SweetPea Castle

4/21 To-Do List

Here is this weeks list (updated 4/26 9:56pm):

1. Reschedule my May BP followup appointment.
2. Knit socks for myself; in process... but it's going to be a LOOOOONGGGG process ;-)  ... beginning the heel next!
3. Start planning this knit (http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring08/PATTjaden.html)  I really REALLY want to knit this up for myself.  :-)
4. Basement cleanout
5. Sewing room reorganization in process
6. MPB Quarterly Financial Organization
   1. Quickbooks Update
   2. Local Tax Reporting
7. Download, install and evaluate USPS Shipping Assistant
8. Existing custom list (NOT necessarily in order)
   1. Joline (probable trade); tbd... I need to PM her
   2. TBD
9. Charity items; need to add a preview/snippet to my HC with Tuesday stocking
10. GCDH
    • donation item
    • website updates
    • hint thread kept up-to-date
    • note about MIA for surgery
11. MPB Stocking
    • Stocking 4/22
    • in-stock items; in the works
    • soaker/booster sets
    • Next custom slots... not till after surgery.  Probably sometime in mid to late June.
12. Flickr galleries updated
13. Website Update?? - in line for a redesign sometime over the summer.
14. Supply orders
    • Woven Labels (redesign and order) - re-ordering current design.  Will order fresh after redesign.
    • Fabrics
      • OBV - payment sent; waiting on shipping invoice.
      • OBCF - payment sent; waiting on shipping invoice.
    • Custom Freebies - looking at a few more options
    • PUL - partial coop order pending.  will need to evaluate what other colors are needed.

It's been a fruitful week

I've actually accomplished quite a bit this week, all things considered.  But, for some reason I still feel like I haven't done nearly enough.  Perhaps it's because I really do still have so much left that I WANT to accomplish before going for surgery.  I think I will take this weekend and re-evaluate what is really important on that list... and work towards those things.

I'm really excited!  I wound two skeins of yarn this evening.  One is a gorgeous sock yarn from Elliebelly and the other is another undyed sock yarn from Plumknits.  The Elliebelly is next to be knit, but i had to get the other skien wound before it got all tangled from hanging on the doorknob to the sewing room.  And, I'm determined to knit quite a bit more on my socks tonight after all the little ones have gone to bed.

I also finished up Christina's order and got it shipped today.  I can't wait to hear how she likes the "B" custom.  I was really happy with how that turned out.  I've got several diapers already finished for Tuesday's MudpieBabies stocking.... and several more in the works.  I'm planning a 9:25pm stocking time to allow a little more time to get all these finished and listed... and a few more west coasters a better chance.

Now, I'm off of here for the evening.  I really do need to get to knitting if I'm ever going to finish these socks.  Perhaps I'll post some pics tomorrow... we'll see how nice it is outside.  ;-)

Fun Stuff

Today is gonna be busy.  As long as Josiah behaves, it'll be okay.  He's been in a bit of a funk the past several days.  I'm not sure if he's in a growth spurt or what.  But, I'm sure it'll work itself out shortly.

I've got embroideries to work on today for Christina's custom slot.  And, I need to finish cutting and organizing the rest of the stuff for her order.  I'm also working on instock items.  I've got 7 AIOs already finished and ready.  I've got a bunch more in the works.

I also need to go to WalMart for bedding and a set of curtains.  We are moving the children's sleeping arrangements around so I can use the crib for Josiah.  I need yogurt from the grocery store too. 

Finally, I need to contact the lactation consultant at the hospital I'm having my surgery at.  I want to meet with them prior to surgery.

Busy, Busy, Busy...

UPDATE... well, I didn't make it to the grocery store.  But that will get done tomorrow.  And, I never did call the lactation consultant.  I'll take care of that soon too.  BUT, I did make it down to church tonight for an awesome presentation by the Jews for Jesus on the Passover feast.  It was really quite fascinating.  I have one more embroidery to finish for Christina's order and plenty of fabrics to cut.  Tomorrow is another day.  :-)

4/14 To-Do List

Here is this weeks list (updated 4/18 3:08pm):

1. Reschedule my May BP followup appointment.
2. Noah's assessment testing results sent into the county.
3. Knit socks for myself; in process... but it's going to be a LOOOOONGGGG process ;-)  finished the toes... halfway up the foot, I think.
4. Start planning this knit (http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring08/PATTjaden.html)  I really REALLY want to knit this up for myself.  :-)
5. Basement cleanout
6. Sewing room reorganization in process
7. MPB Quarterly Financial Organization
   1. Quickbooks Update
   2. Local Tax Reporting
8. Existing custom list (NOT necessarily in order)
   1. Christina; Finished and shipped 4/18!!!
   2. Joline (probable trade); tbd... I need to PM her
   3. TBD
9. Charity items; shipped and emailed lising info
10. GCDH
    • donation item
    • website updates
    • hint thread kept up-to-date
    • note about MIA for surgery
11. MPB Stocking
    • Stocking 4/22
    • in-stock items; in the works
    • soaker/booster sets
    • Next custom slots... not till after surgery.  Probably sometime in mid to late June.
12. Flickr galleries updated
13. Website Update?? - in line for a redesign sometime over the summer.
14. Supply orders
    • Woven Labels (redesign and order) - re-ordering current design.  Will order fresh after redesign.
    • Fabrics
      • OBV - payment sent; waiting on shipping invoice.
      • OBCF - waiting for coop.
    • Custom Freebies - looking at a few more options
    • Snaps
    • PUL - partial coop order pending.  will need to evaluate what other colors are needed.

Whew

I got Ramona's custom, Sara's replacement, the GCDH special, and Noah's homeschool annual assessment test shipped out this afternoon.  I also got a much-needed trip to the grocery store - all by myself while my parents watched the littles.

I now have everything to finish Sue's custom order tomorrow.  Amanda's custom and my item for a charity event on May 1st are the next on the list... along with several instock items.  Then, I've got two more customs that need to be finished. 

I'm really excited to be working on some simple instock items for the next couple of weeks.  I'm not quite sure when I'll be listing yet.  I was hoping to list today, but that just didn't work once everyone got so sick.

Finally, I managed to get a few more rows knit on my socks.  I'm already envisioning my next pair.  But, I have managed to resist casting on and having more than one item in the works.  ;-)

Time to head to bed.  If I'm going to get anything done tomorrow, I need to get some sleep now.  Godspeed... ~ Tiffani

We have a date!

My surgery will happen on May 6th.  This is to repair the pelvic prolapse that happened after Josiah's birth.  The will be introducing mesh support structure for my bladder and pelvic floor.  And, I will be having a hysterectomy.  The Lord has said that we are done.  I will be so very glad to get my body back in proper functioning order again.  Right now, I am constantly uncomfortable and dealing with regular urinary tract infections.  Praise the Lord for His provision of doctors and health insurance.

This WILL mean that a lot of things are on the back burner for a couple of months.  I will be completely unable to lift anything over 8 pounds for 6-8 weeks after surgery.  And, I'll have to slowly work up from there.  I am finishing up my current MudpieBabies custom list and not taking any further customs until after I've recovered.  I'll be working on instock listings until surgery... and then once again after I can stand to be in the sewing room again.  Of course, I'll update my announcements list as soon as I'm ready to take on custom work again.

Josiah is still feeling awful and struggling with a high fever.  So, I'm off to let him swing while I try to get some sewing done.  That's the gist of yesterdays biggest news.  I'll post again tonight after I get some work done and the children are down for the night.

A quick peek...

This is what "productive" looks like:

From right to left... Sara's replacement AIO.  The GCDH AIO.  Ramona's two custom AIOs.  And a couple of in-stock/seconds.  I have to put the front snaps or aplix on them, photo them, and then pack them up to ship out tomorrow.  Then, I've got Sue's two custom AIOs in the back of the photo.  They will get their elastic in later today.  Then, I expect to finish cutting and sewing their inners tomorrow.  We'll see how much the littles let me do.  I've also got another custom ready for it's embroidery and another charity diaper to get out next week.  And, I'm also working with Christina on her order and I have another mama that I'm sure thinks I've forgotten her.  I haven't.  ;-)

This is what my poor little sick guy looked like while I was working:

Poor little man.  He's miserable.  I'm off to snuggle with him while I eat some lunch.  Then, it's off for his ped appointment.

What do you get?

with all four children struggling with fevers between 101 and 104.5?

Nothing much done and a lot of snuggling required. 

Eliana woke up from a rare nap yesterday with a 104.5 fever.  We got it down finally, but she's still over 101 most of the time.  She's got a stuffy nose and just doesn't feel well.  Noah is stuffy, hot and doesn't feel well.  Tabitha is hot, runny and taking a nap right now.  Josiah was up last night with a 103.5 fever and is still struggling to keep it down.  He's sleeping fitfully in his swing right at this moment.

I have a 2:30pm appointment with the ped for Josiah.  Because he is still so young and has such a high fever, they want him to come in... just to be "safe".  The only "good" thing about having to drive down to Winchester... is that I will just have to stop at Starbucks on the way back.  :-)  I'm also taking my knitting bag with me so that I might be able to get some more rows finished on my socks.

Oh... speaking of SOCKS!!!  ooppss... I forgot... that'll be another post when I can sit down longer to write my praises of these new Knitpicks option long cable needles!  They are AWESOME!!!  More later.  I need to sew while my poor little ones are resting.  I have two orders to ship out tomorrow and another one or two to ship on Friday.

4/7 To-Do List

Here is this weeks list (updated 4/12 4:14pm):

1. Noah's annual assessment testing; finished!  Need to mail it in so that it can be scored.
2. Knit socks for myself; in process... but it's going to be a LOOOOONGGGG process ;-)  finished the toes... halfway up the foot, I think.
3. Start planning this knit (http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring08/PATTjaden.html)  I really REALLY want to knit this up for myself.  :-)
4. Basement cleanout
5. Sewing room reorganization in process
6. MPB Quarterly Financial Organization
   1. Quickbooks Update
   2. Local Tax Reporting
7. Existing custom list (NOT necessarily in order)
   1. Ramona; almost done.  To ship 4/9
   2. Sara replacement AIO
   3. Sue N.; Finished... shipping 4/11
   4. Amanda; Finished... shipping 4/11
   5. Joline (probable trade); tbd... discussing specifics
   6. Christina; working on details.
8. Charity items; need to ship and write up lising info
9. GCDH
   • donation item
   • website updates
   • hint thread kept up-to-date
   • note about MIA for surgery
10. MPB Stocking
    • Stocking 4/22
    • in-stock items; in the works
    • soaker/booster sets
    • Next custom slots ???
11. Website Update?? - in line for a redesign sometime over the summer.
12. Supply orders
    • Woven Labels (redesign and order) - re-ordering current design.  Will order fresh after redesign.
    • Fabrics
      • OBV - payment sent; waiting on shipping invoice.
      • OBCF - waiting for coop.
    • Custom Freebies - looking at a few more options
    • Snaps?
    • PUL - partial coop order pending.  will need to evaluate what other colors are needed.

Who am I... a Christian woman

1 Kings 8:57, 58, & 61 ~ 57 "May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers; may He not leave us or forsake us, 58 that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His ordinances, which He commanded our fathers. 61 "Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments, as at this day." 

Above all else in life, I am a Christian woman.  I struggle with life just like every other woman.  I am VERY far from perfect.  But, I am forgiven and committed to living for my lord, Jesus Christ.  I could write so much more about this topic, but I'd rather let my daily walk speak for me.  I'm not here to force my beliefs on anyone else.  But, if how I live my life makes someone want to know more about what I believe and why... well, I'll be glad to share.

I believe in women being feminine and modest.  I believe in raising my children with "old-fashioned" values and convictions.  I believe that being a woman is one of the most powerful and yet gentle roles in the world.  And, I am very happy to be a Christian woman today!

Godspeed... ~ Tiffani