No knitting! Just writing!
Except that…well…Thumper is about to outgrow his Accordion sweater and has long outgrown his other sweaters. And I’ve just thrown out two pairs of socks due to acute heel blowouts. And it’s pretty much always sweater and knit sock weather around here, so… Knitting. There will be knitting. The trick will be to find a balance in my free time, so that writing time isn’t eaten up by knitting time (a bad procrastination habit that simply won’t do any longer).
The guidelines (which I’m making up right now on the spot for my own purposes and which will most likely be of interest to no one but myself, but here’s me thinking out loud, so to speak) :
1. Billy is now taking Thumper out for just-the-boys time on Sunday mornings so I can have a few hours to write. There must be absolutely no knitting done during those hours. None of that “just a few rows to help me think this through” crap because that’s a lie I tell myself so I can knit and avoid the writing.
2. Thumper tends to take one two-hour nap per day. If I write for the first hour of the nap, I can–if the writing isn’t going so well that I don’t want to stop–knit for the remainder of the nap. I may not knit for the first hour and write for the second, because that second hour of sleep is never a sure thing.
3. If he goes to sleep before 9pm, I have to write for at least an hour before I go to sleep or pick up the knitting. If he goes to sleep between 9 and 10pm, I can take a stab at the writing before picking up the knitting. If he won’t fall asleep until after 10pm, I should remember to move the knitting off the bed so I don’t impale myself on it upon collapsing into bed.
It’s 10:50 right now. It took from 8:30 to 10pm to get him to sleep tonight. (He was a champion sleeper in New York, but all the changes lately have him thrown, and I don’t blame him one bit. I’m sure he’ll settle down soon.) I’m feeling pretty good still, so I’ll do a bit of work on the novel before sleep. Can’t knit tonight because there’s no knitting in the bedroom and lately he’s been waking up everytime I leave the bed. Must remember to set some knitting next to the bed tomorrow.
So I’m going to let myself knit after all… And what will I be knitting? I’m not going back to the Empire Waist cardi yet. I think I know what to do with it, but I’ll let it sit a while longer. For now, I want to finish the Debbie Bliss donkey jacket I started for Thumper last year, which should still be a bit big on him thanks to the way she sizes for ginormous monster babies. Then I want to knit him a little pullover that’s been in my head for a while. And some socks for me. Nothing fancy. Simple knitting that I can pick up and put down easily. Nothing so fantastic that it will tempt me away from the work.
That might be one of the hardest adjustments I’ve had to make (am continuing to make) since having a baby–the fact that I get so little time to myself that I need to be really disciplined about how I use it. Sure, there needs to be downtime that gets frittered and puttered away, because frittering and puttering are necessary to some degree. But if I’m going to keep writing, and knitting (hell–and getting long enough showers that I can wash my hair), then I need to make good use of those little windows of free time. Everytime I think I have it down, Thumper’s schedule and needs change and I have to adjust again. And again. All this shifting. And I’m sure once he’s older and started school and I have the school days to get work done, I’ll miss these early years when I had him all to myself so much of the time terribly. Already I feel nostalgic for the sweetness of the first months when we spent our days lying around and nursing. But what did I feel at the time? Some moments of loving that sweetness and the shapelessness of the days with a young baby. But mostly I was overwhelmed and exhausted and afraid. These babies…they turn us inside out in so many ways, don’t they? I mean, I do love my time with him. I love it so much. But I want some more time for me. Need it and I’m not sure how I’m going to get it. We’ve toyed with the idea of daycare a couple mornings a week so I can have that time to write, but I don’t think either Thumper or I are ready for that separation. I get nervous just thinking about it. There’s a wonderful woman right around the corner from us who runs a daycare in her home and I love the way she is with the kids and they all look happy when they go past our house on their daily walk/parade, but even having him right around the corner but not with me…I’m just not ready.
Clearly I’m more tired than I thought I was. Rambling and where was I going with that? What was I saying? Right. Knitting. I was being unreasonably strict with myself when I said no time for knitting now. I need to prioritize but that doesn’t mean knitting is out. God, how dull. How dull. Did I really just say all this out loud? (well, typed, but you know what I mean). I’m blogging about how I need to make time for both writing and knitting. Really? Gah.
And I’m going to hit publish, too. What the fuck. Just to prove that I just type these things and hit publish without editing. Just to prove how very dull I can be.
Sleep. I needs it. G’night.
Ah–but one more thing. Hey Portlanders–what’s the deal with all the huge spiders EVERYWHERE? I mean HUGE. And EVERYWHERE. They’re creeping me out.
uh… when it gets cold out, the spiders come indoors. is that what you mean? i noticed it my first fall here. around the end of september, all the spiders with their pretty (outdoor) webs were suddenly up in my doorways with their not-so-pretty webs. and i’m pretty sure it’s just here.
if they’re still outdoors… um. they’re taking hormones. to intimidate the flies. it’s all i can come up with.
Posted by: avalynda
Wait till you’re ready to send Thumper to daycare. It is a wrench when you first have to do it, but it does get easier, and the time to yourself is magic. A couple of mornings a week now he’s over one might be fun for him too. I know my daughter enjoys the interaction with other kids and adults and the whole other set of toys to play with. If you can get Thumper in somewhere so close to home that would be perfect too.
Posted by: ginchy
Don’t forget that, just like Thumper, you need to give yourself some time to settle in. There’ve been big changes for all of you. Even grown-ups need adjustment time.
I remember so well those early years with my daughter…and I miss that baby/toddler/little girl. Even though you love your kid at whatever stage he or she is at in the present, there’s a little mourning for what is gone. Even if, while what-was-gone was the present, it was driving you crazy.
And at some point you’ll be ready for a little separation…and so will Thumper…and then how wonderful to have a good daycare so close!
I’m sort of babbling too, but then it’s still awfully early in the morning.
No help with the spiders what-so-ever.
Posted by: Sarah R
it was a lot of things, but not DULL. never that. 🙂
chicago has a crazy spider invasion in august & september every year. but my theory is they get killed off during the winter cold. portland never gets quite that cold (even though these days they do get snow!) = so my theory is the spiders never die…. 🙂
Posted by: carolyn
In the long run, time with Thumper is more important than any book or any knitting project, really. My boy was 16mons when I HAD to go back to work part-time and only went when I found a daycare that I was totally comfortable with. It’s a co-op daycare where parents are on-site volunteering every day.
That being said, don’t feel bad about needing ‘me time’, sometimes I feel like I can’t get the simplest tasks done with the boy around. A ‘few mornings a week’ might be good for both of you.
Posted by: Roz
uh… when it gets cold out, the spiders come indoors. is that what you mean? i noticed it my first fall here. around the end of september, all the spiders with their pretty (outdoor) webs were suddenly up in my doorways with their not-so-pretty webs. and i’m pretty sure it’s just here.
if they’re still outdoors… um. they’re taking hormones. to intimidate the flies. it’s all i can come up with.
Posted by: avalynda
Wait till you’re ready to send Thumper to daycare. It is a wrench when you first have to do it, but it does get easier, and the time to yourself is magic. A couple of mornings a week now he’s over one might be fun for him too. I know my daughter enjoys the interaction with other kids and adults and the whole other set of toys to play with. If you can get Thumper in somewhere so close to home that would be perfect too.
Posted by: ginchy
Don’t forget that, just like Thumper, you need to give yourself some time to settle in. There’ve been big changes for all of you. Even grown-ups need adjustment time.
I remember so well those early years with my daughter…and I miss that baby/toddler/little girl. Even though you love your kid at whatever stage he or she is at in the present, there’s a little mourning for what is gone. Even if, while what-was-gone was the present, it was driving you crazy.
And at some point you’ll be ready for a little separation…and so will Thumper…and then how wonderful to have a good daycare so close!
I’m sort of babbling too, but then it’s still awfully early in the morning.
No help with the spiders what-so-ever.
Posted by: Sarah R
it was a lot of things, but not DULL. never that. 🙂
chicago has a crazy spider invasion in august & september every year. but my theory is they get killed off during the winter cold. portland never gets quite that cold (even though these days they do get snow!) = so my theory is the spiders never die…. 🙂
Posted by: carolyn
In the long run, time with Thumper is more important than any book or any knitting project, really. My boy was 16mons when I HAD to go back to work part-time and only went when I found a daycare that I was totally comfortable with. It’s a co-op daycare where parents are on-site volunteering every day.
That being said, don’t feel bad about needing ‘me time’, sometimes I feel like I can’t get the simplest tasks done with the boy around. A ‘few mornings a week’ might be good for both of you.
Posted by: Roz
You might consider hiring an in-house sitter for the hours you were considering daycare. When my Little Boy was small, I hired a teenager to just play with him and take care of him for a few hours, a few times a week so I could do my contract work at home. He was there, I could hear him, the sitter could ask me any questions she needed, and she was so much fun for him that he didn’t really miss me most of the time. Some days didn’t go so well, when he really wanted to be with me, but having him home left me the option of cutting short the work those few days and letting the sitter go for the day.
Oh, and I live on an island, and the spiders are ridiculous here, too. I think it has to do with proximity to water…boats are always full of them, and houses near open water seem to be, too.
Posted by: HistoricStitcher
The best advice I ever got before my daughter was born 13 months ago was how important it is for your children to see you doing what you need to do to be fulfilled. So I say wait until you feel ready for daycare, but don’t apologize for needing your writing – and your puttering – time. It’s what helps you be the best mamma you can be!
Posted by: Cath
You write so well about all of this, it brings it all back. Isn’t it weird how you can be nostalgic about each bit of baby/child growth WHILE IT’S HAPPENING? Much as I enjoy the now parts of our children, I miss all the previous phases of them with great pangs of almost-grief in my chest.
In regard to getting some private time, one solution is to make friends with a compatible mother with a child the same age – then sometimes you swap kids, right in your own home. I have to say, though, it’s often more tempting to sit and chat and play than to do whatever chore you had lined up!
Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport
Sounds like you’re “starting as you mean to go”. Having a plan is good. I wish you many hours of productive writing and time for enjoyable knitting.
Posted by: Dr. Steph
It sounds like a good plan to me :o)
About those spiders…this year has been BAD. I mean…really bad. I think because the mild summer we had they got ginormous and now that it’s getting cold they are hovering near houses and INSIDE houses. I like near Seattle and it’s this way every year…but this year all the spiders seem bigger. You are not the only one that is creeped out by them. I HATE THEM!! But soon it will be too cold for them outside and they will DIE DIE DIE!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Posted by: Stephanie
I love “listening” to you “think”. Me thinks I need to get back to blogging and working out some of the things going on in my own head. Just remember – spiders eat lots of bad things – aphids, mosquitoes, etc. If they’re the BIG black and yellow spiders that spin the fabulous orb webs, they’re called Garden Lady Spiders down here and they’re very good BUT I’m not so sure I’d like having them INSIDE!
I worked at a daycare for several years out of high school and most of the kids really loved it – even the ones who cried when mommy/daddy left – settled in quickly and enjoyed the new interactions – you’ll figure it out!
Posted by: robin
Yeah, the spiders up here are enormous! I found 5, just on our front porch. They must get lots of nourishment, with all the flora and the rain. Luckily, they rarely get inside the house, and when they do our 3 cats make quick work of them.
They will likely freeze, when the weather turns towards winter, so you won’t have to tolerate them much longer!
Posted by: Jean
You might consider hiring an in-house sitter for the hours you were considering daycare. When my Little Boy was small, I hired a teenager to just play with him and take care of him for a few hours, a few times a week so I could do my contract work at home. He was there, I could hear him, the sitter could ask me any questions she needed, and she was so much fun for him that he didn’t really miss me most of the time. Some days didn’t go so well, when he really wanted to be with me, but having him home left me the option of cutting short the work those few days and letting the sitter go for the day.
Oh, and I live on an island, and the spiders are ridiculous here, too. I think it has to do with proximity to water…boats are always full of them, and houses near open water seem to be, too.
Posted by: HistoricStitcher
The best advice I ever got before my daughter was born 13 months ago was how important it is for your children to see you doing what you need to do to be fulfilled. So I say wait until you feel ready for daycare, but don’t apologize for needing your writing – and your puttering – time. It’s what helps you be the best mamma you can be!
Posted by: Cath
You write so well about all of this, it brings it all back. Isn’t it weird how you can be nostalgic about each bit of baby/child growth WHILE IT’S HAPPENING? Much as I enjoy the now parts of our children, I miss all the previous phases of them with great pangs of almost-grief in my chest.
In regard to getting some private time, one solution is to make friends with a compatible mother with a child the same age – then sometimes you swap kids, right in your own home. I have to say, though, it’s often more tempting to sit and chat and play than to do whatever chore you had lined up!
Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport
Sounds like you’re “starting as you mean to go”. Having a plan is good. I wish you many hours of productive writing and time for enjoyable knitting.
Posted by: Dr. Steph
It sounds like a good plan to me :o)
About those spiders…this year has been BAD. I mean…really bad. I think because the mild summer we had they got ginormous and now that it’s getting cold they are hovering near houses and INSIDE houses. I like near Seattle and it’s this way every year…but this year all the spiders seem bigger. You are not the only one that is creeped out by them. I HATE THEM!! But soon it will be too cold for them outside and they will DIE DIE DIE!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Posted by: Stephanie
I love “listening” to you “think”. Me thinks I need to get back to blogging and working out some of the things going on in my own head. Just remember – spiders eat lots of bad things – aphids, mosquitoes, etc. If they’re the BIG black and yellow spiders that spin the fabulous orb webs, they’re called Garden Lady Spiders down here and they’re very good BUT I’m not so sure I’d like having them INSIDE!
I worked at a daycare for several years out of high school and most of the kids really loved it – even the ones who cried when mommy/daddy left – settled in quickly and enjoyed the new interactions – you’ll figure it out!
Posted by: robin
Yeah, the spiders up here are enormous! I found 5, just on our front porch. They must get lots of nourishment, with all the flora and the rain. Luckily, they rarely get inside the house, and when they do our 3 cats make quick work of them.
They will likely freeze, when the weather turns towards winter, so you won’t have to tolerate them much longer!
Posted by: Jean
Before you know it, you will be putting Thumper in a preschool a couple mornings a week because HE will want to be with other kids without you. 🙂 That will give you some time without the guilt because, really, he needs time away from you just as much as you need time from him.
Best of luck. Balancing time for yourself is tough. Maybe you will provide some insight to something that has alluded me these five years.
Posted by: Holly Jo
Everything is choosing between two hard things, isn’t it?
Being ready for daycare is more about you than him, I think. I had to start my son at 6 weeks (SOB) and all the gals there knew it would be harder for me than for him. He just knew there were more ladies to snuggle him. They had a box of tissues ready for me when I left him those first days.
Posted by: Carrie
I used to take my kids into a drop-in play group at the local library at that age. They’d be busy with the other kids and I had a few moments to talk to the other moms, or even go upstairs for 10 minutes to grab a book. It was great and I highly recommend something similar if you can find it.
Posted by: LaurieM
Welcome to fall in the Northwest. My hubby has been extra busy with the squishing this year. Spiders and I have an arrangement. If they stay outside I leave them alone, come in my house and it’s all over. They totally creep me out. Too many legs for any innocent purpose!
Posted by: Visionsister
i hear every word and totally understand what you wrote about the early days and the ‘shapelessness’. things are smoothing a bit, then they change and one of the boys gets sick or yadda, yadda. almost 6 months and sometimes i feel frozen and sometimes it is a blur. i am glad you wrote what you did. the post really helps me as a mama know we are all in it together. hope you are settling in and enjoying the new digs….spiders, hmmm, i don’t remember too many but it was long ago.
Posted by: mamie
I’m still trying to find time for myself, and my daughter’s 7. There’s homework, studying for tests, basketball practice, book reports, choir practice…by the time she goes to sleep and I have time for myself, I fall asleep with my head on my notebook.
I hear you about needing to be disciplined. I need to set up some kind of schedule. I think you’ve inspired me…
Posted by: Anna
I hear you and I’m right there with you. Oh gosh, and I’m not even trying to write a novel, just keep the kids in clean clothes and do a bit of knitting and hopefully learn enough to move into more design. I adore my children, and I’m still getting over it that my little girl is going to have to start school next year. It comes so fast. Everyone says that, but it’s hard to see it happening. Yet, they’re so beautiful and alive and full of wonder at each age. It’s worth the time. For me, I just try to remember that I only get 5 short years with each of them at home full time, and there will be decades ahead to get to all the other things. All of us moms of young ones definitely need something “grown up” to do that helps us keep touch with ourselves, but it’s definitely possible to do that without sending him off to daycare if you don’t feel ready. Hiring an “in-home” babysitter for a couple of days a week sounds like it might be a good solution.
Posted by: Saralyn
Before you know it, you will be putting Thumper in a preschool a couple mornings a week because HE will want to be with other kids without you. 🙂 That will give you some time without the guilt because, really, he needs time away from you just as much as you need time from him.
Best of luck. Balancing time for yourself is tough. Maybe you will provide some insight to something that has alluded me these five years.
Posted by: Holly Jo
Everything is choosing between two hard things, isn’t it?
Being ready for daycare is more about you than him, I think. I had to start my son at 6 weeks (SOB) and all the gals there knew it would be harder for me than for him. He just knew there were more ladies to snuggle him. They had a box of tissues ready for me when I left him those first days.
Posted by: Carrie
I used to take my kids into a drop-in play group at the local library at that age. They’d be busy with the other kids and I had a few moments to talk to the other moms, or even go upstairs for 10 minutes to grab a book. It was great and I highly recommend something similar if you can find it.
Posted by: LaurieM
Welcome to fall in the Northwest. My hubby has been extra busy with the squishing this year. Spiders and I have an arrangement. If they stay outside I leave them alone, come in my house and it’s all over. They totally creep me out. Too many legs for any innocent purpose!
Posted by: Visionsister
i hear every word and totally understand what you wrote about the early days and the ‘shapelessness’. things are smoothing a bit, then they change and one of the boys gets sick or yadda, yadda. almost 6 months and sometimes i feel frozen and sometimes it is a blur. i am glad you wrote what you did. the post really helps me as a mama know we are all in it together. hope you are settling in and enjoying the new digs….spiders, hmmm, i don’t remember too many but it was long ago.
Posted by: mamie
I’m still trying to find time for myself, and my daughter’s 7. There’s homework, studying for tests, basketball practice, book reports, choir practice…by the time she goes to sleep and I have time for myself, I fall asleep with my head on my notebook.
I hear you about needing to be disciplined. I need to set up some kind of schedule. I think you’ve inspired me…
Posted by: Anna
I hear you and I’m right there with you. Oh gosh, and I’m not even trying to write a novel, just keep the kids in clean clothes and do a bit of knitting and hopefully learn enough to move into more design. I adore my children, and I’m still getting over it that my little girl is going to have to start school next year. It comes so fast. Everyone says that, but it’s hard to see it happening. Yet, they’re so beautiful and alive and full of wonder at each age. It’s worth the time. For me, I just try to remember that I only get 5 short years with each of them at home full time, and there will be decades ahead to get to all the other things. All of us moms of young ones definitely need something “grown up” to do that helps us keep touch with ourselves, but it’s definitely possible to do that without sending him off to daycare if you don’t feel ready. Hiring an “in-home” babysitter for a couple of days a week sounds like it might be a good solution.
Posted by: Saralyn
I love all your ramblings. Our sons are about the same age, and it is nice to know someone else out there is going through the same thing… I totally understand what you mean. Its hard to make time for what you WANT to do after you do everything that you NEED to do. You seem to be adjusting well. Keep it up… 🙂
Posted by: Lorraine
Welcome to Portland! We just hired a woman take care of my 12-month-old son in our house two afternoons a week. I’ve also had a high school girl come two hours once a week for the past few months.
The new sitter was hired so I can start freelance medical writing as a career, but so far I have let myself be distracted by daily pressing issues thinking that next week will be easier. Speaking of, I need to get back to my list of things to do!
Posted by: Tanya
I hear you on the relishing the baby days, but needing a little downtime/alone time. When (if) Olive takes a nap, do I do the housework? the practical stuff? No. I read all of the blogs I love & I knit. Late at night after we get her to sleep, do I clean or cook ahead? No. I knit & eat chocolate. This loving your sweet baby thing is hard work. So I say, take a break when you can. Go to a movie, yoga, whatever floats your boat. My new rule is once a week I get an evening out. Not an evening out with my husband (um, yeah, 15 months & counting), but an evening with friends. I hope that the transition in Portland is going well!
Posted by: Kristy
Good luck on the balance, I think that’s the hardest thing.
Posted by: Patti
Sounds like some others suggested what I was thinking. Getting someone to come in for a few hours to just watch and play. Might be good daycare-with-training-wheels.
I have to agree with you on the spiders. We have very healthy spiders! And since spiders are one of the few things I’m afraid of, it does not make me happy. However, I take it as a sign that we get to live in a fabulous, healthy, outdoors environment.
My house was vacant for a while when I moved in and I’m overrun with GIGANTIC spiders! Hobos and Giant House Spiders. GAH! Some of them are like 3″ across! Not to mention the ginormous garden spiders setting up house outside.
I should mention, that even though I’m forced to share my living space with all these arachnids, I haven’t had a spider bite yet. but still…*shudder*
Posted by: Laurie
yep, it’s spider season. we’ve had a few inside, one my mom dubbed “the largest spider in the world” as she vacuumed him up. not exactly what i would have done, but…
we’ve gotten our composter and have started our first batch. wish us luck! 🙂
we’ll knit soon, whenever you find time.
Posted by: shannon in oregon
I’m an at-home mom. I try to write when I can and knit, too. I’m just starting to get back to work.
If I had one thing to do over, I would never waste the time they were in school with housework. They need to see me keeping the house and working (with them). I need to use the time they’re away with things I can’t do with them in the house.
Posted by: Angie
I love all your ramblings. Our sons are about the same age, and it is nice to know someone else out there is going through the same thing… I totally understand what you mean. Its hard to make time for what you WANT to do after you do everything that you NEED to do. You seem to be adjusting well. Keep it up… 🙂
Posted by: Lorraine
Welcome to Portland! We just hired a woman take care of my 12-month-old son in our house two afternoons a week. I’ve also had a high school girl come two hours once a week for the past few months.
The new sitter was hired so I can start freelance medical writing as a career, but so far I have let myself be distracted by daily pressing issues thinking that next week will be easier. Speaking of, I need to get back to my list of things to do!
Posted by: Tanya
I hear you on the relishing the baby days, but needing a little downtime/alone time. When (if) Olive takes a nap, do I do the housework? the practical stuff? No. I read all of the blogs I love & I knit. Late at night after we get her to sleep, do I clean or cook ahead? No. I knit & eat chocolate. This loving your sweet baby thing is hard work. So I say, take a break when you can. Go to a movie, yoga, whatever floats your boat. My new rule is once a week I get an evening out. Not an evening out with my husband (um, yeah, 15 months & counting), but an evening with friends. I hope that the transition in Portland is going well!
Posted by: Kristy
Good luck on the balance, I think that’s the hardest thing.
Posted by: Patti
Sounds like some others suggested what I was thinking. Getting someone to come in for a few hours to just watch and play. Might be good daycare-with-training-wheels.
I have to agree with you on the spiders. We have very healthy spiders! And since spiders are one of the few things I’m afraid of, it does not make me happy. However, I take it as a sign that we get to live in a fabulous, healthy, outdoors environment.
My house was vacant for a while when I moved in and I’m overrun with GIGANTIC spiders! Hobos and Giant House Spiders. GAH! Some of them are like 3″ across! Not to mention the ginormous garden spiders setting up house outside.
I should mention, that even though I’m forced to share my living space with all these arachnids, I haven’t had a spider bite yet. but still…*shudder*
Posted by: Laurie
yep, it’s spider season. we’ve had a few inside, one my mom dubbed “the largest spider in the world” as she vacuumed him up. not exactly what i would have done, but…
we’ve gotten our composter and have started our first batch. wish us luck! 🙂
we’ll knit soon, whenever you find time.
Posted by: shannon in oregon
I’m an at-home mom. I try to write when I can and knit, too. I’m just starting to get back to work.
If I had one thing to do over, I would never waste the time they were in school with housework. They need to see me keeping the house and working (with them). I need to use the time they’re away with things I can’t do with them in the house.
Posted by: Angie
I’m finding that the “knitting as procrastination” thing is in full effect for me, too. So easy to ignore the job hunt when I’m knitting. Somehow, it’s also led to an ugly case of startitis. I think I’m going to work out a system myself…
Posted by: Erin
I’ve been reading your blog for a few months since a friend linked to it, and I too think our sons are around the same age. It is interesting to see how others deal with similar issues, and I enjoy your writing style. I’m impressed you got unpacked so quickly!
Posted by: Anna W
Sounds like you’re getting good suggestions from everyone; I have none on the kid front, ’cause I didn’t have any. [g] As to spiders, yep, it’s the annual Let’s See How The Humans Live Before We Die migration. It varies from place to place in the city, though. Probably also depends on how much vegetation you’ve got surrounding you. Me, I’m in a second-floor apartment, and while we have manic groundskeepers, I only seem to get small spiders up here in NE. I remember the huge ones from growing up in St. John’s in N. Portland, though! Gack. Sympathies!
Posted by: MonicaPDX
Way back when, I went through almost exactly this, although I only had a year before I went back to work fully. In the intervening months, though, I had transcripts that needed to get done. When I finally did get back to work full time, as hard as it was, I remember heaving a huge sigh of relief, and the way I characterized it was, “I’m so glad to get back to work so I have time to balance my checkbook.”
Motherhood. It’s the hardest job. There is just no question about it. You needed to write this post for the cathartic effect.
I send you a big hug, dearie!
Posted by: Norma
Carrie – about seeds for the garden. You should check out Territorial Seeds. They are based in OR. Most seed catalogs are based on the East coast, but the climate and soil west of the Cascades is very different. We also have a great book, “Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades”, that has helped us to start our garden. Also, with raised beds, you will need to water like crazy in the summer. Welcome to the West coast.
Posted by: amber
I saw your blog post back in July about burying a St. Joseph statue in your yard to help sell your house. I’m a reporter for a national newspaper looking into this trend, and I’d love interview you for my story – especially since you said you are not someone who usually calls on saints for help! My email is sara.munoz@wsj.com and my phone number is 212-416-3057. My deadline is Monday evening – so I would need to hear from you by then.
Hope to hear from you.
Best,
Sara Schaefer Munoz
Posted by: Sara Schaefer Munoz
Its always good to hear from you.
Posted by: claudia
Best of luck to you 🙂 I completely forgot about the donkey jacket. I can’t wait to see that project again. It is so cute.
Posted by: knittripps
I’m finding that the “knitting as procrastination” thing is in full effect for me, too. So easy to ignore the job hunt when I’m knitting. Somehow, it’s also led to an ugly case of startitis. I think I’m going to work out a system myself…
Posted by: Erin
I’ve been reading your blog for a few months since a friend linked to it, and I too think our sons are around the same age. It is interesting to see how others deal with similar issues, and I enjoy your writing style. I’m impressed you got unpacked so quickly!
Posted by: Anna W
Sounds like you’re getting good suggestions from everyone; I have none on the kid front, ’cause I didn’t have any. [g] As to spiders, yep, it’s the annual Let’s See How The Humans Live Before We Die migration. It varies from place to place in the city, though. Probably also depends on how much vegetation you’ve got surrounding you. Me, I’m in a second-floor apartment, and while we have manic groundskeepers, I only seem to get small spiders up here in NE. I remember the huge ones from growing up in St. John’s in N. Portland, though! Gack. Sympathies!
Posted by: MonicaPDX
Way back when, I went through almost exactly this, although I only had a year before I went back to work fully. In the intervening months, though, I had transcripts that needed to get done. When I finally did get back to work full time, as hard as it was, I remember heaving a huge sigh of relief, and the way I characterized it was, “I’m so glad to get back to work so I have time to balance my checkbook.”
Motherhood. It’s the hardest job. There is just no question about it. You needed to write this post for the cathartic effect.
I send you a big hug, dearie!
Posted by: Norma
Carrie – about seeds for the garden. You should check out Territorial Seeds. They are based in OR. Most seed catalogs are based on the East coast, but the climate and soil west of the Cascades is very different. We also have a great book, “Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades”, that has helped us to start our garden. Also, with raised beds, you will need to water like crazy in the summer. Welcome to the West coast.
Posted by: amber
I saw your blog post back in July about burying a St. Joseph statue in your yard to help sell your house. I’m a reporter for a national newspaper looking into this trend, and I’d love interview you for my story – especially since you said you are not someone who usually calls on saints for help! My email is sara.munoz@wsj.com and my phone number is 212-416-3057. My deadline is Monday evening – so I would need to hear from you by then.
Hope to hear from you.
Best,
Sara Schaefer Munoz
Posted by: Sara Schaefer Munoz
Its always good to hear from you.
Posted by: claudia
Best of luck to you 🙂 I completely forgot about the donkey jacket. I can’t wait to see that project again. It is so cute.
Posted by: knittripps
Heh. If it makes you feel any better, I just love reading this sort of post. It’s so friendly, somehow, to watch your thoughts unfold. And I don’t mind in the least that they are day-to-day thoughts, rather than massive insightful tomes. In fact, I like them for that. Makes me realize we all do these things – reel out the threads of our days and look at them and try to arrange them better and then get tangled again.
Posted by: Lizbon
My boys are 3 and 5 now, and I had to take them to daycare since they were 3 months old so I could return to work. It was really hard at first, but it has been so good for them. When they were little, they had another person who loved them and cuddled them–another person who became a great friend of mine. But later, it became really clear to me how good being with the other kids was. My youngest is in a preschool now, and he loves it so much that he often cries when it’s time to come home! He’s only in preschool part-time — he still has his “Mama Days” — but I love being able to give him something that makes him so happy. When they get to a certain age, I think kids really need some time with other kids. And the wonderful side benefit to that is that Mama gets some time to herself. Imagine that!
Posted by: Tracy WW
Yes, the spiders are freaky! My DD and I count them on our walks, she loves them. We’ve been finding huge ones in the house which you never get used to. And yes, the baby/time thing. I have no advice. I have a 5 year old and a 10 month old. I look nostalgically (is that how that’s spelled? not going to check) back at just having one baby, what a treat that was!
Posted by: Shelley
Spiders. I have noticed that down here, about 100 miles south of you, they are remarkably large this year and have been unusually prolific in their reproduction. Still, at least I haven’t seen that acre-long spider web phenomenon they had down in Texas this year in some poor city’s park. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/30/tech/main3220288.shtml
Hoohoohoo! [shudder} I can deal with the enormous spiders (are your big spiders tan and black and sort of stripy or checkerboardy? That’s what my big spiders look like)but there’s nothing like walking through a nasty brand new web first thing in the morning with a happy dog on one end of the lead and an undercaffeinated person on the other. I’m pretty sure I perform the tarantella at least twice a month.
I just can’t imagine a whole block of spider webbing from a gajillion spiders. Totally a sign of the apocalypse. Welcome to Oregon.
Posted by: frog princess
We have the crazy spiders up in Seattle, too, and I think that they’re horrifying. This is our fourth fall out here, and every year they seem to get bigger, though maybe I just blissfully forget by the spring…?
Posted by: susan
Even though I don’t have any kids, I can really relate – I guess I’m just anticipating. You have my respect for working out a plan like this, and apparently following it (judging from your next post). I’m writing a dissertation while holding a nearly-full-time job and am constantly facing similar desires – where’s my putzing time? I NEED my putzing time! And then reminding myself: what if you had a toddler!
I grew up in Seattle and yeah, those spiders. At least they’re only temporary–roughly Aug. thru Oct. But just think, soon it will be just cold enough to kill them, but for you, a nice warm, green winter!
Posted by: Tanya
Do what I do when it comes to spiders: take pictures of them.
I live in the deeeeep South on the coast, and OH.MY.GOD. the spiders! They creep me out, too.
Hope you can find a way to deal with them…
Posted by: TheSteph
Heh. If it makes you feel any better, I just love reading this sort of post. It’s so friendly, somehow, to watch your thoughts unfold. And I don’t mind in the least that they are day-to-day thoughts, rather than massive insightful tomes. In fact, I like them for that. Makes me realize we all do these things – reel out the threads of our days and look at them and try to arrange them better and then get tangled again.
Posted by: Lizbon
My boys are 3 and 5 now, and I had to take them to daycare since they were 3 months old so I could return to work. It was really hard at first, but it has been so good for them. When they were little, they had another person who loved them and cuddled them–another person who became a great friend of mine. But later, it became really clear to me how good being with the other kids was. My youngest is in a preschool now, and he loves it so much that he often cries when it’s time to come home! He’s only in preschool part-time — he still has his “Mama Days” — but I love being able to give him something that makes him so happy. When they get to a certain age, I think kids really need some time with other kids. And the wonderful side benefit to that is that Mama gets some time to herself. Imagine that!
Posted by: Tracy WW
Yes, the spiders are freaky! My DD and I count them on our walks, she loves them. We’ve been finding huge ones in the house which you never get used to. And yes, the baby/time thing. I have no advice. I have a 5 year old and a 10 month old. I look nostalgically (is that how that’s spelled? not going to check) back at just having one baby, what a treat that was!
Posted by: Shelley
Spiders. I have noticed that down here, about 100 miles south of you, they are remarkably large this year and have been unusually prolific in their reproduction. Still, at least I haven’t seen that acre-long spider web phenomenon they had down in Texas this year in some poor city’s park. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/30/tech/main3220288.shtml
Hoohoohoo! [shudder} I can deal with the enormous spiders (are your big spiders tan and black and sort of stripy or checkerboardy? That’s what my big spiders look like)but there’s nothing like walking through a nasty brand new web first thing in the morning with a happy dog on one end of the lead and an undercaffeinated person on the other. I’m pretty sure I perform the tarantella at least twice a month.
I just can’t imagine a whole block of spider webbing from a gajillion spiders. Totally a sign of the apocalypse. Welcome to Oregon.
Posted by: frog princess
We have the crazy spiders up in Seattle, too, and I think that they’re horrifying. This is our fourth fall out here, and every year they seem to get bigger, though maybe I just blissfully forget by the spring…?
Posted by: susan
Even though I don’t have any kids, I can really relate – I guess I’m just anticipating. You have my respect for working out a plan like this, and apparently following it (judging from your next post). I’m writing a dissertation while holding a nearly-full-time job and am constantly facing similar desires – where’s my putzing time? I NEED my putzing time! And then reminding myself: what if you had a toddler!
I grew up in Seattle and yeah, those spiders. At least they’re only temporary–roughly Aug. thru Oct. But just think, soon it will be just cold enough to kill them, but for you, a nice warm, green winter!
Posted by: Tanya
Do what I do when it comes to spiders: take pictures of them.
I live in the deeeeep South on the coast, and OH.MY.GOD. the spiders! They creep me out, too.
Hope you can find a way to deal with them…
Posted by: TheSteph
P.S. My friend has a three month old, and I hear her stories about not having enough time, etc. I think every mother goes through it. To me, it sounds like you have an excellent plan in place. You will grow to love those minute little slivers of time to yourself. It’s nice of Billy to work with you on it, too! 🙂 Good luck.
Posted by: TheSteph
Oh, the spiders? That’s just our annual Municipal Halloween Decoration Project. Do you like them? (grin)
Almost all of them (at least, the ones build the gorgeous webs) are orb weaver spiders, garden spiders that do not bite, aren’t poisonous, and eat lots of nasty little insects. I detest mosquitoes so I leave up every web I can find. Gnats aren’t on my list of favorites either.
Plus, it gives us free creepy Halloween decorations.
Posted by: BigAlice
I was looking for a place to post this on the portion that has the acorn hat pattern. Couldn’t find any. I recently bought the pattern and just wanted to let you know I just finished it and I LOVE,LOVE, it!! Thank you so much for such a great pattern! I can hardly wait for my baby Grandson to wear it. 🙂
Idalia
Posted by: Idalia
P.S. My friend has a three month old, and I hear her stories about not having enough time, etc. I think every mother goes through it. To me, it sounds like you have an excellent plan in place. You will grow to love those minute little slivers of time to yourself. It’s nice of Billy to work with you on it, too! 🙂 Good luck.
Posted by: TheSteph
Oh, the spiders? That’s just our annual Municipal Halloween Decoration Project. Do you like them? (grin)
Almost all of them (at least, the ones build the gorgeous webs) are orb weaver spiders, garden spiders that do not bite, aren’t poisonous, and eat lots of nasty little insects. I detest mosquitoes so I leave up every web I can find. Gnats aren’t on my list of favorites either.
Plus, it gives us free creepy Halloween decorations.
Posted by: BigAlice
I was looking for a place to post this on the portion that has the acorn hat pattern. Couldn’t find any. I recently bought the pattern and just wanted to let you know I just finished it and I LOVE,LOVE, it!! Thank you so much for such a great pattern! I can hardly wait for my baby Grandson to wear it. 🙂
Idalia
Posted by: Idalia