Thursday 29 March 2012

Lessons Learned

I have thought a lot about writing a blog post in the past few weeks.

Sitting in the car, falling asleep at night, lounging in the bath tub, I would catch a few poignant sentences about a certain subject in the rambling tunnels of my brain. I'd try to follow the thought, but it would be gone from me.

The point is, a few sentences, no matter how pithy they are, do not a blog post make.
So, I decided to give you the low down on what I've been learning the last few weeks of my life in list form.

Because, who doesn't like lists?

1. Do NOT judge a lemon meringue pie by its outer appearance!

2. Forgiveness is sometimes a daily act.

3. Finally doing something you've been procrastinating is the best feeling in the whole wide world.

4. Prayer is essentially the act of discovering you're not as great as you thought you were.

5. Everything looks better in black and white. (Whatever Paul Simon may say.)

6. It's okay if you're not good at crafts. It really is!

7. If you've got a very angry lady on the other end of the phone, just keep saying "yes, ma'am." She will be mollified!

8. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Your life isn't as bad as you think it is.

9. The hardest part of writing a novel is....writing it.

10. Don't wait for Prince Charming to go on a "date." Sisters do just fine in a pinch.

I promise you that next time I will have something more thought provoking, helpful, and pithy.


- Millie

Monday 26 March 2012

Fears: Part II OR Frankenstein with Four Needles

I think we've already established that everyone is born with fears. I thought I'd share another of mine today...knitting.



It's been awhile since I've tried, and I was wanting to get back into it. Knitting seems such a masterful craft, all competance and wise old woman-ish. I wanted to learn how to be that, so I decided to start with mittens. You know, something simple.


Optimism is a beautiful thing. I've titled the above picture that.

But as I worked, it appeared I was creating a monster. Bumps and bulges emerged under my none-to-perfect castings on and offs. I wasn't so sure of the pattern, so I improvised from time to time...add a stitch here, add a stitch there.

I shared my project with a circle of venerable knitters, my crafting grandmas. They peered at my first attempt at ribbing. "Is that a cable knit you're trying there?"

No...




But I kept going.


True knitters everywhere, might wish I hadn't.




The second mitten was a decided improvement. Mom had an epiphany about the way I was holding the needles, as we speed down the highway at 130 kph. I'm afraid I snatched them back.

But she was right. See? This is a much better mitten...just ignore the cuff. I simply think, that needles and wool rather have a mind of their own.



This is a mildly humiliating picture to share.

Look at those things! They are beyond belief.

BUT! I show it to you to give hope to your faintest, feeblest, crafting dreams. It might not turn out perfectly, or even well, but you're closer to getting better than you were before you started. (Or something like that.)

It is all part of living each day full and a little crazy. Nothing like knitting on the wild side.




~Liv

Tuesday 20 March 2012

Of melting snow and coming Baby...

     I know, I know...it's pathetic to be named as a blogger here and so rarely show myself. Well I've been "busy" as we all like to say. Honestly, this winter has really flown by...and not because I enjoy winter. I actually really disliked it this year, the cold just didn't suite. But here it is the middle of March and although I'm sure spring isn't here for good yet we are getting some AMAZING weather (21 degrees yesterday and the next few days are looking as good or better!)

And with time flying this pregnancy has gone with it. Less than 6 weeks to go already!


 34 weeks

     Abi took some maternity photos last week and I think that might have got me realizing I haven't got much time left to "get ready". Because nothing is ready. I've been distracted with the work on the house and maybe thinking this will all be done and then I will clean and organize and do baby prep. I know there isn't a huge amount of things that HAVE to been done beforehand but I should probably think about acquiring the cloth diapers I plan on using soon. I did go on kijiji Saturday and bought a car seat so at the very least I will be able to bring Baby home!

    To answer a "most frequently asked" question, no, we don't know what we're having. I'm so excited to see, my "instincts" aren't very strong. People also ask what we're hoping for. I think many assume we are "trying for a boy", but really whatever Baby is will be perfect. A little boy would be great but how special would it be to have three little girls! And no, we don't have names settled on either which worries me too. I had hope to have that more or less decided by the time Baby came instead of deciding after like we have always done. Not that I regret the names we choose, I just think I would be happier deciding before the pressure is on...

     So we are looking forward to the completion of house, drier mud =) and arrival of Baby!
 

Monday 5 March 2012

The Monday Blues...

"Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?" -L.M. Montgomery.


  Today was one of those Mondays.

  But God is sovereign.

  The wake up to a pimple on your forehead, sore throat and headache, crying children, stinky diapers and a sink full of dishes kind of Monday.

  But God is merciful.

  The snapping words, cross looking, head in your hand and cry kind of Monday.

  But God is forgiving.

  The still trying to figure out what I managed to accomplish today and looking sadly around at how much there is still to accomplish before bedtime kind of Monday.

  But God is faithful.

  The knowing that your "awful" day is nothing compared to what others are going through around the world and feeling ashamed of yourself.

  But God gives grace.

  And morning by morning new mercies I see.


-Abigail

By Popular(ish) Request




Thanks for your comments! I don't feel quite as silly anymore. You must be true friends. ;)

~Liv