Birthday fun

My birthday isn't always fun, sometimes it's like I forget I have one at all.  My birthday falls around the beginning of  both the Renaissance Festival and the Minnesota State fair, so most people are to busy to notice.  So this was the week of my 40th birthday! I did something impulsive, and crazy and drove 4 and half hours to Wisconsin for a hour and half class.  I know it's crazy but I needed to shake it up a bit.  The class was hosted at Circle Sanctuary, near Mount Horeb (the troll capital of the world). I decided we were going around 10:30 am that morning. We packed up the car and made it there right before the class began. I met new people and learned new things.  We spent the night at a hotel in Mount Horeb and we went troll hunting in the morning, but first, we had to play at the hotel pool and get a cup of coffee at the Cross Roads Cafe, not to far out of the way. We had lunch at the Grumpy Troll, and of course stopped at the Cat and Crow for yarn.  before we left.  I totally intended to visit the Crystal Caves on the way out, but time wasn't on my side. That just means I need to go back at a later date.  Jerid and Justin both had fun, at least they seem to.  My birthday isn't always the best, for two glorious days, I threw caution to wind and went on a road trip out of state. When it is good, and I can knock off some of things on my bucket list, I am so happy to do it.

Thanks for reading.

summer time

This summer is going way to quickly and yet not quick enough, next week Jerid will be starting his summer camp at Camp Friendship/Eden Wood. Though it is day camp it's when I miss him being around and yet gets me geared up for the school time schedule. Jerid just recently  had his neurology appointment, discovered his condition is called  Cortical Dysplasia, he will be having more testing in August to account to his relatively new behaviors, to see if they are started in the brain or if they are caused by stress, or maybe stemming from his autism.  All I know is I'm most likely have more questions then answers. I do know since this official diagnosis I have been doing research on my own, realizing how lucky my son is, my heart goes out to those who have to deal with far more then behaviors on a daily basis.  I am still frustrated that this diagnosis wasn't brought to my attention until recently, I guess it's better late then never.  I digress.

 In other news my nephew Justin had come up from Florida for a week, and we had a great time reconnecting with him, the picture above was us playing Lord of the Rings Risk, we have missed seeing him and hearing his voice.  He's been working hard in his studies and kicking butt in college, as much as we miss him, we are so proud of the man he has become.

In other news, my Justin has taken up a wood working apprenticeship, which only started last week. so far so good. He is also gearing up to work as a Leprechaun Pirate at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival.

As for me, same old, same old. Knitting, crochet, a little of this, little of that.  I will update as soon as I know more about Jerid's diagnosis.
Thanks for reading.

Memorial Weekend.

This weekend we had some wonderful friends come out to clean and organize our garage. The brave souls who sacrificed their Saturday in 94 degree heat with no AC, to come out and clean our scary garage. We are so very grateful! (Kevin, Theresa, Teresa, Tommy, and Doug)  We feel we can't thank you enough!

apple blossoms through the stained glass window
picture taken by Sara Dibble

The rest of the weekend will be filled with music and family. Justin has been playing music mostly non stop for the last few weeks, recording with Beth Kinderman and playing random gigs and having shows at conventions, this is the first weekend back with the Leprechaun Pirates in a few weeks.  He did get to play with many of his bands at his Birthday celebration, but some of the steady practices have had to go to the way side, now he's getting back on track. 

We have been opening the shop a bit more lately.  This week though we've taken a brake, Karen had gone camping and garage cleaning has taken center stage at the moment.

Jerid has been doing amazing at the STAR program, when his anxiety isn't getting the better of him.  We will be taking him to see the neurologist in July to see what could be done. 

Winter 2.0

Well it snowed about to feet yesterday, (April 15, 2018) So very grateful for the ability to have a full pantry, and many art projects to do.  I managed to watch 4 Marvel movies, and made six wash clothes, some sewing and got some cleaning done. Also it was Justin and my sixteen year anniversary on the 15th,  Sixteen years, doesn't feel that long ago we just met, but the facts don't lie. So grateful to have him in my life, not sure where I would be without him, not that I ever want to think about that.  Today the roads were clear enough to get out to get taxes done, so that is finished for another year. My health seems to be improving, I think I finally got my healthcare insurance resolved. (hoping) I may even be able to see what I really did to my foot when I fell over a year ago. It still swells up and doesn't like to bend when I exercise. So it might be nice to see what could be done with that. Other then that, I believe Jerid is on another growth spurt. He has days where he has to eat every hour, and some days he sleeps all day,  he only comes out of bed to get food.   Poor kid also is reacting to growing pains. I've been monitoring his behaviors more closely I am wondering if they can help him. Since he doesn't seem to have these issues while we are out and about, and we can not call it at will.  All in the name of the betterment of him and his life. I've been video taping them.  It's hard when all you want to do is help, but your helpless yourself.  Thank goodness for technology.  Well not much more to report, so I'll leave you with the winter wonder land that is Springtime in Minnesota.  Thank you for reading and have a blessed day.

Happy Spring everyone!

It's finally spring!!! We live in Minnesota which means there is snow in the forecast this weekend. Lol!  This weekend was set aside for going to my parents house for Easter cookie decorating and grill out.   We have already gotten started with a good old fashioned spring cleaning, it's slow going but we will been getting more into it in the next week, due to Jerid being on spring brake.  On a more fun note we are slowly getting caught up on our Marvel movies, still haven't seen Thor, the Dark world, and Iron Man 2, so I have goals.  Thinking taking Jerid on a few outings, but that is pocket book pending.  I've been getting into my sewing space, but instead of being inspired to make things, I've been more inspired to clean, and that isn't a bad thing.  I do need to get things more organized, it's hard when your brain is dyslexic, it doesn't come easy.  Went to MarsCon earlier this month, Jerid was happy to be in the pool at the hotel, not so much for the rest of it, he likes to watch people, but doesn't like the panels. 

The business partner, Karen has been having the shop open (excluding the week of spring brake) on the weekends starting on Thursdays. Which means I've been knitting away to restock spring items. Also gearing up to bring items to Prelude Repeats, in Shoreview MN.  Which will be open three weeks in April. 
 Justin is gearing up for the spring Art Crawl, in Saint Paul.  He is making coloring pages of him and a Dave, a band mate. They are playing music under the name of Big Loud Monsters, playing music for children.  It is exciting, it's something they have been talking about for a few years now. So glad it's manifested into something real.  Please, check out the link.

https://www.saintpaulartcrawl.org/


We are hosting a clean up party to clean our garage and roof repair also in April, the week before, so the schedule is getting booked pretty quick.  Busy, busy, busy.

Thanks for reading.

Almost February

Flu season is among us, and I've got it. No fever, but feel like ugh! Thank goodness, it's just me. The rest of the house is doing well. It's hard to believe that the end of January is this week, time is flying bye. This past month I had gotten to go to a pajama party of only women. It was nice to get out of the house and spend the evening with the wonderful women in my life.

Jerid's still doing well at the STAR program. They must be working him hard, because after every day, especially Mondays, he crashes for a nap as soon as he comes home.  He wakes up just in time for dinner and some television and goes to bed still at a reasonable hour. Gets up the next day with enthusiasm to do it all over again.  I feels so blessed that he is happy with this program.  He has also been signed up for two weeks of summer camp for this summer season, at Camp Eden Wood in Eden Prairie.  I'm also so grateful for the team of social workers and financial workers he has.  I have no idea what I would do without them.

Justin is starting to work on making the house the way he wants it to look, he also has decided to work on the February  challenge of , February Album Writing Month, (FAWM) hoping this works out for him, it will be exciting.

With the Super Bowl coming to the twin cities, I believe we will be avoiding the cities until after the event.  LOL, not much of a sports ball fan.

As for the state of the union, I didn't watch it before, no matter who is in office, so why would I start now? I feel I pay attention to currant events enough to not have to hear someone pat themselves on the back for stuff they did or didn't do.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 

Good by 2017 and hello 2018!

We've made it to another year! So hoping everyone had a good and safe Holiday vacation and New Years eve.  Jerid is now back at the STAR Program to start his new year and Justin and I are sick with the stomach flu. Jerid is just fine, thankfully.

We spent our New Years Eve at our friend Hope's house with her family and a few other friends. It was a quiet evening until all the kids got noise makers. LOL!

Still so much to contemplate and look forward to, Jerid will be going to Camp Eden Wood/ Friendship this summer. 

Karen and I are hoping to have the shop open a bit more often this new year, we will be sending items to sell to Shoreview, to try to make more sales. We were saddened to find that the venue for the Holiday Geek Expo was cancelled last year, to find out that the Geek Partnership Society (GPS) also had a Holiday show, we were not in that show, but we did attend. Should also point out that Karen has been working hard on our new web site, please check it out if you have a chance. www.temperancearts.com 

  We have been doing our best to keep the house warm, it's a big and drafty house, it is almost like a book of where's Waldo, to find out where a draft maybe coming from, you think you got it, then find out, nope, there is a bigger one you didn't notice. LoL! 

Well that is all for now, Happy New year everyone!