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Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The Suburbs are Coming...
I had my monthly meeting with Julia's IEP team last week. (An IEP is an Individual Education Plan for children with disabilities). In case you aren't aware, Julia has a medical condition called hydrocephalus often commonly known as "water on the brain." She functions quite normally but has many learning complications that our public school system is trying to help her with. Everyone is very happy with how she is progressing, most of all her Mom and Dad.
But last week, her team suggested that Julia's wardrobe were more like the rest of the kids...... That she wears jeans instead of the comfy, warm knit pants that she likes and can easily get up and down independently in the bathroom...... That she wears cotton sweatshirts instead of the handknit and wool sweaters she wears for warmth and because she likes them...... That she have her hair in pigtails instead of down straight. I'm still trying to digest all of this advice. I know that the teachers only want her to fit in – to be just like everyone else.
Frankly, I am quite astounded that they find Julia's clothes to be a problem. She's ten for goodness sake. She is in fourth grade - she's not in middle school. For me, this was a sad statement about how "same same" America seems to be – even here in the supposed countryside where you would think people would be more willing to accept different kinds of people. I went to school for textiles and clothing and took several classes about the psychological and social implications of what one wears. I've heard it all and I guess I'm just not willing to cave in to what most people think you be doing. When Julia is ready to want to try to fit in, she'll figure it out for herself.
Julia is a quirky little, fun kid. Yes, she's a bit odd and maybe her disability sets her apart. But as Mum (my mom) says, Julia would be odd and quirky even if she didn't have hydrocephalus. She just is. And then there's her mom (that would be me writing this) and dad (The Farmer) -- they aren't exactly "fit into the mold" types either - never have been, never will be. We're odd too. And we found each other and we like our quirky ways. We're not a family like everyone else - nor do we want to be. Every family has their kinks and quirks - some just a little different than others. That's what makes life interesting - differences.
I'm finding that the longer I live here in what most people consider the country, the more it is the same as everywhere else in America. We are one of a handful of families in town who raise livestock. There is one surviving dairy farm and our sheep farm that are what I consider real livestock operations (both The Farmer and I do other things to make money besides our farm). There is a handful of old-time farmers still going strong - practicing the old country ways - but many of them have gotten rid of their livestock. The other people who live here all commute to other towns to work. Most of them have all moved here from somewhere else and have brought their American suburban expectations with them.
I find this frightening. I was at the school the other day and another mother asked me if our sheep had ever been attacked by a coyote. She didn't think it was possible. I just looked at her in disbelief that anyone could be so ignorant. Was she living in the same town as me? How could anyone live in the middle of woods and farmland not know about the all the stuff that happens within the natural ecosystem? How could she not know that those howling animals out there in her backyard need to eat? What do these people think they eat? Canned dog food. Oh my goodness. I left shaking my head in disbelief.....
There's a national magazine called Real Simple. It is full of pretty pictures – just the pictures that I should like - me being the visual person I am. I subscribed to it the first year it came out. I found it the silliest, most irrelevant publication for my life. Honestly – a whole article devoted to keychains and which is the best one to buy. Tell me, how is that simple? What's the matter with a free key ring.
Our life here is not simple. Everything is complicated. Walking out the door going to the car, it's a challenge to get there without being spattered with mud. Just the daily chores and expense of the farm animals is enough to make my head spin. But we choose to live this way. I cook from scratch, mostly. I haven't made a cake mix since I was a kid. I have never bought a pre-cut butternut squash or cabbage in my life. And thank goodness, I found a magazine I really had no need for, given my magazine fetish.
I like my life this way. Don't ask me to change. Don't ask me to put my kids hair in pigtails. Don't ask me to move the pile of mulch because you don't like where it got dumped. Honestly, just leave us alone to do our own thing. That's why we live here, practicing our country ways, whether they like it or not.
86 comments:
- Tana said...
That's ridiculous that the teachers actually wanted Julia to dress more like the other kids. I thought that's what we all fought against in school? They have rules about not having clothes with tags on them (designer brands) so those who can't afford the expensive brands aren't shunned. If it was bothering Julia and she wanted to dress differently, that would be one thing. But she should be able to dress however she wants as long as it meets the school dress code. Gracious!
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 11:06:00 AM EST
- Martha said...
Oh, Kristin. That is just awful! Stand your ground. No one knows your daughter better than you, and she is beautiful just the way she is. Her teachers should be encouraging her to be more independent, not more conformist. I believe this is an example of subtle prejudice, and I encourage you to smile politely and ignore every word of it. (P.S. Great sweater Julia's wearing!) Your family has made courageous choices; the school system should be ashamed.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 11:10:00 AM EST
- Ewe-niss said...
Well said.
The photo of Julia is just adorable! To be that happy and snuggling a kitty... I wish I could remember that feeling all of the time.
Wardrobe like the rest of the kids???? What she isn't showing her belly button? Or maybe she really needs pre-ripped jeans... My children have all been quirky. Wardrobe usually isn't what the other kids are wearing. My youngest LOVES her hand knits and wears them all the time. She especially loves that I knitted them for her. It makes her feel loved. My nieces have asked me when I will start knitting them sweaters. They constantly wear hats and mittens that I made them.
Trying to visually make a child fit in is silly. She is unique - let her be herself. We are such an image conscious society - bah! It is character and inner beauty that counts. ... and I know that you know that. :-)
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 11:14:00 AM EST
- duraknit said...
Kristin, I admire your restraint! Most likely you were just rendered speechless. This seems very, very wrong to me. And FYI, down here in suburban PA--an old one, just outside the city, but a suburb nonetheless--we still see a variety of hairstyles -- one ponytail, two pigtails, long and free, short with bangs. . . wow, that's getting really, really specific! And "everybody" wears sweatpants to school down here at least half the time. . . Sheesh! (My kid is 6th grade, by the way, so I'm close to the same page.) I think you need to go back to talk to them when you've cooled off. Of course you'd let her dress differently if that was her choice and her "farmgirl" style was causing her distress. . .
--Elizabeth D
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 11:15:00 AM EST
I have a brother with Down S.
I can tell you that they will
more than likely get more
cooporation from her if she
is in her own element... and
comfortable. Is she in public
school, regular classes?
I am sorry but what my mother
told the school is that no
matter what her son would not
fit in and that she has come
to turms with it, and that
he was happier comfortable.
I would ask her what she wants.
She counts doesnt she?
I would tell you what too,
those other kids parents did not
take hours to make their kids
lovely goods! Don't worry about
it! I bet that those teachers
dress their kids in cookie
cutter walmart clothing. I
think that the schools encourage
too much worry about things that
matter, right?
Rane and baby
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 11:17:00 AM EST
Hold strong! Julia's teachers sound like they want everybody in the school to dress the same - ridiculous! If she's happy wearing what she does, then they should let it go.
I also totally agree with you about Real Simple - I think it's written for people who have trouble making any kind of decision for themselves, probably because they've been conditioned by people like Julia's teachers to believe that there is always someone who knows better than you.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 11:25:00 AM EST
- Patricia said...
Did you explain that the sweaters were warmer for her and that you a designer in the fashion industry knit them? If Julia had input into the sweater colors and designs express that to the teacher. Tell them she is learning color coordination and yes her choices may seem different but artist around the world see thing and do things differently. Have them take a tour of a local arts college, Julia is tame.
Also tell them that you are using natural fibers that are grown here in the country (if they are) and you are supporting local farmers by doing this. Explain that we are inter-related and that while she may in the future dress like everyone else, she may not and you don't necessarily care. The fact that she progressed so far with love, great sweaters is a testament to the love you and hubby provide.
As far as the suburban thing. I was brought up and have always lived in the city. I am out in the country now. I am in fact learning about coyotes, foxes, why I can't have chickens and more. The nature shows don't explain what is going on, and there is a lack of information about living in the country. It is very different. These people don't have farms, probably large houses, and barely know where their food comes from. It is the nature of education and the dumbing down of our country. This economy and the dire straits that we are about to go through will in some part be the slam against the head that the American consumer/person needs. We will hopefully become more aware of the realities of other peoples lives as well as our own.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 11:33:00 AM EST
The IEP experience is not something I ever want to experience again. My son was born in 1979. He was born with Spina Bifida and hydrocephalus. I guess the IEP plan is a "good" thing but no matter how you cut it -- it is hard for the parent no matter what the team says or how they say it.
Charlotte in Missouri
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 11:42:00 AM EST
- Diane said...
Whew!~ I have a first-grade Julia who doesn't care what other kids wear. My standards for letting her out of the house: clean and seasonally appropriate (no bare legs in the winter). Beyond that, she picks out some wild print mixes and shocking color combos. I think kids should be comfortable and be able to engage in a little self-expression in clothes--it's one of the few things they can control a bit. And as mom, you know your daughter the best. And by the way, when did knit pants and sweaters be seen as weird?
Pigtails don't fit under hats very well. Just sayin'.
Re: Real Simple. Simple solutions usually don't involve buying one more thing. That was also my problem with it.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 11:46:00 AM EST
What I find shocking is the idea that the people who are supposed to be concentrating on her individualized education are instead hung up on externalities like clothes. Rather than argue the rights and wrongs of Julia's personal style, I would think you should try to keep them focused on the question, What does this have to do with her education? Unless her clothing is affecting her education in some way (like if the other kids are teasing her about it and she minds), then I would just keep reminding them that the school is supposed to be working on her education, not her fashion sense. "Socialization" is one of those weasel words that can mean everything or nothing, or, more likely, whatever the lazy evaluator feels like criticizing.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 11:56:00 AM EST
Your IEP entry is just heart breaking. Parents have so much to deal with just to get from one day to the next in the best way they can without being told that they are not dressing their child appropriately. Julia sounds happy, friendly and well adjusted so to what end should her clothing and hair style be changed? It would make more sense to concentrate on her educational plan. I admire the quirky child (and her parents) who wears what makes sense to her!
Thank you for keeping this journal. I'm glad that there are at least a few people who manage to live an inspirational life.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 12:05:00 PM EST
- Kate G. said...
Well-intentioned advice sometimes feels like a slap to the head, doesn't it? It strikes me that Julia is her own savvy stylist and a happy kid to boot. Having heard her radio clip I know she can speak her mind, too. She'll ask for a new hairstyle if she wants one.
Sometimes I worry that we've forgotten the simple fact that "to have a mind of one's own" is the most important goal of education.
Keep your chin up and your head high, Kirstin.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 12:19:00 PM EST
- Bonnie said...
Amen. I agree with you completely.
Julia--and everyone--should wear what makes them happy. Hair in particular is such a personal thing.
Why are they focusing on such shallow things? It's mind-boggling.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 12:20:00 PM EST
Kristin, please know that you are an inspiration for so many of us who admire the way you choose to live. When I grow up (I'm only 47 now) I want to be Kristin Nicholas. I learned to knit because I wanted to wear a Kristin Nicholas sweater from Classic Elite. I continue to knit because I want to wear a Kristin Nicholas sweater.
Whenever I read your tales of family life, I wish only that I had raised my children in a similar manner. Julia experiences all the joys and sorrows of life on your wonderful farm. Snuggling a kitten, yes, but losing Cora too. I think that, in many ways, Julia has lived more than my children who are now entering their twenties.
If your post weren't so upsetting to me, I would be truly smiling to imagine a meeting wherein someone tells Kristin Nicholas not to dress her beautiful daughter in so many hand knit sweaters. I'm smiling now! It's like telling the dentist not to have his child brush his teeth so much or telling the.....well, I'll be thinking of examples all day!
Thank you for being such an inspiration to us all in so many ways!
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 12:29:00 PM EST
- Julia said...
I can sympathize. We were often asked if we are becoming Amish because we choose to make our own food rather than run down to the local mart to get everything. We've moved to a smaller town and luckily, we appear to be more the "norm" here. Keep the faith!
As for Julia's providers, as an SLP turned SAHM, I'm shocked at what some therapists try to push thru. Just help the child- however that may be- don't insult or try to change the family. That's not the school's place. Good luck to you.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 12:42:00 PM EST
- Cheap Like Me said...
Ugh, what a symptom of our society. My daughter loves the comfy pants too. This morning I saw from the corner of my eye that she put on stylish jeans ... then took them off and changed into her comfy pants after all. I was pressured to fit in as a kid, so I bite my tongue and let my daughter be her.
My daughter goes to a private school for gifted kids. I heard that one of the after-school teachers told a friend that she loves to teach our kids because "they are pretty much all really dorky ... but they are so happy being their own dorky selves." Here's to letting 'em ALL be themselves, dorky or quirky or weird or whatever. Amen.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 12:45:00 PM EST
- CrazyAnn said...
Mainstream her education-maybe....Mainstream her personality-NEVER. My 2 grandaughters have always dressed to suit themselves and for 1 of them, comfort has always been the rule. One pre-school year she wore PJ's for several straight weeks. The other is a bit more fashion conscious but still refuses to wear anything that attracts too much attention, such as bare midriffs, ect. Making Julia dress in a way that is unfamiliar and uncomfortable will just set her back, both socially and educationally.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 12:50:00 PM EST
- Lora said...
I have to say that I am appalled for you. I would think the teachers would be happy to have a child that "goes her own way" when it comes to how she dresses. She dresses appropriately for her age and likes what she wears...I don't see the problem. And I agree with you on Real Simple. I used to subscribe to it as well and had to stop when it became too much. It continually astounds me the number of articles in magazines telling us how to do things that should just be "common sense". My mother and I just laugh at all these poor people who don't know how to pick a key chain. Oh, to have such troubles in my life!
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 12:55:00 PM EST
- Dibosai said...
That's just ridiculous. I have a son with Autism and how he dresses is the last thing on the educational team's mind. There are more important things to worry about than these kids clothes and hair. Stand firm and let her dress the way she likes!
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 1:00:00 PM EST
- Julie said...
What a great post...so well-said! Thanks to you and the Farmer and Julia for being models of inspiration and for helping to preserve the beautiful western Mass. countryside!
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 1:01:00 PM EST
- Diane said...
Diane at Peaceful Acres
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 1:17:00 PM EST
- Gwen said...
In the cities, coyotes eat cats and small dogs instead of sheep. And then there are the neighborhood feral cats - just yesterday I found evidence of a pigeon meal. But I suppose a whole lot of people don't want to pay attention.
Clothes! I'm impressed she dresses so much as herself. We could most of us do better with that.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 1:25:00 PM EST
- Leslie said...
OH-MY-GOSH! I was shocked when I read your post. If there's one thing I hate, it's when people say "stuff" about my kids. You should be very glad that everyone who responded here was not in the room with you. Imagine the fight!
OK, so maybe I'm a little protective of you because your life is what I truly wish MY life were. I grew up in a small RI town with a farmer for a grandfather and it was so awesome! We played in the vegetable crates and made our own fun, unlike the kids of today that have to be constantly entertained. Growing up, my three daughters had every single color hair under the sun and even shaved their heads when they wanted. They are now all confident young women in their 20's and I'm proud that they can be themselves.
Some day, I hope to retire on my small but easily manageable farm property back in my hometown with a few chickens, some alpacas for fiber and a nice big garden. Until then, I live vicariously through you.
And Julia ROCKS!!!! Tell her I said so.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 1:40:00 PM EST
- Leslie said...
I was a "charter subscriber" to "Real Simple" - for one whole year. Waste of money, waste of paper,waste of time.
Frankly, I would write the Director of Special Needs Education for whatever school district Julia is in and let them know how totally inappropriate those "suggestions" are. Unless Julia's being ostracized for her style the comments were unprofessional; since they didn't say she is being singled out for this what was the basis for their suggestion? I think some intervention from someone higher up the food chain is in order.
I could go on a whole diatribe about the beneficial aspects of being unlike everybody else. Instead I'll just remember Emily Dickinson's poem that ends "How dreary to be someone/ How public, like a frog/ To tell one's name the live-long day/ To an admiring bog"
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 1:48:00 PM EST
- Deborah Robson said...
Kristin, I have to comment. I usually just read.
When my daughter was 10, we had one of those conferences. It wasn't an official IEP yet; those came later. But it had the same feeling: father, stepmother, mother, the three grade-level teachers, all meeting in December to discuss what to do about this kid, my kid. She was given the option of being present, and chose to do so--the only non-adult in the room.
As we began to explore what the problem(s) might be, her classroom teacher, sitting in a chair right next to her, said. "She is a social zero."
Well, at that moment, I made up my mind that I was going to find another school for her, because this was only the cap on the experiences she'd been having, and yes, I was speechless, but the meeting continued with, "Well, what might change that?"
And the teacher suggested that she should call up her classmates in the evening and see what they were planning to wear to school the next day, and then make an effort to match whatever it was.
Give Julia a hug. Tell her she is, and looks, fantastic.
My daughter is now 27. She survived, in spite of the public school system. Although there were some dicey years, and that was one of them.
She still dresses the way she wants to, and that's a very, very good thing.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 1:53:00 PM EST
- anniejs said...
I'm not surprised by the wardrobe portion of the IEP. My sister had a similar conversation at her son's (my beloved only nephew) at at IEP two years ago. He has Aspberger's and a seizures. I understand where they are coming from but if one of the goals of the IEP is that he can dress himself, then let him wear the clothes that allow him to achieve that. For goodness sake, there are adults that wear elastic waist pants and velcro shoes. Grrrrrrr....
And I live in Oklahoma--I grew up here, moved away and came back. Imagine the questions I got from the East Coast friends when I told them I was moving back. They think I live in an enormous, vast, desolate wasteland.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 1:53:00 PM EST
- kicki said...
...and in our local waldorf school, kids should be dressed in naturally dyed, nature fibre clothes, should only play with uncoloured wooden blocks, and the teachers give "advice" on families' food habits if they think the kids eat too much "junk"...i.e. generally, to not fit in with the rest of London middle class society :)
Let's face it, a lot of people (and especially teachers :) just like to tell other people how to live their lives.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 1:56:00 PM EST
- Jez said...
I would like to give you a high five! Be true to yourself and don't allow them to indoctrinate your daughter!
::high five::
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 2:04:00 PM EST
I find the schools' suggestion quite upsetting and good for you for sticking to your guns. Life here in northern VT is still the way you describe, so take heart! I imagine some of the kids in Julia's school wish they had someone in their lives who would take the time to knit them a sweater. I've knit hats for my boys, and they wear them proudly to school, although they did balk at my suggestion to make some as gifts for their class exchange. Stand your ground and don't give in to the silly pressure to have your daughter conform to the ideas of what others think would help her 'fit in' better.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 2:09:00 PM EST
- Turtle said...
thats a great pic of julia! being a former teacher i am shocked that they actually said this to you.If Julia does not feel she has any issue over her wardrobe (or with other kids) ...well then. that answers that doesn't it. Just plain silly.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 2:11:00 PM EST
- Beth said...
Sad, sad, sad that our culture is becoming so innocuous, bland, ugly, and monotonous - like the endless suburbs. Your country life, your beautiful knitting, your love for your family and land and work are an inspiration to many, including this reluctant suburban dweller whose heart is elsewhere. We could all just become Real Simple/Walmart/Target/Home Depot/Starbucks folks but I hope we don't. I hope people like you hold out and keep reminding us of the wonder and complications of real life that is not quite so simple. I reckon those IEP teachers meant well, but you'd think they'd be a little more...hmmmm...aware that people are different and that's a good thing.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 2:21:00 PM EST
Unless Julia is being seriously ostracized for her choice in clothing and hairstyle, this is a NON-issue.
Julia is amazing. I'm so lucky to have met her in person. She's a lot stronger than people realize, and she is making her own statements about her independence and personality in her own way. Most kids don't do that with their clothing, so I give her extra cool points for being herself.
There are parents in this country that would give their eyeteeth to have a handknit Kristin Nicholas original to put on their kids...
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 2:49:00 PM EST
I re-read my earlier comment -- sounded like I agreed with the IEP -- to the contrary. I HATE the whole IEP process. . .Charlotte in Missouri
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 3:46:00 PM EST
- Megs said...
Wow. You guys are having a rough fall. I am so sorry. I know you need to maintain a good relationship with her team but I think you should be honest with them about how outrageous their suggestions are. She is adorable and her clothes are beautiful. Besides, if she is having a problem "fitting in" clothes and a new hairstyle aren't going to help. We've all been there and we all know that. The message they are sending ( that there is something wrong with the way she is/dresses/wears her hair) is really scary and offensive.
Good Luck.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 4:04:00 PM EST
- Andi said...
Pigtails? Seriously? Pigtails? If she is happy dressing the way she dresses, and if it helps her be more comfortable in the school setting and is not disruptive to the other children (she is not wearing blinking rudolph shirts from walmart for instance) why should it matter? And pigtails!??? So sorry you're having to deal with this.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 4:14:00 PM EST
let her dress the way she wants to. maybe ask her if she'd like some jeans or a sweatshirt the next time you go shopping. if not, don't worry about it. if she does, buy her one of each and let her mix them in when she wants to. once you have done this, you will have a proper and logical response the next time the suggestion is brought up.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 4:14:00 PM EST
- Sogalitno said...
at the risk of repeating what everyone else is saying - how appalling!
if J is not being ostracized - its really NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS. and if she is and they are not telling you but making this suggestion - that is poor communication anyway.
i can't imagine there are lots of public school choices - but have you considered alternatives - my sister has her son at the Rudolf Steiner school in Egremont - i don't know it it's too far but they are fabulous... and J would fit right in!
From what you reveal in your blog its obvious that you are raising J to be an independent bright person and anyone standing in that way should not be tolerated.
as others have said - i live vicariously thru your blog - only able to dream of the life you are living... know that many of us send you lots of love and good karma.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 4:27:00 PM EST
- Asaikyume said...
That's crazy! What kind of shallow people are those teachers?! She's a beautiful, lovely girl dressing in a way that makes her happy. The other kids should learn from her---and you know, I bet there are some who do. I **loved** seeing different clothes in school. I was depressed when everyone dressed the same.
Crazy, just crazy.
And I agree with you about Real Simple. Silly!
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 4:32:00 PM EST
- melissaknits said...
I am stunned. And not a small bit angry on Julia's behalf. This speaks directly to my decision to home school my kids. Conformity is the bane of my existence. It's not just about living 'country'. It's about living free and being who we were meant to be. The child should not have to suffer or alter who she is because her peers and their adults choose to conform to some irrelevant standard of dress and appearance.
And anyone who lives around here and hasn't heard that coyotes take livestock is living under some seriously big kind of rock.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 4:44:00 PM EST
- Heather L. said...
I'm sorry about the dress thing. How can Julia give up those beautiful, hand-knit sweaters!!!! If it isn't bothering Julia, then I don't know why she has to change.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 4:52:00 PM EST
Bravo, Kristin, for being outraged. Your daughter is clearly happy. The time may come someday that *she* wants to look like everybody else (a sad day) but until then, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
We're in the country, too, (no livestock yet) and I found Real Simple to be completely irrelevent. It looks like a giant catalogue.
I've been reading for more than a year now--I especially love your colors!
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 4:55:00 PM EST
Kristin, I am sooo sorry to hear that your daughter's school had the nerve to think that it was their business to tell you OR Julia how she should dress!! I am a counselor in a public elementary school and I continue to be amazed myself at how teachers and/or administrators think it is their business to tell folks how to raise their children...that somehow their opinions are more important than the parents' beliefs and values. It absolutely sickens me. The only reason I stay in public education is to be the voice for the child. And I don't think Julia is any more quirky than any other kid. She is just Julia. If we let every kid be who he or she wants to be, the whole school would be full of so called "quirky kids". I talk to kids all the time who wish their parents would let them make decisions for themselves about clothing and after-school activities. I'm also disappointed to think that someone would find a sweatshirt more appealing than the beautiful, amazing, handcrafted sweaters that Julia is so lucky to wear. Yay you for ignoring their foolishness!!!! Oh, and I completely agree with you about that magazine. Seriously?! I think it should be titled "Real Simple: The magazine for Folks Who Can't Think for Themselves." Keep being the wonderful mom and inspiring artist that you are. The world needs more folks like you, the Farmer and Julia!!
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 5:39:00 PM EST
- Jocelyn said...
All I can say is "yikes." As the parent of a petite middle-schooler, I can tell you that every child has clothing issues, but they are usually self-imposed (or parent-imposed). My daughter is dying to be like the other kids and go to trendy stores, but those clothes are just not designed for someone who is small for her age. She'd look ridiculous. I'm working hard to make her happy with clothes that fit her (and her style). The thought that Julia's school would tell her what she should be wearing is amazing. How is it possible that they don't have bigger things to worry about?
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 5:46:00 PM EST
Ack -- this is just insane. It's more like because Julia is creative and thinks out of the school box that they want her to mainstream her fashion? Crazy.
Sure it's hard to be the arty kid, not to mention the arty kid with a little attitude and a few developmental issues -- but cloning her into regular kids clothing is not going to change her look on life or what she enjoys.
How many kids think about writing plays and making up stories, etc.? She gets this all from you and The Farmer -- and is living a renaissance life in a Gen X or Y (whatever) world.
You and the Farmer are doing an amazing job making her a free-thinking creative soul that knows how to get her homework done. She is someone who knows enough to care about the fact that Eloise had to relocate when the Plaza was being refurbished.
She'll wear jeans when she decides they are for her. Same on her hair and all the other stuff. You'll have enough problems when she decides she wants to look like the girls in High School Musical in a few years.
Your mother, one of the wisest women I know, is right. And you know who would also have said no way to considering this, too.
This is definitely a glass of wine night. First Cora, now this.
Not to mention I have to cancel the Real Simple subscription I ordered for you.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 6:01:00 PM EST
- marit said...
I've said it before: Julia is a very lucky child to have you and the Farmer as her parents!!! I wish every parent out there would think and act like you do, and I hope that I am that kind of mother to my children.
Tell Julia she is a very special girl, and tell her I'm really sorry for Cora. We raise sheep ourselves, and I hate it when I find lambs that the fox or raven has taken, so I know exactly how she feels about it.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 6:26:00 PM EST
- Francie said...
something that hasn't been mentioned is the independence julia has from wearing knit pants. wearing jeans might mean who knows how many steps backwards if she can't get to the bathroom on time, has to have someone help her with the fasteners, kids noticing that and saying something, etc.
also sweaters knit and designed by her mom from yarn that's named after her? what a warm sense of love she must feel every time she gets dressed. i certainly don't get that from my commercially made clothing.
and my daughter would have had a fit if i tried to make her wear pigtails. she has always worn her hair straight.
letting her dress her own way IS giving her the independence that she may not have in other areas.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 6:26:00 PM EST
- knitting bean said...
If I hadn't broken my 'lurking' silence yesterday for your contest, I sure as heck would have broken it today! How dare the 'system' dictate how that adorable child should dress! I have two children - Rebecca is almost 21 and sort of a bohemian and Luke is 18 and a self proclaimed geek. Luke is still homeschooled and Rebecca graduated a couple of years ago. They just didn't fit into the 'system'. I spent my entire school life trying to fit in and they spent their entire public school lives trying to be themselves in a flood of conformists. They are definitiely individuals. Their individuality is charming - if I do say so myself! - and commented on frequently. Rebecca is a knitter who knows no bounds and would like to start her own design business. Luke would like to be an artist and creative writer. I hope they will both succeed. Nobody around here is going to be a rocket surgeon (that's what we call it - one more non conformist thing we do!) but if they are happy and do their jobs well, I can't ask for more! Luke looked at your daughter's picture after I read your blog to them. He said, "There's nothing wrong with the way that kid looks!" Here's a little side note - when Rebecca was invited to demonstrate spinning at the local elementary school's Olde Tyme Day, they asked her to wear pioneer garb. No way was she going to do what they asked! She wore her tie-dye t-shirt, jeans and her Elizabeth Zimmerman socks she had knit herself! That's my girl! Stick with Julia - she'll be fine. Or she could be like my six year old niece who asked for a midriff top and mini skirt because she wanted to look like a 'ho'. Gives you shivers, doesn't it????
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 7:47:00 PM EST
Bless you and Julia, your family and your wonderful,unique life. You all inspire me.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 7:48:00 PM EST
- Jennifer and Steve said...
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 7:52:00 PM EST
Everybody else said it...let Julia decide for herself. She can wear what she wants, when she wants to. If the other kids tease or whatever, and it bothers her, I'm sure she would say something to you. I always let my daughter choose what to wear...now she laughs and asks me "how could you let me out of the house like that?". My response is always, you were clean and covered, my two rules...the rest was up to you! Never forget that you know Julia best...no matter what the teachers think. :) Stick to your guns Kristin!
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 8:17:00 PM EST
- Penny said...
Oh Kristen, I'm so sorry that this has now leaked into elementary school... If Julia is happy with what she is wearing and the kids aren't picking on her good. If the kids *are* picking on her, then the school (imho) needs to address **THAT** not trying to have a bunch of cookie cutter gap-modeling blond hair blue eye.. er.. sorry 'bout that. {{hugs}}
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 8:44:00 PM EST
- Pungo River Days said...
I hope you print all these wonderful comments on your blog and take it to school with you. Someone at school doesn't know what they are talking about. Consider all of these comments as hugs and please sleep well. The whole world has not turned upside down. Just a portion of it. C.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 8:52:00 PM EST
I think you know your daughter better than anyone. Let her wear what she wants to wear. You are right to be your own self and to let your daughter be her own self. I was voted most non-conforming in my high school class. It's an honor I cherish today.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 9:20:00 PM EST
- Carolyn said...
I"m so, so sorry that your local school teachers are trying to mold cookie cutter children. Julia's lucky to have quirky parents who can encourage her to be her own truest self. If she's not aware of it now, I imagine that she will be most grateful to you down the road a bit when she's celebrating her own quirky nature. I love hearing about your country ways so I'm glad you're not about to give them up. And, I can't wait to see what you did with the sock yarn. Carolyn
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 9:27:00 PM EST
- ellen said...
I have written three letters and destroyed them all. I will have to think about how I want to address my anger for a family who lives a good and wonderful life, for a woman who creates such beauty and exquisiteness in her paintings, knit designs and her life, for a child who lives life to the fullest, for a family who embraces life and all of the good and sad parts that come with a life.
I have a VERY difficult time with the pretty people who move to the country, hold their noses because they can smell an animal....I need to stop before I go over the edge.
Please know that there are people out here who support and do understand what you are about..oh, my..best to you.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 9:32:00 PM EST
- Laritza said...
Wordless! I can't believe they would say that! Stick to your ways. Julia will have memories and live a life that no one else will. She is and will be a better person just because of that. Pigtails! yuck!
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 10:22:00 PM EST
- Knitlee said...
I find it outrageous that these comments were made to you. Wouldn't it be a nicer world if perhaps people were encouraged to be their true self. Wouldn't it be even that much better if we all learned to accept the differences in children as well as adults. I wonder what it would be like to live in a time when instead of teachers talking to you about making changes to have Julia fit in, teachers were encouraging children to embrace what makes them unique. My heart is sad after reading this post. I sometimes wish the world was a bit more gentle. Here's to hand knit sweaters that make you feel warm, inside and out. (Maybe those teachers never had anyone hand knit one for them)
- Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 11:04:00 PM EST
- Rebecca said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 2:03:00 AM EST
- Suzanne said...
To say that I'm appalled is an understatement. Julia is beautiful just the way God made her!!!! God gave her her personality, who are they to change it to fit into some mold created by man!! Can we say "Stepford!!" I don't have a special needs child, but I have had issues through the years with the school system. Much with the same flavor as yours. I choose to homeschool two of my children for different periods of time. They are back in the public school, but are the stronger and are thriving. You tell them that when they start dressing like Julia, then maybe you'll listen! :)
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 6:44:00 AM EST
- bensedin art said...
Kristin, you are very brave and strong woman!
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 7:38:00 AM EST
- Mama Urchin said...
My daughter dresses in handmade too and likes looking different. I bet Julia does too. I do understand the perspective though that with her disability it makes her even more different. The only thing is I don't really see a problem with that. Have you asked Julia if she likes her clothes? Maybe make sure she has a pair of jeans in her drawer and see if she ever picks them. The thing that bothers me the most is that if she were a boy they probably wouldn't have said anything about her wardrobe.
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 8:17:00 AM EST
- thecrazysheeplady said...
Here's the thing, looking back at any of our childhoods, even the trendiest, most popular kids look at old school pictures of themselves and say "I can't believe I wore that or looked like that or check out my hair! (groan)".
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 8:33:00 AM EST
- PG said...
Can you hear that? It is the sound of me simultaneously banging my head on the table in despair and cheering your courageous attitude.
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 8:58:00 AM EST
- KPiep said...
Gracious. I would like to say taht I'm surprised - but I'm not terribly.
I will say that we noticed our oldest started to feel a bit of pressure to fit in last year - at 5 - in her preschool class. We allowed her to cut her hair like all of the other girls, and then started to do whatever we could to encourage her to be herself.
Now she wears whatever creative combo she wants to school, and I never say a word. I know a lot of other moms who would never let their child out of the house in some of the outfits we've seen...but as far as I'm concerned she's gorgeous just as she wants to be.
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 9:08:00 AM EST
- Meg McElwee said...
Being a Montessori teacher, and having taken "Special Education" classes for my Master's degree, I can tell you that the IEP can be pretty shady. Well intentioned, perhaps, but not necessarily well conceived of or implemented in individual cases.
Of course, being a radical educator, I'm not too fond of traditional education in the first place and the homogenization of personality, behavior, and "knowledge" that it actively seeks to create. I wonder if there is Montessori, Waldorf, or other alternative schooling in your area where Julia's wonderful differences would be honored and embraced? I was lucky enough to teach in a Montessori school in rural Mexico where we had impoverished indigenous children, children with cancer, children from broken homes, and children from more wealthy families all together, learning to respect and honor each other's difficulties and strengths. No one had an IEP, because in our view, education should always be individualized and respectful of the person. :)
Again, this could just be an isolated case of kooky IEP team. In which case, I think you should let them hear your logic! Only Julia's family and Julia know what's best for Julia!
Know that there are many, many people out there (myself included) who applaud individuality. You aren't alone!
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 9:32:00 AM EST
- Hilary said...
I can only echo everyone else to say you are an awesome mother and Julia is an awesome child just the way she is. My mothering mantra is to let the child lead the way she wants to go, and guide her along/protect her as she explores life. I have two young daughters and I pray they retain their individuality no matter what peer pressure comes their way. I know I did, and I am so glad my mother let me be quirky and homespun and myself. I am wiser and stronger because of it.
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 10:22:00 AM EST
- Bridget said...
One of the things I love about the blogosphere is connecting with others who think like you. I'm not the only one that likes handmade and chooses to opt out of the frenetic consumerism and purposely chooses a more simple life that doesn't require both parents to work 80 hour weeks and never see our kids! Quirky and unique and not afraid of a little mud and guts has a proud American tradition!
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 10:26:00 AM EST
- Elizabeth said...
The IEP process can be utterly baffling--and you wonder sometimes if they are even talking about your child. If Julia is comfortable in the clothes she wears--then that is all that matters. I think it speaks more of her teacher than the possibility that Julia doesn't "fit in." As for those people who don't get the natural world, I was raised on a farm and my husband is straight out of the city. He thought lettuce grew underground. I just wonder at the disconnect this causes, and the problems that come of being a society so distant from the source of our sustenance. And I don't mean Safeway.
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 10:51:00 AM EST
- josyknits said...
Sing it, Sister!
The other commenters have said it, you've said it, I agree with it. I understand the IEP's motive, wanting her to fit in, but do we want a generation of little Stepford Children? Individuality is to be celebrated.
And Farming. I SO appreciate your chronicle of farming life. We have many of the same issues. There was recently a survey of our township and one of the questions dealt with whether or not property owners should be allowed to farm. My husband, bless him, answered yes with the note, "Do you want to eat?"
Keep plugging away and know that there are many of us farmers out there. Working second jobs to support our habit, dealing with ignorant neighbors, trying to live our very satisfying lives.
And it's nice to know I'm not the only one who doesn't think Real Simple is real. Or simple.
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 11:05:00 AM EST
- Deborah said...
Julia is blessed to have parents that love her and provide such a wonderful environment for her to grow, and you are blessed with a delightful girl.
When our son was six, we lived in a lovely planned community. I won't go into detail, but I KNOW how you feel! When our son entered fourth grade, we relocated to another part of the country and I was quite relieved. We have some good memories and friends from our time in (?), but I know we made a good decision to move. Our little guy is now 18 and in college. We couldn't be prouder! Everything we experience in life--good or bad--makes us who we are. No regrets...
PS I like free keychains, too!
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 11:36:00 AM EST
- ColorJoy LynnH said...
Wow. I am speechless.
I remember in my suburban high school (mid-70's), people around me would make fun of those kids who KNEW WHO THEY WERE and thus wore things and acted in ways that the crowd didn't. I'm still ashamed that I went along with those discussions (I'm glad I can say I did not start the topic, at least).
And now as an adult, I wish I could re-connect with those kids I once did not defend. They were the real leaders, they plowed ahead and ignored the style of the masses.
What to say to "helpers" who want you to change the appearance of the kid who is inside the clothes they don't like? I thought it was the child they were concerned with? Not fashion? That's where speechless comes in.
I hang out with preteen girls. I tell them that other kids make fun because they are insecure, and want everyone to match so that they can feel acceptable.
So we have talks about figuring out what you personally like and don't like, and then sticking to your guns, being your own true self. And it helps these girls.
Julia doesn't need help figuring out who she is. I am at a loss about what one could say to an ADULT who is doing the conformity thing, "on behalf of" a child who is happily different.
Ugh. At least you realize it's nonsense.
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 12:11:00 PM EST
I have 5 very wonderful quirky children. They are as follows: a hardcore backpacking, blue grass loving nurse; a business studying, techno geek; a just graduated music/sociology major who doesn't like to conform to the norm; a food sustainably studying baker who thinks the more out of the norm the better; and a science & math geek who thinks being a geek is a wonderful thing. Celebrate your family's unique differences.
We grow most of out produce, cook & bake from scratch and enjoy being who we are. That is the most precious gift that you can give your daughter.
p.s. I have been reading your newsletter for months now and never commented to a post, but this one made me sad and angry that someone was trying to force you to make your daughter into someone she isn't.
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 1:07:00 PM EST
- turtlewoman said...
I'm a 4th grade teacher. I cannot imagine suggesting to my parents to change their childrens' wardrobes so the children will fit in "better". Unfortunately I don't have to make such a suggestion even if I wanted to (which I never would). The school, with parents approval, voted to go with uniforms. Now all the kids look alike whether they want to or not and most of them hate the uniforms.
I also cannot imagine asking the mother who just happens to be one of the world's most famous designers/knitters to send her child to school in sweatshirts instead of the lovely homemade knit sweaters she already wears.
I agree completely - we have become a world of homogenized people. I call us the "Stepford People" because so many of us act like robots and do whatever everybody else does.
Coyotes: we live in the rural SW Sonoran Desert. I love to hear the sound of the coyotes howling at night - talking to each other. Sometimes they come right up to the fenced in area we use to keep our 2 dogs home and safe. The coyotes howl and the dogs howl back. Quite a chorus at 3:00 a.m. :-D I would be most distraught if a coyote ate one of my sheep (if I had any sheep) but -like you said - coyotes need to eat too and they do not discern between sheep owned by people or jack rabbits. They just go after what they can get.
Good luck with your coyotes and with those teachers (just ignore the teacher:).
Lindy in AZ
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 2:03:00 PM EST
- Mrs. Staggs said...
I love reading about your life and especially about Miss Julia who is charming and makes me smile with her sense of humor and outgoing ways. It makes me sad that anyone would try to change her in a way that might make her feel that anything at all is "wrong" about her. I think she's perfectly, Julia.
I also would like to add to the appreciation that has been expressed for your wonderful blog, Kristen. I appreciate your lovely writing, your art, and photography. Most of all, I appreciate the authenticity I feel here.
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 4:01:00 PM EST
Late to the party here, but I sit in IEPs all week as part of an inclusion model school. I was a bit surprised by their advice, because we usually have to go in the opposite direction - wear clothes that can get dirty! wear shoes and bottoms that are easy on easy off! Please send in warm clothes because WE GO OUTSIDE! Leave those designer duds at home!
At first I was saddened by your experience, but then I thought about how much we care about our kids and their families, and I don't think we are unique in that respect. I am sure they were trying to do their best by your daughter. You have to take what is useful and discard the rest. As long as she is doing well and you feel that she is cherished, than chalk this "advice" up to a diversity in child rearing...
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 8:17:00 PM EST
Wow, I'm amazed. Given everything Julia's been through, I can't believe her clothing is even a topic. They should spend a day at the Floating and they might be ashamed at what they choose to focus on.
-- Grace in MA
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 9:26:00 PM EST
- Kar said...
Kristin stand your ground and let Julia wear what she wants. It's not like she is dressing like an adult. That and many other reasons is what made my husband and I take our kids out of public school and keep them home to home school. Julia is a beautiful little girl and she should be able to wear all of the beautiful, wonderful things that you make her. I will bet you anything that some of the other kids are jealous and they feel bad that they don't have the awesome clothes Julia has. I make a lot of my girls sweaters, hats, mittens, etc. and I do remember having the kids in their classes come up to me (while volunteering at school) and ask if I could make them some nice things or show their moms how to. I even had one of the moms tell me one day that I was a show off and I was making the rest of them look bad. I don't care. My children are more important to me than hanging out at the local coffee shop gossiping and mean towards others.
I can tell you that just by looking at all the wonderful pictures of Julia that she is one happy little girl who loves what her ingenious, talented Mom makes her. If she didn't like it, she wouldn't wear it. Just take what that IEP team said go in one ear and out the other. What they don't understand is the whole problem with kids is they are all trying to be like some one else and they need to be their own person. As long as you don't have 6 year olds dressing like 30 year olds (which too many in public schools do) they are dressed appropriately and they are happy and comfortable, leave them alone. It is coments such as what you were told that starts children feeling bad about themselves when they should not.
I'll stop. But stand your ground Kristin! If you were to ever had conformed to the normal, none of us would have the absolute pleasure of experiencing your awesome, wonderful, beautiful creations. Keep up the fabulous work!
Your big fan!
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 10:10:00 PM EST
- Alice ~ Folk Art Primitives said...
Oh, Kristin ~ my biggest fear ever since I was a kid (and I'm far past that) is that I would be like everybody else!! If you've got a happy kid ~ be so grateful!! I'm sure the teachers meant well ~ but being an individual is such a gift!! I have a Downs Syndrome son so I know what living with disabilities is all about and he is very much an individual!! Through the years, people have tried to tell my what is best for him ~ not many but some ~ and my thought is when they've walked our walk, then tell me ~ until then, we'll continue to do the best we can. And by the way, I would love to have a wardrobe of beautiful hand knit sweaters ~ and I bet those teachers would, too! Hang in there, Mother ~
- Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 11:01:00 PM EST
- debolsillo said...
Dear Kristin we live so far away, but I want tell you that "want that everyone is =" isn't an "american thing". Humankind is like this, but the people that is different is the people who brings light and fun to the rest. When I was 15yo we count in a class on 22 people 17 with dressed the same: jeans and a blue sweater (brioche stitch commmercial, brand "privata" or immitations of it).
Julia's clothes are beautiful, I always think that her sweaters are gorgeous, and if she like it I think that you are doing it well.
- Friday, December 12, 2008 at 4:23:00 AM EST
- bwilliams said...
As an educator who works daily to fulfill the IEP requirements of students in my Visual Arts classes, I can say firsthand that IEP's are a vital part of a Special Needs students education process. Also, having set in on many,many IEP conferences, both with my severely visually handicapped son and with my students, I will also say that the conference is designed to allow student, parent, and school to get on the same page regarding the students learning, developmental, and social needs. As for the dress issue, maybe you should conference again with the team and ask them to explain themselves. Come right out and tell them that you have a problem with their comments and ask them why they made them. It could be that some of the other children make rude remarks, I hope not, but children (unfortunately like their parents) learn to be very judgemental about people who are different than themselves. I have a problem with the idea of teachers trying to fit everyone into a mold that fits society's idea of normal. If everyone looked thought acted alike what a dull world we would live in. Thank God for people who don't fit in like Einstein, da Vinci, van Gogh, Galileo.... and thank God for parents who allow their children some creative freedom, who don't force them to be little miniature versions of Mommy and Daddy. I guess I have always been considered a little odd by my peers, but I have never lacked for friendly companionship and I am one of the few people I know (excepting my daughter) who is truly comfortable in my own skin. As I write this, I am sitting at my classroom computer on a school day (planning period) in jeans, cowboy boots, a handknit sweater and scarf, pearl earrings and my hair in PIGTAILS. Do I look like a cookie cutter teacher? NO. Do I care? NO. Does my principal care? Not really, I do my job well...the kids learn that creativity is a part of every facet of our life. I am very happily married to the same guy for 34 years, don't watch TV, knit, spin, paint, draw...I am very differet from most people they know and from my life they also learn that we do not have to fit in to feel good about who we are. These are the things you and you husband are teaching your daughter as well. They are some of the most important lessons she will ever learn. Most of the important things in life are learned at home anyway, not at school. The problem is too many parents are not teaching those things, but that's another soapbox.
- Friday, December 12, 2008 at 8:58:00 AM EST
- Connie said...
You tell 'em! I'm with you on leaving Julia to stay Julia quirky and all. Like you said when she's ready to look like everyone else she will, and who knows she just may never want to! I wanted to let you know the Cora story brought me to tears, right at work! But you're right she'll have her memories of the dear ewe and a new one will be there for her to love soon enough.
Also, hang in there, you're chosen lifestyle is a tough one, I give you a lot of credit.
- Friday, December 12, 2008 at 10:19:00 AM EST
- Kieren said...
Amen to you!
I bought Real Simple mag once, and thought it was ridiculous, too.
...I live in a big city, teach art to 5th-8th grade kids (they all make it through one way or another, and find friends who share their interests) and have raised my 2 quirky kids to march to their own tune. They do, and are both happy, well-adjusted and interesting people.Both met their best friends in 1st grade, and are still good friends today with those same kids (now 14 and 17 yrs old).IF it is important to JULIA to fit in, then you will help her do it, but if she is happy as she is, then leave well enough alone. She sounds just fine to me.At my school, some kids try to fit in, and are usually not happy. Once they start being true to themselves, they do just fine.There is a place in the world for everyone!
- Friday, December 12, 2008 at 8:22:00 PM EST
- Dolly said...
As a retired educator, I believe that when a child like Julia comes into the world an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself. It comes in what we learn from the child and how we treat the child.
Society should be judged by how we treat the young, the aged, and those with special needs.
Children learn to be loving, respectful, and creative by being treated with unconditional love, respect, and by being allowed to the creative in what they make and wear.
Unfortunately some who work with our children have yet to learn what's really important. Julia is lucky to have you as her mother. Your influence will overshadow outside negative ones.
- Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 10:04:00 AM EST
- Renna said...
I'm not sure if I've ever visited your blog or not, but I somehow landed here tonight. I'm sitting here shaking my head, completely appalled at your daughter's team of educators who want to mold her into being just like everyone else. I homeschooled my daughter. I realize that is not an option, or preference, for everyone, but I love that it allowed my daughter to walk to the beat of her own drum. Whether a child has special needs or not, to want to squish a child into a cookie cutter mold of every other child is just wrong!
PS-Oh, and I do like your blog! :-)
- Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 9:51:00 PM EST
- Rachel said...
I've come across your blog tonight, after having heard your interview on craftsanity.
I really support you in raising your daughter to be a free-living individual...in her mama's handknits, no less! (maybe they're just jealous...if you knit one for everyone in the class...).
But really, I recently moved from northern California to southern Minnesota and find my values challenged on a daily basis. How much more important it is to stick with our values when we aren't in homogenous company. How much more valuable this spark of love, and light, and handcraft is. People think I'm crazy to shop at the farmer's market and local co-op because the prices are so much better at the whatever food outlet down the road, but these same people have no problem going to walmart and buying stuff noone needs anyway.
Best of luck on your journey...though I don't even think you need it.
- Monday, December 15, 2008 at 10:41:00 PM EST
I am going to be the exception here but I feel that I must post this because of what I experienced and witnessed as a child. Perhaps it was not their intent to "mold" Julia to be just like the others but to instead help her fit in better. For instance, I often wonder why the parents of children with downs syndrome cut their children's hair straight across their forehead or even worse, crooked. Children have to face so much ridicule just through common peer pressure, never mind if they are faced with a disability on top of it. It is nice that as an adult you feel fine carving your own niche and being different... but perhaps a bit of "normalcy" will help Julia get through the day without being picked on. Children have enough to worry about without the fear of going to school and getting picked on for a bad haircut or different clothes.
Maybe that is what those educators were trying to tell you? She is getting picked on? I don't think a sweatshirt is caving... it's helping her get through childhood emotionally in tact... or at least as much as anyone can hope to be.
- Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 8:32:00 PM EST


text:
|World Water Day
Make A Difference
Did you know that there are 7 billion people on the planet and another 2 billion are expected to join by 2050. Statistics say that each of us drinks from 2 to 4 litres of water every day, however most of the water we 'drink' is embedded in the food we eat: producing 1 kilo of beef for example consumes 15,000 litres of water while 1 kilo of wheat 'drinks up' 1,500 litres.'' - according to the World Water Day Organization.
Tune in to the today to the - Live Webcast of the Official World Water Day 2012 ceremony from FAO Headquarters in Rome!
Watch the webcast (9.30am-12.30pm GMT+ on 22 March).
|Water Conservation
- Join the World Water Network, by clicking here.
- Donate to The Water Project or Act and get your School Involved.
- Act locally and join the Indoor Water Conservation Movement

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Travel & Landscape Photography from over 90 countries of the world
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
245 / 300
Europe - Croatia - Dubrovnik - Pearl of the Adriatic - Old Mediterranean city on the Adriatic Sea coast in the extreme south of Croatia - UNESCO World Heritage Site - Moon Rise over Rocky Shore during Twilight - Dusk - Dawn - Blue Hour - Night
CroatiaCroatianHrvatskaRepublic of CroatiaRepublika HrvatskaChorvatskoEuropeEUCentral EuropeSoutheast EuropeMediterraneanAdriatic Sea coast


text:
Get ready all you Maison Martin Margiela fans. The Fashion giant H&M will begin selling the items from its collaboration with Maison Martin Margiela on November 15th, 2012. The collection features long skirts, oversized coats, boyfriend jeans and dresses with asymmetrical hems.
Check out the line at fashionologie or fashionmagazine
Target is also known for its fabulous collaborations. Next month Target will debut the pieces from its collaboration with Neiman Marcus. I can't wait to see the clothing.


text:
The Brides iphone app is sweet and free too bad it was not around last year when I was spending countless hours looking for my wedding dress and the bridesmaid dresses. Check it out ladies, it is awesome!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Westside Wedding iPhone Apps: Brides Iphone App FREE
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text:
I just finished piecing another Disappearing 9-Patch in fall colors. The photo doesn't show the lovely fabrics to their advantage. Many of them have metallic accents and they are very rich-looking. The colors go so perfectly in my family room that this might just be a quilt I keep for myself. The quilt is shown at the right, without the border.
It's an easy pattern to make, without a lot of seams to match. I love using precuts, and this pattern uses 5" charm squares… perfect!
Nine charms are joined together in three rows of three each. The four corners will not be cut, so it is a wonderful way to use pretty prints that you want to showcase.
It is effective to use the same square in the center of the 9-patch unit, but not mandatory. The photo at the left shows the three rows of charm squares, before they are joined into a block.
When the nine pieces have been joined, they are cut across the center vertically and horizontally, and the 9-patch disappears! See the photo below left, showing how the block is cut. The cut block is pictured on the right below.
The four cut units are joined with the centers diagonally across from each other in the finished block. It's a fast, scrappy quilt, and fun to make in different color combinations.


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Sunday, February 5, 2012
Flora Domenica
10 comments:
- joanna said...
i love paco. i love neon green. i love flowers. xoxo
- February 5, 2012 at 5:36 PM
- Ellen said...
I just got a La Trop in the cognac - love it. Today I saw this pochette on Of a Kind and snatched it up. I also have the wallet clutch in patent green - my collection of CV is growing!
- February 5, 2012 at 5:44 PM
- Kara Athena said...
I just read the Of a Kind write up, and saw that it said you had lived in Indiana at one point... Can I be nosy and ask where in Indiana? Just curious!
- February 5, 2012 at 6:41 PM
- Emily said...
STUNNING. I just grabbed one... against my (husband's) better judgement. So excited!!
- February 5, 2012 at 8:52 PM
- Heath said...
Love your loafers! I've been looking for the perfect pair...Who makes yours?
- February 6, 2012 at 6:17 AM
- Vivier said...
Heath, they are Repetto, and the perfect color of Oxblood. Kara, I was born in Marion, Indiana - as were both of my parents. We moved to MN when I was 2 but spent many summers there with family. You?
- February 6, 2012 at 6:51 AM
Very pretty yellow RANUNCULAS- not poppies are your state flower:)
- February 6, 2012 at 8:05 AM
- Megan Taylor said...
Can't wait to see Chez Vivs on Apartment Therapy! xo
- February 6, 2012 at 9:33 AM
- Heather Taylor said...
- February 6, 2012 at 10:41 AM
- sara.ann said...
those neon jeans are amazing! must get myself into some to welcome the eventual spring!
- February 6, 2012 at 11:50 AM


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My wife wanted me to mention a book that we came across a while back. Even though my wife comes from a spiritual background and I from a scientific background, we both found it an interesting read.
Doreen Virtue has written many books on the subject of numbers.
I found it interesting and upbeat. It also touches on many other numbers and gives a different perspective if your coming from the religious side of things. PS: she says nothing about the end of the world when it comes to the number 44.


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How many times have you talked to yourself in the mirror, impassioned or angry, about something: fine tuning or practising a speech, an argument? How many times have we addressed an empty chair, for one reason or another? I know I have, as a drama student in college, an angry wife or a waiting mother.
So today I have written a piece about just one of those circumstances. It is up to you why she is kneeling before the chair; you write the end...
|Happy Again
J S Morbius: http://morbiussworld.blogspot.co.uk/
Naomi Shaw: www.authornaomishaw.com
J.P. Stevens: http://jp-stevens.blogspot.co.uk
Doris O'Connor: http://thetardisscribbles.blogspot.co.uk/
Raven McAllan: http://ravenmcallan.blogspot.com
Michaela Rhua: http://michaelarhuaauthor.blogspot.co.uk/
AuroraRose Andromeda: http://rollingmuseintheroses.blogspot.com/
Leann Mitchell: http://leannmitchell.blogspot.com/
Davee Jones: http://finless.blogspot.com/
Sherri Hayes: http://sherri-hayes.blogspot.com/


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Alongside the glamour boutiques and dining in Harajuku is the "Daiso Harajuku" otherwise known as the 100 yen Shop. Take a look of it from Takeshita dori, Harajuku's busy pedestrian mall, Daiso looks like a big pharmacy, full of cosmetics and toiletries.
But if you take a look around inside you'll see that there are 3 more floors: a basement full of kitchenware, and a huge range of stationary, homewares and electrical accessories upstairs. Browsing through, it seems like a regular variety store, until you notice that everything is priced at just 105 yen.
Daiso is a 100 Yen store right in the heart of Takeshita dori in Harajuku, located only a few steps from Harajuku Station along Takeshita Dori. It is only one minute walk from JR Harajuku Station (Takeshita-guchi Exit). While Japan's largest 100 Yen shop, Daiso Giga Machida, spans 5 floors in front of Machida Station (30 minutes, 360 Yen from Shinjuku by Odakyu Railways). Daiso Harajuku is one of the largest 100 Yen stores in central Tokyo offering a wide array of goods on multiple floors at 105 Yen per item (105 yen incl. tax) - sometimes 99 yen.
The products amount here is around 90,000. It sells almost all original products developed by Daiso. Daiso provide the following living wares. - Stationeries - Foods and beverages - CD and Books - Interior goods - Cosmetics - Gardening utensil - Kitchen utensil - Plastic goods You can find a lot interesting goods for your daily necessities or souvenirs. Daiso Harajuku probably the biggest store of Daiso. Large stores in other cities include: Daiso Sapporo Chuo (South 2 West 2, Odori Station), Daiso Nagoya Sakae Skyle (Sakae Station), Daiso Osaka Nihonbashi (Nihonbashi Station), Daiso Kobe Promena (Promena Kobe, Kobe Station) and Daiso Fukuoka Kotsu Center (Fukuoka Kotsu Center, Hakata Station).
100 yen stores are enhancing their status in the retail industry to rank alongside department stores, supermarkets and convenience stores. Dozens or perhaps hundreds or even thousands of these often small (a few are multi-storey complexes with the look and stock of department stores) dot the landscape. Daiso, one of the bigger operators, runs more than two thousand stores across Japan. Japan's biggest 100 Yen, or "dollar" shop, Daiso Giga Machida, covers 5 floors of Machida Station. According to published sources, by "purchasing products in huge quantities and at big discounts from countries with low production and labor costs," these commonly available, usually small shops bring a broad range of products to consumers. The 100 (or 99) yen shops are great for shopping for basics while you travel, or for rooting out all kinds of interesting knick-knacks to tote home as gifts.
Daiso is a major player in the 100 Yen chain store located all over Japan commonly known as "hyakkin". Daiso store is ranging in size from multi-storey "department stores" to small corners in shopping malls. Some are as large as 5 floors high. Imagine four floors of items from food to stationary, pet stuff, kitchen and bath goods, and even some clothes that are ALL 100 yen each. And it's decent stuff. Daiso has expanded its product lines and number of stores on such a scale that it can no longer be categorized solely as a 100 yen stores. It is now so well established as part of everyday life that it has become the destination of choice for the purchase of daily commodities.
Daiso apparently can sell items cheap because they get things in bulk. They also have companies in China make a lot of the make up and other items that they then sell as Daiso products. Almost everything is for sale for the basic fee plus a small consumption tax, which means these are the dollar stores of Asia. Harajuku branch is a great introduction to the 100 yen shopping experience, it is not the biggest in Tokyo, but it is the most conveniently located of the big 100 yen stores, as it is in an area that visitors would most likely want to visit anyway. There was a news that Daiso recently went international with a store in Vancouver. In the year ended March 2005, Daiso sales exceeded 320 billion yen and our network of shops across Japan numbered over 2,400. The number of stores is growing at a rate of 20 to 30 stores a month and our overseas network is also increasing at a rapid pace. Daiso pursues an aggressive expansion policy.
Best Information about Harajuku.


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I'm Focused, Man!!!
Yesterday, Rod and I were supposed to get some additional sound for the short The Survivor. It didn't happen. Rod and I got some grub, and I wound up on the U of M campus. I checked my e-mail courtesy of my former coworkers at Ned McWherter Library. I cut through the Theatre Building and ran into my good buddy Aaron Jones (Third Wheel Date, PA Pretender). We chit-chatted about the highs and lows of acting and the tiring hours. Aaron's primarily theater, and I'm indie film, but we drew several parallels. We also talked about the frustration of being ashamed to perform or watch some of our material in front of our family. I understand the need for edgy material, but could somebody write a family-oriented indie film? Please? I may have to. He has some idea for shorts; I DEFINITELY have some ideas for short films. Hopefully, we can work together. I appreciate having peers that I can talk to about this crazy business. I just want to get better and continue to get better roles. I am also going to have to get focused and start writing my concepts and ideas out. I know Rod Pitts will assist me. It's just time to make it happen. Be easy, readers.


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I am pleased to announce that I now have a Soceity6 page where you can buy some of my art! :D I'll be posting up more paintings in the future, but for now I have Tiger Unicorn, The Demon of Cat Mountain, Rainbow Tree, and a painting I made exclusively for creating my shop. It's called Land of the Dead--check it out in the store! Here's a preview of it:
Hopefully it's not what you're expecting... ;)


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Fallin' Down is a single by Musuka-P. It contains 2 tracks, 1 sung by 7 Kagamine Len's tuned by 7 different producers. It was released during the Kagamine Rin/Len Festival'12 celebration on KARENT.
The official album website is available here. A short preview of the song can be heard here as well.
The single is purchasable on iTunes and Amazon.


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The AP is reporting that "the Senate drove a stake Thursday through President Bush's plan to legalize millions of unlawful immigrants, likely postponing major action on immigration until after the 2008 elections." Charles Babington writes that
The bill's supporters fell 14 votes short of the 60 needed to limit debate and clear the way for final passage of the legislation, which critics assailed as offering amnesty to illegal immigrants. The vote was 46 to 53 in favor of limiting the debate.This means the President's legacy of legislative accomplishments will be limited to first term tax cuts. Of course, his string of Presidential failures is legendary.
Senators in both parties said the issue is so volatile that Congress is highly unlikely to revisit it this fall or next year, when the presidential election will increasingly dominate American politics.


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I was once again attacked by a tumbleweed. I'm starting to get some kind of a complex. Every time I visit New Mexico, do I have to get waylaid by another rolling bush? What is it about that state anyway? At one point, Kathy said to me, "You do realize that you were just attacked by a tumbleweed, don't you?"
"Yes, yes, I do," I replied. "It's probably the same one too. Just migrated south for the season and was all happy to see me again. 'Look! Here she is. She's back and I love her-let's cling!' Oh great. I have a stalker tumbleweed." (Of course, that's probably what Nicolas Cage might say about this point, but, hey, at least now I know how it feels. It's never too late to spread the love and all.)
El Paso drivers are insane, but you can get drunk as hell on margaritas in the airport, while waiting for your plane, which has been delayed for hours. Not like I would know or anything (Ok, so maybe I would.)
My rental car was that marvel of Korean engineering-the Hyundai Elantra. What a rice eating bucket of bolts if I ever drove one. (The oil light came on in less than 100 miles.) It almost made my "luxuriuos" Crapanese hatchback seem posh and sturdy. (Hey, I do have a sliding tray/cup holder thing. That's the "luxury," now stop playing with it before you break it.)
The rental car company gave me no less than 6 (count 'em, 6!) keys too, by the way. I don't know why, seeing as nobody in their right mind would actually want one of these Korean crap buckets but, hey, I had no less than six keys to protect me from those big, bad, wild free roaming Korean crap car thieves. (Get away! Go get your own crap bucket wtih an oil light that comes on in less than 100 miles. This one's locked. Harumph!)
At one point, on the way to the dunes, I got lost and thought, "Hmm. I don't really know which state I'm in, New Mexico or Texas." (I know this is hard for my European readers, who routinely pass through no less than sixteen countries for nothing more than a good latte but, believe me, Texas is BIG and hard to drive out of on a good day. Think of it as a sort of southern US mental asylum-they don't let us out easily.) Then, I saw a sign that read, "Slow Border Checkpoint Ahead" and I thought, "Oh just ducky. Nevermind the state, I don't know which country I'm in anymore." Juarez is not all that far away and it suddenly felt a whole lot closer, let me tell you. (By the way, I think it was actually New Mexico, north of the border, but, at this point, your guess might be as good as mine. Parts of El Paso are indistinguishable from Juarez and New Mexico looks a lot like old Mexico-hence the name.)
The rental car survived the trip 'round the border and made it to the Sands, by the pretty glow of the oil light, and I survived the trip back into the dunes. I had to parallel park that thing next to a giant sand dune (pictures to follow) too, which is no easy feat, not even for this New Yorker. Them dunes are bigger than Tonka Trucks, trust me.
Speaking of the dunes, they have odd traffic signs there. They have signs that say things like, "Slow Congested Area." Yeah right, and monkeys fly out of my butt. Reality check folks! There's nothing there but sand, sand, and, just in case you do get bored, lots more sand. Sand that sticks to your shoes, sand that gets into your eyes, sand that gets into crevices you'd rather not mention in mixed company. Everything is just either covered in sand, about to be covered in sand, or a tumbleweed thats blows across, you guessed it, sand covered landscapes (long enough to hug me and cling to my front bumper anyway.)
Driving across the dunes themselves is smooth. It looks like snow, it feels like snow but it's not cold and not slippery to drive across. It's actually smooth and easy to drive on, though it does sort of "kick up" a bit, almost like loose gravel. You leave a trail of small white pebbles in your wake but can drive quite comfortably across the White Sands.
All this and I'm happy to report the oil light finally stopped glowing, just in time for me to return the Korean crap bucket and wait hours (getting drunk) for my flight back to Austin. I did manage to sneak a couple of drive-by night shots (pictures to follow) including possibly my favorite of the trip-a shot taken after dusk, with the sand dunes lit only by my headlights and the moonlight glowing. (We enjoyed a full moon and actually got to shoot a little in the moonlight glow, which is quite eerie. Again, pictures to follow.)
All in all, it was a wonderful trip, though I'd hardly recommend a Hyundai, unless, of course, you are a paranoid driver who demands six keys and loves to bask in the glow of a "your engine needs attention" diagnostic light.
Until next time...
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Notes from the Road-White Sands, NM
I was once again attacked by a tumbleweed. I'm starting to get some kind of a complex. Every time I visit New Mexico, do I have to get waylaid by another rolling bush? What is it about that state anyway? At one point, Kathy said to me, "You do realize that you were just attacked by a tumbleweed, don't you?"
2 comments:
- Peruby said...
Looking forward to the pictures. I lived with my sister in El Paso the summer of '82.
I like Kramer's quote on a Seinfeld episode. "I spent a month in El Paso one night."
Summed it up for me.
- Carol said...
That's too funny. And it sounds just like El Paso, really it does.
I do feel like I've just spent a month there that night.


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names new
BOV members
Spectrum Volume 20 Issue 35 - July 16, 1998
Governor James Gilmore has named two Richmond businessmen to the Board of Visitors. On July 1, Michael G. Miller and Gary P. Clisham began four-year terms on the 15-member governing board.
Miller owns Miller & Associates, which appraises agricultural, commercial and residential properties. He is a 1976 graduate of Tech and has a master's degree in business administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. Miller is chairman of the board of the Virginia Tech Agriculture Alumni Association. He is a partner in MCR Management Co., which manages low-income housing in Virginia, and served as chairman of the Virginia Housing Development Authority under former Governor George Allen.
Clisham is the chief executive officer of Medical Marketing Resources Inc. and also a graduate of Tech. In 1975, he earned a bachelor's degree in political science and in 1977 a master's degree in higher-education administration.
Miller and Clisham replace Robert B. Delano of Warsaw and Mitchell O. Carr of Staunton, both Allen appointees.
Governor Gilmore re-appointed BOV Rector James E. Turner Jr. of Fairfax, and board member Donald W. Huffman of Roanoke, also Allen appointees. Turner, president of General Dynamics Corporation, is a 1956 alumnus. Huffman, a member of the class of 1949, is a Roanoke attorney and former state chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia.


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Steps in cleaning the autorun.inf virus from the USB drive:
1.Download a software named flash disinfector.Its available of free download and install it in any non windows drive.
2.Install it,then during the run time,it will ask you to insert your USB drive and insert the drive.
3.Clicking on your drive will make your Desktop blank,don't worry,actually its temporarily locking all of your process and cleaning the autorun.inf file.
5.It will surely remove the autorun virus and yet its a partial removal only.As I said above it will not completely remove the virus,but will partially disinfect it and then lock the virus and keep it in a separate file in your USB drive.
6.Don't delete that file,otherwise the virus may unlock and reenter into your drive again and can infect your system.
Note:The infection of this virus creates multiple folders in your pc named as newfolder and you cannot delete that folder.Even some antivirus can't find it.It will use up many of your disk space and will drink lots of your cpu utilization and then slowly enters into the windows registries and creates fake keys and changes the access control from the administrator(you) to the virus,you pc will get slowed down and crashed frequently and finally your windows might get corrupt,so its safe to demobilize this virus/worm as soon as possible.


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|Taite and Jax playing with the beautiful red rocks of Sedona in the background
Since the day we hit the road in our RV we've been toting around my cross-country skis in hopes they would meet the snow one day. That day finally happened. Flagstaff received almost 2 feet of snow just before our arrival so I high tailed it up there and got in 2 spectacular days of skiing and 20 miles on the trails! Moxie was able to join me on a trail and loved every minute of rolling and frolicking in the snow. She's a natural.
|Moxie is ready to go! Pulling me down the trail.
|Funny we found this Dune Jeep with interesting modifications. I don't want to be somewhere if there's that much snow!
My nephews spring break hit when we arrived in the area so they rented a beautiful house in Cottonwood and we got to spend lots of time with them and several of their friends that week.
|hiking with the boys
|The Cowboy Dinner
|The Cowboy Dinner
|the gang on the Pink Jeep Tour
|Note the man above their heads just jumped from the top of the falls! What a photo bomb!
Til next time...Happy Trails!


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The first 'Ikebana at Qdos' came out of a conversation in early 2004 between Graeme Wilkie and me about the complementarity of ceramics and Ikebana. Graeme is a ceramic artist and owner of Qdos Gallery which is situated in a sculpture garden among Australian Mountain Ash trees in a valley behind the costal township of Lorne.
Here are a couple of photos of the setting up process.
The ikebana participants were students of my class with Mrs Carlyne Patterson, my teacher at the time. This photo is the upper of the three levels of the gallery.
View from the lowest level of the gallery.
Freestyle ikebana in the entrance foyer of the gallery.
Moribana created by Mrs Patterson.
This was my first large sculptural work using dried branches of tortuous willow, strelitzia leaves and lilies.
The collaborators: Graeme Wilkie (ceramic artist), Philip Keon, Ana-Maria Hernandez-y-Jensen (ceramic artist), Sarah Forsythe, Christina Theodorou, Annette Macintosh, Christopher James and Carlyne Patterson.
Qdos 2005
The second Ikebana at Qdos was held in September 2005. On the first day workshops were given by Mr Yoshiro Umemura, an ikebana artist and teacher from Sydney, who holds the rank of Riji in the Sogetsu School of Ikebana. Members from the Victorian Branch of the Sogetsu School attended. On the second day Mr Umemura gave a public demonstration. His ikebana works and those of the senior teachers were then assembled into an exhibition.
Below is a general view of the upper two levels of the gallery.
Here are some of the individual works by members.
These next three images are some of ikebana created by Mr Umemura.
The third Ikebana at Qdos was held in September 2006. As in 2005, on the first day workshops were given by Mr Yoshiro Umemura, Rigi ranked ikebana artist and teacher from Sydney. Members from the Victorian Branch of the Sogetsu School attended. On the second day Mr Umemura gave a public demonstration. His ikebana works and those of the senior teachers were then assembled into an exhibition.
This first image is of the anagama kiln during the firing for the exhibition.
These images are of the joint arrangements made by members.
A number of the members created works in the sculpture garden around the gallery
Below are works made by Mr Umemura.
Qdos 2007
Below is a limited selection of works of the 2007 exhibition that followed a workshop lead by Mr Yoshiro Umemura for members of the Victorian Branch of the Sogetsu School. The vessels were all created by Graeme Wilkie and his team at Qdos Gallery studio.
The work in the centre of this photo was by Brenda Thorpe.
Emily Karanikolopoulos
Christine Denmead and Ellie Welkamp
Lucy Papas
Glenys Bissel
'Shoso' Shimbo
Theresa Feile
(me) Christopher James
Qdos 2008
This year for the first time the exhibition was created my me and my students only. As before we were using ceramic vessels created by Graeme Wilkie and his team especially for this exhibition. The linking theme of this exhibition was to use red lines in each work. Below I am being assisted in the assembling of a bamboo sculpture.
The finished work in three 'pillows' by Graeme Wilkie.
Birch and wisteria vine by Christopher.
Grape vine and date seeds by Ellie Welkamp.
Palm spathes by Helen Quarrell.
Willow by Ellie Welkamp.
Agave leaf by Helen Quarrell.
Dried Fitonia leaves by Helen Quarrell.
Palm pod by Helen Quarrell and Ellie Welkamp.
Corky Elm by Christine Denmead.
General view of upper level of the gallery.
From the left: Ellie Welkamp, Christine Denmead, Christopher James, Helen Quarrell.
Qdos 2009
The theme for the exhibition was: 'Exercises from the New Curriculum' of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana. Each ikebanist created a large and a small work on the same theme.
Below: Taking into account the shape of the container. Ellie Welkamp
A composition of Curved Lines. Christine Denmead.
Disassembling and Rearranging the materials. Christopher James.
An arrangement of Plants on a Wall. Christine Denmead.
A Horizontal Arrangement. Ann Walsh
An arrangement using Straight and Curved Lines. Nola Bird
An arrangement using Vine. Christopher James.
Massed Expression. Helen Quarrell
General view of the gallery on the day of the official opening.
Nola Bird, Helen Quarrell, Christopher James, Ann Walsh, Christine Denmead, Ellie Welkamp.
Qdos 2010
Qdos 2011
The theme of the exhibition was 'Sculptural and Installation Ikebana'. No vases were used and all of the botanical material was dry.
Qdos 2012
In 2012 Graeme Wilkie created some small and radically different forms as well as larger works in the anagama kiln. My students and I created larger sculptural works and some smaller pieces. The latter mostly included some fresh material.
From the left: Nola Bird, Christine Denmead, Christopher James, Ellie Welkamp, Helen Quarrell.
September 2012


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Mahalo for all your supportWe are so thankful for the generosity of all our friends and family pitching in to our fight! We are blown away with the amount we raised both here on this website and the birthday bash event we had on June 22nd.I just wanted to say Thank you again for all your support, this journey is no where near the end. Please keep up to date on my blog to find out the latest.Currently we are wrapping up our treatment with Yervoy, and have the last treatment on August 7th. We will measure the tumors again after that and determine the results.Aloha,
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top 10 inspirational words for bodybuilders in 2015. These inspiring words motivates you to work hard.
|Top 10 Inspirational Words For 2015 For Bodybuilders
Top 10 Inspirational Words for 2015 for Bodybuilders These are the top 10 inspirational words in 2015 for bodybuilders. All the youngsters who work hard in gym and want to build a physic like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. Then this inspirational motivation sms and words will definitely work for them. It happens in started when somebody joints at gym and work hard but he does not get secretary results then he gets disappointed and at that point of time he needs encouragement and motivation along with right guidance. So these inspirational words will always keep you motivated so that you can continue working hard and achieve your goal in bodybuilding. You may have seen that whenever you go to a gym then you will see some posters of the great bodybuilders on the wall and they are all saying one thing actually they are sharing their secrets about how did they work and build such a great physique. So we are sharing their experiences with you. Whenever you go to gym and you feel that you are not getting better results then read this inspiring words and inspirational sayings and after this you will know that how great all bodybuilders are worked hard. In the end I just would like to say that these are the top 10 inspirational words for bodybuilders in 2015. You must share this with everybody so that everybody can be motivated by these inspirational sayings.
Top 10 Inspirational Words For 2015 For Bodybuilders
If someone says you can't do it, it usually means it's because they wish they could.
The secret of success is to know something nobody else knows. - Aristotle Onassis .
Eighty percent of success is showing up. -Woody Allen .
Hard work has made it easy. That's my secret. That's why I win. -Nadia Comaneci .
The meaning of life is to give life a meaning.
The key to the ability to change is a changeless sense of who you are, what you are about and what you value. - Stephen R. Covey .
It's not time to worry yet. - Harper Lee
Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action. - Peter Drucker
The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot. - Michael Althsuler
If you wait until you're ready, you'll be waiting the rest of your life.
Top 10 Inspirational Words For 2015 For Bodybuilders
4/ 5Oleh Subhash Mod


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When I saw this tutorial for a simple fleece scarf at Make It and Love It, I had to try it out right away! I had a piece of fleece to make my mother-in-law a scarf and this project was perfect. It took about 45 minutes for me to complete one scarf, making this an excellent easy Christmas gift idea. Fleece is on sale often at the stores, making this a frugal craft as well. I picked up fleece to make 3 more scarves for under $4 total. Love this idea!
I wish I knew how to sew!!! And had a sewing machine!:(


text: Good Morning dear readers, we are participating in Athena and Marie's Caturday art hop. I decided I was going to take over the TV remote control. I didn't want to see any more of moms new favourite show the zoo. Anipals going nuts that's just wrong. She got me with the flashy box and decided to use in today hop. She played in picmonkey and pizap. Hope you enjoy the photos have a great a furrday.