The Catholic Campaign for Human Development has put together a campaign to end poverty in America. I browsed through the pages and discovered that we (the Gleesons) come in below the poverty line. I knew we would; we’re very very cash poor.

I remember when I was first in college and finding a place to live that a good ballpark monthly rent was approximately 25% of your monthly income. Reversing that, we need to make around $31K to be in line with that number.

So, all that thinking makes me wonder: Where do you stack up? Above or below the poverty line? Rent/mortgage at 25% of your income, or is it significantly above or below? And do you think of yourself as poor or as well-off?

Myself, I feel very cash poor right now. I can really feel it, but I wouldn’t have to make as much as the government says to feel like I’m not ‘living in poverty’. I expect some of that is because the cost of living is quite low here, I’m told, but some of it is because we’re just by and large very frugal. We don’t buy stuff, much.

So how’s it for you?

I’m two repeats into the pattern on the Slytherin House scarf for S. I made some modifications to this pattern. First of all, I’m knitting it flat instead of in the round, very unusual for me… but I want to get it done, oh, this winter. And knitting it flat cuts the time (and the yarn) needed in half. I cast on 45 stitches instead of 90.

But stockinette knit flat has a tendency to curl in on the sides and up on the bottom. Not a great look for a scarf, usually. So I added an inch of garter stitch to the bottom and to each side to combat the curling. It seems to be working pretty well and there is only a slight tendency of the scarf to want to roll in. (If it was a Hufflepuff scarf it would happily go with the flow and do just what I wanted instead of being all curly with malicious glee, but hey, I’m working with what I’ve got here.)

It’s in Lion Brand Wool-Ease, colors Green Heather and Grey Heather, worsted weight, and knit on Clover/Takumi size 6 16″ circular. This is the second or third time I’ve used this particular needle and it’s all smoothly broken in now (Clover needles are uncoated and need a nice smoothing from use before they get really lovely, IME. It’s got a nice smooth patina now.)

I’ll try to take some pictures soon.

I’m doing better with Faith. I was really tired and stressed last week, but now some things are in a sort of holding pattern, so I have more emotional energy to deal with her uniqueness, which is amazing but very tiring!

I am being much more firmly consistent and patient, which is the best thing for it.

For Emily: The baby is doing little baby things, in there. I feel lots of movement and I’m starting to anticipate the birth. I’m still feeling very fight-or-flight about transition… when you have done this four times before and know in your bones how it is, it takes some psyching up. I’ll get there! I’d still much rather undergo labor than get drugs injected into my back, so there you go.

On a postnatal note, we’re pretty sure we can fit one more carseat in the back row of the van, if we can get some slim-profile base boosters for the girls. So then the seating will be…

Front seats: The Grownups
First bench: Bede and Speck
Second bench: Faith, Gilbert, Abby
(Bede and Gilbert may trade places, but Bede is less likely than Gil to poke the new baby)

As a last-case scenario if we just can’t fit another seat back there we can take Faith out of her booster entirely on March 16th, about two weeks or so after the baby comes. That’s her sixth birthday, and Oklahoma law permits seatbelt only after a child is six. I’d like to keep them in their booster seats if it’s possible though, because they’re safer and rated to 100 pounds.

I’m really arguing with Faith a lot lately! I’m seriously stressed from other areas in my life, sure, but man that’s not her fault. She’s very detail oriented and wants to attempt to negotiate every little thing we disagree on, and sometimes it’s just not a thing to negotiate. Mostly because, between you and me people, I’m utterly beat with a stick worn out. Sometimes I have the energy to deal with her legal mind but sometimes I get all autocratic on her and I hate, hate that. I feel trapped like I have to yell at her, because I run out of other options. Give me other options!

I’m left underwhelmed at most of the parenting advice I’m reading in books, mostly because they don’t seem to have more than one kid, or if they do have two or more they’re like 2 or three years apart. Not entirely helpful. Saying ‘Say yes more!’ is no good when the main point of contention is between two or three kids, inclusively…

So, beyond Siblings Without Rivalry, which I will start reading again tomorrow, got any suggestions? No 1-2-3 Magic, please, or recommendations that involve punitive responses. I can bluster and threaten all too well on my very own, I am ashamed to admit. Yuck. That’s what I want to avoid. I hate it! Did I mention that? Argh!

I have a dear, sweet, friend of my heart, S, who is being compelled against her will to remain in an abusive home. She is trapped, I’m trapped because I can’t help, it’s sickeningly awful.

But one thing I can do is by God knit.

In solidarity with my friend, I am knitting for her her very own Slytherin House Scarf (even though she is so totally a Gryffindor, especially in light of her courageous heart) because that is the one she wants.

S, as I make this I will pray for strength for you, as you continue your struggle.

We love you always and forever.

My oldest son (always a night owl) is curled up in my lap. He’s kissed me about a dozen times, read me the alphabet from my keyboard, yawned, chuckled, and is now gently touching my face and saying “nice, nice.”

He sure is a sweet little thing.

All my lovely family and homeschool obligations are keeping me very fulfilled and happy but VERY BUSY.

If you go look at the homeschool blog you can see that we’ve gotten a new student. Been planning her academic year with her - will be ordering some books today or tomorrow.

I haven’t seen anything of Sean but the back of his head for the last few weeks as he’s been making his game, and I’ve been on deck 24-7 with the kids too because of it. When he finishes the game I’ll be able to do more than just come up for air.

I’ll tell you about trying to find a church where the parents aren’t hitting their kids all the time in front of me, more SCA ramblings, thoughts on some science shows I’ve watched recently (manufactured DNA! parrots!), some knitting updates and maybe even some pictures.

Deep breath, and… back in!

Today we met our doula, Karen. She is very nice and everyone liked her (Faith and Abby mobbed her and told her many tales of bears and Clifford, Gilbert regarded her solemnly from my shoulder as he had just awoken from a nap, and Bede smiled and promptly fell asleep while snuggling with Sean in the big bed.)

She’s been attending birthing women for, um, a long time (Sorry Karen, I can’t remember the specifics!) as in measurable in decades, and had a homebirth when homebirth wasn’t cool. So six Gleeson thumbs up for our doula, hooray!

The Private World Of Tasha Tudor

This is the book I mentioned, Mom.

I, who so rarely covet, want too many things to list from here.

Sophia I forbid you to click. No! Don’t do it, young lady! I’m warning you! Lacy, you too!