Teish Knits

Teish Knits -

No Regrets

Five years ago we had an impromptu birthday party. I baked a cake and invited Mom to come for dinner so we could celebrate her birthday. My sister came too, and we ate, played cards, and had a wonderful time together. The evening was filled with laughter. It always was when Mom was there. It wasn’t anything big, and it was very last-minute. And am so thankful that we had that evening together. Not one of us could have guessed that less than a week later we would be in a hospital hallway receiving the news that Mom was gone…

Today is a bittersweet day for me. I’ll always have one last really good memory, and for that I really am grateful! Yet, it was the last time we celebrated Mom’s birthday. Despite the passing of five years, I still miss her very much.

If there is one thing that day taught me: You never know what will happen, so make sure that people know how much you love them. Losing Mom was a shock that none of us was prepared for. But I have the comfort of knowing that we didn’t leave anything unsaid. I didn’t get to “say goodbye” before she died, but I didn’t have to. I knew she loved me, I always knew that she loved me. She knew how much I loved and admired her, because I told her.

None of us knows what even the next hour will bring. Don’t leave things unsaid or undone. Pay the visit, make the call, write the letter, give the hug, whatever it is you need to do, do it today. Mom said she always told her friends and family that she loved them because if something happened, she wanted it to be the last thing that she said to them. That’s one piece of advice that I’ve never regretted taking to heart.

Daybook for January 27th

 
 

Outside my window… the snow that was falling gently this morning has turned to rain, but that also means that it’s warmer.

I am thinking… mostly about various writing projects. So of what goes into my writing is turned over and over in my head before pen ever hits paper.

I am thankful for… childhood friends who are still practically family. Seeing our children now playing together is something special.

From the learning rooms… I’m so excited about the Olympic Games History class that we’ll be taking this week! (Click here for more information on the class.)

From the kitchen… I should probably bake something. It seems like baking weather.

I am wearing… jeans and a fuzzy, red sweater.

I am creating… more mittens that I’ve been asked to knit, but after this batch I’m done for a while.

I am going… to wrap up a few projects this week. Lots to do!

I am reading… Plot versus Character still, but I’m debating what fiction book to dive into next. I’ve also got a physics book that came this week to put in my reading stack.

I am hoping… that something in the very early planning stage will work out in the next couple of months. It’s interesting how many great ideas we have, and how few of them pan out in the end. There’s probably a lesson in there…

I am hearing… Beethovan’s Second Symphony. I may have eclectic music tastes, but I’ll always love classical music.

Pondering these words… “I write to give myself strength. I write to be the characters that I am not. I write to explore all the things I’m afraid of.” – Joss Whedon

Around the house… a toddler is napping, kids are playing letter games, and my IT staff and I are working in the office. It’s a pretty quiet day.

One of my favorite things… is the dry sense of humor that my kids seem to have. They truly make me laugh so much!

A few plans for the rest of the week: a fun online class with the kids, more writing and knitting, lots of tea, and laundry of course

For more daybooks, please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook.

In Defense of Handwriting

Today is National Handwriting Day. Normally, I’m not one for all of these obscure “holidays”, but maybe the declining art of handwriting needs a bit of recognition.

More and more schools are dispensing with teaching cursive, and some even question whether or not to spend time on handwriting at all. I have to confess that I am firmly on the side of learning cursive in this particular debate. There are good, practical reasons for learning to write both print and cursive legibly. Rather than re-stating what others have already stated so well, I want to tell you some of the more impractical reasons why I think handwriting is important.

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When I get out my bottle of ink and fill my fountain pen, it’s a messy task. Yet I find pleasure in it. So different from typing, it’s a more personally involved, tactile experience. Of course, typing allows me to write and edit faster and more efficiently, but I started writing by filling notebooks that I kept secreted away in my room. The scratch of pen or pencil across paper will always be a familiar and comforting action for me.

If I’m writing by hand, I tend to consider what I write a bit more. I can’t just highlight text and delete it! My choice of words is different when handwriting, more carefully chosen.

There’s one reason though why I think handwriting is an art that we should always cultivate: Something handwritten by a loved one is a treasure. The photos I have of Mom have become more precious to me since she died. The same is true of anything I have that she wrote. Seeing her handwriting is something special. Something uniquely hers that she left behind. And all of these “I love Mom” notes written in my young children’s scrawling handwriting are a better gift than anything from a store. And truly, is there anything sweeter than a handwritten love letter? A person’s handwriting is unique to them, and it’s lovely to have that little reminder of them. It’s even lovelier to share a bit of your own handwriting with the people you love!

So start a diary, write a letter, or even write a book. Whatever you decide to write, take a moment to savor the act of putting pen to paper.

Daybook for January 20th

 
 

Outside my window… it’s been snowing all day.

I am thinking… about personality types and how that relates to writing interesting characters. Also realizing that I seem to be surrounded by extroverts!

I am thankful for… all of the wonderful family stories that I can tell the kids.

From the learning rooms… since we’re all on the mend, tackling studies is a little easier!

From the kitchen… tea. I’m still drinking a ridiculous amount of tea to combat the congestion and cough.

I am wearing… jeans, a green shirt, and my tan cabled sweater.

I am creating… a story. A mystery to be precise. I am reading Plot versus Character by Jeff Gerke and following the pattern laid out in the book. So much to think about! Hopefully it will all make me a better writer.

I am going… to remember to pick up a new metal trash can one of these errand days. Ours was mercilessly crunched by the ice coming off our roof. So very thankful that it was just a trash can and not a person!

I am reading… Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest by Edward T. Welch. Considering that I’ve chosen “Fearless” as my word for 2014, I thought this might get me pointed in the right direction.

I am hoping… that we can do a few fun “extras” in school this week.

I am hearing… “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You”. It was one of Mom’s favorite songs, and always reminds me of her.

Pondering these words… “You’re only given one little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.” – Robin Williams

Around the house… books, projects, LEGOs, and signs of creativity!

One of my favorite things… is spending time with Aaron after the kids are in bed.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Studying, writing, drawing, knitting, laundry, and all of the other regular stuff.

For more daybooks, please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook.

Daybook for January 13th

 
 

Outside my window… the metal trash can that we use for ashes has been demolished by ice falling off the roof. The kids were right, they are deathcicles!

I am thinking… that I would really like a nap.

I am thankful for… kids with a wonderful relationship with their dad. Aaron is such a wonderful father, so it’s no surprise that the kids all love their daddy to pieces!

From the learning rooms… we’ve been focusing on just the basics and not worrying about extras at the moment. Some nasty virus is making all of us pretty miserable.

From the kitchen… tea. Lots and lots of tea.

I am wearing… black pants, green shirt, and the warm cabled cardigan that is my most recently finished knitting project.

I am creating… a Fair Isle pillow… maybe. I’ve always avoided color work more complicated than stripes in knitting. This is my attempt to try something new.

I am going… to crawl under a blanket with my tea and commiserate with the kids.

I am reading… several books going at the moment.

I am hoping… that all of us get over this cold quickly! None of us got much sleep last night, mostly because the poor toddler was feeling quite awful.

I am hearing… a pretty quiet house right now. All of the kids are resting on the couches and watching a little Netflix.

Pondering these words… “Never say, ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’ to an introvert. We tend to have very good imaginations.” – Unknown

Around the house… the kids have been enjoying some projects lately. It’s fun to watch them work on building/creating something!

One of my favorite things… hot tea, warm sweaters, and soft tissues!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Resting when possible, and making sure the kids drink plenty of fluids!

For more daybooks, please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook.

 
 

Outside my window… it’s raining and the giant sheets of ice and snow on our roof have decided to swan dive to the ground.

I am thinking… about a story rattling around in my head. Should I try writing a mystery?

I am thankful for… a very good day of learning.

From the learning rooms… first day back after Christmas break! Trying some new things and getting back into the groove.

From the kitchen… I tried making cheese crackers today. It’s a new recipe for me, and I’m sort of indifferent. The kids, on the other hand, have been devouring them!

I am wearing… jeans, purple shirt, purple shawl, and fuzzy owl slippers.

I am creating… a mini scarf to wear inside. Seriously, just tossing a scarf around my neck makes me feel much warmer. How the kids can be running around in t-shirts is beyond me.

I am going… to hide in my house. The ice and snow I mentioned? Thunderous sounds when part of it lets go and lands on the ground by the front door. Even the delivery guy didn’t want to stand too close to the house.

I am reading… Lies by John Hileman. Nope, you can’t order it yet, but I’ll be sure to let you know when it’s out!

I am hoping… that I can find a pair of glasses frames that I like for a reasonable price. It’s been seven years, and I guess it’s time for a replacement pair.

I am hearing… some David Arnold soundtracks. He’s on my list of favorite composers. A good score is wonderful writing music.

Pondering these words… “Write a short story every week. It’s not possible to write 52 bad short stories in a row.” – Ray Bradbury

Around the house… we are surrounded by ice, snow, and deathcicles. (That’s what my kids have dubbed the scary-big icicles hanging off our roof!)

One of my favorite things… is just hanging out with my husband.

A few plans for the rest of the week: getting back into the swing of school days, and figuring out how writing is going to fit into my life this year.

For more daybooks, please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook.

Daybook for December 30th

 
 

Outside my window… there is a truly astounding amount of snow!

I am thinking… about all of the mailbox trouble we’ve had throughout the years. Ours didn’t handle the latest storm very well.

I am thankful for… my IT staff arriving home safe and sound last night.

From the learning rooms… last week of Christmas break, so I’ll be lesson planning one of these days.

From the kitchen… Earl Grey tea and toast.

I am wearing… jeans, my IT staff’s plaid shirt, fuzzy owl slippers, and a scarf.

I am creating… a cabled cardigan. It was nearly done, so I thought I should seam it and knit on the button band sometime before spring.

I am going… to the eye doctor’s this week. I keep debating whether to try ordering glasses online.

I am reading… The Sign of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle. I wanted to read something just for fun this week.

I am hoping… that it doesn’t get quite as cold this week as they are predicting. 19 degrees below zero is pretty cold!

I am hearing… the wooden whistle that the kids found, followed by the dog scurrying through the house yipping.

Pondering these words… “I would not tell them too much. Women are never to be entirely trusted, — not the best of them.” – Sherlock Holmes (I find myself wondering if the author shared these sentiments or simply wrote it because it fits with the character.)

Around the house… icicles of doom hang threateningly over every door.

One of my favorite things… is picking out a new knitting project. Time to start my planning for the Rav Games! (For those who are not knitters, the Rav Games are a fun knit along that some of us do during the Olympic Games. You pick a project, but don’t start until opening ceremonies. The goal is to finish by the closing ceremonies.)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Lesson planning, taking the tree down tomorrow, laundry, and getting back into the groove.

For more daybooks, please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook.

Not Martha’s Gingerbread House

For years I’ve been saying that I should make a gingerbread house with the kids. Being the personality type that I am, I dreamed of a homemade gingerbread base decorated in perfect icing and beautiful candies. It was the stuff of Pinterest… And we never actually got around to doing it either.

IMG_1195[1]What would be better for a snowy afternoon stuck inside than making little gingerbread houses? Of course, I did cheat just a little. (Maybe a lot.) I grabbed the ever-present box of graham crackers off the pantry shelf and dug up a can of frosting that’s been hiding in the back of the cupboard. Decorations were whatever I could scavenge from the kitchen. I put together the basic structures for the kids and let them decorate. (Yes, the little TARDIS in the background was my decorating contribution!) I love the sled that Mr. Q made in the front of our little village. Munchkin decided that the animal crackers should be making snow angels. The marshmallow snowmen are a cute addition too.

You’ll certainly never see something like this on a magazine cover, but my kids had a wonderful time decorating it. You know what? I actually had fun with it too! No one minds that it’s not made of homemade gingerbread and icing. The kids were perfectly happy with the odds and ends we found for decorating. My kids are thrilled with the results and they have some good memories. If I’d attempted the fancy version, I would have ended up stressed out and the kids probably wouldn’t have had much fun. I have this vision of Hallmark moment holidays, and it’s totally unrealistic. Letting go of that is one of the best things that I can do. My kids will remember the fun we had together, not whether everything looked HGTV pretty.

What have you let go of to make Christmas traditions more fun for your family?

The Best Gift

It’s rare that I come across a new Christmas song that I fall in love with. But I found one today. The group Cloverton has taken a popular song and written new lyrics for it that tell the Christmas story. Listening to it today took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes.

The part of the song that prompted the tears? “My sins would drive the nails in You. That rugged cross was my cross too.”

The older I get, the more I can understand why Mom used to shed tears over the Gospel. The reality of my own sinfulness weighs heavy. Realizing the price of my sin, and then coming to see how costly and precious a gift salvation truly is… How can grace like that not bring me to my knees in tears? Hallelujah indeed; God be praised!

Daybook for December 9th

 
 

Outside my window… it’s been snowing today!

I am thinking… about my grocery list and what I need to remember to pick up.

I am thankful for… the sweet dog we adopted last week.

From the learning rooms… ahhhh, Christmas break! (Definitely one of the advantages of year-round schooling.)

From the kitchen… I should probably think about doing some Christmas baking pretty soon.

I am wearing… fleece PJs and fuzzy socks because it’s a cold evening.

I am creating… Mr. Q’s Christmas sweater. I thought I’d be finished by now, but other projects have sidetracked me.

I am going… to stay inside where it is warm.

I am reading… actually, I’m trying to decide what to read next.

I am hoping… that the snow sticks around. It makes the house warmer when we’ve got some snow piled up.

I am hearing… a quiet house since the kiddos are in bed.

Pondering these words… “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” –Winnie the Pooh

Around the house… we are all enjoying the lights on the tree in the evenings.

One of my favorite things… is curling up on the couch with the kiddos.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Christmas knitting, helping the kiddos with some of their projects, maybe some baking, and unless we switch to disposable clothes… laundry.

For more daybooks, please visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook.