Monday, July 02, 2007

downs and ups

For those of you wondering, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, I just moved to Wisconsin, but it kinda feels like a close second. I don't have internet connection at home yet and the withdrawal is severe. Severe, I tell ya'.

We are trying to adjust to apartment life with 3 kids. It's harsh. My husband was ready for a break from all the screaming and whining from the kids before we even ate dinner tonight. My daughter must be teething or something. The boys run (what kid doesn't???) in the apartment and the cranky old man living below us was already complaining about us before we signed our lease paperwork. Sounds like fun, no? Thankfully the property manager is really, really nice.

The upside of things:

I drove through Chicago for my first time ever last week. That is HUGE for me. I can barely ride in the passenger's seat through the city-I am a nervous wreck in all that traffic. But I actually drove through it. During the day. And I even changed lanes once! I don't think I'll make a habit of it, but it is something that I never thought I would be able to do. So yay!

I finished my crocheted rag rug.

It's a little bit wonky. But I really like how it turned out. I estimate that I recycled about 15-20 t-shirts. About half of them or more were kids shirts.

The library has wireless internet, which is great.

I finally got to sew today, for the first time in 5 days.

I am having a little alone time for the first time in weeks. Bliss.

This moving and upsetting the delicate balance we had going is not for the faint of heart.

21 comments:

Anina said...

I feel for you. We lived in an apartment in the middle of winter for two months with just one little kid once and it was a pain. How long will you be in the apartment?

Mama Urchin said...

I'm thinking of you guys. Will your stay in the apartment be short?

Amy Jo said...

Oh, I'm so glad you're back to blog land - even though it has to be through the library internet. I feel for you....I hope things get more "peaceful" for you. Didn't we talk about that word recently??? Miss you tons....thinking of you lots...hoping you get a chance to sew and craft soon - I know it's good for you!

Anonymous said...

Turned out beautifully! I've kind of tapered off work on mine...still in the process of cutting up all those shirts. I'm going to shoot for making two--for my bathroom. Our shower leaks and I'm tired of ruining 'real' bath rugs. Hopefully it'll be one of my next few FO's--your post really motivated me!

Elisabeth said...

My friend just sent me your blog link last night and I was reading all your archives until late into the night! I love all of your quilting projects, and I really love that rag rug. Did you just chain stitch or is it sc? I may have to try that sometime. We have about a million tshirts ourselves. In fact, I just used old 4th of July Old Navy tshirts to cover pillow forms for decorations and they turned out pretty cute!
I look forward to checking back with you again soon. Oh, and I know how you feel, we are in an apt with 4 kids right now- very small apt and I am about on the brink of a nervous breakdown!

Roxanne said...

Oh Amanda - hang in there!! I hope things can settle down for you all soon. Love, love, love the rag rug!!!

Anonymous said...

Your rug turned out great!

Everything will settle down and feel normal soon--it just takes time!

lera said...

I've been thinking about you. Glad you are back with your hubby. Hope all goes well while in the apartment.

Very cute (recycled) rug.

Anonymous said...

So glad to hear you're still hanging in there.
You've been in my prayers.
It will get better, just keep remembering that. . . and think of all the great "war" stories you'll have to share with your kids as they grow up. It will all seem quite funny in 10 years or so :)
Love Ya!
Dawn

Anonymous said...

Your rug is so cool!! Hope the apartment stay is a brief one :)

Anonymous said...

well you still have your sense of good humor :) Hang in there... it's not forever, right :) And look at you still crafty + creating in the mist of chaos. Good for you! The rug looks fabulous. I'll be thinking of you all and sending you nothing but good thoughts!

Anonymous said...

the rag rug is perfect! i like the wonkiness, myself. hang in there. you all will find your rhythm soon.

sulu-design said...

I'm so glad to hear that you made it through Chicago! That would the scariest part for me. And I'm happy to hear that you've had some alone time, too. Badly needed, huh? I hope that all goes well in Wisconsin and that all works out with permanent housing soon.

Libby said...

The rug looks great!

I had to say something about driving through Chicago! Because you deserve HUGE congratulations for that! I live downstate and I can manage the suburbs and once made it to Midway, but wow - I dread the day I will have to drive through the city! I'm the same way - when I'm in the city and someone ELSE is driving I often put my head in my hands and wait till we're parked :)

Linda said...

I sort of suspected that that was what was going on. Glad to see you back my friend! Sounds like you need to find a good park in the area where the boys can run and be noisy. I know someone who has a decent backyard about an hour and a half up the road. Oh, and there's someone for Kevin to talk to and someone for you to talk to, too.;) wink.
Hope you can settle into a new routine soon and things calm down for you.
I love your rug. I should take some of J's old t-shirts and do that. Only it would pretty much be a gray rug as that is just about the only color t-shirt he wil wear. Honestly I don't think it is any more wonky than the one I bought for my bathroom after it had been washed a few times. That is just sort of how these rugs are. What size hook did you use and how wide were the strips?

Sarah and Jack said...

Hopefully things will settle in sooner rather than later. Kids are pretty adaptable! Is there another house on the horizon or just the apartment?

Katherine said...

Happy to see you back in blogland. I am also happy to hear you've had some sewing time and some "alone time". Sounds like you could more than use it. Moving takes so much out of a person.
Will be thinking of you and hoping things smooth out for you and yours.

Sarah said...

The rug looks great! I hope you guys settle in soon, moving is tough. Maybe no home internet access isn't a bad thing for now? Library time sounds like a nice break.

Anonymous said...

thinking of you Amanda J, and hoping that things settle down soon. I love the rug - it looks great. Keep breathing!!!

Anonymous said...

(love the rug)

glad the move went ok and I hope you'll settle in properly soon!

Good luck.

Jessica said...

the rug looks awesome~ thanks for the link!