Everything is going to be ok, I have a PLAN!

Oh yes...yes I do! :D

Today I have a lot to get done:
1. make earrings for my Bike Part Jewelry business to send to ArtMart in Boulder, CO
2. take pictures of the new line of metal and chain maille scrapbooking embellishments I need to add to the webstore (HandmadecreationsbyLynn); and add them to be available for purchase
3. laundry...but I have a plan! I bought the boys their own small laundry baskets the other day so they can start taking up their own laundry after I fold it. This will be a multi-step process. First they will get used to being responsible for taking their baskets full of their laundry upstairs and I or hubs will put the clothes away; then they will take up the baskets AND put the laundry away, with supervision; THEN they can do it all themselves. I'm banking on about 3 weeks total, but we shall see
4. I need to update my Bike Part Jewelry website with the new jewelry (both with and without bicycle parts) I've created recently
5. I need to rearrange my chain maille rings
6. I have GOT to break and clean some bicycle chains for the jewelry business...breaking first, then stick them in the tumbler for cleaning
7. I need to work on M's weighted lap blanket. I'm half way through the 11th row of rings (it's stainless steel rings in European 4 in1 chainmaille pattern). It's taking longer than I thought, but I had forgotten how hard it is to work with stainless steel rings when you don't do it on a daily basis. Those things are tough! But it's going to be AWESOME when it's finished
8. I want to figure out how to make M a body sox, or maybe I'll just buy one for him
9. I need to get my head together with all the suggestions the OT made for school and home accommodations for M yesterday
10. Finally, I must make J (M's younger brother) a picture schedule so he can get everything into his backpack BEFORE I say it's time to leave...we had an issue over a water bottle this morning, and he ended up not being able to take it because he refused to fill it up at school and we didn't have time to fill it up at home

It's going to be a busy day, but I think I'm up to the task.

Weighted Blankets - my own twist on the design

So weighted blankets can be very good for kids with sensory disorders, especially those who like that deep pressure sensation, like my kid.

Since I make chain maille, I've had this idea tickling my head to make him a blanket out of stainless steel rings. The pattern I'm using is European 4 in1, which is an amazing feeling pattern. It actually feels good against the skin, and the 18g 3/16" rings I'm using will be just heavy enough to give him the weight he craves. It's not going to be a huge blanket, but I'd like to make it big enough for him to sleep under, with another blanket between him and the steel blanket, most likely.

I was reading today about weighted comforters and thought that instead of spending $150 to buy one, I could spend less and make him one! I might even put a red anodized aluminum inlay in it of his first initial. Not only would that add to the cool factor, it would also make the blanket a bit lighter if it's getting to be on the heavy side.

I'm in the process of ordering more rings for the blanket and for my business(es), so it will be a couple of weeks before I can get a good start on it. I'll go ahead and use up the rings I have, but there aren't many.

I'm kind of excited about this idea! Any comments are welcome on how you think this will work/not work.