Lady Bird

Lady Bird Mom is on the Left and Baby is on the Right.
Darling little bird. For the past two weeks we have been watching our Lady Bird Mom, Dad, and their little baby bird. It is a joy watching this family as I feel the constutition and fortitue this bird has is a testament to life and one being's will to live. I believe the baby bird is a girl as it is the brownest baby cardinal visiting us. Not a touch of red on her entire body.

Often people who have known me for a little while, long enough they call themselves more than aquantiances, but still haven't known me long say things like "how great I am that I don't let my disability get me down." or that "You're my hero for all that you've done and do." I feel comments are made and are a misinterputation of who I really am. Trust me, mircle that I'm a live or not, I am one person. I do not feel I am a hero. Heroism is deep strength used to the benefit of a person or community. At least that is what it is to me. All I did was live and survive. That is what every other living thing would try to do, yes even my dear sweet handicapped Cardinal, inspite of her missing foot she continues on. Living each day the best she can.

Sometimes our best isn't enough to clean the house, or get to the laundry. But if it is enough to raise our offspring, then it's enough.

Birthday Knitting

I promised a photo of Jessica's knit birthday presents so here they are. There are two boas which each measure about 33". As well as the little kisslock clutch purse. The scarves are 20 cast ons wit needle size 8, this was smaller than I'd heard recommended but it was what we had so we went with it. This fuzzy yarn is a tyrant to work with, and after the first 10 or so inches of the purple one I passed my off to my DH to finish. Of course this was after extracting a promise that he would finish both if I made a purse. Oddly, he found that to be funny.

Making a knit purse, why is that funny? Once again this was 20 cast ons, I increased to 25 total and knit till I was happy with the size, then I decreased back to 20, and knit about 10 more rows. The key to this yarn is loosely she goes. Knit the second size (I did one side in white and one in the purple... Then came the kisslock clasp. I hand sewed the two pieces together until I reached the of my decrease. Carefully I hand stitched the knitting into the anchor holes of the clasp. There are a whole bunch of them!

I wanted it to be lined so that the crazy fuzzies would only be on the outside and thereby not effect the clasp. I used a scrap of stretchy apparel fabric. The knitting has stretch so the lining fabric will accommodate more as needed also. I hand sewed the lining to the clasp. Sewing the lining second means none of the seams can be picked at messed with or pulled on, prolonging the overall life of the clutch, not to mention everything stays put while you work! Then I filled metal clasp on each side with a bit of hot glue. Be careful not to over do it on the glue or else you end up having to cut some away so it will close (as me how I know).

Last but not least my DH crocheted the shoulder strap using both yarns. He's really something else.

Money Can't Buy Happiness

But it sure can buy tranquility and relaxation!

My sister, daughter, husband and I just returned from a short trip to Walt Disney World, where we stayed two nights at Disney's Boardwalk Inn Resort. All of my planning paid off as I found a deal on a concierge room that we couldn't pass up.

We arrived about 2 pm, upon pulling in for valet parking, we were greeted with a smile. The valet checked on our room (which wasn't ready) helped us unload the car and found someone to take us directly up to the Club Level.

The club level has wonderful things. The Innkeepers Lounge for one as well as the concierge desk where my husband checked us in. The ladies in our party were whisked off directly to the Lounge, where we sipped on the best tea my lips have ever touched as well as light snacks. I had read about crowds in the reviews (we never encountered them) as well as the tv - which was off every time I was there, except on morning visits. It was not at all loud, being merely the morning news I didn't feel the pull to distract Jessica from watching it.

While I could have spent my entire vacation there with the peacefully, happy, and helpful CM's, we had plans. My sister was off to Muscles and Bustles Health Club for an aromatherapy massage my husband and I planned for her (which she enjoyed so much she dozed off).

...Meanwhile my family and I played down by the Luna Park Pool. It is the big pool on the Villas side. It was loud and enjoyable. The Luna Park Crazy Play Area is right next to the kiddie pool. I sat in the shade and could easily watch Jessica and her daddy play in both areas. Jessica dearly wanted to go down the water slide, but it was clearly labeled as swimmers only, so keep that in mind if you're planning a trip.

When our room #4222 was ready we called to have our luggage brought up. We booked a Standard Club Level Room. The balcony overlooks the Courtyard and relaxing pool. Off to your left is a direct line to Epcot's France. While the outer most edge of the fireworks view is obstructed, it was simply divine watching them with the "Eiffel tower" in the foreground. This is an East facing room, and the summer morning sun doesn't beam through the heavy curtains, but anyone stepping out there to enjoy the morning view is sure to gain murmurs of discontent from anyone still in bed. While the 4th floor does not require a room key to get to, our room was behind the locked door where the concierge desk is located just past the Innkeeper's Lounge. Also not all club level rooms are on the aforementioned "club level". The Club Level of Boardwalk Inn is the 4th floor.

The Speed

It is amazing to me the speed at which life can slip past. Last night I had a ball wrapping up presents for Jessica's 4th birthday. I'm supposed to say it's hard to believe she's four already, but it's not hard. She is a very smart girl that I doubt would have been able to hide in a 3 year old's body much longer. Jessica is so excited about all things four, but most especially school. My daughter's personality is like a mac truck. Sure, she seems like peaches and cream, but when she really wants something... Lucky for me this is what I want too.

This morning I received a rare and precious gift. I was putting in a movie for Jessica when there was a bang on my window. I looked up and sure enough there was a baby cardinal trying to land on the aluminium between the windows (where the glass is mind you). The little baby must have been out for one of it's first flights. And who was the only other cardinal in sight? Why me special little lady cardinal. Yes, I'd like to believe that the special girl, I enjoy watching out my window, brought me her little one. It's nice to think that she is a successful mom even lacking a foot.

Not working on anything quilty right now. Hopefully after my mini vacation there will be enough money left for me to buy a slew of batting so I can get quilting. Laugh if you want, we'll just have to wait and see.

Oh, I nearly forgot! I did get the clothes thing taken care of, seems not only was my "measurement size" not my size at all I was in the wrong department. I found this out through the grace of my mom. Just like when I was a kid trying things on, she searched the racks and came back to the dressing room with clothes to try on. It was such a blessing to have her there to help me. My leg and foot hurt like the dickens before I started. I'm certain had my mom not been there I would have returned my pile of clothes for a dress and a skirt, the later of the two were straight returns for a smaller size, and retreated to someplace to spend the rest of the afternoon sitting. As it was, I even had enough energy when it was over to do a little rack combing myself from the seat of a wheelchair.

Sometimes Parents make Messes too

Just a quick post to ask, would you believe I spilled water all over the keyboard? crazy letters like "b", "n", the space bar etc. don't work. I'll be back to my normal actives just as soon as I replace the keyboard. I'm really liking that spill proof one now...

whhops

sorryIspilledwateromykeyoardwilllogmorelater!

The back for the Holiday Row Robin quilt is all finished up. I thought I was shorter on fabric than I really was so I'm going to redo the blue border fabrics at the top and the bottom to better match, as I'm 100% sure I can't stand to watch that teal "jump" every year during the holidays.

I haven't bought clothes in a long time, just a new top here or there. Since my accident in 2001 it's difficult for me to try things on, as you constantly have to sit, stand, and wiggle around. I dug out my cloth tape i.e. the sewing tape measure that bends and measured, letting measurements do the talking. Then I went to the website where I wanted to order my clothes, and ordered the size that the inches told me to. Now I hate those numbers. They seem so awful, not to mention women's sizes have three different departments. Who dreamed that one up? Shoot I'd rather be like the men's department and only have one place in the store I need to check for my size, but that could just be my disability complaining.

So anyway, with a deep breath I went clothes shopping online. I was so excited by have a few new things the silly size number didn't matter anyway. The days go by and I wait and wait, insult is added to my waiting because of the 4th, but no matter, I can't wait.

The clothes arrived yesterday. Yes siree, they did. All of them are way to big. Huge is perhaps an understatement for most of them. One pair of pants comes close, but DH would have to add a "hole" to the belt so I can cinch it down enough, to keep the pants where they belong. I was a mess over it. What a disaster. I feel so bad for anyone else that might have thought they could trust their tape measure.

So Rob arrives home shortly after I tried on everything in the box. After a few minutes he tells me, "at least you know those clothes are all to big". Right. Is that truly supposed to help me? Awwgee, sure I'm glad their not to tiny, but I was so looking forward to having them fit.

The Special little Lady Cardinal is here this morning. I bet she's glad she doesn't have to stand and try on clothes.

More on the Back

Yesterday I spent a wonderful day with my husband. We didn't do anything, but it was wonderful all the same. He's been working his regular job and is doing some intensive contract work, so I haven't been seeing much of him lately. After he departed to work in the pm, I got out my quilt supplies and work more on the Row Robin Quilt back. As you can see in the photo it's coming right along. Two more borders, one in muslin to make it the rectangle I need and one in a flannel border fabric to frame it all in and bring it up to size.

Today is a big day for me. Just this morning I packed up the last of the seed from the capsules my Phaius Tankervilliae Orchid produced (with my help) and this after noon I'll be shipping it off to the Conservatory. I be sharing the germination status of that with you as I know, but if you'd like to keep track you can watch here. While this process didn't go as planned (can we say tornado) I have enjoyed working with Meyer's Conservatory and look forward to helping again in the future.

Row Robin wRap Up

My row has been returned to me, in the form of a completed top. It's quite interesting for me to see what "Christmas Hope" means to all the ladies in my group. When I made this row DH had been unemployed for six months, it was taking everything I had to hold everything together to hope for the future. Things changed shortly after the creation of the first row and I very nearly remade it, but in the end I decided the row represented who I was at that moment in time and therefore was well worth being my row for the Row Robin. This is a quilt I will enjoy seeing every holiday. I've started working on the back for this one, it's destined to be a huge star, as you can see I currently only have the center. Don't judge it harshly as I've been using the little Elna to keep the pressure off the one needing to be repaired. All of the center fabrics are from what I used in the original row. As for the rest of the back, it's scrap busting time. Every fabric I'll use is from my stash, I have already planned out the entire quilt and double checked that I have enough of the five other fabrics I'll be using. The first border around is a delight of Noah's ark complete with a sleeping kitty and a dog. As always you can click on the pictures to see them bigger.

Check up and Check in

Today was annual checkup time for Sunny and Tiny. I've been a bit worried about them so it was nice to hear how great they are. Sometimes I think my cats must be charmers to become divining rods for compliments. Or maybe that's part of the vets job? I don't know they see so many animals. I did in fact ask my sister if she knew of any "ugly" cats and she is certain that there are such things. I've never met one myself.

For a while now Sunny has had his own trading card over at Blue Buffalo. The makers of our cat food. Feel free to head over there and check him out.

Earlier this evening my daughter told me "Sunny went poop!" Followed quickly by "we need to bag it up and take it to the vet!" The things children say sometimes. It cracks me up.

Today was in fact a hard day for Jessica. She missed Kitty very deeply today, and I even though I try my best to love and support her, I feel like sometimes it isn't enough.

Tonight I am watching out the window at my "special needs" Cardinal. Perhaps some of you remember her. The cardinal with only one leg that visits my bird feeder quite frequently. Tonight I can't help but worry a little about her. She is curled up in the bottom "bowl" of the feeder. She's been sitting there for about 10 minutes, and now it's past 8pm. I hope all is well with her as watching her visit everyday brings joy to my days. Since those first visits we've learned a bit more about her. She does have two legs, but one has no "toes" at all and she seems to like to keep it out behind her to keep it from being banged around. Ahhh hark, the Cardinal has flown. It's so nice to see her depart this evening. I'll be looking forward to seeing her again tomorrow. Perhaps she too just needed a quiet moment. Feel free to read more about her and see a few photos here.

I've done things!

I've come up with two quilt layouts one for the Wildcat blocks from the exchange, and one for the sampler quilt I'll be donating to charity this year. The sampler quilt requires quite a bit more fabric than I had hoped so no stash busting there.

I also went through all my fabrics. I read somewhere that you should go through them time to time, and I found I had a whole lot more apparel fabric than quilting fabrics. How did that happen you ask? Well my neighbor cleared out her stash and everything she didn't think she would use she gave to me. That lead me in the creation of a beautiful blue blouse. It's funny to me because when I first brought the fabric home and was washing it Jessica told me it was "carpet". Now she says "Mommy it's so beautiful". I'm just glad she doesn't think it looks like carpet anymore.