Word Vomit and Gratitude Sunday

I'm loving watching these Littles of mine grow. This week has been hard for us. Almost all their toys and games have been boxed up, furniture is being moved, and we're out of catsup because I refuse to buy anymore food we won't use up before we leave. i'm mean like that i guess. but really, what am i supposed to do with a twice used bottle of catsup? And with all this unpleasant change has come outbursts and temper tantrums and disagreements... and about half of that is me. in my defense, i was also sick AND it was my Shark Week. But despite all this, I see my kids and their perfect moments... the ones that happen all day long but maybe I'm not paying enough attention and I miss it. Just now, I finished nursing the ManChild and gently got up to pee, "I'll be right back," I said, "I'm just going potty. Sissy will hold your hand." I wasn't gone but maybe a moment and when I came back, they were still holding hands, fast asleep. 


I know I've been neglecting this silly little blog. Which is super lame of me, I have brilliant ideas to share all day long. But to be honest, blogging and moving sucks. I feel like I complain about it all the time and no one likes a whiney blogger. but SHIT! moving totally blows. didn't i just pack this godam crap? I've been so caught up in not-organizing that there are no knitting pictures... heck, there's been literally and absolutely zero knitting. And I know at least some of you dear readers come for the yarn. don't pretend you don't. There also haven't been any kid pictures either really. Well, my camera hates me. It says asshole things like "no, i won't focus on that awesome texture," and "sorry, sweetheart, but we all know your kids/knitting/dog/those mountains are cuter blurry/dark/bright/not in the shot." ok, maybe the last one is my fault. And since getting hit with the world's hugest over use fee on my data plan fuck you att, I've been pretty anal about my phone usage too. So yay! blog with no pics whoohoo!!!! And I don't know why else anyone would read this silly totally awesome blog. Except maybe for the diapers. I promise I have an awesome cloth diapering a toddler/potty training post coming up... if I ever actually sit down to write it. Oh and we've been reading awesome things, so I have a post in my head for both Ginny's Yarn Along and Unschool Monday... But I have to actually write those too... shit.

But today, what I do have, is Gratitude Sunday with Taryn. Her posts are always so magikal, I wish everyone would go over and read some of them. Also, she and her husband, Jeff, make the most wondrous buttons and things out of reclaimed wood and wood the find on their property, as well as salves and ointments, that they sell at their Etsy shop. 

Oh well. I'm so grateful for everyone who reads this blog and all my ridiculous word vomit. It would be cool to hear from some readers, if any care to comment, what types of things you'd like to hear more of... give me some ideas. 

I'm so grateful that my family is letting the kids and I stay with them for a few months while Huz gets some more things finished.

I'm soooo grateful to Snoop Lion for hosting my man's first EP. I'm grateful that Snoop let Huz use his studio, I'm grateful to DaeOne for making the beats all original, right there during the sesh. 

And most of all, I'm so grateful to my man. I'm thankful that I get to see his face on and off thru out the months. I'm thankful for 6 years and 2 beautiful babies. he still thinks i'm hot, even when i don't. I'm thankful that his job is structured to give us time apart to miss each other, lol. 

thank you air, thank you blood, thank you fire and water and body. today was an awesome day.

gratitude*sunday*again

{Sunday's heartfelt tradition. A time to slow down, to reflect, to be grateful. A list of gratitudes.}

I just felt like doing it again... simpler.

:: for growing plants and green things.

:: for dirt and moss and worms

:: for rain and sky

:: for sage and mint and herbs

:: for my dreams of our little farm in maine, waiting for us to find it.

:: for my family asleep upstairs. my beautiful children, who know nothing of the fear and worry that parents feel when planning a huge life change on a shoe string budget. my silly husband, who always plugs along with hope and optimism no matter what.

:: for water. fresh water...

:: for sage..........


go see taryn, if you didn't after my first post... she's wonderful.

Gratitude Sunday.

I'm joining Taryn over at WoolyMossRoots for her wonderful Gratitude Sunday

{Sunday's heartfelt tradition. A time to slow down, to reflect, to be grateful. A list of gratitudes.}

:: Fresh, growing herbs in pots. Trader Joe's has mini herb gardens right now, so the kids and I got one with mint, marjoram, and stevia. I've even been using the herbs!

:: Making Magik Potion every 2 days. 1 cucumber, 1 lemon, a few hands full of fresh mint leaves, maybe some stevia, and a ton of fresh grated ginger. It soaks over night in the fridge, then in the morning it crisp and refreshing. 

:: My kids have been showing me that they are eager to learn and explore and I have been rising to the task. Marbles, cards, growing herbs, cars, and books are some of our most favorite playthings right now.

:: The FlyLady. There I said it. Lately the desire to change my life and cease my slobbish behavior has become so overwhelming that I am actually using the FlyLady as a guide. I still don't get "dressed to my shoes"... well, ever. But I do get dressed and wash my face every morning, I shine my sink, I have started creating a routine and writing it down. The change hasn't seemed to spread any further than the kitchen yet, but this is a slow process of building new habits to replace the sloppy one. I'm not the World's Worst Homemaker for nuthin yaknow.

::  In house laundry. 'nuff said.

:: Sin City Knits Knit Night. I might go on and on about knit night, people who know me are sure to agree, but I can't stop. I love it so

:: Coconut Oil. And the amazing process called Oil Pulling. Since I started doing it, my teeth are cleaner, smoother, whiter... everything-er.

~currently pissed at (and yes, really truly grateful for) fucking technology. so many aspects of it make life more streamlined and photogenic and fun and i love and then it fucking stops working. presumably because the elf that lives inside and makes it go is on his smoke break. gggaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!

Gratitude Sunday

I'm joing Taryn over at Wooly Moss Roots for her wonderful list of a week full of things to be grateful for...


~In this economy it is hard to justify taking the whole family to see a movie, but this week Huz took all of us, both kids, both of us, and his teenage nephew to see the new Madagascar movie. It was a ton of fun, I don't know that the movie was all the way worth the $3million for tix and popcorn, but the experience was. I think it was The ManChild's first real movie and he loved it. I loved watching his face when ever there was running or flying or dancing or and -ing, really. That boy sure does love his action words. lol.


~There were many new experiences for the kids and I this week.
     -I went to a local Knit Night all by myself. This is major because sometime after KaBean was born,            my anti social tendancies really took over and now I get this horrible, shaking fear right before I meet new people. I've never really been a large-gathering-full-of-strangers type of person, I need to have at least one person I know involved and close by so I don't feel fully freaked out. Jodi knows, she's been taking me to parties since before I was brave enough to drive. But I went to the Knit Night because I knew I was going stir crazy and for the sake of my self and my family, I needed to get out, have adult conversation, feel my blood rush and tummy drop. I feel better. Balls out.
     -KaBean Sat thru the whole movie. She is like me, I think. Well, she loves meeting new people, but she is very sensitive to loud sounds and big energy. Our movie theatre back in the Bragg isn't really loud. I mean sorta, but not really. The theatre we went to the other day was verrrryyy loud. I was worried that she was going to cover her ears and want to go home, which we would have done, even after the $80bajillion $3million tix and popcorn. But she didn't. She asked me if I could turn it down and I told her no, but offered to take her home if she wanted. She said she wanted to stay so we watched the whole movie. She left happy and talking about the movie, so I guessed she survived. yay!
     - We went to a block party at Huz's gym. It was soooo not my idea of fun. *see above* There was loud music being DJd from the balcony and pumped out of unnecessarily large speakers, there were people all over the room trying to yell at each other over the music. And it was in a gym. But we survived. Huz was in his element, shaking hands, networking, holding the kids, I was impressed. He doesn't read this ever, so I can say nice things from time to time. Not too often incase it gets back to him, but really, I love watching him work, I always have. He sort of glows or radiates awesomeness and people are just attracted to it. The ManChild had fun, he likes to see lots of things all the time, and KaBean warmed up to it eventually, though she did tell me she disliked the loudness of it all several times, but each time I offered to take her home, she refused. *shrug* Another new experience for her that she totally kicked. I'm loving watching her grow. Very very cool.


~I spent the BBQ outside on the phone with one of my closest and falls into the category of "friends since elementary school". She has been one of the women in my life to show up with backed goods when I needed it most, my kids love her dog and her husband. She's rad. Anyway. I spent the whole time outside in 100 (how do i make the little degree sign?) degree heat because she is awesome! Lime for real, I'm so proud of her right now, I can't contain myself, but I will. Maybe she got a promotion. Maybe they are buying a house. Maybe she baked her fist vegan pizza crust from wheat she grew in her back yard. Who knows? But I love her, and I'm thrilled to bits!


I know this isn't totally a list, more of random little bits of my week, bits that rocked or were learning moments. I'm grateful for this life I lead and the people I have around me. It's time to stop focusing on the negative and really embrace what is here, in front of me. I'm going to crack my desert gardening book and scour the internet and stop wishing for a farm and create one. Even if it's a bust the kids and I will have fun. Plus, all our showers take for ever to warm up so it'll be nice to have something to do with that water.

G*R*A*T*I*T*U*D*E S*U*N*D*A*Y

I'm joining Taryn over at WoolyMossRoots for what might be my new favorite blog roll...

G*R*A*T*I*T*U*D*E  S*U*N*D*A*Y

{Sunday's heartfelt tradition. A time to slow down, to reflect, to be grateful. A list of gratitudes.} 

This week I am grateful for....

* Honest communication in my relationship. 

* Adventurous and self motivated offspring... some of the time. Both kids right now are learning new skills without too much of leading from Huz or I. The ManChild has learned to tell when he feels pee coming and has started to approach us in advance saying, "peepee, poddy! peepee poddY!" He especially loves it when Huz is the one to help him. And of corse, KaBean and her letters... She doesn't really like to practice when I sit down with her, but when she feels like it, I see her writing real letters.

* Honestly, I think everything week boils down to this: No matter how things look in the moment, I would rather be here with my Man than anywhere else. The thing about relationships is that sometimes they are not easy. But fighting out loud, actively working thru whatever problems you have, even if it you shout and say angry things, even if the kids are there, is the only way to fix the problem. We fight, but then we work it out. We come to decision, we forgive each other and hug, and hug the kids. The best thing about fighting is showing the kids that love will find a way (every 'love will find a way' song is running thru my head right now. i feel really cheesy).  Huz is strong and supportive and slightly off his rocker, and I wouldn't change him for the world. Even the part of him that thinks water just grown on trees...

Anyway, enough sap

*Homemade Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes. With walnuts chopped very fine, so the small children can't tell they're there. teeheeheee...

* The box of cloth diapers we brought with us from home. We ran out of devil diapers destroyers of the earth Pampers a few days ago and it's been so hot, we haven't been to the store. But lo! I had all our cloth and some cloth diaper soap tucked in the closet in my fiber room. I feel so blessed that the ManChild is potty training because he hasn't really been wanting diapers and he hasn't really been peeing on the floor.

And last and most exciting....

*** It's working! My F#$king Shawl looks fucking incredible. The stitches are showing up, the count is right, I even love the colors and gauge still. It's gonna be amazing.***

Look carefully at this picture in case I anger the Knitting Goddess with my excitement. This might be the last picture of the F@#king Shawl we see...

Now head on ever to Taryn and read her beautiful list of gratitudes. They'll make you feel sort of happy...

G*R*A*T*I*T*U*D*E S*U*N*D*A*Y

Today I'm joining Taryn at WoolyMossRoots again for her beautiful, centering...

G r a t i t u d e  *  S u n d a y

{Sunday's heartfelt tradition. A time to slow down, to reflect, to be grateful. A list of gratitudes.} 

~Reasons 1, 2, and 3... but not in any order. This man, these children... they make my world go round. Waking up to this small group of people is the most amazing blessing I could know. They just came and pulled me into their wrestling game. great, i'm gonna get another black eye. love it.

~The heavy breezes of the last few days has brought the temperature wayyyy down, it's 75 in the house without the air conditioner on! 

~We haven't had a car for a few days and it looks like it'll be another few weeks before we get our faithful Camery from NorCal. Now I didn't think this would be something to grateful for but what with the weather here we've...

~Been able to walk to the grocery store 3 days in a row. It's only an Albertson's, but they have decent organic and I can manage it... see today's next post. lol.

~When I set out my Fiber Stash for the 2012 Ravelry Flash Your Stash thread, I re-fell in love with some of that fiber. It is an amazing blessing to be able to craft something both useful and beautiful in this time of instant gratification and endless consumption. When I knit or spin I feel at peace, calm... all the worry I needlessly harbor about the water usage in Las Vegas, weather or not my kids will grow up to be good people, food shortage, money shortage... everything just goes away and all I can see is the yarn and the needles. Simple knits, complicated lace... it gives me a center. a good place to be.

what are you grateful for today?

G*R*A*T*I*T*U*D*E S*U*N*D*A*Y

G r a t i t u d e  *  S u n d a y

{Sunday's heartfelt tradition. A time to slow down, to reflect, to be grateful. A list of gratitudes.} 

I think playing with my kids is the only thing that matters any more. Without these two small people here in my life, everything would be colorless. I am ultimately grateful to the universe for finding me my mate and to my mate for giving me these Littles.

I am grateful to Jump4Joy for helping our family be whole again.

I am thankful to my parents for thinking the Pacific Coast was a better place to grow up than the desert.

I am grateful to the State of Nevada for not having food tax. $100 in California = 3 bags of groceries (if you stick with organic products). $100 in Nevada gets you all of the stock in the Trader Joe's.

I am grateful that I found the most amazing used book store right next to the TJ's. I did a happy dance.

Thanks, Taryn. These posts always make me feel better.

Over the Hills and Thru the Woods...

Or

G r a t i t u d e  *  S u n d a y

{Sunday's heartfelt tradition. A time to slow down, to reflect, to be grateful. A list of gratitudes.} 

Because nature and beauty are always things to be grateful for...

ps- click the link to go to Taryn's page and see her list, it is always so beautiful and inspiring.
pps- get really really inspired and write or own list, then link it... or not. just feeling grateful is worth it.

This is what we get to live in and see every day! All these pictures were taken walking between my parents house and the cabin on our neighbors property, where we are staying till it is time to move all the way to Las Vegas. I love this cabin and I LOVE these woods. I'm going to miss this place so very much when we go.

Abundant Trilliums. For Taryn...

Old Growth Redwood Log... and Boy.

These wild flowers smell like honey.

Up the hill to my Parents House. 

When we were kids growing up in this forest, that stand that Bean is climbing in was one of our
lesser forts.  But now it is the perfect size for my Littles.

Calypso Orchid. There is a whole patch of these growing right next to the trail/driveway. I love walking past
 them and seeing all this color. The forest flowers this year are amazing!

Another HUGE old growth stump near the cabin. There are so many great places for the kids to play!

Hey look! It's the Man-Child, pants-less in the forest. As a man child should be. lol.

That colorful blur there is KaBean falling off the same log that Kevin Foster fell of when we made a Robin Hood movie in our church youth group. The only thing that would have made this moment match that moment perfectly would be the Littlest Beeman somewhere in the background saying "that's so re-mantic..."

Living in this cabin, in my woods, is the best way to finish off our time on the coast. Seeing my kids play where my brothers and I played is so special and amazing. I am so blessed. I am so Blessed.

posted from Bloggeroid

G r a t i t u d e * S u n d a y

Taryn from Wooly Moss Roots has a wonderful sunday tradition that I would like to share this week.

G r a t i t u d e  *  S u n d a y

{Sunday's heartfelt tradition. A time to slow down, to reflect, to be grateful. A list of gratitudes.} 

When a person has such a week as my family and I have had, it can be very hard to be grateful. It is easier to focus on all the negative, all the "so-and-so doesn't like me any more." and "i'm a worthless human being." and "my dad thinks i'm stupid." This morning, all that felt like it was going to consume me, to drain me dry and leave me in a sobbing mass of cells in front of Jodi's house. But I got to speak to Lily, which always helps, even if that wasn't a long talk... it helped. Then Jodi and I went for a nice walk on the Old Haul Road, which always fixes anything. Followed by a lone walk thru the woods to our almost-ready-for-us cabin. The first item in Taryn's post was Trilliums. And she got me thinking. I am so blessed and so grateful to the universe to have allowed me to live here. In the redwoods. No other tree in the world compares. There is no other wild flower any where on the planet with the simple beauty of the trillium. No place where ocean meets the land quite like this place. This patch of earth has made me who I am.
Thank you, Ocean, for the sound of your waves I can hear on quiet nights all the way at my parents house.
Thank you, Forest, for the dancing trees silhouetted against the night sky. I've fallen asleep watching this dance for more nights than I can count.
Thank you, SmallTown, for providing me with so many loving and generous friends and neighbors.
Thank you, My Babies, for making my every day a little more fun.
Thank you, Huz, for doing everything you can to make our lives better. And thank you for brining us together again. I can't wait.
And finally, thank you Taryn, your words and pictures always remind me that there is something in your day to be grateful for, no matter how small.