Why can’t I do anything right the first forty-fifth time? I wanted to make a pair of valentine-themed mary janes. I’ve made a few pair already; this should have been simple enough. But it wasn’t. First try: too tube-like. Second try: way too big. Two more tries later – a perfectly-shaped and sized mary jane! Only one problem: repeating this for a second shoe. I couldn’t get a single pattern to turn out the same way twice. Finally, I got it. And I’m happy with how sweetly "valentine" they turnedout. I think the trick is to make the entire shoe a few rows shorter so that her little feet can stretch it to the perfect shape for her feet. If I ever get this pattern right, I’ll post it. But don’t hold your breath.
Anyway, after all this feverish crocheting to feed the anxiety that this would never come out as I envisioned, I looked up and realized I hadn’t really been available for E. What a shame. She has all these pretty little things, but what she really wants is me.
This happens too often, I think. People ask me where I find the time for all this crafting. I don’t have a special trick. When J. was deployed, I stayed up until 2 a.m. Now, I steal the time – from my house, which needs cleaning, and from my husband, who "just wants a hug and kiss" when he comes home, and from my little girl, who has taken to grabbing my face in her hands so she can show me her picture/book/dance. Its tough to juggle, I think, even when you’re a stay-at-home mom. Time for others, time for yourself – how much is too much in any one direction? I don’t feel sorry for myself. My husband is home, we can make ends meet with one income, and I have a very healthy little girl. I have an ideal situation. I just need to do better. After all, it only lasts so long.
I put her down for a nap a while ago. She’s still singing to herself. I think I’ll skip the nap and ask her if she wants to dance.
Julie says
I love your Valentine Maryjanes! I have a newborn I would love to try to make them for. Would you consider sharing your pattern?
Missy says
What a lucky baby to have such a talented mommy!
Karen says
Those are adorable! It is when I see cute items such as E.’s shoes or a beautifully decorated nursery that I start thinking “hmmm, maybe I am ready to start having kids…” Then reality kicks in and I snap out of it. 🙂
My poor niece, she is the receiver of many of my so-called projects because I do not yet have children of my own. I hope you had fun dancing with E.
LACEY'S MOM says
HI CRYSTAL; WHAT YOUR CHILDREN LEARN FROM SEEING THEIR MOM SEW, KNIT, CRAFT, OR COOK IS WHAT THEY LEARN TO DO. I ALWAYS SEWED, COUNTED CROSS-STITCH, GARDEN, ETC. LACEY AND HOLLY SEW AND DO HAND WORK ALOT PRETTIER THAN I EVER DID. DON’T WORRY “E” WILL BE JUST LIKE HER MOM.
I’M GLAD LACEY AND GEOFF WILL BE STATIONED WITH YOU AND J AGAIN.
SANDEE
KBG says
Very cute shoes. Too bad I don’t crochet. Where could I find time (and money) for another hobby?
charlotte says
I remember that feeling too, being so busy making something that I was “away” (still happens alone)….but what E also sees is that there is more in your life — that you have your own needs and interests. At some point that becomes admiration for what you do, what you create, who you are. She knows you are there for her….always hers first.
And thank you for the link. That was so sweet.
Lacey says
Cute shoes. There arn’t enough hours in a day for us to get everything we want done. It happens to everybody, including me, and I live in a tiny little room, and don’t have kids.