A Very Sunny Sunday
Mar. 11th, 2007 09:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
liralenI decided to say yes to someone at church who wanted someone to sponsor her as a member. I got up in front of the congregation and tried to condense a life into something less than 3 minutes long. It was hard to do and I felt like I failed badly, as I missed so much about her and I spoke far too fast compared to when I was doing deacon things, but it's been nearly ten years. So I shouldn't have been so surprised.
Ah well. But she said thank you, John said that I could be understood, and Jenny and Tonya both said that I did well enough to make the lady interesting without droning on and on about her interests. So... I guess it turned out well.
Like so many things. I guess that internal critic says nothing I do is good enough. I just have to trust that when I try it's enough, and I feel good about it NOW, so that's good enough for me.
During the fellowship time, Ivey came up to me and wanted to knit. She's adopted from China, and has a birth defect of having only one arm. Her mother did some research on it and it's as if something just cut off her arm at the shoulder while she was developing. So her body has never missed it, even during development, the muscles smoothly join at the joint, her skin is all perfectly smooth, and it all just ends there. No stump, and all her development is simply without it, so she doesn't miss it other than when trying to learn something that other kids do with two hands. Her mom said that at home Ivey found two pencils and some yarn and tried to knit herself and got frustrated.
My current project consists of a hand cloth, a cloth to dry hands on, and it's got Sugar and Cream "Swimming Pool" and "Summer Splash" in alternating bands. Bright! It's to match the equally bright shower curtain in our guest bathroom on the main floor. And I had it on my needles, and Ivey came to me, sat in my lap and picked up the right needle. And, stitch by stitch, we worked through a row together. It was garter stitch, so just knits, and I provided her left hand, and she did what she needed to do with her right. I admit that I helped at first. With throwing the yarn and with getting the angle to pick up the loop, but then she gradually learned which way to poke the needle in first, then she learned how to wrap the yarn herself, and then... it was really funny... but when she felt she had it down pat, she got sloppy! *laughter*
It was fun to feel her intentness on the problem, and when she felt she'd "gotten" it in less than a row, she was just trying to finish the row. It was kind of cool, too. Her mom and I figured she could probably hold the other needle with her foot, as she's getting pretty good at that. She has a good friend who has no arms, and the two of them egg each other on with challenges. Hee.
When her mom asked what she needed, I first thought cotton would be too hard, as it's pretty unforgiving as a yarn. No stretch and slippery as anything. But... it feels nice. And the Sugar and Cream looks really nice, too, and it's dead cheap. Our local hobby store has it for $1.27 per ball, and it goes on sale for .99 a two ounce ball! It'll fade fast, but then it looks well-loved and well-used. We have dish clothes that have been around for years, and they're pale ghosts of their former glory, but still work really, really well.
And what kid doesn't need wash clothes? Jet still uses his baby wash clothes while eating meals. He uses them as his napkin, and asks for them to be wet so he can wipe his own hands and mouth clean. They're small enough for him to use easily and they're simple to wash as well. We just pile 'em up and throw 'em through the laundry. Saves on using paper towels and the like too, as they're really absorbent and can be used for wiping just about anything up.
So maybe I'll start her on wash clothes. Small project and she can use it with pride.
Jet went home with Peter, Tanner, and Macy. There was a congregational meeting, and the kids were outta here. They ended up at IHOP, and Jet ate a cinnamon swirl French Toast for lunch. *grin* When they'd done some errands, they came back and decided they wanted to do some miniature golfing. It was SUNNY out, in the mid to high 60's, and I wanted to do something other than knit or play video games (I played nearly four hours of Okami and I have only TWO BEADS I cannot fit. GAR!) and take advantage of the weather. So I volunteered to drive. John wanted to work on the porch extension and so it worked out great.
We had a blast for 18 holes of miniature golf, and Mister Peter held the kids up to SOME standards with respect to their game. *grin* I loved that. We were there for a good two hours, and took every single shot. Hee.
The car was very quiet on the way home. Jet got lemonaid when we got home, and went out to help Dad. I could finally just settle down and knit. Mmmm... Until dinner time. Then I got busy with half a pound of straight lemon pepper grilled wild caught Sockeye, a full pound of grilled asparagus, and two Yukon gold potatoes, mashed with butter, chives, and milk. Jet had a hot dog, French fries, and his flame raisins. Happy boy.
Jet then finished a Veggie Tale video game, and we all went out to use the hot tub. The tub leaked over the winter, something must have frozen or something, but John tightened up a number of connections and it stopped dropping water everywhere. There's still a leak somewhere, so John called the local hot tub place and they're going to send someone out.
Two background things...
On the way home from Seattle, when we did the emergency start on the Passat, the fuel must have frozen in the pump as well, and when we got it going, something blew out a seal in the pump. Not only is the pump some $800, but the work is around $500 AND the pump can't be found for love or money. Since the Passat's over ten years old, the only fuel pumps to be had are either used, old, or factory reconditioned ones. So we're down to one car, the Eurovan, which is a lovely car, but it does mean we have to be far more closely coordinated on who is going where when, and both John and I are riding our bikes more often than not.
The second background thing is that on the 24th we're going to be having a huge kids and parents potluck. Not only all the kids and parents at the church, but also all their friends, our friends, and some people who are teachers of the kids who don't have any themselves are all coming. So, yes. John is pouring concrete tomorrow for the pilings for the deck that has to be done and solid before the 24th. He thinks he can do it. I think he can do it. But I also have 1300 square yards of garden at the OUR center that I have to at least get the compost in on and probably start planting the early stuff in. Things like onions, scallions, chives, beets, spinach, and all the early things have to get out there around St. Patrick's Day or they're just not going to have the time to develop while there's good, colder weather.
So I'm panicking a bit. I wrote the people at the OUR center to say that I didn't know if I could handle it all, and I'd need help with the crops I've never grown before. I may call my mom for help, too, as I don't really have any idea on the water needs of half the things on the list to be grown. *sigh* It isn't as bad as work panic, as there are people who can help of all kinds around the community. But still...
One cool funny thing is that Jet asked me, the other day, when we were going to be able to stay in a hotel again. He liked doing that rather than taking a plane. So we'll get to fulfill his wish as we're driving to San Diego for spring break and likely to both camp and stay in hotels. He cheered. Hee.
Ah well. But she said thank you, John said that I could be understood, and Jenny and Tonya both said that I did well enough to make the lady interesting without droning on and on about her interests. So... I guess it turned out well.
Like so many things. I guess that internal critic says nothing I do is good enough. I just have to trust that when I try it's enough, and I feel good about it NOW, so that's good enough for me.
During the fellowship time, Ivey came up to me and wanted to knit. She's adopted from China, and has a birth defect of having only one arm. Her mother did some research on it and it's as if something just cut off her arm at the shoulder while she was developing. So her body has never missed it, even during development, the muscles smoothly join at the joint, her skin is all perfectly smooth, and it all just ends there. No stump, and all her development is simply without it, so she doesn't miss it other than when trying to learn something that other kids do with two hands. Her mom said that at home Ivey found two pencils and some yarn and tried to knit herself and got frustrated.
My current project consists of a hand cloth, a cloth to dry hands on, and it's got Sugar and Cream "Swimming Pool" and "Summer Splash" in alternating bands. Bright! It's to match the equally bright shower curtain in our guest bathroom on the main floor. And I had it on my needles, and Ivey came to me, sat in my lap and picked up the right needle. And, stitch by stitch, we worked through a row together. It was garter stitch, so just knits, and I provided her left hand, and she did what she needed to do with her right. I admit that I helped at first. With throwing the yarn and with getting the angle to pick up the loop, but then she gradually learned which way to poke the needle in first, then she learned how to wrap the yarn herself, and then... it was really funny... but when she felt she had it down pat, she got sloppy! *laughter*
It was fun to feel her intentness on the problem, and when she felt she'd "gotten" it in less than a row, she was just trying to finish the row. It was kind of cool, too. Her mom and I figured she could probably hold the other needle with her foot, as she's getting pretty good at that. She has a good friend who has no arms, and the two of them egg each other on with challenges. Hee.
When her mom asked what she needed, I first thought cotton would be too hard, as it's pretty unforgiving as a yarn. No stretch and slippery as anything. But... it feels nice. And the Sugar and Cream looks really nice, too, and it's dead cheap. Our local hobby store has it for $1.27 per ball, and it goes on sale for .99 a two ounce ball! It'll fade fast, but then it looks well-loved and well-used. We have dish clothes that have been around for years, and they're pale ghosts of their former glory, but still work really, really well.
And what kid doesn't need wash clothes? Jet still uses his baby wash clothes while eating meals. He uses them as his napkin, and asks for them to be wet so he can wipe his own hands and mouth clean. They're small enough for him to use easily and they're simple to wash as well. We just pile 'em up and throw 'em through the laundry. Saves on using paper towels and the like too, as they're really absorbent and can be used for wiping just about anything up.
So maybe I'll start her on wash clothes. Small project and she can use it with pride.
Jet went home with Peter, Tanner, and Macy. There was a congregational meeting, and the kids were outta here. They ended up at IHOP, and Jet ate a cinnamon swirl French Toast for lunch. *grin* When they'd done some errands, they came back and decided they wanted to do some miniature golfing. It was SUNNY out, in the mid to high 60's, and I wanted to do something other than knit or play video games (I played nearly four hours of Okami and I have only TWO BEADS I cannot fit. GAR!) and take advantage of the weather. So I volunteered to drive. John wanted to work on the porch extension and so it worked out great.
We had a blast for 18 holes of miniature golf, and Mister Peter held the kids up to SOME standards with respect to their game. *grin* I loved that. We were there for a good two hours, and took every single shot. Hee.
The car was very quiet on the way home. Jet got lemonaid when we got home, and went out to help Dad. I could finally just settle down and knit. Mmmm... Until dinner time. Then I got busy with half a pound of straight lemon pepper grilled wild caught Sockeye, a full pound of grilled asparagus, and two Yukon gold potatoes, mashed with butter, chives, and milk. Jet had a hot dog, French fries, and his flame raisins. Happy boy.
Jet then finished a Veggie Tale video game, and we all went out to use the hot tub. The tub leaked over the winter, something must have frozen or something, but John tightened up a number of connections and it stopped dropping water everywhere. There's still a leak somewhere, so John called the local hot tub place and they're going to send someone out.
Two background things...
On the way home from Seattle, when we did the emergency start on the Passat, the fuel must have frozen in the pump as well, and when we got it going, something blew out a seal in the pump. Not only is the pump some $800, but the work is around $500 AND the pump can't be found for love or money. Since the Passat's over ten years old, the only fuel pumps to be had are either used, old, or factory reconditioned ones. So we're down to one car, the Eurovan, which is a lovely car, but it does mean we have to be far more closely coordinated on who is going where when, and both John and I are riding our bikes more often than not.
The second background thing is that on the 24th we're going to be having a huge kids and parents potluck. Not only all the kids and parents at the church, but also all their friends, our friends, and some people who are teachers of the kids who don't have any themselves are all coming. So, yes. John is pouring concrete tomorrow for the pilings for the deck that has to be done and solid before the 24th. He thinks he can do it. I think he can do it. But I also have 1300 square yards of garden at the OUR center that I have to at least get the compost in on and probably start planting the early stuff in. Things like onions, scallions, chives, beets, spinach, and all the early things have to get out there around St. Patrick's Day or they're just not going to have the time to develop while there's good, colder weather.
So I'm panicking a bit. I wrote the people at the OUR center to say that I didn't know if I could handle it all, and I'd need help with the crops I've never grown before. I may call my mom for help, too, as I don't really have any idea on the water needs of half the things on the list to be grown. *sigh* It isn't as bad as work panic, as there are people who can help of all kinds around the community. But still...
One cool funny thing is that Jet asked me, the other day, when we were going to be able to stay in a hotel again. He liked doing that rather than taking a plane. So we'll get to fulfill his wish as we're driving to San Diego for spring break and likely to both camp and stay in hotels. He cheered. Hee.
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no subject
Date: 2007-03-12 03:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-13 11:28 pm (UTC)Her mom is great that way, and is happy to help her find a way no matter what else is going on. There's been offers to make Ivey a "knitting block" to clamp onto the stationary needle, offers to get her a belt to stick the needle into to hold it, and all kinds of interesting ideas. :-)
no subject
Date: 2007-03-14 02:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-14 02:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-15 10:27 pm (UTC)Whereas I could just gift them to them, it would be... mildly embarrassing to them. And I think Ivey just wants a go at it without 'help' to start. But I'll find out in a bit. I gave her a pair of wooden knitting needles that were on sale and were "kid needles" bright, lime green and pink. Plus some of the kitchen cotton in bright colors so she could make herself a cloth to start...
We'll see.
Thanks for the extra data!
Just delete the anon comment; didn't notice it'd logged me off...
Date: 2007-03-12 04:25 pm (UTC)The Z is 10 or 11 as well.
(And the rest I can merely read with interest, alas; my brain cometh up with nothing to add that might enrich or give back interest.)
Re: Just delete the anon comment; didn't notice it'd logged me off...
Date: 2007-03-13 11:29 pm (UTC)I appreciate you reading.
Meefle about the spouse's fuel pump. Yeah, it's much like what's going on with ours, but our mechanic is solid enough to know we really need the darn seal...
So it is. We won't have a car until mid-April and it's making me mildly antsy.
Re: Just delete the anon comment; didn't notice it'd logged me off...
Date: 2007-03-13 11:53 pm (UTC)Good luck with the pump!
Re: Just delete the anon comment; didn't notice it'd logged me off...
Date: 2007-03-14 03:09 am (UTC)Still... it would make me happier, probably, to just have a car.
Re: Just delete the anon comment; didn't notice it'd logged me off...
Date: 2007-03-14 11:47 am (UTC)See what the local rental cars are doing, maybe? Fretting's not so good, either.
Ivey and knitting
Date: 2007-03-13 02:39 am (UTC)Re: Ivey and knitting
Date: 2007-03-13 11:31 pm (UTC)Jet thinks of them as knitting and he likes doing it. So that's been cool.
Re: Ivey and knitting
Date: 2007-03-14 05:31 am (UTC)Anyway, I've been thinking about it and from what I know about knitting, she needs something that will hold the second needle steady for her.
My right hand doesn't work too well; my cerebral palsy is worse on that side. And so when I knit or use the knitting looms, my right hand is pretty still and my left does most of the work.
What about crochet? or using crochet hooks instead of knitting needles, at least on the side where she doesn't have a hand? The reason I say that is because then the loops won't fall off the needles.
I hope some of this helps... feel free to use me as an example if you want when you show her the looms.
*hugs*
Susan
Re: Ivey and knitting
Date: 2007-03-15 10:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-13 12:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-13 11:31 pm (UTC)thanks!!
no subject
Date: 2007-03-13 11:39 pm (UTC)Thank you!
no subject
Date: 2007-03-14 03:12 am (UTC)So a bunch of my stringing together of ancedotal evidence has been unstrung. Good thing, too.
Thanks.
no subject
Date: 2007-03-13 05:25 pm (UTC)I'd also echo rephetibel's comment, that Ivey is blessed to have adults who try to find ways to help her do what she wants to do. She's also blessed to have a friend she can challenge and be challenged by. When you've got somethign that makes you "different", it's always helpful to have someone else who's also "different" and an encourager as well.
no subject
Date: 2007-03-13 11:40 pm (UTC)And, yes, it's good she has other people that encourage her to think for herself and figure out ways even when others can't think of a way. *grin*
knitting and Ivey
Date: 2007-03-15 11:27 pm (UTC)