Cracking Nuts

It seems like everyone I know has had some sort of hard, sad news this week -- or something dramatic going on.  Late night chats, distracting movie outings and the like have all been required.  What a crazy week. 

Our contribution to the drama involved a trip to the emergency room on Wednesday night.  Isaac had some weird CO2 build up in his upper body that caused his muscles to seize up and curl him into a contorted ball -- in lots of pain.  It had something to do with dehydration and low potassium (I think).  He had exercised the previous hour and was on a cool-down.  I haven't had a chance to research this sort of thing yet, but it sounds a lot like decompression sickness -- that scuba-diving thing. 

Isaac's no namby-pamby either.  I've seen him blow off disgusting, horrible gashes that should have required stitches, long tumbles down rocky terrain while mountain-biking, etc.  For all of his macho flesh-wounds, he says this CO2 thing was the worst pain he's ever felt. 

The pain was quickly resolved with a steady drip of liquids -- mixed with some calming something-or-other.  He's been sluggish and tired since, as his blood chemistry evens out again, but he's almost recovered.  Just a rough and strange interlude.  And Isaac and I missed Elijah's school concert : (

The holidays now resume.  I've spent the last day-plus, sewing flouncy holiday skirts for a friend's daughters and dollhouse dress-ups for Charlotte.  I absolutely love to sew gifts, but I haven't had the heart for it much this year.  There hasn't been much friend-sewing since I made these doll blankets (here & here).

Let's just say it's great to be back at it!  Sound the triumphal horns.  Now, if I can just learn how to create time.

I'm hoping to have the presents delivered before we head out to see the Nutcracker tonight --  care of the Moscow Ballet.  I expect we'll have to get more serious about dance class once Charlotte gets a good look at the ballet gowns.  Charlotte is quite graceful.  She'd be a great dancer.

Oh yes!  And speaking of dancing.  For years, I've wanted to sign up for a Tap Dance class -- just to make a loud, dancey racket.  I've done some research and found (via Jen) a Saturday morning clogging class for women.  I guess clogging shoes have two taps on each shoe, while tap shoes only have one, therefore clogging = bigger racket.  That works for me -- as long as I still get to use Jazz hands : )  So I'm doing it!  I even convinced my friend, Sarah, to take the class with me.  I just need to find me some clackity-tappity shoes by January 10th.

Some Tid Bits

• Another giveaway -- it must be giveaway season:  visit Ever After today to enter a drawing for a gift basket of paper-craft supplies from my Freshcut paper line.
• My assistant, Tara is having a baby girl!  (More gift-sewing to do.)
• The laundry is all folded!
• I discovered Apple Fritter Bread (ala Super Target).  It's amazing.  Now I want to create my own recipe for it -- and maybe other bread recipes based on treats from the doughnut store.

Comments

[Maggie]

Ohhhhh! I used to clog and tap!! I miss them both terribly! Although my clogging shoes and tap shoes had two taps, toe and a heel. So maybe your class is a little different! Good luck!

[Sweetfern Handmade]

I love clogging. I can say that it is probably the most fun you will ever have. For shoes, check out Steven's Stompers. A quick Google should turn them up.

[Laura]

Jazz hands! Now I thought that cloggers had to keep their hands down by their side...or am I thinking of riverdancing?? lol Good luck!

[danette]

That is a super cute nutcracker. I just got my Fresh Picked Pincushions pattern and I need to get cracking, speaking of cracking, on getting some finished for the holidays.

[Haley]

Hey Heather, I remember back a few weeks ago when C had to get a patch and you girly-fied it for her, I am wondering if you know of any girly elastic material out there. I have a 2 yr old daughter who just had to have leg braces put on and the main part of it is elastic. I wondered if I could find some and sew some velcro on there to jazz them up for my little trooper!

[Chrystal]

I love the princess Nutcracker! My 4 year old daughter Charlotte is obsessed with Nutcrackers and has plenty, but i've only ever seen the hairy soldier ones.

[siew]

I'm taking my 4 year old to see the Nutcracker on the 29th. She's a little obsessed with the tutu so this should send her over the top. Dance lessons start in January. Graceful she's not but she's enthusiastic! I'm a bit nervous since she tends to have the attention span of, well, let's just say its a little short. I wonder if we'll even make it through the whole performance!

[Southern Gal]

I took dance (tap, jazz, pointe) for eleven years. My daughter's first excursion with dance was a clogging class with moi. She then went on to pointe and never looked back. Now she has a pair of almost new black clogging shoes in her closet. Would you like to purchase them for a good price? Email me!

[alina]

So glad the CO2 thing is clearing up...I had a similar issue a few years ago and it was pretty serious. It's always extra stressful when these things happen around the already crazy holidays!

Apple fritter bread sounds amazing and dangerous! Love the site and photos...happy holidays!

[Tam]

Best of luck with your clogging! Sounds like a ton of fun!
~Smiles~Tam!

[Christina]

lol Irish dancers are the ones that keep their arms down. I've been Irish dancing for around 8 years. =)

I know the feeling of drama and stress this week. I can't take much more of it myself! My dad's health problems, school, work, etc. It's all coming to an end...

The ballet looks beautiful in the photos. Let us know how it was!

[sammyjo]

wow thats sounds scary, glad to hear he's doing better now though :D hope the rest of your christmas is more relaxed :D

[Tiff@Three Peas]

I have always loved ballroom dancing. I'm trying to convince hubby that it will be fun. LOL
I hope your DH is ok. I have never heard of this. So sorry he was in so much pain.

[RJ]

Where on earth did you ever find a darling nutcracker like that....I am not a nutcracker fan....but that one changes my mind.
thanks

[Achaia]

Hi Heather!

I have NO doubt you will love clogging! I did it for several years and loved it every minute.

Have a very blessed Christmas!
xo, Achaia

[Sandi Henderson]

OH oh oh. We had tickets to the same ballet a week ago and they canceled 3 hours before the performance! Eliza was heartbroken but thankfully we were able to get last minute tickets to a local performance. I'm so happy you'll get to see it!

Sorry about the Holiday sickies for Isaac.

Hope you're well!

xo
Sandi

[Rachel]

I started clogging last year. It is SO much FUN!!! It really is quite enjoyable. And yes, clogging shoes have two taps on the two taps on the heel. It makes quite a different sound from tap shoes. A girl came to our class with tap shoes once, and you could here the sound her taps were making over the 10 of us that had clogging taps. Have fun!

[Cele]

Hope you enjoyed the ballet.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas.

[Cait]

Clogging is so neat! Especially of the Celtic variety.
My little sister and I danced once with the Moscow Ballet (though that's not saying much as they aren't very good for a Russian company). We auditioned and got background parts when living in Michigan, and it was amazing being a part of the backstage scene. Enjoy it!

[Emily]

Sounds as though you've had a scary week. So glad Isaac was easily fixed =)

You go on and have yourself a clogging good time!

[Shan]

I'm so glad your son is okay. How scary that must have been. Happy tapping! I wish my laundry was all folded!

[linda]

Oh have fun in your clogging class! I always wanted to take ballet and finally got to this year! Lots of fun to take it with a friend.

[Elizabeth Raubach]

glad your hubby is all right...
creative work = therapy :)
Merry Christmas!

[Miranda]

Hi Heather! I clogged for about 15 years including 7 years of teaching. I adore it. There is no better sound than a bunch of clogging shoes on hardwood. Incidentally, my favorite two classes to teach were the preschoolers and the adults. Have fun!

[Agnes]

Oh my goodness! I have the Ballerina Nutcracker from Target! I saw them on the shelves and just had to have one for my daughter! They are adorable! I knew I would love staring at her on our shelves every holiday season, so I had to have her :)

[Heather]

I am so glad Isaac's thing is resolved. That would, indeed, be scary.

And clogging! How fun that will be. And you'll get great legs. I have never known a clogger with ugly legs. ;)

Merry Christmas!

[Sharon Gilmartin]

Good luck with the clogging,glad to hear your husband is ok, I am sure it was scary.I took my 8 year Abigail to the nutcracker this year and she really enjoyed it.It might be a tradition for me and my 2 girls Julie 21 and Abigail 8.
Have a Merry Christmas and and enjoy your Apple fritter bread look forward to your own recipe.

[Laurel]

LOVE this blog; have been following it for awhile! In fact, I just nominated you for a blog award, although I'm sure you have received several!

[Handmade]

Clogging? Do people still do that? I have never heard of clog lessons! I tap and I love it - we have a toe tap and a heel tap on each shoe. I'm sure you'll have a ball!

[Ula]

How scary! I'm glad Isaac is recovering. And as an aside, how did you get all the laundry folded?
Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[Megan]

Heather!
Congratulations on deciding to take clogging! I teach clogging in NC and here is where I order clogging shoes from... they are a small company but good shoes! :)

http://stevens-clogging.com/

Enjoy your expedition with Clogging is ENJOYABLE!

~Megan

[tracy whitney]

Merry Christmas! Heather I enjoy popping in to read your blog and have to chime in. I LOVE tapping! I grew up dancing and now teach tap to kids of all ages at a local studio. (Yes- 2 taps on shoes, lol)
Anyhow, enjoy! "Break a leg," as we say in show biz.

[Lorrie]

Hi there girly- Have you made up your own recipe for a Apple Fritter Bread and if you have-- please post it for us not - so - inventive- cooks
please please please

[Liz Stucki]

Weird that you would say that Isaac had dehydration and a potassium shortage. I had that same thing happen to me just two weeks ago. It started with a horrible cramp in my leg, and by the end of the night, I couldn't sit, stand, or even lay in certain positions without a nasty "charlie horse" throughout my entire leg. I ended up having the cramp for four days solid, and finally got rid of it after drinking about 8 giant gatorades, three whole bunches of bananas, potassium and calcium supplements, and tons and tons of water over the 4 days.

I read that Isaac's problem was the muscle tissue/kidney thing - I'm glad you were able to get it taken care of before Christmas day.