My "Slice of Pi" Quilt

I've discovered more time. Did I tell you that?  Well, maybe that's not entirely true, but I've found a fabulous way to multi-task, which is almost as good.  I've always said that I don't have time to listen to audio books, since I'm never alone--no commute, no quiet time--but I'm discovering that's not completely accurate.  A few days to myself at the beginning of the year spurred me to try Audible.com, and since then I've found that I actually have more time than I thought.

One of the things I love (apart from reading) is quilting.  I love the feel of the fabric, the creativity in the design, and the colors (oh how I love colors).

When my kiddos were little toddlettes, I quilted much more than I read.  It was easy enough to sew & watch kids play, not so easy for me to read and watch kids play.  I taught myself to quilt (& ended up with some bragging rights even--what a shock!) but as my kiddos grew up a bit and I started home-schooling, I began to do much more reading and much less quilting.  Life is like that.

I'm doing less schooling at home now.  My 7 year-old is at home with me, but she loves having her creative time just as much as I do.  Thus I find myself with bits of time to start using those fabrics and finishing up those projects and not feel guilty because I'm MULTI-TASKING (said in a big, booming "God" voice of course--it's that huge) by listening to a book while I sew.  Why didn't I think of that before?  Brilliant!

My latest project is what I'm calling my Slice of Pi quilt.  I had a lovely stack of gorgeous modern-ish fabrics that I was dying to use but dreading cutting apart.  I wanted to come up with a quilt design that showcased and complemented the fabrics, but nothing seemed good enough.  Finally I decided that 2" strips would still show off the fabrics enough, and I went about drafting a pattern on graph paper (love graph paper.)

My original design (below) was a random placement of strips that would run horizontally, creating a column down the center of the bed.  But then my husband (the math/science brain) asked if the placement was based on any sort of mathematical algorithm (um, no) like Pi (hm, good idea).  I'm impressionable, and so decided to see what it would look like (see photo above).  I ended up finding the first 50 digits of pi quite interesting.  (I'm also somewhat of a people-pleaser, so orientation of the strips changed so that it would make more sense to Chris.)

I decided on a base line, and used 2" intervals to determine placement.  Therefore, the first strip is 6" above the base line, the second is 2", the third is 8" and so on.  Each strip is 40" long.  The fabrics are arranged in a nicely organized, pretend-random manner.

Sewing the binding...kitties and quilts go together well.

Overall, I'm quite happy with how it turned out.  Quilt design can do a number on my creative senses--I want it to be perfect, but because quilt construction is a pretty long process, (with no easy way to change your mind midway,) I go through waves of alternating excitement and fear about how it will end up.  Will it be wonderful? Horrible?  Listening to a book while quilting, I've found, does help even out some of these emotions (wonder of wonders!)  I'm still debating about the pillows, but meanwhile my husband is sure that he's going to get smarter by osmosis each night that he sleeps under it, and I'm thrilled to have found a way to combine two of my hobbies.

(this post was also posted on my book blog)

A Quick Trip Up the Coast

I love that my kiddos are finally getting to ages that don't require constant supervision.  I didn't think they'd ever get to the point where they could stay home alone for a few hours.  I really, truly didn't.  But hey, it happened (thank the good Lord!) and that means that I can be a person again (occasionally) instead of only always being mom.  I like being mom.  But sometimes it's nice to just be Melody.

This came in handy recently, when we were able to go on a brief outing up the coast without forcing everyone to come along with us.  You wouldn't think that you'd have to force kids to go on a plane ride, but there it is.  They don't like french fries either, for whatever that's worth.

We flew from Long Beach to Santa Barbara, had brunch, and flew back.  That's it, basically.  But it was so much fun.  I love seeing everything from the height of a small plane, and Chris is such a good pilot.  The weather was perfect, the company was perfect, the food was perfect.  Happy sigh.

Chris (pilot) and Mr. Cessna

Lovely friend Andrea and lovely daughter Audrey (co-passengers)

Is it just me, or does Los Angeles not look so intimidating from the
air?  A miniature Lego village only a hop away from Long Beach...

Santa Barbara.  Even from the air it's prettier than L.A.  Oh well, I
don't think L.A. ever tried to claim "Prettiest City" anyhow.

Peaceful.  Happy.  Pretty.

Ready for some good eats!

The food didn't disappoint--was incredible actually--but
Audrey couldn't bring herself to enjoy it.  She had a
sleepy-head-ache. :(

Mustache.  Tee-hee. (snort) (melody--->easily entertained)

AND...that's me looking all official and plane-y.  Andrea and Audrey chilling
on the flight back.

My Home Acquires an Adjective

You know how it is when you sell a house?  All those things you've been meaning to do for years are completed in the blink of an eye, (comparatively,) and you wake up  one morning and see the house that you wish you'd lived in all those years.  You chide yourself for not doing all those things earlier so that you could enjoy them; you vow that next time it will be different.

In a way, that's what this week has been like for me.  Now, I'm not selling a house...I'm extremely grateful that I'll get to enjoy the fruit of my efforts actually...but even so, my home (in Tahoe [as opposed to my house (in Long Beach) which I still really like but it isn't quite as homey]) has gone through some great changes in the last month and it feels so nice.  (Actually, it feels Nice --with a capital N-- iykwim*)

The whole thing began when I was lucky enough to get a new bed & mattress for my bedroom in Long Beach.  That huge treat resulted in transporting the old bedroom set back up to Tahoe where it is SO much more comfortable living life as a Guest Room**.  Here's proof: (isn't it lovely?)

For a variety of reasons, when we came up to Tahoe for Thanksgiving week, it really struck me that I no longer live at home.  I haven't for 3 years, actually, but it turns out that denial is a tricky, sneaky friend who'll weigh you down without you even realizing it.

My home is no longer simply my home, it is my Vacation Home.  Now, I'm sure that sounds all glamorous and omigoodness-I-Want-A-Vacation-Home-TOO! ...and a good 10 years ago that's about exactly how I felt. But now?  Now, "Vacation Home" has a different connotation.  Where it used to mean 'a lovely spot in the mountains where I can unwind and appreciate nature' now it means 'my home that I only get to live on when I'm on vacation'.  It's different.

Regardless of the nit-picky particulars, a Vacation Home needs to function differently than the place you live all the time.  Namely, it can't be cluttered with STUFF because that Certainly Isn't Relaxing.  So Christmas break (a.k.a "Vacation") saw us back in Tahoe, with a bit of time to get things in order.  I've been blissfully enjoying a few days here myself whilst my valiant husband attempts to be mom AND dad in Long Beach for a week (mostly--our littlest (Audrey) is spending the week with my parents) God bless his generous soul.  I wish I could say that the bliss is due to an inordinate amount of reading and quilting and watching chick flicks, but it is actually due to all the stuff I'm getting done.

That makes me sound old.  Oh well.  Carrying on...

We've replaced carpeting and a microwave, we've pulled out a ridiculous amount of junk to donate to the yearly yard-sale fundraiser for Spread the Light Puppet Ministry (hi mom and dad!).  I've cleaned and cleared and now I'm finally on the brink of having a proper, well-appointed Vacation Home.  It's still home, but all those things that fell by the wayside before it acquired its adjective are being completed--how fabulous is that?

It's actually a bigger deal for me than it might seem.  For the first time in the last three years I'm able to fully enjoy my time at home, and more importantly I'm able to think about it with an overwhelming sense of thankfulness for such a blessing rather than only feeling sorry for myself that I can't be here more often. You see, I wanted my kiddos to grow up with an appreciation for the mountains and God's creation, and in my mind that meant having them spend their childhood in Tahoe....not living here for a few years and then growing up in the city.  I'm coming to see, however, that perhaps my concept of perfection isn't as perfect and fully-rounded as God's (shocker, huh?).  We were able to live here full-time for 6 years, and by moving back to Long Beach, I think that my children have been able to grow an appreciation that they may not have been able to otherwise.

In the end, I suppose I mustn't be bitter towards a simple little adjective.  That just sounds silly.  Besides, it's much happier to be happy.


*iykwim = if you know what I mean
** Guest Room = a.k.a. Timothy's room that he never sleeps in because he's a nomad at heart and much prefers a couch.  Seriously.  I finally caved and accepted the fact.

A Caribbean Family Vacation

At the beginning of November we took the kiddos to the Caribbean to celebrate Chris's brother's wedding.  Heat and bugs aside, it was a beautiful trip.  I don't have much to say, because it's been over a month and I'm deep in the middle of lists (gift-buying, party-preparing, trip-packing etc etc) but I thought (especially as today is a lovely rainy day) that a photo tour of our time at St. John would be just the ticket. Enjoy!

We flew into St. Thomas, and then Jon picked us up and we boated to St. John

Andrew in the water before the wedding.

Chris transported everyone from the villa to the boat to the beach (and back)
for the wedding.  

Michelle's mom, Pam, became one of Audrey's new favorite people.

Secluded beach wedding @ 11:11am on 11/11/11

Jon and Michelle, with his boat, Alcyone, in the background.

Andrew and Audrey were straight off-with-their-clothes-and-into-the-water
as soon as the ceremony was done.

Picture perfect couple--and a new sister-in-law! Yay!

The view from our villa--so lush!  It gets unbelievably loud at night, the
animals in the jungle are quite amazing.

Iguana in the tree top.

Quotables

I find such joy in discovering how other minds work, (well, usually...reading Lolita introduced me to a mind I could have done without knowing,) and every once in a while someone says something succinct that makes me pause.

Chris is usually pretty level-headed, rational, etc. but every once in a while he'll come out with a bizarre thought (like space elevators...which turns out to be more scientific than bizarre in some circles,) that leaves me giggling.  Recently, Chris expressed frustration at how much time he wastes in tying his shoes every morning...and how much cumulative time is wasted by everyone that has to tie shoes each morning.  He is absolutely certain that the world would be much more advanced if it weren't for being hindered by shoelaces.  We could be living in space right now if it weren't for shoelaces.

Someone who is always good to quote is Andrew.  Andrew always comes up with insightful observations.  Ever since he was a toddling 2 year old (or somewhere thereabouts) wondering about what was inside of blue (!!!), up until yesterday afternoon (a good decade later,) he's always impressed and entertained me with the way he looks at the world.  So we were sitting in our living room, filling boxes for Operation Christmas Child, when he said this: "War is such a small, simple word for something that is neither small nor simple.  It deserves at least a four-letter word."

Think about that for a while.  Very true, isn't it?

There's Always More to be Thankful For

because really, it's all a matter of perspective.  For every thing there is to be frustrated with or discouraged by, there is at least one way of seeing the opposite.

#1-26
#26-50
51.  That there IS a bright side.
52.  That there is rain to be distracted by...even though vehicular accidents are a common result.
53.  Pumpkin Spice ANYTHING
54.  Mexican food (have I listed that one already?)
55.  Sebastian Barry
56.  Willa Cather
57.  teenagers  (really.  mine caught a mouse in my house.  with tongs!)
58.  giggling girls (especially Melindas and Audreys)
59.  meow-meows
60.  apple blossoms
61.  not feeling guilty about not answering the telephone
62.  sewing machines
63.  quiet
64.  cursive handwriting
65.  clean water
66.  that it is snowing somewhere, even if I'm not there
67.  it is still possible to snail-mail a letter
68.  sleep
69.  waking up without an alarm clock
70.  bulbs peeping out of the earth
71.  flowers that you can eat (like artichokes--amazing flowers!)
72.  people in my life that understand me (like Andrew!)
73.  veterans
74.  the faithfulness of God
75.  scarves

In Which Hamsters Run Amok*

One uneventful day, Audrey and I walked into Centinella Pet Supplies to buy some hamster food.

No, let me back up.

When Melinda was 9 1/2, we--by which I mean I--bought her a hamster.  A small furry little Roborovski Hamster who was subsequently named Candy.

Candy lived a happy little life, for what hamster lucky enough to be owned by an adoring child would not live in bliss?  At a ripe old age of almost 2, she keeled over and breathed her last.  It was a difficult time for Melinda, but was helped when we brought home a new pet a few days later.  This time, we (ahem, I) with amazing argument-avoidance-foresight, bought two hamsters: one for Melinda and one for Audrey.  Two little female Robo hamsters that were used to each other, and no risk of being suckered into buying a different pet later on that required more cages and different supplies--perfect!

Contrary to what you may think, this is not a photo of a
 dead hamster.  One of them simply enjoys
looking dead whilst sleeping.

Thus Rosy and Snoozy joined our household.  They got on so well, and were such adorable things to watch.  For about a month or so.  At which point they started "fighting" (quotes necessary as you soon shall see--or may have already guessed.)  Fighting hamsters plus out of town trip equals very worried girls, and therefore more cages and different supplies.  Sigh.  Foresight not so foresightful after all, perhaps.

Everything seemed to be moving along quite nicely, and we went on our second out of town trip, leaving Chris and Timothy to take care of the house and all it holds.  One morning I awoke to a text:

*slaps forehead*

Quick research told me that Robo Hamsters usually have 4-6 babies.  We were blessed with 7, and Rosy was soon re-dubbed Peter.  We found a website that gave us the necessary information to become quasi-experts in rodent rearing.  A good friend took one of the babies, a teacher took another two, and now we have 6 hamsters total: 3 boys and 3 girls.  In our early baby-raising-phase we happened across an interesting scientific phenomena: how is that a small creature who can barely walk and whose eyes aren't even all the way open can somehow find a wheel and know that it would be a good thing to run on?  It is all very perplexing.  What did hamsters do before wheels??

Which brings us to the beginning of the story: One uneventful day, Audrey and I walked into Centinella Pet Supplies to buy some hamster food.  To Audrey's delight, we discovered that the store would soon be hosting Hamster Races!  We could enter as many hamsters as we wanted (for free!) and each would receive a free ball to race in.  Oh the anticipation!

It was quite a bit of fun to watch, actually.  Some hamsters just wouldn't move.  Some hamsters were about 800times as big as ours combined.  We ended up entering the boys: Peter, Cotton, and Fang.

A brag on my Linnie:  While we were there, Melinda noticed a boy and his dad next to us who were enjoying the races.  Something they said led her to inquire, "Are you just spectating?"  The dad looked at her for a few seconds and then said, "What?"  Melinda rephrased, "Are you just here to watch?"  Recognition dawned and the man nodded, answering, "Yes," with a smile.  (Aren't vocabulary/smarty stories the best? Who said eavesdropping is bad?  Eavesdropping on that conversation was delightful.)

Anyhow, Fang won 2nd place and brought home a fancy princess carriage for his sisters and momma to run in.  They've enjoyed learning how to run in their big huge orbs--something Shasta (Ana & Jack's dog) has greatly enjoyed as well.

But the story doesn't end there.  With all the excitement, the cages must have gotten bumped around because the next morning as Ana was leaving the house, she saw a hamster dart across the entryway floor.  Forget trying to catch it, those things scamper like nobody's business.  Sure enough, the girl's cage (which, by coincidence, is not the pink one--the boys get that pleasure) was housing only two furballs.  We figured she was gone for good, because the part of the house she was seen in the lowest portion, with insurmountable stairs.

There is, however, one section of the baseboards that had a moderately-sized hole drilled in it.  I had assumed that the hole dropped directly underneath the house, but started to get skeptical when two days later I saw a shredded Nerf dart in the adjoining room.  Sure enough, the next morning as I was stumbling back from my alarm clock duties, I saw a little hamster sitting outside the two hamster cages.  Hungry, I assume, the little one was caught without too much fuss and now we are back at full hamster capacity.

Anyone up for a little furry pet?


* (As an aside, the title of my post alerted me to the fact that amok is yet another English word in which one is allowed to choose whether to spell it amok or amuck.  Ah, the freedom of spelling choice--what fun!  Both variants derive from the Malay work amoq: "a psychic disturbance characterized by depression followed by a manic urge to murder".  Thank you dictionary.com, that was fun!)