SweetPea Castle

Whole latta nuffin

That's what I'm accomplishing right about now.  Josiah and Tabitha are definitely both sick with some sort of upper respiratory-thing.  Of course, they are both teething too!  Eliana is being an absolute obnoxious mess.  Poor Noah is just trying to stay out of the way when we're all frustrated and overly tired.  I CANNOT get this!  JoJo would be so much better if he could breath through all this congestion.  But, it's not working.

I've got four rows to finish the heel on my first sock... then I move onto the heel of the second sock.  I'm really trying to get these finished this week, but I'm not sure it'll happen.  This colorway is really loud and definitely not my taste.  But, I thought I'd give them a try and I'm really glad that I did.  For my first pair of knit socks... this colorway and pattern hides a multitude of sins.  ;-)  I'll take and post pics sometime this week.

I emptied out my DVD cabinet this morning in order to re-organize it.  I was running out of room for the children's DVDs.  So, I took out the few of Jason and mine for now.  I'm working on another place for those to go anyway.  But, it feels much better to have all of the Signing Times, Baby Einstein, and other childrens DVDs all in one place.  This way, while I'm recovering, someone else won't have to worry about picking something that we really didn't intend the littlest ones to be watching.

Speaking of Signing Times... we are enjoying learning right along with Tabitha.  Tabi could really care less about communicating most of the time.  But, she is picking up the basic signs and we are thrilled when she actually uses them.

Time to run.  The washer is finished and I need to put in another load.  And, the children really need something decent for lunch before Josiah starts fussing again.

4/28 To-Do List

Here is this weeks list (updated 5/3 2:01pm):

1. Reschedule my May BP followup appointment.
2. Pack Noah's bag for next week.
3. Complete schedule and special instructions for next couple of weeks
4. Complete backup of my current laptop and set up on "loaner" so that mine can be shipped to HP for repair
5. Call HP for repair of my laptop
6. Bills paid
7. House cleaned
8. Pack my hospital stuff
9. Make Jason pack HIS hospital stuff ;-)
10. Jason's Prius Serviced
11. Knit socks for myself; in process... but it's going to be a LOOOOONGGGG process ;-)  ... started the heel on the second sock!
12. Start planning this knit (http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring08/PATTjaden.html)  I really REALLY want to knit this up for myself.  :-)
13. Sewing room reorganization ...as organized as it's gonna get right now ;-)
14. MPB Quarterly Financial Organization
    1. Quickbooks Update
    2. Local Tax Reporting
15. Family Quicken Updated
16. Download, install and evaluate USPS Shipping Assistant
17. Existing custom list (NOT necessarily in order) ... on hold till sometime in June!
    1. Joline (probable trade)
    2. Christina (trade)
18. GCDH
    • website updates
    • hint thread kept up-to-date
    • note about MIA for surgery
19. MPB Stocking
    • Next custom slots... not till after surgery.  Probably sometime in mid to late June.
    • soaker/booster sets
20. Flickr galleries updated
21. Website Update?? - in line for a redesign sometime over the summer.
22. 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.

Weekend update

First... MY MOM ROCKS!  Well, aside from all of the many MANY things I could write about that say why she rocks... she gifted me with a one year sock club subscription at Little Turtle Knits for Mother's Day!  Of course, she also stayed home with a sick Tabitha today so that I could take Josiah and go to the church ladies' meeting this afternoon.  I am truly so very blessed.

I finished up all of my diapers for my stocking on Tuesday and got all of the orders out on Friday that came in.  I have another diaper that needs to be shipped out on Monday.  My sewing room is officially closed for business for several weeks.  Of course, I have a few diapers I want to sew for my own two little ones this coming week.  But, there's no pressure for those and I'm going to enjoy making something for them that isn't considered a "second".  ;-)  I'm also already thinking ahead to some special things I want to do when I re-open the store.  You'll just have to wait and see!

I am trying to stay busy to keep my mind off of the upcoming surgery.  It'll be "real" enough soon enough.  I don't need to spend the next week stressing over it all and over-thinking things.  I'm going to spend the week cleaning my house and enjoying my family.... oh... and knitting!  I'll post a more detailed update on the surgery itself and what my expectations are for the next few weeks sometime next week.

Right now, I am heading back upstairs to my room to start the heel gusset on my socks while the news is on.  Then I'm going to try to get some much-needed rest while Josiah is sleeping.

It's one of THESE kind of days...

He really just doesn't feel very well.  We've just finished our very first nebulizer breathing treatment and he is NOT happy.  So, I'm off to nurse him and just snuggle.

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.