The stitches of life: September 2006

Friday, September 22, 2006

The Peacemaker

According to this very cool test that's what I am LOL ;). It's scary how accurate my results are...

"I am at peace"

Peacemakers are receptive, good-natured, and supportive. They seek union with others and the world around them.

How to Get Along with Me

If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially don't like expectations or pressure.
I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advantage of this.
Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit.
Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and nonjudgmentally.
Ask me questions to help me get clear.
Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery.
Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings.
I like a good discussion but not a confrontation.
Let me know you like what I've done or said.
Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life.

What I Like About Being a Nine

being nonjudgmental and accepting
caring for and being concerned about others
being able to relax and have a good time
knowing that most people enjoy my company; I'm easy to be around
my ability to see many different sides of an issue and to be a good mediator and facilitator
my heightened awareness of sensations, aesthetics, and the here and now
being able to go with the flow and feel one with the universe

What's Hard About Being a Nine

being judged and misunderstood for being placid and/or indecisive
being critical of myself for lacking initiative and discipline
being too sensitive to criticism; taking every raised eyebrow and twitch of the mouth personally
being confused about what I really want
caring too much about what others will think of me
not being listened to or taken seriously

Nines as Children Often

feel ignored and that their wants, opinions, and feelings are unimportant
tune out a lot, especially when others argue
are "good" children: deny anger or keep it to themselves

Nines as Parents

are supportive, kind, and warm
are sometimes overly permissive or nondirective

Posted by hollyday @ 8:00 AM | Link

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Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Chapters

It occured to me today with great force that I have entered another chapter of my life. I had been thinking about it a couple of weeks ago when they started school, but because of sickness last week the schedule was off so it wasn't as apparent. I realized today that the last time I had "quiet" afternoons was a few years ago when they were both still taking naps--I had forgotten what it was like and how much I loved naptime ;).

You hear a lot about 'chapters' or 'phases' of life but it doesn't really hit you when you're young. While I knew life would change as I grew, it never occured to me that it would be divided into distinct periods which I could look back on and say "wow, that was when this phase started/ended". Sometimes the changes were sudden, sometimes they were gradual and periods would overlap. But they all eventually ended--resulting in new beginnings.

My first chapter ended when Dad died. I was 19 and in my first year of college; Mike hadn't even graduated high school yet. It was a very sudden ending--one minute life was fine and the next it changed forever. After that was a period of 4 years which was not fun for many reasons. The next phase changed over very slowly, starting with mom getting sober and finishing the turnover when I met Dave. That was a very good chapter, as indeed they have all been since then :). Having children started another one as it so often does, and again it was a sudden change, although at least this time I had some warning ;). This most recent period has been changing slowly as well, as the boys have gone to school for longer periods and more days, until finally this fall they're both away all day all week.

I know this new chapter will be a good one, with lots of opportunities for me especially. I finally have the time to explore and do the things I want to. Of course one of my questions as I embark on this path is where do I want to go? That I haven't quite figured out yet ;).

Currently working on: Band Sampler RR, 2006 Mini RR, Story RR, Ian's Dino mini RR, Halloween Exchange, Brendan's keychain

Posted by hollyday @ 12:48 PM | Link

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Sunday, September 17, 2006

Here's to a better week

Well, Brendan finally made it to school on Friday and I had the house to myself again which was nice. I didn't get much done, but I figured I'd earned the rest after taking care of everyone all week ;). Today is a gorgeous day and everyone is well, so I am hopeful for the week to come ;). Here's what I'd like to get done for the house and outside this week:

1) Clean up the kitchen (straighten, scrub, etc.)
2) Put up autumn decorations
3) Straighten our room (put away laundry, clean, etc.)
4) Weed front beds and plant flowers

In stitching last week I did manage to get Jacque's band sampler started and about 2/3 done, so here's what I need to do this week:

1) Start Jaime's mini RR
2) Finish Jacque's band sampler RR
3) Finish Brendan's Keychain

I'd like to work on my story RR too, it just depends on how long the 2 finishes take. It is so nice to be back on track with stitching though--I'm just thrilled :)

There are other miscellaneous things to be done both with the house and garden, but if I get any of them done it will be a bonus for me LOL ;).

So here's to a better week!

Currently working on: Band Sampler RR, 2006 Mini RR, Ian's Dino Mini RR, Superman, Story RR

Posted by hollyday @ 3:52 PM | Link

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Wednesday, September 13, 2006

What a week

I know it's only Wednesday, but it's been a heck of a week so far. We went to mom's over the weekend and shortly before we left to come home on Sunday Dave got sick--made for an interesting trip home. I did all the packing, driving and unpacking when we got home, got everyone settled, got dinner etc. Then he stayed home Monday which was okay. Monday night (Tuesday morning) Brendan woke up at 1:30 throwing up which continued off and on until after 5 a.m. Then Dave made the mistake of telling Ian what was wrong with Brendan, so Ian decided he didn't feel well either. Having only had a little over 2 hours of sleep I didn't feel like fighting with him so I let him stay home also. Dave stayed home too as he was exhausted and to help me, so it was a full house yesterday.

Fortunately Brendan had a much better night with no throwing up. He's still home today because he didn't eat much yesterday and is still very tired so I'm letting him rest. Hopefully he'll be able to go tomorrow, not only for him but for me too ;). Dave has sailing class this weekend so I'll be watching them all weekend and I'd like at least 2 days to get into a schedule again before that happens. *sigh*. Next week will be better right?

In stitching I haven't gotten much done for obvious reasons. I started a keychain for Brendan's backpack which will have the superman symbol. I made one for Ian (with dinosaurs) when he started kindergarten and wanted to do the same for Brendan :). I also need to at least start Jacque's band sampler RR and Jaime's mini RR this week. I may switch between them and something for me so I can keep my motivation going. The lovely wish fairy sent me HAED's "College of Magical Knowledge" Monday which was a huge surprise and really made my day! I put the picture in here--isn't it gorgeous?! I went and got the fabric for it yesterday and I'll start it today--I think I deserve a little treat after the last few days ;)

Currently working on Band Sampler RR, 2006 Mini RR, Ian's dino mini RR, Superman symbol

Posted by hollyday @ 7:02 AM | Link

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Saturday, September 02, 2006

Here comes the rain again

Love that song! And so appropriate this weekend as we deal with the remnants from Ernesto. Unfortunately it means the boys won't get any swimming in this holiday weekend, which kind of sucks, but at least we used the pool a lot more this summer. We really needed the rain, as long as it stays light we should be okay with no flooding (I hope!).

I feel like crap today so I think I'll just take it easy. Dave is working this morning but will be home after lunch, and he's taking off Tuesday to help with the boys on their first day so that will be nice. Plus once they're at school we can spend the rest of the day together alone! We be mostly running errands/doing projects, but we'll be together which is what counts :).

With the rain it will be the perfect day for stitching ;). I'm really on a roll these days and it feels so good! It's so nice to be thinking about stitching, looking forward to stitching, and actually stitching again! It will only get stronger with the trip to Hershey this year which I am really looking forward to :). Last night I worked on Ian's dino mini RR again for the first time since July. I'd like to get this last dino done so that the next time I pick it up I can start on the border. I also got about an hour and a half done on the butterfly for a friend--imagine working on 2 projects in one day! That hasn't happened in a while ;).

Here's what I have to finish for September:

1) Band sampler RR--this will be my last one and then this RR is done!
2) Mini RR
3) Halloween Exchange--actually have a couple of days in Oct. to finish it if I have to, but would like to have it done early
4) Story RR--I'd like to get my portion of this done so it will be finished when it comes back, but we'll see ;)

I don't think I'll have time in there to work on Ian's piece, but with all my extra time with them in school I may be surprised LOL ;)

I guess that's all for now!

Currently working on: Band Sampler RR, 2006 Mini RR, Story RR, Ian's dino mini RR

Posted by hollyday @ 9:26 AM | Link

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