The Atkinsons

Over the Weekend

I had thought with the weather change that the weekends would be a little less hectic and I would be able to settle down and do a few things to the house that have been on my list for awhile. I was sorely mistaken. And, I am not sure that I see a lot of "open" time in the foreseeable future. Oh well. I have never been one that has to have my house look immaculate all the time, if I can just keep up on dishes, laundry, and a clean floor I am good right?? Other house projects will have to get done in due time.

 Anyhow, my little banshee bones has shut the door to her bedroom and is playing quietly in her room. This NEVER happens, and I am sure I will hear her any moment now calling me to open it back up for her- but I'll take my chances on a little blog post about what we did this weekend. (And finish it later if necessary) **cue crying in bedroom

My mom came into town because my Great Uncle died. My mom was by far the youngest child of her parents and this uncle (Reed Hawkes) was 20 years a junior to her father (my grandfather), so in some ways I feel I know him as as well as my own Grandpa. I attended his funeral with my sisters and Mother and it was very beautiful. Funerals give me a feeling I can't explain. I was talking to my husband about it and he was like yeah I know exactly what you mean, but still neither of us could come up with words to explain even a little bit how we felt. I actually feel like I could go to a funeral every weekend, if it's someone who lived a long and happy life, because it gives you such perspective and an understanding for people. I read the brief summery of his life on the program. Among other things it said details like his son died and his wife died from cancer, and I was thinking it could be written no other way than how it was written, but how crazy that we just read a simple short sentence to describe something so momentous and impacting in someone's life. Needless to say I cried the whole time, and left cherishing and feeling gratitude for his presence here on earth and also with an urgency to be a better mother, sister, wife, and member of my community. It is in the small details of life that we really make differences that change the course of our own lives and others. Life is so somber and truly, truly so beautiful. I hope I can teach this to my children.

Before the funeral I had done a quick little bop into the knitting store. I know, I know- this was a bad idea. Needless to say I bought two skeins with no particular pattern in mind. I couldn't resist! I am however rapidly coming up with options to transform those beauties into something magical. I have an ongoing project right now, it will take me months- but I did knit a solitary mitten out of one of the skeins I bought! So come on, a little credit here! It didn't really turn out how I planned though (most likely due to my inability to pick yarn for any other reason than it's color) so I don't think I will be knitting the other one. But it will be a cute decoration on my Christmas tree!

 

olive's signature wrist wave, which everyone she passes gets, whether they are looking or not :)

 

 

On Sunday we went out in the rain and picked some delicious apples from Kc's cousins apple tree. It was just dripping with Apples and we really had to stop ourselves from picking more because it's so hard not to pick ones right in front of you! I made some Apple butter with it, and I'm searching for more recipes to use the rest! (Or everyone in my neighborhood will get apple butter from us!)

 

 

  Also on Sunday I wore a dress that my Mamma made in college!

Lastly, I had been meaning to take Olive to a house down the street that is selling a ton of pumpkins and gourds. I knew she would love it. I was right, and I kind of wish I wasn't because little rascals threw a tantrum to end all tantrums. We had already played with the small gourds for at least 45 minutes. She'd pick them up and hand them to me. Who knew that could be so fun? It was time to go when she ventured up to the front steps and starting helping herself to their decorations. When I picked her up she tried to frantically throw herself out of my arms. She arched her back so hard when I tried to put her in the car seat and cried as though she was seriously being tortured to death. I was so taken aback. She isn't old enough to discipline of understand anything like "we can take a pumpkin" or "we can come back" or "you will be in trouble if you don't stop crying" *sigh* I don't want to stop taking her places she loves but gee whiz! Whats a girl to do?  This child of mine. Sadly I think she is me reincarnate. She HAS to be outside all the time, and is constantly getting herself into trouble or hurt, despite all my best efforts. She currently has several large bruises and got stung by a wasp! She's a resilient little thing. It'll be fun raising this girl :)

 

Notice one of said bruises on her forehead

 

Only upside is I was able to capture lots of pictures of this :)