A Blog about HMBM

I have now been knitting all kinds of wonderful woolies for 5 years and have loved every second of it.  I have met so many amazing mamas....some have become my friends.  My little family has changed so much in these years and I now feel like it is time to make a change in my business.

With 4 kids, ranging in age from 21 down to 5 it is easy to assume my life is crazy.  Trying to squeeze in every moment with an adult child and trying to be a good friend and help guide her through her crazy 20s as much as she will let me.  Having a 16 year old boy that is insanely busy and realizing that I only have 2 more years with him here at home.  Being a champion for my almost 9 year old daughter that I am watching turn into an amazing girl.  And keeping up with my 5 year old with the knowledge that this time with him is amazingly short and precious.  Throw in there an 11 year marriage and now a job.

Yes. A job.  I have had the wonderful blessing of being a stay at home mama for the last 9 years.  I truly believe that this was a gift.  Given by my entire family.  My husband, who works his behind off at a job he really doesn't love, has funded this journey for us and will always have my gratitude.  My children who do not get to go on many vacations, do not have big birthday parties and get a majority of their wardrobes from Goodwill.  No one complains...and honestly, watching my son really know the value of a hard earned dollar has been a reward in itself.

And I found a job that fits perfectly into our family without losing any of the benefits of me being here when they are....a lunch lady :)  While some who know me find this quite ironic (i hate a kitchen)....the hours, the pay, and time off are amazing.  Always off on holidays, always off when they are out of school, summers off, home to get them on the bus, home to get them off the bus.......this is amazing to me.

Sorry for the rambling......my plan is this. This summer I will be knitting up all my stash yarn.  I have accumulated quite a stash of Cascade and it needs to be gone. I will knit up "you pick the bum" design shorties and longies and stock them in my store.  These will be my final in stock woolies.  Once school starts I will be listing an occasional YYMN in my shop until I just can't find the time.  I will be working on getting all my charts listed on Ravelry so that they will be available there and when the time is right, close my Hyena Cart.

Please know that I do not take this decision lightly.  I have so enjoyed hand crafting woolies for all of you and your little ones....but I have realized that time is precious and I need to spend as many moments with my little ones....because they are not little for long.

That said....I am running a contest here on my blog.  The winner will receive a free pair of woolies.  To enter, check out my gallery of work through the years

http://handmadebymama.smugmug.com/Art/HandmadeByMama-Handy-Work/14418898_J5JVkt

leave me a comment with your favorite HMBM knit.  Have a pic of your kiddo in HMBM??  I would love to collect any action shots out there. I don't have nearly as many as I would like.  Post your pic in a separate comment below and that will get you an extra entry.  If it won't let you post a pic, please email it to holly.pitcock@gmail.com and post a comment that you did so..... I will use a Random Number generator to pick the winner on June 1st, 2012.

Details on free woolies.  This will be a "surprise" custom.  You will give me your fave colors, fave themes, your little one's measurements and I will knit you up a pair of shorties or longies (your choice)  for your little one....up to size 2T.

Good luck :) :) :)

Our friend.....

I received this in an email from my sister.....I have no idea where it came from but love it.  Very appropriate today, as I am missing my doggy fiercely today.

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker ‘s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ”I know why.”
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.
He said,”People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?” The Six-year-old continued,
”Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you’re not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

 

 

it has now been a year that you have been gone...we all still miss you like crazy. the sloppy grin on your face, your insane obsession with food, your grumpy old man bark, your amazing loyalty and love. RIP my friend.

an interview with Matthew, age 5

saw this idea on pinterest and so love it. look for an interview with anna and drew coming soon!



what is your favorite food? salad
what is your favorite sport? baseball
what is the best show on tv? star wars, the clone wars
who is the coolest person on earth? ryan (one of drew's band mates)
what is your favorite thing to learn at school? days of the week
what are you awesome at? the alligator chomp at baseball practice
where would you go if you could go anywhere? target
what is your favorite color? blue
when you grow up, what do you want to be? doctor
what is your favorite song? somebody that i used to know
what is your favorite book? star wars
when you were little, what did you do? suck on a bottle
what is your favorite season? spring
what is your favorite snack? fruit snacks
what is your favorite movie? star wars
what food do you not like? mushrooms
who is your best friend? Justin
if you had 1 wish, what would you wish for? a new dog
what is your favorite memory? my mama
what is your favorite holiday? 4th of July

my boys of summer

Tonight is Matthew's first baseball practice and probably the 100th for Drew. Baseball is such a fun and great experience here in Fishers and I can't wait to begin this with Matthew. Craig and I have met some great friends through baseball with Drew. Especially our friends the Lewis'....who love Dave Matthews Band even more than we do :) Pictures of Matthew's first practice coming soon!!

Our Easter

I may have had a little bit of a picture taking hangover from our family photo shoot the day before because I really didn't get too many pics of our day...but here are the highlights....

my sister amanda, helping the little ones sort out there hauls

my matthew cheesing for the camera

my niece june, probably her last time egg hunting

my anna

my nephew zeke....he was on a mission

My latest knitting project...

I have been struggling so much with my sore wrist...I have a cyst on my right wrist that is supposed to "go away on its own" but so far, it has not. I have good days and bad days....but I did get this knit up for my cousin Kayla's baby shower.....the pattern is The Gift Wrap Romper and you can find it here.... http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gift-wrap-romper--sweater. I used Vanna's Choice solids from JoAnn's with no short rows in the bum, because my cousin does not cloth diaper.

Simplify.

My theme of life right now. I have a knitting blog, a knitting site, a private journal, a personal blog......too much! I am hoping to combine everything here. Mostly a little corner of the world that will still be here when I am gone and my kiddos will have it.