ch-ch-ch-changes

I'm going to be scarce this summer, starting now. We are going on a media blackout this summer. The TV has already been packed away for the next few months, and the computer is being strictly limited. We are seeking to use this time to spend with one another and learning to enjoy each other as family. In just 3 short days, we're seeing how addicted we are to the television. We're also seeing just how much we can get done without the TV and the Internet. I'm going to use some of my Internet time to post progress, maybe even a few pictures of what we get accomplished. We're hoping to get a fence up in the back yard, grow a nice garden this year, and get more landscaping stuff done around the yard, and probably other projects, as money and time allow.

Update as a reply to a comment:

Thank you, momrn! :) The only things I miss about TV are being able to see live local radar during storms, Jeopardy, and "The New This Old House Hour" (which is pretty much commercial free anyway). But, I don't watch them religiously, either, so I'm not missing them much. We've been pretty much free of programming, with the exception of said shows, for a year now. DH took the satellite away (darn, no more Alton Brown!) about a year ago, and while it was really difficult to adjust to, I'm so glad for it because we were watching too much TV! Since then, our main source of TV watching has been DVDs and VHS. But, that's okay to be without even that because of the fact that will stay light well past bedtime very soon. When it gets too cold and dark to play outside in the evening and we're tired of playing Candyland for the umpteenth time, we'll drag the TV out and stick on some VeggieTales or Pink Panther or something else that we enjoy as a family.

I keep meaning to mention this...

I came across a contest hosted by Melissa on Lucia's forum for the month of March. The details are here. Even though the contest is long over, it is still a worthy cause that I will be donating to as I am able. I got a really nice letter from the social worker yesterday, thanking me for donating. I wasn't expecting it, and it made my day. I loved how she described how knitting is so therapeutic to the residents going through the program. I know this to be true from personal experience. Knitting has been what has really helped me deal with getting off of my PPD medicine. Well, knitting and praying both helped, but when you knit, there is a lot of time to quiet yourself and pray! I'm so happy that I had some yarn laying around that could be put to good use! It's great that not only are these ladies learning healthy anxiety-relieving strategies, but they are also learning a skill that they can use to sell items.

As a result of my shopping my stash and donating what I wouldn't use, my stash has been diminished to the point that once I get some projects done, I can buy more yarn - that's what the HOH says anyway. Another thing that I got, which I wasn't even expecting, was some gorgeous stitch markers made by Mel herself! No more yarn loops for me! I'll try to get some pics up later. I used one doing the heel of my latest sock. Anyway, I just wanted to encourage you to donate any yarn, needles, or other items that are knitting or crochet-related to a program like Interim House. If you know of one different from Interim House, please e-mail me or leave it in my comments. I'd love to support as many as I can!

My heart is really heavy right now. It involves a childhood church and the direction it is taking. I'm working on a more detailed post about it, but I need time to prayerfully put my thoughts into words.

On a more lighter note, this week is supposed to be gorgeous. I'm so very excited. There is baby grass in the backyard, so maybe we'll have a nice backyard this year! :) If it stays dry long enough, FIL will come over and till my garden for me, so then we can plant peas! I need to start some seeds and put them in my loft's window seat so that I can transplant the seedlings into my garden in a few weeks. I'm very excited about this year's garden. I am planning lots of beans, so I need to start thinking about where to put them and what kind of pole/trellis mechanism I'm going to use. My uncle suggests using panels of hog fence, as you can maximize space. Hmmm... I may have to look into it.

On another note, I'm trying hard to determine exactly how/what to teach Bubba come fall. I'm seriously considering the Sonlight curriculum. It looks like a good blend of "school in a box" and independent learning, plus it is Christian and literature-based, which is very appealing to me. My biggest problem is where should I start Bubba. I'm looking at the K stuff, and I don't think he is quite ready. The Pre-K stuff looks like it might be a little young for him, but there seems to be things that we should probably do from it before we really get into K for him. I'm seriously considering starting the Pre-K program now and working through it at Bubba's pace. Then, when we're done, we can always order the K curricula. I guess there's nothing that says you have to start in September, huh? Fun stuff, eh?

By the way, does anyone need any Easter candy? It's not even Easter yet, and my children's gleanings are threatening to overrun the candy/cookie jar (the cookies are already displaced). We still have another side of the family to go, too, and that side is even more into candy! Oh no!!!!

Mommy's TV choice night

Tonight was mommy's choice for television viewing. I was so excited. HOH has been trying to make sure that I get to watch what I want sometimes instead of always watching what he and/or the boys want - or nothing at all, if I so choose. Normally, I pick something that we all enjoy rather than something that appeals mainly to me. Tonight, though, I felt a little selfish, and I chose to watch PBS. There was a wonderful Live at Lincoln Center on, celebrating Julliard's 100th birthday. 90 minutes of unadulterated high culture. I mainly listened as I worked on the mate to one of my single socks. It was such a joy. I have to say that there were many wonderful performers that thrilled me, including Beverly Sills and Itzhak Perlman. However, this little 13 year old boy Peng Peng really took my breath away. He played the first movement of Rachmaninoff's 2nd Piano Concerto. I did watch that bit, and to see his fingers fly, dance, and frolic over the keyboard was truly awe-inspiring. I can't imagine how good he is to be able to play so well at such a young age - and with as much expression as a musician much older than him. I am so happy I was able to listen to/watch this show. Thank you HOH and boys! :) Thank you Lord for giving us classical music and gifting performers to play it so well.

Pictures! :)

I'm so proud of myself. I finally figured out how to get pictures off of the digital camera. Now, you will not be spared the photos of such things as really cute babies, goofy preschoolers, finished objects, etc. :) Here are some pictures of the finished objects of 2006. This is not complete because I have 2 socks that are currently mateless (FOs #3 and #4); they haven't had their photo op yet. I think a paired photo shoot is better than posting about 2 lonely singletons. *wink*

My very first FO of 2006, and my first pair of socks! They don't look too hot on the short row heels, but I don't care. I'm still proud of them!

These are my second FOs of 2006. They were my sister's birthday socks, and my first attempt doing a traditional heel.