Birth Blessing rollcall

[mattjule]

I'll start the Blessingway bracelet chain. We should get everyone's due date and start it that way so that everyone has theirs before they go into labor. I am due June 30, so I can be last in the chain. Plus I like the thought of being the first to send one and the last to get one-the completion of a circle. Very nice birth imagery.

I could go off the rollcall, but it seems like there is a fair amount of ladies on there that don't post so I am a little concerned about the chain getting stuck somewhere. We'll give it, what, until April 8 and then I will send to the first person? We can have a master list of addies that goes with the string, or we can pm/email the person who is sending to us according to a list posted in this thread. My only issue with this last one is that sometimes people don't check e-mail/pm's very often and again, I'd hate for it to get stuck somewhere, waiting on an address. I am not that concerned about anything that you all might do with my address, but some people are very private and I want everyone to be comfortable. So if you will list:

Your due date
Your address preference

And in a couple days I will tally everything up and see where we are. In the meantime, I'll go to the bead store!

Anything else we should include? It would need to be small, finding $ for postage can stall the whole thing too.

I am so excited about wearing this bracelet, thinking of all of you while I labor. I've never had a large group of women that I love, so this feels so wonderful.

[rubelin]

Perhaps whoever starts it could gather the addresses for whoever wants to participate?? Then you could include a page of the addresses and as each of us gets the package, we cross ourselves off the list??

[curlygrrl]

I agree, I think having a master list that goes around with the package is the best idea.

I'm still not sure the logistics of the whole bead thing, though?

[Ceili]

My EDD is June 29th, so I'm right there at the end with you Julie.

My understanding of the bead/blessing is that the person that starts the circle will put in a bead and a blessing for the first momma on the list (we'll call her A). When A get's the package she will take the bead and blessing, cut off a length of string, thread the bead and tie it on her wrist.... then she will put a Bead and Blessing into the package and mail it to B, etc. Until it makes it back to the person who started the circle.

[mattjule]

I agree with Ceili's plan. My e-mail is mattjule@adelphia.net. Why don't we send the addresses there? I'll make a list and enclose it with the package.

[eilonwy]

That works... then I can just make one really long bracelet with smaller parts, and we can cut them off when we get it and thread the bead. :thumb I just need to know colors and how many of us there are, so go vote and pm Julie so I can get a count.

[Doodlebugsmom]

What a cool idea!
My due date is June 21st. I'll email you my address, Julie.

[mattjule]

Nevermind! I started this to separate the logistics from the regular thread, but it didn't work very well. I think it has been decided that Rynna will do all the mailing so we should probably get everything directly to her.

[Doodlebugsmom]

Rynna, I will PM you my address!

[3girlsmommy]

Ok call me slow! :) But is Rynna making them and then sending them out or are we doing the one big long one thing??? :scratch

[Doodlebugsmom]

I think Rynna will be making one bracelet. It will be sent around and we will each cut one bead off and thread it onto our string. This is how I understood it, I'm not sure if I'm following correctly though.

[mattjule]

No, Rynna will be making a bunch of bracelets and we each will get one. Cutting a friendship bracelet doesn't work very well, the last person to get it will have an unraveled mess. We are going to send all the beads to her and she'll mail them out with a bracelet to everyone, then we will do an online thing where we each list a blessing. At least this was the lastest plan to my knowledge.

[irishgreengables]

Okay -- 2 toddlers, 30 weeks pregnant, and ligament pain: I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE PLAN IS!!! You all tried to explain it, but I still don't get it (I am very dense right now). Can someone write a numbered list? i.e. 1. x sends address to y; 2. x goes out and buys 3 beads and sends them to y; x gets package...yadda yadda yadda.

Thanks and peace,

[eilonwy]

Okay Julie, that makes lots of sense! :) It is much easier to make lots of bracelets than to make one! I don't have any beads, though...and I still need to know what colors & how many. :)

[mattjule]

Okay, I'll list off points and anyone who disagrees, let me know:

1. Each participant will send one bead to Rynna

2. Each participant will send $1 or $2 to Rynna with the bead to cover postage and envelopes

3. Each participant will send their return address to Rynna

4. Rynna will make a friendship bracelet for each participant

5. Rynna will mail each participant one bracelet and one bead

6. Once everyone has received their bracelet and bead, we will coordinate a birth blessing online where each participant posts a blessing

7. During the online birth blessing, each participant ties the bracelet on their wrist and we keep them on until the last participant gives birth.

Sound good?

[3girlsmommy]

Other then thinking that we were sending as many bead to Rynna as there were participants(ie if 10 people were participating then I would send 10 beads) it sounds just the way I had thought.

[3girlsmommy]

Where are you all getting your beads?? I saw some tonight at Target but they weren't anything special, just wood or plastic balls. Are those what everyone else is getting or are you getting something "special"? If yes what?? and where do I find them??

Thanks!!

[3girlsmommy]

Oh one more thing. If we all sent our beads in a padded envelope is it possible to reuse them for the return shipment? Just a thought!

[mattjule]

I like the idea of sending a bead for each person, but it gets a little pricey for those of us on restricted budgets and I would rather give one really neat bead than ten so-so ones. I am going to go to a bead store. It is going to be easier to string them if they have a large hole, so keep that in mind. Otherwise Rynna would have to thread them while making the bracelets and that would take more time and be more work.

I think reusing the envelopes is a good idea-we would still need to pitch in some $ though, b/c she'd need labels to go over the addy.

[Ceili]

Sandi, do you have a crafts store where you are? Their bead selection tends to be better than "all purpose" type stores like Target or Walmart. You may also want to check your phone book (or the yellow pages online) to see if there is a bead store nearby.

[irishgreengables]

Thanks Julie. That helps tremendously!

Peace,

[Queen of Cups]

I definitely want to participate!

Where can I get Rynna's address? That's the only question I have left - Julie did a great job explaining!

[Smithie]

I understand that I am buying a bead and sending Rynna some $$ to cover postage and stuff. I will send $5 in case somebody else is really strapped right now. Now I just need Rynna's address...

[Doodlebugsmom]

So, do we choose the color of the bead we are sending, or do we all need to get one of the same color? I'll get one and send it as soon as I know what to do as far as color and get Rynna's address.

[LizD]

What size bead?

[Modesto Doula]

OK... Im in on this thread too finally!! I love everyone's ideas, and I think this is going to be great!

I also like the idea of sending a bead for each momma's bracelet... I will voluteer to send a extra in case someone cant- I know how strapped a household can get.
Also, I wouldnt mind a wooden beed or two on my bracelet, I like the feeling of them personally, and I think that the whole bracelet is going to look beautiful together, no matter what we all contribute. The unstained wooden beads could very well serve to center the bracelets which Im sure will be riot with glass and clay and every other material. It may very well be soothing in labor to trace the grain on the wood without being overcome with color and pattern.

I don't want a bracelet that reflects all of our financial status, I want one that come with good wishes and positive thoughts.


I really cant wait for this! I am looking forward to bead-shopping... and seeing a bracelet completed. (I guess it helps that I am not making it- I used to do lots of bead jewellry, but then I had children, LOL... I traded my 4 yr old leftovers on TP.)

[seedling]

I'd like to be in on this. I'll go ahead and pm Ryanna with my address. And shop for a bead. The only thing I'm confused about is the bead(s). Sounds like from Julie's post, we're just to find one nice bead to mail to Ryanna. But then in other post(s) we are to find one for every participant?

I'll keep checking back here...

[3girlsmommy]

Brooke- I like the idea of a wooden bead too. In fact I saw a box of them at Target that were pretty inexpensive that I would be happy to send to Rynna in addition to my bead then we can all have at least two beads, one wood and one fancy!

[3girlsmommy]

Question: Are we suppose to send Rynna our address or is she suppose to send all of us her address or both????

Also we need to set a deadline for when everything needs to be at Rynna's. Has anyone made a master list of everyone who wants to participate?

I had one other question but I can't remember what is was!:rolleyes:

[liz-hippymom]

i think this is supposed to be the master list-
if it is i am on it!
i am hoping i will be one of the first to pop- my due date is actually may 31st.

[eilonwy]

Okay:

PM me with your address and due date, and I'll pm you back with my address.

I was also thinking -- rather than mailing cash or a bunch of little checks, you could either paypal me or you could send a self-addressed stamped padded envelope... or does that make things more complicated? Whichever you think is easier!

I'm going to consider the list complete as of the 10th, because otherwise I wont have time to get all the bracelets finished. :)

:banana *hehe* I'm already having fun with this!

[mattjule]

The plan was to send one bead, Brooke suggested sending one for each mama. I personally don't really want to do this. I mean, I think of how nice it would be for me in labor to have a bead representing each of you, but I really want to find a bead that is special and I can't afford to buy a bunch of special beads. We need to come to a consenus on this as soon as possible, though, so if everyone could just post a quick note saying whether they want to send one or many, that would be helpful. I really want to participate, so if everyone wants to send a bead for each mama on the list, I will do it and just amend my rationale.

Also, I definitely think each mama should choose whatever color bead she wants so each person's bracelet is unique to them.

And the bead needs to have a fairly large hole so it can fit over a few strands of embroidery floss plaited together.

I think that is all the questions.

[mattjule]

The list so far:

wildthing
greaseball
dharmama
rubelin
curlygrrl
ceili
doodlebugsmom
2girlsmommy
irishgreengables
queen of cups
smithie
lizD
modesto doula
seedling
liz-hippymom
mattjule
eilonwy (of course!)

That is 17 total so far.

I'll keep editing people in, so check back often until the 10th. We can use this as our master in case we end up sending a bead for each person-that way everyone knows how many people there are.

[LizD]

I say one bead. One nice, interesting bead on a woven/plaited bracelet sounds groovy and not too busy. One bead also sounds more likely to happen when dealing with a bunch of pregnant women.

[dharmama]

Ooo...ooo...me too! :wave

[Greaseball]

Me too! Me too! I just PMed elionwy.

[mattjule]

I was wondering where you were!

[eilonwy]

Okay, I still need addresses from:

curlygrrl

and due dates from:

rubelin
curlygrrl

:wave

Also, if you haven't looked at the colors poll (in the June 2004 board) please do so! I set the 10th as a dealine, but sooner is always better :wink.

[rubelin]

I have a TON of metal beads that I would love to share with all of you. I used to work for House of Fabrics and got them all on clearance and I've never had a good use for them. They are probably pot metal (lightweight and soft) but are silver, copper and gold colored and came in different sizes and shapes. Would it be OK if I send a bunch along and Rynna can add a few to each package??

Robin~

[eilonwy]

I think that'd be fabulous :wink :thumb.

[Modesto Doula]

Me too!! Thats sounds great!

[wildthing]

I'd like to join too.
PM'ing Rynna now. :D

Oh, and I vote for one bead from each mama.....:) But I willl definitely go along with the group consensus.

[mattjule]

you know, the people that want to send beads for each mama could, and those of us that want to send just one could. Each mama's bracelet would be unique to her and everyone could do what means the most to them.

[eilonwy]

Okay, I've started on the bracelets. Oddly enough, it's going much faster than I expected it too! I remember being fast, but I don't remember being this fast. :scratch I may well have them all (15 or 16, I think) finished by Monday. :LOL If you want to send enough beads for each mother, please let me know that because I'll need to make the tail a bit longer than I have been! It won't be a problem to make up a longer tail, I just need to know that that's what I'm doing. :wink

[Greaseball]

I don't think I can get mine mailed until Monday. :( I keep forgetting to go out and get the padded envelope! But it's coming...

[mattjule]

Rynna-why don't you go ahead and make longer tails? We can always tie them tighter, but it is pretty hard to make them bigger!

[irishgreengables]

When do you need the beads by? Our local bead shop is closed until Tuesday.

Peace,

[eilonwy]

ASAP, but no later than 25 April. That way if the earliest of us goes at 37 weeks, we should all have our bracelets already. (If I've done my math correctly!)

[Greaseball]

OK, I mailed my thingie today. I hope the bead is big enough. It should be able to fit on the embroidery floss, but you might still have to use a needle.

I also hope I used enough postage, since I was too lazy to go to the post office.:crying

[wildthing]

I am hoping to stop by the bead store tomorrow or Wednesday. It is conveniently located right downstairs from my bank. :D

[eilonwy]

Okay, they're ready to go when I get the beads & envelopes! :)

[Smithie]

I'm going to the bead store today...

[mattjule]

Just sent mine. After really wanting to get one bead, I went to the bead store and couldn't find anything that really spoke to me with a hole big enough for what we need. So I ended up getting everyone one! :rolleyes:

[3girlsmommy]

How many of us are there? I ended up finding some cute clay beads with flowers on them, which I thought was appropriate for cervix opening visulization but they only came in packs of 16. I thought I'd send them all and let Rynna use them if she wanted to.

Now I just need to remember to pick up the envelops! :rolleyes:

[eilonwy]

Okay, so are most of you sending 17 beads, or just one? If most of you are sending 17 (or more), perhaps there will be enough to do 17 on each.. but I think you should know that it's likely to make these bracelets long enough to be necklaces for most of us! :LOL Of course, we could always wrap them two or three times around our wrists... *hehe*.

[Modesto Doula]

I bought some pretty flowered beads today and sent off 20 of them. I also found a couple grogeous beads I couldn't NOT buy, so I sent those too, LOL... I found all kinds of gorgeous stuff at the bead store, and I didnt realize what a limitation it was going to be to find one that would accomadate three widths of thread.
I hope they fit, and I dont have a problem with wrapping mine around a couple times. It will be that much more to look at and play with in the last few weeks and in labor.

[Greaseball]

Am I the only one who just sent one bead?:D

[mattjule]

Grease-don't worry about it if you are, I would have much rather done that, but the option I had was truly pathetic as one bead. I sent 20 beads as well since I wasn't sure of the final count or if someone would want to join last minute.

[irishgreengables]

uh-oh...I sent 16 beads, thinking that was the final number. Should I send more?

Peace,

[LizD]

I sent one bead, one big, fat, very pretty china bead. Just one!

[seedling]

Hey, crazy week. Going to bead store tomorrow. Ryanna, I never got your address. Do you mind pm'ing it to me? I will get this all to the post office Friday morning.

[eilonwy]

Okay, seedling, you are the third person to tell me you didn't get my address... what on earth is wrong with me?!? :LOL Oh yeah, NewBean is turning my brain to tapioca and it's sliding out of my ears! :rolleyes: I'll pm you right away. :thumb

[dharmama]

Got my bead....will mail tomorrow or Saturday!! :D

I got one "special bead" and I'm also putting in some other decorative beads.

Rynna ~ Do you have a bead needle? If not, I could send one.

[eilonwy]

That depends on what kind of bead you're talking about! :LOL I've got needles in varying sizes, lengths, and pointiness (is that even a word?! :nut). I'm probably fine, thanks!

[dharmama]

They're cheap so I'll send ya one just in case. The bead openings can be REALLY tiny and the bead needles are flexible so they are easier to get through.

[eilonwy]

Okay, so here's another question.. am I putting the beads you send on your bracelet, or am I switching them around?

[LizD]

I assumed you'd switch the beads, and that that was the reason for sending them.

[mattjule]

I agree. I want beads from other mamas, not my own (unless there are extras)

[eilonwy]

That's what I figured, but I wasn't entirely certain. :)

Now: if you send 17 beads, do you want 17 back? I was thinking about this. A few of you said you were sending lots of beads... If I can find some fairly inexpensively, I may be able to fill out the rest so that everyone will have 17. Some of the beads are big enough that they'll fit over the entire bracelet, so I won't have to worry about making all of them with long tails. Oh, and I've figured out a way to extend the tails anyway.. so it's all good! :)

[wildthing]

Rynna,
I will be sending my beads on Tuesday. :)

AS far as the number of beads, that isn't important to me. What I want is just something the represents our group, and that can be one bead, or 500. :LOL Okay, maybe not 500....that would be more like a belt. but you know what I mean. :^)

I will be sending enough for everyone, plus a few extras, I think. (Depends on the cost, of course!)

[Greaseball]

Could you let each of us know when you get ours?

[eilonwy]

Yes, that would be a reasonable thing to do, wouldn't it? :LOL Okay, I'll make a list! Thus far I have received beads from:

LizD
Greaseball
IrishGreenGables
ModestoDoula
curlygrrl
seedling
Doodlebugsmom
2girlsmommy
mattjulie


BTW-- Eli absolutely adores the rubber chicken. :LOL :laugh: He thinks it's the funniest thing on Earth and waves it around saying "chicka chicka chicka CHICKEN!" :laugh:

Edited to update my list

[mattjule]

this is how I see it working. Start with the one beaders, switching them around so no one ends up with their own bead. Then when that is done, add a bead to each of the bracelets from those that sent one bead for each. I think that it may end up working where there isn't the one special bead for each person since a lot of us are sending multiples, but if you have some lying around, you could make up the difference so each bracelet has the same amt of beads. Does that make sense? If I were doing it, I would wait until I got all of them, then lay out each bracelet and make a pile of beads on top of it so it is easier to see who has what (masking tape tags would probably be a good idea too). When all of them are laid out and make sense, then start stringing them.

[curlygrrl]

I sent my beads on Sat, went ahead and sent about 20, since I found some really pretty ones cheap. I don't care how many beads are on the bracelet I get back, as wildthing says, it's just something special that represents our group.

Thanks again for putting this together! :D

[3girlsmommy]

Rynna- I sent my beads out today(finall!). I sent a postage paid envelope with them for you to return the bracelet in but I forgot to put my $2 in for the bracelet. I'll try and remember to send it tomorrow.

Also it doesn't matter to me how many beads I have on my bracelet. I sent 16 so whatever works! :) Thanks again for all your work!

[rubelin]

I'm sorry, but I'm not going to be able to participate in this. I just am not able to get my #$* together in time to get a package to Rynna.

It was a wonderful idea, it's just more than I can handle right now.

[irishgreengables]

Aargh! Did I miss the 2.00 part? are we supposed to send 2.00?

Peace,

[eilonwy]

Rubellin, I'm sorry to hear that! If there's anything we can do so you can still participate, please lemme know, okay?

irishgreengables: The money is for envelopes & postage. Some people have sent SASE's (yourself included, I believe!) and a few people sent a little extra so that postage could be covered to everyone else. All together, I've thus far spent less than $6 on materials, (embroidery floss and a diaper pin to pin the bracelets to my pants :LOL) and at the end of the week I'll count up all the beads and go to A.C. Moore to fill in the extras. Then I'll go buy envelopes for those who didn't send them & start mailing bracelets out. :thumb So to answer your question, you don't have to send the $2, because you sent a SASE, but if you want to contribute to the group you are certainly welcome to.

Please see my updated list! And get thee to a post office if you're not on it! :LOL

[Greaseball]

:duh I only sent $1 and no SASE!

:tiptoe

[dharmama]

I know I said I was going to mail mine LAST Friday or Saturday but ummmmm....I didn't so I will be mailing (I PROMISE) tomorrow or Saturday. I have it all packaged up and ready to go!!

~Erin
:love

[dharmama]

PS ~ I'll add a couple of extra beads for Robin! :D

Robin, please PM your address to Rynna...you need to be in this too!!!!

[wildthing]

I am sending in 20 beads, and definitely I think Robin should be included!
I have a qestion.....how big of an envelope does it need to be? I am trying to get to a store to get one, but no one has been able to keep the younger kids for me. I don't have any padded envelopes here, and I on't want to use a regular one incase it gets mangled.

[rubelin]

Oh you guys are gonna make me cry...

I can send paypal for the postage and I already sent my addy to Rynna, I just can't get things together (finding an envelope, getting to the PO) in time to get the beads there this week. Things are just chaotic around here; DH is sick, Ben is sick and being a HUGE brat, and I am sick & tired of being the mommy, etc...

I just don't want to hold it up...

[eilonwy]

wildthing: The smallest size padded envelope will be perfect. I want to say that they're about 4x6, but I'm not positive.

rubelin: :hug I think that all of us with toddlers can say we've been there. :LOL I soooo want a vacation. Actually, just a bath would be nice... a long, hot bath alone with bubbles, a walkman over my ears, a water pillow under my head... :love aaaaah, bliss!

[3girlsmommy]

Originally posted by eilonwy
Actually, just a bath would be nice... a long, hot bath alone with bubbles, a walkman over my ears, a water pillow under my head... :love aaaaah, bliss!

The last time I tried to take a nice long hot bath I was joined by the girls because the missed me after 10 minutes. My youngest was standing outside the bathroom door screaming for me like she was being tortured. It's nice to be wanted but sometimes I wish I wasn't wanted so much!:LOL

[jaredsmom]

I just saw the bracelet poll and posted a reply there. Is it too late to join? If I send the bead and the SASE/$ tomorrow, would that be okay? This just sounds so awesome to be connected with other mamas during this blessed time!

If it is too late, I'll totally understand.

[3girlsmommy]

Tricia- I think tomorrow is the "deadline" pm Rynna aka eilowny for more information.

[jaredsmom]

Will do. Thanks!

[eilonwy]

Okay --Today I received an envelope from someone with no username in it.. it had a SASE and two different (and very interesting!) packages of beads: I need you to PM me and tell me who you are, please!

I also need an address from kshwjkr (I think that's right.. hard for me to remember, with no vowels. :LOL).

Thank you!

[Smithie]

I FINALLY sent my envelope - two beads, a SASE and some WCC. I sent it Priority Mail. Sorry to be such a scatterbrain, Rynna!

One of the beads I sent says is just a simple silver droplet shape with "Angel" written on it. I had Kim in mind when I picked it out, but I'm not particularly well versed in LDS theology and I don't know if Angel is an appropriate way to refer to Emma. Kim, please reply or PM Rynna and let her know how you feel...

[mamadosa]

Hey everyone,

I don't know why I haven't checked these threads in so long, but I want in. I was wondering if it is too late to send beads (I could send them first thing tomorrow). If not, that is okay. I realize I am trying to jump on the bandwagon a little late here. So happy for all these soon-to-bb mamas. Hoping and praying for healthy, strong babies and mommies!

Lots of Love, Hannah

[eilonwy]

I'm starting to think that I'm going to be making bracelets while I"m in labor! :laugh:

[mamadosa]

I sent my beads overnight! I hope they aren't too big. I am excited to see how it all turns out.

I didn't send any money, but I did send a self-addressed padded envelope! Will that be enough or are we all paypaling to cover other costs too? :shy

Thanks for including me last minute guys,

Oh, and when/how are we doing the blessing part? Will we post, or will it be a silent, in your heart prayer type thing? I was just curious.

Hannah

[mattjule]

I think when Rynna sends out the bracelets we will do a thread for the blessings.