by The Happy WAHM
Ta-da!
Excuse the oversharing, but I just can’t stop myself. So happy with my DIY yarn bag!
As you should know by now, I’m a crochet addict. Wherever I go, I just have to have my bag of hook and yarn. There are even days that I just start a new project when what’s on my hook cannot be taken anywhere, like when I’m working on a light-colored material that I don’t want to get exposed to smoke and dust outside, or when the project I’m working on is already heavy that I can no longer work on it without a lap table.
Lately I’ve been pretty frustrated with my yarn cakes coz they get deformed when I bring them in my bag. I have three re-usable shopping bags that I use to put my crochet-projects-to-go. No, I don’t bring all three at one go. I just choose the project to bring whenever, and yes, I always have at least three projects going on at any given time.
I’ve been dreaming of a yarn drum, the kind that has been sitting in my Amazon wish list. But I have abandoned the idea of ordering from Amazon, unless, of course, I can have it delivered from Amazon to a relative who’s about to come home for a vacation. I just can’t risk the stress of ordering online and worry about customs and all.
Yesterday was a really slow day on the work front, so I had time to put some order in our clothes cabinet. I found the excess canvas cloth from my DIY curtain and decided to try piecing them together and see if I can make a bag out of it.
My first attempt did not go very well. I started to piece together a bag that has four sides and a bottom. I had a hard time keeping them aligned. I was never any good in geometry. So I discarded the idea, and decided to just make it really simple. I sewed on together two pieces of rectangular cloth to create a big rectangular piece. I took my yarn tray, measured the area, and made that the size of the circumference of the bag. I sewed on together the two short ends just enough for the tray to pass through. Then I sewed one end close to create the bottom part. I positioned the tray inside, and folded the two corners to make a flat bottom, same size as the bottom of the tray.
The Pockets
There is another piece of cloth left, so I embroidered it a bit to use it as outside pocket, and also to hide the part where I have pieced together the two rectangles. I attached it all around the bag, so it’s like a big continuous outside pocket.
I made the two ends to overlap, which created a narrow pocket for the hooks. Please note that they are peeking out, only to show where the hook pocket is, but the hooks should actually be below the lip of the pocket to avoid any danger of them falling out. I just put a piece of scrap yarn inside so you can see. 🙂
The Strap
For the strap, I was going to piece together three layers of cloth to create a really thick strap, but husband vetoed the idea. He said it’s not going to be sturdy. Then I remembered the shoulder strap of my daughter’s old school bag. I have an instant shoulder strap!
I sewed on three buttons on the side, just to embellish it a bit. The plan is for my daughter to create a cross-stitched patch for me to put on the front pocket. Let’s see what she’ll come up with. 🙂
For now, I just feel awesome with my little accomplishment, and who knows, it might hit the Crafted Crafts shop, too!
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by The Happy WAHM
It’s been a month and a day, and I’m still having palpitations for no apparent reason. I would just be washing dishes or doing the laundry, and I would feel the shakes. I would think of happy thoughts, but the drumming of my heart would not go away. It would just continue for 10, maybe 15 minutes, and my hands and legs would be shaking even while I continue to do housechores. I would hum, but the fear would continue. And I would think, why am I afraid? I should not be. And I would try to steer my thoughts to my goals, one month from now, six months from now, a year from now, and then I would forget that I’ve been afraid of something I could not put my finger on. And I would be okay.
A week ago, I was in a van to the city, and the man across me was talking to someone on his phone, a red S3, just like the one I lost, and my heart raced, and I felt a pinch, thinking about the photos I have saved on that phone, followed by fear, then anger. Fear, because I have photos of my kids there, and I worry that people are watching them. They know us, but we don’t know them. Anger, because there are people who choose to live the easy way, taking what others have worked hard for. They think they are entitled. They think there is no other way.
We have the steel fence up, we have the CCTV cameras, we have alarms on all the windows and doors, my husband still sleeps in my office, like a security guard on duty, and still, the fear persists. More than burglary, my fear is of an invasion. So we have trained the kids on how to act and react on certain situations. We have code words, and each of them have been assigned what to do in case of an emergency. Where to position themselves so they are not vulnerable from bad people outside the house. The police numbers are visible everywhere. At dusk, my husband would go out to padlock the gate, and I would be standing guard just outside the door. And if someone attempts to hold him/us at gunpoint while outside, we have trained the kids to lock us out. When you hear either of us say lock the doors, just lock the doors, don’t ask questions, and call the police. Whatever happens, never open the doors for anybody, until we call out the code that it’s safe.
Is this Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
No, I don’t think so. The Mayo Clinic defines PTSD as a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
While I do have nightmares and severe anxiety, I still don’t think I have PTSD. The article cites four types of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, or changes in emotional reactions. I have intrusive memories, yes, but not so severe that it has affected my functioning. I still maintain my regular work hours, life goes on, and if I am to be upbeat about it, the experience just gave me an excuse to spend more time crocheting, as the activity relaxes me.
But I have to admit that my emotional reactions have been heightened drastically. Like the other day. I was working, and my husband was going to the bank. There were workers outside, as we are having some carpentry work done around the house. So he left the gate open, and Jude was playing outside. I heard a car pass, and I heard it slow down, then it accelerated just a bit louder and faster, so I took note of that in my mind. After a minute, I got up to take a break, and called out to Jude. No answer. I went to the kitchen, and saw his slippers there. I called out again, still no answer. I went out to check where he was playing, he was not there. I asked one of the workers if he has seen my son, and he said he was just at the garage playing earlier. Then the sound of the car earlier came to my mind, and I started shaking.
I called my husband’s cellphone. He was not picking up. I called eleven more times, no answer. I could hear my heartbeat already, and I was shaking so badly I could not even hit redial at one go. I was going to call the police, but in my panic, I could not even recall what my son was wearing. I tried to calm myself down, and decided to call the bank. I only have one hope. That Jude went with his dad. But Jo was not picking up. Did something happen? What if? What if? Worst case scenarios and what would I do if… I was going to burst, and Bea was starting to feel my fear.
So I called the bank’s landline, asked if my deposit has been received. I just wanted to know if Jo made it to the bank. Yes, the deposit was received. Can you please check if my husband is still there? Yes, he was still there. Can I please talk to him? I heard the teller calling him, and then his voice was on my ear. I only had one question. Is Jude with you? Yes, Jude was with him. And the dam broke. All my fears have been released. I could not hear him anymore. I could only hear my sobs, and Bea took the phone from me.
I don’t know how long it took them to get home, but I was still sobbing when they arrived. According to Jo, he heard Jude shout out to me that he was going with his dad to the bank, but I did not hear it. He had left, but he saw Jude was outside, so he turned around and picked the boy up. The car that I heard pass was him, it slowed down and stopped to let Jude in, and accelerated again.
We have a rule. Do not leave without letting us know. But Jude did let me know. I just didn’t hear him, and he assumed that I did.
So we have amended that rule. Do not leave without letting us know, and make sure that you are acknowledged.
But I digress. I was talking about how my emotional reaction has changed since the burglary. That day, I let fear get hold of me instantly. I had no rational thoughts, just fear. My husband says a little bit of fear is good, as it makes us more careful, it makes us more aware. But I should not let it take over, as too much of it can paralyze, and then I’ll be useless, defeated without a fight.
I’ve been asked if I’ve been to counselling, or the doctor, or if I’ve even considered going, and the answer to all three is no. I don’t think I need to. I think I just need to spend more time praying. And to remember this:
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by The Happy WAHM
Uhmm… That does not sound quite right, but each word is true, when taken on its own.
Exactly one year after our traumatic experience with Glenda, another trauma hit us as a family in the wee hours this morning. We have been burglarized, and at about the same exact time when the onslaught of Glenda was at its peak.
The night before last, we have been nursing our son. He had an acute onset of allergy, and because we were afraid that it might spread internally, we were at the ready to rush him to the ER, with a letter from our pedia on what to give him so hospital staff need not wait. Thankfully, he responded to oral meds so well that yesterday passed without any problem. So last night, husband and I agreed that we should have an early night. He went to bed ahead of me, and I just had to wait for our daughter to finish what she was doing on her laptop before I turned in, as well.
I don’t usually leave my cellphone on my desk. I always put both my phones in my bag, and take the bag with me to the bedroom. But last night, I was going to bed earlier than usual, so it did not finish charging, and I decided to just leave it on my desk, to continue charging in the morning.
At 4:00am, I was awakened by my husband. “Marge, napasok tayo.”
I was totally awake in a flash, reached for my glasses, ready to go out of the room.
But husband stopped me. “Stay here. Baka nasa loob pa.” He already had the arnis sticks in his hands. Our firstborn behind him. He went upstairs to check, while I got the pepper spray from my bag and followed him, leaving our firstborn with the younger ones.
We made an initial inventory of what might have been taken. His laptop on my desk, our daughter’s laptop on the floor beside my desk, my S3 phone, my watches. I immediately logged in to change passwords on my social media accounts, while the girls check for items that may be missing. I remembered the binoculars on top of the piano. It’s not there anymore. Then our middlechild said the DS and her Nokia cellphone are gone, too. She left the DS charging beside her Ate’s laptop, and her cellphone was just on top of the book she was reading. Then I remembered seeing our daughter’s camera on top of the printer, and it’s not there. We later found it in the girls’s bedroom, thankfully. My husband found the door open, while the stopper on the screen door was set. I believe they were also planning to take out the TV and the desktops, but our daughter’s alarm went off, causing them to leave in a hurry.
I already knew my bag was not taken, so we had to check for the other laptop and the other camera. They’re where they should be. No drawers were opened. That was an indication that the burglars didn’t have a long time inside. The portable organ is where it should be. The TV, the two desktops and the printer are untouched. My sewing and embroidery machine are still here. My yarns! Oh, thank goodness! They’re untouched. My hooks! They’re on my desk still.
And while writing this, I just remembered that I removed my ring before going to bed, and left it on my desk. Now gone. I should remember to add this item to the police report, as I didn’t remember this while the police were here.
I was awakened at 4:00am, we reached the police station at 4:20. I had to prioritize on changing passwords before leaving the house. I gave my initial statement at the station, while husband called the network to have my SIM blocked. The police followed us home, took pictures at the scene and made the report.
It’s afternoon, and we have just arrived from the city. We had to take Jude for a follow up with his doctor, and dropped by the bank to file a report, and the Sun Shop, to get a SIM replacement. We also dropped by Handyman to pick up some alarms, and follow up on our order of a CCTV set. Our guy there, Rommel, promised to call us the moment the units arrived. We’ve been waiting for availability for two months. Oh, well…
While we were at the city, our welder, Ramil, repaired the window grills, which the burglars managed to open. Don’t ask me. I still can’t believe they can do that. But God may have other plans.
Oh yes, God. While the sun was coming up, my mother muttered, “Panginoon, bakit naman nangyayari ito?”
And I immediately shushed her. No, don’t ever question God. Don’t ever lose faith. Let’s see the good in all this. Just as I was grateful for His protection when Glenda happened, I am again truly grateful that not one of my kids were harmed. Their bedroom door was open when my husband saw it. The girls always keep it closed, and the open door tells us that the burglar was there. He/They tried to go in there. But nothing was stolen from their bedroom. Our firstborn’s wallet was in plain sight, as was her cellphone. But they were not taken. Why?
So we tried to recreate what could have happened. However softly we try to open the girls’ door, it gives out a creak at around four inches of being opened. And my husband saw it open just that wide. So the burglar must not have been inside their room, although he/they tried to.
That alone was reason enough to be grateful.
On our drive to and from the city, husband and I counted our blessings. Too many to enumerate, but suffice it to say that we have agreed on seeing the good side of this new experience. We have seen our security flaws, we have been spared from physical harm, those taken were things we can do without, except of course for the data and photos, so yes, I am grateful. WE are grateful.
My husband is a light sleeper. He wakes up at the slightest sound. But last night, he did not stir. I believe God put him in deep slumber so he would not wake up. Had he been awakened by the burglars, someone would definitely have been hurt.
And to lessen the heartache over the items we lost, I crocheted.
Photo on the left was the last photo I took with my S3, and the one on the right was taken just now, before I hit publish. It’s a beanie I’m making for the children of Buscalan. A couple of weeks ago, I made a commitment to participate in a project called Beanies for Buscalan, Kalinga. I’ve never made a beanie before, but fellow crocheters sent me the text pattern, and I think I’m getting it. I hope I can make more than one. This is my first beanie. And definitely not going to be my last.
As for what happened in the wee hours today, I still get goosebumps when I think of the coincidence. Realization hit me just this afternoon. When I decided to blog about the experience, and I remembered the post from last year. Is this just a coincidence? Or is there a message here somewhere?
Maybe the burglars will try to sell the items that we lost, and maybe one of the buyers will stumble on this post, and maybe decide to return them to us? God only knows. I’m praying. Husband told me, don’t hope for the impossible. Not gonna happen. But I’m Mrs. Positivity. I’m praying. And maybe God will touch someone’s heart today. I’m not going to say, we’re okay about losing those things because we actually need them. At least, the laptops and the phone. Just those. All the rest, they can keep. We are freelancers, and those items are our main tools. We need those to survive. And my daughter needs her laptop and the projects she has in there. So if you are reading this, pray with me, please? Thank you!
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Please leave me a message, or post them, at my Facebook Page.
by The Happy WAHM
It’s a cookies ‘n cream kind of day today. It’s my birthday! So today, I’m blogging, after being delinquent – again – for the past weeks. Among the many goals I have set out for myself, blogging regularly has always been, and I believe will always be, the one that I fail to accomplish.
But I’m okay with it. I mean, blogging is just one of the many therapeutic activities that I have set out to do. I blog because I love to write. I blog because I have something to share. So on days that I don’t feel like writing, or have nothing to share, I don’t force myself to blog just to keep the page updated.
But today is sharing day. I have posted this on my Facebook page, and I’m going to share it with you here today.
My me-time goal has come to fruition in the form of a hob-biz. Or a self-supporting hobby, where I try to sell the items that I make, just so I can have a steady supply of materials to work with without taking away from the family budget.
I launched Crafted Crafts on June 10, to coincide with my son’s birthday. And I’m sharing it here on mine.
It’s nothing fancy. I built the site from scratch, and I’m slowly putting in content as I finish my projects. I talked about how the site came to being, as well as my plans for it, in the About page. And on my third month of crocheting, I’m starting to be more adventurous with colors and materials. I never thought there’d be too much math in crafting, and it’s something of a challenge, but I’m learning.
I wanted to finish a project I started out last Monday, to keep on my personal goal of one complete project a week, but other duties got in the way, so I’m sharing a work-in-progress instead.
I’m making a scarf for an elementary classmate. Her favorite colors are red and black. I started the project two weeks ago with materials I have on hand, which are mostly soft acrylic, and about a third into it, she messaged me that she’s allergic to materials that are not cotton. So I had to scramble for red and black cotton yarns and leave what I have done so far to finish later. While waiting for the red and black cotton I ordered online, I decided to try the pattern that I’ve set out for her on the light cashmere materials that I have in my stash. I’m naming my designs after people who get the first finished product of the design. Like my Rosanne Two-Toned Infinity Scarf. So the stitch combinations that I’m working on for my classmate will be called the Eliza Striped Scarf. But seeing what I was working on yesterday, my middlechild commented: “Wow! Looks delicious, Mommy! Cookies ‘n Cream!”
So here’s my Cookies ‘n Cream work-in-progress scarf.
I have to agree with my daughter. It does look delicious. And it’s so smooth and soft and stretchy. I have not decided yet if I’m going to finish it off with fringes, or if I’m going to make it an infinity scarf, too. I’m keeping my options open for the person who will buy it from me. 🙂 It’s 60 inches long and I’ll finish it off at a little over 5 inches wide. The measurements for the cotton version of this will be a little different, as the cotton yarn I’ll be using is size 4 medium worsted weight, while this Cookies ‘n Cream is size 3 light, but I’ll try to keep it really close. Bigger hook, less stitches.
Please visit my craft site. You might want to support my small biz on the side to help send my daughter to college. Ha ha! Place your Christmas gift orders early! And thank you for dropping by today.
Do you have questions, comments or feedback about this post?
Please leave me a message, or post them, at my Facebook Page.
by The Happy WAHM
This is going to be a very short post, as I intended for this to just be a Facebook status, but I’m going ahead and putting it here, so I can refer to it some day.
You know I have taken up crocheting very recently, like early this month, and I’m enjoying it immensely. If you are following me on Instagram and on Facebook, you’ll notice that my recent posts have been mostly about my crochet projects. I’m not going to apologize for my excitement overload, as I love to keep it real.
I’m not a stranger to this craft. I’ve seen my sister doing this for years already, but I have not really taken it up as a hobby. Have not even tried a hook for size. But last year, there was a crochet workshop and my firstborn attended, so we went home that day with our first batch of yarns.
Early this month, it was my turn to be interested in attending a workshop, and boy, I had a blast! I also got to meet new friends who live just a short drive from us. Ever since I became a WAHM, the friendships I have developed have been mostly online, so physically meeting women who share the passion for hooks and yarns, in whatever size and blend, was truly something to celebrate.
So back to why I’m writing this post…
I spent this morning with my firstborn, buying her school uniform, her t-shirt for the freshman orientation, picking up her ATM card from the bank and a lunch date, just the two of us. It has become a norm that I always carry a bag with a work-in-progress crochet project so I don’t feel like I’m wasting time sitting in an empty van waiting for it to fill and leave the terminal, or wasting time sitting in the bank waiting for my turn.
The other day, I had my first major yarn purchase. I just felt that I deserve a treat, you know? So I went ahead and purchased some sugar-free cakes from The Craft Hut, who also graciously threw in some freebies, so I actually had more than I paid for.
Look!
Notice the cotton cake in red, black and silver on the corner?
That’s the one I tried to start this morning. And I totally failed! And right in front of my firstborn.
It went like this:
Mommy, ano’ng yarn po ‘yan?
No idea, anak, but this is cotton daw.
Ano po ang gagawin mo?
I’ll try a simple scarf lang.
And I went ahead and started the chains. Turned around and tried a single crochet. And tried again. And again. And again.
I just couldn’t get the hook through the loop without leaving a strand behind!
And so I stopped trying.
And then turned to my firstborn.
You know, Xia, it was ambitious of me to even buy this cake. But I just had to try, you know. I would not know how to work this yarn if I didn’t try. In fact, I’m not giving up. I’ll try again maybe with a bigger hook. Or maybe I can use the loom for this. I don’t know. But I’ll experiment with this until I get to use this cake.
Now, let’s see. This goes for you, too. You’re going to college, and you’ll be in a new environment. I encourage you to be ambitious. Try new things. Be brave. ‘Wag ka mahihiya mag try. ‘Wag ka matatakot mag try. Marami kang kayang gawin, anak. Discover what you can do. All you have to do is try, then do. What do you say?
Yes, Mommy. Alam ko na! Pwedeng chain ka na lang ng chain, tapos slip stitch lahat to connect.
Okay. I’ll stop here. Just thought I’d share some parenting highlight today. The banter went on all the way to Lipa. My firstborn just loves to annoy me, but I know she totally got the message. Here’s how half of my office table looks now. Can you see that I have a few single crochets on the cotton cake?
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