A February Sweater for a May Baby

This little ditty is dedicated and was gifted to Mercy Rose, the beautiful little lady who joined her 3 older siblings in the arms of her parents late last night.

 In spite of the sweater pattern being called the February Baby Sweater, I think it'll suit this May baby just right. Made with Knit Picks Swish DK in Sugar Plum. Buttons are from my vintage collection.

I woke up at 5:30am this morning to the news "There's a new little person in the world!" I first thought, "I didn't have the baby already, did I?" My fogginess was only there for a moment, but still...

A few things about cornhole

• Did you know there really is a game people actually play, called "cornhole"? The object of the game is to throw your corn-filled bags (your corn bags, if you will) through a hole cut into an inclined board. Corn. Hole. Corn Hole.
• Did you know that to be regulation weight, each corn bag must be one pound in weight?
• Did you know that when you've been using a corn hole bag over a number of years, the corn within begins to break down and turns to dust, which means your corn bag gets lighter and lighter?
• Did you know that when players are playing with bags that are not of equal weight, they will begin to fret, and even consider that they're not winning because there is something wrong with their bags?
• Did you know that when one man happens to mention that he'd be happy to bring the corn bags up to spec, the other players would get rather excited?
• Did you know that if you can run a sewing machine and mentioned that it should be no trouble to open a seem, refill the bags and close them up again, that you'd be doing that very thing within 48 hours (like, during the Super Bowl, for instance)?
• Did you know that once you began this little project, it would instantly become the most interesting thing your children have ever seen and they absolutely must help, until they've covered everything in corn dust?
• Did you know that when the job was done and the "one man" who began this project takes the corn hole bags back to the office, other men would drop everything (including a lesson, for instance) to come and try them out?
• Did you know that they would be so happy with their "new and improved" bags, it would be a little concerning?

These are just some of the things I've learned about corn hole. I can only assume more lessons will come in due time... 

When a change is as good as a rest, for the most part.

Many thanks to all and sundry for their kind and enthusiastic welcome of baby number 7. It's encouraging to know that even if our friends and family think we're nuts, they're kind enough to keep it to themselves. :)
As for our Christmas vacation, it was heavy on the "social" and light on the "rest". Driving through the night from KY to NJ was long - 15 hours with constant rain - but the kids were so good through the whole thing. They didn't sleep as much as we thought they would, but there was very little complaining, and the dreaded question "How many minutes until we're there?" didn't come up very much. It was great seeing family, being cooked for, and generally being spoiled for Christmas. Our trip down to MD for a weekend was a special joy, complete with more spoiling, visiting with excellent people and visiting our church family. Being in church was such a bittersweet time, as for the first time I realized just how much I miss "my people".
We headed back to NJ for a few more days and spent some time with my brother, sister, and assorted families. So much fun - I've got some great family. :) I'm not sure if the highlight was winning the soup cook-off with my corn chowder (redeeming myself from last year with a dismal loss in the chili cook-off), or playing trivia games while my brother does a frighteningly good job reading the questions in an effeminate voice - both were good moments!
We were supposed to head up to Boston to visit a church there, see some friends, and give Toby an opportunity to preach before we headed back to KY, but alas, it was not to be. There were some concerns about a winter storm getting in the way, and the airline called to cancel our first flight. We were able to reschedule for the next flight, but that was cancelled, too, with the added problem of all flights into Boston were being cancelled until Saturday night. That was going to be a little too tight and a little too difficult, so we decided to drive back a day early and travel during daylight hours - so much better! We are looking forward to scheduling another visit up/over to Boston another time, though - I've got some sightseeing to do!
We're now back into the thick of things - Toby's back to class, kids back to schoolwork, I'm back to...everything I do. I'm feeling fairly good, overall - not 100%, but almost woken up, so to speak. I'm looking forward to getting my brain and energy back - I've got stuff to do!

"You're WHAT?!"

Wow, I can't get away with anything! Clearly, those who know me know me pretty well indeed, because it seems that the only time I get really tired is when there's a bun in the oven...so our friends all knew that the Gayners were expecting baby number 7 without having to say much at all!
We are all very excited, though both Toby and I made the observation that we might be crazy once or twice. After all, a new baby during Toby's year of intense study was not part of the plan, but God always seems to choose better for us than we would choose for ourselves, doesn't He? Besides, being a little crazy seems to be the hallmark for our family, so why not just roll with it?
The current due date is July 27, which falls after Toby's graduation, and into that strange frame of time where there is no concrete plan. Always ready for adventure, we are - I wonder what state this kiddo will be born in?

Week, Interrupted

Wow, what a big bust last week was!

About halfway through Monday, I started feeling tired, achy and heady. Off to bed I went, and there I stayed, off and on, until yesterday afternoon.

We managed to continue with school through the morning, but I was committed to staving the early stages of a head cold as much as possible, so I was determined to rest when I could.

Tuesday night came and went, having to miss my monthly ladies' meeting. They carried on without me, soldiering through, though I know it must have been difficult. ahem

Thursday was interesting, as Dan got up from a nap, gave me a hug, and promptly vomited on the floor next to me (at least not on me). The next 18 hours saw a mild D&V bug course through his little body, but he was still fairly merry through the whole thing.

Thursday night, Toby got hit with the D&V, too, and he got it bad. He was able to make it to class the next day, though, staying well away from everyone - at this point, there was nothing left to get rid of, poor guy.

Friday night, Ellie woke us around 2am to tell us Abi was calling us. Fortunately she'd made it to the bathroom in time, but she was in a bad way. And how did her caring, sympathetic mother comfort her? By tying her hair back, patting her head and running for the other bathroom, leaving Daddy to sort her out. Not that anyone actually likes when people get sick, but I can normally handle it. This time, not so much. I spent almost a half hour in my bathroom, waiting for my stomach to settle or get rid of dinner. I didn't actually get sick, but it was an uneasy night after that, I can tell you.

Saturday saw Abi, Anna, and I all in bed, sleeping with bowls nearby and fighting nausea, while Toby and the others played/shoveled snow outside. I missed the Pastor's Wives Tea, which was so disappointing, but I was still able to enjoy some of the lovely goodies that were brought home. I was especially blessed by letters from some friends from home - so encouraging!

We were planning on missing church on Sunday anyway, not wanting to share any lingering contagion, but church wound up being cancelled anyway. It was fairly quiet, everyone testing their bellies to see what they could handle (I think it was my neighbor's chili that finally cured me!). More playing in the snow, watching movies, and practicing at feeling human again.

So, here we are. I think we're all soundly back in health now, and praying we remain so for the remainder of the year - we have big holiday plans to look forward to!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The day after Thanksgiving...For most it probably means shopping, and maybe some extended rest time, especially if you joined the madness at 2am. For us, it's been a time for tidying up a messy kitchen, catching up on some neglected chores (laundry, ahem) and chilling. And studying, for Toby.

 

We had a great time yesterday. We watched some of the parade in the morning, though it was the Philly parade, since they're the only ones who will stream things online. The kids were baffled at why they kept singing Christmas songs and "doing Christmas-y things" when it's only Thanksgiving. Good question, really.

 

I pottered around in the kitchen with some ham and parsnips to keep me company. Since about 5 for so families had planned to meet up for Thanksgiving dinner, we all took responsibility for different parts - I made honey mustard parsnips and ham to share. Interestingly, most folks had never had a parsnip before and weren't really sure what it was. Granted, I didn't exactly grow up eating them either. I'm not sure how everyone felt about them - I know people ate them, and I didn't see anyone gagging on them, so I'll take that to be a good sign. The ham was okay, but not great. The funny thing about the ham is that Toby bought a 7lb piece of meat, which we decided probably wouldn't be enough, so he bought a second, equally-sized joint. Out of the 14lbs of meat we brought, I figure we all ate about 5lbs of it - needless to say, we'll be eating ham-based leftovers for a little while.

 

When we all got home, we were so very tired! I'm not really sure what was so taxing, but the little kids were in bed by 7pm, and the big ones followed a half hour later. The girls took books to bed, but no one really complained about an early night. Poor Toby - as soon as we walked in the door, he crashed. He'd been fighting a runny nose and some congestion all day, so by the evening, he was done. It was good, however, to get a very good night's sleep.

 

Here's to a restful and enjoyable holiday weekend, for one and all!

How it really is

I'd like to let you all in on a little secret: that homeschool family that seems to have it all together? They don't. Ask me how I know...
I think there is a simple truth that applies in almost every area of life - we only see what we are shown. To put it another way, we see what someone is willing to show us, and that's often the sweet, lovely, crafted, Photoshop-ped version of life. I do think, though, that there is a unique temptation within the homeschool community to idolize and hero-worship "that" family. Whether we actively homeschool or simply interact with homeschoolers, we need to be aware of this fact, because believing that the highlights (or gag reel) are the whole show does everyone a disservice. 
What am I talking about?

• The family who started school in July because the kids were so excited to get into their new books? Those kids still would probably rather ditch school to play in the dirt/leaves/snow/water, if given half the chance.
• The mom who taught her baby to sit quietly on her lap while she teaches her older kids? That baby still cries when she teethes, does horrendous diapers and wants to be held when there are no free hands.
• The oldest child who's a great help around the house? It took a lot of time, energy and dedication to train him, and that's still no guarantee that he will always do his best effort, every time, cheerfully.
• The husband who faithfully sends his wife out for a couple hours of alone time every week? He may still leave the toilet seat up, his socks on the couch, or forget their anniversary.
• That amazing lady who has a clean home, scrapbooks, serves in church and has great hair/nails/workouts? She works extremely hard to make it happen, probably gets help in some area, and doesn't do everything. Maybe she doesn't watch the latest TV shows, read a lot of books or get enough sleep. Anyway you slice it, she doesn't do something.

Why do I mention this? Because I think we are all so used to looking around and seeing our weaknesses and failures in someone else's strengths and successes, that we are unable to be grateful, we are unable to recognize God's working, and we are unable to bless.

Grateful - I might not scrapbook, but I'm sure thankful my mom does. She made me a scrapbook with all sorts of incredible family history in it. I couldn't have done it, and wouldn't have enjoyed it if I tried, but now I have this wonderful collection of family history to thank God for and show my children. I don't feel bad that I don't make a scrapbook for each of my children every year, but I'm grateful that my mom has those skills and passions.

God is working - Most of my kids are not self-starters and they often drive each other nuts, which makes it all the sweeter when one kid will read to the others, when one of them works extra hard at an assignment, or when one chooses to share with or encourage another. God is at work in their lives, even if it's not always obvious, because He loves them.

Be a blessing - When I've looked at my friends with eyes of envy, I've failed to notice where they may be in need. Maybe the hard work of child training is discouraging, maybe she's exhausted from another sleepless night, or maybe, just maybe, she's simply needing to hear how much God loves her and that you'll be praying for her. Wouldn't you like to hear that, too?

Rather than spending my time thinking about how someone else's life looks and how mine doesn't quite measure up, I want to spend more time thanking God for the grace in their lives, looking for the grace in my own family's life, and seeing how God would have us serve and bless those around us. Cause no one's got it all together this side of Glory, and I don't want to miss all He's doing right here, right now.

Bookend Birthdays

The day we moved, this little guy turned one year old. We didn't do much to celebrate his big day at the time, but at least he didn't seem too bothered by it.

On Saturday, this beautiful girl turned 11. I can't believe it. Yes, I can.

Clearly, I am conflicted about this milestone in her (my) life.

Wanna hear something funny about these two? They are great friends. It's marvelous, really - they are buddies in the "kids need to help each other out more, so I'm putting you two together" sense, but also in the "enjoying one another's company" sense. Caleb settles with Abi in a way he doesn't with his other siblings, and no one can jolly this girl out a tween-girl sized strop like this sweet boy.

It's not all sunbeams and roses - he's occasionally worn out her patience and sometimes, no one but Mama will do - but for now, and hopefully in the future, they really are pals. It's a lovely thing to watch.

Getting lost and found

A few weeks ago, a friend and I took our kids for a hike. We'd both been to the area before and felt we knew it well enough - we were trying to pay attention to the trail codes and everything. Somehow, though, we got off track. I'm still not sure where exactly we went wrong, but it was bad. We had been scrambling over fallen trees and large rocks, coaxing the little ones along and sliding down steep slopes. We didn't think we'd be gone long, so we left our water bottles in the cars, and every one of us was tired and soaked in sweat.

When we finally came to a place where I thought we'd be getting back on track, a rather grumpy woman came out to inform us we were trespassing on private property, we were nowhere near where we wanted to be, and the only way to get back was to go right back down to the dangerous and tiresome scrambling we had just fought our way out of.

I don't think I was the only one who wanted to cry.

By God's mercy, I decided to get my phone out, checked where we were on google maps, and set a course for where we wanted to be. It took a while, everyone was tired, hungry and hot, but we made it through (without actual tears, which was amazing, I tell you).

The interesting thing I learned, though, is how I didn't actually realize how lost I was until our cheerless messenger let us know how off course we really were. If she hadn't of informed us of this brutal truth, we probably would have continued on, hopefully thinking we were just around the bend from where we wanted to be. However, once I realized how bad the situation was, I turned to the map that would show me the way. It wasn't an easy route out, but we had confidence that we were headed in the right direction.

It made me think how often I can be tempted to bumble along in life, never realizing how a couple of foolish decisions or a failure to pay attention can lead me down a path that leads to nowhere. Sometimes, while we're haplessly wandering, Providence will send a warning our way - someone or something that reveals our true situation. No one likes to hear they're lost, but until they accept that they are in pretty bad shape, they have no hope of charting a new course. Likewise, unless someone tells me I've wronged them, or shows me where I've neglected my responsibilities, or is prepared to confront me with my sin, it's unlikely that I would the need to fix what I didn't know was broken.

I would recommend a caveat, though. We are to speak in love, out of a desire to restore, rather than condemn or punish. When this woman came to drive us off her property, she seemed more offended that we disturbed her, and less concerned that we were lost. (Threatening 2 women and 10 kids with a couple of attack dogs didn't help.) As believers, however, we should be more concerned with our brother or sister's good than with "setting them straight".

Has there been a time when you had to deliver or receive the "hard message"? How did it go? 

Right now

• Dan is doing well with potty training - yay! It's not perfect - last week he peed as soon as we set foot in the library, and yesterday he had a rather messy accident (ahem) - but he's made it through church and 3+ hour co-op, accident-free. I'm telling you, you've got a appreciate the little things.
• Caleb has now cut two teeth, and gauging by the grouch, there are more coming. In between bouts of misery, though, he really is marvelous.
• God has been showing me lately, the hard way, that I am very quick to become angry when my comfort, plan, or desire for ease is threatened. The sinful response of anger is obviously wrong, but it's an indicator of other heart issues that need addressing. One way I've been helped is by choosing to prepare myself for things not going my way ahead of time and praying for both my response to glorify God, and for Him to be at work in the issues that tend to act as a trigger (bickering or complaining, for instance). While there is still far to go, I have seen grace and growth - and that's no small thing.
• We had a lovely Easter, rejoicing over baptisms at church and enjoying wonderful food and company with friends. And for the record, I successfully completed my Pinterest fast! Taking a tech/social media break was a helpful exercise, one I am considering doing more often.
• While it's only barely spring, I'm seeing the beginning of the shift towards summer: only 4 weeks of co-op left, planning for next year's schooling has begun, Noah's baseball clinic starts this Saturday. How is it possible that I'm ready for the next season, even as we scramble to finish well where we're at?
• I'm almost finished working on this little project for a friend at co-op. I love this pattern and I love the yarn!
• Our family has done little in the way of field trips so far this year (I blame the baby). With improved weather, bigger baby, and a healthy dose of mother-guilt, I'm planning on getting my people out and about more. Any suggestions for an excellent field trip?

What are you and yours up to?

This is life

• Last week, one of the kids tripped over the laptop cord and sent it crashing to the ground, killing the monitor. Fortunately, the computer itself still works - we just can't see anything but ink and splinters on the screen. Clever husband hooked it up to our PC monitor so it can be used until fixed. Clever husband has also ordered a new laptop screen and is endeavoring to fix it himself. I married up.

• Our weekly family night tends to be some kind of snack food and a movie. It's fun, though if Dan gets excited, it can be a little...chaotic. The kids don't eat as much because they're mesmerized, which means there's more for the adults. He he.

• Abigail has now transferred from the piano after 2-3 years and has begun violin lessons. She's very excited, as am I - I always wanted to play the violin growing up. Anna's continuing with the piano, and Noah just had his first piano lesson this morning. He wants to try the guitar or drums (such a boy), so we've decided he needs to get a year or so of piano under his belt first. He has the best teacher around, so I'm sure he'll love it.

• After Toby was away for a week for work while (some of) the kids were sick, I was done. I don't know that I'd ever been happier to see him. I begged him not to leave again. So, this morning, he left at 4am to catch a 6:30am flight to Kentucky for the day. He'll be catching a flight home this afternoon and should be home in time to kiss the kids goodnight, all so that he doesn't have to be away another night.  What a guy!

• We have reached a new phase of parenting recently - hormones have entered our home. We're talking and praying a lot, but if we all survive it, it'll be one of God's great kindnesses.

• A fun activity around here is "dance party". We turn the 80s station on Pandora and rock it out. So. Much. Fun. I remember all those lyrics, Toby gets down with his rhythm-impaired self (he's such a white boy), and the kids go from showing off their funky moves to laughing at our funky moves. It's the best version of time-travel - all of the sudden, I was in 7th grade, sitting with my friends at the lunch table, singing "Ice Ice Baby". We were so cool.

• Some of our dearest friends left late last week to go meet four boys who want to call them Mom and Dad. Actually, it's more like "Mai and Pai", since they're coming from Brazil. They don't come back until March, and I can't imagine there have been more eagerly awaited children - it seems as if our entire church is adopting them! And it won't be long until our friends are seeing their kids dance around the house, eating everything in sight and tripping over expensive equipment. I'm so excited for them!

My first Cookie Exchange!

Sunday night was my first cookie exchange! I'd seen the idea online and decided (almost last minute) that it would be such a fun thing to do.

The seven of us enjoyed cherry almond cookies, pumpkin oatmeal chocolate chip, chocolate chip & pretzel, peanut butter reindeer, cookies & creme cookies, red velvet brownies, chocolate-covered saltines, and gingerbread.  So much yum.

Toby printed out a bunch of little number for each (kind of) cookie and some voting ballots for ladies to vote on best looking, most unique & overall favorite. They were so cute, and a much better job than I could have done! 

While each of the winners got a little something special, each lady was able to take home a little homemade ornament as a "thank you for coming". The pattern is here.

It was so much fun and definitely something I'd do again. Perhaps a new holiday tradition?

One thing's for sure - 6 dozen cookies don't go too far in this house...

Made from Scraps - Preemie Hats

Every Monday morning this summer, several young girls and their moms would come on over to my house to visit, play and knit. Some had an idea of what to do with needles and yarn, some were totally new to the process. Regardless, everyone learned, which was the point of our little endeavor, and I think (hope!) everyone had fun in the process. A couple of my knitters were ready, by the summer's end, to have a go at doing some small hats. In light of the fact that I should soon be visiting the maternity ward myself, we decided to make a few hats to donate to the NICU there. Aren't they cute?!

 

 All the hats pictured were made from yarn I already had leftover from other projects, and all but one were made by casting on 60 stitches onto double pointed needles and knit for about 2 inches. To decrease, k8, k2tog until the end of the row. Next row, knit. Another decrease row: k7, k2tog to end. Knit row. Continue decreasing every other row until there are about 4 stitches left, then tie it off and weave in the ends.

Lovely soft yarns for lovely little heads, and I have a little more room for a little more yarn. Everyone wins.

Baby Gift

A couple weeks ago, a sweet friend of mine (and talented seamstress) made my new little boy a gift:

A smooshably soft name pillow and a couple of monogrammed burp cloths!

They are so lovely, and I am so looking forward to using them! They also lay atop a very handsome blanket that another friend crocheted for me. I know the best people...:)

We have a guest

A little over a week ago, we welcomed at temporary guest to stay with us. Fred has been a very pleasant guest to have in our home, making no mess, being very easy to get along with, need very little attention and being overall a rather fascinating fellow. Oh, and Fred's a ball python.

Fred's family is enjoying a wonderful cross-country road trip, and it's been so nice looking after him while they're gone. The kids all love him and are keen to keep his tank misted, and even Toby (the least snake-interested of the lot of us) finds him utterly fascinating.

Fred eats only once a week, and Friday was the day. The kids had been eagerly anticipating it, and Tobes wanted to witness the event before he left for work, so we woke them up this morning with the rally cry, "It's Feed Fred Friday!" That got them moving.

Once the frozen mouse (otherwise known as "breakfast") was thawed, Fred was removed from his home, placed in his feeding container, and provided his meal. Being a constrictor, it didn't take long before he coiled around it and got down to the business of getting it in his belly. I thought it was going to be pretty gross, but actually, like most of what Fred does, was just downright fascinating.

We get to enjoy Fred for another week before his family returns to claim him. After that, I fully expect to be petitioned to get a snake of our own, and perhaps some other caged critters (Abi has been interested in getting a mouse for years). And I gotta say, it won't take much to convince me - Fred has been an ideal pet: he doesn't shed, bark, get underfoot, or leap up at guests. He's been pretty easy to care for, not very expensive, and it's much easier to have someone look after your contained pet when vacations roll around. Any thoughts (like how we must be nuts)?

Does anyone else have some weird and wonderful pet experiences to share?

taking stock

• I took the kids strawberry picking last week. We filled two 5 quart buckets of strawberries so fast that the kids started picking berries for some of the other berry pickers in the field. That was fun.
• I made this cake at the weekend with some of the berries, though I substituted sour cream for the yogurt. So. Good. You must try it.
• We have a robin's nest in our yard again. Last week it had 5 eggs in it. Now there are none. I suspect the black snake in the shed had something to do with it.
• Toby's company picnic was last weekend. Our children ate about a dozen snow cones between them and almost as much cotton candy. They bounced on the bouncy castle until there was no air left, rode ponies until the ponies gave up and ate until there was no more food. We were the very last people there - standard Gayner procedure.
• The buttons I'd ordered for some baby sweaters have finally arrived - the very first thing I bought from etsy! Expect to see more finished projects next week...
• I found this tutorial for making friendship bracelets. I made three looms for the two big girls and myself. Now we're bracelet-making fools! It's so addictive - the girls have plans for all the people they'll make them for and have a go a making necklaces, as well, while I have plans on making sturdier looms out of plastic material and making up sets to give as gifts.
• Today finishes up pretty much all of our school work for the year. Yay! We can now close the book on grades 4, 3 and K. I'll be sharing my grand plans for summer school (fun summer school) in a couple weeks.
• Tomorrow morning we head west for a week. First a few days of catching up with some of our very favorite people, then cabin-camping at Deep Creek. I'm giddy.

Have a great week!

We went horseback riding!

Toby works with a sweet gal who loves her horse and is kind enough to share, so she very kindly invited us all out one Sunday to enjoy a ride on Sunny.

It was so fun! Now all us girls want a horse. Again. Still.

For Libby

If she hasn't received it by now, she'll be getting it soon, so I don't think it'll spoil anything. As requested, the Miss Madeline, for the Miss Libby.

As the fabric was a bit thin, I lined this one, which gives it a touch of added warmth, and some extra drape. Pretty easy, actually.
I hope you enjoy it, Libby - it should serve you well!

Just say no

If I ever invite you out for lunch, just say no. Otherwise, some or all of the following may occur:

• I'll arrange to meet you at a great ice cream place that happens to be closed on the day we go.
• You're a good sport and up for an adventure, so we go (with all 7 children between us, by the way), to a local Mexican joint.
• As soon as we get our food (10 mins apart because of the huge line that's suddenly turned up), I realize that Daniel's had "an accident". A big one.
• Kindly, you don't comment on how gross it is that I'm now eating with one hand while the other hand covers the yucky patch on Dan's leg - you have excellent manners.
• You have to listen to all the "having your hands full" comments, with great grace and a light heart, not to mention the well-meaning fellow who's trying to wrangle you some ill-gotten free food.
• After I take Noah to the bathroom, you make a mental note to wait until you get home to use the facilities, since Noah experienced some "aiming malfunctions".
• Finally, when you're almost ready and in the car, you will (briefly) misplace your keys.

So, unless you are my sweet friend Kate or another similarly adventurous spirit, don't come out to lunch with me. I'll totally understand.

Phase 1 - Complete

On Friday, our friends sailed off into the Wild Blue Yonder. Actually, they flew home to Birmingham. But we had a marvellous time with them.

On their last full day with us, we took the children to Port Discovery. The kids had a great time, the adults just kept doing head counts all day. (We got a number of looks that said "One man + two women + 8 kids = Mormon family.)

The most hair-raising part of the day wasn't the city driving or getting a touch lost on the way out, or even when Noah wandered off for a few minutes (though Toby and I apologize afresh to our parents for doing the same!). No, it was when the woman who is afraid of heights decided to climb up this...

...and down this...
...with this view below...

...so that her Anna wouldn't be scared. And not only did it not work, but I had to work very

hard to not completely flip out while in the net-tube. Nearly shamed myself, though...