Hurt and Confused: My Own Version of Ms Manners

I so needed a place where I could vent, and then I remembered my blog.

I have been planning my son's 13th birthday/bar mitzvah/confirmation party for two months. I had never planned a party this big before. The list of invitations included 45 people and all but 3 came. It was alot of work as I did most of the cooking myself. We did purchase the fabulous Pierce's BBQ for the main dish. The invitations were RSVP so I wouldn't overcook or over purchase BBQ and be left with enough to feed us for a year.

For one, I don't think people know what RSVP means anymore. Let's clarify. Wikipedia defines RSVP as Répondez s'il vous plaît", a French phrase that translates to "Please respond". It is with this meaning that invitation cards and similar documents are often marked with "R.S.V.P." One very good reason for RSVP is so that the host (or hostess) in my case doesn't overcook, overorder....whatever...she's prepared. Would you believe only ONE person RSVP'd out of 42? I actually called people the week before to find out if they were coming and to confirm my food order.

My son had a wonderful time. He got to see family and friends, he got to play and be silly with lots to do and lots of gifts. He was exhausted as the evening began to approach. We still had alot of food left over as some of our guests hung around until dinner time. I offered the BBQ again and told them they were all welcome to it.

I could hardly believe it when I found out in the next few minutes that they (two families I'd known for about 10 years) decided to order pizza and have it sent to my house. I was shocked. I couldn't believe that after all my hard work my two closest friends would insult me like that and never even have the nerve to ask me if it was okay with me. Of course all the guests that were left over wanted pizza after that and I can tell you the steam was bursting out of my ears. I kept my cool until they left. I feel so offended and I am NOT someone who is easily offended. If you read this and you have an opinion...share. I'd really like to know how you would feel if this happened to you. I personally cannot imagine going to any RSVP party at anyone's house and ordering and delivering other food. What do you think?

Signed,
Hurt and Confused With Ten Tons of BBQ

http://www.pierces.com/

Sew and Sewability

Most people that know me know my love for all things feminine and frilly. I'm not talking pink lace and fru fru. I mean feminine with a touch of Jane Austen. I just discovered this http://www.sensibility.com/pattern/welcome.htm and this http://www.sensibility.com/pattern/welcome.htm.

I recently ordered a night gown from a reputable designer who shall remain nameless in this post. It was very pretty in the online pictures, but when I received it it was cheaply made (much to my surprise), thin material, ugly color etc. I had paid 70.00. for it. This may seem inexpensive to some of you and expensive to others. When I pay 70.00 for a nightgown I expect it to be quality. I sent it back. It did however evoke a curiosity in me as to whether I could create my own. I didn't like any of the patterns I had for the task. I don't know if anyone else is like me in that when you have a hankering to design something specific it consumes you. You think about it at night while you toss and turn and if you do sleep you dream about it.




The next moring and over the next few days I designed my own bed wear. I designed two gowns and a robe. It was so much fun. They even fit in with my Jane Austen visions.

Also, go over and visit http://nannybird.blogspot.com/ . She has an interesting contest going on.

Fun With Socks

The first socks are some I finished about 3 or 4 months ago. (please ignore the very pale pastey skin.) They are made with some lovely Trekking XXL that I purchased at Sassafrass in Kalispell, MT. (I miss Montana.) I love the ribbing, and the yarn washes nicely!




The second pair of socks is well...not so pretty. (be nice) The pattern and the color together make them look "reptillian".



The third pair are a work in progress. I started them last night while watching the Laker's kick the Warrior's behinds. GO KOBE! The black yarn is Knit Picks, and the lighter yarn is the multi (greenish) Trekking XXL again. (I had some left over.) I thought about using them to make Eunny's Endpaper Mitts, but the yarn wanted to be socks. Far be it from me to squash the yarn's dreams of becoming stripey socks. Hey, I'm a nice girl. What can I say?

Spring Means Sewing

Spring means sewing and not just the kind you do on the sewing machine. My husband just bought another bag of bulbs for me to plant. Last week my children and I planted Gladiolas all along the fence. Last summer my daughter and I planted Irises in various places all over the yard (maybe thirty?). This winter she and I planted eighty tulip bulbs around the yard. The tulips are already poking their green leafy parts out of the ground. The irises also have about 4-5 inches of greenery showing. It reminds me of hope. When we bought the house nine months ago it was all moss (instead of grass) and not one flower on the premises. There still is no grass...but how sad...so little green. I would post a picture, but there just isn't anything to show yet. My dh and I mulched flower beds a couple of weeks ago, and I planted pansies and some evergreen ground cover thingy that was quite pretty with just a bit of purple in it. I realized that the yucky looking twiggy things along the fence I cut way back last fall turned out to be forsythia. Oops! We have a chain link fence so any cover is welcome. I am thinking of growing ivy over it to give us more privacy. I have one measly rose bush as my yard doesn't get much sun on account of the many oak trees on our property. Still...this is my house. It is the first one that belongs to me. I want it to reflect me. I have and always will be an artist at heart. I haven't painted any paintings in about a year and a half. My lawn and my flower beds have become my canvas. Gardening is therapy. All that sunshine is worth more to me than any other kind of therapy. Spring is certainly welcome. I have been yearning for it. I feel like parched land finally coming into some rain. I can just feel my body soaking up the sunshine soothing my winter blues. Sewing is so much fun...though it takes a bit of patience. I am anxious to see what comes of it.
I have also done some recent sewing of the other kind. The happy recipients pictured here. Aren't they beautiful? I had to post the picture...not just because the designs were mine but because they also reflect spring in their dresses and their sweet smiling faces. The other is just a kitchen apron I made. I had been so inspired by the many I keep seeing on other's blogs that I had to make one for myself. There is also the nasty habit I have of wiping my hands on my clothes while cooking. I love the fabric print. I seem to really be into pink, red and yellow lately.

Moving Right Along

Upon the advice of the veterinarian who put down our Huck my dh rushes right out and purchases our new addition/addiction. Introducing Stanley, our 11 week old great pyrenees. He seems to get along with our poodle well and just LOVES the kids. It is amazing the difference purebreds make. I don't mean in that they are necessarily better dogs (disclaimer for those who love mutts...yes, mom, I'm talking to you.), just that the pure breeds have predictable temperments. Pyrenees are great with kids and families. We can tell already that Stanley will fit in just fine. I did however ask my sweet and thoughtful husband if he would PLEASE not bring me anything else that poops for a while.

If you read this blog you will know that I have five kids and homeschool them all [translates] I am busy!!!. I love my career, but yes, it is time consuming. Some people assume that because you are busy you are unhappy. Not me. I love being busy. I also take the advice of my elders very seriously. I have had so many older men and women tell me to enjoy my children to the fullest while they are in my care. "It goes too fast" they all say. I can believe it. I try to relish every moment. I want to spend as much time with them as possible til they grow up and have their own lives with their own families. AND if I do a good job, maybe they'll let me come 'round to visit my grandchildren. Smile.

Baseball season is starting which means there will be less frequent posting for a while. I don't knit often in the warmer months. I like to be out gardening during this time if I can. I have been mulching and planting like crazy. Therefore I have nothing to show for myself in terms of knitting, but here is my littlest one wrapped up in his Nana's knitting. Ain't he cute???

In Loving Memory

Our border collie/chow had to be put down this week. He bit my toddler on the shoulder in an unprovoked manner. Huck had become increasingly hostile towards males over the past year. I had people tell me that Huck almost bit them but never believed it, as he had always been friendly to family. Still, he made us feel safe at night, as he was an excellent watch dog. I had trouble with the whole idea of putting him down, but when border collie rescue and the spca wouldn't take him because of the biting thing I knew I only had two options. Option number one would be to take him to the pound. This seemed unusually cruel. Even though our dog we'd loved and cared for for two years since he was a puppy had been deemed a "biter"...I just couldn't bring myself to think of him sitting in a jail cell awaiting his walk down the "green mile". I called the vet to make an appointment. They made me feel like SHIT for my decision. I already felt like shit. I couldn't believe that they'd make it harder for me. Some young, fresh just outta highschool gal just poohed and sighed at my questions as if she was annoyed at me. She couldn't possibly understand what it takes to make this decision about your oldest child's pet. I wanted to smack her. So I called another vet. This time the vet was supportive. I turned out to be too wimpy to take him. My husband stayed there with Huck until he gently went to "sleep".

I'm not much of a dog "lover". I love my dogs mind you. Its just that I don't pour over them like some people letting them lick my face, sleep in bed with me and putting clothing on them (except of course for the poodle's dog sweater). I mean stuff like this http://www.cozypetclothes.com/product/e19021100 That, to me, is SICK. Sorry. If you think its cutesy...look at the price. Some people are nuts...or maybe just really really bored. Anyway, I don't believe my dogs speak English except for the commands they hear regularly repeated. I don't believe they have souls. I just know I like the little buggers, and I appreciate the companionship and unconditional attention they give. They truly are great to have around. I am equally as much against abusing an animal though (if not more against). I think a person who can inflict pain (on purpose) to an animal is cruel and something is wrong with their heart. I do believe that animals are good for us. People in hospitals seem to heal quicker http://www.therapydogs.com/ and children have a companion at all times who is quick to protect them and listens no matter what tone they take. Yes, I believe they were designed for our enjoyment. So this is in loving memory of all the pets I've had since I was a child especially Huckleberry who will be sorely missed. :-(

Blue In Green

Okay, maybe it should be blue & green...but its not a typo. One of my favorite songs is Blue In Green by Miles Davis. I once entitled a painting after the song chiefly because I listened to the song over and over for hours while I painted it, that and the entire painting was done only in blue, green and black. I gave it away. I wonder if I have a picture of it somewhere? It sends me somewhere (the song) far away every time I hear it.

Blue and green are my favorite colors. They represent nature to me...the sky, the grass, the trees. You get the picture. These colors soothe me, maybe because they are so predictable. Don't ask me to explain that. If you don't know don't ask.

Then there are my littlest boys here today in their green and blue. It wasn't planned. The first picture is the new sweater I knitted and designed for my kiddo. (You gotta love the peanut butter on his face.) I got a little worried he wouldn't wear peruvian wool, but he doesn't seem to mind. I think they know when I knit them something that its full of love. I hope they do. I never dreamed I love being a mother as much as I love being the mother of my five children. What AWESOME people they are! If you have kids I hope you know that they are awesome, and I hope you tell them all the time how cool they are. It doesn't hurt if you knit them something from time to time either. Wink.

Cheers!
Mrs MJW