Catch Up Post - Christmas

Now that the holidays have ended, I plan to do a few catch up posts.

Our Christmas was wonderful.  Busy, crazy and hectic, but wonderful.  We had decided beforehand to cut back on Christmas this year.  We would still do gifts for people, but they would be more thoughtful and less of them.  We needed to stick to a budget for obvious reasons.

Our Christmas Eve was spent over at my in-laws where Mamo visited.  We had a lovely dinner and the boys got to open their present from Mamo.  I do believe they were chomping at the bit because they saw the huge stack of presents under the tree and wanted to open MORE!

I have a tradition of getting the kiddos a new set of Christmas jammies every year.  I buy them on sale ($5 each!) and they continue to use them after Christmas is over.  They are warm and look adorable for pictures.

A rare family shot

We rushed home around 8:30 and immediately got the boys into bed.  A quick detour to leave out cookies, milk and carrots, a story and a kiss and they were out like lights.  I was shocked they didn't stay up to wait for Santa.

This year, Santa brought the boys a Lego table that he made himself.  I will do a separate post on the things I made this year for Santa.  Making the table for $40 was cheaper than buying one for $100 or more.  

I had asked the kids beforehand what they wanted Santa to bring them for Christmas.  Each time I asked, their answers seemed to change.  I made a guess and just bought.  And thankfully, Santa was spot on!  Jack requested a marble run and Cal requested a Thomas toy.  

I stuffed stockings and went to bed around 10:30.  However, I couldn't sleep.  I was too excited for the morning.  I tossed and turned pretty much all night with cat naps thrown in.  

Surprisingly, the boys slept until 7:00.  When they stumbled out of bed, I woke Jason up so the kids could do stockings and open their Santa presents.  Jack's reaction to his Santa gift was priceless.  He shrieked in this high pitch voice that Santa brought him a marble run.  I got it on video and I will watch it over and over because it makes me smile.  Cal seemed so shocked that Santa brought him a Thomas toy since it was just what he wanted.  It was sweet.

Jason went back to bed for another hour while I sipped coffee and the kiddos played with some of their stocking stuffers and new toy.

We packed up our car with the boatload of gifts and made the trek over to my in-laws' house.  We ate a quick breakfast and then tackled the gifts.  My boys were spoiled.  Even though we cut back, I shopped smart, bought on sale and was very savvy in what I purchased.  I bought equal amount of gifts for the boys, although I doubt they would have noticed.

Not only were my kids spoiled, but so was I.  I got so many knitting things and money that I was just so overwhelmed!

Once presents were opened, the house tidied up as much as possible and light snacks were eaten, Cal went down for a quick nap while Jack put together one of his new Lego sets.  This year was the year for Lego for Jack.  He asked for "as many Legos as Daddy has" and he got almost that much. I lost count, but I think he opened about 10 packages that were Lego related.

Once Cal was rested, we drove back home to unload the car, crate the dog and make some appetizers to bring to my Aunt and Uncle's house.  Every year, we go to my family and enjoy time together and a ton of food.  There is something called the "Grazing table".  Instead of a formal Christmas dinner, we have tons and tons of snacks.

This was about half of the food.  There was more hot food in the kitchen.  I brought goat cheese stuffed dates and sausage balls which were all gobbled up.

We laughed with my family and ate and the kids opened gifts.  We don't do an exchange with the adults anymore, which is just fine with me!  I would rather watch the kids open their gifts.

Jack and Cal played with their cousin Hazel and we just let them eat what they wanted.  I had decided that I was not going to worry about nutrition, which is probably smart since Cal single-handedly ate most of the cookies.  Ha!

It was a wonderful Christmas with four events over two days but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  Our entire holiday seemed to be stressful but the day before Christmas Eve we received wonderful news and I was able to enjoy the rest of Christmas.

The above two pictures are probably my favorite from this season.  Two happy boys playing TOGETHER with a new toy and our cute little tree surrounded by presents and kitties. 

Merry Christmas everyone!

Socks, Socks, and More Socks

I have been on a sock kick lately (with a random hat mixed in).  I am still working on my mom's sweater for Christmas, but it's nearly done.  I hope to complete it next week.  I have been putting it off for several weeks - not sure why since I only have one more sleeve to go.

Here are my recent projects!

Socks for Jack for Christmas.  I used my standard sock pattern for these.  It's such an easy pattern and I am comfortable with it.  

Yarn Credit:  Plymouth Diversity

Colorblock socks - I used my standard sock pattern but the colorblock was my creation.

Yarn Credit:  Berroco

I have been seeing patterns for colorwork and wanted to try it.  After a couple of YouTube videos, it looked easy!  And it was easy.  I just need to adjust my tension so that it's not so tight on the inside when switching colors.

Marching Alpaca hat

Yarn Credit;  Berroco

Another pair of socks.  Just looking at this picture, I realized that I needed to do something different.  I made the socks too small and I am seeing a lot of ladders in my stitches.  I have corrected this issue and knitting is always a learning process.

Yarn Credit:  Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock

Here is another shot of the same sock.  Crazy how the colors look so different in different lights.

After reading online about a sock heel that is supposed to change your life, I wanted to try it.  You make a cardboard form of your foot for measurement.  I knitted my first sock and I LOVED how easy the heel was.  It took less yarn as well so I could make the cuffs of the socks longer.

Well guess what?  It didn't fit!  Turns out that when I made the cardboard form, it was measured wrong.  After some adjusting, I fixed it.  Below is the first finished sock custom for my foot.

Pattern Credit:  Fish Lips Kiss Heel

Yarn Credit:  Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock

Oh look!  Another sock!  Knitted for Cal but it's slightly too big.  I will attribute that to the fact that he was wiggling so much when I took his measurements.

Yarn Credit:  Regia Colorways 

That's it for now.  I will have a picture of my mom's sweater hopefully soon.

Randoms

I don't have a whole lot of updates but I thought I would share some recent happenings in our lives.

* The boys had a blast on Halloween.  We went to my in-laws' and ate pizza before heading out to Trick or Treat.  We went to about 12 houses and that was plenty.  Here is my special forces soldier and my Elmo in all their glory:

* I have been trying to finish up my Christmas knitting. For some reason, I am procrastinating this year on finishing my mom's sweater and to make my sister's gift.  I have all the materials but just am NOT motivated.  I will do a post soon about all the things I have whipped up lately.

* Speaking of Christmas, I have been worrying about how I am going to buy all the gifts we need for people.  With money being tight this year and us trying to pay down debt, I have spent many a night worrying.  Yesterday, I followed up with someone who owes me a substantial amount of money and they will be paying me this week!  That has greatly reduced a lot of my stress and worry.  I have a few things tucked away for Christmas already but this will help me buy almost everything else.  

* This will probably sound contradictory in light of my money worries, but Jason and I went away for our anniversary.  It was budgeted and we did it fairly inexpensively.  We rented a condo on the Oregon Coast for $69 a night, which is completely reasonable.  It was very important for us to spend some time together sans kids and we had a really good time.  We slept in (7 am for me, ha!), ate really good food, saw a movie, relaxed and spent time with each other.  In the hustle and bustle of daily life, we often forget to talk to each other and have good conversation.  Date nights are far and few between so this was much needed.  Here are a few pictures:

This was the shot right outside our window.  What a view right?

The view outside our room at low tide

* I applied for a new position at work.  I interviewed several weeks ago but now I am waiting on some further information from my client - the client also has to interview me in order to approve the promotion.  It has been a month and I am getting anxious.  I wish I would hear one way or the other so I can work on looking for another position if necessary.  I don't discuss my job on here hardly ever.  I love my job.  I can't say that enough.  However, my boss is.........not good.  I won't say anything further about that.

That's about it for now.  I am very much looking forward to Thanksgiving next week.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Uncomfortable Topics

My blog has always been pretty light content wise.  I tend not to discuss heavy or controversial topics.  I think this does me a disservice because I have no place to vent.  On that note, I have uncomfortable things to share.

It's been a very rough couple of months in our household.  Between my depression, money and husband issues, it's been hard.  Very hard.

Our past spending and a very large amount of medical bills have been knocking on our door.  So much so that I have been consumed with worry about how I was going to pay them.  Finally, after much discussion with Jason, we decided to bite the bullet and just consolidate them.  My credit is terrible right now, and one other "hit" on my credit report can't hurt right?  Rather than spending $1500 a month - which is more than our mortgage payment and something I simply cannot afford, we have an affordable plan to pay off debt.

The above has been the biggest source of worry for me.  I tend not to share my worry with Jason or anyone really, so I have been internalizing it.  Which guess what?  Leads to anxiety and depression.  I have been in therapy since July and it is helping immensely.  I talk about my problem with low self-esteem, money worries, worrying about being a good parent, and feeling the burden of doing it all.

I have been doing it all and it takes a toll.  Between working 45 hours a week, doing all the housework, school drop offs and pick ups, and cooking, I am spent.  Jason is a stay-at-home dad but he isn't really the cleaning or cooking type.  This needs to change.  I absolutely cannot continue to do it all.  My health is suffering.  The relationship with my children and husband is suffering.  I will be having a talk with him about helping more.  I don't expect miracles or him to move mountains, but it would be really nice if he could clean up a little and perhaps do some of the school drop offs once in a while.

Speaking of Jason, I think he is depressed. He will deny it every time, but something is wrong.  He has been struggling with low testosterone for a couple of years and it's..........not good.  He refuses to see a doctor which is so incredibly frustrating.  He is afraid the doctor is going to tell him he's fat.  Well so what?  Wouldn't you rather have a physical and be uncomfortable for an hour rather than have the worry about dropping dead and leaving your family?  That seems dramatic, but it's true.  Diabetes, heart disease and other problems run in his family.  He has terrible sleep apnea from being overweight which leads to him falling asleep in random places at random times.  He needs help.  I can't force him to go to the doctor (I have tried).  The next step would be to threaten divorce but I am not that type of person. I can't do it.

It's been rough.  It will get better but at the moment, it seems insurmountable.

Sorry for the word vomit.  But I need somewhere I can talk about this.

Knitting Projects

I have been making and finishing tons of projects lately in anticipation of Christmas.  I am more than halfway done and with only 12 weeks or less to complete, I better hurry up!

I have made several of the hat below.  Several meaning 6 and I still have 1 more to make.  This particular hat is for my cousin's daughter.  She requested this hat in a pink and purple blend.  I think I nailed it with the yarn!

Yarn credit:  Malabrigo worsted in Brisa

Pattern credit:  Audrey Hat by Nancy Ricci (modified to fit a smaller size)

I wanted to make myself a cardigan sweater that was big and comfy and would be great for colder weather.  I think I succeeded!  I shopped around for yarn because I didn't want to pay $200 for yarn.  I found some yarn on KnitPicks.  It worked great!  Next time, I am going to splurge and buy more expensive yarn but not until I get to my goal weight.

I look pregnant in the picture.  I assure you I am not.  Just fat folks.

Yarn credit:  KnitPicks Brava worsted in Peacock

Pattern credit:  Effortless Cardigan by Hannah Fettig

I wish this next hat was more clear in regards to the color.  The color is stunning.  The yarn itself was amazing to work with.  Super soft and easy to use.  I find it makes a difference when you use a quality yarn.

Yarn credit:  Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage in Cousteau

Pattern credit:  Spiralini Hat by Jane Tanner

These next hats are Christmas gifts for my nephews.  I hope they like them!

Yarn credit:  KnitPicks Brava Worsted in Black, Grass and Silver

Pattern credit:  Knitted Critters for Kids to Wear by Jean Adel

Isn't this little sock adorable?  Baby socks are so fun because they knit up so fast and use minimal yarn.  I always save my sock yarn and can whip up a pair of wee socks in 2 hours.

Yarn credit:  Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock

Pattern:  Modified and made by me : )

Socks are so much fun to knit.  I don't know what it is about them.  Maybe the yarn I choose just makes me so happy?  Every time I finish a pair of socks, I just marvel at how cool they are.  I could seriously knit just socks for the rest of my life and be happy.

Yarn credit:  Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock in Peridot and Periwinkle

Pattern Credit:  Knitting Socks by Ann Budd

Finally, I am working on a sweater for my mom for Christmas.  I love how it's working up so far.  I keep picking it up and putting it down because I am in the boring part right now.  It's the knitting of the body and you knit continuously for 22 inches.  It gets a little tedious.

The yarn is much more purple than the picture appears.

Yarn credit:  KnitPicks Brava Worsted in Mulberry

Pattern credit:  Neckdown Pullover Tunic by Knitting Pure and Simple

I will post again when I complete a few more projects!

Back To School

It's that time of the year!  Both of my boys are in school this year.  Jack is in his third year with the same teacher, and Cal's first year at pre-school (it's actually called play-school but I digress).

Jack's first day went off without a hitch.  He loves school so he was looking forward to going back.  He attends school Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12:00 to 2:45.  This was not an ideal time, but we didn't have much to choose from.  It was either that time block or every day in the morning for 2 hours.  This means that Jack doesn't get a nap anymore most days during the week.  We were expecting a disaster situation with no nap, but he surprised us and it's going well.  This also means that the boys don't have "Nana Day" on Friday.  Instead, they go on Thursday after Cal gets out of school.

He is nearly impossible to get pictures of, so this will have to do:

Cal goes to school on Tuesday and Thursday morning from 9:00 to 10:30.  His first week was rough.  He cried a bit at drop off and kept saying "I don't want to go to school".  After the second week, drop off was just fine.

Now Calvin exclaims "I love school!".  He even painted the other day!  He has a fear of getting his hands covered with paint so this is a big step.

Our schedules are still a little crazy but I am sure that once October comes to a close, we will be in the swing of things.

Summer Fun

This summer, I am trying to get out every weekend and do something with the boys.  Usually, it is something free or cheap.  Oaks Park was a splurge for sure, but playgrounds, splash pads and walks in the neighborhood is free.

I have taken the boys berry picking, to numerous playgrounds, splash pads, we have been to Blue Lake Park, on walks, we spend a lot of "nakey" time at home, trips to Nana's, special treats at Dairy Queen, play time at Dizzy Castle, trips to Target and other random stuff.

If all goes well this weekend and both of my kids stay healthy, the plan is to take them to the Oregon State Fair.

Enjoy some of the pictures of our summer time below!