Adventures Of My Creativity

Without Her Sister

2008-08-03T09:22:00.002-04:00

Miss Sunshine doesn't really see to mind nights without her sister. She gets Mom all to her sister. Now she gets to watch what she wants without a fight and later she gets to have her Ita (maternal grandmother) and Pop-pop all to herself.

Miss Sunshine loves her big sister and she is one of her favorite people but, some times, she loves a mini-vacation away. If it is longer then she does start asking when is she coming home.

Fun Birthday Party

2008-08-02T22:14:00.001-04:00

The girls went to a very fun birthday party today for one of their female cousin's today. It was a Princess themed party where they got dressed in Princess costumes and went through a story about a princess, had their faces painted, went on a scavenger hunt and had cake and juice. It wasn't over the top but very cute.

Although it was a bit on the young side for the Princess, she did go along with everything especially after I took away her book and make her look at what was going on around her. Miss Sunshine, however, she put on the dress and for an hour insisted she get her face painted (they mentioned it in the beginning and didn't do it till almost the end) but other than that, didn't do much else. She entertained my Aunt and Uncle and my new baby cousin, had cake, of course, but not quite the party for her. You win some, you lose some, but, I think she did have fun in her own way.

The Princess then left for the Poconos with her dad. Miss Sunshine doesn't go anywhere with out her Mommy.

Miss Tina

2008-08-01T06:50:00.000-04:00

The Princess is so excited today! She gets to take Tina into camp today and show her off. For those of you who forget, Tina is our Russian Tortoise.

We are already busy this morning making a travel home for her. A box, some hay, some food and of course some treats Dandelions.

I hope Tina makes it through the day ;-)

Miss Sunshine's School

2008-07-30T10:10:00.001-04:00

I got a call yesterday and found out all of Miss Sunshine's school testing is complete and her report is written.

They are recommending that she go to the other school with the Autism program. Yes, she will get a bus. Everyone keeps asking me that. I am not sure why but it seems like the first question that pops out. I will know more next week when I meet with the psychologist.

1812 Overture

2008-07-23T07:11:00.000-04:00

Took the Princess for the first time to hear the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky with live cannons at the end of the piece last night.

SHE LOVED IT!

It is, of course, one of my all time favorites as well

She loved the fireworks dispaly after as well

Side Note

2008-07-13T09:07:00.000-04:00

The Princess actually just reminded me I haven't knittedin a while and when was I going to finish we dolls "official" dress?

Wow when your kid notices you don't knit you are in trouble LOL

PS Miss Sunshine is actually been usually my needles as swords... that is how "rusty" my needles are... sigh....

America's Birthday

2008-07-03T06:03:00.001-04:00

The Princess is going to the Poconos with her father and grandmother for the long holiday weekend but, Miss Sunshine wants to stay home with Mommy. lately she does want to stray to far from me.

We did get invited to a few BBQs, and we plan to spend a day in our PJs.

The Princess does need a holiday away from her sister. she is a TERRIFIC big sister but when you are ask of so much you do deserve a break.

I won't go see firework with Miss Sunshine since she hates loud noises but, I hope the princess does. She loves them

Question of the Week #2 for SP 12

2008-06-27T15:56:00.004-04:00

As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation/break/holiday?

For the first 14 years of my life, I spent pretty much every summer at my Abuelos house in Cali Colombia South America. I couldn't wait to go!! It was such a different life style there and such a different climate as well. I would get to see my Mother's side of the family, the ENTIRE side, all of my Aunts, uncles, cousins, distant cousins, friends, etc. Practice my Spanish, go to my favorite places and eat my favorite foods. Certain scents and pictures can quickly bring back a memory for me.

I haven't been back there in over 10 years, but just writing this out brings back happy memories of happy times.

Question of the Week for SP 12

2008-06-16T14:50:00.002-04:00

Question of the Week: What is your favorite summertime drink??

Answer of the Week: For the Summer I love fruit flavored lemonades like fresh strawberry lemonade over ice -- YUM!!

I could always go for a frozen lemonade too :-D

Graduation!!

2008-06-12T16:29:00.004-04:00

Okay, so it really isn't a graduation, per se, but, Miss Sunshine graduated from Pre-school yesterday!! What an amazing accomplishment, for us anyway.

It has been such a topsy turvy year for us with Miss Sunshine and to end it with such an amazing end, I was just shedding tears of joy. She actually did all of the class songs at their ceremony with a little bit of extra guidance from the teacher.

For those that don't know, Miss Sunshine was diagnosed with PDD-NOS (it is an Autism Spectrum disorder) back in November and it had been a Roller Coaster ride for us ever since. We are still on it, especially with not knowing where our school district is going to place her for kindergarten this fall. They are still attempting to test her even though her last day of school was officially today.

She is an amazing little girl who tries to hold it all together for precious moments like her graduation and to steal a few words from one of her graduation songs, she truly was a "Superstar" yesterday!

SP 12 - Yes, I signed up because I need Cheering Up

2008-06-04T19:29:00.003-04:00

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Believe it or not, my favorite yarn to knit with is STILL Blue Sky Cotton dyed or organic. I just LOVE it. I also love Pakucho organic. On the top of my do not like list is any animal fiber like wool, mohair, cashmere including silk since I am HIGHLY allergic. Next in line is the fun furs since I think I have overkilled on those

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? My straights are in a nice rolled hand-sewn case. My dpns and circulars are in a box, a nice box with a clasp mind you but a box nonetheless

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I have technically been knitting since I am nine and was taught by my grandmother, Great Aunt and Grandfather's first cousin. Not exactly sure what I consider myself in terms of skill level. There are some things I have tried a long tine ago but just don't like to do so I don't.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No

5. What's your favorite scent? I like citrus scents but since I am allergic to most perfumes I am pretty picky

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I have a terrible sweet tooth and LOVE milk chocolate

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I make handmade soap and other toiletries. I also do a ton of crafts with my children. You'd never get me on a bicycle in a class. Oh you meant yarn!! No, I don't spin yarn. Tall tales maybe... ;-)

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) I have a very eclectic taste in music from classical Vivaldi to Billy Joel/Elton John type to Alternative. My car stereo doesn't play MP3s but my computer does.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? My favorite color is purple, my oldest daughter loves pink (prefers hot pink to baby pink) and my youngest daughter loves lime green. Colors I can't stand? hmmm puce

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Married, two daughters (the Princess is 7 and Miss Sunshine is 5). We have both a Russian Tortoise named Tina and one dwarf hamster named Ben. Miss Sunshine was diagnosed with an Autism spectrum disorder about 6 months ago which tends to consume a lot of our time.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? I do wear hats in the winter and in the sun. I am not a huge scarf wearer but it could be because I have never made myself one for myself. Not a mitten or a poncho wearer.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Right now, projects that I can get no delay of gratification, i.e. quick and easy and done in a day or two.

13. What are you knitting right now? A baby hat

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? I LOVE handmade gifts!! Rarely get them except from my daughters

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Depends on the project but being that Miss Sunshine still has the tendency to pull out my work, circulars work a bit better at guarding against that. I so much prefer bamboo. Rosewood actually if you have it ;-)

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? Technically yes but, they were confiscated by a knitting friend and now she winds all my yarn for me. (I had one too many "accidents")

17. How old is your oldest UFO? Define old ;-)

18. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving. There is no religious aspect to it, our family gets together and is thankful for everything we have, my oldest and I collect cans and donated then to a local food bank, we also donate to a local organization that prepares meals to people living with AIDS, and some of my best holidays memories happened at Thanksgiving

19. Is there anything that you collect? Anything and everything Goofy, as in Disney (you should see our family room), as just added Tinkerbell to that because Miss Sunshine likes the little pixie. Yarn, of course!!

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I am always on the lookout for an all-in-one sweater pattern or dress pattern for my daughters. Even though I can sew seams and dare I say good at it, I don't like to do it

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? I am working on my lace

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? Sort of. I wear a size 8 shoe

23. When is your birthday? October 3rd

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID? Yes, just Sharon ;-)

It Has Been a Long Time

2008-05-19T11:33:00.006-04:00

Over a Month Since I have Written, WOW!

Little Miss Sunshine turned 5 on April 9Th and she thought the entire month was her birthday. She expected cake and presents the entire month. Whew, that is exhausting! We did not do too much for her birthday other than a family birthday dinner and I brought green cupcakes into her class at school. Of course green, where you expecting something different?

Transitioning to a new schedule with my working has been difficult all the way around but, I think the girls and I are finally okay with it. Both girls spend 3 days with my Mom and my Mom takes Miss Sunshine to all her therapy sessions which works out very well. The other two days, Miss Sunshine stays till 5:30 in school and my MIL picks her up on one of those days and I get to pick her up on the other which makes her very happy. My MIL gets The Princess off the bus those two days and she seems to be okay with it but, she waits for the days she is with my Mom or me to do her homework.

What is great about these new arrangements is that the girls and I eat dinner together at a table as a family more often.

However, now that I step away from Miss Sunshine, I can now see more clearly what others see. At the end of April I went to visit this school in our school district that is a regular school but, they have an Autism program for kids on the spectrum. At first I was resistant before I went to go see it but once I was there, it made perfect sense for Miss Sunshine. All her therapy would be right there. She could have the best of all worlds. Now they have put out the carrot, lets see if they will place her there.

The Princess is thriving!! She has had some rough spots but, I think we are over her hurdles and and she is ready to take on what lies ahead. She is definitely not like any first or second grader I have ever known and remember I work for an after school program. She is Mom's little helper. The day before Mother's Day she and I spent the day together doing a little shopping, going to lunch together, painting some pottery and just having quality Mother and daughter day. I try to do more of that kind of thing for her knowing her sister takes up a lot of time.

As for me, knitting is still on the back burner. Every so often, I take out some of my favorite yarns and look them over or look up a favorite pattern and say "YES!!" I am going to knit you one of these days. I will get my schedule in gear one of these days. Warmer weather is coming and if it stays drying long enough, I can start taking the girls to the park more often on the weekends. I can then go back to knitting in the park. Till then it is only reading patterns and thinking about knitting.

We have a New Family Member

2008-04-02T13:50:00.003-04:00

Say hello to Benjamin Franklin, Ben for short. He is a Siberian Dwarf Hamster we adopted at our local Petco from a local shelter. He is enjoying life at our home and gets fed very well and a whole lot of love from both the princess and Miss Sunshine. Miss Sunshine does keep trying to set him free but we find him since he know how good he has it and has a favorite hiding spot already in the girls room.

Tina, the tortoise, finds Ben rather amusing. We have let her sit next to his shelter and watch him run around. They both share some of the same taste in foods (lettuce, hay, etc) and they both like to dig but that is about where the similarities end.

Now to just get Miss Sunshine to stop asking for a parrot ;-)

April is Autism Awareness Month!!

2008-04-01T15:24:00.002-04:00

Philadelphia has a lot of activities going on too. A 76ers game this weekend. A Phillies game on April 19th. A day at the zoo. All in the name of Autism awareness.

Of course you know that the Princess and I will be walking on September 20th for the Walk Now for Autism and you can join our team online through our webpage at http://www.walknowforautism.org/. Donations can also be mailed to Autism Speaks using the donation form located on our page.

Our team name is Little Miss Sunshine, named for our own Little Miss Sunshine of course. I can't believe that it is just about 6 months ago that she was diagnosed. She has made great strides with her therapy. She still has a very long way to go but, we are all so very proud of her.

Please join us in our fight against autism. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of the more than 1 million Americans living with autism today. Follow this link to visit the team page for Little Miss Sunshine. Follow this link to visit My page. Thank you for just even looking.

Help get the word out about Autism and make a difference today!!

The New Job

2008-03-27T14:17:00.002-04:00

So knitting takes another back seat....

I have been working part, part time for an after school program for going on three years now and I get a call from my boss who is also my friend on Tuesday. She sounded kind of upset and asked if I could come in early. I was like uh oh. She said not to worry it wasn't bad for me, it could be a good thing.

Her assistant was leaving and the person they had hired to replace her came in for one day and decided it wasn't for her either. Could I pretty, pretty please fill in?!?!?! She would try to make it as flexible as possible for as possible especially because of the little ones and Miss Sunshine. How could I resist the opportunity?

My Mom and MIL are going help out with child duty and I am shifting some things around. I am going to see how it works out on a temporary basis to see if I like the working on a fuller time basis and how the girls handle it especially Miss Sunshine. Right now the Princess isn't handling too well, actually.

Perhaps the knitting needs to go to work with me....

My Favorite

2008-03-18T22:31:00.002-04:00

Did you have any doubt? Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton is currently my favorite cotton yarn.

It is 100% organically grown. You really have to love that and then it is dyed in over 30 different shades. I love Pickle, Orchid and Thistle (shown here).

Weight: 100 grams

Approx: 150 yds / 137 meters

Needle Size: 7–9 US / 4.5–5.5 mm

Gauge: 4–5 sts per inch

*A suggested gauge only. Works beautifully with large or small needles but i tend to use the larger needles most of the time.

Usually sells for approx. $9.95 per hank

It is suggested to hand wash the yarn but, I have a hand wash cycle on my washing machine which I have used and it comes out very nicely.

The yarn is extremely soft, doesn't split while you knit but it does stretch out. If you are a tight knitter that is a good thing but if you knit loose, keep that in mind.

I have substituted this for worsted weight yarns very well and made hats, sweaters, and layette items with this yarn.

The first frog is easy but if frogging repeatedly be careful.

Highly recommend this as a cotton yarn for anyone ready to stray from Peaches and Creme or Sugar N Cream.

Monday... Monday...

2008-03-17T18:09:00.002-04:00

The Princess is on Spring vacation but Miss Sunshine is not until Wednesday. Well, technically Thursday, Wednesday is parent teacher conferences but since I speak to Miss Sunshine's teacher practically every day, I don't really need a conference, now do I?

The Princess and her dad went Snow tubing on Saturday and Miss Sunshine stayed back, which was fine by me. Snow and I do not get along. It was a good thing though because Miss Sunshine had a back-slide and had a "classical Autism" weekend. The Princess had BLAST though which I am so grateful for.

I know that there is a coffee and yarn swap coming up but, believe it or not, I am going to sit that one out. I am probably going to sit a few knitting swaps out. My last great swap pal was Barbara and although she spoiled the girls and me rotten, I haven't even had time to post an elaborate thank you to her. She does know how thankful I am, of course, since I have thanked her often in emails but, I have been oft been broached boorishly that I need to post and so here it is publicly.

One of my closest friend who moved to Texas last year persuaded me to enter a soap swap. I sheepishly did that. The Princess, who is a budding young soap maker, wants to make the entry so she is very excited.

I am planning on taking the Princess to the Philadelphia Art Museum on Wednesday. She has never been and it has been a long time for me. I hope she enjoys it as much as I did the first time I went, roughly the same age she is now.

Knitting? What is that?

2008-03-14T07:48:00.002-04:00

Okay, so since I haven't been blogging, I am OBVIOUSLY not getting any knitting done. I have three very lovely little projects sitting in their lovely little bags begging to be picked up but I either don't have the time or the energy or have a sweet little ball of Sunshine jumping on my stomach saying "Mommy no sticks play, read, chase!" till 11 PM at night.

The good news is with all the changes I have been making to Little Miss Sunshine's life she is talking and making herself understood a lot more. The bad news is, she is coming out of her shell and wants to tell me EVERYTHING and be with me from the time she wakes till the time she passes out (11 PM). Don't get me wrong, I don't want things to go back to the way they were, NEVER!, I am finally seeing some progress and of course I want more and more some knitting time would be nice too.

I am going to have to figure out a way to balance all of this which is a struggle right now. I mean, when did I forget swap deadlines or not find the time to blog in a long time? I am going to try to get my frustrations out on Miss Sunshine's Blog so, if you want to know what goes on in that wonderful world, check it out often. It is a wacky world and I wish I could get off the ride.

Until I get back to knitting, I am not sure what to blog about. Any suggestions? I could review some of my yarns ;-)

Long Time....

2008-03-06T07:28:00.002-05:00

Life gets in the way of "things" sometimes and such is what goes on here.

We are finally getting some movement in Miss Sunshine's progress and have her IEP written, it is just getting them to provide the services in enough time before she enters kindergarten this fall and we want her in a regular classroom if at all possible (with an aid of course)

I haven't really been doing much knitting and am slow in my swaps (if you can believe that) but I am definitely not going to leave my partners hanging.

I did finish a hat for my Mom to match Miss Sunshine's hat.

It is made with Blue Sky Alpaca Dyed Cotton. Using my favorite yarn always cheers me up!

Thank You Cocoa Pal

2008-02-17T09:57:00.004-05:00

Thank you, Ashley for my cocoa swap box. Unfortuntely, my little miss sunshine ran off with most of it including the little Goofy who now resides with the stuffed animal farm. I did snap a picture of the yarn though.

It is 100% Bamboo and a pale pink. Not sure what I will do with it yet.

Walk Now for Autism!

2008-02-15T14:16:00.002-05:00

The Princess and I are participating in Walk Now for Autism to help find a cure for autism for all the children effected but especially for our own Little Miss Sunshine (and that is the name of our team too!).

Autism is the second most common developmental disorder in the United States affecting one in every 150 children born today including Miss Sunshine. Despite some promising discoveries, the cause of autism is unknown and a cure does not exist. Research is crucial. Every 20 minutes another child is diagnosed with autism. Not only must we find ways to improve the quality of life for children and adults with autism, but we also must find a cure, and soon. Walk Now for Autism is our chance to make a difference in the fight against autism by raising money for autism research and heightening public awareness.

Please join us in our fight as we raise funds for essential research. The Princess and I will be walking on September 20th and would like you to support those affected by autism. You can donate to Walk Now for Autism or join our team online through our webpage at http://www.walknowforautism.org/. Donations can also be mailed to Autism Speaks using the donation form located on our page. Our team name is Little Miss Sunshine, named for our own Little Miss Sunshine of course.

Please join us in our fight against autism. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of the more than 1 million Americans living with autism today.

Follow this link to visit the team page for Little Miss Sunshine. Follow this link to visit My page.

Thank you for just even looking. Thank you even more for donating!!!

AUTISM SPEAKS!!!

Anyone Have the Stich N Bitch Page A day Calender?

2008-02-08T08:06:00.001-05:00

I just found out on Wednesday that the knitting group that i go to is in the Stich N Bitch Page A day Calender! how cool is that?! So if you have it, go to the Month of August and I think we are on the 20th.

Oh and yes, I am in the picture on the left side standing. At the time when the picture was taken, it was before I cut my hair for Locks of Love so my hair is very long. The group is called MontCo. Sit and Knit and the group organizer wrote a very nice group description.

Pretty cool!

"Defeat the Winter Doldrums" Dishcloth Swap Topic of the Week

2008-02-07T07:41:00.000-05:00

"Defeat the Winter Doldrums" Dishcloth Swap topic of the week....

Please post a picture of your yarn stash for making dishcloths and the notions you use on them. So, 2 pics 1 of dishcloth yarn stash and 1 of your notions you use for making dishcloths.

Well that is pretty simple....

Here is most of my dishcloth cotton stash. What I could find in one place anyway.

I didn't feel like taking a new picture so some where in there are several pairs of size seven needles and one pair missing because, of course, they are currently making a dishcloth.

Even More Hats!

2008-02-01T17:50:00.000-05:00

You would think I would move on to bigger and better things being that I have been knitting for a very long, long time. Nope. I get requests predominately for washcloths, scarves and as the title suggests, hats.

The other day the Princess, Miss Sunshine and I went over to my Mom's house with all three of us sporting hats I had made and my Mom asked where was hers. Um, I had made her a hat two years ago does she need a new one? Of course she does!

So now I am busy making my Mom a hat using my favorite yarn Blue Sky Cotton in the color Thistle. She wants me to make her a hat similar to the one I recently made Miss Sunshine so that is what Mom is getting.

I did twist the stitches so I did have to cast on twice today. How fun is that?!?

I hope I can finish it before my parents return from their trip

TAG you're it!

2008-01-31T22:15:00.000-05:00

Ah yes, another tag meme' got to love it... I haven't done one of these in a long time and I will most likely not pass it one since I am late running off to some where or procrastinating calling a therapist so here goes... oh I was tagged by Alaina so please go stop by her blog and leave her tons of comments!

Here is what I have to do....List 7 Random Facts about Me. Da rules say they must be posted to your blog. Link to the person’s blog who tagged you (did that).List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself. Tag seven random people (yea don't think am gonna do that) at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog and also so they can look at your blog and not tag the same people all over again!

1. My favorite animal is a giraffe. I collect wooden sculptures of them, have gone to the Philly zoo to sketch them and have even done some painting of them. I think Miss Sunshine even likes them since she keeps selecting a stuffed Giraffe at her pre-school

2. I have this penchant for what we around here call "crap" TV especially now that there is a writer's strike. I watch Project Runway and Top Chef, not so crappy but I also watch America's Next Top Model, Make Me a Super Model, Millionaire Matchmaker Rock of Love (ok that one is very rare) ok you get the picture

3. If you have every been in a swap with me, you know all my regular allergies but what you don't know is that I am also allergic to Beer. Yes, go ahead, feel sorry for me

4. When I was younger I wanted to be an eye doctor till I dissected the frog for the first time in 7th grade. ewww

5. Until I had graduated from college I had never visited my state's capital city (Harrisburg)

6. I am the oldest granddaughter on my Mom's side of the family and am named for my maternal great-grandmother and The Princess is the oldest granddaughter on her maternal side and is named for her maternal great-grandmother.

7. I still have a magic 8 ball that my girls now play with

Okay that is all she wrote!!