Jacob's Visit

Jacob is my adorable two and a half year old grandson who has platinum blond hair and big blue eyes. His smile lights up a room and he has the best sense of humor. I had the pleasure of his company for a few hours yesterday while his Mom did the laundry she had lugged from Franklin. Unfortunately for them, but lucky for me, their dryer broke and with a preschooler in the house, the wash can't be put off for too long before there isn't anything clean to put on.

Iko and Katie were really excited to see him. He was standoffish, as he always is, because they both are bigger than he and they romp right over to him. But they settled down and Jacob was petting them and sitting on the floor between them. He noted that they both had tails and began asking questions about who he knew who had tails. "Does Bubby have a tail?" "No-o-o." "Does Mommy have a tail?" "No-o-o." He thought that was so funny and laughed so hard after naming each person in the family and getting the same answer, that he had the biggest hiccups!

We "read" books together which meant that he pointed at the pictures as I named the objects. He insisted on turning each page as we continued through the book. I think his favorite to listen to was "Goodnight Moon".

After two large loads were washed and dried, Jacob was asking "Car. Go home?" As excited as he is to get here, the number of toys he has to play with in my house is nothing compared to home. I got at least 4 kisses goodbye and an "Ah luh oo" which was the first time he said that. What joy!!

This is summer in New England?

It's the end of August and I ask "When did we have summer?" It rained most of June and July and seeing the sun was an unfamiliar sight. August happened and went. We had maybe two or three days of really hot weather and today it's in the low 70's. I really dislike the New England seasons: winter is a bitch which lasts well into what should be spring; there is no spring to speak of because the rainy days start as soon as the temp rises a bit and then if you blink, summer is gone. I think the only season which can truly be appreciated is the fall. The colors are something to behold. But can two months out of the year make for a pleasant weather experience? I say a firm "NO!" A topic of discussion at the hairdresser's yesterday: Where can we live that will have days like today? (Low 70's, slight breeze, sunshine, beautiful fluffy clouds in the sky) The consensus was northern California but more than I hate the weather, the thought of moving again is much more odious. Conclusion: I'm stuck here.

Major Procrastinator

I am writing this down with the intention that if I read it enough it might motivate me to finish things which I start. I love the beginning of new projects; but I find my desire to get to the end diminishes as the time invested grows longer. For instance, I can think off the top of my head of at least 5 ufo's (unfinished objects of knitting) that have been waiting months, and in some cases, years to be completed. A sweater that I promised to my daughter more the five years ago, has part of the back done. That's it...and it doesn't even have sleeves. Another nemesis. I started a pair of light green socks back in September. If I had only one foot I'd be able to wear it. As it stands now, 80% of the second foot would be bare. What's wrong with me? I belong to seven different knitting groups and see all the gorgeous things being done, but I still lag behind. Worse still, I continue to buy yarn (I'd match my stash up with anybody's) because it's just so damn beautiful to look at, especially the hand dyed ones.

OK, I've given myself a good "talking to". All I have to do now, is read it and read it again.

Marathon Spectator

The Boston Marathon is part of our culture. The oldest marathon in the world it attracts thousands of runners--from the elite to the "bandits" who tag on the end and don't have numbers. I only watched this year as I have for the past few years. But it brought back some great memories of the Bostons that I have run, really jogged, and finished (as a bandit). The training with running friends and the excitement at the start line in Hopkinton are things not forgotten. Some of the best parts were being recognized by coworkers or students along the way. Finishing gave me such a sense of pride. I did this under my own power without the help of any machines or equipment....just pure guts.....and I have relied on this mental strength through other difficult times. Running those miles really hurt by the the 20th mile but that was when I would remember my Lamaze students who didn't have the option of dropping out of their labors and on I would go. My applause and yelled encouragements are some of the loudest on the sidelines and I admire each and every one of these great athletes today.

Knitter's Lament

I spent six hours this morning flying from Boston to San Francisco to visit my son and his family. One of the things I brought with me to pass the time was the shrug that I am knitting. It's an interesting pattern which is knitted in two parts: each starting with the sleeve and working toward the center back which will be seamed together and the front which is held together with a brooch. The left side is finished. The right side is in progress and almost done. Wait! Something's not right. Why does the shaping seem vaguely familiar? You guessed it..... I made two left sides! Just not following directions. I'm not as pissed as I thought I would be. I'm reading "The Yarn Harlot" and I'm learning that I'm not unique. Even the most experienced knitters make mistakes. So I'm back to frogging half of the second piece.

Finally, a day comes with no snow in the forecast and the sun is shining. 50 degrees on March 3rd. If only it would last. Went walking with David and the "children" yesterday. As I was trying to keep Katie away from an elderly dog, I lost my balance and went down on my left side. Ouch! I'm sporting a lovely black and blue mark on my left forearm but I can sleep on my left side with some discomfort. Better than the fall on my face last year!

The Reason Behind the Name

One of my most treasured accomplishments has been to teach expectant couples to relax, breathe and appreciate the miracle of birth. I started offering Lamaze classes when I lived in Chicago. My second child was still in an infant seat beside me as I sat on the floor talking about one of my favorite subjects. I am proud to say that I taught over 2000 couples (and some singles) in my years as an instructor. I no longer teach classes now because, I believe, that childbearing women prefer to get an epidural which erases almost all of the sensation of contractions. A good thing from one point of view; a step backwards when one is in tune with her body and also wishes to share birth with her partner (spouse). I was a labor and delivery nurse for over 20 years. Since epidurals became very popular, my experience was to watch the non-laboring half of the couple be more absorbed in reading, watching TV or sleeping in a fairly comfortable chair rather than being an active participant in the birthing process.

My three children were born in 3 different ways. My daughter was brought into this world with forceps, pulled from a mom who was really drugged up. My first son's birth is a proud memory for me. Not wanting to be "delivered" of my baby, I wanted to know what was going on and push him out myself. I found classes that were an hour away from home since Lamaze wasn't the "in" thing to do back then. Because of what I learned, his birth was a controlled, involved and precious time in my life. My second son was born via Caesarian under an epidural because of a complication. Not wanting to be just the body which was being operated on, I chose to watch the birth in a mirror with my husband beside me. (Remember, I was an obstetric nurse and a Lamaze teacher, so watching wasn't "gross".)

Anyhow, that's the story behind my moniker which is the way I am known on ebay, etsy and loads of other not as interesting sites! If anyone reading this is one of my former students in Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg or Framingham, please get in touch with me. I remember you!

A Brand New Avenue of Communication

Ever since I finished reading "One Fifth Avenue" by Candace Bushnell and learned the power of blogging, I have been tempted to create one for myself. I'm still a little leery of where this will lead, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. I don't think that I will share my inner most thoughts with the world....I'll keep that part of my life to myself (or my roommate!).