Dark hopeless nights

The days are getting shorter.

Nights getting darker.

The air, is cool, crisp and eerie.

An overwhelming feeling takes over my soul.

Winter is approaching. Slowly, but surely it will be here.

And then what.

Where will she go?

How will she survive?

Shes homeless. And has been for over 20 years.

She lives off the land of booze, food stamps, and government hand outs.

She has no regrets. No ambitions. No desires in life

But

just to get that one more bottle.

One more sip.

Thats it.

All it takes is one, single drop that can ruin a

life

marriage

friendship

One drop. She chooses that one drop over her entire

family…

Once the bone chilling nights take over her being

Then what?

Will she become a statue frozen to the ground?

Will she fall asleep soundly and become a beautiful snow angel, forever…

Time will only tell

Until then I will hold my breathe

and

Wait for the long future nights of

sleeplessness

worry

anger

depression

Treading on thin ice

Frozen

not quite yet.

Ice crackles

Closer and closer.

Open water treading the frozen water pulls me down deeper and deeper wait.

She sees me wait. I can see it in her soft brown eyes I am no longer treading on thin ice.

I am engulfed in the river of madness

The river that openly takes souls left and right

Leaving behind warm hearts and loving bodies

But I am one of those many whose souls have been stolen.

Whose souls have been ripped out of life

I am no longer treading on thin ice

I am one of you.

lost among the riverbeds waiting to be found

My soul is lost.

Beautiful Bethel Kuskokwim
Beautiful Bethel Kuskokwim

Storm before the calm

Therapy for my soul. Bethel sunset
Therapy for my soul. Bethel sunset

Nothing like a crazy Friday morning.

We got here Thursday morning and picked the kids up. We got out swimming in. Costumes created. And trick or treated until the boys were exhausted.

Then came evening time. “Your going to school tomorrow.” Cries, wails and tears were storming our tiny hotel room. After a few minutes of tears, tossing, and turning it was all snores and sheeps jumping over the fence.

Little did I know that it was going to be a stormy morning. A had school early before the boys and she was out the door with slight tears, and and all was well after fruit loops. A out the door with no problems. While my hubby was out with A at school I got up ate my breakfast and had my coffee before shit hit the fan.

7:30 am and a bomb went off in the tiny quarters. N got up with a slight fight but was immediately ready to get to breakfast. E had a complete meltdown mind you this was before the storm hit me like a wet towel across the face. I got E out of bed, dragged him out the door. Instead of following he silently protested in front of the door. So like the good step-mother that I am I carried him like a 2 year down to breakfast only for him to silently protest at the table. Fine. Dont eat breakfast. N ate his breakfast silently as he began to plot his big escape.

We see the kids 3-6 months because it costs us an arm and a leg. So when we do see them we try and get the most out of our visit. Their thinking since we dont see dad lets convince we dont have to go to school on Friday, even after we missed M-Thursday because they were in Disneyland. Plan failed, miserably. Friday was a mess. Not because they ate too much Halloween candy the night before. Because they had to go to school after being on vacation for the entire week. Big mistake.

Back to breakfast. E sits there whining, crying. N finishes his bowl, instead of throwing it away walks to another table and silently protests. In my attempt to get him to listen,” I dont want to have to spank you in front of all these people. Put your bowl away… Okay… We can wait here till you put it away…” After about a good 5 minutes N walks up, grabs his bowl and throws it away and immediately storms off in the direction of the room. In those good 5 minutes I had chompy mc-chomperson sitting next to me as she ate her food so the whole room could hear… Thats a big no no, one of my pet peeves eating your food like a cow. So that only added to my frustration. I get up and follow N, and E takes his sweet to follow me. Fine. Dont eat. Dont follow your loss.

Get to the room. N has his forehead pressed to the door. “N want me to open the door?” No response. “Okay we can wait here all morning or until dad gets back.” No response. At this point E is 5 doors down the hallway slithering down, taking his time. Silently protesting still. Okay N dont want to move so I decide to fart right in front of the door. N farts. E farts. All three of us are laughing at this point but then immediately they are back to their sour moods. Fine. Im not opening the door I dont want to smell my yucky fart. I give E the key to open the door. E puts his shirt over his nose and walks in, N follows and then me. N gets in the room, plops on his fold-away bed and immediately begins to kick, scream into the pillow and begins to cry. E following his older brother lays on the bed next to him and tries to formulate tears. And I am sitting here laughing at the huge theatrical performance my 2 step-sons are putting on for me.

Okay. Dont get dressed wait for dad. N still kicking and screaming. E still hiding behind the pillow still attempting to formulate tears. And here I am enjoying my hotel coffee which is not the best quality but better than nothing.

Dad walks in. I give him the scoop. He raises his voice and scares them with spanks and boys are moving and getting dressed. “Boys want a lunchable to bring to school?” N answers angerily, “No,” and then follows E with the same response. Fine. I understand you dont want lunchables because I paid for them and got them for you the night before at your request.

“Im not going to school,” N protests. E follows without words but body language. In the meantime dad is using the boys room and N throws on his hat and attempts to escape out the front door. Afraid he is going to get stuck outside in the cold at 8 am I grab him and bring in the middle of the room. Upset he goes and sits besides the bed on the floor and continues to silently protest. E follows. Mind you E doesnt usually act like this but because his brother is why not follow.

Dad still in the bathroom. N begins to plan his escape, again… Ugh. Fine. I can play this game too. Fakes right, fakes left, jumps on the bed. I let him get ahead and then grab him. At this point I am holding his arm and his leg against the bed requesting that he please stop he is only making a fool of himself. He complies and returns to his nesting spot.

Dad gets out of the bathroom asks me if I am taking them. “No I am not taking them after the fun morning. We can go together.”

“N & E want a lunchable?” No response, only angered disgusted looks. “Fine.”

Finally 8:30 we are out the door. That was a fun 30 minutes for me. Drive to school. N claims he is going to his mothers after school. E will follow.

Only. School gets done and the boys are find and dandy… I wait at the hotel room because A, dad and I wanted to trick the boys into thinking I got rid of all their halloween candy because the way they were acting in the morning. I set up the video camera and all.

The boys enter. Halloween candy bags that I made for them are laying empty on the bed. The boys come in. Dad asks them what they are supposed to say. They both apologize for the fun morning the three of us all shared. Then the trick begins.

I reply, “Oh sheeh. Now I feel bad I got rid of all your halloween candy because I didnt feel like you deserved them.”

Silence. N goes to the bathroom. E just sits on the floor. No reply. No answer. Go get your bags and fold them up and set them aside. I ask, “E are you mad at me?” “No, its okay.” Although I can tell hes upset with me. And N gets out and it looks like he is about to wrestle somebody into submission. No response.

We let this go on for about 10 minutes because the attitudes were again sour. My husband looks at me and mouths he cant handle it. I cant handle it either because they are too sour to the bone. So we tell them and E immediately smiles, and N still looks like he wants to choke me. This goes on for about 5 minutes and then finally a smile is cracked.

The school ride was silence. N says he wants to go see his mom. His mom is nicer and he can convince her that he doesnt have to go to school. E is pissy face the whole time through all this. The boys get to school I say my good byes. All I get back is sour faces and scowls. I know this isnt the last time that I am going to see them.

Schools out. They get to the hotel room. Both have these shy smiles on their face, I can see in their eyes they feel bad. They both apologize. And the day goes on as if nothing happened. Kids for you. I tell you they drive you crazy but you cant live without them.

Nobody said parenthood was easy and nobody said being a step-parent was easy either. As much as I wanted to spank the boys Friday morning, or actually throw their candy away I held back because I dont want them to remember me that way. I am hard on them in my own ways but I love them as if they are my own.

Friday was done and over with. We ended the evening with Enders Game. My husband and I dont believe in spending thousand of dollars on snacks and soda. So we bring in the kids bags of halloween candy, and bottles of water. Nothing like spending $35 on a movie for 3 kid and 2 adults. Cha-ching! Ultimate save!

Whew. Boy, am I glad Friday is over and done with. That was definately one for the bag to always remember.

Love these damn kids. Oh Happy Days.

A weekend filled with sewingness

This past weekend I took a class to finish a couple of projects I had.

My sister in law requested a qaspeq, and an old friend for his daughter. Seeing as how I only have one pattern that is for myself I figured the class would be perfect!

Here is how they turned out! I am happy with the colors and the fun-ness of them both! I was happy to use Jeannes machine and serger! Those flowers and intricite details would not be there if it werent for the amazing janome!

Here is my sister in laws. I just love the bright colors!
Here is my sister in laws. I just love the bright colors!
With the leftover fabric I was able to whip out a cute reversible bag!
I love this one! The fireweed fabric is so gorgeoumous!

Nothing filling a weekend full of sleeping and lounging around with sewing! yay!

Busy Bee

I feel like Ive been a busy bee busting out projects.

A year later I finally finished the wall hanging! Whoogtee! I am learning… And I am learning to finish projects on my own and its exciting! Here is the finished project!

This is my twister wall hanging. I started this last year and feels so damn good to finish it!
This is my twister wall hanging. I started this last year and feels so damn good to finish it!

Ive been wanting to start making my own clothes. Slowly. Here is my latest creation. I had a blast making this and it makes me excited to start making more, and more and more. 🙂 So here it is!

Here is the finished product! And I love it!
Here is the finished product! And I love it!
The detailed Raven
This was something new. I have never added a zipper pocket to the pocket. It was a challenge but it turned out for my first one.
I always find the details make the finished product. I forgot how to line the hood so I goofed a little bit. But here it is looks good on paper.

 

Now that I know how to do all the fun details I cant wait to bust out more! If you dont know what a qaspeq is check out this website Qaspeq

Qaspeqs are perfect for berry picking, boating, fishing, and everyday use. I love mine. I love mine especially since I have made them. I know that they are all made with love. My hope is to make fun qaspeq creations.

Happy Thursday!

Blessing in Disguise

Sleepless nights

Rude awakenings

Helpless cries

All blessings in disguise

You may argue

I will disagree

Without those late nights

And

Early mornings

I would be lost

I would be lost

Shattered

Broken

Maybe even gone.

Because of these blessings

I am strong

I am happy

And I am fulfilled

Full of life and happiness

My blessings are your nightmares but

Without them I would not be where I am today,

Happy

When dealing with my alcoholic mother poetry always soothed my soul.

Late nights with my mind wandering all over the place I found it comforting to put my thoughts into beautiful wording. If I made it beautiful maybe it would help? And it sure did.

Addiction is real. Addiction is real hard. And real sad. Its tough dealing with at 5 years old, and is still hard at 26. How do you move on? How do you not worry? Its impossible. As much as I want to not think of her. Worry about her. My mind always seems to wander back to her. Is she okay? Is she alive?

How do you handle it? What helps you? For me it seems openly talking about it, and writing about it. I know I am not the only one. I am sure there are hundreds. Millions. Out there that are in my same shoes. Speak up. You are not alone.

This is me jumping in Paris 5 years ago. A happy time for me.
This is me jumping in Paris 5 years ago. A happy time for me.

My creations in a nutshell

With the help of my good friend we were able to bust out this quilt in 16 hours for my aunt and uncles 50th anniversary.
With the help of my good friend we were able to bust out this quilt in 16 hours for my aunt and uncles 50th anniversary.

As a quilter, sewer, creator I am discovering that I love to make new things. I love to play around and make new creations. Everything I make I have taken a class, pinterested, or just accidently created it. Its a fun process and I learn something new every time I am creating things. I want to eventually make my own clothes, once I am skilled enough. On my Christmas list is a serger. I think I am ready to tackle that fear of using a serger and start expanding my sewing skills.

I took a class and was able to bust out these 2 qaspeqs with bags from left over fabric.
This is the first apron that I ever made. I just copied the pattern from an apron that was given to me.
This is the first apron that I ever made. I just copied the pattern from an apron that was given to me.
I made this for a good friend. I had a hard time giving this one away I love the colors.
I made this for a good friend. I had a hard time giving this one away I love the colors.

 

WIth the help of a great friend I was able to make this for an old friend in Takotna. First time making a hat with a velcro strap.
WIth the help of a great friend I was able to make this for an old friend in Takotna. First time making a hat with a velcro strap.

 

My auntie made me the red stocking when I was a young girl. I wanted to keep the tradition alive and made my step-children and husband stockings.
My auntie made me the red stocking when I was a young girl. I wanted to keep the tradition alive and made my step-children and husband stockings.

 

Holiday apron that I kept for myself.
Holiday apron that I kept for myself.

 

I wanted to make my gifts last year and these were the gift packages I created. Pillowcases, apron, and a fish bag.
I wanted to make my gifts last year and these were the gift packages I created. Pillowcases, apron, and a fish bag.

 

I made this qaspeq with no hood.
I made this qaspeq with no hood.

 

Qaspeq I made in a weekend class. I find I bust out more when I take a class.
Qaspeq I made in a weekend class. I find I bust out more when I take a class.

 

Love the colors, and the pockets this was my favorite to make.
Love the colors, and the pockets this was my favorite to make.

 

I gave this to my cousin for Christmas last year. I love giving away homemade gifts.
I gave this to my cousin for Christmas last year. I love giving away homemade gifts.

 

This was the first scrap quilt I made. I love scrap quilts.
This was the first scrap quilt I made. I love scrap quilts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Never have I ever…

Never have I ever heard parenting was…

Easy.

Simple.

Straight-forward.

A piece of cake.

Never have I ever thought parenting involved…

Placing your child in front of a television to keep them “entertained.”

Choosing work over your child.

Choosing partying over your child.

I dont have children, but have I have 4 amazing step-children. The oldest lives at home and is a 16 year old teenage boy. Its not easy and everyday is an uphill battle but I continue to try. The three others live with their mother. Any chance we get we go and spend time with them. Phones set aside unless they are playing on them. Our attention is given to them 110%. Stories are read. Games are played. Hugs are given. I loves you are said often. We are present in the moment with them and it feels amazing. Those days spent with them are treasured and we count down the days until our next visit.

Its not easy to see them because of where we live. We live in a remote community 400 miles west of Anchorage. Our plane tickets round-trip are $400 each. To get a place to stay over the weekend costs us another $400. And then you calculate food our trip is easily $1500 if not more. Thats not including our cost of living here in my hometown of Bethel. Mortgage $1000, internet/cable/cell phones/home phone $450, electricty $120, fuel $350, water/sewer $100, and then you include groceries, and gas thats another $1500 a month easily. As you can see its pretty difficult, and you may ask why live here? Well my step son is graduating in 2 years and he has made this his home. It would be awfully hard to uproot him. So in the meantime we will tough it out and live out every moment to the fullest.

Parenting takes work, attention, love, guidance, fun and more. So put down your phones. Take the time and have fun.

Parenting is tough and it involves every part of your being. They need direction, guidance, love, and attention. They need direction to follow the right, or better path. They need guidance and advice. They need to be told “I love you,” everyday, and they need to be showered with love. They need to be given attention and played with.

What they dont need is to be placed in front of a television, given a phone to play with for hours at a time. They are the priority.

I know as a child of alcoholic. My mother chose booze over me my whole life. Its sad I have witnessed this type of treatment first hand. It kills me to see it happen…

Think about others. Think about your children. Dont place priority on a jug, or others.

Children should always be placed first before anything else.

Too long

Its been too long since I blogged! I have been busy sewing like a maniac, traveling across the state, playing too much basketball, and neglecting my homework, work, and blogging!

Here is the latest and greatest since I have been busy sewing! I brought these lovelies with me to Nome and sold about 25 of them and brought the leftovers to Anchorage for state basketball.

Sew Madness
Sew Madness

Besides sewing like a mad woman, I got to enjoy some fun basketball and happened to jump on a winning team! Finally got a watch since 2009! I neglected to document my trip to Nome during the Iditarod and March Madness but here is a snap shot flying over! This is the reason why I love Alaska!

Beautiful!
Beautiful!

I was able to swing into JoAnn Fabrics and grab more fabric for my new fish projects! Cant wait to start sewing!

Loving these new colors!
Loving these new colors!

I also made a new summer/fall jacket! 8 hours total with cutting, sewing, and all! BUT on the downside I sewed too fast and sewed over the plastic zipper and it broke 😦 After all my hard work! I was pretty sad! But I also used a bigger pattern so the shoulders were too big and I ended up taking it to Moons Alterations and she worked her magic! The corduroy is super heavy duty, I think for my next coat I will use an old jacket for a pattern and create one! Its fun discovering new talents!

My latest and greatest creation!
My latest and greatest creation!