Mr. Peaches (betta fish) and my 2nd grader...

This is my new pet betta fish, a dumbo halfmoon betta!  I got him about a week ago as an early birthday present (we had a good coupon and PetsMart had a decent sale).   I raised at least two before this, but that was almost 11 years ago.

I've forgotten how weird they can be!  LOL.  Spent awhile figuring out the tank set up and getting his water right.  I also had to train him on how to eat pellets at the surface as opposed to on the bottom of his cup.   That took awhile and was scary because he wasn't eating and it was making me concerned.

I also thought he might be hiding in the corner of his tank because he keeps seeing himself in the reflection of his tank.  So I put one of Noah's drawings on the back.  He flared at that and everything else since then.  He goes in his cave which took him about 5 days to find!  LOL.

Also, Noah is starting 2nd grade this year and it's amazing to see him grow!  He had a rough day today, came home with a knot on his forehead because of an accident while on the play ground.   He bumped his head on the fence.

That mischievous look!  Hahahaha...

Hello...... I am still alive.

 

I can't say I have done much over the past few months, crochet wise.  Just a few orders here and there for people.  That has consisted mostly of octopus and Ewoks!  LOL.

I have no pattern for this guy, he will probably end up in my free amigurumi patterns.

As of lately, I've been having a great time doing these adult coloring books!  I tell you what, it's a lot easier to pull out a pack of pencils and start coloring, and not have to draw everything to color.  Kind of like a quick fix you know?

This is one of the first pages that I colored with marker.  "Stress Relieving Patterns" -Blue Star books.  It was a Christmas present from my husband.  

This guy is an official first grader and loving the snow.  I had my back to him while walking back to our apartment, I turned to check on him and this is what I saw! Hah.  All and all, life has been treating the Herman family pretty nicely.  This is about all I have to say for now.  Hopefully there wont be another ten month gap in-between updates!

My Trip to Philly in a Nutshell...using pictures.

Click to enlarge the pictures.

Why do I like this picture so much?

     This is the most pointless blog ever, but for some reason I like taking up close shots of the stitches I do in my work.   This is part of a dishcloth that I crocheted for a round robin in my online group (the link to my crochet group is in the side bar).

     On top of crochet, I have been knitting and making Yoda's on the side.  I had an anal moment yesterday and started uploading all these projects to Ravelry, because I wanted to catalog them lol.   Then I thought how I love to crochet and keep track of things, Ravelry suits my personality.  I just don't like to sell things there because I have sold about three patterns in the past five years.  Etsy has gotten me a hell of alot more sales.

     Easter 2013 was fun, I made Noah a basket, we colored eggs an he made me take pictures of himself with the eggs.  No joke!   Oh I am responsible for the black colored egg, it was my attempt at making a purple egg.  I was rather disappointed that the egg dye kit didn't come with purple.  I guess I am just going to go by my own food coloring next year and since I had fun buying Noah stuff for a basket, I'll do that again.  Just didn't want to spend $10 on a crappy basket full of toys that break when you gently touch them.  

I had it hidden in a bag so he wouldn't see while I was making it.  Well, I need to make a run to the post office so I am going to end this blog here.

I love this guy.. he's three now.

Found this old photograph of my three year old son and as cute as it is, all I could sit here and think is "Man, look how clean my living room used to be."   I am assuming because of the jumper in the background he was not at the walking stage of life.  

Now my carpet is covered in bits of paper and miscellaneous Hotwheel Cars, blocks, and stuffed animals.  You know what? I don't even care, because this guy makes me happy, he's such a wonderful kid!

I'll get off my trip to sentimentality!

Noah's Third Birthday!

Yesterday was my son's third birthday.  Noah, Robert, and I went to the zoo on a Monday.  In Toledo, residents with a Lucas County address on their driver's license can get into the zoo for free from 10am-Noon.

This time we got to see the polar bears up close and it was amazing to see an animal that huge.  Noah absolutely loved the bears.  He didn't quite get animals like the seals and hippos, but I can understand why a three year old wouldn't notice them. 

We then went into the aquarium becuase it was starting to rain outside.  I love to see all the different fish, and I take my time; however, my son decided to run to every tank and squeal "Fish!"  My husband didn't mind chasing him, or atleast, I think he didn't!  I had to much fun with this goramy who liked to intimidate me by opening his mouth and shaking his head.  He had to be the ugliest thing I ever saw, but it was funny how this fish was acting.

The funny fish.

I got to see my sea horses and I was happy!  However, due to the rain most of the animals were hiding out in their enclosures.  No lion, sloth bear, tiger, or snow leapord!  Oh and the elephants were put away as well!  Boo!  But I still had fun seeing what I could see.

The "Horseies" according to Noah.

Noah got a gift from the toy shop and we got him lunch.  Then we chilled out at home because we were all tired and cold! 

Noah's Toy Snake, he never stops hitting me with it.

We got Noah a birthday pizza and some wings for us, and I made him a cake.  I bought trick candles from Walmart, and the trick was on me, because the candles didn't work.  Except for one!

These past two years with Noah were some of the greatest years of my life.  He's my blessing and I love him so much.

Some people just need to shut up.

Noah sporting his newest sleeper.

Wow.  I am just sitting here thinking about the stuff I heard yesterday, from family members.  Some people are so pathetic if all they can think about is how they can harm someone!   Well, one more comment might lead me to the police.

Anyways, my dad has been in out of the hospital, when he left his home this past time, he had no vitals, but got revived.  So yeah, if you are wondering what kind of stress I've had to deal with, that's it. 

You know what?  I am tired of stupid sh*t from people and it needs to stop.  I guess sometimes you really can't be popular and just have to tell people they are dumb because they don't know they are.

The Comments People Make

How Noah fell asleep.

Alot of times, I sit and wonder if I am doing a good enough job raising my son?   I have strong convictions about what kind of person I send out into our society.  I want him to grow up and be a contributor, not a deconstructor.  Then came depression, because I still can't figure out how to measure my ability to be a good mother.  I know it's unfair to compare myself to anyone, but I can't help myself, I want to know if I am doing things right.

I took my son to McDonald's down the street from where I live, because it has an indoor playground and I thought he would love to play there.  He knew what he was looking at the second we walked in the door; however, I wanted him to have lunch first.  When I was filling up my drinks, an employee made a comment to me about my son.  "He looks like he's going to be a drop out some day."  I kind of acted like I didn't hear that and just filled my drinks up and went and sat down.

Wow.  If she thought that about my kid, then she probably feels the same way about her own.  How sad, and sad for her kids.  I honestly think this is one lazy attitude to take, because when your a parent, your building a person one word at a time. 

Everything you say over your child, enforces what you believe about him/her and then they believe what you say about them.  People used to tell me I was stupid, and I believed them, and ended up struggling with my self-esteem, and confidence.   I have fought all my life to get to this point, and I had to do it all by myself.   Well, I am not going to put my son through the same battle.

I am going to tell him that he is a good person, an intelligent man, and a blessing.

I believe in God, and I certainly belive in intelligent creation, because according to his word, I was created in His image.  So why would I speak words over my son's life that cause him to cover himself in crap that makes him look less and less like the original creation he is?

No.  I am not going to answer to God one day about why I mucked up his beautiful creation.   Well, enough for now and I can certainly stop being so hard on myself now, because I can see the point God taught me through this situation.  Hope makes a difference.

Divine Appointments: How I Met Cindy Sumner's Mother

Today I took my son and I to the grocery store (Walmart) and saw these delicious strawberries for $1.25 a box. Well, when I picked them up and smelled them, they had no sweet scent. Yes, I realize I look like an idiot sniffing a box of berries, but if they smell like nothing, then logic dictates they don't taste like anything. Atleast that is my logic.
So I decided against going to Monette's Market to get some real berries, but halfway down the street I realized I forgot to buy some stuff for lunch today and figured I could get some lunch meat from the market. There deli is much more delicious and cheaper. Wow. Big surprise. I step in the store, get my cart for Noah, who decides to try and nick a cherry. I told him no and he put it back. After I smelled my berries I went to the deli, got my number and waited.
My son does his usual magic, smiles and looks gosh darn cute. So this lady starts talking to me about him, asking what age he is. I guess her child was older, because she said "I miss that." I then told her that I miss him being a little newborn that didn't run away from me. Her reply just about floored me.
"My kid was murdered." It was noisy and I didn't quite hear it, but when she repeated the word, I got it quite clear. Well, I could have not said anything or given her a generic "I am sorry." But I am not sorry, I am in the same boat. It wasn't my child, it was my best friend.
So I opened up despite how much it sucks to go back to that memory. People who have suffered through the murder of a loved one don't always have the luxury of someone understanding their pain. But I did and I told her "I know what your going through." Then I told her my story and how the guy who murdered Jan got to trial SIX years later.
She told me that her daughter was found under six feet of water in an abandoned warehouse in Toledo (Elm Street).
It's so random to just tell someone about that, but I am glad she did, because there aren't many people who get the suffering of someone who has had a loved one murdered. I just hope that I helped her and wish I could have stayed in contact, but God will take care of her.
Nobody should have to lay their loved one to rest in a coffin and be able to see their bruises, and swollen body! NOBODY. I did. I will never forget what Jan looked like.
R.I.P. Cindy Sumner

UPDATE:  5/22/2014  -  Cindy's Murderer Dies in Jail!

Expectations of Intelligence

Before my son was born I decided that I would tream as an intelligent being, even when he was just a newborn.  Of course, he didn't know anything fresh out of the womb, but I know from experience that we fulfill our expectations uncounciously or not.   If I believe I am going to fail at something, I will more than likely fail.

I tell my son he's important, that he's wanted, and that he is a smart person.  I let him do things that reinforce that belief of mine. 

This past Christmas I bought Noah an educational bath toy.  A little bucket full of foam letters that stick to the wall in the bathroom.  Pretty soon he started picking them up and telling me which letters they are. 

Today I made flash cards out of printer paper and then wrote the alphabet out with markers in different colors.  I was kind of surprised at how many he got right!  He only missed 10 letters.  For being two years old I find that pretty good. I find it amazing how much a child can learn in such a short period of time.  I am not bragging to make other parents feel bad about there kids, just stating that my belief about expectations is a valid one indeed.

Gonna try going over the alphabet every day while he sits in his chair.

What's been going on...

Incase your friends with me on Facebook and wondering what is going on with me posting about a trial, it is a murder trial for the man who killed my friend.  Since I am an hour and a half away I can't be there; however, one of the local reporters is tweeting live in the courtroom.  How nice huh? 

I find this convenient and strange.  Yesterday the shock of everything just put me to tears, but today I am dealing with it alot better than yesterday. 

My son was a little fiesty yesterday.  He kept knocking over a chair at my kitchen table and crying because I would not give him a sippy cup.  If he didn't turn it upsidedown and douse my table, I would let him have it.

Today he just is being his normal self and all.  He loves to find new things to fit himself into.

I also made some cookies yesterday.  I guess it was an attempt to keep my mind off other things.

Things to save your sanity...

Beat a pillow senseless.
Lay down in the bed and imagine your somewhere else.
Dance around with your toddler or child.
Get colored pencils and draw, even if it’s ugly.
Read jokes on the internet.
Just laugh.
Just cry!
Make faces at your toddler/child and make a game out of getting them to laugh.
Listen to the laughter of children, if you don’t have any go to a park.
Crochet in the park.
CROCHET IN THE DARK! LOL.
Pet your animals.
Snuggle with your child/toddler/animal/sexy husband…whoops I mean husband.
Smirk.
Think about what makes you happy.
Remember happy moments.
Call someone and laugh with them.
Make a list of these things and reflect on them, making sure to leave room for any additions.

Love affair with a balloon...

Noah and I took a drive out to the car insurance company, where he very politely pooped his pants, then we went straight home. Around noon we went to the Mall to walk around, I wanted a knecklace to wear to a dance I am going too. On the way to the store in the mall, I stopped and got my son a balloon. He loved that dang balloon, never let it out of his sight. It had an anchor on it so it wouldn't go flying off. I took him to the play area, he dragged it everywhere, even through the hallowed out log.

The cutest moment is when he was sitting in the red car, then he remembered that he didn't have the balloon in sight. Then he got out and started looking for it. The funny thing is, he was sitting on the cord of the balloon and never saw it when he got up. When he started crying I ran and handed it back to him. It was one of those precious moments!

Noah then decided to keep that balloon in the car and at home. Oh you should have seen the fit he threw when I didn't let him take it into a store or in the bathtub.