Purple Brain

Sorry, Heather, no pictures. I'm fairly certain none of my gift recipients read the blog, or I wouldn't be writing about the gifts. But between the possibility of them seeing the gifts and the fact that I am suffering from crappy camera/laziness syndrome, there are no pictures, yet.

Here, enjoy a picture of my apparently purple brain. I think the purpleness is due to bruising from all the wild thoughts banging around in there.

Your Brain is Purple

Of all the brain types, yours is the most idealistic. You tend to think wild, amazing thoughts. Your dreams and fantasies are intense.Your thoughts are creative, inventive, and without boundaries. You tend to spend a lot of time thinking of fictional people and places - or a very different life for yourself.

What Color Is Your Brain?

In the midst of holiday crankiness and overwhelmedness . . . (Yes, I know few of the "ness" words are real words. Deal.) . . . look at this funny blog. It never fails to bring a smile to my face. http://bentobjects.blogspot.com/ This guy has a really clever mind. And apparently some good fine motor skills. Look at all the little stuff he bends and puts together! Fun.

Christmas is coming . . .

The goose is getting fat!

Or maybe the schedule is just getting fat. This time of year sure comes with a lot of things to do.

Oops. Half hour break there. Phone call. Discussing Christmas plans. All has been worked out. There has been a little family drama in my mom's family. It's not a usual thing with them, but with Grandma's stroke a year ago August, things are in transition. Everything is now arranged for this year. Next year may be different. We'll have fun either way. Grandma will get to see everyone.

Christmas knitting has consumed me. Why did I decide to do Christmas knitting? What's my damage? Sheesh. Last year I had a large stack of knitted washcloths that I decided would make lovely gifts. So, the kids and I made soap to put with them and let people choose their favorite. It was a success. So this year, I thought, "Hmmm, maybe a hat grab bag would be fun!" But, there is one major difference from last year. I didn't have a stack of knitted hats laying around waiting to be gifted. I had no hats laying around waiting to be gifted. So, I bought a pile of bulky, soft, washable wool blend yarn to make a variety of hats. I'm nine hats in, and I'm sick of hats. There are 20 people on the list. (This is just immediate family, meaning parents, siblings and their partners and kids.)

Yesterday, it all resolved itself. Hubby suggested we send gourmet popcorn to the New York relatives. A few clicks and a few bucks later, four people done. Then, I saw an online tutorial for making bowls out of old record albums. I had seen these before, but never realized how easy it was. I just happen to have a box of old records in my garage that even the thrift store didn't want. The kids and I made three of those last night for the most musical members of the family. I also made boxes out of the album covers, but I don't know how useful they'll be. (Amazing what you can get done while watching Samantha Who and October Road, huh?) I think I'll make one more. By the magic of co-habitation, these four record bowls cover five more gifts. I even managed to match the genre of music to the recipient. (Don't worry. None of these albums was valuable or desirable on its own, but as a bowl, cool.)

Eleven to go. Well, I already have nine hats. I'm in the midst of a lace scarf for Mom after she expressed several times how much she liked mine last week. (Still knitting, but not a hat.)
And I always make a cross-stitched cat ornament for MIL. Yes, I have to stitch and sew it, but again, not a hat. In fact, I'm due for a little stitching project like that.

Ta-da! All 20 gifts accounted for. This also means that the hats will be going to the people most likely to want and wear them. The alternate gifts are being given to people who probably wouldn't wear them or already have a knitted hat from me. We may make a little yummy something to pass out to everyone, as well. The kids love to do that.

Ahhhhhh. How nice to take a deep cleansing breath. Now where are those cross-stitch ornament magazines?

Sadness.

From Kim's husband--

Dear friends and family,

I am very saddened to say that Kim's body lost her battle with breast cancer 5:47AM Thursday morning. She remained amazingly courageous and strong to the very end. She did everything she could to hold on for her family and friends, but her cancer was too aggressive.

The kids and I already miss Kim very much. Please keep us in your prayers

Even though I never met her in person, Kim has been my friend for many years on our mommy board. It seems so unfair that her young children will always have the holidays intermingled with thoughts of losing their mom. She was brave and strong and amazing, even when she was in great pain. We miss you, Kim.

You Are a Trifle

No doubt, you have many intricate layers. But deep down, you're a little squishy.

What Holiday Food Are You?

OK, so that's a funny little quiz thing. I just can't help myself. I know a lot of people find them annoying, but I think they're fun.

Not fun, my friend Kim is in the hospital. (She's who I had you lighting candles for a few posts ago. Light another if you're so inclined.) She's half a country away, and I wish I could go and hold her hand. She's on a respirator and if she doesn't improve, she doesn't want to stay on the respirator. It's so close to Christmas, and she has three young kids. If you're the praying sort, please pray. I'm not sure what to pray for. I'm praying for comfort for her and her family, no matter what happens. And if you're not the praying sort, please do whatever you do. Vibes, thoughts, calming feelings.

Thanks to everyone who commented on yesterday's post. If anyone else wants to make me feel better, please do! Heh.

Here's another silly blog thing. Makes me sound really flighty, huh? I like parts of it. I always told everyone I was going to be an artist when I grew up when I was a kid.

You Should Be an Artist

You are incredibly creative, spontaneous, and unique. No one can guess what you're going to do next, but it's usually something amazing. You can't deal with routine, rules, or structure. You're easily bored. As long as you are able to innovate and break the rules, you are extremely successful. You do best when you: - Can work by yourself - Can express your personality in your work You would also be a good journalist or actor.

What Should You Be When You Grow Up?

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Her Royal Highness Lara the Apocalyptic of Bow under Bumpstead Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

I have no pictures for you today. Just another silly blog thing.

I'm thinking about quitting the blogging. Life has been too challenging lately. Too much to do, not enough time. I may keep to this once a week thing, but I just don't know if it's worth it.

I have been knitting. I finished my Tangled Yoke Cardigan and I started my Mr. Greenjeans. The body is done and half of one sleeve. I made a little progress on my Secret of the Stole last night.

Is life really supposed to be this hard? Please tell me your life is hard. :p I'm working on ways to make things easier on myself. That's not something I'm very good at. I tend to make things hard on myself . Even in my hobbies, I pick the most complicated thing and say, "I want to do that!"

Kind of like homeschooling four kids. I'm glad I'm homeschooling them. I know I made the right choice. I also know I'll be making a good choice if I put them in regular schools next school year. (This will only happen if we move.) I'm just irritated that I know lots of people are watching and when I do that they're going to say, "Oh, I knew it wouldn't last." Like they're waiting for us to fail. I don't want to care what they think, and I don't really. What other people think will have absolutely no bearing on how I choose to educate my children. I'm just annoyed that so many seem to think homeschooling is ridiculous or just too hard. Yes, it's hard. No, it's not the only choice, or the best choice for everyone or every child. But it is the best choice for us for our current situation. If we decide something else is the best choice when things have changed, it's our business, and no one else's. The kids are getting a good education, and they are well-rounded. They're not going to become criminals or social outcasts because they are being homeschooled. Wonderful things are happening in our family because of homeschooling. And it's hard. Just because it's hard doesn't mean it shouldn't be done.

For Kim

My friend Kim has been battling breast cancer for two years. Yesterday, they decided to suspend her treatment because it's not working. They're trying to get her in a trial.

She's a young woman, mid 30s. She has three young children and a wonderful husband. She is an inspiration. She could use all of our thoughts and prayers or whatever other good vibes you can spare.

The mommy group we're a part of started a candle lighting group online to show our support. Feel free to light another.