[Lack of] progress report

So, as you may have guessed, my handmade Christmas flopped. I did manage to make all the grandparents' gifts (all three of them), which were gingerbread man ornaments from polymer clay. They were pretty cool--of my own design, including mini picture frames with pictures of the boys. The giant floor ball, yet again, is incomplete. I do have 3 of 12 hexagons done, so maybe it could be a birthday present for Levi, like it was intended to be last year. After that, most of my crafting efforts will have to concentrate on baby stuff, as we are expecting #3 on August 8!

Since we're not finding out the sex, I am going to have to go gender-neutral once again on the baby blanket. I haven't done green yet, even though it's my favorite color, so that's my plan. For each child, my mom, grandma, and I have worked together on baby afghans. Each of us made so many blocks, then I put them together. This time I'm going to mix it up and do hexagons. It could be interesting--I finished Isaac's blanket in the hospital after he was born. Anyway, here's the blanket I want to make: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=239095.0 I'm thinking of using this yarn in "leaf" (a pretty, pale gray-green).

Enough about that. I also wanted to tell you that Spencerville is changing location, although we're not quite sure where yet. Either way, it will be farther north. One option could provide some really interesting blogging. More to come later ...

84 crafting days until Christmas!

I am on "vacation" this week, that meaning simply that I'm playing hookie from work. Our real vacation only lasted 2 1/2 days. Nate and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary in Nashville, Tennessee. We were supposed to come home Sunday and spend this week remodeling our bathroom, but he got a new job, so he doesn't have vacation time built up yet.

So instead, I am playing happy homemaker for the week. I've got to say, it's pretty sweet. I'm planning out nice dinners for us all week, and my crafty wheels are turning. For many years, I've wanted to make a lot of my holiday gifts, but I never quite have time to get them all done. This year, I've decided to share my plans with the whole world in hopes that I will be more motivated to get them done. I am planning to knit some round dishcloths for the grandmothers and a pair of cozy socks for my mom (perhaps crocheted). For the boys, I have a really big endeavor in mind. I give you the giant floor ball:

This baby is made up of 12 huge pentagons, sewn together and stuffed with 20 pounds of polyester fiberfill. I have opted to use up odds and ends of yarn, so my version will be even more psychedelic than the one in the picture. I have 2 pentagons completed, although one is missing, so I think it's manageable. I am also seriously considering using plastic shopping bags for stuffing--that would make it all recycling happy!

I will try to be good and keep my progress updated here.

Welcome to Spencerville!

So I went to CYPD conference this weekend. I probably could explain in detail, but I will just say that it is a bunch of children's and young adult librarians having a great time while learning ways to better serve our users. Many of the sessions dealt with using Web 2.0 tools, and I was so excited, I had to get back and start blogging. I have had at least 4 blogs before, none of which I kept up, and I thought they were mildly embarrassing, so I'm starting over.

I used to think that it was pretty arrogant of me to think anyone would want to read about my personal life. My opinion is evolving after talking to others and and surfing blogs myself. A colleague and I were discussing how much we enjoy just reading about normal people. I find myself lost in other people's daily affairs, and I think there is some strange comfort in knowing that there are others out there who share some of my experiences. So, for what it's worth, I'm starting this chronicle of my life, home, family, and work.

Now, for a brief intro: Spencerville (at least our Spencerville) is located on a little less than 2 acres in the middle of nowhere, in central Indiana. Our attractions include a 100-something year old farmhouse (complete with 1970s updates), a garage, and an old barn. Spencerville is home to 20-something couple and two young sons, ages 2 years and 10 months. Tourism is relatively unknown here, as the citizens are too busy with jobs and kids to host visitors. However, plans for renovation of the main facilities are underway.

Ugh. Enough with the travel talk, this local resident is exhausted. G'night everyone! More to come. Take care.