Hi Friends! I am back whether you are ready or not. Eight weeks of the Mindfulness course really took any spare moment I had. I have to admit that being mindful takes a lot of time but now I feel I can get back to normal, whatever that is.
Yesterday Little Buddy and I made a trip to the local splash park. We have not been since last summer and it was so much fun. He is growing isn't he? Of course he was the most delighted with the shower because he could pull the chain and make the water go on. It was a wonderful morning and I now plan to go back with him as much as my summer schedule allows.
In the eight weeks that have just passed I had three new very involved patients come onto my caseload and one very sick baby that I tried to visit several times in the hospital. The new patients are great as I was down a bit on my caseload but also a lot of work. I am really enjoying them, a severely autistic 10 year old, a four year old who I used to work with as a baby who is now showing signs of the drug exposure he was subjected to in utero, and a wee little baby with a cone shaped head that I am going to fix. They are all very fun children and I am so happy to have the opportunity to work with them.
In one week we had Little B's air conditioner go out, he has a separate wall unit and it was 15 years old so it was time for something new before it gets too hot. Two days later we had a power surge that incapacitated our fridge and knocked out our dishwasher. The fridge was fixable but the dishwasher has now gone to appliance heaven. Did I mention we had guests at the time? Not fun to have no fridge or dishwasher for a few days with people visiting. Oh and then a day later my garage door opener went caput. Hopefully we should be over appliance fixing for now. But now I have two boys who have some issues with their cars that need to be fixed. There goes any vacation plans for us......... See I think I am being tested to try to remain calm and balanced during appliance and car issue He**.
Mr. 23 is home and getting ready to start his new job June 5. He is bored most of the time and eager to get moving on with his life. Mr. 20 had a birthday and has his girlfriend from Indiana visiting for two weeks. They have been all over having fun and that includes swimming with Little Buddy.
Little Buddy is now able to swim across our pool while holding his breath. It is amazing to see. He has actually taken a breath on his own now three times, but that is still very hard for him to do. I would rather he be able to take a breath than to swim a great distance while holding his breath. We will get there.
As far as the potty department Little B is finally making progress. He does better when he only has shorts on with no dipaer or underwear. Most of the time he is able to get into the bathroom and take care of business all by himself, including washing his hands. He can get his shorts up and down better when there is nothing else under them. We call this hanging loose at our house. Now he still needs loads of reminders to go, and won't go on his own unless prompted but still we are moving in the right direction. This will make you laugh, Wednesday evening I came home late from work to find Little Buddy crying in my husbands arms. My husband handed him to me and I realized he was wet. He was crying and saying, "Mom, I am not so good at hanging loose." It made me laugh out loud.
Little B has one more week of school before Summer vacation. He is moving up to Kindergarten next Fall.
Yup, another shawl is off my hook. I just can't seem to stop making this pattern. I try and all my brain wants to do is make something easy that I don't have to pay attention to.
The latest South Bay Shawlette, made with Queensland Collection Sunshine Coast yarn in the colorway Old Rainworth. I bought this a few weeks ago while indulging in a little yarn shopping with friends. Made with two skeins totalling 570 yards and a size H hook.
There are no immediate plans for this shawl but I do have an idea. It is not for me. I am a shawl making addict I fully admit to that. Now if I could just be a shawl wearing addict I would be completely happy.
It will take me a bit to catch up with all of you, I can't wait to see what you have been up to.
Have a great day.
41 comments:
You sound happy! Having your boys home and your course over has given you a lift I think. Little Buddy has grown for sure. My Tiger is getting so tall now and has lost his first tooth. He will be in 1st grade next year...where has the time gone. It's a rainy Sunday here so I'm just resting and reading today. I had a busy week of working on the church rummage sale and it was hard. Glad we don't do it every year. Take care and that shawl is gorgeous (if you ever need someone to be a recipient I'm a shawl wearer in the winter). Bold aren't I! Hugs!
Pool pics are great and love the hanging loose!
Oh, it's true, appliances seem to go kaput altogether. Maybe the cars are following suit. Eventually, everything will get fixed. Around here, we call hanging loose "going commando". Little Buddy will get there. I think shawls are fun to knit but I certainly don't wear them and I don't know anyone who does. Yours are sure pretty. Enjoy the summer!
Such a full and busy post today Meredith. I'm glad you're back, but sorry to hear of all the appliance and car woes. I hope that's all behind you now and a lovely calm summer is ahead. Little Buddy is doing great! He's growing so quickly. Our oldest granddaughter was in middle school this year and that was just unbelieveable to me! I'm only 57! Not old enough for a granddaughter in middle school! I laughed out loud at the "hanging loose" phrase. Good job Mama!
Blessings,
Betsy
Oh my ..... you have had an expensive week!!! Hope that is the end of appliance and car issues.
Little Buddy continues to make me smile. He's such a handsome and witty little dude!!!
Have a wonderful weekend and good luck with your new patients. I KNOW they are blessed to have YOU in their lives.
Lovely to see a post from you Meredith, I'm glad you have some great new clients to work with, and I hope it all goes well for them. Well done Little Buddy on great progress. No doubt you and he are enjoying having those lovely big boys around. Gorgeous shawl, such rich stained glass colours. Look after yourself Meredith, and have a good week. CJ xx
Big hug for Little Buddy for so many new skills. Hugs for you too Meredith.
Joy
fun pictures. an i love the shawl beautiful!
Glad to read your post today - family news, little buddy and his adventures and a little crochet thrown in as well. You seem well rested and ready for summer. I just love that you can fix a cone shaped head! My shoulder is much better since I have made two trips to an Osteopath - she was the business. I am going again tomorrow to get exercises. have a super-duper week. Jo x
It's good to have you back, Meredith. Loved all the updates, and so sorry about all the appliances. They seem to go in threes in our household, too. It's good to hear how LB is doing, too. He's made a lot of progress, hasn't he?
Hugs to you,
Karen
Welcome back, it was lovely to hear your news and catch up with everyone. How great to have all your family at home together even though everything seems to have broken down. You sound happy in your work, what a worthwhile job you have, the world needs more Merediths I think ��
Oh, no...all those electrical issues would have had me in a tizzy but I am happy your new serene self sailed on through. Your shawls are always an inspiring work of art. I really need to learn how to do that.
It is lovely to see you back Meredith, I missed you. I wish it was warm enough here for a splash park! Keeping my fingers crossed that no further appliances will break. xx
Oh the fountain park is fun for children. Our grandchildren enjoy them too. Glad you're back to blogging again. Missed you! The shawl is pretty. Glad you enjoy working with children. I enjoyed being with preschool children at church today. Little K (downs syndrome) was there and liked piling stuffed animals on ny lap during story time. I was a helper. Sweet girl in a sweet family. It's fun watching LB grow up and achieve what he needs to. Have a great week.
Since you have done a course on mindfulness training, I Googled it to see if I understood what it is. The descriptions I read reminded me of my first PE class in university which was thankfully unlike any PE class I had managed to survive prior to it. A good portion of our class was spent in specific relaxation/mindfulness exercises, especially helping us pay attention to our breathing and the feeling of tense or relaxed muscles. I still have more to learn at the age of 66, but I am grateful for that initial exposure to some of the concepts. I hope you enjoy many benefits from your class in your busy creative life. Yay for Little Buddy's progress, your sweet family time, soldiering through your siege of broken machinery, and stitching a gorgeous shawl! Molly has requested a water park party for her birthday on June 2nd. This week we are supposed to have our first day of 90F weather for 2017 which is promising. Your clients, family, and friends are so blessed to have your care, Meredith. xxxxxxx
Welcome back! I certainly missed you and thought of you often!
LB has come so far. He is such a joyful little boy. I can't believe he is headed to kindergarten. And someday he will learn to "hang loose"!
I am so enjoying high schoolers. I am in awe of people who work with the little ones. I may have mentioned this, but my best friend is public preschool teacher in Berkeley, CA, so she works the same kids you do. Both of you are saints.
Mindfulness does not have to take a lot of time. Granted, the benefits are somewhat tied to the time you put into it. Still I have found that 5 to 10 minutes a day makes a difference.
welcome back! thats nice that you will be working with some new babies. Thats cute what Buddy said about hanging loose. Lovely Shawl!
Glad that you are "back on board" with your blog to a level that pleases you.
Wow! LB has come a long way since last summer, It doesn't seem so long ago that you were just starting the pool exercises. I'm sure having big brother as instructor makes a lot of motivational difference.
Interesting that LB himself wants to stay dry and is upset about little accidents. Usually thst's a sign that he's so ready and it won't be long till he can get the hang of toilet training.
Is his step up to kindergarten dependent on his age, toilet training or some other factor? A child in our family circle has a developmental delay and he needed to reach certain milestones before he could start kindergarten including being able to toilet himself.
As for your unfortunate electrical failures, they always seem to happen at the most inconvenient times. I also wonder whether these events are expressly sent to test us. My old car is my issue so you have my sympathy!
At least you have your shawls to keep you sane! The colours in the latest one are divine!
So happy to see you and your lovely boys again. Little Buddy looked like he was having so much fun and I love the vibrant colours in your shawl xx
Lovely to see the pictures of the water fun!
Great about your sons, not so great about the machines that got broke.
Wonderful that you feel better, and I admire you for doing such a good job ( with little B, but at your work as well! ).
The shawl is terrific!
Hope everything is fixed overthere and nothing will break the first few years ;-)
Sigrid x
Lovely to have you back! I was thinking in the photos of Little Buddy how tall he was looking. He is standing up really well isn't he - well, it appears to me to be that way! Hope that you don't have any more appliance issues, we have had a couple of spates like that and it is horrid. Hubby tells me it is because we start out with new ones at the same time so they all have about the same life span and go out again together! Not sure what I think of that. Have fun with your boys and I hope that even if you don't get a going away vacation you can take some time off work and have some staycation days at the water park and other fun things! xx
It's lovely to catch up with all of your news Meredith, it's funny how everything seems to break at once I hope everything is fixed and nothing else goes wrong. That sounds like a very demanding workload you have there but it's great to know that you can make such a huge difference to those kids lives. The shawl is beautiful, I would love to make one but know I won't wear it, I'm sure you will find someone to gift it to you are so kind and generous. Have a great week. :) xx
Wow, you've had a lot going on! I'm glad you were able to enjoy some time with LB having fun.
How was the meditation course, do you feel that it helped or gave you a new perspective?
Oh your shawl is so very lovely - each one you make is prettier than the last. Someday I need to learn to crochet - I can do a chain, but just can't "get" anything else.
So nice to visit and catch yup with you this morning Meredith. That water park looks like tons of fun! And the "hanging loose" story is adorable. Sweet Little Buddy, your story makes me smile every time.
Another lovely shawl. It amazes me how quickly you can make them, and how lovely they all are.
Have a wonderful week,
Andrea
Welcome back! Good thing you took that mindfull course. Sounds like you had to put it to work already with all those repairs. We're dealing with a few issues of our own here (car, AC, water softner unit and the last storm did serious damage to the roof) so I'm wishing I had taken a mindful course too. ;-) Love that shawl and Litte B deserves a big High Five for his swimming progress. And by the way, so do you for the important work you do for all those children and their families!
Welcome back, always good to hear about you and Little Buddy, that was too cute about hanging loose. So wonderful that the swimming is coming along. The shawl is beautiful.
Isn't that the way it always happens, we never lose one appliance at a time, they give up the ghost together, as in sympathy.
It's nice to read you again. Welcome back. Regula
Welcome back!!! :)
Little Buddy is such fun! He'll get the idea of hanging loose in no time. Sorry about your appliance woes and then on top of that car woes for the boys. It never seems to end, does it? Glad you are back. You do sound good, and that shawl is simply gorgeous.
Welcome back to blogging, Meredith.. you must have gotten ESP from me as I was thinking of how much I missed your presence here and was hoping you'd return soon. I'm so happy for you that your boys are all home with you for the time being.. treasure it as the next step is a big one. I'm so happy that LB is doing well in swimming.. it takes so much worry off your mind to know if they fall in some water that they'll be able to stay safe. Your shawl is a real winner.. not sure why you don't like wearing them as I just love wearing mine. I find that seeing a woman wearing a handmade shawl or scarf always makes her look so stylish! And you have the perfect body for that.. I so wish I was as lovely as you are. :-) ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Love those splash pads. My little ones would live there if they could. It has not been warm enough here to go this year but it won't be long. LB looks like he is having a ball.
You pick the most gorgeous yarns for those shawls, Beautiful.
Have a great week,
Judy
When it rains, it pours as they say. Goodness, that can all be quite frustrating to say the least. Hope it's all getting sorted and settling down now. The water park is a nice distraction. So lovely to see Little B out there getting around and enjoying his time. Another shawl, you are amazing. I've been so lazy lately and only accomplish the smallest of things. My Zack took forever to potty train -- but having a wading pool and telling him he couldn't use the bathroom in it certainly helped with the process since he really wanted to swim. God bless you in all the work you do. Hugs, Tammy
Little Buddy sure has grown since I've checked in. In the Mother's Day post, he looks so different. Lovely shawl. I've made a lot of shawls over the last few months myself. Luckily for me, I live in a cooler climate and can flip them around and wear them as big scarves. Happy Almost Summer!
Loved reading your post Meredith. You are always so busy and so many appliance troubles...no more! LB is really growing up and so sweet too. He is unstoppable 😊. Hope you are doing well, thinking of you, xoxoRobin
Little B sure makes me laugh with the funny things he says! I'm glad he enjoyed the water park.
Your job sounds mentally challenging, but so rewarding. Bless you for working with these precious children.
I'm sure your son is looking forward to starting his job. My son is working for a temp agency right now and the couple of times between jobs, he was so bored. Not fun for me either since he lives here! ;-)
Have a wonderful week!
Lots of water fun!! Love the smiles! And, "hanging loose". ;) Such a beautiful South Bay! I have done one of those, but my addiction seems to be the one for the "virus" shawl! LOL! I think I must have "caught" the virus. LOL! I know you've enjoyed having all your guys around. Wishing you all a wonderful week! blessings ~ tanna
Love all the pictures! Hope your appliances have finished their rebellion and are under control soon--how stressful!
Lovely photos and great to catch up with you. Little Buddy is growing up so much and making great progress in so many areas. The water park looks wonderful fun. Appliances always seem to go at once, it's like a conspiracy of electrical items! The shawl is beautiful and I love the colour blend.
It sure is good to have you back, Mere! Love the LB photos as well as your newest shawl. Hope your appliance woes are now a thing of the past and so sorry how ill-timed they were. Sometimes it seem like when it rains it pours, eh? Have a good rest of the week!
Welcome back! I do enjoy your photos of LB and the shawls.
It seems like so many people are having appliance troubles. Our vacuum cleaner died. The washer still works, but its handle broke (duct tape to the rescue).
Always a joy to visit and catch up with your news. Little B is doing so well, I did smile at his comment on hanging loose, bless him. Loved the shawl. We had a period of everything breaking down all at once. Take care.
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