Learning how to be greatful

My hands are killing me today- which isn't a bad thing because it means I have orders.  Orders that will help cover the cost for more yarn (and what hooker doesn't love more yarn??) and profit from these orders will also go to our family Christmas fund and then to an emergency/get out of debt fund.

We don't do anything big, mainly anything spent normally goes to our son. My husband and I try to do little things for each other when we can through the year as neither of us are really into the material things (he asked me this year if i wanted anything and I said more of my Lions Brand Yarn to finish our cuddle blanket for our bed- its a king size... lots of yarn is needed- but otherwise, I normally say no).  We keep it simple. It keeps us from getting too stressed out about buying each others affection. Please bear in mind that I mean no offense to anyone who exchanges gifts with their spouse or significant other. Money is always pretty tight for us, so making any big purchases take a small act of Congress and a lot of planning on our part. 

Little things like making breakfast or letting the other sleep in when there has been a long night or giving the other some peace and quiet through the week are just some of the typical things.  We have gotten a ton of snow over the last couple of days and instead of my hubby cleaning off, warming up and topping off the washer fluids yesterday- I did it. Not because I wanted/needed anything but just because.

It still shocks me when I have to go shopping (I hate it, i'm a crazy deranged freak of nature- unless its a craft store- which is like Barney's for me) and I hear "I have to have this" or "You have to buy this for me, or I'll die".  Last I checked, you probably don't need this and the likelyhood of your dying for not getting the object is slim to none, but you may get trampled to death to make a good sale. I was grocery shopping with the hubby the other night and the buggy and I love to people watch with Buggy but I don't always like the behavior he may pick up from them.

He doesn't always understand when he sees something he wants (he's almost four- shopping in general is a crap shoot with him either it goes well or I want to jump in a well), asks for it and I say no.  I'm always very honest with him about why not now (I never go into too much detail- I don't need to stress him out at all) but I try to set something he can work towards a goal for. Its not foolproof, but it works for us and what I care to explain to him. We don't elaborate on the fact that some days we don't have a pot to tinkle in and some days are feast days. It amazes me though, when we are out to see the amount of parents who aimlessly give and give and give to apease the greed of their children all to make them happy and quiet.

I would hate to be you when your children turn into teenagers and young adults and expect that type of handout from you. Furthermore, they will continuously expect that type of handout from everyone for the rest of their lives. I will state that I had been given almost everything my parents thought I needed and most of the time asked for growing up. I was extremely lucky growing up.  I didn't know hardship or going without until my early 20's. Trust me, its no right of passage to go hungry and you are no better a person to not ask for help to save your ego.  I learned a ton of hard lessons that I was never taught early on but I'm thankful I had the time to do so before having my son.

We are in a better place than we were when he was born, but we are not affluent by any means.  We have food, a roof over our head, utilities are on and we have each other. Our car is used (maintained wonderfully by the Hubby), our clothes are good for what they are- clothes.  I'm not going to be walking in fashion week anytime soon but I'm ok with that, we have heat and food and our Charlie Brown Christmas tree up in our living room. We have each other and each others time to share.

Life has become too hectic, too fast paced and too extravagent for our own good. People feed the need for more all too much without honestly looking at all those things and asking "Do I need it?"

We try to instill this very idea to our son.  Yes we may want it, but do we need it?  Can we live w/o it or is it a necessity?  We learn to go with out not out of wanting to make our lives difficult but in turn fills our lives with something so much more fulfilling.  We truly learn to be greatful for what is in our lives and if it is something we truly want and need, then it is a goal to work towards, not something that is instantly gratifying.  You feel no sense of pride when you can easily get anything you want at a moments notice.  Thats why this blanket I'm making for hubby and I will be wonderful when I do finish it. We will have saved for the yarn and I'll have squirreled away a little bit of extra time to make something we can use all the time.

When I hear people complain that they can't drive a damaged car that has minor cosmetic damage on it because it doesn't look pretty- I want to hit my head against the wall.  The Lord keeps me from doing so and reminds me that everyone has a different perspective on life- some more outlandish than others. I'm leaning to be greatful and thankful for everything, whether great or small, that I have.  I'm learning how to stop craving for mundane material items because they won't enrich my life longterm. He loves us all, plain and simple.

So there is my long winded ramble. This was all spawned by someone I had to speak with this morning who was so upset about have a scratch on her car and not having pretty that she wanted a rental car... every day I hear all different types of quips from people. Today

Bad Blog Keeper

Oooo I'm a bad blogger. I've been busy lately working on a couple of orders and posting has gotten away from me. Below are a few of the items I've been busy making.



 

A super cute Slouchy Beret.  Found the video on Youtube of a Red Hart Pattern and the woman is an angel and super easy to follow.

 

Super cute Arm Warmers/fingerless gloves. These were made for a friend of mine.

I looked at a couple of differnt patterns and kinda meshed them into my own design of sorts.

 

  These are my funky ones. Yep- never a quite moment, even in clothing.

 

Its nice that word of mouth has been picking up slowly to get me accustomed to making orders and getting everything done perfectly (because I'm a crazy control freak and perfectionist) with out having to take time off from my normal job to scramble to get everything done.

 

Hubby was super kind to rangle Buggy on Sunday for me so I could finish working on the order and making the most amazing chicken dinner. No pictures of that- it was way to yummy to wait for me not to eat it right away.

 

Buggy will be 4 next month and I know alot of the national holidays and days of remembrance kind of go right over his head, but I would like to think that he should hear about what people did, especially during WWII.  Saturday was Pearl Harbor Day. It is really hard to think about all the amazing men and women who served that day and everyday for our country without talking to Buggy about it. But something that was seriously weighing on me was how to approach such a topic with an almost four year old with the attention span of a Jack Russell (I love him and can say it with a smile- thank you!)?  Very carefully.  I talked very honestly about the day and since he has a true love of airplanes, boats and water, like most boys his age, I was able to explain where it was, very basically what happened.  No gory details, no scaring the bejesus out of him.  There was no point to go into more detail than just the bare necessities but to let him know who was involved and what happened more or less.

 

Which brought me to a more poignant question that i discussed with hubby- how do you explain or how much do you explain about national tragedies with your children?  I feel this is a very personal answer and I will share mine because it is very personal to me.

 

I'm from Newtown (as I said earlier) and the 1 year anniversary of Sandy Hook is coming up this weekend. Its still so raw and tear jerking for me and I still find myself in tears at times when you hear about it in the news or a thought comes to mind. I won't lie, I've caught myself crying in front of my son and he is so sweet but very confused as to why mommy is upset.

 

We have struggled at times to figure out whats appropriate to even say. My son has some difficulties with his speech and his social/emotional behavior (i.e. he had fluid build up in his ears- causing a speech delay- delaying some of his abilities to play and relate to other kids) and I've never been able to really gage how much he understands sometimes but I figure I keep it simple. I know that I have told him something sad happened where mommy used to live which makes her sad. Right now that is enough.  He doesn't see any news casts, nor do I have anything really playing in the house--with the exception of the day the 911 calls came out (thank you FOX News for being heartless as the devil) and I was skimming through the channels and picked up on them, worst thing I've ever heard. He knew I was upset and I blammed it on stubbing my toe.

 

Poor buggy. Moms a klutz. Until my son is old enough to not just old enough to understand what is said and really what happened, we keep it simple. Everytime something happens in this country/world we have to take a step back and evaluate whether or not this is something we need to discuss with our son.  every family is different. everyone is different. I've finally been able to talk about it and not cry. Its something that we will never "get over" but will learn from it and grow from it.

 

#Newtownstrong

Holiday craft time

Woot, thanksgiving is done and over with! Hubby and I ventured out today to get him new work boots and some crafty stuff for me. I got an entire bolt of plaid flannel fabric for under $14 today plus a ton of buttons and a pounder roll for all under $25. That is just ridiculous!! A project that I've wanted to work on for awhile, at the hubby's request, is a flannel night shirt. I have no pattern to work off of, so I free traced a shirt of his choice and got it all cut out today. I'm hoping this weekend to try and get it sewn together but, well, we all know bow the best laid plans go. I'm finishing up the ad one pair of fingerless arm warmers and I'm happy how they turned out. I have black and a pretty rose/blue/light yellow green ombre one. These will be listed I my Etsy store shortly. I love that I have finally gotten into my crazy crafty side but I have four different project going on. I make myself laugh sometimes. A not so funny thing is my sweet kitty Jackson Rose passed away on Wednesday. She had been sick for sometime and I was going to put her down today but she was did everything on her own terms. She was my buddy and my lean to after I went through a lumpectomy to have a breast tumor removed 7 years ago. It seems surreal. I'll miss my baby.

Owls and washcloths and business cards- OH MY!

Crazy week crafters!  I have been working and reworking arm warmers and i've have just the most aweful time getting three different patterns to work.  So last night I put down the arm warmer and taught myself a new stich- the ripple.

Super fun and I will admit much easier than I thought it would be. Then I started making more of my lovely dish/washcloths.  They are made with Lily's Sugar 'N Cream in this beautiful ombre of pink, green, yellow and blue.  I forgot to write down the name of it but I got it at Joanne fabric.

They are going to be a part of a crocheted box with washcloths gift set for your bathroom.  Love cotton yarn. So versitile and lasts forever.

Also want to wish my Hubby a happy five year anniversary.  I know it hasn't been a smooth ride, more like Mr. Toads Wild Ride at times but we are all still alive and kicking!

Other news- my new business cards came in and they are so cute. They have little owls on them and they were free (I just paid shipping).

I'll admit, I was really hesitant starting something like a little craft business because I've never done anything like this before.  I'm really taking a huge leap of faith with starting this endevour.  It could fail or it could do well.  Who knows!!

all for now

later hookers!

Boot Cuffs listed on Etsy

Womens Crochet Boot Cuffs with Scalloped Edging

Boots, Boots and more boots.

Morning Y'all.  I didn't go shopping, I promise but I did spend most of yesterday making boot cuff for my store on Etsy. They are super cute and surprisingly very easy to make.  I got the pattern from Ravelry.com and the author is Autumn Berry Crochet.

They are the most popular boot cuff pattern and I can understand why. I currently have them in black, heather grey, safe green and aflan fleck.

I am thankful for having a chunk of yesterday to sit and crochet to get some of these projects done.  I have to find time to fit them in during my day and night as well while trying to find that very delicate balance of me/family time.

I do want to send my thoughts and prayers to those in the Midwest.  Those storms that rolled through I heard were horrible and I pray for every one's safety.  I know when the bad line of storms came through about 10:30 pm last night, it was like the gates of hell opened. The wind picked up to 60 mph and the wind was going sideways and you couldn't see the closest lights- everything literally went black outside.  Creepiest thing I've ever seen.

One thing I'm not grateful for- group text messaging. Seriously- I hate it. I get the purpose behind it but honestly its annoying when there are more than 2 people in the message because everyone has to respond at least once. Especially since I'm at work and I'm watching my phone dance around my desk due to a group text message. Send me a recap, like a group meeting summary, and if i need to respond, I will.

I don't want to sound anti-social, I'm not, its just that I like handling one conversation at a time- not talking to four or five people through text messaging. Email works great for that if possible. I am not always a huge taker for all the new technology especially when it gets on my ever lasting nerve.

end rant for the morning.

Happy Hooking.

simple things

Today I'm thankful for a hot cup of coffee and a few moments of quiet I get each day.

So I'll be delivering my second order of drink mittens and matching mittens tonight- woot! I've started making some wonderful boot cuffs in a nice dark Heather grey. They are really shaping up nicely.

I'm one of the unlucky women who can't wear boots since I have man calves. Years and years of dance and equal amount of laziness equals man calves. The pattern I found was the highest rated one on Raverly.com and I'm very happy with its simplicity. I've also gotten orders for fingerless gloves and slouch hats.

 I wanted to highlight a fellow classmates incredible journey this year. Last year on December 14th, the most unimaginable act took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School. 26 children and educators were killed. Sandy Hook is located in Newtown where I lived for part of my youth. It's a place I will always call home, even when I have lived in other parts of the country. I was at work and got a news update about a mass shooting in town. I fell to the floor next to my desk and couldn't breathe. It was horrible to watch and even more horrible to know that this happened in the First place. 

Newtown is an Incredible town. I'm very proud of Lindsay for accomplishing her goal this year. Take a look @ her blog. Truly proud of my fellow Townie. She is asking everyone to follow her and run 1 race in their memory.

26 in 2013 For Sandy Hook

snow and what I realized about being thankful

First flakes fell yesterday. Welcome to the land of ice and snow. Of course our ride in this morning, you would have expected some lake effect snow falling as everyone had forgotten how to drive.  I can't blame them because we haven't gotten a decent snowfall in something like 2 years.

With the holidays fast approaching, we tend to lose focus on what is really important.

**disclaimer** I am not going to judge what someone else values as important or what someone feels grateful for. I do not judge what god/goddess you believe in. These are just my thoughts.

 

The holidays are always an exciting time of the year with family gatherings, new experiences for young ones and spending time with the ones you love. As Scrooge as this sounds- I have grown to dislike it more and more each year. I love my family but it seams that each year we are supposed to do more- give more- have more extravagant gifts and parties and yadda yadda.

 

I greatly dislike how distracted we've become as a society as to what is truly important. Each year we have to go bigger and better and more quantity. We trample each other in big box stores to get the last Furby or whatever the new it toy is. When our kids see the news later and see mom knocking out the neighbor down the street for the last toy- it sets the wrong precedent.

 

I was told recently that I have to start looking at what I have and figure out what it means to be grateful and reflect on what I do have. Its a hard fish to swallow my friends. Growing up, I can't remember a time when I really ever went without.  I have to hand it to my parents for that because we never went hungry, had clean clothes (some that I hated) and did whatever activities we wanted (cheerleading, dance, color guard, band... you get the picture). I didn't really know what it was like to go hungry or without until the last 6-10 years. Going to college and having to support myself really showed me I had no idea what I was doing. I spent more than I had or would make for a long time, got myself into nasty debt and 9 out of 10 times I would run out of money before grocery shopping.

 

I'm 33 now and raising a family of my own. Times got REALLY lean for us. Money has been tight (like really tight) for a while.  We have gone without to make sure Buggy has what he needs (clothing, stuff for school, a little something special every once in a while). We never went on a honeymoon and we rent an apartment (its crappy and I'll never say anything good about it other than it is a roof over our heads). I've gotten pretty angry over the last year because I would really love to have a house and a space for my husband to work on cars. A place where my son can run outside. I've been thinking a lot about what I want.

 

Shaking my head, I now realize, I'm selfish. We do have a lot. We have the crappy roof over our heads in a good school district (I refuse to move to the next biggest city for cheaper living expenses because the school are horrible there and the crime is ridiculous) so my son can receive his speech therapy and OT in a special preschool. We have a good, used car that gets us where we need to be. We have each other. As I write this, I tear up because I don't think I really think about this enough. My boys are all I have.  I'm not close to my family for a variety of reasons that won't be mentioned as its not pertinent, which make them even more special.

 

What I give to them each day has fallen short of what I would expect for myself. I have raved and yelled about wanting to be in a better place for us but not really seeing that we do have a lot right now.  The rest will come in time, it always does.

 

So today, I'm thankful for my boys and black tea. My Buggy has been sick ~ which causes long nights for mama ~ which calls for several cups of black tea in the morning.

Someone has a case of the....

Yep, it's Monday.  Momma J is going to be a busy bee in the near future. We've got a bunch of new orders locally through my awesome friends and family for more drink mittens and mittens and fingerless glove/mittens and slouch hats oh my!

Phew.  Now if anyone know how to make more time in my day so I can work my yarn and spend time with my family.  I guess there really isn't ever enough time.

So another birthday has come and gone and I turned the big 33. I laugh sometimes when I think of the natural progession of the big (enter number) birthdays. You have 16, 18, 21 and then its a little hazy.  Some people get excited every year and some dread it as it marks another year down. I'm in between. Yes, it is another year but I made it through another year.

The last year or two has been extremely tough for us financially for one reason or another.  Hubby and I have been working as best we can on it.  Our financial woes is actually one of the reasons I started Momma J's. Just a little extra for a bill or to help Buggy potty train (bribery is always warranted) or for Christmas or really for more yarn (I can't lie). I know alot of others who have been put into a far worse situation since the economic downturn (upturn/whichever direction we are in now) that I can't really complain. I'm very lucky to have such a patient family who puts up with this deranged lady and all the yarn that has been accumilating in my home.

I've been coming into my faith lately and I know that he has a plan... one skein at a time- he has a plan for me and my family. 

I finished my cowel this weekend, so i'll be posting a pic hopefully tonight and have the listing put on Etsy with a link.

Happy Hooking!

Woohoo!

I finally got the blog up and running!  Welcome to the Yarnery!  I'm the deranged yarn lady- Momma J. I've realized I have a bit of a love affair with yarn. Sad, I know- but oh so true. A few months before my son was born (about 4 years ago), I began to nest. Nest lots of YARN. Fast forward almost 4 years later and I dug it all out and taught myself to crochet (thank you YouTube).

There is something about the feel of yarn when I'm working with it and knowing that shortly (or sometimes years later) something magical will take shape. Good thing I can do this because honestly, I'm not that great at other crafts. I do have a crazy sewing machine that I haven't used yet but that's another story for another time.

So why blog about yarn and crocheting and god knows what else?  Why not! I've started my very on Etsy store (link is in my about me section) where I make homemade crochet and household items.  I would love to have a little place to show you about my life and my crafts.  Plus, too, I'm a barrel of laughs.

These are my favorites to whip up right now. The multi-functional dish/washcloth are made of Lily Sugar and Cream in Chocolate Ombre. One of the reasons <3 them is because they will last almost forever and are so much easier to care for. When its time, throw it in the washing machine and you have a clean rag again. You cut down on the nasty sponges and they are even soft enough for your own personal washcloth. I used them for our dishes, my washcloth, awesome for scrubbing my bathtub.  The other nice thing is they do help cut down (long term) my expenses. Trust me, it's nothing life altering but its money I can use else where.

Dish/Washcloths in Lily Sugar and Cream Chocolate Ombre

One of my goals is to use the extra money to start to cut out our debt and to eventually work on getting a place of our own. A nice little hobby farm somewhere with some crazy chickens, a goat/sheep (still not sure but I'm thinking sheep so I can eventually make my own yarn) and a beautiful milk cow. An awesome garden that can provide us our vegetables and maybe an orchard. Yep- its all about the yarn!