Violet's Secret Garden

Yesterday was Peter's and my 5th anniversary. Yep, I don't regret marrying this man. He is sweet and loving and stable and sometimes the absent minded professor. I'm less gentle than say Rosemary West to Rev John Meredith, but he does not hold that against me (I hope). 

Due to the extreme generosity of my sister Treloar who babysat the kids, Peter and I got to go have an adult dinner at Blue C Sushi and then we went to the movies together for the first time since Ingrid was about 15 months old. We saw the Hunger Games (my 2nd time) We were joking that we didn't even remember what movie we saw the last time we got to go, though I do know that it was at the Crest theater and that Danielle and Eric watched her. I did look back in my journal and we saw The Dark Knight. We thought it was a Batman movie. 

Apparently the kids were awesome for my sister and went to bed without a hitch. Horray! 

Posted by Karen Backman at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We finally got the queen bed home from my mother in law's house. It only took about 2 months. First it was the rain, then the truck had a dead battery. I fixed the truck battery very easily and then it took until the weekend to do the deed. 

We got to go out to visit with people and have dinner while Megan watched the kids for us. I can't even express how appreciative I am that she can and will watch the kids for us. And they love her. 

We are going to go over with food to my mother in law's house for her birthday tomorrow. Apparently she's been telling Peter that she doesn't want to celebrate her birthday this year, but I think the boys have a different idea. Anyway, I thought if a good gift and need to head out of the house today to get it and run an errand. 

My sister Treloar and my closest in age cousin on my dad's side, Aurora are coming over for dinner tonight. I haven't seen Aurora in far too long. We're having tacos. 

I've been working on Spring cleaning the last couple of days. I got my bedroom cleaned up mostly. I need to put away laundry. While cleaning I found my favorite dress, which I thought got lost in the move and I danced with glee. 

Posted by Karen Backman at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My stomach has been upset a lot lately for no good reason. I've been slightly less tired than I was, but still a bit lathargic. 

I got my sorry butt out of the house today. We were all going to go to Marymoor and fly a kite, but Ingrid had a meltdown and so I took Finn to the mall to play. He fell asleep as soon as we got into the car, so I took the long way and he woke up as we pulled into the parking lot. He had a good time playing with the loads and loads of kids there.

We headed home and since Ingrid was feeling better, Peter took her to the park down the street, and I met them there for the kids to play. It was very sweet. She saw Finn running toward her, and ran to meet him and gave him a hug and a kiss. Alas, Finn took off into the grass and took a faceplant, which resulted in him being COMPLETELY covered in mud. Face, rainjacket, pants, hands, all smushed into him. 

I brought the poor tike home and gave him a bath. 

Then my lovely husband made us a dinner of chicken quesedillas. They were good. 

Posted by Karen Backman at 6:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I was talking to a friend today and I realized something big! My life would be so much fuller and I could be as helpful as I like to be if only I had a clone of myself. 

That's right, I went there, A CLONE!

What could I do differently, you ask? Well for starters, I could have one of me take care of my children while the other gets sleep, so I wouldn't be overtired. But that is not all, oh not, that is not ALL!

I could also watch my own kids while I ventured out with friends for tea or lunch or drinks... it's not that I don't like to take them places, but there is a time and place for everything, and having relaxig tea and a good chat with someone while trying to keep track of two squirmy noisy kids isn't fun for anyone!

I could quickly go to the store to buy groceries or whatever is needed, as well as dropping Ingrid off at school and picking her up,without having the big production entourage. 

I could help out a friend that needs housesitting if I were cloned, as well. I could go to Reiki share even if Peter isn't home. I could play with my kids and take a nap at the same time. I could take my husband out on a date!

It's not that I can't get a babysitter for any of those things, but sometimes it'd be vastly more convenient if it was just me, here already, knowing exactly what I want or needing nothing beyond an "I'm leaving now." 

Posted by Karen Backman at 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

it has not let up snowing since at least 6 am. That's when I woke and saw that it was snowing. The flakes are super tiny but they're coming down rapidly.

I needed some air so much, and Peter was busy with work, so I bundled up the kids and took them out to play int he snow. It took me 10-15 minutes to get over the FU world of snow feelings and stop yelling at the kids for taking mittens off. I notice when I actually just let go, I have a much better time. Who knew, right?

The snow is really tying in with my knitting right now. I got to wear my super warm newly knit snow hat and it was lovely, I think. It sort of kept slipping on my head and tilting to the side. it is mostly slipery bamboo and tencel, so I'm not too surprised it's slick. 

I started a mitten last night and lo, I had to put Peter's gloves on Finn in order to keep him from taking off the mitts and having his poor little hands freeze. 

I have been knitting a LOT lately. I have, since January 1, finished 2 sweaters (albeit short and sleeveless) a hat, and 4 dishcloths.  I am going to finish these mitts and then I think I'm going to work on a raglan t shirt. I don't have the yarn to work on a smaller remake of the last sweater I knit, and don't think I'll be able to get to the yarn shop any time soon. Well, actually I could hope that the roads will be clear by Friday, but I don't know. 

Posted by Karen Backman at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)