We recently celebrated Jonny’s 42nd birthday. Jonny and I went out for dinner and a movie, something I’m not sure we’ve ever actually done before. There have been plenty of dinners, just not movies. We walked up to the ticket counter and were surprised when we were prompted to choose our seats. Clueless, we asked the guy to choose for us. We explained that the last time we saw a movie together we were in college and saw The Blair Witch Project. He replied with a blank stare. “Oh…You may not have been born yet when it came out…” I explained. (That was the last time I watched a scary movie. I was traumatized!) This time we saw Downton Abbey. I was excited like a little kid and couldn’t get over the reclining seats. It was so fancy! It did occur to me that leaning back in those seats might be a good way to get head lice, but I didn’t let that put a damper on my spirits. I had the best time and hopefully Jonny did too, since it was his birthday. Our lives have changed so drastically in the past few weeks. Jonny works long days oftentimes not getting home until 8 p.m. We see each other for a fraction of the time that we used to. Dinner and a movie felt like the most wonderful gift.
And while I think we are managing this transition really well, there have been some hard days. The little boys go crazy when Jonny gets home and then they don’t want to go to bed. So the time we have with him on weekdays is chaotic and a little stressful. I’m sure it will get better as the kids adjust. On this particular day the boys kept getting out of bed and it was nearing 10 p.m. and I thought I was going to lose my mind. In a martyr moment I cried out, “I just need ten minutes! Just ten minutes of quiet! That’s all I need!” Jonny attempted to comfort me, saying, “I could quit.” To which I replied, “Nooooooo!” We can do this. He loves the job and I’m really managing just fine. I’m able to be home far more than I was last year and that helps. Keats got his driver’s license and is doing most of the driving every day. Considering that he’s the one with orchestra, organ lessons, music theory class, and viola lessons, it’s fitting that he should be driving himself! What a relief. I’m not allowing myself to worry either. He’s a good driver.
I’ve been searching yet again for the elusive balance between housekeeping, homeschooling, and creating. It certainly doesn’t exist, so I tell myself things like, “This week, I’ll dye headscarves. Next week, I’ll clean the house.” But really, I’m trying to do a little of everything each day and I’m finding a rhythm. Of course, it looks like the car that Keats drives might spend the week at our mechanic’s house. If I have to go back to driving to all the things every day that rhythm will be destroyed this week. But, that’s just how it goes.
Mabel’s Juliette cardigan is finished and our weather has finally cooled off to the point that she has needed it. I love it! I dipped her yellow linen dress in my indigo vat to hide some stains and turned it a deep green which looks so nice with her new cardigan. When I showed her the dress in its transformed state, she told me, “Dip it back in the yellow” which made me laugh. I love the new green and she’s really okay with it too.
Silas lost his top two teeth last week. That’s always a bittersweet milestone, isn’t it? Last week I also got quite a bit of work done, and I will be updating my shop on Friday at 2 p.m. ET with Half Hansel shawl kits, headscarves, and full-sized scarves. I have had so many requests for more headscarves and had planned to have them finished by end of August, but my fabric order ended up being delayed by a month. Better late than never!
Teresa says
Beautiful dress and sweater!
Funny, I never think of head lice. Maybe it is more of an issue where you live? I have never had lice and I don’t know anyone who has. Maybe I should pay more attention.
Jeannine says
The cardigan is so cute and I love the way it looks with Mabel’s little dress. LOL, I confess the very few times my husband and I have made it to the movies in our marriage, I have always worn my hair up and tried not to let it rest on the seat.
Janet Reinhart says
Mabel’s looking so grown-up with her little bun! LOVE that Juliette cardigan – well done!
Antonia says
Mabel is so SO cute ??
Judy says
Mabel in the woods – those photographs are beyond stunning! And I love the colour change to the dress.
Your capacity for creativity in the midst of such busyness is kind of wondrous…
And you’re right – there is no such thing as balance; I think it’s nature of life. Always we will struggle with too much to do – or too little as my 94 year old mother is finding, or feeling overwhelmed by too many people’s immediate needs – or too few, when life takes loved ones away – children to new, sometimes distant lives and beloved partners to eternity. Acceptance and love are our best response at every stage, it seems. I hope that amidst the imperfect balance of this new change, you find good rhythms and grace sufficient for each day.
Sandra Davidson says
Happy Birthday Johnny I am so happy for you that you are loving your new
Job. Glad you got out to celebrate. There will come a time Ginny that you will have lots of time for your crafts and you will wonder why it is so quiet.lol
Even your baby is getting big and looks so sweet in her dress and adorable sweater. Hugs and blessings your friend from Canada
Marilyn says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JONNY. Mabel looks adorable in her cardigan.
Marilyn
Marion says
Ginny I love the Juliette sweater and the green dress .They are lovely. Silas looks adorable with his two front teeth missing. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JONNY
Rita says
My husband commuted an hour and 10 minutes each way [unless the ever-popular jack-knifed big rig made it two hours] all the time the kids were growing up. I hated it and he did too because the kids had to be in bed by 8 and sometimes only got a good-night kiss from Daddy. But, if I had been homeschooling……
I would suggest starting school around 10-11 am, maybe even noon and running it later in the day since Dad won’t come in and want dinner at 5. Spending time with their Dad, as I can see, now that I am 72, is more important than starting school early. As they get older and need less of his time and attention move school back to an earlier time. That would give you the mornings to do your stuff without kids. Anyway, that’s just an idea. You seem to be pretty good at this stuff and will figure it out.
The sweater is beautiful. And so is the wearer.
Joan says
Happy Birthday Jonny Blessings and happiness to you.
Mabel looks adorable with her hair in a pony tail. Ginny things will get done one at a time. eventually. Take it easy.
Joan
Joan says
Happy Birthday Jonny Blessings and happiness to you.
Mabel looks adorable with her hair in a pony tail. Ginny things will get done eventually. Take it easy.
Joan
Penelope A. says
I love, love, love reading about your life ! You and Johny are doing such a great job!
Those kids ! They couldn’t be any cuter ! And your knitting ?, well, jeepers, just beautiful !!!!! I guess you know that I love finding a post from you ❤️.
Elizabeth says
such sweet pictures! It takes time to adjust and this is really a HUGE change for you all so keep that in mind – it will become something you are more adept to and such. big HUGS.
Emily DeArdo says
Happy birthday Jonny! Yes, those reclining seats! Some theaters have them *heated*! Can you believe it?
How is Mabel so big?! I swear she was just a baby. The cardigan is perfection. One of these days I’ll start knitting clothes…..I think I hav the skills for it at this point, I’m just terrified to start!
Stephanie says
I just saw Downton Abbey with my daughter and granddaughter last night and had a similar experience with the reclining seats. It was a first for me as well. Glad you and Jonny had a great time on his birthday.
Blessings,
Stephanie
Andrea says
I love Mabel’s dress and cardigan! Just beautiful!
Eileen says
Happy Birthday Johny!
Funny, how life keeps changing. My husband worked 90 minutes (one way) travel time
to his very challenging job, a job he took when the kids were 4yrs to 12 yrs old. Oh the adjustment! We made it work and when it seemed we were in a good routine-another change would happen, I had to admit that life was always going to be changing! Kids going through different stages as well as us parents. When things were overwhelming I would break it down to what was important to my husband and myself: are our kids good kind people, do we as a family love and respect each other, are we good kind people to others in our life, are we happy most of the time. When we saw any of these moving off the mark, we would adjust to the needs of the family first and it all worked out. Yes, some tough times, but our children are now 30yrs-38yrs and are the most amazing, kind, productive human beings that we are so proud of. No, they won’t find the answer to world peace, but we are all moving the ball down the field one day at a time.
My mantra then and now;”stay calm, stick with the basics, (love-respect-kindness-communication), life will get messy at times and this too shall pass!”
Ginny, you are an amazing with your dying, I love all the colors!