Monday, December 20, 2010

Merry Happy Joyous



First, since this will be my last post of the year, I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays!

Next, you may have noticed an absence of postings lately. (Well, at least I hope you noticed — lol!) All I can say is I just haven't been in the mood. For anything. Hahaha!

My Marine son's visit during his leave was wonderful. We spent a lot of time together and, of course, it went far too quickly. On December 7, he started combat training in North Carolina, where he's been sleeping nearly outside without heat. It's been in the 20s there at night. So, in other words, my Florida boy has been freezing his you-know-what off. ;-)

There's very little communication while they're training, not even the snail mail letters like from boot camp. But they do have their cellphones and sometimes get to make a quick call as a reward or if given a little free time. I was thrilled to get a 5-minute call last Thursday. I was even more thrilled to learn that his group is being given on-base liberty for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day — a rarity for this stage of training. So, you know where I'll be heading on 12/23. Yep, an 11-hour drive to Camp Geiger, North Carolina. We got another, longer, call from him on Saturday and although he's still freezing, he's having a pretty good time shooting and blowing things up every day, just for fun … er, I mean, TRAINING. ;-)

My younger son is going with me on the Road Trip. My husband is staying behind to care for the dogs. So I will actually have both sons for Christmas. This will probably be the last time for a few years, if not forever. They do grow up and leave the nest, and the military life ahead for my older son will be unpredictable at best. Excuse me while I grab my tissues. Again. ;-)

I've spent all weekend making hundreds of Christmas cookies, which I'll be bagging up to take with me, and then handing out to Marines without family visiting them. That's helped to put me more in the Christmas spirit. Knowing I'll have both of my boys for the holiday has helped a lot too. ;-)

The sewing mojo has been conspicuously absent, until today. I don't spend much time on Pattern Review anymore, but I happened to catch this thread this morning, where Vibek is looking for a pattern for this jacket she saw at Nordstrom's:



A suggestion for Kwik Sew 3764 was given, and I'm going to shamelessly copy Vibek and Nordstrom's, when I get back from North Carolina. I've already ordered the pattern (and one more!) and I have the perfect fabric in the stash.



This also ties into the Gigi/Carolyn inspired A Jacket a Month sew-along going on at Stitcher's Guild. I know I won't sew 12 jackets, but 4 or 5 would not hurt my wardrobe at all. Plus, I really liked having a head start on my winter wardrobe from all the sewing ahead of time I did for my trip to Parris Island. There's a lot to be said for planning ahead. Especially during a cold snap last week here in Florida.

So, Vibek, if you're reading, thank you. I owe the return of the mojo to you. But I'm not going to hurry it — I still have lots to do before I leave on Thursday.

17 comments:

  1. yes, I have missed you, Debbie, and am so happy that you will get to see your son for Christmas. How very thoughtful of you to bring holiday cheer and cookies for those other young men who won't have family with them. Here's wishing you, your new Marine son and all your family a wonderful holiday time. And that new jacket pattern will be a lovely reward for the long trip home.

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  2. I've missed you and wish you and your family the best during this holiday season.

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  3. Your posts were missed very much! I have check everyday. I have two adult sons, and life has certainly changed from those hectic mornings under the Christmas tree. But life is full of changes and somehow we adjust and move on with new traditions. Hand those cookies out and take a few moments to take it all in! Merry Christmas!

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  4. Have a good Christmas with your boys and as safe trip! So nice of you to think of the other young people serving our country, too!
    My boys are 13, 10 and 3, and I wonder what it will be like when they are older like yours. My middle son has severe autism, so he will most likely need me his whole life.
    Anyway, it must be a difficult adjustment, but sounds like you are managing it well.

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  5. So glad to see you post again.
    I'm very happy you get to be with both of your sons for the holidays.
    Enjoy yourself!
    Mermie

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  6. I am so happy you get to spend Christmas with both your boys. Have a wonderful time and can't wait to see your jacket in the future. Sew True has some great jacket zippers if you need them.

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  7. Of course I missed you!! But you're killing me with the boy talk. Really. In that same way where I couldn't even go SEE Toy Story 3 because my boy WAS "Cow Woody" (as he called him). I have a vivid picture of him in my mind, wearing that Cowboy Woody hat, his cowboy boots, and his Cowboy Woody underpants...standing on his stickhorse, in front of the television.

    Sniff. They grow up SO fast. It's not fair, and I wish I could grab time by the tail sometimes and slow her down.

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  8. Happy to be of service :D I'll be following the project for sure. I'm thinking of a light putty or a darker fawn color for this project.

    I have a boy, too (only 13 - soon 14) and I really feel for you! Enjoy your holiday with your dear boys!

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  9. Just have to share - Angies comment reminded me of the times when my boy was 3-4 years old. He used to play fireman with his bike helmet on and the vacuum cleaner for a fire truck! I can see him muttering to himself in a very imortant manner

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  10. Good to hear from you Debbie. Dress warmly for your trip to NC. It has been unseasonably cold here. I hope they give Marines some appropriate clothing/gear for that. We went from a ridiculously hot summer, to this. Brrrrr!

    Glad your sewing mojo is back. Lately mine has been replaced by knitting. Part of my problem is the uninhabitable sewing room, which I hope will be rectified during time off next week!

    Happy Holidays! If you want to do some fabric shopping...er....sight seeing on your way back and need advice, let me know. :-)

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  11. Merry Christmas, Debbie; I've missed you! Have fun with your sons. I am fortunate that all of mine will be home, although one will be here for only 2 days, so I know exactly how you feel.

    And, for the record, my sons would like to blow stuff up, too! Semper Fi!

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  12. Homemade cookies?! Those kids will never forget you and the mothers that can't be there will love you forever!!

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  13. so glad you'll be spending time w/your boys. and.. yes you are missed. sounds like you are going thru a lot right now.
    take care of yourself and have a wonderful time.
    (my marine nephew will be shipping out to afghanistan in the spring, and we'll have xmas w/him) it is a bittersweet time.

    chloeE

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  14. Merry Christmas!! Safe travels, and stay warm. :)

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  15. I have been thinking of you Debbie, we have sons more or less the same age and are both going through the adjustment to having them move out and on. I know how the ache feels and that's OK. Enjoy this Christmas, and what a great idea to make those cookies. Mothering never stops.

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  16. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas.
    I wish you a very Happy New Year.

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  17. I hope you had a wonderful time with the boys. I'm in your same situation. My oldest 2 are getting out the door. I had no idea it would be so hard on me. Best wishes. keep us posted.

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Thank you for each and every comment. I appreciate them all, but I have to be honest and let you know that I'm usually bad about answering questions. I hope you understand that there just isn't enough time in the day to do everything I want to do.

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