Knoxville to LA
One of the pitfalls of having a writer for a mother is eventually, she will write a story about you. I try to avoid this but since there are a few lessons to be learned (and my son is on a long flight to Japan), I felt the need to share.
In preparing our son for a year-long stay in Japan, we went on a shopping spree, buying everything from socks and shoes to toothpaste and deodorant. When one of the two pairs of Chinos we bought him sprung a button, I pulled out the travel size sewing kit, complete with pre-threaded needles. My husband, a FedEx pilot and seasoned traveler, suggested I teach our son how to sew the button back onto his pants. I argued the need. After all, wouldn’t his Host Mother be able to sew a button if the occasion should arise?
My husband reminded me of a time or two when his uniform pants split straight up the back and he had to walk through the hotel lobby with his underwear hanging out. I guessed a little instruction couldn’t hurt. My son was more than willing to learn and he was surprised at how easy it was for me to tie a knot in the thread, weave the needle back and forth through the four little holes on the button, then tie off the thread again—simple.
While waiting 8 hours for his departure flight at LAX, my son’s second pair of Chinos sprung a button. In a disappointing turn of events, the travel size sewing kit didn’t make it into his carry-on bag. We encouraged him to find a store, buy a kit, and then find a bathroom stall. Imagine my surprise when he called from the bathroom stall and asked me how to thread the needle. When I told him he had to stick the thread through the tiny hole at the top of the needle, he said he figured that out but was hoping I knew an easier way. I didn’t. I’m not sure if the new button was too small or the task was too tedious, but three safety pins are holding his pants up now.
Lesson #1 Last minute packing is not a good idea.
Lesson #2 When your pants are being held up by safety pins and you’re on a 12 hour flight, it is
best to limit your beverage consumption.
Lesson #3 Never say never.
Karen Householder
Savannah Householder
Karen Householder 
Karen: I love to read your blogs. they make me feel that you are here telling me these exciding things.
Keep up the good work. You are very talented.
Thank you, Shirley, for reading! To be honest, I don’t really know what I am going to write about until I sit down to write. In social media, we are encouraged to blog on topic but I have never been good at following instructions. I write whatever is on my mind and whenever possible, I like to find the humor in circumstance. It makes a difficult situation easier to absorb. Life is too short!
I can only imagine what it feels like to pack a child for a long journey ! Joey will leave for Basic Training Oct. 9th ! I am having mixed emotions as he begins his journey out into the “real world,” ! Will definitely have to get out the old sewing kit and begin his lessons !
I will be thinking about you, Gayle. On one hand, you are excited for him, and the other is worried. I’m sure Joey is going to learn A TON of new life skills at Basic!!! I wish him the best.
I taught myself to sew and I find it quite helpful at times. Everyone in my family is able to get a small job done with a needle when it’s a button or a rip, everyone that is except my brother… he’s a late bloomer. 😛
I wish your son the best in Japan and that his safety pins, whenever he may need them, hold. 🙂