SweetPea Castle

3/31 To-Do List

Here is this weeks list (updated 4/6 2:22pm):

1. Prep for Noah's annual assessment testing next week.
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. Sara; Shipping 4/2
   2. Tiffony; Finishing Touches; shipping 4/2
   3. Sue N.; almost ready for serging
   4. Ramona; embroideries complete... pulling rest of fabrics next.
   5. Joline (probable trade); tbd... discussing specifics
   6. Christina; working on an invoice... trade later.
8. Charity items; in process
9. GCDH; almost ready for serging
10. MPB Stocking
    • 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 - received 4/3!!!!
    • polymailers - waiting for package now
    • Aplix - coop order pending.
    • Snaps?
    • PUL - partial coop order pending.  will need to evaluate what other colors are needed.

Who am I?

Life has recently caused me to take a fresh look at who I am... or am not and why.  Sometimes we get so lost in the turmoil going on around us that we forget who we really are.  I am going through a season in life that is about to change.  I find this a perfect time for some healthy introspection and soul searching.  So, please bear with me as I take the next few posts to delve into this topic a bit.  Writing has always been a sort of mental health salve for me... sort of a healing process.

What brings this on?  Well, really lots of things.  But, the biggest being the fact that I am facing surgery in the next several weeks to repair this prolapse.  This surgery will also include a hysterctomy.  The bottom line is that my insides are falling into (and out of) the opening of my womb.  So, while I am looking forward to being healthy again... I am not looking forward to surgery and/or the recovery that will be necessary.  I am also praising the Lord for His answer to our prayers about our fertility.  But, I'll get to that more later (in another post).

There are many answers to who I am... and I plan to explore each one seperately... here's a partial list:

• Christian Woman
• Wife
• Homemaker
• Mother
• Artist

These are sort-of in order... but, there are times that life necessitates one coming higher than another for a time.  But, those are the basics of who I am.  I'm looking forward to remembering why I am each one and what I love about each.

Proverbs 31:10-31 ~ An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. 13 She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. 14 She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. 15 She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens. 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. 18 She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells {them,} And supplies belts to the tradesmen. 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. 26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband {also,} and he praises her, {saying:} 29 "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all." 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, {But} a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.

This week...

Well, it's been productive so far this week.  I haven't gotten more than two rows knit on my socks.  But, I shipped out six custom fitteds yesterday.  And, I'll be finishing two custom AIO orders this week and starting on at least two more.  I'm also getting some instock stuff done while I'm in the sewing room.  It feels good to be accomplishing something decent.

This is what they look like when playing nicely together.  Of course, the children constantly require my attention and love.  But, we're mostly working this out.  Getting anything done while working with Noah on his homeschool every morning is very difficult.  Sometimes I just need to give in and decide that everything else can wait - except homeschool and playing with littles.  Josiah is also getting more active and needs more hands-on time.  He's growing way too fast.  He'll be 3 months old next Thursday.

Please forgive the bombardment with photos, but I just can't resist.  ;-)

Another of my gorgeous little ones sitting together:

 

And a recent couple of Josiah:

  and

3/24 To-Do List

Here is this weeks list (Updated 3/28 10:18pm):

1. Friday surgery consult with urologist
2. Complete Noah's final 1st grade lifepacs and prep for annual assessment next week.
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. Sara; Serged;  Need to finish aplix closure and finishing touches.
   2. Tiffony; Embroideries Finished; ready to put together and serge
   3. Sue N.; starting next
   4. Ramona; awaiting payment
   5. Joline (probable trade); tbd... discussing specifics
   6. Christina (trade); holding till she's ready
9. Charity items
10. GCDH
11. MPB Stocking
    • in-stock items; in the works
    • soaker/booster sets
    • Next custom slots ???
12. Website Update?? - in line for a redesign sometime over the summer.
13. Supply orders
    • Woven Labels (redesign and order) - re-ordering current design.  Will order fresh after redesign.
    • Freebies? - waiting for vendor to restock items.
    • polymailers - payment made to co-op 3/21.
    • Aplix - coop order pending.
    • Snaps?
    • PUL - partial coop order pending.  will need to evaluate what other colors are needed.

Locked in the sewing room

I have a BUNCH of sewing work to get done and will be locked in the sewing room for the next few days.  Well, today, Monday and Tuesday. I really try hard NOT to spend my weekends working.  It's family time.  I have two more fitteds that are almost finished.  Then, those could ship on Monday to Jenn.  I've also got two orders for a total of 5 AIOs that are in the works.  I'm planning to get the embroideries done on them Monday and then finish them quickly after that.  After finishing the fitteds today, I've got to finish cutting the fabrics for the AIOs and prep the embroideries.

I also have a ton of emails that I NEED to get dealt with.  But, sewing comes first right now.  Emails will be dealt with later today or tonight.  So, if you are waiting to hear from me... I haven't forgotten you.  I just HAVE to get through this sewing stuff before I can deal with email.  Especially since some of my email is about further custom work.  It's not fair to commit to anything else until the current work is finished.

My mom and daddy left yesterday afternoon and will be gone for a week.  They have a bowling tournament and are spending some much needed time alone.  I am praying that they come back rested and refreshed... and that they have an awesome time.  Their absence leaves me without my sewing assistant, but this is a good test of how things will be once we finally sell the house and move closer to church.

Bills have to get paid today too.  I have the money and have it allocated, but need to sit down and take care of it all.  Yuck!  But, at least all of my credit cards but one are completely paid off now.  What an awesome thing that is.  Now, my goal is to keep them that way completely and to pay off the last one.

I haven't gotten much knitting time in... so my socks are still fairly early in the process.  I really wish I could dedicate a bit more time to them.  But, perhaps that is what I will do this weekend.  And, I have some soaker shorts that I want to knit for a good friend's son. 

Time to run or I'll never get myself into the sewing room.  I hear Tabitha playing in her crib and need to get Jason to bring her down so that she can eat breakfast and join me in the sewing room with the other children.  Have an awesome day!  Godspeed... ~ Tiffani

Busy busy busy

Just a quick note.  I've got a lot going on at home and am trying to take some much needed time with my children.. and in my sewing room when they are napping and/or playing quietly.  So, I'm only taking a couple of moments to check my email and do general computer stuff.

I've got a bunch of orders in the works and plans for other things in the wings.  Mom is leaving tomorrow afternoon and will be gone for a week.  Then, I've got a doctor's appointment that will keep me out all of that Friday that she returns.  And, that is when I should have some idea of when my surgery will be scheduled.  So, I've got a lot to get done and want to stay on top of it.

I've also got the last of Noah's lifepac school books to go through.  We should finish that up next week and then start prepping for his annual testing  I think the annual testing will be in two weeks or so.  To keep his testing fair and unbiased, we are having Pappy administer the tests.  I am actually looking forward to seeing how his results come back.  They have to be submitted to the county by the 30th of June.  Then, we're going to be doing some unschooling over the summer.

I've got so much more that I'd like to share, but I really must get back to my schedule for today or I will never get anything done.  I'll check in as I'm able soon.  Godspeed... ~ Tiffani

Tabitha's Hearing

A short recap for those who didn't know... Tabitha failed a hearing test quite miserably this past Friday at the local ENT office.  This was the same doctor that put her ear tubes in last June.  Our pediatrician sent us back over there because of concerns over her lack of speech development.  They immediately referred us to a higher level ENT and audiology department down at UVA.  We were told that she would need to undergo a sedated hearing test down there to find out how severe her hearing loss is and what could be done about it.  The sedation was due to her age and inability to sit completely still for the 1 hour that the test would require.  That referral appointment was yesterday.  So, this is an update on that appointment.

well, that was one loooonnnnnggggg day!

And we got good news.  The ENT at UVA had another hearing test done with two audiologists and Tabitha did a little bit better with this one.  But, since it's still a "behavioral" test and she isn't yet 20 months these can fluctuate... we're still watching her closely.  But, it was very encouraging!

This ENT does not want to do the sedated hearing tests at this time.  He wants to give her a little more time to work with us at home and overcome this on her own.  He feels that the hearing loss is related to damage from all of the ear infections that will just take a little longer to heal.  He told me that we "could" do speech therapy with her, but that working on sing language would be just as good.  And, perhaps even better because it's our whole family working with her on an individual basis.  She does have some hearing, it's just barely at the low end of normal in most cases... as of this last test.

We really weren't looking forward to putting Tabi through the sedated test and would only do it if it was truly necessary.  So, the plan is to have her hearing re-tested again in 3-6 months and then every 6 months after that until we are convinced that she's having no further difficulty or we need to intervene further after all.  And, we are working on getting the Signing Times set and doing it with all of the children.

Because she wasn't vocalizing at all until a little over a month ago, but has been vocalizing more over the last month (babbling and the like), we are willing to give this a little longer.  But, we're still keeping a very close eye on her.  And, we are excited to work on sign language to give her another method of communication.

And, I think it helps that Pastor Dave prayed for her hearing to be restored and healed on Sunday.  I'm choosing to believe that God is answering that prayer.

3/17 To-Do List

Here is this weeks list (updated 3/23 9:28am):

1. Tabitha's Doctor appointments Monday at UVA.
2. Knit socks for myself; in process... but it's going to be a LOOOOONGGGG process ;-)  finished the toes... into the pattern.
3. Diapers, clothes and PUL shipped to Lisa.
4. Basement cleanout
5. Sewing room reorganization in process
6. MPB Local Tax reporting.
7. Existing custom list (NOT necessarily in order)
   1. Jenn H. (fitteds); finished ... to ship 3/24
   2. Sara; PUL Cut, prepping embroidery and cutting rest of fabrics
   3. Tiffony; pulling fabrics and prepping embroideries
   4. Ramona; verifying order... will invoice in the next couple of days
   5. Sue N.; verifying order... will invoice in the next couple of days
   6. Joline (probable trade); tbd... discussing specifics
   7. Christina (trade); holding till she's ready
8. Charity items
9. GCDH
10. MPB Stocking
    • 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.
    • Freebies? - waiting for vendor to restock items.
    • polymailers - payment made to co-op 3/21.
    • Aplix - coop order pending.
    • Snaps?
    • PUL - partial coop order pending.  will need to evaluate what other colors are needed.

Grumpy babies and clean sinks...

Josiah got his first set of immunizations this afternoon and is one grumpy little man.  Of course, I really do NOT blame him one tiny bit.  I have become a lot more selective in what I believe is necessary of these vaccines.  But, it still tears my heart out to have to give him any.  Today and tomorrow are likely to be a little bit rough.  He just wants to be held and snuggled by mommy.

I threw a bit of a temper tantrum this morning (I needed to get my attitude in control anyway).  I am tired of constantly being responsible for all of the household chore (and doing a lousy job at that) and feeling like I never get any help.  But, I must accept responsibility for creating this condition.  And, in part... it IS my job.  So, I emptied the clean dishwasher and left the dirty stuff in the sink while I took Josiah to his appointment... fully knowing that they would still be there when I got back.  So, I went to my appointment and came back to the same sink (plus a few more) of dirty dishes.  After getting Josiah settled and eating my lunch, I put the dirty dishes from the sink into the dishwasher and proceeded to actually CLEAN the sink... even bleaching it.  My double sink looks and smells CLEAN!!!

I also pulled the fabrics for a customer's fitted order.  And, I got caught up on most of my email.  So far today has been a relatively good day.

This will be a busy week.  I've got procedures at the urologist both Wednesday and Friday afternoons.  And, I've got Tabitha's ENT appointment on Friday morning.  Jason will be taking Noah and Eliana to their dentist appointment on Friday morning.  Fun fun fun!  I between all that, I'm going to be trying to get a bunch of sewing done.

3/10 To-Do List

Here is this weeks list (updated 3/15):

1. Doctor's appointments Monday, Wednesday and Friday... gonna be a busy week.
2. Knit socks for myself; in process... but it's going to be a LOOOOONGGGG process ;-)  finished the toes... into the pattern.
3. Knit soaker(s)/longies for the littles... as I get other stuff done.
4. Basement cleanout
5. Sewing room reorganization
6. MPB Local Tax reporting.
7. Existing custom list (NOT necessarily in order)
   1. Britton (MPB 2/15 Stocking); in process... to ship by 3/12
   2. Shelley (my end of the trade); in process...
   3. Jenn H. (fitteds); started
   4. Sue N.; still waiting for email response back
   5. Christina (trade); will email shortly
   6. Ramona
   7. Joline (probable trade); tbd
8. MPB Stocking
   • soaker/booster sets
   • Next custom slots 3/14
9. Collage
   • tbd
10. Website Update?? - need to select a website developer to work on this.
11. Supply orders
    • Woven Labels (redesign and order) - re-design first.  Order probably in May?
    • Freebies? - waiting for vendor to restock items.
    • polymailers
    • USPS Priority boxes
    • Aplix
    • Snaps?
    • PUL