Goodness gracious. I think I’ve officially lost all ability to call myself a blogger. Do you even realize how long it’s been since my last post? And the one before that???
Obviously you do, judging from the emails in my inbox. Thanks so much, sweet bloggie peeps, for your care and concern. You all are just the greatest.
But the truth is–I’ve seriously just been waaaaaaay too busy to post anything.
You see, all of you mamas out there will totally understand when I say that the only time I really have to accomplish anything–other than, of course, playing with a toy Lightning McQueen and a fire truck which, in our house, is now the fire truck from the Cars movie–is after the littles are in bed.
But the problem with that is that I seem to have too many projects on my hands and not enough hours. One o’clock in the morning just comes too fast, dontchaknow?
(And after 1am comes the morning wake-up call of two little people who went to bed at 7:30 the night before and don’t have any reason to groan at the coming of morning. We keep nice and healthy hours around here. Ahem.)
So, in the interest of full disclosure, here is the project I just finished a few days ago and packed up in a box bound for the Sandy Spot.
Also in the interest of full disclosure, I must tell you that I actually began this afghan almost five years ago. John and I were engaged and I had the grand idea that I would crochet him a super-soft blanket in his favorite colors for Christmas that year. I had sweet and smooey visions of him curled up with the finished blanket, thinking of his loving fiancee. Then I imagined the two of us in years to come, sitting hoary-headed, side by side in our double rocker, blue and white afghan spread across our knees, telling our great-grandchildren of the hours I spent over this labor of love in the days of our engagement.
Ahhhh. Such sweet dreams.
It all came crashing down when I remembered that neither John nor I will have a purty, silvery hoary heads by the time those ol’ golden years hit. He’ll have a nice shiny noggin devoid of hair entirely, and me? My uber-dark hair guarantees me a whole lot more pepper than salt in my gray-haired-days.
Oh well. Because I got about five rows into that project and realized the notion of finishing it before Christmas was laughable.
Four years later, I decided to pull it out again, once again telling myself that I’d have it done in time for Christmas. And this time, I had my second child and then realized, again, that such a notion was laughable.
But finally–FINALLY, people!–it is finished. And it should be arriving in the Sandy Spot any day, ready to adorn the top bunk my Marine will be sleeping in for the next year. And I’m sure my visions of him seeing this blanket day after day and thinking lovingly of the girl who made it for him aren’t too far off this time.
Oh, and before I forget–because it would be SO easy to do, obviously–the other project I’ve been working on? This new look for the little itty bitty corner of the blogosphere called Heart and Home. I thought it time for a change. And I also thought that as long as I’m actually designing blogs for other people, I might as well have my own design on my own blog. Although I’m not so sure it’s a good idea for a perfectionist to work on something that can constantly be improved upon. We’ll just have to see what I think of it after I’ve had to keep viewing it day after day.
(Or, with my current track record, once every two weeks. But we aren’t talking about that. We’re just pretending I’m blogging every day like I used to pre-second-child and pre-husband’s-deployment. Make-believe with me, kay?)
I’m going to bed, peeps. It is seven minutes till midnight. And we all know what happens at midnight…
POOF! I’m a pumpkin.
Actually, I’m just deliriously ridiculous. So goodnight.
Goodnight John-Boy. Goodnight Mama. Goodnight Jim-Bob.
Tired delirium. I tell you. It does crazy things to one’s mind.
Nighty night. For real.
Karly says:
I love the new look. I just might contact you to see what you can do with mine. :)
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March 20th, 2008 at 4:59 am
Sarah Halter says:
Nice to have you back, the blanket’s beautiful, and I like the new digs!
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March 20th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Mrs. Nelson says:
I’m glad your back! I love the afghan. I’ve been thinking about making one. Too ambitious? Very possible.
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March 20th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Steve n Vickie says:
Yeah, she’s back. You finally got me hooked on blogging, then you go and dissappear. :) It’s good to have you back.
Charity and Stacie say “Hi tia”
Vickie
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March 20th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Robin says:
I love your new blog-look! I’m thinking of having someone do mine – I will keep you in mind for sure!
And the afgan is lovely and I’m sure your husband will wrap himself up in it knowing that your love is weaved all through it. What a great gift!
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March 20th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Mishel says:
If people only knew about your smooey visions–and how you really do think this stuff up–and believe it!! LOL Zach and I were cracking up! : ) You are so funny!
Love you…
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March 20th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Kate says:
Beautiful afghan! I do the same thing, dream up grandios ideas and well, sometimes they happen!
Like the new look, and that is the sweetest picture of you and John!
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March 20th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Leah says:
That afghan is beautiful!! My sister happened to walk by the computer screen and saw it too.. and said the same thing. ;) And I must say that I like your new layout! It’s so cute. :)
It was good to hear from you!
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March 20th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Darcy says:
Glad to see a post from you!
The blanket is absolutely amazing! I love the pattern, love the colors, I love it!
Goodnight MaryEllen! :)
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March 20th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Tiffany says:
First of all the you did an awesome job!!! I am so happy it is done and going to be in his arms any day now!!! Second do you or can you teach a class on how to be such a great story teller. I tell you when I read your blogs I get sucked in and laugh (when they are funny) so hard and cry (when they are sad) so much. I just love reading them so very much. I know you dont have even half the time you use to but I just want you to know I LOVE reading your blogs!!!! Can’t wait to see you and the kidos this weekend. Love you!
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March 20th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Tiffany says:
Oh ya I forgot your blog looks GREAT!!!! You did an awesome job!!! I’m so excited for mine. You are such a creative lil mama!!
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March 20th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Nicole says:
It’s fun to read what you actually wrote last night, since you wouldn’t let me see it over your shoulder. ;)
As for smooey visions (whatever “smooey” is supposed to mean exactly… ahem), I’ve had my fair share. :) Of course, I’m not quite so candid about sharing them on my blog, but I do love reading about yours here. :) That way, I can laugh at you and me, and no one’s the wiser. :)
Love you, girlie! Had so much fun with you guys yesterday!
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March 20th, 2008 at 11:17 am
mel says:
SO good to have you back!
I love the blanket, I love the blog.
The End.
:-)
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March 20th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
dumptrucksandteacups says:
Life does get a little crazier with little ones, doesn’t it?
I love the blanket and all the dreams that went with it! I’d love to learn to knit or crochet… to make my little girls a soft little doll blanket or…
Love to you, Carrie
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March 20th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Ginger says:
YAY!!! I am so glad you are back on!! I love the afgan it looks so warm and cozy.
Ginger
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March 20th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Rebekah says:
The afghan looks great! I’ver never done a zig-zag before … maybe I’ll try itone of these days (although I’m not so good at following a pattern).
Your new design looks really good too! Can’t wait to see more!
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March 20th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Letetia says:
I am a friend of Dawn’s (Hrynewych) and decided that since she linked you I would check out the spot. Wouldn’t you know I found a fellow crocheter!! And I had to laugh at the afghan dilemma. My sister left for Iraq (for the first time) almost two years ago and I had similar dreams of an afghan for her to cherish when she was so far away from family. Needless to say, it is a work in progress, still, though she just got back from her SECOND stint in Iraq. I am hoping that eventually I will be able to use it as a wedding gift. Best of luck on your future projects!!
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March 21st, 2008 at 2:20 am
GAV says:
Love the pattern…. please share!
Welcome back~
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March 21st, 2008 at 7:46 am
Elizabeth says:
You’re back – yay! :-> The afghan is BEAUTIFUL! As is your blog – what a fun design!
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March 21st, 2008 at 8:05 am
Karen says:
Glad you’re back and I love the new look! :)
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March 22nd, 2008 at 7:56 am
Mel's Mom says:
Beautiful blanket, very nice blog, and sweet post. Being a mama does take time and energy- you are doing such a good job!
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March 22nd, 2008 at 7:57 am