So here's the deal...

Spring is fleeting, summer is short, and fall comes too fast before winter starts all over again. We live in a cul-de-sac with four houses and are are friendly terms with nearly all our neighbors. And neighbors not just in the cul-de-sac, but up and down the street as well.

Except one.

Before we moved here, there was an incident that left 'bad blood' in the neighborhood.

The first summer we were here, the police were summoned three times. Last summer? It was closer to eight.

I'm not even close to kidding.

In the spring, summer and fall, we like to light up a bonfire (contained) and have a drink or two with the neighbors. Usually it's in the next door neighbor's driveway, and we keep the noise reasonable. We stand around and talk. We're getting old here, you know.

One neighbor doesn't like it.

Sometimes, yes, it does get late and maybe a little loud. For the most part? It's not.

Rather than "be the grownup," she likes to call the police. It's gotten to the point that they know what's going on, but they have to respond.

When the squad car pulled into the cul-de-sac, there were four of us in our garage, and four next door. He started next door, and then came over to our place. He was nearly embarrassed. "Guys, we've had an anonymous call (Hubs and I start snickering - duh, we know who it is), about loud voices. I'm supposed to tell you to keep it down." We chat a bit, I mean, he's just doing his job, and he goes on his merry way to deal with real criminals.

All I can think at this point, is if this is how she's choosing to live her life, it's going to be a long summer for her...


...

Mark your calendars...

Tonight was the first nice night since October.

We were standing in the garage talking.

The police stopped by.

We were too loud.

Talking. In the garage.

Anyone want to venture a guess what the tally of police visits will be by the end of summer?


...

Lauren's Quilt

Aka - the Double Secret Probation Project.

It started innocently enough...
Thirty nine white squares went out in the mail. You know that scene from Seinfeld where George's fiancee dies from the glue on the envelopes? Yea. Something like that. Anyway, with me it made 40.

What to do... I knew I wanted pink and brown. I settled on a jelly roll of "All You Need is Love" fabric from Moda. Cut the jelly rolls and waited in anticipation for the return envelopes to start arriving.

Eventually I had them all, and was able to get started.


Doesn't look like much now, does it?

I roughly sketched out a color placement. I knew this wouldn't be final, but it was a good place to start.



I laid them out on the kitchen table, and soon discovered it wasn't big enough.


Put them together: top, bottom, press, left, right, press. Repeat. Again. And Again.


I finally gave up the table and put them on the floor. The kids had strict instructions: do not touch them, do not step on them, if you pick one up... I'll... I'll... I'll get really, really mad.


Left to right to make rows, then sew the rows together.
"Sandwich" the backing, batting and quilt top, and um... Quilt it.



Quilting's done, that means sew the binding. I meant to get more pictures, but it was two in the morning when I stitched the binding on the front.



It's starting to look like something now...

A blurry picture - hand stitching the back of the binding...

Did I mention it was really late? I finally gave up and went to bed. Up bright and early the next morning to finish.



Viola.

Overall, I'm very pleased with this, and I think Lauren is too. This quilt is like a long-distance hug from her Mom Friends. I certainly hope I don't have to make another pink ribbon quilt.

And... There was even enough fabric left over for a bag to hold it.


Lauren... Know that you're in our thoughts and prayers each and every day!

...

I am in lust

Straight from the fabric store...
1880's reproduction fabrics. Oy.

It's going to be turned into a signature quilt for my son's Kindergarten teacher. As soon as I'm done, I'm going to have to get some for myself!

Have a great day!

...

On a lighter note.

Though I didn't have a day of unfettered crafting on Mother's Day, I did manage to whip up a couple things.

First: A small pouch for my new camer. I've been nagging my husband that I'd like something smaller to keep in my purse. Now, I have it. He told me that they make pouches, but really... Isn't this cuter?



And see that? It's a real button and button hole - no more velcro for me. Well, at least not as much!

Both of the fabrics are from my stash. I used leftover batting from a quilt to give it a little cushion.



And, my "Baby" wanted a blanket for her baby. All of this was once again, in my stash, including the leftover batting.



And of course, baby needs a pillow.

It was fun to do a couple quick projects and see them to fruition the same day.

Not much else. Yesterday I started a duvet cover for our down comforter. The Toddler tried to paint her own toe nails on my bed, and now I have both pink and red nail polish on it.

The upside is it was a comforter I bought five years ago from overstock.com for $50.

The down side is I'm working with seven yards of 90" material. That's a lot of material. All I have left are the button holes and buttons. Husband asked if it was what I 'wanted.' I told him I didn't want a new comforter right now. Maybe when I re-do the bedroom I will, but right now I like the $25 dollar fix, versus the cost of a new comforter.

...

Shards of glass

Something happened last night that left me slack-jawed and staring.

I can bend, and bend, and bend.

Eventually, I will break.

I am so close to that point, I can feel it.

Happy Birthday, My Boy.

Last night, I curled up beside him.

"Mama, I'm so excited I can't sleep."

Why?

"Tomorrow is my birthday. I'm going to be SIX!"

I know. That is very exciting.

I laid with him for a few minutes trying to memorize that very moment. The smell of his hair, the look of his face, the feel of his ever growing body snuggled with mine - just hold on to it for a minute.

Already the details I never thought I'd forget are fading. Eight pounds, how many ounces? Was it 8:20 am or 10 am? Twenty or twenty one inches long?

I do remember it was Mother's Day. I hadn't slept well all night, and finally decided around 7 am to call my mom. We were supposed to go to her house for Mother's Day. 'Mom, looks like we won't make brunch.' They rushed down to watch our then only child. She was still asleep in her little toddler bed when we left. I caressed her downy curls as I shed a quick tear knowing that not only would our lives change, hers would too. Quick hugs and off we went.

We arrived at the hospital, and I waddled up to the registration desk. 'I'm having a baby.' The gal smiled and asked if I could walk to Labor and Delivery or did I need a wheelchair. 'I can't make that decision right now.' She smiled again, knowingly, and replied that someone would be right with me. My husband arrived from parking the car the same minute the attendant came with a wheelchair.

Upon arriving at Labor and Delivery, we were informed that the Inn Was Full, but we could wait in the interim room. Checked in, IV'ed and ready to wait. At least there was a TV. All too soon, it was time. They wheeled me to the OR, as the room didn't have the 'functional necessities' that the birthing suites did. I was promised that there were several mothers leaving, and by the time I was done, they'd have a suite ready for me. At that time, I really didn't care - I just wanted to be done.

At the OR, the doctor walked in, sat on the foot of the bed, and checked things out. "Wow, fully dilated and effaced - you're ready to go!" He started telling a joke when the need to push struck.

There is nothing like the need to push. Nothing.

He looked again and the baby's head was nearly out, he quickly robed up and delivered.

One push.

One push and I was The Mama to The Boy.

He didn't holler right away, he'd sucked in some meconium right before birth. That was quickly suctioned out, and then he started right it.

Soon enough we were wheeled back to the interim room. It had gone so fast a room still wasn't ready. No problem for me, the baby was out - that's all that mattered.

All the nurses told me what a beautiful baby he was. 'I know you say that to everyone.' No, they said, we don't - he really is a beautiful baby. 'Thank you.' Was all I could reply.

Before long, a room was ready and I got situated. Took a shower, dried my hair, put on a little makeup, felt eighty pounds lighter though I'd probably only lost about ten, I got ready for our now big sister to meet her younger brother.

The rest of the day went by in a blur.

These days you're into Star Wars and Legos, and Star Wars Legos. You play outside every chance you get, and are a whiz playing baseball and riding your bike. You out-wear your jeans before you out-grow your jeans. There are so many things you're good at, and I can't wait to see what you're ready to do next.

Happy Birthday, my boy, Happy Birthday.

All I want for Mother's Day...

Is one reasonably good picture of my kids...

Happy Mother's Day!

Wait a minute, Mr. Postman

The double-secret-probation project?

It's in the mail.
More details to follow after it is received.

...

Never say never...

You know how people without kids casually throw out "never" and "always"?

Yea.

I was "never" going to have a kid's party at the Mouse House. Got that? N.E.V.E.R.

Guess what?





It really wasn't that bad. The key was the party was from 10:00 am - 11:30 am. We left just ast it was starting to get busy.

The Boy had a great time, but we're trying to convince him he's not 'really' six until Monday.

...