Lots of ideas in my head. Lots. Working on a lot of different projects all at once. I’ve knitted and/or crocheted many hats, scarves, and bags. I’m reworking the triptych for the space above our fireplace. It looks like it’s going to work this time. I made a 14k gold bracelet that was supposed to be a cuff, but ended up more like a bangle. I’ve changed the clasp for it twice, but I’m not sure it’s good enough just yet. I’m still working on the thinking part of writing. I even wrote a little. I have more project ideas simmering, from knitting/crochet to jewelry to sculpture. Right now, I need to focus on my holiday projects. Unfortunately, those are the ideas I don’t have yet.

I’m thinking about teaching a class. The local community ed program is always looking for people to teach different workshops. I have tons of art/craft knowledge and experience, so it’s about time I put some of it to more use than entertaining myself. My biggest challenge will be (not surprisingly) believing in myself. Ugh, that sounds so pitiful. I’m not trying to sound pitiful. But really, knowing I have no resume worthy skills is a confidence killer for me. I’m working on it.

Our Halloween costumes turned out differently than I expected. Instead of my original plan, we did this. I think they’re pretty cool.

The boys have been quarreling excessively these past few weeks, so I’ve been looking for a new approach to getting them to cooperate more. My solution was to take the A Complaint Free World idea and make it more relevant to our family life.

The boys have behavior bracelets they wear on their left wrist. The goal is to keep it there for 21 consecutive days. If they misbehave, they move the bracelet to their right wrist and begin back at Day One. At the end of 21 days, I’m going to let them have a reward.

They’ve been perfectly behaved the entire day. I don’t know if the idea will continue to work, but I’m hopeful.

I’m learning that the writing process, for me, involves a lot of thinking, but not a lot of writing. I imagine ideas cooking in my head. Sometimes I feel like the pot will boil over.

I’m also finding inspiration in unexpected places. It’s not a new phenomenon to me, but it’s always enjoyable. Little insignificant details are popping up in my characters’ personalities. Although I care about them, I can’t imagine anyone else would.

I wonder if I’m overthinking things, if I’m cooking things too long. I get new ideas daily. Usually, they’re very small ideas, but I always feel like I’ve found something big. Maybe my addiction to those eureka moments are preventing me from taking the next step. Or maybe all this thinking is a good thing.

Or maybe all this thinking and writing about thinking and writing is exhausting.

Rob’s parents are flying in tomorrow to stay with us for a week. We don’t really have room for guests, but we do what we can. Like always, Rob’s been breaking his back to make sure they’ll be as comfortable as possible while they’re here. His dad has already commented to Rob that he doesn’t want to be “sitting in dog hair” while he’s here. (I have a lab. She sheds and licks. However, there is no animal hair on the furniture.) He usually complains about something when he visits, so I’ve come to expect it. Do you think it would be wrong of me to suggest to him that he’s being ungrateful if and when that happens? Or do you think it’s better to continue to say nothing?

We’re giving them our bedroom and bathroom while they’re here. I’ll sleep on the daybed, and Rob will probably sleep on an inflatable mattress in the living room.

Rob’s dad can’t sleep without a television on at night, so we’re moving a tv up into our bedroom.

We have a new sofa being delivered today. We wanted to replace it when Rob got some of his severance money next month, but we made arrangements to get it before his parents arrive.

I’m going to keep my car in the garage during their stay so they have more room in the driveway for their car.

We’re not sending the dogs away this time. Also, I have no control over the weather.

I’m writing. It started with an imaginary land I used to visit as a child in the forests behind my house. Ten years ago, I mapped the land from my childhood memories and invented new creatures and cities. Last week, I dusted off my old notes and filled the world with people. I imagined scenes with each of my people, but no stories. The past ten years have been filled with experiences that helped me create characters who have depth, and color, and who are very real to me. The people were so real they guided themselves. I didn’t invent their stories.

Since admitting five days ago I am writing, I have crocheted two hats and a scarf, and I’ve reworked the crocheted shrug I made so it’s now more of a sweater. Clearly, I’m finding the process of creating a plot to be more than a little challenging. It’s a lot like a puzzle. I’m guessing the puzzle analogy isn’t a new one because it fits so perfectly. I had a rough idea of a plot, but it was littered with holes. Then slowly, very slowly, I started filling in the missing pieces. Filling in the blanks is a little intoxicating when it works. Though I haven’t actually written anything other than notes yet, I feel like I’m getting really close to starting something. I seem to have a tendency of researching something to death before jumping in. I wasn’t always like this.

(Read more…)

I’ve been working on many projects the past few weeks. Using polymer clay, I made a dragon’s head (which will be used in another project) and a Pierrot inspired circus doll. In yarn, I crocheted several washcloths, two and a half hats, and a shrug (which I’ll probably never wear.) In fabric, I’ve started the boys’ Halloween costumes. For my home, I’ve built three wood frames to display a textile triptych which will replace my ugly experimental painting that is currently hanging above my fireplace. (I need to get a new blade for my miter saw before I can finish it.)

One more thing I’m working on right now is a type of creative outlet I’ve never really tried. It’s creative writing. I feel a little sheepish admitting that I’m writing for some reason. I feel like I need to say more about this, but I need some time to reflect first.

On an unrelated note, Rob has accepted a job that allows us to stay in Michigan. Huzzah!

Rob had three job interviews on Friday. One was a phone interview for the job in Baltimore. It was his first interview with them, so we won’t know anything until they finish their first round of applicants. Another was a follow-up phone interview for the job in St. Louis. No official offer has been made, but he’s been told the job is his if he wants it. The people in that group have already been talking about when he joins them, not if he joins.

The third job is in Michigan. Like Missouri, a formal offer hasn’t been made, but an offer letter has been drafted. We expect the offer to be made this week. Unless one of the out-of-state jobs makes Rob an offer that’s too good to refuse, it looks like we get to stay in Michigan. And that thought makes me very happy.

The boys started school today with a lot of enthusiasm. They were up and dressed before I was fully awake. I have more structured plans for this year than I did last year, but we’re still pretty relaxed. If pressed for an answer, I guess I might label our current attempt as “supplemented unschooling” or something along those lines. I intend to include some formal lessons, as well as some outside activities as part of their learning this year.

Our families have been mixed in their support for our decision to homeschool. My sister and my mom are cautiously supportive (I think they’d like to see us use more curriculum), while my dad and my MIL are kind enough to keep their disapproval away from my ears. Rob is sort of indifferent about homeschooling, but completely supportive about my decision. He’s confident that I will always do what I feel is best for our boys, whether I decide to homeschool or send them back to the public schools.

The storms stole our electricity on Friday night, but the weather after the storm passed was beautiful. Our ice cream got a little melty during the 24 hours we were without power, but the blue skies, bright sun, and cool breezes made up for it. The area just east of us was hit the hardest by tornadoes. The weather forecasters congratulated themselves for the early warnings that prompted people to seek shelter and avoid serious injuries. However, I remember being extremely disappointed by their lack of coverage for our area. Of course, they’re all over the damage now that we’re the big story.

We spent Sunday at Soak City with the freebie tickets we got from our Cedar Point trip. We told the boys we were taking them to the pool at one of the schools about an hour drive away from us. They passed the time with their Transformers toys in the back seat for two and a half hours before they realized we were in Ohio. The weather was perfect, the water was perfect, and the pizza was perfect. It’ll probably take me all of today to recover from so much fun.

I have the whole day to myself, but I don’t know what to do with it!