caring who steals from the lower shelves. Not to mention the need #1 has to give biscuits and help train him. He'd rather sleep on the sofa with #2 climbing all over him than on his rug without #2. It's a very codependent relationship the little beasts have going. Add the cats to that and some days it's like living in a zoo- or an insane asylum after the inmates have taken over. Guess what- I'm raising the wee folk in the same vein. #1 is already going to dog shows and matches. My life is complete- another generation has gone to the dogs!
You're right- it's not Arthur. Arthur is not a conformation dog. This little furry friend belongs to #1s 3rd Grandma. A very good friend of the family and my first official employer, Marilyn, or Miss Marilyn, as #1 calls her, is another one of the kids fan club. This was at the Kennel Club of Niagara Falls sanctioned match earlier this year. The poodle took First place, Best of Breed and a group fourth. Not bad for a 7 year old who doesn't own the dog so she can't practice till she drops. The good news is- everyone there was most gracious to the kid and she really enjoyed the experience. The thrill of the ribbons and being treated like the adult exhibitors (in her mind) but with the kindness and encouragement necessary to raise the baby handlers up right really made her feel special. A big thanks to all who interacted with her that day- I'm sure you all know who you are. Every kindness shown to kids at shows helps develop the next generation of exhibitors to be the best they can be.
Back to the poor dog in the story this started about- I hope his life returns to a happy state and he adapts to his loss. It's such a rotten thing to happen just because the ball had only one hole and if you're chewing on it (c'mon folks- a chew toy???) when your tongue is on the hole it could get pulled into the hole. That's just twisted. Has anyone out there tried to tell a dog not to get his tongue near the hole on his chew toy? I'm sure someone has- people do the darndest things-have they had any luck??? If so- can you email me and help me teach #2 not to sit on balloons and then be surprised when they pop on his butt?? But (pardon the pun) that's a whole other story...
Have a Happy Labor Day, folks.
Let me know what you think.
In the meantime, here's what I think. I think if this was marketed as a kids toy it'd be all over the news. The recall would be announced on all major news channels and the CPSC (http://www.cpsc.gov/) would be sending me an email announcement. Pets get a short stick. Yeah, yeah- I know dogs aren't kids- blah blah blah. In my house they are- so there! Arthur is just as much a family member as #1 and #2. Don't bother to start about that- you'd be preaching to the willfully deaf. I grew up with dogs- breeding, training and showing them. They have slept on my bed and I've slept on the floor by a sick dog as much as or probably more than I've slept with my kids when they're sick. They all (kids and pets alike) beg and plead for what they want, they all want more of my attention than they think they get and they all are spoiled. Most days I'd rather have Arthur with me for a long ride in the car- no "are we there yet?", "can we play my CD?", "I'm hungry." etc. Nope- he'll ride shotgun for as long as I want. When he's tired or bored there is no whining about it- he just goes to sleep. He even rides buckled in- no kidding. He's got a harness and it clips to the seatbelt. At 70 pounds he wasn't going to ride on one of those little doggy seats for the itty bitty bunch. Arthur can see out the window from his seat without help. I like the dog as a family member. We chose to drive all the way to New Jersey to buy him from a breeder who raised the bullies in the house with her kids. We spent a good penny for him to get a true example of the breed. He puts up with everything the kids can dish out and never gives them a cross look. He can go to his rug (big heap of blankets he configures to his satisfaction) and be done with them although that doesn't happen often. He worships both kids- where else will a dog get attention, sloppy eaters who drop all sorts of tasty treats, the coolest toys left everywhere- some have lights and make noise when sat on by man or beast. #2 is great for opening the fridge and not caring who steals from the lower shelves. Not to mention the need #1 has to give biscuits and help train him. He'd rather sleep on the sofa with #2 climbing all over him than on his rug without #2. It's a very codependent relationship the little beasts have going. Add the cats to that and some days it's like living in a zoo- or an insane asylum after the inmates have taken over. Guess what- I'm raising the wee folk in the same vein. #1 is already going to dog shows and matches. My life is complete- another generation has gone to the dogs!
You're right- it's not Arthur. Arthur is not a conformation dog. This little furry friend belongs to #1s 3rd Grandma. A very good friend of the family and my first official employer, Marilyn, or Miss Marilyn, as #1 calls her, is another one of the kids fan club. This was at the Kennel Club of Niagara Falls sanctioned match earlier this year. The poodle took First place, Best of Breed and a group fourth. Not bad for a 7 year old who doesn't own the dog so she can't practice till she drops. The good news is- everyone there was most gracious to the kid and she really enjoyed the experience. The thrill of the ribbons and being treated like the adult exhibitors (in her mind) but with the kindness and encouragement necessary to raise the baby handlers up right really made her feel special. A big thanks to all who interacted with her that day- I'm sure you all know who you are. Every kindness shown to kids at shows helps develop the next generation of exhibitors to be the best they can be.
Back to the poor dog in the story this started about- I hope his life returns to a happy state and he adapts to his loss. It's such a rotten thing to happen just because the ball had only one hole and if you're chewing on it (c'mon folks- a chew toy???) when your tongue is on the hole it could get pulled into the hole. That's just twisted. Has anyone out there tried to tell a dog not to get his tongue near the hole on his chew toy? I'm sure someone has- people do the darndest things-have they had any luck??? If so- can you email me and help me teach #2 not to sit on balloons and then be surprised when they pop on his butt?? But (pardon the pun) that's a whole other story...
Have a Happy Labor Day, folks.
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